Assessment of phenotypic variations in worldwide accessions of Amaranthus tricolor

The aim of this study was to determine effect of types and dose levels of foliar fertilizers on  morphology and production of Clitoria ternatea. This study was conducted from September to November 2020 at Forage Research Garden for Animal Feed and Pasture, Faculty of Animal Science, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. Materials used were Clitoria ternatea, liquid organic fertilizer of rabbit and gandasil D fertilizer. This study was designed in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with factorial pattern of 2x4. The fertilizer dosages were: 0,1.5,3.0 and 4.5 g/l/plot. The parameters measured were plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, number of branches, fresh and dry matter productions. Data were analyzed by the analysis of variance at 5%, with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results showed that types of foliar fertilizers did not affect morphological characteristics and production of Clitoria ternatea (P0.05), but the fertilizer dosages had significant effect (P0.05) on morphological characteristics except for leaf area and production of Clitoria ternatea. The higher the dose level of foliar fertilizer the greater the plant height, stem diameter and number of branches. Dosage of 4.5 g/l/plot resulted in the highest plant height, stem diameter and number of branches each 160.02, 1.14 cm and 18.96 branches, respectively. Dosage of4.5 g/l/plot gave the highest fresh and dry matter production of 19.22 and 16.75 tons/ha. It is concluded that increasing the dosage level of foliar fertilizer up to 4.5 g/l/plot resulted in an increased quantity measures of several morphological characteristics and production.

Large sections of tomato farming rely heavily on surface irrigation because rainfall is insufficient to supply crop water needs. This technique may result in water waste. Throughout and directly afterwards transplanting, at flowering, and during the development of fruit, tomatoes are extremely susceptible to water deficiencies. Therefore, preserving agricultural water supplies and boosting water productivity, coupled with increased tomato production, necessitate satisfying the water needs of tomatoes. This is why we set out to investigate how water stress affects tomato's (Tandilo and Rukuta varieties) agro-morphological traits in this study. The research was conducted at the Botanical Garden, Gombe State University. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design with six (6) replications and three (3) treatments. Three different water levels were termed as severe deficit at 14-day intervals, mild deficit at 7 d and control treatments were applied to each group. The impact of water stress on various tomato cultivars was calculated by measuring their height, stem diameter, leaf area, stem diameter, and number of branches. Water stress was found to significantly (P<0.05) reduce stem diameter, plant height, leaf area, and the number of branches. In conclusion, the agro morphological efficiency of tomato cultivars improved after modest water stress mitigation. Tandilo and Rukuta varieties can be adopted in semi-arid regions to optimize yield and ensure food security.

Mint is an important medicinal herb that is cultivated in different parts of the world. In order to investigate the effects of salinity stress on morphological characteristics of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), an experiment was conducted in 2013, based on complete randomized design, under hydroponic conditions, at Research Greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Treatments were five salinity levels (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mM of sodium chloride) with four replications. Growth medium was 2:1 cocopeat to perlite, and complete nutrients solution was used. Supplying plants’ nutrients was twice a week along the irrigation water application. When plants’ height was 30 cm, salinity treatments were applied and were continued till full flowering. At the end of the experiment, morphologic traits including plant height, number of main stems, number of lateral branches, leaf area, specific leaf weight, stem diameter, number of nodes, fourth internode length, and spike length were measured. Results showed that salinity stress had significant effects on leaf area, fresh and dry weights of leaf, stem and root, plant height, number of lateral branches, number of nodes, fourth internode length, and spike length. The highest leaf area, leaf dry weight, plant height and number of lateral branches were observed in control treatment. The lowest leaf area and leaf dry weight were obtained in salinity level of 120 mM, and the lowest plant height and number of lateral branches were observed in salinity levels of 90 mM and 120 mM. Salinity had no significant effect on fresh weight of shoot to root ratio, fresh weight of leaf to root ratio, specific weight of leaves, number of main stems and stem diameter. According to the results, it appears that spearmint is sensitive to salinity stress and it can't tolerate salinity levels higher than 30 mM sodium chloride.

The cultivation of chili plants (Capsicum frutescens L.) is vital due to their economic and nutritional value. However, seed germination and growth are influenced by factors such as pre-sowing treatments. This study investigates the effect of Akruss-350FS concentration and seed soaking duration on chili plant germination and growth. A factorial experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three levels of Akruss-350FS concentration (0, 3, and 6 ml/L) and three soaking durations (0, 12, and 24 hours). Germination rate, percentage, plant height, leaf width, stem diameter, and number of branches were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and an Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at a 5% significance level. Results indicated that Akruss-350FS concentration significantly affected leaf width, with the highest width observed at 6 ml/L. However, neither Akruss-350FS concentration nor soaking duration had a significant impact on germination rate, plant height, stem diameter, or number of branches. The findings suggest that while Akruss-350FS may enhance specific growth parameters, it does not universally improve all aspects of chili plant development. In conclusion, optimizing Akruss-350FS concentration can enhance certain morphological traits, but further research is needed to determine its broader impact on chili plant productivity. These results contribute to improved agronomic practices for chili cultivation.

Amaranthus cruentus L. is a leafy vegetable that is cultivated mainly for its leaves and grains. Due to high demand for this crop in Nigeria, the need to boost its productivity becomes necessary. Field and laboratory studies were conducted during in two successive cropping seasons at the experimental farm and laboratory unit of the Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. Three cutting heights C1: (10 cm), C2: (15 cm), C3: (20 cm) and a control C0: (no cutting) and four rates of fertilizer application F0: (Control), F1: (10 t ha-1 poultry manure), F2: (150 kg ha-1 NPK15:15:15) and F3 (75 t ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 + 5 t ha-1 poultry manure) constituted the treatments. The treatments were in three replicate laid out in a (4 × 4) factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. Data collected were plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), stem diameter (cm) and number of branches. Fresh and dry herbage yield were taken at harvest. Growth, yield, and quality of Amarathus cruentus were significantly influenced by cutting heights and fertilizer application. In both years, number of branches (3.50 and 6.01) were lowest at C0 compared with other treatments. Herbage fresh and dry yield (49.10 t ha-1 and 18.20 t ha-1) were highest at C3 and was consistent in both years. Similarly, the concentration of K, Ca, and Mg in plant tissue and the uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) increase at C3 compared with other treatments. F3 significantly (p<0.05) produced highest dry herbage yield (13.08 t ha-1and 25.15 t ha-1) in both years. Crude protein, fibre and fat content of the shoots were highest at cutting height of C3 and at F3 fertilizer rate. Therefore, for good yield and better quality of Amaranthus cruentus L, a combination of (75 t ha-1 NPK 15:15:15 + 5 t ha-1 poultry manure) at cutting height of C3: (20 cm above soil level) is recommended for Amaranthus cruentus L production in the study area.

Tea beverage is reputed worldwide for its numerous medicinal and nutritional benefits. Hot and humid climate is a major abiotic constraint to the cultivation of tea in Southwest Nigeria. Planting tea with shade trees has been used to ameliorate the adverse effects of hot climate on tea. A field experiment was carried out in Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria stations in Ibadan and Owena, Southwest Nigeria to evaluate the growth and seedling establishment of tea plant under plantain shade. Two tea cultivars (C143 and C318) were planted on the field under three shade regimes (two plantain planting densities [1111 plantain ha-1 and 2222 plantain ha-1] and control [zero shade]). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design arranged in Split-plots with four replications. Data on Number of Leaves (NL), Number of Branches (NB), Leaf Area (LA), Plant Height (PH), Stem Diameter (SD) and Survival Count (SC) were collected and analysed with ANOVA and descriptive statistics at α0.05. The results showed that cultivar 143 was significantly better than cultivar 318 in NL, NB, LA, SD and SC in Ibadan and Owena. In Ibadan, plantain density of 2222 increased NL, NB, PH, SD and LA by 24%, 58%, 69%, 89% and 180%, respectively in comparison with 1111 plantain ha-1, and by 198%, 228%, 320%, 240% and 2364%, respectively compared to zero shade. In Owena, 2222 plantain ha-1 increased NL, NB, PH, SD and LA by 17%, 7%, 27%, 8% and 55%, respectively in comparison with 1111 plantain ha-1, and by 94%, 60%, 64%, 18% and 106%, respectively compared to zero shade. Highest tea seedling SC of 79.43% and 78.69% in Ibadan and Owena, respectively was caused by 2222 plantain ha-1. In Ibadan, highest NL (20.06), NB (5.81) and SD (0.53) were recorded in C143 under 1111 plantain ha-1; while in Owena, highest NL (82.81), NB (16.56), SD (0.96) and LA (6295.84) were enhanced in C143 under 2222 plantain ha-1. In conclusion, growing tea cultivar 143 under 1111 plantain/ha and 2222 plantain/ha shade densities enhanced its growth and seedling establishment in Ibadan and Owena.

his study aims to determine effects of utilization of Bio-Gas Slurry With buffalo Feces Input And water hyacinthwith Various Dosage MOD (Microorganisme Decomposer) on Productivity of Moringa oleifera. Research conducted at the field experimental, Samosir Sumatra Utara in April-November 2017. The design used in the study was split plot design with four replications. First factor (M): dosage decomposer, M1= 1 liters/150 kg and M2= 2 liters/150 kg. Second factor (P): dosage was fertilizier of Bio-Gas Slurry With buffalo Feces Input And water hyacinth(ton/ha/year), P0=0, P1=20, P2=40. The variable were plant height, stem diameter and number of branches. The results showed that dosage decomposer and dosage of fertilizer Bio-Gas Slurry significantly affectplant height, stem diameter and number of branches Moringaoleifera.The utilization of Bio-Gas With buffalo Feces Input And water hyacinthwith Various Dosage MOD affect plant height, stem diameter and number of branches. It is concluded that dosage 2 liter/150 kg and application 40 ton/ha/year show higher on production of Moringa oleifera.

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) cultivation is limited germination and early seedling growth challenges. Aloe vera gel, a natural biostimulant, shows potential, but its effects on Moringa are underexplored. The primary objective of this investigation was to identify sustainable ways to increase the germination as well as seedling vigor of Moringa. The study had taken place at the Horticulture Department of Sindh Agriculture University in Tandojam during the fall of 2024. The findings from this research investigates the impact of varying concentrations of Aloe vera gel on the germination and growth of Moringa (Moringa oleifera). The experiment was laid out in a CRD with six treatments, replicated three times. T0 (control), T1 priming (distilled water), T2 (1% Aloe vera gel), T3 (30% Aloe vera gel), T4 (60% Aloe vera gel), and T5 (100% Aloe vera gel). Key germination and growth parameters, including germination percentage, time to germination, germination index, seedling vigor index, number of branches per plant, shoot and root fresh biomass, seedling quality index, plant height, and sturdiness quotient were evaluated in this study. Findings showed that 100% Aloe vera gel (T5) significantly improved germination percentage (82.66%), germination index (4.99), vigor index (2230), plant height (42.11 cm), and number of branches (14.66), while control treatment consistently produced the lowest values. Interestingly, shoot and root biomass, as well as seedling quality index, were maximized at lower concentrations (1% Aloe vera gel). These results highlight the potential of Aloe vera gel as a sustainable and natural biostimulant to overcome germination challenges in Moringa. Future studies should focus on field-scale validation, optimization of gel concentrations, and integration with other eco-friendly priming techniques to establish standardized protocols for large-scale Moringa cultivation.

With this study, the objective was to determine the most economic management of irrigation water applied at different levels in the culture of passion fruit grown in conventional system and in polyethylene bags. The experiment was conducted in the city of Remanso, state of Bahia, Brazil. The experimental set-up was a randomized block design in a factorial design 2 (conventional system, and polyethylene bags of 100 L) x 5 (irrigation levels: 100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% an irrigation management at field capacity) with four replications and four plants per plot. The treatments began 30 days after transplanting the seedlings to the field, and the analyzed variables were: plant height, stem diameter, leaf area and number of tertiary branches, of flower buds and fruits per plant. The data were interpreted by means of analyses of variance (test F) and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% probability of error. It was found that the yellow passion fruit got greater agronomic performance when grown in polyethylene bags, with irrigation management at 80 % field capacity.

Plant height, the first branch height and branch number are important agronomic traits in rapeseed. In our study, QTL mapping of plant height, the first branch height and branch number in Brassica napus was tested by using the high density SNP genetic map constructed from the high generation RIL population with the rapeseed 60 K chip array. The reference SNP genetic map contains 2795 SNP markers, covering 1832.9 c M with an average distance of 0.66 c M in B. napus genome. Totally, 24 putative QTLs were identified for plant height, the first branch height and branch number by using the complex interval mapping. The phenotypic variation was explained by individual QTL ranged from 5.00% to 15.26% for 11 QTLs of plant height, from 5.04% to 12.99% for seven QTLs of the first branch height, and from 5.95% to 8.14% for six QTLs of branch number. We collected 156 genes associated with plant height, 10 genes associated with the first branch height and 148 genes associated with branch number in Arabidopsis thaliana and searched the homology region of the QTL confidence interval E-value1E–20 to screen the possible candidate genes. We found 20 genes associated with plant height, three genes associated with the first branch height and 12 genes associated with branch number. The plant height candidate genes ATGID1B/GID1 B and WRI1 were found in QTL confidence interval on A07 and SLR/IAA14 and AXR2/IAA7 were found in QTL confidence interval on A08 in 2013 and 2014. The first branch height candidate gene PHT1;8 was found in QTLs q2013FBH-C05-1 and q2014FBH-C05-2 that had an overlapping con-fidence interval. Moreover, we found four genes associated with branch number that E-value from 0 to 3E–56 on A03 and C06, respectively.

Twenty-five genotypes of grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) were tested during the rabi 2019-20, for genetic factors such as genetic variability, correlation, and path analysis. For each of the 13 characters under study, the results of the analysis of variance revealed a significant variation among the genotypes. Characteristics with high GCV and PCV were the leaf area, biological yield per plant, number of branches per plant, harvest index, plant height, stem diameter and grain yield per plant. The biological yield per plant, leaf area, number of branches per plant, harvest index, length of inflorescence, girth of inflorescence, stem diameter, plant height, grain yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, and days to maturity showed high estimates of heritability along with high genetic advance. Therefore, choosing such traits will be more beneficial. At the genotypic and phenotypic levels, there was a positive and highly significant correlation between the characters days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, length of inflorescence, stem diameter, leaf area, biological yield per plant and grain yield per plant. Based on the results of the path co-efficient analysis high direct influence was observed between grain yield and the days to 50% flowering, plant height, inflorescence length and girth of inflorescence, number of branches per plant, and biological yield per plant. Keywords: Correlation, Grain amaranth, Genetic variability, Heritability, Path co-efficient analysis

A two-year field study was conducted in 2003 and 2004 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Bolorunduro (8o 29’ N, 4o 35’E ) of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, to evaluate the growth and grain yield responses of soybean genotypes to P fertilizer application. The trial was designed as 12 x 2 factorial experiments in randomized complete block and laid out in split-plots arrangements with four replications. The main plots were twelve soybean genotypes, while two P fertilizer levels constituted the sub-plots. Plant height, leaf area and number of branches per plant, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and leaf area ratio were measured at full flowering, while number of pods per plant and grain yield were obtained at harvest. Plant height, leaf area, number of branches, crop growth rate, relative growth rate varied significantly (p yield differed significantly among genotypes and increased with P application in the two years of study, but the differences were significant only in 2003. The results also showed appreciable variations in grain yields of the genotypes at 0 kg P ha-1, suggesting variations in P use efficiency of the genotypes at low level of P. In conclusion, results of this study showed significant positive responses to P application.

Aims: To assess the field establishment of two tea cultivars under Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH) and Poultry Manure (PM).
 Study Design: Randomized complete block design arranged in Split-plots (cultivars as main plots and organic amendments as sub-plots) with four replications.
 Place and Duration of Study: Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria stations in Ibadan and Owena, Southwest Nigeria between May 2016 and November 2017 (Rainy and dry seasons of 2016; Rainy season of 2017). 
 Methodology: Milled CPH and cured PM were applied each at the rates of 150 and 300 kg Nha-1 to established C143 and C318 tea cultivars on the field; unfertilized tea cultivars served as control. Data on number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, plant height and stem diameter were collected on monthly basis; while dry matter was assessed at 15 months after transplanting. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and correlation at α.05. 
 Results: The C143 performed better than C318 and 150 kg Nha-1 of CPH and PM enhanced the vegetative growth and dry matter of tea better than 300 kg Nha-1 in Ibadan and Owena. Cultivar 143 was significantly (P=0.05) better than cultivar 318 in number of leaves, number of branches and stem diameter in Ibadan; and in number of leaves and leaf area in Owena. CPH at 150 kg Nha-1 increased number of leaves, number of branches, leaf area, plant height and total dry matter by 135.11, 88.19, 346.12, 65.33 and 428.11% at Ibadan; and by 349.09, 245.41, 376.89, 80.89 and 231.49% at Owena, compared to control. On the interaction, tea cultivar 143 that received 150 kg Nha-1 CPH produced significantly (P=0.05) higher number of leaves, leaf area and total dry matter at Ibadan and Owena. Leaf area was positively correlated with number of leaves (r=0.87) in Ibadan and stem diameter (r=0.80) in Owena.
 Conclusion: CPH at 150 kg Nha-1 enhanced the growth and dry matter content of C143 tea established on the field in Ibadan and Owena, and is therefore recommended for tea cultivation in Southwest of Nigeria.

Introduction: The tendency to produce aromatic and medicinal plants and the demand for natural products is increasing especially in the world of ecological agriculture. Ecological agriculture of medicinal plants guarantees their quality and reduces the possibility of negative effects on their medicinal quality and yield. One of the most important medicinal plant species is basil, which is widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. Common basil (Ocimum bacilicum L.) is the most important economic species of Ocimum and is cultivated and consumed in almost all warm and temperate regions. Evaluation of different plant nutrition systems is one of the important principles in the production planning of medicinal plants in order to achieve high yield and quality of effective ingredients. Proper fertilizer management is one of the important factors in agricultural production. Identification of fertilizers compatible with nature and suitable for plant growth can have favorable effects on quantitative and qualitative indices of the plant. Organic fertilizers are genuine and risk-free products that can be suitable for agricultural sustainability. Soil organic matter improves fertility and water retention, provides proper ventilation, long-term storage of plant nutrients and microorganisms, so replacing chemical fertilizers with fertilizers such as vermicompost and biofertilizer can reduce the above-mentioned effects. Biofertilizers are one of the operations that is nowadays in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture for soil fertility. Biofertilizers include the compost of one or more types of useful soil organisms or as metabolic by-products of these organisms that are used to provide the plant with the nutrients it needs in an agroecosystem.Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of biochar and organic and biological fertilizers on the quantity and quality of Ocimum bacilicum L., a factorial experiment was done in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Experimental treatments included two levels of biochar (0 and 20 ton ha-1) and five levels of fertilizers (vermicompost (10 ton ha-1), Mycorrhiza, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas and no fertilizer application). Prior to planting sweet basil seed, biofertilizers and vermicompost were mixed with soil to the depth of 15 cm. Mycorrhizal fungi were mixed with seed. Azotobacter and Pseudomonas bacteria were also incubated with seeds (seed inoculated). It should be added that in this study no chemicals were used to control weeds and pests. Before flowering stage, morphological traits of basil (plant height, stem diameter and number of branches) were measured. Also, to measure the dry weight of the shoots, basil was scalped from one square meter and weighed, and their fresh weight was thus determined. Then, to determine the dry weight, the samples were transferred to an oven at 70 ° C for 48 hours and finally weighed. Also in the flowering stage, the amount of total phenol and flavonoids and antioxidant activity (DPPH) were evaluated. Finally, the data were analyzed using SAS statistical software and Excel software was used to draw the graphs. Also, the means were compared by LSD test at the level of 5%.Results and Discussion: According to the results, the highest height and number of main branches was in biochar application with vermicompost (49.37 cm and 7 respectively), which was significantly better than other treatments. The intraction effect of biochar and fertilizer had a significant effect on fresh and dry weight of leaf and stem of the plant. The results of the mean comparison of treatments showed that the highest leaf and stem fresh weight were obtained in biochar + Pseudomonas application (792 and 876 g m-2, respectively), which had no significant difference with biochar + vermicompost; and also, the maximum leaf dry weight and stem dry weight were obtained in biochar with Pseudomonas application (166 and 175 g m-2, respectively). The interaction between biochar and fertilizer on phenol, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of basil showed a significant differences between treatments. ConclusionIn general, the results showed that the use of biochar and biological and organic fertilizers can be effective in both the quality and quantity of sweet bail, where, the use of the bacterium Azobacter and Pseudomonas with biochar had the greatest effect on the quality and quantity of sweet bail. Finally, it can be cocluded that the combined use of biochar with biological fertilizers have a significant impact on the quantitative and qualitative increase of sweet bail in ecological or low input agricultural.

In any plantation establishment programme there should be adequate number of healthy seedlings and this depends on the nutrition and care given to them at the nursery stage. Pot experiment was conducted to assess the response of Moringa oleifera (Lam) seedlings to different soil and nutritional sources at nursery stage. One hundred seeds were obtained from Centre for Environmental Renewable Resources Research and Development (CENRAD) Ibadan, Nigeria and sown in germination trays. Seed germination was completed between 10-15 days, 36 uniformly growing seedlings were transplanted into polythene pots of size 29×25 cm and were filled with different soil sources at 500 gm (arable) soil, forest reserve soil and natural forest mixed with nutritional sources of the same ratio (10 gm) i.e. poultry manure, cow dung and N.P.K 15.15.15. The experiment was factorial arranged in a completely randomized design. Result showed that pots with natural forest soil mixed with 10 gm N.P.K (s3f3) produced seedlings with highest value In plant height (76.30 cm), stem diameter (3.47 mm) and number of branches (10.00) which was significantly different (p< 0.01) from the other treatments. The least value in plant height (30.70 cm) stem diameter (1.50 mm) and number of branches (3.3) were recorded in pots with forest reserve soil mixed with cow dung (s2f2). Interaction effect of soil and nutritional sources were significant for all the growth parameters assessed (p<0.01). Results showed that Natural forest soils treated with N.P.K 15.15.15 could be employed in raising Moringa oleifera seedlings at nursery stage for optimum performance.