Assessment of soil fertility in relation to dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) cultivation in south-eastern region of Bangladesh

High soil pH can result in Mn2+ and P deficiency, leading to crop yield losses. Therefore, supplying soil with NH4+-N fertilizer in stabilized or unstabilized form can increase soil Mn2+ availability and shoot concentration. Nitrification inhibitors (NIs) have been proposed to lower rhizosphere soil pH, thus improving plant P uptake and preventing P deficiency in soils with high pH. Thus, this study investigated whether NI-stabilized or unstabilized NH4+-N could increase Mn2+ availability in three differently-textured soils (sand, loamy sand, and silt loam) and promote Mn2+ and P shoot concentration in maize. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of applying NH4+-N fertilizer with or without the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) combined with different nitrogen (N) sources (calcium nitrate (CN), ammonium nitrate (AN), and ammonium sulphate (AS)). The measured variables were bulk and rhizosphere soil pH and Mn2+ availability, maize biomass, as well as Mn2+ and P shoot concentrations. The results indicated that DMPP-stabilized AS significantly decreased rhizosphere pH by 7.2 % in loamy sand soil texture compared with unstabilized AS. Similarly, only in the loamy sand texture, DMPP-stabilized AS increased Mn2+ availability and shoot concentration by 86 % and 47 %, respectively, relative to unstabilized AS. Furthermore, DMPP-treated AS and AN promoted P shoot concentration by 30 % and 21 % in the loamy sand and silt loam soil textures, respectively, relative to the corresponding N sources without DMPP. Conversely, DMPP did not impact the investigated variables in the sand texture for all N sources. Moreover, AN and AS increased biomass yield, Mn2+ availability, and shoot concentration by 72 %, 30 %, and 46 %, respectively, in relation to the CN fertilizer in the sand soil texture. In conclusion, this study confirmed the effectiveness of DMPP-induced rhizosphere acidification in enhancing Mn2+ and P shoot concentration in loamy sand soil textures, as well as P shoot concentration in fine-textured soil.

Increasing studies indicate that long-term experiments (LTEs) involving manure application and optimal cropping systems can significantly improve soil physicochemical properties, which may also affect the soil water retention curve (WRC) in the wet region (pF < 4.2). However, few studies have explored the effect of long-term manure application and cropping systems on soil WRC in the dry region (water vapour sorption isotherms, WSIs) (pF > 4.2) as well as the associated soil physicochemical properties. To overcome this knowledge gap, we investigated the effect of long-term manure application (24 to 177 years) and different cropping systems (71 to 82 years) on soil organic carbon (SOC) content, WSIs, hysteresis, and specific surface area (SSA). Soil samples were collected from five long-term manure experiments in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, and Denmark, and two long-term cropping systems experiments in the United Kingdom. The five manure LTEs comprised three soil textures (silty clay, silt loam, and sandy loam) with one to four crops grown in the fields, including wheat, barley, maize, and grass/clover. The cropping system LTEs comprised silt loam and sandy loam including bare fallow (BF), arable rotation, ley–arable rotation, and permanent grass. Results showed that long-term manure application increased SOC content in each site, but it had little effect on the soil WSIs, hysteresis, and SSA in silty clay soils. The changes of soil WSIs, hysteresis, and SSA in silt loam and sandy loam arising from manure application largely depend on the crops grown in the field. For the long-term cropping systems experiments, permanent grass had the most significant effect in increasing SOC content, soil WSIs in silt loam and sandy loam, and hysteresis and SSA in silt loam compared to other treatments. Compared to BF, arable rotation and ley-arable rotation had no effect on SOC and soil WSIs in silt loam, and on hysteresis and SSA in silt loam and sandy loam. Multiple linear regression models including SOC, clay, and silt contents sufficiently explained the variabilities observed in the soil WSIs, hysteresis, and SSA for both manure and cropping systems LTEs.

Introduction: Arsenic is a highly toxic metalloid in group 15 of periodic table. The information on environmental behaviour of arsenic, however, is still scarce. Contamination of soils and water with arsenic and antimony due to their widespread industrial application and mining activities has raised serious environmental concerns. Nearly all Arsenic-contaminated soils results from human activities and it has different environmental and sociological impacts. Various strategies and methods have been proposed for environmental management and remediation of contaminated soils. Among all methods, the phytoremediation is receiving more attention due to its cost effective and environmental friendly characteristics. In the case of arsenic contaminated soils, there are effective factors such as soil fertility, nutrients content and microorganisms function, which can improve the uptake of As by plants. Up to now, several studies have been evaluated the effects of symbiotic fungal association in plants on increasing nutrients and toxic elements uptake. Many of authors reported that the mycorrhizal symbiosis increases the uptake of toxic elements in root and shoot of plants and consequently improve the efficacy of phytostabilization and phytoextraction processes. There are conflicting results about the effect of arbuscular- mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on As uptake by various plants. Chen et al. (4) found that Glomus mosseae symbiosis with plant reduces As concentration and enhance phosphorus content in shoot and root of plant. Whilst Cozzolino et al. (7) reported that the AMF increases as concentration in shoot and root of cabbage. Phosphorus has important role on mycorrhizal symbiosis and also As uptake by plants. Therefore, current study was conducted to evaluated effect of Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae symbiosis with sunflower and also soil phosphorus concentration on uptake of arsenic from arsenite and arsenate contaminated soils. Materials and Methods:The soil sample (Typic Haplorthids) was collected, air dried and passed through 2 mm sieve and then were heated in 80 centigrade degree temperature for two times. A pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement and three replications in greenhouse condition. The experimental factors included two species spices of inorganic As (50 mg kg-1 of Arsenite and Arsenate), two levels of phosphorus (0 and 60 mg Kg-1) and three spices of arbuscular mycorrhizae (control, Glomus intraradices and Glomus mosseae). Soil samples spiked with Na2HAsO4.7H2O, NaAsO2 (Arsenite and Arsenate) and Ca (H2PO4)2 (phosphorus) and incubated in greenhouse condition for 4 week. Sunflower seeds were planted and seedlings harvested after 60 day of sowing and then dry weight of sunflower, concentration of As and phosphorus in shoot and root of plant and root colonization percentage determined using standard methods. Results and Discussion:The results revealed that Glomus intraradices (GI) and Glomus mosseae (GM) symbiosis significantly (P<0.05) increased the biomass production of sunflower compared with controls. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) between Arsenite and Arsenate treatments in biomass production. Also the dry weight of sunflower in Arsenite and Arsenate contaminated soil samples elevated when phosphorus concentration increased from 0 mg Kg-1(P1) to 60 mg Kg-1 soil (P2). The highest amount of biomass production observed in GI and P2 treatments that were 1.72 and 1.73 (g pot-1) in Arsenite and Arsenate contaminated soil, respectively. The results showed that the GI and GM symbiosis and phosphorus concentration significantly (P<0.05) increased phosphorus content of shoot and root of sunflower as compared to the control treatments while there was no significant difference (P<0.05) between Arsenite and Arsenate treatments. The greatest amount of phosphorus in shoot and root of sunflower achieved by GI and P2 treatments that was significantly (P<0.05) higher that control treatments but there was no significant difference (P<0.05) between GI and P2 treatments and GM and P2 treatments. The results of current study revealed that the concentration of As in root was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that in shoot of sunflower. The GI and GM symbiosis significantly (P<0.05) reduced concentration of As in root and shoot of sunflower in comparison to control treatments. The data showed that the increasing of soil phosphorus level followed by a significant (P<0.05) increase of As concentration in root and shoot of sunflower. The highest amount of As concentration in root and shoot of sunflower obtained by control and P2 treatments. Conclusion:The results of present study revealed that Glomus intraradices (GI) and Glomus mosseae (GM) symbiosis with sunflower plant can increase the phytostabilization efficacy while increasing phosphorous concentration in soils enhance plant uptake of arsenic in As contaminated soils.

The present study was conducted to assess the contamination and health risk due to the presence of pesticides in fruits and vegetables. A total of six vegetable samples, 3 fruit samples, 7 soil samples, and 6 water samples were collected from three different sampling points. High-performance liquid chromatography using acetonitrile and water solvent system was employed for the quantitative and qualitative analysis. The pesticides having the highest health risk in vegetables were Bifenthrin and Difenoconazole as their health risk index was found to be exceeding the cut off value of 1. Imidacloprid was found in all vegetable samples but had no associated health risk, as all the health risk indices for imidacloprid were below the cut off value of 1. The pesticide Glyphosate detected in only one sample had no health risk associated with it. Health risks in fruits were the highest for Amamectin, Bifenthrin, and Difenoconazole and were crossing the threshold limit of 1. The results reveal the health risk indices of Bifenthrin and Difenoconazole range from 7.8 to 12.46 in vegetables and from 2.704 to 30.454 in fruits, hence, posing a serious threat to human health. Amamectin, although detected in only fruit and water samples, had the highest health risk of 30.454. Imidacloprid and Glyphosate found in every fruit sample had no associated health risk. The results revealed the presence of pesticides in water, soil, fruit, and vegetable samples. Consumers utilizing these vegetables and fruits are under potential health risks due to the presence of pesticides in soil and water. Practical Applications. In this study, an analytical method for detecting pesticides in a variety of environmental matrices including fruits, vegetables, water, and the soil is presented and the health risk associated with the presence of pesticides in a wide range of fruits and vegetables is assessed. It is highly significant because in developing countries agricultural activities contribute majorly toward the total gross domestic product and pesticides are extensively used to control, prevent, devastate, and diminish any harmful pest that destroys crops.

Dragon fruit has significant economic value in many countries due to has excellent nutritional content, health advantages, and adaptability to different climates, making it an important crop in the global fruit industry. This study aimed to gather comprehensive nutritional data on three dragon fruit cultivars by analysing the levels of micronutrients, fibre, carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in their pulps. Uniform dragon fruit samples underwent thorough analysis for proximate composition, mineral content, pigments, antioxidants, and vitamin C, with statistical methods used to assess significant differences among the parameters studied. The proximate composition analysis revealed significant differences among the three dragon fruit cultivars. Among the proximate components, protein (0.40±0.02g/100 g), moisture (91.33±0.88%), crude fibre (0.32±0.07 g/100 g), and ash (1.27±0.09 g/100 g) were more abundant in Hylocereus costaricensis than in Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus megalanthus. On the other hand, Hylocereus undatus had higher carbohydrate (17.02±0.63 g/100 g) and energy (69.74±2.44 kcal/100 g) contents. K (7.23±0.35 mg/100 g), Ca (1.61±0.13 mg/100 g), Fe (1.84±0.05 mg/100 g), and Zn (0.37±0.034 mg/100 g) are highly abundant in H. costaricensis. Additionally, Hylocereus costaricensis had the highest anthocyanin content (120.15±3.29 mg/g FW) and total carotenoid content (72.51±1.62 mg/g FW), along with the highest vitamin C content (8.92±0.13 mg/g FW) and total soluble phenolic content (572.48±20.77 mg/100 g). Its remarkable antioxidant activity was further highlighted by the lowest SC50 value (13.50±0.4 mg/mL) for its DPPH radical scavenging capacity. The total soluble sugar content was highest in Hylocereus megalanthus (8.72±0.30 g/100 g FW). Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed distinct trait and genotype associations; among the studied cultivars, Hylocereus costaricensis demonstrated superior performance across multiple traits. Correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations among several traits, while principal component analysis highlighted the contribution of each trait to overall variance, with PC1 explaining 73.95% of the total variance. This study highlights the nutritional variations among dragon fruit cultivars, with Hylocereus costaricensis showing superior performance, guiding dietary planning and functional food development.

The study aimed to determine transfer factor (TF) of heavy metals (HM) from soils to fruits in Wadi Turabah agricultural farms. This is in order to obtain information on retention mechanisms of metals in soils and their ability to transfer from soils to fruits. Obtained results (HM contents) were compared to those reported by FAO/WHO acceptable limits. Also TF values were compared to those stated in recent related studies. Fruit samples include cantaloupe melon, grape, pomegranate, mandarin and lemon. While, soil samples include surface soil (SS) and depth soil (DS) collected from same study area. Samples were digested by microwave-assisted oven and HM (Mn, Pb Cr, As and Cd) were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). As and Pb were detected in almost all soil and fruit samples, while Cr and Mn were detected in all soil samples and not detected in other fruit samples except grape. Elevated levels of As and Mn were measured in fruit and soil samples respectively. However, general concentrations of studied HM in fruits from Turabah farms were lower than maximum permissible concentrations in fruits given by FAO/WHO. Results confirm that fruits in the study areas were safe and can be used for human consumptions. Statistical test revealed that concentration of HM were statistically significant differences (P ˂ 0.05) in examined samples. Results indicate that Pb (TF = 0.774) transfer more than As (TF = 0.539), Cr (TF = 0.003), Mn and Cd (TF &lt; 0.002). This indicates that general ability of HM to transfer from soils to fruits were low (TF &lt; 1). Statistical tests (P ˂ 0.05) indicate that obtained TF values were not differ significantly between different plant species grown in same location.

This study aimed to develop and characterize purple dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) yogurt by evaluating its physicochemical, antioxidant, and sensory properties. Yogurt was prepared using standardized milk (3.5% fat, 11.0% solids-not-fat) with varying concentrations of dragon fruit pulp (3%, 5%, and 7%). The results showed that increasing pulp concentration significantly influenced yogurt properties. Lactic acid content increased from 0.46% in the control to 1.10% in the 7% pulp yogurt, while pH decreased from 5.21 to 4.28. Antioxidant activity improved remarkably, with %RSA values rising from 20.06% (control) to 49.63% (7% pulp). Sensory evaluation on a 9-point hedonic scale indicated enhanced color and appearance at higher pulp levels, with the highest rating (9.00) observed in 7% pulp yogurt. However, consistency slightly declined, while flavor and overall acceptability remained favorable. These findings suggest that dragon fruit pulp enhances the functional and nutritional properties of yogurt, making it a promising ingredient for value-added dairy products.

Physicochemical property of top layer of soil is very important for plant growth having life supporting agriculture production, forestry and environmental sustainability. Soil texture and its chemical properties are determined by various factors inversely soil property determines productivity for them. This study was conducted in Jita and Taksar area of Lamjung district of Nepal. Soil samples were collected from the field. Coarse fragments, soil texture and pH were measured from soil samples. Properties of soil were analyzed by mechanical and chemical methods such as sieve, hydrometer and digital pH meter. Dominant soil textural class is loam followed by silt loam. Higher proportion of sand is found in higher elevation and steeper slope. Inverse relationship is found of silt. Dominant soil is found to be slightly to moderately acidic. Soil pH level decreases with increasing altitude and slope gradient. Cultivated land is less acidic than other land cover category. It is found that lower elevation and lower slope gradient have more proportion of coarse fragments. Chi-square test proves the significant difference of pH, soil texture class, soil particle size and coarse fragment at different elevation, slope gradient and land use. However, variation of sand at different slope gradient and land use is not explained well.The Geographical Journal of NepalVol. 11: 45-62, 2018

PurposeWastes were composted and applied as the soils amendment to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. The study aimed at assessing the nutrient uptake and growth of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown in soils amended with cow manure after a co-composting process.MethodsSandy loam and silt loam soils were amended with cow manure after co-composting with poplar leaf litter at 1:0, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. The compost was applied to soil at the rate of 20 t ha−1. Spinach was grown for 8 weeks and then harvested to measure plant shoot biomass. Spinach shoot samples were digested and nutrient contents in the shoots were determined.ResultsCo-composted manure significantly improved the growth and nutrients availability to the spinach. Dry biomass, P and K contents in spinach shoot varied among manure: leaf litter ratios: 1:0 < 1:1 < 1:2 < 1:3. Conversely, N, Zn, Fe, Cu and Cd contents in spinach shoot reduced with the manure amendment with increasing amount of leaf litter. Water extractable micro-elements in the post-harvest soils were found in the order of Zn > Fe > Cu > Cd. Co-compost amendments increased the P and K availability except N, NO3 and NH4 in the post-harvest soils. Trace elements in the post-harvest soils reduced with leaf additives in the compost.ConclusionsCo-composted cow manure with leaf litter proved to be superior in terms of bioavailability of plant nutrients over the composted manure without leaf litter. This may also assist in mitigating the environmental contamination of heavy metals in the farm lands.

Rizal M. 2015. Development prospect of dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) in Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 884-888. To date, the demand for dragon fruit in Indonesia is quite large. The domestic and international producers can not fulfill this requirement, thus the chance to cultivate the dragon fruit is still open to meet the demand of the national and international market. In East Kalimantan, dragon fruit has not been much cultivated by farmers. The predominantly planted dragon fruit is red flesh dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) or Super Red. This variety is the sweetest dragon fruit. The purpose of this study was to provide information about the prospects of dragon fruit development for supporting sustainable farming of dragon that more valuable and high competitive. This assessment was conducted in Samboja sub-District, Kutai Kartanegara District, East Kalimantan Province in 2013. The collected data consisted of primary data obtained from dragon fruit farmers and secondary data taken from related ministries or agencies and scientific papers. The collecting data technique was observation, interview, and record-keeping. The result showed that the potency of dragon fruit development in East Kalimantan had good prospects in the future; it reduced fruit import and was also important to penetrate the export market. In addition, dragon fruit gave high economic benefit for the farmer, because of the value of dragon fruit R/C was 1.42. It meant that it was reasonable to be developed.

Irrigation water of different sources affects fruit quality attributes and heavy metals contents of un-grafted and commercial mango cultivars

Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis) contains anthocyanin which is a polyphenol compound that is rich in pigments, determining the formation of red, purple and blue colors of various fruits and vegetables. Wine fermentation is the process of breaking down sugar into alcohol and CO2 gas due to enzymes produced by yeast cells. Factors that influence the fermentation process are the type of yeast, sugar content, nutrition, temperature, aeration, and pH. The fermentation time in making fruit wine is very important to know to produce wine with good characteristics. This study aims to determine the effect of sugar levels and the best fermentation time on the characteristics of red dragon fruit wine (Hylocereus costaricensis). This research was conducted at the Food Processing Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Warmadewa. Research with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of 2 (two) factors and two replications, the first factor is sugar content, which consists of four levels: 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%. The second factor is the fermentation time, which consists of three levels: 10 days, 15 days, 20 days. Variables observed in dragon fruit wine include objective observations: levels of methanol and levels of ethanol. From the results of the study obtained 10.42% ethanol content, and the wine produced does not contain methanol.

Two steroids compounds, 7?-Hydoxy ?-sitosterol (1) and ?-sitosterol (2), have been isolated from ethyl acetate extract of the fresh Super Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis).The chemical structure of compounds 1 and 2 were identified by spectroscopic data including UV, IR, NMR-1D, NMR-2D and mass as well as by comparing with previously reported spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 were reported for the first time from dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis).&#x0D; Keywords: 7?-Hydoxy ?-sitosterol, ?-sitosterol, Hylocereus costaricensis, steroids.

This study aims to determine the effect of dragon fruit skin extract (Hylocereus costaricensis) to the bio-plastic characteristics of cassava starch and polyvinyl alcohol and to know the addition of the best dragon fruit skin extract (Hylocereus costaricensis). The treatment of this research is the addition of dragon fruit skin extract of 5%; 10%; 15%; 20%; and 25%. Observations on the resulting bio-plastic product are physical properties and mechanical properties. Physical properties test include thickness, density, water absorption and mechanical properties test including tensile strength test, percent elongation. The results showed that the difference of dragon fruit color extract concentration in bio-plastic has effect on thickness, density, water absorption, tensile strength, elongation percentage. The best treatment based on bio-plastic mechanical properties is on E treatment (addition of 20% dragon fruit skin extract).

Soil (0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm depth), leaf and fruit samples were collected from seventeen orchards of lemon (Citrus limon L.) from different locations of Habiganj district to evaluate the physicochemical properties, nutrient status of soil, and nutrient concentrations in lemon leaves and fruits. The soil was found to vary pH from extreme to medium acidic (3.9 to 6.0), organic matter content 0.63 to 1.71% at 0 to 15 cm and 0.16 to 1.42% at 15 to 30 cm depth. Electrical Conductivity was found non-saline in nature which was 37.9 to 100.1 μS/cm at 0 to 15 cm and 25.1 to 69.0 μS/cm at 15 to 30 cm depth. The dominant soil textural class was sandy clay loam. The total N, P, K and S in soils were found 0.038 to 0.085%, 0.024 to 0.071%, 0.022 to 0.144%, and 0.040 to 0.294% at 0 to 15 cm depth, respectively and 0.012 to 0.076%, 0.024 to 0.056%, 0.012 to 0.139%, and 0.016 to 0.333% at 15 to 30 cm depth, respectively. Available N was found 20.37 to 67.90 mg/kg at 0 to 15 cm and 20.37 to 74.69 mg/kg at 15 to 30 cm depth. Major soil samples were found low in available phosphorous, 0.35 to 66.95 mg/kg at 0 to 15 cm and 0.83 to 29.19 mg/kg at 15 to 30 cm depth. Available sulphur was also found low in concentration, 4.62 to 68.48 mg/kg at 0 to 15 cm and 2.10 to 15.54 mg/kg at 15 to 30 cm depth. The exchangeable K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in soils at 0 to 15 cm depth were found 0.040 to 0.221 meq/100g, 0.002 to 0.046 meq/100g and 0.017 to 0.042 meq/100g, respectively and at 15 to 30 cm depth these were found from 0.025 to 0.097 meq/100g, 0.003 to 0.054 meq/100g, and 0.016 to 0.050 meq/100g, respectively. The concentrations of total N, P, K and S in leaf were 1.198 to 2.659%, 0.500 to 0.778%, 0.112 to 0.246% and 0.010 to 0.133%, respectively. The concentrations of total N, P, K and S in fruit were 0.760 to 1.549%, 0.250 to 0.611%, 0.107 to 0.190% and 0.005 to 0.031%, respectively. The present findings illustrated the low to medium soil fertility status under the lemon plantation in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh and growers could be recommended to plant lemons after applying soil amendments to improve the physico-chemical properties of soils in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2023, 9(1): 69-78