Preliminary trial to determine the performance of micropropagated turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) plants in Virginia, USA

Plant growth strategies of Thymus vulgaris L. in response to population density

A nursery trial was conducted in the screen house of the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria in 2011 to investigate the effect of different potting media and watering frequencies on the growth of Dennetia tripetala seedlings. Threedifferent growing media: Rice husks (Rh), pig dung (Pd) and cocoa husk (Ch) were used as sources of growth. They were combined in a 1:1 ratio to make seven media combinations with four watering frequencies at once daily (D1), twice daily (D2), once every other day (D3) and twice everyother day (D4). The trial was laid out in a 7 x 4 factorial design fitted into a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Data were collected on plant height, leaf number, and canopy diameter, stem girth, dry weight of root and shoot. Results obtained revealed that potting medium with sole pig dung significantly produced the best seedling attributes in terms of plant height (11.46cm), stem girth (1.01cm), canopy diameter (9.58cm) while, leaf number (11.16), dry weight of shoots (0.51g) and roots (0.19g) were best with sole rice husk and rice husk plus pig dung (1:1) respectively. Watering twice every other day had a significant (p<0.05) influence on plant height, canopy diameter, stem girth and root dry matter. There were significant interaction effects between sole pig dung and watering once, twice daily and twice every other. However, in order to save labour, money and time spent in watering, watering twice every other day plus pig dung sole may be adequate for raising D. tripelata seedlings.Keywords: Dennetia tripelata, potting media, watering frequency, seedling growth

Growth and Yield Performance of Selected Wheat Genotypes at Variable Irrigation Management

Crop production is directly associated with the improvement of germplasm, which is mainly reliant on genetic diversity. Diversity among various genotypes has been investigated employing a variety of statistical approaches. The most widely utilized of these methods for determining the genetic overlap of genotypes is multivariate. In the present investigation, a total of 27 onion genotypes/advanced lines/varieties comprising high and low total soluble solids (TSS) white onion lines along with red varieties were evaluated at the ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research station. Data were recorded on seven biochemical parameters. In multivariate analysis, genotypes were clustered into three major groups: the first group comprised thirteen genotypes with high TSS; however, the second group (eight) comprised low TSS white onion genotypes, and in the third group (six), mostly red varieties were clubbed together. The analysis primarily focused on the trait TSS; it was significantly associated with the antioxidant assay 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) AE, while total sugar content was positively associated with the antioxidant assay 2, 2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid)ABTS. In principal component analysis (PCA), the first three principal components (PCs) with >1 Eigen value contributed 71.36% of the variability among genotypes. Characters with a maximum value at PC1 were total soluble solids (0.48), antioxidant capacity AE DPPH (0.46), and total sugar content (0.49). PC2 comprises total phenolic content (0.62) and total flavonoid content (0.62); for PC3, the major contributors were thiosulfinate content (0.82) and antioxidant capacity ABTS (0.32). From the findings of the present study, the best-performing high TSS lines can be used for advancement through strongly correlated traits using breeding strategies. These sorted high TSS lines (W-103, W-107, and W-123) (>22 °Brix.), high-sugar-content genotypes (W-108, W-111, and W-308), and W-361, which recorded high thiosulfinate content, can be advanced or used as parental material for the development of processing-suitable onion varieties.

BACKGROUND: There is no mention in the literature of vegetative propagation of Vaccinium myrtillus. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the rooting potential of bilberry rhizome and stem cuttings. METHODS: Rhizome and stem cuttings collected in early Autumn were dipped in different IBA solutions (0 – 2000 – 4000 mgL–1) and rooted in non-sterilized V. myrtillus soil and expanded perlite under controlled growth chamber environment or under mist with basal heating in a greenhouse for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Rhizome cuttings showed high rooting potential in plant growth regulator (PGR) free substrates. Conversely, stem cuttings took advantage from IBA treatments; this positive effect on rooting percentage was synergistically increased when rooted in agriperlite. A higher rooting capacity was achieved when rhizome and stem cuttings were placed in agriperlite, however number of developed roots and shoots were much higher when V. myrtillus turf was used as substrate. Mist and bottom heating did not improve rooting significantly. CONCLUSIONS: V. myrtillus can be successfully propagated both by rhizome and stem cuttings. With an overall rooting success of 56–68% and with a reasonably good growth rate, production of planting material from stem cuttings of V. myrtillus offers opportunities for a cheaper, practically feasible and technically less demanding alternative means of propagation.

A NOVEL APPROACH OF BACTERIA-FREE RHIZOME PRODUCTION OF GINGER THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a novel, niche-market fruit because of its tart flavours, unique aroma profiles and abundant antioxidants. Commercial crop development requires improved biochemical traits to promote wide-spread market acceptance. Key foundation germplasm groups from Russia, Japan and the Kuril Islands were compared with three mainstream fruit crops (highbush blueberry, red raspberry and June-bearing strawberry) to characterize selected biochemical traits, including total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA), in a temperate climate over two years (2012, 2013) in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada. Biochemical diversity associated with commercially-desirable fruit quality varied across foundation groups, providing genetic resources required to improve several fruit quality traits. There was greater variability in dry matter and TSS:TA in the Russian and Japanese groups, respectively, and these groups had similar diversity in TSS, TA and pH. Blue honeysuckle possessed important variability in TSS:TA, meaning that overly tart fruit tastes are not an absolute limitation to wide-spread consumption. The Japanese group had low TSS:TA despite high TSS, and the Russian group had high TSS:TA despite low TSS. Diversity in TSS:TA is more directly related to differences in TA than TSS. Reducing TA will effectively improve TSS:TA, contributing to desirable fruit quality and market acceptance.

Yield components and fruit composition of ‘MidSouth’, an interspecific hybrid bunch grape (Vitis spp.) with relatively low total soluble solids and high titratable acidity, was evaluated in south Mississippi to determine if treatments consisting of early pruning, early pruning with pre-bloom leaf removal, normal pruning with post-fruit set leaf removal, or normal pruning in one study, or post-fruit set leaf removal, post-fruit set shoot thinning, or neither leaf removal nor shoot thinning in a second study could improve these qualities. Early pruning with leaf removal reduced berries per cluster, cluster weights, yields, and Ravaz index. Early pruning treatments had inconsistent results from year to year, and normal pruning treatments were not often significantly different. Shoot thinned vines had lower yields and Ravaz index and higher total soluble solids. Second study leaf removal vines had lower juice pH in 2020 and lower yield per vine in 2021. These findings show that ‘MidSouth’ can be altered by these practices, but they did not appear to sufficiently alter ‘MidSouth’ quality. Thus, early pruning with or without leaf removal, normal pruning with leaf removal, and shoot thinning are not recommended for ‘MidSouth’ in south Mississippi, and normal pruning without these practices should be continued.

The present study was taken up to know the morphological and germination physiognomies of karonda (Carissa carandas) seeds influenced by seed storage period at ambient conditions (26 ?C temperature and 55 % RH). Seeds were subjected to store at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days at room temperature (26?C). Germination percentage and various morphological characteristics viz., vigour index, fresh weight of shoot and root, dry weight of shoot and root, root to shoot ratio were recorded. Among stored seeds 10 days old seeds recorded highest germina-tion percentage (57 %) and 60 days old seeds recorded lowest germination (20.33 %). At the end (90 days after sowing) 10 days old seeds again possessed higher fresh weight of root (0.300 g) and shoot (1.240 g), dry weight of root (0.103 g) and shoot (0.487 g), root to shoot ratio (0.212) and vigour index (1772.70 cm) among stored seeds. These physiological observations were quite similar with the freshly harvested seed which found maximum values for all the parameters owing to higher moisture content. Karonda seeds showed good viability upto10 days thereafter its value declined and it reached minimum after 60 days of storage.

Humic acid is biostimulan that has a negative charge and it is able to bind cations that are important in the process of plant growth. Red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) is one of vegetables that contains betacyanin which is a good source of antioxidants. However, the stem and leaves of red amaranth also contains oxalate which could inhibits calcium absorption in human's body. This study was aimed to evaluated the effect of humic acid on vegetative growth, yield, oxalic acid and betacyanin content of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.). Red amaranth seeds were germinated in a polybag containing top soil as growth media. Seedling were selected and humic acid were applied through foliage spray or soil surface when plants were at 2 weeks old. The concentration variation of humic acid were 0 mg/L, 5 mg/L, 20 mg/L or 35 mg/L and there were 5 replicates for each treatment. Vegetative growth observed were plant height and leaf number, yield observed were fresh and dry weight of shoot and root. Oxalic acid content was determined by permanganometric titration method, and the density of Ca-oxalate crystal was observed from stem cut preparate made by free-hand section technique. Betacyanin content was determined by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), and chlorophyll content was determined by spectrophometric method. Data were analyzed by One Way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test with 95% confidence level. Results showed that humic acid of 20 mg/L applied through the leaves significantly increase plant height, leaf number, the fresh and dry weight of shoot and betacyanin content. Humic acid of 20 mg/L that was applied through the soil surface also significantly increased leaf number, both fresh and dry weight of shoot and root but reduced oxalate content. From this study it can be concluded that humic acid of 20 mg/L applied either through foliage spay or soil surface increased plant height, yield and betacyanin content but it reduce doxalate content of red amaranth.

Background and objectives: The use of biochar and mycorrhizal fungi has positive effect on soil fertility, crop production, increasing of carbon sequestration, reduction of greenhouse gas sublimation, improvement of nutrient utilization efficiency, stimulation of soil microorganism growth, production of growth promoting hormones, as well as increasing of plant tolerance to environmental stress. However, their effects depend on soil characteristics, plant species and the type of raw material used in the production of biochar. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of biochar (derived from residues of essential oil extraction of Satureja khuzistanica) and mycorrhizal fungi (Native and non-native) and their interactions on growth, biomass and some morphological and biochemical characteristics of two Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) cultivars in greenhouse conditions. Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in the greenhouse of Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University. The first factor was Parsley cultivars (crispum and neapolitanum). Application of biochar at three levels (0, three and six percent of soil weight) was used as the second factor. While, application of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in three levels (Control, native mycorrhiza and non-native mycorrhiza) was consider as the third factor. Plant height, plant width, leaf number, leaf length and width, petiole length and diameter, crown diameter, distance between leaflets, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, root length and volume, electrolyte leakage, relative water content as well as chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and mycorrhizal colonization were measured. The data obtained from the experiment was analyzed using Minitab software. Mean comparison was performed using LSD test method at 0.05. Results: The Results showed that biochar application up to 3% increased plant height, plant width, leaf length and width, leaf number, petiole diameter, root volume, fresh and dry weight of root and shoot, content of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, and colonization rates in both parsley cultivars. However, application of higher amount of biochar had no positive effect on these traits. Maximum of plant height (31.49 cm), plant width (47.60 cm), leaf length (18.68 cm), leaf width (19.23 cm) and petiole diameter (0.080 mm) was observed in the treatment of mycorrhizal (non-native) fertilizer which had no significant difference with the native mycorrhizal. However, application of non-native mycorrhizal fertilizer increased growth and biomass of parsley in compare to the sterilized control soil treatment. In comparison between cultivars, Crispum showed higher growth and biomass. In general, the highest shoot dry weight and total chlorophyll b content (62.02 g, 11:40, 18.43 mg / g fresh weight, respectively) belonged to Crispum cultivar under native mycorrhizal with 3% biochar application. The highest fresh and dry weights of root (70.74 and 18.68 gr, respectively) were observed in neapolitanum cultivar using native mycorrhiza and biochar 3%. Conclusion: In this study, the biochar application up to 3% increased the growth and biomass of parsley cultivars. However, no significant differences were observed between the native and non-native mycorrhizal treatments. It can be concluded that the application of common mycorrhizal fertilizers in non-sterilized soils will not affect the growth and yield of parsley. Therefore, the production of mycorrhizal fertilizers from native mycorrhizal fungi in each region is recommended for effective use. Overall, the crispum cultivar showed higher growth and yield, so its cultivation is recommended.

A factorial experiment (2 transplanting dates X 3 foliar feeding levels) in split plot design was conducted at Gemmeiza Agric. Res. Station, Gharbeya Governorate, Egypt during 2016 and 2017 growing summer seasons aiming to evaluate effects of transplanting date and foliar feeding with NPK and their interactions on growth, productivity and fruit quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L,) c.v. Black Beauty. The two tested transplanting dates were summer transplanting on April and late summer on June. While, the three examined foliar feeding levels were spraying with tap water as control, spraying with Potassium-F fertilizer at rate of 3 ml/L or with Raizante fertilizer at rate of 2 ml/L. Foliar spray was done three times throughout growing season. Summer transplanting (April) significantly increased plant height, branches and leaves numbers/ plant and leaf area. Also, leaf percentages of N, P and K as well as total chlorophyll content were increased in April transplanting. Finally, total fruit yield (Ton/ fed) and its quality, expressed as more contents of total soluble solids (%) and total sugars (g/ 100 g D.W.) and less contents of total phenols (mg/ g D.W.) and acidity (%) in fruit tissues, were significantly increased in April transplanting comparing to late summer transplanting (June). Foliar spraying with Potassium-F at 3 ml/L or Raizante at 2 ml/L significantly increased all the above mentioned growth traits and leaf chemical constituents and in turn resulted significant increases in total fruit yield/ fed comparing to unfertilized control plants. Also, spraying Potassium–F or Raizante significantly reduced fruit firmness (kg/ cm2) and fruit contents of total phenols and titratable acidity, at the same time significantly increased total soluble solids, total sugars and K (%) in fruit tissues. Raizante spray was more effective than Potassium-F in enhancing plant growth and fruit yield and its quality. Conclusively: when transplanting date interacted with foliar feeding, different significant responses were found. In general, interaction treatment of summer transplanting (April transplanting date) X foliar feeding with Raizante at 2 ml/L significantly increased plant growth traits and leaf contents of N, P, K and chlorophylls. Such interaction treatment resulted in the highest total fruit yield/ fed with the highest quality (high total soluble solids and total sugars and less total phenols and acidity in fruits) comparing all other interaction treatments.

Control of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa L.) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) by olive cake and olive mill waste water

Drought stress during generative stage might reduce soybean yields up to 90%. This problem can be minimized by manipulating the environment or using tolerant varieties. A glasshouse research was done to evaluate the effect of drought stress on agronomic and physiologic characteristics of black grain soybean at the Indonesian Legumes and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Malang, from August to November 2010. Twenty genotypes of black grain soybean were evaluated under 100% (optimum) and 50% of field capacity (drought stress). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed that drought stress did not affect flowering dates and physiological maturity of pods, but significantly reduced plant height, shoot and root dry weight, root volume, number of branches, number of fertile nodes, and number of filled pods. The highest reduction was on shoot dry weight (70%) and number of filled pods (43%). Drought stress reduced transpiration rates and seed yield by 40% and 32-60%, respectively. Generally, soybean genotypes that had high transpiration rates under drought condition were more tolerant to drought. The highest average of soybean yields were found on genotypes AYT10-11 (6.20 g/plant) and AYT-10-16 (6.14 g/plant), and both were tolerant to drought stress with yield reductions 34.3% and 49.1%, respectively. The tolerance genotypes was mainly because roots were able to absorb more water under the drought stress conditions (3.29 l and 2.90 l, respectively) and had high water use efficiencies (2.99 and 2.85 mg seed/l, respectively). Genotype AYT10-3 showed a high tolerance to drought with 31.9% yield reduction and a lower transpiration rate under drought condition (2.60 l) than genotypes AYT10-11 and AYT-10-16, but higher in water use efficiency (3.11 mg seed/liter). However, AYT10-3 had a low yield (5 g/plant) and smaller seed size (8.9 g/100 seeds). Variety Detam 1 and Malika was each moderately sensitive to drought stress. The yields of these varieties were reduced by 46% and 51%, respectively, under drought stress condition.

Plant growth was evaluated in substrates containing varying proportions of processed poultry feather fiber (feather fiber). `Cooler Blush' vinca ( Catharanthus roseus ) and `Orbit Cardinal' geranium ( Pelargonium × hortorum ) dry shoot and dry root weights were not significantly different among plants grown in sphagnum-peat-based and perlite-based substrates containing 0% to 30% feather fiber. `Pineapple Queen' coleus ( Coleus blumei ) dry shoot weights were not significantly different among plants grown in substrates containing 0% to 50% feather fiber. Coleus dry root weights were not significantly different among the substrates containing 0% to 40% feather fiber. `Better Boy' tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) dry shoot weights were not significantly different among the substrates containing 0% to 30% feather fiber. Tomato dry root weights were not significantly different among the substrates containing 0% to 30% feather fiber, but tomato grown in substrates containing 40% to 60% feather fiber had significantly lower dry root weights than tomato grown in substrates containing 0% to 30% feather fiber. `Salad Bush' cucumber ( Cucumis sativus ) dry shoot and dry root weights were not significantly different between plants grown in 0% to 50% feather fiber, but those gown in substrates containing 60% feather fiber had significantly lower dry shoot weights than those grown in substrates containing 0% feather fiber. Dry shoot and root weights of coleus and tomato grown in SB-300 substrate amended with 20% or 30% feather fiber were not significantly different from coleus and tomato grown in SB-300 without feather fiber. Dry shoot and dry root weights of coleus and tomato were significantly lower for plants grown in SB-300 amended with 40% feather fiber than for plants grown in SB-300 without feather fiber. For all species tested, plants grown in substrates containing up to 30% feather fiber were not significantly different from those grown in substrates containing 0% feather fiber and were of marketable qualities.