Autumn Cultivation Research Articles

The repeatability of reusing peat as horticultural substrate and the role of fertigation for optimal reuse

Direct reuse of horticultural substrates may facilitate the transition from linear to circular greenhouse cultivation. Characteristics of spent growing media from strawberry cultivation were compared to substrates from ornamentals, mushrooms, microgreens, and greenhouse vegetables. Direct reuse of spent peat as a stand-alone material was tested in three trials under commercial conditions. In the first trial strawberry cultivation on reused growing media with included crop residues resulted in similar yield as for virgin blends in a spring cultivation. In the second trial repeated reuse of spent growing media was tested in an autumn cultivation, either with direct reuse or with reuse after shredding and steam treatment for sanitation. Nutrient retention did not increase further during repeated reuse. Yield was similar to virgin peat for the direct reuse and steam sanitation treatments. Under reuse deterioration in terms of physical properties was not observed. Biological stability remained high for all media during reuse. Reusing peat for strawberry 3 times did not lead to any problems for yield or substrate. In the third trial the effects of fertigation regimes with reduced P and K input on nutrient retention during direct reuse in a spring cultivation were limited. In contrast, significantly lower N, P, K, Mg and Ca contents in the substrate were measured when fertigation was replaced by water in the last two weeks of the cultivation. Cation exchange capacity in the spent peat in all trials remained high during reuse. Ca was the dominant cation on the exchange complex.

Life cycle assessment of biochar and cattle manure application in sugar beet cultivation – Insights into root yields, white sugar quality, environmental aspects in field and factory phases

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a well-known sugar crop essential for supplying the global demand for sugar. Examining how different farming techniques affect the environment may help produce a high-quality crop with the least negative environmental effects. To this, the life cycle assessment (LCA) of biochar (B) and cattle manure (CM) applications at three different rates (5, 10, and 15 tons ha−1) compared with conventional chemical fertilization (CH) in the autumn and spring sugar beet crops has been studied. The system boundaries for LCA analysis were set from the cradle to the sugar factory gate. Based on the results, the highest amounts of root yield were obtained under CM10 and CM15 treatments with 24.5% and 23.2% increase in autumn cultivation and 34.8%, and 33.9% increase in spring cultivation, compared to CH. However, CM15 resulted in significantly lower sugar content (10.9%) than B5 (17%). Also, B utilization significantly reduced molasses content in sugar beet rather than CM in both cultivation periods. Further, biochar treatments (B5, B10, B15) significantly increased the white sugar yield in both cultivation times by 43.7%, 39.2%, and 36.1%, on average. Generally, the highest and the lowest global warming potential (GWP) were obtained from CM15 and B15 with 638.5 and 437.2 CO2-eq ton−1 root/sugar yields, respectively. These findings validate the hypothesis that using biochar in sugar beet production could reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the amount of white sugar produced.

Comparative Study on Early-Maturing High-Quality Sweet Corn Varieties Introduced from Abroad for Autumn Cultivation in the Pearl River Delta Region

Comparative Study on Early-Maturing High-Quality Sweet Corn Varieties Introduced from Abroad for Autumn Cultivation in the Pearl River Delta Region

Monitoring of farmland dust during tillage and sowing operations and comparative analysis of cultivation modes in the suburban areas of Beijing

Agricultural machinery's tillage and sowing processes can generate much farmland dust, adversely affecting the surrounding environment. Clarifying the dust emissions from various agricultural machinery operations and selecting a reasonable cultivation mode is significant for reducing dust in the atmosphere and protecting the environment. However, a systematic exploration of the agricultural dust generated during agricultural machinery operations is needed. Here, we designed a dust monitoring system to monitor farmland dust (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) and environmental parameters at different points. The system is applied to monitor the dust emission concentration caused by agricultural machinery. We found the concentration of PM2.5, PM10, and TSP from straw returning operations to be 2.06, 3.16, and 2.84 times higher than that of ploughing operations. The increase in cultivation speed will lead to an increase in dust concentration. In straw returning operations, compared with low-speed, the increase in PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentration during medium-speed cultivation is 21.6%, 12.5%, and 16.8%, whereas high-speed cultivation is 68.2%, 38.9%, and 35.7%, respectively. Moreover, conservation tillage modes can significantly suppress dust emissions. We found that conservation tillage produced the lowest concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and TSP during the tillage and sowing stages, which were 64.7%, 73.1%, and 72.1%, compared to traditional tillage. As the amount of straw coverage increases, the dust concentration decreases. The average PM2.5, PM10, and TSP concentration increment of NTS with LSMQ increased by 307.8%, 344.8%, and 346.8%. Our results demonstrate that adopting a conservation tillage and sowing model and increasing straw coverage can reduce dust emissions. The research results have specific guiding significance for reducing dust emissions during the spring and autumn cultivation. We anticipate evaluating further the contribution of small particulate matter generated during agricultural machinery operations to air pollution, and our research will provide a basis for future work.

Effects of sowing date on bolting and frost damage to autumn-sown sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in temperate regions

Sugar beet is mostly cultivated in relatively cool regions of the temperate zones by sowing in spring, but in some Mediterranean areas with mild winters, the crop is sown in autumn. Due to global warming, autumn cultivation of sugar beet is gradually extending towards new areas that are still characterized by relatively cold winters. Seedling loss and bolting are two factors limiting the adoption of autumn sugar beet cultivation in new areas. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of sowing date on (i) duration and rate of field emergence, (ii) phenological stages of sugar beet during early growth, (iii) quantitative traits of seedlings and (iv) bolting occurrence as well as frost killing of autumn-sown sugar beet. Field experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design to determine the appropriate sowing date for autumn-sown sugar beet in 2017/18 and 2018/19 in the Karaj and Mashhad regions of Iran, which are both characterized by relatively cold winters. The experiment was conducted with a bolting-resistant cultivar and six sowing date treatments. The results showed that to reach plant growth stages of cotyledon, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 leaves, 163, 200, 321, 418, 500, 600, 639, 700 and 757 growing degree days (GDD), respectively, were required. The average duration and speed of seedling emergence increased and decreased, respectively, with delay in sowing. The results suggest adjusting the sowing date of winter sugar beet so that when temperatures effective for bolting (6-8 °C) occur, the plant has already received about 300 to 400 GDD. At this time, the growth stage and the largest root diameter of sugar beet are approximately 4-6 leaves and 0.11-0.27 cm, respectively. After 14- to 16-leaf stage (≥700-750 GDD), the percentage of killed plants due to low temperatures were negligible. Although, the risk for frost losses is higher at 4- to 6-leaf stage (300-400 GDD), accepting higher losses is justified by a lower probability of bolting.

Towards environmentally sustainable growing media for strawberry cultivation: Effect of biochar and fertigation on circular use of nutrients

In controlled environment horticulture, nutrients are retained in horticultural substrates, resulting in additional export of the nutrients provided through fertigation. To increase feasibility of the circular use of renewable growing media, nutrient retention in the substrate should remain low during cultivation. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect on nutrient retention (1) if nutrient input via fertigation is reduced and (2) if alternative growing media are used. Nutrient dynamics were studied for soilless strawberry cultivation in two full-scale greenhouse trials with the short day cultivar Elsanta and with a new substrate blend with 25% v/v wood fiber and 15% v/v green compost versus a conventional peat-based blend (75/15/10% v/v peat/coir/perlite). The conventional fertigation regime was compared with a reduced fertigation regime, which contained 65% of the standard concentration for N, P K, Mg, Ca and S. The first trial was a nine month autumn-spring cycle; the second trial was a two month autumn cultivation. Peat-reduced blends with or without wood-based biochar resulted in the same fruit yield as the peat-based blends. Trial length and fertigation regime interacted to affect yield, with significantly lower yield in the long trial under reduced fertigation versus conventional fertigation, and higher yield under reduced fertigation in the shorter trial. These findings indicate that nutrient concentrations in the applied fertigation should not be reduced during the long autumn-spring cycle. Ca (76–88%), Mg (70–85%) and N (61–81%) are mainly retained in the spent medium, while K is mainly retained in the aboveground biomass (> 60%). K contents in the peat-reduced substrate clearly decreased during cultivation, the peat-reduced blend may thus be a source of K. Wood-based biochar in the blend (3–10% v/v) showed no effect on either nutrient retention or nutrient balance.

Stress memory in seedlings of primed seed chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) using sodium nitroprusside under cold stress

Pea cultivation has been developed as a rich source of protein in many countries. The spring cultivation of chickpeas has low performance and efficiency due to the short length of the growth period and the confrontation of the reproductive period with drought and high temperature stress. Autumn cultivation of chickpeas is introduced as an important solution in reducing the yield caused by high temperature and drought stress during the flowering time of spring cultivation. However, in autumn cultivation, sensitivity to cold is the main limitation. So, the present study was performed to investigate the effect of nitric oxide on stress memory due to seed priming with sodium nitroprusside for cold tolerance of chickpea seedlings under simulated autumn temperatures. This experiment was conducted as a factorial in a completely randomized design with nine replicates at the Research Center for Plant Sciences of Ferdowsi University, Mashhad Iran, in 2020. Experimental factors included seed priming at two levels (control and sodium nitroprusside) and chickpea cultivars, including a susceptible genotype (MCC505) and a cold-tolerant cultivar (Saral). This experiment evaluated the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase) in the seedling stage. The results revealed that superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase genes were expressed in sodium nitroprusside and control treatments. In the Saral cultivar, sodium nitroprusside increased the gene expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes by 29, 88, 54, and 63%, respectively. On the other hand, the gene expression of these enzymes in the control treatment may be due to the effect of temperature on them. There was a significant increase in the expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase genes in the Saral cultivar compared to the MCC505 genotype. In general, sodium nitroprusside increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the Saral cultivar through the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes.

Prevention of degradation processes of soils irrigated with mineralized water through plastering

The long-term irrigation of extensive areas in the steppe zone of Ukraine using low-quality and mineralized water has caused degradation processes associated with soil salinization. To mitigate or alleviate these processes, researchers investigated the potential of chemical reclamation through the application of phosphogypsum. The study took place in the northern Steppe of Ukraine near the village of Oleksandrivka, Dnipro district, Dnipropetrovsk region. Over many years, field experiments were conducted, introducing phosphogypsum as a chemical meliorant. The experimental design included the application of phosphogypsum at rates of 1.4, 3.0, and 6.0 t/ha during different periods of the year. Standardized research methods were used for sampling, laboratory analysis, and processing of the results. The research identified a high salt content (0.35-0.48%) in the arable soil layer, signs of salinization (exchangeable sodium content of 3.64%), and unsatisfactory physical condition of the soil in the research areas. The application of phosphogypsum led to an increase in sulfate anions, as observed in the soil's sulfate chemistry, while the control areas exhibited a soda-sulfate type of salinity. The pH level of the water extract remained within neutral values throughout the years of the study. Positive changes were observed regarding the degree of soil salinity. Specifically, the application of phosphogypsum at rates of 3 and 6 t/ha in irrigated areas resulted in a change from moderate to slightly saline salinity levels. The research also demonstrated a positive effect on the sodium-adsorption ratio, particularly when phosphogypsum was applied during irrigation in the third year. The sodium-adsorption ratio decreased by 69% compared to the control options, indicating a better ameliorative effect of phosphogypsum during irrigation. Under the conditions of using water of class II quality for irrigation, the optimal application of phosphogypsum was found to be at doses of 3 t/ha for spring cultivation and 6 t/ha for the main cultivation in autumn. These application rates effectively reduced the degree of soil salinity and improved the ecological and meliorational conditions of the irrigated area

PBAT/PLA humic acid biodegradable film applied on solar greenhouse tomato plants increased lycopene and decreased total acid contents

This work aims to resolve residual film pollution in farmlands and improve tomato quality. The mechanical properties and degradation of PBAT/PLA lignin (MZS) and PBAT/PLA humic acid (FZS) composite biodegradable film were analyzed, and its effect on soil temperature and humidity, soil microorganisms, soil physical and chemical properties, tomato yield, and quality was studied. Polyethylene film (PE) was used as a control. The results demonstrate a higher degradation degree of FZS film than of MZS film. The degradation degree of FZS and MZS films reached level 2 and level 1, respectively, after 131 days of film covering. The weight loss rate of FZS and MZS films reached 52.74 % and 57.82 %, respectively, when buried for 160 days. Compared to the coverings of PE and MZS films, FZS film could significantly increase the soil's electric conductivity and organic matter content (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of soil fungi Chaetomium also increased. The yield, soluble solids, vitamin C (Vc), soluble sugar, and lycopene of tomato plants covered with FZS film significantly increased by 6.74 %, 8.75 %, 15.41 %, 8.30 %, and 27.27 % compared to plants covered with PE film, and the total acid and hardness significantly decreased by 24.95 % and 8.46 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Using 10 μm PBAT/PLA humic acid biodegradable film for tomato cultivation in autumn and winter increased the lycopene and decreased the total acid content by changing the soil's physical and chemical characteristics and increasing the content of Chaetomium soil.

Subsurface irrigation with ceramic emitters: Optimal working water head improves yield, fruit quality and water productivity of greenhouse tomato

Greenhouses are widely used in Northwest China, especially for tomato, which is the dominant crop. Subsurface irrigation with ceramic emitters (SICE) is a new water-saving technology for continuous low-rate water supply at constant soil moisture. However, a lack of knowledge still existed to define the suitable working water head for SICE to decrease water loss and promote tomato production, fruit quality, and water productivity. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted during spring and autumn cultivation periods under SICE for five working water heads of 0.1 m to 0.5 m with intervals of 0.1 m and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). The verified HYDRUS-2D model evaluated water balance components and water productivity. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to determine interactive impacts of SICE and meteorological conditions in greenhouse on tomato yield, fruit quality, and water productivity. The results showed that SICE with a working water head of 0.4 m could be recommended, which created a suitable soil water content of the root zone within 70%–80% of field capacity (FC), resulting in a reduction of water loss from actual evaporation (Ea) and deep percolation (DP) by 12.32% and 21.88% respectively relative to SDI. Fruit weight, yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were increased by 8.96%, 8.03%, 19.44%, and 16.05% respectively compared to SDI. Moreover, soluble sugar, organic acid, lycopene, vitamin C, and sugar acid ratio were enhanced by 2.41%, 12.19%, 14.40%, and 2.67% under SICE with the suggested working water head respectively compared with SDI. We recommended that supplemental lighting combined with SICE in autumn cultivation was necessary to ensure tomato production and fruit quality. This study provides an alternative water-saving irrigation method for greenhouse growers to maintain tomato yield and fruit quality in Northwest China.

Longwan 5: A Semi-Leafless Sugar Snap Pea Cultivar Resistant to Powdery Mildew

Garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop, which is widely planted in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and Sichuan Basin of southwest China. It has developed rapidly in spring planting agroecological zone in Northwest China in recent years. The major constraints to its cultivation are lodging and infection of powdery mildew. Breeding of high yielding cultivars resistant to powdery mildew is of great significance for the sustainability of pea production, because few local garden pea cultivars are resistant to the disease. Varietal diversification is needed to develop pea cultivars with resistance to lodging and powdery mildew. Breeding work was initiated to develop a high-yielding garden pea cultivar with medium maturity, double podding and resistance to powdery mildew. Longwan 5 (X9002) is high yielding, superior quality, multiple resistance, and climate resilient garden pea cultivar developed by hybridization between Shuanghua 101 and Baofeng 3. It is a semi-leafless pea variety with superiority over existing approved varieties Qizhen 76 and Xucai 1 in terms of green pod yield, medium maturity, and double podding. Longwan 5 gave a significantly higher average green pod yield (12,376 kg/ha) than check varieties Qizhen 76 (11,132 kg/ha) and Xucai 1 (11,649 kg/ha) across five locations and three years, which was 11.2% and 6.3% higher than control varieties, respectively. This variety is tolerant to lodging, powdery mildew disease, and wide climate resilient for spring cultivation as well as for autumn cultivation in irrigated conditions or rain-fed agricultural areas with annual precipitation of 450–650 mm in China. Cultivation of this variety on large scale will surely increase the production of peas in China and will also prove beneficial for farmers increasing their income.

Selection of Companion Plants for Pest Control of Cruciferous Crops

Background and objective: This study was conducted to determine the types of pests that occur in spring and autumn on three types of cruciferous vegetables, which are host plants, and investigate the actual effect by selecting companion plants with pest control effects.Methods: This study selected 3 types of cruciferous crops and 17 types of companion plants through literature review to investigate the types of pests and damage index occurring in spring and autumn. After examining the number of pests that occur per 10 plants on a weekly basis, the mean and standard deviation were calculated using the IBM SPSS statistics Ver. 25 program.Results: There was little damage to pests in 17 types of herbs, flowers, and vegetables. When grown together with cruciferous vegetables, 8 types of herbs, 5 types of vegetables, and 4 types of flowers showed little pest damage. In particular, companion plants that suffered less pest damage were catnip, chamomile, thyme, and nasturtium in spring cultivation and thyme, basil, catnip, chamomile, rosemary, and marigold in autumn cultivation. Shoot growth of Kimchi cabbage and white radish in the experimental group planted with vegetables was 148-181% of the control group using conventional cultivation but companion planting with rosemary, nasturtium, and marigold showed less growth than the control group, especially the experimental group planted with rosemary, which showed 45-53% of growth compared to the control group. The companion plants with good growth in the root of white radish were celery, beet, basil, and marigold. There was little difference in the degree of pest damage to crops between the central planting with a few companion crops and the parallel, alternate, and perimeter planting with many companion crops.Conclusion: Pests can be managed effectively with a pest management technique that utilizes the pull effect based on the interaction between frequently occurring pest types and companion plants.

Land suitability assessment for second cropping in terms of low temperature stresses using landsat TIRS sensor

The second cropping which is done in the autumn after the main cultivation is one of the ways to increase food security, farmers' income, and thus prevent migration of villagers. The main limiting factor in autumn cultivation is the reduction in ambient and soil temperatures, which causes a severe drop in crop yield if it reaches below the physiological base temperature and freezing temperature. In Gilan, one of the northern provinces of Iran more than 90 % of agricultural land is cultivated once a year and has no production in half of the year. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of autumn cultivation of rice and hull-less seed pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L. var. pepo subsp. styriaca) in terms low temperature stresses. In the first step, the land use map was prepared using the fusion of images with panchromatic band of Landsat 8 Maximum Likelihood classification method and then agricultural lands were separated. The land surface temperature (LST) maps were extracted on two dates, October 30, 2018 and December 17, 2019 using the TIRS sensor. Comparison of the estimated data with the meteorological data showed that LST was 0.6 °C higher than the meteorological data on October and it was 1.1 °C lower on December. Then, the LST map was validated with meteorological data in the last 10 years and a modified map was obtained to measure the cultivation potential of rice and hull-less seed pumpkin. Comparison of LST maps obtained on the two dates showed that the temperature variation was greater in the colder date. Considering base temperatures of 12 and 10 °C for rice and pumpkin, respectively, as well as the freezing temperature of 5 °C for these two crops, land suitability was identified. Having the minimum temperature of 15 °C for almost all lands, there will be no temperature stress for the crops until October 30. But, if the crop calendar lasts until December 17, only 2.62 % of agricultural lands have the potential to cultivate rice without temperature restrictions. Meanwhile, lands with cultivation potential for pumpkin were estimated 6983.3 ha (83.5 %) on December. Therefore, pumpkin cultivation has a lower temperature risk compared to rice in Rezvanshahr. The results of this study, in addition to being the required source for any planning in the field of autumn cultivation of rice and pumpkin, is one of the main sources for selecting different crops of the second cropping and their crop calendar.

Phenolic Compounds Content Evaluation of Lettuce Grown under Short-Term Preharvest Daytime or Nighttime Supplemental LEDs.

The study aimed to determine the changes in phenolic compounds content in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Little Gem) depending on the preharvest short-term daytime or nighttime supplemental light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) lighting in a greenhouse during autumn and spring cultivation. Plants were grown in a greenhouse under HPS supplemented with 400 nm, 455 nm, 530 nm, 455 + 530 nm or 660 nm LEDs light for 4 h five days before harvest. Two experiments (EXP) were performed: EXP1—HPS, and LEDs treatment during daytime 6 PM–10 PM, and EXP2—LEDs treatment at nighttime during 10 AM–2 PM. LEDs’ photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was 50 and HPS—90 ± 10 µmol m−2 s−1. The most pronounced positive effect on total phenolic compounds revealed supplemental 400 and 455 + 530 nm LEDs lighting, except its application during the daytime at spring cultivation, when all supplemental LEDs light had no impact on phenolics content variation. Supplemental 400 nm LEDs applied in the daytime increased chlorogenic acid during spring and chicoric acid during autumn cultivation. 400 nm LEDs used in nighttime enhanced chlorogenic acid accumulation and rutin during autumn. Chicoric and chlorogenic acid significantly increased under supplemental 455 + 530 nm LEDs applied at daytime in autumn and used at nighttime—in spring. Supplemental LEDs application in the nighttime resulted in higher phenolic compounds content during spring cultivation and the daytime during autumn cultivation.

Effects of humic acid and cytokinin on yield, biochemical attributes and nutrient elements of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Watermelon

In this study, the effects of four concentrations of humic acid (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 kg ha−1, HA applied to the soil) and kinetin (0, 25, 50, and 75 mg L−1, KT, foliar sprayed) on vegetative growth, yield and biochemical attributes of radish cv. Watermelon, grown in two seasons of spring and autumn, were investigated. Results showed that, the number of leaves per plant, leaf area and chlorophyll content increased with application of HA and KT in both seasons, while the high levels of treatments had no significant effect on leaf number per plant and chlorophyll content in spring season. The root diameter, fresh weight and yield increased significantly with application of HA and KT in both seasons, though, this increase was noticeable in the autumn season. Our results also showed that radish root treated by HA and KT exhibited higher root firmness, vitamin C, anthocyanin content and total soluble solids (TSS), especially in autumn cultivation. Macronutrient contents of root including magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), nitrogen (N), and calcium (Ca) were significantly enhanced by HA and KT, however high concentration of KT in combination with high concentration of HA decreased some nutrient contents. Generally, the results of this study demonstrated that cultivation season is one of the most important management tools to minimize the negative effects of high temperature during root development. In addition, the benefits of KT spray combined with HA were inconsistent between both seasons, but showed more in the autumn crops.

Effects of Irrigation Amount on Fruiting Period and EC Level by Growth Period on Growth and Quality of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Using Coir Substrate Hydroponics During Autumn Cultivation

Effects of Irrigation Amount on Fruiting Period and EC Level by Growth Period on Growth and Quality of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Using Coir Substrate Hydroponics During Autumn Cultivation

A single amino acid residue substitution in BraA04g017190.3C, a histone methyltransferase, results in premature bolting in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis)

BackgroundFlowering is an important inflection point in the transformation from vegetative to reproductive growth, and premature bolting severely decreases crop yield and quality.ResultsIn this study, a stable early-bolting mutant, ebm3, was identified in an ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized population of a Chinese cabbage doubled haploid (DH) line ‘FT’. Compared with ‘FT’, ebm3 showed early bolting under natural cultivation in autumn, and curled leaves. Genetic analysis showed that the early-bolting phenotype was controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Modified MutMap sequencing, genotyping analyses and allelism test provide strong evidence that BrEBM3 (BraA04g017190.3 C), encoding the histone methyltransferase CURLY LEAF (CLF), was the strongly candidate gene of the emb3. A C to T base substitution in the 14th exon of BrEBM3 resulted in an amino acid change (S to F) and the early-bolting phenotype of emb3. The mutation occurred in the SET domain (Suppressor of protein-effect variegation 3–9, Enhancer-of-zeste, Trithorax), which catalyzes site- and state-specific lysine methylation in histones. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that BrEBM3 was highly expressed in the flower and bud. Promoter activity assay confirmed that BrEBM3 promoter was active in inflorescences. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that BrEBM3 localized in the nucleus. Transcriptomic studies supported that BrEBM3 mutation might repress H3K27me3 deposition and activate expression of the AGAMOUS (AG) and AGAMOUS-like (AGL) loci, resulting in early flowering.ConclusionsOur study revealed that an EMS-induced early-bolting mutant ebm3 in Chinese cabbage was caused by a nonsynonymous mutation in BraA04g017190.3 C, encoding the histone methyltransferase CLF. These results improve our knowledge of the genetic and genomic resources of bolting and flowering, and may be beneficial to the genetic improvement of Chinese cabbage.

Planting-date and cutting-time affect the growth and essential oil composition of Mentha × piperita and Mentha arvensis

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) and Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis L.), as the prominent menthol bearing species are widely cultivated and have a considerable share in the global essential oil trade. In this research, the effects of two different planting dates (spring and autumn), diverse cutting time, and alluvial soil conditions were investigated on the growth and essential oil compounds of M. × piperita L. var. Black Mitcham and M. arvensis var. piperascens Holmes in Çukurova Region/Turkey, during 2011−2014. According to the results, despite the relative superiority of M. arvensis; no significant difference was recorded in the growth potential of two species. However, the content and yield of M. arvensis essential oil (4.8 % and 94 L ha−1) were substantially higher than M. × piperita (2.8 % and 43 L ha−1). In terms of plant height, dry biomass, leaf dry weight, and essential oil yield, the spring planting date was significantly superior to autumn. Among the six cuttings, the data of the first cuttings were significantly higher than the second cuttings for each year. The major essential oil constituents of M. × piperita were menthol (22.5–44.6 %) and menthone (13.8–37.4 %). Overall, menthol was more abundant in the spring cultivation of M. × piperita. In contrast, menthone amounts were higher in autumn cultivation. Menthol (53.6–70.5 %) was the major compound of M. arvensis. Isomenthone (4.5–17.7 %), menthone (3.3–14.5 %), and α- pinene (3.6–11.1 %) were the other major oil components of M. arvensis. Menthol content significantly decreased from the fourth cuttings. Although a declining trend in the yield of species was observed over time, the results were acceptable considering the restrictive conditions of the alluvial soils. All in all, without imposing the limits on the cultivation areas of the strategic agricultural crops; the cultivation of medicinal plants would be advisable with the plenty of alluvial lands.

Serada Sonbahar Dönemi Dolmalık Biber Yetiştiriciliğinde Hibrit Çeşit Adaylarının Meyve Kalitesi ve Verim Performansları

Sebzelerde düşük sıcaklık zararı; büyüme ve gelişmeyi olumsuz etkileyerek verim ve kalite kayıplarına neden olan önemli bir abiyotik stres faktörüdür. Örtüaltı sebze yetiştiriciliğinde düşük sıcaklıklar nedeniyle tür ve çeşitlere göre değişmekle birlikte verim ve kalite performansları yönünden önemli düzeyde azalışlar meydana gelmektedir. Bu çalışmada, üniversite sanayi iş birliğiyle yürütülen biber çeşit ıslahı programı kapsamında geliştirilen 28 hibrit dolmalık biber çeşit adayının ısıtmasız serada sonbahar dönemi yetiştiriciliğinde meyve kalite ve verim özellikleri yönünden performanslarının karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Isıtmasız serada ilk hasatlar, fide dikiminden itibaren 46-58 gün sonra yapılmıştır. Dolmalık biber genotipleri arasında meyve boyu değerleri yönünden istatistiksel olarak önemli düzeyde farklılıkların olduğu bulunmuştur. Meyve eni değerleri, 47.31-55.86 mm arasında değişim göstermiştir. Renk tonları yönünden dolmalık biber genotipleri arasında belirgin farklılıkların olduğu saptanmıştır. Hibrit biber çeşit adaylarında bitki başına meyve sayılarının ortalama 15.6-30.0 adet arasında değiştiği belirlenmiştir. Çalışmada, Samsun ekolojik koşullarında serada hibrit biber çeşit adaylarının dekara verim değerlerinin, 2560.5 kg (HD-16) ile 5102.5 kg (HD-8) arasında değişim gösterdiği saptanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda incelenen tüm parametreler birlikte değerlendirildiğinde; HD-4, HD-8 ve HD-24 genotiplerinin düşük sıcaklığa tolerant olduğu ve sonbahar dönemi yetiştiriciliği için ümit var hibrit dolmalık biber çeşit adayları olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Phytosanitary condition of spring wheat crops depending on plowing of different and planar loosening

The article presents the stationary experience of the Department of General Agriculture of the Uman National University of Horticulture, where during 2014–2016. The phytosanitary condition in crops of spring wheat was studied. The culture was located in a five-field crop rotation after spring rape. Factor A in the experiment was the soil cultivation methods represented by plowing and plow-cutting cultivation, and factor B – the depths of these cultivations — 15–17, 20–22, and 25–27 cm. The objects of research were the weediness of crops, the population of the soil with wintering larvae of the winter scoop, meadow moth and forged of striped and steppe and the degree of infection of cultivated plants with diseases: dark brown spotting, powdery mildew and helminthosporious root rot. The methodology for determining these elements of the phytosanitary state of spring wheat crops was generally accepted. According to three-year data, the replacement of plowing by plow-cutting cultivation was accompanied by a deterioration in the phytosanitary condition due to weed contamination of crops. Reducing the depth or replacing the methods of the main autumnal cultivation from 25–27 to 20–22 and 15–17 cm led to an increase in the level of weediness in crops. Both studied factors influenced the soil population for spring sowing of winter spring larvae of the main pests of spikes, when, due to the replacement of the waste processing, the subsurface number of larvae of the winter scoop, meadow moth and forgery increased by 51, 98 and 59 %, respectively, and due to a decrease in the depth of plowing from largest to smallest – by 258, 282 and 263 %, respectively. Similarly, under the influence of these factors, although the level of damage of wheat plants to spring leaf (dark brown spotting and powdery mildew) and root (helminthosporious root rot) diseases changed less pronounced. So, both ways to minimize the main autumn cultivation of the soil cause a deterioration in the phytosanitary condition of spring wheat crops.