Average Marketable Yield Research Articles

Evaluation of Commercial Head Cabbage (<i>Brassica oleracea </i>L.) Varieties in Kellem Wollega Zone

Cabbage <i>(Brassica oleraceae</i> var.capitata) is one of the most important leafy vegetables worldwide and is adapted to cool moist conditions. The experiment was conducted at two sub-sites of Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center from 2020-2024 at Belam FTC and in 2024 at Gute Anani FTC of Kellem Wollega zone, during main cropping season. Six commercial head cabbage were evaluated with objective the objective of selecting and recommending high yielder, disease and insect pest tolerant head cabbage varieties at for potential areas of Kellem Wollega. Analysis of variance(ANOVA revealed that the main effect of variety showed highly significant effect on days to head initiation and significant on plant height, plant spread, head length, average head weight, marketable yield, total yield and disease reaction. Similarly the main effect of environment showed highly significance on all recorded parameters. The highest (26.4tha<sup>-1</sup>) and the lowest (20tha<sup>-1</sup>) marketable yield were recorded from Bakker and Delta varieties. Hence Bakker and Olter varieties were recommended for the yield increment of head cabbage in the studied areas of Western Oromia.

Impact of Greenhouse Size on the Growth and Yield of Warm Season Vegetables During the Summer Ladakh, India

No guidelines exist on the size of naturally ventilated passive solar greenhouses in mountain regions, especially above 10,000 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). Two different-sized greenhouses in Ladakh were studied, and it was figured out that a large greenhouse (60 feet in length, 24 feet in width, 9 feet 6 inches in height) was better than a small greenhouse (32 feet in length, 18 feet width, 9 feet 6 inches height) for growing cucumber, capsicum, and brinjal in summer. The mean maximum and minimum temperature of the large greenhouse was 3.6±4.1°C and 1.3±1.6°C warmer in comparison to the small greenhouse. Cucumber was harvested seven days earlier, while capsicum and brinjal were harvested 17 days earlier in the large greenhouse. The marketable fruit numbers in cucumber, capsicum, and brinjal were 50.5 %, 46.9 %, and 67.7 % higher in the large greenhouse. The average marketable fruit yield of cucumber, capsicum and brinjal was 112 %, 55 % and 71.4 % higher in the large greenhouse than in the small greenhouse. Hence, large greenhouses are suggested for high-altitude Ladakh regions for growing warm-season crops in summer.

Performance of High TSS Onion Varieties in Telangana

Field experiments were conducted at Vegetable Research Station, Hyderabad, India during rabi seasons (October–March) of 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22 to study the performance of high TSS varieties of onion in initial evaluation trial, advanced varietal trial-I and advanced varietal trial-II as part of All India Network Research Project on Onion and Garlic. The entries tested were DOGR-HT-1, DOGR-HT-2, DOGR-HT-3, DOGR-HT-4, Agrifound White, PKV White and Bhima Shweta. The predominant colour of all the entries was white and the predominant shape of the bulbs was oval. High amount of uniformity in bulb size was reported by Bhima Shweta and PKV white, while the rest of the entries DOGR-HT-1, 2, 3, 4 and Agrifound White reported average uniformity in bulb size. Among the seven entries tested DOGR-HT-2 reported the highest TSS value (17.77 °Brix) followed by DOGR-HT-3 (15.30 °Brix) and the least TSS value was reported by DOGR-HT-1. Maximum mean bulb weight (100.73 g), marketable yield (49.03 tha-1) and total yield (50.48 t ha-1) was reported by Bhima Shweta and it was followed by PKV White (100.26 g, 48.99 t ha-1 and 50.28 t ha-1). The least average bulb yield (84.31 g), marketable yield (41.09 t ha-1) and total yield (42.34 t ha-1) was reported by DOGR-HT-2 but was at par with DOGR-HT-3 and DOGR-HT-4. Minimum incidence of thrips and purple blotch were noticed in DOGR-HT-4.

Dynamics of bell pepper using bio nutrient sources in the northwestern Himalayas

Bionutrients play a vital role in enhancing soil productivity and sustainable agricultural production. In vegetable crops, limited information is available on the relevance of bionutrients in solanaceous crops under protected conditions. Therefore, an experiment was planned to study the response of bionutrients under the modified naturally ventilated polyhouse in mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh for two consecutive years. Various bell pepper varieties, viz., Mekong, Orobelle, Indra and DPCY1, were subjected to a set of bionutrient sources (beejamrit, ghanjeevamrit, jeevamrit and mulching). The results showed that there was a substantial increase in yield parameters in the treatment module, i.e., Mekong + beejamrit@ 200 ml/kg + ghanjeevamrit@5q/ha + jeevamrit @ 500 lt/ha at 21-day intervals + mulching @ 10 t/ha. This treatment exhibited a minimum number of days to 50% flowering (24.16), maximum number of marketable fruits per plant (28.40), fruit length (7.68 cm), fruit breadth (7.70 cm), pericarp thickness (9.15 mm), average fruit weight (109.53 g), plant height (84.06 cm) and marketable yield per plant (3.11 kg). However, Mekong + beejamrit @ 200 ml/kg + ghanjeevamrit @5q/ha + jeevamrit@ 500 lt/ha at 28-day intervals + mulching @ 10 t/hattreatment proved best for total soluble solids (4.58 °Brix), ascorbic acid (166.50 mg/100 g), capsaicin content (6.64%) and carotenoid content (2.43 mg/100 g). Horticultural and biochemical traits were appreciably enhanced after bionutrient application in bell pepper. Therefore, outcomes from the study point out that it is a feasible and economical approach for farmers.

Effect of Different Combinations of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium on Growth and Yield of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) under Rupandehi Condition

An experiment on effect of different combinations of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium on growth and yield of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) var. ArkaAnamika was conducted at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Paklihawa, Rupandehi during February 2017 to June 2017. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments 220:200:60 NPK Kg ha–1 (T1), 200:180:60 NPK Kg ha–1 (T2), 180:160:40 NPK Kg ha–1 (T3), 160:140:40 NPK Kg ha–1 (T4), 140:120:20 NPK Kg ha–1(T5), 120:100:20 NPK Kg ha–1 (T6) and Control (T7) were applied and the growth, yield and yield attributes of okra were studied. The result revealed that there were no significant differences (p=0.05 level by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test-DMRT) on plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, fruit length, fruit diameter, average number of fruit per plant and average marketable yield to the effect of different combination of NPK levels. However, the result showed that average marketable yield and total yield was found significant over the control and also the highest total yield (43.21 Mt/ha) was obtained at 160:140:40NPK Kg ha–1.

Participatory evaluation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties under irrigation conditions at Abergelle district, Eastern Amhara

Participatory on-farm evaluation of improved tomato varieties (‘Melka salsa’, 'Roma VF' and 'Kochero’) against the local tomato variety was carried out during the 2019/2020 growing season involving six farmers of Abergelle district, Eastern Amhara. The objective of the experiment was to assess the performance of different tomato varieties for the farmers, then to collect their feedback. Based on the actual and farmers’ preference data, the analysis underscores the better performance of improved tomato varieties over local varieties by most yield-related attributes. Average marketable fruit yields of ‘Melka salsa’, ‘Roma VF’, ‘Kochero’, and the local variety were 4.62, 3.88, 3.64, and 3.10 ton ha-1, respectively. The improved varieties thus had a yield advantage of 72.38%, 37.14%, and 25.72% over the local variety in that order. Among improved tomato varieties, ‘Melka salsa' provided the highest fruit yield on top of owing the highest score of overall preference attributes rank. Scale-wide diffusion of ‘Melka salsa’ tomato variety is therefore suggested for similar and potential agro-ecologies. Biological scientists also should take farmers’ preference attributes and feedback as a backup for future breeding and adaptation studies on tomato varieties.

Effects of Varieties and Different Environments on Growth and Yield Performance of Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum)

Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) is one of the major cash crops produced in the Amhara region, including East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. However, the shallot is being out of production, and there are limited research efforts concerning the influence of the growing environment on shallot varieties. Thus, the objective of the study was to identify adaptable and high-yielding shallot varieties across different agroecologies/location in the East Gojjam Zone of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted at three locations (Debre Markos, Wonka, and Yelam Gej) during 2019/20 and 2020/21 growing seasons. The study consists of four shallot varieties (Minjar, Huruta, Negelle, and local). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on growth, yield, and yield component parameters were recorded and analyzed using SAS Computer Software version 9.0. The present results indicated that the highest plant height, leaf length, number of shoots per plant, number of bulblets per bulb, average bulb weight, total yield, and marketable yield per hectare were recorded from improved shallot varieties Minjar, Negelle, and Huruta. Thus, Minjar, Negelle, and Huruta were better performed for growth, yield, and yield components at all testing locations. Thus, Minjar, Negelle, and Huruta were found to be superior in yield and yield components at all testing locations and were thus suggested to be used by the growers in the study area. It would be advisable to evaluate the varieties in the participatory varietal trail for further dissemination of varieties to shallot growers in the study area.

Agronomic Evaluation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes for Tuber Yield and Yield Attributing Traits

The experiment was carried out under rain fed conditions for three consecutive years (2017–2019) from mid-June to mid-October at Bekoji and Kofele sub sites of Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia by using improved varieties to identify superior genotypes. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the presence of significant (p<0.05) differences among genotypes for all traits studied. Analysis of variance revealed that location by year effect had highly significant difference at (p<0.01) for all traits except specific gravity which showed significant difference at (p<0.05). Treatment by location showed significant difference except stem number plant-1, total yield, and specific gravity. Treatment by year showed significant differences except for days to flowering. The highest marketable tuber yield was obtained from genotype CIP 395037.107 followed by variety Belete and CIP 395015.6 genotype. Simple correlation analysis revealed that total tuber yield showed strongly and positively significant correlation with average stem number plant-1, stem height and marketable yield. Thus, it could be concluded that genotypes, year and location variations as well as their interaction had considerable influence on tuber yield and the potato’s attributes. The significant interaction effects of genotypes, location, year and positive and strong association between total yield and other traits indicates the need to test potato genotypes over season and location in order to select stable and high yielder genotypes.

Participatory Evaluation of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Varieties Under Irrigation Condition at Abergelle Woreda, Ethiopia

Participatory on-farm evaluation of improved tomato varieties namely;‘Melka salsa, 'Roma VF' and 'Kochero’ against the local variety was carried out in the 2019/20 irrigation season. The trial was laid on unreplicated simple plots using six farmers as replication at irrigation scheme of Saka kebele in Abergelle woreda. The experiment was intended to evaluate and demonstrate the performances of different tomato varieties for farmers, then to collect and assess their feedback. Based on the actual biological and farmers’ preference data, the analysis result underscores the better performance of improved tomato varieties over the local variety by the most yield-related attributes. The average marketable fruit yields of ‘Melka salsa, 'Roma VF', 'Kochero’, and the local variety were 4.62, 3.88, 3.64, and 3.10 ton.ha-1, respectively. The improved varieties had thus yielded an advantage of 72.38%, 37.14%, and 25.72% over the local variety in the given order. Among the improved tomato varieties, ‘Melka salsa' provided the highest fruit yield, and owing the highest score of overall preference attributes rank. The medium-sized, oval-shaped, and tasty flashed ‘Melka salsa’ tomato fruit is most liked by farmers for its less perishability, better market demand and good taste. The ‘Melka salsa’ tomato variety is therefore suggested for up-scaling for similar agro-ecologies that have irrigation schemes and production potential. The biological scientists were also advised to consider the farmers’ preference attributes and feedback as a backup for future tomato breeding studies.

Agroecological practices in organic fennel cultivation to improve environmental sustainability

ABSTRACT The simplification and intensification of agricultural systems have often caused environmental harm, whereas implementing agroecological practices may improve the sustainability of farms. Therefore, a four-year experiment was carried out on an organic fennel crop comparing a system with organic management and a cover crop (ORG+CC) with both a traditional organic system (ORG) and a system without living mulch and fertilizer (CONTR). The systems were evaluated for agronomic performance, energy analysis, and carbon footprint. The carbon footprint was calculated considering the impacts of agricultural operations, and those by the production and biogeochemical processes of the soil through the DNDC (DeNitrification DeComposition) model. The ORG+CC system showed the most stable production recording the lowest losses over the years under adverse climatic conditions. The ORG and CONTR systems had an average marketable yield reduction of −29.58% and −43.66%, respectively, when extreme rainfall events occurred, compared to ORG+CC. The ORG+CC was the most sustainable system, showing the best Net Energy (output-input) value and the lowest total CO2 eq. emissions, despite the highest energetic requirements and CO2 emissions during cultivation. The study showed the effects of the practices used and quantified the adaptation and mitigation potential over the medium term that included extreme weather events.

Evaluation of cabbage varieties for resistance to clubroot pathogens, Plasmodiophora brassicae woronin in Dhankuta, Nepal

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the varietal resistance of cabbage against club root disease, Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, in a naturally infested field in Sindhuwa, Dhankuta. It was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) of three replications and seven treatments, viz., T1: Green Coronet, T2: Nepa Green 777, T3: Big Sun 171, T4: Yr Honam, T5: Big Sun 111, T6: Super Green, and T7: Nepa Star. The plant height was comparatively greater in Green Coronet and Super Green in 60 DAT. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the number of leaves. Big Sun 111 and Yr Honam did not show any signs of galling or clubroot, indicating a significantly higher resistance. Despite not being afflicted by clubroot, Nepa star produced less than satisfying results due to black rot and early head decay. The maximum average head weight and marketable cabbage yield were recorded as being highest in Big Sun 111 (2.56 kg) and Yr Honam (2.24 kg). Furthermore, the yield from Big Sun 171 (1.93 kg) and Nepa Green 777 (1.84 kg) was satisfactory, despite the higher PDI (percentage disease index) (40.33%) and (61.04%), respectively. Disease incidence was zero in Big Sun 111, Yr Honam, and Nepa Star. In terms of productivity and disease resistance, Big Sun 111 (160.13 Mt/ha) and Yr Honam (140.51 Mt/ha) provide the best results, which may be beneficial to farmers who face costly and lengthy disease control practices.

Elucidation of genetic variability, heritability, correlation and path coefficient in carrot (Daucus carota L.)

An experiment was conducted at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, for 2 years (2019-20 and 2020-21), to study the genetic variability, heritability, correlation and path coefficient analysis in 28 genotypes of Asiatic carrot under 8 environments. The experiment was laid out in RBD with three replications. The analysis of variance showed that the genotype’s mean sum of squares was significant for all the traits studied, indicating that significant variation existed among them. A wide range of variation existed for average root length, root weight, root diameter, core diameter and root shoot ratio i.e., 14.5-21.0 cm, 40.9-77.8 g, 2.2-2.7 cm, 0.93-1.56 cm and 0.86 to 1.29, respectively. The average marketable yield of genotypes ranged between 365.55 to 584.55 q ha-1. Vegetative traits like shoot length varied from 42.0-64.7 cm, shoot weight from 44.71-80.14 g, and the number of leaves from 5.4 -7.2 among all genotypes. The magnitude of phenotypic coefficient of variation was greater than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits indicating that trait expression is environmentally influenced. Root-shoot ratio, shoot length, number of leaves, root length, and root diameter all have exhibited highest heritability and moderate genetic advance that suggested additive gene action. Strong character association of root length, root diameter and root weight with marketable yield suggested as selection criteria for higher yield.

Anemone Cut Flower Timing, Yield, and Quality in a High-Elevation Field and High Tunnel

A narrow window of optimal spring temperatures limits anemone (Anemone coronaria L.) cut flower production in the US Intermountain West, where fall plantings risk winter injury and spring plantings are limited by summer dormancy. Regional management recommendations are needed to improve anemone harvest timing and yield for growers in USDA hardiness zones 6 and below (average annual minimum temperatures below −18 °C). The aim of this research was to optimize flower timing, yield, quality, and profitability in high tunnel and field production systems by evaluating planting dates, winter insulation, tuber preparation, and cultivar selection. High tunnel and field trials were conducted from fall 2020 to spring 2022 in North Logan, UT (41.767° N, −111.811° W, 1405 m elevation, USDA hardiness zone 5). Tubers were pre-sprouted or directly planted into a high tunnel (left bare or covered with low tunnels) or field (left bare or covered with mulch, a low tunnel, or mulch and a low tunnel) from November to April. Harvest began as early as 2 March in the high tunnel and 9 April in the field, with overall average marketable yields (stems per m2 ± SE) of 142 ± 7 in the high tunnel and 85 ± 4 in the field. Planting pre-sprouted tubers under low tunnels in the high tunnel in November delivered the earliest harvest (2 March), greatest marketable yield (280 stems per m2 ± 73 SE), and greatest net returns ($38 per m2). For November field plantings, insulation improved emergence by 75% and marketable yield by 77 stems per m2 ± 15 SE. Combining high tunnel and field production with the season advancement techniques of fall planting dates, low-cost insulation, and pre-sprouting resulted in high total yields in the Intermountain West compared to traditional industry recommendations.

Studies on the Yield and Chemical Composition of the Herb of Plants of the Genus Ocimum Depending on the Development Stage of the Plant

The research aimed to present the possibility of cultivating selected plants of the genus Ocimum in central-eastern Poland and to assess the chemical composition of the obtained raw material, considering the development stage of the plant. The research object consisted of six selected plants from the genus Ocimum: Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum basilicum var. purpurescens, Ocimum basilicum × citrodorum, Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’, Ocimum basilicum ‘Siam Queen’, Ocimum basilicum var. minimum ‘Minette’. The herb was harvested on the following dates: mid-June (vegetative stage), mid-July (beginning of flowering), late July/early August (full flowering), end of August (late flowering). The research showed that plants of genus Ocimum sp. can be successfully introduced to cultivation in central-eastern Poland. The yield of these plants was at a high level (average yield of fresh herb—1.15 kg m−2 and average marketable yield—0.14 kg m−2). Plants of genus Ocimum sp. accumulated the least essential oil, flavonoids, and tannins in the vegetative stage (mean: essential oil—0.86%, flavonoids—0.60%, tannins—0.41%). The highest content of all tested secondary metabolites was found in the variety O. basilicum var. minimum “Minette”. The variability of the content of the analyzed compounds depending on the growth and flowering stage of the plants under study is diversified. For this reason, the date of harvesting raw materials from these plants should be selected individually to obtain a high-quality product.

The optimal irrigation water salinity and salt component for high-yield and good-quality of tomato in Ningxia

Although saline water can be used as an alternative of freshwater resources for agricultural irrigation, especially in arid and semiarid areas, however, unsuitable saline water quality and unreasonable irrigation technology may result in the detrimental effects on plant growth, yield and quality of products. Thus, a three-year open field experiment was conducted in Ningxia to investigate the influence of three irrigation water salinity levels (1, 2 and 3 g/L) and five molar concentration ratios (MCR) of Na:Ca (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) on processing tomato planting, in terms of crop water consumption, tomato yield traits and fruit quality characteristics. The results are as follow: (i) The water consumption decreased significantly with the increasing irrigation water salinity and MCR of Na:Ca. (ii) With the increase of irrigation water MCR of Na:Ca, both the average fruit weight, marketable yield and total yield decreased linearly, as well, the ratio of marketable yield to total yield decreased. Additionally, irrigation water with higher salinity (2 g/L and 3 g/L) and lower MCR of Na:Ca (1 and 3) was more conducive to root water uptake and average fruit weight accumulation, than that with lower salinity and higher MCR of Na:Ca. (iii) With irrigation water salinity of 1 g/L and 2 g/L, both the vitamin C, lycopene, fructose, sucrose and starch content of tomato fruit have quadratic function relationship with the irrigation water MCR of Na:Ca. Moreover, the threshold of irrigation water MCR of Na:Ca for soluble solids, lycopene and starch accumulation was 7, while the content of total soluble sugar, fructose and sucrose achieved the maximum value as the MCR of Na:Ca arrived 5. (iv) With irrigation water salinity of 3 g/L, the total soluble sugar and glucose of fruit decreased with the increase of irrigation water MCR of Na:Ca, especially, the fruit fructose, sucrose and starch concentration decreased linearly, furthermore, the threshold of irrigation water MCR of Na:Ca for vitamin C and soluble solids accumulation was 5. Synthetically, saline water with salt content of 2 g/L and MCR of Na:Ca at 5 was optimal in the present study for mulched drip irrigation on tomato cultivation in the northern Yinchuan plain of Ningxia, obtaining the relatively high-yield (9.72 ×104 kg/hm2) and good-quality of tomato.

Response of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers at Chena district, South Western Ethiopia

Low level or no use of organic and inorganic fertilizers and serious imbalances soil nutrients, depressed potato yields and pose accelerated mining of native soil nutrients. Present on-farm studies was undertaken to observe the combined effects of FYM and compost along with inorganic fertilizers, particularly NPSB on potato production. The experiment comprised of seven treatments: No fertilizer, recommended NP (115 kg N and 92 kg ha-1 P2O5), NPSB (115 kg N and 92 kg P2O5, 6.5 kg S. and 0.71 kg B ha-1), 10 tone FYM ha-1, 10 tone compost ha-1, 5 tone FYM + 50% NPSB (57.5 kg N and 92 kg P2O5 ha-1), and 5 tone compost + 50% NPSB ha-1 were arranged in RCBD with three replications. The yield and yield components were collected and subjected to mean separation and economic analysis. The analysis of variance indicated that either applied organic and inorganic fertilizers combined or alone significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved potato yield at Chena. Full dose of each FYM and compost, recommended NP rate and NPSB gave similar potato yield. The highest average marketable and total fresh potato tuber yield (27.44, 27.92 t ha-1, respectively) were recorded by combined application of 5 t FYM ha-1 with 50% NPSB (115 kg N and 92 kg P2O5, 6.5 kg S. and 0.71 kg B ha-1) which is economically acceptable with MRR (1239.7%), whereas the lowest tuber yield (14.45 t ha-1) was obtained from unfertilized plot. Hence, combined application of 50% FYM and 50% NPSB proved best potato yield in the study area. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 12(1): 18-22, June 2022

Effect of varieties and spacing on growth, physiological attributes and yield of onion under South Gujarat condition

The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of spacing and varieties on onion at Navsari Agricultural University during year 2020-21 and 2021-22. The experiment was arranged over 12 treatment combinations comprising of three varieties (V1: GJRO-11, V2: Agrifound Light Red and V3: NHRDF Red-3) and 4 levels of spacing (S1: 15 cm × 7.5 cm, S2: 15 cm × 10 cm, S3: 15 cm × 12.5 cm and S4: 15 cm × 15 cm) in factorial randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. Among the varieties, GJRO-11 variety was superior in growth and physiological parameters viz. plant height, leaf area, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, and absolute growth rate and biomass duration. Whereas, minimum bolting and maximum average bulb weight and marketable bulb yield was recorded in NHRDF Red-3 and lesser days to maturity of plant was recorded in Agrifound Light Red. The higher plant height, leaf area, relative growth rate, absolute growth rate and biomass duration was observed in spacing of 15 cm × 15 cm. Whereas, maximum crop growth rate, average bulb weight and marketable bulb yield and minimum number of bolting, lesser days to maturity was recorded in spacing of 15 cm × 7.5 cm. The maximum average bulb weight was observed in NHRDF Red-3 with 15 cm × 15 cm. whereas, maximum marketable bulb yield was noted in the treatment combination of NHRDF Red-3 with 15 cm × 7.5 cm.

DESEMPENHO AGRONÔMICO E QUALIDADE DOS FRUTOS DE MELÃO AMARELO ADUBADO COM DOSES DE NITROGÊNIO E POTÁSSIO

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the assimilated contents of mineral elements, yield characteristics and fruit quality of ‘Goldex’ yellow melon fertigated with different doses of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in two years of cultivation in the region of Apodi Plateau-CE. The design was randomized blocks in a 4x3 factorial scheme with four N doses (0%, 50%, 100%, 150% of the recommended dose) and three K doses (0%, 100%, 150% of the recommended dose). In the shoots of the melon plant, the highest levels of N (N Fert.) and K (K Fert.) fertilization promoted an increase in the assimilated N content up to 48 DAT and a reduction in the assimilated K content at the end of the cycle (62 DAT). The maximum shoot dry mass production was 3.23 t ha−1 with a fertilization of 150 and 100 kg ha−1 of N and K, respectively. The average marketable fruit yield obtained in the two years of cultivation was 34.68 t ha−1, reaching a maximum value of 40.28 t ha−1 under 150 kg ha−1 N and K fertilization. Total soluble solids increased as a function of the increase in N Fert. and K Fert., with a maximum value of 8.07 °Brix. The models indicated that the K Fert. factor was decisive in the increase of this variable. In future studies it is necessary to increase the concentrations of the two factors in order to optimize the maximum viability of yield and °Brix.

Growth, Yield and Bulb Quality as Affected by Nitrogen Fertilization and Intra-row Spacing of Two Onion (Allium cepa L.) Cultivars

In response to the rising demand and escalating prices due to several internal demographic reasons in the last few years, interest in increasing productivity and bulb quality has been a major concern. The objective of this research was,therefore, to improve yield and quality of onion through determining more relevant and contemporary nitrogen and population density that cope with the changing production environment in Sudan. So an experiment to study the effect of threenitrogen fertilization levels (0, 120 and 240 kg N/ha.) and three population densities (intra-row spacing of 5, 10 and 15 Cm) on growth, yield and quality of two widely consumed cultivars [Kamlin and Texas Early Grano(TEG)] was carried out for twoseasons. Treatments were arranged in a split-split plot design with three replications; cultivars were randomized in the main plots, intra-row spacing in the sub-plots and nitrogen fertilization in the sub-sub plots. Results indicated that nitrogen applicationat the rate of 120 kg N/ha significantly increased vegetative growth, bulb size, total and marketable yields. Moreover, bolting percentage (a main quality defect) decreased with increasing nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization had nosignificant effect on bulb shape, dry matter and TSS. Although high plant density (5cm intra-row spacing) reduced plant growth and increased bolting, it also increased total and marketable yields and reduced bulb splitting (a defect). CultivarTEG exceeded Kamlin in plant growth aspects and consequently average bulb weight, total and marketable yields; however, bulb splitting was also high. In conclusion, planting onion at 5cm intra-row spacing and applying 120 kg N/ha., significantly increased productivity and improved bulb quality in central Sudan.

Foliar spray of Zn on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production at trans-Himalayan Ladakh region

Physiological responses, root development, yield and growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (var. Tolstoy) to foliar applications of ZnSO4 during 2016 and 2017 cropping season was evaluated at high altitude cold-arid agro climatic conditions of Ladakh region. Field experiments were conducted with foliar spraying of ZnSO4 @0.5% (T1); 1.0% (T2); 1.5% (T3) and 2.0% (T4) during flowering and fruit formation stage on tomato plants over control treatment (T0). Results indicated that projected root area was highest in T3 followed by T4 treatment. The total yield of tomato was significantly increased from 34.3 and 38.1 t/ha without foliar application of Zn to 88.8 (1.5% Zn) and 77.4 t/ha (2.0% Zn) in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Average marketable yield in T3 treatment was recorded 153% and 116% higher in comparison to T0 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Increase in dry biomass (52.21%) was also observed in T4 over control treatment (T0). Foliar application of Zn application also improved physiological parameters of tomato. Significant enhancement in leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and significant reduction in electrolyte leakage (EL) was observed in T3 and T4 treatment. The results showed that foliar application of ZnSO4 @1.5% significantly improved growth, development and yield of tomato at cold desert Ladakh region.