Average Stem Diameter Research Articles

Carbon Sequestration Potential of Traditional Agroforestry System in Rimbo Panjang Village, Kampar Based on Tree Biomass

The traditional agroforestry industry is part of the Forestry and Other Land Use Net Sink 2030 (FOLU Net Sink 2030) strategy for low carbon development and climate resilience in Indonesia. This study aims to estimate the value of biomass, carbon stock, and carbon sequestration in traditional agroforestry systems in Rimbo Panjang Village, Kampar. Six plots (each measuring 20 x 20 meters) are used; three of the plots are 15 years old and three are 9 years old, respectively, for the conventional agroforestry system. Biomass, carbon stock and carbon sequestration were estimated at the tree, pole and sapling levels. Biomass calculations used allometric equations based on diameter at breast height (DBH) data. The results showed that carbon sequestration in Dusun 2 (618.2 tons/ha) was greater than in Dusun 1 (399 tons/ha), with an average carbon sequestration in both dusun of 508.6 tons/ha. Trees contribute the highest value of biomass, carbon stock, and carbon sequestration, which is 74%, The difference in the value of biomass, carbon stock, and carbon sequestration in traditional agroforestry systems in Rimbo Panjang Village is significantly influenced by the average stem diameter. The various trees that make up traditional agroforestry in Rimbo Panjang Kampar, which is generally in the yard, should ideally be maintained and developed because of their high carbon sequestration potential.

Characterization of Citrus × Poncirus Embryo Rescued Hybrids as Rootstock Candidate using Morphological Markers

In generally, there are both of nucellar and zygotic embryos in the citrus seeds after cross breeding. Since genetic variations are very important for success of plant breeding, morphological traits of individuals are evaluated to identify diversity. The present study aimed to characterization of citrus hybrids for new rootstock genotypes based on its morphological characters at seedling stage. A total of 335 putative interspecies hybrids, derived from 3 crosses [Common sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) × Troyer citrange (Citrus sinensis L. × Poncirus trifoliata L.), Common mandarin (Citrus deliciosa Ten.) × Troyer citrange (Citrus sinensis L. × Poncirus trifoliata L.) and King mandarin (Citrus nobilis L.) × Carrizo citrange (Citrus sinensis L. × Poncirus trifoliata L.)], were observed by their plant morphology. The eight qualitative and five quantitative characteristics of hybrid plants such as seedling growth, leaf and thorniness characteristics were evaluated. The average plant height of the population was found between 70.2 cm and 133.2 cm. The average stem diameter varied between 5.9 mm and 8.0 mm. Hybrid seedlings were separated on the basis of dominant trifoliate leaf marker. There was wide diversity among the accessions with respect to quantitative leaf characters. In terms of leaf division, 268 genotypes have bifoliate and 67 were trifoliate in all combinations, and many intermediate forms were also observed. In addition 66 of the genotypes were thornless while 269 of the genotypes were thorny. The genotype No. 4, has been assessed as triploid, from Common mandarin × Troyer citrange combination, has the longest and dense spines. Morphological markers data were analysed by clustering method to compare similarities of hybrids. The dissimilarity index was observed between 0.004 and 17.318 within three hybridization combinations. The hybrids obtained at 110 days after pollination were more distant relative to each other all hybridization combination.

Agronomic performance and technological quality of sugarcane submitted to different poultry litter dosages

Sugarcane is a central crop for sugar and ethanol production. Investing in sustainable practices can enhance productivity, technological quality, mitigate impacts, and contribute to a cleaner energy future. Among the factors that help increase the productivity of sugarcane, the physical, chemical and biological parameters of the soil are amongst the most important. The use of poultry litter has been an important alternative for soil improvement, as it acts as a soil conditioner. Therefore, this work aimed to verify the best doses of poultry litter for the vegetative, reproductive and technological components of sugarcane. The experiment was carried out at Usina Denusa Destilaria Nova União S/A in the municipality of Jandaia, GO. The experimental design used was a complete randomized block design with four replications: 5 × 4, totaling 20 experimental units. The evaluated factor consisted of four doses of poultry litter plus the control (0 (control), 2, 4, 6 and 8 t ha−1). In this study, were evaluated the number of tillers, lower stem diameter, average stem diameter, upper stem diameter, plant height, stem weight and productivity. The technological variables of total recoverable sugar, recoverable sugar, Brix, fiber, purity and percentage of oligosaccharides were also evaluated. It was observed, within the conditions of this experiment, that the insertion of poultry litter did not interfere significantly in most biometric, productive and technological variables of the sugarcane. But it can also be inferred that there was a statistical trend toward better results when the sugarcane was cultivated with 4 t ha-1 of poultry litter.

First report of Bretziella fagacearum infecting chestnut in Michigan.

In the summer of 2021, a 20-year-old 'Colossal' (Castanea sativa × C. crenata hybrid) tree in a commercial chestnut orchard in northwest Michigan suddenly declined. Until 2023, an additional 26 adjacent trees declined, suggesting the occurrence of root-graft transmission of the pathogen. The initial wilting of leaves progressed to complete tree death in about 10 days. Symptoms included wilting, and bronzing, followed by tanning starting at leaf apex and margins, with significant defoliation. Sometimes black-to-brown streaks of discoloration appear in the sapwood, with no signs of mycelial mat production on dead trees. Branches from symptomatic trees in two different areas of the orchard were submitted to Plant and Pest Diagnostics at Michigan State University. Bretziella fagacearum (Bretz) Z.W. de Beer, Marinc., T.A. Duong & M.J. Wingf. was detected in both samples using nested PCR (Wu et al. 2011) and qPCR (Bourgault et al. 2022). The products of the nested PCR were sequenced (GenBank accession nos. OR522695-OR522696) and BLASTn search results showed 100% identity to an ex-type strain of B. fagacearum (MH865866). Surface-sterilized discolored sapwood chips were plated on acidified potato dextrose agar (aPDA). Bretziella fagacearum was consistently recovered; colony and endoconidia morphology aligned with the description of the pathogen (De Beer et al. 2017). A pure culture (BF277) was obtained for inoculation experiments. To confirm pathogenicity, 10 'Colossal' chestnut seedlings (average stem diameter of 9 mm) were inoculated in the greenhouse with a 14-day old culture of BF277. Using a conical drill bit, two 0.4 mm diameter holes were drilled, one was 5 cm above the soil line at a 45° angle and the other was on the opposite side of the stem at least 10 cm above the soil line. A 50-µl conidial suspension (1 × 107 conidia per ml) was applied and the holes were sealed with Parafilm. Five 'Colossal' seedlings were inoculated with sterile water. Leaf epinasty with bent petioles was observed 14 days later. Leaf wilting and necrosis similar to natural infection in the orchard were observed at 24 and 34 days after inoculation, respectively. Water-inoculated control plants showed no symptoms. Bretziella fagacearum was reisolated from symptomatic plants by surface sterilizing leaf petioles with 75% ethanol (30 s), followed by 10% (v/v) bleach (1 min), and two rinses with sterile deionized water (>1 min). Petiole pieces (~1 cm) were plated on aPDA. The pathogen was reisolated from six symptomatic plants and detected using qPCR in the remaining four seedlings. Bretziella fagacearum was not detected in control plants. The identity of the recovered fungus was confirmed following the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from extracted genomic DNA, as described in Chahal et al. 2022. The resulting PCR product was sequenced and assembled into a consensus sequence using Geneious Prime. The consensus sequence (accession no. OR515809) revealed 100% identity to the ex-type of B. fagacearum (KU042044). This is the first record of B. fagacearum infecting chestnut trees in Michigan. Previously, B. fagacearum has been reported infecting Chinese chestnut (C. mollissima) in Missouri (Bretz and Long, 1950). Oak wilt is widely distributed in Michigan and is the predominant disease afflicting red oaks in the Midwestern U.S. Consequently, constant vigilance and monitoring are essential in chestnut orchards to promptly detect and effectively manage potential infections.

Respon Pertumbuhan Bibit Pepaya (Carica papaya L.) Pada Tanah Alluvial Di Polibag Akibat Pupuk Kandang Ayam Dan NPK Pak Tani

This research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Consists of 2 factors, namely: The first factor by administering Chicken Manure with code (k) consists of 3 levels of treatment, namely k1= Chicken Manure 40 grams/polybag, k2= Chicken Manure 50 grams/polybag, and k3= Chicken Manure 60 grams/polybag. The second factor, Pak Tani's NPK with code (n) consists of 3 treatment levels, namely n1= Pak Tani's NPK 1 gram/polybag, N2= Pak Tani's NPK 2 grams/polybag, and N3= Pak Tani's NPK 3 grams/polybag. Thus there are 9 combinations k1n1, k1n2, k1n3, k2n1, k2n2, k2n3, k3n1, k3n2, k3n3. Each treatment was repeated 3 times and in each repetition there were 3 plant samples, so the total number of plants was 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 81 plants. The results of the research show that the influence of the interaction of Chicken Manure and NPK Pak Tani, both interaction and treatment, each individually has no significant effect on all variables observed in papaya seeds, namely: plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and plant dry weight. The k3n2 treatment produced the highest average plant height of 46.67 cm, and produced the highest average plant dry weight of 15.22 grams. The k3n3 treatment combination produced the highest average number of leaves of 8.44. The k3n1 treatment combination produced the highest average stem diameter of 1.88 cm.

The Effect of Gamal Leaf Liquid Organic Fertilizer on the Growth of Arabica Coffee (Coffea Arabica L.) Seedlings in Polybags

This research was carried out for 3 months, namely from March 2023 to June 2023, located at the BPDAS-HL Palu-Poso Permanent Nursery, this study used the Complete Randomized Design method consisting of 4 treatments, namely P0 = 0%, P1 = 20%, P2 = 30% and P3 = 30%. The four treatments were repeated seven times, bringing the total sample to 28 experimental units. The parameters observed are the increase in seedling height, stem diameter and number of leaves. The data analysis used is fingerprint analysis (F test) fingerprint analysis shows that the best treatment, it will be continued with further tests, namely the BNJ test level of 5%. The results showed that the concentration treatment of liquid organic fertilizer made from gamal leaves had a real influence on the increase in height, stem diameter and number of leaves in arabica coffee seedlings. The best treatment in this study was 40% concentration treatment (P3) with an average seedling height of 15.27 cm, an average seedling stem diameter of 3.17 mm and an average number of seedling leaves of 12.28 strands and the results of BNJ fingerprint analysis with an average height of 5.59 cm, number of leaves of 1.2 strands and stem diameter of 0.88 mm.

The current state of soybean production and its size-mass indicators in the conditions of Uzbekistan

Soybeans are a valuable crop, yet in Uzbekistan, the cultivation area is small, covering approximately 150,000 hectares. The main reasons are the lack of suitable soybean varieties for the local climate, water scarcity, and competition for land with other crops. Harvesting is a critical process, and in Uzbekistan, combine harvesters are commonly used. To prevent damage during harvesting, it is essential to understand the size-mass indicators of soybeans grown in Uzbekistan. Experiments have shown that the height of soybeans during harvesting varies from an average of 63 to 99 cm, depending on the variety and cultivation methods. The average lower stem diameter ranges from 4.1 to 7.1 mm, and the pod height varies from 15 cm for the Oyjamol and Amigo varieties to 6 cm for the Selekta variety. The height of the plant is 21.0 to 29.8 pods per bush, and the grain-to-stem ratio is 1:1.1 to 1:1.8. These indicators are crucial for adjusting the working parts of harvesters to optimal operating modes, minimizing damage during harvesting. The lack of suitable soybean varieties for the local climate and water scarcity are significant challenges that must be addressed to increase the cultivation area of soybeans in Uzbekistan.

Effect of Spraying Nano-Fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) and Hibiscus Extract on the Vegetative Growth Characteristics of the Seedling of Sour Orange Citrus aurantium L.

The experiment was carried out from the middle of March until the end of June in the greenhouse belonging to the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, the College of Agriculture, and the University of Karbala. To investigate the impact of spraying hibiscus extract and Nano-fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) on the vegetative growth traits of the seedling of the orange starting in 2022. The experiment was set up as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors: with Nano-fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) and hibiscus extract, each in three concentrations, and three replications, each with 18 seedlings and two seedlings each. Following the completion of the experiment, measurements were obtained, the outcomes were evaluated using the statistical design employed, and the averages were compared using the least significant difference test at the level of probability 0.05. The most significant findings were those of the Nano-fertilizer (Loenergy Plus) treatment, which at a concentration of 1.5 ml L-1 was significantly better than other concentrations in all growth characteristics studied (seedling height rate (cm), stem diameter rate (mm), average number of leaves (leaf /seedling), leaf area (cm2), average leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD unit), and shoot dry weight). Most of the growth characteristics that were examined (seedling height rate (cm), stem diameter rate (mm), average number of leaves (leaf/seedling), leaf area (cm2), rate of leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD unit), and shoot dry weight) were significantly improved by the application of hibiscus extract at an 8 g L-1 concentration. While the binary interaction between the two experimental factors (average seedling height (cm), average stem diameter (mm), average leaf chlorophyll content in leaves (SPAD unit), and shoot dry weight) had no significant effect, there was a significant effect of the bilateral interaction between the two experimental factors on the number of leaves (leaves / seedlings) and the leaf area (cm2).

Response of some Growth Traits of Maize Plants to Conventional and Nano-Fertilizers

The Agricultural Research Station in the university city associated with the College of Agriculture at the University of Kufa undertook a fall 2022-2023 field experiment. The study examined the effects of zinc and iron nanoparticles at 2g.l-1 or 3g.l-1, conventional iron and zinc fertilizer at 3g.l-1, and distilled water on maize plant growth and development. A three-replication Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) factorial experiment was done. Nano-fertilization with nano-zinc at 3g.l-1 produced the best results across various vegetative development indicators. Plant height rate, stem diameter, leaf chlorophyll, nitrogen, and phosphorus content are these indicators. However, 3g.l-1 nano iron increased leaf area the highest, reaching 0.424 m2.plant-1. This treatment also produced the most rows per ear and the maximum leaf potassium concentration. In contrast, 1.5 g.L-1 traditional zinc and 1.5 gm.L-1 conventional iron fertilizer produced better vegetative growth and production. These included plant height, average stem diameter, leaf chlorophyll, and leaf elements (NPK). Additionally, 3 g.L-1 conventional iron produced the maximum leaf area. Overall, the 1.5 g.L-1 nano-zinc and 1.5 g.L-1 nano-iron fertilizer combination had higher vegetative growth rates than other combinations. However, the combination of 1 g.L-1 nano-iron and 1.5 g.L-1 nano-zinc had the maximum leaf area and potassium concentration.

Different Response Between Controlled Release Fertilizer and Inorganic Fertilizer on the Growth of Chilli Plant

The development of inorganic fertilizers were found to be unsuitable for agriculture industry in Malaysia. In this study, the observation on the growth of chili plants was attempted with the presence of two types of controlled release fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer via a transplanting method. The chili plants were then undergone three observations which are plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves. The average plant height of chili plants of controlled release fertilizer B is 20.3 cm, 25.0 cm and 16.5 cm while the average stem diameter is 1.84 cm, 1.93 cm and 1.84 cm while for the average number of leaves is 41, 51 and 32.5. As a result, the chili plants with controlled release fertilizer B showed a positive result and were then tested by cross-sectional stem analysis by using a microscope results. This method aim is to ensure that controlled release fertilizer with extra nutrients is the most suitable for use by the public. Based on the composition of chili stem shown under microscope magnification, thickness of the outer layer indicates the chili plants have undergone a good absorption. The inner epidermis layer and outer epidermis layer were found, and it is subject to the agreement of plant cell structure. Based on all these studies, the chili plants with CRF B were found to grow rapidly in the fourth week. Therefore, it can be concluded that controlled release fertilizer is a high-quality product to be used by public based on the 6 weeks observation, cross-sectional stem analysis and the comparison of additional nutrients in CRF B.

Effect of Weeds and Seeding Rate on Some Growth Characteristics and Oil Content of Three Cultivars of Flax

A field experiment was conducted during the winter season of 2020-2021 in a farmer’s field in the Abu Flis area, which is located in the Al-Habbaniyah district of Anbar province, Iraq. The objective was to study the effect of two weeding treatments (weed free and weedy treatment throughout the growing season) and three seeding rates (30, 40, and 50 kg ha−1) on some growth and oil percent % characteristics of three cultivars of flax (local, Sakha 4, and Sakha 6). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with a split-split plot arrangement with three replicates. The results showed that the weedy treatment led to a significant decrease in plant height, stem diameter, root dry weight, and the number of main and fruiting branches per plant by 5.16%, 20.73%, 32.42%, 56.18%, and 46.24%, respectively, compared to the weed free treatment Seeding rates also had a significant effect on most of the studied characteristics. The seeding rate of 30 kg ha−1 resulted in the highest weeds density and the highest average stem diameter, root dry weight, and the number of main and fruiting branches per plant, while recording the lowest plant height.

A method for obtaining maize phenotypic parameters based on improved QuickShift algorithm

Phenotype is an important bridge for studying the mechanism of “genotype-phenotype-environment”, and studying precise measurement of crop individual phenotypic information is of great significance for accelerating breeding processes and assisting in precision agriculture monitoring. The purpose of this study is to develop a clustering algorithm for corn population point clouds to accurately extract the three-dimensional morphology of individual crops. Firstly, this study used drones to obtain field corn data, reconstructed corn plant models based on the SfM algorithm, simplified and rotated point clouds, and extracted crop point clouds using methods based on color and distance thresholds. For density segmentation, this study improved the QuickShift method to segment individual corn crops. Color weights were added to the clustering density calculation process, and the original point cloud was projected onto a horizontal plane to calculate the density clustering core. Then, the remaining points were subjected to QuickShift clustering segmentation in 3D to obtain the point cloud data of individual corn plants. The use of cylindrical fitting and conditional Euclidean clustering algorithms to automatically segment point clouds of stems and leaves has achieved estimation of plant height, stem thickness, minimum bounding box volume per plant, and number of leaves. Finally, the true and measured values of plant height and stem thickness were compared. The results showed that the accuracy of the improved QuickShift method for segmentation was 93.10%, with an average measured plant height of 14.21 cm and an average stem diameter of 0.72 cm. The determination coefficient and root mean square error of the automatic and manual measurement results of plant height are 0.9186 and 0.5785 cm, respectively. The determination coefficients and root mean square errors of the automatic and manual measurement results of stem thickness are 0.8227 and 0.0574 cm, respectively. This study uses an improved QuickShift to cluster and segment corn point cloud data, achieving the segmentation of individual corn plants in the field, providing an automated, efficient, and low-cost solution for accurately measuring crop phenotypic information.

Peculiarities of the formation of energy biomass by poplar plantations on the leached chernozems of the Central Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. To determine the energy biomass productivity of poplar variety 'Robusta' on leached chernozems of the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine during the first four years. Methods. Field, laboratory, and statistical. Results. The data of research on the growth of energy plantations of the 'Robusta' poplar variety during the first four years on leached chernozems of the Central Forest Steppe of Ukrainare presented. The plantation was established using one-year lignified 25 cm long cuttings that have a diameter in the upper section of 0.8–1.0 cm. The cuttings were planted according to two planting design: 2.0 × 0.8 m and 2.0 × 0.9 m. In both variants, at the end of the first vegetation season, the trees had an average height of 1.6 m. In the second vegetation season, the height increase in the first variant was 2 .0 ± 0.05 m, and on the second 2.1 ± 0.05 m. In the third year of cultivation, the growth of poplar trees reached the maximum height and amounted to 3.1 and 3.0 m, respectively, at the end of the year, with the average height of plants reaching 6.8 and 6.6 m, respectively. In the fourth year of vegetation, the increase in height slowed down significantly (to 1.2 and 1.1 m, respectively) and the average increase in plant height began to decrease significantly: their height was 8.0 ± 0.16 m in the first variant and 7.7 ± 0.22 m in the second. The average stem diameter of plants at a height of 1.3 m after the first year was higher in the first variant compared to the second (0.5 cm vs. 0.3 cm). However, already during the second year, the trees of the second (less dense) plantation increased their diameter by 2 cm. The same difference was preserved in the third year, when the average diameter of the trees of these variants was 5.8 and 6.2 cm, respectively. During the fourth growing season, the average increase in diameter in the studied plantations significantly decreased, and their average diameter indicators reached 7.2 ± 0.22 and 8.0 ± 0.31 cm, respectively. At the same time, there was a significant increase in the productivity indicators of such plantations at this time: from 25.78 to 29.94 t/ha, with energy yield ranging from 458.8 GJ/ha to 532.8 GJ/ha. This circumstance indicates the expediency of using a 5–7-year cycle of biomass harvesting on such plantations to obtain maximum productivity indicators. Conclusions. On the leached chernozems of the Central Forest Steppe of Ukraine, poplar energy plantations of 'Robusta' variety after three years of cultivation accumulate about 12–15 tons of dry biomass per 1 ha, and after four years from 26 to 30 tons of dry biomass per 1 ha. It is advisable to continue the study of the growth of such plantations in order to establish the optimal rotation of the coppice.

Assessing the influence of furrow width on growth and yield of soybean in ridge-furrow relay intercropping system with flax

Soybean flax ridge-furrow relay intercropping system is a new method of intercropping system to distress excessive vegetative growth of soybean during the rainy season. However, the effects of furrow width for flax on growth and yield of soybean in ridge-furrow relay intercropping system remain unclear. In this study, we investigated that the effects of three treatments (FS1: 10 cm furrow width, FS2: 20 cm furrow width, FS3: 30 cm furrow width) on growth and yield of soybean and clarified informative principal data for soybean flax ridge-furrow relay intercropping system. In a three-year field experiment, soybean was grown in ridges and flax was grown in furrows. At the early vegetative growth stage of soybean, environmental conditions such as water, light, and temperature, in ridge-furrow relay intercropping system, decreased significantly by interspecific competition in comparison with sole cropping system. The differences in environmental conditions between sole cropped and intercropped treatments increased in accordance with increasing width of flax furrow. Especially, soil moisture content, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and temperature in FS3 were 39.9%, 29.6%, 4.4 ℃ lower than those of SS, respectively, on average of 3 years. At the reproductive growth stage, expanding furrow width for flax decreased the number of abscised leaves, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), and specific leaf area (SLA) of intercropped soybean, while increased PAR penetration within the canopy and stem diameter. At 130 DAS, average numbers of abscised leaves in FS2 and FS3 were 4 and 5 lower than that of SS, respectively. Plant height of soybean was 0.3 m lower than that of SS in both FS2 and FS3. In LAI, the value of sole cropped soybean varied between 6.8 and 7.2, but it in FS2 and FS3 varied between 3.4 and 4.3. Particularly, LAI in FS2 ranged from 4.1 to 4.3. Average stem diameter of soybean was 0.3 cm higher than that of SS in both FS2 and FS3. PAR penetration at 30 cm below soybean canopy in FS1, FS2, and FS3 was 111.2, 122.5, 133.0% of that in SS, respectively. These led to a higher crop growth rate (CGR), reproductive growth rate (RGR), and grain distribution in intercropped soybean, as compared to sole cropped soybean. Among three treatments, FS2 exhibited the maximum CGR, RGR, and grain distribution. Also, FS2 achieved maximum soybean yield of 4.9 t ha−1 (averaged by 2020, 2021, and 2022) and maximum land equivalent ratio (LER) of 2.1 (averaged by 2020, 2021, and 2022). No significant difference in LER was observed between FS2 and FS3; however, soybean yield in FS2 was significantly higher compared to FS3 across each year. Our results suggest that by selecting the appropriate furrow width, we can constrain the excessive vegetative growth more effectively and increase the yield of soybean under ridge-furrow relay intercropping system with flax.

Changes in Genotype Composition and Morphology at an Experimental Site of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) Over a Quarter of a Century

The cultivation of common reed (Phragmites australis) is one of the most promising practices of paludiculture on fen peatlands. This highly productive grass has a high adaptation capacity via high levels of genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity. In this study, a reed experimental site established on a degraded fen in 1996/97 with a mixture of monoclonally (meristematically propagated plantlets) and polyclonally (pre-grown seedlings) planted plots was investigated by microsatellite genotyping. All nine genotypes of the monoclonal planted plots were recovered and could be genetically characterized; invasion by other genotypes was negligible. Similarly, the polyclonal plots sustained high clonal diversity with no prevalence of a single genotype. The growth characteristics of the five quantitatively investigated genotypes significantly differed from each other (α = 0.05): dry biomass per stem 5–18 g, panicles per m2 20–60, average stem diameter 3.5–6 mm, height 170–250 cm. Similarly, the persistence of genotypes at the planted plots and their invasiveness (ability to invade neighboured plots) varied. These results show that common reed stands are extremely persistent even if established with genotypes that are likely not to be locally adapted. Their genetic structure remained stable for at least 24 years regardless of the planting density (1, 4, and 10 plants per m2). Our results indicate that farmers may be able to maintain favourable genotypes for many years, thus the selection and breeding of common reed as a versatile crop for rewetted peatlands is a promising objective for paludiculture research.

Effect of operational parameters on the performance of a kenaf harvester

Aim of study: To develop a kenaf harvesting technology, that will improve kenaf production efficiency. This study evaluated the effect of some operation parameters on the performance of a tractor-mounted kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) harvester. Area of study: The experiment was performed at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. Material and methods: The experiment was initiated after 10 weeks of planting kenaf on the experimental field. The experimental design was a 3 × 4 × 5 experiment evaluating the effect of kenaf maturity (average stem diameter at week after planting (WAP) 10, 12, 14 and 16), kenaf varieties (‘Cuba 108’, ‘Ifeken 400’ and ‘Ifeken Di 400’) and forward speed of the tractor (2, 3.5, 5, 6.5 and 7.7 km/h) on effective field capacity, field efficiency, and operational loses of the machine. Main results: The effective field capacity of the machine decreased with increase in plant maturity and increased with increase in forward speed of the machine. The optimal value of the effective field capacity was 2.13 ha/day, when harvesting ‘Ifeken 400’, at crop maturity of 10 WAP, and forward speed was 5 km/h. The field efficiency of the machine was found to decrease with increase in crop maturity and forward speed of the machine. The field efficiency of the machine was 97%, with ‘Ifeken 400’ crop maturity of 10 WAP and forward speed of 2 km/h. Research highlights: The crop maturity, kenaf variety and forward speed of tractor have effect on the effective field capacity, field efficiency and the operational loss of the tractor-mounted kenaf harvester

Effect of spacing and harvest duration of moringa leaves in Arid Region

Moringa oleifera Lam, a member of the Moringaceae family, is highly prized and grows in many tropical and subtropical countries. It has a broad spectrum of medicinal uses and is highly nutritious. An experiment was conducted to investigate how spacing and harvest duration impact the growth, leaf yield, and quality of Moringa oleifera Lam at the College of Agriculture, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The study involved spacing treatments of 60 x 60 cm, 60 x 45 cm, and 45 x 45 cm as well as harvest durations of 30, 45, and 60 days. Randomly selected individual plants from each harvest plot were analyzed to record the fresh leaves and air-dried weights. Additionally, the plant's average stem diameter, height, and branches were recorded. According to the results, over a 60-day period after sowing, there was a steady increase in plant height. The 60 x 60 cm, 60 x 45 cm, and 45 x 45 cm spacings resulted in plant heights of 92 cm, 96 cm, and 102 cm, respectively. The number of branches produced per plant also increased with time, reaching 10 and 12 for medium and wide spacings, respectively. Although the wider spacing produced a more significant number of branches and higher yield per plant compared to the medium and close spacings, the total shoot yield per hectare was higher in the close spacing than in the medium and wide spacings. According to the study, the growth and yield of Moringa were significantly influenced by spacing, with leaf production, branches, and overall yield being particularly affected.

Inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi increase calcium uptake in Malus robusta

Utilization of plants-microbe's interactions to remediate calcium11Ca: calcium (Ca) deficiency soils is effective and practical. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi22AMF: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and the synergy of AMF and Ca fertilizer on physiological and transcriptomic responses in apple rootstock (Malus robusta) roots. AMF and Ca fertilizer synergistically served to elongate root length, surface area, average stem diameter and biomass, such extended the surface area in contact with soil nutrients and water. Symbiosis of AMF with apple seedlings made significantly higher levels of Ca in root tissue and promoted Ca translocation from roots to shoot tissue. GO and KEGG pathway analysis disclosed that gene expression varies in several critical gene families, such as auxin response (MdAux/IAAs, MdGH3 and MdSAUR), TCA cycles (MdCS, MdMDH and MdACO), phosphate transporters (MdPHT1;1, MdPHT1;10 and MdPHT1;3) and Ca2+ signal transduction pathways (MdCa2+/ATPase, MdCML, MdTPC1 and MdCDPK), indicating that apple regulates the expression of genes related to auxin synthesis, organic acid secretion, and calcium transporters and channels, thereby increased the growth of apple roots and promoted the secretion of organic acids, resulting in the increase of calcium effectiveness in soil. AMF promoted the accumulation and utilization of Ca in plants by regulating the expression levels of genes related to these pathways. These results contribute to a better understanding of AMF symbiosis mechanism behind the Ca uptake of apple seedlings under exogenous Ca treatment.

Manipulation of ploidy for blueberry breeding: in vitro chromosome doubling of diploid Vaccinium duclouxii (Lévl.) Hand.-Mazz by trifluralin

The diversification, evolution, domestication, and breeding of many plant species have all been greatly aided by polyploidization. In this study, we reported a successful induction of autotetraploids of Vaccinium duclouxii (Lévl.) Hand.-Mazz, which was an important germplasm for developing highbush blueberry cultivars. The isolated stems of V. duclouxii were soaked in different concentrations of trifluralin solution, and then the ploidy of the seedlings sprouted from stems were identified by flow cytometry and chromosome counting analyses. The optimal condition for inducing tetraploid of V. duclouxii leaf bud was 0.002 % trifluralin for 48 h, which the induction rate reached 8.33 %. The morphological and anatomical characteristics of induced tetraploid seedlings were significantly different from those of the original diploid plants. The average stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf thickness of the tetraploid plants showed significantly larger and thicker compared with the diploid progenitor plants. The stomata number of lower epidermis on the tetraploid seedling leaves only was 64.20 % of the diploid progenitors’, while the average stomatal area was increased by 166.67 %. In addition, the length and width of guard cells were 128.57 % and 141.18 % of its diploid progenitor, separatively, and the chloroplast numbers were in guard cells increased by 157.36 %. The main leaf vein diameter, the upper epidermal thickness, palisade tissue and sponge tissue of induced tetraploid leaves were all significantly increased in comparison to its diploid progenitor, indicating that these indexes can be used for screening tetraploid seedlings during breeding program.

The Stability of Fixation of Vancouver B2 Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures: Effect of Implantation Technique

BackgroundDue to increasing volume of total hip arthroplasties, periprosthetic femoral fractures have become a common complication with increased revision burden and perioperative morbidity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fixation stability of Vancouver B2 fractures treated with 2 techniques. MethodsA common B2 fracture was created by reviewing 30 type B2 cases. The fracture was then reproduced in 7 pairs of cadaveric femora. The specimens were divided into 2 groups. In Group I (“reduce-first”), the fragments were reduced first, followed by implantation of a tapered fluted stem. In Group II (“ream-first”), the stem was implanted in the distal femur first, followed by fragment reduction and fixation. Each specimen was loaded in a multiaxial testing frame with 70% of peak load during walking. A motion capture system was used to track the motion of the stem and fragments. ResultsThe average stem diameter in Group II was 16.1 ± 0.4 mm, versus 15.4 ± 0.5 mm in Group I. The fixation stability was not significantly different in the 2 groups. After the testing, the average stem subsidence was 0.36 ± 0.31 mm and 0.19 ± 0.14 mm (P = .17) and the average rotation was 1.67 ± 1.30° and 0.91 ± 1.11° (P = .16) in Groups I and II, respectively. Compared to the stem, there was less motion of the fragments and there was no difference between the 2 groups (P > .05). ConclusionsWhen tapered fluted stems were used in combination with cerclage cables for treatment of Vancouver type B2 periprosthetic femoral fractures, both the “reduce-first” and “ream-first” techniques showed adequate stem and fracture stability.