Cabbage Crops Research Articles

SaxA-Mediated Isothiocyanate Metabolism in Phytopathogenic Pectobacteria.

Pectobacteria are devastating plant pathogens that infect a large variety of crops, including members of the family Brassicaceae. To infect cabbage crops, these plant pathogens need to overcome the plant's antibacterial defense mechanisms, where isothiocyanates are liberated by hydrolysis of glucosinolates. Here, we found that a Pectobacterium isolate from the gut of cabbage root fly larvae was particularly resistant to isothiocyanate and even seemed to benefit from the abundant Brassica root metabolite 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate as a nitrogen source in an ecosystem where nitrogen is scarce. The Pectobacterium isolate harbored a naturally occurring mobile plasmid that contained a sax operon. We hypothesized that SaxA was the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate. Subsequently, we heterologously produced and purified the SaxA protein and characterized the recombinant enzyme. It hydrolyzed 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate to yield the products carbonyl sulfide and phenylethylamine. It was also active toward another aromatic isothiocyanate but hardly toward aliphatic isothiocyanates. It belongs to the class B metal-dependent beta-lactamase fold protein family but was not, however, able to hydrolyze beta-lactam antibiotics. We discovered that several copies of the saxA gene are widespread in full and draft Pectobacterium genomes and therefore hypothesize that SaxA might be a new pathogenicity factor of the genus Pectobacterium, possibly compromising food preservation strategies using isothiocyanates.

Potential of Entomopathogenic Fungi as Biological Control Agents of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Compatibility With Chemical Insecticides.

The objectives were to evaluate the efficiency of entomopathogenic fungi against Plutella xylostella (L.) and the compatibility of the most virulent isolates with some of the insecticides registered for use on cabbage crops. Pathogenicity tests used isolates of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium rileyi, Isaria fumosorosea, Isaria sinclairii, and Lecanicillium muscarium standardized at a concentration of 10(7) conidia/ml. Cabbage leaf discs were immersed in these suspensions, and after evaporation of the excess water, were placed 10 second-instar larvae of P. xylostella, totaling 10 leaf discs per treatment. Mortality was assessed 7 d after treatment, and the isolates that caused mortality>80% were used to estimate LC50 and LT50. The compatibilities of the most virulent isolates and the insecticides were tested from the mixture of these into the culture medium, and after solidifying, the medium was inoculated with an aliquot of the isolated suspension. The following parameters were evaluated: growth of the colony, number and viability of conidia after 7 d. The isolated IBCB01, IBCB18, IBCB66, and IBCB87 of B. bassiana, LCMAP101 of M. rileyi, and ARSEF7973 of I. sinclairii caused mortality between 80 and 100%, with LC50 and LT50 between 2.504 to 6.775×10(4) conidia/ml and 52.22 to 112.13 h, respectively. The active ingredients thiamethoxam and azadirachtin were compatible with the entomopathogenic fungi. The results suggest that the use of these isolates is an important alternative in the pesticidal management of P. xylostella, with the possible exception of the associated use of chemical controls using the active ingredients thiamethoxam or azadirachtin.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of bZIP Transcription Factors in Brassica oleracea under Cold Stress.

Cabbages (Brassica oleracea L.) are an important vegetable crop around world, and cold temperature is among the most significant abiotic stresses causing agricultural losses, especially in cabbage crops. Plant bZIP transcription factors play diverse roles in biotic/abiotic stress responses. In this study, 119 putative BolbZIP transcription factors were identified using amino acid sequences from several bZIP domain consensus sequences. The BolbZIP members were classified into 63 categories based on amino acid sequence similarity and were also compared with BrbZIP and AtbZIP transcription factors. Based on this BolbZIP identification and classification, cold stress-responsive BolbZIP genes were screened in inbred lines, BN106 and BN107, using RNA sequencing data and qRT-PCR. The expression level of the 3 genes, Bol008071, Bol033132, and Bol042729, was significantly increased in BN107 under cold conditions and was unchanged in BN106. The upregulation of these genes in BN107, a cold-susceptible inbred line, suggests that they might be significant components in the cold response. Among three identified genes, Bol033132 has 97% sequence similarity to Bra020735, which was identified in a screen for cold-related genes in B. rapa and a protein containing N-rich regions in LCRs. The results obtained in this study provide valuable information for understanding the potential function of BolbZIP transcription factors in cold stress responses.

Water Use Efficiency on Cabbage and Cauliflower Treated with a New Biostimulant Composition

We developed a new plant biostimulant composition, containing low doses of sodium selenate, glycine betaine and a spray adjuvant. We performed an experiment to test the influence of treatments with this new biostimulant composition, on cabbage and cauliflower crops, cultivated under normal watered and water stress conditions. We aimed to prove that an efficient technology of protective biofortification with selenium of crops would solve two technical problems of cruciferous cultivation into a semi-arid area, with selenium soil deficit: (i) safety supplementation of food chain and, concomitant, (ii) enhanced water use efficiency. Normal watered plants were irrigated at a rate of 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Water stressed cabbage and cauliflower plants were irrigated under deficit conditions, at a 75% ETc. Six different treatments, including the new biostimulant composition and its ingredients, separate and/or in combination, were applied on cabbage and cauliflower, in a field experiment, organised in split plot design, with three replications. The treatments were applied by foliar spraying, 3 weeks and 6 weeks after seedlings transplantation in the field. During vegetation, physiological parameters (chlorophyll a fluorescence and stomatal conductance) were assayed. After harvesting, yield parameters were determined, for each treatment applied to both normal watered and water stressed plants. We calculated the water use efficiency as ratio between the marketable yield and the water used. We tested in field conditions this new biostimulant composition, which allows to obtain, under conditions of moderate water stress, a marketable production similar to that of the normal watered crop. Physiological parameters demonstrated also enhanced water-use efficiency on cabbage and cauliflower treated with the new biostimulant composition, containing sodium selenate, betaine and spraying adjuvant based on ethyl rapeseedate.

Marketing Imperfection of Cabbage Crop in Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh

An attempt has been made in the present paper to examine the marketing aspects of cabbage crops in Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh. Hundred farmers were selected randomly from ten villages from Bemetara district. The major findings revealed that there were three marketing channels of cabbage, Channel-I: Producer-Consumer, Channel-II: Producer-Itinerants (kochia)-Consumer, and Channel-Ill: Producer-Commission agent-Retailer-Consumer. Price received by cabbage producer was 585, 465 and 498 per quintal in Channel-I, Channel-II and Channel-Ill respectively. Net price received by cabbage producers was Rs.535 per quintal in Channel-I 465 per quintal in Channel-II and 436 per quintal in Channel-Ill. Marketing cost paid by producers by an amount of Rs. 50 and Rs. 62 in Channel-I and III. The study also reveals that the lack of storage facilities (72.00 percent) was reported as the most important constraints faced by vegetables growers.

Terrestrial Arthropod Profile and Soil Microbial Population Dynamics on Cabbage Cropping as Affected by Application of Trichoderma Microbial Inoculant (TMI) in Sariaya, Quezon, Philippines

A two-season study was conducted in a cabbage farmer’s field in Sariaya, Quezon Province, Philippines to determine the impact of Trichoderma microbial inoculant (TMI) application on above-ground terrestrial arthropod profile. Soil microflora population dynamics, soil chemical properties, the nitrogen and phosphate crop uptake, and disease incidence were monitored for the first season only. TMI treatment was compared with farmer’s practice (FP, control) that involved insecticide treatment following an RCBD with three replicates. Target organisms were simultaneously monitored at 40, 60 and 85 days after transplanting (DAT). This is the first report on simultaneously studying these components of the cabbage agroecosystem.Combined seasons’ data showed higher arthropod counts in TMI plots, with predators significantly higher at third sampling-first season and parasite population first sampling-second season. Insect damage was observed on all plants indicating herbivore infestation, despite insecticide spraying in FP. Marketable yield was significantly greater in TMI plots based on combined seasons’data.Trichoderma invaded cabbage roots and existed as an endophyte throughout the life of the crop. It also significantly reduced disease incidence, increased N uptake despite reduced fertilizer application compared with FP. No change in culturable bacterial and fungal population was observed except for a transient increase in fungal population following TMI application.Further testing on other crucifers should be done to determine their reaction against major insect pests and on functional microbial groups

Effect of different fertilization practices on the growth and yield of cabbage

The field experiment was conducted at the farmer’s field of Sutiakhali, a village near the BAU, Mymensingh to investigate effect of integrated nutrient management on yield of cabbage and soil fertility during the period from 5th November 2013 to February2014. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and five treatments levels viz. T1: Recommended Dose (RD, N150P53K50S30Zn1.5Bo.7Mo0.5) T2: Soil Test Base (STB, N178P65K51S27Zn1.5B0.7Mo0.5) T3: Integrated Plant Nutrition System (IPNS, N158P59K42S24Zn1.5B0.7Mo0.5) + Cow dung (CD) @ 5.0 tha-1, T4: Farmer’s Practice (FP, N65P42K71S6) T5: Control (no fertilizer). The Integrated Plant Nutrition System showed significant positive effect on the yield and yield components of cabbage cv. Atlas-70. The results of the present study showed that cow-dung with inorganic fertilizers have significant variation on all the parameters except number of loose leaves. The highest values for plant height (25.88cm), number of folded leaves per head (42.50), length of the biggest leaf (34.77cm), length of the lateral root (31.92 cm), length of stem (6.83cm) were recorded in T3 treatments, on the other hand the highest values in case of number of loose leaves at the treatment of T5 (control). The yield of cabbage crop has increased significantly with application of inorganic fertilizer in combination of cow dung over the control. The highest values for fresh weight of cabbage was 89.16 t ha-1, dry matter content of head (5.93%), dry matter content of loose leaves (9.72%), were recorded at T3 treatments by the application of inorganic fertilizer (N158P59K42S24Zn1.5B0.7Mo0.5) in combination with cow dung @ 5.0 tha-1. The above results indicated that the integrated nutrient management had a remarkable effect in promoting soil fertility and increasing yield and yield components of cabbage.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2015, 1(2): 182-186

Use of different organic fertilizers on soil fertility improvement, growth and head yield parameters of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L)

Field experiment was carried out in Akure in the rainforest zone of Nigeria to determine the effect of poultry manure, wood ash and rice bran on the soil fertility improvement, growth and head yield of cabbage (Brassica oleraceae L) in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons. The three organic fertilizer treatments were applied each at 6 t/ha with a reference treatment NPK 15-15-15 applied at 300 kg/ha and a control treatment arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed significant increases (P < 0.05) in the growth and head yield parameters of cabbage crop under the different organic fertilizers compared to the control treatment. The application of poultry manure resulted in the highest values of cabbage plant height, stem girth, leaf number, leaf area, head weight, head length and head girth followed by NPK 15-15-15, wood ash and rice bran, respectively. Cabbage head weight, head girth, head length, plant height, stem girth, leaf number and leaf area increased by 17, 18, 8,17, 19, 10 and 16 %, respectively, with application of poultry manure compared to NPK fertilizer. Also, these parameters increased by 23, 21, 13 29, 25, 17 and 45 % compared to the wood ash treatment. The highest values of soil pH, Ca and Mg were obtained under wood ash application, while the highest values of soil O.M and moderate values of soil P, K, Ca and Mg were obtained under poultry manure application. Moderate values of soil pH, K, Ca and low % N were also recorded under rice bran treatment. However, the highest K/Ca, K/Mg and P/Mg ratios of 93.1, 74.1 and 572.1, respectively, were obtained under NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer application compared to 2:1 K/Ca, 2:1 K/Mg and 16:1 P/Mg in rice bran treatment. The poultry manure applied at 6 t/ha gave the best results in improving soil fertility, growth and head yield of cabbage, and this was because of its balanced nutrient composition and the least C/N ratio.

Anatomic Characteristics Associated with Head Splitting in Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.).

Cabbage belonging to Brassicaceae family is one of the most important vegetables cultivated worldwide. The economically important part of cabbage crop is head, formed by leaves which may be of splitting and non-splitting types. Cabbage varieties showing head splitting causes huge loss to the farmers and therefore finding the molecular and structural basis of splitting types would be helpful to breeders. To determine which anatomical characteristics were related to head-splitting in cabbage, we analyzed two contrasting cabbage lines and their offspring using a field emission scanning electron microscope. The inbred line “747” is an early head-splitting type, while the inbred line “748” is a head-splitting-resistant type. The petiole cells of “747” seems to be larger than those of “748” at maturity; however, there was no significant difference in petiole cell size at both pre-heading and maturity stages. The lower epidermis cells of “747” were larger than those of “748” at the pre-heading and maturity stages. “747” had thinner epidermis cell wall than “748” at maturity stage, however, there was no difference of the epidermis cell wall thickness in the two lines at the pre-heading stage. The head-splitting plants in the F1 and F2 population inherited the larger cell size and thinner cell walls of epidermis cells in the petiole. In the petiole cell walls of “747” and the F1 and F2 plants that formed splitting heads, the cellulose microfibrils were loose and had separated from each other. These findings verified that anomalous cellulose microfibrils, larger cell size and thinner-walled epidermis cells are important genetic factors that make cabbage heads prone to splitting.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Collard Landraces and their Relationship to Other Brassica oleracea Crops.

Landraces have the potential to provide a reservoir of genetic diversity for crop improvement to combat the genetic erosion of the food supply. A landrace collection of the vitamin-rich specialty crop collard (Brassica oleracea L. var. viridis) was genetically characterized to assess its potential for improving the diverse crop varieties of B. oleracea. We used the Illumina 60K Brassica SNP BeadChip array with 52,157 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to (i) clarify the relationship of collard to the most economically important B. oleracea crop types, (ii) evaluate genetic diversity and population structure of 75 collard landraces, and (iii) assess the potential of the collection for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) through characterization of genomic patterns of linkage disequilibrium. Confirming the collection as a valuable genetic resource, the collard landraces had twice the polymorphic markers (11,322 SNPs) and 10 times the variety-specific alleles (521 alleles) of the remaining crop types examined in this study. On average, linkage disequilibrium decayed to background levels within 600 kilobase (kb), allowing for sufficient coverage of the genome for GWAS using the physical positions of the 8273 SNPs polymorphic among the landraces. Although other relationships varied, the previous placement of collard with the cabbage family was confirmed through phylogenetic analysis and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA).

New source of black rot disease resistance in Brassica oleracea and genetic analysis of resistance

Black rot is the most widespread and devastating disease in Brassica oleracea crops. The objective of this work was to identify new sources of resistance to races 1 and 4 of Xcc in 46 B. oleracea accessions and to understand genetics of resistance. Most of the accessions were susceptible to both the races, except accessions BR-207, BR-1, BR-202-2 and AL-15 of botrytis group to Xcc race 1. The partial resistant plants were observed in some accessions BR-202-2 (90 % plants) and AL-27 (10 % plants) of botrytis, DJ8012 (20 % plants) of capitata, 005426 (10 % plants) of italica. All the accessions were susceptible to Xcc race 4 except one accession (DJ8012) in cabbage (capitata group) with mean disease score of 7.0 and 10 % plants were found partial resistant. The genetics of resistance in accession BR-207 (botrytis group) was investigated by crossing this with susceptible accessions (Pusa Himjyoti and Pusa Sharad). For the genetics study, F1, F2, F3 and backcrosses (BC1P1 and BC1P2) generations of (Pusa Himjyoti x BR-207) and (Pusa Sharad x BR-207) were evaluated. Segregation ratios obtained were compared by Chi square test at 5 % probability. The F1 generations were resistant and segregation ratio of resistant and susceptible plants indicated 3(R):1(S) in F2 and 1(R):2 (Seg):1(S) in F3 which suggested that resistance to Xcc race 1 in BR-207 is governed by a single dominant gene. The information obtained in this study could be valuable for black rot resistance breeding and in planning a systematic breeding programme to incorporate the black rot resistance into the susceptible cultivars.

STUDY OF SOME HEADED CHINESE CABBAGE VARIETIES AND HYBRIDS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN AUTUMN OPEN FIELD CULTURE IN TRANSYLVANIAN TABLELAND SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Chinese cabbage is a leafy vegetable often cultivated in Asia, but which has also become more and more known in Romania due to its high nutritional value. The main purpose of this experiment was to study the behavior of some Chinese cabbage varieties in the Transylvanian Tableland specific conditions in an autumn open field culture, being known that there is no adequate cultivation technology for this vegetable for this region, vegetable producers having difficulties in special because of the bolting and inappropriate cultivar choose. To achieve the objectives of this experiment a collection of 5 varieties and hybrids was organized. During growing season observations were made regarding plants growth and development, at harvest on the yield quality and quantity, a high importance being given to the number of bolted plants. Plants head weight varied between 0.77 kg and 0.99 kg, while the cabbage heads had weights between 0.57 kg and 0.86 kg. At harvest only one hybrid presented a minimum bolting percentage, while to another one the percentage passed 40%. The yields obtained within this experiment varied between 45.3 and 67.2 t/ha. The success of the Chinese cabbage crop is in direct relationship with choosing a good hybrid, which is bolting resistant and can give a high yield.

English

Novel strategies for Plutella xylostella management in cabbage need to be evaluated in order to increase its control and reduce adverse impacts on the environment. Thus, we evaluated the combined effects of the cabbage cultivars Ruby Ball, Matsukase Sakata, and Sessenta Dias, the aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica, Aspidosperma pyrifolium, and Melia azedarach, and the parasitoid Oomyzus sokolowskii on P. xylostella control and selectivity to the parasitoid. This study attempted to give insights to further elaborate an IPM strategy for cabbage crop. The first assay recorded P. xylostella mortality, and the second assay recorded the number of parasitoids emerged from P. xylostella pupa and O. sokolowskii immature development in two successive generations. Cultivar Ruby Ball treated with A. pyrifolium extract increased P. xylostella mortality over 85%. Parasitism by O. sokolowskii combined with A. pyrifolium or A. indica extracts provided up to 95% mortality, regardless of the cabbage cultivar. Cultivar Matsukase Sakata treated with M. azedarach or A. indica extracts affected adversely O. sokolowskii development. The number of parasitoids emerged from P. xylostella pupa was increased from the first to the second generation on the resistant cvs. Ruby Ball and Matsukase Sakata. Further experiments are encouraged to confirm in greenhouse and field the high mortality rates of P. xylostella and selectivity to O. sokolowskii, in order to elaborate an efficient IPM program for cabbage against the diamondback moth. Key words: Brassica oleraceae var. capitata, diamondback moth, host plant resistance, integrated pest management, Oomyzus sokolowskii, plant extracts.

Effect of deficit irrigation on growth and yield of drip irrigated cabbage

A field experiment was conducted on cabbage crop (var. Indo-American Hybrid Ramakrishna) during the winter season of 2010-11 in loamy soil of Water Technology Centre, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of three levels of irrigation, i.e. 60, 80 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two types of drip irrigation systems, viz. pressure compensating (PC) and non-pressure compensating (NPC) drippers on the cabbage growth and yield. Rated discharge of PC and NPC drippers were 1.0 and 2.1 litres per hour (lph). Cabbage crop was sown in November 2013 at the spacing of 30cm (plant to plant) and 60cm (row to row). Leaf Area Index (LAI) was recorded at initial, developmental, mid-season and maturity stages while the root volume was determined at the maturity stage of crop growth. Under PC system, the LAI values of 0.59, 0.90 and 2.07 were recorded at initial, developmental and middle stage of crop, respectively. During maturity stage, NPC dripper showed higher LAI (2.61) as compared to PC drippers (2.57). Increased wetting depth under NPC system resulted in higher root depth (70 cm) and higher root volume. The maximum and minimum yields obtained in PC drippers were 91.2 and 83.33 t/ha, whereas in the plot having NPC drippers, maximum and minimum yieldsobtained were 61.48 and 53.70 t/ha, respectively. Yield obtained under 80 and 100 % ETc was not significantly different, however full application of water (100%) resulted in better yield. Thus, Pressure compensating drippers with discharge matching to crop water needs (1.0 lph) and irrigation at 80 % ETc is recommended as optimum practice for cabbage cultivation in loamy soils of northern India.

Morphophysiological Indicators of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) Planted Inside and Outside Greenhouse, under Ecuadorian Amazon Conditions

The Ecuadorian Amazon is the poorest in the country, particularly the province of Pastaza is the largest and one of the least developed in the field of agriculture. The Universidad Estatal Amazonica initiated a research program to evaluate the adaptation of different horticultural species plants to conditions in the region, in order to contribute to food sustainability. This study analyzed the behavior of cabbage crop variety Gloria, planted under controlled conditions in the greenhouse and outside it. The morphological, physiological and crop production indicators were evaluated in both planting conditions. The results showed that the cultivation offers better morphological and physiological indicators when it was sown in the greenhouse; however the best production indicators and agricultural yield was obtained in planting outside the greenhouse, indicating that desirability of establishing this crop in the Ecuadorian Amazon without sow in the greenhouse. Original Research Article Perez et al.; JAERI, 3(4): 160-167, 2015; Article no.JAERI.2015.044 161

Analysis of Antifungal Components in the Galls ofMelaphis chinensisand Their Effects on Control of Anthracnose Disease of Chinese Cabbage Caused byColletotrichum higginsianum

Fungal pathogens caused various diseases which resulted in heavy yield and quality losses on plants of commercial interests such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. In our preliminary experimental results, the methanol extracts of four species of medicinal plantsMelaphis chinensis, Eugenia caryophyllata, Polygonum cuspidatum, andRheum officinalepossessed antifungal activity to causal agent of cabbage anthracnose,Colletotrichum higginsianum. Thus it was conducted to identify and quantify the chemical constituents in these herbs and to assess the antifungal effects of these compounds. Among the tested principles, the indicator compound methyl gallate fromM. chinensiswas the most effective one against the conidial germination. In addition, it exhibited significant effects of controlling anthracnose disease of Chinese cabbage caused byC. higginsianumPA-01 in growth chamber. These results indicate thatM. chinensismay be potential for further development of plant-derived pesticides for control of anthracnose of cabbage and other cruciferous crops.

유비철석 입자 혼합 토양내 상추(Lactuca sativa L.)의 비소이온 흡수와 축적

Arsenic (As) is nonessential element toxic to plants. In Korea little is not only known about the extent of actual anthropogenic sources and inputs of arsenic to the agricultural land which plays a active role as a sink, but also systematic research on arsenic as an toxic element entering the food chain via the soil-plant pathway has not been investigated in the fields and greenhouses besides in few places of abandoned mining sites. Therefore, it is important to focus on the effect of As-contaminated soils on As uptake and biomass production of lettuce plants. In this study, As concentrations in the soil and accumulation of As in lettuce transferred by As uptake from soils were investigated. To do this, soil which was mixed with various rates of arsenopyrite gravels containing arsenic from 0 to 100% was packed into a round plastic pot. Then, 10 days old vegetable crops of chinese cabbage and lettuce after germination were transplanted into a pot. Growth of lettuce was observed for four weeks with one week interval. All experiments were done by triplicate. The results showed that the growth rates for number of leaves, width and length of the crop plants were retarded with increasing amount of gravel mixed due to increasing bioavailable amount of arsenate with increasing rate of gravel in soils. With these results, we conclude that the bioavailable amount of arsenate can influence the growth of lettuce.

Feeding Deterrent Activity of &lt;em&gt;Melia azedarach&lt;/em&gt; Linn. and &lt;em&gt;Phytolacca dodecondra&lt;/em&gt; (L'Herit) Plant Extracts Against Cabbage Flea Beetle, &lt;em&gt;Phyllotreta cruciferae&lt;/em&gt; (Goeze)

Aim of the study was to evaluate feeding deterrent activity of cold and hot water extracts of <em>Melia azedarach</em> and <em>Phytolacca dodecondra</em> plant parts against cabbage flea beetle, <em>Phyllotreta cruciferae</em>. Tap water was used for cold water extraction and 100°C boiled water was used for hot water extraction. Five concentrations (w/v) such as 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 g, respectively of powder/100 mL of water was used to check feeding deterrent activity by leaf discs method. Feeding deterrent activity of plant extracts was monitored for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, respectively post exposure period with 24 h interval. In addition, mean number of feeding holes were recorded after 96 h post exposure period. The cabbage leaf disc treated with 10 g/100 mL of plant extracts recorded 100% feeding deterrent activity after 24 h exposure period. After 48 h exposure period, except for <em>Melia</em> mature fruit (96.6%) remaining all the extracts recorded 100% feeding deterrent activity at 10 g/100 mL treatment. After 72 h exposure period, at higher concentration (10 g/100 mL), feeding deterrent activity of cold water extract of <em>Phytolacca</em> leaf (96.6%) was on par with hot water extract of <em>Phytolacca</em> leaf (96.6%) and immature fruit (96.6%). After 96 h exposure period, except for hot water extract of <em>Phytolacca</em> leaves (93.3%), remaining all observed 100% feeding deterrent activity at higher concentration. The mean numbers of feeding holes were decreased in increased concentration of the plant extracts. Irrespective of the concentrations, minimum feeding hole was observed at 10 g/100 mL of cold and hot water extract treatment. These two plant extracts proved to be effective by preventing feeding nature of the insects under laboratory. If these plant extracts may provide similar results under field condition it may be useful for controlling flea beetles damage in cabbage crops.

Influence of Organic Manures and Fertilizers on Nutrient Uptake, Yield and Quality in Cabbage-Baby Corn Cropping Sequence

Field experiments were conducted at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, during rabi and kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to study direct, cumulative, or residual effect of organic manures (Farmyard Manure, Vermicompost, Poultry Manure, Neem Cake, and combinations thereof) along with the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and absolute Control, on nutrient uptake, yield and quality in cabbage-baby corn cropping sequence system. Results showed that application of recommended dose of fertilizers [N, P and K (100:50:50 kg ha-1)] recorded highest yield in cabbage (38.91t ha-1), which was comparable to combined application (2.89t ha-1) of poultry manure and neem cake (37.9t ha-1). In baby corn, maximum yield (6.12t ha-1) was recorded with recommended dose of fertilizers, followed by the combined use of poultry manure and neem cake (5.80t ha-1). Among various treatments, residual effect and combined application of poultry manure and neem cake to a preceding cabbage crop, recorded maximum yield in baby corn (4.71t ha-1) over other treatments. Similar trend was seen in nutrient uptake by cabbage and baby corn (cumulative and residual). Highest protein and ascorbic acid content in cabbage, residual and cumulative baby corn was recorded with application of poultry manure + neem cake (2.89t ha-1), and poultry manure + FYM (6.11t ha-1) respectively.

Skuteczność zwalczania śmietki kapuścianej (Delia radicum L.) w uprawach kapusty głowiastej na podstawie monitoringu

During the 2011–2012 the research on optimal treatment time to control cabbage root fly on cabbage crops was carried out. The study focused on determining the suitability of allylisothiocyanate-baited traps to control Delia radicum L. on cabbage crops. Treatment time was determined based on a number of captured females. During cabbage harvesting time an analysis of a root damaged caused by cabbage root fly larva was done. The results show a high efficacy of used monitoring system in control of D. radicum on cabbage crops. Flight monitoring method could be useful for control cabbage root fly in Integrated Pest Management. W latach 2011–2012, w Instytucie Ogrodnictwa oraz w gospodarstwie Zespołu Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego w Powierciu prowadzono badania nad ustaleniem optymalnych terminów zwalczania śmietki kapuścianej (Delia radicum L.) na plantacjach warzyw kapustnych w sezonie wegetacyjnym. Badania dotyczyły określenia przydatności pułapki zapachowej oraz opracowania metod monitorowania nalotu i kontroli liczebności śmietki kapuścianej na warzywach kapustnych. Monitoring nalotu prowadzono przy użyciu pułapki zapachowej firmy Medchem. Terminy zabiegów zostały ustalone na podstawie liczby odłowionych samic. W okresie zbiorów wykonano analizę korzeni, licząc korzenie uszkodzone przez larwy śmietki kapuścianej. Uzyskane wyniki potwierdzają wysoką skuteczność zastosowanej metody monitoringu w zwalczaniu śmietki kapuścianej. Opracowywana metoda będzie podstawą do prowadzenia integrowanej ochrony warzyw kapustnych przed śmietką kapuścianą.