Cultivation Of Ornamental Plants Research Articles

Can SPAD Values and CIE L*a*b* Scales Predict Chlorophyll and Carotenoid Concentrations in Leaves and Diagnose the Growth Potential of Trees? An Empirical Study of Four Tree Species

Photosynthetic pigments are fundamental for plant photosynthesis and play an important role in plant growth. Currently, the frequently used method for measuring photosynthetic pigments is spectrophotometry. Additionally, the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter, with its advantages of easy operation and non-destructive testing, has been widely applied in land agriculture. However, the application prospects of its test results in horticultural plants have not yet been proven. This study examines the reliability of SPAD values for predicting chlorophyll concentrations. Using fresh and senescent leaves from four common horticultural plants, we measured SPAD values, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and leaf color parameters. A generalized linear mixed model demonstrated that SPAD values are a reliable indicator for predicting chlorophyll concentrations, yet interspecific variations exist. Based on the predictive power of SPAD values for chlorophyll, we first propose an Enrichment Index (CEI) and a Normal Chlorophyll Concentration Threshold (NCCT). The CEI can be used to compare SPAD values among different species, and the NCCT value can serve as a more accurate indicator for assessing the growth potential of old trees. However, due to a limited sample size, further research with larger samples is needed to refine the diagnosis of plant growth potential and enhance the management of ornamental plant cultivation.

Evaluation of Hazelnut Husk as a Growing Medium in Primrose Cultivation

In this study, the effects of hazelnut husk on growth, quality parameters, and nutrient content of primrose were evaluated. For this purpose, thirteen different growing media were prepared by mixing fresh hazelnut husk (FHH) and mature husk wastes (MHH) with peat at different rates. Some physical and chemical properties of the media and nutrient analyses were made for the nutritional status of the plants. The study was carried out in greenhouse conditions with four replications according to the randomized plot design. The aeration capacity and easily available content of the growing media is within the limit values, the medias with 50% FHH and MHH were prominent in terms of air-water balance. The effect of the medium on the aesthetic appearance, total shoot, leaf, and flower number of the primrose was not significant, but it was effective on flower weight, plant height, and root fresh-dry weight. In terms of plant root-shoot development, 30% FHH and 50% MHH were prominent. The media have caused significant differences in nutrient concentrations in primrose except for nitrogen, phosphorus, and copper. The leaf phosphorus concentration was high, nitrogen and potassium concentrations were within the limit value range, iron was sufficient, and manganese and copper were insufficient, while zinc was mostly lower than limit values. When all the data are evaluated, 50% ratios of hazelnut husks can be recommended in primrose cultivation and hazelnut husk can be evaluate in ornamental plant cultivation as a growing media.

Extreme Gradent Boosting Method Forecasting Rainfall in Lembang District, West Java Province

Lembang is a notable regional tourism destination that bears considerable significance within the urban area of Bandung. Lembang is widely recognized for its flourishing agricultural sector, which supports a significant community of farmers engaged in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, in addition to its intrinsic scenic beauty. Therefore, the acquisition of precipitation data is of considerable significance for individuals live in the area to maintain their economic endeavors. This study employs daily historical data from the period of 2018 to 2021, wherein approximately 70% of the data is categorized as sparse. This discourse aims to examine the utilization of the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGboost) technique for predicting rainfall in the Lembang region, specifically emphasizing its effectiveness in handling limited data. The findings indicate that the model, when trained and tested using a 7:3 data split ratio, achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.834 for training and 4.473 for testing. Additionally, the root mean square error (RMSE) was calculated to be 3.319 for training and 7.637 for testing. The optimal hyperparameters consist of a learning rate of 0.005, a max_depth value of 10, and the utilization of 300 decision trees as n_estimators. The model effectively captures the pattern of sparse time series data and non-rainy days data, as evidenced by its low error metrics. However, it slightly underestimates the rainfall rate on the days with intense precipitation

Overview of Seed Production in Floriculture Crops

Floriculture, one of the potential components of horticulture industry, deals with cultivation, processing and marketing of ornamental plants and maintenance of garden and it includes annuals, biennials and perennial ornamentals. Worldwide demand for flowering annuals is high to beautify our landscape. The majority of annuals can only be propagated by seeds. The flowering annual seed business has developed into a significant industry as a result of the demand for these plants in the global floricultural trade. The majority of the flower seeds are imported into India. Eventually, flower seeds are very expensive and difficult to obtain for farmers. Every species of flower raised for seed has its own planting period, culture, difficulties and harvesting processes. A mild environment with little rain during growth and harvest seasons is a vital requirement for good seed production. Hybrid seeds of these plants have high vigour and superior quality. Hybrid seed production for the export market is very crucial. The production of seeds in flower crops is covered in this review.

New Data and Recent Updates on Invasive Horticultural Pest Species Acanalonia conica (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Romania

As a result of increased trade, transportation, and globalization, the phenomenon of growth regarding the entrance of invasive alien species (IAS) represents a serious concern (including flora, fauna, and microbiota). Acanalonia conica (Say, 1830), also known as the green cone-headed planthopper (GCHP), was first identified in the Chrysanthemum collection of the Botanical Garden in Iaşi, Romania. The principal objectives of this article are to update the limited data on the presence of A. conica in Romania, revealing its occurrence in new areas (East Romania, Iași) and on other host plants that were not previously documented in the United States and Europe, as well as to establish the trends of population evolution, with an emphasis on the peak of GCHP population development during the life cycle on East Romania indoor conditions. The evolution of the GCHP population was established using the recorded data on total counts of adults and nymphs observed from a limited area (greenhouse compartment), checked every two days in 115 days of direct observations. The peak of population was established at late-July (25th to 31st day of the month, 30th week of the year) for the conditions of East Romania and it was the appropriate time to monitor the activity of the species, to estimate the damages in specific crops, and to initiate the specific pest control measures. Current findings are significant not only for the general spread of this species in Europe and in Romania but also for the observations regarding new hosts and the population evolution in a greenhouse habitat for the cultivation of ornamental plants.

Alternative substrates in the cultivation of ornamental and vegetable plants

Research objective: The aim of this research was to evaluate different types of innovative substrate mixtures as an alternative to traditional growing media with peat and pumice on vegetable and ornamental plants Materials and Methods: The experiments, which began in November 2022, were conducted in the CREA-OF greenhouses in Pescia (Pt), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on seedlings of Arbutus unedo, Photinia red robin, Fragaria vesca and Crassula sarcocaulis. The plants were placed in 14 diameter pots, 6 plants per 3 replications, for a total of 18 seedlings per experimental thesis. The test was divided into two parallel trials with different substrates. The first trial on Crassula sarcocaulis involved the following theses (irrigated and fertilised): peat 70% + pumice 30%; peat 65% + pumice 30% + biochar 5%; compost 60% + biochar 5% + insect humus 5% + pumice 30%; compost 60% + biochar 5% + earthworm humus 5% + pumice 30%. The second trial on Arbutus unedo, Photinia red robin and Fragaria vesca involved the following theses (irrigated and fertilised): peat 70% + pumice 30%; alternative soil 72% + biochar 5% + 3% humus + 20% pumice. On 18 May 2023, plant height, vegetative weight, root volume and length, number of fruits (strawberry) and number of microorganisms were determined. Results and Discussion: The experiment showed that the use of alternative substrates can effectively improve the vegetative and root growth of Crassula sarcocaulis, Fragaria vesca, Photinia red robin and Arbutus unedo. In general, in the first experiment on Crassula sarcocaulis, a significant increase in plant height was observed with the biochar-only substrate, followed by the insect and earthworm humus-based theses. All the theses were significantly better than the control with peat and pumice. In the second trial on Fragaria vesca, Photinia red robin and Arbutus unedo, the thesis with altenative soil, biochar and humus was significantly better in all plant species for plant height, vegetative and root weight and root length. All alternative substrates showed a significant increase in microbial biomass compared to the control. Several materials have been evaluated as substitutes for or combination with peat in growing media formulation. They include coir dust, pine bark, and wood fiber as well as sand, tuff, and pumice processed materials (expanded clay, perlite, and vermiculite). Besides satisfying the relevant technical requirements, these alternatives have to be readily available at reasonable prices and be readily available in sufficient quantities. In addition to meeting specific plant requirements, these materials have been used to create tailored growing media that are environmentally friendly and reduce production costs. Conclusions: The results of research on growing substrates must be translated into agricultural practice through various steps, in cooperation with horticultural companies. To ensure the best growing conditions for seedlings, nurseries should conduct a thorough analysis of the specific composts they use. As organic farming practitioners argue, greater involvement of compost producers and end-users could improve the quality of growing media by adding additional valuable characteristics and reducing the use of peat, which would allow for a more sustainable regime.

Zeoponic formula for plant growth media for ornamental plants Aglaonema siam aurora and Anthurium crystallinum

Plant growth media (PGM) play a crucial role in producing healthy and valuable ornamental plants. A good PGM has the suitable physical, chemical, and biological properties that can help realize the total growth and development potential of the plants. One PGM developed that meets these requirements is a zeoponic, made from zeolite, compost, and cocopeat as raw materials, and formulated specifically for ornamental plants. Ornamental plants are horticultural commodities with high economic value driven by fast-growing demand. However, a common problem in the cultivation of ornamental plants is the unwanted degradation in the appearance of the leaves, e.g., turning into pale and faded color. Hence, the application of an accurate dosage of macro and micro fertilizers on zeoponic ornamental plants can boost growth and enhance the aesthetic value of the plants. With this in mind, this study aimed to find the precise fertilizer formula, specially or even exclusively, for ornamental plants. The experiment was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors, namely (1) plant species consisting of Aglaonema siam aurora and Anthurium crystallinum, and (2) fertilizer dosage consisting of different combinations of N, P, and K fertilizers as well as micro fertilizers. Test parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, leaf chlorophyll, and plant beauty. PGM analysis was carried out by measuring pH, EC, available-N, available-P, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable bases, organic-C, and micronutrients. This study showed that zeoponic with a dosage of 0.375 g/l NPK fertilizer was the best for Aglaonema siam aurora, while zeoponic with a dosage of 0.75 g/l of NPK fertilizer was the best for Anthurium crystallinum plants. The use of zeoponic media is highly recommended owing to its suitable chemical properties (e. g, neutral pH, favorable EC and CEC).

Ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) responses to phytase enzyme purified from Lactobacillus coryniformis application.

In order to increase the quality and yield of ornamental plants, especially potted ornamental plants, it is necessary to enrich the physical properties of the growing medium and to ensure the continuity of the growing medium. In order to achieve this, organic substances that create a serious cost in ornamental plant cultivation are added to the growing medium. This study was planned to assess the role of inoculation of different levels in the seeds and soaking times of purified phytase, on the plant growth and ornamental plant decorative values in ornamental cabbage plants under nutrient limiting condition in greenhouse. Different doses (E0 : 0 EU, E1 : 5 EU, E2 : 10 EU), soaking times (W15 : 15min, W30 : 30min, W60 : 60min), and their combinations (W15 + E0 , W15 + E1 , W15 + E2 , W30 + E0 , W30 + E1 , W30 + E2 , W60 + E0 , W60 + E1 , W60 + E2 ) of phytase enzyme purified and isolated from the Lactobacillus coryniformis were applied to ornamental cabbage seeds, and they were sown in plug trays filled with appropriate growing medium. Seedlings were planted in plastic pots during their period when the seedlings had four to five true leaves. Treatments of phytase enzyme purified and isolated from the microorganism generally improved the observed parameters. The application of, especially, the highest level of phytase enzyme doses increased the plant height, main stem height, and stem diameter of ornamental cabbage as compared to control (E0 treatment: distilled water). While the highest number of leaves per plant was obtained at E1 and E2 application doses and W30 and W60 soaking times; the highest stem diameter was obtained at E2 application doses and W30 and W60 soaking times. The present study clarified that the purified phytase enzyme can increase ornamental cabbage quality at the appropriate concentration and soaking time and is a promising biotechnology material for agricultural applications, and especially in different ornamental plant species.

Pemberdayaan Kelompok Masyarakat Desa Curug, Kecamatan Gunung Sindur, Bogor dalam Mewujudkan Desa Edutainment

Curug Village, Gunung Sindur District, Bogor is geographically in the middle of an industrial environment. The diverse profiles of the people in Curug Village have encouraged the Curug Village Head to optimize his environmental resources. The Curug Village Government wants to empower the environment and its people so that their Regional Original Income can increase. Departing from the aspirations of the people and government officials of Curug Village to have a tourist area that has an impact on increasing people's income and regional original income. PPDM in Curug Village as a form of implementation of research results related to. Optimization of groups in the community that are in accordance with the urgency of the needs of the Curug Village community. The PPDM team provides solutions to the problems of the Curug Village community who want to increase community income with a holistic approach based on research in the fields of Communication, Negotiation and Diplomacy, and Finance, as well as BUMDes. Thus it is hoped that by using the formation assistance approach, empowering groups based on the economy, tourism, by utilizing the resources of Curug Village in the form of land which is the location for Edutainment Tourism. Diverse human resources are an added value for providing assistance so that the community has independence and is able to accelerate village development in the areas of goat/sheep livestock, rabbit farming, fish farming, ornamental plant cultivation, processing of fish products, and self-employment. The final results in the first year are expected that Curug Village can have an agreement for an edutainment-based science-techno-park model.

The Potential for Development of Urban Farming in Supporting Agriculture Sustainability

In realizing sustainable and environmentally sound urban development, urban farming deserves to be used as part of sustainable urban development. Urban farming can indirectly overcome social problems in urban areas. The role of urban farming can have a positive impact on several aspects, such as the economy, ecology, society, aesthetics, education and tourism. Urban agriculture has considerable potential to be developed. This study aims to determine the potential for developing urban farming in Yogyakarta. Analysis was carried out through quantitative descriptive supported by primary and secondary data. The results showed that urban farming activities were carried out through the cultivation of vegetables, fruit plants, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, fish cultivation, product processing and marketing. Efforts to develop urban farming in the city of Yogyakarta have good potential. Urban farming activities have the potential to be developed into agricultural, educational and tourism activities.

The role of horticultural research in mitigating global food and economic crises

The global community faces an ever-increasing demand for food production and economic stability. The rapid population growth, climate change, and resource constraints have escalated the need for innovative solutions. Horticultural research is nowadays a multifaceted and broad field that encompasses the scientific study of the biology, the ecology, and the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, as well as a range of topics such as plant breeding, crop production, plant physiology, and plant pathology. As the world is changing at an unprecedented pace, horticultural scientists will need to rapidly adapt their research to meet the needs of the future. The main challenges ahead are (a) increasing crop productivity, (b) improving the nutritional content of crops, (c) fostering economic growth and income generation, and (d) mitigating climate change impact on crops. Horticultural research will have to continue to have a pivotal role in enhancing crop productivity through various means. The development of improved crop varieties with enhanced yield potential, disease resistance, and tolerance to environmental stresses is the key factor to enable farmers to produce more food per unit of land. Additionally, research into innovative cultivation techniques, such as precision agriculture, hydroponics, and vertical farming, has the potential to significantly increase crop productivity in limited spaces. Horticultural research will also play a critical role in improving the nutritional content of crops, which is vital for combating malnutrition and promoting public health. Scientists need to focus on breeding programs with a focus on the enhancement of the vitamin, mineral, and phytonutrient content of horticultural products. By developing biofortified crops and promoting their cultivation, horticultural research can positively impact on human health, lowering healthcare costs linked to diet-related illnesses. Horticultural research also needs to increase and exploit its potential to foster economic growth and income generation at various levels. The horticulture sector provides employment opportunities, in rural and in urban areas, thereby reducing poverty and improving livelihoods. Horticultural research is expected to facilitate the development of value-added products and create new market opportunities. This can contribute to economic diversification and resilience, leading to increased stability during times of crisis. Finally, as climate change poses significant challenges to global food production, horticultural research has to play a crucial role in developing climate-resilient crops and modifying cultivation practices. By identifying and breeding climate-tolerant genotypes (cultivars and rootstocks), optimizing water and nutrient management, and implementing sustainable pest and disease control strategies, horticultural research helps ensure food security even in the face of changing climatic conditions. Moreover, the adoption of climate-smart horticulture practices is a concrete contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation and the preservation of natural resources. These aspects are particularly relevant considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global food systems and economies, amplifying the urgency of horticultural research in mitigating post-pandemic challenges. Longer term, horticultural research can improve sustainable land-use practices, reducing deforestation, and conserving biodiversity. The contribution of Italus Hortus to scientific research in horticulture In 2022, Italus Hortus completed its third year of publishing activity since it became an international journal in horticultural science. In this year, the journal had an intense editorial activity that resulted in a total of 20 published papers (9 Reviews, 9 Original Research Papers, and 2 Brief Research Reports) and 1 Editorial (Figure 1A). Between 2020 and 2023, Italus Hortus has had an increasing international contribution with the percent of published papers having corresponding authors based in countries different from Italy that passed from 29% (2020) to 43% (2021), and then to 67% (2022). Furthermore, in the same period, the performance of Italus Hortus in the ranking of bibliometric indicators has steadily improved. The Editorial Board is committed to giving proper attention to the above mentioned research priorities. The journal also welcomes papers on well-established or emerging areas such as the use of plants for medicinal purposes, environmental remediation, and space exploration. As the field of horticultural research continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting advances in the years to come. The Editors of Italus Hortus are grateful to prof. Brunella Morandi (University of Bologna, Italy) and prof. Giandomenico Corrado (University of Naples Federico II) for having served Italus Hortus as Guest Associate Editors for some of the manuscripts submitted in 2022.

Bitki Gelişimini Teşvik Eden Rizobakteri ve Mikoriza Uygulamalarının Zinnia elegans L. ve Dahlia variabilis L.’in Gelişimine Etkisi

This study was carried out to determine the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and mycorrhiza treatments on the development of Zinnia elegans L. ‘Zesty’ and Dahlia variabilis L. ‘Figaro Violet’ cultivars. In the study, a suspension was first prepared from bacterial isolates developed at 25±2 °C for 24 hours. The prepared suspensions were adjusted to an absorbance value of 0,3 at 600 nanometers in a spectrophotometer. D. variabilis seedlings were immersed in suspensions prepared from ZE-12, ZE-13 and ZE-12+ZE-13, Z. elegans seedlings were immersed in suspensions prepared from ZE-2, ZE-7, ZE-12, ZE-13, ZE-12+ZE-13 for 30 minutes. In addition, Z. elegans seedlings were kept in mycorrhiza prepared at a concentration of 5000 ppm for 10 seconds. At the end of the period, flower seedlings were planted in pots with a mixture of peat and perlite. As the control group, seedlings without rhizobacteria and mycorrhiza treatment were used in both cultivars. The experiment was established with 3 replications and 10 plants per replication. The applications made in the D. variabilis experiment remained the same as the control in all other parameters except root dry weight. ZE-13 application was effective on root dry weight. It was determined that the applications made in Z. elegans seedlings increased the flower stem thickness and the number of leaves, especially the ZE-13 application was the most effective application. In conclusion, with this study, it was revealed that rhizobacteria and mycorrhiza applications, which are of natural origin and do not harm the environment, have the potential to be used in ornamental plants cultivation, and that these applications should be expanded.

PENGABDIAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI PELATIHAN PENGEMBANGAN KEWIRAUSAHAAN TANAMAN HIAS UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS PERMUKIMAN di Lingkungan Permukiman di Kelurahan Cipaganti, Kecamatan Coblong, Kota Bandung

Cihampelas Bandung is one of the areas known as the center for souvenirs and shopping tourism in the city of Bandung. The pandemic covid-19 that occurred affected the economic condition due to the decreasing number of tourists arrival. In these conditions, innovations in activities that can support or empower human resources and the environment are needed. Urban farming is one form of potential that can be developed in this area, with open space that can be utilized. Although there are already a number of residents' yards, the conditions are still less productive. Based on this background, the service activity is to optimally empower the PKK community. One of them is by improving the ecological space, food security, and the resilience of the family economy in particular and the environment in general. The purpose of the activity is to provide additional understanding and knowledge to the community to protect the environment by planting useful ornamental plants; foster a sense of care and togetherness in caring for green open spaces; increase the economic potential of the community through new entrepreneurs by means of ornamental plant cultivation; and community empowerment, especially the PKK and Youth community groups. The activity is carried out in a participatory manner with the implementation in the form of ornamental plant training. The types of ornamental plants that were demonstrated in the training were caladium, aglonema, and sansiviera. The three plants were chosen because they are quite easy to breed and maintain.

Integration of Ornamental Plant Cultivation and Klanceng Bees in Lorejo Tourism Village Development

Lorejo region is the entrance to the Nanggulan Tourism village, so it is very strategic to develop into an alternative tourist destination. One potential development program is the decorative plant. During the pandemic covid 19, the demand for decoratives plants was high, but after the end of the pandemic declined, and the income of the farmers decreased. Because the types of decorative plants cultivated are seasonal, and their prices fluctuate. Orchids can be chosen for cultivation to make a stable price and the business of integration between the cultivation of honeybees with decorative plants. The purpose of the activity was to increase business continuity and income for decorative plant farmers in groups. Orchid cultivation training can increase the knowledge and skills of cultivating, caring for, and how to breed orchids. Beekeeping training can increase farmers' knowledge about how to propagate colonies, maintenance and care, and plant sources of bee food. Based on monitoring and evaluation, it seems clear that there are prospects for the sustainability of the ornamental plant and bee farming business, even though it has not increased income.

Pelatihan Teknik Perbanyakan Vegetatif Tanaman Hias pada Ibu-Ibu PKK di Desa Bokor, Tumpang, Kabupaten Malang

TRAINING ON VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS FOR PKK WOMEN IN BOKOR VILLAGE, TUMPANG, MALANG REGENCY. The Covid-19 pandemic that has hit the world in the last 2 years has harmed all sectors of human life. The Indonesian government issued a policy to reduce the activity and mobility of people outside the house to reduce the rate of transmission of the virus. This policy has hurt the people's economy. Activities that are only in the house environment can increase the potential for stress in the community. One solution to overcome the problems mentioned above is to cultivate ornamental plants in the yard of the house. The trend of ornamental plant cultivation has an impact on increasing the number of requests and prices of ornamental plants and it is directly related to the strengthening of the bargaining position of ornamental plant farming. Activities carried out include observation, training, practice of ornamental plant propagation and assistance, and evaluation. The vegetative propagation techniques used were leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, seedling separation, and a demonstration of grafting activities, which were carried out on 9 of ornamental plant species, namely sansevieria, zamioculcas, little hogweed, aglaonema, iris, carwx morrowii, spider ivy, dracaena, and codiaeum. The results of the activity showed that partner’s knowledge and skills in the vegetative propagation of ornamental plants increased by 19%. The participants were able to reproduce ornamental plants vegetatively well. The percentage of success in growing plants from partner propagation is 71.4-100%.

Multipurpose plants in home gardens of Guarulhos (São Paulo State, Brazil): from biodiversity conservation to public health

Introduction: Among the human adaptive strategies, plant cultivation is one of the most important over the last ten thousand years. However, with the development of large urban centers, human population resign some habits in relation of plant cultivation. Recently home gardens have received attention as an important germplasm bank, preserving many non-commercial species. Objective: This study aims to investigate the diversity of plants cultivated in home gardens. Was also explored how the human population relation with these resources. Originality: Home gardens have a high potential to maintain resources for urban biodiversity through the variety of plants that are cultivated. However, predominantly small cities are targets of studies of this nature, and large cities are the ones that suffer the most from urbanization pressure. Thus, this work brings this approach to the second largest city in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. Methodology: The population of President Dutra and Bonsucesso in the city of Guarulhos, SP, was studied. We interview 150 people, being 102 at the Presidente Dutra district and 48 in Bonsucesso neighborhood. It was used a semi-structured and random selection of households surveyed. Results: The neighborhoods prevailed the cultivation of ornamental plants which were represented by 51 botanical families, followed by food related plants with 38 botanical families and medicinal plants with 15 botanical families. Contributions: These data indicate a preference for the cultivation of ornamental plants in backyards in the city of Guarulhos, SP. Conclusions: Residential backyards of the city of Guarulhos showed numerous purposes such as leisure space, housework, car garage and shelter for animals; however, there is a strong occurrence of cultivated plants.

Macro and microelement analysis of Sargassum fluitans and Sargassum natans arriving in the coastal zone of Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

In recent years, the massive increase in Sargassum landings on the Mexican Caribbean coast has generated negative environmental repercussions. This study has two main objectives (1) to analyze the macro and micronutrients of Sargassum fluitans and S. natans in order to (2) use them in the local and regional industry as a biofertilizer in the production of ornamental plants. Sargasso samples were collected from floating arrivals in the sea and landfall in the area of three beaches in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico in 2018. The quantification of the elements in the samples was carried out using the method of fundamental parameters. The concentration of the macronutrients Ca, Na, K and Cl was higher than the elements Mg, S, Si and Sr, as well as two orders of magnitude higher than Al and P. Additionally, the trace elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Ni were found in both species. It is worth mentioning that most of these elements are essential to complete the life cycle of plants; therefore, S. fluitans and S. natans can be considered as an excellent natural resource and alternative as a soil improver for the cultivation of ornamental plants.

PELATIHAN PEMBUATAN KOKEDAMA SEBAGAI WADAH TANAMAN HIAS DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN BAHAN SISA LIMBAH SABUT KELAPA

The ornamental plant cultivation is a booming hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among housewives. Various types of ornamental plants are planted in soil and plastic containers to beautify residential areas. Around us, there are lots of leftover materials that can be used as containers for planting ornamental plants. One of them is coconut husk. Usually, coconut coir is only used as a dishwasher or baked. In fact, with proper use, it can beautify the house and increase family income. Therefore, this training activity was carried out to open knowledge and increase the expertise of housewives in making ornamental plant containers from coconut fiber or called cocodama.

Biostimulant Effects of Waste Derived Biobased Products in the Cultivation of Ornamental and Food Plants

Soluble bio-based substances (SBS) may be isolated from the anaerobic digestate of the organic humid fraction of urban waste; from the whole vegetable compost made from gardening residues and from the compost obtained after aerobic digestion of a mixture of urban waste digestate, gardening residues and sewage sludge. These SBS can be used as sustainable and efficient plant biostimulants in alternatives to the commercial products based on fossil sources such as the Leonardite. The present review summarizes the main findings obtained from recent studies accomplished with the SBS applied on several ornamental (Euphorbia; Lantana; Murraya; Hibiscus) and vegetable species (tomato; red pepper; spinach; maize; bean; wheat; tobacco; oilseed rape) with the aim to evaluate their effect on plant growth; fruit and ornamental quality. The main results from these studies show that the non-commercial SBS are more efficient than commercial fossil-based products; at equal applied doses; in enhancing plant growth; leaf chlorophylls; photosynthetic activity; fruit ripening and yield and aesthetic effect; improving flower and fruit quality and optimizing water use efficiency. Depending upon the plant species, increases of the plant performance indicators ranging from zero to 1750% are reported for the plants cultivated in the presence of SBS, relatively to the control plants cultivated in absence of SBS added to the cultivation substrate. The review suggests that biowaste recycling is a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of plant biostimulants, as an alternative to existing fossil sourced agrochemicals.

Effects of LED supplemental lighting on the growth and metabolomic profile of Taxus baccata cultivated in a smart greenhouse.

Light emitting diode (LED) lamps are increasingly being studied in cultivation of horticultural, ornamental and medicinal plants as means to increase yield, quality, stress resistance, and bioactive compounds content. Enhancing the production of metabolites for medicinal or pharmaceutical use by regulating LED intensity and spectra is a challenging subject, where promising results have been achieved. Nevertheless, some species have been poorly investigated, despite their interest as a source of medicinally active substances, with particular reference to LED effects at the plant cultivation level. This study evaluates the effects of supplementary top-light LED treatments on Taxus baccata, one of the main sources of taxane precursors. Blue, red and mixed red–and-blue spectra were tested at 100 μM m-2 s-1. Moreover, 50 and 150 μM m-2 s-1 intensities were tested for the mixed spectrum. All treatments were set for 14 hours a day and were tested against natural light as control treatment, in a controlled environment, from 19 August to 9 December 2019, this latter date representing 112 days after treatment (DAT) began. A smart monitoring and control system powered by environmental and proximal sensors was implemented to assure homogeneity of temperature, humidity, and base natural light for all the treatments. It resulted in negligible deviations from expected values and reliable exclusion of confusing factors. Biometric measurements and 1H-NMR based metabolomic analysis were performed to investigate growth and phytochemical profile throughout the trial. One-way ANOVA showed that supplemental LED lighting increased plant height and number of sprouts. Considering the mixed red–and-blue spectrum, plant height increased almost proportionally from control to 100 μM m-2 s-1 (+20% at 112 DAT), with no further increase at higher intensity. The number of sprouts was strongly enhanced by LED treatments only in the early phase (48.9 vs. 7.5 sprouts in the averaged 50, 100 and 150 μM m-2 s-1 vs. the control at 28 DAT), with no differences related to intensity in the very early stage, and more persisting effects (up to 56 DAT) for higher intensities. After the very early growth stages (28 DAT), plant vigor showed a modest although significant increase over time compared to the control, with no differences related to light intensity (0.81 vs. 0.74 of NDVI in the averaged 50, 100 and 150 μM m-2 s-1 vs. the control, across 56, 84 and 112 DAT). The different spectra tested at 100 μM m-2 s-1 showed no significant differences in growth parameters, except for a slight beneficial influence of blue (alone or with red) compared to only red for sprouting. According to the metabolomic analysis, treated plants at 28 DAT were characterized by the highest content of sucrose and aromatic compounds. Signals of a putative taxane were detected in the 1H NMR profiles of plants, which were compared to the spectrum of baccatin III standard. However, the intensity of these spectral signals was not affected by the treatment, while they increased only slightly during time. Light at 150 μM m-2 s-1 induced the strongest variation in the metabolome. Conversely, light composition did not induce significant differences in the metabolome.