Cultivation Of Plants Research Articles

Identification and Characterization of Fungi in Hibiscus sabdariffa (zobo) Drink Produced and Hawked in Eket Metropolis, Nigeria

Zobo drink is an affordable local soft beverage derived from the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa, a herbaceous medicinal plant that thrives in tropical regions. The characterization and identification of fungi present in Zobo drinks produced and sold by vendors in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, was the aim of this study. Hawked Zobo drinks packaged in plastic bottles were purchased from ten different hawkers, two each from five locations. The pH values of the samples were determined and the total fungal count. The pour plate technique, using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) was used to determine the total fungal count. Macroscopic and microscopic features were used to characterize the isolates obtained from the samples. The microscopic identification was done by preparing a wet mount of isolated colonies and observing under a microscope. The rate of growth, colony colour, colour changes, colour of reverse colonies, odour and texture of surface were observed and compared with previous work done on fungi. Results showed that the pH of the freshly obtained and stored samples was 3.9 and 2.8 respectively. The average number of colonies for samples stored in the refrigerator ranged from 0.54 x 105 to 0.91 x 105 cfu/ml while that of the freshly obtained samples ranged from 1.26 x 105 to 1.64x105 cfu/ml at 10-3 dilution. A total of 43.6% Aspergillus spp., 29.5% Candida spp. 15.4% Penicillium spp. and 11.5% Rhizopus spp. were identified. With increased acidity in the refrigerated samples, the number reduced to 41.2% Aspergillus spp., 27.4% Candida spp. 15.7% Penicillium spp. and 15.7% Rhizopus spp. The fungi species isolated are known to produce mycotoxins with potential immunosuppressive and cytotoxic effect. These microorganisms could have been introduced to the drinks at various stages of production, during transportation, through the ingredients utilized in the manufacturing process, or even during the cultivation of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant. This issue can be mitigated by implementing effective manufacturing practices throughout the production process.

PENDAMPINGAN TEKNIS APLIKASI BAHAN ORGANIK EKSOGEN PADA LAHAN HORTIKULTURA KELOMPOK TANI MEKAR BARU DI DESA WAIMITAL KABUPATEN SERAM BAGIAN BARAT

Providing exogenous organic materials is a very important ingredient in efforts to safely improve soil productivity, so that the resulting products are safe for consumption and free from chemical contamination. The application of organic fertilizer to horticultural land will directly affect crop yields. The aim of community service on horticultural land in the Mekar Baru farmer group in Waimital village is as an effort to assist and strengthen the plant cultivation system for farmers in maintaining land productivity and sustainable production based on the application of organic fertilizer. The method used is technical assistance to farmers during plant cultivation. The results of the technical assistance provided show that new awareness has been built in the horticultural plant cultivation system. This indicator shows that the application of liquid organic fertilizer to several horticultural plants on farmers' land is better than on land that does not receive organic fertilizer.

Influence of different organic manures on the yield of plantago ovata forsk and post-harvest yield of residual crop of digera muricata mart

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate fertilizing capacity of different organic manures on the yield of Isabgol (Plantago ovata) plant. Experiments were conducted using different organic manures (Kultha Powder, Til Khali, Vermi-compost) and their fertilizing capacity were compared with control. The fertilizing capacities of different organic manures were assessed on the basis of fruit yield and dry matter yield of Isabgol plant. Study observed low levels of micronutrients (Copper and Iron) in post soil analysis with Kultha powder and Til, compared to the control, this may be attributed to the increased uptake of these micronutrients by the plant. This observation was further supported by the higher dry matter yield and greater number of fruits in the Kultha and Til treated pots. HPTLC analysis was also conducted to assess the chemical constituents of the test plant grown under the influence of different manures. The active constituents were found to be highest in the Kultha treated plants, followed by those treated with Til khali. Study suggested Kultha powder and Til as promising manure compared to others for the cultivation of Isabgol plant.

Study on the main physicochemical characteristics of different plant cultivation substrates and their effects on standard roses

Study on the main physicochemical characteristics of different plant cultivation substrates and their effects on standard roses

Microbial Basis for Suppression of Soil-Borne Disease in Crop Rotation

The effect of crop rotation on soil-borne diseases is a representative case of plant–soil feedback in the sense that plant disease resistance is influenced by soils with different cultivation histories. This study examined the microbial mechanisms inducing the differences in the clubroot (caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae pathogen) damage of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis) after the cultivation of different preceding crops. It addresses two key questions in crop rotation: changes in the soil bacterial community induced by the cultivation of different plants and the microbial mechanisms responsible for the disease-suppressive capacity of Chinese cabbage. Twenty preceding crops from different plant families showed significant differences in the disease damage, pathogen density, and bacterial community composition of the host plant. Structural equation modelling revealed that the relative abundance of four key bacterial orders in Chinese cabbage roots can explain 85% and 70% of the total variation in pathogen density and disease damage, respectively. Notably, the relative dominance of Bacillales and Rhizobiales, which have a trade-off relationship, exhibited predominant effects on pathogen density and disease damage. The disease-suppressive soil legacy effects of preceding crops are reflected in compositional changes in key bacterial orders, which are intensified by the bacterial community network.

Enhancement strategy of thermal stability and photoluminescent intensity of Cr3+ doped Li3+xZn2–2xGaxSbO6 phosphor in a strong crystal field

Near-infrared phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs) have shown enormous influence in various applications such as night vision, non-destructive detection，especially in the realm of plant cultivation. However, the role of phosphors presently employed in plant cultivation is typically limited, serving primarily for the purpose of illumination. In this work, a series of near-infrared phosphors Li3+xZn2–2xGaxSbO6: 0.02Cr3+(LZGS: 0.02Cr3+) under 450 nm excitation was successfully synthesized by high-temperature solid-state method. Through precise modulation of Ga3+ ions, a blue shift in the emission spectrum was observed, demonstrating excellent overlap with the absorption spectrum of Phytochrome. To explain two phenomena of spectral blue shift and the enhancement in luminescence intensity, density functional theory calculations have been performed. Additionally, a crystal field strength Dq/B of 3.48 was achieved, which represents the highest value currently reported for Cr3+-doped phosphors. The results offer potential applications of LZGS: 0.02Cr3+ in temperature sensing, enabling precise detection of the environmental temperature for plant growth. Finally, pc-LED devices were made by combining LZGS: 0.02Cr3+ with 450 nm blue light chips and applied to plant lighting, temperature measurement, and anti-counterfeiting, demonstrating the potential of LZGS: 0.02Cr3+ in multifaceted applications.

PELATIHAN PENGOLAHAN MINYAK JELANTAH PADA BUMDES PULOTONDO, KEC. NGUNUT – KAB. TULUNGAGUNG

The village of Pulotondo, in the Ngunut subdistrict of Tulungagung Regency, has significant potential for freshwater fish farming and horticultural plant cultivation. However, this potential remains underutilized because the marketing area is still limited to the local scope. The local BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) has not seized this opportunity and is only focusing on a micro-scale LPG retail business for the surrounding community. The event can provide BUMDes Pulotondo for utilizing waste processing, specifically converting used cooking oil into scented candles. This could reduce used cooking oil waste and allow the candles to be sold, thereby boosting BUMDes's economic potential. The service method includes material presentation, discussions, and practical exercises. Making candles from used cooking oil proceeded smoothly and was well-received by 12 participants, and they can produce candles for product sale.

Kinetic study on the degradation of Acid Red 88 azo dye in a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell inoculated with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

Removal of Acid Red 88 (AR88) as an azo dye from the synthetic type of wastewater was studied in a laboratory-made constructed wetland microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) inoculated with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (SOMR-1). Plant cultivation was implemented using a typical CW plant known as Cyperus alternifolius. The complexity of the SOMR-1 cell membrane having different carriers of electrons and H+ ions gives the microbe special enzymatic ability to participate in the AR88 oxidation link to the O2 reduction. Nernst equation developed based on analyzing the involved redox potential values in these electron exchanges is describable quantitatively in terms of the spontaneity of the catalyzed reaction. Power density (PD) at 100mg/L of the AR88 under closed-circuit conditions in the presence of the plant was 11.83 mW/m2. Reduction of internal resistance positively affected the PD value. In determining degradation kinetics, two approaches were undertaken: chemically in terms of first- and second-order reactions and biochemically in terms of the mathematical equations for rate determination developed on the basis of substrate inhibitory concept. The first-order rate constant was 0.263h-1 without plant cultivation and 0.324h-1 with plant cultivation. The Haldane kinetic model revealed low ks and ki values indicating effective degradation of the AR88. Moreover, the importance of acclimatization in terms of the crucial role of lactate was discussed. These findings suggest that integrating the SOMR-1 electrochemical role with CW-MFC could be a promising approach for the efficient degradation of azo dyes in wastewater treatment.

High-Efficient Transient Gene Transfection for Transcriptional Activity Assay Using Rice Protoplasts on Large-Scale Platform.

Transient gene expression in protoplasts offers a straightforward and efficient approach for investigating gene function. Here, I introduce a method that utilizes a 96-well plate format to assess transcriptional activation capacity of transcription factors through transient expression system in rice protoplasts. This method includes plant cultivation, protoplast preparation, transfection, and transactivation assay and allows for the simultaneous measurement and validation of 23 samples with 4 replicates per sample at a time.

Survivability and life support in sealed mini-ecosystems with simulated planetary soils

Establishing a sustainable life-support system for space exploration is a formidable challenge due to the vast distances, high costs, and environmental differences from Earth. Building upon the lessons from the Biosphere 2 experiment, we introduce the novel “Ecosphere” and “Biosealed” systems, self-sustaining ecosystems within customizable, enclosed containers. These systems incorporate terrestrial ecosystems and groundwater layers, offering a potential model for transplanting Earth-like biomes to extraterrestrial environments. Over 4 years, we conducted rigorous experiments and analyses to understand the dynamics of these enclosed ecosystems. We successfully mitigated moisture deficiency, a major obstacle to plant growth, by incorporating groundwater layers. Additionally, we quantified microbial communities proliferating in specific soils, including simulated lunar and Ryugu asteroid regolith, enhance plant cultivation in space environments. Metagenomic analysis of these simulated space soils revealed diverse microbial populations and their crucial role in plant growth and ecosystem stability. Notably, we identified symbiotic relationships between plants and Cyanobacteria, enhancing oxygen production, and demonstrated the potential of LED lighting as an alternative light source for plant cultivation in sun-limited space missions. We also confirmed the survival of fruit flies within these systems, relying on plant-produced oxygen and photosynthetic bacteria. Our research provides a comprehensive framework for developing future space life-support systems. The novelty of our work lies in the unique design of our enclosed ecosystems, incorporating groundwater layers and simulated extraterrestrial soils, and the detailed analysis of microbial communities within these systems. These findings offer valuable insights into the challenges and potential solutions for establishing sustainable human habitats in space, including the importance of microbial management and potential health concerns related to microbial exposure.

Involvement of KATANIN1, a microtubule-severing enzyme, in hypergravity-induced modification of growth anisotropy in Arabidopsis hypocotyls

The mechanism by which gravity affects the growth anisotropy of plant organs is an important issue for the cultivation of plants under microgravity conditions in space. This study aimed to examine the roles of KATANIN1 (KTN1), a microtubule-severing enzyme, in the modification of the direction of cortical microtubules (CMTs) and growth anisotropy in Arabidopsis hypocotyls induced by gravity using hypergravity conditions that can be created on Earth. The KTN1 mutants (ktn1P393S, ktn1R465Q, and ktn1S342F) exhibited shorter and thicker hypocotyls than the wild type (ecotype Columbia-0). Hypergravity at 300 g modified growth anisotropy in wild-type hypocotyls; hypergravity inhibited elongation but stimulated lateral growth. In contrast, hypergravity-induced modification of growth anisotropy was suppressed in hypocotyls of the three mutants. The wild type had an abundance of CMTs in transverse orientation (between 0° and 30°) under 1 g conditions and a tendency toward increased CMTs in longitudinal orientation under hypergravity conditions (between 60° and 90°). However, hypergravity-induced reorientation was not observed in hypocotyls of ktn1 mutants. The transcript level of the KTN1 gene in wild-type hypocotyls increased within 1 h of onset of hypergravity treatment and promptly decreased to the same level as the 1 g control. These findings suggest that the reorientation of CMTs is mediated by KTN1, which is regulated by transient expression upregulation, which is responsible for the modification of growth anisotropy induced by hypergravity in Arabidopsis hypocotyls.

AI-Powered Companion Plant Care: A Jetson Nano-based Smart Plant Cultivation Device for Urban Homes

AI-Powered Companion Plant Care: A Jetson Nano-based Smart Plant Cultivation Device for Urban Homes

Navigating diverging responsibilities for inclusion in a biobased value chain: the case of Solaris tobacco in South Africa

ABSTRACT Companies operating in international, cross-cultural settings encounter challenges in balancing their business roles with responsibilities towards inclusion. This delicate balance is particularly strained within the bioeconomy where uncertainties emerge. This study explores this novelty: how a company engaging in an emerging biobased value chain can fulfil its moral obligations (i.e. responsibility) towards inclusion, aligning with the principles of beneficence (doing good) and non-maleficence (doing no harm). A case study was conducted in the South African Royal Bafokeng Nation where a biobased project, involving tobacco plant cultivation for foremost oil production, was initiated. Our findings suggest that companies in emerging biobased value chains must incorporate local stakeholders' knowledge when establishing their value chains. However, when the implications of beneficence in a specific context are ambiguous, companies should exercise caution in asserting positive responsibilities. Companies should empower local agents to achieve their objectives while refraining from imposing external norms on local contexts.

Elephant Grass Cultivar BRS Capiaçu as Sustainable Biomass for Energy Generation in the Amazon Biome of the Mato Grosso State

Sustainable biomasses are vital to ensure preservation of the Amazon biome within the Mato Grosso State whilst enabling energy generation for the region and its population. Here, the potential of the elephant grass cultivar BRS Capiaçu as an alternative to replace native forest wood as biomass for energy generation is investigated, considering the whole process from plant cultivation to biomass characterisation in terms of productivity of green and dry mass per hectare; density, moisture, ash, volatile and fixed carbon content, as well as higher heating value (HHV). MANOVA indicates that the effects of plant parts and age on density and proximate analysis parameters are influenced by the plant parts and age interaction, whereas HHV can be considered similar between them. The cultivar BRS Capiaçu showed suitable energetic values (17,922 < HHV < 18,918 kJ.kg−1) compared to that of native Amazon wood. Energetic results combined with cultivation outputs of high productivity (dry mass production of 44.1 tonnes.ha−1 at 180 days) with a short cutting interval (3 months), adaptation to the region’s climate and soil, and the possibility of cultivation in areas currently consolidated for agriculture demonstrate the potential of BRS Capiaçu as biomass to reduce native wood usage and deforestation rates.

Perbandingan Jenis Media Tanam dengan Sistem Aquaponik Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Melon Madu (Cucumis melo L.)

The aquaponic plant cultivation system is used to utilize narrow urban land in order to increase urban agricultural production. The aim of the research is to determine the effect of comparing types of planting media with an aquaponic system on the growth and yield of honey melon plants (Cucumis melo L.). This research used a non-factorial Complete Randomized Design, with 4 treatment and 5 replication with the factors studied was the comparison of several types of planting media for the "M" aquaponic system consisting of M1 = 50% sludge planting media + 50% rice husk charcoal, M2 = 50% cocopeat planting medium + 50% rice husk charcoal, M3 = 50% tankos planting medium + 50% rice husk charcoal, M4 = 50% filter cake planting medium + 50% Rice Husk Charcoal. The parameters observed were plant length (cm), stem diameter (cm), number of leaves (strands), flowering age (days), fruit weight per treatment (kg), fruit diameter (cm). The results of the research showed that the comparative effect of several types of planting media in the aquaponic system had a positive effect on the parameters of plant length (cm), stem diameter (cm), number of leaves (strands), flowering age (days), fruit weight (kg), and fruit diameter ( cm) with the best treatment on M1 (50% sludge planting medium + 50% rice husk charcoal). Keywords: aquaponics, planting media, honey melon

Efficient Semantic Segmentation for Large-Scale Agricultural Nursery Managements via Point Cloud-Based Neural Network

Remote sensing technology has found extensive application in agriculture, providing critical data for analysis. The advancement of semantic segmentation models significantly enhances the utilization of point cloud data, offering innovative technical support for modern horticulture in nursery environments, particularly in the area of plant cultivation. Semantic segmentation results aid in obtaining tree components, like canopies and trunks, and detailed data on tree growth environments. However, obtaining precise semantic segmentation results from large-scale areas can be challenging due to the vast number of points involved. Therefore, this paper introduces an improved model aimed at achieving superior performance for large-scale points. The model incorporates direction angles between points to improve local feature extraction and ensure rotational invariance. It also uses geometric and relative distance information for better adjustment of different neighboring point features. An external attention module extracts global spatial features, and an upsampling feature adjustment strategy integrates features from the encoder and decoder. A specialized dataset was created from real nursery environments for experiments. Results show that the improved model surpasses several point-based models, achieving a Mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 87.18%. This enhances the precision of nursery environment analysis and supports the advancement of autonomous nursery managements.

Optimal concentrations of plant growth regulators and cultivation conditions for plant regeneration from leaf explants of Aster maackii

Optimal concentrations of plant growth regulators and cultivation conditions for plant regeneration from leaf explants of <i>Aster maackii</i>

Strategi Mengembangkan Ekonomi Lokal melalui Pelatihan Pengolahan Jamu menjadi Usaha Kecil dan Menengah bagi Ranting Aisyiyah Wangkal

Jamu is a traditional concoction part of Indonesia's cultural heritage and traditions which has been passed down from generation to generation and is used as a treatment to treat minor illnesses, prevent disease, and maintain the body's resilience and health. Herbal medicine can be made from rhizomes, leaves, seeds, fruit, flowers, and the bark of herbal plants that can be found in the surrounding environment. Aisyiyah Wangkal Branch already has a medicinal plant cultivation program which will later be processed into herbal medicine for personal consumption, becoming a potential that can be developed. This training aims to empower existing potential by developing processed herbal medicine products which were originally only for personal consumption to become products that can be bought and sold and can add value to the economy, increase income and expand employment opportunities

Colour-Coding Aegean Elites: Status and Cultural Identities in Linear B Dyed Textiles and Late Bronze Age Socio-Political Changes

Abstract This paper analyses the dyed textiles that are recorded in Linear B tablets and explores their role within the changes that the Late Bronze Age Aegean socio-cultural and economic scenario underwent. Additionally, it addresses how Aegean elites visually conveyed cultural messages on power and identities through colours and coloured textiles. As such, this paper (i) hypothesises new associations between red-dyed textiles, the chronology of Linear B tablets from Knossos, and the socio-political and cultural development of the Late Bronze Age; (ii) contributes new insights into the cultivation of plants producing red dyes throughout the period of the Knossos tablets use; (iii) challenges the interpretation of terms referring to the red natural colour of the wool; (iv) critically reviews the interpretation of terms referring to the grey natural colour of the wool; (v) hypothesises a new interpretation of how green-dyed textiles were obtained.

Exploring the Diversity, Root Colonization, and Morphology of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Lamiaceae.

This study aimed to explore the diversity, root morphology, and colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with eight medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family. Rhizospheric soil and root samples were collected from eight species of Lamiaceae plants for AMF analysis. The results indicate that root colonization was not directly related to the number of AMF spores in the rhizosphere. However, a significant correlation was found between the percentage of root colonization and the number of AMF species present in the individual plants. The highest percentage of colonization (86.67 ± 1.92%) and the greatest number of AMF species were observed in Micromeria fructicosa, while the lowest colonization (27.67 ± 6.22%) was recorded in Mentha arvensis. The highest spore count was recorded in Thymus vulgaris (120 ± 27.01), whereas the lowest was found in Melissa officinalis (84 ± 17.20). Among the identified AMF species, Glomus was the most dominant, representing 35.7% of all AMF species across the eight medicinal plants. The maximum AMF spore density was observed in M. fructicosa and lowest in M. arvensis. The study suggests that AMF can significantly enhance medicinal plant growth by ensuring a consistent supply of nutrients and water, thereby supporting the sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants to meet the growing demand.