Plant Diameter Research Articles

Efektivitas Inokulum Tunggal dan Konsorsium Fungi Mikoriza Arbuskula pada Pembibitan Tanaman Indigofera zollingeriana

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are potential biofertilizers for plants. The succeed and quality of AMF inoculation is related to the type of AMF and plants. This study aimed to find the most effective AMF species in Indigofera zollingeriana nurseries. This experiment study was designed using a completely randomized design with six treatments and five replications based on different types of AMF in single and consortium forms. Treatment details include: IFMIX (consortium: a mixture of five types of AMF), IFTE (Glomus etinucatum), IFTM (Glomus manihotis), IFTA (Acaulospora tuberculata), IFTG (Gigaspora margarita), IFTS Glomus sp. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Based on the results of variance, AMF inoculation at Indigofera zollingeriana nurseries in a single form (IFTE, IFTM, IFTA, IFTG, and IFTS) resulted in effectiveness that was not significantly different with the consortium FMA inoculation (IFMIX) against AMF colonization, plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dry biomass of plants. Inoculation of inoculums in a single IFTE form resulted in a higher colonization value (p<0.05) than single inoculums IFTA and IFTM. It can be concluded that inoculation of a single AMF (Glomus etinucatum, Glomus manihotis, Acaulospora tuberculata, Gigaspora margarita, Glomus sp.) against AMF consortium produced the same symbiotic effectiveness on root colonization, morphological response and plant biomass production level in Indigofera zollingeriana nurseries. The root colonization rate of a single IFTE inoculum was better than a single inoculum of IFTA and IFTM.

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

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

Research on the Quality of Lettuce Production Grown in Protected Areas

Abstract Vegetables are especially important in human nutrition. Rational nutrition is unimaginable without the daily use of various varieties of vegetables. Green vegetable plants are important for every family that has a garden. This category includes several vegetables, such as: spinach, salad, green garlic, loboda, green onions, etc. Perennial greens should be grown in a marginal area, so as not to create problems when preparing the soil for other crops. From the salad category, Lettuce is the most widespread, it is cultivated for its heads and leaves, which can be eaten in salads, it is also eaten raw, especially when other vegetables on the market are missing. Lettuce is an annual plant with a main pivoting root, leaves full of fleshy and thin vitamins, but it is also a herbaceous plant. It is part of the Compositae family. Following the completion of research on the behavior of eight lettuce varieties grown in solarium on different vegetation cycles, at the Ulmi Variety Testing Center we performed the determination of parameters that influence the quality of lettuce production from which the following measurements are derived: plant height, average weight of plants at harvest, leaf embossing, dry substance, leaf thickness, plant diameter, the shape of the head and variety color. The present paper aims to determine some parameters that influence the quality of salad production. Eight lettuce varieties grown in the solarium were monitored at the Ulmi Variety Testing Center. The parameters followed in the study were: plant diameter (cm), plant weight (g), leaf thickness (mm), embossing size (cm), height of flowering plants (cm) and soluble dry matter.

Land optimization using tubers based agroforestry system in Semin, Gunung Kidul

Private forest farmers in Semin Village, Semin District, Gunung Kidul Regency transformed the cropping patterns from monoculture to polyculture to meet increasing needs. The farmers planted a variety of food crops to fulfill their short and medium-term needs, and woody plants to meet the long-term needs. Beside this, farmers have processed arrowroot tubers into flour, which can increase household income. The tuber plants apart from being able to live under the shade, have a low glycemic index value so they can be consumed by the diabetics. The method used randomized block design, trials were conducted by cultivating 3 species of tuber plants under the teak shade. Species of tuber plants were arrowroot, canna and yam. The treatments given were: 1) without shade, 2) under 5-year-old teak, 3) under 7-year-old teak. The aim was to understand the relationship between tuber plant growth variables and their environments. Tuber plant growth variables were height and diameter of plant, number of leaves and number of shoot. Environment variables were height and diameter of the teak trees, soil characteristic, and micro climate condition. The relationship was analyzed using linear regression. The results of regression analysis showed that there was a relationship between soil characteristics and plant height (R2=100%), stand height and number of leaves (R2=25.50%), air temperature and number of shoots (R2=22.60%), humidity and the number of shoots (R2=16.70%), light intensity and the number of shoots (R2=14.80%), as well as temperature, humidity, light intensity, percent canopy cover simultaneously and tuber weight/clump (R2=39.10%).

The Overexpression of Oryza sativa L. CYP85A1 Promotes Growth and Biomass Production in Transgenic Trees.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are important hormones that play crucial roles in plant growth, reproduction, and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. CYP85A1 is a castasterone (CS) synthase that catalyzes C-6 oxidation of 6-deoxocastasterone (6-deoxoCS) to CS, after which CS is converted into brassinolide (BL) in a reaction catalyzed by CYP85A2. Here, we report the functional characteristics of rice (Oryza sativa L.) OsCYP85A1. Constitutive expression of OsCYP85A1 driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter increased endogenous BR levels and significantly promoted growth and biomass production in three groups of transgenic Populus tomentosa lines. The plant height and stem diameter of the transgenic poplar plants were increased by 17.6% and 33.6%, respectively, in comparison with control plants. Simultaneously, we showed that expression of OsCYP85A1 enhanced xylem formation in transgenic poplar without affecting cell wall thickness or the composition of cellulose. Our findings suggest that OsCYP85A1 represents a potential target candidate gene for engineering fast-growing trees with improved wood production.

Aplikasi Kompos Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit (TKKS) terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Melon (Cucumis melo. L)

One of the fruits favored by the community is melon (Cucumis melo. L), which is classified as a horticultural commodity. Melon has prospects for cultivation because it contains many vitamins and benefits. This research was carried out in August - December 2019 in Limau Manis Village, Pauh District, Padang City. The research method is an experimental method using a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatment levels and 5 replications. The level of treatment given was the dose of OPEFB compost 10, 20, 30, 40 tons/ha. Observational data were analyzed statistically with the F test at the 5% level. The results of the analysis of variance were continued with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the 5% level. The results showed that the application of oil palm empty fruit bunches compost at a dose of 30 tons/ha had the best effect on the growth of height and stem diameter of melon plants. However, the application of oil palm empty fruit bunches compost at doses of 10, 20, 30, and 40 tons/ha has not been able to have a significant effect on melon crop production.

A comparison of cabbage crop growth parameters and harvest maturity indices under different planting methods, with an emphasis on mechanical harvesting

The predominant method of cabbage harvesting in India is manual labor, which is both time-consuming and physically demanding. However, the introduction of mechanical harvesting could offer a viable solution to this problem. A plant physical properties database is needed before the developing mechanical harvesting system design. In view of this, a study was conducted to examine the effect of planting methods (flat, ridge-furrow and ridge-furrow with plastic mulch) on physical growth and harvesting age of crop and thereby find out the most suitable planting method for mechanical harvesting. For two cabbage cultivars (Syngenta BC-79 and S-996), the effect of planting methods on physical growth parameters (plant height, plant diameter, length of leaf stem, length of stem, stem diameter, head diameter, and head weight) and harvest maturity indices (compactness, specific gravity, total soluble solids, pH, and pattern of wrapper leaves) was studied. The planting methods had shown a significant effect on growth parameters such as plant height (270.56 mm), plant diameter (549.39 mm), stem length (58.61 mm), stem diameter (34.58 mm), head diameter (144.89 mm) and head weight (1.12 kg) at harvest. The maximum number of matured heads (83.66%) was recorded in ridge-furrow with mulch planting. The interaction effect of planting methods and cultivars was found to be non-significant for all physical growth indicators. The findings of this study provide a valuable planting method for cabbage growers from the perspective of mechanical harvesting.

Bio-inoculation of strawberry plants with Bacillus strains having promoting effect on growth, yield and quality

The quality of agricultural production and their modulation by biofertilizer application has gradually received attention. However, the importance of Bacillus strains has not been studied extensively especially in strawberry. The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of Bacillus strains on growth, yield and quality of strawberry cv. Chandler during the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The study indicates that various Bacillus strains significantly influenced growth, yield and quality of fruits. Among different Bacillus strains, HCA61 strain recorded the significantly higher fruit yield per plant (233.69 g). It also recorded the highest value concerning different growth parameters, viz., plant height (12.56 cm), spread (22.78 cm), number of leaves per plant (11.31), crown diameter (12.46 mm), fresh weight (43.86 g) and dry weight (12.36 g) of plant with minimum number of days (79.50 days) to flower in strawberry plants. Among different yield attributing characters like number of fruits per plant (22.13), fresh weight of fruit (10.56 g), fruit length (40.31 mm), fruit breadth (28.83) and moisture content in fruit (92.83%), HCA61 strain showed superiority than other Bacillus strains. Regarding various physicochemical characters, viz. TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid and anthocyanin content of fruits, Bacillus RCA3 strain, exhibited significantly highrt values. The Bacillus strain HCA61 caused improved growth and yield. However, concerning the physicochemical characteristics of fruits Bacillus RCA3 strain was found best. The results indicated that inoculation with Bacillus strains could be an eco-friendly and cost-effective technology for improving strawberry growth, yield and quality.

Effects of sea-salt stress on morphological and biochemical indices of Grand Nain (Musa spp.) banana variety

Abstract Banana is cultivated abundantly in seaside regions, which are highly prone to rises in sea level or where seawater mixes with groundwater. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sea-salt stress on banana seedlings. Three different saline solutions, irrigation water, and distilled water were prepared for treatments; 15.3 dS m-1, 20.4 dS m-1, 25.7 dS m-1, 3.22 dS m-1 (irrigation water), 0.0 dS m-1 (control), respectively. Although there was no statistical difference in plant length after the treatment, plant diameter difference was observed in seedlings subjected to salt stress for 30 days. The most damaged leaves (4.8) were determined at the highest sea-salt solution (25.7 dS m-1). Compared with the root length (RL) results of control, irrigation water, and 15.3 dS m-1 treatments, the mean of RL was significantly higher in the 25.7 dS m-1 treatment (40.0 cm). Except for the 20.40 dS m-1 treatment, the other treatments had values close to each other. Contrary to the total chlorophyll (TC) and chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) values determined in control plants, the highest TC content and CF were found in irrigation water treatment with 34.8 mg g-1 Fw and 46.0, respectively. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline were significantly higher in the 25.7 dS m-1 treatment than in the other treatments. Results demonstrated that the root length of the Grand Nain cultivar increased although the sea-salt stress had negative effects on plant morphology and biochemical content, indicating that it could adapt to short-term salt stress.

Blue Photons from Broad-Spectrum LEDs Control Growth, Morphology, and Coloration of Indoor Hydroponic Red-Leaf Lettuce

For indoor crop production, blue + red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have high photosynthetic efficacy but create pink or purple hues unsuitable for workers to inspect crops. Adding green light to blue + red light forms a broad spectrum (white light), which is created by: phosphor-converted blue LEDs that cast photons with longer wavelengths, or a combination of blue, green, and red LEDs. A broad spectrum typically has a lower energy efficiency than dichromatic blue + red light but increases color rendering and creates a visually pleasing work environment. Lettuce growth depends on the interactions of blue and green light, but it is not clear how phosphor-converted broad spectra, with or without supplemental blue and red light, influence crop growth and quality. We grew red-leaf lettuce 'Rouxai' in an indoor deep-flow hydroponic system at 22 °C air temperature and ambient CO2. Upon germination, plants received six LED treatments delivering different blue fractions (from 7% to 35%) but the same total photon flux density (400 to 799 nm) of 180 μmol·m-2·s-1 under a 20 h photoperiod. The six LED treatments were: (1) warm white (WW180); (2) mint white (MW180); (3) MW100 + blue10 + red70; (4) blue20 + green60 + red100; (5) MW100 + blue50 + red30; and (6) blue60 + green60 + red60. Subscripts denote photon flux densities in μmol·m-2·s-1. Treatments 3 and 4 had similar blue, green, and red photon flux densities, as did treatments 5 and 6. At the harvest of mature plants, lettuce biomass, morphology, and color were similar under WW180 and MW180, which had different green and red fractions but similar blue fractions. As the blue fraction in broad spectra increased, shoot fresh mass, shoot dry mass, leaf number, leaf size, and plant diameter generally decreased and red leaf coloration intensified. Compared to blue + green + red LEDs, white LEDs supplemented with blue + red LEDs had similar effects on lettuce when they delivered similar blue, green, and red photon flux densities. We conclude that the blue photon flux density in broad spectra predominantly controls lettuce biomass, morphology, and coloration.

TINGKAT KEBERHASILAN KEGIATAN REHABILITAS DAERAH ALIRAN SUNGAI (DAS) DI PT BORNEO INDOBARA LOKASI DESA ARTAINKECAMATAN ARANIO KABUPATEN BANJAR PROVINSI KALIMANTAN SELATAN

PT Borneo Indobara as the holder of a Borrow-to-Use Forest Area Permit and has obligations as the executor of rehabilitation activities. Forest development activities through rehabilitation, especially on critical land in watershed areas (DAS) are one of the efforts that can be made to reduce the adverse effects of forest degradation. Watershed management is a series of efforts made by humans to rationally utilize watershed natural resources in order to fulfill their daily needs and improve their standard of living. Analyzing the success of the activity by looking at the percentage of growth of watershed rehabilitation plants at PT. Borneo Indobara, Artain Village, Evaluate the implementation of activities in the field with the Technical Design on plant growth factors, Analyze the types of plants with the requirements for plant growth, Make recommendations in the Technical Design activities on plant growth factors. The average yield of growth (height and diameter) of plants in 45 land units was 0.67 in height and 0.625 in diameter, 33 in 0.53 in height and 0.475 in land units, 0.57 in 52 in height and 0.505 in diameter. The percentage of survival on land unit 45 was 65.56%, land unit 33 was 64.17%, land unit 52 was 66.36%. Based on the analysis of plant survival percentage, it shows that the average survival percentage of plants is still below 65%, this means that the selected watershed rehabilitation plants need to be evaluated. sea sengon, mahogany, johar, pioneer species of trembesi which are relatively adapted to thin solums. Plant recommendation models are proposed for reclamation plant improvement starting from technical design, to field application so that reclamation plants can show high plant success.

Nutrientes na produção de alface em aquaponia com peixes tilápia em comparação com hidroponia

ABSTRACT In aquaponic systems, the residual water from the cultivation of fish is not enough to meet the nutritional demands of plants. The main objective of this study was to investigate how to adjust a nutritive solution for the cultivation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in aquaponics, based on hydroponics. The treatments included six separate crops of lettuce in an aquaponic system, while the hydroponic system served as the control. In each treatment, three blocks were used to quantify the parameters of ‘head’ diameter, number and dry weight of leaves, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, and the concentration and accumulation of nutrients in the total dry weight of the lettuce plants. The lower nutrient supply led to the occurrence of the lowest total dry weight in the C2 leaf crops when compared to that of the other crops of aquaponics, which had adequate time for system maturation. The system maturation and the use of a balanced solution in the C5 and C6 crops allowed the head diameter of the aquaponics plants to be equal to those of the hydroponics plants. In the aquaponic system, N and Fe were the most limiting macronutrient and micronutrient, respectively. To produce lettuce in an aquaponic system, it is necessary to ‘ripen’ the crop water for at least 30 days, and supplement micronutrients in the form of mineral fertiliser.

Características agronômicas e qualidade de cultivares de alface em épocas de cultivo no oeste alagoano

ABSTRACT Growing lettuce under high temperatures and light incidence, as in the Alagoas State hinterland, Brazil, induces early tasseling and decreases the quality of the product. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the production and post-harvest quality of lettuce cultivars in different crop seasons in western Alagoas, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used, with four replications. The treatments consisted of lettuce cultivars: Baba-de-Verão, Cinderela, Elba, Mônica, Solaris, and Veneranda. The winter crop was more favorable for plant diameter, except for Baba-de-Verão, whose performance was similar in both seasons and stood out in the summer. The winter crop resulted in better performance in plant height, stem diameter, and fresh matter yield, whereas summer plants reached larger number of leaves. The cultivar Mônica presented longer stem length, denoting lower tolerance to early tasseling and, therefore, it is not indicated to be grown in the region. The cultivar Baba-de-Verão (Lisa group) reached higher fresh matter yield, number of leaves per plant, and stem diameter, and it was the most adequate cultivar to be grown in western Alagoas. Elba, Solaris, and Veneranda were the lettuce cultivars from the Crespa group that stood out. Baba-de-Verão was the cultivar that presented the best performance for chlorophyll a, b, and total. The cultivar Solaris presented the highest carotenoid contents. Plants grown in the winter reached higher chlorophyll a and total, carotenoid contents, pH, and soluble solid (SS) to titratable acidity (TA) ratio, whereas the lettuce grown in the summer had higher SS and TA.

Spectral-conversion film potential for greenhouses: Utility of green-to-red photons conversion and far-red filtration for plant growth.

Although green (G, 500 to 600 nm) and far-red (FR, 700 to 800 nm) light play important roles in regulating plant growth and development, they are often considered less useful at stimulating photosynthesis than red (R, 600 to 700 nm) and blue (B, 400 to 500 nm) light. Based on this perception, approaches to modifying the transmission of greenhouse glazing materials include (1) conversion of G photons from sunlight into R photons and (2) exclusion of the near-infrared (>700 nm) fraction of sunlight. We evaluated these approaches using simulated scenarios with light-emitting diodes to determine how partial and complete substitution of G with R light and exclusion of FR light affected the growth of lettuce and tomato grown indoors. The substitution of G with R light had little or no effect on fresh and dry mass of tomato. However, with the presence of FR light, fresh and dry mass of lettuce increased by 22-26% as G light was increasingly substituted with R light. In tomato, excluding FR inhibited plant height, leaf area, and dry mass by 60-71%, 10-37%, and 20-44%, respectively. Similarly, in lettuce, excluding FR inhibited plant diameter, leaf length, and dry mass by 15-23%, 23-33%, or 28-48%, respectively. We conclude that the spectral conversion of G-to-R photons can promote plant growth in at least some crop species, such as lettuce, while the exclusion of FR decreases crop growth and yield.

Characterization and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Sahelian Agroforestry Parklands of Chad

Agroforestry parklands are agroforestry systems which farmers created by preserving useful species on their farms. These species are those whose flowers, fruits, seeds, barks or leaves can be processed into useful products. Parklands are thus the result of human intervention in natural vegetation dynamics and their diversity results from ecological factors affecting the neighborhood and the management of trees. The purpose of this work is to characterize and assess the carbon potential of Chad sahelian agroforestry parklands. A total survey area of 90 hectares of parklands of which 30 ha per site were explorated. Compass and GPS were used to establish transects of 50 m in length over 20 m in width and the community sampling units were established (20 sampling plots/ha). In each plot, plants were identified and enumerated. Diameter of plants was measured at 1.30 m aboveground for trees and at 0.30 m for shrublets. The dendrometric parameters measures effectuated throughout transects follow standard forestry methods. The result revealed that three types of agroforestry parklands exist in sahelian zone of Chad among which <i>Hyphaene thebaica</i>, <i>Balanites aegyptiaca</i> and mixed <i>Acacia senegal</i> - <i>A. nilotica</i> parklands. Their structure varies according to the specific flora and dominant species. Floristic survey showed a total of 4801 trees recorded and distributed in 22 species, 17 genera and 14 families. The ecological services of the Chad sahelian parklands fluctuate from 20.25 tCO₂/ha in <i>Balanites aegyptiaca</i> parkland to 77.36tCO₂/ha in <i>Hyphaene thebaica</i> parkland, confirming the heterogenous carbon sequestration potential of the parklands. These informations will help to develop the REDD+ mechanisms in the area.

Agronomic biofortification with zinc in hydroponically cultivated lettuce

Lettuce is the most cultivated leafy vegetable in hydroponic systems. The biofortification of lettuce with zinc (Zn) can contribute to relieving nutritional deficiencies in socially vulnerable populations. Biofortification is affordable, easy and fast, even in urban areas. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of Zn concentration in nutrient solutions on the production and agronomic biofortification of lettuce cultivars. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a split-plot design, with four replicates. We tested Zn concentrations of 0.3, 1.0, 1.7 and 2.4 mg L-1 in the hydroponic solution and the cultivars 'Vanda' and 'Saladela'. We evaluated plant diameter, number of leaves, fresh and dry mass of the aerial part and root, a chlorophyll index, Zn content and the accumulation of Zn in leaves and roots. 'Vanda' lettuce had the largest diameter, and 'Saladela' lettuce had the most leaves. The fresh mass of the aerial part was higher in 'Vanda' lettuce. For a Zn concentration of 2.4 mg L-1, the Zn contents of the leaves and roots were 733.3 and 2441 mg kg-1 and the accumulations of Zn in the leaves and roots were 931.66 and 4890 mg plant-1, respectively. Zn content and accumulation were higher in 'Saladela' lettuce. FM, DM did not decrease with increasing Zn concentration in the nutrient solution. Agronomically biofortifying the lettuce produced hydroponically using the nutrient film technique was thus possible

Efecto de la granulometría del tezontle en tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.), pepino (Cucumis sativus L.) y lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.) en acuaponía

Aquaponics is a complex food production system where fish and vegetables are produced simultaneously. Microorganisms, fish and plants participate in it; it is a complex system where conditions conducive to fish may not be suitable for microorganisms and plants. The diameter of the substrate particles for plant support and space for microorganism colonies can be a determining factor in aquaponics. This research investigates the particle size of tezontle, a porous red volcanic gravel that is used in Mexico for hydroponics and that here it is hypothesized that there is a particle size of this material that favors the growth and yield of plants in aquaponics. The model consisted of the use of 12 containers of 120 L as ponds for fish, and 12 tubs of 240 L for the substrate and a 120 L/min air pump to supply auxiliary oxygenation to the ponds. Three crops were established in each tub: tomato, cucumber, and lettuce. These cultures were transplanted in 3 tezontle diameters: particle diameter less than 1 cm (Æ&lt;1), greater than 5 cm (Æ&gt;5) and 50:50 % (v:v) mixture of both diameters (&lt;1:&gt;5), which constituted the substrate particle diameter treatments. There was no effect of substrate particle diameter on height, stem diameter, and SPAD readings in tomato, cucumber or lettuce plants. Regarding the yield and quality of tomato fruits (firmness, titratable acidity and ˚Brix) there were also no effects of the particle diameter of the substrate. There was also no effect of treatments on the morphological and quality variables of cucumber fruits. In the final fresh weight of lettuce, the treatment with substrate with diameter &lt;1 cm was statistically superior to diameter &gt;5 cm with averages of 89.87 g and 50.12 g respectively. Particle diameter does not affect the yield or quality of established crops, however, in practical terms the fine substrate &lt; 1 cm is recommended because it has greater moisture retention capacity and greater surface area for bacteria to colonize the environment, and promote higher plant growth and fruit quality in aquaponics. The fine substrate acts as a filter to retain suspended solids and prevents clogging of the system, and improves water quality and generates better living conditions for fish.

Physiological and growth responses of cacao to glyphosate exposure

Herbicide drift phytotoxicity is a problem in plantation crops due to application failures and unfavorable spray conditions. With the increased use of glyphosate in cacao plantations in Ghana, there are concerns about the effect on cacao growth and productivity from doses that potentially could be expected from drift. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological and growth response of young cacao plants exposed to glyphosate. Two field experiments were conducted in randomized blocks, with four replications. Glyphosate was applied at rates 0 to 720 g a.e. ha−1. Crop injury, shikimate accumulation, chlorophyll content, quantum efficiency of PSІІ (Fv/Fm), height, and stem diameter were evaluated. Increased glyphosate rates increased crop injury and shikimate accumulation and decreased chlorophyll content, quantum efficiency of PSІІ (Fv/Fm), and plant growth. Glyphosate rates 360 g a.e. ha−1 or higher resulted in >60% foliar injury and more than 10-fold increase in shikimate accumulation. Glyphosate reduced chlorophyll content to <10 and Fv/Fm to <0.35 at the highest rates. Glyphosate rates ≥180 g a.e. ha−1 reduced height and stem diameter of plants and caused reductions in stand count. Thus, cacao showed sensitivity to glyphosate, and severe injury impaired plant growth.

Establishment of a novel experimental system for studying the photoperiodic response of short-day dicots using soybean 'cotyledon-only plant' as material.

Soybean is an important model crop for photoperiodic response studies in plants and contributes significantly to the study of plant development and physiology in the past century. Because soybean plant is much bigger in size and longer in life cycle than Arabidopsis, it needs much more space for growth and time for investigation, which significantly hamper the efficiency of research. In the current study, we tested the photoperiodic response of a distinctive artificially-made cotyledon-only plant (COP) using a photoperiod-sensitive soybean variety Zigongdongdou (ZGDD) and other varieties with diverse sensitivity to photoperiod. ZGDD COPs flowered 39.4 ± 2.5d after emergence under short-day conditions but maintained vegetative growth under long-day and night break conditions, which is similar to the case in the intact ZGDD plants. The COPs of early-maturing and medium-maturing soybean varieties also grew and flowered normally under natural day-length conditions. At the molecular level, the key genes in the photoperiodic pathway such as E1, GmFT1a, GmFT2a, and GmFT5a in the COPs also showed the same photoperiod sensitivity as in the intact plants. In addition, a simpler material of COP with only one cotyledon and root was generated and found to be sensitive to photoperiod as well. Notably, the COPs are only one-fifth the height of intact plants and one-third the maximum diameter of the intact plants grown in chambers 30d after emergence. Based on COPs, we established a novel experimental system characterized by an entire photoperiodic response and longer longevity of cotyledons in addition to small plant size, ensuring the consistency, reliability, and stability of plant materials. COPs have the potential to be a novel model material for studies of the developmental biology of soybean and other dicots.

Valorization Test of Organic Manure and Chemical Fertilizers on Growth Parameters of Two Varieties of Sorghum Bicolor (L.) in a Degraded Soil of Sudano-Sahelean Zone, Cameroon

In the Far-North region of Cameroon, where the population increases due to the demographic growth and consequently the demand in food is manifested considerably for the populations which are most focused on the agriculture practices. The peasants, who are the main actors of rural area are leads to the low productivity of cultures due to the poor crops management practices (the absence of cultures rotation) and the low soil fertility. This study was carried out at the Polyvalente Station of Agricultural Research of the North-Cameroon. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemical fertilizers associated with the organic manure on the growth parameters of Sorghum varieties (Local and Zouaye) in a degraded soil. Treatments were: T0 (0 kg of control); T1 (14 kg of poultry manure); T2 (2.4 kg of fertilizers 23-10-5+2Mgo +7.5S); T3 (14 kg of poultry manure + 2.4 kg of fertilizers 23-10-5+2Mgo +7.5S). The experimental design was a completely randomized blocks with 3 repetitions. The parameters evaluated were: the germination rate, the height and the diameters of plants. The results showed that the germination rate was important with the use of poultry manure and the association of both treatments for the two varieties of Sorghum. Referred to the control, the use of all substrates such as poultry manure, fertilizers and both treatments, significantly improves the height of plants for the varieties of Sorghum. However, the number of leaves emitted by these varieties was significant (P≤0.05) with the use of all substrates. The use of poultry manure, mineral fertilizers and the associated of substrates poultry manure + mineral fertilizers significantly improve the diameter of these varieties, compared to non-amended plots.