Shoot Diameter Research Articles

Silicon and Nitric Oxide Applications Allow Mitigation of Water Stress in Myrobalan 29C Rootstocks (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.)

(1) Background: Silicon (Si) and nitric oxide (NO) have been proven to protect against cellular injury caused by stress conditions, mostly by salinity and water stress in agriculture. (2) Methods: The goal was to study the effect of soil applications of NO, Si, and their combination (Si+NO) on the response of Myrobalan 29C rootstocks (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.) subjected to water stress and well-watered conditions. (3) Results: The results showed that water stress decreased growth parameters (i.e., leaf area, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, and relative shoot diameter), physio-biochemical parameters (i.e., chlorophyll and relative water content in leaves), and leaf and root minerals (i.e., P, Ca, Fe, and Zn in leaves and N, K, Ca, and Zn in roots), compared to well-watered plants. Under these conditions, all treatments mitigated the detrimental effects of water stress on Myrobalan 29C rootstocks, being the most effective the Si+NO treatment. (4) Conclusions: These findings briefly highlight that the combination of silicon and nitric oxide may provide greater tolerance to water stress in Myrobalan 29C rootstocks.

Evaluating the Use of Biostimulants for Indoor Hydroponic Lettuce Production

Biostimulant products have various reported benefits for plant production in the field or using hydroponic systems in protected structures. However, limited information is available describing their potential use for indoor farming applications. Considering that lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is one of the most popular crops produced in commercial indoor farms, the objective of this study was to compare growth and quality of lettuce grown indoors using nine biostimulant products derived from humic substances, amino acids, hydrolyzed proteins, or seaweed extracts. ‘Monte Carlo’, ‘Fairly’, and ‘Lalique’ lettuce were grown hydroponically for 30 to 33 days under a daily light integral, day/night temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration of ≈13 mol·m‒2·day‒1, 22/21 °C, 70%, and 800 µmol·mol‒1, respectively. There were no positive effects from using any of the biostimulant products evaluated in our study as growth (leaf area, leaf number, shoot diameter, and shoot and root dry weight), yield (shoot fresh weight), and quality (bolting, tipburn index, leaf color, and SPAD index) of treated plants were generally similar to those from the untreated control. Applications from one seaweed extract caused slight negative growth effects, possibly due to phytotoxicity. Cultivar differences showed that Fairly plants had the highest susceptibility to tipburn and bolting, and none of the biostimulant products countered these symptoms. Overall, the products evaluated provided marginal advantages for indoor hydroponic lettuce production.

Mapping of QTLs controlling barley agronomic traits (Hordeum vulgare L.) under normal conditions and drought and salinity stress at reproductive stage

The present study is focused on mapping the genomic regions for controlling some agronomic traits in the reproductive stage of barley under normal, drought and saline conditions. In this regard, a total of 103 samples of F8 families derived from the cross of two cultivars of Badia×Kavir were planted in a completely randomized design in the crop year 2018–2019. The research procedure has been accomplished in the greenhouse of Gonbad Kavous University in three replications. In this case, transgressive segregation was observed for the evaluated traits. This situation indicated the difference between allelic interactions in the parents. Also, linkage maps were prepared using 152 SSR polymorphic markers, 72 ISSR alleles, 7 IRAP alleles, 29 CAAT alleles, 27 SCoT alleles, and 15 iPBS alleles. These markers were assigned to the seven barley chromosomes. Thus, the obtained map covered 999.29 centiMorgans (cM) of the barley genome length, and the average distance between two flanking markers was 3.387 cM. In this study, the most significant QTL under normal conditions have been identified on chromosomes 1, 5, and 6. In the drought conditions, four major QTLs were detected for spike diameter, awn weight, flag leaf weight (qPPT-7, qAWW-7, qFLW-4a and qFLW-5). Under salinity stress conditions, two major QTLs were identified for the number of leaves qLEN-6a and shoot diameter qSHT-6b. In this case, the values of R2 were 18.3 and 17.6, respectively. The major QTLs that control the effect of the desired traits and the markers associated with them can be used in marker-assisted selection programs.

Effect of Shoot Number, Diameter and LAC Encrustation Thickness on Kusmi Broodlac Yield of <i>Kerria lacca</i> From <i>Flemingia semialata</i>

This study aims to identify the significant factors affecting kusmi broodlac yield and the relationship between the broodlac yield and the relevant factors for providing the practical basis of maximizing this yield. The regression analysis between the yield and independent variables revealed that the major factors influencing yield include encrustation thickness followed by shoot diameter in a significantly positive relationship. The yield was increasing up to 12 shoots/ plant and started declining after this.

(Digital Presentation) Magnesium Shot Filled Electrochemical Packed Bed Reactor for Phosphate Recovery

The global food-energy-water nexus encompasses energy efficient recovery and reuse of nutrients. However, limited phosphate sources and pollution from phosphate-rich fertilizers adversely affect global food security, which mandates energy-efficient technologies, like electrochemical struvite (MgNH4PO4.6H2O) production, with nutrient capture and reuse potential. In this study, we report a first-of-its-kind electrochemical struvite precipitation in an electrochemical packed bed reactor filled with pure Mg shots, which achieved shortened retention time and higher phosphate removal efficiency, compared to the previous batch electrochemical system used by our group. Mg loading, equivalent to the weight of the immersed Mg anode in the batch reactor, was fixed in the packed bed reactor at the beginning of each experiment. The feed flow rate (0.5-5 LPM) and Mg shot diameter (0.5-1.5 cm) were varied to study the performance of electrochemical precipitation column in a 10 mM synthetic solution of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4, 10 mM) at neutral pH. The continuous flow system achieved a >40% phosphate removal over 4 h. The experimental results help in understanding the different parameters that affect struvite recovery from a flow-based reactor design, as well as an understanding of the challenges involved in transitioning from a batch reactor to a flow reactor.

Competitive ability of bean cultivars with Urochloa plantaginea

The objective of this work was to evaluate the competitive ability of carioca bean cultivars BRS FC104, BRS FC402, IAC Imperador, IAC Milênio, IPR Tangará, and SCS Riqueza in the presence of Alexandergrass (Urochloa plantaginea) in different proportions of plants in association. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with four replications. The treatments were arranged according to the proportions of beans and Alexandergrass plants: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100 or 40:00, 30:10, 20:20, 10:30, and 0:40 plants per pot. The competitiveness of the species was analyzed using diagrams applied to replacement experiments and also through relative competitiveness indices. At 30 days after crop emergence, leaf area (LA), height (HP), diameter (DP), and shoot dry mass (SM) of the plant shoots were measured, as well as variables related to the physiology of the species. There was competition among carioca bean cultivars in the presence of Alexandergrass regardless of the proportion of plants, causing decreases in DP, LA and SM. Basically, there is competition for the same environmental resources between beans and Alexandergrass. Highlights: There is competition between bean and Alexandergrass, for the same environmental resources; There is varietal difference - IAC Imperador and SCS 205 Riqueza are the most competitive ones; The escape to competition is the best approach to guarantee yield in Alexandergrass-infested fields.

Evaluation of Different Grafting Methods in Promising Kiwifruit Varieties at Lumle, Kaski, Nepal

Kiwifruit is usually propagated by grafting and cutting. Suitable method of grafting in Kiwifruit should be identified to elaborate the commercial production. To evaluate the success rate of scion varieties with different grafting methods in Kiwifruit a study was conducted for two consecutive years 2018 and 2019 at Lumle, Kaski. Five different varieties of Kiwifruit as scion (Allison, Bruno, Hayward Oblong, Hayward Oval and Monty) and three different grafting methods (tongue, veneer and wedge) were used to identify successful method of grafting in Kiwifruit. Grafting was done on January 1st and 2nd in both years. In the first year, shoot length was recorded highest in Hayward Oblong with veneer grafting (96.10cm) whereas shoot diameter was obtained highest in Monty with wedge grafting (6.61mm). Similarly in the second year shoot length was recorded highest in Hayward Oblong with veneer grafting (97.10 cm) and shoot diameter was observed highest in Monty with wedge grafting (6.71mm). In both years, the highest (100%) graft success was recorded in Allison with wedge grafting.

Field screening of elite Cacao (Theobroma Cacao L.) clones to vascular streak dieback (VSD) disease as the selection criteria for planting materials

The field screening for VSD disease infection in four elite cocoa clones (KKM22, KKM4, PBC230, and MCBC1) was conducted after two years of transplanting. This study aimed to determine the efficient selection criteria for planting material of cocoa-based on the intensity of VSD disease and new shoot regeneration characteristics such as number, length, and diameter of new shoots after removal of the infected VSD twigs. Around half population (60%) of the trees were infected by the disease but the infection was minor and observed only on the leaf and twigs of 150 mm in length along the jorquette branches. The MCBC1 clone with a disease severity score of 1.82 is classified under the VSD disease resistance clone whereas other clones with a score averaging 2.21 are grouped under the moderately resistance clone. The cultural practice via pruning of all infected twigs (150 mm) was efficient to control the disease from spreading. One month after pruning, the MCBC1 from disease resistance clone had the lengthiest (62.3 mm) and thickest diameter (15.6 mm) of the new shoot compared with other clones. This study indicates the need for the screening of VSD disease in cocoa plantations so that the disease can be managed and controlled at the early stage of infection. This study also reported the first finding on using new shoot regeneration after pruning for the selection criterion of cocoa planting material in the future breeding programme.

Breeding columnar apple-tree cultivars for supercompact growth habit

This work was based on the combinatorial breeding technique using donors of the columnar growth type (Co gene), sources of winter hardiness and high consumer qualities, and scab immunity donors (Rvi6 gene). The selection in the columnar apple-tree hybrid progeny was accompanied by the assessment of growth vigor, compactness degree, and seedling cultivability in accordance with the guidelines.Due to the increasing popularity of apple trees with the columnar crown type, the volume of breeding work for columnar growth habit at the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) over the past 9 years amounted to 133,582 flowers, or one third of the entire hybridization envisaged by the apple-tree breeding program. Meticulous selection of parent forms is carried out in order to incorporate a set of useful traits in the columnar growth habit genotype. Both cultivars and hybrid forms serve as sources and donors of the traits interesting for breeders. All the studied cultivars released by VNIISPK are dwarf: their height is within the range from 287 cm (cv. ‘Priokskoe’) to 198 cm (cv. ‘Orlovskaya Yesenia’), and they can be recommended for both commercial plantations and amateur gardens. The columnar form 34-34-98 is characterized by a unique degree of compactness (the ratio of the internode length to the shoot diameter) equal to 0.4 versus the average value of 1.6 for this indicator in the studied columnar cultivars. This form was involved in the release of 78 promising hybrid seedlings, the best of which (38.5%) were transferred to the garden for primary variety trials. A large yield of seedlings characterized by high compactness in the progeny of the columnar apple tree 34-34-98 makes it possible to recommend it for the development of new apple-tree genotypes for highly cost-effective orchards with high tree planting density.

Inoculation of Plant Growth Promoting Bacillus spp. in N-Fertilized Maize Crop in Soils With High Organic Matter Content in South Brazil

Inoculation of seeds with plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) often increases maize yields in N-deficient soils. However, would yields increase if inoculation with PBPB was made in soils with high organic matter contents receiving N-fertilizer? In this article, we report the results of four field-experiments performed in the Southern Brazil (Campo Largo-PR and Lapa-PR, Brazil) during the growing seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, including treatments with three doses of N (0, 50 and 100 kg of N ha-1) supplied as (NH4)2SO4, and inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense Abv05 and Abv06, or, of new strains of Bacillus sp. (LGMB 143, LGMB 152, LGMB 319 or LGMB 326). Application of 50 kg N ha-1 increased yields by 32% in Campo Largo, and 16% in Lapa, in relation to non-fertilized plots, but doubling the N fertilization or including PGPB inoculants did not affect crop growth and productivity. The average yields in the plots with N and bacterial inoculation was 8,255 kg ha-1 in Campo Largo and 11,311 kg ha-1 in Lapa. Increases of grain yields were related to increases in plant height, shoot dry matter, ear length and diameter and 1000 grains mass. This study adds to the fact that scientists and farmers should rethink the paradigm of excessive doses of N fertilization on maize. Furthermore, inoculation of maize seeds with PGPB do not increase yields when the N demand of the crop is satisfied via N-fertilization.

The Effect of Biofertilizer from Waste Bioconversion on The Growth of Cocoa Seedlings

Organic waste can be a source of environmental pollution if not managed properly. The organic waste transformed by Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae produces liquid biofertilizer (LB) containing nutrients and beneficial microbes for plants. This study aims to determine the effect of dosage and frequency of application of liquid biofertilizer on the growth of cocoa seedlings and soil properties. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with seven treatments and four replications. The treatments were a control, LB 3% every two weeks, LB 3% every four weeks, LB 6% every two weeks, LB 6% every four weeks, LB 12% every two weeks, LB 12% every four weeks. The results showed that LB 6% every four weeks was the best treatment in increasing seedling height, stem diameter, and weight of fresh shoot, dry shoot, and dry roots of cocoa seedlings at 20 weeks old compared to other treatment. The application of LB significantly increased soil pH, but not significantly affected on the content of organic C, total N, available P and exchangeable cations at soil. Biofertilizer from bioconversion of organic waste using BSF larvae is suitable to improve the growth of cocoa seedlings.

Morpho-anatomical responses of Catharanthus roseus due to combined heavy metal stress observed under Scanning Electron Microscope

Heavy metals trigger various plant responses that basically vary with the intensity as well as duration of stress. Comprehension of the morphological and anatomical responses to such stress is essential for a holistic perception of plant resistance mechanisms to metal-excess conditions in higher plants. In the present study, the effects of heavy metals on morpho-anatomy of Catharanthus roseus based on its potential to tolerate metal stress has been studied in industrially polluted environments. The tissue samples of these plants grown in contaminated and uncontaminated soils were processed for analysis under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Briefly, harvested tissues were pre-fixed using glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde in sodium cacodylate (CAC) buffer, followed by post fixation in osmium tetroxide. Further, the digital micrographs of critically dried samples were captured. The analysis of micrographs revealed structural changes like cell wall thickening, increased stele diameter, increased root and shoot diameter, variations in stomatal number, enlargement of trichomes and salt glands of plants grown in contaminated soil when compared to those grown in uncontaminated soil. The study also provided microscopic evidence of endophytic colonization of microorganisms within surface-disinfected plant tissues. Based on the varied morpho-anatomical responses due to heavy metal stress, several physiological and metabolic mechanisms of plants were deciphered.

Growth, development, and chlorophyll indexes of glyphosate and glufosinate-tolerant maize under herbicide application

Glyphosate, glufosinate, and atrazine do not affect the growth and development of glyphosate and glufosinate-tolerant (RR2/LL) maize; however, the results are less consolidated for these herbicides applied in mixtures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of post-emergent application of glyphosate, glufosinate, and atrazine, alone and in mixtures, on the growth and development of the RR2/LL maize. The treatments consisted of the application of glyphosate (1080 g of acid equivalent [ae] ha-1), glufosinate (500 g of active ingredient [ai] ha-1), atrazine (2000 g [ai] ha-1), glyphosate + glufosinate, glyphosate + atrazine, glufosinate + atrazine, glyphosate + glufosinate + atrazine, and the control (without application). The experiment was carried out in two locations under greenhouse conditions with different maize hybrids. Crop injury and variables of the agronomic performance (height, stem diameter, chlorophyll indexes, fresh and dry weight of shoot, root dry weight, and total dry weight) were evaluated. Herbicides applied alone or in binary mixtures did not cause major damage. However, the application of the three associated herbicides in some situations might result in detrimental effects on the development of the RR2/LL maize.

Protocolo eficiente para aumentar el porcentaje de prendimiento en injertos de Pinus greggii Engelm. var. australis Donahue et López

Introduction: Grafted plants of conifers are used in the establishment of clonal seed orchards, but with the methodology currently used, unsatisfactory results are reported. Objective: To compare grafting and growth of Pinus greggii var. australis scion from nursery and field stock plants grafted on four rootstocks. Materials and methods: Scions of P. greggii Engelm. var. australis Donahue et López, collected from nursery stock plants (NSSP) and field trees (FSSP), were divided into terminal bud and basal segment, and grafted onto P. greggii var. australis, P. patula Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham., P. teocote Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham. and P. leiophylla Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham. Percentage of grafting, height increment, diameter, scion-rootstock ratio and number of shoots (NS) were evaluated. Height and diameter increment data were subjected to an ANOVA and NS was analyzed with Poisson regression. Results and discussion: Grafting ranged from 93 to 100 %. The greatest increase in height was reported for P. teocote (14 cm) with scion from the terminal shoot of the nursery plant, while the combination P. greggii / P. leiophylla had the best scion-rootstock ratio with a value of 1. The highest NS was recorded with scion from the basal segment of NSSP. Getting two types of scions from one scion made the use of vegetative material more efficient. Conclusions: The use of nursery stock plants, 15-month-old rootstock, and two types of scions allowed having grafted plants in three months. The methodology developed was efficient, cost-effective and fast.

Effect of Selected Physical Parameters of Lignite Substrate on Morphological Attributes, Yield and Quality of Cucumber Fruits Fertigated with High EC Nutrient Solution in Hydroponic Cultivation

Environmentally friendly substrates that are biodegradable may provide an alternative to mineral wool, which is commonly used in hydroponic growing technology. Little is known about the relationship between the physical characteristics of lignite substrate and cucumber yield. The study analyzed the effect of bulk density and water holding capacity of lignite substrate in comparison to mineral wool and EC of nutrient solution on plant morphological parameters, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse cucumber. A positive relation was found between the bulk density of lignite mats and the increase in the number of leaves per week, shoot diameter as well as leaf length and leaf area (calculated as the product of leaf length × width) in cucumbers grown in this medium. Bulk density of lignite growing mats also affected the macro- and micro-nutrient content of cucumber leaves. The physical properties of the substrate and the high EC of the medium had a significant effect on the hardness, color and lutein content of cucumber fruits. The content of biologically active compounds in cucumber fruits depended on the water holding capacity of the medium and the water readily available to plants; these parameters were lower in the lignite medium compared to mineral wool. However, when the lignite substrate was used in hydroponic cucumber cultivation, for a period of 51 days after planting (DAP) there was an increase of more than 23% in the bulk density of the substrate and an increase of nearly 55% in the water readily available compared to the new lignite mats.

Studying the Physiological Reactions of C4 Grasses in Order to Select Them for Cultivation on Marginal Lands

One of the problems of sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) is the competition between food production and biomass production. For this reason, marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions have been proposed for non-food crops in recent years. To this end, a better understanding of the impact of environmental factors on crop development and yield is needed. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of soil water availability on selected morphological, physiological and growth characteristics of four C4 grass species (Miscanthus × giganteus, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Miscanthus sinensis and Spartina pectinate) growing under different water and fertilizer conditions. A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with four grass species, three different water rates (100, 85 and 70%) and three fertilizer rates (270, 180 and 90 kg NPK ha−1). The study showed that water stress, regardless of plant species, increased the chlorophyll content index without affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants. Water stress significantly decreased plant fresh and dry mass, shoot number and length, and shoot/leaf ratio. The response to water deficit depended on the plant species. Miscanthus sinensis was the most sensitive to water deficit and Spartina pectinate the most tolerant (reduction in dry mass of 41.5% and 18%, respectively). Water stress (85% and 70%) reduced the number and the length of shoots without affecting the average diameter of shoots of the tested grasses, resulting in a significant reduction in biomass production of plants grown under optimal conditions with mineral NPK fertilization (180 kg NPK ha−1). Miscanthus sacchariflorus showed the highest dry matter under the worst growing conditions (70% and 90 NPK) and therefore could be recommended for cultivation on marginal lands with unfavorable agrotechnical conditions. It should be emphasized that the high yield of this species was not due to the photosynthetic efficiency, but better growth stem parameters (length and number). It appears that, for long-term agricultural land management, it is preferable to determine fertilizer rates for each crop species based on soil water availability. It should also be emphasized that increasing the yield of potential lignocellulosic crops for energy purposes while reducing environmental impact appears to be one of the viable answers to the difficulties of conventional energy production.

A CFD-FEM numerical study on shot peening

Surface integrity after shot peening is affected by various parameters. Improper selection of shot peening parameters brings challenges in improving the component's fatigue life or even damages the original surface. An insight into the effects of shot peening parameters on surface integrity is a prerequisite for the appropriate setting of process parameters. This study used the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to establish a two-phase flow model describing relationships between shot velocity and pneumatic shot peening machine parameters, such as air pressure and peening distance. A random multi-shots finite element model (FEM) was established to study the effects of shot velocity and shot diameter on surface integrity. Results indicate that the peening distance and air pressure significantly affect shot velocity. Compared to increasing shot velocity, peening with larger diameter shots is more effective in generating compressive residual stress (CRS) and dislocation cell refinement layers. However, it results in a decline in the magnitude of surface compressive residual stress (SCRS). Double shot peening combines the characteristics of different diameter shots, which introduces high SCRS and considerable CRS layer thickness.

Morphological correlation and quality of Agonandra brasiliensis seedlings in substrates and controlled release fertilizer

The objective was to investigate the effect of substrate compositions with and without the addition of controlled release fertilizer (CRF) and to determine the correlations between the morphological characteristics of Agonandra brasiliensis. The variables studied were: shoot height, collet diameter, increase of height of shoot and collet diameter, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, total dry weight, the relation between the dry matter weight of the shoot and the dry matter weight of the roots, the relation between shoot height and collet diameter, the relation between shoot and root dry weight, and Dickson quality index. The results of the total dry weight of the ivory-wood plants allowed to infer a positive influence of the addition of CRF in the Sub 1 (8.3 g plant-1), Sub 2 (8.2 g plant-1), and Sub 4 (7.3 g plant-1) showing an increase of 72.2 %, 52.4 %, and 68.5 % respectively, when compared to Sub 1 (2.3 g plant-1), Sub 2 (3.9 g plant-1), and Sub 3 (2.3 g plant-1) without CRF addition. The substrates (sub 5) and (sub 1) with addition of CRF are indicated for the production of seedlings of Agonandra brasiliensis.

Response of date palm cv.barhi microshoots to salinity stress elevation

Salinity is one of the serious and crucial problem facias the plant in this planet. Fortunately, plants have different lines of defending system that help to overcome such environmental stress. This study uses a different NaCl level to investigate the behavior of date palm microshoots at two stages (multiplication and elongation) of micropropagation protocol. Study found the salinity stress effect on multiplied and elongated shoots at high levels of salt 150 and 200mM. At these levels the morphological and physiological aspects are changed in compression with control and other salt treatments (25-100mM). The physiological aspects recorded elevation in the rates of carbohydrate, proline and abscisic acid when NaCl concentration increasing. However, study concluded the salinity may help to improve some morphological aspect like shoot diameter that help to increase the plant survival during acclimation stage. stage. Concentrations.

Budding of Current Season Seedlings of Pistacia vera L. During Different Times in Late Summer

Budding of Pistacia vera L. seedling at the earlier stage of growth with a certain sex type scion is very important because P. vera vegetative growth stage is long and requires more time to produce fruit to determine the sex type of the trees. Therefore, the current experiment was carried out to determine the best time for budding current seedlings of P. vera during late summer. The budding times were 20 Aug., 1 Sept., 10 Sept., and 20 Sept in 2020, and the seedlings were between 5-6 months along budding times. The results revealed that the highest budding success (50%) was achieved from the seedlings budded on 20 September followed by those seedlings budded on 10 September (38.88%). While, budding success percentage was the lowest in the seedlings budded on 20 August and 1 September with the same ratio (27.77%). The longest shoot and the thicker shoot diameter (19.30 cm and 4 mm, respectively) were achieved in the seedlings which budded on 10 September. In contrast, shoot length was the shortest (3.93 cm) in seedlings that were budded on 20 August, and shoot diameter was almost similar (2.39, 2.23 and 2.72 mm) in all seedlings budded on 20 August, 1 September and 10 September, respectively. This study showed that 20 September was the best time for conducting budding of P. vera seedlings which were produced in nursery black bags in the current season.