Yield Of Dried Shoots Research Articles

Comparative values of various wastewater streams as a soil nutrient source

In order to assess whether wastewaters from different industries (winery, abattoir, dairy and municipal) could be used safely to irrigate agricultural crops, a pot experiment in glass house was conducted in a sandy clay loam soil (pH = 6.12) from South Australia. Different concentrations (0, 0.05, 5, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of the wastewaters diluted in an ordinary tap water were applied to soils sown with sunflower and maize seeds, and the effect of these irrigation treatments were evaluated at the early crop growth stages by recording the biomass yields, plant mineral nutrient contents, and also the soil chemical properties. Results showed that the winery effluent reduced the early growth of maize and sunflower when applied without any dilution, but increased yields of both plants when applied at 25% dilution with tap water. At this dilution of the winery wastewater, 80% more dry shoot yield (DSY) of sunflower and 58% more DSY of maize were obtained in comparison to the application of 100% concentration of the wastewater. Abattoir wastewater showed the highest yields at 100% concentration. Furthermore, municipal effluent did not show any inhibitory effect on both the crops. It was observed that metal contents in both the crops were different due to the application of different wastewaters, but did not exceed any toxic level. This study demonstrated that abattoir wastewater as such, and winery and dairy wastewaters at appropriate dilutions could be used for irrigation in agricultural fields to enhance crop productivity.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in an ecological cropping system: A study on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil production

The use of biofertilizers containing beneficial soil microorganisms as alternative for chemical fertilizers is an effective way to improve plant growth, environment health and soil productivity. According to the importance of the production of medicinal plants in sustainable agricultural systems, an experiment was conducted during growing seasons of 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 at the Agricultural Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Trial was done in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments. The treatments were seed inoculation with biofertilizers including: 1- Nitroxin® biofertilizer (containing Azotobacter sp. and Azospirillum sp. bacteria), 2- Biophosphorus® biofertilizer (containing Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. bacteria), 3- Mixture of Nitroxin® & Biophosphorus® and 4- The Control (no inoculation). The results showed the most amounts of plant height, number of branches, plant dry matter and leaf area index were obtained from the plants treated with Nitroxin®. The maximum number of branches (11.2) was obtained from the plants treated with mixture of Nitroxin® and Biophosphorus®. Seed production was at the most in plants under Biophosphorus® treatment. Biological fertilizers increased dry shoot yield compared with the control.The highest percentage of essential oil (0.83%) was observed in control. The traits associated with the yield were higher in the second cut compared with the first and the third cuts. There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.60**) between the plant height and the leaf yield. In general, the results suggest that biofertilizers especially Nitroxin® could improve growth characteristics and the yield of basil promising possibility of ecological production of this valuable medicinal plant indicating biofertilizers may be feasible in places with few resources.

The effect of biological promoters on thyme plant in different harvests

To study the effect of biological promoters on morphology of Thymus daenensis Celak, this experiment was conducted in Alborz Research Station, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Karaj, Iran, in 2013. Experimental design was split plot in time in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The main factor was biologic promoters in seven levels (0.75 and 1.5 L/ha of Humiforte, 0.3 and 0.6 L/ha of Aminoforte, 0.5 and 1.0 L/ha of Kadostim, 0.4 L/ha of Fosnutren, and control). The sub factor was harvest. Results indicated that biological promoters significantly affected plant height, canopy diameter, the number of flowering stems and fresh and dry shoot yield at P≤0.01 and canopy circle at P≤0.05. Harvest had significant effect on canopy circle, plant height, canopy diameter, the number of flowering stems and fresh and dry shoot yield at P≤0.01. Mean comparison showed that 0.5 L/ha Kadostim had the highest plant height (15.13 cm), dry shoot yield (1128.33 kg/ha) and dry shoot yield (3757.35 kg/ha). Application of 0.5 L/ha Humiforte resulted in the highest canopy diameter (36.53 cm). Mean comparison of harvests also showed that plant height (15.9 cm), canopy diameter (32.7 cm), the number of flowering stems (195.8), fresh shoot yield (3789.2 kg/ha) and dry shoot yield (1137.92 kg/ha) were the highest in the first harvest. Regarding the obtained results, it can be concluded that yield and yield components were the highest in the first harvest, when 0.5 L/ha Kadostim was applied.

Potential of intercropping for management of some arthropod and nematode pests of leafy vegetables in Kenya

African leafy vegetables (ALVs) play an important role as income and food security crops in many households in Kenya. However, their potential in alleviating poverty and ensuring household food and nutrition security has not been fully exploited. The objectives of this study were to identify some arthropod and nematode pests that infest ALVs and to evaluate the effectiveness of intercropping of susceptible and resistant plants for the management purposes. Three vegetable types: African nightshade, sunn hemp and spider plant were used in determining the efficacy of an intercrop of susceptible and non-susceptible types in reducing arthropod and nematode pest effect. The treatments in the field experiment consisted of different intercrop designs and a sole crop design as control while data was taken based on five different variables. Crops in the field were infested with arthropod pests and eight different species were enumerated. The same row and hill intercropping designs were the most effective in reducing the effect of arthropod and nematode pests compared to the control plots. Spider plant and African nightshade intercrops recorded the least arthropod pest damage, higher fresh and dry shoot yields and differed significantly (P?0.05) to African nightshade planted as a sole crop. A similar trend was observed when the experiment was repeated with a sunn hemp and African nightshade intercrop. It is concluded from this study that intercropping of different crops can be integrated with other methods to provide an easily adaptable technology to apply for effective management of arthropod and nematode pests with low external inputs.

Effect of harvesting techniques on cumulative yields of huckleberry (Solanum scabrum) in the humid forest region of Cameroon

Traditional leafy vegetables form a major part of the diets and incomes of rural and urban households in Cameroon. However, despite their relative importance, information on their management is scanty. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different harvesting techniques used at first harvest on the subsequent fresh and dry shoot yields of Solanum scabrum. Two accessions of S. scabrum were used as main plot treatments with four harvesting techniques as subplot treatments in a split-plot arrangement. A linear relationship was observed between the cumulative fresh and dry shoot weights. Irrespective of the harvesting technique adopted, the two accessions gave similar cumulative fresh and dry shoot weights. However, harvesting the plants while leaving one or no lateral shoot gave significantlyhigher subsequent cumulative shoot yields than with the standard practice of plucking the shots at random.Key words: Huckleberry, Solanum scabrum, cumulative fresh shoot yields, shoot dry yields

IMPACT OF FARMYARD MANURE AND MANURE COMPOST TEA ON POTATO YIELD AND SOIL FERTILITY.

A field experiment was conducted during the successive season of 2004/2005 winter in using clayey soil at Monshat El-Badawi Village, Talkha District, Dakahlia Governorate (North Nile delta region), to investigate the ability of applying farmyard compost and its compost tea on potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Spunta and economic return for each treatments. Five treatments were arranged in a complete randomize block with three replicates, Four application methods (ore compost, sediment, sediment and extract combination and compost tea). Compost tea, foliar significantly increased dry shoot yield and fresh tuber yield in both seasons. Also, application of compost tea increased dry matter (as %), crud protein (as %) and specific gravity of tubers in both seasons. As so, sediment and extract combination addition increased dry matter (as %) in tubers, and crud protein (as %) significantly in both season.. The addition of farmyard manure into the soil increased both of total and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil. In spite of the highest values for all studied parameters under investigation were realized due to the compost tea treatment.

EFFECT OF CHICKEN MANURE AND MANURE COMPOST TEA ON POTATO YIELD AND SOIL FERTILITY.

To evaluate the effect of chicken compost and compost tea on vegetative growth, yield components and chemical composition of potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Spunta grown on a clayey soil and then study the effect of aforementioned factors on soil quality during the successive season of 2004/2005 winter a field experiment was performed out in Monshat El-Badawi Village, Talkha District, Dakahlia Governorate (North Nile delta region). Five treatments were arranged in a complete randomize block with three replicates, Four application methods (ore compost, sediment, sediment and extract combination and compost tea). Compost tea, foliar significantly increased dry shoot yield and fresh tuber yield. Also, application of compost tea increased dry matter (as %), crud protein (as %) and specific gravity of tubers in both seasons. As so, sediment and extract combination addition increased dry matter (as %) in tubers, and crud protein (as %) significantly. The addition of chicken manure into the soil increased both of total and available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil. In spite of the highest values for all studied parameters under investigation were realized due to the compost tea treatment.

Effect of Selected Growth Stimulators on the Yield of Cilantro

Field experiments were conducted in Citra, Fla., to determine the effect of acetylthioproline (AP, 250 mg·L-1), gibberellic acid (GA3, 50 mg·L-1), triterpenic acid (TTA, 300 mg·L-1), a commercial glycine-rich complex of free amino acids and short-chain peptides (ACP, 1500 mg·L-1), and two commercial cytokinin-rich seaweed extracts (CST and CTR, both at 30 mg·L-1) on the yield of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum). Aqueous solutions of the AP, ACP, GA3, CST, CTR, and TTA were sprayed on the leaves of cilantro at 15 and 30 days after crop emergence (DAE). Fresh and dry cilantro shoot yields were determined after harvest (60 DAE). No toxicity was apparent from the treatments. For any given treatment, fresh and dry shoot yields were positively correlated. TTA did not significantly affect cilantro yield. GA3, AP, and ACP increased fresh cilantro yield by 23%, 19%, and 16%, respectively, as compared to control plants. When CST or CTR were applied, fresh cilantro yield was 12% higher than in control plants.

Variability in chromosomes, herb yield, essential oil content and potentials of horehound for North American commercial production

SummaryThe main objectives of this programme were to determine the variability in yield, morphological traits and the content of active substances in Marrubium vulgare populations and develop a superior cultivar for commercial production and extraction in Canada. Plants were grown in the fields of the Horticultural Research Station of Laval University, Quebec, Canada from 1992 to 1994. There was great variation within the plant population in terms of chromosome number and size, morphology, time of flowering and the shoot yield. The shape and size of somatic chromosomes of horehound showed significant variations. Although the chromosomes had numerical stability, we found aneuploidy and variations in the shape and size of the chromosomes. Such variations might have contributed to the differences in certain morphological features and developmental variations in the population leading to the evolution of different genotypes of this species. The dry shoot yield varied from 6.2 to 67.9 g per plant, while plants height varied from 15 to 56 cm. Leaf shape varied from round to oval, and the colour from deep dark green to light silver green. Some plants flowered as early as 3–4 weeks after planting, while others started flowering at mid-August, September or not at all. We also found that 3% of the plants which induced flowering had faster and uniform seed set and seed ripening, while others developed slowly and only few seeds ripened or none. We were able to select and maintain three separate lines from the population based on the differences. Further screening and tests in field and greenhouses resulted in the identification of three distinctly different cultivars (MAR-92, Late-1 and Late-2) of M. vulgare. The content of essential oil in the plants was low; leaves contained more essential oil (0.29%) than flowers or stems.

YIELD POTENTIAL OF TWO COWPEA CULTIVARS GROWN FOR A CUT AND CARRY FORAGE SYSTEM IN MID-MISSOURI

The use of cowpea as a forage for Central Missouri has been limited. High mid summer temperatures and frequent drought suggest that an alternative forage for livestock may be advantageous during the hot summer months. The ability of cowpea to withstand drought, high temperature and maintain high foliage protein, justifies research of the forage potential of this crop. Forage yield potential of two cowpea cultivars was evaluated in field experiments in 1968 and 1989, For both years a split plot experimental design was utilized with cowpea cultivar the main plot and harvest date the subplot Dry matter yields for both cultivars were similar at the early harvest dates. However, both fresh and dry shoot yields of Vita 3 (V3) were significantly higher than that of California Blackeye #5 (CB #5) at the later harvest stages. CB #5 plants produced a significantly higher stem dry weight while V3 produced higher leaf dry matter. Foliage regrowth after clipping was substantial for both cowpea cultivars. However, V3 produced 30% higher growth than CB #5. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDDM) varied with sample date (plant age) and plant parts sampled. IVDDM was 77% for leaves and 60% for stems of CB#5, and 80% for leaves and 65% for stems of V3.