Foliar Yield Research Articles

Seed Size and Spatial Placement Effects on Emergence Growth and Foliar Yield of Fluted Pumpkin (Telferia occidentalis (f.) Hook) in South Eastern Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus, between May, 2022 and October 2023, to examine the effects of seed size of fluted pumpkin and spatial placement of the seeds in the pod, on the emergence, growth and foliar yield of fluted pumpkin. The experiment consisted of three seed size categories (small, medium and large) and three spatial placement locations in the pod (Proximal section, Distal section and Middle section). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Results indicated significant effects of spatial placement of seeds in the pod on some growth and yield parameters. Seeds from the middle section of the pod produced plants with the highest number of leaves (49.27), the widest stem girth (2.15cm) and the highest foliar yield (0.59 tones/ha). The size of seeds also significantly influenced the growth and foliar yield of fluted pumpkin. The large seeds produced plants with highest number of vines (5.10),the highest number of leaves (49.81), the highest seedling vigour index (8.78), the widest stem girth (1.26 cm) and the highest foliar yield (0.52 tons/ha). Farmers who are interested in producing fluted pumpkin vegetables are therefore advised to sow large seeds, and seeds from the middle section of the pod.

Effect of foliar application of cow dung extract on growth and yield of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq.) in an ultisol

The research was conducted at the Umuowa Ibu 1 community via National Horticultural Research Institute, Mbato, Okigwe Imo State, Nigeria, where waterleaf production and consumption is predominant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of cow dung extract on the performance of water leaf. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were four levels of cow dung extract (3.75, 7.50, 11.25, and 15.00 L/ha) and three controls (5t/ha cow dung, 200kg/ha NPK fertilizer, and no soil amendment). Growth and yield data were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant means were compared with the least significant difference at 5%. The result showed a significant increase in waterleaf growth and yield parameters, with an increase in extract application. The foliar yield obtained from the 11.25 L/ha treatment (13.92 and 14.50 t/ha) and 15L/ha (14.46 and 14.75 t/ha) were not significantly different. The lowest foliar yields, 4.31 and 4.26 t/ha, were recorded in no soil amendment. Treatment of 15 L/ha had a significant foliar yield of 3-70% and 1-71% in 2021 and 2022. The result showed liquid manure had lower nutrient content than solid cow dung. In order to reduce frequent application due to its low nutrient content, this study suggests an alternative method of extraction instead of water. Therefore, applying 11.25L/ha to waterleaf was recommended in the interim.

Yield and Nutraceutical Value of Lettuce and Basil Improved by a Microbial Inoculum in Greenhouse Experiments.

Members of Bacillus spp. have been widely used to enrich the soil/root interface to provide plant growth promoting activities. A new isolate, namely to Bacillus sp. VWC18, has been tested under greenhouse conditions in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) pots at different concentrations (103, 105, 107, and 109 CFU·mL-1) and application time (single inoculum at transplant and multiple inoculum every ten days) to evaluate the best application dose and frequency. Analysis of foliar yield, main nutrients, and minerals evidenced a significant response for all applications. The lowest (103 CFU·mL-1) and the highest doses (109 CFU·mL-1), applied every ten days until harvest, had the greatest efficacy; the nutrient yield (N, K, P, Na, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Cu, and B) increased more than twice. A new randomized block design with three replicates was then performed in lettuce and basil (Ocinum basilicum L.), with the two best performing concentrations applied every ten days. In addition to previous analysis, root weight, chlorophyll, and carotenoids were also examined. Both experiments confirmed the previous results: inoculation of the substrate with Bacillus sp. VWC18 promoted plant growth, chlorophyll, and mineral uptake in both crop species. Root weight duplicated or triplicated compared to control plants, and chlorophyll concentration reached even higher values. Both parameters had a dose-dependent increase.

Growth and Nitrogen Accumulation Assessment of Banana (Musa acumuminata) After Exposure to Hydroquinone in a Charcoal-Ultisol Mix

The present study investigates plant growth and nitrogen accumulation assessment of young banana plant (Musa acuminata) after exposure to hydroquinone (a mutagen) in a charcoal-ultisol mix. Charcoal was obtained from the wood of Pentaclethra macrophylla aerobically, and was crushed into a smooth powdered form. This was mixed with an ultisol obtained from the University of Benin Botanic garden. Different levels of the soil-charcoal mix were prepared as follows; 100% charcoal, 75% charcoal-25% soil, 50% charcoal-50% soil, 25% charcoal- 75% soil, and 100% sand. The charcoal-ultisol mix was then amended with 5ppm hydroquinone one week before propagating young banana suckers. Results showed that sprouting began fifteen days after propagation. There were also different changes in plant height in the various soil treatments; the lowest was reported in the 75-25 charcoal ultisol mix (10.50cm), compared to 45.83cm in plants sown in 100% charcoals. Foliar yield was lowest in the 75-25 charcoal-ultisol mix (8.55 grams per plant), compared to 29.15 grams per plant in the 100% charcoal. The below ground morphological characteristics test plant revealed that there were significant differences between the growth parameters. Nitrate nitrogen, Ammonia Nitrogen and total nitrogen were significantly accumulated on the leaves of plant. However, higher nitrogen accumulation in the leaves was found in treatment with high charcoal percentage.

ORPHOLOGICAL VARIATIONS FOR THE TAXONOMIC IDENTIFICATION OF SOME SPECIES OF ACACIA FROM ZARIA, KADUNA STATE NIGERIA

Acacia belongs to the family fabaceae among the largest legume genera consisting of eighteen species with the majority of the species distributed in tropical and sub-tropical Africa. Classification of Acacia have remained a daunting task due to it wide spread and also hampered by is large number of species ,prevalence of morphological convergence. Morphological variations in foliar, thorn, inflorescence of some Acacia species found in Zaria for their taxonomic identification at species level were evaluated were Seven species and one variety of Acacia were taxonomically classified using morphological characters. In almost the species leaves were compound bipinnate, alternate and pinnulesare oblong. However the pinnules of A. senegal are obovate. In A. auriculiformis the leaves are simple and sickle-like in shape. Leaves texture ranges from glabrous to pubescent and leaf margin were entire in all the species. The morphological measurement parameters were analyzed using ANOVA cooperation and the results indicate variations among the species. The variations observed in some of the characters could be of taxonomic importance in the identification of the species. Overall ranking indicated that Acacia sieberiana var sieberiana and Acacia sieberiana var villosa were the best with high values of morphological characters of pinna length (3.50±0.11 cm and 3.82±0.16 cm respectively) and number of pinna (18.80±1.32 and 41.70±1.52 respectively). The high values of pinna could be used in solving taxonomic problems associated with Acacia species and in mapping out breeding strategies for the production of cultivars with better foliar yield of Acacia species in Nigeria

Neem leaf and poultry manures soil amendment on growth and yield of Telfairia occidentalis

Telfairia occidentalis is a widely used leafy and seed vegetable in West Africa and adequate soil fertility management is essential for its higher productivity. Field experiments were conducted on neem leaf and poultry manures soil amendment to assess the growth and yields of Telfairia occidentalis between 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with four replications to include 5 t ha -1 of neem leaf manure (NLM), 5 t ha -1 of poultry manure (PM), 2.5 t ha -1 of neem leaf manure plus 2.5 t ha -1 of poultry manure (NLM+PM) and control. Data collected on vegetative and yield related components were subjected to analysis of variance at p < 0.05 significance level. The results showed that number of leaves, vine length, leaf area and number of branches increased significantly (p < 0.05) in plants treated with NLM, PM and NLM+PM from 2-5 months after planting (MAP) compared to control. At five MAP, NLM+PM significantly (p < 0.05) produced more leaves (52.5; 56.4), longer vines (473.0; 488.4cm), more branches (14.6; 16.3) compared to sole treatment and control. In addition, foliar yield (4.29; 4.94 t ha ‑1 ), number of pods/plant (3.09; 4.11), length of pods (72.80; 81.60cm), number of seeds/pod (87.62; 89.51), seeds yield (61.60; 62.54 t ha -1 ) and pod yield (49.85; 50.15 t ha -1 ) produced were higher in plants treated with combined manures in the two cropping seasons. The applied combined manures (neem leaf and poultry) could be exploited for soil improvement and sustainable yield increase of Telfairia occidentalis production.

Influence of organic wastes amendment on growth and foliar yield of jute mallow &lt;i&gt;Corchorus olitorius&lt;/i&gt; (linn.) In South Western Nigeria

This study investigated the growth and foliar yield responses of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius Linn.) on soils amended with ashed and unashed corn cob and coconut husk agro-waste. Slightly acidic (pH=6.20) sandy loam soil were collected and incubated for six and twelve weeks respectively for the study, with agro-wastes [coconut husk ash (CHA), coconut husk unashed (CHU), corn cob ash (CCA) and corn cob unashed (CCU)] under greenhouse conditions. A completely randomized design was adopted with three replicates. The results showed that the corn cob ash and coconut husk ash positively enhanced soil chemical properties than their unashed version. At 2 WAP, the mean plant height ranged from 2.70 ± 0.12 cm to 3.88 ± 0.12 cm; the mean total leaf count from 3.60 ± 0.05 to 4.0 ± 0.05 and mean leaf area from 0.54 ± 0.21 cm2 to 2.48 ± 0.21 cm2 and at 8 WAP, the mean stem girth ranged from 0.43 ± 0.07 cm to 1.02 ± 0.07 cm for C. olitorius planted in soils incubated for six weeks with agro-wastes. This trend increased with the age of C. olitorius and with increase in agro-waste applications in the order CCA&gt;CHA&gt;CHU&gt;CCU. These growth parameters, except the plant height were of higher values in 6 weeks soil incubation than 12 weeks soil incubation. The highest mean yield (17.93g/pot) of C. olitorius was obtained in soil pots amended for 12 weeks with 5 t/ha of CHU. The increase growth and foliage yield obtained in this study showed that soils amended with ashed and unashed corn cob and coconut husk waste have the potential of promoting the production of vegetables, especially C. olitorius and also ensuring environmental sustainability.Key Words: Agro-waste, Amended soil, Coconut hust, Corn cob, Corchorus olitorius, Greenhouse, Vegetable

Growth and Foliar Yield Responses of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to Complementary Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers in a Ultisol

Growth and Foliar Yield Responses of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to Complementary Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers in a Ultisol

Growth and Foliar Yield Responses of Waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to Complementary Application of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers in a Ultisol

Aims: Growth and foliar yield responses of waterleaf (Talinum triangulare Jacq) to complementary application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were studied in a Ultisol. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Place and Duration of Study: The University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, located at Use Offot Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and was conducted between March, 06 and June, 06 in both 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons. Methodology: Treatments were various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers applied to the soil, and these included NPK (15:15:15) at 400 kg ha, poultry manure (PM) at 5 t ha, PM at 2.5 tha + NPK at 200 kgha, PM at 3.75 tha + NPK at 100 kgha , PM at 1.25 tha + NPK at 300 kgha and control (without amendment). Results: There were significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments in height, number Research Article aaaA Article American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 3(2): 324-335, 2013 325 of branches, number of leaves, stem girth, leaf area, and total foliage yield of waterleaf in both years. Generally, application of PM alone and complementary use of PM and NPK, irrespective of the ratio, enhanced waterleaf growth and total foliage yield better compared to application of NPK alone and the control treatment. Total foliage yield from 100 kgha NPK + 3.75 tha of PM treatment (56 .03 tha 30 and 54 36 tha 31 in 2009 and 2010, respectively) superseded other treatments by 38 78% in 2009 and 35 -78% in 2010. Conclusion: With the high cost, scarcity, and environmental problems associated with the use of mineral fertilizer in Nigeria; and based on the foliage yield obtained in this study, it is obvious that the use of organic manure in combination with mineral fertilizer (particularly with 100kgha NPK + 3.75tha PM or 200kgha NPK + 2.5tha PM treatment) can sustain waterleaf production. It is also demonstrated that it would be more rewarding to apply 5tha 1 PM alone compared to sole application of 400kgha mineral fertilizer for waterleaf production in a Ultisol.

Management Effects on Biomass and Foliar Nutritive Value of Robinia pseudoacacia and Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis in Arkansas, USA

The browse potential of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and thornless honey locust [Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis (L.) Zabel] has not been adequately tested. Our objective was to determine effects of fertilization and pollarding on biomass and foliar nutritive value in separate studies of black locust and thornless honey locust in Arkansas, USA. Shoots were sampled monthly for two consecutive growing seasons in 2002 and 2003 to determine foliar, shoot, and total aboveground biomass, shoot basal diameter, and foliar nutritive value (crude protein and in vitro digestibility). Black locust yielded more foliar biomass when pollarded at 50 or 100 cm and fertilized with 600 kg P ha 1 , than at 5 cm with or without P, averaging 3.5 Mg dry matter ha 1 . Black locust foliar crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility ( £170 and 534 g kg 1 , respectively) decreased as leaves aged, but still met maintenance needs for beef cattle (Bos taurus L.). Thornless honey locust had little agronomic potential because of slow establishment, low foliar yield (330 kg ha 1 ), and a 2% reversion to undesirable thorny phenotype. Black locust should be

Variations in composition and yield of leaf oils from alley-farmed oil mallees ( Eucalyptus spp.) at a range of contrasting sites in the Western Australian wheatbelt

Variations in the amount and composition of leaf oil of alley-farmed ‘oil mallees’ were examined at wide-ranging sites across the Western Australian wheatbelt. Of four particularly promising species studied at six locations in respect of oil composition, 1,8-cineole comprised 65–92% of the total oil. Up to 32 constituent oils were present in proportional amounts ranging from 0.01 to 13%. A further 26 trace components were recorded in certain species. Relative abundances of cineole, limonene, α-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol varied significantly between sites for all four species, with evidence of reduced levels of cineole being compensated for by increases in the latter three compounds. Foliar yields of cineole of all nine taxa were assessed for 2.5- or 3-year-old saplings cut respectively in summer or winter, and for corresponding coppice biomass produced over the following 12 months from the same trees. Average leaf cineole yields for the five best performing taxa varied widely between species and sites, with sapling harvests producing 12–130 (mean 49) kg cineole per kilometre of twin-row hedge compared to 1–68 (mean 23) kg km −1 for subsequent coppice harvests. While genotype was primarily important in determining leaf cineole concentration, modifying effects of season and leaf age balance were evident for both sapling and coppice canopies. Cineole concentrations were generally greatest in early summer when particularly high proportions of recently matured leaves were present. Of the nine taxa studied, two provenances of Eucalyptus vegrandis were discounted on grounds of poor growth and low cineole concentrations, another ( E. kochii subsp. kochii) rated unsuitable due to inbreeding depression in available seed sources, and a further species ( E. angustissima) deemed useful only at winter-wet, saline, sandy sites. The remaining taxa ( E. kochii subsp. plenissima, E. horistes, E. polybractea, E. loxophleba subsp. lissophloia and E. gratiae) showed general ability to yield well at favourable sites. With such large ranges in cineole yields between taxa and sites, the study advocated that successful commercial culture of oil mallees would require careful selection of species for location of planting, and adoption of management practices conducive to maximum possible biomass and build up of foliar oils in coppice growth at harvest.

Cilantro Response to Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates

ABSTRACT The optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates for the production of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Asian, C1410, and C18135) were investigated. Nitrogen applications in excess of 100 kg N/ha did not result in increased yields. The cultivar C1410 produced the highest foliar yield and Asian cultivar had the highest concentration of essential oils as compared with the other cultivars. Age of plants at harvest had a significant effect on yield with highest yield at 52 days after planting for a summer planting (June-September) and at 73 days after planting for a fall planting (August-November). The results indicated that cilantro can be produced in Virginia from April to August.

Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization Effects on White Grub Injury to Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue Turf

Root‐feeding white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are important pests of cool‐season turfgrasses in the eastern USA. We studied effects of irrigation and N fertilization on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) response to grub damage under greenhouse and field conditions. Potted turfgrasses, with or without Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman) grubs (122/0.1 m2), were maintained under two irrigation regimes, with or without supplemental N fertilizer (204 kg N ha−1). Foliar and root yields, and grub survival were measured after 4 wk. In the field, sod was grown in rooting boxes, with or without spring fertilization (146 kg N ha−1) and fall irrigation (2.54 cm wk−1). Half of the plots were infested with southern masked chafer (Cyclocephala lurida Bland) grubs (66 /0.1 m−1) in late August and effects on aesthetic damage, surface temperature, foliar yield, root strength, and grub survival were measured for 9 wk. Grubs severely damaged roots of both grasses regardless of management regime. Within regimes, however, this damage significantly reduced follar yield only in turf that received both N and high irrigation. In the greenhouse, grub‐damaged grasses that received remedial N, nevertheless, had higher foliar yield than did non‐fertilized grasses without grubs. In rooting boxes, fall irrigation following spring fertilization enhanced visual quality of grub‐infested turf and root strength of grub‐damaged Kentucky bluegrass. Survival of grubs did not differ between grass species or fertilization regimes, but more P. japonica survived in pots receiving high irrigation. Irrigation during the fall feeding period, followed by remedial N fertilization, may promote tolerance and recovery of grub‐damaged turfgrasses.

A microculture method for assessing nutrient uptake II. The effect of temperature on manganese uptake and toxicity in potato shoots

Abstract Using standard microculture techniques for propagating potato (Solanum tuberosum L.cv. Norland), the effects of three temperature (20, 25, 30 °C) and two phosphate treatments (1.25, 2.5 mM) on the expression of Mn toxicity were investigated. Foliar yields were maximal at low temperature, but phosphate increased yield of high temperature treatments, particularly at high Mn. The uptake of Mn and severity of visual symptoms of toxicity increased with P level. A reduction in yield due to high temperature also brought about high Mn concentrations and an increase in Mn toxicity symptoms. Lateral buds developed rapidly under high Mn resulting in short highly branched shoots at high temperature. The increased severity of Mn toxicity at high temperature was attributed to an interaction between growth rate and Mn tolerance.

Systems

Using standard microculture techniques for propagating potato (Solatium tuberosum), the effects of several P and Mn treatments were investigated. Foliar yields were affected by both the P ...