Plant Growth Research Articles

Biodegradable microplastics pose greater risks than conventional microplastics to soil properties, microbial community and plant growth, especially under flooded conditions

Biodegradable plastics (bio-plastics) are often viewed as viable option for mitigating plastic pollution. Nevertheless, the information regarding the potential risks of microplastics (MPs) released from bio-plastics in soil, particularly in flooded soils, is lacking. Here, our objective was to investigate the effect of polylactic acid MPs (PLA-MPs) and polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) on soil properties, microbial community and plant growth under both non-flooded and flooded conditions. Our results demonstrated that PLA-MPs dramatically increased soil labile carbon (C) content and altered its composition and chemodiversity. The enrichment of labile C stimulated microbial N immobilization, resulting in a depletion of soil mineral nitrogen (N). This specialized environment created by PLA-MPs further filtered out specific microbial species, resulting in a low diversity and simplified microbial community. PLA-MPs caused an increase in denitrifiers (Noviherbaspirillum and Clostridium sensu stricto) and a decrease in nitrifiers (Nitrospira, MND1, and Ellin6067), potentially exacerbating the mineral N deficiency. The mineral N deficit caused by PLA-MPs inhibited wheatgrass growth. Conversely, PE-MPs had less effect on soil ecosystems, including soil properties, microbial community and wheatgrass growth. Overall, our study emphasizes that PLA-MPs cause more adverse effect on the ecosystem than PE-MPs in the short term, and that flooded conditions exacerbate and prolong these adverse effects. These results offer valuable insights for evaluating the potential threats of bio-MPs in both uplands and wetlands.

Selected Beneficial Microbes Alleviate Salinity Stress in Hydroponic Lettuce and Pak Choi

Hydroponics is widely used in greenhouse and vertical farming production because these facilities can precisely control environmental conditions such as lighting, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit. However, the fertilizer solutions have a short life span, and they often do not have adequate microbial populations to enhance plant growth. Previous studies have shown the potential of beneficial microbes to promote plant production and alleviate abiotic and biotic stressors in the field, and studies on their use in controlled environments such as greenhouses and vertical farms are limited in the literature. In this study, we selected several plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs) and tested their effects on alleviating salinity stress in ‘Rex’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and ‘Red Pac’ pak choi (Brassica chinensis) grown in deep water culture hydroponics. Our goal was to use one stressor, salinity, that induces profound symptoms in plant morphology. A three-cycle study was conducted using five PGPMs [Bacillus, Glomus, Lactobacillus, Trichoderma, and Bacillus/Pseudomonas/Trichoderma (B/P/T) mix] and two salinity levels [no salinity and salinity treatment, with 120 mM, 40 mM, and 80 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) solution used for the first, second, and third cycles, respectively]. We measured the effects of PGPMs and salinity on plant growth and quality and the solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Salinity stress decreased lettuce and pak choi leaf area and shoot fresh weight and increased plant leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents with increased solution EC. Under high-salinity stress (120 mM NaCl), the addition of Trichoderma reduced pak choi leaf area and fresh weight but increased solution pH, whereas under low salinity stress (40 mM NaCl), Trichoderma increased pak choi leaf chlorophyll content. Under moderate-salinity stress (80 mM NaCl) condition, the addition of Glomus sp. increased lettuce fresh weight and leaf area, and B/P/T mix increased pak choi leaf area. In conclusion, using the selected PGPMs in low to moderate-salinity stress could increase lettuce and pak choi growth and quality parameters. These results have some practical applications in the future when more saline water is used for production.

Soil Nitrogen Fertility Influences the Growth and Yield of American Elderberry but Is Less Impactful than Genotype and Environment on Other Horticultural Characteristics

A long-term horticultural experiment was conducted at two geographically distinct sites in southern Missouri in 2011–15 to study the response of American elderberry [Sambucus nigra (L.) subsp. canadensis (L.) Bolli] to various soil nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels. Three commercially available elderberry cultivars (‘Adams II’, ‘Bob Gordon’, and ‘Wyldewood’) were used. The three cultivars were each assigned to 16 of 48 four-plant plots in a completely randomized manner at each site. Four replications of four N fertilizer treatments (0, 56, 112, 169 kg⋅ha−1 N) were randomly assigned to each cultivar’s plots and applied for 4 years (2012–15). Fruit yields, plant growth, phenology, and pest incidence were determined each year. Fruit quality was assessed by analyzing basic juice characteristics as well as organic acids, carbohydrates, anthocyanins, and polyphenols from 2012–14 samples. Leaf tissue analysis determined the plants’ mineral contents in 2012–14. Most factors evaluated were significantly affected by site, year, and cultivar, whereas the effects of N fertilizer treatment were less definitive. Fruit yields and plant growth increased with increasing N levels. For example, plants fertilized with 0, 56, 112, and 169 kg⋅ha−1 N produced 123, 137, 155, and 161 fruiting cymes per plot (5.8 m2), respectively. The eriophyid mite incidence was higher on fertilized plants, but other pests were not influenced by the N treatment. Basic fruit juice characteristics (soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, polyphenols) were not influenced by the N treatment, whereas total anthocyanins were statistically higher in unfertilized plants. Levels of organic acids and carbohydrates in juice varied statistically among N treatments, but patterns were difficult to discern. Leaf N concentrations were correlated with N fertilizer levels—2.75% N with the highest fertilizer level compared with 2.55% N in unfertilized plants. Leaf levels of most other macronutrients varied, but consistent patterns did not emerge, and none of the micronutrients was different among N treatments. Although elderberry plants responded positively to increased N fertilizer levels in terms of plant growth and fruit yield, genetics (cultivar) and environment (site, year) were more influential on most other experimental factors evaluated.

Impact of Humic Substances on Alleviation of Soil Salinity and the Enhancement of Plant Productivity: a review

Humic substances (HS) are a major component of organic matter in soil, and they have long been recognized for their ability to promote plant growth in a sustainable manner. Recently, there has been a lot of effort put into using multiple approaches to study the connection between the chemical structure of HS compounds and their effect on plant biological processes. Positive physiological responses at the local and systemic levels have been linked to the presence of specific functional groups in HS. Hormone-like signaling pathways are responsible for eliciting these reactions. This review was written with one goal in mind: to help readers gain a firm grasp on the research surrounding the application of HSs. The spatial arrangement of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, as well as the dosage, source, molecular size, degree of hydrophobicity, and aromaticity, all contribute significantly to HS's biological efficacy. Therefore, our hypothesis explains the beneficial effect of HS in salt-affected rhizospheres, likely attributed to both direct and indirect influences on plant metabolism, soil microorganism metabolism, soil nutrient uptake dynamics, and soil physical conditions. Keywords: Humic substance, germination, salinity, plant growth

Overexpression of E3 ligase RING finger protein BrRING509 enhances salt stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis plants

Salinity is an important abiotic stress that has an impact on crop yields and quality. Ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation enables plants to effectively withstand environmental stresses. The E3 ligases have been identified as a crucial component of the ubiquitination pathway, which regulates plant responses to abiotic stresses. The RING finger E3 ligase family of proteins has a critical role in plant growth and response to many abiotic stresses. In this study, we identified an important salt-responsive gene, BrRING509 in Brassica rapa. It is localized throughout the plasma membrane and nucleus. The functional results suggest that BrRING509 significantly increases salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) transgenic plants. Overexpression of BrRING509 could increase the survival and root length of transgenic seedlings under different salt concentrations. Additionally, ectopic expression of BrRING509 significantly increases the expression level of salt-responsive genes, including AtRD22 and AtRD29A in Arabidopsis transgenic plants subjected to salt stress treatments. The findings of this study indicate that BrRING509 plays a positive role in salt stress tolerance and might be an important candidate gene for the adaptation of Brassica plants in salt-stress environments.

Sediment microbial fuel cell coupled floating treatment wetland for enhancing non-reactive phosphorus removal

The presence of non-reactive phosphorus (NRP) in environmental waters presents a potential risk of eutrophication and poses challenges for the removal of all phosphorus (P) fractions. This study presents the first investigation on the removal performance and mechanism of three model NRP compounds, sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP) and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC), in the sediment microbial fuel cell-floating treatment wetland (SMFC-FTW). Coupling SMFC with plants proved to be effective at removing NRP via electrochemical oxidation and plant uptake, particularly the challenging-to-degrade phosphonates that contain C-P bonds. Compared with the control group, the removal efficiencies of the model NRP in SMFC were observed to increase by 11.9% to 20.8%. SMFC promoted the conversion of NRP to soluble reactive phosphorus (sRP) and the transfer of P to sediment. Furthermore, the electrochemical process enhanced both plant growth and P uptake, and increased P assimilation by 72.6%. The presence of plants in the bioelectrochemical system influenced the occurrence and fate of P by efficiently assimilating sRP and supporting microbial transformation of NRP. Consequently, plants enhanced the removal efficiencies of all P fractions in the overlying water. This study demonstrated that SMFC-FTW is a promising technology to remove various NRP species in environmental waters.

Investigating the zeolite performance in soil and water conservation after prescribed fires in degraded rangelands

Since the last decades, soil erosion and wildfires are significant threats to most societies and results in the loss of fertile layers and, consequently, in productivity. Changes in soil moisture and stability of soil grains, both in the short- and long-terms after a wildfire occurs, should be also considered as a parameter because they play a key role in plant growth and nutrition too. Adding conditioners to soil also helps to reduce runoff and nutrient losses, which is necessary for the sustainable use of water and ecosystem services. Therefore, the current research was conducted to assess the impacts of zeolite (microporous, crystalline aluminosilicate material commonly applied as commercial adsorbent and catalysts) conservation treatment with diverse amounts (0, 250, 500 and 750 g m−2; Z0 Z1, Z2 and Z3, respectively) on changes of runoff and sediment yield in burned soils with different amounts (250, 500, 750 and 1000 g m−2; F1, F2, F3 and F4, respectively) under laboratory conditions. The experiments were conducted using rainfall simulations with an intensity of 50 mm h−1. The results showed that the highest changes percent of time to runoff (s), runoff volume (l), and soil loss (g) variables after zeolite application at different rates of fire was observed in F4Z3 treatment with 114.94, 76.61 and 82.60 %, respectively. We conclude that these results can be useful for a better understanding of the relationships between the fire effects on runoff and sediment considering innovative application of control measures nin-tested to date.

Nanoinert diatomaceous and emamectin benzoate: Enhancing wheat protection against fall armyworms for sustainable management

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, poses a significant global threat to agriculture due to its wide geographic range, high reproductive rate, and ability to thrive in diverse climates and habitats. A field study was conducted to evaluate the potential of nano-inert dust particles, specifically nano-diatomaceous earth (N-DE) and nano-potassium silicate (N-K2SiO3), individually and in combination with emamectin benzoate, to manage FAW larvae infesting wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.). The field experiments occurred during the winter seasons of 2021 and 2022 in Qaha, Qalubya Governorate, Egypt. Results revealed that the combined application of N-DE and N-K2SiO3 with emamectin benzoate outperformed other treatments, achieving larval reduction rates of 93.33 % and 86.66 % in 2021 and 89.31 % and 86.90 % in 2022 after a 10-day interval from the second spray. Moreover, supplementation with N-DE and N-K2SiO3 enhanced plant height, tiller count, leaf number, foaming, suspensibility, surface tension, and pH compared to using emamectin benzoate alone. Additionally, foliar application of N-K2SiO3 and N-DE increased total flavonoids (4.23 and 3.24 mg CE/g) and total phenolic compounds (1.35 and 1.12 mg/g F. Wt.), as well as plant silicate content, indicating improved plant health and pest resistance. This study underscores the efficacy of N-DE and N-K2SiO3 in reducing FAW infestations and enhancing plant growth and defense mechanisms.

Fruit Size as an Indicator of Fruit Drop in Huanglongbing-affected ‘Valencia’

Increased preharvest fruit drop rates and reduced fruit sizes are common symptoms associated with Huanglongbing (HLB) in sweet orange. Small fruit may be more likely to drop during preharvest fruit drop. The objective of the current study was to determine whether fruit size could be used as an indicator of the preharvest fruit drop likelihood. Nearly 1400 fruit were surveyed over the following three timepoints across two years: 11 Mar 2022, 15 Apr 2022, and 22 Mar 2023. Each fruit was evaluated to determine the equator and peduncle diameter, fruit detachment force (FDF), type of detachment (mechanically broken or abscission), and lopsidedness. The total soluble solids content was determined for a subset of fruit. The FDF was consistently lower in abscising fruit than in mechanically broken fruit, suggesting that the physiological process of abscission had begun in these fruit and that they were more likely to drop. The fruit diameter was significantly smaller in abscising fruit than in mechanically broken fruit on 11 Mar 2022 and 22 Mar 2023, but not on 15 Apr 2022. Similarly, the fruit diameter and FDF were also significantly and positively correlated, but this relationship was weaker at time points late in the season (closer to harvest). These findings suggest that small fruit are indeed more likely to drop early in the preharvest period. The abscising fruit had total soluble solids contents similar to those of the mechanically broken fruit. Therefore, we hypothesized that the smaller fruit ceased growing and are able to respond to abscission signals earlier than the larger fruit. Therefore, any strategies to mitigate fruit drop, such as the use of plant growth regulators, should be applied early in the season when the fruit are still actively growing. When growth ceases, the fruit are vulnerable to drop.

A bZIP type transcription factor from Picrorhiza kurrooa modulates the expression of terpenoid biosynthesis genes in Nicotiana benthamiana

bZIP family of transcription factors are DNA-binding proteins which bind ACGT motifs in the upstream promoter region of genes. bZIP proteins play significant roles in regulation of plant growth, secondary metabolism, development, defense and response to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Up to now, there is no report on molecular and functional characterization of bZIP transcription factors in Picrorhiza kurrooa, a medicinally important endangered herb of north western Himalayan region. The species is widely used in several commercially available drug formulations like livomap, livocare and livplus for treatment of liver disorders. The medicinal properties of P. kurrooa are due to bioactive picrosides, synthesized by isoprenoid pathway. The promoters of regulatory genes viz., Pkdxs and Pkhmgr of picroside biosynthesis pathway have been reported to contain ACGT cis-acting elements (bzip motifs) at different locations. In this study, the functionality of ACGT motifs was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Full length PkbZIP gene was cloned through RACE method. In silico analysis revealed PkbZIP contained a conserved signature bZIP domain (N-x7-R/K-x9-L-x6-L-x6-L). Transcriptional activation and subcellular localization assay confirmed nuclear localization of PkbZIP. EMSA with purified PkbZIP confirmed in vitro binding of PkbZIP to ACGT elements in Pkdxs and Pkhmgr promoters. The expression pattern of PkbZIP positively correlated with the picroside (active medicinal component of the plant) content in different tissues, at 15 °C and under light conditions. Transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana suggested a role of PkbZIP in terpenoid biosynthesis. PkbZIP might prove as potential candidate gene to be used in genetic engineering program for enhancing the picroside content in P. kurrooa.

Synergistic Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Roselle Performance in Sandy Soils

Synergistic Effects of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Mycorrhizal Fungi on Roselle Performance in Sandy Soils

Leader Bagging Improves Lateral Branching and Cropping Potential of ‘Gala’ and ‘WA 38’ Apple during Orchard Establishment

Inadequate lateral branch development can lead to decreased apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) orchard productivity and profitability in modern high-density orchard systems. Although plant growth regulator applications are used to increase lateral branching on leaders of young apple trees, inconsistent responses have been observed in the southeastern United States. In North Carolina and Washington, three experiments were conducted to identify effective leader management strategies to increase lateral branching. Effects and interactions of leader bagging, 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), and 6-BA + gibberellic acid (GA4+7) on lateral branch development of 1-year-old leaders were evaluated. Across all experiments, leader bagging was an influential factor. When compared with unbagged trees, leader bagging increased lateral branch number (20% to 48%), number of feathers (74% to 125%), average branch length (28% to 34%), and total linear bearing surface (428%) of the treated section of the leader. Blossom cluster density and final fruit set were increased in bagged trees, 65% and 36%, respectively. At the rates and timings tested, 6-BA and 6-BA + GA4+7 were generally ineffective in stimulating lateral branching and interactions among the factors evaluated were not influential. Leader bagging was an effective lateral branch induction strategy, although the mechanism of action is poorly understood. Future research to characterize the bagged environment and/or physiological responses to bagging may aid in the development of future environmentally sustainable technologies to stimulate lateral branching of apple trees.

Optimizing Sowing Density for Parsley, Cilantro, and Sage in Controlled Environment Production: Balancing Productivity and Plant Quality

Sowing density is a key management practice influencing productivity and quality of leafy greens and culinary herbs grown in controlled environments. However, research-based information on optimal density is limited for many culinary herbs. This greenhouse study aimed to quantify sowing density impacts on biomass output, individual plant growth, and morphological traits in hydroponically produced ‘Giant of Italy’ parsley (Petroselinum crispum), ‘Santo’ cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), and sage (Salvia officinalis). Seedlings were grown in phenolic foam cubes with 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 seeds per cell, transplanted into an ebb-and-flow hydroponic system in a glass-glazed greenhouse with 23 °C target average daily temperature, 16-hour photoperiod, a target daily light integral of 13 mol·m−2·d−1, and harvested at 16 to 28 d after transplanting depending on species. ‘Giant of Italy’ parsley and ‘Santo’ cilantro fresh weight per cell increased quadratically by 274% (57.3 g) and 305% (19 g), respectively, as sowing density increased from 1 to 15 seeds per cell, then plateaued as density further increased. Sage fresh weight plateaued at 10 seeds per cell with an increase of 225% (29.2 g) compared with 1 seed per cell. Cilantro and sage dry weight per cell plateaued at 14 and 8 seeds per cell, respectively, and parsley dry weight quadratically increased as sowing density rose up to 20 seeds per cell. Although fresh and dry weight increased, individual plant height, stem diameter, and individual plant dry weight exhibited linear or quadratic declines as sowing density increased, indicating higher sowing densities restricted individual plant growth. In summary, as sowing density increased, fresh and dry weight per cell generally increased but individual plant quality decreased. For the greatest fresh and dry weight, 20, 18, and 10 seeds per cell should be sown for parsley, cilantro, and sage, respectively. However, to balance fresh weight and crop quality, our results suggest sowing density (seeds per cell) targets of 16 seeds for parsley, 18 seeds for cilantro, and 10 seeds for sage.

Transcriptomic analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanism of melatonin-mediated cadmium tolerance in Medicago sativa L.

Cadmium (Cd), a toxic element, often makes a serious threat to plant growth and development. Previous studies found that melatonin (Mel) reduced Cd accumulation and reestablished the redox balance to alleviate Cd stress in Medicago sativa L., however, the complex molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Here, comparative transcriptome analysis and biochemical experiments were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms of Mel in enhancing Cd tolerance. Results showed that 7237 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were regulated by Mel pretreatment to Cd stress compared to the control condition in roots of Medicago sativa L. Besides, in comparison with Cd stress alone, Mel upregulated 1081 DEGs, and downregulated 1085 DEGs. These DEGs were mainly involved in the transcription and translation of genes and folding, sorting and degradation of proteins, carbohydrate metabolism, and hormone signal network. Application of Mel regulated the expression of several genes encoding ribosomal protein and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase involved in folding, sorting and degradation of proteins. Moreover, transcriptomic analyse suggested that Mel might regulate the expression of genes encoding pectin lyase, UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, sucrose-phosphate synthase, hexokinase-1, and protein phosphorylation in the sugar metabolism. Therefore, these could promote sucrose accumulation and subsequently alleviate the Cd damage. In conclusion, above findings provided the mining of important genes and molecular basis of Mel in mitigating Cd tolerance and genetic cultivation of Medicago sativa L.

Sucrose supplements modulate the Pseudomonas chlororaphis-Arabidopsis thaliana interaction via decreasing the production of phenazines and enhancing the root auxin response

Management of the plant microbiome may help support food needs for the human population. Bacteria influence plants through enhancing nutrient uptake, metabolism, photosynthesis, biomass production and/or reinforcing immunity. However, information into how these microbes behave under different growth conditions is missing. In this work, we tested how carbon supplements modulate the interaction of Pseudomonas chlororaphis with Arabidopsis thaliana. P. chlororaphis streaks strongly repressed primary root growth, lateral root formation and ultimately, biomass production. Noteworthy, increasing sucrose availability into the media from 0 to 2.4% restored plant growth and promoted lateral root formation in bacterized seedlings. This effect could not be observed by supplementing sucrose to leaves only, indicating that the interaction was strongly modulated by bacterial access to sugar. Total phenazine content decreased in the bacteria grown in high (2.4%) sucrose medium, and conversely, the expression of phzH and pslA genes were diminished by sugar supply. Pyocyanin antagonized the promoting effects of sucrose in lateral root formation and biomass production in inoculated seedlings, indicating that this virulence factor accounts for growth repression during the plant-bacterial interaction. Defence reporter transgenes PR-1::GUS and LOX2::GUS were induced in leaves, while the expression of the auxin-inducible, synthetic reporter gene DR5::GUS was enhanced in the roots of bacterized seedlings at low and high sucrose treatments, which suggests that growth/defence trade-offs in plants are critically modulated by P. chlororaphis. Collectively, our data suggest that bacterial carbon nutrition controls the outcome of the relation with plants.

Effect of wood and peanut shell hydrochars on the desiccation cracking characteristics of clayey soils

Soil cracking can significantly alter the water and nutrient migration pathways in the soil, influencing plant growth and development. While biochar usage has effectively addressed soil cracking, the feasibility of using less energy-intensive hydrochars in desiccating soils remains unexplored. This study investigates the impact of wood and peanut shell hydrochars on the desiccation cracking characteristics of clayey soil. A series of controlled environmental laboratory incubations with regular imaging was conducted to determine crack development's dynamic in unamended and hydrochar-amended soils. The results reveal that the addition of wood hydrochar at 2% and 4% dosage reduced the crack intensity factor (CIF) by 22% and 43%, respectively, compared to the unamended control soil. Similarly, the inclusion of peanut shell hydrochar at 2% and 4% lowered the CIF by 22% and 51%, respectively. The presence of hydrophilic groups on the surface of hydrochars, such as O–H, CH, and C–O–C, enhanced the water retention capacity, as confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared analysis. The CIF decrease is attributed to mitigated water evaporation rates, enabled by enhanced water retention within the hydrochar pore spaces. These findings are supported by scanning electron microscopy analyses of the hydrochar morphology. Despite CIF reduction with hydrochar incorporation, the crack length density (CLD) increased across all hydrochar-amended series. In contrast to unamended soil which exhibited pronounced widening of large cracks and extensive inter-pore voids, the incorporation of hydrochar resulted in higher CLD due to the formation of finer interconnecting crack meshes. Consequently, the unamended control soil suffered greater water loss due to heightened evaporation rates. This study sheds new light on the potential of hydrochars in addressing desiccation-induced soil cracking and its implications for water conservation.

A survey of pesticide use in horticulturally-grown carnivorous plants, with a review of arthropod pests

Arthropod pests are sometimes reported from horticulturally-grown carnivorous plants. While it is broadly known which pest groups are involved, little work has been done to characterize them specifically, which can be important when implementing control strategies. Pesticide recommendations are available through books and other media, but pesticides have not been systematically tested for phytotoxic effects in carnivorous plants so growers may worry about using them. In response to these issues, we conducted a survey of carnivorous plant growers to understand what pests they encounter, which pesticides they use, and if any of those pesticides have caused issues to the plants, the results of which are reported herein. We also provide a summary of different arthropod pests recorded from carnivorous plants in order to provide context for these pests and their control, and to encourage growers to document pests they encounter to fill in knowledge gaps.

Botanic Shield: A Deep Learning Solution for Early Detection of Plant Disease

Abstract: Plant diseases threaten both food security and the botanical system of the environment which canlead to low- grade food quality and life style. Early detection of plants diseases is the key feature in plantproduction which increase the better growth of plant, results in best yield and better food quality andquantity. The plant condition can be determined byusing the photos of the plant which will be in the formof jpg using digital image processing and the current emerging technology Deep Learning. DeepLearning has made breakthroughs in the field of digital image processing, far superior to traditional methods. The Digital image processing process happens through convolution neural network (CNN) and computer vision techniques, the image recognition technology based on deep learning does not need to extractspecificfeatures, and only through iterative learning can find appropriate features, which can acquire global andcontextual features of images, and has strong robustness and higher recognition accuracy. By inputting a test image into the classification network, the network analyses the input image and returns a label that classifiesthe image. The added feature is thatit also suggeststhe required pesticides after the detection

Effect of Herbal Kunapajala and Different Organic Manures on Plant Growth, Quality and Yield of Withania Somnifera L. Dunal

Abstract: Cultivation of medicinal plants, especially high value medicinal plants is creating new dimension in the field of agriculture. The need for developing countries to acquire technologies and techniques for programmed cultivation of medicinal plants is a current issue. Ashwagandha, the 3rd important prioritized medicinal plant listed by National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) is also known as Indian Ginseng. Herbal medicines strongly involve mass appeal being safer and inexpensive. The traditional use of ‘Ashwagandha was to increase energy, youthful vigour, endurance, strength, health, nurture the time elements of the body, increase vital fluids, muscle fat, blood, lymph, semen and cell production. The total alkaloid content in the roots of the Indian types has been reported to vary between 0.13 and 0.31%, though much higher yields (upto to 4.3%) have been recorded elsewhere. In all, 13 components have been obtained chromatographically. Herbal kunapajala can be used as nutrient supplement at any growth stage of crop plant. The effectiveness of herbal kunapajala is due to the breakdown of complex compounds in to lower molecular weight compounds during the fermentation of ingredients and this make available nutrients to the plants. So, this study is planned to evaluate the effect of herbal kunapajala and organic manure on ashwagandha.

Effect of Various Fertilization Methods on the Growth of Brassicaceae

Abstract: When soil is used for agricultural purposes, plants absorb multiple nutrients from the soil such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, etc. Overtime, the nutrients present in the soil start decreasing. This process is known as soil depletion and it can effect the growth of plants. Fertilizers are then added to soil in adequate amount to replenish the depleted nutrients. Fertilizers can be organic or inorganic. The usage of inorganic fertilizers has increased overtime and this can create many issues. This review evaluates the efficacy of different fertilization methods on the growth, yield, and health of Brassicaceae crops. It aims to provide an in-depth assessment of impact of fertilizers through recent studies and hopes to provide a holistic view of sustainable agricultural practices.