Growth Of Potted Plants Research Articles

Pot and Ridge Production of Three Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Cultivars under High Tunnels

In recent years, new approaches to intensive blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) production have become necessary, in terms of protected environments and planting systems. These are designed to avoid numerous production difficulties, such as market saturation, damage from hailstorms, bird attacks, and spring frosts, and specific soil property requirements. Use of high tunnels and planting in a custom substrate (e.g., pots, along ridges) have gained interest among growers in recent years. As in our previous study, we determined the performance of three blueberry cultivars, ‘Duke’, ‘Aurora’, and ‘Brigitta’, when planted in pots and along a ridge under a high tunnel. Substrate water content was maintained at the same level for the pots and the ridge, although the substrate temperature fluctuations were greater for pots. Plant growth in pots was significantly lower for ‘Duke’ and ‘Aurora’ compared to the ridge. Additionally, for ‘Aurora’, the fruit yield was significantly lower for pots (103.4 g/plant), compared to the ridge (315.2 g/plant), although the opposite was seen for ‘Brigitta’ (122.4 vs. 93.5 g/plant, respectively). Individual sugar and organic acid contents mostly coincided with total contents, with lower total sugars for ‘Duke’ and higher total organic acids for ‘Aurora’ and ‘Brigitta’ for pots. For ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’ fruit, the contents of some individual phenolics showed significant differences between treatments for phenolic acids and flavonols. These data show that growth in pots can be a useful planting method for the blueberry cultivars ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’, and high yields and good fruit quality can be attained by following correct technological measures.

The rolling dung master: An ecosystem engineer beetle mobilizing soil nutrients to enhance plant growth across a grassland management intensity gradient in drylands

Dryland cattle pastures often yield sub-optimal economic returns while it intervenes with natural ecosystems functioning. Dung beetles improve soil conditions but little is known about how their functioning changes with different land management intensities. We assessed the role of the telecoprid dung beetle Canthon humectus in soil nutrient mobilization and commercial crop growth in arid grasslands with contrasting cattle managements. We set up a mesocosm experiment where we monitored dung beetle activity in containers filled with dung and soil from sites with three different cattle managements. Dung removal rates due to beetle burial activity were 10% higher than due to dehydration alone but was not affected by cattle management. After 60 days of beetle activity nitrates and ammonium levels increased significantly as compared with control pots without beetles. Additionally, we monitored corn plant growth in pots with soil with and without beetle activity. Plants significantly increased their biomass due to beetle activity in the substrate with the highest and lowest pasture management intensity. In the latter case, more biomass was allocated to shoots. The ability of C. humectus to increase soil nutrients and enhance plant growth is affected by local cattle management.

Allelopathic Potential of Compounds in Selected Crops

Allelochemicals cause yield differences under various ecosystems worldwide. Studies were conducted at the National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, Uganda during 2016 to investigate allelopathic properties of bioactive compounds in upland rice (NERICA 1), Desmodium uncinatum, Zea mays (LONGE 6H) and Mucuna pruriens root leachates. Studies involved pot screening, equal compartment agar experiments, germination tests and growth of potted plants. Results under the pot study indicated that maize, rice and mucuna leachates significantly (P ≤ 0.05), reduced root lengths (49%-63%), plant heights (48%-66%) and biomass (63%-75%) for Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa and Gallinsoga. parviflora weeds. G. parviflora root growth was reduced (20%-41%) and stem growth declined (19%-42%) when maize, rice and mucuna leachates were applied in the equal compartment agar study. Increased leachate concentrations (25%-75%) significantly (P ≤ 0.05), increased the mean germination time (0.4-2.8 days) for mucuna, desmodium, rice and maize as seed germination indices (SGI) were reduced (1.3%-49%). Potted mucuna, maize and desmodium reduced (1.3%-49%) rice root length. Potting mucuna with maize reduced (32%) mucuna leaf width while desmodium growth parameters were reduced (49%-64%) when potted with maize and mucuna. Potting maize with mucuna or desmodium increased the maize leaf length (18%) and SGI (25). Application of higher (25%-75%) rice/maize leachate concentrations similarly increased the maize leaf length (31%) and SGI (119). Allelopathic properties affect seed germination, crop growth and development, and characterise ecosystems age structures. Strategic management of crops under allelopathic ecosystems is critical.

Long-Term Coffee Monoculture Alters Soil Chemical Properties and Microbial Communities

Long-term monoculture severely inhibits coffee plant growth, decreases its yield and results in serious economic losses in China. Here, we selected four replanted coffee fields with 4, 18, 26 and 57 years of monoculture history in Hainan China to investigate the influence of continuous cropping on soil chemical properties and microbial communities. Results showed long-term monoculture decreased soil pH and organic matter content and increased soil EC. Soil bacterial and fungal richness decreased with continuous coffee cropping. Principal coordinate analysis suggested monoculture time was a major determinant of bacterial and fungal community structures. Relative abundances of bacterial Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Nitrospira and fungal Ascomycota phyla decreased over time. At genus level, potentially beneficial microbes such as Nitrospira and Trichoderma, significantly declined over time and showed positive relationships with coffee plant growth in pots. In conclusion, continuous coffee cropping decreased soil pH, organic matter content, potentially beneficial microbes and increased soil EC, which might lead to the poor growth of coffee plants in pots and decline of coffee yields in fields. Thus, developing sustainable agriculture to improve soil pH, organic matter content, microbial activity and reduce the salt stress under continuous cropping system is important for coffee production in China.

The effect of NPK fertilizer and planting media on plant growth and saponin content of the medicinal plant Anchomanes difformis

Rivai RR, Wardani FF, Zulkarnaen RN. 2017. The effect of NPK fertilizer and planting media on plant growth and saponin content of the medicinal plant Anchomanes difformis. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 141-145. Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl., belongs to the aroid family (Araceae) and has potential as a medicinal plant. A. difformis has not in the past been widely cultivated by farmers in Indonesia, so if it is to be grown as a crop for medicinally active compounds, we must first find how best to cultivate it. The objective of the research described here was to determine an effective planting media and optimum dosage of a standard NPK fertilizer for A. difformis plant growth in pots, and saponin content of its rhizomes. The research was conducted at the Treub Laboratory and Garden Nursery, Center for Plant Conservation Botanic Gardens, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). A completely randomized design with three replications was used to test a factorial arrangement of two treatment factors, namely: planting media of three types; and dosage of a standard NPK fertilizer (15% N, 15% P2O5, 15% K2O) at four levels. Results showed that for plant growth of Anchomanes difformis, a mixed medium of soil/cocopeat (1:1) was the best of the three media evaluated, and the application of the NPK fertilizer at a dosage equivalent to 100 kg/ha was the optimum fertilizer level. There was no statistical interaction between the treatment factors. The rhizomes of A. difformis had their highest level of saponin content when planted in the mixed soil/cocopeat (1:1) medium, and with NPK fertilizers at a dose level of 100 kg/ha.

Laboratory biology and impact of a stem-boring weevil Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Schinus terebinthifolia

ABSTRACTBrazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Anacardiaceae), was introduced into Florida, USA, from South America as an ornamental plant in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It eventually escaped cultivation and is a serious threat to the state’s biodiversity. In the 1980s, this invasive weed was targeted for classical biocontrol. Surveys for natural enemies of Brazilian peppertree conducted in the native range resulted in the discovery of several candidate biocontrol agents. A stem-boring weevil identified as Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Faust) was collected in Paraguay and transported under permit to Florida, USA. A laboratory colony of A. pipitzi was established in April 2007 by caging adults on cut branches of Brazilian peppertree supplemented with leaf bouquets. Adults are defoliators that feed mainly on the upper surface of subterminal leaflets. Females deposit eggs singly inside the stems and larvae feed under the bark where they damage the vascular cambium. There are five instars, pupation occurs inside the stem and a new generation is produced in 3–4 months. Growth of potted plants with and without exposure to weevil herbivory was compared over an 11-month period. Feeding damage by adults and larvae significantly increased leaf abscission and reduced leaf and root biomass accumulation.

Common mycelial networks impact competition in an invasive grass.

Mycorrhizal hyphal complexes can connect multiple host plants to form common mycelial networks (CMNs) that may affect plant competitive outcomes and community composition through differential resource allocation. The impacts of CMN interactions on invasive plants are not well understood and could be crucial to the understanding of invasive plant establishment and success. We grew the invasive grass Brachypodium sylvaticum in intra- and interspecific pairings with native grass Bromus vulgaris in a greenhouse and controlled for the effects of CMN and root interactions by manipulating the belowground separation between competitors. Comparison of plant growth in pots that allowed CMN interactions and excluded root competition and vice versa, or both, allowed us to delineate the effects of network formation and root competition on invasive plant establishment and performance. Brachypodium sylvaticum grown in pots allowing for only hyphal interactions, but no root competition, displayed superior growth compared with conspecifics in other treatments. Invasive performance was poorest when pairs were not separated by a barrier. Shoot nitrogen content in B. sylvaticum was higher in mycorrhizal plants only when connections were allowed between competitors. Our results indicate that the presence of CMN networks can have positive effects on B. sylvaticum establishment and nutrient status, which may affect plant competition and invasion success.

Responses of two Anthurium cultivars to high daily integrals of diffuse light

Heavy shading is commonly applied during production of pot-plants in order to avoid damage caused by high light intensities; usually the daily light integral (DLI) is limited to 5–8molm−2d−1 photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). However, shading carries a production penalty as light is the driving force for photosynthesis. Diffuse glass has been developed to scatter the incident light in greenhouses. This study aims at investigating the effect of diffuse glass cover and high DLI under diffuse glass cover on the growth of pot-plants; furthermore, to systematically identify and quantify the yield components which are influenced by these treatments. Experiments were carried out with two Anthurium andreanum cultivars (Royal Champion and Pink Champion) in a conventional modern glasshouse compartment covered by clear glass with DLI limited to 7.5molm−2d−1 (average realized DLI was 7.2molm−2d−1), and another two glasshouse compartments covered by diffuse glass with DLI limited to 7.5 (average realized DLI was 7.5molm−2d−1) and 10molm−2d−1 (average realized DLI was 8.9molm−2d−1). Diffuse glass cover resulted in less variation of temporal photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) distribution compared with the clear glass cover. Under similar DLI conditions (DLI limited to 7.5molm−2d−1), diffuse glass cover stimulated dry mass production per unit intercepted PPFD (RUE) in ‘Royal Champion’ by 8%; whilst this stimulating effect did not occur in ‘Pink Champion’. Under diffuse glass cover, biomass production was proportional to DLI in both cultivars (within the range 7.5–9molm−2d−1). Consequently higher DLI led to more flowers, leaves and stems. Furthermore, high DLI resulted in more compact plants without light damage in leaves or flowers in both cultivars. ‘Pink Champion’ produced more biomass than ‘Royal Champion’ in all treatments because of higher RUE which resulted from a more advantageous canopy architecture for light capture and more advantageous leaf photosynthetic properties. We conclude that less shading under diffuse glass cover not only stimulates plant growth but also improves plant ornamental quality (i.e. compactness).

BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL USE OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI (AMF) IN BANANA AND PLANTAIN (MUSA SPP.) SYSTEMS IN AFRICA

ISHS IV International Symposium on Banana: International Conference on Banana and Plantain in Africa: Harnessing International Partnerships to Increase Research Impact BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL USE OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI (AMF) IN BANANA AND PLANTAIN (MUSA SPP.) SYSTEMS IN AFRICA

Anthocyanin production by over-expression of grape transcription factor gene VlmybA2 in transgenic tobacco and Arabidopsis

An myb-related transcription factor gene of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, VlmybA2, from the Kyoho grape (Vitis labruscana) was introduced into tobacco and Arabidopsis under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. The 35S:VlmybA2-induced anthocyanin production was prominent in transformed tobacco calli, and the regenerated tobacco plants were completely purple. Except for the color, the transgenic plants were apparently not different from the control plants. During plant growth in pots, the purple color was not uniformly distributed but appeared as patches in the leaves, whereas the flowers showed intense pigmentation. In Arabidopsis, T1 transformants showing two prominent phenotypes: completely purple seedlings and seedlings with green leaves and purple roots. The partially purple seedlings grown in pots produced fertile and viable seeds of two distinguishable colors, purple and brown. VlmybA2 alone, without the aid of other myc-related genes, could induce complete pigmentation in tobacco and Arabidopsis, indicating its potential over other previously used myb- and myc-related genes.

CHARACTERIZATION OF MANGANESE TOXICITY IN TWO SPECIES OF ANNUAL MEDICS

There is interest in the development of cultivars of Medicago spp. tolerant to soil acidity, where manganese (Mn) can be a major constraint to plant growth. We evaluated the response of several ecotypes of M. polymorpha and M. murex to a high level of Mn (50 mg Mn kg−1 soil), and its impact on biological N2 fixation and mineral composition. Plant growth in pots was decreased by Mn toxicity, whether plants were dependent on N2 fixation or provided with fertilizer nitrogen (N). Plant growth was impaired by high levels of Mn to a greater extent than was N2 fixation. Tolerance to high levels of Mn differed between the ecotypes, with accession 66 of M. polymorpha and 194 of M. murex being the most tolerant. A 500 μM concentration of Mn in nutrient solution led to decreased concentration of zinc (Zn) in the whole plant, and to modifications in the partition of iron (Fe), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) between roots and shoots. Tolerance to Mn was negatively correlated with the concentrations of Mn and Zn in the roots.

Growth of pot plants in treated coir dust as compared to peat

Coir dust has been introduction in Dutch horticulture, however, in some crops problems have arisen. Growth was restricted. Substrate and plant analysis revealed deficiencies of both calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). This was linked to the high potassium (K) and sodium (Na) content and the adsorption of Ca and Mg to the coir. It was proposed that in coir, where the Na and K contents are low and no adsorption occurred of Ca and Mg, growth of plants should be better than or equal to peat, the standard substrate. To prove this a trial has been conducted with four types of pot plants. Coir was washed with a Ca and Mg containing solution to leach excess K and Na and this material is referred to as ‘treated’ coir dust. Growth of Begonia, Dendranthema, and Schefflera in ‘treated’ coir dust was equal to that in peat. Kalanchoe showed a stronger vegetative growth in coir dust than in peat. Growers should avoid the risk of Ca and/or Mg deficiency and use the ‘treated’ coir dust.

Fungal invasion of red clover roots in a soil naturally infested with a complex of pathogens: Effects of soil temperature and moisture content

A quantitative method employing tissue maceration and plating was used to determine the internal fungal flora of roots of red clover ( Trifolium pratense) plants, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after sowing in field plots, and in pots of field soil kept at different constant temperatures (10. 15. 20 or 25°C) and moisture contents (40, 60 or 80% of soil water holding capacity) in the glasshouse. In field plots, the total number of colonies isolated per root increased at each successive harvest whereas the extent of fungal invasion (number of fungal colonies g 1− root tissue) decreased. A similar decrease in the invasion of roots of plants in pots reflected a slow rate of fungal infection and an accelerating production of lateral roots. Plant growth in pots was greatest at 25 C and 60% WHC but slowed in most treatments between 8 and 12 weeks as plants became potbound. The fungi which dominated at 4 weeks ( Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium solani) were isolated most commonly from plants grown at 10°C. while at 12 weeks most colonies of the dominant fungi ( Cylindrocladiun scoprium, F. oxysporum, F. solari, and Trichocladium basicola) were obtained from plants grown at 20 and 25 C. Roots from soil at high moisture content (80% WHC) yielded more fungal colonies in total than those from less moist soil at 4 and 12 weeks, however, during the first 8 weeks, F. solani was most often recovered from dry soil (40% WHC). Since the root mycoflora of field-grown and pot-grown plants was similar, choice of appropriate soil temperature and moisture conditions for glasshouse experiments would allow simulation of events in the field.

AERATION OF POTTING MEDIA AND PLANT GROWTH

Providing optimum aeration for plants grown in small pots is a primary concern in the development of potting media. Aeration is defined as the percentage by volume of air-filled pores in a medium after it has been saturated with water and allowed to drain. This study describes how the physical properties of media, as well as the growth of potted plants, varied with changes in media aeration. A 1:1 (vol/vol) peat-vermiculite potting medium was adjusted to aerations of 1.0, 2.2, 5.0, 11.3, 13.3, 20.0, and 33.6%/vol by altering the particle size of the two constituents. Total pore space remained constant as aeration increased, but total moisture-holding capacity declined linearly. Water held above a matric potential of −30 cb increased slightly until aeration reached 10 to 15% and then declined. Water held below a matric potential of −30 cb decreased curvilin-early with increasing aeration. Four potted plants, begonia, coleus, impatiens and schefflera were grown in media with the seven different aerations. Although the plants varied in their sensitivity to aeration, plant growth was most limited when aeration was 5.0%/vol and below. Plants generally grew best in the aeration range of 11.3 to 20.0%/vol with a slight decrease in growth at the highest aeration of 33.6%/vol.