Highest Values Of Plant Height Research Articles

Seasonal variation in sowing and its effect on ethanol and biomass yield of sweet sorghum

ABSTRACT This paper compares and assesses various sweet sorghum genotypes in terms of their biological yield, juice yield and computed ethanol at four different sowing dates. Twenty-three genotypes and one hybrid were examined and the study reveals that RSSH-50 recorded higher values for plant height, stem girth, photosynthetically active radiation, juice yield, computed ethanol yield, fresh biomass yield and harvest index during the rainy season. In contrast, CSV-19SS showed significantly higher green cane yield and computed ethanol yield followed by RSSV-454, RSSV-446 and RSSV-545 during the summer. The variations in different seasons were due to the distinct weather and climatic conditions. Thus, crops that are sown in late rainy, timely summer and late summer take longer to attain physiological maturity and have reduced biological yield than crop sown in the timely rainy season. Among all genotypes, RSSV-260, SPV-2057, RSSV-540, CSV-19SS and hybrid RSSH-50 during the rainy season and CSV-19SS, RSSV-453 and RSSV-545 during the summer showed balanced performances in terms of ethanol and biomass yield.

Enhancing Productivity of Sweet Marjoram in Substrate Culture

Sweet Marjoram is considered as one of the important herbal plants, grown in many countries for medical and nutritional purposes and is an abundant source of valuable biologically active substances and mineral components. An experiment has been carried out on sweet marjoram at the experimental site of Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculutre and land reclamation, Egypt under a net duble span house, during seasons of 2019and 2020. The experiment was carried out to study the effect of different nutrient solution sources and verimicompost rates on production of Sweet Marjoram grown in sand culture. In this experiment, Three sources of nutrient solution were under investigation (chemical nutrient solution “CN. S.” as a control treatment, vermi-liquid “V. L.” and mixture of chemical nutrient solution andvermi-liquid (50%:50%) “CN.S.+V.L.”), also, five rates of vermicompost have been added to sand culture(zero% of vermicompost "V.C. 0%"as a control treatment, 10% Vermicompost "V.C. 10%", 20% Vermicompost "V.C. 20%", 30% Vermicompost "V.C. 30%"and 40% Vermicompost "V.C. 40%").Regarding the effect of nutrient solution source; results illustrated that chemical nutrient solution recorded the highest values for vegetative growth, yield and chemical measurments. also data clearfied that the mixture of chemical nutrient solution and vermi-liquid (50%:50%) “CN.S.+V.L.” recorded a promising results very close to the chemical nutrient solution and more healther; because the amount of chemicals used in this nutrient solution have been reduced into the half amount only comparison with chemical nutrient solution. For that, the mixture of chemical nutrient solution and vermi-liquid (50%:50%) could be considered as the most suitable nutrient solution for sweet marjoram. Concerning the effect of different vermicompost rates, results showed that adding vermicompost rate by 30% to sand culture recorded the highest values for plant height, number of branches /plant, Fresh and dry weights of the aerial parts /plant, yields of the fresh and dry herb/ m2, yield of aromatic oil/ m2 (V.C. 40% recorded higher values for yield of the aromatic oil/m2 than V.C. 30% but the difference between both of them was not significant), and N,P,K% in leaves.

Evaluation of yield, yield components and nutritive value in intercropping of Barley with Vetch

To evaluate some agronomic properties and forage characteristics in the intercropping of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and vetch (Vicia ervilia L.), an experiment was conducted during 2014-2016 cropping seasons. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used. Intercropping patterns included 80% barley+ 20% vetch, 60% barley+ 40% vetch, 40% barley + 60% vetch and 20% barley + 80% vetch along with the sole culture of both crops (100% barley and100% vetch). The result showed that the highest value of plant height, grain number, thousand-grain weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest in barley was observed from 80% barley + 20% vetch intercropping ratio, however, for vetch, it was detected from 100% vetch. Furthermore, the highest land equivalent ratio was obtained from 80% barley+ 20% vetch. Based on the results, the highest crude protein content and dry matter digestibility were observed in sole cropped vetch, whereas the highest neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were recorded in sole cropped barley. These results suggested that intercropped barley and vetch as 80% barley + 20% vetch ameliorated the grain yield and yield components, and forage quality compared to other intercropping ratios.

Soil quality bioindicators in initial eucalyptus growth under organomineral fertilization based on sugarcane filter cake

Pelletized organomineral fertilizers (OMFs) are a promising, sustainable alternative for eucalyptus fertilization, the most widely cultivated hardwood tree globally. However, little is known about the effects of OMFs on initial plant development and soil quality. We evaluated the effects of different doses of a pelletized OMF derived from sugarcane filter cake (0%, 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200% relative to the recommended phosphorus dose for cultivation) and a mineral treatment (mineral fertilizer at the recommended dose for eucalyptus), as well as the effects of time (30, 60, 90, and 120 days after transplanting), on the morphophysiological responses of eucalyptus plants (diameter at neck height, plant height, and chlorophyll a and b content) and soil pH, microbial biomass (MBC), and microbial activity (soil basal respiration [SBR]). Increases in fertilizer dose led to increased chlorophyll a values, but values decreased under the highest doses (150% and 200%). OMF addition led to an initial increase in soil pH, followed by a reduction. The highest values of plant height, stem diameter, and fresh and dry masses of leaves, stems, and roots were observed when the OMF dose of 50% was administered. MBC values were inversely proportional to the OMF dose, and the SBR and metabolic quotient (qCO2) values observed under the 50% and 100% treatments were equal to or better than those observed under the mineral fertilizer treatment. Pelletized OMFs derived from filter cake could potentially replace mineral fertilization in the early development of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis without damaging soil quality

Utilization of Fish Farm Effluent for Irrigation Short Rotation Willow (Salix alba L.) under Lysimeter Conditions

Efficient utilization, treatment, and disposal of agricultural wastewater and sewage sludge are important environmental risks. In our research, effluent water from intensive aquaculture was evaluated for the irrigation of short rotation energy willow in a lysimeter experiment. Two different water types and their combinations were applied with weekly doses of 15, 30, and 60 mm, respectively. Our results revealed that implementing effluent water instead of fresh water could potentially increase the yield of the willow due to its higher nitrogen content (29 N mg/L). The biomass of irrigated short rotation coppice (SRC) willow plants were between 493–864 g/plant, 226–482 g/plant, and 268–553 g/plant dry weight during experiment period (2015–2017), respectively. However, due to the chemical properties (Na concentration, SAR value) of effluent water, the increase of the soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) was significant and it can lead to soil degradation in the long term. The current study also investigated the relationship between chemical composition of the plant tissue and the irrigation water. In the case of K-levels of willow clones, an increasing trend was observed year-by-year. In terms of N and Na content was localized in leaf parts, especially in samples irrigated with effluent. Less N and Na values were detected in the stem and in the samples irrigated with surface water. In SRC willow plants, phosphorus was mostly localized in the stem, to a lower extent in the leaf part. The difference is mostly observed in the case of the amount of irrigation water, where the P content of the examined plant parts decreased with the increase of the amount of irrigation water. In the case of phenological observations, higher values of plant height were measured during diluted and effluent irrigation. Moreover, the SPAD of the plants irrigated with effluent water exceeded the irrigated ones with surface water.

Effect of Application of Biochar, Poultry and Farmyard Manures in Combination with Synthetic Fertilizers on Soil Fertility and Cotton Productivity under Arid Environment

ABSTRACT Sustainable cotton production is under threat due to poor soil health, exhaustive nature of cotton crop in terms of depleting soil fertility and conventional farming practices. Hence, we investigated the role of soil amendments like biochar, poultry and farmyard manures with synthetic fertilizers to improve the soil mineral nutrients uptake, cotton productivity and overall reduction in nutrients losses. Two year field experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of soil amendment of biochar, poultry and farmyard manures with synthetic fertilizers in improving the soil fertility and cotton productivity under arid climate of South-Punjab, Pakistan in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Experimental findings showed that highest values of soil available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and soil organic matter (SOM) were recorded with the soil incorporation of 5 Mg ha−1 poultry manure (PM) with 80:45:30 kg ha−1 NPK which was followed by soil incorporation of 10 Mg ha−1 farmyard manure (FYM) with 80:45:30 kg ha−1 NPK and soil incorporation of 3.5 Mg ha−1 biochar (BC) with 80:45:30 kg ha−1 NPK and ultimately improved soil fertility. Similarly, highest values of plant height, leaf area index (LAI), monopodial, sympodial branches and total bolls plant−1, boll weight, seed cotton and biological yield were recorded with amendment of 5 PM Mg ha−1 with 80:45:30 kg NPK ha−1 which was followed by 10 Mg FYM ha−1 with 80:45:30 kg NPK ha−1 and soil incorporation of 3.5 Mg BC ha−1 with 80:45:30 kg NPK ha−1 and ultimately improved cotton productivity. Conclusively, soil incorporation of biochar, poultry and farmyard manures with synthetic fertilizers as integrated nutrient management strategy might be a promising adaptation strategy for improving soil mineral nutrients uptake, cotton productivity and overall reduce the nutrients losses under arid environmental conditions

Effect of trees and cattle dung input on soybean yield and nutrition in Integrated Crop–Livestock Systems

In integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS), grazing cattle influence the distribution of nutrients in the soil. When trees are present, they may affect the cattle dung distribution, as well as the nutrient cycling and crop yield. The objective of this experiment is to evaluate the influence of the presence of cattle dung and trees on soybean nutrition and yield in ICLS during 2018–2019. Two areas were used in this study, that is, with trees (CLT, 1.1 ha) and without trees (CL, 1.2 ha). Both areas have been considered as ICLS (soy–beef cattle), since 2009. The experimental design was in a split–split–plot, the main plots followed the CL and CLT systems, the subplots were the cattle dung input (presence and absence), and the sub-subplots were three positions between two tree rows (i.e., sampling points). In the CL system the plant height (+18.1%), the number of pods per plant (+51.2%), grains per pod (+7.2%), shoot biomass (+60%) and grain yield (+52.9%) were increased compared to the CLT system. The highest values for plant height, shoot biomass, grain yield, grain weight, pods per plant, grains per pod, and phosphorus (P) concentrations in soybean, were observed in the central position among the tree rows, when comparing the positions nearest to the trees. However, in the position adjacent to the rows, an increased content of P in the soil was found and an increased content of sulfur (S) in the plant. The presence of cattle dung increased the availability of soil P (+30%) and potassium (K, + 52.3%), as also the content of P (+ 4.3%), K (+ 5.2%), and S (+ 5.1%) in plant, and the grain yield (+ 22%). The great effect on soybean yield was due the trees presence (3.6 Mg ha−1 in the CL system vs. 1.7 Mg ha−1 in the CLT). The light restriction, the competition for nutrients with trees and drought periods were factors to be considered, to explain the difference in productivity between the CL and CLT systems.

Straw Biochar-induced Modification of the Soil Physical Properties Enhances Growth, Yield and Water Productivity of Maize under Deficit Irrigation

ABSTRACT Water scarcity negatively affects maize yield, whereas biochar could enhance soil physical properties and improve the growth and water productivity (WP) of maize. Thus, field experiments were conducted with three biochar addition rates of 0 t ha−1 (B0), 25 t ha−1 (B25), and 50 t ha−1 (B50) under deficit irrigation including three levels at 60% (DI60), 80% (DI80), and 100% (DI100) of the reference evapotranspiration. The results showed that growth, yield and WP of maize were higher in high biochar-amended soil than non-biochar soil. The DI100× BC50 combination showed the highest values of plant height (157 and 151 cm) and stem diameter (4.6 and 4.2 cm) providing the highest yield (10.94 and 8.72 t ha−1) values, in 2017 and 2018. In opposition, the DI 60× BC0 combination, showed the lowest values of plant height (157 and 151 cm) and stem diameter (4.6 and 4.2 cm) providing the lowest yield (10.94 and 8.72 t ha−1) values. While the former combination increased soil water content and total soil porosity, the latter combination reduced their value due to the increment in bulk density of the soil. The DI80× BC50 had the highest WP (2.61 kg m−3 and 2.37 kg m−3) values, while DI60× BC0 achieved the lowest WP (0.78 kg m−3 0.74 kg m−3) values. The results suggest that the DI100× BC50 can guarantee improvements in plant growth contributing to the higher yield of maize. However, the DI80× BC50 performed better in terms of WP of maize, therefore that combination is recommended.

Effect of Colonization of Trichoderma harzianum on Growth Development and CBD Content of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Trichoderma harzianum, as a natural endophytic biocontrol agent, can ameliorate plant development, nutrient uptake, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on agronomical and quality characteristics of two monoecious hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties, Fedora 17 and Felina. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design of two treatments of Trichoderma harzianum with a low and high dose of the fungus (T1 and T2). The significance of differences between treatments was estimated by using a Fisher’s test with a significance level p = 0.05. The root density of both varieties was significantly affected by treatments, and higher values were recorded in Fedora 17 (2.32 mm cm−3). The Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) colonization of the root system and the soil emission of CO2 were higher after the inoculation of Trichoderma harzianum. The highest values of plant height and dry weight were noticed for T2, especially in variety Felina. Trichoderma harzianum positively influenced characteristics of inflorescences such as their number, fresh weight moisture, and compactness in both varieties, while the dry weight, length, and dry yield of inflorescences were not improved. Finally, the fertigation of Trichoderma harzianum in hemp plants was beneficial by increasing the cannabidiol (CBD) content, especially in T2 treatment (4 × 1012 CFU kg−1).

Evaluation of the Response of Sorghum to Tillage Systems and Nitrogen Fertilization

In the subtropical semi-arid zones, sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) productivity is limited by numerous constraints. Relatively few studies have been conducted to measure the response of grain sorghum varieties to tillage and nitrogen. For sustainable crop production, selected tillage practice and fertilizer application are important. Field experiments were conducted at Al Qurna (QL), 74 km northwest Basrah province and Shatt al-Arab (SHL) and 17 km east Basrah province. A randomized complete block design, arranged in a split-split plot, was used with three replications. The tillage system was no tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT), while sorghum varieties were Inqadh, Rabih, and Cavire 2, and four levels of N fertilizer, viz., 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1. The objective of research was to evaluate two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) varieties to tillage system and nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The application of tillage was shown to enhance the growth of sorghum as observed in the plant height, leaf area, number of grains panicle−1, 1000-grain weight, yield, biomass yield, and root dry matter. CT surpassed the other treatments for all studied traits. The highest value of plant height, number of grains panicle−1, grain yield, biomass yield, and root dry matter in the QL and SHL locations, respectively, were produced by Cavire 2. The plots fertilized with 120 kg N ha−1 maximize the values of plant height (132.33 cm in the SHL location), leaf area (3040.53 and 2751.47 cm2 in the QL and SHL location respectively), number of grains panicle−1 (1431.37 in the SHL location), 1000-grain weight (31.77 g in the QL location), biomass yield (15752.00 kg ha−1 in the SHL location), and root dry matter (22.42 and 20.75 g root cm−3 in the QL and SHL locations, respectively). Cavire 2 variety under CT with 80 kg N ha−1 in the QL location was the best (observed as the most promising) in terms of grain yield. Whereas Cavire 2 under CT showed best performance with 120 kg N ha−1 in the QL location in terms of biomass yield character.

Combined foliar and soil application of silica nanoparticles enhances the growth, flowering period and flower characteristics of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

In recent years, the utilization of nanoparticles, especially in agricultural sector, has been intensively gained the interest of policymakers and the public. Most of these nanoparticles are applied singularly through foliar or soil applications. However, no reports are highlighting the interaction between foliar and soil application of nanoparticles, particularly silica nanoparticles (SiNPs). This study reports the differences between the singular and combined (foliar and soil) applications of SiNPs on the ornamental model marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) using different concentrations of amorphous SiNPs in pot experiments carried out under open field conditions during two consecutive seasons (2017 and 2018). The results proved the potentiality of SiNPs on plant growth where all the treated plants, regardless of the SiNPs concentration and delivery technique, displayed higher values for all the measured parameters compared to the control plants. Moreover, results demonstrated that the soil application of 200 mg L−1 resulted in higher values of plant height, number of branches, and root length than the foliar application of the same SiNPs concentration. On the other hand, the foliar application of 200 mg L−1 significantly increased flower’s traits over the soil application. The enhancement effect of SiNPs on plant biometrics, physiology, and properties of flower strongly linked to the Si content in plant leaves. The highest Si content corresponded to the combined foliar and soil application. Consequently, the higher number of flowers, flower's diameter, fresh and dry masses of flower, flowering period, and days taken to first bud initiation linked to plants received jointly 200 and 600 mg L−1 through foliar and soil application, respectively.

Performance of medicinal crops in mango (Mangifera indica) based intercropping system under dryland conditions of Jammu subtropics

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) based agroforestry system offers spatial advantage for intercropping in Indian subtropics. Mango is planted at wide spacing to accommodate the large crowns needed to support the fruit yield. Wider spacing of the trees provides the vacant space to the orchardist to grow suitable and synergistic crop (vegetables/ medicinal plants) to supplement his income. The present investigation was done to screen out the best intercrop out of the four crops, viz. ginger, turmeric, kalmegh and stevia that can be grown in old mango orchards. The experiment was laid out at Experimental Farm of Advance Centre for Horticulture Research (ACHR), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Udheywala, Jammu, which is located at an altitude of 327m above mean sea level, between 32073´ N latitude and 74087´ E longitude. Mango orchard selected for the study had a very dense canopy and thus the interception of light was only 30-40 percent than that in the open. The results revealed that shade had profound influence on the survival, growth and yield of ginger, turmeric, stevia and kalmegh. The higher values for plant height, number of leaves, were recorded in ginger and turmeric under shade compared to stevia and kalmegh. Stevia had a very poor survival percentage (11.99%) under mango as compared to open. Likewise ginger had a poor survival percentage (13.22%) in the open compared to that under the mango canopy. Thus, it was concluded that under the subtropical conditions of Jammu region, ginger, turmeric and kalmegh can be grown successfully as intercrops under partial shade of mango trees, however, stevia cannot be integrated. The most remunerative crop among the four, in terms of yield was turmeric followed by ginger and kalmegh.

Influence of varieties and spacing on growth characters of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.)

The investigation was undertaken at B.B.A. University, Lucknow (UP) during rabi season of 2017-18 and 2018-19 to study the influence of varieties and spacing on growth characters of sprouting broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italic Plenck). Four varieties viz. V1- Pusa Broccoli KTS-1, V2-Palam Kanchan , V3-Palam Vichitra , V4-Palam Samridhi and four spacings viz.- S1- 60x45 cm, S2 - 60×30 cm, S3 - 45×45 cm, S4 - 45×30 cm were evaluated in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that the variety Pusa Broccoli KTS-1 showed the highest plant height (66.7 and 66.2 cm), stem diameter (3.5 and 3.5 cm),plant spreading (E-W and N-S) (61.3, 62.5 and 54.2, 55.3 cm), leaves per plant (23.7 and 23.9), length of leaves (51.1 and 51.1cm) and width of leaves (30.3 and 30.6 cm). Spacing of 60x45 cm produced significantly highest values of plant height (67.3 and 68.4 cm), stem diameter (3.4 and 3.4 cm), leaves per plant (24.3 and 24.5), length of leaves (51.9 and 52.0 cm) and width of leaves (31.0 and 31.2 cm). The lowest values of these growth characters were recorded under spacing of 45x30 cm. The interaction effect between variety Palam Vichitra and spacing of 60x45 cmshowed significant beneficial effect on growth parameters viz.- plant height (68.3 and 68.8 cm), stem diameter (3.5 and 3.6 cm), plant spreading (E-W and N-S) (64.1 and 68.1 and 54.5 and 55.6 cm), leaves per plant (24.7 and 24.9), length of leaves (52.7 and 52.5 cm) and width of leaves (31.3 and 31.3 cm) in sprouting broccoli.

Characterization of vegetation structure in areas of natural occurrence of Hancornia speciosa Gomes

The mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa Gomes) has great food and pharmaceutical values but its production is almost entirely made by people gathering fruits in forests, which increases the risk extinction, particularly in savannah regions. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare floristic, phytosociology and species diversity in five areas of natural occurrence of mangabeira. All plants with a diameter at soil level equal to or greater than five cm were selected by the quadrant method in five villages in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. The assessed variables for the whole vegetation were number of individuals, number of species, total density, the Shannon Diversity Index (H'), the Jaccard Similarity Index, total plant height and diameter at soil level. The phytosociological parameters computed for the mangabeira population were absolute and relative density, frequency and dominance; basal area, importance value and cover value. We recorded 1,696 plants from 26 species and 16 families. Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae and Fabaceae were the families that stood out most with two species each. The species diversity was low in all villages, varying from H’= 0.659 in Santana to H’ = 1.777 in Recanto. The floristic similarity among the vegetation in all villages was low except between Patizal and Recurso (0.571). For the mangabeira population, the importance value and cover value were higher in Santana, with 79.35% and 85.28% respectively and the highest values of plant height (6.02 meters) and diameter at soil level (13.76 cm) were found in Patizal village. These results could be used for management, preservation and sustainability of the mangabeira in northeastern Brazil.

PENAMPILAN AGRONOMI BERBAGAI AKSESI KATUK {Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.} PADA DOSIS PUPUK UREA BERBEDA

Katuk {Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr} is a leafy vegetable which requires nitrogen for itsvegetative growth. This study was aimed at assessing the agronomic performance of various accessions of katuk vegetable grown with different rates of urea fertilizer administration. A completely randomized design with two factors was used. The first factor was katuk accessions consisting of Sukaraja Sukabumi, Cugenang Cianjur, and Kemang Bogor. The second factor was urea fertilizer administration in five rates, namely 0, 33.3, 66.7, 100%, and 133.3% of recommended rate (R). Results showed that katuk plant of Sukabumi accession gave the best plant height and leaflet area. Katuk plant of Cianjur accession had the highest values of plant height, number of buds, yield fresh weight, yield dry weight, and root length. Katuk plant of Bogor accession was found to have the highest fresh root weight. Urea administration of 66.7-133.3% R resulted in katuk plant with the best values of plant height, number of buds, stem diameter. The widest leaf area was found in 100% R urea administration and the highest root weight was found in plants treated with 66.7% R urea administration. The increase of urea fertilizer doses starting from 33.3% R in Cianjur and Bogor katuk accession increased the total harvest wet weight and dry weight, while in Sukabumi accession the significant increase in production was at a dose of 100% R and 133.3% R urea. The increase in vitamin C content was significant in the application of 133.3% R urea fertilizer.

Evaluation of Desho Grass for Their Agronomic Performances and Nutritive Values in Highland and Midland Areas of Guji Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was conducted with the objective to identify adaptability, high fresh biomass and dry matter yield of desho grass varieties. Four desho grass varieties; Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591, Areka DZF No# 590, Kulumsa DZF No # 592 and Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 were evaluated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. At highland area the revealed result that fresh biomass, leaf length per plant and plant height were significantly (P<0.05) differ among the treatments. The highest value of plant height was measured from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 (102.6 cm) followed by Areka DZF No# 590, Kulumsa DZF No # 592 (97.7 cm) varieties, while the shortest plant height was recorded from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (91.2 cm) variety. The highest dry matter yield was obtained from Areka DZF No# 590 (30.53t/ha), while the lowest dry matter yield was produced from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (24.8 t/ha). The highest survive rate was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (63.3%) followed by Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 (61.3%) varieties. Chemical composition showed that Areka DZF No# 590 was highest in Dry matter (DM) (95.5%) and the lowest dry matter (DM) was obtain from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (94.2%) variety. At Midland area the revealed result that number of tiller per plant, number of leaf per plant, leaf length per plant, fresh biomass and plant height were significantly (P<0.05) differ among the treatments. The highest plant height was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (108.6 cm) followed by Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 (107 cm) while the lowest plant height was measured from Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (95.3cm) variety. The highest dry matter yield was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (27.13 t/ha) variety. The highest in Dry matter (DM) (95.02%) and lowest in Acid detergent fiber (ADF) was measured from Areka DZF No# 590 (43.8%) varieties. The highest crude protein (CP) was measured from Kulumsa DZF No # 592 (10.6%) followed by Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 (9.8%). The result implies that Kindo Kosha DZF No# 589 and Areka DZF No# 590 and Kindo Kosha DZF No# 591 varieties were well performed in agronomic, yield and quality parameters. Thus it could be possible to conclude that the desho grass varieties should be recommended for improving the constraint of feed shortage in highland and midland of Guji zone and similar agro ecologies.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CUTTING AND PLANTING DATE OF Conocarpus lancifolius

Two Field experiments on Conocarpus lancifolius were carried out at El-Qanater Horticultural Research station, Kalubiya, Governorate, Egypt for two successive seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 to evaluate the influence of planting date (March, July and September) and cutting types (terminal, medium and woody) and the combination effect between planting date and cutting type. Results revealed that terminal cutting type significantly improved the number of leaves/plant, roots fresh weight/plant, root length, root number/ plant and root volume cutting compared to the other cutting types under study. Moreover, medium cuttings type gave the highest values of plant height (cm), leaves fresh weight (g) and branch number/plant compared to the other dates under study in most cases during both seasons. In addition, planting date in July recorded the highest values of leaf number per plant, plant height, root number per cutting and root length compared to the other planting dates in both seasons. However, the lowest root and vegetative characteristics were recorded when planting in March. In general, the best combination treatment in enhance growth and root parameters was the of terminal cuttings type when planting in July month compared with the other combination treatments.

Performance of spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) in modular vertical green walls under various media and nutrients

An investigation was carried out to study the performance of various media and nutrients for spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) in modular vertical walls under vertical green walls in the Department of Horticulture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar (Tamil Nadu) during 2018 to 2020. The experiment comprised of four media viz., coco peat, greenosil, perlite and vermiculite and their combinations and two nutrients viz., foliar nutrition (Grosure NPK 19:19:19 and @ 1% twice (30 and 90 days after planting)) and fertilizer stick (Greenstix sticks were inserted to the modular containers @ one per container at 30 and 90 days after planting). Results revealed that, among the media, plants grown under vermiculite showed better performance in exhibiting maximum values for plant height (24.9 cm), number of leaves (21.6), leaf length (23.8 cm), leaf width (2.43), leaf area (30.9 cm2), shoot weight (15.1 g plant-1), root weight (3.4 g plant-1), biomass (18.4 g plant-1), size index (24.7 cm), and visual quality (9.08). However, among the nutrients, plants inserted with fertilizer stick recorded highest values for plant height (20.9 cm), number of leaves (18.8), leaf length (20.9 cm), leaf width (2.21), leaf area (30.2 cm2), shoot weight (14.8 g plant-1), root weight (3.24 g plant-1), biomass (18.1 g plant-1), size index (22.5 cm), and visual quality (8.49). compared with foliar nutrition. The interaction between media and nutrients was significant and plants grown under vermiculite and containers inserted with fertilizer stick showed superior performance in exerting maximum values for all the characters than other treatment combinations.

Yield, Quality and Economic Evaluation for Onion grown at Different Densities under Weed Control Treatments

Two field experiments were conducted during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons at Shandaweel Agriculture Research Station, Sohag Governorate, to study the effect of onion density and weed control treatments on vegetative growth, yield and quality of onion. Split plot design with three replicates was used. Onion plant density (240 000, 300 000, and 400 000 plant/ fed.) occupied the main plots, whereas weed control treatments (hand hoeing (twice), Goal + Select (once), Goal + Select (twice), Ecopart + Select (once), Ecopart + Select (twice) and control) occupied the sub plots. Onion plants grown under the highest density (400 000 plants/fed.) attained the highest values of plant height and number of leaves/plant, while the lowest density (240 000 plants/fed.) attained the lowest values, in both seasons. Total yield/fed. for onion grown under high density were higher than those under other densities. Planting onion at low density recorded the highest values of single bulbs%, and double bulbs%, while planting at high density recorded the lowest values, in both seasons. The highest values of number of leaves/plant and bulb weight were obtained by application of Goal + Select (twice), in both seasons. Average bulb weight, marketable yield/fed., culls yield/fed. and total yield/fed. were significantly decreased under weed control treatment, in both seasons. From this investigation, it could be concluded that using of the highest plant density (400 000 plant/fed.) and application of Goal + Select (twice) could be recommended for the highest values of gross income, net benefit and the percentage of benefit/cost ratio.

Performance of potato variety Kufri Megha under different irrigation scheduling and date of planting at North Eastern Indian mid hills

Aim: To assess the performance of winter potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) variety Kufri Megha, under real time based irrigation scheduling, i.e., ratio of depth of irrigation water to cumulative pan evaporation in mid hills of Meghalaya during winter season of 2016-17. Methodology: A field trial with three different irrigation scheduling as main-treatments, viz., IW: CPE- 0.75 (I1), IW: CPE- 1.00 (I2) and IW: CPE- 1.25 (I3), four different dates of planting, viz., 1st November (D1), 11th November (D2), 21st November (D3) and 1st December (D4) was laid out and replicated thrice. Irrigation was provided with a micro sprinkler irrigation system and was laid out in split plot design. Results: The plants planted on 11th November and irrigation scheduled at IW: CPE-1.25 recorded higher values for plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation per plant, net assimilation ratio, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, tuber yield (t ha-1), haulm yield (t ha-1), harvest index (%), water use efficiency and benefit cost ratio over other treatments. Interpretation: It can be recommended that by following climatological approach of cumulative pan evaporation for irrigation scheduling in potato using micro sprinkler method of irrigation, the crop water requirement could be met during lean period to avoid moisture stress in plants coupled with planting at the right climatic conditions.