Highest Marketable Yield Research Articles

Influence of various types of absorbent and mulching materials on the productivity and quality of the harvest of cucumbers in the Forest-steppe of Ukraine

The article presents three year’s data on the influence of various types of absorbent and mulching materials on the productivity of Bettina hybrid cucumber for growing plants on a vertical trellis in the Forest-steppe conditions of Ukraine. The data on the passage of the main phenological phases of growth and development of cucumber plants, biometric parameters, yield and biochemical composition of fruits, correlation and variance analysis of the research results are presented. It was found that all phases of plant growth and development passed faster when the soil was mulched with black plastic wrap and black agro fbre using different types of absorbent. In comparison with the control, water-retaining granules and gel, against the background of the use of mulching materials, contributed to an increase in the height of the main stem, the formation of a larger number of leaves on the plant and the area of their assimilation surface. Among the mulching materials, the best results were obtained with the black flm, and among the types of absorbent - with the gel. The highest marketable yield was obtained from the options for mulching the soil with black plastic wrap using water-retaining granules and gel – 56,4 t/ha and 56,9 t/ha, respectively. The largest mass of the early harvest was provided by the option of mulching with a black flm and applying gel to the soil – 35,9 t/ha. Mulching materials and various types of absorbent have contributed to the increase in the marketability of the crop. However, the largest marketability was in the option of mulching with black flm and the use of water-containing granules – 99,4 %. Under the influence of mulching materials and various types of absorbent, the biochemical composition of cucumber fruits changed. The highest dry matter content was for mulching with black flm and the use of an absorbent – 5,3 %. The most sugary fruits were those with the option of mulching with a flm and using an absorbent in the form of a gel – 2,19 %. The content of nitrates in fruits did not exceed the maximum permissible level. However, their lowest content in fruits was under agro fbre without the use of an absorbent – 52,0 mg/kg. Key words: cucumber, hybrid, vertical trellis, absorbents, mulching materials, biometric indicators, yield, fruit marketability, crop quality.

Promising varieties and hybrids F1 sweet pepper for the central zone of Uzbekistan

Relevance. The State Register of agricultural crops recommended for sowing on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan includes 47 hybrids and varieties of sweet pepper. Of these, 8 varieties and one F1 hybrid of domestic selection and 31 F1 hybrids of foreign selection (State Register, 2021). However, many of them, especially those of foreign selection, do not meet the requirements of the local market and are not adapted to local climatic conditions. In this regard, a preliminary test of varieties and hybrids included in the State Register, as well as F1 hybrids offered by foreign producers, was carried out in order to identify the most promising varieties for the conditions of the Central zone of Uzbekistan.Material and research methods. A preliminary tests included 20 varieties and F1 hybrids: 7 varieties and 1 hybrid F1 of domestic selection, 2 varieties and 10 F1 hybrids of foreign selection. The experiments were laid on the experimental base of the Research Institute of Plant Genetic Resources.Results. As a result of a comprehensive assessment of 20 varieties and hybrids of F1 sweet pepper, promising samples were identified for both breeding and industrial use. The sources of early maturity can be the Abai and Claudio hybrids, with the duration of the period "seedlings - biological ripeness of fruits" 97-99 days. To create large-fruited varieties in breeding work, F1 hybrids should be used: Procraft, Dallas, Magno, Claudio, Gemini and Zumrad variety. For breeding thick-walled and very thick-walled varieties and hybrids, the varieties Dar Tashkenta, Sabo, Nargiza, Lastochka, Podarok Moldova, Shodlik, Zumrad, etc., as well as F1 hybrids Procraft, Cadia should be used. High total (43.0-54.1 t/ha) and marketable (40.1-50.5 t/ha) yield was noted in hybrids F1. The most promising hybrids are Cadia, Procraft, Magno, Dallas with a total yield of 50.1-54.1 t/ha, against 47.5 t/ha for the F1 Zhaikhun standard. The total and marketable yield of the tested varieties was significantly lower compared to hybrids F1 and amounted to 33.5-38.6 and 30.7-35.7 t/ha, respectively.

Suitable rootstocks can alleviate the effects of heat stress on pepper plants

In this study, different pepper rootstocks are tested for their ability to overcome heat stress situations. This work aims to evaluate: (i) the physiological mechanisms that occur during long heat stress periods (7 days) under controlled conditions in a pepper variety grafted onto accessions; (ii) the heat stress behaviour of these grafted pepper plants under greenhouse conditions in terms of marketable yields. For this purpose, plants of Lamuyo-type sweet pepper ‘Herminio F1’ (VA), grafted onto six accessions (VA/A25, VA/A31, VA/A34, VA/A52, VA/A57, VA/A6), and a self-grafted variety (VA/VA) were grown under controlled conditions in growth chambers (28/24 °C, day/night temperatures and 38/24 °C for control and heat stress, respectively) and under greenhouse conditions (38/24 °C). For the controlled conditions, relative growth rate, leaf area, electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll a fluorescence and heat shock proteins were determined. For the greenhouse conditions, fresh and dry weigh, electrolyte leakage and fruit yield were determined. Our results confirmed that grafting a pepper cultivar onto appropriate rootstocks such as A6, A25 and A57 can overcome the negative effects of heat stress conditions with a higher relative growth rate, leaf area and Fv/Fm, and lower electrolyte leakage under the controlled conditions, and with higher marketable yields under the greenhouse conditions.

Yield and Quality Response of Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to P and S Fertilizers Application under Different Irrigation Regimes in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a leading exportable vegetable crop and it is a protein source for consumers in many parts of Ethiopia. However, its’ current national productivity of 4.12 t ha -1 is lower than its’ potential as a result of inadequate moisture and poor soil fertility. Therefore, the field experiment was conducted at Melkassa Agricultural Research Center during the dry season in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the response of snap bean to phosphorus and sulfur fertilizers application under different irrigation regimes on yield and quality. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Four drip irrigation regimes (100, 85, 70 and 55% ETc) were assigned to main-plots. Four fertilizer types (0, 21 kg P ha -1 , 30 kg S ha -1 and 21 kg P ha -1 +30 kg S ha -1 ) were allocated to sub-plots. The analysis of variance revealed that the interaction effect of irrigation regimes and fertilizers application had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on first grade and total pod yield. The main effect of various irrigation regimes had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect for all yield and quality parameters except, second grade pod yield and pod diameter. On the other hand, application of different fertilizers types had non-significant effect in all parameters. The highest marketable yield was recorded from the interaction effect of 100% ETc with different fertilizers types’ application. The partial budget analysis indicated that the best treatments were 85 and 100% ETc without fertilizers application, which gave higher net benefits of 111,879.2 and 160,242.6 ETB ha -1 , respectively with an acceptable marginal rate of returns for snap bean production. Therefore, snap bean producers could consider 85% ETc without fertilizers application where scarcity of irrigation water is limiting and 100% ETc without fertilizers application where there are no water shortages, in the central rift valley of Ethiopia with similar soil properties. Keywords: fertilizers, irrigation, plati, yield DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-15-03 Publication date: August 31 st 2021

Nitrogen and Sulphur Fertilisation for Marketable Yields of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. Capitata), Leaf Nitrate and Glucosinolates and Nitrogen Losses Studied in a Field Experiment in Central Slovenia.

A field trial of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.) was carried out under the humid temperate climate conditions in Central Slovenia to investigate the effects of calcium ammonium nitrate (0, 180 and 240 kg N ha−1) and gypsum (0 and 40 kg S ha−1) fertilisation on yield, yield quality (nitrate, glucosinolate levels and glucosinolate profile) and nitrogen use efficiency. The highest marketable yield, dry matter yield and nitrogen uptake were obtained at the highest nitrogen fertilisation rate when in combination with sulphur. For this treatment, the nitrogen surplus in the soil after harvesting was lower than for the same nitrogen fertilisation without sulphur application. For the combination N240S40, the sulphur addition significantly increased nitrogen use efficiency, which resulted in reduced nitrate content in the cabbage heads. The chemical forms of glucosinolates showed that 80–85% were aliphatic glucosinolates with the remainder as the indole group. For the aliphatic glucosinolates, significant interactions between nitrogen and sulphur fertilisations were reflected in increased levels of progoitrin and glucoiberin when sulphur was applied at the lower nitrogen fertilisation rates. For the indole group, the levels of glucobrassicin and the indole group itself decreased at higher nitrogen fertilisation rates, independent of sulphur fertilisation.

The Effect of deficit irrigation on Onion yield and water use efficiency: Concerning moisture stress areas of Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia

To cope with scarce water supply, deficit irrigation is an important tool to achieve the goal of reducing irrigation water use and increasing water use efficiency (WUE) under scarce water resources. This experiment was conducted for the last three years (2018-2020)in Chano Mille Kebelle near Arba Minch to examine the level of deficit irrigation which allows the maximum yield of onion, WUE and economic return without significantly reducing the yield of onion. Randomized Complete Block Design was used to run the experiment with four Replications. The experiment comprised different levels of deficit irrigation treatment: 100% of ETc, 85% of ETc, 75% of ETc and 50% of ETc. Analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference among treatments in terms of marketable yield,total yield, and WUE in three consecutive years. 100% of ETc gave the maximum marketable and total yield and WUE which was followed by 85% of ETc. Additionally, the combined analysis of the mean showed that the highest marketable yield 24.97ton ha-1 and a total yield of 28.63 ton ha-1 was observed from100% of ETc and followed by 22.13 ton ha-1of marketable yield and 26.86 ton ha-1of total yield from 85% of Etc without significant variation. The highestcombined WUE of 4.445kg m-3 resulted from 50% of ETc compared to the other levels of deficit irrigation (3.12 kg m-3 , 3.02 kg m-3, 4.27 kg m-3) from 100%, 85% and 70%, respectively. Given economic return, 100% of ETc yielded the highest net benefit of 208008 Birr/ha and followed by 198558 Birr/ha observed from 85% of ETc without significant economic return. The minimum (123858 Birr/ha gained from 50% of ETc. Based on these findings, 85% of ETc of deficit irrigation under moisture stress areas of Arba Minch should be applied to save water, and increase economic return and command area.

Identification of Elite Potato Clones with Resistance to Late Blight Through Participatory Varietal Selection in Peru

Potato is the most important crop in Peru and late blight is the main disease affecting the crop. However, new varieties that are resistant to late blight often lack other traits that farmers and consumers prefer. Using participatory varietal selection, this study seeks to identify clones with high potential to become varieties with resistance to late blight but also feature a high marketable tuber yield and other preferred agronomic traits. During 2016–2017, 36 clones previously selected for high levels of resistance to late blight from population B developed by the International Potato Center, and three varieties used as controls (INIA 302 Amarilis moderately resistant, INIA303 Canchan and Yungay susceptible to late blight), were evaluated in five Peruvian locations. At harvest, five clones were selected based on (i) evaluations made by farmers through Participatory Varietal Selection, (ii) analysis of mixed models and Best Linear Unbiased Predictors for tuber yield, (iii) low glycoalkaloid content in tubers, and (iv) good organoleptic quality. These clones were evaluated again during 2017–2018 in four locations. Resistance to late blight and good marketable tuber yields were identified as the most important criteria for the selection of a new potato variety. The clones CIP308488.92, CIP308495.227 and CIP308478.59 were selected as promising clones having resistance to late blight and tuber yield superior to the local varieties, INIA-303 Canchan, Yungay, as well as good organoleptic quality and low glycoalkaloid content. These clones can be suggested for variety release in similar agroecological environments.

Direct Seeding and Transplanting Influence Root Dynamics, Morpho-Physiology, Yield, and Head Quality of Globe Artichoke.

The objective of this two-year field study was to assess the influence of stand establishment methods (direct seeding or transplanting) on root growth dynamics, shoot morphology, leaf physiology, yield, and quality of globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus). Three artichoke cultivars were evaluated, ‘Green Globe Improved’ (GGI), ‘Imperial Star’ (IS), and ‘Romolo’ (ROM). Plants established with the transplanting method had higher mean root length intensity (La), root length, and root surface area as compared to plants established by direct seeding. The topsoil (0–20 cm) had on average higher La, root length, and root surface area than deeper soil profiles. Transplanted plants had higher plant shoot width and leaf area index (LAI) chlorophyll content index (SPAD) than direct seeded plants at the vegetative stage in 2015. The improvement of root and shoot growth in transplants (compared to direct seeding) also resulted in higher (p < 0.05) marketable yield (21.1 vs. 19.9 ton ha−1 in 2015 and 18.3 vs. 13.7 ton ha−1 in 2016). Additionally, 46–50% of the total yield occurred during the first 30 days of harvest in the transplanting method compared to 13–38% for direct seeding. No significant differences were found between planting methods or cultivars in leaf-level gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration) and cynarin concentration in the marketable heads. Although chlorogenic acid was similar in both establishment methods in 2015, direct seeding had higher concentration in 2016. Comparing cultivars, GGI had higher root length, surface area, root volume, and earlier and higher marketable yield than ROM. However, ROM had higher mean root length intensity (La; total root length per specific area in soil profile) than GGI in both growing seasons. This study showed significant and consistent improvements in root and shoot traits, and yield for transplants as compared to direct seeded plants.

Influence of nitrogen source on physiology, yield and fruit quality of young apricot trees

The objective of this two-year study was to assess the effect of N source on plant physiology, yield and fruit quality of apricot (Prunus armeniaca ‘Mogador’) trees. Parameters evaluated included: gas exchange [photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs)], chlorophyll content index (SPAD), leaf nutrient concentrations, fruit yield, total soluble solids (°Brix), acidity, sugar content (fructose, glucose, and sucrose), fruit color coordinates (L*, a*, b*), firmness, and radical scavenging activity. Trees were subjected to two N sources: ammonium nitrate [NH4 +/NO3 -(4/6)] applied as N-P2O5-K2O (18-18-18) and ammonium (NH4 +) applied as urea, with an annual application of 150 g N tree−1. In both years, apricot trees fertilized with NH4 +/NO3 - showed higher SPAD, macronutrient (N, P, K) concentrations, fruit yield and number than those treated with NH4 +. However, Pn, gs and E were similar for the two N treatments (NH4 +/NO3 -, NH4 +). Comparing with NH4 +, trees supplied with NH4 +/NO3 - exhibited an increase of 34% in total soluble sugars, 39% in firmness, 7% in scavenging capacity, 14% in fructose content, 31% in glucose content, 38% in sucrose content, 64% in the a* value, and 8% in the b* value. Sugar content (fructose, glucose, and sucrose), color coordinates, and firmness are the main contributors of fruit sweetness, sensory quality, and consumer or preference satisfaction. Since high marketable fruit yield is the main determinant for income returns by apricot producers, and considering that application of NH4 +/NO3 - (4/6) significantly increased fruit yield and sensory quality components, this N source should be preferred over NH4 source for commercial apricot production.

Comprehensive Assessment of Promising Potato Hybrids of Breeding VSC RAS

Using the traditional and marker-assisted selection methods, a comprehensive assessment of promising hybrids from the collection of the All-Russian Scientific Center was carried out. The assessment was conducted in 2018–2019 in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. As a result of molecular genetic analysis, hybrids were found with complex resistance to potato nematode, virus Y and X viruses - 2 / V, 5 / V, 6 / V, 17 / V, 40 / V, 43 / V, 46 / V, 54 / V, 124 / V, 9 / VI, 22a / VI, 35 / VI, 130 / VI, 71 / VII and 118 / VIII. Use of these selected forms allows optimal protection of potatoes, limitation of the spread of pathogens and prevention of the emergence of more aggressive pathotypes (races and strains). The hybrids with resistance to potato virus Y (with the presence of R-gene markers - 1/I, 3/I, 10/I, 13/I, 11/II, 15/III, 2/V, 5/V, 6/V, 7/V, 10/V/1140, 17/V, 40/V, 43/V, 46/V, 54/V, 124/V, 9/VI, 22a/VI, 35/VI, 100/VI, 130/VI, 71/VII) are of interest for practical breeding, as well as the hybrids with resistance to Phytophthora infestans such as 15/III, 119/IX and the hybrids 15 / III, 35 / VI, 130 / VI and 71 / VII, which have high marketable yield and weight of tuber.&#x0D; Keywords: potato, interspecific hybrids, marker-assisted breeding, resistance genes

Variation in South African citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides [L.H. Bailey] Mansf. ex Greb.) landraces assessed through qualitative and quantitative phenotypic traits

Citron watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (L.H. Bailey) Mansf. ex Greb.] is an important genetic resource serving for food, feed, and breeding dessert watermelon (C. lanatus var. lanatus) and other cross-compatible species. Wide phenotypic variation exists among South African citron watermelon landraces which are yet to be systematicaly assessed for diverse uses and cultivar design. The objective of this study was to assess phenotypic diversity of citron watermelon landrace accessions of South Africa and to select desirable genotypes with suitable agronomic and horticultual traits for direct production, breeding and conservation. Thirty six citron watermelon landrace accessions were evaluated under field conditions in two seasons using a 6 × 6 alpha lattice design with three replicates. Data on key qualitative and quantitative traits were collected and subjected to non-parametric and parametric statistical analyses. The accessions showed wide phenotypic variation and unique traits for genetic improvement. Positive and significant correlations (p < 0.001) were recorded between total fruit yield per plant with plant height (r = 0.64), number of harvestable fruits (r = 0.70), number of marketable fruits (r = 0.73) and marketable fruit yield (r = 0.96). Seed yield per plant positively and significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with number of male flowers (r = 0.68), plant height (r = 0.61) and total fruit yield (r = 0.79). Prinicipal component analysis identified nine components which accounted for 86.38% of total variation amongst accessions for assessed phenotypic traits. Citron watermelon accessions WWM16, WWM67 and WWM79 were high-yielding suitable for fruit production for food or livestock feed. Accessions namely WWM03, WWM09, WWM16, WWM39, WM64 and WWM76 produced high fruit number and marketable fruit yield per plant which are recommended as parental genotypes for breeding. Furthermore, accessions WWM04, WWM15, WWM24, WWM28, WWM46, WWM66, WWM68, WWM76 and WWM79 were selected with higher seed production for the food or feed industry. The study recommends citron watermelon accessions such as WWM14, WWM16, WWM39, WWM41, WWM67 and WWM79 for use as leafy vegetables owing to their profuse branching ability and longer vine production. Whereas accessions including WWM03, WWM17, WWM35, WWM40, WWM50, WWM67, WWM79 and WWM85 are selected with larger fruit size. Accessions WWM05 and WWM09 are sour-flesh types which are suitable genetic stocks for breeding sweet-and-sour dessert watermelons. Orange-fleshed accessions such as WWM03, WWM04, WWM46, WWM64, WWM66 and WWM67 are recommended for fresh consumption, cooking, processing or variety design. Accessions WWM02, WWM03, WWM08, WWM14, WWM16, WWM23, WWM38, WWM40, WWM41 and WWM67 have red and white seed coat colour which are superior selections to prepare roasted citron watermelon seed snack.

Sustainable agricultural practices for improving growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcumalonga L.)

A field experiment was carried out in district-Sangli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of sustainable agricultural practices for improving growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) variety Salem during 2018 and 2019. Twelve treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that plant height, leaves/plant, width of leaves, leaf area index and clumps/plant tended to increase with age of plant and maximum values were recorded at 150 DAP, irrespective to various treatments. Application of 50% RDF + 50% NC resulted in significantly higher fresh weight of primary rhizome (46.5 g), fresh weight of secondary rhizome (55.5 g) and high marketable yield of rhizome (251.2 q ha-1) over control. The total yield of fresh rhizome per plot was comparatively on higher side (418.5g) when compared to control (308.1g) and other treatments. The application of 50% RDF + 50% NC proved superior for enhancing the quality parameters of turmeric such as fats (1.06 %), protein (1.25 %), carbohydrates (9.25 %) and curcumin (5.13 %) content to other treatments. Soil productivity was recorded maximum due to combined application of 50 % RDF + 50 % NC than the application of all these fertilizers alone. Fertility status of post-harvest soil improved with most of the treatments over control and higher values were recorded with 50% RDF + 50% NC treatment.

Performance of Brinjal (Solanum melongena L) Germplasm for Shoot and Fruit Borer Infestation and Marketable Yield

The present field experiment was aimed to evaluate the tolerance level to shoot, fruit borer infestation, and yield traits with 174 brinjal accessions at the University orchard, Department of Vegetable crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Among the evaluated accessions, the Acc- EC 490062, Acc - EC 144139-D and Acc - IC 344646 were identified as the best performers as they showed favorable effects for earliness to flowering and harvest, number of fruits per plant and yield. In addition, they recorded the lowest level of shoot and fruit borer infestation with a high marketable yield. The least incidence of shoot borer (13.97 %) was registered in the accession EC 144139-D, EC 490062 (14.35 %), followed by the accession IC 344646 (15.74 %). Whereas the minimum infestation of fruit borer was recorded by the accessions EC 490062 (13.18 %), EC 144139-D (13.52 %), and IC 344646 (13.67 %). The maximum marketable yield per plant (3.46 kg) was registered by the Acc - EC 490062 followed by Acc - EC 144139-D (3.80 kg) and Acc- IC 344646 (3.64 kg). The genotypes acknowledged in the current investigation can be explored as parents in future crop improvement programmes of brinjal.

Effects of Planting Time and Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Carrot Under Dry Land Condition at Bina, Mymensingh

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period from November, 2018 to April, 2019 to study the effects of planting time and spacing on the growth and yield of carrots under dry land condition at BINA, Mymensingh. Five different planting times viz. November 10, November 20, November 30, December 10 and December 20 and four different spacing’s of 25× 20 cm, 20× 20 cm, 15× 15 cm and 10× 10 cm were used . This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Planting time showed significant effects on the growth and yield of carrot in respect of plant height, number of leaves, fresh and dry weights of leaves and roots, length ad diameter of roots, gross and marketable yields of carrot. The highest marketable yields (39.70 t/ha) was obtained from November 20 planting, whereas the lowest yields (25.02 t/ha) from December 20 planting. Plant spacing also significantly influenced on all the mentioned parameters. The highest marketable yields (34.95 t/ha) was observed from the closest spacing of 10× 10 cm. In respect of combined effect, November 20 planting with the closest spacing of 10× 10 cm produced significantly the highest marketable (42.29 t/ha) yields of carrot.&#x0D; Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.7(3): 373-382, December 2020

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates and Intra-row Spacing on Yield and Yield Components of ‘Improved Huruta‘ Shallot Variety (Allium cepa var.ascalonicum) at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia

Agronomic practices for the newly released shallot variety have not been conducted in Eastern Ethiopia. To assess the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and intra-row spacing, a field experiment was conducted in 2017 which consisted of seven rates of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75,100,125 and 150 kg N ha-1) and three intra-row spacing (7.5, 10 and 12.5 cm) in factorial combination and it was laid out in a RCBD with three replications. Results of the analysis revealed that all bulb yield and yield components of the variety were highly significantly influenced by the main effects of nitrogen fertilizer and intra-row spacing. Moreover, the interaction of nitrogen fertilizer and intra-row spacing significantly influenced days to maturity, plant height, and average bulb weight and bulb dry matter. The application of 125 kg N ha-1gave high total and marketable bulb yield advantage of 32.45% (13.89 t ha-1) and 40.8% (15.47 t ha-1), respectively over the control. Plants spaced at 7.5 cm had total and marketable bulb yield advantage of 35.94% (14.54 t ha-1) and 32.83% (12.42 t ha-1), respectively over plants spaced at 12.5 cm. Therefore, intra-row spacing of 7.5 cm with the application of 125 kg N ha-1 is used for optimum yield in the study area although further research should be needed to come up with conclusive recommendation.

On-farm Evaluation of Strawberry Cultivars in Coastal Virginia

Strawberries (Fragaria ×ananassa) are one of the major high-value crops in North America. There is increasing interest in commercial strawberry production for local markets in Virginia and surrounding states, but information on the performance of newer cultivars is extremely limited. We tested 10 commercially available June-bearing cultivars [Benicia, Camarosa, Camino Real, Chandler, Strawberry Festival, Flavorfest, FL Radiance, Treasure, Sweet Charlie, and Winterstar™ (FL 05-107)] and two day-neutral cultivars (Albion and San Andreas) for their spring and summer fruiting capacity in Virginia production systems in a randomized, replicated study, at three on-farm locations. Data were collected on vegetative growth, yield performance, fruit quality, sweetness, and fruit diameter. Cultivars with the highest total yields averaged across all three locations were Benicia, Camino Real, Chandler, and Camarosa. ‘Camino Real’ had the highest marketable yield at all three locations, not significantly different from ‘Chandler’, and ‘Benicia’ and ‘Camarosa’ had the highest marketable yield at two of the three locations. ‘Flavorfest’ and ‘Sweet Charlie’ had the highest total soluble solids concentration for the harvest season. Overall, for all locations, ‘Benicia’ and ‘Camino Real’ had the largest fruit diameter, and ‘Strawberry Festival’ had the smallest fruit diameter.

Yield of eggplant using low quality water and pulse drip irrigation

ABSTRACT The use of saline water and wastewater in agriculture has been increasingly considered, and this is due to the increase in awareness about the conservation of natural resources and population growth, implying a greater demand for food. Drip irrigation already has many benefits and, with the splitting of the depths to be applied, results in pulse drip irrigation, which further favors the plant by providing more constant moisture in the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the application of wastewater and saline water by pulse drip irrigation on eggplant yield and water use efficiency. The experimental design was randomized blocks in 2 x 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to continuous and pulse drip irrigation and five types of water (municipal, saline (sodium chloride), saline (calcium chloride), wastewater, and a mix of saline (sodium chloride) and wastewater), with five repetitions. Water use efficiency was quantified according to the water applied and the production. Pulse drip irrigation promoted higher marketable fruit yield. The best performance of eggplant was verified when wastewater was applied via pulse drip irrigation. Wastewater via pulse drip irrigation can be used to grow eggplant for higher marketable yield and water use efficiency.

Performance of Sweetpotato Varieties Grown Using Black Plastic Mulch in Pennsylvania

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) production in Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States has been increasing steadily. The performance of eight commercially available sweetpotato varieties and two unreleased accessions grown on raised beds and covered with black plastic mulch in Pennsylvania was evaluated. All varieties and accessions were evaluated in 2 successive years (2018 and 2019) at Rock Springs, PA. There were statistically significant differences in total marketable yield (TMY), but not in all yield components in both years. ‘Orleans’, ‘Beauregard’, ‘Averre’, and ‘Covington’ consistently produced high marketable yields and suitable U.S No.1 grade storage roots. ‘Bonita’ (tan skin/white flesh) and ‘Carolina Ruby’ [red skin/orange flesh (OF)] produced consistent yields in both years (range, 330–430 bushels/acre; 50-lb bushel). NC413 [purple skin (PS)/purple flesh (PF)] produced the lowest yield in 2018 and was discarded for future trials. In 2019, NCP13-0030 (PS/PF) produced good yields and shapes comparable to OF varieties. Overall total yields (TYs) measured in this study compared satisfactorily with average nationwide yields, with several varieties producing more than 500 bushels/acre.

Table grapes irrigation with treated municipal wastewater in a Mediterranean environment

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of different water quality regimes [Freshwater (FW), treated wastewater (TW) and alternating FW and TW (FW‐TW)] on drip‐irrigated table grape yield, quality and microbial contamination. Water and soil samples were analysed. In addition, grape samples were harvested for quantitative and qualitative evaluation. The results showed that the plants irrigated with TW and those irrigated with alternating FW and TW gave 19.57 and 14.95% higher marketable yield, respectively, than plants irrigated with FW. Total soluble sugars, total titratable acidity and sweetness ranged, respectively, between 18.43–20.13, 0.69–0.81% and 21.52–29.19, and were within the desirable levels for table grape harvest. In addition, there was no significant difference in terms of total phenols and mineral composition of berries, leaves, peduncle and pedicels. Finally, table grapes did not present any bacterial contamination which confirm the importance of the adopted irrigation regime for a safe wastewater reuse in agriculture.

Compatibility and efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae and sex pheromone for controlling Thaumatotibia leucotreta

A sound IPM management for false codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta, a devastating pest threatening horticultural production in Africa, is urgently needed. The compatibility of the dry conidia of virulent fungal isolate, Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 with FCM sex pheromone (Crytrack®) in the autoinoculation was assessed. The effect of the pheromone on the conidial germination was monitored for 4 weeks under field conditions. The multilocation trial was implemented in Machakos and Makueni counties in Kenya to test the efficacy of M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 and Last Call FCM® for T. leucotreta control in orange orchards. The treatments evaluated were (1) M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 (Campaign® and dry conidia); (2) Last Call FCM®; (3) M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 (Campaign® and dry conidia) and Last Call FCM®; and (4) Untreated control orchards. Results show that the conidial viability is not affected by the pheromone. For the multilocation FCM control trial, all treated orchards recorded a significant reduction in the FCM population and consequently fruit infestation, relative to the control (no intervention). FCM infested fruits were 18, 27, 5, and 49% in the treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, in Machakos, and 24, 31, 7, and 54% for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Makueni. The highest marketable yield was recorded in orchards that received treatment 3 for both counties. The yield was 10,880.68 and 11,192.26 kg orange fruit/ha for Machakos and Makueni, respectively. The implication for the management of FCM is discussed in light of the findings of this study.