Highest Marketable Yield Research Articles

Participatory evaluation of advanced potato (Solanum tuberosum) clones for water stress tolerance

An attempt was made to introduce potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in hot arid water scarce zone of Western Rajasthan, India. Eight CIP-bred potato clones were evaluated along with two controls, viz. Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Surya on farmer’s field at Jodhpur, Rajasthan under normal and moderate water stress regime during three winter crop seasons (2012-15). Pooled analysis revealed that CIP clone 397006.18 (34.0 tonnes/ha) out yielded Kufri Pukhraj (26.8 tonnes/ha) and Kufri Surya (20.2 tonnes/ha) for marketable tuber yield. This clone maintained yield under normal and deficit irrigation and attained 26.9% higher marketable yield under normal irrigations, which further improved by 31.3% under deficit water stress regime over the best control Kufri Pukhraj. This clone recorded highest tuber dry matter content (22.7%), statistically superior to both control Kufri Pukhraj (17.9%) and Kufri Surya (21.4%). Clone 397006.18 had highest mean drought tolerance index value (1.16) and least total weight loss under normal irrigation (4.9%) and water stress conditions (8.6%) up to 60 days of storage. Preference yield analysis by potato growers showed that they liked this clone most and its overall acceptability was fairly better for all organoleptic traits. Results of field study and participatory varietal selection indicated that clone 397006.18 performed better for tuber productivity under deficit water management, exhibited drought tolerance traits and achieved overall acceptance by the farmers in Western Rajasthan.

Nitrogen Response of French Fry and Chip Cultivars Selected for Low Tuber Reducing Sugars

New cultivars ‘Alpine Russet’, ‘Dakota Trailblazer’ and ‘Ivory Crisp’ have lower tuber reducing sugars and acrylamide-forming potential. Adoption of new cultivars by growers requires information about their responses to agronomic factors such as nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of N rate on yield and quality of new cultivars relative to conventional cultivars ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Snowden’. The experiment was conducted over two years as a randomized complete block design replicated four times with five N rates and five cultivars. The new cultivars had comparable or higher marketable yields, and a higher percentage of large tubers (greater than170 g) than the standard cultivars. Total and marketable yields responded quadratically to N and optimized at 231 kg ha−1 in 2011 and 319 kg ha−1 in 2012 for all cultivars. ‘Dakota Trailblazer’ had high hollow heart incidence (greater than 10% at N rates above 125 kg ha−1), and excessively high specific gravity, making it undesirable for processing but with potential to be a parent in a breeding program. ‘Alpine Russet’ and ‘Ivory Crisp’ had specific gravity suitable for commercial processing, and low hollow heart incidence at all N rates. Critical petiole nitrate-N concentrations 50 and 70 days after planting for all cultivars were greater in 2012 than in 2011, suggesting that interpretation of critical values can be affected by growing conditions.

Effectiveness of some selected insecticides and botanicals against okra shoot and fruit borer

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of some selected insecticides and botanicals against okra shoot and fruit borer Earias vittella F. under field conditions. The insecticides tested were Relothrin 10EC @ 1ml l-1, Marshal 20EC @ 2ml l-1and Riva 2.5 EC @ ml l-1; and the botanicals were NSKE @ 50g l-1, Neem leaf extract @ 100g l-1 and Bishkatali leaf extract @ 100g l-1. An additional treatment of Mechanical control (hand picking) and an untreated control were maintained in the experiment for comparison. All treatments were applied at 15 days interval. Shoot infestation was the lowest in Marshal 20EC treated plot (4.34% at pre-fruiting and 3.55% at fruiting stage) and the highest was in untreated control plot (21.4%). The lowest fruit infestation by okra shoot and fruit borer was obtained with Marshal 20EC (5.07% n/n and 3.65% w/w) followed by Relothrin 10EC (5.43% n/n and 4.27% w/w) and the highest infestation was observed under untreated control plot (19.67% n/n and 19.81% w/w). The reduction of fruit infestation over untreated control ranged from 56.93-81.55% by number and 43.47-74.22% by weight. The highest marketable yield (10.46 t ha-1) was obtained in Marshal 20EC treated plot followed by in Relothrin 10EC 10.30 t ha-1 with the maximum benefit cost ratio (BCR) 6.72.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(2): 353-362, June 2017

Hairy vetch becomes an alternative basal N fertilizer in low-input fresh-market tomato production in plastic high tunnel

Environment pollution is one of the major concerns in recent times. In order to establish low-input alternative production systems based on cover crops, the effectiveness of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth; HV) incorporated as a basal nitrogen (N) fertilizer in fresh-market tomato production in plastic high tunnel was investigated in Sapporo, Japan. The treatments consisted of HV seeding rates (HV20, 20 kg ha-1; HV50, 50 kg ha-1) and ammonium sulfate (AS100, 100 kg ha-1) applied as basal N fertilizers, and the control with no basal fertilizer. In all plots, 150 kg ha-1 of N was added as topdressing slow-release N fertilizer (LPS100 41%-N) before transplanting. HV aboveground biomass (dry weight) was 5.85 t ha-1 in HV20 and 7.19 t ha-1 in HV50. Nitrate in petiole sap was found to be higher in HV20, HV50 and AS100 plots than in control plots throughout the cultivation period with the exception of the first 2 weeks after transplanting (WAT). The growth index (GI) was higher in HV20 (47971), HV50 (46285), and AS100 (43397) than in control (39847) at 7 WAT. Higher marketable yields were found in tomatoes grown in HV20 (68.7 t ha-1), HV50 (69.1 t ha-1) and AS100 (60.8 t ha-1), compared with control (51.9 t ha-1). The HV plots had greater soil organic nitrogen and soil carbon than AS100 and control after tomato production. From these results, the HV seeding rate of 20 kg ha-1 will be enough to support the growth of tomato planted after HV production if HV grows smoothly in greenhouse.

EFFECT OF PLANT DENSITY AND SPRAYING WITH ALUMINUM SILICATE ON FRUIT YIELD AND QUALITY OF PROCESSING TOMATO GROWN IN SUMMER SEASON

This study was conducted during two successive late summer seasons of 2015and 2016 at a private farm on Cairo-Alex Desert Road-Km73 (Agricultural Almostakbal Association), Giza Governorate. In this study the effects of three plant densities i.e., 14000, 12000 and 10500 plants per fedden along with three levels of aluminum silicate (kaolin), i.e., 1, 2 and 3% added as foliar spray beside the control (tap water) were studied. Data collected wereon vegetative growth, flowering characteristics, fruit yield and its quality of processing tomato, hybrid Alissa F1. Kaolin application started fifteen days after transplanting and repeated at every 8 to 10 days until the beginning of fruits coloring stage. The field soil was sandy in texture and drip irrigation system was used. The obtained results showed that using the highest plant density of processing tomato, i.e 14000 plant (30cm spacing between the seedlings) produced the taller plants, high weight of fresh and dry leaves, the highest fruit setting% with high early, total and marketable yield as well as low percentage from sunscald affected fruits. However, such treatment (highest plant density) produced the lowest fruit weight, firmness and fruit contents from vitamin C ,T.S.S as well as pH of juice. The lowest plant density produced low fruit yield with high percentage of unmarketable fruit, but the fruits were bigger, had highest weight, were firmner, and had high concentration from vitamin C, T.S.S and pH of juice, than those harvested from plants grown in higher densities. Concerning the effect of foliar spray with aluminum silicate kaolin, it is obvious from the results, that the level of 2% significantly increased all traits of vegetative growth, enhanced earliness of flowering and increased fruit setting, total and marketable yield with superior characteristics, i.e, fruit weight, less infection with sunscald fruits, high firmness, high vitamin C, T.S.S as well as pH of juice contents. For that, it can recommend under the condition of planting the processing tomato in the late summer seasons under sandy soil under drip irrigation system with high density plant per fedden(14000 plant), i.e., 30 cm spacing between plants and foliar spraywith 2% aluminum silicate to obtain highest marketable fruit yield and reach to highest productivity.

Effect of planting time on the performance of broccoli under Mizoram conditions

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), a popular vegetable crop, has one of the most exacting climatic and cultural requirements, which limit its commercial production to a few favored locations. A field experiment was conducted at Mizoram University, Tanhril, Mizoram during winter of 2013/2014 to find out the effect of time of sowing on plant performance and yield of broccoli. Six sowing time was done viz. 17 October (T1), 24 October (T2), 31 October (T3), 7 November (T4), 14 November (T5) and 21 November (T6) with plant spacing of 45cm x 45cm. Yield and yield contributing characters were significantly influenced by the planting time. Highest average weight of marketable curd per plant (199.20 g) was obtained from T2, whereas lowest average weight obtained from T6 (75 g). The influence of planting time also showed significant difference on the calculated yield (tonnes per hectare) of broccoli, in which T2 showed highest marketable yield of 9.83 t/ha.

Effect of Organic, Inorganic Fertilizers and Plant Spacing on the Growth and Yield of Cabbage

The impact of chemical farming and the negative consequences on the environment and human health in Bangladesh are on the rise. Organic farming is gaining attention and increasing globally because it is eco-friendly, safe and has benefits for human health. A field study was conducted at the horticulture farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, to evaluate the growth and yield performance of cabbage cv. Atlas—70 using organic and inorganic fertilizers in various plant spacing arrangements. Two factor experiments were conducted on plant spacings of 60 cm × 40 cm (S1), 60 cm × 50 cm (S2) and 60 cm × 60 cm (S3) and fertilizers vermicompost (T1), biogen (T2), integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) Organic (⅔) + inorganic (⅓) (T3) and inorganic (T4). IPNS (T3) application increased the marketable yield (54.77 t·ha−1) of cabbage. The highest marketable yield (48.75 t·ha−1) was obtained with a plant spacing of 60 cm × 40 cm (S1). No significant variation was found in plant spacings S1 and S2. The treatment combination of S2T3 recorded the highest plant height (37.81 cm), plant spread (47.75 cm), cabbage head (21.80 cm), stem length (12.31 cm), thickness of the cabbage head (12.53 cm) and marketable yield (65.0 t·ha−1). The results suggest that IPNS (T3) combining organic and inorganic fertilizer applications with a 60 cm × 50 cm spacing (S2T3) increases the yield performance of cabbage.

Economic Return versus Crop Water Productivity of Watermelon under Full and Deficit Irrigation Conditions

Field research was carried out in a sub humid climate at the Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey. Using the yield data obtained from the field research for 2011 and 2012, a partial economic analysis was conducted for watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris, var. Crimson Sweet) at four drip irrigation treatments of full irrigation [FI, 100% evapotranspiration (ETc)] and deficit irrigation (DI) [75% FI, 50% FI and 25% FI] and then compared to both physical and economic water use efficiency (WUE). Total costs and net incomes differed among irrigation strategies. Marketable yield (MY) and net income to land decreased with decreases in the amount of irrigation. The highest MY and net income to land were obtained with the full irrigation treatment. The results showed that full irrigation is recommended under non-water-limiting environments for higher yield and net income. The highest net income to water, physical WUE and economic WUE values were resulted from the 75% FI. With consideration to net income and water use efficiency, deficit irrigation management strategy of 75% FI under water-limiting conditions can be preferable, because it achieved irrigation water savings of 25%, an increase of 9% in crop water use efficiency and an acceptable net income with a yield loss of only approximately 8% compared with full irrigation.

Trends in carrot production and breeding in Japan

Carrot is one of the most important vegetables in Japan. In addition to large acreages of carrot root production (18,500 ha), extensive use of hybrid cultivars and high seed price make the Japanese market one of the biggest carrot seed markets (more than 3 billion JPY = 20 million Euros at wholesale level) in the world. Total root production reaches 544 kilotons and more than 85% are used for fresh purposes. There are three major cropping segments in Japan, “Summer sowing”, “Main season” and “Early sowing”. In the main carrot production area, cultivation is mechanized from to harvest. In some big production places, washing and packing are also getting highly mechanized. In all segments, the 'Kuroda' type and 'Chantenay' type hybrid cultivars are used. But leading cultivars vary depending on segments and region. Also breeding requirements are slightly different between the segments. In all segments, slightly conical shape with 16-18 cm root length and very uniform root shape with appropriate root size are preferred, in order to achieve high marketable yield. Recently, seed amount per hectare is decreasing (450,000 seeds ha-1) to minimize thinning costs. As the result, demands for seed quality and germination are also getting higher. Today, there are five major carrot seed suppliers in Japanese carrot market, and a few other seed companies are rising. Trends in carrot breeding at Japanese seed companies seem to be exploiting new hybrid cultivars with adaptability for mechanical harvest and with highly uniform root shape and size to give high income profit to growers. These trends seem obvious in the Summer sowing and “Early sowing” segments. Currently, some hybrid cultivars used in Japan are also taking significant market share in the hybrid carrot seed market in China that has potential to be the biggest carrot seed market in the world.

Study on alternative technologies for the production of tomato during the rainy season in subhumid climate of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Tomato production is not common during main rainy season, especially in sub-humid climatic conditions like in Bahir Dar. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to study the production potential of tomato using rainshelter and management practices during the 2013 rainy season (June-October) in Bahir Dar. The experimental treatments were laid down in split-plot-design at three replications, where with and without plastic rain-shelter were assigned as main plots and management practices (fungicide and stalking) as sub-plots. The results revealed that tomatoes grown in protected structure were significantly (P<0.01) longer (100.5 cm), had more branches (8.9) and flowered earlier (49.1 days) than those grown under open field condition with the mean values of 50.9 cm, 6.3 and 54 days, respectively. Incidence and severity of late blight and yield of tomatoes were also influenced significantly by growth conditions, management practices and their interactions. Tomatoes grown under rain-shelter structure produced significantly higher total fruit yield (31.3 t ha -1 ) and exhibited low disease incidence (16.7%) and severity indexes (26.7%) on leaves and as well as on fruits with the mean values of 22.4% and 37.9%, respectively. Similarly, sprayed and staked tomatoes produced the highest marketable (35.2 t ha -1 ) and total (41.8 t ha -1 ) fruit yields and exhibited significantly lower late blight incidence and severity. In rainshelter structure, the management practices had similar effects on both disease and yield parameters, where higher yield and lower late blight incidence and severity were generally observed. In open field condition, however, only sprayed and staked tomatoes exhibited lower late blight incidence (23.3%) and severity (24%) on leaves and fruits with the mean values of 39% and 40%, respectively. The highest marketable yield (36.4 t ha -1 ) obtained from such tomatoes in open field condition was statistically similar with the yield obtained from the corresponding treatment in rain-shelter structure (34.1 t ha -1 ). Generally, the present findings showed that rain-shelter technology reduced incidence of late blight and thus it can be used as alternative technology for the production of tomato during the rainy season in and around Bahir Dar. Moreover, tomato can also be produced in open field using improved management practices such as staking and spraying with appropriate fungicides against late blight and similar diseases. Further research is required to select tomato varieties suitable for rainshelter technology as well as to optimize frequency of pesticide applications as their application may have residual effect on fresh vegetables like tomato. Keywords: Disease incidence, growth condition, late blight, rain-shelter, Ridomil, staking

Evaluation of brinjal (Solanum melongena L) germplasm for yield and shoot and fruit borer resistance under drip fertigation

An investigation was conducted at the University orchard, Department of Vegetable crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during the year 2010- 2011 to evaluate the germplasm consisted of 182 accessions along with six check varieties viz., Pusa purple Long, Pusa Shyamala, Pusa Kranti, Punjab Sadabahar (received from National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi) and CO1 and CO2 (released from TNAU, Coimbatore) were taken for evaluation. They were evaluated for their plant, fruit characters along with shoot and fruit borer infestation. The study showed that the accessions viz., IC 354546, IC 112736 and EC 467272 were identified as best performers as they showed favourable characters for earliness to flowering and harvest, number of fruits / plant and yield. Also they recorded lowest level of shoot and fruit borer infestation and high marketable yield.

Reduced Rates of Metribuzin and Time of Hilling Controlled Weeds in Potato

The current emphasis on reducing herbicide applications has led to an increase in alternative weed control measures. Field experiment was conducted in the spring of 2014 to examine the effect of hilling-time and reduced-rates of metribuzin and their combinations on weed infestation in potato, and to determine their impact on potato yield. Metribuzin at 0.35, 0.56, or 0.75 kg ai/ha with or without hilling 6, 7, and 8 weeks after planting (WAP) were used. Weed count, weed control visual rating, weed dry weight, potato plant height, number of shoots and leaves, root dry weight, and potato yield were collected. Results showed that metribuzin, at all tested rates, with or without hilling significantly reduced weed infestation after 50, 70, and 110 days after planting (DAP) compared to the check. Best results were obtained by a combination of metribuzin at all tested rates with hilling 6, 7, and 8 WAP. The results suggest that long season weed control and high marketable yield could be achieved by metribuzin at 0.35 kg ai/ha (53% reduction in metribuzin) supplemented with hilling (6 WAP). None of the treatments was toxic to potato plants compared to the hand-weeded plots.

Performance of Bt and non Bt brinjal hybrids against brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee

Results indicated that among tested Bt and non Bt brinjal hybrids, Bt hybrids performed significantly superior proving future weapon to combat against shoot and fruit borer. All Bt brinjal hybrids were superior than their non Bt counterparts recording less shoot damage. MHB 80 Bt (3.85) and MHB 9 Bt (2.53); MHB 9 Bt (3.13) and MHB-10 Bt (2.88) were promising against brinjal shoot and fruit borer recording minimum fruit damage on number and weight basis respectively. The yields ranged from 283.5 to 472.5 q/ha. Higher yield (q/h) was recorded in MHBJ-99 Bt (472.5) followed by MHB-4 Bt (419.5). Marketable yield ranged from 266.7 to 470.9 q/ha. Highest marketable yield was recorded in MHBJ-99 Bt (470.9) followed by MHB-4 Bt (416.3).

Wplyw Tytanitu� na plon i elementy skladowe plonu bardzo wczesnych odmian ziemniaka

The growing period for early potatoes is extremely short, only 50-80 days from planting to harvest. To obtain a high marketable tuber yield in such a short period good conditions for plant growth must be ensured. In modern agriculture, plant growth stimulants have been gaining increasing importance. Although titanium (Ti) is neither a major nor minor nutrient for plants, it is classified as a beneficial element for plant growth. This paper analyses the effect of dose (0.2 dm3*ha-1 or 0.4 dm3*ha-1) and date (leaf development stage – BBCH 14-16, tuber formation stage – BBCH 41-43, leaf development stage and tuber formation stage) of the application of Tytanit® (8.5 g Ti in 1 dm3) on the yield and yield components of very early-maturing potato cultivars (‘Lord’ and ‘Milek’). Potatoes were harvested 75 days after planting (the end of June). Tytanit® caused an increase in the tuber number and tuber weight per plant, particularly under stress conditions, although the effect of cultivars was not consistent. The growth stimulant did not have any effect on the average tuber weight. Following the application of Tytanit®, the total tuber yield was higher, on average, by 2.26 t*ha-1 (7.5%), and the marketable tuber yield (diameter above 30 mm) by 1.88 t*ha-1 (6.4%). The tuber number per plant was higher when Tytanit® was applied at the dose of 0.2 dm3*ha-1. Potato plants produced greatest tubers when Tytanit® was only applied in the leaf development stage (BBCH 1416). With double Tytanit® applications, i.e. in the leaf development stage and with repeated treatment in the tuber formation stage, both the tuber number and tuber weight per plant were lower. The Tytanit® application contributed to improved marketable value of the early potato yield due to a decreased share of small tubers (diameter below 40 mm) and an increased share of large tubers (diameter above 51 mm) especially in a year with a periodical water shortage in the tuber growth period. The examined very early-maturing potato cultivars showed a differential response to Tytanit®. The growth stimulant had a greater effect on the tuber number and tuber weight per plant for the ‘Lord’ cultivar. Following the Tytanit® application, the total tuber yield of ‘Lord’ cultivar was higher, on average by 3.71 t*ha-1 (12.7%) and marketable tuber yield by 3.22 t*ha-1 (11.4%). Tytanit® caused an increase in tuber yield of ‘Milek’ cultivar only in year with the highest air temperature and water shortage in June – the total tuber yield was higher, on average by 2.16 t*ha-1 (8.5%) and marketable tuber yield by 2.02 t*ha-1 (8.2%).

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties evaluation in Borana zone, Yabello district, southern Ethiopia

Tomato is one of the most important vegetable in Ethiopia as well as in the world in irrigated regions. It can be produced in a wide range of climatic conditions and many types of soils. Borana zone has potential to produce the crop, but not well done due to technical (production technology) and socio-economic problems. Among technical problem unavailability of seeds of adapted and improved tomato varieties is the most limiting factor. Therefore, the objective of this research is to test a range of improved varieties under Borana condition to identify genotypes with relatively better performance. To this effect, four improved and recommended varieties of tomato, namely: Fetan, Melkashola, Miya and Cochoro introduced from Melkassa Agricultural Research Center and one variety called CAL-J introduced from Kenya were tried for their adaptation at Yabello under irrigation using tap water in the year 2014. The experiment was single factor (varieties) single season experiment in RCBD with three replications. Parameters like Plant height, number of primary branch, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest, Total fruit yield (ton/ha), marketable fruit yield (ton/ha), unmarketable fruit yield (ton/ha), fruits number per plant and single fruit weight (gram) were collected and analyzed. The result showed that there was significant (P ≤ 0.05) variation among the varieties for parameters including Plant height, number of primary branch, Total fruit yield (ton/ha), marketable fruit yield (ton/ha), unmarketable fruit yield (ton/ha) and single fruit weight (gram), but there was no significant variation for parameters days to 50% flowering, days to first harvest and fruit number per plant. Variety Miya gave significantly higher marketable fruit yield (22.95 ton/ha) and higher average of single fruit weight (85.84 gram) than other varieties. The least fruit marketable yield was obtained from the variety Fetan (11.61 ton/ha). Based on the result of the experiment, Variety Miya was recommended for further popularization in Yabello district under irrigation. Key words: Tomato, variety introduction, variety evaluation, yield components, fruit yield.

Evaluation of Bio-pesticides and Insecticides Against Brinjal Shoot and Fruit Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee) in Meghalawya of North-Eastern India

The field experiments were conducted at ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, India during 2011–2012 to evaluate some biopesticides and newly introduced insecticides against shoot and fruit borer of brinjal. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The treatments viz., azadirachtin 1 EC (2 ml l−1), karanjin 2 EC (2 ml l−1), anonin 1 EC (2 ml l−1), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.) (2 g l−1), emamectin benzoate 5 SG (0.4 ml l−1), flubendiamide 480 SC (0.3 ml l−1), chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC (0.4 ml l−1), chlorpyriphos 20 EC (2 ml l−1) were applied thrice at fifteen days interval starting from initiation of shoot and fruit borer infestation. Results showed that chlorantraniliprole (2.46%) was the best treatment in reducing the shoot infestation (81.88% reduction) which was statistically at par with flubendiamide (3.08%) and emamectin benzoate (3.76%) with 77.37% and 71.95% reduction over untreated control, respectively. The overall mean fruit infestation were also minimum in chlorantraniliprole (5.76%) and flubendiamide (5.93%) treated plots with 79.45% and 78.84% reduction over untreated control plots (28.03%), respectively. Pooled data of two years experimental results indicated that highest marketable yield was recorded in chlorantraniliprole treated plots (155.01 q ha−1) followed by flubendiamide (149.50 q ha−1), emamectin benzoate (134.24 q ha−1) and chlorpyriphos (125.43 q ha−1). Among bio-pesticides, highest mean marketable yield was recorded in Bacillus thuringiensis treated plots (114.45 q ha−1) followed by azadirachtin (101.11 q ha−1).

Cultivar and plant density impact on growth and morphometric characteristics of lettuce in floating system

Floating system and management of abiotic factors in the greenhouse achieved the optimal lettuce growth and shortening of production cycle. Aim of the research was to select the combination of cultivar and plant density (stand) which meets the market requirement of lettuce head mass (200- 300 g) and provide the highest yield. Five lettuce cultivars ('Tourbillon', 'Othilia', 'Maritima', 'Caipira', 'Bonaly') and 3 stands (13, 17 and 21 plant m-2) were tested by method of randomized block design with three replications. Lettuce was sown on July 31 and the seedlings were deployed on polystyrene floaters on August 18 (100 plants m-2) and redeployed on August 28 at scheduled stands. Morphometric analysis of lettuce was conducted five times during the growing period and also over the harvest on September 20. During the production cycle the mean air temperature was 22.3 °C, while relative humidity ranged from 39 to 80%. Parameters of nutrient solution were: temperature 22.7 °C, dissolved oxygen 7.8-8.3 mg l-1, pH- value 6.1 and EC-value 1.3-1.7 dS m-1. Relative growth rate was higher at the start of growing period, i.e., the younger plants were grown faster. Adequate lettuce head weight (276 and 321 g) was recorded by stands of 17 and 13 plants m- 2. The highest marketable yield was achieved by combinations: 17 × 'Bonaly' and 13 × 'Tourbilon' (4.07 and 4.17 kg m-2, respectively). Combinations 'Bonaly', 'Othilie', 'Tourbilon' and 'Maritima' with stand of 17 plants m-2 can be recommended since they provided satisfactory head weight for sales per piece and thus a higher income per unit area compared to other combinations.

Assessment of diesel-contaminated domestic wastewater treated by constructed wetlands for irrigation of chillies grown in a greenhouse

In order to avoid environmental pollution and eliminate the need for using fertiliser, this study assessed for the first time the optimum performance of mature (in operation since 2011) vertical flow constructed wetlands in treating domestic wastewater (with and without hydrocarbon) and the subsequent recycling of the outflow to irrigate chillies (De Cayenne; Capsicum annuum (Linnaeus) Longum Group ‘De Cayenne’) grown in a greenhouse. Various variables were investigated to assess the treatment performance. Concerning chilli fruit numbers, findings showed that the highest fruit yields for all wetland filters were associated with those that received inflow wastewater with a high loading rate, reflecting the high nutrient availability in treated wastewater, which is of obvious importance for yield production. Findings also indicated that wetlands without hydrocarbon, small aggregate size, low contact time and low inflow loading rate provided high marketable yields (expressed in economic return). In comparison, chillies irrigated by filters with hydrocarbon contamination, small aggregate size, high contact time and high loading rate also resulted in high marketable yields of chillies, which pointed out the role of high contact time and high inflow load for better diesel degradation rates.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-016-7706-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy of different IPM modules against major pests of cabbage

Different IPM modules untreated control were evaluated against Diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella, cabbage butterfly, Pieris canidia, cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon and cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae. Among the modules, Module (M5) i.e. lamda-cyhalothrin @ 25g a.i. per ha contributed maximum effectiveness in reducing the population of various pests followed by Module (M1) consisting of 3 releases of Trichogramma chilonis @ 1 lakh/ha at 10 days interval + 3 releases of T. pieridis @ 1 lakh/ha at 10 days interval + one spray of Bt@ 2ml/lit at 15 days after release of Trichogramma + one spray of NSKE 5%. However, the highest population of coccinellids was achieved in the biopesticide treated plots compared to lamda-cyhalothrin treated plots. The highest marketable yield was recorded in Module (M5) (262.50 and 252.50 q/ha) with a cost benefit ratio of 2.28 and 2.62 which was followed by Module (M1) contributed the yield of 212.78 and 202.67 q/ha as against 114.89 and 96.11 q/ha in the untreated control plots with a cost benefit ratio of 1.79 and 2.03during 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively. Though the maximum return was obtained from Module (M5) followed by Module (M1), considering the coccinellids population, it may be concluded that instead of use of chemical alone farmers can adopt the IPM module M1 for effective reduction of pests on cabbage.

Efficacy of anthranilic insecticide E2Y45 20 SC (Chlorantraniliprole) against Plutella xylostella L. in cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata

Experiments were conducted at farmer’s cabbage fields to evaluate the bioefficacy of anthranilic insecticide i.e. E2Y45 20 SC (Chlorantraniliprole) having novel mode of action against the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L. E2Y45 20 SC was applied @ 25.0, 37.5 and 50.0 ml/ha and was compared with Padan 50 SP (cartap hydrochloride) @ 500 g/ha and the untreated control. Lowest mean larval population after two sprays was recorded in higher dose of E2Y 45 20 SC i.e. @ 50.0 ml/ha (0.08 larvae/plant) at 7 days after treatment followed by medium and lower dose of E2Y 45 20 SC i.e. @ 37.5ml/ha (0.10 larvae/plant) and 25.0 ml/ha (0.33 larvae/plant). The larval population in these treatments was significantly lower than standard check, Padan 50 SP (2.56 larvae/plant), and untreated control (9.73 larvae/plant). The highest marketable yield (262.89 q/ha) was recorded in E2Y 45 20 SC @ 50.0 ml/ha which was significantly higher than Padan 50 SP (239.65 q/ha). Lowest yields were recorded in untreated control (106.00 q/ha). Conclusively, medium (37.5 ml/ha) and higher (50.0 ml/ha) dose of E2Y 45 20 SC (chlorantraniliprole) significantly reduced the larval population of P. xylostella and increased the cabbage yield.