Increase In Fresh Yield Research Articles

New Fertilization Approach Improves Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. Moench) Production on Acidic and Degraded Soil in Cameroon

Soil acidity, combined with high aluminum toxicity, is one of the major problems limiting agricultural productivity. The objective of this work was to improve growth and yields of okra on acidic and degraded soil in the Center region, Cameroon, using an innovative fertilization approach and lime material. The soil is ferralitic, very acidic, with aluminum toxicity and significant imbalance in the (Ca/Mg/K) ratio of (55/15/30). Seven fertilization treatments were applied: Control without fertilizer; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); AMF+50% poultry manure (AMF+½ PM); mineral fertilizers with cation balance at 100% (MF100 %); AMF+50% mineral fertilizers (AMF+50 % MF); poultry manure at 50%+50 % mineral fertilizers (MF50%+½ PM) and poultry manure (PM). Two varieties of okra were used (Kirikou F1 and Local). The experimental design was a split-plot with two factors. Considering MF, an innovative Ca/Mg/K ratio of 68/23/9 was applied. The results showed that the applied fertilizers had a significant effect on the agronomic parameters of okra with MF50%+½ PM followed by PM and MF100% as the best treatments. An average increase in fresh yield from 111% to 1840% over the control was recorded and the best symbiotic parameters were observed at the AMF treatment associated with the Local variety. This variety responds better to organic matter intake while Kirikou F1 is more favorable to chemical fertilizer addition.

Effect of foliar application of micronutrients on ginger productivity

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) is cultivated in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka. Correction of deficiency of nutrients through foliar application of micronutrients is imperative to maintain the growth and development of the crop. Hence, large scale demonstrations were conducted and the impact analysis of crop specific ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode-micronutrient formulation (released as “Ginger Special”) on productivity and profitability of ginger in Southern Transitional Zone of Karnataka was carried out during 2016- 19 by involving 429 farmers in an area of 133.20 ha. Foliar application of ginger special (5 gl-1), 45 days after planting up to six months at an interval of 45 days showed significant increase in fresh yield (23.94 t ha-1), higher returns ha-1 (Rs.9,80,300) and higher BCR (2.89). The test farmers who used ginger special obtained a mean additional fresh yield (2.44 t ha-1), additional return (Rs. 99,500 ha-1) besides providing additional employment to the farm workers (12 ha-1). Use of ginger special, created a good impact on productivity and profitability of ginger cultivation and the technology has spread in an area of 500 ha in Shivamogga district of Karnataka.

Ontogenetic Variation in the Mineral, Phytochemical and Yield Attributes of Brassicaceous Microgreens

Microgreens constitute novel gastronomic ingredients that combine visual, kinesthetic and bioactive qualities. The definition of the optimal developmental stage for harvesting microgreens remains fluid. Their superior phytochemical content against mature leaves underpins the current hypothesis of significant changes in compositional profile during the brief interval of ontogeny from the appearance of the first (S1) to the second true leaf (S2). Microgreens of four brassicaceous genotypes (Komatsuna, Mibuna, Mizuna and Pak Choi) grown under controlled conditions and harvested at S1 and S2 were appraised for fresh and dry yield traits. They were further analyzed for macro- and micromineral content using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), carotenoid content using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD), volatile organic compounds using solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS), anthocyanins and polyphenols using liquid chromatography-high resolution-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with Orbitrap technology and for chlorophyll and ascorbate concentrations, well as antioxidant capacity by spectrophotometry. Analysis of compositional profiles revealed genotype as the principal source of variation for all constituents. The response of mineral and phytochemical composition and of antioxidant capacity to the growth stage was limited and largely genotype-dependent. It is, therefore, questionable whether delaying harvest from S1 to S2 would significantly improve the bioactive value of microgreens while the cost-benefit analysis for this decision must be genotype-specific. Finally, the lower-yielding genotypes (Mizuna and Pak Choi) registered higher relative increase in fresh yield between S1 and S2, compared to the faster-growing and higher-yielding genotypes. Although the optimal harvest stage for specific genotypes must be determined considering the increase in yield against reduction in crop turnover, harvesting at S2 seems advisable for the lower-yielding genotypes.

Appraisal of Combined Applications of Trichoderma virens and a Biopolymer-Based Biostimulant on Lettuce Agronomical, Physiological, and Qualitative Properties under Variable N Regimes

The current research elucidated the agronomical, physiological, qualitative characteristics and mineral composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) after treatments with a beneficial fungus Trichoderma virens (TG41) alone or in combination with a vegetal biopolymer-based biostimulant (VBP; ‘Quik-link’). The experiment consisted of lettuce plants grown in three N conditions: sub-optimal (0N kg ha−1), optimal (70N kg ha−1), and supra-optimal (140N kg ha−1) N levels. Lettuce grown under 0N fertilization showed a significant increase in fresh yield when inoculated with TG41 alone (45%) and a greater increase with TG41 + VBP biostimulant (67%). At 48 days after transplanting, both the TG41 alone or TG41+VBP biostimulant induced higher values of CO2 assimilation in comparison to the control. The mineral concentrations in leaf tissues were greater by 10% for K and 12% for Mg with the TG41+VBP treatments compared to the untreated lettuce. The lettuce plants receiving either TG41 alone or TG41+VBP biostimulants had a significantly lower nitrate content than any of the untreated controls. In non-fertilized conditions, plants treated with TG41+VBP biostimulants produced lettuce of higher premium quality as indicated by the higher antioxidant activity, total ascorbic acid (+61%–91%), total phenols (+14%) and lower nitrate content when compared to the untreated lettuce.

Yield and nutritive value of maize (Zea mays L.) forage as affected by plant density, sowing date and age at harvest

The current study was carried out in Alexandria, Egypt and investigated the effect of sowing date; 1st May, 1st July, and 1st September 2017 and 2018, and age at harvest; 45, 55 and 65 days after sowing (DAS) on yield and quality of maize green forage grown with three plant densities (120, 160, and 200 kg ha–1). Sowing at 1st of May produced the highest significant amount of fresh yield (41.51 t ha–1 in average). Sowing at 1st of July resulted in the production of significantly lower yield (24.54 t ha–1 in average), however, higher dry matter content (175.99 g kg–1 in average), compared to sowing at 1st of May (143.62 g kg–1 in average). A pronounced increase in fresh yield was observed when maize was harvested at 55 DAS (30.89 t ha–1 in average) compared to harvesting at 45 DAS (22.92 t ha–1 in average). Meanwhile, the increase in fresh yield from 55 DAS to 65 DAS was non-significant. The effect of sowing date on quality parameters was greatly dependent on the age of plant at harvest. Harvesting maize green forage at 65 DAS, reflecting an advanced stage of maturity, caused a significant reduction in the crude protein (CP), and a significant increase in the neutral and acid detergent fibre fractions (NDF and ADF), resulting in a decline in the digestible organic matter (DOM). Plant density exerted non-significant influence on the fresh yield and DM content, minimal effect on the CP content, while the effect on the NDF and ADF contents was dependent on the age at harvest. The lignin content (ADL) of the herbage significantly decreased with increasing the plant density. Variations in the DOM were most dependent on the variations in CP content, followed by the variations in ADF and ADL contents. In conclusion, it is recommended to grow green forage maize twice a season on the 1st of May and 1st of July, with intermediate plant density (160 kg ha–1), and harvest it not later than 55 DAS to achieve the optimum balance between herbage productivity and nutritive value.

Mass releases of Trichogramma ostriniae increase maize production in DPR Korea

AbstractField‐scale experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 on three cooperative farms in DPR Korea to evaluate the potential of Trichogramma ostriniae releases to reduce tunnel damage of maize plants caused by the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and increase grain maize production. When released three times against the first generation of the pest at nominal densities of about 150 000 parasitoids/ha each and another two times against the second generation (in total 750 000 parasitoids/ha), significant effects on all assessed parameters were obtained. In the release plots, a mean parasitism rate of 61% was found, significantly different from the 21.8% found in non‐release (control) plots. Furthermore, the number of larvae was significantly reduced in release plots compared to control plots by 63.5% over all farms and both study years. Feeding tunnels caused by the Asian corn borer were reduced in length in the release plots by 64.1%. Finally, we found that fresh yield of maize ears was significantly higher in the release plots compared to control plots. For all farms and both years, the increase in fresh yield was 28.2%. In this paper we are for the first time presenting data in an international journal on the effect of Trichogramma releases on maize production in DPRK. Although T. ostriniae releases at high host densities observed in the present study were not able to completely suppress damage by the Asian corn borer, the yield increase of more than 1 ton/ha indicate that T. ostriniae releases may contribute significantly to stabilize the country’s maize production as well as support community efforts to avoid reversion into a food emergency situation.