Leaf Fresh Weight Research Articles

Biostimulants for Sustainable Management of Sport Turfgrass.

Research on the efficacy of innovative, ecofriendly biostimulants in sport turf management is scarce, with less information available from open-field experiments, and even less pertaining to thatch control-related problems. The objective was to investigate the open-field effectiveness of a commercial product, EM-1, and two newly developed products, ExpA and ExpB, in improving both rhizosphere and turfgrass, Agrostis stoloniferous L., characteristics on a golf green. ExpA and ExpB, identical in microbial composition, were equally effective in significantly increasing chlorophyll synthesis and visual turf quality, as well as in resistance to tearing out, compared to the untreated control 56 days after treatment (DAT). EM-1 showed intermediate trends between the control and novel biostimulants. The inclusion of humic acids and mycorrhizal fungi to the microbial composition in ExpB significantly improved some rhizosphere properties 56 DAT relative to the control. Results on ExpB evidenced a significant decrease in the thatch layer thickness and fresh leaf weight, associated with a significant increase in the humus thickness, organic matter decomposition and evapotranspiration efficiency. An increased dry leaf biomass was also shown. ExpA and EM-1 showed either marginal or intermediate improvements relative to the control. ExpB represents a promising alternative to alleviate negative environmental impacts associated with turf maintenance-related activities.

Productive, Morpho-Physiological, and Postharvest Performance of Six Basil Types Grown in a Floating Raft System: A Comparative Study.

Basil (Ocimum sp.) is one of the world's most famous culinary fresh herbs, characterized by rapid growth that makes it particularly suitable for hydroponic cultivation. This study aimed to evaluate the adaptability of six types of basil to a closed-loop hydroponic system (floating raft system) and their post-harvest performance. Twenty-three days after transplantation, productivity, morpho-physiological performance, and mineral profile (by ion chromatography) were evaluated. At 3, 6, and 9 days after harvest, the loss of water from the from leaves stored at 10 °C in the dark was evaluated. Although the total fresh production of Thai, Mexican, and Genovese did not differ significantly, the latter provided a higher fresh leaf weight (16.52 g of plant-1) despite a lower leaf number (30.06 n. of plant-1). Nine days after harvest, Thai and Mexican showed the lowest water loss. Although Mexican Purple had the lowest net CO2 assimilation, it accumulated the highest concentration of ascorbic acid (909.41 mg 100 g fw-1).

Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) to Biostimulants Application and Substrate Additives under Salinity Stress

The issue of high concentration of salt in soil is not restricted to coastal areas, but also expands to cultivated lands, complicating, or even intercepting, the growth of plants. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of zeolite, compost and effective microorganisms (EM), seaweed extract, and ceramic powder on MM106 apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) plants in normal and saline conditions. More specifically, the weight of the dry matter of the plants, physiological parameters, proline, carbohydrate, carotenoid, phenolic, and flavonoid concentrations in leaf tissues and antioxidant capacity were determined. At the end of the experiment, it was ascertained that the plants of the treatments which included zeolite or EM exhibited the highest dry matter weight of the leaves in normal (5.07 g and 4.68 g, respectively) and saline conditions (4.14 g and 3.02 g, respectively), while the leaf dry weight in the control treatment was 4.37 g in the absence and 2.34 g in the presence of NaCl. Furthermore, these treatments resulted in significantly higher proline concentration in plant leaves under salinity with values of 5.63 in the EM treatment, 2.44 in the zeolite treatment, and 0.75 μmol/g of leaf fresh weight in the control. At the same time, the application of ceramic powder in combination with effective microorganisms led to the highest rate of photosynthesis in salinity conditions (12.8 μmol CO2/m2s), while the seaweed extract spraying was associated with low stomatal conductance in all treatments (0.09–0.13 mol H2O/m2s). Overall, the application of effective microorganisms appeared to associate more with plant vigor in both normal and salinity conditions. In this context, the implementation of EM could improve the growth of potted plants, but it could also be used in orchards before and after their establishment.

IMPACT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURES AND NPK APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TURNIP (BRASSICA RAPA L)


 
 
 A pot experiment was carried out to check the impact of different organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of turnip, at Horticulture Departmental experimental area, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, during 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in RCD with seven treatments replicated three times. Treatments contained control (no fertilizer added), FYM @ 25 t/hec, Poultry manure @ 10 t/hec, Goat manure @ 15 t/hec, Press mud @ 20 t/hec, Sewage sludge @ 20 t/hec and NPK @ 120-65-100 kg/hec. Data on leaves per plant, leaf length (cm), fresh leaf weight per plant (g), dry leaf weight per plant (g), root length (cm), root diameter (cm), fresh root weight per plant (g), dry root weight per plant (g), total biomass per plant (g), root yield per pot (g) and root yield (ton per ha) was recorded and analyzed statistically. The results revealed that all growth and yield parameters were significantly enhanced by the application of organic manures and NPK. Maximum values were recorded in NPK treated plants, as compared to all the treatments under studied, by producing 13.22 leaves per plant, 29.90 cm long leaf, fresh leaf weight per plant (52.83 g), dry leaf weight per plant (11.15 g), root length (7.07 cm), root diameter (7.23 cm), fresh root weight per plant (241.20 g), dry root weight per plant (22.25 g), total biomass per plant (313.37 g), root yield per pot (382.40 g) and 382.40 root yield (382.40 ton per hectare). It was also confirmed that poultry manure exhibited superiority as compared to other organic manures
 
 

Root Yield and Starch Synthase Type IV Gene Activity under Different Micro Nutrient Fertilizer and Harvest Ages on Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Abstract The important part of cassava root is starch which is probably controlled by starch synthase type IV (SSIV) gene. The information of micro nutrient and harvest age related to the activity starch synthase type IV (SSIV) gene is still very rare. The objectives of this study were to evaluate root fresh weight of cassava, to compare yield of storage root, and to evaluate the activity of starch synthase type IV (SSIV) gene by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) applied by micro nutrient fertilizer. Treatments were arranged by factorial (3 × 3) in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications used as block. The first factor was three different dosages of micro nutrient fertilizer as 0, 20, and 40 kg/ha. The second factor was harvest ages as 7, 8, and 10 months after planting (MAP). The micro nutrient fertilizer mainly contents of 5,888 ppm Fe and 1,368 ppm Zn. Variables were leaf number (LN), leaf fresh weight (LFW), leaf dry weight (LDW), stem fresh weight (SFW), stem dry weight (SDW), root fresh weight (RFW), root dry weight (RDW), skin root fresh weight (SRFW), skin root dry weight (SRDW), starch content, and activity of SSIV gene. The result showed that RDW of cassava applied by 40 kg micro nutrient/ha was significantly increased at 10 MAP. The increase in RDW was due to mainly high SSIV gene activity. Additionally, the SSIV gene activity caused by 20 kg micro nutrient/ha treatment showed almost as twice as those by 40 kg micro nutrient/ha. Keywords: Real-time PCR, Root dry weight, Root yield, Starch, Stem dry weight

Effect of Recurrent Salt and Drought Stress Treatments on the Endangered Halophyte Limonium angustebracteatum Erben

Limonium angustebracteatum is an endemic halophyte from the Spanish Mediterranean coastal salt marshes. To investigate this species' ability to cope with recurrent drought and salt stress, one-year-old plants were subjected to two salt stress treatments (watering with 0.5 and 1 M NaCl solutions), one water stress treatment (complete irrigation withholding), or watered with non-saline water for the control, across three phases: first stress (30 days), recovery from both stresses (15 days), and second stress (15 days). Growth and biochemical parameters were determined after each period. The plants showed high salt tolerance but were sensitive to water deficit, as shown by the decrease in leaf fresh weight and water content, root water content, and photosynthetic pigments levels in response to the first water stress; then, they were restored to the respective control values upon recovery. Salt tolerance was partly based on the accumulation of Na+, Cl- and Ca2+ in the roots and predominantly in the leaves; ion levels also decreased to control values during recovery. Organic osmolytes (proline and total soluble sugars), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and H2O2), and antioxidant compounds (total phenolic compounds and flavonoids) increased by various degrees under the first salt and water stress treatments, and declined after recovery. The analysed variables increased again, but generally to a lesser extent, during the second stress phase, suggesting the occurrence of stress acclimation acquired by the activation of defence mechanisms during the first stress period.

TiP-Leaf: a dataset of leaf traits across vegetation types on the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract. Functional trait databases are emerging as a crucial tool for a wide range of ecological studies, including next-generation vegetation modelling across the world. However, few large-scale studies have been reported on plant traits in the Tibetan Plateau (TP), the cradle of East Asian flora and fauna with specific alpine ecosystems, and no report on plant trait databases could be found. In this work, an extensive dataset of 11 leaf functional traits (TiP-Leaf), mainly for herbs and shrubs and a few trees on the TP, was compiled through field surveys. The TiP-Leaf dataset, which was compiled from 336 sites distributed mainly on the plateau surface and the northern margin of the TP across alpine and temperate vegetation regions and sampled from 2018 to 2021, contained 1692 morphological trait measurements of leaf thickness, leaf fresh weight, leaf dry weight, leaf dry-matter content, leaf water content, leaf area, specific leaf area and leaf mass per area and 1645 chemical element trait measurements of leaf carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Thus, 468 species that belong to 184 genera and 51 families were obtained and measured. In addition to leaf trait measurements, the geographic coordinates, bioclimate variables, disturbance intensities and vegetation types of each site were also recorded. The dataset could provide solid data support to effectively quantify the modern ecological features of alpine ecosystems, thereby further evaluating the response of alpine ecosystems to climate change and human disturbances and improving the next-generation vegetation model. The dataset, which is available from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center (TPDC; Jin et al., 2022a; https://doi.org/10.11888/Terre.tpdc.272516), can make a great contribution to the regional and global plant trait databases.

The Effect of Grafting on Morphological, Physiological and Molecular Changes Induced by Drought Stress in Cucumber

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors affecting crop yields and qualities worldwide. One drought-sensitive plant is the cucumber, which has a high transpiration rate. Grafting is recognized as a promising approach to increasing tolerance to abiotic stresses in cucumber. In this study, it is aimed to determine the rootstock that will prevent negative changes in some growth, physiological and genetic parameters of cucumber under drought stress and to determine the mechanism of the system. In drought stress conditions, leaf number values were found to be 6 on average in non-grafted plants and between 6–13.16 in grafted plants. Average leaf fresh weight values (7.56–9.84 g) obtained from grafted plants were higher than non-grafted plants (5.7 g). Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) values were found to be between 24.43 in non-grafted plants and 37.83–55.36 in grafted plants under stress conditions. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration values also decreased from 5.66 to 3.23–4.36 in grafted plants. It was determined that the genomic template stability (GTS) rate was 64.1% in the non-grafted treatment group. DNA polymorphisms detected by ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat) can be used as a biomarker system for the detection of genotoxic effects of abiotic stresses, such as drought. These findings suggest that grafting with drought-resistant rootstocks may improve drought tolerance in drought-sensitive cucumber genotypes.

Vida de vaso e parâmetros bioquímicos de rosa cv. Avalanche são afetados pela aplicação foliar de nitroprussiato de sódio e putrescina

Abstract The effects of foliar spraying of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and putrescine (Put) on rose cv. Avalanche were investigated. This experiment was conducted in a factorial trial with two factors, including SNP at four levels of 0, 50, 100 and 200 μM and putrescine at four concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 4 mM with three replications in hydroponic conditions in the greenhouse. Some of the recorded traits included the number of leaves plant-1, leaf area, fresh and dry leaf weight, as well as determination of soluble sugars, and total protein. Also, in the post-harvest stage, the recoded traits included malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative fresh weight, and vase life. SNP at a concentration of 100 μM was found to improve morphological traits including fresh and dry weight of leaf (4.3 and 1.4 g, respectively) compared to the control. It also increased total protein (0.85 mg g-1 FW), decreased postharvest MDA content (0.32 µM g-1 FW), and increased vase life (23.66 days) at 100 μM level, and increased leaf area (7671 mm2) and flower relative fresh weight (27.65%) at 200 μM level. Among different rates of putrescine, 4 mM putrescine was associated with higher leaf area (8056.7 mm2), fresh and dry leaf weight (4.3 and 1.3 g, respectively), soluble sugars (4.63 mg g-1 FW), lower post-harvest MDA content (0.32 µM g-1 FW), and increased duration of vase life (26 days). In general, SNP and putrescine improved rose growth parameters and post-harvest traits.

The Growth Performance of Pineapple Seedlings Planted with Mycorrhizae and Different Rates of Phosphorus Fertiliser

Pineapple stands as a promising crop with potential for widespread cultivation across Malaysia. Nevertheless, factors like the elevated cost of fertilisers and certain environmental challenges have acted as obstacles to pineapple production within the country. The application of mycorrhiza presents an opportunity to curtail fertilisers usage and thereby mitigate environmental strain. This study seeks to assess the impact of mycorrhiza on pineapple growth and determine an optimal Phosphorus (P) fertilisers rate that complements mycorrhizal activity, all while enhancing pineapple growth. A randomised block design with six replications was employed. The study maintained a consistent mycorrhiza application rate of 5 g/plant but varied the Phosphorus fertilisers rate. Data on leaf length, plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight were collected and subjected to analysis. The study, conducted over a four-month period at UiTM Jengka, Pahang, culminated in results analysed through Microsoft Excel and MINITAB. Notably, Treatment 3 displayed the most robust growth performance across leaf length, plant height, and fresh weight. However, Treatment 5 emerged as the optimal choice for enhancing dry plant weight.

Impact of contrasted bioavailable silicon inputs in a hydroponic system on the development of maize plants (Zea mays L.)

Description of the subject. Silicon is a beneficial chemical element, considered as “quasi-essential” for plant growth and production. Seven of the top ten most important crops in the world are silicon-accumulating Poaceae species, maize being one of them. However, the beneficial role of Si for plants is still under debate. Objectives. In this study, we evaluate the impact of three silicon concentrations in a nutrient solution on the development of maize plants. Method. We cultivated maize plants in a hydroponic system allowing to provide three contrasted silicon fertilization: (1) a silicon-deficient medium (0.05 mM); (2) a medium silicon supply, comparable to what can be found in an agricultural soil (0.6 mM); and (3) a highly enriched silicon medium (2.0 mM), named Si-, Si+ and Si++, respectively. Results. We found the silicon contents in aerial parts of plants to be strongly impacted by the concentration available in the growing medium: 0.247 g Si·kg-1 DW (Si-), 5.707 g Si·kg-1 DW (Si+) and 8.731 g Si·kg-1 DW (Si++). However, neither plant size nor phenology were impacted by silicon supplies. Both fresh leaf weight (+15.5%) and dry leaf weight (+13.5%) increased under Si++ (compared to Si-). Finally, neither root fresh weight nor root dry weight was impacted by Si fertilization. Conclusions. We conclude that increase in the concentration of Si in nutrient solution leads to increase in fresh and dry weight of the maize leaves.

Oil palm leaf ash's effect on the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage (<i>Brassica rapa</i> L.)

<abstract> <p>The production of Chinese cabbage (<italic>Brassica rapa</italic> L.) has not been able to keep up with consumers' demand. Appropriate application of fertilizers is a key element in boosting plant productivity. One of the problems faced when fertilizing is that plant nutrient uptake has low efficiency. The application of basic nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) fertilizers is typically the main emphasis of traditional agriculture, whereas the need for micronutrients, including Si, receives less consideration. Organic and inorganic materials are sources of Si nutrients. Currently, organic materials include straw or rice husks. The use of oil leaf palm waste as a source of nutrients is relatively still rare. The oil palm leaf ash in the production of Chinese cabbage is still not yet been researched. This analysis aims to know the optimal of oil palm leaf ash for the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage. The growth parameters measured 40 days after planting: leaf number, plant height, crown diameter, and fresh weight were impacted by the usage of oil palm leaf ash. A combination of oil palm ash at a concentration of 3.75 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and manure at a concentration of 1500 kg/m<sup>2</sup> produced the greatest results. In general, the usage of oil palm leaf ash affected the growth of Chinese cabbage, but the results could not be statistically separated from the role of manure as a source of NPK for plants. It was also demonstrated that the use of oil palm leaf ash increased the resistance of Chinese cabbage to armyworms. Therefore, Si for agriculture it can be utilized from oil palm leaf ash as a natural source.</p> </abstract>

Uso de peróxido de hidrogênio na aclimatação do sorgo ao estresse salino

ABSTRACT The use of chemical conditioners, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), is important for mitigating deleterious effects caused by salt stress on plants. This practice can increase the production of agricultural crops, including sorghum, in the Semiarid region of Brazil. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of different electrical conductivities of the irrigation water and H2O2 concentrations on plant growth and biomass accumulation of sorghum plants grown in the Semiarid region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted from November 2020 to January 2021 in a greenhouse at the Center for Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies of the Federal University of Campina Grande, in Pombal, Paraiba, Brazil. A randomized block experimental design was used, in a 4×4 factorial arrangement, consisted of four electrical conductivities of the irrigation water [0.30 (control), 1.50, 3.50, and 5.50 dS m-1] and four H2O2 concentrations [0 (control), 6, 12, and 18 µM], with three replications and one plant per plot, totaling 48 experimental units. Plant height, stem diameter, flag leaf length, and fresh and dry weights of leaves and stems were evaluated. The results showed that applying irrigation water with electrical conductivities higher than 1.50 dS m-1 decreases plant growth and biomass accumulation in sorghum plants. Treating sorghum seeds with H2O2 concentrations of up to 12 µM mitigates adverse effects caused by salt stress on sorghum plants subjected to the salinity levels evaluated in the present study.

Os efeitos de diferentes fertilizantes orgânicos e doses reduzidas de aplicações de fertilizantes químicos sobre as características de rendimento e de qualidade no cultivo de melão em estufa

Abstract As a result of excessive use of chemical fertilizers in greenhouses, the yield and quality of the crop decreases over time. In the study carried out in two different locations; Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fascicles (AMF), vermicompost (VC), seaweed (DY), bat manure (YG) and 30% reduced chemical fertilizer (KG) were applied. In the study, fruit length and diameter, fruit weight, fruit meat and Shell thickness, leaf fresh and dry weight, pH and total dry matter dissolved in water were measured. According to the measurements made in both greenhouses; best results in terms of fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, fruit number; Taken from YG+AMF+KG application. YG+AMF+7/10 KG application, where the best efficiency was obtained in Greenhouse-A conditions, showed an increase of 44.8% compared to the control application and 10.4% compared to the KG application. YG+AMF+7/10 KG treatment, in which the best efficiency was achieved in the effect of applications on fruit weight in Greenhouse-B conditions, showed an increase of 41.3% compared to the 12.5% control application compared to the KG. In conclusion; It was determined that mycorrhizal inoculation, some organic fertilizers and 30% reduced chemical fertilizer combinations applied in melon cultivation increased the yield in both lotions more than the full dose chemical fertilizer.

Influência de sistemas de cultivo e melhoradores não-fertilizantes no microclima e crescimento de espinafre-brasileiro

ABSTRACT Brazilian spinach is a leafy vegetable originating from the tropical region of South America. Despite the similarity in agroclimatic conditions, this nutrient-rich plant has not been widely cultivated in southeast Asia. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the most suitable growing technique (conventional, floating or bottom-wet culture systems) for Brazilian spinach grown in the wet tropical climate. Non-fertilizer ameliorants were applied to improve the physical characteristics of the growing substrate, making it more permeable. The addition of fine sand and/or rice husk biochar to the growing substrate did not increase the growth rate and the leaf yield of Brazilian spinach. The floating and bottom-wet culture systems performed better, when compared to the conventional system commonly practiced by farmers, particularly during the onset of the dry season. The harvest period lasted from 6 to 9 weeks after planting (WAP). The rate of leaf fresh weight to the total shoot weight gradually decreased during the harvest period, along with the percentage of marketable yield. Related to microclimate conditions, the floating and bottom-wet culture exhibited a higher substrate humidity, while the canopy temperature was not significantly affected by the air or substrate temperature. The substrate temperature measured at midday was significantly higher in the conventional system due to a decrease in the substrate water. In conclusion, Brazilian spinach is suitable for cultivation in wet tropical climate zones, with the application of floating or bottom-wet culture systems and harvest between 6 and 9 WAP emerging as the recommended approach.

Growth and Yield of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) as Influenced by Plant Density and Pinching

A field experiment was carried out to standardize spacing and pinching time to enhance the yield and quality of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) at the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Thrissur, Kerala, from September 2021 to May 2022. The design of the experiment was factorial RBD and replicated thrice. The experiment comprised three levels of spacing (15 cm × 10 cm, 20 cm × 10 cm, and 15 cm × 15 cm) and four pinching intervals (pinching at 20 days after planting (DAP), pinching at 30 DAP, pinching at flower bud initiation and no pinching) in all possible combinations. The plants grown with closer spacing (15 cm × 10 cm) were the tallest at all growth stages. The pinching of the apical bud caused a reduction in plant height and increased the number of branches. Pinched plants recorded higher fresh and dry leaf weights than plants left non-pinched. More leaves were registered under the wider (15 cm × 15 cm) spacing than narrower spacings. Pinching favored the formation of more lateral buds, producing a more significant number of branches and, finally, more leaves per plant. High-density planting of stevia yielded the highest aboveground fresh mass (10925 kg ha-1), whereas lower plant densities yielded the lowest aboveground fresh mass (7330 kg ha-1). The stevia planted at a spacing of 15 cm × 10 cm and pinched at flower bud initiation (11980 kg ha-1) produced higher herbage.

Evaluating Sustainable and Environment Friendly Growing Media Composition for Pot Mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)

The use of different growing media offers a valuable alternative to the conventional use of soil for quality flower production due to their good water holding capacity, aeration and nutrient status. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomised Design with three replications in the years 2021–2022 to study the influence of different compositions of growing media [Soil, Sand, Vermicompost, Cocopeat, Vermiculite, Perlite and Leaf mould] in different ratios on the growth and development of pot mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.).The growing media compositions of cocopeat, vermicompost and leaf moulds improve the water retention and aeration of media. The results revealed vegetative growth with maximum plant height at first bud appearance, plant height at harvesting stage, number of primary branches per plant, number of secondary branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf biomass, average fresh weight of leaf, dry weight of root and flowering parameters with maximum flower longevity, flower diameter, number of flowers per plant, number of ray florets, average fresh weight of flower, flower yield per plant and vase life of flower in case of media composition of Cocopeat + Vermicompost + Leaf mould (2:1:1) among all the growing media compositions. The combination of cocopeat with vermicompost and leaf mould (2:1:1 v/v/v) was found best for lighter media weight, better plant morphological development and sustained quality flower production of pot mum.

Tolerance and adaptation characteristics of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) to low nitrogen supply

ABSTRACT Nitrogen (N) is an essential element required for sugar beet growth. Sugar beets with low N (LN) tolerance and high N use efficiency are excellent materials for breeding. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the morphological and physiological responses of nine sugar beet genotypes to LN supply. It was found that 0.5 mmol·L−1 N (LN) significantly influenced the performance of leaves and the topology of roots by reducing the bioproduction of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and soluble protein (SP) and the accumulation of N in leaves and roots (LNA and RNA), thus differentially restricting the growth (hypocotyl diameter, HD; root length, RL) and biomass (leaf and root fresh weight; LFW and RFW; leaf dry weight, LDW) of these sugar beets. Principal component and cluster analyses showed that 780016B/12 superior (F) exhibited excellent tolerance to LN; it had higher SOD activity (62.70%) and APX activity (188.92%) and a higher proline content (131.82%) than 92011 (G, LN sensitive). These attributes helped 780016B/12 superior (F) to better endure LN stress, and the morphology and N distribution changed to adapt to N deficiency, such that the root length increased by 112.48%, leaf area increased by 101.23%, and leaf nitrogen accumulation reached a peak of 14.13 g/plant. It seems that LN-tolerant genotypes increased their root length and surface area by reducing the difference in biomass, thereby expanding the contact between roots and soil, which was conducive to the absorption of nutrients (N) by sugar beets and helped distribute more assimilation products to the roots.

Aqua-Ento-Ponics: Effect of Insect Meal on the Development of Sea Bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, in Co-Culture with Lettuce

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 10 and 20% replacement of fishmeal (FM dietary group) with the superworm Zophobas morio larvae meal (ZM10 and ZM20 dietary groups) on the growth performance of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa) reared in aquaponics. Ninety juvenile sea bass with an average body weight of 21.55 g/individual were placed in aquaponic fish tanks, together with 24 lettuce plants with an average initial height of 8.90 cm/plant and an average number of leaves of 5.75/plant over a 45-day trial period. At the end of that period, all feeding groups exhibited high survival. In fact, ΖΜ10 and ZM20 groups showed similar fish weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) (p > 0.05), but significantly lower SGR (p < 0.05) than the FM group. Nevertheless, final fish body weight and length were similar (p > 0.05) for all feeding groups. No plant mortality was observed during the 45-day study period. All three aquaponic systems resulted in similar leaf fresh weight, as well as fresh and dry aerial biomass. At the end of the experimental period, plants in the third system showed higher fresh leaf weight, total weight of fresh leaves, total dry aerial biomass, and total produced biomass compared to the other two systems. The results of the present study show that fish fed with the ZM10 diet had higher weight gain (WG) than fish fed with the ZM20 diet, while the SGRs for ZM10 and ZM20 were similar. Both ZM10 and ZM20 diets result in efficient lettuce production. This study also provides data that enlighten the feasibility of integrating insect meals as fish feeds for aquaponics which helps towards the development of an ento-aquaponic approach.

Combinatorial transient gene expression strategies to enhance terpenoid production in plants.

The monoterpenoid linalool and sesquiterpenoid costunolide are ubiquitous plant components that have been economically exploited for their respective essential oils and pharmaceutical benefits. In general, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are produced by the plastid 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) and cytosolic mevalonate (MVA) pathways, respectively. Herein, we investigated the individual and combinatorial potential of MEP and MVA pathway genes in increasing linalool and costunolide production in Nicotiana benthamiana. First, six genes from the MEP (1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase, 4-diphosphocytidyl-2-C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase, geranyl pyrophosphate synthase, and linalool synthase) and MVA (acetoacetyl-CoA-thiolase, hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, germacrene A synthase, germacrene A oxidase, and costunolide synthase) pathways were separately cloned into the modular cloning (MoClo) golden gateway cassette. Second, the cassettes were transformed individually or in combination into the leaves of N. benthamiana by agroinfiltration. Five days post infiltration (DPI), all selected genes were transiently 5- to 94-fold overexpressed. Quantification using gas chromatography-Q-orbitrap-mass spectrometry (GC-Q-Orbitrap-MS) determined that the individual and combinatorial expression of MEP genes increased linalool production up to 50-90ng.mg-1 fresh leaf weight. Likewise, MVA genes increased costunolide production up to 70-90ng.mg-1 fresh leaf weight. Our findings highlight that the transient expression of MEP and MVA pathway genes (individually or in combination) enhances linalool and costunolide production in plants.