Net House Research Articles

Effect of Pre-Soaking Chemical Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigour of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) C.V. Red Lady under Net House Condition

Effect of Pre-Soaking Chemical Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigour of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) C.V. Red Lady under Net House Condition

The effects of Pseudomonas koreensis IGPEB 17 and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on growth and physiological properties of ginger

The effect of Pseudomonas koreensis IGPEB 17 and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth and physiological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in net house conditions was investigated. The experiment included four treatments including P. koreensis IGPEB 17, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) biofertilizer and combination of P. koreensis IGPEB 17 and AMF treatment. The result indicated that P. koreensis IGPEB 17 had positive effects on plant growth-promoting traits such as P-solubilization, protease, amylase, IAA, and ACC deaminase production. Moreover, P. koreensis IGPEB 17 showed ability in producing lipase and cellulase. The P. koreensis IGPEB 17 significantly increased plant height (57.6%), the leaf number (28.1%), leaf length (23.3%) and leaf width (35.7%) compared to control treatment. However, the combination of P. koreensis IGPEB 17 and AMF treatment significantly increased the height of plant, the number of leaf, the length of leaf and the width of leaf by 68.4%, 42.3%, 30.2%, and 54.7%, respectively compared to control treatment. Furthermore, dual inoculation of P. koreensis IGPEB 17 and AMF significantly enhanced the chlorophyll a (76.5%), chlorophyll b (71.2%), total chlorophyll (73.3%), and carotenoid content (74.7%), respectively rather than control. In conclusion, results showed that dual inoculation of P. koreensis IGPEB 17 strain and AMF increased plant growth and physiological traits of ginger plants compared to inoculation with P. koreensis IGPEB 17 and AMF alone.

Determinant of Access to Credit and Availing Subsidies for Protected Cultivation in Maharashtra

Protected cultivation requires high initial investment and intensive use of inputs for crop production but offers better yield which in turn increases the profitability of the farm. The study attempts to explore the economics of protected cultivation with different interest rates regime and subsidy in Pune and Nasik districts of Maharashtra conducted during 2018-19. About 95 to 97 per cent of the farmers availed subsidy from the government and the rest of the farmers constructed their polyhouse and shade net house without subsidy. About 47 to 50 per cent of the total cost was given as subsidy. Heckman selection model showed that the factors such as years of education, farm size, farm income, membership and occupation were the major determinants of access to credit. The study also indicated that household age, farm size, farm income, distance from the market and access to subsidies were important drivers of technology adoption. Among all, the access to subsidy reflected the availability of external capital support as one of the determining factors for adoption of technology. The factors responsible for non-repayment of loans were increase in farm income, family size and years of schooling.

EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH SALICYLIC ACID AND CALCIUM CHLORIDE ON CHEMICAL CONTENT OF LEAVES FOR THREE CULTIVARS OF Gladiolus X hortulanus L.

This experiment was carried out in the Green net house at the College of Agriculture and Forestry for the period from April to September 2019, with the aim of assessing the response of three cultivars of Gladiolus X hortulanus L. for treatment with (SA) at a concentrations of zero and 250 mg.l-1 as well as treatment with (CaCl2) concentrations are zero, 500 and 1000 mg.l-1 sprayed on the vegetative growth twice. The results indicated the following: The red cultivar recorded the largest chlorophyll intensity in the leaves when picking flowers 54.958 (SPAD), the nitrogen percentage is 1.212%, the phosphorus is 0.383%, the potassium is 1.807% and the concentration calcium is 819.05 mg.l-1. The plants sprayed with salicylic acid at 250 mg.l-1 had a significant effect in recording the largest values of all studied traits. The treatment with calcium chloride with both concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg.l-1 resulted in a significant increase in the chlorophyll intensity in the leaves when picking flowers. The treatment with calcium chloride at 1000 mg.l-1 gave the largest values for the calcium concentration is 831.66 mg.l-1 . The treatment with calcium chloride at 500 mg.l-1 caused to increase the nitrogen percentage 1.232%, phosphorus 0.419% and potassium 1.851%.

Influence of irrigation regimes and mycorrhizal inoculation on the performance of wheat in pot culture

In order to find out the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and level of irrigation on wheat, an experiment was conducted in the net house of Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University during November 2018 to April 2019. The study included two levels of AMF inoculation (inoculated and non-inoculated) and three levels of irrigation (viz., no irrigation, one irrigation during CRI stage, and two irrigations at tillering and flowering stages respectively). The treatment combinations were applied to two wheat varieties, viz., BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-30. The pot experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Commercially available mycorrhizal inoculum (Gigaspora margarita) was used to inoculate the plants of respective treatment pots. The performances of these wheat varieties under two AMF inoculation levels (inoculated and non-inoculated) showed that both varieties were significantly affected by AMF inoculation. Though all growth and yield contributing parameters were not significantly affected by AMF application, it was evident that AMF inoculation helped the wheat plants to grow vigorously and produce higher yield. Both wheat varieties showed their best performance under two irrigation treatment but when inoculation was imposed, it gave better performance than non-inoculated pot. The highest yield was recorded with pots which were inoculated with AMF in both wheat varieties. It was observed that in both varieties, irrigation helps wheat to perform better in terms of all parameters in comparison to no irrigation condition, and two irrigations gave better results than that of one irrigation. AMF inoculation gave higher yield in non-irrigated pots in comparison to non-inoculated non-irrigated pots. Inoculation with AMF increased 25\\% grain yield plant-1 compared to the non-inoculated pots. The results suggest that farmers could be advised to grow wheat in drought prone areas using AMF.

Effects of soil amendments using potassium in elevating resistance against wheat blast disease

Potassium (K) is unique among the essential nutrient elements for its diversified role in plant metabolic processes. Potassium improves crop output, protects the crop from diseases and insect-pest infestation, prevents lodging, and reduces the effects of terminal heat stress. Based on this information, it was hypothesized that K will enhance host plant resistance and blast control while increasing yields. A pot experiment was conducted by artificially inoculating Magnaporthe oryzae Triticum (MoT) on a susceptible wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety (BARI Gom-26) to determine the effect of soil application of K on blast disease management and the growth and yield. The experiment was carried out in separate plastic pots containing 18kg of virgin soil at the net house of the farm of the Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture headquarters, Mymensingh, for two growing seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 following a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications. The dose for soil application were 0, 50, 75, 100 and 125 K kg ha-1, respectively. Disease incidence (%) and severity (%) of wheat blast were evaluated at 11, 13 and 15 days after inoculation (DAI). At 15 DAI, the highest disease incidence (95.45%) was found in absolute control followed by K0 (0 kg K ha−1) (91.98%) and the lowest blast incidence (64.49%) was found in K4 (125kg K ha−1) which was statistically similar with K3 (100kg K ha−1) (70.87%). At 15 DAI, the highest blast severity matrix (90%) was found in absolute control followed by K0 (0 kg K ha−1) (76.02%) and the lowest blast incidence (46.18%) was found in K4 (125kg K ha−1) which was significantly different with others. Among the treatments, 125 kg K ha-1 produced the highest grain yield (26.97 g pot-1) and the lowest (5.79 g pot-1) was found from the absolute control. Flag leaf samples were randomly collected before head emergence from each pot and analyzed in the laboratory for plant nutrient content. The K concentration of flag leaves sample ranged from 1.71% to 5.51% with the average concentration of 3.02%, where the highest K content (%) was recorded in K4 (5.51%) and the lowest was found in absolute control (1.71%). Potassium fertilization appeared to reduce the severity and improve yield of wheat. Correlations suggested that improving dry matter production and K uptakes at the boot stage by K fertilization can reduce severity later in the growing season and increase wheat grain yield. It can be concluded that high K concentration on leaf tissue was important to decrease wheat blast symptom.

Germinability and Seedling Growth Performance of Chilli (Capsicum annuum) Seeds in Response to Different Gibberellic Acid Concentrations Pre-Treatment

Chilli seeds are always associated with physiological dormancy characteristics or endogenous dormancy that has affected their germination potential. Problems noticed on the low seed germination rate, vigour growth, further may lead to the poor seedling growth pattern of chilli crop production. Gibberellic Acid (GA3) which is usually used as a treatment solution is not a new advent of seed dormancy breaking methods for chilli. But, looking forwards to a better GA3 concentration is still needed for the discovery of this treatment potential effect on chilli seed germinability and seedling growth. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different GA3 concentrations on seed emergence and seedling growth performance in chilli. In this experiment, chilli seeds were imbibed with 25 mg/L, 75 mg/L and 125 mg/L concentration of GA3 with three replications each; for 24 hours at room temperature (32±4°C) and the untreated seeds as a control. The data collection on final germination percentage was taken daily for 21 days after sowing. While the 15 germinated seeds were directly planted on the 5 polybags arranged in the net house of Junaidy Jonik Farm, Sabah, Malaysia. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance with SAS version 9.4 and the significant means were separated by the least significant difference test at P<0.05. Significant differences were observed in the seed germinability measured; germination rate index (GRI), mean germination time (MGT) and final germination percentage (FGP), as well as on seedling vigour index (SVI) between treated and control seeds. Conversely, plant height, number of internodes, number of leaves and fresh weight of seedlings showed no significant differences among treatments. It was concluded that the use of GA3 was able to enhance chilli seeds germinability and could display a better SVI than the control. It is recommended to use GA3 treatment at 25 mg/L of concentration, as it may give an advantage to both economic and biological importance in producing higher germinability and seedling growth performance in chilli.

IMPACT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF BULK DENSITIES COMBINATION ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENT OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

An experiment was conducted on the impact of different levels of bulk densities combination on yield and yield components of wheat. Three bulk density levels 1.00-1.30 (A) g cm-3, 1.30-1.60 (B) g cm-3 and 1.60-1.90 (C) g cm-3 with three different depths (0-15, 16-30 and 31-45 cm) were used in the experiment using silt loam soil (Pedocals). The total treatments were 27 in the experiment with three replications. The experimental design was completely randomized design (CRD). The treatment means were checked at the confidence level of 95% of probability. The soil 0-45 cm deep was shifted from the field (no-till) to the net house and was act as control. The results showed that the number of tillers plant-1, number of leaves plant-1 and thousand grain yield were non-significantly affected by all the treatments while number of seed emerged, root length, dry root weight, plant height, grain yield , biological yield and harvest index were significantly influenced by various treatments. The highest number of seed germinated (8.00) was found in the treatment BBB (1.30-1.60 g cm-3 in 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, 30-45 cm soil depth), BAB (1.30-1.60 g cm-3 in 0-15 cm, 1.00-1.30 g cm-3 in 15-30 cm and 1.30-1.60 g cm-3 in 30-45 cm soil depth) and BCB (1.30-1.60 g cm-3 in 0-15 cm, 1.60-1.90 g cm-3 in 15-30 cm and 1.30-1.60 g cm-3 in 30-45 cm) while the lowest number of seed emerged (3.6) was found in AAA (1.00-1.30 g cm-3 in 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm soil depth), ACA (1.00-1.30 g cm-3 in 0-15 cm, 1.60-1.90 g cm-3 in 15-30 cm and 1.00-1.30 g cm-3 in 30-45 cm soil depth) and CAC (1.60-1.90 g cm -3 in 0-15 cm, 1.00-1.30 g cm-3 in 15-30 cm and 1.60-1.90 g cm-3 in 30-45 cm soil depth). The highest root length (13.12 cm) was found in the treatment AAA while the lowest root length (10.05 cm) was found in CAC. The highest dry root weight (5.67g) was found in the treatment ABA while the lowest dry root weight (4.79g) was found in control treatment. The highest plant height (42.67 cm) was found in the treatment of BBA while the lowest plant height (29.67 cm) was found in control. The highest biological yield (12.1 metric ton ha-1) was found in the treatment ABA while the lowest biological yield (6.8 metric ton ha-1) was found in control. The highest grain yield (4.4 metric ton ha-1) was found by ABB while the lowest (2.7 metric ton ha-1) was found in the control. The highest harvest index (39.79%) was found in the control while the lowest harvest index (34.54%) was found in CCA. The experiment showed that increasing bulk density above 1.60 g cm-3 resulted in decreasing the yield and yield component of the winter wheat. The number of seed emerged, root length, dry root weight, plant height, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index of wheat were significantly affected by soil bulk density in various depths.

Effect of Irrigation and N-fertigation Levels on Broccoli Performance in a Polynet House

The purpose of this study is to see how the microclimate of the polynet house, irrigation, and fertigation levels affect broccoli output. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design within bounds beneath a polynet house with 320 m2 floor area covered with 50% perforated green colour net. Plant height, dry matter production yield, and its attributes were found to be maximum in drip irrigation (1.0Epan) + 125 % N at all growth stages, as per effect of scheduled irrigation and fertigation levels on crop biometric performance. Drip irrigation (1.0Epan) + 125% N resulted in a high higher yield (22.02 t ha-1); while treatments drip irrigation (1.5 Epan) + 75% N resulted as in lowest yield (18.02 t ha-1).The treatment drip irrigation (1.0Epan) + 125% N had a maximum NPK uptake. Polynet house covered with 50% perforation of green colour is suitable for realizing favorable microclimate for broccoli cultivation. Drip irrigation scheduled at 1.0 E pan with 125%N in the poly net house is recommended for broccoli production in central Telanganaagro-climatic conditions as it maintained high yield and water use efficiency.

Cost: benefit analysis of the potato seed production facility in Seetha Eliya farm of the Department of Agriculture in Sri Lanka

Potato is one of the important tuber crop in Sri Lanka, where high cost of potato seed has shrunken the comparative advantage of the crop. In order to reduce the seed potato production costs, the Department of Agriculture (DOA) has intervened by implementing high tech facility at Seetha Eliya in the Central province of Sri Lanka. In 2017, the facility has produced 1.2 million of potato mini tubers. However, no study has been done to evaluate the financial and economic feasibility of the facility to justify its establishment. This study aimed at fulfilling this gap. Primary data were collected from the seed farm at Seetha Eliya, and were analyzed using non-linear programing models for annual operating profitability. The production levels were used as inputs for the project appraisal techniques to evaluate the overall profitability at project economic lifespan. The results of the study showed that seed production in net houses is financially and economically feasible over conventional method. Even though the financial profitability is high in net house cultivation for production of only G0 seed, the economic profitability is high for the combined cultivation of G0 and G1 seeds. The expansion of the glass house space is strongly recommended owing to its limited capacity. Furthermore, seed production is suggested to be confined to G0 seeds under adverse conditions.

Evaluation of Low Cost Protected Structure for Commercial Cultivation of Dendrobium Cv. Sonia under Assam Condition

Background: Dendrobiums are most popular high value cut flowers which require special attention during cultivation. In Assam, Dendrobium orchids are normally grown under iron frame shade net houses which are quite vulnerable to cold injury during extreme winter period and heavy rain during monsoon period. Further, the existing structures are very costly which is not affordable by small and marginal farmers of Assam. Keeping in view the current study was aimed to evaluate a suitable low cost protected structure for commercial cultivation of Dendrobium cv. Sonia under Assam condition. Methods: An experiment was conducted in the Horticulture Experimental Farm, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, during 2018-2019 which was laid out in factorial completely randomized design with 10 treatment combinations replicated five times. The first factors comprised 5 numbers of low cost protected structures viz., G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5. The second factors comprised T1-1 tier and T2-2 tiers. Result: The results revealed that among the protected structures, healthy growth and better quality flowers were obtained under G1 (Bamboo frame structure covered with fixed 200 micron UV film with top ventilated and 50% agro shade net as ceiling) protected structure followed by G4. Between the tiers, T2 was found to be superior in respect of the growth characters as well as most of the flower characters. So, this treatment combination is merits consideration for commercial growers of Assam to bring about timely and quality flower production of Dendrobium cv. Sonia.

Biological Management of Colocasia Blight Incited by Phytophthora colocasiae using Native Strains of Antagonists in North Western Himalayas

Background: Colocasia is cultivated globally for its edible corm and leaves. Leaf blight incited by Phytophthora colocasiae is the most destructive disease of colocasia. The current study aims at biological management of the disease. Methods: Nine Trichoderma isolates from the colocasia rhizosphere soil along with five designated isolates of Trichoderma spp. already available in the Department of Plant Pathology, CSK HPKV, Palampur were tested in vitro for antagonistic activity against P. colocasiae. Similarly, six unidentified bacterial strains isolated from colocasia phylloplane and available Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated for antagonistic activity against P. colocasiae under in vitro conditions. The bioagents found best under in vitro conditions were evaluated in vivo. Result: Trichoderma isolate Ti-6 was found significantly superior bioagent as it resulted in 72.9 per cent mycelial growth inhibition of P. colocasiae followed by Ti-5 (63.2%), Ti-4 (60.1%) and Ti-1 (54.5%). Amongst bacterial antagonists, Pseudomonas fluorescens gave maximum mycelial growth inhibition of 50.5 per cent followed by Pb-3 (31.4%) and Pb-6 (30.5%). The efficacy of five Trichoderma spp isolates viz., Ti-6, Ti-5, Ti-4, Ti-1, T. viride and one bacterial isolate of P. fluorescens found effective under in vitro were also evaluated in vivo using three delivery systems under net house condition. Corm treatment with bioagents was found superior for management of colocasia blight. Corm treatment with Ti-6 was found to be significantly superior to other treatments as 93.74 per cent of disease control was observed. For drenching, bioagent Ti-6 was proved best in managing blight disease (88.91%) followed by Ti-5 (88.90%). However, Ti-5 isolate of Trichoderma sp. as soil application was found superior with 90.02 per cent disease control.

Genotypic and phenotypic dissection of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae on Indica rice cultivars for bacterial blight resistance

Aim: To evaluate the level of virulence of different Xoo isolates/ pathotypes of Eastern and North-eastern India and to identify the suitable donors in rice cultivars having various R-gene combination against virulent Xoo races of Bacterial Blight disease of rice. Methodology: Thirty six Xoo isolates were collected from different places of Eastern and North-eastern India and genetic diversity/ similarity was examined by genotyping of pathotypes using JEL1/JEL2 markers. The 34 Indica rice cultivars carrying different R-gene combination were selected and grown in net house and inoculated artificially with Xoo inoculants from these races/ isolates bacterial of blight disease. Results: The selected 36 Xoo isolates of Eastern and North-eastern India were grouped into seven different isolates/ races based on their genetic diversity using JEL1/JEL2 markers. Among 34 Indica rice cultivars, three or more R-gene combination (xa5 + xa13 + Xa21 and/or Xa4 + xa5 + xa13 + Xa21) cultivars exhibited highly resistant as compared to cultivars with single and double gene combination cultivars against most of the Xoo isolates/ races. Interpretation: The cultivars may determine different level of resistance due to complementary effect of inheritance of suitable R-gene combination. Identified donors may be used for rice resistance breeding programme for Eastern and North-eastern India.

Microclimate suitability for green and coloured sweet pepper hybrids in open and protected structures in sub-tropical humid climate of West Bengal

A study was undertaken for two consecutive seasons (autumn-winter) to evaluate the performance of three green, red and yellow-fruited sweet pepper hybrids in open field and under two protected structures (50% green shade net house and naturally-ventilated polyhouse) to understand the microclimate suitability for maximizing the productivity of these hybrids under sub-tropical humid climatic condition of eastern India. In this climatic condition, naturally-ventilated polyhouse was most suitable for enhancing fruit yieldof both green and coloured fruited hybrids. Open field condition was not suitable for both yellow and redfruited hybrids. Though green-fruited hybrids could be grown in open field condition, fruit yield was more than double under polyhouse. Shade net house could not be considered as a suitable protected structure for sweet pepper in this climatic condition because of reduced light intensity and high relative humidity inside it causing low fruit set and high incidence of bacterial wilt disease. Maximum/minimum temperature30oC to 33oC / 14oC to 17oC with comparatively reduced light intensity of 35,000 to 55,000 lux, prevention of adverse effect of low night temperature during winter and  60 per cent relative humidity condition during flowering, fruit set and fruit development period inside the naturally ventilated polyhouse were most suitable growing conditions for getting maximum productivity of both green and colour-fruited hybrids of sweet pepper.

Germination and seedling growth response of mango (Mangifera Indica L.) cultivars to different nursery potting media

BackgroundMango is an important cash crop greatly contributing for food security of fruit growers in northwestern parts of Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. However, information was critically lacking with respect to germination and growth response of mango rootstock to varying compositions of growing media in the region. Thus, an experiment was conducted during 2018 to evaluate germination and seedling growth response of mango cultivars to different combinations of nursery potting media in a net house at Indasellassie. Seeds of Local, Dodo and Keitt cultivars of mango were sown in full top soil (M1); top soil: sawdust: sand (3:2:1)(M2); top soil: FYM (Farmyard manure): sand (3:2:1)(M3); and top soil: FYM: sawdust: (3:2:1)(M4). Randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications were used. Data on germination and growth parameters were collected and analyzed using GenStat software.ResultsThe findings of the experiment revealed that mango cultivar had significantly affected most of the germination and growth parameters except shoot number. Moreover, potting media affected most of the parameters except days to germination, germination percentage, stem diameter, root number, and shoot number. Interaction effects of cultivar and growing media significantly affected all parameters except internode length, shoot number and stem diameter. Accordingly, interactions of local mango cultivar and M3 media combination gave the highest for most of the parameters with the order of M3 = M1 = M4 > M2 for germination percentage, M3 = M1 > M4 = M2 for plant height, M3 > M1 > M2 = M4 for leaf number, M3 > M1 > M4 > M2 for leaf area, M3 = M1 > M2 = M4 for stem diameter, M3 = M1 > M2 > M4 for root number, M3 > M2 > M1 = M4 for root length, M3 > M1 > M2 = M4 for fresh weight, M3 > M1 = M2 = M4 for dry weight and Vigorosity II of mango.ConclusionConsidering better mango performance on seed germination, seedling growth and establishment in the study area, mango growers should use Local mango cultivar with soil potting media combinations of top soil: FYM: sand in the ratio of 3:2:1 for improving productivity and food security.

NGHIÊN CỨU MỘT SỐ CHỈ TIÊU QUANG HỢP VÀ SINH TRƯỞNG CỦA CÂY CỎ NGỌT (Stevia rebaudiana BERTONI) NUÔI CẤY IN VITRO TRONG HỆ THỐNG CHIẾU SÁNG ĐƠN SẮC VÀ GIAI ĐOẠN NHÀ LƯỚI

This study aims to evaluate the growth and dry matter accumulation of stevia grown in lighting conditions with different spectral ratios, thereby finding the most suitable lighting rate. Materials are stevia stalks cultured in shoot medium, including: MS base supplemented with 20 g\Lsucrose; 8 g\Lagar; 0.15 mg\LBAP, 0.2 mg\LNAA, cultured for 4 weeks under a LED system with different color light ratios, using the following formulas: 40% red + 20% blue + 40% orange (CT1), 20% red + 20% blue + 60% yellow (CT2), 72% red + 14% blue + 14% white (CT3) and 80% red + 20% blue (CT4) and the control formula was the formula of fluorescent lamp irradiation (DC). Formula CT4 gave a result of 100% shoot formation, the average height of shoots was 48.5 mm\shoot and the shoots were the best in quality. Rooting medium included: MS basal supplemented with 15 g sucrose, 8 g\Lagar, 0.2 mg\LNAA for 4 weeks. The results also showed that the CT4 lighting formula was the most suitable for the photosynthesis and growth of cultured stevia in the rooting stage. The seedlings from this lighting system when grown in the net house were able to survive and grow better than the plants from the other lighting conditions.

Influence of Different Rates of Seaweed Extract on Chlorophyll Content, Vegetative Growth and Flowering Traits of Gerbera (Gerbera Jamesonii L.) Grown Under The Shade Net House Conditions

The experiment was carried out under the shade net house conditions in a private farm located in Al-Diwaniyah city, Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq to investigate the influence of applying different rates of seaweed extract (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 g/L) on different plant growth parameters and flowers production of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii L.) plant. Results showed that there were statistically differences in the levels of seaweed extract that applied as a source of organic fertilizer, and also applying seaweed fertilizer has been increased the agronomic traits and number of flowers produced per plant. It can be concluded that applying of seaweed fertilizer at 3.0 (g/L) had beneficial influenced on the growth and flowering production of gerbera plant grown under the shade net house conditions.

Irrigation control and image acquisition for rice cultivation in UAE desert soil

Precision water management and crop growth monitoring are essential where water is a scarce, especially in desert soils. The purpose of the study was to control the irrigation and real-time image acquisition for monitoring the rice cultivation inside the net house under the UAE desert soil. An automated data acquisition system was constructed, installed, and tested in the experimental site at Al-Foah, Al-Ain. Soil water content sensors were placed in the different depths of desert soils, and an automatic irrigation logic was implemented to maintain the average of 30% desired water content level in desert soils. The irrigation rate was controlled based on the sensor data and the on/off of the pump and valves. When the average soil water content percentage level exceeds 30%, the pump and solenoid valve automatically turned off and vice versa. A Raspberry Pi operating system was used to control the irrigation, and a Raspberry Pi camera system was used to capture the real-time images for monitoring the rice growth and development. A web server was developed to upload and display the sensor values and images using python programing language through the embedded Wi-Fi network service. The web-based monitoring system was allowed to monitor the rice field situation from anywhere and download data from the site. The existing irrigation technique would help to grow the rice in UAE desert soil environments.

Differential Root Exudation and Architecture for Improved Growth of Wheat Mediated by Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria.

Phosphorous (P) deficiency is a major challenge faced by global agriculture. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) provide a sustainable approach to supply available phosphates to plants with improved crop productivity through synergistic interaction with plant roots. The present study demonstrates an insight into this synergistic P-solubilizing mechanism of PSB isolated from rhizosphere soils of major wheat-growing agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. Seven isolates were the efficient P solubilizers based on in vitro P-solubilizing activity (233-365 μg ml–1) with a concomitant decrease in pH (up to 3.5) by the production of organic acids, predominantly acetic acid (∼182 μg ml–1) and gluconic acid (∼117 μg ml–1). Amplification and phylogenetic analysis of gcd, pqqE, and phy genes of Enterobacter sp. ZW32, Ochrobactrum sp. SSR, and Pantoea sp. S1 showed the potential of these PSB to release orthophosphate from recalcitrant forms of phosphorus. Principal component analysis indicates the inoculation response of PSB consortia on the differential composition of root exudation (amino acids, sugars, and organic acids) with subsequently modified root architecture of three wheat varieties grown hydroponically. Rhizoscanning showed a significant increase in root parameters, i.e., root tips, diameter, and surface area of PSB-inoculated plants as compared to uninoculated controls. Efficiency of PSB consortia was validated by significant increase in plant P and oxidative stress management under P-deficient conditions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative damages mainly indicated by elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 contents were significantly reduced in inoculated plants by the production of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. Furthermore, the inoculation response of these PSB on respective wheat varieties grown in native soils under greenhouse conditions was positively correlated with improved plant growth and soil P contents. Additionally, grain yield (8%) and seed P (14%) were significantly increased in inoculated wheat plants with 20% reduced application of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer under net house conditions. Thus, PSB capable of such synergistic strategies can confer P biofortification in wheat by modulating root morphophysiology and root exudation and can alleviate oxidative stress under P deficit conditions.

AKLIMATISASI TIGA JENIS ANGGREK PADA MEDIA TANAM YANG BERBEDA : ACCLIMATIZATION OF THREE TYPES ORCHID ON DIFFERENT PLANTING MEDIUM

The research aims to obtain the most appropriate types of media used for acclimatization of the three types of orchids in order to increase and accelerate their growth. The research was conducted at the net house of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kutai Kartanegara University from April to June 2019. The design used in this research was a randomized completed block design (RBD), and each treatment level was repeated 3 times. As the treatment is the type of planting medium consisting of cocopeat, charcoal, fern root, roasted husk, cocopeat + charcoal, and fern root + roasted husk. The results showed that the highest plant height increase of C. pandurata, C. asperata, and Oncidium linda isler x Odorais princess yH tween star orchids were successively obtained when the seedlings were planted in cocopeat + charcoal media (3.30 cm), cocopeat (2.37 cm), as well as cocopeat and fern roots (2.45 cm). The percentage of live orchid seedlings grown in cocopeat and cocopeat + charcoal media was 88.89%, much higher than the other four growing media. Orchid species C. pandurata had the highest percentage of survival (72.22%) compared to orchids C. asperata (55.56%) and Oncidium linda isler x Odorais princess yH tween star (50.00%). Cocopeat, either alone or in combination with charcoal, is the best acclimatization medium for C. pandurata, C. asperata, and Oncidium linda isler x Odorais princess yH tween star orchids. Keywords: cocopeat, Coelogyn asperata, Coelogyn asperata, orchid seedling growth