Number Of Stalks Research Articles

Performance of Different Commercial Varieties of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) for Yield and Quality Trait Influenced by Various Harvest Age Under Peninsular Zone of Maharashtra

A field experiment was carried out at Vasantdada Sugar Research Institute (VSI), Manjari, Pune, India during 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22 crop seasons (36 months) to evaluate the performance of different harvesting periods of advanced varieties on yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under agro-climatic condition of peninsular zone of Maharashtra.Three harvesting dates i.e. H1-10 month, H2-12 month and H3-14 month and 10 different varieties including five early maturing sugarcane varieties V1-MS10001, V2-CoM 9057, V3-Co 09004 with two zonal check namely V4-CoC 671 and V5-VSI434 and five midlate maturing varieties V6-VSI08005, V7-CoVSI18121, V8-VSI12003 with two zonal check namely V9-CoM 0265 and V10-Co 86032 were evaluated in the split plot design with three replications. The varieties differed in stalk diameter and weight, and millable stalk number. Improvements in internodes number, stalk diameter and weight were increased with harvest age. Varieties produced better juice quality in canes harvested at 14 months. On the basis of pooled results obtained from three plant cane, it can be concluded that, Maximum cane yield (140.15 t ha-1) and CCS yield (19.33 t ha-1) can be secured by harvesting the sugarcane at 14 months after planting. With respect to varieties CoM 0265 recorded significantly higher cane yield (156.36 t ha-1) as well as CCS yield (18.81 t ha-1) which was followed by varieties VSI 08005 and CoVSI 18121. Whereas, significantly improved sucrose percentage was observed in VSI 434 (19.38%) which was harvested at 14 months after planting.

Floral Infestation of Tuberose with Aphelenchoides and Its Management

In the field experiment conducted on cv. Calcutta Double, the symptoms of floral malady and efficacy of treatment modules on foliar nematode population, percent infestation and resulting yields of the crop has been observed. The symptoms appear on the leaves and progress until flowering. Typical symptoms observed were browning of leaves and flowers. In serious condition, the plant becomes stunted along with prickles on the stalks and flowers. The flowers become brittle. The results of the present study showed that the percent infestation was directly proportional to the nematode population. The percent infestation and the population were higher in untreated plot (M7) as compared to all treated plots. The treatment module (M4) involving overnight drenching of bulb in water followed by dipping in monocrotophos 36SL @750ppm for 4 hrs + Spraying of monocrotophos 36SL @360g a.i./ha alternated with cartap hydrochloride 50SP @375g a.i./ha at 15 days interval after onset of foliar nematode infestation in the 1st year and succeeding year crop was the most economical (ICBR 1: 8) and effective means of managing Aphelenchoides besseyi population. It also yielded higher number of marketable flower stalks viz. 4, 43,908.19 per hectare.

Water Use Efficiency Characteristics and Their Contributions to Yield in Diverse Sugarcane Genotypes with Varying Drought Resistance Levels Under Different Field Irrigation Conditions

Drought is the major abiotic constraint affecting sugarcane productivity and quality worldwide. This obstacle may be alleviated through sugarcane genotypes demonstrating good water use efficiency (WUE) performance. This study aims to investigate the WUE characteristics of various sugarcane genotypes under different soil water availability levels. Plant and ratoon field experiments were conducted using a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots were assigned three types of irrigation: (1) rainfed conditions (RF), (2) field capacity conditions (FC), and (3) half-available water (½ AW). The subplots consisted of six sugarcane genotypes with varying levels of drought resistance, i.e., KK3, UT13, Kps01-12, KKU99-03, KKU99-02, and UT12. Data on yield, stalk numbers, stalk diameter, height, and WUE were collected throughout the crop cycle for both plant and ratoon crops. For the plant crop, the net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and leaf area index (LAI) were recorded during the crop period. In both plant and ratoon crops, the WUE in the RF treatment was lower than in the FC and ½ AW treatments during the drought stress period 4 months after planting (MAP). In the recovery phase, the WUE in the ½ AW treatment fell between the FC and RF treatments. The RF treatment exhibited the lowest WUE compared to the other two water regime treatments at the maturity stage. The drought-resistant genotypes KK3 and UT13 maintained high WUE values throughout both the drought and recovery periods and exhibited outstanding LAIs at 4 and 6 MAP. A significant relationship existed between WUE and LAI during these periods. Moreover, WUE was positively correlated with cane yields and yield components, such as stalk weight, shoot diameter, and height, during recovery and tiller number and height during ripening. Therefore, WUE and LAI are efficient parameters for supporting and maintaining growth and yield during water deficit and recovery phases under rainfed conditions.

Unravelling drivers of local adaptation through evolutionary functional-structural plant modelling.

Local adaptation to contrasting environmental conditions along environmental gradients is a widespread phenomenon in plant populations, yet we lack a mechanistic understanding of how individual agents of selection contribute to this evolutionary process. Here, we developed a novel evolutionary functional-structural plant (E-FSP) model that recreates local adaptation of virtual plants along an environmental gradient. First, we validate the model by testing if it can reproduce two elevational ecotypes of Dianthus carthusianorum occurring in the Swiss Alps. Second, we use the E-FSP model to disentangle the relative contribution of abiotic (temperature) and biotic (competition and pollination) selection pressures to elevational adaptation in D. carthusianorum. Our results suggest that elevational adaptation in D. carthusianorum is predominantly driven by the abiotic environment. The model reproduced the qualitative differences between the elevational ecotypes in two phenological (germination and flowering time) and one morphological trait (stalk height), as well as qualitative differences in four performance variables that emerge from G × E interactions (flowering time, number of stalks, rosette area and seed production). Our approach shows how E-FSP models incorporating physiological, ecological and evolutionary mechanisms can be used in combination with experiments to examine hypotheses about patterns of adaptation observed in the field.

Genomic Association and Prediction Study for Yield Traits in a Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrids) Mapping Population ‘LCP 85‐384’

ABSTRACTSugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) are complex polyploid and aneuploid interspecific hybrids with 110–130 chromosomes. A traditional sugarcane breeding cycle takes 13–15 years and involves multiple years and locations testing of yield. To identify molecular markers associated with yield‐related traits, the LCP 85‐384 cultivar and its mapping population of 263 self‐progenies were planted in two randomly replicated field plots. The mapping population was genotyped with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), simple sequence repeats (SSR) and target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) markers. Data on plant height, stalk number, stalk diameter and stalk weight were collected. A large variation was observed for each trait. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using mixed linear model (MLM), generalized linear model (GLM) and single marker regression (SMR) programmes of TASSEL 5 and FarmCPU of GAPIT 3. A total of 64 yield trait‐associated alleles were identified, including 11 for stalk number, 36 for stalk weight, 21 for stalk diameter and 5 for plant height. Of the 64 alleles, seven were linked to two traits and one to three traits. Genomic prediction (GP) was also performed by cross‐prediction with five models, namely, ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction (rrBLUP), Bayesian ridge regression (BRR), Bayesian A (BA), Bayesian B (BB), and Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (BL). Prediction accuracy (r value) reached 0.40 for plant height, 0.36 for stalk number, 0.44 for stalk diameter and 0.54 for stalk weight with the standard errors from 0.009 to 0.012. Once verified, these markers will be a valuable tool to aid in the selection of yield‐related traits in sugarcane improvement programmes.

Whole-genome sequencing of a worldwide collection of sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp.) reveals the genetic basis of cultivar improvement.

Sugarcane is the main source of sugar worldwide, and 80% of the sucrose production comes from sugarcane. However, the genetic differentiation and basis of agronomic traits remain obscure. Here, we sequenced the whole-genome of 219 elite worldwide sugarcane cultivar accessions. A total of approximately 6 million high-quality genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. A genome-wide association study identified a total of 2198 SNPs that were significantly associated with sucrose content, stalk number, plant height, stalk diameter, cane yield, and sugar yield. We observed homozygous tendency of favor alleles of these loci, and over 80% of cultivar accessions carried the favor alleles of the SNPs or haplotypes associated with sucrose content. Gene introgression analysis showed that the number of chromosome segments from Saccharum spontaneum decreased with the breeding time of cultivars, while those from S. officinarum increased in recent cultivars. A series of selection signatures were identified in sugarcane improvement procession, of which 104 were simultaneously associated with agronomic traits and 45 of them were mainly associated with sucrose content. We further proposed that as per sugarcane transgenic experiments, ShN/AINV3.1 plays a positive role in increasing stalk number, plant height, and stalk diameter. These findings provide comprehensive resources for understanding the genetic basis of agronomic traits and will be beneficial to germplasm innovation, screening molecular markers, and future sugarcane cultivar improvement.

Yield and Multivariate Analysis among Twelve Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L) Genotypes at Mankusa, North Western, Ethiopia

Smallholders cultivated sugarcane for household consumption, immediate cash, and feeding livestock in Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity are constrained by a lack of improved varieties. Sugarcane germplasm was collected from Districts of West Gojjam, Ethiopia, to evaluate yield and its contributing characters and quantify the phenotypic diversity at Mankusa, Jabitehnan, Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted using a randomised complete block design with three replications for two crop cycles, from April 2020 to March 2023. Data were recorded for the number of tillers, internode length, sellable stalks, plant height, stalk diameter, cane yield and biomass yield from twelve genotypes collected. The data recorded were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test at a 5% significance level. Variance and multivariate analysis indicated the existence of high phenotypic diversity between genotypes in all quantitative traits studied. Acc 7/20 and Acc 5/20 genotypes produced the highest number of tillers and longest internodes, while Acc 6/20 produced the highest number of sellable stalks. The genotype Acc 4/20 was the longest, and the thickest genotype, which could be elite donors for it respected quality traits through crossing. The highest cane yield was recorded from Acc 4/20 (178.04 t/ha), Acc 7/20 (151.41 t/ha), Acc 8/20 (134.1 t/ha) and Acc 12/20 (132 t/ha), producing 58, 34, 19 and 17% advantageous from the overall genotypes mean, respectively. Cluster analysis grouped the twelve sugarcane genotypes into four clusters, indicating the possibility of broadening the genetic basis by crossing genotypes in the different clusters. It also indicated that a cross between cluster II and III genotypes could create the thickest canes with many sellable stalks. Therefore, genotypes Acc 04/20, Acc 07/20, Acc 8/20 and Acc 12/20 have been recommended and must be evaluated in other sugarcane growing areas to exploit their potential.

Genetic variability, character association and path analysis in sugarcane genotypes

ABSTRACT The study, conducted at Tana-Beles Sugarcane plantation in Ethiopia from May 2022 to October 2023, used a partially balanced lattice design with two replications to assess variability and trait associations among 196 sugarcane genotypes collected from 14 countries. Highly significant (p < 0.0001) variability was observed for all traits; especially genotypes with fuzz exhibited wider variation for cane (20.97–135.31 t/ha) and sugar yield (1.83–20.42 t/ha), highlighting their potential for improvement. Except for single cane weight, brix, and purity, all traits displayed moderate to high heritability (H2 : 31–79%) and genetic advance (GAM: 10.69–53.14%), indicating potential for improvement through phenotypic selection being controlled by additive gene actions. The number of millable stalks, stalk length, stalk diameter, brix and cane yield showed significant positive genotypic correlations (r = 0.49, r = 0.55, r = 0.41, r = 0.65, and r = 0.98, respectively) and strong direct positive effects (0.33, 0.47, 0.75, 0.51 and 0.83, respectively) on sugar yield. Thus, Sugar yield, along with these traits, can serve as selection criteria for identifying high-sugar-yielding sugarcane genotypes. Consequently, the top three sugarcane genotypes for multi-traits, namely B552–11, FG04–466, and B707–1, could be evaluated across seasons for commercial use at Tana-Beles.

Selection of Sweet Corn Inbred Lines by Agronomic Performance to Determining Hybrid Parents

The development of hybrid sweet corn varieties involves the selection of parental lines with specific traits to ensure good yield potential. The selection of inbred lines of sweet corn is a critical aspect of breeding programs aimed at developing improved varieties. This research will provide useful information of sweet corn inbreed lines have the potential to be developed as parent lines in the development of hybrid varieties. The study utilized 24 inbred lines (G1-G24) of sweet corn and employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Data analysis involved the use of analysis of variance with a 5% significance level, path and dendrogram analysis. Based on the analysis of 24 inbreed line of sweet corn, the potential for selecting parents based on quantitative traits influencing the outcome is evident in inbreed line G18, G12, G4, G23, and G20. Identification of these potential parents is essential for the genetic improvement of the population. The correlation heatmap data indicates a 41% correlation between the number of rows and cob stag length, and correlation between number of rows and ear diameter by 48%. The path diagram indicates that fresh weight, a crucial measure of crop yield, is strongly influenced by several agronomic traits, including plant height, ear length, ear diameter, dry weight, number of plants, row length, brix, and ear stalk. G24 can indeed be used as one of the parents with other group in hybrid breeding programs.

Comparison of Growth and Physiological Effects of Soil Moisture Regime on Plantago maritima Plants from Geographically Isolated Sites on the Eastern Coast of the Baltic Sea.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological and physiological responses of P. maritima plants from five geographically isolated sites growing in habitats with different conditions to different substrate moisture levels in controlled conditions. Plants were produced from seed and cultivated in a greenhouse at four relatively constant soil moisture regimes: at 25, 50, and 75% soil water content and in soil flooded 3 cm above the surface (80% F). The two morphological traits that varied most strikingly among P. maritima accessions were the number of flower stalks and the number of leaves. Only plants from two accessions uniformly produced generative structures, and allocation to flowering was suppressed by both low moisture and flooding. Optimum shoot biomass accumulation for all accessions was at 50 and 75% soil moisture. The Performance Index Total was the most sensitive among the measured photosynthesis-related parameters, and it tended to decrease with an increase in soil water content for all P. maritima accessions. The initial hypothesis-that plants from relatively dry habitats will have a higher tolerance against low soil water levels, but plants from relatively wet habitats will have a higher tolerance against waterlogged or flooded soil-was not proven. The existence of three ecotypes of P. maritima within the five accessions from geographically isolated subpopulations on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea at the level of morphological responses to soil water content can be proposed. P. maritima plants can be characterized as extremely tolerant to soil waterlogging and highly tolerant to soil flooding and low soil water content.

Deciphering biomass contributing traits of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids derived from early generations hybrids of Saccharum and Erianthus Spp. as potential sources of biomass and bioenergy

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp., hybrids (2 n=100–130)) is one of the industrial crops cultivated mainly for sugar in the tropical and subtropical regions. It has earned the attention of many countries as a prominent energy crop owing to its exceptional biomass production potential. Energy cane is a hybrid of commercial and wild sugarcane, which was bred for high fiber content and low sucrose. Average energy cane biomass production potential is much higher, and brix levels are lower, compared with commercial sugarcane. A total of 138 Saccharum spp. hybrids representing 99 interspecific hybrids (ISH) and 39 intergeneric hybrids (IGH) derived from intercrossing of species clones of S. spontaneum, S. robustum and wild genus, Erianthus arundinaceus were evaluated along with the commercial hybrids for their cane growth and quality parameters, fibre and biomass traits. In general, the ISH and IGH clones recorded higher fibre per cent with maximum of 32% (ISH-562) and maximum biomass yield of 396.16 t/ha (ISH-571), lower values for quality characters such as juice brix 10.68% (ISH-571), sucrose 6.65% (ISH-579) and commercial cane sugar (CCS) 3.66% (ISH-579). Total biomass showed a significant positive correlation with the number of tillers (‘000/ha) at 120 days (r =0.176), number of shoots (‘000/ha) at 240 days (r = 0.129), number of stalks (‘000/ha) at 360 days (r = 0.249), cane height (r = 0.163) and single cane weight (SCW) (r = 0.508) and positive correlation with quality traits indicates the possibility of simultaneous improvement for biomass and quality traits. However, the fibre per cent has showed a significant negative correlation with quality traits viz., extraction % (r = −0.616), juice brix % (r = −0.419), sucrose % (r = −0.422), CCS % (r = −0.409), cane diameter (r = −0.600) and SCW (r = −0.475) suggests difficulty in combining both the traits. In the cluster analysis, the cluster III with 12 clones is more similar to commercial cultivars for juice quality (20.16% juice brix and 18.08% of sucrose) and cane traits, however the cluster V consist of 4 clones (ISH-557, ISH-563, ISH-571 and ISH-572) recorded highest total biomass yield of 368.72 t/ha and a mean fibre of 19.50% could be exploited for green energy purposeor as parental stocks in breeding programme.

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Enhance Survival, Growth, and Nutritional Content of Sugarcane Propagated through Pre-Sprouted Seedlings under Water Deficit

Sugarcane plays a crucial role in global sugar and ethanol production. Conventionally, sugarcane propagation involves planting billets. However, Brazilian researchers have introduced the innovative pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) method, widely used in the MEIOSI (Simultaneously Occurring Interrotational Method) system. Although PSS has several advantages over the conventional method, its sensitivity to water scarcity is a challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the survival and growth of PSS inoculated with Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (PGPB) under different water regimes. The experiment was conducted in the field in a randomized block in strips (split-block) using a 2 × 4 factorial scheme consisting of two inoculation conditions (with and without PGPB) and four water regimes (WR) (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% of the ideal irrigation). PGPB increased PSS survival (4.17%) and water use efficiency (185.10% under the 0% WR). In addition, inoculation increased root (12.5%, 7.7%, and 16.2% for surface area, area projection, and root volume, respectively) and shoot growth. PGPB also increased nutrient uptake, such as N (60.8% and 18.3% under 0% and 66% WR), P (on average 11.7%), Mn (27.6% and 28.7% under 66% and 100% WR), Zn (111.4% under 0% WR), and Cu accumulation (27.17%), which provided a higher number of stalks per meter and, therefore, a higher multiplication rate in the MEIOSI system. Inoculation proved to be a promising alternative for PSS establishing under water restriction.

Application of the Multi-Objective Optimization By Ratio Analysis (MOORA) Method in the Chili Seed Selection System (Case Study of Asuli Village, East Luwu Towuti District)

Currently chili plants are plants that are needed by the community, these plants can be processed into cooking spices, the food industry and medicines. In East Luwu Regency chili plants are also the main commodity in agriculture, many farmers make chili plants as a business opportunity, but the production of chili plants in East Luwu Regency has decreased, this decrease in production is due to the lack of yields of chili farmers. So that the supply of chili is reduced and can not meet market demand. The lack of yields was caused by farmers using different types of chili seeds because farmers still had difficulty in determining the right type of chili seeds to develop which resulted in chili cultivation failing to harvest. For this reason, a system is needed that can assist farmers in determining chili seeds that are suitable for cultivation in Asuli Village, East Towuti Luwu District. The criteria used in determining the location of the business are harvest time, number of stalks, weight of chilies, altitude and longevity. This study aims to produce a decision support system in recommending the best chili seeds so that they can help farmers increase red chili production among farmers. The method used is the MOORA method, this method was chosen because this method is very simple, stable, and robust, even this method is able to determine goals from conflicting criteria, where criteria can be of beneficial or unfavorable value (cost). In addition, MOORA also has the ability to easily separate subjective elements from an evaluation process into weighted decision criteria that have several decision-making attributes. The results showed that Salo Dua chili seeds were suitable for cultivation in Asuli Village, East Luwu Towuti District

PEMANFAATAN TEKNOLOGI AEROPONIK BERBASIS PRECISION AGRICULTURE DALAM OPTIMALISASI RANTAI PASOK BENIH KENTANG G-0 PADA KELOMPOK TANI DI KABUPATEN AGAM

Potato production in West Sumatra has decreased from 2015-2018. One of the factors causing the decline in potato production is because local farmers have not been optimal in producing G0 potato tuber seeds, still using conventional methods, so to meet the need for G0 potato tuber seeds, farmers buy them from outside the region. Efforts that can be made to increase seed production are by utilizing technology in the agricultural sector such as aeroponic systems. Aeroponics is a farming activity carried out by hanging plant roots in a container where the plant roots then receive water and nutrients through spraying in the form of mist droplets. The aim of the research is to design and create an aeroponics system that can work automatically to maintain the concentration of the solution and the availability of water in the box container so that it can meet the nutritional needs for potato plant growth. This research starts from functional design, structural design, control system design, calibration, technical testing and analysis. The performance of the total dissolved solid (TDS) sensor during the 10 week study obtained an error value of 7.398% and an accuracy level of 92.602% with an average range of TDS sensor reading values of 1,142,000 ppm – 1,358,333 ppm. Meanwhile, the performance of the HC-SR04 sensor obtained an error value of 1.300% and an accuracy level of 98.700% with a range of reading values for the HC-SR04 sensor, namely 12 cm – 26 cm. The results of observations of plant growth in the form of plant height showed that the average plant height at week 13 was 42.175 cm/stem, the average number of leaf stalks was 14.8 stalks. The number of tubers produced by the aeroponic system is 14,850 tubers/stem, which is more than the conventional method, namely 5-7 tubers/stem. The aeroponic system can work well because the aeroponic system is able to maintain the concentration of the solution according to plant growth needs (1,050 ppm - 1,400 ppm) and the system can maintain the availability of water in the box container.

PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI KACANG TANAH (Arachis hypogaea L.) PADA BERBAGAI DOSIS KALIUM ORGANIK

Potassium is a macro nutrient needed for plant growth, especially for the formation of pods and seeds. Organic potassium sources such as coconut fiber ash can be used as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. Cow urine contains nitrogen nutrients which can be used as a source of N nutrients to reduce the use of urea fertilizer. This research aims to determine the dose of organic potassium, the dose of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) from cow urine on the growth and production of peanuts. This research was structured using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 treatments, namely doses of organic potassium and cow urine liquid organic fertilizer (LOF). The parameters observed were plant height (cm), number of leaf stalks, seed weight per 1000 (gr), number of pods (seeds), fresh weight (gr), and dry weight (gr). The results of the study showed that treatment with doses of organic potassium and cow urine LOF had no significant effect on the growth and production of peanuts. The best dose of organic potassium is organic potassium equivalent to a dose of 75 kg KCl/ha. The best dose of cow urine LOF is 75 ml/l water (U2). The best combination of potassium dose equivalent to 75 Kg KCl/ha with a LOF dose of cow urine for growth and production of peanuts LOF cow urine 50 ml/l (A2U1).

Exploring the genetic and functional diversity of Porphyromonas gingivalis long fimbriae.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathobiont in periodontitis. Its long fimbriae consist of a single anchor (FimB), a varying number of stalk (FimA), and three accessory (tip-related) proteins (FimC, FimD, and FimE). Based on 133 strains/genomes available, it was our aim to investigate the diversity within FimA and FimB and explain the variety of long fimbriae (super-)structures. Combining the new forward primer fimAnewF with the established fimAunivR, we were able to amplify and sequence fimA including its leader region covering all genotypes and serotypes for phylogenetic analysis. We designed two primer pairs sensing the presence of an internal stop codon in fimB with an impact on fimbrial length. Finally, we examined fimbrial secondary structures by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phylogeny of fimA/FimA revealed two new subtypes (IIa and IIb) with specific changes in functional domains and thus adding to the current classification scheme (I, Ib, and II-V). Regarding evolution, we confirm that Porphyromonas gulae fimA-type A is closely related to human P. gingivalis strains of cluster Ib and might be its ancestor genotype. A fimB internal stop codon is rare and was found in ATCC 33277 only. Comparing P. gingivalis TEM/SEM pictures of type I ATCC 33277 with type V OMI622 revealed a broad spectrum of fimbrial structures including bundling, cell-cell knotting, and brick-wall formation. In conclusion, FimA forms more distinct subtypes than previously known. The bundling of long fimbriae, a mechanism known from EPEC/EHEC and Salmonella, is proposed and supported by TEM/SEM pictures for the first time here. The role and variations of terminal accessory FimC-E in superstructure formation and/or (co-) adhesion should be investigated more closely next.

A streak through history: Solving the riddle of chlorotic streak disease of sugarcane

AbstractUntil recently, the identity of the pathogen of chlorotic streak disease (CSD) was one of the most enduring mysteries of sugarcane pathology. The mystery continued when the causal agent was revealed as a member of a large group of free‐living eukaryotic microbes that had not previously been associated with any plant diseases. CSD has impacted worldwide sugarcane production since at least the 1920s when it was first noticed simultaneously in Java, Australia and Hawaii. Readily identified by irregular, yellow to creamy‐white chlorotic streaks on the leaves, the identity of the pathogen remained unknown for 90 years. CSD negatively affects germination speed, ratooning, stalk numbers and stalk weight, and later causes stunting of crop growth, leading to major losses in sugar production. Prior to the discovery of the pathogen, CSD was found to be waterborne and spread by infected vegetative propagation material. As such it is particularly damaging in poorly drained soils and areas subject to high rainfall. In severe cases it can lead to crop death. The implementation of successful CSD management strategies has been limited by the lack of knowledge surrounding the nature of this disease. However, these strategies are likely to be augmented with the recent identification of the causal agent, a novel cercozoan described as Phytocercomonas venanatans. This review provides insight into the history, causal agent and potential future developments of CSD management strategies.

Effect of giving biochar and chicken manure compost enriched with phosphate solubilizing fungi to the growth and production of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Andisol soil

Phosphorus is considered a primary nutrient for plant growth and is needed to sustain optimum plant production and quality. This research aims to determine the effect of giving oil palm shell biochar and chicken manure compost enriched with phosphate solubilizing fungi on the growth of potato in Andisol soil. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Soil Biology, Agriculture Faculty, Universitas Sumatera Utara. This research used Factorial Randomized Block Design with 2 Treatment Factors and 3 replications. First factor is oil palm shell biochar, namely; control, 210 g/plant, 315 g/plant, 420 g/plant. The second factor is chicken manure compost enriched with phosphate solubilizing fungi, namely; control, 25 g/plant, 50 g/plant, 75 g/plant. The interaction of oil palm shell biochar and chicken manure compost enriched with phosphate solubilizing fungi increased plant height, number of leaf stalks, number of tubers per plant, and tuber weight per plant.

Sugarcane growth variation based on rainfall and soil permeability in Takalar, Indonesia

The germination and sprouting phases of sugar cane are critical periods that determine productivity. This phase occurs when the sugar cane is 1-3 months old and requires an adequate supply of water to support the formation of shoots. Poor soil conditions and high rainfall can cause the failure of bud formation. This study aims to determine the relationship between rainfall and soil permeability in successfully constructing sugarcane shoots. We divided the 1 ha research area into nine points (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I) to observe plant growth and soil permeability. The growth factors measured included the number of stems, diameter, and plant height, measured by zigzag. Intact soil samples at a 0-15 cm depth were then analyzed in the laboratory using Darcy’s law to determine the value of soil permeability. The results showed variations in sugarcane growth in the nine study plots. The average number of sugarcane stalks is eight stalks/meter with a height of 159 cm and a diameter of 3 cm. The low soil permeability value of 0.13-0.5 cm/hour cannot compensate for the average rainfall during the budding phase, thereby suppressing plant growth by up to 50% of the average productivity that should be.

Effect of Bio-fertilizers on Growth, Flowering, Yield and Quality of Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora T.) Cv. Snowball under Open Field Conditions of Prayagraj, India

The current field study was carried out in the Research Field, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj, from September 2022 to January 2023. The research was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), with ten treatments replicated three times, with an objective of figuring out the most suited bio-fertilizer treatment under the agroclimatic conditions of Prayagraj. According to the current experimental findings therapy, it was observed that treatment T7 (60% NP + 100% K + Azotobacter 0.3g/plant + PSB 0.5g/plant) found best in all the parameters like plant height (42.3cm), plant spread (22.8 cm), days taken to first bud initiation (60.5), flower diameter (16.4 cm), stalk length (32.5 cm), vase life (6.1), number of cut flowers stalks per plant (4.6), number of cut flower stalks per hectare (511111), whereas minimum is recorded in treatment T1-Control.