Plant Performance Research Articles

Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticle Enhancing Photosynthesis in Solanum Lycopersicum

AbstractPhotosynthesis is a dynamic, complex, photo‐catalytic process that plays a key role in the growth and development of plants. It converts solar energy to chemical energy by precise organisation of light harvesting molecules in the photosynthetic system. Artificially imitating such systems is difficult due to the complexity of different cascades associated with photosynthesis. Nanoparticle mediated photocatalytic complexes have been shown to improve photosynthesis efficiency. Nanomaterials, such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) efficiently capture sunlight and assist in photosynthesis enhancement and nanosheets offer an additional advantage of increased surface area for sunlight harnessing. Foliar nutrition supplementation provides high yield potential to crops and their application in small doses improves the photosynthesis and elevates the plant performance. This study aims at mapping the efficiency of facile one‐pot hydrothermally synthesized MoS2 nanosheets in enhancing the photosynthetic ability of tomato plants. The treatments included the supplementation and absence of molybdenum source to plants. Physiological features (root length, shoot length, biomass), biochemical parameters (antioxidant activity), photosynthesis parameters (carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll and carotenoid content), uptake and translocation of MoS2 nanosheets were evaluated. Increases of 22.07 %, 49.95 % and 18.56 % in net photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency and chlorophyll content respectively, were observed in MoS2_Nano treated plants compared with untreated plants. These nanosheets improved plant photosynthesis parameters and enhanced photosystem efficiency without inducing phytotoxicity. This study demonstrates the promise of such approaches towards enhanced plant photosystem efficiency, leading to improved agricultural productivity, particularly in the regions with less sunlight.

Caught between two states: The compromise in acclimation of photosynthesis, transpiration and mesophyll conductance to different amplitudes of fluctuating irradiance.

While dynamic regulation of photosynthesis in fluctuating light is increasingly recognized as an important driver of carbon uptake, acclimation to realistic irradiance fluctuations is still largely unexplored. We subjected Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) wild-type and jac1 mutants to irradiance fluctuations with distinct amplitudes and average irradiance. We examined how irradiance fluctuations affected leaf structure, pigments and physiology. A wider amplitude of fluctuations produced a stronger acclimation response. Large reductions of leaf mass per area under fluctuating irradiance framed our interpretation of changes in photosynthetic capacity and mesophyll conductance as measured by three separate methods, in that photosynthetic investment increased markedly on a mass basis, but only a little on an area basis. Moreover, thermal imagery showed that leaf transpiration was four times higher under fluctuating irradiance. Leaves growing under fluctuating irradiance, although thinner, maintained their photosynthetic capacity, as measured through light- and CO2-response curves; suggesting their photosynthesis may be more cost-efficient than those under steady light, but overall may incur increased maintenance costs. This is especially relevant for plant performance globally because naturally fluctuating irradiance creates conflicting acclimation cues for photosynthesis and transpiration that may hinder progress towards ensuring food security under climate-related extremes of water stress.

Part-load analysis and preliminary annual simulation of a constant inventory supercritical CO2 power plant for waste heat recovery in cement industry

The present work investigates the part-load performance of a MW-scale sCO2 power plant designed as waste heat recovery unit for an existing cement plant located in Czech Republic, in the framework of the H2020 funded project CO2OLHEAT. The study first presents the selected power plant configuration and then focuses on the evaluation of its part-load operation due to variation of flue gas mass flow rate and temperature. The range of flue gas conditions at the outlet of the upstream process is retrieved from a preliminary statistical analysis of historical trends obtained through the cement plant monitoring. The numerical model developed for this study aims at providing realistic results thanks to the adoption of turbomachinery performance maps provided by the turbomachinery manufacturer of the project. Moreover, heat exchangers have been modelled through a discretized approach which has been validated against manufacturer data, while piping inventory and pressure losses have been assessed through a preliminary sizing that considers the actual distances to be covered in the cement plant. Performance decay is estimated for the whole range of flue gas conditions, reporting the most significant power cycle parameters, and identifying the main causes of efficiency loss. The part-load analysis is carried out considering a constant CO2 inventory, in order to reduce the system complexity and capital cost and simplify plant operation. Results show that the operation entails minor variation of the compressors operative points in the whole range of operating conditions of the cement plant, avoiding the risk of anti-surge bypass activation. Moreover, the plant is able to work close to the nominal thermodynamic cycle efficiency (20.5 %–23.0 %) for most of the year and benefits from part-load operation in terms of overall performance. In the last part of the work, a preliminary techno-economic analysis of the plant is also presented to highlight the potential advantages of sCO2 technology for waste heat recovery applications. The results of the part-load performance of the plant are combined with the flue gases data obtained from the preliminary statistical analysis and the cement plant historical monitoring. An annual electricity production equal to 13′909.7 MWh is obtained, corresponding to 6560 equivalent hours and a system capacity factor of 74.9 %. The investment cost of each CO2OLHEAT plant component is estimated by means of cost correlations obtained from literature and the non-discounted payback time is computed as a function of the electricity selling price. The results show that, even considering electricity prices before 2022, the payback time of the CO2OLHEAT plant is estimated to be lower than 8 years, justifying the industrial interest in the proposed technology.

Phosphorus fertiliser is associated with reduced grass grub (Costelytra giveni) fitness in Epichloë endophyte-infected meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass.

Fertiliser applications are well-established tools in pasture-based agricultural landscapes. This study focuses on the impact of phosphorus (P) fertiliser on grass grub (Costelytra giveni), a major pasture pest. This research investigates the interplay between P, plant growth, and grass grub fitness in Epichloë endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass (Epichloë sp. LpTG-3 strain AR37) and meadow fescue infected with E. uncinata (strain MaxR; AR1017), alongside their endophyte-free counterparts. In a glasshouse trial, plants were grown in P-enriched soil with varying Olsen P levels (9, 18, 28 or 78 mg L-1), and grass grubs were introduced. Their survival and weight gain, and plant performance were measured. In a bioassay, grass grubs were placed in specimen vials with P-enriched soils (Olsen P levels 9, 18, 28 and 78 mg L-1) and provided with identical plant material to assess their diet consumption and weight gain. In the glasshouse trial, results highlighted a notable decrease in the survival of grass grub on plants infected with MaxR endophyte, but not with AR37, as well as increasing soil Olsen P levels in both plant species. While grass grub decreased plant performance at the low Olsen P level (9 mg L-1), this effect diminished with increasing P. Likewise, results from the bioassay showed a decrease in diet consumption with increasing soil Olsen P levels. In both trials increasing Olsen P levels correlated with diminished grass grub performance, revealing a nuanced relationship between soil fertility and pest dynamics. The study underscores the pivotal role of selected Epichloë endophyte-grass associations in mitigating grass grub damage across varying phosphorus levels. This study highlights the potential to integrate P applications for sustainable pest control against grass grub. Further field trials are required to validate these findings. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Role of Indian power markets in energy transition

India's power sector is transforming rapidly, marked by rising demand and a growing share of renewables. The short-term power market provides option for power distribution utilities to meet demand exigency. The paper presents trends and perspectives of short-term electricity trading of select states of India. Market transactions reflect seasonal demand variations, higher during summer-monsoon months, dipping in winters. Analysis of data highlights substantial share of short-term power in the total procurement. Quantum of power traded correlates inversely with operational performance of thermal plants as well as grid share of renewable energy. Suggested policy measures include honing of demand forecasting skills using advanced metering infrastructure, deploying energy storage technologies, including decentralized solar, ensuring sustained supply of coal and preventive maintenance of thermal power plants, initiating seasonal procurement contracts with merchant power plants, encouraging power banking arrangements and including storage component in solar and wind tenders. Power markets, if employed appropriately, can help minimize the demand-supply gap, facilitate energy access, and accommodate higher quantum of green power, thus fulfilling SDG-7 targets.

Improvement of Solar Farm Performance based on Photovoltaic Modules Selection

The emissions of greenhouse gases from conventional power plants are currently a significant cause for worry. In China, about 75% of total domestic energy is dependent on coal-fire power, which emits 50% of total SO2 and has a significant impact on the human respiratory system. Therefore, solar power plants are a viable option that can mitigate this problem. Furthermore, the efficiency of solar modules exhibits a progressive upward trend, while their price per watt experiences a corresponding decline, making it a promising source for future energy. This article examines the performance and effectiveness of several photovoltaic (PV) modules in designing solar plants on a certain land area measuring 10000 m2 (100 m * 100 m). The PV plant performance was evaluated by comparing occupation ratio (OR), PV power capacity, net energy production, performance ratio (PR) via PVsyst software, and lastly financial analysis. Consequently, the PV module (PV7), characterized by its high efficiency, low temperature coefficients, and affordable price, result in a significant OR (73.81%), increased installed PV power capacity (1568kW), enhanced net energy output (2269029 kWh/year), improved yearly PR (83.4%), and lastly, the shortest payback period (around two years). Instead of optimizing shadow length in existing research, this paper aims to improve the performance of large-scale solar farm based on PV module selection which results in less computation and structure installation efforts.

Performance Analysis and Techno-Economic Evaluation of Solar Energy Retrofitting for Coal-Fired Power Plant in Central Kalimantan Province

The power generation sector significantly contributes to climate change. Mitigation efforts are crucial to adhering to the global commitment to limit temperature increases below 2°C. One potential solution is retrofitting existing power plants with technologies that integrate renewable energy. This study explores the integration of solar energy into the operational processes of a coal-fired power plant in Central Kalimantan, replacing the extraction steam turbine in the high-pressure feed water heater No. 7. Using STEAG EBSILON for simulation, this research evaluates the power plant's performance before and after retrofitting in both power-boost (PB) and fuel-save (FS) modes under varying load conditions. The results demonstrate that thermal efficiency in both PB and FS modes increased by up to 2% compared to the base scenario. Specific fuel consumption decreased by 15.05 g/kWh in PB mode and 15.75 g/kWh in FS mode, leading to a reduction in coal consumption and CO2 emissions by 4.69% and 4.94% respectively. Additionally, the study observed that the solar percentage and solar-to-electricity efficiency increased as the load decreased. In FS mode, the solar electricity proportions at VWO, 100%, 75%, and 50% load rates were 5.23%, 5.53%, 7.76%, and 11.92%, respectively. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for solar electricity was calculated to be 431.82 IDR/kWh, with an expected investment return period of 5.87 years.

Reactor power control system design and dynamic simulation for load maneuvers over full range and entire lifetime of an integrated supercritical CO2 reactor plant

Due to advantage of high efficiency, low carbon, and flexible operation, the integrated supercritical CO2 reactor plant has promising prospect in energy supply. This paper aims to clarify performance of the reactor plant and establish a reactor power control strategy through numerical modeling. Firstly, performance on separated components is evaluated to provide guidance for control strategy development. Secondly, influence of control methods, controller schemes, and saturation models on control strategy are discussed. Thirdly, dynamic response of reactor plant with proposed control strategy is confirmed via load change transients. Results show that passive control method is infeasible at EOL and load demand below 50 %FP, and active control method must be considered. The proposed control strategy adopts coupled temperature-channel and power-channel scheme and soft saturation model. It ensures safe operation of the plant over full load range in whole lifetime. These results can provide helpful guidance on part-load operation for this system.

Coordinating regulation reliability and quality of pumped storage units for renewables by a novel scheduling-control synergic model

As the largest electricity storage facility, pumped storage is crucial for power systems but faces significant trade-offs between regulation quality for variable renewable energy (VRE) and the reliability of pumped storage units (PSUs). The flexible regulation requirement necessitates frequent startup-shutdown cycling, part-load operations, and accelerated wear of PSUs, thereby jeopardizing their reliability. Limited research on refined PSU-level scheduling strategies compromises the reliability of PSUs and the operation of VRE systems, especially given the diverse unit characteristics within a plant. This work innovatively couples the hydraulic characteristics of PSUs with reliability-based scheduling order, proposing a refined dual-layer scheduling strategy composed of unit commitment and load dispatch within a Wind-Solar-Pumped Storage Hybrid System (WSPSHS). Meanwhile, this work breaks from the traditional independent research paradigm between scheduling and control, establishing a refined synergic approach that integrates 15-min-level scheduling with second-level power control. Furthermore, this approach supports the development of a reliability assessment model that includes metrics on effectiveness and regulation losses of PSUs. In a North China case study, four cases with different combinations of hydraulic characteristics and reliability-based scheduling orders are comparatively evaluated. The results demonstrate that: (1) the refined strategy considering hydraulic characteristics and reliability significantly improves the reliability of PSUs by 9.91%. (2) the approach can effectively regulate PSUs and manage the WSPSHS, maintaining the operating efficiency of PSUs above 90% and achieving a VRE consumption rate of 95.47%. (3) The techno-economic performance of plants can be significantly improved, reducing operational intensity and risks, particularly for low-reliability PSUs, without negatively impacting the regulation quality of the hybrid system. This work can be extended to other energy systems with PSUs for effectively balancing VRE regulation demands with PSU reliability, and offering insights for reliable and efficient operation of power stations and grids.

Influence of Plant Spacing and Bio-fertilizers on Yield and Yield Attributing Characters of Rain-fed Soybean at Damazin in Blue Nile State, Sudan

This study had the objective of evaluating the effect of biofertilizers on the performance of soybean plants under different planting spacing. It was conducted during the summer seasons of 2018 and 2019at one site at Demonstration Farm of Damazin Agricultural Research Station, Sudan. The different plant spacing designated as D1, D2, and D3 (5, 10, and 15 cm between plants) under three types of bio-fertilizers as Rhizobacteria (B1), Azotobacter (B2), Bacillus (B3) and control (B0). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with three replications as split-plots trail. The result revealed that the improvement due to the application of fertilizers with wider, spacing D3 stimulated plant growth and caused an increase in dry matter accumulation and high leaf area and gave the higher number of pods and seeds/pod, particularly at inoculation with B1 and B2 bacteria. While sowing seeds inoculated with B1or B2 under closer spacing resulted in higher seed yield per unit area. To achieve optimum results in soybean variety Sudan 1, the crop may be sown in plant spacing of 10cm with inoculation seeds with B1or B2 to achieve a high plant population per unit area to obtain higher seed yield.

Drone-Assisted Climate Smart Agriculture (DACSA): The design of the groundwork flow data for drone operations

The success of precision farming hinges on effective ground support and workflow. In pursuit of this, we undertook a thorough requirement study of the system necessary for precision farming and developed a precision farming data flow model in ground support. The prototype hardware ground support and conceptual data flow provided valuable guidance in the successful realization of Drone-Assisted Climate Smart Agriculture (DACSA). Using open-source software to accommodate a range of data processing algorithms becomes crucial in operationalizing ground support for precision farming. This study has culminated in a comprehensive prototype model for precision farming operations that can be executed with confidence. The management system of flow data for precision farming has been drawn, this platform is specifically crafted to streamline agriculture operations by transforming diverse inputs into useful spatial data. To maintain the growth of the database, it is necessary to incorporate it in the entire crop cycle. The integration of this database can significantly enhance the precision of predicting plant performance. While this innovative approach is still in progress, it has already demonstrated its potential in supporting informed decision-making. For the next, it is imperative that we prioritize research aimed at creating decision-support algorithms that can effectively gather and blend information pertaining to soil, crops, and weather into actionable maps. These maps must incorporate location-specific data and be utilized by agricultural professionals for on-site decision-making. Moreover, they must be well-suited for drone usage in tasks such as monitoring, mapping, or spraying.

Influence of phosphate and boron addition to mixed liquid fertilizer on the growth and yield of red chili cultivated in the subsoil layer

This study assesses the impact of adding phosphate and boron in a mixed liquid fertilizer (MLF) on the growth and yield of red chili plants cultivated in a subsoil environment. The experiment was conducted to comprehend how these nutrients affect the performance of red chili plants, particularly when cultivated in less ideal conditions such as subsoil, a remnant of excavation for brick production. The research was carried out at the Ciparanje Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. The research design employed a Randomized Completely Block Design with the following treatments: A = Control (degraded soil without fertilizer), B = 0% MLF + 1 NPK, C = 0.25% MLF + 1 NPK, D = 0.50% MLF + 1 NPK, E = 0.75% MLF + 1 NPK, F = 1.00% MLF + 1 NPK, G = 0.5% MLF + 3/4 NPK, H = 0.5% MLF + 1/2 NPK, I = 0.5% MLF + 1/4 NPK, J = 0.5% MLF + 0 NPK, and K = 1 NPK in normal soil. The results revealed that the addition of phosphate and boron in MLF significantly influenced the growth and yield of red chili in subsoil conditions. The recommended MLF concentration was 0.75%, alongside the standard NPK dose. These findings provide crucial insights for the development of more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices, especially in challenging soil conditions like subsoil, where nutrient availability can be a determining factor for agricultural success.

Reduced seed viability in exchange for transgenerational plant protection: Does the defensive mutualism concept pass the fitness test?

Epichloë endophytes are vertically transmitted via grass seeds and chemically defend their hosts against herbivory. Endophyte-conferred plant defence via alkaloid biosynthesis may occur independently of costs for host plant growth. However, fitness consequences of endophyte-conferred defence and transgenerational effects on herbivore resistance of progeny plants, are rarely studied. The aim of this study was to test whether severe defoliation in mother plants affects their seed production, seed germination rate, and the endophyte-conferred resistance of progeny plants. In a field study, we tested the effects of defoliation and endophyte symbiosis (Epichloë uncinata) on host plant (Festuca pratensis) performance, loline alkaloid concentrations in leaves and seeds, seed biomass and seed germination rates. In a subsequent greenhouse study, we challenged the progeny of the plants from the field study to aphid herbivory and tested whether defoliation of mother plants affects endophyte-conferred resistance against aphids in progeny plants. Defoliation of the mother plants resulted in a reduction of alkaloid concentrations in leaves and elevated the alkaloid concentrations in seeds when compared with non-defoliated endophyte-symbiotic plants. Viability and germination rate of seeds of defoliated endophyte-symbiotic plants were significantly lower compared to those of non-defoliated endophyte-symbiotic plants and endophyte-free (defoliated and non-defoliated) plants. During six weeks growth, seedlings of defoliated endophyte-symbiotic mother plants had elevated alkaloid concentrations, which negatively correlated with aphid performance. Endophyte-conferred investment in higher alkaloid levels in seeds -elicited by defoliation- provided herbivore protection in progenies during the first weeks of plant establishment. Better protection of seeds via high alkaloid concentrations negatively correlated with seed germination indicating trade-off between protection and viability.

Genetic diversity matters for restoration of a threatened saltmarsh plant in harsh environments

Abstract While genetic diversity is theorised to increase the restoration success of degraded plant populations, previous studies examining its impacts on restoration outcomes have yielded mixed results. We hypothesise that the importance of genetic diversity for the performance of plants targeted for restoration increases with environmental stress and varies with specific plant traits related to different plant successive life stages. To test this, we conducted a fully factorial common garden experiment, crossing salinity and genetic diversity under low‐ and high‐nitrogen conditions on the growth and reproduction of Scirpus mariqueter, a threatened endemic saltmarsh plant in the Yangtze Estuary. The impacts of genetic diversity varied across stress gradients and metrics. Under high stress (high salinity, low nutrients), greater diversity enhanced reproductive traits such as clonal growth and seed production, but not under low stress. Plant growth traits showed no diversity effects regardless of stress. Synthesis: Our results highlight the importance of considering intraspecific genetic diversity in ecological restoration and help explain the context‐dependent effects of diversity.

The Use of Compost and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Their Combination to Improve Tomato Tolerance to Salt Stress.

Salinity poses a significant challenge to tomato plant development and metabolism. This study explores the use of biostimulants as eco-friendly strategies to enhance tomato plant tolerance to salinity. Conducted in a greenhouse, the research focuses on the Solanum lycopersicum L. behavior under saline conditions. Tomato seeds were treated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), compost, and their combination under both non-saline and saline conditions (0 and 150 mM NaCl). Plant height, number of flowers and fruits, shoot fresh weight, and root dry weight were negatively impacted by salt stress. The supplementation with compost affected the colonization of AMF, but the application of stress had no effect on this trait. However, the use of compost and AMF separately or in combination showed positive effects on the measured parameters. At the physiological level, compost played a beneficial role in increasing photosynthetic efficiency, whether or not plants were subjected to salinity. In addition, the application of these biostimulants led to an increase in nitrogen content in the plants, irrespective of the stress conditions. AMF and compost, applied alone or in combination, showed positive effects on photosynthetic pigment concentrations and protein content. Under salt stress, characterized by an increase in lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content, the application of these biostimulants succeeded in reducing both these parameters in affected plants through exhibiting an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. In conclusion, incorporating compost, AMF, or their combined application emerges as a promising approach to alleviate the detrimental impacts of salt stress on both plant performances. These findings indicate optimistic possibilities for advancing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices.

A historical assessment of the number of days required to plant the Arkansas soybean crop

AbstractThe primary objective of this paper is to quantitatively analyze the number of acres planted per suitable fieldwork day and the total number of fieldwork days available for the complete planting of soybeans (Glycine max L.) in Arkansas. Total days to plant soybeans in each spring from 1980 to 2023 averaged about 33 days, indicating that roughly 33 days are expected, on average, from the month of April to May based on USDA‐NASS weekly crop progress and condition data. Furthermore, the average soybean planted acres is estimated at 106,736 acres per day within the study period. Recently, variations in this range appear more pronounced, likely due to the significant impact of extreme spring weather conditions. However, technological advancements have enabled soybean producers to plant crops as early as the first half of March or as late as June, contributing to the increased variability observed from year to year in recent times. Furthermore, Arkansas's optimal soybean planting window typically provides an average of 4.7 fieldwork days per week. These quantified estimates offer historical data on Arkansas's soybean planting performance and will prove highly valuable for informing future soybean planting strategies.

Predictive modeling of combined cycle power plant performance using a digital twin-based neural ODE approach

This study presents a novel digital twin-based predictive modeling approach to enhance the operation, maintenance, and management of combined cycle power plants. The research aimed to accurately forecast the combined cycle power (CCP) output, a critical performance indicator, to support intelligent decision-making for plant operators and engineers. The proposed framework leverages a neural ordinary differential equation (NODE) model integrated within a digital twin architecture to capture the complex, nonlinear dynamics of combined cycle gas turbine unit (CCGU) system. The predictive model was trained and validated using multivariate time-series data collected from a CCGU, achieving high accuracy with an R2_score of 0.993, a mean absolute percentage error of 0.325 %, and a root mean squared error of 1.518. Importantly, the NODE model demonstrated superior forecasting capabilities compared to traditional machine learning techniques. The digital twin (DT) concept enables seamless real-time data integration, physics-based models, and advanced data analytics to facilitate comprehensive CCGU lifecycle management. This novel approach provides operators with reliable, real-time insights to optimize plant performance, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall sustainability. The generalization of the NODE model to an independent CCGU unit validated its applicability across diverse power plant configurations, highlighting the originality and practical value of the research. The key contribution of this work is the development of a digital twin-based predictive modeling framework centered on the innovative use of neural ordinary differential equations to enhance the operation and maintenance of critical energy infrastructure. This research advances the state-of-the-art in intelligent asset management for the built environment.

Glomus mosseae AND Pseudomonas fluorescens AGAINST Soybean mosaic virus UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

ARTICLE HIGLIGHTS- Glomus mosseae and Pseudomonas fluorescens enhance soybean resistance to SMV.- Ten-day drip irrigation stop at bloom stage boosts seed yield and weight.- Treatment reduces disease severity and increases P. fluorescens population.- Water-saving irrigation method improves soybean performance in dry seasons.- Combining G. mosseae and P. fluorescens increases soybean productivity. ABSTRACTSoybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] require much water, especially in the early stages of growth, flowering, and pod formation and filling. Drought stress on soybeans will increase with global climate change. The research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Glomus mosseae and Pseudomonas fluorescens in inducing systemic resistance to control Soybean Mosaic Virus (SMV) and the performance of soybean plants with drip irrigation in the dry season. The drip irrigation was stopped for ten days at the beginning of bloom, full bloom, beginning pod, and regular drip irrigation. The application of G. mosseae inoculants used 100 g of sterile compost mixed with 30 spores. The liquid inoculum of P. fluorescens was applied on cotyledonary leaves using the watering method. The plants were inoculated with SMV 6 and 12 days after the P. fluorescens treatment. The symptoms of SMV were recorded two weeks after inoculation, and Indirect ELISA detected the virus. The results showed the combination of G. mosseae and P. fluorescens under drip irrigation stopped at the beginning of bloom for ten days on ELISA absorbance values and disease severity of 0.259 and 3.72 %, respectively. Moreover, this treatment showed the highest values for the 100-seed weight, seed yield, and fresh weight of leaves. The technique of giving water by stopping drip irrigation at the beginning of bloom for ten days will help save water and increase the P. fluorescens population optimally in Alfisols with a pH of between 4.5 and 5.1 with incredibly low fertility. The combination of G. mosseae and P. fluorescens population resulted in a significant increase in the number of G. mosseae’s spores by stopping drip irrigation at the beginning of bloom for ten days.

Grapevine Pinot gris virus spreads in infected vineyards: latent infections have no direct impact on grape production

BackgroundGrapevine Pinot gris virus (GPGV) infects grapevines worldwide and causes symptoms such as chlorotic mottling and deformations on leaves, stunted shoots and short panicles, or none of these symptoms if it appears as latent infection. So far, the consequences of GPGV infections for winegrowers are difficult to assess since important information such as plant performance at different GPGV infection levels and symptom expression are not fully clarified.MethodsIn order to investigate the course of GPGV spread, annual visual evaluations and ELISA tests were conducted over 3–4 consecutive years in four GPGV-infected vineyards in southern Germany: GEM, HEC, NIM, and REI. The program PATCHY was used to analyze spatial disease patterns. Sanger sequencing was used to determine virus isolates in vines at different GPGV infection levels, to test their respective influence on symptom expression. Yield and GrapeScan (FTIR) analyses were conducted to test the impact of different GPGV infection levels and isolates on fruit quantity and quality.ResultsGPGV infections significantly increased in all four vineyards (GEM 22–32%, HEC 50–99%, NIM 83–90%, REI 56–76%) with significant spreading patterns across and along rows. Specific symptom progression patterns were not observed. According to our results, the virus isolate has an influence on whether symptoms develop during a GPGV infection. While yield analyses revealed that yield losses only occur in symptomatic vines and range from 13 to 96% depending on the severity of symptoms, latent infections have no impact on grape production. No relevant effects of GPGV infections on must quality were observed.ConclusionsSecondary spread of GPGV was observed in all vineyards monitored, indicating vector-borne transmission that is likely to be accelerated by human viticultural management. GPGV should be further monitored to prevent the accumulation of detrimental symptomatic isolates. The results of this study can be used to assess the risk of GPGV to viticulture and should be considered when developing management strategies against the virus.

Galling by Trichilogaster sp. suppresses the growth of Acacia auriculiformis saplings

Pre-release efficacy assessments (PREAs) are used in weed biological control to predict the potential impact of prospective agents. These assessments enable the most damaging agents to be prioritised for host testing and release. Further, the inclusion of this information in release applications enables regulators to consider the benefits of an agent alongside any risks. We conducted a PREA to evaluate the efficacy of Trichilogaster sp., a galling wasp that is being considered for release in Florida to control invasive earleaf acacia, Acacia auriculiformis. This species is multivoltine and primarily galls vegetative buds. We performed a glasshouse trial exposing A. auriculiformis saplings to one generation of the gall wasp to determine the effect of galling on plant performance. We monitored the growth parameters and development of exposed and unexposed saplings every three weeks for twelve weeks. Above-ground and below-ground biomass were measured at the completion of the trial. One generation of galling reduced sapling height by 37.44 % (±5.57), above-ground biomass by 32.19 % (±4.00), and below-ground biomass by 38.26 % (±7.47). Galling also significantly reduced the other key growth parameters of stem weight, leaf weight, total branch length, and the number of nodes, shoot tips, and leaves. This Trichilogaster species significantly damages juvenile A. auriculiformis plants and could be an effective classical biological control agent if released in Florida, especially if it is not limited by a specialist third trophic level.