Plant Fresh Weight Research Articles

EFFECT OF CHITOSAN WITH DIFFERENT MOLECULAR WEIGHT ON THE GROWTH AND BULB YIELD OF ORIENTAL LILY ‘MONA LISA’

The potential of biodegradable and environmentally friendly substances that exhibit biostimulatory effects on plant growth and yield is now being exploited in horticultural production. This study evaluated the effect of chitosan on the growth, flowering, and yield of bulb of oriental lily ‘Mona Lisa’. Three types of chitosan differing in molecular weight (MW) were used: commercial chitosan (CCh, MW = 50,000–190,000 g/mol) and two forms of depolymerised chitosan (DCh 48, with a MW of ~48,000 g/mol, and DCh 154, with a MW of ~154,500 g/mol). The plants were watered twice with an aqueous solution of chitosan at a concentration of 2 g/l, with 100 ml of solution per pot. The control was plants watered with distilled water. Chitosan had a biostimulatory effect on the growth of lily plants. CCh increased the relative chlorophyll content of leaves (+11.3%), the fresh bulb weight (+11.0%), the bulb diameter (+12.3%) and the number of bulblets (+44.9%) compared with the control plants. DCh 154 significantly increased the fresh aboveground weight of plants (+31.3%), the fresh weight of leaves (+29.0%) and their number (+16.8%), the fresh weight of bulb (+12.3%) and their diameter (+11.0%), and the fresh weight of bulblet (+21.9%). DCh 48 increased the bulb diameter (+12.1%) and the number of bulblets (+45.4%), but decreased the length (-8.6%) and width of tepals (-6.8%) of the lily flowers. Finally, DCh 154 was the most effective in lily production. Using depolymerised chitosan as a biostimulant may contribute to developing new methods to produce high-quality lily plants.

Effect of Trichoderma Culture Filtrates of as Inducer on Growth Parameters of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) against Fusarium Wilt

Aims: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of culture filtrates from different Trichoderma isolates at 10% concentration on the growth parameters of tomato plants over two growing seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23). Study Design: The experiment was performed both in vitro and in vivo condition, Completely Randomized Design (CRD) used for in vitro and Randomized Block Design (RBD) used for in vivo experiment Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was performed at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (India) during 2021-22 and 2022-23. Methodology: The soil sample collected from 12 different location of India and Trichoderma isolated and these different isolates used to produce their individual culture filtrate and these culture filtrates further use with 10% concentration as treatment for tomato plant. The effect of culture filtrates on plant height, root length, number of branches, fresh and dry shoot and root weight were observed under the experiment. Results: Results show significant improvements in plant height, root length, fresh and dry weights and number of branches in all culture filtrate treated plants involving T9 (seedling treatment + one foliar spray with culture filtrate of Trichoderma Nagaur), which consistently outperformed other isolates. Plant height increased to 43.06 cm in 2021-22 and 44.56 cm in 2022-23 at 40 days after transplanting with isolate T9 treatment followed by culture filtrate of Trichoderma Jabalpur (T7) and Trichoderma Banda (T6) showed 11.56, 22.96, 33.72, and 37.15 cm in 2021-22, and 11.38, 23.24, 34.46 and 36.08 cm for T6 in the same year. Among all the culture filtrates, the treatment T9 significantly enhances root length, fresh shoot and root weights and the number of branches. The plants treated with isolate T9 also exhibited an increase of 98.94% in root fresh weight and 42.31% in shoot weight. Conclusion: The findings confirm the growth-promoting potential of the T9 Trichoderma, attributed to mechanisms such as hormone production, enhanced nutrient uptake and improved root architecture. These results align with previous studies demonstrating the benefits of Trichoderma species in plant growth enhancement.

Effects of Trichoderma harzianum Fertilizer on Growth and Rhizosphere Microbial Community of Continuous Cropping Lagenaria siceraria

This study analyzed the effects of Trichoderma harzianum fertilizer on the growth of continuous cropping Lagenaria siceraria and the physical and chemical properties of rhizosphere soil and microbial community structure, using Illumina Miseq (PE300) high-throughput sequencing technology along with physiological and biochemical detection. The results indicated that after applying T. harzianum fertilizer, the growth of L. siceraria was significantly promoted, with increases in plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight of 21.42%, 24.5%, and 4.5%, respectively. The pH of the rhizosphere soil decreased from 7.78 to 7.51, while the electrical conductivity (EC), the available phosphorus (AP), the available potassium (AK), and the total nitrogen (TN) were markedly higher compared to the CC group and increased by 13.95%, 22.54%, 21.37%, and 16.41%, respectively. The activities of catalase and sucrase in the rhizosphere increased by 18.33% and 61.47%, and the content of Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) elevated by 27.39%, which indicated that T. harzianum fertilizer could enhance soil enzyme activity and promotes the transformation of organic matter. Among them, the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Pseudomonas increased, while the relative abundance of harmful fungi such as Fusarium and Podosphaera decreased significantly. This study clarified that T. harzianum fertilizer promoted the growth of continuously planted L. siceraria plants by improving soil physical and chemical properties and microbial community structure and was an effective microbial agent to alleviate the adverse effects of continuous cropping of L. siceraria.

Biochar Addition to 3,5-Dichloroaniline Contaminated Soil Increases Its Adsorption Capacity and Persistence but Reduces Bioavailability to Chive (Allium ascalonicum)

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of bamboo charcoal (BBC) and coconut shell charcoal (CSC) on the adsorption and degradation of 3,5-dichloroaniline (3,5-DCA) in soil were investigated by batch equilibrium and soil incubation experiments. The pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of BBC and CSC on the uptake and bioaccumulation of 3,5-DCA in chives (Allium ascalonicum). The adsorption capacity of CSC and BBC to 3,5-DCA depended on their specific surface area and total pore volume, and the adsorption mechanism was mainly physical. Two types of biochar delayed the degradation of 3, 5-DCA in the soil and were positively correlated with their dose. Biochar effectively alleviated the negative effects of 3,5-DCA on plant height and fresh weight of chive, with a decreasing order of CSC > BBC. Compared with the control, the accumulation of 3,5-DCA in chives decreased by 36.44% ~ 65.70% and 36.05% ~ 68.12%, respectively, with the addition of 0.1% ~ 1.0% BBC and CSC. These two types of biochar increased the adsorption capacity and persistence of 3,5-DCA in soil but alleviated biotoxicity and reduced accumulation in chive plants. CSC promises greater potential than BBC for remediation of 3,5-DCA contaminated soil.

THE EFFECT OF LIQUID ORGANIC FERTILIZER OF ALOE VERA (Aloe vera L.) AND COFFEE GROUNDS ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CAYENNE PEPPER PLANTS (Capsicum frutescens L.)

This research aims to determine the effect of liquid organic fertilizer from aloe vera (Aloe vera L.) and coffee grounds on the growth and yield of cayenne pepper plants (Capsicum frutescens L.). The type of research used by researchers is experimental research with a Randomized Group Factorial Design (RGFD). The samples used were 75 cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) seeds of the Bara variety. The observation parameters used in this research were plant height (cm), number of leaves (strands), and plant fresh weight (grams). The results of data analysis showed that there was no effect of liquid organic fertiIizer from aloe vera (Aloe vera L.) and coffee grounds on the growth and yield of cayenne pepper plants (Capsicum frutescens L.). In the plant height parameter is smaller than , namely 1,070 < 1,85 at the age of 14 DAP, 0,978 < 1,85 at the age of 28 DAP, 1,747 < 1,85 at the age of 42 DAP, 1,373 < 1,85 at the age of 56 DAP, 1,238 < 1,85 at age 70 DAP, and 1,096 < 1,85 at age 84 DAP. In the number of leaves parameter is smaller than 0,738 < 1,85 at the age of 14 DAP, 1,059 < 1,85 at the age of 28 DAP, 0,981 < 1,85 at the age of 42 DAP, 0,833 < 1,85 at the age of 56 DAP, 0,154 < 1,85 at age 70 DAP, and 0,798 < 1,85 at age 84 DAP. In the fresh fruit weight parameter, is smaller than for 84 DAP, namely 0,798 < 1,85.

Optimal Light Intensity for Lettuce Growth, Quality, and Photosynthesis in Plant Factories.

In agriculture, one of the most crucial elements for sustained plant production is light. Artificial lighting can meet the specific light requirements of various plants. However, it is a challenge to find optimal lighting schemes that can facilitate a balance of plant growth and nutritional qualities. In this study, we experimented with the light intensity required for plant growth and nutrient elements. We designed three light intensity treatments, 180 μmol m-2 s-1 (L1), 210 μmol m-2 s-1 (L2), and 240 μmol m-2 s-1 (L3), to investigate the effect of light intensity on lettuce growth and quality. It can be clearly seen from the radar charts that L2 significantly affected the plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and leaf area. L3 mainly affected the canopy diameter and root shoot ratio. The effect of L1 on lettuce phenotype was not significant compared with that of the others. The total soluble sugar, vitamin C, nitrate, and free amino acid in lettuce showed more significant increases under the L2 treatment than under the other treatments. In addition, the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were opposite to each other. The comprehensive evaluation of the membership function value method and heatmap analysis showed that lettuce had the highest membership function value in L2 light intensity conditions, indicating that the lettuce grown under this light intensity could obtain higher yield and better quality. This study provides a new insight into finding the best environmental factors to balance plant nutrition and growth.

Effects of foliar and root application of Zn and Fe bio-nanofertilizers on the glucosinolate, Zn and Fe contents of Pak choi (Brassica rapa Subsp. Chinensis) grown under hydroponic and pot cultivation

Pak choi is a rich source of minerals and health beneficial compounds such as glucosinolates (GSLs). This study is focused on implementing sustainable agronomic approaches to optimize pre-harvest cultivation and improve plant growth and nutritional value. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of foliar and root fertilization of algae capped ZnO and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the growth and content of GSLs, Zn and Fe of Pak choi grown under hydroponic floating system and pot conditions. The foliar application of ZnO (77 nm) and γ-Fe2O3 (68 nm) nanoparticles functionalized with an Arthrospira platensis extract increased fresh weight (39.71 %), plant height (42.77 %), leaves number (26.47 %), root length (33.33 %), and Zn (10-fold) and Fe (2-fold) contents in hydroponic plants. The same treatment also improved plant fresh weight (31.73 %), and Zn (6-fold) and Fe (2-fold) in pot cultivated Pak choi. Six GSLs were detected, which were also enhanced by the joint application of nanoparticles and microalgae extract. The results revealed a high synergy between the ZnO- and γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and the A. platensis extract to increase plant growth and Zn and Fe micronutrients and glucosinolates in Pak choi grown under hydroponic and pot systems.

Effect of Nitrogen and Humic Acid on Growth and Yield of Pakcoy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) Plants

Decreased soil quality due to reduced nutrient content is one of the causes of decreasedquality and yield in plants. The use of humic acid organic matter with N fertilizer is one of the effortsto increase nutrients in the soil while increasing plant growth and yield. This research was conductedin Heuleut Village, Leuwimunding District, Majalengka Regency, from May to June 2024. Theresearch method used was the experimental method with a group-randomized design. The treatmentconsisted of 16 treatments that were repeated twice. The variables observed were plant height,number of leaves, root volume, plant fresh weight, leaf area, and plant growth rate. The resultsshowed that the use of N fertilizer at a dose of 115 kg/ha (urea 250 kg/ha) and humic acid 3 g/planthad a good effect on all variables observed. The results of soil analysis showed an increase in N-totaland C-organic.

Combined Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of Maize Leaves Reveal Global Effect of Biochar on Mechanisms Involved in Anti-Herbivory to Spodoptera frugiperda.

Fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) has now spread to more than 26 Chinese provinces. The government is working with farmers and researchers to find ways to prevent and control this pest. The use of biochar is one of the economic and environmentally friendly strategies to increase plant growth and improve pest resistance. We tested four v/v combinations of bamboo charcoal with coconut bran [BC1 (10:1), BC2(30:1), BC3(50:1)] against a control (CK) in maize. We found that plant height, stem thickness, fresh weight and chlorophyll content were significantly higher in BC2, in addition to the lowest FAW survival %. We then compared the metabolome and transcriptome profiles of BC2 and CK maize plants under FAW herbivory. Our results show that the levels of flavonoids, amino acids and derivatives, nucleotides and derivatives and most phenolic acids decreased, while terpenoids, organic acids, lipids and defense-related hormones increased in BC-grown maize leaves. Transcriptome sequencing revealed consistent expression profiles of genes enriched in these pathways. We also observed the increased expression of genes related to abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, auxin and MAPK signaling. Based on these observations, we discussed the possible pathways involved in maize against FAW herbivory. We conclude that bamboo charcoal induces anti-herbivory responses in maize leaves.

Evaluation of Bacillus velezensis F9 for Cucumber Growth Promotion and Suppression of Fusarium wilt Disease.

Cucumber wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC), is a soilborne disease that poses a significant threat to cucumber production, resulting in substantial yield losses. This study aimed to evaluate the biocontrol and growth-promoting effects of Bacillus velezensis, a highly active bacterial strain. In vitro assays revealed that B. velezensis F9 exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity against eight plant pathogenic fungi, with inhibition ratio ranging from 62.66% to 88.18%. Additionally, the strain displayed the ability to produce IAA (5.97 ± 1.75 µg/mL), fix nitrogen, produce siderophores, and form biofilms. In vitro growth promotion assays demonstrated that different concentrations of B. velezensis F9 significantly promoted cucumber seedling growth. Furthermore, two pot experiments revealed that the strain exhibited biocontrol efficacy against cucumber wilt, with disease control rates ranging from 42.86% to 67.78%. Notably, the strain significantly increased the plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, with increases ranging from 20.67% to 60.04%, 40.27% to 75.51%, and 22.07% to 52.54%, respectively. Two field trials confirmed the efficacy of B. velezensis F9 in controlling cucumber wilt, with disease control rates of 44.95% and 33.99%, respectively. The strain effectively alleviated the dwarfing and wilting symptoms caused by the pathogen. Compared with the FOC treatment, the F9 + FOC treatment significantly increased the plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight, with increases of 43.85% and 56.28%, 49.49% and 23.70%, and 36.25% and 73.63%, respectively. Enzyme activity assays indicated that inoculation significantly increased SOD activity in cucumber leaves and neutral phosphatase, sucrase, and urease activity in rhizosphere soil. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the disease index and plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, and peroxidase activity, with correlation coefficients of -0.53, -0.60, -0.38, and -0.45, respectively. These findings suggest that plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight are significantly negatively correlated with the cucumber disease index, highlighting their importance as indicators for evaluating the biocontrol efficacy of B. velezensis F9. In conclusion, B. velezensis F9 is a highly effective plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium with excellent biocontrol potential, showcasing promising applications in agricultural production.

Effectiveness of Using A Combination of Rice Husk Ash and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) on Growth of Lettude Plant (Lactuca sativa L.)

Lettuce is a plant that is quite popular with the public. Not only does it have economic value but it also has quite high nutritional content. So one method used to maintain the stability of lettuce production on the market is by providing rice husk ash and monosodium glutamate (MSG). This research uses a non-factorial randomized block design (RAK) which consists of 5 levels, namely giving fertilizer without combination and giving combined fertilizer, namely P1 (Rice husk ash 100 grams/polybag), P2 (MSG 15 grams/polybag), P3 (Combination of rice husk ash and MSG with a dose ratio of 100 grams of rice husk ash : 15 grams of MSG), P4 (Combination of rice husk ash and MSG with a dose ratio of 75 grams of rice husk ash : 10 grams of MSG), P5 (Combination of rice husk ash and MSG with a dose ratio of 50 grams of rice husk ash: 5 grams of MSG). The study's findings demonstrated a significant impact on all parameters (plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index, and plant fresh weight) when a combination of rice husk ash and MSG was used. The results of testing the levels of chlorophyll a b and the total use of a combination of rice husk ash and MSG did not provide a significant effect. The most effective dose to increase the growth of lettuce plants was the use of a combination of rice husk ash and MSG with a level of P3 = 100 grams of rice husk ash: 15 grams of MSG.

Excess supply of sulfur mitigates thallium toxicity to rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth in hydroponic experiment

Sulfur (S) is an essential element for the growth of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.), crucial for enhancing crop yield and grain quality. However, its potential in mitigating thallium (Tl) toxicity in rice remains unclear. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was performed to investigate the effects of low, medium and high S application levels (LS, MS, HS) on Tl accumulation in rice at three Tl exposure levels (0, 0.5 and 1 mg·L−1). Our findings reveal that the exogenous S application could alleviate Tl toxicity, enhancing fresh weight and shoot length of rice plant. Additionally, HS (HS, SO42− content was 387.84 mg·L−1) group significantly increased chlorophyll and glutathione (GSH) content by 6.46 to 21.38 % and 2.15 to 7.31 % respectively, while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 17.43 to 28.48 %, compared to MS (MS, SO42− content was 193.41 mg·L−1) group. Fe content in rice roots and iron plaque consistently increased with S provision under Tl-free and Tl-contaminated conditions. In Tl exposure environment, HS and LS (LS, SO42− content was 1.02 mg·L−1) groups exhibited significant differences in Fe contents and iron plaque in rice root. Moreover, in Tl exposure environment, S application reduced Tl concentration in iron plaque, root, and shoot, HS treatment showed Tl content reduction from 16.29 % to 25.89 %, compared to LS treatment. Our findings underscore the potential of S application in hydroponic environment to promote rice growth and mitigate Tl accumulation, offering insights for developing effective Tl remediation strategies by using S-contained fertilizers.

The growth‐promoting effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens W82T‐44 on soybean and its biocontrol potential against soybean Phytophthora root rot

AbstractThe most devastating soilborne disease of soybean is Phytophthora root rot (PRR) caused by Phytophthora sojae. Biological control has emerged as an effective method of reducing soilborne diseases. The present study isolated the bacterial strain W82T‐44 from the rhizosphere soil of a resistant soybean variety Williams 82. This strain was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and exhibited a 92.4% inhibition of mycelial growth of P. sojae. W82T‐44 produced cellulase, siderophore and protease and significantly promoted soybean growth. W82T‐44 treatment, compared to the negative control, was found to significantly (p < 0.05) increase soybean plant height (22.34 vs. 18.47 cm), fresh weight of the whole plant (2.57 vs. 2.05 g), dry weight (0.43 vs. 0.32 g), total root length (266.80 vs. 182.53 cm), root area (27.10 vs. 17.84 cm2) and root volume (1.88 vs. 1.16 cm3). The fermentation filtrate of W82T‐44 had significant inhibitory effects on mycelial growth, oospore formation and cyst germination in P. sojae and additionally promoted zoospore encystment. W82T‐44 possessed genes involved in lipopeptide synthesis, including bacilysin, surfactin, fengycin and bacillomycin. Moreover, it significantly upregulated pathogenesis‐related genes (β‐1,3‐glucanase, nonexpressor of pathogenesis‐related gene 1, chitinase) and genes encoding defence enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, peroxidase) in soybean roots (p < 0.05). The PRR disease index of soybean treated with the W82T‐44 strain was significantly lower (11.67) than the negative control (40.00; p < 0.05). The present study indicates the potential of B. amyloliquefaciens W82T‐44 as a biological control agent against PRR from various perspectives.

The Abscisic Acid Receptor Gene StPYL8-like from Solanum tuberosum Confers Tolerance to Drought Stress in Transgenic Plants.

Pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYL) proteins are abscisic acid (ABA) receptors that play a crucial role in the plant's response to adverse environmental conditions. However, as of yet, there is limited research on the role of PYL proteins in potato. In this study, a potato PYL gene, StPYL8-like, was identified through transcriptome analysis under drought stress. Molecular characterization revealed that the StPYL8-like protein possesses a highly conserved PYL family domain. Evolutionary analysis demonstrated that StPYL8-like protein clusters with various PYL proteins are involved in stress responses across different species. Functional assays showed that StPYL8-like robustly responds to different abiotic stresses, including drought and ABA treatment. Furthermore, the transient and stable expressions of StPYL8-like in tobacco enhanced their drought resistance, leading to increased plant height, leaf number, and fresh weight, as well as an improved root system. Transgenic tobacco carrying the StPYL8-like gene exhibited lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and higher proline accumulation and antioxidant enzyme activity compared to wild-type plants under drought conditions. Moreover, StPYL8-like upregulated the expression of stress-responsive genes (NtRD29A, NtLEA5, NtP5CS, NtPOD, NtSOD, and NtCAT) in transgenic plants subjected to drought stress. Collectively, these findings highlight the positive regulatory role of the StPYL8-like gene in enhancing potato plants' response to drought stress.

The use of amino acids as bioactive substance: a strategy to increase yield in summer arugula (Eruca sativa L. Mill) crops

Foliar application of amino acids can assist crops to maintain homeostasis under diurnal temperature variations and excessive solar irradiance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of the organic fraction and mineral nutrients of an amino acid solution on arugula plants and the effects of weekly applications of this solution on their growth and biomass yield. Two experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, in a greenhouse (Experiment 1) and on open-field benches (Experiment 2), in Iracemápolis, SP, Brazil. Experiment 1 consisted of foliar applications of water (control), a solution containing 59 and 40.9 g ha-1 of nitrogen and sulfur, respectively (N+S), and a solution containing 85 g ha-1 of amino acids, with seven replications. Experiment 2 consisted of four different number (0, 1, 2, and 3) of weekly foliar applications of 85 g ha-1 of amino acids, with six replications. Chlorophyll a fluorescence, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and fresh and dry biomass weights were evaluated in both experiments. In Experiment 1, shoot fresh weight of plants treated with amino acids increased by 21% and 6% compared to those in the control and N+S treatment, respectively. Amino acid application increased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, improving photosynthetic performance by increasing effective quantum efficiency of photosystem II and photochemical quenching. In Experiment 2, weekly application of 85 g ha-1 of amino acids increased shoot fresh weight by approximately 10% per application. Therefore, foliar application of amino acids can increase fresh biomass of arugula plants grown under both mild and warmer climate conditions.

Genetic characterization and distinctiveness of forage cactus accessions in Northern Minas Gerais, Brazil

Forage cactus is a vital alternative food source for livestock in arid and semiarid regions. This study aimed to estimate the genetic dissimilarity among forage cactus genotypes grown in the semiarid region of northern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The study evaluated forage cactus accessions through morphological characteristics over different periods and molecular marker data. Key morphological traits assessed included cladode length, width, thickness, and the number of cladodes per plant. The experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG Norte) using a completely randomized experimental design with five replications in a split-plot arrangement. The design consisted of 21 forage cactus accessions in the plots and 7 evaluation times in the subplots. Morphological dissimilarities were compared individually (Scott-Knott test; p<0.05) and jointly (Euclidean distance). Molecular genotyping involved DNA extraction from young cladodes using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) oligonucleotides. Dissimilarity based on molecular markers was estimated using the Jaccard index. Separate dendrograms were generated for each analysis (morphological and molecular) using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), and a tanglegram was created to illustrate the relationships between the two dendrograms. Significant differences were found in cladode length and width and in the fresh and dry weight of plants. The molecular analysis differentiated genotypes at the species and genus levels, even among those that appeared morphologically similar. Comparing morphological and molecular data revealed both divergences and similarities, providing valuable insights into the diversity and structure within the groups.

Vegetative Growth Analysis of Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea L) Consequences of Vermicompost and Urea Fertilizer Treatment

Research on Analysis of vegetative growth of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L) due to vermicompost and urea fertilizer treatment was carried out from April to July 2024 In West Lombok. This research aims to analyze: 1) vegetative growth of green mustard after urea fertilizer treatment, 2) vegetative growth of mustard greens after vermicompost treatment 3) the interaction effect of vermicompost and urea fertilizer treatment on the growth of green mustard. In the research a 2 factor design was used. Growth parameters of mustard greens measured were plant fresh weight, stem height, number of leaves and length of mustard green leaves. Data from measurements of all the growth parameters above were analyzed using analysis of variance. The results of the mustard green growth analysis showed that: (1) urea fertilizer treatment had a significant effect on fresh weight, plant height, number of leaves and leaf length of mustard greens, (2) vermicompost treatment had a significant effect on all mustard green growth parameters. (3) the interaction between urea and vermicompost fertilizer treatments did not have a real effect on the growth of mustard greens.

Screening and Physiological Responses of Maize Inbred Lines to Drought Stress in South China

The frequent occurrence of localized and seasonal droughts has caused severe economic losses in maize production in South China. To promote sustainable maize production, selecting and breeding drought-tolerant varieties is vital for addressing water scarcity. Drought stress affects all aspects of crop morphological performance. In this study, the morphological performance of 285 maize inbred lines under drought stress was investigated using D-value analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and stepwise regression analysis. All indicators were significantly different in the regular treatment compared to the drought treatment. Specifically, survival rate, root fresh weight, root dry weight, plant dry weight, root/crown ratio, and plant fresh weight were used as indicators for drought-tolerance evaluation. Furthermore, the drought-tolerant inbred line CML323 and the drought-sensitive inbred line CB2-49-1 were screened by comprehensively evaluating D values. The drought-tolerant inbred line CML323 exhibits higher leaf relative water content, chlorophyll content, proline content, and ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase activity while having lower malondialdehyde content, consequently demonstrating excellent drought tolerance. This study provides valuable insights into drought-tolerance indicators and reference materials for breeding maize varieties.

Effect of exogenous melatonin on growth and antioxidant system of pumpkin seedlings under waterlogging stress.

Melatonin regulates defense responses in plants under environmental stress. This study aimed to explore the impact of exogenous melatonin on the phenotype and physiology of 'BM1' pumpkin seedlings subjected to waterlogging stress. Waterlogging stress was induced following foliar spraying of melatonin at various concentrations (CK, 0, 10, 100, 200, and 300 μmol·L-1). The growth parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, antioxidant enzyme activity, osmoregulatory substance levels, and other physiological indicators were assessed to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying the role of exogenous melatonin in mitigating waterlogging stress in pumpkin seedlings. The results indicate that pumpkin seedlings exhibit waterlogging symptoms, such as leaf wilting, water loss, edge chlorosis, and fading, under waterlogging stress conditions. Various growth indicators of the seedlings, including plant height, stem diameter, root length, fresh and dry weight, and leaf chlorophyll content, were significantly reduced. Moreover, the MDA content in leaves and roots increased significantly, along with elevated activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and soluble protein contents. When different concentrations of melatonin were sprayed on the leaves post waterlogging stress treatment, pumpkin seedlings showed varying degrees of recovery, with the 100 μmol·L-1 treatment displaying the best growth status and plant morphological phenotypes. There were no significant differences compared to the control group. Seedling growth indicators, chlorophyll content, root activity, antioxidant enzyme activities, soluble protein content, and osmotic adjustment substance content all increased to varying degrees with increasing melatonin concentration, peaking at 100 μmol·L-1. Melatonin also reduced membrane damage caused by oxidative stress and alleviated osmotic imbalance. Exogenous melatonin enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and systems involved in scavenging reactive oxygen species, with 100 μmol·L-1 as the optimal concentration. These findings underscore the crucial role of exogenous melatonin in alleviating waterlogging stress in pumpkins. The findings of this study offer a theoretical framework and technical assistance for cultivating waterlogging-resistant pumpkins in practical settings. Additionally, it establishes a theoretical groundwork for the molecular breeding of pumpkins with increased tolerance to waterlogging.

Ameliorative effect of poly-γ-glutamic acid biopreparation on coastal saline soil

To investigate the effect of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) biopreparation on ameliorating coastal saline soil, three treatments were established: soil salt washed treatment (CK), soil salt washed with added γ-PGA (PGA), soil salt washed with added γ-PGA biopreparation (PGAB). This study determined the effects of γ-PGA on coastal saline soil by analyzing soil aggregate, soil evaporation, soil vertical water and salt distribution, and soil cation content, soil pH, soil nutrient content and soil microorganism quantity. Results showed that γ-PGA had an ameliorative effect on saline soil, with the PGAB treatment exhibiting the most pronounced ameliorative effect compared to CK. Adding PGAB reduced soil evaporation by 30.45 %, soil salt content by 27.91 %, meanwhile increasing plant height by 33.86 %, plant fresh weight by 98.54 %, soil aggregate diameter by 6.68 times, soil water content by 26.47 % (P < 0.05). Additionally, soil total nitrogen was increased by 50.0 % in PGAB treatment, and available nitrogen and phosphorus contents were increased by 1.68 times and 85.83 % (P < 0.05), respectively. Populations of soil-culturable bacteria and fungi of PGAB treatment increased by 65.96 % and 1.23 times, respectively (P < 0.05). After salt-washing process, adding PGAB improved soil physicochemical properties, which altered the ecological environment of rhizosphere soil and promoted plant growth. The results can provide a practical approach for ameliorating coastal saline soils.