Plant Growth Performance Research Articles

Overexpression of acdS in petunia improved tolerance to copper stress by reducing ethylene production and metal accumulation

We overexpressed the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase gene (acdS), which encodes the enzyme responsible for the degradation of an ethylene precursor (ACC), in Petunia hybrida cv. Mirage Rose. We investigated whether acdS overexpression rendered the petunia more tolerant to copper (Cu) stress. The transgenic plants exhibited greater tolerance to Cu stress than wild type (WT) plants, as evidenced by better plant growth and physiological performances. Additionally, the transgenic plants displayed significantly suppressed ethylene production and related genes, elevated expression of antioxidant and proline activity-related genes, reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and Cu, and increased expression of genes regulating heavy metal when compared to the WT plants. These findings elucidate the mechanism by which acdS imparts Cu stress tolerance, suggesting that overexpressing acdS in plants can facilitate their resilience to Cu stress.

Effect of fish density on biological production in aquaponics combining lettuce hydroponics and loach aquaculture for controlled ecological life support systems in space

There is a need to develop production technology that effectively uses limited water and other resources to create a stable food supply in space. Aquaponics, which combine hydroponics and aquaculture, is expected to be an efficient system for producing crops and animal proteins. This system sustains the reuse of water and balances nutrient elements between both cultures using dissolved elements in fish excrement for plant growth. To evaluate the effect of fish density on biological production and nitrogen usage efficiency in aquaponics combining lettuce hydroponics and loach aquaculture, we investigated the growth performance of lettuce plants and loach fish. We focused on the balance of nutrient elements, especially nitrogen flow in the system. As a result, we found that lettuce grew in aquaponics with a half-strength standard solution with an optimal combination of the number of plants and fish as well as hydroponics with a standard solution. Increasing the density of loach fish and lettuce plants can increase the total biological production of fish and plants. However, it will be important to control both fish and plant densities to increase nitrogen recovery in aquaponics with a high fish density.

Preparation of polysaccharide-conjugated selenium nanoparticles from spent mushroom substrates and their growth-promoting effect on rice seedlings

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have gained significant attention in the agricultural field due to their favorable bioavailability and low toxicity, making them a highly researched subject. In this study, crude polysaccharides from spent mushroom substrate of Agrocybe aegerita (AaPs) were extracted for preparing the polysaccharide‑selenium-nanoparticles (AaPs-SeNPs) by ascorbic acid reduction method. The structure of AaPs-SeNPs was analyzed and their growth-promoting effects on rice seedlings were studied by adopting different application methods. The results revealed that AaPs-SeNPs exhibited improved free radical scavenging ability, with a lower half-maximal inhibitory concentrations compared to AaPs. Rice seedlings treated with AaPs-SeNPs showed significant enhancements in growth characteristics when compared to AaPs treatment, and foliar application exhibited a better growth-promoting effect compared to root application. Moreover, the growth performance and antioxidant enzyme activities of rice seedlings were enhanced by the addition of AaPs-SeNPs, and the absorption efficiency of essential nutrients such as N/P/K and Fe/Zn/Mn was also improved at appropriate concentrations, which could be one of the key factors contributing to the improved growth performance of plants. This study provides new aspects for the utilization of SMS, and also offers new insights from the perspective of nutrient absorption on how polysaccharide-conjugated selenium nanoparticles enhance crop growth.

Comprehensive characterization of selected phytochemicals and minerals of selected edible halophytes grown in saline indoor farming for future food production

Sustainable and resilient agri-food systems are needed to ensure food security in the face of increasing urbanization, water scarcity and climate change. Saline indoor farming offers a flexible use of urban production areas with resource-saving water management. Salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) are crops that can be grown in saline environments, have excellent nutritional properties, such as being rich in minerals and phytochemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate plant performance and selected nutritional properties of five halophyte species (glasswort, quinoa, garden orache, scurvy grass and palm kale) in saline indoor farming with different salinities. In particular, we evaluated morphological parameters, as well as, carotenoids, chlorophylls, glucosinolates, plant hormones by LC-MS, and anion composition by IC. The five halophyte species showed differences in plant growth performance and nutritional properties depending on the salinity level. For example, we found a total carotenoid content ranging from 1581.4 ± 180.4 ng mg-1 DW (scurvy grass) to 188.3 ± 48 ng mg-1 DW (glasswort; no salt) and a 40-times higher increase of β-carotene (200 mM salt) for glasswort, compared to the other halophytes. In summary, we observed that the phytochemical content varied with salinity and that halophytes require species-specific growing conditions to enhance valuable metabolites.

Effect of different feed nitrogen on nutrient flow, performance, and productivity in the minapadi system

Cultivation with the minapadi method can increase the availability of nutrients and soil organic matter from the decomposition of feed residues and weeds. This system implements environmentally friendly cultivation and creates a sustainable ecosystem because rice plants use fish waste as a source of nutrients, and fish use weeds and pests in rice as a food source. This study aims to find the best feed formula in the minapadi system based on differences in nitrogen content and to analyze the effect of nitrogen from the artificial feed given on nitrogen flow, performance, and productivity in the minapadi system. Using a randomized block design method with four treatments of different feed doses repeated three times to obtain twelve experimental plot units, feed production using local raw materials that are cheap and easy to obtain, soil quality, water, and growth performance are the parameters observed. The results showed that the soil and water quality at the study site was quite good, so the growth performance of rice plants and fish was also good. The treatment of the feed doses given showed that the feed with the highest nitrogen content, namely 9%, gave the best growth performance for rice plants, while 7% nitrogen content gave the best growth for tilapia. The excessive levels of protein are not suitable for fish. However, they are handy for rice plants in the Minapadi system because nutrients that dissolve in water, nutrients from fish feces and urine, and nutrients that are sedimentation on the soil surface, are utilized by rice plants as a nutrient source.

Comparative efficacy of silicon and iron oxide nanoparticles towards improving the plant growth and mitigating arsenic toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Nano-enabled agriculture has emerged as an attractive approach for facilitating soil pollution mitigation and enhancing crop production and nutrition. In this study, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to explore the efficacy of silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiONPs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) in alleviating arsenic (As) toxicity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and elucidated the underlying mechanisms involved. The application of SiONPs and FeONPs at 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1 soil concentration significantly reduced As toxicity and concurrently improved plant growth performance, including plant height, dry matter, spike length, and grain yield. The biochemical analysis showed that the enhanced plant growth was mainly due to stimulated antioxidative enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) and reduced reactive oxygen species (electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide) in wheat seedlings under As stress upon NPs application. The nanoparticles (NPs) exposure also enhanced the photosynthesis efficiency, including the total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents as compared with the control treatment. Importantly, soil amendments with 100 mg kg−1 FeONPs significantly reduced the acropetal As translocation in the plant root, shoot and grains by 74%, 54% and 78%, respectively, as compared with the control treatment under As stress condition, with relatively lower reduction levels (i.e., 64%, 37% and 58% for the plant root, shoot and grains, respectively) for SiONPs amendment. Overall, the application of NPs especially the FeONPs as nanoferlizers for agricultural crops is a promising approach towards mitigating the negative impact of HMs toxicity, ensuring food safety, and promoting future sustainable agriculture.

Allelopathic effect of Callistemon viminalis’s leaves extract on weeds, soil features, and growth performance of wheat and chickpea plants

ABSTRACT The allelopathic effect of Callistemon viminalis’s leaf extracts on seed germination and growth of Triticum aestivum and Cicer arietinum, as well as associated weeds (Anagallis arvensis, Poa annua, Lepidium didymium, and Vicia sativa), was studied. Different concentrations (2–10%) of aqueous extracts were used, and physiological parameters were measured. Higher concentrations (6–10%) significantly inhibited the germination and growth of wheat and chickpea. In pot assay, the extract did not affect shoot length, dry plant mass, chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic and transpiration rate, and antioxidant enzymes in crop and various parameters of soil properties in comparison to the control. Both crops grew significantly at lower concentrations. This study suggests that extract of C. viminalis can inhibit the growth of A. arvensis and V. sativa without affecting germination, photosynthetic and biochemical properties of C. arietinum and T. aestivum, and soil properties, making it a potential candidate for bioherbicide development.

NITROGEN, POTASSIUM, AND SILICON FERTILIZATION TO ACHIEVE LOWER PANICLE BLAST SEVERITY AND IMPROVE YIELD COMPONENTS OF RICE USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Rice blast is one of the most critical limiting factors for rice plant growth performance, and it occurs in 85 countries, causing 10-35% grain yield losses. Several findings have indicated the positive benefits of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and Silicon (Si) fertilization on plant development, yield, and biotic stress relief. However, due to rice blast attacks, its growth, development, and yield may be restricted or limited by insufficient or unbalanced N, K, and Si fertilizers. This study was conducted to optimize the fertilization strategies for rice panicle blast control and improve rice grain yield. The methods used were Central Composite Design and Response Surface Methodology. The application of N, K and Si did not influence the number of spikelets per meter square, filled grain (%) and 1000- grain weight (g). An increase in K and Si significantly reduced the rice blast severity in the off-season 2021 and the main-season 2021/2022. On the other hand, only Si had influenced rice grain yield production. An increase in Si showed a positive linear trend in rice grain yield. Based on these results, panicle blast disease is expected to be controlled with the recommended rate of 104 N kg/ha, 42 P2O5, 80 kg K2O, and an additional 200 Si kg/ha, which minimizes the rice blast severity (%) but at the same time maximizes the rice grain yield. The findings of this study provide a scientific base and technical advice for high-yield rice grain-growing under panicle blast disease hot spot areas.

Exogenous Easily Extractable Glomalin-Related Soil Protein Stimulates Plant Growth by Regulating Tonoplast Intrinsic Protein Expression in Lemon.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the function of promoting water absorption for the host plant, whereas the role of easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), an N-linked glycoprotein secreted by AMF hyphae and spores, is unexplored for citrus plants. In this study, the effects on plant growth performance, root system characteristics, and leaf water status, along with the changes of mineral element content and relative expressions of tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) genes in lemon (Citrus limon L.) seedlings, were investigated under varying strengths of exogenous EE-GRSP application under potted conditions. The results showed that 1/2, 3/4, and full-strength exogenous EE-GRSP significantly promoted plant growth performance, as well as increased the biomass and root system architecture traits including root surface area, volume, taproot length, and lateral root numbers of lemon seedlings. The four different strengths of exogenous GRSP displayed differential effects on mineral element content: notably increased the content of phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) in both leaves and roots, as well as magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) content in the roots, but dramatically decreased the content of calcium (Ca) and manganese (Mn) in the roots, as well as Zn and Mn in the leaves. Exogenous EE-GRSP improved leaf water status, manifesting as decreases in leaf water potential, which was associated with the upregulated expressions of tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), including ClTIP1;1, ClTIP1;2, ClTIP1;3, ClTIP2;1, ClTIP2;2, ClTIP4;1, and ClTIP5;1 both in leaves and roots, and TIPs expressions exhibited diverse responses to EE-GRSP application. It was concluded that exogenous EE-GRSP exhibited differential responses on plant growth performance, which was related to its strength, and the effects were associated with nutrient concentration and root morphology, especially in the improvement in water status related to TIPs expressions. Therefore, EE-GRSP can be used as a biological promoter in plant cultivation, especially in citrus.

Production of Late Seedlings of Açai (Euterpe oleraceae) in an Aquaponic System with Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, Curvier, 1818)

Over the years, aquaponics has become a powerful technological tool that allows the sustainable production of food, integrating conventional fish farming with vegetable production. The present study evaluated the production of late seedlings of açai Euterpe oleraceae in an aquaponic system with tambaqui Colossoma macropomum. A total of 36 tambaquis with an initial average weight and length of 1086.75 ± 16.38 g and 38.49 ± 0.90 cm were distributed in 12 independent aquaponic units, totaling 3.62 kg m−3. The fish were fed three times daily with commercial feed at a rate of 3%. Three flooding levels of 5, 10 and 15 cm, with constant water flow through the hydroponic bed (0.5 m2), were evaluated, and a control-hydroponic bed with flooding levels of 10 cm was established, all in triplicate. In the 5 and 10 cm treatments, 3450 açai seedlings with an initial height of 12.3 ± 1.9 cm were used (575 per aquaponic units), while the 15 cm treatment contained non-germinated açai seeds. The control group did not receive açai seeds and remained empty. Analyses to monitor total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, alkalinity, hardness, nitrogenous compounds, and phosphate levels were performed. At the end of the 30-day trial, the growth performance of tambaqui and plants was evaluated. Water quality was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by different flooding levels. Electrical conductivity and TDS decreased with an increasing in flooding levels. The flooding levels significantly influenced (p < 0.05) the concentration of total ammonia and nitrate between the treatments. The 5 cm flooding level showed the best plant development indexes for total height, aerial portion height, root height and aerial portion fresh mass. No significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in tambaqui growth performance. The aquaponic system proved to be effective in reusing fish waste (excreta and feed leftovers) generated in the system. The biotransformation of waste into nutrients allowed the growth of plants and nitrifying bacteria, which, through their metabolic pathways, ensured the purification and reuse of water, avoiding the discharge of this waste into the environment.

Effect of Irrigation Water Treatments on Growth and Quality of Taiwan Sugar Palm Seedlings Grown in Some Traditional Growing Media

Under screen house at the nursery of Hort. Res. Inst., A.R.C., Giza Egypt, a pot experiment was conducted during 2021 seasons to study the response of Taiwan sugar palm (Arenga engleri Bcc.) seedlings to planting in the different growing media (sand, clay and sand + clay at 1: 1, v/v), different irrigation treatments (100, 75 and 50 % of F.C. of each medium) and their interactions in a factorial experiment arranged in completely randomized design with three replications.
 Results of the experiment have shown that planting in sand + clay mixture (1:1, v/v) gave the highest mean values of different growth parameters, with few exceptions as compared to planting either in sand alone or clay standalone in the two seasons. In addition, the gradual decrement in water supply was accompanied by a gradual decrease in values of all vegetative and root growth traits to reach minimum by 50 % of F.C. water treatment in both seasons. However, the reduction percentage caused by 75 % of F.C. treatment ranged between 1.1 to 17.6 % for different growth characters, while that induced by 50 % of F.C. one ranged between 23.8 to 40.4 %. The growth performance of plants watered with 75 % F.C. was greatly resemble to that of plants watered with 100 % F.C., whereas that of plants watered with 50 % F.C. was not, as it gave the smallest plants, which can be used for decorating the limited area places. The treatments showed a marked influence on various growth traits, but the dominance was for the combining between planting in sand + clay mixture and irrigating with 100 % F.C. water treatment, as such combination recorded the utmost high means in different growth traits over the other combinations, with few exceptions in both seasons. A similar response occurred, concentrations of chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids, total carbohydrates, N, P and K in the leaves.
 Accordingly, it can be recommended to planting arenga sugar palm seedlings in sand + clay mixture at equal volumetric parts and irrigating them with 100 %, 75 % or 50 % of F.C. water treatments to produce different sizes from such ornamental palm as pot plants suitable for landscaping the limited places of different areas.

Application of Silicon, Zinc, and Zeolite Nanoparticles-A Tool to Enhance Drought Stress Tolerance in Coriander Plants for Better Growth Performance and Productivity.

Drought stress in arid regions is a serious factor affecting yield quantity and quality of economic crops. Under drought conditions, the application of nano-elements and nano-agents of water retention improved the water use efficiency, growth performance, and yield quantity of drought-stressed plants. For this objective, two field experiments were performed and organized as randomized complete block designs with six replications. The treatments included kaolin (5 t. ha-1) bentonite (12.5 t. ha-1), perlite (1.25 t.ha-1), N-zeolite (1.3 L.ha-1), N-silicon (2.5 L.ha-1), and N-zinc (2.5 L.ha-1). The current study showed that the application of silicon, zinc, and zeolite nanoparticles only positively influenced the morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties of the drought-stressed coriander plant. Exogenous application of N-silicon, N-zinc, and N-zeolite recorded the higher growth parameters of drought-stressed plants; namely, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, leaf area, and root length than all the other treatments in both seasons. The improvement ratio, on average for both seasons, reached 17.93, 17.93, and 18.85% for plant fresh weight, 73.46, 73.46, and 75.81% for plant dry weight, 3.65, 3.65, and 3.87% for leaf area, and 17.46, 17.46, and 17.16% for root length of drought-stressed plants treated with N-silicon, N-zinc, and N-zeolite, respectively. For physiological responses, the application of N-zeolite, N-silicon, and N-zinc significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, chlorophyll fluorescence, and photosystem II efficiency compared with the control in both seasons, respectively. Similar results were observed in antioxidant compounds, nutrient accumulation, and phytohormones. In contrast, those treatments markedly reduced the value of transpiration rate, nonphotochemical quenching, MDA, ABA, and CAT compared to control plants. Regarding the seed and oil yield, higher seed and oil yields were recorded in drought-stressed plants treated with N-zeolite followed by N-silicon and N-zinc than all the other treatments. Application of N-zeolite, N-silicon and N-zinc could be a promising approach to improve plant growth and productivity as well as to alleviate the adverse impacts of drought stress on coriander plants in arid and semi-arid areas.

Legume Cover Crop Alleviates the Negative Impact of No-Till on Tomato Productivity in a Mediterranean Organic Cropping System

The ecosystem services a cover crop (CC) provides depend enormously on species choice and tillage system. Here, we evaluated the impact of (a) three winter CCs—rye (Secale cereale L.) and squarrose clover (Trifolium squarrosum L.) monocultures and their mixture, and (b) two tillage systems—roller-crimping of CC residue as dead mulch for no-till (NT) systems and incorporating CC residue into the soil as green manure for conventional tillage (CT) systems—on the performance of organic processing tomato, i.e., plant growth, nutrient accumulation, fruit yield, and weed biomass. The assessments took place over two years in field experiments conducted under Mediterranean conditions. At the termination time, rye and mixture were the most productive and the best weed-suppressive CCs. During tomato growing season, squarrose clover regardless of tillage system stimulated tomato growth, Nitrogen content and uptake, and the yield relative to the other cover crops. Nevertheless, NT generally impaired the tomato nutritional status and increased weed biomass compared to CT despite some potential weed control by cover crops. These two aspects caused a significant drop in tomato yield in all NT systems. The results suggested that, despite the multiple benefits the compared CCs can offer in Mediterranean agroecosystems, legume CCs could be the key to developing feasible organic vegetable no-till systems.

Sargassum sp. as a biofertilizer: is it really a key towards sustainable agriculture for The Bahamas?

BackgroundMacroalgae blooms (Sargassum sp.) occur annually in The Bahamas due to the integration of various events related to human intercession with the roles of algae in biogeochemical cycles. These blooms are of great concern, as they are associated with many negative effects; thus, the primary aims of this study were to assess the quality of soils collected from South, Central, and North Long Island, and to determine whether Sargassum sp. can be used as a biofertilizer for soils on Long Island. A 60-day pot trial method was established to determine the efficacy of different concentrations (1%, 5%, and 10%) of Sargassum sp. as a biofertilizer on cherry tomato cultivation. Additionally, the soil quality before and after fertilizer amendment was evaluated.ResultsThe results show that Sargassum sp. increased nutrient content of the soil, specifically nitrate nitrogen and phosphorus; however, plant growth performance parameters (plant height, leaf number, bud number, flower number, and root and shoot weights) were negatively affected.ConclusionsDue to the obtained results, it is recommended that serious consideration be taken when utilizing Sargassum sp. as a biofertilizer because the pH and type of soil in Long Island, Bahamas, affects the bioavailability of the nutrients released from the algae.Graphical abstract

Biochemical and transcriptomic responses of buckwheat to polyethylene microplastics

The ubiquity of microplastic is widely recognized as pollution. Microplastic can affect the growth performances of plants. Buckwheat is a potential model crop to investigate plant responses to hazardous materials. Still, little is known about the response of buckwheat to microplastics. Thus, this study investigated the effect and uptake of polyethylene (PE) in buckwheat plant growth by monitoring the morphological and photosynthetic merits, antioxidant systems and transcriptome analysis of gene expression. Results confirmed that the impacts of PE on buckwheat growth were dose-dependent, while the highest concentration (80 mg/L) exposure elicited significantly negative responses of buckwheat. PE can invade buckwheat roots and locate in the vascular tissues. PE exposure disturbed the processes of carbon fixation and the synthesis of ATP from ADP + Pi in buckwheat leaves. The promotion of photosynthesis under PE exposure could generate extra energy for buckwheat leaves to activate antioxidant systems by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities at an expense of morphological merits under microplastic stresses. Further in-depth study is warranted about figuring out the interactions between microplastics and biochemical responses (i.e., photosynthesis and antioxidant systems), which have great implications for deciphering the defense mechanism of buckwheat to microplastic stresses.

Efficacy evaluation of newly isolated zinc solubilizing bacteria for their potential effect on maize (Zea mays L.) under zinc deficient soil conditions

AbstractZinc solubilizing bacteria (ZSB) induces the conversion of fixed and unavailable soil zinc to readily available zinc contributes plant zinc nutrition and fortification. The present research intended to determine the screening of plant growth‐promoting (PGP) traits of potent ZSB, biochemical and molecular characterization of ZSB, and assessment of potent ZSB for crop yield at the field level. Therefore, in the present study, molecular and functional characterization of native ZSB isolates was done to examine their response to plant growth performance and yield, mobilization of zinc, and acquisition by maize plants. Zinc solubilizing bacterial isolates namely, ZSB1, and ZSB 17 were solubilized insoluble zinc namely, ZnCO3, ZnO, Zn3(PO4)2 and significantly induced growth performance of maize crop at field conditions. A biochemical study revealed that both ZSB isolates were positive for catalase and urease production. Isolates ZSB1 & ZSB17 showed different PGP attributes like production of Indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, NH3, and HCN. Both isolates were solubilized phosphate, potassium, and silica and showed 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC)‐deaminase activity. 16S rRNA amplification and sequence study of ZSB1 and ZSB17 revealed that both the isolates were Cupriavidus sp. and Pantoea agglomerans, respectively, and novel. The results elucidated from pot studies demonstrated that both ZSB1 & ZSB17 were the more suitable isolates than other ZSB isolates, and these isolates were further tested for field studies. Cupriavidus sp. and Pantoea agglomerans strains increased Zn‐translocation toward grains and yield of Maize (cv: P3441) by 19.01% and 17.64%, respectively. We conclude that the novel indigenous ZSB strains substantially heightened zinc mobilization, the yield of maize crop, restore soil health, and can be suitable for biofortification and biofertilizers technology.

A Brief Review of the Nutritive Value and Chemical Components of Bat Guano and Its Potential Use as a Natural Fertiliser in Agriculture

New and improved fertilisers are constantly being introduced to the market to help increase crop yields. However, the common usage of chemical fertilisers had brought upon negative impacts to the environment and the study for sustainable fertiliser is still ongoing. This review will highlight the usage of bat guano as a valuable fertiliser which has a potential to diminish the effects of chemical fertiliser usage, increase yield and is cost effective. Its role as a fertiliser can support the agricultural growth and in turn provides additional care for plants. The chemical compositions of guano which was found to be subpar with other fertilisers support its usage of guano as an alternative for crop yield enhancement. Plant growth performance that shows a significant positive impact of guano on crops, further demonstrates its usage as organic fertilisers. In-depth study of the chemical composition of guano should be pursued as the fertiliser has high beneficial value to the ecology and economy.

Enhanced Growth of Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) by Silicon Nutrient Application in Fertigation System

Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements naturally available in the soil. This element performs an essential function in improving plant growth. This present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of Si nutrient application on the growth performance of chili (Capsicum annuum L.). Chili plant grown using a fertigation system was subjected to manual application of a silicon nutrient solution in varying concentrations (0 ppm, 108 ppm, 180 ppm, & 360 ppm) via root application. Each treatment was replicated five times, with five plants in each replicate, and all plants were grown in a shade house. The growth performance parameters measured were the number of leaves, stem diameter, plant height, plant biomass (dry weight), and Si accumulation in the stem, leave, and chili fruit. Results showed that Si nutrient application significantly affected the growth performances of chili plants. Application of T3 (360 ppm Si nutrient) was able to produce the highest stem diameter (8.92 mm), fresh weight (129.63 g), dry weight (67.23 g), as well as Si accumulation in stem (54 ppm), and chili fruit (24 ppm). On the other hand, applications with T2 (180 ppm Si nutrient) also demonstrated the highest plant height (20.98 cm), number of leave (27), and Si accumulation in leave (87 ppm). In conclusion, the application of silicon nutrients has the potential to enhance plant growth in numerous crops, making it a beneficial supplement to traditional agricultural practices.

Plant growth and yield performance of pomegranate varieties under hot arid eco-system

Five pomegranate varieties were evaluated for vegetative growth and yield for five years during 2017-2021 under a hot arid eco-system. No significant difference was observed among varieties with respect to vegetative characters except canopy volume. The maximum canopy volume was observed in cultivar Jalore seedless (1.73 m3) followed by Bhagwa (0.78 m3) and minimum in variety Ganesh (0.40 m3). The physical fruit parameters and yield attributing characters were recorded as superior in Jalore Seedless exhibited maximum fruit weight (189.8 g), fruit volume (127.2 cc), test weight (282.2 g), total aril weight/fruit (123.8 g), number of fruits/plant (66.6) and yield/plant (12.63 kg) followed by Ganesh and minimum was recorded in Phule Arakta with fruit weight (128.2 g), fruit volume (89.2 cc), test weight (174.0 g), number of fruits/plant (46.2) and yield/plant (5.00 kg). Aril weight (0.28 g), aril length and width (9.99 x 7.22 mm) were also observed to be significantly high in Jalore Seedless. A non-significant difference in juice per cent was observed among Mridula, Jalore Seedless and Bhagwa, with a maximum in cultivar Mridula (58), followed by Jalore Seedless and Bhagwa (50.4) and a minimum in Ganesh (37.4). The highest juice TSS was found in Jalore Seedless (17.02 °Brix) followed by Ganesh (16.52 °Brix) and Bhagwa (15.18 °Brix), while it was significantly lower in Mridula (13.26 °Brix). Based on vegetative growth, fruit physical parameters and fruit yield the performance of Jalore Seedless was superior over the other four varieties under a hot arid environment.

Cooling Effect of Different Irrigation Methods in the Growth Stages of Chili Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Sufficient application of water contributes to cooling of the soil and plant surroundings. In such context, this study investigated the cooling effect of different irrigation methods, using chili pepper as test crop, in its growth and yield performance. Drip, sprinkler, and furrow irrigation methods, applied at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 4 p.m. were evaluated. The cooling effect of irrigation method was evaluated in terms of canopy and soil temperature reduction. In addition, the plant growth and yield performance were also measured and analyzed. The canopy temperature reduction of 2.40 ºC, 2.21 ºC, and 1.88 ºC during the vegetative, flowering, and fruiting stages, respectively were obtained when water is applied at 4:00 p.m. using the sprinkler method. The significant reduction in canopy temperature which caused cooling effect by irrigation was attributed to the increased evaporation and relative humidity. Highest soil temperature reduction was achieved at 0.56 ?C using furrow irrigation. The significant change in furrow irrigation was caused by increased evaporation from the soil surface and the changes in the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the soil. Plant height increase was highest using sprinkler irrigation which grew as high as 66.07 cm before the harvesting period. Stem diameter was bigger in furrow irrigated plants having a mean of 11.55 cm during the fruiting stage. Fruit yield was significantly highest (8.56 tons/ha) in sprinkler irrigation at 4:00 p.m. These results indicated that the cooling effect of irrigation contributes to growth and yield performance of chili pepper by delivering water through sprinkler irrigation method in the afternoon. These reported findings have practical implications for farm adaptation especially in high temperature environments. Finally, studies should be conducted by experimenting on crops belonging to different family to establish comparison.