Plant Vigor Research Articles

Do vitamins change the morphophysiological characteristics of sweet pepper grown under irrigation with saline water?

The exogenous application of vitamins in plants has been highlighted by the increase in plant vigor, increase in reproductive rates, and greater resistance to edaphoclimatic adversities. Based on the hypothesis that the application of B-complex vitamins can change the morphophysiological characteristics of vegetables and mitigate the effects of abiotic stresses, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of the application of B-complex vitamins on pepper crops submitted to irrigation. with saline water. Five treatments were performed, with the control, as follows: irrigation with water and without application of vitamins; irrigation with saline solution and without application of vitamins; irrigation with saline solution and application of vitamin thiamine (NaCl+B1); irrigation with saline solution and application of vitamin niacin (NaCl+B3); and, irrigation with saline solution and application of vitamin pyridoxine (NaCl+B6). The use of saline water during irrigation had significant effects on net photosynthesis, water use efficiency and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, when compared to the control treatment, irrigated with water, with no differences in transpiration characteristics and relative content. of chlorophyll. It was observed that the exogenous application of vitamins mitigates the effects caused by irrigation with saline water in pepper seedlings, attenuating the loss of dry weight and reducing the stress on photosynthetic mechanisms, increasing photosynthetic activity and decreasing the deleterious effects of salinity on the accumulation of dry weight.

Registration of provitamin A‐enriched tropical maize inbred lines

AbstractVitamin A deficiency and its associated disorders are pervasive in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) including many middle‐ and low‐income countries across the world. Provitamin A‐enriched maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines with desirable agronomic and adaptive traits have been developed and used to generate and commercialize maize varieties with medium to high levels of provitamin A in a few countries to curb vitamin A deficiency. Nonetheless, these inbred lines have not been made widely available to the public and private sector breeders in many countries. The main purpose for releasing the 21 provitamin A‐enriched tropical maize inbred lines (PI 705424–PI 705444, Reg. nos. GP‐624–GP‐644) is to supply maize breeders with elite source germplasm for increasing provitamin A and other carotenoids to much higher levels to offset losses during storage, natural degradation, and processing. These inbred lines were developed at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) from backcrosses of high β‐carotene temperate lines as donors and elite tropical lines as recipients. These inbred lines were developed through repeated self‐pollination with rigorous visual selection among and within lines for plant vigor, synchronous silk emergence and pollen shedding, low ear placement, and resistance to lodging and major tropical diseases, followed by selection for bright yellow to orange kernel color with semi flint to flint kernel texture after harvest. The released maize inbred lines will be diverse sources of favorable alleles to accelerate genetic gain in provitamin A and other beneficial carotenoid enrichment for human health.

Development and characterization of a novel intergeneric hybrid grouper (Cromileptes altivelis ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂)

Distant hybridization often gives rise to offspring with hybrid vigor in plants and animals, and this method has also shown great potential in aquaculture. Grouper, an economically important marine species, has witnessed rapid growth in its related industry. To cultivate a new grouper variety with accelerated growth, superior meat quality, and high economic value, we successfully obtained fertilized eggs through artificial insemination, using humpback grouper (Cromileptes altivelis) as the maternal parent and giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) as the paternal parent. The hybrid groupers were successfully hatched and reared for up to 14 months. This study conducted comprehensive comparative analyses between the hybrid offspring and the parental species, focusing on embryo development, growth rate, morphological characteristics, chromosome karyotype and muscle nutrient composition. The hybrid grouper embryos completed their entire development, from fertilization to hatching, in an average duration of 20 h and 37 min, under controlled conditions of 28.5 ± 0.5 °C temperature and 28 part per thousand (ppt) salinity. Remarkably, the hybrid groupers exhibited significantly faster growth than humpback groupers, with an absolute weight growth rate 1.6 times higher. Additionally, the hybrid groupers displayed a 4.7% increase in meat yield compared to giant groupers. In terms of morphology, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to analyze the morphological framework data of the three grouper species, revealing that the hybrid groupers were more similar to giant groupers in their morphological framework. Chromosome karyotype and simple sequence repeats (SSR) analysis confirmed that the hybrid groupers have a total of 48 chromosomes, inheriting one set of chromosomes from each parent. This study provides a foundation for grouper hybrid breeding, and the hybrid groupers obtained in this research have the potential to become excellent commercial varieties.

Grafting of Cannabis – The effect of the rootstock on vegetative and reproductive indices of the scion

Among the commercial cannabis varieties, some are high yielders but characterized by a relatively poor root system. Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil, enabling vegetative development that directly affects yield, as vigorous plants have more resources to support reproduction. Moreover, healthy foliage is a primary key to high assimilation rates, leading to better production of photosynthetic products, including cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the main active components of cannabis. We grafted a high-THC variety, named 'Freud Super-Ego' (FSE) onto three chemotypes of rootstocks: high-THC (T), high-CBD (C), and Balanced (B). All the rootstocks had significantly greater root biomass compared to FSE. All the grafting treatments significantly improved FSE's vegetative indices and yield. The best overall vegetative performance – height, stem circumference, number of mature leaves - was that of plants grafted onto the Balanced and high-CBD rootstocks, resulting in high yields as well. However, the greatest number of inflorescences was counted when FSE was grafted onto a high-THC rootstock. According to leaf mineral content analysis, the highest nitrogen and phosphorus levels were found in leaves of FSE grafted on the balanced rootstock. The cannabinoid content profile analysis revealed that all grafting treatments raised the THC level in FSE's inflorescences by 8–12 % in comparison to the non-grafted control, and the THC rootstock led to the highest THC level. The results indicate the importance of grafting in cannabis as a tool to increase the productivity and quality of the product.

Evaluation of Irish Potato Genotypes (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Against Diseases for Adaptability in Sierra Leone

Irish Potato is an emerging crop of high economic value in Sierra Leone. Cultivation of the crop is limited, and farmers are faced with numerous problems in the production of the crop. This research was done to identify diseases resistant adaptable sweet potato genotypes under Sierra Leone condition. Six Irish potato genotypes collected from the Futa Jalon highlands in Guinea were evaluated in Kabala and Njala during 2013 and 2014 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was collected on agronomic parameters as wells as pest and disease. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance. Mean comparison was done using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability. Findings revealed that Kabala exhibited higher field establishment rates compared to Moyamba, with Spunta, Arnova, Nicola, and Mandola displaying significantly higher establishment percentages. Similarly, Spunta consistently exhibited the largest leaf area, vine length and highest plant vigor scores across locations. While all genotypes were susceptible to Potato Virus Disease (PVD), bacterial blight, and late blight, Spunta displayed the highest resistance to these diseases. Variations in tuber number and weight per plant were observed, with Spunta (4.4 and 3.6 t/ha) and Mandola (3.5 t/ha) showing the highest yields at both locations respectively. Notably, Spunta consistently outperformed other genotypes in terms of yield across both locations. These findings underscore the importance of genotype selection tailored to local conditions and the need for disease management strategies to enhance potato production and food security in Sierra Leone. Further research focusing on breeding programs targeting disease resistance and yield optimization is warranted to address the productivity challenges faced by Irish potato cultivation in Sierra Leone.

Assessing the significance of leaf chlorophyll content for measuring the vegetation health in mangrove species along the Kerala Coast, India – A multi-proxy approach

This study aimed to estimate the chlorophyll content of mangrove species distributed along the Kerala coast of India, and also to address the critical issue of assessing the health of these ecosystems. We identified 16 mangrove species and estimated their chlorophyll concentration levels through a combination of field reconnaissance, in situ radiometric measurements at 218 locations, and UV spectrophotometric (ultraviolet–visible) analysis in the laboratory, and estimated the vegetation health from spectral indices using IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) Resourcesat LISS-IV (Linear Imaging and Self-Scanning Sensor) satellite imagery. This study revealed that the dominant species in Kerala are Avicennia officinalis, A. marina, Rhizophora mucronata and Excoecaria agallocha, whereas, Bruguiera sexangula is sparsely spread. Approximately 14 % of the mangrove cover along the Kerala coast is under stress due to various factors, including climate change and anthropogenic influences. Significantly, two of the 16 species, Avicennia marina and Rhizophora appiculata appeared relatively healthy, with average chlorophyll concentration index (CCI) values of 311.89±40.13 µmol/m2 and 553.42±23.24 µmol/m2, respectively. However, other dominant species Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, and Excoecaria agallocha exhibited average CCI values of 582.35±147.61, 611.7±104.58, and 559.04±141.13 respectively, and seemed to be under stress, calling for serious conservation measures. Our study also revealed the potential of cost-effective IRS LISS-IV imagery for identifying mangrove species and for estimating the chlorophyll concentration and plant vigour together with field and laboratory observations and measurements.

Zno nanoparticles: improving photosynthesis, shoot development, and phyllosphere microbiome composition in tea plants

BackgroundNanotechnology holds revolutionary potential in the field of agriculture, with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) demonstrating advantages in promoting crop growth. Enhanced photosynthetic efficiency is closely linked to improved vigor and superior quality in tea plants, complemented by the beneficial role of phyllosphere microorganisms in maintaining plant health. However, the effects of ZnO NPs on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms have not been fully investigated.ResultsThis study investigated the photosynthetic physiological parameters of tea plants under the influence of ZnO NPs, the content of key photosynthetic enzymes such as RubisCO, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, transcriptomic and extensive targeted metabolomic profiles of leaves and new shoots, mineral element composition in these tissues, and the epiphytic and endophytic microbial communities within the phyllosphere. The results indicated that ZnO NPs could enhance the photosynthesis of tea plants, upregulate the expression of some genes related to photosynthesis, increase the accumulation of photosynthetic products, promote the development of new shoots, and alter the content of various mineral elements in the leaves and new shoots of tea plants. Furthermore, the application of ZnO NPs was observed to favorably influence the microbial community structure within the phyllosphere of tea plants. This shift in microbial community dynamics suggests a potential for ZnO NPs to contribute to plant health and productivity by modulating the phyllosphere microbiome.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that ZnO NPs have a positive impact on the photosynthesis of tea plants, the sprouting of new shoots, and the community of phyllosphere microorganisms, which can improve the growth condition of tea plants. These findings provide new scientific evidence for the application of ZnO NPs in sustainable agricultural development and contribute to advancing research in nanobiotechnology aimed at enhancing crop yield and quality.Graphical

Larvicidal and feeding deterrent properties of extracts from Dieffenbachia maculata (Dumb cane) against Spodoptera frugiperda in maize (Zea mays)

This study examined the larvicidal and feeding deterrent properties of extracts from Dieffenbachia maculata against Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall army worm) in growing maize. A 9 m x 7 m space in the green house was divided into forty-two plots of 1 m by 0.75 m with 0.5 m discard between rows. This is to allow for a 2 x 3 x 4 factorial experiment replicated three times. Maize seeds were sown at two seeds per hole at a spacing of 90 cm by 60cm in each plot. Each plot was barricaded with wire mesh to prevent the migration of larvae from plot to plot. The irrigation system in the greenhouse supplied equal volume of water at the base of the maize seedlings every morning. Infested maize plants were treated with different Dumb cane plant extracts at the concentration of 25ml/l and30ml/l along with positive and negative controls. (The positive control was treated with Cypermethrine at 3l/ha) to compare the effect of concentrations on the fall army worm activity. In this experiment, the numbers of leaves affected was assessed every week and recorded. Leave perforation index was calculated. Dead armyworms were observed by prodding the larvae for movement and were recorded. Plant vigour was obtained by measuring plant height and the number of leaves formed. Effect of the worm on yield was determined by comparing total yield from sampled maize plants and this was compared to expected yield from the variety of maize used for the research. The positive control group exhibited a significantly lower level of infestation after treatment with a corresponding yield increase, (16.06% and 80.14%) respectively when compared to the treated groups. Similarly, leave extract using acetone at 30ml record significantly better results with 17.73% level of infestation after treatment application and 66.44% yield increase. This was closely followed by leaf extract using methanol at 30ml with significantly lower level of infestation and increased yield respectively. (21.35% and 60.42%). Conversely, the lowest value was recorded for the negative control. Among the extract treatments, the leaf extract using acetone at 30ml showed the highest efficacy in reducing infestation levels and demonstrated the most significant increase in maize yield. In this study, it was observed that application of the 30ml leaf extract of Dumb cane using acetone was effective and significantly increased army worm larval mortality, reduced leaf damage, and increased maize grain yield compared to the untreated control. The results indicated that the extracts from dumb cane leaves and stems exhibited promising capacity in the control of Fall army worm in maize. Further research is warranted to optimize the application protocols and evaluate any residual effects of the extracts on maize grain and ecosystem dynamics

AGRONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF HUMIC AND FULVIC ACIDS, FUNGI, BACTERIA, USED IN THE CULTURE OF THE SECOND SAFRA

The implementation of the research took place in the period corresponding to the second harvest of the 2022/2023 agricultural year, by the company Pesquisa e Consultoria Agronômica, in geographic coordinates located at 28°18'18'' south latitude, 38°15' 21'' longitude west. The research aimed to evaluate, through the application of biological products, whether it would be possible to obtain more vigorous and productive plants, in order to quantify their agronomic efficiency, thus validating the use of new technological alternatives in nutritional management in corn cultivation. The P3707 hybrid was used and the composition of the treatments is T1: Control treatment with Azospirillum brasilense bacteria (AbV5) (0.100 L ha-1) (planting juice); T2: Azospirillum brasilense (AbV5) (0.100 L ha-1) + Trichoderma asperellum BV10 (0.100 L ha-1) + Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (0.200 L ha-1) (planting juice); T3: Azospirillum baldaniorum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus proteolyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.200 kg ha-1) (planting juice); T4: Azospirillum brasilense (AbV5) (0.100 L ha-1) + Humic and fulvic acids, Azospirillum baldaniorum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus proteolyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.200 kg ha-1) (TS); T5: Humic and fulvic acids, Azospirillum brasilense (AbV5) (0.400 L ha-1) + Azospirillum baldaniorum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus proteolyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.400 kg ha-1) (planting juice); T6: Humic and fulvic acids, Azospirillum brasilense (AbV5) (0.100 L ha-1) + Azospirillum baldaniorum, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens; Bacillus proteolyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.400 kg ha-1) (TS). The technological variables evaluated include plant population at the phenological stage (R5), plant height (V3 and R1), root diameter (V3 and R1), insertion height of the first ear, number of ears per plant, root volume (V3 and R1 ), fresh mass of roots (V3 and R1), dry mass of roots (V3 and R1), thousand grain weight, kilogram productivity per hectare. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and the means of the treatments compared using the Tukey method of separation of means, using R Core Team (2019) with a significance of 5%. The application of humic acid, fulvic acid, fungi, bacteria in seed treatment provided gains in fresh aerial part mass, grain weight and greater productivity of the corn crop.

Phytochrome B interacts with LIGULELESS1 to control plant architecture and density tolerance in maize

Over the past few decades, significant improvements in maize yield have been largely attributed to increased plant density of upright hybrid varieties rather than increased yield per plant. However, dense planting triggers shade avoidance responses (SARs) that optimize light absorption but impair plant vigor and performance, limiting yield improvement through increasing plant density. In this study, we demonstrated that high-density-induced leaf angle narrowing and stem/stalk elongation are largely dependent on phytochrome B (phyB1/B2), the primary photoreceptor responsible for perceiving red (R) and far-red (FR) light in maize. We found that maize phyB physically interacts with the LIGULELESS1 (LG1), a classical key regulator of leaf angle, to coordinately regulate plant architecture and density tolerance. The abundance of LG1 is significantly increased by phyB under high R:FR light (low density) but rapidly decreases under low R:FR light (high density), correlating with variations in leaf angle and plant height under various densities. In addition, we identified the homeobox transcription factor HB53 as a target co-repressed by both phyB and LG1 but rapidly induced by canopy shade. Genetic and cellular analyses showed that HB53 regulates plant architecture by controlling the elongation and division of ligular adaxial and abaxial cells. Taken together, these findings uncover the phyB-LG1-HB53 regulatory module as a key molecular mechanism governing plant architecture and density tolerance, providing potential genetic targets for breeding maize hybrid varieties suitable for high-density planting.

Application of fungicides in the vegetative stage of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]: Mini-review

The significant growth of soybean cultivation [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], and the expansion of agriculture throughout Brazil, which occurred during the period of evidence of the industrial policy of import substitution, placed the product as an ideal crop to supply the global demand was growing. Several diseases have already been reported in soybeans, but the incidence and severity depend on some factors, such as climate, cultivars, pathogen inoculum potential, soil structure and fertility, and plant vigor, among others. The disease scenario in soybean crops in Brazil has been changing every year, with an increase in the severity of some diseases, both in the aerial part and those caused by soil-dwelling fungi. The use of resistant cultivars can be adopted and is the most efficient way to control diseases. However, even with adequate management, it is necessary to apply fungicides. For more efficient disease management, it is important to know the effectiveness of the main fungicides used in the crop, in terms of their ability to reduce the progress of the disease in the field; selecting the most efficient fungicides for management. The results of the study demonstrated that fungicides positioned in different application programs reduce the incidence of fungal diseases and improve productivity.

Seed biopriming with different bioagents to minimize collar rot disease of groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)

The present studies investigate the effectiveness of various bioagents, namely Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma harzenium and Bacillus subtilis in promoting the growth, productivity and minimize the collar rot disease incidence in groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) under in vitro and controlled pot conditions (upto 60 per cent disease control). Groundnut is a globally important oilseed crop known for its nutritional value and oil content. However, the sustainable production of groundnuts faces increasing challenges due to biotic and abiotic stress factors. Among the biotic diseases, collar rot disease of groundnut caused by Aspergillus niger is more extensive in kharif season and causes more damage in sandy loam soils. Bioagents like Trichoderma harzenium, Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis are very helpful in increasing plant growth and controlling collar rot disease in groundnut. This study aims to elucidate the physiological mechanism underlying these interactions and provide practical insights into the application of this environmentally friendly approach for sustainable groundnut cultivation. Under pot condition treatment integration of seed treatment with Trichoderma viride and enriched vermicompost significantly shows minimum per cent disease incidence 6% and maximum plant vigour (2000) obtained from the treatment integration of Seed treatment with Trichoderma harzianum and enriched Vermicompost. Our finding reveals that the application of integration of seed treatment with Trichoderma viride and enriched vermicompost significantly shows 57.14% disease control under pot conditions, outperformed the other bioagents in sustainable management of collar rot disease of groundnut and Pseudomonas fluorescens outperformed other bioagents in enhancement of growth of plant due to their PGPR activity.

Impact Assessment of Nematode Infestation on Soybean Crop Production Using Aerial Multispectral Imagery and Machine Learning

Accurate and prompt estimation of geospatial soybean yield (SY) is critical for the producers to determine key factors influencing crop growth for improved precision management decisions. This study aims to quantify the impacts of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) infestation on soybean production and the yield of susceptible and resistant seed varieties. Susceptible varieties showed lower yield and crop vigor recovery, and high SCN population (20 to 1080) compared to resistant varieties (SCN populations: 0 to 340). High-resolution (1.3 cm/pixel) aerial multispectral imagery showed the blue band reflectance (r = 0.58) and Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI, r = −0.6) have the best correlation with the SCN populations. While GDNVI, Green Chlorophyll Index (GCI), and Normalized Difference Red Edge Index (NDRE) were the best differentiators of plant vigor and had the highest correlation with SY (r = 0.59–0.75). Reflectance (REF) and VIs were then used for SY estimation using two statistical and four machine learning (ML) models at 10 different train–test data split ratios (50:50–95:5). The ML models and train–test data split ratio had significant impacts on SY estimation accuracy. Random forest (RF) was the best and consistently performing model (r: 0.84–0.97, rRMSE: 8.72–20%), while a higher train–test split ratio lowered the performances of the ML models. The 95:5 train–test ratio showed the best performance across all the models, which may be a suitable ratio for modeling over smaller or medium-sized datasets. Such insights derived using high spatial resolution data can be utilized to implement precision crop protective operations for enhanced soybean yield and productivity.

Drought-Stressed Apple Tree Grafted onto Different Rootstocks in a Coastal Sandy Soil: Link between Fast Chlorophyll a Fluorescence and Production Yield

Domesticated apple is a drought-sensitive species that spread from continental to Mediterranean temperate regions, where it can particularly experience prolonged water stress. One strategy to improve drought resistance in apple is engrafting on selected rootstocks. This study explores the potential of fast chlorophyll a fluorescence for the comparison of rootstock sensitivity to drought, looking for significant correlations with fruit productivity. The experiment was conducted in a field located in the coastal Po River Plain, Northern Italy, characterized by a loamy sandy soil, particularly prone to drought (86% sand). Mature plants of apple cv. Superchief® Sandidge engrafted on three different rootstocks (CIVP21pbr, MM106, M26) were monitored throughout the summer of 2021 and compared between irrigated and non-irrigated parcels, and at the end of the season, fruit production was evaluated. Despite soil water tension only reaching −13 kPa, the non-irrigated plants experienced a small but consistent loss of Photosystem II (PSII) activity and a lesser capacity of light energy conservation in the photosynthetic electron transport chain. The fruit weight correlated with PSII photochemical indexes recorded during early drought, particularly FV/FM and PIABS; a correlation emerged between fruit number per plant and median values of electron transport parameters, including PITOT. Although all rootstocks underwent a 40% loss of productivity, the fluorescence parameters revealed a graded susceptibility to drought, M26 > CIVP21pbr > MM106, which matched well with the plant vigour. The least drought-sensitive MM106 produced less numerous but heavier fruits than the other two rootstocks.

Studying the pathogenic Streptomyces strains responsible for causing potato common scab in Iran and assessing the efficacy of native S. fimicarius-ghR and S. rochei-FsG in reducing scab lesion development in both potato and radish hosts in vivo

ABSTRACT Potato common scab an important widespread disease caused by Streptomyces species, usually can diminish the market value of tubers. None of the disease management methods is considered efficient. Non-pathogenic Streptomyces species owing to their source of bioactive compounds can alleviate scab severity and strengthen plant vigour. During our survey, three pathogenic strains with atypical composition of Pathogenicity Island (PAI) marker genes prevented radish seed germination by ≥98% and exhibited coalescing superficial, raised or mild pitted lesions in pot trials. Based on 16S rRNA and rpoB sequencing, Streptomyces sp. (FG1 and AAb) and S. rochei-HGs were identified. Our research findings have led us to identify S. rochei-HGs as a novel scab-causing species of potato. In addition, two beneficial Streptomyces strains obtained from potato rhizosphere and soil, including S. fimicarius-ghR and S. rochei-FsG, inhibited streptomyces sp.-FG1 growth with the inhibition halo ≥30 mm on agar plates, alleviated the lesion severity index and showed the control efficacy of 88.88 ± 6.41% and 83.33 ± 16.94% on potato, respectively under greenhouse conditions. Both of them can produce siderophore, IAA and solubilise phosphate. By measuring the plant growth attributes, the application of ghR and FsG strains in pathogen-infected soil showed enhancement in potato root and shoot length as well as radish compared with the controls. Evaluation of the inhibitory compounds of studied antagonists by chemistry methods is ongoing. The disease suppressiveness of strains and their plant growth induction should also be validated at the field level.

Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) Mediated Plant Growth Promotion Activity of Fluorescent Pseudomonads and Bacillus spp.

This investigation was made to study the involvement of IAA in plant growth promotion and vigor of wheat plants induced with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Nineteen isolates of fluorescent pseudomonads and 11 isolates of Bacillus spp. were subjected to germination percentage and seedling vigor index test. These parameters were determined according to recommended methods by ISTA (1985). The IAA production from selected bacterial isolates, which were showing the potential function of plant growth promotion were further subjected to quantitative analysis using Salkowski’s reagent (2% of 0.5 M FeCl3 in 34% HClO4) for Colorimetric detection. The vigor index and plant growth were significantly increased in Pfa-65 (43.36%) followed by B-18 (42.58%), Pfa-77 (40.83%), B-24 (40.68), Pfa-37(38.82%) and B-38 (38.52). The maximum concentration of IAA was detected in the isolate B-24(36.66 µg/ml) followed by Pfa-65(36.16 µg/ml), B-18(35.98 µg/ml) and Pfa-77(35.72 µg/ml). A positive correlation was observed between concentration of IAA produced and germination percentage with PGPR treatments (correlation coefficient was 0.94). The correlation coefficient was 0.96 between IAA produced and percent increase in vigor index with the treatments. Our data suggests that IAA, a growth promoting hormone, might be the key factor to promote the plant growth directed by the rhizobacteria

Reduced Root Volume at Establishment, Canopy Growth and Fruit Production in ‘Lapins’/‘Colt’ and ‘Regina’/‘Gisela 12’ Sweet Cherry Trees

The success of establishing fruit orchards has traditionally been attributed to the vigor of the nursery plant used. This study aimed to evaluate the post-transplant survival, canopy growth and fruit productivity of two sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars (‘Lapins’/‘Colt’ and ‘Regina’/‘Gisela 12’) with different radicular basal volumes of 100%, 50% and 25% and nursery plant types: (i) bare root (BR) or (ii) bagged (B). The initial stem diameter of the plants ranged from 12 to 19 mm, and their height ranged from 1.4 to 1.8 m. Plants grafted onto ‘Colt’ rootstock exhibited twice the initial root volume compared to those grafted onto ‘Gisela 12’. Evaluations were carried out in three commercial orchards during three seasons in the Central Valley of Chile. The results indicated that root volume and nursery type did not affect plant survival and productivity. For ‘Regina’/‘Gisela 12’, only the bag treatment resulted in less trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and shoot length, and for ‘Lapins’/‘Colt’, the BR25 treatment showed a lower initial TCSA than other treatments, although without a negative effect on yield. Hence, the presumption about the influence of root volume and plant type on the successful establishment of a sweet cherry on ‘Colt’ and ‘Gisela 12’ rootstock can be discarded. The survival, growth and precocity of the orchard depend more on post-planting conditions and water management than on the number or type of nursery plant roots. It is important to prioritize proper post-planting care and water management for optimal orchard health.

Growth and yield of Brazilian potato cultivars

The analysis of plant growth of cultivars is useful for understanding the dynamics of accumulation and partition of photoassimilates during the crop cycle, and this information is important for the crop management of each cultivar. The objective of this study was to evaluate potato cultivars BRS Ana, BRSIPR Bel, BRS Clara, BRS F63 (Camila) and Macaca for growth and yield, under subtropical climatic conditions of Southern Brazil. Plant samples were collected every 20 days, beginning 40 days after planting (DAP), totaling five collections, and physiological growth indexes and the dry mass partitioning to plant organs were estimated. ‘BRSIPR Bel’ showed the fastest development of assimilatory system. ‘BRS Ana’ had the most vigorous plants and the largest leaf area, reaching the leaf area index 4.0 at 70 DAP. ‘BRSIPR Bel’ e ‘BRS Ana’ had the highest dry mass yield, 214 g and 206 g of dry mass plant-1, respectively. ‘BRS F63’ (Camila) and ‘BRSIPR Bel’ presented earlier tuberization and were the most efficient cultivars in the partitioning of dry mass to tubers, with the highest coefficient of dry mass partitioning to tubers estimated between 40 and 64 DAP. These two cultivars also showed the highest yield of marketable tubers.

Effect of Soil pH Variation on Peanut Plant Growth

This research investigates the qualitative effects of soil pH variation on peanut plant growth, aiming to provide insights into the complex interactions between soil properties and plant responses in agricultural ecosystems. Through semi-structured interviews with ten informants, supplemented by insights synthesized from prior research and theoretical frameworks, the study explores perceived relationships, implications for soil health and nutrient availability, challenges, opportunities, and practical implications for peanut production. Key findings highlight the critical influence of soil pH on peanut growth and productivity, with deviations from optimal pH levels affecting nutrient availability, root health, and overall plant vigor. Participants underscore the importance of targeted soil management practices, including lime application, organic matter incorporation, and crop rotation, in optimizing soil pH and supporting resilient peanut production systems. The study identifies challenges in soil pH management, such as limited accessibility of soil testing services and inadequate farmer knowledge, while also highlighting opportunities for innovation and improvement. The insights gleaned from the study contribute to advancing knowledge in agricultural sciences and inform evidence-based soil management practices for sustainable peanut production.

Phenotypic Diversity of Pomegranate Cultivars: Discriminating Power of Some Morphological and Fruit Chemical Characteristics

In modern agricultural production, where a small number of commercial cultivars dominate, the collection, evaluation, and preservation of germplasm are important tasks to reduce the erosion of genes and preserve biodiversity. The aim of this study is to characterize the morphological and fruit chemical properties of the pomegranate germplasm grown on the East Adriatic coast, including the commercial cultivars ‘Hicaznar’, ‘Granada’, and ‘Wonderful’, and to highlight the characteristics with the greatest discriminating power. The characterization of the tree, leaf, flower, arils, seed, and juice was carried out using the UPOV descriptor. The colors of the peel, arils, and juice were analyzed according to the CIEL*a*b* method, total soluble solids were measured using refractometers, and total acidity was determined by titration with 0.1 M NaOH. The research results showed significant diversity between the cultivars, which were grouped into several clusters using an unsupervised analysis technique. Factors such as plant vigor, plant growth habit, predominant number of leaves per node on young shoots, crown type, fruit shape, fruit shape in cross-section, peel weight, total aril weight, aril weight, number of arils per fruit, seed length and width, seed yield, total acidity, TSS/TA ratio, and color parameters of the peel, arils, and juice showed high variability, indicating their strong discriminating power in determining the phenotypic diversity of pomegranate.