Planting Hole Research Articles

Planting Strategy Influences Vegetable Response to Glyphosate and Glufosinate Applied Preplant in Plasticulture

Abstract In Georgia plasticulture vegetable production, a single installation of plastic mulch is utilized for up to five cropping cycles over an 18-month period. Preplant applications of glyphosate and glufosinate ensure fields are weed-free before transplanting, but recent data suggest residual activity of these herbicides may pose a risk to transplanted vegetables. Glyphosate and glufosinate were applied preplant in combination with three different planting configurations, including 1) a new plant hole into new mulch, 2) a pre-existing plant hole, 3) or a new plant hole spaced 15 cm from a pre-existing plant hole (adjacent). Following herbicide application, overhead irrigation was utilized to remove residues from the mulch before punching transplanting holes for tomato, cucumber, or squash. Visible injury, widths, biomass, yield of tomato, cucumber, or squash were not influenced by herbicide in the new mulch or adjacent planting configurations. When glyphosate was applied at 5.0 kg ae ha-1 and the new crop was planted into pre-existing holes, tomato was injured 45%, with reduced heights, biomass, and yields; at 2.5 kg ae ha-1 injury of 8% and a biomass reduction was observed. Cucumber and squash were injured 23% to 32% by glyphosate at 5.0 kg ae ha-1, with reductions in growth and early-season yield; lower rates did not influence crop growth or production when the crop was placed into a pre-existing plant hole. Glufosinate at the same rates did not affect tomato growth or yield when planted into pre-existing plant holes. Cucumber, when planted into pre-existing plant holes, was injured 43 to 75% from glufosinate, with reductions in height and biomass, and yield losses at 1.3 and 2.6 kg ai ha-1; similar results from glufosinate were observed in squash. In multi-crop plasticulture production, growers should ensure vegetable transplants are placed a minimum of 15 cm away from soil exposed to these herbicides.

Indiferentní reakce sazenic borovice lesní a buku lesního ošetřených hydroabsorbenty

Super-absorbents are expected to amend soils as they are capable of retaining water, which turns dry loose powdery substances (also capsule) into hydrogel. These were applied to prevent an artificial regeneration failure due to drought events. Four commercially-available products were mixed with soil from planting holes (the capsule was put to the soil) in order to support bare-root Scots pine and European beech seedlings after a spring planting on eleven clear-cut sites in 2020–2021. The plantations were designed as rows with 4 × 150 plants treated with four hydrogels plus 150 plants without hydrogel as a control. The performance evaluation of new plantations was based on attributes such as mortality/survival and relative height and root-collar diameter increments. The plants, which lost their initial size, due to pine weevil damage, dry tops and damage by game, were excluded from the evaluation. Besides the plant response to the applied super-absorbents, the planting operations were evaluated from economic point of view. The 2020 plantations showed higher mortality than 2021 ones; both years showed an excessive loss. The hydrogels did not help the plants to survive better compared to control and growth data also showed ambiguous results. Therefore, from commercial perspective, the application of all tested super-absorbents just increased the renewal costs.

Impact of red mud on soil properties and revegetation species growth in bauxite mining land reclamation

Bauxite mining, a key aluminum production process, can cause environmental degradation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. Reclamation measures like reforestation and water management can restore balance. Red mud, a by-product of alumina production, can enhance soil fertility and plant growth in post-bauxite mining reclamation areas. Its alkalinity and mineral composition reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, promoting sustainable soil management and addressing environmental challenges. This study aimed to examine the impact of red mud on soil characteristics and the growth of plants in areas during bauxite mining land reclamation. This study was conducted in the post-reclamation area of bauxite mining in West Kalimantan. The experiment involved two treatments: red mud application and a species of revegetation plant. Plant species consist of the plants Embeng, Forest Guana, Johar, and Rambutan. The study used a randomized block design with 24 experimental units. The parameters measured in the study included pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, exchangeable cations, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation, while growth parameters included a high percentage of plant growth and percentages of increased stem diameter. The findings showed that adding red mud to the planting hole increased soil pH and base saturation, improved nutrient availability, and enhanced plant growth in the areas post-mining bauxite at PT Antam, UBPB West Kalimantan. The Embeng Plant is highly regarded as a suitable plant species for re-vegetating areas after bauxite mining.

Effects of application methods of microbial mixture on early blight disease (Alternaria solani) and growth of potato

Early blight (Alternaria solani) is one of important diseases in potato in Indonesia. In previous study, a microbial consortium (Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas sp.) suppressed the bacterial wilt disease in potato. For application, the microbial consortium was mixed with compost (10%). As the microbial consortium is originally intended for controlling soil-borne diseases, this study examined the ability of the microbial consortium to suppress early blight disease and the effects of application methods on its efficacy. The application methods examined were the methods that targeted for soil-borne as well as airborne diseases. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Department of Plants and Diseases, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia. The experiment used Randomized Complete Block Design with 10 treatments and three replications. The treatments included application of microbes mixed with compost in planting hole solely or in combination with soaking the potato tubers in suspension of the microbes, drenching water extract of the mixture at 2, 4, 6 weeks after planting (WAP) with or without foliar application of the water extract. The result showed that application method influenced the abilities of the microbial mixture in suppressing early blight disease and supporting the potato growth. Even though the application of microbe-compost in planting medium inhibited the development of early blight disease by 37.8-39.5%, the regular foliar spray of the water extract of the mixture enhanced the disease suppression. Combination between application of the microbe-compost in the planting hole, drenching its water extract at 2, 4, 6 WAP and weekly foliar spray of the water extract suppressed early blight disease by 80.8%. This combination of application methods also supported better plant height, numbers of potato leaflets, roots fresh weight and production of potato tuber.

Optimizing Orchard Planting Efficiency with a GIS-Integrated Autonomous Soil-Drilling Robot

A typical orchard’s mechanical operation consists of three or four stages: lining and digging for plantation, moving the seedling from nurseries to the farm, moving the seedling to the planting hole, and planting the seedling in the hole. However, the digging of the planting hole is the most time-consuming operation. In fruit orchards, the use of robots is increasingly becoming more prevalent to increase operational efficiency. They offer practical and effective services to both industry and people, whether they are assigned to plant trees, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, or carry heavy loads to relieve staff. Robots can operate for extended periods of time and can be highly adept at repetitive tasks like planting many trees. The present study aims to identify the locations for planting trees in orchards using geographic information systems (GISs), to develop an autonomous drilling machine and use the developed robot to open planting holes. There is no comparable study on autonomous hole planting in the literature in this regard. The agricultural mobile robot is a four=wheeled nonholonomic robot with differential steering and forwarding capability to stable target positions. The designed mobile robot can be used in fully autonomous, partially autonomous, or fully manual modes. The drilling system, which is a y-axis shifter driven by a DC motor with a reducer includes an auger with a 2.1 HP gasoline engine. SOLIDWORKS 2020 software was used for designing and drawing the mobile robot and drilling system. The Microsoft Visual Basic.NET programming language was used to create the robot navigation system and drilling mechanism software. The cross-track error (XTE), which determines the distances between the actual and desired holes positions, was utilized to analyze the steering accuracy of the mobile robot to the drilling spots. Consequently, the average of the arithmetic means was determined to be 4.35 cm, and the standard deviation was 1.73 cm. This figure indicates that the suggested system is effective for drilling plant holes in orchards.

Targeted Chemical Strategies in Planting Holes: A Proactive Approach to Managing Phytophthora Crown Rot of Strawberry

Phytophthora crown rot (PhCR) of strawberry, most commonly caused by P. cactorum, is introduced in annual cropping systems on quiescently infected transplants. In Florida, preventative chemical treatments are applied through drip tapes promptly after plant establishment. Since strawberry plants are especially vulnerable to PhCR during the establishment period, delaying fungicide treatments can result in stand loss, reduced productivity and suboptimal fungicide efficacy. This project evaluated the effectiveness of applying Ridomil Gold® and Orondis® Gold directly to planting holes prior to transplanting. Results from trials over four growing seasons (2019–2024) demonstrated that fungicides applied in planting holes consistently reduced PhCR incidence and progression as effectively or more than products applied via drip. These findings suggest that direct in-hole fungicide application could be an alternative for managing PhCR in strawberry. These findings warrant further research into dosage and volume optimization, and the development of precision hole-punch applicators. Such technology could lead to more strategic fungicide use by placing the treatment only where needed, i.e. the root zone, and at the crucial timing of planting establishment. It also has the potential to improve disease control outcomes, enhance productivity, and reduce the need for further fungicide applications to control PhCR, thereby decreasing the risk of resistance development to key fungicides.

Mechanical properties of prestressed tendon-planted glulam beam-column connections under cyclic loading

Traditional glulam beam-column connections have the disadvantages of low bearing capacity, low stiffness, low ductility and poor energy dissipation ability. This paper proposed a new prestressed tendon-planted connection for glulam beam-column joints. Six groups of the connections were tested under reversed cyclic loading. The effects of the number and prestressed value of steel bars, tendon reinforcement ratio and tendon anchorage length on the performance of the connection were analyzed. The results indicated that the proposed connection showed ductile failure, involving the splitting failure of the beam and the bearing failure around the planting holes. The proposed configuration improves the ultimate bearing capacity, initial stiffness and energy dissipation performance, and slows down the stiffness degradation of the glulam beam-column connections. The number of steel bars and prestressed value have a positive effect on the initial stiffness of the joint, whilst the tendon reinforcement ratio has a significant positive influence on the bearing capacity of the joint. The bearing capacity of the joint no longer increases with the increase of the tendon anchorage length, when the anchorage length is 12.5 times greater than the tendon diameter. The prediction formula for the flexural capacity of the new joint is proposed, whilst the moment-rotation characteristics of the connection are also assessed.

Effect of hydrogel on survival and growth of Grevillea robusta seedlings under semi-arid field condition

Water scarcity limits the survival and growth of planted-out seedlings in Ethiopia’s semi-arid regions. Hydrogel, recently introduced in Ethiopia, is a super-absorbent polymer to reduce water stress. This study investigated its effect on the early survival and growth of Grevillea robusta seedlings in semi-arid areas. Relevant soil characteristics were analyzed. Four hydrogel levels (control, 3, 5, and 7 g/plant) were applied to the bottom of planting holes in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Survival, Height, and Root Collar Diameter were measured at 6 and 14 months after planting. One-way ANOVA assessed hydrogel effects. No significant positive effects of hydrogel on survival or early growth compared to the control (0 g/plant) were observed in the sandy-loam soil. These findings suggest limited benefit under the study’s specific conditions. Further research is crucial to explore the potential of hydrogels, considering broader ranges of application rates and methods, tree species, and environmental conditions. This knowledge may support forest restoration efforts in the face of severe land degradation, climate change, and variability in Ethiopia.

Semi-mechanized planting of saplings: pivotal results on the efficiency of a new method

Large clear-cut areas as a consequence of drought and bark beetle infestations necessitate extensive replanting efforts in German forests, leading to an increased interest in efficient planting systems. In addition to manual planting, mechanized and semi-mechanized systems utilizing surplus forest machine capacities available after completion of salvage logging operations are likely required for timely reforestation of the clear-cut areas. A semi-mechanized system utilizing a standard forwarder with a grapple-actuated soil borer for both, the transport of planting material and the preparation of planting pits, combined with two workers carrying out manual planting, was investigated in a time-and-motion study. The frequency method was used after video recording of a planting operation that covered an area of approximately 1.2 hectares. A total of 815 alder saplings (Alnus glutinosa L.) with heights of 1.2–1.5 m were planted. Observed productivity was 93 saplings per system work hour (SWH). With additional placement of stakes for stabilizing the plants, the productivity decreased to 42 saplings per SWH. While directly comparable results were not found in the literature, available productivity figures of purely manual planting systems do not suggest an increased productivity of this semi-mechanized system. Considering ergonomics, however, forwarder utilization provides reduced workload not only in plant hole preparation but also with material transport and clearing of planting spots. Both the ergonomic aspects of the system and, in particular, the suitability of the soil borer for different soil textures should be further investigated. Keywords: time studies; forwarder; stand regeneration; windthrow; forest operations

Maksimisasi Keuntungan pada Usaha Hidroponik

Cultivating vegetables using the hydroponic method is essential in developing Indonesia's agricultural sector. Vegetables are a type of food that is consumed at any time, so there is always a stable demand all the time. The ever-increasing demand and awareness of the importance of nutritious food make hydroponics an attractive option. The potential for high demand for vegetables opens up many business opportunities to meet people's needs, including cultivating hydroponic vegetables. This research aims to analyze the actual profits of hydroponic businesses and the maximum profits they can generate. The research location is in Deedad Hidroponik, Tamalate District, Makassar City, from July to October 2023. Primary data was collected through interviews and direct observation of owners and employees, and secondary data was obtained from previous studies related to this research. Linear programming analysis via the Simplex Method is used to analyze Deedad Hidroponik's profit maximization. Profit analysis involves production costs, inputs, production results, and business revenues. The research results show that Deedad Hidroponikis can generate profits of IDR 6,980,492 from various types of vegetables. Deedad Hidroponik's source of profit comes from the production of 4 kinds of vegetables: lettuce, bok choy, kale, and spinach. Through a linear programming approach, Deedad Hidroponikwill achieve maximum profits if they plant vegetables with a combination of 625 planting holes for lettuce, 302 planting holes for bok choy, 257 planting holes for kale, and 260 planting holes for spinach; therefore, they could increase profits to IDR 7,496,783 with the potential increase of 7.38%. This shows that selecting vegetable types and resource allocation can be optimized to achieve maximum profits.

Pengelolaan Limbah Anorganik di Dusun Ajung Kulon Melalui Pelatihan Wasteminaponik Skala Komunal Dusun

Inorganic waste management is a community problem, especially in Jember Regency. Lack of public knowledge about inorganic waste management is still a major problem. People in Ajung Kulon, Ajung village still throw rubbish carelessly, especially in rivers, which has an impact on the environment around residential and agricultural land areas. This community service activity aims to provide knowledge of inorganic waste management to the women recitation group Al-Mukhlisin in Ajung Kulon. Community service activities were carried out with several activities, namely socialization about waste, training and implementation of wasteminaponic cultivation starting from making huts, assembling installations, sowing seeds, planting vegetable, raising fish and harvesting. The implementation of this community service was conducted 2 wasteminaponic installations with 50 planting holes per installation. Implementing this community service can also increase partner competency, including: 1) Increasing knowledge about how to manage inorganic waste, which was initially only 30.7% and increased to 100% after training. 2) Increase partner creativity in managing waste, especially inorganic waste. Partners' interest in wasteminaponic cultivation after training was 100% from 15 respondents. 3) 80% of partners were able to improve their skills regarding science and technology regarding product logo design using a simple application installed on their smartphone. 4) Increase knowledge and skills about good product packaging to increase product selling prices. 5) Partners are able to market products by utilizing their social media, namely WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram.

The Organically Cultivation Techniques of Curly Chili in Handayani Farming Group, Sidokaton Village, Gisting District

Abstract: This community service aims to guide chili farmer groups, especially the Handayani farmer group, to start cultivating chili plants organically on their farming land.There were three stages of the implementation method used, namely increasing knowledge, increasing skills and evaluation. Increasing knowledge was given through lectures to provide knowledge about the cultivation of organic chili plants, botanical pesticides and production of compost made from Azolla pinnata; followed by skills improvement by making botanical pesticides, propagating Azolla pinnata and making compost, demonstration plots of chili plants and then evaluation. Guidance for demonstrations on how to cultivate organic chilies started with planting seeds on the ridge, applying azolla compost to the planting holes, then planting chilies and applying botanical pesticides. Farmers planted chilies in beds that had been made as many as 192 plants which were divided into 6 beds. Afterwards, there were carried out the maintenance activities, controlling pests and diseases with the application of botanical pesticides, and harvesting along with post-harvest handling. This activity would be monitored. Monitoring was carried out once a month, especially at the end of each group of practiced cultivation activities. As an indicator of success, the results of the activity evaluation showed an increase in knowledge of organic farming concepts of 55% and an increase in skills of 85%. Keywords: Sidokaton village, Pesticide Organic, Azolla pinnata

PENGHIJAUAN DALAM UPAYA MENINGKATKAN PEDULI LINGKUNGAN DI DESA BOIDU KECAMATAN BULANGO UTARA KABUPATEN BONE BOLANGO

Cultivation activities are activities from cultivated forests that cover large areas and the skills required are sufficient. Planting includes species selection, field preparation, stake installation, planting hole making, seed transportation, shelter. The purpose of this activity is as an activity in the tridharma of higher education, one of which is community service) and also to raise awareness in the village community about the importance of planting so that it can increase the type of vegetation and the role of plants in absorbing CO2 gas and storing groundwater. This activity will be carried out in 2022 starting from the stages of activity planning and implementation of coaching in Boidu Village. The results obtained are that it can increase the type of plant vegetation in the village so that the environment can become cooler, besides that with the presence of plants, the process of absorbing water by plants can reduce air surface runoff. Planting is carried out using wood-producing species and non-timber forest products so that in the future it can be utilized by the community in the form of fruits produced by plants. Keywords : Boidu Village, Greening, Planting

Soil Substrate Characteristics for Planting Hole Greening Technology for High, Steep, Rocky Slope Vegetation in Semi-Arid Areas

Soil substrate plays a central role in the vegetation restoration of high and steep slopes, especially in semi-arid regions. This study aims to develop an optimal soil substrate that can provide a favorable environment for the vegetation growth of the high and steep rocky slopes in semi-arid areas. Within the framework of planting hole greening technology, we developed a synthetic substrate comprising base soil, peat, water-retaining and agglomerating agents, biochar, and controlled-release compound fertilizer. We conducted pot experiments to assess the impact of compound additions on soil properties and Parthenocissus himalayana growth. Field tests on exposed, high, and steep rocky slopes in a semi-arid region validated the optimal ratio of substrate components. The results showed that the base soil-to-peat ratio significantly influenced soil density, moisture, pH, organic matter, nitrogen content, and vegetation growth (Ps < 0.05). The controlled-release compound fertilizer significantly affected soil electrical conductivity and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen content (Ps < 0.05). Meanwhile, the water-retaining agent, biochar, and agglomerating agent had inconsequential effects on soil characteristics and plant growth. The optimal substrate composition included a 7:3 ratio of base soil to peat, 1.5 g/L of water retainer, 10 mg/L of agglomerating agent, 5 g/L of biochar, and 5 g/L of controlled-release compound fertilizer. The field verification showed that the developed optimal substrate possessed desirable pore structure, moisture, and nutrients, resulting in excellent growth of Parthenocissus himalayana. This optimal soil substrate could be suitable for establishing vegetation on high, steep, rocky slopes in semi-arid areas using planting hole greening technology.

Exploring the Feasibility of Integrating Weed and Nitrogen Management with Seed Meals in Organic Vegetables

Corn gluten meal (CGM) and soybean meal (SBM) have demonstrated value as bioherbicides and organic fertilizers, but suggested application rates usually target either weed suppression or crop nutrition, not both. The objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of integrating weed and nitrogen management by evaluating effects of increasing seed meal rates within planting holes of plastic mulch film on weed density, soil nitrogen availability, and crop yield in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea). CGM (10% N) or SBM (7% N) were applied at rates of 0.5, 1, 2, 3.5, or 5 g planting hole−1 N (depending on crop and year) after crops were transplanted, and 40 weed seeds per planting hole were seeded. Weed density decreased with increasing seed meal rate, regardless of type, and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) was more susceptible than the grass weeds tested. Velvetleaf suppression at the 5 g planting hole−1 N rate ranged from 66% to 97%, relative to the weedy control. Soil nitrogen availability increased with the application rate, but ammonium mineralized from seed meals applied at the highest rates were likely phytotoxic to weeds and crops. Seed meals never increased the crop yield and reduced the tomato yield in 2018 by 39% to 64%, relative to the weed-free control. The results suggest that integrating the management of weeds and nitrogen with seed meals in plastic mulch planting holes is not feasible because application rates required for consistent weed suppression are also toxic to crops.

Tecnologias para redução do uso de água no abacaxizeiro em região semiárida

ABSTRACT: In irrigated systems, the adoption of management methods like soil cover, polymers which absorb the water present in the soil and the utilization of shading screens can decrease the water consumption by the plants. This is achieved as these means protect the plant and soil against radiation and wavelengths of light undesirable for cultivation. However, for pineapple cultivation in the semi-arid climate regions, very little study has been done regarding these technologies. Hence, the present study conducted to assess the pineapple growth, production and quality when various kinds of soil cover, red shading screen and water absorption polymers are employed. To accomplish this, a field trial was performed utilizing four types of soil cover in the plots (plastic mulching; organic matter; organic matter + red shading screen 50%; plastic mulching + red shading screen 50% and the control (no cover).Two treatments were included in the subplots namely, either the absence or presence of a water-absorbing polymer in the planting hole (0.5 g per plant), arranged in subdivided plots. We adopted the Randomized Complete Block (RCB) , with three replications. The following aspects of the plants were studied: naturally flowering, stem diameter; leaf area index; D-leaf area and total leaf area; fruit weight with crown; fruit weight without crown; fruit length with crown; and fruit length without crown, as well as the traits of the post-harvest fruit, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and the soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio. Further, the productivity in t ha-1 and efficiency of water use (EUA) were ascertained. It was evident that the plastic mulching + 50% red shading screen favored the vegetative development and productivity of the ‘IAC Fantástico’ pineapple plants. The characteristics of the quality of the postharvest fruit were unaffected by the treatments. The shading screen reduced the percentages of natural flowering in the treatments which included organic matter + red shading screen 50% and plastic mulching + red shading screen 50%.

The effectiveness of flow-through substrateless hydroponics in the adaptation of strawberry microplants

A new approach to the adaptation of test-tube strawberry microplants under flow-through hydroponics conditions was tested. The study was carried out on strawberry cultivars “Asia”, “Florence”, “Kimberly”. Murashige-Skoog medium was used for in vitro cultivation. During propagation, 1.0 mg•L-1 6-BAP was added to the medium, during elongation - 0.05 mg•L-1 6-BAP, and during rooting - 1.0 mg•L-1 IBA. Plants were grown in vitro in a light room at a temperature of 23±1°C, a 16-hour photoperiod and a light intensity of 5-6 klx. Flow hydroponics was used to adapt microplants. Plastic containers with dimensions of 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.04 m (volume 9 l), specially prepared for working in a hydroponic system, were taken. They were covered on top with non-woven polymer material, perforated with planting holes with a diameter of 3-4 mm according to a 4 x 4 cm pattern (150 pcs/box), into which plants were planted. This reduced labor costs for adaptation and ensured the efficiency of the operation to 86- 100% within 1 month.

Planting of Nectar Plants as Feed of Butterflies Imago in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park

Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park is a forest area designated as a conservation area in Sulawesi. The diversity of flora and the presence of unique wildlife supported by the karst ecosystem are the basis for the protection of thia area. Community presure and habitat destruction is the causes of decreasing butterfly populations. Habitat rehabilitation need to be carried out in order to maintain the butterfly population. The understanding of diversity of butterfly species and the selection of protective tree species and animal nests or food are important aspects for sustainableliyty. Most of the types of forage plants are unknown species, so an understanding of planting methods in the field is needed. The research was conducted in observing the diversity of Rhopalocera (butterfly) species as a preliminary research and planting nectar-producing plants as the main research. Research result showed that Nymphalidae family is highest in species diversity index, Nymphalidae and Papilionidae family are highest in richness index, and all famiies are lowin species dominance index and evenness index. Nimphalidae and Papilionidae family is the largest species has been found. Planting nectar plants i.e mali-mali and dao on degraded land with fertilization treatment showed the best results are 600 grams per planting hole for mali-mali and 900 grams per planting hole for dao.

Gas exchange and yield of yellow passion fruit under different irrigated depths, planting hole volumes, and hydroretentive polymer application

Passion fruit cultivation relies on irrigation to increase yields in the semiarid of northeastern Brazil. Water scarcity is one of the factors that most affect crop physiology, leading to lower yields. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of planting hole volume and application of a hydroretentive polymer on physiological and productive aspects of irrigated yellow passion fruit cv. BRS GA1 in the Northeast semi-arid region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, in a split-plot design 2 × (2 × 2). Treatments consisted of irrigation depths (100% and 70% of the crop's evapotranspiration requirement - ETc), planting hole volumes (64 dm3 and 128 dm3), and soil with and without application of hydroretentive Polymer (1.5 g dm3), with four replicates and three plants per plot. The analyzed variables included chlorophyll a and b indices, gas exchange, and yellow passion fruit yield. The findings showed that hydroretentive polymer application to the soil increases chlorophyll content and gas exchange in yellow passion fruit. Moreover, photosynthetic rates were not limited by a 30% reduction in irrigation depth and increased in plants grown in 128-dm3 planting holes with hydroretentive polymer. Based on yield results, irrigation depths can be reduced to 70% of the ETc by applying hydroretentive polymer in 64-dm3 planting holes.

Design Development and Performance Evaluation of Two-Row Corn Seed Planter

One of the main requirements for small-scale cultivators is that they can be used in small plots of land and have simple design and technology. However, many planting tools on the market today are not suitable for narrow land conditions. Therefore, this study aims to design and develop a corn seed planter that can be operated in narrow areas and can improve seed planting efficiency and accurate seed placement. The research parameters observed were the distance between plants, the depth of the planting holes, the number of seeds per planting hole, and the efficiency of using the tool. The results of the research show that the planting tools that have been designed and developed are very easy and practical to operate by farmers on narrow land. The distance between plants varies between 21.3 – 24.2 cm. The depth of the planting hole ranges from 5.4 – 7.1 cm. The distribution of the number of holes filled with 0 seeds was 3.00%, filled with 1 seed was 90.38%, and filled with 2 seeds was 6.62%. Planter efficiency data is 85.61%. This data shows that this cultivator meets the minimum standards for the manually operated cultivator category. Keywords: Distance between seeds, Efficiency, Empty hole, Land productivity, Planting hole.