Pot Culture Research Articles

Effect of Zinc and Silica Solubilizing Microbial Consortia on Soil and Plant Nutrient Status in Paddy

Effect of zinc and silica solubilizing bacteria and their consortia on paddy was studied under pot culture conditions at Agricultural Research Station, Janagamaheswarapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India. Thirteen treatments were assessed for availability of nutrients viz., Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc and Silica in soil and concentration of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in plant at 45, 90 and 120 days after sowing (DAS). Significantly highest nitrogen (189.3, 249.4 and 239.7 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (34.6, 61.8 and 38.5 kg ha-1), potassium (214.2, 347.9 and 232.1 kg ha-1), zinc (0.78, 0.99 and 0.86 ppm) and silica (60.1, 90.8 and 78.4 ppm) were recorded in T13 (RDF + ZnKJJ-4 & ZnPGG-1 + SiKPP-1 & SiPYY-3) at 45, 90 and 120DAS. In plant, nitrogen (0.79, 0.99 and 0.89 %), phosphorus (0.37, 0.58 and 0.49 %) and potassium (1.78, 2.18 and 1.89 %) were significantly highest in T13. There was increase in available nutrient content upto 90 DAS which then decreased at 120DAS. It is inferred that consortia of two zinc solubilizing and two silica solubilizing microorganisms (T13) is useful for increased availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc and Silica in soil and increased uptake of NPK by rice plant.

Spore Production and Inoculum Formulation of Claroideoglomus Etunicatum and its Application in Maize (Zea Mays)

Recently, the demand for AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi) fertilizer for agriculture, plantation, and forestry in Indonesia has been very high. Meanwhile, the unavailability of an applicable AMF inoculum that's easy to use and inexpensive is one of the constraints on AMF application as a fertilizer in the field. It indicates that the best formulated inoculum must be found. The study aimed to produce AMF spores using conventional and hydroponic system, formulate the best AMF inoculum, and measure the growth response in maize (Zea mays) after applying the formulated inoculum. In the formulation stage, the study was designed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 1 factor. The factor was the type of formulation. Data were analyzed using SAS software version 9 and further tested using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% alpha (α) level. The results reported that the conventional pot culture technique (CVNE2) treatment that had been inoculated by Claroideoglomus etunicatum produced the highest spore density amount of 350 ± 6.97 per 10 g of zeolites (P<0.05). On the other hand, the hydroponic NFT (NFTE2) treatment that had been inoculated by C. etunicatum obtained the highest AMF percent colonization amount of 98% ± 2.66% (P<0.05). Analysis of variance in the formulation stage showed TZ60F1 treatment had a significant effect (P<0.05) in increasing plant height, the number of leaves, and dry weight of Zea mays, respectively 120 cm ± 1.7 cm; 15 ± 0.84; 26.3 g ± 2.46 g in 3 months after application.

Bioactivity evaluation and active compounds identification of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus as potential botanical herbicide.

Evaluation of herbicidal activity and identification of active compounds are important bases for the development of new botanical herbicides. This study confirmed that Symphoricarpos orbiculatus has high herbicidal activities against mono-dicotyledonous weeds, including Echinochloa crusgalli, Digitaria sanguinalis, Amaranthus retroflexus and Portulaca oleracea. By bioassay-guided isolation, 12 compounds were isolated and identified from S. orbiculatus for the first time, including iridoids: naucledal (K1), loganin (K2), loganigenin (K3), loganin acid (K4), glucologanin (K5) and vogeloside (K6), as well as flavonoids: quercetine (K7), luteolin (K8), nobiletin (K9), astragalin (K10), isorhamnetin 3-d-glucoside (K11) and rutin (K12). Biological assays showed that iridoids are the main active ingredients of S. orbiculatus. The compounds of K5 and K6 could inhibit both the root (IC50 = 37.54 and 38.91 μg mL-1, respectively) and shoot (IC50 = 42.78 and 45.72 μg mL-1, respectively) of Portulaca oleracea, which have a weeding toxicity similar to that of the commercialized plant-based herbicide pelargonic acid. In addition, the results of pot culture assay showed that S. orbiculatus ethanol extracts had high fresh weight control effect against Digitaria sanguinalis and P. oleracea at the concentration of 40 g L-1. After 7 days, both the soil treatment and the stem and leaf spray method resulted in severe leaf necrosis and significant leaf etiolation. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus and its herbicidal active compounds have the potential to develop into botanical herbicides, and are first reported in the present study. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Ageratum Houstonianum on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Triticum Aestivum (Wheat)

Invasive plants are species that do not belong in a particular habitat but enter and establish themselves there. They are known for their adaptability and competitiveness in different environmental conditions. They tend to compete with crops for crucial resources, including water, light, and nutrients and can hinder crop growth and development through allelopathy. The aim of the current research was to investigate the allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of Ageratum houstonianum on the germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings. The aqueous extracts were obtained from the leaves of A. houstonianum at various concentrations, including control, 25%, 50%, and 100%, and applied to pot and petri-plates cultures. The experiment was set up with 5 replicates for both the Petri plates and pot cultures. The study results showed that A. houstonianum aqueous leaf extracts had a significant impact on the germination and growth of T.aestivum. The concentrated (100%) aqueous leaf extracts of A. houstonianum significantly hindered the germination of seeds and growth parameters of T. aestivum. Additionally, the extract treatments of the weed species resulted in changes in soil pH and soil fertility. When invasive weed species grow alongside crops in fields, they may consume a significant number of resources required for crop growth, leading to a decrease in both the quantity and quality of agricultural output. Hence, this study highlights the potential adverse effects of invasive weeds on crop growth and development, and how they can negatively impact agricultural productivity. Therefore, there is a need for effective management strategies to control the spread of invasive weed species and preserve the productivity of agricultural land.

Effect of four different types of vermicomposts on okra productivity and farm income

Organic based fertilizers is crucial for maintaining soil fertility, increasing crop production, and mitigating climate change. Among various organic fertilizers, vermicompost (VC) has been found to be one of the promising options for enhancing soil fertility and productivity. However, there are limited studies on the agronomic effects of vermicomposts in Nepal. In this study, a pot culture experiment was conducted inside a greenhouse to assess the agronomic and economic effects of four different commercially available vermicomposts, available in both reduced and original moisture forms, on okra. Nine treatments with three replications were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). These treatments included Divya vermicompost with both reduced (DvRM: 28.82 %) and original moisture (DvOM: 62.17 %); Praramva vermicompost with reduced (PvRM: 29.63 %) and original moisture (PvOM: 54.65 %), Bio-Comp vermicompost with reduced (BvRM: 26.75 %) and original moisture (BvOM: 49.77 %), Sathi vermicompost with reduced (SvRM: 28.52 %) and original moisture (SvOM: 65.18 %), and a control (CK: non-fertilized treatment). All VC treatments, whether in reduced or original moisture forms, showed better performance on plant growth parameters and fruit yield compared to the control. There was no significant difference between the four types of VCs, in either moisture form. The average number of fruits per pot in VC treatments (ranging from 5.5 to 8.0 fruits per pot) increased by 94 % compared to CK (3.5 fruits). Similarly, total fruit yield increased by 126 % in VC treatments (ranging from 16213 kg ha−1 to 23193 kg ha−1) compared to the CK (8260 kg ha−1). The benefit to cost ratio (B:C) of all the VCs was above 1 (B:C > 1), ranging from 1.00 to 1.59, illustrating the economic benefit of using vermicompost in okra cultivation. The findings suggest that farmers should consider the widespread use of vermicomposts to increase both crop productivity and farm profitability, thereby sustaining their livelihoods.

Revisiting the Correlation Between the Valdivia and San Pedro Ceramic Complexes (Based on Technological Characteristics)

This article presents the results of a study of ceramics associated with the Valdivia and San Pedro complexes at the Real Alto site, southwestern Ecuador. The test sample, studied in 2022, includes fragments of vessels from two morphological and functional groups, relating to the first two phases of the Valdivia culture (bowls and pots) and those representing the San Pedro complex (vessels with necks and a bowl). A comparative analysis was based on identified technological indicators marking various stages of pottery manufacture. Certain differences are seen in the composition of paste and in the hand-shaping of the vessels. Significant differences were revealed in surface treatment and decoration. This is evidenced by the use of colored and plain coating, high-quality solid or matte striped polishing, and complexity of decoration. Distinctive features of firing include the use of different kilns and various atmospheric modes. Parallels include broadly similar firing temperatures. The technological difference between the two morphological and functional groups of the Valdivia complex is that bowls were manufactured with more complex and labor-consuming techniques, whereas pots are technologically somewhat similar to those from San Pedro. Radiocarbon dates (4640–4450 BP) suggest that the two traditions coexisted. Differences may reflect their cultural distinctness.

A Comparative Analysis of Uptake and Accumulation Pattern of Iron in Indian Barnyard Millet and Rice

The present study focuses on how Fe accumulation and re-mobilization pattern differs between Indian barnyard millet and rice at different growth stages. Screening Indian barnyard millet accessions resulted in identification of MDU 1, as the highest accumulator of Fe in seeds. Further, pot culture studies were conducted with MDU 1, ACM-16-5 (low seed Fe accumulating barnyard millet accession) and a rice variety (ASD 16). The accumulation pattern of Fe in the seeds of MDU 1, ACM-16-5 and ASD 16 was influenced by re-mobilization of nutrients from non-flag leaf, flag leaf, root and stem during flowering and maturity. The expression of metal homeostasis genes such as YSL16, ZIP2 and ZIP8 in leaf and root tissues of MDU 1 at the flowering stage appear to play a vital role in Fe absorption and translocation. Remobilization of nutrients from various plant parts to seeds at flowering and maturity stage is efficient in barnyard millet. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(2): 257-264, 2024 (June)

Impact of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle and liquid leachate of mushroom compost on agronomic and biochemical response of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) under saline stress.

The cultivation of ornamental horticultural crops under salinity stress has been a challenge for growers all over the world. In this study, an attempt was made for pot cultivation of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L. var. Pusa Basanti Gainda) in salt-stressed (SS) soil (150 mM) with the combined use of mushroom compost leachate (CL) and foliar application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs). For this purpose, a total of six pot treatments, i.e., borewell water (BW; control), T1 (BW with SS), T2 (BW with SS and TiO2-NPs), T3 (CL supplemented), T4 (CL with SS), and T5 (CL with SS and TiO2-NPs) were conducted in triplicate. The results of this study showed that CL supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) improved the physicochemical i.e.,pH (14.5%), electrical conductivity (32.9%), total nitrogen (27.4%), total phosphorus (247.6%)), and nutrient (organic matter: 119.6%) profiles of soil which later helped in higher growth (30-35%) and yield (5.4-40.7%) of T. erecta. In CL-based treatments, the biochemical constituents were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in BW-irrigated ones. Also, the levels of selected stress defense enzymes were significantly increased under SS treatment but reduced under TiO2-NP application. Overall, it was observed that the combined application of CL and TiO2-NPs (T5 treatment) was the most helpful treatment for enhanced germination, growth, yield, biochemical parameters, and better plant enzymatic activities to cope with saline stress. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of T. erecta plants under saline stress which is crucial for the development of targeted interventions aimed at improving plant tolerance to saline conditions.

In vitro and in vivo Effect of Weeds (Root) Extracts on Soil Borne Fungal Phytopathogens and Fungal Infected Legume Crop Bengal Gram (Cicer arietinum)

Background: Weed management during growing season has been a serious problem for many years. Worldwide, a 10% loss of agricultural products can be attributed to the competitive effect of weeds, despite their intensive control. Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chenopodium album L. is an annual weed of cultivated fields. Methods: This investigation was done in 2020-2021. Root parts of both weeds Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chenopodium album were collected from a nearby area, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. To determine the antifungal potentials of both weeds Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chenopodium album root extracts were determined by the food poisoning method against fungal phytopathogens. Methane, Ethyl acetate, Butyl alcohol, Benzene and Water-soluble root extracts of both weeds at different concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) were used against fungal phytopathogens growth in laboratory conditions and also used on fungal infected related attributes of Bengal gram in a pot culture experiment in 1:10 ratio. Antioxidants of both weed extracts were done by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods. Result: Findings showed that application of 15% concentrated extracts has maximum antifungal effects against Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsi (70-80%). In the pot experiment, we find that at increased concentrations of methanolic extract (15%) infected Bengal gram crops show high effectiveness against fungal phytopathogens and improve different parameters such as germination, plant physiology and morphological characteristics. However, higher concentrations of methanol extract promoted these parameters and reduced fungal growth in both in vivo and vitro conditions Results of this study reported highly significant suppressive effects of higher concentrations (10% and 15%).

Root-to-shoot signaling positively mediates source-sink relation in late growth stages in diploid and tetraploid wheat

Non-hydraulic root source signaling (nHRS) is a unique positive response to soil drying in the regulation of plant growth and development. However, it is unclear how the nHRS mediates the tradeoff between source and sink at the late growth stages and its adaptive mechanisms in primitive wheat. To address this issue, a root-splitting design was made by inserting solid partition in the middle of the pot culture to induce the occurrence of nHRS using four wheat cultivars (MO1 and MO4, diploid; DM22 and DM31, tetraploid) as materials. Three water treatments were designed as 1) both halves watered (CK), 2) holistic root system watered then droughted (FS), 3) one-half of the root system watered and half droughted (PS). FS and PS were designed to compare the role of the full root system and split root system to induce nHRS. Leaves samples were collected during booting and anthesis to compare the role of nHRS at both growth stages. The data indicated that under PS treatment, ABA concentration was significantly higher than FS and CK, demonstrating the induction of nHRS in split root design and nHRS decreased cytokinin (ZR) levels, particularly in the PS treatment. Soluble sugar and proline accumulation were higher in the anthesis stage as compared to the booting stage. POD activity was higher at anthesis, while CAT was higher at the booting stage. Increased ABA (nHRS) correlated with source-sink relationships and metabolic rate (i.e., leaf) connecting other stress signals. Biomass density showed superior resource acquisition and utilization capabilities in both FS and PS treatment as compared to CK in all plants. Our findings indicate that nHRS-induced alterations in phytohormones and their effect on source-sink relations were allied with the growth stages in primitive wheat.

Zinc-exchanged montmorillonite clay: A promising slow-release nanofertilizer for rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This study is to examine zinc exchanged montmorillonite (Zn-MMT) as a potential slow release nanofertilizer for rice crop. The effective intercalation of zinc within the montmorillonite inter layers was firmly established via analytical techniques including Zeta potential, FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The efficacy of Zn-MMT was examined by evaluating its ability to facilitate controlled zinc release, as confirmed through an incubation study. Subsequently, the kinetics of zinc release was analyzed by different mathematical models such as Zero-order kinetics, First-order kinetics, the Higuchi model, and the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. From the pot culture study spanning 90 days the results indicated that Zn-MMT had significantly high plant height, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Dry Matter Production (DMP), number of tillers per hill, panicles length, increased grain and straw yield, in comparison with conventional zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). Total phenol, total protein and total chlorophyll content were significantly at higher levels with Zn-MMT treated rice crops as compared to conventional fertilizers and control. A similar trend was seen with phytochemicals such as Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Carbonic Anhydrase (CA). Notably, rice grains harvested from Zn-MMTtreated crops exhibited significantly higher zinc content than those using other treatments. This Zn-MMT can be confirmed as a better alternative to conventional zinc sulphate fertilizers owing to its slow-release of nutrient into the soil and thus increased zinc use efficiency.

THE EFFECT OF ZINC ON WHITE-BACKED PLANTHOPPER INFESTATION, RICE PLANT BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES CROP YIELD, AND INSIGHTS FOR SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT

The white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, has emerged as a highly destructive rice crop pest, leading to significant annual yield losses. Excessive zinc (Zn) can be detrimental to plants, but the role of Zn on herbivorous insects remains uncertain. In this research, we conducted a pot culture experiment in the Kharif season 2017 at the Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. The aim was to investigate the effect of Zn (in the form of Zn EDTA or ZnSO4) when applied as a basal or foliar spray, either alone or in various combinations, on the WBPH. Our findings revealed that the population of WBPH in the control group of rice plants was at its highest (79.20) at 60 days after transplanting (DAT) compared to the groups treated with Zn. Further, an analysis of 60-day-old plant samples showed that applying Zn increased levels of chlorophyll, phenols, and soluble protein content. In addition, there was an elevation in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Simultaneously, this treatment decreased the levels of total free amino acids, total soluble sugars, and proline content. Both increase and decrease in respective biochemical parameters were indicators of an induced antibiosis mechanism in rice plants against the WBPH. The correlation analysis between the WBPH population and various plant biochemical parameters showed that the WBPH population was inversely correlated with total chlorophyll, phenol, soluble protein content, as well as the activities of SOD, POD, and PAL. Conversely, it positively correlated with total free amino acids, soluble sugars, and proline content. Therefore, this research has provided valuable insights into the presence of Zn, which significantly influences the population of WBPH, suggesting a potential avenue for WBPH control and rice yield improvement through strategic Zn application.. KEYWORDS :Antibiosis, Biochemical parameters, Enzymes, Rice, Zinc

Methyl jasmonate enhances the safe production ability of Cd-stressed wheat by regulating the antioxidant capacity, Cd absorption, and distribution in wheat

Identifying green and effective measures for reducing wheat Cd toxicity and grain Cd accumulation is crucial. This study used seedling sand culture and full-grown pot experiments of wheat cultivars ‘Luomai23’ (LM) and ‘Zhongyu10’ (ZY). The purpose was to determine the effects of exogenous MeJA on the phenotype, photosynthesis, antioxidant system, Cd accumulation and distribution, transporter gene expression, and cell wall properties of Cd-stressed wheat. Compared with Cd treatment alone, the plant height and maximum root length treated with 0.001 μM MeJA increased by more than 6.3% and 16.6%, respectively. Under 5 mg⋅kg−1 Cd treatment, spraying 10 μM MeJA increased the photosynthetic rate of LM and ZY by 23.5% and 35.8% at the filling stage, respectively. Methyl jasmonate significantly reduced the H2O2 and MDA contents by increasing the activities of POD, DHAR, MDHAR, and GR and the contents of AsA and GSH. Applicating MeJA increased the content of chelate substances, cell wall polysaccharides, and cell wall functional groups. Besides, MeJA regulated the expression of Cd transporter genes, with shoot and root Cd content decreasing by 46.7% and 27.9% in LM, respectively. Spraying 10 μM MeJA reduced Cd absorption and translocation from vegetative organs to grains, thus reducing the grain Cd content of LM and ZY by 36.1 and 39.9% under 5 mg⋅kg−1 Cd treatment, respectively. Overexpressing TaJMT significantly increased the MeJA content and Cd tolerance of Arabidopsis. These results have improved the understanding of the mechanism through which MeJA alleviates Cd toxicity and reduces Cd accumulation in wheat.

Broadening the genetic base of the diploids with biotic resistance to accelerate banana (Musa acuminata L.) breeding

Success of banana (Musa acuminata L.) breeding mainly depends on the male diploid parents used in the hybridization program. Developing intermediate diploid breeding lines with fertile pollen production ability, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and fruit quality through the diploid x diploid strategy is the key step in improving commercial cultivars. Till now, at the global level only a limited number of diploid accessions is being used in banana breeding programs. In the present study, through the diploid x diploid breeding strategy, the genetic diversity of diploids has been broadened by developing nine polleniferous biotic-stress-resistant diploid lines. Among these, except for two progenies (P), all were resistant to the eumusae leaf spot disease. A single progeny (P 134) showed resistance to root-lesion and root-knot nematodes, whereas P 148 showed moderate resistance to root-knot nematodes alone. Three progenies of cv. Rose x Pisang Lilin (P 427, P 428 and P 429) were moderately resistant to banana stem weevil. Irrespective of cross combinations, barring two, all other progenies exhibited resistant reactions to fusarium wilt, Foc race 1 under both hot spot and pot culture screening. Among the nine diploid progenies, P 427, P 428 and P 429 were the best prospects to contribute multiple resistance against pests (banana stem weevil) and diseases (eumusae leaf spot and Foc race 1), whereas P 134 could be used as the resistant source for root-knot nematodes. The pyramiding of resistant/defense-related alleles in the progenies has been confirmed through SSR markers associated with Foc resistance. These polleniferous resistant improved diploid progenies are the potential source for accelerating the banana breeding program for improving biotic resistances in the triploid commercial cultivars through reconstructive breeding and/or for stacking the resistant genes in other genetic backgrounds.

Response of Potassium Humate Extracted from Different Organic Sources on Yield and Quality of Green Chilli

Aim: In recent trend of organic farming, use of humic substances plays important role, as it act as biostimulants to boost the yield of crop. Humic substances can be easily obtained by locally available organic sources. Hence, three different organic sources viz. Farm Yard Manure (FYM), vermicompost, lignite were characterized for their physico-chemical properties and quality parameters along with nutrients to judge their quality and maturity to extract humic substances. The potassium salt of humic acid extracted from these three sources were used as foliar application at different concentrations to study their effects on yield and quality of green chilli. Study Design: The pot culture experiment was conducted in Completely Randomized Design comprising eleven treatments with three replications. Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted in rabi season 2021-22 at College of Agriculture, Karad, Maharashtra, India. Methodology: Three organic sources viz. Farm Yard Manure (FYM), vermicompost and lignite were used to extract humic substances (humic and fulvic acid). These organic sources were studied for their physico-chemical properties and quality parameters along with their nutrient status to compare their quality and maturity for extraction of humic substances. Humic substances obtained from these different sources were studied for their content and characteristics. The potassium humate extracted from these organic sources were used in a pot culture study on green chilli, comprising eleven treatments and three replications. The different levels of potassium humate (200 to 600 ppm) were used as foliar application on transplanted chilli at 30 and 45 days after transplanting (DAT) along with recommended dose of fertilizers (GRDF) for studying its effects on yield and quality of green chilli. Results: Among all the three organic sources, vermicompost was reported as the best organic source to extract humic substances from its physico-chemical properties viz. pH (6.9), EC (0.3 dS m-1), water soluble organic carbon (0.76 %) and C:N ratio (18.0), which are considered as quality and maturity parameters to obtain good quality humic substances. Nutrient status for macro and micronutrients were reported to be higher in vermicompost followed by FYM and least content in lignite. In the pot culture experiment, the foliar application of potassium humate extracted from vermicompost resulted in significant improvement in fresh and dry yield of chilli fruit and stalk as compared to potassium humate application extracted from FYM and lignite. Among the various concentrations used (200-600 ppm) for the foliar application of potassium humate, application @ 400 ppm extracted from vermicompost along with GRDF (T7) was reported as the best treatment resulting in significantly increase in the fresh and dry yield of chilli fruits and stalk. Further, it was noticed that the same treatment was observed to be effective in significant improvement of the ascorbic acid content as quality parameter in fresh green chilli fruits.

Effect of Phloridzin on the Growth, Development and Glycoalkaloid Contents of &lt;i&gt;Solanum viarum&lt;/i&gt; Dunal

Phloridzin, a chalcone derivative possessing plant growth regulating properties was applied as foliar sprays at fortnightly intervals on Solanum viarum Dunal plants grown under pot culture conditions starting from early seedling to the flowering and fruiting of the plants. The treatments consisted of 0 (control), 1, 10, 100 and 1000 mg/l of phloridzin. The physiological effects of phloridzin at different concentrations on the vegetative growth and development and the glycoalkaloid contents of the berries were studied. It was concluded that phloridzin at the highest concentration stimulated plant height, leaf number and yield of berries, whereas the lowest concentration increased the yield of solasodine only.

Effect of Fish Bone Meal on Major Nutrients Uptake in Tomato

A pot culture experiment was carried out to study the effect of fish bone meal application on uptake of major nutrients by tomato crop during the rabi season. Application of the mineral fertilizer (DAP) with raw and acidulated fish bone meal (RFBM and AFBM) at different levels were imposed and the nutrient content and uptakes of major nutrients by tomato plant and fruits were recorded. 187.5 kg P2O5 as DAP + 62.5 kg P2O5 as AFBM recorded significantly higher NPK uptake which led to enhancement in biomass of tomato crop.

Seed germination demonstrates inter-annual variations in alkaline tolerance: a case study in perennial Leymus chinensis

Background and aimsThe escalating issue of soil saline-alkalization poses a growing global challenge. Leymus chinensis is a perennial grass species commonly used in the establishment and renewal of artificial grasslands that is relatively tolerant of saline, alkaline, and drought conditions. Nonetheless, reduced seed setting rates limit its propagation, especially on alkali-degraded grassland. Inter-annual variations have an important effect on seed yield and germination under abiotic stress, and we therefore examined the effect of planting year on seed yield components of L. chinensis.MethodsWe grew transplanted L. chinensis seedlings in pots for two (Y2), three (Y3), or four (Y4) years and collected spikes for measurement of seed yield components, including spike length, seed setting rate, grain number per spike, and thousand seed weight. We then collected seeds produced by plants from different planting years and subjected them to alkaline stress (25 mM Na2CO3) for measurement of germination percentage and seedling growth.ResultsThe seed setting rate of L. chinensis decreased with an increasing number of years in pot cultivation, but seed weight increased. Y2 plants had a higher seed setting rate and more grains per spike, whereas Y4 plants had a higher thousand seed weight. The effects of alkaline stress (25 mM Na2CO3) on seed germination were less pronounced for the heavier seeds produced by Y4 plants. Na2CO3 caused a 9.2% reduction in shoot length for seedlings derived from Y4 seeds but a 22.3% increase in shoot length for seedlings derived from Y3 seeds.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate significant differences in seed yield components among three planting years of L. chinensis under pot cultivation in a finite space. Inter-annual variation in seed set may provide advantages to plants. Increased alkalinity tolerance of seed germination was observed for seeds produced in successive planting years.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Streptomyces: brothers in arms to shape the structure and function of the hyphosphere microbiome in the early stage of interaction

BackgroundFungi and bacteria coexist in a wide variety of environments, and their interactions are now recognized as the norm in most agroecosystems. These microbial communities harbor keystone taxa, which facilitate connectivity between fungal and bacterial communities, influencing their composition and functions. The roots of most plants are associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, which develop dense networks of hyphae in the soil. The surface of these hyphae (called the hyphosphere) is the region where multiple interactions with microbial communities can occur, e.g., exchanging or responding to each other’s metabolites. However, the presence and importance of keystone taxa in the AM fungal hyphosphere remain largely unknown.ResultsHere, we used in vitro and pot cultivation systems of AM fungi to investigate whether certain keystone bacteria were able to shape the microbial communities growing in the hyphosphere and potentially improved the fitness of the AM fungal host. Based on various AM fungi, soil leachates, and synthetic microbial communities, we found that under organic phosphorus (P) conditions, AM fungi could selectively recruit bacteria that enhanced their P nutrition and competed with less P-mobilizing bacteria. Specifically, we observed a privileged interaction between the isolate Streptomyces sp. D1 and AM fungi of the genus Rhizophagus, where (1) the carbon compounds exuded by the fungus were acquired by the bacterium which could mineralize organic P and (2) the in vitro culturable bacterial community residing on the surface of hyphae was in part regulated by Streptomyces sp. D1, primarily by inhibiting the bacteria with weak P-mineralizing ability, thereby enhancing AM fungi to acquire P.ConclusionsThis work highlights the multi-functionality of the keystone bacteria Streptomyces sp. D1 in fungal-bacteria and bacterial-bacterial interactions at the hyphal surface of AM fungi.3XiVYVBxkNucerLC-WX6ofVideo

A new Schizophyllum commune strain as a potential biocontrol agent against blueberry root rot.

In recent years, blueberry root rot has been caused mainly by Fusarium commune, and there is an urgent need for a green and efficient method to control this disease. To date, research on Schizophyllum commune has focused on antioxidant mechanisms, reactive dye degradation, etc., but the mechanism underlying the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms is still unclear. Here, the control effects of S. commune on F. commune and blueberry root rot were studied using adversarial culture, tissue culture, and greenhouse pot experiments. The results showed that S. commune can dissolve insoluble phosphorus and secrete various extracellular hydrolases. The results of hyphal confrontation and fermentation broth antagonism experiments showed that S. commune had a significant inhibitory effect on F. commune, with inhibition rates of 70.30% and 22.86%, respectively. Microscopy results showed distortion of F. commune hyphae, indicating that S. commune is strongly parasitic. S. commune had a significant growth-promoting effect on blueberry tissue-cultured seedlings. After inoculation with S. commune, inoculation with the pathogenic fungus, or inoculation at a later time, the strain significantly reduced the root rot disease index in the potted blueberry seedlings, with relative control effects of 79.14% and 62.57%, respectively. In addition, S. commune G18 significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme contents in the aboveground and underground parts of potted blueberry seedlings. We can conclude that S. commune is a potential biocontrol agent that can be used to effectively control blueberry root rot caused by F. commune in the field.