Potted Plants Research Articles

Effect of different fertilizer types on three millet crops grown in the humid tropics of Nigeria

Northern Nigeria is predominantly known to produce millet due to the low rainfall associated with the climate. However, Changes in climatic factors over the years has resulted in the shift in crop production as some crops that were adaptable to the semi-arid regions become increasingly adaptable to tropical rainforest regions. Hence there is the need to study millet in the humid tropics of Nigeria. The objectives of the studies was to determine the performance of 3 millet types treated with different fertilizers types in the humid tropics of Nigeria. The experiment was conducted in the Department of Crop Science Screen-house situated at the Research and Teaching Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. The experiment was a 3 x 6 factorial set up in a completely randomized design which includes 3 millet crop types (Gero, Maiwa and Tamba) and 6 fertilizer types (Abuscular mycorrhiza (AM), Trichoderma hazianum (TH), NPK (15:15:15; 60 kg/ha), AM+NPK (15:15:15 at 30 kg/ha), TH+NPK and Control (C)). Growth and yield variables were measured every 3 weeks for 12 weeks and the data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Means were separated using Fishers-protected LSD at 5% level of probability. Millet types were significantly different with Gero and Maiwa having higher mean performance over Tamba millet. However, Gero millet was the only plant to attain flowering and subsequent grain yield during the period of the study. The fertilizer types were significant only on yield and yield components. Grain yield of Gero millet with TH+NPK had the highest yield (>100g plant-1) and wider grain diameter (>2.0 mm) than other fertilizer types. AM fertilized plants had the heaviest grain weight and was significantly heavier than the grains obtained from plants in control pots. Millet types can be grown in the humid tropics of Nigeria under controlled condition as observed in the study. They can grow vegetatively with little or no fertilizer, but the grain yield could be enhanced with Abuscular mycorrhiza and Trichoderma hazianum as biofertilizers in combination with NPK fertilizer. Application of this finding will reduce the amount of inorganic fertilizer that will be solely required for millet production by 50% and consequently promote environmental sustainability. Under controlled conditions, Gero millet can be cultivated for both forage and grains whereas Maiwa and Tamba millets could be cultivated for forage in the humid tropics of Nigeria.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Golovinomyces ambrosiae on Solanum carolinense in Korea.

Solanum carolinense L. (Solanaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the southeastern United States. The plant has been invasive in Europe, Australia, and Asia. It was accidentally introduced to Korea in the 1960s (Oh et al. 2002) and is now widely naturalized mostly in the southern area of the Korean peninsula. Since 2002, it has been designated as one of 'harmful non-indigenous plants' by the Korean Ministry of Environment due to its adverse effects on native plants. In September 2014, several S. carolinense plants were found infested with a powdery mildew disease in Busan, which was the first for Korea. Later in 2020-2022, hundreds of plants were continuously observed with an approximately 50% disease incidence in Jeonju, Korea. Symptoms first appeared as circular to irregular white patches, which subsequently coalesced to develop into abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves. Representative voucher specimens were deposited in the Korea University herbarium (KUS-F28240 and F32541). Hyphal appressoria were nipple-shaped. Conidiophores were cylindrical, 110 to 190 × 10 to 12 µm, and produced 2 to 5 immature conidia in chains with a sinuate outline. Foot-cells of conidiophores were straight, cylindrical, and 58 to 90 μm long, followed by 2 to 3 cells. Conidia were ellipsoid to barrel-shaped, 29 to 36 × 15 to 20 μm (l/w 1.6 to 2.0), and devoid of distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were at the perihilar position of the conidia. Sexual stage was not developed. These morphological characteristics are consistent with those of Golovinomyces ambrosiae (Schwein.) U. Braun & R.T.A. (Braun and Cook 2012). Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and large subunit (LSU) gene of rDNA were determined using primer pairs ITS1/PM6 and PM3/TW14, respectively (Bradshaw and Tobin 2020). A comparison of the resulting sequences using the BLASTn algorithm showed 100% identity with reference sequences of G. ambrosiae (MT355556, AB769425) and G. spadiceus (MN365027) for ITS and LSU in NCBI. Obtained sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos: OP585651-OP585654). A Maximum parsimony tree was constructed based on ITS+LSU dataset consisting of 23 sequences. Our sequences were clustered with sequences of G. ambrosiae, G. latisporus and G. cichoracearum, and supported with 100% BS value. A pathogenicity test was performed by gently dusting conidia onto leaves of five healthy potted plants. Five non-inoculated plants served as controls. Powdery mildew colonies developed on all inoculated plants after 5 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated leaves was morphologically identical to that observed on the originally diseased leaves, which supports Koch's postulate. Previously, Erysiphe cichoracearum (syn. of G. cichoracearum) was recorded on this plant in theUSA (Farr and Rossman 2022). Since G. cichoracearum has been divided into several distinct species (Takamatsu et al. 2013, Qiu et al. 2020), the current taxonomic position of the North American isolate is unknown. In Korea, G. ambrosiae was reported on several asteraceous hosts such as Bellis perennis, Brachyscome multifida, Helianthus annuus, H. salicifolius, and Verbena bonariensis (Farr and Rossman 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew on this plant outside the USA. According to our field observations, powdery mildew infestation had little effect on plant growth and vigor.

An Analysis of the Growth and Photosynthetic Responses of Potted <italic>Veronica pusanensis</italic> Y.N.Lee according to the Shading Levels

Background and objective: Veronica pusanensis, an endemic species of South Korea belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, is found in Busan, South Korea. Due to its high ornamental value, it is expected to be utilized as a flower crop. However, currently it is an endangered species with its habitats being destroyed and reduced.Methods: Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the growth and photosynthetic responses of potted plants of V. pusanensis under different shading levels to enable mass production. Polyethylene (PE) shading films were selected as the shading material, and shading levels were designed at 0, 35, 45, 60, 75, and 99%, respectively.Results: Results showed that shoot height, shoot width, ground cover, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content (SPAD units), and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv/Fm and PIABS were highest under the 35% shading level. This indicates that it is relatively more desirable to grow V. pusanensis in shade culture compared to under direct sunlight. Meanwhile, root fresh weight and dry weight were highest under the 0% shading level.Conclusion: Therefore, it is recommended to grow V. pusanensis under direct sunlight to significantly increase root biomass when the purpose is to facilitate rootage when transplanting plants for habitat restoration. On the other hand, for the cultivation of V. pusanensis as an ornamental flower crop, it is recommended to grow the plants under the 35% shading level to significantly increase plant sizes and maintain ensure the proper functioning of photosynthetic responses in photosystem II (PSII).

Influence of container, potting media and nutrients on production and post-production consumer acceptance of potted marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

Production of potted plants is influenced by factors viz., type of container, potting medium, nutrient dose. A study was conducted to standardize these factors for potted French marigold var. Arka Pari. The treatments comprised of two type of containers (plastic and coir), three potting media [red soil + FYM + sand (1:1:1 v/v), Arka fermented cocopeat (AFC), AFC + vermicompost (1:1 v/v)] and four nutrition concentrations (160:30:180 ppm N:P: K, 128:24:144 ppm N:P: K, 96:18:108 ppm N:P:K and 3% Jeevamrutha) laid out in factorial completely randomized design replicated thrice. Plants grown in potting media combination of Arka fermented cocopeat (AFC) + vermicompost (1:1 v/v) along with weekly application of nutrient solution (128:24:144 ppm NPK) produced maximum number of flowers plant-1 (147.61) and registered highest uptake of nitrogen (2.87 g plant-1), phosphorus (0.53 g plant-1), potassium (3.24 g plant-1), magnesium (0.85 g plant-1) and sulphur (0.21 g plant-1). Based on the attributes of the potted plants, this treatment combination also registered the highest score (81.2 on a scale of 100), willingness of the consumers to purchase (4.5 on a scale of 5), overall acceptability (2.7 on a scale of 3) and the benefit cost ratio of 1.18.

First report of Fusarium fujikuroi causes leaf spot in Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce in China.

Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce, a member of Liliaceae, is one of the traditional Chinese herbal plants mainly used in Jilin, Hubei, Guangxi, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Hunan and Guangdong provinces. Leaf spot disease of P. odoratum was continuously observed in the Planting Demonstration Garden in Changsha (28 °48 N; 113° 34E), Hunan Province of China, in May 2021 and May 2022. The symptoms initially appeared as tiny reddish-brown spots and continued to expand, resulting in round, oval, or irregular tan lesions with necrotic, film-shaped, or perforated central tissues. Leaf spot disease affects approximately 60-70% of plants. For pathogen isolation, symptomatic leaf samples were collected and disinfected with 70% ethanol for 30 s and 3% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, followed by rinsing with sterile distilled water. Subsequently, small pieces (3 × 3 mm) of diseased tissues were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated in the dark at 25 °C for 24 h to 36 h. The emerging fungal hyphal tips were transferred to PDA and purified by the single-spore method (Yu, et al., 202). In total, 50 disease spots were isolated, and 10 cultures with the same appearance were obtained. Two strains coded as hnxryzy and hnxryzy01 were randomly selected for identification. After 6 days of culture in PDA, dense pink colonies were observed with a mean radial growth rate of 7.5 mm/day. Strains cultured 6 days on synthetic low nutrient medium, microconidia were oval or ovate (7.5-9.67 µm × 2.49-3.57 µm(n=50)), and macroconidia were sickle-shaped and slightly curved, gradually tapering at both ends, with 2-5 pseudoseptate (10.01-22.14 µm × 2.07-4.22 µm (n=50)). These morphological characteristics were consistent with the description of Fusarium fujikuroi (Fang, et al., 2021). Furthermore, primers ITS1/ITS4, EF728F/EF986R, Bt2a/Bt2b, RPB1-F5/RPB1-R8 and fRPB2-5F2/fRPB2-7cR (Li, et al., 2013, Xie, et al., 2022) were used to amplify the partial region of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) , the translation elongation factor EF-1α,β-tubulin,polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1) and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) genes from strains hnxryzy and hnxryzy01, respectively. Amplicons were sequenced by Tsingke Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The expected sequences of ITS, EF-1α, β-tubulin, RPB1 and RPB2 of hnxryzy and hnxryzy01 were obtained. The sequence alignment of hnxryzj and hnxryzj01 with the Fusarium ID databased and NCBI shows the following results: The sequences of ITS region, EF-1α, β-tubulin , RPB1 and RPB2 of strain hnxryzy (GenBank accession nos. ON797440, ON820553, ON820554, OP413443, and OP413445, respectively) and strain hnxryzy01 (GenBank accession nos. ON965284, ON968721, ON968722, OP413444, and OP413446, respectively) were 99% to 100% identical to those of F. fujikuroi (GenBank accession numbers CP023090, KC874784, MN490089, MN193916, and MN193888, respectively). Then a phylogenetic tree based on EF-1α, RPB1, and RPB2 sequences was constructed (Torres-Cruz, et al., 2022). The strains hnxryzy and hnxryzy01 were more closely related to F. fujikuroi ( NRRL13566 GenBank accession nos. AF160279, JX171456, and JX171570, respectively), with bootstrap values of 99%. Two sets (5 plants in each set) of potted plants were used in pathogenicity assays. Wounded leaves were sprayed with conidial suspensions (100 µL, 1×107 spores/mL) and sterile water as control. Inoculated plants were covered with plastic bags for 24 h, and maintained at 25 ° C in 12/12 h light/dark conditions in the greenhouse (Yu, et al., 2022). Pathogenicity assays were repeated thrice. Dark brown spots identical to those seen in the field were observed 14 days after inoculation, while the control leaves did not exhibit any symptoms. In this study, the pathogen F. fujikuroi was successfully reisolated from the leaves of inoculated samples showing symptoms, thereby verifying Koch's postulate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. fujikuroi inducing leaf spot on P. odoratum in China. Since F. fujikuroi is a common pathogenic fungus that infects different plant species(Qiu, et al., 2020), more attention should be paid to its prevalence in P. odoratum and the potential risk of outbreak in other provinces of China.

Bacillus Composted Paddy Husk as a Plant Nutrient Source to Promote Vegetative Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Maize

Paddy husk (PH) is a waste generated from rice production that can be composted into organic fertiliser. Ligninolytic active Bacillus spp. from termite gut were added during the composting process to enhance the agronomic properties of compost produced from PH. This pot study was conducted using maize (Thai Super Sweet hybrid F1) as a test crop to determine the effects of using Bacillus composted PH in supplementing essential nutrients when used in tropical agricultural soil. A total of 144 planting pots, consisting of 12 treatments, were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three blocks, three replications and four sub-samples per replication. Maize growth namely plant height and leave number were recorded from 14 until 48 days after planting. Maize plants were harvested at 48 days after planting (tasseling stage) and total plant dry weights were recorded. Each plant part was ground and analysed for total N, P, K, Mg and Ca. Soil samples from the pots were sampled and analysed for TOC, pH, EC, total N, total P, available P, K, Mg and Ca. The results at 48 days after planting showed that Bacillus composted PH contributed to an increased by 24.29 to 31.67% in plant height, 53.84 to 61.61% in total plant dry weight and 9.09 to 16.67% in leaf number when compared to plants supplied with standard fertiliser. The use of Bacillus composted PH also improved soil pH, increased soil total N, total P, exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg. Maize treated with Bacillus composted PH showed higher nutrient uptake by 42.79 to 67.89% N, 30.05 to 56.25% P, 61.39 to 70.34% K, 47.39 to 69.94% Ca, and 76.62 to 83.74% Mg when compared to maize treated with standard fertiliser. This study suggests that Bacillus composted PH can promote vegetative growth in maize by acting as soil amendment and providing sufficient nutrients to the plant. Therefore, Bacillus composted PH has great potentials in promoting a more environmentally friendly and sustainable cropping practices which can benefit the environment and society.

The Education of Home Herbal Utilization As Healthy Drink for Virus Antidote

The herbal drink in Indonesia has a fast development for its easy usage and minimum side effect. Some house plants have metabolite compounds with an important role as antiviral such as rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Curcuma domestica Val, Zingiber officinale, Cymbopogon citratus, and Pandanus amaryllifolius R. The purpose of our community empowerment activities was to introduce the benefits of house plants for supporting health, particularly as an antiviral during a pandemic. The method of community empowerment activities was carried out by explaining the example of home plants, their bioactive compound content, and their health benefits. The community was also taught to make simple and practical healthy drinks. The results showed that the community became more aware of the benefits of roselle and turmeric so that they did not doubt making a healthy drink to be consumed regularly during the pandemic. The results showed that about 85% of the community understood the benefits, and 90% were able to make herbal drinks. The conclusions of these community empowerment activities were going well. The community understood the benefits of house plants as an antiviral during a pandemic and succeeded in making simple healthy drinks from house plants.

Nanosilica modulates C:N:P stoichiometry attenuating phosphorus toxicity more than deficiency in Megathyrsus maximus cultivated in an Oxisol and Entisol

Silicon (Si) nanoparticles can attenuate nutritional disorders caused by phosphorus in forages through nutritional homeostasis. This paper aims to evaluate the effects of P deficiency and toxicity in Megathyrsus maximus cultivated in two types of soils and to verify whether Si application via fertigation can mitigate these imbalances. The following two experiments were carried out: cultivation of forage plants in pots with Entisol and Oxisol, in a 3 × 2 factorial design, with three nutritional levels of phosphorus (deficient, adequate, and excessive) and two Si concentrations in the irrigation water (0 and 1.5 mmol L−1). Height, number of tillers, rate of leaf senescence, dry matter production, C:N, C:Si, C:P, and N:P ratios; and C, P, and N use efficiencies were evaluated in two growth cycles. P imbalances hampered carbon assimilation, C:N:P homeostasis, and dry matter production. Nanosilica fertigation promoted silicon uptake, improving C:N:P homeostasis and nutritional efficiency in plants under P deficiency and toxicity. Leaf senescence was reduced with addition of Si in plants grown in Oxisol in the three nutritional states of P. Silicon attenuated the stress caused by P toxicity in Entisol and Oxisol, improving production in plants without nutritional stress in Oxisol. The supply of Si nanoparticles in the cultivation of M. maximus can contribute to a more efficient and sustainable use of phosphorus in pastures.

Management of Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn Resistance to Glyphosate Herbicide in Indonesia

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn, commonly known as goosegrass or wiregrass, is a type of grass that is widespread in many parts of the world. The broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate is most frequently used in Indonesian oil palm plantations to get rid of weeds and other undesirable plants. However, improper rotation of herbicide types by farmers has led to an increased risk of resistant weed emergence. This investigation tries to validate E. indica’s glyphosate resistance, investigate mutations in the EPSPS gene of the resistant biotype, and determine the type of herbicides that can control E. indica glyphosate-resistant biotypes. The whole plant pot test method was used to measure the resistance level, while DNA sequencing using the PCR method was conducted on all samples to identify mutations in the EPSPS gene of the resistant biotype. The study results showed that all biotypes of E. indica were identified as resistant to glyphosate but susceptible to propaquizafop, ametryn, and sulfentrazone herbicides. Several biotypes, such as the North Sumatra biotype, were identified as having multiple resistances to glyphosate, paraquat, and ammonium glufosinate. Thr102Iso and Pro106Ser amino acid substitutions were found in the EPSPS gene of E. indica-resistant biotypes. The findings of this study showed that E. indica was resistant to paraquat and ammonium glufosinate; further research is required to determine the mechanism.

ASSESSING EYE GAZE PATTERNS BETWEEN INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED DESIGN SKETCHERS

AbstractOne difficulty with sketching pedagogy is the tendency to assess growth according to outcomes, as opposed to processes. We assessed eye gaze patterns between advanced and intermediate design sketchers and anticipated correlations between eye-gaze practices and sketching proficiency. Participants sketched two different objects using analogue materials, a potted plant from memory, and a MacBook from observation.The study utilised Tobii 3 adjustable eye-tracking glasses and Tobii Pro data processing software. Twenty-five design sketching students and six design sketching instructors participated in the study.Metrics measured include the quantity of reference line gazes, eye movement during line creation (targeting vs tracking), eye fixation duration, work checks per minute and subject gazes per minute.The results show a difference in gaze patterns between intermediate and advanced sketchers, both in terms of practice and consistency. Eye-tracking sketching behaviours has revealed a new understanding of how teaching gaze habits could lead to improved methods of design sketching instruction.

Stone's Throw and Ten Paces

A Stone’s Throw was created as a class project for an undergraduate first-year writing class and is partially based on my own experiences growing up close to a wooded trail in northern Minnesota. My initial intention for the story was to write and illustrate a simple narrative about the mental health benefits of nature exposure, based on both my personal experiences and the findings of several previously published research articles. The basic goal of the story is to introduce the reader to the concept of interacting with nature as a restorative experience, and portray experiencing nature as an accessible activity that requires no prior knowledge or particular skill set.
 Ideas for reflection:
 
 Nature can be present around you in many ways, from a state park to a garden to a simple potted plant. What types of nature do you notice around your neighborhood? What types of nature might your students notice?
 In the narrative, nature journaling is portrayed as one form of interaction with nature. What other forms of interaction could you engage with and/or teach to your students?

Performance of Two Varieties of Tomato Solanum lycopersicum L as Affected by Two Concentration of Hydroponic Solution

The effects of two distinct nutrient solutions were evaluated on two tomato varieties in a hydroponic system enclosed within a screen house over the course of 12 weeks. At three weeks of age, tomato seedlings previously cultivated in a nursery were transplanted into a Kratky hydroponic system, which involves the placement of plants in a net pot, where the growing media is secured by a lid and hung above the water. All of these were held in a container containing dissolved nutrients at two solutions different in concentrations, including both major and trace elements diluted at varying levels. Growth parameters were observed and recorded over a five-week period at weekly intervals, starting from the week after transplantation. In addition, data on yield, including fruit weight, diameter, and number, were collected at harvest and documented that both concentrations (i.e. 100% and 75%) were observed to give substantial results in terms of yield. However, the 100% concentration gave a better performance in all the parameters taken.

Aedes aegypti oviposition-sites choice under semi-field conditions.

Vector control is still the recommended approach to avoid arbovirus outbreaks. Herein, we investigate oviposition preferences of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) females under a semi-field structure Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For that, in Experiment 1, we used two settings: 'Single items', which included as containers drain, beer bottle, bucket, car tyre, water tank, and a potted Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) in a saucer with water, or 'Multiple containers', as an urban simulation, in which one drain, two additional beer bottles, and an extra plant pot saucer were added. Experiment 2 (sensory cues) used five variations of potted plant, each one varying in the range of sensory cues known to attract gravid females to oviposition containers. Our results indicate that gravid Ae. aegypti prefer to oviposit close to the ground and in open water containers with organic compounds from plant watering. Domestic large artificial containers containing tap water received significantly fewer eggs, except for the car tyre, which exhibited as many eggs as the potted plant. We also show that visual (potted plant shape) and olfactory clues (odour of the plant or from water containing organic matter) were equally attractive separately as were these stimuli together.

In vitro bioaccessibility of Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn in basil (Ocimum Basilicum L. Grecco a palla) after cadmium intoxication

Cadmium is a toxic element which can be accumulated in the edible parts of plants compromising an entire food chain with serious damage to the living organisms, presenting synergistic and antagonistic effects with the elemental bioaccessibility. In this work, a simulated gastrointestinal digestion was performed to assess the in vitro bioaccessibility of Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn in basil samples after Cd intoxication. The hydroponic cultivation was made in a Hoagland solution at different concentrations (0, 1.5 and 3.0 µmol L-1). Elemental concentration was achieved using a microwave-assisted acid digestion after the growing up of the plants in vermiculite pots by 15 days. The in vitro gastrointestinal procedure was applied in fresh and lyophilized leaves followed by a clean-up step in a sonoreactor cup horn using 1 mL of the extract, 100 µL of HNO3 and 500 µL of H2O2 by 5 minutes. The results showed that Cd bioaccessibility was statistically different at 95% confidence level (p < 0.05) for the lyophilized and fresh leaves samples. The in vitro bioaccessibility increased with concentration in the contamination treatment. Moreover, a high positive correlation was observed between Cd-Fe and Cu-Zn, and a negative correlation between Cd-Zn and Fe-Zn in lyophilized and fresh leaves, respectively, suggesting that the absorption of essential elements was affected by Cd.

Effect of growing media on growth and flowering of potted marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) irrigated with treated sewage water

The present study was undertaken with an objective to evaluate the effect of different soil-based and soilless growing media compositions supplemented with treated municipal sewage water and tap water in different ratios on growth and flowering of potted marigold. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design comprising four media substrates (Soil, burnt rice husk [BRH], farmyard manure [FYM] and cocopeat [CP]) mixed in four different proportions (M1 to M4) and five irrigation levels (I1 to I5) of different combinations of tap water (TW) and treated sewage water (TSW). Results revealed that the media substrate composition (M4) comprising CP + BRH + FYM (25:25:50) was found to be suitable for sustaining the growth of potted marigold plants. The media had relatively higher percent N, P & K with acceptable pH and EC. The marigold plants raised in M4 media irrigated with TSW (100%) preformed significantly well for vegetative and floral characters, essential for a specimen display without any visual phytotoxicity symptoms. Number of flowers per plant and days to flowering duration were observed significantly higher in M4 compared to other media treatments. The analysis of TSW (100%) revealed higher N (0.91 ppm), P (1.67 ppm), K (24.13 ppm) with pH (7.73) and EC (2.10 ds m−1) in acceptable range.

First report of Fusarium oxysporum causing stem spots on Polygonatum odoratum in China.

First report of Fusarium oxysporum causing stem spots on Polygonatum odoratum in China.

Performance Test of Solar Power Plant as a Source of Electricity in Mini Greenhouse

The potential of solar energy in an area is very dependent on the position between the sun and the position of the region on the earth’s surface. Greenhouse is house plant with environment plant that can controlled through devices electronics. The power electricity is needed for lights, water pumps, and another electronic component. This study aims to test the performance of solar panels as a source of electricity in a mini greenhouse and to determine how long it takes to charge the battery. This research was conducted at the Laboratory of Agricultural Equipment and Machinery Production Management, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Andalas University. The result of this result is system mini greenhouse that consist of 2 solar panels type monocrystalline 100 Wp, Solar Charge Controller MPPT type, Inverter, Accu VRLA, cable, switch. Power generation results Sun this produce 2 outputs or output, i.e. tension and strength current. Tension and strong generated current fluctuate. This thing caused no stable intensity the sun at the moment testing field done. From use burden lamp of 20 watts obtained voltage Accu starting 12.87 V. From testing charging Accu who have conducted needed 8 hours for charging with voltage 13V.

First report of Phyllosticta capitalensis causing leaf spot of Mahonia fortunei in China.

Mahonia fortunei, belonging to the Berberidaceae family, is widely cultivated in fields, parks, courtyards, and roadsides for its excellent ornamental characteristics and medicinal values in southern China (Yu and Chung 2017). In May 2021, leaf spots were observed on nearly 60~80% of M. fortunei plants growing in Chongqing Normal University campus (29°36'42″N; 106°17'59″E) from Chongqing City, China. The typical symptoms on leaves were irregular spots with gray centers, brown edges, and chlorotic halos, about 1 to 7 mm in diameter, and eventually coalesced forming larger necrotic areas. Twenty symptomatic leaves were randomly sampled from five diseased plants. Tissues were cut from the lesion margins and surface sterilized in 75% ethanol for 1 min, rinsed thrice with sterile water, dried on sterilized paper, plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates, and incubated at 25°C for 7 days in the dark. A total of 20 isolates were obtained from the infected leaves. Pure colonies of all fungal isolates had similar characteristics, and three isolates were randomly selected (SD11, SD18, SD19) for further study. Colonies of this fungus were olivaceous greenish to olivaceous black with a granular surface, and irregular light olive edges, finally turning black on PDA. Pycnidia were black, globose, granular, and in clusters. Conidia (n=30) were hyaline, aseptate, unicellular, obovoid to ellipsoid, narrow end with single apical appendage, and 7.5~11.2 × 4.5 ~6.5 μm. The DNA of three isolates were extracted and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, actin (ACT), and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) genes were amplified and sequenced using the primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), ACT512F/ACT783R, and ER728F/EF986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), respectively. The sequences of three isolates were 100% identical, and one representative isolate SD18 were deposited in GenBank (ON231754, ITS; ON246259, ACT; and ON246258, TEF1). Sequence analysis revealed that the consensus sequences of ITS, ACT, and TEF1 of isolate SD18 was 99 to 100% identical to each sequence of an Indonesian strain (CBS 117118) of P. capitalensis from Musa acuminate (FJ538339 for ITS, FJ538455 for ACT, FJ538397 for TEF1). Phylogenetic analysis using Maximum Likelihood and concatenated sequences (ITS+ACT+TEF1) with MEGA7 placed isolate SD18 in P. capitalensis with 100% bootstrap support. Based on these morphological and molecular characteristics, the isolates were identified as P. capitalensis (Wikee et al. 2013). To fulfill Koch's postulates, 8 healthy potted plants were inoculated with 106 conidia/ml suspension of isolate SD18 by spraying the leaves, and another 8 plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water as control. All plants were covered with plastic bags for two days and then arranged in a greenhouse with 80% relative humidity at 25°C. The pathogenicity test was repeated thrice. After 18 days inoculation, the similar symptoms were observed on the inoculated plants, whereas control plants remained healthy. The pathogen was reisolated from symptomatic tissue and identified as P. capitalensis by the methods described above. P. capitalensis has been reported causing leaf spot on various host plants around the world (Wikee et al. 2013), recently found on tea plant, castor, and oil palm (Cheng et al. 2019; Tang et al. 2020; Nasehi et al. 2020). This is the first report of P. capitalensis causing leaf spot on M. fortune in China, and will establish a foundation for controlling the disease.

The Effectiveness of Local Rhizobacteria Formulations in Increasing The Growth and Production of Rice Plants in Merauke

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of acetoin-producing rhizobacteria formula in promoting growth and increasing local rice yields in Merauke. This in vitro ponder was conducted at the Biopesticide Research facility, Staff of Horticulture, Udayana College. This think about was carried out within the test cultivate of the Staff of Agribusiness, Udayana College, Denpasar. This think about focused on four rhizobacteria segregates that have been recognized to be tried to fortify the development of rice plants. The rice assortment utilized was the Ciherang assortment, which was frequently developed by cultivating communities in Merauke Rule. The test plan utilized was a Randomized Piece Plan (RBD), comprising of 4 replications. Each replication comprised of 6 medications, to be specific 4 rhizobacteria separates and 2 medicines for comparison. The four rhizobacteria confines were Rg21, Pd13, Pd7, and Bb7. Whereas the 2 medicines as a comparison were Unadulterated Acetoin (Dad ) and control. Each treatment was rehashed 10 times so that the whole reiteration was 240 rice plant pots. The pot measure utilized was a surface with a distance across of 30 cm and was filled with developing media. The results of the study showed that the mechanism of action of the rhizobacterial formula in increasing rice yields was the presence of acetoin compounds and derivative compounds such as 2-Butanone, 3-hydroxy, 2,3-butanediol, diacetate, 2,3-Butanediol (CAS), 2-Butanone, 3-acetyloxy, and 1,4-Dioxane. These compounds were produced by rhizobacteria in the rhizosphere, which helped plants achieve acetoin homeostatic conditions so that plants could increase plant height, leaf area, number, number of productive tillers, panicle length, percentage of filled and empty grain, and reduce amylose content. The treatment of Merauke local rhizobacteria formula carried out in a greenhouse with a concentration of 2% was effective in promoting growth and increasing rice yields by adding the weight per plant by 52.83% when compared to the control.

Small RNA Profiling of Aster Yellows Phytoplasma-Infected Catharanthus roseus Plants Showing Different Symptoms.

Micropropagated Catharantus roseus plants infected with 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' showed virescence symptoms, witches' broom symptoms, or became asymptomatic after their planting in pots. Nine plants were grouped into three categories according to these symptoms, which were then employed for investigation. The phytoplasma concentration, as determined by qPCR, correlated well with the severity of symptoms. To reveal the changes in the small RNA profiles in these plants, small RNA high-throughput sequencing (HTS) was carried out. The bioinformatics comparison of the micro (mi) RNA and small interfering (si) RNA profiles of the symptomatic and asymptomatic plants showed changes, which could be correlated to some of the observed symptoms. These results complement previous studies on phytoplasmas and serve as a starting point for small RNA-omic studies in phytoplasma research.