Quality Planting Material Research Articles

Assessment of genetic homogeneity of in-vitro propagated apple root stock MM 104 using ISSR and SCoT primers

Apple is an important fruit crop that is always in demand due to its commercial and nutraceutical value. Also, the requirement for quality planting material for this fruit crop for new plantations is increasing continuously. In-vitro propagation is an alternative approach, which may help to produce genetically identical high grade planting material. In this study, for the first time, an efficient and reproducible propagation protocol has been established for apple root stock MM 104 via axillary bud. Culturing axillary buds on Murashige and Skoog apple rootstock (MM 104) resulted in better in-vitro propagation. (MS) basal medium supplemented with 3.0% (w/v) sucrose and 0.8% (w/v) agar. The axillary buds were established in MS basal medium with BA (5.0 µM), NAA (1.0 µM) and further used to establish invitro propagation protocol. Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs), BA (1.0 µM) in combination with NAA (1.0 µM) was found most efficient for shoot multiplication (100%) and produced 9.8 shoots/explants with an average shoot length of (2.4 ± cm). All the shoots produced roots in 0.1 µM IBA with a 5-day dark period. Acclimatization of in-vitro raised plantlets was obtained with vermiculite: perlite: sand: soil (2:2:1:1) resulting in 76% survival under field conditions. The study showed that the use of axillary bud is efficient for multiple-shoot production of apple rootstock (MM 104). This is the first comprehensive report on in-vitro growth of apple root stock MM 104 with an assessment of genetic stability using DNA fingerprinting profiles based on Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) and Start Codon Targeted (SCoT). The genetic stability of in-vitro-produced plants, as determined by SCoT and ISSR primers, demonstrated genetic closeness to the mother plant.

Economic Efficiency of Banana Production in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, India

Aim: Banana cultivation holds significant agricultural importance, contributing substantially to global dietary staples. This study Examines the economic efficiency of banana production in Uttara Kannada district.
 Sampling Design: Employed purposive and multistage sampling, the study focuses on Sirsi and Siddapur taluks, selecting 80 farmers through random sampling.
 Methodology: The research examines resource utilization by employing the Cobb-Douglas production function and evaluate efficiency levels by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA).
 Results: Allocative efficiency in banana cultivation is apparent through positive MVP/MFC ratios for inputs like suckers (15.89), manure (1.91), fertilizers (7.21), machine labor (1.75), and propping material (6.66), indicating underutilization. Conversely, plant protection chemicals (-22.35) and human labor (-1.20) show negative ratios, signifying overutilization. The ratio of MVP to MFC was differed from unity indicating scope for reallocation of expenditure among various resources. Using Data Envelopment Analysis, individual farm technical and economic efficiency was assessed. Banana, Crop I had a mean technical efficiency of 70.30, while Crop II had 49.40. The results highlight room for improvement, especially in Crop II, emphasizing the need for better resource allocation. Major production constraints include labour scarcity, poor planting material, and pest issues. Marketing hurdles encompass price fluctuations, limited storage, and distant markets.
 Conclusion: The study emphasizes the banana cultivation revealed significant impacts of resource utilization on yield, with suckers, fertilizers, and plant protection chemicals showing substantial effects. Allocative efficiency analysis indicated underutilization of resources, suggesting potential for yield improvement. However, farmers face challenges including labour scarcity, quality planting material, price fluctuations, and inadequate storage facilities in production and marketing.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНАЯ ОЦЕНКА СКОРОСТИ РАЗЛОЖЕНИЯ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО ОПАДА В ЕЛОВЫХ И СОСНОВЫХ ЛЕСАХ НА СЕВЕРНОМ ПРЕДЕЛЕ РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЯ

A comparative assessment of the processes of the initial stages of decomposition of plant residues (pine needles, spruce needles, leaves of boreal shrubs, moss thalli) in lichen-shrub pine forests and shrub-green-moss spruce forests formed under natural conditions at the northern limit of distribution was carried out. The characteristics of the litterfall initial composition, the rate of decomposition, and changes in the chemical composition of plant residues in the process of destruction caused by the forest type were studied. The higher initial content of Corg in the plant tissues of pine forests is associated with favourable lighting conditions under the forest canopy, while the high content of Mn in the tissues of ground cover plants in spruce forests is due to the direct influence of spruce needle litterfall rich in this nutrient. The results of the study clearly demonstrated that the forest type has a significant impact both on the initial quality of the litterfall of the same plant species and on the rate of decomposition: in the spruce forest, spruce needles and lingonberry leaves with a higher content of nutrients (Mg, Mn, P) and narrow ratios of elements (C:N, C:P) were characterised by more active decomposition processes. However, green moss litter, despite its high quality in spruce forests, decomposed more actively in pine forests, which may be due to a large amount of precipitation in pine forests. Thus, differences in the rate of decomposition of plant residues are influenced by a combination of the plant material quality, temperature conditions, and precipitation amount associated with the forest type.

СОКРАЩЕНИЕ ПЕРИОДА СТРАТИФИКАЦИИ ПРИВИТОГО ПОСАДОЧНОГО МАТЕРИАЛА ВИНОГРАДА ТЕХНИЧЕСКИХ СОРТОВ

Due to the fact that the classical technology of growing grafted grape seedlings does not provide producers and researchers with the necessary quantity and quality of planting material, in the conditions of the Rostov region in 2020-2022, the effectiveness of pre-inoculation treatment of grafting components with modern drugs of various nature was studied. The studied drugs were Humat+7, Cultimar, NanoKremniy and Radiopharm. According to the research results, for the period 2020-2022, it was found that the pre-inoculation treatment of grape grafting components with these drugs is effective. Stimulation of growth processes provides better callus formation during the stratification period, where on the 15th day after inoculation, the formation of a complete circular callus was noted in 72.2-93.9 % of grafts, which is 18.3-40.0 % more than in the control variant. When analyzing the quality of plants after inoculation, an increase in the number of first-class grafts was recorded from 56.7 % in the control to 64.4-95.0 % in the treated variants. There was also a decrease in the number of second-rate grafts from the lowest possible to 3.9 %. In addition, complete absence of rejections was noted in 6 out of 12 experimental variants with the use of drugs, and in the other 6 variants, where the rejections varied from 3.9 to 16.1 %, the rejecting value was 1.4-5.7 times less than in the control. The highest value of the final yield of seedlings was noted when the rootstock of the grafted seedlings was treated with a solution of the drug Humat +7 and amounted to 53.3 %. In general, all variants that were treated with drugs showed better results than the control variant treated only with water. Key words: GRAPES, CUTTING, VARIETY, SCION, ROOTSTOCK, STIMULANTS, REGULATORS, PAS, GRAFTING

Analysis of markers for forensic plant species identification

While plant species identification in forensics can be useful in cases involving poisonous, psychoactive, or endangered plant species, it can also become quite challenging, especially, when dealing with processed, decaying, colonized or infected material of plant origin. The Animal Plant and Soil Traces expert working group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes in their best practice manual has recommended several markers for plant species identification. Current study is a part of implementation of method in a forensic laboratory and its aim is to evaluate four of the recommended markers (ITS, matK, rbcL, and trnH-psbA) for species identification of forensically important plant species including medicinal, poisonous, psychoactive, and other plants. Such parameters as PCR and sequencing success, sequence length, species resolution rate and species cover in GenBank were analysed. Blind testing was performed to evaluate use of the markers for identification of forensically more complicated samples.According to results, a combination of ITS, matK and trnH-psbA is the best choice for plant species identification. The best results with fresh plant material can be achieved with ITS, trnH-psbA, and matK, while ITS and matK are the best choice when working with low quality plant material. rbcL due to its low species discrimination rate can be used only as an indicative marker.

Direct Plant Regeneration from Nodal Explants of Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad.)

Aims: The present study was undertaken to develop a protocol for in vitro regeneration and multiplication of disease-free quality planting material of Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfad.). Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra, Bengaluru, from 2020 to 21. Methodology: Nodal segments from the young shoots of field growing plants were used as explants to conduct the experiment. The explants were sterilized and placed on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators, namely BAP, Kinetin and Gibberellic acid. Results: Among the different combinations of growth regulators, the combination of BAP 1.0 mgL-1 and GA3 3.0 mgL-1 produced maximum number of shoots (7) from nodal segments Conclusion: The use of growth regulators such as BAP and GA3 is reliable for shoot regeneration even when the field explants are used.

Tree seed supply system in Ethiopia: modeling source and dissemination of priority species

Providing quality planting materials is critical to sustainable forest restoration initiatives. This study aimed to analyze the tree seeding system and to evaluate and model the configuration of the tree seed supply system from the source to the growers. Primary and secondary data were collected in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. A total of 52 sample participants were selected using the snowball method and interviewed using open-ended questionnaires and Likert questionnaires. Data were analyzed using content and gap analysis methods using Atlas. ti version 8 software. The gap analysis revealed a lack of provenance trials, improved tree seeds, priority species in nurseries, and existing legislation. The model configuration was sequenced in tree seed source, procurement, and dissemination. Informal farmer suppliers covered 83 percent of the system. The decentralized-centralized-centralized and centralized-centralized-centralized were configured for the private enterprises and Amhara Forest Enterprise, respectively, as formal seed suppliers. In order to overcome the difficulties in tree seed production, those involved should work on the production of an improved tree.

Production of quality planting material in commercial banana cvs. Rasthali (Silk, AAB) and Neypoovan (Neypoovan, AB) through farmer-friendly macropropagation technique and their field evaluation

Macropropagation is a low cost farmer friendly alternative to tissue culture propagation to cater to the farmers’ need for quality planting material at an affordable cost. Attempts were made to study the effect of age and hot water treatment on macropropagation of cvs. Rasthali (AAB, Silk) and Neypoovan (AB, Neypoovan) in pot and bed methods. Age of the sucker, hot water treatment and propagation method played a vital role on shoot bud production in both the test cultivars. In cv. Rasthali, bed method produced maximum number of plants (50.5) in five months old suckers subjected to hot water treatment in 42.2 days but the same treatment produced only 24.7 plants under pot method. In cv. Neypoovan, five months old suckers subjected to hot water treatment resulted in 23.3 and 16.7 plants in bed and pot methods respectively. Therefore, five months old suckers with hot water treatment under bed method are more appropriate for macropropagation purpose in banana. Results of field evaluation indicated that macropropagated bananas were at par with control in respect of all plant parameters like plant height, bunch weight and fruit parameters like total soluble sugar (TSS) and acidity.

Effect of Growing Media and Cow Urine on Seedling Growth, Leaf Nutrient Status and Economics of Papaya (Carica papaya L.)

In recent decades, research attention is focusing on utilize animal wastes for the quality planting material production with the various growing media. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted on papaya cv. Arka Surya at the nursery unit of the Department of Horticulture, Agricultural University of Kota, Rajasthan to assessment the impact of growing media and organic liquid (cow urine) on seedling growth, leaf nutrient status and economic attributes. This experiment was laid out in a factorial complete randomized design with two factors consisting eleven growing media and two levels of cow urine (with or without). Among different treatments combination used the medium Soil + Sand + Vermiculite + Cocopeat + Perlite (1:1:1:1:1) with cow urine found significantly superior over other treatments and control with respect to maximum leaf area (51.85 cm2), vigour index-I (1550.27 cm), vigour index-II (59.55 g), fresh weight of seedling (2.86 g) and dry weight of seedling (0.42 g) at 75 days after sowing. The highest number of secondary roots (17.00) were also found in the same treatment as compared to rest of the treatments. Further, it was also found superior with relation to maximum nitrogen (1.87%), phosphorus (1.14%) and potassium (2.26%) content. The highest number of stout and healthy seedlings (9000) per 250 g seeds. Therefore, maximum total gross return (₹ 90000) obtained by selling of these seedlings with higher net income (₹ 17363) due to treatment T10-Soil + Sand + Vermiculite + Cocopeat + Perlite (1:1:1:1:1) with cow urine over control. However, it is recommended that Soil + Sand + Vermiculite + Cocopeat + Perlite (1:1:1:1:1) with cow urine should be used for healthier growth and higher nutrient quality with more net profitability.

Effect of Substrates on Germination, Growth and Flowering of Different Winter Annuals

This study was conducted at Centre for Quality Plant Material, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during 2015-16 to 2017-18 to determine the effect of different substrates and their combinations on vegetative growth and flowering of winter annuals (Larkspur, Antirrhinum, California Poppy and Dahlia). Six types of substrates (cocopeat, perlite, vermiculite, vermicompost, Farm Yard Manure and send) were mixed by volume to create seven different treatments. The seeds were sown in the month of October in different treatments to record vegetative and floral parameters. The results showed that using substrate, that mixture of cocopeat with vermiculite and perlite following rate 3:1:1, gave higher and early germination and longer seedling length, seedling root length duration of flowering and earliest flowering and is found suitable for winter annuals nursery raising, vegetative growth and flowering.

In Vitro Propagation Journey of Ornamental Gladiolus (Gladiolus Species): A Systematic Review Analysis Based on More Than 50 Years Research

Traditional gladiolus propagation methods are now supplemented with in vitro propagation to meet the demands of modern floriculture in terms of quick production of disease-free, quality planting material. Due to virus infections, vegetative propagation in gladiolus in the field is slow, and is a serious concern in the propagation of gladiolus. In vitro propagation provides an enormous increase in propagation rate and the ability to produce disease-free plant material. Numerous elements, including cultivars, explant type, size of explants, position of explants on medium, plant growth regulators and certain additives, incubation conditions, and sub-culturing time, all have a significant impact on in vitro clonal propagation of gladiolus plants as well as the development of in vitro cormel efficiency. There are certain obstacles and challenges that arise in the in vitro development of plants and the cormels of gladiolus. However, numerous studies and review reports on gladiolus for in vitro propagation have been reported, but very little is known about the factors influencing gladiolus’ in vitro effectiveness. In the present review, we focused on and analyzed research data accumulated over 50 years on diverse strategies for in vitro propagation such as direct, indirect organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis, as well as various factors such as physical, nutritional, and hormonal influences on in vitro propagation, in vitro cormel formation efficiency, difficulties that arise, and new insights into in vitro development in gladiolus from the available literature worldwide. Future possibilities for further improvement in the in vitro propagation of ornamental gladiolus are also discussed. The current review provides insight into a comprehensive protocol for gladiolus in vitro propagation and emphasizes the importance of continuously advancing tissue culture techniques and factors influencing the in vitro efficiency towards improving in vitro plantlets and cormels in gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.).

Perceived Barriers to the Adoption of Climate Smart Adaptive Livelihood Technology by the Farmers in Flood Prone Areas of Assam

Flood is an annual major natural disaster of Assam. It causes a huge loss to human, animal, crop, infrastructures and natural resources. Since agriculture is the prime source of livelihood and majority of inhabitants resides in rural areas, the impact of flood has a vital role in the living conditions of Assam’s population. In the present study different kinds of barriers were identified which found to create resistance in the resilience building by the farmers in the studied area. Here the Garrett’s ranking technique was used to rank the barriers associated with the resilience building by the farmers in the study area. The problem of limited skills upon climate smart adaptive livelihood technology (CSALT) got the highest mean score of 65.55 and ranked 1st among all the identified problems. However, the last rank was given to the problem of limited resources with farmers to invest in CSALT having mean score 44.44. It was seen that after the extension problem the other key problems in descending order of value were economic problem such as unavailability of quality seeds and planting materials at right time, unavailability of labour in vital period of farming, in addition to which higher wage and lack of post harvest technologies and marketing facilities were also observed along with communication and information problems and socio-personal problem. Moreover reluctance to take up new project due to deprived risk taking ability, lack of awareness and skill on advanced farming technologies, lack of interest in cultivation due to poor return in short term with poor educational status of the farmers were some of the observed barriers.

Exploration and identification of morphological characters of local Samosir shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) accessions for sustainable agriculture

Samosir local shallots are a superior local resource commodity with a very distinctive taste and aroma, more pungent and fragrant, the color is redder and shiny. Currently, Samosir local shallots are experiencing a shortage therefore exploratory research is needed to obtain sources of quality planting material for sustainable agriculture. The objective of the research was to explore and identify the morphological characters of Samosir local shallots accessions at Bakti Raja District. The research method was carried out using a descriptive exploratory method. The results showed that the Samosir local shallots from all the accessions observed had cylindrical leaves with holes, with dark green leaf color, medium leaf size, low leaf density, umbrella-like flower shape, white flower color and purple/white bulb color. There is diversity in the shape of the bulb, namely Siunong-unong Julu accession, Simangulampe 1 and Simangulampe 2 have a globe tuber shape, while Simamora 1 accession has broad elliptic leaf shapes, Simamora 2, Simamora 3, Simamora 4 Marbun Tonga Dolok, Tipang 1 and Tipang 2 has a broad oval shape. Tipang 2 accession had the highest weight of 100 dry shallot bulbs, Simangulampe 1 and Simangulampe 2 accessions had the highest tuber diameter.

Standardisasi dan Pengukuran Kadar Flavonoid Daun Ketepeng Kecil (Senna tora (L.) Roxb.) Menggunakan Metode Spektrofotometri UV-Vis

Sickle senna (Senna tora (L.) Roxb.) is a wild plant that is used by the community as a traditional medicine to treat diarrhea and intestinal worms. In the development of plants as traditional medicines, it is necessary to standardize the quality of plant materials to ensure their quality, stability, and safety. This study aims to determine the standadization of extracts both specifically and non-specifically and to determine the level of falvonoids in the fraction of sickle senna (Senna tora (L.) Roxb.) leaves. This study applies a phytochemical screening test, specific parameter test, non-specific parameter test, and flavonoid levels determination. The result of phytochemical screening shows that the fraction containing flavonoid compounds is 70% ethanol fraction. The results of standardization for specific parameter show the organoleptic ethanol fraction of 70% is in the form of semi-solid/viscous, black color and distinctive smell, with water soluble extract content is 19.08%, and ethanol soluble extract content is 23.35%. the standardization result for non-specific parameter shows that the total ash content is 1.76%, the acid insoluble ash content is 2.890%, drying shrinkage is 4.96%, and water content is 18.80%. meanwhile, metal and microbial contamination show no contamination in the 70% ethanol fraction. The result for the analysis of the flavonoid content of the 70% ethanol fraction. The result for the analysis of the flavonoid content of the 70% ethanol fraction of sickle senna leaves is carried out at a wavelength of 438.36 nm with an absorbance value of 0.0154. The total flavonoid level is calculated by the standard linear equation of quarcetin, which is y=0.0648x + (-0.0232) with a correlation coefficient (r2) = 0,9948 and a total flavonoid content of 4.713%

Cardamom Farming Status in Bangladesh

Cardamom, both small cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) known as the "Queen of spices", is widely utilized for a variety of applications worldwide and has the potential to be an understory high-value crop for the Bangladesh. A first exploratory survey in nine districts of Bangladesh was carried out to identify cardamom farming systems, prospects and constraints in the existing environment. Data were gathered through key informant interviews during February 2020 to January 2021 using questionnaire. About 4,600 small and 980 large cardamom plants have been growing successfully under agroforestry system in Bangladesh for last few years. Azadirecta indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Albizia lebbeck were reported as shade tree for maintaining 60-70% shade for quality production. Time of flowering and fruiting were reported February to March and April to mid-June, respectively. Yield of cardamom was reported about 0.4 to 0.5 kg plant-1. Estimated benefit cost ratio (BCR) was 4.14. Lack of proper information (97%) and quality planting materials (90%) marked as major problems faced by the farmers. Knowledge of cardamon cultivation (0.74) and annual income from cardamon farm (0.94) were showed a significant relationship with number of plants. Enhancing cardamom production on underutilized land could help marginalized people, especially women’s empowerment through income generation, as well as provide various ecosystem services that are closely related to SDGs 1, 2 and 13.

Hydroponic cultivation enhances the morpho-physiological traits and quality flower production in three cultivars (marigold scarlet red, marigold orange, and marigold yellow) of French marigold (Tagetes patula L.)

In soil-less agriculture, hydroponic is considered a potential farming system for the production of uniform quality plant material in significantly less time. Therefore, for the first time, the current investigation corroborates the effect of different cultivation conditions (open-field, poly-house, and hydroponic) on morpho-physiological traits, phenolic content, and essential oil components analysis in three French marigold cultivars (marigold scarlet red, marigold orange, and marigold yellow) of Tagetes patula L. The results revealed that the maximum plant height, number of secondary branches, number of flowers, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were observed under the hydroponic system as compared to other conditions. However, the maximum content of gallic acid (0.82 mg/g dry weight), syringic acid (3.98 mg/g dry weight), epicatechin (0.48 mg/g dry weight), p-coumaric acid (7.28 mg/g dry weight), protocatechuic acid (0.59 mg/g dry weight), ferulic acid (2.58 mg/g dry weight), and luteolin (8.24 mg/g dry weight) were quantified under open-field conditions. However, under hydroponic conditions, the higher content of vanillic acid (0.43 mg/g dry weight), caffeic acid (0.49 mg/g dry weight), and quercetin (0.92 mg/g dry weight) were observed. In addition, a total of nineteen volatile components were identified in the essential oil of different French marigold cultivars (marigold scarlet red, marigold orange, and marigold yellow) T. patula L. cultivated under different conditions. The major reported volatile components in essential oil were (-)-caryophyllene oxide, trans-β-caryophyllene, trans-geraniol, 3-methyl-benzyl alcohol, and 2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene. It has also been observed that the volatile component percentage range in all cultivars was observed in open-field (70.85 % to 90.54 %), poly-house (59.03 % to 77.93 %), and hydroponic (68.78 % to 89.41 %). In conclusion, the research highlighted that maximum morpho-physiological performance with a higher number of flower production per plant was observed under hydroponic cultivation conditions. However, phenolic content and volatile components were maximally observed under open-field conditions. Though, significant results have been reported under hydroponic conditions in all studied parameters, so it could be a potential strategy for quality flower production in T. patula.

Productivity of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) under Trench Protected Structure in Cold Desert Ladakh, India

Early growing season and later harvest season encounter with low temperatures restricting summer squash cultivation commercially in Ladakh. Summer squash cultivation in Ladakh have generally been restricted to limited pockets due to lack of awareness about technological advancement like cultivars and proper protected structure. Moreover, poor quality planting material is also responsible for low productivity even in protected structures. Hence, varietal trial under trenches was conducted with a view to improve yield and availability period. Results revealed that summer squash var. All Green was highest yielder (1206.875 Q/ha) with highest fruit weight (1.838 kg) and number of marketable fruits (5.75). More than 200 per cent increase in summer squash yield is observed in trenches with variety All Green as compared to variety Australian Green. Therefore, production technology comprising trench and summer squash variety All Green might be up-scaled to similar climatic condition with high wind velocity to enhance farm income of the farmers.

The prolonged influence of stimulants on the growth of three-year-old Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) seedlings

Relevance. Currently, one of the main tasks in forestry is to obtain high–quality planting material. Studies are being conducted on accelerated cultivation of coniferous and deciduous plants in forest nurseries with the use of growth stimulants that positively affect seed germination, the growth of biometric indicators, the safety and survival of plants. In this regard, the use of plant growth stimulants, which also include “Zircon” and “Ferovit”, is relevant.Methods. The effect of root feeding with Ferovit and Zircon preparations on morphometric parameters of three-year-old Korean cedar seedlings (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) was studied. Venue: nursery of the Mountain Taiga Station — branch of the Federal Research Center for Biodiversity of Terrestrial Biota of East Asia FEB RAS in 2019—2022. Parameters such as the height of seedlings, height gain, root neck diameter, root length and biomass were studied.Results. It was found that a significant effect is provided by a variant of root fertilization of seedlings with the use of “Zircon” and “Ferovit” at a concentration of 1.5 ml / 3 l of water solution. The indicators of the height of seedlings compared to the control increased by 126.1%, height increase — by 136.7%, root neck diameter — by 20%, root length — by 21.8%, biomass — by 252.1%.

Regulation of cadmium in the soil according to its effect on plants

Introduction. There is discussed the influence of various concentrations of Cd in the soil taking into account their established limiting values on plants in the publication.
 Materials and methods. An express experiment was performed with Cd concentrations (0.5; 1.0; 2.5; 5.0 mg/kg) on Avena sativa L. and Sinapis alba L. using the phytotesting method. In a series of vegetation experiments, cultures of Lactuca sativa var. capitata and Hordeum vulgare L. were used. In this case, the Cd concentration increased to 15 mg/kg.
 Results. A pronounced level of toxicity (>50%) is manifested in the concentration of cadmium above 5 mg/kg, as established in preliminary experiments 
 on podzolic soil. The results of vegetation studies indicate a pronounced negative effect of cadmium at concentrations above 5 mg/kg, regardless of the forms of its intake (State standard sample (SSS) and Cd(NO3)2). The biomass of barley and lettuce plants) is reduced by 54 and 36%, respectively (Cd in the form of SSS) and by 35 and 44% (Cd in the form of Cd(NO3)2). An increase in the content of Cd in the soil at a level of ~8–13 mg/kg accompanied by a high level of its accumulation in plants from 18.5 to 33.0 µg/g.
 Limitations. When studying the effect of cadmium at concentrations of 0.5–15 mg/kg in soil on plants in acute and chronic experiments, the following crops were used: Avena sativa L. and Sinapis alba L., Hordeum vulgare L. and Lactuca sativa var. To restrict a chemical element in the soil-plant system, one should strive to extend the duration of the study and diversify the choice of crops.
 Conclusion. The tested doses of cadmium may have some negative effects and increase the risk to human health. Doses of cadmium corresponding to the approximate permissible concentrations of this element in the soil reduce the quality of plant material, confirmed by its high concentrations.

Combined analysis of inorganic elements and flavonoid metabolites reveals the relationship between flower quality and maturity of Sophora japonica L.

Flos Sophorae (FS), or the dried flower buds of Sophora japonica L., is widely used as a food and medicinal material in China. The quality of S. japonica flowers varies with the developmental stages (S1-S5) of the plant. However, the relationship between FS quality and maturity remains unclear. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q TRAP-MS/MS) were used to analyze inorganic elements and flavonoid metabolites, respectively. A combined analysis of the inorganic elements and flavonoid metabolites in FS was conducted to determine the patterns of FS quality formation. Sixteen inorganic elements and 173 flavonoid metabolites that accumulated at different developmental stages were identified. Notably, 54 flavonoid metabolites associated with the amelioration of major human diseases were identified, and Ca, P, K, Fe, and Cu were postulated to influence flavonoid metabolism and synthesis. This study offers a novel perspective and foundation for the further exploration of the rules governing the quality of plant materials.