Seedling Growth Performance Research Articles

Effectiveness of water-saving techniques on growth performance of Mango (Mangifera Indica L.) Seedlings in Mihitsab-Azmati Watershed, Rama Area, Northern Ethiopia

Even though mango productivity in Ethiopia is low due to moisture stress, there is no report on how such constraint could alleviate using Cocoon water-saving technology. Cocoon is small water reservoir technology which uses for plant growth in dry season. The objectives of this study were to introduce and evaluate effectiveness of water-saving techniques on mango seedlings survival and growth in Mihitsab-Azmati watershed, northern Ethiopia. In this experiment, five treatments of water-saving techniques with mango seedlings were evaluated. These were: Cocoon sprayed by tricel (T1), Cocoon painted by used engine oil (T2), Cocoon without tricel and oil (T3), manually irrigated seedlings (T4) and mango seedlings planted during rainy season (T5). The survival and growth performance of mango seedlings were recorded at six months and one-year after transplanting. Data on plant survival, height, number of leaves per plant, shoot length, stem diameter and crown width were subjected to analysis of variance and t-test. There were significant differences in the treatment effects on mango seedlings transplanted survival, plant height, number of leaves per plant, shoot length, stem diameter and crown width measured at six months and one-year after transplanting. The lowest survival rate (20 %) was found during both data collection time in T5. Six months after transplanting, the highest growth parameters were measured from T1 whereas the lowest was from T5. However, one-year after transplanting, the highest growth parameters were measured from T3. Plant heights increments between the two measurement periods for T3, T2, T1, T4 and T5 were 45.1, 38.5, 24.8, 9.8 and 7.0 cm, respectively; indicating that T3 performed better than the other treatments. The t-test on mean differences between the same growth parameter measured at 12 and six months after transplanting also showed significant differences. The Cocoon water-saving technology was superior in improving mango seedlings survival and growth in the study area. This study generalized that Cocoon seems promising, sustainable and highly scalable with mango seedlings at large-scale in the study area conditions. However, this technology should not be assumed to perform uniformly well in all environmental conditions and with all tree species before demonstrated on a pilot study.

Synergistic effect of KCl, thiourea, GA3 and SA on the germination and early seedling growth enhancement of drought-stressed Malaysian indica rice cv. MR220

Abstract Rice plantation is one of the sectors that severely affected by drought stress worldwide and caused high loss of rice production. Latest, approximately 1164 ha rice plantation was affected due to water scarcity in Malaysia and reduced rice production. This study suggest that treatment by using liquid formulation containing macronutrient and plant growth regulators as one of the strategies to alleviate drought stress in plant growth and development. Hence, this study aimed to assess the synergistic effect of KCl, thiourea (TU), GA3 and SA for the germination and early growth enhancement of drought-stressed rice cv. MR220. MR220 seeds were stressed in -1.2 MPa PEG 6000 solution and germinated in petri dishes containing KCl, TU, GA3 and SA separately for ten days. Results showed that, 1.0 mM of KCl, 2.0 mM of TU, 0.06 mM of GA3 and 1.0 mM of SA were the ideal concentration that enhance the germination and early seedling growth of drought-stressed MR220. Next, the ideal concentrations were combined and the result showed that the best combination treatments for drought-stressed MR220 were 1.0 mM KCl +0.06 mM GA3, 0.06 mM GA3 + 1.0 mM SA and 1.0 mM KCl +2.0 mM TU + 0.06 mM GA3. These combination treatments significantly increased the germination and seedling growth performance of drought-stressed MR220. The combination treatment of 1.0 mM KCl +2.0 mM TU + 0.06 mM of GA3 showed the most effective in improving germination and seedling growth performance of drought-stressed MR220.

Transcriptome and ionome analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium interactions in sorghum seedlings

Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are essential macronutrients for plant growth and development. Although single N, P, or K starvation responses have been well studied individually at the morphological, physiological and transcriptional levels in many plant species, there is little knowledge about their interaction during the combined NPK starvation response. In this study, we compared sorghum seedling growth performance, nutrient concentrations and gene expression profiles between single N, P, and K and triple nutrient deficiencies (–NPK). The results showed that sorghum seedlings have significantly distinct responses to –N, –P and –K. Plants under –NPK conditions showed highly similar performance as –N-treated plants at multiple levels. Most typical –P- and –K-associated responses were modified in –NPK-treated plants. One common cluster was found between plants treated with –N and –P. Two Pi-deficiency tightly linked clusters were also identified using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. Moreover, we identified several ions transport-related genes and possible interactions between nutrients by combined transcriptome and ionome analyses. In this manuscript, we present a comprehensive transcriptome and ionome comparative analysis of sorghum responses to –N, –P and –K and showed –N is apparently prioritized over –P and –K under –NPK conditions. N starvation has a very strong influence on –P and –K responses, and NPK single starvation signaling was integrated into a combined network under multiple nutrient deficient conditions.

Combined allelopathy of Canada goldenrod and horseweed on the seed germination and seedling growth performance of lettuce

The allelopathy on the seed germination and seedling growth performance (SgeSgrPe) of indigenous plant species (IPS) are considered as the main fact of the successful colonization of multiple invaders. The co-invasion of two invaders is common in some natural ecosystems. Thus, it is essential to assess the combined allelopathy of two invaders on SgeSgrPe of IPS to address the mechanisms driving the successful colonization. This study objects to assess the independent and combined allelopathy of two notorious invaders Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) and horseweed [Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.] (using leaf extracts) on SgeSgrPe of the IPS lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) via the incubation experiment in Petri dishes. Specifically, the independent and combined allelopathy of Canada goldenrod and horseweed leaf extracts on most of the seedling growth parameters of lettuce enhanced with the growing concentration of leaf extracts. The independent Canada goldenrod leaf extracts motivate greater allelopathy on most of SgeSgrPe parameters of lettuce compared to the independent horseweed leaf extracts at the same concentration. Consequently, the allelopathy on IPS may act a more prominent role in the successful colonization posed by Canada goldenrod than horseweed supposedly. The combined Canada goldenrod and horseweed leaf extracts trigger significantly higher allelopathy on most of seedling growth parameters of lettuce than the independent horseweed leaf extracts but pose significantly lower allelopathy than the independent Canada goldenrod leaf extracts at the same concentration. Thus, an antagonistic effect of allelopathy could occur after the co-invasions of the two invaders in some ecosystems, especially on the seedling growth of IPS. This implies that the allelopathy of Canada goldenrod and horseweed on the seedling growth of IPS may play a more prominent role in their single invasion process (particularly for Canada goldenrod) than in their co-invasion.

Effective Seed Priming Methods Improving Germination and Emergence of Sugar Beet Under Low-Temperature Stress

Low soil temperature causes delayed and unsynchronized germination, emergence, and seedling growth, which increases the probability of seedling diseases and weed infestation during stand establishment of sugar beet. In this study, different seed priming methods (control, hydration, aerated hydration, preconditioning, GA3, KNO3, and kinetin) were examined to promote the germination, emergence, and seedling growth performance of sugar beet seeds under low temperatures (10 °C and 18 °C) and optimum (25 °C) conditions. Results showed that seed treatments gave higher germination, emergence, and seedling length along with shorter mean time to germination and emergence than unprimed seeds at low and optimum temperatures. However, a suitable seed treatment at low and optimum temperature was different. Preconditioning gave better results than the control seeds, while it was not superior to other seeds treatments. At 10 °C, emergence percentage increased from 37.0% in unprimed seeds to 99.5% in seeds treated with 1% of KNO3. The lower temperature resulted in delaying the mean time to germination and emergence. Aerated hydration was found to be most suitable method for enhancement of germination and seedling growth at all temperatures. It was concluded that 8–16 h of hydration with aeration or 1% of KNO3 should be recommended for enhancement of emergence and seedling growth of sugar beet under low temperature compared to other treatments.

Evaluation of Growth Performance of Physic Nut (Jatropha curcas) Seedlings on Different Soils in the Northern Guinea Savanna Agrological Zone of Nigeria

The preliminary study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance of Jatropha curcas seedlings on different soils at the nursery of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka, Kaduna. Farm land soil, forest soil and granulated iron stone soil were sourced within the college premises and FRIN/JICA plantation. Jatropha curcas seedlings were sown on the different soils and each was replicated eight (8) times. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Growth parameters were collected forth nightly and was subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results revealed that there are significant (P>0.05) difference in the height, stem diameter and number of leaf among the three different soil for the growth assessment. The growth rate recorded from the farm land soil are statistical higher (P>0.05) in leaf width, plant height and stem diameter than the other two soil while the growth parameters assessed were significantly lower (P>0.05) in iron stone soil and forest soil. It is recommended based on the parameters assessed that soil from the farmland gives the best result for raising and nurturing of J. curcas in the nursery without addition of any plant nutrient media.

Melatonin and Gibberellic Acid Promote Growth and Chlorophyll Biosynthesis by Regulating Antioxidant and Methylglyoxal Detoxification System in Tomato Seedlings Under Salinity

The beneficial roles of melatonin (Mel) and gibberellic acid (GA3) in the biosynthesis of photosynthetic pigments, osmoregulation, and methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification and antioxidant system were studied in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Five Star) seedlings under NaCl stress. The exogenous application of Mel (100 µM) and GA3 (1.4 µM) together more efficiently affected growth performance of seedlings under salt stress. The decreased chlorophyll (Chl) degradation and Chl-degrading enzyme (chlorophyllase) activity in seedlings receiving Mel plus GA3 resulted in increased Chl content by upregulating Chl synthesizing enzyme (δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase) under salinity. Exogenous Mel plus GA3 suppressed the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS; superoxide and hydrogen peroxide) and activity of glycolate oxidase. Application of Mel with GA3 reduced MG content by enhancing the activity of enzymes (glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II) involved in the MG detoxification system. Both Mel and GA3 together protected seedlings from ROS induced damage by regulating Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase activity, and content of proline (Pro) and glycine betaine (GB). Seedlings receiving Mel + GA3 exhibited a substantial upregulated activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and lipoxygenase, and redox homeostasis that reduced oxidative damage induced by salinity. These outcomes advocate that Mel and GA3 played beneficial roles in Chl, Pro and GB biosynthesis, and improved redox homeostasis, and MG detoxification and antioxidant system under salt stress.

Biochar Improves the Growth Performance of Maize Seedling in Response to Antimony Stress

Antimony (Sb) contamination has become an increasing environmental concern. A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar application on the maize seedling grown in Sb-contaminated soil. Two Sb levels (0, 200 mg kg−1) and three biochar rates (0, 1%, 4%) were included, giving a combination of six treatments. The results showed that exposure to Sb without biochar application (Sb2BC0) induced undesirable effects on maize seedlings, such as the inhibited growth of leaves, stems, and roots; the disorder of antioxidant system; and the reduced uptake of nutrients. Compared with Sb2BC0, biochar application to Sb-treated plants alleviated the negative effects of Sb, possibly due to the following findings: (1) the enhanced activities of SOD, POD, and CAT and the increased leaf chlorophyll content while accompanied with the reduced MDA content; (2) the increased N, P, and K content in both shoot and root; (3) the decreased shoot Sb accumulation due to the reduced translocation efficiency from root to shoot. In contrast, biochar application to nil Sb-treated soil had no significant effect on maize growth. Biochar application also immobilized soil Sb by transforming the relatively available fractions to geochemically more stable Fe and Al oxides bound fractions. These results indicated great potential of using biochar to reduce soil Sb availability for Sb-contaminated soil.

POTENSI BAKTERI PELARUT FOSFAT DAN DIAZOTROF DARI RHIZOSFER KELAPA SAWIT TANAH GAMBUT SAPRIK TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN BIBIT KELAPA SAWIT

Utilization of biological fertilizer has the potential to reduce inorganic fertilizer application in oil palm cultivation. The aims of this research to obtain the potential of phosphate (P) solubilizing and diazotrophic bacteria from oil palm rhizosphere towards palm oil seedling growth. This research has been done on Sapric peat soil at Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province from June to November 2014, using a factorial randomized block design (3x5 with 3 replications). The first factor were the potential bacteria isolates (Io = without isolates; I1 = Isolate T5.1 + T7. I2 = Isolate T9.1 + T5); the second factor were NPK fertilizer dosage (p1-100%; p2 = 85%; p3 = 70% fertilizer and p4 = 55% recommended fertilizer). The results showed that sapric peat soil was a potential source of P solubilizing bacteria with the ability to solubilized of P up to 329.94 ppm, and diazotrophic bacteria with the ability of N-fixation up to 0.0293 mmol/L/ hr. Application of 70% N and P fertilizers and i2 isolate provides the best vegetative growth performance of oil palm seedlings and reduces 30% of inorganic fertilizers application.

Compost Amendments Based on Vinegar Residue Promote Tomato Growth and Suppress Bacterial Wilt Caused by Ralstonia Solanacearum.

Tomato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (RS) is one of the most devastating soil-borne diseases, and compost is to be considered as a resource-saving and environment-friendly measure to control the disease. Herein, a pot experiment was implemented to explore the effects of vinegar residue matrix amendments on the growth performances of tomato seedlings and to examine the suppression ability against bacterial wilt under vinegar residue substrate (VRS), and peat substrate (Peat) with RS inoculation. The results revealed that VRS effectively suppressed the disease incidence of bacterial wilt, increased the number of bacteria and actinomycetes, decreased fungi populations, promoted soil microbial populations and microbial activities, enhanced the growths of tomato seedlings, and modulated defense mechanism. In addition, VRS efficiently inhibited the oxidative damage in RS inoculated leaves via the regulation of excess reactive oxide species (O2•− and H2O2) production, lessening of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and causing less membrane injury; resulting in enhancements of antioxidants enzymes activities accompanying with modulating their encoding gene expression. The transcription levels of NPR1, PIN2, PR1b, ACO1, EDS1, PR1B, MAPK3, PIN2, and RRS1 were also modulated with the pathogens inoculated in tomato leaves both in VRS and Peat treatments, which indicated that systemic-acquired resistance possesses cross-talk between salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and the ethylene-dependent signaling pathway. Besides, the RS inoculation significantly inhibited the growth of tomato seedlings, and all growth indices of plants grown in VRS were considerably higher than those produced in Peat. Taken together, VRS represents a new strategy to control tomato bacterial wilt through boosting the soil microbial populations and microbial activities. Furthermore, VRS promotes the plant immune response to provide a better growth environment for plants surviving in disease conditions.

Phytoremediation of diesel and spent engine oil contaminated soil using Kariya (Hildergardia barteri Mast.) seedlings

Using a completely randomized design experiment, the effect of different levels of diesel and spent engine oil contamination (0 mL/kg, 25 mL/kg, 50 mL/kg and 75 mL/kg of soil) on growth performance (seedling height, collar diameter, number of leaves and biomass accumulation) of Hildergardia barteri seedlings were assessed for twelve weeks. The concentration of Lead, Nickel, Copper and Zinc in the plant parts were also determined. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at P<0.05 level of significance. There were significant differences in the effects of diesel and spent engine oil on growth performance of seedlings based on contamination levels. Control treatment had the highest height (92.43±5.13 cm), collar diameter (16.23±0.98 mm), number of leaves (11.21±0.47) and total biomass (33.01±12.79 g). Seedlings exposed to 50 mL/kg treatments had the least height (diesel oil: 78.21±7.22 cm; spent engine oil: 79±6.24 cm); those exposed to 75 mL/kg contamination had the least collar diameter (diesel oil: 8.85±1.05 mm, spent engine oil: 12.02±1.01 mm), while seedlings treated with 50 mL/kg diesel oil (2.21±0.37) and 75 mL/kg spent engine oil (4.79±0.55) had the lowest number of leaves. Heavy metal bio-accumulation ranges were: Lead: 0.17-0.39 mg/kg, Nickel: 0.09–0.45 mg/kg, Copper: 0.54–1.08 mg/kg, Zinc: 0.88–1.58 mg/kg. The ability of the seedlings to survive and bio-accumulate heavy metals indicate the potential phytoremediation capabilities of Hildergardia barteri.
 Keywords: phytoextraction, hydrocarbon derivatives, growth inhibition, Hildergardia barteri

The Growth Performance of Oil Palm Seedlings in Pre-Nursery and Main Nursery Stages as a Response to the Substitution of NPK Compound Fertilizer and Organic Fertilizer

<p>The need of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potassium (K) nutrient in oil palm nursery are usually fulfilled with synthetic chemical fertilizers such as NPK fertilizer. The application of NPK fertilizer can cause the soil to become hard due to the accumulation of the residue left on the ground. Cow manure is able to substitute NPK fertilizer based on the chemical status of the soil. This study aimed at analyzing the effect of NPK fertilizer substitution with cow manure on the growth of oil palm seedlings in the pre-nurseries and main nurseries. The experiment was conducted from February to September 2018 in the Banguntapan research and experimental field, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The experiment applied the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with one factor and six blocks as replications. The factors were subtitution using the replacement series method with five levels of doses, 100% NPK, 75% NPK + 25% cow manure, 50% NPK + 50% cow manure, 25% NPK + 75% cow manure and 100% cow manure. The observed parameter variables were root lenght, root area, hump diameter, leaf area, the number of leaves, plant height and plant dry matter. The use of 25% NPK substitute with 75% organic material was the best result in increasing the growth performance of oil palm seddlings in pre-nursery and main nursery.</p>

Enhancement of Zea mays (L.) growth performance using indole acetic acid producing endophyte Mixta theicola isolated from Solenostemma argel (Hayne)

Indole acetic acid (IAA) is one of the most important phytohormones as it is incorporated in various growth regulation processes in plants.In the present study, Solenostemma argel (Hayne) plant was investigated for the first time for potential isolation of associated plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria, i.e, IAA producing bacteria. Mixta theicola strain SAR was isolated from the roots of S. argel. The isolated strain was used for the inoculation of the grains of Zea mays (L.).The germinated seedlings were transplanted in pots and grown at 28 °C for 15 days. Then, the growth performance of seedlings was measured. Inoculation resulted in a significant enhancement of seed germination, root elongation and seedling vigor index. In addition, both fresh and dry biomasses of the seedlings of Z. mays were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Biochemical constituents, e.g., chlorophylls, carbohydrates, proteins, anthocyanins, total phenolics and total flavonoids were increased in the inoculated seedlings. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was also enhanced in the inoculated seedlings.Therefore, the study suggested the use of strain SAR for seed coating in agricultural application for enhancement of crop growth performance.

Alternative designs and tropical tree seedling growth performance landscapes.

The functional trait values that constitute a whole-plant phenotype interact with the environment to determine demographic rates. Current approaches often fail to explicitly consider trait × trait and trait × environment interactions, which may lead to missed information that is valuable for understanding and predicting the drivers of demographic rates and functional diversity. Here, we consider these interactions by modeling growth performance landscapes that span multidimensional trait spaces along environmental gradients. We utilize individual-level leaf, stem, and root trait data combined with growth data from tree seedlings along soil nutrient and light gradients in a hyper-diverse tropical rainforest. We find that multiple trait combinations in phenotypic space (i.e., alternative designs) lead to multiple growth performance peaks that shift along light and soil axes such that no single or set of interacting traits consistently results in peak growth performance. Evidence from these growth performance peaks also generally indicates frequent independence of above- and belowground resource acquisition strategies. These results help explain how functional diversity is maintained in ecological communities and question the practice of utilizing a single trait or environmental variable, in isolation, to predict the growth performance of individual trees.

Azadirachta Indica A. Juss: Wood Ash Affects Seedling Growth of Mung Bean Vigna Radiata L.

The burning of the wood ash is causing an environmental pollution related issue. The excess concentration of wood ash in the environment normally influenced on plant growth and development. This paper presents the effects of neem wood ash (Azadirachta inidca A. Juss.) on germination and seedling growth performance of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) crop plants. Overall, the data reveals significant (p&lt;0.05) effects of neem wood ash on the different growth variable of mung bean. The treatment of 4-20% neem wood ash significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected shoot length of mung bean as compared to control. Neem wood ash treatment at all concentration produced fewer toxic effects on root and leaf growth of mung bean. The neem wood ash treatment at 20% also produced significantly (p&lt;0.05) toxic effects on root and leaf dry weight of mung bean. Whereas, neem wood ash treatment at all level did produce any significant effects on shoot dry weight, total plant dry weight and leaf area ratio of mung bean.

Expression levels of the Na+/K+ transporter OsHKT2;1 and vacuolar Na+/H+ exchanger OsNHX1, Na enrichment, maintaining the photosynthetic abilities and growth performances of indica rice seedlings under salt stress.

Salt affected soil inhibits plant growth, development and productivity, especially in case of rice crop. Ion homeostasis is a candidate defense mechanism in the salt tolerant plants or halophyte species, where the salt toxic ions are stored in the vacuoles. The aim of this investigation was to determine the OsNHX1 (a vacuolar Na+/H+ exchanger) and OsHKT2;1 (Na+/K+ transporter) regulation by salt stress (200mM NaCl) in two rice cultivars, i.e. Pokkali (salt tolerant) and IR29 (salt susceptible), the accumulation of Na+ in the root and leaf tissues using CoroNa Green® staining dye and the associated physiological changes in test plants. Na+ content was largely increased in the root tissues of rice seedlings cv. Pokkali (15min after salt stress) due to the higher expression of OsHKT2;1 gene (by 2.5 folds) in the root tissues. The expression of OsNHX1 gene in the leaf tissues was evidently increased in salt stressed seedlings of Pokkali, whereas it was unchanged in salt stressed seedlings of IR29. Na+ in the root tissues of both Pokkali and IR29 was enriched, when subjected to 200mM NaCl for 12h and easily detected in the leaf tissues of salt stressed plants exposed for 24h, especially in cv. Pokkali. Moreover, the overexpression of OsNHX1 gene regulated the translocation of Na+ from root to leaf tissues, and compartmentation of Na+ into vacuoles, thereby maintaining the photosynthetic abilities in cv. Pokkali. Overall growth performance, maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), photon yield of PSII (ΦPSII) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) was improved in salt stressed leaves of Pokkali than those in salt stressed IR29.

The Effects of Neem Wood Ash on Soil Characteristics and Seedling Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

The burning of wood in industrial activities discharge a large amount of wood ash and affecting on the environment. The effects of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) wood ash on seedling growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) was recorded. The data reveals significant (p&lt;0.05) effects of neem ash on the shoot length and seedling length of cowpea with the increase in the concentration of neem wood ash treatment up to 20%. The results also showed the significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease in leaf weight ratio of cowpea as the wood ash concentration increase in substrate as compared to without ash treatment (control).&#x0D; The effects of neem wood ash treatment on physical and chemical characteristics of soil including organic matter (%), pH of soil, calcium carbonate (%), chloride (meq/L), maximum water holding capacity (%) of soil, electrical conductivity (mS/cm), bulk density (g/cm3), sodium and potassium content (µg/g) content of soil was found. The wood ash produced changes in physical and chemical soil characteristic viz. organic matter (%), pH of soil, water content (%), calcium carbonate (%), chloride (meq/L), maximum water holding capacity (%), electrical conductivity (mS/cm), bulk density (g/cm3), sodium and potassium content (µg/g) content of soil.&#x0D; Wood ash treatment affected physical and chemical poperies of soil which in turn results decreased seedling growth performance of cow pea.

Growth Performance and Adaptive Strategy of Early Seedlings of Three Savanna Woody Species in Pots as Feedback to the Soil of Macrotermes Subhyalinus Mound

Heterogeneous physiognomy and observed diversity of woody vegetation in savanna are considered as specific responses of seedling species during their growth to the given site characteristics changeable with time. Consequently, understanding early plant attitude using different growth soil is an important indicator in choosing species to introduce or to assist natural or artificial regeneration to the extent that establishment and productivity of plant species are not solely controlled by the effects of habitat modification and/or environmental resource availability but mostly by seedling quality. This study focused on comparative assessment of growth performance and adaptive traits of early seedlings of Balanites aegyptiaca, Diospyros mespiliformis and Tamarindus indica three multipurpose species between of Macrotermes subhyalinus mound and surrounding area in order to understand the attitudes of woody species hosted by termite mounds. Seedlings of similar age per species were grown in plastic bags as pots containing composite soils sampled till a depth of 30 cm on mounds and surrounding area in Tiogo state forest and of which the amount of retained water, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), assimilable phosphorus (ass. P) and potassium (K) were quantified prior to growth experiment. Height and collar diameter of seedling stems, final length and diameter of the main root were measured; the total dry biomass of root and shoot and, root to shoot ratio were evaluated for seedlings up to 5 months relating to the soil origin. Mean values of retained water and selected nutrients were higher for mound soil than for surrounding soil. Besides, the studied parameters of T. indica seedlings were significantly higher for mound soil than those recorded for surrounding soil (P<0.05) whereas seedlings of B. aegyptiaca and D. mespiliformis exhibited an increase final stem collar diameter and main root length on mound soil (P=0.039 and 0.028 respectively). Root to shoot ratio of B. aegyptiaca seedlings was positively correlated with great N content and that of D. mespiliformis seedlings with great concentration of Ca. Growth performance and adaptive traits of early seedlings of B. aegyptiaca, D. mespiliformis and T. indica were remarkable on M. subhyalinus mound soil compared to surrounding soil relating to the great level ofsoil fertility. Therefore, understanding the attitude of woody seedlings of local or exotic species is an important key in global plantation programs or assisting natural regeneration for biodiversity management and conservation.

Evaluation of farm yard manure (sheep bedding) on the soil fertility, leaf mineral composition, and growth performance of oil palm seedlings

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and leaf mineral composition of oil palm seedlings as influenced by the application of sheep manure. Partially decomposed farmyard manure from sheep was mixed with soil and filled into polybags (28 cm x 35 cm lay flat) in proportions as treatments: (25% soil: 75% FYM); (50% soil: 50% FYM); (75% soil: 25% FYM); and (100% soil + NPK 15:15:15) as control. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four (4) replications. Assessment was made for morphological growth (plant height, leaf number, and butt circumference), physiological growth (crown and root biomass) and leaf nutrients status analysed for N, P, K, Ca and Mg. There was no significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference observed in growth parameters. It was however observed that treatments with a higher amount of manure (25% soil: 75% FYM) showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher biomass production than the control. The leaf nutrients analysis for N, P, K, Ca and Mg indicated lower concentration than their respective optimum levels. This study revealed that oil palm seedlings can grow well on soil amended with farmyard manure from sheep and that higher percentage of 25% soil: 75% FYM seem more promising. The FYM application will help boost the vegetative growth of oil palm seedling thus reducing inorganic fertilizer application in the nursery.

In Vitro Mutation of Capsicum annuum L.var. Kulai by Gamma Radiation

The present work was carried out to investigate the effects of gamma radiation on regeneration of Capsicum annuum L. var Kulai via in vitro. Seeds of C. annuum were irradiated with various doses of gamma ray (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 Gy) emitted from the Caesium-137 source at the rate of 4.31 Gy per minute. Irradiated seeds grown on MS medium without hormone for hypocotyl and cotyledon preparation as explant for in vitro regeneration. Seed germination rate revealed significant variation between treatments, and seeds started to germinate between 6 to 17 days. Irradiated seeds between 0-60 Gy were observed to germinate in less than 10 days. All explants including hypocotyl and cotyledon were cultured on MS medium with different concentrations of BAP in combination with AgNO3 to observe the response of these explants to different hormone concentrations. From the observation, calluses were induced in 90% of hypocotyl and cotyledon explants in all treatments. The characteristics of calluses were varied with greenish friable, greenish compact, yellowish watery, yellowish friable and yellowish compact. In other treatments, calluses were found in purple, bright yellow and yellowish orange. On the other hand, shoot regeneration was observed in treatment between 40-100 Gy. In conclusion, gamma radiation gave impact on seed germination, seedling growth performance, in vitro callus formation and shoot regeneration of Capsicum annuum var. Kulai.