Shading Intensity Research Articles

Metabolic and Biochemical Performances of Abaca (<i>Musa textilis</i> Née) under Intermediate and Advanced Phase Agroforestry System

Abaca, one of the potential fiber crops with high-quality fiber and promising economic value, is mainly established under the agroforestry system, for it is considered a non-primary crop. The study aims to observe the metabolic and biochemical performance as well as the fiber quality of abaca under the agroforestry system. The experimental design used in this study was nested with two types of agroforestry systems, i.e., intermediate phase (Fase Tengah, FT) and advanced phase (Fase Lanjutan, FL) and was conducted during the rainy season. Parameters observed in this study were divided into edaphic and climatic parameters, oxidative response parameters, foliage macro- and micronutrient, and fiber quality. Despite poor soil quality compared to FL, higher relative humidity (4.35%), lower temperature (2.73%), and lower shading intensity were observed in FT. Improved soil characteristics in FL, viz. soil water content (19.64%), organic carbon (72.89%), porosity (4.29%), cation exchange capacity (13.77%), and pH (35.13%), were unable to compensate plant stress induced by the high shading intensity at 83.99%. Consequently, it contributed to higher levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and phenol by 0.07%, 1.86%, 32.66%, 0.08%, 14.63%, and 35.08%, respectively, due to shading stress. Nevertheless, ascorbic acid content in FL was lower (18.90%) compared to FT. Higher fiber diameter (23.53%) and tensile strength (18.77%) of abaca in FT were observed compared to FL. The improved microclimatic conditions under FT promoted the high adaptability of abaca to poor soil quality. Therefore, it contributed to enhanced growth and fiber quality compared to FL. Pruning is pivotal to managing shading intensity.

Effect of Shade and Light-Curing Intensity on Bulk-Fill Composite: Heat Generation and Chemo-Mechanical Properties (In Vitro Study)

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of shade and light-curing intensity on the heat generation and degree of conversion of bulk-fill composite. A commercially available bulk-fill composite resin was used in this study. A total of 250 cylindrical specimens of each composite shade (n = 25/group) were prepared (125 for testing heat generation and 125 for testing degree of conversion, then cured using a monowave light-curing unit (LCU) with a single light intensity of 1470 mW/cm2 and a polywave LCU with three different light intensities (1200, 2000, and 3000 mW/cm2). Heat generation during polymerization was measured by five K-type thermocouples placed in each 1 mm layer from top to bottom. FTIR was used for evaluating the degree of conversion. Regarding heat generation, significant differences were seen in layers 4 and 5. Curing types and times also showed significant impacts on heat generation and the degree of conversion. Heat generation relates more to curing time than light intensity. Darker shades generate and retain more heat. Lighter shades exhibit higher degrees of conversion with longer curing.

A comprehensive assessment of photosynthetic acclimation to shade in C4 grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.)

BackgroundLight deficit in shaded environment critically impacts the growth and development of turf plants. Despite this fact, past research has predominantly concentrated on shade avoidance rather than shade tolerance. To address this, our study examined the photosynthetic adjustments of Bermudagrass when exposed to varying intensities of shade to gain an integrative understanding of the shade response of C4 turfgrass.ResultsWe observed alterations in photosynthetic pigment-proteins, electron transport and its associated carbon and nitrogen assimilation, along with ROS-scavenging enzyme activity in shaded conditions. Mild shade enriched Chl b and LHC transcripts, while severe shade promoted Chl a, carotenoids and photosynthetic electron transfer beyond QA− (ET0/RC, φE0, Ψ0). The study also highlighted differential effects of shade on leaf and root components. For example, Soluble sugar content varied between leaves and roots as shade diminished SPS, SUT1 but upregulated BAM. Furthermore, we observed that shading decreased the transcriptional level of genes involving in nitrogen assimilation (e.g. NR) and SOD, POD, CAT enzyme activities in leaves, even though it increased in roots.ConclusionsAs shade intensity increased, considerable changes were noted in light energy conversion and photosynthetic metabolism processes along the electron transport chain axis. Our study thus provides valuable theoretical groundwork for understanding how C4 grass acclimates to shade tolerance.

Effects of intercropping on the herbage production of a binary grass-legume mixture (Hedysarum coronarium L. and Lolium multiflorum Lam.) under artificial shade in Mediterranean rainfed conditions

Growing perennial legumes in the understory layer in agroforestry systems is a strategy to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems, i.e., by increasing land productivity, fostering carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling and reducing reliance on inorganic nitrogen fertilizers for tree crops. In many parts of Central Italy, sulla, a biennial autochthonous legume, is widely adopted in forage cropping systems for its productivity and nutritive value and it is often intercropped with ryegrass for a better utilization as grazed temporary grassland. To evaluate the agronomic performance of these perennial species grown under different levels of light reduction, an artificial shade plot trial was established in the coastal plain of Pisa, Central Italy, with the aim to simulate the effect of tree presence with different levels of shade intensification in rainfed conditions. The experiment layout complies with a 2-way completely randomized design with four replicates. The two factors tested were the forage species (namely sulla, ryegrass and their intercropping) and the level of shade (no shade, moderate shade − 30% light reduction-, and intense shade − 50% light reduction-). Shading significantly reduced the above ground biomass (AGB) production, especially for the intense shading (on average about − 20% with respect to the full sun). The mixture resulted as the most productive crop, yielding on average about + 30 and + 40% AGB in comparison to sulla and ryegrass pure stands, respectively. The findings about the effect of the shading on AGB production showed that mixture was a suitable sward, especially under moderate shading conditions. Further studies are needed with the purpose to investigate the productive performance of these swards in real agroforestry conditions.

GROWTH AND YIELD OF BRAZILIAN SPINACH UNDER DIFFERENT SHADING INTENSITIES AND HARVESTING PERIODS IN A TROPICAL LOWLAND URBAN ECOSYSTEM

Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) is a less prominent perennial leafy vegetable growing in the tropical ecosystem. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effects of different shading intensities and harvesting periods on the growth and yield of Brazilian spinach in a tropical lowland urban ecosystem. The investigation used a split-plot design, with different shading intensities (no-shading, 45%, 55%, and 80% shading) as the main plot and harvesting periods (every 2, 3, and 4 weeks) as the subplot. The results showed that Brazilian spinach growth was significantly enhanced under no-shading conditions compared to shading treatments. Furthermore, 80% shading negatively impacted plant growth during early stages, as evidenced by alterations in parameters including canopy area (26.47 cm2), diameter (7.98 cm), and index (0.52), as well as Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values. This led to reduced branch elongation, marketable yield (14.76 g), and non-marketable yield (4.68), along with a decreased dry weight of stems (0.25 g), branches (0.40 g), leaves (0.85 g), and roots (0.44 g). However, marketable leaves from unshaded plants had higher carbon content (34.64%) and lower nitrogen content (2.83%). More frequent harvesting every 2 weeks elevated marketable yield (67.22 g) but suppressed the growth of stems (1.05 g), branches (4.39 g), and roots (1.73 g). Based on these observations, the cultivation of Brazilian spinach in unshaded areas with a biweekly harvesting routine was recommended

Physiological Characteristics and Transcriptomic Responses of Pinus yunnanensis Lateral Branching to Different Shading Environments.

Pinus yunnanensis is an important component of China's economic development and forest ecosystems. The growth of P. yunnanensis seedlings experienced a slow growth phase, which led to a long seedling cultivation period. However, asexual reproduction can ensure the stable inheritance of the superior traits of the mother tree and also shorten the breeding cycle. The quantity and quality of branching significantly impact the cutting reproduction of P. yunnanensis, and a shaded environment affects lateral branching growth, development, and photosynthesis. Nonetheless, the physiological characteristics and the level of the transcriptome that underlie the growth of lateral branches of P. yunnanensis under shade conditions are still unclear. In our experiment, we subjected annual P. yunnanensis seedlings to varying shade intensities (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%) and studied the effects of shading on growth, physiological and biochemical changes, and gene expression in branching. Results from this study show that shading reduces biomass production by inhibiting the branching ability of P. yunnanensis seedlings. Due to the regulatory and protective roles of osmotically active substances against environmental stress, the contents of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, photosynthetic pigments, and enzyme activities exhibit varying responses to different shading treatments. Under shading treatment, the contents of phytohormones were altered. Additionally, genes associated with phytohormone signaling and photosynthetic pathways exhibited differential expression. This study established a theoretical foundation for shading regulation of P. yunnanensis lateral branch growth and provides scientific evidence for the management of cutting orchards.

Enhancing the efficiency of hemp fiber dyeing with natural dyes: Indigo and lac

Hemp fibers dyed with natural dyes are environmentally sustainable, but it is typically difficult to achieve an intense shade and washing durability. In this study, mercerization and cationization using polyelectrolyte, Poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC), were chosen to enhance the dyeing efficiency and mechanical properties. Indigo and lac were chosen as natural dyes due to their widespread use. SEM demonstrated that untreated fibers contained the non-cellulose boundary layer on the surfaces, but after mercerization, the surfaces were smoother, making them suitable for absorbing natural dyes. In agreement with the FT-IR, the spectra of non-cellulose disappeared after mercerizing. Following cationization, the FT-IR spectra confirmed the consequences of using poly-DADMAC. Tensile testing demonstrated that mercerized hemp yarns were 34.1% stronger compared to untreated hemp yarns due to the decrease in non-cellulose content and that the intermolecular attraction of cellulose was not disturbed. The color strength and fastness properties were described by the K/S value. Mercerization considerably affected the K/S of indigo dyeing, while cationization affected lac dyeing significantly. Besides that, both treatments improved fastness properties as well.

Interactive Effect of Fertilization and Biochar on the Growth of Juniperus scopulorum under Various Shading and Irrigation Conditions

The global demand for landscape trees has been amplified with the increasing anthropogenic activity. South Korea has also witnessed a surge in demand for landscape plants, among others, Juniperus scopulorum gaining popularity for its ecological, economic, adaptability, and management attributes. However, the optimum management practice for high-quality Juniperus seedling production in South Korea remains unknown. This research was conducted on the one-to-two-years-old two cultivars of J. scopulorum, namely Blue Angel and Blue Heaven seedlings, to investigate the combined impacts of varying fertilizer concentrations (0 ppm, 150 ppm, 300 ppm) and biochar content (0% and 20%) under contrasting shading intensities (0%, 35%, 55%) and irrigation levels (200 ml, 400 ml, 800 ml). The study revealed that biochar and fertilizer amendment significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05) enhanced the height and root collar diameter growth in Blue Angel and Blue Heaven in light shade intensity (0–35%) and higher irrigation (400–800 ml) conditions. Similarly, seedlings planted in 20% biochar and 300 ppm fertilizer yielded higher foliar, stem, and root biomass in low shade and higher irrigation conditions. The amount of shade and irrigation and their interactions significantly affected the morphological growth of seedlings for both cultivars, causing positive interaction with soil amendment (biochar and fertilizer application). These findings suggest that efficient seedling production of J. scopulorum management should focus primarily on light shading and moderate irrigation under biochar and higher fertilizer application. The research contributes valuable insights toward optimizing management practices and reducing costs associated with J. scopulorum seedling production in the region. Keywords: biochar, fertilizer, irrigation, Juniperus scopulorum, shading

The Impacts of Planting Patterns Combined with Irrigation Management Practices on Watermelon Growth, Photosynthesis, and Yield.

(1) Background: Crop yields in China's arid and semi-arid regions are limited by water shortages. Exploring the interactions and resource utilization among agroforestry species is key to maintaining diversified agricultural production. (2) Objective: An apple-watermelon agroforestry system and watermelon sole-cropping system were compared to quantify how resource availability (light, water) and watermelon performance (leaf photosynthetic rate, growth, and yield) change with irrigation strategies. (3) Methods: A three-year apple and watermelon field experiment was conducted in a young apple orchard in the arid area of central Ningxia to test the effect of light competition and irrigation systems on light environment, leaf photosynthetic rate, plant growth, and yield in watermelon. The experiment encompassed two planting patterns: (i) apple-watermelon agroforestry (AF) and watermelon sole-cropping (SC) and (ii) three irrigation quotas (W1: 105 mm, W2: 210 mm, and W3: 315 mm). (4) Results: The results show that the agroforestry planting pattern extended the growth period of watermelon and increased the leaf area index. Mean daily shade intensity increased by 16.02% from 2020 to 2022. The land equivalent ratio (LER) was >1 in 2021 and 2022. The SWC, leaf photosynthetic rate, LAI, and yield of watermelon in an agroforestry planting pattern were lower than when in a sole-cropping planting pattern. However, under the W1 irrigation strategy, the total soluble solids of the agroforestry planting pattern were 2.27% higher than those of the sole-cropping pattern, and the yield of the agroforestry planting pattern was 2.59% higher than that of the sole-cropping pattern. Under the W3 irrigation strategy, the average watermelon weight in the agroforestry planting pattern was 2.85% higher than that of the sole-cropping pattern. A path analysis showed that the agroforestry planting pattern can increase the yield by increasing soil water content, which is different from the sole-cropping pattern. (5) Conclusions: The results confirm that the apple-watermelon agroforestry planting pattern reduced watermelon yields. However, the LER of the agroforestry system was greater than 1.0. It is reasonable to plant watermelons in young apple forests.

Fractal dimension of the morphology on differently oriented surfaces of coal preparations

Choosing the surface of a lump section was justified to determine the degree of metamorphism by the index of gray shade intensity. The main method is optical spectroscopy using a video-optical complex MBI-11, NB 200 with subsequent digital computer processing and calculation of the fractal dimension (Scope photo software) of microphoto images of coal matter preparations by lump sections. The values for the index of gray shade intensity of photographic images of surfaces (section, bedding, cut) for lump sections based on samples of coals of various grades were analyzed. It has been established that the average values of the degree of metamorphism indices for different surfaces of the preparation differ, which is confirmed by low correlation coefficients: 0.585 (section-bedding), 0.666 (section-cut), 0.462 (cut-bedding). It has been found that the fractal dimension, which characterizes the complexity of the morphology of the surfaces under study, reflects an increase in the amount and orderliness of hydrocarbons associated with a change in the degree of metamorphism. It was proven that its most natural decrease related to an increase in the degree of metamorphism, is observed on surfaces perpendicular to the bedding (section).

Light Intensities Affect Canopy Architecture and Fruit Characteristics of Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.)

Mechanical harvesting in cayenne pepper is developing, however, factors affecting canopy architecture and fruit characteristics are still lack. Study aimed to evaluate the effect of shade intensities on canopy architecture and fruit position in cayenne pepper to support developing smart harvesting tools. The experiment was conducted in Babakan Sawah Baru Experimental Farm, IPB from September 2021 to March 2022. The experiment used nested design with shade levels (no shade, 25%, 30%, 50%, 60%, 90%, and 100%) as the main plot and time of shading application (4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks after planting) as sub-plot. The canopy architecture and fruit position were affected by the shade level and its time application. Plant height increased and the canopy widened with increasing shade levels up to 50%. Thus, the shading level should be considered in the development of smart harvesting methodology. Keywords: cabai rawit, climate change, labor, low light intensity, plant architecture

Shading solutions for sustainable water management: impact of colors and intensities on evaporation and water quality

This study investigated the effectiveness of suspended shade covers in reducing evaporation rates and improving evaporation suppression efficiency. The experiment tested different shading colors (black, white, and green) and intensities (50, 70, and 90%) while considering ecological and economical aspects. Evaporation was determined using class-A evaporation pans, and various microclimatic variables were measured below the shade covers. Additionally, water quality parameters such as EC, phosphate, nitrate, and chloride concentrations were monitored. The results showed that black covers had the highest evaporation suppression efficiency with values of 56.8, 53.6, and 51.7% observed under 90% shading intensity for the black, green, and white covers, respectively. Despite variations in water quality parameters which all met Jordanian and FAO standards for irrigation water, the economic feasibility of installing these covers was found to be viable due to the resulting benefits in water conservation and crop production. However, selecting the best shading cover should consider the multipurpose use of agricultural reservoirs, including aquaculture, and further studies are recommended to investigate other overlapping aspects on a reservoir scale.

Tolerance to mild shading levels in cattail as related to increased photosynthesis and changes in its leaf area and anatomy.

Shading is an environmental factor that has been little investigated regarding its effects on emergent aquatic plants. Typha domingensis Pers. is an emergent macrophyte that demonstrates some plasticity for self-shading, and as it can shade other species in the same area, the effect of shading on its traits deserves further investigation. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the gas exchange, leaf anatomy, and growth of T. domingensis cultivated under increasing shading intensities. The plants were collected and propagated in a greenhouse, and the clones were subjected to four shading intensities: 0% (unshaded), 35%, 73%, and 83% shading created by black nets. Growth traits, clonal production, photosynthesis, transpiration, and leaf anatomy were evaluated. The 73% and 83% shading promoted the death of all plants, but all plants survived in the 35% and unshaded treatments. Compared with the unshaded treatment, the 35% shading treatment promoted a higher photosynthetic rate and greater transpiration, supporting increased growth and production of clones. The increase in the photosynthetic rate in the 35% shading was related to the increase in leaf area which increased the photosynthesis of the whole plant. The 73% and 83% treatments inhibited the development of photosynthetic parenchyma and stomata in T. domingensis, leading to a drastic reduction in photosynthesis and energy depletion. Therefore, T. domingensis does not tolerate intense shading, but its photosynthetic characteristics and growth are favored by mild shading, a factor that may be of great importance for its competitiveness and invasive behavior.

Effect of Shade Intensities on Growth, Biomass and Grain Yield of Green Grams (Vigna radiata) and Maize (Zea mays) in Kitui County

Maize and green grams are important food security crops grown and consumed in the arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya. High temperatures and low soil moisture lead to yield reduction. A two-season study was conducted to investigate the effect of different shade intensities (0 %, 50 % and 70 %) on green gram and maize growth, biomass and grain yield in Kitui County (1.4° S, 37.9° E). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) farm. Results showed that maize had significantly (p<0.05) higher plant height, Ear height, cob weight, total biomass and grain yield per hectare in 50%, followed by 70% and lowest in 0%. Green gram plants had significantly (p<0.05) higher number of pods, seeds per pod, total above-ground biomass and grain yield per hectare 50 % (1759 kg/Ha), 70 % (1553 kg/Ha) and lowest in 0% (478 kg/Ha). The plants grown under 50% shade intensity had higher grain and biomass yield for both green grams and maize compared to those under 70% and 0% shade intensity, which may be attributed to adequate moisture due to reduced evapotranspiration. The study demonstrated that the cost-benefit analysis of shade intensity on green grams farming system yield and break-even price was best at 50% shade intensity. The study demonstrated that the cost-benefit analysis of shade intensity in maize farming systems is not significant. To improve grain and biomass yield of both green grams and maize for food and nutrition security, study recommends the use of 50% intensity in growing green grams in ASALs due to benefits including soil moisture conservation, improved plant growth, yield, economic efficiency and cost-benefit ratios

Effect of mordants on colour variation in alpaca fibre dyed with dye extracted from the tankar stem (Berberis boliviana L.)

AbstractThe objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of mordants on colour variation, textile characteristics, colour fastness, and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) bands in alpaca fibre dyed with tankar stem extract. The white alpaca fibre was obtained from the company Inka Tops S.A. The mordants used were: alum (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O) at 20% and iron(II) sulphate (FeSO4) at 3%. Prior to dyeing, a pre‐mordanting process was carried out (86°C for 30 min), and dyeing was performed through thermal treatment at 70 and 86°C (30 and 60 min). The CIELab [L*, a*, b*, chroma (C*) and hue (h°)] coordinates and reflectance were evaluated using a spectrometer; textile characteristics were assessed with OFDA (optical fibre diameter analyser) 2000; chemical bands were analysed with an FTIR‐attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectrophotometer, and colour fastness (light, washing, and rubbing) was evaluated using international American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) standards. The results showed that luminosity (L*) significantly decreased after dyeing and pre‐mordanting with KAl(SO4)2·12H2O (81.47) and FeSO4 (70.47). Additionally, the b* value and C* value significantly increased at higher temperature and longer dyeing time, resulting in slightly different shades and hues in each treatment. The coefficient of variation (CV) and curvature index (CU) presented significant differences, with CU increasing at 86°C/60 min with FeSO4. Colour fastness to washing and rubbing showed acceptable values on the greyscale. In conclusion, the mordants used had a significant effect on colour variation, textile characteristics, colour fastness, and FTIR spectrum. The most intense shades were observed in fibres pre‐mordanted with FeSO4 (dull yellow‐green) and in dyeing without mordant (yellow).

Shading in fruit changes the polyphenol accumulation of pellicle by regulating activity of key enzymes and expression of their gene related polyphenol anabolism of Juglans sigillata Dode

Polyphenols, abundant in the pellicle of walnuts, confer health benefits to the human body. The intricate relationship between light and phenolic compounds underscores the impact of shading, which can effectively diminish phenolic content and enhance the palatability of food. In this study, we delved into the connection between polyphenol accumulation, related enzyme activities, and gene expression in the pellicle of Juglans sigillata Dode under varying degrees of shading. The results show that different shade intensities can change polyphenols’ content and affect the activity of key polyphenols anabolism enzymes and their gene expression. With the increase of the shading intensity, the total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) were lower than the nomal light. In the mature stage, shading 60 % was lowest. 7 individual phenolics were identified in the pellicle, and the content of each varied significantly with the decrease of light intensity. Except for p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, which were higher than the control at mature stage, all phenolics were lower than the control, but the overall trend was the same as that of the control. The activity of key enzymes in the anabolism of polyphenols was significantly affected after shading. In complete darkness phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was highest at the kernel-filling stage, shading 20 % of chalcone synthase (CHS) and shading 60 % of flavonol synthase (FLS) responded most strongly at the hard-core stage, while flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) was most active at shading 60 % of kernel-filling stage, which was 2.03, 1.38, 4.67, and 2.08 times that of the control, respectively. The expression levels of key genes showed that the expression level of JsPAL was significantly increased at hard-core stage and mature stage, and the expression of JsPAL was 3.85 times higher than that of the control at the mature stage with 60 % shading. Correlation analysis showed that PAL enzyme activity was highly correlated with TPC, TFC and various individual phenolics with the increase of shading intensity. The content of p-coumaric acid was positively correlated with the activities of 4-coumarate coenzyme A ligase (4CL), F3H and FLS. The increase of shading intensity enhanced the correlation between total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, individual phenolics substances and JsPAL, JsC4H, JsCHS, JsCHI and JsFLS. Overall, PAL was a key enzyme affecting polyphenol accumulation under different shading levels, while at the genetic level, JsPAL, JsC4H, JsCHS, JsCHI and JsFLS were the key genes affecting them. This study will potentially provide more information for light management and polyphenol regulation in walnut cultivation.

Effect of spacing and shading intensity on growth performance of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle: A critically endangered plant species of Western Himalaya

The present experimental study was conducted in the research field at Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST- Kashmir, located in the central part of Kashmir Himalayas with degraded landscapes. The study was conducted during the year 2019–2021 aimed to study the effect of spacing and shading intensity on growth performance of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. Three types of spacing viz., 30 cm × 30 cm (S1), 30 cm × 45 cm (S2) and 30 cm × 60 cm (S3) and four types of shading intensities viz., open (D1), 25% (D2), 50% (D3) and 75% (D4) were tested as per factorial randomized complete block design (Factorial RCBD). All the treatments significantly influenced the growth and yield parameters of Podophyllum hexandrum plants. It was observed that plants with 30 × 60 cm spacing and 75% shade intensity recorded maximum leaf length (19.66 cm), leaf width (30.33 cm), leaf area (124.33cm2), biomass (73.57 g/plant), survival percentage (94.33%), and fruiting percentage of (81.66%). Rhizome yield/ha was maximum (1625.66 kg/ha) for 30 × 30 cm spacing under 75% shading. Our study concludeds that Podophyllum hexandrum thrives best under shade and based on the findings of the study it is recommended to plant Podophyllum hexandrum at spacing of 30 × 60 cm spacing under 75% shading intensity to obtain maximum growth attributes and fruiting percentage.

Crescimento vegetativo de Phalaenopsis sp. híbrido (Moon Orchid) em resposta à intensidade luminosa e concentração de fertilizantes

Abstract Orchid plants are one of the most popular floral decorative plants. Among the several species of orchids, Phalaenopsis sp. or moon orchid is popular because of its distinctive color, shape, and size. However, orchids have a slow growth rate due to their long juvenile phase; thus, culture technique modification is required to boost their growth, i.e., shading and fertilizer application. This research was carried out to obtain the best shade percentage and fertilizer concentration to increase the growth of moon orchid. The experiment was conducted from June to December 2022 at the greenhouse of Bale Tatanan Padjadjaran, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Sumedang, Jawa Barat. The experiment used a split-plot design of eight shade and fertilizer treatments. The plants were cultivated in two shading intensities, namely 60% and 70%, then treated with four different complete foliar fertilizer compound concentrations (1, 2, 3, and 4 g L-1). The results showed that 60% shade combined with 2 g L-1 of foliar fertilizer significantly increased the leaf area and root length, whereas 70% shade combined with 4 g L-1 significantly increased the leaf area, root number and CCI of moon orchid.

Characteristics and variability of melon genotypes under shade conditions in greenhouse

The utilization of controlled greenhouses can be an alternative for melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivation. Growing melon in greenhouses lowers the risk of pests and infections by diverse pathogens. Low solar irradiation during the rainy season and pollution in the greenhouse roof, may cause shade stress conditions for the plants inside. This study aimed to elucidate the plant and fruit characteristics of nine genotypes of melon grown under shade conditions in a greenhouse and the variability among them. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of Cikabayan Experimental Station, IPB University, Bogor, from November 2016 to January 2017. The genetic materials evaluated were nine melon genotypes from the Center for Tropical Fruit Studies at IPB University. A randomized complete block design with three replicates was followed. Shade intensity in the greenhouse was approximately 25%. The results showed that the genotype effect was significant for internode length, petiole length, plant height fruit, flesh thickness, fruit rind thickness, fruit weight, and total soluble solids. Genotype means for fruit weight were small in this experiment (< 300 g), whereas the total soluble solids were moderate to high (8.7-14.3 °Brix). Fruit diameter had a positive and significant correlation with leaf length, leaf width, and fruit length, whereas fruit weight had a positive and significant correlation with fruit diameter and fruit length.
 Keywords: correlation, honeydew, melon breeding, melon group, traits

Differential performance of Dianella tasmanica and Pleomele reflexa under coloured shade nets

Cut greens are emerging as an important constituent of the floricultural industry as they add freshness and colour to floral designs. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different coloured shade nets (black, blue, green, red, white and no shade) at 50% shade intensity on growth and quality parameters of Dianella tasmanica and Pleomele reflexa. Both species significantly responded to the change in colour of shade nets. In D. tasmanica, maximum plant height (85.66 cm), stem diameter (8.63 mm) and leaf length (68.33 cm) were recorded under red shade net, while, plant spread (63.03 cm) and leaf breadth (4.06 cm) under black shade net, however, leaf thickness (0.57 cm) and vase life (24.33 days) under white shade net. In P. reflexa, maximum plant height (63.66 cm), stem diameter (9.76 mm), leaf length (17.50 cm), leaf thickness (0.93 cm) and SPAD index (60.10) were recorded under red shade net, whereas, plant spread (36.34 cm) and leaf breadth (3.00 cm) under black shade net, and vase life (25.66 days) under white shade net. Thus, red coloured shade nets could be preferred commercially for better performance of D. tasmanica and P. reflexa.