Shoot Yield Research Articles

Effect of Different Organic Manures on Growth, Yield, and Quality of Radish (Raphanus Sativus)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of different organic manures on growth, yield, and quality of radish (Raphanus sativus) at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Rupandehi, Nepal. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design single factorial with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments were consisted as farmyard manure (FYM) (30 tha-1), poultry manure (PM) (30 tha-1), FYM(15 tha-1) + PM (15 tha-1), FYM (15 tha-1) + vermin compost (2.5 tha-1) + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (10kgha-1), FYM (15 tha-1) + bone meal (5 tha-1) + PSB ( 10 kgha-1), PM (15 tha-1) + vermi compost (2.5 tha-1) + PSB (10 kgha-1), PM (15 tha-1) + bone meal (5 tha-1) + PSB (10 kgha-1). A significant variation was observed among the treatments. The poultry manures combined with bone meal and PSB significantly increased the growth and yield attributes viz., plant height (43.43 cm), number of leaves (20.9), shoot length (44.49 cm), root length (21.68 cm), root diameter (3.77 cm), root weight (211.3 gm plant-1 ), shoot weight (170.9 gm plant-1), biological yield (82.28 gm plant-1), dry root weight (46.89 gm plant-1), dry shoot weight (50.33 gm plant-1), total dry weight (97.22 gm plant-1), root yield (49.31 tha-1), shoot yield (939.87 tha-1) and biological yield (89.19 tha-1) at 70 days after sowing. The vitamin-C in radish root was recorded highest (2.87 mgml-1) with PM. However, the total soluble solid remains unchanged among the treatments. In total, the results suggested that poultry manures combined with bone meal and PSB is suitable to cultivate radish.
 SAARC J. Agri., 18(2): 101-114 (2020)

Differences in phosphorus acquisition and critical phosphorus requirements among nine

The extensive grazing systems of northern Australia are dominated by C4 grasses and are established in N- and P-responsive soils that receive minimal nutrient input. Under these conditions, tropical pasture legumes are expected to improve the quality of grazing forage and fix atmospheric N2. However, legume persistence is relatively poor, which may be due to a presumed disparity in P requirements among tropical pasture species. This disparity suggests that P-efficient legumes may improve legume persistence, yet the P requirements of many tropical pasture legumes remain unquantified. Nine Desmanthus spp. genotypes were grown in pots to determine differences in shoot yield and root morphology in response to soil P supply (0–100 mg applied P kg–1 soil; 5–63 mg Colwell P kg–1 soil). The shoot yield of each genotype increased in response to increased P supply. When P supply was adequate for maximum plant growth, the shoot yield of the best genotype (3.5 g DM pot–1; JCU 9) was 1.7-fold larger than that of the next most productive genotype. There were also substantial differences in the critical external P requirements of the genotypes (29.4–64.0 mg P kg–1 soil), although these differences did not always reflect the efficiency of dry matter production per unit of applied P fertiliser. Differences in shoot yield and P acquisition were positively associated with differences in the development of root length. The results indicated that P-efficient genotypes of Desmanthus spp. can be identified for improved growth in the P-responsive pastures of northern Australia. These genotypes may compete more effectively with C4 grasses and form resilient pasture swards as climate patterns change.

Effect of Bio-formulations on Qualitative and Quantitative Traits of Mulberry (Morus sp.) under Different Seasons

The experiments were conducted during, Kharif and Rabi (2018 - 2020) to investigate the effect of various bio-formulations on the quality and productivity of mulberry leaves. Among all the treatments, the maximum values of quantitative attributes such as shoot length (145.93 cm), internodal length (5.33 cm), number of leaves per shoot (35.04), fresh leaf weight per plant (719.05 g), dry leaf weight (241.28 g) and shoot yield (11.57 MT/ha/ harvest) were recorded in mulberry plants treated with EM @ 1 per cent in Kharif season. Besides, the biochemical constituents viz., total chlorophyll (2.80 mg g-1), carotenoids (0.824 mg g-1) crude protein (27.45 %), moisture (77.11 %), and moisture retention capacity (66.32 %) were notably higher in the EM treated mulberry leaves compared to control in Kharif season. The present study indicated that spraying EM @ 1 per cent on mulberry three times at 15 days interval during Kharif season helped improve the quality and yield of mulberry leaves compared to control.

Organic matter management for sustainable productivity of corn-groundnut cropping pattern on acid upland soils

This study aims to conduct the organic management that sustain productivity of corn-groundnut sequential cropping on acid upland soil in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Tanah Laut Regency is the target area for this conservation farming system. Furthermore, these areas havebeen identified potentially for food crop development The experiment was conducted Bumi Asih villages, Panyipatan sub district, Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan provinces. In 1994/1995 WS until 1995 DS. These area as a ultisol soil type and transmgiration areas. Randomized Complete Block Desgind (RCBD) with four replication, and plot size 10 m x 20 m. There were Six treatment consisted of O1(No Farm Yard Manure/FYM), organic matter remains incorporated in to the soil + Fertilizer 60 kg N + 35 kg P2O5 per ha; O2 (1 t FYM organic matter remains incorporated in to the soil + 120 kg N + 70 kg P2O5/ha); O3 (All organic matter remains incorporaed in to the soil + 2,5 t FYM/ha); O4 (as Treatment O3 + 5 t FYM/ha); O5 (as treatment O3 + 10 t FYM/ha) and O6 (as treatment O3 + 20 t FYM/ha). Corn cv Arjuna was planted with row spacing 200 cm x 20 cm; and intercrops with Groundnut cv Pelanduk with row spacing 25 cm x 20 cm during two seasons planting. Data were colect i.e some physical soil properties such as soil moisture; soil hardness; some chemical soil properties such as soil pH, Org-C; plant nutrient such plant nutrient content such as leaf of N; P; Ca and Mg contents.. Growth parameter i.e shoot dry weight and yield of corn and groundnut. Data colected were analyzed by Variant analyzis. Diferently among treatment were analyzed by DMRT.0.05.. ...The results showed that the increase ins oil pH due to highC-organd some nutrient contents such as N, P, Ca and P inleaf of corn were significantly affected during the last seasons by organic amendment. In terms of cultivation, organic matter increased the infestation of weeds.. The organic management with the highest application (20 tonnes.ha-1 FYM) in every season yielded up to four – five times for corn and 0.65 – 1.28 for groundnut compared to control/farmer practices (1.175 t dry seed/ha).

Effect of prohexadione calcium on vegetative growth, yield and scab development on ‘Sinap Orlovskii’ apple trees

There are many apple orchards in the Russian Federation where trees were trained with volumetric canopies; the vigor of these canopies must be suppressed. Prohexadione calcium (calcium 3-hydroxy-5-oxo-4-propionyl-cyclohex-3-enecarboxylate) was developed to inhibit the gibberellins biosynthesis to reduce vegetative growth. The study was done in the commercial orchard of “Planeta sadov” LLC in Michurinck district of Tambov Region (53°02’11.9 “N 40°29’29.9 “E). This research was aimed to evaluate the influence of prohexadione calcium on the length of one-year shoot growth, yield, and scab development on trees of vigorous apple cultivar ‘Sinap Orlovskii,’ planted 6 x 4 m (418 tr. ha-1). After 1.25 + 1.25 g ha-1 prohexadione calcium double treatment, the length of one-year shoots was 1.96 (2019) and 1.60 (2020) times less than Control 1 (without prohexadione calcium application and hand pruning) and 2,00 times less than in hand pruning treatment. The application of prohexadione calcium inhibited apple tree height and reduced the average height growth rate by 10.7% (2019) and 17.0% (2020). Growth retardant treatments stimulated significant yield increases and improved the commercial value of fruits. The enhance of scab protection improved under the influence of prohexadione calcium treatments. The application of growth retardant increased the alternate bearing index.

Mycorrhizae, elemental sulfur and phosphorus effects on pepper yield and nutrient uptake

Aims: Fertilization contributes to the yield in agriculture. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of mycorrhizae and fertilization of phosphorus (P) and elemental sulfur (ES) on yield responses, root mycorrhizal inoculation level, root to shoot ratio and nutrient uptake of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).Methods and Results: 100 mg kg-1 ES and/or 100 mg kg-1 P fertilizers were added with and without mycorrhizal inoculation into the soil. Green pepper was grown for 45 days on calcareous sterilized Karaburun soil. Root and shoot yield increased by mycorrhizal inoculation compared to the control treatment. While fertilization with ES or P alone resulted in yield increase in the non-mycorrhizal treatments, the reverse was the case in the mycorrhizal treatments. The combined effect of ES and P fertilization comparing P fertilization alone decreased the yield in the non-mycorrhizal tratments while the reverse was the case in the mycorrhizal treatments. Root to shoot ratios and shoot nutrient concentrations changed in both directions as independent from the yield and treatments. ES and/or P addition decreased insignificantly mycorrhizal inoculation level.Conclusions: Obtained results indicated that ES and/or P fertilization affect yield of pepper, nutrient uptake, root to shoot ratio in both ways with insignificantly decreased root mycorrhizal infection level.Significance and Impact of the Study: ES and/or P fertilization with mycorrhizal inoculation is important to get higher yield. For that reason, this study provides data about appropriate fertilizer or fertilizer combinations to prevent yield loss of pepper in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal growth conditions.

Combined application of mica waste and Bacillus pseudomycoides as a potassium solubilizing bio-fertilizer reduced the dose of potassium fertilizer in tea-growing soil

ABSTRACT Potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) are often used in the field of vegetable and horticultural crops. In this study, a strain of Bacillus pseudomycoides was used as the KSB strain and different combinations of muriate of potash (MoP) and mica waste (MW) along with that strain were applied in soil to evaluate its effect on exchangeable K content in soil and yield of tea shoots. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the possibility of applying an indigenous KSB strain and MW combination for reducing doses of MoP during cultivation of perennial crops like tea. The study over two consecutive years revealed that cumulative tea production of some of the applied treatments was significantly higher than that of recommended MoP treatment. Application of KSB and MW in the first split instead of MoP recorded higher exchangeable K content in soil during August to October, especially in the second year of the study. The study confirmed B. pseudomycoides can be used as a KSB biofertilizer in soil and application of MW and KSB combined replacing MoP in the first split could be economical as well as improving K use-efficiency in soil and increased yield and K-uptake by the plants.

Determination of an effective method of Citrus aurantifolia lime and Citrus lemon varieties plant explants sterilization for in vitro introduction into the culture

Potted citrus plants are in constant demand, but the propagation of such plants requires the use of a winter greenhouse and several well-developed mother plants to obtain planting material. The use of microclonal propagation can accelerate the production of seed material though it requires detailed development of in vitro cultivation techniques. The aim of the research was to study the effectiveness of sterilizing substances and methods of sterilization on the yield of viable micro shoots of lime plants (Citrus aurantifolia) as well as Meyer and Jubilee lemon varieties and their growth in vitro. The research was conducted in the interdepartmental "Biotechnological Laboratory" of the Agrobiotechnological Faculty of Bila Tserkva NAU. The source material was microshoots from lime plants (Citrus aurantifolia), and lemon varieties (Citrus lemon) Meyer and Jubilee. The objects of the study were selected according to the diversity of genotypes, development type and varietal characteristics. The possibility of using different parts of plants for reproduction is a feature of in vitro culture. We used microshoots with a bud in our research. To neutralize the exogenous bacterial and fungal microflora, we used 70 % ethanol solution C2 H5 OH, sodium hypochlorite 5 %, 15 % solution of hydrogen peroxide H2 O2 , sulema (0.1) and washed the material in sterile water (for 5–10 min) under several schemes. The study revealed the influence of different sterilization regimes for obtaining sterile explants and the introduction into plant culture of explants of the species of lime Citrus aurantifolia as well as Meyer and Jubilee lemon varieties. It was found that the use of step sterilization using 2.5 % solutions of sodium hypochlorite gives a high percentage of sterile viable material – 27.7 %, which is significantly higher than in other variants of the experiment. Key words: microshoots, lime, sterile material, micropropagation, sterilization, hydrogen peroxide, viability of explants.

Zinc slow-release systems for maize using biodegradable PBAT nanofibers obtained by solution blow spinning

Zinc is one of the most important micronutrients used in agriculture, especially in tropical soils that are Zn-deficient and thus adsorb Zn applied from fertilizer, making it less available to plants, a problem that causes plant deficiencies. Therefore, slow-release systems are an alternative to minimize the sorption process of micronutrients in soil and ensure their availability to plants. In this work, micronutrient delivery systems comprised of Zn-loaded poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) nanofibers were prepared by solution blow spinning (SBS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that by controlling process variables such as Zn content, air pressure and polymer concentration, PBAT nanofibers with diameters ranging from 306 to 380 nm were produced. Nanofibers properties were also studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analyses (TGA and DSC). Zinc addition reduced both the crystallinity and thermal properties of the nanofibers. The Zn release profiles in water were much slower in comparison with the control (ZnSO4) fertilizer. Maize (Zea mays) with and without slow-release systems were cultivated to assess their effect on plant nutrition and shoot yield. Nanofibers were efficient in releasing Zn in order to meet its nutritional demands. Zinc application via nanofiber promoted dry mass production similar to the control, even at the lowest doses applied, which helped increase Zn availability in soil. Results demonstrated that the spun PBAT nanofibers slowly released Zn to the soil in a controlled fashion, demonstrating that the Zn release systems developed can be used as a promising tool to improve the efficiency of fertilizers in agriculture.

Effect of soil aeration treatment on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Phyllostachys praecox under the organic material mulching

Phyllostachys praecox is one of the bamboo species that cultivated extensively in southern China. An organic material mulching technique is commonly adopted in winter to increase the yield of bamboo shoots and profits. However, P. praecox is inevitable to be declined when using the technique continuously. Accordingly, we conducted an aeration study to explore the mechanism of the bamboo recession. P. praecox were subjected to mulching and aeration treatments for 50 days, antioxidant enzymes, anaerobic respiratory metabolizing enzymes, and photosynthesis characteristics were investigated in root and leaf tissues. The mulching treatment led to bamboo hypoxia stress, while the aeration improved bamboo growth. Compared with mulching treatment, the aeration treatment significantly increased the soil oxygen content. Aeration treatment led to increases in the bamboo root respiratory activity by 19.74%, but decreased ADH, LDH, PDC, SOD, CAT, APX, GR activities by 64.98%, 36.58%, 57.78%, 21.57%, 33.33%, 22.60%, and 32.06%, respectively. Moreover, the aeration treatment greatly enhanced chlorophyll synthesis and improved bamboo photosynthesis. Soil hypoxia induced by the organic material mulching inhibited bamboo growth, which might be the critical factor in the bamboo recession. Our results indicated aeration was conducive to preventing the degeneration of the P. praecox bamboo forest.

Effects of Within-row Intercropping with Snow Peas on Yield and Quality of Cherry Tomatoes in an Organic High Tunnel Production System

Intercropping can increase land use efficiency in high tunnel crop production, but it may also lead to decreases in yield and quality of main crops due to the potential competition for resources. This study evaluated the agronomic viability of intercropping snow pea (Pisum sativum L., ‘Ho Lan Dou’) with cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var. cerasiforme ‘Sarina hybrid’) without additional inputs of water and fertilizers on peas in an organic high tunnel production system under Southern Ontario climate conditions in Guelph, Ontario, Canada (lat. 43.5 °N, long. 80.2 °W) during 2015 and 2016. In each 80-cm-wide bed, the tomato crops were planted alternately in double rows spaced 30 cm apart, with in-row spacing of 110 cm, which resulted in a planting density of ≈24,000 plants/ha. The snow pea seeds were sown between the tomato plants (i.e., within the same beds as tomatoes) in holes (two seeds per hole), with four rows in each bed and in-row holes spaced 10 cm and at least 25 cm away from the tomato plants, which resulted in a seeding rate of ≈650, 000 seeds/ha. The same amount of water or fertilizer was applied to the intercropping and nonintercropping plots based on the needs of the cherry tomato plants. Plant growth, fruit yield, and quality were compared between tomato plants with and without intercropping. Intercropping with snow peas did not affect total marketable fruit yield, unmarketable fruit percentage, fruit quality traits (e.g., individual fruit weight, soluble solids content, dry matter content, and postharvest water loss), or early-stage plant growth of the cherry tomato. Therefore, it is at least an agronomical possibility to intercrop snow peas with cherry tomatoes on the same beds without additional inputs of water and fertilizer on snow peas in an organic high tunnel system. The additional yield of pea shoots or pods in the intercropping treatment also increased economic gross returns in the high tunnels, although the economic net return might vary with the costs of seeds and labor involved in snow pea growing.

Phytoextraction with Maize of Soil Contaminated with Copper after Application of Mineral and Organic Amendments

This study aimed to determine the possibility to increase the the effect of different amendments (compost, bentonite and zeolite) on the shoot yield and the concentration of trace elements in shoots of maize (Zea mays L.) on soil contaminated with Cu. The yield of shoots and concentration of the trace elements in shoots of maize depended on Cu dose and amendment incorporation into the sandy soil. Cu-spiked soil caused an increase the yield of shoots (only to 100 mg Cu/kg of soil), in the concentration of Cu, Co, Mn, Ni and Fe in shoots of maize and, to a smaller degree, in the concentration of Zn and bioconcentration factor (BCF) of all elements except copper, compared to the control soil without Cu. Under the influence of 150 and 200 mg Cu per kg of soil, a decrease in yield of shoots of maize was observed. Compost, bentonite and zeolite increased the yield of shoots and reduced the concentration of Cu, Co, Mn, Fe and Zn in shoots of maize. Bentonite had a more positive effect than compost and zeolite on the yield of shoots and the concentration of Co, Mn and Zn in shoots of maize. The effect of these amendments on the Cu and Fe concentration in shoots of maize was reverse. A reverse effect of these amendments (especially bentonite and zeolite) on the Ni concentration in plants was observed. The amendments applied to soil, especially compost, increased the BCF of Ni and, to a small degree, BCF of Cu in shoots of maize, compared to the control series. Compost, zeolite and especially bentonite are very good amendments in the restoration of maize growth in polluted areas.

Beyond Beer: Hop Shoot Production and Nutritional Composition under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions

For hop growers, surplus shoots are generally a useless by-product of cultivation. Conversely, they may represent a valuable resource due to rising interest towards healthy and traditional foods. A field trial was carried out in Central Italy to characterize shoot production (number of emerged shoots, shoot fresh weight, marketable shoot yield, and shoot diameter) of three commercial hop cultivars (Cascade, Challenger, and Hallertauer Magnum) and to survey shoot proximate composition (ash, ether extract, crude protein, and crude fiber). Green shoots were harvested when they were from 20 to 40 cm in length. The results from two years showed that there was significant difference among the varieties and between growing seasons, both for yield traits and for nutritional composition. H. Magnum showed the highest marketable shoot yield (152 g per plant, two-year mean), while Cascade had the best proximate composition. The number of emerged shoots per plant varied from 62.5 of Cascade to 84.3 of H. Magnum over a two-year average. Marketable shoot yield showed a positive relationship with number of shoots and average shoot fresh weight, while no significant correlation was found with shoot diameter. Hop shoots proved to be a low-fat food (ether extract from 2 to 6% dry matter (DM)) with high protein (from 22 to 30% DM) and fiber content (from 10 to 16% DM).

EFFECT OF COMPOST RATES AND TOPPING TREATMENTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE UNDER SANDY SOIL CONDITIONS

A field experiment was carried out during the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 at the Experimental Farm at El-Kassasin, Hort. Station Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of compost fertilizer at 3, 6 and 9 ton/fed. and topping frequency (without , once and twice) on growth, shoot chemical composition, yield components (tubers and shoots), tuber quality and blade anatomy of Jerusalem artichoke plants (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cv. Fuseau grown in sandy soil and using drip irrigation system was used. Fertilizing Jerusalem artichoke plants grown in sandy soil with compost at 9 ton/fed. and un topped plants significantly increased plant height , both fresh and dry weight of shoots , N, P and K content(%) and uptake by shoots and total protein (%) in shoots, average tuber weight, yield per plant and per fed., dry matter, total carbohydrates and total sugars, as well as inulin content in tuber in both seasons and leaf blade parameters in the second season only. In addition, this treatment recorded the best economic traits (average two seasons). While the interaction between compost at 9 ton/fed. and topping plant twice recorded the highest yield of shoots and numbers per plant in both seasons. The interaction between compost at 9 ton /fed. and topping plants once came in the second rank for the most abovementioned traits. On the other hand, the least values of plant growth, chemical constituents in shoots , yield and its components and tuber quality were recorded with the plants which fertilized with compost at 3 ton /fed., and topping plants twice number. Conclusively, it could be concluded that, fertilizing Jerusalem artichoke plants grown in sandy soil with compost at 9 ton/fed. and un topped plants to obtain high yield of tubers and best quality as well as net return under the same conditions.

Effects of growing substrates and seed density on yield and quality of radish (Raphanus sativus) microgreens

Microgreens are a new class of edible fresh vegetable salads gaining more popularity as a new culinary ingredient which are harvested when cotyledons fully expanded before the true leaves completely emerge (7 to 21 days after germination). Being new to the market proper substrate and seed density are yet to be determined in order to increase the productivity. This present study was conducted during 2019 at the high-tech greenhouse, Vin Eco Company, Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam to evaluate effects of growing substrates and seed density on yield and quality of radish microgreens in greenhouse conditions. The studied growth parameters were germination rate, fresh weight, dried weigh and quality of radish microgreens grown on different substrates of white sphagnum peat and coco-coir dust. Results showed that white sphagnum peat and coco coir dust had no effects on germination rate, dried matter yield and shoot height of radish microgreens. The use of higher fertilizer concentration as coco coir substrate did not make fresh shoot yields higher than white sphagnum peat substrate with lower fertilizer concentration. Seed density significantly affected fresh shoot yield of radish microgreens grown on white sphagnum peat and coco coir substrate. Radish microgreen cultivation obtained highest fresh yield when sown seeds with density of 8 seeds/cell (approximate 109 g seeds). Nitrate level and microbiological contamination (E. coli and Salmonella spp.) of radish microgreens grown on these substrates are within legal and in safe limit and therefore can be considered as a safe and good fresh vegetable salad in the human diet.

Intrinsic root morphology determines the phosphorus acquisition efficiency of five annual pasture legumes irrespective of mycorrhizal colonisation.

Mycorrhizal fungi are ubiquitous in agroecosystems and form symbiotic associations that contribute to the phosphorus (P) acquisition of many plants. The impact of mycorrhizas is most pronounced in P-deficient soil and commonly involves modifications to the root morphology of colonised plants. However, the consequences of mycorrhizal colonisation on root acclimation responses to P stress are not well described. Five annual pasture legumes, with differing root morphologies, were grown to determine the effect of mycorrhizal colonisation on shoot yield, root morphology and P uptake. Micro-swards of each legume were established in pots filled with a topsoil layer that had been amended with five rates of P fertiliser. The topsoil overlaid a low-P subsoil that mimicked the stratification of P that occurs under pasture. Mycorrhizal colonisation improved P acquisition and shoot yield in the low-P soil treatments, but did not reduce the critical external P requirement of the legumes for near-maximum yield. The yield responses of the mycorrhizal plants were associated with reduced dry matter allocation to topsoil roots, which meant that the P acquisition benefit associated with mycorrhizal colonisation was not additive in the P-deficient soil. The contribution of the mycorrhizal association to P acquisition was consistent among the legumes when they were compared at an equivalent level of plant P stress, and was most pronounced below a P stress index of ~0.5. The intrinsic root morphology of the legumes determined their differences in P-acquisition efficiency irrespective of mycorrhizal colonisation.

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM HYDROGEN PHOSPHATE ON LEAD UPTAKE BY COWPEA (VIGNA UNGUICULATA)

The effects of calcium hydrogen phosphate on lead (Pb) uptake by cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were investigated in a growth chamber experiment coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and colorimetry analyses. Cowpea seeds were planted and harvested in soil samples treated with Pb+2 added as lead nitrate at the rates of 0, 1000 and 3000 mg/kg followed by calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4) at 0, 10, 50 and 250 mg/kg. Increases in shoot yield brought about by phosphate fertilization were observed to oppress the shoot lead concentration as a result of growth dilution, where the actual amount of lead in shoots was unaffected by phosphate treatment. This work revealed that there is no substantial effect on lead uptake by cowpea, as a result of phosphate fertilization. Therefore, phosphate fertilization is a good means of cowpea production with minimal lead uptake and hence safe for human consumption

Chives production according to planting density

In the search for optimization of production, the use of the ideal plant density is of fundamental importance. So, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of planting densities on chive production, varying the spacing between holes and the number of plants per hole. The experimental design was a randomized block design, with twelve treatments in the 4 x 3 factorial scheme, with four spacings between holes (0.05, 0.08, 0.11 and 0.14 m) and three numbers of plants per hole (2, 3 and 4 plants per hole), with four replicates. Leaf number, plant height, leaf diameter, fresh and dry shoot weight (g plant-1) and yield (t ha-1) were evaluated. It was observed that with a greater number of plants per hole, there is reduction in the production per plant, however, the yield is higher. The smaller the spacing, the greater the yield of chives. So it is possible to recommend the higher plant density for chive production, and the use of three or four plants per hole.

Compound-specific responses of phenolic metabolites in the bark of drought-stressed Salix daphnoides and Salix purpurea

The bark of willows (Salix spp.) is rich in bioactive phenolic compounds from different compound classes and is therefore used as an herbal remedy. The accumulation of these secondary plant metabolites is influenced by environmental factors, including the availability of water. To analyze the influence of drought stress on the profile of phenolic metabolites in willow bark, a pot experiment with Salix daphnoides Vill. and Salix purpurea L. was conducted. Plants were subjected to three irrigation treatments for four and ten weeks: 65–75% field capacity (well-watered), 33–38% field capacity (moderate drought), and 17–22% field capacity (severe drought). Shoot biomass and proline content were assessed as drought-sensitive traits. Contents of phenolic compounds were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Drought stress reduced shoot biomass and led to an increase of the bark proline content. The particular effects on phenolics depended on the individual compound, Salix species and drought stress duration. Whereas salicylates were not affected, some flavonoids and phenolic acid derivatives, as well as salireposide indicated treatment effects. The effects comprised decreasing as well as increasing contents. However, beyond the impact of drought stress, the observed responses are assumed to be superimposed by seasonal changes in the content of phenolics. Regarding the yield of willow shoots, the impairment of growth under water shortage seems to be more decisive than drought-induced changes of the bark metabolite content.

Effect of Light Spectrum on Gas Exchange, Growth and Biochemical Characteristics of Einkorn Seedlings

The use of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights in microscale vegetable production is more and more widespread. In this context, the effect of light spectrum on photosynthesis, growth, shoot yield, pigment content, and nutritional status of einkorn seedlings (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum), germinated and grown in a nutrient solution, was investigated. Plants were subjected to six different LED light treatments, all having a photon flux density (PFD) of 200 μmol m−2 s−1. Two light treatments were monochromatic (red or blue), three dichromatic (blue and red in the proportion), and one of a wider spectrum (selected as a control). All the light treatments affected the morphological, biochemical, and nutritional status of einkorn seedlings. Overall, the dichromatic treatments were the most effective in stimulating biomass production, CO2 assimilation, and evapotranspiration, as well as contents in chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids, and additionally nitrogen, phosphorous, manganese, iron, and zinc. These results are of relevance for the beneficial effects of dichromatic LED treatments in maximizing einkorn shoot yield and nutritional values, and in limiting energy consumption in indoor cultivation.