Stem Dry Weight Research Articles

Accumulation of water-soluble carbohydrates and gene expression in wheat stems correlates with drought resistance

In order to understand the effects of sugar metabolism on drought resistance in wheat, two wheat cultivars with different levels of drought resistance were used in this study. We investigated the accumulation pattern of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and expression profiles of twelve fructan metabolism-related genes in peduncle (PED), penultimate (PEN), and lower internode (LOW) stem tissues under drought stress. LH7, a higher drought-resistance cultivar, contained a higher stem dry weight and higher content of WSC in PED, PEN, and LOW tissues, while XN979, a lower drought-resistance cultivar, contained lower values. The tissues from LOW internodes had the highest WSC content, while PED had the lowest. The mRNA levels of genes encoding fructan synthesis-related enzymes, sucrose: sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase (1-SST), sucrose: fructan 6-fructosyltransferase (6-SFT), and fructan: fructan 1- fructosyltransferase (1-FFT) showed higher expression levels at early time points following stress, whilst the genes encoding degradation-related enzymes, fructan exohydrolases (1-FEH), and invertase (INV), showed higher expression at a later time point. Compared with XN979, LH7 showed higher expression levels of genes encoding fructan synthesis-related enzymes at all growth stages, whilst the expression of 1-FEH-W3, 6-FEH, and INV3 were higher at a later stage; these expression levels would benefit fructan accumulation and remobilization at early and later stages, respectively. Drought stress induced most of fructan metabolism related genes expression level decreasing in LH7 PED, but enhancing in LH7 LOW part at early time points following stress. The results confirm that there are complex, coordinated expression patterns of fructan synthesis- and degradation-related genes in stems under drought stress. In summary, 1–SST-A2, 6-SFT, 1-FFT-A, 1-FEH-W3, 6-FEH, and INV3 play important roles in fructan accumulation. In addition, higher expression of genes related to fructan synthesis and degradation occurs during early and later stages of drought stress, respectively, enhancing the drought resistance of wheat cultivar LH7.

تاثیر کمپوست چای و پتاسیم هیومات بر مقاومت گیاه آفتابگردان (.Helianthus annuus L) به سمیت سرب

Introduction Lead is an unnecessary elements that have highly toxic effects on plants and humans. Severe effects of this heavy element on physiological and morphological aspects of seedling have been reported. Lead prevents the seed germination, root elongation and seedling development, so creates disruption in essential elements uptake such as magnesium and iron, and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide capture. In contaminated soils poor establishment and thus reduce plant biomass, reduces the efficiency of phytoremediation. The seed priming is one of the important ways of seed enhancement before planting. Which that seeds are emerged into the water or osmotic solution and then soaked seeds remains in lag phase and don’t sprout. Materials and methods This research was conducted in research greenhouse, college of agriculture, University of Shahrekord in 2016. Sunflower seeds was purchased from Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj, Iran. To study the effect of potassium humate and compost tea on sunflower seedling tolerance to toxic concentrations of lead factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications done. Treatments were control, potassium humate and compost tea and four levels of lead concentrations (0, 200, 400 and 600 mg of lead/kg of soil). The concentration of compost tea (1: 5) and potassium humate was 300 mmol/L. Results and Discussion Results showed that increasing of lead concentration significantly reduced the root dry weight, stem dry weight and leaf dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and increased carotenoids, proline content and electrolyte leakage. Seed priming with potassium humate and compost tea alleviated the damage effect of contaminated soil with lead on mentioned parameters. In lead stress, potassium humate increased root dry weight (733 mg), leaf dry weight (73 mg), chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and lead concentration of root and aboveground of sunflower. However, compost tea increased proline (27 µm/l) and carotenoids (0.7 mm/g fw) and decreased electrolyte leakage (5.54 %) compared with control. Generally in past researches indicated that reducing of seedling weight can be due to decline of essential nutrients uptake such as K, Ca, Mg and Fe (Gogorcena et al, 2002) and decline of biomass production due to disruptions in the photosynthesis, respiration and nitrogen metabolism (Balestrasse et al, 2001) induced by toxic concentrations of lead. Potassium humate in the most toxic lead concentration prevented the loss of dry weight of roots and leaves by 51% and 28% in compared to control, respectively. Because the potassium increases permeability of cell walls, which makes it facilities the translocation of seed reserves from the endosperm to the embryo axis. Additionally it causes the synthesis of proteins, nucleotides, and more growth of embryo (Umair et al, 2010) and resulted increasing of seedling weight. In general, the replacement of lead instead of magnesium in the chlorophyll causes chlorophyll degradation. Iincrease of concentrations of chlorophyll a (171%) in the most toxic lead and chlorophyll b (381%) at 400 mg/kg of lead by ppotassium humate can be related to the role of potassium. Potassium increases chlorophyll concentration and enhances the CO2 fixation. Conclusions In general, it can be concluded that with potassium humate and compost tea with increasing photosynthesis pigments and proline content and reducing electrolyte leakage increased of sunflower tolerance in contaminated soils with lead.

Hairy vetch, compost and chemical fertilizer management effects on red pepper yield, quality, and soil microbial population

Organic fertilizers may contribute substantially to improving yield, soil quality, and reducing the environmental impacts of conventional farming. This study investigates the effects of organic fertilizers, like green manure composed of hairy vetch (HV), livestock compost (LC), or a combination of the two (LC + HV), has on red pepper growth, yield, fruit quality, and soil microbial populations as compared to more commonly used chemical fertilizers. This study investigates the effects of different fertilizer treatments on red pepper growth, yield, quality, and soil microbial populations. The experimental plot treatments were no fertilizer (CON), chemical fertilizer, HV, LC and LC + HV. In these treatments, 70-day-old red pepper plants were grown for an additional 140 days under treatment conditions. Plant dry weight, macro- and micro-nutrient contents were analyzed. Post-harvest soil properties and cultivable soil microbial population were determined. HV and LC + HV treatments had significantly high leaf and stem dry weight. All the treatments increased T–N, P and Mg contents in plants and the highest uptake was recorded for plants fertilized with HV. After harvest, soil fertilized with LC + HV had higher soil organic matter and available P, K and Ca as compared to chemical fertilizers. In addition, soil fertilized with organic fertilizers had significantly more cultivable microbial populations than chemical fertilizers. Overall, these results suggest that organic fertilizers could be used to reduce the application of synthetic fertilizers and aiding sustainable agriculture.

Dependence of grain productivity of the main shoot ear on the stem dry matter weight in varieties of winter wheat

Aim. Estimation of the mass of dry matter of the stem of the main shoots of different varieties of winter wheat in the phases of flowering and full ripeness as a criterion for the grain productivity of its ear in years with different meteorological conditions. Methods. Field, morphometric, mathematical and statistical. Results. The mass of dry matter of the stem of the main shoots of winter wheat varieties was studied in years that differed significantly in weather conditions in the flowering phase and at full grain maturity. It was established that the mass of dry matter of the stem of the main shoot at the flowering and the full grain maturity varied significantly, respectively 0.6–1.2 g and 0.5–1.0 g in 2014, and 1.0–2.0 g and 0.8–1.5 g in 2016 depending on the variety, and under different growing conditions. Limits of variation of grain yield of the ear in 2014, ranged from 0.9 to 2.2 g and from 1.5 to 2.5 g in 2016. It was established that at the flowering, the correlation between the mass of grain from the head and the mass of the dry substance of the stem was significant at 99 % probability under growing conditions (r = 0.8–0.9). Conclusions. It is shown that grain productivity of main shoot in winter wheat is related to the ability of its stem to store assimilates during the vegetative period. It was established that the mass of the dry matter of the stem of the main shoots in the flowering phase can serve as a criterion for assessing its grain productivity.
 Keywords: Triticum aestivum L., mass of stem, grain yield.

Effects of late sowing on soybean yields and yield components in southwestern Japan

ABSTRACTSoybean production in southwestern Japan tends to be unstable owing to wet soils during the rainy season. Although late sowing after the rainy season can avoid excess water, information on its yield potential is limited. The objective of this study was to reveal the effect of late sowing on yields and yield components of new soybean cultivars developed for warm regions. The experiment was conducted in 2016 and 2017 in Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan. Upland fields converted from paddy fields with a subirrigation system were planted in June (normal) or July (late sparse or late dense). Lodging was prevented with a net. The effects of late sowing and dense treatment were analyzed in relation to solar radiation use. In 2016, differences in yield among cultivars and among environments were not significant. In 2017, yield was significantly reduced following late sparse sowing. The total aboveground dry matter at maturity was correlated with total solar radiation intercepted (r = 0.76) but not with radiation use efficiency (r = 0.47). Late sowing increased harvest index (HI) significantly from 0.464 to 0.571 in 2016 and from 0.524 to 0.585 in 2017, but density had no significant effect. The changes in HI were correlated with stem dry weight (r = −0.80 in 2016 and r = −0.79 in 2017) rather than seed yield (r = 0.08, n.s. in 2016 and r = 0.19, n.s. in 2017). Thus, under irrigation, late dense sowing might stabilize yield in southwestern Japan because of higher HI.Abbreviations: DM: dry matter; FOEAS: farm-oriented enhancing aquatic system; HI: harvest index; RUE: radiation use efficiency

Effects of decomposed poultry litter, nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and micronutrient content of arum (Colocasia esculentus L.)

A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the integrated effects of poultry litter, nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and micronutrient (Fe, Zn and Cu) contents of arum (Colocasia esculenta L.) in the net house of the Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka. Height (76 cm), leaf number (5 no./plant), leaf area (1045.66 cm2/plant) and fresh (130.7 g/plant) and dry (14.35 g/plant) weights of leaf, stem, bulb and root were achieved highest in the combined application of decomposed poultry litter compost and nitrogen (PL2N40P0). The leaf area, and fresh and dry weights of leaf, stem, bulb and root varied significantly (p≤ 0.5). The concentration of iron, zinc and copper in different parts were measured the highest in the treatments (0.70%), (0.58%), (0.22%) for leaf; (0.83%), (0.96%), (0.99%) for stem; (0.74%), (0.09%), (0.05%) for bulb and (0.98%), (0.64%), (0.27%) for root, respectively. Generally, the concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu were found to be the highest in PL4N20P15, PL4N0P15 and PL2N0P0 treatments, respectively.J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2018, 4(1): 11-18

Development And Grain Quality Of Soybean Cultivars Treated With Pyraclostrobin And Biostimulant

Products with physiological effects on plants to optimize agricultural production is increasingly used; they can change the development of plants and the chemical characteristics of seeds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the development of soybean cultivars and the protein and oil contents of soybean grains after treatment with pyraclostrobin and biostimulant. The experiment was carried out with soybean crops without irrigation. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, with five replications, using a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement consisting of three cultivars of different maturation times (very early, M6952IPRO; early M7739IPRO; and medium, ST797IPRO), and three treatments with products that cause physiological effects (control, pyraclostrobin, and control + biostimulant). The pod, leaf, and stem dry weights, number of pods, 100-grain weight, grain yield, and oil and protein contents of the soybean plants were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, and Tukey’s test at 5% probability. The effects of the products used (pyraclostrobin and biostimulant) vary according to the cultivar and may increase the soybean leaf and pod dry weights, and grain protein contents.

Diverse responses for some growth biostimulants on some morphological, physiological, chemical, anatomical and yield characteristics of tomato plant (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)

Two field experiments were carried at the Experimental Farm Station of The Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Qlubia governorate and Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University (Assiut Branch), Assiut governorate, Egypt, during two successive summer seasons of 2016 and 2017.The aim of this work was to study the effect of foliar application with Arginine at 25, 50 mgl-1 and Tryptophan at 50, 100 mgl-1 as well as Milagrow at 50 and 100 mgl-1 treatments comparing to the control on morphological, physiological, chemical, anatomical, flowering and yield characteristics of tomato plant. The experiment was performed as a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Different vegetative growth characteristics of plant samples were taken i.e., plant length, stem diameter, number of branches plant-1, number of leaves plant-1, stem fresh weight plant-1, leaves fresh weight plant-1, stem dry weight plant-1, leaves dry weight plant-1 and total leaf area plant-1. Photosynthetic pigments in the leaves i.e., Chlorophyll A, B, A+B and Carotenoids mg g-1 F.Wt., phytohormones i.e., Gibberellins, Auxins, Cytokinins and total promoters as well as Salicylic acid and Abscisic acid content. Anatomical characteristics of tomato plant leaf i.e., thickness of upper epidermis tissue, lower epidermis, palisade tissue, spongy tissue, blade, phloem tissue, xylem tissue, No. of xylem rows, widest of M. xylem vessel, length of vascular bundle, width of vascular bundle and thickness of leaf midrib. Anatomical stem characteristics i.e., thickness of epidermis tissue, collenchyma layers, parenchyma layers, phloem tissue, cambial tissue, xylem tissue, No. of xylem rows vascular cylinder-1, No. of xylem vessels row-1, widest of M. xylem vessel, thickness of parenchymamatous pith and stem diameter. From these results we can conclude that, the beast treatment was Milagrow at 50 mgl-1 flowed by Arginine at 50 mgl-1 comparing with the control and other applied biostimulant treatments during the both seasons. On the other side, the treatment with Tryptophan, recorded low values, especially at 50 mgl-1 comparing with the other biostimulants. At the same time Milagro at 50 mgl-1 which recorded the highest values for early yield (g) plant-1 (731.62), total fruits No. plant-1 (29.74), fruit setting % (37.19), total yield plant-1 (1.94 kg), fruit fresh weight fruit-1 (67.38 g) and fruit dry weight fruit-1 (3.14g). The highest values for nitrogen, crude protein, total carbohydrates, total soluble solids and Vitamin C mg100-1 cm3 juice was recorded with Milagrow at 50 mgl-1. On the contrast, the same treatment was recorded low values for phosphorus, potassium and total acidity comparing with the other treatments during both seasons. The negative correlation was found among nitrogen, crude protein, total carbohydrates, total soluble solid and vitamin C mg 100-1 cm3 juice with phosphorus, potassium and total acidity. From these results can conclude that, the beast treatment was Milagrow at 50 mgl-1 flowed by Arginine at 50 mgl-1 comparing with the control during the both seasons. On the other side, the treatment with Tryptophan, recorded low values, especially at 50 mgl-1 comparing with the other applied biostimulants. Finally, the leaf and stem anatomical characters indicated that Milagrow was the beast treatment for enhancement the diameter of xylem vessel in the stem and No. of xylem rows in the leaf and stem especially at 50 mgl-1 as well as increasing the thickness of leaf lamina and midrib especially at 100 mgl-1, subsequently increasing the mineral elements transport and photosynthetic rate. Moreover, increasing yield and may be caused the tolerance to an adverse conditions especially high temperature for tomato genotypes during summer season.

Developmental dynamics of stem starch accumulation in Sorghum bicolor.

Sweet sorghums were identified that accumulate up to ~9% of their total stem dry weight as starch. Starch accumulated preferentially in stem pith parenchyma in close proximity to vascular bundles. Stem starch accumulated slowly between floral initiation and anthesis and more rapidly between anthesis and 43 days post‐anthesis before declining in parallel with tiller outgrowth. Genes involved in stem starch metabolism were identified through phylogenetic approaches and RNA‐seq analysis of Della stem gene expression during the starch accumulation phase of development. Genes differentially expressed in stems were identified that are involved in starch biosynthesis (i.e., AGPase SS/LS, starch synthases, starch‐branching enzymes), degradation (i.e., glucan‐water dikinase, β‐amylase, disproportionating enzyme, alpha‐glucan phosphorylase) and amyloplast sugar transport (glucose‐6‐P translocator). Transcripts encoding AGPase SS and LS subunits with plastid localization were differentially induced during stem starch accumulation indicating that ADP‐glucose for starch biosynthesis is primarily generated in stem plastids. Cytosolic heteroglucan metabolism may play a role in stem sucrose/starch accumulation because genes encoding cytosolic forms of the disproportionating enzyme and alpha‐glucan phosphorylase were induced in parallel with stem sucrose/starch accumulation. Information on the stem starch pathway obtained in this study will be useful for engineering sorghum stems with elevated starch thereby improving forage quality and the efficiency of biomass conversion to biofuels and bio‐products.

The Effect of Green Manure and Chromolaena-Odorata-Based Bokashi on Nutrient Soil Content and Maize Growth

The objectives of this study are twofold; firstly, it is intended to determine the soil nutrient contents (e.g., nitrogen, phosphor, potassium, manganese, and magnesium) after the provision of Chromolaena odorata organic fertilizer. Secondly, the study is aimed at examining the growth of maize crops after the provision of the same fertilizer. It employed randomized design group consisting of three phases of treatment (i.e., control, fertilizer provision, and provision of Bokashi with Chromolaena odorata) and four-times of the repeating process. Furthermore, the variable consists of the contents of soil nutrient before applying the treatment, vegetative growth (i.e., stem height, stem diameter, leaf size, and dry weight of root, stem, and leaf), and generative growth (i.e., weight of unhusked cob, weight of husked cob, number of seeds per cob, width of cob, and weight of 100 seeds). The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and it further examined by employing Least Significance Difference test at 5% level. The results reveal that the provision of Bokashi fertilizer (with Chromolaena odorata as the material) positively impacts the growth of maize crops rather than the provision of green manure and control fertilizer. Keywords: Generative Growth, Organic Fertilizer, Vegetative Growth

Different water and nitrogen fertilizer rates effects on growth and development of spinach

ABSTRACTWater and nitrogen (N) nutrition are two key factors affecting nutrient absorption growth and biomass production of vegetables. However, less information is available to the interaction between water utilization and nitrogen use efficiency in vegetable production. In this study, a combination of three water levels and three nitrogen fertilizer rates was applied to optimize water and nitrogen application in field experiments. Plant traits, biomass production, and allocation were determined. The fresh and dry weight of leaf, stem, and root significantly decreased when irrigation water was short. Total aboveground biomass decreased in response to deficit irrigation. Leaf chlorophyll concentrations decreased when nitrogen fertilizer reduced. The leaf area was highest when spinach was grown under 170 kg ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer and 70–80% of field capacity. These results suggested that spinach could be planted with good growth and quality by implementing effective water and nitrogen managements.

Productivity and Stress-Tolerance of Transgenic Tobacco Plants with a Constitutive Expression of the Rapeseed Glutathione Synthetase Gene BnGSH

Glutathione is the most important part of a plant’s antioxidant defense system. Two enzymes are involved in cellular glutathione biosynthesis: glutamylcysteine ligase and glutathione synthetase, of which the latter catalyzes the transfer of glycine to the glutamylcysteine dipeptide. Transgenic plants with an elevated expression level of the glutathione synthetase genes are known to be tolerant to heavy metals. However, our knowledge on their tolerance to other types of the abiotic stress is insufficient. The goal of this study is to produce transgenic tobacco plants with a constitutive expression of the glutathione synthetase gene BnGSH from rapeseed and to estimate their growth parameters under the normal conditions, as well as under the effects of salt, drought, and cold stresses. We generate 17 lines of transgenic plants with the rapeseed BnGSH gene under the control of the 35S promoter by agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The transgene presence is confirmed by the PCR and histochemical analysis of the activity of the GUS reporter gene. Twelve lines with the highest expression level of the BnGSH gene are chosen based on the results of RT-PCR. The following morphological parameters are measured: stem height, leaf area, flower length, fresh and dry weights of shoots, and root length. Some transgenic plants demonstrated increased productivity both under normal conditions and under the effect of a high salinity stress. However, no change in the tolerance to drought and cold was observed in the transgenic plants.

Effect of UV-B radiation on morphology, phenolic compound production, gene expression, and subsequent drought stress responses in chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

It has been suggested that accumulation of flavonoids could be a key step in development of plant tolerance to different environmental stresses. Moreover, it has been recognized that abiotic stresses such as drought and UV-B radiation (280–315 nm) induce phenolic compound accumulation, suggesting a role for these compounds in drought tolerance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of UV-B exposure on chili pepper (Capsicum annuum, cv. ‘Coronel’) plant performance, phenolic compound production, and gene expression associated with response to subsequent drought stress. Additionally, the phenotypic response to drought stress of these plants was studied. UV-B induced a reduction both in stem length, stem dry weight and number of floral primordia. The largest reduction in these variables was observed when combining UV-B and drought. UV-B-treated well-watered plants displayed fructification approximately 1 week earlier than non-UV-B-treated controls. Flavonoids measured epidermally in leaves significantly increased during UV-B treatment. Specifically, UV-B radiation significantly increased chlorogenic acid and apigenin 8-C-hexoside levels in leaves and a synergistic increase of luteolin 6-C-pentoside-8-C-hexoside was obtained by UV-B and subsequent drought stress. Gene expression of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes also increased during UV-B treatments. On the other hand, expression of genes related to an oxidative response, such as mitochondrial Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and peroxidase (POD) was not induced by UV-B. Drought stress in UV-B-treated plants induced mitochondrial Mn-SOD gene expression. Taken together, the UV-B treatment did not induce significant tolerance in plants towards drought stress under the conditions used.

PENGGUNAAN BIOCHAR DAN DEKOMPOSER DALAM PROSES PENGOMPOSAN LIMBAH KULIT BUAH KAKAO SERTA PENGKAYAAN MIKROB PELARUT FOSFAT (MPF) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS PUPUK ORGANIK

Indonesia merupakan penyumbang ketiga pasar kakao dunia. Hal ini menyebabkan limbah padat yang dihasilkan mencapai lebih dari 60% dari total produksi buah. Namun penggunaan limbah kulit buah kakao oleh petani belum optimal. Umumnya petani hanya membuang atau membenamkan saja limbah kulit buah kakao tanpa diolah terlebih dahulu menjadi pupuk organik berkualitas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: (i) Pengaruh biochar dan dekomposer dalam mempercepat proses pengomposan limbah kulit buah kakao dan memperbaiki kualitas pupuk organik, (ii) Mengetahui pengaruh penambahan Bakteri Pelarut Fosfat (BPF) ke dalam pupuk organik yang berasal dari limbah kulit buah kakao terhadap pertumbuhan bibit kakao (Theobroma cacao L.). Penelitian ini dilaksanakan mulai dari September 2014 sampai dengan Agustus 2015. Penelitian tahap pertama dilakukan dengan menggunakan rancangan faktorial 2 faktor dalam Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh penambahan biochar dan dekomposer terhadap percepatan proses pengomposan limbah kulit buah kakao. Perlakuan yang diteliti adalah: (i) Biochar (tanpa biochar dari bobot kering bahan pupuk organik dan biochar 10% dari bobot kering bahan pupuk organik), (ii) Dekomposer (tanpa dekomposer dan dekomposer 100 g kg-1 bahan pupuk organik dengan kerapatan ± 106 SPK ml-1). Penelitian tahap kedua menggunakan rancangan faktorial 3 faktor dalam Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL). Perlakuan yang diteliti adalah: (i) Jenis pupuk organik (tanpa pupuk organik, pupuk organik, pupuk organik dan biochar), (ii) Inokulan Bakteri Pelarut Fosfat (BPF), (tanpa inokulan BPF, inokulan BPF A dan inokulan BPF B), (iii) Dosis pupuk P (tanpa pupuk P, pupuk SP-36 1 g P2O5, pupuk SP-36 2 g P2O5 , dan pupuk fosfat alam 2 g P2O5 ). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian biochar dan dekomposer tidak mempercepat proses pengomposan. Pemberian biochar dan dekomposer meningkatkan kadar asam humat. Pemberian fosfat alam 2 g P2O5/2.2 kg BKM meningkatkan pertumbuhan tinggi bibit kakao. Pemberian pupuk organik dengan biochar atau tanpa biochar pada faktor perlakuan inokulan BPF A dan BPF B meningkatkan secara nyata diameter batang bibit kakao. Pemberian pupuk organik meningkatkan diameter batang, tinggi tanaman, jumlah daun bibit kakao, berat kering akar dan berat kering batang bibit kakao.

Morphology and Flowering Responses of Four Bedding Plant Species to a Range of Red to Far Red Ratios

In greenhouse ornamental crop production, bedding plants grown below high densities of hanging baskets (HBs) tend to be of lower quality. Hanging basket crops can decrease the red to far red ratio (R:FR) of the growing environment below; however, the extent to which decreased R:FR affects plant morphology and flowering of the lower-level crops is unknown. The present study examined effects of R:FR on morphology and flowering of marigold ‘Antigua Orange’ (Tagetes erecta), petunia ‘Duvet Red’ (Petunia ×hybrida), calibrachoa ‘Kabloom Deep Blue’ (Calibrachoa ×hybrida), and geranium ‘Pinto Premium Salmon’ (Pelargonium ×hortorum). Five R:FR light treatments were provided ranging from R:FR 1.1 (representing unfiltered sunlight) to R:FR 0.7 (representing shaded conditions under HBs) using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in growth chambers, each with identical photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400–700 nm) and FR added to achieve the target R:FR ratio. Two experiments using the same R:FR treatments were conducted with day/night temperature regimes of 20 °C/18 °C and 25 °C/21 °C, respectively. In the second experiment, a fluorescent light treatment was included. The results of the second experiment were more dramatic than the first, where reducing R:FR from 1.1 to 0.7 increased height by 11%, 22%, and 32% in marigold, petunia, and calibrachoa, respectively, and increased petiole length in geranium by 10%. Compared with R:FR 1.1, the R:FR 0.7 shortened the time to the appearance of first flower bud by 2 days in marigold, whereas flowering was minimally affected in other species. Compared with pooled data from the LED treatments, fluorescent light increased relative chlorophyll content for all species, reduced height in marigold, petunia, calibrachoa, and geranium by 26%, 67%, 60%, and 48%, and reduced stem dry weight by 28%, 39%, 21%, and 31%, respectively. The differences in morphology observed under fluorescent light compared with LED R:FR treatments indicate that light quality manipulation is a potential alternative to chemical growth regulators in controlled environments such as greenhouses and growth chambers.

English

The impact of drought stress and foliar nutrition on dry matter accumulation in different parts of soybean plant was studied at Dryland Farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati during rabi season, 2014-15. The experiment was conducted as a Randomized Block Design with three replications. In this research, Groundnut crop was imposed to mid-season moisture stress from 45 DAS to 75 DAS (pod formation to pod filling stage). Treatments included Foliar application of chemical nutrients (8 treatments) along with two checks (one control irrigated and one control stress) were imposed at 60 days after sowing (15 days after imposing moisture stress). The results revealed that, significant variations for morphological, physiological, drought tolerance, biochemical and yield attributes were observed. Among the foliar spray treatments at harvest, the foliar spray treatment KNO3 @ 0.5% recorded significantly higher stem, leaf and pod dry weight and also total drymatter partitioning followed by NPK -19:19:19 @ 0.5% and KCl @ 1% compared to control stress treatment. Among the foliar spray treatments NPK- 19:19:19 @ 0.5%, at 75 and 90 DAS was found to be superior in increasing the LAI followed by KNO3 @ 0.5% and KCl @ 1%.

Impact of Seaweed Extract and Phosphorus Application on Productivity of Dahlia Plants

A pot experiment was conducted for two successive seasons on a sandy soil and Dahlia pinnata plants grown on it. The randomized block design was used with two factors, the first was seaweed extracts (SWE) 0.0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 % and the second was phosphorus (P) element treatment through soil application technique at four levels 0.0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different treatments of seaweed extract on chemical behavior and uptake of phosphorus at different levels in the sandy soil and on plant growth, flowering and chemical composition of growing plants and how the net negative surface charge and phosphate adsorption processes in a sandy soil were affected by seaweed and inorganic fertilizer applications. Soil samples ware collected from a field experiment where seaweed (SWE) and triple superphosphate (TSP) were applied annually on an equivalent plant-available P basis. The results showed that adding seaweed extract (Oligo- x) at 1% and P at 200 ppm revealed significant increase in the studied parameters in both seasons. Significant increases were in the stem length, stem dry weight, number of leaves and their dry weight, leaf area as well as the flower diameter, duration and dry weight while a significant increase in number of days needed to reach flowering was recorded with all fertilizer treatments in both seasons. Tuberous root fresh weights and their number/Plant were obviously stimulated by the used treatments. Meanwhile the content of the leaves of N, P and K (%) as well as the total content of chlorophyll and carbohydrates were significantly stimulated in both seasons compared to the control. After 2 years, SWE-soils had 37% more negative surface charge in soil suspensions from pH 4 to 7 than TSP-fertilized soils. Phosphate adsorption was 23% lower in soils received SEW than TSP. The phosphate adsorption data (adsorption of added phosphate + native adsorbed phosphate) was modeled with the Langmuir 2-surface equation, which revealed that the binding strength for phosphate, including native adsorbed phosphate, was about 50% less in the SWE-fertilized soils than the TSP-fertilized soils. These results suggest that SWE applications increased the net negative surface charge also reduces the soil phosphate adsorption capacity. Phosphate adsorption isotherms showed that phosphate was weakly bound in SWE-fertilized soils, compared with TSP-fertilized soils. Data showed that seaweed not only decreased phosphate retention by the soil but also increased phosphate release into the soil solution. It could be recommended to grow dahlia bulbs in sandy soil by adding of seaweed extract (SWE) at rate (1%) with supplying phosphorus at a level of 200 ppm.

Photosynthetic and morphological responses of oak species to temperature and [CO2] increased to levels predicted for 2050

Urban forests are environmentally, climatically, socially and economically important. An understanding of the response of urban trees to future climate change is crucial to the maintenance of urban forests and the ecosystem services they support. We conducted a controlled environment pot-experiment on four-year-old Mediterranean oak species: the evergreen Quercus ilex and the deciduous Quercus cerris, to investigate the combined impact of elevated CO2 and temperature on growth and leaf physiology to levels predicted for 2050 in urban areas of central Italy. Quercus cerris initially increased net-photosynthesis (PN) under elevated 2050 conditions (EC) compared to present ambient conditions (AC), before PN declined, possibly indicative of down-regulation of photosynthetic physiology. Quercus ilex PN was not influenced by EC throughout the 70 days duration of the study. Levels of PN and stomatal conductance (Gs) were generally lower in Q. ilex than Q. cerris. Quercus ilex also reduced Gs during growth at EC. This reduced transpirative water-loss caused a significant increase in the water use efficiency (WUE) of Q. ilex. This reduction in Gs may have been associated with the observed reduction in stomatal density in Q. ilex grown under EC, while the number of stomata on leaves developed under the experimental conditions were unaffected by the EC treatment in Q. cerris. Over the course of the experiment, above (stem dry weight: SDW) and below-ground biomass (root dry weight: RDW) and foliar starch increased in Q. cerris (in both EC and AC equally) but not Q. ilex. Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF); Prompt Fluorescence (PF), Delayed Fluorescence (DF) and Modulated Reflectance (MR) also indicated that a greater resilience of photochemistry to growth under EC was more apparent in Q. ilex than Q. cerris. In particular, the reduction of the quantum yield efficiency (FV/FM) in Q. ilex may also be considered functional to maintain constant PN levels in elevated temperature and [CO2]. The results of this study suggest that Q. ilex exhibits greater plasticity and adaptation to EC, and may therefore perform more favourably under future 2050 climatic conditions.

Plant biometric characterization and leaf micromorphometry of Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd cultivated under shade

ABSTRACT Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd, known as Ceylon spinach, Surinam purslane, or waterleaf, is cultivated for medicinal and food purposes. Among environmental factors, light is an important regulator of primary production, contributing to plant growth. However, the success of each plant species depends on its morphoanatomical responses to light. The aim of this study was to determine whether T. triangulare leaf micromorphometry is affected when grown in full sun and under shade, and if so, which plant biometric variables are affected. T. triangulare cultivation was tested in beds arranged in blocks under shade levels of 0, 18, 30, and 50%. Each bed was considered a basic experimental unit, totaling four replications per treatment. Plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, leaf fresh weight, stem fresh weight, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, abaxial epidermis, and mesophyll thickness were higher as shade levels increased. However, there was a decrease in the number of leaves, root to shoot ratio, stomatal density on abaxial and adaxial surfaces, and palisade parenchyma thickness. Nevertheless, root length, leaf and stem dry weights, leaf weight ratio, adaxial stomatal index, adaxial epidermis, and spongy parenchyma thickness remained constant. Plants responded differently to shade, with morphological and anatomical changes, suggesting a phenotypic plasticity and raising the possibility of being grown both in shaded environments and in full sunlight.

Balance and concentration of nitrogen and potassium affect growth and nutrient status in soilless cultivated lisianthus

ABSTRACTPurpose: Nitrogen (N) / potassium (K) nutrient balance has been studied for some ornamental plants, however, available information is limited. Here we investigate the optimum N and K balance and concentration for lisianthus production in soilless medium.Materials and methods: The effect of three N / K balances: 1.43, 2.14 and 4.29, prepared by varying the concentration of N and K, were evaluated in lisianthus grown in soilless medium (volcanic rock).Results: Plants fertigated with a N / K balance of 2.14 exhibited enhanced height and stem dry weight when compared to plants fertigated with a balance of 4.29, and a higher flower buds count and total dry weight than those fertigated with a balance of 1.43 or 4.29. Plants fertigated with a balance of 2.14 exhibited increased dry weight when N was reduced from 15 to 9 meq L−1 and K from 7 to 4.2 meq L−1, suggesting that lisianthus does not require high levels of these nutrients. Although shoot N concentration was not correlated with N concentration in the nutrient solution or balance, increasing N in the shoot was associated with higher P and Mg in the plant tissues. In general, P, Ca, and Mg in plant tissues were unaffected by the external N / K balance, however, the internal P and Mg concentrations were positively correlated with shoot dry weight. Shoot K concentration significantly increased when the N / K balance decreased, which is related to the higher concentrations of external K when the balance decreased.Conclusions: The optimum N / K balance for lisianthus was 2.14. However, there was a concentration effect, as fertigation with solutions containing a N / K balance of 2.14 and an N and K concentration of 9 and 4.2 meq L−1 respectively, resulted in plants with the greatest dry weight.