Stem Height Research Articles

Low-cost nano biochar: a sustainable approach for drought stress mitigation in faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

This study tends to reach some objectives of the sustainable development goals, which call for responsible consumption and production and climate action. Long-term global food security is affected by drought and the optimal use of water in agricultural areas under climate change scenarios. Our approach aims to amend soil for cultivation under drought stress and improve plant growth to contribute to food security. In this context, a biochar was prepared from peanut shell and thoroughly examined as a soil enhancer for broad bean cultivation during drought stress. The produced biochar exhibited 0.307 g cm−3 bulk density, 9.6 cmol kg−1 cation exchange capacity, −15.5 mV zeta potential, and an average diameter of 21.86 nm. Surprisingly, the application of biochar increased soil water holding capacity and organic matter by 66% and 220%, respectively. Moreover, its application under drought improved plant growth as indicated by stem height, leaf area index, pod number/plant, pod weight, protein level, chlorophyll content, nutrient levels in leaves, and reduced lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage. The principal component and factorial analysis of the current study demonstrated correlations between the physiological response of faba bean plants and soil physiochemical parameters after the application of peanut shell-derived biochar. This study presents promising nano biochar that could be an effective sustainable practice for disposing residual materials.

Diameter Increment Estimations of Open-Grown Stone Pine (Pinus pinea L.) Trees in Urban Parks in Istanbul, Türkiye

Open-grown trees in cities can improve environmental conditions by providing sustainable ecosystem services. Reliable data are necessary for assessing the functions of urban trees. The diameter at breast height (DBH), diameter increment, and annual ring measurements are the main parameters in the development of reliable models. To model periodic mean diameter increments calculated for different time periods (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years), a total of 43 open-grown stone pines (Pinus pinea L.) of different diameter classes were sampled in several urban parks in Istanbul, Türkiye. The DBH was measured, and increment cores were extracted from each tree at 1.30 m stem height using an increment borer. Tree age at breast height was determined by counting annual rings, and periodic mean diameter increments were calculated for different periods based on the measured tree-ring widths. The periodic mean increments of different periods were related to the inside-bark diameter at breast height and tree age. Since there was no significant relationship between tree age and periodic mean increments for each period’s length, as shown in the correlation analysis, models used to estimate the periodic mean increments of inside-bark DBH were developed using the least squares regression and quantile regression (QR) techniques. As the period length increased, the estimation success of the diameter increment models increased while the mean absolute percentage error (MAE) values decreased from 40 to 32%. The best model was the one used for the last 25-year period with the quantile value q = 0.50 which estimated the diameter increment with an RMSE = 1.391 mm/year and MAE = 32.27%.

Selection of Superior Clones of Cedrela odorata L. at Early Age in an Asexual Seed Orchard for Genetic Improvement

The selection of plant age in forest species is crucial in a genetic improvement program, as time is a key factor in decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the variation in clonal growth of Cedrela odorata L. to identify clones with superior performance at an early age. The orchard was established in September 2014, utilizing a completely randomized block design with a planting distance of 4 x 4 m. The experiment comprised 70 clones (ortets), each with 35 replicates (ramets), totaling 2,450 ramets. Selection was based on four key traits: total height (th), clear stem height (csh), normal diameter (nd), and crown diameter (cd). These variables were used to calculate the percentage gain or loss in performance for each clone relative to the population mean. A principal component analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey test (p≤0.05), and cluster analysis were performed to assess the data. The results identified 16 out of the 70 clones as having superior traits. The superior clones included 53-CoSFcoChan07, 2-CoGua344, 15-CoB191, 19-CoKal126, 22-CoKal142, 41-CoTux558, 35-CoTez642, 56-CoTez539, 45-CoTez549, 49-CoTez540, 50-CoTez540, 59-CoTux555, 62-CoCar5, 30-CoBac02, 48-CoTez544, and 10-CoKal16. The average traits of these superior clones were 8.0±0.4 m for total height, 2.6±0.1 m for clear stem height, 0.13±0.0 m for normal diameter, and 4.1±0.2 m for crown diameter, representing a 15% increase over the population mean.

The Impact of Salvage Logging on Deadwood Decomposition and Forest Regeneration: A Case Study in Tatra National Park, Slovakia

In November 2004, a severe windstorm destroyed large portions of the spruce-dominated forests in the Tatra National Park (northern Slovakia). This study focused on the status of deadwood and its influence on post-disturbance forest regeneration 18 years after the destruction. Since some disturbed areas were salvaged and others were not, we could compare the situations between these two management approaches. Therefore, 40 research sites (20 salvaged and 20 unsalvaged) were analyzed; each contained four satellite plots, i.e., circle-like areas with a radius of 3 m. We measured the diameter of deadwood and its decay status (classes 1–5) and recorded the sizes (stem base diameter and height) as well as species of young trees. Our results showed that while salvage conditions and contact with soil stimulated deadwood decomposition, the diameter of logs was not a significant factor. The highest decay class (3.83) was found in deadwood in salvaged areas and touching the soil, while the lowest decay class (3.10) was found in deadwood in unsalvaged areas and in the case of logs not touching the soil. Although carbon content (based on the percentage of wood mass) did not change with the decay class, wood density decreased sharply with decay, and deadwood moisture increased. We also found that the different post-disturbance management strategies influenced forest regeneration. Significantly higher tree diversity was observed in salvaged sites (5.40 species per plot) compared to unsalvaged sites (3.85 species per plot). At the same time, while sites with logging were predominantly covered by broadleaved species, those without logging were typically dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst). Our findings suggest that although salvage logging reduced the carbon and total water content in deadwood, it can promote tree species diversity. Therefore, the currently prevailing opinion about the exclusively negative effects of salvage logging on the forest environment should be accepted with caution, and local conditions must be considered before making broad judgments.

Dynamic interaction patterns of oblique detonation waves with boundary layers in hypersonic reactive flows

Due to their high thermal cycle efficiency and compact combustor, oblique detonation engines hold great promise for hypersonic propulsion. Previous numerical simulations of oblique detonation waves have predominantly solved the Euler equations, disregarding the influence of viscosity and boundary layers. This work aims to study how the interaction between the oblique detonation wave and the boundary layer influences the detonation wave structures in confined spaces. Two-dimensional numerical simulations considering detailed chemistry are performed in a stoichiometric H2/air mixture. The results indicate that the wedge-induced oblique detonation wave generates a strong adverse pressure gradient upon impacting the upper wall, leading to boundary layer separation. The separation zone subsequently induces an oblique shock wave near the upper wall, and an increase in separation angle will cause the transition from an oblique shock wave to an oblique detonation wave. The formation of the separation zone reduces the actual flow area and may even lead to flow choking; its obstructive effect is similar to that of the Mach stem in inviscid flow. To establish a connection between the viscous recirculation zone and the inviscid Mach stem, we introduce a dimensionless parameter, η, based on the inviscid assumption. It is defined as the ratio of the inviscid Mach stem height to the channel entrance height. This parameter can be used to identify three wave systems in a viscous flow field: separation shock-dominated wave systems, separation detonation-dominated wave systems, and unstable Mach stem-dominated wave systems. Among these, the appearance of detonation Mach stems leads to flow choking, and the shock-detonation wave system continually moves upstream, ultimately causing the failure of the oblique detonation combustion. The findings of this study provide new insights into the investigation of the influence of viscosity on the flow structure of oblique detonation waves.

Spring growth of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) after different times of winter defoliation

The aim of this work was to determine if autumn/winter defoliation affected the time of lucerne stem extension in spring. Two experiments were established at the Field Research Centre, Lincoln University. Experiment 1 was established on 01/06/2022 using an existing two year old stand of “Force 4” lucerne. There were four canopy defoliation dates (1/06, 03/07, 17/07, 1/08). Experiment 2 repeated the treatments on the same paddock in the following year on eight defoliation dates (1/5, 15/5, 1/6, 15/6, 3/7, 17/7, 1/8 and 15/8). In both experiments, five stems were marked in each plot and stem height was measured weekly. The start of stem extension was unaffected by canopy defoliation date in either 2022 (P = 0.20) or 2023 (P = 0.17). Initiation of stem extension was triggered by a base photoperiod of 11.1 ± 0.2 h. This meant the thermal time accumulated from final defoliation to the start of stem extension differed among treatments. These results suggest the time of autumn/winter defoliation (the winter clean-up graze) will not affect the time of the first spring grazing, provided the developing basal buds are not removed. All stands reached 150 mm height by mid-September and produced 3.0 t/ha of dry matter by the end of the month. This suggests, grazing of the first paddock at Lincoln should commence in the first week of September to create a staggered start to rotational grazing that can maximise lucerne yield and quality for animal liveweight production.

Study of the effect of five growing media used for the nursery production of Bombax costatum Pellegr. et Vuillet: A multipurpose tree in Côte d'Ivoire

Bombax costatum Pellegr. et Vuillet is a species frequently recommended for reforestation in West Africa. Mass production of vigorous seedlings of this species in nurseries is necessary for the reconstitution of colonies. The effect of five growing media on the growth parameters and dry matter production of Bombax costatum was studied in a completely randomised design. The Soil substrate was compared with a mixture of three (3) portions of Soil + one (1) portion of organic matter based on poultry droppings, rice straw compost, cocoa pod husks compost and wood chips compost, respectively. The growing media enriched with organic matter had pH values close to neutral and high levels of organic matter and nitrogen. The Soil + Poultry droppings substrate favored the production of plants with the highest values of stem height (87.84 cm; p ≤ 0.042), collar diameter (13.72 mm; p ≤ 0.004), number of leaves (19.34; p ≤ 0.025) and total dry matter (20 g.plant-1; p ≤ 0.036). Since the quality of transplant affects plant establishment and initial growth, the substrate Soil + Poultry droppings must be recommended for the nursery production of Bombax costatum, followed by the substrates Soil + Rice straw and Soil + Cocoa pod husks compost.

Growth and initiation of third stage of immature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) by giving oil palm frond compost and paclobutrazol

The third stage of immature oil palm is the phase where the plants enter preparation for flowering, so efforts are needed to initiate flowering, one of which is by using plant growth regulators (PGR) such as paclobutrazol. It is expected that the use of oil palm fronds as compost and application to oil palm plants can support sustainable oil palm management activities. Paclobutrazol, as a growth regulator, plays a role in stimulating the flowering of immature oil palm plants. This research aims to determine the response to the growth and development of immature oil palm plants in the third stage by administering palm frond compost and paclobutrazol at certain doses and concentrations. The experiment was carried out from June to December 2020 at the Ciparanje Experimental Garden, Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University. The experimental design used was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 12 treatments and three replications. The experimental results showed that the application of compost to oil palm fronds and paclobutrazol had a significant effect on plant height and stem girth, but there were no significant differences in the number of fronds, leaf area, chlorophyll index, and flowers. All treatments did not produce flower shoots but showed inhibition of vegetative growth in immature oil palm plants in the third stage. The application of 12.8 kg of oil palm frond compost and 150 ppm paclobutrazol had the best effect on the height and girth of the oil palm stem and had an effect that was not significantly different from other treatments on the parameters of a number of fronds, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll, and flower growth.

Drill cuttings from oil exploration improve properties of substrate and growth of Ipê-branco ( Tabebuia roseoalba ) seedlings

ABSTRACT More information is needed on the potential of using drill cuttings (crushed rocks) from the oil industry in agriculture and forestry. An experiment in forest nursery was carried out to evaluate the influence of substrates formulated from onshore gravel on characteristics of Ipê-branco (Tabebuia roseoalba) seedlings (i.e., growth, quality, and nutrition). We used five gravimetric proportions of gravel from drill cuttings mixed with Pinus-bark - commercial substrate (Mecplant® Florestal 3): control with only commercial substrate and zero gravel (G0), 2.5 % gravel (G2.5), 5 % gravel (G5), 7.5 % gravel (G7.5), and 10 % gravel (G10). In general, high proportion of drill cuttings increases density and decrease current moisture and total porosity of the formulated substrates. The drill cuttings proportions G2.5, G5 and G7.5 significantly contributed to the available water and readily available water in these substrates, with percentage values ranging 23 – 30 % higher than the G10 substrate. Increasing the gravel proportion generally resulted in increased pH levels, P, Na, K and metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cd, Zn, Cr and Pb), except for Ca and Mg nutrients that decreased. Heavy metal contents in all substrates did not exceed the permissible values in legal standards. The G2.5 and G5 substrates increased by 20 % approximately the stem diameter and height of seedlings, and G2.5 proportion also affected the root dry mass and Dickson quality index, with values two times higher than G0 substrate. Multivariate analysis proved suitable as a complementary approach to evaluate the seedling quality. Drilling cuttings addition, in general, increased the accumulation of nutrients and heavy metals of the Ipê-branco seedlings, and G2.5 and G5 substrates provided the greatest accumulation of the nutrients P, Ca, Pb and Zn in the shoot, while G2.5 proportion contributed with higher accumulation of N, Ca, Fe, Cr, Mn and Pb in the root. Adding drill cuttings as a conditioning component of the substrate at 2.5 and 5 % proportions is a viable alternative for using this residue to produce high-quality Tabebuia roseoalba seedling.

Hengniu: Fast Bearing and High Yielding Coconut Varieties

Benefits of coconut varieties that stakeholders want are early bearing, high yielding, short stems, and slow growth for height. Most local tall coconut palms in Indonesia have stem height above 20 m, making it increasingly difficult to climb to harvest fruit or tapping sap thereby making the harvesting cost high. To breed varieties of desired characters, an evaluation trial was initiated in 2014 with BYD x MTT-S4, RAD x MTT-S4, and KHINA-1 as a control. The crossing was done in 2012 and seedlings planted in January 2014 at Mapanget Experimental Garden, Indonesian Palma Crops Research Institute, North Sulawesi. The study used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) of three types of coconut hybrids, four replications with a plot size of 16 trees. Morphological observations were carried out on stem, crown and leaf characters, inflorescences and flowers, nut production, fruit components, copra, oil content, and fatty acid composition. The results of ANOVA analysis and statistical tests obtained those vegetative characters, such as stem circumference and number of leaf, generative characters namely the number of bunches, first flowering, and fruit production of these three crosses at the age of 4 years after planting, did not show a significant difference. The first initial flowering was in the coconut hybrid of RBD x MTT-S4, which is 26 months, followed by BYD x MTT-S4 in 32 months and KHINA-1 in 36 months after planting. The results of the analysis of fruit and copra production at the age of 5 years showed a significant increase between hybrid coconuts. The highest to lowest fruit production was obtained in BYD x MTT-S4 hybrid coconut, RBD x MTT-S4, KHINA-1, which were 64 nuts, 44 nuts and 26 nuts /palm respectively, or estimated copra production was 2.26 tons, 1.45 tons and 0.88 tons copra/ha. At 6 years old the harvest of fruits from the three hybrid coconuts is obtained sequentially 118 nuts, 99 nuts and 94 nuts/palm. While estimation of copra yield per hectare is found the highest in BYD x MTT-S4 hybrid coconut is 3.86 ton/ha/year and this yield differently significant compare with RBD x MTT-S4 is found 3.04 ton/ha/year, and control hybrid of KHINA-1, which is about 2.74 ton/ha/year. Based on the production potential, hence the estimated optimum production when aged over 10 years can reach more than 5 tons/ha/year. The hybrid coconut variety BYD x MTT-S4 is released in October 2019 under the name HENGNIU.

The Impact of Short-Term Drought on the Photosynthetic Characteristics and Yield of Peanuts Grown in Saline Alkali Soil

Peanuts grown in saline alkali soil are also subjected to drought stress caused by water scarcity. Therefore, we used HY25 (peanut variety) as an experimental material to investigate the effects of drought on the height of peanut main stems, length of the first lateral branch, leaf area per plant, SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate, and accumulation and distribution of photosynthetic products in saline alkali soil. The results showed that the combined stress of short-term drought and salt significantly reduced the main stem height, first lateral branch length, single plant leaf area, SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci), and dry matter accumulation of peanuts, including a decrease in single plant pod yield, 100-pod weight, 100-kernel weight, and peanut yield. And the impact of drought stress on peanut yield varies at different growth stages. For example, under drought stress alone, the sensitive period is the 40th day after planting (40D) > 60th day after planting (60D) > 30th day after planting (30D). Short-term drought has the greatest impact on peanut yield at 40D, while in contrast, resuming watering after drought at 30D results in a slight but not significant increase in peanut yield in comparison with the control. Under the combined stress of drought and salt, the sensitive period of peanuts was 40D > 30D > 60D, and the single pod weight of peanuts was significantly reduced by 15.26% to 57.60% from the flowering stage to the pod stage under drought treatment compared to salt treatment, indicating a significant interaction between drought and salt stress, reducing the single leaf area and net photosynthetic rate of peanut leaves, ultimately leading to a decrease in peanut yield. Therefore, when planting peanuts in saline alkali soil, drought should be avoided, especially early drought, in order to prevent the combined effects of drought and salt stress from harming peanut yield.

Cryptanthawhippleae (Boraginaceae), a new serpentine-adapted species endemic to northern California, U.S.A.

Cryptanthawhippleae D.A.York & M.G.Simpson (Boraginaceae) is described as new. This species is currently known to occur in serpentine barrens in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest of Siskiyou County, California, with one outlier population in possible serpentine of Lake County, California. The new species is most similar to Cryptanthagrandiflora and to C.milobakeri, these three likely each others' closest relatives. All three have a relatively large corolla limb width and similar smooth, lance-ovate to ovate, marginally rounded, acuminate and abaxially transversely flattened nutlets. Cryptanthawhippleae differs from C.grandiflora in having a short, as opposed to a tall, stem height; bifurcate as opposed to trifurcate primary axis cymules; and typically 2-3 nutlets per fruit, as opposed to usually one nutlet per fruit. Cryptanthawhippleae differs from C.milobakeri also in having a short, versus tall, stem height; appressed-strigose and spreading-hispid stem vestiture, as opposed to strigose only or strigose and hirsute; calyx trichomes with two distinct vestiture types, these marginally appressed hirsute and medially hispid, as opposed to calyx trichomes of one type, dense, appressed to ascending, whitish sericeous; and 2-3 nutlets per fruit, as opposed to one nutlet per fruit. Cryptanthawhippleae is relatively rare and joins seven other Cryptantha species that are found on serpentine, either obligately or facultatively. Current molecular phylogenetic studies support the mostly convergent evolution of serpentine adaptation in Cryptantha, but additional studies are needed.

Growth, Evapotranspiration, Gas Exchange and Chl a Fluorescence of Ipê-Rosa Seedlings at Different Levels of Water Replacement.

In general, young plants in the establishment phase demonstrate sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions, especially regarding water availability. The effects of the seasonality of biophysical processes on plant physiology can trigger differential responses, even within the same region, making it necessary to conduct studies that characterize the physiological performance of the species at different spatial and temporal scales, making it possible to understand their needs and growth limits under water stress conditions. This paper aimed to evaluate the growth, gas exchange and Chl a fluorescence in ipê-rosa seedlings subjected to levels of water replacement (LWRs) of 100, 75, 50 and 25% in a greenhouse. The morphometric variables of plant height, diameter at stem height, numbers of leaves and leaflets, root length and volume, plant dry mass and leaf area were evaluated. The potential evapotranspiration of seedlings (ETc) was obtained using direct weighing, considering the water replacement of 100% of the mass variation between subsequent days as a reference; the cultivation coefficients (kc) were obtained using the ratio between ETc and the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) obtained by the Penman-Monteith FAO-56 method. Biomass and evapotranspiration data were combined to determine water sensitivity. Diurnal fluxes of gas exchange (net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, internal and atmospheric carbon ratio, water use efficiency and leaf temperature) and Chl a fluorescence (Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, ETR, Fv'/Fm', NPQ and qL) were evaluated. Water restriction caused reductions of 90.9 and 84.7% in the increase in height and diameter of seedlings subjected to 25% water replacement when compared to seedlings with 100% water replacement. In comparison, biomass accumulation was reduced by 96.9%. The kc values increased throughout the seedling production cycle, ranging from 0.59 to 2.86. Maximum water sensitivity occurred at 50% water replacement, with Ky = 1.62. Maximum carbon assimilation rates occurred in the morning, ranging from 6.11 to 12.50 µmol m-2 s-1. Ipê-rosa seedlings regulate the physiology of growth, gas exchange and Chl a fluorescence depending on the amount of water available, and only 25% of the water replacement in the substrate allows the seedlings to survive.

Effects of shading on morphology, photosynthesis characteristics, and yield of different shade-tolerant peanut varieties at the flowering stage.

In maize and peanut intercropping, shading emerges as a critical factor for restricting peanut growth, yield, and quality. This study investigated the impact of 30% shade on shade-tolerant [Huayu 22 (HY22) and Fuhua 12 (FH12)] and shade-sensitive [Nonghua 11 (NH11) and Nonghua 5(NH5)] peanut varieties, with non-shaded condition as the control (CK). The effects of shade stress on plant morphology, photosynthetic characteristics, dry-matter accumulation, chloroplast ultra-microstructure, yield, and quality of different shade-tolerant peanut varieties were examined. Compared to that in the control, shade stress led to an elongation of the main stem, shortening of the lateral branches, and reduction in the leaf area. However, these changes were less significant in the shade-tolerant than in the shade-sensitive peanut varieties, with minimal effect on the elongation of the main stem height and shortening of the lateral branches. Differences in leaf area became significant during the later stages of shade stress, particularly pronounced in the shade-sensitive peanut varieties. To enhance light capture by leaves, the shade-tolerant peanut varieties exhibited increased chlorophyll content and chloroplast grain-layer numbers. The decrease in the chlorophyll a/b ratio was more pronounced in the shade-tolerant than in the shade-sensitive peanut varieties, with significant differences. However, reduced activities of ribulose 1,5-biphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase and fructose 1,6-biphosphate aldolase (FBA) resulted in decreased net photosynthetic rates, particularly evident in the shade-sensitive peanut varieties during the late shade period. Shade stress led to decreased dry-matter accumulation, reduced weight of 100 fruits and kernels, and a significant decline in yield in the shade-sensitive cultivars. Shading also affected peanut-kernel quality. Compared with that in the control, the protein content increased and amino-acid (except cysteine) content decreased in the shade-tolerant cultivars. Under shade stress, shade tolerant peanut varieties have increased the yield by improving the photosynthetic efficiency, which provided a reference for rational selection of shade tolerant peanut varieties in maize and peanut intercropping system.

Evaluating the impact of biogenic nanoparticles and pesticide application in controlling cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

BackgroundCotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) is one of the major concerns for cotton growers. The traditional approach to managing CLCuD involves the control of the vector (whitefly) population through the use of pesticides. This study compares the efficacy of zinc oxide, iron oxide, copper and silver nanoparticles with conventional pesticides. Nanoparticles dose was optimized by evaluating their phytotoxic threshold in our previous study. In this study, optimized doses of nanoparticles such as zinc oxide (100 ppm), iron oxide (50 ppm), copper (50 ppm) and silver nanoparticles (25 ppm) were applied in a field trial of cotton against cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD). Morphological parameters (height of stem, monopodial branches, sympodial branches, staple length, boll weight and number of bolls), yield parameters (seed cotton yield and ginning outturn), chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and total chlorophyll), biochemical parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and electrolyte leakage) and disease parameters (reduction infection, disease severity and disease incidence) were determined in this study.ResultsThe incidence of cotton leaf curl virus was confirmed by triple antibody sandwich–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA). The pesticide Imidacloprid significantly reduced the infection by 79.3%. However, in comparison to pesticide, application of nanoparticles also reduced the infection. ZnO NPs reduced the infection by 42.33%, FeO NPs by 41%, Cu NPs by 34.7%, and Ag NPs by 44.8%. Moreover, these nanoparticles also improved the plant growth parameters as compared to control treatment. ZnO NPs enhanced morphological, yield parameters, and chlorophyll content by 36%, 22%, and 29%, respectively. FeO NPs showed improvements by 38%, 21%, and 29%; Cu NPs 39%, 25%, and 29%; and Ag NPs 31%, 19%, and 18%, respectively.ConclusionAlthough treatment pesticide showed the least disease incidence compared to nanoparticles, nanoparticles are eco-friendly and safe as compared to pesticides. Farmers can apply these nanoparticles at their optimal thresholds through foliar application as an alternative to traditional pesticides. It is concluded that nanocomposites and hybrid modes may be used for managing CLCuD efficiently in the future.Graphical abstract

Improving sugarcane productivity on marginal soil in Takalar, Indonesia, through the application of sugarcane factory waste

Marginal soil with low nutrient content is a crucial problem in reducing crop productivity, including sugarcane. This study aimed to elucidate the possible improvement of the physical and chemical properties of marginal soil through the application of organic waste from sugar factories, namely kettle ash and press mud. Nine treatment combinations of 0, 10, and 20 t ha-1 of each kettle ash and press mud were arranged in a two-factor randomized factorial design with three replications. Soil organic matter, N, P, and K, soil aggregate stability, and sugarcane productivity were measured after planting sugarcane for five months. The results showed that the application of kettle ash and press mud, especially with a ratio of 20 t ha-1 kettle ash and 10 t ha-1 press mud, was able to reduce the leaching of organic matter and improve sugarcane growth, particularly increasing the number of tillers by 16%, stem height by 14%, and diameter by 16%. The sugarcane productivity obtained was 58.02 t ha-1. Other portions of kettle ash and press mud did not have a favorable effect on sugarcane productivity. This study provided practical insights for increasing agricultural productivity, especially in sugarcane plantations.

DNA methylation in recovery of Maize (Zea Mays L.) from maize streak

DNA methylation influences regulation of gene expression during cell development and tissue differentiation in plants. This study therefore discussed the role of DNA methylation in the recovery of maize from Maize Streak Diseases (MSD). Bisulfite treatment and DNA sequencing methods were carried out on the 2nd, 4th 6th and 8th white to yellowish streaking leaves of five infected maize varieties (DMR-ESR-Y, TZEBR, and ART/98/SW6) to assess the disease severity using digital phenotyping. The bisulfite treatment utilizes various sensitivities of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine (5-MeC) to deamination by bisulfite under acidic conditions in which cytosine is converted to uracil, whereas 5-MeC remains unreactive. This study showed that DMR-ESR-Y variety significantly (p<0.05) tolerated best for MSD, while TZEBR and ART/98/SW6 varieties slightly tolerated MSD but were not significantly different. The analysis of the images from digital phenotyping revealed that DMR-ESR-Y variety had the highest level of resistance, followed by TZEBR while ART/98/SW6 showed mild resistance and DMR-LSR-Y had the least. The leaf length had strong positive correlation with leaf width (r=0.94), number of leaves(r=0.64), plant height (r=0.96) and stem height(r=0.96). The methylation patterns in bisulfite sequences across the same leaf positions were significantly different (p<0.05), thus suggesting that CG methylation could contribute to transcriptional gene silencing plant recovery mechanism in maize.

Влияние абиотических факторов на продуктивность тростника Phragmites australis в озёрах юга Западной Сибири

The article presents the results of studying phytomass, stem height and density of thickets (herbage) of Phragmites australis, one of the most common aerial-aquatic plant in the south of Western Siberia. This region is distinguished by a rare combination of chloride, sulfate and soda lakes in a relatively small space. As an eurybiont, reed is highly resistant to water and soil salinity, but high salinity adversely affects its growth and development. The aim of the work was to assess the degree of abiotic factors (pH, mineralization) effect on the quantitative characteristics of reed growing in water bodies with different water mineralization: from 0.005 to 387.6 g/L. In total, we studied 59 freshwater, brackish-water (oligo-, meso- and polyhaline) and hypersaline water bodies, located in various natural zones (southern taiga, forest, forest-steppe, steppe and dry-steppe) in the south of Western Siberia. The studies were carried out in late July – early August from 2012 to 2020 during the period of maximum vegetation of plants. As a result of the studies, it is shown that the optimal for reed growth and development is water mineralization from 0.5 to 5.0 g/L, when the highest values of biomass and plant height are observed. A model based on redundancy analysis (RDA) was built and a correlation analysis was carried out to assess the dependence of phytomass, shoot height and herbage density on abiotic factors. We took into account pH, salinity, and Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, HCO3-, Cl- and SO42- content. We found that pH and determined by Ca2+ water hardness are the limiting factors in freshwater lakes. In brackish-water meso- and polyhaline, as well as in saline hyperhaline water bodies reed phytomass is affected by a whole range of factors, while shoot height is affected by pH, chlorides, and water hardness, and grass stand density is affected by chlorides and sulfates.

Effects of Metribuzin on Soil Microbiome and Weed Management Under Varying Planting Practices and Potato Seed Dormancy

AbstractWeed infestation in potato field has become a major concern to smallholder farmers and environment, requiring sustainable intervention. This study aimed to determine (i) whether metribuzin application rate (0, 0.5, 1 (standard), 1.5, and 2 kg ai ha−1) has effects on soil microbes and soil nutrients in the short term using potted soil and (ii) the influence of potato seed dormancy (short; Shangi variety and long; Unica variety) and planting technique (surface, ridge, or furrow planting) on the efficacy of weed management practice (metribuzin (480 g L−1) herbicide and hoeing) in the field. Bacterial colony counts were recorded upon isolation from the potted soil. Soil nutrients were also analysed before and after metribuzin treatment. Data on crop growth (height and stem count), weed abundance, yield, costs, and revenues were recorded from a field experiment. Morphologically distinct bacterial strains were tested for Gram reaction and response to carbon utilization using analytical profile index kits (API 50 CH and 20 NE). In total, nine distinct bacterial strains were isolated and all were Gram positive, with variation in response to carbon substrates. Concentration of 2.0 kg a.i ha−1 significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced bacterial count in the first day, followed by an increase in the subsequent incubation days, while 1.0 and 1.5 kg a.i ha−1 concentrations had the highest colony development index and species richness. Significant effects of metribuzin on soil pH, total N, and total organic C in the short term were revealed. Notably, weedy plots had the highest Shannon weed index. Weeds reduced stem count and height growth by 57% and 62% respectively. Plots with Shangi had 9.8% lower weed count than those with Unica and hence higher yield was recorded from the former. While surface planting had the lowest weed control efficacy, crop growth attributes, and yield, furrow and ridge planting were not significantly different. Weed abundance and crop growth attributes in metribuzin and hand-hoed plots did not differ significantly, yet hoeing resulted in 5.30 t ha−1 above that obtained from plots managed using metribuzin. Higher dry matter and tuber yield were observed from hoed plots with Shangi planted in furrow or ridge. Use of metribuzin resulted in higher net benefit ratio and marginal rate of return than hand hoeing. The results reveal that use of metribuzin early and later in the potato growing phase can minimize weed infestation, but the efficacy depends on planting method and seed dormancy.

Triticum durum productivity and adaptability of two genotypes under water deficit in Algerian high plains

Over the past few decades, Algeria has experienced a significant decline in rainfall patterns, which has been exacerbated by increasing hot spells leading to elevated rates of evapotranspiration. This combination of factors has induced severe water stress, critically impacting agricultural productivity, particularly in cereal production. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, our study was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons at the experimental agricultural site of Ibn Khaldoun University in Tiaret, located in the western region of Algeria. We specifically investigated the performance of two durum wheat cultivars, ACSAD 297 and CTA 159, under conditions of water stress typical of the Algerian high plains. Our research focused on the impacts of water deficits during the grain filling phase, assessing their effects on seed formation, seed quality, and overall yield development. The results highlighted that contributions from various plant components to grain filling were notably affected by water availability, with lower leaves contributing 22%, the flag leaf 15%, the ear 14%, the ear neck 10%, and awns less than 1%. Notably, the ACSAD 297 cultivar exhibited superior drought tolerance compared to CTA 159, indicating its potential for cultivation in arid conditions. Furthermore, we established strong correlations between grain diameter, thousand grain weight, and stem height, which could inform future breeding initiatives. These findings not only provide important targets for enhancing drought resistance in durum wheat but also have broader implications for improving wheat productivity in semi-arid regions around the world, contributing to food security in the face of climate change.