Cultivation System Research Articles

Uncovering the causal relationships in plant-microbe ecosystems: A time series analysis of the duckweed cultivation system for biomass production and wastewater treatment

The complex interplay among plants, microbes, and the environment strongly affects productivity of vegetation ecosystems; however, determining causal relationships among various factors in these systems remains challenging. To address this issue, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of a data analytical framework called empirical dynamic modeling, which identifies causal links and directions solely from time series data. By cultivating duckweed, a promising aquatic plant for biomass production and wastewater treatment, we obtained a 63-day time series data of plant productivity, microbial community structure, wastewater treatment performance, and environmental factors. We confirmed that empirical dynamic modeling can identify the correct causal directions among temperature, light intensity and plant growth, solely from time series data. Extending the analysis to microbial community data suggested that the bacterial family Comamonadaceae positively affects host duckweed growth and nitrogen removal. Additionally, the predicted abundance of bacterial genes relevant to xenobiotics biodegradation was shown to have a positive effect on organic pollutant removal, supporting the significant role of bacterial metabolism in phytoremediation performance. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of empirical dynamic modeling in uncovering causal relationships within vegetation ecosystems, which are difficult to examine comprehensively through conventional experiment-based approaches.

Microalgal-bacterial co-cultivation on novel bio-coated supports: Evaluation of growth performance in submerged and permeated biofilm cultivation system with cost-benefit assessment

In microalgae mass production, co-cultivation with bacteria and biofilm immobilization hold promise, yet challenges persist in biofilm-based cultivation due to weak cohesion under stress. Hence, a novel bio-coating derived from spent medium and cells (extra-/intra-cellular organic matter from Cylindrotheca fusiformis and Escherichia coli) was applied to microporous membrane in submerged and permeated biofilm systems. Results showed a minimum 25 % improvement in biomass productivity (up to 45 g m−2) on bio-coated membranes in permeated system. Mucopolysaccharides in bio-coating facilitated biofilm development and encouraged a 10-fold higher AOM yield (defense mechanism against shearing force) in submerged systems, but biomass productivity was 10 times lower than permeated system. In permeated system, cells on IOM-coated membranes exhibited the highest biomass growth and lipid yield, potentially addressing the biomass-lipid trade-off. Permeated system with low operating cost around 69 $ kg−1 was a viable cultivation approach, presenting an opportunity to optimize microalgae production facilities.

Modulation of Azithromycin Activity against Single-Species and Binary Biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Kytococcus schroeteri by Norepinephrine

The effect of norepinephrine as a compound modulating the activity of the antibiotic azithromycin on single-species and binary biofilms of members of the human microbiota, Staphylococcus aureus and Kytococcus schroeteri, was studied in various model systems. At the concentration of 3.55 µM, the hormone was shown to be able, depending on the cultivation system and incubation time, of both enhancing and weakening the effects of azithromycin at subinhibitory concentrations (0.001 and 4 µg/mL). In the case of rapidly formed biofilms, norepinephrine weakened the inhibitory effect of the antibiotic, while in the presence of the full stage of adhesion the hormone, on the contrary, enhanced the inhibitory effect. Interaction between two microorganisms in the community was no less important, since the presence of K. schroeteri in the community changed the effect of azithromycin (4 μg/mL) in combination with norepinephrine on S. aureus. It was shown that azithromycin and norepinephrine, as well as their combinations, were able to change the expression of the genes coding resistance not only to macrolides (increased expression of the mrx gene by a combination of 4 μg/mL azithromycin and 3.55 μM norepinephrine), but also to fluoroquinolones (decreased expression of the arlR gene and increased one of mdtK).

Cultivation of Top Innovative Talents Leads the Formation of New Quality Productivity: Ideal Picture, Realistic Dilemma and Practical Way Forward

Top-tier innovative talents possess characteristics of innovation, leadership, sociality, timeliness, and openness, which meet the needs of the development of new quality productivity. Vigorously cultivating top-tier innovative talents is a key factor in leading the formation of new quality productivity. The cultivation of top-tier innovative talents generates the connotation of new quality productivity, and the formation of new quality productivity also influences the training concepts and quality structure of top-tier innovative talents. There is an inherent logic of two-way drive and mutual promotion between the two. With the acceleration of the current new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, the cultivation of top-tier innovative talents leading to the formation of new quality productivity faces practical dilemmas such as the lack of future-oriented thinking in talent cultivation, insufficient coordination in the talent cultivation system, and a lack of diversity in the types of talent cultivation. It is necessary to take a holistic approach, focusing on integrating educational resources, incubating cross-border innovation, advancing human-machine cooperation, adhering to open training, and highlighting regional characteristics to continuously exert efforts, explore new paths for the cultivation of top-tier innovative talents, and lay a talent foundation for accelerating the formation of new quality productivity. aggressive behavior in older preschoolers has long been a nuisance to kindergarten teachers and parents, and it is a common yet difficult problem in society. This study recorded the proportion, context, and reasons for aggressive behavior in older preschoolers at the Tianfu New Area Experimental Kindergarten in Chengdu. Combining the physical and mental development patterns of older preschoolers, methods such as observation records and situational analysis were used. Through real confrontation, observation, analysis, and exploration, effective ways to reduce and correct aggressive behavior in older preschoolers were found, with the aim of helping teachers cope with such behaviors.

Sodium selenate biofortification, through seed priming, on dill microgreens grown in two different cultivation systems

Human health is significantly influenced by the quality of vegetables included in the diet. Soilless cultivation methods have the potential to enhance and standardize the levels of secondary metabolites or specific bioactive compounds in plants, even when utilizing LED lighting. In recent years, tailored foods, enriched with important microelements, are growing in popularity. The present research was conducted to explore the quantitative and qualitative aspects of dill (Anethum graveolens L.), grown either indoor or in a greenhouse and harvested during the microgreen stage. Seeds of dill were primed with 1.5 and 3 mg L−1 selenium (Se). Untreated dry and hydro-primed seeds were used as the control and positive control groups, respectively. Results demonstrated a higher yield in indoor farm environment (1255.6 g FW m−2) compared to greenhouse (655.1 g FW m−2), with a general positive effect on the morphological traits studied, with no significant influence from priming and Se. The mean value of phenolic index of microgreens grown in the greenhouse was 13.66% greater than that grown in indoor condition. It was also observed that seeds priming with Se can effectively raise the Se content in dill microgreens, in both tested conditions. Overall, our results suggest that the 3 mg L−1 Se seems to be the most promising concentration to obtain Se-enriched microgreens.

Optimization of inoculum cell concentration for enhanced lipid production in laboratory-scale cultivation of the marine microalga Chlorella sp. for biofuel applications

Microalgae are considered valuable bioresources due to their ability to produce high lipid content and grow under a variety of environmental conditions, making them strong candidates for sustainable biofuel production. However, the economic feasibility of microalgae-based biofuels depends on optimizing growth conditions in large-scale cultivation systems. This study investigates the effects of varying inoculum cell concentrations on the growth, lipid yield, and fatty acid composition of the locally isolated microalga Chlorella sp. SW5 in 2 L and 5 L cultivation systems. The results indicate that higher inoculum concentrations generally enhance biomass accumulation, with the 2 L system achieving the highest growth rate of 0.42 ± 0.01 day⁻1 at an inoculum concentration of 10⁶ cells/mL. Interestingly, while higher inoculum concentrations reduced lipid production in the 2 L system, the 5 L system showed the highest lipid yield (51.23% ± 4.71% dry weight) at the highest inoculum concentration (10⁷ cells/mL). Despite its moderate growth rate, the 5 L culture with a starting inoculum concentration of 10⁷ cells/mL was selected for fatty acid profiling due to its superior lipid yield and productivity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the culture produced a total of 93.18% C14-C18 fatty acids, with a profile dominated by saturated (56.33%) and monounsaturated (16.85%) fatty acids, which are essential for biodiesel quality. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential for scaling up microalgal systems for commercial biofuel production, highlighting strategies to optimize productivity.

Possible lessons of a model experiment: To what extent can UV activate the production of leaf phenolics in indoor plant cultivation?

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants were grown outdoors (N°46.07, E°18.18) under either natural or UV-deprived sunlight for 25 days in the summer. High PAR resulted in high polyphenol content, which was selectively affected by solar UV-A and UV-B irradiation. Solar UV-A irradiation increased anthocyanins, but not flavonoids, in the epidermis, and this additional protection resulted in higher photochemical yields and lower NPQ. The simultaneous presence of UV-B overrode the effects of UV-A, increased epidermal flavonoids, and decreased anthocyanins. Leaves grown in full sunlight had the same photochemical yields of NPQ as those grown under a UV-excluding filter. A combination of these effects can falsely dismiss the effects of UV-B on outdoor photosynthesis. Phenolic acid content, corresponding to approximately 80% of phenolic compounds, did not depend on solar UV, and total flavonoids increased under full solar UV irradiation, but not under UV-A only. The polyphenol content in outdoor leaves also served as a reference point for an indoor experiment, which showed that even a short, 4-day exposure of low PAR grown plants to UV from an artificial source increased the amount of some, although not all, components close to or even above outdoor levels. In indoor leaves, a selective increase in quercetin glycosides (to 62–85% of outdoor levels) supports both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant functions, and the increase in crypto- and neochlorogenic acids (to 76% and 117% of outdoor levels, respectively) suggests a redistribution among biosynthesis pathways. These results demonstrate the potential and efficiency of cultivation systems without sunlight.

THE YIELD, QUALITY AND UTILIZATION OF SWEET CHERRIES

This article is a comparative analysis of the Kordia, Regina, Summit, Sharetta and Sweet Stefanny sweet cherry varieties, grafted on Gisela 6, which are grown in a super-intensive cultivation system in the north of the Republic of Moldova. The orchard was planted in 2018 with a distance between trees of 4x1. The orchard is drip irrigated and protected with an anti-hail netting; the trees have slender spindle-shaped crowns; the soil between the rows is kept grassy, and the soil in the rows is cultivated. During the years 2023-2024, the yield of the Summit, Sharetta and Sweet Stefanny varieties significantly increased (18.38-19.59 t/ha) as compared to the Kordia and Regina varieties (12.71-13.22 t/ha). The diameter, the average weight, the quantity of soluble dry matter and the firmness of the fruit depend on the biology of the variety.

Cropping and soil management systems effects on soil organic matter fractions in diversified agricultural fields in the Cerrado

ABSTRACT Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics can be significantly influenced by various cultivation practices, particularly under environmental and edaphic conditions that enhance and accelerate the transformations of organic materials such as straw, root biomass, and organic fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different cultivation and soil management systems on SOM fractions in agricultural areas of the Cerrado Goiano region. The research was conducted across three areas with diverse production systems: 1) BV area, including soybean monoculture (SM01), integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF01), pasture (PA01), and Cerrado vegetation (NV01); 2) ML area, featured soybean-corn monoculture succession (SMS02), agroforestry (AF02), pasture (PA02), and native Cerrado vegetation (NV02); and 3) IF area, comprised soybean-corn succession (SMS03), integrated livestock-forest (ILF03), pasture (PA03), and native Cerrado vegetation (NV03). Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from two layers: 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m. Samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, carbon storage, and SOM physical (granulometric and densimetric) and chemical (fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin) fractionations of soil organic matter (SOM). Additionally, water-floatable light organic matter (LOM), the carbon management index, and its components were determined. Soil organic matter fractions were similarly influenced by the characteristics of cultivation and management systems. However, there were more pronounced differences between systems in the BV area compared to the ML and IF areas. Among the parameters studied, LOM proved to be the most efficient and effective in distinguishing SOM input across different cultivation and soil management systems, particularly in pasture systems.

Tannins and copper sulphate as antimicrobial agents to prevent contamination of Posidonia oceanica seedling culture for restoration purposes

Seed-based restoration methods are increasingly recognized as a relevant tool contributing to halt and reverse the loss of seagrass meadows while providing genetic and evolutionary benefit for the conservation of these habitats. Ad-hoc protocols aimed at maximizing the survival of plantlets obtained from seeds in cultivation systems are therefore required. Previous trials of seedling culture of Posidonia oceanica, the dominant seagrass of the Mediterranean Sea, recorded up to 40% loss due to mould development. In this study we aim to (i) identify the putative causal agents of seed decay and (ii) test the efficacy of copper sulphate (0.2 and 2 ppm) and of tannin-based products derived from chestnut, tara and quebracho in reducing seed and seedling decay, while assessing possible phytotoxic effects on plant development. Halophytophthora lusitanica, H. thermoambigua and a putative new Halophytophtora species were identified as possible causal agents of seed loss. The antimicrobial agents (copper and tannins) reduced seed contamination by 20%, although copper sulphate at 2 ppm strongly inhibited the root growth. Among tannins, chestnut and tara reduced seeds germination by up to 75% and decreased shoot and root development, while quebracho showed a less severe phytotoxic effect. The use of copper sulphate at 0.2 ppm is therefore recommended to prevent P. oceanica seedling loss in culture facilities since it reduces seed contamination with no phytotoxic effects. Our results contribute to improving the seedling culture of one the key species of the Mediterranean Sea, increasing propagule availability for restoration purposes.

Nutrients and Quality Aspects Characterizing Ostrea edulis Cultivated in Valli di Comacchio (Northern Italy) Across Different Seasons

The quality aspects of Ostrea edulis (O. edulis) cultured in Valli di Comacchio were examined across different seasons. Nutritional quality parameters, antioxidant activity, total carotenoids, and contaminants were determined in winter, summer, and autumn (December, June, and October). Seasonal variations in nutritional parameters were observed. In particular, in the winter samples, proteins, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, threonine, tyrosine, valine and methionine, isoleucine, potassium, and carotenoids showed the highest values, whereas oleic acid, linolenic acid, lysine, and magnesium exhibited the maximum values in the summer. Finally, lipids, carbohydrates, histidine, and magnesium were present at high values in the autumn. The antioxidant activity values differed between the two methods used (DPPH and photochemiluminescence assays); however, the oysters collected in June presented lower antioxidant capacity. Contaminant levels were always below the imposed concentration limits; however, higher levels of toxic metals were detected in the winter, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in the summer and autumn. It is important to monitor the nutritional and toxicological quality of Ostrea edulis throughout the cultivation seasons, not only to enhance knowledge of this species and improve its cultivation systems but also to determine the optimal period for human consumption from both nutritional and toxicological perspectives.

Classification of farming systems by NMR widely targeted metabolomics: A cauliflower case study

Organic and conventional farming systems follow a set of specific rules and consumers usually pay an extra price for organic products, since they are associated with a higher quality. Nuclear magnetic resonance allows the analysis of the metabolome in a fast, non-destructive, and automatic way, with high coverage of chemical families and accurate quantification. Cauliflower corymbs obtained from two farming systems in two consecutive years were analyzed by 1H NMR and cultivation systems were correctly classified by this approach. Eleven and 3 metabolites showed significantly higher concentrations in organic corymbs in the first and second year, respectively, indicating the impact of cultivation year in the search for markers in organic produce. These included amino acids (alanine), purines (xanthine), organic acids, and N-containing compounds (choline), demonstrating their higher nutritional quality.

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ANNUAL CROPS SUBJECT TO BIOAGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT

The growing need for food worldwide causes changes in supply, which is not always concerned with the quality in which this food is being offered to consumers. That said, the concern with producing quality food, aiming at the maximum organic bases and available inputs, combined with the ability to produce one's own bioinputs on the farm, reduces dependence on external inputs, and greater control of production costs within the properties demonstrates a total internal interdependence for the production of food or raw materials. The research aims to evaluate the economic sustainability in the cultivation systems of the most important annual crops in the country; Soybeans, Corn, Wheat and Beans in the use of bioinputs on the farm to obtain a reduction in production costs. Research conducted in the municipality of Chapecó - SC during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 harvests. The research design is a factorial (3x6), factor A crop management, factor B different doses of basalt powder for the crops of Corn Harvest, Beans Off-season, Wheat Harvest and Soybean Harvest. Qualitative research on product/dose/target values. Economic results differed between production costing, attractive on a scale in R$/ha-¹ in biological management (A) and Bioagricultural (C) in the crops of corn, beans and soybeans. As well as the break-even point, the economic and financial results of the four crops evaluated were equivalent and positive in biological management (A). Expressively positive analysis in the economic indicators of profitability, between the different cultivable managements and doses of basalt powder.

Analysis of Bacterial Metabolites in Breath Gas of Critically Ill Patients for Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia—A Proof of Concept Study

Bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract frequently occurs in mechanically ventilated patients and may develop into life-threatening conditions. Yet, existing diagnostic methods have moderate sensitivity and specificity, which results in the overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics administered prophylactically. This study aims to evaluate the suitability of volatile bacterial metabolites for the breath-based test, which is used for diagnosing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP). The in vitro experiments with pathogenic bacteria most prevalent in VAP etiology (i.e., Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were performed to identify bacteria-derived metabolites using a specially designed cultivation system enabling headspace sampling for GC-MS analysis. Thirty-nine compounds were found to be significantly metabolized by tested species and, therefore, selected for monitoring in the exhaled breath of critically ill, mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. The emission of volatiles from medical respiratory devices was investigated to estimate the risk of spoiling breath results with exogenous pollutants. Bacterial metabolites were then evaluated to differentiate VAP patients from non-infected MV controls using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity calculated. Nine bacterial metabolites that passed verification through a non-parametric ANOVA test for significance and LASSO penalization were identified as key discriminators between VAP and non-VAP patients. The diagnostic model achieved an AUC of 0.893, with sensitivity and specificity values of 87% and 82.4%, respectively, being competitive with traditional methods. Further validation could solidify its clinical utility in critical care settings.

Relay Intercropping of Soybean and Winter Barley in Polish Climatic Conditions—Importance of Strip Width and Yearly Weather

Climate change and the increasing demand for food necessitate innovative agricultural methods. Relay intercropping, where one crop is sown into another already-grown crop, offers a promising alternative to traditional systems. In the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, a field experiment was conducted to assess the relay intercropping of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. polistichon) with soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr). This experiment took place at the Brody Experimental and Educational Station of the University of Life Sciences in Poznań, Poland. Soybean was sown into designated strips within the barley field, and both crops were cultivated simultaneously until the barley was harvested. After the barley harvest, the soybean plants continued to grow and were harvested at full maturity. The results varied between the two years of this experiment. In the first year, characterized by drought conditions, the soybean yield was completely lost, while the barley maintained a stable yield. In the second year, with more favorable weather, the yields of barley and soybean were interdependent. The use of the relay intercropping system did not increase the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) above 1. Additionally, total protein yield remained consistent across different cultivation systems. Relay intercropping can serve as a method for protecting crop protein yields under adverse weather conditions and may offer a viable alternative for soybean cultivation in challenging climates.

The Effects of Additional Tuna Madihang Bone Fish Treatment on the Growth of Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Biofloc Pond in Ternate City North Maluku, Indonesia

The need for fish protein always increases along with the increase in urban population. To meet the food needs of the people in the city of Ternate, one way is to cultivate catfish using a biofloc system. To accelerate the growth of catfish, one of the efforts made is by adding fish bone meal to standard feed. Tuna fish bone meal contains minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, which can help accelerate the growth of catfish so that harvest time can be accelerated. The objectives of the research are (1) To introduce catfish cultivation with a biofloc system that is effective, efficient and easy to do even on limited land (2) Fish bone meal addition treatment with fish bone meal concentrations (0%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and (3) The catfish cultivation system using the biofloc method can provide maximum results. The method used in this research is an experimental method on a biofloc pond system which consists of three biofloc ponds with a diameter of 3x3 meters. The results of this research are (1) Catfish is a fishery product that has an important prospect for development through cultivation using biofloc ponds (2) The best average value was in the treatment of adding fish bone meal with a concentration of 20% in almost all treatments except for the growth rate treatment which was highest in treatment (c) 0.73 and (3) The addition of tuna bone meal to biofloc pond cultivation can be used as a recommendation for developing catfish cultivation because it has quite promising market prospects.

Effect of Biochar and Wood Distillate on Vegeto-Productive Performances of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Plants, var. Solarino, Grown in Soilless Conditions

Nowadays, tomato, a commercially important crop, is increasingly cultivated in a soilless cultivation system to counteract climate change. Normally, this system uses cocopeat as a substrate, but its high cost and environmental impact have led to growing interest in alternatives like biochar (BC). In addition, biostimulants, such as wood distillate (WD), a pyrolysis by-product, are increasingly being used to improve fruit yield and quality. BC was used to partially replace (2% and 5%) cocopeat in growth bags for soilless tomato cultivation. Moreover, WD (3 mL/L) was distributed in the substrate every two weeks. The effect of BC and WD on tomato plant growth, fruit quality, and substrate microbial community was investigated. The integration of BC and WD into a soilless growing system for tomato cultivation can improve the fruit quality and influence the microbial activity of the substrate. Replacing part of the cocopeat in the substrate with BC and using an agri-waste-derived biostimulant represent a step forward in making agriculture more sustainable.

The Application of Conventional and Organic Fertilizers During Wild Edible Species Cultivation: A Case Study of Purslane and Common Sowthistle

The introduction of alternative crops, including wild edible and medicinal plants, in organic cultivation systems presents an attractive approach to producing healthy and high-quality products due to their content in beneficial compounds and increased nutritional value. The current study evaluated the impact of organic and conventional fertilization on the growth, quality, nutrient status and stress response of the two wild edible species, e.g., purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), under field conditions. The fertilization treatments included the following: a control (NoFert) treatment with no fertilizers added, base dressing with conventional fertilization (CoFert), base dressing with organic fertilization (OrFert), base dressing and side dressing with conventional fertilization (OrFert + SCoFert) and base dressing and side dressing with organic fertilization (CoFert + SCoFert). Organic fertilization was carried out using a commercial vinasse-based organic fertilizer. In both purslane and common sowthistle, the application of organic fertilizers provided comparable or even enhanced plant growth traits, macronutrient content (i.e., P and K for purslane, and N for sowthistle) and quality (i.e., total soluble solids) compared to the application of conventional fertilizers. On the other hand, conventional fertilization with supplementary fertilization positively influenced the plant growth of purslane (i.e., plant height and stems biomass), as well as its physiological parameters (i.e., chlorophylls content), total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity (i.e., DPPH and FRAP). Similarly, conventional fertilization led to increased total phenolics and antioxidants in common sowthistle, while variable effects were observed regarding plant physiology, stress response and antioxidant capacity indices. In conclusion, the use of organic fertilization in both purslane and common sowthistle exhibited a performance similar to that of conventional fertilization, although further optimization of fertilization regimes is needed to improve the quality of the edible products.

Systemic acquired resistance inducing chemicals mitigate black scurf disease in potato by activating defense-related enzymes.

The potato, being an underground vegetable crop, faces consistent threats from soil- and tuber-borne fungal and bacterial pathogens. Black scurf and stem canker disease caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn is a critical global concern in the potato cultivation system. In this study, we evaluated the disease mitigation potential of five systemic acquired resistance-inducing chemicals viz., salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, β-aminobutyric acid, γ-aminobutyric acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Two common methods, tuber dipping and foliar spray, were utilized in this experiment to evaluate pathogen inhibition on inoculated tubers. The results revealed that all the systemic acquired resistance inducing chemicals were effective in disease suppression in a concentration-dependent manner compared to an inoculated control. Significant differences (P<0.005) were evident among the various treatment combinations, with salicylic acid being the most effective in alleviating black scurf disease. Maximum reduction in disease incidence compared to the control was observed with salicylic acid (57.89% and 73.68%), followed by jasmonic acid (52.63% and 65.78%) and H2O2 (49.99% and 60.52%) under the tuber dipping treatment combinations. Whereas, in the foliar application, the maximum reduction in disease incidence compared to the control was observed with salicylic acid (44.73 and 63.15%), followed by jasmonic acid (42.10 and 60.52%) and H2O2 (39.46 and 52.63%). The tuber dipping treatments were significantly more efficacious (P<0.005) compared to foliar spray for all treatment combinations. The biochemical analysis of defense-related enzymes and metabolites demonstrated the induced resistance activation under these treatments. The activity of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenyl ammonia-lyase was significantly higher in treated tubers as compared to inoculated and uninoculated control. The total phenol content was also elevated in treated tubers as compared to the respective control. Altogether, these resistance-inducing chemicals can be successfully included in integrated disease management programs.

The Effect of NaCl-Salinity Applications on the Improvement of Quality Characteristics and Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Grown in Substrate Culture

Salt application in soilless cultivation systems can be considered as a strategic tool to improve tomato fruit quality. In this context, the effects of increasing the salt concentration in the nutrient solution added to the solid culture medium on yield and yield components, biophysical and organoleptic quality traits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. cv. Kardelen F1) under greenhouse conditions were studied. The salt in the nutrient solution was applied to tomato plants as sodium chloride (NaCl) at four concentrations (0, 14.1, 44.4, and 70.4 mM). Each pot received 150 mL of nutrient solution daily during the vegetative period, while 300 mL was applied daily after flowering. This study was conducted with three replicates following a randomized block design. Plants were harvested 90 days after transplanting. Low salt application in the nutrient solution (14.1 mM NaCl) increased total fruit yield, while the high salt application did not effect fruit yield compared to the control. Salt application at increasing concentrations decreased fruit size and diameter but increased the dry matter in the fruit. The salt treatment mainly positively affected the commercial and organoleptic quality parameters of the tomato fruits. In conclusion, a low level of sodium chloride (14.1 mM NaCl) in soilless culture enhanced fruit production, while moderate (44.4 mM) and high (70.4 mM) concentrations improved various fruit quality traits.