Tomato Fruit Weight Research Articles

Molecular markers detect stable genomic regions underlying tomato fruit shelf life and weight

Incorporating wild germplasm such as S. pimpinellifolium is an alternative strategy to prolong tomato fruit shelf life (SL) without reducing fruit quality. A set of recombinant inbred lines with discrepant values of SL and weight (FW) were derived by antagonistic-divergent selection from an interspecific cross. The general objective of this research was to evaluate Genotype x Year (GY) and Marker x Year (MY) interaction in these new genetic materials for both traits. Genotype and year principal effects and GY interaction were statistically significant for SL. Genotype and year principal effects were significant for FW but GY interaction was not. The marker principal effect was significant for SL and FW but both year principal effect and MY interaction were not significant. Though SL was highly influenced by year conditions, some genome regions appeared to maintain a stable effect across years of evaluation. Fruit weight, instead, was more independent of year effect.

Tomato fruit weight 11.3 maps close to fasciated on the bottom of chromosome 11

Fruit weight is an important character in many crops. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), fruit weight is controlled by many loci, some of which have a major effect on the trait. Fruit weight 11.3 (fw11.3) and fasciated (fas) have been mapped to the same region on chromosome 11. We sought to determine whether these loci represent alleles of the same or separate genes. We show that fas and fw11.3 are not allelic and instead represent separate genes. The fw11.3 locus was fine-mapped to a 149-kb region comprised of 22 predicted genes. Unlike most fruit weight loci, gene action at fw11.3 indicates that the mutant allele is partially dominant over the wild allele. We also investigate the nature of the genome rearrangement at the fas locus and demonstrate that the mutation is due to a 294-kb inversion disrupting the YABBY gene known to underlie the fas locus.

EVALUATION OF A CONTROL SYSTEM BASED ON THE IRRIGAS® SENSOR FOR IRRIGATION SCHEDULING OF HYDROPONIC TOMATO IN CEARÁ, BRAZIL

The study aimed to evaluate two irrigation scheduling techniques for hydroponic tomato production in Ceara, northeastern Brazil. The experiment was set up as a split-plot randomized block design, with six replications. As main factor, two irrigation scheduling techniques were tested: (a) Automatic scheduling using matric sensors, a closed loop irrigation control system based on the Irrigas ® sensor, was used to start irrigation whenever matric potential in the substrate reached -4 kPa. (b) Time clock scheduling - irrigation applications were programmed at fixed intervals and rates, according to drainage fraction observed on the previous day and water retention capacity of the substrate. Tomato hybrids ‘Miramar’ and ‘Ellen’ were evaluated in the subplots. The growing medium was coconut fiber in bags of 40 L. The automatic irrigation scheduling based on Irrigas ® sensors did not affect significantly the tomato marketable yield, fruit weight, and number of fruits per plant (p>0.05) as compared to time clock scheduling. The automatic irrigation control reduced water application by 6.3% as compared to time clock scheduling, without affecting pH and EC levels of the drainage solution. The tomato hybrid ‘Miramar’ presented significantly higher (p<0.01) marketable yield and number of fruits per plant than hybrid ‘Ellen’, which presented higher fruit weight.

Methyl Iodide plus Chloropicrin Rates and Formulations for Nutsedge Management in Tomato

Two independent field studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of methyl iodide (MI) formulations and rates on mixed nutsedge [purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)] stands and their effects on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yields. In both studies, treatments were rates of two formulations of MI + chloropicrin (Pic) at the 98:2 (v/v) and 50:50 (v/v) proportions. In the MI + Pic 98:2 study, the fumigant rates were 0, 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200 lb/acre in Spring 2004 and 0, 125, 150, 175, and 200 lb/acre in Fall 2004. In the MI + Pic 50:50 study, the rates were 0, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 lb/acre during both seasons. Additionally, a grower standard was included in each study, which consisted of plots fumigated with methyl bromide (MBr) + Pic 67:33 (v/v) at a rate of 350 lb/acre. Higher rates of MI + Pic 98:2 and 50:50 significantly reduced mixed nutsedge densities and increased relative marketable fruit weight of tomato. Plots fumigated with MBr + Pic were weed-free at the sampling times during both studies. Data from both studies indicated that MI + Pic 98:2 and 50:50 rates of 125 and 200 lb/acre, respectively, consistently provided the highest marketable fruit weights and mixed nutsedge control, which were similar to those obtained in plots treated with MBr + Pic.

EFFECT OF N, P, K CONCENTRATIONS ON YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.) IN TUFF CULTURE

This study concluded that high concentration of N, P and K in the nutrient solution gave higher total yield and tomato fruit weight than the control nutrient solution in tuff culture grown tomato. High phosphorus concentration (100 ppm) in the nutrient solution gave the highest total and marketable yield, number of marketable fruits and yield per plant, while low phosphorus concentration (20 ppm) gave the highest total soluble solids and titratable acids content in tuff culture grown tomato. The control nutrient solution gave the least total soluble solids, titratable acidity content and the highest pH of tomato juice.

Influence of Shoot Pruning on Bacterial Spot Infestation on Tomato Cultivars

Field studies were conducted in Florida to determine the effect of early shoot pruning on the severity of bacterial spot, and on the growth and yield of different tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars. Two tomato cultivars, two inoculation regimes of bacterial spot pathogen (Xanthomonas perforans), and three shoot pruning programs were arranged in a split-split plot design. The tomato cultivars were Tygress and Security-28; shoot pruning included none, light, and heavy; and X. perforans treatments consisted of non-inoculated plots and plots inoculated with a suspension of the pathogen. Tomato plant height was not influenced by any of the three factors or their interactions, whereas the disease severity was higher in inoculated plots versus non-inoculated plants. Early extra-large fruit weight was affected by tomato cultivars and the inoculation with the bacterial spot pathogen, but not by pruning programs or the interaction among factors. Tomato plants inoculated with X. perforans reduced their extra-large fruit weight by 31% in comparison with non-inoculated plants. There were no differences on early marketable fruit weight among the combinations of each cultivar and the three pruning programs. All three factors individually influenced the seasonal marketable fruit weight of tomato, with no difference between light-pruned plants and the non-pruned control for seasonal marketable fruit weight, regardless of tomato cultivars. However, heavy pruning did reduce seasonal yields by 10% in comparison with the non-pruned control. These results indicated that light shoot pruning, which is the standard grower practice in Florida, did not improve bacterial spot control or tomato yields of total and extra-large marketable fruit, which might save up to $50/acre in reduced labor costs for Florida tomato growers.

Cell Number Regulator1Affects Plant and Organ Size in Maize: Implications for Crop Yield Enhancement and Heterosis

Genes involved in cell number regulation may affect plant growth and organ size and, ultimately, crop yield. The tomato (genus Solanum) fruit weight gene fw2.2, for instance, governs a quantitative trait locus that accounts for 30% of fruit size variation, with increased fruit size chiefly due to increased carpel ovary cell number. To expand investigation of how related genes may impact other crop plant or organ sizes, we identified the maize (Zea mays) gene family of putative fw2.2 orthologs, naming them Cell Number Regulator (CNR) genes. This family represents an ancient eukaryotic family of Cys-rich proteins containing the PLAC8 or DUF614 conserved motif. We focused on native expression and transgene analysis of the two maize members closest to Le-fw2.2, namely, CNR1 and CNR2. We show that CNR1 reduced overall plant size when ectopically overexpressed and that plant and organ size increased when its expression was cosuppressed or silenced. Leaf epidermal cell counts showed that the increased or decreased transgenic plant and organ size was due to changes in cell number, not cell size. CNR2 expression was found to be negatively correlated with tissue growth activity and hybrid seedling vigor. The effects of CNR1 on plant size and cell number are reminiscent of heterosis, which also increases plant size primarily through increased cell number. Regardless of whether CNRs and other cell number-influencing genes directly contribute to, or merely mimic, heterosis, they may aid generation of more vigorous and productive crop plants.

Vermicompost and NPK Fertilizer Effects on Morpho-Physiological Traits of Plants, Yield and Quality of Tomato Fruits: (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Vermicompost and NPK Fertilizer Effects on Morpho-Physiological Traits of Plants, Yield and Quality of Tomato Fruits: (Solanum lycopersicum L.) A field experiment was conducted with an objective to investigate the effects of vermicompost and NPK fertilizer application on morpho-physiological traits, yield and quality attributes of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with an ultimate aim of optimizing nutrient requirements of tomato in mild-tropical agro-climate. The application of vermicompost together with NPK fertilizer increased plant height, leaf area, leaf weight, fruit weight, fruit yield, fruit density, post-harvest life and TSS of tomato. Application of vermicompost alone too increased the shelf-life by 250% and TSS beyond 4.5%, both of which are traits highly desirable for summer production of tomato and the related processing industry. Present study reveals that application of vermicompost in the amount of 7.5 t·ha-1 in combination with 50% dose of NPK fertilizer (60:30:30 kg·ha-1) was optimum for obtaining better quality and productivity of field grown tomatoes in mild-tropical agro-climate, eventually integrated nutrient supply will sustain the soil fertility and plant productivity eco-friendly.

Oxyfertigation of a greenhouse tomato crop grown on rockwool slabs and irrigated with treated wastewater: Oxygen content dynamics and crop response

Abstract This work assesses the seasonal dynamics of the substrate oxygen content and the response to nutrient solution oxygen enrichment (oxyfertigation) of an autumn–spring tomato crop grown on rockwool slabs and irrigated with treated wastewater of very low dissolved oxygen (DO) content under Mediterranean greenhouse conditions. DO values in the nutrient solution were clearly higher for the oxygen-enriched (14.6 mg L−1) tomato crop than for the non-enriched one (4.5 mg L−1). However, DO values in the substrate solution were similar for both oxygen treatments (mean seasonal values of 5.1 and 4.8 mg L−1 for the enriched and the non-enriched one, respectively), except for a short crop period at the end of the cycle when they were significantly higher for the oxygen-enriched crop. For both treatments, substrate DO values were highest for the winter period and decreased progressively during the spring period, reaching minimum values of around or below 3 mg L−1 at the end of the spring. The oxygen enrichment of the nutrient solution did not affect any of the irrigation and fertigation parameters evaluated in the tomato crop: water uptake, volumetric water content of the substrate, electrical conductivity (EC) or nutrient concentration in the leached nutrient solution. Moreover, the oxygen enrichment of the nutrient solution did not affect the aboveground biomass and the biomass partitioning, the fresh weight of total and marketable tomato fruits or the tomato fruit quality parameters. Overall, it appears that oxygen deficiency conditions did not occur as the substrate DO values were higher than, or about, 3 mg L−1 throughout most of the tomato crop cycle for both treatments and the rockwool slabs maintained good aeration conditions throughout the whole cycle.

Effect of fruit bagging with different spectra bags on the growth and quality of tomato in spring-summer season

The effect of fruit truss/bagging with five different spectra bags on the micro-environment,fresh weight,yield,nutrition content and physiological disease of tomato fruit in spring-summer season was investigated.The results show that under bagging,light intensity significantly weakens,especially ultraviolet wave( 400 nm),while 400～600 nm radiation drops sharply in red plastic film bags(RFB).Relative humidity generally increases while temperature change is different in different bags.No significant differences in the rate of increase in fresh fruit weight,fruit rigidity,fruit shape,single fruit weight and fruit weight per truss(bag) exist.Fruit ripening is quickened and concentrated,and lycopene content increases but with no significant difference in vitamin C,free amino acids and soluble protein content after fruit bagging.Soluble solid content decreases significantly in fruits with fresh film bag(FFB),while soluble sugar content reduces most significantly in fruits with RFB,yet that of organic acid decreases markedly in fruits with white plastic film bag(WFB).The number of deformed fruits,holed fruits and black-scar fruits decreases while cracked fruits increase and stalk-enlarged fruits appear in fruit bagging treatments.It is concluded that bagging of fruits in spring-summer season is beneficial to the growth and ripening of tomato fruit.The types of bag most suitable include purple plastic film bag(PFB) followed by WFB.

Genetic and physiological analysis of tomato fruit weight and composition: influence of carbon availability on QTL detection

Throughout tomato domestication, a large increase in fruit size was associated with a loss of dry matter and sugar contents. This study aims to dissect the contributions of genetic variation and the physiological processes underlying the relationships between fruit growth and the accumulation of dry matter and sugars. Fruit quality traits and physiological parameters were measured on 20 introgression lines derived from the introgression of Solanum chmielewskii into S. lycopersicum, under high (HL, unpruned trusses) and low (LL, trusses pruned to one fruit) fruit load conditions. Inter- and intra-genotypic correlations among traits were estimated and quantitative trait loci (QTL) for size, composition, and physiological traits were mapped. LL increased almost all traits, but the response of sugar content was genotype-dependent, involving either dilution effects or differences in carbon allocation to sugars. Genotype×fruit load interactions were significant for most traits and only 30% of the QTL were stable under both fruit loads. Many QTL for fresh weight and cell or seed numbers co-localized. Eleven clusters of QTL for fresh weight and dry matter or sugar content were detected, eight with opposite allele effects and three with negative effects. Two genotypic antagonistic relationships, between fresh weight and dry matter content and between cell number and cell size, were significant only under HL; the second could be interpreted as a competition for carbohydrates among cells. The role of cuticular conductance, fruit transpiration or cracking in the relationship between fruit fresh weight and composition was also emphasized at the genetic and physiological levels.

Potensi Trichoderma harzianum sebagai Biofungisida pada Tanaman Tomat ( Trichoderma harzianum Potency as a Biofungicide on Tomato Plant )

Fusarium disease of tomato plant is caused by Fusarium oxysporum. For gaining high quality and stable tomato production but physically construction, natural management of environment balancing, consistency, and stability is a must. A kind effort that should be tried is using natural agent, Trichoderma. This research aims to know the effect of Trichoderma implementation towards Fusarium oxysporum growth, and Tomato fruit production and vitamin content. There are two steps of this research. The first is seeing Trichoderma perform towards Fusarium oxysporum growth in a variation of incubation periode (7, 14. 21 and 28 days). The second, is giving Trichoderma agent on the tomato planting in some dozez (g), such as 0,10,20,30,40 and 50. The parameter are Fusarium oxysporum growth limits area, fruit weight per plant, and fruit vitamin C content. The research shows that Trichoderma giving are effecting Fusarium oxysporum growth, tomato fruit weight and fruit vitamin C content in a significance way. The highest level of vitamin C content (84,78 mg/matterial) and fruit weight (550 g) is gained on Trichoderma implementation which has incubation day of 21 (19.08 % ) and dozez of 40 grams. Â K eywords : biofungisida,Trichoderma, Fusarium oxysporum , tomat

Effects of pollination by Melipona quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on tomatoes in protected culture

To evaluate the pollination efficiency of a stingless bee, Melipona quadrifasciata, individuals originating from tropical and subtropical regions of South America were examined on tomatoes (cv. Momotaro 8) cultivated in a greenhouse in summer and autumn. We compared differences in the rates of foraged flowers, pollen weights foraged from anthers, rates of fruit set of tomatoes, seed number of tomato fruits and yields of tomato fruit weight between M. quadrifasciata and the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris. When the amount of tomato pollen was sufficient, there were no differences in pollination efficiency between the stingless bee and the bumblebee; however, the rates of foraged flowers, the rate of fruit set and the yields were significantly reduced in the stingless bee compared with the bumblebee when fertile tomato pollen decreased markedly during the hottest period of the summer. During this period, the rate of flowers foraged by bumblebees did not decrease, but the rates of fruit set, the seed number and the yields of tomato fruits decreased significantly in comparison with the other periods. It is known that tomato pollen production is inhibited at high temperatures; thus, we consider that the high temperatures in the greenhouse (average daily temperature higher than 28°C) caused the extreme decrease in pollen production. These results indicate that M. quadrifasciata can be used as a suitable pollinator of tomatoes if sufficient amounts of fertile pollen are provided.

Field Assessment of the Nematicidal Properties of Neem (&lt;i&gt;Azadirachta Indica&lt;/i&gt;) Against the Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Incognita on Infected Tomato (&lt;i&gt;Lycopersicon Esculentum&lt;/i&gt;)

The toxic effects of neem, Azadirachta indica fruit powder against a root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita on tomato was investigated in the field in the year 2002. Tomato Roma var. Uf was planted on a ploughed and harrowed field. Each plant stand was inoculated with 2000 Meloidogyne incognita juveniles. The treatments were made up of four levels; 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 tonnes/ha of neem fruit powder, while there was an untreated control denoted by 0 tonne/ha. The experiment lasted for a period of sixteen weeks. The results from the experiment showed that neem fruit powder brought about a significant increase in growth and yield of nematode-infected tomato as compared with the control. At 10 and 12 WAP, plant height and number of leaves/plant were significantly higher in the treated plants. The number and weight of tomato fruits were also significantly higher in the treated plants than in the untreated control. The nematode multiplication rate and damage caused by the nematode on tomato roots (root gall index) were significantly lower in the treated plants than in the control. The higher concentrations of the neem powder were significantly more effective than the lower concentrations in controlling the nematode and consequently improving the growth and yield of treated tomato plants. Keywords : Neem, Nematicidal Properties, Root Knot Nematode, Tomato. Agrosearch Vol. 7 (1&2) 2005: pp. 28-33

Managing weeds with drip-applied herbicides in tomato

Field trials were conducted on heavy soils in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to compare the efficacy of herbicide delivery methods, and to examine the performance of herbicides on weed control in tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Herbicides were applied either with a piston-pump backpack sprayer or through drip lines. Herbicide treatments were a non-treated control, S-metolachlor, napropamide, pebulate, and trifluralin. Effects of the herbicide delivery method were not significant for tomato yield, which indicated that herbicide application through drip lines performed similar to conventional preplant incorporated application. The highest extra-large and total tomato fruit weight were obtained in plots treated with S-metolachlor, representing 75% and 57% increments in yields, respectively. These results suggested that in heavy soils, such as the ones in the two locations in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, application of S-metolachlor through drip lines appears to be an alternative for weed control in tomato fields.

Competition for Nitrogen Between Thorn Apple and Tomato and Pepper

ABSTRACT The effect of emergence time of the weed Datura stramonium (thorn apple) on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. The closer emergence of the weed was to that of the crops, the greater was the weed's growth, seed production, and nitrogen (N) uptake. As a result, growth, fruit yield, and N uptake of the crops was reduced. Shoot N content was reduced in tomato, as was fruit N content in pepper. There was competition by the weed with the crops for N, even when weed emergence was as late as the beginning of flowering. This competition, and the damage it caused, was always more severe with respect to pepper than tomato, irrespective of weed emergence time. The earlier the emergence of Datura stramonium, the fewer were the number of fruits produced by either crop. Average fresh fruit weight in tomato was also reduced. In pepper, the average fruit weight was reduced only when the weed emerged up to the four-leaf stage of the crop. The drop in pepper fruit yield caused by weed emergence up to the four-leaf stage of the crop could be due to competition for light by the weed, in addition to competition for N. Tomato competed better against the weed than did pepper.

Stability over genetic backgrounds, generations and years of quantitative trait locus (QTLs) for organoleptic quality in tomato

The efficiency of marker-assisted backcross for the introgression of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) from a donor line into a recipient line depends on the stability of QTL expression. QTLs for six quality traits in tomato (fruit weight, firmness, locule number, soluble solid content, sugar content and titratable acidity) were studied in order to investigate their individual effect and their stability over years, generations and genetic backgrounds. Five chromosome regions carrying fruit quality QTLs were transferred following a marker-assisted backcross scheme from a cherry tomato line into three modern lines with larger fruits. Three sets of genotypes corresponding to three generations were compared: (1) an RIL population, which contained 50% of each parental genome, (2) three BC3S1 populations which segregated simultaneously for the five regions of interest but were almost fully homozygous for the recipient genome on the eight chromosomes carrying no QTL and (3) three sets of QTL-NILs (BC3S3 lines) which differed from the recipient line only in one of the five regions. QTL detection was performed in each generation, in each genetic background and during 2 successive years for QTL-NILs. About half of the QTLs detected in QTL-NILs were detected in both years. Eight of the ten QTLs detected in RILs were recovered in the QTL-NILs with the genetic background used for the initial QTL mapping experiment, with the exception of two QTLs for fruit firmness. Several new QTLs were detected. In the two other genetic backgrounds, the number of QTLs in common with the RILs was lower, but several new QTLs were also detected in advanced generations.

Influence of Star paper mill effluent on biomass production and yield at harvesting time of different agricultural crops

Influence of Star paper mill effluent of different concentration on biomass and yield production of four agricultural crop i.e. Solanum melongena (Brinjal), Cicer arietinum ( Black gram), Glycine max (Soyabean)and Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato) was investigated in the field condition. Variable behaviour on pattern of seed germination , root length, shoot length , root and shoot ratio was recorded . Similiarly all four crops showed variability with concentration of dose and yield production at harvesting stage.Biomass production was better in control ( only tap water) than plot irrigated up to 10% with effluent but was found suitable at 25% and after that it was deleterious for brinjal crop. However effluent was suitable at 5% dose of black gram and after that it showed adverse effect. Adverse effect of effluent on biomass production was recorded at all different concentration used in soyabean crop, but effluent above 50 % concentration showed a positive response for L. esculentum crop.Similiarly crop yield in terms of number of fruits / plant and weight of fruits per plant showed variability for their treated dose. Number of fruits and their weight in Brinjal was found better in enhanced trend till 25% and after that deleterious effect was noted while black gram respond positively only at 5% concentration. Similiarly maximum yield was found in soyabean at 5% concentration and above that deleterious effect was recorded. Progressive and positive trend at all concentration in weight of tomato fruit per plant was found.

Cell Expansion and Endoreduplication Show a Large Genetic Variability in Pericarp and Contribute Strongly to Tomato Fruit Growth

Postanthesis growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicon) as of many types of fruit relies on cell division and cell expansion, so that some of the largest cells to be found in plants occur in fleshy fruit. Endoreduplication is known to occur in such materials, which suggests its involvement in cell expansion, although no data have demonstrated this hypothesis as yet. We have analyzed pattern formation, cell size, and ploidy in tomato fruit pericarp. A first set of data was collected in one cherry tomato line throughout fruit development. A second set of data was obtained from 20 tomato lines displaying a large weight range in fruit, which were compared as ovaries at anthesis and as fully grown fruit at breaker stage. A remarkable conservation of pericarp pattern, including cell layer number and cell size, is observed in all of the 20 tomato lines at anthesis, whereas large variations of growth occur afterward. A strong, positive correlation, combining development and genetic diversity, is demonstrated between mean cell size and ploidy, which holds for mean cell diameters from 10 to 350 microm (i.e. a 32,000-times volume variation) and for mean ploidy levels from 3 to 80 C. Fruit weight appears also significantly correlated with cell size and ploidy. These data provide a framework of pericarp patterning and growth. They strongly suggest the quantitative importance of polyploidy-associated cell expansion as a determinant of fruit weight in tomato.

Response of cowpea, okra and tomato sawdust ash manure

Field experiments were conducted at Akure and Obaile in Southwest Nigeria to test effect of sawdust ash manure treatments on cowpea (var. 1T82D – 716), okra (var. NAAe – 47 – 4) and Roma variety of tomato. The nutrient analysis of leaf and pod of okra given by different sawdust ash manure treatments was done. Sawdust ash manure applied at 4t/ha increased growth and yield parameters of cowpea. Sawdust ash applied at 3 to 12 t\\ha increased pod yield of Okra and 9t/ha sawdust ash was optimum. Sawdust ash applied at 3, 6 and 9t/ha increased Okra leaf and pod P, K, Ca and Mg contents. Sawdust ash manure increased number and weight of tomato fruits significantly. Relative to control, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t/ha ash increased number of tomato fruits by 109, 226, 265 and 226% respectively, and the equivalent values for fruit weight were 29, 55, 64 and 57%. The 4t/ha sawdust ash is recommended for cowpea and tomato. Key words: Sawdust ash; nutrient; soil; crops Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol.4(2) 2003: 178-182