Vegetative Yield Research Articles

Synthesis of Green Iron Nanoparticles Using Henna Plant Extract for Seed Germination and Vegetative Growth of Trigonella foenum-graecumL

This paper presents the green synthesis of iron nanoparticles (FeNPs). Iron sulfate served as the substrate and henna extract as the reducing agent in the synthesis of FeNPs. FeNPs were analyzed using a variety of techniques, including UV-visible spectroscopy, nano zeta-sizer analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). By using UV-visible spectroscopy, the electron transition band of iron oxide, or the peak at 291 nm, was found to be the source of the FeNPs. The characteristic bands of iron oxide were detected at 790 by FTIR. These bands are associated with the stretching vibration of Fe-O at 1022 and 1516 cm-1. to determine how applying different combinations of nano-fertilizers affects the growth and yield of fenugreek. The experiment consisted of nine treatments. The results demonstrated that T8 performed better than the other treatments in terms of all elements of vegetative development and yield contents. The T8 yields plant height of 43.12 cm, fresh weight of 30.41g, dry weight of 2.44g, seed weight of 5.09g, and pod weight of 7.39g with an increase rate of (55.56, 82.97, 162.36, 105.24, and 122.59)%.

Drip irrigation under film mulch used on flat-bed increased vegetable yield by altering soil microbe community structure and soil nitrogen

Drip irrigation under film mulch used on flat-bed increased vegetable yield by altering soil microbe community structure and soil nitrogen

Interaction effect of boron and zinc on growth, yield and quality of guava (Psidium gaujava L.) Cv. ‘Lalit’

The present investigation was carried out at Agricultural Research Farm, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur (Rajasthan) to study the effect of foliar application of boron and zinc on growth, yield and quality of guava (Psidium gaujava L.) during the year 2022-23. The various concentrations of boric acid, zinc sulphate and their interactions had significant effect on various vegetative growth, yield and quality parameters and the maximum (22.07 cm) tree height increment, (70.39 cm) annual shoot growth, (215.96) fruits per tree, longest (8.74 cm) fruit length, (7.84 cm) fruit diameter, heaviest (264.20 g) fruit, yield (58.57 kg/tree) and (16.27 t/ha), (15.87%) TSS, (7.60%) total sugar, (268.25 mg/100 g) ascorbic acid and (1.36%) pectin was recorded under Boric acid @ 0.25% + ZnSO4 @ 0.25% (T11).The non-significant effects were observed in application of different combinations of boric acid and zinc sulphate on acidity percentage.

Exogenous glycine betaine alleviates water-deficit stress in Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica) under greenhouse conditions.

Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort) is a green leafy vegetable containing centelloside' (triterpenoid), a key phytochemical component in traditional medicine. Being a glycophytic species, they exhibit decline in growth performance and yield traits when subjected to water-deficit (WD) conditions. Glycine betaine (GB) is a low molecular-weight organic metabolite that plays a crucial role in abiotic stress conditions in higher plants. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of GB in alleviating water-deficit stress (in terms of morphological and physiological responses) in two different genotypes of Indian pennywort, "Nakhon Pathom" (NP; high centelloside-yielding genotype) and "Pathum Thani" (PT; low centelloside-yielding genotype). The genotypes of Indian pennywort were propagated by stolon cutting and transplanted into plastic bags containing 2kg of garden soil. At the flower-initiation stage (30days after transplantation), uniform plant material was treated exogenously with 0 (control), 25, and 50mMGB at 100mL per plant (one-time foliar spray) and then divided into two groups, 1) well watered (WW; irrigated daily with 400mL fresh water; 98% field capacity) and 2) water deficit (WD; withheld water for 14days; 72% field capacity). Foliar application of GB (25mM) significantly improved leaf osmotic potential in NP under WD conditions via osmotic adjustment by free proline and fructose. Differences in leaf temperature (Tleaf) between WD and WW in NP were maximized (+ 1.93°C) and the gap of Tleaf was reduced in the case of 25-50mMGB application. Similarly, crop water stress index (CWSI) in NP and PT plants under WD condition was significantly increased by 1.95- and 1.86-fold over the control, respectively; however, it was significantly decreased by exogenous GB application. Increasing Tleaf and CWSI in drought-stressed plants was closely related to stomatal closure, leading to reduced gas exchange parameters, i.e., stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and consequently decreased plant biomass and total centelloside yield. Overall physiological, morphological, and secondary metabolite traits were enhanced in NP under WD conditions using 25mMGB exogenous application compared with the control. The study highlights the significance of GB in Indian pennywort production under limited water irrigation (water deficit) with higher vegetable yield and phytochemical stabilization.

Effects of magnetoelectric water irrigation combined with foliar iron fertilizer on the growth characteristics and iron absorption of spinach

Vegetable cultivation is highly profitable and can quickly generate earnings. The demand for vegetables is increasing daily compared with grain crops. However, the inefficient use of water resources and the lack of microelements in soil prevent improvements in vegetable quality and yield. This study conducted indoor pot experiments on spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.), including five concentrations of foliar iron (e.g., 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg/L) under conventional water and magnetoelectric water irrigation conditions. This experiment was conducted to clarify the effect of the combined application of magnetoelectric water and foliar iron fertilizer on the growth characteristics and iron absorption patterns of spinach. The results demonstrated that magnetoelectric water combined with the application of 15 mg/L foliar iron fertilizer was the most effective combination. These results occurred by (1) increasing the available iron content in the soil while promoting the accumulation of total nitrogen in spinach leaves and (2) increasing the chlorophyll content and maximum net photosynthetic rate of spinach leaves. This resulted in a significant increase of 31.91 % in the aboveground fresh weight of spinach and an iron enrichment coefficient of 40.12 %. Additionally, the accuracy of the logistic growth and light response model to simulate the growth and light response process of spinach was greater than 0.98, indicating good fitting effects. The increase in chlorophyll content was the main factor promoting spinach growth and iron absorption, and the prediction model of spinach yield based on chlorophyll content was well fitting. These results provide theoretical references and technical support for promoting magnetoelectric water irrigation technology combined with foliar iron fertilizer to improve vegetable yields.

Innovative farming techniques for superior okra yield in Chitwan, Nepal: The benefits of plastic film mulch and pest exclusion net on soil properties, growth, quality and profitability

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a large-acreage cultivated, nutritious, commercial fruit vegetable crop in tropical and subtropical regions that plays a dominant role in Nepalese cuisine in the summer. Modified growing conditions through pest exclusion nets (PEN) and types of mulch on okra might be effective techniques to enhance yield and marketable production. Research is performed to investigate the effects of PEN and plastic film on the performance and yield of okra. An experiment laid out single factorial randomized complete block design with four replications and five treatments consists of: a) Control (No net + no mulch), b) Organic mulch (Rice straw mulch), c) Black plastic mulch, d) Silver plastic mulch, e) Pest exclusion net + black plastic mulch; on Swastik-2 F1 variety. The data were analyzed R software at the (p ≤ 0.05) level of significance and mean comparison is done using (Dunken Multiple Range Test) DMRT. This study revealed that silver plastic mulch and black plastic mulch treatment statistically resulted in pars & significantly higher yield (30.74 and 29.39 mt ha−1), leaf number/plant (27.98 and 26.73), branch number/plant (5 all), fruit number/plant (33 & 29) and the lowest days to flowering (39 & 40 days) compared to control; while PEN+black plastic mulching treatment resulted in higher plant height (212.93 cm), stem diameter (2.54 cm), fruit length (18.26 cm), fruit diameter (1.73 cm), fruit weight (32.80 g), longest days to flowering (43 days) and lowest leaf number per plant (15.58), branches/plant (4), yield (20.4 mt ha−1), light intensity (110.32 lx) which is undesirable yield perspectives but insect pest population is significantly lower in PEN results superior quality than other treatmets. Black plastic films and PEN+ black mulch raise soil temperature (max 34.89 °C) and increase soil moisture (18.15% vol) during germination. Plant inside PEN +black plastic mulching received low light intensity had higher vegetative growth but found with low yield. Plants in control and straw mulch treatments were found to have low vegetative growth and yield (22.7 and 24.4 tons/ha). Farmers can use silver and Black plastic plastics mulch, which are economically more viable and Productive as compared to other treatments for commercial cultivation of okra.

Optimization of Low-Tech Protected Structure and Irrigation Regime for Cucumber Production under Hot Arid Regions of India.

Water scarcity and climate variability impede the realization of satisfactory vegetable yields in arid regions. It is imperative to delve into high-productivity and water-use-efficient protected cultivation systems for the sustained supply of vegetables in harsh arid climates. A strenuous effort was made to find suitable protected structures and levels of irrigation for greenhouse cucumber production in hot arid zones of India. In this endeavor, the effects of three low-tech passively ventilated protected structures, i.e., naturally ventilated polyhouse (NVP), insect-proof screenhouse (IPS) and shade screenhouse (SHS), as well as three levels of irrigation (100%, 80% and 60% of evapotranspiration, ET) were assessed for different morpho-physiological, yield and quality traits of the cucumber in a two-year study. Among the low-tech protected structures, NVP was found superior to IPS and SHS for cucumber performance, as evidenced by distinctly higher fruit yields (i.e., 31% and 121%, respectively) arising as a result of higher fruit number/plants and mean fruit weights under NVP. The fruit yield decreased in response to the degree of water shortage in deficit irrigation across all protected structures. However, the interaction effect of the protected structure and irrigation regime reveals that plants grown under moderate deficit (MD, 20% deficit) inside NVP could provide higher yields than those obtained under well-watered (WW, 100% of ET) conditions inside IPS or SHS. Plant growth indices such as vine length, node number/plant, and shoot dry mass were also measured higher under NVP. The greater performance of cucumber under NVP was attributed to a better plant physiological status (i.e., higher photosystem II efficiency, leaf relative water content and lower leaf water potential). The water deficit increased water productivity progressively with its severity; it remained higher in NVP, as reflected by 20% and 94% higher water productivity than those recorded in IPS and SHS, respectively, across different irrigation levels. With the exception of total soluble solids and fruit dry matter content (which were recorded higher), fruit quality parameters were reduced under water deficit conditions. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering suitable low-tech protected structures (i.e., NVP) and irrigation levels (i.e., normal rates for higher yields and moderate deficit (-20%) for satisfactory yields) for cucumber in hot arid regions. The results provide valuable insights for growers as well as researchers aiming to increase vegetable production under harsh climates and the water-limiting conditions of arid regions.

Comparison of soybean crop performance under tropical environment between tropical and temperate cultivars with adjusted growth duration

ABSTRACT Considerable variation among soybean genotypes has been observed in growth and yield adaptations to tropical environments. However, the response to daylength and, hence, different growth durations are confounding factors in most studies. In this study, we conducted field experiments in a tropical environment with daylength treatment to compare the crop performance of temperate and tropical cultivars with different daylength sensitivities in terms of biomass production, seed yield, and apparent seed quality. A tropical cultivar, ‘Tanggamus’, which has been highly productive in Indonesia, was grown for two years in a field at Bogor, Indonesia (lat. 6.5° S) with four cultivars from temperate regions. The proposed long-day treatment (LD) decreased the negative effects of short daylength in low-altitude areas on the vegetative growth and yield of soybean cultivars from temperate regions. With LD, the differences in the yield and above ground dry weight between temperate cultivars and ‘Tanggamus’ was less than without LD. However, the ratio of wrinkled seeds of temperate cultivars with LD was higher than that of ‘Tanggamus’. There were differences in the seed-filling rate and the growth rate of pod plus seed during latter half of the seed-filling period between them, indicating a higher ability in the supply of assimilates to seeds under high-temperature conditions during the seed-filling stage. These results suggest that temperate cultivars remain to be improved in biomass and seed production under environments with higher temperatures than the climate where they are cultivated, and that ‘Tanggamus’ will be worth utilizing in breeding programs.

Integrating pastured meat chickens into organic vegetable production increased nitrogen and microbial biomass with variability in presence of E. coli and Salmonella spp

Abstract Integrating animals into a farm supports a closed or semi-closed production system where nutrients are recycled and off-farm inputs are reduced. In comparison to other livestock, chickens can be a low-investment option for animal-crop integration of small-scale, diversified, vegetable farms. Although crop-animal integration poses many potential benefits to farms, soils, and the environment, there are significant food safety risks when considering the production of vegetables in close proximity to raw manure. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of poultry integration with meat chickens (broilers) in two different seasons on soil health, food safety, vegetable yield, and poultry feed efficiency in organic vegetable cropping systems. We explored these effects in an open field study with three rotation treatments (two that integrated chickens and a no-chicken control): vegetables-cover crop (V-CC; control treatment), vegetables-cover crop-poultry (V-CC-P), and vegetables-poultry-cover crop (V-P-CC). In response to crop rotation, over three years, we monitored soil nutrient status, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), and microbial catabolic potential and diversity using Biolog® microplates. The presence or absence of foodborne pathogens in soil and vegetables was also measured. Nitrate–nitrogen (NO3–N) was higher in V-P-CC in year 2 as compared to both V-CC and V-CC-P (P = 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). After poultry removal in the summer of year 2 and year 3 V-P-CC was on average two times higher in NO3–N as compared to V-CC and V-CC-P, respectively. After chicken removal in the autumn of year 3 V-CC-P was 2.1 and 1.8 times higher in NO3–N as compared to V-CC and V-P-CC, respectively. On average phosphorus (P) increased by 45% in year 2 and by 13.2% in year 3. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased from after harvest (summer) in year 1 to the end of the season (autumn) of year 2 from 219.75 to 303.23 mg carbon (C) kg−1. Integrating poultry increased MBC by 25%, on average between both treatments across all sampling dates, compared to the V-CC (P = 0.042). The vegetable-cover crop control (V-CC) preferentially used carbohydrates, compared to V-P-CC which corresponded to greater amino acid usage. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was detected in all plots in the spring of year 3 and select replications of plots in the autumn of year 3. Salmonella spp. was found in one plot in year 2. No pathogens were detected on the spinach crop when leaf surfaces were tested. Integrating chickens into organic vegetable crop rotations increases NO3–N and has the potential for off-farm fertilizer reductions if time and stocking density are further examined. However, poultry feed is often an off-farm input and should be considered when determining the true N input of this system. Soil health may be improved, but MBC and other soil health indicators should be monitored with longer-term rotations. There are food safety risks that come with the integration of chickens into vegetable production and fields should be treated as if raw manure has been applied. Despite the potential benefits of integrating poultry into vegetable crop rotations, more research on these systems is required to determine optimum integration strategies that provide maximum benefit to the producer, the animals, and the environment.

Enhancing vegetable cowpea growth and yield in semi-arid regions: Effect of liquid microbial consortia and variable nitrogen doses under saline and canal water irrigation

Enhancing vegetable cowpea growth and yield in semi-arid regions: Effect of liquid microbial consortia and variable nitrogen doses under saline and canal water irrigation

Effect of humic acid on vegetative growth characteristics and yield of citrus fruits

Effect of humic acid on vegetative growth characteristics and yield of citrus fruits

Effect of Zinc and Boron on Vegetative Growth and yield of Early Sweet grape under desert Conditions

Effect of Zinc and Boron on Vegetative Growth and yield of Early Sweet grape under desert Conditions

Stability analysis of vegetable cowpea yield and its components using Eberhart and Russel model

Stability analysis of vegetable cowpea yield and its components using Eberhart and Russel model

Influence of flower bud and fruit thinning and spraying with Salicylic acid on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of the Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus – indica)

Influence of flower bud and fruit thinning and spraying with Salicylic acid on vegetative growth, yield and fruit quality of the Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus – indica)

Investigation of management practices to optimize cereal rye cover crop-based weed mitigation in Canadian sweet corn production

Abstract Fall-sown cereal rye has gained popularity as a cover crop in vegetable production due to its weed-suppressive capabilities. However, previous research has shown that replacing preemergence and/or postemergence herbicide applications with roller-crimped rye has variable success at controlling weeds and maintaining vegetable cash crop yields. The objective of this research was to determine whether roller-crimped rye can provide season-long weed control and maintain sweet corn yield. Two rye cultivars (early vs. standard maturity) were compared at three seeding rates (150, 300, and 600 seeds m−2) for their effect on weed control and sweet corn yield. The trial was conducted at three locations: Harrow, ON, and St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, from 2019 to 2021; and Agassiz, BC, in 2019 and 2021. Results suggest that although the early-maturing cultivar allowed for earlier roller crimping in some locations, it was inferior at weed control and resulted in lower sweet corn yield than local standard cultivars. The average rye biomass was lower than the current literature recommendations, and the resulting level of weed control was not high enough to prevent sweet corn yield loss in cover crop treatments. Weed control provided by roller-crimped rye peaked between crimping and 8 wk after crimping and was highest in the standard cultivars sown at 300 and 600 seeds m−2. Preliminary testing of supplemental postemergence weed control showed evidence for sweet corn yields comparable to the weed-free no-cover crop check. However, more research is needed. Overall, with the cultivars and seeding rates tested, roller-crimped rye is not a suitable stand-alone weed control option in sweet corn production. Given the benefits of cover crops, further research should evaluate its potential as a component of an integrated weed management program.

Effect of Foliar Spray of Zinc and Manganese on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulate)

Effect of Foliar Spray of Zinc and Manganese on Vegetative Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulate)

Checklist of pests and diseases of fruits and vegetables in Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon

Fruits and vegetables are an integral part of human diet attributed to their appealing flavour, taste, nutrients and health-promoting properties. However, in Cameroon, the agricultural system is constantly dealing with a decrease in fruit and vegetable yield due to diseases and pests’ infestation. The aim of this study was to identify diseases and pests of fruits and vegetables in farms and markets in Mezam Division. North West Region of Cameroon. A field survey was conducted in randomly selected farms in Mezam, Bamenda while a market survey was carried at Mile 3 Nkwen and the Bamenda food markets in December 2022 and January 2023 with the participation of secondary school Biology teachers as trainees. They were taught on the signs and symptoms of diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses on fruits and vegetables by plant pathologists while insect pests’ identification was taught by agriculture entomologists from the University of Bamenda. Pictures of infected vegetable and fruit parts were taken; host plant was identified and the pathogens causing disease was identified based on signs and symptoms and results presented on tables. Also, Infected vegetables and fruits samples were cultured in PDA and pure cultures were identified by use of cultural characters. Insect identification was done with the aid of photographs and by the use of a dichotomous key which was used to determine the orders of the different insect pests. High number of vegetables and fruits were found to be infected by fungi, bacterial and viral pathogens. The symptoms observed in farms and markets ranged from fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum on Passifora edulis, bacteria canker of Persea americana to leaf spot disease caused by Pleospora spp. on Talinum fruticosum. The insect pests identified were Dacus punctatifrons, Helicoverpa armigera, Podagrica spp., Bemisia tabaci and aphids. Some of these insect pests serve as vectors of plant diseases.

Research on the development of digital technologies and agriculture

The aim of the work is to study the coordination of the growth rates of the use of digital technologies in agricultural organizations and the efficiency of agricultural production in farms of all categories of the Russian Federation. Based on Rosstat data and our own calculations, the chain growth rates of indicators for 2019-2022 have been studied. With the growing number of organizations by type of activity, agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing, fish farming in the Russian Federation, their costs for information and communication technologies, and for the purchase of telecommunications equipment are increasing. but they reduce the cost of purchasing software in the face of anti-Russian sanctions, a pandemic and shock effects. The instability of the development of organizations in the information infrastructure is associated with a decrease in the number of personal computers per 100 employees and the number of organizations using broadband Internet access. The coordination of the growth rate of potato, sugar beet, and sunflower seeds yields with the growth rate of organizations’ costs for the purchase of telecommunications equipment has been established. The dynamics of vegetable yields is coordinated with the dynamics of organizations’ expenditures on information and communication technologies.

Vegetation Changes and Yields of Tall Fescue-based Mixture Pasture in the Central Region of South Korea

Vegetation Changes and Yields of Tall Fescue-based Mixture Pasture in the Central Region of South Korea

Spraying Technology and Foliar Application Result in a Smooth Layer of the Spray: a Literature Review

Using of foliar fertilizer application is an important issue in many crops plantation in different countries. Various studies have been conducted on this method, especially with fruits and horticulture. Few studies were performed on essential crops such as maize compared to the orchards. Concerning crops, most of these studies were performed using foliar spraying with phosphorus, and potassium, and a few attempts were carried out with foliar fertilizer during the season at different concentrations starting from the first stage of the plant. The foliar application may be sprayed with a suitable concentrate depending on the type of crop planted, growth stage, leaves age, and physicochemical properties of the sprayed liquid. As reported in the current literature, there are previous studies on this application with insufficient knowledge of mechanisms and factors governing the nutrient uptake by leaves that still need to be improved. The insufficient information about the effect of foliar fertilizer at different application rates is one of the reasons that the study focused on it, which was probably the leading cause of sometimes controversial effects with foliar fertilizers being reported. Most previous studies revealed that is necessary to apply foliar fertilizer on the plant leaves at a proper concentration and application rate compatible with the age of the crop applied. The results also indicated that a suitable concentration of foliar fertilizer no doubt leads to improved fertilizer effectiveness and can even increase plant growth activity, especially when spraying with modern technology. For an optimum both of the crop vegetative growth and yield response to foliar fertilization, it is possible to diagnose the optimum growth stage of the plant and leaf age for the starting of foliar fertilizer application related to metrological conditions such as the air temperature, and relative humidity at the time of spraying. It is necessary to recommend the crop growth stage before foliar application at a known application rate and concentration to a crop to achieve maximum efficiency at low cost as possible.