Dry Weight Yield Research Articles

Pemberian Biochar Jengkok Tembakau untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Ubijalar pada Lahan Kering Sub-Optimal

Indawan et al, 2019. Increasing Sweet Potato Yield on Biochar Amendment Application on Sub-Optimal Dry Land. JLSO 8(1):47-56. Biochar is a soil amendment that can improve soil fertility, increase crop yield and can reduce contamination. This study aim to evaluate the sweet potato response to biochar application from tobacco industry waste. The combination of cultivar and dose of biochar implemented using a Split Plot Experiment Design with three replications. The cultivars placed 0n main plots and biochar doses on sub-plots. The thirteen cultivars covering 7 varieties (Kuningan Putih, Beta 1, Beta 2, Kuningan Merah, Sari, Boko, and Jago) plus six accession from Unitri and Brawijaya University collections (BIS OP-61-OP-22 , 73-6 / 2, 73 OP-8, BIS OP-61, 73 OP-5, and BIS OP-61-♀-29). The biochar dose used was B0 (0 t / ha) and B1 (5 t / ha). The experimental unit is measuring 5 m x 0.6 m, consisting of single row and planted with a spacing of 25 cm in row or 20 cuttings/row). The storage root numbers, storage root weight, % dry matter, Harvest Index (HI) and yields estimation are ditermined. The results showed that sweet potato cultivars gave a significant response to biochar application on fresh storage root weight, dry storage root weight, biomass dry weight, HI and storage root yields, but no interaction between cultivars and biochar doses. Storage root yield range of 8 - 21 t / ha without biochar and 10 - 23 t / ha with biochar 5 t / ha, except for Beta 1 and Boko. The use of biochar of 5 t / ha can increase storage root yields ranging from 8 - 45%.

Growth, artificial seedling raising and cultivation of Sargassum confusum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) inhabiting the coast of Shandong Peninsula, China

The seasonal growth, seedling raising and artificial cultivation of Sargassum confusum were studied along the coast of Dong Chudao at the mouth of Sanggou Bay (37°02′12″N, 122°33′51″E). We also compared the growth of juveniles at different temperatures (15, 18, 21, and 24 °C) and irradiances (60, 95, and 130 μmol photons m−2 s−1) when seedlings were raised in a greenhouse. Sargassum confusum in Sanggou Bay began to develop receptacles in early April when the seawater temperature reached 10.8 °C. The receptacles matured in July and released the eggs when the seawater temperature reached 21 °C. The S. confusum thallus grew to maximum mean length (126.6 ± 19.8 cm) and reached the highest mean biomass yield (192.2 ± 40 g dwt thallus−1) in July and then rapidly decayed. Both temperature and irradiance significantly affected the growth of S. confusum seedlings (p < 0.05). The seedlings reached 1005 ± 47.6 μm at 21 °C and under 95 μmol photons m−2 s−1 in 2 weeks. The seedlings grew to approximately 0.5 cm in length in the seedling raising pools in approximately 5 weeks and reached 6 cm in the open sea nursery after an additional 4 months. The seedlings were then separated and inserted between the strands of vinylon ropes and cultivated in the open sea until early July when the seawater temperature reached approximately 21 °C and the maximum thalli length reached 116.4 cm on average. The dry weight of S. confusum harvested from a 4-m cultivation rope was 1.48 kg on average, and the dry weight yield was approximately 8.9 t ha−1.

Essential oil yield and composition and secondary metabolites in self- and open-pollinated populations of mint (Mentha spp.)

Understanding the reproductive system of mint (Mentha spp.) through self or open pollination is critical for its improvement. In this study, fresh and dry weight, essential oil yield, essential oil composition, flavonoid and phenolic contents of 12 mint populations derived from self and open-pollination, plus their parents belonging to two species, were evaluated. The results showed inbreeding depression in self-pollinated populations compared with the parents, for fresh and dry weights and essential oil yield belonging to Mentha longifolia, but in populations belonging to Mentha spicata, fresh weight, dry weight and essential oil yield increased in self and open-pollinated populations, compared with the parents. The possibility of self-pollination and subsequent improvements in offspring may be considered as an existence of some self-compatibility in mint species. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC-FID analyses were also performed to determine the essential oil components. Accordingly, 29 compounds were determined including pulegone (0.87–71%), piperitenone (0.94–76.87%), carvone (0.19–52.01%), and limonene (1.19–26.61%) in the genotypes of M. longifolia and M. spicata. The amount of pulegone, as well as limonene and carvone, significantly decreased in some populations derived from self and open pollination while a significant increase in the amount of piperitenone and menthone was found in this condition. Results also showed that the pollination system had no significant effect on phenolic content while self-pollination significantly increased the flavonoid content of Hamedan and Lorestan populations. Self-pollination in mint may be viewed as a useful way to increase genetic homogenicity for the selection of superior plants in breeding programs for pharmaceutical purposes.

Chemical composition of Mentha pulegium L. (Pennyroyal) plant as influenced by foliar application of different sources of zinc

Background and objective Mentha pulegium L. is commonly known as pennyroyal and it is highly aromatic than any other mint. The essential oil could be considered as a possible candidate for human cancer chemotherapy. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different sources of zinc (algae extract, zinc sulfate, zinc multi, and zinc chelated) on herb yield, nutrient contents and their uptake, carbonic anhydrase, and essential oil production of M. pulegium plant. Materials and methods A field experiment was carried out under drip irrigated sandy soil at the Experimental Station of National Research Centre in Nubaria district, El-Behira Governorate, Egypt. Macronutrients and micronutrients contents of herb, nutrient uptake, carbonic anhydrase activity, and essential oil content were determined. Essential oil constituents were analyzed by chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results The results showed that algae extract followed by zinc multi significantly increased herb fresh and dry weight yield, nutrients content and their uptake, as well as showed the stimulatory impact on carboxylation enzyme activities. The highest essential oil yield (0.93 ml/plant and 20.67 l/ha) was recorded with algae extract, followed by zinc multi (0.80 ml/plant and 17.78 l/ha) than zinc chelate (0.50 ml/plant and 11.11 l/ha). Chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the essential oil showed that the essential oil composition was characterized by a high percentage of oxygenated compounds (96.83–97.33%) while the nonoxygenated compounds ranged from 2.48 to 2.89%. The major constituents of oxygenated compounds were found to be pulegone (67.75–74.43%) followed by neomenthone (10.66–17.12%). Algae extract and zinc multi produced the highest relative concentration of neomenthone (17.12 and 16.72%) and the lowest concentration of pulegone (67.75 and 67.97%). In contrast, foliar application of zinc chelated and zinc sulfate increased the biosynthesis of pulegone (74.43 and 73.98%) and decreased the percent of neomenthone (11.39 and 10.66%). Conclusion It might be concluded that the foliar application of zinc as algae extract followed by zinc multi chelated gave remarkable higher increases in herb yield, nutrients content and their uptake, carbonic anhydrase and essential oil production of M. pulegium plant.

Escherichia Coli cell yield in media containing different carbohydrates

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the cell yield of Escherichia coli grown in minimal medium containing different concentrations of glucose (0.025%, 0.050% and 0.075%) and lactose (0.025%, 0.050% and 0.075%). Determination of the cell yield was done by oven drying the harvested cells to obtain the dry weight and analysis of the residual sugar in the liquid medium by phenol-sulfuric acid method. Highest initial concentration of glucose (596.667 ppm) and lactose (563.333 ppm) was recorded in minimal medium supplemented with 0.075% of the respective sugar. E. coli grown in 0.050% glucose (354.167 ppm) and 0.025% lactose (266.667 ppm) had the highest substrate consumed. Highest cell dry weight (µg/mL) and cell yield (µg/mL) was obtained in 0.075% glucose and 0.075% lactose. Comparing the two sugars, still, glucose had the highest cell yield (glucose 0.050% = 217.368 µg/mL and lactose 0.050% = 195.146 µg/mL; glucose 0.075% = 572.923 µg/ml and lactose 0.075% = 295.146 µg/ml). Highest Ysubstrate was also recorded in highest sugar concentration (glucose 0.075% = 2.331; lactose 0.075% = 1.638). No statistical significance was observed when Ysubstrate of different sugar concentrations were compared.

Efficacy of Purple Non Sulphur Bacterium &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Rhodobacter sphaeroides&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Strain UMSFW1 in the Utilization of Palm Oil Mill Effluent

Sustainable use of palm oil mill effluent (POME) has been the major focus in the recent development in palm oil industry due to the fact that environmental issue brought by POME. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum incubation period of purple non-sulphur bacterium (PNSB) in reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in settled POME and to determine the dry cell weight, TN, TP and cell yield of PNSB. Pure isolate of Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain UMSFW1 was cultured in settled POME under anaerobic condition at 2500 lux illumination on light intensity at a temperature of 30°C ± 2°C for 144-h. Parameters such as COD (mg/L), dry cell biomass (g/L), TP (mg/L) and TN (mg/L) in settled POME and bacterial cells were analyzed. A total reduction of TN (43.9%) in settled POME and a total increase of TN (43.2%) in bacterial cell were recorded at the end of experiment. At the same time the reduction of 51.5% chemical oxygen demand was determined from the POME. The highest dry cell weight of 2.44 g/L with cell yield 0.39 (mg/cell/mg COD) was achieved at the end of experiment. A total 24.7% of TP reduction in settled POME was achieved in 144-h culture, but while a maximum 10% of TP in bacterial cell was achieved in 48-h culture. This study shows that PNSB Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain UMSFW1 grows well by using settled POME as substrate and is capable to remove TN in the settled POME and assimilate into bacterial biomass. This study could provide us a further insight in the nutrient removal and COD removal in the bioremediation process by bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain UMSFW1.

Copper use efficiency in soybean cultivars

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of copper use efficiency in soybean cultivars, grown on a typical Ultisol with a high organic matter content, on soil chemical properties and on plant grain yield, nutritional state, and physiological components. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions, in a 5×4 factorial arrangement, with five soybean cultivars (TMG 1066RR, BRS 360RR, NA 6262RR, BMX Turbo RR, and BRS 359RR) and four Cu rates (0, 2, 4, and 8 mg kg-1). Under the studied soil conditions, the DTPA-TEA and Mehlich-1 extractants were efficient in determining available Cu in the soil. Regardless of the cultivars, Cu application increased grain yield (GY), shoot dry weight yield (SDWY), number of pods per pot, GY/SDWY ratio, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, and chlorophyll content. However, Cu use efficiency varied significantly among the different soybean genotypes. Except for Cu, soil chemical attributes and foliar and grain nutrient contents are not influenced by Cu rates nor by soybean cultivars.

Chelated zinc leaf application on nutrients concentration and yield of Mombasa grass

The intensification of livestock yield requires advances in the management and fertilization of forage crops. This study was conducted to determine the dry weight yield (DWY) along with the concentration and amount of nutrients of Megathyrsus maximum cv. Mombasa. The treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme 6 × 2, six leaf rates of Zn chelate and two soil types (Entisols and Ultisol) with low and medium Zn content and four replicates. Entisols with low Zn content and Ultisol with average Zn content were used plus a control treatment with Zn sulfate. The Zn chelate and Zn sulfate foliar application did not affect the DWY. The tillering and DWY were higher in Ultisol than in Entisol. The Zn content in DWY was directly proportional to rate chelated Zn. The root dry weight yield of Mombasa grass reduced with the chelated Zn foliar application in Entisol and had no effect on Ultisol.

Is time important in response of morpho-physiological parameters in Withania coagulans L. landraces to water deficit stress?

Withania coagulans is one of the most important medicinal species of the Solanaceae which has pharmacological properties for future research in drug development. Photosynthesis and morphological parameters in response to drought of this species have not been investigated as yet, though the issue is of interest. The factorial combination of four water deficit stress (20% (un-stressed control), 30%, 40% and 50% of FC depletion) and four landraces of W. coagulans (Fanuj, Khash, Saravan and Sarbaz) were laid out in a randomized complete design in a phytotron over the course of 180 days. The first, second, third and fourth samplings were performed every 45 day after imposing the treatments (DAT). The results demonstrated that increase in the water deficit stress levels, decreased minimal fluorescence (F0), leaf greenness, photosynthesis rate, plant height, leaf area, dry weight and quantum yield of PSII photochemistry )ФPSII(in all landraces and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) in Fanuj, but increased non-photochemical quenching)NPQ(and Fv/Fm in Saravan and Sarbaz landraces. The W. coagulans landraces such as Fanuj with the highest vector loadings of ФPSII at 135 and 180 DAT and Fv/Fm at 45 DAT and Sarbaz with the highest vector loading of F0 at 45 DAT were found suitable for unstressed and severe stress conditions, respectively. Among the chlorophyll fluorescence and morphological parameters, total dry weight had the significant positive correlations with plant height, leaf area and F0 at 45 DAT. Thus, this study indicated chlorophyll florescence should be measured at different phases and future studies should focus on the sensitivity of these parameters to detect potential times among subjects of different stresses. These parameters are easy, cheap, efficient and reliable physiological characteristics which can be used to guide the breeding of new resistant genotypes. According to results, W. coagulans can be called "Xerophytes Camel".

Magnesium and zinc interaction in four soybean cultivars with different nutritional requirements

In the last decades, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) was the crop with the highest acreage in Brazil. Soybean has been cropped under unfertile soils as sandy soils and those under pasture decaying where applying high fertilizer levels have significant responses. The presence of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentration in the upper layers promotes ions imbalanced concentration in soil solution because the soil acidity correction reduces the uptake of other cations as zinc (Zn). The objective of this study was to evaluate under nutritive solution conditions, the Mg influence in Zn distribution and mobilization into plants from four soybean cultivars with different nutritional requirements. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks in factorial scheme 4 × 2 × 4 being with four soybean cultivars (FT Estrela, DM Nobre, IAC 17, and IAC 15-1), two Mg rates (0.1 and 1.0 mmol L−1), four Zn rates (0, 1, 2, and 5 µmol L−1), and four replicates. The IAC 17 and FT Estrela cultivars with determinate growth and high nutritional requirements, and the IAC 15-1 and DM Nobre with tolerance to soils partially corrected, average fertility, or both were investigated. In the highest Mg rates, we verified increase in grain yield (GY) as well as in the Zn rates up to 2.0 µmol L−1. The Mg × Zn interaction was significant and the IAC 17 cultivar was the most responsive to Zn under nutritive solution. The foliar nutrient concentration was significantly modified by Mg rates. The Mg at 1.0 mmol L−1 presented the lowest nutrient concentration in soybean plants and increased the shoot dry weight yield (SDWY) in plant and grain no matter the nutritional requirement from every cultivar.

Assessment of the limiting nutrients for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth using Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS)

ABSTRACTThe Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) was used as a tool to assess the limiting nutrients for wheat growth. To this effect, two separate greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the limiting nutrients for wheat growth using soil samples collected from Wolmera district, Ethiopia. The experiments consisted of eight fertilizer treatments, optimum (Opt.), optimum-N (Opt-N), optimum-P (Opt-P), optimum-K (Opt-K), optimum-S (Opt-S), optimum-B (Opt-B), optimum-Zn (Opt-Zn) and control on Nitisols and six fertilizer treatments (Opt, Opt-N, Opt-P, Opt-S, Opt-B, and control) on Vertisols. In Nitisols, dry shoot weight yields were reduced by 93%, 70%, and 50% in the control, Opt-N, and Opt-P treatments, respectively. Whereas the corresponding reductions were 85%, 78%, and 42%, respectively, in Vertisols as compared to the optimum treatment. DRIS results indicated that N is the most limiting nutrient, followed by S, B, and P, while Zn was the least limiting nutrient for wheat production in the two study soils.

Cl− More Detrimental Than Na+ in Rice Under Long-Term Saline Conditions

Rice is considered sensitive to salinity and hence, improving the salinity tolerance of rice is desired to increase productivity. Most research on salinity tolerance for the growth and grain yield of rice focuses on the toxicity of sodium (Na+) and not chloride (Cl&amp;minus;); the information on the negative effects of Cl&amp;minus; on rice is still limited. To learn the difference in the long-term effects of Na+ and Cl&amp;minus; on the whole plant and grain productivities, three rice varieties differing in salinity tolerance were grown in pots irrigated by water with NaCl and KCl in the same molar concentration. The whole plant dry weight and grain yield in all varieties decreased to the same extent after NaCl and KCl treatments compared to the control during the full heading and maturity stages. However, Na+ content in shoots of all varieties under NaCl treatment were higher at all stages than that under KCl treatment and the control. In the most cases, the Cl&amp;minus; content in plants was similar in the NaCl and KCl treatment groups. There was a negative significant correlation between the relative dry weight and grain yield (treated/control) and the Cl&amp;minus; content in the plants. From these results, it was suggested that plant dry weight and grain yield under long-term salinity conditions was reduced by Cl&amp;minus; toxicity rather than Na+ toxicity.

Nutritional status of different biosolids and their impact on various growth parameters of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Biosolids can be effectively recycled and applied as soil amendments for agricultural crops because they contain several important micro and macronutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, manganese. In the current study, we evaluated the effectiveness of seven biosoilds on different growth parameters of wheat crop. The biosolids used were lime stabilized, composted, liquid mesophilic anaerobically digested (liquid MAD), thermally dried mesophilic anaerobically digested (thermally dried MAD), thermally hydrolyzed mesophilic anaerobically digested (thermally hydrolysed MAD), dewatered mesophilic anaerobically digested (dewatered MAD) and thermally dried raw biosolids. We also analysed biosolids for their nutrient contents before application. The results revealed that different types of biosolids differed in nitrogen and phosphorous contents with highest contents observed in dewatered (5.70% nitrogen, 2.32% phosphorous) and liquid biosolids (2.35% phosphorous). The plant height, plant diameter and dry weight yield of wheat was increased with the increase in concentrations of biosolids. Liquid MAD resulted in maximum plant height of 120.35 ± 3.23, 133.2 ± 3.67 and 147.25 ± 3.11 at 3.33, 6.66 and 9.99 tons/ha concentration. The highest plant diameter was recorded (1.05–1.45 cm) where mineral nitrogen was applied. The study will be helpful in replacing the synthetic fertilizer with biosolids to fulfil the nutritional requirements of agricultural crops.

반응표면분석법을 이용한 항균활성을 가지는 Bacillus subtilis SRCM102046의 균체 증량을 위한 배지 최적화

The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal conditions for increasing the growth yield of Bacillus subtilis SRCM102046, a strain possessing potential biopreservative properties. B. subtilis SRCM102046 showed remarkable antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacterial foodborne pathogens that cause serious food spoilage, as well as high antioxidant capacity. Response-surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize medium composition to enhance B. subtilis SRCM102046 biomass. The effects of 14 different components on biomass production were investigated and three significant positive factors, molasses, sucrose, and peptone, were selected as the main factors for improving biomass based on a Plackett-Burman design (PBD). Next, we optimized the concentrations of these three factors using a central composite design. The predicted optimized concentrations were 7 g/L molasses, 7 g/L sucrose, and 2 g/L peptone. The coefficient of determination (R2, 0.9755) for the model and probability value showed that our model was highly significant. Finally, an overall approximate 9-fold increase in dry cell weight yield (22.03 g/L) was achieved using the optimized medium compared with the non-optimized medium (2.47 g/L). Furthermore, we confirmed that the antibacterial activity and antioxidant activity also increased by 140% and 100.41%, respectively. These research is expected to be useful data for the production of food preservatives by establishing optimal conditions for increasing the growth yield of microorganisms possessing excellent antimicrobial activity.

Sowing Season and Nitrogen Fertilization Rates in Two Oats Cultivars Grown Under Greenhouse Conditions

Two experiments were carried out in the experimental field of the Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP in Ilha Solteira, São Paulo state, Brazil, in a greenhouse from April to July 2015. This study aimed at evaluating the best sowing season and response to nitrogen doses for the cultivars of yellow oat São Carlos and black IAPAR 61. The experiments were conducted in randomized blocks designs in a factorial scheme with three replicates. The sowing seasons were April 23, May 08, and May 5 and the nitrogen doses were 0; 12.5; 25; 35.5 and 50 kg ha-1 cycle. Harvests at 30 and 60 days were conducted in order to estimate of the production of dry weight (DW), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). For a productivity of DW, there was interaction between sowing season and oat cultivars and significant differences for CP in the second harvesting. For NDF, a significant difference was observed between harvesting. The most suitable time for sowing of both yellow oats and black oats is early May. Dry weight yield and the CP content of yellow oats increased linearly with increasing nitrogen rates while for black oats a maximum DM yield were obtained with the application of 43.5 kg ha-1 of N.

Growth of Leonurus sibiricus L. roots with over-expression of AtPAP1 transcriptional factor in closed bioreactor, production of bioactive phenolic compounds and evaluation of their biological activity

Fast-growing transgenic root cultures of Leonurus sibiricus with the AtPAP1 transcriptional factor may be used as a base for potential large-scale phenolic acids production. The present study investigates the effect of different volumes of medium (300 mL, 1 L, 3 L, 5 L flasks) and a 5 L bioreactor on biomass increase and phenolic acids production by transgenic roots of L. sibiricus. Of these cultures, those from the 5 L bioreactor demonstrated the greatest increase in dry weight (20.83 g/L) and highest yields of phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid 448 mg/L and caffeic acid 302 mg/L). Additionally, they also displayed a cytotoxic effect on melanoma cells across the range of tested concentrations, as well as antioxidant activity on human blood plasma. This approach may serve as an alternative to conventional field crops for enabling large-scale production of the active constituents of AtPAP1 root extract, which would be of great value for pharmaceutical production.

Alleviation of cadmium (Cd) toxicity and minimizing its uptake in wheat (Triticum aestivum) by using organic carbon sources in Cd-spiked soil

Cadmium (Cd)-contamination of agricultural soils has been receiving attention worldwide due to its entry into food crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Little is known regarding the use of organic carbon (OC) sources in alleviating Cd toxicity in cereals. The current experiment was aimed to study the effects of different OC sources on the Cd accumulation by wheat. A pot study was conducted to determine the effects of rice husk biochar (RHB), farmyard manure (FYM), and lignite (LT) either alone or in combination on crop growth, Cd bioavailability and health risk assessment. The results proved that the application of OC sources like RHB, FYM, and LT either alone or in combination were highly effective in enhancing the wheat growth and yield as well as in minimizing the phyto-available fraction of Cd and its transfer to edible tissue of wheat. The RHB was the most efficient source in enhancing the plant growth and reducing the Cd concentration in wheat tissues. RHB increased grain yield by 91% and decreased Cd concentration in shoot, roots, grains, and bioavailable fraction of Cd by 67, 69, 62.5, and 74% than control, respectively. The RHB reduced the daily Cd uptake and health risk index in adults in comparison to control. Overall, where un-amended soil resulted in diminished plant productivity, the application of other OC sources also significantly proved their potential to enhance the dry weight and grain yield, suggesting that these OC sources may be used aiming to minimize the Cd concentration in crops. However, there is still a need to explore the potential of different OC sources in combination with other frequently available amendments for their large scale implementation in metal-contaminated soils.

English

Continuous extraction of bitter kola nuts, followed by liquid-liquid extraction and flash column chromatography leads to the isolation of garcinoic acid (-tocotrienoloic acid), as the main lipophilic component in a 0.8% yield of the initial dry weight. This compound, an oxidised member of the vitamin E family, was structurally characterised using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Key words: Vitamin E, tocopherol, antioxidant, two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. &nbsp

English

Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are the second most important legume crops after beans, an important source of protein (23 to 25%), fats/oils (40 to 52%) and carbohydrates (10 to 20 %) and widely grown and consumed in Uganda including the Lake Albert Crescent Zone (LACZ). Due to susceptibility of local varieties to groundnut rosette, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) through the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) developed and released the serenut varieties. Adaptive trials were therefore established in the LACZ, to select the most location specific adapted varieties for promotion in this ecologically diverse zone. Four serenut varieties namely serenut 5, 8, 10 and 14 and a locally grown variety (Red beauty) were planted on three farmers’ fields in each of the three sub-ecological areas. Data were collected on total pod dry weight (yield), number of pods and on 100 seed weight. In this study, we show that overall yields of serenut 5, serenut 14, serenut 8 and serenut 10 were highly significantly (P < 0.001) different for all traits measured across the sub-ecological areas. Best yields were recorded from the humid tropical rain forest sub-ecological area where 1900 kg/ha were obtained for serenut 14, 2366 kg/ha for serenut 10, 1763 kg/ha for serenut 8 and 1795 kg/ha for serenut 5. The yields obtained from these varieties were generally worst in the semi-arid sub-ecological area. These serenut varieties are generally adapted to wider environmental conditions although their performance per se was found to be generally inconsistent. This study has also found that among all the varieties tested, Serenut 5 was the best adapted across all the sub-ecologies. Overall, we therefore recommend farmers in this ecologically diverse zone to grow these groundnut varieties with improved growing practices such as timely planting, timely weeding, earthing up and pest and disease management in order to obtain consistent high yields. Key words: Groundnut, performance, stability, sub-ecological area.

Effect of planting arrangement on vegetative growth, yield components and yield of green castor (Ricinus communis L.)

Plant spacing of castor ( Ricinus communis L.) is very important to obtain optimum seed yield. This study was conducted to find out the effects of inter row and intra row spacing on different traits of green castor at the Kabotarabad Agriculture Research Station of Esfahan in the spring 2006, using a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and four replications. Main plots were three inter rows spacing (60, 80 and 100 cm) and sub plots were three intra rows spacing (30, 50 and 70 cm). The effect of inter row spacing on plant height, plant dry weight, stem diameter and plot yield was significant. The highest seed yield was obtained in 60 cm inter row spacing. The effect of intra row spacing was significant on plant dry weight, number of candle per plant, number of seeds per candle, number of seeds per plant and plot yield. The highest yield was obtained in 70 cm intra row spacing. The interaction between inter row and intra row spacing was not significant for any of the traits. The highest plot seed yield (1175 kg/ha) was obtained in 60 cm inter row and 70 cm intra row spacing.