Yield Of Heads Research Articles

Application of microalgae in cauliflower fertilisation

In a circular bioeconomy, balancing inorganic fertilisers and microalgae supplementation is important for ensuring sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the fertilising effects of live microalgae (mostly Chlorella vulgaris and a mixture of Chlorophyceae and Trebouxiophyceae) on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. subsp. botrytis) plant morphology, yield, and quality of cauliflower heads. Microalgae fertilisation effects were analysed by employing an experimental factorial design with two factors: inorganic fertiliser and microalgae, each at high and low dosage levels, and the results revealed higher plant height, wider stem diameter, and lower stem slenderness in high-dose combinations than those in other combinations. In addition, an increase in nitrate, calcium, potassium, and sodium content was observed in the sap of cauliflower leaves in high-dose combinations compared to those in low-dose combinations. The high-dose combination also increased the yield, number of commercial heads, weight of the heads, and number of curds per head of cauliflower. Overall, the study demonstrates that increasing the dose of inorganic fertilisers and microalgae significantly increases nutrient concentration in the sap, which translates into a larger plant, an increase in the number of leaves and yield, and an improvement in the quality of cauliflower heads. These findings underscore the necessity for further research to ascertain the optimal combination of inorganic fertilisers and microalgae to maximise crop yield and cauliflower head quality.

Effect of Transplanting Time and Nitrogen–Potassium Ratio on Yield, Growth, and Quality of Cauliflower Landrace Gigante di Napoli in Southern Italy

Research has been increasingly focusing on the preservation of the biodiversity of vegetable crops under sustainable farming management. An experiment was carried out in southern Italy on Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis, landrace Gigante di Napoli, to assess the effects of two transplanting times (9 September and 7 October), in factorial combination with five nitrogen–potassium ratios (0.6; 0.8; 1.0; 1.2; and 1.4) on plant growth, yield, and quality of cauliflower heads. A split-plot design was used for the treatment distribution in the field, with three replications. The earlier transplant and the 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest yield, mean weight, and firmness of cauliflower heads which were not significantly affected by both transplanting time and N:K ratio in terms of colour components. The 1.2 N:K ratio led to the highest head diameter with the earlier transplant, whereas the 1.0 ratio was the most effective on this parameter in the later crop cycle. The highest nitrate, nitrogen, and potassium concentrations in the heads were recorded with the earlier transplanting time. Antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and polyphenol content increased with the rise of the N:K ratio. The element use efficiency was constantly negative with the N:K increase for nitrogen and was augmented until the 1.2 ratio for potassium. The results of our investigation showed that the optimal combination between transplanting time and N:K ratio is a key aspect to improve head yield and quality of the cauliflower landrace Gigante di Napoli, under the perspective of biodiversity safeguarding and valorisation.

The use of hydromulching increases yield and quality of drought-stressed artichokes (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus L. (Heigi)) by improving soil properties and plant hormone homeostasis

There exist many research papers which pointed out the positive effects of using the mulching technique in stressful conditions, showing crop productivity and physicochemical quality improvement of the product. We hypothesized that a novel organic liquid mulching formulations (hydromulching) can be used in sustainable agricultural production under drought stress through both their direct influence on physicochemical and biological soil properties as well as by their effect on plant hormonal balance leading to the improvement of crop yield and quality. Artichoke plants were grown on bare soil (BS) or mulched with traditional polyethylene (PE) or with three different types of ecological hydromulching treatments obtained from recycled additives, namely: substrate used for mushroom cultivation (MS), rice hulls (RH) and wheat straw (WS); and were subjected to optimal (100% ETc) and reduced (70% ETc) irrigation regimes. Under water limitation, soil organic matter and carbon and mineral soil concentrations increased in the hydromulched soils (by 60% on average). Mulched treatments produced the highest crop yield (by 40% on average) attributed to increased artichoke head fresh weight, giving rise to the improvement of the important physical quality parameters in artichoke: color, firmness, and size. Furthermore, hydromulched treatments induced higher content of mineral nutrients in artichoke heads, while sugar concentrations were superior in non-mulched soil due to a major exposure to water stress. This may be related to the diminished carbohydrate metabolism activity under drought stress, including notable changes in the hormonal balance. The crosstalk of growth-promoting hormones (cytokinins) with the stress-related hormone factors (ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) has been shown to regulate adaptive responses such as sugar osmoregulation in artichoke heads under drought stress. Altogether, these results demonstrate that hydromulching is a sustainable alternative to plastic films to cope with drought stress by improving yield and physical quality characteristics of artichoke heads and maintaining their chemical and nutritional quality over bare soil.

Comparison the Effect of an Organic Nutrient (Nektafol) Under Production and Open Field Condition on the Growth and Yield of Lettuce

The Horticulture Department & Landscape Design/College of Agriculture at the University of Mosul conducted the study in two cultivation systems (unheated plastic house and open field) connected to the fields to examine the effects of using the liquid nutrient (Nektafol) at concentrations (0,2,4,6 mlL-1) on the vegetative growth characteristics, quantitative and qualitative yield of plants of lettuce (Quantum variety). Three replications of the experiment were used, and the averages were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test at the 5% level of probability. The experiment was conducted utilizing split. Plot. System. with R.C.B.D. Design. The characteristics of vegetative development and the quantitative and qualitative yield can be summed up as follows: When compared to plants grown under plastic house, plants that were grown in a field in the open. were significantly better in most of the studied characteristics. It was found that using the liquid nutrient Nektafol at two concentrations of 4 and 6ml L-1 significantly improved the qualities of vegetative growth and the total yield of heads of lettuce, as well as the qualities under open field and plastic house.

Effect of Spraying Some Microelements and Bio-Stimulants on Yield, Quality and Storage Ability of Red Cabbage Heads

Effect of Spraying Some Microelements and Bio-Stimulants on Yield, Quality and Storage Ability of Red Cabbage Heads

Chitosan and probiotic bacteria promotion of yield, post-harvest qualities, antioxidant attributes and shelf life of broccoli heads

Chitosan and probiotic bacteria promotion of yield, post-harvest qualities, antioxidant attributes and shelf life of broccoli heads

The biological potential of winter garlic cultivars and local forms under conditions of the right bank forest steppe of Ukraine

The modern olericalture development needs special attention to self-sufciency in domestic products under the war conditions in 2022. It has some relation to garlic production as well. The garlic has been supplied by China. It is possible to compensate the garlic shortage in Ukraine by the implementation of the hybrid cultivars of domestic and foreign breeding in garlic production. However, the winter garlic is considered to be a vegetable that is poorly adapted to weather changes and it doesn’t show its biological potential. The domestic variety introduction of garlic from one local region to another requires an additional research. The research has been done in the experimental feld of Bila Tserkva NAU (The Right Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine). 65 cultivars of winter and local garlic have been studied. The test samples include garlic that has been delivered from Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Chernihiv, Cherkasy regions. The variety Prometheus has been taken as a control sample. This variety has been bred in Uman National University of Horticulture. The research has been done in accordance with the olericulture and melon growing research method. In 2020 and 2021, the weather conditions were good for plant growth and formation of the winter garlic yield. The plant density was 357 000 plants per ha. On average, in 2020 and 2021, the cultivar Lubasha, Ayder, IOB0017 had the biggest garlic heads in diameter (Lubasha – 5.5 cm, Ayder – 5.2 cm, IOB0017 – 5.2 cm). The samples of Duchess, Lubasha, Ayder had the highest average weight (Duchess – 55 g, Lubasha – 68 g, Ayder – 65 g). The cultivars Lubasha and Ayder had given the biggest yield of winter garlic heads (Lubasha – 20,3 t/ha, Ayder – 19,4 t/ha). The biggest amount of marketable garlic heads had been noticed in the varieties Lubasha, Duchess, Ayder and in the cultivars IOB00117, IOB00003 from the Institute of Vegetable and Melon growing, where this result ranged from 81 % to 84 %. As a result of the conducted research, the best cultivars have been identifed. The samples of Lubasha, Duchess, Ayder varieties have the biggest garlic heads in diameter, mass and in the amount of yield. Also, Lubasha, Duchess, Ayder, IOB0017 and IOB00003 have the biggest marketable yield amount. Key words: cultivars, local forms, winter garlic, weight of the bulb, yield productivity, marketability.

Morfometrijske i biohemijske osobine Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum na koje utiče trajanje perioda rasta

Cichorium intybus is a valuable crop due to its high nutritional and pharmaceutical value. In this work, the study of the effect of harvesting time on the biometric and biochemical properties of Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum (chicory salad witloof) was carried out on five varieties. The period of vegetation affects rosette diameter, number of leaves and root weight. A strong correlation between the weight of roots before laying for forcing and the weight of forcing heads (r = 0.79) was revealed. The roots of variety Conus, managed to accumulate a sufficient amount of nutrients for the formation of heads in a 98 days. The accumulation of sugars in forcing heads depended on their initial content in roots with a 75% reliability (r = 0.75). The results showed that in the northern latitudes the forcing can be carried out in winter in any room without light at a temperature of 10 to 17°C. In addition, subsurface heating of the substrate or maintaining water in the containers with roots provided a larger yield of heads obtained in a shorter time.

Yield and Chemical Composition of Raw Material from Meadow Arnica (Arnica chamissonis Less.) Depending on Soil Conditions and Nitrogen Fertilization

Considering the global tendency towards using valuable secondary metabolites of plant origin, there is a need to optimize the cultivation of herbal plants, e.g., the meadow arnica (A. chamissonis Less.). The inflorescences of this species (Arnicae anthodium) have a similar chemical composition and pharmacological activity to that in the mountain arnica (Arnica montana L.), and can be cultivated more easily than the mountain arnica. Therefore this study assesses soil and fertilization effects on the flower head yield and concentrations of active substances (sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and essential oil) with great importance for application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. A field experiment was carried out during 2017–2019 on two types of soil (sandy and loamy soils) differing in the pH values, organic matter content, and the P, K, and Mg levels. Five levels of nitrogen fertilization were applied in both soil variants: 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N∙ha−1. The study showed that both the soil type and the nitrogen fertilization had a positive impact on the raw material yield and the content and yield of the main active substances. The cultivation of arnica in the loamy soil was more favorable—it provided a higher flower head yield, higher levels of sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and essential oils, and consequently, a higher yield of these metabolites. High flower head yields were achieved at doses of 60 and 90 kg N∙ha−1. The content of sesquiterpene lactones and essential oils increased in the consecutive study years along with the increase in nitrogen doses. The highest content of flavonoids was detected in flower heads obtained from three-year-old plants fertilized with 60 kg N∙ha−1. High yields of sesquiterpene lactones and essential oils were obtained at doses of 90–120 kg N∙ha−1, whereas the fertilization with 60–90 N∙ha−1 ensured a high yield of flavonoids. The yields of sesquiterpene lactones and essential oil did not depend on their concentration but correlated with the increase in the yield of flower heads of plants cultivated in both sandy and loamy soil variants. In turn, the yield of flavonoids was influenced by both their concentration and the flower head yield. The flower head yield, the content of sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and essential oils, and the yields of metabolites presented in this study indicate favorable climatic conditions for the cultivation of A. chamissonis in Central and Eastern Poland. This proves that a wide range of pharmacologically active substances can be produced in this region of Europe.

Effect of Boron and Nitrogen Level under Different Plant Spacings on some Growth and Yield Parameters of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) in a gypsiferous soil

A field experiment was conducted in the fields of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tikrit University for the 2019-2020 agricultural season to study the effect of planting distances and the level of nitrogen fertilization and boron on the growth and yield of broccoli in gypsum soil. The study included three factors, the first factor was the distance between plants, and it included four distances (35, 45, 55, and 65 cm) (D1, D2, D3, and D4), respectively. The second factor was the level of nitrogen application, which includes two levels of nitrogen 70 and 140 (kg N ha-1) (N1 and N2), respectively. The third factor was the level of boron addition and it includes two levels of boron, which are (without boron application and 6 kg B. ha-1) (B0 and B1), respectively. Results showed that the nitrogen level N2 gave a clear significant increase compared to the N1 level in dry matter yield (the first cut), reaching (21.58 g. Plant-1), while the first level N1 reached (17.94 g(. Dry matter yield (the second cut) reached (84.39 g. Plant-1) in the second level N2, while in the first level it reached (74.36 g. Plant-1) and the N2 level was significantly superior over N1 level for some indicators of vegetative growth, plant height (cm) and leaf area (cm2). -1) and the number of leaves (leaf-plant-1) and thus the yield increased significantly in this level of nitrogen at the N1 level, as the total yield of floral heads at the N2 level was (25.865 tons. Ha-1) and at the N1 level (22.6 ton ha-1). The addition of boron fertilizer at a rate of (6 kg B. ha -1) led to a significant increase in the dry matter yield (the first and second cuts) and to a significant increase in the yield, as well as in the boron concentration in the shoot and the floral heads, and the vegetative growth indicators of broccoli. Planting at a 65 cm among broccoli plants (D4) led to a significant increase in dry matter yield (first and second cut) and an increase in plant yield. The superiority was significant over other distances except for the distance D1, which gave the highest total yield of broccoli floral heads, reaching 26.63 (tons ha-1). 1), whereas the distances D2, D3, and D4 gave a total yield of 25.38 , 22.71, and 22.21 (ton ha-1), respectively. The triple interaction between nitrogen (N) and planting distances (D) and boron (B) gave the highest value at the treatment (D4N2B1) which was significantly superior over other treatments for most of the studied traits, except the total yield of the floral heads where the superiority was in favor of treatment D1N2B1.

Response Broccoli to Chemical Fertilizers and Zinc Sulfate Spraying on Growth and Yield

Field experiment was conducted in the vegetable field / Department of Horticulture and Land scape / College of Agriculture and Forestry / University of Mosul__during 2019-2020 agricultural season to study the effect of two factors. First: Spraying with zinc sulfate at a concentration of 300 mg. L−1 and without spraying (control). Second factor: Four levels of chemical fertilizer N15P15K15 (0, 150, 300 and 450) kg. ha−1 on broccoli plants Hot Bro variety. The experiment conducted in a Split – plot system arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD).Main plots included fertilization levels while sub plots included zinc spraying treatments. The results can be summarized as follows: The zinc spraying and level 450 kg. ha−1 fertilization kg. ha−1 was significantly superior in the plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, circumference and weight of head, number of lateral heads, plant yield and total yield of heads, as compared to control treatment. The interaction between 450 kg. ha−1 of NPK chemical fertilizer and zinc spraying was superior in all above studied traits.

Significant Accumulation of Iodine and Selenium in Chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Hegi) Leaves after Foliar Spraying.

The interactions between the uptake of selenium (as selenite and selenate) and iodine (as iodate and iodide) by red chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Hegi) and their effects on selected morphological and physiological characteristics were investigated. Seedlings were transplanted to the field, and at the onset of head formation, the plants were foliar-sprayed with the following solutions: Milli-Q water (control), Se (IV), Se (VI), I (−I), I (V), Se (IV) + I (−I), Se (IV) + I (V), Se (VI) + I (−I) and Se (VI) + I (V). The different treatments had no significant effects on the yield (39.8–51.5 t ha−1) and mass (970–1200 g) of the chicory heads. The selenium content in Se-treated plants was up to 5.5-times greater than the control plants. The iodine content in the chicory leaves enriched with I was 3.5-times greater than the control plants. Iodide or iodate, applied together with selenite in the spray solution, increased the uptake of Se by chicory plants, while both forms of iodine, applied together with selenate, reduced the uptake of Se. Plants treated with I (V) had lower amounts of chlorophyll a and carotenoids than the control, while respiratory potential was higher than the control, which indicated the possible presence of stress in I (V)-treated plants. However, the potential photochemical efficiency of photosystem II was similar and close to the theoretical maximum (0.83) in the control and treated groups, which indicated that all of the plants were in good condition. Furthermore, the plant mass and yield were comparable in the control and treated groups. Molecular studies, like gene expression analysis, would represent a major upgrade of the present study by defining the mechanisms of Se and I uptake and their interactions and by enhancing the knowledge of the Se and I transporters.

Evaluation of varieties and local forms of winter garlic for their economic characteristics in the conditions of right bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Garlic production for the local market and for export lacks a suffi cient amount of high-yielding varieties with large bulbs and small amount of cloves, resistant to pests, diseases and stressful cultivation conditions. In addition to industrial varieties, adapted local forms of self-breeding are currently cultivated. Winter garlic is a plant with vegetative reproduction and it is reproduces with cloves, single clove and air bulbs, Therefore, the varieties brought from other regions degenerate quickly. Two and three times reproduction leads to a gradual reduction in yield and quality. The transfer of local forms from one region to another requires further study. Researches were carried out in conditions of right bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. We studied 60 samples of winter garlic. The working collection of winter garlic was composed of varieties and local forms brought from Kyiv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovograd and Cherkassy regions. Some samples (45 pcs.) were received from the National Center of Plant Genetic Resources of Ukraine. The variety of Prometey created at Uman University of gardening was used as the control. The research was conducted according to the "Methods of experimental work in vegetable growing and melon-plot fi eld" (G. L. Bondarenko, K. I. Yakovenko, Kharkiv 2001). The plants density was 340 thousand plants ha. On the average for 2017-2020 the heads formed the largest diameter in the variants of IOB00003-Biryuchekutskiy local (55 mm) and IOB00117 (53 mm). Their average weight was the highest in the sample of IOB00117 – 41 g. The smallest heads were formed in the variant of IOB00083 Spas – 17 g. Essentially higher yield of heads of winter garlic was collected from cultivation of plants of the variant IOB00117 – 12,6 t/ha. The greatest share of commodity heads was observed for samples IOB00003-Biryuchekutskiy local and IOB00117 (92 %). Thus, samples of IOB00003-Biryuchekutskiy local and IOB00117 were the best in the diameter, weight of a head and productivity among the samples studied in the research carried. They yielded 9.6 and 12.6 t/ha, respectively, with head weights of 31 and 41 g and the diameter of 55 and 53 cm. Key words: varieties, local forms, collection, winter garlic, weight of the bulb, marketability.

Economic and biological evaluation of Сhinese cabbage [Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis (Lour.) Kitam.] hybrids grown in the Right-Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. To study the economic and biological characteristics and to reveal the genetic potential of various hybrids of Chinese cabbage depending on the climatic zone of cultivation.Methods. In the experiment, hybrids of Chinese cabbage ‘Pioner F1’ (control), ‘Villi F1’, ‘Manoko F1’, ‘Orient Star F1’, ‘Vitimo F1’, ‘Sprinkin F1’, ‘Summer Highland F1’, ‘Suprin F1’, and ‘Richi F1’ were evaluated. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications with a single plot area of 21 m2. The container seedlings (40 days old) were planted in the middle of April according to the scheme 70 cm by 25 cm.Results. Having been planted at the same time, seed germination over the studied hybrids was not simultaneous. The first sprouted seeds (4 days after seeding) belonged to hybrids ‘Villi F1’, ‘Manoko F1’, ‘Orient Star F1’, and‘Summer Highland F1’. Seeds of the other hybrids started active germination on the 5–6 days after seeding. The highest yield of the cabbage heads was obtained from hybrids ‘Villi F1’ (31.7 t/ha) and ‘Sprinkin F1’ (28.7 t/ha), which was 10.0 and 7.0 t/ha more than in the control variant. The yield of ‘Summer Highland F1’ was 24.9 t/ha and ‘Suprin F1’ 24.6 t/ha. Under the conditions of unstable soil moisture, hybrids ‘Villi F1’and ‘Sprinkin F1’ appeared the most productive and ensured yield increase of 10.0 t/ha and 7.0 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control; and crop commercial quality was high. The highest percentage of dry matter (DM) content was in ‘Summer Highland F1’ (6.2%) followed by ‘Sprinkin F1’ (5.9%), which was 1.1% and 0.8% more than in the control. There was no significant difference between the values of the total sugars content over the variants. They ranged between 1.7 and 2.1%, which was similar to the control values. The content of nitrates in the cabbage heads of the studied Chinese cabbage hybrids was within the tolerance limit and amounted to 600 mg/kg (raw mass).Conclusions. Phenological observations of plant development and their biometric indices, depending on the varietal characteristics, indicate that under the conditions of unstable soil moisture, hybrids ‘Villi F1’ and ‘Sprinkin F1’ were more yielding and ensured yield increase of 10.0 t/ha and 7.0 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control. The crop commercial quality was high. The long growing season of ‘Richi F1’ (93 days) did not affect the crop quality and yield and demonstrated the lowest productivity compared to the control and the other experiment variants.

Yield and quality of lettuce in response to the plant position in photovoltaic greenhouse

In recent years there has been an increasing spread of photovoltaic greenhouses, especially in southern European countries, due to the higher incentives recognized to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels integrated on the greenhouse roofs and/or to local laws which limit the photovoltaic systems on the ground. To maximize the income from the production of electricity, often solar panels cover 50% or more of the roof, but the shading caused by these elements on the growing surface seriously limits the productivity and affects crop development. In order to assess the effects of the spatial distribution of the solar radiation inside these structures on yield and quality of leaf vegetable crops, the response of lettuce, grown in two cycles (autumn and winter-spring), in an east-west oriented photovoltaic greenhouse with the 50% of the roof covered by PV modules was analysed. The influence of span orientation, plant position (under plastic or PV roof) and cultivar were analysed as experimental treatments in a split-split plot design with two replications. Total and marketable yield of the lettuce heads and some quality parameters (dry matter and nitrate content) were evaluated. A significant variability of the total and marketable yield due to the plant position and as consequence to the solar radiation distribution inside the structure during the growing cycle was observed. Furthermore, ranges and variability of the nitrate content of lettuce (expressed as NO(3) mg kg(‑1) of fresh weight) were affected by the plant position and harvest season. In order to maximize yield and quality of the crops, the arrangement of plant rows and transit areas, as well as the management of nutrition, should be optimized in relation to the shading caused by the PV roof during the growing cycle.

Evaluation of Broflanilide 300 g/l SC against Plutella xylostella L. and Spodoptera litura Fab. on Cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.

A field experiment was conducted to study bioefficacy of newer insecticide, Broflanilide, its effect on natural enemies and yield of cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Insecticide treatments viz., Broflanilide 300 g/l SC @ 6.60; 12.60 and 18.60 g a.i./ha and Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 60 g a.i./ha; Fipronil 5 SC @ 40 g a.i./ha along with untreated control were assessed against Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera litura after two foliar spray applications at ten days interval in RBD with four replications. Pooled data revealed that the dose of Broflanilide 300 g/l SC @ 18.60 g a.i./ha was found most effective for the control of diamond back moth as well as tobacco leaf eating caterpillar and recorded highest yield of cabbage heads i.e. 18.92 t/ha as against 12.45 t/ha in an untreated control. This treatment was followed by Broflanilide 300 g/l SC @ 12.60 g a.i./ha and recorded 18.82 t/ha yield of cabbage heads. These treatments found promising regarding its safety to natural enemies.

The influence of humic acids based products on the productivity of white cabbage with irrigation

The influence of humic acids based products on the productivity of late-ripening white cabbage hybrid Aggressor has been studied. It is established that spraying of plants with the solution of Reasil Micro Hydro Mix increased the yield of cabbage heads by 15.8 t/ha (21% higher than control). Treatment with the solution of Humate K-Na with microelements increased the productivity of cabbage by 10.25 t/ha (14% higher than control). Maximum yield of white cabbage within the experiment (100.81 t/ha) was obtained with double application of Reasil Forte Amino Magnesium on the background of Reasil micro Hydro Mix. All studied products based on humic acids positively influenced on accumulation of dry matter, vitamin C, the amount of sugars and the content of nutrients. At the same time, they also contributed to an increased removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil. The products did not affect the content of nitrate nitrogen in the products.

Influence of Brevicoryne brassicae L. incidence on the yield of marketable cabbage heads under different insecticide spray regimes in highlands of Himachal Pradesh (India)

Strong and negative correlation was observed between the yield of marketable cabbage heads and populations of/plant infestations by cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) 14 days after first and second spray. Weak correlation existed between yield of marketable cabbage heads and aphid populations/plant infestations at pre-treatment. Therefore, insecticide sprays should be done to control late aphid infestations and avoided against early aphid infestations.

Field performance of micropropagated and mycorrhizal early globe artichoke plants

Abstract Early traditional varieties of globe artichoke are a profitable crop in southern Mediterranean regions. One of the main issues is the availability of propagative plant material that can ensure homogeneous and early production. This paper evaluates the micropropagation technique in association with mycorrhizal inoculation in terms of obtaining high-quality propagative material for Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus Fiori cultivar “Violet de Provence”. To confirm the morphological and productive performance of these plants, their agronomical assessment was studied under field conditions. In addition, the effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis were examined on the nutritional quality of artichoke heads. The results showed that micropropagated plantlets were healthy and homogeneous. The inoculation with Septoglomus viscosum improved the growth and development of the plantlets, alleviating the stress of post-transplanting. In the field, the micropropagated and mycorrhizal plants and the heads exhibited the standard morphological characteristics of the cultivar “Violet de Provence”. The productivity performance of the heads highlighted the positive effects of mycorrhizal symbiosis on the weight, earliness and total yield. Finally, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus also had a very positive influence on the nutritional quality of the heads, in terms of essential macro-mineral, total phenolic and inulin content. Micropropagation and mycorrhizal techniques appeared to be an efficient and sustainable strategy for improving the yield and nutritional quality of globe artichoke heads under field conditions.

Agronomic performance of new open pollinated experimental lines of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) evaluated under organic farming.

In order to develop new open pollinating cultivars of broccoli for organic farming, two experiments were conducted during fall 2015 and spring 2016. This study was aimed at comparing the agronomic performance of eleven new open pollinating breeding lines of broccoli to introduce new lines and to test their seasonal suitability for organic farming. Field experiments were carried out at the organic research station Kleinhohenheim of the University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart-Germany). Different agronomic traits total biomass fresh weight, head fresh weight, head diameter, hollow-stem, fresh weight harvest index and marketable yield were assessed together with commercial control cultivars. The data from both experiments were analyzed using a two-stage mixed model approach. In our study, genotype, growing season and their interaction had significant effects on most traits. Plants belonging to the fall growing season had bigger sizes in comparison to spring with significantly (p< 0.0001) higher biomass fresh weight. Some experimental lines had significant lower head fresh weight in spring in comparison to the fall season. The high temperature during the harvest period for the spring season affected the yield negatively through decreasing the firmness of broccoli heads. The low average minimum temperatures during the spring growing season lead to low biomass fresh weight but high fresh weight harvest index. Testing the seasonal suitability of all open pollinating lines showed that the considered fall season was better for broccoli production. However, the change in yield between the fall and the spring growing season was not significant for “Line 701” and “CHE-MIC”. Considering the expression of different agronomic traits, “CHE-GRE-G”, “Calinaro” and “CAN-SPB” performed the best in the fall growing season, and “CHE-GRE-G”, “CHE-GRE-A”, “CHE-BAL-A” and “CHE-MIC” and “Line 701” were best in the spring growing season, specifically due to the highest marketable yield and proportion of marketable heads.