scholarly journals First Report of Faba bean necrotic yellows virus Affecting Legume Crops in Azerbaijan

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
pp. 1220-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Kumari ◽  
N. Attar ◽  
E. Mustafayev ◽  
Z. Akparov
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
First Record ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Subterranean Clover Stunt Virus ◽  
Legume Crops ◽  
Primer Sets ◽  
Legume Production

A total of 482 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), 182 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), 12 vetch (Vicia sativa L.), 5 field pea (Pisum sativum L.), and 3 faba bean (Vicia faba L.) samples were collected from plants with symptoms suggestive of a viral infection (leaf rolling, yellowing, and stunting) from the major legume-production areas of Azerbaijan in the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons. All samples were tested by the tissue-blot immunoassay (3) at the Virology Laboratory of ICARDA, Syria using 11 specific legume virus antisera including a monoclonal antibody (2-5H9) (1) for Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV). Laboratory tests showed that FBNYV was detected in 73, 61, 11, 3, and 2 samples of chickpea, lentil, vetch, field pea, and faba bean, respectively. Total DNA was extracted from six FBNYV-positive samples (two chickpea, two lentil, and two vetch) and tested by PCR with the following four primer sets (FBNYV, Milk vetch dwarf virus [MDV], Subterranean clover stunt virus [SCSV], and nanovirus DNA-R primers [F103 and R101]) (2). All six Azeri samples as well as the reference nanovirus isolates (SCSV-Australia, MDV-Japan, and FBNYV-Syria) generated amplicons of the expected size (~770 bp) using the nanovirus DNA-R primers (F103 & R101). In addition, Azeri samples and FBNYV-Syria yielded a PCR amplicon of the expected size (666 bp) with the FBNYV primer pair. The MDV- and SCSV-specific primers did not generate amplicons with these six samples. Sequence analysis of the FBNYV amplicons from two isolates (AzL 282-07 from lentil [GenBank Accession No. GQ351600] and AzV 277-07 from vetch [GenBank Accession No. GQ371215]) showed that they were 99% identical with each other. Comparing the sequence of AzL 282-07 with that of other nanoviruses revealed identities of 97% (FBNYV-Spain; DQ830990), 96% (FBNYV-Iran; AM493900), 92% (FBNYV-Syria; Y11408), 92% (FBNYV-Egypt; AJ132183), 78% (MDV; AB044387) and 69% (SCSV-Australia; U16734). FBNYV has been reported to infect food legumes in many countries in West Asia and North Africa and cause economic losses on faba bean in Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. To our knowledge, this is the first record of FBNYV infecting legume crops in Azerbaijan. References: (1) A. Franz et al. Ann. Appl. Biol. 128:255, 1996. (2) S. G. Kumari et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 47:42, 2008. (3) K. M. Makkouk and A. Comeau. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 100:71, 1994.

Phosphorus uptake by grain legumes and subsequently grown wheat at different levels of residual phosphorus fertiliser

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1041 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Nuruzzaman ◽  
Hans Lambers ◽  
Michael D. A. Bolland ◽  
Erik J. Veneklaas
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
P Uptake ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
White Lupin ◽  
Residual P ◽  
Soil P ◽  
Wheat Shoot ◽  
Legume Crops ◽  
Different Levels

A considerable portion of the phosphorus (P) fertilisers applied in agriculture remains in the soil as sorbed P in the forms of various P compounds, termed residual P. Certain grain legume crops may be able to mobilise residual P through root exudates, and thus increase their own growth, and potentially that of subsequent cereal crops. The first objective of this pot experiment was to compare the growth and P uptake of 3 legume crop species with that of wheat grown in a soil with different levels of residual P. Another objective was to determine whether the influence of legumes on subsequent P uptake by wheat was due to legume-induced changes in the rhizosphere, or to the presence of legume roots. White lupin (Lupinus albus L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were grown in a soil containing 25.7, 26.4, 30.8, 39.0, or 51.9 mg/kg of bicarbonate-extractable P and sufficient amounts of nitrogen to suppress nodulation and dinitrogen fixation. Differences among the species in root dry mass were much larger than those in shoot dry mass. Faba bean produced the greatest root dry mass. All the legumes exuded carboxylates from their roots, predominantly malate, at all soil P levels. Rhizosphere concentrations of carboxylates were highest for white lupin, followed by field pea and faba bean. All of the investigated legumes enhanced the growth of the subsequently grown wheat, compared with wheat grown after wheat, even at relatively high levels of soil P. The positive effect on growth was not dependent on the incorporation of the legume roots into the soil. The legumes also caused a modest increase in wheat shoot P concentrations, which were higher when roots were incorporated into the soil. Because of the increased growth and tissue P concentrations, wheat shoot P content was 30–50% higher when grown after legumes than when grown after wheat. The study concludes that the legume crops can enhance P uptake of subsequently grown wheat, even at relatively high levels of residual P.

scholarly journals First Report of Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus Infecting Legume Crops in Tunisia

Plant Disease ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 95 (10) ◽  
pp. 1321-1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Najar ◽  
S. Kumari ◽  
N. Attar ◽  
S. Lababidi
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Healthy Plant ◽  
High Sequence Identity ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
First Report ◽  
Coat Protein Region ◽  
Beet Western Yellows Virus ◽  
Sequence Identity ◽  
Legume Crops

During a survey of legume crops in the northeast and northwest regions of Tunisia in April 2010, plants showing yellowing, reddening, and stunting symptoms were observed. A total of 281 symptomatic samples were collected: 142 plants from 10 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) fields, 84 plants from six faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields, and 55 plants from six pea (Pisum sativum L.) fields. All samples were tested by the tissue-blot immunoassay procedure with the following monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): a broad-spectrum legume-luteovirus MAb (5G4), Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV; genus Nanovirus, family Nanovirudae) (3-2E9; provided by J. Vetten, BBA, Braunschweig, Germany), Beet western yellows virus (BWYV; genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) (A5977; Agdia, Elkhart, IN), Bean leafroll virus (BLRV; genus Luteovirus, family Luteoviridae) (4B10), Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV; genus Luteovirus, family Luteoviridae) (ATCC PVAS-650; American Type Culture Collection ATCC, Rockville, MD,), and a mixture of three MAbs (5-2B8, -3D5, and -5B8) to a Syrian isolate of Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV) (1). Serological tests showed that CpCSV was detected in 121 samples (43.06%) (62 chickpea, 57 faba bean, and 2 pea), followed by FBNYV (detected in three faba bean and three pea), BWYV (detected in three chickpea and one faba bean), and BLRV (detected in one pea sample). FBNYV, BLRV, and BWYV have been previously detected in faba bean and chickpea in Tunisia (4), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of CpCSV affecting legumes in Tunisia, which was found in seven chickpea, seven faba bean, and two pea fields. CpCSV has been reported to naturally infect legume crops such as chickpea, lentil, field pea, and faba bean as well as some leguminous weeds and a few wild non-legume plants species in many countries in West Asia and North Africa and causes economic losses on chickpea in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Syria (1–3). Serological results of CpCSV was confirmed in four (two pea, one faba bean, and one chickpea) samples by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR using CpCSV specific primers (F:5′-TAGGCGTACTGTTCAGCGGG-3′ and R:5′-TCCTTTGTCCATTCGAGGTGA-3′) (3), which produced an amplicon of expected size (413 bp). No amplification was observed from healthy plant extracts. Sequence analysis revealed that the four Tunisian isolates (TuV 258-201 collected from faba bean [GenBank Accession No. HQ199310], TuC 215-201 collected from chickpea [HQ199307], and TuP 163-201 [HQ199308] and TuP 166-201 collected from pea [HQ199309]) were most similar to each other with a high sequence identity (99%) and clustered with isolates of CpCSV from Syria (GenBank Accession No. EU541270), Egypt (EU541269), and Morocco (EU541267), to which they were most closely related (98%). The Tunisian isolates also showed high sequence identity (96%) in the coat protein region with Ethiopian (GenBank Accession No. EU541257) and Sudanese (EU541263) isolates. However, all isolates are distinct from BWYV, BLRV, and SbDV (less than 70% sequence identity). Since CpCSV is transmitted by aphids only, additional studies are needed to identify the host range of the virus and the efficient aphid vectors to better understand the epidemiology of this virus under Tunisian conditions References: (1) A. D. Abraham et al. Arch.Virol. 154:791; 2009. (2) N. Y. Asaad et al. J. Phytopathol. 157:756, 2009. (3) S. G. Kumari et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 47:42, 2008. (4) A. Najar et al. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 39:423, 2000.

Incidence of virus infection in experimental plots, commercial crops, and seed stocks of cool season crop legumes

2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 397 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. Latham ◽  
R. A. C. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Experimental Plots

Experimental plots of cool season crop legumes growing at diverse locations in Western Australia were inspected for plants with suspect virus symptoms over 4 growing seasons (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999), and plant samples were tested for infection with alfalfa mosaic (AMV), bean yellow mosaic (BYMV), cucumber mosaic (CMV), and pea seed-borne mosaic (PSbMV) viruses. All 4 viruses were detected in faba bean (Vicia faba); BYMV, CMV, and PSbMV in field pea (Pisum sativum); AMV, CMV, and PSbMV in lentil (Lens culinaris); and AMV and CMV in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Among minor crop species, AMV, BYMV, and CMV were found in narbon bean (V. narbonensis) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus); BYMV and CMV in dwarf chickling (L. cicera); BYMV in bitter vetch (V. e r v i l i a ) and L. clymenum; and AMV in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Incidences of individual viruses varied widely from site to site but plot infection sometimes reached 100%. Symptom severity varied widely with virus–crop combination. In large-scale surveys of commercial crops of field pea and faba bean over 2 (1998, 1999) and 3 (1994, 1998, 1999) growing seasons, respectively, randomly collected samples from each crop were tested for presence of AMV, BYMV, CMV, and PSbMV. In 1999 they were also tested for beet western yellows virus (BWYV). All 5 viruses were detected in both species. BWYV was found in 35% of faba bean and 56% of the field pea crops sampled in 1999, with incidences of infection in individual crops up to 40% and 49%, respectively. PSbMV was found in 42% and BYMV in 18% of field pea crops in 1999. In individual crops, highest infection incidences of BYMV and PSbMV detected were 31% for BYMV in faba bean in 1998 and 9% for PSbMV in field pea in 1999. CMV and AMV incidences in both species never exceeded 7% of crops or 4% of plants within individual crops. Infection by 2 different viruses within individual crops was common, even 3 were sometimes found. Cultivars infected with most viruses were Fiesta and Fiord for faba bean, and Dundale, Laura, and Magnet for field pea. BYMV was detected in the crop tested of dwarf chickling. In tests on seed samples from Western Australia of 30 commercial seed stocks of field pea, 11 of faba bean, and 50 of chickpea, PSbMV was detected in 11, 1, and 1, respectively; CMV in 1, 1, and 3; BYMV in 3, 1, and 0; and AMV in 0, 0, and 1. This appears to be the first record of seed transmission of CMV in pea and faba bean. Seed samples from Victoria were also found to contain viruses: PSbMV in pea and AMV in lentil. Widespread infection with viruses in evaluation plots and commercial crops of cool season crop legumes is a cause for concern, especially where individual crop incidences are high and 2 or more viruses are present. Sowing of infected seed stocks leads to introduction of randomly dispersed sources of virus infection within the crop sown, resulting in spread of infection and yield losses. Appropriate control measures are discussed.

scholarly journals Transcripts encoding the nanovirus master replication initiator proteins are terminally redundant

2008 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Grigoras ◽  
Tatiana Timchenko ◽  
Bruno Gronenborn
Keyword(s):  
Faba Bean ◽  
Replication Origin ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Dna Encoding ◽  
Viral Dna ◽  
Viral Dna Replication ◽  
Rep Protein ◽  
Rep Proteins ◽  
Subterranean Clover Stunt Virus ◽  
Replication Initiator

The multicomponent single-stranded DNA plant nanoviruses encode unique master replication initiator (Rep) proteins. We have mapped the 5′ and 3′ termini of the corresponding polyadenylated mRNAs from faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV) and subterranean clover stunt virus and found that these are terminally redundant by up to about 160 nt. Moreover, the origin of viral DNA replication is transcribed into RNA that is capable of folding into extended secondary structures. Other nanovirus genome components, such as the FBNYV DNA encoding the protein Clink or an FBNYV DNA encoding a non-essential para-Rep protein, are not transcribed in such a unique fashion. Thus, terminally redundant mRNAs and the resulting transcription of the replication origin appear to be restricted to nanovirus master Rep DNAs. We speculate that this may be a way to regulate the expression of the essential master Rep protein.

scholarly journals Agroinfiltration for transient gene expression and characterisation of fungal pathogen effectors in cool-season grain legume hosts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes W. Debler ◽  
Bernadette M. Henares ◽  
Robert C. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Transient Gene Expression ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Pathogen Effectors ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Abstract Key message Modified pEAQ-HT-DEST1 vectors were used for agroinfiltration in legumes. We demonstrate protein expression and export in pea, lentil, and faba bean; however, the method for chickpea was not successful. Abstract Agroinfiltration is a valuable research method for investigating virulence and avirulence effector proteins from pathogens and pests, where heterologous effector proteins are transiently expressed in plant leaves and hypersensitive necrosis responses and other effector functions can be assessed. Nicotiana benthamiana is widely used for agroinfiltration and the characterisation of broad-spectrum effectors. The method has also been used in other plant species including field pea, but not yet developed for chickpea, lentil, or faba bean. Here, we have modified the pEAQ-HT-DEST1 vector for expression of 6 × histidine-tagged green-fluorescent protein (GFP) and the known necrosis-inducing broad-spectrum effector necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide (Nep1)-like protein (NLP). Modified pEAQ-based vectors were adapted to encode signal peptide sequences for apoplast targeting of expressed proteins. We used confocal microscopy to assess the level of GFP expression in agroinfiltrated leaves. While at 3 days after infiltration in N. benthamiana, GFP was expressed at a relatively high level, expression in field pea and faba bean at the same time point was relatively low. In lentil, an expression level of GFP similar to field pea and faba bean at 3 days was only observed after 5 days. Chickpea leaf cells were transformed at low frequency and agroinfiltration was concluded to not be successful for chickpea. We concluded that the pEAQ vector is suitable for testing host-specific effectors in field pea, lentil, and faba bean, but low transformation efficiency limits the utility of the method for chickpea.

Progress towards no-till organic weed control in western Canada

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven J. Shirtliffe ◽  
Eric N. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
No Till ◽  
Green Manure Crops

AbstractOrganic farmers in western Canada rely on tillage to control weeds and incorporate crop residues that could plug mechanical weed-control implements. However, tillage significantly increases the risk of soil erosion. For farmers seeking to reduce or eliminate tillage, potential alternatives include mowing or using a roller crimper for terminating green manure crops (cover crops) or using a minimum tillage (min-till) rotary hoe for mechanically controlling weeds. Although many researchers have studied organic crop production in western Canada, few have studied no-till organic production practices. Two studies were recently conducted in Saskatchewan to determine the efficacy of the following alternatives to tillage: mowing and roller crimping for weed control, and min-till rotary hoeing weed control in field pea (Pisum sativum L.). The first study compared mowing and roller crimping with tillage when terminating faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and field pea green manure crops. Early termination of annual green manure crops with roller crimping or mowing resulted in less weed regrowth compared with tillage. When compared with faba bean, field pea produced greater crop biomass, suppressed weeds better and had less regrowth. Wheat yields following pea were not affected by the method of termination. Thus, this first study indicated that roller crimping and mowing are viable alternatives to tillage to terminate field pea green manure crops. The second study evaluated the tolerance and efficacy of a min-till rotary harrow in no-till field pea production. The min-till rotary hoe was able to operate in no-till cereal residues and multiple passes did not affect the level of residue cover. Field pea exhibited excellent tolerance to the min-till rotary hoe. Good weed control occurred with multiple rotary hoe passes, and pea seed yield was 87% of the yield obtained in the herbicide-treated check. Therefore, this second study demonstrated that min-till rotary hoeing effectively controls many small seeded annual weeds in the presence of crop residue and thus can reduce the need for tillage in organic-cropping systems.

scholarly journals Detection, Identification, and Molecular Characterization of the 16SrII-D Phytoplasmas Infecting Vegetable and Field Crops in Oman

Plant Disease ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 576-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali M. Al-Subhi ◽  
Saskia A. Hogenhout ◽  
Rashid A. Al-Yahyai ◽  
Abdullah M. Al-Sadi
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Sequence Variation ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
16S Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Phytoplasma Infection

Typical symptoms of phytoplasma infection were observed on 11 important crops in Oman that included alfalfa, sesame, chickpea, eggplant, tomato, spinach, rocket, carrot, squash, field pea, and faba bean. To identify the phytoplasmas in these crops, samples from infected and asymptomatic plants were collected, followed by amplifying and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA, secA, tuf, imp, and SAP11 genes. We found that these sequences share >99% similarity with the peanut witches’ broom subgroup (16SrII-D). Whereas some sequence variation was found in the five genes among 11 phytoplasma isolates of different crops, all sequences grouped into one clade along with those of other phytoplasmas belonging to the 16SrII-D group. Thus, 16SrII-D phytoplasmas infect a diverse range of crops in Oman. Phytoplasmas in this group have not been reported to occur in carrot, spinach, rocket, and field pea previously. Within Oman, this is the first report of the presence of 16SrII-D phytoplasmas in tomato, spinach, rocket, carrot, squash, field pea, and faba bean. Sequences of the five genes enabled for better distinction of the 16SrII-D phytoplasmas that occur in Oman.

RECENT UPDATES ON MOLECULAR DETECTION OF H9N2 AS LOW PATHOGENIC STRAIN OF AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS FROM POULTRY FARMS OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 15-20
Author(s):  
Muhammad Mubeen Sajjad ◽  
Majeeda Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Hemagglutination Inhibition ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Species Barrier ◽  
Ha Gene ◽  
Primer Sets

H9N2 avian influenza outbreaks have caused great economic losses to the poultry industry in recent decades due to a decrease of egg production, high morbidity, and mortality. Due to different antigenic variants, Influenza virus has become problematical because it has the ability to cross the species barrier. As it is highly pathogenic so its diagnosis and vaccines are of high importance. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test is mostly used for subtyping and detection of antibody titer against the virus. Furthermore, its continuous mutations in the HA gene transforms AIV subtype H9N2 (a low pathogenic subtype) into high pathogenic virus subtypes like H5N2 and H7N7 that may have pandemic potential. Thus, it is necessary to identify various antigenic variants of Influenza virus, so it is direly needed to study the HA gene, its attachment to host receptors, the release of genetic material and pathogenicity. In the present study, virus samples from poultry were isolated. Both serological and molecular confirmation was done for 100 samples collected from the different area. They were properly labeled and prepared for the process of egg inoculation in embryonated eggs. The virus was grown in amnioallantoic membrane of embryonated eggs and harvested fluid is then proceeded for confirmatory testing. Hemagglutination and Hemagglutination inhibition testing was done. RNA was extracted by the kit method and cDNA was synthesized. Reverse transcriptase (RTPCR) was performed using specific primer sets and then the PCR product was run on agarose gel. The bands obtained were sent for sequencing.

Invasion, development, growth and egg laying by Meloidogyne javanica in Brassicaceae crops

Nematology ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kirkegaard ◽  
Rod McLeod ◽  
Christopher Steel
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Meloidogyne Javanica ◽  
Mature Female ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Egg Masses ◽  
Brassicaceae Species ◽  
Host Status

AbstractInvasion, development and egg laying by Meloidogyne javanica in 11 Brassicaceae and four non-Brassicaceae crop species/subspecies was investigated. At 10 to15 and 15 to 20°C, fodder rape cv. Rangi was invaded less than the good hosts tomato cv. Grosse Lisse and field pea cv. Dun but more than the poor host oat cv. Cooba. With an inoculum of 50 second stage juveniles (J2), invasion of Rangi, and the intermediate host subterranean clover cv. Trikkala, were similarly invaded when inoculated with 50 and 100 J2, cv. Rangi was invaded less than tomato. The intermediate host subterranean clover cv. Trikkala and Rangi were similarly invaded when inoculated with 50 and 100 J2 but cv. Trikkala was less invaded with 200 J2. Oat cv. Cooba was always less invaded than the other hosts. Invasion of 3-week-old seedlings of cv. Rangi and 12 cultivars of seven other Brassicaceae crop species/subspecies were similar. Three weeks after inoculation, more M. javanica had developed to the mature female stage in tomato than in the eight Brassicaceae species/subspecies. Females growing in tomato and field pea were always larger than those in rape cv. Rangi. Females in Rangi were larger but those in oilseed radish cv. Adagio were smaller than in 11 other cultivars of seven Brassicaceae, except in plants grown in winter. Egg masses from four Brassicaceae species contained fewer eggs than egg masses from tomato at 6 weeks after inoculation, but at 7 and 8 weeks only those from fodder rape cv. Korina had consistently fewer than tomato. Results are discussed in relation to host status, glucosinolates and potential use of Brassicaceae for control of Meloidogyne.

scholarly journals The Influence of Biochar, Slow-Release Molasses, and an Organic N:P:K Fertilizer on Transplant Survival of Pyrus communis ‘Williams’ Bon Chrétien’

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Schaffert ◽  
Glynn Percival
Keyword(s):  
Slow Release ◽  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Pyrus Communis ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Transplant Survival ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Growing Seasons

High mortality rates result from transplanting bare-rooted plants into urban landscapes where unsuitable soil conditions, such as low fertility and poor structure, often exist. Coupled with little aftercare, these losses can cause high economic losses to the industry. Previous studies have shown lowered transplant stress and higher survival rates through the addition of soil amendments at the time of planting to improve soil conditions. The efficacy of three soil amendments applied singly and in combination—biochar, slow-release molasses, and an organic N:P:K fertilizer—were investigated for their potential to reduce transplant losses of Pyrus communis ‘Williams’ Bon Chrétien. Results of this investigation showed that use of these soil amendments in virtually all cases had significant positive effects on tree growth and vitality across two growing seasons. For example, all amendments reduced mortality of Pyrus communis ‘Williams’ Bon Chrétien’ by 20% compared to none in treated controls, while increases in fruit yield and crown canopy coverage per tree ranged from 19.3% to 46.7% and 14.4% to 31.1% over non-amended soils when averaged over two growing seasons. Amendments of biochar with an organic N:P:K fertilizer and an organic N:P:K fertilizer alone showed, on average, the highest improvements in vitality and growth. Results indicate use of biochar, slow-release molasses, and organic N:P:K fertilizer amendments offer potential for increasing bare-root transplant survival and establishment of Pyrus communis ‘Williams’ Bon Chrétien.

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