The Agronomy of Mauka (Mirabilis expansa (Ruíz & Pav.) Standl.) - A Review

The Andean region is the centre of origin and domestication of at least 9 species of native root and tuber crops in addition to several species of native potatoes. Within this group, Mauka – also known as Miso or Taso ‒ (Mirabilis expansa Ruíz & Pav.) Standl. ‒ Nyctaginaceae) is one of the least well known, despite having much potential. It is cultivated at high altitudes (2300 to 3500 m a.s.l.) in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and is thought to be of pre-Inca origin. Mauka is characterized by its high nutritional value due to substantial levels of protein, calcium and phosphorus, as well as secondary metabolites with nutraceutical properties of varied application. It also has good potential as a forage plant. Based on ethnobotanical knowledge and scientific investigations, this review presents advances in the agronomic understanding of Mauka since its discovery five decades ago in several isolated rural Bolivian communities. The information presented covers both Andean and non-Andean countries. It includes results from journals on natural resources, botany, agronomy, and the congress minutes from botanical, agronomic and phytogenetic resources conferences. Theses on Mauka specifically and on phytogenetic resources in general were also reviewed. Books and manuals were reviewed in the libraries of the International Potato Center, INIAP-Ecuador, INIA-Peru and universities. The plant is described with emphasis on its agronomic traits and according to its propagation forms (seed or vegetative); in terms of its agroecology, phenology, growth dynamics and their indices, crop management, harvest and post-harvest processes. It is concluded that important advances in the understanding of the agronomy of Mauka have been accomplished. Furthermore, the review highlights aspects requiring further research, in order to develop improved production technologies to ensure its future use and conservation.

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The potential of homeopathic phenomenon in plant growth

International Journal of High Dilution Research - ISSN 1982-6206 ◽

10.51910/ijhdr.v14i2.790 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 11-12

Author(s):

Tatiana Vladimirovna Novosaduyk ◽

Victoria Tsvetkova ◽

Anatolii Komissarenko ◽

Anatolii Komissarenko

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Crop Yield ◽

Placebo Effect ◽

Growth Dynamics ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Application Techniques ◽

Good Potential ◽

Homeopathic Preparation ◽

Farming Industry

For over two centuries homeopathy has demonstrated its therapeutic properties, thus gaining more and more supporters worldwide. Many researchers opine that due to absence of a medicinal substance in a homeopathic preparation it is not necessary to study its healing effect. However, for the last few years our research was focused not only on understanding the mechanism(s) of homeopathic action in medical and veterinary practices but also on the effect of different homeopathic preparations on plants. The studies aimed to rule out the placebo effect from the homeopathic phenomenon, but also at identification of therapeutic effect on different plants. These studies allowed to extend the boundaries of practical use of homeopathy including its common use in the farming industry. The efficacy of various homeopathic preparations was assessed for their use in plant growth through application techniques such as watering, spraying, soaking and sprinkling etc. Growth dynamics, duration of fruit ripening, crop yield were monitored and compared to reference plants. Homeopathic preparations for agricultural plants were carefully selected on the basis of their effect on the crop yield â€“ the principal criterion for the selection. Based on these criteria it was observed that the homeopathic picture of tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes is almost same within one variety, in all tested sorts, although, in case of fruit trees such as apple, pear the homeopathic similimum varied depending of the selection method. Our results showed that, in case of trees, one-time application of homeopathic preparation during a season is preferable and sufficient. In case of vegetable cultures, application may not be more frequent than once a month as more frequent application results in diminishing of yield. For root plants single treatment at the time of planting was sufficient. The performed studies showed that the growth and ripening indicators significantly prevailed in the vegetables, which had been treated with homeopathic preparations, as compared to common traditional way of plant handling (controls). Thus the performed studies suggest the following: a) Homeopathic effect on biological structures is not a placebo effect. b) Obtained data are a categorical proof of the homeopathic preparation effect on plants causing higher yield in agricultural crops and therefore, have good potential for their use on the industrial scale in agriculture. c) The potential of the homeopathic phenomenon practical use has not been fully explored yet and needs a follow-up study.

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COMPARISON OF AGRONOMICAL PERFORMANCE OF SERBIAN WHEAT CULTIVARS AND NILs WITH DIFFERENT PPD ALLELES

Zbornik radova ◽

10.46793/sbt26.025ks ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ankica Kondic Špika ◽

◽

Dragana Trkulja ◽

Sanja Mikic ◽

Ljiljana Brbaklic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Yield ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Null Alleles ◽

Photoperiod Response ◽

Wheat Cultivars ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Good Potential

Photoperiod response (Ppd) genes are very important for adaptation of wheat to different agro-climatic conditions, but also have influence on crop yield. The aim of this study was to compare agronomic traits of 10 Serbian wheat cultivars and 54 NILs of cv. Paragon with single, double and triple doses of Ppd-1 alleles. The results showed that the NILs with introgressed single early Ppd-1 alleles (Set 2), as well as the NILs with introgressed Ppd-1 null alleles, knock-outs and late alleles (Set 4) had significantly longer stems and spikes then Serbian cultivars (Set 1). The lines with introgressed double early Ppd-1 alleles (Set 3) were very similar to the Serbian cultivars. Some promising lines with good potential for breeding programs were identified

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Genetic parameters of soybean populations obtained from crosses between grain and food genotypes

Acta Scientiarum Agronomy ◽

10.4025/actasciagron.v43i1.46968 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. e46968

Author(s):

Cleber Vinicius Giaretta Azevedo ◽

Bruno Henrique Pedroso Val ◽

Lilian Cristina Andrade de Araújo ◽

Ana Cristina Pinto Juhász ◽

Antonio Orlando Di Mauro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Variance ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Phenotypic Variance ◽

Consumer Market ◽

Good Potential ◽

Superior Genotypes ◽

100 Seed Weight ◽

Selection Of

In addition to the agronomic traits of interest, soybean cultivars destined for human consumption must have specific attributes that meet the demands of the consumer market. To meet this demand, this study aimed to select progenies with agronomic and commercial traits of interest from soybean populations obtained from crosses between different food and grain genotypes and to estimate the genetic parameters of these populations. The F3:4 and F4:5 progenies that originated from the two crosses were evaluated in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 agricultural years, respectively, using the pedigree method. The experimental design utilized augmented blocks, while statistical analyses were performed by using the REML/BLUP methodology. The evaluated traits were plant height at maturity (APM), insertion height of first pod (AIV), lodging (AC), agronomic value (VA), number of pods per plant (NV), number of days to maturity (NDM), number of branches (NR), number of nodes (NN), 100-seed weight (PCS), and grain yield per plant (PG). The best progenies were selected, and the following genetic parameters were estimated: genetic variance, phenotypic variance, heritability, and selective accuracy. The estimates of the genetic parameters indicate the presence of high genetic variance in these populations. Heritability was high for most of the traits, indicating good potential for the selection of superior genotypes.

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The Ordered Phase Formation in Ti-Al-Ga Alloys

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100069193 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 440-441

Author(s):

Shiro Fujishiro ◽

Harold L. Gegel

Keyword(s):

Thermal Stability ◽

High Temperature ◽

Titanium Alloys ◽

Growth Kinetics ◽

Stoichiometric Composition ◽

Good Potential ◽

Alpha Titanium ◽

Cold Rolled ◽

Kinetics Of ◽

Thermal Stability Of

Ordered-alpha titanium alloys having a DO19 type structure have good potential for high temperature (600°C) applications, due to the thermal stability of the ordered phase and the inherent resistance to recrystallization of these alloys. Five different Ti-Al-Ga alloys consisting of equal atomic percents of aluminum and gallium solute additions up to the stoichiometric composition, Ti3(Al, Ga), were used to study the growth kinetics of the ordered phase and the nature of its interface.The alloys were homogenized in the beta region in a vacuum of about 5×10-7 torr, furnace cooled; reheated in air to 50°C below the alpha transus for hot working. The alloys were subsequently acid cleaned, annealed in vacuo, and cold rolled to about. 050 inch prior to additional homogenization

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Cristal-growth dynamics of n-doped gaAs

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100132352 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (2) ◽

pp. 1544-1545

Author(s):

Pham V. Huong ◽

Stéphanie Bouchet ◽

Jean-Claude Launay

Keyword(s):

Crystal Growth ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

Epitaxial Layer ◽

Outer Surface ◽

Gaas Substrate ◽

Structural Modification ◽

Growth Dynamics ◽

Argon Laser ◽

High Anisotropy ◽

Crystal Gaas

Microstructure of epitaxial layers of doped GaAs and its crystal growth dynamics on single crystal GaAs substrate were studied by Raman microspectroscopy with a Dilor OMARS instrument equipped with a 1024 photodiode multichannel detector and a ion-argon laser Spectra-Physics emitting at 514.5 nm.The spatial resolution of this technique, less than 1 μm2, allows the recording of Raman spectra at several spots in function of thickness, from the substrate to the outer deposit, including areas around the interface (Fig.l).The high anisotropy of the LO and TO Raman bands is indicative of the orientation of the epitaxial layer as well as of the structural modification in the deposit and in the substrate at the interface.With Sn doped, the epitaxial layer also presents plasmon in Raman scattering. This fact is already very well known, but we additionally observed that its frequency increases with the thickness of the deposit. For a sample with electron density 1020 cm-3, the plasmon L+ appears at 930 and 790 cm-1 near the outer surface.

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