Effects of a Furrow-Bed Seeding System on Stand Establishment, Soil Bacterial Diversity, and the Yield and Quality of Alfalfa Grown in Saline Soils

Abstract Purpose: To compare the performance of alfalfa crops and soil properties between a furrow-bed seeding system (FU) and a flat-bed seeding system (FL) in saline soil. Methods: Alfalfa seeds were sown in early fall, 2019, in saline sandy loam soil using FU and FL systems. The soil temperature, moisture, root-zone salinity, bacterial diversity, seedling emergence number in 2019 and soil nutrient contents, alfalfa production characteristics in 2020 were determined for plants in FU and FL treatments.Results: Compared with FL, FU resulted in increased soil moisture content and seedling emergence, and reduced relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Choroflexi in soil at the seedling stage, but it did not affect root-zone salinity. In April 2020, the soil salinity was lower, and the soil available phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, and soil organic matter contents were higher, in FU than in FL. Compared with FL, FU resulted in increased yield (by 37.5%), protein content (by 3.6%), and potassium concentration (by 33.2%,), and decreased ash content (by 7.7%) and sodium concentration (by 19.0%) in alfalfa plants. The increased yield was positively correlated with seedling emergence, soil available potassium, total nitrogen, and organic matter contents, and shoot potassium content; and negatively correlated with shoot sodium content. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria was negatively correlated with alfalfa ash, calcium, and sodium concentrations, and positively correlated with shoot potassium content. Overall, FU increased alfalfa quality and alleviated salt stress.Conclusions: Furrow-bed seeding in early fall can enhance the yield and quality of alfalfa cultivated in saline soils.

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Microclimate Modification and Insect Pest Exclusion Using Agronet Improve Pod Yield and Quality of French Bean

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.49.10.1298 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (10) ◽

pp. 1298-1304 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Elisha Otieno Gogo ◽

Mwanarusi Saidi ◽

Jacob Mugwa Ochieng ◽

Thibaud Martin ◽

Vance Baird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Conditions ◽

Average Pore Size ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

French Bean ◽

Export Market ◽

Average Pore ◽

Black Bean ◽

Pod Yield ◽

Yield And Quality

French bean [Phaseolus vulgaris (L.)] is among the leading export vegetable in Africa, mostly produced by small-scale farmers. Unfavorable environmental conditions and heavy infestations by insect pests are among the major constraints limiting production of the crop. Most French bean producers grow their crop in open fields outdoors subject to harsh environmental conditions and repeatedly spray insecticides in a bid to realize high yield. This has led to rejection of some of the produce at the export market as a result of stringent limits on maximum residue levels. Two trials were conducted at the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University, Kenya, to evaluate the potential of using agricultural nets (herein referred to as agronets) to improve the microclimate, reduce pest infestation, and increase the yield and quality of French bean. A randomized complete block design with five replications was used. French bean seeds were direct-seeded, sprayed with an alpha-cypermethrin-based insecticide (control), covered with a treated agronet (0.9 mm × 0.7 mm average pore size made of 100 denier yarn knitted into a mesh impregnated with alpha-cypermethrin), or covered with an untreated-agronet (0.9 mm × 0.7 mm average pore size made of 100 denier yarn knitted into a mesh not impregnated with insecticide). Alpha-cypermethrin and agronets were manufactured by Tagros Chemicals (India) and A to Z Textile Mills (Tanzania), respectively. Covering French bean with the agronets modified the microclimate of the growing crop with air temperature increased by ≈10%, relative humidity by 4%, and soil moisture by 20%, whereas photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and daily light integral (DLI) were decreased by ≈1% and 11.5%, respectively. Populations of silverleaf whitefly [Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)] and black bean aphids [Aphis fabae (Scopoli)] were reduced under agronet covers as contrasted with control plots. Furthermore, populations of both pests were reduced on French bean grown under impregnated agronets compared with untreated agronets, but only on three of the five sampling dates [30, 44, and 72 days after planting (DAP)] for silver leaf whitefly or at only one of the five sampling dates (30 DAP) for black bean aphid. Covering French bean with agronets advanced seedling emergence by 2 days and increased seedling emergence over 90% compared with control plots. French bean plants covered with both agronet treatments had faster development, better pod yield, and quality compared with the uncovered plants. These findings demonstrate the potential of agronets in improving French bean performance while minimizing the number of insecticide sprays within the crop cycle, which could lead to less rejection of produce in the export market and improved environmental quality.

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A Critical Study on the Effect of Seed Priming on the Germination, Seedling Emergence, Yield and Quality of Forage Production in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb)

Cutting-edge Research in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7 ◽

10.9734/bpi/cras/v7/5188d ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 79-89

Author(s):

Ghasem Ali Dianati Tilaki ◽

Behzad behtari ◽

Mohammad Ali Alizadeh ◽

Ali Ashraf Jafari

Keyword(s):

Tall Fescue ◽

Festuca Arundinacea ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Seed Priming ◽

Critical Study ◽

Forage Production ◽

Yield And Quality

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PARTIAL WETTING OF THE ROOT ZONE AND NITROGEN EFFECTS ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF SHAMOUTI ORANGES

Acta Horticulturae ◽

10.17660/actahortic.1981.119.9 ◽

1981 ◽

pp. 103-108 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

S. Dasberg ◽

H. Bielorai ◽

Y. Erner

Keyword(s):

Root Zone ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Partial Wetting

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The effect of organic mulches and mycorrhizal substrate on growth, yield and quality of Gold Milenium apples on M.9 rootstock

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps2012-239 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 281-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Lidia Sas-Paszt ◽

Kris Pruski ◽

Edward Żurawicz ◽

Beata Sumorok ◽

Edyta Derkowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Peat Moss ◽

Cow Manure ◽

Yield And Quality

Sas-Paszt, L., Pruski, K., Żurawicz, E., Sumorok, B., Derkowska, E. and Głuszek, S. 2014. The effect of organic mulches and mycorrhizal substrate on growth, yield and quality of Gold Milenium apples on M.9 rootstock. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 281–291. A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic mulches and mycorrhizal substrate on growth and yield of apple cv. Gold Milenium grown on M.9 rootstock. Straw (rye), pine bark, conifer tree sawdust, compost (plant debris), cow manure, peat moss substrate (commercial), and mycorrhiza substrate (Mykoflor®, containing mycorrhizal fungi: Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae, G. etunicatum) were applied in spring of each year. All the applied treatments did not affect significantly the tree growth. Mulches did not have a positive effect on total soluble solids of the fruit and the number of fruits in different size categories. Only sawdust mulch significantly increased the number of fruit in size diameter class of 7.0–7.5 cm compared with the control. The use of mulches affected the concentration of macro- and microelements in leaves, particularly Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Mulches positively affected the pH and organic matter content of soil. The best results were observed with the use of the compost, cow manure and the mycorrhizal substrate, where the concentrations of P, K and Mg, most of microelements and soil organic matter were elevated.

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SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF MANGO NUTRITION FOR BETTER YIELD AND QUALITY

Cercetari Agronomice in Moldova ◽

10.46909/cerce-2020-040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 473-501

Author(s):

Muhammad KHAN ◽

Niaz AHMED

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Management ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Fruit Production ◽

Utilization Efficiency ◽

Saline Soils ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Macro And Micronutrients ◽

Negative Impacts

Optimum supply of macro and micronutrients is of critical importance in improving the yield and quality of horticultural crops. Alike, the quality and yield of mango plants significantly increase by balanced application and uptake of macro and micronutrients. However, soil type and characteristics are important factors that directly influence the bio-availability of these nutrients to the plants. In addition, variability in climate has an impact on mango yield in the current scenario. Many scientists have found that mango cultivation in saline soils is a major obstacle to achieving the desired yield and improving quality. Overdose of fertilization is the major factor for the development of saline soils, furthermore, rise in climate temperatures is also a major factor. Therefore, to overcome this problem, nutrient management and the use of balanced fertilizer are the important factors to be controlled. Thus, this review focuses on the performance and importance of essential macro and micronutrients to improve the yield and quality of mango fruits. To understand the effective use of macro and micronutrients, the positive and negative impacts of the nutrients are explained. It is suggested that analyzing the soil, mango fruits, and mango plant leaves for their nutrient status can be useful to formulate fertilization strategies for higher fruit production and quality. Research and development, along with agricultural extension, should focus more on introducing genetically effective mango varieties to improve nutrient and water utilization efficiency.

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Insects Associated with Cucumbers (Cucumis SativusL.) At Bamunka-Ndop(North West Region, Cameroon)

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v11i.8840 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 145-159

Author(s):

Esther Nadine Otiobo Atibita ◽

Champlain Djieto-Lordon ◽

Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Relative Humidity ◽

Cucumis Sativus ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Insect Species ◽

North West ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

West Region ◽

Stems And Leaves

Studies on insects associated with cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) in Bamunka-ndop (North-West, Cameroon) under field conditions were conducted in 2017 and 2018 from April to July. The insect species diversity, the relative abundance, the frequency of visits and guilds were recorded on the plant from 7 am to 6 pm in a 2 hours time slots. Insects were found on the stem, leaves and flowers of Cucumber. There were 10 insect species belonging to 4 Orders. Out of these, four species belonged to Hymenoptera (54.15%), whereas the Coleoptera (33.18%), the Orthoptera (7.83%) and the Diptera (4.84%) owned two species each. Formica sp. being the most represented insect (24.42%) followed by A. mellifera (21.66%). Nectarivorous, pollinivorous, stems and leaves feeders and flowers and leaves feeders were found on the crop. The peak of activities of all the insect species was situated between 10 am and 12pm even though the temperature and the relative humidity of the study site appear not to affect their activities on the plant. These studies therefore indicated that the insects associated to cucumber should be exploited to work on their activities on cucumber and enhancing yield and quality of the fruits.

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Analysis of rhizosphere bacterial diversity of Angelica dahurica var. formosana based on different experimental sites and varieties (strains)

10.1101/2021.06.24.449857 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Meiyan Jiang ◽

Fei Yao ◽

Yunshu Yang ◽

Yang Zhou ◽

Kai Hou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Community ◽

Bacterial Diversity ◽

Growth Promotion ◽

Bacterial Community Composition ◽

Illumina Miseq ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Angelica Dahurica ◽

Soil Environment ◽

Yield And Quality

Only with good producing areas and good germplasm can good medicinal materials be produced. In this study, in order to explore the effects of soil environment and germplasm on yield and quality of Angelica dahurica var. formosana from microorganism level, Illumina MiSeq was used to study the rhizosphere bacterial diversity of A. dahurica var. formosana based on different origin and varieties (strains). The results showed that the bacterial community of A. dahurica var. formosana was stable and conserved to a certain extent, and the bacteria of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes might play an important role in improving the yield and quality of A. dahurica var. formosana. Soil variables were the key factors affecting the rhizosphere bacterial community composition of A. dahurica var. formosana. These results are of great significance for further understanding the growth promotion mechanism of beneficial rhizosphere bacteria, reducing fertilizer application, expanding planting area, improving soil environment, and improving yield and quality.

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The effects of root-zone warming on the yield and quality of roses grown in a hydroponic system

Journal of Horticultural Science ◽

10.1080/00221589.1984.11515231 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. 549-558

Author(s):

G. I. Moss

Keyword(s):

Root Zone ◽

Hydroponic System ◽

Yield And Quality

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Effects of sowing date on the growth, yield and quality of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) in southern Nigeria

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600061669 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 106 (1) ◽

pp. 21-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

G. O. Iremiren ◽

D. A. Okiy

Keyword(s):

Seedling Emergence ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Growth Period ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Atmospheric Temperature ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

High Solar Radiation ◽

Sowing Dates ◽

Pod Length

SUMMARYTwo varieties of okra were sown at approximately 14-day intervals from 1 April to 1 June for 2 years during the main rainy season in Nigeria. Low soil temperature and moisture, which resulted from a combined effect of high solar radiation, high atmospheric temperature and low rainfall, led to poor seedling emergence at the early sowing dates.The growth of the fewer plants of the early sowing dates were more vigorous than those of later sowing dates and they attained 50% flowering earlier and had a longer harvest duration. This resulted in increases in number of pods per plant, pod length, pod diameter, pod volume, pod weight and pod yield per ha, indicating compensatory growth by the fewer plants in the early plantings. The relatively lower values obtained for these variables with the late sowing dates were also attributed to possible poor soil aeration arising from the increased rainfall during their growth period.Sowing dates did not generally affect the percentage moisture, oil and protein in the pods. The effects of varieties on the variables measured were more uniform than those of sowing dates and mostly not significant.

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