Optical Tools, a Suitable Means to Reduce Nitrogen Use in Fertigated Tomato Crop

Technology provides new tools for agriculture to be able to optimize fertilization. Optical instruments are becoming valid tools for farmers in making decisions about fertilization, even though they need to be calibrated for specific crops. Chlorophyll meters and multispectral radiometers have been tested on rice, corn, and wheat and afterwards on vegetables, in timing fertilization. Today, threshold lines that are able to detect crop N status in tomato crops are available. These thresholds, obtained in experiments carried out at Padova University, were validated in three open-field experiments. The first experiment was carried out in 2004 at the University experimental farm on tomato cv. Perfect Peel. The second and third experiments were conducted in a commercial farm at Codigoro (Ferrara) in 2004–2005. Tomato cultivars used were `UGX 822' and `Precocix' in 2004, in 2005 `Jet' was also used. In all trials, a “standard fertilization” management was compared with fertigation guided using SPAD and/or Cropscan. Optical tools were used to manage fertigation adopting both “threshold method” and “reference plot method”. In general “guided fertigation” resulted in less nitrogen application (N supply reduced between 18% and 45%), especially when “threshold method” was adopted. Yields were comparable to “standard fertilization” treatments, showing a better efficiency of “guided fertigation”. In some cases, guiding fertigation by means of optical instruments allowed higher fruit fresh weight, although dry matter content and °Brix were not influenced. Guided fertigation reduced also the number of damaged fruit and the percentage of nonmarketable product.

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Ammonia volatilization following surface-applied pig and cattle slurry in France

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600084380 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 245-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

J.-F. Moal ◽

J. Martinez ◽

F. Guiziou ◽

C.-M. Coste

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Arable Land ◽

Matter Content ◽

Total Loss ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Pig Slurry ◽

Ammoniacal Nitrogen ◽

Cattle Slurry ◽

Time Of Application ◽

Application Rates

SUMMARYField experiments were carried out in Brittany (Western France) in 1993 to measure ammonia losses from surface-applied pig and cattle slurry. Experiments were conducted on grass, stubble (wheat and maize) and arable land using a wind tunnel system. Ammonia losses were followed during periods ranging from 20 to 96 h after slurry application. Rates of slurry applied varied from 40 to 200 m3/ha. In two experiments, losses from cattle slurry were respectively 75 and 54% of the ammoniacal nitrogen applied in the slurry. Ammonia emissions from pig slurry applied at a rate of 40 m3/ha, during spring and summer experiments, were higher on grass (45–63% of the total ammoniacal nitrogen applied) than on wheat stubble (37–45%). On average, 75% of the total loss in all experiments occurred within the first 15 h after spreading. Significant correlations were found between ammonia losses (kg N/ha) and mean soil temperature and slurry dry matter content (%) using simple linear regressions and stepwise procedures. The time of application was also found to influence the magnitude of ammonia loss: 83% of the total loss occurred within 6 h when the slurry was applied at midday compared with 42% when it was applied in the evening.

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Use of dry matter content as a rapid and low-cost estimate for ranking genotypic differences in water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations in the stem and leaf sheath of Triticum aestivum

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp08073 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 51 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Gang-Ping Xue ◽

C. Lynne McIntyre ◽

Allan R. Rattey ◽

Anthony F. van Herwaarden ◽

Ray Shorter

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Low Cost ◽

Leaf Sheath ◽

Matter Content ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Genotypic Differences ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Cereal Breeding ◽

Field Samples

Stem water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are an important source of temporary carbohydrate reserve in cool-season cereals. Genotypic variation in stem WSC concentration in wheat at anthesis is often positively associated with grain weight and yield in water-limited environments. In this study we have examined the relationship between dry matter content (DMC, dry weight per unit of fresh weight) and WSC concentration in field-grown bread wheat. Strong correlations (r = 0.92–0.95) were observed between DMC and WSC concentration in the stem and leaf sheath from the top two or three internodes of recombinant inbred lines from a cross between Seri M82 and Babax, at anthesis or 1 week after anthesis, in several field experiments. This strong correlation was also observed in diverse genotypes grown under rainfed or irrigated conditions. DMC and WSC concentration were also positively correlated in the whole above-ground biomass of wheat at anthesis (r = 0.74–0.91). Measurement of stem and leaf sheath DMC and WSC concentration in a small number of samples would allow the rapid prediction of WSC concentrations in a large number of field samples with reasonable accuracy, as demonstrated in a small dataset in this study. These data indicate that DMC can serve cereal breeding as a rapid and low-cost selection tool for genotypic ranking of WSC concentrations in breeding populations.

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Levels of nutrients and grain yield of maize intercropped with signalgrass (Brachiaria) in different arrangements of plants

Planta Daninha ◽

10.1590/s0100-83582015000100006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 49-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M.A.M. FREITAS ◽

D.V. VALADÃO SILVA ◽

M.F. SOUZA ◽

A.A. SILVA ◽

D.T. SARAIVA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Block Design ◽

Matter Content ◽

Seeding Density ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Maize Plants ◽

Urochloa Brizantha ◽

Positive Effect

Competition between maize and signalgrass can economically cripple the intercropping by the reduced yield of maize and dry matter content of the forage. In seeking to define plant arrangements which make this system more efficient, this research was held with the objective of assessing the effects of interference of densities of signalgrass (Urochloa Brizantha) on nutrition and on maize grain yield. Two field experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with four replications. Treatments were arranged similarly in both experiments, in a 2 x 4 factorial design, the first factor being the dose of Nicosulfuron herbicide applied (0 and 8 g ha-1) and the second factor being the forage seeding rates (0, 2, 4 and 6 kg of seeds per hectare). The interference of signalgrass reduced foliar nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus content in maize plants intercropped with the forage. Higher values of grain yield were observed with the reduction of the spacing and the application of the recommended herbicide underdose (8 g ha-1). It was concluded that, regardless of the seeding density of U. Brizantha, reducing the maize seeding inter-rows spacing, combined with the application of an underdose of Nicosulfuron, caused a positive effect by reducing the initial forage growth, resulting in less interference of Urochloa brizantha on nutrient uptake by the maize plants and grain yield of the crop.

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Effect of topping and irrigation on yield of flue-cured tobacco grown in a Mediterranean environment

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600084689 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 113 (1) ◽

pp. 109-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. I. Orphanos ◽

C. Metochis

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Matter Content ◽

Lower Percentage ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Leaf Quality ◽

Performance in freezing tests and field experiments of full-sib families of Pinussylvestris (L.)

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x87-207 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 17 (11) ◽

pp. 1340-1347 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Jan-Erik Nilsson ◽

Bengt Andersson

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Matter Content ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Breeding Values ◽

Hardening Process ◽

Low Degree ◽

Sib Families ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

North Sweden

Full-sib families from plus trees of Pinussylvestris (L.) were tested in four 10-year field experiments and three 1-year experiments. Survival and height were assessed in the field experiments and plant height, dry matter content, and damage following artificial freeze testing during the hardening process in the 1-year experiments. Positive correlations between pairs of field experiments were found for breeding values for 10-year survival (rmean = +0.71) and 10-year height (rmean = +0.38). Positive correlations were also obtained between survival and height within field experiments. Breeding values for 10-year field survival and height were not correlated with the latitude of origin. Positive correlations were found between field mortality and both damage after freeze testing (0.61 < r < 0.85) and plant height (r = 0.75) for the 1-year-old seedlings. Results indicated that a low degree of damage after freeze testing of 1-year-old progenies is a better predictor of field survival than is northern geographical origin when establishing seed orchards of P. sylvestris for harsh areas in north Sweden.

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Investigations on Nigerian root and tuber crops: response of cassava cultivars to potassium fertilizer in Western Nigeria

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600027155 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 23-27 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

G. O. Obigbesan

Keyword(s):

Field Experiments ◽

Local Strain ◽

Matter Content ◽

Unit Weight ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Potassium Fertilizer ◽

Local Cultivar ◽

Tuber Production ◽

K Fertilizer ◽

Improved Cultivars

SummaryThe response of three cassava cultivars to potassium fertilizer was studied in field experiments during 1972–3, 1973–4 and 1975–6. They included the local cultivar 53101 and the improved cultivars 60506 and 60447 which were F1 hybrids involving the local strain (53101) and cultivar 42074. In locations known to be low in potassium, the cassava cultivars showed only low response to K fertilizer with optimum performance at about 60 kg K2O/ha, but the local cultivar 53101 had apparently not reached its maximum tuber production even at 120 kg K2O/ha. This cultivar gave higher tuber yield increases (10–18 kg dried tuber) per unit weight of potash than the 60506 cultivar (6–10 kg dried tuber/kg K2O) while cultivar 60447 produced about 18 kg/kg K2O. Unfertilized 60506 produced average yields equivalent to those obtained from the heavily fertilized 53101 cultivar. Cultivar 60506 gave the highest dry-matter content. The improved cultivars retained more leaves than the local strain. K fertilizer enhanced the utilization index (storage root/top ratio) of the cassava cultivars.

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Effect of year and irrigation on yield and quantity of different potato varieties

Acta Agraria Debreceniensis ◽

10.34101/actaagrar/23/3199 ◽

2006 ◽

pp. 7-14

Author(s):

Babett Éva Ábrahám ◽

Mihály Sárvári

Keyword(s):

Starch Content ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Matter Content ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Year Effect ◽

Considerable Impact ◽

Consumption Habit ◽

Set Up ◽

The University ◽

The Impact

dramatically in the last few decades. We are lagging behind Western European countries as regards yields. The ecological conditions are not favourable for potato, but the low yields other causes: the use of non-suitable seed, the low level of irrigation and nutrient supply and out of date machinery. The competitiveness of production is further decreased by the great alternation in yields from year to year, unpredictable market conditions, poor consumption habit, and often the lack of quality products.The experiment was carried out at the experimental site of the University of Debrecen, Farm and Regional Research Institute, at Látókép. In our experiment, we examined the yield and selected quality parameters of 9 medium-early varieties in large parcels. Of the examined varieties, 3 are of Dutch, and 6 are of Hungarian breeding.The experiment was set up in 2004 and 2005, on 50 m2 parcels on calcareous chernozem soil after winter wheat (2004) and two rowed barley (2005) as a forecrop. The varieties were examined in 4 repetitions in randomized blocks, of which two repetitions were irrigated, and two were non-irrigated. We examined the yields of the varieties, the distribution of tubers according to size and their percentages and changes, and selected parameters of quality and chemical composition due to irrigation. We studied the dry matter content, the starch content, the underwater mass, the amount of reducing sugars, and the colour index of frying of the tubers.Summary, it can be stated that among the agrotechniques, year effect, variety and irrigation factors have considerable impact on potato yield quality and quantity. However, the impact of irrigation depends on the year effect.

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305 Effects of Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Its Diurnal Changes in Nutrient Feedings on Fruit Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomato Grown in Rockwool

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.35.3.444c ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 444C-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiuming Hao ◽

Athanasios P. Papadopoulos

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Fruit Size ◽

Matter Content ◽

Research Centre ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Diurnal Changes ◽

Tomato Crop ◽

Greenhouse Production ◽

Fruit Cracking

Poor tomato fruit quality in summer time (soft fruit, cracking, and russetting) is a major greenhouse production problem in North America. To improve tomato quality and yield, especially under summer conditions, four EC treatments were applied to a tomato crop grown in rockwool in summer and fall of 1999 at the Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre, Harrow, Ont., Canada. The four fertigation solution EC treatments were 1) constant low EC at 2.54 mS·cm-1, 2) constant high EC at 3.82 mS·cm-1, 3) diurnal EC variation (1 to 5 mS·cm-1) with a 24-h average of 2.54 mS·cm-1 and 4) diurnal EC variation (1 to 7 mS·cm-1) with a 24-h average of 3.82 mS·cm-1. For diurnal EC variation, the plants were fed with low EC in the morning and around noon, and high EC in the afternoon and night. High EC (3.82 mS·cm-1, constant or 24-h average for diurnal variation) treatments, in comparison to the recommended EC (2.54 mS·cm-1) treatments, improved tomato fruit quality by reducing fruit cracking, and increasing percentage of grade #1 fruit, fruit firmness, soluble solid and dry-matter content. However, the constant high EC treatment resulted in smaller fruit size and lower yield. Diurnal EC variation with a high EC average (24-h average: 3.82 mS·cm-1) did not reduce fruit size and yield, and reduced fruit russetting. Therefore, a diurnal fertigation EC variation strategy-supplying low EC solution in the morning and noon and high EC solution in the afternoon and night, with an overall 24-h average of 3.82 mS·cm-1, may be used to improve tomato fruit quality.

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Yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit harvested from plants grown in mulched soil

Acta Agrobotanica ◽

10.5586/aa.2012.032 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 149-156

Author(s):

Joanna Majkowska-Gadomska ◽

Brygida Wierzbicka ◽

Katarzyna Arcichowska

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Bare Soil ◽

Matter Content ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Nitrate Accumulation ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Cultivar Selection ◽

The University

A study investigating the yield of field-grown tomatoes was conducted in 2007–2009 in the Garden of the Research and Experimental Station of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The experimental materials comprised two tomato cultivars, 'Bawole Serce' and 'Złoty Ożarowski'. Tomato plants were grown in bare soil and in soil mulched with black non-woven PP 50 fabric. Cultivar selection had a significant effect only on average early yield of 'Bawole Serce'. The highest average early yield for three years of the study was recorded for 'Bawole Serce' grown in mulched soil, while the lowest one for 'Złoty Ożarowski' grown in mulched plots. Tomato marketable yield was significantly higher in both treatments where 'Bawole Serce' plants were grown. Fruits harvested from tomato plants 'Złoty Ożarowski' had a higher dry matter content. Soil mulching significantly increased the dry matter content of 'Złoty Ożarowski' tomato fruit. The experimental factors had no influence on the concentrations of L-ascorbic acid, total sugars, and organic acids. Nitrate levels in tomato fruit were within permissible limits, and they were significantly affected by the cultivation method and the method x cultivar interaction. Nitrate accumulation was reduced in tomato plants 'Złoty Ożarowski' grown in mulched soil.

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Identification of Fruit-Associated QTLs in Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima Duchesne) Using Recombinant Inbred Lines

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes11040419 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 419

Author(s):

Karolina Kaźmińska ◽

Ewelina Hallmann ◽

Aleksandra Korzeniewska ◽

Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Szczytt ◽

Grzegorz Bartoszewski

Keyword(s):

Recombinant Inbred ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Recombinant Inbred Lines ◽

Shape Index ◽

Inbred Lines ◽

Matter Content ◽

Dry Matter Content ◽

Cucurbita Maxima ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Phenotypic Data

Cucurbita maxima Duchesne squash and pumpkins are cultivated world-wide. Cucurbita maxima fruits are produced for fresh market and are valuable for food processing. Therefore, fruit characteristics and yield are the traits of high economic importance for breeders. To date, the genetic basis of fruit-associated traits in C. maxima have been poorly understood. In the present study, we evaluated fruit-associated traits and conducted quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross of two inbred lines with different fruit morphotypes. Phenotypic data for nine fruit traits (earliness, weight, number per plant, yield per plant, length and diameter, shape index, flesh thickness, sucrose content and dry matter content) were collected for RILs in two open-field experiments. Pairwise analysis of the phenotypic data revealed correlations among the fruit and yield-associated traits. Using a previously developed genetic map, we identified 26 QTLs for eight traits. The QTLs were found in 10 locations on eight chromosomes of C. maxima. The QTLs were detected across experiments and explained up to 41.4% of the observed phenotypic variations. Major-effect QTLs for multiple fruit-associated traits were clustered on chromosome 4, suggesting that this genomic region has been under selection during diversification and/or domestication of C. maxima.

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