scholarly journals Biological treatments for quality improvement and production of Aloe vera gel

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 054-063
Author(s):  
Domenico Prisa ◽  
Marco Gobbino
Keyword(s):  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Aloe Vera ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Trichoderma Spp ◽  
Effective Microorganisms ◽  
Organic Cultivation ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Research goal: The aim of this work was to develop a sustainable and innovative organic cultivation protocol, usable by local Italian companies, based on the use of microbial biostimulants (beneficial bacteria and fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizae and algae) able to improve the growth and quality production of the medicinal gel of Aloe vera. Materials and Methods: The experiments, started in December 2020, were conducted in the greenhouses of CREA-OF in Pescia (Pt), Tuscany, Italy (43°54′N 10°41′E) on Aloe vera (4 year old plants). The experimental groups were: i) group control, irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; ii) group with Effective microorganisms irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; iii) group with Trichoderma spp. irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; iv) group with arbuscular mycorrhizae irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized; v) group with Ascophyllum nodosum irrigated with water and substrate previously fertilized. Results and Discussion: The experiment showed a significant improvement in agronomic parameters and physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics analysed on plants treated with microbial and algae-based biofertilizers. In particular, there was a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant, new shoots, fresh vegetative weight, root and gel weight and the inflorescences number. On the leaves of the treated theses, there was a significant increase in leaf length and width and an improvement in gel pureness (optical density). There was also an increase in the number of microorganisms in the treated substrates and a lowering of the pH of the growing medium. The test also showed a lowering of the pH of the gel and a significant increase in soluble solids, sugars and fiber content in the theses inoculated with Effective microorganisms and a significant increase in fructose, glucose, proline and aloin. Conclusions: The trial confirms the significant results already obtained in other trials on vegetable, ornamental and Aloe plants by applying biofertilizing microorganisms and algae. The aim of this work was to develop an organic cultivation protocol based on microbial and algae treatments that can be used to improve the quality of Aloe vera plants. This protocol can be applied in general by those companies that are dedicated to the production of ornamental and fruit cacti and succulents and want to reduce or even eliminate the use of plant protection products

Microbic and Algae biofertilizers in Aloe barbadensis Miller

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 01-09
Author(s):  
Domenico Prisa ◽  
Marco Gobbino
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria ◽  
Leaf Length ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Aloe Barbadensis ◽  
Trichoderma Spp ◽  
Plant Growth Promoting

The aim of this work was to develop an organic and sustainable cultivation protocol, based on the use of microbial biofertilizers (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, Trichoderma spp., arbuscular mycorrhizae and biostimulant algae) able to improve the growth and quality of Aloe barbadensis Miller plants. The experimental trial at CREA-OF in Pescia showed a significant improvement in the agronomic parameters analysed on Aloe barbadensis Miller plants treated with microbial and algae-based biofertilizers. In particular, there was a significant improvement in the number of leaves per plant, new shoots, vegetative fresh weight, root weight and gel weight. On the leaves in the treated theses, there was a significant increase in leaf length and width and an improvement in gel quality (optical density). The trial also showed a significant improvement in soluble solids, sugars and fibre content in the theses inoculated with microbial products and a significant increase in fructose, glucose, proline and aloin. These improvements in plant growth following the use of microbial biofertilizers and algae have also been found in previous trials in other vegetables and ornamental crops, but few trials have been carried out with Aloe. The application of symbiotic microorganisms in agricultural operations can therefore ensure higher production standards, with a possible improvement in the agronomic quality of the plants, while also reducing the use of water and fertilizers. This experiment may be of particular interest to farms that want to focus on the production of ornamental and fruit cacti and succulents under organic farming methods.

Myrtillocactus geometrizans fruit plant stimulated with Effective microorganisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 025-032
Author(s):  
Domenico Prisa
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Effective Microorganisms ◽  
Organoleptic Characteristics ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Growing Medium

The aim of this work is to develop an innovative technology for the cultivation of Myrtillocactus geometrizans, introducing the use of Effective microorganisms and at the same time, limiting the use of mineral fertilizers, plant protection products and improving the physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of garambullos for consumption and processing. The trial showed a significant improvement in the agronomic parameters analysed on Myrtillocactus geometrizans plants treated with Effective microorganisms. In particular, there was an increase in plant height and circumference, vegetative and root weight, number of flowers and fruits, number and length of thornes in plants treated with microorganisms. In addition, the use of EM microorganisms showed a significant increase in total betalains, ascorbic acid, phenols and total flavonoids in garambullos. It was important to underline how the use of Effective microorganisms guaranteed, despite the reduction of irrigation and fertilisation by 50% in the growing medium, the same results in terms of agronomic parameters and fruit production and quality as the control with irrigation and fertilisation under optimal conditions. The application of Effective microorganisms in agricultural processing can therefore guarantee higher production standards, with a possible reduction in costs fertilizer and water. Particularly for those farms that want to focus on the production of ornamental and fruit cacti. Fruits obtained from growing plants treated with Effective microorganisms have a high antioxidant and nutraceutical potential, which is very important especially in this age where food is also a medicine.

Nematode assemblages in banana (Musa acuminata) monocultures and banana plantations with Juçara palms (Euterpe edulis) in the southern Mata Atlântica, Brazil

Nematology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-384
Author(s):  
Thomas Moser ◽  
Bernhard Förster ◽  
Silja Frankenbach ◽  
Renato Marques ◽  
Jörg Römbke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Successional Stage ◽  
Organic Cultivation ◽  
Plant Parasites ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Plant Feeders

The composition of the nematode fauna at two different agrosystems (banana monocultures and mixed banana-palmito plantations) was investigated at six study sites on the coastal plain of southern Brazil. Nematode abundance was higher and the number of families was lower (25 compared to 33) in the soil of banana monocultures. The assemblages in the soil of the banana monocultures were dominated by bacterial feeders and plant parasites, whereas in the soil of the mixed plantations the proportion of the other trophic groups was higher. In the monocultures, the percentage of families categorised as colonisers (c-p 1 families) was higher and the persisters lower. The difference in the assemblage of c-p groups was significant between sites of the two different systems. Principal component analysis (PCA) ordination of the samples by nematode family composition showed site-specific assemblages, similarity between two sites of each system and significant dissimilarities between the two systems. The MI 1-5 and the MI 2-5 were lower in the banana monocultures. Additionally, the MI 2-5 of banana site B2 was significantly higher than that of the two other banana sites. The ratio F/B was higher and the ratio F+B/plant feeders was lower in the banana-palmito plantations. The differences between the systems in nearly all measured parameters indicate a higher degree of disturbance and nutrient enrichment of the soil under monocultures. However, a low number of plant parasites and dominance of c-p 3 taxa at both agroecosystems show that the soil of both agroecosystems seems to be of an advanced successional stage. This may be a result of a less intensive ‘organic’ cultivation without the use of plant protection products and fertilisers and with additional non-host plants. Despite many non-controlled variables in the smallholder systems, according to the results the nematodes can be regarded as suitable indicators of soil disturbance in banana and banana-palmito agro-ecosystems.

The use of Trichoderma spp. to control plant diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 401-428
Author(s):  
Enrique Monte ◽  
◽  
Rosa Hermosa ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Phytopathogenic Fungi ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Trichoderma Spp ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Trichoderma is one of the most studied genera of ascomycetous fungi due to the beneficial effects it has on plants. Trichoderma spp. are involved in the production of cell wall-degrading enzymes and metabolites with antimicrobial activity. It also produces volatile compounds that act together as direct biocontrol agents to protect plants against phytopathogenic fungi, oomycetes, nematodes and bacteria. Trichoderma spp. can also compete in the rhizosphere for space and nutrients while it can also protect plants by activating systemic immune responses that result in a faster and stronger induction of plant basal resistance mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. The possibility that Trichoderma can also promote plant growth opens new opportunities to register strains as biostimulants. Adequate registration procedures are urgently needed as there is no appropriate legal framework for registering Trichoderma as both plant protection products and as biofertilizers.

Estimation of the frequency and severity of plant protection products residues in Greek olive oil originates from organic cultivation of olives during 2008

2009 ◽  
Vol 189 ◽  
pp. S233
Author(s):  
Ioannis Tsakiris ◽  
Aristidis Tsatsakis ◽  
Simeon Marnasidis ◽  
Haralampos Favas ◽  
Athanasios Alegakis
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Organic Cultivation

scholarly journals Effect of the Application Date of Fertilizer Containing Silicon and Potassium on the Yield and Technological Quality of Sugar Beet Roots

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz Artyszak ◽  
Dariusz Gozdowski ◽  
Alicja Siuda
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Time Of Application ◽  
Technological Quality

Water shortage and drought are a growing problem in Europe. Therefore, effective methods for limiting its effects are necessary. At the same time, the “field to fork” strategy adopted by the European Commission aims to achieve a significant reduction in the use of plant protection products and fertilizers in the European Union. In an experiment conducted in 2018–2020, the effect of the method of foliar fertilization containing silicon and potassium on the yield and technological quality of sugar beet roots was assessed. The fertilizer was used in seven combinations, differing in the number and time of application. The best results were obtained by treating plants during drought stress. The better soil moisture for the plants, the smaller the pure sugar yield increase was observed. It is difficult to clearly state which combination of silicon and potassium foliar application is optimal, as their effects do not differ greatly.

scholarly journals The Role of Source‐sink Dynamics in the Assessment of Risk to Non‐target Arthropods from the Use of Plant Protection Products

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Lewis ◽  
Axel Dinter ◽  
Charlotte Elston ◽  
Michael Thomas Marx ◽  
Christoph Julian Mayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Source Sink

Measurements of the dermal exposure to bystanders from direct off‐crop drift during the application of plant protection products

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian J. Kuster ◽  
Nicola J. Hewitt ◽  
Clare Butler Ellis ◽  
Christian Timmermann ◽  
Thomas Anft
Keyword(s):  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Dermal Exposure

scholarly journals Field assessment of a pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system applying different spray volumes: duty cycle and forward speed effects on vines spray coverage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Grella ◽  
Fabrizio Gioelli ◽  
Paolo Marucco ◽  
Ingrid Zwertvaegher ◽  
Eric Mozzanini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Pulse Width ◽  
Pulse Width Modulation ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Plant Protection Products ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Real Field ◽  
Spray Application ◽  
Spray System

AbstractThe pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system is the most advanced technology to obtain variable rate spray application without varying the operative sprayer parameters (e.g. spray pressure, nozzle size). According to the precision agriculture principles, PWM is the prime technology that allows to spray the required amount where needed without varying the droplet size spectra which benefits both the uniformity of spray quality and the spray drift reduction. However, some concerns related to the effect of on–off solenoid valves and the alternating on/off action of adjacent nozzles on final uneven spray coverage (SC) have arisen. Further evaluations of PWM systems used for spraying 3D crops under field conditions are welcomed. A tower-shaped airblast sprayer equipped with a PWM was tested in a vineyard. Twelve configurations, combining duty cycles (DC: 30, 50, 70, 100%) and forward speeds (FS: 4, 6, 8 km h−1), were tested. Two methodologies, namely field-standardized and real field conditions, were adopted to evaluate the effect of DC and FS on (1) SC variability (CV%) along both the sprayer travel direction and the vertical spray profile using long water sensitive papers (WSP), and (2) SC uniformity (IU, index value) within the canopy at different depths and heights, respectively. Furthermore, the SC (%) and deposit density (Nst, no stains cm−2), determined using short WSP, were used to evaluate the spray application performances taking into account the spray volumes applied. Under field-controlled conditions, the pulsing of the PWM system affects both the SC variability measured along the sprayer travel direction and along the vertical spray profile. In contrast, under real field conditions, the PWM system does not affect the uniformity of SC measured within the canopy. The relationship between SC and Nst allowed identification of the ranges of 200–250 and 300–370 l ha−1 as the most suitable spray volumes to be applied for insecticide and fungicide plant protection products, respectively.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document