Heterosis for Growth and Yield Traits from Crosses of Friesian Strains

Allelopathy and natural products are safe non-chemical modern techniques that applied as alternative to synthetic herbicides for controlling weeds. So, two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Psidium guajava leaf powder (PLP) and Acetic acid 5% as a natural product on the growth and yield of Capsicum annuum plants and both associated weeds: Phalaris minor (grassy weed) and Malva parviflora (broad-leaved weed). PLP was mixed with in the soil surface at successive rates (15, 30, 45 and 60 g/pot). In the corresponding treatments PLP at the same sequenced rates was mixed with the soil then sprayed with acetic acid 5% immediately. Moreover, sole spraying of acetic acid 5% treatment was sprayed on the soil surface. All treatments were applied before transplanting directly. Results revealed that the maximum inhibition of both weeds in both seasons was recorded by PLP at 60g + Acetic acid 5% as compared to unweeded control. Concerning to C. annuum growth parameters and yield traits, sole application of PLP at successive rates is more effective than PLP at the same successive rates with acetic acid 5%. So, it was observed that PLP at 60g/pot and 45 g/pot significantly developed most of growth parameters and yield traits of C. annuum than the healthy plants in both seasons. On the contrary, acetic acid treatment alone recorded the lowest value of all growth parameters and yield traits of Capsicum annuum plants.Allelopathy and natural products are safe non-chemical modern techniques that applied as alternative to synthetic herbicides for controlling weeds. So, two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Psidium guajava leaf powder (PLP) and Acetic acid 5% as a natural product on the growth and yield of Capsicum annuum plants and both associated weeds: Phalaris minor (grassy weed) and Malva parviflora (broad-leaved weed). PLP was mixed with in the soil surface at successive rates (15, 30, 45 and 60 g/pot). In the corresponding treatments PLP at the same sequenced rates was mixed with the soil then sprayed with acetic acid 5% immediately. Moreover, sole spraying of acetic acid 5% treatment was sprayed on the soil surface. All treatments were applied before transplanting directly. Results revealed that the maximum inhibition of both weeds in both seasons was recorded by PLP at 60g + Acetic acid 5% as compared to unweeded control. Concerning to C. annuum growth parameters and yield traits, sole application of PLP at successive rates is more effective than PLP at the same successive rates with acetic acid 5%. So, it was observed that PLP at 60g/pot and 45 g/pot significantly developed most of growth parameters and yield traits of C. annuum than the healthy plants in both seasons. On the contrary, acetic acid treatment alone recorded the lowest value of all growth parameters and yield traits of Capsicum annuum plants.

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ACC Deaminase Producing PGPR Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Agrobacterium fabrum along with Biochar Improve Wheat Productivity under Drought Stress

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9070343 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 343 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Muhammad Zafar-ul-Hye ◽

Subhan Danish ◽

Mazhar Abbas ◽

Maqshoof Ahmad ◽

Tariq Muhammad Munir

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens ◽

Nutrient Retention ◽

Acc Deaminase ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Yield Traits ◽

Straw Yield ◽

Soil Application

Drought stress retards wheat plant’s vegetative growth and physiological processes and results in low productivity. A stressed plant synthesizes ethylene which inhibits root elongation; however, the enzyme 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate (ACC) deaminase catabolizes ethylene produced under water stress. Therefore, the ACC deaminase producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be used to enhance crop productivity under drought stress. Biochar (BC) is an organically active and potentially nutrient-rich amendment that, when applied to the soil, can increase pore volume, cation exchange capacity and nutrient retention and bioavailability. We conducted a field experiment to study the effect of drought tolerant, ACC deaminase producing PGPR (with and without timber waste BC) on plant growth and yield parameters under drought stress. Two PGPR strains, Agrobacterium fabrum or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were applied individually and in combination with 30 Mg ha−1 BC under three levels of irrigation, i.e., recommended four irrigations (4I), three irrigations (3I) and two irrigations (2I). Combined application of B. amyloliquefaciens and 30 Mg ha−1 BC under 3I, significantly increased growth and yield traits of wheat: grain yield (36%), straw yield (50%), biological yield (40%). The same soil application under 2I resulted in greater increases in several of the growth and yield traits: grain yield (77%), straw yield (75%), above- and below-ground biomasses (77%), as compared to control; however, no significant increases in chlorophyll a, b or total, and photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance in response to individual inoculation of a PGPR strain (without BC) were observed. Therefore, we suggest that the combined soil application of B. amyloliquefaciens and BC more effectively mitigates drought stress and improves wheat productivity as compared to any of the individual soil applications tested in this study.

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