Applying Agronomic Principles of Rhizobial Inoculation to the Conservation of a Keystone Legume Species in a High Mountain Ecosystem on an Oceanic Island

The Teide broom, Spartocytisus supranubius, is an endemism of the Canary Islands (Spain) and the dominant legume of the Tenerife high-mountain ecosystem in Teide National Park (N.P.). Biotic and abiotic stresses are causing a progressive deterioration and decline of the population of this keystone legume. Since its symbiosis with rhizobia is the main nitrogen (N) input into these soils, diminishing the biological nitrogen fixation could compromise the maintenance of this alpine ecosystem. Symbiotically efficient nitrogen-fixing rhizobia have been widely and successfully used as inoculants for agronomic purposes. However, only rarely has rhizobial inoculation been used for legume species conservation in natural ecosystems. In this study, we assessed three Bradyrhizobium sp. strains as inoculants for S. supranubius on seedlings grown in a greenhouse experiment and on juvenile individuals (2-years-old) transplanted on a field trial in the N.P. Plant growth as well as symbiotic and plant physiological parameters were measured to evaluate the effect of rhizobia inoculation. Our results show that broom plants responded positively to the inoculation both in the greenhouse and field trials. The SSUT18 inoculated plants had significantly higher number and weight of nodules, greater sizes (biovolume) and biomass and also showed the highest N which, being not significant in our experimental conditions, it still contributed to more N per planted hectare than control plants, which could be important for the ecosystem maintenance in these N-poor soils. Positive effects of inoculation were also detected on the plant survival rate and water content. The bradyrhizobial inoculation, by accelerating the plant growth can shorten the greenhouse period and by producing more robust juvenile plants, they could help them to cope better with stresses in its natural habitat. Therefore, inoculation with selected rhizobia is a successful strategy to be integrated into conservation campaigns for this threatened legume species.

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Quanti-Qualitative Response of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla) to Soil Amendment with Biochar-Compost Mixtures

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11020307 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 307

Author(s):

Angela Libutti ◽

Anna Rita Rivelli

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Beta Vulgaris ◽

Interactive Effect ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Total N ◽

Qualitative Response ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Swiss Chard ◽

Two Factors

In recent years, soil addition with organic amendments, such as biochar and compost, has gained attention as an effective agronomic practice to sustain soil fertility, enhance plant growth and crop yield. Well known are the positive effects of compost on yield of a wide crop varieties, while both positive and negative responses are reported for biochar Therefore, the aim of the study was to verify the effect of biochar mixed with three types of compost on quanti-qualitative response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. cycla), a leafy green vegetable rich in dietary antioxidants, largely consumed worldwide. A factorial experiment in pots with two factors, including biochar (without biochar and with biochar from vine pruning residues) and compost (without compost, with compost from olive pomace, with vermicompost from cattle manure, and with compost from cattle anaerobic digestate), was setup. Two growth cycles were considered, and a set of quantitative (height of plants, number, area and fresh weight of leaves) and qualitative parameters (carotenoids, chlorophyll, total N, and NO3−content of leaves) were analyzed. Biochar decreased plant growth and NO3− leaf content; on the contrary, it increased total N leaf content, while compost improved all the considered parameters. The interactive effect of biochar and compost was evident only on total N and NO3− leaf content. In our experimental conditions, the compost showed to be the best option to improve Swiss chard growth and increase the content of phytopigments, while the biochar-compost mixtures did not produce the expected effect.

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Quanti-Qualitative Response of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla) to Soil Amendment with Biochar-Compost Mixtures

10.20944/preprints202012.0769.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Angela Libutti ◽

Anna Rita Rivelli

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Beta Vulgaris ◽

Interactive Effect ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Total N ◽

Qualitative Response ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Swiss Chard ◽

Two Factors

In recent years, soil addition with organic amendments, such as biochar and compost, has gained attention as an effective agronomic practice to sustain soil fertility, enhance plant growth and crop yield. Well known are the positive effects of compost on yield of a wide crop varieties, while both positive and negative responses are reported for biochar Therefore, the aim of the study was to verify the effect of biochar mixed with three types of compost on quanti-qualitative response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. cycla), a leafy green vegetable rich in dietary antioxidants, largely consumed worldwide. A factorial experiment in pots with two factors, including biochar (without biochar and with biochar from vine pruning residues) and compost (without compost, with compost from olive pomace, with vermicompost from cattle manure and with compost from cattle anaerobic digestate), was setup. Two growth cycles were considered and a set of quantitative (height of plants, number, area and fresh weight of leaves) and qualitative parameters (carotenoid, chlorophyll, total N and NO3-content of leaves) were analyzed. Biochar decreased plant growth and NO3- leaf content; on the contrary, it increased total N leaf content, while compost improved all the considered parameters. The interactive effect of biochar and compost was evident only on total N and NO3- leaf content. In our experimental conditions, the compost showed to be the best option to improve Swiss chard growth and increase the phytopigments content, while the biochar-compost mixtures didn’t produce the expected effect.

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Influence of plant growth regulator and rhizobial inoculation on nodulation and soybean nitrogen contant

Cereal Research Communications ◽

10.1556/crc.35.2007.2.207 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 993-996 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sulejman Redžepović ◽

Sanja Sikora ◽

Josip Čolo ◽

Mihaela Blažinkov ◽

Marija Pecina

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Growth Regulator ◽

Plant Growth Regulator ◽

Rhizobial Inoculation

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MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL RESPOSES OF COW PEA (CV. PUSA BARSATI) GROWN ON FLY ASH AMENDED SOIL IN PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA AND RHIZOBIUM LEGUMINOSARUM

Ecoprint An International Journal of Ecology ◽

10.3126/eco.v17i0.4098 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 17-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kamal Singh ◽

A. A. Khan ◽

Iram Khan ◽

Rose Rizvi ◽

M. Saquib

Keyword(s):

Fly Ash ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Rhizobium Leguminosarum ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Maximum Growth ◽

Meloidogyne Javanica ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Insignificant Difference

Plant growth, yield, pigment and protein content of cow-pea were increased significantly at lower levels (20 and 40%) of fly ash but reverse was true at higher levels (80 and 100%). Soil amended by 60% fly ash could cause suppression in growth and yield in respect to 40% fly ash treated cow-pea plants but former was found at par with control (fly ash untreated plants). Maximum growth occurred in plants grown in soil amended with 40% fly ash. Nitrogen content of cow-pea was suppressed progressively in increasing levels of fly ash. Moreover, Rhizobium leguminosarum influenced the growth and yield positively but Meloidogyne javanica caused opposite effects particularly at 20 and 40% fly ash levels. The positive effects of R. leguminosarum were marked by M. javanica at initial levels. However, at 80 and 100% fly ash levels, the positive and negative effects of R. leguminosarum and/or M. javanica did not appear as insignificant difference persist among such treatments.Key words: Meloidogyne javanica; Rhizobium leguminosarum; Fly ash; Growth; YieldDOI: 10.3126/eco.v17i0.4098Ecoprint An International Journal of Ecology Vol. 17, 2010 Page: 17-22 Uploaded date: 28 December, 2010

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Recapitulation of the Function and Role of ROS Generated in Response to Heat Stress in Plants

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10020371 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 371

Author(s):

Emily Medina ◽

Su-Hwa Kim ◽

Miriam Yun ◽

Won-Gyu Choi

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Intracellular Signaling ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Signaling Molecule ◽

Signaling Systems ◽

Cell Compartments ◽

Tropical Area

In natural ecosystems, plants are constantly exposed to changes in their surroundings as they grow, caused by a lifestyle that requires them to live where their seeds fall. Thus, plants strive to adapt and respond to changes in their exposed environment that change every moment. Heat stress that naturally occurs when plants grow in the summer or a tropical area adversely affects plants’ growth and poses a risk to plant development. When plants are subjected to heat stress, they recognize heat stress and respond using highly complex intracellular signaling systems such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS was previously considered a byproduct that impairs plant growth. However, in recent studies, ROS gained attention for its function as a signaling molecule when plants respond to environmental stresses such as heat stress. In particular, ROS, produced in response to heat stress in various plant cell compartments such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, plays a crucial role as a signaling molecule that promotes plant growth and triggers subsequent downstream reactions. Therefore, this review aims to address the latest research trends and understandings, focusing on the function and role of ROS in responding and adapting plants to heat stress.

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Competition-free gaps are essential for the germination and recruitment of alpine species along an elevation gradient in the European Alps

Alpine Botany ◽

10.1007/s00035-021-00264-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vera Margreiter ◽

Janette Walde ◽

Brigitta Erschbamer

Keyword(s):

Vegetation Cover ◽

Seedling Recruitment ◽

Environmental Control ◽

Elevation Gradient ◽

European Alps ◽

Plant Interactions ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Seed Sowing ◽

Plant Plant

AbstractSeed germination and seedling recruitment are key processes in the life cycle of plants. They enable populations to grow, migrate, or persist. Both processes are under environmental control and influenced by site conditions and plant–plant interactions. Here, we present the results of a seed-sowing experiment performed along an elevation gradient (2000–2900 m a.s.l.) in the European eastern Alps. We monitored the germination of seeds and seedling recruitment for 2 years. Three effects were investigated: effects of sites and home sites (seed origin), effects of gaps, and plant–plant interactions. Seeds of eight species originating from two home sites were transplanted to four sites (home site and ± in elevation). Seed sowing was performed in experimentally created gaps. These gap types (‘gap + roots’, ‘neighbor + roots’, and ‘no-comp’) provided different plant–plant interactions and competition intensities. We observed decreasing germination with increasing elevation, independent of the species home sites. Competition-released gaps favored recruitment, pointing out the important role of belowground competition and soil components in recruitment. In gaps with one neighboring species, neutral plant–plant interactions occurred (with one exception). However, considering the relative vegetation cover of each experimental site, high vegetation cover resulted in positive effects on recruitment at higher sites and neutral effects at lower sites. All tested species showed intraspecific variability when responding to the experimental conditions. We discuss our findings considering novel site and climatic conditions.

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The Effects of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria with Biostimulant Features on the Growth of a Local Onion Cultivar and a Commercial Zucchini Variety

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11050888 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 888

Author(s):

Giorgia Novello ◽

Patrizia Cesaro ◽

Elisa Bona ◽

Nadia Massa ◽

Fabio Gosetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Growth Promotion ◽

Global Market ◽

Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Strains ◽

Mineral Concentration ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Plant Growth Promoting ◽

Onion Cultivar ◽

Growth Promoting

The reduction of chemical inputs due to fertilizer and pesticide applications is a target shared both by farmers and consumers in order to minimize the side effects for human and environmental health. Among the possible strategies, the use of biostimulants has become increasingly important as demonstrated by the fast growth of their global market and by the increased rate of registration of new products. In this work, we assessed the effects of five bacterial strains (Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf4, P. putida S1Pf1, P. protegens Pf7, P. migulae 8R6, and Pseudomonas sp. 5Vm1K), which were chosen according to their previously reported plant growth promotion traits and their positive effects on fruit/seed nutrient contents, on a local onion cultivar and on zucchini. The possible variations induced by the inoculation with the bacterial strains on the onion nutritional components were also evaluated. Inoculation resulted in significant growth stimulation and improvement of the mineral concentration of the onion bulb, induced particularly by 5Vm1K and S1Pf1, and in different effects on the flowering of the zucchini plants according to the bacterial strain. The present study provides new information regarding the activity of the five plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) strains on onion and zucchini, two plant species rarely considered by the scientific literature despite their economic relevance.

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Growth responses of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvelev to sheep saliva after defoliation

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj09061 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 419 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xing Teng ◽

Lei Ba ◽

Deli Wang ◽

Ling Wang ◽

Jushan Liu

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Perennial Grass ◽

Leaf Length ◽

Leymus Chinensis ◽

Growth Responses ◽

Time Duration ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Leaf Weight

Many studies indicated that saliva from herbivores might be involved in plant growth responses when plants have been grazed. However, there is currently no general agreement on whether saliva can affect plant growth. Our aims were to determine the growth response of plants to sheep saliva after defoliation under diverse environmental conditions (different sward structures), and whether the effect of saliva is influenced by time (duration) after its application. We conducted field experiments with clipping treatments and the application of sheep saliva to the damaged parts of tillers to simulate sheep grazing on the perennial grass Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvelev during the early growing seasons. Results demonstrated that clipping with saliva application significantly increased tiller numbers 8 weeks after treatments in comparison with clipping alone. A key finding is that the effect of sheep saliva on plant growth was short-lived. Clipping with saliva application increased leaf weight in the second week, while clipping alone had no effect. Moreover, clipping with saliva application promoted the elongation of new leaves (not the old ones) in the first week whereas clipping alone was ineffective. Results also showed that there were no differences between clipping with saliva application and clipping alone for relative height growth rate and aboveground biomass. Therefore, we concluded that saliva application to clipping treatment would produce an additional effect compared to clipping alone for the plant and the positive effects are time dependent. The additional effects primarily embodied in the individual level of plant, such as the changes of leaf weight and leaf length. Beyond the level, the effects of saliva only produced many more tiller numbers rather than the accumulation of aboveground biomass.

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Increased Resistance of Bt Aspens to Phratora vitellinae (Coleoptera) Leads to Increased Plant Growth under Experimental Conditions

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0030640 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e30640 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Joakim Hjältén ◽

E. Petter Axelsson ◽

Thomas G. Whitham ◽

Carri J. LeRoy ◽

Riitta Julkunen-Tiitto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Phratora Vitellinae

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Nematodes in relation to plant growth, IV. Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) on orchard trees.

Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.18174/njas.v10i4.17587 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 286-296 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

H. Hoestra ◽

M. Oostenbrink

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Sandy Soils ◽

Good Evidence ◽

Small Populations ◽

Pratylenchus Penetrans ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Nematode Density ◽

Large Populations ◽

Considerable Damage

The damage caused by Pratylenchus penetrans in orchards is discussed. In 2 experimental fields containing 4 varieties of apple, there was good evidence of a decrease in yield with increased nematode density before apple seedlings were planted. Heavy nematode infestations reduced shoot growth by more than 50%. A concentration of 100 nematodes per 300 ml. of soil may cause considerable damage. The process of infestation and symptoms of nematode attack under field and experimental conditions are discussed. In clean cultivated orchards on light sandy soils there are often large populations in the roots and very small populations in the soil but on heavier soils, the converse is true. Hoestra & Oostenbrink conclude without doubt that P. penetrans is an important cause of replant problems in orchards. H.R. W. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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