scholarly journals Growth and Yield Responses of Pot-Grown Long Bean and Luffa to Nitrogen Rates

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1145
Author(s):  
Yanlin Wang ◽  
Gabriel Maltais-Landry ◽  
Bala Rathinasabapathi ◽  
Steven A. Sargent ◽  
Guodong Liu

Optimizing nitrogen (N) input rates for vegetable production is crucial in Florida to reducing production costs and enhancing environmental sustainability. Asian vegetables emerging and expanding in Florida not only increase profit for growers, but also enhance food diversity for consumers. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the partitioning and usage of N and carbohydrates in two Asian vegetable crops: long bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.) and angled luffa (Luffa acutangular (L.) Roxb.). Four N rates (0, 0.91, 1.36, and 1.81 g N pot−1) were compared in a high tunnel trial to understand the influence of N fertilization on the two crops. For long bean, plant biomass was highest at the highest N input, and N-fertilized plants had significantly higher leaf greenness than the control at the flower initiation and mid-reproductive stages. However, N inputs had no apparent effect on yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), blade total N concentration, roots (length, volume, dry biomass, and root-to-shoot ratio), or nodules (number plant−1 and biomass). For luffa, the highest N input had significantly greater total yield, fruit number, and leaf greenness at the flower initiation and mid-reproductive stages, although there was no significant difference in shoot biomass, blade total N content, or NUE among treatments. Within the range of these N rates, our results suggest that higher N inputs promoted vegetative growth of long bean, whereas reproductive growth was promoted in luffa. This study highlights differences in the sink–source relationship of N for long bean and luffa production in high tunnel, which can guide N input decisions for these two crops that are rapidly expanding in the USA.

1991 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 416-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel I. Leskovar ◽  
Daniel J. Cantliffe ◽  
Peter J. Stoffella

Studies were conducted to evaluate growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) transplants in the field in response to age of transplants in Spring and Fall 1989. Transplants were 2 (2W), 3 (3W), 4 (4W), 5 (SW), or 6 (6W) weeks old. Drip and subseepage irrigation were used. In spring, older transplants produced more shoot and root growth up to 2 (T2) weeks after transplanting. At 3 (T3) and 4 (T4) weeks after transplanting, there were no differences between 4W, 5W, and 6W transplants. These trends were independent of irrigation systems. Total yield and early yield were similar for all transplant ages. In fall, shoot growth increased linearly with increasing transplant age at TO, but not thereafter. Chlorophyll a + b increased over time, but no treatment differences were found at T4. At planting, 2W transplants had a higher Chl a: b ratio than older transplants. This difference was reduced at T1 and T2 and became insignificant at T4. These results indicate that no improvement in yields was obtained using the traditional older transplants. Younger transplants might be used to achieve rapid seedling establishment with-minimal transplant production costs.


HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 546C-546
Author(s):  
Braja B. Datta ◽  
Ray D. William

Field experiment on production systems of `Selva' day-neutral and `Totem' June-bearing strawberry was established in 1995 on the spring-killed cover crop mulched plots using randomized complete-block design. Seven soil cover treatments consisted of `Wheeler' rye (Secale cereale) and `Micah' and `Steptoe' barley (Hordium vulgare), `Micah' residue applied on soil surface, a wedge of perlite (artificial medium) placed next to strawberry row, perlite with `Wheeler' rye, and no treatment were used. During the early summer, cover crops were replanted between strawberry rows and mowed down after 6 weeks. In both cultivars, plant growth doubled during mid-summer, and `Micah'on surface produced better growth than the growth in other treatments. No significant difference was found on CO2 assimilation rate (mmol·m–2·s–1), leaflet length, and number of leaves and runners among treatments (P ≥ 0.1). Yield of `Totem' was ignored during the establishment year. In `Selva', `Micah' residue on surface produced 36% more crowns per plant and the greatest total yield than that of any other treatment. `Micah' on surface produced 50% more shoot biomass and 45% greater yield compared to `Micah' barley planted in the plot. Total `Selva' yield was 61% greater in perlite treatment than the yield in perlite with `Wheeler' rye and 31% greater than the control treatment. Comparison of `Selva' strawberry total yield and average fruit production between cover crops vs. control treatment using non-orthogonal contrast indicated no significant difference might suggests no detrimental interaction between cover crops and strawberry.


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-335
Author(s):  
Priyadarshani Nadeeka ◽  
Thayamini Seran

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of goat manure and sugarcane molasses on the growth and yield of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) in sandy regosol. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments. The treatments included inorganic fertilizer (T1), 10 t/ha of goat manure alone (T2) and also 10 t/ha of goat manure and 50% triple superphosphate (TSP) with 1-4 t/ha of sugarcane molasses (T3-T6). The results showed that plant growth parameters (leaf length, leaf petiole length, leaf width, leaf number, fresh weight and dry weight of leaves) were significantly varied among the treatments. There was a significant difference in the diameter of beetroot among the treatments. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in fresh weight of beetroot and total plant among the treatments. Fresh weight of root yield and total yield of beetroot per plant were increased in 10 t/ha goat manure, 2 t/ha sugarcane molasses and 50% TSP (T4) and 10 t/ha goat manure, 3 t/ha sugarcane molasses and 50% TSP (T5) when compared to the control treatment (T1). The total yield of beetroot per m2 was 1,792.62 g in T4 and 1,402.68 g in T1. The root yield of beetroot was increased in T4 in comparison to T5. It can be concluded that 10 t/ha of goat manure with 2 t/ha of sugarcane molasses and 50% TSP could be applied for obtaining a high yield of beetroot in sandy regosol.


HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 672e-672
Author(s):  
Peter Bierman ◽  
Tom Wall

Inadequate N can reduce growth and yield, but excess N can be uneconomical and environmentally harmful. Our objective was to investigate the potential for using fertigation and on-farm plant-nutrient monitoring to improve the efficiency of N fertilizer use by bell peppers (Capsicum annuum L.). Two N fertilizer treatments were compared: 1) all N applied preplant and 2) one-third of the N applied preplant and the remainder injected into the drip-irrigation lines throughout the growing season. Total application rates were N at 118 kg·ha–1 for both treatments. Data were collected for total yield, marketable yield, and fruit size. Leaf and petiole samples were collected every 2 weeks and were used to monitor plant N status throughout the growing season. A Horiba/Cardy nitrate meter was used to measure nitrate concentrations in freshly-pressed petiole sap. A SPAD chlorophyll meter was used to measure leaf chlorophyll content and give an indirect measure of leaf N concentrations. Subsamples of leaves and petioles also were saved for conventional laboratory analyses. Whole (aboveground) plant samples were collected every 2 weeks, analyzed, and used to calculate differences in N accumulation. Suction cup samplers were installed at the 24-in soil depth and water samples collected every 1 to 2 weeks for nitrate analysis. Except for early in the growing season, petiole sap nitrate and leaf chlorophyll were higher in the fertigation treatment. Plant dry matter and total N accumulation also were much larger, but fertigation did not increase yield. Nitrate leaching was greater early in the season with 100% preplant N, but later in the season it was greater with fertigation. Data suggested that adequate plant N, reduced nitrate leaching, and equivalent yields are possible with fertigation at reduced N-rates compared to 100% preplant fertilizer applications.


Author(s):  
Maria Isabella Sifola ◽  
Linda Carrino ◽  
Eugenio Cozzolino ◽  
Sara Ianuario ◽  
Andrea Lucibelli ◽  
...  

SummaryNitrogen (N) fertilization of Kentucky dark fire-cured tobacco can be used to increase weight of high quality cured leaves for cigar manufacture. We conducted field experiments at 11 different locations in the province of Benevento (Southern Italy) where the following four N treatments were compared: 1) unfertilized control (N0); 2) a site-specific N rate, calculated by a N fertilization plan (NFP) based on physical and chemical soil characteristics, which ranged between 113 and 145 kg N ha−1; 3) 200 kg N ha−1 (rate commonly used by farmers, N200); 4) 100 kg N ha−1 (half of the rate commonly used by farmers, N100). Yields of the following five commercial quality categories of cured leaves were measured: i) wrappers, ii) heavy filler (Fh), iii) light filler (Fl), iv) heavy shredded (Sh) and v) light shredded (Sl). Fh cured products of B1, B4, B6 and B10 locations were analyzed for: total alkaloids, reducing sugars, chlorides, total N (Kjeldahl), ammonium-N (NH4-N), nitrate-N (NO3-N), and tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA). Color parameters: Lightness (L), Chroma (C) and Hue (H) were determined on five cured leaves / plot of both Fh and Fl types at B1, B2, B3, B6, B8 and B10. A blind evaluation of cured leaves collected across locations was conducted by a panel test who considered the main basic characteristics of cured leaves (stalk position, leaf structure, texture, etc.). The total yield of cured products increased with fertilization across locations, up to NFP treatment, without any statistically significant increase at N200 treatment. Fertilization increased yield of wrappers at B1 up to NFP treatment (113.5 kg N ha−1), without any significant increase at N200 treatment. Yield of light filler product was positively influenced by fertilization up to the maximum dose only in 5 out of 11 locations. Total alkaloids significantly increased with increasing fertilization up to 100 kg N ha−1 without any significant changes at higher N rate. Fertilization hardly increased L and C of Fl leaves, which appeared light-brown but brilliant-colored. There was a reduction in the H value of Fh products which indicated a darker tone of those leaves with respect to Fl. Increasing N rate affected production costs more than revenues. According to agronomic results, in most locations the best results in terms of net revenues were obtained by NFP treatment. Considering that N rates above the NFP would disqualify growers from the economic aids provided by EU agrienvironmental measures, by economic point of view the NFP treatment would be recommended over the current grower standard (N200).


2021 ◽  
Vol 910 (1) ◽  
pp. 012024
Author(s):  
Zahraa Nasir Sabri ◽  
Abbas Khdair Mujawal ◽  
Bassim Haleem Kshash

Abstract A field experiment was carried out in one of the plastic houses belonging to the College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim green University to Studying the possibility of cultivating cucumis melo var. flexuosus inside greenhouses to improve growth and yield using microelements and ethephon. Microelements (Zn + B) at a concentration of 250 mg/L -1 and the growth regulator Elathyphon at a concentration of (2.5, 1.5, 0) ml/L -1 were used as a spray on the shoots. A factorial experiment was applied with the split plot system and randomized complete block design (RCBD) according to the least significant difference (L.S.D) test under the significance level of 0.05. The results were as follows: The interaction between (Zn + B) had a positive and significant effect on indicators such as leaf area 206.88 dm-1, number of female flowers 22.33flower-1, and the total yield 4327 kg, the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the leaves was 0.6733, 2.691, 2.927, and the percentage of zinc and boron in the leaves was 19.626,14.282.The yield of one plant and the weight of the fruit 2575.5 g, 121.44 g, respectively. As for the interaction between Zn + B + 1.5, a significant effect on leaf area trait 239.91 Number of female flowers 26.33 flower-1, Total yield 5494 kg The percentage of PK in leaves 0.7233,3.080 and the percentage of boron in leaves 14.560 while the yield of one plant 3270.4 g


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqiao Wang ◽  
Sonja Paul ◽  
Markus Jocher ◽  
Christine Alewell ◽  
Jens Leifeld

&lt;p&gt;Drainage for agriculture has converted peatlands from a carbon sink to one of the world&amp;#8217;s major greenhouse gas (GHG) sources. In order to improve the sustainability of peatland management in agriculture, and to counteract soil subsidence, mineral soil coverage is becoming an increasingly used practice in Switzerland. Cover fills may change the GHG balance from the corresponding organic soil. To explore the effect of cover fill on soil N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emissions, we carry out a field experiment in the Swiss Rhine Valley and measure the soil &amp;#8211; borne N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O exchange from two adjacent sites: drained organic soil without mineral soil cover (DN), and drained organic soil with mineral soil cover (DC). Mineral soil material was applied 12 years ago and varies in thickness between 20 &amp;#8211; 80 cm. Both sites have the identical farming practice (intensive permanent meadow). In our experiment, an automatic chamber system is used for collecting the N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O at an interval of 3 h. Soil moisture, expressd as volumetric water content (VWC), is recorded every 10 min. After ten month (303 days) of continous measurement, the data reveal that: (1) The average N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emission from DN is higher than DC by a factor of 11 (11.24 &amp;#177; 3.46 &lt;em&gt;vs&lt;/em&gt; 0.97 &amp;#177; 0.22 mg N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O-N m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; day&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). Hence, mineral soil cover of organic soil seems to induce a strong reduction in N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emissions. (2) Exogenous N inputs (mineral N fertilizer and cow slurry) are the main drivers of N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emissions. N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O peaks occured shortly after the N application and lasted for 2 to 3 weeks before returning to background N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emission. At the DC site post N- input N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emissions accounted for 68 % of the total N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emission over the whole measurement period. An equivalent of around 1 % of the exogenous N- input was emitted as N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O. At the DN site, emission peaks after fertilization accounted for 79 % of the total N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emission, equivalent to around 13 % of the exogenous N- input. Background emissions between peak events shows no significant difference between DC (0.51&amp;#177; 0.15 mg N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O-N m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; day&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) and DN (2.73&amp;#177; 2.44 mg N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O-N m&lt;sup&gt;-2&lt;/sup&gt; day&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). The comparison of peak and background fluxes tentatively indicates that higher average emission rates from the DN site are related directly to fertilization. Finally, surface soil characteristics (soil pH, bulk density, and soil N) changed after mineral soil cover, and soil moisture content differed between sites. During the experimental period, the mean daily soil moisture from DN site (24.1 % VWC &amp;#8211; 60.18 % VWC) is higher than DC site (20.17 % VWC &amp;#8211; 51.26 % VWC). In summary, our data from this first experimental period suggest that mineral soil cover fill could strongly reduce the N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emission from drained organic soil, and may therefore be an interesting GHG mitigation option in agriculture.&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 10-23
Author(s):  
Carol Mutua ◽  
Joshua Otieno Ogweno ◽  
Robert Morwani Gesimba

Pepino melon (Solanum muricatum Ait.) is an exotic vegetable whose consumption is on the increase in Kenya due to its health and nutritional benefits. A study was conducted at Egerton University, Kenya in 2018-2019 to investigate the effect of NPK fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200. 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on growth and yield of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was recorded on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per bush, number of branches, days to 50% flowering, fruit weight and total yield. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with the SAS statistical package. Significant means were separated using Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference at p ≤ 0.05. Results indicated that NPK fertilizer rates and growing environment influenced growth and yield of pepino melon. At 100 DAP plants grown in the greenhouse and supplied with 200 kg NPK ha-1 had a stem diameter of 14.01 mm which was significantly bigger p ≤ 0.05 compared to those grown in the field and supplied with 300 kg NPK ha-1 with a stem diameter of 11.71 mm in trial two. Application of 300 kg NPK ha-1 for field grown pepino melons gave the highest yield of 1102.48 kg ha-1 and 1060.55 kg ha-1 in trial one and two respectively. In conclusion, application of 300 kg ha-1 of NPK fertilizer for field grown pepino melon is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-503
Author(s):  
Craig J. Frey ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Jeffrey K. Brecht ◽  
Dustin M. Huff ◽  
Zachary E. Black

Although grower interest in high tunnel tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production has increased in recent years, systematic high tunnel research conducted in humid, subtropical regions has been limited. The potential of tomato grafting to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses makes it complementary to high-value production systems in high tunnels. In this 2-year study, grafted vs. nongrafted organic tomato production in high tunnels and open fields was investigated to determine possible synergistic effects of these two technologies. In 2016, high tunnels resulted in a significant increase of total and marketable yields, by 43% and 87%, respectively, over open field production. Grafting also significantly increased total and marketable yields over nongrafted plants by 34% and 42%, respectively. Cultivar effects demonstrated greater benefits with the implementation of high tunnel and grafting technologies for ‘Tribute’ (a beefsteak-type tomato) than for ‘Garden Gem’ (a plum-type tomato), as the increase in marketable yield was 33% greater for ‘Tribute’ in high tunnels and 45% greater for ‘Tribute’ with grafting. In 2017, a delayed effective transplanting date and the lack of high tunnel summer season extension produced results that were generally cultivar specific. While grafting increased the total yield of both cultivars (by 18%), marketable yield was increased by grafting only for ‘Tribute’ in high tunnels (by 42%). Additionally, high tunnels improved marketable yield of ‘Tribute’ by 129% but had no effect on ‘Garden Gem’. This demonstrated the consistent trend of the beefsteak-type tomato benefiting more from the combination of high tunnel and grafting technologies than the plum-type tomato. High tunnels reduced fruit decay and cracking by up to 71% compared with open field production. Stink bug (Pentatomidae) damage had the greatest impact on marketable yields each season, reaching 13% and 34% of total yields in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and was unaffected by high tunnel production or grafting. This study revealed the benefits of integrating high tunnel and grafting technologies for enhancing organic production of fresh-market tomato in the humid subtropics, and demonstrated more research is warranted to establish regional planting dates and further optimize this high-value cropping system.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Izdzuan bin Mohamad Khair ◽  
Elisa Azura Azman ◽  
Roslan Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Naim Fadzli Abdul Rani

Abstract A study was conducted at MARDI Seberang Perai, Penang. This study aims to examine Azolla pinnata on the growth and performance of the MR 297 variety. The experiment consisted of five treatments; PK + Azolla (T1); NP + Azolla (T2); NK + Azolla (T3); NPK-Control (T4), and Azolla only (T5). Each treatment has four replications. The experimental design used was a complete randomized block design (RCBD), and all data collected were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with a statistically significant 0.05% test. For the average soil analysis between the beginning and end, all soil analyses showed decreased soil properties except Total N (%) and organic carbon (%). Treatment has a significant influence on the tiller number, the number of panicles, and the yield per pot. There is a significant influence on treatment on plant height and SPAD value in crop growth performance. There was no significant effect on N and P in plant nutrients. In contrast, there was a significant treatment effect on K. This study showed that Azolla could be used as an alternative fertilizer on rice fields because the soil treated with NK + Azolla shows a comparable result with soil treated with inorganic fertilizer without Azolla on the total yield.


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