Effect of Vermicompost on Growth, Plant Nutrient Uptake and Bioactivity of Ex Vitro Pineapple (Ananas comosus var. MD2)

Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich organic waste produced from earthworms that is beneficial in enhancing the soil condition and has been reported to aid in improving the crop yield and quality. In the present study, a field trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates to elucidate the effects of vermicompost application (compared to supplementation with chemical fertilizer and no fertilizer) on the productivity of ex vitro MD2 pineapple plants. Vermicompost was applied on the sandy loam soils at transplanting followed by a second application at 7 months after planting (MAP) at the rate of 10 t·ha−1, while chemical fertilizer was applied based on the recommended cultivation practice. Data analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between the plants treated with vermicompost and chemical fertilizer in terms of the plant height, number of leaves, length and width of D-leaves, stomatal density and stomatal size. However, the fruits produced with vermicompost amendment were smaller in size but contained higher total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total solids, ascorbic acid and total chlorophyll content compared to the fruits produced from plants supplied with chemical fertilizer. Based on the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays, the methanolic fruit extracts from the control plants showed the highest antioxidant potential, followed by those of plants treated with vermicompost and chemical fertilizer. On the other hand, the application of vermicompost reduced soil acidity and produced macro- and micronutrient contents (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, Fe, Zn, B and Al) in the soil and plants that were comparable to or higher than those produced by the chemical fertilizer treatment. However, some of the nutrient contents observed in all treatments were lower than the recommended range for pineapple plant growth, suggesting that vermicompost or chemical fertilizer should not be used alone as a source of nutrients for ex vitro MD2 pineapple plants under these soil and field conditions. However, vermicompost can be used as a supplement to increase the fruit chemical quality and maintain the soil quality for agricultural sustainability.

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Quality of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Due to Grafting in Solanaceae of Different Species

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v11n3p188 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 188

Author(s):

João Lucas Moraes Vieira ◽

Rogério Eiji Hanada

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Tomato Fruit ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Tomato Cultivar ◽

Tomato Crop ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Four Blocks

The present work had as objective to evaluate the physical-chemical characteristics of commercial tomato fruits grafted on different solanaceous species. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a randomized complete block design, with four blocks and six treatments, being the rootstocks: cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum); two cultivars of eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum), Long Light Green and Big Hill; jurubebão (Solanum lycocarpum) and jurubeba juna (Solanum stramonifolium), grafted with the tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada, and the control treatment was represented by the self-grafted tomato. Three consecutive harvests were spaced seven days after the production stabilization, and the characteristics fruits analyzed were Total Soluble Solids (ºBrix), pH, Titratable Acidity (percentage of citric acid) and TSS/TA. A statistically significant difference was found in the Tukey’s test at 5% probability in the titratable acidity, pH and fruit pulp flavor, among the evaluated treatments, while the soluble solids content did not differ between treatments in any of the harvests, but the values remained within the considered adequate for the tomato in natura in the current literature. There was a decrease in fruit flavor in all treatments, and fruit pH drop in all treatments with the exception of jurubebão, with the advancement of plant age, while the titratable acidity had an inverse behavior. The evaluated rootstocks can be used in the tomato crop, without prejudice to the quality of the tomato fruit produced.

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Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on yield and quality of processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.)

Folia Horticulturae ◽

10.2478/fhort-2018-0027 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 321-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dimitrios Bilalis ◽

Magdalini Krokida ◽

Ioannis Roussis ◽

Panayiota Papastylianou ◽

Ilias Travlos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Soluble Solids ◽

Processing Tomato ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Lycopene Content ◽

Organically Grown

Abstract The demand for organically grown products is increasing because many people are concerned about the environment and believe that organic products are healthier than conventional ones. Some studies have shown that organically produced tomato fruits contain higher levels of antioxidants, polyphenols and carotenoids than those produced conventionally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of organic and inorganic fertilization on agronomic and quality characteristics of the processing tomato. The 2-year experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with three replications and three fertilization treatments (untreated, compost and inorganic fertilizer). The results showed that the highest fruit number per plant (98.5), average fruit weight (63.6 g) and fruit yield (168.0 t ha−1) were obtained under inorganic fertilization. The highest total soluble solids (4.39 °Brix) and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (17.4), L* (43.4) and a* (35.4) values, as well as the highest lycopene content (88.5 mg kg−1 f.w). were achieved through the application of organic fertilizer. Significantly higher total soluble solids and total soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio in organically grown tomatoes are particularly important to the processing tomato industry. Finally, the highest lycopene content produced under organic fertilization as well as the non-significant difference between the organic and conventional tomatoes in terms of lycopene yield make organic processing tomatoes suitable for lycopene production.

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Effect of inorganic fertilizer dose and vermicompost on growth and yield of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. Lalit

International Journal of Agricultural Invention ◽

10.46492/ijai/2017.2.2.12 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (02) ◽

pp. 174-180

Author(s):

Pratima Gupta ◽

Monseng N Sangma

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Cost Benefit ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Fruit Weight ◽

Research Field ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Inorganic Fertilizer ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Maximum Increase

The experiment was conducted on two years old guava at Research Field, Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Allahabad, during the year 2016-2017. It was laid out in Randomized Block Design (R.B.D) with 4 replications and 11 treatments. The treatments included different levels of inorganic fertilizer and vermicompost. The maximum increase in plant height (155.71 cm), number of branches (25.23), canopy spread E-W direction (101.88 cm) and N-S direction (104.88 cm), was obtained with the application of T10 [50% RDN through chemical fertilizer +50% RDN through vermicompost (100:50:50 g NPK+1kg vermicompost)]. Maximum number of flowers/plant (18.25), fruit set (48.42%), fruit length (7.57 cm), fruit diameter (7.78 cm), volume of fruit (118cm3) and specific gravity (1.14 g/ml), were recorded with the application of T10 (50% RDN through chemical fertilizer +50% RDN through vermicompost), which was superior as compared to other treatments taken under present study. The maximum average fruit weight (128g) and number of fruits per plant (8.53) as well as significant highest yield per plant (959.14g) were obtained with the application of 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer+50% RDN through vermicompost (T10). The maximum total soluble solids (12.040Brix), ascorbic acid (180.89mg/100 g pulp) and minimum titratable acidity (0.51%) were recorded with the soil placement of 50% RDN through chemical fertilizer +50% RDN through vermicompost (T10), which was superior and economically viable as compare to other treatments with a maximum cost benefit (C:B) ratio of (1: 1.04).

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EVALUATION OF YIELD, YIELD COMPONENTS AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL AND QUALITATIVE TRAITS OF CORN AFFECTED BY CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL NITROGEN FERTILIZERS

Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Hortorum Cultus ◽

10.24326/asphc.2019.1.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 3-12

Author(s):

Sajad Kordi ◽

Fardin Ghanbari

Keyword(s):

Yield Components ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Block Design ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Research Station ◽

Area Index ◽

Qualitative Traits ◽

Significant Difference

In order to evaluate the yield, yield components and some physiological and qualitative traits of corn treated with nitrogen fertilizers (biological, chemical and integrated), a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Khorramabad during 2016 growing season. Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design with four replications. Experimental treatments consisted of 100% chemical fertilizer (urea), bio-fertilizer (nitroxin), integration of bio-fertilizer + 25% chemical fertilizer, integration of bio-fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer, integration of bio-fertilizer + 75% chemical fertilizer and the control. Results showed that the effect of different treatments of fertilizers on all measured traits, except for number of rows in each ear and carotenoids, was significant. The results indicated that integration of bio-fertilizer + 75% chemical fertilizer affected the highest grain yield (9.31 t ha–1), dry biological yield (20.96 t ha–1), number of kernels in each row (41.67), plant height (201.02 cm), hectoliter weight (0.82 g cm–3), chlorophyll b (0.43 mg g–1 FW), total chlorophyll (1.1 mg g–1 FW) and leaf area index (LAI) (4) and there was no significant difference among this treatment and 100% chemical fertilizer (N) and integration of bio-fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer treatments in all measured traits. The greatest harvest index (45.8) and grain protein-content (9.1%) resulted from the integration of biofertilizer+ 50% chemical fertilizer treatment. Also the highest 1000-grains weight (281.13 g) and chlorophyll a (0.66 mg g–1 FW) were caused by 100% chemical fertilizer (urea) treatments. Results showed that integration of bio-fertilizer + chemical fertilizer could be considered as a means to reduce the consumption of chemical fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

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Effect of Vermicompost Amendment on Nutritional Status of Sandy Loam Soil, Growth Performance, and Yield of Pineapple (Ananas comosus var. MD2) under Field Conditions

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy8090183 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mawiyah Mahmud ◽

Rosazlin Abdullah ◽

Jamilah Yaacob

Keyword(s):

Growth Performance ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Plant Nutrients ◽

Sandy Loam Soil ◽

Field Conditions ◽

Ananas Comosus ◽

Total N ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Loam Soil

Vermicompost is the product of composting or breaking down organic matter through the use of earthworms. It is rich in essential plant nutrients, and has the ability to enhance the condition and increase the quality of the soil. In the present study, a field trial was conducted from January 2015 until March 2016 to elucidate the effects of vermicompost application (compared to supplementation with chemical fertilizer and no fertilizer) on the sandy loam soil and plant nutrients of pineapple (Ananas comosus var. MD2). The morphophysiology and yield performance of MD2 pineapple grown with vermicompost in the field were also evaluated. In this study, vermicompost was applied onto the sandy loam soils during transplanting, followed by a second application at seven MAP (months after planting) at the rate of 10 t ha−1. On the other hand, the chemical fertilizer was applied based on the normal conventional cultivation practice. The soil and D-leaf samples at six MAP (S1) and during the red bud stage (S2; 10 MAP) were used to determine the soil and plant nutrient contents. The morphology of the plants was evaluated every month, and the fruits that were produced were subjected to quality analysis. Data analysis revealed that soil pH was increased after a second supplementation of vermicompost and contained significantly higher total N (0.15%) in the soils compared to the control (0.07%). There was no significant difference between plants supplied with chemical fertilizer and vermicompost in terms of plant height, number of leaves, or the length and width of D-leaves. However, different fertilization treatments were found to affect the yield and physical characteristics of the resulting fruits. Plants supplied with chemical fertilizer produced the highest fruit yield (136.97 t ha−1) with the largest fruit size, followed by vermicompost (121.39 t ha−1) and the control (94.93 t ha−1). However, fruits supplied with vermicompost were observed to have the smallest crowns. Taken together, these results indicated that the use of vermicompost produced pineapple plants with excellent growth performance, comparable to that obtained when chemical fertilizer was used. Also, based on the cost analysis conducted, it was shown that the total cost (fertilizer and labor) for plants grown with vermicompost was lower than plants grown with chemical fertilizer. However, the usage of vermicompost as the single source of nutrients is not suggested for this type of soil and field conditions, but can be used as a supplement to maintain the soil quality and ensure agricultural sustainability.

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Effect of Bio and Organic Fertilizers on Pumpkin's (Cucurbita pepo L.) Leave Content of N, P, and K

Al-Qadisiyah Journal For Agriculture Sciences (QJAS) (P-ISSN 2077-5822 E-ISSN 2617-1479) ◽

10.33794/qjas.vol10.iss1.104 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 241-245

Author(s):

Ammar Hameed Madi ◽

Jawad A. Kamal Al-Shibani

Keyword(s):

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Block Design ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Flowering Stage ◽

College Of Agriculture ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Loam Soil ◽

Four Levels

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of bacterial bio-fertilization A. chroococcum and P. putide and four levels of compost (0, 1, 2, 3) tons.h-1 on the leaves content of N.P.K elements. The experiment was carried out in one of the greenhouses of the College of Agriculture - University of Al-Qadisiyah during fall season 2018-2019. It designed in accordance with the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates in sandy loam soil. The means of treatments were compared with the least significant difference (LSD) at (5)% probability level. The results present that the treatments of A. chroococcum, P. putide and compost at (3) tons.kg-1 significantly increases the leaves content of K.P.K compared to all other treatments in the flowering stage (4.970, 0.5000, and 4.930) mg.kg-1, respectively. This treatment was followed by the effect of the treatment of A. chroococcum and compost at (3) tons.kg-1, which increases the values of all traits except the leaf content of (P). Bio-fertilizer with P. putide + A. chroococcum significantly increases the leaves' content of P.

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Can Sustained Deficit Irrigation Save Water and Meet the Quality Characteristics of Mango?

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050448 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 448

Author(s):

Leontina Lipan ◽

Aarón A. Carbonell-Pedro ◽

Belén Cárceles Rodríguez ◽

Víctor Hugo Durán-Zuazo ◽

Dionisio Franco Tarifa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Irrigation Water ◽

Deficit Irrigation ◽

Block Design ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Drought Tolerant ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Peel Color

Mango is one of the most cultivated tropical fruits worldwide and one of few drought-tolerant plants. Thus, in this study the effect of a sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) strategy on mango yield and quality was assessed with the aim of reducing irrigation water in mango crop. A randomized block design with four treatments was developed: (i) full irrigation (FI), assuring the crop’s water needs, and three levels of SDI receiving 75%, 50%, and 33% of irrigation water (SDI75, SDI50, and SDI33). Yield, morphology, color, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), organic acids (OA), sugars, minerals, fiber, antioxidant activity (AA), and total phenolic content (TPC) were analyzed. The yield was reduced in SDI conditions (8%, 11%, and 20% for SDI75, SDI50, and SDI33, respectively), but the irrigation water productivity was higher in all SDI regimes. SDI significantly reduced the mango size, with SDI33 generating the smallest mangoes. Peel color significantly changed after 13 days of ripening, with SDI75 being the least ripe. The TA, AA, and citric acid were higher in SDI75, while the TPC and fiber increased in all SDI levels. Consequently, SDI reduced the mango size but increased the functionality of samples, without a severe detrimental effect on the yield.

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Substitution of Chemical Fertilizer Using Natural Hormone and Cow Biourine On Growth and Yield of Shallot (Allium Cepa L.)

Proceeding International Conference on Science and Engineering ◽

10.14421/icse.v3.466 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 43-47

Author(s):

Lagiman ◽

Ihvan Mei Nugraha ◽

Ami Suryawati ◽

Supono Budi Sutoto

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Coconut Water ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Control Group ◽

Fertilizer Treatment ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Natural Hormone ◽

Stem Extract ◽

Banana Stem

The use of natural hormone of sprout extract, coconut water, and banana stem extract and application of cow biourine has been introduced as an innovation to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers to increase the productivity of shallot. This study aims to compare the growth and yield of shallot with chemical fertilizer treatment and that of shallot treated with combination of natural hormone and cow biourine. The study was conducted in Temon Wetan, Temon, Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta using a Complete Randomized Block Design, which consists of two factors and one control (chemical fertilizer). The first factor is a natural hormone: sprout extract, banana stem extract and coconut water. The second factor is the concentration of cow biourine: 30%, 40%, and 50%. Data were analyzed using diversity at 5% level, Orthogonal Contras at 5% level and DMRT Test with 5% level. It was revealed that the control group with a combined treatments was not significantly different from the growth and yield of shallot of the group with chemical fertilizers. Types of treatments with natural hormone and cow biourine concentrations provided the same growth and yield as that of chemical fertilizer.

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Productivity, quality of fruits and architecture of Jalapeño pepper at different planting densities

Horticultura Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-053620190312 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 331-337

Author(s):

Carlos Francisco Ragassi ◽

Juliana Zucolotto ◽

Lucas M Gomes ◽

Cláudia SC Ribeiro ◽

Nuno Rodrigo Madeira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Plant Architecture ◽

Block Design ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Randomized Complete Block Design ◽

Total Titratable Acidity ◽

Second Year ◽

Increase In Productivity

ABSTRACT Mechanizing the harvest of Jalapeño pepper involves changes in the production system. Spacings between plants in rows (10 to 40 cm; 60 cm fixed between rows) were evaluated in relation to plant architecture, productivity and fruit quality of cultivar BRS Sarakura during three years, in a randomized complete block design with five replicates. Productivity (41.9 to 78.8 t ha-1) and plant height (40.1 to 47.3 cm) responded linearly to density; on the other hand, productivity per plant responded negatively (0.48 to 1.04 kg plant-1). The stem first bifurcation height was little influenced. Fruit chemical analyses were carried out in the second year of the experiment; spacing significantly influenced pH (5.36 to 4.84), total titratable acidity (TTA) (0.48 to 0.36%) and total soluble solids (TSS)/TTA ratio (11.5 to 15.6); no influence on TSS (5.65%) was noticed, though. The increase of plant population provided an increase in productivity without affecting fruit quality; the highest height of the first bifurcation achieved may not be enough to enable mechanized harvesting of the cultivar BRS Sarakura.

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Yield and soil insect resistance in sweet potato clones

Bioscience Journal ◽

10.14393/bj-v35n6a2019-42452 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Daiane da Silva Nóbrega ◽

José Ricardo Peixoto ◽

Michelle Souza Vilela ◽

Anne Kelly da Silva Nóbrega ◽

Elaine Caetano Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sweet Potato ◽

Ipomoea Batatas ◽

Starch Content ◽

Block Design ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Root Yield ◽

Pests And Diseases ◽

Soil Insects

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a rustic horticultural crop with high production potential. However, the crop is susceptible to many pests and diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate 10 genotypes of sweet potato regarding their yield and resistance to soil insects, under Brazilian cerrado soil conditions. Genotypes were selected from the Sweet Potato Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Hortaliças. The experiment was conducted at Água Limpa Farm, belonging to University of Brasilia (UnB), and consisted of a randomized block design, with 10 treatments (genotypes), 10 plants per plot, and four replications. The following traits were analyzed: number of perforations per root, incidence of roots injured by insects, plant resistance degree, root shape, total and marketable root yields, root peel color, root pulp color, pulp total soluble solids, pulp titratable acidity, pulp TSS/TA ratio, pulp moisture, and pulp starch yield. Genotype CNPH 53 (26.78 t ha-1) presented total root yield greater than the commercial variety Brazlândia Rosada (17.54 t ha-1). Genotype Santa Sofia (11.77 t ha-1) and Brazlândia (13.5 t ha-1) had similar marketable root yields. CNPH 53 showed the best agronomic performance, exhibiting moderate susceptibility to soil insects and root shape meeting the market standards. It also had low pulp TA (2.53%); high pulp TSS (12.25 °Brix) and pulp TSS/AT ratio (4.24); pulp moisture content close to 70%; and the highest pulp starch content (11.98%). The traits number of perforations per root, root shape, and pulp TA presented heritability values close to 70%. Marketable root yield, pulp moisture, and pulp starch content demonstrated heritability values greater than 90% and CVG/CVE greater than 1.

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