scholarly journals LED Lighting and High-Density Planting Enhance the Cost-Efficiency of Halimione portulacoides Extraction Units for Integrated Aquaculture

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4995
Author(s):  
Marco Custódio ◽  
Paulo Cartaxana ◽  
Sebastián Villasante ◽  
Ricardo Calado ◽  
Ana Isabel Lillebø

Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants that can be used to extract dissolved inorganic nutrients from saline aquaculture effluents under a production framework commonly known as Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen (common name: sea purslane) is an edible saltmarsh halophyte traditionally consumed by humans living near coastal wetlands and is considered a promising extractive species for IMTA. To better understand its potential for IMTA applications, the present study investigates how artificial lighting and plant density affect its productivity and capacity to extract nitrogen and phosphorous in hydroponic conditions that mimic aquaculture effluents. Plant growth was unaffected by the type of artificial lighting employed—white fluorescent lights vs. blue-white LEDs—but LED systems were more energy-efficient, with a 17% reduction in light energy costs. Considering planting density, high-density units of 220 plants m−2 produced more biomass per unit of area (54.0–56.6 g m−2 day−1) than did low-density units (110 plants m−2; 34.4–37.1 g m−2 day−1) and extracted more dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus. Overall, H. portulacoides can be easily cultivated hydroponically using nutrient-rich saline effluents, where LEDs can be employed as an alternative to fluorescent lighting and high-density planting can promote higher yields and extraction efficiencies.

1979 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 629-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Day ◽  
R. J. Roughley ◽  
J. F. Witty

SUMMARYVicia faba cv. Minden was planted at densities ranging from 6 to 98 plants/m2. Nitrogen was applied to the soil as split dressings or as a foliar spray. CO2 concentration in the canopy was increased in some plots to 0·22% for 3 weeks during the early pod-filling stage.Yield and number of seeds per plant varied inversely with plant spacing between 9 and 98 plants/m2. Mean seed weight increased up to 13 plants/m2 and then remained constant between 13 and 98 plants/m2. Yield/ha was unaffected by plant density above 18 plants/m2.Application of 200 kg N/ha as ‘Nitro-Chalk’ (mixture of NH4NO3 and CaCO3) to the soil as split dressings did not affect yield or its components but 80 kg N/ha as urea applied in four foliar sprays increased yield by 361 kg/ha (8·6%). Recovery of the labelled nitrogen in the grain varied from 28% when applied during vegetative growth to 8% when applied in the reproductive phase and 15% in the foliar spray.The highest yield (5·12 t/ha) was obtained by supplementary CO2. The results suggest that there is no advantage in applying fertilizer nitrogen to well-nodulated spring beans.


Author(s):  
Eunice L. Lluz ◽  
Madelyn Yruma

A Cost and return analysis of small scale production of Brassica napus L. varchinensis (Pechay) production using different methods of cultivation was evaluated based on the growth and yield performance of Brassica napus L. varchinensis (Pechay) from field trial. An experiment was undertaken involving four treatments with two methods of planting and two levels of plant density and layed out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with replications.  Results showed that the survival rate and growth of Brassica napus L. varchinensis (Pechay) based on the actual number of plants, transplanted plant with high density plants was significantly higher compared to other treatments indicating that transplanted Pechay at high density planting is favorable than other methods. The fresh weight of Pechay after 30 days of cultivation using direct seeding (T1 and T2) was significantly higher compared to T3 and T4.  Partial cost and return analysis in direct seeded Pechay at high planting density were the most profitable while transplanting Pechay seedling at low density planting was the least profitable.


Author(s):  
Guotao Yang ◽  
Xuechun Wang ◽  
Farhan Nabi ◽  
Hongni Wang ◽  
Changkun Zhao ◽  
...  

AbstractThe architecture of rice plant represents important and complex agronomic traits, such as panicles morphology, which directly influence the microclimate of rice population and consequently grain yield. To enhance yield, modification of plant architecture to create new hybrid cultivars is considered a sustainable approach. The current study includes an investigation of yield and microclimate response index under low to high plant density of two indica hybrid rice R498 (curved panicles) and R499 (erect panicles), from 2017 to 2018. The split-plot design included planting densities of 11.9–36.2 plant/m2. The results showed that compared with R498, R499 produced a higher grain yield of 8.02–8.83 t/ha at a higher planting density of 26.5–36.2 plant/m2. The response index of light intensity and relative humidity to the planting density of R499 was higher than that of R498 at the lower position of the rice population. However, the response index of temperature to the planting density of R499 was higher at the upper position (0.2–1.4%) than at the lower position. Compared with R498, R499 at a high planting density developed lower relative humidity (78–88%) and higher light intensity (9900–15,916 lx) at the lower position of the rice population. Our finding suggests that erect panicles are highly related to grain yield microclimatic contributors under a highly dense rice population, such as light intensity utilization, humidity, and temperature. The application of erect panicle rice type provides a potential strategy for yield improvement by increasing microclimatic conditions in rice.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Wanying Chen ◽  
Bo Jia ◽  
Junyu Chen ◽  
Yujiao Feng ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
...  

The mutual shading among individual field-grown maize plants resulting from high planting density inevitably reduces leaf photosynthesis, while regulating the photosynthetic transport chain has a strong impact on photosynthesis. However, the effect of high planting density on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in maize currently remains unclear. In this study, we simultaneously measured prompt chlorophyll a fluorescence (PF), modulated 820 nm reflection (MR) and delayed chlorophyll a fluorescence (DF) in order to investigate the effect of high planting density on the photosynthetic electron transport chain in two maize hybrids widely grown in China. PF transients demonstrated a gradual reduction in their signal amplitude with increasing planting density. In addition, high planting density induced positive J-step and G-bands of the PF transients, reduced the values of PF parameters PIABS, RC/CSO, TRO/ABS, ETO/TRO and REO/ETO, and enhanced ABS/RC and N. MR kinetics showed an increase of their lowest point with increasing high planting density, and thus the values of MR parameters VPSI and VPSII-PSI were reduced. The shapes of DF induction and decay curves were changed by high planting density. In addition, high planting density reduced the values of DF parameters I1, I2, L1 and L2, and enhanced I2/I1. These results suggested that high planting density caused harm on multiple components of maize photosynthetic electron transport chain, including an inactivation of PSII RCs, a blocked electron transfer between QA and QB, a reduction in PSI oxidation and re-reduction activities, and an impaired PSI acceptor side. Moreover, a comparison between PSII and PSI activities demonstrated the greater effect of plant density on the former.


2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Tao Lu ◽  
Hans W. Paerl ◽  
Yiling Chen ◽  
Zhenyan Zhang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The frequency and intensity of cyanobacterial blooms are increasing worldwide. Interactions between toxic cyanobacteria and aquatic microorganisms need to be critically evaluated to understand microbial drivers and modulators of the blooms. In this study, we applied 16S/18S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics analyses to measure the microbial community composition and metabolic responses of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in a coculture system receiving dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (DIP) close to representative concentrations in Lake Taihu, China. M. aeruginosa secreted alkaline phosphatase using a DIP source produced by moribund and decaying microorganisms when the P source was insufficient. During this process, M. aeruginosa accumulated several intermediates in energy metabolism pathways to provide energy for sustained high growth rates and increased intracellular sugars to enhance its competitive capacity and ability to defend itself against microbial attack. It also produced a variety of toxic substances, including microcystins, to inhibit metabolite formation via energy metabolism pathways of aquatic microorganisms, leading to a negative effect on bacterial and eukaryotic microbial richness and diversity. Overall, compared with the monoculture system, the growth of M. aeruginosa was accelerated in coculture, while the growth of some cooccurring microorganisms was inhibited, with the diversity and richness of eukaryotic microorganisms being more negatively impacted than those of prokaryotic microorganisms. These findings provide valuable information for clarifying how M. aeruginosa can potentially modulate its associations with other microorganisms, with ramifications for its dominance in aquatic ecosystems. IMPORTANCE We measured the microbial community composition and metabolic responses of Microcystis aeruginosa in a microcosm coculture system receiving dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (DIP) close to the average concentrations in Lake Taihu. In the coculture system, DIP is depleted and the growth and production of aquatic microorganisms can be stressed by a lack of DIP availability. M. aeruginosa could accelerate its growth via interactions with specific cooccurring microorganisms and the accumulation of several intermediates in energy metabolism-related pathways. Furthermore, M. aeruginosa can decrease the carbohydrate metabolism of cooccurring aquatic microorganisms and thus disrupt microbial activities in the coculture. This also had a negative effect on bacterial and eukaryotic microbial richness and diversity. Microcystin was capable of decreasing the biomass of total phytoplankton in aquatic microcosms. Overall, compared to the monoculture, the growth of total aquatic microorganisms is inhibited, with the diversity and richness of eukaryotic microorganisms being more negatively impacted than those of prokaryotic microorganisms. The only exception is M. aeruginosa in the coculture system, whose growth was accelerated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Ladaniya ◽  
R. A. Marathe ◽  
A. A. Murkute ◽  
A. D. Huchche ◽  
A. K. Das ◽  
...  

AbstractHigh density planting system i.e. accommodating a higher number of plants than routine in a given area is an innovative agro-technology to increase yield and thereby early net returns. Due to conventional wide spacing plantation in Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), the land remains unutilized as the plant canopy gradually increases over the years. In the present study, Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) budded on Rangpur lime rootstock was evaluated under six different planting spacings. It was observed that the organic carbon (1.10–1.82%) and major nutrients viz. N (309–430 kg ha−1), P (20–54 kg ha−1) and K (291–810 kg ha−1) increased vis-à-vis plant density and was highest under 2 × 2 m spacing. Plants were tallest at 2 × 2 m spacing with the higher PAR interception (88.2) and the lowest leaf area index (1.09). Fruit yield on area basis, under 2 × 2 m spacing was 26, 7.1, 4.6 times more as compared to conventional plantation during the first, second and third year, respectively. At fifth year of crop harvest, the highest B:C ratio (6.36) was recorded in 6 × 3 m followed by 4 × 2 m and 2 × 2 m.


1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1504-1514 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Joan Hardy ◽  
Ken S. Shortreed ◽  
John G. Stockner

Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were applied weekly during the growing season from 1980 to 1982 and twice weekly in 1983 to Hobiton Lake, a warm monomictic coastal lake in British Columbia. The lake was not fertilized in 1984. Average numbers of bacteria during the growing season decreased from a high of 1.53 × 106∙mL−1 in the fertilized condition to 0.84 × 106∙mL−1 in the unfertilized condition. Chlorophyll a concentrations decreased from a maximum seasonal average of 2.69 μg∙L−1 (1981) to 1.30 μg∙L−1 (1984), and algal numbers decreased from 5.83 × 104∙mL−1 (1983) to 2.29 × 104∙mL−1 (1984). Although the numbers of phytoplankton in each size fraction (picoplankton, nanoplankton, or microplankton) decreased in the unfertilized condition, the greatest change was an almost fourfold decrease in picoplankton, which consisted of 90% cyanobacteria (primarily Synechococcus spp.). Abundance of the large diatoms Rhizosolenia spp. and Melosira spp. increased in 1984, resulting in an increase in average seasonal algal volume. Average densities of medium (0.15–0.84 mm) and large (0.85–1.5 mm) zooplankton were greatest in 1982, while rotifers and small zooplankton (0.10–0.14 mm) were most dense in 1984 following nutrient reduction. The lake had relatively high concentrations of planktivorous juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) that appeared to minimize any direct effect of nutrient additions on zooplankton densities.


2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Y. Allam ◽  
G. R. El-Nagar ◽  
A. H. Galal

This investigation was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Assiut University during the summers of 2000 and 2001 to study the responses of two sunflower hybrids (Vidoc and Euroflora) to planting dates (May 1st, June 1st and July 1st) and planting densities (55,533, 83,300 and 166,600 plants/ha). The results indicated that the two varieties differed highly significantly in all studied traits except oil yield/ha. The highest seed yield (3.64 t/ha) was obtained with the variety Vidoc. In addition, the results revealed that the planting date exerted a highly significant influence on all vegetative growth traits along with yield and its components. Increasing plant density increased the seed and oil yield/ha. By contrast, the stem diameter, head diameter, 100-seed weight and seed yield/plant decreased with increasing plant density. The interaction between varieties and plant density had a highly significant effect on head diameter. The greatest head diameter (20.06 cm) was recorded for the variety Vidoc planted at lower density. Concerning the interaction between planting density and planting date, the highest seed yield (4.47 t/ha) was obtained from dense plants at the early sowing date, and the highest oil % (45.32) at the late planting date and the lowest plant density. The second order interaction exerted a highly significant influence on stem and head diameter in addition to seed yield/plant, where the highest value (78.13 g/plant) was obtained with the variety Vidoc planted on May 1st at the lowest plant density.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 3831-3849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharine J. Crawfurd ◽  
Santiago Alvarez-Fernandez ◽  
Kristina D. A. Mojica ◽  
Ulf Riebesell ◽  
Corina P. D. Brussaard

Abstract. Ocean acidification resulting from the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) by the ocean is considered a major threat to marine ecosystems. Here we examined the effects of ocean acidification on microbial community dynamics in the eastern Baltic Sea during the summer of 2012 when inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were strongly depleted. Large-volume in situ mesocosms were employed to mimic present, future and far future CO2 scenarios. All six groups of phytoplankton enumerated by flow cytometry ( <  20 µm cell diameter) showed distinct trends in net growth and abundance with CO2 enrichment. The picoeukaryotic phytoplankton groups Pico-I and Pico-II displayed enhanced abundances, whilst Pico-III, Synechococcus and the nanoeukaryotic phytoplankton groups were negatively affected by elevated fugacity of CO2 (fCO2). Specifically, the numerically dominant eukaryote, Pico-I, demonstrated increases in gross growth rate with increasing fCO2 sufficient to double its abundance. The dynamics of the prokaryote community closely followed trends in total algal biomass despite differential effects of fCO2 on algal groups. Similarly, viral abundances corresponded to prokaryotic host population dynamics. Viral lysis and grazing were both important in controlling microbial abundances. Overall our results point to a shift, with increasing fCO2, towards a more regenerative system with production dominated by small picoeukaryotic phytoplankton.


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