Seed Germination and Seedling Growth on Knitted Fabrics as New Substrates for Hydroponic Systems

Vertical farming is one of the suggested avenues for producing food for the growing world population. Concentrating the cultivation of crops such as herbs in large indoor farms makes food production susceptible to technical, biological or other problems that might destroy large amounts of food at once. Thus, there is a trend towards locally, self-sufficient food production in vertical systems on a small scale. Our study examined whether conventional knitted fabrics, such as patches of worn jackets, can be used for hydroponics instead of the specialized nonwoven materials used in large-scale indoor systems. To this end, seed germination and seedling growth of 14 different crop plant species on knitted fabrics with three different stitch sizes were compared. Our results showed that hydroponic culture on knitted fabrics are indeed possible and allow for growing a broad spectrum of plant species, suggesting recycling of old textile fabrics for this purpose. Among the 14 plant species studied, differences in germination success, average fresh and dry masses, as well as water contents were found, but these parameters were not affected by knitted fabric stitch size.

Download Full-text

Effects of hydrogel amendment on water storage of sandy loam and loam soils and seedling growth of barley, wheat and chickpea

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/4059-pse ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 10) ◽

pp. 463-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

J. Akhter ◽

K. Mahmood ◽

K.A. Malik ◽

A. Mardan ◽

M. Ahmad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Field Capacity ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Hordeum Vulgare L ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Available Water

The hydrogel amendments may improve seedling growth and establishment by increasing water retention capacity of soils and regulating the plants available water supplies, particularly under arid environments. The effects of different levels of a locally prepared hydrogel were studied on the moisture properties of sandy loam and loam soils (fine-loamy, mixed, hyperthermic Typic Haplargids, USDA, Luvic Yermosol, FAO) and on growth response of three plant species, viz. barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Water absorption by gel was rapid and highest in distilled water and was inhibited by an increase in water salinity. The addition of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% hydrogel increased the moisture retention (θr) at field capacity linearly (r = 0.988) and thus the amount of plant available water significantly in both sandy loam and loam soils compared to the untreated soils. Seed germination of wheat and barley was not affected but seedling growth of both species was improved by the gel amendment. In loam soil, seed germination of chickpea was higher with 0.2% gel and seedling growth increased with increase in gel level compared with control conditions. The hydrogel amendment caused a delay by 4–5 days in wilting of seedlings grown in both soils compared with control conditions. The hydrogel amendment was effective in improving soil moisture availability and thus increased plant establishment. However, the varied responses of plant species in sandy loam and loam soils warrant further studies on the behaviour of different soil types with gel amendments.

Download Full-text

Comparative adaptation of seed germination and seedling growth to environmental factors in two Picea plant species

Acta Ecologica Sinica ◽

10.5846/stxb201802060323 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

Author(s):

刘有军 LIU Youjun ◽

刘世增 LIU Shizeng ◽

康才周 KANG Caizhou ◽

满多清 MAN Duoqing

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth

Download Full-text

Allelopathic effect of two medicinal plants on seed germination, seedling growth and grain production of purslane (Portulaca oleraceae L.) weed

Acta agriculturae Slovenica ◽

10.14720/aas.2018.111.2.05 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 111 (2) ◽

pp. 293

Author(s):

Seyed Nader MOUSAVIAN ◽

Hamdollah ESKANDARI

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Seed Production ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Dry Mass ◽

Stem Length ◽

Plant Residues ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Plant Seed ◽

Artemisia Sieberi

A laboratory factorial (2 × 5) experiment was carried out based on completely randomized block in four replications to evaluate the effect of plant species and concentration of their allelopathic extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of purslane weed (Portulaca oleraceae L.). The first factor studied was plant species (Artemisia sieberi and Salvia syriaca) and the second one the concentration percentage of plant ethanol extract (0.0, 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 %). The effect of Artemisia on germination reduction of purslane was stronger compared to Salvia. The results indicated that higher extract concentration led to decreased germination percentage, germination speed and seedling growth indices of purslane including leaf length, leaf number, leaf width, leaf dry mass, stem mass and stem length. The effect of Artemisia was higher than that of Salvia. In a complementary experiment, the effect plant residues of Artemisia and Salvia (0.0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg-1 soil) were evaluated in a factorial experiment base on completely randomized block design with three replications. The results of field experiment showed that plant residues significantly (P ≤ 0.01) reduced capsule number per plant, seed number per capsule, seed production and shoot dry mass, while its effect on 1000-seed mass was not substantial. The effect of plant species and the interaction of plant species and their allelopathic extracts concentration had no major impact on the above-mentioned properties. The increase in plant residues in soil, led to the reduction of growth and seed production of purslane induced by plant number per unit area and capsule per plant. Artemisia sieberi Bess. and Salvia syriaca L. residues can be successfully used for non-chemical control of purslane weed.

Download Full-text

Propagation and Possible Allelopathic Effects of Vernoniazeylanica on Selected Bioassay Species

CORD ◽

10.37833/cord.v36i.428 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 ◽

pp. 41-46

Author(s):

S.H.S. Senarathne ◽

S. S. Udumann

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Contaminated Soil ◽

Leaf Extract ◽

Cocos Nucifera ◽

Test Plant ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Aqueous Leaf Extract ◽

Allelopathic Effects

Vernonia zeylanica (L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae, is one of the major endemic weed species present in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plantations of the tropics, which propagates very easily. There is a possibility that this plant could also possess allelopathic effects, but this has not been scientifically tested. Thus, a study was carried out to determine the seed germination of V. zeylanica under soil moisture stress conditions, shoot propagation methods and possible allopathic effects of this species, on selected species in bioassay tests. Germination of V. zeylanica seeds was not observed at higher osmotic potential (-0.9 MPa). The highest sprouting percentage of this species were obtained with soft wood cuttings. The aqueous leaf extract was highly phytotoxic, and it significantly reduced germination and seedling growth of all bioassay species tested. Full strength (33.3 g L-1) aqueous extracts of leaves significantly reduced the germination percentage, root and hypocotyl growth rates of all species tested. The inhibitory effects were often dependent on concentration. However, the degree of inhibition varied among the test plant species. The seedling emergences of all four tested plants were severally inhibited when planted in V. zeylanica contaminated soil. The results indicated that incorporated aqueous leaf extract of V. zeylanica and its rhizosphere contaminated soil can suppress seed germination, seedling growth and seedling emergence of certain plant species indicating a possible allelopathic effect.

Download Full-text

Effect of Different Colour Shading on Seedling Growth, Fruit Morphology and Phytochemical Properties of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. var KWR)

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International ◽

10.9734/jeai/2020/v42i530520 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 72-84

Author(s):

P. K. Dissanayake ◽

W. G. C. Wekumbura

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Acid Content ◽

Ascorbic Acid Content ◽

Consumer Preference ◽

Small Scale ◽

Fruit Morphology ◽

Tomato Plants ◽

Fruit Setting

Context: Producing high quality and chemical free tomato would favorably enhance consumer preference. There are most promising findings available on growth and quality attributes of tomato and other plants under different light spectrum in closed house conditions using different light sources. Installment of light emitting devices and running cost with high power consumption might not favorable for commercial cultivators and small scale growers. Aim: In present study we used colour transparent sheets such as colourless (control), red, blue, green and yellow as shading material to transmit respective spectrum of light on tomato plants to study the effect. Methodology: Tomato seed germination study was done under different colour shading in petri plates. Seedling and plant growth parameters and phytochemical properties of tomato plants grown under different transparent colour shadings were studied such as number of leaves, leaf area, weight of shoot and root, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid content of fruits, lycopene contents of fruits, fruit physical parameters and flowering. Results: Seed germination was significantly high under yellow, colourless and red shading over blue and green. Seedling growth was significantly high under yellow shading. Fruit Ascorbic acid content was positively enhanced by yellow, green and colourless shading, whereas chlorophyll and lycopene content significantly high under green and red. Number of flower setting per plant was high under green shading (40±5.77), whereas lowest under yellow shading (22.33±6.38). Fruit setting significantly high under yellow shading (14±2) and lowest was red (9±1). Blue shading showed significantly high effect on fruit morphological traits such as pericarp thickness and fruit size. Conclusion: Yellow colour shading enhances seedling growth and fruit setting of tomato, while green having positive impact on fruit morphology. However, different characters of tomato were differently affected by different colour shading in greenhouse condition and for the better effect appropriate colour shading should be selected at particular stage of growth.

Download Full-text

Accessibility of Local Food Production to Regional Markets – Case of Berry Production in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland

European Countryside ◽

10.1515/euco-2017-0040 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 709-728 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kirsi Korhonen ◽

Ossi Kotavaara ◽

Toivo Muilu ◽

Jarmo Rusanen

Keyword(s):

Spatial Data ◽

Food Processing ◽

Food Production ◽

Large Scale ◽

Local Food ◽

Cooperative Networks ◽

Small Scale ◽

Short Supply ◽

Quality Aspects ◽

Local Food Production

Abstract Consumers and institutional kitchens, as well as traders, have shown increasing interest towards local food. This is particularly due to the transparency and traceability characteristic of a short supply chain and social aspects related to food origins. The trend has been increasingly common during the past decade in Europe and North America, and it is strongly evident in the case area of this study in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland. In general, ease of access to food is highly important for consumers and crucial for institutional kitchens, in addition to quality aspects and price. However, regardless of proximity, poor accessibility is one of the key issues preventing the further growth of local food markets. Due to scale economics in food value chain, food transport is presently organised mainly by centralised, large-scale logistics companies directed via hubs serving millions of consumers. Accordingly, production volumes required to enter large-scale markets are often unattainable for disjointed small-scale local food producers. In this study, geographic information system (GIS)-based accessibility analyses are applied for analysing potential for integral networking of local food production and transport companies. Berry production was selected as a case study because it has a relatively strong role in Northern Ostrobothnia, while its logistics are notably underdeveloped. Spatial data of primary production volumes consists of register records of farm-specific cultivation areas and average yields in Northern Ostrobothnia and Finland. Accessibility computations are based on the digital model of the Finnish road network, Digiroad. Two surveys were also implemented to farmers and food processing companies to seek views on food processing, sales, logistics and procurements regarding local food. Data from the surveys was used in accessibility analysis, which enables exploration of opportunities for establishing ‘local food’ clusters integrating small producers into a more effective and competitive network. Information about favourable conditions for cooperative networks in the local food sector may help in establishing companies and their growth. Again, successful networking may increase scale economies in local production in transport, processing and marketing.

Download Full-text

Appropriate technologies for the future

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.1980.0089 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 209 (1174) ◽

pp. 183-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Keyword(s):

Food Production ◽

Large Scale ◽

Low Cost ◽

Health Needs ◽

Small Scale ◽

Cost Of Energy ◽

Prophylactic Measures ◽

The Future ◽

The Individual ◽

The Third World

Crystal ball gazing is a hazardous occupation: the sharper the picture, the greater the possibility of error. In the future, appropriate technologies that will raise standards of health and diminish the prevalence of disease in the Third World must take cognizance of such factors as burgeoning population growth, impossibly high cost of energy sources, a widening gap between food requirements and food production, increasing urbanization, and inherent difficulties of control of disease vectors and water-borne diseases. The technologies that must be made available will be both large-scale and small-scale, low-cost and simple, improving life for the individual and the community, mediated by appropriately trained and adequately supervised polycompetent auxiliaries. The present reappraisal of health needs in the context of food (seeds, soils, irrigation, protection against loss of the harvested products) and of prevention of disease by appropriate prophylactic measures and its treatment, will necessitate hard thinking and greater cooperation between all concerned.

Download Full-text

Which policies can stop large scale eutrophication?

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1998.0206 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 193-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Curt Forsberg

Keyword(s):

Food Production ◽

Large Scale ◽

Organic Waste ◽

Food Additives ◽

Modern Society ◽

Point Sources ◽

Control Measures ◽

World Population ◽

The World ◽

New Policies

During a few decades, many fresh and marine water areas have been seriously affected by eutrophication, due to increasing discharges of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) from modern society. The aim of this paper is to discuss the policies that are used and have been suggested to reduce eutrophication, and the factors counteracting these efforts. Policy options to reduce the fluxes of nutrients from point and non-point sources are summarized. A number of processes and mechanisms counteract the control measures taken so far, namely: the growing world population, the increasing urbanization, the intensive land independent animal production, the over-consumption of N and P, the emissions of N to the atmosphere, and the losses of P from P-enriched sediments. It is concluded that the driving force for eutrophication, the losses of nutrients from food production, organic waste, sewage, sludge and ashes can be expected to increase during the coming decades, as the world population continues to grow. Strong policies are needed to promote birth control, and to stop over-consumption of N (animal protein) and unnecessary intake of P (food additives). There is a number of barriers to overcome to reduce large-scale eutrophication, but also a lot of space for new policies and innovation.

Download Full-text

Preliminary Investigations of Allelopathic Effects and Herbicide-based Eradication of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora)

Sultan Qaboos University Journal for Science [SQUJS] ◽

10.24200/squjs.vol24iss1pp11-17 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Salim Al-Abdali ◽

Azan Al-Dhuhli ◽

Hassan Al-Reasi

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Plant Species ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Prosopis Juliflora ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Crop Species ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Invasive Alien Plant ◽

Time Required

Velvet mesquite, locally known as al-ghaf bahri (Prosopis juliflora), is a well-known invasive alien plant species in several regions around the world, including Oman, with various environmental effects. The allelopathic effect of P. juliflora leaves and seed pods on native ghaf (P. cineraria) and a crop species, mung bean (Vigna radiata) was demonstrated. Results indicated that P. juliflora extracts have inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth of both species, particularly on P. cineraria when exposed to pod extracts. For eradication experiments, three herbicides (tribenuron methyl, clethodim and 2,4-D & MCPA) were investigated to determine their inhibitory properties on seed germination, and on the growth and development of young seedlings of P. juliflora. Generally, germination time (GT50, time required for 50% of seeds to germinate) and germination percentage (%) indicated that only 2,4-D & MCPA treatment showed a significant effect on inhibiting seed germination and stopping seedling growth relative to the other two herbicides. The effect of 2,4-D & MCPA was supported by significant reduction in above-ground fresh biomass. The data clearly illustrate the potential negative effects of P. juliflora on other plant species and its tolerance of herbicide treatment. On a farm scale, limited application of 2,4-D & MCPA on young P. juliflora seedlings would be recommended as an effective way to limit further spread and distribution and consequently to successfully eliminate this invasive alien plant.

Download Full-text