Stand-Alone and Combinatorial Effects of Plant-based Biostimulants on the Production and Leaf Quality of Perennial Wall Rocket

Modern agriculture is facing many difficulties due to a rapidly changing climate, and environmental damage from agricultural production. The commitment of scientists and farmers to increase environmentally sustainable agricultural practices is one way to help mitigate environmental impacts. Among these practices, the use of biostimulants could be beneficial for increasing fertilizer efficiency and reducing excessive use in agriculture, and as plant growth regulators capable of increasing both production volume and quality of crops. In our study, rocket plants were grown in a greenhouse and treated with two biostimulants (protein hydrolysates or tropical plant extract), either individually or combined, to assess the effect on yield, dry biomass, mineral content, qualitative parameters as well as on economic profitability of foliar biostimulant applications. Total yield and dry biomass of the plants treated with the three biostimulant combinations on average increased by 48.1% and 37.2% respectively compared to untreated plants, without significant differences between treatments. Biostimulant application increased the content of chlorophyll, K, Mg and Ca, compared to the untreated plants. Furthermore, a biostimulant synergistic effect was detected concerning the content of total ascorbic acid. Our results confirmed that the biostimulants are eco-friendly products, able to boost plant growth and product quality and thus increase growers’ profitability.

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Nanotechnology Potential in Seed Priming for Sustainable Agriculture

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano11020267 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 267

Author(s):

Anderson do Espirito Santo Pereira ◽

Halley Caixeta Oliveira ◽

Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto ◽

Catherine Santaella

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Seed Priming ◽

Growth Hormones ◽

Plant Growth And Development ◽

Plant Growth Hormones ◽

Entire Plant ◽

Quality Of Food ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Our agriculture is threatened by climate change and the depletion of resources and biodiversity. A new agriculture revolution is needed in order to increase the production of crops and ensure the quality and safety of food, in a sustainable way. Nanotechnology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture. Seed nano-priming is an efficient process that can change seed metabolism and signaling pathways, affecting not only germination and seedling establishment but also the entire plant lifecycle. Studies have shown various benefits of using seed nano-priming, such as improved plant growth and development, increased productivity, and a better nutritional quality of food. Nano-priming modulates biochemical pathways and the balance between reactive oxygen species and plant growth hormones, resulting in the promotion of stress and diseases resistance outcoming in the reduction of pesticides and fertilizers. The present review provides an overview of advances in the field, showing the challenges and possibilities concerning the use of nanotechnology in seed nano-priming, as a contribution to sustainable agricultural practices.

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Appraisal of Biodegradable Mulching Films and Vegetal-Derived Biostimulant Application as Eco-Sustainable Practices for Enhancing Lettuce Crop Performance and Nutritive Value

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy10030427 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 427 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eugenio Cozzolino ◽

Maria Giordano ◽

Nunzio Fiorentino ◽

Christophe El-Nakhel ◽

Antonio Pannico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Plant Extract ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Leafy Vegetables ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Environmental Damage ◽

Tropical Plant ◽

Biodegradable Mulch ◽

Mulching Films

Scientists, extensions specialists, and growers are seeking sustainable agricultural practices that are able to cope with these objectives in order to ensure global food security and minimize environmental damage. The use of mulching films and plant biostimulants in agriculture seems to be a valid solution for tackling these rising concerns. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in order to elucidate the morpho-physiological and nutritive characteristics of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in response to foliar application of a tropical plant extract (PE) biostimulant and the use of plastic mulches. Two biodegradable mulch treatments (Mater-Bi® 1 and Mater-Bi® 2) were compared to black polyethylene (LDPE) and bare soil. Biodegradable mulch film Mater-Bi® 1 produced a comparable marketable fresh yield to the commercial standard polyethylene (LDPE), whereas Mater-Bi® 2 exhibited the highest crop productivity. When averaged over biostimulant application, lettuce plants grown with biodegradable film Mater-Bi® 2 exhibited superior quality traits in terms of K, Ca, total ascorbic acid, and carotenoids content. The combination of film mulching (LDPE, Mater-Bi® 1 or Mater-Bi® 2) with the tropical plant extract biostimulant exhibited a positive and significant synergistic effect (+30%) on yield. The PE-biostimulant induced higher values of SPAD index and total chlorophyll content when compared to untreated greenhouse lettuce. The mineral content of leaf tissues was greater by 10% and 17% (for P and Ca, respectively) when compared to the untreated lettuce (no PE application). Nitrate content was significantly reduced by 23% in greenhouse lettuce plants receiving PE as compared to the untreated control. The positive effect of Mater-Bi® 2 film on the ascorbic acid content has also been highlighted when combined with the biostimulant application, where a major amplification of total ascorbic acid (+168%) was recorded in comparison to the untreated lettuce. Overall, our work can assist leafy vegetables growers in adopting good agricultural practices, such as biodegradable plastic mulches and vegetal-derived biostimulants, to improve the sustainability of greenhouse production.

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Sustainable agricultural practices for improving growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcumalonga L.)

ANNALS OF PLANT AND SOIL RESEARCH ◽

10.47815/apsr.2021.10028 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

R.R. LOHAR

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Total Yield ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Soil Productivity ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Area Index ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

A field experiment was carried out in district-Sangli (Maharashtra) to study the effect of sustainable agricultural practices for improving growth, yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) variety Salem during 2018 and 2019. Twelve treatments were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that plant height, leaves/plant, width of leaves, leaf area index and clumps/plant tended to increase with age of plant and maximum values were recorded at 150 DAP, irrespective to various treatments. Application of 50% RDF + 50% NC resulted in significantly higher fresh weight of primary rhizome (46.5 g), fresh weight of secondary rhizome (55.5 g) and high marketable yield of rhizome (251.2 q ha-1) over control. The total yield of fresh rhizome per plot was comparatively on higher side (418.5g) when compared to control (308.1g) and other treatments. The application of 50% RDF + 50% NC proved superior for enhancing the quality parameters of turmeric such as fats (1.06 %), protein (1.25 %), carbohydrates (9.25 %) and curcumin (5.13 %) content to other treatments. Soil productivity was recorded maximum due to combined application of 50 % RDF + 50 % NC than the application of all these fertilizers alone. Fertility status of post-harvest soil improved with most of the treatments over control and higher values were recorded with 50% RDF + 50% NC treatment.

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Effect of different rootstock on plant growth, yield and quality of watermelon

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea02095 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 43 (10) ◽

pp. 1269 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

H. Yetisir ◽

N. Sari

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Citrullus Lanatus ◽

Total Yield ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Cucurbita Moschata ◽

Cucurbita Maxima ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Potential Use

This study was conducted in Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cukurova in 1999 and 2000. Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai] cultivar Crimson Tide was grafted onto 10 different rootstocks. Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita maxima and Lagenaria siceraria were open pollinated cultivars, and Strong Tosa, Gold Tosa, P360 (Cucurbita maxima × Cucurbita moschata), Skopje, Emphasis, 216 and FRG (Lagenaria spp.) were hybrid cultivars. The ungrafted Crimson Tide watermelon cultivar was used as the control. Plants were grown under low tunnel conditions until the outdoor temperature was suitable (22–25°C) for watermelon growth. Our results showed that while survival rate was low (65%) in Cucurbita type rootstocks, it was high (95%) in Lagenaria type rootstocks. Grafted plants flowered about 10 days earlier and showed more vigorous vegetative growth than the control plants. Grafted plants had up to 148% higher fresh weights than control plants. Similarly, grafted plants showed 42–180% higher dry weight, 58–100% more leaves and larger leaf area as compared with the control. In total yield, Lagenaria type rootstocks produced a higher yield but Cucurbita type rootstocks produced a lower yield than the control. While control plants had 6.43 kg/m2 yield, Lagenaria type rootstocks produced 27–106% higher yield than the control. In contrast, Cucurbita type rootstocks had 127–240% less yield than the control. This could be attributed to incompatibility of Cucurbita rootstocks because some of the plants died before harvest. The study showed that rootstock choices influence plant growth as well as yield and quality of scion fruit, suggesting an important consideration in the potential use of grafting applications in watermelon.

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THE EFFECT OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON PLANT GROWTH AND LEAF QUALITY OF NGO GAI (ERYNGIUM FOETIDUM L.) IN MASSACHUSETTS

Acta Horticulturae ◽

10.17660/actahortic.2004.629.28 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. 215-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

C.A. Casey ◽

F.X. Mangan ◽

S.J. Herbert ◽

A.V. Barker ◽

A.K. Carter

Keyword(s):

Light Intensity ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Nitrogen Fertilization ◽

Leaf Quality ◽

Eryngium Foetidum ◽

Effect Of Light

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Daytime, Not Nighttime, Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Exposure Improves Plant Growth and Leaf Quality of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Seedlings

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2020.609031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Songmei Shi ◽

Yuling Qiu ◽

Miao Wen ◽

Xiao Xu ◽

Xingshui Dong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽

Plant Biomass ◽

Soluble Sugar ◽

Morus Alba ◽

Mineral Nutrient ◽

Leaf Quality ◽

Leaf Yield ◽

The Impact

Almost all elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (eCO2) studies have not addressed the potential responses of plant growth to different CO2 in daytime and nighttime. The present study was to determine the impact of daytime and/or nighttime eCO2 on growth and quality of mulberry (Morus alba L.), a perennial multipurpose cash plant. Six-month-old mulberry seedlings were hence grown in environmentally auto-controlled growth chambers under four CO2 concentrations: (1) ambient CO2 (ACO2, 410 μmol mol–1 daytime/460 μmol mol–1 nighttime), (2) sole daytime elevated CO2 (DeCO2, 710 μmol mol–1/460 μmol mol–1), (3) sole nighttime elevated CO2 (NeCO2, 410 μmol mol–1/760 μmol mol–1), and (4) continuous daytime and nighttime elevated CO2 (D + NeCO2, 710 μmol mol–1/760 μmol mol–1). Plant growth characteristics, nutrient uptake, and leaf quality were then examined after 120 days of CO2 exposure. Compared to control, DeCO2 and (D + N)eCO2 increased plant biomass production and thus the harvest of nutrients and accumulation of leaf carbohydrates (starch, soluble sugar, and fatty acid) and N-containing compounds (free amino acid and protein), though there were some decreases in the concentration of leaf N, P, Mg, Fe, and Zn. NeCO2 had no significant effects on leaf yield but an extent positive effect on leaf nutritional quality due to their concentration increase in leaf B, Cu, starch, and soluble sugar. Meanwhile, (D + N)eCO2 decreased mulberry leaf yield and harvest of nutritious compounds for silkworm when compared with DeCO2. The reason may be associated to N, P, Mg, Fe, and Zn that are closely related to leaf pigment and N metabolism. Therefore, the rational application of mineral nutrient (especially N, P, Fe, Mg, and Zn) fertilizers is important for a sustainable mulberry production under future atmosphere CO2 concentrations.

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Effects of Individual and Simultaneous Selenium and Iodine Biofortification of Baby-Leaf Lettuce Plants Grown in Two Different Hydroponic Systems

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7120590 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 590

Author(s):

Martina Puccinelli ◽

Fernando Malorgio ◽

Luca Incrocci ◽

Irene Rosellini ◽

Beatrice Pezzarossa

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Sodium Selenate ◽

System Quality ◽

Leaf Quality ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Floating System ◽

Hydroponic Systems ◽

Leaf Lettuce ◽

Global Population

The iodine (I) and selenium (Se) deficiencies affect approximately 30% and 15%, respectively, of the global population. The biofortification of vegetables is a valid way to increase the intake of iodine and selenium through the diet. This study was carried out on baby-leaf lettuce to investigate the effects on plant growth, leaf quality, and leaf I and Se accumulation of adding potassium iodide and sodium selenate, separately and simultaneously, to the nutrient solution in a floating system and aeroponics. The effect of I and Se biofortification on post-harvest quality of lettuce leaves was also evaluated. Our results evidenced that the Se and I treatments increased the content of the two microelements in lettuce leaves without any negative interactions in the plants, when applied either separately or simultaneously. Both hydroponic systems proved to be suitable for producing Se and/or I enriched lettuce. Biofortification with Se was more effective when performed in aeroponics, whereas I biofortification was more effective in the floating system. Quality of leaves during post-harvest storage was not affected by neither of the treatments. Lettuce leaves enriched with 13 µM Se and 5 µMI could be good dietary sources of Se and I without inducing toxic effects in humans.

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Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Chlorophyll, Photosynthesis, Soluble Sugar and Flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca ◽

10.15835/nbha3915880 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 41 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Feng XU ◽

Shuiyuan CHENG ◽

Jun ZHU ◽

Weiwei ZHANG ◽

Yan WANG

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Ginkgo Biloba ◽

Aminolevulinic Acid ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Soluble Sugar ◽

Total Polyphenols ◽

Leaf Quality ◽

Chl A

The flavonoid content determines the quality of Ginkgo biloba that can be increased by using of plant growth regulators. The objective of study was to observe the effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a key precursor in the biosynthesis of porphyrins and a new plant growth regulator, on photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll and soluble sugar content, flavonoid accumulation, and flavonoid enzyme activity in G. biloba leaves. The ginkgo seedlings were grown in greenhouse conditions under low levels (10 and 100 mg l-1) of foliar application of ALA. Photosynthetic rates of leaves increased significantly at day 4 in response to both ALA concentrations and remained elevated as compared to control for further 12 days. Chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents were significantly increased by day 4 and continued to increase by day 16; however, Chl a/b ratio remained unchanged. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) activities were increased from day 4 to 16 after ALA treatment. The increase in chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents, and activities of flavonoid enzymes (PAL, CHS and CHI) were likely to be closely associated with improvement of the accumulation of total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and advance of leaf quality by ALA treatment. Foliar treatment with a low concentration of ALA therefore, might provide a useful means of improving pharmacological properties of G. biloba leaves.

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Pembuatan dan Upaya Peningkatan Kualitas Pupuk Organik Cair

JURNAL AGROTROPIKA ◽

10.23960/ja.v20i2.5054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Dedy Prasetyo ◽

Rusdi Evizal

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Agricultural Waste ◽

Organic Fertilizer ◽

Soil Health ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

High Energy ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Fertilizer Efficiency

Conventional agricultural practices are very intensively utilizing synthetic agrochemicals. The resulting impact is a decrease in soil quality, thereby reducing fertilizer efficiency and plant yield. Efforts to maintain soil health include restoring organic matter. Organic fertilizers can be produced by utilizing the surrounding agricultural waste. Liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) can be produced from organic waste which should be chosen from high content of macro nutient. The quality of LOF could be increased by adding commercial decomposer starter or local microorganism. Organic matter of high energy should be added as well. The process of making liquid organic fertilizer is involved a fermentation process. Microbes will decompose organic material by breaking down the nutrients in the material to dissolve in solution. POC applications have been tested on various agricultural commodities. The provision of POC can increase the growth and yield of plants. In addition, the use of POC can improve soil health. Keywords : fermentation, fruit, industry, microbe, LOF, pulp, quality, vegetable, waste

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