Effects of dry bioslurry and chemical fertilizers on tomato growth performance, fruit yield and soil properties under irrigated condition in Southern Ethiopian

Aerated irrigation (AI) is a method to mitigate rhizosphere hypoxia caused by the wetting front from subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). This study evaluated the impacts of AI on soil aeration, plant growth performance, fruit yield (tomato), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), fruit nutrition (lycopene and Vitamin C (VC)) and taste (soluble sugar, organic acid and sugar–acid ratio) quality. A three-factorial experiment including AI and SDI at three irrigation levels (W0.6, W0.8 and W1.0, corresponding with crop-pan coefficients of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0) and two dripper depths (D15 and D25, burial at 15 and 25 cm, respectively), totaling 12 treatments overall, was conducted in a greenhouse during the tomato-growing season (April–July) in 2016. The AI improved soil aeration conditions, with significantly increased soil oxygen concentration and air-filled porosity relative to SDI. Moreover, the AI improved crop growth performance, with increased root morphology (diameter, length density, surface area and volume density), delayed flowering time, prolonged flowering duration and increased shoot (leaf, stem and fruit) dry weight, and harvest index. Fruit yield per plant, fruit weight, IWUE, the contents of lycopene, VC and soluble sugar, and sugar–acid ratio significantly increased under AI treatments (P < 0.05). As the irrigation level increased, fruit yield, number, and weight increased (P < 0.05), but IWUE and fruit lycopene, soluble sugar, and organic acid content decreased (P < 0.05). The dripper depth had no significant impact on fruit yield, nutrition and taste quality. Principal component analysis revealed that the optimal three treatments in terms of fruit yield, IWUE, and nutrition and taste quality were the treatments W0.6D25AI, W1.0D25AI and W1.0D15AI. These results suggest that AI can improve tomato growth performance and increase fruit yield, nutrition and taste quality, and IWUE through enhancing soil aeration conditions.

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Fungal Endophytes Promote Tomato Growth and Enhance Drought and Salt Tolerance

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9070877 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 877

Author(s):

Mustafa Morsy ◽

Blake Cleckler ◽

Hayden Armuelles-Millican

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Crop Production ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Wild Plants ◽

Penicillium Sp ◽

Drought And Salt Tolerance ◽

Tomato Growth

In a search for efficient fungal endophytes that can promote crop production and/or increase crop tolerance to abiotic stress, we isolated and tested various species harbored by wild plants. Sixty-seven endophytic fungal isolates were obtained from drought stressed, poor soil habitats, and inland high salt areas. We extensively tested the roles of Ampelomyces sp. and Penicillium sp. isolates in improving tomato growth and yield. Under greenhouse and field trails, Ampelomyces sp. and Penicillium sp. endophytes proved effective in conferring positive benefits to tomatoes placed under stress as well as under normal growing conditions. Ampelomyces sp. conferred tolerance to tomatoes placed under drought stress in addition to enhancing overall plant growth and fruit yield in comparison to non-symbiotic plants under drought stress. Penicillium sp. conferred tolerance to tomatoes placed under 300 mM salinity stress in addition to enhancing root biomass in comparison to non-symbiotic plants. Both endophytes proved efficient in enhancing plant growth, stress tolerance, recovery, and fruit yield under optimal experimental conditions in comparison to non-symbiotic plants. Field testing of tomato yield showed increased yield of symbiotic tomatoes compared to non-symbiotic ones. This data suggests that both Ampelomyces sp. and Penicillium sp. share a promising potential for improving future agricultural production, particularly with the projected changes in climate in the future.

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Effect of Organic Manures and Chemical Fertilizers on the Growth, Yield and Quality Traits of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.)” cv. Punjab ChappanKaddu

International Journal of Environment and Climate Change ◽

10.9734/ijecc/2021/v11i430402 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 142-152

Author(s):

Amandeep Kaur ◽

Puja Rattan

Keyword(s):

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Male Flower ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Soluble Solids ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Recommended Dose ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Organic Manures ◽

Summer Squash

The present investigation was conducted during 2019 at DAV University, Jalandhar, to find out the effect of organic manures and chemical fertilizers on the growth and yield of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) cv. Punjab Chappan Kaddu. The experiment consisted of eleven treatments and three replications. Out of these, an application of 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T8) had a beneficial effect on minimum days to the first female flower (74.67 days), minimum days to the first fruit set (76.33), minimum days to the first fruit harvest (78.33). The maximum plant height (122.85cm) was recorded in 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 25t/ha (T5). 75% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM (Effective Micro-organism) Bokashi 2.5q/ha (T9) resulted in minimum days to male flower appearance. The maximum sex ratio (0.38), was obtained with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM Bokashi 3q/ha (T10). The maximum number of pickings (26) and number of fruit per plant (9.85) were obtained with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + EM Bokashi 3q/ha (T10). The maximum fruit yield per plant (2.20 kg), fruit yield per plot (26.26 kg), fruit yield per ha (405.57q) were recorded with the application of 50% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T7). The maximum Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (2.40B°) were recorded with the application of 75% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 20t/ha (T3) while, the ascorbic acid was maximum (52.50 mg/100g) when 25% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermi-compost 15t/ha (T8) were applied. The highest net returns and benefit: cost (4.5) were obtained when 50% of recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + FYM 25t/ha (T4) was applied.

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GROWTH IMPROVEMENT OF TOMATO WITH THE APPLICATION OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES PRODUCING INDOLE ACETIC ACID (IAA) AND PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZER

Indonesian Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.21082/ijas.v20n1.2019.p35-42 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 35

Author(s):

Eny Ida Riyanti ◽

Dwi Ningsih Susilowati ◽

Karden Mulya ◽

Edy Listanto

Keyword(s):

Acetic Acid ◽

Root Length ◽

Crop Production ◽

Indole Acetic Acid ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Bacterial Isolates ◽

Phenotypic Properties ◽

Root Dry Weight ◽

Tomato Growth

Soil bacteria have important roles in biogeochemical cycle for soil fertility and have been manipulated for ecologically-friendly crop production. The search for beneficial association between microbes and plants for promoting growth and health should be studied for tomato growth improvement. The study aimed to evaluate 19 microbial isolates which produced indole acetic acid (IAA) affecting growth and development of tomato (Palupi variety), and molecularly identify the most effective isolates in improving tomato growth based on 16s rDNA sequences. The experiment was conducted in pots using a complete randomized design with three replications. The parameters observed included plant height, plant dry weight, root length, root dry weight, and fruit fresh weight. The isolates that significantly improved tomato growth were molecularly identified using 16s rRNA sequence. The phenotypic properties such as IAA content and phosphate solubilizing index (PI) of the superior isolates were determined. Results showed that the application of bacterial isolates on tomato significantly increased plant dry weight and fruit yield. From 19 isolates tested, Aj 3.7.1.14 significantly increased plant dry weight, root length, and fruit yield. This isolate produced IAA of about 14.77 ppm and PI of 1.86. Molecular analysis on Aj 3.7.1.14 demonstrated that the isolate had 89% similarity to Pseudomonas fragi. The identified P. fragi was found to be the most effective isolate for improving tomato growth and fruit yield. Another isolate, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was found to promote root length, root dry weight, and fruit yield. These isolates are potential to be further investigated for field trials

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Effect of Integrated Use of Organic Manures and Chemical Fertilizers under Soil Test Crop Response Approach on Soil Properties and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2021/v33i1030471 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 40-47

Author(s):

Varsha Pandey ◽

Ajaya Srivastava

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Green Manure ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Research Centre ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Maize Crop ◽

Available N ◽

Organic Manures ◽

Urease Enzyme

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, during kharif 2019 to study the effect of integrated use of organic manures and chemical fertilizers under STCR approach on physico-chemical, biological properties of soil and yield of maize crop in a Mollisol. The experiment comprised of 9 treatments replicated thrice. The treatment details were Control (no fertilizers), RDF, STCR (inorganic mode), STCR INM mode, 75% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + Green manure, 50% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + Green Manure, 75% RDN + Green Manure, 50% RDN + Green Manure and FYM + Green Manure + Intercropping with urd. The lowest yield and soil properties were observed under control. The highest water holding capacity (63.20%), available N (183.98 kg ha-1), available P (28.94 kg ha-1), microbial biomass carbon (335.35 µg/g soil) and urease enzyme activity (30.06 µg urea/g soil/h) was observed under T4 (STCR INM mode). The highest organic carbon (0.99%), available K (200.85 kg ha-1) and dehydrogenase activity (223.60 µgTPF/gsoil/day) was observed under T5 (75% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + Green manure). The highest maize yield was observed under T4 (STCR INM mode). Therefore, the present investigation clearly reveals the significance of balanced and efficient utilization of resources under STCR approach on soil and crop productivity of maize crop.

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Dataset on the influence of gas-to-liquid biosludge on arid soil properties and growth performance of alfalfa

Data in Brief ◽

10.1016/j.dib.2019.105074 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 105074 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Reginald B. Kogbara ◽

Wubulikasimu Yiming ◽

Srinath R. Iyengar ◽

Udeogu C. Onwusogh ◽

Karim Youssef ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Arid Soil ◽

Gas To Liquid

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Response of strawberry to NPKS on yield in terrace soil

Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.3329/bjar.v43i1.36183 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 89-97

Author(s):

R Ahmed ◽

MR Karim ◽

MA Quddus ◽

S Ahmed ◽

MA Siddiky

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Research Field ◽

Fruit Yield ◽

Research Centre ◽

Treatment Combination ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Suitable Combination ◽

Four Levels ◽

Set Up ◽

Yield Maximization

Strawberry (Fragaria X annanassa Duch.) is highly exhaustive and responsive to chemical fertilizers. An experiment on strawberry was conducted in fruits research field of Horticulture Research Centre, BARI, Gazipur over three consecutive years, 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 to find out the suitable combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S) for yield maximization of strawberry. Fourteen treatment combinations were tested in this trial comprising four levels each of N (0, 90, 115 and 140 kg ha-1), P (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1), K (0, 85, 110 and 135 kg ha-1) and S (0, 15, 25 and 35 kg ha-1) with blanket dose of 4 kg Zn ha-1, 2 kg B ha-1 and 10 t cowdung ha-1. The experiment was set up in randomized completely block design with three replications. Results showed that treatment combination N115P40K110S25 (underscript represent kg ha-1) produced higher strawberry fruit yield (9.59 t ha-1) followed by N90P40K110S25 kg ha-1 and N140P40K110S25 kg ha-1 treatment combinations. The lowest fruit yield (6.05 t ha-1) was found in control (N0P0K0S0) treatment. Therefore, the combination of N115P40K110S25 kg ha-1 may be considered as suitable dose for strawberry cultivation in terrace soils of Bangladesh.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 43(1): 89-97, March 2018

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