Population Structure, Growth Dynamics, Leaf Production and Soil Conditions of Megaphrynium macrostachyum, a Key Non-Wood Forest Product in Central Africa

Aims: Megaphrynium macrostachyum is a key non-wood forest product (NWFP) in Central Africa. This study aims to describe the soil characteristics and behaviour of the species Megaphrynium macrostachyum in a fallow land in southeastern Gabon. Methodology: Leaf growth was monitored weekly on a sample of 60 leaves for 10 weeks, after the unrolling of horns. Population structure and leaf production were quantified on 64 m² plots and then extrapolated to the hectare. Soil samples were collected at 30 cm depth. Results: Leaf growth and stem enlargement were observed to take place during the horn stage, while stem elongation became active after this stage. The stem reached its maximum height about 60 days after the leaf had fully unrolled. Within the same population, leaf length and leaf width were less heterogeneous (on average 55.6 ± 5.9 cm and 35.5 ± 4.5 cm, respectively); whereas leaf area, stem diameter and stem height were quite heterogeneous (on average 1475 ± 328.3 cm², 9 ± 2.2 mm and 154 ± 33.3 cm, respectively). Megaphrynium macrostachyum was observed to colonise its environment quite well (148,646 ± 66,623 stems per hectare), thus explaining its high leaf production (104,167 ± 45,271 usable leaves per hectare). The soil sample analysed revealed Megaphrynium macrostachyum to grow in sandy-silty or sandy-silty-clay soils (58.21% sand, 25.69% silt and 16.1% clay), and in soils that are wet (35% relative humidity), acidic (pH 4.01), low in phosphorus (9.38 ppm assimilable phosphorus) and total nitrogen (0.01% total nitrogen), and high in organic matter (19.3% organic matter). Conclusion: The leaf area exploited by local populations is variable. Megaphrynium macrostachyum is less demanding on soil characteristics, with high leaf production. From a cultivation perspective, the horn stage would be decisive.

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Effects of date of planting on plant emergence, leaf growth, and yield in contrasting potato varieties

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s002185960003639x ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 101 (1) ◽

pp. 81-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J. L. Jones ◽

E. J. Allen

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area Index ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Leaf Growth ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Area Index ◽

Potato Varieties ◽

Wide Range ◽

Emerging Treatments ◽

Soil Temperatures

SUMMARYFive experiments which studied the effects of a wide range of dates of planting on contrasting potato varieties in Pembrokeshire are reported. In three experiments (1976–7) four early varieties (Home Guard, Arran Comet, Irish Peace and Ulster Sceptre) were sprouted from the end of dormancy and compared at four dates of planting, which began as soon as soil conditions allowed (February in 1975 and 1976 and March in 1977). In these experiments all early-emerging treatments were damaged by frost and in 1975 and 1976 date of planting had little effect on leaf area index or yield. In 1977 planting in late April delayed and increased peak leaf area index but reduced yields throughout harvesting. In all experiments the emergence of varieties was affected by date of planting. The varieties with the longest sprouts emerged first only from the earliest plantings; at late plantings all varieties emerged together, which suggests that rate of post-planting sprout elongation decreased in this old seed as planting was delayed despite increasing soil temperatures. The implications for testing of early varieties are discussed.In two further experiments two early varieties (Home Guard in both years and Red Craigs Royal and Arran Comet in 1 year) were compared with three maincrop varieties (Désirée, Maris Piper, Stormont Enterprise) using seed which did not begin to sprout until January at dates of planting beginning in March. Sprout length was again poorly related to earliness of emergence. Delaying planting delayed and increased peak leaf area index in all varieties but only increased yields in the early varieties which had the smallest leaf areas. In maincrop varieties date of planting had little effect on final yields. In these years there were long periods without rain and in 1976 yields were limited by the amount of water available from the soil, for as each treatment exhausted this supply bulking ceased.

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Growth and yield of anthurium in response to sawdust mulching

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20141192 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 440-446

Author(s):

Juliana Domingues Lima ◽

Samara Zanetti ◽

Edson Shigueaki Nomura ◽

Eduardo Jun Fuzitani ◽

Danilo Eduardo Rozane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Bulk Density ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Water Retention ◽

Soil Characteristics ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Flower Yield ◽

Randomized Design

ABSTRACT: The objectives of the study were to analyze the effect of sawdust mulch on the: (1) soil characteristics; (2) growth and flower yield of the anthurium cv. 'Apalai'. Assay was conducted in a totally randomized design in subdivided plots, with five treatments and eight replications. The treatment consisted of five volumes of sawdust 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80L m-2, distributed over the bed, every three months. Soil, plants and flower stalks were evaluated during two years. Soil temperature, moisture, organic matter, bulk density and water retention conditions were improved, while the leaf area of plants and the yield of flower stalks were increased when the soil were mulched with sawdust. In addition to increasing soil organic matter, however, no change occurred in the level of nutrients in plants. Sawdust also improved the dimension of flower stalks. Application of 40L m-2 of sawdust every three months is recommended.

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Impact of an Open Trellis on Canopy Growth, Light Interception, Yield, and Leaf Physiology of Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.33.3.468b ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 468b-468

Author(s):

Stephen F. Klauer ◽

J. Scott Cameron ◽

Chuhe Chen

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Light Interception ◽

Rubus Idaeus ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Red Raspberry ◽

Leaf Physiology ◽

Total Dry Weight ◽

Upper Third

After promising results were obtained with an open-style split trellis (two top wires) in its initial year, two new trials were established in 1997 in northwest (Lynden) and southwest (Woodland) Washington. For the split trellis, actual yields were 33% (machine-picked 1/2 season) and 17% (hand-picked) greater, respectively, for the two locations compared to the conventional trellis (one top wire). In Woodland, canes from the split trellis had 33% more berries, 55% more laterals, 69% more leaves, and 25% greater leaf area compared with the conventional trellis. Greatest enhancement of these components was in the upper third of the canopy. Laterals were also shorter in this area of the split canopy, but there was no difference in average total length of lateral/cane between trellis types. Total dry weight/cane was 22% greater in the split trellis, but component partitioning/cane was consistent between the two systems with fruit + laterals (43%) having the greatest above-ground biomass, followed by the stem (30% to 33%) and the leaves (21% to 22%). Measurement of canopy width, circumference, and light interception showed that the split-trellis canopy filled in more quickly, and was larger from preanthesis through postharvest. Light interception near the top of the split canopy was 30% greater 1 month before harvest with 98% interception near the top and middle of that canopy. There was no difference between the trellis types in leaf CO2 assimilation, spectra, or fluorescence through the fruiting season, or in total nitrogen of postharvest primocane leaves.

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Responses of Rice Growth to Day and Night Temperature and Relative Air Humidity—Leaf Elongation and Assimilation

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10010134 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 134

Author(s):

Sabine Stuerz ◽

Folkard Asch

Keyword(s):

Leaf Area ◽

Leaf Growth ◽

Crop Growth ◽

Air Humidity ◽

Leaf Elongation ◽

Night Temperature ◽

Relative Air Humidity ◽

Leaf Area Expansion ◽

Plant Level ◽

Area Expansion

Predictions of future crop growth and yield under a changing climate require a precise knowledge of plant responses to their environment. Since leaf growth increases the photosynthesizing area of the plant, it occupies a central position during the vegetative phase. Rice is cultivated in diverse ecological zones largely differing in temperature and relative air humidity (RH). To investigate the effects of temperature and RH during day and night on leaf growth, one variety (IR64) was grown in a growth chamber using 9 day/night regimes around the same mean temperature and RH, which were combinations of 3 temperature treatments (30/20 °C, 25/25 °C, 20/30 °C day/night temperature) and 3 RH treatments (40/90%, 65/65%, 90/40% day/night RH). Day/night leaf elongation rates (LER) were measured and compared to leaf gas exchange measurements and leaf area expansion on the plant level. While daytime LER was mainly temperature-dependent, nighttime LER was equally affected by temperature and RH and closely correlated with leaf area expansion at the plant level. We hypothesize that the same parameters increasing LER during the night also enhance leaf area expansion via shifts in partitioning to larger and thinner leaves. Further, base temperatures estimated from LERs varied with RH, emphasizing the need to take RH into consideration when modeling crop growth in response to temperature.

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Effect of Sewage Sludge Compost Usage on Corn and Faba Bean Growth, Carbon and Nitrogen Forms in Plants and Soil

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040628 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 628

Author(s):

Hassan E. Abd Elsalam ◽

Mohamed E. El- Sharnouby ◽

Abdallah E. Mohamed ◽

Bassem M. Raafat ◽

Eman H. El-Gamal

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Plant Growth ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Faba Bean ◽

Residual Effect ◽

Growth Period ◽

Nitrogen Forms ◽

Amended Soils ◽

Nitrogen Levels

Sewage sludge is an effective fertilizer in many soil types. When applied as an amendment, sludge introduces, in addition to organic matter, plant nutrients into the soil. When applied for cropland as a fertilizer, the mass loading of sewage sludge is customarily determined by inputs of N and/or P required to support optimal plant growth and a successful harvest. This study aims to examine the changes in organic matter contents and nitrogen forms in sludge-amended soils, as well as the growth of corn and faba bean plants. The main results indicated that there were higher responses to the corn and faba bean yields when sludge was added. Levels of organic carbon in soil were higher after maize harvest and decreased significantly after harvesting of beans, and were higher in sludge amended soils than unmodified soils, indicating the residual effect of sludge in soil. NO3−-N concentrations were generally higher in the soil after maize harvest than during the plant growth period, but this trend was not apparent in bean soil. The amounts of NH4+-N were close in the soil during the growth period or after the maize harvest, while they were higher in the soil after the bean harvest than they were during the growth period. Total nitrogen amounts were statistically higher in the soil during the growth period than those collected after the corn harvest, while they were approximately close in the bean soil. The total nitrogen amount in corn and bean leaves increased significantly in plants grown on modified sludge soil. There were no significant differences in the total nitrogen levels of the maize and beans planted on the treated soil.

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Impacts of soil moisture level and organic matter content on growth of two Juncus species and Poa pratensis grown under acid soil conditions

Weed Research ◽

10.1111/wre.12387 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 490-500

Author(s):

W Kaczmarek‐Derda ◽

M Helgheim ◽

J Netland ◽

H Riley ◽

K Wærnhus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Moisture ◽

Poa Pratensis ◽

Acid Soil ◽

Organic Matter Content ◽

Matter Content ◽

Moisture Level ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Soil Moisture Level

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Effects of glyphosate-based herbicides and their active ingredients on earthworms, water infiltration and glyphosate leaching are influenced by soil properties

Environmental Sciences Europe ◽

10.1186/s12302-021-00492-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Johann G. Zaller ◽

Maureen Weber ◽

Michael Maderthaner ◽

Edith Gruber ◽

Eszter Takács ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Weed Control ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Water Infiltration ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

Earthworm Activity

Abstract Background Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are among the most often used pesticides. The hundreds of GBHs used worldwide consist of the active ingredient (AI) glyphosate in form of different salts, possibly other AIs, and various mostly undisclosed co-formulants. Pesticide risk assessments are commonly performed using single AIs or GBHs at standard soil conditions without vegetation. In a greenhouse experiment, we established a weed population with common amaranth (Amaranthus retroflexus) to examine the effects of three GBHs (Roundup LB Plus, Roundup PowerFlex, Touchdown Quattro) and their corresponding AIs (salts of glyphosate isopropylammonium, potassium, diammonium) on the activity and physiological biomarkers (glutathione S-transferase, GST; acetylcholine esterase, AChE) of an ecologically relevant earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris). GBHs and AIs were applied at recommended doses; hand weeding served as control. Experiments were established with two soil types differing in organic matter content (SOM; 3.0% vs. 4.1%) and other properties. Results Earthworm activity (casting and movement activity) decreased after application of glyphosate formulations or active ingredients compared to hand weeding. We found no consistent pattern that formulations had either higher or lower effects on earthworm activity than their active ingredients; rather, differences were substance-specific. Earthworm activity was little affected by soil organic matter levels. Biomarkers remained unaffected by weed control types; GST but not AChE was decreased under high SOM. Water infiltration after a simulated heavy rainfall was interactively affected by weed control types and SOM. Leachate amount was higher after application of formulations than active ingredients and was higher under low SOM. Glyphosate concentrations in soil and leachate were strongly affected by application of formulations or active ingredients and varied with SOM (significant weed control type x SOM interaction). Conclusions We found that both commercial formulations and pure active ingredients can influence earthworms with consequences on important soil functions. Glyphosate products showed increased, reduced or similar effects than pure glyphosate on particular soil functions; soil properties can substantially alter this. Especially at lower SOM, heavy rainfalls could lead to more glyphosate leaching into water bodies. A full disclosure of co-formulants would be necessary to further decipher their specific contributions to these inconsistent effects.

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Eucalyptus grandis Response to Calcium Fertilization in Colombia

Forest Science ◽

10.1093/forsci/fxab042 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zach S Grover ◽

Rachel L Cook ◽

Marcela Zapata ◽

J Byron Urrego ◽

Timothy J Albaugh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

South America ◽

Eucalyptus Grandis ◽

Application Rate ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Nutrient Deficiencies ◽

Site Specific ◽

Application Rates ◽

Eucalyptus Plantations ◽

Calcium Source

Abstract Calcium (Ca) is a critical plant nutrient typically applied at the time of planting in intensive Eucalyptus plantations in South America. At two sites in Colombia, we examined (1) calcium source by comparing growth after application of 100 kg ha−1 elemental Ca as lime or as pelletized highly reactive calcium fertilizer (HRCF) compared to a no application control, and (2) Ca rate by applying 0, 100, 200, and 400 kg ha−1 elemental Ca as HRCF with the addition of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and boron (NPKSB). We assessed height, diameter, and volume after 12 and 24 months. There were no growth differences from Ca source at the 100 kg ha−1 rate. We found increased volume after 24 months at the “Popayan” site with 200 and 400 kg ha−1 Ca HRCF+NPKSB treatments (112 and 113 m3 ha−1, respectively) compared to control (92 m3 ha−1), a 22% increase. In contrast, volume did not differ after 24 months at the “Darien” site, ranging from 114 m3 ha−1 in the 0 kg ha−1 Ca HRCF+NPKSB treatment to 98 m3 ha−1 in the control. Differences in response are likely due to soil characteristics, such as organic matter, emphasizing the importance of identifying site-specific nutrient deficiencies. Study Implications: Operational applications may be over- or under-applying calcium carbonate in Eucalyptus plantations in South America. In the first two years of a seven-year rotation located in volcanic soils in Colombia, we found that one site with more organic matter at a greater depth did not need Ca additions, whereas the other site required greater than current operational applications to optimize productivity. Ca application rate trials across a gradient of soil conditions could establish critical values and improve recommendations of appropriate Ca application rates and emphasize the importance of understanding site-specific soil conditions to produce effective fertilization regimes.

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Pengaruh Sumber dan Dosis Bahan Organik terhadap Perubahan sifat Kimia Tanah, Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor L.Moench) var. KD4 di Lahan Kering Jatikerto, Malang

Jurnal Lahan Suboptimal ◽

10.33230/jlso.7.2.2018.362 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Nur Edy Suminarti ◽

A.Y. Edy Guntoro ◽

A. N. Fajrin

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Sorghum Bicolor ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Soil Chemical Properties ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Cow Dung ◽

Dry Land ◽

Total Dry Weight

Suminarti et al, 2018. Effect of Source and Dosage of Organic Materials on Changes in Soil Chemical Properties, Growth and Yield of Sorghum Plants (Sorghum bicolor L.Moench) var. KD4 in Dry Land Jatikerto, Malang. JLSO 7(2): Agricultural extensification is the right step to anticipate conditions of food insecurity. This refers to two reasons, namely (1) proliferation of land conversion activities, and (2) sorghum is a carbohydrate-producing plant that is quite tolerant when planted on dry land. The objective of this study was to obtain information about the sources and doses of organic matter that are appropriate to changes in soil chemical properties, growth and yield of sorghum plants, and has been carried out in the dry land of Jatikerto, Malang. A split plot designs with three replications were used in this study, sources of organic material (blothong, UB compost and cow dung) as the main plot, and doses of organic matter (125%, 100% and 75%) as a subplot. Soil analysis was carried out 3 times, i.e. before planting, after application of organic matter and at harvest. The agronomic observations were carried out destructively at 80 days after planting (DAP) including the components of growth (root dry weight, leaf area, and total dry weight of the plant) and harvest at the age of 90 DAP.F test at 5% level was used to test the effect of treatment, while the difference between treatments was based on LSD level of 5%.The results showed that there was a significant interaction between the source and dosage of organic matter on the leaf area and total dry weight, the highest yield was obtained in blothong at various doses. Higher yields of seeds per hectare were also found in blotong: 1.76 tons ha-1, and 1.73 tons ha-1 on 125% doses of organic matter. Blotong application is able to provide elements of N, P and K soil respectively 18.3%, 85.68% and 8.42% for plant.

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The effect of sub-irrigation with untreated and treated municipal wastewater on organic matter and Nitrogen content on two soil types

Global NEST Journal ◽

10.30955/gnj.002810 ◽

2019 ◽

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Nitrogen Content ◽

Total Nitrogen ◽

Municipal Wastewater ◽

Tap Water ◽

Soil Mass ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Total N ◽

Untreated Wastewater ◽

Zone Ii

<p>In order to study the chemical parameters of the soil after sub-irrigation with wastewater, a system was installed in one of the greenhouses of the Agricultural University of Athens. Wastewater was applied subsurface into the soil mass of the pots were used. Three treatments were used: Untreated wastewater (U), Treated wastewater (T) and tap water (W) as control. Two different types were used: Soil (a) characterized as Sandy loam and soil (b) characterized as Loamy sand. Moreover, in order to investigate the change of total Nitrogen and organic matter concentrations at the point where the emitter was placed, the soil mass was divided into two zones. The upper (zone I) and the lower one (zone II). The total nitrogen content, ammonia nitrogen (NH4-N), nitrogen nitrate (NO3-N) and the percentage of organic matter, were determined in the soil samples. Statistically significant differences (p <0, 05) were observed in the organic matter and the total N%, only for soil (b). For soil (a), organic matter percentage was increased in zone (I) (irrigation with treated wastewater at 20 cm depth). For soil (b), total N% was increased in zone (I), while nitrate and ammonium were increased in zone (II) (irrigation with untreated wastewater at 20 cm depth).</p>

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