Assessment of allelopathic potential of the salicylic acid on target plants: Euphorbia heterophylla and Bidens pilosa

Salicylic acid has one of its characteristics the allelopathic potential. The present paper, is a research quantitative in nature aimed to assess the allelopathic potential of salicylic acid to identify the best concentration range for other pure substances. The bioassays were performed in a BOD incubator, seeking to assess the seedling growth by measuring the radicle and hypocotyl length. Each bioassay occurred for 12 days. The concentrations of salicylic acid used in the bioassays were: 1000, 750, 500, 250, 125, and 62.5 ppm and control. The obtained data were submitted to the tests: Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality, the two-way ANOVA with repetition, and Tukey. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to observe that several concentrations demonstrated significant differences, i.e., there is an allelopathic activity in both species (Euphorbia heterophylla and Bidens pilosa). The highlights were for the concentrations of 750 and 1000 ppm for E. heterophylla and 500, 750 and 1000 ppm for B. pilosa. However, there was no significant difference between these concentration groups. The radicle’s length was the part most negatively affected. These results can be used to identify better concentrations for other pure substances, which are usually obtained in small quantities, being useful in the formulation of a product with characteristics of bio-herbicides.

Pengaruh priming terhadap vigor benih kedelai (Glycine max (L.) Merril.) yang dikecambahkan pada media dengan cekaman alumunium

Kandungan aluminium yang tinggi pada tanah Ultisol merupakan salah satu masalah utama dalam budidaya tanaman kedelai mulai dari fase perkecambahan hingga pertumbuhan tanaman. Perlakuan priming pada benih diyakini mampu memperbaiki perkecambahan pada lingkungan yang kurang menguntungkan. Penelitian dilakukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh priming pada perkecambahan benih kedelai yang dikecambahkan dalam media masam dan mengandung aluminium. Penelitian disusun dalam Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) pola faktorial. Faktor pertama adalah jenis priming : tanpa priming, H2O (air), KNO3 1%, KNO3 2%, GA3 50 ppm, GA3 100 ppm, dan PEG 6000 7,5%. Faktor kedua adalah varietas kedelai yaitu: Anjasmoro, Burangrang, dan Grobogan. Data dianalisis sidik ragamnya dan dilanjutkan dengan uji Beda Nyata Jujur (BNJ) 5% menggunakan program statistika R Studio. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan priming PEG 7,5% dan varietas Burangrang secara mandiri merupakan perlakuan terbaik untuk meningkatkan vigor benih kedelai berdasarkan variabel waktu muncul kecambah, kecepatan perkecambahan, dan panjang hipokotil. Implikasi penelitian ini adalah PEG 7,5% dapat digunakan untuk perbaikan perkecambahan pada tanah masam dengan kandungan aluminium yang relatif tinggi. High aluminium content in Ultisol is the main problem in soybean cultivation from germination to planting growth phases.Priming treatment is believed to improve seed germination in a poor-growing environment. This study aimed to determine the effect of priming of soybean seeds germinated under acid medium and aluminium stress. The experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with factorial pattern. The first factor was priming type : no priming, H2O (water), 1% KNO3, 2% KNO3, 50 ppm GA3, 100 ppm GA3, and 7.5% PEG 6000. The second factor was soybean variety : Anjasmoro, Burangrang, and Grobogan. The data obtained were analyzed using the R Studio statistic program with a 5% HSD test. The study resulted that each PEG 7.5% priming and Burangrang variety independently was the best in increasing soybean seed vigor based on sprout time emergence, germination speed and hypocotyl length. This research implicates that PEG 7.5% can be used to improve seed germination on acid soils with high aluminium content.

A framework of artificial light management for optimal plant development for smart greenhouse application

Smart greenhouse farming has emerged as one of the solutions to global food security, where farming productivity can be managed and improved in an automated manner. While it is known that plant development is highly dependent on the quantity and quality of light exposure, the specific impact of the different light properties is yet to be fully understood. In this study, using the model plant Arabidopsis, we systematically investigate how six different light properties (i.e., photoperiod, light offset, intensity, phase of dawn, duration of twilight and period) would affect plant development i.e., flowering time and hypocotyl (seedling stem) elongation using an established mathematical model of the plant circadian system relating light input to flowering time and hypocotyl elongation outputs for smart greenhouse application. We vary each of the light properties individually and then collectively to understand their effect on plant development. Our analyses show in comparison to the nominal value, the photoperiod of 18 hours, period of 24 hours, no light offset, phase of dawn of 0 hour, duration of twilight of 0.05 hour and a reduced light intensity of 1% are able to improve by at least 30% in days to flower (from 32.52 days to 20.61 days) and hypocotyl length (from 1.90 mm to 1.19mm) with the added benefit of reducing energy consumption by at least 15% (from 4.27 MWh/year to 3.62 MWh/year). These findings could provide beneficial solutions to the smart greenhouse farming industries in terms of achieving enhanced productivity while consuming less energy.

UV-B Radiation as Abiotic Elicitor to Enhance Phytochemicals and Development of Red Cabbage Sprouts

Background: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of periodical UV-B illumination during red cabbage germination on morphological development and the phenolics and carotenoid accumulation. Methods: During a sprouting period of 10 days at 20 °C in darkness, seedlings received 5, 10, or 15 kJ m−2 UV-B (T5, T10, and T15) applied in four steps (25% on days 3, 5, 7, and 10). UV untreated sprouts were used as control (CTRL). After 10 days of germination, the sprouts were harvested and stored 10 days at 4 °C as a minimally processed product. Phenolic and carotenoid compounds were analysed 1 h after each UV-B application and on days 0, 4, 7, and 10 during cold storage. Results: The longest hypocotyl length was observed in T10-treated sprouts. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) increased during germination following a sigmoidal kinetic, especially in the UV-B-treated samples, which reported a dose-dependent behaviour. In this way, T10-treated sprouts increased the TPC by 40% after 10 days at 4 °C compared to CTRL, while TAC and TFC increased by 35 and 30%, respectively. Carotenoids were enhanced with higher UV-B doses (T15). Conclusions: We found that UV-B stimulated the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, and a dose of 10 kJ m−2 UV-B, proportionally applied on days 3, 5, 7, and 10 days, is recommended.

ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEAF AND ROOT SESAME ON SICKLEPOD AND BRACHIARIA SEEDS

Sicklepod is an important weed in Brazil pastures, but control measures are not yet effective. Thus, allelopathy can be an alternative, due to its ecological importance and for being able to provide new structures sources for agrochemicals production. This research aimed to verify the allelopathic potential of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) on germination and seedling development of sicklepod (Senna occidentalis L.) and brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha). The treatments were root and leaf extract of sesame, and control (distilled water). Germination percentage, speed of germination, hypocotyl and radicle length were evaluated. Speed of germination, germination percentage and radicle length had no interference from the aqueous extracts. However, in brachiaria these traits had lower values than sicklepod. Hypocotyl length was not influenced by the extracts, however, the leaf extract showed lower growth of this feature. Allelopathy did not affect germination and speed of germination in both species, but interfered in brachiaria development.

Valorization of Cladophora glomerata Biomass and Obtained Bioproducts into Biostimulants of Plant Growth and as Sorbents (Biosorbents) of Metal Ions

The aim of this study was to propose a complete approach for macroalgae biomass valorization into products useful for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. In the first stage, the effects of macroalgal extracts and ZnO NPs (zinc oxide nanoparticles) on the germination and growth of radish were examined. Macroalgal extract was produced from freshwater macroalga, i.e., Cladophora glomerata by ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE). The extract was used to biosynthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles. In germination tests, extracts and solutions of ZnO NPs were applied on paper substrate before sowing. In the second stage, sorption properties of macroalga, post-extraction residue, and ZnO NPs to absorb Cr(III) ions were examined. In the germination tests, the highest values of hypocotyl length (the edible part of radish), i.e., 3.3 and 2.6 cm were obtained for 60 and 80% extract (among the tested concentrations 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) and 10 and 50 mg/L NPs, respectively. The highest sorption capacity of Cr(III) ions (344.8 mg/g) was obtained by both macroalga and post-extraction residue at a pH of 5 and initial Cr(III) ions concentration of 200 mg/L. This study proves that macroalgae and products based on them can be applied in both sustainable agriculture and wastewater treatment.

An Endeavor of ‘Deep-underground Agriculture’: Deep-underground Storage in a Gold Mine Impacts the Germination of Canola (Brassica Napus L.) Seeds

Exploring and utilizing the agronomic potential of deep-underground is one of the ways to cope with the challenges of sudden environmental change on agriculture. Understanding the effects of environmental stresses on the morphological and physiological indicators of crop seeds after their storage deep-underground is crucial to developing and implementing strategies for agriculture in the deep-underground space. In this study, we stored canola seeds in envelopes or sealed packages at 0, 240, 690, and 1,410 m in a gold mine. Seeds in envelopes were retrieved at 42, 66, 90, and 227 days of storage, whereas seeds in sealed packages were retrieved at 66 and 227 days of storage. The germination tests were conducted to investigate the effects of storage depth, duration, and packing method on stored and non-stored seeds. Results showed that increased depth and duration led to decreased seed germination rate, with the germination and vigor indexes also descending to varying degrees. Increased hypocotyl length and biomass accumulation suggested that deep-underground environment had more significant compensatory effect on seed germination. For all indicators, the performance of seeds sealed in packages was superior to those stored in envelopes. Regression analysis showed that it was difficult to obtain the optimal value of each indicator simultaneously. The successful germination experiment foreshadowed the possibilities of deep-underground agriculture in the future.

The Effect of LED Lighting on The Growth of Seedlings of Hybrid Tomato

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of LED lighting on the growth of seedlings of hybrid tomato plants. Four hybrids (Captain F1, Refiner F1, Coral Reef F1 and Fire F1), seven treatments of irradiators (monochromatic red, green, blue, white) and three dual light treatments (green+blue, blue+red, green+red) were carried out in the laboratory of artificial climate. Radiation with monochromatic had a role in increasing hypocotyl length, the height of plant, transpiration and stomata connection. The results have shown a significant effect on radiation with monochromatic red on hypocotyl length (73.00mm) and the height of plant (30.94cm). Plants radiation with monochromatic blue gave the highest transpiration (4.69 mmol/m2.s) and stomatal conductance (0.30 mol./m2.s). The dual radiation had a role in increasing dry weight for the plant and leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD). Radiation with (green+red) provided the best stem dry weight (0.91g). Plants irradiated with (green+blue) exhibited the highest leaf dry weight and root dry weight (1.96g and 3.12g respectively). Plants radiation with (blue + red) showed the highest leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) (559.19). In the monochromatic light, the effect of hybrid Fire F1 showed the highest hypocotyl length (64.11mm) and height of plant (29.00 cm), and hybrid Refind F1 had the highest transpiration (3.58 mmol/m2.s) and stomatal conductance (0.23 mol./m2.s). In the binary spectral effect, the hybrid Coral reef F1 resulted the highest stem dry weight, leaf dry weight and root dry weight (0.68 g,1.76 g and 2.39g respectively), and hybrid Refind F1 had the highest leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD) (468.27).

Light Spectrum Differentially Affects the Yield and Phytochemical Content of Microgreen Vegetables in a Plant Factory

Light quality exerts considerable effects on crop development and phytochemical content. Moreover, crops grown as microgreens are ideal for plant factories with artificial lighting, since they contain greater amounts of bioactive compounds compared to fully-grown plants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of broad-spectra light with different red/blue ratios on the yield, morphology, and phytochemical content of seven microgreens. Mustard, radish, green basil, red amaranth, garlic chives, borage, and pea shoots were grown in a vertical farming system under three light sources emitting red/blue ratios of about 2, 5, and 9 units (RB2, RB5, and RB9, respectively). Mustard exhibited the most profound color responses. The yield was enhanced in three microgreens under RB9 and in garlic under RB2. Both the hypocotyl length and the leaf and cotyledon area were significantly enhanced by increasing the red light in three microgreens each. Total soluble solids (Brix) were reduced in 4 microgreens under RB2. The total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were reduced under RB2 in 6 and 5 microgreens, respectively. The chlorophylls were variably affected but total the carotenoid content was reduced in RB9 in three microgreens. Overall, light wavelength differentially affected the microgreens’ quality, while small interplays in spectral bands enhanced their phytochemical content.