Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth)

Effect of the fortilizer nitrophoska on sorghum Sorghum bicolor L. parasitized by witchweed (Striga Hermonthica Del Benth) Nitrophoska (NPK), a compound fertilizer, showed significant effects in stimulating yield components of Sorghum bicolor L. cultivar Tabat and in depressing the parasitism of Striga hermonthica Del. Benth. Over all treatments nitrophoska at N3 (54 kg N/F) gave 160, 105,121 and 120% increases in yield components over the control for head weight, plant height, 1000 grain weight and straw yield/ m2 of sorghum. Nitrophoska scored 83% and 80% decrease in striga dry shoot weight / m2 and striga density / m2, respectively less than the control at N1 (18 kg N/F). To maximize the yield components of sorghum, higher levels of nitrophoska (N2. N3) were recommended to be used; while lower levels of nitrophoska (N1) were recommended to combat the menace of striga in fields of sorghum

Effect of zeolite on the growth and yield of broccoli in the dry season

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) growth and yield are impacted in warmer climates, especially during the dry season. Broccoli gives low yield and quality although it is heat-tolerant cultivars. Zeolite is an organic material recognized as suitable for dry season plant growth because it can adsorb cations, nutrients and water and release on demand from the plant. Application of zeolite in the soil may improve broccoli growth and yield during the dry season. The trial preparation followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications involving five amounts of zeolite at 0, 1.56, 3.12, 4.68 and 6.24 t ha-1 using broccoli cultivar ‘Top Green’. Results showed that zeolite applications of 4.68 and 6.24 t ha-1 improved growth and yield parameters including plant width, stem diameter, time to 50% flowering and harvest, head diameter and head weight better than the other treatments. Application of zeolite at 6.24 t ha-1 gave high total broccoli yield of 8.45 t ha-1 but not significantly different (p?0.05) from 4.68 t ha-1 that gave 7.89 t ha-1. Results indicated that application of zeolite at 4.68 t ha-1 was optimal for reducing drought stress and enhancing effective growth and yield of broccoli.

The impact of different growth media and ammonium-nitrate ratio on yield and nitrate accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia)

Ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-) ratio and growth media significantly alter plant development and NO3- accumulation in lettuce. Nitrate accumulation is regarded harmful for environment and human health. The quality of lettuce is assessed by NO3-concentration, size, and weight. This study determined the impact of five different growth media (cocopeat, peat, bark, perlite and rockwool) and four different NH4+:NO3- ratios (0:100, 20:80, 40:60 and 60:40) on NO3- accumulation in lettuce, yield, and several growth attributes. The experimentation was conducted according to open feeding system of soilless agriculture. The ‘Cosmos’ variety of lettuce was used as experimental material in the study. Growth mediums and NH4+:NO3- ratios significantly altered NO3- accumulation, head, leaf, stem and root traits. The results revealed that instead of growing lettuce with NO3- only in peat and rockwool, addition of NH4+ (20:80 of NH4+:NO3-) into nutrient solution increased head weight. While head weight increased in perlite medium with the addition of NH4+, it decreased in cocopeat and bark media. It is concluded that growth media and NH4+:NO3- ratios pose significant impacts on NO3- accumulation in leaf and that the increase in NH4+ ratio decreased NO3- accumulation in all growing media. Therefore, it is recommended that NH4+ should be added in the nutrient solution to decrease NO3- accumulation, which will ultimately improve yield and quality of lettuce.

The Effect of Foliar Spraying With Licorice Extract and Some Nutrients on The Growth and Yield of The Red Cabbage

The field experiment was carried out during the Winter/autumn cultivation season of (2021-2020) in one of the private fields in Fallujah city 60 km to the west of Baghdad at latitude 33° 19'53.6" north and longitude 43° 46'45.2" East to study the effect of foliar spraying with licorice extract and some nutrients on the growth and yield of red cabbage. A factor experiment with two factors was implemented according to the randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with three replicates, the first factor is foliar licorice extract application in different concentrations. The second factor is the foliar spraying of nutrients The results showed that the effect of spraying with licorice extract and some nutrients led to a significant increase in (plant height, leaf area, total chlorophyll in the leaves, Leaf content of anthocyanin, curl percentage, head weight, total yield, nitrogen percent in the leaves, Phosphorous percent in leaves, potassium percent in leaves).

The Influence of Flower Head Order and Gibberellic Acid Treatment on the Hydroxycinnamic Acid and Luteolin Derivatives Content in Globe Artichoke Cultivars

Flower head orders and the use of GA3 (gibberellic acid) treatment could be two influencing factors determining the bioactive compound levels in artichoke, but little to no information is available about their effects. In this study, we have therefore evaluated the influence of these factors on the hydroxycinnamic acid and luteolin derivative levels in three categories of artichoke: Seed-propagated open-pollinated cultivars; vegetatively propagated cultivars; and seed-propagated hybrids. The hydroxycinnamic acids and luteolin derivatives were quantified by RP-HPLC-DAD. The average flower head weight was the lowest in tertiary heads and GA3-treated artichokes, followed by secondary and main heads. Moreover, the hydroxycinnamic acid and luteolin derivatives levels were significantly higher in tertiary heads than in secondary or main heads. In addition, the GA3 treatment significantly reduced the hydroxycinnamic acid content and, in contrast, improved luteolin derivatives levels. These effects depended on the flower head order and cultivar. Knowledge of the effects of flower head order and GA3 treatment is therefore key in order to achieve the greatest health-benefits from artichoke consumption.

Impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cabbage in Ghana

A field experiment was conducted at Dormaa Ahenkro, Ghana, to determine the impact of inorganic and organic fertilizers on the growth and yield of cabbage. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment treatment comprises of sole application of poultry manure (PM), NPK 15:15:5, the combined application of poultry manure and NPK fertilizer (PM+NPK) and the control (no fertilizer). Data was collected on the number of leaves, stem girth, plant height, head diameter, head weight and edible head weight. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) among all the treatments. The combined application of PM+NPK recorded the highest values for all the parameters measured. From the results obtained farmers should consider the combined application of PM and NPK to maximize yield on their farm.

The Effect of Spraying Rocket Plant Extract and Ground Addition of Organic Nutrient (Karma maxi org) on The Growth and Production of Cabbage

The experiment was carried out in open field of the research station at College of Agriculture / University of Diyala during two seasons 2018 and 2019. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of foliar spraying with water extract of Rocket at three concentrations of 0, 50,, and 100% in and ground addition of Organic solution at three concentrations 0, 15, 20 ml. L-1 in. The Randomized Complete Block Design was used with three replicates. The results showed that spraying water extract of Rocket was superior in 100%. It was found that the highest values in stem height, number of external leaves, head diameter and head weight, and total yield for both seasons 13.36 cm, 12.57 leaf, 14.94 cm, 1.302 kg. plant-1 and 43.417 tons. H -1 For the first season, 10.92 cm, 12.64 leaves, 15.26 cm, 1.308 kg. Plant-1 and 43.618 tons. H-1) for the second season. Also, the ground addition of solution was superior at 20 ml. L-1 in all studied traits. They did not differ significantly from the 15ml.L-1 concentration. However, they differ significantly from the control treatment, which gave the lowest values for all traits and both seasons. As for the treatment of interaction which was (20 ml.L-1 and 100% of Rocket extract), it exceeded all treatments and for both seasons.were recorded 13.42 cm, 12.88 leaf, 15.77 cm, 1.351 kg. Plant-1 and 45.028 tons. H-1 for the first season, as well as 11.03 cm, 13.01 leaf, 15.80 cm, 1.383 kg. plant-1 and 46.096 tons. H-1 for the second season.

Examining Phosphorus Use Efficiency Across Different Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Genotypes

Most agricultural soils worldwide present limited availability of phosphorus (P) and crops require supplemental application of P fertilizers. Due to the economic and environmental concerns derived from the use of P fertilizers, identifying and breeding P-efficient lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars is imperative for the reduction of production costs and implementation of more sustainable practices. Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) remains unexplored in lettuce. In this research, 66 lettuce genotypes of six morphological types were evaluated between standard recommended P rate (202 kg·ha–1 of P2O5) and half-P rate (101 kg·ha–1 of P2O5). Lettuce genotypes were tested in two field experiments conducted during the 2017-2018 and 2019-2020 growing seasons in the organic soils (Histosols) within the Everglades Agricultural Area of South Florida. Head weight, marketability, tissue P concentration, soil total-P concentration, and soil extractable P were measured. Genetic variation was detected for PUE within romaine, crisphead, butterhead, Latin, and loose leaf. Eight genotypes were found to produce similar or higher head weight and good marketability when grown in the half-P rate compared to the standard P rate. No correlations were detected between head weight and tissue P concentration, indicating possible variation in P uptake and utilization on the tested lettuce genotypes. A significant, positive correlation was observed for soil total-P and soil extractable P, indicating that the increase in total P concentration of Histosols resulted in higher availability of P to plants. Lettuce genetic variation for PUE may allow further development of P-efficient cultivars for conventional and alternative production systems. More comprehensive investigations must be conducted to elucidate the genetic mechanisms controlling PUE in lettuce.

Bacillus thuringiensis and Silicon Modulate Antioxidant Metabolism and Improve the Physiological Traits to Confer Salt Tolerance in Lettuce

We investigated the impact of Bacillus thuringiensis as seed treatment and application with silicon on lettuce plants exposed to salinity levels (4 dS m−1 and 8 dS m−1). Results revealed that leaves number, head weight, total yield, relative water content (RWC), and chlorophyll a and b declined considerably due to two salinity levels. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2−), and lipid peroxidation (MDA) dramatically augmented in stressed plants. On the other hand, leaves number, total yield, RWC, and chlorophyll a, b in stressed lettuce plants were considerably enhanced because of the application of Si or B. thuringiensis. In contrast, EL%, MDA, and H2O2 were considerably reduced in treated lettuce plants with Si and B. thuringiensis. In addition, the treatment with Si and B. thuringiensis increased head weight (g) and total yield (ton hectare-1), and caused up-regulation of proline and catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase activity in lettuce leaves under salinity conditions.

Branch prunning and chicken manure application to improve growth and yield of brocolli in lowland area

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of branch pruning and chicken manure application on improving the growth and yield of broccoli in the lowland. The research was conducted in the dry land of Kutasari Village, Baturraden District, Banyumas Regency at 138 m above sea level. The research was arranged in a Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications consisting of two factors of chicken manure application (without chicken manure and with chicken manure at doses of 10 ton.ha-1 and 20 ton.ha-1) and branch pruning (without and with branch pruning of 25% and 50%). The pruning was performed when the plants initiated flowers. The observed data were analyzed with the F test and followed with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a P>0.05. The branch pruning resulted in a significant effect on the number of leaves, leaf width, head weight, and head diameter. Meanwhile, the chicken manure application showed a significant effect on all of the observed variables. There was an interaction effect of branch pruning and chicken manure application on the leaf width, head weight, and head diameter. The best result was obtained by the combined treatment of 50% branch pruning and 20 ton.ha-1 chicken manure, resulting in the head weight of 1048.33 g.plant-1 and leaf width of 1705.41 cm2.