Effects of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Plant Nutrient Uptake by Terung Asam (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal)

Terung asam (Solanum lasiocarpum Dunal) is a native fruit vegetable that is gaining interest as a commercial crop in Sarawak and Malaysia. Malaysia is covered by soils that are highly weathered, acidic, and low in fertility and depend on chemical fertilisers to promote good plant growth. Alternative means to reduce dependency on chemical fertiliser, for example arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF), must be sourced. Very few research on terung asam has been documented particularly on nutrients uptake. The objectives of this research were to investigate the effect of indigenous and non-indigenous AMF on nutrient uptake by terung asam. A greenhouse experiment was conducted consisting of three treatments namely control (T1), indigenous AMF (T2), non-indigenous AMF (T3). The treatments were arranged in a complete randomised design with four subsamples and four replicates. Thirty-day-old seedlings were transplanted and measured for their heights and stem diameters for 90 days. Fresh and dry shoot and root weights were taken during harvesting. Plant nutrient analyses were conducted using Kjeldahl method for total N, single ashing for P and single ashing and double acid for K, Ca and Mg. The results revealed the addition of AMF spores at 200 spores per pot, increased plant height by 13 to 33% and stem diameter by 5 to 25% and more leaves were retained by T3 plants at harvesting. T3 recorded higher fresh shoot (11.27%) and dry shoot (14.98%) as well as fresh root (23.67%) and dry root (22.77%) weights than T1 plants. Addition of AMF in treatments T2 and T3 promoted better nutrient uptake by aboveground and belowground biomasses particularly for K, Ca and Mg. T3 was superior in terms of the nutrient uptake for most nutrients. AMF used in T3 showed better results as the AMF spores were proven effective in promoting plant growth while AMF used in T2 were obtained from the field and untested. The findings of this study showed the potential of indigenous and non-indigenous AMF in promoting growth and nutrient uptake by terung asam plants.

Short-term effects of fertilization on photosynthetic activity in a deciduous tree plantation

Fertilization is a method to enhance tree growth and timber production. Ammonium nitrate and wood ash are commonly used fertilizers, which can be applied at the same time to increase levels of both nitrogen and other macro- and micronutrients. We studied how ammonium nitrate and wood ash fertilization affects photosynthetic activity and transpiration at leaf level in a deciduous tree plantation in former agricultural land with mineral soil, located in the central part of Latvia (Keipene parish). Additionally, we performed foliar and soil nutrient analyses. Our results support the notion that nitrogen fertilization may not result in increased photosynthetic activity. It is possible that the photosynthetic activity has increased at canopy scale along with increasing leaf area, not at leaf scale. Wood ash addition seems to have resulted in higher photosynthetic activity for hybrid alder, although it could not be explained with phosphorus availability. Although closely related to photosynthesis, in most cases transpiration was not positively affected by fertilization. Environmental factors, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed may have a greater effect on this process.

Gerbera leaf nutritional status as a cut flower cultivated with different doses of nitrogen and calcium

Vegetative tissue analyses might help to diagnose nutritional status of a crop. Foliage diagnosis is an effective method to set up balanced fertilization procedures. The current work aims to evaluate nutrient contents of two gerbera leaf sampling periods as a cut flower cultivated in pots with different doses of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment, shelter type, in a container containing substrate in a 3x3+1 factorial scheme. Three doses of N (0.07, 0.15 or 0.2 g L-1) or three doses of Ca (0.02, 0.03 or 0.04 g L-1) were applied every 15 days. Control plants did receive neither N nor Ca. The substrate was analyzed before and after cultivation, and at the end of production years, as well as completely expanded leaves were collected for nutrient analyses. There was not significant interaction between N and Ca doses. Regarding the sampling period or doses of N and Ca, the determined macronutrient concentrations were in the following order of N>K>Ca>P>S>Mg. The micronutrient concentrations were in the following order of Fe>Mn>B>Zn>Cu. Except for K, all the other nutrient concentrations were in the recommended range for gerberas production.

Compilation of Black Soldier Fly Frass Analyses

In the context of black soldier fly (BSF) rearing, often the residues from production — mainly faeces but also undigested substrate — are addressed as frass in a broader sense. As BSF production is expanding, the valorization of BSF frass as organic fertilizer is gaining importance. However, in contrast to established organic fertilizers, little is known on the properties and variation of this by-product, which is essential for assessing possible application purposes. To elaborate a first overview on this relatively new waste stream, BSF frass analyses from the literature and anonymized frass analyses enquired from BSF producers were compiled. For a possible agricultural use as a fertilizer, their nutrient patterns were assessed. With a balanced nitrogen:phosphorous pentoxide:potassium oxide (N:P2O5:K2O) ratio of 1:0.9:1.1, BSF frass can be characterized as a slightly alkaline (pH 7.5), nutrient-rich compound fertilizer, with the nutrient and especially the micronutrient contents showing high variation. The comparably high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and low shares of ammonium nitrogen indicate a limited immediate nutrient release and point to possible applications of frass as a long-term fertilizer. The use of frass as an organic fertilizer as one element in a fertilization strategy is promising. By improving nutrient cycling back to the field, BSF frass can represent an important element of sustainable circular agriculture. However, more information on BSF feed and production systems needs to be combined with the nutrient analyses to better understand the variation in frass nutrient contents.

Food and Nutrient Intakes of Nova Scotian Children in Home and Childcare Environments

Purpose: To describe the energy (E), sodium, saturated fat, sugar, and fibre intakes of a sample of children attending regulated childcare (RCC) in Nova Scotia. Methods: Nutrient analyses from 79 food records were compiled and grouped by intakes in and outside of RCC, age, sex, location of the RCC (urban or rural), and nutrient intake data. Descriptive statistics and independent t tests were conducted. Results: Mean E and macronutrients were within recommended ranges and, for days attending RCC, 45%E was consumed in RCC. Saturated fat intake was 12%E on average. Mean sodium intake exceeded or approached the tolerable upper limit for 3-year olds (1726 mg/day) and 4–5-year olds (1770 mg/day), respectively. Total sugar was 27%E intake and significantly more sugar was consumed outside RCC and by boys compared to girls. Mean daily dietary fibre intake was below recommended levels (15 g/day). Conclusions: On average dietary intakes of children exceeded recommendations for sodium, saturated fat, and sugar with higher intakes outside RCC. The foods provided by RCC have a positive influence on children’s intakes, but given the pervasiveness of sugar and sodium in the food environment and the challenges of feeding children, support is needed for both RCC and families to encourage healthy eating behaviours for positive growth and development.

Effect of Fertilizers on Nutrient Content and Uptake of Aromatic Local Transplant Aman Rice Varieties in Acid Soil

A pot experiment was conducted at the experimental net house of the Department of Soil Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh to observe the effect of fertilizers on yield and nutrient uptake of local aromatic rice varieties during the Aman season of 2015. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Five local aromatic rice varieties (Kalizira: V1, Muktasail: V2, Nagrasail: V3, Maloti: V4 and Chinigura: V5) and four packages of fertilizers (F1: Recommended package i.e. 45-10-20-10-0.5 kg ha-1 of N-P-K-S-Zn, F2: 2/3rd of recommended package, F3: 1/3rd of recommended package, and F4: Control) were used. Urea, TSP, MoP, gypsum and ZnSO4 were used as N, P, K, S and Zn source, respectively. According to the treatment, all fertilizers were applied as basal during final pot preparation while urea was applied in two equal splits (one half as basal and another half at 40 DAT). Nutrient content and uptake of the aromatic rice varieties were significantly affected by the application of different fertilizer packages (with few exceptions). Mostly Kalizira (1.10-0.44-2.31-0.67-13.75 g pot-1 of N-P-K-S-Zn) and/or Nagrasail (1.15-0.46-2.70-0.62-11.74 g pot-1 of N-P-K-S-Zn) varieties showed the highest nutrient uptake in grain and straw with recommended package of fertilizers. While in maximum cases Chinigura (0.41-0.16-0.76-0.197-3.17 g pot-1 of N-P-K-S-Zn) was observed to have the lowest with control treatment. In case of post harvest soil nutrient analyses, Kalizira and/or Chinigura variety associated with recommended package of fertilizers showed the highest nutrient status.

Biochar addition affected nutrient leaching and litter decomposition rates in boreal sandy soils

Effects of biochar addition on litter decomposition rates, nutrient leaching and soil moisture were tested in two boreal agricultural soils; a sandy till and a medium fine sand. Three litter bags were buried in soil basins, which were stored in the dark for 31 and 19 weeks in the sandy till experiment and medium fine sand experiment, respectively. Once per each temperature period, the soil was saturated in order to collect excess water for nutrient analyses. Biochar increased the decomposition rate of N-rich litter but did not affect the decomposition of N-poor litter. PO43--P and NO2--N were released from the biochar to the leached water and thus leaching of PO43--P, NO2--N and total P was increased in the soil with the finer texture. However, biochar retained water after heavy irrigation and leaching of PO43--P and total P was not increased on the coarser soil. Although pure biochar adsorbed NH4+-N from nutrient solutions, NH4+-N leaching from both soil types was generally not affected by biochar. Leaching of nitrate NO3--N and total N was decreased on both soils due to retention by the biochar.

Quality assurance and control on hydrological data off western Sardinia (2000–2004), western Mediterranean

Seven oceanographic cruises in 5 years were organized in the Sea of Sardinia with the repeated collection of physical, chemical and biological data. An accurate and sustained quality assurance on physical sensors was enacted through pre- and postcruise calibration and verified during in situ acquisitions with the use of redundant sensors and other instruments. Moreover, for dissolved oxygen and conductivity, seawater samples at standard depths were frequently analyzed on board. Then an accurate quality control was used to verify all hydrological data profiles, which passed a further quality check following standard procedures. Finally all hydrological data have been included in two online public open-access datasets in the SEANOE (SEA scieNtific Open data Edition) repository (https://doi.org/10.17882/59867 and https://doi.org/10.17882/70340; Ribotti et al., 2019a, b). During and after all cruises Chlorophyll a and nutrient analyses were also carried out, but these data are not yet open access; the same applies for water current profiles, both at casts and during vessel moves, and geophysical data. These ocean data are the first covering the Sea of Sardinia for its whole extension. Here data and assurance and control procedures used are described as they have become standards in deep-sea acquisitions over the years.

Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soils under Cacao Production System in Davao de Oro, Philippines

The study was conducted to understand the physico-chemical characteristics of the soils under cacao production system in Davao de Oro, Philippines. Eight (8) cacao farms were selected for detailed field characterization and sampling of soils for various nutrient analyses. Fertility status of each selected farm was determined by comparing the fertility properties of each soil with the critical nutrient level requirement for cacao. Results showed that most of the soils have a dark brown soil color in the upper horizons, and dark, yellowishbrown in the lower horizons. They range from moderately deep to very deep soil profile (19 to 150 cm), with very friable to extremely firm when moist, slightly sticky to very sticky, and slightly plastic to very plastic when soil consistence is wet. Lower elevations had shallow solum with high water table, resulting in the development of mottles and redoximorphic properties. The amount of clay ranged from 9 to 37%, with 18 to 40% for silt, and 30 to 68% for sand. Most of the cacao farms were intercropped with coconut, durian, lanzones, rubber, and banana. Most of the soils are moderate to slightly acidic, with pH values < 6.5 and CEC ranging from 10 to 34 meq/100g. Moreover, most of the areas have low organic matter (1.66%) except for the areas which continually applied organic matter during fertilization (4.60%). The amount of nitrogen (N) is optimum; however, phosphorus (P) was generally deficient in the soils of most cacao farms surveyed, while amount of potassium (K) ranges from 41.30 to 375.60 mg/kg.

Çekirdeklik Kabak (Cucurbita pepo L.) Artıkları Silajının Besin Değerlerinin Belirlenmesi

In this study, nutritional values of silages made from seed pumpkin residues were investigated. Pumpkin residues collected from Konya region were put into silo in vacuum sacks with various additives. As additives, straw, inoculant containing lactic acid bacteria or a mixture of both in certain proportions were used. After the silos were opened, their pH was determined and then samples were taken to determine the essential fatty acid compositions and nutrient analyses were done. Natural pumpkin (Group 1), natural pumpkin + inoculant (100ppm) (Group 2), withered pumpkin + 15% straw (Group 3), withered pumpkin + 15% straw + inoculant (100ppm) (Group 4) such that the fourth group is formed. Dry matter values of pumpkin groups are Group 1 7.89%, Group 2 6.62%, Group 3 12.22% and Group 4 12.25% respectively. Their pH is 3.78 in Group 1, 3.71 in Group 2, 3.86 in Group 3 and 3.82 in Group 4. The crude protein ratio in the experimental groups was determined in the highest Group 2 (14.97%) and the lowest in Group 3 (10.56%). NDF rate was determined in the highest group 4 (49.74%) and the lowest in Group 2 (28.51%). In addition, the highest ADF rate was determined in Group 4 (37.91%) and the lowest in Group 2 (24.90%). There was a statistically significant difference between the research groups in terms of ethanol content. Acetic acid and propionic acid content was found statistically significant between groups. As a result, when the pumpkin residues are silaged, it can be used as feed material in animal feeding. In addition, it can be said that pumpkin residues can be evaluated in different areas in the high amount of Ethanol content resulting from silage production.