Phenotypic correlation and regression of hydroponics maize fodder as influenced by seed rate, nutrient sources and spray schedule

The experiments were carried out at AICRP on Dry Land Agriculture, University of Agricultural Science, GKVK, Bengaluru to study the “Phenotypic correlation and regression of hydroponics maize fodder as influenced by seed rate, nutrient sources and spray schedule” during 2017-2018. The results of revealed significantly positive correlation between fodder yield per kg seed and yield parameter like total fresh weight of fodder per kg seed (r=0.95**), total dry weight per kg of seed (r=0.86*), growth parameters like shoot length (r= 0.90**), root length (r=0.85*) and seedling vigour (r=0.84*), physiological parameters like water use efficiency (r=0.86*), relative water content (r=0.91*) and SPAD (r=0.92**). With respect to nutrition study correlation coefficients of traits with fodder yield revealed positive correlation growth components like shoot length (r=0.90**), root length (r=0.74**), seedling vigour (r=0.86**) and dry matter accumulation (0.97**), yield parameters like Total fresh weight of fodder (r=0.96**), individual fresh weight of plant (r=0.95**) and individual dry weight of plant (r=0.97**), physiological parameters like SPAD (r=0.78**) and WUE (r=1.00**), quality parameters like nitrogen content, crude protein, crude fibre and total carbohydrates (r=0.927**, 0.927**, 0.770* and 0.905**, respectively). The study revealed significantly higher fodder yield with two combined sprays of urea and MOP each @ 1 per cent at 3rd and 10th Days after sowing (DAS) with 2.5 kg m-2 under hydroponic conditions.

The Effect of Dark Septate Endophytic Fungi on Mahonia oiwakensis

This is the first study to discuss the effects of dark septate endophytes (DSE) on the growth promotion and berberine concentration in Mahonia oiwakensis, whose extract (MOE) has been suggested to have potential therapeutic effects against human lung cancer. First, as per phylogenetic analysis, the strains were divided into four groups: CkDB2, CkDB5, MoAL2 and MoAL5. All of these were DSEs, which could form microsclerotia in M. oiwakensis. The growth response experiment revealed that inoculation of the plant with MoAL5 and CkDB5 promoted an increase in the total fresh weight of the seedlings. Chemical composition analysis showed that seedlings inoculated with CkDB5 had the highest berberine concentration. These results showed that some DSEs have the ability to promote growth and induce phytochemical responses in the host plant.

Influence of Fly Ash and Polyacrylamide Mixtures on Growth Properties of Artemisia ordosica in the Desert Region of North China

This study investigated the effects of consolidated soil layer (CSL) composed of fly ash (FA) and polyacrylamide (PAM) on the growth of Artemisia ordosica through plot experiments in Inner Mongolia, North China. It could provide a feasibility reference for ecological restoration and combating desertification in the desert areas. The germination and growth characteristics of Artemisia ordosica were studied in the control soil and 6 kinds of CSL, which were formed with 3 addition rates of FA (5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w) soil) and 2 addition rates of PAM (0.006% and 0.012% (w/w) soil). The results showed that CSL could provide good growth conditions for Artemisia ordosica in arid regions, especially for plant height, basal diameter, total fresh weight, and total dry weight in F5P1 as seen in 2017 and 2018. The FA, the PAM, and the interaction of FA and PAM all had significant impacts on the percentage of seedling emergence and total fresh weight (p < 0.05). The effects of CSL on the emergence and growth properties of Artemisia ordosica were evaluated by principal component analysis, and the CSL consisting of 5% FA and 0.006% PAM was recommended for plant growth.

Characteristics and Trends of Strawberry Cultivars throughout the Cultivation Season in a Greenhouse

Each strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivar has its own growth and yield characteristics. However, the characteristics of many cultivars have not been determined at a consistent time and place, making direct comparative analysis difficult. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics and trends of five Korean strawberry cultivars in the same environment during an entire season. Therefore, environmental factors such as daily average air temperature, daily average relative humidity, daily average solar radiation, daily soil temperature, daily soil water content, daily soil electrical conductivity (EC), plant growth characteristics such as the number of leaves, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and crown diameter, and productivity characteristics such as flowering and fruiting were measured to investigate the possible correlations of the data over one season. The vegetative growth of “Seolhyang” and “Keumsil” was greater than that of “Jukhyang” and “Maehyang”. The yield of “Arihyang” was greater than that of all other cultivars. “Arihyang” also presented the greatest weight per number of fruits. Among environmental factors, higher variability in air temperature and soil water content was correlated to lower total fresh weight in the following week at different degrees for each cultivar. Among the cultivars, the time to the first flowering was delayed by about seven days when the number of leaves increased by one and was reduced by one day per 1 cm increase in plant height. The total fresh weight was enhanced up to 271 g per experimental unit, while the average number of leaves increased by one. The results indicate that the data can be used by those who need information regarding the characteristics of the strawberry cultivars through direct comparative analysis.

Effect of four irrigation doses and four varieties on agronomical characteristics and yield of cotton cultivation in central Greece

In recent years, reduced irrigation has been applied for the cultivation of cotton. While this strategy remains desirable, it needs to be evaluated as it affects the yields and growth of cotton. During 2015 and 2016, two similar cotton experiments (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were performed in Greece, in the area of Karditsa and especially in the location of Palamas. An experiment was established designed according to split-plot design, with main plots four levels of irrigation (IRR. 2, IRR. 4, IRR. 6, IRR. 8) and subplots four varieties of cotton (Dp 419, Campo, Andromeda, Lider) for two growing periods. The results indicated that agronomical characteristics were affected by irrigation dose, while LAI (Leaf Area Index) was affected by irrigation levels and year. LAI higher values were noticed in RR8 level for all varieties. Second year values of LAI were higher than the first year. Irrigation levels affected the number of closed bolls. Closed bolls were ranged from 12 (RR2 with variety Dp 419) to 144.67 (RR8 in same variety). The yield was significantly affected by irrigation levels and variety; the highest value was observed in second year by the Lider variety (3,110 kg ha-1). A strong positive correlation was mentioned between yield and total fresh weight (r=0.72, p=0.001). On a pooled basis, all varieties responded positively to the largest amount of irrigation (RR8).

Growth and Ginsenosides Content of Ginseng Sprouts According to LED-Based Light Quality Changes

This study investigated growth and ginsenosides content of ginseng sprouts under various light spectra. One-year-old ginseng seedlings were cultivated under various light treatments including: monochromatic (red (R), green (G), and blue (B)), various RB and RGB combinations, white (fluorescent lamps (FL) and natural white (NW)), and supplemental far red (FR). R and high R ratio increased growth characteristics of ginseng sprouts (excepted for root dry weight). The replacement of G for B in RGB group and W group did not increase the growth, and supplemental FR increased shoot and root fresh weights, total fresh weight, and leaf area. R had 1.5 times higher photosynthetic rate compared to B and G, and R8G1B1 and R9G1B0 showed the highest values in RGB group; whereas the RB, W, and FR groups did not enhance photosynthetic rate. B and high B ratio increased shoot saponin and ginsenosides, total saponin and ginsenosides contents. Total saponin content in shoot was 4.4 times higher than that in root. The supplemental FR enhanced both total saponin and ginsenosides contents. In conclusion, NW + FR showed the highest total fresh weight, saponin and ginsenosides contents among all treatments, suggesting that supplementation of FR has a positive effect on ginseng sprouts grown in plant factories.

PSB33 protein sustains photosystem II in plant chloroplasts under UV-A light

Plants can quickly and dynamically respond to spectral and intensity variations of the incident light. These responses include activation of developmental processes, morphological changes, and photosynthetic acclimation that ensure optimal energy conversion and minimal photoinhibition. Plant adaptation and acclimation to environmental changes have been extensively studied, but many details surrounding these processes remain elusive. The photosystem II (PSII)-associated protein PSB33 plays a fundamental role in sustaining PSII as well as in the regulation of the light antenna in fluctuating light. We investigated how PSB33 knock-out Arabidopsis plants perform under different light qualities. psb33 plants displayed a reduction of 88% of total fresh weight compared to wild type plants when cultivated at the boundary of UV-A and blue light. The sensitivity towards UV-A light was associated with a lower abundance of PSII proteins, which reduces psb33 plants’ capacity for photosynthesis. The UV-A phenotype was found to be linked to altered phytohormone status and changed thylakoid ultrastructure. Our results collectively show that PSB33 is involved in a UV-A light-mediated mechanism to maintain a functional PSII pool in the chloroplast.

Corn husk as lignocellulosic agricultural waste for the cultivation of Pleurotus florida mushroom

The growth and yield of Pleurotus florida mushroom were evaluated in media with corn husk and wood sawdust substrates. Five formulations of substrates, namely 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of wood sawdust substituted with corn husk, were tested with 0% corn husk or 100% wood sawdust serving as the control. The total number of fruiting bodies, the number of effective fruiting bodies, the total fresh weight and dry weight of the mushroom, and biological efficiency were significantly increased with as low as 25% corn husk in the substrate, and they showed a significant increasing trend as the composition of corn husk in the substrate increased. Superior yield was produced by P. florida cultivated in 100% corn husk, where the total number of fruiting bodies, the number of effective fruiting bodies, the total fresh weight, and the total dry weight of the mushroom were 4.8 times, 5.4 times, 4.6 times, and 5.4 times greater than the control, respectively. The biological efficiency of P. florida increased gradually from 8.8% in the control to 51.37% in the 100% corn husk substrate. Therefore, corn husk could be exploited as a substitute or alternative substrate to wood sawdust for more sustainable production of P. florida.

Assessment of Growth and Biomass Production of a Medicinal Plant Bryophyllum Salisb. as Influenced by Different Organic Manures

A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the influence of various organic manures on the growth performance and biomass production of Bryophyllum pinnatum. Nine kinds of organic manures, such as ACI, BGF-1, bone meal, Green life, Kazi, Majim, mustard cake, Payel and Shebok composts were applied individually at the rate of 15 ton/ha. Highest height (45.25 cm), leaf number (102.67 no./plant), leaf area (82.43 cm2/plant), number of branches (27.00 no./plant), girth (6.75 cm/plant), total fresh weight (334.02 g/plant) and total dry weight (86.09 g/plant) were recorded in mustard cake compost treatment at harvest. Results showed that the best growth performance and biomass production both were achieved by mustard cake compost treatment. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 29(2): 229-236, 2020 (July)

PENGARUH LAMA PERENDAMAN PANGKAL SETEK DALAM LARUTAN NAA (NAPTHALENE ACETIC ACID) PADA PERTUMBUHAN SETEK LADA

Effect of soaking duration on base stem cuttings in NAA solution (Naphthalene Acetic Acid) on the growth of pepper The need for pepper is increasing along with the development of the food industry with the basic ingredients of pepper. The determining factor of the quality of pepper produced comes from the seeds used. This study aims to determine the effect of soaking DURATION on pepper cuttings (Piper nigrum L.) in the Napthaleneacetic Acid (NAA) solution. The study was conducted in October 2018 until February 2019 in the greenhouse and Plant Science Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung, Bandar Lampung. This study uses a completely randomized group design (RKTS). The treatment of immersion base cuttings in NAA (N) solution concentrates 500 ppm consisting of : without NAA (n0), immersion 0 minutes (n1), soaked 15 minutes (n2), soaked 30 minutes (n3), soaked 60 minutes (n4), and soaked 120 minutes (n5). Homogeneity of variability between treatments was tested by Bartlet Test and data additivity was tested by Tukey test, then continued with Variance Analysis (ANARA). Comparison of the middle value with the orthogonal comparison test at α level of 5%. The results showed that: (1) giving NAA affected the number of roots in the book, the fresh weight of the roots in the book, the dry weight of the roots in the book, the total number of roots, and the total fresh weight of the roots; (2) administration of NAA by immersion is better than dipping in the number of roots in the book, the fresh weight of the roots in the book, the dry weight of the roots in the book, the total number of roots, and the total fresh weight of the roots; and (3) length of soaking cuttings in NAA solution has no effect on the growth of pepper cuttings.