Russian and Foreign Cultivars of Honeysuckle (Lonicera edulis Turcz.): cultivation studies in vitro

Introduction. The demand for honeysuckle berries and planting material is growing. Clonal micropropagation is the most effective method for industrial plantations. The research objective was to study the effect of cytokinins and auxins on Russian and Canadian honeysuckle microshoots and roots. Study objects and methods. The study featured regenerated honeysuckle (Lonicera edulis Turcz.) of three Russian cultivars (Bakcharsky Velikan, Doch Velikana, Yugana) and two Canadian cultivars (Boreal Beauty, Boreal Beast). The experiment focused on the effect of sterilizing agents and sterilization time on the viability of honeysuckle explants at the stage of culture introduction in vitro. The effect of the growth regulator Cytodef in the QL nutrient medium on organogenesis was studied at the stage of micropropagation proper, the effect of auxin IBA on plant root formation – at the stage of rooting in vitro. Results and discussion. The greatest viability of honeysuckle explants (80–94%) was registered in the samples affected by Lizoformin 3000 (5%) and silver nitrate (0.2%) as sterilizing agents with a sterilization time of 10 min at the stage of in vitro culture introduction. The biggest quantity (8.8 pcs.) and total length (40.1 cm) of microshoots were observed when the content of cytokinin Cytodef in the culture medium QL was 0.3 mg/L at the stage micropropagation proper. The Boreal Beast cultivar had the largest total length of shoots (29.0 cm). The biggest quantity (5.5 pcs.) and total length (30.8 cm) of roots resulted from 0.5 mg/L of auxin IBA at the stage of rooting in vitro. Coconut substrate produced the highest survival rate (92–99%) at the stage of adaptation to non-sterile conditions in vivo, with the greatest number of leaves (8.1–10.2 pcs.) observed in Canadian cultivars. Conclusion. Cytodef and IBA proved to be effective growth-regulating substances for microplants of Russian and Canadian honeysuckle cultivars in vitro, which makes them promising for berry plantations.

Metabolic Capacity Differentiates Plenodomus lingam from P. biglobosus Subclade ‘brassicae’, the Causal Agents of Phoma Leaf Spotting and Stem Canker of Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus) in Agricultural Ecosystems

In contrast to the long-lasting taxonomic classification of Plenodomus lingam and P. biglobosus as one species, formerly termed Leptosphaeria maculans, both species form separate monophyletic groups, comprising sub-classes, differing considerably with epidemiology towards Brassicaceae plants. Considering the great differences between P. lingam and P. biglobosus, we hypothesized their metabolic capacities vary to a great extent. The experiment was done using the FF microplates (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA, USA) containing 95 carbon sources and tetrazolium dye. The fungi P. lingam and P. biglobosus subclade ‘brassicae’ (3 isolates per group) were cultured on PDA medium for 6 weeks at 20 °C and then fungal spores were used as inoculum of microplates. The test was carried out in triplicate. We have demonstrated that substrate richness, calculated as the number of utilized substrates (measured at λ490 nm), and the number of substrates allowing effective growth of the isolates (λ750 nm), showed significant differences among tested species. The most efficient isolate of P. lingam utilized 36 carbon sources, whereas P. biglobosus utilized 60 substrates. Among them, 25–29 carbon sources for P. lingam and 34–48 substrates for P. biglobosus were efficiently used, allowing their growth. Cluster analysis based on Senath criteria divided P. biglobosus into two groups and P. lingam isolates formed one group (33% similarity). We deduce the similarities between the tested species help them coexist on the same host plant and the differences greatly contribute to their different lifestyles, with P. biglobosus being less specialized and P. lingam coevolving more strictly with the host plant.

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.

Biostimulant application in the cultivation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus l.): A case study of Andijan region

This article describes the results of the conducted field experiment by using biostimulants “Uchkun”, “Super Uchkun”, “Gossipren” and “Verva” on cucumber varieties (Orzu) in Andijan region and the effect on the increase of productivity. It was revealed that the pre-sowing treatment of cucumber seeds with biostimulants promoted a significant increase in seed germination and growth processes. The most effective growth stimulant on Orzu cucumber was Super Uchkun. On average, the yield of cucumber when treated with biostimulants increased by 10.28%; 23.8%; 24.27% and 14.29%, respectively; while the yield increase was 1.3, 2.3, 2.7, and 0.9 t/ha, respectively.

Optimization of an effective growth medium for biomass production of Bacillus cereus

Protein is the main source of nutrition in fish feed. It is necessary to use bacterial single-cell protein (SCPs) as a substitute for conventional protein. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of tofu liquid waste as a growth medium for biomass production of Bacillus cereus as an SCPs. The isolates used were B. cereus SN7 and B. cereus consortium (combination of 5 isolates of B. cereus with different strains). The method used was experimental where isolates were cultured in a medium containing tofu liquid waste with different concentrations (8%, 10%, and 12%) enriched with 10% skim milk. Furthermore, the analysis of an effective growth medium was carried out by three methods, namely total plate count, optical density, and cell-dry weight. Cell biomass measurements were carried out for 24 hours with an observation time of every 6 hours. The results showed the best growth medium used in the culture of B. cereus SN7 and B. cereus consortium was tofu liquid waste at a concentration of 12% enriched with 10% skim milk. In conclusion, the cell mass of B. cereus SN7 and B. cereus consortium significantly increased at 6 to 12 hours.

FOREST PLANTATION. HOW TO CUT, HOW TO PLANT AND GROW?

A critical analysis of scientific publications devoted to the schemes and parameters of placement (planting) on the territory of the plantation of planting material is presented. The analysis of the dimensions of the machines and their working bodies in comparison with the options for planting plantation plantings is presented. Possible systems of machines for selective logging on forest plantations are recommended, which ensure felling of trees without damage to the stand left for re-growth. A scheme for growing and harvesting timber on plantations has been developed and justified. The main parameter that affects the effective growth of crops is the density of the stand. Its regulation is directed to the proposed options for thinning. The main parameters that should be taken into account when predicting the characteristics of the stand left for rearing are presented. Requirements for the technology of logging on plantations have been developed to minimize the damage to the individuals left for rearing. Recommendations on the selection of species for growing on the plantation, as well as machine systems for cutting operations, taking into account the geometric parameters of stands for different periods of logging, are proposed. Recommendations are given on the technological schemes for the development of apiaries during logging under specified conditions with the achievement of the goals set by the recommended machine systems.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NATURAL GROWTH STIMULANTS IN THE CULTIVATION OF SEEDLINGS OF PICEA OBOVATA LEDEB.

Picea obovata Ledeb. is a slow-growing in the early stages of growth type of coniferous trees. The use of growth stimulants in the cultivation of spruce seedlings can accelerate the production of standard planting material. The paper presents the results of research of plant growth regulators influence on spruce seedlings within three years of cultivation in forest nursery conditions. Before sowing seeds of spruce soak in solutions of biological-active preparations Verva and Verva-spruce, obtaining from Abies and Picea wood greenery extracts. The plants growth regulator Verva from Abies needles (operating substance – triterpenic acids) is applied in plant growing at cultivation agricultural and commercial crops. Operating substance of a preparation Verva-spruce used for protection of agricultural plants from diseases, are phenolic compounds of Picea wood greenery possessing fungicidal and insecticidal activity. It is established that spruce seedlings processed before sowing by bio-preparation had higher parameters of growth (seedling height, diameter of seedling tree at root neck) in comparison with control plants within three years of cultivation in conditions of forest nursery. Three-year spruce seedlings which have been grown up with use of growth stimulators Verva and Verva-spruce exceeded control on 20–30% on height and on 19–20% on seedling tree thickness. Bio-preparations Verva and Verva-spruce can be recommended for application in forest nurseries as effective growth stimulators at cultivation of Siberian spruce landing material.