Biological filtration properties of selected herbs in an aquaponic system

This study was conducted to determine the biological filtration capabilities of some culinary herbs co‐cultured with lemon fin barb hybrid in a nutrient film technique (NFT) recirculating aquaponic system. Lemon fin barb hybrid (Hypsibarbus wetmorei ♂ × Barbonymus gonionotus ♀) fingerlings were stocked in twelve 2‐tonne fibreglass tanks at 25 fish per tank and co‐cultured with Chinese celery (Apium graveolens var. secalinum Alef.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and peppermint (Mentha × piperita) for seven weeks. The impacts of the waste generated by the fish on the water quality, the filtration capability of the herbs and the ability of fish and herbs to retain nutrients (NPK) were also estimated. All the herbs showed water purifying potentials to varying degrees as significantly lower levels of nitrogenous compounds (NH₃‐N, NO₃‐N, NO₂‐N) were observed after the herbal filtration. The plant growth seemed to be affected by their ability to absorb nutrients and consequently purify the culture medium. Interestingly, the lemon fin barb hybrid also showed significant differences in terms of weight gain, but the nutrient retention among fish treatments was not statistically different. The plants absorbed less phosphorus and potassium than the fish. After computing for the total system percentage of NPK recovered, nitrogen was the most retained nutrient. The peppermint showed superiority in terms of gross biomass and water purifying potential compared to the Chinese celery and coriander.     

Estimation of economic threshold level of alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.) to Tackle Grain quality and yield Losses in Rice

Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is the most troublesome invasive weed in transplanted rice ecosystems worldwide. A two-year field study was conducted to estimate economic threshold levels and the season long competitive effect of six alligator weed densities (0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 plants m^?2) on yield and quality traits of transplanted rice. A gradual linear incline in dry weight of alligator weed was observed with an increase in its density from 2 to 32 plants m^?2. Maximum N (15.93–18.26 kg ha^?1), P (15.10–16.46 kg ha^?1) and K (16.34–17.81 kg ha^?1) uptake by alligator weed was recorded at its density of 32 plants m^?2. More micronutrient loss to the tune of 6.53, 47.92, 19.99, and 38.42 mg kg^?1 for Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn, respectively was observed at the same density. Increasing density of alligator weed caused more losses in paddy yield (up to 21.37–23.78%), amylose and rice grain protein contents. According to a nonlinear hyperbolic regression model, maximum paddy yield loss of rice at asymptotic value of alligator weed density was 38.8% during 2011 and 42.4% during 2012. Economic threshold value of alligator weed was estimated 1.5 and 1.3 plants per m² during 2011 and 2012, respectively.     

Effect of Indigenous Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Productivity and Soil Nutrients

The present study aimed at selection of efficient bacterial isolates with multiple plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits at variable doses of chemical fertilizers for enhanced wheat productivity and sustenance of soil health. Ten bacterial isolates from wheat (rhizosphere soil and root endosphere) were screened for PGP traits (indole acetic acid, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and ammonia production). Only three isolates (B2, SIR1, and BIS2) possessed all PGP traits. Net house evaluation of these isolates at graded doses of chemical fertilizers revealed that the potential of B2 isolate is significantly superior for enhancing wheat yield and soil properties. On the basis of 16S rDNA analysis, the potential isolate (B2) was identified as Serratia marcescens. Conjoint use of the B2 isolate at 80% recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) significantly increased wheat growth and saved 18 kg nitrogen and 10 kg phosphorous on per hectare basis. The developed module not only increases profitability but also protects the environment and sustains soil health.     

Productivity of capsicum influenced by conjoint application of isolated indigenous PGPR and chemical fertilizers

Inorganic fertilizers alone cannot sustain high levels of productivity. This study was conducted to determine whether higher productivity of capsicum could be achieved by conjoint application of chemical fertilizers and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Four PGPR isolates (RS₂, RS₃, RS₄, and RS₇) from capsicum roots and rhizosphere were evaluated at Solan, Himachal Pradesh (India), during 2009–2012. Two best performers: RS₂ and RS₇ were tried singly or in consortium with different levels of chemical fertilizers under field conditions, Randomized Block Design, replicated thrice. The conjoint use of 100% recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) doses through chemical fertilizers (RDF) plus PGPR significantly increased fruit yield, plant height, and biomass by 37%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, over sole application of 100% RDF (control). Further, response of capsicum to 80% RDF plus PGPR was statistically comparable with control. The results, therefore, indicate the potential of isolated PGPR strains to substitute about 20% NP fertilizers besides enhanced productivity of capsicum.     

Vermicomposting leachate as liquid fertilizer for the cultivation of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.)

In vermicomposting, the main product is the worm casts, but a leachate is generated that contains large amounts of plant nutrients. This leachate is normally diluted to avoid plant damage. We investigated how dilution of vermicompost leachate combined with different concentrations of nitrogen (N) - phosphorus (P) - potassium (K) triple 17 fertilizer, and polyoxyethylene tridecyl alcohol as dispersant and polyethylene nonylphenol as adherent to increase efficiency of fertilizer uptake, affected sugarcane plant development. The vermicomposting leachate with pH 7.8 and electrolytic conductivity 2.6 dS m^?1, contained 834 mg potassium (K) l^?1, 247 mg nitrate (NO₃^?) l^?1 and 168 mg phosphate (PO₄^3?) l^?1, was free of pathogens and resulted in a 65% germination index. Vermicompost leachate did not inhibit sugarcane growth and mixed with 170 g l^?1 NPK triple 17 fertilizer resulted in the best plant development. No dispersant or adherent was required to improve plant height and stem development.     

不同氮磷钾配施对芦笋生长和产量的影响

为了研究和改进芦笋栽培技术,发挥芦笋的生产潜力,针对潍坊地区的生态条件,以4年生‘冠军’为试验材料,采用田间试验和室内分析相结合的方法,对高肥力地块和中肥力地块的N、P、K不同配比对芦笋生长和产量的影响进行详细研究。结果表明:在高肥力地块施肥无明显增产效果,土壤有机质含量达到1.36%、全氮0.091%、碱解氮41.0 mg/kg、速效磷13.4 mg/kg、速效钾140 mg/kg以上时,对土壤再施肥无明显增产效果;中等肥力地块施肥效果明显,N、P、K的比例以10:7:9效果最好,产量为15000 kg/hm~2的合理施肥指标为有机肥(完全腐熟)60000 kg/hm~2,氮磷钾施用量分别为450、315、405 kg/hm~2,全部有机肥和60%的化肥,在采笋结束时一次施入。30天后将40%的化肥作追肥施入。     

施肥对油茶春梢生长及叶片矿质元素含量的影响

为了实现对油茶的高效精准施肥,以普通油茶良种‘长林4号’盆栽大苗为试材,研究了不同施肥策略及复合肥不同氮、磷、钾配比对春梢生长及叶片主要矿质元素氮磷钾元素含量的影响。研究结果表明:复合肥和有机肥的施用量对春梢长度影响显著,而复合肥不同氮磷钾配比对春梢长度无显著影响;冬季有机肥的施用对春梢叶片氮磷钾矿质元素含量无显著影响,而不同复合肥施用量、氮磷钾配比和施用频次显著影响春梢叶片氮钾元素含量,对叶片磷元素的含量影响则不显著;冬季施用25 g/株有机肥、5月份施用N∶P2O5∶K2O配比为5∶1∶5的复合肥15 g/株,对促进油茶春梢生长、改善春梢叶片氮钾营养效果最佳。     

彭阳县马铃薯氮磷钾养分平衡定位试验研究

通过田间试验设计,建立了宁夏南部山区马铃薯施肥量与产量数学模型,并进行了检验,确定了模型的可靠性,马铃薯施磷肥与钾肥、不施氮肥减产减收,连作时施纯氮12 kg/666.7 m2、五氧化二磷8.25 kg/666.7 m2、氧化钾7.32 kg/666.7 m2为最优经济施肥量,施纯氮12 kg/666.7 m2、五氧化二磷8.69 kg/666.7 m2、氧化钾8.02 kg/666.7 m2为最高施肥量,施五氧化二磷3~6 kg/666.7 m2、氧化钾0~3 kg/666.7 m2范围内产量效益最高。     

氮磷钾运筹对不同小麦品种产量和品质的调节效应

为给小麦优质高产栽培提供理论依据，以强筋小麦品种济麦20和中筋小麦品种中麦175为试验材料，采用二因素随机区组设计，研究了氮磷钾运筹对小麦植株和产量性状、蛋白质和面筋含量、面团品质和烘焙品质的影响。结果表明，单施氮或氮磷、氮钾、氮磷钾配合施用，比单施磷、单施钾、磷钾配施以及不施肥处理显著增产，并改善了植株性状。施肥处理对籽粒蛋白质含量、面团品质和烘焙品质影响显著。籽粒产量性状和不同品质指标对施肥处理的反应有别，如施肥处理对产量、面团形成时间、稳定时间、拉伸面积影响较大，对容重、吸水率影响较小。不同品种的产量及品质指标对施肥处理的反应亦有差别，如中麦175的籽粒产量、面团拉伸阻力、拉伸比值、最大拉伸阻力、最大拉伸比值、面包体积和面包评分对施肥处理的反应敏感，其变异系数大于济麦20，而济麦20的面团形成时间、稳定时间对施肥处理的反应敏感，其变异系数大于中麦175。施氮对改善籽粒产量及主要品质性状的效果优于单施磷或单施钾处理。