The influence of irrigation system and nutrient solution concentration on potted geranium production under various conditions of radiation and temperature

Zonal geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum ‘Real Mintaka’) were grown in closed soilless systems to evaluate the effects of irrigation system (drip and subirrigation) and nutrient solution concentration (half and full) under various conditions of radiation and temperature (winter and summer) in terms of substrate electrical conductivity (EC_s), growth, quality, crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) and growth index water use efficiency (WUE_GI) and nutrient uptake. At he end of the cultural cycle the highest EC_s in the upper and lower layers were recorded in the spring season on plants grown in subirrigation using a full nutrient solution concentration. The highest shoot biomass, leaf area, plant growth index, and quality index were recorded in the winter season on plants grown in both drip-irrigation and subirrigation using half and full nutrient solution concentration, whereas the lowest value was observed in the spring season on plants grown with subirrigation using the full nutrient solution concentration. The highest maximum air temperature recorded during the first 20 days after transplanting in the spring growing season was presumably responsible for the reduction in shoot biomass production, growth and quality index, and in time of geranium flowering compared to the plants grown in the winter season. The ET_c was 44% higher in spring than in winter season treatment, while the effect of the irrigation system was less pronounced with an increase in 11% in the subirrigation treatment compared with the drip-irrigation system. WUE_GI was not stable and showed a seasonal variability. Solar radiaton (R_s), air temperature (T_a) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) were greatly higher in the spring season, which influenced WUE_GI negatively. The WUE_GI improved especially when R_s, T_a and VPD were below 12 MJ m², 20 °C and 0.6 kPa, respectively. The highest N, and Mg uptake were recorded in the winter season, especially on plants grown with subirrigation at 2 dS m⁻¹. The highest P, K, and Ca uptake values were measured during winter season using subirrigation system, and on plants grown under full strength nutrient solution. The variation of the nitrate concentration and EC in the nutrient solution during the spring growing cycle was less pronounced in the subirrigation than with a drip-irrigation system which represents an important aspect for the simplification of the closed loop management of the nutrient solution.     

Effects of interlighting on yield and external fruit quality in year-round cultivated cucumber

The effects of interlighting and of the proportion of interlight on the yield and fruit quality of year-round cultivated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Cumuli) were investigated for this study. Artificial lighting was provided by high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and the lighting regimes included top lighting (TL), top + interlighting 24% (T + IL24) and top + interlighting 48% (T + IL48). In TL, all of the lamps were mounted above the canopy. In T + IL24 and T + IL48, top lamps covered 76 and 52% of the lighting, respectively, while 24 and 48% of the lighting came from interlighting lamps which were mounted vertically 1.3 m above the ground between the single plant rows. The outdoor daily light integral (DLI) varied greatly during the cultivation periods; the mean values were 36.8, 5.3 and 19.9 mol m⁻² day⁻¹ for the summer, autumn–winter and spring stands, respectively. Lighting regime affected both yield and external fruit quality. Interlighting increased first class yield and decreased unmarketable yield, both in weight and number. The increase in the annual first class yield in weight was 15% in the two T + IL regimes. Interlighting improved energy use efficiency in lighting, being for the whole year 120, 130 and 127 g total yield kW h⁻¹ in TL, T + IL24 and T + IL48, respectively. Interlighting increased the fruit skin chlorophyll concentration in all seasons, but had only a minor effect on the fruit dry matter concentration. The mean total chlorophyll concentration in fruit skin was 70.8, 76.7 and 82.2 μg cm⁻² in TL, T + IL24 and T + IL48, respectively. In addition, interlighting extended the post-harvest shelf life of cucumber fruits in spring. Besides interlighting per se, also the higher proportion of interlight tended to further improve the fruit quality. For example, the fruit skin chlorophyll concentration increased along with the higher proportion of interlighting. In general, the effects of lighting regime were more prominent in lower natural light conditions in winter and spring. It is concluded that interlighting is a recommendable lighting method in cucumber cultivation, especially in lower natural light conditions.     

Closed cycle subirrigation with low concentration nutrient solution can be used for soilless tomato production in saline conditions

Closed cycle soilless techniques can be adopted to minimize water and fertilizer losses in greenhouse cultivation. There is a general lack of information regarding the soilless cultivation of vegetables with closed cycle subirrigation techniques, specifically when using saline water. In this study, a trough bench subirrigation system (SUB), with two fertilizer concentrations (“100%”, containing 9.8 mol m⁻³ N-NO₃, 1.6 mol m⁻³ P-H₂PO₄, 8.7 mol m⁻³ K⁺, 2.8 mol m⁻³ Ca⁺, 1.8 mol m⁻³ Mg⁺, 4 mol m⁻³ S-SO₄, and “70%”, containing 70% of the macronutrient concentration) in the nutrient solution (NS), was compared with open cycle drip-irrigation (DRIP with “100%” NS). For all the three treatments, NS was prepared using rain water (0.05 dS m⁻¹) and adding NaCl (1 g L⁻¹), in order to simulate moderate saline irrigation water. The effect of the treatments on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plant growth, yield, fruit quality, water use efficiency (WUE) and fertilizer consumption was evaluated. Substrate and recirculating NS composition were also studied. Subirrigation, regardless of NS concentration, reduced plant height (by 30 cm), leaf area (by 1411 cm²), total fresh and dry weight (by 429 and 48.5 g plant⁻¹, respectively) but not dry matter percentage of the whole plant, with respect to DRIP. Yield was reduced when plants were subirrigated with the higher concentrated NS, but no differences with open cycle DRIP were recorded when the lower NS concentration was used in SUB. Fruit quality was not affected by irrigation system or NS concentration. The higher WUE was obtained with subirrigation. NaCl accumulated similarly over the crop cycle in recirculating NS of both SUB treatments and in growing substrates of all the three treatments. Higher salt concentration was found in subirrigated substrates, in particular in the upper part of the substrate profile. Fertilizers accumulated in the subirrigated substrates when the higher NS concentration was used, but not when the NS concentration was reduced by 30%. The results of this study indicate that tomato can be grown successfully in a closed cycle subirrigation system, using saline water, by reducing the fertilizer NS concentration normally used with traditional open cycle systems.     

Cucumber fruit quality at harvest affected by soilless system,crop age and preharvest climatic conditions during two consecutive seasons

Cucumber fruits (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Trópico F1) grown on perlite substrate and NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) were harvested during two seasons (winter and spring) to monitor the effects of climatic conditions and hydroponic growth systems on fruit quality at harvest. The best fruit quality at harvest, as measured by lightness and hue angle parameters, was obtained during the 3 weeks following the first winter picking. When values of a parameter of preharvest climate value called G^* were lower than 0.4 MJ m⁻² °C day⁻¹ interval⁻¹, the cucumber achieved its optimum quality at harvest, as measured by the dark green color of the skin. NFT-grown fruits showed darker and greener skin color (higher hue angle and lower lightness) compared with perlite-grown fruit, irrespective of the season considered. During the winter season, the plant transpiration rate was 30% higher in perlite than in NFT culture, which correlates with higher differences in G^* and 40% additional yield in perlite. However, in spring G^* was not sensitive enough to discriminate between the two hydroponic systems. In general, fruit quality at harvest in spring was lower than during the winter, due to flesh whitening, higher longitudinal and equatorial calibers, and slightly higher pH, as well as worse epidermal color coordinates (ranging from the dark and dull green color typical of winter fruit to light and a vivid green-yellow color). During the spring season, NFT-grown fruit were less acid than perlite-grown fruit with no apparent correlation with the climatic conditions or fruit nutrition.     

The influence of drip irrigation or subirrigation on tomato grown in closed-loop substrate culture with saline water

In closed-loop soilless culture, one of the most relevant problems may be the accumulation in the recirculating nutrient solution of ions contained in irrigation water that are not or scarcely absorbed by the plants (e.g. Na, Cl) In order to verify the possibility to reduce the rate of recirculating water salinisation by means of subirrigation, an experiment was carried out in the spring of 2002 and 2004, with tomato plants (cv. Jama) grown in glasshouse and watered by conventional drip irrigation (D) or by subirrigation (trough bench system; S). The plants were cultivated in pots filled with a peat-perlite substrate for approximately 3 months and fed with complete nutrient solution, which was prepared with fresh water containing 10 mol m⁻³ NaCl; the nutrient solution in the collecting tank was replaced when the value of electrical conductivity (EC) exceeded 6.0 dS m⁻¹. Water and nutrient crop use, salt accumulation in the substrate, and fruit yield were monitored. In S culture, the composition and EC of the recirculating nutrient solution changed slightly, while in D treatment there was a fast water salinisation that made it necessary to flushed out the nutrient solution in six different occasions, with consequent loss of water and fertilisers. In S culture, the upward water movement in the substrate, coupled with selective mineral uptake by the roots, caused salinity build-up in the upper region of the substrate, which was associated with Na⁺ accumulation. No significant influence of irrigation methods on fruit yield and quality was observed. These findings suggest that subirrigation can be a tool to reduce the water consumption and nutrient runoff in closed-loop substrate culture of tomato conducted with saline water.     

Fruit growth,cuticle deposition,water uptake,and fruit cracking in jostaberry,gooseberry, and black currant

Fruit cracking after rain limits the production of a number of crops, including some Ribes species. To gain a better understanding of the factors involved in cracking, fruit growth, deposition of the cuticular membrane (CM), water uptake and fruit cracking were studied in black currant (Ribes nigrum L. cv. Zema), gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa L. cv. Rote Triumph), and jostaberry (Ribes nidigrolaria B. cv. Jostine). Fruit surface area and fresh mass increased continuously throughout development, whereas deposition of the CM was biphasic. CM mass per fruit increased rapidly up to 42, 41, and 49 days after full bloom (DAFB) in black currant, gooseberry, and jostaberry, respectively. Thereafter, CM mass per fruit remained constant in gooseberry and jostaberry or increased at a lower rate in black currant. The cessation of or reduced rate of CM deposition resulted in a decrease in CM mass per unit area in all berries. Elastic strain of the CM at maturity averaged 23.8% and 19.5% in gooseberry and jostaberry, respectively, and only 8.2% in black currant. Microcracks in the CM were observed first in gooseberry and jostaberry 64 DAFB, whereas there were no microcracks in black currant. Water uptake into mature detached berries was linear over 2 h of incubation. Rates of uptake were highest in gooseberry followed by black currant and jostaberry. Relative uptake was similar via the cut end of the pedicel (32.1%), the apex of the fruit (34.7%) and the fruit surface (33.2%). Rates of water uptake through the fruit surface were positively related to surface area. Average fruit water potential for black currant, gooseberry, and jostaberry was −2.14 ± 0.17, −1.24 ± 0.03, and −1.89 ± 0.20 MPa, while the permeability for osmotic water uptake was 7.7 ± 0.4 × 10⁻⁸, 5.2 ± 0.1 × 10⁻⁸, and 3.3 ± 0.3 × 10⁻⁸ m s⁻¹. Incubating whole fruit in deionized water for 72 h resulted in more cracked jostaberries (94%) than black currants (74%) or gooseberries (50%). A comparison of our findings in Ribes berries with published data for the sweet cherry drupe revealed that the berries fitted the relationships established in sweet cherry among fruit growth, cuticle deposition, strain of the cuticle, microcracking, permeability for osmotic water uptake, frequency of stomata and cracking. The Ribes berries were less susceptible to cracking than sweet cherry.     

Nitrogen best management practice for citrus trees: I. Fruit yield,quality, and leaf nutritional status

Elevated levels of nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) in the surficial aquifer above the drinking water quality standard, i.e. maximum contaminant limit (MCL; 10 mg L⁻¹), have been reported in some part of central Florida citrus production regions. Soils in this region are very sandy (sand content >95%), hence are vulnerable to leaching of soluble nutrients and chemicals below the rooting depth of the trees. The objective of this research was to develop N and irrigation best management practices for citrus in sandy soils to maintain optimal crop yield and quality, and to minimize potential leaching of nitrate below the root zone. Six years of field experiment was conducted in a high productive (mean fruit yield > 80 Mg ha⁻¹yr⁻¹) >20-year-old ‘Hamlin’ orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] on ‘Cleopatra mandarin’ (Citrus reticulata Blanco) rootstock grown on a well drained Tavares fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated, Typic Quartzipsamments) in Highland county, FL. Nitrogen rates ranged from 112 to 280 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ applied as fertigation (FRT), water soluble granular (WSG), 50:50 mix of FRT and WSG, and controlled-release fertilizer (CRF). Tensiometers were used to monitor the soil water content as a basis to schedule optimal irrigation. Fruit yield response over the entire range of N rates was greater for the FRT and WSG sources as compared to that for the WSG + FRT or CRF sources. Using the regression analysis of the fruit yield in relation to N rate, the optimum N rate appeared to be at 260 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Based on fruit production response in this study, the N requirement for production of 1 Mg of fruit varied from 2.2 to 2.6 kg across four N sources. This study demonstrated an increased N uptake efficiency, as a result of best management of N and irrigation applications. The optimal N and K concentration in the 4–6-month-old spring flush leaves were 26–30, and 15–18 g kg⁻¹, respectively. However, fruit yield response showed no significant relationship with concentrations of P in the 4–6-month-old spring flush leaves over a range of 0.8–2.4 g kg⁻¹. The results of fate and transport of N in soil and in soil solution with application of different rates and sources of N, and components of citrus tree N budget, are reported in a companion paper.     

Seeding rate and seed spacing modulate root yield and recovery of slicer and dicer carrots differently

Field experiments were conducted on carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus), involving a slicer variety, Caro choice; and a dicer variety, Red Core Chantenay (RCC), to determine the interactive effects of seeding rates (SR) and line spacings (LS), to identify optimal SR and LS and to understand the influence of various seed spacings on yield and root recovery. Caro choice and RCC were sown at various seeding rates: 18, 22, 27, 33 (slicer); 9, 12, 14, 18 (dicer) seeds 30 cm⁻¹ at three different line spacings: 2.5, 3.8 and 5.7 cm. The interaction between SR and LS on total root yield and yield of supreme quality roots (1.9–3.1 cm diameter) was not significant whereas, the interaction for recovery of root grades was significant for Caro choice. In contrast, the interaction between SR and LS was marginally significant for the total yield and for the yield of supreme quality roots (3.8–5.1 cm diameter) but not for the recovery percentage of any of the root grades in RCC. A line spacing of 3.8 cm and SR of 22 seeds 30 cm⁻¹ for Caro choice, and LS of 5.7 cm and SR of 18 seeds 30 cm⁻¹ for RCC were optimal to obtain the highest total and supreme quality root yield, respectively. Seed spacing between the range of 4.6–38 cm² exhibited a significantly negative relationship with total root yield and marginally significant positive relationship with the recovery percentage of 1.9–3.8 cm roots in Caro choice. Neither total yield nor recovery percentage of 3.8–5.1 cm roots showed any significant relationship with seed spacing in RCC, suggesting that RCC may be less sensitive to the spatial variations compared to Caro choice and would adjust physiologically and/or morphologically to equalize yield.     

Split root fertigation enhances cucumber yield in both an open and a semi-closed greenhouse

We investigated the hypothesis that split root fertigation (SRF) approach could provide complementary benefits over traditional fertigation (TF) in terms of water use, vegetative growth and yield formation in the high radiation season and under two atmospheric conditions in a greenhouse. Plants of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Cumuli) were grown in a traditional high-wire cultivation system in a peat growing medium. In the SRF method the root system of a plant was separated into two compartments over the crop cycle. One compartment received fertigation solution with low EC (1.2 dS m⁻¹) and the other compartment solution with high EC (3.5 dS m⁻¹) value. In the TF method the EC value of fertigation solution was 2.4 dS m⁻¹. The atmospheric conditions included an open (ventilated) and a semi-closed (cooled) greenhouse. The employment of cooling resulted in an enhancement of the average CO₂ in a semi-closed (810 ppm) over an open (530 ppm) greenhouse resulting in a yield improvement (37%). SRF improved water uptake in both atmospheric conditions and water use efficiency (WUE) in an open greenhouse. The water uptake in SRF was highest in the root part with the low EC values, namely 61% in the open and 66% in the semi-closed greenhouse. In both atmospheric conditions, SRF decreased flower abortion, leading to an improved fruit set with a small effect on vegetative growth. SRF increased yield by 21% in the open and 17% in the semi-closed greenhouse compared to TF in corresponding greenhouses.     

Nutritional quality of greenhouse lettuce at harvest and after storage in relation to N application and cultivation season

The effect of five levels of nitrogen fertilization on the growth and nutritional quality of Cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Parris Island) at harvest and after storage was studied during autumn and winter in South-West Greece. Plants were cultivated hydroponically in a greenhouse and the nitrate, chlorophyll and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) concentrations within the plant tissues were measured at harvest and following storage at 5 or 10 °C for 10 days. Nitrate accumulated in the leaves with increasing amounts of N within the nutrient solution and was higher in the winter than in the autumn. At the lowest N level (20 mg L⁻¹), the inner leaves accumulated more nitrate than the outer leaves, whereas at higher N levels (140, 200 or 260 mg L⁻¹) nitrate accumulation was higher in the outer leaves. Overall, the highest nitrate concentrations were detected in the petiole and the proximal end of the leaf, but at the lowest N application rate (20 mg L⁻¹) nitrate accumulated in the distal region of the leaf too. Although the nitrate concentrations within the leaves did not change significantly during 10 days storage at 5 or 10 °C, the chlorophyll and vitamin C concentrations decreased. Chlorophyll loss was higher in lettuce that was grown under low N levels and was higher at 10 °C than at 5 °C, but was reduced by enclosure of the lettuce in polyethylene film. It is concluded that the optimum N application rate for Cos lettuce grown hydroponically under cover during autumn and winter in South-West Greece, and in other areas with a similar climate, is 200 mg N L⁻¹ because at this N rate yield is satisfactory and leaf nitrate concentrations are below the maximum acceptable level for human consumption. Nutritional value (vitamin C concentration) and market quality (chlorophyll content) are highest at harvest and decrease during storage, but quality in terms of nitrate concentration does not change.     

Effects of conventional and organic fertilization on spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) growth,yield, vitamin C and nitrate concentration during two successive seasons

Current experiment was laid out in order to compare different kinds of organic manure and chemical fertilizer application in growing spinach under the open-field conditions in two successive seasons. Matador type spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) was cultivated organically and conventionally and spinach growth, yield, vitamin C and nitrate concentrations were checked throughout two successive seasons (autumn and winter). Commercial chemical fertilizer was used as conventional application, and chicken manure (CM), farmyard manure (FM) and blood meal (BM) were used as organic manure applications as a single and as mixtures at different quantities by aiming to receive 150 kg N ha⁻¹ for each, totally 19 applications. In general, autumn season gave the better results in terms of spinach growth, yield and resulted in lower nitrate concentration, whereas the vitamin C concentration was found to be higher in winter season. Reasonable applications to be recommended should be as follows with regard to the seasons; 3.5 ton ha⁻¹ CM and 0.6 ton ha⁻¹ BM + 0.85 ton ha⁻¹ CM + 4.0 ton ha⁻¹ FM for spinach growth; 3.5 ton ha⁻¹ CM and 5.0 FM + 1.2 CM + 0.4 BM applications for spinach yield; 5.0 ton ha⁻¹ FM + 2.5 ton ha⁻¹ CM and 15.0 ton ha⁻¹ FM for vitamin C and nitrate concentration in the autumn and the winter season, respectively. In conclusion, FM and CM can be used effectively in growing organic spinach especially in the autumn season and can be transferred successfully into an asset.     

Yield,blossom-end rot incidence,and fruit quality in pepper plants under moderate salinity are affected by K and Ca fertilization

One of the most important factors limiting agricultural expansion and production is the restricted supply of good quality water. The present study examines the effects of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ fertilization on sweet pepper production, blossom-end rot (BER) incidence and fruit quality of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under moderate saline conditions. Pepper plants were grown in a controlled-environment greenhouse under hydroponic conditions with different nutrient solutions obtained by modifying the Hoagland solution. The experiment consisted on four K⁺ treatments (0.2, 2, 7 and 14 mM) +30 mM NaCl, and four Ca²⁺ treatments (0.2, 2, 4 and 8 mM) +30 mM NaCl, having in common a control without salt with 7 mM K⁺/4 mM Ca²⁺. Salinity decreased total fruit yield and marketable fruit yield by 23% and 37%, respectively. The marketable fruit yield reduction by salt treatment was mainly due to the increase in the number of fruit affected by BER. This typical physiopathy of the pepper fruits occurred between 18 and 25 days after anthesis (DAA), when the highest fruit growth rate was reached. Fruit quality parameters were also affected by salt treatment where the fruit pulp thickness and firmness were decreased, and fructose, glucose and myo-inositol fruit concentrations increased with salinity relative to fruits from control treatment. Under saline conditions an increased supply of K⁺ reduced the fruit fresh weight, the percentage of BER and the marketable yield although promoted the vegetative growth. However, increasing Ca²⁺ concentration in the nutrient solution increased the fruit production, and the marketable yield as consequence of decreasing the percentage of fruit affected with BER. Fruit quality parameters also were affected by the K⁺ and Ca²⁺ treatments.     

Production gradients in smallholder banana (cv. Giant Cavendish) farms in Central Kenya

Banana is an increasingly demanded food and cash crop in sub-Saharan Africa. Reported yields in smallholder farms vary substantially. The importance and spread of yield constraints have not been properly quantified. A study was carried out in Central Kenya to (i) quantify the yield levels, the primary yield constraints, and the spatial production gradients in such systems (ii) explore how soil fertility gradients relate to gradients in soil fertility management, and whether this is a function of farmer resource availability. Data was collected on crop management aspects, pests and diseases, and soil and plant tissue samples analyzed for nutrient contents. Bunch yields were higher near homesteads (29.8 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) than at mid-distance (26.8 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), or far away 20.2 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Yields were much higher than previously reported (11–14 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) in Kenya. Both soil and tissue K levels were higher near and mid-distance, than far from the homestead. Gradients of soil pH, total N, available P and Organic carbon were found, being higher near the homestead, while Mg and Ca were lowest near the homesteads. K was the most deficient nutrient, with tissue K index (I_K) decreasing when moving away from the homesteads. P and Ca deficiencies were also observed. Resource-poor farmers’ soils were higher in exchangeable K and Mg, pH, and total N, and supported higher mat densities compared to resource-endowed farmers’ farms. Soil quality problems were the biggest yield loss factors and not pests and diseases.     

Nursery inoculation of tomato with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and subsequent performance under irrigation with saline water

Protected horticultural crops as well as those planted in open fields particularly in the Mediterranean region have to cope with increasing salinization of irrigation water. High salinity of the supply water has detrimental effects on soil fertility and plant nutrition and reduces crop growth and yield. This study was conducted to determine if pre-inoculation of transplants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviates salt effects on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Cv. Marriha) when irrigated with saline water. Tomato seeds were sown in polystyrene trays with 20 cm³ cells and treated with AM fungi (AM) or without (nonAM) Glomus mosseae. Once the seedlings were reached appropriate size, they were transplanted into nonsterile soil in concrete blocks (1.6 m × 3 m × 0.75 m) under greenhouse conditions. The soil electrical conductivity (EC_e) was 1.4 dS m⁻¹. Plants were irrigated with nonsaline water (EC_w = 0.5 dS m⁻¹) or saline water (EC_w = 2.4 dS m⁻¹) until harvest. These treatments resulted with soil EC at harvest 1.7 and 4.4 dS m⁻¹ for nonsaline and saline water treatments, respectively. Root colonization with AM fungi at flowering was lower under saline than nonsaline conditions. Pre-inoculated tomato plants with AM fungi irrigated with both saline and nonsaline water had greater shoot and root dry matter (DM) yield and fruit fresh yield than nonAM plants. The enhancement in fruit fresh yield due to AM fungi inoculation was 29% under nonsaline and 60% under saline water conditions. Shoot contents of P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe were higher in AM compared with nonAM plants grown under nonsaline and saline water conditions. Shoot Na concentrations were lower in AM than nonAM plants grown under saline water conditions. Results indicate that pre-inoculation of tomato transplants with AM fungi improved yield and can help alleviate deleterious effects of salt stress on crop yield.     

Improvement of soil properties using compost for optimum parsley production in sandy soils

In the warm and wet north Florida climate, growing Italian parsley (Petroselinum crispum [Mill.]) is gaining popularity with small producers as a short duration crop on sandy soil. Application of compost to agricultural land can benefit the low fertile sandy soils in Florida and subsequent crop production, while providing an outlet for recycling municipal solid wastes (MSW) and biosolids. A field study was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications to evaluate the effects of compost (75% MSW:25% biosolids) application in comparison to fertilizer, fertilizer + compost (50:50), and control treatments on: (a) parsley fresh weight (FW), (b) soil and plant tissue nutrient concentrations, and (c) soil bulk density and moisture retention in winter and spring seasons. Soil amended with fertilizer or compost + fertilizer doubled parsley FW from 15.02 Mg ha⁻¹ in the non-amended control plot to 30.75 and 32.67 Mg ha⁻¹ in soils that received fertilizer + compost or fertilizer alone, respectively. Significantly higher total soil carbon (C) levels of 2.16% and 1.95% and nitrogen (N) levels of 0.19% and 0.16% were recorded in compost and fertilizer + compost treatments, respectively. Addition of compost reduced soil bulk density significantly to 1.03 Mg m⁻³ and increased soil moisture retention in simulated drier conditions at 1500 kPa to 0.12 m³ m⁻³ in plots that received only compost at the end of winter growing season. Overall, addition of compost resulted in improvement of both physical and chemical properties as well as increased parsley yields.     

Effect of nitrogen and sulfur interaction on growth and pungency of different pseudostem types of Chinese spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.)

Effects of N and S supply on the growth and pungency (estimated as pyruvic acid levels) of Chinese spring onion (Allium fistulosum L. var. giganteum Makino) were investigated in two pot experiments using soilless growing media. In the first experiment the effects of S supply (0.01 and 4.00 mmol L⁻¹ SO₄²⁻) on the growth and pungency of Chinese spring onion were investigated among four cultivars with fleshy root type or long pseudostem type. In the second experiment the effects of different S (0.01 and 4.00 mmol L⁻¹ SO₄²⁻) and N (1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 12.0 and 24.0 mmol L⁻¹ N) supply levels on the growth and pungency of Chinese spring onion were studied. Fleshy root spring onion had stronger pungency and larger pseudostem diameter than long pseudostem spring onion, and the pungency of fleshy root spring onion was regulated to a greater extent by N and S supply compared with long pseudostem spring onion. Increasing S supply level significantly increased the biomass, N and S uptake and pungency of all cultivars tested. The biomass of Chinese spring onion of fleshy root type (cv Longyao) and long root type (cv Zhangqiu) was more influenced by N supply than it was by cultivar or S supply. Low S supply decreased the pungency of the two cultivars with increasing N supply. No significant differences in N or S uptake or pungency were observed in the two cultivars with different S supply at the N supply level of 1.5 mmol L⁻¹ N, however, cultivar differences in N and S uptake and pungency were investigated at high N supply (12.0 mmol L⁻¹ N) and S supply (4.0 mmol L⁻¹ SO₄²⁻). Excessive N supply (24.0 mmol L⁻¹) significantly inhibited plant growth, retarded S assimilation, and decreased pungency. It is therefore essential to apply the optimum recommended rate of N fertilizer in Chinese spring onion production.     

Yield prediction in intercropped versus monocropped citrus orchards

Pooled data analysis for intercropped versus monocropped citrus orchards showed superiority of monocultured (68.5 kg tree⁻¹) over intercropped (51.4 kg tree⁻¹) orchards. But, intercrop specific analysis revealed that citrus orchards with legumes as intercrop (soybean and chickpea), produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher fruit yield (72.2 kg tree⁻¹) compared to orchards without intercrops (68.5 kg tree⁻¹). These legume-based intercropped orchards maintained much higher levels of leaf nutrient (2.35% N, 0.13% P, 2.08% K, 86.5 ppm Fe, 71.1 ppm Mn, 22.2 ppm Cu, and 22.0 ppm Zn) than the orchards without intercrops (2.29% N, 0.13% P, 2.47% K, 79.2 ppm Fe, 63.8 ppm Mn, 21.7 ppm Cu, and 23.2 ppm Zn). Intercrop yield prediction through regression models in relation to leaf nutrient status were further investigated.     

Effect of different fertilisation and irrigation practices on yield,nitrogen uptake and fertiliser use efficiency of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

The effect of different fertilisation (i.e. broadcast application and fertigation) and irrigation practices (tank sprinkler and drip irrigation) on yield, yield quality (nitrate content), nitrogen uptake of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and the potential for N losses was assessed on sandy-loam agricultural soil. ¹⁵N-labelled fertiliser was used as a tracer. It was found that different practices significantly affected yield, nitrate content in plants, N uptake, as well as fertiliser use efficiency. The highest yield (93 t ha⁻¹), plant N uptake (246 kg ha⁻¹), and fertiliser use efficiency (42%) were obtained under treatment with broadcast fertilisation with farmer's practice of irrigation (tank sprinkler). The N surplus after harvest was −41 kg N ha⁻¹, indicating the lowest potential for N losses. Treatment by fertigation and drip irrigation covering 100% of the crop's water requirements did not result in the highest yield as expected (72 t ha⁻¹), the N surplus after harvest was about +38 kg ha⁻¹. The lowest yield (58 t ha⁻¹), fertiliser use efficiency (30%) and hence the highest potential for N losses (N surplus after harvest +68 kg ha⁻¹) were found in treatment with broadcast fertilisation and drip irrigation covering 50% of the crop's water requirements.     

Physiological response of onion plants to foliar application of putrescine and glutamine

Two field experiments were carried out in Egypt during two successive seasons (2007/2008 and 2008/2009). This study aimed to investigate the response of growth, yield quality and some metabolic constituents of onion (Allium cepa L. cv. ‘Giza 20’) to foliar application of putrescine (Put; 25, 50 and 100 mg L⁻¹) and glutamine (Glut; 50, 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹), the former a diamine and the latter an amino acid, either alone, or in combination. Foliar application of Put and Glut, either alone or in combination, significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weight/plant, leaf area, leaf area/plant, bulb length, bulb diameter and weight, as well as yield of onion and quality of bulbs. Total soluble sugars, sulfur compounds, total soluble phenols, total free amino acids and total photosynthetic pigment content in leaves were increased by increasing Put and/or Glut concentrations up to 100 and 200 mg L⁻¹, respectively. Generally, foliar application of Put at 100 mg L⁻¹ and Glut at 200 mg L⁻¹ singly, or combined, effectively increased bulb yield and quality. In conclusion, the yield-contributing characters and quality of onion could be improved by application of Put and/or Glut.     

Effects of the commercial product based on Trichoderma harzianum on plant,bulb and yield characteristics of onion

Effects of the commercial product TrichoFlow WP™ (Agrimm Technologies Ltd., New Zealand), based on the fungus Trichoderma harzianum, on quality characteristics and yield of bulb onion was investigated. Bulb sets of the local cultivar Kantartopu was planted in soil with in and between row distances of 0.15 m and 0.40 m, respectively. The product, at considerably high dosages of 5 g m⁻², 10 g m⁻² and 15 g m⁻², was mixed with water and sprinkled once to the plots at planting. Analyses of data at harvest did not show statistical significance for Trichoderma effect on total bulb yield, bulb diameter, leaf length, number of shoot apex, %titratable acidity, number of internal (fleshy) leaves, number of external (papery) leaves, %soluble solids and %bulbs with diameters of 20–39 mm, 40–69 mm and ≥70 mm. The yields obtained from the plots treated with the dosages of 5 g m⁻², 10 g m⁻² and 15 g m⁻² and the control plots were 1063.7 kg da⁻¹, 1051.0 kg da⁻¹, 1066.5 kg da⁻¹ and 985.0 kg da⁻¹, respectively. Our results showed that high dosages of the Trichoderma product were not effective in enhancing onion bulb and yield characteristics under the given conditions.