Impact of Biofertilizers on Mineral Status and Fruit Quality of Yellow Passion Fruit in Brazil

Biofertilizers, liquid cattle manure obtained from anaerobic processes, have emerged as an important component of the integrated nutrient supply system. Thus, an experiment was carried out from May 2002 to February 2004 to evaluate the fruit quality and macronutrient foliar contents of biofertilized yellow passion plants in Brazil. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (2?×?5) referring to two biofertilizers [one simple and another enriched with macro- and micronutrients] and five doses of each biofertilizer (0.0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4 L plant^?1). Fruit quality and nutritional status of yellow passion fruit are affected by biofertilizer doses applied. Fruit length, width, pulp percentage, skin diameter, mass, soluble solids, and titratable acidity were improved with biofertilizer application. Simple biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of potassium, calcium, and sulfur, while enriched biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium.     

YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANT NUTRITIONAL DIAGNOSIS AT DIFFERENT PHENOLOGICAL STAGES BY THE DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM METHOD

This work was performed in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate the nutritional status of yellow passion fruit plants along different phenological stages, using the DRIS method. Fifty-four passion fruit cultivated areas with an annual yield productivity ranging from 6.95 to 33.8 t ha^?1 year^?1 and average productivity of 16.9 t ha^?1 year^?1 were selected in the region. The contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) were evaluated. The reference standards were established (mean and variation coefficient) for the values of the nutrient concentration ratios, two by two, on samples from high yield productivity plantations and analyzed by the DRIS index of nutrients for the medium and low yield productivity areas. The established standards differed according with the phenological stage of the culture. In a general way, the mean content of the evaluated nutrients did not differed between the two productivity levels into each phonological stage. There was a difference for the Nutritional Limitation Order between different phenological stages of yellow passion fruit plants. The most negative DRIS indexes and the highest absolute values for the Average Nutritional Balance on yellow passion fruit plants in the region, were found for potassium in May, phosphorus in October and iron in January.     

Carrier-based and liquid bioinoculants of Azotobacter and PSB saved chemical fertilizers in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and enhanced soil biological properties in Mollisols

Abstract

The increasing cost and imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) stressed the need to explore the potential of bioinoculants of Azotobacter and PSB for saving fertilizer N and P. Field experiments conducted for two years in a Mollisol at Pantnagar revealed maximum plant height, grain and straw yields and nutrient uptake by wheat with application of 100% NP. However, soil application of carrier-based biofertilizer at 10?kg?ha^?1 and liquid-based biofertilizers at 625 and 1250?mL?ha^?1 rates in combination of 75% NP were at par with 100% NP by recording significantly more mean plant height at different intervals, grain yield, by 10.9, 10.5 and 10.8%, and straw yield, by 8.6, 8.2 and 9.1%, over 75% NP, respectively. These treatments also accumulated significantly more N, P and K in plant at different age and; grain and straw. An application of liquid biofertilizer at 1250?mL?ha^?1 with 75% NP gave maximum population of Azotobacter and PSB, microbial biomass C and activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase in soil at different crop age. The carrier and liquid formulations of the biofertilizers were comparable in their performance. Irrespective of formulation and doses, application of biofertilizers in soil was found better than seed treatment for different recorded parameters. An application of 625?mL?ha^?1 liquid biofertilizers in soil with 75% NP was found optimum for the growth, yield and nutrients uptake and soil biological properties.     

LEAF NUTRIENT CONTENT AND TOMATO FRUIT YIELD AS AFFECTED BY SINGLE SUPER PHOSPHATE RATES APPLIED BY DRIP IRRIGATION

A drip fertigation system should use low-cost phosphorus fertilizer available in small markets to smallholders such as especially Brazilian tomato growers. A study was conducted in an unheated greenhouse to establish an optimum rate of single superphosphate (SS) to formulate an aqueous solution that can be applied to tomato plants through a low-pressure drip irrigation system. Five rates of SS [18% phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅)] 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 g·plant^?1, were evaluated in a randomized block design with four replications. Each rate was subdivided into 15 equal parts. Each part was dissolved in water (210 mL for each plant) and the mixture left to settle for 24 hours. The supernatant was applied by drip irrigation every week for 15 weeks. The tomato plants were grown in 9 dm³ plastic bags containing fertilized substrate in an unheated greenhouse. The leaf contents of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were not affected by the treatments. The highest phosphorus (P), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) leaf contents were obtained from plants fertilized with SS at 79; 0; 0 g·plant^?1, respectively. The marketable tomato fruit yield, measured up to 123 days after transplanting, increased with the increasing SS up to 54 g·plant^?1, resulting in a yield of 6.16 kg·plant^?1, corresponding to 10.3 kg·m^?2. A settled aqueous solution of SS (54 g·210 mL^?1 of water) can be applied weekly to tomato plant through a low-pressure drip irrigation system during the plant cycle.     

Crop management advances for nutritional status and fruit yield of guava in semiarid

Guava is an important fruit species but poorly studied for the effect of humic substances and soil mulching on its nutrition and fruit production. Thus, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional status and fruit production of guava as a function of humic substances and soil mulching in Brazilian semiarid. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (5?×?2) referring to humic substances doses (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40?mL of Humitec plant^?1) and organic mulching (with and without organic mulching). Nutritional status of guava is affected by humic substances and soil mulching. The use of humic substances combined with soil mulching promotes optimum supplies of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, boron and iron, but not calcium, copper and zinc. Under sandy soil and semiarid climate it is possible to recommend 40?mL?L^?1 of humic substances and soil mulching.     

AN IN-VITRO SCREENING METHOD TO STUDY THE ACTIVITY POTENTIAL OF BIOFERTILIZERS BASED ON TRICHODERMA AND BACILLUS SP.

Little scientific information on efficiency of different commercial biofertilizers restricts setup of further reproducible pot or field experiments and hence, provides lack of evidence of biofertilizer application in plant growth promotion and disease suppression. In the present experiment, efficiency of four commercial Trichoderma and one Bacillus biofertilizer was screened by a bio-indicator plant, cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under controlled laboratory conditions. Inoculation of cucumber seeds with different commercial biofertilizers significantly increased the germination rates (ca. 20–25%) and stimulated other growth parameters. In seedling establishment test, biofertilizers inoculated cucumber seedlings showed significant higher root dry weight (ca. 32 to 96%), leaf area (ca. 60 to 140%), root length (ca. 30%) and shoot dry weight (ca. 88%) in two weeks culture period compare to that of the control. Additionally, in-vitro antagonistic activity against take-all pathogen (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, Ggt) in wheat and phosphate solubilizing activity was demonstrated for Trichoderma biofertilizer. However, in-vitro solubilization of Mn was not detected. The results suggested that the potential activity of different commercial biofertilizers could be easily screened within several days with the described rapid bio-test by increasing seed germination, and improving growth and growth related parameters of cucumber grown in nutrient solution under controlled culture system.     

Poultry manure and banana waste are effective biofertilizer carriers for promoting plant growth and soil sustainability in banana crops

The aims of our study were to compare the effectiveness of poultry manure (PM) and banana waste (BW), with regard to their use as inoculant carriers of a bacterial consortium constituted by strains of Azospirillum, Azotobacter and P-solubiliser bacteria and to establish the most efficient dose of biofertilizer for a soil cultivated with banana (Musa paradisiaca AAA Simmonds), with respect to improving plant performance and soil physical and microbiological properties. Six months after planting, plant growth had increased with increase in dose of the biofertilizers applied. The biofertilizer prepared on BW enhanced the density of P-solubiliser bacteria, the concentrations of available P and foliar P to a greater extent than with the biofertilizer prepared on PM. The increases produced by the biofertilizer prepared on PM for the soil aggregate stability, enzymatic activities and the labile carbon fractions were highly correlated to the dose applied. Both biofertilizers can be considered potentially useful as inoculant carriers of PGPR but the usefulness of BW appears to be restricted to moderate doses of application (≤3%).     

New organic substrates and boron fertilizing for production of yellow passion fruit seedlings

The identification of alternative substrates suitable for seedling production is very important, while boron nutrition is also relevant due to plant requirement and its difficult management. Thus, four experiments were carried out from October 2012 to April 2013 to evaluate the effect of substrates using decomposed buriti (Mauritia vinifera Mart.) stem (DBS) and boron fertilizing for seedling production of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 6 × 2 + 1, referring to the substrates [S1: DBS, S2: soil and sand 1:1 (20%) + DBS (80%), S3: soil and sand 1:1 (40%) + DBS (60%), S4: soil and sand 1:1 (60%) + DBS (40%), S5: soil and sand 1:1 (80%) + DBS (20%), S6: commercial substrate (additional treatment) and S7: soil, sand and manure 1:1:2] with and without boron. The seedling emergence, emergence rate, plant height, stem diameter, root length, root volume and dry mass of roots and shoots were recorded. The substrates S2 (without B fertilizing) and S4 (B fertilized with 0.5 mg dm^?3) produced seedlings with more than 3.0 g of shoot dry mass and at least 30 cm in height, and can be used for production of high-quality yellow passion fruit seedlings.     

MYCORRHIZAL INFLUENCE ON FRUIT YIELD AND MINERAL CONTENT OF TOMATO GROWN UNDER SALT STRESS

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yields are known to decrease for plants grown in saline soils. This study was conducted to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on fruit yield and mineral content of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive tomato cultivars grown with varied levels of salt. NaCl and CaCl₂were added to soil in the irrigation water in equal molar ratios to give EC_e values of 1.4 (nonstressed) and 4.9 dS m^?1 (salt stressed). Plants were grown in a greenhouse using unsterilized, low phosphorus (P) (silty clay) soil-sand mix. Mycorrhizal root colonization occurred whether cultivars were salt stressed or nonstressed, but the extent of AMF root colonization was higher in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants. The salt tolerant cultivar ‘Pello’ generally had higher AMF root colonization than the salt sensitive cultivar ‘Marriha’. Shoot dry matter (DM) yield, fruit fresh yield, and AMF colonization were higher for plants grown under nonstressed than for plants grown under salt stressed conditions. Shoot DM and fruit fresh yields were higher in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants grown with or without salt stress. Pello generally had higher fruit fresh yield per plant and fruit weight than Marriha, but these differences were only significant for fruit weight in unioculated plants grown under salt stressed conditions. The enhancement in fruit fresh yield due to AMF inoculation was 26 and 23% under nonstressed and 28 and 46% under salt stressed treatments for Pello and Marriha, respectively. For both cultivars, fruit contents of P, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) were higher in AMF inoculated compared with uninoculated plants grown under nonstressed and salt stressed conditions. Fruit Na concentrations were lower in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants grown under salt stressed conditions. The enhancement in P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe acquisition due to AMF inoculation was more pronounced in Marriha than in Pello cultivar under salt stressed conditions. The results of this study indicated that AMF inoculated plants had greater tolerance to salt stress than unioculated plants.     

Improvement in growth and alkaloid content of Rauwolfia serpentina on application of organic matrix entrapped biofertilizers (Azotobacter chroococcum,Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomonas putida)

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of conventional chemical fertilizer (urea),conventional biofertilizers (charcoal based) and organic matrix entrapped biofertilizer; (OMEB: a consortium of Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense and Pseudomnas putida entrapped with clay soil, neem leaves, and cow dung in ratio of 1:1:1 and 15% saresh (plant gum of Acacia sp.) in various doses on growth parameters of Rauwolfia serpentina in terms of root length, shoot length, number of leaves, number of roots and fresh and dry weight of roots and shoots. Replacement of conventional chemical fertilizer by the consortium of biofertilizers (un-entrapped) increased plant growth in a dose dependent manner up to triple dose of the recommended dose (RD) of biofertilizers (1.80 kg ha-1). This increase in plant growth was not up to the level which appeared in the application of RD of urea. Entrapment of the same biofertilizers in an organic matrix mentioned above enhanced the plant growth similar to that observed for urea. The percentage increase of 9.57 and 7.54 in fresh weight (FW) and 11.93 and 11.12% in dry weight (DW) of shoot and 17.94 and 37.87% in FW of roots and 31.90 and 50.08% in DW of roots were recorded in 75 days old plant by the application of OMEB- triple dose over the conventional biofertilizers triple dose and recommended dose of urea. Conventional biofertilizers enhanced the availability of nitrate, nitrite and phosphate in the roots and leaves of the plant over application of urea as well as conventional biofertilizers. This formulation also increased alkaloid contents of in the roots of this plant. Microbial population of soil was also improved indicating enhanced soil fertility with application of OMEB. The results indicate that replacement of chemical fertilizers with microbial biofertilizers is possible with application of higher dose of biofertilizers entrapped into the organic matrix for the cultivation of medicinal plants like R. serpentina.     

Contribution of Biofertilizers and Fertilizer Nitrogen to Nutrient Uptake and Yield of Egyptian Winter Wheat

ABSTRACT

Nutrient uptake and grain and straw yield of Egyptian winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. Merr.) were evaluated for two site-years after the seed inoculation with two biofertilizer products, Phosphorien, containing the phosphorus (P)-solubilizing bacteria Bacillus megatherium, and Nitrobien, containing a combination of nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum liposerum. Ammonium nitrate and polymer-coated urea fertilizers were applied to plots alone and together with the biofertilizers at rates of either 83 kg N ha^?1 or 186 kg N ha^?1 for comparison. The highest grain yield (5.76–6.74 Mg ha^?1) and straw yield (11.49–13.32 Mg ha^?1) occurred at the highest fertilizer rates with N fertilizer. There was a slight additional increase in grain and straw yields when a biofertilizer was applied along with N fertilizer. A slightly higher grain and straw yield was measured with the polymer-coated urea treatment than with the ammonium nitrate treatment. The biofertilizer materials were not as effective as N fertilizers in producing grain (4.02–4.09 Mg ha^?1) or straw (7.71–8.11 Mg ha^?1) for either year, although the Nitrobien + Phosphorien combination increased these parameters over the N-fertilizer control. The effect of the Nitrobien biofertilizer in increasing grain yields was equivalent to a urea application rate of about 13 kg N ha^?1. Biofertilizer inoculations increased iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) concentrations in wheat tissue (at boot stage), but these higher levels did not influence grain or straw yield.     

Evaluation of inoculation with nitrogen and phosphorus biofertilizers on yield and radiation use efficiency of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) under Mashhad climatic conditions

The purposes of this study were evaluate the effects of biofertilizers inoculation on growth indices, yield and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in black cumin under Mashhad climatic conditions. This field experiment was carried out based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. This experiment was performed at Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran, during two growing seasons 2007–2008 and 2008–2009. Treatments were (A) Azotobacter paspali, (B) Azospirillum brasilense, (C) Rhizophagus irregularis, A + C, B + C, A + B, A + B + C and control. In all treatments, except control, 100 g of seeds were inoculated with15 mg of each biofertilizer. Results indicated that leaf area index (LAI) and accumulative dry matter (DM) showed an increasing trend up to 1863°Cd and a short declining trend afterwards. The relation between accumulative DM and absorbed photosynthesis active radiation (PARa) was linear. Radiation use efficiency (RUE) fluctuated from 0.55 gMJ^?1 (control) to 0.89 gMJ^?1 (B+C). Inoculation with biofertilizers enhanced root development and hence availability of moisture and nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. Since these ecological fertilizers produce many growth regulators for the plant which promote LAI and accumulative DM and therefore yield, PARa and RUE enhanced.     

MITIGATION EFFECTS OF SILICON ON TOMATO PLANTS BEARING FRUIT GROWN AT HIGH BORON LEVELS

Interactive effects of silicon (Si) and high boron (B) on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopercison esculentum cv. ‘191 F1’) plants were studied. Treatments were: 1) control (B1), normal nutrient solution including 0.5 mg L^?1 B (boron), 2) B1 +Si treatment: 0.5 mg L^?1 boron plus 2 mM Si, 3) B2 treatment: 3.5 mg L^?1 B, 4) B2 +Si treatment: 3.5 mg L^?1 B plus 2 mM Si, 5) B3 treatment: 6.5 mg L^?1 B, and 6) B3 +Si: 6.5 mg L^?1 B plus 2 mM Si. High B reduced dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll (Chl) in tomato plants compared to the control treatment, but increased the proline accumulation. Supplementary Si overcame the deleterious effects of high B on plant dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll concentrations. High B treatments increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (POD; EC. 1.11.1.7) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; EC 1.10.3.1). However, supplementary Si in the nutrient solution containing high B reduced SOD and PPO activities in leaves, but POD activity remained unchanged. These data suggest that excess B-induced oxidative stress and alterations in the antioxidant enzymes. Boron (B) concentrations increased in leaves and roots in the elevated B treatment as compared to the control treatment. Concentrations of calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) were significantly lower in the leaves of plants grown at high B than those in the control plants. Supplementing the nutrient solution containing high B with 2 mM Si increased both nutrients in the leaves. These results indicate that supplementary Si can mitigate the adverse effects of high B on fruit yield and whole plant biomass in tomato plants.     

COMPOSTS AS SOIL SUPPLEMENT ENHANCED PLANT GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY OF STRAWBERRY

ABSTRACT

Compost significantly enhanced strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) plant growth and fruit quality when used as a soil supplement. Adding half strength of Peter nutrient solution (50% fertilizer) to a mixture of 50% soil plus 50% compost was very effective in significantly increasing plant dry weight to approximately double that of controls (without compost), fruit yield by more than 70%, and fruit size by 15% compared to controls in the two strawberry cultivars (“Allstar” and “Honeoye”). Compost and fertilizer also significantly enhanced leaf chlorophyll content. Nitrate reductase activity significantly increased in leaves and roots with the greatest increases when using 50% soil plus 50% compost. Strawberry plants grown with compost had significantly higher levels of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), but lower levels of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), and nickel (Ni) in fruit of both “Allstar” and “Honeoye”. Adding compost to the soil mix did not change zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) levels. Use of compost also significantly increased levels of organic acids (malic and citric acid), sugars (fructose, glucose, and total sugars), soluble solids content, and titratable acidity content in both cultivars. The results indicate that the use of compost can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth.     

Effects of biofertilizers and cycocel on some physiological and biochemical traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity stress

In order to study the effects of biofertilizers and cycocel on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity condition, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications under greenhouse condition in 2015. Treatments were included salinity in four levels [no salt (control or S₀), salinity 30 (S₁), 60 (S₂) and 90 (S₃) mM NaCl equivalent of 2.76, 5.53 and 8.3 dS m^?1, respectively], four biofertilizers levels [no biofertilizer (F₀), seed inoculation by Azotobacter chrocoocum strain 5 (F₁), Pseudomonas putida strain 186 (F₂), both inoculation Azotobacter + Pseudomonas (F₃)] and three cycocel levels [without cycocel as control (C₀), application of 600 (C₁) and 1000 (C₂) mg L^?1]. Results showed that salinity severe stress (90 mM) decreased chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll, photochemical efficiency of PSII and yield of wheat. Whereas, soluble sugars and proline content, electrical conductivity (EC), the activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes were increased. Similar results were observed in CAT, POD and PPO activities due to inoculation by biofertilizers and cycocel. Salinity at 30 mM increased the photochemical efficiency of PSII and chlorophyll content in plants grown under biofertilizer and cycocel treatment but with increasing salinity up to 90 mM mentioned parameters were decreased. The highest proline and soluble carbohydrate at all salinity levels were observed in plants treated in the highest cycocel level and Azotobacter+ Pseudomonas application. Generally, it was concluded that biofertilizers and cycocel can be used as a proper tool for increasing wheat yield under salinity condition.     

Study of the Productive Behavior of Var-21 Soya (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) under the Application of Organic Fertilizers

The use of organic fertilizers to improve the agronomic parameters of soy (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) has been considered a key production practice. During the period from December 2015 to May 2016, the productive behavior of Var-21 soya under the application of two organic biofertilizers was assessed in southern Haiti. Four random repetitions were carried out with biofertilizer A (cow dung + leguminous waste + ash + rice chaff) and biofertilizer B (cow dung + molasses + quick lime). The variables analyzed were days to flowering, plant height, number of beans per pod, weight of 1,000 beans, and yield per hectare, with statistical evaluation by analysis of variance and Tukey’s test. The best yield was obtained with biofertilizer A in treatment T2 (150 L/ha) (4,129.99 kg/ha). This study enabled us to identify the most efficient foliar fertilizer to improve the production parameters of Var-21 soya. The information obtained will serve as a basis for future research, especially into the effectiveness of organic fertilizers on other crop species, and under other agro-environmental conditions.     

Nitrogen concentrations and proportions of ammonium and nitrate in the nutrition and growth of yellow passion fruit seedlings

Abstract

Despite the importance of nitrogen (N) supply to plants, there are still doubts concerning the optimal relations of ammonium and nitrate in the nutrition of yellow passion fruit seedlings. This study aims to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen concentrations and ammonium and nitrate proportions in the nutrition, growth, and dry matter production of passion fruit seedlings grown in a substrate with a nutrient solution. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in randomized complete block design with three replications in a 4 × 5 factorial design, consisting of four N concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0?mmol L^?1) and five ammonium proportions (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in relation to the total N supply). At 60?days after transplanting, green color index; accumulation of N, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in roots and shoots; stem diameter; leaf area; root length; nitrogen use efficiency (NUE); and dry matter of roots and shoots were evaluated. For the formation of seedlings of yellow passion fruit, the nutrient solution should have 13?mmol L^?1 of N, with 40% of this nutrient in the form of ammonium. The passion fruit is a plant tolerant to ammonium. However, a critical concentration above 5.7?mmol L^?1 of NH₄⁺ in the nutrient solution decreases absorption of cations, NUE, and production of dry matter.     

GROWTH AND FRUIT QUALITY RESPONSES OF HYDROPONICALLY CULTIVATED EGGPLANTS TO MINERAL CONTROLLED DEEP SEA WATER

A suitable application of the deep seawater for high quality eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) production was examined on vegetative growth and fruit yield with special reference to qualities of fruits. Mineral controlled deep sea water was prepared by electrodialyzing deep sea water with a selective membrane cartridge for the exchange of monovalent ions. Eggplant plants variety ‘Ryoma’ were grown in the NFT system with the applications of 2% mineral controlled deep sea water to the standard nutrient solution (mineral controlled deep sea water treatment-MDST) under greenhouse condition with four replications. With the treatment eggplant had larger vegetative growth rate than with the control. Furthermore, MDST showed that total fruit yield and marketable fruit yield was 14% and 23% higher than the control. In this study, a new methodology to produce high quality eggplants enriched in sugar, minerals, and dry matter was demonstrated by applying the natural resource.     

我国生物肥料研究与应用进展

我国生物肥料研究始于20世纪50年代,最初只有提供有效氮、磷、钾元素的细菌肥料。经过60年的发展,逐步成为拥有11类产品,年产1000万吨生物肥料的庞大产业体系。本文从四方面对近10年我国生物肥料研究、应用以及产业发展取得的成就进行了简要总结,以期为其今后研究和创新发展提供借鉴。1) 介绍了根瘤菌、联合固氮菌、溶磷菌、解钾菌和促生菌高效菌种资源筛选、应用效果、关键技术问题与重点突破方向;2) 总结了不同类型生物肥料包括微生物菌剂、生物有机肥料、有机无机生物复合肥的应用效果;3) 分析了生物肥料发展中存在的问题以及市场规模;4) 对我国生物肥料发展趋势进行了展望。     

Increase in Growth,Productivity and Nutritional Status of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and enrichment in Soil Microbial Population Applied with Biofertilizers Entrapped with Organic Matrix

To find effective alternatives to reduce the application of conventional urea (CU), a conventional biofertilizer (CB) preparation (charcoal mixed Azotobacter chroococcum and Bacillus subtilis) and the same biofertilizers entrapped in an organic matrix consisting of cow dung, rice bran, dried powder of neem leaves, and clay soil in 1:1:1:1 ratio and 25% (w/w) saresh (plant gum of Acacia sp.), named as super granules of biofertilizers (SGBF) were applied to cultivate wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. ‘WH-711’) in experimental plots. The results revealed that the efficacy of commercially available charcoal mixed biofertilizers could not prove as effective alternative to CU, whereas the same dose of biofertilizers entrapped in the organic matrix, SGBF, resulted in a significant increase in growth and productivity of wheat. It appears that SGBF prepared and applied in this study is an effective organic alternative to the urea for wheat cultivation in semi-arid subtropical agro-ecosystems.