Effect of different nitrogen-potassium concentrations on growth and flowering of chrysanthemum in a drip hydroponic system

Different concentrations of Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K) at vegetative and flowering stages were evaluated to optimizing their levels for high quality performance of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. cv. ‘Mother Teresa’ grown in soilless media mixture (cocopeat:perlite:vermiculite = 3:1:1) in a non-recovery drip hydroponic system. The treatments consisted of five nutrient solution concentrations (NSC), having N (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 ppm) and K levels (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 ppm) during vegetative stage, whereas during reproductive stage, the N and K levels were 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 ppm, and 60, 110, 160, 210 and 260 ppm, respectively. The performance of chrysanthemum improved with increasing levels of N-K concentration. The nutrient concentration (NSC-V) of N₂₅₀ + K₂₀₀ during vegetative and N₂₀₀ + K₂₆₀ during reproductive stage produced highest (153) number of flowers, plant height (31.5 cm), plant canopy (35 cm) and flower sprays (21) per plant proved to be the best treatment.     

Composition of soilless substrates affect the physiology and fruit quality of two strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars

Abstract

Leaf-level physiology, yield, and fruit quality of two strawberry (Fragaria?×?ananassa Duch.) cultivars, “BG4.370” and “Splendor” grown in five growing substrates were assessed. Substrate ratios were T1: tuff (0–4?mm), T2: cocopeat?+?perlite 4:1, T3: peatmoss?+?perlite 4:1, T4: tuff?+?cocopeat 4:1, and T5: tuff?+?peatmoss 4:1. Strawberry parameters were greatly affected by substrate composition but not cultivars. Plants grown in cocopeat?+?perlite 4:1 had the highest photosynthesis, transpiration, radical scavenging activity, and fruit firmness while those grown in peatmoss?+?perlite 4:1 had the highest yield, total phenolics and nitrate concentration compared to other substrates. Given that peat-based growing substrate has raised concerns over the environmental impacts such as, a reduction of wet-lands and loss of soil organic carbon, the lower environmental impact and higher fruit quality grown on cocopeat justifies the use of cocopeat as an alternative substrate to peatmoss.     

Nitrogen Supplemented Cocopeat-Based Organic Wastes as Potting Media Mixtures for the Growth and Flowering of Chrysanthemum

Growth and flowering characteristics of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) was evaluated in organic wastes comprising burnt rice husk ash (RHA) and composted sewage sludge (SS) amended with differential proportions of soil:cocopeat (CP) in 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% each on dry weight volume basis. The media mixtures were supplemented with varying nitrogen (N) levels (0, 2, 4, and 6 g N per pot). Utilizing CP as an amendment with the organic media considerably improved the physical as well as chemical properties of the potting media that was found desirable for the root zone environment in a finite volume of a pot. Chrysanthemum plants produced in increasing proportions of CP were observed to be well anchored and exhibited excellent quality of flowers. Utilizing 50% CP and 25% soil as a growing media amendment in SS (25%) proved to be the best media mixture for ideal growth and performance of potted chrysanthemum. Better aggregate stability provided by the SS and increased potassium (K) content in CP coupled with improved physical root zone environment provide a suitable reason to utilize CP as an amendment in potting media for an ideal display of pot mums.     

Evaluation of potting mix composition on potato plantlet tuber production under greenhouse conditions 1 1

Abstract

Tissue culture is currently used by many seed potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) programs enabling the production of high quality, disease free seed potatoes. Potato plantlets produced by micropropagation are planted in greenhouses to produce tubers for further multiplication in the field. The objective of this study was to develop a potting medium that would maximize potato tuber production under greenhouse conditions. Two studies were conducted evaluating different combinations of vermiculite, sand and perlite. In each study where nutrient solutions were applied weekly, vegetative weight, number of stems and potato tuber weight were evaluated. Potting media had significant effects on vegetative plant weight, number of tubers and tuber weight. Significant positive relationships between percent vermiculite in the potting mixture and number of stems (R² = 0.33? and 0.44 ) and tuber weight (R² = 0.63?? and 0.52??) were observed. In the final analysis, a potting mix containing 80% vermiculite and 20% sand provided optimum tuber production in the greenhouse. The vermiculite provided an adequate cation exchange capacity for holding nutrients and high water holding capacity while the sand provided adequate aeration.     

Assessment of bio-inoculants-mediated nutrient management in terms of productivity,profitability and nutrient harvest index of pigeon pea–wheat cropping system in India

Abstract

Imbalanced and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers has been adversely influencing the quality of soil, environment, biodiversity and nutrient status in soil. Conjoint application of bio-inoculants (BI) with organic or inorganic sources of nutrients tweaks nutrient synchrony in soil and improves plant nutrition. With this backdrop an experiment was conducted at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2016–2018. The objectives were to identify the suitable combinations of BI-mediated nutrient sources for higher productivity and profitability in pigeon pea–wheat cropping system (PWCS). The nine pigeon pea treatments; four sole applications viz., recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), vermicompost (VC), farm yard manure (FYM), leaf compost (LC) and four conjoint applications viz., RDF?+?BI, VC?+?BI, FYM?+?BI and LC?+?BI and one control were replicated thrice under randomized block design (RBD). However, in succeeding wheat, each of the treatments applied to pigeon pea was further allocated to two levels (50% and 100%) in factorial RBD. Findings exhibit that FYM?+?BI could result into higher equivalent-system grain productivity (10.4 and 10.8?t?ha^?1 during 1st and 2nd year, respectively) of PWCS. However, profitability parameters of PWCS were higher with the RDF?+?BI. Uptake of nutrients (NPK) was significantly higher with FYM?+?BI in pigeon pea and RDF?+?BI in wheat. Nutrient harvest index (NHI) did not vary significantly in both the crops. Conclusively, bio-inoculation is more productive and beneficial in general, while, over the various combinations, recommendation of FYM?+?BI combination could be more productive and sustainable.     

Relative effect of organic and conventional farming on growth,yield and grain quality of scented rice and soil fertility 1 : Relative wirkung von organischem und konventionellem ackerbau auf wachstum,ertrag und kornqualität von reis und auf die bodenqualität

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of the crop year 2001 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, to study the comparative effects of organic and conventional farming on scented rice. Grain yield of rice increased significantly with increasing rate of fertilizer application only up to 60?kg N?+?13?kg P?+?17?kg K ha^???1. The effect of 10 t ha^???1 farmyard manure (FYM) was found to be similar to 60?kg N?+?13?kg P?+?17?kg K ha^???1, whereas the effect of Sesbania green manuring (SGM) was similar to 120?kg N?+?26?kg P?+?34?kg K ha^???1. Inoculation of BGA (Blue green algae) with FYM or SGM had no additional advantage over FYM or SGM alone. The highest yield (5.2 t/ha) of rice was obtained when FYM?+?SGM?+?BGA?+?PSB (Pseudomonas striata) were applied together. The yield obtained with this combination was significantly more than that obtained with 180?kg N?+?39?kg P?+?51?kg K ha^???1. A similar trend was observed in N, P, and K uptake of rice. Inorganic nutrients had no significant effect on grain quality parameters like head rice recovery (HRR), kernel length (KL), kernel breadth (KB) and KL?:?KB ratio, whereas organic manures and biofertilizers resulted in an increase in HRR, KL and KL?:?KB ratio. A combination of FYM?+?SGM?+?BGA?+?PSB also resulted in highest organic C and available N content in soil and thus holds a promise for sustainable production.     

Wild rocket – effect of water deficit on growth,flowering, and attractiveness to pollinators

Wild rocket, Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC. (Brassicaceae), is one of the three cultivated rocket species, the demand and production of which have recently increased in Mediterranean countries where irrigation water is scarce. Besides its use as a crop, D. tenuifolia has been observed to flower for a long period and to be attractive to pollinators. In this study we assessed the effect of drought stress and moderate- and severe-deficit irrigation on growth, flower development, and attractiveness to pollinators in D. tenuifolia. The results showed that in greenhouse conditions, potted D. tenuifolia could be without irrigation for 4 days without affecting its growth, flowering, and attractiveness to pollinators. However, lack of irrigation for 8 days or longer significantly reduced the vegetative growth, number of open flowers, total floral area, flower diameter, corolla tube diameter, and corolla tube length of D. tenuifolia. This study shows that regulated-deficit irrigation can improve water use efficiency, and depending on the purpose of growing D. tenuifolia, as a crop or as a beneficial plant to attract pollinators, it can reduce water consumption from 40% to 70% without affecting its vegetative and floral development and without reducing its attractiveness to pollinators.     

Evaluation of Different Organic Growing Media for Growth and Flowering of Petunia

Studies were carried out at Punjab Agricultural University Landscape Nursery from November 2009 to July 2010 to evaluate the different soil-based and soilless media compositions on growth and flowering of petunia hybrids. Different media compositions comprising leaf mold, sewage sludge, vermicompost, farmyard manure, cocopeat, and soil were evaluated in definite ratios to select an ideal potting media for raising potted (6-inch pots) petunia plants. Results revealed that media composition M6 was the best potting media to raise petunia plants. Petunia plants raised in this media [soil + sewage sludge (K) (2:1)] exhibit maximum (55.3 days) number of days of flowering duration, maximum (129.5 days) number of days to flowering withering, recorded minimum (74.2 days) number of days to bud emergence, and counted more (30.0) number of buds and maximum (15.0) number of branches. This media composition was observed to be ideal for raising petunia seedlings to full-grown floriferous potted petunia plants with all the desirable characteristics essential for a specimen display.     

光周期对切花菊生长及开花的调控

以‘红面’切花菊（Hongmian）为试材，设置6组光周期处理，分别为昼/夜7h/17h（记为Ph7）、8h/16h（Ph8）、9h/15h（Ph9）、10h/14h（Ph10）、11h/13h（Ph11），以长日照（13~14h）处理为对照CK，研究不同光周期对其生长及开花的影响。记录不同处理现蕾、破蕾、初花、盛花的时间和叶片数，测定分析不同发育期叶片可溶性总糖、蔗糖和蛋白含量，并于不同处理达盛花期时测定其花、茎鲜重以及干物质在不同器官的分配率，以阐明不同光周期对‘红面’菊初花期和出花品质的调控作用，为不同发育期的菊花栽培提出具有针对性的补光建议。结果表明：（1）叶片数随光照时间的增加而增加，并以CK的增加速率最大，Ph11次之，Ph7最小。（2）‘红面’切花菊的花期明显受光照时长的影响，Ph10处理下的菊花从苗期−现蕾、成花耗时均最短，Ph11从初花−花瓣全展开的盛花期耗时最短，Ph7、Ph8和CK花期严重滞后。（3）不同发育期叶片可溶性糖、蛋白含量均呈“M”形变化趋势，两次峰值分别出现在花芽分化期和开花前。可溶性总糖含量以CK最大，Ph11次之；作为可感知光周期信号的信使分子蔗糖，以及可溶性蛋白含量均以Ph10最大。（4）花鲜重以Ph11最大，促花效果显著。因此生产上将秋菊开花时间提前的同时，为保证切花质量，苗期应接受大于11h/d的长日照条件，使菊花苗进行充分的营养生长而不过早诱发花芽分化，以10h/d的光照条件进行诱花处理，花蕾形成且开始成花显色后，花芽分化已不可逆，再将其置于11h/d的光照条件下花瓣可最快全部展开。     

Soil nutrient status,yield and quality of lemon (Citrus limon Burm.) cv. ‘Assam lemon’ as influenced by bio-fertilizers,organics and inorganic fertilizers

An experiment was conducted at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India during 2015-2017 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of lemon cv. ‘Assam lemon’ (Citrus limon Burm.). The experiment was comprised of nine treatments viz. T1: 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) through inorganic fertilizers (IF); T2: 100% N through Farm Yard Manure (FYM); T3: 75% N through FYM + 25% through IF; T4: 50% N through FYM + 50% through IF; T5:75% N through FYM +25% through IF + Azotobacter + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB)+ potash solubilizing bacteria (KSB); T6: 50% N through FYM + 50% through IF+ Azotobacter + PSB?+?KSB; T7: 75% N through FYM + 25% through IF?+?Azospirillum + AMF?+?KSB; T8: 50% N through FYM + 50% through IF+ Azospirillum + arbuscular mychorrhizal fungi (AMF) + KSB; T9: control. Among all treatments, T5 recorded highest value with respect to growth, yield and soil quality. While, T7 showed superiority in quality characters.     

水氮耦合对滁菊产量和品质的影响

采用二因素二次回归旋转组合设计,以盆栽试验方式研究了水、氮因子对滁菊产量和品质的影响,探讨了滁菊人工栽培适宜的水氮管理模式。研究结果表明,水氮耦合对滁菊花产量、叶片水提总黄酮和氯原酸含量、滁菊花水提总黄酮和氯原酸含量均有极显著影响,水氮间存在显著交互作用。氮肥因子对滁菊花产量、总黄酮含量、氯原酸含量的影响大于水分因子。当土壤水分水平为0.284 1,氮肥水平为0.403 7时,即田间持水量80%,氮肥用量0.257g/kg时,滁菊花产量最高,达18.09g/株;当土壤水分和氮肥用量均为-1.414水平时,即田间持水量50%,氮肥用量为0g/kg时,滁菊花总黄酮含量和氯原酸含量最大。从滁菊花产量、品质角度综合考虑,滁菊生育前期水氮管理以中水中氮较为适宜,滁菊现蕾开花期以低水低氮较为适宜。     

Long term effect of fertilizers and amendments on the properties of an acid Alfisol and uptake of primary nutrients and sulfur in maize-wheat rotation in North Western Himalayas

Abstract

Soil physico-chemical properties and NPKS uptake were studied in a long-term fertilizer experiment at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (India). All properties were significantly affected by long term application of fertilizers. Bulk density was the highest with 100% N application and the lowest with FYM application. Optimum pH was resulted in lime amended treatment. Organic carbon, CEC, Available N and K were highest in FYM amended treatment. Available P was highest in 150% NPK and that was at par with 100% NPK?+?FYM. All primary nutrients were decreasing with increasing depth. Application of 100% NPK?+?FYM recorded highest yield of maize and wheat, which was at par with 100% NPK?+?lime. Uptake of NPK and S followed the yield trend and resulted in the highest uptake of NPK and S in 100% NPK?+?FYM and the lowest in control.     

Effect of Nutrient Solution PH on the Vegetative and Reproductive Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rose Cv. ‘Grand Gala’ in Hydroponic System

The rose plants were cultivated in the pots containing 75% cocopeat+ 25% perlite and were nourished with ½ Hoagland nutrient solutions with pH of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8. The results revealed that plant fresh and dry weight, flower bud, and stem diameter increased with the increase in pH from 4.5 to 6.5, but then started to decrease with further increase in pH up to 8. The highest number of buds, chlorophyll content, F_v/F_m, performance index (PI), and leaf phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper concentrations were obtained at pH 6.5 and the lowest one at pH 8. The highest and lowest zinc concentration was observed at pH 6.5 and 4.5, respectively. According to the results, pH 6.5 was evaluated as optimum for hydroponic culture of rose, which resulted in the higher uptake of elements and better vegetative and reproductive growth and higher quality of rose plants.     

Nursery Crop Growth Response to Municipal Biosolids: Species Salt and Xeric Adaptation a Key Factor?

ABSTRACT

Growth responses of potted ornamental crops to municipal biosolids in the semiarid southwestern USA are not adequately known. In 10- to 11-wk greenhouse pot studies, we evaluated the effects of dried biosolids-amended growing media on four ornamental crop species: Garden chrysanthemum (Dendranthema Xgrandiflorum ‘Megan’), butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Nanho Blue’), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica ‘Purpurea’), and blanket flower (Gaillardia Xgrandiflora ‘Goblin’). The biosolids were composted without bulking agents (100% sewage sludge) and incorporated into growing media at rates ranging from 0 to 593 kg m^?3, or 0 to 72% by volume. Biosolids increased substrate pH from 5.8 to 7.2 and electrical conductivity (EC) from 2.6 to 47.3 dS m^?1. Any addition of biosolids (≥30 kg m^?3) reduced total plant dry matter (DM) of chrysanthemum. Conversely, shoot DM of blanket flower and butterfly bush increased by four- to five-fold at biosolids rates of 59 to 148 kg m^?3 (7 to 18% by volume) with corresponding increases in shoot N and P concentrations. Biosolids rates higher than 148 kg m^?3 reduced top growth of the latter two species and of Japanese honeysuckle. For all species, growth reductions with excessive biosolids rates likely resulted from osmotic stress and specific NH₄ toxicity. However, based on the substantial growth stimulations at moderate biosolids rates, xeric and salt-adapted species, such as blanket flower and butterfly bush, may be ideally suited for expanding the use of highly saline biosolids at semiarid nursery production sites.     

Shifting saffron (Crocus sativus L.) culture from traditional farmland to controlled environment (greenhouse) condition to avoid the negative impact of climate changes and increase its productivity

Abstract

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a geophyte herbaceous perennial medicinal plant, whose flower’s three style arms plus stigmas are used as the most expensive spice in the world. Saffron is exclusively propagated in a vegetative manner through clonal corm multiplication. Saffron stigma?+?style and daughter corms (also termed as progenies or propagules) multiplication and growth greatly depend on edaphoclimatic conditions (such as soil characteristics, precipitation, geographical location, and most importantly temperature), agricultural managements (such as fertilization, irrigation, planting density, date and depth, and most importantly mother corm size), as well as harvest and postharvest processing (drying, packaging, and storing). Cultivation of saffron under controlled environment provides an opportunity to produce saffron and escape from the negative impact of climate change, importantly increased temperature. Since most studies have focused on farmlands/orchards, this article aimed to provide the up-to-date knowledge on saffron culture to optimize corm and stigma?+?style yield and quality in open field and specifically in soil-less and soil-based greenhouse conditions.     

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Inoculation on Growth and Flowering in Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees

Commercially important ornamental flowering plant Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees. commonly known as ‘Fire cracker’ plant was evaluated for the possible effects of inoculation of different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species on growth, yield, flower quality, and phosphorus (P) nutrition. Five pure cultures of AM species, Acaulospora laevis, A. scrobiculata, Glomus coremioides, G. intraradices and Gigaspora albida and an un-inoculated control were used. Mycorrhizal inoculation showed positive effect on plant height, early flowering, increased flower number, increased flower weight, reduced fresh weight loss over 24 h, increased leaf P concentration, and increased total dry weight compared to un-inoculated control. The studies indicate mycorrhizal inoculation can enhance commercial flower production of this plant. Glomus intraradices proved to be the most efficient AM fungal bioinoculant and thus have the potential to enhance commercial flower production of this plant.     

Effects of salinity and alkalinity on pansy and impatiens in three different growing media

The quality of irrigation water used for greenhouse crop production can strongly influence plant growth. However, the effect on plant growth is probably a combination of water quality and the type of growing media used. To determine the effect of saline and alkaline irrigation water on plant growth and nutrition, pansy and impatiens were grown in peat, peat:pine bark, and pine bark media under standard greenhouse conditions. Salinity treatments of 0, 100 and OmgL^‐1 NaCl: CaCl₂ and alkalinity treatments of 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg L^‐1 NaHCO₃ were applied at every irrigation. Salinity levels at 100 mg L^‐1 and greater caused necrosis of leaf edges, upward curling of leaves, and reduced flower number for pansy. Treatment symptoms for impatiens were reduced growth, general chlorosis, and reduced flower number. These treatment symptoms increased in severity for plants grown in pine bark. Alkalinity levels at 200 mg L^‐1 and greater caused decreased flower number, necrosis of leaf edges, and downward cupping of leaves of pansy. Treatments symptoms of impatiens were general chlorosis, water‐soaked appearance of leaves and leaf abscission. Elemental concentrations of sodium (Na⁺), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca⁺⁺), magnesium (Mg⁺⁺), and potassium (K⁺) varied in media solution and tissue with symptom and treatment.     

Application of bio-fertilizer for Pelargonium peltatum growth in new organic substrates

There is a strong need to substitute chemical fertilizers with bio-fertilizers and organic compounds. This study was done with the aim of improving the Pelargonium peltatum quantity and quality by a phosphate bio-fertilizer (Barvar 2). Bio-fertilizers and organic compounds enhance soil fertility and improve production in sustainable agriculture. Two levels of bio-fertilizer and different media along with a variety of organic compounds were used to evaluate their effects on some morphological and physiological features in P. peltatum. The results showed that all treatments significantly affected all studied traits except for internode length. The use of bio-fertilizer along with media containing a variety of organic materials, especially sand + tea waste compost + cocopeat (coconut fibrous husk) + pond sediment, also garden soil + sand + municipal solid waste compost + pond sediment, had a greater impact on these traits. The measured characteristics of the sand + tea waste compost + cocopeat + water spreading soil medium were in desirable and appropriate levels with the standard media used for ornamental plants.     

Soil amendments and seed priming influence nutrients uptake,soil properties,yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in alkali soils

The effects of soil amendments [i.e., control, gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), and gypsum?+?FYM] and seed priming (i.e., unprimed, seed soaked in water for 10?hr prior to sowing, and seed soaked in 0.4% gypsum solution for 10?hr prior to sowing) were assessed on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in alkali soil in northwestern Pakistan. A split plot design was used, keeping priming methods in main plots and soil amendments in sub-plots. The results showed that the effects of soil amendments and seed priming on grain yield, straw yield, harvest index and number of spikes were significant but their interactive effect was non-significant. The highest crop yields and yield index were obtained with gypsum?+?FYM amendments, and seed priming with gypsum solution. The effect on seed emergence, plant height and number of grains per spike was, however, not significant. Grain yield increased by 104% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment over control and by 16.8% with seed primed in water, followed by 8.5% with priming in gypsum solution, as compared to non-priming. The weight of 1000 grains was significantly increased by 35% in gypsum?+?FYM treatment and by 15.8% in gypsum priming. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content increased with soil amendments. Soil pH and gypsum requirement reduced significantly with soil amendments. The blend of gypsum and FYM has improved the properties of salt-affected soil and enhanced fertility for optimum production of wheat in addition to the beneficial effect of seed priming in gypsum solution on crop yield. Using these amendments could be ameliorative in removing the adverse effect of the salt-affected soils, rendering the soil a good medium for plant growth.     

Effect of nitrogen supply on nitrogen and carbohydrate constituent accumulation in rhizomes and storage roots of Curcuma alismatifolia Gagnep.

Abstract

Curcuma (Curcuma alismatifolia cv. Gagnep.), a tropical flowering plant known as “Siam tulip”, were cultivated in a pot with vermiculite and supplied with different levels of nitrogen (N). Rhizomes with storage roots were harvested at 215 days after planting. Results indicated that a high level of N supply increased flower numbers and promoted continuous new rhizome formation, but storage root growth was depressed. The N supply to the plants increased the N concentrations both in the rhizomes and in the storage roots. The predominant nitrogenous compounds related to total N increase were proteins in the rhizomes. The N of the insoluble fraction of 80% ethanol or the N of the soluble fraction of 10% trichloroacetic acid was the predominant fraction of N that accumulated in the storage roots. A lack of N supply increased the starch concentration both in the rhizomes and in the storage roots. These results suggested that a high level of N supply to the curcuma plant increased new rhizome formation because of increased flower numbers, but depressed new storage root formation because of reduced starch accumulation.