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.     

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.     

Comparative Effectiveness of Organic-Based Fertilizer To Mineral Fertilizer on Tomato Growth and Fruit Yield

The effect of three different organic based fertilizers (OBF) was compared to conventional chemical fertilizer on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). The OBF is composted plant material fortified with poultry manure. The compost used was made from Maize (MP), guinea grass (GP) and cowpea (CP) stovers in combination with poultry manure in ratio 3:1 by weight. Two rates of each compost type (4t/ha, and 2t/ha + 30kgN/ha), the recommended rate of mineral fertilizer (i.e. 60kg N/ha) and nonfertilizer control plants constituted the treatments. Chemical analysis of the matured composts showed that CP compost produced the highest N while MP compost gave the best P, K, Ca and Mg. Compost type significantly influenced growth and yield characteristics with MP compost either at 4t/ha or 2t/ha + 30kgNha consistently producing the best results with significantly higher marketable fruit yield than the nonfertilized plants. The OBF was highly effective on crop performance and was favorably comparable with the chemical fertilizer. Irrespective of the compost type, OBF significantly increased dry matter and fresh fruit yield by 29.6% and 36.3% respectively and was well compared with applying 60kgN/ha in form of chemical fertilizer. Hence, the idea of OBF is a worthwhile venture in boosting agricultural production in Nigeria.     

The Effects of Municipal Solid Waste Compost And Compost Tea on Mineral Element Uptake And Fruit Quality of Strawberries

Three levels of municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and two application rates of compost tea made with MSWC were applied to strawberries for two years. The highest level of application of MSWC significantly increased the concentrations of most extractable soil mineral elements except for Ni which was increased in the highest compost tea application rate. Despite large differences in soil mineral element concentrations among treatments, plant and fruit uptake were generally unaffected by treatments. Notably however, compost tea applications increased fruit Na levels perhaps due to increased uptake of Na by leaves compared to roots. Generally, the composts and compost teas produced fruit of equal quality in terms of total antioxidant capacity and vitamin C but all treatments failed to provide sufficient N to strawberry plants and all fruit appeared to have leather rot; consequently, yield was decreased.     

Simultaneous use of plant growth promoting rhizobacterium and nitrogenous fertilizers may help in promoting growth,yield, and nutritional quality of okra

This study was conducted to evaluate the simultaneous use of plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (QS1) and different combinations of urea-nitrogen and biogas slurry-nitrogen for improving growth, yield, and nutritional quality of field grown okra. The isolate QS1 was identified as Bacillus sp. QS1 based on its ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequence analysis. Results revealed that among the combinations, the application of 50% urea-nitrogen + 50% biogas slurry-nitrogen was optimal for improving crop performance. This combination significantly (p ≤ 0.05) promoted okra growth viz. plant height (69.63–80.03 cm), no of branches per plant (14–18), shoot fresh weight (86.66–136.25 g/plant), root fresh weight (22.5–26.58 g/plant), and fruit yield (8.5–13.5 kg/plot) compared to the plants receiving 100% urea-nitrogen. The interactive effective of this nitrogen combination and QS1 inoculation produced the highest growth and yield response. Similarly, the same treatment improved nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and protein contents in shoot and fruit of okra compared to other treatments.     

Yellow melon yield in response to mineral or organic fertilization

Although current recommendations in Brazil suggest the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, there is little information regarding the interaction between them in melon plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mineral and organic fertilization in the plant development, nutritional status, and fruit yield of yellow melon. The following fertilizations were evaluated: mineral fertilization; bovine manure; bovine manure associated with mineral fertilization; poultry litter; and poultry litter associated with mineral fertilization. Bovine manure and poultry litter were applied at rates equivalent to 15 m³ ha^?1 and 5 m³ ha^?1, respectively. Phosphorus and potassium were applied based on the results of the soil analysis and nitrogen based on the expected yield of 20 to 30 t ha^?1 of fruits. Phosphate and organic fertilizers were applied at the time of preparation of the beds, while nitrogen and potassium were supplied daily through irrigation water. Goldex F1 melon hybrid seedlings were used in the experiment. Plants were collected to evaluate the dry matter production at beginning of flowering, beginning of fruiting, fruit growth, and fruit harvest. Leaves were collected at flowering stage to evaluate the nutritional status of plants. Harvest was made when the fruits reached the intense yellow coloration. Organic fertilizers alone and combined to mineral fertilizer did not affect the dry matter yield of leaves, stems, fruits and shoot, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in melon leaves, the nitrogen accumulation in the plant, and the yield of the yellow melon. The application of bovine manure associated to mineral fertilization showed the lowest values of nitrogen recovery applied. Bovine manure application resulted in increase of nitrogen organic forms in soil.     

Irrigation with salt water affects growth,yield, fruit quality,storability and marker-gene expression in cherry tomato

The use of saline water for plant production will become increasingly necessary over future decades. In some cases, fruit quality such as in tomato, can be improved by irrigation with saline water. The influence of different salt concentrations on physiological responses and the expression of some selected genes of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L), cv. West Virginia 106, was examined. Tomato plants were grown in peatmoss substrate and irrigated with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 or 150?mM sodium chloride (NaCl) in a glasshouse. The NaCl treatments of 75, 100 and 150?mM salt resulted in shorter plants, decreased stem width, a lower plant dry weight, fewer flowers, and smaller leaf area, while yield was reduced by treatment with concentrations of 50?mM NaCl and above. Average fruit weight and fruit number were also negatively affected by treatment with 50?mM salt and above. Salinity treatment led to increased fruit total soluble solids, titratable acidity and firmness and improved the taste index. Salt-responsive marker genes identified in Moneymaker were also induced in cherry tomato but not at the highest salt concentrations. Our results indicated that cherry tomato treated with 25?mM NaCl produced fruit with improved quality in comparison with non-salinized control plants without compromising yield, while at 50 and 75?mM the improved fruit quality was accompanied by a reduction in yield.     

Mineral Nutrition Of ‘Petopride’ Processing Tomato Under Partial Rootzone Drying

Information is scant on the mineral nutrition of plants undergoing partial rootzone drying (PRD). Researchers applied PRD to ‘Petopride’ tomato in a glasshouse by alternating irrigation to one side of the plant with half of the water in control (C). Roots in PRD treatment had higher magnesium (Mg) and copper (Cu) than C roots. Leaves in PRD treatment had lower P and higher K than C leaves. Minerals in leaves of C and PRD were within literature reported sufficiency ranges. Fruit of the PRD treatment had higher nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn), but lower phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn) and boron (B) than C fruit. Mineral nutrition of fruit was most affected by PRD compared to that of leaf and root. Fruit of the PRD treatment had a higher incidence of blossom end rot (BER) than C fruit. Incidence of BER notwithstanding, although PRD affected the mineral nutrition of the tomato plant, there was no evidence that the lower yield in PRD was due to poor mineral nutrition.     

Interactive Influences of Salinity Stress and Leaf Thinning on the Growth,Yield, Water use Efficiency,and Fruit Quality of Cherry Tomatoes

This research has experimentally investigated the interactive influences of salinity stress and leaf thinning on the growth, yield, water use efficiency, and fruit quality of cherry tomatoes cultivated under soilless conditions. The experiment was conducted in a plastic house (width of 5 m and length of 11 m) located in Gifu University. The seedlings were transplanted in a randomized complete block design with six plants per treatment, and a total of 36 plants in 18 pots (two plants per pot). The experiment received salinity treatment (no-salinity and salinity with electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.8 dS m^?1 and 3.0 dS m^?1, respectively) and leaf thinning treatment (no leaf thinning, basal leaf thinning and intersegment leaf thinning except the closest two). The experimental results showed that salinity stress negatively affected the growth, yield, marketable yield and water use efficiency of cherry tomatoes, but positively affected the fruit quality. Basal leaf removal significantly decreased the biomass, chlorophyll, and yield but significantly improved the fruit quality; that basal leaf removal coupled with salinity stress showed no influence on plant growth, but reduced the yield and greatly improved the fruit quality. Besides, tender leaves around truss removal significantly decreased the biomass, chlorophyll, yield, and water consumption, but improved the fruit quality; that tender leaves around truss removal coupled with salinity stress greatly decreased the biomass, chlorophyll, yield, and water consumption, but significantly improved the fruit quality.     

Multimineral and Organic Composition of a Liquid By-Product from the Pyrobituminous Shale Pyrolysis Process and its Potential Use in Agriculture

Pyrolysis of pyrobituminous shale rock to extract products such as fuel oil and gas generate a liquid by-product called shale water (SW). In this study, the physical-chemical characterization of SW was performed and the effects on plant growth, mineral nutrition, and food safety were evaluated when applied via foliar in lettuce crop. Shale water showed a great diversity of organic compounds, minerals, and trace elements. The application of SW in lettuce resulted in no phytotoxic effect or accumulation of toxic elements to human health within the doses tested, and increased yield and the accumulation of several mineral nutrients in the leaves. The absorption and accumulation of zinc, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, and manganese was also improved when these minerals were applied together with SW. These results suggest that SW plays a role as a biostimulant and could be used in agriculture as a safety alternative to increase yield and biofortify crops.     

Mineral Elements Uptake and Growth of Strawberry as Influenced by Organic Substrates

Pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to compare the effect of four organic substrates [S1: Persian turpentine trees leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%); S2: Oak leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%); S3: Cypress leaf mold (50%) + Soil (50%) and S4: liquorice processing wastes (50%) + Soil (50%)] application on strawberry growth, yield, and nutrient concentration, and on some soil properties. Results showed that leaves mold and liquorice wastes application decreased pH, increased soil organic matter, and increased soil concentrations in all mineral elements studied, except for potassium (K). The amount of mineral elements in substrates had also a great influence on the leaf nutrient concentrations. High levels of nitrogen (N), K, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were obtained in leaves; while phosphorus (P) concentration was lower than sufficient levels. Although, strawberry fresh and dry weights and leaf chlorophyll content were significantly higher in plants grown in S4 with no added fertilizer, the highest fruit yield was obtained in combination substrates with 50% fertilizer. Our results indicate that use of leaf mold and liquorice wastes in soil mixtures can reduce the amount of fertilizer required for optimum strawberry plant growth and yield.     

水肥对高产无性系油茶果实产量的影响

以肥料氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)不同施用量和灌溉水量(H2O)为试验因子,采用二次通用旋转组合设计,研究了水肥对油茶鲜果产量的影响。结果表明,N、P、K和H2O的用量对油茶鲜果产量均存在显著的影响,且N与K、K与H2O对油茶鲜果产量存在显著的互作效应。试验因子间的交互作用使油茶鲜果产量明显提高,达到最大值时4个因子的编码值分别为:N为1.03、P为0.62、K为1.19、H2O为0.92,即全年每株油茶施有效养分N 181.8 g、P2O5 48.6 g、K2O 287.1 g,灌水29.2 kg,相当于每hm2施用N 795 kg、P2O5 80 kg、K2O 474 kg,灌水48 m3。采用该方案,油茶鲜果产量可达到最大为5 131 kg hm2。     

Mineral nutrient concentration and uptake by tomato irrigated with recirculating aquaculture water as influenced by quantity of fish waste products supplied

Fish and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) production were linked in a recirculaing water system. Fish (tilapia) were fed a commercial diet with 32% protein. Tomato cultivars ‘Laura’ and ‘Kewalo’ were grown during summer 1988 and spring 1989, respectively, in a Raleigh, NC greenhouse. Plants were grown in biofilters at 4 plants/m² and surface irrigated 8 times daily with water pumped from an associated fish tank. Four tank‐to‐biofllter ratios were established by varying the filter size. Each system received identical nutrient inputs and an equal quantity of water was applied per plant. Biofilter drainage returned to the tanks. Biological filtration, aeration, and mineral assimilation by plants maintained water quality within limits for tilapia. All nutrients were assimilated above deficiency levels. Tissue concentrations of N, P, K and Mg were not limiting. Calcium was low and S high when their sole nutrient source was fish waste. Micronutrients were assimilated in excess of sufficiency, but toxicity was not seen. Irrespective of fruit yield, metabolic products of each kilogram increase in fish biomass provided sufficient nutrient for two tomato plants for a period of three months. Under reduced growth rates of mature fish, K became limiting. Alterations in fish feed mineral nutrient content are suggested which better meet plant requirements and still remain within the range of fish needs.     

LEAF-MACRONUTRIENT STATUS AND FRUIT YIELD OF BIOFERTILIZED YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANTS

Biofertilizers instead of synthetic chemicals are known to improve plant growth through the supply of plant nutrients and they may help sustaining environmental health and soil productivity. An experiment was carried out to evaluate fruit yield and macronutrient foliar contents of yellow passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis) as a function of biofertilizers and nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) fertilizing in Brazil (2005–2007). The experimental design was randomized in blocks with treatments, which were distributed in a factorial arrangement (3 × 2) referring to biofertilizer application [without biofertilizer, simple biofertilizer and enriched biofertilizer] and mineral fertilizing with NPK (fertilized and non-fertilized), with three replications of nine plants. Nutritional status of yellow passion fruit is affected by biofertilizer. Simple biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of phosphorus, calcium and sulfur, while enriched biofertilizer promotes optimum supplies of phosphorus, potassium, calcium and sulfur. Both biofertilizers stimulated fruit yield, with results above Brazilian average.     

Arsenic uptake,distribution, and accumulation in tomato plants: Effect of arsenite on plant growth and yield

The response of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill, cultivar Marmande) plants to different levels of arsenic (As) in nutrient solution was investigated—the processes of uptake, distribution and accumulation of As, and the effect of arsenite on yield and plant growth (plant height, diameter of stem, stem and root length, fresh and dry weight of root, stems, leaves, and fruit). The experiment was performed at three levels of As: 2, 5 and 10 mg/L [added as sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)] in a nutrient solution, together with the corresponding control plants. Arsenic uptake depended on the As concentration in solution and As content in the roots increased as the time of treatment increased. The most important finding was the high toxicity of arsenite to roots. The concentration in stems, leaves, and fruit was correlated with the As level in the nutrient solution. Although the As level of 10 mg/L damaged the root membranes, resulting in a significant decrease in the upward transport of As. Arsenic exposure resulted in a drastic decrease in plant growth parameters (e.g., maximum decrease of 76.8% in leaf fresh weight) and in tomato fruit yield (maximum reduction of 79.6%). However, it is important to note that the As concentration in the fruits was not toxic or harmful for human consumption.     

Plant Yield,Antioxidant Capacity and Essential Oil Quality of Satureja Mutica Supplied with Cattle Manure and Wheat Straw in Different Plant Densities

ABSTRACT

Satureja mutica is a medicinally important plant, which may be affected by organic fertilizers and cultivation methods. To investigate the effect of cattle manure (30 ton/ha) and wheat straw (10 ton/ha) as organic fertilizers and plant density (80000, 40000, and 26666 plan ha^?1), an experiment was carried out as split plot with three replications during 2017 and 2018 on plant yield, total phenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), essential oil (EO) yield and composition of S. mutica in the rainfed condition. The results showed that the highest fresh weight yield (FWY) and dry weight yield (DWY) were observed in high plant density in second year. TPC in interaction of second year and cattle manure was higher than others. The greatest TFC was observed in plants supplied with interaction of second year and wheat straw. EO content and yield in plants treated with the interaction of second year and high plant density were higher compared to those in other plants. The GC/MS analysis showed that the main EO components were thymol, carvacrol, γ-terpinene and p-Cymene, representing different concentrations by using the organic fertilizers and plant densities. In summary, the use of cattle manure and high plant densities can result in higher plant production.     

露地小型西瓜产量品质砧木效应的综合评价

为综合评价露地小型西瓜产量品质的砧木效应,以接穗京颖-6自根苗为对照,研究南瓜砧和葫芦砧分别嫁接同一接穗品种后,不同嫁接组合的幼苗质量、植株长势、产量、果实性状和品质变异特征。结果表明,所有砧木的嫁接成活率均高于90%,供试南瓜砧中幼苗质量以兴盛和铁砧尔帝较好,葫芦砧以强根和京欣砧1号表现较好。嫁接成株长势和产量也因选择砧木不同而表现不同,其中南瓜砧嫁接植株长势较强,产量较高,最低增产率也达17.0%;葫芦砧嫁接植株长势和产量变异较大,强根增产率达49.4%,但京欣砧王单位产量较对照低12.3%,且嫁接对小型西瓜果实特性及果实营养品质的影响显著。构成小型西瓜果实品质相关指标的综合评价结果表明,仅2个南瓜砧和4个葫芦砧嫁接果实品质优于自根苗。综上,供试南瓜砧均显著提高了小型西瓜的产量,但多降低了果实品质;葫芦砧中仅强砧和京欣砧1号嫁接西瓜的产量有所提高,且果实品质有所改善。本研究为嫁接小型西瓜优质高产栽培提供了理论依据。     

水氮配施对绿洲温室黄瓜氮素代谢及产量品质的影响

为明确绿洲温室黄瓜的水氮适宜用量,以黄瓜品种"卓越99F1"为材料,采用田间随机区组排列设计,研究了不同水氮处理对黄瓜氮素代谢及产量品质的影响.结果表明:土壤含水量为田间持水量65％～80％、施氮量为234 kg·hm-2的处理,黄瓜植株体内硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶、谷氨酸草酰乙酸转氨酶和谷氨酸丙酮酸转氨酶活性最高;...     

番茄日光温室膜下滴灌水肥耦合效应研究

采用二因素二次通用旋转组合设计,研究了日光温室中膜下滴灌水肥耦合技术对番茄植株生长发育、果实品质和产量的影响。结果表明：灌水定额、施肥定额二因素与番茄植株生长发育、果实品质和产量之间存在极显著的回归关系,F回〉F 0.01（5,7）=6.1088,回归可靠;二因素的影响程度为施肥定额>灌水定额,由此提出了最优水肥组合方案,灌水定额为2704.5~2836.95m3/hm2,施肥定额为265.5~309.64kg/hm2。本研究为日光温室番茄膜下滴灌栽培生产提供了借鉴。     

Zucchini growth,yield, and fruit quality in response to sodium chloride stress

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Moschata) plants were grown in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions at Almería (Southeastern Spain) in 1994 and 1995. Sodium chloride (NaCl) added to the irrigation water at 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 g L^‐1 and complemented with a fertilizer solution. Yield was determined on number and weight (kg) of fruit per plant. The hidric content (%W) per fruit was calculated using fruit fresh and dry weights. Fruit diameter, fruit length, and fruit firmness were also measured. Electrical conductivity, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and pH as well as non‐structural carbohydrates concentration were determined. Zucchini yield, quality, and quantity increased as NaCl concentration was increased to 1 g L^‐1. This cultivar appears to suitable to be grown in coastal locations where soil and irrigation water contain salt concentration that limit the growth of other crops less tolerant to salinity.