Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
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Influence of Flower Types on Fruit Setting and Yield Dynamics of Summer Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)
No full textThe study was conducted at the research field of Olericulture Division, Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur to study the relationship among fruit setting and flower types and yield potentials of brinjal under summer condition during May to November 2013. Fourteen germplasms were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Marked variation was observed among the studied germplasms. The lowest number of clusters per plant (13.78) and it was highest (6.31) recorded from the genotype SM 011. The total floral bud(s) per plant was recorded highest in SM 58-1 and SM 58-2 (127.62) and the lowest from SM 021 (37.31). The highest percentage of long styled flowers per plant counted from the genotype SM 58-1 (64.37%). The highest percentage of medium styled flower was counted from the genotype SM 200 (34.15%). BARI Begun -4 and SM 211 had the highest fruit setting percentage 75.17% and 72.56%, respectively. The lowest fruit setting percentage was recorded from the genotype SM 235 (30.27%). The highest yield loss per plant due to pest infestation was recorded from the genotype SM 58-2 (304.00 g) and the lowest from the genotype SM 011 (100.17 g). BARI Begun -4 produced the maximum number of edible fruits per plant (32.13) and BARI Begun -5 produced the minimum number of edible fruits per plant (8.10). The yield (edible fruit) per plant was found the highest in BARI Begun -4 (2.62 kg) and the lowest in SM 011(0.92 kg). The highest individual fruit weight (304.00 g) was obtained in EGN 10 and the lowest was 55.10 g in SM 011. Fruit setting percentage and yield were found more in that germplasms which produced relatively higher percentage of long and medium styled flower
Effects of Corm Size and Planting Date on Flower and Corm Production of Gladiolus in Sylhet Region
No full textA field study was conducted to investigate the effects of corm size and planting date on flower, corm and cormel production of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus. A.) in sylhet. In this investigation three corm sizes viz., large (25+2 g), medium (15+2 g) and small (10+2 g) and two planting dates of 25 October and 25 November were included as treatments. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results indicated that growth and yield of flower, corm and cormel production were largely affected by corm size and planting dates. Large corm with 25 October planting produced the tallest plant and higher number of leaves compared to the 25 November with medium and small corm. Large corm produced maximum flower, corm and cormels. In case of planting dates, 25 October planting required maximum days for spike to flower initiation (15.02), maximum rachis length (34.09 cm), highest number of floret spike-1 (9.77), maximum number of spike (907.16) decimal-1, maximum number of cormels (6271.43) decimal-1. On the other hand, maximum weight of single spike (53.29 g), maximum number of corm (1.65), maximum number of cormels (1117.09) decimal-1 was obtained from planting dates of 25 November. It was further noticed that interaction effect of corm size and planting dates were significant effects on rachis length (39 cm), floret length (10.25 cm), number of corm plant-1 (2.03), number of corm decimal-1 (1371.99) and weight of spike plant-1 (73.75 g) on 25 November planting with large corm. On the other hand, 25 October planting with large corm was significant in case of number of flower spikes plant-1 (1.77), number of flower spikes decimal-1 (1192.06), number of cormels plant-1 (10.67), number of cormels decimal-1 (7197.33), weight of corm (58 g) and weight of cormels (17.4 g) plant-1 and weight of corm (39.14 kg) and cormels (11.74 kg) decimal-1. Poor performances in respect of flower, corm and cormel production were observed in the plants grown from small corm and planted on 25 November
A Modified Approach in Substrate Preparation Technique for Small Scale Oyster Mushroom Farming
No full textAims: Cultivation of oyster mushrooms has increased vastly in a global scale during last few decades. Contaminants and indigenous microflora present in the substrate may led to the low productivity of mushrooms. Keeping this in mind, the present study was under-taken with slight modification in substrate preparation technique to eliminate dust particles from the substrate and to assure contamination free mushroom production.
Study Design: Comparative evaluation between modified approach and control beds.
Place and Duration: The study was carried out in Shri Laxman Prasad Pyare Lal Agro Products, Ayodhya during 2017.
Methodology: The wheat straw substrate was immersed in the drum containing tap water, mixing properly and allowed to stand for 10-15 min to settle down the dust particle in the bottom of the drum. After that, the floating substrate was transferred to the slant surface so that the extra water was decanted off. This substrate was put in to the steam sterilised gunny bag and steeped in the chemical solution consisting of Formaldehyde (500 ppm) and Bovistin (75 ppm) for 18 h. For the control, fresh wheat straw was put in to the steam sterilised gunny bag and steeped directly in the chemical solution as suggested above. After removal of excess water, the substrate was used for spawning with inoculums of Pleurotus sajor-caju, Strain- Malaysia.
Results: Beds with modified approach showed a complete absence of contaminants during entire crop cycle which showed the effectiveness of modified method while beds treated as control showed little incidence of various contaminants viz., Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Curvularia sp., Penicillium sp., and Rhizopus stolonifer with 6.67-20.00 percent incidence.
Conclusion: The results revealed that modified method should be considered to contamination free mushroom production
Performance and Nutritional Quality of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) and Jute Mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) under Organic Soil Amendments (Composts)
No full textAims: The aim of the study was to determine the performance and nutritional quality of roselle and jute mallow under organic soil amendments (composts).
Study Design: The experiments were conducted in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were conducted at the CSIR – SARI upland field, Changnaayili near Nyankpala in the Northern Region of Ghana during the rainy season (from June to October) in 2014 and 2015.
Methodology: The composts used were Decentralized Company (DeCo) compost, Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) compost and Composted Deep Litter Chicken Manure (CDLCM) applied onto prepared raised beds. The composts were incorporated into the beds at a rate of 10 t / ha two weeks before seedlings of roselle, and jute mallow were transplanted onto the prepared beds. Plant height, numbers of leaves per plant and leaf yield were taken for both vegetables. Protein, moisture and ash contents were also determined by proximate analysis.
Results: For both crops, significant differences (p = 0.05) in plant height and number of leaves were recorded at 8 weeks after transplanting. Cumulative leaf yield was significantly (p = 0.05) different between CDLCM, DeCo, ACARP composts and the control plot. Proximate analysis of leaf samples of the roselle and jute mallow showed that percent moisture and ash content were not affected significantly (p = 0.05) by the application of compost. However, percent protein in the roselle varied significantly (p = 0.05) with highest (29.2%) in the control followed by ACARP compost (28.6%), CDLCM (27.6%) and DeCo compost (26.4%).
Conclusion: Application of organic soil amendment resulted in improved agronomic and yield parameters of roselle and jute mallow. However, their application did not have much effect on the nutritional status of both crops except on protein in roselle
Bacterial Diseases of Plants in Nepal: A Review
No full textBacterial diseases are the important disease next to the fungal diseases in Nepal. In Nepal, major bacterial diseases are Bacterial leaf blight of rice (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae), Bacterial wilt of potato and tomato (Ralstonia solanacearum), Citrus greening (Candiditus liberibacter), Citrus canker (Xanthomonas campestris pv. citri), Soft rot of potato (Erwinia carotovora pv. atroseptica) and Black rot of crucifers (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) as they are prevailed in most of areas and cause the devastating losses. Others are the minor diseases with less economic importance which includes Bacterial stalk of maize (Erwinia chrysanthemi pv. zeae), bacterial postulates of soybean (Xanthomonas campestris pv phaseoli), Potato scab (Steptomyces scabies). Some of the minor diseases like Stewart’s wilt of corn (Pantoea stewartii), Bacterial speck of tomato (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato), Bacterial spot of tomato (Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria), Bacterial sheath rot of wheat (Pseudomonas fuscovagitlcae), Crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens), Bacterial leaf strip (Xanthomonas rubrilineans) and Bacterial spots of pumpkin (Xanthomonas cucurbitae) are recorded in Nepal
Effect of Ash-Based Storage Media on the Physical Quality Characteristics and Shelf Life of Three Cultivars of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill) Grown in the Greenhouse
No full textThe study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, KNUST to determine the effect of ash-based storage media (plantain leaf ash, cocoa pod husk ash and coconut husk ash) on the physical quality characteristics and shelf life of three cultivars of Lebombo, Nemoneta and Pomodoro Principe tomato fruits grown in the Greenhouse at the Department of Horticulture, KNUST and stored for 6weeks at an average temperature of 27.34°C and 74.85 %RH. A Completely Randomized Design in factorial design was used with three replications. Fruit firmness, pericarp thickness, moisture content, postharvest fruit decay and shelf life were evaluated. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance at 1% using statistix version 10 statistical package tool. Significant differences (p≤0.01) were observed among the tomato cultivars stored in the different storage media used. Plantain leaf ash storage of the three tomato cultivars had firmer fruits (39.94N), thickest fruits pericarp (6.41 mm), highest moisture content (83.00%), minimum postharvest fruit decay (21.80%) and the longest shelf life (40 days) than the Control, Cocoa pod husk ash and Coconut husk ash storage. Nemoneta (35.75N) and Lebombo (34.92N) tomato fruits stored in the different storage media significantly recorded the firmest fruits as compared to Pomodoro Principe fruits (19.04N). The thickest fruits pericarp (6.11 mm) was also observed in Lebombo tomato fruits whiles the highest moisture content (83.25%), lowest postharvest decay (40.08%) and the longest shelf life (28days) was observed in Nemoneta fruits stored in the different storage media used. The study revealed that both Cocoa pod and Coconut husk ash storage of the tomato fruits were detrimental to postharvest fruit quality as it resulted in soft fruits texture, short shelf life, high moisture loss and high postharvest decay. However, Plantain leaf ash storage was best in maintaining the physical quality characteristics thus extending shelf life of the tomato fruits to 40 days
Effect of Paclobutrazol on Growth and Delaying Bolting of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Balady
No full textBolting and premature flowering of lettuce plants are undesirable phenomena that can render production of unmarketable plants. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of paclobutrazol, a plant growth retardant, on lettuce. Paclobutrazol was applied as a foliar spray (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 mg.L-1) and as a soil drench (500, 1000 mg.L-1) on lettuce cv. Balady after 30 days of transplanting during 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. The results indicated that the paclobutrazol significantly suppressed vegetative growth and consequently reduced yield. Moreover, the application of paclobutrazol during vegetative phase either as a foliar or drench application affects the propensity of plants to bolt. Foliar spray with 200 mg.L-1 retarded flower initiation and bolting about 14 days with minimal effect on vegetative growth and yield characters. The paclobutrazol treatments showed an increase in total soluble solids and dry matter content. The foliar spray treatments showed a low inhibitory effect than soil drench treatments. Besides, the foliar spray at low concentrations (50 - 100 mg.L-1) exhibited the less inhibitory effect for vegetative and yield characteristics, whereas the high concentrations (400 - 600 mg.L-1) resulted in a sharp reduction. Generally, the foliar spray exhibited acceptable results than soil drench method. It is recommended to treat plants, at vegetative phase, with 200 mg.L-1 of PBZ as a foliar spray to delay bolting about two weeks
Drought Stress Effects on Plant Water Relations, Growth, Fruit Quality and Osmotic Adjustment of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) under Subtropical Condition
No full textThe pot experiments were conducted in 2 subsequent years in the net house of the Dept. of Soil, Water and Environment, Dhaka University to evaluate the effect of water stress on the growth, plant water relations, fruit quality and osmotic adjustment of seven tomato cultivars. The percentage of field capacity levels were 40, 70 and 100. The tomato plants subjected to water stress during their growth period had decreased relative water content (RWC) of leaves and moisture content in tomatoes compared with the plants supplied with adequate moisture. Water use efficiency (WUE) also decreased with increasing moisture stress. A significant increase in organic solutes, glucose (85%), fructose (62%), sucrose (121%) and proline (103%) at 40% F.C. compared with 100% F.C. showed a tendency of these plants to adjust osmotically. Ascorbic acid, citric acid and malic acid were also significantly enhanced by water stress treatments. The quality of fruits was improved as a result of the synthesis of these acids.
Water stress did not affect the height of plants and no physical damage due to stress was observed in fruits and were over 90% red. Ripening and fruit quality showed that none of the stress-treated tomatoes deteriorated in quality. On the other hand, water stress enhanced the sweetness of the tomatoes by increasing their glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents and improved the quality by increasing the amount of important acids such as ascorbic acid, malic acid and citric acid
Biological Invasion of Tomato Leaf Miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Nigeria: Problems and Management Strategies Optimization: A Review
No full textNigeria is the largest producer of tomato in Africa while the Northern regions are the main producers of tomatoes in the country. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is widely cultivated and consumed in every part of Nigeria. It is an important commercial crop and good source of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, sugar and dietary fibers. The study aimed to report the outbreak of Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) in tomato growing regions of Nigeria with a view to bring out its management strategies in Nigeria. The study was conducted in the major tomato producing regions which lies between latitudes 7.5°11´ and 13.0°N and a temperature range of 22 - 30°C. Tuta absoluta has been attributed to causing tomato shortage in Nigeria as a result of its devastating attack. The outbreak caused critical reduction in fruit yield which resulted in high cost of tomato. The damage is done by the larvae which tunnel into the stems, apical buds as well as the green and ripe fruits reducing their quality and subsequently the yields. Nonetheless, about 80 -100% yield loss had been reported. Tuta absoluta was reported to have developed resistance to a number of pesticides used in the country. Meanwhile, the Government had either less concern or neglect on the pest invasion or areas of researches especially on invasive species, thus poor funding which overstresses the existing challenges in controlling the pest. This paper intends to review some important highlights of Integrated Pest management (IPM) approaches for effective and efficient management strategies of the pest in Nigeria and beyond
Effects of Different Soil-biochar on Physico-Chemical Soil Properties, Rooting and Growth of Bougainvillea glabra and Ficus benjemena Using Stem Cuttings
No full textA study was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, KNUST, to determine the effect of biochar-soil mixes on the soil physico-chemical properties for rooting and growth performance using air-layering. A 2X5 Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design which consisted of five soil-biochar amendments (2 part Coconut husk biochar: 1 part Topsoil, 2 part Maize stover biochar: 1 part Topsoil, 2 part Rice husk biochar: 1 part Topsoil, 2 part Paspalum conjugatumbochar: 1 part Topsoil and only Topsoil) and the two plant type (Bougainvillea glabra and Ficus benjamena). Parameters measured for the air layers included; days to root emergence, number of survived air layers, number of rooted air layers and root length (cm) per air layer. The 2Rhb: 1Tp mix recorded the highest water holding capacity of 601.70%, 21.8 times greater than the Tp. The 2Pcb:1Tp recorded the highest percentage increase of air porosity of 10.6%, better than Tp. The total nitrogen in 2Pcb:1Tp at 4WAP recorded an increase of 38.7% as the highest among the media 4WAP. 2 part Maize stover biochar: 1 part Topsoil recorded 23.0% increase in organic matter 4WAP which was the highest among the media. 2Msb: 1Tp had a slight percentage increase of 6.0% as the highest among the media 4WAP.There was an increase of 45.7% 0f calcium content in 2Pcb: 1Tp which was the highest among the media at 4WAP. The results indicated that, significant (p<0.05) interaction between media and plant material type for the number of days to sprouting of Bougainvillea glabra air layers in 2Pcb:1Tp and 2Msb: 1Tp, 2Rhb: 1Tp1 and 2Pcb:1Tp, 2Rhb: 1Tp and 2Pcb:1Tp and 2Msb:1Tp and 2Pcb:1Tp influenced the number of fully developed leaves 5 WAP, 6 WAP and 7 WAP respectively. There were significant differences in the number of roots per air- layer of Bougainvillea glabra in 2Msb: 1Tp, 2Rhb: 1Tp and 2Pcb: 1Tp. Root length per air layers for Bougainvillea glabra was also significantly influenced by 2Msb:1Tp and 2Pcb: 1Tp