49 research outputs found
Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
No full textFibre hemp is grown for a multitude of end products derived from its cannabinoids, seed, fibre and wooden core. A key factor that influences the quantity and quality of the production of hemp is nitrogen fertilization. The aim of this study was to determine the response of five well-adapted industrial hemp cultivars to different nitrogen fertilization rates during the 2016 growing season. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with two replicates, five main plots (hemp cultivars: ‘Bialobrzeskie’, ‘Tygra’, ‘Felina 32’, ‘Sanhtica 27’, ‘Futura 75’) and sub-plots [fertilization treatments: control (N0), fertilizer 46-0-0 at 120 kg ha-1 (N1), 180 kg ha-1 (N2), 240 kg ha-1 (N3)]. For the computation of height, biomass yield, stem dry weight, length and weight of the inflorescences and mean seed weight, 10 plants were randomly selected in each plot. In general, increasing N fertilization rate positively impacts hemp biomass yield, stem dry weight, plant height, and inflorescence indices. Biomass yield, stem dry weight and inflorescence weight increased by 37.3%, 48.2% and 16%, respectively, with the application of 240 kg N ha-1 when compared with the unfertilized control. Plant height and inflorescence length increased from 1.66 to 1.76 m and from 66.2 to 82.9 cm, respectively, with the application of the higher N rate compared with the control, while there were no significant differences between the fertilization treatments for mean seed weight. The varieties ‘Tygra’ and ‘Futura 75’ showed the highest values for all the measurement characters. Our results indicate that hemp responded well to the addition of N fertilizer.</jats:p
Effect of Limited Drip Irrigation Regime on Yield and Yield Components of Sesame under Mediterranean Conditions
No full textSesame is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world. Irrigation is of great importance to sesame production due to its positive effect on growth parameters. Although sesame has good drought tolerance compared with many other crops, it is particularly susceptible to drought damage during the seedling, flowering and seed filling stages and this can lead to yield loss. The aim of this study was to determine the response of sesame landraces to different irrigation applications during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, four main plots (irrigation treatments, designated as 100%, 75% 50% and 0 of the daily crop evapotranspiration) and two sub-plots (sesame landraces, Limnos and Evros). Different characteristics such as plant height, number of seeds per capsule, and number of capsules per plant, seed yield, 1000-seed weight and % capsules without seeds, were recorded. The results indicated that all traits except 1000-seed weight were significantly affected by irrigation regimes. Plant height, shattering losses and number of capsules per plant decreased with increasing water shortage. Seed yield and number of seeds per capsule were less affected by irrigation level and showed higher values in the 50% of the daily crop evapotranspiration treatment. Limnos produced higher seed yield and number of seeds per capsule under all irrigation regimes. Evros showed higher plant height and shattering losses than Limnos. The results of this study suggest that sesame landraces can use water efficiently, are locally adapted and associated with traditional farming systems. </jats:p
Effect of Limited Drip Irrigation Regime on Yield and Yield Components of Sesame under Mediterranean Conditions
No full textSesame is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world. Irrigation is of great importance to sesame production due to its positive effect on growth parameters. Although sesame has good drought tolerance compared with many other crops, it is particularly susceptible to drought damage during the seedling, flowering and seed filling stages and this can lead to yield loss. The aim of this study was to determine the response of sesame landraces to different irrigation applications during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, four main plots (irrigation treatments, designated as 100%, 75% 50% and 0 of the daily crop evapotranspiration) and two sub-plots (sesame landraces, Limnos and Evros). Different characteristics such as plant height, number of seeds per capsule, and number of capsules per plant, seed yield, 1000-seed weight and % capsules without seeds, were recorded. The results indicated that all traits except 1000-seed weight were significantly affected by irrigation regimes. Plant height, shattering losses and number of capsules per plant decreased with increasing water shortage. Seed yield and number of seeds per capsule were less affected by irrigation level and showed higher values in the 50% of the daily crop evapotranspiration treatment. Limnos produced higher seed yield and number of seeds per capsule under all irrigation regimes. Evros showed higher plant height and shattering losses than Limnos. The results of this study suggest that sesame landraces can use water efficiently, are locally adapted and associated with traditional farming systems
Aromatic plant Melissa officinalis extracts selectivity in various biomass crop and legume species
No full textSaabunud / Received 17.06.2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 10.07.2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 10.07.2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Panagiotis Kanatas e-mail: [email protected] effects of various plants can be exploited for
use against weeds; however, the selectivity in different crops is also
important. In the current study, the effects of lemon balm (Melissa
officinalis) allelochemicals on seed germination and seedling emergence
of three biomass crops and three legume species were evaluated. Seed
germination of rapeseed was reduced by 19, 30, 56, and 80% in the
concentrations of 1, 2, 5 and 10%, respectively, as compared to the control
group, whereas sweet sorghum seeds showed a more intermediate
response and sunflower germination was affected only by the highest
concentration. Seed germination of common bean was by 25, 34 and 60%
lower at 1, 2 and 5% extract concentrations, respectively, in comparison
to the control whereas up to 85% reduction of seed germination was
recorded in 10% concentration. Peanut seed germination percentage
ranged between 72 and 47% of control in 5 and 10% concentrations,
respectively, while soybean germination was least affected from
M. officinalis leaf extracts since it was reduced by only 25 and 41% in 5
and 10% concentrations, respectively, as compared to the control.
Seedling emergence of rapeseed was reduced by 14, 25, 46, and 79% in
the concentrations of 1, 2, 5 and 10%, respectively, as compared to the
control whereas lemon balm extracts showed increased selectivity on the
sunflower. Soybean emergence was reduced by only 27 and 46% in 5 and
10% concentrations, respectively, in comparison to the control whereas
common bean’s seedling emergence was reduced up to 35% even in 2%
concentration. Allelopathic response index values confirmed that
sunflower and rapeseed were the least and most sensitive biomass crops to
lemon balm allelochemicals, respectively, whereas sweet sorghum
showed an intermediate response. Increased was the selectivity of the
aqueous leaf extracts on soybean, whereas seed germination and seedling
emergence of peanut were more affected and common bean was the most
sensitive crop. Further research is needed to investigate the selectivity of
M. officinalis and other aromatic plants’ allelochemicals on various crops
and under different soil and climatic conditions to optimize their efficacy
as tools of more eco-friendly weed management strategies
Sensitivity of Seed Germination to Salt Stress in Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.)
No full textBlack cumin is an annual oilseed crop, native to the Mediterranean region and widely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Reduced seed germination and early seedling growth under saline conditions are considered as major factors limiting the establishment of crops. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity due to NaCl on germination of black cumin seeds. A set of experiments was conducted under completely randomized design with four replications of 200 seeds at two different suboptimal germination temperatures (15 and 20 °C) in the dark for 16 days. In order to create salt stress conditions during the germination process, five solutions were used (0 as control, 80, 160, 240 and 320 mM NaCl). The germination performance was evaluated by final germination percentage and mean germination time. The effect of salinity on seed germination percentage and mean germination time was significant at p<0.01. Germination of the controls was 96% and 95% at 15 °C and 20 °C, respectively. The presence of NaCl, regardless of temperature, reduced germination. This reduction was more severe at 15 °C (15%, and 19% germination in cases of 80 and 160 mM concentration respectively) than at 20 °C (65% at 80 mM salinity level) and no germination was observed from 240 mM onwards. The mean germination time increased with increased NaCl levels, especially at the lower temperature of 15 °C. The overall results of this experiment showed the inhibitory effects of salt stress on seed germination parameters of black cumin.</jats:p
Comparative Technical and Economic Analysis of Organic and Conventional Soybean Production in Greece
No full textSoybean is considered to be an alternative crop and its cultivation could offer an innovative and high-quality product. A case study was implemented on an existing farm to examine the prospects of soybean production in Greece and to evaluate the economic outcomes of the crop cultivation under organic and conventional cropping system. The economic analysis showed that the cost of conventional soybean production was 0.37 €/kg, while the cost of organic soybeans was 0.50 €/kg. The organic and conventional soybean selling prices were 0.6 and 0.4 €/kg, respectively. In addition, the financial performance of the farm improved after the introduction of organic soybean crop, where the net profit increased by 26.3% compared to the initial profit of the farm, while the increase in the conventional was less at 10%. Soybean is a relatively new crop in Greece with high net profit, especially under organic cultivation mainly due to lower inflow of external imports
Effect of Organic Fertilization and AMF Inoculation on Yield and Floral Quality Parameters of Common Marigold
No full textIn Greece common marigold is one of the major medicinal plants widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and the pharmaceutical industry. A field experiment was conducted at Komotini, Greece, to compare the effect of organic and conventional fertilization combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on yield and floral qualitative characteristics of the common marigold during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, three main plots (fertilization treatments, inorganic, organic and untreated) and two sub-plots (addition/non-addition of commercial mycorrhiza of the genus Glomus spp.). Floral fresh and dry weight as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers were recorded. Data analysis confirmed no significant correlation between fresh/dry floral yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers and type of fertilization. The results also demonstrate a tendency of increase of the fresh or dry weight of the flowers when the commercial mycorrhiza is applied but it is not statistically significant
Effect of Fertilization and Weed Management Practices on Weed Diversity and Hemp Agronomic Performance
No full textThe industrial hemp market is rapidly expanding, and best crop practices need to be assessed. This study aimed to determine the effect of fertilization and weed management on hemp crops and weed flora during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. Field experiments were laid out in a split–split plot design with three replicates: two hemp cultivars as main plots, three fertilization treatments as sub-plots, and three sub-sub-plots (weedy, weed-free, and herbicide application). For the computation of crop traits, 10 plants were randomly selected by each plot. Weed species were collected by quadrate for density and biomass weight determination. Increased fertilization rate positively affected plant height and dry biomass, while no impact was recorded on yield and yield components. The density and biomass of nitrophilous weeds were enhanced by fertilization, negatively affecting hemp growth. Marked differences were recorded on the competitive ability of cultivars since “Fedora 17” decreased the weed studied traits better than “Uso 31”. Herbicide application decreased the biomass of annual and perennial weeds by 38% and 13%, respectively, while it caused a reduction in hemp growth and yield of “Uso 31” plants. Further research should be conducted to address hemp yield losses under different cultural practices and weed control systems
Sensitivity of Seed Germination to Salt Stress in Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]
No full textTeff is an annual grass originated in Ethiopia, grown for both human food and animal feed. Salinity and moisture stress are the main limiting factors of agricultural development on arid and semi-arid regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity due to NaCl on germination of teff. A set of experiments was conducted under a completely randomized design with four replications of 200 seeds at two different suboptimal germination temperatures (15 and 25 °C) in the dark for 10 days. In order to create salt stress conditions during the germination process, seven solutions were used (0 as control, 80, 160, 240 and 320, 400 and 480 mM NaCl). The germination performance was evaluated by final germination percentage and mean germination time. The presence of NaCl reduced germination, especially above 240 mM for 15 °C and 400 mM for 25 °C. The mean germination time increased with higher NaCl levels
