The western Mediterranean is an area particularly affected by the effects of climate change, which makes it a hotspot, and it is also an area where there is particular competition for land use, where subtropical crops coexist with traditional crops including vines, olives, and almond trees, and where there is growing demand for urban development and tourism (see page 473).
Issue 4 (192)/2022
The Seedling Growth Response of Pisum Sativum L. to Different Types of Compost
Bina Jamsher, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Shafiq, Mohammad Athar
ABSTRACT. The constant increase in the high number of population, anthropogenic and industrial activities are alarming issues and raise food security issues around the world. The treatment of compost acts as an effective and environmentally friendly tool for an increase in vegetable production. This research article records the effects of three soil compost treatments (1) dry leaves (Ficus bengalensis L.), (2) solid waste (mustard oil cake) and (3) chicken manure, alone and in combination, with seedling growth performances of pea in pot culture experiments with five replications. The results showed that soil compost treatments showed a significant (p < 0.05) impact on the physicochemical features of soil and the physiological characteristics of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Soil compost analysis revealed a difference in soil porosity and pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, total organic carbon, CaCO3, Na+, K+, phosphorous and nitrogen. Plant tissue analysis of pea seedlings also showed different levels of sodium, potassium and phosphorous values. The findings of the present research work concludes that the treatment of F. bengalensis dry leaves (25%) + garden loam (75%) treatment produced maximum growth performance, and the mustard oil cake solid waste (25%) + garden loam (75%) treatment showed the lowest seedling growth performance. The F. bengalensis dry leaves (25%) + garden loam (75%), soil compost application treatment showed the maximum seedling height of pea. The solid waste (SW) mixed with garden loam (GL) (SW 25% + GL 75%) and mustard oil cake solid waste alone treatment showed the lowest seedling growth of pea. The F. bengalensis dry leaves 25% + garden loam 75% compost treatment also influenced on the soil properties.
Keywords: Compost; Ficus benglensis; garden loam; organic matter; pea.
Germination and Early Growth Performance of Prekese, Tetrapleura Tetraptera to Seed Pretreatment Methods and Phosphorus Fertilizer in the Nursery Phase
Adams Latif Mohammed, Frank Addai, Joseph Cobbinah, Elvis Bawa
ABSTRACT. Seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera trees have poor germination due to their hard and impervious seed coat. This research was conducted to determine the possibilities of reducing seed dormancy using seed pretreatment via the application of sulphuric acid and hot water and then phosphorus for better seedling growth. Seeds pretreated with sulphuric acid had a significantly (P˂0.05) increased germination rate (by 60%) compared to seeds pretreated with hot water (40%). The application of phosphorus fertilizer stimulated the early growth of the species. This research provides information for practical use.
Keywords: germination; hot water; phosphorus fertilizer; sulphuric acid; Tetrapleura tetraptera.
The Phytoremediation Potential of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Grown in Soils Historically Polluted With Heavy Metals: A Case Study from Baia Mare, Romania
Roxana Vidican, Tania Mihăiescu, Anca Pleșa, Anamaria Mălinaș, Bianca Pop
ABSTRACT. The aim of this research is to evaluate the ability of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (LA) to accumulate and translocate heavy metals (HMs) from disturbed soils. The study was conducted on a site historically polluted with HMs, located in Baia Mare, Romania. Soil samples and underground (root) and aboveground parts of plants (leaves and stems) were collected from the study site and analysed for HM content (Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn) by XRF spectroscopy. The potential for phytoremediation of lavender was evaluated according to the bioconcentration (BCF) and the translocation (TF) factors. The results showed that LA efficiently accumulated Cd and Zn. A different partitioning of HM among plant tissues was observed, showing the highest content in the aboveground mass compared to that found in the root (except for Zn). The TF ranged between 0.62 and 3.59, with values higher than unity for Cd and Pb, revealing that this plant is a suitable candidate for phytoextraction of these two trace elements. According to the BCF values, it seems that lavender is able to bioaccumulate high amounts of Cd (6.66), Pb (1.09), and Zn (2.87). Although more research is necessary for conclusive results, our findings confirm the ability of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. to tolerate, accumulate, and translocate high levels of HMs from soil to the aerial parts of the plant.
Keywords: phytoremediation; lavender; heavy metals; bioconcentration and translocation factors.
Land Use Changes and Effects of Rainfall on Vegetation Cover in Two Mediterranean Basins (Málaga, Spain)
Ana Triano-Cornejo, M. Eugenia Perez-Gonzalez, Tomás M. Fernández-Del Castillo, José D. Ruiz-Sinoga
ABSTRACT. The western Mediterranean is an area particularly affected by the effects of climate change, which makes it a hotspot, and it is also an area where there is particular competition for land use, where subtropical crops coexist with traditional crops including vines, olives, and almond trees, and where there is growing demand for urban development and tourism. It is one of the most sensitive to the effects of climate change because of the markedly contrasting extreme events, including heat waves, torrential rains and drought. In this study we analysed changes in land use, torrential events and the effect of rainfall on vegetation cover and soils in two basins, the main objective being to analyse the evolution of land use and water erosion in recent decades.
The two basins are similar but have different configurations and contrasting uses. One has steep slopes and is characterized by more typical Mediterranean crops, such as vineyards, while the other has been subject to clearing that has modified the steep slopes, and where there has been a change to more competitive crops, including subtropical crops. The results highlight the continuous increase of irrigated crops and urban areas and a gradual disappearance of rainfed crops, the occurrence between torrential events and the correlation between monthly rainfalls and vegetation cover.
Keywords: Mediterranean basins; land use; rainfalls; vegetation cover.
The “Photosynthesis-Growth-Stress Memory” Relationship In Plants Under Conditions of Moisture Fluctuation and Recurrent Drought: Management Options
Anastasia Ştefîrţă, Ion Bulhac, Lilia Brînză, Leonid Voloșciuc, Eduard Coropceanu, Maria Cocu
ABSTRACT. The effect of co-activation of the stress-memory formation potential under repeated drought of Glycine max (Merr.) L. plants was recorded using cytokinin (CK), thiourea (TH) and, especially, complex preparation Polyel. Glycine max plants (Merr.) L. of Moldovitsa, Nadejda and Magia varieties, exposed to two cycles of “drought–rehydration” at the “first trifoliate leaf” and “flowering – pods formation” phases served as test subjects. The tolerance-inducing effect manifests itself by maintaining the content of assimilatory pigments, photosynthesis and growth processes at a significantly higher level. After the restoration of the optimal moisture background, plants pre-treated with CK, TH and the preparation Polyel, which endured moderate stress in the initial stages of ontogenesis, had restored functional processes. The information obtained in this work certainly opens the management perspective of the ability to form stress memory, adaptation and tolerance of plants to the unfavourable fluctuation of humidity and recurrent drought. The management possibilities of plant adaptation and tolerance are discussed.
Keywords: plants; adaptation; resistance; growth; photosynthesis; transpiration; productivity; cytokinin compounds; antioxidant preparation.
Management of Nitrogen Stress in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Using Greenseeker Technology
Medine Karatas, Emine Karademir
ABSTRACT. This study was performed with GreenSeeker technology in order to determine the possibility of nitrogen stress management in cotton and to determine the differences between the normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) and nitrogen doses determined with GreenSeeker, to determine the nitrogen deficiency and stress conditions by making use of the value of the NDVI in cotton production and to intervene when necessary and direct the producers in this regard. In the study six nitrogen doses (Control, 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 kg ha-1) were used. The results showed significant differences between N applications for leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD), NDVI-2 (in the boll formation period), number of bolls (NB), seed cotton (SCY) and fiber yield (FY). On the other hand, there were non-significant differences in terms of (LA) area, NDVI-1 (in the beginning of the flowering), plant height (PH), node number of first fruiting branches (NNFFB), number of monopodial branches (NMB) and number of sympodial branches (NSB), number of nodes (NN), height to node ratio (HNR), seed cotton boll weight (SCBW) and ginning percentage (GP). The highest SCY and FY obtained were from doses of 180 and 120 kg ha-1 N, the highest leaf chlorophyll content and number of bolls obtained were from doses of 120 kg ha-1 N. The highest values of NDVI-2 obtained were from doses of 120, 240 and 300 kg ha-1 N, respectively. There were non-significant differences between N doses for values of the NDVI-1 of flowering, but significant differences observed for values of NDVI-2 of boll formation periods. The findings obtained from this research indicated that leaf chlorophyll and NDVI of the boll formation period can be used for determining differences due to varying N doses in cotton production.
Keywords: cotton; nitrogen doses; NDVI; yield; fiber quality.
Effect of Leucaena leucocephala Leafy Biomass and NPK Fertiliser on The Growth and Yield of Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench
Adams Latif Mohammed, Kaddiri Nanbaala Kumodu Nasim, Ali Moro
ABSTRACT. Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, is a multipurpose vegetable crop grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world for its immature seed pods and leaves. The crop seldom reaches its yield potential in most of these areas, primarily due to a decline in soil fertility. As a result, a field experiment was carried out at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Demonstration Farm, KNUST-Kumasi to assess the effect of NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser and Leucaena leucocephala leafy biomass application on the growth and yield of okra. The treatment combinations were laid out in a 3 × 3 factorial randomised complete block design with 9 treatments replicated 4 times for a total of 36 experimental units. Leucaena leafy biomass and NPK were evaluated solely and in combinations at a rate of 75 kgN/ha on a weight basis. The treatment combinations were applied as follows: T1 = Control; T2 = 0.14 kg NPK (15:15:15); T3 = 0.07 kg NPK (15:15:15); T4 = 0.5 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass; T5 = 0.25 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass; T6 = T2 + T4; T7 = T3 + T5; T8 = T2 + T5; T9 = T3 + T4. The number of days from planting to the first anthesis of okra differed significantly (p ˂ 0.05). T3 showed the least number of days to the first anthesis observation (47 days), while T9 had the highest number of days to the first anthesis (49.3 days). On a weekly basis (starting with 5 weeks after planting, WAP), height was not significantly different among the various treatments. Stem diameter followed a sequence similar to plant height, starting from 5 to 10 WAP, where no significant differences occurred between treatment means. However, mean values revealed that okra plants varied significantly in height; T9 had the tallest plants (27.2 cm), while T2 and T8 had the shortest plants (21.2 and 21.2 cm, respectively). There was a significant difference between the treatment means and stem diameter. In the same advanced line, T9 had the highest stem diameter (9.9 mm), with T5 having the lowest stem diameter (6.9 mm). Fruit yield was also significantly different, with T4 having the most fruit (39,259 fruits per ha) and T8 having the least (19,259 fruits per ha). The fruit dry weight was significantly different, as the highest weight was recorded in T7 (12.5 tonnes/ha) and the lowest was recorded in T9 (5.3 tonnes/ha). The combination treatment T9 [0.07 kg NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser + 0.5 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass per plot] had a significantly improved height and diameter compared to the other treatments. The highest fruit yield of okra was recorded in T4 (0.5 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass per plot), and the highest dry weight of okra was registered in T7 (0.07 kg NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser + 0.25 kg L. leucocephala leafy biomass per plot). Therefore, it is recommended that sole L. leucocephala leafy biomass (T4) and its combination with NPK (15:15:15) fertiliser (T9) be adopted by smallholder farmers to cultivate okra in the tropics.
Keywords: effect; organic fertiliser; inorganic fertiliser; okra production.
The Production of Low-Alcohol Wines by Sequential Semi-Anaerobic Must Fermentation
Vasile Răzvan Filimon, Roxana Mihaela Filimon, Ancuța Nechita, Florin Dumitru Bora, Liliana Rotaru, Valeriu V. Cotea
ABSTRACT. Nowadays, consumers go towards products that provide food security and nutritional richness, consumption of highly alcoholic beverages not complying with these health-related requirements. This study aimed to obtain low-alcohol wines by performing sequential alcoholic fermentation of grape must (Muscat Ottonel). Thus, 11 commercial yeast strains (10 Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 1 Torulaspora delbrueckii) were preliminarily tested in anaerobic and semi-anaerobic conditions. Based on laboratory tests, grape must fermentation was sequentially initiated in semi-anaerobic conditions (loose cotton plugs; intermittent homogenization), with the T. delbrueckii strain (106 CFU/mL) and the addition of preliminarily selected S. cerevisiae strains (104 CFU/mL), to the consumption of 50% of the sugars in the must, to complete the fermentation. By applying this technology, dry wines were obtained with an alcohol content lower by up to 1.10% vol., but with a lower concentration of volatile terpenes, due to additional must oxidation. Also, semi-anaerobiosis enhanced glycerol synthesis by yeasts (< 35%), with a positive impact on the sensory characteristics of the wine. Keywords: alcoholic fermentation; glycerol; low-alcohol wine; non-Saccharomyces yeast; Torulaspora delbrueckii.
* Abstract published in Conference Programme dedicated to LIFE SCIENCES TODAY FOR TOMORROW
The Influence of Tillage Systems on Soil Compaction in the Corn Crop
Gabriel-Dumitru Mihu, Denis Țopa, Anca Elena Calistru, Gerard Jităreanu
ABSTRACT. During the last decades, no-tillage has started to be used on more and more areas, being a conservative tillage system practiced in many farms in the country. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of the no-tillage system on the physical properties of the soil compared to the conventional system, in a plateau area with cambic chernozem soil under the current climatic conditions in the north-east of Romania, in order to implement it in agricultural practice of the studied area. The soil samples were taken in natural and undisturbed conditions for bulk density and moisture content, soil penetration resistance was determined using the Eijkelkamp penetrologger. The status of soil compaction, the various porosity categories, and the soil moisture content were all determined based on field and laboratory analysis. Measurements performed at a depth of 0-40 cm showed a lower bulk density in the conventional system, and in terms of variation in values from sowing to harvesting, there was a maximum increase of 18% in the 10-20 cm soil layer, an intermediate of 10% in the topsoil and 20-30 cm layers, and a minimum of 1% in the 30-40 cm layer. Total porosity, which reflects soil pore volume, is inversely correlated with bulk density, which means that under conventional tillage practices, soil macropore volume (>0.05 cm) was higher (47.79-60.82% v/v) than under no-tillage practices (45.90-50.79% v/v) for 0-40 cm depth at the sowing time. The results confirm that the no-tillage system conserves more water in the soil under current climatic conditions.
Keywords: no-tillage; conventional tillage; soil physical properties.
* Abstract published in Conference Programme dedicated to LIFE SCIENCES TODAY FOR TOMORROW
Comparative Analysis of The Influence of Different Biostimulators on the Germination and Sprouting Behaviour of Four Wheat Varieties
Alina Elena Marta, Cristina Slabu, Mihaela Covașă, Iuliana Motrescu, Carmenica Doina Jităreanu
ABSTRACT. Wheat is an important cereal around the world and is a nutrient source in people’s diets. In this work, we focused on the potential of some biostimulators on four wheat varieties – Dropia, Glosa, Gruia, and Pegasus, with a focus on the effects during the first developing stages from germination to the appearance of the second leaf. Our results indicated that germination and some biochemical traits can be strongly influenced by biostimulants, with the effects also depending on the genetic background of the variety. Some treatments proved beneficial for germination, and also growth as found by the biometric measurements, while others inhibited both traits. Some of the biostimulants increased the concentration of the photosynthetic compounds, thus being recommended for use during all stages of wheat development. Dropia, Glosa, and Gruia reacted positively in most tests, their germination and plant and root development were stimulated by Super fifty, Atonik, Asfac, and Cropmax. Thus, we recommend the use of these biostimulants in the first development stages. The concentrations of photosynthetic pigments increased after treatment with Asfac, Atonik, and Cropmax. The treatment showing the most inhibitory effects was Lebosol.
Keywords: wheat; biostimulator; wheat sprouts.
© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
