Asian Journal of Plant and Soil Sciences

Allopathic Effect of Conocarpus lancifolius Leaf Extract on Maize, Brassica, Wheat and Sorghum Growth Parameters

Uzair Ahmad Zia — 2023-03-14

Certain trees released different phytochemicals which is challenged for now modern agriculture to remove all these hazards chemicals which are dangerous for human health and environment. When allelopathy is used in renewable agriculture system it has both positive and negative effect. Allelopathic chemical extract can increase or decrease the productivity of various crops. At low amount of extract, it promotes the growth but at high amount, it suppresses the growth and reduce the productivity, these allelochemicals are released from plants which play an important role in our ecosystem. The responsible compounds may be phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, amino acids and alkaloids. Conocarpus effect was determined during 2022 in vitro environment on cereal germination physiology. By applying the aqueous extract of Conocarpus to cereal crops, namely Brassica, Wheat, Maize and Sorghum at the rate of 10% (w/v) to check its allelopathic potential. In addition to the control 20 ml of dry leaf aqueous extract was applied at interval of 4 days each treatment. The data obtained after 25 days showed that the fresh weight (g) and dry weight (g) of each examined specie were significantly reduced as compared to the control experiment. Germination percentage, shoot length (cm), root length (cm), Number of leaves and days to germination are adversely affected by the application of Conocarpus aqueous extract instead of control experiment. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of Conocarpus has allelopathic potential. Hence there is a significant role of Conocarpus allelopathic effect on cereal crops.

Response of Potato Plant Grown on Sandy Soil to Banana Residues and Rice Straw Composts with External Application of Boron and Molybdenum

Mohamed A. Soliman — 2023-03-18

Reclamation of poor sandy soils is within the Egyptian state's plan for horizontal expansion to achieve food security to counter population increase during the coming decades. So, a field trial was performed aiming to evaluate two types of compost i.e., banana compost and rice straw compost at a rate of 10.0 ton fed^-1 for all of them as the main factor on the growth performance, quantitative and qualitative yield of the potatoes plant. While the exogenous application of some beneficial elements i.e., control (without foliar application), boron element (60.0 mg L^-1) alone, molybdenum element (60.0 mg L^-1) alone and combined addition of both (B + Mo at a rate of 30.0 mg L^-1 for both) represented the subplots. The obtained findings show that the maximum values of growth criteria such as plant height, fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll content and leaves chemical composition (N, P, K and B) a period of 80 days from planting as well as the highest values of the quantitative and qualitative yield of the potato plant e.g., the average weight of one tuber, No. of tuber plant^-1, yield, total carbohydrates, total sugars, dry matter and vitamin C were realized with the banana compost treatment, while the lowest ones were realized with the plants treated with rice straw compost. Also, the highest values of all aforementioned traits were recorded with the combined treatment of B + Mo followed by treatment of B alone and then treatment of Mo alone, while the control treatment (without foliar application) came in the last order. Noting that the accumulation of nitrate was reduced due to Mo element. Thus, the best growth performance, quantitative and qualitative yield of the potato plant was recorded under the combined treatment of banana compost x B element (30.0 mg L^-1) x Mo element (30.0 mg L^-1). Generally, it can be concluded that the banana compost and rice straw compost besides foliar application of B and Mo will lead to the achievement of sustainability in the newly reclaimed soils of Egypt.

The Effects of Compost and Magnesium on the Productivity of Coriander Plant

Fatma R. Ibrahim — 2023-03-22

It is known that organic fertilization is environmentally beneficial as well as the vital role of magnesium (Mg) as a co-enzyme with enzymes that build oils and fats is known. However, to our knowledge, no research has been done on the combined effect of different sources of compost and different rates of magnesium (Mg) on coriander plants. So, two field experiments were executed aiming at assessing three compost sources [PC: Plant compost, FYM C: Farmyard manure compost, and TR C: Town refuse compost, at rate of 30.0 m³ ha^-1 for each source] plus control (without compost) on coriander plants as main plots. While the sub-main plots were assigned for Mg rates as exogenous applications [0.00, 500, 1000, and 1500 g ha^-1] using magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄, consisting of 20.19 Mg²⁺ % by mass). Some parameters i.e., plant height (cm), fresh and dry weights (g plant^-1), No. of branches plant^-1, No. of umbels plant^-1, chemical constituents in leaves (N, P, K, Mg %) the, weight of 1000 seeds (g), seed yield, (g plant^-1& kg ha^-1), oil percentage and oil yield (ml plant^-1& L ha^-1) were determined. The results showed that the plant compost treatment was the superior for obtaining the maximum values of all studied parameters followed by FYM C treatment then TR C treatment and lately control treatment (without compost). Regarding the magnesium treatments, the results illustrated that the values of all studied parameters increased as the Mg rate increased. Generally, it can be concluded that treating soil with plant compost at rate of 30.0 m³ ha^-1 before cultivation and simultaneously spraying the grown coriander plants through their life period with Mg at rate of 1500 g ha^-1 is the best-combined treatment, which will achieve pronounced achievement in plant performance and yield.

Nutrient Characteristics of Liquid Organic Fertilizer Viscera Waste of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with Different Fermentation Times

Safina Nanda Febryani — 2023-04-19

The processing of the fishery industry produces waste in the form of unused or wasted fish parts. The waste is estimated to be around 30–40% of the total weight of fish, molluscs and crustaceans. The fishing industry’s fishing waste reaches 20 million tonnes (20% of total production). Based on research, fish innards contain the elements N, P, and K, which the soil needs to fertilize plants. This study aimed to determine or understand the effect of differences in the length of fermentation time on the nutrient content of liquid organic fertilizer and tilapia viscera, which can be used as liquid organic fertilizer. This research was conducted in June – November 2022. Liquid organic fertilizer was made at the Fisheries Product Technology Processing Laboratory, Diponegoro University, Semarang. This research method used 500 grams of fish innards, 30 mL of EM4 concentration, and 50 mL of molasses. Research on the manufacture of liquid organic fertilizer carried out four types of treatment, namely, differences in the length of fermentation time. The results showed that the different fermentation times affected the characteristics of liquid fertilizer. The 15-day fermentation treatment produced the best results for tilapia viscera liquid organic fertilizer. 7.93% C-organic content, 0.67% N-total, 0.29% Phosphorus, 0.33% Potassium, pH 4.03, and 11.89 C/N ratio.

Determination of Selection Criteria and Salinity Tolerance Indices for Screening of Rice Genotypes

Y. Z. El-Refaee — 2023-04-20

Genetic diversity is a valuable asset for crop improvement. In this study, a total of twenty rice genotypes were screened for salinity tolerance at the reproductive stage under artificial selection environments (Lysimeter conditions). Different morpho-agronomic, physiological parameters and tolerance indices were used to classify tolerant and sensitive genotypes. Our results showed high genetic variability in response of rice genotypes to salinity at non-saline and saline conditions. The environmental and genetic variances and heritability showed highly significant for all studied traits under non-saline and salinity conditions. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of the mean was observed for most studied traits under non-saline and salinity conditions. Hence, these genetic parameters can be used as direct selection criteria for rice improvement under salinity stress conditions. This study proved that the artificial salinization environment (Lyzimeter conditions) is reflect the normal saline field environment while geometric mean productivity, stress tolerance index and yield index are the tolerance indices that can be classified as better predictors of salinity tolerance considering the yield potentials of the genotypes. The genotypes A69-1, IR16T1009, SAL010 and MTU1010 can be used for breeding in the future through low Na⁺: K⁺ ratio while CSR28 and IR18T1007 for breeding salt-tolerant cultivars with higher yield potentials.

Response of Solanum lycopersicum L. Genotypes to Saline Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Stage

J. Sivakumar — 2023-07-05

Salt stress is one of the abiotic factors that restricted crop growth and productivity. One of the crucial approaches for addressing this issue is screening-based selection of germplasms that are resistant to salt stress. Seed germination and seedling development are the crucial stages of plant development that are most significantly affected by salt stress. The current study's objective is to compare the responses of 15 tomato genotypes to two different salt stress conditions. Experimental analysis of present research was carried in Agri-Science park laboratoty, Yogi Vemana University, YSR Kadapa at 2018. Tomato seeds were allowed to grow for ten days at control (non-saline), 75 mM and 125 mM salt stress conditions and analyzed the germination percentage, shoot lengths, root lengths, fresh weight, dry weight, and stress tolerance trait indices. All the studied variables have shown gradual decreases as a result of increased salt stress. The EC 251649, EC 251581, EC 164329, and EC 523851 genotypes has shown better germination than the other genotypes under tested stress conditions. The genotypes IC 164656 and EC 315478 have better fresh weight and dry weight under 125 mM salt stress, while the EC 177297 genotype has healthier root and shoot lengths among the studied germplasms. Our results revealed that a greater proportion of the variation in the parameters was accounted for type of germplasms. It can be inferred that seedling traits may serve as a valid criteria for choosing genotypes that are more tolerant of salinity stress at seedling stage.

Study on the Patterns of Inorganic Carbon Content in Two Land use Types in the Semi-Arid Region, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India

P. Osman Basha — 2023-07-09

Soil inorganic carbon (SIC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) are the two important carbon reservoirs in the soils of semiarid regions. A total of 12 soil samples in each of the two study sites at two depths namely 0-10 cm and 10-30 cm were collected. SIC stock was variable and ranged from 0.8 to 2.23 % and maximum content was recorded in the subsurface layer in the Barren land. While higher SOC value was registered in the top surface layer in the cropland. Statistical ‘t’ test revealed significant difference in SIC distribution with depth as it increased with depth whereas SOC decreased with depth.

Enhancing Wheat Productivity under Salinity Conditions via Composts Made From Agricultural By-Products and Sorbitol Sugar

Mohamed A. El-Sherpiny — 2023-07-22

Salinity is a significant environmental stressor that has adverse effects on wheat growth and productivity. Employing a combination of approaches is generally necessary to improve wheat productivity under salinity conditions. To investigate the possibility of alleviating soil salinity stress on wheat plants, a field trial was conducted at Tag El-Ezz Experimental Farm, Dakahlia governorate, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt, which located at 30°56' 12.88" E longitude and 31°31' 47.64" N latitude. The trial involved the addition of plant residues compost (soybean, faba bean, and snap bean at a rate of 8.5 Mg ha^-1 for each) to the soil as the main plots, while the foliar application of sorbitol at different rates (0, 5, 10 and 15 ml L^-1) was allocated to the subplots. A split plot design with three replicates was used during the two successive winter seasons of 2021 and 2022 The use of various compost sources resulted in a noteworthy enhancement of multiple growth parameters, including plant height, fresh and dry weights, as well as productivity measures such as grain and straw yields... etc. However, these compost sources were also observed to decrease the levels of enzymatic antioxidants such as peroxidase, catalase and super oxidase compared to control treatment (without soil amendment). Soybean was found to be the most effective compost source, followed by faba bean and then snap bean. For example, the maximum value of plant height (102.32 and 105.93 cm for 1^st and 2^nd seasons, respectively) was achieved with soybean residues compost that, simultaneously, caused the minimum value of catalase enzyme (43.00 and 44.38 g^-1 protein^-¹ for 1^st and 2^nd seasons, respectively).While, the values under control treatment were 83.13 and 85.93 cm for plant height and 46.38 and 47.81 g^-1 protein^-¹ for catalase enzyme in 1^st and 2^nd seasons, respectively). In terms of foliar application, all rates of sorbitol were found to enhance plant growth performance and productivity, in comparison to the control treatment (without sorbitol). The growth and productivity parameters improved with increasing rates of added sorbitol. However, it was observed that as the added rate of sorbitol increased, the levels of the studied enzymatic antioxidants decreased gradually. In conclusion, it can be inferred that the most effective treatment for enhancing growth performance and productivity parameters, while also reducing the need for the plant to produce antioxidants under salinity conditions, was a combination of soybean compost and sorbitol at a rate of 15 ml L^-1. This combined treatment yielded the highest values for the studied growth performance and productivity parameters. Generally, additional research is needed to investigate the long-term impact of these treatments and their efficacy in various environmental conditions.