Allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts of passion fruit Passiflora mucronata fruit peels on lettuce
Paula Aparecida Muniz de Lima, Gardênia Rosa de Lisboa Jacomino, Sônia Maria da Silva, Thammyres de Assis Alves, Maria Luiza Zeferino Pereira, Taísa de Fátima Rodrigues de Almeida, Milene Miranda Praça Fontes, Rodrigo Sobreira Alexandre, José Carlos Lopes*
Department of Agronomy of the Center for Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Alegre-ES, Brazil
Department of Biology of the Exact, Natural and Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Alegre-ES, Brazil
Department of Forestry and Wood Engineering, Center for Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Jerônimo Monteiro-ES, Brazil
Abstract
Pesticide misuse has led to problems in agriculture, contamination of environment, and human health. However, research into alternative methods of controlling invasive plants is expanding. The allelopathic effect of secondary metabolites from plant parts suggests a potential and sustainable alternative to plant residues for use as bioherbicides. Given the above, the current study aimed to investigate the allelopathic potential of various concentrations of the aqueous extract of fruit peels of genotypes of Passiflora mucronata in seed germination and seedling growth of Lactuca sativa L. Fruit peels of genotypes of P. mucronata were used to obtain an aqueous extract, which was then filtered and diluted at the following concentrations: T1=100; T2=50; T3=25; T4=12.5 mg mL-1; T5= negative control (distilled water) and T6= positive control (glyphosate). Germination was carried out in Petri plates and was conditioned in a biochemical oxygen demand germination chamber at 25 ± 2 °C. Macroscopic evaluation was performed at the germination stage and root and aboveground growth of the seedlings, and the germination velocity index were also evaluated. Cytogenetic analysis was performed, and mitotic index was obtained. The design was entirely randomized, with five repetitions of 25 seeds each. Allelopathic substances found in the bark of P. mucronata fruits interfere with seed germination and vigor, as well as initial seedling growth. The germination of L. sativa seeds was 100% inhibited by extract concentrations of 50 % and 100 %. The cell cycle of L. sativa seeds is inhibited by allelopathic substances present in the bark of P. mucronata fruits. It is concluded that aqueous extracts of Passiflora mucronata have an allelopathic inhibitory effect on germination and initial growth of L. sativa.
Pages 324-331 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3677
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Volumetric models for quantifying the wood volume of two eucalyptus hybrids in an agrosilvipastoral system
Wander Luis Barbosa Borges*, Rogério Soares de Freitas, Giane Serafim da Silva, Marcela Aparecida de Moraes Silvestre, Mario Luiz Teixeira de Moraes
Instituto Agronômico, Centro Avançado de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Seringueira e Sistemas Agroflorestais, Votuporanga, São Paulo, Brasil
Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil
Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Engenharia, Ilha Solteira, São Paulo, Brasil
Abstract
Quantifying the wood volume of forest stands is essential for planning sustainable forest management. The most efficient means of quantifying wood volume is volumetric equations. Many models for adjusting volumetric equations have been developed and tested, but their suitability for agrosilvipastoral systems remains unclear. To address this gap, we assessed the ability of six volumetric models to generate estimates of the total volume with bark of eucalyptus hybrids Grancam 1277 and Urograndis H-13. The trees were cultivated in an agrosilvipastoral system in an Arenic Hapludult in the municipality of Votuporanga, São Paulo State, Brazil, which is within the Cerrado biome. For Urograndis H-13, the Takata model was most accurate for quantifying volume, as it gave the highest F test (178.38) and adjusted coefficient of determination (0.93) values and the smallest standard error (0.06). The nonlinear and linear Schumacher-Hall models were most accurate for Grancam 1277, as this model gave the highest F test (54.59) and adjusted coefficient of determination (0.8) values and the smallest standard error (0.07).
Pages 332-342 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3679
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Genetic diversity and structure of natural populations of Arbutus unedo across altitude, bioclimate and geographical origin as revealed by ISSR markers
Rahima Faida, Wahid Nadya, Jamal Aabdousse, Youssef Khachtib, Abdelali Boulli, Abdelmajid Haddioui, Said Bouda*
Environmental, Ecological and Agro-Industrial Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, BP 523, 23000 Beni Mellal, Morocco
Laboratory of Agro-industrial and Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, BP 523, 23000 Beni Mellal, Morocco
Abstract
In order to assess the genetic diversity and structure of Arbutus unedo species, 66 individuals’ trees from 11 natural populations representing its main geographical area in Morocco and belonging to different bioclimates and altitude were analyzed using 14 ISSR primers. A total of 142 bands were obtained, of which 134 were polymorphic with a polymorphism percentage of 94.06% and a polymorphism information content (PIC) of =0.47. The use of 134 markers revealed a high level of genetic variation within and between populations. The multi-locus values of Hs and Ht were 0.24 and 0.34, respectively. The overall AMOVA analysis showed that 79.30% of the total genetic variability was within populations and only 20.70% was between populations. A large genetic differentiation between populations was detected (FST=0.206) which could be attributed to restricted gene flow (Nm=0.97). The results of the hierarchical AMOVA, revealed very little genetic differentiation between altitudinal, bioclimatic and geographic groups (FCT=3.20%, FCT= 2.30% and FCT=2.10% respectively). Furthermore, geographic distances were revealed not correlated with genetic distances between populations (r=0.05, Mantel t-test=0.38, P=0.64) suggesting that isolation by distance has not played an important role in shaping the genetic structure of this species. The NJ dendrogram and Bayesian model-based clustering approach identified four groups of A. unedo independently of their bioclimate, geographic origin and altitude. The data obtained in this study could play a crucial role in establish efficient strategies for genetic resources conservation and to work out the scheme of breeding programs of A. unedo.
Pages 343-352 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3687
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Performances of black seed sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) under low fertility saline soils
Darika Bunphan, Ruchuon Wanna, Goiseone Malambane
Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150 Thailand
Resource Management in Agricultural Technology Research Unit, Mahasarakham University Maha Sarakham Thailand, 44150
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone, Botswana
Abstract
The world need for healthy cooking oil has readjusted research into other non-conventional oil crops like sesame. The importance of sesame is not only because of its healthy oil crop but also because of its short life cycle making it an attractive cash crop. The crop has been reported to be moderately sensitive to saline-soil and drought. Previous reports on the salinity tolerance were conducted on artificial saline soils with considering fertility thus it is important to evaluate the crops performance on naturally low fertility saline soils. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of saline-soil on growth, development and yield and yield related traits of black seed sesame. The pot experiment was conducted at Buri Ram province Thailand, in a 2 × 6 factorial in RCBD with three replications, where factor A was the soil salinity levels and factor B was the sesame cultivars. Sesame seeds were planted in a seedbed and later were transplanted into the 72 experimental pots each filled with 9 kg soil. Observed results showed that salinity levels had effect on sesame i.e. plant height, number of branches at 30 DAT, SCMR, total chlorophyll content, number of capsules, total dry weight and capsules dry weight. An interaction between salinity level and cultivar was also investigated i.e. number of branches and capsules, total and capsules dry weight and harvest index (HI). Salinity levels had influence on sesame both on growth and yield parameters; cv. Kanchanaburi and KKU2 showed higher number of capsules when compared with other cultivars grown under saline soil, whereas cv. Kanchanburi, UB3 and Buriram gave higher capsules dry weight under saline-soil.
Pages 353-360 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3693
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Production, quality of Paiaguas palisadegrass and cattle performance after sorghum intercropping in pasture recovery in an integrated crop-livestock system
Charles Barbosa Santos, Kátia Aparecida de Pinho Costa*, Wender Ferreira de Souza, Victor Costa e Silva, Eduardo Valcácer Brandstetter, Suelen Soares Oliveira, Karen Martins Leão, Eduardo da Costa Severiano
University of Rio Verde, Department of Agronomy, Rio Verde, GO - Brazil
Graduate Program in Agricultural Sciences/Agronomy and Animal Science - Goiano Federal Institute, Rio Verde, Goias, Brazil. CNPq Research Productivity Fellow, Rio Verde, GO - Brazil
Abstract
To improve the conditions of livestock areas, integrated crop-livestock systems have proven to be a viable and sustainable alternative for pasture recovery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production, quality of Paiaguas palisadegrass and cattle performance after intercropping with sorghum in the pasture recovery through an integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment was conducted in an experimental design in a randomized block design with four replicates in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme, with four forage systems: Paiaguas palisadegrass in monocropped, sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in rows, sorghum intercropped with Paiaguas palisadegrass in interrow, and sorghum intercropped with oversown Paiaguas palisadegrass, evaluated in four seasons of the year (winter, spring, summer, and fall).The forage system did not influence the DM production, nutritive value, stocking rate and weight gain, being that all forms of sowing can be indicated due to the good development of Paiaguas palisadegrass after the sorghum harvest, showing several alternatives for implantation of the crops in intercropping. The summer and fall seasons provided higher forage availability and nutritive value, resulting in greater weight gain and better performance per animal per area. Paiaguas palisadegrass has good potential in pasture formation, recovery, and/or renewal, showing resistance to the dry period of the year (winter and fall).
Pages 361-368 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3700
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Characteristics of two Panicum maximum grass cultivars fertilized with ash from wood grown in tropical soils
Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva*, Daniele Job Alves, Horácio Manfrin Mazero, Niclene Ponce Rodrigues de Oliveira, Jakeline Rosa de Oliveira, Tonny José Araújo da Silva
Institute of Agricultural and Technological Sciences, Federal University of Rondonópolis, Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, 78735-901, Brazil
Abstract
It is estimated that the livestock sector accounts for about 40% of the value of global agricultural production. Livestock plays an essential role in maintaining food security as the sector contributes around 13% of calories and 28% of protein demands required by humans worldwide. Fertilization of tropical pastures with wood ash emerges as a sustainable practice that can contribute to better nutrient cycling, increased production, and reduced dependence on mineral resources. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the production characteristics of two Panicum maximum grass cultivars fertilized with ash from wood grown in tropical soils of the Brazilian Cerrado. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a factorial arrangement 5x2 with five doses of wood ash (0, 8, 16, 24, and 32 g kg-1) and two cultivars of Panicum maximum (cv. BRS Zuri and cv. Mombasa), with six replications. The experiment was carried out in 5 dm3 pots for 120 days. The wood ash used in the experiment comes from the combustion of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.) logs in a boiler. The application of wood ash in acidic tropical soils increased leaf area, tillering, leaf dry mass, stem dry mass, and root volume in Mombasa and BRS Zuri cultivars of Panicum maximum grass, with maximum production at a dose of 32 g kg-1. The application of wood ash in acidic tropical soils offers potential as a sustainable strategy to increase production in forage production area for animal consumption in grazing, given the growing demand for beef. In addition, it properly and safely disposes of waste and recycles nutrients extracted by the crops.
Pages 369-376 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3704
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Productive characteristics and structure of Paiaguás grass pasture fertilized with wood ash in the Brazilian Cerrado
Amorésio Souza Silva Filho, Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva*, André Pereira Freire Ferraz, Bency G Simeon, Tonny José Araújo da Silva, Thiago Franco Duarte
Faculty of Agronomy and Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, 78060-900, Cuiabá, Brazil
Institute of Agricultural and Technological Sciences, Federal University of Rondonópolis, 78735-627, Brazil
Abstract
The use of wood ash as a fertilizer is a practice that helps in the management of soil fertility. Our objective was to evaluate the potential use of wood ash on structural and productive characteristics of paiaguás grass (Urochloa brizantha) pasture. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Rondonópolis, Brazilian Cerrado. Treatments were five wood ash doses: 0, 8, 16, 24, and 32 t ha-1 and two application strategies (wood ash incorporated into the soil and wood ash not-incorporated). Wood ash doses significantly affected (p<0.05) the evaluated response variables. Forage yield ranged from (mean ± standard error) 6.98±0.34 to 8.99±0.53 t DM ha-1. The highest productivity (11.10±0.46 t DM ha-1) was obtained at a wood ash rate of 24 t ha-1. The leaf area index was also higher (9.39±1.02) in the 24 t ha-1 wood ash dose. On the other hand, the leaf/stem ratio decreased with the application rate of wood ash and varied from 1.41±0.05 to 1.09±0.07 in the absence of wood ash (dose 0) and at the highest dose, respectively. In general, wood ash positively influenced (p<0.05) the structural characteristics and yield of U. brizantha cv. Paiaguás. Wood ash doses that provided the highest crop yield were between 16 and 24 t ha-1. The incorporation of wood ash into the soil increased pasture regrowth time. Therefore, it is recommended to apply wood ash superficially in established pastures.
Pages 377-384 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3725
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Gas exchanges and morphometric measurements of a variety of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) (Cannabaceae) grown in subtropical conditions under organic and conventional management
Caio Scardini Neves, Eduardo Santana Aires, Gabriel Cássia Fortuna, Olivia Pak Campos, Jordany Aparecida de Oliveira Gomes, Elizabeth Orika Ono, João Domingos Rodrigues, Filipe Pereira Giardini Bonfim
Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
Department of Biostatistics, Plant Biology, Parasitology and Zoology, Biosciences Institute, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil
Abstract
Hops are native to the Northern Hemisphere and are widespread throughout the world; in Brazil, crops are grown on a small scale. How management differentiation can affect the physiological development of crops in subtropical climates is not well studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and morphometric performance of five hop varieties under organic and conventional management. These experiments were conducted at Lageado Farm, at the campus of São Paulo State University in Botucatu. A 2 x 5 factorial design was adopted, with the main factor being the cultivation system (organic and conventional) and the secondary factor being the hop varieties (Cascade, Columbus, Chinook, Hallertau Mittelfrüeh and Nugget). The cultivation systems differed by fertilization and phytosanitary management. Analyses of gas exchange and chlorophyll a fluorescence were performed during the vegetative development of the plants and during branch elongation. Morphometric analyses of the plants were performed to determine the number of internodes (22.40; 18.20) and the heights of the plants (201.09; 131.07), with organic and conventional treatment, respectively. All the varieties showed satisfactory physiological and morphometric performance; however, plants grown under organic management had better results than those grown under the conventional cropping system. Lastly, we measured the potential efficiency of PSII; Hallertau M. (0.89), Nugget (0.89) and Columbus (0.88) presented the highest measurements, and the lowest values were observed in Cascade (0.86) and Chinook (0.85). In general, Hallertau M. and Columbus had the highest gas exchange values, while Cascade had the lowest.
Pages 385-391 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3741
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The influence of tropical pasture improvement on animal performance, nitrogen cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Fabiano Barbosa Alecrim, Bruno José Rodrigues Alves, Claudia de Paula Rezende, Robert Michael Boddey, Gabriel Nuto Nóbrega, Fernando Vieira Cesário, Bruno Serafini Sobral, Fernanda Figueiredo Granja Dorilêo Leite, Carlos Rodrigues Pereira, Renato de Aragão Ribeiro Rodrigues*
Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola e Meio Ambiente, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa), Brazil. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Estação Experimental de Zootecnica do Extremo Sul da Bahia (CEPLAC-ESSUL), Itabela, Brazil
Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
Regrow AG. Durham, New Hampshire. United States of America
Abstract
This study evaluated beef cattle performance, nitrogen (N) dynamics, and potential greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in tropical pastures receiving N fertilization or mixed with legumes. During the cool season, 54 Nellore heifers were randomly allotted to continuous grazing in three plots of each pasture type: T1 (Marandu grass with 150 kg N/ha), T2 (Marandu grass with 120 kg N/ha), T3 (Marandu grass with Arachis pintoi), T4 (Marandu grass with Desmodium heterocarpo), T5 (Marandu grass without N fertilization), and T6 (degraded pasture). The stocking rate was periodically adjusted to achieve the target canopy height of 20–25 cm. Animal performance and N livestock excretion were estimated by variation in live weight and spot samples of urine and feces, respectively. GHG emissions were calculated using the methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Animal performance was higher in fertilized and mixed pastures (e.g., T1 to T4) than in T5 and T6 pastures. Heifers grazing on T1, T2, T3, and T4 excreted lower amounts of urine with higher N concentrations than heifers grazing on T5 and T6. Heifers grazing in T2 and T4 pastures had a lower concentration of fecal N than those grazing on other pastures, reflecting lower N excretion in this form. The potential for direct nitrous oxide emissions per unit area in pastures mixed with legumes was approximately four times lower than that in pastures with mineral N fertilization. The recovery of degraded pastures and the inclusion of forage legumes contributed to maintaining the sustainability of animal production in pastures.
Pages 392-399 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3824
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Agronomic performance of maize under nitrogen fertilization and inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense
Lucas da Rocha Ferreira, Leandro Paiola Albrecht, Alfredo Junior Paiola Albrecht, André Felipe Moreira Silva, Bruno Antônio Azevedo Silva, Enoir Cristiano Pellizaro
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Mato Grosso do Sul, Naviraí, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Federal University of Paraná, Palotina, Paraná, Brazil
Crop Science Ltda., Maripá, Paraná, Brazil
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rondônia, Ariquemes, Rondônia, Brazil
C.Vale agro-industrial cooperative, Palotina, Paraná, Brazil
Abstract
Given the potential of Azospirillum brasilense as an alternative to improve availability and use of N by maize, it is critical to conduct research in different regions to assess the results of inoculation under several different conditions. The study aimed to analyse the influence of Azospirillum brasilense on the growth and maize yield, as well as its interaction with nitrogen (N) fertilization. The experiment was conducted in two trials (Palotina, PR – trial 1; Ariquemes, RO – trial 2) in Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a factorial 2x4 arrangement. First factor was application of N fertilization (with or without application), while the second factor consisted of A. brasilense inoculation such as: no inoculation (control), via seed treatment (ST), via leaf application (LA) and ST + LA. The N contents of leaf and the agronomic performance were assessed. Analysis of variance was conducted with the F test (p<0.01). The mean levels of the inoculation factor with A. brasilense were compared via Tukey’s test (p<0.01). The F-test was conclusive in comparing the means of the levels of N application factor. The analysis was conducted by means of orthogonal contrasts to compare the treatment of A. brasilense with those treated with N fertilization. In trial 1, the applying N fertilization associated to A. brasilense via ST and LA may contribute to increase yield. In trial 2, inoculation with A. brasilense seems to be a technology with good prospects for application, contributing to improve production conditions and increase maize yield. Inoculation with A. brasilense is important to supply N to plants, with an increase in agronomic performance of maize. However, inoculation with A. brasilense was not sufficient to meet the demand for N fertilization.
Pages 400-406 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.23.17.04.p3841