Australian Journal of Crop Science   AJCS

Isolating, selecting, and identifying Na+, H+, Al3+, Fe2+, Mn2+-resistant purple non-sulfur bacteria solubilizing insoluble phosphorus compounds from salt-contaminated acid sulfate soil derived from rice-shrimp system

Le Tien Dat, Ly Ngoc Thanh Xuan, Tran Chi Nhan, Le Thanh Quang, Nguyen Quoc Khuong*

Faculty of Crop Science, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam
Vinh Long Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vinh Long, Vietnam
An Giang University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, An Giang, Vietnam

Abstract
Salt intrusion has caused adverse effects on nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of rice plants in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Thus, (i) isolating, screening, and identifying phosphorus (P)-solubilizing purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), and (ii) determining their ability to produce plant growth-promoting substances were aimed in the current study. Bacteria after isolation were investigated under microaerobic light and aerobic dark conditions for their ability to tolerate toxic cations and to produce available P from insoluble P compounds, such as Al-P, Fe-P, and Ca-P by spectrophotometry. Therefore, 46 isolates of PNSB were randomly collected from 21 soil samples and 21 water samples from a rice-shrimp paddy field in districts of Tran De, My Tu, and My Xuyen, Soc Trang province. Among them, four PNSB isolates could solubilize P and tolerate Na+, H+, Al3+, Fe2+, and Mn2+, which were identified by the 16S rDNA method as Cereibacter sphaeroides at 100% similarity. The four selected isolates (ST16, ST26, ST27, and ST32) dissolved 32.7 – 60.8 mg P L-1 from Al-P, 30.6 – 81.7 mg P L-1 from Fe-P, and 22.8 – 36.3 mg P L-1 from Ca-P in both conditions. Moreover, these bacterial isolates were potent in promoting plant growth by fixing nitrogen (16.2 – 104.1 mg NH4+ L-1) and providing IAA (10.3 - 21.0 mg IAA L-1), ALA (2.38 - 3.59 mg ALA L-1), siderophores (8.53 - 55.3 %) and EPS (0.68 - 1.22 mg EPS L-1). They should, thereby, be applied as a biofertilizer to increase crop yield in a pot experiment and subsequently a field trial.

Pages 192-199 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.24.18.04.PNE-07

Received: 01/10/2023 | Revised: 11/01/2024 | Accepted: 02/02/2024

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Selectivity of herbicides for pigeon pea grown in intercropping with maize

Felipe Pereira Cunha, Kátia Cylene Guimarães, Carlos Eduardo Leite Mello, Carlos Henrique de Lima e Silva, Jaqueline Oliveira da Silva, Vitória Cássia Rafael de Souza, Adriano Jakelaitis

Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Ciência, Educação e Tecnologia Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde, GO 75901-970, Brazil
Weed Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Ciência, Educação e Tecnologia Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde, GO 75901-970, Brazil

Abstract
No common herbicides are advised for corn and pigeon pea, complicating the intercropping process. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of some herbicides for pigeon pea grown in intercropping with maize and the effects of intercropping on the development and yield of intercropped crops, as well as on the nutritional quality of the produced silages. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications, and the treatments were arranged in split-plots. The monoculture of corn and the intercropping of corn with pigeon pea variety IAC Fava Larga, as well as corn with pigeon pea variety Bonamigo 2 Super N, were allocated in the plots. The subplots were comprised of, the control, weeding, and the mixtures of the herbicides S-metolachlor+flumioxazin, S-metolachlor+saflufenacil, and S-metolachlor+mesotrione. The combination of S-metolachlor and mesotrione resulted in the least weed density and dry mass production. The herbicide that most injured pigeon pea was the mixture of S-metolachlor+mesotrione. There was no effect of herbicides on plant height, final plant population, and fresh and dry biomass productivity of pigeon pea. The intercropping of corn with pigeon pea did not influence corn yield but increased the crude protein, mineral matter, ether extract, and decreased dry matter, total digestible nutrients and in vitro dry matter digestibility contents of the produced silage. All of the herbicides showed potential use for the pigeon pea cultivars studied here.

Pages 200-206 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.24.18.04.PNE-09

Received: 01/10/2023 | Revised: 11/01/2024 | Accepted: 02/02/2024
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Influence of biogeography and nine chemical and physical pre-treatments on the germination of Juniperus phoenicea L. seeds in the northeastern region of Morocco

Mehdi Boumediene, Salah-eddine Azizi, Ahmed Marhri, Nargis Sahib*

Laboratory of Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology and Environment (LAPABE), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Université Mohamed I. BP 717, BV Mohammed VI 60500, Oujda, Morocco
Laboratory of Bioresources, Biotechnology, Ethnopharmacology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Mohammed First, Oujda, Morocco

Abstract
Juniperus species plays a crucial ecological role by inhabiting sand dunes along the coast and arid mountainous regions. It contributes significantly to the stabilization and protection of these areas against erosion. However, due to excessive exploitation, this species is currently facing a continuous decline in its population. The Juniperus phoenicea L. is a species that naturally occur in Morocco and belong to the Cupressaceae family. Juniperus phoenicea exhibits different flowering periods, releasing pollen during the winter or spring seasons in terms of the region and climat. To address this issue, a study was conducted to enhance the germination of Juniperus phoenicea L. seeds by evaluating the impact of biogeography and various pretreatment methods. Mature red cones were collected in February-March 2021 from three different locations in northeastern Morocco, representing coastal, semi-continental, and continental regions, based on the distribution patterns of these shrubs. The gathered seeds underwent nine distinct pretreatment methods, including physical approaches such as mechanical and thermal shock, as well as chemical treatments involving sulfuric acid and acetic acid, alongside a control. Subsequently, the treated seeds were incubated at a consistent temperature of 20°C. Before the germination step we proceeded to a viability test and we found that the seed viability was 87%, although it varied depending on the geographical origin of the seeds. The cold-hot stratification had the highest seed germination rate of the semi-continental, with a percentage of 66%, followed by the seeds of the continental site with 60%. The boiling water test recorded a Gr of 54% in semi-continental seeds, while 51% was recorded in continental seeds. Coastal seeds had the lowest viability and Grs regardless of stratification applied. Due to their better germination potential, the use of continental seeds to generate seedlings of J. phoenicea L. in eastern Morocco should be considered. Despite biogeographic changes, cold-warm stratification can increase germination potential at a significant rate up to 66%.

Pages 207-217 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.24.18.04.PNE-13

Received: 01/10/2023 | Revised: 29/11/2023 | Accepted: 02/02/2024
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Phytosociology in degraded areas using different pasture recovery methods in a semiarid region of Brazil

Raquel Vieira Rodrigues de Souza, Ricardo Loiola Edvan, Leílson Rocha Bezerra, Marcos Jácome de Araújo, Larissa de Oliveira Fontes, Tairon Pannunzio Dias-Silva, Antonio Leandro Chaves Gurgel*, Alfonso Juventino Chay-Canul, Ana Beatriz de Almeida Duarte, Luís Carlos Vinhas Ítavo, Gelson dos Santos Difante

Campus Professora Cinobelina Elvas, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina/PI, Brasil
Centro de Ciências Agrarias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina/PI, Brasil
Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Patos/PB, Brasil
División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Tabasco, México
Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande/MS, Brasil

Abstract
Pasture degradation poses a major challenge for cattle farmers. Phytosociological surveys help identify the botanical composition of an area, aiding in assessing pasture degradation stages. This study aimed to assess the phytosociology of degraded areas undergoing various pasture recovery methods in the sandy soil of Brazil's semi-arid region. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with plots split in time, totaling 16 experimental plots. The experiment involved four recovery methods: closed pasture (CP), which was a pasture without any human intervention and represented the control treatment; weed control (WC) to prevent interference from weeds; fertilization (FE), which involved applying chemical fertilizers to the degraded area; and weed control + fertilization (WC + FE), with the subplots divided into two evaluation periods. The evalauted area, implemented in December 2010, contained the cultivars Marandu, MG5, MG4 (Brachiaria brizantha), Mombaça (Panicum maximum), and Planaltina (Andropogon gayanus), with signs of degradation verified as of January 2014. Four areas measuring 200 m2 each were determined split into four equal areas (50 m2), one for each method (treatments). The density index (plants/m2), frequency, abundance, relative density (%), relative frequency (%), relative abundance (%), and importance value index were calculated. At the beginning of the application of recovery methods, 22 species of undesirable plants were detected, distributed into 17 families, with Fabaceae showing the highest number of individuals. The pastures with the cultivars Marandu, MG5, and MG4 showed the best results for area recovery under methods WC and WC + FE. The areas with the cultivars Mombaça and Andropogon showed a lower number of undesirable plants in the FE method. Therefore, the cultivar MG4, due to its growth habit, and methods WC and WC + FE, which prevent the infestation of undesirable weeds, are more efficient to recover degraded areas.

Pages 218-225 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.24.18.04.PNE-14

Received: 12/09/2023 | Revised: 09/01/2024 | Accepted: 02/02/2024
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Genotype by environment (GxE) interaction and stability for seed yield of newly developed mung bean genotypes

Tong Van Giang, Chu Duc Ha, Doan Thi Huong Giang, Tran Dang Khanh, Nguyen Van Loc, Nguyen Thanh Tuan*

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa City, 40000, Vietnam
Faculty of Agricultural Technology, University of Engineering and Technology, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi, 122300, Vietnam
Department Genetic Engineering, Agricultural Genetics Institute, Pham Van Dong Street, Hanoi City 122000, Vietnam
Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Trau Quy, Gia Lam, Hanoi, 131000, Vietnam

Abstract
Genotype by environment interaction (GEI) is crucial for selecting high performing and adapted genotypes for targeted breeding. The main goal of this study was to study genotype-by-environment interaction and stability of eight elite mung bean (Vigna radiate L.) genotypes (DTG01-DTG08) with a national check DX208 which laid out in RCBD with 3 replications across three locations (Ha Noi, Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa) in three crop seasons (summer 2018, summer 2019, spring 2019) at Vietnam. The analysis of variance showed that genotype, location, environment, and interaction between GxL were significant for grain yield. The seed yields of all varieties were significantly higher than those of the control variety (please check). Among these, DTG05 and DTG06 exhibited the highest yields, approximately 1.77 tons/ha and 1.89 tons/ha, respectively. AMMI model showed that DTG05 exhibited the best performance in the summer season, especially at Thanh Hoa, and Ha Noi. Thus, DT05 could have commercial potential for mung bean production in Northern and North Central Vietnam

Pages 226-231 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.24.18.04.PNE-40

Received: 04/11/2023 | Revised: 25/12/2023 | Accepted: 02/02/2024
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Effect of applying compost from gelatin industry residues on sweet potato yield and soil properties

Amarílis Beraldo Rós*, Andréia Cristina Silva Hirata, João Carlos dos Santos Navarro, Humberto Sampaio de Araújo

São Paulo State Agency for Agribusiness Technology, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil
São Paulo State Agency for Agribusiness Technology, Andradina, SP, Brazil

Abstract
Sweet potato crops produce a high quantity of tuberous roots within a short period. Thus, a proper soil fertility is essential for reaching the crop production potential. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of applying different rates of a compost produced from gelatin industry residues on the total and commercial yields of sweet potato crops, tuberous root shape, and soil physical and chemical properties. The treatments consisted of five compost rates (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 Mg ha-1) arranged in a randomized block design with five replications. The compost application did not affect total and commercial yields (48.37 and 41.53 Mg ha-1, respectively) but changed the shape of sweet potato tuberous roots. The compost application did not change soil physical properties but increased the pH, Ca, P, sum of bases, cation exchange capacity, and base saturation. The findings indicated that the application of compost from gelatin industry residues improves the fertility of low-fertility sandy soils.

Pages 232-239 | Full Text PDF| https://doi.org/10.21475/ajcs.24.18.04.PNE-46

Received: 24/12/2023 | Revised: 13/01/2024 | Accepted: 21/02/2024