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Effect of pre-harvest spray of calcium nitrate, boric acid and zinc sulphate on yield and quality of Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)
23-28.Views:393An investigation was conducted on uniform, healthy, eight year old trees of Nagpur mandarin (citrus reticulata Blanco) at Fruit Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science at College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar during 16 September, 2014 to 1 March, 2015. Various doses of calcium nitrate (1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0 %), boric acid (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) and zinc sulphate (0.2 %, 0.4 % and 0.6 %) were sprayed before harvesting and compared with untreated ones. The results obtained indicated that the trees sprayed with T27 i.e. (calcium nitrate 3.0 % + boric acid 0.6 % + zinc sulphate 0.6 %) showed maximum increase diameter of fruit, fruit weight, fruit volume, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, estimated yield per hectare, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar, total sugar, juice per cent, sensory score and reduced peel thickness over control. Further, T24 treatment combination (calcium nitrate 3.0 % + boric acid 0.4 % + zinc sulphate 0.6 %) has also significantly increased number of segments per fruit, TSS, TSS: Acid ratio, ascorbic acid content, and reduced number of seeds per fruit and acidity percent of fruits.
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Effect of nitrogen on growth and yield of chili (Capsicum annuum var. ‘Marshal’) in Chitwan, Nepal
95-100.Views:424A field experiment was conducted from April to July 2024 in Rampur, Chitwan, to evaluate the performance of different levels of nitrogen on the growth and yield attributes of chili. The Marshal variety of chili was tested under five different nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg/ha). The treatments were arranged in a one-factorial Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Observations were for different growth and yield parameters, and data were analyzed using R-studio. The results revealed that all growth and yield characters of chili were significantly influenced by nitrogen levels. The plants treated with 120 kg/ha nitrogen produced the maximum height (45.6 cm), canopy (604.5 cm2), primary branch (8.67), leaf number (9.78), fruit length (6.26 cm), and fruit weight per plot (111.04 g). The 90 kg/ha nitrogen ranked second, with plant height of 43.12 cm, canopy cover 570.70 cm2, primary branch 7.30, leaf number 9.23, fruit length 5.87 cm, and fruit weight per plot 103.63 g. All parameters were significantly reduced in the control, where no nitrogen was applied. The highest yield was obtained in T5 (3.07 t/ha) followed by T4 (2.98 t/ha), T3 (2.67 t/ha), and T2 (2.32 t/ha). The findings of this study demonstrated that 120 kg/ha nitrogen level resulted in the highest values for all measured traits and was significantly greater than that of all other nitrogen levels. Therefore, it is concluded that nitrogen dose of 120 kg/ha is the most economical for achieving better growth and fruit yield in chili (variety ‘Marshal’).
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Impact of different growing media on propagation of bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) through hardwood stem cuttings in Chitwan, Nepal
37-43.Views:520An experiment was conducted in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal, in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments: T1 (sand:soil, 1:1) [control], T2 (sand:cocopeat:perlite, 1:1:1), T3 (perlite:sand, 1:1), T4 (sand:cocopeat, 1:1), and T5 (peat moss:perlite, 1:1). Each treatment was replicated four times with a total of 300 planted cuttings. The key parameters evaluated were sprouting percentage, shoot growth (length, leaf number, and branch number), and root development (length, number, fresh, and dry biomass). Analysis of data was done using R-Studio, and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was performed at a 5% significance level. The results revealed that peat moss:perlite (1:1) demonstrated the highest shoot growth with shoot length of 6.00, 14.38 and 28.78 cm at 30, 60, and 90 Days After Planting (DAP) respectively. Leaf number were 6.25, 13.12, and 19.57, while branch numbers were 1.76, 2.00, and 2.18 at the same intervals., Additionally, the fresh root weight was recorded 8.74 g. Sand:cocopeat:perlite (1:1:1) recorded the highest sprouting percentage (81.66%) and root length (17.11 cm), while sand:cocopeat (1:1) achieved the highest root number (18.37) and dry root weight (0.99 g). Perlite:sand (1:1) exhibited moderate performance with sprouting percentage 69.99%, and root length 12.56 cm. In contrast, control (sand:soil) showed the least favorable results with the lowest sprouting percentage (58.33%), the fewest number of roots (7.81), and the minimum root length (9.73). This study concludes that peat moss:perlite (1:1) is the most effective growing medium for bougainvillea propagation, offering a practical solution to enhance rooting success and growth performance. Sand:cocopeat (1:1) with maximum dry weight of root and maximum number of roots emerged as a reliable alternative, proving the effectiveness of the medium.
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Promising black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) cultivars in Hungary
18-20.Views:532In Hungary, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is one of the most important exotic stand-forming tree species, growing mostly under unfavourable ecological conditions. Considering the climate change effects its importance is increasing in many other countries. As a result of a selection programme, several black locust cultivars have been improved for setting up cultivar trials. In the paper four black locust cultivars were evaluated in Central Hungary under arid hydrological and brown forest soil conditions. Significant differences (P<5%) were found in height, DBH, mean tree volume and average stem form value (SFV). At the age of 35 the cultivar ‘R.p. Jászkiséri’ appeared to be the most promising one for yield production and ‘R.p. Zalai’ for SFV.
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Above-ground dendromass of sprouted black locust energy plantations: a case study
19-21.Views:384Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) can be considered as one of the most suitable tree species for establishing energy plantations due to its favourable growing characteristics such as vigorous growing potential in the juvenile phase, excellent coppicing ability, a relatively high resistance to pests. Based on national and international test results the mean annual increment of oven-dry weight of energy plantations regenerated by coppicing generally exceeds the first cycle plantations established by seedlings.
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Linking bark anatomy to Eucalyptus Physiological Disorder (EPD) in commercial clones
73-87.Views:380Abiotic stresses trigger the Eucalyptus Physiological Disorder (EPD) which poses a threat to planted and native stands. This research seeks links between eucalyptus bark histological features and EPD, in which the descriptive bark anatomy and histochemistry are approached. Barks from 5-year eucalyptus trees, from commercial clones of E. grandis, E. urophylla and its hybrids, were collected at breast height (DBH), and 50% and 75% of the commercial height, and evaluated. The eucalyptus bark consisted of a periderm (or rhytidome) and a secondary phloem with conspicuous solitary sieve tube elements (STE). The outer bark revealed a secondary phloem with collapsed STE, whereas its inner counterpart displayed non-collapsed STEs. A region crowded with calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals in axial parenchyma, covering the non-collapsed and partially overlapped collapsed secondary phloem, was observed. Eucalyptus barks exhibited similar anatomical organization at DBH, 50% and 75% of the commercial height, irrespective of expected EPD phenotype or scores. Notwithstanding, there are qualitative differences that are associated with the proportion of non-collapsed phloem and phloem with crystals, which were higher in the tolerant clones and in trees with score 0. The more resistant clones or samples with lower EPD scores exhibited a higher proportion of the regions of living phloem, phloem with CaOx crystals, and non-collapsed phloem. These results support the hypothesis that an increased proportion of STE collapse will occur concurrently with elevated EPD scores and are the basis for an ongoing histometric approach.
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Propagation from root cuttings for black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) improvement in Hungary: a review
39-41.Views:464Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a valuable stand-forming tree species introduced to Europe approximately 400 years ago from North America. Today it is widely planted throughout the world, first of all for wood production. In Hungary, where black locust has great importance in the forest management, it is mainly propagated by seeds. But since the seed-raised plants present a great genetic variation, this type of propagation can not be used for Robinia’s improved cultivars. In the Hungarian black locust clonal forestry, propagation from root cuttings can be used for reproduction of superior individuals or cultivars in large quantities. However, this method demands more care than raising seedlings from seeds and can be applied with success in well-equipped nurseries.
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Comparison of macrofungi communities anti examination of macrofungi-plant interactions in forest stands in North Hungary
101-103.Views:236Parallel phyto- and mycocoenological investigations have been made since 2001 in all characteristic forest types in Borzsony Mts., North Hungary. The main aim of this work was the examination of similarities between plant and fungal communities, as well as the plant—fungi connections within certain habitats. Among the total 381 macrofungi species documented, 330 occurred in the investigated 7 forest stands. Wood-inhabiting fungal communities of coniferous stands can be separated unambiguously from those of deciduous stands. Communities of deciduous stands can be divided into two subgroups: those fructifying in wet and in semidry stands. The main factors which influence the composition of wood inhabiting fungal communities seem to be, in decreasing order: (1) crown layer composition; and (2) soil properties (probably only humidity). Wood-inhabiting fungal communities do not show any relation with the underwood layer of particular plant associations. Amongst soil inhabiting fungal communities, three groups can be separated: (1) those of coniferous stands and alderwood; (2) those of the two climax stands; and (3) those of the two edaphic deciduous stands. Classification of these communities is similar to classification of plants of underwood layers. Probably both are dependent upon soil properties (humidity and pH) of particular habitats, but the range of mycorrhizal partners is also decisive for macrofungi communities. All investigated stands are under forestry management, with low quantity of dead and infected wood, so forestry management type may have a great influence in composition of both wood and soil saprotrophic fungal communities.
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Improved clonal approaches to growing black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in Hungary: a case study
53-56.Views:428In Hungary black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is considered as an important exotic stand-forming tree species and due to climate change effects its importance is increasing in many other countries. It has some desirable characteristics from both the practical and research standpoints. As a result of a partly new black locust selection programme new black locust clones were improved and a technology was developed for mass clonal micropropagation of juvenile trees. Clone trials with micropropagated plants were established in the country for evaluating the juvenile growth and the stem form of promising black locust clones under marginal site conditions. Significant differences (P<5%) were found for stem form value which partly verified the genetic gain of the selected clones against the common black locust. It was also proved that tissue culture could offer partly new prospects for the rapid mass cloning of selected genotypes.
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Relaco: a product to reduce water shoot formation around pruning wounds in pome fruit trees
30-31.Views:172Larger cuts made during the winter pruning of pome fruit orchards a number of serious problems: the wounds serve as entrances for several branch-infecting pathogens, the numerous water shoots formed around the cut edges consume assimilates, shade the developing fruits, make the canopy dense, reduce the effectiveness of the pest management and cause extra work during next seasons pruning work. These problems can be eliminated by using proper wound protectants, like Relaco, a new Romanian wound protectant to cover larger pruning cuts of apple, pear and quince trees.
The treaments by Relaco resulted in a significant decrease in both the number and total length of water shoots formed around the cut egdes.
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Tending operation models for white poplar (Populus alba L.) stands growing under sandy soil conditions
125-127.Views:275Integrated research aimed to intensify the practices of afforestation especially of white poplar and grey poplar woods. A new, simplified tending procedure has been developed to substitute earlier models considering the target diameter by right spacing as a tool to achieve adequat quality of logs. The practice-oriented model may help the qualitative improvement of white poplar growing technology in Hungary as well as in Serbia.
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Molecular characterization of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars using cross species SSR amplification with peach primers
53-57.Views:332Apricot takes an important place in Hungarian fruit production. Considering morphological characteristics of apricots it was concluded that the genetics background of European cultivars is very limited. Molecular markers and their use for genotyping have revolutionized the identification of cultivars. In a classic apricot breeding program, it is important to be able to establish unique DNA profiles of selections to identify them unambiguously and to determine their genetic relationship. Presently SSR is far the most frequently performed technique for genetic diversity studies. In this study there were used peach and apricot primer pairs from four different sources in order to examine microsatellite polymorphism among cultivars and investigate relationships among them. The possibility of cross species amplification among different Prunus species using SSR primers allowed us to use primers developed in peach to study genetic diversity in apricot. In this work, 90% of the primers used were able to amplify SSRs in apricot and more than half of them were polymorphic. With the 10 primer pairs utilized were proven to be sufficient to set unique fingerprint for several cultivars studied. The obtained dendrogram classified of the 45 cultivars included in this study into two major groups and several subgroups.
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Illumination-Independent Reflectance Information Acquirement for Leaf Water Potential Measurement on the Example of Satsuma Mandarin
75-79.Views:187Mandarin fruit sugar content can be increased when subjecting the satsuma mandarin tree (Citrus unshiu MARC. var. satsuma) to moderate water stress by mulching during the period of active sugar accumulation, thereby fruit quality improvement can be realized. In the frame of the precision agriculture production system, a non-destructive measuring method development became necessary based on remote sensing, field spectroscopy and image analysis, to be able to measure the degree of water stress. Large amount of visual information have been recorded at ground level, in near infrared, red and green channels by a false color digital camcorder designed specially for remote sensing applications. A method have been found to be able to calculate the absolute reflection of mandarin leaf surface by comparing leaf reflectance with known reference target reflectance, thereby established the basis of further studies in this topic. Leaf absolute reflection can be measured reliably, under variable natural illumination at field conditions. Functional correlation can be searched between visual information and leaf water potential measured by PMS pressure chamber.
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Evaluation of potential of fruit weight and fruit width and their interrelationships in the set of apricot genotypes
47-53.Views:185Within the period of 1994-1999, variability of fruit weight and width was evaluated in altogether 24 apricot genotypes. It is concluded that the genotype and climatic conditions of individual years are the factors causing variability in these two parameters of apricot fruits. Variability of fruit weight was significantly higher (approximately 3-times) than that of fruit width. When evaluated on the base of their width, 75.0% and 95.8% of apricots were classified into the groups of extra and first quality, respectively. As genotypes with the maximum fruit width (i. e. above 50 mm) the following cultivars were classified: 'Velkopavlovicka LE-6/2', 'NJA-1', 'M 45', 'M-25' and lednicka (M-90-A)'. The value of fruit width (in mm) corresponded with its weight (in g) only within the range of 40 — 45 mm. With the increasing and/or decreasing size of apricot fruit the changes in fruit weight were more pronounced than in those in fruit width. Within the set of genotypes under study, this relationship may be expressed by the equation y = 0.1234 — 7.6605 + 152.76; the corresponding values of correlation coefficient and coefficient of curve determination are r = 0.95-H- and R2 = 0.959.
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Agromorphological and nutritional quality profiles of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) as influenced by cultivar, growing medium and soil amendment source
53-59.Views:237Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) is popular as food and feed around the world. Sixteen treatments were developed from factorial combinations of three factors: cultivar (ugu elu and ugu ala), growing medium (garden soil (GS) and white sand (WS)), and soil amendment source (poultry manure, NPK, supergro and no amendment). A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the agromorphological and nutritional traits of fluted pumpkin obtained from the treatments. Fresh leaves were analyzed for crude protein, crude fibre, crude lipid, total ash, phytate and nitrate concentrations. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and principal component analysis. Mean plots were used to explain the effects of the three factors and profiling was done using the GYT biplot. There were significant (p≤0.05/0.01) mean squares for measured traits, suggesting the possibility of selection among the treatments. Plants in GS consistently out-performed those in WS for shoot weight, leaf length, and number of leaves per plant possibly due to greater availability of nutrients in the GS. Inconsistent patterns observed in the proximate concentrations of pumpkin from the 16 treatments showed the role of interaction among the three factors. Principal component analysis identified some traits as contributors to differences among the treatments which can be basis of selection. Treatments 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 might be useful to improve vegetative yield while 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 could improve nutritional values of the fluted pumpkin.
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Hyperspectral data in water stress detection
15-17.Views:316Remote sensing methods are applied widespread to investigate large land fields. Within these methods the status of certain vegetation can be determined based on the reflectance spectra of the chlorophyll, in order to support agriculture, forestry and the evaluation of soil pollution. The main aims of our study were to determine and validate the reflectance spectra of fruit tree species, in order to facilitate the identification and evaluation of stressed fruit trees in orchards.
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Increment analysis in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stand – a case study
106-109Views:436The study on the diameter and volume increment of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) stand (age 10-27 years, yield class II) have shown that in comparison to the periodic annual increment of the breast height diameter of tree in height class I, trees in height class II have reached 83.3%, while in class III only 43.9. The same relations for volume were found 59.0% and 24.5%, respectively. The mean values of the whole stand were close to those of height class II. According to the distribution of the periodic annual increment of volume between 10 and 27 years of age, 50% of the values were between 2.00 and13.88 dm3, 73% were between 2.00 and19.82 dm3, and 96% were between 2.00 and 37.64 dm3. The range of 13.88–19.82 dm3 had the highest occurrence (24.5%).
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Variability and differences of growth vigour in the set of 36 genotypes of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.).
30-34.Views:192Growth vigour of 36 apricot cultivars and new hybrids grafted on apricot seedling rootstock (Prunus armeniaca L.) was evaluated on the base of measurements of stem girth from the 411' to the 10th year after planting. There were differences in growth vigour of genotypes under study. In the evaluated set of genotypes the control cultivar 'Veecor may be classified as a genotype with below-average growth vigour. Only four genotypes (-Reale d'Imola-, Sanagian -Moldavskii krupnoplodnyl and 'LE-2385') were found with significantly higher growth vigour than that of control cultivar 'Veecot' in years of the end of experimental period. Two genotypes (Farmingdale', -LE-SE0-24') were found with significantly higher growth vigour only at the beginning of experimental period and one cultivar ('Vivagold-) with significantly lower growth vigour in the first four years. Genotypes with different growth vigour can be used in further breeding programmes and/or as components inhibiting or supporting the growth in indirect vegetative propagation. Within the whole experimental period, the rank of growth vigour of genotypes practically did not change. This was demonstrated by highly significant or significant coefficients of correlation existing between individual pairs of years (r=0.32+ to r=0.96++). As far as the time difference between years in individual pairs of years was higher, the correlation coefficients were lower. In individual years, variability of growth vigour was relatively low and ranged from 9.83 to 13.64%.