Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam. Centre for Applied Silviculture Research and Extension, Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnam National University of Forestry, Xuan Mai, Hanoi, Vietnam.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.29

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Vegetative propagation method such as cutting provide uniform plant materials from mother plants. The effects of medium and exogenous hormone pretreatment on rooting were studied for golden camellia - Camellia impressinervis, a tree species which is used for healthcare. The results showed that exogenous hormone IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid), IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid), and their different concentrations significantly affected rooting efficiency. Cuttings treated with IBA and IAA had significantly higher rooting percentage than control (54.2 %). Higher rooting efficiency was obtained with IBA, which resulted in highest rooting percentage of 91.4 % at 4 months of growth by using concentration of 0.5 % (by weight). Hormone types and their concentrations did not affect mean root number (MRN) and mean root length (MRL). Cutting media significantly affected rooting efficiency, MRN per cutting, and MRL. Using medium of 100 % sand resulted in highest rooting percentage ( 91.4 %), roots per cutting (4.2) and MRL (5.4 cm) at 4 months of growth. It is concluded that to produce seedlings for C. impressinervis by cuttings, rooting medium of 100 % sand should be used and cuttings should be pretreated by 0.5 % IBA. In addition, cutting management is also important for rooting efficiency. It must be controlled with humidity of >95 % and temperature of <27^oC.

Field Crops Research Institute, Hai Duong, Vietnam. Department of Crop Science and Biotechnology, Dankook University, Chungnam 3116, Republic of Korea. Department of Crop Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Oman.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.30

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: The Korean radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus) cvs. BDM, CDM, HGM, HTM, JKM and SJM, and a standard Vietnamese cv. R13 were evaluated for adaptability, yield and quality as affected by planting geometry in Vietnam over two growing seasons. In first season, radish cultivars were planted under the planting geometries 30 × 15 cm, 30 × 30 cm, or 60 × 30 cm. The Korean radish cultivars produced better yield of good quality than the Vietnamese cultivar. The Korean and Vietnamese cultivars had better root yield with the planting geometries of 30 × 15 cm and 60 × 30 cm, respectively. The Korean radish cultivars SJM, JKM and BDM, performed well in Vietnam, in terms of yield and quality than the Vietnamese cultivar. Therefore, Korean radish cultivars may be grown in Vietnam.

Biotechnology Department, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 70000.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.17

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Yield imporovement is one of major breeding objectives of cucumber improvement. Gynoecious, an important agricultural trait which highly correlates with yield, was proved to be controlled by F locus. Conventional plant breeding approach has some limitations in terms of potential inaccuracies and time-consuming. Molecular marker - assisted breeding is, therefore, an effectively alternative solution. F locus– linked molecular marker was previously reported. The main aim of this project was to evaluate the potential applicability of this F locus– specific marker for marker–assisted selection in Vietnam cucumber breeding program. Three different cucumber populations e.g., pure lines, F2 and F3 population were utilized with 13, 131 and 84 plants, respectively for each population. Plant sexual phenotypes were determined. Sequencing reactions were performed for BCAT 3’UTR of 3 gynoecious and 2 monoecious pure lines. Plant genotypes were determined by standard PCR with a primer pair amplifying a 56 bp-deletion region in BCAT 3’UTR. A 56 bp-deletion was found in BCAT 3’UTR of gynoecious pure lines as compared with monoecious lines. The marker based on this 56 bp-deletion region in BCAT 3’UTR could help to separate cucumber plants having homozygous and heterozygous sex phenotypes. The marker genotype absolutely corresponded with monoecious trait. Especially, the marker could precisely explain for 80 % gynoecious trait. The marker highly explained for Vietnam cucumber sex traits and could be applied for marker-assisted selection in cucumber breeding program in Vietnam in future.

Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3190 Maile Way, St. John Plant Science Lab 102, Honolulu, HI 96822. ²Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3050 Maile Way, Gilmore Hall 609, Honolulu, HI 96822.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.18

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Seashore paspalum has gained increased popularity in Hawaii due to its salt tolerance and the use of non-potable water on golf courses. Bermudagrass and goosegrass are problem weeds infesting both fairways and greens on many seashore paspalum golf courses. Herbicide efficacy studies were conducted at the West Loch Golf Course (‘Salam’ seashore paspalum, greens cut) on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The herbicides metribuzin, topramezone, mesotrione, and ethofumesate were evaluated in tank mixtures for bermudagrass and mature goosegrass control and seashore paspalum injury. Goosegrass was controlled with tank mixes that included topramezone (0.01 kg ha^-1) + metribuzin (0.10 kg ha^-1) with an acceptable level of seashore paspalum discoloration. Incorporating a post-spray dry down allowed for complete control of goosegrass with one spray application. Maximum bermudagrass injury was seen in treatments with mesotrione (0.07 kg ha^-1) and/or ethofumesate (1.12 kg ha^-1). Applications of mesotrione did not result in goosegrass control. Seashore paspalum turf bleaching from mesotrione and topramezone can be reduced with the addition of metribuzin and/or ethofumesate to the tank mix.

Vegetable Breeding Res. Dept. Hort. Res. Inst. Agric. Res. Cent. Giza, Egypt. Onion, Garlic and Oil Crops Diseases Research Department, Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt. Vegetative Reproduction Res. Dept. Hort. Inst. Agric. Res. Cent. Giza, Egypt. Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, Alexandria, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i02.19

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: This study was conducted during the winter seasons of 2015 to 2019 to select garlic clones superior in yield, quality and tolerant or resistant to white rot disease. Fourteen mutants from Balady and five mutants from Egassed-1 garlic cvs. were isolated in stable form and selected after 4 successive generations (M1V4) from previous breeding program using mutagens viz., di-ethyel sulphate (DES), di (2-chloro ethyel) amine (DEA) and gamma ray. Cloves of two local garlic cultivars (Balady and Egassed-1) were irradiated with gamma ray doses i.e. 1, 3, 5,10 and 15 Gy or treated with previous mutagens. Out of Balady selected clones, Mut 6-1 and Mut 6 had the heaviest cloves compared to the original cultivar with values of 3.8 and 3.6 g/cloves, in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017seasons, respectively. Likewise, Mut 6-2 and Mut 7 which resulted from Eggaseed-1 cv. had the heaviest cloves compared to the original cultivar with values of 7.6 and 7.2 g/cloves, in the first and second seasons, respectively. Significant positive correlations were detected between the most of the desirable traits. Artificial infestation with Sclerotium cepivorum was carried out under greenhouse conditions during two successive seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 and under natural infestation in the open field to evaluate the resistance in the two cultivars and their mutants. In case of Balady cv., Mut 6-1 (10 GY) and Mut 2 (0.1 % DEA) were highly tolerant in the two tested seasons with infection percentage of 11.33 and 12.33 % in the first season and 13.33 and 15.33 % in the second one with efficacy 80.4, 78.74 and 78.15, 74.87 %, respectively, compared to Balady (58 and 61 % infection). Regarding, Eggaseed-1 cv., Mut 6-2 and Mut 6-1 resulted from irridiation (10 GY) were highly tolerant mutants in the two tested seasons with infection percentage of 8.33 and 10.67 % in the first season and 9 and 10.67 % in the second one with efficacy 81.21, 75.93 % and 81.38, 79.99 %, respectively as compared to original cultivar,(44.33 and 48.33 % infection). Results of employed QRT-PCR technique showed that Mut 6-1 (10 GY) which had significantly high tolerance to garlic white rot disease showed great regulation-up of detective defense genes (PR1, PR5, PAL and HQT) with high relative expression values compared to original cultivar, Balady. Similar results were obtained in case of Eggaseed-1 cv. Results showed that respective encoded PR and polyphenol synthase genes might have played important role in defense reaction of obtained mutants of two tested garlic cultivars against S. cepivorum infection. Mutants with high tolerance to garlic white rot disease could be used by growers in the infested areas.

Date Palm Research Center of Excellence, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Frontier Agriculture, SOYL Precision Crop Production Division, Newbury, United Kingdom.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.03

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Present study was designed to evaluate the response of date palm cultivars Khadrawy and Zahidi to varied concentrations of pollen grains liquid suspension (1, 2, 3 and 4 g L^-1). The experiment was arranged in two-factorial randomized complete block design. Results of the study revealed that the pollen application of 4 g L^-1 significantly increased fruit set (86 %), fruit weight (11.27 g), fruit length (38.27 mm), fruit width (23.70 mm), fruit thickness (18.90 mm), fruit geometric diameter (24.93 mm), fruit arithmetic diameter (26.96 mm), fruit surface area (1953.93 mm²), fruit volume (11.29 cc), yield per palm (23.97 kg), seed length (2.40 cm), pulp weight (9.83 g), pulp:seed ratio (6.88) and moisture content (22.72 %). However, fruit drop parameter was minimal (37 %) in that treatment as compared to others. All other parameters (fruit sphericity, seed weight, seed diameter, percent of pulp, percent of seed, total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars) were statistically not different. However, application of 3 g L^-1 pollen grains liquid suspension treatment was closely followed by 4 g L^-1 pollen grain application regarding all these attributes. Comparison between the date palm cultivars, Khadrawy was observed superior than Zahidi regarding aforesaid parameters. The interaction of both factors showed positive impact of 4 g L^-1 pollen suspension concentration when applied to cultivar Khadrawy, which was closely followed by 3 g L^-1 application. It is therefore, concluded from the present research that although the application of 4 g L^-1 pollen suspension treatment gave the best results in both cultivars, application of 3 g L^-1 pollen suspension can also be practiced at a minimal compromise on date palm yield and quality for both cultivars.

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814, Cameroon. Department of Agriculture, Livestock and By-Products, National Advanced School of Engineering of Maroua, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46, Cameroon. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Cameroon.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.04

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Comparing the foraging behaviour and the pollination efficiency of honey bee (Apis mellifera) with a carpenter bee (Xylocopa olivacea) in the farmer garden of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) was conducted in Maroua (Cameroun) in 2016 and 2017. Several foraging parameters were assessed for each bee species during the blooming period of watermelon and comparisons were made between fruit and seed yields from four pollination treatments on female flowers including the no bee visit treatment (T₀), the one bee visit treatment for A. mellifera (T₁) and X. olivacea (T₂) and the unrestricted treatment (T₃). Results showed an important difference in the rhythm of activity between the two bee species with a peak of floral activity of X. olivacea at 07:00-08:00 a.m. time interval and that of A. mellifera at 09:00-10:00 a.m. A. mellifera was prominent than X. olivacea regarding the frequency of floral visits in 2016 (77.74 and 22.26 %) and in 2017 (81.28 and 18.72 %) and the density of individuals per 1000 flowers in 2016 (442/1000 flowers and 97/1000 flowers) and in 2017 (476/1000 flowers and 88/1000 flowers). Despite the higher foraging intensity of A. mellifera compared with that of X. olivacea, the carpenter bee was a more efficient pollinator than the honey bee. Indeed, the mean treatments for fruiting rate, mean fruit weight, mean fruit diameter, and mean mature seeds per fruit of watermelon were higher on the one visit basis in T₂ than T₁. Moreover, the unrestricted treatment T₃ produced fruit with the best marketable value than restricted treatments T₂, T₁, and T₀. X. olivacea should be associated with A. mellifera in a watermelon field to optimize the pollination of this crop for obtaining improved yields. Considering very high pollinating efficiency of X. olivacea, the means of conservation must be developed for this solitary bee which appeared in this work as a synergistic or alternative pollinator of the honey bee within a watermelon farm.

Department of Plant Pathology, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003, India,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.05

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: The aim of the research was to identify the emerging rust disease in fig cultivation. In commercial orchards in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, trees infected with rust exhibited reddish-brown angular leaf spots on their upper surfaces while their lower leaf surfaces contained numerous orange to reddish, rust pustules. An intensive survey was conducted to determine the incidence and severity of rust in fig orchards of the different districts of the Western Ghats and found that the incidence was very severe (100 %) in Pannaikadu, Dindigul district. To confirm the pathogen and its infection module, scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze these rust pustules and their anatomy. Based on the microscopy study, the subjected pathogen was identified as Cerotelium fici, this is the first detailed report of C. fici infection on fig plants in India.

Department of Plant Sciences, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal - 576104, Karnataka. India. Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal - 576104, Karnataka. India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.06

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: The pre-treatment of seeds with physical and chemical agents or exposure to different temperatures improves the viability and germination of seeds. The current study was aimed to explore the consequence of various pre-treatments on in vitro seed germination percentage of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) var. Mattu Gulla. The seeds were pre-treated with Helium-Neon (He-Ne) laser (632.8 nm, 7.1 mW with a power density of 4.0198 mW/cm²), low and high temperatures, acid and alkali. The pre-treated seeds were surface sterilized and germinated aseptically on Murashige and Skoog medium and incubated at 25±2 ºC with 16 h photoperiod. A positive effect of the pre-treatments on germination percentage was observed for He-Ne laser (30 J/cm²), low temperature (4 and -20 °C) and sulphuric acid (30 %). The low temperature pre-treatments were significantly improved the germination of Mattu Gulla seeds while alkali pre-treatment with potassium hydroxide (2.5, 5.3 and 7.6 M KOH) showed inhibitory effect on in vitro seed germination. Thus, the study revealed the integral role of pre-treatment especially with low level laser irradiation and low temperature treatment for the augmented in vitro seed germination of brinjal variety.

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong Dubai, Dubai, UAE.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.01

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: This paper summarizes the implementation of a vertical Micro-Farm that uses a WiFi network to communicate with sensors and actuators from multiple nodes. It addresses the issue of ordinary vertical farms, which require the user to monitor it occasionally to provide fertilizer and water. The system can be easily configured to automatically control supply of nutrients, water and light requirements for various plant types through a web enabled Interface. The web dashboard can further provide complex analysis of the whole system by collecting values from different sensors. The designed vertical farm system is power efficient, self-sustained, and can be setup easily by the user as each vertical rack acts as a single node or module. The user only needs to plant the seeds and fill up the tanks. Due to the modular approach, the system is also scalable without requirement of more complicated materials or wiring.

Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, Bakrajo, 46001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.07

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: In order to study the effects of four IBA concentrations [0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 mg L^-1], and three substrate pH levels [pH 5, 7 and 9] on rooting of hardwood cuttings of peach cv. Red May, experiment were conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sulaimani/ Kurdistan,Iraq, . The experiment was laid down in a factorial RCBD with three replications. Comparison among means was done using Duncan’s multiple range test (P?0.05). Rooting and callusing percentage, root number, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot length, shoot diameter, leaf number, leaf area, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were examined. The highest rooting percentage (40 %) was achieved from 2000 mg L^-1 IBA. However, effects of IBA levels were not significant on callusing. Control gave no rooting and other root traits. Effects of the IBA concentration on vegetative traits were not different with each other except shoot diameter and leaf number. Shoot diameter and leaf number were the highest (1.12 mm and 4.51, respectively) at 2000 mg L^-1 IBA. Rooting and other parameters were the best in pH 5 and 7 substrates. Substrate pH 9 gave minimum rooting and other parameters. Effects of interactions between the two factors showed that cuttings treated with 2000 mg L^-1 IBA and planted in pH 7 substrate gave the highest (60 %) rooting percentage, and cuttings dipped in 1000 mg L^-1 IBA and planted in pH 7 substrate gave the best other root traits. Interaction effects of the two factors on shoot traits showed that the maximum shoot traits were observed at interaction between 2000 mg L^-1 IBA and pH 5 substrate.

Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Lucknow (U.P.) - 226002, India. Central Institute for Sub-tropical Horticulture, Lucknow- 243122, India. Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 304022, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.08

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Cumin wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini is one of the most destructive diseases responsible for causing even up to 60 per cent yield losses in cumin belt of India. Due to the soil inhabiting and seed borne nature with aggressive sporulation ability of the pathogen, sustainable and effective management of this disease using cultural practices and chemical methods is tedious. However, the uses of resistant varieties as well as novel biocontrol agents offer more economic and environmental friendly method of management which can be integrated with regulated chemical methods to achieve maximum disease suppression. Therefore, in the present study Trichoderma spp. isolated from banana rhizosphere of wilt suppressive and salt affected soils of Uttar Pradesh were characterized using morphological and molecular methods. The isolates were evaluated for their antagonistic potential against the pathogen F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini through dual culture assay. Out of 21 Trichoderma isolates screened, three isolates viz., CSR-T-2, CSR-T-3 and CSR-T-4 showed significant inhibition of F. oxysporum f. sp. cumini with 62.65, 79.85 and 84.31 per cent inhibition, respectively. The three promising isolates were characterized morphologically on the basis of their colony characters on different culture media as well as microconidia size, setae, colour, hyphae, chlamydospores etc. The molecular identification for confirmation of. sp.cies status of these isolates were done by sequencing ribosomal RNA using ITS1 and ITS4 universal primers. The 3 isolates viz., CSR-T-2, CSR-T-3 and CSR-T-4 were identified as T. koningiopsis (KJ812401), T. reesei (MH997668) and T. asperellum (MN227242), respectively. In the present study the isolate CSR-T-4 identified as T. asperellum was found to be best in inhibiting the mycelia growth of cumin wilt pathogen under in-vitro conditions and thus can be further exploited for the biological management of cumin wilt under field conditions in form of bioformulation.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramagirikhilla, Peddapalli, Telangana State, India-505212.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.09

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: India is the leading country for growing chilli with highest area, production, consumption and also for export. Telangana State is the second largest producer in India. Due to high fluctuations in market price and high cost of cultivation coupled with lower yields are leading to frequent low profits and even loss to the farmer. Targeting high profits, a new chilli variety, LCA-620 was assessed in the farmer’s field for three consecutive years from 2016-17 to 2018-19 in Karimnagar district of Telangana State, India. Higher yields were recorded in the variety as identified by longer fruit length and high dry weight of fruit as critical factors. With overall superior performance by recording 9.6 % of yield increase and 4.5 % of cost saving, 28.6 % of high net return was achieved in the new variety, LCA-620 over control (Teja) with high B:C ratio of 2.3 compared to control (1.96).

Department of Crop Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khoud 123, Sultanate of Oman. Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al Khoud 123, Sultanate of Oman.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.10

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: Salinity is a major environmental factor limiting agricultural production in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Capillary barrier (CB) created from substrate structuring is a technique that can potentially be used to mitigate salinity, however, little has been done to evaluate the use of structured potting media for this purpose. This study evaluated the effects of CB structured potting media on the growth and physiology of marigold under salinity stress. These configurations used the following substrates: vermiculite (V), perlite (P), sand (S), and peat moss (PM) that were stacked in a pot in three layers from top to bottom: V-P-V, V-S-V, and V-P-PM. Four salinity levels of irrigation water were applied to each of the three configurations that included (Control (Desalinated, ECi ? 0.6 dS m^-1), 3 dS m^-1, 6 dS m^-1, and 9 dS m^-1). The results showed that salinity adversely affects the vegetative, reproductive and physiological parameters of marigold. However, the best growth of marigolds was for those grown in the layered V-S-V media. The layered V-S-V media was the best media among the tested media that can mitigate salinity stress of marigold. The outcome from this study is important for farmers and nursery growers in many arid areas where saline water is the only available irrigation source.

Horticultural Research Institute- Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37855/jah.2020.v22i01.11

 Free Full-text PDF |

Abstract: This study was carried out from 2016 to 2017 at Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. From former evaluation work on several inbred lines of melon, eight inbred lines were chosen as parents for 4 crosses, viz., RIL D51 × RIL 154 (C. melo var. cantaloupensis, galia type), RIL Mg₅ × RIL 148 (C. melo var. cantaloupensis, charentais type), RIL A10 × RIL A5 (C. melo var. ananas) and RIL Si819 × RIL Ab11 (C. melo var. aegyptiaca) to interpret the genetics of fruit flesh colour. Parental, F₁, F_1r, F₂ and BCs populations of each cross were sown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replicates in the 2017 early summer season in open field using a drip-irrigation system. One pair of genes governed the fruit flesh colour character in all the four crosses. The type of dominance was no dominance of the dark green over orange flesh colour or the reverse in the first hybrid, complete dominance of the reddish orange over dark green flesh colour in the second hybrid, partial dominance of the white over orange flesh colour in the third hybrid and complete dominance of the orange over greenish white flesh colour in the fourth hybrid. Mid and better parent heterosis values were 0.00 and -15.50 % in the first hybrid, 25.00 and 0.00 % in the second hybrid, -57.89 and – 77.46 in the third hybrid and 44.90 and 0.00 % in the fourth one, respectively. Hundred percent broad sense heritability (BSH) was recorded in the four hybrids, but narrow sense heritability (NSH) differed from moderate to elevated, being 36.5, 72.15, 28.48 and 26.46 % in the first, second, third and fourth hybrids, respectively. These results proved that melon flesh colour is influenced by genotypic variability. Also, the melon flesh colour inheritance was complex and this may be due to flesh colour gene has multiple alleles (polygenic inheritance).