Projected benefit-cost analysis of agri-silvicultural system:vegetable crops intercropping with Salix alba (Willow)

An experiment upon an agri-silvicultural system involving Willow （Salix alba） tree, Kale （Brassica oleracea var. acephala） and Knol khol （Brassica oleracea var. caularapa） was laid in randomized block designed at farmers＇ willow field at Shalimar near Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar India during 2005 and 2006. The main plot was divided into sub-spots with 8 m × 2 m in size each in which four two-year-old willow （Salix alba） trees were at a spacing of 2 m ×2 m in a sub-spot. The intercrops were maintained at recommended spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The benefit-cost ratio in willow plantation intercropped with vegetable crops of Kale and Knol Khol was analyzed and compared with the benefit-cost ratio of sole willow tree forestry. The results showed that every rupee invested in plantation of agri-silvicultural system generates benefit-cost ratio of 2.78 and 2.79 in case of Willow intercropping with Kale and Willow with Knol khol, respectively, while as for sole crop of willows benefit-cost ratio was calculated to be 2.66. These results provided circumstantial evidence in favour of adopting agroforestry involving willow instead of Sole tree forestry.

Influence of Potassium Fertilization on Yield and Quality of Foliar Vegetable Crops

Over a period of two years , field experiments were conducted on four silty loam soils grown with foliar vegetable crops including Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis Rupr., cv. Lu-Bai 3), autumn greens (B. chinensis L., cv. Piao-Geng-Bai), winter greens (B. var. rosularis Tsen et Lee, cv. You-Dong-Er), and summer greens (B. chinensis L., cv. Zao-Shu 5), respectively. Each experiment included one CK treatment without K, N and P fertilizers applied, and four treatments with from low to high doses, 0-300 kg hm-2 for Chinese cabbage, 0-150 kg hm-2 for autumn and winter greens and 0-180 kg hm-2 for summer greens, of K fertilizers in the form of sulfate of potash (SOP) applied together with N and P fertilizers. One treatment of K fertilizer in the form of muriate of potash (MOP) applied at high levels (150 or 180 kg hm-2) together with N and P fertilizers was included in the experiments of autumn, winter and summer greens , respectively, in order to compare the effects of SOP and MOP. The market yields of the tested crops increased significantly with the increasing rate of K application. The crops supplied with K fertilizers yielded more stably as the CV% of their yields decreased with the rate of K application. K fertilization increased not only K contents but also the amounts of N, P and K absorbed in shoots of autumn, winter and summer greens, which were statistically significantly correlated to their yields. It can also be found that potassium improved the quality of the foliar vegetable crops as their dry mater contents were generally increased and Vc contents obviously increased and nitrate contents markedly decreased. As compared to MOP, SOP was more effective on the yields and quality of autumn, winter and summer greens at the high levels of fertilization.

Research on Characters of Leaf Epidermal Cells' Quantities of Solanaceous Vegetable Crops

Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants＇ seedings were used as experiment materials to study the leaf development mechanism of solanaceous vegetable crops by using blot observation method. Results showed that an increasing trend was presented at the density of cells and stomata in upper and lower epidermis, but a declined trend was presented at the cells＇ diameters and the size of stomata with the joint position rising. At the same joint position, no matter in adaxial side or abaxial side, there were some differences among cells diameters, size of stomata, density of cells and stomata.

Effect of Different Nethouses on the Incidence of Insect on Vegetable Crops

In this study, the effects of different types of nethouses viz., NH1, NH2, and NH3, were investigated at the research farm of the Olericulture Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) from Sep 2021 to Mar 2022 and compared to control (open field) in terms of the incidence of white fly, aphid, leaf miners, mites, and eggplant shoot and fruit borer (ESFB). This study included six vegetables 1) Tomato, 2) Eggplant, 3) Sweet pepper, 4) Broccoli, 5) Cucumber;6) Okra, as well as four nethouse treatments: 1) UV stabilized transparent polyethylene film with 60 mesh insect net along with green shade net (NH1);2) UV stabilized transparent polyethylene film with 60 mesh insect net (NH2);3) 60 mesh insect net (NH3);4) Open field infestation of white fly, aphid, leaf miners, mites, and ESFB was observed under open field conditions followed by NH1 conditions, while the lower infestation was observed in NH2 and NH3 for all vegetables. From the study, we found the use of stabilized transparent polyethylene film with a 60 mesh insect nethouse provided a negative effect on the presence of different types of notorious insects on vegetables. So, this type of protected nethouse will provide a new dimension to producing safe and quality vegetables in Bangladesh.

Trichoderma-Induced Improvement in Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Proline, and Glutathione Levels in Cucurbita pepo Seedlings under Salt Stress

Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stress in plants.However,traditional approaches are not always efficient in conferring salt tolerance.Experiments were conducted to understand the role of Trichoderma spp.(T.harzianum and T.viride)in growth,chlorophyll(Chl)synthesis,and proline accumulation of C.pepo exposed to salinity stress.There were three salt stress(50,100,and 150 mM NaCl)lavels and three different Trichoderma inoculation viz.T.harzianum,T.viride,and T.harzianum+T.viride.Salt stress significantly declined the growth in terms of the shoot and root lengths;however,it was improved by the inoculation of Trichoderma spp.C.pepo inoculated with Trichoderma exhibited increased synthesis of pigments like chl a,chl b,carotenoids,and anthocyanins under normal conditions.It was interesting to observe that such positive effects were maintained under salt-stressed conditions,as reflected by the amelioration of the salinity-mediated decline in growth,physiology and antioxidant defense.The inoculation of Trichoderma spp.enhanced the synthesis of proline,glutathione,proteins and increased the relative water content.In addition,Trichoderma inoculation increased membrane stability and reduced the generation of hydrogen peroxide.Therefore,Trichoderma spp.can be exploited either individually or in combination to enhance the growth and physiology of C.pepo under saline conditions.

Evaluation of C and P Factors in Universal Soil Loss Equation on Trapping Sediment: Case Study of Santubong River

Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is the most comprehensive technique available to predict the long term average annual rate of erosion on a field slope. USLE was governed by five factors include soil erodibility factor (K), rainfall and runoff erodibility index (R), crop/vegetation and management factor (C), support practice factor (P) and slope length-gradient factor (LS). In the past, K, R and LS factors are extensively studied. But the impacts of factors C and P to outfall Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and % reduction of TSS are not fully studied yet. Therefore, this study employs Buffer Zone Calculator as a tool to determine the sediment removal efficiency for different C and P factors. The selected study areas are Santubong River, Kuching, Sarawak. Results show that the outfall TSS is increasing with the increase of C values. The most effective and efficient land use for reducing TSS among 17 land uses investigated is found to be forest with undergrowth, followed by mixed dipt. forest, forest with no undergrowth, cultivated grass, logging 30, logging 10^6, wet rice, new shifting agriculture, oil palm, rubber, cocoa, coffee, tea and lastly settlement/cleared land. Besides, results also indicate that the % reduction of TSS is increasing with the decrease of P factor. The most effective support practice to reduce the outfall TSS is found to be terracing, followed by contour-strip cropping, contouring and lastly not implementing any soil conservation practice.

Physiological and Phytosanitary Potentials of Coriander and Radish Seeds

Information on seed vigor of the vegetable crops is always important and necessary due to the increasing demand of high quality seeds for sowing and high-value commercial. The cultivation of these species, conducted intensively, should be established with seed high potential physiological and health for the development of a more productive and sustainable agriculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential physiological of seed lots of radish and coriander. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of seed analysis and greenhouse of the plant science department of the Federal University of Pelotas in South Brazil. Four radish seed lots, cultivar ＂Saxa＂, and four coriander seed lots, cultivar ＂Verdito＂ were used. Germination seed test, first count of germination, accelerated aging test, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence were used to evaluate the physiological quality of the lots. The experimental design was completely randomized design with five replications. Means were compared by Tukey test. The accelerated aging test was the most efficient test in assessing the physiological quality for both lots of radish seeds and coriander and this test provide coherent results with seedlings emergence.

Organic Hydroponics Production

Hydroponic culture is a controlled systems use a soilless growing media,supply all of the plant’s nutrition in the plant’s solutions(water with dissolved fertilizers),result in higher yields of vegetables,flowers,herbs and others crops.Hydroponic systems derive in many various forms and types.Most traditional hydroponic systems are extremely specialized,controlled-environment production systems.Organic hydroponics is a system that is arranged based on organic agriculture of culture.Different approaches are used for controlling of plant pathogens such as physical,chemical,biological controls,biofertilizers,bioremediators and integrated pest management.All the required nutrients are supplied in controlled amounts,including organic crops.This article discuss the way for promoting organic hydroponics systems and to help the small-scale producer make decisions about follow this markets,production methods,and disease control.

Dependence of the Plant Productivity on Optimal Food Regime and Density

It has been studied the dependence of vegetable crop yield on standing density of the plant. Field experiments have been conducted on plain Mughan of Azerbaijan Republic. For identifying the maximum value of crop yield it has been carried out approximation of the results of field works with special programs. The point of yield maximum for tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers has been calculated, and also it has been carried out the variation in the amount of nitrogen to decreasing direction in nutrition circuit and the impact of this variation on yield has been regarded. The obtained data are interpreted on the basis of two-substrate model of plant growth.

Zinc Application Affects Tissue Zinc Concentration and Seed Yield of Pea(Pisum sativum L.)

A 2-year field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of applied zinc(Zn) on the seed yield of pea(Pisum sativum L.) and to determine the internal Zn requirement of pea with emphasis on the seed and leaves as index tissues.The experiment was carried out at two different locations(Talagang,Chakwal district and National Agricultural Research Centre(NARC),Islamabad) in the Potohar Plateau,Pakistan by growing three pea cultivars(Green feast,Climax,and Meteor).The soils were fertilized with 0,2,4,8,and 16 kg Zn ha^(-1) along with recommended basal fertilization of nitrogen(N),phosphorus(P),potassium(K),and boron(B).Zinc application increased seed yield significantly for all the three cultivars.Maximum increase in the pea seed yield(2-year mean) was21%and 15%for Green feast,28%and 21%for Climax,and 34%and 26%for Meteor at Talagang and NARC,respectively.In all cultivars,Zn concentrations in leaves and seed increased to varying extents as a result of Zn application.Fertiliser Zn requirement for near-maximum seed yield varied from 3.2 to 5.3 kg ha^(-1) for different cultivars.Zinc concentrations of leaves and seeds appeared to be a good indicator of soil Zn availability.The critical Zn concentration range sufficient for 95%maximum yield(internal Zn requirement)was 42-53 mg kg^(-1) in the pea leaves and 45-60 mg kg^(-1) in the seeds of the three pea cultivars studied.