Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a very important pathogen that causes bacterial wilt of tomato (BWT). Biological control of plant diseases is a critical tool for protecting the environment from chemical pollution. Twenty-five isolates of the genus Trichoderma were obtained from a healthy tomato root. Of the 25 isolates, KABOFT4 showed highly antagonistic activity that controlled the growth of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm7) under in vitro conditions. The 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer identified the isolate as Trichoderma harzianum KABOFT4. The effect of this isolate as a soil drench and/or foliar application on bacterial wilt under greenhouse conditions was studied. The germination percentage of tomato seed treated with KABOFT4 increased by 36.7% compared to infected seed treated with only the pathogen Cmm7. Under greenhouse conditions, tomato seedlings treated with KABOFT4 as a soil drench, foliar and soil treatment, and foliar treatment had a 61.3, 26.7, and 40% reduced disease severity relative to the infected control, respectively. All treatments had a positive effect on tomato plants that presented as greater vegetative growth and accumulation of dry matter. The best fresh and dry weight was recorded when plants were treated with KABOFT4 as a soil and foliar application. Tomato plants treated with KABOFT4 also had increased total phenol and flavonoid contents in inoculated and non-inoculated plants compared to untreated plants. Under greenhouse conditions, T. harzianum strains can be used as an environmentally friendly way to manage the most economically important tomato disease. The results showed that a native endophytic strain of T. harzianum was a potent biocontrol agent against C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. Application of this strain to tomatoes in the greenhouse resulted in a decrease in disease severity and an increase in crop biomass.

Colombia is a country recognized for its variety of fresh flowers for export, among which roses represent a significant quantity. However, cut flowers must meet some quality requirements imposed by the international market. Ascorbic acid in living organisms has an extensive function as a free radical scavenger; therefore, it reduces the negative effects of oxidative stress. It is also involved in the biosynthesis of several hormones, has many functions in chloroplasts, and is a fundamental compound for the correct functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus. The exogenous application of ascorbic acid improves the quality and nutritional value of agricultural products and induces stress resistance in plants. A greenhouse study was carried out in Cota, Colombia, with the objective of improving the quality of rose flowers by spraying ascorbic acid in concentrations of 0.0 (control), 600, and 1200?mg?L^?1 in the Escimo, Latin Beauty, and Freedom cultivars. In response to the spraying, an increase in stem length and stem thickness was observed in all cultivars which was directly proportional to the concentration of ascorbic acid applied. There was no clear trend found in the response of cultivars to ascorbate regarding head size and chlorophyll content (SPAD) since in some cultivars, the values of these variables increased or decreased with statistically significant differences. As a result, spraying with ascorbic acid significantly improves some components of the quality of rose cut flowers, even though the response is highly dependent on the cultivar.

To investigate the effect of different planting dates and irrigation regimes on six canola cultivars, a 2-year (2014–2016) experiment was conducted at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute of Karaj. The experiments were conducted as the factorial split-plot in a randomized complete block design including six canola cultivars (Gabriella, Brutus, Triangle, Marathon, Danube, and Natali), two irrigation regimes (fully irrigated and irrigation termination at the flowering stage) and two planting dates (October 1 and November 1). The results showed that irrigation termination from the flowering stage prevented the supply of required material for filling the seeds and the metabolism of the seed compounds and reduced the growth period of the seed. Therefore, a reduction was observed in the content of oleic and linoleic acids and proline. Also, water deficit stress caused an increase in the glucosinolate content of the seed. The response of canola cultivars was different in terms of fatty acids, so that the Natali cultivar had higher palmitic, oleic acids, and proline content compared to the other cultivars at both planting dates. Fully irrigated treatment and planting date of October 1 produced the highest amount of seed and oil yield (4659 and 2073?kg ha^?1), palmitic acid (5.5%), and proline (22.7?μmol/g) content, and the lowest glucosinolate content (13.2?mg/g). Generally, the Natali cultivar and planting date of October 1 and the fully irrigated regime are highly recommended in the studied area regarding qualitative traits and yield of canola.

The crop of broccoli in tropical regions is of great importance among flowering vegetables; however, the yield of this crop is severely impacted by climatic variations that can cause floods. In Tunja, Colombia, a study was carried out under greenhouse conditions in which the tolerance of broccoli plants to prolonged waterlogging was evaluated. One group of plants were kept under waterlogging conditions until most of them showed severe symptoms of chlorosis while another group was grown under regularly drained and watered soil conditions as a control. Waterlogging caused the death of 20% of the plants, reduced the height of the plants by 42.9%, the thickness of the stem by 42.1%, the foliar area by 87%, the chlorophyll content in the leaves by 96.6%, and the total dry weight per plant by 79.9%. The absolute and relative growth rates decreased by 80 and 24.4%, respectively. Waterlogging also prevented flower production and caused a 23.7% increase in the accumulation of biomass in roots but reduced it by 24.5% in leaves. Likewise, the net assimilation rate fell 72.3% when waterlogged and the values of allometric variables which express growth were altered by this stressor. Consequently, it can be inferred that these plants have a low tolerance to waterlogging; however, the most severe impact caused by waterlogging was the inability of plants to develop flowers. The lack of flowers is devastating due to their economic and commercial importance of broccoli, and they are the primary justification for the cultivation of these plants.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food in many countries and is regarded as a vital source of nutrition. Drought is one the most prevalent limitations to wheat growth and development. Herein a two year study was conducted using 25 diverse wheat genotypes obtained from the gene pool of various research institutes of Pakistan to characterize their drought tolerance using various physiological indices like relative water content (RWC), relative dry weight (RDW), water saturation deficit (WSD), relative water loss (RWL), flag leaf area (LA), chlorophyll content index (CC) and their association with the grain yield (GY). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated the presence of significant amount of differences and genetic diversity among genotypes under study. Correlation analysis exposed positive association of CC and LA with GY. However, RWC was shown to have a highly significant and negative association with WSD and RWL. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that out of the 7 PCs only 2 were significant having eigenvalues >?1; cumulatively accounting for 88.70% and 73.03% of the total variation under control and drought stress conditions, respectively. Strikingly the results of the PCA biplots and cluster heat map exposed G1 (Barani-17), G2 (Dharabi-11), G3 (Ehsan-16), G4 (Chakwal-50), G17 (Ujala-2016) and G23 (Kohistan-97) as potential drought tolerant genotypes. Selection of the positively associated indices would be fruitful and the tolerant genotypes having drought tolerance potential could be utilized in future wheat breeding programs to develop high yielding and drought tolerant genotypes.

The two-location field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Thiobacillus and different levels of sulfur fertilizer on growth and physiological indices in the replacement intercropping of sesame and mung bean. A factorial experiment was performed based on a randomized complete block design in 3 replications in 2018. The experimental factors consisted of cropping ratio at five levels: 1. sesame sole cropping, 2. mung bean sole cropping, 3. 75% sesame +25% mung bean (3:1), 4. 50% sesame +50% mung bean (1:1), 5. 25% sesame +75% mung bean (1:3). Sulfur fertilizer was used at three levels: control level (S₀), 50% of recommended amount (S₁), 100% of recommended amount (S₂). Thiobacillus bacteria was used at two levels: T₀ and T₁. The results showed that growth indices chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, biological yield, and grain yield of sesame and mung bean were significantly affected by the studied treatments. The highest growth indices, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, biological yield and grain yield of sesame were obtained by the 3:1 ratio. For the mung bean, the highest growth indices, chlorophyll a, biological yield, grain yield were obtained by mung bean sole cropping and the highest chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll were obtained by the 1:1 ratio. Also, sulfur fertilizer, 100% of the recommended amount, increased all studied indices in both plants except for chlorophyll a in sesame. Interaction effects of cropping ratio and location on growth indices, grain biological yield, chlorophyll a of sesame and mung bean were significant.

The objective of this study was to evaluate several selected Cucurbita genotypes for their salt resistance in a rootstock breeding program for grafted watermelon seedling production. Specifically, changes in the relative water content (RWC), leaf area (LA), total chlorophyll content (TCC) and proline concentration (PC) of a commercial cultivar (G32 code), two promising winter squash (G12 and G13 of Cucurbita maxima Duch.) lines, six pumpkin (G3, G27, G28, G29, G30 and G31 of Cucurbita moschata Duch.) lines, and four C. maxima?×?C. mochata hybrids (G14, G15, G40 and G42), were investigated with a control treatment and four levels of salt stress (4, 8, 12 and 16?dS/m). In this study, Cucurbita cultivars which showed significant differences according to RWC, LA, TCC and PC at least significant difference (LSD) tests (P?<?0.05) and had salinity sensitivity index (SSI) value lower than 20%, were assessed as salt tolerant genotypes. The salt tolerant genotypes were grouped with principal component analysis (PCA) in each salt level. At the end of the study, all genotypes for all characteristics were generally tolerant at 4?dS/m salinity level. The G3, G12, G13, G14, G29 and G42 genotypes were resistant at 8?dS/m salinity, while the G15, G31, G32 and G40 were the most resistant genotypes at 12 and 16?dS/m. In conclusion, the selection of more salt resistant cultivars in rootstock breeding programs should be a priority to maintain growth performance in saline environments.

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar application of silicon, sulfur, and flowering fruit set biostimulant on canola in the farmer’s condition in Darzian, 12?km from Marivan city in the northwest of Iran. The experimental layout was designed as a split-split plot in a randomized complete-block design, with three replications during two consecutive growing seasons, 2017–18 and 2018–19. The main factor included silicon application at two levels: control (0: non-application) and silicon application at 2?kg ha^?1. Sub-factor was sulfur spraying at three levels (0, 1, and 2?L ha^?1) and sub-sub-factor was Tecamin flower (Agri Tecno Fertilizantes, Valencia, Spain) spraying as a flowering fruit set biostimulant at three levels (0, 1, and 2?L ha^?1). The results of the combined analysis showed that the number of grains per pod and biomass were increased significantly at the 1% level by silicon application. Sulfur application improved 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass. This increase was 7.42% for grain yield. Tecamin also significantly increased all traits, including fertile and infertile pod numbers, grain number per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, and biomass. As the most important economic traits, Tecamin increased grain yield by 14.12% compared to controls. Among the treatments, the effect of Tecamin on increasing grain yield was superior. In this experiment, some traits were significantly affected by interaction effects of treatments.

Asparagus fly (Plioreocepta poeciloptera (Schrank, 1776)) is a serious pest in German asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) production. To evaluate the effects of different routine on-farm soil tillage measures on the number of flies emerging the following spring, asparagus fields in Lower Saxony, Germany, were investigated. Soil samples were taken before and after tillage in autumn 2017 and autumn 2018. Investigations were also conducted in both years on the effect that the soil depth at which asparagus fly pupae were buried had on the emergence of adult flies.

This study revealed that the number of emerging flies was not reduced by mulching, but was significantly reduced by subsequent tillage and/or tillage and dam formation. The emergence rate of adult flies was significantly reduced the deeper the pupae had been buried the previous autumn. The effects also depended on the year. The highest mean emergence rate observed was 68% and 45% for pupae buried at a depth of 10?cm and 20?cm, respectively. In conclusion, the key mechanism causing a decrease in asparagus fly population the following spring through routine on-farm tillage could be the burial of pupae when forming dams. Routine on-farm soil tillage can be regarded as a physical measure for controlling asparagus fly and is therefore an essential tool in the integrated pest management of asparagus production.

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and Rhizobium leguminosarum alone and in combination were observed on the disease complex of pea caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi. Plants inoculated with M. incognita and P. syringae pv. pisi, alone or in combination, showed a significant reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid content compared to uninoculated controls. Use of ZnO NPs (0.10?ml^?1) as seed priming resulted in a greater increase in plant growth than 0.10?ml^?1 foliar spray. Plants inoculated with R. leguminosarum had better plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid content than plants without R. leguminosarum. Greater plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were observed when NPs primed seeds were grown with R. leguminosarum than the use of NPs foliar spray plus R. leguminosarum. Plants inoculated with R. leguminosarum showed higher root nodulation while only few nodules were observed in plants without R. leguminosarum. Both tested pathogens had adverse effect on nodulation, while use of ZnO NPs with R. leguminosarum also reduced nodulation. ZnO NPs and R. leguminosarum reduced blight disease indices, galling and nematode population. Use of ZnO NPs primed seeds with R. leguminosarum resulted in the highest reduction in disease indices, galling and nematode population. The segregation of various treatments in the biplot of principal component analysis demonstrates a suppressive role of ZnO NPs on blight disease complex of pea.

Worldwide population is in permanent growth, leading to an over-presser on the food resources. This demand leads to an over-exploitation of land and water resources. Recently, the quinoa plant has attracted attention as alternative crop with high nutritive value and high tolerance to the marginal conditions. In this study, a field experiment was conducted during two successive seasons to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation on the agronomic performance. Four treatments of deficit irrigation (100%, 50%, 33% ETc and rainfed) were applied to one variety in the first season and to four genotypes (two varieties and two lines). The results were evaluated by measuring biomass and seed quinoa yield, water-use efficiency, harvest index, seed size and 1000 seeds weight. Results show that the implementation of deficit irrigation is an appropriate strategy to reduce the use of agricultural water and maintain relatively high yields. On the other hand, the results of the economic quality reflected by the size and weight of seed yield, indicates that quinoa can be considered a well-adapted to the conditions of water scarcity culture. According to agronomic parameters, L143 line followed by the line L11 showed a high potential of adaptation under the different treatments of stress, while the “Puno” variety presented the best performance under the favorable conditions of irrigation (100% ETc).

This review summarizes wheat crop growth, yield, and quality response to moisture stress and nitrogen availability in the rhizosphere. The high nitrogen demand of wheat crop enhances grain protein accumulation, which is a key factor for baking quality. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for increasing wheat production, but there is still a need to economize the optimum nitrogen rate under water-deficit conditions. Water stress is the most important abiotic stress adversely affecting crop productivity. Soil moisture significantly affects nitrogen nutrition through its effect on nitrogen uptake, mineralization, and losses through leaching, denitrification, and volatilization. This colimitation of nitrogen and water underpins an approach for improving water and nitrogen-use efficiency concurrently, thereby enhancing wheat productivity and quality.

Vegetables in the tropics are grown continuously throughout the year due to the favorable climate. Unfortunately, leafy vegetables are often damaged because of slugs and snails. These mollusks and other herbivores cause different levels of defoliation to plants which can significantly impact their growth, production, and quality of the harvested product. A study was carried out in order to artificially simulate the effect of a loss in foliar area caused by these pests. The impact of severe artificial defoliation in spinach plants (Spinacia oleracea) was evaluated in Tunja, Colombia. Under greenhouse conditions and after transplanting, the plants had 75% of their leaf area removed. This procedure was repeated weekly on newly emerging leaves while a control group of plants was left intact. 71 days after transplanting, the plants were harvested, and the leaf area and dry weight of the plants were measured with which some allometric variables were calculated to express growth. Variables such as the number of leaves, plant height, total dry weight, relative growth ratio, leaf weight ratio (LWR), and root to shoot ratio (R:S) were unaffected by defoliation while leaf area, leaf area ratio (LAR), and specific leaf area (SLA) were reduced with the partial removal of the leaf area. The partial defoliation resulted in an increased partial biomass of the leaves. These results suggest that spinach plants have a moderate tolerance to partial defoliation.

Soil fertility in the Lubumbashi region often proves to be limiting factor for crop production due to their low nutrient reserves. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizae on phosphorus uptake by maize on Ferralsol. The trial was conducted in pots with 30?kg or 60?kg of P₂O₅ ha^?1 and a control. These three levels of phosphorus were combined or not with arbuscular mycorrhizae. The combinations of 30?kg or 60?kg of phosphorus with the inoculum led to a male flowering of maize at 63 days after semi. Maize treated with 60?kg of phosphorus ha^?1 formed very few or almost no blisters in the roots. Cob weight, length, diameter, number of rows and kernel weight varied significantly with phosphorus on both inoculated and uninoculated pots. The inoculated plants had high averages for these yield parameters. Due to the lack of phosphate fertilizer, inoculum alone can be an alternative to phosphorus provided that nitrogen and potassium are added, resulting in small but seed-filled ears compared to the phosphorus-free control without mycorrhizae, which resulted in empty ears. Yield varied significantly with the addition of phosphorus (0.3 to 6.1 tons ha^?1) and less significantly with inoculum (3 to 3.7?t ha^?1). The combination of treatments showed a significant difference in favour of the 60?kg of phosphorus or 60?kg of phosphorus associated with the inoculum. The highest phosphorus content was obtained on the inoculum treatment alone, which provided 1.4?mg phosphorus?g^?1 maize compared to other treatments, which provided 0.69 to 0.71?mg phosphorus?g^?1 maize.

NERICA rice was developed through the hybridization of Oryza Glaberrima and Oryza sativa in an attempt to produce a higher yield in areas with a limited water supply. This study investigated the interactive effects of irrigation water salinities (0.38, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0, 10.0 and 15?dSm^?1) for various water depths (5, 10 and 15?cm) on crop yield and related components of NERICA rice variety. This study showed that increased levels of irrigation water salinity resulted in reduced rice yield, biomass weight, plant height, harvest index, 1000 grain weight, evapotranspiration, water use efficiency, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content, and increased plant sterility for all irrigation water depths. The threshold values of soil salinity for the NERICA rice for the 5, 10, and 15?cm depths were 2.14, 81 2.80, and 1.98 dSm^?1, respectively. The study showed that the optimum salinity/water depth condition for the production of transplanted NERICA rice is irrigation water salinity <?1.50 dSm^?1, and a 10?cm water depth. This irrigation water salinity level maintains the soil ECe at or below the salinity threshold value of 2.80 dSm^?1. This study showed that NERICA rice has a salinity threshold value of 2.80 dSm^?1. Since rice is generally considered to be more salt-sensitive during germination, it is recommended that farmers apply the least saline water available during the rice germination stage of growth. Information from this study will assist policymakers and farmers to better manage NERICA production in Sub-Saharan Africa.