Bee Efficiency in Action: Chalicodoma cincta Pollination of Pigeon Pea in Chad | InformativeBD

Clautin Ningatoloum,  Guiguindibaye Madjimbe,  Sidonie Fameni Tope, and Fernand-Nestor Tchuenguem Fohouo, from the institute of Cameroon. wrote a Research article about, Bee Efficiency in Action: Chalicodoma cincta Pollination of Pigeon Pea in Chad. Entitled, Pollination efficiency of Chalicodoma cincta (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) on Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (Fabaceae) flowers at Doyaba (Sarh, Chad). This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and EnvironmentalSciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

To evaluate Chalicodoma cincta impact on pod and seed yields of Cajanus cajan, its foraging and pollinating activities were studied in Doyaba, during the rainy season of 2015 and 2016. Each year, treatments included flowers accessible to all visitors, bagged flowers to avoid insect visitors, bagged  flowers using gauze bags destined to be visited exclusively by C. cincta and bagged flowers destined to opening and closing without the visit of insects or any other organism. For each year of study, observations were made on 1028 ± 90 flowers per treatment. Chalicodoma cincta daily rhythm of activity, its foraging behaviour on flowers and its pollination efficiency were evaluated. On flowers, individual bees intensely harvested exclusively nectar. The fruiting rate, the number of seeds per pod and the percentage of normal seeds of unprotected flowers were significantly higher than those of flowers protected from insects. Through its pollination efficiency, C. cincta provoked a significant increment of the fruiting rate by 21.40% and 7.55%, the number of seeds per pod by 16.69% and 14.96% and the percentage of normal seeds by 32.95% in 2015 and 36.30% in 2016 respectively. The Conservation of C. cincta nests close to C. cajan fields is recommended to improve pod and seed productions in the region.

Read more : Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potential of Putranjiva roxburghi | InformativeBD 

Introduction

Several plant species depend on insect pollinators for their reproduction; in agro ecosystems, these pollinators have a great ecological and economic importance because they influence positively the plant production (McGregor, 1976; Philippe, 1991; Tchuenguem, 2005). Cajanus cajan is an ideal pulse crop of rainfed tropics and subtropics (Saxena et al., 2002). Its grows up right to 4 m (Niyonkuru, 2002).

The leaves are generally trifoliate; flower is pink, but can vary from white to red (ICRISAT, 1981) and produces nectar and pollen which attract insects (Grewal et al., 1990; Saxena et al., 1990; Reddy et al., 2004; Sarah et al., 2010).

Indian is the largest producers of pigeon pea in the world (Kimani, 2000). The fruit is a pod containing four raw of seven seeds (Pando et al., 2011b). Seeds contain 21 to 30% proteins important for human’s diets (Sharma and Green, 1980; Gupta et al., 2001; Saxena et al., 2002). Cajanus cajan flowers were reported to produce fewer seeds per pod in the absence o f insect pollinators in Great Britain (Kendall and Smith, 1976) and in Cameroon (Pando et al., 2011b).

The research conducted in the United Stated of America (Grewal et al., 1990; Ibarra-Perez et al., 1999) and in Cameroon (Pando, 2012; Mazi, 2015) has revealed that bees of the genus Chalicodoma and Megachile visits C. cajan flowers and collect nectar and pollen. In Chad, the quantity of Ca. cajan available to consumers is very low, the demand for pigeon pea seeds is high, and its pod and seed yields are weak because notably of the insufficiency of knowledge on its relationships with anthophilous insects in general and C. cincta in particular. Therefore, it is important to investigate how the production of this plant could be increased in Chad. Prior to these studies, no previous research has been reported on the interactions between Ca. cajan and insects in Chad. The main objective of this work is to contribute to the understanding of the relationships between C. cajan and C. cincta, for their optimal management in this country. Specific objectives are to: (a) study the activity of this Megachilidae on C. cajan flowers, (b) evaluate the impact of flowering insects including Ch. cincta on pollination and fruit and seed yields of this Fabaceae, (c) estimate the pollination efficiency of C. cincta on this plant species.

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Article source : Pollination efficiency of Chalicodoma cincta (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) on Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp. (Fabaceae) flowers at Doyaba (Sarh, Chad)  

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Assessing Maize Yield Under Different Water Depletion Levels in Bura Irrigation Scheme, Kenya | InformativeBD

David Kimani Muigai, Richard N Onwonga, George N Karuku , and Abdullahi Mohammed, from the different institute of the Kenya. wrote a research article about, Assessing Maize Yield Under Different Water Depletion Levels in Bura Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Entitled, Evaluating maize performance under varying water depletion levels in bura irrigation scheme, Kenya. This research paper published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR). an open access scholarly research journal on Agronomy. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher. 

 Abstract

Sufficient soil moisture in the root zone is critical for optimal crop development. Excess or deficit water leads to reduced crop growth and yields. A field study was done to determine the effect of available water on performance of PH4 maize variety on sandy clay loam soil at Bura Irrigation Scheme, eastern Kenya. Three water depletion level treatments T75, T50 and T25 laid in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) were used during 2015 long rain (March to June) and 2016 short rain (October to December) seasons. Irrigation was undertaken when 25% (T75), 50% (T50) and 75% (T25) of available water capacity (AWC) was depleted, respectively. Canopy cover, above ground biomass and grain yield was used as indicators of maize performance. Treatments T75 and T50 had no significance difference among them but both had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher above ground biomass, canopy cover, stover and grain yield compared to T25. Maize performance showed a positive linear relationship with the quantity of irrigation water applied up to a certain optimal quantity. Additional irrigation water used in T75 treatment gave slightly higher yields though statistically insignificant compared to T50 treatment. Higher Water Use Efficiency (WUE) was recorded in T75 than T50. Supplemental irrigation at 50% AWC is recommended for the scheme as it gives high yields and is safe on water compared to T75.

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 Introduction

Globally, irrigation provides 60% of cereal produced and uses over 70% of global fresh water (FAO, 2003). With the expected future global increase in food and fibre demands and water scarcity, more pressure will be put on the available fresh water resources. Every available drop of water therefore needs to be prudently used to increase crop production (UN, 2016). The potential for increasing maize production in SSA is huge but unfortunately, maize production has been on the decline, getting as low as 1.5 Tonha-1 (You et al., 2012). One of the major contributing factors to this poor performance is water. Challenges in its availability and efficient use especially at farm level have immensely contributed to the low yields. This is the situation replicated in the study area and in many other irrigation schemes in Kenya (Ali, 2012; Koech, 2014). For instance, irrigation land in the Scheme totals 5,360ha though only 3,340ha are currently under irrigation due to inadequate water supply (Scheme Management-2015). Improvement of WUE in the scheme would mean possible use of less water or the same amount of available water to produce more food by irrigating more land. Maize production in the scheme currently stands at 3.5Mgha-1 for commercial farm and 4.4Mgha-1 for seed maize. This falls below the global average of 4.9Mgha-1 (Edgerton, 2009). It is also well below the attainable yield of 6Mgha-1 or more with hybrid maize varieties and application of recommended fertilizer rates (Kang’ethe, 2004; Republic of Kenya, 1997; 2004).

To change this trend and produce more food with less water, increased attention to water management comprising monitoring and measurement at all stages of the irrigation value chain is key. This means that water conservation practices will become the focus of renewed research to maximize on irrigation water. Sustainable water management practices may in future reduce the irrigation demand for water and spare some for use in expansion of irrigated land and other competing sectors. It is in this light that this study was carried out to improve Kenya’s agricultural water resource management through understanding yield potentials and exploiting gaps in present irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) production.

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Zhandong Liu, Anzhen Qin, Ben Zhao, Syed Tahir Ata-Ul-Karim, Junfu Xiao, Jingsheng Sun, Dongfeng Ning, Zugui Liu, Jiqin Nan and Aiwang Duan. 2014. Yield Response of Spring Maize to Inter-Row Subsoiling and Soil Water Deficit in Northern China.

Source : Evaluating maizeper formance under varying water depletion levels in bura irrigation scheme,Kenya

 

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Enhancing Shallot Growth with Coconut Shell Charcoal and Biocomposts | InformativeBD

I. Made Sunantra,  and Wawan Apzani, from the different institute of the Indonesia. wrote a research article about, Enhancing Shallot Growth with Coconut Shell Charcoal and Biocomposts. entitled, The effect of coconut shell charcoal (CSC) and liquid biocomposts on the growth and yield of shallot (Allium cepa L.) in dry land. This research paper published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR). an open access scholarly research journal on Agronomy. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | NNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

This research was conducted to assist farmers in Indonesia in overcoming the problem of scarcity of fertilizers, expensive fertilizer prices and soil conditions on dry lands. The method used is an experimental method with experiments in the field. The activity started in August, 2022 until February 2023. The design used was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with factorial experiments. The first factor was Coconut Shell Charcoal (CSC) with 2 levels, namely T0 (soil without coconut shell charcoal) and T1 (soil and coconut shell charcoal). The second factor was liquid biocompost consisting of 5 levels, namely P0 (0 cc/litre water), P1 (1 cc/litre water), P2 (2 cc/litre water), P3 (3 cc/litre water) and P4 (4 cc/litre water). The results showed that coconut shell charcoal had a significant effect on shallot growth and yield. This treatment yielded 2.23 tonnes per hectare while the treatment without the addition of charcoal yielded 1.80 tonnes per hectare. The results of this study also showed that liquid biocompost had no significant effect on shallot growth and yield. However, the 4 cc/litre water liquid biocompost treatment gave better results, namely 2.43 tonnes per hectare when compared to the treatment without the addition of liquid biocompost with a yield of 1.80 tonnes per hectare. In addition, the results of data analysis showed that there was no interaction between coconut shell charcoal and liquid biocompost.

Read more : Assessing Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Parquetina nigrescens Extracts | InformativeBD

Introduction

Shallots (Allium cepa L.) are one of the core commodities that can have an impact on inflation in Indonesia (Permentan, 2022). Shallots have an economic value with a high demand so that the cultivation of shallots has spread to almost every province in Indonesia. Anitasari et al. (2019), stated that even though shallots are not a basic necessity like rice, shallots are always needed as a seasoning for all Indonesian dishes. Every year the shallot harvested area decreases (BPS, 2020). This is influenced by the declining productivity of agricultural land as a result of the application of inorganic fertilizers (Hand et al., 2021), high doses of fertilization and pesticides that exceed recommended doses which have an impact on soil structure (Nur and Ismiati, 2007). The decrease in harvested area can be increased by utilizing dry land which has the potential to become productive agricultural land (Rahni et al., 2003). However, not all dry land is suitable for farming. This is due to soil limiting factors such as very steep slopes or shallow soil solums. Therefore, the management of dry land in each region will be different depending on the existing limiting factors (Matheus et al., 2017).

Kata et al. (2020) reported that to improve soil quality in dry land it is necessary to use organic matter. This is in accordance with the opinion of Suntoro (2003) that the application of organic matter can improve the physic, chemical and biological of the soil. Organic fertilizers are divided into two types, namely solid organic fertilizers and liquid organic fertilizers. Solid and liquid fertilizers both have the function of adding nutrients to plants for growth and production.

Planting media is an external factor needed by plants (Budiyani et al., 2023). A good planting medium is a medium that is able to provide sufficient amounts of water and nutrients for plant growth. This can be found in soils with good aeration, good aggregates, good water holding capacity and optimal root system (Lewu and Killa, 2020).

This study is aims to utilizing waste that is considered useless as a solution to improve soil conditions in dry land and reduce the use of expensive and rare synthetic chemical fertilizers. In a previous study Apzani et al. (2015) conducted research on solid organic fertilizers and the results were good. However, Apzani et al. 2018a said that liquid fertilizer has the advantage of being easy to carry and nutrients are directly available to plants and can be applied through roots or leaves. Apzani et al. (2015) also have shown that the coconut shell charcoal has no effect on maize growth and yield. So, that is the motivation for investigated further the study about the effect of coconut shell charcoal and liquid biocompost on the growth and yield of shallot (Allium cepa L.) in dry land.

Reference

Anitasari E, Prihastanti E, Arianto F. 2019. The effect of plasma radiation and goat manure on the growth of bima brebes red onions. Biolink Journal of Health Industry Environmental Biology 6(2), 114-125.

Apzani W, Sudantha IM, Fauzi MT. 2015. Application of Biocompost Stimulator Trichoderma spp. and Biochar Coconut Shell for Growth and Corn Results (Zea mays L.) on Dry Land. Jurnal of Agroecotechnology 9(1), 21-35.

Apzani W, Sunantra IM. 2022. The effect of vermicompost stimulator Trichoderma sp. and local liquid microorganism of hyacinth on growth and production of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) 20(5), 1-9.

Apzani W, Wardhana AW. 2018a. Response of Onion (Allium ascalonicum L.) to the Application of Combination Bioactivator Formula of Coffee Leafs and Hycinth Liquid Organic Fertilizer Fermented by Trichoderma sp. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) 13(4), 51-63.

Apzani W, Wardhana AW. 2018b.The Effect of Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Liquid Organic Fertilizer Fermented by Trichoderma sp. to the Growth of Onion (Allium ascalonicum L.). International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) 13(4), 37-50.

Bertham YH, Aini N, Murcitro BG, Nusantara AD. 2018. Trial of Four Soybean Varieties in Coastal Areas Based on Biocompost. Scientific Journal of Biology Biogenesis 6(1), 36-42.

BPS. 2020. Productivity of Shallots According to Province 2015-2019. Central Statistics Agency 2020. http:// www.pertanian.go.id/Data5tahun/Horti ATAP 2020/Produktivitas %20 Bawang % 20 Merah. pdf. [June 5, 2022]

Budiyani NK, Apriastuti NPE, Dwipradnyana IMM. 2023. Growth and Yield Responses of Eggplant Plants to the Use of Growing Media and Dosages of Organic Fertilizers. Journal Ganec Swara 17(1), 278-282.

Gardner FP, Brent P, Roger L, Mitchell. 1991. Physiology of Aquaculture Plants. Translated by H. Susilo. University of Indonesia Press. Jakarta.

Hand MJ, Nassourou M, Nono GV, Taffouo VD, Youmbi E. 2021. Organic and inorganic nutrient sources influeced growth, flowering, fruition, fruit relative water content and yield of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars under salinity in coastal region of Cameroon. IJAAR 18(5), 33-51.

Hayati E, Mahmud, Riza F. 2012. Effect of Types of Organic Fertilizers on the Growth and Yields of Chili (Capsicum annum L.). Floratek Journal 7(2), 173-181.

Kata A, Osmet, Analia D. 2020. Analysis of Soybean Commodity Competitiveness on Dry Land in Tebo Regency. Agri Science Journal 4(1), 48-59.

Khan AA, Jilani G, Akhtar MS, Islam M, Naqvi SMS. 2015. Potential of phosphorus solubilizing microorganisms to transform soil P fractions in sub-tropical Udic Haplustalfs soil. Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) 7(3), 220-227.

Lewu LD, Killa YM. 2020. Rooting Variation, Canopy and Correlation on Soybean Yield at Various Combinations of Watering Intervals and Doses of Organic Matter. Journal of sustainable agriculture 8(3), 114-121.

Lingga P, Marsono. 2005. Instructions for using fertilizer. Penebar Swadaya. Jakarta.

Malik A, Gul S, Buriro AH, Kakar H, Ziad T. 2022. Particle size of co-composted biochar: Influence on growth performance of lettuce and concentration of bioavailable soil nutrients under salinity stress conditions. International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) 20(3), 16-28.

Matheus R, Moy LM, Kantur D. 2017. Utilization of corn stover and pruned Gliricidia sepium biochars as soil conditioner to improve carbon sequestration, soil nutrients and maize production at dry land farming in Timor, Indonesia. International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR) 10(4), 1-8.

Meiyana RY, Salamiah, Soedijo S, Pramudi MI. 2021. Diversity of Soil Surface Arthropods on Shallots Plants (Allium ascalonicum L.) Applied by Several Botanical Pesticides In Peatlands. International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) 19(3), 73-82.

Multazam. 2012. Dosage Test of Biochar and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Water Use Efficiency and Improvement of Soil Physical Properties and Corn Growth in Sandy Soils of North Lombok. Thesis Master’s Program in Dryland Resource Management, Postgraduate Program, University of Mataram. Mataram.

Nur S, Ismiyati. 2007. Effect of Manure Dosage and Time of Application of Trichoderma spp. Antagonistic Fungi. as Control of Fusarium Wilt Disease on the Growth and Yield of Shallots. Journal of Agrijati 6(1), 14-19

Permentan. 2022. Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia Number 10 of 2022 concerning Procedures for Determining Allocations and Highest Retail Prices of Subsidized Fertilizers in the Agricultural Sector. State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia. http:// peraturan. bpk.go.id. [Downloaded on March 08, 2023].

Rahni NM, Wijayanto T, Safuan LO, Tufaila M, Zani M. 2019. Development and application of secondary vegetation-based biotechnology bokasi plus to increase soybean production on marginal dry land. International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) 15(3), 307-313.

Rizwan M, Ahmed K, Sarfraz M, Nawaz MQ, Qadir G, Usaman M, Ijaz MW. 2018. Managing Sesbania decomposition with urea and different tillage techniques in salt affected soil. International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) 12(6), 258-268.

Rukmana. 1994. Shallots: Cultivation and Postharvest Processing. Kanisius. Yogyakarta

Sa’adah S. 2007. Onion Cultivation. Azka Mulia Media. Jakarta.

Salisbury FB, Ross CW. 1995. Fisiology of Plants Volume 1. Plant Development and Physiology (Translation DR Lukman and Sumaryono). Bandung Institute of Technology. Bandung.

Situmeang YP. 2020. Bamboo Biochar Improves Soil Quality and Corn Yield. Scopindo Media Pustaka. Surabaya.

Sonia T. 2014. The Effect of Application of Fresh Organic Matter and Biochar on the Availability of P in Soil in the Dry Land of South Malang. Journal of Land and Land Resources 1(1), 89-98.

Suntoro. 2003. The Role of Organic Material on Soil Fertility and Its Management Efforts. Inaugural Speech Professor of Soil Fertility Science, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia.

Susilawati, Budhisurya E, Anggono RCW, Simanjuntak B. 2016. Soil Fertility Analysis With Soil Microorganism Indicators In Various Land Use Systems In Plateau Dieng. Journal Agric 25(1), 64-72.

Tarigan, Aulia ALB, Riniarti, Melya, Prasetia, Hendra, Hidayat, Wahyu, Niswati, Ainin, Banuwa, Sukri I, Hasanudin, Udin. 2021. Effect of Biochar on Rhizobium Symbiosis and Sea Sengon Root (Paraserianthes falcataria) in Growing Media. Journal of People, Forests and Environment 1(1), 11-20.

Source : The effect of coconutshell charcoal (CSC) and liquid biocomposts on the growth and yield of shallot(Allium cepa L.) in dry land

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Baichi (Flacourtia indica) Morpho-physiological Characteristics and Yield | InformativeBD

Sushmita Baral,  Mahbub Robbani,  Jewel Howlader,  Habiba Zannat Meem, Moatasim Billah and Afrina Bilkis,  from the different institute of the Bangladesh. wrote a research article about, Baichi (Flacourtia indica) Morpho-physiological Characteristics and Yield. entitled, Morpho-physiological characteristics and yield of baichi (Flacourtia indica). This research paper published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR).  an open access scholarly research journal on Agronomy, under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher. 

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the various morpho–physiological traits and yield contributing characters of baichi germplasms (GP) at Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU). A number of baichi seedlings collected from different homesteads of Patuakhali coast were conserved at PSTU Germplasm Centre. Among the five survived germplasms (GP₁˗GP₅), two were male (GP₂ and GP₄) and the remaining three were female (GP₁, GP₃ and GP₅). The longest leaf length (4.45cm) was exhibited in GP₄. Maximum leaf blade width (2.83cm) was observed in GP₅. Although all the studied germplasms flowered at age 7, however, flower bud initiation started in male plants during the first week of February and continued to the last week of March and in female plants, it was started during the second week of February and continued to the mid of March. Length of flower bud was noticed among female genotypes of GP₅ (4.67mm), GP1 (4.65mm) and GP3 (4.62mm). Importantly, the flowers were apetalous in both male and female cases of all five germplasms. The highest fruit set (74.83%) and the fruit retention (80.88%) were recorded in GP₃ while the lowest fruit set (69.51%) and fruit retention (77.16%) were noticed in GP1. GP₅ had the biggest individual fruit size (11.24mm × 12.10mm), maximum edible portion (78.57%) and the highest fruit yield (10.5kg/plant) while the lowest individual fruit weight (1.19 gm) and fruit yield (8.6 10.5kg/plant) were observed in GP3. Based on the morpho–physiological traits among the three fruiting plants it may conclude that GP₅ was superior over other fruiting plants in relation to fruit size, edible part, individual fruit weight and yield. Therefore, a performance grading of the three female plants on the basis of yield can be as follows: GP₅ > GP₁ > GP₃.

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Introduction

Flacourtia indica belonging to the family Selicaceae is one of the underutilized indigenous fruits of Bangladesh. Its common name is governor’s plum. It is locally known as baichi or “kantabohori” that is believed to be native to much of Africa and tropical and temperate parts of Asia. Baichi is an erect, branched, more or less spiny shrub or small tree. This species is dioecious in nature. Baichi produces fruit that is eaten fresh and has a pleasant rather sour taste. The fruits make a good jelly with the seeds and skin being discarded (Tredgold, 1986). The fruit can be fermented to produce wine. Fruits are used as appetizing, diuretic, and digestive, in jaundice and enlarged spleen. Barks are used for the treatment of intermittent fever and are also believed to be effective for arthritis. Roots are used in nephritic colic and gum is used in cholera (Kirtikar and Basu, 1998, Nazneen et al., 2002). The leaves and roots are used in herbal medicine for treatment of snakebite. Most parts of the plant are used for cough, pneumonia, and bacterial throat infection. After child birth among the poor the seeds is grind to powder with turmeric and rubbed all over the body to prevent rheumatic pains from exposure to damp winds. Pharmacological investigation includes the assessment of antihistaminic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of baichi in experimental guinea pig model (Tyagi et al., 2011). Gum is administered along with other ingredients in cholera. The glistening leaves of baichi can be very attractive when the tree is planted as an ornamental. When closely planted, it forms a close impenetrable barrier that serves as a hedge; it tolerates frequent trimming.

People of Bangladesh are generally poorly nourished despite substantial increase of food production in the country over past few decades. Most people suffer from mal–nutrition and resultant diseases. Ceaseless effort is therefore needed to improve the nutritional status and to increase food security, particularly for the rural poor (FAO, 1992). If minor food crops are properly utilized; they may help to contribute in food security, nutrition, health, income generation and environmental services (Kunkel, 1984). Wild fruits add variations in diets improve the palatability of staple foods and provide essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Wild fruits of Flacourtia jangomas add variations in diets improve the palatability of staple foods and provide protein (3.9%), carbohydrates (21%), vitamin C (218mg), calcium (175mg), potassium (158mg), phosphorous (147mg), iron (118), and magnesium (57mg) per 100 gm dry weight basis (Hossain et al., 2011; Baruah and Neog, 2016).

Sarker et al. (2015) reported a wide range of fruit diversity in Patuakhali coast of Bangladesh, of which most species were minor ones. Despite the many beneficial characteristics baichi is overlooked as a fruit plant and there is no organized orcharding and no recognized cultivars for this fruit crops. As a result baichi is in the verge of extinction. The main reasons for the under–utilization of germplasm, according to curators, scientists and other users of plant genetic resources, is the lack of adequate passport, characterization, and evaluation data; people cannot use genetic resources that lack essential information. Therefore, the accurate documentation of information about the origin, characterization, and performance of this germplasm is essential for effective conservation and use (Biodiversity, 2007). Considering the problem statements, the present study was undertaken with the objective to find out the morpho–physiologically improved baichi germplasm (s) with higher yield contributing traits.

Reference

Baruah D, Neog B. 2016. Botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological review of Flacourtia jangomas (lour.) Raeusch. International Journal of Current Medical and Pharmaceutical Research 2(3), 244-247.

Bhattacharjee TN, Robbani M, Ali M, Mursheed N, Mehedi MNH. 2019. Biodiversity of Indigenous Jujube Germplasm Available in Dumki Upazila. Asian Journal of Plant Science & Research 9(1), 22-31.

Biodiversity International. 2007. Guidelines for the development of crop descriptor lists. Biodiversity Technical Bulletin Series, Biodiversity International, Rome, Italy ISBN: 978–92–9043–792–1.

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. 1992. Forests, Trees and Food p. 26.

Hossain MA, Sen M, Jewel MIU, Kabir MA. 2011. Propagation of Flacourtia jangomas: an approach towards the domestication of a wild fruit species in Bangladesh, Dendrobiology 65, 63-71.

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. 1998. Indian Medicinal Plants. Ed 3rd, VolII, Singh and MP Singh Publications, India p. 220.

Kunkel G. 1984. Plants for human consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, Koenigstein, Germa.

Nazneen M, Mazid MA, Kundu JK, Bachar SC, Rashid MA, Datta BK. 2002. Protective effects of Flacourtia indica aerial parts extracts against paracetamol induced hepatotoxiciy in rats. J. Biol. Sci 11(2), 183-187.

Orwa C, Mutua A, Kindt R, Jamnadass R, Anthony S. 2009. Agroforestry Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0.

Sarker CR, Robbani M, Rahim MA, Iqbal TMT. 2015. Fruit diversity in the coastal homesteads of Bangladesh. Journal Crop and weed 11, 95-105.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 1999. Part I, Vol–IV, edition 1st, published by National Institute of Science Communication, New Delhi P. 118-119.

Tredgold MH. 1986. Food Plants of Zimbabwe. Gweru: Mambo Press p. 86.

Tyagi S, Singh M, Singh D, Yadav I, Singh S, Mansoori MH. 2011. Anti–Asthamatic Potential of F. indica Merr., African Journal of Basic & Applied Sciences 3(5), 201-204.

Source : Morpho-physiological characteristics and yield of baichi (Flacourtia indica)

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Optimizing Ginger Growth: Plantlet Heights and Rhizome Yield | InformativeBD

Genaro D. Omo, and Renato F. Limon, from the different institute of the Philippines. wrote a research article about, Optimizing Ginger Growth: Plantlet Heights and Rhizome Yield. entitled, Growth and rhizome yield of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) using plantlets with various heights as planting materials. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences |IJB. an open access scholarly research journal on Biology, under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

In ginger farming, the budget for matured rhizomes as planting material is usually the highest among the cost of production. To reduce the budget cost, the study used plantlets with different initial heights as planting material. The plantlets were propagated through sowing matured rhizomes and were gathered two months after sowing. The treatments of the study are: T0 – 25g (rhizome sett), T1 – 20cm (initial height of plantlets), T2 – 30cm, T3 – 40cm and T4 – 50cm. This study evaluated the height and number of tillers of the ginger during their 3rd and 5th months after transplanting (MAT) and the rhizome yield during harvesting period. Result revealed that at three months after transplanting (MAT), the plantlets with initial height of 50cm (T4) were the tallest and produced the highest number of tillers during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trials on June 2018 to February 2019, June 2019 to February 2020 and June 2020 to February 2021 respectively. On the other hand, at five MAT, the plants of T0 were the tallest and have the highest number of tillers per hill during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trials during the three years of implementation. Further, during harvesting, T4 has the highest mean of computed rhizome yield per hectare during the three years of implementation. The results could be attributed to the bigger diameter and taller stem of the plantlets which stored more nutrients that sustained the growth and development of the ginger.

Read more :  Sustainable Solutions: Addressing E-Waste Pollution and Ensuring Food Security |InformativeBD

Introduction

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) plants are native to South and Southeast Asia (Rafiq et al., 2009). The pungent smell of the rhizomes makes it an important in flavoring of foods not only in Asia but also in other parts of the world. Moreover, ginger was used too as treatment of illness that increases its commercial significance (Schwertner and Rio, 2007. Likewise, Mody et al. (2012) stressed that the economic importance of ginger did not weakens. Further, ginger is regarded by the marginal or the smallholder farmers as a high-value and profitable crop. The yearly per capita consumption of the Philippines with ginger was more from 0.26kg to 0.36kg on 2012 to 2016. Moreover, during the same period, ginger importation has increased from 1,495 to 8,961 MT (FAO, 2019).

In crop production, ginger is one among the major cash crops cultivated by farmers in the upland areas because of its high price, stable market and high demand. The main constraint in ginger production is the cost of matured rhizomes to be used as planting materials because the price is high most especially during planting period. The farmers usually planted 20 to 30 g seed rhizomes that requires 1,300 to 2,000kg of matured rhizomes to plant one hectare farm. According to Bera and Moktan (2006), the cost of planting material is the highest in ginger farming which consist 70% from the total production cost. Hence, an alternative low cost planting material is needed wherein plantlets can be considered which can be propagated through tissue culture and by sowing the matured rhizomes on seedbed.

Plantlets propagated from the matured rhizomes are cheap and the process is simple that can be adopted by any farmers. It is done by sowing the matured rhizomes on a seedbed for two months with several plantlets emerged per sett with a plant height ranging from 25-50cm. Then the plantlets can be directly transferred to the field with assurance of very high survival rate due to bigger size of the stem and has several sturdy roots that will support its initial growth. Additionally, the mother rhizomes sown could still be recovered and use or sold as food ingredient or flavoring.

On the other hand, plantlets propagated through tissue culture method are expensive due to the use of laboratory facility, chemicals, electricity and maintenance cost which are very expensive. Moreover, the laboratory procedure is very complicated and it requires an expert to perform the protocol. Further, according to Gupta and Verma (2011), the major concern and constraints of its worldwide adoption and commercialization is the unsuccessful direct field transfer, It required prehardening by transplanting on polyethylene bag and then grown in the nursery for several months. The hardened plantlets will be transplanted to produce microrhizomes. Then the microrhizomes will be planted to produce bigger size rhizomes to be used as the planting materials for commercial rhizome production. Further, Lawal, et al. (2016) stated that the growth and yield is usually affected by the size of planting materials wherein the size of the tissue cultured plantlets are too small. Hence, the study was conducted to evaluate the growth and rhizome yield performance of ginger as affected by the initial height of plantlets used as planting materials propagated through sowing of matured rhizome.

Reference

Angami T, Kalita H, Touthang L, Chandra A, Devi HL, Baruah S, Bam B, Khatoon A. 2017. Assessing the suitability of turmeric seed rhizome sizes on biometric and qualitative traits under mid hill conditions. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, October – 2017; Volume 5(5), ISSN No. 2320-8694.

Asafa RF, Akanbi WB. 2018. Growth and rhizome yield of ginger (Zingiber officinale L.) as influenced by propagule size and Nitrogen levels in Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria. International Letters of Natural Sciences. ISSN: 2300-9675, Vol. 67, pp 35-45.

Bera BK, Moktan MW. 2006. Economics of Ginger Cultivation in the Hill Region of West Bengal. Journal of Crop and Weed 2(2), 11-13.

Blay ET, Danquah EY, Anim-Kwapong G. 1998. Influence of sett size and spacing on yield and multiplication ratio of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). Ghana Journal of Agricultural. Science 31, 175-180.

Borget M, Tindall H, Barett S. 1993. Spice Plants. The Tropical Agriculture. MacMillan, London.

Enyi BAC. 1972. Effect of seed size and spacing on growth and yield of lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta). Journal of Agricultural Science, (UK) 78(2), 215-225.

Gupta RK, Verma VS. 2011. Quality planting material production through efficient and low cost micro propagation protocol in ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). June 2011. International Journal of Plant Research 24(1), 96-102.

Hailemichael G, Tesfaye K. 2008. The Effects of seed rhizome size on the growth, yield and economic return of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). Asian Journal of Plant Science 7, 213-217. DOI: 10.3923/ajps. 2008.213.217.

Hossain MA, Ishimine Y, Akamine H, Motomura K. 2005. Effects of seed rhizome size on growth and yield of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.). Plant Production Science 8, 86-94.

Islam MA, Naher MS, Fahim AHF, Kakon A. 2017. Growth and Yield of Ginger Influenced by Different Rhizome Size and Spacing. International Journal of Agricultural Papers 2(1), 24-30.

Lawal BA, Aremu T, Ilupeju EAO, Akanbi WB. 2016. Effect of sett size and fertilizer types on early growth and development of plantain suckers. Journal of Natural Science Research 6(11), ISSN 2225-0921.

Mahender B, Reddy SS, Sivaram T, Balakrishna M, Prathap B. 2015. Effect of seed rhizome size and plant spacing on growth, yield and quality of ginger (Zingiber Officinale Rosc.) under coconut cropping system. Plant Archives, Vol 15, No. 2, pp. 769-774 ISSN 0972-5210.

Mody P, Mihu R, Tada B, Taggu A. 2012. Impact of commercial ginger cultivation on economic variables: A case study on Lohit and Lower Dibang Valley Districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Asian Journal of Multidimensional Research, Vol. 1, Issue 4, September 2012, ISSN 2278-4853.

Monnaf MA, Rahim MA, HossainmmA, Alam MS. 2010. Effect of planting method and rhizome size on the growth and yield of ginger. Journal of Agroforestry and Environment 4(2), 73-76, 2010 ISSN 1995-6983.

Rafiq A, Mohammad A, Naeem A. 2009. Productivity of ginger (Zingiber officinale) by amendment of vermicompost and biogas slurry in saline soils. Pakistan Journal of Botany 41(6), 3107-3116.

Razdan MK. 2003. An introduction to plant tissue culture, Second Ed. Intercept, New York, USA.

Sathyagowri S, Seran TH. 2011. In vitro plant regeneration of ginger (Zingeber officinale Rosc.) with emphasis on initial culture establishment. International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, ISSN 2249-4340. Vol 1, No. 3, pp 195-202.

Schwertner HA, Rio DC. 2007. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol and 6-shogaol in ginger containing dietary supplements, spices teas and beverages. Journal of Chromatography B 856(1-2), 41-47. DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2007. 05.011.

Smith RH. 2000. Plant tissue culture techniques and experiments. Second ed. Academic Press, San Diego pp 61.

Whiley AW. 1990. Effect of seed piece size and planting density on harvested knob size and yield in two cultivars of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) grown in South East Queensland. Acta Horticulturae, (ISHS) 275, 167-172.

Zaman MM, Masum AS, Ahmed NU, Salam A, Rahman MH. 2002. Effect of tillage and mulch on the growth and yield of ginger in the hilly area. Journal of Biological Sciences 2, 121-123.

Source : Growth and rhizomeyield of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) using plantlets with various heights asplanting materials  

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