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The cultivation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a cut flower stands out in floriculture due to its aesthetic beauty and commercial value. Understanding how cut sunflower genotypes adapt to different edaphoclimatic regions and management practices is essential to optimize flower quality and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant density and location on the development, growth, and quality of cut sunflower in tropical and subtropical environments. Plant densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 plants/m2 were evaluated in tropical climate and subtropical climate using a randomized block design in a factorial scheme. Results showed significant differences between locations for plant height, capitulum and stem diameter, final number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, phyllochron, and the developmental cycle. Plant density significantly influenced these variables except for plant height and developmental cycle. The interaction between location and plant density was significant only for capitulum diameter and final leaf number. The findings indicate that both planting density and location significantly influence the developmental cycle of cut sunflowers, with lower densities favoring more robust plants at harvest. A density of 30 plants/m2 is recommended for efficient space use without significantly compromising floral stem quality. All produced stems are marketable, suggesting that adjusting planting density can optimize production without compromising quality, adapting to specific regional conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. Achepala) is a leaf vegetable plants from the Brassica family that has high potential to develop. The use of nutrients in hydroponic cultivation has important role to fulfil the nutrient needs of curly kale plants. The presence of nitrogen is important for kale in growth and crop result. Cultivation with floating raft system needs to focus into the ideal population to get an optimal growth rate. This study aimed to obtain the correct amount of nitrogen concentration and plant population on the growth and yield of curly kale with floating raft hydroponic system. This research conducted in the Green house experimental field of Agriculture Faculty, University of Brawijaya on August 2022 to November 2022. The research using Factorial Randomized Block Design with 2 factors and 3 replication. The first factor is nitrogen concentration of hydroponic nutrients, and the second factor is plant population. The result implies that Nitrogen concentration 2M with 4 plants population given higher EC value. 1,5M nitrogen concentration on 4 population plants and 2M nitrogen concentration on 6 plants population given the higher leaf area. Combination of nitrogen concentration of 1M and 2M and 8 plant population gives higher fresh total weight per container. 2 M nitrogen concentration given higher number of leaves and EC value in the media, but given shorter result the root length of curly kale than nitrogen concentration of 0,5M. 8 plants population gives lower number of leaves and root length than 4 curly kale plants population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting geometry is one of the most important management practices that determine plant growth and yield of corn. The effects of eight planting geometries (35 × 23 cm, 40 × 21 cm, 45 × 19 cm, 50 × 18 cm, 55 × 17 cm, 60 × 16 cm, 65 × 15 cm, 70 × 15 cm) on plant growth and yields of three sweet corn hybrids (Argos F1, Challenger F1, Khan F1) were investigated under Erzurum, Türkiye conditions in 2022 and 2023 years. Variance analysis of the main factors shows a highly significant effect on whole traits but in two-way interactions some of the traits were significant and in the three-way interactions, it was insignificant. As an average of years, the number of plants per hectare at the harvest varied between 92,307 (35 × 23 cm) and 120,444 (70 × 15 cm) according to the planting geometries. The highest marketable ear number per hectare (107,456), marketable ear yield (24,887 kg ha−1), and fresh kernel yield (19,493 kg ha−1) were obtained from the 40 × 21 cm planting geometry. The results showed that the variety Khan F1 grown at 40 × 21 cm planting geometry obtained the highest marketable ear number (112,472), marketable ear yield (29,788 kg ha−1), and fresh kernel yield (22,432 kg ha−1). The plant density was positively correlated with marketable ear number (r = 0.904 **), marketable ear yield (r = 0.853 **), and fresh kernel yield (r = 0.801 **). The differences among the varieties were significant for the studied traits, except for plant density and kernel number per ear. In conclusion, the variety Khan F1 should be grown at the 40 × 21 cm planting geometry to maximize yields under study area conditions without water and nutrient limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant responses to multiple environmental conditions in the habitat are characterized by intra-species variety. Ferula assa-foetida L. is a native medical plant in Iran, which has a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological properties. The objective of the current study was to identify changes in phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and essential oil (EO) composition in different tissues (leaf, flower and fruit) of three populations of F. assa-foetida L. (Sarbisheh, Nehbandan, located in South Khorasan province of Iran). The results showed that total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity in the leaves of Sarbisheh were higher than in other treatments. The amount of TPC, TFC and DPPH scavenging activity in leaves was higher than in other tissues in the Sarbisheh population, increasing by 31 and 70%, 41 and 20%, 8 and 13%, respectively, over that of flowers and fruits. The main EO compounds of leaves were α -pinene (11.86–13.56%), β -pinene (6.80–7.99%), bornyl acetate (15.80–17.33%). The main EO constitutes of flowers were Z-propenyl-sec-butyldisulfide (10.12–12.4%), eco-fenchyl acetate (10.87–12.4%), myrcisticin (13.43–15.87%) and α -bisabolol (11.23–13.76%). The primary compounds of fruit EO were β -pinene (9.32–11.26%), (Z)-1-propenyl sec butyldisulf (17.54–18.87%) and (E)-1-propenyl sec butyldisulf (28.32–30.02%). The agglomerative hierarchical clustering showed that three distinguished clusters were identified for population, where Nehbandan and Qaen had the higher similarity and Sarbisheh completely differed from the two ones. Different plant tissues contain varying types of chemicals, with leaves exhibiting higher levels of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. This characteristic can be beneficial for industries such as food and pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean is an important crop due to its high nutritional value. However, its production in Ecuador has decreased due to biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding the mechanisms that determine the yield components of this crop is essential to establish strategies that allow increasing the yield. In this study, the plant density was modified to evaluate its impact on yield and its two main components, the grain number and grain weight under field conditions in an Andean region of Ecuador. Two experiments planted on different dates were performed, where two planting densities 4 and 11 plants m􀀀2 were evaluated. The effect of the treatments was studied on the length of the period, from emergence to anthesis, the number of full and empty pods, grain number, 100 grain weight and grain yield. The results indicate that the plant density has a significant effect (p<0.05) on the yield, reaching an average of 257.15 g m􀀀2 in high density, and 151.45 g m􀀀2 in low density. The yield main components showed a different response to plant density modification; the grain number exhibited a strong variability and was positively associated with final grain yield (p<0.05) while the grain weight was not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the optimal nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate and planting density for the well-adapted upland rice cultivar NERICA_4 on the Fogera Plain. The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of varied planting densities and N-fertilizer rates on upland rice yield and other agronomic parameters. A two-year field study (2020 and 2021) was conducted at the Fogera Rice Research Field Station, testing nine plant densities (75, 87, and 98; 72, 82, and 91; 70, 79, and 89 plants per m2 and two N rates (115 and 138 kg N ha−1). The Crop Simulation Model Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CSM-CERES-Rice) within the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) framework was calibrated and validated using site-specific weather, soil, crop, and agronomic management data from the experiment. Results on the subsequent RMSE, RMSEn, and d index values during the calibration phase were 0.074 t ha−1, 1.82 %, and 0.86 of grain yield; 0.307 t ha−1, 3.36 %, and 0.87 of by-product yield; 0.489 t ha−1, 3.74 %, and 0.79 of top dry biomass yield; and 0.28, 8.24 %, and 0.63 of leaf area index values, respectively. Whereas results on the corresponding RMSE, RMSEn, and d index values during the evaluation phase were: 0.58 t ha−1, 1.33 %, and 0.90 of grain yield; 0.69 t ha−1, 0.58 %, and 0.99 of by-product yield; 0.678 t ha−1, 4.36 %, and 0.67 of top dry biomass yield; and 0.75, 13.92 %, and 0.74 of leaf area index, respectively. The findings of the long-term simulation showed that a 23 % increase in grain yield was achieved with 138 kg N ha−1 and 87 plants per m2 of planting density, as compared to 115 kg N ha−1 and 75 plants per m2 of plant density. The recommended optimum plant density and N fertilizer rate were 138 kg N ha−1 with PD2 of plant density for upland rice production in the Fogera Plain.

The cultivation of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a cut flower stands out in floriculture due to its aesthetic beauty and commercial value. Understanding how cut sunflower genotypes adapt to different edaphoclimatic regions and management practices is essential to optimize flower quality and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of plant density and location on the development, growth, and quality of cut sunflower in tropical and subtropical environments. Plant densities of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 plants/m2 were evaluated in tropical climate and subtropical climate using a randomized block design in a factorial scheme. Results showed significant differences between locations for plant height, capitulum and stem diameter, final number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, phyllochron, and the developmental cycle. Plant density significantly influenced these variables except for plant height and developmental cycle. The interaction between location and plant density was significant only for capitulum diameter and final leaf number. The findings indicate that both planting density and location significantly influence the developmental cycle of cut sunflowers, with lower densities favoring more robust plants at harvest. A density of 30 plants/m2 is recommended for efficient space use without significantly compromising floral stem quality. All produced stems are marketable, suggesting that adjusting planting density can optimize production without compromising quality, adapting to specific regional conditions.

Planting geometry is one of the most important management practices that determine plant growth and yield of corn. The effects of eight planting geometries (35 × 23 cm, 40 × 21 cm, 45 × 19 cm, 50 × 18 cm, 55 × 17 cm, 60 × 16 cm, 65 × 15 cm, 70 × 15 cm) on plant growth and yields of three sweet corn hybrids (Argos F1, Challenger F1, Khan F1) were investigated under Erzurum, Türkiye conditions in 2022 and 2023 years. Variance analysis of the main factors shows a highly significant effect on whole traits but in two-way interactions some of the traits were significant and in the three-way interactions, it was insignificant. As an average of years, the number of plants per hectare at the harvest varied between 92,307 (35 × 23 cm) and 120,444 (70 × 15 cm) according to the planting geometries. The highest marketable ear number per hectare (107,456), marketable ear yield (24,887 kg ha−1), and fresh kernel yield (19,493 kg ha−1) were obtained from the 40 × 21 cm planting geometry. The results showed that the variety Khan F1 grown at 40 × 21 cm planting geometry obtained the highest marketable ear number (112,472), marketable ear yield (29,788 kg ha−1), and fresh kernel yield (22,432 kg ha−1). The plant density was positively correlated with marketable ear number (r = 0.904 **), marketable ear yield (r = 0.853 **), and fresh kernel yield (r = 0.801 **). The differences among the varieties were significant for the studied traits, except for plant density and kernel number per ear. In conclusion, the variety Khan F1 should be grown at the 40 × 21 cm planting geometry to maximize yields under study area conditions without water and nutrient limitations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of sorghum grown in different combinations of row spacing and plant density, as well as possible interferences on silage quality. No other study dedicated to identifying the interference of plant spatial arrangement on the cultivation of silage material has been developed in the productive context of the Amazon Biome, making it necessary to understand the behavior of the studied factors. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot scheme: the plots corresponded to three row spacings (0.45 m, 0.60 m, and 0.75 m) and subplots at four densities (105,000, 120,000, 135,000, and 150,000 plants ha−1). The agronomic and productivity characteristics of sorghum and the fermentative and bromatological characteristics of forage and silage were evaluated. The sorghum plants showed an increase in plant height and green and dry mass yield when using higher densities (p < 0.05). For the culm diameter variable, an isolated effect of the factors was observed, with reduced diameter when grown closer to inter-row spacing or using higher plant densities. No effect of the factors was found (p > 0.05) for morphological plant components. In silage, wider spacing promoted higher dry matter content. Regarding crude protein in the silage, higher percentages were obtained at closer spacing and higher plant density. The sorghum growing in dense conditions is indicated, given the positive performance in productivity and bromatological composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of sorghum grown in different combinations of row spacing and plant density, as well as possible interferences on silage quality. No other study dedicated to identifying the interference of plant spatial arrangement on the cultivation of silage material has been developed in the productive context of the Amazon Biome, making it necessary to understand the behavior of the studied factors. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot scheme: the plots corresponded to three row spacings (0.45 m, 0.60 m, and 0.75 m) and subplots at four densities (105,000, 120,000, 135,000, and 150,000 plants ha−1). The agronomic and productivity characteristics of sorghum and the fermentative and bromatological characteristics of forage and silage were evaluated. The sorghum plants showed an increase in plant height and green and dry mass yield when using higher densities (p < 0.05). For the culm diameter variable, an isolated effect of the factors was observed, with reduced diameter when grown closer to inter-row spacing or using higher plant densities. No effect of the factors was found (p > 0.05) for morphological plant components. In silage, wider spacing promoted higher dry matter content. Regarding crude protein in the silage, higher percentages were obtained at closer spacing and higher plant density. The sorghum growing in dense conditions is indicated, given the positive performance in productivity and bromatological composition.

Ocimum basilicum L., or sweet basil, is a valuable aromatic and medicinal plant that is used in aromatherapy to energize, relax, and stimulate the mind. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry for its anti-ageing and therapeutic qualities. Farmers who depend only on conventional food crops run the danger of crop failure as a result of unanticipated circumstances like uncertain weather, pest outbreaks, or disease epidemics. In contrast, intercropping offers a kind of insurance against total crop loss by diversifying farm outputs. The present study aims to increase field productivity and efficient use of land resources under sweet basil-based inter-cropping systems. In the experiment, 17 different treatments (12 treatments comprising of inter-cropping of sweet basil (55,555 plants/ha plant population) with four conventional crops namely maize (Zea mays L.), pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) at three plant populations, i.e., 100% (55,555 plants/ha), 75% (37,037 plants/ha), and 50% (27,777 plants/ha). Also, all five sole crops (4 conventional crops and sweet basil) were planted. The study findings showed that the maximum fresh herb yield of sole sweet basil culture at 100% plant population (14.2 t/ha with 0.70% oil content and 99.2 kg/ha oil yield) was almost equal to that of co-cultivation of sweet basil with pigeonpea at 50% plant population (14 t/ha with 0.70% oil content and 98.2 kg/ha oil yield). Similarly, LER varied from 1.50 to 1.90 and the ATER varied from 1.32 to 1.82. The inter-cropping system based on sweet basil is an advantageous strategy to maximize resource use efficiency. Nevertheless, net returns of sweet basil were found to be maximum with pigeon pea (1762–1881 USD/ha) followed by okra (1507–1638 USD/ha), maize (1042–1310 USD/ha) and pearl millet (809–1029 USD/ha). Moreover, for better herb yield and net returns, it was more profitable for the farmers to co-cultivate sweet basil with pigeon pea at 50% plant population. • Improved resource use in rainfed areas through intercropping for sustainable agriculture. • Herb, oil yield and quality increases in sweet basil with pigeon pea at 50% (27,777 plant/ha) plant population. • The LER ranged from 1.50 to 1.90, and ATER ranged from 1.32 to 1.82. • Legume crop- pigeon pea, positively influences sweet basil and improves RUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weeds are a major constraint to quinoa production since no herbicide tolerant variety is available worldwide. This raises the importance of cultural practices for controlling weeds. Optimizing plant spacing and implementing effective weeding practices may help to enhance quinoa productivity and profitability. The objective of current study was to utilize the plant spacing as an alternate option for ensuring effective weed management and profitable quinoa production for the irrigated plains. The effect of planting spacing on weed flora in quinoa was evaluated for two consecutive years (2021–22 and 2022–23). Two weeding regimes (weedy and weed-free) along with three plant spacings viz., 10, 20, and 30 cm were tested using a randomized complete block design in split-plot arrangement with three replications. In the weedy plots, no weeding was done, while in the weed-free plots, manual weeding was performed to keep them weed-free throughout the growing season. Different plant spacing significantly influenced weed biomass and density in quinoa. Narrow spaced plants (10 cm) gave maximum weed suppression as against widely spaced plants (30 cm) and a concomitant yield increase. Medium plant spacing (20 cm) gave maximum grain yield by attaining the optimum plant population under weed-free conditions during both years. Economic analysis also revealed that medium plant spacing with weed-free conditions was beneficial compared to other treatments regarding gross returns, net returns, and benefit-cost ratio. This study highlights that quinoa spacing primarily determined quinoa-weed competition and can be a tool for weed management in this crop. • Weed growth and quinoa yield response to plant spacing and weeding regimes. • Presence of weeds caused biotic stress and led to a severe decline in crop yield. • Narrow plant spacing: better weed control and grain yield under weedy conditions. • Medium plant spacing resulted in higher grain yield under weed-free treatment. • Findings can be used for designing quinoa's integrated weed management package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the optimal nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate and planting density for the well-adapted upland rice cultivar NERICA&#95;4 on the Fogera Plain. The primary objective was to evaluate the effects of varied planting densities and N-fertilizer rates on upland rice yield and other agronomic parameters. A two-year field study (2020 and 2021) was conducted at the Fogera Rice Research Field Station, testing nine plant densities (75, 87, and 98; 72, 82, and 91; 70, 79, and 89 plants per m 2 and two N rates (115 and 138 kg N ha -1 ). The Crop Simulation Model Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CSM-CERES-Rice) within the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) framework was calibrated and validated using site-specific weather, soil, crop, and agronomic management data from the experiment. Results on the subsequent RMSE, RMSEn, and d index values during the calibration phase were 0.074 t ha -1 , 1.82 %, and 0.86 of grain yield; 0.307 t ha -1 , 3.36 %, and 0.87 of by-product yield; 0.489 t ha -1 , 3.74 %, and 0.79 of top dry biomass yield; and 0.28, 8.24 %, and 0.63 of leaf area index values, respectively. Whereas results on the corresponding RMSE, RMSEn, and d index values during the evaluation phase were: 0.58 t ha -1 , 1.33 %, and 0.90 of grain yield; 0.69 t ha -1 , 0.58 %, and 0.99 of by-product yield; 0.678 t ha -1 , 4.36 %, and 0.67 of top dry biomass yield; and 0.75, 13.92 %, and 0.74 of leaf area index, respectively. The findings of the long-term simulation showed that a 23 % increase in grain yield was achieved with 138 kg N ha -1 and 87 plants per m 2 of planting density, as compared to 115 kg N ha -1 and 75 plants per m 2 of plant density. The recommended optimum plant density and N fertilizer rate were 138 kg N ha -1 with PD2 of plant density for upland rice production in the Fogera Plain., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The banana (Musa AAA Simmonds) is one of the most consumed fruits in the world, due to its contribution of potassium, vitamins and nutrients for human beings. The social contribution of this cultivation system in the producing areas of the world and Colombia is remarkable for the generation of jobs and economic income for the region. In Urabá Antioquia and the department of Magdalena, fruit shortages occur every year in the first semester and an oversupply in the second semester, motivated by low or high precipitation respectively, a situation that affects the value of production. On the other hand, the cultivation system in low densities (populations less than 2000 plants ha-1) its deterioration is evident as the vegetative cycles pass because of loss of anchoring of the plants due to their habit of natural growth, the emission of children to the surface of the soil that generate blurring of the corms or rhizome of the plants and the problems of pests, poor drainage among other factors that affect the roots and negatively influence the productivity and quality of fruit. Given this situation, it is necessary to develop agronomic management strategies that contribute to improve productivity and offer alternatives to reduce the impacts of seasonality of the climate on the production of this fruit in Colombia. In this sense, the establishment of banana crops under high density sowing (HDP) is a management practice that in addition to optimizing the use of natural resources, also allows to increase productivity without affecting the quality of the fruit. Currently, the research generated in order to characterize this practice of cultivation in HDP, has allowed to estimate the parameters of growth, development, Eco physiological, production and post-harvest as a suitable tool for the design of these crop systems in order to contribute positively to the increase in the production and quality of fruits. However, there is still a need to generate more awareness in both the professionals and producers involved in these cultivation systems in the proper implementation of these crop systems in HDP in order to make a rational use of natural resources, in addition to continuing with the relevant adjustments of this agronomic practice. Therefore, the purpose of the presentation is to analyze the parameters established in HDP as a strategy to optimize the cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Soil microbes can influence patterns of diversity in plant communities via plant-soil feedbacks. Intraspecific plant-soil feedbacks occur when plant genotype leads to variations in soil microbial composition, resulting in differences in the performance of seedlings growing near their maternal plants versus seedlings growing near nonmaternal conspecific plants. How consistently such intraspecific plant-soil feedbacks occur in natural plant communities is unclear, especially in variable field conditions., Methods: In an in situ experiment with four native tree species on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, seedlings of each species were transplanted beneath their maternal tree or another conspecific tree in the BCI forest. Mortality and growth were assessed at the end of the wet season (~4 months post-transplant) and at the end of the experiment (~7 months post-transplant)., Results: Differences in seedling performance among field treatments were inconsistent among species and eroded over time. Effects of field environment were detected at the end of the wet season in two of the four species: Virola surinamensis seedlings had higher survival beneath their maternal tree than other conspecific trees, while seedling survival of Ormosia macrocalyx was higher under other conspecific trees. However, these differences were gone by the end of the experiment., Conclusions: Our results suggest that intraspecific plant-soil feedbacks may not be consistent in the field for tropical tree species and may have a limited role in determining seedling performance in tropical tree communities. Future studies are needed to elucidate the environmental and genetic factors that determine the incidence and direction of intraspecific plant-soil feedbacks in plant communities., (© 2024 The Authors. American Journal of Botany published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Botanical Society of America.)