Search

Diaporthe species cause Diaporthe dieback (DD) in many grape‐growing countries causing general vine decline, shoot dieback and dead spurs, with perennial cankers and internal trunk necrosis. These pathogens are also the causal agents of Phomopsis cane and leaf spot, a common foliar disease affecting grapevine around the world. In this study, we specifically investigated DD affecting nursery vines and commercial vineyards in Uruguay. A collection of 59 Diaporthe isolates obtained from symptomatic and asymptomatic wood samples of commercial grapevines (nine cultivars) and nursery vines (including cuttings of four scion cultivars and two rootstocks, and six scion–rootstock combinations of grafted plants), was characterized based on DNA phylogenetic analysis, phenotypical characteristics and pathogenicity tests. Diaporthe ampelina was the most frequent species (86%), followed by D. foeniculina (9%), D. eres (3%) and D. terebinthifolii (2%). All species were isolated from nursery material, but D. ampelina was the only one found in field vines. The pathogenicity of all species was confirmed, with D. ampelina being the most virulent, causing the longest necrotic lesions on both green shoots and lignified canes. Further studies are needed to comprehend the epidemiology of DD and to better understand its relationship with Phomopsis cane and leaf spot in order to design a management programme to prevent the disease development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing technology has found extensive application in agriculture, providing critical data for analysis. The advancement of semantic segmentation models significantly enhances the utilization of point cloud data, offering innovative technical support for modern horticulture in nursery environments, particularly in the area of plant cultivation. Semantic segmentation results aid in obtaining tree components, like canopies and trunks, and detailed data on tree growth environments. However, obtaining precise semantic segmentation results from large-scale areas can be challenging due to the vast number of points involved. Therefore, this paper introduces an improved model aimed at achieving superior performance for large-scale points. The model incorporates direction angles between points to improve local feature extraction and ensure rotational invariance. It also uses geometric and relative distance information for better adjustment of different neighboring point features. An external attention module extracts global spatial features, and an upsampling feature adjustment strategy integrates features from the encoder and decoder. A specialized dataset was created from real nursery environments for experiments. Results show that the improved model surpasses several point-based models, achieving a Mean Intersection over Union ( m I o U ) of 87.18%. This enhances the precision of nursery environment analysis and supports the advancement of autonomous nursery managements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, India has witnessed unintentional entry of five species of invasive species of mealybugs, perhaps due to globalization and global trade, leading to negative economic and ecological consequences. Through this paper, the first occurrence of the destructive mealybug Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink is reported in India infesting two nursery plant species of Alternanthera and a wild Portulaca sp. As early detection, identification, and rapid reporting are essential for the successful management of destructive species, the field and diagnostic characters of slide mounted H. pungens were described in details with help of field and microphotographic images. The identity of the mealybug was also confirmed through molecular studies by sequencing mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COX I) and 28 S ribosomal gene regions. Information on host range, natural enemies, and distribution of the mealybug is provided. Management options in the event of an outbreak are discussed briefly. This new arrival warrants special attention in India as it is a potentially damaging plant pest in landscapes, and vertical gardening practiced in offices, commercial complexes, and luxury apartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diversity is one of the fundamental cornerstones for human well-being and sustainable development in countries where household livelihoods are highly dependent on land resources. Given their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and increasing threat to plant diversity sustainability efforts to conserve plant diversity through ex-situ strategies like plant nurseries management are crucial for those countries. We surveyed 70 roadside plant nurseries across Kampala District, to understand their contribution to plant conservation and human livelihoods in the face of global change. One hundred and nine species representing 55 families including exotics and indigenous were recorded. The most frequent indigenous species were Musanga cecropioides, Elaeis guinensis, Maesopsis eminii, and the endangered Encephalartos hildebrandtii. Over 94% of the respondents depended on plant nursery business for their economic needs. Over 92% of the respondents lacked the technical capacity to manage plant nurseries for conservation and as a business. Yet with proper management, the plant nurseries can enhance plant conservation, urban forestry development, and act as green businesses. Hence, contributing to livelihood improvement of the low-income urban households; and achieving assisted plant migration as an adaptation strategy for plant conservation in the face of global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agricultural systems, responsive management can mitigate the effects of risk and uncertainty by facilitating adaptation to changing conditions. A tool for evaluating management systems while accounting for risk and uncertainty is Probabilistic Cost Benefit Analysis (PCBA). This study used PCBA to contrast a new responsive disease management strategy against an existing prescriptive strategy. Fungicide application to prevent myrtle rust (MR) in NZ plant nurseries was used as a case study to test if the expected benefits of the responsive strategy justified the investment in potentially more frequent and costlier disease control. A MR risk generator was used to simulate disease progression. Empirical MR risk distribution functions were sampled to stochastically compare net benefits across scenarios, highlighting the potential impact of infrequent but significant disease incursions. Our results showed that the risk-based strategy was more effective at controlling the disease, especially for susceptible myrtle species in high-risk locations. The findings highlighted the essential role of fungicides in propagating highly MR-susceptible species, and that disease management, when responsive to risk, enhanced the efficiency of fungicide use. The Responsive strategy is discussed as an effective management option for nurseries under uncertainty of significant MR incursions. However, in less risky scenarios, the benefits of the responsive strategy were moderate, and operational considerations may favour the standard calendar-based approach. In such cases, the method provided here can help estimate the appropriate fungicide application interval and the associated MR risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant nursery presents the characteristics of close planting. It is difficult for the traditional air-assisted sprayer to take into account the dual requirements of "long spray range and uniform droplet deposition", which leads to the problems of low deposition and drift.A goose-neck long-range air-assisted sprayer for nursery was designed based on CFD simulation and free submerged jet theory. The three-outlet flow guide device, as the core component of the sprayer, has outlets A, B, and C. Air outlet A adopts a circular arc shape, while air outlet B and air outlet C are gradually expanding circular arc tubes. The three air outlets are interconnected and correspond to different areas, which can meet the requirements of far-range spray operation. The optimized curvature radius parameters are conducive to maintaining a uniform and stable flow state of airflow. Based on the free submergence jet theory, the air outlet and fan parameters were determined, and airflow field distribution measurement experiments were conducted. when the fan speed is no less that 2 200 r/min, the airflow speed can fit the spraying requirement as far as 20 m. The average airflow speed was 2.33 m/s at a height of 0.8 m ; the airflow speed was 1.74 m/s at 20.0 m. The variation coefficient of airflow speed at different heights was less than 30%, indicating that the energy attenuation rate was slow and uniform, and the airflow could carry droplets to spray far away at a uniform speed. The droplet deposition test shows that the variation coefficient of the droplet deposition amount of the goose-neck long-range nursery air spray is 28.87%. To ensure the reliability of our findings,a comprehensive field test of the sprayer were conducted. Citrus seedlings, with an average height of 80 cm, were chosen as the test subjects, and the test was carried out in the nursery of the Citrus Research Institute of Chongqing Southwest University. Following the guidelines of GB/T17997-2008, the droplet deposition effect and drift rate at various distances were tested .The experimental results show that the fan speed of the sprayer is 2 400 r/min and the driving speed is 1 m/s; the droplet deposition tends to be less-more-less with the increase of distance. The droplet coverage rates of the upper and lower leaves of the canopy were 51.93% and 24.38%, respectively, and 42.99% and 19.26%, respectively. The average droplet deposition on the front and back leaves of the upper canopy was 13.34 and 2.82 μl/cm², respectively, and that on the lower canopy was 5.44 and 2.63 μl/cm², respectively, which met the requirements of plant protection spraying operation. It can be seen that the sprayer shows good spray range performance and droplet deposition uniformity, which can meet the agronomic requirements of the complex planting environment in the nursery and the industrial standards of the air-assisted sprayer. At present, in Chinese nurseries such as citrus, pear, and apple, etc, manual machinery accounts for a large proportion of spraying equipment, and the demand for specialized sprayers is becoming increasingly urgent. Due to the close planting mode of the nursery, it can be considered that the two modes of spray with high clearance spraying and long-range airflow- assisted spraying have application prospects. Compared with high-clearance spraying, long-range airflow-assisted spraying has the characteristics of high operating efficiency and good horticultural trafficability and is more suitable for small and medium- sized nurseries. However, improving the delivery distance of aerosol flow while ensuring good uniformity of droplet deposition is still a challenge. The results of this study can provide a new idea for developing a long-range air-assisted sprayer for nurseries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel) is an ornamental indoor plant with promising cut flower market, as well as antiviral, pharmacological and ecological potentials. Water deficiency can have sound effects on the growth performance and aesthetic quality of such plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of zeolite, biochar, and zeo-char loaded nano-nitrogen application on the growth performance and biochemical components of peace lily under water shortage conditions. An experiment was conducted over two consecutive seasons (2021–2022) at the experimental nursery of Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Soil amendments; zeolite, biochar, and zeo-char loaded nano-nitrogen were prepared and applied to soil before cultivation. Results: Our results revealed that the new combination treatment (zeo-char loaded nano-N) had an exceeding significant effect on most of the studied parameters. Vegetative traits such as plant height (35.7 and 35.9%), leaf number per plant (73.3 and 52.6%), leaf area (40.2 and 36.4%), stem diameter (28.7 and 27.1%), root number (100 and 43.5%) and length (105.7 and 101.9%) per plant, and fresh weight of leaves (23.2 and 21.6%) were significantly higher than control (commercially recommended dose of NPK) with the application of zeo-char loaded nano-N during the two growing seasons, respectively. Similar significant increments were obtained for some macro- (N, P, K, Mg, Ca) and micro- (Fe, Zn, Mn) elements with the same treatment relative to control. Chlorophyll (18.4%) and total carotenoids (82.9 and 32.6%), total carbohydrates (53.3 and 37.4%), phenolics (54.4 and 86.9%), flavonoids (31.7% and 41.8%) and tannins (69.2 and 50%), in addition to the phytohormone gibberellic acid (GA3) followed the same trend with the application of zeo-char loaded nano-N, increasing significantly over control. Leaf histological parameters and anatomical structure were enhanced with the new combination treatment in comparison with control. Antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase), proline and abscisic acid (ABA) exhibited significant declines with zeo-char loaded nano-N treatment relative to control. Conclusion: These findings suggest that incorporating soil amendments with nano- nutrients could provide a promising approach towards improving growth performance and quality of ornamental, medicinal and aromatic species under water deficiency conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its importance for oil production in Brazil and worldwide, the 'Picual' olive trees deserves special attention of to its good climatic adaptation and high yield and stability in the oil produced. However, there is a need to generate more technical information to improve the propagation and production system for nursery plants. The use of slow-release fertilizer (SRF) affects the quality standard of the plants formed in the nursery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of doses (0, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, and 12 g L−1) of the SRF, Osmocote® (NPK 14-14-14), on morphological, biochemical and nutritional parameters of 'Picual' olive plants. It was found that the average value of maximum technical efficiency dose (MTED) for several morphological variables (plant height, stem diameter, total plant dry weight and root volume) was 7.18 g L−1. Furthermore, an Osmocote® dose of 8.35 g L−1 resulted in optimal leaf number and area. For the carbohydrate concentration (sucrose, starch and Total Soluble Sugar) in leaves, the best average values were obtained at 4.51, 5.48 and 6.12 g L−1 of Osmocote®, respectively. Additionally, the best growth responses of plants may also be due to increased internal macronutrient concentration such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) after treatment with 7.87 g L−1 of Osmocote®. The use of SRF (Osmocote®) is a viable alternative in the production of 'Picual' plants, as it promotes good morphological characteristics, synthesis of photosynthetic products as well as satisfactory nutritional status and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological restoration requires the social collaboration of all stakeholders. Native plant nursery managers potentially possess substantial knowledge in native plant cultivation derived from their practical experience, and they could also be consumers of information generated by scientists. Furthermore, their active involvement in various stages of restoration projects could enhance efficiency and ensure successful outcomes. In this study, nursery managers from Argentina associated with restoration projects were surveyed to assess their level of knowledge exchange with the scientific community, the degree of participation in restoration projects, and their perceptions regarding this collaboration. The surveys were completed by 39 nursery managers from native plant nurseries in Argentina. Our findings indicated that, although nursery managers often adopted scientific protocols, there remains a significant communication gap between scientists and nursery managers. Nursery managers contributed beyond seedling production, including planning, planting, maintenance, and environmental education. Despite recognizing its importance, few nursery managers participated in project evaluations. Nursery managers could serve as both providers of cultural and practical insights and receivers of novel knowledge from the academic‐scientific realm. Moreover, as the nursery managers are familiar with the local context and can potentially facilitate connections with other local stakeholders, their involvement as additional social actors not only enhances the success but also adds legitimacy to the restoration projects they engage in. Such collaboration is crucial for achieving the goals of both international and national restoration initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial aim of this research was to undertake an in-depth study to understand the impact of COVID-19 on early years practitioners. Following a survey and interviews with staff in Kids Planet Day Nurseries, an early years organisation in England, we used thematic analysis to analyse their responses. The findings were diverse, particularly highlighting the centrality of relationships in influencing how people responded to the anxiety caused by the pandemic, but the learning did not stop there. The research team was multidisciplinary, including university researchers and a manager from Kids Planet. It was discovered that the professional role of the interviewer influenced the response to the questions. Similarly, discussions within the research group highlighted the entanglement of knowledge acquisition and ethical practice, with consequent challenges. We discuss the value of explicitly supporting a relational worldview in Early Childhood Education and Care as the foundation for understanding and promoting improved ways of working together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out in Himachal Pradesh, India. Nine different species of ladybird beetles were found feeding on the green apple aphid Aphis pomi De Geer in an apple orchard and apple nursery plants in Himachal Pradesh. These species belong to the order Coleoptera and family Coccinellidae. Coelophora saucia (Mulsant) is a formidable predator of Aphis pomi De Geer in Himachal Pradesh, India. This study investigated the life cycle of Coelophora saucia (a mussel). Both the larval and adult stages of this predator vigorously consumed green apple aphids. Therefore, studying the biology and feeding capacity of Coelophora saucia (a mussel) on green apple aphids from the perspective of biological control in apple-growing regions of Himachal Pradesh is useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of Phyllosticta citricarpa (causal agent of citrus black spot [CBS]) inoculum in orchards has previously been performed using volumetric spore traps. However, volumetric traps are nonspecific, and only capture ascospores (not pycnidiospores) of different Phyllosticta species. This research aimed to monitor and quantify the DNA of P. citricarpa using young citrus plants as a spore trap combined with quantitative PCR (qPCR), as well as quantify the number of ascospores and pycnidiospores, and to correlate results with weather variables. Citrus nursery plants were placed as traps under and outside tree canopies during fruit developmental stages (from October to July) in two seasons in commercial 'Valencia' sweet orange orchards. DNA was extracted from trap leaves to quantify P. citricarpa inoculum by qPCR of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1 rRNA) region of P. citricarpa (Pc‐ITS). Correlations of Pc‐ITS to rainy days, leaf wetness and temperature were performed. Overall, the highest numbers of 400 Pc‐ITS/cm2 of leaf tissue, which represented up to 12 ascospores or pycnidiospores per cm2, were detected on leaves sampled from October to March, regardless of the trap position, season and orchard. Trap plants placed under canopies had up to 20‐fold more Pc‐ITS than those placed outside. Rainy days and leaf wetness were the variables most positively correlated with Pc‐ITS. Both results in the fluctuation of P. citricarpa inoculum in orchards and the most favourable weather variables associated with inoculum production contribute to better understanding of the critical periods for CBS management in citrus‐growing areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction history, including propagule pressure and residence time, has been proposed as a primary driver of biological invasions. However, it is unclear whether introduction history increases the likelihood that a species will be invasive or only the likelihood that it will be established. Using a dataset of non‐native species historically available as ornamental plants in the conterminous United States, we investigated how introduction history relates to these stages of invasion. Introduction history was highly significant and a strong predictor of establishment, but only marginally significant and a poor predictor of invasive success. Propagule pressure predicted establishment better than residence time, with species likely to be established if they were introduced to only eight locations. These findings suggest that ongoing plant introductions will lead to widespread establishment but may not directly increase invasive success. Instead, other characteristics, like plant traits and local scale processes, may better predict whether a species becomes invasive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for grapevine planting materials, due to growing global viticulture, is promoting research studies to improve vineyard sustainability. In greenhouse nurseries, peat is the most common growing medium component used although is an expensive and non-renewable material. Indeed, the reduction of peat exploitation is receiving great attention, and currently, several materials are being investigated as peat substitutes for composing the cultivation substrates. Biochar, a carbon-rich, recalcitrant charred organic co-product of the pyrolysis or gasification process, has emerged as a potentially promising replacement for soilless substrates in nursery plant material propagation. Although several studies carried out at greenhouse nurseries have shown that biochar, can improve plant growth, only a few studies have focused on the production of grapevine plant material. To fulfil this knowledge gap and push forward the sustainability of the nursery sector, we evaluated above and below-ground morpho-physiological traits of one-year-old potted grapevine cuttings growing with 30% volume of four different biochar types (i.e., from pyrolysis and gasification) mixed with commercial peat. The present study shows that biochar can be used in growing media mixes without adverse effects on roots, improves soil water retention and leaf water potential, and improves the effects on soil microbiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant-trade is among the main sources of accidental introduction of alien biodiversity. This includes amphibians, although effective colonization pathways have rarely been reported except from tropical areas. We document the discovery of an established breeding population of the Catalonian midwife toad, Alytes almogavarii almogavarii Arntzen and García-París, 1995, in a plant nursery in Madrid (Central Spain), 400 km away from its natural distribution. During surveys in 2023 we found adults, juveniles, and tadpoles, confirming reproduction. We used mtDNA sequences to genotype six individuals for taxonomic assignment and tracing their putative origin. Two haplotypes were found, one of them showing a broad distribution, precluding precise identification of the source of the introduction. We discuss conservation concerns, including the potential spread of pathogens. Our results suggest unintentional amphibian introductions via the plant-trade may be more frequent than perceived, and call for rigorous monitoring and education efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranchs play important ecological roles but are highly threatened. Understanding their habitat use and abundance is crucial for the management and conservation of these species and their habitats. While some species are known to use estuaries as vital habitats (e.g. feeding or nursery grounds), this remains an understudied area. A multi-method approach was used to survey the Keurbooms Estuary on the south coast of South Africa, over two years, to quantify the diversity, relative abundance and habitat use of elasmobranchs in this system. The survey methods were baited remote underwater video (BRUV), boat-based visual sightings, and unmanned aerial video (UAV). Opportunistic sightings were also collected. Six elasmobranch species were observed, with significant differences in community composition between the methods. Whereas effort was skewed towards BRUV surveys, the boat and UAV surveys recorded more elasmobranchs more frequently, and opportunistic sightings recorded the highest diversity. The common eagle ray Myliobatis aquila was the most abundant elasmobranch species and the only one recorded year-round; most individuals (93%) were juveniles, suggesting the Keurbooms Estuary may be a nursery area for this Critically Endangered species. The duckbill ray Aetomylaeus bovinus and common smoothhound shark Mustelus mustelus were observed during summer, the latter forming large aggregations. Another three ray species were recorded rarely. This study highlights the benefit of using a multi-method survey approach for shallow ecosystems and reveals the Keurbooms Estuary as an important habitat for elasmobranchs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to create better conditions to achieve food safety and sovereignty, agroecology, as a science, looks for solutions for several steps of the technical itineraries of the crops. Crop nutrition and protection are two main crop itinerary components that have been in the center of farmers challenges and consumers concerns, and biopreparations, which have been prepared using natural substances, have been used in agroecological systems, most times based on farmers empirical knowledge. Six biopreparations—purslane vinegar, prickly pear vinegar, orange fermented fruit juice, garlic extract, nettle infusion, and horsetail decoction—were used in this study, for physicochemical analyses and field tests in two different locations (Viseu and Castelo Branco, Portugal) in nurseries of Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), and aimed to validate its results and uses. The nettle infusion presented the best stimulating results for the length of aerial part and the garlic extract presented the best results for the length of root, though there weren't significant differences and effects when compared with the control. The results indicate that the biopreparations used did not exert a biostimulant action in relation to the application of water in lettuce nurseries and that more research is needed to confirm the results observed by farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoir has many functions, one of them is to support aquaculture activities. Reservoir has a limited capacity to support all of the activities in it, so, it needs to know about the carrying capacities of reservoir to support the aquaculture activities. This research was conducted on Kedungombo Reservoir, Middle of Java, Indonesia at July – August, 2023. This research used survey method to collect the primary and secondary data. Primary data collected by observation and interview. Observation used to collect data of water quality, food quantity and fish quantity, by taking 5 stations, then interpolated into 15 stations. The data about reservoir profile and its management also obtained as a secondary data. The measurement of reservoir carrying capacity used Beveridge Method (1996). The average of water quality results are temperature 29,94°C; transparency 74,80 cm; TDS 0,16 mg/l; pH 4,76; DO 8,27 mg/l; BOD 4,73 mg/l; COD 26,93 mg/l; NH3 0,1 mg/l; Nitrate 0,33 mg/l; and total phosphate 0,06 mg/l. The measurement of carrying capacity showed that the permitted amount of fish production is 1.000 tons/year, with a maximum number of floating net cages of 667. But, the existing condition in Kedungombo reservoir, there are 6.178 floating net cages with 9.267 ton/year fish productions. So, it can be concluded that aquaculture activities in the Kedungombo Reservoir have exceeded its carrying capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riparians vegetation can improve water quality, feeding grounds, spawning grounds, nursery grounds, and shelter grounds for fish. The aim of this research is to determine the types of riparian plants, types of fish and water quality in Klampok Swamp, Senggreng Village, Malang Regency, East Java. This research was conducted using the survey method to determine the types of riparian plants, types of fish, and water quality in Klampok Swamp, Senggreng Village, Malang Regency, East Java. The data is taken from 4 stations determined by the riparian cover. The station I with 100% riparian cover, station II (70%), station III (40%), and station IV (5%). The fish obtained from the research results in Klampok Swamp are betta fish (Osphronemidae), blue panchax (Aplocheilidae), snakehead (Channidae), marble goby (Eleotridae), guppy (Poeciliidae) or million fish, tilapia and the red devil (Cichlidae), goby fish and transparent goby fish (Gobiidae). Found 14 families of riparian, with the most species being Asteraceae (7 species of cosmos). The families in all stations are Poaceae or grains and Amaranthaceae (spinach). Water quality indicates waters that are good for fish and other organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the business of growing and selling ornamental plants, it is important to keep track of plants from nursery to distribution. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology provides an easier tracking method for inventories of plants by attaching tags with unique identifiers. Due to the vast area of most nurseries, there is a need to have an efficient method of scanning RFID tags. This paper investigates the use of drones and RFID, specifically, the effects of RFID reader power and flight altitude on tag counts. The experimental setup evaluated three RFID reader power levels (15 dBm, 20 dBm, and 27 dBm), three flight altitudes (3 m, 5 m, and 7 m), the number of passes (one or two), and two plant types ('Green Giant' arborvitae and 'Sky Pencil' holly). For RFID tags, four types were used (L5, L6, L8, and L9), with two antenna types (dog-bone and square-wave) and two attachment types (loop-lock and stake). For each power level, the UAV was flown to three different altitudes of 3 m, 5 m, and 7 m above the ground. At each altitude, two scan passes were performed at a constant speed of approximately 1.5 m/s. Each plot of plants (two in total) was randomly tagged with a total of 40 RFID tags per plot. Field data were collected from September to December 2023 (on a total of eight dates). The data showed that a power level of 15 dBm and an altitude of 3 m yielded a tag count of 53%, while counts of 34% and 16% were achieved at 5 m and 7 m, respectively. At 20 dBm and an altitude of 3 m, the count accuracy across all tag types and both plants was 90%. When the altitude was increased to 5 m and 7 m, tag-count accuracy dropped to 75% and 33%, respectively. The highest count accuracy was observed at 27 dBm and an altitude of 3 m, with a reading accuracy of 98%. Tag types L6 and L9 performed better at any power level and altitude, while L5 and L8 performed well at a higher power level and lower altitude. In this experiment, canopy properties (size and shape) had no effect on the number of tags read. This study aimed to evaluate the RFID power and UAV altitude achieving the highest accuracy in scanning the RFID tags. Furthermore, it also assessed the effects of plant growth on the scanning efficiency and accuracy of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium circinatum is an important fungal pathogen of Pinus species utilized in commercial forestry worldwide. In Colombia, it was first found on nursery plants and later in plantations associated with basal cankers on young trees. In this study, we explored the population diversity of the pathogen in Colombia by analyzing 136 isolates collected from diseased nursery plants (2005–2007) and plantation trees (2017 and 2020). These were sourced from different geographical regions and Pinus species. Genotyping was performed using 10 microsatellite markers, while mating types were identified with PCRs targeting the MAT1 locus. Using microsatellites, a total of 33 multilocus haplotypes were detected. Genetic diversity indices showed low levels of diversity in both the overall collection and in specific collection groupings. The data also suggested that a small number of isolates had unique origins in the country (p <.05), and relatively low levels of population differentiation were detected between the nursery and plantation collections. All the isolates were scored as having the MAT1‐1 mating type, and no evidence for the random association among microsatellite alleles (p =.0001) was found. Overall, these data suggest that F. circinatum was introduced into Colombia a small number of times, likely on seed for nursery production. Furthermore, the data also indicate that the pathogen has spread from nurseries to the plantations via asexual reproduction and on asymptomatic plants. This has resulted in a highly clonal F. circinatum population in Colombia that has resulted from accidental introductions of the pathogen into a production nursery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The role of soil solarization in suppression of soil borne pathogens and weeds has been established by several researchers around the globe It involves capturing solar radiations when the soil receives the maximum sunlight in May-June using a polythene mulch. Its effectiveness depends on ambient temperature, duration of the treatments and soil moisture. This not only acts as a soil disinfectant but also as soil decontamination. It includes various changes in the soil like physical, chemical and biological properties. Methods: The field to lab and vice-versal based investigations were carried during 2021-2022 at Amity Centre for Biocontrol and Plant Disease Management, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Noida and identified tomato nurseries of district G B Nagar where heavy infestation (10-12 J2/cc soil) of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood was recorded. The treatments comprised of sustainable components viz. deoiled seed cake of neem, a Arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices and indigenous fungal strain of Trichoderma harzianum, (Th7) alone and together applied for evolving IPM module at solarized and unsolarized sets. Under microplot trials, the entire solarized treatments were carried out measuring 3 x 1 sq. meter each in which one set of all the treatments including control covered with clear transparent polythene sheet (400 µ gauge) for solarization. The treatments were replicated thrice in randomized block design. Result: The observations of solarized and unsolarized treatments clearly revealed that the soil solarization in treatments where the sun radiant energy was trapped by 400 µ transparent polysheets significantly reduced the root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita population both in root and soil in comparison to unsolarized treatments where no solar energy trapping was done. The combined application of locally isolated Trichoderma harzianum (Th7) and VA mycorrhiza, Glomus intraredices enhanced germination and plant growth in nurseries. In the present investigation, the solarized IPM module-4 comprising of other sustainable components viz. neem oil-seed cake, T. harzianum (Th-7) and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungus G. intraredices is proved to be an ideal one in rootknot nematode pest management in tomato nurseries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutrient-enriching properties of cyanobacteria were explored to enhance growth and fruit quality in a popular tomato variety Pusa Cherry tomato 1. The dried biomass of plant growth promoting and nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena laxa (A. laxa) and biofilm (Anabaena torulosa-Trichoderma viride; An-Tr) was used to prime the nursery potting mixes. An-Tr significantly enhanced pigment content and root volume of the nursery-raised seedlings by 27 and 50% respectively. Transplantation after 1-month into beds in a climate regulated polyhouse was done and plant, soil samples analyzed. Sampling after 8 WAT (Weeks after transplanting) illustrated the better performance of An-Tr with 30% increase over control, in terms of leaf pigments. This was followed by soil drenching using formulations and foliar application with water/Fe-EDTA, at weekly intervals, from pre-flowering stage (8 WAT) onwards. An-Tr soil drench + water foliar treatment led to significantly superior quality of fruits, when analyzed at first harvest (21 WAT). Ascorbic acid in fruits reported a significant positive correlation with lycopene content (0.83), fruit fresh weight, soil urease activity (0.71. 0.72, respectively), as also with root volume (0.94) and chlorophyll content (0.9) of nursery potting media. Fruit yield was significantly higher, by 20–30% over control, in treatments receiving soil drench of An-Tr + water as foliar or in A. laxa; water drench + Fe-EDTA as foliar. A promising nutri-fertigation strategy was developed, using cyanobacteria to prime nursery, followed by use as drench, along with water/Fe-EDTA as foliar spray, from flowering stage onwards, to improve growth, yield, and quality of cherry tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornamental horticulture and breeding, as well as urban landscape architecture, are facing increasing challenges driven by an intensely changing climate and urbanisation. The expansion of cities should be combined with an overall growth of green spaces, where ornamental plant species and cultivars will have to withstand a diverse range of environmental conditions, whereby they are often exposed to multiple stress factors. One of the most widely used ornamental shrub species Weigela florida 'Eva Rathke' was treated with the growth promoters Bistep with humic and fulvic acid, Kelpak® seaweed extract, and Yeald Plus with a high zinc content to test their applicability in a plant nursery. Bistep decreased the physiological parameters (the transpiration rate by 60%, the evapotranspiration rate by 56.5%, and the proline stress enzyme content level by 82.2%), indicating the stress level of the treated plants. The activity of β-glucosidase decreased with all growth-promoting treatments (11.5% for Kelpak and 9.5% for Yeald Plus), as did β-glucosaminidase (22.1% for Kelpak and 9.8% for Yeald Plus), but Bistep treatment reduced the activity of the enzymes less (9.9% for β-glucosidase and 3.3% for β-glucosaminidase). The measured alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity increased with treatment (by 10.7% for Kelpak, 11.7% for Yeald Plus, and 12.63% for Bistep). Based on the results, it was concluded that Bistep and Yeald Plus may be suitable for use in the studied variety, whereas Kelpak® may not be suggested in plant nurseries for growing W. florida 'Eva Rathke' plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of establishing fruit orchards has traditionally been attributed to the vigor of the nursery plant used. This study aimed to evaluate the post-transplant survival, canopy growth and fruit productivity of two sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars ('Lapins'/'Colt' and 'Regina'/'Gisela 12') with different radicular basal volumes of 100%, 50% and 25% and nursery plant types: (i) bare root (BR) or (ii) bagged (B). The initial stem diameter of the plants ranged from 12 to 19 mm, and their height ranged from 1.4 to 1.8 m. Plants grafted onto 'Colt' rootstock exhibited twice the initial root volume compared to those grafted onto 'Gisela 12'. Evaluations were carried out in three commercial orchards during three seasons in the Central Valley of Chile. The results indicated that root volume and nursery type did not affect plant survival and productivity. For 'Regina'/'Gisela 12', only the bag treatment resulted in less trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) and shoot length, and for 'Lapins'/'Colt', the BR25 treatment showed a lower initial TCSA than other treatments, although without a negative effect on yield. Hence, the presumption about the influence of root volume and plant type on the successful establishment of a sweet cherry on 'Colt' and 'Gisela 12' rootstock can be discarded. The survival, growth and precocity of the orchard depend more on post-planting conditions and water management than on the number or type of nursery plant roots. It is important to prioritize proper post-planting care and water management for optimal orchard health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carapa amorphocarpa W. Palacios is a forest species known solely from Cerro Golondrinas in northwestern Ecuador. The species is threatened due to illegal exploitation of its wood and the encroachment of the agricultural frontier. Although information on its ecology and forestry was presented in 2012, there is still very little information available. This study investigated the effects of various pre-germinative treatments on the seed germination and early growth of Carapa amorphocarpa in a nursery. The treatments included combinations of substrates (forest soil alone and forest soil mixed with sand), along with pre-germinative mechanical seed scarification. Through these treatments, the seeds' germination capacity, growth potential, and survival rates were evaluated in a nursery. Seed germination was found to be cryptocotylar hypogeal, commencing at 41 days and achieving an average of 83.13%. Survival of germinated seedlings was 99.23% at 60 days after germination. Furthermore, a high degree of correlation in growth was observed between basal diameter and plant height (R = 0.94). The mean values for the plants' basal diameter and total height were 0.91 cm and 50.48 cm, respectively, at 60 days. Plant form was straight with excellent health. These insights offer the potential to enhance species populations, mitigate threat risks, and in the long term, foster sustainable use of Carapa amorphocarpa genetic resources. Moreover, this seed propagation information can be leveraged for other species within the genus exploited for oil extraction from their seeds, thereby broadening knowledge and facilitating sustainable forest resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Areas of importance to Southern Ocean skates are poorly defined. Here, we identify a deepwater skate egg case nursery in a discrete location at ~460 m depth off Cape Adare in the Southern Ocean. This is the first confirmed observation of a skate nursery area in the Ross Sea and only the second observation for the Southern Ocean. The morphology and size of the egg cases were consistent with the genus Bathyraja and most likely belong to the Bathyraja sp. (cf. eatonii). The nursery occurs within the "no take" General Protection Zone of the Ross Sea region marine protected area, where commercial fishing is prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Adding organic and inorganic acids to the drinking water is a potential alternative to improve production results in nursery piglets, and a strategy for reducing the use of antimicrobials. Aims: To assess the effects of adding a blend of organic and inorganic acids to drinking water on the oxireduction potential (ORP) of water, and growth performance, biochemical, antioxidant and blood gas profiles, intestinal morphometry, biometry of organs, and intestinal microbiome of nursery piglets. Methods: Experiment involved 1080 female piglets assessed over 30 days (Landrace × Large White, weaned at 26 days of age, weighing 6.8 ± 0.29 kg), randomly assigned to the following three treatments: (1) piglets received drinking water of natural pH of 7.39 (pH7.39), (2) piglets received drinking water of pH of 5.31 (pH5.31), and (3) piglets received drinking water of pH of 3.40 (pH3.40), with eight replicates and 45 piglets/stall. Piglets had ad libitum access to diet and water throughout the experiment, and received different diets in each phase. Key results: Receiving drinking water of pH3.40 promoted a higher ORP, and a lower total water consumption was observed in Starter II piglets with pH5.31. There was no treatment effect on the performance, but mortality was lower in starter piglets in the pH3.40 treatment. Animals in the pH3.40 treatment had lower blood alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, differing from the result obtained for total cholesterol concentrations. Animals in the pH3.40 treatment showed a lower concentration of total protein than did piglets in the pH7.39 treatment. Piglets in the pH3.40 treatment had higher weights of empty stomach, spleen, and liver with gallbladder than did those in the pH7.39 treatment. Animals in the pH3.40 treatment showed a lower relative abundance of the Escherichia–Shigella genus and bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae family than did those in the pH5.31 treatment. Conclusions: Acidification of drinking water to pH3.40 for nursery piglets can be used to partially increase the ORP of the water, and promote a greater weight of organs with metabolic and immune functions, while decreasing mortality. In addition, acidification of drinking water does not compromise performance or intestinal histology, but improves the profile of the intestinal microbiome in piglets. Implications: This research has provided new information on the effects of acidifiers in the drinking water for nursery piglets and has shown their potential use for bolstering general health. Post-weaning period causes drastic changes in piglets. Therefore, there is a need to investigate strategies to improve the general health of the animals. The administration of a blend of acidifiers to reduce the pH of the piglets' drinking water has shown interesting results, but still needs further investigation. Our results showed a reduction in mortality and an improvement in beneficial bacteria, which is reflected in animal welfare. These findings have provided information on farm conditions and scientific issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early and accurate detection of diseases, and implementation of efficient disease management practices are crucial to reducing the economic impact associated with plant disease outbreaks. Based on survey responses from dogwood nursery growers in Tennessee, USA, scouting was identified as an important disease management practice adopted by a majority of growers for disease management in field-grown, container-grown, and pot-in-pot production systems. Our results show a significant positive correlation between disease severity and scouting frequency for dogwood plants grown in container and potin-pot production systems. Our efficiency measure is a self-rated efficacy scale perceived by the nursery growers about their existing disease management system in nursery plants. A significant positive correlation was found between the efficacy of disease management and the number of workers involved in scouting and a negative association between the worker hours spent in scouting and the grower's experience/exposure to other disease detection methods. The majority of nursery growers followed a set spray schedule between May and October, with applications scheduled every other week. In addition, our results showed significant positive correlations between efficacy and spray-related factors, such as disease severity and worker hours spent in spraying; efficacy of disease management and spraying frequency in field-grown dogwoods; and foliar spray costs and efficacy of disease management. We estimated ≈$379/acre per year average costs for dogwood disease management, which the growers find to be one of the major components of the dogwood production budget. Moving to automated systems of disease scouting and management has the potential to reduce the cost of these labor-intensive disease management practices of dogwood production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disposal of biosolids, the solid fraction of sewage treatment, is a global environmental issue. Biosolids contain valuable organic matter and plant nutrients; however, they also contain contaminants including trace elements, xenobiotics, and pathogens. The quality of the biosolids greatly depends on the source of wastewater (i.e., industrial vs. domestic) and the treatment processes. We aimed to determine the potential of three distinct biosolids and one pond sludge to grow indigenous plants for ecosystem restoration. For each amendment, we tested six indigenous species, Veronica salicifolia, Corokia cheesemanii, Griselinia littoralis, Phormium tenax, Poa cita, and Cordyline australis in bark mixed with biosolids and/or pond sludge at rates of 0–50%. There was a significant positive correlation between plant growth and biosolid addition up to a species-dependent plateau. Growth decreased at the highest rates. At a rate of 10% for fresh biosolids and 30% for aged biosolids provided consistent optimal growth across all species. The pond sludge was unsuitable for the establishment of indigenous seedlings. At the optimal rates, there were significant increases in foliar N, P, K, S, and Zn. None of the trace elements accumulated in the plants at phytotoxic concentrations or levels that presented a risk to ecosystems. Future work should determine how plants raised with biosolids perform once planted out in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A discrete choice experiment was conducted to assess the perceptions and willingness-to-pay of Italian consumers regarding plant diagnosis and sustainable cultivation attributes in outdoor ornamental plants, specifically Abelia × grandiflora. The results revealed that most Italian consumers place great importance on the health of ornamental plants during the purchasing process, with a preference for obtaining them from nursery facilities. Additionally, they demonstrated a willingness to pay a price premium for innovative plant diagnosis and sustainable cultivation in the production of A. × grandiflora, amounting to EUR 1.10 and EUR 0.90, respectively. These findings have significant implications for (i) nursery growers, enabling them to shape their sustainable nursery management and marketing strategies, and (ii) policymakers, facilitating the enhancement of communication strategies and the implementation of awareness campaigns aimed at promoting the sale of healthy Italian ornamental species, following the current EU regulation 2020/1201. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic containers in the horticulture sector largely rely on plastics of fossil origin. Although these plastics have excellent mechanical properties, resilience towards chemical/microbiological degradation, durability, and affordable price, they have a high environmental impact due to their inherent non-biodegradability. In line with the most recent EU strategies on a trans-sectorial transition to sustainable systems, the horticultural sector is seeking for new materials to produce plant nursery plugs as an alternative to conventional plastics. The present work is a part of the project "BBPlug”, which aims to add value to agri-food industry wastes, reducing plastics and fertilizers in horticulture. Here, we propose a new material made of pectin extracted from citrus peel as a green and biodegradable substrate to produce plant nursery plugs. To this purpose, pectin-based films were fabricated by solvent-casting from film-forming solutions with increasing amounts of glycerol as plasticizer (6.7 – 33.3 gGlycerol/gPectin), microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) as reinforcing agent (2.7 – 8.1 mgMFC/gPectin), and at two different pH values (3.5 and 7.0). Puncture resistance, water solubility, and oxygen-barrier properties of the films were then investigated. Films from formulations at pH = 3.5 exhibited an overall better mechanical behavior over their counterpart at pH = 7. The best puncture resistance and water solubility were displayed by films from the least glycerol-loaded formulations. The addition of MFC to the film-forming solution improved the oxygen-barrier properties of the films but led to a reduction in their water solubility. In other tests, a selection of different plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria was demonstrated to have a boosting effect on the development of a model vegetable (i.e., lettuce), thus offering creative opportunities for the advancement of the “BBPlug” project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant trade and exchange for horticulture, recreation or research play a significant role in the dispersal of molluscs. Alien slugs and snails accidentally introduced into Europe have established rich communities in several countries, but although these introductions could have ecological and economic implications, mollusc xenodiversity in Italian botanical gardens, plant nurseries, and greenhouses has never been investigated. Facilities throughout the country were therefore visited between 2017 and 2023. Here the list of the achatinoidean species so far recorded from Italian greenhouses is provided, giving a short description of their diagnostic characters. The greenhouses of Trento and Padua host interesting assemblages of achatinoideans: the results of this study include the first reports of four achatinids, namely Allopeas clavulinum, Opeas hannense, Paropeas achatinaceum and Subulina octona from Italy and the first record of Geostilbia aperta from Europe. Reproductive anatomy of all species except Geostilbia aperta is illustrated in detail, integrating anatomical knowledge of this group of tiny molluscs, some of which are known mainly from their shell characters. The systematics of all the species is discussed, highlighting topics for future research (e.g., status of Allopeas mauritianum, real identity of Helix hannense, anatomy of Opeas hannense, species-level taxonomy of Subulina, systematic relationships and species-level taxonomy of Geostilbia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biostimulants (Bio-effectors, BEs) comprise plant growth-promoting microorganisms and active natural substances that promote plant nutrientacquisition, stress resilience, growth, crop quality and yield. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of BEs, particularly under field conditions, appears highly variable and poorly quantified. Using random model meta-analyses tools, we summarize the effects of 107 BE treatments on the performance of major crops, mainly conducted within the EU-funded project BIOFECTOR with a focus on phosphorus (P) nutrition, over five years. Our analyses comprised 94 controlled pot and 47 field experiments under different geoclimatic conditions, with variable stress levels across European countries and Israel. The results show an average growth/yield increase by 9.3% (n=945), with substantial differences between crops (tomato > maize > wheat) and growth conditions (controlled nursery + field (Seed germination and nursery under controlled conditions and young plants transplanted to the field) > controlled > field). Average crop growth responses were independent of BE type, P fertilizer type, soil pH and plant-available soil P (water-P, Olsen-P or Calcium acetate lactate-P). BE effectiveness profited from manure and other organic fertilizers, increasing soil pH and presence of abiotic stresses (cold, drought/heat or salinity). Systematic meta-studies based on published literature commonly face the inherent problem of publication bias where the most suspected form is the selective publication of statistically significant results. In this meta-analysis, however, the results obtained from all experiments within the project are included. Therefore, it is free of publication bias. In contrast to reviews of published literature, our unique study design is based on a common standardized protocol which applies to all experiments conducted within the project to reduce sources of variability. Based on data of crop growth, yield and P acquisition, we conclude that application of BEs can save fertilizer resources in the future, but the efficiency of BE application depends on cropping systems and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• About 40% of two-dose vaccinated nursery school children became ill with varicella. • Outbreaks at nursery schools might be transmitted from older students, perhaps siblings. • Vaccine effectiveness in the nursery school for more than one dose was not confirmed. • Vaccination using one dose or more can reduce severity significantly. In Japan, routine administration to one-year-old children of two-dose immunization for varicella was introduced in October 2014. Object The object of this study was to report outbreaks of varicella under routine immunization at a nursery school and in its surrounding area using data of surrounding areas from the (Nursery) School Absenteeism Surveillance System. Then, we measured the effectiveness of routine two-dose immunization for varicella to onset. We tentatively assessed its severity in a nursery school. The study period extended from April 2017 through March 2018. The study area comprised Nursery school B and other nursery schools, and elementary and junior high schools in City A. Subjects in Nursery school B were 120 children. We analyzed vaccine effectiveness (VE) as an observational study and assessed severity using Fisher's exact test. We also assessed VE for severity using linear regression. Severity was defined as the length of nursery school absence attributable to varicella infection. During the one month preceding a period of two weeks before the initial case at Nursery school B, there were 16 cases of varicella infection in nursery schools, 45 cases in elementary schools, and one case in junior high schools in City A. For children who had received one vaccine dose or more, VE was 48.1% for all ages and 49.2% among children three years old and older. No significant VE against infection was found. Vaccination using one dose or more can reduce severity significantly. Discussion and conclusion: Because many nursery school children who had received two doses of vaccine were infected, VE was estimated as low in the nursery school and not significant. Although VE for severity with more than one dose was confirmed, a second dose might not reduce severity compared to one dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) fertilizers applied to container-grown nursery crops readily leach through pine bark-based substrates and can subsequently runoff and contribute to surface water contamination. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of adding a layer of FeSO4·7H2O-amended pine bark (FSB) to the bottoms of nursery containers on P leaching characteristics. Phosphorus and iron (Fe) leaching in response to FSB layer height (4 or 7.5 cm), FeSO4·7H2O rate (0.3, 0.6, or 1.2 kg·m−3 Fe), and form (i.e., granular versus liquid) used to formulate the FSB layer, and the inclusion of dolomite in the FSB layer were also investigated. Greenhouse studies lasting 15 and 19 weeks were conducted, in which 2.5 L nursery containers containing the FSB layer treatments below non-amended pine bark substrate were fertilized with 199 or 117 mg P from a soluble or controlled-release fertilizer, respectively. Leachate resulting from daily irrigation was collected and analyzed for P and Fe weekly. All FSB treatments leached less P than the control (non-amended pine bark only), with P reductions ranging from 22% (4 cm FSB with 0.3 kg·m−3 Fe) to 73% (7.5 cm FSB with 1.2 kg·m−3 Fe). Phosphorus leaching decreased linearly with an increase in Fe rate or layer height. The amount of Fe that leached from containers with FSB was <5% of that applied, regardless of the Fe rate. Granular- and liquid-applied FeSO4·7H2O with or without dolomite were equally effective at reducing P leaching. Adding 0.6 kg·m−3 Fe to the bottom 500 cm3 of pine bark increased P adsorption by 0.053 mg·cm−3 P, which equates to 17.9 mg P adsorbed per gram of FeSO4·7H2O added. Results from this research suggest that including an FSB layer in the bottom of nursery containers is an effective strategy for reducing P runoff from container-based nursery production sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global seed distribution market is rapidly transforming into a high-value-added seed market, with the production and distribution of processed seeds expanding, led by multinational seed companies. However, domestic seed companies still lack investment in seed processing, and the level of technology for processing distributed seeds is relatively low. The proportion of seeds processed and produced by seed companies must be increased to transform the domestic seed industry into an internationally competitive export industry. According to the results of a survey of 2,679 domestic companies by the National Seed and Variety Service (2021), the main business field of seed companies is seed production (1,192 companies), followed by seed sales (1,041 companies), nurseries (328 companies), and seed processing (35 companies). In conclusion, few companies conduct business in the field of seed processing. Accordingly, the government plans to build seed-processing facilities for joint utilization by seed companies to expand the supply of high-quality seeds from domestic seed companies. To this end, we investigated the seedprocessing status of major seed companies and conducted a demand survey for facilities and equipment in the seed-processing field. Details and operational plans for the establishment of a tentatively named ‘Seed Enterprise Joint Utilization Seed Processing Center,’ based on domestic companies' processing status and demands, are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter conditions in the NW Mediterranean cause instability of the water column and non‐geostrophic dynamics, such as vertical mixing and convection are significant. These events involve nutrient supply to the photic zone that can sustain high productivity. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of winter hydrodynamics on the spawning strategies of Sardina pilchardus and Micromesistius poutassou. Data were obtained on two oceanographic cruises (February 2017 and 2018) off the Catalan coast. The occurrence of S. pilchardus eggs very close to the coast indicated a clear preference of the species for spawning in coastal areas. Preflexion and postflexion larvae exhibited a slightly wider distribution showing a clear association with the cold, less saline and more productive coastal waters. Preflexion larvae of M. poutassou were found on the upper slope and over the shelf, being offshore limited by the shelf/slope front present all along the slope. The front would act as a barrier preventing their dispersion towards the open sea. M. poutassou larvae in advanced developmental stages were located close to the coast in the productive shelf waters, with instabilities of the front contributing to larval transport from offshore waters to the coast. The vertical distribution of both species showed high variability, not only related with the daily cycle or developmental stage, but also with the vertical structure of the water column. Overall, the results provide some clues on how the spawning strategies of both species may evolve under future scenarios of higher winter‐stratification, because of the global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid Bermuda grasses (Cynodon dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burtt.-Davy) represent one of the greatest contributions to the growing quality of turfgrass in the warm season and transition zone areas of the world. Hybrid Bermuda grass production relies on vegetative propagation from sod or sprigs. In the past, efforts have focused on improving the technique of stolonizing (or sprigging) for establishment in new areas. Such propagation requires bulk harvesting and planting of all rhizomes and stolons. We have developed a novel method of propagation and establishment from a single node harvested from greenhouse grown stolons. Despite a stolon fraction bearing a single node being suitable for effectively propagating a warm-season turfgrass, the technique has been held as economically impractical until now. Our method has been developed to obtain the multiplication of plant material in soilless conditions by harvesting single-node sprigs, propagation of plants from the single nodes, and transplant of single plants in the field. The investigation aimed to identify values for method set-up. Indeed, node and internode size variability with differential between maximum diameters is crucial for discrimination. For Patriot Bermuda grass stolons, nodes exhibited a maximum diameter of 2.43 ± 0.46 mm, while internodes had a maximum diameter of 1.54 ± 0.16 mm. Based on these findings, a 2 mm sieve was selected, achieving an optimal ratio between the node fraction and internode residues. The sieve yielded 87% of node fractions and only 1% of internodes from the initial mix, demonstrating its efficacy. Further results for the transplanting phase indicated that a double release resulted in an average success rate of 98.8%, with only 6.9% blank cells when using a single release. The average was 149 plants per tray over 160 cells, representing a 93.1% success rate. These results underscore the efficiency and acceptability of the overall propagation process in alignment with market references. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity conservation is a key factor in meeting sustainable development goals. This is even more important in cities, where green spaces are becoming increasingly scarce. This study analyzes Kinshasa's proliferating ornamental plant nurseries, known as informal horticultural sites (IHSs). The analysis focused on characterizing the profile of horticulturists, their production conditions, and the ornamental species produced. A total of 15 IHSs were sampled using the "snowball" technique, and 178 horticulturists were surveyed. Based on the socio-professional profile of the horticulturists, five groups of IHS are distinguished after a hierarchical clustering of principal components (HCPC). We found that IHSs exclusively employed men, most of whom were new to the trade, from all levels of education, and most of whom ranged from 19 to 45 years old. Production conditions are relatively similar from one site to another. However, all IHSs are characterized by permanent land insecurity, the use of phytosanitary products, plant-conditioning methods that are not very diversified and calibrated to growers' investment capacities, and diversified seed acquisition methods. A total of 139 ornamental species, most of them exotic, were identified. Of these, 37% are phanerophytes, and 24% are considered potentially invasive. We suggest ways of professionalizing the activity and protecting the urban environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]