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A dynamic management strategy for water and fertilizer application based on morphological characteristics was developed to enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and fruit yield in greenhouse-cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Multivariate regression analysis was employed to determine the baseline water and fertilizer requirements and to evaluate the effects of varying irrigation and fertilization regimes on fruit yield and WUE. A coupled irrigation–fertilization experiment was conducted, and regression models were established to describe the changes in stem diameter and plant height under these regimes. These models were validated experimentally. The results showed that irrigation significantly influenced both tomato fruit yield and WUE, while fertilization significantly impacted yield, but not WUE. No interactive effects between irrigation and fertilization were observed for either parameter. Stem diameter and plant height were positively correlated with the irrigation and fertilization levels. The proposed dynamic management strategy improved fruit yield by 6.9% and 14.7% under the basic and well-irrigated/fertilized conditions, respectively, compared to that of the fixed regime. Furthermore, model implementation increased WUE by 6.93% and 43.17% and improved the economic benefits by 4.9% and 20.6% under the respective conditions. This provides a practical and effective tool for optimizing water and fertilizer management in greenhouse tomato production, contributing to resource-efficient and high-yield farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taper models have been widely used and treated as the primary means of calculating tree volume. However, constructing taper models is challenging in practice due to the high cost and time involved in measuring stem diameters. Therefore, we designed 20 new taper measurement schemes that increase the stem diameter measurement interval (diameter above breast height) by two to five times. The taper models were evaluated by predicting stem diameter, volume, and merchantable height of two conifer species (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and Larix gmelinii) in Northeastern China. Results showed that the variable-exponent taper model of Kozak (2004) performed best for both species, while diameters can be measured every 2 m above 4 m. In addition, for both species, reducing the diameter measurement required for modeling by one-third to one-half does not increase the error in predicting the entire stem profile. This study will provide additional insights for collecting taper measurement data through traditional destructive sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in sugar demand over the last 5 years has led to efforts to increase sugar production, including creating new superior varieties; the biparental crossing is one way to produce new superior varieties. The study was done at IP2TP Karangploso, Malang, Indonesia, from December 2020 to November 2022; it aims to obtain potential clones that produce higher crystals than female parents. Seventeen clones resulting from crosses and one female parent (POJ 2878) were arranged in a Randomized Block Design with 2 repetitions. The results showed that apart from clone 19/18/10, all clones tested produced sugar yield at 5.94-10.88 t/ha, which increased 72.87% from the female parent (4.93 t/ha). Of the clones that experienced an increase, 9 clones (19/3/2, 19/3/4, 19/3/5, 19/3/8, 19/3/11, 19/3/14, 19/ 3/15, 3/19/16, and 3/19/19) showed an increase in sugar yield by 74.83-120.57%, or more than 72.87% of the female parents. The increase in sugar yield occurs through increased sugarcane productivity.

This research was conducted under Tekirdağ conditions in the trial and application field of Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Faculty of Agriculture Field Crops Department for a two-year period in the 2020-2021 years. Different clover species collected were used as material in the study carried out within the framework of the TUBITAK (119 O 950) project titled Taxonomy, Distribution, Phenological, Morphological and Some Chemical Characteristics of Clover (Trifolium L.-Fabaceae) Species in the Natural Flora of the Thrace Region. Plant height, stem diameter, number of head per plant, fresh forage yield and hay yield per plant were evaluated in the first year for 6 different species (T. repens, T. nigrescens, T. constantinopolitanum, T. pratense, T. striatum and T. lappaceum). 32 different genotypes were used as material. In the second year, clover genotypes were planted according to the randomized block design with three replications to different parts of the trial area. At least five plants of each type, 8 plants with roots were transplanted on 04.08.2021 in 3 m long parcels prepared in factorial order, 75x75cm. Irrigation was done after planting with a drip irrigation system. Irrigation was continued during the 6-month period between April and September when the plants needed it. In the evaluation made in the first year of the research, the lowest and highest data were determined as 9.00-64.67 cm in plant height, 0.47-2.57 mm in stem diameter, number of flower structure per plant 6.33-67.67, fresh forage yield per plant 19.70-624.00 g, dry forage yield per plant 3.37 -138.36g. Clover genotypes were transplanted with three replications in the second year of the research, limit values of clover sp. characters were determined individually. The plant height was determined as 9.77-24.78 cm, the stem diameter was 0.50-1.82 mm, number of flower structure per plant was 12.40-145.17 units, fresh forage yield per plant was 85.77-2006.50 g, and dry forage yield per plant changed between was 39.90-555.56 g. According to the results of chemical analysis of genotypes of clover species harvested during the 50% flowering period; Crude protein ratio varied between 11.87-18.85%, crude cellulose ratio 20.80-28.33%, crude ash ratio 6.95-10.37%, ADF 31.07-42.78% and NDF was determined as 42.58-55.69%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Andaliman (Z. acanthopodium) is an aromatic Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) plant species that contains essential oils (EOs), which have various benefits for cuisine, medicine, and cosmetics. This study is essential because it is not yet known what biotic factors (basal area) and abiotic factors (soil and elevation) influence the EOs yield, geranyl acetate, and D-limonene as skin anti-aging. This study investigated whether the basal area, soil, and elevation factors influence the EOs yield, geranyl acetate, and D-limonene content of Andaliman fruit. The biotic and abiotic factors were measured from 9 sample plots representing the Andaliman habitats in North Sumatra, Indonesia. A vegetation analysis was conducted to derive the Andaliman basal area of each sample plot. Soil samples were taken randomly in each plot and analyzed for their physicochemical (pH, C, SOM, N, CNR, P, K, Ca, Mg, CEC, BS, SA, DU, CL, WC, and BD) contents. Elevation gradients were measured on each plot. The EOs of Andaliman fruit include yield, geranyl acetate, and D-limonene as skin anti-aging. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Square Regression for Generalized Linear Models (PlsRglm) to determine which biotic and abiotic factors influenced the EOs yield, geranyl acetate, and D-limonene. This study confirmed that clay soil texture was the main factor influencing EOs of Andaliman fruit yield, geranyl acetate, and D-limonene. Apart from soil factors, basal area, and elevation factors were also essential to consider when cultivating Andaliman fruit as a source of skin anti-aging substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences is the property of Editorial Board of Journal of Henan Agricultural Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

An assessment of the main morphometric features of the ramets of clones of Scots pine plus trees in a comparative aspect has been carried out. The vegetative progeny of plus trees of the species are represented as part of a clonal plantation created in 2005 in the Dyurtyulinskiy forestry of the forest-steppe zone of the Republic of Bashkortostan in an area with the С2 type of forest growing conditions. Compliance with the breeding and genetic principle of phenotypic assessment of intraand intergroup differences in Scots pine clones and ramets, as well as methodical and methodological requirements for conducting the field stage of the study, has been ensured. Taxation indicators (the height and diameter of the stem, the diameter and length of the crown, the increment of the central shoot in height) have been taken into account for 100 clones at a continuous count. A varying nature of the distribution of the average values of the analyzed stem indicators in the vegetative progeny of plus trees has been revealed. The best growth in stem diameter (25.5±0.73 cm) and height (11.2±0.16 m), as well as central shoot increment (0.45±0.02 m), are typical for the progeny of clones of the plus tree 29/17. Clones 263/40, 264/41, 262/39 with taxation indicators above the average for the entire set of trees in the clone archive are of high breeding value, which indicates the specificity of the genotypes of these specimens. The levels of significance of the differences and the intensity of selection of the best clones of plus trees based on morphometric features have been determined, which indicates the different nature of the individual non-identity of each of the plus trees relative to the rest of the trees studied. The valuable genotypes of the progeny of Scots pine plus trees identified in the clone archive can be recommended for further use in forest seed breeding when creating highly productive and sustainable artificial plantations of this valuable tree species in the region.

Abstract Background Rice is one of the major staples that feeds about one half of the global populations, and it is important to identify the genetic loci for the traits related to yield improvement. Lodging will cause severe yield loss when it happens, and stem diameter has been characterized as an important trait for lodging resistance. However, most QTLs for stem diameter have not been finely dissected due to their sensitivity to environmental fluctuation. Result In this study, we performed QTL analysis for stem diameter using populations derived from Nipponbare (NIP) and strong culm variety YYP1, and confirmed the single and combined effect of three major QTLs by recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Based on the QTL location, we found that qWS5 is a novel QTL not well characterized before. To finely dissect the novel locus, several recombinant heterogeneous inbred families (HIFs) were selected from the RILs for linkage analysis and their derived nearly isogenic lines (NILs) were subjected to detailed trait investigation throughout different years. The HIF-NILs strategy confined the QTL to about 380 kb region supported by repeated genotype and phenotype data, and it lays the foundation for QTL cloning in the future. In addition, introgression of the QTL to an elite japonica variety SD785 was performed by successive backcrossing, and it confirmed the value of qWS5 in increasing stem diameter and other agronomic traits during rice breeding. Conclusions We prove that qWS5 is a novel QTL with relatively stable effect for stem diameter and the QTL can be finely mapped to small region by the HIF-NILs strategy. The result will facilitate the improvement of rice lodging resistance by molecular marker assisted selection breeding.

Introduction: Malva sylvestris, commonly known as the common mallow, is a flowering plant species in the genus Malva. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and has been introduced to other parts of the world. The plant has been known since ancient times and is considered the "type-species" for the genus. The leaves are edible and the plant (and seeds) are used as herbal remedies. Malva sylvestris is either a perennial or biennial plant. It spreads readily from seed and can self-seed prolifically. The seeds resemble small wheels or discs. The plant is known to be susceptible to a virus called Malva vein clearing potyvirus, which is transmitted by aphids. It also contains compounds such as malvin, malonylmalvin, and the naphthoquinone malvone A. The aim of this article is to evaluate the various (nine) ecotypes of Iranian Malva sylvestris L. by analyzing their morphological and physiological characteristics. By employing a step-by-step regression approach, the study seeks to identify significant traits that differentiate these ecotypes. The research intends to enhance understanding of the adaptive strategies of Malva sylvestris in diverse environmental conditions. Ultimately, the findings aim to contribute valuable insights for conservation efforts and the potential use of these ecotypes in horticulture and agriculture. This comprehensive evaluation will also provide a foundation for future studies on the species' ecological adaptability. Materials and Methods: In this study, 9 ecotypes of Malva sylvestris were collected in 2017 from different habitats in Iran (Mashhad, Torbat-e Heydariyeh, Fariman, Zabol, Zarand, Jiroft, Rudbar, Bandar Abbas and Khorramdasht) (Table 1) and identified in the Herbarium of Torbat-e Heydariyeh University. They were then cultivated in a completely randomized design with three replications in late February 2018 in the greenhouse of the Agricultural Research Institute of the University of Zabol and evaluated in May 2019. The seeds of each ecotype were planted in 5-liter pots (after germination and thinning, five plants of each ecotype were kept in each pot) in a growing medium consisting of an equal mixture of agricultural soil, coco peat, perlite, and well-rotted animal manure. Irrigation was calculated based on the temperature conditions in Sistan and the greenhouse, as well as the field capacity of the pot mixture, and was carried out regularly until flowering. At full flowering, the stem diameter and length of three plants from each pot were randomly measured and their means were considered for each treatment. At this stage, the number of flowers with seeds and the number of leaves of each plant were counted. Fresh and dry weights of root, stem and whole plant were measured with a digital scale (0.01 g accuracy). For dry weight measurement, fresh samples were placed in an oven at 70°C for 48 hours. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents were determined. The absorbance of the samples for chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids was measured at wavelengths of 663, 645 and 470 nm, respectively, using a spectrophotometer. Proline, soluble carbohydrates, and protein were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to calculate simple correlation coefficients between morphological traits. Statistical analysis of traits was performed using SAS Ver. 9 and Excel software, and means were compared by Duncan's method at 1% and 5% probability levels. Results and Discussion: The highest stem diameter (9.58 mm), root length (61.22 cm), root weight (18.86 g), root dry weight (4.84 g), and proline content (0.614) belonged to Mashhad ecotype. The number of leaves had a negative and significant correlation with the fresh weight of the plant, while it had a positive and significant correlation with plant height and shoot dry weight. Other traits did not show a significant correlation with the number of leaves per plant. The highest correlation was observed between morphological traits between fresh weight and leaf dry weight (P<0.01) and in phytochemical traits between carotenoid and chlorophyll b (P<0.05). Based on stepwise regression in the presented models, root weight and plant dry weight had the most positive effect on root length, but stem diameter and plant weight had the most negative effect. Chlorophyll b had the most negative and direct effect on proline yield, but chlorophyll a, carotenoids, carbohydrates, and total protein had the most positive effects, respectively. The variance analysis results indicated significant differences among the various ecotypes of Malva sylvestris regarding morphological and phytochemical traits (P<0.01) (Tables 2 and 3). Mean comparisons revealed that the Mashhad ecotype excelled in stem diameter, root length, and fresh and dry root weight, while the Rudbar ecotype showed the highest fresh weight in aerial parts. The Bandar Abbas ecotype had superior fresh and dry weights of aerial parts, leaf count, flower count, and seed count, and the Torbat-e Heydariyeh ecotype was notable for flower and seed counts per plant (Table 4). The tallest stem (40.55 cm) was recorded in the Jiroft ecotype, while the shortest (1.81 cm) was from Mashhad. The greatest stem diameter (9.58 mm) belonged to the Mashhad ecotype, and the smallest (3.54 mm) was found in Zabol. Root length also varied, with the Mashhad ecotype having the longest (61.22 cm) and Rudbar the shortest (9.55 cm) (Table 4). The highest fresh and dry root weights were observed in the Mashhad ecotype, while the Jiroft ecotype had the lowest. Conclusion: In the results of step-wise correlation and regression analysis of the medicinal plant Malva sylvestris L., the highest positive regression coefficients for yield were related to the traits of proline content, root fresh weight, and plant dry weight, which indicates their more fundamental role in increasing yield and their potential for improvement. Overall, the present study showed that rootrelated traits had an important effect on the final yield in the Mashhad population of Malva sylvestris L., and the Mashhad ecotype also showed the most desirable performance in terms of the evaluated traits. Due to its high performance in these traits, the Mashhad ecotype is recommended for researchers, universities, and private sectors involved in the cultivation and domestication of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global focus on enhancing sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] for biomass-related traits is increasing due to its potential contribution to the growth and sustainability of the ethanol and biogas production chain. Heterosis has been widely used in sorghum breeding, especially in improving biomass yield using efficient crossing and selection methods. The objective of this study was to assess the heterosis potential of elite sorghum accessions. Ten hybrids were established using five reciprocal crosses of seven elite breeding accessions. The hybrids and the parental lines were significant of great variation for plant height (PH), panicle length (PL), number of leaves (NL), and stem diameter (SD). Most hybrids had high positive mid-parent heterosis for biomass-related traits, while better parental heterosis ranged from -7.90 to 31.16 for PH, 17.14 to 79.59 for PL, -39.68 to 13.20 NL, and -19.19 to 104.23% for SD. Four hybrids (P6×P4, P4×P6, P6×P5, and P5×P6) exhibited plant heights greater than the best parent (P5:322.33 cm). Reciprocal cross effects had a significant impact on PH and SD, with a wide range of -10.23 to 39.35% and -37.50 to 30.55%, respectively. The results indicated that heterosis could be come true for the characters of plant height, panicle length, and number of leaves, and stem diameter that contributes great impact on having high biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-use strategies play a crucial role in the adaptive capabilities of mangroves to the saline intertidal conditions, yet the intricacies of daily water-use patterns in mangrove species, which are pivotal for maintaining water balance, remain poorly understood. In this comprehensive study, we aimed to clarify the water use strategies of three co-occurring mangrove species, Avicennia marina , Aegiceras corniculatum and Kandelia obovata , through stem sap flow monitoring, leaf gas exchange and stem diameter change measurements. Our findings revealed that the daily sap flow density of Avicennia and Aegiceras reached the peak about 1 h earlier than that of Kandelia. When transpiration was strong, Kandelia and Aegiceras used stem storage to meet water demand, while Avicennia synchronized stem water storage. These three mangrove species adopted cross-peak water used and unique stem water storage to regulate their water balance. In Kandelia , the daily sap flow in per sapwood area was significantly lower, while water-use efficiency was significantly higher than those of Avicennia and Aegiceras , indicating that Kandelia adopted a more conservative and efficient water-use strategy. Sap flow in Avicennia was the most sensitive to environmental changes, while Kandelia limited water dissipation by tightly controlling stomata. Meteorological factors (photosynthetically active radiation, vapor pressure deficit and air temperature) were the main driving factors of sap flow. The increase of soil temperature can promote the water use of mangrove species, while the increase of salinity resulted in more conservative water use. Our results highlight the diversity of daily water-use strategies among the three co-occurring mangrove species, pinpointing Kandelia as the most adaptive at navigating the changing conditions of intertidal habitats in the future climate. In conclusion, our findings provide a mesoscale perspective on water-use characteristics of mangroves and also provides theoretical basis for mangroves afforestation and ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Wheat grain filling processes under post-anthesis stress scenarios depend mainly on stem traits and remobilization of stem water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Methods: A diverse panel of advanced semi-dwarf spring wheat lines, representing a natural variation in stem traits (WSC content, stem diameter, peduncle length, and stem wall width), was used to identify specific traits that reliably reflect the relationship between WSC and grain yield. The panel was phenotyped under various environmental conditions: well-watered, waterlimited, and heat stress in Mexico, and terminal-drought in Israel. Results: Environmental stresses reduced grain yield (from 626 g m-2 under wellwatered to 213 g m-2 under heat), lower internode diameter, and peduncle length. However, stem-WSC generally peaked 3-4 weeks after heading under all environmental conditions except heat (where it peaked earlier) and expressed the highest values under water-limited and terminal-drought environments. Increased investment in internode diameter and peduncle length was associated with a higher accumulation of stem WSC, which showed a positive association with yield and kernel weight. Across all environments, there were no apparent trade-offs between increased crop investment in internode diameter, peduncle length, and grain yield. Discussion: Our results showed that selecting for genotypes with higher resource investment in stem structural biomass, WSC accumulation, and remobilization could be a valuable strategy to ameliorate grain size reduction under stress without compromising grain yield potential. Furthermore, easy-tomeasure proxies for WSC (stem diameter at specific internodes and length of the last internode, i.e., the peduncle) could significantly increase throughput, potentially at the breeding scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Horticulture / Kertgazdaság is the property of Herman Otto Intezet Nonprofit Kft. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Rice is one of the major staples that feeds about one half of the global populations, and it is important to identify the genetic loci for the traits related to yield improvement. Lodging will cause severe yield loss when it happens, and stem diameter has been characterized as an important trait for lodging resistance. However, most QTLs for stem diameter have not been finely dissected due to their sensitivity to environmental fluctuation. Result: In this study, we performed QTL analysis for stem diameter using populations derived from Nipponbare (NIP) and strong culm variety YYP1, and confirmed the single and combined effect of three major QTLs by recombinant inbred lines (RILs). Based on the QTL location, we found that qWS5 is a novel QTL not well characterized before. To finely dissect the novel locus, several recombinant heterogeneous inbred families (HIFs) were selected from the RILs for linkage analysis and their derived nearly isogenic lines (NILs) were subjected to detailed trait investigation throughout different years. The HIF-NILs strategy confined the QTL to about 380 kb region supported by repeated genotype and phenotype data, and it lays the foundation for QTL cloning in the future. In addition, introgression of the QTL to an elite japonica variety SD785 was performed by successive backcrossing, and it confirmed the value of qWS5 in increasing stem diameter and other agronomic traits during rice breeding. Conclusions: We prove that qWS5 is a novel QTL with relatively stable effect for stem diameter and the QTL can be finely mapped to small region by the HIF-NILs strategy. The result will facilitate the improvement of rice lodging resistance by molecular marker assisted selection breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the most essential oil crops in the world. Several component traits, including flowering time, plant height, stem diameter, seed weight, and kernel weight, determine sunflower seed and oil yield. Although the genetic mechanisms governing the variation of these yield-related traits have been studied using various approaches, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not been widely applied to sunflowers. In this study, a set of 342 sunflower accessions was evaluated in 2019 and 2020 using an incomplete randomized block design, and GWAS was conducted utilizing two complementary approaches: the mixed linear model (MLM) and the fixed and random model circulating probability unification (farmCPU) model by fitting 226,779 high-quality SNPs. As a result, GWAS identified a number of trait-associated SNPs. Those SNPs were located close to several genes that may serve as a basis for further molecular characterization and provide promising targets for sunflower yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dynamic management strategy for water and fertilizer application based on morphological characteristics was developed to enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and fruit yield in greenhouse-cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Multivariate regression analysis was employed to determine the baseline water and fertilizer requirements and to evaluate the effects of varying irrigation and fertilization regimes on fruit yield and WUE. A coupled irrigation–fertilization experiment was conducted, and regression models were established to describe the changes in stem diameter and plant height under these regimes. These models were validated experimentally. The results showed that irrigation significantly influenced both tomato fruit yield and WUE, while fertilization significantly impacted yield, but not WUE. No interactive effects between irrigation and fertilization were observed for either parameter. Stem diameter and plant height were positively correlated with the irrigation and fertilization levels. The proposed dynamic management strategy improved fruit yield by 6.9% and 14.7% under the basic and well-irrigated/fertilized conditions, respectively, compared to that of the fixed regime. Furthermore, model implementation increased WUE by 6.93% and 43.17% and improved the economic benefits by 4.9% and 20.6% under the respective conditions. This provides a practical and effective tool for optimizing water and fertilizer management in greenhouse tomato production, contributing to resource-efficient and high-yield farming practices.

Introduction: Soybean stem diameter (SD) and branch diameter (BD) are closely related traits, and genetic clarification of SD and BD is crucial for soybean breeding. Methods: SD and BD were genetically analyzed by a population of 363 RIL derived from the cross between Zhongdou41 (ZD41) and ZYD02878 using restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association, inclusive composite interval mapping, and three-variance component multi-locus random SNP effect mixed linear modeling. Then candidate genes of major QTLs were selected and genetic selection model of SD and BD were constructed respectively. Results and discussion: The results showed that SD and BD were significantly correlated (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). A total of 93 and 84 unique quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected for SD and BD, respectively by three different methods. There were two and ten major QTLs for SD and BD, respectively, with phenotypic variance explained (PVE) by more than 10%. Within these loci, seven genes involved in the regulation of phytohormones (IAA and GA) and cell proliferation and showing extensive expression of shoot apical meristematic genes were selected as candidate genes. Genomic selection (GS) analysis showed that the trait-associated markers identified in this study reached 0.47-0.73 in terms of prediction accuracy, which was enhanced by 6.56-23.69% compared with genome-wide markers. These results clarify the genetic basis of SD and BD, which laid solid foundation in regulation gene cloning, and GS models constructed could be potentially applied in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem diameter is a critical phenotypic parameter for maize, integral to yield prediction and lodging resistance assessment. Traditionally, the quantification of this parameter through manual measurement has been the norm, notwithstanding its tedious and laborious nature. To address these challenges, this study introduces a non-invasive field-based system utilizing depth information from RGB-D cameras to measure maize stem diameter. This technology offers a practical solution for conducting rapid and non-destructive phenotyping. Firstly, RGB images, depth images, and 3D point clouds of maize stems were captured using an RGB-D camera, and precise alignment between the RGB and depth images was achieved. Subsequently, the contours of maize stems were delineated using 2D image processing techniques, followed by the extraction of the stem's skeletal structure employing a thinning-based skeletonization algorithm. Furthermore, within the areas of interest on the maize stems, horizontal lines were constructed using points on the skeletal structure, resulting in 2D pixel coordinates at the intersections of these horizontal lines with the maize stem contours. Subsequently, a backprojection transformation from 2D pixel coordinates to 3D world coordinates was achieved by combining the depth data with the camera's intrinsic parameters. The 3D world coordinates were then precisely mapped onto the 3D point cloud using rigid transformation techniques. Finally, the maize stem diameter was sensed and determined by calculating the Euclidean distance between pairs of 3D world coordinate points. The method demonstrated a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.01%, a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.75 mm, a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.07 mm, and a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.96, ensuring accurate measurement of maize stem diameter. This research not only provides a new method of precise and efficient crop phenotypic analysis but also offers theoretical knowledge for the advancement of precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean (Glycine max) is a vital food crop, serving as a major source of high-quality protein for human and animal consumption. Stem diameter is one of the primary determinants of the stem lodging resistance of a given plant, but there has been relatively little research to date focused on genes associated with this trait. To address this gap in the literature, 207 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) were generated in the present study through the crossing and backcrossing of the improved Suinong14 and the wild ZYD00006 soybean varieties. These CSSLs were then used for the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with stem diameter in two-year field planting materials, leading to the identification of nine QTLs. Whole genome resequencing, RNA-seq, and qPCR were then used to evaluate candidate genes associated with stem diameter within these QTL intervals, ultimately leading to the selection of Glyma.04G004100 as a stem diameter-related gene. Subsequent qPCR analyses revealed that Glyma.04g004100 was upregulated in soybean plants with larger stem diameters, and haplotype analyses yielded results consistent with these stem diameter data in the population used to conduct this study. In summary, a series of QTLs associated with stem diameter were identified in the present study, resulting in the establishment of Glyma.04g004100 as a stem diameter-related gene. Together, these results offer a theoretical foundation for the future molecular-assisted breeding of lodging-resistant soybean varieties, and future functional research focused on Glyma.04g004100 may elucidate the molecular mechanisms and key signaling networks involved in soybean stem development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The rate of revision TKA and thus the use of hinged implants (HI) steadily rises. Aseptic loosening lies on the top of the failure patterns. However, no evidence exists until now based on national scale high-caseloads that analyzes the impact of cemented HI stem-design on aseptic survival rates. Methods: Data on aseptic HI-revisions with full-cemented tibia-stems were conducted from the German Arthroplasty Registry. Cases were divided in primary HI (PHI) and HI used in revision operations (RHI). Endpoint was a new revision following either a PHI or an RHI. The impact of stem conicity (conical vs. cylindrical), diameter (≤ 13 mm vs. > 13 mm), length (≤ 90 mm vs. > 90 mm) and offset on the 6-Year-Cumulative-Aseptic-Revision-Rate (6Y-CARR) was estimated via Kaplan–Meier curve and compared between groups via Log-Rank-Tests. Results: 3953 PHI and 2032 RHI fulfilled inclusion-criteria. Stem conicity had no impact on 6Y-CARR (p = 0.08 and p = 0.8). Diameter > 13 mm hat an impact on PHI (p = 0.05) with lower 6Y-CARR but not on RHI (p = 0.2). Length > 90 mm showed significantly worst 6Y-CARR in PHI (p = 0.0001) but not in RHI (p = 0.3). Offset-stems showed significantly better 6Y-CARR in PHI (p = 0.04), but not in RHI (p = 0.7). Conclusion: There was no significant impact of the cemented tibia-stem conicity on 6Y-CARR, neither in PHI nor in RHI. The effect of length, diameter and offset on the 6Y-CARR observed in the PHI, was not detectable in the more complex RHI-cases reflecting its limited clinical relevance by itself in more multifactorial backgrounds. Therefore, results must be interpreted with caution due to considerable system-effects and different utilization-scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reef, R. and Gordon, C., 2024. Allometric equations for aboveground biomass estimation of temperate mangroves using uncrewed aerial vehicles. Journal of Coastal Research, 40(3), 474–484. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Temperate mangrove ecosystems face different stresses compared with their tropical counterparts, resulting in reduced extent, biodiversity, and productivity. Temperate mangroves represent less than 2% of global mangrove cover and are thus less studied, but where they occur, they provide distinct ecosystem services and are expanding. Avicennia marina subsp. australasica is the sole mangrove species found in Victoria, Australia, where mangroves reach their highest latitudinal limit globally. Estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) in temperate mangroves poses challenges because of their morphological differences from tropical forests. This study used uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)–derived measurements and ground inventory data to develop allometric equations for A. marina at its latitudinal limit. A hybrid allometric equation, incorporating both field- and UAV-derived metrics, provided the most accurate prediction of AGB (coefficient of determination [R2] = 0.93). An allometric equation using solely UAV-derived inputs (canopy area and canopy height) had high-fidelity prediction capacity (R2 = 0.85), although it overestimated AGB by 11%. A significant finding was the simplification of scaling from individual tree AGB to landscape-scale AGB by eliminating the need to segment individual tree canopies. Landscape-scale AGB estimates showed a stable underestimation of approximately 30%, which could be improved by segmenting the area into zones of similar height. AGB of mangroves in Western Port was estimated at 48 t ha–1, which is within the range measured for temperate mangroves around the world. The biomass density in this temperate region is significantly lower (40%) than the continental average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly developed asparagus farming involves planting seedlings in year one and harvesting all emerging spears without allowing the mother ferns to grow. However, changes in asparagus growth over time are unclear. Here, four-year cultivation trials were conducted under different climatic conditions to investigate temporal changes in growth. Plants were monitored weekly. The growing period was divided into three periods: spring and fall, both within optimum growing temperatures, and summer. Spring to the first half of summer revealed two to three peaks of increase in the number of effective stems. The number of effective stems decreased during high temperatures and decreased precipitation periods (summer), and recovered with an increase in precipitation. The number of effective stems displayed peaks during the second half of periods II and III. The increase in stem diameter mostly occurred during summer. Finally, the growing years that occurred with high temperatures and low precipitation in summer showed a significant positive correlation between the yield and maximum stem diameters in spring. The results of this study indicate that plant growth can be used to schedule pest control, irrigation, and fertiliser application for plants with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The basal fertilizer recommendation for growing hybrid fodder sorghum varieties in uplands involves relatively high quantities of Urea, TSP, and MOP, with rates of 100:90:65 kg/ha for SX-17 and 150:62:37 kg/ha for Dairy green. For both initial and ratoon crops, it is recommended to apply 150 kg/ha of urea as a top dressing. This study investigated the impact of reducing the fertilizer application rate to 75% and employing alternative agronomic practices on hybrid fodder sorghum varieties grown in lowland fallow paddy fields in the dry zone during the Yala and third seasons. Research Method: The agronomic management practices, including four basal fertilizer rates (Urea:TSP: MOP) of 100:90:65 (BD1), 150:62:37 (BD2), 75:68:49 (BD3), and 113:47:28 (BD4); two top-dressing urea fertilizer rates of 150 (TD1) and 112.5 kg/ha (TD2); two plant spacing configurations of 45x30 (WS) and 45x15 cm (NS); and two irrigation interval regimes, 5 days up to 30 days followed by 8 days (SI) and 7 days up to 30 days followed by 10 days (LI) were investigated. These factors were combined into four agronomic management packages: AMP1 (BD1, TD1, WS, SI), AMP2 (BD2, TD1, NS, SI), AMP3 (BD3, TD2, WS, LI), and AMP4 (BD4, TD2, NS, LI). The study used a split-plot design with three replicates and assessed various parameters, including plant height, stem diameter, plant weight, leaf area index (LAI), number of tillers, and fodder yield in both the initial fodder sorghum crop and the first ratoon crop. The crops were harvested when 50% of the panicles on the plants were at the milk and dough grain stages. Findings: The initial crop exhibited significantly heavier plants having wider stems when grown with higher fertilizer rates, wider plant spacing, and shorter irrigation intervals in AMP1. Irrespective of fertilizer rate and irrigation interval, the initial crops tended to have higher LAI with narrow plant spacing in AMP2 and AMP4. In the ratoon crops, wider plant spacing in AMP1 and AMP3 resulted in clumps with a greater number of tillers and heavier plants. However, the ratoon crops also exhibited higher LAI with narrow plant spacing in AMP2 and AMP4. Total fodder dry matter yield (DMY) in AMP2 and AMP4 with narrow plant spacing was significantly greater for both varieties. Furthermore, the DMY was not affected by fertilizer rate and irrigation interval. Value: Hybrid fodder sorghum varieties (SX-17 and Dairygreen) cultivated at higher plant density, along with reduced fertilizer (75%) and irrigation, can produce comparable fodder yield (21.1 and 26.1 MT/ha, respectively) to those grown at lower plant density with more fertilizer and irrigation (24.6 and 28.1 MT/ha, respectively) in lowland paddy fields during Yala and third seasons in the dry zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A specific, robust threshold for drought‐induced tree mortality is needed to improve the prediction of forest dieback. Here, we tested the relevance of continuous measurements of stem diameter variations for identifying such a threshold, their relationship with hydraulic and cellular damage mechanisms, and the influence of growth conditions on these relationships.Poplar saplings were grown under well‐watered, water‐limited, or light‐limited conditions and then submitted to a drought followed by rewatering. Stem diameter was continuously measured to investigate two parameters: the percentage loss of diameter (PLD) and the percentage of diameter recovery (DR) following rewatering. Water potentials, stomatal conductance, embolism, and electrolyte leakage were also measured, and light microscopy allowed investigating cell collapse induced by drought.The water release observed through loss of diameter occurred throughout the drought, regardless of growth conditions. Poplars did not recover from drought when PLD reached a threshold and this differed according to growth conditions but remained linked to cell resistance to damage and collapse.Our findings shed new light on the mechanisms of drought‐induced tree mortality and indicate that PLD could be a relevant indicator of drought‐induced tree mortality, regardless of the growth conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traits of shoot growth habit differ between sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) and its wild ancestor (Ipomoea trifida). In general, sweetpotatoes have thick stems without twining, while I. trifida have slender twining stems. Anatomical observation in this study showed that this difference is caused by the difference in the size and number of cells between the stems of sweetpotato and those of I. trifida. To reveal the genetic basis of the difference in shoot phenotype, F1 progeny were produced by crossing sweetpotato (Konaishin) and I. trifida (K123-11), and the G-statistic method of bulked-segregant analysis was used to investigate stem-twining ability as a representative trait of shoot growth habit. As a result, a major quantitative trait locus (qSgh) related to shoot growth was successfully detected at 12.37–14.12 Mb in Chr13 of the reference genome. Genotyping F1 individuals using a PCR-based SNP marker designed for qSgh supported the results of bulked-segregant analysis and further suggested that qSgh had a dosage effect on stem diameter. Based on these results, we propose that the G-statistic method is an effective approach for bulked-segregant analysis in polyploid species, including sweetpotato. Additionally, some candidate genes in qSgh were found by comparative analysis of the genome and transcriptome between sweetpotato and I. trifida. At least two of these, Iba_chr13aCG7290 and Iba_chr13cCG9960, are likely involved in radial growth of the stem in sweetpotato. The results of this study provide new insight into the transition of shoot phenotype from I. trifida to sweetpotato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For the propagation of guava seedlings to occur, it is necessary to address numerous factors, therefore, the objective was to verify the influence of the diameter and type of cut on the base of ‘Pedro Sato’ guava tree cuttings. Experiment I: implemented in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme, consisting of three types of cut at the base of the cutting and five biostimulant concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g L-¹). Experiment II: implemented in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, composed of two stem diameters (D1: 3 - 3,99 mm; D2: 4 - 4,99 mm) combined with five biostimulant concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g L-¹), and both experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, with 4 replicates of 10 cuttings per plot. Considering the above, it could be concluded that the use of biostimulant increases the rooting rate. Cut with the removal of lateral portions at the base of the cutting promotes greater mortality, while evidencing less increase in root length. In experiment II, it was found that cuttings with diameter between 4 and 4.99 mm show greater survival rate at concentrations of 0 and 5 g L-¹, while cuttings with diameter between 3 and 3.99 mm have higher rooting rate at concentrations 0 and 5 g L-¹ but with high mortality rate at concentration of 5 g L-¹.

IntroductionWheat grain filling processes under post-anthesis stress scenarios depend mainly on stem traits and remobilization of stem water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC).MethodsA diverse panel of advanced semi-dwarf spring wheat lines, representing a natural variation in stem traits (WSC content, stem diameter, peduncle length, and stem wall width), was used to identify specific traits that reliably reflect the relationship between WSC and grain yield. The panel was phenotyped under various environmental conditions: well-watered, water-limited, and heat stress in Mexico, and terminal-drought in Israel.ResultsEnvironmental stresses reduced grain yield (from 626 g m−2 under well-watered to 213 g m−2 under heat), lower internode diameter, and peduncle length. However, stem-WSC generally peaked 3-4 weeks after heading under all environmental conditions except heat (where it peaked earlier) and expressed the highest values under water-limited and terminal-drought environments. Increased investment in internode diameter and peduncle length was associated with a higher accumulation of stem WSC, which showed a positive association with yield and kernel weight. Across all environments, there were no apparent trade-offs between increased crop investment in internode diameter, peduncle length, and grain yield. DiscussionOur results showed that selecting for genotypes with higher resource investment in stem structural biomass, WSC accumulation, and remobilization could be a valuable strategy to ameliorate grain size reduction under stress without compromising grain yield potential. Furthermore, easy-to-measure proxies for WSC (stem diameter at specific internodes and length of the last internode, i.e., the peduncle) could significantly increase throughput, potentially at the breeding scale.

Data capturing multiple axes of tree size and shape, such as a tree's stem diameter, height and crown size, underpin a wide range of ecological research-from developing and testing theory on forest structure and dynamics, to estimating forest carbon stocks and their uncertainties, and integrating remote sensing imagery into forest monitoring programmes. However, these data can be surprisingly hard to come by, particularly for certain regions of the world and for specific taxonomic groups, posing a real barrier to progress in these fields. To overcome this challenge, we developed the Tallo database, a collection of 498,838 georeferenced and taxonomically standardized records of individual trees for which stem diameter, height and/or crown radius have been measured. These data were collected at 61,856 globally distributed sites, spanning all major forested and non-forested biomes. The majority of trees in the database are identified to species (88%), and collectively Tallo includes data for 5163 species distributed across 1453 genera and 187 plant families. The database is publicly archived under a CC-BY 4.0 licence and can be access from: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6637599. To demonstrate its value, here we present three case studies that highlight how the Tallo database can be used to address a range of theoretical and applied questions in ecology-from testing the predictions of metabolic scaling theory, to exploring the limits of tree allometric plasticity along environmental gradients and modelling global variation in maximum attainable tree height. In doing so, we provide a key resource for field ecologists, remote sensing researchers and the modelling community working together to better understand the role that trees play in regulating the terrestrial carbon cycle.

55-year-old crops of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) the IB productivity class (bonitet) with a completeness of 0.94 on an area of 1.9 hectares, created according to the scheme 1.82 × 1.10 m, were studied. More than 2 thousand trees were located on this area and polygons of their nutrition were built around them in the «ArcMap-ArcView» program. The territory was divided into 24 test areas, with density fluctuations at the age of 30 years 1153–2207 trees/ha, a fullness of 0.84–1.03 and an average diameter of 19.1–23.0 cm. It was found that the density affects the intensity of the fall of trees by only 22 %, and 78 % of the factors of their fall are not related to the density. Therefore, increased density within these limits is not the main reason for the fall of trees. It was also found out that in the younger class of the tree’s feeding area, the probability of its falling off after 25 years is the greatest (58 %) and gradually decreases to 5–7 % by the senior classes. At the same time, the area of nutrition increased by 2.1 times or more did not guarantee the trees their complete safety by the age of 55, and in 9.6 % of cases they died for no apparent reason. The feeding areas of falling trees turned out to be almost functionally related to the frequencies of feeding areas at the age of 30 with a correlation of R = 0.95 ± 0.03, and this leads to the fact that their small feeding area (less than average) increases the probability of falling off by only 27 %. This is confirmed by S. N. Sennov’s research (1999, 2005) that despite intensive thinning at the age of 40, over the next 40 years trees died at any diameter, and the nature of the fall did not differ from the control. Therefore, from a forestry point of view, thinning felling in middle age is no longer effective. We need a much earlier optimization of the density of the stand at the age of 10–15 years.

Mexican yam plant (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) is a new and hence less-known crop plant in Iran, with potential applicationes in food and pest control industries. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the best fertilizer treatments and its effect on the morphological characteristics and grain yield of Mexican yam bean plant in a semi-arid region. The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with six replications in Kazeron, Fars province, south of Iran. The treatments included the control, EM biofertilizer (40 L/ha), Vinas organic fertilizer (80 L/ha), and the combination of bio-organic fertilizer (the optimum level of fertilizer was determined based on the results of previous experiments). Fertilizer treatments had a significant effect (at 1% probability level) on plant height, plant fresh and dry weight, pods/plant, grains/pod, stem diameter, grain and biological yield and harvest index, photosynthetic pigments concentration and grain protein content. The mean comparison showed that in the combined treatment of Vinas organic fertilizer and EM, the fresh and dry weight of the plant (67.6 grams and 26.8 g, respectively), the height of the plant (56.1 cm), grains/pod (6.4), pods/plant (6.3), biological yield (4929 kg/ha), grain yield (527 kg/ha), harvest index (10.7%), concentration of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration (9.83, 3.43, 13.5 and 3.28 mg/g fresh weight, respectively), grain protein (34.1%) were more than control. Also, the stem diameter showed the greatest increase compared to the control. The results suggested the superiority of the bio-organic fertilizer treatment at the optimal level (40 and 80 L/ha) and the positive response of Mexican yam bean plant to these fertilizers.

The chief aim of this study is to provide information regarding the value and effectiveness of localized irrigation applied to plum trees grown in nurseries; this study also emphasizes how irrigation impacts various qualitative indices in the context of different fertilization treatments. By increasing production in the nursery, the application of differentiated rules for fertilization and irrigation is expected to yield vigorous, healthy fruit tree planting material. As in the case of all cultivated plants, fruit trees in nurseries are primarily dependent on soil and climatic conditions. This research was carried out in a private fruit tree nursery in the northwestern part of Romania. The soil taxonomic unit identified on the research field was arable, weakly glaciated loamy clay on fluvial deposits. The two plum cultivars that were studied were Stanley and Cacanska Lepotica, both of which are valued for the high caliber of their fruit. This research was conducted using a 4 × 2 × 4 trifactorial experiment, with irrigation acting as the primary factor, cultivar as the secondary factor, and fertilization as the tertiary factor. During this research, the fertilization treatments proved to have the most significant impact (34.50%) on stem diameter compared with irrigation (20.67%) and cultivar (5.63%), given that the cultivar had no discernible influence on the increase in the diameters of the grafted trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is crucial for human well-being and sustenance, especially for rural communities that directly depend on plant resources. We investigated the plant selection process among rural communities in the Brazilian semiarid region. We aimed to understand how these communities choose plants for various functions, including fuel, construction, and forage. We hypothesized that people's choices are influenced by specific functional plant traits, leading them to select the most suitable species for each purpose. Our results support this hypothesis, as they showed that agropastoralists base their plant choices on functional traits that correspond to their needs. For instance, wood density, which is directly linked to wood durability, plays a key role in selecting plants for fuel and construction. By integrating ethnobotany and functional ecology, this study highlights the connection between functional plant traits and Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), and thus contributes to a deeper understanding of the nuanced bond between humans and biodiversity. This allowed us to identify functional plant traits that guide plant selection in the Caatinga and probably also in other semiarid tropical regions worldwide. Based on our results, we conclude that functional plant traits play a critical role in decision-making for the selection of plant species for different primary uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frost resistance is the major factor affecting the distribution of plant species at high latitude and elevation. The main effects of freeze–thaw cycles are damage to living cells and formation of gas embolism in tree xylem vessels. Lethal intracellular freezing can be prevented in living cells by two mechanisms, such as dehydration and deep supercooling. We developed a multiphysics numerical model coupling water flow, heat transfer and phase change, considering different cell types in plant tissues, to study the dynamics and extent of cell dehydration, xylem pressure changes and stem diameter changes in response to freezing and thawing. Results were validated using experimental data for stem diameter changes of walnut trees (Juglans regia). The effect of cell mechanical properties was found to be negligible as long as the intracellular tension developed during dehydration was sufficiently low compared with the ice-induced cryostatic suction. The model was finally used to explore the coupled effects of relevant physiological parameters (initial water and sugar content) and environmental conditions (air temperature variations) on the dynamics and extent of dehydration. It revealed configurations where cell dehydration could be sufficient to protect cells from intracellular freezing, and situations where supercooling was necessary. This model, freely available with this paper, could easily be extended to explore different anatomical structures, different species and more complex physical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexican yam plant (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) is a new and hence less-known crop plant in Iran, with potential applicationes in food and pest control industries. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the best fertilizer treatments and its effect on the morphological characteristics and grain yield of Mexican yam bean plant in a semi-arid region. The experiment was carried out as a randomized complete block design with six replications in Kazeron, Fars province, south of Iran. The treatments included the control, EM biofertilizer (40 L/ha), Vinas organic fertilizer (80 L/ha), and the combination of bio-organic fertilizer (the optimum level of fertilizer was determined based on the results of previous experiments). Fertilizer treatments had a significant effect (at 1% probability level) on plant height, plant fresh and dry weight, pods/plant, grains/pod, stem diameter, grain and biological yield and harvest index, photosynthetic pigments concentration and grain protein content. The mean comparison showed that in the combined treatment of Vinas organic fertilizer and EM, the fresh and dry weight of the plant (67.6 grams and 26.8 g, respectively), the height of the plant (56.1 cm), grains/pod (6.4), pods/plant (6.3), biological yield (4929 kg/ha), grain yield (527 kg/ha), harvest index (10.7%), concentration of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll and carotenoid concentration (9.83, 3.43, 13.5 and 3.28 mg/g fresh weight, respectively), grain protein (34.1%) were more than control. Also, the stem diameter showed the greatest increase compared to the control. The results suggested the superiority of the bio-organic fertilizer treatment at the optimal level (40 and 80 L/ha) and the positive response of Mexican yam bean plant to these fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostrate growth caused by weak stems and variations in upper and basal stem diameters (USD and BSD, respectively) is inherent in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and can be aggravated by increased nitrogen fertiliser. Application of a nitrogen fertiliser rate that minimises variation in stem diameters and increases yield can contribute to improved tomato production. The tomato cvs. Buffalo, Cobra, Kerewa, Roma-Savanna, Roma-VF, Tropimech, and UC-82, were grown at Ilara and Imeko with 0, 30, 50 or 80 kg/ha of 15 N-15P-15 K fertiliser. Application of 15 N-15P-15 K increased stem diameter variation. Tomato cultivated in Ilara produced higher number of fruits and fruit weight/plant than those in Imeko but maintained similar habit (40.5° and 42.3°, respectively) in both locations. 'Buffalo' and 'Roma-VF' had 42.5° and 22.5° habits and fruit weights (84.4 and 103 g) above average under low (30 kg/ha) and high (80 kg/ha) rates of 15 N-15P-15 K, respectively; 'Cobra' combined erect growth (36.3° and 41.2°) and yield above average (107.4 and 101.5 g) under 30 and 80 kg/ha, respectively across locations. Out of 672 plants sampled, 67.4% had USD > BSD, 18.6% USD < BSD, and 14% had USD = BSD. With increased rates of 15 N-15P-15 K fertiliser up to 80 kg/ha, the percent of plants with USD > BSD increased from 49.4 to 76.2% and increased prostrate angle from 26.4° to 48.4°. Higher yield combined with erect growth above average can be achieved with 30 kg/ha in 'Buffalo' and 'Cobra' across the locations. Application of lower rates of 15 N-15P-15 K fertiliser can help in balancing the trade-off between erect growth and higher fruit yield of tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern African savanna rangelands are facing a widespread degradation pattern called bush encroachment. This is associated with implications for various aspects of the water cycle and in particular canopy transpiration. At the individual‐tree scale, it is estimated by scaling sap‐flux density by sapwood area. However, the direct measurement of sapwood area is impracticable at landscape scale and general allometric equations of the West‐Brown‐Enquist (WBE) model relating sapwood area to primary size measures seem to fail for some species and climates. Therefore, we conducted intensive field measurements to establish species‐specific allometric relationships between sapwood area and sizes (stem diameter, crown area) in six dominant shrub species involved in bush encroachment in Namibia (Colophospermum mopane, Senegalia mellifera, Vachellia reficiens, Dichrostachys cinerea, Vachellia nebrownii, Catophractes alexandri). We found strong allometric relationships between sapwood area and stem diameter as well as between sapwood area and crown area for all six species. These relations are largely in line with the WBE theory but still provide estimates that are more accurate. Only in D. cinerea, the sapwood area was significantly smaller than predicted by the WBE theory, which might be caused by a larger need for stabilizing heartwood. Our results are useful to estimate water loss via transpiration at a large scale using remote sensing techniques and can promote our understanding of the ecohydrological conditions that drive species‐specific bush encroachment in savannas. This is particularly important in the light of climate change, which is considered to have major implications on ecohydrological processes in savannas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vermicompost contains a high concentration of macro- and micronutrients, vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and chitinases, as well as immobilized microflora. Vermicompost improves plant germination, growth, biomass, and yield. K+amino is a biologically active liquid soil amendment that is suitable for organic gardens of all types. It is a 100 % veganic growth- and health-promoting liquid microbial inoculant for all plant types, particularly fast-growing crops like vegetables, fruits, and blooms. The purpose of investigation was to look the effect of vermicompost and k+amino on the winter rape germination and growth. Methods: There were six treatments: 1. A rape (means a rape crop in Aru Agricultural Ltd. soil), 2. A rape+YaraBela AXAN 0.3g per pot, 3. A rape+vermicompost 7.9 g per pot in the soil+the vermiextract is sprayed on the plants 1 week after sowing, 2 weeks after sowing, both treatments 1:30, 33 ml extract per 1 L water, 4. A rape+vermicompost 7.9 g per pot in the soil, 5. A rape+vermiextract is sprayed on the plants 1 week after sowing, 2 weeks after sowing, both treatments 1:30, 33 ml extract per 1 L water, 6. A rape+K+Amino biostimulator is sprayed on the plants 1 week after sowing, 2 weeks after sowing, both treatments 5 ml K+Amino per 1 L water. Results: Rape plants were elongated in treatment with YaraBela AXAN. Stem diameter was largest in K+Amino treatment. Root length was lowest in treatment with vermicompst extract (soil was too moisty and compacted). Conclusions: Vermicompost tended to improve plant growth, while stem diameter was largely increased by using k+amino fertilizer. It turns out both actually are good sources of mineral nutrients and also different enzymes and microbes, which help plants grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliar application of Atonik (sodium nitrophenolate) at crop critical growth stages is expected to improve crop physiology, morphology, and productivity. The present field study was conducted at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad in autumn season of 2018 and 2019. Water deficit conditions were imposed by skip irrigation method. Plants were treated with foliar application of Atonik 10 (mg L−1) to evaluate the physiological, morphological, yield, and yield causative attributes of maize grown under deficit irrigation treatments. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with split plots arrangement was used to layout the experiment having three replications. It was revealed that application of Atonik improved the crop's physiological attributes: relative leaf water contents (RLWC by 10%), chlorophyll contents (14%), and carotenoids content (15%) under water deficit conditions. Similarly, Atonik application augmented the leaf length at maturity, the number of green leaves at harvesting, and the number of grains row−1 of maize by 7%, 20% and 12%, respectively. Moreover, the application of Atonik amended the 100-grains weight, grain yield, and biological yield by 8%, 9% and 20%, respectively. In crux, application of Atonik is an excellent strategy to alleviate the detrimental influence of water deficit on physiological, morphological, and yield causative attributes of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical and chemical methods are widely used to control woody plant encroachment in many African countries. However, very little is known about the effectiveness of these control methods among woody species of different ages. We conducted a field experiment to determine the effects of different tree removal treatments (10%, 20%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and herbicide application (Picloram; 6 mL L−1) on the resprouting ability and vigour of 12 woody plant species. We examined 20 plots (30 m × 30 m) that were each subjected to tree removal, followed by herbicide application on half of the stems for each plot. All the tree species in this study resprouted after cutting. The applied concentration of herbicide significantly reduced the shoot production for Ehretia rigida, Vachellia robusta and Ziziphus mucronata, with a marginal effect for Dichrostachys cinerea. The diameter of stems was an important factor in determining resprouting ability, with shoot production decreasing with increasing stem diameter. However, stem diameter did not affect shoot length and diameter for all species. We found that woody plants are more likely to resprout and survive as juveniles than as adults after cutting and that herbicide only affected four of the twelve species at a concentration of 6 mL L−1. Thus, testing the amount of Picloram needed to kill certain woody species may be of importance for land users in southern African savannas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White sorghum is utilized for food, beverage, fodder, and other industrial purposes. Spacing and fertilization are among problems for the development of sorghum plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of planting space and phosphate fertilizer treatments on the development and production of white sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varity of Samurai-2, and to determine the best results from those treatments as well. This research was performed at the experimental field of Al-Zaitun Islamic Boarding School located in Mekarjaya Village, Subdistrict of Gantar, Indramayu Regency, West Java. A factorial randomized block design was employed with planting space treatment of PS30 (70 cm × 30 cm), PS40 (70 cm × 40 cm), and PS50 (70 cm × 50 cm) and phosphate fertilizer treatment of PF50 (50 kg/ha), PF100 (100 kg/ha), and PF150 (150 kg/ha). Response parameters consisted of plant heigh, number of leaves, leaf area index (LAI), stem diameter, root volume, plant growth rate, and crop yield (weight of 1000 grains and yield per plot). Results of this study showed no interaction in all treatments, and the PS30 with crop spacing of 70 cm x 30 cm resulted the best yield on weight per plot of 5.08 kg/plot equivalent to 8.5 ton/ha.

The hydraulic variables (Hv) and sediment transport capacity (Tc) of overland flow have changed immensely due to large-scale revegetation. However, research comparing the influences of stem parameters (diameter, cover, and arrangement) on Hv and Tc is limited. The objectives of this study were to explore and compare the influences of stem parameters on Hv and Tc. Data on three treatment groups with varying stem diameters, covers, arrangements, flow discharges and slopes were collected in this study. With increasing stem diameter, Hv and Tc increased; Hv included the Reynolds and Froude numbers, flow velocity (v), shear stress (τ), stream power (Ω), and unit stream power (ω). However, the trend of the Darcy-Weisbach friction coefficient (f) was opposite. Hv and Tc were significantly influenced by stem diameter and cover. The effect of stem diameter on Hv and Tc was greater than the effects of cover and arrangement. Stem cover as a variable could not be used to adequately estimate the Tc when there were various stem diameters. A new exponential equation involving stem cover and stem diameter was demonstrated to be an appropriate predictor of Tc. Stem diameter and arrangement had no obvious influence on the relationship between Tc and v, and v as an indicator could explain the effect of stem parameters on Hv and Tc. This result could illustrate why the variables, including v, were able to predict Tc under vegetation stem and litter cover.

Objective: The present research was conducted in order to investigate the effect of different levels of Magnesium sulfate and Manganese sulfate on yield and some quantitative traits of Potato in Agria cultivar. Methods: The experiment was conducted as a factorial in the form of a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2018-2019 growing season in Nir city. The first factor included foliar application of Manganese sulfate at two levels: control and 5 per thousand, and the second factor involved foliar application of Magnesium sulfate at five levels: (control, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 per thousand), used in the stages of early tuberculosis and 50% tuberculosis. Results: The results of analysis of variance showed that with the exception of the number of stems and the number of uneconomical tubers, the effect of Manganese sulfate on the number of usable tubers at the level of five percent and in the other studied traits was significant at 1% level. The effect of Magnesium sulfate had a significant effect on plant height at 5% level and on other studied traits at 1% level. However, the interaction of experimental treatments was not significant. The highest tuber yield of 44.9 t.ha-1 belonged to foliar application with a concentration of 5 per thousand manganese sulfate. The highest effect of Magnesium sulfate foliar application on the number of usable tubers was 34.4%, compared to the control. On average, foliar application of Magnesium sulfate increased tuber yield by 12.3%, compared to the control treatment. Conclusion: Considering that in most of the studied traits, foliar application of 5 per thousand Manganese sulfate and 4.5 per thousand Magnesium sulfate showed better results than other treatments, these fertilizer levels can be recommended for this cultivar in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a globally important leguminous fodder crop because of its high production and nutritional value. The investigation was conducted to determine an effect of 3-Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) and Gibberellic acid (GA3) on the alfalfa BC3 hybrid at the breeding room of the institute of grassland science, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Province, China. Plant height, stem diameter, leaves number per plant, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, fresh shoot weight, and dry shoot weight were measured. The study used four different IAA and GA3 concentrations (0, 50, 75, and 100 mg L-1) with three replications in a completely randomized design. The results revealed that the use of IAA and GA3 was significantly effective in the growth of the alfalfa BC3 hybrid at the two cutting times. The use of 25 mg L-1 IAA concentration was significantly improved the plant height, leaf width, and leaf area. Exogenous GA3 application significantly enhanced stem diameter, leaf length, leaf area, fresh shoot weight, and dry shoot weight, except for leaf width, which showed a non-significant difference but was higher than that in the control group. Thus, the application of GA3 (i.e., GA3 at 75 mg L-1) can be suggested for a higher yield of the alfalfa BC3 hybrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an experimental orchard of the sweet cherry cultivar 'Bedel' (Bellise®)/Gisela 5 (planting distance: 4.25 m × 2.35 m), the influence of mulching the tree row (brick fragments, lawn clippings, spruce wood shavings, barley straw) as well as two different irrigation treatments on growth, yield and fruit mass of the trees was studied in the years 2009 - 2018 and compared with the performance of an unirrigated control without mulching. In the two irrigation treatments, the amount of water applied per tree was compared between daily irrigation until harvest (cell division and stone hardening phase: 2 - 4 l; cell extension phase: 4 - 8 l) and irrigation according to the soil water potential in 25 cm depth (200 hPa). The annual precipitation varied between 340 mm and 640 mm during the trial period. The annual amount of irrigation water applied varied between 37 m³ ha-1 and 350 m³ ha-1. By irrigating the trees according to the soil water potential, it was possible to reduce the pre-harvest irrigation by 24 % on average over the years compared to daily-irrigated trees, without any negative effect on yield and fruit quality. By mulching the tree row (without additional irrigation), the yield could be increased by 2.4 kg per tree on average over the years compared to the control, and by 0.7 kg per tree compared to the irrigated trees. Mulching with grass clippings led to the highest yields per tree in four of the nine years. The results show that mulching of the tree row without additional irrigation can be seen as an alternative to irrigation for sweet cherry cultivars in the early ripening segment grown on a silty soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Key message: Using Hough transform to extract the stem diameter from TLS data to relative height of 0.7, the established compatible taper-volume equations was able to accurately estimate the stem volume. The profile or volume of trees usually needs to be measured by felling. As a nondestructive way to obtain forest parameters, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) plays an important role in establishing forest inventories. In this study, compatible taper-volume equations was established based on single-tree point cloud data to verify the applicability and reliability of TLS in estimating stem volume. Thirty Larix olgensis sample trees were used in the study, and they were scanned by TLS and felled for trunk analysis. Hough transformation was used to automatically extract the diameters of the sample trees at different relative heights, to establish the Max–Burkhart segmental taper-volume equations and to validate the model using the tenfold cross-validation approach. The taper-volume equations fitted with TLS data were used to predict the diameter at a specific trunk height, the height at a tree diameter of 10 cm, and the stem volume. The results showed that the accuracy of the diameter extracted by Hough transformation from 0 m to relative height of 0.7 was above 92%, and there was no significant difference between the extracted value and the field-measured value, except at relative height of 0.9. The lower and upper inflection points of the segmental taper equation of L. olgensis fitted to the TLS data were 0.04 and 0.75, respectively, and the predicted R2 values for diameter, height and volume were greater than 0.97. The predicted profile shows that below the relative height of 0.8, the TLS estimations were almost equal to the field measurements. In reference to the field-measured volume, the bias values of the total volume, merchantable volume and partial volume predicted by the volume equation were − 0.0012 m3, − 0.0046 m3 and − 0.0001 m3, respectively. TLS provides an alternative to stem analysis, and a compatible taper-volume model based on point cloud data can be used to accurately predict tree attributes and estimate stem volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The target region and diameter of maize stems are important phenotyping parameters for evaluating crop vitality and estimating crop biomass. To address the issue that the target region and diameter of maize stems obtained after transplantation may not accurately reflect the true growth conditions of maize, a phenotyping monitoring technology based on an internal gradient algorithm is proposed for acquiring the target region and diameter of maize stems. Observations were conducted during the small bell stage of maize. First, color images of maize plants were captured by an Intel RealSense D435i camera. The color information in the color image was extracted by the hue saturation value (HSV) color space model. The maximum between-class variance (Otsu) algorithm was applied for image threshold segmentation to obtain the main stem of maize. Median filtering, image binarization, and morphological opening operations were then utilized to remove noise from the images. Subsequently, the morphological gradient algorithm was applied to acquire the target region of maize stems. The similarity between the three types of gradient images and the manually segmented image was evaluated by pixel ratio extraction and image quality assessment indicators. Evaluation results indicated that the internal gradient algorithm could more accurately obtain the target region of maize stems. Finally, a checkerboard was employed as a reference for measurement assistance, and the stem diameter of maize was calculated by the pinhole imaging principle. The mean absolute error of stem diameter was 1.92 mm, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 5.16%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) was 2.25 mm. The R² value was 0.79. With an R² greater than 0.7 and a MAPE within 6%, the phenotyping monitoring technology based on the internal gradient algorithm was proven to accurately measure the diameter of maize stems. The application of phenotyping monitoring technology based on the internal gradient algorithm in field conditions provides technological support for smart agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]