A MULTIVARIATE MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE GENUS LOTUS L., 1753 (FABACEAE, LOTEAE) FROM EGYPT

This study aims at examining and confirming the patterns of phenetic relationships and the levels of variations within and among the species of Lotus L., 1753 in Egypt by using morphometric analysis techniques. We have evaluated 24 morphological characters from about 300 herbarium specimens representing 19 species of Lotus that are currently recognized. Based on numerical analyses of macromorphological characters (cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis and principal component analysis), 19 species of Lotus were recognized from Egypt. These species were clustered in six species-specific groups: (I) Lotus halophilus Boiss. & Spruner, L. angustissimus L., L. glinoides Delile and L. schimperi Steud. ex Boiss., (II) Lotus glaber Mill. and L. palustris Willd., (III) Lotus polyphyllos E.D. Clarke, L. creticus L. and L. cytisoides L., (IV) Lotus gebelia Vent., L. lanuginosus Vent. and L. arenarius Brot., (V) Lotus edulis L., L. tetragonolobus L. and L. conjugatus L. and (VI) Lotus ornithopodioides L., L. peregrinus L., L. arabicus L. and L. hebranicus Hochst. ex Brand. As a result of this study, we proposed that some characters, not previously examined in detail, showed significant characters in species delimitation: pod length, seed dimensions, features of upper and lower leaflets, calyx, length of corolla, length of style, numbers of flowers and ovules.

Application of multivariate analysis to identify relationships among useful agronomic characters of cowpea and differentiation of cultivars for vegetable and grain uses

Background. Сowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is a thermophilic crop; in most countries it is grown for grain and vegetable uses. Positive results of open-field cowpea production in the southern regions of Russia and the possibility of its cultivation on infertile soils in hot and dry climate imply the need to develop new cultivars suitable for wider introduction into Russian agriculture. It is of paramount importance for cowpea breeders to know the patterns of variability in the relationships among agronomic traits and their characteristics in cultivars grown for different uses (grain and vegetable). Besides, acceleration of the breeding process to a large extent depends on the knowledge of the traits that make it possible to differentiate the source material according to its intended purpose.Materials and methods. For three years, 315 cowpea accessions of various origin from the VIR collection were studied in Astrakhan Province, Russia. Eight useful agronomic characters were examined. The variability and relationships of these characters were assessed in cultivars grown for grain and vegetable purposes using multivariate statistical analyses.Results and discussion. The characters that differentiate grain and vegetable cowpea accessions were identified: the type of seed coat surface, the presence of fiber in ventral and dorsal pod sutures and a sclerenchyma layer in pods valves, and pod length. Discriminant functions were calculated for identification and classification of accessions according to their grain and forage uses. The character (presence of depressions or longitudinal striae on the seed coat surface) diagnosing vegetable cowpea cultivars was pinpointed. Characters associated with high seed yield were identified. For grain cultivars such character is the weight of 1000 seeds, while for vegetable cultivars it is a large-seeded and long-fruit pod.

Effect of Different Mulching Materials on the Growth and Yield of Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Nfonta the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Mulching is a common technique used across the world by farmers to especially conserve soil moisture in vegetable production but farmers in Nfonta and the entire western highlands of Cameroon have not practiced the uses of mulching. In this experiment, a randomized complete block designe with 5 treatments and 3 replications was set up to study the effect of elephant grass, saw dust and white plastic as mulching materials on the growth and yield of green bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.) in Nfonta. Data was collected on plant height; number of leaves per plants, leaf area index and yield of mature pods per plant. Data was analyzed using one way ANOVA from stat graphics centurion xv and means were separation using the Fischer least significant difference (LSD) test at 95% confidence interval. Results showed white plastic, and elephant grass mulches to have significantly (P<0.05) affected the growth and yield of green bean. White plastic mulched plants exhibited the highest growth parameters and subsequently produced the highest yield of 12.00 mature pods per plant with average pod length of 11.97cm and average mature pod weight of 4.22g compared to the other mulch treatments. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in yield of green bean grown with no mulch (control), saw dust mulch and corn stalk mulch. Corn stalk mulched bean plants produced the lowest yield of 7.83 mature pods per plant with average pod length of 9.17cm and an average mature pod weight of 2.83 which was not much different from that produced by the control. These results call for more investigations to the potentials of white plastic as best mulch material for achieving optimum green beans yield in Nfonta and the entire western highlands of Cameroon.

Effect of Iron and Zinc on Growth, Yield and Quality of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under South Gujarat Condition

A field experiment was carried out at College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari on clayey soils during summer season of the year 2019 to study the Effect of iron and zinc on growth, yield and quality of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) under south Gujarat condition. The results of experiment indicated that growth and yield attributes viz., plant height at 60 DAS and at harvest, number of branches per plant, number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, seed and haulm yield (955 and 2008 kg/ha, respectively) and test weight increased significantly with soil application of FeSO4 @ 25.0 kg/ha which was significantly higher over control but remained at par with soil application of 12.5 kg FeSO4/ha. Similarly zinc is also an essential plant nutrient for plant growth and yield. Zinc application had also positive effect on growth and yield attributes viz., plant height at 60 DAS and at harvest, number of branches per plant, number of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant, pod length, seed and haulm yield (972 and 2030 kg/ha, respectively) and test weight increased significantly with soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25.0 kg/ha which was significantly higher over control but remained at par with soil application of 12.5 kg ZnSO4/ha. Significant improvement in protein content in seed with soil application of both FeSO4 and ZnSO4 @ 25.0 kg/ha.

Effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on growth and yield contributing parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L.) crop

An experiment was conducted during 2014 and 2015 at Solan, Himachal Pradesh to study the effect of elevated CO2 (eCO2) and temperature (eT) on growth and yield contributing parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L.) crop under four conditions of CO2 and temperature in open top chambers and open natural condition. The study revealed that pea plants performed better under eCO2, with slight changes in development and yield attributing traits, depending on the cultivars. However, the beneficial direct impactof elevated CO2 (eCO2) on crop yield can counteract by elevated temperature (eT). Pooled data for two years indicated that growth and yield attributing traits like plant height, days to first harvest of pods, harvest duration, fresh weight and biomass, number of pods per plant, pod length, pod girth, pod yield were improved under eCO2. However, responses of these attributes were negated with eT. Pea cultivars PB-89 performed well under eCO2 and eT conditions as compared to Azad P-1.

Growing Condition and Varietal Impact on Growth Performance and Yield of Yard Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata) Varieties Cultivated under Tropical Climate

Background: Yard-long bean is one of the exporting crops of Fiji, with approximately half a ton exported annually. Lack of information on the varietal performance under the field condition walls the ability of farmers to choose a suitable variety for higher production under different growing conditions. Therefore, this study aims to identify a higher-yielding variety of yard-long bean that performs to the maximum under the tropical climate of Fiji. Methods: Three varieties of yard-long bean were selected based on their availability and were planted under three different growing conditions. The data on the chlorophyll content, stem girth, plant height, pod number, pod length and pod weight were collected and analyzed. Result: The experiment results indicate that the JS15P variety of yard long bean had significantly the highest leaf chlorophyll content in Trial 1 and Trial 2; however, no significant differences were observed in Trial 3 among the three varieties. No significant differences were observed in the stem girth among the three varieties. As for the plant height, the JS15P variety had significantly the highest among the other two varieties. The results also indicated that the JS15P variety of yard-long bean had significantly the highest yield in all three trials; therefore, the JS15P variety of yard-long bean is highly recommended to farmers in Fiji or those cultivating crops under tropical climatic conditions.

Genetic Diversity for Yield and Its Component Traits in Blackgram (Vigna mungo. L Hepper)

Thirty eight genotypes were subjected to genetic divergence by using D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into 7 clusters by D2 analysis. Cluster I consisted of maximum accessions (32) followed by cluster II, III IV, V, VI, VII consisted of only 1 accession. The inter-cluster distances were greater than intra-cluster distances, revealing that considerable amount of genetic diversity existed among the accessions. Maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster I (56.58) indicating that some genetic divergence still existed among the genotypes. This could be made use of in the yield improvement through recombination breeding. Highest mean values exhibited no. of seeds per plant in cluster II (198.97), days to maturity in cluster VII (93.11), harvest index in cluster V (76.15) and plant height in cluster IV (69.59). The character contribution maximum towards diversity among the accessions were seed yield per plant (18.40%), followed by harvest index (14.32%), biological yield (11.98%), no. of pods per plant (10.76%), pod length (9.80%) and no. of seeds per plant (7.56%). These characters combining with early maturity were the major traits causing genetic divergence among the accessions. It was assumed that maximum mount of heterosis will be manifested in cross combinations involving the parents belonging to most divergent clusters.

Efficacy of homoeopathic medicines Zincum metallicum 6CH and Zincum metallicum 12CH on growth of Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Bhindi) in a natural environment: A placebo-controlled study

Objectives: Homoeopathic dilutions are used to increase active principles in medicinal plants, detoxify plants, increase plant growth rate and fruit production, improve plant metabolism and control diseases. This controlled experimental prospective study was conducted to evaluate the effect of homoeopathic medicines Zincum metallicum 6CH and Z. metallicum 12CH on plant growth of Abelmoschus esculentus L. in a natural environment. This study helps assess and establish the role of homoeopathy in propagating plant growth. Materials and Methods: A. esculentus seeds were cultivated in a designated area of the Homoeopathy University campus. Among these, 30 received Zincum 6CH (20 drops in 1 litre water), while 30 received Zincum 12CH (20 drops in 1 L water) and 30 received normal water. After 60 days, the entire plant was measured for height, pod length and productivity. Results: After 60 days, the number of fruits (plant productivity) in the groups receiving Zincum 6CH and 12CH was 335 and 267, respectively; in the group receiving normal water, the number of fruits was 159. The heights of plants receiving Zincum 6CH (M = 48.4 cm, SD = 2.65) and 12CH (M = 40.1 cm, SD = 2.39) were comparatively more than in plants receiving normal water (M = 31.6 cm SD = 2.26). The length of pods in plants receiving Zincum 6CH (M=13.3 cm, SD = 0.96) and 12CH (M = 10.3 cm, SD = 0.97) was comparatively more than in plants receiving normal water (M = 8.9 cm SD = 0.62). Conclusion: The application of potentised homoeopathic medicines Zincum 6CH and 12CH on A. esculentus demonstrated a beneficial result, as observed through significant differences in plant productivity, mean plant height and mean pod length among the experimental and control groups. Zincum 6CH showed more efficacy than 12CH in all aspects of growth.

Seed Priming Boost Adaptation in Pea Plants under Drought Stress

In the present investigation, we study the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis MH161336 (106–8 CFU/cm3), silicon (25 mL L−1), and carrot extract (75 mL L−1) as seed primers, individually or in combination, on morphological, physio-biochemical and yield components of drought-stressed pea plants (Master B) during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons. Our results indicated that drought causes a remarkable reduction in plant height, leaf area, number of leaves per plant, and number of flowers per plant in stressed pea plants during two seasons. Likewise, number of pods, pod length, seeds weight of 10 dried plants, and dry weight of 100 seeds were decreased significantly in drought-stressed pea plants. Nevertheless, seed priming with the individual treatments or in combination boosted the morphological, physio-biochemical, and yield characters of pea plants. The best results were obtained with the Bacillus thuringiensis + carrot extract treatment, which led to a remarkable increase in the number of leaves per plant, leaf area, plant height, and number of flowers per plant in stressed pea plants in both seasons. Moreover, pod length, number of seeds per pod, seeds weight of 10 dried plants, and dry weight of 100 seeds were significantly increased as well. Bacillus thuringiensis + carrot extract treatment led to improved biochemical and physiological characters, such as relative water content, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, regulated the up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes, increased seed yield, and decreased lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species, mainly superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, in drought-stressed pea plants.

EFFECT OF SOWING METHODS AND PICKING INTERVALS ON THE FRESH YIELD AND SEED PRODUCTION OF OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L.)

To study the effect of various planting beds and picking time on yield of okra, a research study was conducted at Horticulture Research Farm, Malakander, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. Okra seeds of cultivar Swat Green were planted into two different types of sowing methods (ridges and flat beds), and reduced to various number of picking (3, 4, and 5 intervals). The results of the present study revealed that okra plants sown on the ridges recorded maximum germination percentage (96.9%), fruit weight (22.41g), pod length (14.44 cm), seed pod-1 (48), 100 seed weight (6.41 g), seed yield (102.2 kg ha-1) and fresh yield (0.165 tons ha-1). Data regarding number of picking intervals showed that maximum germination percentage (92.7%), fruit weight (20.97 g), pod length (12.25 cm), highest seed yield (103.3 kg ha-1), and seed pod-1 (43) were recorded in 3 pickings. Whereas, data for maximum 100 seed weight (6.6 g) for picking intervals was recorded in 4 pickings and maximum fresh yield (0.148 tons ha-1) in 5 pickings. Infestation of weeds can cause a significant loss in okra yield which needs urgent integrated management. Cyperus rotundus, Echinochloa crusgalli and Digitaria sanguinalis were the main weeds observed during the study against which local farmers used various manual, mechanical and chemical control methods. It is concluded that okra plant sown on ridges and almost 3 picking intervals have significantly affected the growth and seed yield. Excessive use of chemical herbicides should be avoided to prevent environmental and human health hazards.