Sequential progression of principal growth stages of sweet potato in the eastern region of India. Sweet potato's vegetative and reproductive growth patterns are indicated by the successive evolution of the major growth phases.

Abstract

Sweet potato is grown for its starchy roots in many countries and is widely cultivated in India. This crop is widely acknowledged for its substantial economic and health benefits. However, a comprehensive description of its phenology has not been reported. The phenological growth stages of sweet potato are described here for the first time using the extended Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt, and Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. Nine primary growth stages have been specifically defined, including germination (0), leaf development (1), main shoot development (2), side shoot development (3), tuber development (4), inflorescence emergence (5), flowering (6), fruit development (7), fruit maturation (8), and senescence (9). The sequential progression of key growth stages has been described according to the phenological development structure and environmental requirements of different phenophases. Because it covers all phenophases related to the vegetative and reproductive stages, the extended BBCH scale is extensively useful for sweet potato cultivation. The extended BBCH scale may also be a useful tool for assessing the potential effects of climate change on crop productivity and fruit quality.

Very little is known about how soil type × root architecture interaction affects fruits' yield and quality. This study provides some insights into the characteristics of clay and clay loam soil and the alteration of fruit quality and nutrient insertion of shallow and deep-rooted pomegranate varieties according to the soil type. Findings indicate that shallow-rooted varieties set more fruit under clayey conditions, but fruits get smaller and quality drops. Regardless of the rooting attitude, pomegranates yielded lower in clayey soil compared to clay loam. We also discussed the nutrient contents of pomegranates influenced by soil and root architecture.

Abstract

Among the most important factors influencing plant nutrient uptake and water access are soil fraction and root architecture. However, little is known about how soil fraction × root architecture interaction affects woody plants. This study considered the differentiation of soil fertility parameters on layers through the root zone of two different soils and the quality and nutrient responses of three newly bred pomegranate varieties to soil fractions based on root architecture in clay and clay loam orchards. According to the findings, increasing clay content in the deeper layers has a negative impact on soil fertility, organic matter, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In clayey conditions, pomegranate varieties yielded lower in a range of 2.74% to 6.10% and significantly lower macro and micronutrient insertion. Conversely, the shallow-rooted variety accumulated significantly more boron (B) and P and set 50% more fruits in the clayey orchards. Soil fractions × root architecture significantly altered fruit quality characteristics, nutrient ingredients, and their relationships supported by a relatively low linear relationship in the Mantel test (r = 0.42). This study suggests that pomegranate tree responses to soil fractions are determined by root architecture. A proper approach to obtaining high-quality and nutritionally fortified pomegranates will incorporate appropriate cultivation techniques, such as suitable fertigation regime regulation, harvest date optimization, and soil organic matter enrichment, to provide uniform nutrient uptake based on the soil type and variety's root architecture.

Tomato phyB1 mutant shows wilting traits compared to WT grown under 50% daily evapotranspiration.

Abstract

Water availability is a limiting factor to plant development and productivity. Many drought-induced physiological processes that affect patterns of growth, biomass allocation, and ultimately, yield, are also regulated by the red/far-red photoreceptor phytochromes (PHYs). However, as the mechanisms and responses to drought stress vary among plant developmental phases, it is reasonable to conjecture that PHY-dependent morphophysiological responses to drought may be different according to the plant growth stage. In this study, we submitted tomato phyB1 mutant plants to water deficit in two distinct growth stages, during vegetative and flower-bearing reproductive phases, comparing the morphophysiological development, fruit yield and quality to wild-type (WT). In general, phyB1 plants overcome growth limitations imposed by water availability limitations during vegetative phase, being taller and leafier than WT. Restrictions to growth are less acute for both genotypes when water deficit occurs during reproductive phase compared to vegetative phase. phyB1 yield is lower when water is limited during reproductive phase, but its fruits accumulate more soluble solids, associated with better quality. These results highlight that drought-induced modulations in tomato growth and yield are dependent upon PHYB1 regulation and the developmental phase when water deficit is applied.

Multivariate analysis of the effects of a phosphorus-solubilizing bioinoculant on soil physical–chemical and enzymatic parameters along wheat growth (Feeks-Large scale). The partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was constructed with 7 latent variables and obtained 100% accuracy, explaining a variance of 97.05% in calibration and 93.13% in cross-validation to discriminate each phenological stage, as well as the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) also separated the stages 100% correctly.

Abstract

Two plots (10 ha each) of Triticum aestivum L. wheat crop were analysed, one with a phosphorus-solubilizing bioinoculant (bioinput) and another without the bioinput (control). Traditional physical–chemical variables and four enzymes were analysed: arylsulfatase (AS), β-glucosidase (β-G), acid phosphatase (AP), and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG). These variables were considered by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The HCA separated 100% correctly the control and bioinput samples along the wheat phenological stages (Feekes-Large scale). The PLS-DA model was constructed with seven latent variables and obtained 100% accuracy, explaining a variance of 97.05% in calibration and 93.13% in cross-validation. The control soil had a productivity of 57.8 bags per hectare, while the soil with bioinput had a productivity of 60.8 bags per hectare. Furthermore, soil with the bioinput presented higher concentrations of the enzymes AS, β-G, and AP in the final phenological stages.

Promising genotypes identified with better yield potential and low seed glucosinolate content under semi-arid climate. The identified genotypes may be used to improve productivity and quality of Indian mustard in marginal environments.

Abstract

Indian mustard is an important oilseed crop in India. The productivity of Indian mustard needs to be increased in marginal environments such as in arid and semi-arid areas to boost production. For this, identification of promising genotypes with high yield and quality under arid and semi-arid climate is required. In this study, 65 genotypes of Indian mustard were evaluated in Augmented Randomized Block Design in the Purulia district of West Bengal, a mustard growing zone characterized by red laterite soil and semi-arid climate. Considerable variation was observed between the genotypes for most characters such as number of seeds per siliqua (coefficient of variation [CV] 7.39%), followed by days to first flowering (CV 6.9%) and total number of siliquae (CV 6.43%), respectively. However, variation was less for days to maturity and quality parameters. Strong positive correlations were observed between many traits such as number of branches and number of siliquae on branches (0.82), number of branches and siliquae per plant (0.73), number of branches and yield per plant (0.72), number of siliquae on branches and siliquae per plant (0.91), number of siliquae on branches and seed yield per plant (0.76). Relatively strong negative correlation was observed only between oil and glucosinolate content (−0.60). Most of the traits showed high heritability along with high genetic advance over mean. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis classified the genotypes into six clusters. Based on yield, its components, and other quality parameters, promising genotypes such as Pusa Mahak, Narendra Ageti Rai 4, and JM-1 were identified. These genotypes may be targeted for further genetic improvement or be incorporated in breeding programmes for developing high-yielding mustard varieties for arid and semi-arid climate.

The graphical abstract illustrates the efficacy of chitosan polysaccharide in mitigating the severity of beet curly top Iran virus (BCTIV) disease in tomato plants. Chitosan-treated plants exhibited a significant reduction in disease severity and virus accumulation compared to untreated plants. Additionally, chitosan application enhanced the expression of key resistance genes and promoted metabolic pathways, suggesting its potential as an integrated approach for managing BCTIV disease in tomato and other susceptible plants.

Abstract

A tomato-infecting virus known as Beet curly top Iran virus (BCTIV) cause a significant disease for tomato plants and several other plant species around the world. Chitosan polysaccharide is a natural biopolymer that has been utilised as an exo-elicitor to enhance plant defence mechanisms against a variety of plant diseases. This study investigates the efficacy of chitosan in combating BCTIV disease on tomato plants and modulating the host–virus interaction under greenhouse conditions. Twenty-four hours before the virus inoculation, tomato plants were sprayed with a protective chitosan solution at different concentrations (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL). Tomato plants were inoculated with a BCTIV infectious clone using an Agrobacterium-inoculation method. The findings clearly demonstrated a reduction in the severity of the disease in chitosan-treated plants as compared to Mock-plants, with the percentage decreasing from 61.53% to 75.28% in 1.5 mg/mL treated plants and from 9.01% to 28.43% in 0.5 mg/mL treated plants. In addition, the utilisation of chitosan has the potential to deactivate the accumulation of BCTIV within the host tissues. The virus accumulation was greatly alleviated in 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL-treated plants by 71.29%, 90.11%, and 93.14%, respectively, and over the mock plants. Furthermore, it was found that chitosan applied at all tested concentrations increased the relative expression and mRNA accumulation of genes related to resistance, including the pathogenesis-related protein gene PR-1, the HSP90 gene, and the AGO2a antiviral gene. These genes reached their maximum by 22.9-, 12.93-, and 4.44-fold increases, respectively, over the untreated control. According to gas chromatography–mass spectroscop (GC-MS) fractionation profile, chitosan increased 28 bioactive metabolic components, such as n-hexadecanoic acid, heptanone, 1,2-dimethylbenzene, dicarboxylic acid, and cis-11-octadecenoic acid methyl-ester, to improve metabolic pathways. Results reported here revealed that foliar application of chitosan decreases the rate of the disease severity and virus accumulation in BCTIV-infected tomato plants. This effect is associated with increased gene expression and defence-related factors, enhancing tomato resistance to BCTIV infection. Consequently, chitosan treatments could be part of an integrated approach for reducing the severity of BCTIV disease in tomato and other host plants.

The present study defines codes and phenological growth stages of taro according to the extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamnt, and Chemische Industrie scale using three-digit numerical coding system for the first time for its description. It has immense importance in crop management, crop improvement, germplasm characterisation, and assessment of impact of climate on phenology under different agro-climatic conditions.

Abstract

Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott var. antiquorum] is an important tuber crop widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions, for its corms, leaves, and petioles. Millions of people living in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Central America, utilise taro as a staple or subsistence food and it plays a very crucial role there for food security, nutritional security, livelihood improvement, and employment generation. It exhibits a capacious range of diversity worldwide regarding plant characteristics. However, its phenology has not yet been described systematically. The present study defines codes and phenological growth stages of taro according to the extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamnt, and Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale using a three-digit numerical coding system for its description. A total of nine principal growth stages were described such as germination (0), leaf development (1), elongation of shoot/stem (2), tuber formation (3), development of inflorescence/spadix (5), flowering (6), development of berries/fruiting (7), ripening of berries and seed development (8) and senescence and beginning of dormancy (9) and further, each of the principal development stages has been partitioned into optional developmental growth stages. Under remarkable circumstances, it is valuable to use mesostages with three-digit codes for description. The study of extended BBCH scale for taro has immense importance in crop management, crop improvement, germplasm characterisation, and assessment of impact of the climate on phenology under different agro-climatic conditions for the selection of suitable genotypes.

Sequential progression of principal growth stages of cardamom. Bar indicates time elapsed in each stage and line indicates weather parameters during the study period (2021-23).

Abstract

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) is an important spice crop with high market value. In this study, we describe the phenological growth stages of cardamom using a three-digit extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie (BBCH) scale, which includes eight principal growth stages, comprising four vegetative, two reproductive and two capsule development stages. Additionally, we identified 45 secondary stages within these principal growth stages, providing a comprehensive characterisation of the crop's growth progression, including bud development, leaf emergence, tillering and shoot development, while the reproductive stages included inflorescence emergence and flowering. The capsule development stage details the maturation process of capsules. The study also highlights the parallel occurrence of tillering, shoot development and inflorescence emergence stages during specific growth phases. The knowledge of growth stages facilitates timely interventions, optimising crop management strategies and enhancing overall crop productivity. Additionally, these findings offer valuable insights for breeding programmes and the selection of superior genotypes, contributing to the sustainable cultivation and economic viability of cardamom as an important export-oriented spice crop.

Highlights

BBCH scale provides uniform coding for different growth stages of cardamom. Identified and described eight principal growth stages (PGS). PGS comprises of 4 vegetative, 2 reproductive and 2 capsule development stages. 45 secondary stages were identified within 8 principal growth stages. Tillering, shoot development and inflorescence emergence occurs parallelly.

Plants of gladiolus varieties under September and October plantings completed their phenological development in less time and accumulated fewer agrometeorological indices because of favourable temperature and short day conditions during these months in sub-tropical conditions. According to the phenological model, based on duration to reach phenostage and accumulated agrometerological indices (GDD, PTU, ENT), it would be advisable to plant Punjab Lemon Delight and Punjab Glance in a timely manner, specifically in September, Punjab Glad 3 and CPG could be planted later, in December and White Prosperity, however, could be planted during the October and November.

Abstract

Phenological models serve as a potent tool in management practices and determining flowering time in ornamental crops. Schwab's staging system for development of gladiola that relies on easily identifiable visual characteristics was used in the study to describe the detailed developmental stages and requirement of agrometeorological indices for each stage. The study was conducted with five gladiolus varieties planted at four different times to characterize the varieties for planting time. Plants under September and October plantings completed their phenological development in less time and accumulated fewer agrometeorological indices because of favourable temperature and short day conditions. The phenological model revealed that Punjab Lemon Delight and Punjab Glance could be planted in September as their blooming was delayed by 32 and 17 days, respectively and corm harvesting by 48 and 43 days respectively, when planted in December. The delay in blooming was 18 and 15 days respectively for Punjab Glad 3 and CPG and corresponding values for corm harvesting were 30 and 26 days when planting was done in December indicating that these varieties could be suitable for late planting. White Prosperity could be planted in October or November because when comparing planting in these 2 months, the number of days to bloom and the number of days to corm harvesting were similar.

The efficacy of a yeast, Aureobasidium spp. strain UC14 isolated during the winter season, against Penicillium expansum growth was tested by in vitro assays and on apples during the cold storage. The antagonism of UC14 was further demonstrated by the low amount of pathogen DNA detected in treated fruits by qPCR analysis and also by the reduction of patulin. Results displayed interesting aspects of the strain as candidate for use in the postharvest phase.

Abstract

Penicillium expansum is a fungal pathogen of pome fruit, causing the economically important disease of apple blue mould. The fungus is also important due to its ability to produce the mycotoxin patulin. A strain of Aureobasidium spp. (UC14) was assessed for controlling P. expansum and patulin production in a series of in vitro antibiosis experiments. Volatile and non-volatile metabolites reduced growth of P. expansum on average by 50%. To assess UC14 efficacy on apples in vivo, different concentrations of cellular suspension were assayed. The concentration 1 × 10⁸ cells/mL was the most effective, completely suppressing apple fruits blue mould symptoms. The antagonism of UC14 was further demonstrated by the very low amount of pathogen DNA in treated fruits detected by qPCR. During cold storage, Aureobasidium strain UC14 persisted on fruits and reduced disease severity by 82.5% and 89.8%, for ‘Golden delicious’ and ‘Fuji’ apples, respectively. Aureobasidium strain UC14 reduced patulin on ‘Golden delicious’ and ‘Fuji’ apples by 98.1% and 96.2% with respect to the control, demonstrating good efficacy as a potential biological control agent (BCA), so becoming an interesting candidate for use as BCA in the postharvest phase.