Leaf area estimation is an important biometrical trait for evaluating leaf development and plant growth analysis in field study of horticultural as well as other species of crop plants. These measurements can be made either destructively and/or non-destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments as INTRODUCTIONCrop growth, productivity and quality are directly related to leaf area (LA) as leaves constitute the most important aerial organ of the plant, playing a major role in the photosynthetic assimilation by means of the light absorbing pigments (e.g., chlorophyll and carotenoids), which they possess in abundance. Hence, the total leaf area, which in the majority of cases has a direct bearing on the amount of chlorophyll, is an important parameter for assessing the ability of the plant to synthesize its dry matter (Prasada Rao et al., 1978). In addition, leaf area development strongly influences water and nutrient use of the horticultural crop plants and thus important for cultural management practices such as irrigation, fertilization, etc. It is also needed for evaluation of training and pruning systems and estimation of pest population densities in horticultural crops (Lang, 2005a;Anderson et al., 1999;Sepulveda and Kliewer, 1983; Elsner and Jubb, 1988; Lang, 2000b). A large number of methods, either destructive or not, have been developed to measure leaf area. However, measuring the surface area of a large number of leaves, especially in the field, can be costly, time consuming, laborious and usually destructive (Beerling and Fry, 1990). Many methods like tracing, blueprinting, photographing, or using a conventional planimeter, require the excision of leaves from the plants. It is therefore, not possible to make successive measurements of the same leaf. Also, the plant canopy is damaged, which might cause problems to other measurements or experiments (Lu et al., 2004). Non-destructive methods, which do not require the leaves to be detached, are useful because they allow measurements to be repeated during the plant"s growth period, and reduce the variability associated with destructive sampling procedures (Silva et al., 2005;Pandey and Singh 2011). Instruments and laser optic apparatuses have been developed for quick, accurate, and non-destructive measurement of leaf area (Daughtry 1990; Fladung and Ritter, 1991; Mori et al., 1991;Smith et al., 1991;Blanke, 1995;Ebert, 1995;Beverly and van Lersel, 1998; Igathinathane et al., 2006). However, these devices are somewhat expensive, time-consuming and complex (Manivel and Weaver, 1974;Robbins and Pharr, 1987) for basic and simple studies. A modelling approach involving linear relationships between LA and one or more dimensions of the leaf is an inexpensive, rapid, reliable and a nondestructive alternative for accurately measuring LA (Williams and Martinson, 2003; Lu et al., 2004). Thus for many fruit (Kobayashi, 1988;Potdar and Pawar, 1991; Uzun and Çelik, 1999;Campostrini and Yamanishi, 2001;Williams and Martinson, 2003;Demirsoy et al., 20...
Seed germinating ability and stand establishment determine the management options in crop production system. Physiological advancement of seeds through priming is a simple and cost-effective method to improve the germinability and stand of any crop. Studies were performed on seed invigoration through hydropriming at the division of PHT, SKUAST-Kashmir during the year 2016 to optimize the hydropriming duration for improved germi-nation and seedling vigour of okra (Pusa sawani) and parsley (curly type). Freshly harvested seeds were soaked in normal water for varying durations (okra- 12, 18 and 24 h; parsley- 24, 48 and 72 h) at (25±2°C) and re-dried to original moisture content at room temperature. Fifty seeds of each treatment were cultured in 14.0 cm Petri dishes lined with 5 layers of moist blotting paper. Observations on various germination parameters were recorded at (25±2°C). Priming of okra seeds for 18 h resulted in highest FGP (85.7%), GE (66.5%), GI (36.7), SDB (29.1mg) and SVI (2.49) coupled with minimum values of T50 (2.75 day) as well as MGT (2.38 day). However, the highest FGP (78.7%), GE (48.7%), SDB (3.13 mg), GI (12.8) and SVI (0.25) together with minimum T50 (7.2 day) and MGT (6.5 day) in parsley was recorded with 24 h priming duration. As such priming duration of 18 and 24 hours at 25±2°C were found optimal for enhanced and rapid seed germination with vigourous seedlings.
Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp., ciceri) is one of the major yield limiting factors of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). For eco-friendly and sustainable management of the disease, two species of antagonists (Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum) and chemical fungicide (Carbendazim 50 WP) alone or in combination with farm yard manure (FYM) were evaluated against the pathogen. The study was carried out under laboratory and field conditions. In vitro results showed that T. viride and T. harzianum alone or in combination significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen. Different concentrations (10, 50 and 100 ppm) of Carbendazim 50 WP showed significant inhibition in the mycelia growth, and a concentration of 100 ppm completely inhibited the mycelia growth of the pathogen. Result indicates that seed treatment with T. viride and T. harzianum reduced the wilt incidence significantly, and increased the seed germination as compared to control. Application of bio-agents alone or in combination with FYM enhanced the plant growth parameters significantly, that is, dry weight, root length and grain yield. The lone treatment with carbendazim as seed treatment significantly reduced the wilt incidence, and increased seed germination and plant growth parameters as compared to control. Results of the study show that bio-agents significantly reduced the wilt incidence, and increased seed germination and plant growth parameters as compared to chemical fungicides.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.