Soil Amendments Alter Soil Chemical Properties and Toxic Elements Accumulation in Sweetpotato cvs. Bayou Belle and Beauregard - Mae Ann Bravo Methods of Fertilization in Commercial Production of Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens Small (Bartr.) form green and glauca) -Vania Pereira Iron Biofortification in Radish and Pea Microgreens Using Alternative Iron Sources and Ascorbic Acid -Rishi Ravichandran Combined Agronomic Biofortification of Iron and Zinc in Radish and Sunflower Microgreens - Rishi Ravichandran Growth Responses of Hydroponic Vegetable Transplants to Nutrient Solution Concentrations Made with Food Waste Liquid Ana - Emily Webb Foliar Boron Nutrition in Grafted Watermelon: Impact on Fruit Development, Yield, and Quality - Bhupinder S. Jatana
Saw palmetto is an endemic palm of the Southeastern United States that has been widely used as an ornamental food source for birds and mammals, and the fruit is used as a medicinal supplement for prostate cancer. The production of this palm still relies on wild harvesting. We analyzed the effects of different fertilization methods on the plant growth and fruit production of two saw palmetto forms (green and silver) from 2022 to 2023. Fertilization methods consisted of 1. Control- no fertilizer application; 2. Injection by Arbor-Jet: Palm-Jet Mg 1-2-2 (N-P2O5-K2O) 2.5 ml per plant once a year (ArborJet, Woburn, MA); 3. Granular (Harrell’s, Lakeland, FL): 8-2-12 4 Mg (N-P2O5-K2O 4 Mg) with micronutrients 146 g/m2 of plant canopy; 4: Granular and drench fertilizer: 8-2-12 4 Mg with micronutrients 146 g/m2 with drench application – 20-10-20 Epsom salts Non-staining Micros (Harrell’s MAX, liquid foliar nutritional, Lakeland, FL). Treatments 3 and 4 were applied every three months for a year. Green saw palmetto only differed and performed better than silver form in the number of leaves and offshoot per plant. The granular and granular with drench fertilization provided the best plant growth rates, regarding plant height, width, visual quality, and green canopy cover, then control and injection treatments. Even though the drench had a higher supply of nutrients for the plants, the differences were not statistically significant from granular fertilization.
Field trials were conducted to investigate the feasibility of applying commonly used soil amendments to reduce the accumulation of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in sweetpotato storage roots. The cultivars Bayou Belle and Beauregard were grown on an experimental site with natural levels of As, Cd, and Pb. The following soil amendments were used: agricultural lime (AGL) (1 t·ac−1), gypsum (GYP) (1 t·ac−1), biochar (BIO) (1 t·ac−1), and silicon provided as wollastonite (WOL) (2.5 t·ac−1). Compared to the unamended plots, WOL and GYP were associated with elevated soil pH and sulfur levels while reducing Mn and Fe availability. There were no differences in storage root yield grades for both cultivars. The soil amendments were associated with reducing As and Cd extractability by 12 to 31% and 2 to 5%, respectively. A notable finding was the increase in Cd and Pb accumulation in the cultivar Beauregard amended with WOL. We hypothesize that the elevated pH was associated with reducing available binding sites and surface complexes such as with Mn and Fe, leading to the increased bioavailability of Cd and Pb. These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that AGL is a viable soil amendment under mixed toxic element conditions, reducing Pb accumulation without increasing the uptake of other toxic elements. The data also support the need for a systems-based approach for the long-term management of toxic elements in sweetpotato, where soil amendment application is integrated with the use of cultivars associated with low accumulation of specific toxic elements.
Iron (Fe) is an essential and versatile micronutrient in plants and humans, and inadequate levels of dietary Fe can cause impaired development in children and poor physical and cognitive functioning in adults. Iron deficiency is the leading micronutrient deficiency worldwide, affecting around 1.6 billion people, with the most vulnerable demographic being pregnant women and infants. Contributing factors include diets that, particularly in developing regions, are predominantly comprised of cereal grains which are characterized by relatively low bioavailable Fe levels. Additionally, 30% of cultivated soils globally have low Fe availability. Defining effective ways to increase Fe content and availability in edible plants is therefore of utmost importance, and an agronomic approach to Fe biofortification could be a viable solution. Microgreens are an ideal candidate crop for tackling nutrient deficiencies. They are nutrient dense, have low antinutrient levels, can be grown in a relatively short amount of time, and can be consumed raw, making them a convenient target for agronomic Fe biofortification. Unfortunately, Fe uptake by plants is problematic, especially in alkaline and oxidizing conditions. Previous studies have suggested the potential of using ascorbic acid (AA) as an enhancer of Fe uptake. However, this approach has not been tested before in microgreens. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate in a soilless system the effect of different Fe sources with and without organic acids (Ferric sulfate, Ferric sulfate 0.1% Ascorbic acid, Ferric citrate), applied via fertigation at different concentrations (0, 15, 30, 45 mg/L of Fe), on radish and pea microgreens’ Fe content. Treatments were arranged in a randomized factorial experimental design using three replications. We discovered that Ferric sulfate 0.1% AA was the most effective source in increasing Fe uptake, while Ferric citrate was the least efficient. Fertigating with 45 mg/L Ferric sulfate with 0.1% AA resulted in an approximately 110% increase in Fe accumulation in radish and pea microgreens, compared to the untreated control. However, using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to adjust the nutrient solution pH, the same treatment was associated with an increased level of Na and resulted in a 3-30% reduction in fresh and dry biomass in both microgreen species. In conclusion, this study provides promising evidence that through fertigation, supplementation of AA with Fe fertilizers is effective in increasing Fe uptake in two microgreens species. However, careful consideration of Fe sources and concentrations needs to be made to not compromise yield and nutritional quality.
Micronutrients like boron, similar to essential macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), play a crucial role in plant growth and productivity, even though they are required in smaller quantities. In California’s pistachio production, boron deficiency was initially identified as a concern. However, more recently, the issue has shifted to excess boron in soils and water, potentially affecting the plants as boron toxicity. The current study is investigating the relationship between soil and leaf boron levels, leaf surface area damage and yield in pistachio drip irrigated orchard. Soil, leaf and yield data were collected from a second year running salinity management trial on an eight-year-old pistachio orchard (established in 2015) on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Our preliminary findings indicate that while soil boron levels significantly reduced pistachio yield, no significant correlation was found between leaf boron level or percentage of leaf damage (indicative of boron toxicity) and yield. This indicates that the decrease in yield with increasing soil boron is not caused by a reduction in active photosynthetic area. Based on these findings, focusing on monitoring and maintaining optimal soil boron levels might be the most effective strategy for minimizing potential yield losses associated with boron issues in pistachio orchards.
Food waste liquid anaerobic digestates (FWLAD) have received much public attention for its potential as an organic fertilizer source as they are rich in mineral elements. However, FWLAD can contain high salinity and high NH4 concentration, and thus, the optimum application rates need to be determined to deliver required plant nutrients without excessive salt and NH4 level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nutrient solution concentration made from FWLAD on the growth of leafy vegetable seedlings. The seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) ‘Rex’, ‘Muir’, and ‘Roxy’, Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) ‘Rhubarb’, bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) ‘Mei Qing Choi’, and kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) ‘White Russian’ were sown in rockwool plug and grown at 22 °C under sole-source LED lighting with an 18-h photoperiod at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 µmol∙m-2∙s-1. After germination, the seedlings were sub-irrigated with nutrient solution made with either crude or processed FWLAD at electrical conductivities (ECs) of 1, 2, 3, or 4 dS·m–1. Four weeks after treatment, when using crude FWLAD, shoot fresh mass of three lettuce cultivars decreased by 76-92% as EC increased from 1 to 4 dS·m–1. In contrast, with processed FWLAD, lettuce ‘Adriana’ and ‘Roxy’ showed 68-1080% greater shoot fresh mass at an EC of 2 dS·m–1 compared to an ECs of 1, 3, or 4 dS·m–1. Shoot fresh mass of lettuce ‘Muir’ at an EC of 2 dS·m–1 was similar with that at an EC of 1 dS·m–1 but 380-516% greater than those at ECs of 3 or 4 dS·m–1. In lettuce, the EC of FWLAD had similar effects on leaf area as it did on shoot fresh mass, but it had minimal effects on leaf number, relative chlorophyll concentration, and shoot dry mass. In kale, Swiss chard, and bok choy, the EC of FWLAD had little effects on plant growth attributes. Our results suggest that leafy vegetable seedlings vary in their responses to nutrient solution concentrations derived from FWLAD, with lettuce exhibiting greater sensitivity than Swiss chard, bok choy, and kale. In lettuce, lower concentrations of FWLAD (at an EC ≤2 dS·m–1) increased shoot fresh mass.
Grafting is an effective management strategy in watermelon crop against soil borne pathogens. Carolina strongback (SB) rootstock used for grafting, is resistant to both fusarium wilt and root knot nematodes which are devastating soil borne pests of watermelon. However, recent trials have shown that SB grafted plant bear fruits 7-10 days later than regulate plants leading to farmers losing early market which is more profitable. Further, tissue boron content in SB grafted plants were reported to be lower than regular watermelon nursery plants. Boron is the key micro-nutrient involves in cell wall and cell membrane, pollination, pollen germination, cell division, translocation of carbohydrates and fruit development. We hypothesize that foliar application of boron will cure the boron deficiency in grafted plants and leads to early fruit set similar to regular watermelon nursery. To test this hypothesis, a field experiment was conducted at Edisto Research and Education Centre, SC with the objective to evaluate the impact of foliar boron applications on pollen viability, pollination, fruit set, and periodic fruit yield as compared to regular watermelon nursery. The experiment was comprised of four treatments including a regular watermelon nursery control, in randomized complete block design. The soils had medium to low boron content of 0.1 pounds/acre. The soils were medium in potassium (133 pounds/acre), zinc (5.2 pounds/acre) and manganese (13 pounds/acre). Within first 25 days of transplanting, we did not observe any difference in the watermelon aboveground growth and biomass accumulation, in different treatments. Further, we will evaluate the impact of foliar boron application on pollen viability, pollination, watermelon fruit set, fruit yield and quality in SB grafted nursery.
Aerated Compost Tea Impacts on Soil Parameters and Yield of Tomato, Carrot, and Beet - Charlie Rohwer The Effect of High Concentrated Liquid Fertilizer at Hydroponic Culture to the Contents of Amino Acids and Mineral in Watermelon Fruits - Sentaro Tomiyama Changes Of Fruit Profile And Content Of Carotenoids At Different Nutrient Conditions In Hydroponically Grown Watermelon - Xiangyu Cui Phosphorus Fertilizer Application Strategies to Improve Phosphorus Availability and Utilization in Potatoes. - Samuel Essah Nitrate Leaching in Processing Tomato Production Subjected to Deficit Irrigation and On-Demand Nitrogen Fertilization - Dave Goorahoo Greenhouse Nitrogen application rate optimization for optimal bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) growth and productivity in Florida - Cyrus Januarie Determining Adequate Nutrient Application Rates for Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) Production in Deep Water Culture - Shelbie Bohensky The incorporation of black soldier fly larvae to fish feed increased fish and plant growth - Most Tahera Naznin
The intentions of aerated compost tea are to provide nutrients to plants or beneficial microbes to the soil or phyllosphere. Compost tea may also contain organic compounds which alter plant physiology (growth or induced defenses). Compost tea is mainly encountered in organic systems, but there is evidence for improved outcomes when using both organic and conventional nutrient sources. The objective of this study is to understand more about the impacts of aerated compost tea (ACT) on soil microbial activity and nitrogen status and plant responses. ACT was applied weekly or bi-weekly as a drench or as a spray to field-grown tomatoes, carrots, and beets fertilized organically or conventionally at two locations in Minnesota. Results presented here focus on produce yield from year 1 of the 3-year study. We found no difference in any of the yield parameters measured due to compost tea application. We generally observed higher yields in organically-fertilized produce in both locations. One location, with a longer history of organic production, had higher soil microbial activity in the organically-fertilized treatment but the difference in yield between conventional and organic tomatoes was similar at both locations.
We have previously reported the sugar distribution and accumulation in watermelon fruit grown hydroponically (Tomiyama et al. 2023 . Hort Science). In this research, the contents of amino acids and mineral in watermelon fruits grown hydroponically at high concentrated nutrient solution were investigated. Three different hydroponic culture conditions were set by Electric Conductivity: EC 5.0, 3.0, and 1.2 dS-m-¹. Initially watermelon seedlings (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. Et Nakai ‛Hitorijime-BonBon) were grown at EC 1.2 dS-m-¹ (Control) conditions on deep flow technique in a glasshouse. Treatment was initiated two weeks after pollination. Forty days after pollination, watermelon fruits were harvested and measured its size. Then, mineral and amino acids content were analyzed by HPLC. We measured NH⁴⁺, K⁺, Mg⁺, and Ca²⁺ as cations and PO⁴- and NO³- as anions. Twenty amino acids were measured also. As result, the fruit size and weight decreased under high nutrient conditions. At mineral analysis, the cations NH⁴⁺, Mg⁺, and Ca²⁺ content in the flesh did not increase at the high concentrated treatment, but K⁺ increased in the pericarp at higher treatment. Similarly, the anions PO⁴- and NO³- content increased as K⁺. In control, amino acids was accumulated in the center of flesh, whereas in the higher concentration amino acids was concentrated in the pericarp. When we focused on citrulline and proline, they were accumulated more in pericarp than flesh. In conclusion, mineral (K⁺, PO₄³-, NO₃-)and some amino acids such as citrulline, and proline, which accumulate in the pericarp, accumulated under high concentrated liquid fertilizer at hydroponic culture.
Researches on carotenoid content in hydroponically grown watermelon fruits are rarely conducted. In hydroponic system, nutrient condition can be easily monitored and precisely controlled by regulating the concentration of culture solution. To study the changes of fruit profile and content of carotenoids at different nutrient conditions, we cultured watermelon in hydroponic system and changed the electric conductivity (EC) of solution which can represent the condition of nutrient. Forty seedlings were provided by Hagihara Farm company and replanted in the hydroponic system where the electric conductivity of solution equaled 1.2 dS·m-1. Three branches were remained for one plant and each pistil after 20 nodes were pollinated by hands. The nutrient condition was divided 14 days after pollination into 3 groups which were Control (EC = 1.2 dS·m-1), the regime of solution EC = 3.0 dS·m-1 (group 2) and the regime of solution EC = 5.0 dS·m-1 (group 3). Samples were taken every 10 days interval, and the fruit size, weight as well as Brix of flesh were measured on the sampling day. Carotenoid contents were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Results showed that compared to the control group, fruit size and weight were promoted in group 2 but restrained in group 3. However, group 3 had the highest Brix among three groups. In terms of β-carotene, the higher the concentration of solution was the earlier its promotive and restraining effects showed out. Lycopene was also promoted in the early stage (10-30 days) in group 2 and group 3 but the total amount on 40 days decreased and dropped to near or below the control group.
Phosphorus (P) is a poorly soluble plant nutrient. Therefore, P uptake by the potato crop is primarily through root interception and short distance diffusion. This limits the percentage of soil supplying P to potato roots. Placement of P fertilizer is a management variable that can influence P uptake and P use efficiency, thereby improving tuber yield and quality. Recent studies conducted at Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley Research Center, USA, has shown that blending orthophosphate fertilizers with 10-34-0 reduces required P fertilizer cost and improves P use efficiency, as well as increase potato tuber yield and quality, compared to using 10-34-0 as sole source of P fertilizer. Information on placement method of blended P fertilizers for maximum use efficiency and tuber performance has not been documented. Studies were conducted at Colorado State University’s San Luis Valley Research Center, USA, with the objective of evaluating the effect of blended liquid P fertilizer placement method on Russet potato performance in the field. Three orthophosphate fertilizers each blended with 10-34-0 were evaluated under three placement methods (banding, in-furrow, and banding in-furrow application). Banding of blended liquid P fertilizers increased medium size (4-10 oz) tuber yield by 22%, compared to in-furrow application. In-furrow application of blended liquid P fertilizers increased production of premium size (> 6 oz and > 10 oz) tuber yield by 8 and 49%, respectively, compared to banding application. Results from this study suggest that appropriate liquid P fertilizer placement method can enhance sustainable potato production.
The information presented in this poster represents the first-year findings of an ongoing two-year study to assess the efficacy of two nitrogen (N) fertilization and irrigation approaches on tomato yield and quality, and the Nitrate (NO3) Leaching Index (NLI) defined as the ratio of the amount of NO3 in 60-120 cm of soil to the amount in 0-120 cm. Water and N use efficiency (WUE and NUE) were determined for processing tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) grown on a Handford Sandy Loam soil, with a pH of 6.7, in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), California, USA. The experiment was a split-plot design with three replications of irrigation rates (I) as the main factor based on evapotranspiration (ET) scheduling amounts of 74% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two fertilizer (F) application methods as the subplot factor. The Growers Practice (GP) was seven equal applications of CAN-17 for a total of 201 kg N/ha (180 lbs N/ac) over the growing season, whereas the Soil Nitrate Quick Test (SNQT) approach was to apply 17kg N/ha (15lbs N/ac) whenever the NO3 test strip value was less than 20 ppm. A total of 36 beds with a width of 130 cm x length of 2,700 cm were planted so that each subplot comprised three beds, with the two outer beds used as buffer rows. There were no significant differences in the total yield of all tomatoes (reds, breakers, and green) harvested as a function of either the irrigation (p= 0.79) or fertilizer rates (p=0.12). However, for the fully matured marketable red tomatoes, fertilizer practice had a significant effect (p=0.02), with the GP yielding approximately 30% more tomatoes than the plots subjected to SNQT. There was no interaction effect of F x I on the yield of these red tomatoes. With respect to sugar content, I (p
Bamboo, a giant tropical and temperate region grass, is used for food, timber, furniture, building and construction material, and paper making, among others. With the US being the world's number one importer of bamboo shoots, many growers are venturing into bamboo production with little or no knowledge of the best management practices. There is no reliable literature conducted in Florida about the crop. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop site-specific nitrogen (N) requirements for young bamboo plants in a controlled environment. This study was done in a greenhouse at UF/IFAS Citrus REC in Lake Alfred. One-year-old bamboo plants were transplanted into 37.85 L pots and treated with varying rates of N (0,112,224, and 336 kg N ha-1). Growth, photosynthetic rate, and tissue composition were measured biweekly for five months. Initial and final soil analyses were done. The results demonstrated that higher rates of N (up to a certain amount, i.e. 224 kg N ha-1) increased growth rate, number of culms, and dry matter accumulation. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and regression analysis were conducted for the response variables in R software. Chlorophyll content and culm diameter were comparable. It was concluded that 200 kg/ha N was optimal for young bamboo plants since it demonstrated the peak growth rate, number of culms, and dry matter compared to the rest of the treatments. Key words: Dendrocalamus asper, nitrogen fertilization, best management practices
Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) is a novel crop within the U.S. that is widely grown throughout southeast Asia. Although considered a noxious weed by USDA, interest from ethnic communities has led to the restricted permittance of cultivation within Georgia, USA. In order to determine nutrient requirements for hydroponic production of water spinach, a study was conducted using a deep-water culture in a greenhouse located in Watkinsville, Georgia, USA in the summer of 2023. Two selections of water spinach were grown in plastic containers filled either a ¼ or ½ strength Hoagland’s solution arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications of each selection by nutrient solution combination. Initially, 15 plants of each selection were placed into the tubs. Beginning at 21 days after transplanting, two plants were removed from each tub for determination of biomass and nutrient concentrations. Additional plants were removed at 10-day intervals until a final harvest at 61 days after planting. The trial was then repeated. Results indicated that biomass (root and shoot) and nutrient removal within foliar tissues were significantly greater in the ½ strength solution compared to the ¼ strength solution. Total nutrient accumulation for most macronutrients exhibited a quadratic response, increasing until 51 days after planting and then plateauing. Plants grown in the ½ strength and ¼ strength Hoagland’s solution accumulated similar concentrations of foliar macronutrients though due to differences in biomass accumulation, total nutrient removal was significantly different between the two nutrient solutions. At harvest (day 61), ½ strength plants had an average potassium (K) concentration of 5.24% (dry weight), while those grown in the ¼-strength Hoagland’s solution averaged 4.48% K on a dry weight basis. However, due to significant differences in biomass production, K nutrient removal rates were more than twice as much in the plants grown in the ½ strength Hoagland’s solution compared to those grown in the ¼ strength solution. Our results suggest that although water spinach may grow in river systems in its native environments, that growth benefits from additional levels of fertilizer nutrients when cultivated in greenhouse systems and that a ½ strength Hoagland’s solution should be an appropriate baseline to develop recommendations for hydroponic nutrient solutions for greenhouse production of water spinach.
The economic success of the aquaponics industry and fish farming is mostly dependent on the use of inexpensive, nutritionally adequate meals. Approximately sixty percent of the economic balance is accounted for by fish feeding. The substitution of insect meal for fish meal appears to offer a promising approach to reducing cost and the environmental impact. The black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) possess 40–45% proteins and a favorable essential amino acid profile. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of commercial and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL)-based diet on Nile tilapia growth, plant growth, and antioxidant accumulation in crops. The results showed that tilapia fish can grow at a higher rate on BSFL-based meals than on commercial diets. On the other hand, a study revealed that BSFL BSFL-based fish feed waste water significantly stimulated plant growth and antioxidant accumulation in aquaponic systems. This study opens up new possibilities for using BSFL as a substitute for fish meal, which could help to reduce the environmental effect of aquaponic production systems while also contributing to a circular economy.
