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.
