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Diploid cotton (Gossypium herbaceum and G. arboreum) is well known for its great resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Additionally, their short staple and coarse fibre characteristics make them ideal for medical cotton applications. Despite these benefits, the cultivable area under diploid cotton has decreased recently, and limited breeding efforts have been taken to develop cultivars suitable for the surgical cotton industry. Therefore, the identification of promising genotypes is very important for the development of diploid cotton varieties with high yield and superior fibre quality. In this study, 150 G. arboreum genotypes and five check varieties were evaluated for 17 yield and fiber quality traits to determine the level of genetic variability and usefulness for surgical cotton properties. Genetic variability analysis revealed high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for plant height, number of monopodia, single plant yield and lint index. High heritability (H) coupled with high genetic advance (GA) was observed for plant height, number of nodes, number of bolls, number of monopodia, boll weight, single plant yield, lint index and 2.5 % span length. Principal component analysis of 17 quantitative traits indicated that the first five principal components (PC) contributed 71.53 % of total variation, with important yield attributing traits were present in PC1 and PC3, while important fibre quality traits were reported in PC2. The genetic diversity analysis revealed that the 155 cotton genotypes were classified into five clusters, with Cluster IV having the most genotypes (81). Based on 2.5 % span length and micronaire data, a surgical cotton reference set was constituted. The analysis of surgical cotton parameters suggested that three genotypes namely Phule Dhanwantri, CNA1039 and FDX231 had excellent absorbent cotton properties in combination with higher yield attributes. Future exploitation of the identified genotypes could increase Asiatic cotton productivity and surgical cotton quality. [Display omitted] • Short staple and coarse fibre have a potential market for the surgical cotton industry. • Gossypium arboreum genotypes were evaluated for yield and surgical cotton properties. • Genotypes exhibited high genetic variability for yield and fibre quality traits. • A reference set of genotypes was constituted based on 2.5 % span length and micronaire. • Promising genotypes suitable for medical cotton applications were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ginger and turmeric were highly responsive to organic package of practices. • Yield, curcumin, oloersin, dry matter content increases significantly under organic package of practices. • Both crops were found climate resilient as they will not be affected significantly by rise in temperature especially in mid-hills. • The entire north eastern region of India was found suitable for organic production. A field experiment was conducted at seven distinct locations of north-eastern states of India to assess the effect of organic versus traditional production practices on plant growth, yield and quality attributes of turmeric cv. Megha Turmeric-1 and ginger cv. Nadia for two consecutive years during 2011-13. Among the treatments, organic practices i.e., seed rhizomes treated with Trichoderma harzianum (at 5 g kg−1 seed rhizome and soil application of organic manure {FYM (7.5 t ha−1) + vermicompost (2 t ha−1) + Neemcake (250 kg ha−1)} enriched with PSB (phosphorous solubulizing bacteria) and Azospirillum at the rate of 10 kg ha−1 each was found to be superior over traditional practices (without any use of organic manure and biofertilizers). Under organic practice for turmeric, significant improvement was observed with 21.98, 17.42, 11.54 and 40.31% increase in yield (20.13 t ha−1), dry matter (19.34%), curcumin (5.44%) and oleoresin (16.86%) content, respectively, over traditional practices. Similarly in ginger, the increase in yield (19.29 t ha−1), dry matter (19.93%) and oleoresin content (6.62%) was recorded 36.54%, 12.81% and 6.04%, respectively, under organic over traditional practices. The difference of average annual temperature between lowest (23 m) and highest elevation (960 m) was 5.36 °C with non-significant (p < 0.05) correlation between elevation/temperature of testing locations to growth, yield and quality attributes of ginger and turmeric. Hence, under mid-hill conditions, yield and quality attributes of ginger and turmeric will not be affected significantly by rise in temperature due to global warming. Moreover, quality ginger and turmeric production in the region can be enhanced by promoting organic package of practices with ensuring the availability of quality inputs such as planting material, biofertilizers etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Hedge-pruning resulted in lateral branch growth stimulation with increase in flower buds production. • Hedge-pruning alone or combined with GA 3 could decrease the severity of alternate bearing in jojoba. • A significant branch elongation in response to gibberellins application. • Summer pruning in jojoba was the best time to control alternate bearing. Abstract In jojoba, flower buds develop exclusively on new growth near branch tips. An increase in the number of growing tips (branching frequency) could possibly increase flower buds and seed yield. This study was conducted to determine the effect of summer hedge pruning and gibberellic acid spraying on vegetative growth, flower bud production, seed yield and alternate bearing of 12-year-old S-700 jojoba clone. Hedge-pruning was done after harvesting during the mid- July in 2015 and 2016 seasons. Trees crown formed as hedge wall of about 1.0 m, 1.5 m width, and unpruned trees as control. Trees were sprayed with GA 3 at 0, 100 and 150 ppm three times a year started at 1st August with one-month intervals. Obtained results showed that hedge-pruning treatments alone or in combination with GA 3 foliar spray treatments enhanced branching density, flower bud production, seed yield and, controlling alternate bearing. Hedge- pruning at 1.5 m width in combination with GA 3 at 150 ppm proved to be the most effective treatment for improving seed and wax yield of S-700 jojoba clone in the off-year season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a major spice crop in monkey–menace areas in NW Himalayas (NWH). • 'On–farm' experimentation on HYTCs (Palam Pitamber and Palam Lalima) in NWH exhibited higher rhizome yield & curcumin yield. • The curcumin content was higher in indigenous strain ' Suketi Haldi ' (5.18%). • Rhizome yield enhanced by about 3–folds, profitability by 3–4 folds, RUE by 2–3 folds using HYTCs under organic farming. • Higher technology adoption rate (72–98%) and NIGs (2.3–2.5 folds) urge for employing participatory-mode adaptive research. Abstract Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a major spice crop in India in general and north-western (NW) Himalayas in particular where it is grown mostly organic by default using biennial local strains having low productivity. This crop is becoming an alternate crop in monkey–menace areas in NW Himalayas transferring into gigantic fallow-lands otherwise. There is a dire need to boost turmeric productivity in the region by introducing high yielding turmeric cultivars (HYTCs). Thus, an extensive ' On–farm ' experimentation was done at 10 locations in 6 monkey–menace affected community-development-blocks (CBDs) (Sadar, Sundernagar, Dharampur, Gopalpur, Seraj and Gohar) of the randomly selected district–Mandi of the randomly selected Himalayan province–Himachal Pradesh as the study area. For this purpose, two newly released annually harvested HYTCs (Palam Pitamber and Palam Lalima) alongwith a widely grown local strain ' Suketi Haldi ' in NW Himalayas (as check), were planted alongwith organic manure i.e. FYM @ 20 t ha–1 on oven dry weight basis. Mean data of two years revealed that Palam Pitamber resulted in highest rhizome yield (32.94 t ha–1) followed by Palam Lalima (32.35 t ha–1) compared to biennially harvested ' Suketi Haldi ' (12.45 t ha–1). Likewise, Palam Pitamber resulted in highest net returns and net B: C ratio (416,548 ha–1; 5.38) followed by Palam Lalima and Suketi Haldi , respectively. The curcumin content was higher in ' Suketi Haldi ' (5.18%), but the curcumin yield was significantly higher in Palam Pitamber and Palam Lalima. The monetary-efficiency indices revealed that organic turmeric cultivation using HYTCs may fetch about 1243–1270 ha−1 day−1 to the Himalayan farmers. Overall, the turmeric rhizome yield was enhanced by about three–folds, profitability by 3–4 folds, resource-use efficiency (RUE) by 2–3 folds in terms of production– and monetary efficiency, water-use efficiency and partial factor productivity of applied nutrients (NPK) by the adoption of HYTCs coupled with FYM @ 20 t ha–1 over ' Suketi Haldi '. Higher technology adoption rate (72–98%) and net income gains (2.3–2.5 folds) in the study area advocated for employing ' Participatory-mode ' adaptive research methodologies following intensive technology transfer programme in remote hill agro-ecologies. In nutshell, the newly developed HYTCs exhibited great potential in boosting the turmeric productivity, profitability, curcumin yield and RUE vis-à-vis wider adaptability in monkey–menace areas to improve rural livelihoods and make organic turmeric cultivation a promising agri–entrepreneurship in NW Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Higher sesame productive performance with good manipulation of cultivars and Nitrogen doses. • Sesame oil content can be increased with Nitrogen doses. • Sesame protein content can be increased with Nitrogen doses and cropping season. Abstract Sesame is an oleaginous plant that requires suitable management in the field to achieve satisfactory production; however, to better understand the requirements of the culture, it is necessary to obtain more information on the behavior of sesame cultivars, in relation to the nutrition and edaphoclimatic factors that can interfere with its response. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the production components of fertirrigated sesame cultivars, in the northeastern semi-arid region of Brazil, as a function of nitrogen (N) fertilization in two crops. The experiments were conducted at the Rafael Fernandes Experimental Farm, which belongs to the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), from February to May (first crop) and July to October (second crop), in the year 2016. The experimental design was of a randomized complete blocks type with four replications, with the treatments arranged in a split plots scheme, where in the plots were assigned five rates of N (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha−1) and in the subplots four sesame cultivars (CNPA G2, CNPA G3, CNPA G4, and BRS Seda). The evaluated variables were N content in the diagnostic leaf (NCDL), number of capsules per plant (NC), plant dry mass (PDM), seed yield (SY), oil content (OC), and protein content (PC). The maximum values of the variables studied were obtained at a rate of 120 kg ha−1 of N. The cultivar CNPA G4 presented the highest productive performance in comparison to the other cultivars, and the cultivar BRS Seda had the highest oil content in the seed. The second crop (July to October) obtained the best agronomic performance for the sesame. Regarding the protein content, the cultivars CNPA G3 and CNPA G4 obtained the highest at a rate of 120 kg ha−1 of N. The second harvest also provided higher levels of protein in the seed, independent of the cultivar evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Present is the first attempt to standardize agro-technique in Curcuma mangga. • Seed rhizomes of 20–25 g size were optimum for aroma and pharmaceutical industries. • β-Myrcene and Cyclofenchene were dominant constituents of rhizome essential oils. • First report on comparative volatile profile from mother rhizome, primary rhizome and secondary rhizomes. Abstract Curcuma mangga is a medicinally important species grown in tropical Asian nations and is known to yield rhizomes that are source of curcumin and essential oil. This species has been valued in both traditional as well as modern medicines and has wide applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. However, the species has largely remained underutilized and its systematic cultivation could help in assuring continuous supply of uniform quality raw material to meet the industrial demands. During present investigation, effect of different size groups of seed rhizome was studied on yield and quality parameters, which revealed size dependent differences. Considering higher dry matter recovery (24.44%), oil yield (17.57 ml/m2) and curcumin content (0.46%), use of seed rhizomes of 20–25 g size could be recommended for producing raw material meant for aroma and pharmaceutical industries. On the other hand, if the final produce is meant for processing and value addition, use of seed rhizomes of 15–20 g size would be optimum as it would save the seed rhizome requirement without compromising with the yield. GC–MS analysis revealed β- Myrcene and Cyclofenchene as dominant constituents in essential oil of mother, primary and secondary rhizomes. Findings of present study would be helpful for large scale production of raw material required by flavor, food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Fractionation of sorghum stems yields fractions exhibiting diverse properties. • Physical fractionation by wet milling and sieving can yield pith-enriched fractions. • Sorghum pith cell walls are low in lignin and more readily digestible by enzymes. Abstract Sorghum offers enormous potential as a feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals from both water-extractable sugars and the cell wall biopolymers, while its within-plant structural and compositional heterogeneity may allow for physical fractionations to tailor feedstock properties to a biorefining process. In this study, the stem internodes of two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) genotypes, a sweet sorghum ('Della') and a forage/energy sorghum ('TX08001'), were first subjected to fractionation by manual classification by stem anatomy and internode proximity to the ground to yield 18 fractions. These fractions exhibited substantial differences in cell wall morphology, composition, and recalcitrance to mild alkaline pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. While the sweet sorghum cultivar held nearly 70% more water-extractable sugar (sucrose, glucose, fructose, starch) in the stems than the forage/energy sorghum hybrid, both cultivars exhibited comparable diversity of composition and these compositions were remarkably similar in similar tissues and stem regions between the two cultivars. The fractions isolated from the pith parenchyma were the least recalcitrant to mild alkaline pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis and contained less lignin than fractions isolated from the epidermis, outer and inner rind, and internal vascular bundles. The pith samples isolated from the lowest region of the stem from both cultivars exhibited near-theoretical sugar hydrolysis yields when no pretreatment was employed and exhibited the lowest lignin contents of any of the fractions. Next, a physical fractionation approach approximating a commercial "de-pithing" process utilizing wet disintegration and sieving was applied to the forage/energy sorghum. A pith-rich fraction representing approximately 20% of the extractives-free mass of the stem could be isolated with this approach and, relative to the other fractions, was low in lignin, high in ash, highly hygroscopic, and showed an improved response to mild alkaline pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis at low enzyme loadings. Overall, these results demonstrate how heterogeneity within sorghum stems can be exploited using physical fractionation approaches to yield fractions enriched in desired properties that may allow for more streamlined processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) was cultivated under different levels of vermicompost and humic acid. • Humic acid increased total sugar and root inulin yield. • Vermicompost increased root inulin yield, total sugar and degree of inulin polymerization. • The combination of vermicompost and humic acid increased chicory root growth. Abstract Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a valuable medicinal plant and belongs to the family Asteraceae. Both chicory and Jerusalem artichoke are used in the production of inulin at industrial levels. Meanwhile, the extraction of inulin from chicory is more commonly considered. In this research, different levels of vermicompost and humic acid were used in order to study the effects on Iranian chicory roots, their growth and the physicochemical properties of their inulin. Treatments were vermicompost (0, 5, 7.5 and 10 tons/ha) and commercial humic acid (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 kg/ha). In this study, the growth parameters of roots were measured, including their fresh and dry weights, the depth of the root network and root volume. Furthermore, several phytochemical parameters were measured, including total sugars, reducing sugars, percent of inulin and the average degree of polymerization (DPn). Results showed that the combined application of vermicompost 7.5 tons/ha + humic acid 0.9 kg/ha significantly increased the fresh weight of roots (by 50.7%), the dry weight of roots (by 51.47%), depth of the root network and root volume compared to the control. In the same manner, the combination of vermicompost 10 tons/ha + humic acid 0.9 kg/ha significantly increased the fresh weight of roots (by 45%), the dry weight of roots (by 48.5%), depth of the root network and root volume compared to the control. All of the three concentrations of humic acid significantly increased the yield of inulin. The highest level of vermicompost (10 tons/ha) caused the highest amount of inulin (71.87%) which was 8.99% more than the control. The reducing sugars were not influenced by humic acid and vermicompost. However, all concentrations of humic acid as well as the highest level of vermicompost (10 tons/ha), significantly increased the total sugar content compared to the control. The application of 10 tons/ha vermicompost caused the highest value of Dpn (28.67). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin content of feedstock contributed more for the biomass recalcitrance despite of the comprehensive effect from multiple physical and chemical characteristics based on the anaerobic digestion analysis of 16 plant wastes from South China. With the objective of improving anaerobic digestion performance of mixed fruit shell, hydrothermal pretreatment based on biogas slurry recycling (HPBSR) was proposed. Compared with traditional hydrothermal pretreatment, the lignin content of mixed fruit shell was reduced by 4.51–21.13% after HPBSR. The soluble chemical oxygen demand of liquid fraction under 200 ℃ increased by 87.45% relative to the control group with biogas slurry. And the cumulative methane yield of anaerobic digestion was 129.97 mL/gVS, which was 45.01% and 18.78% higher than the control group without treatment and the hydrothermal pretreatment group, respectively. Moreover, the HPBSR experimental group did not produce anaerobic digestion inhibitors (furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural), and the higher humic acid concentration would be another possible reason for the improvement of methane yield. The related results will provide insights into the resource utilization of biogas slurry. [Display omitted] • Hydrothermal pretreatment based on biogas slurry recycling (HPBSR) was proposed. • A 45.01% increase in methane yield was achieved after HPBSR process. • No furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were detected during HPBSR process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shading during cultivation leads to increased tea quality, but its effect on tea yield remains unclear. In this study, shading decreased the tea plant yield because it resulted in the production of thin leaves and shortened internodes as well as a decreased photosynthetic rate. The exogenous application of brassinolide (BL), which is a novel phytohormone, recovered some of the lost yield caused by shading by increasing the leaf area, promoting internode elongation, and increasing the photosynthetic rate. Moreover, BL did not affect the enhancement effect of shading on tea quality. The exogenous application of BL could increase the content of total amino acid (AA), geraniol, chlorophyll and carotenoid, and reduce polyphenols-to-amino acids ratio (P/A) in green tea processed from shaded tea leaves. Our findings have clarified the effects of shading on tea plants and explored measures to address shading-induced yield losses without affecting the enhancement of quality, which have potential implications for limiting shading-induced yield losses in tea plants. • Shading decreased 100-bud weight, LMA and internode length of tea plants. • Shading decreased the cell number in leaf and internode of tea plants. • Brassinolide recovered some of the lost yield caused by shading. • Brassinolide increased the leaf area, internode elongation and photosynthetic rate. • Brassinolide did not affect the enhancement effect of shading on tea quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris L.) is an important cultural aromatic plant, whose essential oils (EOs) have been used in many industrial applications. EO yields are often negatively influenced by various factors, so it is important to keep finding new growing procedures that increase the quantitative content of EOs. Therefore, this paper is focused on the effects of applying foliar nutrition, including N, P and K in combination with salicylic acid (SA), on selected yield characteristics related to the quantitative and qualitative content of EOs in T. vulgaris plants. As shown by our field experiments, targeted pre-harvest application can significantly increase the yield of EOs, resulting in a quantitative increase in the EO content of the plants, ranging from 18.76% to 42.47% compared to untreated plants. In addition, EOs obtained from the treated plants were found to contain 62.1–64.1% thymol; this range was more stable compared to untreated plants, where the thymol content ranged between 53.1% and 62.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to estimate the nature and amount of genetic variation in genotypes in order to understand genetic, phenotypic and environmental associations and character contribution. Genetic variability, co-heritability and path coefficients were studied in the six economic traits of eight genotypes of mandukparni ( Centella asiatica (L). Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variations was largest for dry herb yield and asiaticoside content followed by madecassoside content, madecassic acid and fresh herb yield. Path coefficient under study revealed that the highest direct contribution to dry herb yield was made by fresh herb yield (0.687) and madecassic acid (0.545) followed by madecassoside content (0.155) in per cent. All traits expressed high heritability (^h 2 BS ) 88.89–99.40% except madecassoside content low heritability (39.92%). Genetic advance was high for the three traits namely, fresh, dry weight and asiaticoside content. Fresh and dry herb yield was highly significant and positively correlated with each other at both genetic and phenotypic levels. Amongs the accessions CIM Medha followed by RK-2 and CA-7 and CA-4 was found suitable for cultivation on the commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aromatic grass is one of the Poaceae family's most unique scents and may grow in various agro-climatic zones. These grasses' volatile oils provide various biological benefits, including immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant capabilities. Cosmetics, soap, household cleaners, sprays, and other products use essential oils and fragrance compounds from geraniol and geranyl acetate. India is the largest producer and exporter of Cymbopogon essential oils, which are very geraniol-rich. The outcomes showed that genotypes, harvest, genotype*year, genotype*harvest, and genotype*year*harvest all had highly significant effects (P < 0.01). Except for year*harvest for trait X11 and environment for trait X12 attributes, the analysis of variance revealed very significant effects for all of the traits. For herbage yield (quintal/ha/year), the mean genotype values throughout the years ranged from 373.61 to 434.36; for essential oil yield (kg/ha/year), they ranged from 210.03 to 375.13; and for essential oil yield (%), they ranged from 0.51 to 0.86. The most significant mean essential oil yields were in GEN 1, 3, 4, and 5, with mean yields of 375.13, 298.40, 282.13, and 271.0 kg ha-1. In the GGE biplot analysis, the first and second main components explained 58.20% and 26.70% of the total variation in the GGE data matrix, respectively. The first two essential components comprised 84.90% of the total GGE sum of squares. The interactions between traits in different harvests and environments affect the stability of the genotypes for ideal expression. Four genotypes (Gen1, 2, 3, and 4) that were close to the positive side of the abscissa of the GGE biplot graph demonstrated superior performance. It is recommended to cultivate these genotypes over a sizable area in these places. [Display omitted] • Aromatic grass is one of the most important aromas bearing the genus of the family Poaceae. • Substantial GEI effect for oil yield demonstrates genotypes react to changing environmental conditions. • GGE biplot analysis showed the PC1 and PC2 accounted for 58.20% and 26.70% of the total variation. • Genotypes 1 and 3, had highest oil and geraniol yielding genotypes and displayed a high adaptation. • Besides stability traits associations in harvests/years affect genotypes stability expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black turmeric (Curcuma caesia Roxb.) is a rhizomatous aromatic herb that is under-utilized and endangered in India. The current study aimed to delineate its aroma profile, key aroma-active constituents and their ontogenetic variation. The aroma of black turmeric essential oil was described as camphoraceous, sweet, spicy, fresh and herbal with mushroom-like, rooty and fatty bynotes. The sensory-guided purification along with odour activity values and volatile chemo-profiling of the oil identified camphor, germacrone and eucalyptol as the major key odorants. Besides, the morpho-oleochemical variation was investigated in the rhizome during its ontogenesis (5–10 months). The rhizome biomass and intensity of inner bluish shade gradually increased and reached maxima during 9–10 months of its maturity. The oil droplet count (32.8 per mm2) and size (100.9 µm) were also highest concurrently. Although the % oil yield (0.79–0.89% w/w) did not vary drastically, the average oil yield per plant increased from 0.43 g to 1.35 g during the growth. However, the composition and sensory quality of the oil remained significantly unaltered throughout the growth. Therefore, the harvest of fully mature rhizome was recommended for the maximum oil productivity with desired quality. This information will be useful for the cultivation and value addition to this herb as a fragrant material or flavouring agent in future. [Display omitted] • Black turmeric rhizome oil: camphoraceous, sweet, fresh, spicy, herbal. • Major key odorants: camphor, germacrone and eucalyptol. • Biomass, blue shade, oil droplet count and size were maximum in fully mature rhizome. • Oil yield per plant was highest during its full maturity. • Recommended harvest time for maximum oil productivity: 9–10 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on management strategies and alternative crops adaptable to saline waters is scarce. We investigated the effects of high-salinity water (HSW) blended or sequentially applied with low-salinity water (LSW) on growth, mineral nutrients, and tuber biochemistry of Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus , L. cv. ‘Stampede’). Plants were irrigated with blended waters of electrical conductivity (EC w ) ranging from 1.2 dS m −1 (LSW control) to 12 dS m −1 (highest HSW treatment) or with LSW followed by hsw at set intervals (sequential management). Both growth and tuber yield were significantly reduced between LSW control (ECw = 1.2 dS m −1 ) and 12 dS m −1 . An increase in salinity from 1.2 to 6.6 dS m −1 reduced shoot biomass by 37%, but tuber yield only by 11% showing that the plant can tolerate soil-water salinity (EC sw ) = 6.6 dS m −1 , while increasing salinity to 12 dS m −1 caused a 67% decrease in shoot and 47% decrease in tuber yield. Shoot biomass was similar for blended and sequential treatments of equivalent salinity. Tuber yield of sequential treatments was similar to control salinity if 75% of irrigations used LSW. ‘Stampede’ accumulated sodium in roots, but not in shoots. Chloride increased in all organs, mainly in leaves and roots, and high chloride, not sodium, accounted for decreased shoot and tuber biomass. In general, salinity had no effect on the concentrations of minerals, inulin-type fructans and their degree of polymerization, or on tuber antioxidants, but decreased tuber sucrose significantly. Tubers had 50–60% inulin-type fructans and less than 0.02% starch. ‘Stampede’ is an early cultivar adapted to moderate salinity (EC w = 6.6 dS m −1 ) producing, at 5.6 plants m −2 , 83 Mg ha −1 of tubers (41.5 Mg of inulin ha −1 ) and, at control salinity, 92 Mg ha −1 (46 Mg of inulin ha −1 ). The crop is a rich source of feedstock for biofuels or for non-caloric, prebiotic, soluble fiber for the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidants derived from plants are widely used in dietary supplements and have been investigated for the prevention of diseases such as cancer, coronary heart disease and altitude sickness. In order to obtain the highest possible amount of bioactive compounds from plant material, effective extraction procedures are required. One of the most widely used extraction techniques which requires no toxic chemicals is solid-liquid extraction. Mathematical modelling of solid–liquid extraction processes is an important engineering tool in the design process in order to reduce energy, time and chemical reagents consumption. In agreement with that, the aim of this paper was determination of the best suited kinetic model for description of the solid-liquid extraction of bioactive compounds from Asteraceae family plants. In this study, four most common representatives of Asteraceae family were chosen as subjects: camomile ( Matricaria recutita L.), dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale Web.), marigold ( Calendula officinalis ) and yarrow ( Achillea millefolium L.). Initial extraction rate, extraction capacity, activation energy, Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy were determined for all of the four analysed plants. The highest extraction efficiency of total polyphenols content, antioxidants and extraction yield were achieved at the highest extraction temperature of T = 80 °C for all four plants used in this study. Obtained results for activation enthalpies indicated that the extraction processes were endothermic and Gibbs free energy of activation indicated that they were endergonic and not spontaneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose plant that is now being promoted as a fodder crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different planting densities (0.2 m × 0.2 m, 0.4 m × 0.4 m and 0.8 m × 0.8 m) and cutting heights (15, 30 and 60 cm) on the biomass yield and quality of Moringa oleifera in valley areas of southwest China during the period 2010–2012. The results indicated that the highest planting density of 0.2 m × 0.2 m in combination with the intermediate cutting height of 30 cm produced the highest fresh matter (FM) and dry matter (DM) yield throughout the whole evaluation period. The 0.2 m × 0.2 m planting density not only produced the highest FM (8.43–76.41 Mg ha −1 ) and DM (1.66–12.85 Mg ha −1 ) yield, but also the highest fine and coarse fractions of the plant over two consecutive evaluation years irrespective of season, i.e . , rainy or dry. The 30 cm cutting height resulted in the highest FM (25.18–41.53 Mg ha −1 ) and DM (5.28–8.27 Mg ha −1 ) yield in the rainy season, whereas the 15 cm cutting height resulted in the greatest yield in the dry season (4.38–13.16 Mg ha −1 FM and 0.82–2.26 Mg ha −1 DM). These findings suggest that the lower cutting height could be recommended in the low rainfall area to produce the highest moringa yield. Additionally, the crude protein (CP) content was higher in the rainy season (235.3–257.6 g kg −1 DM) than in the dry season (224.1–232.8 g kg −1 DM) and was significantly affected by planting density in the rainy season. However, the crude fibre (CF) (up to 192.7 g kg −1 DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (up to 293.1 g kg −1 DM), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (up to 208.4 g kg −1 DM), DM (up to 173.7 g kg −1 ) and ash (up to 94.5 g kg −1 DM) contents were higher in the dry than in the rainy season. Planting density only significantly affected the DM and ash contents in the rainy season, and the CF content in the rainy and dry season. The crude lipid (EE) content (22.9–26.1 g kg −1 DM)did not differ significantly between the different planting densities, whereas in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) (766.3–853.6 g kg −1 DM) was significantly affected by planting density in the rainy season. The cutting height had no significant effect on the CP, IVDMD, EE, NDF, DM and ash contents in either the rainy or dry season, but the CF content in the dry season and the ADF content in the rainy season were significantly affected by cutting height. These data suggest that as a forage crop, moringa is not only a good source of protein but has a balanced fibre component with a high digestion rate for livestock, especially ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies reveal that atmospheric CO 2 enrichment can improve plant growth with enhanced photosynthesis. However, it is not well-understood whether biochar could be coupled with elevated CO 2 to further promote growth and quality of medicinal plants. This study aims to investigate the interactive effects of CO 2 enrichment and biochar amendment on the growth and quality of a common medicinal plant (Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Miq.) Pax). Two CO 2 concentrations (400 and 1000 ppm) and three biochar dosages (0, 3% and 5%) were considered and tested. Compared with the control in the ambient CO 2 without biochar addition, coupled CO 2 enrichment and 3% biochar enhanced available nutrient levels (e.g., P) most efficiently by up to 1740% in rhizosphere. This was due to the increased soil enzyme activity and relative abundance of beneficial bacteria for nutrient activation. Elevated CO 2 (1000 ppm) coupled with 3% biochar induced the highest tuber yield of P. heterophylla , which was 228% higher than the control. Coupled elevated CO 2 and 5% biochar group shows an increasing yield by 84%. The coupled treatments could increase the yield by up to 213% as compared with the only biochar or only elevated CO 2 treated groups. The concentrations of polysaccharides in root tuber were improved by 56–124% under the CO 2 enrichment. They all satisfy the requirements of Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards. However, the concentrations of saponins decreased by 14–20% in low dosages of biochar treated groups (0, 3%) under the elevated CO 2 concentration, as compared with those under the ambient CO 2. On the contrary, CO 2 enrichment increased the concentrations of saponins by 22% when biochar dosage increased to 5%. This study recommends that 3% biochar amendment coupled with 1000 ppm CO 2 should be adopted to enhance the yield and biosynthesis of polysaccharides in root tuber of P. heterophylla. [Display omitted] • Available P in rhizosphere dramatically increased under coupled CO 2 and biochar. • Enzymes-producing bacteria were enhanced under elevated CO 2 with 3% biochar. • Interactive effects of CO 2 and biochar on plant growth and yield were synergistic. • CO 2 enrichment improved the concentration of polysaccharides in medicinal organ. • Elevated CO 2 alleviated the adverse effects of high biochar dose on saponin synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studies the impact of environmental conditions on phenological traits, biomass and essential oil yields of 15 genotypes of five Ocimum species in two locations in India. Genotypes grown in Lucknow recorded taller plants, greater canopy spread, higher biomass (20.53%) and oil (7.67%) yields. However, genotypes grown in Bangalore recorded higher oil contents and leaf stem ratios. Genotype OCB-9 ( Ocimum basilicum ) produced maximum biomass 19.85 t/ha and O. americanum genotype OCA-12 produced maximum oil yields 55.57 l/ha and 61.42 l/ha across Lucknow and Bangalore locations. O. tenuiflorum genotypes OCS-2 (48.84 l/ha) and OCS-6 (31.02 l/ha) produced higher oil yields at Lucknow and Bangalore. Lucknow grown O. gratissimum genotype OCG-14 and O. kilimandscharicum genotype OCK-15 were superior for biomass and oil yields relative to Bangalore grown plants. The present study clearly indicated that O. basilicum genotypes OCB-7, OCB-8 and OCB-11 are promising for specific aroma rich oil production across the locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almond shells were torrefied in a fixed bed reactor and their solid and condensate products were collected for analysis. Response surface methodology was used to examine effects of torrefaction temperature (230 °C, 260 °C, and 290 °C) and time (60, 80, and 100 min) on mass and energy yields of solid products as well as mass yields and gross calorific values (GCVs) of condensate products. This was the first study on condensates produced during torrefaction of almond shells. Also, true density, moisture sorption isotherms, thermal stability, and elemental composition of the solid products were characterized. The mass yields of solid products drastically decreased at higher temperatures, from 85.4–92.7% at 230 °C to 39.4–45.3% at 290 °C. Also, mass yields (8.79–11.71% at 230 °C to 23.13–29.39% at 290 °C) and GCVs of condensates (2.3 ± 0.3 to 4.3 ± 1.0 MJ/kg at 230 °C to 5.6 ± 1.0 to 7.1 ± 1.2 MJ/kg at 290 °C) generally increased in value at higher temperatures and longer times. Moisture sorption isotherms of torrefied shells were measured for the first time and all torrefied shells had lower equilibrium moisture contents than raw shells. In addition, equilibrium moisture contents and GCVs of the condensates were found, for the first time, to be predicted relatively well using just the sample mass loss results. The minimum moisture contents were predicted to occur at 16.4–19.9% mass loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External induction of resin secretion, based on the defence system of Pinus trees, has been performed by humans since Classical times through various methods. The socio-economic implication of this practice in Spain and the expansion of the Chinese market justify a new approach to tapping methodology and the effects of this activity on the tree. The resin yield of 561 Pinus pinaster trees in a stand in central Spain, tapped in 2012 using four different methods (mechanised or traditional tool, upwards or downwards), was analysed. An anatomical study was made of 13 trees (8 tapped and 5 controls) in another stand 13 km away with similar climate and soil conditions, tapped in 2011 using the same four methods. From each tapped tree, eight cores were taken at different locations and varying distances from the tapping wound. In each core, an analysis was made of growth ring, earlywood and latewood width, and axial canal frequency, area, mean size and location from one year before tapping to two years after (2010–2013). The highest mean annual resin yield was found for traditional tool upward tapping, which also induced the highest increase in axial canal frequency and area. The lowest yield was found for mechanised tapping, which showed no differences between the upward and downward directions. The strongest induction of systemic induced responses in terms of resin canal frequency and area was detected one year after tapping for upward tapping. This suggests the involvement of signalling processes that spread mainly upwards, and the importance of adaptive processes as a defence to periodic insect attacks for this forest tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcuma longa L. belonging to the family Zingiberaceae is an important spice and medicinal plant. Despite an ever growing interest and commercial importance of curcumin and Curcuma essential oil, it is still not clear as to the nature and mode of influence the different soil and environmental factors have on the production and quality of curcumin, leaf and rhizome essential oil of this species. The present report deals with ‘Surama’, a high yielding turmeric cultivar that was cultivated at nine agroclimatic zones with an objective to analyse the effects the different soil and environmental parameters have on product optimization as well the quality of curcumin and essential oil contents. Variation in curcumin (1.5–5%), leaf (0.37–0.8%) and rhizome oil (0.45–0.7%) were recorded across all the zones. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis of leaf and rhizome essential oil for different experimental zones showed wide variation in their quantity and quality. It was found that for curcumin content, most sensitive factors were; the altitude, soil pH, nitrogen and Potassium content. In contrast, the temperature and phosphorous content were found critical for leaf essential oil while, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents were the key quantitative and qualitative determinants for rhizome essential oil. This study provides essential experimental data that could find effective use in yield optimization and managing varying environmental parameters of this important species for high and quality yield of curcumin, rhizome and leaf essential oil. Identification and critical analysis of sensitive/determinant agro-climatic factors are significant for commercial exploitation as well value addition of turmeric products especially with high alpha phellandrene and tumerone content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the Aleurites moluccanus oil was obtained in high yield from the almonds (42%). The methyl and ethyl esters obtained by transesterification of the oil, have a high content of fatty acid unsaturated esters (>89%). Thermal properties in inert and oxidative atmospheres of oils and esters of A. moluccanus seed oil were estimated using Thermogravimetry − Derivative Thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). Low temperature properties of the methyl and ethyl esters were investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). From the experiments was found that A. moluccanus seeds oil was thermally stable up to 210.9 °C; the methanol biodiesel is stable up to 117.9 °C and the ethanol biodiesel is up to 122.0 °C in air. In nitrogen atmosphere the A. moluccanus seeds oil was thermally stable up to 291.2 °C; the methanol biodiesel up to 119.0 °C and the ethanol biodiesel up to 123.3 °C. The esters have satisfactory performance at low temperatures with respect to the point of crystallization, which were below −11 °C. The results showed that A. moluccanus found in Brazil can contribute as a non-edible raw material for the production of biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited water resources and low water use efficiency (WUE) have limited the increase in yield of winter oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.) in northwestern China for a long time. In order to determine an optimal cultivation method for increasing seed yield and improving WUE, field experiments were conducted to study the effects of various ridge-furrow and film-mulching planting patterns on soil water content, root distribution, seed yield, and WUE for three growing seasons from 2012 to 2015. Winter oilseed rape was planted in four patterns: flat planting without film mulching (CK), flat planting with film mulching (M1), ridge-furrow planting with film mulching on both ridges and furrows (M2), and ridge-furrow planting with film mulching on continuous ridges (M3). The results showed that M3 was the best at increasing soil water storage to a depth of 1.0 m after rain or irrigation and at maintaining much higher soil water content in the 0–0.3 m soil layer at the late growth stage. M3 produced the shortest taproots, but the largest taproot diameter and dry weight at both the seedling and pod-filling stages in all the three growing seasons. M3 also induced significantly more lateral-root proliferation in the 0–0.1 and 0.1–0.2 m soil layers without much reduction of lateral-root mass density in the 0.2–0.3 m layer in comparison to M1 and M2. Seed yield and WUE were the highest and evapotranspiration (ET) was the lowest in M3 in all the three growing seasons. Average seed yield was 70.0, 41.1, and 15.0% higher and average ET was 23.6, 14.3, and 9.4% lower in M3 than in CK, M1, and M2, respectively, thus improving WUE by 121.9, 64.5, and 26.8%, respectively. These results suggested that M3 was the best mulching and planting treatment for improving soil water storage, root growth, seed yield, and WUE. M3 may thus be the optimal mulching and planting pattern for the cultivation of winter oilseed rape in arid and semiarid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) is grown in several countries and is commonly used as medicine, condiment, dye and cosmetic. A systematic study on the effects of nutrient management systems on turmeric yield & quality (curcumin content, oleoresin content, and oil content), nutrient uptake and relevant soil quality parameters is lacking. Hence, field experiments were conducted for three years from 2010 to 13 involving three nutrient management regimes viz., organic nutrient management (ONM) involving application or organic manures (Farmyard manure + neem cake + vermicompost + ash + Azospirillum lipoferum + Pseudomonas fluorescens ), conventional nutrient management (CNM) involving application of inorganic fertilizers (60–50–120 kg ha −1 NPK applied as diammonium phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively) and integrated nutrient management (INM) involving a combination of inorganic fertilizers (50% N + full dose of P and K, i.e. 30–50–120 kg ha −1 NPK) and organic manure (20.0 t ha −1 FYM + Bacillus megaterium var. Phosphaticum ). The mean data across the three years revealed that soil pH was greatest in the ONM treatment (5.80), mineral N level in the INM treatment (197.0 ± 109.0 mg kg −1 ) and exchangeable K level in both INM and CNM treatments (213.0 ± 81.0 and 209.0 ± 82.0 mg kg −1 , respectively). Similarly, exchangeable Ca level was significantly higher in the ONM treatment (749 ± 122 mg kg −1 ) followed by the INM treatment (552 ± 128 mg kg −1 ), while the CNM treatment registered a 53.0–65.0% lower exchangeable Ca level. Conversely, large accumulation of Bray P was evident (80.0 ± 57.5 mg kg −1 ) in the CNM treatment and the mean level was greater by 36.9% compared to INM treatment and by 236.0% compared to ONM treatment. Application of organic manures enhanced soil organic C (SOC) levels and the greatest level was observed in the ONM treatment (mean 17.4 ± 0.24 g kg −1 ), followed by the INM treatment (mean 16.6 ± 0.18 g kg −1 ) and lowest in the CNM treatment (mean 15.1 ± 0.17 g kg −1 ). Lower SOC level in the CNM treatment resulted in decreased soil microbial biomass C (C MIC ), acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities. The turmeric rhizome yield was consistently higher in the INM treatment (mean 22.5 ± 10.2 Mg ha −1 ) during the three years followed by CNM (mean 20.0 ± 10.4 Mg ha −1 ) and lastly by the ONM treatment (mean 17.8 ± 9.2 Mg ha −1 ). Similarly, most of the nutrient elements (N, P, K, Mg, Zn) registered significantly higher uptake in the INM treatment followed by CNM and then by ONM. However, the quality of turmeric measured in terms of oleoresin, curcumin, volatile oil and its constituents like α-phellandrene, pinene, AR Turmeron + β Turmeron and α-Turmeron did not show any significant variations among the nutrient management systems. Principal component analysis indicated the degree of interdependence of various factors. Overall, the study indicated the distinct possibility of reducing chemical N fertilizer by 50% when applied in combination with organic manure for enhanced soil quality, rhizome yield and nutrient uptake in turmeric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common reed is still used for a traditional way of roofing throughout the world. During the supply chain from reed harvester to thatcher, reed bunches of minor quality are excluded from further trading and disposed. Contrary to a conventional disposal, bunches could also be used for energetic purpose, but information on the use of thatching reed as biogas substrate is scarce. Therefore 50 customary reed bunches from different countries worldwide were analysed concerning chemical properties and performed discontinuous anaerobic fermentation with milled material according to VDI 4630. In addition to biogas and methane yields, we also characterised the kinetics of fermentation by fitting different sigmoid functions and selecting the best fitting function by the use of the Akaike Information Criterion and other fitting parameters. Subsequently the kinetic describing parameters maximum biogas production rate ( v max ) and the moment of maximum production rate ( t max ) were calculated. Influence of chemical properties on yields or fermentation kinetic parameters were analysed by Pearson product-moment correlation and Partial Least Squares Regressions (PLS). Biogas yields varied between 254.7 and 551.5 l N kg ODM −1 with mean methane content of 56.6 ± 3.6%, as a function of recalcitrant lignin and nitrogen content ( R 2 = 0.816). Also v max was highly influenced by these constituents ( R 2 = 0.732), whereas t max showed only little correlation to chemical components. The study indicates a general suitability of B quality thatching reed for biogas production. Due to the contrary demands on the material for thatching and biogas production, the energetic use of reed as an alternative exploitation method is conceivable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depletion of petroleum reserves and the high level of pollution caused by fossil fuels have led to enhancing renewable energy and fuel production from biomass. Eucalyptus globulus and Nothofagus pumilio residues could constitute an interesting source of biomass for second generation biofuel production. Lenga residues were pretreated with the ionic liquid (IL) 1- N -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (C 2 mimCl), followed by subsequent fermentation using both the strategy of Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) as well as Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation (SHF). The SHF process yielded 0.134 g ethanol/g glucose (26.3 wt-% of the theoretical yield) compared to the SSF process which yielded 0.173 g ethanol/g glucose (33.9 wt-% of the theoretical yield) within the first 24 h of fermentation. In case of Eucalyptus residues, another IL, 1- N -ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (C 2 minOAc) was applied. The SSF process was applied for a period of three days. As a result, 3.7 g ethanol/L (corresponding to a yield of 0.19 g of ethanol/g of glucose or 38.0 wt-% of the theoretical maximum) was obtained at 72 h. When fresh Lenga and Eucalyptus residues were fermented without any pretreatment, the SSF process yielded 0.017 and 0.002 g of ethanol/g of glucose, respectively (3.33 wt-% and 0.48 wt-% of the theoretical maximum, respectively). Thus, the pretreatment procedures resulted in a significant increase in ethanol production, therefore justifying the need of pretreatment prior to the co-enzyme hydrolysis and fermentation for this type of biomass. Further, the combination of IL pretreatment and use of SSF process demonstrated the high potential for bioethanol production from Lenga and Eucalyptus residues. Nevertheless, further improvement by optimization of operational conditions is required to maximize the ethanol yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted during three seasons (2012–2014) in an experimental hop yard at Mabegondo, Galicia, NW Spain. The research aimed at calibrating and validating the soil water balance model SIMDualKc for Humulus lupulus L. cv. ‘Nugget’. The model computes the soil water balance using the dual K c approach, thus partitioning crop evapotranspiration (ET c ) into crop transpiration, ground cover transpiration and soil evaporation. Calibration and validation were performed using TDR soil water content measurements, which produced small root mean square errors (RMSE) ranging from 0.012 to 0.015 cm 3 cm −3 . The initial, mid-season and end-season basal crop coefficients ( K cb ) that allow computing hop transpiration were respectively 0.16, 0.97 and 0.83. The single K c for the same crop growth stages, which refers to transpiration and soil evaporation together, were respectively 0.69, 1.02 and 0.85. SIMDualKc provided to estimate water use by the hop yard and the components of the soil water balance, particularly hop transpiration ( T Hop ), ground covered transpiration ( T cover ) and soil evaporation ( E s ). T Hop represented 92% of actual evapotranspiration (ET c act ) during the mid-season, and E s averaged 69% of ET c act during the initial stage. It was observed that T cover was strongly influenced by soil and ground cover management. The impacts of water use and T Hop on hop yield quantity and quality were assessed. A linear regression between hop cone yield and T Hop has been found, with a high coefficient of determination r 2 = 0.92, while the linear regressions of T Hop with alpha and beta-acids had regression coefficients not significantly different from zero. These results denote appropriate irrigation management with absence of stresses that could affect yields or the concentration of bitter acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clary sage ( Salvia sclarea L.) is an industrial crop grown for its high value essential oil, widely used in perfumery and cosmetic industries. In the present work, agromorphological characteristics, essential oil content and composition and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were studied to estimate the relationships among 11 clary sage accessions, with a known variety CIM-Chandni grown in northern Indian plains. The clary sage accessions were distinguished on the basis of agro-morphological traits and essential oil constituents. As a consequence, these were grouped into dwarf, medium and tall; early and late maturing; low, medium and high yielding. Maximum genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for spike weight plant −1 followed by spike length and plant height. In general, the genotypic correlation was higher than phenotypic. Significant positive genotypic correlation was recorded for plant height with spike length, days to flowering with days to maturity and spike weight plant −1 , spike length with oil content. A high direct positive effect on oil content was because of spike length. The variety CIM-Chandni showed genetic similarity with all its progenies except SS1. Accession SS1 selected as a distinct and best performing genotype based on agro-morphic, quantitative, qualitative traits and RAPD profiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence were estimated among sixty-five turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) genotypes using Mahalanobis D 2 -statistics on thirteen agro-morphological quantitative traits. Mahalanobis’s D 2 analysis revealed considerable amount of diversity among the Curcuma genotypes. The genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Cluster I had maximum number of genotypes (37) followed by cluster II and III (9 genotypes each), IV (4), V (3), VI (2) and VII (1) in order. The genotypes falling under cluster I had the maximum divergence (430.90), which was closely followed by cluster II (332.99) and cluster IV (325.72). The highest inter-cluster distances were observed between cluster VI (959.96) and cluster VII (1020.64), suggesting that the genotypes included in these clusters may be used for future breeding programme. Traits like plant height, fresh weight of rhizome were the major contributors to genetic divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi application are thought to be useful means of minimizing the risks of agricultural production in many environments. Hence, this work was conducted to study and compare the effectiveness of AM fungi ( Funneliformis mosseae ) on growth, chlorophyll content, shoot water content, land equivalent ratio (LER) and essential oil (EO) yield and composition of dill in different cropping systems. Two experiments were carried out with factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design with three replications in 2013 and 2014. The factors were cropping systems including (a) common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) sole cropping (40 plants m −2 ), (b) dill ( Anethum graveolens L.) sole cropping at different densities (25, 50 and 75 plants m −2 ) and (c) the additive intercropping of dill + common bean (25+40, 50+40 and 75+40 plants m −2 ). All these treatments were applied with (+AM) or without (−AM) arbuscular mycorrhiza colonization. In both cropping systems, the AM colonization significantly increased chlorophyll content, LER and EO yield as compared to non-inoculated plants. Changes in EO composition were detected in inoculated and intercropped dill plants. The content of α-phellandrene, limonene, β-phellandrene, terpinen-4-ol, cryptone and carvone were enhanced in EO obtained from AM-inoculated and intercropped dill plants, while AM colonization resulted in a lesser content of α-terpinene, p -cymene, α-terpinolene, p -α-dimethylstyrene, dill ether, n -dihydrocarvone and cis -sabinol at sole cropped dill plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera L.), is one of the very important medicinal plant in Ayurveda since ancient times. It is a native of Mediterranean region grows wildly in arid and semi arid parts of India. Under the germplasm enhancement programme, thirty genetic stocks/cultivars of ashwagandha originated from selective divergence belongs to eight states of India (U.P., M.P., Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, J and K., A.P. and W.B.) were evaluated in the four consecutive years for the estimation of stability/adaptability. Using the AMMI model, ashwagandha genetic stocks namely, W 20, W 1 (cv. Pratap), W 2, W 3 (cv. Chetak), W 4 and W 6 (cv.Poshita) were expressed the high adaptability and stability for root yield over years. Therefore, above six selected genetic stocks/varieties recommended for commercial cultivation in India on large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual leguminous crop, widely cultivated as a medicinal plant, a high quality forage crop, or a nitrogen (N) fixing cover crop around the world. There is a lack of information about the effect of irrigation and fertilization on growth and yield of this crop, especially in regions with limited water availability. In this study, we evaluated the effects of moderate ( I 75 : 25% saving in irrigation water) and severe deficit irrigation ( I 50 : 50% saving in irrigation water) regimes on forage, seed, and trigonelin yield of fenugreek in a semi-arid environment (Karaj, Iran). We also examined if application of bio-fertilizers (seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum and Peudomoance fluorescence ) could substitute the need for chemical N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer in whole or in part. The field experiment was conducted in 2012 and 2013 in a split plot arrangement based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Forage yield, seed yield, and trigonelline concentration were significantly influenced by deficit irrigation. Implementation of I 75 and I 50 resulted in 40 and 65% lower forage yield compared with full irrigation ( I 100 ). Averaged over fertilizer treatments and two years, fenugreek seed yield in I 100 was 839 kg ha −1 which declined by 27 and 42% under I 75 and I 50 treatments, respectively. Accumulation of trigonelline in fenugreek seeds was elevated from 2.9 g kg −1 in I 100 to 3.1 g kg −1 in I 50 . Fenugreek forage and seed yield, both were significantly improved when integrated fertilizers (biofertilizer + chemical fertilizer) were applied. Among the biological, chemical and integrated fertilizers, fenugreek forage and seed yield best responded to bio + 50% chemical fertilizer. The advantage of the integrated fertilizer over chemical fertilizer was even more pronounced when deficit irrigation was practiced. Fertilization had no significant effect on trigonelline concentration According to the results of this study, integration of biofertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer could be successfully used for fenugreek production in this region toward minimizing the consumption of chemical fertilizers and improving fenugreek yield, especially under deficit irrigation regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm has stood out among the promising species for biofuel production and plant improvement through cloning superior individuals is the technology that contributes most to increase oil production. However, there are no studies on the genotypes behavior regarding both in vitro performance and yield potential simultaneously. By this mean, the objective of this paper was to study the genetic control of the related characteristics to the oil palm cloning process, and to identify responsive genotypes within a collection of 32 elite materials of a commercial planting in order to select the superior genotypes for the formation of a clonal garden. Callogenesis and production of embryogenic lines, which are main characteristics related to the cloning process, presented genetic control, verified through estimates of genetic parameters: heritability, coefficient of relative variation, and selective accuracy; also indicating efficiency in the selection of superior genotypes within the evaluated set. Genotypes A-13, A-14, A-18, A-20 and A-21 were selected as superior genotypes for both characteristics, such as oil yield and in vitro performance, due to formation of embryogenic lines. This has been the first study investigating the genetic control of the cloning capacity aiming to the selection of genotypes for a clonal garden formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to characterize the germplasm of 15 genotypes of 5 Ocimum species collected from different regions of India. Based on significant variations and distinct morphotypes were identified in the germplasm. PCA analysis of 11 quantitative traits revealed that the first three components accounted for 82.51% of the total variance. The leaf length, width and leaf area, primary branches, inflorescence length, oil content and 1000 test seed weight were the most important traits accounting for 46.61% of the total variability in the first PC variable. Hierachical cluster analysis produced two distinct clusters of the Basilicum and the Sanctum group. The Basilicum group contained the genotypes of O. basilicum (OCB-7 to OCB-11), O. americanum (OCA-12) and O. kilimandscharicum (OCK-15). The Sanctum group comprised of O. sanctum (OCS-1 to OCS-6) and O . gratissimum (OCG-13) genotypes . Five genotypes viz. OCB-9, OCB-8, OCB-7, OCB-11 and OC-A12 were identified as high-yielding and stable genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pogostemon cablin, commonly known as Patchouli (family-Lamiaceae) is a perennial aromatic herb with many medicinal properties and has immense use in different pharmaceutical industries. In this study genetic variability and association studies were performed for 200 M 4 population derived from chemical and physical mutagenic agents. The trial was planted in Randomized Block Design and eleven morphological and quality characters were taken for the study during the year 2020. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed high phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation (PCV, GCV) for fresh herbage yield per plant, number of monopodia and number of sympodia. High heritability with high genetic advance was observed for the characters, like-length of sympodia (86.703, 28.942), plant height (86.001, 27.439). Correlation study revealed that length of sympodia has significant positive correlation with dry weight of herbage yield/plant, while essential oil yield percentage showed significant negative correlation with fresh herbage yield and dry herbage yield per plant. Patchouli alcohol percentage was also found to be significant and negatively correlated with fresh herbage yield and dry herbage yield per plant. Path coefficient study showed fresh herbage yield/plant to have highest positive direct effect (0.628) on dry weight of herbage yield/plant, while length of monopodia showed highest positive direct effect (0.120) on essential oil percentage. Genetic divergence study partitioned the genotypes into eight clusters, thereby showing great variability among them for the studied traits. So, for increasing essential oil quality characters like- number of sympodia and number of monopodia should be considered and for increasing herbage yield quality, length of sympodia should be taken as selection criteria. • Pogostemon cablin is an aromatic herb with medicinal and pharmaceutical importance. • Genetic parameters studied among mutated population. • Length of sympodia and plant height showed high heritability and genetic advance. • Herbage yield/plant showed maximum direct effect on dry herbage yield/plant. • Mahalanobis D2 study showed 8 clusters with high diversity among the studied genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic film mulching under drip irrigation is a key cotton cultivation technology that can save water and increase yield in arid regions. However, the long-term promotion of film mulching has resulted in increasingly serious problems related to residual film pollution. We hypothesized that deep drip irrigation and optimized irrigation can ensure the sustainability of yield of non-film cotton; thus, film is not necessary under this planting system. To address the above issues, we investigated the effects of different irrigation volumes (in m3 ha−1: W 1 , 2649; W 2 , 2925; W 3 , 3201; W 4 , 3477; W 5 , 3753) on the soil water and salt distribution, agronomic attributes, biomass accumulation, yield composition and water use efficiency (WUE) of non-film cotton grown under deep drip irrigation in a two-year field trial. We also explored possible ways to exploit the full potential of decreasing water consumption and enhancing cotton production. The results showed that the seed cotton yield of W 3 was 7.5%, 7.1% and 3.2% higher than those of W 1 , W 2 and W 5 , respectively, while it was 5.2% lower than that of W 4 across the two-year study. Moreover, there was no significant difference in seed yield or WUE between the W 3 and W 4 treatments. Compared with the W 2 treatment, the W 3 treatment delayed the total growth period by only 0–2 d, the conductivity in the 0–10 cm soil layer was increased by 9.3–22.9%, and the soil water content in the 0–20 cm soil layer was increased by 1.7–4.0%. The cotton plant biomass and reproductive organ biomass increased with the amount of irrigation and followed this order W 5 > W 4 , W 3 , W 2 > W 1. Seed cotton yield was significantly correlated with effective bolls, while WUE was negatively correlated with vegetative organ biomass at the flowering and boll setting stages. Overall, the results suggested that under the non-film conditions, an irrigation amount of 3201 m3 ha−1 would improve the eco-friendliness and efficiency of cotton production systems in arid regions. • Non film deep-drip irrigation (NDI) system can solve the residual membrane pollution. • Salt accumulates on the surface of the soil under NDI system. • Optimizing irrigation under NDI system can achieve high-efficiency cotton production. • Maintaining proper vegetative organs in the later growth stage is conducive to yield increment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibre flax ( Linum usitatissimum L.) is a very poor competitor with weeds, and to obtain acceptable yields, weeds should be effectively controlled. Very little information is available on the tolerance of flax to herbicide applications. Types of applied herbicides determine not only the yield of flax but can also affect yield of fibre, its quality and may affect processes (physical, chemical and enzymatic) used in the refining of homomorphic fibres to increase their thinness and divisibility. Presented basic field research was carried out in the years 2011–2012. In the studies the impact of three herbicides (with a.i. linuron, bentazon and chlorsulfuron) was examined on the control of weeds, course of vegetation and yield and quality of flax homomorphic fibre. The applied herbicides had a significant impact on the weed control, the length of the vegetation, straw yield, the percentage of fibre in the straw, weight and length of the fibre and its thinness and divisibility. The lowest number and mass of weeds and the highest flax straw yield and fibre quality was obtained after chlorsulfuron application. Bentazon, despite its high herbicidal effectiveness, reduced both the amount and quality of fibre yield when compared to chlorsulfuron, due to its phytotoxic effect on flax. Pre-emergence linuron application resulted in the longest fibres and highest fibre content in flax straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About two thousand species of plants are known in the world to yield natural fibers, but just a few are commercially important, providing nearly 90% of the global production of natural fibers. Since ancient times, humans required fiber to produce cordage, tools, clothes, nets, etc., in order to provide food and shelter. Among the most productive fiber plants, the bast fiber crops are undoubtedly considered as major contributors. The bast fibers are sclerenchyma fibers associated with the phloem of crops such as flax, hemp, kenaf, ramie, nettle, jute, etc. Currently, in both Europe and China, bast fibers are used for industrial applications in textile, construction, automotive, and other industries. Recently, bast fibers gained importance also as a renewable feedstock for the production of strong, lightweight, composite materials. However, there are factors in agro-industrial chain that limit the broad commercialization of these crops and their products. From an agronomical point of view, a part of the problems are associated with technological gaps in harvesting technologies, which impede the full exploitation of some crops. For instance, the production of high-quality fibers for textile firstly depends on the quality of the raw material, which in turn is linked, among the others, with the efficiency of the harvesting system adopted. In most cases, these systems were developed locally, based on available solutions in connection with specific local agricultural practice. The aim of this paper is to present a review of the existing mechanical harvesting systems for bast fiber crops in Europe and China, with special reference to hemp, flax, and kenaf. In addition, the work will furnish a description of the innovations that have been adopted in recent years to improve the harvesting processes in order to increase the value of these crops and their products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) is a multiuse, multifunctional crop that provides raw material to a large number of traditional and innovative industrial applications. A relatively simple, low input cultivation technique and the sustainability of its products are the main drivers for a future expansion of the hemp crop. In Europe, the large political support of bioenergy in recent years has fuelled numerous studies on the potential cultivation of hemp for bioenergy production. In China the main drivers for a renewed interest in hemp are its traditional applications. For any given destination, the main target of hemp cultivation is the maximization of biomass production, but each end-use destination has specific quality requirements in terms of properties of the bast fibre, characteristics of the oil and proteins in the seeds, or profile of secondary metabolites in the inflorescence. In this paper, traditional and innovative end use destinations and cultivation systems for hemp are introduced, together with some notes on hemp botany, biology, and resource use efficiency. This information, together with a review of the practical experience of hemp cultivation in Europe and China and knowledge gathered form scientific literature, highlights the effect of agronomic factors in determining the yield potential and quality level of hemp for specific end use destinations. To conclude, future perspectives and recommendations for hemp cultivation and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zataria multiflora is a traditional and popular spice in Iran. The aerial parts, including flowers, were collected from 12 Z. multiflora plant populations (Zarghan, Khonj, Sivand (1–4), Marvdasht (1–4), Firoozabad, and Chahakneyriz) growing in Fars province, located in southwestern Iran. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and were analysed for semi-quantitative and qualitative variations in essential oils. The essential oil yields were measured on the basis of the volume of dried essential oil/primary dried material weight × 100 for each sample. The essential oil yields ranged from 2.91% to 4% (w/w). Analysis of variance showed that geographic variation had a significant effect on the oil content in plants of different regions. A maximum difference of 1.09% (w/w) was observed between the Sivand 3 and Zarghan populations. Three ecotypes, Zarghan, Marvdasht 3, and Marvdasht 4, possessed the maximum essential oil yield. Fifty volatile compounds were identified by GC and GC–MS analysis. The main essential oil components were linalool (0.93–55.69%), thymol (2.66–37.51%), carvacrol (14.37–59.78%), γ-terpinene (2.28–11.35%), ρ-cymene (1.23–7.9%), carvacrol methyl ether (0.9–6.08%), α-pinene (1.3–5.13%), and myrcene (0.51–2.72%). Analysis of the principal components based on the mean relative amounts of essential oil components led to the identification of three chemotypes: carvacrol, thymol, and linalool of which the thymol chemotype is found more frequently in different parts of Iran. The chemical variability could be attributed to genetic and environmental factors. The characterization of essential oil variation is of commercial importance as well as being helpful in the improvement of Z. multiflora resources for pharmaceutical and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uses of the perennial crops have been proven to increase the sustainability in agriculture. However, information about the relative efficiency of annual versus perennial stevia ( Stevia rebaudiana ) under different harvest regimes is unknown in the sub-temperate region of western Himalaya in India. The harvesting time of stevia is generally controlled by growth behavior and accumulation pattern of the steviol glycosides (SGs). Our objectives were to standardize the harvesting regimes in both the cropping modes for higher yield and quality of stevia leaf. Thus a field experiment with six treatment combinations comprising two life cycles (annual and perennial) and three harvest regimes (single-cut, double-cut and triple-cut) was conducted. The total dry leaf yield was in the range of 1.40–4.11 t ha −1 , and significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) highest dry leaf yield was recorded with the perennial stevia under three-cut management system (PH 3 ) but remained statistically at par with PH 2 (perennial with two-cut). However, PH 2 produced maximum SGs (10.29 g plant −1 ). The results of Principle component analysis reveal that PH 2 and PH 3 are equally effective and suitable management practices for dry leaf and SGs yield. Thus, our results suggest that the perennial stevia with two-cut management system is suitable for sustaining the stevia production in this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase of rubber demand has led to rapid expansion of rubber plantations from optimal environments in the humid tropics of Southeast Asia into suboptimal environments in montane mainland Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, rubber yields can be surprisingly high in sub-optimal environments. This paper investigates climatic factors which contribute to the higher than expected rubber yields in a suboptimal environment in Jinghong, Yunnan, Southwest China. Two mathematical analysis methods were used to relate climate to rubber yield and dry matter content: partial least square regression and classification and regression tree models were used. Greater diurnal temperature difference was found to increase dry rubber yield, and has been previously overlooked as an explanatory factor. Average temperatures below 25.7 °C, and more sunshine hours in the day before tapping, were also found to significantly improve dry rubber yield, although more sunshine hours during the month prior to tapping were found to reduce rubber yield. Lower relative humidity was found to increase dry rubber content of latex and increase yield. Greater diurnal temperature difference and more sunshine hours in a day before tapping facilitate photosynthesis and rubber formation. Lower relative humidity reduces the water content in the latex, thus increasing dry rubber content of the latex. In summary, this study finds that lower average temperature (within certain thresholds), greater diurnal temperature difference in both a day and a month before tapping, more sunshine hours in a day before tapping and lower sunshine hours in a month before tapping are the most important factors which promote dry rubber yield, and lower relative humidity in the day prior to tapping is the most important factor in determining dry rubber content of latex. Diurnal temperature difference has not been previously investigated as a driver of rubber yield. The case study site has a greater diurnal temperature difference than many other main rubber producing areas, which may contribute to explaining why rubber yields in Jinghong are higher than might be expected in a sub-optimal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turmeric is an economically important plant for production of curcumin, oleoresin and essential oil. The correlation of yield parameters with phytoconstituent content (curcumin, oleoresin, and essential oil) of 10 selected turmeric genotypes was analyzed to find out a promising turmeric genotype. Leaf area exerted high positive significant correlation with yield and phytoconstituent content followed by tiller number. Among the selected genotypes, P40 and P44 recorded for highest leaf biomass of 450 ± 90.05 g and P32 recorded for highest rhizome biomass of 850 ± 95.05 g followed by P44 having 800 ± 95.05 g yield/plant. Leaf blotch disease was reported only in P36 and P37. Accession P36 yielded high curcumin content (8.8%), P44 yielded high oleoresin content (15%), high leaf oil content (1.9%) and high rhizome oil content (2%). In GC–MS analysis alpha-phellandrene content was highest (63.91%) in P40 and Ar-tumerone was highest (63.69%) in P44. Altogether, P36, P40, and P44 were found to be better in terms of agronomical, yield attributing traits and high bioactive phytoconstituents. This study provides insight on the relative influence of growth and yield parameters on the phytoconstituents. The identified promising genotypes could be useful as parental materials in cultivar and variety development for the various natural health product industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of distillation time (DT; 15-1080 min) on yield, composition, and antioxidant capacity of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed essential oil (EO) as well as on the yield, composition, and properties of lipids extracted from steam-distilled fennel seeds (15-600 min). EO yield increased with increasing DT to a maximum of 1.375% at 1080 min. The principal constituent was estragole, comprising 82-91% of the overall content. Other species included limonene, fenchone, and anethole. Antioxidant capacity of the EO was essentially unaffected by DT, with capacities ranging from 11.2 to 20.6 μmol Trolox/g. The yield of lipids extracted from steam distilled fennel seeds was unaffected by DT and ranged from 21.7 to 22.8 mass%. The fatty acid composition was also unaffected by DT, and the major constituents were petroselenic (67.0-71.3%) and oleic (12.0-16.4%) acids. The concentrations of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and phytosterols were unaffected by DT whereas unsaponifiables and EO content in lipids decreased with increasing DT. Acid value, kinematic viscosity, peroxide value, and pour point increased with increasing DT, whereas density decreased. Induction period, heteroatom content, and Gardner color were unaffected by DT. As DT increased, in vitro degradability of defatted, steam-distilled fennel seeds decreased. In summary, longer DT negatively impacted feed quality of steam-distilled, defatted seed meal and lipid quality but did not significantly affect EO composition and antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The latex tapping system could be optimized according to the variation of phloem turgor pressure. [•] Phloem turgor pressure is positively related to the yield potential of rubber clones. [•] Not only the initial phloem turgor pressure before tapping but also its kinetic change after tapping are linked with rubber tree yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Stability methods based on different principles. [•] Differentiation of the genotypes assessed for temporal stability. [•] Stability of annual girth growth correlates negatively with the stability of yield. [•] Correlations cumulative showed results more consistent that no-cumulative. [•] Early selection in the first year for rubber yield reduce the evaluation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Different models of Arnica montana cultivation in three-year field trial were tested. [•] In the third year, flower heads yield has been estimated up to 260kgha−1. [•] Total sesquiterpene lactones content in flower heads ranged from 4.6 to 13.9mgg−1. [•] The amounts of quercetin- and kaempferol-glucoside ranged from 2.1 to 13.9mgg−1. [•] Fertilized variants planted in autumn were the highest ranked cultivation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The shoot branching and flower yield of Rosa damascena are promoted by the pruning. [•] The extent and timing of pruning are strongly regulated by the climatic conditions. [•] Pruning at 90cm on 15th December is preferable for flower yield and essential oil. [•] The quality of essential oil is also affected by level and timing of pruning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Menthol mint (Mentha arvensis) is a genus of about 25 species of the family-Lamiaceae. [•] Based on the stability statistics, the different varieties classified as stable variety. [•] The AMMI model approach has found capability to provide broader inferences on adaptability. [•] AMMI model used first time in menthol mint crop. [•] Based on the AMMI model, varieties Kosi, Kushal and CIMAP Saryu showed the widest adaptability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]