Talinum paniculatum is an unconventional food plant with nutritional and medicinal potential, yet it remains underexplored. Seed germination in this species may be limited by environmental factors and the occurrence of dormancy, requiring techniques that promote seedling establishment. Vegetative propagation emerges as an alternative method for its multiplication, potentially overcoming the limitations associated with sexual propagation. However, the lack of information on efficient propagation methods represents a barrier to the cultivation and valorization of this species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate sexual and vegetative propagation methods of T. paniculatum under the environmental conditions of Central Amazonia. The research was conducted at the Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Sector of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, using seeds and cuttings obtained from stock plants cultivated in a nursery. Three experiments were carried out: (1) evaluation of pre-soaking periods (0, 24, and 48 hours) and different germination conditions (sand at 25 °C, blotting paper at 25 °C, and commercial substrate under natural environmental conditions); (2) evaluation of cutting types (apical, middle, and basal) collected from stock plants aged 2, 4, and 6 months; and (3) evaluation of apical and basal cuttings with lengths of 5 and 10 cm. Germination conditions significantly influenced the performance of T. paniculatum seeds, with germination occurring only in commercial substrate maintained under natural environmental conditions, whereas pre-soaking periods had no significant effect. In the second experiment, basal cuttings obtained from six-month-old stock plants exhibited the highest percentages of survival, rooting, and sprouting, as well as the greatest number of shoots and biomass accumulation. In the third experiment, basal propagules and cuttings measuring 10 cm in length provided superior seedling establishment and vigor, demonstrating their superiority for species propagation. The propagation of T. paniculatum proved feasible under the environmental conditions of Central Amazonia, highlighting the species' potential for seedling production. These results contribute to the development of more efficient propagation strategies and to the promotion of this unconventional vegetable as an alternative for diversifying productive and food systems.
The objective was to characterize the species’ biotechnological potential and its phenotypes, with an emphasis on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of fruits, seeds, and germination, as well as the antioxidant activity of the leaf essential oil.
Cocona is a plant of the Solanaceae family, native to the Amazon region. However, it is still underexplored and little cultivated in Brazil. Since 1975, the National Institute for Amazonian Research has maintained a Germplasm Bank (BAG-INPA) that once held many accessions. However, after selections carried out since 2000, only nine genotypes are currently conserved. One of them is CUB-04, which has round, yellow fruits with an average weight of 30 g. Within this genotype, two plants were found with fruit sizes and shapes different from those registered in BAG-INPA. Plant 1 had oval, purple fruits with an average weight of 40 g, while Plant 2 had round, purple fruits, also with an average weight of 40 g. Since these characteristics do not exist in any genotype in the bank, it was hypothesized that they resulted from natural crosses or from the mixture of seeds not belonging to the bank. Therefore, the present study aimed to morphoagronomically evaluate two families, P1 and P2, of cocona (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) derived from the two plants with atypical fruits within the CUB-04 genotype, in the floodplain of the Solimões River, at the Ariaú/INPA Experimental Station (3°15'16.68""S; 60°14'50.70""W, Iranduba-AM). Four months and 13 days after transplanting to the field, before harvest, the following traits were evaluated: plant height, canopy diameter, stem diameter at the collar, number of flowers and fruits, plant vigor, fruit pubescence, fruit length, and fruit diameter. Descriptive statistics were calculated for P1 (n=203), P2 (n=202), and CUB-04 (n=7). Subsequently, genetic variance and its significance were estimated in both families. Before the first harvest, visual selection based on apparent yield was performed on 45 plants from P1 and 81 plants from P2. In these plants, fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, pulp thickness, number of locules, soluble solids, and pH were evaluated. The results showed that there was significant genetic variability in both families for most morphological traits. Visual selection based on apparent yield achieved an efficiency of approximately 60% for high fruit yield, 90% for greater fruit thickness, and about 98% for greater fruit weight. Therefore, gains from selection for yield, pulp thickness, and fruit size may be obtained in both segregating families.
Plant diseases represent a significant challenge for agricultural production, directly affecting plant productivity and quality. Local species of Amaranthus blitum and viridis possess high commercial potential, driven by growing demand and initiatives to combat rural poverty. However, limited diagnostic capacity and the absence of effective control methods have hindered the phytosanitary management of these crops. Between April and June 2024, field trials were conducted at the Agrijovem Cooperative in Quicombo, funded by PDCT-MESCTI, with the aim of identifying the main diseases with economic impact on the production of these species. The plants were visually inspected with a magnifying glass, photographed, and samples of the affected parts collected. Microscopic analyses at the ISPCS Biology Laboratory, combined with morphological identification keys and the Agrio Software, allowed for the identification of white rust as the most prevalent disease. This foliar disease was favored by specific climatic conditions relative humidity of 80% and an average temperature of 25 °C reaching an incidence rate exceeding 50%. The leaf spots caused by the fungus impair the appearance of the vegetables, making their commercialization unfeasible. Identifying white rust makes it possible to adopt effective control strategies, aiming to protect production and ensure the quality required by the market.
O. Pelinganga, E. José, Fernando Francisco de Sousa et al.· Revista Angolana de Ciências· 0 citations
Background: In Côte d’Ivoire, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is cultivated throughout the country and represents an important source of income and food security. However, its production commonly involves chemical inputs that may contribute to declining soil fertility.
Aims: This study evaluated the effects of Rhizophagus irregularis and Trichoderma sp. on cassava growth and yield.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in two stages: a two-month in vivo cultivation phase at the Ecology Research Centre in Abidjan, southern Côte d’Ivoire, followed by a 10-month field phase in Azaguié, south-eastern Côte d’Ivoire.
Methodology: The Yacé and TMS30572 cultivars were grown in vivo and under field conditions and inoculated at planting with R. irregularis (RI) and Trichoderma sp. (TRI). The fungi were applied separately and in combination (RI + TRI). Under field conditions, NPK (10-18-18) fertiliser served as the positive control for yield evaluation.
Results: After two months, stem diameter, plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area were enhanced by RI and RI + TRI, whereas the effect of TRI varied with the plant organ and cultivar. For each cultivar, mycorrhizal colonisation intensity and frequency did not differ significantly between the RI and RI + TRI treatments, confirming the mycotrophic response of cassava. The RI, NPK, and RI + TRI treatments produced statistically comparable yields within each cultivar. For Yacé, yields were 18.56 t/ha with RI, 18.87 t/ha with NPK, and 19.07 t/ha with RI + TRI. The corresponding yields for TMS30572 were 28.76, 28.96, and 29.22 t/ha, respectively.
Conclusion: Under the tested conditions, RI alone and RI + TRI produced cassava yields comparable to those obtained with NPK fertiliser and therefore showed potential for supporting more sustainable cassava production.
Kra Kouakou Dappah, Kouakou Kouassi Joseph, G. Jonathan· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Rainfed legume production in Burkina Faso is increasingly challenged by climatic variability. Diversifying grain-legume genetic resources may help address these constraints and support food security. Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), a legume native to the south-western United States and northern Mexico, is tolerant of water stress, heat, and diseases. This crop may therefore provide an alternative for maintaining grain-legume production under erratic rainfall. This study evaluated the morphometric and agronomic characteristics of 36 tepary bean accessions introduced into Burkina Faso. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) at the Kamboinse research station using an alpha-lattice design with three replications. Fourteen quantitative traits were recorded using descriptors established by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. The results revealed morphometric and agronomic variability within the collection. Significant differences were observed among accessions and years, as well as for the accession × year interaction for selected traits. A strong positive correlation was observed between seed length and seed width. Plant height was the principal discriminating morphometric trait, whereas 100-seed weight and seed yield were the principal discriminating agronomic traits. Cluster analysis structured the accessions into three groups: Group II contained 16 accessions, Group I contained 12, and Group III contained eight. Accessions G40279 and G40173C from Group II showed high grain-yield potential and may be useful in breeding programmes targeting variable climatic conditions in Burkina Faso.
A. Congo, B. J. Batieno, P. Sawadogo et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
The yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.) belongs to the Fabaceae family. In Amazonas, the use of local yardlong bean varieties by smallholder farmers has ensured the conservation of genetic diversity. The selection of genetic materials is essential for breeding programs, as it contains various pieces of information that can be explored through characterization and evaluation studies. However, there are still few studies on the characterization and evaluation of yardlong beans in the region. In this regard, the present study aimed to morphologically characterize and agronomically evaluate accessions of yardlong bean varieties in the drylands of the Central Amazon. The experiment was conducted at INPA’s Vegetable Research Station, using seeds from the local varieties Preto, Branco, and Marrom, obtained from INPA’s plant germplasm collection, in addition to the ‘De Metro’ cultivar as a control. The design was a randomized block design in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of three local varieties and one commercial cultivar, evaluated over two growing seasons (February–May and August–November). A total of 20 descriptors related to plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, and yield were used. The varieties analyzed showed high stability in their qualitative traits across seasons, such as: a pronounced tendency toward curling; a climbing growth habit; very light pigmentation of the stem and branches; a lanceolate shape of the apical leaflet blade in the Branco variety, while in the Preto, Marrom, and commercial ‘De Metro’ varieties it was sub-lanceolate; green coloration of the apical leaflet blade in the Preto variety, while in the other genotypes evaluated it was dark green; very slight pigmentation on the petiole; violet coloration of the flowers; very slight pigmentation of the pod peduncle; no pigmentation on the pod; light green coloration of the pod in the Preto variety, dark green in the Branco variety and in the ‘De Metro’ cultivar, and green in the Marro variety. Thus, qualitative differentiation was established based on the characteristics of leaf blade shape, coloration of the apical leaflet, and coloration of the pods. Phenotypic plasticity was observed among the varieties, with the rainy season favoring vegetative growth and the accumulation of photosynthates, thereby increasing yield potential. The Branco and Marrom varieties stood out for having the highest average yields, maintaining high yield levels in both growing seasons; the ‘De Metro’ cultivar stood out for its shorter growth cycle; and although the Preto variety recorded the lowest production rates, it should not be ruled out, as it may possess characteristics of interest for breeding that have not yet been evaluated, requiring further in-depth studies.
J. Figueira· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
