The Effect of Vermicompost and Other Fertilizers on the Growth and Productivity of Pepper Plants in Guyana

Present research was carried out during the year 2014–2015 at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) to determine the effect of vermicompost and other fertilizers on the growth and productivity of pepper plants (Capsicum chinense). Plants were treated with five different treatments, namely T1 (Promix), T2 (vermicompost), T3 (189), T4 (189 + vermicompost), and lastly, control which had no fertilizers. T1, T3, and T4 were inorganic fertilizers, and T2 was organic. Results obtained showed that T3 (chemical fertilizer) has a significant effect on the growth of pepper plants producing plants with better plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, stem diameter, higher fruit yield, fruit weight and fruit diameter. Plants treated with this treatment also had higher fruit yield, fruit weight, and fruit diameter. Mineral nutrients were highest in plants treated with inorganic fertilizers as compared to the organic fertilizer. Maximum chlorophyll level was present in plants treated with T2. There were relatively high levels of pest and diseases in plants treated with chemical fertilizers, delayed flowering and fruiting period and high levels of leaf and fruit abscission as compared to plants treated with organic fertilizer (T2). Moreover, T3 has proven to have a greater effect on the growth parameters of pepper plants but not the quality of plants produce

Biochemical Characterization and Responses of Two Contrasting Genotypes of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. to Salinity in a Hydroponic System

Chenopodium quinoa is a promising species for future food security and combating climate change due to its nutritional content and halophytic nature. This study focuses on the temporal differential responses of the salt-tolerant (Chadmo) and the salt-sensitive (Kankolla) under control (CK) and 400 mM NaCl arranged under the randomised block designed (RBD). Biochemical features assessed and results indicate a significant difference (p<0.05) being identified by ANOVA and Tukey analyses in total chlorophyll (CHL), carotenoids (CAR), proline, glycine betaine (GB),  soluble sugars,  K+, Na+, K+/Na+ ratio, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in both genotypes between the CK and 400 mM NaCl. Na+ increased while K+ and the bivalent ions Mg2+ and Ca2+ decreased progressively with time points (CK and 24 h) in both genotypes but more pronounced in Kankolla. Proline increased by 24.45 and 18.63% between the CK and 24 h after exposure to 400 mM NaCl in Chadmo and Kankolla, respectively. Similarly, significant increases were observed in ABA, glycine betaine and soluble sugars from the CK to 24 h after exposure to 400 mM NaCl in both genotypes. Using these biochemical responses to salinity, Chadmo proved to be the better-performing genotype when exposed to 400 mM NaCl and hence identified as the salt-tolerant genotype

Avicennia germinans leaf traits in degraded, restored, and natural mangrove ecosystems of Guyana

Abstract Mangrove leaves have unique features that enable them to cope with shifting environmental conditions while preserving their general functionality and efficiency. We examined the morphological characteristics and chlorophyll content (spectroscopically) of 600 mature Avicennia germinans leaves selected from 30 trees located in one degraded, one restored, and one natural mangrove ecosystem along Guyana's coastline. Systematic sampling was carried out using the closest individual sampling method in the wet and dry seasons. We hypothesized that both habitat type and seasonality influence the leaf traits and chlorophyll content of A. germinans. Our findings showed that A. germinans leaves are mesophyllous, and traits such as leaf perimeter, area, length, width, dry mass, wet mass, turgid mass, leaf‐specific area, and relative water content showed fluctuations in ecosystems (one‐way ANOVA, p  .75) were also established for over 10 leaf parameters in both seasons while PCA and multiple regression analyses further confirmed the strong relationships between leaf morphological features and their respective locations. Changes in chlorophyll concentration were most noticeable in the degraded ecosystem while variations in leaf traits were more pronounced in the restored mangrove area. This may be due to the various disturbances found in each ecosystem coupled with fluctuations in the seasons. Our results demonstrate that mangroves, to some extent, alter their plant structures to cope with environmental stressors present in the various ecosystems they thrive in to maintain their survival

Quinoa: In Perspective of Global Challenges

The global population is on the path of an increasing trajectory with a simultaneous decline in arable land resources through salinization and desertification that have resulted mainly from climate change and other anthropogenic activities. Rising temperatures will cause changes in the entire ecosystem, resulting in significant alterations in global climate paradigms and a threat to food security. This review focuses on how the highly resilient Chenopodium quinoa Willd. can sustainably mitigate some of the detrimental impacts, such as starvation, and support or provide ecosystem services. In comparison, compared with the traditional staple food crops, quinoa has remarkable tolerance to abiotic stresses and is highly nutritious, with a unique balance and higher amounts of nutrients, and can therefore be an important crop for food security and nutritional adequacy. This crop has the potential to ameliorate global challenges with respect to increase in global population, effects of climate change, desalinization, phytoremediation, satisfying nutrient deficiency, and alleviating poverty