Effect of arbuscular Mycorrhizal fungal inoculation and biochar amendment on growth and yield of tomato

A field study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of pre-inoculation of G. mosseae and soil amendment with biochar on AMF root colonisation, plant growth, fruit yield and nutrient uptake of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). A 2 × 2 factorial experiment arranged in a randomised complete block design included two G. mosseae treatments (inoculated at sowing or uninoculated) and two biochar levels (5 t ha-1 or unamended) with six replications. At mid-season, 12 weeks after transplanting, biochar addition did not increase the percentage of AMF root colonisation on tomato plants. Pre-inoculation with G. mosseae increased dry shoot weight and total plant weight by 11 and 9% respectively, whereas biochar amendment decreased dry root weight by 13%. Generally, pre-inoculation with G. mosseae and biochar did not affect leaf Ca, B, Cu, Mn, Na or Zn but lowered leaf P by 26% when compared to the uninoculated plants. Pre-inoculation with AMF and biochar addition did not affect tomato growth variables, yield or yield components. Results of this study did not demonstrate any benefit of combined application of AMF and biochar on the overall performance of tomato plants.http://www.fspublishers.orgam201

Production of rape (Brassica napus L.) on soils amended with leguminous tree prunings : yield responses in relation to the chemical composition of the tree prunings

Leguminous tree leaf litter has potential as a nutrient source for smallholder vegetable production systems. However, quality of the leaf litter influences yield responses by the crops grown. Comparative yield responses of rape (Brassica napus L.) to legume prunings of different chemical composition were evaluated in a three block randomized complete block design (RCBD) field experiment. Prunings of Leucaena leucocephala, Calliandra calothyrsus, Acacia angustissima and Acacia karoo were applied to the soil at 5 t ha-1. Two controls, 0 N and mineral N applied at 150 kg N ha-1, were used. Total biomass, leaf number and size, and area were measured over a 9 week period after transplanting. The mean total biomass yields following amelioration with the various prunings ranged from 2.56 to 11.12 t DM ha-1. The mean saleable leaf harvests ha-1 were 10.04, 7.56, 5.02, 3.00, 1.28 and 0.86 t for 150 N, L. leucocephala, A. angustissima, C. calothyrsus, A. karoo and 0 N, respectively. These results were corroborated by the resource quality of the respective organic ameliorants. The results indicated that biomass transfer technology could be used as an alternative to mineral fertilizers for vegetable production and that yields were dependent on resource quality of prunings.http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR/index.htmam201

Yield and nutrient content of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as influenced by Trichoderma harzianum and Glomus mosseae inoculation

Recent trends in soil microbiology suggest that fungal inoculants such as Trichoderma harzianum or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to improve yield and fruit quality of crops. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of inoculating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with T. harzianum and the AMF (Glomus mosseae) on yield and nutrient content of tomato fruit. A factorial experiment (3 × 3) with three application timings for each of T. harzianum and AMF, namely uninoculated control, inoculated before sowing and two weeks after sowing, giving nine treatment combinations was conducted in a greenhouse. Both T. harzianum and AMF increased total yield and marketable yield of tomato (P > 0.05). Inoculating tomato with AMF before sowing significantly increased the percentage of extra-large fruit, while inoculation with T. harzianum two weeks after sowing lowered the Ca and Mg contents of tomato fruit. T. harzianum and AMF inoculation increased the lycopene content, but did not affect the antioxidant activity, total flavonoids or vitamin C of the tomato fruit. Results of this study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to influence yield and nutrient content of tomato in a greenhouse.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/scihort

Response of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to nursery inoculation with Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under field conditions

The effect of nursery inoculation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) with Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus mosseae on fungal root colonization, plant growth, yield and quality of field grown tomato was investigated. The four treatments included T. harzianum, AMF, T. harzianum + AMF, and uninoculated control. At mid-harvest, 84 days after transplanting, no interactive effect of the fungi on the external mycelium growth was observed. Inoculation with AMF alone or in combination with T. harzianum increased dry shoot weight by 35% and 30%, respectively, during the first season, and by 30% and 21%, respectively, during the second growing season. Trichoderma harzianum increased the percentage of large fruit by 76% in 2008–2009, whereas AMF increased the percentage of extra-large fruit by 44% in 2009–2010. Similarly, AMF increased total soluble solids by 10%. Inoculated tomato seedlings with T. harzianum and/or AMF significantly increased early yield of tomato, by 10%, 65% and 70%, respectively, during 2008–2009, and by 27%, 36% and 37%, respectively during the 2009–2010 growing season. In conclusion, results of the study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to improve growth, early yield and fruit quality of field-grown tomato.Financial support from Bertie van Zyl Pty (Ltd) ZZ2.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/sagb2

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedling growth and development as influenced by Trichoderma harzianum and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Recent trends in soil microbiology suggest that certain soil microbes have a positive effect on seedling growth and development. A study was conducted to investigate the interactive effect of the plantgrowth promoting fungi Trichoderma harzianum and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in growth and development of tomato (Solanun lycopersicum) seedlings grown under greenhouse conditions. A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design with six replications. At harvest (42 DAP), when compared with the control, T. harzianum and/or AMF treated plants improved shoot length, root length, dry shoot mass and dry root mass. Pre-inoculation with AMF increased shoot N, P and S content of tomato seedlings, whereas pre-sowing with T. harzianum alone increased the shoot N. Generally, shoot Zn and Mn content were affected by both fungi, with the best result observed when AMF was applied 2 weeks after T. harzianum. The percentage of roots colonised by AMF was less than 15% regardless of the time when T. harzianum was applied. However, the percentage of roots colonised by T. harzianum was greater than 90% at all times. In conclusion, this study suggested that T. harzianum and AMF have the potential to improve tomato seedling growth and development.The authors acknowledge the support from Bertie van Zyl Pty (Ltd) ZZ2 for funding this work.http://www.academicjournals.org/ajm

Essential oil vapours suppress the development of anthracnose and enhance defence related and antioxidant enzyme activities in avocado fruit

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a major postharvest disease in avocados that causes significant losses during transportation and storage. Complete inhibition of the radial mycelia growth of C. gloeosporioides in vitro was observed with citronella or peppermint oils at 8 μL plate−1 and thyme oil at 5 μL plate−1. Thyme oil at 66.7 μL L−1 significantly reduced anthracnose from 100% (untreated control) to 8.3% after 4 days, and to 13.9% after 6 days in artificially wounded and inoculated ‘Fuerte’ and ‘Hass’ fruit with C. gloeosporioides. GC/MS analysis revealed thymol (53.19% RA), menthol (41.62% RA) and citronellal (23.54% RA) as the dominant compounds in thyme, peppermint and citronella oils respectively. The activities of defence enzymes including chitinase, 1, 3-β-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase were enhanced by thyme oil (66.7 μL L−1) treatment and the level of total phenolics in thyme oil treated fruit was higher than that in untreated (control) fruit. In addition, the thyme oil (66.7 μL L−1) treatment enhanced the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. These observations suggest that the effects of thyme oil on anthracnose in the avocado fruit are due to the elicitation of biochemical defence responses in the fruit and inducing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Thus postharvest thyme oil treatment has positive effects on reducing anthracnose in avocados.Post-Harvest Innovation Programme (Fresh Produce Exporter Forum, South Africa and Department of Science and Technology).http://www.elsevier.com/locate/postharvbiohb201

Comparison of the Contents of Bioactive Compounds and Quality Parameters in Selected Mango Cultivars

Mango cultivars Tommy Atkins, Zill, Peach, Sabre, Rosa and Phiva were analyzed for their quality parameters (fruit weight, flesh color chroma, L, h0, total soluble solid [TSS]/titratable acidity [TA], firmness), bioactive compounds (total phenols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Cv. Sabre showed highest total phenolic content (76.43 mg gallic acid/100 g FW), carotenoids (9.90 mg/100 g of FW), ascorbic acid content (69.71 mg/100 g of FW) and antioxidant activity (1.2 mg of gallic acid/g of FW), whereas cv. Peach mango contained lower bioactive compounds. Multivariate principal component analysis analysis showed higher concentration of bioactive compounds in cv. Sabre mango, whereas cv. Tommy Atkins was firm and heavier. Cv. Rosa and Phiva were moderately rich in bioactive compounds and lower in fruit weight and firmness, whereas cv. Peach was higher in TSS/ TA. The PPO activity was higher in cvs. Rosa and Zill.Instituto de Tecnología de AlimentosFil: Sellamuthu, Periyar Selvam. Tshwane University of Technology. Department of Crop Science. Postharvest Technology Group; SudáfricaFil: Denoya, Gabriela Inés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimento. Laboratorio de Compuestos Proteicos; ArgentinaFil: Sivakumar, Dharini. Tshwane University of Technology. Department of Crop Science. Postharvest Technology Group; SudáfricaFil: Polenta, Gustavo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimento. Laboratorio de Compuestos Proteicos; ArgentinaFil: Soundy, Puffy. Tshwane University of Technology. Department of Crop Science. Postharvest Technology Group; Sudáfric

Alternative substrates for cultivating oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Wheat straw has generally been used as the main substrate for cultivating oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus); however, in South Africa it is becoming expensive for small-scale farmers to utilise. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to investigate the use of alternative, but suitable substrates for planting oyster mushrooms. Wheat straw (control), wood chips and thatch grass, selected on account of their year-round availability and low cost, were tested with two drainage treatments (drained or not drained) and replicated four times. Wheat straw showed no contamination, whereas there was contamination in thatch grass and wood chips from weeks 1 to 4. At harvest, a significantly higher cumulative number of flushes, caps and fresh mass of oyster mushrooms was observed in wheat straw and thatch grass compared with wood chips. The results demonstrated that thatch grass could be used as a viable alternative to the commonly used wheat straw.ARC–ITSC and AgriSETA.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tjps202016-12-30hb201

Activity-guided isolation and identification of the major antioxidant and anticancer compounds from a commercial Pelargonium sidoides tincture

Extracts prepared from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (DC) are commercially available for the treatment of respiratory related conditions. Recently, a commercial radix mother tincture of this plant was shown to have both antioxidant and anticancer effects especially related to the G0/G1 block in the Jurkat E6.1 cell line (unpublished results). Fractions were prepared by semi-preparative HPLC, and their antioxidant and anticancer activities were determined. The more hydrophilic fractions isolated namely F6-F12 were all found to have strong reducing capacities and were able to scavenge peroxyl radicals. In the human lung cell line, NCI-H460, significant cellular antioxidant effects were observed. Anticancer activity was evaluated in the NCI-pre-screen panel (NCI-H460, MCF-7 and SF-268) and the Jurkat E6.1 cell line. Fractions F7, F9 and F12 were found to inhibit the cell growth of these four cell-lines (p < 0.05), especially the Jurkat E6.1 cell line with the sulforhodamine B assay. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that these active fractions contained several polyphenolic compounds such as gallic acid, trihydroxycoumarin, dihydroxycoumarin sulfates, proanthocyanidins and phenolic glycosides. A phenolic acid glycoside sulfate not previously shown in Pelargonium sidoides extracts was also isolated. In conclusion, the antioxidant and/or anticancer activity of the Pelargonium sidoides tincture may be attributed to the presence of these polyphenolics.National Research Foundation of South Africahttp://link.springer.com/journal/442016-11-30hb201

Anti-proliferative properties of commercial Pelargonium sidoides tincture, with cell-cycle G(0)/G(1) arrest and apoptosis in Jurkat leukaemia cells

CONTEXT : Pelargonium sidoides DC (Geraniaceae) is an important medicinal plant indigenous to South Africa and Lesotho. Previous studies have shown root extracts rich in polyphenolic compounds with antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. Little is known regarding the anticancer properties of Pelargonium sidoides extracts. OBJECTIVE : This study evaluates the anti-proliferative effects of a Pelargonium sidoides radix mother tincture (PST). MATERIALS AND METHODS : The PST was characterized by LC-MS/MS. Anti-proliferative activity was evaluated in the pre-screen panel of the National Cancer Institute (NCI-H460, MCF-7 and SF-268) and the Jurkat leukemia cell line at concentrations of 0-150 μg/mL. Effect on cell growth was determined with sulforhodamine B and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays after 72 h. Effect on cell cycle and apoptosis induction in Jurkat cells was determined by flow cytometry with propidium iodide and Annexin V: fluorescein isothiocyanate staining. RESULTS : Dihydroxycoumarin sulfates, gallic acid as well as gallocatechin dimers and trimers were characterized in PST by mass spectrometry. Moderate anti-proliferative effects with GI50 values between 40 and 80 μg/mL observed in the NCI-pre-screen panel. Strong activity observed with Jurkat cells with a GI50 of 6.2 μg/mL, significantly better than positive control 5-fluorouracil (GI50 of 9.7 μg/mL). The PST arrested Jurkat cells at G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and increased the apoptotic cells from 9% to 21%, while the dead cells increased from 4% to 17%. CONCLUSION : We present evidence that Pelargonium sidoides has cancer cell type specific antiproliferative effects and may be a source of novel anticancer molecules.National Research Foundation of South Africa.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/iphb202017-09-30hb2016AnatomyBiochemistr