Y. Tüzel

Improved stomatal regulation and ion partitioning boosts salt tolerance in grafted melon

Grafted plants are often more tolerant to salinity than nongrafted controls. In order to distinguish differential response components in grafted melon (Cucumis melo L.), salt stress was imposed on several rootstock-scion combinations in four experiments. The rootstock used was an interspecific squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.×Cucurbita moschate Duch.), RS841, combined with two cantaloupe (C. melo var. cantalupensis) cultivars, namely London and Brennus, against both self-grafted and nongrafted controls. Physiological, morphological and biochemical adaptations to 0, 40 and 80mM NaCl were monitored. Upon salinity, plant biomass and leaf area were improved by grafting per se, since self-grafted plants performed similarly to the heterografted ones. However, improvements in the exclusion of Na+ and the uptake of K+ were due only to the rootstock genotype, since ionic composition was similar in self-grafted and nongrafted plants. These results indicate that the favourable effects of grafting on plant growth cannot be ascribed to a more efficient exclusion of Na+ or enhanced nutrient uptake. On the other hand, growth improvements in both self- and heterografted plants were associated with a more efficient control of stomatal functions (changes in stomatal index and water relations), which may indicate that the grafting incision may alter hormonal signalling between roots and shoots.

Organic cucumber production in the greenhouse: A case study from Turkey

Organic farming seems to be a solution in environmentally sensitive zones such as the protection zone of Tahtali Dam, which supplies fresh water to Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. Greenhouse vegetable production is the major agricultural activity in this area (Menderes Township). However, due to the pollution risk from agriculture, governmental authorities have issued a regulation discouraging the use of chemicals within the collection basin of the dam. An on-farm project was conducted in 2001 to introduce organic greenhouse vegetable production in the Tahtali Dam preservation area and to serve as a model for other areas in Turkey facing similar ecological problems. Two irrigation levels and four organic fertilizers were tested on the growth of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus cv. Sardes). The four fertilizers were two rates of farmyard and poultry manure (30 and 50 tons ha -1 ) with and without two organic fertilizers based on either bacteria or algae. During the growing period, pests and diseases were monitored weekly and preparations allowed in organic agriculture were used when necessary. Plant diseases did not create any significant problem, but the pest population, in particular spidermites, increased. No significant differences in cucumber yield were found between the fertilizer and irrigation treatments tested. However, it should be noted that yields from the addition of 30 tons ha -1 of farmyard or poultry manure and organic fertilizers were the same as those for 50 tons ha -1 of manure alone. The average total yield was 13 kg m -2 , within an acceptable range for short-term crop production in this region, but 55% lower than a conventional substrate culture trial nearby. However, due to reduced production costs and a price premium for organic products, the organic produce yielded a net return of US

Effect of organic manure application and solarization on soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities under greenhouse conditions

1.12-1.79 per m 2 whereas that for conventional bag culture produce was US

Impact of grafting and rootstock on nutrient-to-water uptake ratios during the first month after planting of hydroponically grown tomato

0.55 per m 2 . Our results indicate that, under present conditions, organic greenhouse cucumber production has less environmental impact and is more economic than conventional bag culture, due to reduced chemical input and reduced operating and initial investment costs.

Effect of different lignocellulosic wastes on Hericium americanum yield and nutritional characteristics.

ABSTRACT The temporal behaviour of soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) and the protease, urease, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activities were measured in the organic production of tomato and cucumber crops under greenhouse conditions. Soil was fertilized with either farmyard manure or poultry manure. Manures were applied either alone or with two biological preparations, E2001 and Allgrow Bioplasma. The effect of solarization on microbial activity was also studied. Soil samples were taken three times in each growing season. Activities of protease, urease and phosphatase decreased by 26% and dehydrogenase by 50% after solarization. In both crops, the highest amounts of organic C and SMBC were determined in soils with applied poultry manure. Protease and urease activities showed a strong increase after the first manure application. After the second manure application, enzyme activities stabilized at lower levels than in the first 6 months. Low temperature in the winter season may have limited phosphatase activity. Dehydrogenase activity was very low in all treatments, probably because the greenhouse soils were intensively fertilized with nitrogenous fertilizers before the experiment. Among the organic sources used, poultry manure had a long-term effect on enzyme activity.

Sustainable Production Techniques in Greenhouses: A Case Study on Economic Analysis of Organic Lettuce Production in Turkey

ABSTRACT Tomato plants (cv. Primadonna F1), non-grafted, self-grafted, or grafted onto the commercial rootstocks ‘He-man’ and ‘Maxifort’, were grown in recirculating nutrient solution. The uptake concentrations (UCs), i.e. mean nutrient-to-water uptake ratios of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B, were estimated based either on depletion from the nutrient solution or on accumulation in the plant biomass. Grafting onto both commercial rootstocks increased the total plant biomass. Hetero-grafting also increased the leaf N, Ca, and Cu concentrations but decreased those of Mg and Fe in comparison with self- and non-grafted plants. The mean UCs of N, Ca, and Cu were higher in plants grafted onto both commercial rootstocks in comparison with self- and non-grafted plants. However, hetero-grafting also raised the UCs of P, Fe, Mn, and B, because of an increased deposition of these nutrients to the roots in comparison with self-rooted plants. The method used to estimate the UCs, i.e. nutrient removal from the recirculating nutrient solution vs. nutrient recovery from plant biomass per volume unit of transpired water, resulted in similar values for N, Ca, Zn, and Cu, but had a significant impact on those of P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, and B.

Organic substrate for transplant production in organic nurseries. A review

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using cottonseed hulls (CSH) and olive press cake (OPC) as new supplement materials for substrate preparation in Hericium americanum cultivation. Some chemical properties of the substrates prepared by mixtures of oak sawdust (OS) with wheat bran (WB), CSH and OPC in different ratios were determined. In addition, the effect of mixtures of OS:CSH and OS:OPC on spawn run time, yield and biological efficiency (BE), average mushroom weight and nutrition content of the fruiting body were compared with the control substrate (8OS:2WB). RESULTS The yield, BE and average mushroom weight of substrates containing CSH and OPC were higher than the control substrate and increased with an increase in the rate of CSH and OPC in the mixtures. Hericium americanum showed (on a dry weight basis) 8.5-23.7% protein, 9.9-21.2 g kg-1 P, 26.6-35.8 g kg-1 K, 0.63 - 1.33 g kg-1 Mg, 0.19 - 0.23 g kg-1 Ca, 1.34-1.78 g kg-1 Na, 49.5-72.2 mg kg-1 Fe, 6.22-10.11 mg kg-1 Mn, 32.8-82.8 mg kg-1 Zn and 8.6-11.2 mg kg-1 Cu on different growing substrates. The nutritional value of mushrooms was greatly affected by the growing media. CONCLUSION The results revealed that CSH and OPC could be used as new supplement materials for substrate preparation in H. americanum cultivation.

Domates Anaçlarının Farklı Dikim Tarihlerinde Bitki Gelişimi, Sıcaklık Toplamı İsteği, Verim ve Kaliteye Etkileri

ABSTRACT This study is an economic analysis of the use of different organic fertilizers for organic greenhouse lettuce production as an on-farm trial during the autumn season of 2001–2002. The selected site is located in the preservation area of the Tahtali Dam, which is the most important water source providing drinking water to Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. The tested fertilizer applications were composed of: (a) farmyard manure, 15 tons/ha−1 + E 2001 + All grow Bioplasma; (b) farmyard manure, 30 tons/ha−1; (c) chicken manure, 15 tons/ha−1 + E 2001 + All grow Bioplasma; (d) chicken manure, 30 tons/ha−1; and (e) control (no fertilizer). The total net profit ranged between

Effects of compost material on yield and quality of glasshouse tomatoes grown in different textured soils

0.38 and

Rootstocks can enhance tomato growth and quality characteristics at low potassium supply

0.90/m2, depending on organic fertilizer applications. The results showed that organic lettuce production with different organic fertilizers can be achieved in greenhouses, but there is still a need to solve some problems related to greenhouse climate control, pest and disease control, biological control, crop rotation, marketing and training of growers.