International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2167-0455 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of organic and inorganic soils on successful emergence of roots in spring rings

Hani A AL-Zalzaleh

Arid land Agriculture and Greenery Department, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait. E mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 December, 2018

Abstract

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of soil types on the emergence of Eucalyptus viminalis in spring ring containers. Five inorganic soils such as 100% clay, 100% sand, 85% sand and 5% clay, 70% sand and 30% clay, and 55% sand and 45% clay and, three organic soils like medium nutrient and medium texture compost, medium nutrient and coarse texture compost, medium nutrient and fine texture compost were used for the study. Characters observed were the total numbers of roots (TR) and the number of roots emerging through the spring rings (ER) after destructive harvest. The ratio for the weight of emerged roots to the weight of total number of root (ER : TR) was calculated. Morphological observations reveal that air pruning in spring ring containers seemed to be encouraging the formation of new roots. The results showed that that there was no significant difference between the soil types on the total number of roots as well as the number of roots emerged through the holes of the spring rings. The weight ratio of emergent roots to the total number of roots also did not vary significantly. Despite the differences in the soil type similarity was observed in root performance in the E. viminalis seedlings. Overall, the soils used did influence neither the total number of roots nor the emergence of roots through the container openings.

Key words: organic soils, root growth, inorganic soils, root growth, spring rings, soil types.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2167-0455 Vol. 6 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Growth of Capparis spinosa var. Inermis under different irrigation levels

Majda Khalil Suleiman^*, Narayana Ramachandra Bhat, Mahdi Saleh Abdal, Sheena Jacob, Rini Rachel Thomas, Sarah Al-Dossery, Gladson D’Cruz and Ricardo Bellen.

Aridland Agriculture and Greenery Department (AAD), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), P. O. Box 24885, SAFAT 13109, Kuwait.

Accepted 13 April, 2018

Abstract

Due to their importance in enhancing greenery activities in Kuwait, ornamental plants from diverse origins are being introduced and evaluated for their suitability to the harsh climatic conditions of the country. Introduction of multipurpose plants such as Capparis spinosa provides an invaluable opportunity to enhance greenery in Kuwait, while at the same time, exploring other applications, such as fruit and feed production. The objective of this study was to conduct field trials to evaluate the adaptation and performance of Capparis spinosa, as well as identify irrigation water requirements for water conservation aspects. Hardened Caper seedlings were drip irrigated at 100, 75 and 50% of the daily water requirements. Irrespective of the treatments, the survival of the plants recorded 100%. Though the canopy growth rate was highest in plants with 100% irrigation, no significant variation in canopy was observed in plants with 50 and 100% irrigation. The results signify that caper plants can be grown and sustained successfully with 50% of its daily water requirement. Caper plant is a potential candidate for introduction into greenery projects as a ground cover because of its ability to grow under conditions of aridity.

Keywords: Capparis spinosa, greenery activity, ornamental plants, field trials, water conservation.

International Journal of Horticulture and Floriculture ISSN 2167-0455 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 001-003, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Effect of variety and intercropping on two major cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] field pests in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Sule Hassan

Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University, P. M. B. 25 Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +234 08051045452.

Accepted 23 April, 2018

Abstract

Cowpea is regarded as one of the major source of dietary protein in many parts of Africa, but yield losses due to insect pests’ activities reduce available natural resources for human consumption. Field trials were conducted during the 2006 and 2007 cropping season at Mubi, Nigeria, to determine the effect of variety and intercropping on three major field insect pest of cowpea. The experimental treatments consist of two variety of cowpea via Kanannado white and Kanannado brown and intercrop of each variety of cowpea seed with sorghum arranged in a complete randomized block design. The population of aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch.) and thrips (Megalarothrips sjostedi Trybom) were significantly (P>0.05) lower in cowpea + sorghum intercrop in 2006 and 2007 cropping season than sole cowpea crop. Similarly in 2007 cropping season population maruca pod borer (Maruca vitreta) was significantly (P>0.05) lower in cowpea + sorghum intercrop than sole cowpea crop but in 2006 cropping season, the reverse was the case. By and large, the result of the study shows that cowpea + sorghum intercrop reduces populations of major field pests of cowpea.

Key words: Intercropping, cowpea, aphids, thrips, maruca.