Sustainable Horticulture

This experiment was conducted to study the effectiveness of different preservative solutions on vase life and quality of angelica cut inflorescences cv. Single. The concentrations of citric acid at 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1 , sucrose at 3% and 4% and H 2 O 2 at 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% were used as preservatives, while distilled water was used as control. The single factor experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Citric acid and H 2 O 2 solutions effectively inhibited bacterial growthrelated blockage in the vascular tissues, but had adverse effects on the vase life. The inflorescences stored in sucrose (3% and 4%) solutions remained fresh up to 10 days after preservation (DAP), maintaining good solution uptake, controlling transpiration loss and gaining higher relative fresh weight. Different quality parameters like floret diameter and number of opened florets were also significantly higher in inflorescences preserved in sucrose (3% and 4%) solution, followed by control, citric acid and H 2 O 2 , respectively, in different DAP. Overall, the inflorescence of cut tuberose preserved in sucrose, particularly at 4% solutions, showed better postharvest quality than other preservatives and maximum vase life.

This experiment was conducted to study the effectiveness of different preservative solutions on vase life and quality of angelica cut inflorescences cv. Single. The concentrations of citric acid at 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1, sucrose at 3% and 4% and H2O2 at 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% were used as preservatives, while distilled water was used as control. The single factor experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Citric acid and H2O2 solutions effectively inhibited bacterial growth-related blockage in the vascular tissues, but had adverse effects on the vase life. The inflorescences stored in sucrose (3% and 4%) solutions remained fresh up to 10 days after preservation (DAP), maintaining good solution uptake, controlling transpiration loss and gaining higher relative fresh weight. Different quality parameters like floret diameter and number of opened florets were also significantly higher in inflorescences preserved in sucrose (3% and 4%) solutio...

An investigation was carried out to standardize the effect of pulsing concentration on vase
life of gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. White prosperity during the year 2017-
2018. Spikes were harvested at early in the morning having 1-2 florets showed colour from
the main experiment field. The maximum 10.33 days vase-life of flower was found with
continuous opening of florets, increase in spike length, absorption of vase solution, first
increase thereafter decreased, and moderate florets drooping could be observed, when
gladiolus spikes were pulsed in to 20% pulsing solution for 24 hours.

A total of 21 heronries comprising 11 species of birds were observed during a survey carried out in 2008 and subsequent monitoring of the sites in South-West region of deccan Maharashtra. Area covered was part of Solapur, Osmanabad, Pune and Satara districts of Maharashtra, which come under low rainfall region and forest type of southern tropical thorn forest. Habitat loss, hunting and lack of public awareness were found as major factors in conservation of threatened birds such as Painted Stork and Black-headed Ibis.

In the present study, twelve varieties of CHRYSANTHEMUM collected from the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow were evaluated under irrigated condition at Main Experiment Station, NDUA&T, Kumarganj, Faizabad during winter season (2011-12). A wide range of variation in the performance of the varieties were observed for various characters. Highest plant height (50.20 cm) and maximum number of florets per flower were observed in Suneel (339.67 cm). Genotype Dentiment showed maximum plant spread (34.74 cm), maximum number of flowers per plant (103.60 g), maximum flower diameter (10.40 cm), and highest weight of ten flowers (63.00 g). As for as suitability of particular genotypes is concerned, maximum number of primary branches in Jaya (10.30) and maximum flower vase life (16 days) in Jayanti was observed. Among all the 12 genotypes, few genotypes like Dentiment produced maximum flower yield (652.68 g per plant) Original Research Article

One of the major issues facing humankind is global food security. A changing climate, coupled with a heightened consumer awareness of how food is produced and legislative changes governing the usage of agrichemicals for improving plant health and yield, means that alternative, more integrated and sustainable approaches are needed for crop management practices. To this end, there is increasing recognition of the value of the role of microbial inoculants in agriculture. The focus of this review is to understand how plant-growth-promoting bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can play a part in improving crop yield by promoting the health status of the plant through the sequestration of various nutrients and in the control of plant diseases.

El argumento de este artículo es que mientras hay paisajes valorados por su vistosidad, existen otros a los cuales debería enfocarse la mirada científica y gubernamental para reconocer entre otros valores, cómo es que contribuyen a resolver el problema del sustento alimenticio así como su importancia en la formación de tejido social.

I am soliciting the chapters on all aspects of Horticultural Science (fruit, vegetable, flower, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, mushroom, gardening, etc) to included in the book series Innovations in Horticultural Science being published from AAP-CRC Press, USA. Kindly see the attached PDF.

Thank You

A pot experiment was conducted to understudy the effect of nursery media on early seedling emergence and growth two genotypes of Passion fruits (Passiflora edulis). The experiment was conducted in a high tunnel located in the Research and Teaching Farm of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The experiment was laid out as a 2 × 7 split plot experiment in Completely Randomized Design and replicated twice. All the data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) following the procedure for split plot experiment design in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using GENSTAT (2007) statistical software package. Mean separation was done using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. The textural class of the media used in study was loamy-Sandy. The study shows that the percentage emergence of both genotypes - KPF-4 and Purple were higher in the media - Sawdust (100%) with the mean percentage emergence of 65% and 75% respectively although statistically there were no significant difference in the percentage emergence (P>0.05) amongst the interaction of the genotypes and media. The media - Tp+Pm+Rv (3:2:1) had the highest plant height at 1 and 2 months after emergence while the media- Tp+Pm+Sd (3:2:1) had the highest mean plant height at 3, 4, 5 and 6 months after emergence with KPF-4 genotype. The media – Tp+Pm+Rh (3:2:1) had the highest mean plant height for the period under study with Purple genotype although there was no significant difference (P>0.05) on the mean plant height at 1, 2, 3, 4 months after emergence there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the interaction effects at 5 and 6 months after emergence. The result further reveal that the media - Tp+Pm+Rh (3:2:1) had the highest vine girth with Purple genotype for the period under study. Although there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the Purple genotype-Media interaction effect on the mean vine girth of the plant at 1, 3, 4, & 6 months after emergence, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the Purple genotype-Media interaction effect on the mean vine girth of the plant at 2 & 5 months after emergence. Again, the Purple-Tp+Pm+Rh (3:2:1) interactions had the highest mean number of leaves within the period under study. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean number of leaves amongst the genotype-media interactions within the period under study. Based on dry matter content of the whole plant, KPF-4 with the media- Rh+Pm+Sd (1:1:1) had a mean dry matter content of 99.00 while Purple with the media - Tp+Pm+Rv (3:2:1) had a mean dry matter content of 260.0 but there was no significant difference statistically in the dry matter contents of the leaf, vine, root and whole plant of Passion fruit with both genotypes-media interactions. General growth responses suggested that media Tp+Pm+Rh (3:2:1) for KPF-4 & Purple genotypes was the best after 6months of emergence. Seedling grown in these media also suggested better water economy as water stress symptom expressions were delayed. Considering the emergence and growth response, the media- Sawdust (100%) and Tp+Pm+Rh (3:2:1) respectively are recommended for growing Passion fruit in Awka.

Recently, thermal properties of the landscaped rooftops and walls have attracted the interest of researchers because of the potential to minimize energy consumption in urban areas and to aid summer-time thermal control. For this reason the creation of a plant-based shade for walls or above buildings is highly important. In this paper we evaluate using Lygodium japonicum, one of the many ferns and fern allies traditionally used in Japanese gardening, as a component of thermal-buffering green walls. Lygodium japonicum, the only climbing fern species in Japan, is fast-growing, adheres easily to walls and has a climbing nature. A simple thermal analysis of the sun-shading effect of Lygodium canopy suggested that local surface temperature above the ceramic tiles placed on the rooftop of a building can be buffered (lowered in daytime and maintained relatively warm at night) by the presence of leafy climbing ferns covering the tiles, possibly due to the reflection and absorbance of solar radiation. Furthermore, the presence of the plants may also slow the night-time release of heat from the building surface. Because plants installed on tall walls or on the tops of buildings are not easily accessed for manual care, we performed a real-time routine monitoring and control of plant growth status using various optical sensors that could be automated and monitored remotely for large-scale applications. For this purpose, the optical properties of a L. japonicum canopy under solar incident light have been determined. In order to evaluate the natural shading and growing properties of a green canopy, the incident solar radiation spectrum (J), leaf canopy-filtered light spectrum (transmittance, T) and leaf-reflectivity spectrum (R) were measured. By reading the reflectivity spectrum, concomitant chlorophyll fluorescence signals (F) from Lygodium leaves were also detected at 760 nm, which corresponds to the O2-A Fraunhofer line. Our data suggests that the daily change in photosynthetic status (P) can be traced by monitoring the change in relative F in relation to the estimated heat loss (H) and measured J, R, and T using a series of practical equations designed to roughly estimate the gross photosynthetic response within the plant canopy. Using our equations, the photosynthetic capacity in the plant canopy structure could be simply simulated and predictable by optical sensors.

This document sets a summary of our project. It will cover what we wanted to happen; what actually happened covering project management, differences that happened as a result of the project and project finances; ending with a short review and lessons learned.

A system and method are provided for indoor agriculture using at least one growth chamber illuminated by laser light. In an example embodiment of the agriculture system, a growth chamber is provided having one or more walls defining an interior portion of the growth chamber. The agriculture system may include a removable tray disposed within the interior portion of the growth chamber. The agriculture system also includes a light source, which may be disposed outside the growth chamber. The one or more walls may include at least one aperture. The light source is configured to illuminate at least a part of the interior portion of the growth chamber. In embodiments in which the light source is disposed outside the growth chamber, the light source is configured to transmit the laser light to the interior portion of the growth chamber via the at least one aperture.

It is known that walnut varieties with lateral bearing have some sensitivities to temperature variations during relative dormancy and on entering the vegetation. In the first decade of January 2017, in Dambovita County, extremely high variations in the negative temperatures have been recorded, which could affect the viability of the flowering buds and vegetative buds. In late April, the nights of 21, 26 and 28, late spring frosts were registered causing necrosis of the tissue in the local genotypes and partial frostbite of buds flowering male variety Fernor, in the phenophase inflation buds. If the production of the local genotypes of 2017 was compromised in 80%, the variety Fernor and some new hybrids (KMS1, KMS2, KMS3, KMS4 and KMS5), these late spring frosts did not affect the further development of fruit buds. 10% of male flowering buds (catkins) showed partial frostbite, without affecting their ability to deliver total pollen of 3% of female mixed buds were affected by frost. In conclusion, in addition to the genetic conditioning, the frost resistance of the observed walnuts is influenced by fertilization and irrigation. In the first decade of January 2017, in Dambovita County, extremely high variations in the negative temperatures have been recorded, which could affect the viability of the flowering buds and vegetative buds. In late April, the nights of 21, 26 and 28, late spring frosts were registered causing necrosis of the tissue in the local genotypes and partial frostbite of buds flowering male variety Fernor, in the phenophase inflation buds. If the production of the local genotypes of 2017 was compromised in 80%, the variety Fernor and some new hybrids (KMS1, KMS2, KMS3, KMS4 and KMS5), these late spring frosts did not affect the further development of fruit buds. 10% of male flowering buds (catkins) showed partial frostbite,

Food security (a pressing issue for all nations) faces a threat due to population growth, land availability for growing crops, a changing climate (leading to increases in both abiotic and biotic stresses), heightened consumer awareness of the risks related to the use of agrichemicals, and also the reliance on depleting fossil fuel reserves for their production. Legislative changes in Europe mean that fewer agrichemicals will be available in the future for the control of crop pests and pathogens. The need for the implementation of a more sustainable
agricultural system globally, incorporating an integrated approach to disease management, has never been more urgent. To that end, the Valorizing Andean Microbial Diversity (VALORAM) project (http://valoram.ucc.ie), funded under FP7, examined the role of microbial
communities in crop production and protection to improve the sustainability, food security, environmental protection, and productivity for rural Andean farmers. During this work, microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) of 27 rhizobacterial isolates were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and their antifungal
activity against Rhizoctonia solani was determined in vitro and compared to the activity of a selection of pure volatile compounds. Five of these isolates, Pseudomonas palleroniana R43631, Bacillus sp. R47065, R47131, Paenibacillus sp. B3a R49541, and Bacillus simplex M3-4 R49538 trialled in the field in their respective countries of origin, i.e., Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, showed significant increase in the yield of potato. The strategy followed in the VALORAM project may offer a template for the future isolation and determination of putative biocontrol and plant growth-promoting agents, useful as part of a low-input integrated pest management system.

fgUn d` f"k vuq la /kku ,oa iz f'k{k.k la LFkku] eq t ¶Qjuxj ¼m0iz 0½ jk"Vª h; d` f"k] iQjojh ,oa vxLr] 2015 [k.M 10 (1&2) thok.kq [kkn % lLrk ,oa mÙke lz ks r ,-,p-uUgs j] lfpu R;kxh 1 ,oa vk'kq rks "k dq ekj fla g l'; foKku foHkkx] fcgkj d` f"k fo'ofo|ky;] lckS j] Hkkxyiq j ¼fcgkj½ Hkkjr 1 m|ku fo|k foHkkx] fcgkj d` f"k fo'ofo|ky;] lckS j] Hkkxyiq j ¼fcgkj½ Hkkjr vkt iw js fo'o es a tS fod [ks rh dks jklk;fud [ks rh dk fodYi ekuk tk jgk gS A lkB ds n'kd es a gfjr Øka fr ds QyLo:i vUu mRiknu es a ns 'k vkRefuHkZ j gq vk ijUrq blds nq "ifj.kke Hkh lkeus vk;s tS ls e` nk es a dkcZ fud inkFkks Z dh ek=k es a deh] e` nk {kkfj;rk] e` nk moZ jrk es a fxjkoV] jlk;uks a ds vo'ks "k ds QyLo:i e` nk] ty ,oa ok;q iz nw "k.k rFkk ekuo LokLF; ij foijhr iz HkkoA bu lHkh leL;kvks a ls Nq Vdkjk ikus dk ,dek= mik; tS fod [ks rh gh gS ] Qly mRiknu es a iks "kd rRoks a dk egRoiw .kZ LFkku gS ] budh vkiw frZ ds fy, jklk;fud moZ jd] ns lh [kkn] thok.kq [kkn] dEiks LV vkfn dk mi;ks x eq [; :i ls fd;k tkrk gS A moZ jdks a dh c<+ rh dhers a ] ek¡ x ,oa iw frZ ds chp dk va rj] Nks Vs o lhekUr fdlkuks a dh lhfer Ø; 'kfä ,oa ÅtkZ dh deh tS fod [ks rh es a iks "kd rRo iz ca /ku djus ds fy, fdlkuks dks fofHkUu iz dkj dh tS fod [ks rh ¼da s pq vk [kkn] xks cj dh [kkn] dEiks LV] gjh [kkn] Qly vo'ks "k vk/kkfjr [kkn½ rFkk thok.kq [kkn dk iz ;ks x vfr vko';d gks tkrk gS ftlls Qly mRiknu rFkk mRikndrk es a fxjkoV u gks rFkk e` nk dh moZ jk 'kfDr cuh jgs A ikni iks "k.k es a u=tu ,oa QkLQks jl nks egRoiw .kZ iks "kd rRo gS A u=tu ok;q ea My es a iz pq j ek=k es a ¼yxHkx 79 iz fr'kr½ miyC/k gS ijUrq ikS /ks bldk mi;ks x rHkh dj ldrs gS tc bl u=tu dks ikS /kks ds mi;ks xh Lo:i es a cny fn;k tk, tks fd jklk;fud fØ;kvks a }kjk ;k fof'k"V lw {e thok.kq vks a }kjk gh lEiUu fd;k tk ldrk gS A u=tu ds ckn QkLQks jl nw ljk iz eq [k ikni iks "kd rRo gS ftldh vkiw frZ gs rq i` Foh ds xHkZ es a miyC/k lhfer lz ks rks a dk [kuu dj iz kIr jkW d QkLQs V ls QkLQks jl vpy :i es a gks rk gS vkS j fØ;k ds QyLo:i fLFkj gks tkrk gS ] thok.kq [kkn e` nk es a ekS tw n ykHkdkjh lw {e thoks a dk oS Kkfud rjhdks a ls a pq uko dj iz ;ks x'kkykvks a es a rS ;kj dh tkrh gS A ok;q ea My ds u=tu o Hkw fe ds QkLQks jl dks ikS /kks a dks miyC/k djkus okys thok.q kvks a dks thfor voLFkk es a fyXukbV o dks ;ys ds pw js es a feykdj thok.kq [kkn rS ;kj fd;k tkrk gS A thok.q k [kkn es a bu ykHknk;d thok.q kvks a dh la [;k ,d xz ke es a nl djks M ls vf/kd j[kh tkrh gS A thok.kq [kkn ds ykHk %

Mardhiana, Pradana AP, Adiwena M, Kartina, Santoso D, Wijaya R, Maliki A. 2017. Effects of pruning on growth and yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Mercy variety in The acid soil of North Kalimantan, Indonesia. Cell Biol Dev 1: 13-17. In recent years, cucumber production in Tarakan, North Kalimantan only reaches 20 tons ha-1. In fact, cucumber production potential could reach 49 tons ha-1. Several factors that limit the low productivity of cucumbers in Tarakan are acid soil and cultivation techniques which are still limited. This study aimed to determine the effect of pruning on the growth and yield of cucumbers in acid soil in Tarakan. The study was conducted using Randomized Complete Block Design with the treatment of without pruning (P0), shoot of prunings on the main stem (P1), pruning of whole lateral branches above the third section (P2), and pruning of 2 lateral branches that emerged first above the third section (P4). The results showed that plant height was 16.17% (P1) and...

Extensive use of synthetic fertilizer to maximize the productivity often leads to depletion of essential soil nutrients, environmental degradation and adversely affects soil rhizosphere microbiota. The present study investigates the efficacy of Trichoderma and biochar co-application on tomato productivity, nutritional quality and soil health improvements under reduced N-P-K fertilizer application. The study comprised of five treatments: (i) standard application of N-P-K, (ii) 50% dose of N-P-K (control), (iii) Trichoderma + 50% dose of N-P-K, (iv) biochar+50% dose of N-P-K and (v) biochar+Trichoderma + 50% dose of N-P-K. The growth, yield, and antioxidant properties of tomatoes, as well as their mineral composition, were analysed. The results showed that the combined application of Trichoderma and biochar increased the growth attributes positively and produced 101.45% and 11.33% higher yield compared to half dose and standard dose of N-P-K, respectively. The combined application also elicited an increase in mineral contents, total soluble solids as well as bioactive molecules such as lycopene and ascorbic acid, thereby increased the nutritional and functional quality of the tomato fruits. Collectively, Trichoderma and biochar improved soil fertility, nutrient uptake and promoted the growth of rhizosphere fungal and bacterial populations, which combined resulted in higher tomato yields, antioxidants, and minerals. Therefore, the co-application of Trichoderma and biochar with a 50% dose of N-P-K can be considered an effective technique for the sustainable production of tomato with higher yield and superior quality.

A student analysis of the design problems and solutions between building a greenhouse for a hot, arid climate of Irvine, California versus a temperate climate of Buffalo, New York. Research was used a procedure method to arrive to the most utilitarian decision. This thesis will further elaborate on the specific design decisions made, the solutions proposed, and the climatic aspects that still need to be considered and/or implemented when the GRoW House relocates to the University at Buffalo South campus.

Because rare earth elements (REEs) are not present at high concentrations in the normal environments surrounding living organisms, the biological roles of REEs had not been intensively tested to date. In this article, the ongoing studies on the biology and biochemistry of REEs applied to growing plants and plant cells are reviewed.

End of report of a project that set out to secure an on island solution to turn bio-degradable waste into a useful resource.  The report sets out the genesis of the project, details of project delivery, what we learned along the way and what we achieved.

Allaire, S. E., Caron, J. and Gallichand,J. 1994. Measuring the saturated hydraulic conductivity of peat substrates in nursery containers. Can. J. Soil Sci. 74: 431-43'7. Pore size, distribution and continuity are important characteristics for the exchange and storage of air and water in artificial mixes. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K,) measurements can be used to obtain such a characterization. However, two difficulties are encountered when using K, in potting media' First, the validity of K. may be limited because it may not apply in media composed of coarse material or peat. Second, the structure of peat substrates is very sensitive and in situ measurements of potted peat substrates (i.e. measurements made directly in the pots) should be c^arried out to avoid any disruptive effect due to hindling. Such a measurement, when made in pots, may require the evaluation of the water flux reduction resulting from the container outflow configuration. The objectives of this study were therefore to check the validity of Darcy's law for peaisubstrates and to propose an approach for estimating the saturated hydraulic conductivity from flow measurements made in nuriery containers. For tirei different substrates, water flow in artificial mixes followed Darcy's law for hydraulic gradients ranging from l.l to 1.6 cm cm-l. Experimental results showed that the measured fluxes in 5-L nursery containerfilled at five different iubstrate heights (9, 11.5, 14, i6.5 and 19 cm) with laterally located drainage holes were significantly different from those measured in pots with the bottom removed (therefore equivalent to measurement currently made in cylinders) at P : 0.0022. Fluxes in containers with bottoms removed wereT-31% higher than in intact pots. Water flux measurements may therefore need to be corrected for this flux reduction in order to accurately estimate hydraulic conductivity from flow experiments run in pots. A correction factor based on the results obtained from a finite difference model was derived and calibrated. Then, this coirection factor was used to convert flux measurements made in pots with lateral holes into equivalent flux that would have been obtained had the pot had an open bottom. After correction, no significant flux reductions were found between pots with open bottoms and pots with lateral ^holes (P : 0.55). A correction factor estimated from Laplace's equation, once calibrated, cin therefore be applied to flux measurements obtained from pots to obtain estimates of K, of undisturbed potted media.

– The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of degrad-able mulches, a black polypropylene nonwoven with an iron stearate photodegradation activator (PP photod. 0.02%, 50 g m-2) and a black non-retractable polylactide nonwoven (PLA 50 g m-2), on soil parameters and yield of field-grown cucumbers. Results were compared to non-mulched control and black polypropylene nonwoven (PP 50 g m-2). Slightly higher temperatures under the PP photod., and lower temperatures under the PLA in comparison to the control were observed. Mulching with PP photod. increased organic carbon and macroaggregates contents, while under PLA more smaller (1.0 to 0.5 mm) aggregates were noted. The lowest nitrogen (N-NH 4 and N-NO 3) level was noted in bare soil. Higher marketable yield was obtained from mulched plots, with a greater increase in yield with both PP photod. and PLA mulching. Tested degradable mulches can be a good alternative to standard mulches and they can be recommended for cucumber growing.

Horticulture has emerged as one of the potential agricultural enterprises in accelerating the growth of economy in India. It offers not only a wide range of options to the farmers for crop diversification, but also provides ample scope for sustaining large number of agro-industries which generate huge employment opportunities. Horticulture has been evolving in form of horticulture industry in our country owing to its significant role in nutritional security, poverty alleviation and employment generation. The production of fruits, vegetables and flowers has acquired much importance in recent times due to their increasing demand. India has a wide variety of climate and soil on which different horticultural crops such as fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, medicinal and aromatic plants, plantation crops and spices are cultivated successfully. Horticultural crops could serve an ideal way of achieving sustainability in small holdings, increasing employment, improving environment, providing an enormous export potential and above all achieving nutritional security. Despite these advantages, India’s share in the global market is insignificant accounting for only 1.7% of the global trade in vegetables and 0.5% in fruits and less than 0.5% in flowers. Hence, continuous efforts are required for strengthening the horticulture sector through novel sustainable updated and applied technologies. The major arenas as new dimensions to augment the horticulture sector are given in this chapter.

Dans ce projet final pour mon baccalauréat en agronomie, j'ai évalué la qualité de deux types de sol (un saint-bernard et un Saint-Zotique) dans une parcelle en maraîchage biologique sur planches permanentes. Le projet était d'établir une méthode de collecte de données à long terme pour permettre à l'équipe du projet de mesurer l'effet des planches permanentes sur la qualité des sols; de définir le concept de qualité des sols qui corresponde aux objectifs des producteurs; et de faire des recommandations agronomiques basées sur les observations et la recherche actuelle sur les planches permanentes. J'ai utilisé la méthode d'évaluation des sols développée par Mme Anne Weill, au CETAB+, pour évaluer l'enracinement, la compaction, la texture, la stabilité des agrégats et la porosité. La méthode du département de l'agriculture des États-Unis a également été utilisée pour mesurer la densité apparente. Des échantillons de sol et de feuillage ont également été analysés. Les résultats montrent certains risques associés à l'adoption de systèmes en planches permanentes: la stabilité des agrégats et le lissage (compaction) à court terme. Les recommandations sont d'adopter un autre type d'outil (la herse rotative) et de favoriser la stabilité de surface par l'utilisation accrue d'engrais verts.

A system and method are provided for indoor agriculture using at least one growth chamber illuminated by laser light. In an example embodiment of the agriculture system, a growth chamber is provided having one or more walls defining an interior portion of the growth chamber. The agriculture system may include a removable tray disposed within the interior portion of the growth chamber. The agriculture system also includes a light source, which may be disposed outside the growth chamber. The one or more walls may include at least one aperture. The light source is configured to illuminate at least a part of the interior portion of the growth chamber. In embodiments in which the light source is disposed outside the growth chamber, the light source is configured to transmit the laser light to the interior portion of the growth chamber via the at least one aperture.

The world population will exceed 9 billion by 2050; half of the world's population will reside in
tropical regions. So, there will be need for more food production. In the SAARC Countries, poor productivity
and low income of farmers is a serious concern. At this juncture, when these countries are looking towards
'doubling farmers income' major constraints in horticultural production are; absence of high yielding
varieties, changing climate, often heavy yield loss due to several diseases and pest attack, poor postharvest
management and value addition, inadequate transfer of technology. Keeping these facts in view, the Hi-Tech
horticulture is a better option to enhance the production and productivity of horticultural crops and thereby
increasing income of farmers have been discussed in this paper.

The aim of this work was to determine the yield and economic return of ‘Brasilia’ carrot and marigold, conducted in monocrop and intercropping with three and four (C3 and C4) rows of carrots and two and three (T2 and T3) rows of marigold plants per plot. The average production of fresh weight of carrot plants under monocrop had a significant increase of 9.68 t ha-1 (134.26%) compared to that under intercropping (7.21 t ha-1). In marigold, there was a decreased production of 0.90 t ha-1 (23.32%) in the inflorescence weight under intercropping, compared to monocrop (3.86 t. ha-1). The land equivalent ratios (RAE) for intercropping carrot and marigold were 13% (C3T2) and 26% (C4T3) higher compared to monocrop. For the marigold producer, both intercropping were economically viable, with average gain of R$ 5043.00 ha-1. However, for the carrot producer, although the RAE have been higher than 1.00, the intercropping was not effective and caused monetary losses averaging R$ 13964.65 ha-1. Carrot crop was the most lucrative one, under three rows per plot, which provided gross income of R$ 25715.30 ha-1 to the producer.

Ashwagandha is an important medicinal plant. It is an under shrub, having adaptogenic, immuno modulator, aphrodisiac and anti stress properties. Field experiment was undertaken to elicit information on effect of dates of sowing, plant density and harvesting stage on physiological attributes of ashwagandha at Kittur Rani Channamma College of Horticulture,  Arabhavi during
2006-2007 with factorial randomised block design. The results revealed that at 90 DAS significantly
maximum LAI (4.850) was recorded when the crop was sown during first fortnight  of August with narrow spacing of 30 x 10 cm. At 30-60 DAS, second fortnight of August sown crop with
.narrow spacing of 30 x 10 cm recorded significantly  maximum  CGR (0.166  kg/ha/day)  and RGR (3.130  kg/kg/day).  Dry matter production increased Significantly till the  150 DAS with respect to the planting density. Dry matter production was highest with  respect to the plant density 30 x 10 cm at all the growth stages. The seeds which were sown on second fortnight of August reported maximum production of dry matter from 60 DAS  till 150 DAS compared to the other dates of sowing.

Humankind's relationship to, or place within, the non-human environment is a vast topic both existential and scientific, and is a rising concern in burgeoning subfields of anthropology. This paper offers a report on the findings of a pragmatic, practice-focused and policy-orientated ethnographic pilot study (Seifert et al. 2011). Following the observation of a gap in research in the dual areas of eco-therapy and non-medical alcohol interventions and rehabilitation in Northern Ireland, the pilot, conducted on behalf of Alcohol Research U.K., set out to locate and scope existing provisions of eco-therapy opportunities in Northern Ireland with particular recourse to interventions whose service users include people with a problematic alcohol-use background. Following the recommendations set out by various summary reports by anthropologists engaged in 'alcohology' (Gilbert 1991; Heath and Glasser 2004; Hunt and Barker 2001; Marshall et al. 2001; Weibel-Orlando 1989), public health more widely (for example, Hahn and Inhorn 2009), and eco-therapy in particular (Burls 2007; Milligan et al. 2004; Parr 2007), a multidisciplinary methodological approach was piloted as particularly relevant to a substantial further study reporting on the effectiveness of eco-therapy as a public-health intervention. An introduction to concepts surrounding eco-therapy precedes an illustration of two key eco-therapy project scenarios benefiting those with alcohol problems in Northern Ireland. The results of this brief analysis suggest both research-paradigmatic and practical directions that could advance the understanding and the effectiveness of this intervention in the future.