Gutiérrez-Guzmán UN¹, E Castellanos-Pérez¹, JJ Q uiñones-Vera¹, JS Serrato-Corona¹, JJ Martínez-Ríos¹, I Orona-Castillo¹, I Chairez-Hernández²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 312-318, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.312

Abstract A regression model was used to determine the relationship between aerial herbaceous biomass and vegetation coverage estimated by digital images. Four samplings (n=36 each date) of vegetation cover and herbaceous biomass were performed during the growing season in 2011 in a grassland dominated by Bouteloua gracilis in La Cieneguilla, Municipality of Villa Hidalgo, Durango. Average production of dry biomass was 37.36 ± 9.66 g/m², and mean vegetation cover 30.02%. Dry biomass data were tested for normality using the test of Kolmogorov Smirnov, finding a lack of fit. The data were subjected to a logarithmic transformation and the model Ln(y) =… More >

Salomón N¹, V Misller¹, C Delrieux², R Miranda³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 306-311, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.306

Abstract Color is one of the factors used in quality estimation in many agricultural and food products. Currently, the evaluation of color depends on judgments made by human experts. These are subjective and inevitably affected by physical, physiological and environmental conditions. Suitable instrumental is required to provide objectivity and coherence to color measurements and quantitative expressions. It would be very useful to have tools that allow both practical and precise approaches to chromatic evaluation of products for human consumption. This work suggests a methodology which might contribute to solve that constraint and the analysis of environmental influences on this character in… More >

Gutiérrez C JL¹, G González C², MA Segura C³, I Sánchez C², JA Orozco V³, M Fortis H³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 298-305, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.298

Abstract Leonardite is an oxidized form of lignite carbon, which is obtained from fossilized organic materials. Such materials are used for the extraction of humic acids (HA). The result of the addition of HA of organic origin on soil structure is known; however, the effects of adding HA of Leonardite on soil structure have been scarcely investigated. The objectives of this research were (1) to determine the influence of humic acids derived from Leonardite in increasing the aggregate stability of an Aridisol under greenhouse conditions, and (2) evaluate the morphology of the root xylem during the phenological development of melon plants… More >

Maroyi A, MT Rasethe

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 288-297, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.288

Abstract Documentation of use patterns of plants across national boundaries is of relevance in understanding the importance of plant resources to livelihood strategies of different ethnic groups. Plant resources have gained prominence as a natural asset through which families derive food, firewood, income, medicines and timber, enabling particularly poor communities to achieve self-sufficiency. The objective of this study was to investigate the trends in plant usage in South Africa and Zimbabwe. An ethnobotanical investigation was conducted between January 2012 and January 2013 in the Limpopo Province, South Africa and the Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. The study used questionnaire surveys and interviews with… More >

Garay MM¹, NM Amiotti², P Zalba¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 280-287, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.280

Abstract Afforestation is a recommended practice to mitigate global warming. However, their implementation may generate undesirable impacts, mostly if exotic species are used. Plantations of Pinus radiata D Don in Ventania (Bs. As., Argentina) soils showed notorious increments of extractable P (Pe), which could affect the dynamic of this element as well as the degree of phosphorus saturation (GSP_Bray). The objectives of this study were: i) to quantify the GSP_Bray in Mollisols afforested with P. radiata comparing the results with those coming from adjacent, natural grassland areas (base line); ii) to evaluate the potential environmental risk induced by afforestation through the… More >

Yescas CP¹, MA Segura C¹, L Martínez C², VP Álvarez R¹, JA Montemayor T¹, JA Orozco V¹, JE Frías R¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 272-279, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.272

Abstract The scarcity of water in arid and semiarid regions of the world is a problem that every day increases by climate change. The subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and changes in population density of plants are alternatives that can be used to make a sustainable use of water. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the combination that allows for an increased corn performance and efficient use of water without losing the quality of forage. Three different irrigation levels were applied through a system of a SDI at three different densities of forage maize plants in an arid region.… More >

Reta-Sánchez DG¹, JS Serrato-Corona², HM Quiroga-Garza¹, A Gaytán-Mascorro¹, JA Cueto-Wong¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 262-271, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.262

Abstract Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) forage potential can be enhanced through its regrowth capacity and higher production in narrow rows. A field experiment was conducted in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico, during 2 growing seasons (2004 and 2005) to study the effects of plant height and row spacing on kenaf forage potential with multiple harvests. This study evaluated the effects of (1) 2 plant heights at cutting (1.0-1.2 m and 1.8-2.0 m) and (2) 4 inter row spacings (0.19, 0.38, 0.57 and 0.76 m) using a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized block design with 4 replications. Dry… More >

Robles-Hernández L, J Hernández-Huerta, AC González-Franco, OA Hernández-Rodríguez, A Núñez-Barrios, R Pérez-Leal

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.2, pp. 253-261, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.253

Abstract Chili pepper is one of the main crops of economic importance in Mexico, and Fusarium wilting is a disease that limits its production. In addition, the inappropriate use of agrochemicals in farming activities generate environmental and health problems. Therefore, in this study the effectiveness of Streptomyces sp PRIO41 was evaluated as a (1) biocontrol agent of Fusarium spp and (2) plant growth promoter bacteria. Assays of pathogenicity and virulence of Fusarium spp. in jalapeño pepper seeds, and interactions of these pathogens with Streptomyces PRIO41 were evaluated under two nutritional conditions. In the greenhouse, the effectiveness of Streptomyces sp. PRIO41 was… More >

Rubim MAL¹, PR Isolino Sampaio¹, P Parolin^2,3

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 244-251, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.244

Abstract Fish is a very important part of the human diet in Amazonia. Near the growing cities, fish populations and individual size have decreased over the past decades. Alternatives to traditional and industrial fishing arise, including fish farming. Strategies to minimize the impact of fish farms on the environment are needed to have a regular and healthy fish supply. This is to avoid a reduction of biodiversity, a depletion of natural resources, and/or the induction of significant changes in the structure and functioning of adjacent ecosystems. Very little research has been performed on management of effluents as to maintain the quality… More >

Vital López L, MA Cruz Hernández, S Fernández Dávila, A Mendoza Herrera

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.84, No.1, pp. 233-243, 2015, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2015.84.233

Abstract Cultivated surfaces of genetically modified (GM) crops increased year by year, becoming in 2012 more extensive in developed than in industrialized countries. Furthermore, it has been postulated that the plant is which leads to the selection of the microorganisms on its root exudates, creating specific conditions which in turn regulate the specific microbial structure of each plant. In this study, our main objective was to examine whether the introduction of transgenic maize herbicide-tolerant plants will impact the microbial structures that inhabit at the rhizosphere and rhizoplane with respect to conventional hybrid maize plants. Bacterial populations were determined (CFU/g) using four… More >