| 1. |
- Alsanius, Beatrix, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of lettuce growth, yield, and economic viability grown vertically on unutilized building wall in Dhaka City
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Sustainable Cities. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2624-9634. ; 3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Production of safe food in the densely populated areas of the developing countries is the most challenging issue due to the speedy urbanization, fragile food transportation facilities, and reduced farmlands. Given this background, a study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic properties and economic viability of lettuce grown vertically in the wall of building in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Two lettuce cultivars (V1: Green wave and V2: New red fire) and three organic growing media (P1: 40% soil + 40% vermicompost + 20% coir; P2: 50% soil + 50% vermicompost; P3: 20% soil + 40% vermicompost + 40% spent mushroom compost) along with control (P0:100% soil) were used. The results revealed that plant height, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, and total yield of leaf lettuce were significantly increased when the green-leafed cultivar (VI) was grown in the P1 compared to all other treatments, but V2 got maximum sensory attribute scores when grown in the P1. Lettuce leaves grown in the formulated growing media (P1, P2, and P3) had higher microbial infestation whereas, a lower content occurred in the P0. The higher economic return was observed in V1P1. These results provided baseline information for further study on urban commercial vertical farming on the building walls. These demonstrate the agronomic and economic potential for vertical farming in densely populated areas but emphasize the need for optimized food safety strategies.
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| 2. |
- Alsanius, Beatrix, et al.
(författare)
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Light and Microbial Lifestyle: The Impact of Light Quality on Plant-Microbe Interactions in Horticultural Production Systems-A Review
- 2019
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Ingår i: Horticulturae. - : MDPI AG. - 2311-7524. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Horticultural greenhouse production in circumpolar regions (>60 degrees N latitude), but also at lower latitudes, is dependent on artificial assimilation lighting to improve plant performance and the profitability of ornamental crops, and to secure production of greenhouse vegetables and berries all year round. In order to reduce energy consumption and energy costs, alternative technologies for lighting have been introduced, including light-emitting diodes (LED). This technology is also well-established within urban farming, especially plant factories. Different light technologies influence biotic and abiotic conditions in the plant environment. This review focuses on the impact of light quality on plant-microbe interactions, especially non-phototrophic organisms. Bacterial and fungal pathogens, biocontrol agents, and the phyllobiome are considered. Relevant molecular mechanisms regulating light-quality-related processes in bacteria are described and knowledge gaps are discussed with reference to ecological theories.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Mohammed Saifur, Rahman, et al.
(författare)
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Estimation of Yield, Photosynthetic Rate, Biochemical, and Nutritional Content of Red Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Grown in Organic Substrates
- 2021
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Ingår i: Plants. - : MDPI AG. - 2223-7747. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic substrates on the growth yield, photosynthetic response, and nutritional profile of red leaf lettuce grown in different compositions of cocopeat (CP), sawdust (SD), and rice husk (RH). The result showed that the properties of substrates were influenced variably by their mixing ratios. The highest water holding capacity and moisture content were found in CP, and it provided the preferable pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, and air-filled porosity in association with other categories of the substrate. Cocopeat-based media provides ample microclimate conditions in the root region of plants and increased their height, number of leaves, and fresh biomass components. The utmost dry biomass of plant parts also remarkably increased in CP; L*, a*, and b* chromaticity of leaves remained unchanged. The maximum chlorophyll content was attained in CP substrate, except for chlorophyll a/b, which was higher in RH. The net photosynthetic rate (PN), transpiration rate (E), and nitrate in leaves were enhanced substantially in CP, while it was lower in SD. Biochemical compositions and nutrients in leaves were likewise stimulated under the culture of cocopeat-based media. Results indicate that cocopeat, sawdust, and rice husk are a possible substrates mixture in a volume ratio of 3:1:1, which would be a better choice in the cultivation of red leaf lettuce.
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| 5. |
- Mohammed Saifur, Rahman, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of Biological Approaches for Controlling Shoot and Fruit Borer (Earias vitella F.) of Okra Grown in Peri-Urban Area in Bangladesh
- 2021
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Ingår i: Horticulturae. - : MDPI AG. - 2311-7524. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Irrational applications of insecticides on vegetable crops are very common in Bangladesh, resulting in harmful consequences for the environment and human health. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of biological and botanical insecticides on okra shoot and fruit borer grown in open fields. Four insecticides were used in this study, namely Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Spinosad 45 SC, Abamectin 1.8 EC, and Azadirachtin 1% EC an untreated control. The experiment used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the rate of shoot infestation was the lowest in the Spinosad-treated plot (3.80%), and the highest was in the control (20.67%). The lowest fruit infestation (3.56%) was recorded in the treated plot of Spinosad. The rate of reduction of fruit infestation over control was 80.69, 60.14, 56.45, and 55.58% in the plots treated with Spinosad, Bt, Azadirachtin, and Abamectin, respectively. Consequently, the Spinosad-treated plot attained the highest yield (8.65 t ha(-1)), which was followed by the plots treated with Azadirachtin (6.74 t ha(-1)), Bt (6.28 t ha(-1)), and Abamectin (6.12 t ha(-1)). The highest net return and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) were 542.36 US$ and 2.64, obtained respectively from the Spinosad-treated plot. The second highest BCR (1.70) was obtained from the Azadiratin-treated plot, and the lowest BCR (1.18) was recorded in the Abamectin-treated plot. Therefore, the studied insect management practices could be incorporated to attain higher yields and economic benefits for growing okra in Bangladesh.
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| 6. |
- Mohammed Saifur, Rahman, et al.
(författare)
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Microbial Quality Assessment and Efficacy of Low-Cost Disinfectants on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Urban Areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 2021
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Ingår i: Foods. - : MDPI AG. - 2304-8158. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aimed to examine the total viable bacteria (TVBC); total coliform (TCC); fecal coliform (TFC); pathogenic Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and total fungi (TF); and the effect of different low-cost disinfectants (sterile water, salt water, blanched, and vinegar) in decontamination of 12 types of fruit and 10 types of vegetables. In fruit samples, the lowest TVBC was enumerated at 3.18 +/- 0.27 log CFU/g in Indian gooseberry and the highest at 6.47 +/- 0.68 log CFU/g in guava. Staphylococci (2.04 +/- 0.53-5.10 +/- 0.02 log CFU/g), Pseudomonas (1.88 +/- 0.03-5.38 +/- 0.08 log CFU/g), and total fungi (2.60 +/- 0.18-7.50 +/- 0.15 log CFU/g) were found in all fruit samples; however, no Salmonella was detected in fruit samples. Similarly, the lowest TVBC recorded 5.67 +/- 0.49 log CFU/g in cucumber and the highest 7.37 +/- 0.06 log CFU/g in yard long bean. The Staphylococci (3.48 +/- 0.13-4.81 +/- 0.16 log CFU/g), Pseudomonas (3.57 +/- 0.21- 4.75 +/- 0.23 log CFU/g), TCC (1.85 +/- 1.11-56.50 +/- 37.14 MPN/g), TFC (1.76 +/- 0.87- 3.78 +/- 3.76 MPN/g), and TF (3.79 +/- 0.18-4.40 +/- 0.38 log CFU/g) were recorded in all vegetables samples, but no Salmonella was detected in yard long bean, pointed gourd, carrot, tomato, cucumber, or brinjal. However, vinegar showed the highest microbial load reduction of selected fruit and vegetables among the different treatments. With vinegar treatment, the highest reduction of TVBC (1.61-log) and TF (2.54-log) was observed for fruits, and TVBC (2.31-log) and TF (2.41-log) for vegetables. All the disinfectant treatments resulted in significant (p < 0.01) bacterial load reduction compared to control for the studied fruits and vegetable samples.
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| 7. |
- Mohammed Saifur, Rahman, et al.
(författare)
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Stimulatory Effect of Seed Priming as Pretreatment Factors on Germination and Yield Performance of Yard Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata)
- 2020
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Ingår i: Horticulturae. - : MDPI AG. - 2311-7524. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Seed priming is a technique that can potentially facilitate rapid and consistent germination and subsequent plant growth. The present study investigates the effect of different seed priming treatments and processing times on germination and growth efficiency for the effective cultivation of Yard-long bean. Thirteen different primings were used to determine the stimulatory effect on the germination and yield performance of the Yard-long bean. The priming treatments included control (without priming); hydro priming for 12, 18, 24, and 30 h; halo priming (1% CaCl2) for 12, 18, 24, and 30 h; and halo priming (2% KNO3) for 12, 18, 24, and 30 h. Studies showing the highest level of germination (86.66%), germination index (35.69), seedling vigor index (1833.80), number of branches (7.20), and pod yields per plant (1836.00 g) were recorded from halo priming with 1% CaCl2 at 12 h treatment. Halo priming with 1% CaCl2 at 12 h is thus considered to be a compatible priming technique for the germination of seeds and a higher yield of Yard-long bean.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Naznin, Most Tahera
(författare)
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Blue Light added with Red LEDs Enhance Growth Characteristics, Pigments Content, and Antioxidant Capacity in Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Basil, and Sweet Pepper in a Controlled Environment
- 2019
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Ingår i: Plants. - : MDPI AG. - 2223-7747. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate the different combinations of red (R) and blue (B) light emitting diode (LEDs') lighting effects on growth, pigment content, and antioxidant capacity in lettuce, spinach, kale, basil, and pepper in a growth chamber. The growth chamber was equipped with R and B light percentages based on total light intensity: 83% R + 17% B; 91% R + 9% B; 95% R + 5% B; and control was 100% R. The photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), photoperiod, temperature, and relative humidity of the growth chamber were maintained at 200 +/- 5 mol m(-2) s(-1), 16 h, 25/21 +/- 2.5 degrees C, and 65 +/- 5%, respectively. It is observed that the plant height of lettuce, kale, and pepper was significantly increased under 100% R light, whereas the plant height of spinach and basil did not show any significant difference. The total leaf number of basil and pepper was significantly increased under the treatment of 95% R + 5% B light, while no significant difference was observed for other plant species in the same treatment. Overall, the fresh and dry mass of the studied plants was increased under 91% R + 9% B and 95% R + 5% B light treatment. The significantly higher flower and fruit numbers of pepper were observed under the 95% R + 5% B treatment. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content of lettuce, spinach, basil, and pepper was significantly increased under the 91% R + 9% B treatment while the chlorophyll content of kale was increased under the 95% R + 5% B light treatment. The total carotenoid content of lettuce and spinach was higher in the 91% R + 9% B treatment whereas the carotenoid content of kale, basil, and pepper was increased under the 83% R + 17% B treatment. The antioxidant capacity of the lettuce, spinach, and kale was increased under the 83% R + 17% B treatment while basil and pepper were increased under the 91% R + 9% B treatment. This result indicates that the addition of B light is essential with R light to enhance growth, pigment content, and antioxidant capacity of the vegetable plant in a controlled environment. Moreover, the percentage of B with R light is plant species dependent.
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| 10. |
- Naznin, Most Tahera, et al.
(författare)
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Bridging technique failure through low-tech improvisation: A case study of food microbiology
- 2020
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Ingår i: African Journal of Microbiology Research. - 1996-0808. ; 14:7, s. 361-365
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Modern technology for food safety studies includes standardized protocols and equipment. However, appropriate technology needs to step in to bridge technology dys- or malfunctioning. We examined different low-tech methods for extraction of bacteria from fresh vegetables. Standard equipment including stomacher and filter bags were compared to extraction using bread stick and alternative filter material (nylon stocking, mosquito net). Comparison of microspheres’ (ø: 53-63 µm; ø: 63-75 µm) passage through filter bags, nylon stockings with different densities (15 DEN, 20 DEN, 25 DEN, 40 DEN) and mosquito net showed no significant difference between filter bag and nylon stocking. A significantly higher number of both size microspheres (ø: 53-63 and ø: 63-75 µm) passed through the mosquito net than filter bag and nylon stocking. Manual extraction of romaine lettuce leaf was performed by three technicians. Viable counts of leaf associated bacteria were influenced by the technician and choice of filter material. Viable bacterial counts obtained from breadstick with filter bag manual extraction did not show any significant difference from standard method. We conclude that standard procedures can be replaced by low-tech approaches in the event of malfunctioning equipment. However, method validation is imperative.
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