COST-EFFECTIVE MASS PROPAGATION OF VIRGINIA FANPETALS (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) FROM SEEDS

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to develop safe, programmable and cost-effective technologies of plantlet production from the seeds of undomesticated American populations of Virgina fanpetals (Sida hermphrodita RUSBY). During our seed priming treatment experiments, approximately 40% of the Virginia fanpetals seeds that were high-quality, infection-free, normally imbibing and germinating seeds. Our spring propagation tray experiments indicated that the spring large-scale tray plantlet production of Virginia fanpetals can be performed with using properly pre-treated and fractioned seeds and the phytotechnology that is characteristic of conventional, large airspace plastic tunnels that are used in white cabbage production. This phytotechnological method can be conducted in a simple and efficient way, making it possible to produce hardened, strong plantlets at an industrial scale, scheduled for planting in early spring (March). Our investigation showed that the combination of summer-autumn nurse-in-tray plantlet production technique and subsequent unprotected wintering of Virginia fanpetals with properly pre-treated and fractioned seeds is a promising new methods. There are no heating costs, and this phytotechnique can be easily and properly mechanized. Scheduled plantlets can be produced at an industrial scale by the time of early spring (March) plantlet planting. The digging up of the plantlets can be flexibly adjusted; the plantlets may even grow in the plantlet cases for an entire year. A comparative analysis of the costs of this procedure needs further research.

Two Novel Energy Crops: Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L.—State of Knowledge

“…Because of this, researchers have attempted to find ways of improving the germination rate. During a four year experiment, Kurucz et al [11] found no relationship between germination and storage period of the seeds. Franzaring et al [28] kept seeds that had been sown in seeding trays under controlled conditions for four weeks, with alternating temperatures of 3 • C and 11 • C to overcome dormancy.…”

“…It found its way to Poland as a fodder and fibre crop in the 1950s, where it was still used for these purposes in the 1980s [7]. Kurucz et al [11] described the first accidental introduction of the species into Hungary during the 1970s, after which S. hermaphrodita became more widespread through trade with Poland, to the point that in 2010 it was included in a list of species for which bioenergy funding could be obtained. In Poland, studies indicated that around 96 ha of S. hermaphrodita were cultivated in 2008 [12] and an additional 750 ha was planted up to 2011 [13].…”

“…3.2.1. Agroclimatic Requirements S. hermaphrodita can tolerate low temperatures during the winter making it suited to continental climates [11]. Jasinskas et al [19] recommended that commercial production for a humid continental climate (Lithuania), requires a minimum annual precipitation of about 500-600 mm, as drought results in significant yield reductions [20,21].…”

“…S. hermaphrodita has been established in the field from seed either by sowing in early spring or in the preceding November [22]. However establishment from seed can be "unpredictable, slow, and difficult" [11], with typical germination rates of 5-15% [16]. Because of this, researchers have attempted to find ways of improving the germination rate.…”

In vitro comparative study of two Arundo donax L. ecotypes’ selenium tolerance

“…The most important requirements of phytoremediator plants are high tolerance against pollutants, fast growing with high yield, possible economical impact and they can remove, reduce, degrade or immobilize environmental pollutants in high extent (Pilon-Smits, 2005). Besides energy purposes biomass plants (Antal et al, 2014;Kurucz et al, 2014;Kurucz and Fári, 2013;Kurucz et al, 2012) have been moving to the forefront of interest using in phytoremediation. Generally these plants are not able to accumulate as much pollutants, than real hyperaccumulator species but considering their higher yield ultimately they can present great potential.…”