Reduction of Botrytis cinerea sporulation in sweet basil by altering the concentrations of nitrogen and calcium in the irrigation solution

Abstract

Current measures for suppressing grey mould ( Botrytis cinerea ) on sweet basil rely on fungicide applications and climate control. In this study, the nitrogen and calcium concentrations in the standard irrigation solution (7·2 and 1·3 m m , respectively) were varied in a series of experiments conducted in pots and large containers. Treatments differed in the N or Ca concentrations supplied, and effects on host response were determined in detached stem segments, individual plants and plots. Effects of the two elements on grey mould incidence, lesion size and rate of disease progression were erratic and rarely significant, but decreasing the concentration of N and increasing the concentration of Ca in the irrigation solution decreased sporulation of B. cinerea . In some cases, however, altering the standard irrigation solution resulted in significantly lower yields. Analyses of mineral contents in the shoots suggested that yields were not impaired when N content in the shoots was not reduced below 2·9% and Ca content was not raised above 1·3%. These findings were used to compose a modified irrigation solution containing half of the N (3·6 m m ) and double of the Ca (2·55 m m ) concentrations in the standard irrigation solution. The modified irrigation solution significantly reduced sporulation of B. cinerea without affecting crop yield.

Macronutrient omission and the development and nutritional status of basil in nutritive solution

“…Nitrogen omission suppressed vegetative development, affecting the height, number of leaves, leaf area, relative chlorophyll index, rate of net photosynthesis and stomata conductance (Table 1). Thereafter, there was a suppression in aerial dry matter yield as reported by Yermiyahu et al (2006), Souza et al (2007) and Nurzynska-Weirdak et al (2011) as well as in root dry matter yield, compared to the control treatment ( Table 2). The beneficial effects of N on height, yield and leaf area (Tesi et al, 1995) as well as chloroplast quantity (Politycka and Golcz, 2004) have been noted previously by others.…”

Rethinking Desalinated Water Quality and Agriculture

“…On the basis of recent Israeli experience, we recommend expanding water-quality parameters in desalination facilities that may supply water to farmers (see table, p. 920). The proposed standards are based on lessons learned during the initial operation of the Ashkelon plant and water quality guidelines that were subsequently recommended (20), as well as the actual agronomic consequences for local farmers discussed above (14,15). The standards are relevant for dry land regions but will probably not be cost-effective for areas where agriculture does not rely heavily on irrigation.…”

“…Other posttreatment processes, such as dissolving CaCO 3 with gaseous CO 2 , planned in future local desalination plants, will produce a Ca 2+ concentration of 32 mg/liter. Calcium is not just a nutrient required by plants; its interactions with other nutrients and with growth-limiting factors, including plant disease agents, makes changes in its content and relative concentration particularly problematic (14,15).…”

Significant Water Savings Can Be Made In Commercial Spinach Cropping Without Adverse Impacts on Crop Yield or Shelf Life

“…Generally, crops are classified according to the way in which they are irrigated with four major categories: extensive; semi-intensive; intensive and saturated [5]. Moreover, the management of irrigation has been linked to both yield and crop quality in a number of crop types [6,7]. Leafy crops such as spinach fall into the third category along with other high value crops and these intensive crops must be irrigated at a relatively high level to attain both yield and quality [5].…”