Integration of biochar with nitrogen in acidic soil: A strategy to sequester carbon and improve the yield of stevia via altering soil properties and nutrient recycling.

The health of agroecosystems is subsiding unremittingly, and the over-use of chemical fertilizers is one of the key reasons. It is hypothesized that integrating biochar, a carbon (C)-rich product, would be an effective approach to reducing the uses of synthetic fertilizers and securing crop productivity through improving soil properties and nutrient cycling. The bamboo biochar at different quantities (4-12 Mg ha) and combinations with chemical fertilizers were tested in stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) farming in silty clay acidic soil.

Achievement of higher biomass, yield and quality of essential oil of L. through optimizing the sowing method and seeding rate.

L. is known as an industrial crop in the world as it possesses an essential oil that is extensively used in the perfumery and flavor industries. The crop performance is influenced by the planting/sowing method (SM) and seeding rate (SR); however, the effects of these variables on biomass yield and quality of the essential oil of remain unclear.

Ground-Level Pruning at Right Time Improves Flower Yield of Old Plantation of Without Compromising the Quality of Essential Oil.

The essential oil of is extensively used as a key natural ingredient in the perfume and cosmetic industries. However, the productivity and quality of rose oil are a big concern from the old plantation. It is hypothesized that rejuvenation of old rose plantations through ground-level pruning at right time could improve the yield of flowers and the quality of essential oil.

Chemical Diversity of Essential Oil of from Different Altitudes of Himalaya and Distillation Methods.

is an important temperate herb that is used in the pharmaceutical and essential oil industries. In India, this species is now on the verge of extinction due to the over-exploitation of its rhizomes from its natural habitat. It is hypothesized that the variations in bioactive compounds in its essential oil are very high among the wild populations as well as cultivated sources.

Introduction, adaptation and characterization of monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii): a non-caloric new natural sweetener.

Siraitia grosvenorii, an herbaceous perennial plant, native to the southern parts of China, is commonly used as a low-calorie natural sweetener. It contains cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides known as mogrosides. The extract from monk fruit is about 300 times sweeter than sucrose.

Moisture stress and nitrogen availability modulate the secondary metabolite profiles, enzymatic activity, and physiological and agronomic traits of Stevia rebaudiana.

Performances of crops are mainly influenced by frost, heat and availability of soil-water and nitrogen (N). However, little is known about the interaction between soil-water and N on Stevia rebaudiana. Thus, a field experiment was conducted with fifteen treatment combinations comprising three levels of soil-moisture (irrigation at 20, 50 and 75 kPa soil-water-potential) and five N levels (0-140 kg ha) to understand how soil-moisture and N influence growth, physiological and biochemical activities of stevia.

Crop-ecology and nutritional variability influence growth and secondary metabolites of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Background: Plant nutrition and climatic conditions play important roles on the growth and secondary metabolites of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni); however, the nutritional dose is strongly governed by the soil properties and climatic conditions of the growing region. In northern India, the interactive effects of crop ecology and plant nutrition on yield and secondary metabolites of stevia are not yet properly understood. Thus, a field experiment comprising three levels of nitrogen, two levels of phosphorus and three levels of potassium was conducted at three locations to ascertain whether the spatial and nutritional variability would dominate the leaf yield and secondary metabolites profile of stevia.

Effect of decapitation and nutrient applications on shoot branching, yield, and accumulation of secondary metabolites in leaves of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

The axillary buds of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) often remain dormant for a long time and sometimes remain dormant permanently until the plants enter into the reproductive stage. The present study was conducted to ascertain whether decapitation and foliar fertilization enhance the productivity and quality of stevia through breaking the apical dominance and increasing physiological activities. Ten treatment combinations comprising two cultural operations (non-decapitation and decapitation) and five foliar spray treatments (water spray control, KNO3 @ 5.