Spring onion(Allium fistulosum) belongs to the family Alliaceae.

It has elongated food storage leaves which are hollow and rounded.it
has also a short bulb stem and a fibrous root system which exists at
the base of the bulb stem (Tindall, 1896). it originated in Siberia.
The plant requires a well-drained and moist soil. It does not thrive
well int he shade and it prefers a pH range of 6.5-7.5 but lower pH
of 4 is satisfactorily in organic soils (Brewster, 1994. The leaves
are the edible parts of the plant and are used mainly in salads.

The bulb of spring onion contains an essential oil that is rich

in sulphur compounds (Nguyen and Thi Nu, 1999. It is antibacterial
and antiseptic. Also used in the treatment of colds and abdominal
coldness and fullness. Manure is an efficient fertilizer and is also
an important source of plant nutrients. It contains 3.03%N, 2.63%P2O5
and 1.4% OF K2O. It releases nutrients to the soil and also improves
the p[hysical properties of the soil as well as enhances the growth
and yield of spring onions.
Spring onion (Allium fistulosum) is grown throughout the world,
but the man area of cultivation remains Eastern Asia: from Siberia
to Indonesia.
In Africa, it is only locally important and its cultivation is
reported from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Cameroon, etc. The entire plant
mayb be pulled and eaten like a green onion or leaf portions may be
snipped off and used for flavoring (Stephen, 2009).
Effectiveness of bio-fertilizers with organic matter on the growth,
yield and nutrient content of Onion (Allium cepa L.) plants

Abstract:

The field experiments were carried out to study the effect of some
bioregulators (glutathione, cysteine and methionine) on growth,
quality and some biochemical constituents of green onion (Allium cepa,
L. Giza 6 cv.) plants. Foliar spraying of glutathione, L- cysteine
and L- methionine at four concentrations, 0, 25, 50, and 75mgL-1 after
33 days from sowing was used. Obtained results indicated that the
foliar spraying of the bioregulators significantly promoted the growth
and quality of green onion criteria: shoot length, white part length,
bulb diameter, number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of onion plant.
Leaf photosynthetic pigment contents were significantly increased by
L- cysteine (25mgL-1 ) concentration at sprout growth stage as well
as L-methionine (25mgL-1 ) concentration at vegetative growth stage.
Biochemical constituents were significantly influenced by
bioregulators treatments especially in plants treated with the
different concentrations of glutathione, L-cysteine and L-methionine.
The results cleared significant increase of the biochemical
constituents; fixed oil percentage, total protein, free amino acids,
phenols, flavonoids and indoles content of green onion at sprout and
vegetative growth stages compared with control treatment. Total
sulphur content was significantly increased by glutathione as compared
with control at both growth stages of onion plant.

[Mohamed, E. El-Awadi and Mohamed, S.A. Abd El Wahed Improvement

the Growth and Quality of Green Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Plants by Some
Bioregulators in the New Reclaimed Area at Nobaria Region, Egypt. N
Y Sci J 2012;5(9):114-120]. (ISSN: 1554-0200).
(http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork. 14

Onion plant (Allium cepa L.) is a species of the Alinaceae family

that has a great economic importance and the second most important
vegetable crop in the world (FAO, 2006). Onion plant is cultivated
for ultimate uses as green and bulbs. Additionally, it has medicinal
properties in the treatment and prevention a number of serious diseases
(Martinez et al., 2007 and Stajner et al., 2008) that attributed with
onion biochemical constituents. Growth regulating substances were
shown to enhance the biosynthesis of certain chemical constituents
in plants. In this respect the amino acids which have a high integrity
with different metabolic pools in plants were used to promote plant
growth (Coruzzi and Last, 2000). PGRs also play important roles in
plant adaptation to stressful environments (Huang et al., 2008).
Improving onion plant (Allium cepa L.) growth by using amino acids
(methionine and cysteine) and glutathione (L-cystene, Lglutamine and
L-glycine) could be through improve green onion growth physiology that
reflect on build blocks of protein synthesis, which could be enzyme,
hormones and antioxidants important for metabolic activities (Gilbert
et al., 1990). In plants, amino acids fulfill a wide variety of
functions. Their common role is to serve as building blocks of proteins,
which exert manifold functions in plant metabolism, and as metabolites
and precursors they are involved in plant defense, vitamin, nucleotide
and hormone biosynthesis, and as precursors of a huge variety of
secondary compounds. One way or the other, as active catalysts or as
precursors, amino acids are essentially involved in all metabolic,
regulatory, and physiological aspects of plant metabolism (Buchanan
et al., 2000) Amino acid can serve as the sole source of nitrogen,
which can be taken more rapidly than inorganic nitrogen (Thom et al.,
1980). While, exogenous amino acids decreased both ammonium influx
and transporter trans-cript in root tissue (Miller et al., 2007).
Sulfur is a macronutrient that is essential for plant growth and
development. The most abundant form of sulfur in nature and the source
of sulfur for plants is sulfate; this form is reduced and assimilated
into Cys. In addition to its role as an amino acid in proteins, Cys
functions as a precursor for a huge number of essential biomolecules,
such as vitamins and cofactors (Wirtz and Droux, 2005), antioxidants
like glutathione, which is regarded as the major determinant of
cellular redox homeostasis (Meyer and Hell, 2005), and many defense
compounds (Rausch and Wachter, 2005). All of these biomolecules
contain sulfur moieties that act as functional groups and are derived
from Cys. In plants, cysteine biosynthesis plays a central role in
fixing inorganic sulfur from the environment New York Science Journal,
2012;5(9) http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork 115 and provides the
only metabolic sulfide donor for the generation of methionine,
glutathione, phytochelatins, iron-sulfur clusters, vitamin cofactors,
and multiple secondary metabolites. O-Acetylserine sulfhydrylase
(OASS) catalyzes the final step of cysteine biosynthesis, the
pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP)- dependent conversion of O-acetylserine
into cysteine. (Bonner et al., 2005). Cysteine proteinases are
potentially responsible for both low temperature and drought tolerance
(Grudkowska and Zagdańska, 2010). In this respect, the amino acids
which have a high integrity with different metabolic pools in plants
were used to promote plant growth (Coruzzi and Last, 2000). However,
S-adenosyl - methionine play a role via the methyl group as a donor
to produce estragole and t-anethole in cell-free extracts of the bitter
fennel plant (Gross et al., 2002). Maxwell and Kieber (2004) indicated
the link of methionine to the biosynthesis of growth regulating
substances, e.g cytokinins, auxins and brassinosteroids in plants.
Whereas the link of tryptophan to the biosynthesis of auxins, the
phytoalexin camalexin, phenylpropanoids and other related natural
products in plants was recently reported (Tao et al. 2008) Low
molecular weight antioxidants, such as ascorbate, glutathione, and
tocopherol, are information-rich redox buffers that interact with
numerous cellular components. In addition to crucial roles in defense
and as enzyme cofactors, cellular antioxidants influence plant growth
and development by modulating processes from mitosis and cell
elongation to senescence and death (De Pinto and De Gara, 2004; Potters
et al., 2004; Tokunaga et al., 2005). In addition, the transformation
and measurements of sulphur compounds within onion and garlic of
putative biosynthetic intermediates have provided information about
alk(en)yation of the cysteine in glutathione followed by cleavage and
oxidation (Jones et al., 2004). Thus, exogenous glutathione also had
an inhibitory effect on growth; seedlings treatment with glutathione
did not show high levels of lipid peroxidation. Localized activity
of glutathione could also help elucidate the mechanism of stress
resistance. This effect indicates that glutathione may be involved
in protection against DNA damage (Lodhi, 1998). Whereas, ascorbate
and glutathione are major redox metabolites in plant callus with
specific roles in cellular redox homestosis and the regulation of cell
cycle (Pellny et al., 2009). All redox regulators influenced on the
hydrolytic activity with H+ translocating enzymes, although
sensitivity of proton pumps to redox regulators was found to depend
from stage of plant development(Ozolina et al. ,2008). Gamal El-Din
and Zaki (2005) demonstrated that, plant height, number of branches
per plant and dry weight of plant at full vegetative stage amino acids
(Lysine, phenylalanine and L-cysteine). Many studies reported that
the foliar application of amino acids caused an enhancement in plant
growth, fruit yield and its components (El-Shabasi et al., 2005) on
cucumber, (Awad et al., 2007) on garlic, Amin et al (2011) on onion
and El-Awadi el al (2011) on snap bean. This study aimed to clarify
the effect of some bioregulators (glutathione, L-cysteine and
Lmethionine) on growth, quality and some biochemical constituents of
green onion plants that are a one of nitrogen recovery method to
nitrogen reduction and sulphure source. 2. Material and Methods The
experiments were conducted to study the effect of bioregulatores;
Glutathione and amino acids (L-methionine and L-cysteine) on onion
plant growth. The treatments were 0, 25, 50 and 75mgL-1) of glutathione
(L-gammaglutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine), amino acids (L-cysteine HS CH2
CH (NH2) COOH and L- methionine CH3 SCH2 CH2 CH (NH2) COOH) and control
treatment. Onion sets (Allium cepa L., cv Giza 6) secured from
Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Cairo, Egypt.
Onion sets were sown under dripe irrigation system on September 15
in two seasons 2008-2009 and 2009-2010, respectively at the
experimental Station of National Research Center Nubaria region,
Behira Government, Egypt. Onion sets (1cm) diameter were planted on
ridges1m width and 8m length using four rows / ridge and 5cm apart.
Each plot includes 2 ridges with four rows and the plot area was 16m2 .
The experiment was arranged as a complete randomized design. Onion
sprouts were sprayed by the previous concentration of glutathione and
amino acids (L-methionine and L-cysteine) after completely
germination of onion sets (33 days after sowing). Phosphorous
fertilizer as calcium super phosphate (15.5 %P2O5) was added
pre-sowing at recommended rate 200 Kg/fed. Nitrogen fertilizer as
amonium sulphate (20.5 %N) was applied at rate70Kg /fed and potassium
sulphate (48% K) at rate50 Kg/fed after20days from planting. Growth
measurements Ten plant samples were taken randomely to measure the
growth criteria such as shoot length, white part length, bulb diameter,
number of leaves, fresh and dry weight of plant were recorded at sprout
and vegetative growth stages (48 and 63 days from planting namely A
and B respectively). New York Science Journal, 2012;5(9)
http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork 116 Biochemical constituent's
determination Photosynthetic pigments (chl. a, b and carotenoids) were
determined in fresh leaves according to Wettstein (1957). Total
soluble solids were determined in fresh juice using Refractometer
(Shibuya-0-32, Japan). Onion plants were dried in oven at 70O C and
then finally ground to determine total protein and adsorbed nitrogen
(A.O.A.C, 1970), free amino acid (Plummer, 1978), total phenols
(Daniel and Georage, 1972) and flavonoids (Chang et al., 2002). Fixed
oil content was determined as adopted by the methods of A.O.C.S. (1964)
with Soxhelt apparatus using petroleum ether (40-60oC). Sulphur
content was determined according to Dewis and Freitas (1970).

Physical and Chemical Properties of Banana Fibre Extracted from

Commercial Banana Cultivars Grown in Tamilnadu State Preethi P* and
Balakrishna Murthy G Horticultural College and Research Institute,
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Banana is one of the important fruit crop cultivated in tropical

parts of the world. Banana farming generates huge quantity of biomass
all of which goes as waste and the above ground parts like pseudostem
and peduncle are the major source of fibre. Banana fibre can be used
as raw material for industry for production of range of products like
paper, cardboards, tea bags, currency notes and reinforced as polymer
composite in high quality dress materials. Fibre from pseudostem and
peduncle of four commercial cultivars of Tamil Nadu viz., Grand Naine,
Poovan, Monthan and Nendran were extracted using banana fibre
extraction machine. The highest pseudostem and peduncle fibre recovery
were obtained from Poovan (2.71% and 1.09%, respectively) and the
lowest from Grand Naine (1.07% and 0.63%, respectively). Cellulose
is the major component of the fibre. The highest cellulose content
was recorded in Nendran peduncle fibre (60.27%) followed by Nendran
pseudostem fibre (59.23%). The other non- cellulosic substances like
hemicellulose, lignin and pectin were high in Monthan pseudostem fibre
(15.75, 21.56 and 4.08%, respectively). Mechanical properties like
tex and fibre diameter decides the fineness. Fine fibres were obtained
from pseudostem of Nendran (24.23 tex and 0.119 mm, respectively).
The breaking load, breaking extension and tenacity were found to be
good in peduncle fibres of Nendran cultivar (332.33 g, 2.01% and 39.56
g/tex).

Mankind has been strongly dependent on plant fibres for all kind of
purposes. In earlier days, natural fibres served a crucial role
mitigate the everyday needs in a wide range of uses. But in recent
years the arrival of synthetic products are dominating over the natural
fibre, due to the low cost. But the synthetic fibres are non degradable
and causing serious pollution problems. Banana is one of the earliest
and important fruit crops cultivated by man in tropical parts of the
world. Banana is distributed in more than 120 countries, over an area
of 48 lakh hectares, with an annual production of 99.99 million tons
in the year 2011 (Indian Horticulture Database, 2011). Banana farming
generated huge quantities of biomass all of which goes as waste due
to non availability of suitable technology for its commercial
utilization. Normally this biomass is used for animal feed and fuel.
Among its multi faced uses like therapeutic, alcohol, starch
extraction and other innumerable uses, they are the best source of
fibre. India has about 8.3 lakh ha under banana cultivation (Indian
Horticulture Database, 2011) producing approximately 51.18 million
tons of pseudostem waste per year. This can be profitably used for
extracting approximately 3.87 million tons of fibre. Apart from being
food-fruit crop, banana plant is versatile with respect to its
utilities. Banana fibre from pseudostem is said to be superior and
in the mid-19th century, there was quite active banana fibre industries
in Jamaica. Species such as Musa textalis are well known for their
strong fibre qualities. Wild species like Musa balbisiana var. cola,
Musa balbisiana var. andamanica existing in Andaman and Nicobar
Islands are used for extracting fibre. In the Philippines, it is woven
into a thin, transparent fabric called “agna” which is the principle
material in some regions for men’s shirts. It is also used for making
hand kerchiefs. In Sri Lanka, it is fashioned into soles for expensive
shoes and used for floor coverings. Improved processes have made it
possible to utilize banana fibre for manufacture of paper, currency,
ropes, cordages, gunny bags, handicrafts etc. Starch is manufactured
form pseudostem and the juice from the pseudostem can also be used
in dyes as it has a property of a permanent stain. Seat pads for benches
are made of strips of dried banana pseudostem in Ecuador. Apart from
the pseudostem, banana peduncle has also been found to be a good source
of cellulose rich fibre. These fibres are used as a composite in polymer
matrix [1]. It is estimated that banana peduncle and leaves occupies
20% of the plant total biomass [2]. Even though peduncle is a rich
source of cellulose, research reports available on extraction of fibre
from peduncle are scanty. This necessitates the research study on
evaluation of elite banana cultivars for extraction of fibre form
pseudostem and peduncle of few important commercial cultivars. As
banana peduncle are dumped on road side or burnt which causes
environmental pollution. This will also surely help in solving the
environmental problems. Review of Literature Effect of genomes on
yield and quality of fibres The genomic status of a variety also has
a major role with respect to biomass production. The fibre extractable
pseudostem and fibre yield percentage was found to be 46.4% and 0.53%
of the extractable pseudostem in dessert cultivars and 55.2% and 0.78%,
respectively, in culinary types [3]. Uma et al. [2] studied the fibre
yield and quality of six cultivars (Robusta, Poovan, Pachanadan,
Karpuravali, Peyan and Saba). The fibre recovery percentage and
cellulose content were high in Pachanadan (0.88% and 57.89%).
(https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/physical-and-chemical-pr
operties-of-banana-fibre-extracted-from-commercial-banana-cultiva
rs-grown-in-tamilnadu-state-2168-9881.S11-008.pdf)

Abstract
Global fruit consumption has a remarkable increase worldwide
because of disease prevention and health benefits due to the presence
of nutrients and other bioactive compounds needed by the human in
healthy life. Fruits processing waste are highly perishable and
seasonal and are a problem to pollution monitoring agencies. In some
fruits, peels represent almost 30% of the total weight. This study
aims to investigate the chemical composition of banana (Musa sapientum)
peels. Peels of banana were removed and analyzed for their nutrients
and anti-nutrients contents. The results showed that water content,
crude protein contents, crude lipid contents, crude fiber, total ash
contents and carbohydrate in banana peels were 50.5, 5.3, 1.6, 19.2,
8.8 and 14.6% respectively. The results indicate that if the peels
are properly exploited and processed, they could be good ingredients
and cheap source of carbohydrates for culture media.
Banana, the largest herbaceous plant in the world, is among the
ten most important crops, which is the fourth largest producer in the
world at over 7 million tones, produced by conventional cultivation
systems5 . Approx. 90 million tonnes of banana fruit are produced,
mainly in tropical areas such as Africa (13%), South and Central
America (28%) and South Eastern Asia (47%). However, 40% of this
production is wastes, mainly peels6 . Peel is a waste material of
various fruit and vegetables. Therefore, it is possible to obtain
banana peel sufficiently and application depends on its chemical
compositions. In addition, peels and seeds can present higher nutrient
contents7 . According to Morais et al8 and Moo-Huchin et al, 9 peels
are highly perishable, mainly due to the large amount of water in their
composition. Moreover, they have a wide range of vitamins and minerals
present in both pulps and peels10 . The objective of research was to
determine the nutritional composition of banana fruit peels with the
aim of exploiting the potential value of these peels. The following
parameters were evaluated: chemical composition (Water content, ash,
crude protein, total lipids and crude fiber). Hence in this study,
the feasibility of using locally available and economical agro-waste
substrates as growth medium for microorganisms was investigated. The
proximate composition of the agro-waste was determined prior to
fermentation. Furthermore, the fermentation parameters such as
biomass yield and viable count were determined.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is the peel’s principal constituent. Proteins account

for 0.9 percent by weight of the peel, lipids are 1.7 percent,
carbohydrates are 59.1 percent and crude fiber is 31.7 percent. This
composition makes the peel a good animal feedstock.

Water

The water, or moisture, content of banana peels depend on the time

of harvesting and ripening of banana fruit. It varies between 6 and
8 percent by weight of the peel.

Minerals

Potassium is the mineral with the highest concentration, comprising

0.078 percent by weight of the peel, according to studies by Nigerian
scientists. Potassium regulates body fluids and blood pressure.
Manganese has a slightly lower concentration in the peel, with 0.076
percent. This mineral aids bone and cartilage formation. The calcium
concentration is 0.019 percent, sodium is 0.024 percent and iron is
0.00061 percent. The presence of trace amounts of phosphorus together
with the potassium make banana peels an excellent garden fertilizer.

Carbon

When heated, the organic content of banana peels breaks down to its
constituent carbon and gases to produce banana charcoal. The product
originated in Uganda to substitute dwindling wood supplies as a cooking
fuel.

Pectin

Pectin is a gelling agent used in jam and confectionery production.

It is sourced mostly from citrus fruit and apples. Banana peels contain
a smaller amount of pectin than citrus fruits but more than sugar beets.

Anti-Nutrients
Anti-nutrients are substances that are poisonous to humans and animals.
Hydrogen cyanide concentration in a banana peel is 0.0013 percent by
weight and well within the safety limit. Oxalates, which cause kidney
diseases, are present at a low, safe level of 0.00051 percent. Saponins
have a high 24 percent concentration. These compounds can cause
paralysis of the sensory system and inhibit growth in swine and poultry.
The saponin content must be removed if the peel is destined for animal
feed.

(https://www.ehow.com/info_10033568_components-banana-peel.html)

ABSTRACT

During the two successive investigation and experimentation last

2011 and 2012 on how to optimize the use of cattle manures at rates
of 10, 20 and 40 ton fed-1 with or without bio-fertilizer (nitrobeine).
Obtained results proved that all the tested vegetative growth
parameters (fresh and dry weight of bulb and leaves, bulb diameter
and plant length) were significant improved by increasing organic
matter levels combination with bio-fertilizer (cattle manure +
nitrobeine). Moreover, the highest values were obtained from the
application of using organic cattle manure 20 ton fed-1 + nitrobeine
in chlorophyll a, b, a+b and carotenoids by 0.187, 0.106, 0.293 and
0.132, respectively. Also, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, potassium and sodium
uptake of bulb and leaves tissues as follows: (8.86, 1.56, 7.72 and
1.44 kg fed-1) and (5.21, 0.40, 4.94 and 0.88 kg fed-1), respectively.
As well as, protein content recorded highest significant values in
Onion plants.

(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309999961_Effectiveness
_of_bio-fertilizers_with_organic_matter_on_the_growth_yield_and_n
utrient_content_of_Onion_Allium_cepa_L_plants)

A field experiment was carried out at El Nubaria (North of the Nile

Delta) to evaluate the application of banana compost mixed with
effective microorganisms on reducing soil and plant pollution by
chemical fertilizers. The experiment included 6 fertilizer treatments:
control (F 0), 150% compost (F 1), 100% compost (F 2 禮 10 ton/fed;
1 fed = 4200 m 2), 75% compost + 25% of full recommended NPK (F 3),
50% compost + 50% NPK (F 4) and full recommended NPK (F 5). Under the
same treatments and without any new additions, bean (Vicia faba L.
cv. 'Nubaria 1') was planted to evaluate the residual effect of these
organic and chemical fertilizers. Corn grain yield (Zea mays L. cv.
'Single cross 129' (white)) was increased by adding a high rate of
chemical fertilizers but bean seed yield was significantly increased
by using all rates of compost compared with the control in two bean
seasons (2005/2006 and 2006/2007). Generally, in the second year the
amount of cadmium (Cd) in plant tissues could not be detected. However,
in the first season, Cd concentration of green leaves and ear leaves,
as well as corn and bean yields increased with increasing mineral
fertilizers. Application of mineral fertilizers alone increased
nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) concentration in plant tissue, while the
reverse was true for compost. There was a significant positive increase
in soil extractable Cd, Ni and Pb due to the application of mineral
fertilizers compared to the addition of compost. It could be concluded
that organic application had a promising effect on reducing Cd, Ni
and Pb concentrations in bean and corn plants and in soil in which
they grew

(Evaluation of banana compost,Nesreen Abou-Baker)

(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262182267_Evaluation_of
_banana_compost)