Volume 8 Issue 8 | August 2014 issue
Table of Contents
8(8) 2014
8(8) 2014
Southern Cross Publishing Group©2014
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIA
Australian Journal of Crop Science | August 2014
Volume 8 Number 8 Year 2014
Effect of tillage on biological nitrogen fixation and yield of soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) varieties
John Okoth Omondi1,*, Nancy Wangui Mungai1, Josephine Pamela Ouma1, Fredrick Patrick Baijukya2
1Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115 Egerton, Kenya
2Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute (TSBF) of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya
Summary
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of tillage and no tillage on biological nitrogen fixation and grain yields of three soybean varieties. Interaction effect of tillage method and variety on amount of N fixed was varying at every agro-ecological zone though, interaction between no tillage and Nyala fixed more nitrogen at LM 3 than at other agro-ecological zones. Soybean grain yield was similar between tillage methods and also among varieties in a combination of all sites. Practicing no tillage encourages biological nitrogen fixation and its longtime operation leads to yield increase as it improves most soil properties.
Pages 1140-1146 | Full Text PDF
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Producing potato crop from true potato seed (TPS): A comparative study
Jane Muthoni1,2, Jackson Kabira2, Hussein Shimelis1 and Rob Melis1
1African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X01, Scottsxille 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
2Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). National Potato Research Centre, Tigoni, Kenya
Summary
A study was conducted whose objective was to compare the effectiveness of seedling tubers and seedling transplants in production of a potato crop from true potato seeds. Four potato varieties commonly grown by farmers in Kenya were crossed with five advanced clones from the International Potato Center (CIP) in a North Carolina II mating design to generate twenty cross families. The berries were harvested and seedlings were raised on sand-beds in plastic trays. Later, they were propagated as seedling tubers and seedling transplants in the field at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Potato Research Centre at Tigoni between March and July 2013. At harvest, data collected included tuber numbers/plant, total weight of tubers per plant (kg) and weight of ware tubers (45 mm< in diameter) per plant (kg). The general observation was that the seedling transplants gave significantly more tubers per plant (15.68) than the seedling tubers (13.08); the reverse was the case when it came to total tuber yield (ton/ha) and percent of ware sized tuber yield.
Pages 1147-1151 | Full Text PDF
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Genetic parameters of grain production and its components in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under drought stress
Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato1,2,*, Maria Celeste Gonçalves-Vidigal2, Carlos Alberto de Bastos Andrade2, Juliana Parisotto Poletine2, Pedro Soares Vidigal Filho2, Vanusa Martins da Silva Ramos2
1Núcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Paragominas, Brazil
2Núcleo de Pesquisa Aplicada a Agricultura, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
Summary
This research aimed to evaluate the genetic parameters of grain production and its primary components in F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations derived from crosses between the common bean cultivar IPR-Uirapuru, which is highly tolerant to drought stress, and the line LP 97-28, which has a low tolerance to drought stress, under conditions of water deficit during the year 2011. The results show that additive genetic effects were involved in the majority of the total genetic variances, indicating a significant contribution for all traits evaluated. The values for heritability in a broad (H2) and narrow (h2) sense were high, indicating reliability in the transmission of traits to offspring. Thus, the additive effects played a greater role in the total genetic variance in relation to the genetic control of drought tolerance, and satisfactory genetic gains were made with the selection of tolerant individuals in early generations.
Pages 1152-1159 | Full Text PDF
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Photosynthesis and leaf anatomy of Anthurium cv. Rubi plantlets cultured in vitro under different silicon (Si) concentrations
Gabrielen de Maria Gomes Dias1*, Joyce Dória Rodrigues Soares1, Moacir Pasqual1, Renata Alves Lara Silva1, Luiz Carlos de Almeida Rodrigues2, Fabricio José Pereira2 Evaristo Mauro de Castro2
1Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Departamento of Agriculture, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Postal Office 3037, 37200-000, Lavras- MG, Brazil
2Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Departamento of Biology, Postal Office 3037, 37200-000, Lavras- MG, Brazil
Summary
This study was undertaken to evaluate the morphological and physiological differences in plants with the use of silicon added to the medium for the in vitro culture of Anthurium adreaenum cv. Rubi. Nodal segments of seedlings were established in vitro and inoculated in Pierik medium supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose and solidified with 1.8 g L- 1 PhytagelTM. Different concentrations of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) were added to the medium. The segments were maintained for 100 days in a growth chamber under controlled conditions and evaluated anatomically and scanning electron microscopy (ultrastructurally) and for their photosynthetic capacities. Medium containing 1.0 mg L-1 sodium silicate promoted the development of higher stomatal densities on the sheets. For the polar (31.38 µm) and equatorial (31.33 µm) diameter of the stomata of the abaxial leaf, the highest averages occurred in the treatment with 2.0 mg L-1.
Pages 1160-1167 | Full Text PDF
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In vivo bioavailability of essential minerals and phytase activity during soaking and germination in soybean (Glycine max L.)
Sweta Kumari†, Veda Krishnan†, Monica Jolly and Archana Sachdev*
Division of Biochemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi - 110012, India
Summary
In this study, the changes in phytate, phytase activity and bioavailability of essential minerals (Fe2+, Zn2+,Ca2+) were investigated using various colorimetric assays, AAS and functionally validated using an in vivo simulation model in two Indian cultivars, Pusa 9712 and Kalitur after soaking and germination. Phytate-mineral ratio, another parameter for bioavailability was also analyzed. Phytate content was reduced to 10-13% after 12 hrs of soaking and a further reduction to 46-65% was observed after 72 hrs of germination in Kalitur and Pusa 9712, respectively. Phytate being mainly hydrolyzed by phytase, we observed a six-fold increase in its activity after 72 hrs of germination, compared to control.
Pages 1168-1174 | Full Text PDF
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Molecular diversity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes differing in their Raffinose family Oligosaccharides viz., raffinose and stachyose content as revealed through SSR markers
Sarika Konsam1, Bharadwaj Chellapilla1*, Ganesh Ram2, Tara Satyavathi Chellapilla1 and Pradeep Kumar Jain3
1Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
2Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Tamil Nadu-641003, India
3National Research Centre for Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), New Delhi-110012, India
Summary
There is very little information about the genetic variability and diversity among the cultivated chickpea for RFOs. Diversity among 50 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes differing in their RFOs content was studied using SSR markers. Out of 86 primers tested, 36 reported polymorphism amplifying 81 alleles. Dendrogram based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficients were generated based on an average linkage algorithm (UPGMA) using marker data. Genotypes were grouped into three clusters based on genetic distances and the UPGMA grouping could clearly discriminate the genotypes effectively as per their pedigree and origin. The grouping pattern also seems to have followed the pattern of RFOs content, seed type, seed size apart from the breeding centre from where they were developed.
Pages 1175-1185 | Full Text PDF
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Effects of salinity in the form of simulated sea-spray (NaCl or NaCl + H3BO3 solution) on growth and photosynthetic performance of sage (Salvia officinalis)
Olga Nasta1, Anastasia Akoumianaki-Ioannidou1*, Georgios Liakopoulos2 and Aimilia-Eleni Nikolopoulou2
1Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
2Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Morphology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Summary
We studied the effects of simulated sea spray [spraying solution of 410 mM NaCl (S treatments) or 410 mM NaCl + 420 µM H3BO3 (SB treatments)], applied once (S1 and SB1 treatments) or twice per week (S2 and SB2 treatments), on growth and photosynthesis of the aromatic and medicinal semi-shrub perennial Salvia officinalis L. Twenty days after the beginning of treatments, photosynthetic parameters showed significant decline due to salinity. The most affected plants were those of the S2 treatment followed by those of the S1 treatment. Interestingly, photosynthesis of SB2 and SB1 plants were much less affected indicating that boron alleviated the negative effects of NaCl.
Pages 1186-1194 | Full Text PDF
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Multiplication of seed potatoes in a conventional potato breeding programme: A case of Kenya’s national potato programme
Jane Muthoni and Jackson Kabira
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Potato Research Centre, Tigoni, Kenya
Summary
In any breeding programme, speedy release of a good cultivar is important in order to reduce the costs and encourage innovativeness. In the Kenyan potato breeding programme, at least 10 tons of seed potato tubers are required before a new potato cultivar can be officially released. The large quantities of seeds required could have contributed to the slow release of new potato cultivars in the country. In addition, production of certified seeds from existing cultivars is low due to slow multiplication rate. Repeated field planting of clones in order to increase the amount of seeds generally puts the health status of such seed lots into danger due to exposure to viruses and soil-borne pathogens. Potato tuber bulking methods that have a high multiplication rate and at the same time reduce the number of field plantings should be adopted in order to produce planting materials of high health standards. Use of aeroponics system appears to be a good method for producing both basic seeds from true potato seeds or bulking of existing cultivars prior to production of certified seeds. Briefly indicate significance and purpose of this review article.
Pages 1195-1199 | Full Text PDF
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Host-pathogen interactions of Musa spp. and Mycosphaerella musicola with epidemiological variables and leaf anatomy within the pathosystem of Yellow Sigatoka disease
Aparecida Gomes de Araujo1, Aurinete Daienn Borges do Val2, Joyce Dória Rodrigues Soares1*, Filipe Almendagna Rodrigues1, Moacir Pasqual1, Herminio Souza Rocha3, Simone Abreu Asmar4, Zilton José Maciel Cordeiro3, Sebastião de Oliveira e Silva3
1Agriculture Department, Federal University of Lavras, PO Box 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
2Universidade Estadual do Piauí (UESPI), Picos, PI, 64600-000, Brazil
3Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, Rua Embrapa s/n, PO Box 007, 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil
4Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Av. Amazonas, s/n, 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
Summary
Few details concerning the host-pathogen interactions that occur during the infection process are available for this disease. Studies have been carried out under greenhouse conditions with artificial inoculation with 2 M. musicola isolates (1- Lavras, Minas Gerais state and 2- Cruz das Almas, Bahia state) of a group of banana varieties, including ‘Grand Naine’, ‘Prata Anã’, ‘Calipso’, ‘Preciosa’, ‘Japira’ and ‘BRS Platina’. In each plant, two leaves were inoculated; F1- Leaf number one and F2 - Leaf number two. After the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions, the different bananas genotypes were evaluated and the fungus-associated changes in the leaf anatomy within the tissues and stomata were determined. The Grand Naine genotype showed the greatest disease severity, confirming its susceptibility to yellow Sigatoka. The leaf inoculation of M. musicola altered the anatomy. In most cases, contamination increases the thickness of the epidermis, hypodermis and parenchyma.
Pages 1200-1209 | Full Text PDF
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Research Note
Identification of a co-dominant eSTS marker linked with leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Younas Sohail1,2,3, Urmil Bansal1*, Harbans Bariana1, Parveen Chhuneja4, Abdul Mumtaz2,
Atiq Rattu3, Richard Trethowan1
1University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute-Cobbitty, Department of Plant and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, PMB4011, Narellan, NSW2567, Australia
2Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
3Crop Disease Research Program (CDRP), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan
4School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India
Summary
Identification of molecular markers linked with resistance genes can facilitate pyramiding of two or more genes in new cultivars. Leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 was transferred from Aegilops speltoides to common wheat. A doubled haploid (DH) population (192 lines) was developed from the cross PBW343+Lr24+Lr28/Lang. The parent PBW+Lr24+Lr28 also carries Lr26 and the alternate parent wheat cultivar Lang carries Lr24. The entire DH population was tested against Lr24 virulent Pt pathotype 104-1,(2),3,(6),(7),11,13 and segregation at leaf rust resistance loci Lr26 and Lr28 was observed. These genes produce similar seedling responses against Lr24 virulent Pt pathotype, therefore the Lr26-linked marker, Iag95, was used to identify a set of 123 DH lines that segregated monogenically for Lr28. This selected set was used for molecular studies. Bulked segregant analysis was carried out using 38 markers (24 SSR, 13 STS derived from EST and a gene based marker) located on chromosome 4AL, seven markers differentiated resistant and susceptible bulks. These markers were mapped on 123 DH lines. An eSTS marker mag3092 co-segregated with Lr28 and amplified a 200bp product in PBW343+Lr24+Lr28 and 225bp in Lang. The Ae. speltoides translocated segment that carries Lr28 was flanked by markers barc343 and wmc219. Marker mag3092 produced either a 225bp product or a 210+225bp doublet, when DNA templates from a set of Australian, Indian and Pakistani cultivars known not to possess Lr28 were used. These results demonstrated the robustness of Lr28 linked marker mag3092 for marker assisted selection in diverse genetic backgrounds.
Pages 1210-1215 | Full Text PDF
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Digital mapping of soil phosphorus using multivariate geostatistics and topographic information
Fereydoon Sarmadian1*, Ali Keshavarzi1, Azin Rooien2, Munawar Iqbal3, Ghavamuddin Zahedi4 and Hossein Javadikia5
1Laboratory of Remote Sensing and GIS, Department of Soil Science Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O.Box: 4111, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran
2Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
3National Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
4Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
5Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran
Summary
In this paper, we report digital mapping of soil phosphorus from Qazvin region, Iran through regression-kriging method. Soil samples were collected from 77 points (1000 ha) through grid method and multivariate geostatistical method was used for mapping of soil phosphorus. The performance of the interpolation technique in term of the accuracy of predicted values were assessed by comparing the deviation of estimates from the measured data by performing a cross-validation technique over the validation data set by using the root mean square error. Based on analysis, the best model was selected for estimation of soil phosphorus. The phosphorus distribution varied significantly in selected area and up to 48.32% was observed which indicates a good efficiency of regression-kriging method for the estimation of soil phosphorus by computing easily measurable variables. The results indicated that the regression-kriging method is efficient method for the measurement of target variables and thus, the soil properties can be predicted with low cost and high accuracy which might be helpful to manage soil farming practices.
Pages 1216-1223 | Full Text PDF
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Introgression of low phytic acid locus (lpa2-2) into an elite Maize (Zea mays L.) inbred through marker assisted backcross breeding
Paramasivam Tamilkumar1, *Natesan Senthil2, Subbaraj Sureshkumar2, Arumugam U. Thangavelu2, Pothiraj Nagarajan2, Sampathrajan Vellaikumar2, Kalipatty N. Ganesan3, Nagappan Natarajan1, Ramachandran Balagopal4, Thirunavugarasu Nepolean5, and Muthurajan Raveendran1.
1Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
2Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India 3Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
4Department of veterinary and animal sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India 5Division of Genetics, Lalbahadur Shastri Centre for Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
Summary
Here, we have transferred the low-PA locus (i.e., lpa2-2 allele that confers low-PA trait) by crossing low-PA line “EC 659418” (donor line) with an elite inbred “UMI 285” (recipient line) using Marker Assisted Backcross Breeding (MABB). In our MABB program, for “foreground selection” (i.e., screening for plants with introgressed lpa2-2 locus) small sequence repeat (SSR) marker “umc2230” was used, and for “background selection” (i.e., screening for introgressed lines whose genetic background are similar to that of the recurrent parent) 47 SSR markers were used. As a result, we have developed four lines with both reduced-PA trait similar to that of donor parent, and agronomical traits (i.e., days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, plant height, ear height, 100 seed weight, grain yield per plant, germination and seed vigor) similar to that of the recurrent parent.
Pages 1224-1231 | Full Text PDF | Supplementary data
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Genetic parameters of earliness and plant architecture traits suitable for mechanical harvesting of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Hugo Leonardo Coelho Ribeiro1, Leonardo Silva Boiteux2, Carlos Antônio Fernandes Santos3
1Graduate Program on Plant Genetic Resources, Feira de Santana State University, Caixa Postal 23, 56302-970, Petrolina-PE, Brazil
2Embrapa Vegetable Crops, Caixa Postal 218, 70359-970, Brasília-DF, Brazil
3EMBRAPA Semiarid,Caixa Postal 23, 56302-970, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. (CNPq Researcher)
Summary
Genetic parameters of key traits related to more efficient mechanical harvesting and earliness were estimated in segregating and non-segregating generations of a cross between two contrasting cowpea genotypes ‘BRS Carijó’ and ‘BR14 Mulato’. The differences between the parents ranged from 1.13 to 2.70 times for the traits main branch length (MBL); secondary vegetative branch length (SVBL); number of secondary vegetative branches (NSVB); number of nodes (NN), and number of days to grain maturity (NDGM). Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates were either close to or above 50% for all traits under evaluation.
Pages 1232-1238 | Full Text PDF
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Biometrical studies on characteristics of plagiotropic branches in Coffea arabica L. cultivated with high plant density
Wagner Nunes Rodrigues1, Marcelo Antonio Tomaz1, José Francisco Teixeira do Amaral1, Maria Amélia Gava Ferrão2, Tafarel Victor Colodetti1, Márcio Antonio Apostólico1, Leonardo Fardim Christo1
1Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (CCA/UFES), Alegre-ES, Brazil
2Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA CAFÉ), Brasília-DF, Brazil
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of genotypes of Coffea arabica L. with the potential for cultivation in increased-density systems in the region of Caparaó (state of Espírito Santo, Brazil), based on the characteristics of plagiotropic branches in production, to evaluate the existence of correlations and to estimate the relative contributions of each of the aforementioned characteristics to the diversity. To this end, 25 characteristics were determined in 16 genotypes of arabica coffee cultivated under competition of density (evaluated in 2013, with the stabilisation of their reproductive phenological cycle). These genotypes presented considerable diversity for almost all of the traits, being possible to separate seven groups of genotypes. Among the genotypes cultivated with high plant density, IAPAR 59 and Catiguá MG2 presented a greater degree of dissimilarity. Of the 25 traits, the number of fruits per branch and the biomass contributed more to the variability among the genotypes (over 95% of accumulated contribution).
Pages 1239-1247 | Full Text PDF
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Assessment of genetic diversity in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) for reactions to Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth.
Mesfin Abate1*,4, Firew Mekbib1, Temam Hussien1, Wondimu Bayu2, and Fasil Reda3
1Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
2International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
3Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), P. O. Box-708, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
4Department of plant sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Debre Markos University, P.O. Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Summary
Different multivariate analysis, including principal component and cluster analysis, were made on 15 (for Striga-infested) and 6 (for non-infested) yield, yield attributes and Striga resistance/tolerance parameters. The result showed that the first four and three PCs explained 77 and 73 % of the total variation under Striga infested and non-infested conditions, respectively. Emerged Striga counts at 17 and 20 weeks after planting, Striga severity , Striga vigor, area under Striga number progress curve and area under Striga severity progress curve were the most important traits in the first PC. However, grain yield and dry weight had strong association and were loaded on the second PC. Scatter plot of PC1 and PC2 revealed sufficient diversity among genotypes and separated them with those field resistant and tolerant to Striga from the susceptible ones.
Pages 1248-1256 | Full Text PDF
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CaSiO3 improves water potential and gas exchange but not contribute to the production parameters of maize plants exposed to different irrigation depths
Douglas José Marques1,*, Mozart Martins Ferreira1, Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato2, Janice Guedes de Carvalho1, Jacinto de Assunção Carvalho3, Wellington Alves de Freitas3, Ana Rosa Ribeiro Bastos1, Fabricio José Pereira4, Evaristo Mauro de Castro4
1Departamento de Solos, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
2Núcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Paragominas, Brazil
3Departamento de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
4Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
Summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of different proportions of calcium silicate (CaSiO3) on leaf water potentials, gas exchange and production parameters in Zea mays plants exposed to different irrigation depths. The experiment was organized as factorial scheme in a completely randomized design with five calcium silicate levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of CaSiO3 indicating the liming of the soil) and five irrigation depths (30, 70, 100, 130, and 160% of necessary to water reposition in this soil). The parameters evaluated in soil were chemical properties before and after the application of calcium silicate and matrix potential, while in plant the water potentials, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, grain production, and matter of 100 seeds were measured. The results showed that application of 100% of calcium silicate promoted the values of predawn and midday water potentials.
Pages 1257-1265 | Full Text PDF
Volume 8 Number 8 Year 2014
Effect of tillage on biological nitrogen fixation and yield of soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) varieties
John Okoth Omondi1,*, Nancy Wangui Mungai1, Josephine Pamela Ouma1, Fredrick Patrick Baijukya2
1Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115 Egerton, Kenya
2Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute (TSBF) of International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya
Summary
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of tillage and no tillage on biological nitrogen fixation and grain yields of three soybean varieties. Interaction effect of tillage method and variety on amount of N fixed was varying at every agro-ecological zone though, interaction between no tillage and Nyala fixed more nitrogen at LM 3 than at other agro-ecological zones. Soybean grain yield was similar between tillage methods and also among varieties in a combination of all sites. Practicing no tillage encourages biological nitrogen fixation and its longtime operation leads to yield increase as it improves most soil properties.
Pages 1140-1146 | Full Text PDF
..............................................................................................................................................
Producing potato crop from true potato seed (TPS): A comparative study
Jane Muthoni1,2, Jackson Kabira2, Hussein Shimelis1 and Rob Melis1
1African Centre for Crop Improvement, University of KwaZulu-Natal, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Private Bag X01, Scottsxille 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
2Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). National Potato Research Centre, Tigoni, Kenya
Summary
A study was conducted whose objective was to compare the effectiveness of seedling tubers and seedling transplants in production of a potato crop from true potato seeds. Four potato varieties commonly grown by farmers in Kenya were crossed with five advanced clones from the International Potato Center (CIP) in a North Carolina II mating design to generate twenty cross families. The berries were harvested and seedlings were raised on sand-beds in plastic trays. Later, they were propagated as seedling tubers and seedling transplants in the field at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Potato Research Centre at Tigoni between March and July 2013. At harvest, data collected included tuber numbers/plant, total weight of tubers per plant (kg) and weight of ware tubers (45 mm< in diameter) per plant (kg). The general observation was that the seedling transplants gave significantly more tubers per plant (15.68) than the seedling tubers (13.08); the reverse was the case when it came to total tuber yield (ton/ha) and percent of ware sized tuber yield.
Pages 1147-1151 | Full Text PDF
..............................................................................................................................................
Genetic parameters of grain production and its components in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under drought stress
Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato1,2,*, Maria Celeste Gonçalves-Vidigal2, Carlos Alberto de Bastos Andrade2, Juliana Parisotto Poletine2, Pedro Soares Vidigal Filho2, Vanusa Martins da Silva Ramos2
1Núcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Paragominas, Brazil
2Núcleo de Pesquisa Aplicada a Agricultura, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
Summary
This research aimed to evaluate the genetic parameters of grain production and its primary components in F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations derived from crosses between the common bean cultivar IPR-Uirapuru, which is highly tolerant to drought stress, and the line LP 97-28, which has a low tolerance to drought stress, under conditions of water deficit during the year 2011. The results show that additive genetic effects were involved in the majority of the total genetic variances, indicating a significant contribution for all traits evaluated. The values for heritability in a broad (H2) and narrow (h2) sense were high, indicating reliability in the transmission of traits to offspring. Thus, the additive effects played a greater role in the total genetic variance in relation to the genetic control of drought tolerance, and satisfactory genetic gains were made with the selection of tolerant individuals in early generations.
Pages 1152-1159 | Full Text PDF
..............................................................................................................................................
Photosynthesis and leaf anatomy of Anthurium cv. Rubi plantlets cultured in vitro under different silicon (Si) concentrations
Gabrielen de Maria Gomes Dias1*, Joyce Dória Rodrigues Soares1, Moacir Pasqual1, Renata Alves Lara Silva1, Luiz Carlos de Almeida Rodrigues2, Fabricio José Pereira2 Evaristo Mauro de Castro2
1Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Departamento of Agriculture, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Postal Office 3037, 37200-000, Lavras- MG, Brazil
2Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Departamento of Biology, Postal Office 3037, 37200-000, Lavras- MG, Brazil
Summary
This study was undertaken to evaluate the morphological and physiological differences in plants with the use of silicon added to the medium for the in vitro culture of Anthurium adreaenum cv. Rubi. Nodal segments of seedlings were established in vitro and inoculated in Pierik medium supplemented with 30 g L-1 sucrose and solidified with 1.8 g L- 1 PhytagelTM. Different concentrations of sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) were added to the medium. The segments were maintained for 100 days in a growth chamber under controlled conditions and evaluated anatomically and scanning electron microscopy (ultrastructurally) and for their photosynthetic capacities. Medium containing 1.0 mg L-1 sodium silicate promoted the development of higher stomatal densities on the sheets. For the polar (31.38 µm) and equatorial (31.33 µm) diameter of the stomata of the abaxial leaf, the highest averages occurred in the treatment with 2.0 mg L-1.
Pages 1160-1167 | Full Text PDF
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In vivo bioavailability of essential minerals and phytase activity during soaking and germination in soybean (Glycine max L.)
Sweta Kumari†, Veda Krishnan†, Monica Jolly and Archana Sachdev*
Division of Biochemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi - 110012, India
Summary
In this study, the changes in phytate, phytase activity and bioavailability of essential minerals (Fe2+, Zn2+,Ca2+) were investigated using various colorimetric assays, AAS and functionally validated using an in vivo simulation model in two Indian cultivars, Pusa 9712 and Kalitur after soaking and germination. Phytate-mineral ratio, another parameter for bioavailability was also analyzed. Phytate content was reduced to 10-13% after 12 hrs of soaking and a further reduction to 46-65% was observed after 72 hrs of germination in Kalitur and Pusa 9712, respectively. Phytate being mainly hydrolyzed by phytase, we observed a six-fold increase in its activity after 72 hrs of germination, compared to control.
Pages 1168-1174 | Full Text PDF
..............................................................................................................................................
Molecular diversity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes differing in their Raffinose family Oligosaccharides viz., raffinose and stachyose content as revealed through SSR markers
Sarika Konsam1, Bharadwaj Chellapilla1*, Ganesh Ram2, Tara Satyavathi Chellapilla1 and Pradeep Kumar Jain3
1Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India
2Centre for Plant Breeding and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Tamil Nadu-641003, India
3National Research Centre for Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), New Delhi-110012, India
Summary
There is very little information about the genetic variability and diversity among the cultivated chickpea for RFOs. Diversity among 50 chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes differing in their RFOs content was studied using SSR markers. Out of 86 primers tested, 36 reported polymorphism amplifying 81 alleles. Dendrogram based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficients were generated based on an average linkage algorithm (UPGMA) using marker data. Genotypes were grouped into three clusters based on genetic distances and the UPGMA grouping could clearly discriminate the genotypes effectively as per their pedigree and origin. The grouping pattern also seems to have followed the pattern of RFOs content, seed type, seed size apart from the breeding centre from where they were developed.
Pages 1175-1185 | Full Text PDF
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Effects of salinity in the form of simulated sea-spray (NaCl or NaCl + H3BO3 solution) on growth and photosynthetic performance of sage (Salvia officinalis)
Olga Nasta1, Anastasia Akoumianaki-Ioannidou1*, Georgios Liakopoulos2 and Aimilia-Eleni Nikolopoulou2
1Laboratory of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
2Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Morphology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Summary
We studied the effects of simulated sea spray [spraying solution of 410 mM NaCl (S treatments) or 410 mM NaCl + 420 µM H3BO3 (SB treatments)], applied once (S1 and SB1 treatments) or twice per week (S2 and SB2 treatments), on growth and photosynthesis of the aromatic and medicinal semi-shrub perennial Salvia officinalis L. Twenty days after the beginning of treatments, photosynthetic parameters showed significant decline due to salinity. The most affected plants were those of the S2 treatment followed by those of the S1 treatment. Interestingly, photosynthesis of SB2 and SB1 plants were much less affected indicating that boron alleviated the negative effects of NaCl.
Pages 1186-1194 | Full Text PDF
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Multiplication of seed potatoes in a conventional potato breeding programme: A case of Kenya’s national potato programme
Jane Muthoni and Jackson Kabira
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), National Potato Research Centre, Tigoni, Kenya
Summary
In any breeding programme, speedy release of a good cultivar is important in order to reduce the costs and encourage innovativeness. In the Kenyan potato breeding programme, at least 10 tons of seed potato tubers are required before a new potato cultivar can be officially released. The large quantities of seeds required could have contributed to the slow release of new potato cultivars in the country. In addition, production of certified seeds from existing cultivars is low due to slow multiplication rate. Repeated field planting of clones in order to increase the amount of seeds generally puts the health status of such seed lots into danger due to exposure to viruses and soil-borne pathogens. Potato tuber bulking methods that have a high multiplication rate and at the same time reduce the number of field plantings should be adopted in order to produce planting materials of high health standards. Use of aeroponics system appears to be a good method for producing both basic seeds from true potato seeds or bulking of existing cultivars prior to production of certified seeds. Briefly indicate significance and purpose of this review article.
Pages 1195-1199 | Full Text PDF
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Host-pathogen interactions of Musa spp. and Mycosphaerella musicola with epidemiological variables and leaf anatomy within the pathosystem of Yellow Sigatoka disease
Aparecida Gomes de Araujo1, Aurinete Daienn Borges do Val2, Joyce Dória Rodrigues Soares1*, Filipe Almendagna Rodrigues1, Moacir Pasqual1, Herminio Souza Rocha3, Simone Abreu Asmar4, Zilton José Maciel Cordeiro3, Sebastião de Oliveira e Silva3
1Agriculture Department, Federal University of Lavras, PO Box 3037, 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
2Universidade Estadual do Piauí (UESPI), Picos, PI, 64600-000, Brazil
3Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, Rua Embrapa s/n, PO Box 007, 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, BA, Brazil
4Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Av. Amazonas, s/n, 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
Summary
Few details concerning the host-pathogen interactions that occur during the infection process are available for this disease. Studies have been carried out under greenhouse conditions with artificial inoculation with 2 M. musicola isolates (1- Lavras, Minas Gerais state and 2- Cruz das Almas, Bahia state) of a group of banana varieties, including ‘Grand Naine’, ‘Prata Anã’, ‘Calipso’, ‘Preciosa’, ‘Japira’ and ‘BRS Platina’. In each plant, two leaves were inoculated; F1- Leaf number one and F2 - Leaf number two. After the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions, the different bananas genotypes were evaluated and the fungus-associated changes in the leaf anatomy within the tissues and stomata were determined. The Grand Naine genotype showed the greatest disease severity, confirming its susceptibility to yellow Sigatoka. The leaf inoculation of M. musicola altered the anatomy. In most cases, contamination increases the thickness of the epidermis, hypodermis and parenchyma.
Pages 1200-1209 | Full Text PDF
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Research Note
Identification of a co-dominant eSTS marker linked with leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Younas Sohail1,2,3, Urmil Bansal1*, Harbans Bariana1, Parveen Chhuneja4, Abdul Mumtaz2,
Atiq Rattu3, Richard Trethowan1
1University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute-Cobbitty, Department of Plant and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, PMB4011, Narellan, NSW2567, Australia
2Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
3Crop Disease Research Program (CDRP), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan
4School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India
Summary
Identification of molecular markers linked with resistance genes can facilitate pyramiding of two or more genes in new cultivars. Leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 was transferred from Aegilops speltoides to common wheat. A doubled haploid (DH) population (192 lines) was developed from the cross PBW343+Lr24+Lr28/Lang. The parent PBW+Lr24+Lr28 also carries Lr26 and the alternate parent wheat cultivar Lang carries Lr24. The entire DH population was tested against Lr24 virulent Pt pathotype 104-1,(2),3,(6),(7),11,13 and segregation at leaf rust resistance loci Lr26 and Lr28 was observed. These genes produce similar seedling responses against Lr24 virulent Pt pathotype, therefore the Lr26-linked marker, Iag95, was used to identify a set of 123 DH lines that segregated monogenically for Lr28. This selected set was used for molecular studies. Bulked segregant analysis was carried out using 38 markers (24 SSR, 13 STS derived from EST and a gene based marker) located on chromosome 4AL, seven markers differentiated resistant and susceptible bulks. These markers were mapped on 123 DH lines. An eSTS marker mag3092 co-segregated with Lr28 and amplified a 200bp product in PBW343+Lr24+Lr28 and 225bp in Lang. The Ae. speltoides translocated segment that carries Lr28 was flanked by markers barc343 and wmc219. Marker mag3092 produced either a 225bp product or a 210+225bp doublet, when DNA templates from a set of Australian, Indian and Pakistani cultivars known not to possess Lr28 were used. These results demonstrated the robustness of Lr28 linked marker mag3092 for marker assisted selection in diverse genetic backgrounds.
Pages 1210-1215 | Full Text PDF
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Digital mapping of soil phosphorus using multivariate geostatistics and topographic information
Fereydoon Sarmadian1*, Ali Keshavarzi1, Azin Rooien2, Munawar Iqbal3, Ghavamuddin Zahedi4 and Hossein Javadikia5
1Laboratory of Remote Sensing and GIS, Department of Soil Science Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O.Box: 4111, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran
2Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
3National Center of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
4Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
5Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran
Summary
In this paper, we report digital mapping of soil phosphorus from Qazvin region, Iran through regression-kriging method. Soil samples were collected from 77 points (1000 ha) through grid method and multivariate geostatistical method was used for mapping of soil phosphorus. The performance of the interpolation technique in term of the accuracy of predicted values were assessed by comparing the deviation of estimates from the measured data by performing a cross-validation technique over the validation data set by using the root mean square error. Based on analysis, the best model was selected for estimation of soil phosphorus. The phosphorus distribution varied significantly in selected area and up to 48.32% was observed which indicates a good efficiency of regression-kriging method for the estimation of soil phosphorus by computing easily measurable variables. The results indicated that the regression-kriging method is efficient method for the measurement of target variables and thus, the soil properties can be predicted with low cost and high accuracy which might be helpful to manage soil farming practices.
Pages 1216-1223 | Full Text PDF
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Introgression of low phytic acid locus (lpa2-2) into an elite Maize (Zea mays L.) inbred through marker assisted backcross breeding
Paramasivam Tamilkumar1, *Natesan Senthil2, Subbaraj Sureshkumar2, Arumugam U. Thangavelu2, Pothiraj Nagarajan2, Sampathrajan Vellaikumar2, Kalipatty N. Ganesan3, Nagappan Natarajan1, Ramachandran Balagopal4, Thirunavugarasu Nepolean5, and Muthurajan Raveendran1.
1Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
2Centre for Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India 3Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
4Department of veterinary and animal sciences, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India 5Division of Genetics, Lalbahadur Shastri Centre for Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
Summary
Here, we have transferred the low-PA locus (i.e., lpa2-2 allele that confers low-PA trait) by crossing low-PA line “EC 659418” (donor line) with an elite inbred “UMI 285” (recipient line) using Marker Assisted Backcross Breeding (MABB). In our MABB program, for “foreground selection” (i.e., screening for plants with introgressed lpa2-2 locus) small sequence repeat (SSR) marker “umc2230” was used, and for “background selection” (i.e., screening for introgressed lines whose genetic background are similar to that of the recurrent parent) 47 SSR markers were used. As a result, we have developed four lines with both reduced-PA trait similar to that of donor parent, and agronomical traits (i.e., days to 50% tasseling, days to 50% silking, plant height, ear height, 100 seed weight, grain yield per plant, germination and seed vigor) similar to that of the recurrent parent.
Pages 1224-1231 | Full Text PDF | Supplementary data
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Genetic parameters of earliness and plant architecture traits suitable for mechanical harvesting of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Hugo Leonardo Coelho Ribeiro1, Leonardo Silva Boiteux2, Carlos Antônio Fernandes Santos3
1Graduate Program on Plant Genetic Resources, Feira de Santana State University, Caixa Postal 23, 56302-970, Petrolina-PE, Brazil
2Embrapa Vegetable Crops, Caixa Postal 218, 70359-970, Brasília-DF, Brazil
3EMBRAPA Semiarid,Caixa Postal 23, 56302-970, Petrolina-PE, Brazil. (CNPq Researcher)
Summary
Genetic parameters of key traits related to more efficient mechanical harvesting and earliness were estimated in segregating and non-segregating generations of a cross between two contrasting cowpea genotypes ‘BRS Carijó’ and ‘BR14 Mulato’. The differences between the parents ranged from 1.13 to 2.70 times for the traits main branch length (MBL); secondary vegetative branch length (SVBL); number of secondary vegetative branches (NSVB); number of nodes (NN), and number of days to grain maturity (NDGM). Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates were either close to or above 50% for all traits under evaluation.
Pages 1232-1238 | Full Text PDF
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Biometrical studies on characteristics of plagiotropic branches in Coffea arabica L. cultivated with high plant density
Wagner Nunes Rodrigues1, Marcelo Antonio Tomaz1, José Francisco Teixeira do Amaral1, Maria Amélia Gava Ferrão2, Tafarel Victor Colodetti1, Márcio Antonio Apostólico1, Leonardo Fardim Christo1
1Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (CCA/UFES), Alegre-ES, Brazil
2Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA CAFÉ), Brasília-DF, Brazil
Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of genotypes of Coffea arabica L. with the potential for cultivation in increased-density systems in the region of Caparaó (state of Espírito Santo, Brazil), based on the characteristics of plagiotropic branches in production, to evaluate the existence of correlations and to estimate the relative contributions of each of the aforementioned characteristics to the diversity. To this end, 25 characteristics were determined in 16 genotypes of arabica coffee cultivated under competition of density (evaluated in 2013, with the stabilisation of their reproductive phenological cycle). These genotypes presented considerable diversity for almost all of the traits, being possible to separate seven groups of genotypes. Among the genotypes cultivated with high plant density, IAPAR 59 and Catiguá MG2 presented a greater degree of dissimilarity. Of the 25 traits, the number of fruits per branch and the biomass contributed more to the variability among the genotypes (over 95% of accumulated contribution).
Pages 1239-1247 | Full Text PDF
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Assessment of genetic diversity in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) for reactions to Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth.
Mesfin Abate1*,4, Firew Mekbib1, Temam Hussien1, Wondimu Bayu2, and Fasil Reda3
1Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
2International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
3Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), P. O. Box-708, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
4Department of plant sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Debre Markos University, P.O. Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
Summary
Different multivariate analysis, including principal component and cluster analysis, were made on 15 (for Striga-infested) and 6 (for non-infested) yield, yield attributes and Striga resistance/tolerance parameters. The result showed that the first four and three PCs explained 77 and 73 % of the total variation under Striga infested and non-infested conditions, respectively. Emerged Striga counts at 17 and 20 weeks after planting, Striga severity , Striga vigor, area under Striga number progress curve and area under Striga severity progress curve were the most important traits in the first PC. However, grain yield and dry weight had strong association and were loaded on the second PC. Scatter plot of PC1 and PC2 revealed sufficient diversity among genotypes and separated them with those field resistant and tolerant to Striga from the susceptible ones.
Pages 1248-1256 | Full Text PDF
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CaSiO3 improves water potential and gas exchange but not contribute to the production parameters of maize plants exposed to different irrigation depths
Douglas José Marques1,*, Mozart Martins Ferreira1, Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato2, Janice Guedes de Carvalho1, Jacinto de Assunção Carvalho3, Wellington Alves de Freitas3, Ana Rosa Ribeiro Bastos1, Fabricio José Pereira4, Evaristo Mauro de Castro4
1Departamento de Solos, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
2Núcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Paragominas, Brazil
3Departamento de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
4Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
Summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of different proportions of calcium silicate (CaSiO3) on leaf water potentials, gas exchange and production parameters in Zea mays plants exposed to different irrigation depths. The experiment was organized as factorial scheme in a completely randomized design with five calcium silicate levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of CaSiO3 indicating the liming of the soil) and five irrigation depths (30, 70, 100, 130, and 160% of necessary to water reposition in this soil). The parameters evaluated in soil were chemical properties before and after the application of calcium silicate and matrix potential, while in plant the water potentials, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, grain production, and matter of 100 seeds were measured. The results showed that application of 100% of calcium silicate promoted the values of predawn and midday water potentials.
Pages 1257-1265 | Full Text PDF
