Australian Journal of Crop Science   AJCS

Temperature management of potatoes in packaging with reusable plastic crates in the fresh produce supply chain

Simon Jones, Chris Bishop, Roy Porter, Chaiwong Saowapa

Postharvest Unit, Writtle University College, Chelmsford, Essex, UK CM1 3RR

University of Lincoln, Holbeach Campus, Lincolnshire, UK

Chemistry Department, University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica

School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Abstract

Although initially the introduction of reusable plastic crates was because off cost savings, their speed of adoption was accelerated by environmental considerations. RPCs having a lower direct impact across a broad range of environmental parameters  when compared with than display-ready containers (DRCs). Also RPCs can have an indirect effect with lower levels of produce waste, further reducing the environment impact of using plastic crates. This paper considers the temperature management challenges with packaging formats used in the fresh produce supply chain.  The different scenarios are compared of bagged and loose potatoes in RPCs and DRCs when placed in still and moving air. The temperature changes of the potato flesh showed that with the greater free area of the RPCs there is potential to warm up significantly more quickly than with DRCs. In the first three hours the flesh temperatures for loose potatoes in RPCs increased at almost three times the rate experienced in DRCs. The study found that with RPCs for the temperature rise in the first hour in air at 0.1 m/s  was fifteen times as great as in still air, but with the adoption of a single plastic film wrap of 25 micron polythene it was reducing the temperature rise by 69%. The adoption of RPCs throughout the supply chain has had many advantages but these trials highlight the potential issues with temperature and quality management,  However the study underline the dangers of changing packaging formats without paying due consideration to the temperature and airflow variables inherent in each packaging format.

Pages 638-643 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p175

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Nodulation, contribution of biological N₂ fixation, and productivity of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) inoculated with rhizobia isolates

Leniany Patrícia Moreira, Ana Paula Santos Oliveira, Enderson Petrônio de Brito Ferreira*

Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rodovia GO-462, km 0, Campus Samanbaia, Goiânia, GO, 74001-970, Brazil

Instituto Federal Goiano, Rodovia GO-154 - Km 3, S/N - Zona Rural, Campus Ceres, Ceres, GO, 76300-000, Brazil

Embrapa Arroz e Feijão, Rodovia GO-462, km 12, Santo Antônio de Goiás, GO, 75375-000, Brazil

Abstract

The common bean has a great economic, social, and nutritional importance and requires high levels of nitrogen for its cultivation. The plant in symbiosis with rhizobia bacteria can benefit from biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). To assess the agronomic efficacy of rhizobia isolates on the nodulation, contribution of BNF and productivity of the common bean, two experiments were conducted in separate locations. Seventeen Rhizobium tropici  isolates were selected and compared with three commercial Rhizobium spp. strains: CIAT 899 and H12 (R. tropici) and PRF 81 (R. freirei). The variables analyzed were: number of nodules (NN), nodules dry weight (NDW), root dry weight (RDW), leaf area (LA), shoot dry weight (SDA), total nitrogen in shoots (Total-N), number of pods (NP), number of grains (NG), grain yield (GY), percentage of nitrogen derived from BNF (Ndfa%), and total nitrogen derived from BNF in the shoots (NdBNF). Inoculation with R. tropici isolates promoted significant gains in nodulation, growth, and productivity of the common bean. About 50% of the isolates promoted GY rates equal to or superior to the nitrogen treatment (NT) and to the standard strains CIAT 899, PRF 81, and H12. Among the best isolates, the Ndfa% ranged from 64.2% to 75.8%, with NdBNF ranging from 802.91 to 1037.56 mg plant^-1. The isolate JPrG10A6 of Rhizobium tropici provided high values of NdBNF and GY, showing great potential to be used commercially as inoculant of the common bean crop.

Pages 644-651 | Read More|doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p310

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Field-based quality indicators in degraded pasture of the Atlantic forest biome

Paulo Roberto da Rocha Junior*, Guilherme Kangussú Donagemma, Felipe Vaz Andrade, Renato Ribeiro Passos, Alexandre Sylvio Vieira da Costa, Hugo Alberto Ruiz

Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Department of Plant Production, Alto Universitário, Gurarema s/n, Alegre, 29500-000, ES, Brazil

Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Rua Jardim Botânico 1024, Jardim Botânico, 24460-000, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Campus JK, Rua Cruzeiro 01, Jardim São Paulo, 39803-371, Teófilo Otoni, MG, Brazil

Abstract

Developing techniques that are easily accessible to producers and extension agents would facilitate the assessment of pasture degradation in rural areas. The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of field-based indicators of soil quality at different levels of degraded pastures, validate these indicators with those determined in laboratory. Six areas were chosen: four areas of pastures in different gradients of degradation visually assessed (Degraded Pasture 1 - P₁; Degraded Pasture 2 - P₂; Degraded Pasture 3 - P₃; and Degraded Pasture 4 - P₄), in descending order of degradation; an area of Capoeira (natural vegetation of soil recovery); and a secondary Forest used as reference. The soil under all areas was an Ultisol clayey, and field determinations used were: soil coverage rate (Soil_{Cov. Rt}), depth of the root system (D_RS) and "A horizon" thickness. Laboratory determinations were: soil density, total porosity (Tp), macroporosity (Ma), microporosity (Mi), Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, H+Al, P, K⁺, organic carbon (OC), base (BS) and aluminum saturation (AS). Also, the organic matter compartments such as particulate organic matter (POM), particulate organic carbon and carbon fraction associated with soil minerals were determined. Soil quality ranking were assigned to the different areas, and orthogonal contrasts were made to compare the stages of degradation. Subsequently, linear correlations were adjusted to test whether there were significant differences for the field and laboratory indicators among the areas of study. Soil quality ranking assigned represented the levels of degraded pasture visually observed in field, therefore allowing correlations with field indicators “A horizon” thickness (Rainy season r =0.71 and Dry season r =0.91) and D_RS (Rainy season r =0.81 and dry season r =0.58). Similar correlations were found when the Soil_{Cov. Rt} was used, where correlations were observed with the “A horizon” thickness (Rainy season r =0.61 and Dry season r =0.75) and D_RS (Rainy season r=0.76 and Dry season r =0.84). The field and laboratory determinations showed statistical differences between study areas, indicating that they were sensitive to levels of degradation. Through field determinations, it was possible to separate four groups of degradation: reference (Forest), low degradation (P₄ and P₃), under recovery (Capoeira) and high degradation (P₁ and P₂). The easily determined field–based quality indicators showed significant correlations with the laboratory values: BS, AS, Ma and POM, especially on the 0-5 cm surface layer, showing small variation between sampling periods and indicating the possibility of using these indicators to differentiate levels of degraded pastures with good accuracy.

Pages 652-661 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p326

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Assessment of salinity tolerance in polycross progenies of tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) S. J. Darbysh.)]

Fatemeh Amini*, Dariush Sadeghi

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding Sciences, University of Tehran, College of Aburaihan P.O.Box:3391653755 Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The effect of salinity on germination factors was evaluated for twenty five genotypes as the parents and first generation synthetic progenies (Syn1) of tall fescue. To produce polycross seeds, four groups of six parental plants with contrasting levels of diversity based on phenotypic traits and contrasting levels of AFLP molecular marker diversity constructed. An experimental factorial, in a randomized complete block design was conducted under five salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl). In each experiment 10 ml from salt solution was added to each Petri dish. Seeds were allowed to germinate at 25 ± 1°C for 14 days. Daily, final germination and emergence percentage, as well as germination and seedling emergence rate, and seedling fresh and dry weight were measured in the study under controlled and stress conditions in parental genotypes and also first generation progenies. The results showed that the differences between parents of populations were not significant for the evaluated traits but the effect of population in progenies were significant for all of the evaluated traits. It seems that the polycrosses of the parental genotypes gathered the positive genes in progenies and caused the significant increases in the evaluated traits such as germination percent, germination rate, fresh weight of leaf and radical length. HMD and LMD populations had the highest means for most of the evaluated traits such as germination percentage and germination rate in all stress and non-stress conditions. The parents of these population selected based on molecular markers diversities. The correlation between similarity matrix of parents based on molecular markers and the similarity matrix of first generation of progenies based on morphological traits was significant (r=0.35). The highest broad sense heritability was observed for fresh weight of radical in parents and progenies (70% and 80%), while the lowest was observed for radical length in both parents and progenies (13% and 15%). Our results demonstrate that molecular markers can be reliable tools to efficiently selecting parental genotypes and improving tall fescue breeding programs.

Pages 662-667 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p342

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Isolation and characterization of sucrose phosphate synthase promoter from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Nadia Iqbal*, Muhammad Asif, Amara Masood, Rubab Zahra Naqvi, Asia Khatoon, Aftab Bashir

National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, Pakistan

Department of Biological Sciences, F.C. College University, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Cotton fiber genes and promoters are of great importance in understanding fiber development mechanism as well as for improvement of fiber. Sucrose phosphate synthase gene (SPS) (insert abbreviation of gene)has found to express at higher rate in developing cotton fibers. It is an important enzyme that have major role in sucrose as well as cellulose synthesis. Upstream region of a SPS gene from cotton was retrieved through HTGS database and analyzed using bioinformatics tools. Sequence analysis identified various regulatory motifs including light, drought, heat responsiveness and MYB binding sites in the promoter. The SPS promoter was isolated from cotton genomic DNA (using what method) and fused to β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in a plant expression vector. Transient GUS expression analysis in various cotton tissues showed that promoter was active in the fiber tissues. Full length 2 kb SPS promoter showed high expression in fibers during elongation and secondary cell wall synthesis stage. A 1.5 kb deletion fragment showed reduced expression in fibers. Our results suggest that cotton SPS promoter may be used to express genes specifically in fiber cells for improvement of cotton fiber quality traits.

Pages 668-675 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p365

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Precision agriculture applied to soybean crop: Part II – Temporal stability of management zones

Eduardo Leonel Bottega*, Daniel Marçal de Queiroz, Francisco de Assis de Carvalho Pinto, Domingos Sárvio Magalhães Valente, Cristiano Márcio Alves de Souza

Federal University of Santa Maria, Cachoeira do Sul city, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Federal University of Viçosa, Agricultural Engineering Department, Viçosa city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Federal University of Grande Dourados, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Dourados City, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract

Precision farming techniques have potential applications in the Brazilian Savannah owing to the spatial variability in crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the temporal stability of management zones based on the measurement of apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa). The study was performed in a field located in the Brazilian Savannah. During the 2011/2012 crop season, ECa was measured at 160 sampling points in a 47-ha area. ECa values were then grouped into classes using the fuzzy k-means algorithm and fertilizers were applied to the soybean crop (BMX Potencia RR) in the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 crop seasons according to soil analysis for each class. ECa was also measured in the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 crop seasons and the values were grouped into classes, and the maps of apparent soil electrical conductivity classes were compared using kappa coefficients. Apparent soil electrical conductivity was significant and positively correlated with each pair of crop seasons for all three seasons analyzed. The cluster analysis indicated the presence of two management zones in 2012. These management zones were adopted for fertility management in the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 crop seasons. A comparison of the 2012 and 2013 management zone maps, based on the kappa coefficient, showed that they remained stable. The use of kappa coefficients was found to be a promising tool in the analysis of the temporal stability of management classes.

Pages 676-682 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p382

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In vitro activity of plant extracts against some important plant pathogenic fungi of tomato

James W. Muthomi, Geraldin M. W. Lengai*, Maina J. Wagacha, Rama D. Narla

Department of Plant Science and Crop protection, University of Nairobi, P. O. BOX 30197, 0100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya

School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O. BOX 30197, 0100 GPO, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides has resulted in loss of access to niche markets due to presence of chemical residues in fresh vegetable produce. There is need for safe alternatives to synthetic pesticides in management of pests and diseases in horticultural production. The objective of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of plant extracts in suppressing growth of plant pathogenic fungi in vitro. Mature plant tissue samples were finely blended, extracted with 95% (v/v) ethanol and the extracts were concentrated by evaporation under vacuum at 60⁰C to remove the ethanol. Antifungal activity of the extracts was tested by incorporating the extract into the culture media onto which fungal pathogens were then cultured. Sensitivity of the fungal pathogens was determined by measuring the pathogen colony radial growth of the treatments compared to controls. Extracts from different plants varied in activity, with turmeric extracts being the most active. Turmeric extracts inhibited fungal colony radial growth by 30 to 73 % while mint was the least active. Alternaria solani was the most susceptible pathogen while Pythium ultimum was the most sensitive to extracts from all the plants evaluated.  Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was tolerant to most of the plant extracts tested. Sensitivity of all the pathogens tested was found to decrease with the age of the cultures. The study showed that plants extracts contain compounds that inhibit growth of plant pathogenic fungi. Such compounds could be exploited as biopesticides to manage plant diseases thereby reducing the chemical residues in horticultural production. 

Pages 683-689 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p399

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Effects of humate supplemented with red seaweed (Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis) on germination and seedling vigour of maize

Chanyarat Paungfoo-Lonhienne*, Thierry G. A. Lonhienne, Andrei Andreev, Lidya V. Zhiltsova, Sergey Kovalev, Alexey Belov, Igor Grebenyuk, Nikolai Kinaev, Evgeny Sagulenko

Sustainable Organic Solutions Pty Ltd, Indooroopilly, QLD 4068, Australia

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia

School of Engineering, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), 10, Ajax Str., Russky Island, Vladivostok, Russian Federation

Pasific Scientific Researh Fisheries Center (TINRO-center), Shevchenko Alley, 4. Vladivostok, 690091, Russian Federation

Abstract

Humic substances (HS) are known as stimulators of seed germination and plant growth. Here we have examined the influence of HS obtained from the extract of a mixture of brown coal and industrial waste of red seaweed, Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis (HS-Ahnfeltia), on the germination of maize seeds. Seeds of Zea mays L. were immersed in HS-Ahnfeltia (treatment) or water (control) and germinated on moist filter paper in sealed Petri dishes. After 5 days of incubation at 28°C, the results showed that treatment with HS-Ahnfeltia promoted seedling growth. While no significant differences occurred in seed emergence, an important increase in root (36%) and shoot (54%) area as well as root (100%) and shoot (54%) dry weight was observed in treated seedlings, resulting in a 100% increase of the seedling vigour. These results suggest that HS-Ahnfeltia extract can be used as an effective agent to increase seedling vigour in crops.

Pages 690-693 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p412

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Physiological quality of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] seeds in response to planting density in semi-arid region

Tatiana Maria da Silva, Maria de Fátima de Queiroz Lopes, Alexandre Bosco de Oliveira*, André Luis da Silva Parente Nogueira, Italo Emerson Trindade Viana, Bruno França da Trindade Lessa

Federal University of Ceará, Ceará, Brazil

Federal University of Paraíba, Paraíba, Brazil

Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

Sweet sorghum is a bioenergy crop that produces high amount of ethanol per hectare even under semi-arid conditions, serving as an alternative to sugarcane inter-season in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of planting density on the physiological quality of sweet sorghum seeds. Two sweet sorghum cultivars (BRS 506 and SF-15) were submitted to a spacing of 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm between rows, and 8, 12 and 16 cm between plants. The experimental design was of randomised blocks with four replications in a 2 x 4 x 3 factorial scheme, comprising two cultivars, four row spacings and three spacings between plants. The following were evaluated from the collected panicles: seed quantity, 100 seed weight, water content, germination, first germination count and speed of germination, accelerated ageing, and seedling vigour. It was found that both the cultivar and the arrangement of plants in the field affect the physiological quality of sweet sorghum seeds. The BRS 506 cultivar is recommended for seed production under semi-arid conditions, at a spacing of 16 cm between plants and 80 cm between rows, and a density of 75,000 plants per hectare.

Pages 694-700 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p420

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Biochemical mechanisms of salinity tolerance in new promising salt tolerant cereal, tritipyrum (TriticumDurum× Thinopyrum Bessarabicum)

Maryam Kamyab, Mohammad Kafi*, Hossein Shahsavand Hassani, Morteza Goldani, Farhad Shokouhifar

Department of Agronomy and Crop Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran

Research Institute for Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Mechanisms of salt tolerance in tritipyrum, a promising achievement of breeding programs against the deleterious effects of salinity stress, have not been fully explored. Therefore, we conducted a greenhouse experiment with four tritipyrum lines and one wheat cultivar under four salinity levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 mM NaCl), in hydroponic condition. Sampling for physiological traits was conducted in 48 hours, one week and one month after exposure to salinity treatment. The results showed that tritipyrum had more chlorophyll pigments and carotenoid than wheat. Furthermore, concentration changes of proline and carbohydrate was more prominent in tritipyrum than in wheat; superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activity were lower in Az/b and (Ka/b)*(Cr/b), F₆ than in Cr/b and wheat; lower malondialdehyde in Az/b and (Ka/b)*(Cr/b),F₆ indicated higher salinity tolerance of these hybrids compared with wheat and Cr/b; it was also found that different genotypes used various defense mechanisms to adapt themselves to salinity. Other defense mechanisms such as developed photosynthetic machinery, better activity of non-enzymatic antioxidant systems and higher accumulation of compatible solutes can be more effective than antioxidant enzymes in higher salt tolerance of tritipyrum lines. Our results indicate that non-enzymatic defense systems are more important than enzymatic ones in tolerating salinity stress in tritipyrum lines. Furthermore, in comparison with wheat, higher salinity tolerance of tritipyrum lines, especially Az/b, can make them suitable for the improvement of salinity tolerance of common wheat by breeding programs. 

Pages 701-710 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p434

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Drought tolerance of the sugar cane varieties during the initial development

Janaína de Miranda Silverio, Tonny José Araújo da Silva, Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva*, Antonio Marcos Iaia, Thiago Franco Duarte, Regina Célia Matos Pires

Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Department of Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Agronomic Institute (IAC), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the water-deficit tolerant sugarcane varieties (Saccharum officinarum L.) by cultivating them under mild-to-severe water deficit conditions. The experiments were performed in a greenhouse, employing the randomized block design in a 7 x 5 factorial scheme corresponding to seven sugarcane varieties (RB867515, RB92579, RB855536, RB72454, RB073036, RB073028, and RB073040) and five types of soil water stress (12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 kPa). Water stress was maintained throughout the experiment period. The experimental units included 10 dm³ pots, with three replications, accounting for 105 pots in total. Height, diameter, and stalk dry mass were the variables analyzed and evaluations were done 90 days post transplantation. Finally, the RB073028, RB867515, and RB72454 varieties were identified as being tolerant to severe water stress. The varieties of RB073036 and RB073040 could tolerate moderate water deficit and the RB92579 and RB855536 varieties showed water deficit sensitivity.

Pages 711-715 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p437

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In silico genome-wide identification and phylogenetic analysis of the WRKY transcription factor family in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)

Eduardo Goiano da Silva, Tania Mayumi Ito, Silvia Graciele Hülse de Souza*

Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Universidade Paranaense - UNIPAR, 87502-210, Umuarama-PR, Brazil

Departamento de Informação e Comunicação – Informática, Instituto Federal do Paraná-IFPR,  87507-014, Umuarama-PR, Brazil

Abstract

WRKY transcription factors (TFs) play important roles in several biological processes, especially in defense against different biotic and abiotic stresses. An extensive in silico characterization of the CitsWRKY gene family was performed. In this study, 77 WRKY genes from the Citrus sinensis genome were identified. Based on sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, these 77 proteins were classified into three main groups, with most WRKY proteins placed in group I (36 CitsWRKY), group II (35 CitsWRKY), and group III (6 CitsWRKY). Analysis of conserved motifs showed that most identified CitsWRKY proteins carry a conserved WRKY domain. Structural analysis of the genes showed that the number of introns in CitsWRKY genes varied from zero to five. CitsWRKY genes were found to be randomly distributed on all nine chromosomes. The expansion of this gene family may have resulted from 14 tandem and five segmental duplication events. Evaluation of synteny events suggested that some WRKY genes emerged before the divergence of C. sinensis and Arabidopsis. Expression analysis demonstrated that these genes frequently occur in developing tissues such as fruit, flowers, ovaries, meristem, and phloem (65%, 66%, and 85% in groups I, II , and III, respectively), and are stimulated by biotic or abiotic stresses (15%, 16%, and 10% in groups I, II, and III, respectively). The characterization and analysis of these genes will aid in the selection of candidate genes for future functional analyses of the WRKY family in citrus, which will expand our understanding of genetic determinants of stress tolerance.

Pages 716-726 | Read More| Supplemntary Data| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p471

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Evaluation of bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad) as potential rootstock for watermelon

Mahdi Bigdelo, Mohammad Reza Hassandokht, Youssef Rouphael, Giuseppe Colla*, Forouzandeh Soltani, Reza Salehi

Department of Horticultural Sciences, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj 31587, Iran

Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy

Department of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy

Abstract

Selecting appropriate rootstocks in grafting is an important aspect to increase yield and fruit quality of vegetables. Interspecific hybrids and gourd are the most frequently used rootstocks for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) grafting. However, other Citrullus species such as bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad) have not been completely exploited and can be a source of interesting traits. The present study aimed to evaluate bitter apple as potential rootstock for watermelon (cv. Crimson Sweet) in comparison to the commercial rootstock Shintosa (Cucurbita maxima Duch. × Cucurbita moschata Duch.), and non-grafted plants. An experimental design of Randomized Complete Blocks was applied with treatments replicated three times. Grafted and non-grafted watermelon plants were compared in terms of yield, yield components, morphometric and textural characteristics, sweetness, acidity and mineral composition. The effect of Shintosa rootstock on total yield and mean fruit weight resulted in 20.2% and 14.0% increase over the non-grafted and Crimson Sweet/bitter apple combination, respectively. Flesh firmness and fruit mineral composition (Ca, P and Zn) increased by grafting Crimson Sweet on Shintosa over the other grafting combinations. The most valued fruit quality traits for consumer satisfaction: fruit dry matter (DM) and total soluble solids (TSS) were significantly higher with bitter apple rootstock. The fruit DM and TSS contents recorded for Crimson Sweet grafted on bitter apple were significantly higher than those grafted on Shintosa by 11.7% and 8.4%, respectively. Though grafting watermelon on bitter apple slightly decreased yield characteristics than Shintosa, on the other hand it improved flavor compounds with no serious detrimental effects on other quality attributes, thus it could be proposed as potential germplasm for watermelon rootstock breeding.

Pages 727-732 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p492

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Effects of zeolite and organic fertilizers on soil quality and yield of sugarcane

Pedro Cairo Cairo*, Joaquin Machado de Armas^-, Pedro Torres Artiles,  Bladimir Diaz Martin,  Rafael Jimenez Carrazana, Oralia Rodriguez Lopez

Universidad de Atacama, Centro Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Sustentable (CRIDESAT), Copiapó, 1532000 Chile

Universidad Central de las Villas, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Santa Clara, 54830 Cuba

Abstract

Maintaining or improving the soil quality is crucial for agricultural productivity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of zeolite and its combination with chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizers on soil quality and sugarcane yield in the north coast of Cuba, Villa Clara province. The organic fertilizer (sugarcane filter cake-SFC), and natural mineral (zeolite-Z) and chemical fertilization (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium-NPK) were applied as treatments. The experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with nine treatments and four replicates. The soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-20 cm to determine soil properties such as degree of soil aggregation, water-stable aggregates, permeability, lower plastic limit, pH in water, pH in KCl, organic matter, assimilable P₂O₅ and K₂O. The sugarcane yield components such as cane yield (t ha^-1) and sucrose yield (t ha^-1) were evaluated. Principal components analysis (PCA) and simple regression analysis were also performed. The best results on cane yield were obtained with the treatment Z 7.5 t ha^-1 + SFC 22.5 t ha^-1, which represent a relative increase of 200% vs control (without fertilization). Relations between soil properties and principal component analysis confirmed the good response of zeolite application on soil quality and sugarcane yield.

Pages 733-738 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p501

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Morpho-physiological characteristics of Jaffa orange trees (Citrus sinensis L.) in response to soil water deficit

Caroline Farias Barreto*, Renan Ricardo Zandoná, Cleber Maus Alberto, Juan Saavedra del Aguila, Enio Júnior Seidel

Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil

Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Itaqui, Itaqui, RS, Brasil

Universidade Federal do Pampa Campus Dom Pedrito, Dom Pedrito, RS, Brasil

Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Departamento de Estatística, Santa Maria, RS, Brasil

Abstract

Since water is fundamental to plants, any restriction may affect growth, development and production of crops. This study aimed at evaluating leaf growth, transpiration and stomatal conductance of orange trees cv. Jaffa orange trees (Citrus sinensis L.) regarding their fraction of transpirable soil water when they encountered water deficit. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse and one plant per pot. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with two water conditions (with and without water deficit) for twenty days, with fifteen replications per treatment. Relative transpiration, relative leaf growth, stomatal conductance of water vapor and leaf transpiration were evaluated. Analysis of variance and adjustment of logistic regression were carried out by the R Program. Plants were submitted to irrigation had higher transpiration rates and stomatal conductance than non-irrigated plants for twenty days. In orange trees, the fraction of water which was available in the soil and critical for transpiration was 0.90, whereas for leaf growth, it was 0.65. We concluded that this orange tree is resistant to water deficiency due to reduction of transpiration before leaf growth stage to better manage the available water in the soil.

Pages 739-743 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p515

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Long-term application of swine manure can increase Cu and Zn contents in the pasture soils

June Faria Scherrer Menezes, Aline de Oliveira Araújo Teodoro, Mariana Pina da Silva Berti*, Carlos César Evangelista de Menezes, Veridiana Cardozo Gonçalves Cantão, Jeander Oliveira Caetano, Vinícius de Melo Benites

Universidade de Rio Verde, Fazenda Fontes do Saber, CEP: 75901-970 Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil

Mestre em produção vegetal pela Universidade de Rio Verde, Fazenda Fontes do Saber, CEP: 75901-970 Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil

Universidade Estadual de Goiás- Campus de Ipameri Rodovia Go 330 Km 241 Anel Viário S/N Bairro: Setor Universitário CEP: 75780-000 Ipameri, Goiás, Brazil

Embrapa Solos. Rua Jardim Botânico 1024, CEP 22460-000 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

The intensive disposal of swine manure can promote accumulation of those low mobile nutrients in the soil surface, such as P, Cu and Zn, which can enhance their transference by runoff. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of swine manure as fertilizer on chemical attributes of soil in pasture areas. Soil samples were collected from countryside areas in the southwest of Goiás state, where used swine manure as fertilizer from two breeding systems: Piglet production system (SPL) and finishing vertical system (SVT). The sandy and clayey soils received swine manure up to 10 years and over 10 years. Soil samples were also collected from native forest and permanent preservation areas as control. The samples were collected at 0-20cm, 20-40cm and 40-60cm depths to determine the contents of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), using Mehlich-1 as extractor. The t-test was used to evaluate the contrasts significance. The results showed that liquid swine manure of the SPL applied in sandy soils and the manure of the SVT in clayey soils for more than 10 years changed the contents of Cu in the soil up to 60 cm depth. Application of manure of the SPL in sandy soil affected Cu contents up to 60 cm depth. The liquid swine manure, continuously applied in clayey soils for up to 10 years did not modify the contents of Zn compared to the control soil.

Pages 744-748 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p528

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Sustainability of the grey water footprint (GWF) for cultivation of onion in the Brazilian semi-arid regions

Rigoberto Moreira de Matos, Vitória Ediclécia Borges, Antônio Suassuna de Lima, Patrícia Ferreira da Silva*, José Dantas Neto, Vera Lúcia Antunes de Lima

Federal University of Campina Grande, Academic Unit of Agricultural Engineering, Campina Grande, 58.109- 970, Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

The grey water footprint (GWF) is defined as the volume of freshwater that is required to dilute pollutants to make them harmless. The objective of this study was to evaluate the grey water footprint and its sustainability for onion cultivation in the Brazilian semi-arid regions. The work was developed in the Brazilian semi-arid region in an area corresponding to 10 thousand hectares of onion cultivation under surface irrigation. A survey of the main pollutants was carried out, in addition to the environmental conditions of soil and climate, soon after using mathematical models to estimate the grey water footprint and sustainability. The agrochemicals Ronstar 250 BR, Dicarzol 500 PS and Sportak 450 CE are classified as having the highest grey water footprint for onion cultivation in the Brazilian semi-arid region; thus requiring a higher volume of freshwater for pollutants dilution to convert them to harmless. It is recommended to replace these agrochemicals with others of smaller GWF. According to the obtained results, it can be concluded that the grey water footprint is an efficient indicator in monitoring the impact of man on the environment. The semi-arid regions of Brazil classified as sustainable for the cultivation of irrigated onions.

Pages 749-756 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p569

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Variation in expression of Sub1 gene confers differential response to submergence tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A.S.M Masuduzzaman, Md. Maksudul Haque*, A.K.M Shamsuddin, M.A Salam, Md. Shahjahan Kabir, Ardashir Kharabian-Masouleh, Md. Enamul Haque, Md. Ansar Ali

Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Golden Rice, Plant Breeding Division, Bangladesh Rice research Institute (BRRI), Gazipur-1701, Bangladesh

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Administration and Common Service, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Australia

Director Research, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract

A cluster of three ethylene response factor (ERF) like genes at the Sub1 locus has been identified from rice variety FR13A that confers tolerance to submergence for about 14 days. Restriction digestion-based haplotype variations among 11 rice accessions were analyzed to generate polymorphisms at Sub1C and Sub1A loci. Considering different combinations of SNPs (haplotype), four haplotypes: A1C1, A1C2, A2C2 and A0C2 were detected. Further, using semi-quantitative RT–PCR - Sub1A and Sub1C transcripts in different haplotypes were interpreted in respect with stem elongation and survival for understanding mechanism of submergence tolerance. Expression variations in Sub1 genes in relation with duration of submergence, haplotype diversity and an interaction of loci were found. Differential expression of Sub1A and Sub1C affected the stem elongation and survival of different haplotypes differentially. In tolerant varieties (A1C1 haplotype, IR40931), the highest expressed gene was Sub1A; while expression of Sub1C was lower. Over-expression of Sub1A gene in tolerant varieties, suppressed the stem elongation under submergence, which improved the level of submergence tolerance. In susceptible cultivar (Fulkari), the highest-expressed gene was Sub1C, while the Sub1A was not expressed which showed higher susceptibility. In moderately tolerant varieties (Kottamali), both Sub1A and Sub1C gene transcripts were up-regulated by submergence and higher level of both Sub1A and Sub1C genes transcripts. The varieties in A2C2 haplotype showed moderate level of tolerance without the Sub1A1 allele and a distinct novel mechanism favored the expression of both the Sub1A and Sub1C alleles that confer higher tolerance under complete submergence.

Pages 757-767 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.06.p446

 

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