Australian Journal of Crop Science   AJCS

Stability and adaptability of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes based on AMMI analysis

Manuel Pedro Maleia*, Afonso Raimundo, Leonel Domingos Moiana, Jaime Omar Teca, Fátima Chale, Edson Jamal, Joaquim Nhacha Dentor, Badrodine António Adamugy

Mozambique Agrarian Research Institute, Av. das FPLM, 2698. C.P. 2698, Maputo, Mozambique
Mussa Bim Bique University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, R. Cidade de Moçambique, Nampula, Mozambique
Mozambique Cotton Institute, Av. Eduardo Mondlane Nr. 2221, 1º Andar, Maputo, Mozambique
Plexus Mozambique, Rua III nº 82, Pemba, Mozambique

Abstract

Evaluation of the stability and adaptability of genotypes across different environment conditions is important for release and recommendation of new varieties to ensure their high adaptability. Plant breeders evaluate germplasms in multi-environment trials to study the stability and adaptability of genotypes (G) and to recommend the genotypes to different environments (E). Multi-environment trials for 11 genotypes including 4 check varieties of cotton were carried out during 3 seasons in 3 locations in Mozambique. The objective of this study was to assess the G x E pattern and to evaluate the stability and adaptability of cotton seed yield of a new germplasm in Mozambique. The experiment was set up in Namialo (district of Meconta province of Nampula), Namara (district of Balama, province of Cabo Delgado) and Nhamatanda (district of Nhamatanda province of Sofala). The treatments consisted of 11 varieties, which were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The graphic analysis of additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) were used to understand the G x E interaction pattern and to study the stability and adaptability. The results showed significant effect of genotype, environment and G x E interaction. The first two principal components explained about 80% of the detected interaction. The pair of Environment/Genotype showed the E/G combination for high performance. The genotypes and environments showed genetic and environmental performance dissimilarity. The AMMI revealed that genotypes FK 37, BA 919 and Flash were the most adaptable, while BA 2018 and BA 320 were the most stable across the variation of environments.

Received 30 March 2016; Revised 5 July 2016; Accepted 11 August 2016.

Pages 367-372 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne60
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Variation in the susceptibility of tomato (Lycopersicon solanum L.) genotypes to tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCVD) infections at coastal savannah and forest zones of Ghana

Elvis Asare-Bediako, Doris Mensah Wonkyi, Grace Van der Puije, Godwin Amenorpe*, Michael K. Osei

Department of Crop Science, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
BNARI, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana
CSIR-Crop Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Little information is available on the resistance level of tomato genotypes to tomato yellow leaf curl virus disease (TYLCVD) and vector. Thirty-six genotypes representing the current available and accessible tomato germplasm in Ghana were evaluated in RCBD with three reps, under Coastal savannah condition at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). Five genotypes (K005, K100, K213, K116 and K042) selected for mild severity (ms); two genotypes (K027, K202) selected for severe symptom (SS) and one genotype (LC) selected for moderate severity (MoS) were re-evaluated under RCBD in three reps at UCC and forest condition at “Asuansi”. Genotypes K005, K100 and K213 were observed to maintain ms TYLCVD expression across locations but K116 and K042 had ms at UCC and MoS at Asuansi indicating respective stable and unstable host plant tolerance to TYLCVD across climatic zones. PCR test with two primer pairs for Asuansi samples revealed that PTYv787/PTYc1121 primer had amplified TYLCV DNA in all the eight genotypes. AV494/AC0148 primer had amplified TYLCV DNA in all the genotypes except in LV and K213, suggesting that TYLCVD expression in LV and K213 observed morphologically could come from different viral strains. The whitefly population was significantly affected by genotype by environment interaction indicating variation of whitefly population from location to location.

Received 4 May 2016; Revised 10 January 2017; Accepted 13 January 2017.

Pages 373-381 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne124
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Titanium (Ti) in plant nutrition-A review

Fernando Simoni Bacilieri*, Ana Carolina Pereira de Vasconcelos, Regina Maria Quintão Lana, José Geraldo Mageste, José Luiz Rodrigues Torres

Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) 38400-000, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

Abstract

Several studies have been carried out on the application of titanium in plant nutrition in recent decades. They indicate that this element has a positive effect on crop phenological events such as germination, root formation, vegetative growth, maturation, as well as resistance to biotic or abiotic stress conditions and general crop health status. Titanium has also been reported to boost the uptake of macro and micronutrients, enzymatic activity in plants, and consequently increase yield. Therefore, pioneering studies of foliar applications of titanium in potato crops are being carried out in Brazil. They demonstrate that titanium reduces urease enzyme activity, but increases peroxidase and nitrate reductase activity during potato growth. During tuberization, there is a positive correlation between superoxide dismutase & peroxidase enzyme activity and titanium application. Although the results are promising, more data is needed regarding the effects of this element on crop performance. This review describes the characteristics of this element and reports innovations regarding its use in plant nutrition.

Received 14 June 2016; Revised 4 January 2017; Accepted 13 January 2017.

Pages 382-386 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne202
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Biomass and morphological parameters of lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) under different shading levels during different seasonal conditions

Denise Schmidt, Braulio Otomar Caron, Nadia Regina Volpato Menegat, Elvis Felipe Elli*, John Robert Stolzle, Felipe Schwerz, Elder Eloy, Jaqueline Sgarbossa, Daiane Prochnow

Department of Agronomic Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, Frederico Westphalen Campus, 98400-000, Frederico Westphalen, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of São Paulo, College of Agriculture, Av. Pádua Dias 11, 13418-900, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
Department of Forest Engineering, Federal University of Santa Maria, Frederico Westphalen Campus, 98400-000, Frederico Westphalen, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Shading greenhouse may be an effective method to achieve a suitable environment for crop growth in subtropical regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of leaves and branches as well as the morphological parameters of height and leaf area of the species Aloysia triphylla, under different shading levels throughout the seasons of the year. A randomized block design in factorial scheme 3x4x6, i.e., three levels of shading (0%, 30% and 50%), four seasons (summer, autumn, winter and spring) and six collection in each season (15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 days after the beginning of each season), with four replications, was used. All evaluations were performed in 2012, since in the first evaluation (summer) the plants had 65 days after transplanting and the last evaluation (spring) the plants had 315 days after transplanting. The dry matter of leaves and branches, leaf area, and plant height were evaluated. The production of the dry matter of leaves and branches, and height and leaf area for the species Aloysia triphylla is influenced by shading levels and the seasons of the year. The variables are highly dependent on the seasonality of meteorological elements such as temperature, solar radiation, rainfall, and frost. In an environment with 0% shading, the dry matter production of leaves was 60.8 % higher in the spring, than those observed for the 30% and 50 % of shading, while this levels resulted higher production in the summer. We showed that the use of shading screens in order to attenuate the solar radiation in places or seasons where there is high light intensity is an effective method to achieve higher production of leaves, which is important source for the oil production.

Received 17 June 2016; Revised 23 Dec 2016; Accepted 20 Feb 2017.

Pages 387-394 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne208
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Efficiency of drought tolerance indices under different stress severities for bread wheat selection

Sahar Bennani*, Nasserlehaq Nsarellah, Mohammed Jlibene, Wuletaw Tadesse, Ahmed Birouk, Hassan Ouabbou

Plant breeding and Genetic Resources Conservation Department, National Institute of Agricultural Research, INRA, B.P. 415 Rabat, Morocco
Agronomy and Veterinary Hassan II Institute, Madinate Al Irfane, B.P. 6202, Rabat, Morocco
University Mohammed VI Polytechnique, UM6P, Bengherir, Morocco
Biodiversity and Integrated Gene Management Program, International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, B.P. 6299, Rabat, Morocco

Abstract

Drought is a world-wide spread problem adversely affecting bread wheat production in rainfed agro-ecosystems. Development and identification of efficient selection criteria for developing drought tolerant wheat varieties with stable and high yield potential is of paramount importance. This study was carried out to evaluate 24 indices for selecting the best high yielding and drought tolerant cultivars, among 40 bread wheat genotypes, under four levels of stress intensities: no stress, mild (0.25, 0.35) and severe (0.57). The mean productivity (MP), modified stress tolerance index (MSTIk), superiority index (Pi), mean relative performance (MRP), relative efficiency index (REI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress tolerance index (STI), harmonic mean (HARM) and relative decrease in yield (RDY) showed a high power of discrimination among genotypes, and expressed significant correlations with yields under both stress and non-stressed conditions at all stress intensities. This group of indices was capable to select the highest mean yield associated with the least mean variance at 20 % selection pressure. However, as the stress intensity became greater (>35 %), the efficiency of these indices decreased, especially at high stress intensity (57%), where only Pi and MP were still able to target the highest performances. MRP, REI, GMP, RDY and STI can be used interchangeably. Based on GGE analysis, the best performing genotypes were AUS30355, followed by Gladius, Amir-2 and AUS30354 that showed high yield and stability across all the environments. These genotypes are recommended for direct release and/or for use as parents in the breeding programs.

Received 5 Aug 2016; Revised 1 March 2017; Accepted 15 Feb 2017.

Pages 395-405 | Read More| Supplementary Data| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne272
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Expression profile of gene encoding Kelch repeat containing F-box protein (PmF-box1) in relation to the production of green leaf volatiles

Muhamad Hafiz Che Othman, Nurmahfuzah Abd Hadi, Zamri Zainal, Chew Jin Kiat, Muhammad Naeem-ul-Hassan, Che Radziah Che Mohd. Zain, Ismanizan Ismail*

School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

Abstract

Persicaria minor is one of the native aromatic plants in Malaysia and widely used in traditional foods and medicines. Previous studies have shown that treatment of P. minor with jasmonic acid upregulated genes involved in the secondary metabolites production and also gene encoding an F-box protein named PmFbox-1. It is known that F-box proteins play important roles in gene expression regulatory. However, the function of PmF-box1 protein is still unknown. In this study, the full length cDNA sequence of PmF-box1, with NCBI accession number JQ429325, consisting of 2768 bp was isolated followed by characterization of the deduced protein sequence of 487 amino acids. The putative F-box protein belongs to Kelch repeat-containing F-box protein family (KFB) and has a moderate level of homology with other F-box proteins from different organisms, showing a maximum identity score of 60 % with an F-box motif and two conserved kelch repeat motifs. Time course semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR gel image analyses showed that PmF-box1 was induced after JA treatment, indicating that PmF-box1 is a JA inducible gene. PmF-box1 also differentially expressed in different tissues after treatment with JA, indicating a spatial regulation of its activity. Interestingly, there was high correlation in the expression pattern between PmF-box1 and PmADH1 (P. minor Alcohol dehydrogenase 1) (R= 0.90 ± 0.05) after treatment with 150 µM JA, indicating that PmF-box1 possibly involves in regulating the activity of PmADH1. The content of hexanal was significantly increased in JA-treated plants and even higher in JA plus SA-treated plants. The level of six carbon alcohols was increased at 48 hours after JA treatment, consistent with the upregulation of PmADH1 in JA treated plants. These results suggest that PmF-box1 encodes a KFB-type F-box protein that may be involved in plant stress signaling by influencing the expression of PmADH1; thus, modulating the production of green leaf volatiles.

Received 13 Aug 2016; Revised 29 Nov 2016; Accepted 13 Feb 2017.

Pages 406-418 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne290
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Postharvest responses of tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) leaves to mechanical wounding

Teresa D. C. Mendes, Christiane de F. M. França, Kharen P. O. S. Petrucci, Cristina S. Souza, Joice S. Santos, Fernando L. Finger*

Federal Institute of Southeast of Minas Gerais, 36205-018 - Barbacena – MG, Brazil
Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Plant Science, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
Federal University of Uberlândia, Plant Science Institute, 38400-902, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Sertão Pernambucano, 56300-000, Petrolina, PE, Brazil

Abstract

Tannia leaves are consumed in many regions of Tropical Americas and Africa. Due to large size and fragility, leaves are subjected to physical wounding during handling. As a result, visual symptoms of yellowing develop at wounding and adjacent tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical injury on the physiological changes of tannia leaves at damaged tissue and adjacent areas. For this purpose, the lamina of leaves was perforated for several times with a needle. Then, the leaf samples were excised off as follows: a 0.6 cm diameter (circle A), containing the injured area; 1.1 cm O-ring B, around the circle A, 1.6 cm O-ring C, around the B. Control samples were taken from the opposite side of the leaves free of any wounding. Analysis of fresh weight loss and concentration of soluble phenolic compounds were performed after 30 min, 2, 4 and 6 h and the leaf chlorophyll content was determined after 30 min, 24, 48 and 72 h. The mechanical injury increased the postharvest accumulated fresh weight loss by 59.1% on circle A and by 22.6% on O-ring B after 6 h. The injured circle A accumulated 56% more soluble phenolic over the period of 6 h, which can be related to the activation of defense mechanism by the cell. The rate of chlorophyll degradation was not affected by the injury up to 72 h after wounding. Leaf wounding increases fresh weight loss and induces accumulation of soluble phenolic compounds at location of the injury.

Received 13 Aug 2016; Revised 19 Nov 2016; Accepted 17 Feb 2-17.

Pages 419-423 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne299
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Geographical distribution, diversity and gap analysis of East African sorghum collection conserved at the ICRISAT genebank

Hari D Upadhyaya*, Narsimha Reddy K, Vetriventhan M, Murali Krishna G, Irshad Ahmed M, Manyasa E, Thimma Reddy M, Shailesh Kumar Singh

Genebank, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502 324, Telangana, India
Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
The UWA Institute of Agriculture, the University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Remote sensing and GIS Unit, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru 502 324, Telangana, India
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of the investigation was to assess the geographical distribution, diversity and gaps in sorghum collection from East African countries conserved at the ICRISAT genebank. The collection represents a total of 12,750 accessions including 11,672 landraces, 877 breeding materials, six improved cultivars, and 195 wild accessions. Passport data and FloraMap, a GIS software were used to assess geographical distribution and identify gaps. Range, mean, variance and phenotypic diversity index were estimated using GENSTAT 13.1. to assess the diversity in the collection. Cultivated sorghums classified into races and intermediate races based on spikelet and panicle morphology differed significantly, and races showed more variation than intermediate races for days to 50% flowering in postrainy season, plant height in rainy season, basal tillers per plant, panicle length, seed width and 100 seed weight. A total of 153 districts located in 50 provinces of 10 East African countries were found as the geographical gaps. Probably due to large variation for maturity, timing of collecting mission, and accessibility to the area under sorghum cultivation, both North and South Sudan were found as the major gaps with seven and 50 districts, respectively. The wild sorghum collection from East African countries belongs to S. bicolor, S. halepense, S. lanceolatum, S. macrochaeta, S. purpureosericeum and S. versicolor. Remaining species of genus sorghum were considered as taxonomic gaps. The gaps identified in the present study need to be explored on a priority basis to collect and conserve most diverse sorghum germplasm.

Received 7 Sep 2016; Revised 17 Feb 2017; 21 Feb 2017.

Pages 424-437 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.pne330
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Effects of silicon on antioxidant enzymes, CO2, proline and biological activity of in vitro-grown cape gooseberry under salinity stress

Renata Alves Lara Silva Rezende*, Joyce Dória Rodrigues Soares, Heloisa Oliveira dos Santos, Moacir Pasqual, Roberto Alves Braga Junior, Renan Oliveira Reis, Filipe Almendagna Rodrigues

Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Department of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Abstract

Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) cannot tolerate high levels of salinity. Salt stress is one of the most damaging abiotic stresses that affects plant development. However, there are some evidences that silicon (Si) can act as a mitigating agent of environmental stresses. Towards understanding the stress using tissue culture, we investigated the effect of in vitro NaCl-induced salt stress in cape gooseberry and the potential mitigating effect provided by Si. Nodal segments were inoculated in MS medium with different combinations of NaCl concentrations (0.5 and 1.0% NaCl) and silicic acid (0.0, 0.5, and 1.0 g L-1). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial design with a control treatment [(2x3) + 1], totalizing 7 treatments. The control treatment consisted of an additional treatment without the addition of any of the factors. Isoenzyme activity, proline content, CO2 level and biological activity were assessed after 30 d. We found an increase in all antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT and POD) activities when salt stress was imposed, indicating that the plant has an efficient system to protect itself against stress. Among these enzymes, Si played a mitigating role only in POD activity. In relation to other evaluated enzymes, NaCl enhanced the EST and MDH activities, followed by a subsequent decrease in MDH. Si showed different performances according to the concentration of NaCl. Electrophoretic analysis represented by bands illustrated these behaviors. Proline content increased as salinity increased, and Si effect was observed by increasing the levels of this amino acid. High CO2 level was found at the concentration of 1.0% NaCl, and Si contributed to decrease this variable to normal levels. The reduction in the respiratory rates may contribute to the allocation of carbon to other chemical reactions such as the synthesis of new tissues. Salt stress also increased the biological activity of leaves and there was no effect of Si for this variable. We conclude that salt stress causes a great damage to in vitro-grown cape gooseberry plants and the addition of 1.0 g L-1 Si can ameliorate that damage for some characteristics. However, more studies are necessary since the physiological changes played by Si have been poorly understood for dicots.

Received 10 Sep 2016; Revised 15 Dec 2015; Accepted 17 Feb 2017.

Pages 438-446 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.335
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Changes in physicochemical properties of Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng.) during storage

Xuan T. Tran, Sophie E. Parks*, Minh H. Nguyen, Paul D. Roach, Tuyen C. Kha

School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah NSW 2258, Australia
Central Coast Primary Industries Centre, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Abstract

Gac fruits were evaluated during storage to observe detailed changes in aril quality (lycopene, β-carotene and oil concentration). The relationships of these qualities with fruit firmness, skin colour and the total soluble solids (TSS) of aril were also explored to identify any potential indicators of aril quality. Mature fruit were manually picked and sorted for size from two field crops in Vietnam and a greenhouse crop in Australia. They were stored in plastic containers at ambient conditions until the fruit was considered unsalable (7 days at 30oC in Vietnam and 21 days at 21oC in Australia). Storage for a week generally improved aril quality in terms of increasing the concentrations of lycopene (up to 4.3 mg g-1 dry weight), β-carotene (up to 1.5 mg g-1 dry weight) and oil (up to 0.4 g g-1 dry weight) and these were strongly correlated with firmness (lycopene -0.923, β-carotene -0.754, oil -0.764, p<0.01) and TSS (lycopene -0.747, β-carotene -0.664, oil -0.672, p<0.01). However, quality declined with further storage. Skin colour did not relate well to aril quality but fruit firmness and aril TSS are candidates in the development of simple indices for the quality management of commercial Gac fruit.

Received 27 Sep 2016; Revised 22 Dec 2016; Accepted 17 Feb 2017.

Pages 447-452 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.353
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Attractiveness and non-preference of soybean cultivars to Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) feeding

André Cirilo de Sousa Almeida*, Franciele Cristina da Silva, Jean Aparecido Ferreira Davi Almeida, Flávio Gonçalves de Jesus

Instituto Federal Goiano-Câmpus Urutaí, Rodovia Prof. Geraldo Silva Nascimento, 75790-000, Urutaí, GO, Brazil

Abstract

The tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens) is a polyphagous species that damages soybean crops. In the search for sustainable pest control methods, the objective of this study was to evaluate H. virescens non-preference (antixenosis) of soybean cultivars by examining larval attraction and feeding responses to the nine cultivars. At 45 days after planting, the attraction and feeding tests were performed with third-instar larvae, and the number of larvae attracted to leaf disks, their leaf consumption, and an attractiveness index were determined in free-choice and no-choice tests. For the free-choice attractiveness test, arranged in a randomized block design with 10 replications were performed. For the no-choice attractiveness test, a completely randomized design with 20 replications was adopted. The cultivar NK 7059 RR was the most attractive and consumed, showing susceptibility to H. virescens. The cultivars IAC 100 and M 7110 IPRO (Bt) showed non-preference-type resistance These latter cultivars can be used by soybean producers or plant breeders as donors of resistance genes in plant improvement programs for resistance to H. virescens.

Received 30 Sep 2016; Revised 11 March 2017; Accepted 15 March 2017.

Pages 453-458 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.355
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Software for the detection of outliers and influential points based on the HAT method

José Reinaldo da Silva Cabral de Moraes*, Glauco de Souza Rolim, Lucas Eduardo de Oliveira Aparecido

UNESP – São Paulo State University, Department of Exact Sciences, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil

Abstract

We developed software in Visual Basic for application in Microsoft Excel that identifies outliers (OUTs) and influential datapoints (IPs) of scattered data using the HAT method (Hoaglin and Welsch, 1978). OUTs are commonly identified visually, which is susceptible to errors. The identification of IPs is not trivial, and using statistical tests is necessary. HAT is the most common statistical method to select OUTs and IPs in regression analyses and identifies four groups of data: 1) data within the standard range of variability, 2) OUTs, 3) IPs, and 4) both OUTs and IPs (OUT+IPs). The decision to remove or not remove data from the database depends on the researcher, and the HAT method helps to make these decisions. The removal of an OUT usually improves the accuracy of models. The removal of IPs, however, may or may not improve the accuracy. A small hypothetical data set of rainfall from automatic and conventional rain gauges was used to extensively test the software. The amount of data that can be used in the software is limited by the number of lines of the Excel spreadsheet (65 518). The first step in identifying OUTs and IPs is to analyse all the data, which produced an R2 for the raw data in our example of 0.11, indicating weak relationships between the variables. The HAT test identified two OUTs, three IPs, and one OUT+IP in the data. If all OUTs were removed, R2 would increase to 0.19. If the OUT+IP was removed, R2 would increase to 0.86. If all IPs were also removed, R2 would decrease to 0.45. The software is free and can be requested by email from reinaldojmoraes@gmail.com.

Received 3 Oct 2016; Revised 19 Jan 2017; Accepted 1 March 2017.

Pages 459-463 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.356
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Assessment the soil fertility classes for common bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) production using fuzzy-analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method

Ehsan Bijanzadeh*, Marzieh Mokarram

Department of Agroechology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Darab, Shiraz University, Iran
Department of Range and Watershed Management, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Darab, Shiraz University, Iran

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the capability of a combined fuzzy-analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method for soil fertility evaluation of common bean in Shiraz, Iran. A set of membership functions was constructed to represent the soil fertility classes, which were derived from 50 field samples collected through a purposive sampling approach. Seven soil parameters including phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) copper (Cu) and organic content (OC), of the soil were chosen for soil fertility analysis using inverse distance weighting (IDW) method and then fuzzy and AHP method were employed. The IDW showed that the south of the study area had the more P amount compared to the other area (Fig. a). In contrast, the Fe value was between 1.40 to 14.98 (mg/kg) where only some parts of northwest and southwest had the medium Fe value (about 8 mg/kg). The OC value of the study area was between 0.18 to 1.64% which all of the study area with OC more than 1% was suitable for bean production except the some parts of north and south. Fuzzy map showed that except the parts of northwest, all of the area was suitable for K that had the value close to 1. AHP model showed that the most important factor in soil fertility were P and OC of the soil with weights of 0.39 and 0.37, respectively. Fuzzy-AHP model showed that 52.38% of the study area had medium fertility for bean production and this method was a useful tool for prediction of soil fertility status in each case study.

Received 4 Oct 2016; Revised 13 Oct 2016; Accepted 15 Feb 2017.

Pages 464-473 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.357
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In vitro plant regeneration from hypocotyl of Arben (Rubus fraxiniflius Poir.)

Lily Ismaini*, Muhammad Imam Surya, Destri

Cibodas Botanical Garden-Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Abstract

Rubus fraxinifolius, a group of wild raspberry, was improved as a fresh fruit in Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol for micropropagation of R. fraxinifolius. Cultures were subcultured from hypocotyls (1 cm) which is initiated from seeds. The experiments were focused on the effect of plant growth regulators concentrations and combinations. The highest germination by in vitro was obtained using MS medium supplemented with 10 mg/L of GA3. Furthermore, based on five parameters, i.e. callus height, callus diameter, number of leaves, plantlet height and number of roots, medium 2 (0.5 mg/L GA3, 2.5 mg/L 2-iP and 0.1 mg/L NAA) shown the best results during the development explants of R. fraxinifolius. Effectivity of R. fraxinifolius regeneration through in vitro was affected by 2-iP and NAA concentration. If both of plant growth regulators were high (medium 8) or low (medium 1), it made less growth.

Received 4 Oct 2016; Revised 19 Jan 2017; Accepted 7 March 2017.

Pages 474-478 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.359
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Initial growth of Jatropha curcas plants subjected to drought stress and silicon (Si) fertilization

Rosane Angélica Reis dos Anjos, Lilian Cristina da Silva Santos, Diego Braga de Oliveira, Camila Lariane Amaro, Jovan Martins Rios, Gabriela Teodoro Rocha, Bruno Silva Melo, Fábio Santos Matos*

Post-Graduate Program in Plant Production of the State University of Goiás (UEG), Brazil
Graduate Program in Plant Production of UEG, Câmpus Ipameri, highway GO 330, Km 241, ring road, university sector, 75780-000-Ipameri, GO, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of silicon fertilization on the growth of Jatropha curcas L. seedlings subjected to drought stress. The study was conducted in a greenhouse at the State University of Goiás on the Ipameri Campus, Goiás state, using eight-liter pots containing a substrate of red-yellow latosol, sand and manure at a ratio of 3:1:0.5, respectively. A completely randomized 5x2 factorial design was applied (plants irrigated every day with a water volume corresponding to 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % evapotranspiration and foliar feeding of Si at concentrations of 0 and 1 g L-1, applied on April 29 and May 6, 2016, in a volume of 30 ml/plant/application), with four repetitions and a single genotype per pot. Drought stress treatment was imposed on April 29, 2016, when the plants were 60 days old, and lasted 13 days. Water availability directly affected plant growth. Regardless of Si dose, biomass accumulation, number of leaves, stem diameter and leaf area exhibited a linear decline proportional to the decrease in water supply. The reduction in the leaf mass ratio, number of leaves and leaf area occurs because water is needed to initiate and expand leaf primordia. The high stomatal sensitivity of Jatropha curcas combined with the reduced biomass partitioned among the leaves contributed to decreasing transpiration and maintaining water status. The Si doses did not alleviate the water shortage in Jatropha curcas plants. Jatropha curcas plants are drought tolerant and capable of delaying the dehydration of tissue and partitioning assimilates for root growth.

Received 18 Oct 2016; Revised 8 Jan 2017; Accepted 6 March 2017.

Pages 479-484 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.377
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Seed cryopreservation, in vitro propagation and ex vitro growth of Cattleya walkeriana Gardner, a vulnerable ornamental orchid

Renato Fernandes Galdiano Junior*, Wagner Aparecido Vendrame, Cristiane Moretto, Ricardo Tadeu de Faria, Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo Lemos

Department of Technology, Univ Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal, SP, 14884-900, Brazil
University of Florida, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th St, Homestead, FL, 33031-3314, USA
Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Caixa Postal 6001, Londrina, PR, 86051-990,
Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate cryopreservation by vitrification of seeds from the orchid species Cattleya walkeriana and to achieve ex vitro acclimatization of in vitro derived cryopreserved seedlings. Seeds were removed from eight-month-old and ten-month-old capsules, and immersed in LN under different PVS2 exposure times. In in vitro experiment, ten different treatments and five replications with approximately 600 seeds each one were distributed in a completely random design and germination was calculated by the number of germinated seeds developing into protocorms and subsequently into seedlings. Seeds that were immersed directly into LN (0 min PVS2) and germinated in ½ MS culture medium after plunged directly into LN, returned germination rates of 3.0 (eight-month-old) and 36.8% (ten-month-old). Ten-month-old seeds in vitrification for 1h in PVS2 returned 53% germination in ½ MS culture medium. However, when the same mature seeds were exposed for 1h to PVS2 with the addition of 1% phloroglucinol, germination was 4.36% higher compared to the treatment without this additive. Seedlings from cryopreserved seeds showed normal development after 210 days of in vitro culture. Seedlings from ten-month-old seeds cryopreserved for 1h in PVS2 were acclimatized in greenhouse conditions in either sphagnum moss or sphagnum moss with pine bark (1:1, v/v) revealed the best ex vitro growth. Seed cryopreservation of this orchid species has shown to be efficient, demonstrating the effect of seed maturation time and ex vitro seedling acclimatization was established, with successful development of seedlings.

Received 24 Oct 2016; Revised 24 Jan 2017; Accepted 7 March 2017.

Pages 485-490 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.384
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Critical phosphorus levels and availability for castor oil plant grown in different soil classes of Brazil

José Félix de Brito Neto, Leonardo Theodoro Büll, André Luiz Pereira da Silva*, Leandro Silva do Vale, João Paulo Gonsiorkiewicz Rigon

Department of Soil Fertility, Universidade Estadual da Paraíba – UEPB, Lagoa Seca, Paraíba, Brazil
Department of Soil, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
Department of Exact Sciences, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
Department of Production Plant, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão – UEMA, Balsas, Maranhão, Brazil
Department of Agriculture, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The current study aims to determine critical P levels in different soil classes and their availability for castor bean initial growth. Extraction was done using Mehlich-1 and ion-exchange resin. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a randomized blocks design with the application of five P doses, which were previously set for each of the four experimental soils (TCo: Chromic Orthic Luvisol; CXbe: Eutrophic Haplic Cambisol; CXve: Typical Eutrophic Cambisol; RY: Fluvic), with four repetitions for 40 days. In the end of the experiment, plants were harvested and shoot dry mass was weighted. At the time plants were collected, samples were gathered to determine soil P availability through Mehlich-1 and ion-exchange resin. Mehlich-1 was more efficient in phosphorus recovery in the following soils: TCo, CXbe and CXve, regardless of applied dose. Critical P levels ranged from 21.33 to 416.64 mg dm-3 due to the clay content in Mehlich-1, and from 30.70 to 177.55 mg dm-3 in resin. MPAC presented positive coefficients regarding soil clay content. The highest castor bean shoot dry mass production was found in CXve and TCo soils. It ranged from 34.65 to 33.55 g vessel-1 in the treatment containing the lowest P dose applications (87.94 mg dm-3 and 104.33 mg dm-3, respectively).

Received 16 March 2016; Revised 13 Jan 2017; Accepted 7 March 2017.

Pages 491-495 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.17.11.04.7812 



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