australian journal of crop science   AJCS


Characterization of dissimilarity among varieties in Brazilian maize germplasm

Diego Baretta, Maicon Nardino*, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho, Rodrigo Danielowski, Henrique de Souza Luche, Victoria Freitas de Oliveira, Velci Queiróz de Souza, Antonio Costa de Oliveira, Luciano Carlos da Maia

Centro de Genômica e Fitomelhoramento, UFPel, Campus Universitário, s/n, 96010-165 Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil
Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético e Produção de Plantas, UFSM/FW, Linha 7 de Setembro, s/n, BR 386 Km 4098400-000, Frederico Westphalen, RS, Brasil
PH. D e Dr. do Departamento de Fitotecnia, área de Fitomelhoramento da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Brazil


Abstract

There is an increasing and important demand for broader qualitative and quantitative traits of agronomic characters in Brazilian maize germplasm. Nine landraces plus four commercial maize varieties and fifteen characters of agronomic importance were studied with the goal of characterizing the yield potential and genetic variability, using multivariate techniques. In fact, we aimed to identify promising sources of variability for genetic improvement. A random block design with six replications was adopted, compising of maize genotypes as treatment. Canonical discriminant analysis and Tocher's optimization clustering method, using the overall distance of Mahalanobis (D2) as a measure of dissimilarity, were employed. Genetic dissimilarity was detected among the nine landraces and four commercial maize varieties. The characters with higher importance were: leaf angle, ear insertion height, height, grain yield, number of rows in the ear and mass of 100 grains. The hybrid AS1551, BRSPlanalto, AS3466, CD308 and the landraces populations Amarelão, Branco Roxo Índio, Caiano Rajado and Criolão presented high grain yield, indicating the importance of such varieties for maize breeding programs and/or indication of these for small farmers.


Pages 1601-1607Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE58

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Variation in nitrogen uptake efficiency in upland rice landraces as influenced by P fertilization

Adibah Mohd Amin*, Zaharah Abdul Rahman, Mohamed Hanafi Musa, Siti Nor Akmar Abdullah

Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia


Abstract

Upland rice are usually planted on infertile soils that have been eroded and degraded. The high fertilizer inputs to poor nitrogen (N) content soils can increase plant production but are neither economically viable nor sustainable. Hence, this study was focused on P fertilizers effects on N use efficiency (NUE) of five upland rice landraces which was conducted at Carey Island, Selangor. The study was evaluated using two phosphorus levels (0 and 100 kg P/ha). A factorial experiment was conducted with four replications in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Ammonium sulphate fertilizer [(15NH4)2SO4] with 1% N-15 atom excess was applied as N-labelled fertilizer at the rate of 150 kg N/ha. The source of K in the form of muriate of potash was applied also at the same rate. Destructive sampling was carried out at week 4, 8 and 16 after transplanting and the NUE of the landraces were evaluated using isotope dilution technique. The P fertilization had no significant effect on NUE as well as on dry matter yield. These results suggested that P is not one of the limiting factors in plant growth and production as well as nitrogen use efficiency of these selected upland rice landraces. The dry matter yield and NUE were not significantly different among landraces at week 4 as the plants undergo their vegetative growth. These upland rice landraces showed significant differences in dry matter yield and nitrogen use efficiency at maturity stage (16 weeks). Landrace I showed significantly lower NUE compared to other landraces at week 16, while landrace III is the most efficient in utilizing nitrogen for production of dry matter.


Pages 1608-1613Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE87
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Germination and initial growth of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.) under saline conditions

Laerte G. Pivetta, Laércio A. Pivetta, Gustavo Castoldi*, Mariângela B. Freiberger, Maurício D. Zanotto, Roberto L. Villas Bôas

Instituto Federal do Mato Grosso (IFMT). Sorriso, MT, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR). Palotina, PR, Brazil
Instituto Federal Goiano / Rede Arco Norte. Rio Verde. GO, Brazil
São Paulo State University (UNESP), College of Agricultural Sciences. Botucatu, SP, Brazil


Abstract

Crambe is a promising crop for Brazil owing to its tolerance to drought and its short growing season (particularly if cultivated between seasons). However, the salinity tolerance of the unique Brazilian cultivar is not yet known. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of different salinity levels on germination and initial growth of crambe cultivar FMS Brilhante. Therefore, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block design, during 19 days under greenhouse conditions. The treatments consisted of six levels of electrical conductivity of the soil saturation extract (EC): 2.50, 3.15, 3.35, 4.25, 5.75 and 9.55 dS m–1, obtained by adding sodium chloride (NaCl) to soil. It was evaluated germination, germination speed index (GSI), length of roots and dry mass of shoot and roots. Overall, germination and GSI increased under low levels of salinity – up to 3.77 dS m–1, caused by a possible break effect in seed dormancy. The initial growth was more sensitive to salinity than seed germination and the shoot dry matter decreased linearly with increasing salinity levels, indicating that FMS Brilhante cultivar is moderately sensitive to salinity.


Pages 1614-1617 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE117
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Short-term green manure effects on crambe yield and oil content

Doglas Bassegio*, Reginaldo Ferreira Santos, Marcos Vinícius Mansano Sarto, Chaiane Bassegio, Patricia Pereira Dias, Jéssyca Dellinhares Lopes Martins, Michely da Silva Alves

Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, Departamento de Produção e Melhoramento Vegetal, UNESP, CEP 18603-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, UNIOESTE, Rua Universitária, 2069, CEP 5814-110, Cascavel, PR, Brazil
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, PUC, Campus Toledo, CEP 859000‑001, Toledo, PR, Brazil


Abstract

Crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E. Fries) is an oilseed crop that can be cultivated in tropical conditions and used for the production of industrial oil. While crambe is believed to be a suitable crop for no-tillage systems, identification of appropriate crop species to precede it is necessary to improve its grain yield and oil content. In this study, we aimed to assess the short-term effects of crop rotation on the grain yield and oil content of a crambe crop cultivated after spring-summer cover crops. The experiment was conducted on an Rhodic Hapludox soil in Santa Helena-PR, Brazil. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with four replications. The plots consisted of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), grass brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) and a fallow area (spontaneous vegetation). Grain yield, oil content, and oil yield were measured. Crambe oil content was influenced by the cover crops. The use of crotalaria as predecessor species resulted in higher oil content, but the result did not differ from that observed in the fallow area. However, grain yield and oil content were benefited by the crotalaria cover crop in the short-term. Crambe looks promising as an alternative oilseed crop for South Brazil when seeded in autumn with crotalaria cover crop in Rhodic Hapludox.


Pages 1618-1622 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE136

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Effects of cover crops on the physical protection of organic matter and soil aggregation

Alberto do Nascimento Silva, Cícero Célio de Figueiredo*, Arminda Moreira de Carvalho, Daiane dos Santos Soares, Divina Cléia Resende dos Santos, Vivian Galdino da Silva

Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil


Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cover crops grown under no-tillage on the aggregation and physical protection of organic matter in soil macro and microaggregates. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design with three replications. The following cover crops were investigated in corn rotation systems: T1 = Braquiária ruziziensis (Urochloa ruziziensis), T2 = Canavalia brasiliensis Mart. ex Benth., T3 = Pigeon pea ‘BRS Mandarin’ [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], T4 = millet ‘BR05’ [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.], T5 = turnip-forage (Raphanus sativus L.), T6 = velvet bean (Mucuna aterrima Merr.) and T7 = native Cerrado vegetation as a reference environment. Soil was sampled at a depth of 0-10 cm in September 2015 for the determination of organic matter fractions in macro and microaggregates. There was a reduction in aggregate size and its stability when native Cerrado areas were converted into agricultural systems. Nevertheless, some cover crops such as velvet bean, millet and turnip-forage favored restructuring the soil, forming stable aggregates similar to the native Cerrado. Among the cover crops, millet was highlighted as presenting elevated capacity to accumulate labile organic carbon in macroaggregates (2.32 g C kg-1) and microaggregates (2.34 g C kg-1). These values are, on average, 60% higher than those presented by turnip-forage. In general, the conversion of land use under Cerrado vegetation to agroecosystems reduced the total organic carbon content, mainly due to macroaggregate breakup, resulting in a lower physical protection of soil organic matter.


Pages 1623-1629 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE164
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Seed desiccation and salinity tolerance of palm species Carpentaria acuminata, Dypsis decaryi, Phoenix canariensis, and Ptychosperma elegans

Gisele Sales Batista, Renata Bachin Mazzini-Guedes*, Kathia Fernandes Lopes Pivetta, Hugh W. Pritchard, Tim Marks

Department of Crop Production, College of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, State University of São Paulo (FCAV/UNESP), Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, CEP 14884-900, Jaboticabal/SP, Brazil
Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Rua Doutor João Maximiano, 426, Vila Operária, CEP 86900-000, Jandaia do Sul/PR, Brazil
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN, United Kingdom


Abstract

Desiccation-sensitive seeds lose water quickly, what is an important feature to determine their ability to tolerate periods of seasonal drought. Furthermore, excess of soluble salts on seed germination causes a reduction in the substrate water potential. The objective of this study was to assess the desiccation and salinity tolerance of seeds of four ornamental palm species. Different moisture contents were studied for seeds of Carpentaria acuminata, Dypsis decaryi, Phoenix canariensis, and Ptychosperma elegans, while five concentrations of NaCl were tested separately for C. acuminata and P. elegans. Seeds of C. acuminata and P. canariensis tolerated drying at 5% and 8% seed moisture, respectively. On the other hand, seeds of D. decaryi and P. elegans were sensitive to dehydration even at high moisture contents, 20% and 27% of seed moisture, respectively. Increase on salt concentration did not affect germination or germination rate of C. acuminata and P. elegans seeds.


Pages 1630-1634Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE204

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Carbohydrate levels in ‘douradão’ peach tree grown under subtropical conditions

Bruno Henrique Leite Gonçalves, Sarita Leonel, Jackson Mirellys Azevêdo Souza, Marco Antonio Tecchio, Lucas Lencione Arruda, Marcelo de Souza Silva

Department of Horticulture, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil

Abstract

Most studies ignored the translocation of carbohydrates in peach tree at different stages of growth, particularly under subtropical conditions that might affect the phenological cycle. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the carbohydrate levels in ‘Douradão’ peach when cultivated under subtropical condition. In field, peach trees were two years old, spacing of 6.0 x 4.0 m. The experiment design was randomized blocks, consisting of 3 plants per plot and 4 repetitions. Each of the following: roots, branches, leaves and fruits were separately done by ANOVA, since they were all collected at different periods. Leaves and branches samples were collected at different time periods, such as January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October and December. Root samples were collected in January, April, August, November and December. In November, fruits were collected whether 4 fruits per plant met the minimum Brix value of 10º. During the annual cycle, there were significant variations of carbohydrate levels in leaves, branches and roots. Thus, starch is the most common form of carbohydrate in trees, wherefore the highest levels was obtained in June, when leaves fall naturally.


Pages 1635-1639 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE225

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Review Article

Growth, distribution and physiochemical properties of wax apple (Syzygium samarangense): A Review

Mohammad Moneruzzaman Khandaker*, Amru Nasrulhaq Boyce

School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Tembila Campus, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia
Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


Abstract

There is increasing concern about the fruit growth, development and quality of wax apple (Syzygium samarangense), a widely cultivated fruit tree in South East Asia. The growth and development of this fruit is sometimes very low due to low photosynthates supply at early growth stages. Growth regulators, hydrogen peroxide and phloemic stress are important tools to improve the growth, development and quality of horticultural products. The extracts of wax fruits, flower and bark have potent free radical scavenging, antioxidation, antimutation and anticancer activities. The leaves of wax apple used as tea and is proposed as a possible supplement for type II diabetes patients. Wax apple studied for its numerous pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, anti-inflammation and antinociceptive activity, wound healing activity, antiulcerogenic effect, antibacterial, anticancer and also it’s potential as an uterotonic agent. From this review, it can be concluded that GA3, NAA, 2,4-D, H2O2 and girdling have significant effect on fruit growth, development and yield improvement. Fruit pigmentations and anthocyanin content also significantly by using these growth promoting chemicals and girdling technique. This review paper provide detail information about wax apple fruit growth and development, origin, ecology, fruit morphology and variety, commercial usage, quality improvement and its medicinal benefits.


Pages 1640-1648 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.PNE306
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Review Article

Occurrence and control of root knot nematode in crops: A review

Nurul Hafiza Al Abadiyah Ralmi, Mohammad Moneruzzaman Khandaker*, Nashriyah Mat

School of Agriculture Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioresources and Food Industry, University of Sultan Zainal Abidin, Besut Campus, 22000 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Root-knot nematode (RKN) which comes from Meloidogyne species is an obligate, parasitic nematode which can be found in varieties of plants, considered as a host to that particular nematode. Their potential host range encompasses more than 3000 plant species. The presence of RKN in the crops becomes one of the major problems nowadays because they cause great agriculture loss. Among the many genera of nematodes having some economic impact, Meloidogyne spp. are responsible for a large part of the annual 100 billion dollar losses attributed to nematode damage. This review discussed on mechanism of infection of RKN, the presence of RKN in different kind of crops, and the importance of an intergrated approach used in Meloidogyne spp. management strategies.


Pages 1649-1654 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.p7444

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Path analysis for morphological characters and grain yield of maize hybrids

Diego Baretta, Maicon Nardino*, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho, Rafael Nornberg, Velci Queiróz de Souza, Valmor Antonio Konflanz, Antonio Costa de Oliveira, Luciano Carlos da Maia

Centro de Genômica e Fitomelhoramento, UFPel, Campus Universitário, s/n, 96010-165 Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil
Laboratório de Melhoramento Genético e Produção de Plantas, UFSM/FW, Linha 7 de Setembro, s/n, BR 386 Km 4098400-000, Frederico Westphalen, RS, Brasil
Empresa KSP Sementes Ltda. Pato Branco, PR, 85504-050, Brasil
Professor (s) PH. D e Dr. do Departamento de Fitotecnia, área de Fitomelhoramento da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Brasil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the correlation coefficients of phenotypic, genotypic and environment, and their consequences direct and indirectly on the yield of maize grains considering a set of environments. The experiments were conducted in randomized complete blocks with three replications in five locations in the season of 2011/2012. A thirteen morphological characters and grain yield were evaluated. Grain yield had positive but low correlation with the characters such as height of ear (rP=0.24; rG=0.26), plant height (rP=0.27; rG=0.29) and ear diameter (rP=0.59; rG=0.68). The prolificacy (rP=0.35; rG=0.43), mass on the ear (rP=0.49; rG=0.55), the grain depth (rP=0.39; rG=0.43), total mass of grains per ear (rP=0.47; rG=0.53) and mass of hundred grains (rP=0.47; rG=0.50) showed positive but medium correlation with yield. However, the ear diameter had the positive and strong correlation with grain yield. Path analysis revealed that the simultaneous selection for ear diameter and prolificacy can be a confident alternative to increase the gains in maize, considering the available variation of grain yield in maize.


Pages 1655-1661 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.p7707

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Harvesting time influences fruit removal force, moisture, oil content, free fatty acids and peroxide in the oil of Frantoio and Manzanilla olive cultivars

Bassam Alowaiesh*, Zora Singh, Stanley George Kailis

Curtin Horticulture Research Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, School of Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, GPO Box U 1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia
Olive Research Unit,Camel and Range Research Center Sakaka, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia
School of Plant Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia


Abstract

Harvesting time at different ripening stages of olive fruit may influence quality attributes of olive oil. Therefore, the effects of five different harvesting times (mid- and late-April, mid- and late-May and mid-June) on fruit removal force, moisture, oil content, free fatty acids and peroxide in the oil of Frantoio and Manzanilla olive cultivars grown in south-western Australia was investigated during 2013 and 2014. The fruit of cv. Manzanilla showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher fruit removal force, moisture content (%) and oil content in dry weight (%) than cv. Frantoio. Furthermore, lowest moisture and oil content were observed in the driest harvest year, in 2014. The free fatty acid content showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase and peroxide value decreased with the delay in harvesting from first to fifth periods in both the years, regardless of the cultivars. Overall, harvesting of olive fruit during the early part of winter delivered olive oil content with better quality and climatic conditions such as water stress have negatively influenced the quality attributes of olive oil.


Pages 1662-1668Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.p7737
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Effects of sources and split application of nitrogen fertilizer on wheat genotypes performance

Mauricio Ferrari, Vinícius Jardel Szareski, Maicon Nardino*, Alan Junior de Pelegrin, Ivan Ricardo Carvalho, Velci Queiróz de Souza

Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Faculdade de Agronomia Eliseu Maciel, Avenida Eliseu Maciel, CEP: 96160-000, Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus de Frederico Westphalen, Linha 7 de Setembro, s/n, BR 386 Km 40, CEP: 98400-000, Frederico Westphalen, RS, Brazil


Abstract

Wheat stands out as one of the main agricultural cereals in the world, used in human and animal feed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using different sources and split application of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield performance of wheat genotypes in two farming seasons to develop alternatives for wheat farmers. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Plant Breeding and Production Laboratory, in the farming seasons of 2012 and 2013. A split-plot experimental design was used with six topdressing nitrogen fertilization strategies, three nitrogen sources and five wheat genotypes as treatments. A number of variables such as grain yield, protein percentage in the grains, 1000-grain weight and test weight were assessed. The results showed that split application of nitrogen fertilization in tillering, booting and flowering stages increases the protein percentage (2.34%) and does not reduce grain yield due to full implementation of fertilizing at tillering stage. Nitrogen fertilizer in tillering, booting and flowering sources with ammonium nitrate and urea enhanced the grain yield (7.75%), protein percentage (11.54%) using source liquid.



Pages 1669-1674 | Read More| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.2016.10.12.p7741


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