http://www.cropj.com/early_view.html/ http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Priscilla Lacerda, Paulo Márcio Fernandes Viana*, Gisele Carneiro da Silva, Itamar Rosa Teixeira<br><br>State University of Goiás, Unity of Anápolis, 75132-400, Anápolis-GO, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>The influence of nonwoven geotextiles on the formation of wet bulbs and on the vegetative development of cv. Vanda lettuce was evaluated. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using a complete randomized block design with five repetitions. Treatments consisted of a control and three geotextiles grammages: N26.1, N30.1 and N40.1. To evaluate soil wet bulbs, 16 tensiometers were used. They were spaced 5 cm apart at depths 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm. Soil moisture readings were taken before and 2, 12, 24 and 48 hours after irrigation. Each lettuce vegetative development treatment was assessed by evaluations conducted every five days regarding largest leaf length and width, largest width among leaves and number of leaves. At the end of the cycle, fresh and dry shoot and root biomass were weighted to calculate the crop yield. In the formation of soil wet bulbs, the treatment that presented the best water distribution at the assessed depths was the treatment with geotextile N40.1. The highest values of vegetative parameters of lettuce were observed for the treatment with geotextile N40.1, with the largest leaf length. The highest number of leaves per plant was observed 20 days after transplanting (DAT).<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Flávio Hiroshi Kaneko1, *, Michelle Traete Sabundjian2, João Paulo Ferreira2, Douglas de Castilho Gitti3, Vagner Nascimento2, Aguinaldo José Freitas Leal4, Salatiér Buzetti2, André Rodrigues dos Reis2, 5, Orivaldo Arf2<br><br>1Federal Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul (IFMS), Rodovia MS 473, km 23, 79750-000, Nova Andradina-MS, Brazil <br>2São Paulo State University (UNESP), Avenida Brasil, 56, centro, 15385-000, Ilha Solteira-SP, Brazil<br>3Agricultural Research Supporting Foundation of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS Foundation), PO Box 137, 79150-000, Maracaju-MS, Brazil <br>4Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), PO Box 112, 79560-000, Chapadão do Sul-MS, Brazil <br>5São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rua Domingos da Costa Lopes, 780, 17602-496, Tupã-SP, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Nitrogen (N) fertilization on maize crops has been going through modifications due to the use of technologies such as biological N fixation and modified fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of seed inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense (with and without inoculation), N sources (urea and polymer coated urea) and side-dressed N levels (0; 45; 90; 135 and 180 kg ha-1), on double cropped maize in two regions of Brazilian savanna (Chapadão do Sul and Selvíria, State of Mato Grosso do Sul). The experiment design was arranged in randomized plots at a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial scheme with 4 replications. The following characteristics were evaluated: plant population (plants ha-1), plant dry matter, leaf N concentration, stem diameter, weight of 100 grains and grain yield. Seed inoculation with A. brasilense did not increase double cropped maize yield in both environments. The application of coated urea provided higher dry biomass, however, the polymer coated urea application showed no effect on grain yield in comparison to conventional urea. Increasing side-dressed N levels is the main key factor responsible to improve the double cropped maize yield in tropical Brazilian savanna.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Fabio Gresta1, Carmelo Santonoceto1, Giuseppe Ceravolo1, Cristina Formantici2, Oscar Grillo3*, Concetta Ravalli3, Gianfranco Venora3<br><br>1Dipartimento di Agraria, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Loc. Feo di Vito, 89122 – Reggio Calabria, Italy<br>2Laboratory of Biotechnology Lamberti spa, Via Piave 18, 21041 Albizzate (VA), Italy<br>3Stazione Sperimentale di Granicoltura per la Sicilia, Via Sirio 1, 95041 Borgo Santo Pietro, Fraz. Caltagirone, Italy<br><br>Abstract<br>Due to the high content of galactomannans extractable from the endosperm, guar or cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub), is always more frequently cultivated as a grain crop. Guar galactomannans are a source of hydrocolloid able to form a thick solution even in cold water in low concentrations. For this reason, in the last few years the demand for guar gum has greatly increased both for the food and the oil industry. Guar seed accessions identification is quite difficult, since American and Indian varieties and unlabelled genotypes show similar phenotypic seed traits, but very different agronomic value. Eight guar accessions with different origins have been cultivated in a Mediterranean environment and grain yield and galactomannans enzymatic determination have been carried out. The data of 137 morpho-colorimetric quantitative variables were measured, on each seed, by image analysis techniques and analysed applying a stepwise Linear Discriminant Analysis. This procedure allowed us to implement an identification grading system able to discriminate among varieties, with an overall performance of 92.2%. With this work it has been proved that an objective, repeatable and non-destructive method, based on seed phenotypic characterization can be effectively applied also to identify and discriminate C. tetragonoloba accessions. Moreover, for the first time, many strong and positive correlations were found between the galactomannans content and the size descriptive variables measured on seeds, allowing an easy procedure for the determination and comparison of seed galactomannans content. This procedure could become a useful tool for researchers and stakeholders.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Alexandre Bosco de Oliveira1*, Enéas Gomes-Filho2<br><br>1Federal University of Ceará, Department of Crop Science, Center of Agricultural Sciences, Av. Mister Hull, 2977, zip code 60356-001, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil<br>2Federal University of Ceará, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Science and Technology in Salinity (INCTSal), post office box 6039, zip code 60455-970, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Seed priming, also called osmoconditioning, is one of the most promising treatments for reducing the time needed between sowing and seedling emergence. In addition, this treatment has also been associated with increases in seed tolerance to adverse conditions during seed germination and seedling establishment. Thus, this review examines the major changes seen in abiotically stressed plants as a result of seed priming treatments, in particular physiological and biochemical changes promoted by seed priming. Many studies cited in this review have reported improvements in seed physiological quality and seedling vigour when using seed priming under abiotic stress conditions. These features have been related to the repair and build-up of nucleic acids, increases in the synthesis of proteins, osmotic adjustment mechanisms, the repair of membranes and reduced lipid peroxidation, resulting from enhanced antioxidative activities. However, further studies are necessary to explain how physiological and biochemical changes caused by seed priming improve the plant’s adaptations to stressful environmental conditions.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Tiago Rodrigo Francetto¹*, Airton dos Santos Alonço¹, Dauto Pivetta Carpes¹, Otávio Dias da Costa Machado², Rafael Sobroza Becker¹, Catize Brandelero²<br><br>¹Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Post graduation Program in Agricultural Engineering, City of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil<br>²Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS), City of Bento Gonçalves, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>The objective of this study was to identify the specific demands to the traction considering the work depth and the soil area mobilized by different associations between crop residue coulter discs and fertilizer furrow openers of crop planters, for the no-tillage system, subject to the ground speed. This experiment was conducted in a farm in the city of Santa Maria (Brazil – Rio Grande do Sul), in a soil classified as Red Ultisol with sandy loam texture. The experiment consisted of 24 combinations of treatments, in a factorial design of 2x3x4. The treatments were obtained by the interaction of furrowers (hoe furrow opener and double-disc opener) with three arrangements in relation to the cutting discs (without disc, smooth and offset fluted coulter) and speeds (1.11, 1.67, 2.22 and 2.78 m s-1). The combination of mechanisms was possible through the coupling in a mobile tool holder structure and by using an instrumented tractor as a power source. There was a significant influence of all factors on the variables. The double-disc presented the highest specific demand due to the depth, with 24.08 kN m-1, while the hoe opener required 19.09 kN m-1. For the need of traction per mobilized soil area, the double-disc opener also had superior requirement, 9.94% higher. Therefore, the hoe opener is more efficient in the use of traction. The use of cutting discs integrated with this furrow opener reduced the extension of the demands and provided lower speed influence, while the opposite happens for the double-disc furrow opener. Regardless of the combination, an increment of variables was observed with the increase of speed.<br> http:// Wael M. Semida1, Taia A. Abd El-Mageed2, Saad M. Howladar3, Mostafa M. Rady4*<br><br>1Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, 63514 Fayoum, Egypt<br>2Soil and Water Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, 63514 Fayoum, Egypt<br>3Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia<br>4Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, 63514 Fayoum, Egypt<br><br>Abstract <br>ɑ-Tocopherol (ɑTOC) is a vitamin and antioxidant compound that plays a crucial role in amelioration of biotic and abiotic stresses. It has been found that it improves salt-tolerance in some plant species. Two field experiments were conducted in 2013/14 and 2014/15 to evaluate the potential effects of foliar applications with 0.5 and 1.0 mM ɑTOC on growth, yield, plant water relations, osmoprotectants and the activity of antioxidant system of two onion varieties (i.e., Giza 20 and Giza Red) “classified as salt-sensitive” under saline soil condition (ECe = 7.94 - 8.81 dS m-1). Exogenous application of ɑTOC significantly improved salt stress tolerance in onion plants by reducing the endogenous H2O2 and lipid peroxidation, and increasing enzymatic (i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) and non-enzymatic (i.e., ascorbic acid and glutathione) antioxidant activity. However, Giza 20 was more sensitive to salinity, while it was more responsive to ɑTOC treatment. Moreover, ɑTOC application significantly affected photosynthesis efficiency and plant water status as evaluated by relative water content and membrane stability index. These results were positively reflected in plant growth, productivity and water use efficiency under salt stress conditions, indicating that ɑTOC may participate in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Therefore, foliar application of ɑTOC could be used to induce salt-tolerance in onion plants.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Mohammed H. Abass*1, Sabeh D. Al-Utbi2, Esraa A. H. Al-Samir1 <br><br>1Date Palm Research Centre, Basra University, Basra, Iraq<br>2Biology Department, Sciences College, Basra University, Basra, Iraq<br><br>Abstract<br>This study was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic effects of different antibiotics and fungicides on the procallus of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). The fungicides Switch® and Beltanol and the antibiotics chloramphenicol and gentamycin were used in this study. Results confirmed the lethal effects of Switch®, gentamycin, and chloramphenicol (at 100 mg/l in dicamba treatment) on date palm tissues. The treated shoot tips did not develop into procallus, and their growth was completely inhibited. Beltanol treatments significantly decreased the biochemical parameters of the procallus treated with 2, 4-D and dicamba. In the Beltanol-treated tissues, the initial period of callus induction was prolonged from 63.33 and 69.66 days to 97.66 and 117.66 days. The callus induction percentage of the plants treated with the decontamination agents was also decreased. The fresh and dry weights of the procallus and the browning percentage and intensity of the cultured tissues in Beltanol and chloramphenicol treatments (100 mg/l) increased compared with those in the control treatments. Total carbohydrates, free proline content, total phenolic compounds, free amino acid, total soluble protein, and peroxidase activity were significantly affected by Beltanol and chloramphenicol (100 mg/l). By contrast, low chloramphenicol concentrations resulted in acceptable levels of biochemical components. Therefore, we recommend the use of low chloramphenicol and Beltanol concentrations instead of Switch and gentamycin as decontamination agents to prevent or treat microbial contamination in date palm tissue cultures.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Leônidas Leoni Belan, Edson Ampélio Pozza*, Marcelo Loran de Oliveira Freitas, Melina Korres Raimundi, Ricardo Magela de Souza, José da Cruz Machado<br><br>Federal University of Lavras, Department of Plant Pathology, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Plant Disease Management, Lavras - MG, 37200-000, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Given the damage and losses caused by bacterial blight of coffee (Pseudomonas syringae pv. garcae) (PSG) in coffee (Coffea arabica) seedling nurseries and lack of knowledge of the origin of the initial inoculum, the goal of this study was to determine whether coffee seeds can spread bacterial inoculum. Seeds from plants with symptoms of bacterial blight of coffee were immersed in sterilized saline solution, and the crude extract obtained was inoculated in leaves of coffee seedlings. Leaves of plants inoculated with seed extract from symptomatic plants had symptoms of bacterial blight similar to those on leaves inoculated with reference isolate PSG. Seedlings inoculated with seed extract from asymptomatic plants showed no symptoms. Symptomatic leaves were submitted to exudate tests, and the etiologic agent was isolated in culture medium. The isolates with colonies morphologically similar to reference isolate PSG were selected and tested for hypersensitive reaction (HR) and pathogenicity to coffee seedlings. The isolates positive for HR and pathogenic to coffee also showed biochemical and molecular patterns equal to those of reference isolate PSG by the rep-PCR technique using Box primer. Thus, coffee seeds from plants with symptoms of bacterial blight may contain viable inoculum of P. syringae pv. garcae.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Kiran Menon1*, Neeru Sood1, Nanduri Kameswara Rao2<br><br>1Department of Biotechnology, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Dubai Campus, Dubai International Academic City, UAE<br>2International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai, UAE<br><br>Abstract <br>Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., also known as desert gourd, is a xerophytic perennial creeper. In a field trial conducted on sandy soil and under arid conditions in the United Emirates (UAE), 27 germplasm accessions were studied for their potential as feedstock for biodiesel production. All accessions were evaluated for two qualitative and eleven quantitative morpho-agronomic traits over a period of one year (November 2013- December 2014) in a field trial laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Analysis of the data revealed high variability among the accessions, with seed yields ranging between 12 and 374 grams per plant and seed oil content from 7.8 to 43.8% of seed weight. When the data were statistically analyzed using principal components analysis, traits of economic importance such as seed yield, oil content and number of fruits per plant grouped together, while others such as number of branches and branch length grouped separately. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering grouped the accessions into three main clusters. The extrapolated annual oil yield in several accessions exceeded 1 ton ha-1 (the highest being 3.44 tons ha-1) – showing the desert gourd to be a highly attractive biodiesel feedstock species for cultivation on marginal lands. The oil from most accessions had a free fatty acid content of less than 0.5% which is within suitable limits for biodiesel production. The observed variability in saponification values suggests that the oil is prone to oxidation upon storage. The wide range of variation found in this study for seed yield, oil quantity and oil quality provides the opportunity for genetic improvement to develop desert gourd into an economically-viable, non-edible, alternative biodiesel feedstock crop. <br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Ouafae Pakhrou1, Leila Medraoui1, Chaimaa Yatrib1, Mohammed Alami1, Saad Ibn Souda-kouraichi2, Abdelhamid El mousadik3, Abderrahim Ferradous4, Fouad Msanda3, Cherkaoui El modafar5, Abdelkarim Filali-maltouf1,*, Bouchra Belkadi1<br><br> 1Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Mohammed Vth 8 University, Rabat, Morocco<br>2Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco <br>3Laboratory of Biotechnologies and Valuation of Natural Resources, Ibn-Zohr University, Faculty of Science, Agadir, Morocco <br>4High Commission for Water Forests and Desertification Control (HCEFLCD), Forestry Research Center (FRC), Marrakech, Morocco<br>5Laboratory of Biotechnology, for the Agro-ressources Valorization and the Protection, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco <br><br>Abstract <br>The argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels, Sapotaceae) is a genetic resource endemic in Morocco. Genetic diversity within and among 13 populations (130 genotypes) of argan tree was studied using AFLP markers. Having checked twenty combinations of labeled primers for regular genomes (500-6000 Mb) (EcoRI+3/ MseI+3 selective bases) and for small genome (50-500 Mb) (EcoRI+2/MseI+3 selective bases), we selected four combinations specific for regular genome able to produce a relatively high polymorphism and a low error rate (0.12 %). A total of 477 unambiguous peaks were amplified ranging from 70 to 500 bp. The average polymorphism information content (PICAVG) value ranged from 0.19 to 0.23. Marker index (MI) and resolving power (RP) varied from 21.23 to 28.82 and 27.63 to 44.92, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 19 % of the genetic variation was partitioned among populations and 81 % of the genetic variation was within populations. This was confirmed by the coefficient of gene differentiation between populations (Gst=0.22), and gene flow was estimated to 1.709. The STRUCTURE analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and Unweighyhed Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) revealed that populations of A. spinosa were clustered into three genetic groups. The present results can be explored in the design of in situ and ex situ conservation and management programs.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Ouafae Pakhrou1, Leila Medraoui1, Chaimaa Yatrib1, Mohammed Alami1, Saad Ibn Souda-kouraichi2, Abdelhamid El mousadik3, Abderrahim Ferradous4, Fouad Msanda3, Cherkaoui El modafar5, Abdelkarim Filali-maltouf1,*, and Bouchra Belkadi1<br><br> 1Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Mohammed Vth 8 University, Rabat, Morocco<br>2Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco <br>3Laboratory of Biotechnologies and Valuation of Natural Resources, Ibn-Zohr University, Faculty of Science, Agadir, Morocco <br>4High Commission for Water Forests and Desertification Control (HCEFLCD), Forestry Research Center (FRC), Marrakech, Morocco<br>5Laboratory of Biotechnology, for the Agro-ressources Valorization and the Protection, Faculty of Sciences and Technics, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco <br><br>Abstract <br>The argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels, Sapotaceae) is a genetic resource endemic in Morocco. Genetic diversity within and among 13 populations (130 genotypes) of argan tree was studied using AFLP markers. Having checked twenty combinations of labeled primers for regular genomes (500-6000 Mb) (EcoRI+3/ MseI+3 selective bases) and for small genome (50-500 Mb) (EcoRI+2/MseI+3 selective bases), we selected four combinations specific for regular genome able to produce a relatively high polymorphism and a low error rate (0.12 %). A total of 477 unambiguous peaks were amplified ranging from 70 to 500 bp. The average polymorphism information content (PICAVG) value ranged from 0.19 to 0.23. Marker index (MI) and resolving power (RP) varied from 21.23 to 28.82 and 27.63 to 44.92, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 19 % of the genetic variation was partitioned among populations and 81 % of the genetic variation was within populations. This was confirmed by the coefficient of gene differentiation between populations (Gst=0.22), and gene flow was estimated to 1.709. The STRUCTURE analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and Unweighyhed Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) revealed that populations of A. spinosa were clustered into three genetic groups. The present results can be explored in the design of in situ and ex situ conservation and management programs.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Edleusa Pereira Seidel*, William dos Reis, Marcos Cesar Mottin*<br><br>Department of Agricultural Sciences, State University of West Paraná, UNIOESTE, Marechal C. Rondon, PR, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>This study aimed to evaluate production components, yield of maize intercropped with jack bean and soil resistance to penetration using different doses of gypsum. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in split plots with four replications and was carried out during season 2013/2014. The main plots were maize intercropped with jack beans and maize sown alone, and the subplots were six doses of gypsum (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 t ha-¹). Thirty days before maize sowing gypsum doses were manually applied to soil surface. The spacing between rows was 0.70 m, 4.2 sowing seeds per meter. Jack bean was manually sown two days after maize was sown in inter-row spacing. Production components and maize yield were assessed. After maize harvest, soil resistance to penetration was assessed. Gypsum doses promoted linear increases in the stem diameter of maize. Maize intercropping with jack bean (Canavalia eusiformis) did not affect the maize components of production and productivity, but reduced the soil penetration resistance. Rates of agricultural gypsum did not influence the productivity; however, it promoted a reduction in SPR at dose of 2.0 t ha-1.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Rafael Nornberg*1, Henrique de Souza Luche1, José Antonio Gonzalez da Silva2, Cristiano Mathias Zimmer1, Francieli Fatima Cima1, Mateus Olivo1 and Antonio Costa de Oliveira1<br><br>1Eliseu Maciel School of Agronomy, Plant Genomics and Breeding Center, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Gomes Carneiro Street 01, 96010-900, RS, Pelotas, Brazil<br>2School of Agronomy, Department of Agrarian Studies, Regional University of Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul State (UNIJUÍ), Comércio Street 300, 98700-000, RS, Ijuí, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) harms the quality of wheat by converting starch into sugar and decreasing the flour quality. Therefore, improving wheat genotypes for PHS is critical for Brazilian wheat breeding programs. The goals of this study were to evaluate the combining ability and heterosis of Brazilian wheat genotypes, aiming to increase genetic gains and to identify promising combinations capable of generating superior genotypes for grain yield and pre-harvest sprouting tolerance. The work was conducted in 2011 in Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil, under an experimental design of randomized blocks with three repetitions. The traits of eight parents and 56 wheat hybrids linked to pre-harvest sprouting and grain yield were evaluated. The presence of additive and non-additive gene effects and maternal effects controlling pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in Brazilian wheats were observed in some combinations. The cultivars BRS 194, Frontana and Quartzo when used as parents contributed with additive and non-additive gene effects for pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in wheat. The parental Quartzo contributes with genes of additive and non-additive effects in the increase of grain yield. Combinations which include BRS 194, Frontana and Quartzo show effective ability of recovering high yield genotypes with pre-harvest sprouting tolerance. <br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Ahmed Madi Waheed AL-Mayahi<br><br>Department of Plant Tissue Culture, Date Palm Research Centre, University of Basra, Basra, Iraq<br><br>Abstract<br>This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant effects of salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (ASA) under two stress levels (75 and 150 mM NaCl) on growth and some biochemical constituents of date palm cv. Nersy cultured in vitro. Micro-propagated shoots of cv. Nersy at length 2.5-3 cm was excised from the proliferation medium and were separately cultured on MS medium. The data indicated that maximum growth and chlorophyll content of shoots was observed after 75 days of culturing in the medium supplemented with 50 mgl-1 salicylic acid and 100 mgl-1 ascorbic acid in both stress and non-stress conditions. It was also observed that the in vitro-grown plants resulted increased activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and APX in medium containing of salicylic acid (75 mgl-1) and ascorbic acid (100 mgl-1) with increasing salt stress (up to 150 mM of NaCl) compared with other treatments. The study of shoot protein patterns using SDS-PAGE showed some remarkable changes in protein expression. The results suggests that the stress induced the synthesis of proteins bands with MW of 15, 29, 43 kD and 15, 22.6, 35 and 46 kD in medium supplement with 75 and 150 mM NaCl, respectively, compared with control treatment (20.9, 28.39, 37, 40 and 48.6) kD. Supplementing salicylic acid (75mgl-1) and ascorbic acid (100 mgl-1) under salt stress condition induced the synthesis of additional protein bands with MW of 19.28, 28.50, 32.61, 59.12 and 72.00 KD at 75 mM NaCl; and 17.96,22.6, 31.95 54.50 and 68.0 at 150 mM NaCl.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Nádia Alves Campos1, Glacy Jaqueline da Silva2, Márcia Fabiana Barbosa de Paula3, Thaís Barros Rodrigues4, Leonardo Augusto Zebral Rodrigues5, Luciano Vilela Paiva5<br><br>1Biosystems Department, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium<br>2Molecular Biology Department, Paranaense University, Umuarama, Brazil<br>3Genetics and Biotechnology Department, Santa Cruz State University, Ilheus, Brazil<br>4Nuclear Energy Center in Agriculture, São Paulo University, Piracicaba, Brazil<br>5Chemistry Department, Lavras Federal University, Lavras, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Transgenic technology is an excellent alternative for improvement of crop production and disease free crops such as potato, which is one of the most important crops worldwide. One of the first steps to apply the transgenic technique is the establishment of an efficient plant regeneration protocol. This is a limiting step in this kind of study, since most protocols are species-specific and some of them do not adequately respond to in vitro culture or present low regeneration rates. The objective of this study was to stablish an efficient regeneration protocol of Solanum tuberosum cv. Monalisa from internodes explants. This work is important since most in vitro protocols are based on shoots. Twenty five treatments were performed, with each treatment being composed of six internodes in flasks containing MS medium supplemented with a fixed concentration of zeatin riboside (3 mg.L-1) (ZEA), varying concentrations of naphthaleneacetic acid (0 to 1 mg. L-1) (NAA), and gibberellic acid (0 to 3 mg.L -1) (GA3). The treatment composed of ZEA, 0.05 mg.L-1 of NAA, and 0.10 mg.L-1 of GA3 was considered the best for shoot regeneration from potato internodes. The study was able to establish a specific regeneration protocol for Monalisa cultivar. This result can be very useful since it is possible to obtain plants from internode, without the requirement of meristematic regions, enabling the obtainment of a higher number of plants.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Patrick Chiza Chikoti*1, Paul Shanahan2, Rob Melis2 <br><br>1Zambia Agriculture Research Institute, Mount Makulu Research Station, Private bag 7 Chilanga, Zambia<br>2University of KwaZulu-Natal, African Centre for Crop improvement, P/Bag X01, Scottsville, South Africa<br><br>Abstract<br>Despite the importance of cassava as a staple crop in Luapula province and other regions of Zambia, there is a lack of information on the resistance to diseases and associated combining ability of the locally cultivated cassava cultivars. Therefore, this study was carried out in 2010/2011 to: identify progeny with resistance to cassava mosaic disease (CMD); evaluate the performance of F1 progeny for agronomic traits and determine general combining ability and specific combining ability for resistance to CMD. A total of 809 genotypes comprising of parents and progeny were developed through controlled crossing and evaluated using α-lattice design. The general combining ability (GCA) and SCA mean squares (MS) were highly significant (P<0.001) for CMD. The total sum of squares (SS) for CMD was mainly accounted for by specific combining ability (SCA) effects (67.9%). Bangweulu a local highly susceptible cultivar had the most negative, significant (P<0.001) GCA effect among the landraces. In summary, the results indicated that the local landraces (Bangweulu and Kampolombo) used as parents can be sources of CMD resistance. <br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Márcia Masson Mendes dos Santos1, Ester de Paiva Alves1, Benjamim Valentim da Silva1, Fabrício de Oliveira Reis1, Fábio Luiz Partelli2, Paulo Roberto Cecon3, Heder Braun1*<br><br>1Maranhão State University, Agroecology Graduate Program, São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil<br>2Federal University of Espírito Santo, University Center of North Espírito Santo, Department Plant and Biology Science, São Mateus, Espírito Santo State, Brazil<br>3Federal University of Viçosa, Departament of Estatistics, Campus Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>The SPAD chlorophyll meter is widely used to indirectly monitor the nitrogen (N) status of various crops, which is important to ensure proper management of N fertilizers. Here, we propose that the freely available digital foliar analysis software AFSoft may be used to monitor N status with the same effectiveness as the SPAD meter. To verify the usefulness of AFSoft, we employed both SPAD meter readings and AFSoft note to estimate relative chlorophyll content in cowpea beans exposed to different N fertilization rates. The experiment followed a completely randomized design comprised of four replicates carried out in a factorial scheme, with five N fertilization rates (0, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg pot-1) applied to three cowpea bean cultivars (BRS Itaim, BRS Guariba and BRS Novaera). At 45 days after emergence (DAE) of the plants, SPAD readings were obtained on the second trifoliate leaf. The whole leaf was subsequently digitally photographed and dried for the determination of total N concentration by applying acolour scale using AFSoft® software. There was no significant interaction observed between N fertilization rate and cultivar for the evaluated variables. For all cultivars, increasing the rate of N fertilization increased the total observed N concentration as determined by both SPAD index and AFSoft note. The AFSoft note value was positively correlated with the total N concentration (r=0.95, P≤0.05; r=0.80, P≤0.01; r=0.86, P≤0.01) and the SPAD readings (r=0.99, P≤0.01; r=0.97, P≤0.05; r=0.97, P≤0.05) for the Itaim, Guariba and Novaera cultivars. These results suggest that N concentration in the leaves of cowpea bean cultivars can be estimated using AFSoft, which may serve as an alternative to SPAD meter readings.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Álan Chrisleyr Maracahipes1, Kenia Kelli Coelho Gomes Viscovini2, Eduarda da Silva Annunciatto, Leonarda Grillo Neves2, Milson evaldo Serafim3, Petterson Batist da Luz4, Kelly Lana Araújo4 <br><br>1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Melhoramento de plantas. Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Brazil<br>2Agronomy department, Universidade Do Estado de Mato Grosso, Brazil<br>3Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso, Campus Cáceres, Brazil<br>4Agronomy department, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Melhoramento de plantas, Universidade Do Estado de Mato Grosso, Brazil <br><br>Abstract<br>Peppers and chilies belong to the Solanaceae family and to the genus Capsicum. The production of this vegetable is increasing in Brazil. However, there are several phytosanitary problems that are causing heavy losses to the culture, among them anthracnose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of the Capsicum Germplasm Active Bank (GAB) of the UNEMAT based on components resistant to the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. 88 accessions of Capsicum spp., belonging to the Germplasm Active Bank of UNEMAT, were evaluated for reaction to the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks with three replications, being four unripe fruits and four ripe fruits per repetition. Both ripe and unripe fruits were collected from each plot, taken to the laboratory, disinfected and packaged in Styrofoam trays covered with a transparent plastic bag; inside each tray, moistened pieces of filter paper were placed to build the humid chamber. The trays were in an environment with a temperature controlled at 24°C ± 2. The evaluation of all the fruits was performed daily based on the measurement of lesion diameter and length of each fruit with an interval of 24 hours between each evaluation for 11 days. The assessment data were subjected to multivariate analysis and to the UPGMA clustering method. There is genetic variability in the GAB of UNEMAT with the formation of different accession groups based on resistance to anthracnose for both clustering methods applied, i.e., UPGMA and Modified Tocher. There was the formation of four groups in the dendrogram, especially regarding the accession 81 (C. annuum), which had the highest genetic dissimilarity in relation to other accessions, standing isolated in one group. According to the 3D dispersion graph, there was the formation of three groups with genetic dissimilarity among them. According to the modified Tocher method, there was the formation of five groups; the accession 38 (C. chinense) was grouped separately from the other accessions in the group five. The resistance components that had a higher relative contribution to estimate the genetic variability among analyzed accessions were area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), lesion diameter and length on the seventh day of evaluation (DL7), and incubation period (IP), but it is necessary to use at least seven variables and explain 80% of the variability of the experiment.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Paulo Cezar Rezende Fontes1, Heder Braun2*, Marcelo Cleón de Castro Silva1, Fabrício Silva Coelho1, Paulo Roberto Cecon3, Fábio Luiz Partelli4 <br><br>1Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Plant Sciences, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil<br>2Maranhão State University, Agroecology Graduate Program, São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil<br>3Federal University of Viçosa, Department of Statistics, Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil<br>4Federal University of Espírito Santo, University Center of North Espírito Santo, Department Plant and Biology Science, São Mateus, Espírito Santo State, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Adjusting nitrogen (N) fertilization rates to crop requirements optimizes N efficiency and reduces environmental pollution. In accordance with such precision agriculture, methods facilitating rapid and simple real-time crop yield prognostication are desirable. The aims of this study are to establish a prognostic model for tuber yield; early characterization of a properly N-nourished plant and to determine the N use efficiency by the Asterix and Atlantic potato cultivars. In two separate experiments, on for each cultivar, five pre-planting N fertilization rates (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1) were evaluated. A randomized complete block design with four replicates per experiment was utilized. Variable chosen for early evaluation, 21 days after emergence, were categorized into four named groups. Group one, linked to chlorophyll (SPAD index and total fourth leaf chlorophyll concentration). Group two, concerning with physiological indexes (leaf, fourth leaf, stem, and shoot dry matter; fourth- and whole-plant leaf area; fourth leaf and plant specific leaf area; and leaf area ratio). The third group linked to fourth leaf N indexes (N concentration per unit dry matter and per unit leaf area, and total N content). The fourth group referring to N use efficiency (fourth leaf N use efficiency and agronomic N use efficiency). For both cultivars, there are a significant positive correlation between tuber yield and physiologic and N indexes, while there is a significant negative correlation between tuber yield and N use efficiency. Regression models utilising the SPAD index as an independent variable are effective in predicting the marketable tuber yield of potato plants, and have the added advantage of real-time determination of the SPAD index in relationship a another methods.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Valdiney José da Silva1*, Cláudio Ricardo da Silva1, Javier Almorox2, José Alves Júnior3<br><br>1Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ICIAG, Federal University of Uberlandia – UFU, MG, Brazil<br>2School of Agricultural Engineers, Department of Soil Science and Climatology, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain<br>3School of Agronomy, EA, Federal University of Goias – UFG, GO, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>Solar radiation is the main meteorological element required for crop yield simulation. However, it is not widely measured as air temperature and rainfall. This study evaluated some temperature-based solar radiation models for estimation of daily solar radiation (Rs), and how the estimates may affect soybean yield potential. The evaluated models were Annandale (AN), Hargreaves (HA), Modified Hargreaves (HA-1), Hunt (HU), Bristow and Campbell (BC), Chen (CH), Donatelli and Campbell (DC) and De Jong and Stewart (JS). This research was carried out using historical data from six sites in the Triangulo Mineiro region, where measured values of Rs, minimum and maximum air temperature and rainfall were available. The dataset (2009-2014) was separated into two sub-data sets, one for calibration (2009) and the other for evaluation of performance (2010-2014). The Rs estimated data were used in SoySim software to estimate potential soybean yield. Statistical indexes: (a) root mean square error (RMSE), (b) relative root mean square error (RRMSE), (c) coefficient of determination (R2) and (d) mean error (ME) were used as indicators of the agreement between observed and estimated Rs data. After evaluating the performance, Rs estimated values for each model were used to simulate the soybean potential yield. Although the eight models have presented similar performance for estimating Rs values, when these data were used for simulation of the potential soybean yield, the performances diverged considerably. In this way, only the BC, CH, DC and JS models showed satisfactory performance in yield simulation with R2 and RRMSE varying from 0.76 to 0.80 and 3 to 4%, respectively. Therefore, the findings suggest that, before choosing the model to estimate Rs, it is important to define the purpose of use of solar radiation data.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Paula Francyneth Nascimento Silva1, Carla Leticia Figueredo de Carvalho Souza1, Jose Rodrigo Mendes e Chagas1, Allan Klynger da Silva Lobato1*, Milton Hélio Lima da Silva2, Tiago Rodrigues Ferreira1, Maria Antonia Machado Barbosa1, Rita de Oliveira Braga1, Thalison Bruno Campos Correa1, Gustavo Antonio Ruffeil Alves1, Denes de Souza Barros1 and João Ricado Sena3<br><br>1Núcleo de Pesquisa Vegetal Básica e Aplicada, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Paragominas, Pará, Brazil<br>2Coordenação de Botânica, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Pará, Brazil<br>3Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente, Belém, Pará, Brazil<br><br>Abstract<br>This study aimed to evaluate the photosynthetic pigments and carbon compounds in young Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K. plants (18-month-old) subjected to 6 and 12 consecutive days without irrigation, to simulate moderate and severe water deficiency. This study will also answer the contribution of the carbohydrates related to osmotic adjustment. The experimental design was a factorial entirely randomised with two water conditions (water deficit and control) and two evaluation times (6 and 12 days), resulting in a total of four measurements. In this study, we measured chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids, as well as total soluble carbohydrates, sucrose, starch and reducing carbohydrates. The water restriction induced decreases in all evaluated pigments. The more intense (45%) reduction was found in carotenoids after 12 days of water deficiency. Furthermore, decreases in total soluble carbohydrates and reducing carbohydrates were also observed. In contrast, increases were observed in sucrose and starch levels. The results suggest that water deficiency promotes negative alterations in photosynthetic pigments, while carbon compounds present insufficient responses, aiming to the osmotic adjustment in young B. excelsa plants exposed to water deficit.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Paola Pontieri1,*, Fabio Del Giudice2, Martin D. Dimitrov3, Margarita G. Pesheva3, Pencho V. Venkov3, Antimo Di Maro4, Severina Pacifico4, Priyadarshini Gadgil5, Thomas J. Herald5, Mitchell R. Tuinstra6, Graziano Pizzolante7, Roberta Romano7, Pietro Alifano7, Luigi Del Giudice1<br><br>1Istituto di Bioscienze e BioRisorse-UOS Portici-CNR c/o Dipartimento di Biologia, Sezione di Igiene, Napoli 80134, Italy <br>2Bioteam Laboratory, via Girolamo Santacroce, Napoli 80129, Italy <br>3Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University St. “Kliment Ohridski”, Dragan Tzankov str, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria<br>4Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Seconda Università di Napoli, Caserta 81100, Italy <br>5USDA-ARS, CGAHR, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA <br>6Purdue University, Department of Agronomy, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA <br>7Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce 73100, Italy<br><br>Abstract <br>Sorghum is source of antioxidant compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids and condensed tannins. In this study, we measured the antioxidant capacity of seven white food-grade sorghum hybrids grown in Southern Italy using the Ty1antiROS cell-based test and the chemical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Samples were also analyzed for phenolic contents. Ty1antiROS test showed that all hybrids possessed antioxidant activity and were effective in scavenging the ABTS•+ target species but they exerted a weak DPPH• antiradical effect. Furthermore, all samples had similar values for total phenolic content. Statistical analyses showed a positive correlation between the ABTS and DPPH data (R = 0.61) and a weakly positive correlation between the ABTS and Ty1antiROS data (R= 0.38). The utilization of both biological and chemical tests for the antioxidant capacity evaluation make us able to select varieties of sorghum with high antioxidant potential useful to promote human health.<br> http://www.cropj.com/july2016.html Maryam Kamyab1, Mohammad Kafi*2, Hossein Shahsavand3, Morteza Goldani4, Farhad Shokouhifar4<br><br>1Department of Agronomy and Crop Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran <br>2Department of Agronomy and Crop Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran <br>3Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran<br>4Department of Agronomy and Crop Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran <br>5Research Institute for Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University, Mashhad, Iran <br><br>Abstract<br><br>Due to lack of water resources in irrigated agriculture, genetically improving plants to abiotic stresses such as salinity is a necessity for food and feed production. In this respect, the new third man-made amphiploid cereal, tritipyrum (2n=6x=42, AABBEbEb), is an example which is capable of tolerating a high level of NaCl. In order to determine the salinity tolerance mechanisms of this new cereal, an experiment was conducted using hydroponic technique. Ten tritipyrum lines and two wheat cultivars were tested under three levels of salinity (50, 100 and 200mM NaCl). The effect of salinity stress on Na+ and K+ concentration of leaf, shoot and root, proline and chlorophyll content were measured at 50% ear emergence and their grain yield plant-1 was evaluated at physiological maturity. Leaf Na+ concentration in tritipyrum lines increased with increasing salinity while K+ concentration did not show any especial pattern. The chlorophyll and proline content in tritipyrum lines were higher than that of wheat cultivars. Despite the high sodium concentration in tritipyrum lines in comparison with wheat, the grain yield of tritipyrum lines were less affected than that of wheat. There was also a negative correlation between proline content and grain yield plant-1 in tritipyrum lines. It can be concluded that mechanisms such as higher Na+ uptake along with appropriate ion compartmentation could be used by tritipyrum lines to combat with salt stress like some halophytes and it can make tritipyrum lines suitable for planting in saline soils and improving the salinity tolerance of wheat.<br>