bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in Content of Carotenoids and Vitamin C in Carrots
Authors: MATĚJKOVÁ Jana , PETŘÍKOVÁ Kristína
Published: April 2018

Carrots are the most popular and wide-spread of all root vegetables, and are the principal source of carotenoids in human diet. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between cultivars and the effect of storage regarding the carotenoid and vitamin C content in carrots. Six carrot cultivars were used in this study, ranging from early to late ones. Observed carotenoid content ranged from 60 mg kg-1 to 134 mg kg-1. Significantly higher levels of carotenoids were found in late and moderately late cultivars in comparison to early ones. Vitamin C content in these cultivars ranged from 54 mg kg-1 to 132 mg kg-1. Significantly higher contents of vitamin C were also found in the late cultivars. 30-day storage resulted in a significant reduction in vitamin C content, on average of 47%. There was also a reduction in the carotenoids content, but to a lesser extent, on average of 11%.
Aeropalynological Studies of the University of Lagos Campus, Nigeria
Authors: ADEKANMBI Olusola Helen , OGUNDIPE Oluwatoyin Temitayo
Published: April 2018

Aeropalynological studies were conducted in four selected sites at the University of Lagos campus, in the months of February, March, April and May of 2007. One pollen-collecting bucket containing 50 ml glycerol, 10 ml formaldehyde and 5 ml phenol, per site, was placed at each sampling site, namely the Botanical Garden, Lagoon Front, Engineering Department and Computer Center. The mixtures which attracted aerospore from the atmosphere were acetolysed, observed under the microscope and photomicrographs of palynomorphs were taken. The abundance of recovered pollen ranges from 64, in February to 132, in May. Recovered palynological assemblage from chemical engineering sampling point had the highest in February, Lagoon Front location had the highest in March, Computer Centre location had the highest in April and Lagoon Front had highest number of palynomorphs during May. A total of 393 palynomorphs were counted at all, belonging to 22 families. Poaceae were abundant representing 26.33% of the total pollen, Asteraceae represents 12.72%, Mimosaceae (8.89%), Ferns spores (8.64%), Arecaceae (5.85%) and Euphorbiacae (5.34%) among others. The palynomorphs abundance and diversity hits the peak in May which corresponds to the wettest month of the sampled period.
Dactylogyrus fraternus Wagener, 1909 (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) Parasitic on Alburnus alburnus (Cyprinidae) from Turkey
Authors: KOYUN Mustafa , ALTUNEL Faik Naci
Published: April 2018

Dactylogyrus species are a group of monogenean gill parasites that are highly specific to freshwater fishes; represents the most dominant genus among the Monogenea with regard to host distribution and location. They were sampled 14 species from more than 27 host collected in Turkey. Among these dactylogyrid parasites, Dactylogyrus fraternus could be described and illustrated from specimens collected from gills of a cyprinid fish, bleak Alburnus alburnus, in Enne Dam reservoir from Kutahya, Turkey. Diagnostic characters of this species are the tegument of trunk showing annulations, except on the cephalic region, and copulatory complex comprising sclerotized, basal part broad, the tube which is long and hard. The purpose of the present study was to determine, on the whole, the body structure of the Dactylogyrus fraternus in bleak.
Authors: NOTARIO Antonio , MORO Javier , FUENTES Olimpio , CASTRESANA Luis , RESPALDIZA Eduardo , IONESCU Ovidiu , NAHLIK Andras
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of various bacterial species in the wild boar populations of Lugar Nuevo and Selladores-Contadero woodlands from Sierra Morena (Spain). Bacteriological analyses were carried out on a total of 229 wild boar individuals hunted in the period 2000-2003 in eleven experimental plots which are representative for the different biotopes of the area. The following species were detected: Brucella ovis, Clostridium sp., Corynebacterium sp., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Chlamydophila psittaci, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus sp. and the bacterial prevalence was estimated for each of them. The results provide useful indications of the health status of wild boar in both locations and highlight the potential of the wild boar populations to act as biological reservoirs of certain microorganisms that can be passed onto other vertebrate wild animals and humans.
Assessing Genetic Diversity of Rice Varieties under Drought Stress Conditions
Authors: ABARSHAHR Mina , RABIEI Babak , SAMIZADEH LAHIGI Habibollah
Published: April 2018

In order to compare different rice genotypes grown under drought stress conditions a field experiment was conducted. In this study thirty different genotypes of native, breeded and upland cultivars were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes in respect of all vegetative and morphological traits. Genotypes were devided into three groups by cluster analysis based on all studied traits with minimum variance method (Wards Method). The total average indicates significant differences among groups in respect of all morphological and physiological characteristics. In addition, eight drought stress tolerance indices including: sensitivity to stress index (SSI), drought response index (DRI), relative drought index (RDI), tolerance index (TOL), mean productivity index (MP), stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity index (GMP) and harmonic mean index (HM) were calculated according to their grain yield under drought stress and normal conditions. In general, results of this experimnet revealed that, among rice cultivars Domsephid, Deylamany, Hasansaraei, Sadri, Anbarboo and Domsiah had the highest sensitivity referring to drought stress and produced the lowest grain yield. Also, genotypes of IR24 (breeded of IRRI), Nemat, Sephidroud, Kadoos and Bejar (breeded of Iran) and Vandana, upland cultivar (originally from India) had the highest tolerance to drought stress and produced the highest grain yield. In conclusion, it was suggested that, these cultivars are suitable for drought stress conditions and are appropriate for hybridization with the aim of increasing drought tolerance.
Interaction Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Different Phosphate Levels on Growth Performance of Catharanthus roseus Linn.
Authors: AYOOB Mohd , AZIZ Irfan , JITE Paramjit Kaur
Published: April 2018

Catharanthus roseus L. (Apocynaceae), a valuable medicinal plant with potential therapeutic value was inoculated with AM fungi Glomus fasciculatum under three different phosphate conditions. Catharanthus roseus plants raised in presence of the AM fungi showed increased growth in terms of (shoot length, root length, leaf number, fresh weight and dry weight). Total chlorophyll content and phosphate content of the shoot was found to be significantly higher in AM inoculated plants as compared to non AM Catharanthus plants. The activities of phosphatase enzymes were found to be increased in AM inoculated plants as compared to non AM plants. Root colonization percent was significantly higher in AM inoculated plants at zero and at all three phosphate levels after 60, 90 and 120 days of AM inoculation, but decreased at third phosphate level after 120 days of AM inoculation. The study suggests that Catharanthus roseus is dependent on the mycorrhizal fungi to a large extent for its growth and survival and also shows the potential of AM fungi Glomus fasciculatum in increasing growth and biomass of Catharanthus roseus L.
The Influence of Explant Types and Orientation on in Vitro Culture
Authors: KANCHANAPOOM Kamnoon , PROMSORN Nararatn
Published: April 2018

Inflorescence, apical and lateral buds of Musa balbisiana ‘Kluai Hin’ (BBB group) were used to culture on MS medium supplemented with 22 μM BA and 15% (v/v) coconut water. Comparison of bud orientation showed that the best response of in vitro shoot tip proliferation was obtained with abaxial surface of buds lying down i.e. one side touching the medium (tilt). Mass propagation of shoot tips was obtained when cultured buds on MS medium containing 44 μM BA. Rooting was achieved by transferring the isolated shoots to MS basal medium without growth regulators. Rooted plantlets were acclimatized and successfully established in soil.
Effects of Water Deficit Stress on Several Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Cultivars
Authors: HOSSEINI Mohammad , HASSIBI Payman
Published: April 2018

Water deficit stress considered as one of the most important limiting factors for oil seed canola (Brassica napus L.) growth and productivity in Iran. To evaluate the effects of water deficit stress on some qualitative and quantitative characteristics of canola cultivars, this experiment in a greenhouse trial carried out as factorial based on completely randomized design with three replications in Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz (Iran). Canola cultivars, including ‘Hyola 308’, ‘Hyola 401’ and ‘RGS 003’ as first factor, and the second one was three levels of water deficit stress, including stress at early stem elongation stage to early flowering (D1), early flowering stage to early emergence of sacs (D2), beginning of stem elongation stage to early emergence of sacs (D3) and normal irrigation (C, as check). Results showed that the interaction between water deficit stress and cultivars affected biological yield, seed oil yields and harvest index (p≤0.01), dry matter and economic yield (p≤0.05). Water deficit stress reduced grain oil yields. ‘Hyola 308’ under stress at beginning stem elongation stage to early flowering had the lowest oil yields (1.1 g plants-1) and ‘Hyola 401’ under non-stress conditions showed highest oil yields (4.3 g plants-1). The decrease of oil yields at the flowering stage to stem elongation stage was more than the other stages. In addition, water deficit stress reduced harvest index in the three stress levels due to reduced economic yield and reduced biological yield. Stress susceptibility index for ‘Hyola 401’ at the beginning of stem elongation stage to early emergence of sacs was 0.914 and the ‘Hyola 308’ showed 1.12 at the beginning of stem elongation stage to early emergence of sacs respectively, which it can implies that ‘Hyola 308’ is more sensitive than ‘Hyola 401’ to water deficit stress.
Comparative Analysis of Drought Indices for Drought Zone Scheme of Northern Khorasan Province of Iran
Authors: EYSHI REZAEI Ehsan , MOHAMMADIAN Azade , KOOHI Mansoreh , BANNAYAN Mohammad
Published: April 2018

Drought is one of the natural disasters which deeply influenced agricultural production. Drought monitoring programs could help to forecast and mitigate the impacts of drought. In this study occurrence, severity, and duration of drought were evaluated by monthly rainfall data (1986-2005) that were recorded at all meteorological stations in north Khorasan province of Iran. Drought indices include Standard Rainfall Index (SPI), Decades Index (DI) and Percent of Normal (PNI) calculated and compared to determine drought severity, duration and drought occurrence for all stations. In addition, drought maps were prepared by Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) method, for each study zone. Based on these indices, the most extensive drought occurred in 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2000, and 2001 years. The longest duration of drought based on SPI happened in 1994 and 1997 years. Furthermore, the extreme drought occurred in 1990 and 2001 in all stations. In conclusion, Central part of this province was more exposed to extreme drought during study period than other parts of this region.
Effect of Defoliation and Fe and Mn Spraying on Quality and Quantity Characteristics of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: VAZIN Farshid , HASSANZADEHDELOUEI Mojtaba , KHERADMAND Mohamadjavad
Published: April 2018

The study was aimed at identifying the amount of reduction in the negative effects of leaf removal on both quality and quantity of sunflower as a result of foliar application of Fe and Mn. Severe leaf removal reduced the seed yield and seed weight to 11% and 10.5% respectively. The use of Fe in comparison to control increased the seed yield and seed weight up to 12% and 10% respectively. The use of Mn in comparison to control caused an increase in seed number up to 11.6% but caused a reduction in seed weight to 10%. The use of Fe in normal foliar defoliation treatment (40% defoliation) caused a significant increase in seed yield but no significant effect was observed in sever defoliation treatment (80% defoliation). Although using Mn in all treatments led to a rise in seed yield, the effect was not significant, it could be concluded that the combined use of Mn and Fe had no significant influence on sunflower yield, so there might be an antagonistic effect between the two.
Germination Responses of Several Poaceae Members towards Differential Storage Durations
Authors: PANCHAL Krishna R. , PANDYA Neeta R. , ALBERT Susy , GANDHI Dhara J.
Published: April 2018

Concerns over biodiversity loss and increasing biological invasion have forced interest on assessment of the effects on native plant species diversity in grassland community. To observe different patterns of grass emergence (dormancy/germination) in the warm tropical grasslands of India, time span of a seed from the seedling stage to a mature plant becomes very crucial for the community development. In the present study seed germination response of six dominant species of the selected study area were tested to record the various effects of dry storage conditions on seed germinability. The species selected were Apluda mutica L., Cenchrus ciliaris L., Chrysopogon fulvus (Spreng.) Chiov., Dichanthium annulatum (Forsk.) Stapf., Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. and Schult. and Themeda triandra (R. Br.) Stapf. For this purpose, seed collection at mature seed stage, seed processing and dry seed storage were followed by the germination test system. Obtained results are exhibited in the form of different responses such as, species response patterns towards capacity for immediate germination, responses to dormancy, dry storage and temperature fluctuation. The extent of the requirement in breakage of primary dormancy was highly correlated with the timing of seed maturity, precursors of seed dormancy and seed viability. In present screening out of the six studied species Apluda mutica, Cenchrus ciliaris and Dichanthium annulatum showed dependable germination pattern to fluctuating temperature. The correlation between viability and germination suggests that the germination of Apluda mutica, Cenchrus ciliaris and Themeda triandra are linearly dependent on the viability that the seeds of these species have. As these species showed less influence with the relative fluctuating environment, they can be stored for longer period and frequently can be use for community regeneration in pasture development.
Authors: BAYAT Hassan , AZIZI Majid , SHOOR Mahmood , MARDANI Hossein
Published: April 2018

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ethanol and essential oils of three medicinal plants namely Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) and Ajwain (Carum copticum L.) on extending carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) vase-life. For this purpose three individual trials were conducted using a completely randomized block design with three replications. In the first trial, the effect of 4% ethanol (v/v) as a continuous or pulse treatment was determined. The results showed that although both application methods increased vase-life and marketability of carnation, it was statistically non significant. In the second trial, the effects of selected essential oils at the concentration of 100, 150 and 200 ppm were investigated. All essential oils prolonged carnation vase-life. Summer savory essential oil (100 ppm) showed the highest effect (increasing 4.4 days) in comparison to the control. In the third trial, the interaction between ethanol and the essential oils was studied. Results showed there is no significant difference between application of essential oils alone and in combination with ethanol. The highest fresh weight was observed in cut flowers treated with Summer savory essential oil at 100 ppm after 6 days which was double compared to the control. According to the results of this research it is concluded that essential oils, (natural, safe and biodegradable compounds) as novel alternative materials are suitable for prolongation of carnation vase-life.
Evaluation of Tomato Production Systems in Terms of Energy Use Efficiency and Economical Analysis in Iran
Authors: REZVANI MOGHADDAM Parviz , FEIZI Hassan , MONDANI Farzad
Published: April 2018

Efficient use of energy helps to achieve improved production and productivity, and contributes to economy, profitability and competitiveness of agricultural sustainability. The aim of the present study was to compare open field and greenhouse tomato production systems in terms of energy efficiency, energy intensiveness, energy productivity, benefit to cost ratio and amount of renewable and non-renewable energy uses. Data were collected from 128 and 16 open field and greenhouse tomato growers, respectively, by using a face-to-face questionnaire in 2010. The results showed that the total energy requirement under open field and greenhouse systems were 47647.12 and 2102678.73 MJ ha-1, respectively. The share of direct, indirect, renewable and non-renewable energies from total energy input which average in open field and greenhouse production systems were 74%, 26%, 17% and 83%, respectively. Energy use efficiency was achieved 1.42 and 0.18 in open field and greenhouse, respectively. The benefit to cost ratios of 2.33 in open field and 3.06 in greenhouse was recorded. Based on the present results, open field tomato production system had higher energy efficiency in comparison with greenhouse tomato production system while greenhouse system had a higher economical benefit.
Anatomical Studies on Several Species of Heliotropium L. in Iran
Authors: ABBASI Maryam , ATTAR Farideh , GHAHREMANI NEJAD Farrokh
Published: April 2018

Heliotropium spp. is distributed worldwide mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, with dry and warm temperate to semi-arid regions so that Southwest and center of Asia have considered as the main centre of origin and diversity of Heliotropium genus. Iran, with 32 species and 14 (sub) endemic species, has the highest diversity in the world followed by Pakistan and Turkey with 15 species and only one endemic species and the Arabian Peninsula with 15 species and three endemic species are in the next ranks. In order to anatomical studies on Heliotropium, twelve species of this genus were selected from different regions of Iran. The selected species included: H. bacciferum Forssk., H. ramossisimum BGE., H. brevilimb Boiss., H. transoxanum BGE., H. dasycarpum Ledeb, H. dyginum Forssk., H. aucheri Dc., H. carmanicum BGE. As perennial group and H. ellipticum Ledeb., H. lasiocarpum Fisch., H. suaveolens M.B. as annual group. In order to add more data to leaf anatomy characters, evaluating of systematic relevance and/or adaptive value of the morphological and anatomical diversity we have studied 24 anatomical characters in theses 12 species. For example shape and vascular bundles of main midrib, type of parenchyma cells located under lower epidermis of midrib, distance between vascular bundles and lower or upper epidermis, angle of between two parts of blade, number of cellular layers in lower or upper mesophylla, length of upper and lower mesophylla, type of cell wall in lower and upper mesophylla and thickness of lamina were investigated in this study. In order to this present obtained H. aucheri can be separated from H. carmanicum in H. aucheri subsp. carmanicum. It can be conclude that two species H. aucheri and H. carmanicum are independent species and can accept H. transoxanum as a sub group of H. dasycarpum.
Mapping QTL for Grain Yield under Moisture Stress Environments in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: CHAKRABORTY Supriyo , WANG Sheng-Chu , ZENG Zhao-Bang
Published: April 2018

Polygenes (QTLs) for grain yield were mapped on rice chromosomes under two moisture stress environments by multiple interval mapping (MIM) method in a double haploid (DH) population derived from a cross between a deep-rooted japonica and a shallow-rooted indica genotype. In environment 1 (E1), the MIM detected a total of six QTLs for grain yield on chromosomes-two QTLs on chromosome 1 and four QTLs on chromosome 5 along with one additive x additive epistasis. But in environment 2 (E2), the MIM detected five QTLs for grain yield on two chromosomes-three QTLs on chromosome 1 and two QTLs on chromosome 7. One common QTL on chromosome 1 flanked by the markers RG109-ME1014 was detected in both the environments, although the other detected QTLs differed between environments. The magnitude of QTL effect, percent genetic variance and percent phenotypic variance explained by each QTL was also estimated in both environments. The common QTL explained about 26.05 and 13.93% of genetic variance in E1 and E2, respectively. Estimated broad sense heritability for grain yield was 48.01 in E1 and 25.27% in E2.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Salvadora persica L. against Carrageenan Induced Paw Oedema in Rat Relevant to Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: IBRAHIM Abeer Y. , El-GENGAIHI Souad E. , MOTAWEA Hemaia M. , SLEEM Amany A.
Published: April 2018

In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous alcoholic crude extract and ethyl acetate extract of miswak sticks (Salvadora persica L.) was investigated in carrageenan induced rat paw oedema in respect to immunological parameters. Adult male sapargue dawely rats were classified into four groups, group I received the vehicle (0.25% gum acacia solution), group II received crude aqueous alcoholic extract orally at 100 mg/kg, group III received ethyl acetate extract (100 mg/kg) orally and group IV received indomethacin (20 mg/kg) orally, and served as standard reference. The oedema was quantified by measuring the hind paw thickness immediately before subplantar injection, and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h. Blood samples were withdrawn after the 4th hour of carrageenan induction, centrifuged and sera were used for analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Administration of aqueous alcoholic extract and ethyl acetate extract (100 mg/ml) significantly reduced the oedema thickness in a time dependent manner, the inhibition percentage of inflammation was 17% for crude extract and 27% for ethyl acetate extract. Also the two extracts reduced secretion of inflammatory mediators, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor nercrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in serum. The ethyl acetate extract shows potent activity to be nearly the same of indomethacin activity on all determined parameters at the last hour of following up. These results may be due to the presence of flavonoids in ethyl acetate extract. Three major flavonoids were isolated from ethyl acetate extract and identified as apigenin rhamnoglucoside, luteolin glucoside and rutin. The experimental study revealed that Salvadora persica extracts display remarkable anti-inflammatory activity.
Postharvest Chemical, Sensorial and Physical-Mechanical Properties of Wild Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.)
Authors: MRATINIĆ Evica , POPOVSKI Bojan , MILOŠEVIĆ Tomo , POPOVSKA Melpomena
Published: April 2018

Some chemical, sensorial and physical-mechanical properties of 19 apricot genotypes and Hungarian Best (control) such as moisture content, soluble solids content, titratable acidity ratio and their ratio, fruit and stone mass, flesh/stone ratio, fruit dimensions (length, width, thickness), arithmetic and geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area and aspect ratio were determined. Their application is also discussed. The highest moisture content and stone mass observed in X-1/1/04 and X-1/2/04, soluble solids content in ZO-1/03, titratable acidity in ZL-2/03, SS/TA ratio in ZL-1/03, and fruit mass and flesh/stone ratio in DL-1/1/04 genotype. The most number of genotypes have orange and deep orange skin and flesh colour, respectively, whereas sweet kernel taste was predominant in most genotypes. Regarding physical-mechanical properties, the superior fruit dimensions (length, width, thickness), arithmetic and geometric mean diameter and surface area observed in DL-1/1/04 genotype, whereas the highest sphericity and surface area observed in X-1/1/04 and X-1/2/04 genotypes. Also, the series of genotypes evaluated have better chemical, sensorial and physical-mechanical properties than Hungarian Best (control). Finally, information about these properties is very important for understanding the behaviour of the product during the postharvest operations.
Impact of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Nematode Reproduction and Biochemical Alterations on Tomato
Authors: FARAHAT Ahmed A. , ALSAYED Alsayed A. , EL-BELTAGI Hossam Saad , MAHFOUD Nomair M.
Published: April 2018

The organic amendments, compost, neem and poultry as well as inorganic fertilizer, N P K and nematicide Nemacur 10% G applied singly at two different doses were effective in reducing M. incognita number of galls, nematode reproduction and fecundity. Also, they ameliorated growth criteria of treated tomato plants. The effectiveness seemed to be material origin and concentration dependent. Neem, compost 1, 3 at higher doses (5 g/pot) gave the best results. Yet, achieved results were less than those of nemacur 10% G which overmatched all the organic and inorganic fertilizers. Nematode infection reduced total soluble sugars in roots but the opposite was the case in all treatments. Nematode infection supported root contents of amino acids, total phenols and tannins but they were diminished as a result of almost all treatments. Total soluble sugars and total carbohydrates in shoots decreased as a result of nematode infection but they were regained only by application of inorganic fertilizer. Total amino acids increased in shoots of infected plants and more increase was observed in almost all treatments. Nematode infection impaired tomato uptake of N P K; organic and inorganic fertilizers provoked plants up take, however nemacur improved plants up take of nitrogen only.
Assessment of Salicylic Acid Impacts on Seedling Characteristic of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Water Stress
Authors: MARDANI Hossein , BAYAT Hassan , SAEIDNEJAD Amir Hossein , REZAIE Ehsan Eyshi
Published: April 2018

Impacts of various concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedling characteristic were evaluated under different water stress levels by using a factorial arrangement based on completely randomized design with three replications at experimental greenhouse of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The studied factors included three water deficit levels (100% FC, 80% FC, and 60% FC) considered as first factor and five levels of SA concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mM) as second factor. Results showed that foliar application of SA at the highest concentration enhanced leaf area, leaf and dry weight while decreased stomatal conductance under high level of water deficit stress. Though, severe water deficit stress sharply raised the SPAD reading values. In general, exogenous SA application could develop cucumber seedling characteristic and improve water stress tolerance.
Identification and Pathogenicity of Phytopathogenic Bacteria Associated with Soft Rot Disease of Girasole Tuber
Authors: ISMAIL Mamdoh Ewis , ABDEL-MONAIM Montaser Fawzy , MOSTAFA Yasser Mahmoud
Published: April 2018

During 2010-2011 growing seasons six bacterial isolates were separated from naturally infected girasole plants tubers (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cv. ‘Balady’, showing soft rot, collected from experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, in El-Minia University, Egypt. Pathogenicity tests showed various virulence for the bacteria isolated from girasole tubers, found pathogenic. These organisms were characterized as rod-shaped, Gram negative, α-methyl-d-glucoside medium, reducing substances from sucrose, phos, phatase activity and deep cavities on pectate medium. Otherwise, diagnostic tests suggested that the pathogen was Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora. The isolated bacteria caused soft rot of wounded tubers when inoculated into tissues. The bacterial isolates were compared for their degree of pathogenicity as well as for differences in specific symptoms, induced in different hosts. The tested isolates could infect several host ranges, such as fruits of apricot, apple, olive, lemon, squash, eggplant and potato tubers, bulbs and garlic and onion cloves, roots radish, carrot, sweet potato and rape. On the other hand, no symptoms were exhibited on pods of bean and cowpea, faba bean, fruits of pepper and tomato. The extracts of experimentally diseased girasole tubers were active in pectinase and also in caboxymethyl cellulose at pH 6 compared to enzyme activities in healthy tissues. Also, the isolated bacteria increased the total and reducing sugars in infected tissues.
Leaf Protein Electrophoresis and Taxonomy of Species of Jatropha L. (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: OLADIPO Olaniran Temitope , ILLOH Herbert Chukwuma
Published: April 2018

The systematic relationship existing among members of the all important genus Jatropha was studied using leaf protein electrophoresis. The aim was to identify possible taxonomic importance of the protein profile in the estimation and elucidation of the taxonomic affinity of the six species of Jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linn., J. podagrica Hook., J. gossypifolia Linn., J. mutifida Linn., J. tanjorensis Ellis & Saroja and J. integerrima Linn.) found in Nigeria. The species were screened for total protein banding patterns using gel electrophoresis. Young leaves (0.8 g) of the plants were washed with distilled water and macerated with sterile mortar and pestle in 0.8% Phosphate Buffer-Saline (PBS) containing 0.4 M NaCl at pH 8.0. Results reveal that protein banding pattern was taxon specific. Generic band occurs at 8.3. The highest number of interspecific bands (4) exists between J. podagrica and J. multifida. Variations exist not only in the number of bands but also in the intensity of the bands. Sokal and Sneath coefficient of similarity ranges between 11.1-44.4 %. Single linkage Cluster Analysis (SLCA) of the relative mobility values of the protein in the taxa shows partial agreement with current sub generic and sectional delimitation of the species based on morphology and anatomy of the species.
Preventative and Curative Effects of Several Plant Derived Agents Against Powdery Mildew Disease of Okra
Authors: MOHARAM Moustafa Hemdan Ahmed , OBIADALLA ALI Hazim Abd El-Rahman
Published: April 2018

The preventative and curative effects of some plant derived agents based on plant extracts or essential oils were studied at different concentrations against Erysiphe cichoracearum DC. ex Merat, the causal pathogen of okra powdery mildew by the detached leaf-disk and potted plants bioassays. Through detached leaf-disk assay, the highest mean preventative effect (97.74%) was recorded by neem seed oil followed by jojoba oil (89.82%) and extract of Rynoutria sachalinensis (82.77%). Neem seed oil at 1% was the most effective agent followed by jojoba oil and extract of R. sachalinensis at 1.5% and 2%, respectively, where they suppressed E. cichoracearum completely. Potted plants assay revealed that neem seed oil, jojoba oil and extract of R. sachalinensis as well as the fungicide (active ingredient dinocap) showed higher preventative efficacy at all leaf olds treated after 7 and 14 days of inoculation as compared with extracts of henna and garlic. Moreover, the preventative efficacy partly remained apparent after 14 days of inoculation at all leaf olds tested. In field trials through 2010 and 2011 growing seasons, when the first symptoms of powdery mildew appeared naturally, 1.5% jojoba oil, 2% extract of R. sachalinensis and 1% neem seed oil were sprayed individually twice on grown plants to evaluate their efficacy on controlling powdery mildew, growth and yield of okra. Resulted showed that neem seed oil was the most effective agent and highly decreased the disease severity to 29.92%, recorded the highly curative effect (68.15%) and also improved plant growth and pods yield.
Weed Interference Affects Dry Bean Yield and Growth
Authors: GHAMARI Hossein , AHMADVAND Goudarz
Published: April 2018

Dry bean is one of the most important pulse crops in Iran. Field study was conducted in 2011 to evaluate effects of weed competition from a natural flora on growth and yield of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The treatments consisted of weed infestation and weed removal periods (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days) after crop emergence. Control plots kept weed-infested and weed-free throughout growing season. To assess the weed competition effect on crop characteristics, Richards, Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to the data. The most abundant weed species were Chenopodium album and Amaranthus retroflexus. Increase in duration of weed interference decreased the stem height of dry bean. At the end of the growing season, dry bean was 20 cm taller in season-long weed-free treatment compared to the season-long weed-infested treatment. As the number of days of weed interference increased, a declining trend of LAI and number of pods was observed. The minimum number of pods was obtained in season-long weed-infested treatment (5.01 pods/plant). Weed interference during the whole growing season, caused a 60% reduction in yield. Considering 5% and 10% acceptable yield lost, the critical period of weed competition was determined from 20 to 68 and 23 to 55 days after planting (DAE), respectively.
In-Vitro Efficacy of Trichoderma viride Against Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina
Authors: DOLEY Khirood , JITE Paramjit Kaur
Published: April 2018

The fungal pathogen causes serious widespread losses to agricultural crops worldwide. Therefore, economy of countries may worsen especially of developing countries. In addition, harmful chemical pesticides which are being used today for increasing crop production creates very serious health hazardous problems to human beings and ecosystem as a whole. The antagonistic potential of Trichoderma species which has been long known to control various soil-borne fungal pathogens in biological way may be utilized. The faster growth rates with which it competes with fungal pathogen mainly brings upon their antagonistic characteristics. An investigation was carried out in laboratory condition towards biological efficacy of T. viride on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium for the bio-control of soil-borne plant pathogens Sclerotium rolfsii and Macrophomina phaseolina in in-vitro condition. The dual culture technique was followed in which T. viride showed significant antifungal activities towards both the pathogens. T. viride significantly inhibited the mycelial radial growth of S. rolfsii by 75% and M. phaseolina by 71.42%. The results showed variable mycelial growth rate for all fungal isolates which was determined after 6 days of incubation in which T. viride showed minimum of 4.00 days to completely cover the petri-plates and S. rolfsii showed 4.33 days whereas M. phaseolina showed 6.33 days. Thus, T. viride showed encouraging results regarding their biopesticidal and biofungicidal potential against plant pathogens which may be endorsed to substitute harmful chemical supplements that exists in modern day agricultural practices.
Investigation of Antioxidant Capacity and Some Bioactive Compounds of Iranian Pistachio (Pistachio vera L.) Cultivars
Authors: DAVARYNEJAD Gholamhossein , STEFANOVITS-BÁNYAI Éva , NAGY Peter Tamas
Published: April 2018

Edible nuts have an increasing role in human diet. Pistachio is a popular but less known kind of edible nut nevertheless it is rich in health benefiting nutrients, minerals, antioxidants and vitamins. Therefore, this study attempts to determine the antioxidants capacity, total phenolics and amount of some major elements (nitrogen, potassium, calcium and phosphorus), present in the most important Iranian pistachio nut, to enhance the health benefits, and use in breeding programs. For this reason eleven pistachio cultivars (‘Akbary’, ‘Ahmad Aghaii’, ‘Daneshmandi’, ‘Kalle Ghoochi 1’, ‘Kalle Ghoochi 2’, ‘Garmeh’, ‘Ohadi 1’, ‘Ohadi 2’, ‘Sefid’, ‘Momtaz’, and chance seedling tree ("None-grafted") as control) which are grown in commercial orchards of Fayzabad (Khorasan-e-Razavi) were analyzed for determination of some major elements, antioxidants capacity and total phenolics contents. The results showed that the amounts of the nutrients in 100 g kernel were within the following ranges: N 2.5-4.1 g, P 355.9-546.6 mg, K 573.6-994.9 mg and Ca 61.5-134.5 mg. Total phenolics content varied from 5.3-9.9 mg gallic acid equivalents in g fresh weight. The results also showed that the capacity of antioxidant ranged from 1.6-3.7 (mg ascorbic acid equivalents in g fresh weight). Weak correlation was observed between total phenolic content and total antioxidant capacity (r2=0.3824). The result demonstrates that there is adequate variation in major elements, antioxidants capacity and total phenolics contents within pistachio cultivars and hence there is potential for improvement towards enhancing these health-promoting photochemical in this nuts.
Production of Itaconic Acid from Jatropha curcas Seed Cake by Aspergillus terreus
Authors: AHMED EL-IMAM Amina M. , KAZEEM Muinat O. , ODEBISI Mutiat B. , OKE Mushaffa A. , ABIDOYE Azeezat O.
Published: April 2018

Submerged substrate fermentation of Jatropha seed cake, a by-product of oil extraction from Jatropha curcas seed was carried out using Aspergillus terreus for the production of itaconic acid. The Jatropha seed cake was initially converted into fermentable sugars by dilute acid hydrolysis using 50% sulphuric acid. The rate of hydrolysis was 1.04 gL-1. The fermentation process was carried out at room temperature, agitation of 400 rpm and three physico-chemical parameters (pH, inoculum size and substrate concentration) were varied. Itaconic acid and glucose assays were carried out by spectrophotometry and Dinitrosalicylic acid methods respectively daily. Maximum yield of itaconic acid was 48.70 gL-1 at 5 ml of inoculum size, 50 g substrate concentration and pH 1.5. The residual glucose concentration increased for the first two days of fermentation after which it began to decrease as the itaconic acid concentration increased. The least concentration of itaconic acid observed was 6.00 gL-1, obtained after 24 hours of fermentation with 4 ml inoculum size, 50 g substrate concentration and at pH 1.5. The findings of this work indicate that Jatropha curcas seed cake is a suitable substrate for itaconic acid production.
Effect of Nitrogen Nutritional Stress on Some Growth Parameters of Zea mays L. and Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Authors: OLOGUNDUDU Akinbode Foluso , ADELUSI Adekunle
Published: April 2018

This study investigated the responses of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) seedlings growth parameters to nitrogen nutritional stress. This was with a view to determining whether nitrogen nutritional stress would retard or enhance maize and cowpea growth, partly, wholly or not at all through its effect on biomass accumulation and some morphological parameters. Germination of seeds was done using treated sand in sixty plastic pots. A group of the seedlings was nutrient stressed by administering 200 ml of complete nutrient solution minus nitrogen (-N) while the other groups were fed with five times (X5N) and ten times (X10N) the optimal concentration of nitrogen and the last regime was fed with full nutrient solution (FN). The effects of optimal concentration and nitrogen stress on the growth rates (as measured by their fresh and dry weight) were studied. The result of the growth analysis showed that there was increase in shoot height with supraoptimal concentrations of nitrogen treatments (X10N and X5N) while there was a decrease in shoot height with minus nitrogen (-N) regimes. The observed higher biomass (dry matter yield) under the FN regimes in both Zea mays and Vigna unguiculata were attributed to optimal nutrient assimilation rate.
Combining Ability and Heterosis for Grain Yield and its Component Traits in Rice(Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: LATHA Srikrishna , SHARMA Deepak , SANGHERA Gulzar S.
Published: April 2018

The nature and magnitude of heterosis and combining ability was studied in 18 F1 hybrids involving three CMS lines and six testers using line × tester analysis. The analysis of variance for combining ability of all the traits showed that variances due to treatments, parents, hybrids were highly significant. The line ‘CRMS 32A’ and testers viz. ‘Super rice-8’, ‘R 1099-2569-1-1’ and ‘Jitpiti’ were identified as good general combiners. The significant differences between lines x testers interaction indicates that SCA attributed heavily in the expression of these traits and demonstrates the importance of dominance or non additive variances for all the traits. The hybrid ‘CRMS 32A’/‘R 1099-2569-1-1’ and ‘APMS 6A’/‘Super rice-8’ were promising for grain yield. The magnitude of relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis were also estimated for different characters. A high degree of relative heterosis was observed for grain yield (20.45- 82.37%) in the hybrids viz., ‘CRMS 32A’/‘Super rice-8’, ‘APMS 6A’/‘Super rice-8’, ‘APMS 6A’/‘Jitpiti’ and ‘CRMS 32A’/‘R 1099-2569-1-1’. While, a higher degree of: heterobeltiosis (13.60 -68.37%) was observed for grain yield in the hybrids viz., ‘CRMS 32A’/‘Super rice-8’, ‘CRMS 32A’/‘R 1099-2569-1-1’, ‘APMS 6A’/’Super rice-8’ and ‘APMS 6A’/’Jitpiti’. A high degree of standard heterosis was observed for grain yield in the hybrid ‘CRMS 32A’/‘R 1099-2569-1-1’. The hybrid ‘CRMS 32A’/ ‘R 1099-2569-1-1’ recorded a high degree of relative heterosis (62.01%), heterobeltiosis (57.35%) and standard heterosis (15.05 and 25.51% over check hybrids, ‘Mahamaya’ and ‘Indirasona’, respectively) that can be tested on yield trials for its further testing over locations.
Control of Shoot Tip Necrosis in Shoot Cultures of Portulaca grandiflora Hook
Authors: SRIVASTAVA Archana , JOSHI Aruna G.
Published: April 2018

Portulaca grandiflora, an important medicinal plant was found to show the incidence of shoot tip necrosis (STN) in shoot cultures obtained from nodal explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3% sucrose along with 8 µM Kinetin and 4 µM BAP. This physiological disorder is primarily due to the deficiency of calcium and boron content in the medium. Thus in the present work varying concentration of boron which was used in the form of boric acid (0.1-0.4 mM), calcium gluconate (3-30 mM) and calcium chloride (3-30 mM) were incorporated in MS medium and its effect on STN was evaluated. The observations revealed that 18 mM calcium chloride was the optimum concentration for lowering STN in shoot cultures to 40% after four weeks.
Evaluation of Antiaggressive Activity of Capparis zeylanica Root Extract in Experimental Animal Model
Authors: MISHRA Sunil Kumar , SINGH Paras Nath , DUBEY Satya Deo
Published: April 2018

Aggression can ensue due to exposure to an intimidating situation. Aggression is prominently seen when a disturbance occurs in the fine balance of neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine and their receptor subtypes. The present study investigated the ability of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Capparis zeylanica root (EECZ) circumvent aggression. Foot shock induced aggression, isolation-induced aggression, resident-intruder aggression and water competition test were utilized as models for screening of antiaggressive activity. Extract was given orally at three different dose levels (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) once daily for three consecutive days, while Diazepam (2.5 mg/kg), was administered as positive control. EECZ significantly (p<0.05) minimized aggression dose dependently in the entire dose (100, 200, 400 mg/kg). Results suggested that EECZ showed significant antiagressive activity in aforementioned validated models of aggression. EECZ at all dose levels (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) have shown promising anti-aggressive activity qualitatively comparable to that of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg).
Detection of Genetic Variation and Genetic Diversity in Two Indian Mudskipper Species (Boleophthalmus boddarti, B. dussumieri) using RAPD Marker
Authors: RAMANADEVI Vellaichamy , THANGARAJ Muthusamy , SURESHKUMAR Anbazhagan , SUBBURAJ Jayachandran
Published: April 2018

Due to the environmental changes and habitat destruction the mudskipper fish population is decreasing in recent years. To predict the fish population structure, frequent manual survey and molecular methods are widely used. Molecular markers such as RAPD, microsatellite, allozyme, D-loop haplotype are frequently adopted to assess the population structure of an organism. In this study ten- arbitrary primers were screened to estimate the genetic relationships and diversity of two mudskipper species (Boleophthalmus boddarti and B. dussumieri) in Vellar estuary, Tamilnadu, India. By this RAPD marker study, the genetic diversity (H) in B. boddarti was more (0.0116 ± 0.0066) than in B. dussumieri (0.0056 ± 0.0024) in Vellar estuary (India). The genetic distance between B. boddarti and B. dussumieri was 1.7943. By observing the species specific bands and the phylogenetic analysis it is revealed that these two species clearly deviated into separate clusters emphasizing the distinct species status.
Influence of Putrescine Application on Storability, Postharvest Quality and Antioxidant Activity of Two Iranian Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars
Authors: DAVARYNEJAD Gholamhossein , ZAREI Mehdi , ARDAKANI Elham , NASRABADI Mohamad Ebrahim
Published: April 2018

The limited postharvest storage life of apricot is the focus of this study. Presenting a solution to improve the postharvest storage of studied apricot cultivars is the goal. Studding the effect of different concentration of postharvest putrescine on quality attributes and antioxidant activity of two apricot cultivars during storage is the approach taken. The two apricot cultivars (‘Lasgerdi’ and ‘Shahrodi’) were harvested at the commercial ripening stage, and fruits were immerged in 1, 2, 3 and 4 mM putrescine as well as distilled water (control) for 5 min, then fruits were packed in boxes with polyethylene cover and stored at 4°C and 95% relative humidity for 20 days. The changes in weight loss, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, maturity index, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and antioxidant activity were estimated after 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days during storage. The results showed that the weight loss, total soluble solids, pH and maturity index increased significantly while the fruit firmness, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and antioxidant activity decreased significantly during storage for both cultivars. During storage, a significant difference between control and putrescine treatments in all measured parameters is observed. The putrescine treatments reduced significantly the weight loss and maintained their firmness. In this condition, the highest and lowest of titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and antioxidant activity were observed in treatments of 4 mM putrescine and control, respectively. The data revealed that the quality of apricot fruits was improved by the use of putrescine treatment due to its effect on delaying the ripening processes.
Introduction pages
Authors: SESTRAS Radu E
Published: April 2018

Introduction pages