bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on wheat quality
Authors: Kismányoky T. , Ragasits I.
Published: August 2004

The influence of organic and nitrogen fertilization on the amount and quality of wheat yield was examined in Keszthely on Ramann's brown forest soil containing an average level of potassium, a low level of phosphorus and a medium level of nitrogen. The experiment involved treatments with 0-200 kg/hectare of nitrogen, 100 kg/hectare each of phosphorus (P2O5) and potassium (K2O), farmyard manure, straw and green manure, together with a non-fertilized control. Nitrogen fertilization had a substantial effect on the yield (the 1.98 t/hectare yield was increased threefold by 200 kg/hectare of nitrogen). The treatments modified the quality of wheat significantly. Nitrogen fertilization together with farmyard manure increased the gluten content (to 35.8% compared to 11.35% in the control). The farinographic index increased to 77.4 (from 33.9 in the control) and the Zeleny number also increased significantly (from 10 in the control to 35.5). When low rates of nitrogen were applied overall improvement was not achieved in spite of the favourable influence of farmyard manure.
Genetic analysis of yield and its component traits in spring wheat
Authors: Joshi S. K. , Sharma S. N. , Singhania D. L. , Sain R. S.
Published: August 2004

Combining ability analysis in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) involving 10 diverse parents and their 45 F1and F2progenies indicated significant differences between the parents for GCA and between the crosses for SCA for all the characters studied. The GCA and SCA components of variance were significant for all the traits. However, the GCA component of variance was predominant, indicating the predominance of additive gene effects for the traits studied. Among the parents HD 2329, Raj 1972, HD 2285 and HD 2428 were the best general combiners for grain yield and average to high combiners for other important traits. The best specific crosses for grain yield were CPAN 3004 × Durgapura 65, Sonalika × HD 2329, Raj 3077 × CPAN 3004, Raj 3077 × HD 2428 and HD 2428 × WH 157.The parent Raj 1972 was the best general combiner for grain yield and protein content, while Raj 3077 and Lok-1 were the best general combiners for protein content. The most suitable specific crosses for protein content were HD 2329 x HD 2285, HD 2428 × Raj 1972 and CPAN 3004 × WH 157. Most of the specific crosses for grain yield and protein content involved high × average, average × average or average × poor general combiners. To ensure a further increase in grain yield along with high protein, combinations of desirable yield components are advocated. The exploitation of additive and non-additive gene actions through bi-parental mating and/or diallel selective mating systems are suggested for a tangible advance in grain yield coupled with high protein in spring wheat.
Role of open-pollinated populations in the development of maize lines with commercial value
Authors: Hadi G.
Published: August 2004

If hybrids with better yield potential than that of currently grown hybrids are to be developed, new lines will be required with better genes and gene combinations. New character combinations only arise in populations. The probability of developing lines suitable for the development of commercial hybrids from heterozygotic populations is always extremely low. This is probably due to the fact that the linkage groups of the genotype carrying favourable properties are not fixed. The method by which linkage groups can be fixed has been known for several hundred years: continual selection aimed at stabilising and standardising the desired characters, and partial inbreeding. A great deal of breeding experience provides evidence of the fact that the linkage groups containing the desired characters are not necessarily confined to a single chromosome. The joint inheritance of several chromosomes over a number of generations suggests the presence of an as yet unknown mechanism which helps to preserve the favourable characters tested and accumulated by breeding or natural selection in a system offering a number of alternatives.
Effect of planting pattern and N splits on yield attributes, yield and quality of rainfed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Vijayakumar M. , Subbian P. , Lourduraj A. C. , Selvaraju R.
Published: August 2004

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India during the North East Monsoon (October-December) seasons of 1997 and 1998 in a split plot design to study the effect of planting pattern and N splits on the yield attributes, yield and quality of rainfed sunflower. The main plot consisted of three plant populations (133,333 plants ha-1, 111,111 plants ha-1 and 88,888 plants ha-1) and the sub-plot treatments of six N split levels. The results revealed that the yield attributes of sunflower were higher at the closest spacing of 30 × 25 cm than at the widest spacing of 30 × 37.5 cm. The seed yield was higher at closer (30 × 25 cm) spacing in 1997 and at wider spacing (30 × 37.5 cm) in 1998. In both years the split application of nitrogen resulted in higher growth, yield attributes, seed yield and quality parameters when compared to full basal application.
Split strategies and intercropping dhaincha for in situ green manuring and seed production in wet-seeded rice
Authors: Anbumani S. , Chandrasekaran B. , Nadanassababady T. , Rajendran P.
Published: August 2004

In a wet-seeded rice establishment system, it is feasible to raise dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata. W.) in alternate rows as an intercrop using a newly developed joint rice and green manure seeder. Intercropping dhaincha exclusively for in situ green manuring recorded a higher grain yield of rice (with green manure) than sole rice. Besides in situ green manuring, leaving every 20th row for seed production achieved not only the self manuring of the land, but also the self-production of green manure seed (dhaincha). Leaving dhaincha at narrow spacings (10th or 15th row) for seed production affected the growth, development and yield of rice in the adjacent rows. Within the total dose of fertiliser N, split dose of 25, 33, 21 and 21% at 20 days after sowing (DAS), at green manure incorporation (37 DAS), 55 DAS and 70 DAS were found to be the ideal method of N application, alleviating the temporary lock-up of N, if any, upon green manure incorporation. Thus, the sustainability of the green manure intercrop for in situ incorporation in the rice culture and of green manure seed production were proved by the study.
Effect of integrated management of irrigation, composted coir pith and nutrients on the growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.Merr.)
Authors: Prabhakaran N. K. , Lourduraj A. C.
Published: August 2004

Field experiments were conducted during the summer (February-May) and south west monsoon (June-September) seasons of 1996 and 1997 at the Aliyarnagar Agricultural Research Station of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India, to study the growth and yield of soybean in response to irrigation, composted coir pith, time of N, P, K application and use of a nutrient mixture spray. The results revealed that irrigation at 0.90 IW/CPE [ratio of Irrigation Water Depth (IW) to Cumulative Pan Evaporation (CPE)], the application of composted coir pith and the split application of N, P and K in conjunction with a nutrient mixture spray significantly increased the plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production and grain yield of soybean. However, the root length of soybean was significantly reduced by irrigating at 0.90 IW/CPE (compared to irrigation at 0.70 IW/CPE and 0.50 IW/CPE) and by the application of composted coir pith.
Investigation of correlations and milking parameter distribution on cattle farms in eastern Croatia
Authors: Mijić P. , Knežević I. , Baban M. , Domaćinović M. , Rimac D.
Published: August 2004

Recently secondary cattle selection traits have been given more attention in developed cattle breeding countries in establishing a selection index. In this way, milking traits have acquired a prominent place. This paper aimed to determine coefficients of correlation and regression between a number of milking traits, that could be helpful in establishing a selection index for breeding bulls and their dams. A further goal was to determine the distribution of milking parameters. The data of 303 Holstein Friesian and 235 Simmental cows were analysed.  The results showed that in both cow breeds correlations existed between milk yield and average milk flow (0.39 and 0.49), as well as between milk yield and milking time (0.53 and 0.35). Negative correlations were found between average milk flow and milking time (-0.49 and -0.56). For the Holstein Friesian breed, 67.0% of the cows had a total milk flow in the range of 1.61 to 3.60 kg/min, whereas in the Simmental breed 72.2% of the cows had a total milk flow of 2.40 kg/min.  The milk flow rate can be indirectly affected by selecting cows with higher milk production. The definition of an optimal milk flow rate and the determination of breeding goals for milking traits will lead to faster progress in milking trait improvement and an easier choice of quality breeding bulls and dams.
Comparative studies on the seedling copper tolerance of various hexaploid wheat varieties and of spelt in soil with a high copper content and in hydroponic culture
Authors: Bálint A. F. , Kovács G. , Sutka J.
Published: August 2004

On areas used for agriculture copper toxicity is one of the most important forms of heavy metal pollution, especially where field crops are to be grown in fields previously used as orchards or vineyards, treated for a long period with pesticides containing copper. Only varieties with good tolerance of soil with a high copper content should be grown on such areas. The selection of copper-tolerant varieties is complicated, however, by the fact that it is difficult to study copper tolerance under field conditions. Heavy metal tolerance is generally tested in hydroponic cultures, in which interfering factors can be minimised, but it is impossible to test a large number of genotypes or segregating generations using this method. Another problem in such experiments is that the conditions existing in hydroponic cultures bear little resemblance to those found in the field, so little information is obtained on the real adaptation of the varieties. The aim of the present experiments was thus to elaborate a soil-based technique suitable for determining the copper tolerance of various genotypes and allowing the simultaneous testing of a large number of genotypes under conditions approaching those found in the field. The results indicate that the copper tolerance of seedlings can be determined by growing them to an age of 2 weeks in soil containing 1000-1500 mg/kg CuSO4 × 5 H2O, since genetic differences in copper tolerance could be clearly distinguished under these conditions. The copper tolerance of plants grown in copper-containing soil exhibited a close correlation with the results obtained in physiological tests in hydroponic culture.
Dependence of seed maize yield on inter-row spacing and sowing density
Authors: Jovin P. , Đukanović L. , Jovanović Z. , Vesković M. , Tošić J.
Published: August 2004

The seed maize hybrid ZP 677 was tested under irrigated conditions on the DPP Maglic estate in Backi Maglic during 2000 and 2001. Sowing the female component of the hybrid ZP 677 at an inter-row spacing of 70 cm resulted in both higher yield (4.55 t ha-1) and higher number of seeds per unit area (15,407,000) in comparison to sowing at an inter-row spacing of 35 cm, where the corresponding values were 4.39 t ha-1 and 14,667,000, respectively. At sowing densities of 71,425, 85,538 and 99,899 plants ha-1, yields of 4.46, 4.38 and 4.59 th ha-1 were recorded, while the number of seeds per unit area amounted to 14,670,000, 14,769,000 and 15,686,000, respectively. The 1000-seed weight decreased on average for all seed fractions at both inter-row spacings as the sowing density increased. Neither inter-row spacing nor sowing density affected the seed germination obtained with the standard test method, but germination in the cold test exhibited an insignificant increase with an increase in sowing density.
Vertical distribution of forms of potassium in major soil series of Tamil Nadu
Authors: Natarajan S. , Renukadevi A.
Published: August 2004

Fifteen major soil series at the rate of three for each soil group, namely red non-calcareous, red calcareous, black calcareous, brown calcareous and alluvial soils, were studied for the vertical distribution of different forms of potassium. The total potassium content varied from 515-5513 ppm and generally increased with depth. It was positively related with clay, silt, CaCO3, CEC and total Ca. Non-exchangeable K ranged from 340-1326 ppm and did not exhibit any uniformity in its distribution in soil profiles. The exchangeable K varied from 45-684 ppm and was positively related to organic carbon. NH4OAc-K ranged from 15-298 ppm. Soil properties like clay, silt, CaCO3 and organic matter were positively related to available K. Water-soluble K varied from 2-33 ppm and was found to decrease with the depth of the soil profile. It was positively correlated with organic carbon and negatively related to clay plus silt. Studies on the relationship between the above forms of potassium indicate that, except for total K, the other forms were closely related, indicating the possibility of predicting one from the other.
Effect of metal non-adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on Cd, Ni and Zn uptake by ryegrass
Authors: Takács T. , Vörös I.
Published: August 2004

The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of metal non-adapted arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) application on the metal uptake of the host plant in a pot experiment. The soil samples originated from a calcareous chernozem soil treated with Cd, Ni and Zn with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as the test plant. Changes in the parameters of mycorrhizal root colonization and in the metal uptake of the host as affected by metal type, metal rate and mycorrhizal treatments were investigated. efficient mycorrhizal symbiosis was found to develop; the heavy metal uptake of the plants decreased in the presence of this symbiosis with metal non-adapted AMF.
Evaluation of soil pedotransfer functions for soils of the Csallóköz and Szigetköz regions
Authors: Štekauerová V. , Šútor J. , Farkas C.
Published: August 2004

In this study pedotransfer functions (PTFs) were developed to estimate the soil water retention curves (SWRCs) for Rye Island (Csallóköz, S. W. Slovakia). A representative set of soil water retention curves was measured using a laboratory method on samples taken from soils the study area. Particle size distribution and bulk density were determined as well. Multiple regression analysis was used for estimating nine statistical relationships in order to predict the drying part of the SWRCs. Texture and bulk density were used as predictors. Pedotransfer functions were verified on another set of measured water retention curves from the same territory as well as on SWRCs determined for soils of the Szigetköz region in Hungary. A good agreement was found between the calculated and measured SWRCs for the Slovakian soils, while somewhat poorer estimates could be given for Hungarian soils.
Book review
Authors: Berzsenyi Z.
Published: August 2004

A. R. Overman and R. V. Scholtz III.: Mathematical Models of Crop Growth and Yield. Marcel Dekker, 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. 2002. Hardcover, 344 pp., 150.00. ISBN 0-8247-0825-3.
Effect of sowing date on yield and yield components of three oilseed rape varieties
Authors: Fathi G. , Siadat S. A. , Hemaiaty S. S.
Published: August 2004

In order to elucidate the effect of sowing date on the yield and yield components of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), three varieties - Tower, Rafal and Global - were sown from 7 November to 22 December 2000-01 on four dates at an interval of 15 days in the Dezful region of Iran. A split-plot design based on randomized complete blocks with four replications was used in the experiment, where the sowing dates and cultivars formed the main and subplots, respectively. Variables including plant height, axillary branches/plant, pods/plant, seeds/pod, single seed weight, biomass, seed oil content and seed yield were measured. The soil of the experimental site had a loamy clay texture. The site had 250 mm annual precipitation and was located in the semi-arid zone. The results showed that the sowing date had a highly significant effect on morphological characteristics, yield components, oilseed rape yield and seed oil content. A delay in the sowing date caused a reduction in all the yield components especially in pods/plant, and in oilseed yield, which dropped from 285 g m-2 when sown on 7 November to 135 g m-2 when sowing was delayed to 22 December. Variations in sowing dates had different effects on the individual yield components, with pods/plant, seeds/pod and single seed weight decreasing to the greatest extent. The significant effect of variety on all characters with the exception of single seed weight indicated that there were genetic differences between the studied cultivars. Oilseed yield showed significantly positive correlations with pods/plant (r=0.93), single seed weight (r=0.83) and seeds/pod (r=0.66). The results of path analysis showed that pods/plant and seeds/pod had the highest positive and negative effects on oilseed yield, respectively. Finally, considering the susceptibility of pods/plant to variations in sowing date and the importance of this character in the size of the oilseed yield, a delay in the planting date in the Dezful region was found to reduce the oilseed yield through a reduction in pods/plant.
Application of morphological descriptions and genetic markers to analyse polymorphism and genetic relationships in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Nagy E. , Gyulai G. , Szabó Z. , Hegyi Z. , Marton L. C.
Published: August 2004

Studies involving morphological description with both dominant (RAPD) and codominant (SSR, isoenzyme) molecular markers were made on 28 maize inbred lines of known genetic background with a final aim of prediction of heterosis. The genetic distance and degree of relationship between the lines was determined using cluster analysis. Only a very limited extent of allele polymorphism could be detected in isoenzyme analyses as the 28 lines formed only 16 gel electrophoretic groups, indicating that certain lines had identical isoenzyme patterns. On the basis of RAPD and gene-specific microsatellite (SSR) markers, however, all the lines could be distinguished from each other. When the lines were grouped according to genetic background it was found that although the individual marker systems only partially reflected the actual relationships between the lines, a joint processing of the data, supplemented with morphological data, revealed a close correlation between the groups formed on the dendrogram and the genetic background.
Genotypic variation for potassium accumulation and utilization efficiency in barley under rainfed potassium stress conditions
Authors: Shivay Y. S. , Chen J. H. , Ding S. R.
Published: August 2004

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of K nutrition and genotypic variation on the dry matter (DM) accumulation, and the K concentration, accumulation, uptake and utilization efficiency in barley (Hordeum vulgareL.). Successive increases in potassium nutrition had a significant effect on the dry matter and K accumulation either in the total or in various plant parts of barley at the tillering, stem elongation, heading and maturity growth stages. K nutrition also led to significantly higher grain yield with each unit K application than without K application. The yield increase due to K application was mainly due to the improvement in spike development from tillers. Dry matter and K accumulation in various plant parts varied significantly between genotypes at the main growth stages. Among the various plant parts, the stem contained the highest K concentration, had the highest K accumulation at maturity and changed considerably with the K level, while other plant parts remained relatively unchanged. Among the eleven genotypes, genotype 98-6 had the highest grain yield and the K use efficiency of this genotype was 10.4 kg grain per kg K applied. It could thus be used as a breeding line to breed barley varieties for higher productivity under rainfed conditions with low available soil potassium.
Combining ability in the F1 and F2 generations of a diallel cross in six-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Sharma Y. , Sharma S. N. , Joshi P. , Sain R. S.
Published: August 2004

The F1and F2progenies of a ten-parent diallel cross (excluding reciprocals) were analysed for the combining ability of quantitative traits in six-rowed barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). significant differences were indicated between the parents, F1s and F2s for all the characters studied. The gca and sca components of variance were significant for all the traits. Both additive and non-additive gene effects were involved in the genetic control of the characters; however, non-additive gene effects were observed to be predominant. Among the parents RD 2035, RD 2052, RD 2503 and BL 2 were the best general combiners for grain yield and average to high combiners for other important traits.The parents RD 2552 and RD 387 were the best general combiners for dwarfness. The best specific crosses for grain yield were RD 2503 × RD 2585,RD 2035 × RD 2052, RD 2035 × BL 2, RD 2052 × BL 2, RD 2508 × RD 2552, RD 2552 × RD 2585 and Rd 2052 × RD 2552 in both the F1and F2generations. These crosses were higher yielders and in most of the crosses one of the parents involved was a good combiner, indicating that such combinations can be expected to produce desirable transgressive segregants. All the best crosses for grain yield also showed average to high sca effects for most of the yield components. Most of the specific crosses for grain yield involved high × average, average × average and average × poor general combiners. To ensure a further increase in grain yield, the combination of desirable yield components is advocated. The inclusion of F1hybrids showing high sca, and having parents with good gca, in multiple crosses, bi-parental mating or diallel selective mating could prove a worthwhile approach for further amelioration of grain yield in six-rowed barley.
Study of the frost tolerance and winter hardiness of emmer (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccon) genebank accessions under natural and artificial conditions
Authors: Kovács G. , Bálint A. F. , Sutka J.
Published: August 2004

The growing interest in emmer cultivation has no doubt been stimulated by the increasing demand for traditional foods with an image of naturalness, especially on the organic market. The new economic situation could stimulate the breeding and production of emmer as the source of an especially valuable foodstuff. It is the task of breeders to produce emmer varieties that can survive even the hardest winter occurring in the targeted cultivation area without serious damage. The best sources to improve the winter hardiness are probably the emmer genetic resources stored in genebanks. Unfortunately no public data are available on the frost tolerance and winter hardiness of the various genebank accessions. In the present research the frost tolerance and winter hardiness of 10 winter emmer genebank accessions were studied under nursery and phytotronic conditions. The results suggest that the majority of the populations studied are frost-sensitive, and only few landraces have an acceptable level of winter hardiness and frost resistance.
Electron microscope studies on cold pretreated and non-pretreated anthers of maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes with different embryogenic capacities
Authors: Szakács É. , Barnabás B.
Published: August 2004

The relationship between ultrastructural changes in the anthers caused by cold pretreatment and the haploid induction capacity of different maize genotypes was investigated. The degeneration of the tapetal cells appears to be genotype-dependent, but the extent of the degeneration is not correlated with the androgenetic ability of the given genotype. Based on the stainability of the cytoplasm, two microspore types were found. The results suggest that the “dense” microspores take part in pollen embryogenesis.
Influence of growth factors on the yield and quality of dry beans
Authors: Nemeskéri E. , Nagy L.
Published: August 2004

investigations were made on the relationship between plant density and plant height, and on the yield, thousand seed mass, and ratio of diseased and broken seeds of varieties with different seed sizes. Experiments were carried out to analyse the effects of potassium on the yield, bacterial diseases and nutritive quality of the seed of bean varieties. Three dry bean cultivars representing the small, medium and large seed size groups were investigated. Six plant density treatments were chosen based on theoretical seed norms, taking the germinative value of the seeds into consideration. The correlation between plant density and yield average showed that the volume of yield increased for varieties with large and medium-sized seeds up to a plant density of 285-400 thousand/ha, after which it declined. On the basis of the results, yield averages at plant densities of 285-334 thousand plants/ha were 0.17 t/ha higher than those achieved at low density (200 thousand plants/ha). At greater plant density the plant height increased in the case of large-seeded varieties and there was a considerable decrease in the thousand seed mass. With an adequate water supply a high level of potassium decreased the number of pods and seeds per plant compared with the basic level, which gave a yield of 2.5 t/ha. The use of high rates of potassium fertilizer decreased the number of infected seeds, but the differences were only significant for the small-seeded variety. A moderately high potassium level was advantageous for food quality, particularly during drought.
Physiological studies on the influence of cytokinin or GA3 in the alleviation of salt stress in sorghum plants
Authors: Ismail A. M.
Published: August 2004

Salt stress reduced the germination capacity, the root and shoot lengths, the production of fresh and dry matter, and the water content in sorghum (sorghum bicolorL.) seedlings. This reduction was concomitant with a decrease in the contents of soluble proteins, free amino acids and nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), while proline and quaternary ammonium compounds (qacs) increased, especially at low and moderate (50 and 100 mM NaCl) salinity levels. Pre-soaking sorghum grains in either cytokinin or gibberellic acid (GA3) partially or completely counteracted the adverse effects of salinity on the rate of germination, seedling growth and some metabolic mechanisms. Generally, exogenous applications of cytokinin or GA3enhance the metabolic processes of sorghum plants and improve their tolerance to salt stress.
Growth and yield maintenance in bread wheat by seed priming under late-sown conditions
Authors: Kant S. , Verma P. , Pahuja S. S.
Published: August 2004

In the sub-tropical regions of India, the 1stto 3rdweek of November is the optimum time for sowing wheat. A delay in sowing due to various factors causes a substantial yield reduction. Seeds of four wheat varieties (Sonak, UP 2338, Raj 3765 and PBW 343) were subjected to seed priming treatments involving water, salts, growth regulator and the sowing of sprouted seed under late-sown conditions during the winter seasons of 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The sowing of sprouted seeds resulted in significantly more rapid emergence of seedlings, accompanied by higher grain and straw yields. Seeds primed with IAA, KCl, water, ZnSO4and Na2SO4followed in this order. The lowest seedling emergence and grain yield were obtained for unprimed seeds. Seedling emergence was higher in the variety Sonak, while Raj 3765 and UP 2338 had higher leaf water, osmotic and turgor potentials during the 1998-99 season. The variety PBW 343 produced significantly higher grain and straw yields in the 1999-2000 season.
HPLC analysis of carotenoids from fruits of Cucurbita pepo L. var. melopepo Alef.
Authors: Muntean E. , Bele C. , Socaciu C.
Published: August 2004

The fruits of Cucurbita pepo L. var. melopepo Alef. are very much appreciated in low calory human diets, mainly for their delicate taste. Their carotenoid pattern has not yet been established, as both the epicarp and the mesocarp are white, suggesting that they contain no carotenoids. HPLC analysis of carotenoids from these fruits revealed a chromatographic pattern very similar to that of other fruits belonging to different varieties of Cucurbita pepo L. - a fact with great chemotaxonomic importance. The main carotenoids are lutein and ß-carotene; traces of violaxanthin, lactucaxanthin, ß-cryptoxanthin, 9Z-ß-carotene and 15Z-ß-carotene are also present. HPLC separation was achieved on a Nucleosil 120 - 5 C18 column, using the following mobile phases: A - acetonitrile : water (9 : 1) and B - ethyl acetate. The flow rate was 1 ml/min and the solvent gradient was as follows: from 0 to 16 min - 10 to 70% B, then from 16 to 25 min - 70 to 10% B. Quantification of the carotenoids was achieved by the internal standard method, using echinenone as internal standard. The total carotenoid content was found to be 1.12 µg carotenoids/g dry weight for the mesocarp and 3.62 µg carotenoids/g dry weight for the epicarp.
Effect of weed management practices on the yield attributes and yield of wet-seeded rice
Authors:   M. Raju, Pandian B. J. , Thukkaiyannan P. , Thavaprakash N.
Published: August 2004

Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Killikulam, India during the kharif (July to November) and summer (December to April) seasons of 1999 and 2000 in a randomized block design. The treatment consisted of three pre-emergence herbicides (pretilachlor + safener 0.3 kg ha-1 4 days after sowing [DAS], butachlor 1.0 kg ha-1 8 DAS and pendimethalin 1.0 kg ha-1 8 DAS) and one early post-emergence herbicide (butanil 3.0 ha-1 15 DAS), each in combination with mechanical or hand weeding 30 and 45 DAS. In addition, green manure (Daincha) intercropping and incorporation, mechanical and hand weeding twice alone (25 and 50 DAS) were compared with the unweeded check. The results revealed that the pre-emergence application of pretilachlor + safener 0.3 kg ha-1 + hand weeding twice (30 and 45 DAS) promoted higher yield attributes and maximum yield in wet-seeded rice.
Substitution analysis of seedling stage copper tolerance in wheat
Authors: Bálint A. F. , Kovács G. , Börner A. , Galiba G. , Sutka J.
Published: August 2004

The relatively copper-tolerant wheat variety Chinese Spring (recipient), the copper-sensitive variety Cappelle Desprez (donor) and their substitution lines were screened for copper tolerance in a soil pot experiment under artificial growth conditions. Chromosomes 5A, 5B, 5D and 7D of Cappelle Desprez significantly decreased the copper tolerance of the recipient variety to varying extents.  By contrast, the 6B and 3D chromosomes significantly increased the copper tolerance of Chinese Spring, suggesting that a wide range of allelic differences could be expected between wheat genotypes for this character. The significant role of homologous group 5 in copper tolerance was confirmed by testing wheat-rye substitution lines. The substitution of rye chromosome 5R (5R/5A substitution line) into a wheat genetic background significantly increased the copper tolerance of the recipient wheat genotype. The results suggest that chromosomes 5R and 5A probably carry major genes or gene complexes responsible for copper tolerance, and that the copper tolerance of wheat can be improved through the substitution of a single chromosome carrying the responsible genes. At the same time, it is also possible that the effect of homologous group 5 is not specific to copper tolerance, but that the genes located on these chromosomes belong to a general stress adaptation (frost, cold, vernalisation requirements, etc.) complex, which has already been detected on this chromosome. To answer this question further studies are needed to determine the real effect of these chromosome regions and loci on copper tolerance.
Studies on the behaviour of some fungal diseases of rice in the mangrove swamp ecology at Warri, south eastern Nigeria
Authors: Maji E. A. , Imolehin E. D:
Published: August 2004

Studies on the ecological behaviour of Cochliobolus miyabeanus (Ito et Kurib.) Drechsl. ex Dast., syn. Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan Shoem.), the causal agent of brown spot in rice (Oryza sativa L.), were carried out in the tidal mangrove swamp at Warri Experimental Farm, Southeastern Nigeria. A split randomised complete block design with four replications was used. Monthly transplantings from July to September formed the main plot, which was subdivided into control and N-treated subplots. Disease incidence increased when transplanting was delayed. This was probably due to the fact that flowering coincided with environmental conditions favourable for disease development from November to February. Nitrogen fertilization at 40 kg N/ha significantly (P=0.05) reduced C. miyabeanus incidence in 1997/1998, but not in the 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 cropping seasons at the same site. The grain yields of ROK 5, a medium-duration improved rice variety (approx. 150 days), were significantly (P=0.05) reduced in late-transplanted crops (September to November) in spite of adequate N fertilization. Mangrove mud was not an important source of C. miyabeanus propagules. The incidence of leaf scald caused by Monographella albescens (Thum) Parkinson, Sivanesan and Booth syn. Microdochium oryzae (Hashioka and Yokogi) Samuels and Hallet, and of leaf smut caused by Etyloma oryzae Miyake was generally stimulated by N application.
Development of diploid pollen in spikelet cultures of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.)
Authors: Szakács É. , Barnabás B.
Published: August 2004

Colchicine is a plant alkaloid, known for thousands of years and currently used widely for the doubling of the genome in plant and animal cells due to its antimitotic effect. The aim of the present experiments was to develop stable autodiploid pollen grainsin vitroin diploid lines of rye (Secale cerealeL.) and barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) and to use these in intra- and interspecific crosses. Spikelet cultures of one rye and one barley variety were subjected to colchicine treatment in different stages of development and under differingin vitroconditions. Exposure to colchicine led to a drastic reduction both in the number of fertile pollen grains and in the percentage seed-setting, which was only observed in cultures inoculated in the early binuclear microspore stage. On medium containing colchicine the seed-setting percentage was 1.6% for barley and 0.1% for rye. Flow cytometry and root tip analysis revealed that all the progeny barley plants were diploid, while in the case of rye one was tetraploid, indicating that the egg cell may also be diploidised by colchicine treatment.
Effect of weed control treatments and hill-spacing on soybean and associated weeds
Authors: Galal A. H.
Published: August 2004

Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm of Assiut University, during the 2000 and 2001 summer seasons, to study the effect of three hill spacings (5, 10 and 15 cm) and six weed control treatments on the associated weeds, plant growth, yield and quality of soybean. The weed control treatments were carried out with trifluralin, linuron, pendimethalin, bentazon and hand hoeing, with an unweeded treatment as the control. All the weed control treatments exerted a significant influence on the dry weight of weeds. Hand hoeing and pendimethalin treatment significantly decreased the dry weight of dicot and monocot weeds as compared to the unweeded treatment. Hand hoeing gave the lowest value of the dry weight of total weeds and the highest efficiency percentage. In general, the significantly lowest dry weight of total weeds was recorded for densely sown soybeans. The weed control treatments exerted a significant influence on all the characters under study (plant height, weight of pods and seeds/plant, number of plants at harvest, seed yield/ha). The height of the first pod was lowered by hand hoeing and the application of pendimethalin increased the number of pods/plant, while the highest values of number of branches/plant, seed index, oil and protein contents were obtained after linuron application. wider spacing produced higher values for the number of pods and branches/plant, weight of pods and seeds/plant, seed index and protein content and lowered the height of the first pod as compared to plants sown at closer spacing. The latter produced the highest values of number of plants/ha, seed yield/ha and oil content at harvest. The first order interaction exerted a significant influence on all the characters studied, the highest seed yield/ha (2728.6 kg) being obtained from sowing plants at 5 cm combined with hand hoeing.
Effect of spad techniques and planting density on 'Y' leaf nitrogen concentration in transplanted rice
Authors: Janaki P. , Thiyagarajan T. M.
Published: August 2004

Field experiments were conducted in June-September 1998 and 1999 with rice variety ASD18 at the wetland farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, in Coimbatore, India to examine variations in 'Y' leaf (youngest fully expanded leaf) N concentration as influenced by different planting densities and N management strategies in a split plot design. The main plot consisted of three plant populations (33, 66 and 100 hills m-2) and the sub-plots treatments of five N management approaches. The results revealed that the nitrogen concentration progressively declined with growth, the decline being steep up to 35 days after transplanting, wereafter the values became almost linear up to the flowering stage in all the treatments. The mean 'Y' leaf N was found to be significantly higher at 33 hills m-2 (45.1 g kg-1), while the other two densities were on par (42.9 g kg-1). When N application was based on chlorophyll meter (SPAD) values the leaf N concentration was maintained at a level of 39.2 to 51.9 g kg-1 to produce maximum grain yield. A significant correlation was observed between the chlorophyll meter values and 'Y' leaf N concentrations at various days after transplanting (r values ranged from 0.57* to 0.83**), while the correlation was highly significant during the major physiological growth stages. Though the 'Y' leaf content was significantly higher in the treatment involving Sesbania rostrata green manuring + 150 kg N applied in splits, the grain yield produced was on par in all the N applied treatments. A highly significant correlation was observed between the grain yield and both 'Y' leaf N content and SPAD values during various growth periods.
Effect of stubble management with biological inoculants on the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in rice-based cropping systems
Authors: Damodaran V. , Subbian P. , Marimuthu S.
Published: August 2004

A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University from July 2001 to July 2002 to study the effect of different stubble management practices using biological inoculants on the growth and yield of rice in rice-based cropping systems. inoculation with Trichoderma viride during stubble incorporation followed by the application of 120 kg N ha-1 in 4 splits produced significantly taller plants, higher LAI and dry matter, a larger number of productive tillers, longer panicles with more filled grains and higher grain yield. However, it was on par with the stubble management practice involving Trichoderma viride followed by the application of 90 kg N ha-1 in 4 splits.
Book review
Authors: Kiss J. M.
Published: August 2004

George P. Rédei: Encyclopedic Dictionary of Genetics, Genomics, and Proteomics. 2nd Edition, 1392 pages, A John Wiley and Sons, Inc. Publication, Hoboken, NJ, USA 2003
Nutrient status and enzyme activity alteration in cucumber seedlings as a response to boron deficiency
Authors: Mohamed A. A. , Shaaban M. M.
Published: August 2004

Cucumber (Cucumus sativus L. var. Beit alpha) seedlings were grown in two groups on boron-deficient (traces of boron) and boron-sufficient (10.0 µM boron) hydroponic media for 30 days under controlled conditions. At harvest, the concentrations of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were determined in addition to boron (B) in the dry tissues of roots and leaves. The concentration of phenolic compounds in the roots was also determined. Peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity was assayed in the fresh plant material. In addition, changes in the peroxidase and catalase isozyme patterns were also identified. The results showed that the vegetative growth of cucumber plants was negatively affected by boron deficiency. Biomass accumulation decreased by as much as 24.3% in the shoots and 49.1% in the roots. The nutrient concentrations in both the leaves and roots of B-stressed plants were substantially lower. Phenolic compounds were accumulated in significant amounts in the roots of deficient plants. The peroxidase and catalase enzyme activities were significantly increased in the tissues of deficient plants and new isozymes were induced or activated. The irregular biochemical changes occurring in B-deficient plants were explained as a plant physiological response to B-deficient conditions.
An ecological look at saline wetlands
Authors: Shokri M. , Safaian N. , Ahmadi M. Z.
Published: August 2004

Due to the occurrence of considerable areas of wetlands in the world, the wise, sustainable use of these lands is one of major importance for ecologists and agriculturists. As the presence of indicator species and plant communities can be a measure of the compatibility between plants and edaphic conditions in these regions, the ecological niches of plant species in part of the southern coastal areas of the Caspian Sea have been studied to show the correlation of each species with its own habitat. The plant communities were separated with Ward's cluster analysis. The correlation of these communities and plant species with environmental factors was investigated with the CCA method, using PC-Ordination-4 software. The results showed that the soil EC, water table, soil pH, SAR and ESP were 14-157 dS/m, 0-240 cm, 6.5-8.5, 13.4-84.8 and 2-55%, respectively. This range of values, in addition to creating ecological niches for species with different ecological roles, was also effective in the formation of plant communities. The analysis of vegetation and soil data with the CCA method showed the relationships between soil factors and vegetation. In spite of the dominance of the species Halocnemum strobilaceum in all the plant communities, the correlation of this species with plant species such as Aeluropus littoralis, Salicornia europaea, Aeluropus lagopoides,Salsola aurantia and Puccinella distans in relation to changes in EC, water table, pH, SAR and ESP, is important from the point of view of sustaining the physical environment and ecological function. The simplification of these ecosystems (by drainage, agriculture, etc.) may disturb the natural equilibrium. As these ecosystems are susceptible and changes in their use are costly from the ecological and economic points of view, the wise use of ecosystems in their natural forms (rangelands and habitats) is recommended to prevent the spread of salinity and to protect habitats and biodiversity.
Evaluation of genetic stocks derived from Hordeum vulgare L. × H. bulbosum L. crosses
Authors: Mihailescu A. , Giura A.
Published: August 2004

The aim of the programme started at ARDI-Fundulea in 1999 is to improve the pest and disease resistance of cultivated barley (H. vulgareL.) by introgressing valuable genes from the wild speciesH. bulbosumL.The paper presents results on the development and cytogenetical characterization of primary genetic stocks represented by diploid, triploid and tetraploid interspecific hybrids and first backcrossed generation descendants. several sterile diploid hybrids were found during the phenotypic screening and cytological analysis of haploid progeny fromH. vulgare2x ×H. bulbosum2x crosses. These hybrids were treated with colchicine and fertile tetraploid hybrids were obtained. Significant improvements in the seed setting andin vitrotriploid hybrid regeneration were obtained using doubled haploid lines (DHLs), previously selected for high interspecific crossability, in crosses with a tetraploid cytotype ofH. bulbosum.Meiosis analysis of triploid hybrids provided compelling evidence that relatively high intergenomic allosyndetic pairing had occurred in some of the triploids with increased potential for crossing over and genetic recombination. High mean values for hybrid stability, multivalent associations in MI, higher chiasma frequency per PMC and partial pollen fertility were considered by far the most important criteria in the cytogenetic selection of triploid hybrids. Selected triploids were backcrossed to barley DHLs. Among thein vitroregenerated backcrossed progeny several putative substitution lines (SLs) were identified by preliminary cytological screening. The complete phenotypic and cytogenetic characterization and disease resistance tests of tetraploid hybrids and putative SLs or RLs are now in progress.
Combining ability for physiological traits in spring wheat over environments
Authors: Sharma S. N. , Menon U. , Sain R. S.
Published: August 2004

Combining ability analysis was carried out in the F1 and F2 generations of a 10 × 10 parents half diallel for peduncle length and flag leaf area in spring wheat under three environments. The mean squares for both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant for peduncle length in both the generations, indicating the involvement of both additive and non-additive gene actions in the inheritance. However, the high values of GCA variance showed the greater importance of additive gene action in the inheritance of this trait. Flag leaf area was observed to be controlled by non-additive gene action. The environment played a significant role in the expression of both the traits. The GCA × environment interaction exhibited greater sensitivity in all cases than the SCA × environment interaction. The varieties Kharchia 65 and Durgapura 65 emerged as desirable general combiners for peduncle length, whereas Pavon and Moncho had high mean performance for flag leaf area. These parents could be used as donors in future breeding to develop a physiologically efficient wheat genotype with high production. The crosses Moncho × Brochis and Durgapura 65 × Raj 821 were the most desirable specific combinations for flag leaf area and Kharchia 65 × Chiroca for both the traits. Desirable transgressive segregants can be expected from these crosses. Diallel selective mating or bi-parental crossing could be useful for the genetic improvement of these physiological traits.