bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross Compatibility Analysis to Identify Suitable Parents of Tagetes erecta and T. patula for Heterotic Hybrid Breeding
Authors: ZHANG Huali , XIN Haibo , CONG Richen , LI Zijing , SONG Lina , WEI Zunzheng
Published: July 2019

Seven interspecific crosses of Tagetes erecta × T. patula were conducted in this study. The cross compatibility index, seed setting rate, germination rate, phenotype, ploidy level, heterosis over male parent and field performance were tested. The results showed that different cross compatibility indices of Tagetes vary greatly, from 10.44~114.41, which is far less than that of the intraspecific hybridization S-121 × I-506 index. The seed setting rate of each cross ranged from 15.67% to 49.0%, and the cross S-121 × TP-512 scored the highest seed setting rate, which was higher than that of the intraspecific cross S-121 × I-506 (35.85%). Compared with the male parent, F1 has higher plant height, wider crown width, larger flower diameter and more ray florets and earlier bloom with two exceptions. The S-121 of T. erecta was diploid. All of the male parents of T. patula were tetraploids, and the combinations were triploids. The traits of plant height, plant width, flower size and number of ray florets showed positive heterosis over the male parents, and the days leading to flowering showed both positive and negative ones. Finally, S-121 × TP-379 and S-121 × TP-512 were selected as the two best combinations. This study confirmed that the two species of marigold could be crossed for better F1 varieties with improved performance.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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Foliar N:P Stoichiometry in Aralia elata Distributed on Different Slope Degrees
Authors: WEI Hongxu , ZHAO Hengtian , CHEN Xin
Published: July 2019

Plant nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (P) stoichiometry is of essentially ecological meaning to non-wood forest production (NWFP) plant community in the temperate forest ecosystem. In this study, natural Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. communities in montane areas of southern Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China were investigated for plant density, vegetative growth, and soil and leaf parameters on slopes in 5°, 9°, and 14° degrees. We found that individual height was greater in sites on 5°- (1.6 m) and 9°-degree slopes (1.9 m) than on the 14°-degree slope (0.8 m), but soil available P content was highest on the steepest slope (5.5, 4.0, and 16 mg kg-1, respectively). The foliar N:P ratio ranged 6–13. Nitrogen availability tended to promote community density and individual growth; while P availability tended to depress density but promote foliar biomass accumulation. By the diagnosis of plant nutritional monogram, the better growth and high foliar N:P ratio of about 13:1 in A. elata individuals on 9°-degree slope were generated by both deficiency-driving N uptake and excessive P depletion. We recommend the 9°-degree slope to develop A. elata community which can be fed by higher N availability if higher density was achieved.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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The Propagation of Rosa gallica ‘Tuscany Superb’ by Root Cuttings with the Use of IBA and Biostimulants
Authors: MONDER Marta Joanna , WOLIŃSKI Konrad , NIEDZIELSKI Maciej
Published: July 2019

The research was aimed at studying the possibility of an alternative method of propagation the difficult-to-root Rosa gallica ‘Tuscany Superb’. The root cuttings of three thickness were rooted using IBA preparations (Chryzotop green, Rhizopon AA 020XX) and biostimulants (Tytanit, Root JuiceTM). The shoots disappeared before the growth of the roots. At the first days of growth, the both shoots and roots elongated upright without polarity. The primordia of the first type of root/shoot buds were situated in cambium zone as the subtending traces of near the rays visible on the cross sections. Moreover, the second types of buds were located in pericycle tissues. The swellings suggested inherence buds were disappearing before rooting. The content of reducing and non-reducing carbohydrates was lower at the time of harvesting the rooted cuttings than before rooting. The thickness of the root cuttings had a significant importance for growth parameters and content of carbohydrates in rooted cuttings. The most useful root cuttings, those achieving the highest mean rooting percentage are thick (76.8%) and medium (67.9%) size. Preparations or biostimulants had a differential influence on rooting process and none of them unequivocally guaranteed an improvement in the rooting percentage of cuttings, parameters of growth or content of carbohydrates. The Rhizopon AA 020XX (90.0%) in thick and Chryzotop green (87.5%) in medium cuttings increased the rooting percentage significantly. Root JuiceTM (0.1%, 0.2%) and Tytanit (0.04%) were also enough positive activity in medium cuttings and can replace IBA preparations.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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Comparison of the Chemical Composition of Essential Oils Isolated from Two Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Cultivars
Authors: WESOLOWSKA Aneta , JADCZAK Dorota
Published: July 2019

In the studies conducted in 2016-2017, the chemical composition of the essential oils isolated from the herb of two thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) cultivars was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analyses of the volatile oils of T. vulgaris L. cv. ‘English Winter’ and cv. ‘Summer Thyme de Provence’ led to the identification of 80 and 73 constituents, respectively. The main components found in the oil of ‘English Winter’ cultivar were thymol (44.97 and 38.06% in 2016 and 2017, respectively), p-cymene (7.61 and 10.34%), γ-terpinene (7.08 and 6.66%) and carvacrol (5.11 and 8.27%). Similarly, thymol (36.82 and 37.32%), p-cymene (15.73 and 11.20%), γ-terpinene (5.34 and 11.09%) and carvacrol (6.50 and 5.35%) dominated in the essential oil of ‘Summer Thyme de Provence’ cultivar. However, the higher content of thymol was noted for cultivar ‘English Winter’, while cultivar ‘Summer Thyme de Provence’ was richer in p-cymene.
 
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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Seed Vigour Tests to Estimate Seedling Emergence in Cress (Lepidium sativum L.) Seed Lots
Authors: DEMIR Ibrahim , KENANOGLU Burcu B. , ÖZDEN Eren
Published: July 2019

This work was carried out to estimate field and controlled room seedling emergence potential through seed vigour tests in cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seeds. Early radicle emergence percentages after 12 (RE12h), 24 (RE24h) and 36 (RE36h) hours of germination test, mean germination time, accelerated aging (45 °C, 100% RH, 24 h), electrical conductivity (EC) of soaking water (40 ml, 50 seeds, 20 °C), after 16 hours (EC16h) and 24 hours (EC24h), and EC16h and EC24h after accelerated ageing (AA, 45 °C, 100% RH, 24h) were tested as vigour tests in ten commercial seed lots of cress. Standard laboratory germination ranged between 88 and 93%. Seeds were sown on two occasions in field and controlled room conditions, and seedling emergence percentages were determined after 30 days in the soil and 14 days in the controlled room. Seedling emergence ranged between 67 and 85% and 59 and 83% in the first and second sowings in the field. These values were 75 and 92% in controlled room sowing. Vigour tests were correlated to seedling emergence potential at various significance levels but RE24h and EC16h showed the highest correlation coefficient values (p < 0.001) in all three sowing conditions as r = 0.879-0.988 in RE24h, and r = 0.902-0.962 in EC16h. Results indicated that early radicle emergence percentages after 24 hours (RE24h) and electrical conductivity value after 16 hours (EC16h) can be successfully used to estimate the seedling emergence potential of cress seeds in field and controlled room conditions.
 
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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Fresh Fruits and Some Traditional Products of Wild Grown Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)
Authors: VELJKOVIĆ Bojana , JAKOVLJEVIĆ Violeta , STANKOVIĆ Milan , DAJIĆ-STEVANOVIĆ Zora
Published: July 2019

The current study investigated and compared phytochemical and antioxidant activity of fresh fruit and some traditional products of Rubus idaeus grown in mountain region of Serbia. The total organic acid, total sugar content, total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins and vitamin C were evaluated. The antioxidant activities were evaluated using two antioxidant systems 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). The fresh fruit contained highest amount of vitamin C (46.62 mg AA g-1) and total organic acids (882.22 mg CA g-1). The sweet preserve had highest content of total phenolics (200.83 mg GA g-1), flavonoids (12.85 mg RU g-1) and tannins (39.11 mg g-1). The juice had the highest total anthocyanin content (107.22 µg mL-1) and total sugar content (25 °Brix). The best antioxidant activity in ABTS assay had juice (IC50 = 4.87 µmol TE g-1), followed by sweet preserve (IC50 = 5.14 µmol TE  g-1), almost identical to standard gallic acid. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, sweet fruit preserve showed significant better antioxidant activity (IC50 = 41.27 µg mL-1) compared to juice (IC50 = 106.07 µg mL-1) and fresh fruit (IC50 = 294.79 µg mL-1). Our results indicated promising perspectives for usage of R. idaeus fresh fruits and traditional products studied with considerable levels of vitamin C, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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The Impact of Ammonium to Nitrate Ratio on the Growth and Nutritional Status of Kale
Authors: ASSIMAKOPOULOU Anna , SALMAS Ioannis , KOUNAVIS Nikolaos , BASTAS Alexandros I. , MICHOPOULOU Vasiliki , MICHAIL Evaggelos
Published: July 2019

The effect of four NH4:NO3 ratios in the nutrient solution (0:100; 25:75; 50:50 and 75:25) on growth and nutrient concentrations of four kale (Brassica oleraceae L. var. acephala) hybrids: ‘CN KAL 1029’, ‘Redbor’, ‘Winnetou’, ‘Reflex’ and  one indigenous cultivar: ‘Ntopia Mytilinis’ was investigated. In the first four weeks of cultivation none of the NH4/NO3 ratios applied induced adverse effects on most growth characteristics determined whereas plants grown with 75% NH4-N accumulated higher leaf N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu concentrations. After an eight week period, plants under 75% NH4-N showed significant reductions in many growth parameters suggesting a probable preference of kale plants grown for a prolonged period towards either a complete exclusion of NH4 from the nutrient solution or a 25:75 or a 50:50 NH4/NO3 ratio. Among the genotypes tested, ‘Ntopia Mytilinis’ produced the greatest yield with the lowest leaf nitrate accumulation. 

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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The eggplant yield and fruit composition as affected by genetic factor and biostimulant application
Authors: POHL Alicja , GRABOWSKA Aneta , KALISZ Andrzej , SEKARA Agnieszka
Published: July 2019

Consumer demands regarding eggplant fruits are focused on perfect shape, color, and taste but nutritional and bioactive quality has also become important with rising awareness of food related health. On the other hand, producers value modern cultivars’ earliness, high-yielding, stress-tolerance, and high overall fruit quality. We attempt to link these two standpoints through combining modern hybrids cultivated in the open field of temperate climatic zone with biostimulant application to increase the dynamics of yielding and the quality of fruits. The aim of our research was the determination of the genotypic-dependent response of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) to Ascophyllum nodosum standardized extract (Göemar BM-86) application in field conditions of Poland, with respect to the most important characteristics linked to yield quality and plant stress status. The early and total yield of investigated hybrids was affected by biostimulant application, and this dependence was confirmed statistically for most of the treatments. The increase of ‘Epic’ F1 and ‘Flavine’ F1 yield potential through Göemar BM-86 application was linked to higher fruit number harvested from the plants, while ‘WA 6020’ F1 led to greater fruit weight. Investigated hybrids responded differently to biostimulant treatment with respect to dietary and pro-health value of fruits. Generally, the content of soluble sugar, anthocyanins, and mineral elements as well as was antioxidant activity of fruits were positively affected by biostimulant application. This tendency was statistically confirmed for several experimental treatments. Presented results give a new perspective on seaweed-based biostimulants as elicitors of crop’s self defense mechanisms as well as modulators of fruit setting, productivity and bioactive compounds accumulation in eggplant.
 
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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Validation of Gender Specific CAPS Marker in Turkish Fig (Ficus carica L.) Collection and F1 Progenies
Authors: IKTEN Hatice , YILMAZ Yeliz
Published: July 2019

In most dioecious plants, distinguishing male and female progenies is not possible until flowering or fruiting stage. The fig (Ficus carica L.) is such a plant where distinguishing male and female plants at the seedling stage can accelerate fig-breeding programs. An orthologue of RAN1 loci was reported to be associated with sex determination in fig (Mori et al., 2017). The objective of this study is to validate this locus on Turkish fig germplasm collection and F1 population obtained from a cross between female genotypes ‘Bursa Siyahi’ and male genotype ‘Ak Ilek’. A total of 144 genotypes from germplasm collection and 115 F1 individuals were tested with CAPS (cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences) marker following the Mori et al. (2017). The loci produced a 315bp amplification product from all genotypes. PciI digestion of PCR products resulted in 100% concordance between phenotypes and molecular tests. On the other hand, HpyCH4IV enzyme digestion of 8 female genotypes resulted in false negatives among the tested materials. Therefore, despite overall results show that the locus is suitable for gender selection of plants at the seedling stage in the breeding programs, care should be taken when HpyCH4IV enzyme is to be employed for CAPS assay.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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Optimization and Characterization of Extracellular Cellulase Produced by Native Egyptian Fungal Strain
Authors: El-BAROTY Gamal , ABOU-ELELLA Faten , MOAWAD Hassan , El-SEBAI Talaat N. , ABDULAZIZ Fatma , KHATTAB A. A.
Published: July 2019

Since accumulation of agricultural wastes represents a huge problem, it was important to explore the available methods to help eliminate agricultural wastes safely, and simultaneously produce functional enzyme like cellulase. Six native Egyptian fungal strains were isolated, morphologically identified and screened for cellulose biodegradation potential, which was determined as endoglucanase or as carboximethylcellulase (CMCase). The most promising isolate (Aspergillus terreus) was selected for molecular characterizations based on sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Further optimization experiments were accomplished on the selected strain. The strain with cellulolytic activity, 2.26 IU mL-1 was identified using ITS nucleotides (genes) sequences and the result confirmed that the strain is 99.8% homology with A. terreus. Then, it was submitted to GeneBank and given an accession number. Further optimization experiments revealed that 35ºC is the optimum temperature for cellulase production and raised the enzyme activity (EA) up to 3.19 IU mL-1. Out of two organic nitrogen sources; peptone at concentration 6 gL-1 was found to be the optimum nitrogen source for cellulase production with the highest activity 4 IU mL-1. Whereas, the different four carbon sources: microcellulose, corn stalks, wheat straw and rice straw showed significant differences in EA with values 11.07, 9.68, 7.87 and 3.71 IU mL-1, respectively at  pH 3. The maximum EA was recorded to be within 5-7 days of incubation, dependent on type of carbon sources. The optimization of different incubation conditions raised cellulolytic activity from 2.26 IU mL-1 up to 11.18 IU mL-1.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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High frequency 2n pollen formation in black poplar (Populus nigra L.) induced by colchicine
Authors: XU Wenting , ZHANG Yan , GUO Liqin , ZHAO Jian , WEI Zunzheng , ZHANG Jinfeng
Published: July 2019

Populus nigra L. is one of the most important male genetic donors in populus genetic improvement and tree breeding over the world. Many excellent Populus nigra clones are identified as triploids potentially obtaining by hybridization of 2n pollen and normal oogamete. This study revealed the cytological mechanism of 2n pollen formation in Populus nigra L. for the first time and concluded the best treated combination of colchicine treatment, which obtained 2n pollen with the highest rate reaching at 87.11% (even 100% 2n pollen in some floral buds) which made the polyploid hybridization utilizing 2n pollen in section Aigeiros possible.

 

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In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.

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Sequential Path Analysis for Determination of Relationship Between Yield and Yield Components in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum.L.)
Authors: MOHAMMADI Mohtasham , SHARIFI Peyman , KARIMIZADEH Rahmatollah
Published: July 2019

An experiment was conducted to evaluate 295 wheat genotypes in Alpha-Lattice design with two replications. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation of grain yield was 2706 and 950 (kg/ha),respectively. The results of correlation coefficients indicated that grain yield had significant and positive association with plant height, spike length, early growth vigor and agronomic score. Whereas there were negative correlation coefficients between grain yield and days to physiological maturity and canopy temperature before and during anthesis. Path analysis indicated agronomic score and plant height had high positive direct effects on grain yield, while canopy temperature before and during anthesis, and days to maturity, wes another trait having negative direct effect on grain yield. The results of sequential path analysis showed the traits that accounted as a criteria variable for high grain yield were agronomic score, plant height, canopy temperature, spike length, chlorophyll content and early growth vigor, which were determined as first, second and third order variables and had strong effects on grain yield via one or more paths. More important, as canopy temperature, agronomic score and early growth vigor can be evaluated quickly and easily, these traits may be used for evaluation of large populations.
Taxonomic Diversity of Lianas in Tropical Forests of Northern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: TARAKESWARA NAIDU Maradana , ANIEL KUMAR Owk , VENKAIAH Malleboyina
Published: July 2019

Lianas are important in forest ecosystem and strongly influence the forest dynamics and diversity. Lianas are common in the tropical moist deciduous and rain forests, which are competing with other forest trees. Little information is known on the habitat specialization in tropical lianas diversity and the root causes for variation among forests in liana species composition. A total of 170 liana species (≥ 1.5 cm girth at breast height) representing 109 genera and 43 families were reported in 5×5 m quadrate samples along with their climbing modes in the tropical forests of northern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 210 grids were sampled in study area and reported that Convolvulaceae was the dominant family with 23 species followed by Papilionaceae, 22 species and Asclepiadaceae, 19 species and Ipomoea was the largest genera. Woody lianas were dominated by 128 species and these are classified into six climbing modes consisting in stem climbers (53.5%) that were the most predominant followed by stragglersunarmed (14.7%), stragglers armed and tendril climbers (13.5% each), root climbers (2.9%) and hook climbers (1.8%). The most dominant liana species in the northern Eastern Ghats were Acacia sinuata and Bauhinia vahlii. The results of this investigation suggests that better management and protection is an important for in situ conservation of liana diversity and involving local people is emphasized.
Artificial Autotetraploidy Induction Possibility of Two Iranian Endemic Mint (Mentha mozaffarianii) Ecotypes
Authors: GHANI Askar , NEAMATI Seyyed Hossein , AZIZI Majid , SAHARKHIZ Mohammad Jamal , FARSI Mohammad
Published: July 2019

The present study was conducted to polyploidy possibility induction of two Iranian endemic mint (Mentha mozaffarianii) ecotypes. For this purpose, three experiments were done. The first experiment was factorial, based on completely randomized design with three factors and three replications that rhizomes were used for treatment. The first factor including different colchicine concentrations (0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2% that 0 as control). The second factor including two Mentha ecotypes (Ecotype A: Kamarej region and Ecotype B: Pirmohlat region) and the third factors consist of two soaking time (6 h and 12 h). In second experiment, apical meristem was treated. The factorial experiment based on randomized completely design with two factors and five replications. The factors including different colchicine concentrations (0, 0.035, 0.07, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.7%) and two ecotypes. In the third experiment, colchicine as combined with irrigation was applied. For this purpose, a factorial experiment in randomized complete design with two factors (colchicine concentrations: 0, 0.025, 0.012, 0.006% and two mint ecotypes) and three replications was conducted. At the end of all experiments, survival rate and tetraploidy percentage (by morphological change, stomata traits, flow cytometry and chromosome counts) were measured. The results showed that different treatment had significant effects on survival percent on all experiments and increasing of colchicine concentration caused decreasing plants survival. On the other hand, tetraploidy changes only in the first experiments were observed. Only in 0.025% colchicine treatment with 6 h soaking time on ecotype A, 12.66% tetraploidy was identified. Totally, it is seems that Mentha mozaffarianiihardly response to colchicine for tetraploidy induction.
Genetic Analysis of Yield and Physiological Traits in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under Irrigation and Drought Stress
Authors: POURMOHAMMAD Azam , TOORCHI Mahmoud , ALAVIKIA Seyed S. , SHAKIBA Mohammad R
Published: July 2019

Implementing appropriate breeding strategies for sunflower, alongside dependable information on heritability and gene effects upon yield and related traits under drought conditions, are all necessary. Thirty sunflower hybrids were produced by line × tester cross of six male-sterile and five restorer lines. Their hybrids were evaluated in three levels of irrigation, as follows: (1) non-stressed plots, irrigated at regular intervals (W1); (2) mild water stress (W2), irrigated from the beginning of the button stage (R4) to seed filling initiation (R6); (3) severe water stress (W3) started from the beginning of button stage (R4) to physiological maturity. Based on observations and specific methods for determination, canopy temperatures, chlorophyll index, relative water content and proline content, were studied by additive effects, under the different irrigation conditions. Canopy temperatures,chlorophyll index, relative water content, leaf water potential, proline content and yield were controlled by additive effects under mild stressed conditions. Under severe stress conditions however, canopy temperatures, leaf water potential and proline content were controlled by additive effects, while chlorophyll index and relative water content were controlled by both additive and dominant effects, as seed yield was mainly influenced by the dominant effects. The narrow sense heritability ranged from 47-97% for all traits, except for chlorophyll fluorescence. Yield correlated positively with chlorophyll index and relative water content, and negatively with canopy temperature and leaf water potential. Therefore, under drought stressed conditions in breeding programs, canopy temperatures, chlorophyll index and relative water content can be reliable criteria for the selection of tolerant genotypes with prospect to higher yields.
Indexing and Environmental Risk of Allergenic Protein Subunits of Egyptian Pollens
Authors: AFIFY Abd El-Moneim M.R.
Published: July 2019

Four Egyptian pollen pellets: sunflower, clover, maize and broad beans, were evaluated for environmental risk of allergenic protein subunits, indexing amino acids, as well as nucleic acids contents. Protein fractions were subsequently extracted as albumin, globulin, urea and SDS-soluble proteins, by different methods. The results showed that albumin and globulin fractions represent the major constituents in different pollen pellets and amounted 33.24-40.3% and 32.57-37.22% respectively. SDS soluble protein showed minor amount. The electrophoretic separation of albumin and globulin extracts of sunflower pollen showed the presence of 8 protein subunits, which varied in their molecular weight between 4-67 KiloDalton (KDa); allergic protein subunits with MW 35 and 45 KDa were identified in all pollen pellets tested. Indexing and general analysis of the four pollen pellets showed that carbohydrates ranged from 28.12 (maize) to 36.12 (sunflower), while total chlorophyll ranged from 5.85 (broad bean) to 6.07 (maize) mg/100 g fresh weight. It is also clear that the protein content of pollen pellets is above 40% and therefore they could be considered as a protein rich source. Broad bean pellets had the highest amount of protein content (48.31%). The lipid content ranged from 4.47 to 15.7%, according to pollen source. All pollen pellets contained relatively high quantities of RNA, which are nearly three times the equivalent of DNA content. Relative values of total free amino acids of four pollens were considerably low (below 20%) and ranged from 2.93 ± 0.089 (sunflower) to 15.99 ± 0.015 µmol/ mg fw.
In vitro Pollen Grain Germination and Tube Growth of Ten Iranian Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) Cultivars
Authors: ROUHAKHSH Hossein , DAVARYNEJAD Gholamhossein , RAHEMI Majid , ABEDI Bahram
Published: July 2019

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a species particularly prone to erratic fruit set. Several causes such as pollen germination and tube growth involve in this behaviour. Thus, the present research aimed to evaluate and compare of pollen grains germination and tube growth of ten Iranian jujube cultivars on in vitro condition. A factorial trial based on completely randomized design with five replications was carried out. The pollen grains were collected from un-opened-flowers of Al-Ghour’, ‘Bardaskan’, ‘Doroh’, ‘Gazik’, ‘Ghom’, ‘Giouk’, ‘Kangan’, ‘Kalkestan’, ‘Magham Sari’ and ‘Noghab’ cultivars at balloon stage. This study showed that there were significant differences among the cultivars in all measured factors. The highest percentage of pollen grains germination was observed for ‘Gazik’, followed by ‘Bardaskan’, while the lowest was in ‘Al-Ghour’. The percentage of pollen grains germination increased with the increasing time of incubation period up to 36 h. Also, flowering times are found to be effective in germination of pollen grains, which 1 flash had highest percentage of germination of pollen grains than in comparison to other flowering times. The results also showed that the mean time germination varied from 24.52-25.92 h, mean hourly germination from 0.67-1.55, hourly germination speed from 0.64-1.48 and coefficient of velocity of germination of pollen grains from 0.058-0.061. The length of pollen tube was found between 44.4 and 624.8 µm. These data demonstrated that cultivar is the main factor determining pollen grains germination and tube growth in jujube, which this important information can be useful for selection of superior desirable jujube genotypes for bringing to commercial cultivation.
Performance of Eight Varieties of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Cultivated under Open Field in Tunisia
Authors: ABDELKADER ABOU AZOOM Ali , ZHANI Kaouther , HANNACHI Chérif
Published: July 2019

A field experiment was conducted from September 2010 to July 2011 at Research Station Farm of Higher Institute of Agronomy, Chott Mariem, Sousse (Tunisia) in order to evaluate the performance of seven onion varieties: ‘GIZA 6’, ‘Red Amposta’, ‘Z6’, ‘Morada de Amposta’, ‘Yellow Dessex’, ‘Early Yellow Texas Grano 502’ and ‘Keep Red’ against the commonly grown variety ‘Blanc Hâtif de Paris’ under field conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results obtained showed that onion varieties were significantly different when it comes to the plant and bulb morphological characteristics. Variety ‘Morada de Amposta’ recorded the highest leaf length (68.06 cm), pseudostem diameter (8.63 cm), number of leaves (8.71), plant height (76.95 cm),  in addition to the greatest yields (32.88 t/ha) which were significantly (p≤0.05) increased by respectively 66.2,  88.8,  2.1,  61.2, 63, 27.9  and 28.4%  compared to those obtained from the regular variety ‘Blanc Hâtif de Paris’. Variety ‘Blanc Hâtif de Paris’ was the earliest to maturity and recorded the most preferment bulb weight (155.02 g) and diameter (8.21 cm). ‘Keep Red’ variety had the highest height of the bulb (7.19 cm). Variety ‘Z6’ recorded the minimum data in all measured parameters.
Breeding Value of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) for Pod and Bean Traits: A Consequential Advance in Nigerian Cocoa Breeding Program
Authors: ADEWALE Daniel Babasola , ADEIGBE Oluwatosin O. , SOBOWALE Olalekan I. , DADA Oluwaseun S.
Published: July 2019

The understanding of the generated hybrids’ breeding value gives a measure of probable advances in a breeding program. Four cocoa genotypes (testers) were crossed with two distinct lines (T65/7 and T86/2). The parents and the hybrids were separately established in randomized complete block design with six replications. The fourteen genotypes were evaluated for pod length (PL), weight (PW), beans/pod (NoB), bean length (BL), width (Bwi) and thickness (BT). The treatment, parent, crosses and Line x Tester sources of variation were significant (P ≤ 0.05). Hybrids from the same maternal parent differed significantly (P < 0.05) for the six traits. Contribution to the total variance of PL, PW and Bwi were in the following order: Tester > Line x Tester > Lines. The highest general combining ability (0.42) occurred in T65/7 for PW; the least (-0.081) occurred in T86/2 for PL. Cross combination T65/7xT57/22 produced the highest specific ability of combination (4.33) for NoB. Variance of GCA and SCA were significant (P < 0.05) for the six traits. The GCA/SCA ratios revealed the inheritance of PL, PW, Bwi and BT to be additive. Non-additive gene effect controlled NoB and BL. Heterosis for the six traits ranged between -17.82% for BT (T65/7xT57/22) to 52.40% for PW (T65/7xT53/8). Increased productivity in cocoa is possible through hybrid breeding programs.
Phytochemical and Morphological Attributes of Borage (Borago officinalis) Affected by Salicylic Acid as an Enhancer
Authors: AKBARPOUR Vahid , ARUEI Hossein , NEMATI Seyyed Hossein
Published: July 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the response of borage (Borago officinalis) phytochemical and morphological attributes in relation to application of different levels of salicylic acid. Borage planted in pots and salicylic acid was sprayed on the shoots at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mM with 6 replications in a completely randomized block design. Morphological attributes such as shoot height, shoot dry matter, flower dry matter, flower weight and shoot wet weight were measured. In the other hand, phytochemical attributes such as ion leakage, chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid, and antioxidant activity were also investigated under induced stress by different concentrations of salicylic acid. Results showed that some morphological traits such as shoot dry matter (31.23%), flower dry matter (20.43%), flower weight (38.54 g), shoot wet weight (109.43 g), possessed the highest values under treatment of 1.5 mM salicylic acid. Also, some phytochemical traits in plants treated with 1.5 mM salicylic acid reached the highest values during the growth stage with the exception of ion leakage (0.54%). These measured traits with higher values consisted of chlorophyll a (4.16 mg.l-1), chlorophyll b (1.65 mg.l-1), total chlorophyll (5.81 mg.l-1), carotenoid (1.18 mg.l-1), antioxidant activity (53.73%).
Pharmacognostic Studies on Two Himalayan Species of Traditional Medicinal Value: Allium wallichii and Allium stracheyi
Authors: TIWARI Umeshkumar , ADAMS Sebastian J. , BEGUM S Noorunnisa , KRISHNAMURTHY Kulithalai V. , RAVIKUMAR Kaliamoorthy , PADMA Venkatasubramanian
Published: July 2019

The present research was aimed as a pharmacognostic study of whole plants of Allium wallichii and Allium stracheyi, both of which are very important traditional medicinal plants of North-West Himalayas. This study was carried out in terms of macroscopic and microscopic analyses and standard histochemical methods were followed for detecting starch, calcium oxalate, tannins, total lipids and alkaloids. Allium wallichi can be distinguished from A. stracheyi by possessing polyarch roots, mycorrhizal fungi in the outer cortical cells and triangular leaf midrib. The present study is the first to describe the pharmacognosy in terms of anatomical and histochemical features of these two Himalayan Allium species. Although they are listed in Ayurvedic database, the API so far has not given an account on these two species and hence this work is of high importance. Also, the herbal industries, researchers and traditional medicine can now use the distinguishing characters of these species listed in the current paper, while specifically acquiring them from local markets without any confusion.
Heat Shock Followed by Priming Increases the Quality of Agropyron elongatum Seeds under Accelerated Ageing
Authors: AKBARPOUR BAHREH Malihe , SHARIF ZADEH Farzad , ABBASI Alireza
Published: July 2019

The present study was carried out to examine the possibilities of obtaining primed seeds that maintain high germination quality and the same longevity as the untreated seeds. For Tall wheatgrass tested, we found that the desired longevity could be obtained by keeping the seeds under heat shock for a period of several hours, after a priming treatment. Decreasing germination and seedling vigour in BAP 25 and 50 ppm, for 24 priming, did not happen again due to such a treatment. In addition, following priming, heat shock affects the initial quality of primed seeds in some treatments. Optimal temperature was strongly duration dependent. The method was applied to obtain primed seeds without the loss of storability, which is similar to those procedures used to induce desiccation tolerance in germinated seeds and acquire thermo tolerance in plant vegetative tissues.
Anti-Microbial Activity and Spectro-Chemical Investigation of Ink Extracts of  Sepiella inermis (Van Hasselt 1835)
Authors: VASANTHARAJA Dasal , RAVITCHANDIRANE Vaithilingam , ANANDAN Veerappan
Published: July 2019

The crude petroleum ether and methanol ink extracts of Sepiella inermis were tested for their antimicrobial activity against human pathogenic fungi and bacteria by disc diffusion method. Spectral analysis was carried out by UV-VIS spectrophotometer, FT-IR, Raman IR and GC-MS. Of the two solvent extracts, only methanol extract was active and no activity was detected in petroleum ether extract. The human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans and bacterium Proteus vulgaris were found to be highly sensitive, with an inhibition zone of 20 and 19 mm respectively. GC-MS of methanol ink extract revealed sixteen compounds belonging to the derivatives of dihydroxy indole-2-carboxylic acid and dihydroxyindole. These investigations proved that methanol ink extract of Sepiella inermis possess significant antimicrobial property against both fungus and gram –ve bacteria. Since ink of sepia is available abundantly as a waste material, studies focused on isolation and characterization of bioactive substances pave the way for new antimicrobial compounds.
Phytochemical and Morphological Attributes of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Affected by Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers; Humic Acid and Potassium Sulphate
Authors: KABOLI FARSHCHI Helaleh Sadat , AZIZI ARANI Majid , NEMATI Seyyed Hossein
Published: July 2019

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of organic (liquid humic acid) and inorganic (potassium sulphate) on phytochemical and morphological attributes of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Thus, a research was conducted in a factorial experiment (3×3) based on completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of potassium sulphate (Kx) at three concentrations (0, 60 and 100 Kg/h) which were treated before flowering and humic acid (Hx) at three concentrations (0, 20 and 40 L/h) which were fertigated four times of 15-days intervals. Results showed that the plant stem height, number of flowering stems and number of flowers were significantly affected by simple effect of each fertilizers (p<0.01), while their interaction effect was not significant for the plants height. The highest contents of fresh and dry weight were achieved under the highest amounts of fertilizers (K100 and H40). The highest stem height, number of flowers and number of flowering stems also belonged to these treatments. Increment of applied fertilizers led to increase of obtained essential oils, so that application of these fertilizers simultaneously increased the essential oil content up to 6-fold. Regarding the antioxidant activity, applied fertilizers at their high levels showed significant effects on decrease of EC50, which means the increment of antioxidant activity of H. perforatum.
Fruits Bioactive Compounds Characterization from a New Food Product
Authors: RUS Valentina Mariana , DULF Francisc Vasile , SOCACIU Carmen , POP Oana Lelia , RANGA Floricuta , FETEA Florinela , VODNAR Dan Cristian
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was (I) to create a new product, smart bar type which can be consumed as protective food by adults and children (II) to characterize the bioactive compounds from the designed food. The bioactive compounds were identified from nuts, raw seeds of almonds, dry cranberries, dry plums and flax seeds. Secoisolariciresinol (683 ppm) has been identified as a major compound in flax seeds.  The vitamin C was quantified by HPLC in a concentration of 35.02 mg% in cranberries extract. The total phenolic content varied from 7.1 mg/g for walnut to 71.8 mg/g for cranberries. In addition, the antioxidative capability of phenolic compounds was monitored and evaluated using a colored free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Almond showed better results than walnut in the antioxidant capacity test. The results obtained in this study collect information that enables the use of nuts, raw seeds of almonds, dry cranberries, dry plums and flax seeds as raw material for the production of smart bar which may serve as a new product for food market.
Leaf and Fruit Yield Performance of Telfairia occidentalis Hook F. (Fluted Pumpkin) as Influenced by Fruit Size
Authors: CHUKWUDI Uchechukwu Paschal , AGBO Christian Ugwu
Published: July 2019

An experiment to ascertain the influence of fruit size on the yield of fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis Hook F.) was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at Nsukka. The mature fruits of T. occidentalis were graded into three length groups: large (more than 50 cm), medium (34-50 cm) and small (less than 34 cm). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with six replications. The following data were collected: length of the longest vine, number of leaves/plant, vine diameter, marketable leaf and fruit yield. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance while Genotype by Genotype x Environment interaction biplot was used to show which-won-where among the groups. Significant means were separated using Fisher’s least significant differences. Medium sized fruits gave the highest marketable leaf yield that was significantly higher than the small sized fruits in both years. Small sized fruits were significantly (p<0.05) lower in total leaf yield, fruit weight/hectare, fruit circumference (33.9 cm) and length (22 cm). The biplot explained 100% of the variation in the fruit sizes. Large sized fruits were the best performer in fruit length, while medium sized fruits performed better in total marketable leaf yield, average fruit weight, number of fruits/hectare and total fruit weight/hectare. The highest Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.2 and 2.6 in 2011 and 2012, respectively were obtained from medium sized fruits Medium sized fruit are recommended in favour of small sized fruit for leaf and fruit production, having higher economic returns.
Biodiversity Status of the Immediate Vicinity of an Iron and Steel Recycling Factory in Ile-Ife, South-Western Nigeria
Authors: AGBOOLA Oludare Oladipo , SALAMI Olalekan Oluwatoyosi , OYEDEJI Stephen
Published: July 2019

Floristic composition of vegetation communities of 27 plots established along a line transect in the four major directions was investigated in the vicinity of an Iron and Steel factory in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The aim of the study was to document the plant species composition (biodiversity) of the plant communities found within the 350 m perimeter of the facility in the study area, which will serve as a reference data, as there was no reported study for the area prior to the establishment of the factory. Plant species were identified to species level in a 10 x 10 m plot and the occurrence of each species was described in semi-quantitative terms. The vegetation is heterogeneous in nature having 31 species of tree saplings and climbers, 26 of shrubs, 15 of herbaceous plants and 4 of grasses. These 107 plant species belong to forty six (46) plant families. The dominant families included Apocynaceae and Papilionaceae (9 species), Sapindaceae (8 species), Euphorbiaceae (6 species), Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae, Sterculiaceae and Verbenaceae (4 species). Among the diverse species recorded, Chromolaena odorata formed a ticket in almost all the plots. Other common species included Albizia zygia, Alchornea laxiflora, Aspilia africana, Cnestis ferruginea, Combretum sp., Icacina tricantha, Ipomoea involucrata, Momordica foetida, Panicum maximum, Paullinia pinnata, Simicrata welwitschii and Vigna gracilis. The index of similarity of the plots ranged from 6.1 to 71.8%. The potential and vulnerability of the species were highlighted. Adherence to and enforcement of environmental regulations was recommended for preservation of the native species.
Seed Priming to Overcome Salinity Stress in Persian Cultivars of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: SEPEHRI Ali , NAJARI Saeed , ROUHI Hossein Reza
Published: July 2019

In order to investigate the effect of hydro-priming on seed germination with distilled water on germination of five Alfalfa cultivars under salinity stress, an experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Seven levels of hydro-priming and salinity of NaCl including prime and non-salinity, prime and 50 mM salinity, prime and 100 mM salinity, prime and 150 mM salinity, prime and 200 mM salinity, prime and 250 mM salinity and without prime and salinity and five alfalfa varieties, including ‘Hamedani’, ‘Isfahani’, ‘Bami’, ‘Yazdi’ and ‘Ghareh Yonjeh’ were used. The results showed that the main effect of prime, salinity and cultivars and their interaction in all studied traits were significantly affected at the 5% probability level. Priming treatments in non-salinity of all cultivars were the highest. In all cultivars, final germination percentage, length and weight of radicle, plumule and seedling, germination rate and time, relative radicle elongation, vigor index and stress index, were significantly improved in response to priming in salinity levels of 50-200 mM, compared to control. Radicle produced higher length and weight than the plumule in hydro- priming and salinity treatments. ‘Hamedani’ cultivar in most of studied characteristics had a better response than others. The lowest response to salinity stress and priming was observed in ‘Yazdi’ cultivar.