Foliar application of the exogenous plant hormones at pre-blooming stage improves flowering and fruiting in cashew (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anacardium occidentale</Emphasis> L.)

The problem of declining tree yield has led to an investigation into the effectiveness of foliar application of exogenous hormones to improve flowering, fruit set, and fruit retention in cashew. Five exogenous hormones, one Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) and four Auxins (IAA, IBA, NAA, and 2,4-D) at seven different rates of application (0 mg L⁻¹, 10 mg L⁻¹, 25 mg L⁻¹, 50 mg L⁻¹, 100 mg L⁻¹, 250 mg L⁻¹, and 500 mg L⁻¹) were tested on six yield-related components of the two Brazilian cashew genotypes. This trial was a factorial split-split-plot design with each treatment replicated five times within a tree and three replications (three trees) per genotype. Responses varied significantly between exogenous hormones, concentrations and genotypes. The cashew plants used showed hormone-specific and optimum concentration response patterns. Of the five exogenous hormones tested, GA₃ was most effective as its application at 50–100 mg L⁻¹ gave five-fold improvements in flowering (precocity and number of hermaphrodite flowers) and fruiting, and about 69% increase in fruit retention ability and 25% in nut size. Panicles treated with GA₃ also produced relatively bigger nuts compared to the untreated. Days to flowering was found to be hormone sensitive, while production of hermaphrodite flowers, fruit set, and nut development tended to be concentration specific. The GA₃ exhibited a broad concentration tolerance among the five exogenous hormones investigated. Our data showed that using GA₃ at 50 mg L⁻¹ will enhance flowering precocity, shorten flowering duration, increase production of hermaphrodite flowers and fruit set significantly, and resultant nuts develop optimally with high percentage retention. Thus, it suggests cashew yield could be increased by exogenous foliar application of GA₃ at 50–100 mg L⁻¹ at pre-blooming stage.     

Role of Nitrogen and Gibberellin (GA3) in the Regulation of Enzyme Activities and in Osmoprotectant Accumulation in Brassica juncea L. under Salt Stress

Salt stress alters a wide array of plant metabolic mechanisms. Different strategies of the application of nutrients and phytohormones are required to overcome the adverse effects of salt stress. The main objective of the present study was to determine if added nitrogen (N) and gibberellin (GA₃) in growth medium could alleviate the adverse effects of salt stress on plant metabolism. Two‐week‐old plants were fed with: (i) 0 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃ (control), (ii) 100 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃, (iii) 0 mm NaCl + 40 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃, (iv) 0 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 10^?5 m GA₃, (v) 100 mm NaCl + 40 mg N kg^?1 sand + 0 m GA₃, (vi) 100 mm NaCl + 0 mg N kg^?1 sand + 10^?5 m GA₃, (vii) 100 mm NaCl + 40 mg N kg^?1 sand + 10^?5 m GA₃. Growth and physio‐biochemical attributes i.e. shoot length, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, malondialdehyde concentration, electrolyte leakage, total chlorophyll concentration, nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase activities, proline and glycinebetaine concentration, leaf – N, potassium (K) and sodium (Na) concentration and K/Na ratio were affected by NaCl treatment. But application of N or GA₃ alone as well as in combination proved beneficial in alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on these growth and physio‐biochemical parameters. However, N applied with GA₃ proved more effective than N and GA₃ applied alone. The results revealed that combined application of N and GA₃ may ameliorate most of the attributes and prove to be a physiological remedy to increase the tolerance against the ill effects of salt stress in Brassica.     

DROUGHT STRESS: Comparative Time Course Action of the Foliar Applied Glycinebetaine,Salicylic Acid,Nitrous Oxide,Brassinosteroids and Spermine in Improving Drought Resistance of Rice

Worldwide rice productivity is being threatened by increased endeavours of drought stress. Among the visible symptoms of drought stress, hampered water relations and disrupted cellular membrane functions are the most important. Exogenous use of polyamines (PAs), salicylic acid (SA), brassinosteroids (BRs), glycinebetaine (GB) and nitrous oxide (NO) can induce abiotic stresses tolerance in many crops. In this time course study, we appraised the comparative role of all these substances to improve the drought tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Super‐Basmati. Plants were subjected to drought stress at four leaf stage (4 weeks after emergence) by maintaining soil moisture at 50 % of field capacity. Pre‐optimized concentrations of GB (150 mg l^?1), SA (100 mg l^?1), NO (100 μmol l^?1 sodium nitroprusside as NO donor), BR (0.01 μm 24‐epibrassinolide) and spermine (Spm; 10 μm ) were foliar sprayed at five‐leaf stage (5 weeks after emergence). There were two controls both receiving no foliar spray, viz. well watered (CK1) and drought stressed (CK2). There was substantial reduction in allometric response of rice, gas exchange and water relation attributes by drought stress. While drought stress enhanced the H₂O₂, malondialdehyde (MDA) and relative membrane permeability, foliar spray of all the chemicals improved growth possibly because of the improved carbon assimilation, enhanced synthesis of metabolites and maintenance of tissue water status. Simultaneous reduction in H₂O₂ and MDA production was also noted in the plants treated with these substances. Drought tolerance was sturdily associated with the greater tissue water potential, increased synthesis of metabolites and enhanced capacity of antioxidant system. Of all the chemicals, foliar spray with Spm was the most effective followed by BR.     

Effect of antiviral chemicals on in vitro regeneration response and production of PLRV-free plants of potato

Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) is causing serious loss in yield and quality of potatoes. In the present study, the effect of seven antiviral chemicals viz. Acyclovir, 5-Azacytidine, Cytarabine, 5-Bromouracil, Ribavirin, 2-Thiouracil and Zidovudine on regeneration response and production of PLRV-free plants under in vitro conditions is reported. MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg L^?1 GA₃, 0.1 mg L^?1 NAA and 500 mg L^?1 malt extract was used for regeneration of plantlets from nodal explants. DAS-ELISA and RT-PCR was used for virus indexing of the mother plant and in vitro-regenerated plantlets. Explants of PLRV positive potato plants were cultured on this medium containing different concentrations (5 – 30 mg L^?1) of antiviral chemicals. Shoot regeneration response varied between tested antiviral chemicals and was decreased with increase in concentration of antiviral chemicals from 5 to 30 mg L^?1. Antiviral chemicals at 30 mg L^?1 concentration showed strong inhibitory effect on regeneration response of shoots. In vitro regenerated plantlets tested negative in both ELISA and RT-PCR were only considered as virus free. When regeneration response and number of virus-free plants produced was compared, 2- thiouracil and ribavirin (25 mg L^?1) were found to be effective. 2- thiouracil (25 mg L^?1) gave 38.68% PLRV free plants with 30.55% cultures showing shoot regeneration and ribavirin (25 mg L^?1) gave 39.62% PLRV-free plants with 36.80% cultures showing shoot regeneration. Regeneration response of explants was better on 5-Bromouracil at 30 mg L^?1 concentrations but it was found least effective in production of PLRV-free potato plants.     

Exogenous Glycinebetaine Enhances Grain Yield of Maize, Sorghum and Wheat Grown Under Two Supplementary Watering Regimes

Drought occurring at critical growth and developmental stages in cereals affects productivity by reducing biomass accumulation, grain set, and grain yield and quality. Maize (cv. SR-73), sorghum (cv. Trump), and wheat (cv. Spear) were established in drought-prone field conditions in Perth, Western Australia, in l994. The plants were then subjected to optimal and suboptimal supplementary watering regimes at growth stages that were sensitive to water availability. Glycinebetaine in aqueous solution was applied to leaves at three rates (2, 4 and 6 kg ha^?1 and a control) to establish whether its application could ameliorate the effects of drought on the yield of the crops. Above-ground biomass production was measured at the beginning and at termination of the watering regimes. Leaf tissue glycinebetaine concentrations were determined 1 and 3 weeks after application. At physiological maturity, grains from the crops were harvested and grain yield, number of grains m^?2 and single grain weight were recorded. Drought significantly reduced above-ground biomass production in maize (P = 0.047), but not in sorghum and wheat. Grain yield of maize, number of grains m^?2 of maize and sorghum, and single grain weight of sorghum were significantly depressed by drought. Foliar application of aqueous glycinebetaine marginally enhanced biomass production in the three crops and significantly increased grain yield of maize (P = 0.001) and sorghum (P = 0.003). It also resulted in more grains m^?2 of maize, sorghum and wheat (P = 0.001, 0.001 and 0.003, respectively), with interactions between water and glycinebetaine treatments for sorghum and wheat (P = 0.001 and 0.001. respectively). Residual tissue glycinebetaine levels remained high 3 weeks after application to the crops. The positive effects of glycinebetaine treatment appear to be linked to its physiological role as a plant osmoticum that improves drought tolerance. The results of these studies suggest that foliar application of glycinebetaine may be used to improve drought tolerance and economic yield of maize and sorghum, but not of wheat. Increased grain yield was associated with more grains m^?2 rather than greater single grain weight.     

Brassinolide Application Improves the Drought Tolerance in Maize Through Modulation of Enzymatic Antioxidants and Leaf Gas Exchange

Brassinolides (BRs) are naturally occurring substances, which modulate plant growth and development events and have been known to improve the crop tolerance to abiotic stresses. In this study, possible role of exogenously applied brassinolide (BR) in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought in maize was evaluated in a rain‐protected wire‐house. Maize was subjected to drought at the start of tasseling for 6 days by withholding water application followed by foliar spray of BR (0.1 mg l^?1) to assess the changes in growth, gas exchange, chlorophyll contents, protein, relative leaf water contents (RLWC), proline, malonialdehyde (MDA) and enzymatic antioxidants. Drought substantially reduced the maize growth in terms of plant height, leaf area and plant biomass. Moreover, substantial decrease in gas exchange attributes (net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), stomatal conductance (g_s), water use efficiency (WUE), instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi) and intercellular CO₂ (C_i) was also recorded. However, exogenous application of BR remarkably improved the gas exchange attributes, plant height, leaf area, cobs per plant, seedling dry weight both under drought and well‐watered conditions. BR‐induced promotion in growth and physiological and metabolic activities were mediated through increased protein synthesis enabling maintenance of tissue water potential and activities of antioxidant enzymes lowering the lipid peroxidation under drought.     

Effect of Planting Date and Thermal Energy Intensity on Rate of Phosphorus and Potassium Accumulation by Maize (Zea mays L.)1

The effect of planting date and thermal energy intensity (TEI) on the rate of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) accumulation by maize from a Hamerly clay loam soil (Aerie Calciaquoll) was examined with and without supplemental irrigation. Soil- and air-TEI expressed as growing degree days per day (GDD d^?1) were determined from hourly temperature measurements taken within each plot. Net K accumulation occurred during the vegetative growth stage, reached maximal rates of about 62.2 to 91.4 mg plant^?1 day^?1, and attained maximal accumulations ranging from about 1.15 to 2.3 g plant^?1. Accumulation of P occurred during vegetative and reproductive growth stages, reached maximal rates of about 4.6 to 10.3 mg and 6.5 to 12.1 mg plant^?1 day^?1, respectively and maximal accumulations of 0.175 to 0.27 g and 0.11 to 0.26 g plant^?1, respectively. During vegetative growth, K and nitrogen (N) accumulation characteristics were closely correlated with about 2 moles of N accumulated per mole of K. Maximal accumulation of K (and N) consistently preceded that of P by about 5.2 to 8.3 days and that of the plant dry weight by about 15.9 to 20.5 days during the vegetative growth stage. Time required to reach maximal accumulation during the reproductive growth stage, t_r followed the order N < P < dry weight for early plantings and followed the order N < P < dry weight for delayed plantings. Time coefficients for K and P accumulation were correlated closely with soil-TEI, but models of each coefficient relied on unique combinations of TEI. Time coefficients for dry matter accumulation were apparently unrelated to soil- or air-TEI.     

两个不同彩色棉纤维品质性状形成特点及生长调节剂调节作用

选择天然棕色棉品种湘彩棉2号和绿色棉品种皖棉39,研究其纤维品质性状形成特点及激素调节作用。结果表明与常规白色陆地棉苏棉9号(对照)相比,2个彩色棉品种的纤维长度均较低,尤其皖棉39显著低于对照,主要是花后10~30 d伸长速率明显下降。两个不同彩色棉品种的纤维比强度、马克隆值和成熟度值均显著低于对照,且主要与各个品质指标形成关键期的增长率较慢有关。两个彩色棉品种10 DPA (days post anthesis)和20 DPA纤维中IAA含量,30 DPA和40 DPA ABA含量均显著低于各自对照。应用20 mg L^-1 GA₃处理棉铃后,湘彩棉2号、皖棉39 20 DPA纤维中IAA含量分别比各自对照提高51.07%、64.33%;吐絮时纤维长度分别比各自对照增加8.13%、13.96%;应用20 mg L^-1 ABA处理棉铃,40 DPA纤维中ABA含量分别比各自对照提高38.96%、24.40%,纤维比强度、马克隆值和成熟度也显著增加,其中又以皖棉39增加幅度较大。说明天然彩色棉纤维内源激素IAA和ABA含量不足影响纤维品质性状的形成,而通过植物生长调节剂应用可调节内源激素含量,改善纤维品质,且调节效应因植物生长调节剂和品种不同而异。     

GA4+7 plus BA enhances postproduction quality in pot tulips

Previously we reported that postproduction quality of pot ‘Seadov’ tulip (Tulipa gesneriana) was significantly increased by GA₄₊₇ plus BA in a manner dependent on the concentration and stage of flower development at application. In these experiments, we extended the survey to 20 tulip cultivars to further evaluate the effects of GA₄₊₇ plus BA sprays for enhancing postproduction flower and leaf quality. The senescence symptom of the cultivars fell into three categories: wilting, wilting-abscission (abscission shortly after tepal wilting) and abscission (abscission without wilting), with the majority of the cultivars belonging to the wilting and wilting-abscission categories. Pots bearing six plants were sprayed with a range of GA₄₊₇ plus BA concentrations at marketable stage and placed in a simulated consumer environment (SCE). GA₄₊₇ plus BA significantly enhanced individual flower and postproduction longevity, but the effect was dependent upon the senescence category of the cultivar. In general, GA₄₊₇ plus BA increased individual flower and postproduction longevity of wilting-type cultivars at concentrations above 10 mg L^?1, while longevity of wilting-abscission-type cultivars was only enhanced by 50 mg L^?1. Abscission-type cultivars were not affected by any concentrations of GA₄₊₇ plus BA. Regardless of floral senescence category, leaf yellowing was significantly reduced by GA₄₊₇ plus BA sprays in those cultivars showing postproduction leaf yellowing. GA₄₊₇ plus BA did not induce leaf and stem elongation in most cultivars. Only ‘Yellow Baby’, the shortest cultivar, showed elongation of stem and leaf by GA₄₊₇ plus BA at concentrations above 25 mg L^?1. Spray applications of GA₄₊₇ plus BA can be useful to enhance flower and leaf quality in pot tulips.     

Radiation‐Use Efficiency,Biomass Production,and Grain Yield in Two Maize Hybrids Differing in Drought Tolerance

Drought‐tolerant (DT) maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids have potential to increase yield under drought conditions. However, little information is known about the physiological determinations of yield in DT hybrids. Our objective was to assess radiation‐use efficiency (RUE), biomass production, and yield in two hybrids differing in drought tolerance. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 with two hybrids, P1151HR (DT hybrid) and 33D49 (conventional hybrid) under well‐watered (I₁₀₀) and drought (I₅₀) conditions. I₁₀₀ and I₅₀ refer to 100 % and 50 % evapotranspiration requirement, respectively. On average, P1151HR yielded 11–27 % greater than 33D49 at I₁₀₀ and about 40 % greater at I₅₀, At I₁₀₀, greater yield in P1151HR was due to greater biomass at physiological maturity (BM_pm) resulting from greater post‐silking biomass accumulation (BM_post). At I₅₀, both hybrids had similar BM_pm but P1151HR showed a higher harvest index and greater BM_post. RUE differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the hybrids at I₁₀₀, but not at I₅₀. At I₁₀₀, the RUE values for P1151HR and 33D49 were 4.87 and 4.28 g MJ^?1 in 2013, and 3.71 and 3.48 g MJ^?1 in 2014. At I₅₀, the mean RUE was 3.89 g MJ^?1 in 2013 and 3.16 g MJ^?1 in 2014. Results indicate that BM_post is important for maintaining high yield in DT maize.     

培养基、胚龄和激素配比对棉花胚珠离体培养纤维生长发育的影响

 为建立适合棉花胚珠离体培养纤维生长发育的实验体系，以中棉所49为材料，比较研究了培养基类型、激素种类和配比、胚龄等因素对棉花胚珠培养纤维生长发育的影响，以及棉花胚珠离体培养的基因型差异。结果表明：BT基本培养基较适合于棉花胚珠离体培养；液体培养和固体培养均能诱导棉花离体胚珠产生纤维，但液体培养效果优于固体培养；开花前后的胚珠均能诱导离体纤维的生长，但以开花当天的胚珠为外植体的效果最好。外源激素对于棉花胚珠离体培养纤维生长是必不可少的，GA₃、IAA、NAA、Ethylene和BR均促进离体培养胚珠纤维的生长，且GA₃效果最好；2种激素配合使用效果优于单一激素处理，其中5.0 μmol·L^-1 IAA+5.0 μmol·L^-1 GA₃激素配比效果最佳。棉花胚珠离体培养的纤维生长发育存在显著的基因型差异，不同棉花基因型的最适激素种类及配比具有一定的差异。     

Production of two mandarin × trifoliate orange hybrid populations via embryo rescue with verification by SSR analysis

Intergeneric sexual hybridizations were conducted between two genera of Rutaceae, with Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc) and Red tangerine (C. reticulata Blanco) as maternal parents, and Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf as the paternal parent, in an effort to generate hybrid populations for both molecular mapping and rootstock breeding. Embryo rescue is important for citrus sexual breeding because polyembryony can interfere with hybrid embryo recovery. Immature embryos of 80, 85, 90 days after pollination (DAP) from the Satsuma mandarin (S) × trifoliate orange (P) cross, 80 and 85 DAP from the Red tangerine (R) × trifoliate orange (P) cross, were cultured on MG1.0 medium consisting of MT basal medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ and 4% sucrose. The results showed that 80 DAP was the optimal time for embryo rescue of the tested crosses, as evidenced by embryos at this stage exhibiting high germination rates, 37.3% for S × P and 51.3% for R × P. Among the eight tested media, MT medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ was the best one for Satsuma mandarin, and MT plus 1.0 mg l⁻¹ GA₃ for Red tangerine. A total of 85 plants were obtained from S × P, and 340 from R × P. Out of them, 44 progenies from S × P and 111 from R × P were sufficiently confirmed to be hybrids by morphological characterization and SSR analysis. In addition, two hybrid callus lines were obtained from S × P and R × P respectively.     

Improving the Performance of Wheat by Seed Priming Under Saline Conditions

Salinity is one of a major threat in harvesting good wheat stand on sustained basis. In this study, potential of seed priming techniques to improve the performance of wheat varieties (SARC‐1 and MH‐97) in a saline field was tested. For priming, wheat seeds were soaked in aerated solution of ascorbate (50 mg l^?1; ascorbate priming), salicylic acid (50 mg l^?1; salicylicate priming), kinetin (50 mg l^?1; kinetin priming) and CaCl₂ (50 mg l^?1; osmopriming) for 12 h. For comparison, seeds were also soaked in simple water (hydropriming); in addition, untreated seeds were also taken as control. Seed priming treatments substantially improved the stand establishment; osmopriming (with CaCl₂) was at the top however. Likewise maximum fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000‐grain weight, grain yield and harvest index were observed in plants raised from seeds osmoprimed (with CaCl₂) followed by ascorbate priming in both the varieties tested. As an index of salinity tolerance, seed priming treatments also improved the leaf K⁺ contents with simultaneous decrease in Na⁺ concentration, osmopriming being the best treatment. Similarly, maximum total phenolic contents, total soluble proteins (TSP), α‐amylase and protease activities were observed in osmoprimed (with CaCl₂) seeds followed by ascorbate priming. Economic analysis also indicated that osmopriming is more viable with maximum net return and benefit‐to‐cost ratio. In conclusion, different seed priming treatments in wheat seeds improved the salinity tolerance nonetheless osmopriming (with CaCl₂) was the most effective treatments to get higher grain yield and net return in both wheat varieties whereas kinetin was the least effective.     

Chilling Tolerance in Hybrid Maize Induced by Seed Priming with Salicylic Acid

The optimum temperature for maize germination is between 25 and 28 °C. Poor and erratic germination at suboptimal temperature is the most important hindrance in its early sowing. This study was conducted to induce chilling tolerance in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) by seed priming with salicylic acid (SA) and to unravel the background biochemical basis. For seed priming, maize hybrid (Hycorn 8288) seeds were soaked in 50, 100 and 150 ppm (mg l^?1) aerated solutions of SA for 24 h and were dried back. Treated and untreated seeds were sown at 27 °C (optimal temperature) and at 15 °C (chilling stress) under controlled conditions. Performance of maize seedlings was hampered under chilling stress. But seed priming with SA improved the seedling emergence, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weights, and leaf and root score considerably compared with control both at optimal and chilling temperatures. However, priming in 50 mg l^?1 SA solution was more effective, followed by priming in 100 mg l^?1 SA solution. Seed priming with SA improved the chilling tolerance in hybrid maize mainly by the activation of antioxidants (including catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase). Moreover, maintenance of high tissue water contents and reduced membrane permeability also contributed towards chilling tolerance.     

关键生育期持续水分胁迫对春玉米土壤水分动态变化和产量的影响

为探讨关键生育期水分胁迫对春玉米土壤水分动态变化和产量的影响,在典型干旱区武威开展了关键生育期水分胁迫模拟试验,试验设置了CK(整个生育期供水充足的对照处理)、T1(拔节期持续干旱直至生育期结束)、T2(抽雄期持续干旱直至生育期结束)3种处理。结果表明,受水分胁迫影响,T1和T2干旱处理0—20cm和0—40cm土壤温度均高于CK处理,并且T2处理土壤温度高于T1处理；七叶期后,干旱处理剖面土壤含水量各层变化较大,至乳熟期,T1和T2处理土壤贮水量较CK分别减少了72%和57%；关键生育期的水分胁迫主要通过影响春玉米营养生长和生殖生长来影响最终的产量,T1和T2干旱处理产量分别减少了66.4%和54.2%,产量水平WUE分别减少了23.4%和13.1%。研究结果可为春玉米关键生育期干旱发生进行定量评估提供依据,为生态系统响应阈值的确定提供了思路。     

Regenerating salt tolerant saffron (Crocus sativus) using tissue culture with increased pharmaceutical ingredients

Due to its vegetative reproduction, saffron has a narrow genetic base and induced in vitro variations provide opportunities for expanding new cultivars. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sodium azide-induced variations in saffron’s corm culture in order to increase salt tolerance and pharmaceutical ingredients. Corm explants from the well-known ecotypes, Estahban and Kashmar, were subjected to various concentrations of sodium azide (NaN₃) (0.09, 0.12, and 0.22 mg L^?1) and NaCl (1.5, 2.5, and 4.0 dS equivalent to 0.07, 0.12, and 0.20 g NaCl in 100 mL water) in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 mg L^?1 2-4-D, 1 mg L^?1 BAP, and 30 g L^?1 sucrose and in a second pot culture experiment. The active pharmaceutical ingredients (crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Variations in sodium azide-treated plants were more broadened for callus fresh weight (0.57–7.57 g), embryo weight (1.24–10.29 g), and regenerated seedlings (3.0–21.25) compared with those (0.12–3.77 g, 0.56–4.56 g, and 0.25–11.50, respectively) that were not treated with sodium azide. Under 0.20% salt, flowering failed in some of plants developed from sodium azide-untreated corms. HPLC analysis indicated wider ranges for crocin (11.92–18.03 mg g^?1), picrocrocin (8.99–14.76 mg g^?1), and safranal (2.13–7.36 mg g^?1) in sodium azide-treated plants compared to the ranges (0.0–16.1, 0.0–12.5, and 0.0–6.66 mg g^?1, respectively) in untreated plants. From a breeding perspective, induced variations found in this study would be useful to improve saffron’s quality and salt tolerance.     

Effect of Prohexadione Calcium on Growth Components and Endogenous Gibberellins Contents of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Prohexadione calcium (Pro‐Ca) is a novel plant growth regulator that inhibits the late stages of gibberellins (GAs) biosynthesis in plants, thus reducing the vegetative growth of the plant. Pro‐Ca was applied to field‐grown rice cultivar Ilpumbyeo to evaluate its effect on growth and yield components and endogenous GAs, when applied at different rates and timings. This study illustrated that Pro‐Ca application decreased the internode length, stem length, panicle length, shoots fresh weight and stem lodging index, while stem breaking force was increased in all treatments. The effect of Pro‐Ca was more pronounced in 20 ppm concentration than 10 ppm. The number of panicles m⁻², ripened grain ratio and 1000 grain weight and milled rice yield parameters, increased with the application of Pro‐Ca, though the number of grains per panicle decreased insignificantly. The endogenous bioactive GA₁ contents significantly decreased with the application of Pro‐Ca, as the GA biosynthesis was interrupted at later stages, when GA₂₀ conversion to GA₁ was blocked, thus drastically reducing GA₁ and GA₈ levels, but only insignificant changes were observed for intermediates from GA₁₂ to GA₂₀. The levels of the endogenous GAs in rice shoots were measured by GC‐MS‐SIM using ²H₂‐labelled GAs as internal standards. Present results also illustrated that early application of Pro‐Ca was more effective than its late application for effective control of different growth parameters and thus reducing lodging in rice plants.     

Actions for ex situ conservation of Gloriosa superba L. - an endangered ornamental cum medicinal plant

Factors affecting in vitro propagation and microtuberization were evaluated for Gloriosa superba L., an endangered ornamental cum medicinal plant having limited reproductive capacity. Surface sterilization of tuber explants with 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) for 5 min eliminated the contamination effectively with highest survival rate. Among the various combinations used, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 2.0 mg L^?1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 mg L^?1 α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) containing 3% sucrose with 16-h photoperiod exhibited the greatest in vitro tuberization (3.2) with the highest shoot regeneration frequency (90%). The longest tuber regeneration occurred on MS media containing 4% sucrose. Transfer of in vitro-regenerated shoots to half-strength MS medium with 1.0 mg L^?1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 0.5 mg L^?1 NAA showed maximum root induction (66.6%). The in vitro-grown plantlets were successfully acclimatized and transplanted to sterilized soil and sand mixture (3:1) in the glasshouse with 70% survival. The colchicine content was determined in the tubers of ex vitro plants by HPLC using the same retention time (1.5 min) as that of the standard colchicine. This revealed that the micropropagation protocol developed by us for rapid mass production could be used as raw material for colchicine extraction and provides a basis for germplasm conservation and genetic improvement of G. superba.     

外源ABA和6-BA对不同持绿型小麦籽粒灌浆进程及蛋白质含量影响

本文旨在揭示持绿型小麦品种的灌浆特性和籽粒蛋白质含量对外源激素的响应,认识植物激素调控籽粒灌浆和蛋白质合成的作用机制。自盛花期开始,连续4 d喷施10 mg L^-1脱落酸(ABA)和6-苄基腺嘌呤(6-BA),持绿型品种汶农6号的灌浆期(t₃)、活跃生长期(D)、平均灌浆速率(G_mean)、最大灌浆速率(G_max)、千粒重(TGW)和产量(GY)均大于非持绿型济麦20,且强势粒的各项灌浆参数均大于弱势粒。喷施两种外源激素显著提高两品种的G_mean、G_max、TGW和GY,对t₃和D的影响存在粒位及品种效应。喷施ABA和6-BA均显著提高花后35 d的籽粒蛋白质含量,显著提高汶农6号强、弱势粒的麦谷蛋白含量,但济麦20强、弱势粒的麦谷蛋白含量显著降低。喷施ABA后,汶农6号强势粒花后7~21 d的玉米素核苷(ZR)含量显著升高;喷施6-BA后,济麦20弱势粒花后14~35 d的ZR含量显著升高,而汶农6号强势粒7~21 d的赤霉素(GA₃)含量显著降低,弱势粒花后7~28 d的GA₃含量显著提高。喷施外源ABA和6-BA显著提高两品种强势粒花后7~21 d的生长素(IAA)和ABA含量。ABA和6-BA处理显著提高花后7~21 d谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性。可见,喷施外源ABA和6-BA使小麦内源激素水平变化,促进籽粒灌浆,增加粒重和产量,提高籽粒GS活性和蛋白质含量,改变蛋白质组分。     

种植密度、氮肥和水分胁迫对玉米产量形成的影响

为阐明种植密度、氮肥和水分胁迫对不同玉米品种产量形成的影响,选用6个玉米品种,在两种密度(45 000株 hm^-2和75 000株 hm^-2)、两种施氮水平(纯氮112.5 kg hm^-2和337.5 kg hm^-2)和两种水分(前期干旱控水和正常灌水)处理下进行大田试验,调查玉米源库性状的主要生理参数和籽粒产量。结果表明,在环境压力较小时(低密度、高氮和正常灌水),玉米品种间籽粒产量、源性状(叶面积指数、穗位叶净光合速率和群体源供应能力)、库性状(群体库容量)、源库协调性状(群体库源比值、籽粒灌浆速率和收获指数)以及成熟期干物质积累量和吐丝期至成熟期干物质积累量差异较小,而逆境胁迫下(高密度、低氮和干旱),差异较大。环境压力较大时(高密度、低氮和干旱),叶面积指数、群体源供应能力、成熟期干物质积累量、吐丝期至成熟期干物质积累量、群体库容量和收获指数与籽粒产量呈显著或极显著正相关。由此说明,在玉米品种产量改良中要强化逆境人工选择,以适应自然选择,改善玉米品种逆境下的群体源库性状,增强吐丝期至成熟期叶片的光合生产效率,强源促库,提高逆境下的生产能力和适应性。