Effect of drought on the biochemical composition and antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds

This study is designed to examine the yield components, fatty acid, and essential oil compositions and phenolic contents fruit essential oil composition, the total phenolic amounts as well as the antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds under drought. This plant is one of the most common aromatics in the Mediterranean kitchen. Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control (C), moderate water deficit (MWD) and severe water deficit (SWD). Our results indicated that MWD improved the number of umbels per plant as well as the number of umbellets per umbel and the seed yield, in comparison to the control, but it decreased under SWD. Fatty acid composition analysis indicated that petroselinic acid was the major fatty acid (55.9%) followed by palmitic (23.82%) and linoleic (12.40%) acids. Water deficit enhanced the palmitic acid percentage and affected the double bound index of the fatty acid pool and thus the oil quality. The essential oil yield was 1.64% based on the dry weight and increased by 1.40 folds under MWD. Nevertheless it decreased by 37.19% under SWD in comparison to the non treated seeds. Drought results on the modification of the essential oil chemotype from γ-terpinene/phenyl-1,2 ethanediol in the control seeds to γ-terpinene/cuminaldehyde in stressed ones. Besides, total phenolic contents were higher in the treated seeds (MWD and SWD). Results suggest that water deficit treatment may regulate the production of bioactive compounds in cumin seeds, influencing their nutritional and industrial values. Besides, antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by four different test systems, namely DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid chelating and reducing power assays and showed that treated seeds (MWD and SWD) exhibited the highest activity.     

Evaluation of variability of morphological traits of selected caraway (Carum carvi L.) genotypes

In the experiments done in 2008 and 2009, 23 selected caraway genotypes originating from European botanical gardens (18), cv. “Kończewicki” and our own breeding strains were tested. The obtained results showed that objects of the caraway collection varied in terms of all the tested morphological traits. The plant height ranged from 71.5 cm (Reykjawik) to 107.8 cm (cv. “Kończewicki”). The number of branches on the main stem was from 5.3 (Reykjawik) to 10.0 (Jena). The number of lateral shoots ranged from 9.8 (Reykjawik) to 21.5 (strain 9/10). The leaf length was from 11.9 cm (Lousanne) to 29.1 cm (cv. “Kończewicki”). The number of umbels per plant varied from 91.4 (Reykjawik) to 251.9 (strain 9/10). The fruit yield ranged from 14.2 g (Reykjawik) to 48.5 g (cv. “Kończewicki”). The weight of 1000 seeds was from 1.81 g (Salzburg) to 3.31 g (strain 9/1). The following morphological traits such as the number of umbels per plant, the number of lateral shoots per plant and weight of a thousand seeds had positive effect on fruit yield. The multidimensional analysis of the tested traits compared caraway objects in respect of eight morphological traits and yield simultaneously. These valuation of caraway genotypes will make it possible to choose the appropriate genotypes for further breeding program.     

Seed-yield and yield components response to source-sink ratio in annual and perennial species of Lesquerella (Brassicaceae)

Although the annual Lesquerella fendleri is the prime candidate for the development of a lesquerolic rich oil-seed crop, within this genus there are other species available to breeders, some of which are perennials. However, the feasibility of a perennial crop of Lesquerella is not clear because increases in seed-yield tend to reduce perennially. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of the source-sink ratio on seed yield and yield components in annual and perennial species of Lesquerella. We predicted that (i) due to differences in allocation patterns of annual and perennial species, seed-yield and yield components in perennials would be less affected by the source-sink ratio (higher stability) than in annuals and (ii) since seed-weight has been found to be the most stable yield component in other crops and their wild relatives, most of the variation in seed-yield as a consequence of source-sink ratios would be determined by changes in the number fruits per plant and the number of seeds per fruit. A field experiment was carried out in Chubut, Patagonia Argentina in a complete randomized design with four treatments to examine source-sink relationships in four species of Lesquerella, two annuals (L. angustifolia, L. gracilis) and two perennials (L. pinetorum, L. mendocina). We used either shading (reduction of source) or removal of flower-buds (reduction of sink) to develop a range of source-sink relationships. All four species showed a similar yield response to source-sink variations. Seed-yield was lower in shaded plants, although the timing of shading influenced this response. Flower-bud removal resulted in a significant increase in seed-yield. Seed-yield differences among source-sink treatments were best explained by changes in the number of fruits per plant than by the number of seeds per fruit. Source-sink manipulations had no affect on seed weight. Flower-bud removal significantly increased the number of fruits per plant in all species except for L. mendocina. The number of seeds per fruits increased only in L. pinetorum. Our results show that carbon stored during pre-anthesis plays a key role in reproduction both in annual and perennial Lesquerella. The increase in the seed-yield components found with bud removal could potentially reduce longevity in perennial species. The results also show that the number of fruits per plant is a good proxy for seed-yield within a species.     

Association of growth dynamics, yield components and seed quality in long-term trials covering rapeseed cultivation history at high latitudes

Brassica oilseed yield trend has declined in Finland by over 20% during the last 15 years. Improved genetic yield potential of turnip rape (B. rapa L.) and oilseed rape (B. napus L.) can be better realised with increased understanding of yield determining processes under northernmost growing conditions. This study aimed at (1) determining the genetic improvements in seed yield, yield components, quality traits and duration of the main growth phases and (2) comparing all these traits in turnip rape and oilseed rape. This work is based on the dataset from long-term Official Variety Trials (1976–2006), covering the entire historically relevant period of rapeseed cultivation in Finland. The results indicated that number of seeds per square metre dominated production of high yields, while single seed weight was not correlated with yield. Over the years, seed yields were produced with very different combinations of seed numbers and weights, differing markedly between the two crops. While high seed numbers were required for production of superior seed yields, single seed weights were not particularly high. Environmental variation markedly affected seed yield, seed number per square metre and duration of flowering compared with its effect on single seed weight. Duration of flowering was, however, negatively associated with seed number. Even though seed weight was largely determined by genotype, no marked plant breeding improvements were identified, contrary to those in number of seeds per square metre, seed yield, oil content and oil yield. For oilseed rape the increase in seed yield (41%) was far higher than for turnip rape (19%) without being associated with a longer seed-filling phase and later ripening, but rather the contrary.     

Yield response of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench to leaf damage by the flea beetle, Podagrica uniforma Jacoby (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Yield-related response of okra plants, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, to artificial infestation of the flea beetle (Podagrica uniforma Jac.) at different densities (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 pairs per cage) was studied in screen house and field experiments. In both experiments, increase in beetle density resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in fruit production, fruit length, fruit width, fresh fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight and fresh fruit yield. In addition, higher densities caused more dry matter accumulation in the seeds than in the husk of okra fruits. Compensation was noticed at the 5- and 10-pair levels of infestation in some of the variables measured. Fresh fruit yield reduction was more than 50% when beetle density was increased beyond 20 pairs per cage in both experiments. The lowest density of P. uniforma at which significant reduction (P < 0.05) occurred in fresh fruit yield per cage, when compared with the control, was the 20-pair level, representing the damage threshold of the beetle at which initiation of control measures would be justified. Regression analysis indicated that flea beetle density was linearly associated with fruit damage and fresh fruit yield. Also, chi-square analysis showed that the models derived from the screen house and field experiments were not significantly different (P < 0.05) from each other, and either could be used for prediction purposes.     

Alleviation of waterlogging damage in winter rape by application of uniconazole: Effects on morphological characteristics,hormones and photosynthesis

Oilseed rape seedlings (Brassica napus L.) treated with uniconazole were transplanted at the five-leaf stage into specially designed experimental containers, and then exposed to waterlogging for 3 weeks. Pre-treatment of rape seedlings with uniconazole significantly increased seedling height, shoot width, number of green leaves and leaf area per plant, and consequently the shoot, root, and total dry weight after waterlogging. Following waterlogging stress, the uniconazole treated plants had a significantly improved growth including plant height, length and width of leaves, number of green leaves, leaf area per plant, and canopy width at the stem elongation stage, and plant height, stem width, and root, shoot and total dry weight at the flowering stage. At harvest, uniconazole treatment increased the number of primary and secondary branches, seeds per pod, and number of effective pods in branches and in terminal raceme after waterlogging treatment. The uniconazole-induced increase in the number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod were the two yield components responsible for the significantly greater seed and oil yields obtained from the uniconazole plus waterlogging treated plants, over either the control or waterlogged plants. Uniconazole also reduced waterlogging-induced rise in the erucic acid content of the seeds. The modification of GA₃, zeatin, ABA and ethylene levels due to pre-treatment of rape seedlings with uniconazole might have helped to delay the chlorosis and senescence induced by waterlogging. Uniconazole treatment also increased the leaf photosynthetic rates of waterlogged plants, in part, due to the changes in leaf conductance and hormone levels which ultimately affected various physiological processes.     

Polyamines in Different Organs of Brassica Crop Plants with or without Clubroot Disease

Abstract

Polyamines acid extracted from roots, stems, leaves, flower buds, flowers and seeds of eight Brassica crop plants (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Komatsuna, Chingensai, turnip, Aburana and Seiyou-aburana) with or without clubroot disease were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Endogenous concentrations of polyamines per wet weight of the organ were calculated. In cabbage, broccoli and Komatsuna clubroot galls, the levels of putrescine, spermidine and spermine were increased whereas the levels of agmatine levels were decreased after the infection with a protist, Plasmodiophora brassicae. The levels of 2-phenylethylamine and homospermidine found in the normal healthy roots were decreased in the clubroots. The thermospermine level in broccoli was higher in the sprout stem than in the sprout root or other organs. A high agmatine level was found in the healthy sprouts and flower buds of broccoli and cauliflower flower buds. Diaminopropane, cadaverine and norspermine were detected in some Brassica organs as a minor polyamine. The seeds of the eight Brassica plants were rich in spermine and spermidine.     

豚草对花生产量性状的影响及其经济阈值

为明确豚草( Ambrosia artemisiifolia )对花生生长和产量的影响及其经济阈值,采用添加系列试验和拟合函数关系模型的方法,研究了豚草与花生的竞争关系。结果表明,在豚草竞争干扰下,花生单株分枝数、荚果数、有效荚果数及产量均随豚草密度的增加而逐渐降低,而株高没有显著变化。指数模型能较好地拟合豚草对花生分枝数（y=7.307e-0.003x,P<0.001）的影响;对数函数模型能较好地拟合豚草密度与花生单株荚果数(y= -2.355lnx +16.325,P<0.001)、有效荚果数（y= -38.104㏑x+248.022,P<0.001）、花生产量（y= -1 172.945lnx+6 765.501,P<0.001）以及产量损失（y = 17.825lnx-2.866,P<0.001）间的关系。花生田豚草人工拔除的经济阈值为1.42株/m2,使用50%乙草胺乳油防除的经济阈值为1.22株/m2。     

Genotypic Differences in Growth and Physiological Responses to Transplanting and Direct Seeding Cultivation in Rice

The field experiments were conducted to investigate the growth and physiological responses of six super hybrid rice combinations to two planting methods,transplanting(TP) and direct seeding(DS) during 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The 1000-grain weight and number of tillers per plant at the early growth stage,the maximum quantum yield of PSII(Fv/Fm) and transpiration rate(Tr) were higher in DS plants than in TP ones,whereas the grain yield,number of panicles per square meter,seed setting rate,net photosynthetic ...     

河西冷凉灌区甜叶菊扦插育苗及根蘖繁殖技术

甜叶菊在河西冷凉灌区气候条件下,可利用日光温室或塑料大棚育苗,实现一年一季生产,但由于育苗成本较高,影响了甜叶菊生产效益.针对甜叶菊种子小、育苗难、育苗成本高的问题,结合生产实践.总结出了甜叶菊扦插育苗及根蘖繁殖栽培技术,每666.7㎡可节约育苗成本120元,单茬干叶平均产量可达300 kg经检测化验,甜叶菊叶每百克总甙含量在18g左右,远远高于国内其它地区.     

马铃薯脱毒试管苗在不同扦插密度条件下的产量性状和经济参数的分析

为了探讨马铃薯脱毒试管苗在温室条件下的适宜扦插密度问题,利用早熟品种荷兰15号、中熟品种尤金和中晚熟品种克新13号的脱毒试管苗为试验材料,种植并生产原原种。采用单因素随机设计,设密度分别为每平方米154株、182株、222株、286株、400株和667株共6个处理,用方差分析探讨了扦插密度与结薯个数(单位面积上的商品薯数、单株商品薯数、单位面积上的结薯总个数、单株结薯总个数)、产量参数(单位面积上的商品薯产量、单株商品薯产量、单位面积上的总产量、单株产量)和经济参数(利润和经济效益)的关系。研究结果表明:荷兰15号、尤金和克新13号的脱毒试管苗扦插密度每平方米在154～667株之间时,随着扦插密度的增大,其结薯总个数均逐渐增多,单株商品薯产量和单株产量均逐渐变低;这3个品种在每平方米上的商品薯产量、总产量、利润和经济效益的变化趋势不同;通过结薯个数和经济参数的综合评价,得出荷兰15号和尤金的适宜扦插密度每平方米为400株,克新13号的适宜扦插密度为286株。     

Seed Treatment with Uniconazole Powder Improves Soybean Seedling Growth under Shading by Corn in Relay Strip Intercropping System

The relay strip intercropping system of wheat-corn-soybean is widely used in southwest China. However, it is hard to obtain a stable production of soybean with this system, since soybean plants grow under shading by corn; the stems are thinner and susceptible to lodging. We examined the effects of seed treatment with uniconazole powder (0, 2, 4 and 8 mg kg-¹ seed) on the growth of soybean seedlings under relay strip intercropping, some morphological characteristics and yield. The seedling height, first internode length, cotyledonary node height and leaf area per plant were decreased, while the stem diameter, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root volume, leaf greenness and root to shoot dry weight ratio were increased by uniconazole treatment. The root vigor and root active absorption area were also increased significantly by uniconazole treatment. Moreover, 2 and 4 mg kg-¹ uniconazole powder treatment increased shoot dry weight, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and seed yield significantly. Thus, the results suggested that seed treatment with uniconazole powder at a suitable concentration can improve soybean seedling growth, resist the lodging and also increase the seed yield under shading by corn in relay strip intercropping system.     

播种方式对费乌瑞它马铃薯生长与产量品质的影响

试验通过改变马铃薯种薯播种方式(芽眼朝向),研究其对南方冬作区费乌瑞它马铃薯生长、产量与品质的影响。结果表明,播种深度10 cm,以芽眼朝下方式播种马铃薯,收获的马铃薯产量与商品薯率(667 m22150.66 kg,90.59%)均比芽眼朝上(667 m2 2 001.95 kg,80.44%)播种方式高,并且植株长势健壮,青薯率低。南方地区适合运用种薯芽眼朝下播种方式进行马铃薯种植。     

Factors reducing yield of organic white clover seed production in Denmark

Factors reducing yield of organic white clover seed production were investigated in Denmark. In thirty‐six fields from different regions, density of flower heads, and weevils of the genera Apion and Hypera, hatching from flower heads, were assessed. In fifteen of these fields, additional measurements were made in order to calculate potential yield and yield‐reducing factors. Flower heads had a mean of ninety‐two florets per head, of which proportionately 0·59 were intact, 0·08 were not pollinated and 0·34 damaged by weevils; 0·16 of the florets contained larvae of Apion species. In intact florets the mean number of seeds was 3·6. Density and size of flower heads were correlated with low density of flower heads leading to significantly more florets per head. The number of seeds per intact floret was correlated with the proportion of unpollinated florets. The number of insect‐damaged florets was influenced by both larvae of Apion in and the numbers of Hypera nigrirostris (Fabr.) hatched from flower heads. One larva of H. nigrirostris caused approximately ten times the damage of a larva of Apion. Densities of Apion and Hypera were influenced by location, with fields with adjacent weevil sources being most at risk. An estimate of potential seed yield showed that, even under good harvest conditions, only a small part of potential seed yield is realized and that under suboptimal harvest conditions seed loss is high. The main factors responsible for low yields in Danish organic white clover seed production were identified as unfavourable harvest conditions and weevil damage.     

大豆根潜蝇发生为害及防治的研究

1983～1989年研究大豆根潜蝇的发生为害及防治规律,取得以下结果:①大豆根潜蝇主要在大豆苗期为害,使地下根长度、支根数及根瘤数降低,地上叶片内叶绿素含量减少,植株干重降低14.47～28.57％。受害株荚数、豆粒数和百粒重降低,单株产量降低23.48％,使大豆减产15.82％。②大豆与玉米轮作被害率较连作低48.73％。于根潜蝇化蛹期(大豆始花期)追肥能加速虫伤愈合、发根并能挽回受害损失40—50％。③应用辛硫磷、3911 0.1％(种子量)的量拌种防效均达100％,较对照有明显的增产作用,增产达10—15％。     

脱毒小薯原原种粒级、密度、品种熟性对一级原种繁殖的影响

采用马铃薯脱毒小薯不同粒级、不同密度、不同品种熟性三因子三水平正交试验，研究了原原种对一级原种的产量、单株平均结薯数及＜２５ｇ小薯所占比率的影响。结果表明：当早熟、结薯少、薯块均匀的品种原原种播种密度在１．２万株／亩以上，晚熟和中晚熟、结薯较多薯块不均匀的品种在１．０～１．２万株／亩之间，且播种粒级大于０．５ｇ／粒时，一级原种繁殖方可收到既高产又具较高的繁殖系数和较低用种量的效果。     

Evaluation of seed production potential in white clover (Trifolium repens L. varietal improvement programmes

The components of actual and potential seed yield were examined in field experiments on a wide range of varieties of white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The factors affecting seed yield under conditions typical of management regimes used in the production of commercial seed crops were assessed in two experiments. In the first, carried out on spaced plants, considerable diferences are shown between six varieties across the range of leaf sizes in the distribution and profuseness of inflorescence production through the flowering season. In the second, carried out in plots, typical on-farm criteria were used to choose a single harvest date. Significant variation was found between varieties, including representatives of different leaf size categories, for seed yield components that include number of inflorescences m^?2, number of florets per inflorescence and harvestable seed weight. Large-leaved varieties tended to produce more seeds per floret and higher seed weights per inflorescence, whereas small-leaved varieties gave the highest number of inflorescences ^?2. However, the small-leaved variety AderDale, selected for strong peduncles, was exceptional, giving high values for all seed yield components. The impact of weather conditions on many seed yield components (e.g. total number of inflorescences) was demonstrated by the differences between the 2 years of the experiment. However, other characterstics, e.g. number of florets per inflorescence and number of seeds per floret, did not vary between years. Deviations from potential seed yield were assessed fromthe perspective of commerical seed production. The implications of these results for the production of white clover varieties with increased seed yields under UK conditions are discussed.     

Large scale cultivation of Cynara cardunculus L. for biomass production—A case study

Large scale cultivation of the cardoon Cynara cardunculus L. for biomass production was installed using common agricultural practices and machinery in a total of 77.4 ha in southern Portugal in a region characterized by very hot and dry summers. This species is a perennial with an annual growth cycle. Installation by sowing was successful in spite of the extreme drought that occurred during this first cycle (221 mm), and the plants developed well during the second cycle (with 556 mm rainfall) with a mean density of 27 thousand plants per ha. Aerial photographs showed that 45.8 ha of the field had over 50% of ground cover by cardoon plants. The observed differences in soil occupation could be explained by rock outcrops, soil heterogeneity and land topography. The field biomass yield was estimated at 7.5 t ha⁻¹ and the plants at harvest had on average 2.1 m height and 2.2 cm stalk diameter, with 5.3 capitula per plant. Stalks represented 59.1% of total dry biomass. The capitula contain small oil seeds with an average of 126 seeds per capitulum and weighing 32 g per 1000 seeds. The mean seed yield was 603 kg ha⁻¹. The results of this experiment confirm that Cynara crops are suitable for biomass production in Mediterranean regions and that large scale operation can be applied including whole plant harvest or field fractionation for seed recovery. Careful attention to cultural practices was deemed important for field homogeneity and production. The observed plant variation, namely in oil seed production, suggests potential improvements through breeding.     

SHK-6对不同群体下大豆花荚脱落及其产量的调控

以"冀豆12"为材料,在大田条件下通过在初花期对不同群体大豆施用SHK-6,研究了植物生长调节剂SHK-6对不同群体条件下大豆产量及其构成因素的调控作用.结果表明:SHK-6能够明显的提高各个群体下的大豆产量(8.0%),在密度水平为30株/m2的条件下施用SHK-6产量达到最高.调节剂SHK一6能够提高单株花数(13.0%)、荚数(14.8%)、粒数(10.9%)、荚重(16.4%)、粒重(12.3%),并且能够提高百粒重(2.4%)、粒茎比(15.0%).虽然SHK-6处理也增加不同密度水平下的花荚脱落数,但对脱落率没有影响.SHK-6能够降低叶面积指数(LAI)、提高下层叶片的光截获率(群体透光率)和下层叶片的叶绿素的含量.可见冠层结构的优化是导致产量提高的根本原因.     

多效唑在园艺植物上的应用

多效唑（PP333）是一种植物生长延缓剂,在园艺植物上的应用非常广泛。PP333可明显促进草坪草的分蘖,控制果树枝梢生长及矮化、促进花芽分化、增加花量,还可增加花卉植物叶绿素含量,促进根菜类蔬菜增产、叶菜类蔬菜延后花期。本研究总结了PP333在园艺植物上的应用,并提出PP333使用过程的注意事项。