CATEGORIZATION OF BRASSICA CULTIVARS FOR PHOSPHORUS ACQUISITION FROM PHOSPHATE ROCK ON BASIS OF GROWTH AND IONIC PARAMETERS

We categorized sixteen Brassica cultivars for their differential growth response and phosphorus (P) acquisition from phosphate rock (PR) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP). Plants were grown with both P sources in a nutrient solution experiment for 40 days. Cultivars differed significantly (P < 0.01) both for absolute as well as relative values of growth and physiological parameters at both P sources. Phosphorus deficiency in PR treatment significantly depressed biomass production (more than 2.5 times than control) and P concentration (about 1.5 times) in all of the cultivars. ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Poorbi Raya’ produced significantly more relative biomass than other cultivars grown with PR. Cultivars were classified into three classes on the basis of mean values of different parameters and their standard deviation viz low, medium and high. Cultivars were also classified into different classes while regressing biomass and P contents. Cultivars ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Poorbi Raya’ accumulated maximum shoot dry matter (1.21 and 1.27 g dry matter/plant, respectively) grown with phosphate rock, hence were categorized as high biomass producers. Cultivars ‘Rainbow’, ‘KS-74’, and ‘Poorbi Raya’ accumulated maximum P (5.58, 5.24, and 4.81 mg P plant^?1, respectively) from PR and were categorized as high P accumulators. Cultivars with high biomass and high P contents such as ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Poorbi Raya’ at low available P (Rock P) would be used in further screening experiments to improve P efficiency in Brassica.     

EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND SULFUR FERTILIZATION ON YIELD COMPONENTS,SEED AND OIL YIELDS OF CANOLA

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) levels and their methods of application on canola. Branches plant^?1, pods plant^?1 and biological yield significantly increased with increase in nitrogen level and no significant increase in seed pod^?1 and seed and oil yields occurred beyond 120 kg N ha^?1. However, thousand seed weight consistently decreased with increasing level of nitrogen. Pods plant^?1 and biological yield continually increased with increase in sulfur level. Alternatively, significant increase in branches plant^?1, seed pod^?1, seed weight, seed and oil yields was noted with increase in sulfur level up to 40 kg ha^?1. Applications of sulfur and nitrogen in split significantly decreased seed yield as compared to sole applications. It is concluded that sulfur and nitrogen application as sole at the rate of 40 and 120 kg ha^?1, respectively performed better than the rest of their levels and method of application.     

Laal-e-faisal: A new red skin potato variety adapted to Pakistan

American Journal of Potato Research - The Laal-e-Faisal (Pearl of Pakistan) potato variety was selected at Kaghan by the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from a seedling...     

Utilizing the γ-Irradiated Sodium Alginate as a Plant Growth Promoter for Enhancing the Growth, Physiological Activities, and Alkaloids Production in Catharanthus roseus L.

Sodium alginate is a polysaccharide that is largely obtained from the brown algae (Sargassum sp.).It has been used as a wonderful growth promoting substance in its depolymerized form for various plants.The aim of this study was to find out the effects of various concentrations of γ-irradiated sodium alginate (ISA),viz.,deionized water (control,T0),20 (T1),40 (T2),60 (T3),80 (T4),and 100 ppm (T5) on the agricultural performance of Catharanthus roseus L.(Rosea) in terms of growth attributes,photosynthesis,physiological activities,and alkaloid production.The present work revealed that ISA applied as leaf-sprays at concentrations from 20 to 100 ppm might improve growth,photosynthesis,physiological activities,and alkaloid production in C.roseus L.significantly.Of the various ISA concentrations,80 ppm proved to be the best one compared to other concentrations applied.     

Growth,photosynthetic efficiency and metabolic alterations associated with exogenous hydrogen peroxide in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis>: Overproduction of artemisinin

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone with a peroxide linkage, has been held responsible for antimalarial activity of the Artemisia annua L. Recently, it was reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important role in the biosynthesis of artemisinin by catalyzing some important intermediate steps. The effect of exogenously supplied hydrogen peroxide (1.00 mM and 2.00 mM H₂O₂), in two ways, foliar and as soil drench, was worked out in terms of growth, alteration in photosynthesis, oxidative damage, antioxidant defense enzymes and artemisinin level in exposed plants. Application of H₂O₂ positively affect the growth of the treated plants; and increment in net photo synthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO₂ and chlorophyll content in the H₂O₂ exposed A. annua plants was noted. A significant upregulation in antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was observed as a result of exogenous H₂O₂ treatment when applied foliarly or as soil drench. H₂O₂application either by 1.00 mM or 2.00 mM stimulated artemisinin levels, however, 2.00 mM H₂O₂ applied as soil drench elicited artemisinin production more rapidly compared to other treatments. Therefore, results suggest that exogenous H₂O₂ may stimulate growth by inducing antioxidant defense system and increase the artemisinin levels in Artemisia annua plants.     

Modulation of defence responses by improving photosynthetic activity,antioxidative metabolism,and vincristine and vinblastine accumulation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Catharanthus roseus</Emphasis> (L.) G. Don through salicylic acid under water stress

A pot experiment was conducted to find out whether the foliar spray of salicylic acid (SA) could successfully ameliorate the adverse effects of water stress on periwinkle. Pots were irrigated with ground water regularly as a control and other treatments were given as 15 and 30 days interval drought (DID) at 30 DAS. Plants were uprooted randomly at 46 and 61 DAS, washed carefully and separated into root, stem and leaf for analyses. A uniform concentration (10⁻⁵ mol/l) of salicylic acid (SA) was applied as a foliar spray at the vegetative stage. Water stress significantly reduced the growth attributes including plant height, leaf-area index, shoot and root fresh weights, shoot and root dry weights. Long term water stress led to a gradual decrease in photosynthetic parameters and activities of nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase. Ascorbic acid, total alkaloids and antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase increased in stress faced plants. Foliar application of SA (10⁻⁵ M) reduced the damaging effect of stress on plant growth and accelerated the restoration of growth processes. It not only improved the growth parameters but also partially reversed the effects of salinity. Total alkaloid content was improved by SA application both in unstressed and stressed plants. Foliar spray of SA not only overcame the adverse effect of stress but also improved the content of vincristine and vinblastine in stressed plants.     

Breaking wheat yield barriers requires integrated efforts in developing countries

Most yield progress obtained through the so called "Green Revolution", particularly in the irrigated areas of Asia, has reached a limit, and major resistance genes are quickly overcome by the appearance of new strains of disease causing organisms.New plant stresses due to a changing environment are difficult to breed for as quickly as the changes occur.There is consequently a continual need for new research programs and breeding strategies aimed at improving yield potential, abiotic stress tolerance and resistance to new, major pests and diseases.Recent advances in plant breeding encompass novel methods of expanding genetic variability and selecting for recombinants, including the development of synthetic hexaploid, hybrid and transgenic wheats.In addition, the use of molecular approaches such as quantitative trait locus(QTL) and association mapping may increase the possibility of directly selecting positive chromosomal regions linked with natural variation for grain yield and stress resistance.The present article reviews the potential contribution of these new approaches and tools to the improvement of wheat yield in farmer's fields, with a special emphasis on the Asian countries, which are major wheat producers, and contain the highest concentration of resource-poor wheat farmers.     

Assessment of resistance to bacterial wilt incited by Ralstonia solanacearum in tomato germplasm

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Bacterial wilt incited by Ralstonia solanacearum has been found the most damaging and widespread diseases of tomato throughout the world and causes heavy...     

Characteristics of Aerococcus viridans isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis and its effect on milk SCC,yield, and composition

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Aerococcus viridians (A. viridans), an environmental Gram-positive bacterium, has been documented to be associated with bovine mastitis. However, its exact...