Estimating gene action,combining ability and heterosis for grain yield and agronomic traits in extra-early maturing yellow maize single-crosses under three agro-ecologies of Ghana

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop produced in Ghana. However, yield of the crop is generally low, producing just about 1.7 t/ha. The low yield is attributed to continuous use of local/unimproved varieties. Generally, hybrid varieties have proven to out-yield the local/unimproved varieties due to improved vigour. Development of hybrid varieties depend on good understanding of combining ability and inheritance of important quantitative traits such as grain yield (GY). 45 half-diallel crosses generated from 10 extra-early maturing yellow inbred lines were evaluated in 2015 under rain-fed conditions. The objectives were to determine the genetic control, breeding value and estimate heritability for GY and agronomic traits of the inbred lines under contrasting growing environments in Ghana. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were important in the inheritance of GY and agronomic traits of the inbred lines. However, GCA was more important than SCA across environments to suggest that additive gene action was more important than non-additive gene action in the inheritance of GY and agronomic traits in the inbred lines. High broad-sense heritability, for GY and other agronomic traits indicated preponderance of additive gene action in trait expression, thus, selection based on phenotypic expression could be feasible. Inbred lines P1, P4 and P8 were good combiners for high GY. The genotype, P4 × P8, was identified as the ideal and most yielding single-cross hybrid across research environments and should be further tested on-farm before commercialization.     

不同耕作措施下旱作农田土壤团聚体中有机碳和全氮分布特征

以连续进行12年的保护性耕作长期定位试验为研究对象,探索了传统耕作(T)、传统耕作+秸秆还田(TS)、免耕不覆盖(NT)、免耕+秸秆覆盖(NTS)4种耕作措施对陇中黄土高原旱作农田豌豆-小麦双序列轮作系统的土壤团聚体中有机碳和全氮分布特征的影响。结果表明:各处理均以≥0.25 mm团聚体为优势团聚体,且≥0.25 mm团聚体含量随土层深度增加而增加,而其他粒径团聚体含量随土层深度的变化并无明显规律。较之T处理,TS、NT、NTS处理均可提升≥0.25 mm团聚体含量和平均重量直径,NTS处理提升效果最明显。TS、NT、NTS处理土壤有机碳和全氮含量均高于T处理,其中TS、NTS处理显著高于T处理,NTS处理高于TS处理;各处理土壤有机碳和全氮含量均随土层增加而减小。较之T处理,NT、TS、NTS处理可不同程度提高各粒径团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量,NTS处理的含量最高;各粒径团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量均随土层深度增加而减小;同时,团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量随粒径减小而增加。2~5 mm和0.25~2 mm和≥5 mm团聚体含量与相应粒径团聚体有机碳含量呈极显著正相关、极显著正相关和极显著负相关;0.25~2 mm和≥5 mm团聚体含量与相应级别团聚体全氮含量分别呈极显著正相关和显著负相关。T处理不同粒径团聚体有机碳和全氮贡献率按其大小排序均为(0.25 mm)(≥5 mm)(0.25~2 mm)(2~5 mm),其他3种耕作措施各粒径团聚体有机碳和全氮贡献率在各土层中的排序各有不同,并无明显规律。     

Distribution and genetic diversity among Aspergillus flavus isolates across three agro-ecologies essential for maize cultivation in Ghana

Fungal mycotoxins are important contaminants of agricultural commodities that pose serious concerns to producers, consumers and exporters. Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic metabolite produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. These fungi and other mould species living in the soil contaminate several crops including maize. This study was undertaken with the following objectives: (i) to assess the presence of A. flavus and other moulds in Ghanaian soil; (ii) to determine the distribution and density of A. flavus under three agro-ecologies noted for major maize production; and (iii) to assess the effect of percentage of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and soil pH on A. flavus population densities and diversity in the isolates found across the agro-ecologies. The data showed seven moulds that were common across the agro-ecologies. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the A. flavus density and distribution within and across these agro-ecologies. Fumesua soils recorded the highest levels of A. flavus (1.185 × 10³ cfu g⁻¹) while Akomadan recorded the least (9.76 × 10² cfu g⁻¹). Percentage available C, N and soil pH did not significantly influence A. flavus density. The A. flavus isolates identified in this study varied in genetic sequence within the aflatoxin gene cluster, but these differences were not distinguishable by origin.     

不同生物质炭输入水平下旱作农田温室气体排放研究

在陇中黄土高原干旱半干旱区,采用小区定位试验,对不同生物质炭输入水平下春小麦农田土壤温室气体(CO_2、N_2O和CH_4)的排放通量进行全生育期连续观测,并分析其影响因子。结果表明:6个生物质炭输入水平处理下[0 t·hm~(-2)(CK)、10 t·hm~(-2)、20 t·hm~(-2)、30 t·hm~(-2)、40 t·hm~(-2)、50 t·hm~(-2)],旱作农田土壤在春小麦全生育期内均表现为CH_4弱源、N_2O源和CO_2源。全生育期各处理CH_4平均排放通量依次为:0.005 7 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.0047 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.003 6 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.003 3 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.002 7 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和0.000 4 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),N_2O平均排放通量依次为:0.230 5 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.144 1 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.135 3 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.098 9 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、0.125 0 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和0.151 3mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),CO_2平均排放通量依次为:0.449 2μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.447 0μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.430 3μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.391 4μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)、0.408 0μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)和0.416 4μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)。土壤CH_4排放通量随生物质炭输入量的增加而减小;当生物质炭输入量小于30 t·hm~(-2)时,土壤N_2O、CO_2排放通量随其输入量增加而显著减小,但当其输入量超过30 t·hm~(-2)时,N_2O、CO_2排放通量则呈显著增大趋势。各处理在5~15 cm土层平均土壤温度差异显著(P0.05),在5~10 cm土层平均土壤含水量差异显著(P0.05),土壤温度及含水量受生物质炭影响明显;且CK处理不同土层的土壤温度及含水量波动最大,生物质炭输入可在一定程度上降低不同土层土壤的水热变化幅度;N_2O、CO_2排放通量与10~15 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性负相关,与20~25 cm土壤温度呈显著性正相关;CH_4平均排放通量与5~10 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性负相关,与其含水量呈显著性正相关;N_2O平均排放通量与15~20 cm土层土壤温度呈显著性正相关;CH_4、N_2O、CO_2平均排放通量与0~5 cm土层土壤水分呈显著性负相关。生物质炭的输入能够减小温室气体的排放,且会因其输入量的不同而异,因此适量应用生物质炭有利于旱作农田生育期内增汇减排。     

Agronomic performance and genotypic diversity for morphological traits among cassava genotypes in the guinea savannah ecology of Ghana

We evaluated the agronomic performance and diversity for morphological traits among a collection of local and exotic cassava genotypes in the Guinea Savannah agroecology of Ghana. One hundred and fifty cassava genotypes were assessed using 28 agro-morphological (18 qualitative and 10 quantitative) traits recorded from three months after planting until harvesting at 12 months after planting. There was significant genetic variability among the genotypes for most of the traits evaluated. High broad sense heritability was observed for most of the traits. Principal component analyses of the traits indicated that the first three principal component axes which accounted for more than 55% of the variation for 10 quantitative traits included storage root yield, number of leaves, harvest index, height at first branching, and plant height as the most important traits. A greater proportion of the phenotypic variances of plant height, height at branching, and harvest index were accounted for by genetic variances indicating that progress could made with selection. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that a number of traits were related to growth and yield of cassava in the Guinea Savanna ecology, making indirect selection for root yield possible. The study revealed ample genotypic variation in these morphological and agronomic traits to support selection for improved varieties.     

不同生物质炭输入水平下旱作农田温室气体排放日变化研究

在陇中黄土高原干旱半干旱区,采用小区定位试验,对不同生物质炭水平(0 t·hm~(-2)、10 t·hm~(-2)、20 t·hm~(-2)、30 t·hm~(-2)、40 t·hm~(-2)、50 t·hm~(-2))下农田土壤温室气体(CO_2、N_2O和CH_4)的日排放通量及其影响因子进行连续观测,并确定1 d中不同生物质炭处理水平下的最佳观测时间。结果表明:6个生物质炭输入水平处理下,春小麦地土壤CH_4、N_2O和CO_2通量变化趋势与气温日变化轨迹大体一致,均表现为白天排放量大于夜间,并在4:00—5:00时,出现对CH_4通量的吸收峰,以及N_2O与CO_2的排放低谷;全天内各处理CH_4平均排放通量依次为:10.14mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、7.82mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、6.57mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、-0.10mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、1.05mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和2.89mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),N_2O平均排放通量依次为:288.79mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、201.78mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、157.14mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、112.06mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、154.60mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和164.02mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1),CO_2平均排放通量依次为:85.44 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、80.91 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、76.49 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、65.29 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)、67.19 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)和69.10 mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1);当生物质炭输入量小于30 t·hm~(-2)时,土壤CH_4、N_2O、CO_2排放通量随其输入量增加而显著减小,但当其输入量超过30 t·hm~(-2)时,3种温室气体排放通量则呈显著增大趋势;当生物质炭输入水平为30 t·hm~(-2)时,春小麦土壤全天表现为CH_4的吸收汇,其余各水平处理下的土壤表现为CH_4的弱排放源;6种处理水平下,全天春小麦地土壤表现为N_2O、CO_2的排放源。0~5 cm的土壤温度及水分(y)与生物质炭输入量(x)回归方程分别为y=-0.017 6x+16.585(R~2=0.302 6,r=-0.55,P0.05)和y=0.056 5x+13.626(R~2=0.815 1,r=0.903,P0.05),生物质炭输入量与0~5 cm的土壤水分呈显著正相关关系;无生物质炭输入处理下3种温室气体的吸收或排放通量与地表温度及5 cm地温均呈显著正相关关系,其他各处理也表现出不同程度的正相关关系。因此,当生物质炭输入水平为30 t·hm~(-2)时,更有利于CH_4、N_2O和CO_2 3种温室气体的增汇减排;生物质炭输入水平差异引起的土壤温度及水分差异可能是不同生物质炭处理CH_4、N_2O和CO_2日排放通量产生差异的主要原因;由矫正系数及最佳时段温室气体排放量与累积排放量回归分析可得,3种温室气体的最佳同期观测时间为8:00—9:00。     

The genetic diversity of Jatropha Curcas (L.) germplasm in Ghana as revealed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers

Jatropha curcas (L.) has gained popularity as a biodiesel plant to serve as an alternative fuel source and generate income to small landholders. The success of J. curcas as alternative fuel source and income generation depends on the identification of genetically divergent materials of the plant and developing superior planting stocks for farmers. This paper presents genetic diversity assessment of 40 representative accessions drawn from 90 accessions collected from ten regions of Ghana based on their seed yield performance. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on the 40 accessions with ten primers revealed an average polymorphism of 24.99%. Genotype Genotype*Environmental biplot analysis which incorporates divergence effects due to genotype (PC1) and interactions between genotype and field parameters (PC2) was 44.7%. Hence the RAPD information indicates narrow genetic diversity among the accessions used in the study and J. curcas germplasm in Ghana. It is therefore recommended that local germplasm of J. curcas should be officially conserved and immediate efforts be made to widen the genetic base through research and introduction from other regions.     

不同生物质炭输入水平下黄绵土N_2O日排放特性

在陇中黄土高原干旱半干旱区,采用小区定位试验与室内盆栽模拟试验相结合的方法,对不同生物质炭输入水平下旱作黄绵土N_2O的日排放通量及其影响因子进行连续观测,并确定1天中不同生物质炭处理水平下的最佳观测时间。结果表明:6个生物质炭输入水平处理下(0、10、20、30、40、50 t·hm~(-2)),旱作黄绵土全天表现为N_2O的排放源;无生物质炭添加处理的N_2O排放通量均显著高于其他各处理,随输入水平增加呈U型变化规律,当生物质炭输入水平为30 t·hm~(-2)时,更有利于N_2O气体的增汇减排;各处理N_2O日总排放通量均在白天所占比例最高;温度是环境因子相对稳定条件下N_2O气体排放的主要影响因子,N_2O的排放与地表温度及10 cm土层地温呈不同程度的正相关关系;10 cm土层地温与生物质炭输入量呈显著正相关关系;N_2O气体的最佳同期观测时间为8∶00—9∶00。     

Effect of seasons and larval food plants on the quality of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gonometa postica</Emphasis> cocoons

The effect of food plants [Acacia elatior Brenan, A. tortilis (Forssk.) and A. nilotica (L.) Del.] on the development time of Gonometa postica Walker (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) larvae and the quality of their cocoons was studied in the Imba and Mumoni forests of Mwingi, Eastern Kenya, during the long (March-May) and short (October-December) rainy seasons of 2006 and 2007. Larvae were reared in semi-captivity in net sleeves attached to branches of the plants. The period between hatching of eggs and spinning of cocoons, as well as their weight, as determinants of cocoon quality were recorded. In addition, collections of cocoons from the wild were done in the two forests from the same host plants for assessment of their quality. In the cage experiment, larval development period and quality of cocoons differed according to food plants, seasons and sites, whereas quality of cocoons sampled from the wild habitat was similar for all food plants and seasons but varied according to site. Generally, there was a positive correlation between weight of cocoon, its length and width for the two seasons for both the semi-captive population and those from the wild. Larvae reared on A. elatior had a shorter development period and higher cocoon quality than those raised on A. tortilis and A. nilotica. Generally, temperature and relative humidity significantly influenced larval development time and the effect was both positive and negative. Rainfall was generally higher in Mumoni than in Imba. The implications of the above findings for the semi-captive rearing of G. postica to increase the quality of cocoons are discussed.