Weed competition in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) in the Jordan Valley

A field experiment was carried out in 1996/1997 and repeated in 1997/1998 at the Jordan University Research Station located in the central Jordan Valley to determine the effect of weed competition on growth and yield of cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis cv. “White Cloud”. The treatments consisted of either allowing weeds to infest the crop or maintaining plots weed-free for increasing durations after transplanting. Results showed that longer periods of weed/cauliflower competition greatly reduced crop growth and head yield. Average reductions in shoot dry weight and head yield were 81% and 89%, respectively. Maintaining a weed-free crop for any period after transplanting increased cauliflower growth and head yield compared with the weed-infested control. Weed competition for 14 days after transplanting reduced cauliflower average head yield by 41%. To determine the critical period of weed competition and the influence of weed infestation on cauliflower head yield the Gompertz and logistic equations were fitted to data representing increasing duration of weed-free and weed-infested periods, respectively. Based upon an arbitrary 5% level of head yield loss, the critical period of weed competition occurred at 0–38 days after cauliflower transplanting which corresponded with the rapid increase in weed biomass. Results indicated that early weed removal is necessary to prevent yield loss.     

Chemical Composition of Urban Wet Deposition in Amman,Jordan

Precipitation events were collected during the period from October 1996 to April 1997 from two sites in the city of Amman, Jordan. The samples were analyzed for major cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and NH4+), major anions (F-, Cl-, NO3- and SO42-), in addition to heavy metals (Cu2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+). High levels of Ca2+ and SO42- were observed. The results were comparable with some regional values and they indicate that about 58% of Na+ and Cl- are of marine origin, while Ca2+, K+ and a large fraction of SO42- are of soil dust origin. Heavy metals were detectable in most of the samples, zinc showed the highest concentrations. Significant correlation was obtained between zinc and lead, which may indicate automobile emission source.     

Possible rôle of allelopathy in the competition between tomato, Senecio vulgaris L. and Chenopodium album L.

Summary. The allelopathic effect of Chenopodium album L. (fat-hen) and Senecio vulgaris L. (groundsel) on tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv. Ailsa Craig) plants was investigated under glasshouse conditions. A new technology was used to separate competitive from allelopathic effects. These experiments suggested that C. album had an effect on tomato through allelopathy. C. album leach-ates significantly reduced shoot fresh and dry weights and the accumulation of N, P, K, Ca and Mg of tomato shoots. No effect was found on the quantities of these elements in tomato roots. Leachate of five plants of C. album per pot was sufficient to reduce tomato growth. Addition of 10 or 20 g kg⁻¹ of C. album dried shoots to the soil mixture significantly decreased the fresh and dry weights of tomato plants. S. vulgaris leachates did not show significant effects on the growth or nutrient accumulation of tomato plants.     

Variation of resistance to broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) in tomatoes

Summary Twenty five tomato cultivars and one accession of wild tomato were evaluated for their resistance to branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) infestation. Tomato cultivars were found different in their resistance to Orobanche based on different growth parameters. Total Orobanche number, haustoria development and number of emerged Orobanche shoots were all different between tomato cultivars. Differences in the growth and fruit yield among tomato cultivars were also found in response to Orobanche infestation. Ranking tomato cultivars for Orobanche resistance indicates the existence of different resistance mechanisms in these cultivars. Relatively high to moderate levels of resistance were obtained in Tiny Tim, Acora, Castler, Pomodora, Orient, Red Alert and the accession LA 1478 of L. pimpinellifolium. The cultivar Tiny Tim showed the highest level of resistance for all measured parameters and in all experiments.     

Genetic diversity of Solanum elaeagnifolium,an invasive problematic weed in Jordan

Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade) is a problematic weed that is common in Jordan and difficult to control. The weed exhibits distinct morphological variations in growth habit, leaf shape, leaf margins, flower colour and presence or absence of spines between individuals among and within populations suggesting genetic differences. Genetic variations among 61 samples of S. elaeagnifolium collected from heavily infested sites in the central Jordan Valley were investigated using six simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and eight amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations. Results showed that 111 out of 675 AFLP bands were polymorphic generating polymorphism information content (PIC) of 38.0%, while 23 SSR polymorphic alleles were detected generating a PIC of 30.8%. Phylogenetic analysis using RaxML software identified four major clades with a clear clustering of the samples with their collection sites. Genetic analysis using both techniques revealed high level of genetic diversity among S. elaeagnifolium samples collected from a small geographical area indicating that a range of genetic diversity may be detected in weed populations across the country that may complicate its management.     

COMPETITIVE RELATIONSHIP OF CAULIFLOWER (BRASSICA OLERACEA L. VAR. BOTRYTIS) AND NETTLE-LEAVED GOOSEFOOT (CHENOPODIUM MURALE L.) AND THEIR DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSES TO POTASSIUM LEVEL

Growth and competitive abilities of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis cv. ‘White Cloud’) and nettle-leaved goosefoot (Chenopodium murale L.) were investigated under glasshouse conditions. The two species responded differently to a reduction in potassium (K) levels in the medium. Growth of C. murale was reduced while that of cauliflower increased with reduced K levels. At 0.125 mM K, average reduction in shoot dry weight of C. murale grown in pure and mixed stands was 35% and 58%, respectively. Average competition indices and relative competitive ability indices were higher for cauliflower than for C. murale. In a replacement series design, cauliflower showed higher shoot dry weight at high and low K levels in the medium than that of C. murale. Relative yield total (RYT) was > 1 indicating differences in species demand for K and would suggest possible control of the weed by managing the applied K level in the field.     

Allelopathy Importance,Field Application and Potential Role in Pest Management： A Review

Allelopathy importance and its application under field conditions are reviewed. Recent achievements in the field of plant protection are mainly considered and presented. Natural chemicals of potential use as pesticides, commercialized natural products of pesticidal properties are included. Reported plants of pest control properties, their targeted agricultural pests, formulations, methods of application and activity under field conditions are presented. Allelopathic plant species and implications on their use in the field, positive and negative impacts on cultivated crop species and agricultural pests are discussed. Some research difficulties and experimental methodology problems are mentioned. Prospects of allelopathy as a future strategy for pest management, development of eco-friendly biopesticides and importance for sustainable agriculture and recent developments in allelopathy research are discussed.     

A Prospective Non-Randomized Open-Label Comparative Study of The Effects of Matcha Tea on Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Pilot Observational Study

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Matcha tea has been used as an adjunct in weight loss programs. The weight loss effects of matcha tea were evaluated in a prospective non-randomized open-label...     

Molecular survey of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma</Emphasis> infection in sheep and goat from Fars province,Southern Iran

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonotic disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in human fetus and in immunocompromised patients. Moreover, it becomes a major cause of abortion in sheep and goats. Since consumption of meat of infected lamb and goat is considered as the main sources of human infection in Iran, this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in edible tissues of sheep and goats in Shiraz in 2008. Samples of brain, tongue, liver, and muscles of neck, intercostals, and femoral were taken from 56 sheep and 22 goats and tested by PCR. The total prevalence of Toxoplasma infection among animals was found to be 33.3%. Five out of 22 goats (22.7%) and 21 out of 56 sheep (37.5%) were infected by Toxoplasma. Differences between the prevalence rate of infection among females (nine out of 14 = 46%) and males animals (12 out of 45 = 29.5%) was significant (P = 0.013). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between the age of animals and the rate of infection; animals greater than 2 years old showed a higher rate of infection (47%) in comparison with those less than 2 years old (25%, P = 0.04). The highest infected tissue was tongue (21.8%) followed by brain (19.2%) and femoral and intercostal muscles (17.9%). This study demonstrated a high level of Toxoplasma infection in slaughtered animals in Shiraz and these should be considered as the main sources of infection for human population in the region.