Role of Testa, Cotyledons and Embryonic Axis in Seed Dormancy of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Experiments were carried out during winter–summer (January–June) season to understand the role of seed testa, cotyledons and embryonic axis in imparting dormancy of some groundnut cultivars belonging to different habit groups. Crop was harvested at four maturity stages; 90, 100, 110 and 121 days after emergence (DAE). After drying the pods in shade for 2 days, the germination of seeds with (GST) and without (GSW) testa in rolled germination towels and seeds, and embryonic axes (GEM) in culture media from individual plants of a cultivar was studied. Seed testa played an important role in imparting dormancy followed by the cotyledons, and embryonic axis. However, the nature of dormancy of embryonic axis appeared to be different from that of the testa and cotyledons. Results suggested that the dormancy in groundnut is regulated mainly by testa (a maternal tissue) in the Spanish type, but by cotyledons, and embryonic axis (both zygotic tissue) as well as testa in Virginia types. Thus the genetic control of seed dormancy in groundnut appears to be quantitative in nature.     

Diseases of Rubber and their Control

Abstract

Most of the major diseases of Hevea brasiliensis are of worldwide distribution (with the notable exception of South American leaf blight, against which strict quarantine regulations are enforced by rubber-growing countries outside the Americas to prevent the unauthorised import of Hevea) but their local severity and importance vary from one region to another. Root diseases are a serious problem nearly everywhere and regular rounds of inspection and treatment are essential while the trees are still young in order to prevent serious losses. The recently introduced prophylactic collar protectant dressings specific to each of the three main diseases are valuable aids to control.

Diseases of the tapping panel may prevent tapping or hinder bark regeneration; black stripe in particular (Phytophthora palmivora) can be very persistent and is often eradicated only by repeated therapeutic fungicidal treatment of the bark. Stem diseases, chiefly pink disease (Corticium salmonicolor), are important in certain areas in wet weather, and can lead to severe damage and even dieback in the absence of effective treatment.

Four major leaf diseases can have a debilitating effect on the tree. Abnormal leaf fall (Phytophthora spp.) is severe in India, causing the abscission of mature leaves during the monsoon rains; treatment necessitates the application of a pre-monsoon prophylactic copper spray. Secondary leaf fall, caused both by Oidium heveae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides which infect the flushes of new leaves produced after the annual leaf change (wintering), varies greatly in severity according to local weather and cultivar. It can be controlled by repeated rounds of an appropriate prophylactic fungicide or, under certain conditions, by artificially hastening the onset of wintering (and thus of refoliation) by removing the old leaves with a contact herbicide. By far the most important leaf disease is South American leaf blight (Microcyclus ulei); it is largely responsible for the lack of a vigorous rubber industry in South America, the home of the rubber tree. It can only be effectively countered by the use of resistant cultivars.

The economic importance of the above diseases is discussed and current control measures described.     

Morphological, cytological and disease resistance studies of the intersectional hybrid between Arachis hypogaea L. and A. glabrata Benth.

Arachis glabrata Benth, variety glabrata collector GK 10596 (PI276233; ICG 8176) belonging to section Rhizomatosae has resistance to rust, late leaf spot and viral diseases. A. hypogaea L. cv MK 374 (section Arachis) is susceptible to rust, late leaf spot and to the viral diseases peanut stripe, peanut mottle and peanut bud necrosis. Hybrids between A. hypogaea cv MK 374 and A. glabrata were produced after inter specific pollinations and embryo culture. The hybrids produced had morphological characters of both parents plus floral abnormalities not seen in either parent. It was possible to identify the hybrids by esterase isozyme analysis when still in culture. Cytological research showed variable chromosome association and also homeology between the genomes of A. hypogaea and A. glabrata. The hybrids inherited resistance to rust, late leaf spot, peanut bud necrosis and peanut stripe diseases from the pollen parent A. glabrata. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The genomes of Arachis hypogaea 2. The implications in interspecific breeding

Summary The existence of structural differentiation between genomes in section Arachis of the genus Arachis has important implications in the utilization of diploid wild species in this section as a germplasm resource. Maximum expression of desirable characters may not be achieved unless tetrasomic dose levels can be achieved. Possible breeding strategies discussed include natural and induced gene exchange between genomes and chromosome substitution which could be brought about by manipulation of ploidy level and where appropriate the use of ionizing radiation. Such strategies could be tested in the improvement of resistance to the Cercospora leafspots.Paper number 5561 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Experimental Station, Raleigh, NC 27650.     

Inheritance of albinism in certain interspecific and intersubspecific crosses in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary A study of the several interspecific and inter-subspecific crosses indicated that albinism in groundnut is recessive and in these crosses is controlled by triplicate recessive loci.ICRISAT Paper No. JA-336     

Mature plant and tissue resistance in the groundnut-peanut bud necrosis virus system

Summary Leaves and plants of different ages of a susceptible and two resistant groundnut genotypes were mechanically inoculated with peanut bud necrosis virus, and the percentage of plants with systemic symptoms (incidence) and the incubation period were determined. The incidence decreased sharply in all three genotypes with the age of the inoculated leaves and plants. The incubation period increased with the age of leaves and plants. Apparently, only young tissue of young plants is susceptible, while mature tissue and plants are highly resistant. This mature tissue and plant resistance occurs irrespective of the susceptibility level of the genotype to peanut bud necrosis virus, however, it develops earlier in the resistant than in the susceptible genotypes.Abbreviations IP₅₀ incubation period - PBNV peanut bud necrosis virus - TSWV tomato spotted wilt virus     

Studies on Nitrogen Economy and Productivity of Wheat as Affected by Rainy Season Legumes under Irrigated Conditions

A field experiment was conducted during July 1986–April 1988 at New Delhi, to evaluate the relative contribution of rainy-season legumes towards the growth and productivity of succeeding wheat ( Triticum aestivum [L.] emend. Fiori & Paol), find out economic optimum dose of nitrogen for succeeding wheat and screen a legume which can be best knitted in wheat based cropping system.
HD 2329 wheat performed better when grown after legumes than when grown after Local fodder sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench). N economy in wheat was greater (65–78 kg/ha) after Sona clusterbean ( Cyamopsis tetragonoloba [L.] Taubert) and T-9 blackgram ( Phaseolus mungo L.) over sorghum. The economic optimum dose of N for wheat following pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan [L.] Millsp.), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.), groundnut ( Aracbis bypogaea L.), blackgram ( Phaseolus mungo L.) and clusterbean were 110.1, 103.6, 113.7, 109.6 and 92.3 kg/ha respectively.