EFFECTS OF SALINITY STRESS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS WHEAT AND BARLEY CULTIVARS

An experiment with factorial arrangement of treatments on a randomized complete block (RCB) design basis with three replications was conducted in a greenhouse during Spring 2010 to investigate changes in sodium ion (Na⁺), potassium ion (K⁺), Na⁺/K⁺ and to determine proline, protein content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of four wheat and four barley cultivars. Three salt levels {1, control (no salt), 7, and 13 dS m^?1 [2.5 and 5 g salt [sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in 1:1 ratio] per kg of soil, respectively]} were used in this investigation. Salt stress treatments were applied 4 weeks after planting (at 2 leaf stage). Leaf samples were taken four weeks after imposition of salt treatment. The results showed that salinity caused an increased in proline and protein content, and SOD in all wheat and barley cultivars. The highest proline and protein content of barley and wheat cultivars at all salinity levels were observed in ‘Nimrooz’ and ‘Bam’ cultivars, respectively. At all salinity levels, wheat and barley cultivars ‘Kavir’ and ‘Nimrooz’, respectively, had the lowest Na⁺ content. Barley cultivar ‘Kavir’ and wheat cultivar ‘Bam’ had higher K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratios. This might be related to salt tolerance in these two cultivars. Wheat and barley cultivars showed differences with regard to proline, protein, and SOD content, Na⁺, K⁺, and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, indicating existence of genetic diversity among the cultivars. These findings indicated that higher K⁺, K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, proline, protein, and SOD content could be the key factors, which offer advantage to barley over wheat for superior performance under saline conditions.     

EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA STRAIN ON FREEZING INJURY AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY OF WHEAT AND BARLEY

In 2009 a greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effects of boron (B) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on wheat (Triticum aestivum spp. vulgare cv ‘Bezostiya’) and barley (Hordeum vulgare cv ‘Tokak’) on plant growth, freezing injury, and antioxidant enzyme capacity. Results showed that boron (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 kg B ha^?1) and PGPR application (Bacillus megaterium M3, Bacillus subtilis OSU142, Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 and Raoultella terrigena) at which 50% of leaves were injured (LT₅₀) values and ice nucleation activities in both plants were found statistically significant. Boron application with all PGPR strains decreased LT₅₀ values in wheat and barley plants under noncold stress (NCS) and cold stress conditions (CS). There were statistically significant differences between bacterial inoculation and B fertilizer in terms of root and shoot dry weight under NCS and CS conditions. Reactive oxidative oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) were negatively affected CS conditions and decreased with reduced temperatures of media, but B and PGPR applications alleviated the low-temperature deleterious effects in both plants species tested. The lowest ROS and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, POD, CAT) of wheat and barley were observed with 6 kg B ha^?1 with R. terrigena.     

Einfluß von Sorte und Phosphordüngung auf den Phosphorgehalt und die Aktivität der sauren Phosphatasen von Weizen und Gerste. — Ein Beitrag zur Diagnose der P-Versorgung von Pflanzen —

Influence of cultivar and phosphorus application on P concentration and acid phosphatase activity in wheat and barley. — A contribution to the diagnosis of P supply of plants — Acid phosphatase activity compared to total P concentration was studied as a diagnostic criterion of the phosphorus nutritional status of wheat and barley. In a field experiment with wheat cv ‘Sperber’ the influence of P level on P_ase activity and P concentration was monitored at four developmental stages. Significant correlations with grain yield were found for P_ase activity at all four stages whereas P concentration was significantly correlated with grain yield in the early stage (DC 26–27) only. Genetic variability and influence of P supply on P_ase activity and P concentration was studied at low and at high P supply with 9 wheat and 23 barley cultivars grown for 4 and 5 weeks in pot experiments. The variability of P_ase activity caused by cultivars was higher than that caused by P supply. It is, therefore, concluded that the acid phosphatase activity is not suitable as a generally applicable tool for diagnosing P supply. In comparison, total P concentration of the plants was influenced to a higher degree by P supply than by cultivars. Total P is, therefore, more suitable as a criterion for diagnosing P supply of plants than P_ase activity. The samples, though, have to be collected in stages before DC 27.     

Varietal differences in accumulation of ochratoxin a in barley and wheat cultivars after inoculation of Penicillium verrucosum

The natural content of ochratoxin A in grain samples of 6 barley, 2 bread wheat and 1 durum wheat cultivars varied from <0.1 to 0.4 ng/g grain. Samples of the analysed cultivars were surface sterilized and kept in humidity chambers at 20°C and water activity (a_w) 0.75 or a_w 0.85 for 8 days. For both environments, the resulting grain equilibrium water content varied between cultivars of both barley and wheat, attributable to agronomic traits. The samples were then inoculated with Penicillium verrucosum and incubated for up to 23 weeks. With time, all cultivars had increasing ochratoxin A content, with maximum content in different barley cultivars ranging from 34 to 630 ng/g grain for a_w 0.75, and 39 to 260 000 ng/g for a_w 0.85. Corresponding values for the wheat cultivars were 25 to 2 300 ng/g and 650 to 5 200 ng/g. Significant varietal differences in ochratoxin A accumulation were observed for barley (P < 0.0001), attributable to equilibrium water content, amylose content and natural ochratoxin A, and for wheat (P < 0.0001), attributable to protein content and natural ochratoxin A. Barley ‘SW 1306 95/1203’ and ‘SW 906129 Waxy’, and wheat ‘SW 39103’ accumulated significantly less ochratoxin A than the other cultivars.     

Screening wheat and sorghum cultivars for aluminum sensitivity at low aluminum levels

Screening cultivars for aluminum (Al) tolerance is often conducted in acid soils or in complete nutrient solutions. The former method lacks precise measurements of Al, and the second requires high Al concentrations because of precipitation and chelation of the Al and is less representative of the actual environmental stresses to which plants must adapt. These experiments were designed to determine Al tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) using incomplete solutions with very low Al concentrations. Six wheat and five sorghum cultivars were screened for Al tolerance in solution culture with 0 to 10 μM Al and only Ca, K, Mg, NO₃, and Cl in the solutions. Plants were subjected to the solutions for 4 d, and the change in relative root length was measured. Solution Al levels and pH were measured after the termination of the experiments. ‘Atlas’ 66 and ‘Stacy’ were the most tolerant wheat cultivars ('Atlas 66’ = ‘Stacy’ ≥ ‘Monon’ ≥ ‘Scout 66’ ≥ ‘Arthur 71’ = ‘Oasis'). The wheat cultivars were effectively separated on a genetic response basis at 2 μM Al. Sorghum cultivars were uniform in their Al tolerance, but did show some separation at 1 μM Al (SC56 > Tx430 > ‘Funk GS22DR’ > SC283 = SC599). The pH and Al variations did not account for any of the differences observed, indicating that root length differences were caused by genetic control of response to high Al.     

DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF TWO OLIVE CULTIVARS TO EXCESS MANGANESE

The response of three-month-old rooted cuttings of the olive cultivars ‘Picual’ and ‘Koroneiki’ grown in black plastic bags containing perlite as a substrate to excess manganese (Mn) (640 μM) was studied. The rooted cuttings were irrigated with 50% modified Hoagland nutrient solution. At the end of the experimental period, which lasted 130 days, the total fresh and dry weights, as well as the shoot elongation of ‘Picual’ plants were significantly reduced under excess Mn (640 μM), compared to the control plants (2 μM), whereas the growth of ‘Koroneiki’ plants was similar in both Mn treatments. The tolerance index, which is derived from the ratios between the plant growth data of different treatments and the control one, of ‘Picual’ plants to excess Mn was about half of this of ‘Koroneiki’ plants. In both cultivars, the concentrations of Mn in various plant parts (root, basal stem, top stem, basal leaves, top leaves) were significantly increased as Mn concentration in the nutrient solution increased. Furthermore, in the 640 μM Mn treatment, 2 to 2.5-fold greater Mn concentrations were recorded in almost all plant parts of ‘Koroneiki’, than those of ‘Picual’. Similar results were recorded with regard to the total Mn content per plant (‘Koroneiki’ absorbed much more Mn from the nutrient solution than ‘Picual’). On the other hand, excess Mn negatively affected the absorption of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and boron (B), depending on the olive cultivar. In both cultivars, while the Mn use efficiency was significantly decreased under excess Mn conditions, the nutrient use efficiencies of P, Ca, and Fe were significantly increased, compared to the control plants (2 μM Mn). It was also found that excess Mn resulted in a significant increase of stomatal conductance and transpiration rate of both cultivars, whereas the photosynthetic rate was significantly increased only in ‘Koroneiki’. In ‘Picual’, similar photosynthetic rates were recorded in both Mn treatments. The measurement of the various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, F_v/F_m and F_v/F₀ ratios, revealed that the functional integrity of photosystem II (PSII) of photosynthesis was not affected due to excess Mn, irrespectively of the cultivar. In conclusion, although ‘Koroneiki’ tissues had much higher Mn concentrations than those of ‘Picual’, the parameters related to the growth and photosynthetic performance of plants indicates that the internal tolerance of ‘Koroneiki’ tissues to excess Mn was higher than this of ‘Picual’.     

Effect of boron application on calcium and boron concentrations in cell wall of durum (Triticum durum) and bread (Triticum aestivum) wheat

A greenhouse experiment was conducted with three doses of boron (0, 1, and 10 mg B kg^?1 in the form of boric acid (H₃BO₃). Durum wheat (Triticum durum L. cv: Çakmak-79) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv: Gerek-79) cultivars were used as plant material. B toxicity symptoms strongly appeared in durum wheat compared to bread wheat. Applications of B at 1.0 mg B kg^?1 stimulated and increased the dry weights of both the cultivars, while high level B application (i.e., 10 mg B kg^?1) depressed and decreased the dry weights significantly. B concentration and uptake in the leaf tip were increased with an increase in B application, whereas calcium (Ca) concentration and uptake were decreased in both the cultivars. It was observed that a substantial amount of B was accumulated in the plant cell wall. As similar to leaf tips, B concentrations in the cell wall also increased with B application, whereas Ca concentration was decreased.     

SELECTIVITY AND PARTITIONING OF POTASSIUM AND SODIUM IN SESAME

Net uptake and partitioning of sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) in plants of two sesame cultivars (Sesamum indicum cv. ‘PB-1’ and cv. ‘UCR’) exposed to 20 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) were studied over a period of 28 days. Both cultivars showed a marked discrimination between K⁺ and Na⁺ during uptake. The reduction of K⁺ in the plants caused by the NaCl treatment was of similar magnitude in the two cvs. The cv. ‘UCR’ showed lower Na⁺ concentrations in the shoot tissues than ‘PB-1’ and K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity ratios were higher in cv. ‘UCR’ than in cv. ‘PB-1’. At the last sampling on day 28 there was a marked decrease of shoot growth in cv. ‘PB-1’ in comparison to the cv. ‘UCR’. Leaves of cv. ‘PB-1’ showed clear toxic symptoms, while those of cv. ‘UCR’ did not. It is concluded that Na⁺ exclusion from the shoot contributes to salt tolerance of sesame, cv. ‘UCR’.     

ROOT EXUDATION AND ZINC UPTAKE BY BARLEY GENOTYPES DIFFERING IN ZN EFFICIENCY

Two barley cultivars (‘Sahara’ = Zn-efficient and ‘Clipper’ = Zn-inefficient) were grown at different soil Zn fertilization (0, 0.2, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 mg Zn kg^?1 soil). Root exudates were collected 16 and 28 days after sowing. At Zn = 0, shoot dry matter was decreased in both genotypes, but more distinctly in ‘Clipper’. At 0.2 mg Zn kg^?1, the ‘Sahara’ shoot concentrations of Zn was 130% higher and shoot Zn content 44% greater compared with ‘Clipper’. Low-molecular-weight organic acid anions (=carboxylates) (malate, maleate, fumarate and cis-aconitate) and amino acids (alanine, valine, proline, aspartic acid and glutamic acid) were detected in root exudates, with the highest concentration at Zn = 0.2 mg kg^?1 soil. Higher concentrations of organic acid anions as well as amino acids were noted in the rhizosphere of ‘Sahara’ than ‘Clipper’. The genotypic differences in Zn acquisition from soil may be linked to differential carboxylate and amino acid composition of root exudates.     

Inducing Salt Tolerance in Wheat by Exogenously Applied Ascorbic Acid through Different Modes

ABSTRACT

In order to assess whether exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA) through different ways could alleviate the adverse effects of salt-induced adverse effects on two wheat cultivars differing in salinity tolerance, plants of a salt tolerant (‘S-24’) and a moderately salt sensitive (‘MH-97’) cultivar were grown at 0 or 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl). Ascorbic acid (100 mg L^?1) was applied through the rooting medium, or as seed soaking or as foliar spray to non-stressed and salt stressed plants of wheat. Salt stress-induced reduction in growth was ameliorated by exogenous application of ascorbic acid through different ways. However, root applied AsA caused more growth enhancement under saline conditions. Leaf ascorbic acid, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were also maximal in salt stressed plants of both cultivars treated with AsA through the rooting medium. Furthermore, leaf ascorbic acid, CAT, POD, and SOD activities were higher in salt stressed plants of ‘S-24’ than those of ‘MH-97’. Root applied AsA caused more enhancements in photosynthetic rate. Root applied AsA caused more reduction in leaf sodium (Na⁺) compared with AsA applied as a seed soaking or foliar spray. Overall, AsA-induced growth improvement in these two wheat cultivars under saline conditions was cultivar specific and seemed to be associated with higher endogenous AsA, which triggered the antioxidant system and enhanced photosynthetic capacity.     

Investigation of the changes in low molecular weight organic acids and other physiological parameters by nitric oxide application in two wheat cultivars exposed to boron stress

Boron (B) is one of the essential nutrients for the growth of plants, but its high concentrations are toxic for plants. Thus, B toxicity is a big challenge in crop cultivation. Nitric oxide (NO) is a small signaling molecule that has cytoprotective roles in plants. We investigated whether exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), which is a NO donor, may succeed to alleviate B-induced toxicity in wheat cultivars. Seedlings were grown for 10 days in a growth chamber at 25°C with 16 hr light–8 hr dark photo cycle. After high B application, the effects of SNP on growth parameters; electrolyte leakage (EL); changes in reactive oxygen species [contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline]; the activities of antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and nitrate reductase (NR); and low molecular weight organic acid (LMWOAs) contents and also chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents were investigated in both shoots and roots of two different wheat cultivars. All experiments were carried out in triplicate. 0.2 mM SNP application ameliorated the chlorophyll and total carotenoid contents, and growth parameters such as shoot length, root length, and fresh weight in both wheat cultivars exposed to B stress. SNP reduced the B-induced lipid peroxidation, EL, and proline and H₂O₂ content in wheat cultivars. SNP application also increased the activities of NR and antioxidant enzymes, including GSHPx, GR, and GST in wheat cultivars exposed to B toxicity. All of the tested LMWOAs including succinic, propionic, butyric, oxalic, formic, malic, malonic, and benzoic acids were increased by SNP treatment in the shoots and roots of both wheat cultivars exposed to B toxicity. In conclusion, results obtained from this study have demonstrated that interactive effects of SNP with B considerably reduced the toxic effects of B in wheat cultivars.     

BORON NUTRITION OF PEANUT GROWN IN BORON-DEFICIENT CALCAREOUS SOILS: GENOTYPIC VARIATION AND PROPOSED DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Field studies were conducted to assess boron (B) requirement, critical concentrations in diagnostic parts based on yield response curves and genotypic variation by growing three peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars (‘Golden’, ‘BARD-479’, ‘BARI-2000’) on two B-deficient calcareous soils. Boron application significantly increased pod yield of all the cultivars over control. Maximum pod yield increases were: ‘Golden’, 16?23%; ‘BARD-479’, 21?27%; and ‘BARI-2000’, 25?31%. The cultivars varied in B efficiency and cv. ‘Golden’ was the most B efficient (81?86%) while cv. ‘BARI-2000’ was the least efficient (76?80%). Boron requirements for near-maximum (95%) dry pod yield were 0.65 kg ha^?1 for ‘Golden’, 0.75 kg ha^?1 for BARD-479 and 0.80 kg ha^?1 for BARI-2000. Critical B concentrations in shoots and seeds were: ‘Golden’, 33 mg kg^?1 and 26 mg kg^?1; ‘BARD-479’, 38 mg kg^?1 and 31 mg kg^?1; and ‘BARI-2000’, 42 mg kg^?1 and 33 mg kg^?1.     

Tolerances of wheat germplasm to acid subsoil

Aluminum toxicity is a major growth limiting factor for plants in many acid soils of the world. Correcting the problem by conventional liming is not always economically feasible, particularly in subsoils. Aluminum tolerant plants provide an alternative and long‐term supplemental solution to the problem. The genetic approach requires the identification of Al tolerance sources that can be transferred to cultivars already having desirable traits. Thirty‐five cultivars and experimental lines of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) were screened for Al tolerance on acid Tatum soil (clayey, mixed thermic, typic Hapludult) receiving either 0 or 3500 mg CaCO₃/kg (pH 4.1 vs. pH 7.1). Entries showed a wide range of tolerance to the acid soil. On unlimed soil at pH 4.3, absolute shoot dry weights differed by 5‐fold, absolute root dry weights by 6.5‐fold, relative shoot weights (wt. at pH 4.3/wt. at pH 7.1 %) by 4.7‐fold and relative root dry weights by 7‐fold. Superior acid soil (Al) tolerance of ‘BH‐1146’ from Brazil and extreme sensitivities of cultivars ‘Redcoat’ (Indiana, USA) and ‘Sonora 63’ (Mexico) were confirmed. Seven experimental (CNT) lines from Brazil showed a range of acid soil tolerance but were generally more tolerant than germplasm from Mexico and the USA. One line, ‘CNT‐1’, was equal to BH‐1146 in tolerance and may be useful in transferring Al tolerance to existing or new cultivars. Five durum cultivars (Triticum, durum, Desf.) were extremely sensitive to the acid Tatum subsoil at pH 4.3 compared with pH 7.1.     

INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS PHYSICAL PARAMETERS ON ANTHER CULTURE OF BARLEY

This study describes the effect of some parameters on anther culture of barley to optimize the plant regeneration condition of this species. The embryo formation and plant regeneration from anthers of three barley cultivars (‘Igri’, ‘Saida’ and ‘Libya’) were investigated. The effects of length of flag leaves, stage of microspore development, and pre-treatments (mannitol or cold pre-treatment) of anthers were investigated. Results showed significant responses. Anthers at the mid uninucleate to mid-late uninucleate stage gave the best anther culture response showing 80, 60, and 30% anther development in ‘Igri’, ‘Saida’ and ‘Libya’ barley cultivars, respectively. The use of mannitol (0.3 M) or 20 days cold pre-treatments showed the best results for embryo and green-plant production.     

UPTAKE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SELENIUM,NITROGEN AND SULFUR IN THREE BARLEY CULTIVARS SUBJECTED TO SELENIUM APPLICATIONS

Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient for humans and animals, and also affects plant metabolism. In this study, the effects of increasing doses of Se application on the uptake of selenium (Se), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) content of three barley cultivars were investigated. The analysis indicated that the Se contents were highest in root tissues, intermediate in grain, and lowest in stem tissues in all cultivars. Total Se accumulations (whole plant) were highest in ‘Bülbül 89’ (0.171 mg kg^?1), intermediate in ‘Çetin 2000’ (0.153 mg kg^?1), and lowest in ‘Tarm 92’ cultivars (0.124 mg kg^?1). In all cultivars, the increase in grain Se content resulted in a decrease in the grain N content. While ‘Bülbül 89’ can be suggested for biofortification purposes, less Se accumulating ‘Tarm 92’ cultivar can be suggested as a fodder in Se contaminated or high Se containing areas.     

RELATIONSHIP OF SOIL EXTRACTABLE AND FERTILIZER BORON TO SOME SOIL PROPERTIES,CROP YIELDS,AND TOTAL BORON IN COTTON AND WHEAT PLANTS ON SELECTED SOILS OF PUNJAB,PAKISTAN

Boron (B) is an essential microelement, which is necessary for reproductive organs including pollen tube formation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and flowering and boll formation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) The study was associated with wheat-cotton rotation in 80 farm fields, belonging to different soil series, in four districts of cotton belt of Punjab, Pakistan to assess concentrations of extractable B in soils [0.05 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) extractable B], and added fertilizer B and their relationship to some soil physico-chemical properties [pH, organic matter (OM), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and clay content], yields and total B concentrations in wheat and cotton plants. All soils had alkaline pH (7.45 to 8.55), high CaCO₃ content (2.14 to 8.65%), less than 1.0% OM (0.33 to 0.99%), low plant available-P (Olsen P less than 8 mg kg^?1 soil) and medium ammonium acetate extractable potassium (K) (< 200 mg K kg^?1 soil). Of the 80 soil samples, 65 samples (81%) were low in available B (<0.45 mg B kg^?1, ranging from 0.11 to 0.43 mg B kg^?1) Of the corresponding 80 plant samples, leaves B concentrations were below critical levels (<10 mg B kg^?1 for wheat; <30 mg B kg^?1 for cotton) for all the tested samples for wheat and cotton. The regression analysis between plant total B concentrations and soil extractable B concentrations showed strong linear positive relationships for both wheat (R² = 0.509***, significant at P <0.001) and cotton (R² = 0.525***, significant at P <0.001). Further regression analysis between extractable soil B and wheat grain yield as well as between wheat leaves total B and wheat grain yield also depicted strong linear relationships (R² = 0.76 and 0.42, respectively). Boron fertilizer demonstration plots laid out at farmers’ fields low in extractable B, in each district not only enhanced grain yields of wheat crop but also contributed a significant increase towards seed cotton yield of succeeding cotton crop through residual B effect. In conclusion, the findings suggest that many soils in the cotton belt of Punjab may be low in extractable B for wheat and cotton, especially when these crops are grown on low OM soils with high CaCO₃ content.     

Boron Nutrition of Four Sweet Pepper Cultivars Grown in Boron-Deficient Soil

ABSTRACT

In a greenhouse study, boron (B) application significantly increased dry-matter yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.) cultivars (‘California Wonder,’ ‘Anahein,’ ‘Narwala,’ and ‘2573’) grown in a B-deficient (hot-water extractable, 0.28 B mg kg^?1), calcareous soil of the Shujabad series (Typic Ustochrepts). Five rates of B, ranging from 0 to 8 mg B kg^?1 soil, were applied as H₃BO₃ along with adequate basal fertilization of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn). Four plants of sweet pepper were transplanted in each pot, two of which were harvested after three weeks of transplanting and the other two after six weeks. Maximum crop biomass was produced with ～1 mg B kg^?1, but application of higher rates proved toxic, resulting in dry-matter yield reductions. The four cultivars significantly differed in relative growth rate (RGR) and relative accumulation rate of B (RARB). Cultivar ‘2573’ showed the highest RGR while ‘Anahein’ showed the highest RARB. Relative accumulation rate was positively correlated (R² = 0.83) with dry-matter yield of four cultivars. Critical B concentration in sweet pepper whole shoots was 69 mg B kg^?1 for three-week-old plants and 49 mg B kg^?1 for six-week-old plants.     

MYCORRHIZAL INFLUENCE ON FRUIT YIELD AND MINERAL CONTENT OF TOMATO GROWN UNDER SALT STRESS

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) yields are known to decrease for plants grown in saline soils. This study was conducted to determine the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on fruit yield and mineral content of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive tomato cultivars grown with varied levels of salt. NaCl and CaCl₂were added to soil in the irrigation water in equal molar ratios to give EC_e values of 1.4 (nonstressed) and 4.9 dS m^?1 (salt stressed). Plants were grown in a greenhouse using unsterilized, low phosphorus (P) (silty clay) soil-sand mix. Mycorrhizal root colonization occurred whether cultivars were salt stressed or nonstressed, but the extent of AMF root colonization was higher in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants. The salt tolerant cultivar ‘Pello’ generally had higher AMF root colonization than the salt sensitive cultivar ‘Marriha’. Shoot dry matter (DM) yield, fruit fresh yield, and AMF colonization were higher for plants grown under nonstressed than for plants grown under salt stressed conditions. Shoot DM and fruit fresh yields were higher in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants grown with or without salt stress. Pello generally had higher fruit fresh yield per plant and fruit weight than Marriha, but these differences were only significant for fruit weight in unioculated plants grown under salt stressed conditions. The enhancement in fruit fresh yield due to AMF inoculation was 26 and 23% under nonstressed and 28 and 46% under salt stressed treatments for Pello and Marriha, respectively. For both cultivars, fruit contents of P, potassium (K), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) were higher in AMF inoculated compared with uninoculated plants grown under nonstressed and salt stressed conditions. Fruit Na concentrations were lower in AMF inoculated than uninoculated plants grown under salt stressed conditions. The enhancement in P, K, Zn, Cu, and Fe acquisition due to AMF inoculation was more pronounced in Marriha than in Pello cultivar under salt stressed conditions. The results of this study indicated that AMF inoculated plants had greater tolerance to salt stress than unioculated plants.     

EFFECT OF ARSENIC ON GERMINATION,PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND GROWTH PARAMETERS OF TWO WINTER WHEAT VARIETIES IN IRAN

□ Effects of different arsenic (As) concentration (0–30 mg L^?1) on seed germination, root tolerance index, relative shoot height, root and shoot biomass, photosynthetic pigments and arsenic accumulation in two wheat varieties were investigated. Low concentrations of arsenic (0–2.5 mg L^?1) stimulated germination percentage, shoot and root elongation, plant biomass as well as chlorophyll content as compared with control, however, these factors all decreased gradually at high concentrations of arsenic (5–30 mg L^?1). ‘Zarin’ variety had a significantly higher tolerance to arsenic than ‘Sardari.’ Arsenic accumulation by plants root and shoot increased with the increasing arsenic concentrations in medium, which ‘Zarin’ had a higher ability to absorb and translocate arsenic to the shoots. Root accumulated more arsenic than shoot. The similar trend of chlorophyll content and wheat growth under different arsenic concentration suggesting that arsenic toxicity affects the photosynthesis which ultimately results in the reduction of wheat growth and yield.     

SILICON ACCUMULATION AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SOME OF THE LEAF CHARACTERISTICS,MEMBRANE STABILITY AND YIELD IN RICE HYBRIDS AND VARIETIES GROWN UNDER AEROBIC CONDITIONS

Efforts to minimize water use in rice cultivation and stress tolerance are important in the present climate change scenario. Silica solubilizers might help in understanding the tolerance of plants to water deficit conditions or aerobic conditions. Rice cultivation in combination with silica was applied in the form of fertilizers (sodium silicate) and solubilizers (Imidazole and glycine) was studied in experimental farm and also in farmer's field. The varieties used were ‘KrishnaHamsa' (KH), ‘Rasi', ‘Jaya', hybrids ‘PA-6201' and ‘PHB-71' under aerobic conditions both in wet (Kharif) and dry (rabi) seasons. Transmission electron microscopy in this study provided evidence that silicon was deposited in the epidermal cell wall and the intercellular space of the silicon-treated rice leaves. The epidermal cell wall accumulation was absent in the control plants. Genotypic variation and treatment influences were observed for relative water content and cell membrane stability. Among the different rice cultivars ‘Rasi' followed by ‘PHB-71' and PA- 6201, were able to maintain cell membrane stability and chlorophyll content. Leaf rolling, chlorophyll, relative water contents, and dark adapted chlorophyll fluorescence were superior under aerobic conditions with application of solubilizers. However, significant differences in stomatal conductance were seen between seasons and genotypes. The silicon treated plants were able to maintain similar yields under aerobic conditions also as that of irrigated controls.