Ascorbic Acid Enhances Growth and Yield of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum) by Mitigating Salinity Stress

Salinity is a crucial problem which has affected crop productivity globally. Ascorbic acid is considered helpful against abiotic stresses due to its powerful antioxidant potential. In the pot experiment, salinity stress (0, 35, 70, and 105?mM) was applied to sweet peppers in split doses after 20 days of transplantation. To mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, ascorbic acid (0, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20?mM) was applied as foliar spray after a 6-day interval during vegetative growth. Sweet pepper plants sprayed with distilled water (control) recorded maximum plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), number of branches, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), and chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), while the maximum polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) were recorded in plants treated with 70?mM NaCl application. Salinity stress beyond 70?mM significantly reduced all the studied parameters. An ascorbic acid concentration of 1.20?mM significantly mitigated the negative effects of salt stress and recorded maximum plant height (cm), number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area (cm²), number of branches plant^?1, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), PPO activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1), and APX activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1). Hence, a 1.20?mM concentration of foliar ascorbic acid could be used in saline conditions up to 70?mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) for better growth, productivity, and enzymatic activity of sweet peppers.

     

Physiological response of lupine and associated weeds grown at salt-affected soil to α‑tocopherol and hoeing treatments

About 900.000 ha of Egypt’s agricultural lands are suffering from salinity build-up problem. Therefore, two field experiments were conducted in split-split plot design with four replications to study α?tocopherols foliar application with 100 and 200 ppm and hand hoeing (two and three hand hoeing, plus unweeded) and their interactive effects on growth, osmoprotectants, mineral contents, seed yield, yield components, and nutritive value of the lupine plants and its associated weeds grown under salt-affected soil at 1.30, 3.20 and 4.23 dS m^?1. Three hand hoeing treatment achieved the highest weed depression expressed in the lowest number and dry matter of broad-leaved, narrow-leaved and total weeds, and reduction % in dry matter were 80.75, 78.25 and 79.26 % compared with unweeded, respectively. Salinity stress significantly decreased total chlorophyll content, leaf area index and plant dry weight, while α?tocopherol and hoeing increased in all previous traits relative to corresponding controls. Lupine seed yield, yield components, and oils, carbohydrates, proteins, carotenoids and alkaloids in the yielded seeds were significantly reduced by increasing salinity levels, meanwhile hoeing and α?tocopherol treatments improved them. Total essential amino acids were decreased by increasing salinity levels and increased by increasing α?tocopherol concentrations and number of hoeing treatments. It could be concluded that α?tocopherol especially at 200 ppm partially alleviated the harmful effects of salinity stress on the growth of lupine plants and nutritive value of the yielded seeds. Three hand hoeing treatment was the optimum and safe method in controlling weeds associated with lupine plant grown under salinity stress.     

Effect of salinity on tissue nutrient contents of the four dryland tree species of Indus flood plains

Salinity is a common issue of semi-arid and arid lands rendering them unfit for agriculture. Saline wastelands can be converted into productive ecosystems by rehabilitating them with salt tolerant native tree species. The objective of this work was to study the effect of NaCl salinity on tissue nutrient contents of the four dryland tree species. Saplings were grown in pots under nonsaline and high salinity conditions. After eighteen weeks the plants were harvested and their tissue nutrient contents were analyzed. Results revealed that all species accumulated high amounts of Na⁺ under saline conditions, while concentrations of N, P and Mg²⁺ decreased in their tissues. Concentrations of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ showed more variable trend in various tissues in response to increase in soil salinity. Na⁺: K⁺ ratios of roots (1.57), stems (1.27), and leaves (1.66) of salinized Salvadora oleoides plants were lowest among all the four species. Root Na⁺: K⁺ ratio of salinized plants was significantly higher for Prosopis cineraria (7.10), while these ratios for stem (1.85) and leaf (3.42) were highest for Tamarix aphylla. Plants of P. cineraria showed lowest Stem-Na⁺/root-Na⁺ ratio (0.30) when subjected to salinity. Results showed that salinity induces nutrient deficiency in all species. Salinity tolerance of these species can be attributed to their ability to (i) restrict translocation of Na⁺ from roots to stem; (ii) keeping low tissue Na⁺: K⁺ ratios; and (iii) selectivity of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ over Na⁺, and can be used for the screening of salt-tolerant ecotypes for the rehabilitation of saline wastelands.     

Combined effects of salinity and phosphorus availability on growth,gas exchange,and nutrient status of Catapodium rigidum

The combined effects of NaCl-salinity and phosphorus deficiency on biomass production, nutritional status, and photosynthetic activity were studied in Catapodium rigidum: an annual Poacea with fodder potential. Plants were grown in hydroponic conditions for 55 days under two phosphorus (P) supply: 5 (low) or 180?µmol KH₂PO₄ (sufficient), in the absence or presence of 100?mM NaCl. Obtained results demonstrated that both salinity and P deficiency treatments applied separately reduced substantially plant growth and CO₂ assimilation rate with a more marked impact of salt stress. Salinity has no substantial effect on both shoot P concentrations and phosphorus acquisition efficiency independently of P availability. The highest decrease in plant growth (?91%) was observed in plants simultaneously submitted to both stresses suggesting an additive effect of the two stresses and that P deficiency increased the susceptibility of C. rigidum to salinity. This may be linked to a significant decrease in potassium acquisition (?95%), K/Na selectivity ratio (?73%), stomatal conductance (?66%), CO₂ assimilation rate (?64%), and shoot water content (66%). Furthermore, plants cultivated under combined salinity and sufficient P supply displayed higher stomatal conductance, CO₂ assimilation rate, K/Na selectivity ratio, and plant growth than plants cultivated under combined effects of salinity and P deficiency. These results suggest that adding P to saline soils could be an alternative for alleviating the negative effects of salinity and may ameliorate salinity tolerance.     

Effects of Irrigation Water in Different Salinity on Yield and Quality Parameters of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Plant

Salinity affects many areas in our country and around the world, resulting in dramatic reductions in plant yields. In this study, the plant yield, some plant quality parameters, and soil salinity in the plant root area were investigated by irrigating tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) with different salinity irrigation waters. The experiment was carried out in pots in 4 replicates according to the randomized plot design. Six different salinity of irrigation water applications were applied in the experiment (S0?=?0.38 dS m^?1, S1?=?2 dS m^?1, S2?=?5 dS m^?1, S3?=?8 dS m^?1, S4?=?11 dS m^?1, S5?=?15 dS m^?1). According to the data obtained at the end of the research, as the salinity of irrigation water increased, plant length, leaf width, leaf length, leaf dry weight and leaf number decreased. It was determined that there was a certain increase in nicotine content in the face of the decrease of all examined physical parameters in irrigation water increase. In addition, the salinity values in the plant root zone soils and the salinity values in the outlet (drainage) water have also increased. Salinity threshold value of the tobacco plant was determined to be 2.04 dS m^?1. With an increase in salinity by one unit, there was a 7.1% decrease in leaf dry weight. It was determined that the tobacco plant is vulnerable to salinity based on the data collected.

     

Contact and fumigant toxicity of plant essential oils and efficacy of spray formulations containing the oils against B‐ and Q‐biotypes of Bemisia tabaci

BACKGROUND: The contact + fumigant toxicity of 92 plant essential oils and control efficacy of 18 experimental spray formulations containing nine selected essential oils (0.5 and 0.1% sprays) and six commercial insecticides to females from B‐ and Q‐biotypes of Bemisia tabaci were evaluated using vapour‐phase mortality and spray bioassays. RESULTS: Garlic and oregano (LC₅₀, 0.15 mL cm^?3) were the most toxic oils against B‐ and Q‐biotype females. Strong fumigant toxicity to both biotype females was also obtained from catnip, cinnamon bark, clove bud, clove leaf, davana, savory and vetiver Haiti oils (LC₅₀, 0.17–0.48 mL cm^?3). The 0.5% sprays of these oils (except for thyme red oil) resulted in 90–100% mortality against both biotype females. Only garlic applied as 0.1% spray provided 100% mortality. Spinosad 100 g L^?1 suspension concentrate (SC) treatment resulted in 92 and 95% mortality against both biotype females, whereas acetamiprid 80 g L^?1 wettable powder (WP), imidacloprid 80 g L^?1 SC, thiamethoxam 100 g L^?1 water‐dispersible granule (WDG) and pyridaben 200 g L^?1 WP treatments resulted in 89–100% mortality against B‐biotype females only. CONCLUSION: In the light of global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic insecticides in the agricultural environment, the essential oils described, particularly garlic, cinnamon bark and vetiver Haiti, merit further study as potential insecticides for the control of B. tabaci populations as fumigants with contact action. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Composition and biological activity of essential oils from Labiatae against Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) soybean pest

BACKGROUND: Plant essential oils have been recognised as an important natural source of insecticide. This study analysed the chemical constituents and bioactivity of essential oils that were isolated via hydrodistillation from Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) against eggs, second instar and adults of Nezara viridula (L.). RESULTS: The major component of oregano was p‐cymene, and, for thyme, thymol. The ovicidal activity was tested by topical application; the essential oil from thyme was more effective. The fumigant activity was evaluated in an enclosed chamber; the LC₅₀ values for oregano were 26.8 and 285.6 µg mL^?1 for nymphs and adults respectively; for thyme they were 8.9 µg mL^?1 for nymphs and 219.2 µg mL^?1 for adults. To evaluate contact activity, a glass vial bioassay was used; the LC₅₀ values for oregano were 1.7 and 169.2 µg cm^?2 for nymphs and adults respectively; for thyme they were 3.5 and 48.8 µg cm^?2 respectively. The LT₅₀ analyses for contact and fumigant bioassays indicated that thyme was more toxic for nymphs and adults than oregano. Both oils produced repellency on nymphs and adults. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the essential oils from O. vulgare and T. vulgaris could be applicable to the management of N. viridula. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Exogenously applied hexaconazole ameliorates salinity stress by inducing an antioxidant defense system in Brassica napus L. plants

The ability of hexaconazole (HEX) to ameliorate salinity stress was studied in canola plants (Brassica napus L.). Canola seedlings were subjected to sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment. A treatment with 200 mM NaCl reduced growth parameters, chlorophyll content and protein content as well as increased the proline (Pro) content in canola plants. In addition, NaCl stress increased the endogenous, nonenzymatic antioxidants and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6). When these plants were treated with a combination of NaCl and 50 mg L⁻¹ HEX, the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress were decreased by increasing the root growth, shoot growth, dry weight (DW), chlorophyll content, protein content and antioxidant enzyme activity by ameliorating the salinity injury. These results suggested that HEX has an important role in the enhancement of plant antioxidant systems and resistance to salinity in canola plants.     

The phytotoxicity of narrow distillation range petroleum spraying oils to valencia orange trees in South Australia. Part II: The influence of distillation temperature and spray timing on fruit quality

Petroleum oils sprays are used as pesticides on citrus in South Australia to control California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii Maskell), but may have phytotoxic effects on trees and fruit. As part of a programme to establish improved specifications for spray oils for South Australia, three oils with different 50 %-distillation temperatures were applied to trees each month from October to May for two seasons in order to observe their effects on fruit quality. The 50 %-distillation temperatures of the three oils were 211, 224 and 240°C at 10 mmHg (in order of increasing molecular weight) and the oils are subsequently referred to as the 211, 224 and 240 oils. The 224 and 240 oils significantly reduced the amounts of sugar and acid in the juice, and delayed and inhibited colouring. These effects increased in severity, the closer to harvest the trees were sprayed and the higher the distillation temperature of the oil. The 240 oil prevented full colour development, and caused ‘re-greening’ if sprayed later than February. Oil sprays applied to the same trees in the following season caused similar effects. However, if oil sprays were omitted in the following season, there was no residual effect, of the previous season's spray, on the sugar and acid contents or the colour of the fruit. Individual fruit weight was not affected in the first spraying season, but there was an increase in the average individual fruit weight in the second season, regardless of whether a second spray was applied that season or not. The effect was more severe, the closer to harvest the trees were sprayed and the greater the distillation temperature of the oil. The effects on yield resulted from a change in the number of fruit per tree.     

Growth,physiological status,and yield of salt-stressed wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants affected by biofertilizer and cycocel applications

This factorial study was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications in a greenhouse during spring 2015 to investigate changes in dry matter mobilization, grain filling period, and some physiological characteristics of wheat. Treatments were four salt levels [0 (S₁), 30 (S₂), 60 (S₃), and 90 (S₄) mM sodium chloride (NaCl) equivalent to 2.76, 5.53, and 8.3 dS m^?1, respectively], four biofertilizers levels [(no biofertilizer (F₀), seed inoculation by Azotobacter chroococcum Beijerinck strain 5 (F₁), Pseudomonas putida (Trevisan) Migula strain 186 (F₂), both inoculation Azotobacter?+?Pseudomonas (F₃)], and three cycocel levels [(without cycocel as control (C₀), application of 600 (C₁), and 1000 (C₂)?mg?L^?1)]. Salinity stress increased leaf electrical conductivity and decreased chlorophyll index, quantum yield, relative water content, and stomata conductance. However, the application of cycocel and biofertilizer reduced the negative impacts at each level of salinity tested. When treated with cycocel, salt stressed plants demonstrated a significant decrease in stomata conductance compared to the salt-treated plants with no cycocel. The results revealed that the maximum shoot and stem dry matter mobilization (0.89 and 0.67?g, respectively) and contribution of stem reserves to grain yield (38.01%) were observed in salinity severe stress (90?mM) and no cycocel application. The application of Azotobacter?+?Pseudomonas had the greatest grain filling rate (0.002?g day^?1) without salinity stress. The greatest grain filling period (43.26 days) was achieved by the highest cycocel level without salinity stress. The application of biofertilizer and cycocel as F₃C₂ had 24.7% more grain yield in comparison to the controls.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vivo</Emphasis> evaluation of essential oils and biocontrol agents combined with heat treatments on basil cv Genovese Gigante seeds against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">basilici</Emphasis>

Seed treatments with essential oils (from savory and thyme) and biocontrol agents (Pseudomonas spp. and Fusarium oxysporum) have been evaluated in vivo after dry hot air treatments against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. basilici on basil seeds. The savory and thyme essential oils showed a significant pathogen control activity because of their innate antifungal activity and because of the seed application method, but the dry hot pre-treatment did not show any obvious effect on the performance of the essential oil treatments. The dry heat treatment improved the Pseudomonas seed dressing effect against F.oxysporum f. sp. basilici, and showed important reductions in plant infection and the disease index on the treated seed plants, without any negative effect on seed germination. However, the pathogen control provided by the heat treatments combined with the application of the biocontrol agents never reached the same performance as the chemical treatments considered as the reference. Thus, short dry heat treatments on basil seeds have been shown to be a valid but complementary seed disinfection method against Fusarium wilt.     

Effect of Azospirillum and Azotobacter Species on the Performance of Cherry Tomato under Different Salinity Levels

Abiotic stress has a negative impact on plant physiology, influencing the overall growth and development of plant crops. Saline stress is one of the most serious environmental issues limiting crop plant production. Biofertilizers are reparative elements used in soil to increase tolerance to salinity and drought stress. We investigated the effect of salinity stress on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of cherry tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum cerasiforme) with biofertilizer application 0, 15 and 30 days after transplanting in this study. After different days of transplantation, different levels of salinity (0, 50, 100, and 150?mM) were used with biofertilizer (Azospirillum sp. and Azotobacter sp.) application (0, 15 and 30 days). The salinity (150?mM NaCl) significantly affected the studied variables, which were recorded with minimum levels of leaf area (52.42?cm²), root length (6.54?cm), fresh root weight (13.64?g), yield (6.52 tons/ha), leaf chlorophyll content (36.11?mg/m²) and maximum levels of total soluble solids (TSS, 8.87 °Brix). Control samples had higher leaf area (58.35?cm²), root length (15.23?cm), fresh root weight (17.86?g), yield (9.39 tons/ha), leaf chlorophyll content (44.09?mg/m²), and lower TSS (7.93 °Brix). Plants that received biofertilizer (15 days after transplanting) had higher plant height (73.41?cm), stem diameter (0.74?cm), leaf area (61.16?cm²), root length (15.35?cm), fresh root weight (18.38?g), root dry matter (60.41%), yield (10.43?t/ha), leaf chlorophyll content (42.55?mg/m²), fruit dry matter content (10.12?g), pH 4.52, and TSS (9.30 °Brix). The minimum plant height (51.33?cm), stem diameter (0.55?cm), leaf area (49.60?cm²), root length (7.04?cm), fresh root weight (12.76?g), root dry matter (42.16?g), yield (5.15 tons/ha), leaf chlorophyll content (35.18?mg/m²), fruit dry matter content (6.59?g), pH 4.27 and TSS (7.55 °Brix) were recorded in plants with no application of biofertilizer. The present study revealed that most growth and quality variables were negatively affected by salinity except for TSS, which showed positive effect with application of 150?mM of NaCl. Biofertilizer application at 15 days significantly influences the quantitative and qualitative attributes of cherry tomato under different levels of salinity.

     

盐胁迫条件下骆驼刺与绿豆光合日变化特征及午休现象的成因

为了研究盐生豆科植物骆驼刺与盐敏感植物绿豆在盐胁迫下光合日变化与光合“午休”现象的成因,在网室培养,并用0 mmol•L^-1(对照)、50 mmol•L^-1、100mmol•L^-1、200 mmol•L^-1 NaCl处理2周,测定光合作用日变化、叶绿素含量和Rubisco大亚基基因的表达等参数。结果表明：未经盐处理时,骆驼刺和绿豆光合日变化均呈单峰型;经盐处理后,两者光合日变化响应有明显差异。骆驼刺50～200 mmol•L^-1NaCl处理后,其净光合速率（Pn）均比未处理(对照)上升速率快,而其他处理峰值与对照之间没有显著差异;绿豆对照光合速率的上升则比盐处理的快,盐处理光合速率峰值低于对照。骆驼刺50 mmol•L^-1、100 mmol•L^-1和绿豆50 mmol•L^-1处理Pn没有出现“午休”现象,而骆驼刺200 mmol•L^-1处理与绿豆100 mmol•L^-1处理出现“午休”现象。骆驼刺在重度盐胁迫下,由于气孔导度（Gs）下降而引起轻微的“午休”现象,而盐处理绿豆中Rubisco被抑制,对Pn 午休的贡献比其Gs的贡献更为显著。在绿豆中大亚基基因（rbcL）的表达量随着盐胁迫的提高而下降。骆驼刺中rbcL的表达在50 mmol•L^-1和100 mmol•L^-1处理下有所增加,而在200 mmol•L^-1处理显著降低。绿豆和骆驼刺的总叶绿素含量及其Chl a/b比值的动态变化表明,绿豆PSI复合体下降速率较PSII快;与此相反,骆驼刺盐处理后PSI复合体浓度的增加却比PSII复合体快。     

外源水杨酸对野生龙葵幼苗干旱胁迫的缓解效应

利用20%的PEG6000模拟干旱胁迫,同时用不同浓度（0、0.5、1.0、1.5、2.0 mmol·L^-1）的水杨酸(SA)喷施幼苗,研究了不同浓度水杨酸处理对干旱胁迫下野生龙葵幼苗生长的影响。结果表明：干旱胁迫下,龙葵幼苗植株变矮、鲜重降低、根长缩短,叶绿素和可溶性蛋白含量减少,抗氧化酶活性、游离脯氨酸和丙二醛含量增加;经SA处理干旱胁迫下龙葵幼苗株高、根长和鲜重都有明显增加,特别是1.5 mmol·L^-1 SA处理组分别增加20.8%、28.0%和29.7%,1.5 mmol·L^-1 SA处理组龙葵幼苗叶绿素含量提高31.9%、脯氨酸含量提高65.4%,可溶性蛋白含量提高42.8%,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）与过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性达到最高,与对照相比分别增加了30.2%、87.8%和50.3%;SA处理使丙二醛（MDA）含量降低了37.8%。综合来看,适当浓度的SA可以缓解干旱对龙葵幼苗造成的伤害,并以1.5 mmol·L^-1外源SA缓解效果最好。     

Abscisic acid as a protectant of Avena fatua L. against diclofop-methyl activity

The imposition of water stress before or al the time of spraying diclofop-methyl reduced efficacy against wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Similar reductions in herbicide performance were obtained by application of 20 μg of the methyl ester of abscisic acid (ABA) to plants with three to four leaves before spraying with I kg ha^?1 diclofop-methyl. Application of 40–100 μg ABA per plant effectively protected plants against damage from diclofop-methyl applied at 1 5–2 0 kg ha ^?1. The application of 20 μg ABA induced rapid stomatal closure and a reduction in leaf extension rate, which were sustained for 7–8 days after treatment. These changes were associated with an overall reduction in shoot growth. ABA-treated plants that were additionally sprayed with diclofop-methyl sustained ABA symptoms, but no additional weight loss or leaf chlorosis. The mechanism of the protective action of ABA on diclofop-methyl has not been determined.     

The phytotoxicity of narrow distillation range petroleum spraying oils to valencia orange trees in South Australia. Part III: The influence of distillation temperature and spray timing on leaf and fruit drop

Petroleum oil sprays are used as pesticides on citrus to control California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii Maskell), but may have phytotoxic effects on trees and fruit. As part of a programme to establish improved specifications for spray oils for South Australia, three oils with different 50 %-distillation temperatures were applied to trees each month from October to May to observe their effects on leaf and fruit drop. The 50%-distillation temperatures of the three oils were 211, 224 and 240°C at 10 mmHg (in order of increasing molecular weight). The oils caused significant leaf drop. The higher the 50%-distillation temperature of the oil, the greater the leaf drop. Most leaf drop was caused when natural leaf drop was greatest. Oils applied from October to February caused severe leaf drop for periods of about 1–2 months, while oils applied from March to May caused severe leaf drop for up to 6 months or more. There was also a tendency for oils with a lower 50%-distillation temperature to cause leaf drop sooner after spraying than oils with a higher 50%-distillation temperature. Significant fruit drop was caused in only a few treatments, but the maximum fruit drop was less than 5% of the total fruit number and of little consequence when compared with the effects of oils on yield through reduced fruit set. Visually, a significant proportion of the total number of leaves present fell in many of the oil spray treatments, and the rate of disappearance of the oil film was directly related to the 50%-distillation temperature of the oil, and to the spraying date.     

外源水杨酸对盐胁迫下棉花幼苗激素含量及生长特性的影响

以中棉所4l号和中棉所49号为试验材料,通过盆栽试验,研究外源水杨酸(SA)对盐胁迫下棉花幼苗激素水平和生长特性的影响。结果表明:(1)0.6%Na Cl胁迫条件下,棉花幼苗叶片中ABA含量增加,CTK、GA和IAA含量减少,在0.05 mmol·L~(-1)SA浸种+0.2 mmol·L~(-1)叶面喷施复合处理下,中棉所41号和中棉所49号幼苗中ABA含量分别降低了59.14%和76.71%,CTK、GA、IAA含量分别提高了55.39%、21.05%、22.39%和17.08%、12.5%、18.20%,说明SA处理可有效缓解盐胁迫的伤害;(2)ABA/IAA+GA、CTK/IAA和ABA/CTK值在0.6%Na Cl胁迫处理下分别为增高、降低和增高,0.05 mmol·L~(-1)SA浸种+0.2 mmol·L~(-1)叶面喷施复合处理下,中棉所41号和中棉所49号幼苗中ABA/IAA+GA和ABA/CTK值分别降低了63.40%、74.03%和71.66%、79.99%,CTK/IAA值分别增加了28.41%和21.18%,说明SA可使幼苗体内激素恢复动态平衡,促进幼苗的生长发育;(3)0.6%Na Cl胁迫处理下棉花幼苗的株高、根鲜重、茎鲜重和叶鲜重都表现为降低,在不同浓度外源SA浸种和喷施处理下都有所恢复,幼苗根表现最为明显,用0.05 mmol·L~(-1)SA浸种+0.2 mmol·L~(-1)叶面喷施处理0.6%Na Cl胁迫下,两品种棉花幼苗单株鲜重分别增加了24.20%和22.39%。SA能通过调控棉花幼苗激素含量从而提高棉花幼苗的耐盐性,其中以0.05 mmol·L~(-1)SA浸种+0.2 mmol·L~(-1)叶面喷施对缓解棉花幼苗盐胁迫的伤害效果明显。     

Time related factors in Heliothis control on cotton

Most factors in Heliothis control on cotton are crucially related to time but all are interrelated one with another and form two complex interactions hinging on the pest life cycle. One is the crop-pest interaction and the other the control strategy. This paper reviews most of the factors and reports work carried out in Swaziland to elucidate some of them. In the crop-pest interaction the timing of the initial attack and a cue for spraying can be indicated by development of an alternate host and, in Swaziland, by reference to the average date of maize tassellation. Later infestations are measured by scouting and a comparison is made of the two main systems, the first based on a small part of many plants and used in the USA, and the second based on the whole of a few plants in Africa. Their respective purposes are discussed and economic spray thresholds based on them are presented. The compensatory ability of the plant diminishes as the season progresses but in Swaziland manual bud/flower removal experiments over 3 years on raingrown and irrigated cotton showed that prior to 12 January (9-12 weeks from planting) removal increased the yield in half the cases whilst later removal could cause a decrease. The natural Heliothis infestation was allowed to remove fruits in an experiment by leaving spray gaps and the results confirmed those of the previous manual experiments except that damage continued for about 2 weeks after spraying restarted. This advanced the critical date to 31 December but up to three sprays could be saved without loss of yield and possibly with a yield bonus. In the control strategy the different stages of the life cycle are considered as targets but the most obvious is normally the first instar larvae. Rapid plant growth can dictate frequent spray applications regardless of deposit persistence which may need to be longer when using aircraft in spite of Heliothis oviposition occurring predominantly on exposed surfaces. Temperature-independent or fumigant insecticides or those affecting the adult may best be sprayed in the evening when cooler and calmer post-treatment conditions occur and adults are starting to fly.     

Weeds for weed control: Asteraceae essential oils as natural herbicides

The aim of this study was to test the botanical family of Asteraceae as a source of natural herbicides. Twenty Asteraceae species were collected during flowering time and evaluated in terms of the yield and quality of essential oils (germination inhibition and growth of weeds). Half the species showed a sufficient yield of essential oil (from about 0.1% to 1.43%) when testing these phytochemicals in vitro as germination inhibitors of two typical weeds, Amaranthus retroflexus and Setaria viridis. Despite the higher tolerance of S. viridis, the concentration of 100 μg L^?1 of essential oils of the two Artemisia species and Xanthium strumarium could totally inhibit germination. In addition, at 10 μg L ^?1, the same essential oils showed full inhibition of A. retroflexus seeds. A comparison of their effectiveness at suboptimal doses led to a further selection of the most promising sources of essential oils. After their chemical characterisation, the essential oils were tested as post‐emergence herbicides on seedlings of the above‐cited weeds. After spraying the weeds at different concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 mg L^?1) during two different phenological stages of weed seedlings (cotyledons and the third true leaf), the essential oils of Artemisia annua and X. strumarium showed the best performance. The essential oils of X. strumarium were then tested again on both weeds to monitor the dynamics of plant injury. A reduction in plant fresh weight (about 20%–30% after 10 days) and chlorophyll content (destroyed, after the same amount of time) was found, thus confirming the total and rapid effectiveness of these essential oils. In summary, A. annua and X. strumarium have elicited considerable agronomic interest and appear to be suitable as a source of essential oils to act as natural herbicides.     

Effect of different levels of mannitol-induced water stress on the tolerance of cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.) to didofop-methyl

The effect of degree of water stress in Avena sativa on diclofop-methyl efficacy was assessed. Within 24 h of applying stress by adding mannitol to the root medium (0 to 12.5%), the rate of leaf extension of the youngest leaves (leaves 3 and 4) decreased with increasing mannitol concentration. Without water stress, application of diclofop-methyl had little effect on extension rate of leaves 3 and 4 during the first 4 days after spraying. Subsequently, it caused a significant decrease in the extension rate of leaf 4 with more pronounced effects on later leaves. Diclofop-methyl had little effect on leaf extension rate of plants given mannitol. Shoot dry weight at harvest for unsprayed plants decreased with increased mannitol concentration and for sprayed plants it was greater without mannitol than with mannitol (all levels). However, at mannitol concentrations greater than 4%, shoot dry weight for sprayed and unsprayed plants was not significantly different. Sprayed plants exposed to 2–8.5% mannitol produced seed heads but those at zero mannitol did not. When the root medium of all treatments was flushed of mannitol one week after spraying, then main-tained without mannitol, shoot dry weight at harvest for unsprayed plants decreased slightly with increased mannitol concentration applied initially. However, shoot dry weight for sprayed plants increased with increased mannitol concentration. Without mannitol two weeks after spraying, chlorophyll concentrations of leaves 3 and 4 were greater and water saturation deficit (WSD) values were lower for unsprayed plants than sprayed plants but there were no differences at 6.2% mannitol. It is proposed that tolerance to diclofop-methyl by A. sativa as a result of water stress, is primarily due to a decreased rate of leaf expansion resulting in lower demand for membrane synthesis and less strain on membranes damaged by the herbicide.