Water Relations, Abscisic Acid and Yield of Wheat Plants in Relation to the Interactive Effect of Seawater and Growth Bioregulators

Irrigation of wheat plants with seawater (10 and 25 %) led to significant increases in free and bound abscisic acid (ABA) in leaves, especially at 25 %. The relative water content (RWC) and water use efficiency (calculated from grain yield, WUE_G, or from biomass yield, WUE_B) of the seawater-irrigated plants were lower than those of the control. Grain pre-soaking in gibberellic acid (GA₃), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or ABA reduced the levels of accumulated ABA (free and bound) produced by seawater irrigation. The stress imposed by seawater generally reduced yield and yield components of wheat plants and the effect was more pronounced at the higher level of seawater irrigation (25 %). Furthermore, seawater treatments decreased the carbohydrate content and increased the protein content of the developing grains. The effect of seawater treatments on ion concentrations in the developing grains was not consistent. The application of growth bioregulators appeared to mitigate the effect of seawater salinity stress on wheat productivity. GA₃ was the most effective hormone in this regard. The economic yield (grain yield) had a strong positive correlation with RWC, WUE_G, WUE_B, plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, grain number/main spike, kernel weight and harvest index.     

Interactive Effects of Salinity and Biological Nitrogen Fixation on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Growth

The effect of salinity on the nodulation, N-fixation and plant growth of selected chickpea- Rhizobium symbionts was studied- Eighteen chickpea rhizobial strains were evaluated for their growth in a broth culture at salinity levels of 0 to 20 dS m⁻¹ of NaCl + Na₂SO₄. Variability in response was high. Salinity generally reduced the lag phase and/or slowed the log phase of multiplication of Rhizobium. Nine chickpea genotypes were also evaluated for salt tolerance during germination and early seedling growth in Petri dishes at five salinity levels (0–32 dS m⁻¹). Chickpea genotypes ILC-205 and ILC-1919 were the most salt-tolerant genotypes. The selected rhizobial strains and chickpea cultivars were combined in a pot experiment aimed at investigating the interactive effect of salinity (3, 6 and 9 dS m⁻¹) and N source (symbiosis vs. inorganic N) on plant growth. Symbiotic plants were more sensitive to salinity than plants fed mineral N. Significant reductions in nodule dry weight (59.8 %) and N fixation (63.5 %) were evident even at the lowest salinity level of 3 dS m-¹. Although nodules were observed in inoculated plants grown at 6 dS m-¹, N-fixation was completely inhibited. The findings indicate that symbiosis is more salt-sensitive than both Rhizobium and the host plant, probably due to a breakdown in one of the processes involved in symbiotic-N fixation. Improvement of salinity tolerance in field grown chickpea may be achieved by application of sufficient amounts of mineral nitrogen.     

Effects of Salinity and Mixed Ammonium and Nitrate Nutrition on the Growth and Nitrogen Utilization of Barley

The absorption and utilization of nitrogen (N) by plants are affected by salinity and the form of N in the root medium. A hydroponic study was conducted under controlled conditions to investigate growth and N uptake by barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) supplied with five different NH₄⁺-N/NO₃⁻-N ratios at electrical conductivity of 0 and 8 dS m⁻¹. The five NH₄⁺-N/NO₃-N ratios were 0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0, each giving a total N supply of 100 mg N l⁻¹ in the root medium. A mixed N supply of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ resulted in greater accumulation of N in plants than either NO₃⁻ or NH₄⁺ as the sole N source. Plants produced a significantly higher dry matter yield when grown with mixed N nutrition than with NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ alone. Total dry matter production and root and shoot N contents decreased with increasing salinity in the root medium. The interaction between salinity and N nutrition was found to be significant for all the variables. A significant positive correlation (r=0.97) was found between nitrogen level in the plant shoot and its dry matter yield.     

Some Agronomic and Physiological Aspects of Salt Tolerance in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Evaluation of commonly grown cotton (Gossypium hir-sutum L.) genotypes under saline environment may help to cope with the venture of the crop failure in salt-affected soils. In a pot experiment, four cotton genotypes (MNH-93, NIAB-78. S-12, and B-557) were grown to compare their relative performance on a sandy clay loam soil (original ECe = 1.9 dS m⁻¹) salinized with a salt mixture (Na₂SO₄, NaCl, CaCl₂, MgSO₄ in the ratio of 9:5:5:1 on equivalent basis) to EQ levels of 10 and 20 dS m⁻¹. The crop was raised to the flower initiation stage. The imposed salinity stress exhibited deleterious effect on the germination and vegetative growth with significant differences among the genotypes. Leaf area, stem thickness, shoot (stem + leaves) and root weights decreased with the increase in substrate salinity. NIAB-78 showed the least decline followed by MNH-93. Leaf thickness showed an opposite trend as an increase in this parameter was observed with the rising salinity, the maximum increase being in the case of NIAB-78. Analysis of the leaf sap showed increased Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations and decreased K⁺ concentration with the increase in substrate salinity. A better osmotic adjustment, a lower Na⁺/K⁺ ratio and a lower Cl concentration were found in the leaves of NIAB-78 followed by MNH-93. This contributed towards their better growth performance under saline conditions.     

Effect of Sulphur and Foliar-applied Chemicals on Cold Tolerance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

In a field study it was observed that sulphur fertilization of chickpea at 100 kg S ha⁻¹ imparted cold tolerance under low temperature stress conditions. Further, foliar sprays of DMSO, H₂SO⁴, KCl and H³BO³ proved effective in alleviating cold injury. Glucose spray also showed efficacy in this regard. The effects of sulphur fertilization and foliar applied DMSO and H²SO⁴ were largely associated with improved sulphur nutrition of plants, while improvement in K content under KCl treatment and B content under H₃BO₃ treatment was responsible for cold tolerance effects. Improvement in overall soluble carbohydrate and protein status of plants was held responsible for glucose effects possibly associated with osmoregulation.     

Transpiration Dynamics in Cadmium-Treated Soybean (Glycine max L.) Plants

Soybean ( Glycine max L.) plants, cv Richland, were grown during 30 days in a nutrient solution. After this period the plants were treated with a 50 μM Cd(NO₃)₂ solution. Sap flow rate and stomatal conductance were monitored during 4 consecutive days; at the end of this period relative water content and stomatal width and length were determined on fully expanded leaves. On the second day from the Cd treatment sap, flow rate and stomatal conductance in the treated plants were reduced to 60% of the control plants. Stomatal conductance kept on decreasing up to the fourth day. Cadmium decreased the leaf relative water content and the reduction in the stomatal closure was supported by an increase in the L/W ratio of the stomata. Root water uptake should be the primary mechanism reduced by Cd stress in soybean, and this reduction is consistent with the decrease in transpiration rate and with the stomatal closure.     

Effect of Elevated CO2 and Nitrogen Nutrition on Photosynthesis, Growth and Carbon-Nitrogen Balance in Brassica juncea

The response of Brassica juncea var. Bio-183-92 to elevated CO₂ under increased nitrogen treatment was studied. There was an interactive effect of CO₂ and nitrogen nutrition, indicating that, on the addition of more nitrogen, the plants sustained the positive effect of CO₂ enrichment by utilizing additional carbohydrates for the development of new sinks. Excess carbohydrate enables plants to be flexible and responsive to additional nitrogen application to sustain the CO₂ enrichment effect.     

Effect of NaCl Salinity and Putrescine on Shoot Growth, Tissue Ion Concentration and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L. var. GR-3)

Interactive effect of NaCl salinity and putrescine on shoot growth, ion (Na⁺, K⁺ and CI⁻) concentration in leaf, stem and inflorescence and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L. var. GR-3) were studied. When rice plants were subjected to salt stress (12 dS/m) the extension growth and dry weight of shoot system as well as total leaf area and chlorophyll content were found markedly reduced. Analysis of leaf, stem and inflorescence of salt-stressed plants showed higher concentration of Na⁺ and Cl ions and lower concentration of K⁺ ion compared to the control. Salinization also caused a considerable fall in grain yield.
Foliar application of putrescine (10⁻⁵M) significantly increased the growth and yield of salt-stressed plants. Putrescine treatment decreased the influx of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions and increased the K⁺ level in all the tissues of salinized plants examined. Putrescine also increased the chlorophyll content in salt-stressed plants. These results suggest that exogenous application of putrescine can be used successfully to ameliorate the stress injuries caused by NaCl salinity in rice plants to a considerable extent.     

Stoffbildung, CO2-Gaswechsel, Kohlenhydrat- und Stickstoffgehalt von Winterweizen bei erhöhter CO2-Konzentration und Trocken-streß

Dry Matter Production, CO₂ Exchange, Carbohydrate and Nitrogen Content of Winter Wheat at Elevated CO₂ Concentration and Drought Stress
Methods of mathematical modelling and simulation are being used to an increasing degree in estimating the effects of rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration and changing climatic conditions on agricultural ecosystems. In this context, detailed knowledge is required about the possible effects on crop growth and physiological processes. To this aim, the influence of an elevated CO₂ concentration and of drought stress on dry matter production, CO₂ exchange, and on carbohydrate and nitrogen content was studied in two winter wheat varieties from shooting to milk ripeness. Elevated CO₂ concentration leads to a compensation of drought stress and at optimal water supply to an increase of vegetative dry matter and of yield to the fourfold value. This effects were caused by enhanced growth of secondary tillers which were reduced in plants cultivated at atmospheric CO₂ concentration. Analogous effects in the development of ear organs were influenced additionally by competitive interactions between the developing organs. The content and the mass of ethanol soluble carbohydrates in leaves and stems were increased after the CO₂ treatment and exhausted more completely during the grain filling period after drought stress. Plants cultivated from shooting to milk ripeness at elevated CO₂ concentration showed a reduced response of net photosynthesis rate to increasing CO₂ concentration by comparison with untreated plants. The rate of dark respiration was increased in this plants.     

Potassium and Silicon Improve Yield and Juice Quality in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under Salt Stress

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress which adversely affects the yield and juice quality in sugarcane. However, the mineral nutrient status of plant plays a crucial role in increasing plant tolerance to salinity. We investigated the effects of K and/or Si on plant growth, yield and juice quality in two sugarcane genotypes differing in salinity tolerance. Addition of K and Si significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased K and Si concentrations and decreased the accumulation of Na⁺ in plants under salt stress. Cane yield and yield attributes were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher where K and Si were added. Juice quality characteristics like Brix (% soluble solids in juice), Pol (% sucrose in juice), commercial cane sugar (CCS) and sugar recovery in both sugarcane genotypes were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved with the supplementation of K and Si. For most of the growth parameters, it was found that K either alone or in combination with Si was more effective to alleviate salt stress in both sugarcane genotypes than Si alone. Moreover, the beneficial effects of K and Si were more pronounced in salt sensitive genotype than in salt tolerant genotype. The results suggested that K and Si counteracted the deleterious effects of high salinity/sodicity in sugarcane by lowering the accumulation of Na⁺ and increase in K⁺ concentration with a resultant improvement in K⁺/Na⁺ ratio which is a good indicator to assess plant tolerance to salinity.     

Reproductive Compensation of Cotton after Salt Stress Relief at Different Growth Stages

Differential salt sensitivity during growth stages and reproductive compensation of plants after salt stress relief are important factors for adopting appropriate irrigation strategies with saline waters. Consequently, recovery of cotton after exposure to different levels of salt stress was evaluated. An outdoor, sand culture experiment was conducted with cotton. Water salinities were 2, 10 and 20 dS m⁻¹, and the growth phases were vegetative (G1), reproductive (G2) and boll development (G3). G1 and G3 were the least and the most salt tolerant phases, respectively. The significant yield reduction in all of the saline water treatments as compared to control was mainly due to the reduction in number of bolls per plants. In general, cotton plants were capable of producing seed cotton under salt stress, as well as, after salt stress relief. However, as the salt stress severity increased the ability of cotton to compensate yield loss decreased. Irrigation of cotton at G1 stage with either moderate (10 dS m⁻¹) or high (20 dS m⁻¹) salinity waters should be avoided. Moderate saline water could be applied either at G2 or G3 stage. High salinity water can be used for irrigation only at G3 stage to produce acceptable cotton seed yield.     

The Influence of Plant Water Stress on Net Photosynthesis and Leaf Area of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivars

The effect of plant water stress on net photosynthesis and leaf growth were investigated in order to determine to what extent leaf water potential during vegetative growth and silking affects maize development.
Two commercial maize hybrids grown in pots in a glasshouse were subjected to leaf water potentials of -1300 and -1700 kPa during the eighth leaf stage and during silking to -1700 and -2300 kPa to previously unstressed, moderately and severely stressed plants. The effect of stress on inhibiting CO₂ uptake rates and leaf areas, as well as the recovery after alleviating stress, were compared to that of unstressed plants.
No substantial differences in CO₂ uptake rates were found between medium and long seasoned cultivars. The CO₂ uptake rates per unit leaf area decreased to negative values under both moderate and severe stress conditions during both growth stages. During silking, the recovery of CO₂ uptake rate was much lower than during the eight leaf stage. Leaf area decreased proportionally with increased stress but did not recover after alleviating stress on plants stressed during both the eighth leaf and silking stages.     

Seasonal Changes in the Photosynthetic Capacity of Winter Rape Plants under Different Nitrogen Regimes Measured in the Field

Winter rape (cv.'Falcon') grown under different nitrogen regimes (N₀, N₁₂₀; 0 and 120 kg.ha⁻¹, respectively) in northern Germany was investigated over the 1996 spring–summer season. Using a CO₂, H₂O diffusion porometer, diurnal courses or net photosynthesis and respiration were measured in situ and were related to microclimatic conditions and leaf water relations. Photosynthesis was modelled and daily CO₂ gain was calculated. In contrast to the N₁₂₀ plants, plants of the low nitrogen plot (N₀) grew less densely and their leaves behaved more like sun leaves. Increased nitrogen supply had little influence on photosynthetic capacity but it increased productivity through higher leaf area index and an extended period of photosynthetic activity. N₁₂₀ plants also appeared to be better acclimated to hot, summer conditions. Higher nitrogen supply substantially increased seed production with the yield of the N₁₂₀ plants being 16% of the N₀ plants.     

Einfluß des Lichtangebotes auf das Wachstum und die biologische Stickstoff-Fixierung von Weißklee (Trifolium repens L.)

Influence of light quantity on growth and biological nitrogen fixation of white clover ( Trifolium repens L.)
The influence of photon irradiance (E_p; 100 to 500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and of the photoperiod (16 or 11 h) on growth and nitrogenase activity of nodulated white clover plants was studied in growth chambers at two nitrate levels (1.0 and 7.5 mM NO₃⁻).
Total dry mass production, the root proportion and nitrogenase activity increased with increasing E_p and photoperiod. Nitrogenase activity generally increased proportionally to root mass. Only at low E_p (100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and under a short photoperiod (11 h) was the specific nitrogenase activity per unit root mass reduced. An abrupt change in E_p led to a rapid and parallel change in nitrogenase activity and relative growth rate.
A higher NO₃⁻ concentration in the nutrient solution (7.5 mM) led to a marked decrease in specific nitrogenase activity, but increased growth between 200 and 500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ during early development only. At 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, there was no growth response to nitrate, although its effect on nitrogenase activity was more marked than at a higher E_p.
The results show that with changing light quantity, biological nitrogen fixation of white clover adapts to the existing demand for nitrogen and does not limit growth except during early development, even when light supply is low.     

Effect of Elevated CO2 on the Photosynthesis, Growth and Water Relation of Brassica Species Under Moisture Stress

An attempt has been made to study the interactive effect of elevated CO₂ and moisture stress on photosynthesis, growth and water relations of Brassica species using open top chambers. It was observed that plants responded to elevated CO₂ significantly under moisture stress condition mitigating the adverse effects on photosynthesis and growth of Brassica species. Relatively drought susceptible species, viz. B. campestris and B. nigra , responded to elevated CC₂ markedly as compared to less sensitive B. carinata and B. juncea plants. The water status of plants significantly improved under elevated CO₂ concentration possibly by increasing stomatal resistance and/or by increased root growth.     

Effect of Pre- and Post-Kinetin Treatments on Salt Tolerance of Different Potato Cultivars Growing on Saline Soils

Different potato cultivars were subjected to 10 ⁻⁶M kinetin treatment prior to the transplantation in saline soils (pre-kinetin treatment) and to the plants already growing on the saline soils (post-kinetin treatment). The kinetine when applied before the exposure of plants to saline soils showed promotory effects on growth, tuberization and some biochemical parameters of potato at 0.5 % salinity. The degree of inhibition in number of tubers and yield was reduced at 1 % salinity due to pre-kinetin treatment. The level of proline, reducing sugars and sodium was increased in different plant parts to maintain the osmoregulation. However, kinetin did not play any specific role in reducing down the increase in proline content resulted due to salinity. The level of K⁺ was found to be higher at low salinity in all the cultivars of potato. Higher concentrations of proteins and enhanced activity of starch synthetase at low level of salinity suggest the salutary effect of Na⁺ in metabolic functions of plant cells. The nitrate reductase (NR) activity was appeared to be more sensitive than starch synthetase. This could possibly be due to the localization of the enzyme and the cellular concentration of toxic substances increased under stress. Total Glyoalkaloids (TGA) content was reduced at both the salinity levels irrespective of kinetin treatments. On the contrary Na⁺ content was increased in all the treatments of kinetin at both levels of salinity. During this study cvs. Red Lasoda, Patrones and Atom alue approved to be more tolerant as compare to rest of the cultivars tested. This could be a combined effect of genetic setup, amendments in saline soils and pre-kinetin treatments of plants exposed to various regimes of salinity. Furthermore it is argued that salt tolerance limit can be extended upto certain level of salinity by pre-kinetin treatment in potato plants.     

Water Stress and N Fertilization Effects on Yield and Smut Disease Incidence in Corn (Zea mays L.)

A 2-year field experiment was conducted in sandy clay loam soil to quantify the single and combined effects of N fertilization and water stress (WS) treatments on yield and smut incidence in corn. The plants were supplied with two different N rates (225 and 300 kg ha⁻¹) and subjected to 2 weeks' water stress, imposed at vegetative (Vg), tasselling (Ta), silking (Si) and grain-filling (Gf) growth stages. In addition, a control treatment (Cr) was also included to allow the plants to grow under unstressed conditions. The plants were artificially infected two times with Ustilago maydis spores and smut severity was recorded. At harvest, grain yield (GY), total biomass (Tbm) and harvest index (HI) were determined in smut-free (0) and smutted plants (S). Results have shown that GY₀ and GY_s were markedly reduced when the plants were subjected to WS. The depressing effects of WS were, comparatively, high at Gf. intermediate at Ta and Si. and low at Vg growth stages. Smut index (SI) data revealed that severity was higher on plants stressed at Gf than those exposed to WS at Vg, Ta or Si stages. Considerable variations were detected on Tbm and HI of smut-free and smutted plants, indicating the detrimental effect of plant water deficit at Gf stage. The combined effect of WS and N on Tbm_s showed mixed results, ranging from positive response for stressed plants at Si and Gf to little response at Cr, Vg or Ta stages at higher N rate. Although the effect of WS exposure on RYL data was dominant at Gf, the rate of yield depression was relatively higher at Ta and Si than the other growth stages, because of water deficit effects. The results proved that N fertilization did not conclusively alleviate the depressing effect of WS on grain yield losses.     

Cytogenetic analysis of F1, F2 and BC1 plants from intergeneric sexual hybridization between Sinapis alba and Brassica oleracea by genomic in situ hybridization

By intergeneric sexual hybridization between Sinapis alba and Brassica oleracea , F₁, F₂ and BC₁ progeny plants were produced. S. alba plants (genome SS, 2n = 24) were pollinated with B. oleracea (genome CC, 2n = 18), and the fertile F₁ plants were pollinated with B. oleracea to obtain BC₁ plants. GISH analysis showed that 10 out of 12 F₁ plants had 12 S. alba chromosomes (one full S chromosome set) and nine B. oleracea chromosomes (one C chromosome sets), representing the expected hybrids. However, two F₁ plants had 12 S chromosomes and 18 C chromosomes (two C chromosome sets), indicating unexpected hybrids. A maximum of three trivalents between C and S chromosomes were identified at metaphase I of semi-fertile F₁ pollen mother cells (PMCs), which indicates homology and chromosome pairing between these two genomes. The C genome had obviously been doubled in two F₂ plants from selfed semi-fertile F₁ plants. BC₁ plants consisted of 18 C chromosomes and different numbers of one, five and six additional S chromosomes, respectively. Monosomic alien addition lines developed in the present study can be used for B. oleracea breeding and Sinapis alba gene mapping.     

Nitrogen Fixation and Nitrate Assimilation of Determinate, Semi-determinate and Undeterminate Soybeans (Glycine max L.)

Soybean ( Glycine max L.) nitrogen nutrition is ensured by both symbiotic nitrogen fixation and mineral nitrogen assimilation. The relationship between these two modes of N nutrition was analysed in 3 growth types (determinate, semi-determinate and undeterminate) of soybean. The nitrate reductase activity and nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) of plants grown in the field and greenhouse showed that these enzymatic activity acted simultaneously or successively during the growth cycle, depending on the availability of inorganic nitrogen in the growing medium. Undeterminate soybean types had a higher potential nitrate reductase activities than determinate types.
The proportion of N₂ fixed as measured by ¹⁵N labelling or stem ureide content indicated that determinate soybeans derived a higher proportion of their N from N₂ fixation than the undeterminates.     

Production of intergeneric hybrids between Raphanm and Moricandia

Intergeneric F₁ hybrids between Raphanus sativus (2n = 18, RR) and Moricandia arvensis (2n = 28, MaMa) have been produced through ovary culture followed by embryo culture, when M. arvensis was used as a pistillate parent. Six BC₁ plants were also obtained through ovary culture followed by embryo culture in the backcross of an amphidiploid F₁, hybrid with R. sativus cv. 'Pink ball'. Two BC₁ plants were ses-quidiploids (2n = 32, MaRR), and the other BC₁, plants were hyperploid with 2n = 55, having MaMaRRR genomes. BC₂, seeds were obtained by conventional pollination in the successive backcross of two sesquidiploid BC₁, plants with R. sativus cv. 'Pink ball'. Their seed set percentages were 12.7% and 17.0%, respectively. These novel hybrid plants and derived progenies may be valuable materials for the genetic investigation and breeding of Brassiceae , including R. sativus.