Applying herbicides in irrigation water—a review

The technology of applying herbicides in irrigation water to control weeds selectively in crops has developed since the late 1960s. A review of the literature indicates that under the right conditions many herbicides applied through irrigation systems will control weeds selectively in crops. The greatest use of this technology has been with sprinkler irrigation systems, especially centre-pivots. Certain herbicides are also effective when applied through gravity flow irrigation systems, although uneven herbicide distribution and the potential for downstream contamination has limited the use of the technology in these systems. Although there is considerable interest in applying herbicides through trickle irrigation systems, problems associated with poor uniformity of herbicide application, rapid degradation of herbicides near the orifices, and potential health hazards to workers who might drink treated water, have prevented this technology from being adopted. Research is needed to determine how such factors as amount of water applied, soil texture, soil organic matter, soil moisture before and after herbicide application, water droplet size, timing of herbicide applications, herbicide concentration, herbicide properties, climatic factors, and the use of oils and other adjuvants affect the behaviour of herbicides applied through irrigation systems.     

Chromosome location of a gene for aroma in rice

Scented or aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) is highly valued in many areas of the world. The development of high yielding scented cultivars has been limited because of lacking information on the inheritance of scent such as linkage of genes for aroma with other genes. We report here our studies on the determination of the chromosomal location of an aroma gene. Twenty-nine marker stocks, including 14     

Identification of a RAPD marker linked to a blast resistance gene in Oryza sativa L.

Marker-aided selection has received more attention in recent years. This relies on the exploitation of close linkage between molecular markers and target gene(s). We report here a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAID) marker tightly linked to the blast resistance gene Pi-11(t) derived from Hongjiaozhan, which confers the resistante to race ZBI of Pyricularia oryzae Car.     

Expression of a barley ABA-responsive protein gene in transgenic rice

A cDNA clone encoding an ABA-responsive protein HVA1, was isolated by differential screening from barley aleurone layers (Hong et al.), Expression of the HVA1 gene is shown to be developmentally regulated, organ specif ic, and ABA and stress-induced (Hong et al.). Transgenlc tobacco plants constitutively expressing HVA1 protein displayed a 4-day delay of leave wilting under drought conditions and a lower water content threshcdd (39% vs 47.6%) at the time point of first wilting. These data indicate that HVA1 protein may play a role in plant tolerance to drought     

Study on a new grain-cash cropping pattern in paddy field

We studied a new grain-cash cropping pattern com-posed of “barley/walermelon maize-rice” , com-paring with “barley/waterrmelon-rice” (CK1),“watermelon-rice”(CK2). Tile expedmem was corvducted in CNRRI‘‘s field for 3 yr, employing completely randomized design with three replications, and each plot occupied 207 m^2     

Doing what with whom? Stakeholder analysis in a large transdisciplinary research project in South-East Asia

The transdisciplinary research project LEGATO analysed the combined generation of provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services in wet rice agriculture in South-East Asia and applied ecological engineering to future-proof it against global change and environmental pollution challenges. Due to its transdisciplinary character and the sheer size, a systematic stakeholder involvement was inevitable. Starting with stakeholder identification by snowballing from a limited number of contacts, we derived a multi-level stakeholder analysis and tried to involve those identified as relevant. Applying different means and aiming at different depth of involvement, the effort can be judged successful. The paper describes the methods used to identify and classify stakeholders, and key elements of the stakeholder management, guided by the BiodivERsA Stakeholder Activation Handbook. While on the local level, farmers and extension workers turned out to be influential and interested stakeholders in both countries, as well as local (PH) or provincial authorities (VN), differences were manifest on higher levels due to the divergent institutional setting. National-level agents were hard to get interested in both countries, and influential agents along the production chain, including middle men, were not really interested in collaboration.     

Grain yield analysis of a triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) collection grown in a Mediterranean environment

The breeding of triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is of great importance in those Mediterranean environments where low winter temperature and soil acidity interact with drought, increasing the adaptability of this species in comparison with other temperate cereals. In order to identify the way in which the various yield components contribute to the realisation of high yields in a Mediterranean environment, and the effect of a different phenology on these patterns, a two-year trial was carried out in Sardinia (Italy) with 271 pure lines grown under rainfed conditions. The relationships between characters were assessed by phenotypic correlation analysis after grouping the lines into phenological classes. In both years total biomass explained more of the variation in yield than harvest index and was little affected by earliness. Both total biomass and HI were strongly correlated with kernels m⁻². More kernels m⁻² are therefore essential to obtain high grain yields in triticale, regardless of earliness, highlighting the importance of the pre-anthesis period, even in conditions of increasing drought stress during spring. Grain yield showed a closer correlation with HI in the less favourable year, but became independent of HI above values of 20–25,000 kernels m⁻² and HI values of 0.35. The winter types were taller, with less spikes m⁻², and a longer and more fertile spike than the spring types.     

Genetic Identification of a New Small Grain Dwarf Gene in Rice

The plant material used in the study was rice line 162d, a new small grain dwarf mutant. Polymorphic analysis of 221 SSR loci demonstrated that 162d derived from a semidwarf variety Shuhui 162 through mutation, and 162d and Shuhui 162 were just a pair of near isogenic lines. Genetic analysis of Fl and F2 populations suggested that dwarfism in 162d was controlled by a single recessive gene. Phenotypic characteristics of the mutant gene were that plant height was about a quarter of normal height, grain size about a quarter of normal size, leaf was short and broad, and seed setting rate was very low,compared with the near isogenic line Shuhui 162. The mutant gene was sensitive to gibberellin (GA3) treatment and did not located on the region near the centromere of rice chromosome 5, where dl gene located. Therefore, it was concluded that the mutant gene of 162d was a new small grain dwarf gene in rice.     

Genetic Identification of a New Small Grain Dwarf Gene in Rice

The plant material used in the study was rice line 162d, a new small grain dwarf mutant. Polymorphic analysis of 221 SSR loci demonstrated that 162d derived from a semidwarf variety Shuhui 162 through mutation, and 162d and Shuhui 162 were just a pair of near isogenic lines. Genetic analysis of F1 and F2 populations suggested that dwarfism in 162d was controlled by a single recessive gene. phenotypic characteristics of the mutant gene were that plant height was about a quarter of normal height, grain size about a quarter of normal size, leaf was short and broad, and seed setting rate was very low, compared with the near isogenic line Shuhui 162. The mutant gene was sensitive to gibberellin (GA3) treatment and did not located on the region near the centromere of rice chromosome 5, where d1 gene located. Therefore, it was concluded that the mutant gene of 162d was a new small grain dwarf gene in rice.     

Tagging RAPD markers to a bacterial blight resistance gene in rice

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Evaluation of alternative tillage and crop establishment methods in a rice–wheat rotation in North Western IGP

The rice–wheat rotation covering 13.5 million ha in the Indo-Gangetic Plains is vital for food security. Its sustainability is at risk as the current production practices are inadequate resulting in high cost of cultivation and inefficient use of inputs (i.e. water, labor and energy). In a field study, we evaluated resource conserving and cost-saving alternative tillage and crop establishment options with an aim to improve system productivity and efficiency. Treatments included transplanting and direct-seeding of rice after reduced and no-tillage, followed by wheat after no-tillage. Conventional-tilled (puddled) transplanted rice followed by conventional-tilled wheat was included as a current practice. Rice yields of transplanted rice were similar irrespective of tillage/puddling. However, both dry and wet direct-seeded rice yielded 0.45–0.61 Mg ha⁻¹ lower than puddled transplanted rice. Wheat yield after no-tillage was either higher or equivalent to conventional practice. Wheat provided more economic return (US $35 ha⁻¹) than rice. No-till wheat was 6% more profitable than the conventional practice (T1). Rice transplanting with or without puddling had similar water application but dry direct-seeded rice had 10–12% lower and wet direct-seeded rice 20–24% higher. Machine labor without tillage was lower by maximum of 51 and 43% in rice and wheat, respectively. Similarly, human labor was also 9–16% lower in no-till rice compared to other practices. Two years results consistently showed $35 more net income when rice was transplanted without puddling than that of conventional practice. Direct-seeded/un-tilled rice had variable response in 2 years; US $16 more in year 1 and similar in year 2 to the puddled transplanted rice. Direct-seeded or transplanted rice after no-tillage can be more efficient and profitable alternatives to current practice (puddled transplanted rice), however, require further refinement in areas of cultivar development for no-till direct-seeding condition, nutrient, water and weed management to harness maximal potential.     

Zhe9248—a new scented rice line cames out in Zhejiang

This novel rice line is developed recently'by a research team led by Associate Prof QIU Baiqin, Crop Breeding and Cultivation Institute, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Zhe 9248 is of high resistance to blast, early mature and of higher yield. Being soft, smooth, and glossy, the cooked rice of "Zhe 9248" has excellent eating quality. The kernels of "Zhe 9248" are hardened to such a degree that they could be capa-     

Evaluation of a model recommended for N fertilizer application in irrigated rice

The response of rice to N fertilizer application has shown that high rates of N application do not always ensure a proportional increase in yield due to high N losses. A model, ORYZA-0 was developed by ten Berge for designing optimum N fertilizer management strategy inrice . We evaluated the performance of ORYZA-0 in Jinhua. Zhejiang Province.     

Identification of a candidate elongation related gene in rice induced by GA

We identified a gibberellin-induced gene frag- ment in rice elongation by using differentialdisplay(DD)of mRNA.The rice seedlingscarried the eui(elongated)gene,named Zhen- chang A,were used,which were sensitive toGA_3 and elongated rapidly after application ofGA_3. The total RNA were extracted fromseedlings treated for 0,3,8,16,and 24 hwith GA_3(20mg/L),and the RNA of 8 hwere used to conduct mRNA DD assay.A to-tal of 44 DD cDNA fragments were obtained,which were induced or inhibited by GAs from100 combinations of anchor and arbitraryprimers in DD-PCR display(Fig 1).Of the 44DD fragments,GA15b cDNA fragment in- duced by GA_3 was cloned and sequenced.Thisfragment was 673bp in length and was accept-ed by GenBank with the accession number ofAF038894.GA15b gene encodes homology ofextension-like protein,a class of structural by-droxyproline rich glycoprotein of the plant ex-     

Changes in a knitted fabric’s surface properties due to enzyme treatments

Enzyme treatment technologies in textile processing have become commonly-applied techniques for the modification of fabric-handle appearance, and other surface and mechanical characteristics of fabrics. Most studies have focused on understanding the impact of enzyme treatments on the fabric preparation, dyeing, and finishing processes of woven fabrics, whilst only limited research has been reported regarding any enzymatic effects on the surface and handproperties of knitted fabrics. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of two different enzymes Trichoderma reesei whole cellulase, and enriched (EGIII) endoglucanase cellulase, at three different enzyme dosages on 100 % cotton interlock knitted fabric. This was in order to evaluate certain surface properties such as pilling, friction. and geometrical roughness. Furthermore, the compression and tactile properties of knitted fabric were also analyzed. The results show that treatment conditions with enzyme Trichoderma reesei whole cellulase had the more pronounced effect on the surface properties compared to the enriched EGIII enzymes. In general, it can be concluded that both types of enzymes improved the surface properties and hand when compared with the silicone softener-treated reference sample of interlock knitted fabric, as is statistically confirmed by one-way analysis of variance.     

Spray deposition in “tendone” vineyards when using a pneumatic electrostatic sprayer

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrostatic charge on foliar spray deposition in an Apulian “tendone” vineyard using an innovative pneumatic electrostatic sprayer. The sprayer was fitted with nozzles that linked the pneumatic atomization of the liquid, obtained using compressed air, to the electrostatic induction charge, thereby producing a stream of charged fine droplets. Furthermore, the sprayer was designed for low volume treatments, and the experimentation was carried out during a phenological stage with high leaf density to evaluate the performance of the machine under particularly challenging operative conditions.The sprayer was studied at three forward speeds (4, 5, and 6 km h⁻¹), and gave poor deposition inside the canopy, whether or not the electrostatic system was activated. Forward speed did not significantly affect the mean foliar spray deposition, whereas activation of the electrostatic system significantly increased the deposit only on the layer of foliage nearest to the sprayer (lower layer), but had no effect on deposition on the layer of foliage inside the canopy (upper layer). The ratio between the deposits on the two layers (lower:upper) was 6.5:1 when the electrostatic system was switched off, and 9.0:1 when it was switched on.However, this behaviour may allow targeted treatments on grapes, such as with Plant Protection Products (PPP) or bio growth stimulants. Furthermore, the small droplets produced by the machine are suitable for table grape protection because the droplets do not mark the grapes, which would reduce the quality of the product and its commercial value.     

Cereal–legume rotations in a Mediterranean environment: biomass and yield production

The effects of various crop rotations on the biomass and yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.) grown under Mediterranean conditions were studied during three growing seasons in the semiarid Spanish Central Plateau. The treatments comprised six crop sequences: barley monoculture, fallow–barley (currently used in the area), faba bean–barley, pea–barley, fallow–barley–faba bean, and fallow–barley–pea. The fallow was of 16-month duration. The site is representative of cultivated areas of the Plateau, and the soil has a loam texture. Results concentrate on barley as the main crop. Season distribution of rainfall restricted the effectiveness of the management practices and in consequence there were few differences between rotations. Barley had greater biomass and yield after fallow than after other crops but significant differences were dependent on year. Legumes, an alternative to fallow, increased land use, permitted alternative weed control measures, and reduced the need for fertiliser. The intensification of the fallow–barley cropping system is best achieved by reducing the frequency of fallow and including other crops of relatively small biomass production, thereby minimising the impact on yield of the succeeding barley crop.