Evaluation and management of acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor resistant littleseed canarygrass (Phalaris minor) in Pakistan

A field survey was conducted for the sampling of Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor resistance littleseed canarygrass, a major weed of wheat, from Punjab, Pakistan in 2014 for confirmation of resistance. The surveyed regions encompassed four different cropping systems including rice–wheat, maize–wheat, cotton–wheat and mixed cropping. Dose–response assay was conducted for confirmation of resistance. Efficacy of herbicide mixtures including clodinafop–propargyl, metribuzin, pinoxaden and sulfosulfuron at a range of doses was investigated to manage littleseed canarygrass. Results revealed that all populations were resistant to fenoxaprop except PM-BWL-2. The higher level resistance (6.5) was found in populations collected from rice–wheat cropping system. The tested herbicide mixtures at 75% and 100% of the recommended dose of each mixture component provided the effective control of resistant littleseed canarygrass. Mixtures at 50% provided more than 80% control and reduced growth and seed production potential of surviving plants. The confirmation of ACCase inhibitor resistance as the first case of herbicide resistance in Pakistan, leads us to discourage use of ACCase inhibitor herbicides alone. However, herbicide mixtures at 75% and 100% of the recommended dose are suggested to manage this weed for sustainable wheat production in the surveyed cropping systems.     

Screening drought-tolerant genotypes in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using different multivariate methods

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most widely cultivated crops in rainfed areas of Iran, where drought is the main limiting factor on yield. The object of this study was the identification of drought-tolerant genotypes in bread wheat. Forty bread wheat genotypes were tested in separate experiments under drought stress and normal conditions in two years (2009–2010 and 2010–2011). Nine drought-tolerance/susceptibility indices including stress susceptibility index (SSI), mean productivity (MP), tolerance (TOL), stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), yield index (YI), yield stability index (YSI), linear regression coefficient (β) and drought response index (DRI) were determined. Simultanously applied factor analysis used two factors instead of nine indices in this study. Mahdavi was recognized as the most drought-tolerant genotype in both years based on factor analysis. In this study an equation was developed for estimating the Stress Tolerance Score (STS). The results of the equation were identical to those of factor analysis in both years. The equation was much easier to use than factor analysis and is suggested as a screening tool for the identification of drought-tolerant genotypes. In this study, Mahdavi was the most drought-tolerant genotype also corresponding to this equation.     

Differential allelopathic potential of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes on weeds and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop

Studies were conducted to screen eight sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes for their allelopathic potential against weeds and wheat crop, which customarily follows sunflower in Iraq. All sunflower genotypes significantly inhibited the total number and biomass of companion weeds and the magnitude of inhibition was genotype dependent. Among the eight genotypes tested, Sin-Altheeb and Coupon were the most weed-suppressing cultivars, and Euroflor and Shumoos were the least. A subsequent field experiment indicated that sunflower residues incorporated into the field soil significantly inhibited the total number and biomass of weeds growing in the wheat field. Sunflower genotypes Sin-Altheeb and Coupon appeared to inhibit total weed number and biomass more and significantly increased wheat yield compared with the least-suppressive genotypes (Euroflor and Shumoos). Chromatographic analyses by HPLC revealed the presence of 13 secondary metabolites in residues of the tested sunflower genotypes. All the isolated compounds appeared to be phenolic, with the exception of terpinol, which is a terpenoid derivative. The total concentration of Phytotoxins (phenolic compounds) was found to be higher in the most-suppressive potential genotypes compared with the least-suppressive genotypes.     

钾肥用量对面包强筋小麦产量和品质的影响

采用田间试验研究不同钾肥用量对龙 94 - 40 83面包强筋小麦产量与品质的影响 ,结果表明施钾明显增加小麦产量 ,K2 O用量 5 2 .5～ 82 .5 kg/ hm2 比较适宜。施钾能明显改善小麦品质 ,小麦粗蛋白和湿面筋含量、沉降值、稳定时间、最大阻力、延伸性、拉伸面积、面包体积和面包评分均有不同程度的提高 ,尤其是对稳定时间的延长效果更为明显。     

Assessment of allelopathic effects of residues of Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze on wheat seedlings

Flaveria bidentis (L.) Kuntze, an invasive plant, poses a serious threat to the structure and function of the native ecosystem in Hebei Provience, China. However, little is known about the allelopathic activity of the residues of this plant species. In this study, the impact of the phytotoxicity of unburnt (UR) and burnt (BR) residues of the exotic invasive weed on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivvm L.) was assessed. Extracts prepared from both UR and BR reduced the shoot length, root length and dry weight of wheat significantly compared with the control, thereby indicating the presence of some water-soluble allelochemicals in F. bidentis residues. Growth studies conducted in soil amended with UR and BR extracts or residues also revealed phytotoxic effects towards wheat. A significant amount of phenolics was detected in the residue extracts and in residue-incorporated soil. The phenolic content rose with increasing residue concentration, thereby showing their direct involvement in the observed growth inhibition. The inhibition of wheat growth by the burnt residue and its water extracts was similar to that of unburnt residue, so burning it is not a good way to eliminate the allelopathic effects of the residue of F. bidentis on native plants.     

Effect of root morphological traits on zinc efficiency in Iranian bread wheat genotypes

Zinc (Zn) has a vast number of functions in plant metabolism, the lack of which had dramatic effects on growth and yield of plants. Plants have morphological and biochemical responses to enhance mineral solubility in the soil and facilitate uptake, such as root plasticity, secretion processes and symbioses. Root architecture modification is an important plant response to nutrient availability. The aim of this study was to identify root morphological reactions to Zn efficiency in Iranian bread wheat genotypes. Soil and solution cultures were used to survey Zn efficiency. In soil culture, six and seven genotypes with high and low Zn contents were selected among 110 Iranian bread wheat genotypes, respectively. The solution culture experiments were set up in a completely randomized block design and plants fed with Johnson’s grass solution. All traits were assessed at 30 and 60 DAPs (days after planting). Our results showed a significant difference between two groups of efficient and inefficient genotypes only at 60 DAP, and Zn-efficient genotypes showed 1.63-, 1.50-, 1.69- and 1.92-fold increases in root diameter, surface area density, shoot and root dry weight, respectively, compared to inefficient genotypes. In contrast, Zn-inefficient genotypes had 1.20- and 2.62-fold more root length and fineness, respectively, than efficient genotypes. The positive significant correlations were observed between shoot and Zn uptake as well as root dry weight and Zn uptake at both stages. Furthermore, shoot and root dry weight showed a significant correlation with root fineness, diameter and surface area density at both stages. The path analysis showed indirect effects on Zn uptake through root traits. Our results showed that roots have a major role in Zn efficiency. Therefore, the better growth and greater Zn uptake in efficient genotypes, compared to inefficient ones, can be attributed to greater root diameter and surface area density, and lower root fineness in these genotypes.     

Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth potential in the Slovak rural landscape

By the application of geographic information system (GIS) based on existing databases on soil characteristics, it is possible to quantify and assess categories of soil suitability important for crop cultivation. In this article we demonstrate such methods for winter wheat. The objective was to differentiate the Slovak rural landscape with respect to the possibility of effective winter wheat cultivation. The differentiation was based on soil climatic and production economic parameters. For soil categorization, correlation relationships between the site properties (soil and climatic conditions) and crop biological and agro-technical requirements were considered. The prediction was subsequently interpolated into four suitability categories: soils not suitable for wheat cultivation, less suitable soils, suitable soils, and very suitable soils. The database was developed and each area was added to it as well as the particular category of suitability for wheat cultivation. By using the GIS distribution in Slovakia, the maps of soil suitability categories for wheat cultivation were generated. In Slovakia, 29% of farmland was found to be very suitable for wheat cultivation, 25% suitable, 9% less suitable and 37% non-suitable by our calculations. These categories are characterized in detail and specified from the point of view of geographic, soil, climatic, production, economic and energetic parameters.     

Effect of nitrogen fertilizer levels and irrigation on quality characteristics in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

In order to evaluate irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilization on quality characteristics of wheat cultivars, a field experiment was carried out using split-plot factorial design based on randomized complete block design with three replications in Quchan, Iran (2010–2012). Main plots were assigned with four irrigation regimes; I1, 90 mm; I2, 130 mm; I3, 170 mm based on evaporation from a class A pan; and I4, water deficit stress during post-anthesis stage; sub-plots were assigned with four levels of nitrogen (N1, 0; N2, 70; N3, 140; and N4, 210 kg ha^?1); and three wheat cultivars (V1, Mihan; V2, C-87-6; and V3, C-87-11) were used as factorial. The results showed that nitrogen fertilization increased some quality characteristics. Under water deficit (I4), gluten index, grain protein content, grain yield, and sedimentation volume decreased. Significant interactions between irrigation regimes and both nitrogen levels and cultivars were observed.     

Polymer coated DAP helps in enhancing growth,yield and phosphorus use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) is one of the major reasons of poor wheat production worldwide. Among the various approaches used to enhance PUE, polymer coated fertilizers are relatively a new concept. Keeping this in view, a field study was conducted to evaluate polymer coated di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) to enhance growth, yield and PUE of wheat. Commercial DAP and polymer coated DAP (50%, 75% and 100% of recommended dose) were tested in wheat. Results revealed that application of 50% polymer coated DAP produced the same results or higher than 100% commercial DAP. However, the maximum increase in growth (plant height, root length, number of tillers m^?2, inter-nodal distance), yield (number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, grain yield and biological yield) and phosphorus acquisition by wheat was observed with 100% polymer coated DAP. Moreover, 100% polymer coated DAP increased phosphorus recovery and agronomic efficiency compared to other treatments.     

Assessment of variation in drought tolerance using some key physiological criteria in potential wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars of different geographic origins

The present experiment comprised seven wheat cultivars, two drought levels (0 and 17% PEG-8000) and four replicates. The seeds of six wheat cultivars (Al-lugaimi, Bonus, Kronos, Yecora-rojo, Irena and Sama) were supplied by the King Saud University, Riyaz, Saudi Arabia, whereas S-24 was obtained from the Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The seeds were allowed to germinate and grow for 20 days in medium having full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution or Hoagland's solution with 17% PEG-8000. For the appraisal of drought tolerance, various physiological traits such as gas-exchange attributes (A, E, C_i, g_s , and A/E), leaf water relations (ψ_w, ψ_s and ψ_p) and the activities of key antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD and CAT) were determined. On the basis of biomass and gas-exchange attributes (A, E, and g_s ), cultivars Al-lugaimi and Sama were found to be drought tolerant, cultivars Yecora-rojo and Irena moderately drought tolerant, and cultivars S-24, Bonus and Kronos drought sensitive. However, plant osmotic adjustment and the activities of potential antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD and CAT) were not found to be associated with drought tolerance of the different wheat cultivars.     

干旱胁迫与外源激素PDJ对不同基因型小麦化感潜力的诱导调控

盆载条件下对4个不同基因型小麦品种于播种前以外源激素PDJ(10 mg·L-1)浸种处理和返青期始干旱胁迫,测定其光合特性、水分利用和化感抗草差异.结果表明:水分胁迫(田间持水量的45%)和PDJ处理均能增强几种供试小麦的化感抗草诱导效应,两者均通过降低杂草生物量从而抑制杂草生长.水分胁迫和PDJ处理均能增强"兰考95-25"、"小偃6号"拔节期的叶片光合速率,降低气孔限制值和提高水分利用率;"豫麦66"PDJ处理下可增强光合作用而降低水分利用率,但干旱胁迫下则相反;"兰考217"经PDJ处理光合速率和水分利用率均降低.典范对应分析发现供试小麦受到干旱胁迫和外源激素PDJ处理后会引起植物形态和光合生理的变化,从而影响其化感抗草特性.小麦整体化感潜势与以杂草生物量(杂草鲜重/盆)表示的抗草指标显著相关,而小麦的整体抗草特性主要与其水分利用率、光合速率和蒸腾速率显著正相关,与植物地上生物量、株高、节间距离和气孔导度显著负相关.     

气候变暖对春小麦籽粒痕量元素利用率的影响

为了回答温度升高是否会改变痕量元素在士壤中的溶解性,以及作物对痕量元素的生物利用率,在人工气候室模拟未来气候变化温度升高背景下,对种植在不同温度处理的3种春小麦,测定了籽粒中Cd,Cu,Fe和Zn含量.结果发现温度升高引起了土壤中Cd,Cu,Fe和Zn溶解性的显著变化,也显著地影响小麦籽粒中Cd,Cu,Fe和Zn的生物利用率.最高升温3℃处理使西旱1号、2号和3号小麦籽粒中Cd浓度相比对照分别下降43.4％、11.1％和13.4％,Cu浓度相比对照处理分别下降了30.4％、25.1％和10.8％.但Fe和Zn的情况却不同,1℃和2℃升温处理使西旱1号籽粒中Zn浓度比对照处理分别增加了28.9％和35.8％.根据未来气候变化两北地区温度升高1.9℃,估计到2050年,小麦籽粒中的质量分数范围分别在Cd(0.59-0.65)、Cu(5.91-7.64)、Zn(63.73-69.41)和Fe(185.23-202.70) mg/kg.     

Allelic diversity of HMW and LMW glutenin subunits and omega-gliadins in French bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat endosperm storage proteins, namely gliadins and glutenins, are the major components of gluten. They play an important role in dough properties and in bread making quality in various wheat varieties. In the present study, the different alleles encoded at the 6 glutenin loci and at 3 -gliadin loci were identified from a set of 200 hexaploid wheat cultivars grown primarily in France using SDS PAGE. At Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and Glu-D1, encoding high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), 3, 8 and 5 alleles were observed respectively. Low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) displayed similar polymorphism, as 5 and 11 alleles were identified at loci Glu-A3 and Glu-B3 respectively. Four alleles were observed at Glu-D3 loci. Omega-gliadin diversity was also very high, as 7, 13 and 9 alleles were found at Gli-A1, Gli-B1 and Gli-D1, respectively. A total of 147 (or 149) patterns resulted from the genetic combination of the alleles encoding at the six glutenin loci (or Glu-1 and Gli-1 loci). Although Glu-1 and Glu-3 loci were located on different chromosome arms and were theoretically independent, some associations were revealed due to pedigree relatedness between some French wheat cultivars. The usefulness of allelic identification of LMW-GS together with HMW-GS and gliadins for future genetic and technological wheat improvement is discussed.     

不同小麦品种生育期氮素效率差异的变化特征

以6个小麦品种(洛麦1、郑麦9023、豫麦18、小偃22、小偃6和小偃107)为材料,设置低氮和高氮两个处理,分别在小麦的4个生育期收获取样,研究了不同小麦品种生育期氮吸收和利用效率差异的变化特征及其与相关生理参数的关系。研究结果表明,氮吸收方面,洛麦1为低氮高效品种,小偃107为高氮高效品种;氮利用方面,豫麦18为低氮高效品种,洛麦1为高氮高效品种;小偃6在两个氮处理中无论是氮吸收还是氮利用均为低效品种。造成小麦氮吸收或利用效率差异的主要时期为灌浆期到成熟期之间的籽粒产量形成阶段。低氮条件下,氮利用高效品种灌浆期的地上部谷氨酰胺合成酶活性也较高,而根系生物量和根系活力与小麦氮吸收效率无明显相关。     

Yield production and water-use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under shallow groundwater use in semi-arid region

As a free water resource, groundwater is extensively used for agricultural purposes. This is sometimes referred to as underground irrigation. Two-year lysimetric experiments from 2009 to 2011 were conducted in order to determine the effects of different shallow water table levels without any supplementary irrigation on water requirements, yield production and water-use efficiencies of three wheat cultivars namely W33g, Cross Alborz and Bahar. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block factorial experiment design with three replicates at the Razi University Lysimetric Research Station, Iran. Nine treatments were applied to each experiment by maintaining groundwater EC of 5 dS m^?1, with different water table levels of 0.6, 0.80 and 1.10 m, respectively. The results showed the highest and lowest groundwater uses by wheat for water table depths of 0.6 m and 1.10 m, during the experimental years, respectively. For all wheat cultivars, the average groundwater contributions were found to be 70.90% (5 mm day^?1), 67.85% (4.3 mm day^?1) and 63.4% (3.6 mm day^?1) for water table levels of 0.60, 0.80 and 1.10 m, respectively. Finally, the results showed the highest yield production and groundwater-use efficiency under water table levels of 0.80 m for all the three wheat cultivars.     

适宜钾浓度降低小麦蚜虫密度的生理代谢机理

【目的】从对植物基础代谢影响的角度,研究施钾降低麦株蚜虫密度的作用机理,为田间小麦蚜虫的生态调控提供科学依据。【方法】采用水培试验,设置5个钾水平（KCl 0.005、0.05、0.5、2、10 mmol/L）,每个钾水平均进行蚜虫侵染和不侵染处理,每个处理重复3次,并于麦株五叶一心时进行蚜虫侵染,将虫龄大小一致的成年无翅蚜虫接种在小麦的最新完全展开叶上,每株小麦用5头蚜虫侵染。然后,分别于蚜虫侵染4天和8天两个时间节点调查麦株蚜虫密度并取样,分析钾水平和蚜虫取食对小麦叶片游离氨基酸、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量的影响。【结果】钾水平在0.005~0.5 mmol/L范围内,蚜虫侵染后第4天,单位干物质重的蚜虫密度随着钾水平的提高显著降低,进一步提高钾水平,蚜虫的群体密度差异并不显著;而在蚜虫侵染后第8天,蚜虫的群体密度随着钾水平的升高而显著降低。随着钾水平提高,未被蚜虫侵染的小麦植株其游离氨基酸含量呈降低趋势,而可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量则呈先升高后降低趋势;被蚜虫侵染的小麦植株其游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白含量的变化趋势不变,而可溶性糖含量则呈持续增加趋势。同一测定时间与不接虫处理相比,接虫处理随着钾水平的提高,蚜虫侵染诱导的游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白含量降低,而可溶性糖含量增加。两个时间节点相比,随时间推移,不接虫处理游离氨基酸、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖含量的平均增幅分别为2.6%、18.1%、2.0%,而接虫处理上述指标平均增幅分别为67.3%、20.9%、22.9%,与不接虫处理相比,接虫处理麦株游离氨基酸和可溶性糖含量增幅较大。此外,蚜虫侵染诱导的游离氨基酸、可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量的增加量,都与相应时间节点的蚜虫群体密度显著或极显著相关,其中,接虫4天和接虫8天的相关系数分别为0.948、0.920、-0.908和0.944、0.985、-0.991。而组成型的可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖含量与相应时间节点蚜虫群体密度间相关性不显著,游离氨基酸含量却与之呈极显著正相关,接虫4和8天的相关系数分别为0.995和0.944。【结论】提高钾水平可能通过降低小麦组成型游离氨基酸的含量,降低蚜虫取食诱导型游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白积累,提高诱导型可溶性糖的积累,共同降低麦长管蚜密度。     

Effects of sowing date, tillage and residue management on productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system in northwest India

In southwestern region of Punjab in north India, sowing dates of cotton crop in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system are staggered from last week of April to mid of May depending upon the surface water supply from canal as ground water is not fit for irrigation. Further, farmers practice intensive cultivation for seedbed preparation and burning of wheat straw before sowing of cotton crop. With the present farmers’ practices, yields have become static and system has become non-profitable. Field experiments were conducted on Entisols for two rotations of cotton–wheat system during the years of 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 in split plot design to study the direct and interactive effects of date of sowing and tillage-plus-wheat residue management practices on growth and yield of cotton and wheat and to increase the profitability by reducing the tillage operations, which costs about 50% of the sowing cost. The pooled analysis showed that in cotton crop, there was a significant interaction between year × dates of sowing. Among different tillage-plus-wheat residue management practices yields were 23–39% higher in tillage treatments than minimum-tillage. In wheat, grain yield in tillage treatments were at par. Water productivity amongst the tillage treatments in cotton was 19–27% less in minimum tillage than others tillage treatments. Similar trend was found in wheat crop. Remunerability of the cotton–wheat system was more with a combination of reduced tillage in cotton and minimum tillage in wheat than conventional tillage.     

Light intensity selectively influences the distribution and further redistribution of macro- and micronutrients in hydroponically grown wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Investigations were focused on light effects on allocation of root-borne macronutrients (calcium, magnesium and potassium) and micronutrients (iron, manganese, zinc and copper) in roots, shoots and harvested grains of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Plants were exposed to low (100 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1) or high light (380 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1). High light stimulated both root and shoot growth. While the total contents per plant of some nutrients were markedly higher (calcium and potassium) or lower (copper) under high light, no major differences were observed for other nutrients. The distribution of nutrients and the further redistribution within the shoot were influenced by the light intensity in an element-specific manner. Nutrients were selectively directed to the leaves of the main shoot (low light) or to the tillers (high light). The quality of the harvested grains was also affected by the light intensity.     

A Method for the Determination of Alkaloids in Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceae L.) using HPLC and Solid Phase Extraction

Abstract

A method for the determination of hordenine, gramine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine and N-methyltryptamine in reed canarygrass is described. The material is chopped into pieces, 0.5–1 cm, and extracted overnight in 20% ethanol and 1% acetic acid. The extract is purified by solid phase extraction using a strong cation exchange column. Interferences are removed by selective elution with water and methanol. The alkaloids are eluted with 1 M potassium acetate in methanol and the analysis is carried out by HPLC and UV detection. The column used was Kromasil C₁₈ and the eluent comprised 30% methanol, 1 mM N,N-dimethyloctylamine, 10 mM sodium heptansulfonic acid and 25 mM citrate buffer, pH 3.1. The influence of eluent composition, together with extraction and purification parameters, was investigated. The alkaloids recovered by the extraction and determination methods ranged from 74 to 85% and the alkaloid concentration determined in the variety Palaton was in good agreement with earlier reports.