The Promotive Effects of Nephthyl Acetic Acid on Maize Cultivars Grown Under Saline Conditions

Soil salinity is becoming a major problem due to a variety of natural and man-caused factors particularly in arid areas. The present study documented on the effect of nephthyl acetic acid (NAA) foliar spray on physiological attributes of maize including growth responses, osmolites, and antioxidant enzymatic activities of the selected maize varieties PSEV3-2(ES) and Sarhad yellow at vegetative stage exposed to different sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations of 20mM to 100mM, through pot experiments. Osmolites and antioxidant enzymes serve as physiological markers for selected maize varieties under saline conditions. The maximum increase in osmolites and protein contents, Peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.x), Superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), Catalse (EC 1.11.1.6) and Ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) activities in Sarhad yellow indicating the tolerance level of this variety as compare to PSEV3-2(ES). It has been concluded that the reduction in growth responses due to salinity has been improved by the exogenous application of nephthyl acetic acid.     

Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nano Particles and Their Effect on Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plant

In the current literature, the impact of nano-particles (NPs) on growth of higher plants has scantly been reported. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of zinc oxide nano-particles (<100 nm) on growth of maize (Zea mays L.) plant, as one of the major agricultural crops, in a solution culture system. Various concentrations of zinc (Zn) were applied through nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) particles (<100 nm) in suspension form and in ionic form through zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) salt in Hoagland solution culture. Experimental results showed that nano zinc oxide particles could enhance and maintain the growth of maize plant as well as conventional Zn fertilizer (as ZnSO₄). The plant parameters like plant height, root length, root volume, and dry matter weight were all improved due to application of zinc oxide nano-particle. These findings indicate that plant roots might have the unique mechanism of assimilating nano-Zn and using for its growth and development. Different enzymatic activities were also studied and experimental results revealed that nano-ZnO particles (<100 nm) also governed the enzymatic activity of maize plant. A separate laboratory experiment was also carried out to characterize the zinc oxide nano particle for its size, zeta potential, etc.     

干旱胁迫对玉米根系生长及根际养分的影响

通过盆栽模拟干旱试验，测定了干旱胁迫下玉米根系生长情况和根际土壤中速效N、P、K的含量。结果表明，干旱胁迫抑制了玉米拔节期和抽雄-开花期玉米根系的生长，减弱了玉米根系的吸收能力。干旱胁追下玉米根际NH4^＋-N、NO3^--N、速效P和速效K均发生根际富集现象。其中有效N和速效K含量高于正常供水．而速效P却呈现低于正常供水的趋势。干旱胁追抑制玉米根系生长、减弱根系吸收能力是玉米减产的重要原因。     

Foliar nutrition of baby corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during late Rabi (January to March) and Kharif (June to September) seasons of 2002, to study the influence of foliar spraying of nutrients on growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three nutrients (phosphorous [P], potassium [K] and boron [B]) each at three concentrations along with control (water spray) and absolute control (no spray). Di-ammonium phosphate, Muriate of Potash and Borax are the sources of P, K and B nutrients respectively. Results showed that spraying of P favorably influenced the growth parameters, yield attributes and green cob and fodder yields of baby corn. Application of P at 0.75% concentration at 25 and 45 days after sowing (DAS) gave significantly higher growth parameters with thicker cobs and corns, increasing the individual cob weight, which in turn increased the green cob yield of baby corn. Increased growth parameters resulted in increased green fodder yield. Application of B and K with different concentrations and P (0.25 and 0.50%) failed to influence the growth and yield of baby corn.     

Effect of Potassium Supplies on the Nutritional Status of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The effect of soil potassium (K) supplies on the yield and nutritional status of maize and on interactions between the nutrients was examined in a long-term mineral fertilization experiment on maize. The experiment was set up in 1989 in Hungarian Great Plain, Szarvas on chernozem meadow soil calcareous in the deeper layers, with four levels each of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) supplies. The present paper describes the results of K fertilization in the 7–19th years of the experiment, from 1996 to 2008. The ammonium (NH₄)-lactate (AL) potassium oxide (K₂O) content of the ploughed layer ranged from 200 to 550 mg kg^–1 depending on the K fertilization level. No significant yield surpluses were recorded in any of the 13 years in response to the better K supplies ensured by K fertilizer. The results of leaf analysis indicated that the K concentrations representing satisfactory K supplies at a grain yield level of 10–14 t ha^–1 were 2.3–4.3% at the 5–6-leaf stage and 1.5–2.6% at the beginning of tasselling. When the AL-K₂O content of the soil was above 200–320 mg kg^–1, K– calcium (Ca), K–magnesium (Mg) and K–copper (Cu) antagonism was observed in the nutrient concentrations of the maize leaves in most years. The limit values of satisfactory nutrient supplies for maize in the 5–6-leaf stage and at the beginning of tasselling were 0.25–0.60% for Ca, 0.15–0.40% for Mg, and 7–11 mg kg^–1 and 2–11 mg kg^–1, respectively, for Cu. In dry years the iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of maize leaves declined at higher soil K supply levels.     

Morpho-physiological and biochemical response of maize (Zea mays L.) plants fertilized with nano-iron (Fe3O4) micronutrient

Nano-sized formulations of micronutrient iron (Fe) were found to substantially alter the growth and metabolism of maize plants. Plants fertilized with the optimal recommended dose of Fe in the nano-form (54 μM) registered an enhancement in morphological features, viz. plant height, biomass (shoot and root), and diminution in antioxidant enzyme activities than the plants fertilized with the sub-optimal dose of Fe in the macroform (salts). However, half of the recommended dosage of Fe (27 μM) in the nano-form positively influenced leaf area and proline content of plants too. This indicated that there is a possibility of reducing the dose of Fe supplement for plants in the nano-form to increase the nutrient use efficiency in a major cereal crop like maize. This may open a new era in plant nutrient management with a scope for improvement in nutrient use efficiency using nano-nutrient formulations.     

乙酸胁迫下东方伊萨酵母的蛋白组学分析

为了探究果酒酵母菌混合发酵下东方伊萨酵母(Issatchenkio orientalis 166,Io 166)耐受乙酸的分子机制,采用串联质谱标签(TMT)技术分析差异表达蛋白,进行乙酸胁迫条件下蛋白质组学的研究。结果表明,在对数生长期中期乙酸胁迫下Io 166生长会受到抑制,但Io 166会逐渐适应乙酸胁迫并产生抗性,胁迫4 h后共有461个蛋白差异表达,其中327个上调,134个下调。这些蛋白经注释和统计分析表明,在乙酸胁迫下,谷胱甘肽的合成增加,几种具有抗氧化特性的蛋白质(如PXP9、HYR1、CCP1)上调,对细胞耐受乙酸起到关键作用。此外,与氨基酸(如精氨酸)生物合成和代谢过程相关的蛋白差异表达,热激蛋白(HSP)高度表达以降解聚集和错误折叠的蛋白。本研究结果为Ⅰ.orientalis耐受乙酸提供了理论依据,并对提高果酒耐受乙酸发酵具有潜在的应用价值。     

Morphophysiological Traits Imparting Salinity Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids under Saline Water Irrigation in Vertisols

Maize is categorized as a salt-sensitive crop and identification of fairly salt-tolerant lines is of paramount importance for increasing its production on saline soils. Experiments were conducted in randomized block design with three replications to identify maize accessions showing response to saline water irrigation, traits imparting tolerance, and their effect on yield attributes of maize. Significant variation was present among genotypes for specific leaf area (SLA), potassium (K) content, cob characteristics, yield, biomass, and harvest index. High amount of heritability with large genetic advance indicated the presence of additive gene action for traits like leaf water potential and leaf dry weight. Association analysis revealed high correlation between key traits and direct as well as positive effect of these traits on yield. Principal component analysis resolved three principal components, and high leaf area and water potential were conferring salt tolerance and thus higher yield.     

The Induction of Salinity Stress Resistance in Rosemary as Influenced by Salicylic Acid and Jasmonic Acid

This pot study was carried out as a factorial experiment. The foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) both, at three levels and salinity stress at four levels were applied. The results showed that salinity resulted in a significant loss of most morphological traits, protein, total chlorophyll, and catalase activity, whereas leaf proline content, superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase and chlorophyll b significantly increased. The interaction of the three studied factors influenced protein content and plant weight significantly. Although salinity stress reduced these traits, SA application improved them. Also, SA application entailed the improvements in plant growth, proline, and antioxidant enzymes under salinity stress. Nonetheless, JA application had slight or insignificant impact on the traits. Thus, we can say that rosemary is relatively capable of coping with salinity. But, when the stress is intensified, even the resistance mechanism of the plant fails to counteract the severe stress.     

Variability Among Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines for Seed Longevity

Genotypes conserved in active collections may suffer genetic erosion and modifications. The objective of this work was to investigate changes in germination and vigour in maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines during cold storage in an active collection. Seeds of 16 maize inbreds produced along 16 years were evaluated for emergence and seedling vigour in a growth chamber. Linear and quadratic regressions of vigour and viability-related traits over seed age were calculated and tested for homogeneity. The seed of five production years of five inbreds that behaved differently in the regression analysis was multiplied in 1998, and original and renewed seed were evaluated in a growth chamber in 1999. Viability and vigour decreased linearly with age for most inbreds, particularly for B84 and EP10, varied at random for a few inbreds, and remained high for EP56 and A295. Aging caused reduction of vigour and loss of viability in most inbreds. There was variability for seed longevity among inbred lines; longevity was highest for inbred EP56. During storage, some seeds of each inbred died, while enduring seeds, when multiplied, produced new seed with enhanced viability and vigour compared to the average seed of the inbred, suggesting natural selection for viability and vigour during storage within inbred lines.     

玉米单倍体胚性愈伤的诱导与鉴定

为建立一套适合玉米单倍体胚性愈伤培养和快速筛选体系,以单倍体诱导系MT-1为父本,18-599红为母本进行单倍体诱导,设置暗培养、全光照培养和光暗周期培养3种光照培养方式,均分别培养0、1、5、10、20、40 h后,观察幼胚形态和颜色。结果表明,自交系18-599红的单倍体和二倍体幼胚均能正常诱导形成胚性愈伤组织;不同光照培养方式对紫色(二倍体)愈伤率的检出效果依次为光培养>光暗周期培养>暗培养。通过光照筛选的方法可在早期鉴定愈伤组织,其二倍体愈伤的筛选率在培养20 h时可达68%,40 h时为71%,剔除了大部分非单倍体愈伤,综合分析确定光照强度为2 000 lx、20℃处理20 h为最适光照筛选处理。染色体压片技术获得的拟单倍体愈伤中有二倍体愈伤的检出,但经流式细胞仪检出获得的拟单倍体愈伤再经染色体压片检测,无二倍体愈伤,表明流式细胞仪检测单倍体愈伤的准确性高于染色体压片技术。通过光照初步筛选结合流式细胞仪的精确鉴定,迅速从3 000个单倍体愈伤中获得110个单倍体愈伤,单倍体愈伤率3.67%。本研究结果为以玉米单倍体愈伤为转基因受体,快速获得转基因植株提供了一定的技术支撑和理论参考。     

Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain Yield Response to Methods of Nitrogen Fertilization

ABSTRACT

In the developing world, fertilizer application is commonly achieved by broadcasting nutrients to the soil surface without incorporation. A commonly used nitrogen (N) source is urea and if not incorporated, can sustain N losses via ammonia volatilization and lower crop yields. This study evaluated the effect of planting, N rate and application methods on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. An experiment with a randomized complete block design (nine treatments and three replications) was established in 2013 and 2018 in Oklahoma. The planting methods included; farmer practice (FP), Oklahoma State University hand planter (OSU-HP), and John Deere (JD) mechanical planter. Side-dress N application methods included; dribble surface band (DSB), broadcast (BR), and OSU-HP. Nitrogen was applied at the rate of 30 and 60 kg ha^?1 as urea and UAN at V8 growth stage. On average, planting and applying N at 60 kg ha^?1 using OSU-HP resulted in the highest yield (11.4 Mg ha^?1). This exceeded check plot yield (5.59 Mg ha^?1) by 104%. Nitrogen application improved grain yield by over 57% when compared to the 0-N check (8.77 Mg ha^?1). Mid-season N placement below the soil surface using OSU-HP makes it a suitable alternative to improve grain yield.     

Silicon Effects on Metal Tolerance and Structural Changes in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown on a Cadmium and Zinc Enriched Soil

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - The southern sector of the Guadiana River basin (GRB) drains the central-western part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, an area with many polymetallic sulfide deposits...     

Growth Promotion of Maize (Zea mays L.) by Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria under Field Conditions

Plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in plant health and soil fertility. The experiment was conducted as factorial experiment with two factors of Azospirillum and Azotobacter. The bacterial strains were Azospirillum lipoferum s-21, A. brasilense DSM 1690, A. lipoferum DSM 1691, Azotobacter chroococcum s-5, and A. chroococcum DSM 2286. The results indicated that growth promotion by PGPR appears from early stages of growth, 45 days after inoculation (DAI). Beneficial effects of bacterial inoculation on ear growth were observed after 75 DAI. Inoculation with PGPR increased dry weights of leaf, stem, and grain and hence total biomass sampled at 90, 105, and 120 (harvest time) DAI. The greatest grain weight was produced by Azospirillum s-21 inoculation. Dual inoculation with Azotobacter s-5 + Azospirillum s-21 significantly increased total dry weight up to 115%. Results of this study showed that leaf area index and crop growth index were significantly affected by bacterial treatments.     

玉米苗期磷效率相关根系分泌物的QTL定位

为了充分利用现有的遗传信息和基因资源,揭示玉米磷营养高效的分子机制,本研究以磷高效玉米自交系082和磷低效玉米自交系掖107为亲本组配的F2世代为作图群体,采用SSR和AFLP分子标记构建了遗传连锁图,以两个时期,两个磷水平和两个地点共4种环境下的241个F2∶3家系各性状的平均值作为表型值,采用复合区间作图法定位了磷效率相关的3种根系分泌物的QTL。四种环境下检测表明,(1)检测到4个影响酸性磷酸酶活性的QTL,其中有两个QTL AP1-KXNP和AP9-KXNP被重复检测到,分别分布在第1和9二条染色体上,所在标记区间分别为bnlg1268a-umc1290a和P1M3/d-P1M3/g,在染色体上的位点分别为bin1.09和bin9.04,单个QTL解释酸性磷酸酶变异的9%～16%,2个QTL共解释酸性磷酸酶变异的25%;(2)检测到5个影响有机酸含量的QTL,其中只有1个在两种环境下被重复检测到,位于第9染色体上,标记区间为P1M3/f-P1M7/g,在染色体上的位点为bin9.03;(3)检测到5个影响H+含量的QTL,但没有一个被重复检测到。结果表明,影响酸性磷酸酶活性的两个QTL AP1-KXN...     

Thermal Properties of Starch from Selected Maize (Zea mays L.) Mutants During Development

The changes in thermal properties of maize starches during five stages of kernel maturity, (12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 days after pollination [DAP]), from three mutant genotypes, amylose extender (ae), sugary-2 (su₂), and waxy (wx) in an OH43 background, and the OH43 genotype were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Within a genotype, DSC values of starches at 24, 30, and 36 DAP were similar to each other and often were significantly different (P < 0.05) from the values at 12 DAP, indicating possible differences in the fine structure of starch during endosperm development. For su₂ starches, the gelatinization onset temperature (T_oG) significantly decreased after 12 DAP and remained low throughout the study. The gelatinization range (R_G) had a similar pattern. For wx starches, T_oG at 18 DAP was significantly lower than at 12 DAP but tended to increase after 18 DAP. The R_G increased significantly after 12 DAP and significantly decreased after 30 DAP. Thus, thermal properties of starches during early development were different from those of their mature counterparts, and differences among the mutant genotypes and the normal starch originated from the earliest endosperm development stage studied (12 DAP).     

Change of Zinc Forms in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants as Influenced by Soil Drought Condition

A rhizobox experiment was conducted to study the changes of various zinc (Zn) forms in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils of maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown under well-watered and drought conditions. The tested soil was earth-cumulic orthic anthrosol sampled from the Shaanxi Province of China. The experiment was set at two levels of Zn, 0 and 5.0 mg Zn kg^?1 soil, and at two treatments of soil water content, 45%–50% (drought) and 70%–75% (well watered) of soil water-holding capacity. A completely randomized factorial design (2 Zn treatments × 2 water levels × 3 replicates) was set up. Adequate soil water supply enhanced growth and Zn accumulation of maize plants. Applying Zn increased plant biomass and Zn content more notably under well-watered conditions rather than drought conditions. Soil Zn was defined as water-soluble plus exchangeable (WSEXC) Zn, carbonate-bound Zn (CA), iron–manganese oxide–bound Zn (FeMnOX), organic matter–bound Zn (OM), and residual Zn (RES) forms using the sequential extraction procedure. Most of Zn was predominantly in the RES fraction. Zinc application increased the contents of WSEXC Zn, CA Zn, and FeMnOX Zn in soil. When Zn was added to the soil, the concentrations of CA Zn within 0–2 mm and 0–4 mm apart from the central root compartment (CC) were greater than other zones under the conditions of adequate and limited soil water supplies, respectively. Zinc application also resulted in an accumulation of FeMnOX fractions at a distance of 2 mm from CC. The FeMnOX Zn content in this compartment increased with soil drought. Under well-watered conditions, dry-matter weight and Zn concentration of shoots presented better correlations with CA Zn and FeMnOX Zn fractions in and near the rhizosphere as compared with drought conditions. It is suggested that in an earth-cumulic orthic anthrosol, soil moisture conditions affect the transformation of the added Zn into the CA and FeMnOX fractions near the rhizosphere and their bioavailability to maize plants.     

Deforestation and Cultivation with Maize (Zea mays L.) has a Profound Effect on the Bacterial Community Structure in Soil

In this study, the effect of deforestation and cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.) on the physicochemical characteristics and the bacterial community structure in soil were studied at the national park Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Nevado de Toluca in Mexico. Soil was sampled from three forested areas in the national park, from three deforested areas grazed by animals and from three areas cultivated with maize. The soil was characterized chemically and biologically, whilst the bacterial community structure was investigated through 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The pH in the forest soil decreased from 6·1 to 5·3 in the maize‐cultivated soil, whilst the soil organic C content decreased 1·4 times in the arable soil compared with the forest soil. The microbial biomass C decreased 2·9 times in the arable soil compared with the forest soil, but the metabolic quotient qCO₂ (ratio basal respiration to microbial biomass C) nearly doubled. Deforestation and maize cultivation reduced the abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whereas Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes and Firmicutes were resistant to these changes. It was found that soil characteristics were affected negatively by deforestation and nearly half of the organic matter was lost, and on these sloped fields, erosion will be high, further decreasing soil fertility. Although the relative abundance of a number of bacterial groups was reduced by deforestation, others were not affected by land‐use change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

空间诱变对玉米自交系产量性状配合力的诱变效应

空间诱变育种具有诱变效率高、变异幅度大、育种周期短等特点,是创新种质、拓展种质基础、丰富种质资源的重要途径.为探明空间诱变对不同玉米自交系产量性状配合力的诱变效应,本研究以3份玉米(Zea mays L.)骨干自交系08-641、RP125和18-599为空间诱变基础材料,分别从诱变处理后代中选出优良诱变系为母本,以常用玉米自交系Mo17、478和黄早四等为父本配制杂交组合,在四川和云南两个环境条件下对各杂交组合进行田间试验鉴定,对单株产量性状进行配合力分析.结果表明,08-641和RP125诱变系单株产量一般配合力(GCA)有所降低,18-599诱变系Y2709和Y3235单株产量GCA极显著高于对照.空间诱变对三份玉米自交系单株产量性状配合力效应影响程度不同,总体表现为RP125诱变系变异幅度最大,18-599诱变系次之,08-641诱变系最小.对各杂交组合进行杂种优势分析结果显示,诱变系S1449、Y2803、Y3165和Y3235的杂种优势表现明显,可能具有较大的育种潜势.这些研究结果不仅丰富了玉米育种的物质基础,而且丰富了玉米诱变育种的理论内涵.