Studies on Zn uptake and influence of Zn and Fe on chlorophyll development in young maize cultivars

Maize (Zea mays L.) seeds of hybrid Ganga‐2 and its parent cultivars were germinated and allowed to absorb Zn labelled ZnCl₂ ^, ZnEDTA or ZnEDDHA for 24 hours. The translocation of Zn in seedlings raised from them was followed on 5, 7 and 10 days. It was found that while the endosperm Zn content decreased rapidly, there was no significant increase in Zn transported to scutellum, root and shoot. There was no difference between Zn treatments as well as between the cultivars. The results demonstrated the poor mobility of Zn in maize during early growth. Further studies showed that the pretreatment of seeds with ZnEDTA and low amount of Fe enhanced chlorophyll content in 10 day old seedlings. No hybrid vigor was observed either in Zn translocation, or effects of Zn and Fe on chlorophyll synthesis.     

Zinc‐stress response in some sorghum hybrids and parent cultivars: Significance of pH reduction and recovery from chlorosis

Zinc deficiency was induced in two sorghum hybrids and their parent cultivars by growing them in complete nutrient medium for 30 days and then transferring to minus zinc medium at pH 6.4. The onset of Zn chlorosis and recovery as well as the change in the pH of the nutrient medium under Zn‐stress conditions were recorded. It was found that chlorotic symptoms due to Zn deficiency appeared after 2 days of stress and persisted for a long period in the cultivars, 36‐A and 168, while the hybrid CSH‐7 (36‐A X 168) recovered from chlorosis after 12 days. The hybrid CSH‐8 (36‐A X PD‐3) was chlorotic after 2 days, but recovered after 15 days.

A significant hybrid vigor was observed for Zn‐stress tolerance in the hybrid CSH‐7 and CSH‐8.     

Differential zinc uptake and transport in sorghum varieties suited for different moisture regimes

Zinc absorption and transport were examined in M‐35 a drought resistant, and M‐47, a drought susceptible sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivar. Excised roots were employed to study the mechanisms of uptake at cellular level in these varieties.

The absorption over 0 to 130 μM ZnCl₂ followed a biphasic pattern with a second rise at 90 μM, a feature which was not observed in the absorption by roots of intact seedlings. While there were no differences in the patterns of absorption in the two cultivars, the transport to shoot in M‐35 followed a slower rate up to 90 μM than that in M‐47. When Zn uptake was examined for 6 hours, the absorption and transport showed a number of changes in phase, which were running parallel. The transport of Zn followed a higher rate in M‐47 than that in M‐35.

Phosphate decreased the uptake and also transport of Zn in both the varieties. However, Zn inhibited phosphate absorption and transport in intact seedlings differentially amongst the varieties. Further, the inhibition of Zn uptake was much less in M‐35 than in M‐47, a feature which will perhaps facilitate survival of M‐35 under water stress, a condition which would also limit phosphate availability.     

Differences in iron stress response and iron uptake in some sorghum varieties

Six sorghum (Sorghum vulqaris Pers.,) varieties representing male and female lines and hybrids were examined for their response to Fe‐stress, and their ability to absorb and transport Fe in the absence and presence of phosphate or CaCO,. It was found that the variety 2077‐A (male sterile female line) and the variety CSH‐5 (hybrid of 2077‐A r CS‐3541) showed distinct mechanism to tolerate and recover completely from chlorosis induced by Fe‐stress in 10 days. Furthermore, these 2 varieties were able to reduce the pH from 6.4 to 3.8 in about 9 days, and this was increased to about 6.2 in another 6 days, which period corresponded with the onset of chlorosis and subsequent recovery. The variety 2219‐A (male‐sterile female line) was also able to withstand Fe‐stress, although the chlorosis appeared only mild throughout. This variety also reduced pH from 6.4 to 4.5, but only after 14 days in the presence of CaCO₃ (8 mg/1), and this time corresponded to the period of complete recovery from chlorosis.

There appears to be no correlation between Fe uptake capacity and tolerance to Fe‐stress in these varieties. The presence of phosphate or CaCO₃ in the absorption medium was found to increase Fe absorption and transport in a few varieties.     

An examination of Fe deficiency stress response in relation to Fe uptake in two sorghum hybrids and their parent cultivars

Two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) hybrids CSH‐10 and ‐ 11 and their parent cultivars 296‐A, SB‐1055 and MR‐715 were examined for their tolerance to Fe‐deficiency stress, and also Fe uptake. It was observed that there was greater reduction of pH of the nutrient media and more rapid recovery from chlorosis only in the female parent 296‐A, and to some degree in the hybrids, but not in the male parents. The results indicated that Fe uptake‐translocation were inversely related to their Fe stress tolerance.     

An effective antioxidant defense provides protection against zinc deficiency‐induced oxidative stress in Zn‐efficient maize plants

Maize plants (Zea mays L. cv. Ganga 2 and cv. Jaunpuri satha) were grown in solution culture under glasshouse conditions at deficient (0 µM) and normal (1 µM) levels of Zn supply. Appearance of visible effects characteristic of Zn deficiency, depression in plant growth, and dry matter yield of the plants indicated that Ganga 2 was more susceptible to Zn deficiency than Jaunpuri satha. Higher susceptibility of Ganga 2 to Zn deficiency was also manifested by a greater decrease in plant dry mass and an increased accumulation of TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, describing lipid peroxidation). While total SOD activity was decreased in Zn deficient plants of Ganga 2, it was increased marginally in case of Jaunpuri satha. The marginal increase in total SOD activity in the Zn‐deficient Jaunpuri satha plants was a result of a marked increase in non‐CuZn SOD and only a slight decrease in CuZn SOD. Though Zn deficiency increased H₂O₂ concentration and the activities of H₂O₂‐scavenging enzymes in both the cultivars, there was less increase in H₂O₂ concentration and the activities of peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase were more prominently increased in the Zn‐efficient Jaunpuri satha. Plants of the susceptible variety, Ganga 2, accumulated higher concentrations of glutathione disulfide. It is concluded that the significant decreases in the activities of CuZn SOD (CN‐sensitive SOD) and glutathione reductase, and high concentrations of H₂O₂ predisposed Zn‐deficient Ganga 2 plants to more severe oxidative stress than those of Jaunpuri satha and, therefore, contributed to a greater decrease in dry matter production.     

Effects of Dibutyl phthalate and phthalic acid on chlorosis recovery in iron‐deficiency stressed sorghum cultivars

The effects of DBP (Dibutyl phthalate) and PA (Phthalic acid) supplied to the nutrient medium of Fe‐deficiency stressed sorghum cultivars, CSH‐5, 2077‐A, and CS‐3541 were examined. It was found that both the chemicals (50 mg/1) caused recovery of the cultivars CSH‐5 and 2077‐A in 4 days of treatment. Furthermore, the growth of roots, especially the adventitious roots, was increased by the chemicals.     

Effects of Forms and Rates of Zinc Fertilizers on Cadmium Concentrations in Two Cultivars of Maize

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of three soluble zinc (Zn) fertilizers on cadmium (Cd) concentrations in two genotypes of maize (Zea mays): Jidan 209 and Changdan 374. Zinc fertilizers were added to soil at four levels: 0, 80, 160, and 240 mg kg^?1 soil as nitrate [Zn(NO₃)₂], chloride (ZnCl₂), and sulfate (ZnSO₄). Cadmium nitrate [Cd(NO₃)₂] was added to all the treatments at a uniform rate equivalent to 10 mg kg^?1 soil. The biomass of maize plants was increased with the application of three zinc fertilizers, of which Zn(NO₃)₂ yielded more than others. Under ZnCl₂ treatment, plant growth was promoted at the lower level and depressed at the higher one. All the three fertilizers decreased Cd concentration in shoots in comparison with treatments without Zn, but there were variations with different forms, especially in plants treated with Zn(NO₃)₂, which had the minimal value. The orders of average Cd concentration in shoots with different zinc fertilizers were ZnSO₄>ZnCl₂>Zn(NO₃)₂ for Jidan 209 and ZnCl₂>ZnSO₄>Zn(NO₃)₂ for Changdan 374, respectively (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between ZnSO₄ and ZnCl₂ treatments. The lowest Cd concentration in shoots was found in the 80‐mg‐kg^?1 soil or 160‐mg‐kg^?1 soil treatment. Cadmium concentration in roots in the presence of ZnCl₂ was the lowest and under ZnSO₄ the highest. The mechanism involved needs to be studied to elucidate the characteristics of complexation of Cl^? and SO₄ ^2? with Cd in plants and their influence on transfer from roots to shoots.     

Cultivar differences for tolerance to Fe and Zn deficiency: A comparison of two maize hybrids and their parents

The Fe and Zn deficiency tolerances for two high yielding maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids (G‐2 and G‐5) and their parent cultivars were examined by growing them in nutrient solutions. The results indicated the occurrence of heterosis for Zn deficiency tolerance in G‐5, and to a lesser extent in G‐2. Each cultivar was susceptible to Fe deficiency and did not show signs of recovery from chlorosis. The symptoms of Fe deficiency were distinct from those for Zn deficiency. Plant growth was affected more by Fe deficiency than by Zn deficiency. The roots of cultivars were reduced in growth under Fe deficiency conditions.     

Effect of manganese on concentrations of Zn,K, Ca and Mg in two bush bean cultivars grown in solution culture

Two bush bean cultivars [Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. ‘Wonder Crop 2’ (WC‐2) and ‘Green Lord’ (GL)], differing in Mn toxicity, were grown in a growth chamber for 12 days in Hoagland No. 2 nutrient solution containing 0.05 to 1 ppm Mn as MnCl₂4H₂O with 1 ppm Fe as Fe‐EDTA, at an initial pH 5.00. Concentrations of Zn, K, Ca and Mg in the tissues of two bush bean cultivars were examined in relation to Mn toxicity.

The concentration of Zn in the leaves of Mn‐sensitive WC‐2 increased significantly with increasing Mn concentration in the solution, but such levels were not toxic to the plants.

The percent distribution of Zn and K in Mn‐sensitive WC‐2 plants (% of total uptake) significantly increased in the tops and decreased in the roots with increasing Mn concentration in the nutrient solution; however, Mn treatment had no effect on distribution of either Ca or Mg in WC‐2. External Mn concentration had little or no effect on the K, Ca, or Mg concentration in the tops of Mn‐tolerant GL.     

Effects of aluminum on organic acid,sugar and amino acid composition of the root system of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

The effects of aluminum on the accumulation of sugars, amino acids and organic acids in two hybrid cultivars of sorghum were studied.

The concentration of these organic compounds increased in the roots of the Al‐treated plants, mainly in the tolerant cultivar. The composition of the organic acid fraction showed a significantly higher accumulation of trans‐aconitate and malate in the tolerant cultivar as compared with the sensitive one. The higher levels of these acids in the Al‐treated plants could be interpreted as being indicative of a chelating detoxifying mechanism of aluminum in these plants.     

Absorption and transport of Na and Cl in rice cultivars differing in their tolerance to salinity: An examination of the effects of ammonium and potassium salts

The absorption and transport of Na and Cl from 0.1 mM and 10 mM ²²Na labelled NaCl or ³⁶Cl labelled KCl were examined in 15 days old seedlings of 3 cultivars of rice differing in their tolerance to salinity. Furthermore, the effects of 10, 100 and 1000 ppm (N)₂S on their uptake were studied. It was found that in general, the salt‐tolerant cultivars BR and PNL‐1 absorbed more Na and translocated a lesser proportion of it to the shoot, compared to the salt‐sensitive IR‐8, from 0.1 mM NaCl. The presence of (N)₂S reduced the uptake of Na in all the cultivars. It was also found that the presence of 100 ppm K, KN or NNreduced Na absorption from 0.1 mM NaCl significantly in all the cultivars, and the translocation to shoot in BR‐ Chloride transport from 0.1 mM NaCl was reduced by (N)₂S in all the cultivars. The 3 cultivars differed significantly in the rates of absorption and transport of Na and Cl. The results indicate that PNL‐1 which is a cross of IR‐8 X BR, has inherited the salt tolerance trait from BR. Lower rates of Na translocation to the shoot can be used as an index of salt tolerance in rice.     

Adaptive values of wild × cultivated sorghum (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> (L.) Moench) hybrids in generations F<Subscript>1</Subscript>, F<Subscript>2</Subscript>, and F<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Gene flow between cultivated and their wild relatives is one of the main ecological concerns associated with the introduction genetically modified (GM) cultivars. GM sorghum cultivar has been developed and its commercial production may be possible in the near future. The rate of gene flow depends on the fitness of wild × cultivated sorghum hybrids. The study aimed at estimating adaptive values of wild × cultivated sorghum hybrids in generations F₁, F₂, and F₃ compared to their parents. Artificial crosses of four wild sorghums, five cultivated sorghums, and two male sterile lines were made to produce the F₁ generation, which were advanced to F₂ and F₃. Each hybrid generation and their respective parents were evaluated for their adaptive value at two sites in a randomised complete block design with seven replicates. The resulting progenies did not show serious fitness penalties. Some hybrids were as fit as their respective wild parents and no consistent differences exist between the three generations studied. Thus, the resultant wild × cultivated hybrids may act as avenue for introgression.     

不同密度下品种间作对玉米水分平衡的影响

通过玉米品种"郑单958"与"沈单16号"分别在两种密度(45 000株.hm 2,60 000株.hm 2)下隔行间作试验,测定了不同生育期玉米茎流速率及根系导水率,结合生育期蒸腾水量和耗水量变化特征,分析了不同的品种间作模式对玉米水分平衡的影响。结果表明:两品种不同密度间作可以提高玉米的根系导水率和根系活力,延长功能期,且不同间作处理下,高密度品种根系导水率提高明显;不同品种茎流速率随其间作密度的提高呈增加趋势,且高密度间作品种日变化曲线呈"M"型,低密度为单峰曲线,间作下高密度品种茎流速率的最大值较早出现;各生育期内,高密度间作品种的蒸腾量高于低密度间作品种,高密度间作品种最大日蒸腾量出现在灌浆期和蜡熟期,低密度则出现在抽雄期和乳熟期。水分利用效率(WUE)呈现低密度单作<间作<高密度单作,主要受产量的影响。不同品种间作可以有效改善玉米的根系吸水能力,延长根系功能活性;间作可提高WUE,但效果不显著,这与间作品种组合和密度水平有关。     

Relationships Between Simple Grain Quality Parameters for the Estimation of Sorghum and Maize Hardness in Commercial Hybrid Cultivars

Grain hardness affects sorghum and maize processing properties especially for dry milling. A variety of simple grain quality parameters were assessed on 17 sorghum and 35 white maize hybrid cultivars grown in six and four locations, respectively, in South Africa. The purpose was to determine tests that can be used to distinguish hardness in commercial sorghum and maize. The grains were characterized by test weight (TW), thousand kernel weight (TKW), decortication with the tangential abrasive dehulling device (TADD), and kernel size. Maize was also characterized for susceptibility to breakage, stress cracking, and near‐infrared transmittance (NIT) milling index. Principal component analysis showed that, in nontannin and tannin sorghums, TADD hardness and TW were closely correlated (P < 0.001). In maize, TADD hardness was closely correlated (P < 0.001) with NIT milling index and TW. Hence, TADD hardness and NIT milling index or TADD hardness and TW would be suitable for maize hardness evaluation. A combination of TADD hardness, TW, TKW, and kernel size >3.35 mm can be used together to select sorghum grain for hardness. It thus appears that TADD hardness is an excellent method of estimating both sorghum and maize hardness that can be applied for routine batch analysis and cultivar evaluation.     

Scarification and Degermination of Sorghum for Grits Production: Effects of Hybrid and Conditioning

Three sorghum hybrids were tempered and decorticated with an abrasive‐type mill (scarifier) to produce low‐ash and low‐fat grits. The effects of tempering time and temperature were investigated, and the optimum tempering conditions for obtaining low‐ash and low‐fat grits were found for each sorghum hybrid. The conditions were 3 min at 30°C for bronze sorghum with heteroyellow endosperm, 40 min at 40°C for white sorghum with white endosperm, and 10 min at 20°C for red sorghum with white endosperm. The grits yields were low using the scarifier, hence, another abrasive‐type mill was investigated for improving grits yields. A modified experimental corn decorticator‐degerminator was used to dry‐mill the three sorghum hybrids tempered to the optimum conditions found with the scarifier. The yields were 45.3% grits with 0.23% ash and 0.18% fat for the bronze/heteroyellow hybrid, 49.1% grits with 0.22% ash and 0.36% fat for white/white hybrid, and 44.2% grits with 0.20% ash and 0.22% fat for red/white hybrid. This study showed that grits yields were higher and ash and fat contents were lower when sorghum was processed with the decorticator‐degerminator than with the scarifier under the same optimum conditioning.     

Evaluation of Nebraska Waxy Sorghum Hybrids for Ethanol Production

To evaluate the ethanol production performance of waxy sorghum hybrids and the effects of location and harvest year on ethanol yield, samples of four waxy sorghum hybrids collected from two Nebraska locations (Mead and Lincoln) in both 2009 and 2010 were tested for ethanol production in a dry‐grind process. No significant difference (P = 0.216) in starch contents was observed among the four hybrids, but starch contents of the hybrids were significantly affected by growth location (P = 0.0001) and harvest year (P = 0.0258). Location, hybrid, and harvest year all had significant effects on ethanol fermentation efficiency in the dry‐grind process. Lincoln sorghum samples showed higher (P = 0.022) ethanol fermentation efficiency (90.4%) than did Mead sorghum samples (90.0%). Sorghums harvested in 2010 had higher (P < 0.001) ethanol fermentation efficiency (91.1%) than those harvested in 2009 (89.3%). The 2009 sorghum flours had more amylose‐lipid complexes than the 2010 samples did, and amylose‐lipid complexes as previously reported had adverse effects on ethanol fermentation. Residual starch contents in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were significantly affected by hybrid and harvest year (P < 0.0001), but we observed no difference in protein content in DDGS from the four hybrids.     

Micronutrient deficiencies in rainfed calcareous soils of Pakistan. IV. Zinc nutrition of sorghum

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) deficiency in crops is a major micronutrient disorder particularly in alkaline‐calcareous soils like those of the rainfed Potohar plateau in Pakistan. A nutrient indexing of sorghum (cv. Potohar 4–8) by sampling <30 cm tall whole shoots and associated soils from 255 random field locations revealed that the crop was deficient in Zn in 54% fields in Jehlum district and 64% in Chakwal. In a greenhouse experiment using a Zn‐deficient calcareous Typic Ustorthents, maximum increase in grain yield with Zn fertilizer was 177% over control in improved sorghum variety (cv. PARC‐SS‐1) and only 10% in local sorghum (cv. Potohar 4–8). Although biomass production of cv. PARC‐SS‐1 was much greater compared with cv. Potohar 4–8, fertilizer Zn requirement for the two cultivars was not much different, 8.3 mg Zn/kg soil for improved sorghum variety and 7.3 mg Zn/kg for local sorghum variety. Contrary to its higher sensitivity to Zn deficiency, the improved sorghum variety was more efficient in utilizing fertilizer Zn. Despite low Zn availability in the Potohar fields, local sorghum is not expected to respond to fertilizer Zn. However, adequate Zn fertility must be assured for cultivating improved sorghum in these soils. Zinc content in mature grains of sorghum proved a good index of soil Zn fertility status. Internal Zn requirement in foliar plant parts of cv. PARC‐SS‐1 (whole shoots, 33 mg/kg; leaves, 22 mg/kg) was greater than in cv. Potohar 4–8 (whole shoots, 27 mg/kg; leaves, 20 mg/kg). In contrast, critical Zn content in grains of the improved sorghum variety (10 mg/kg) was lower than of local variety (14 mg/kg). Three soil tests were equally effective in determining soil Zn fertility. Critical soil Zn levels for cv. PARC‐SS‐1 were: DTPA, 3.4 mg/kg; AB‐DTPA, 3.7 mg/kg; and Mehlich 3, 8.0 mg/dm³. Similar to internal Zn requirement in foliar plant parts, soil test critical Zn levels were lower for cv. Potohar 4–8, i.e., DTPA, 3.1 mg/kg; AB‐DTPA, 3.5 mg/kg; and Mehlich 3, 7.2 mg/dm³. Because of their better efficiency, ‘universal’ soil tests appear superior to the DTPA test for routine Zn analysis.     

Physicochemical Properties and Molecular Structures of Starches from Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Cultivars in Nigeria

Some physicochemical properties and molecular structures of starches from millet (Pennisetum typhoides, Doro and Gero) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, red and white) in Nigeria were examined. Starch granules of millet and sorghum were 3–14 μm and 4–26 μm in diameter, respectively. Millet cultivars had similar peak viscosities (204–205 RVU) on pasting, while sorghum showed similar minimum viscosities (155–156 RVU). The actual amylose content (%) calculated from iodine affinity (IA, g/100 g) was 20.1 and 21.4 for sorghum and 21.3 for millet. The IA of amylopectin was high (1.27–1.42) and its average chain lengths were 20–21 with β‐amylolysis limit of 56%. Amylopectins showed a polymodal molecular weight distribution on a molar basis. The distributions differed among the samples with a higher amount of larger molecules in Doro and red sorghum. Weight‐ and molar‐based distributions of debranched amylopectins on HPSEC were polymodal with weight‐based distribution showing presence of long chains. Peak DP values for A+B₁ and B₂+B₃ chain fractions were 13–16 and 42–43, respectively. The (A+B₁)/(B₂+B₃) ratio on molar basis (9.0–11.5) was similar to maize and rice amylopectins. Peak DP on molar‐based distribution for white sorghum and millet amyloses were similar (490–540) and the DP_n range was narrow (1,060–1,300), but weight‐based distribution profiles differed. The average chain lengths were 260–270 with 3.9–4.8 chains per molecule.     

Zinc Requirement of Maize Hybrids and Indigenous Varieties on Udic Haplustalf

ABSTRACT

A pot study was conducted on Gujranwala series (Udic Haplustalf) to compare zinc (Zn) requirement of maize hybrids (FHY- 456, FHY- 396, and FHY- 421) and indigenous varieties (EV-1089, Golden, and Soneri). Uniform rates of nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium (N:P:K) and four rates of Zn were applied in triplicate according to CRD. There was a significant (P < 0.05) main and interactive effect of maize genotypes and zinc application on shoot growth and Zn uptake. The three maize varieties uniformly produced maximum shoot dry weight at 3 mg Zn kg^?1 soil. The maize hybrids produced maximum shoot dry weight at 9 mg Zn applied kg^?1 soil. A 6.3 mg Zn kg^?1 plant tissue was optimum for FHY-421 (hybrid) and 9.5 mg Zn kg^?1 plant tissue was optimum for Soneri (variety). Hence, more pronounced response in maize hybrids than indigenous varieties require higher rates of Zn application. However, further verification of the results is warranted under field conditions.