Impact of in-field soil heterogeneity on biomass and yield of winter triticale in an intensively cropped hummocky landscape under temperate climate conditions

Precision Agriculture - Crop cultivation provides ecosystem services on increasingly large fields. However, the effects of in-field spatial heterogeneity on crop yields, in particular triticale,...     

Constituents and cytotoxicity of Zanthoxylum rhesta stem bark

3,5-Dimethoxy-4-geranyloxycinnamyl alcohol (1), 8-methoxy-N-methylflindersine (2), xanthyletin and sesamin have been isolated from petroleum ether extract of the stem bark of Zanthoxylum rhesta. The petroleum ether extract and 8-methoxy-N-methylflindersine showed cytotoxicity on brine shrimp nauplii.     

A fuzzy logic approach for assessment and mapping of groundwater irrigation quality: a case study of Marvdasht aquifer,Iran

Two shortcomings of the non-numeric United States Soil Laboratory (USSL) water quality designation process are, first, the uncertainty involved with assigning samples to the bordering discrete classes is not considered and, secondly, it is difficult to map. One solution to these may lie in the use of a Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS). The main aims of this study were (1) to compare the MFIS and USSL approach to classifying groundwater quality for irrigation and (2) to explore the spatial variability of groundwater quality for irrigation in the Marvdasht aquifer using the MFIS output. For this purpose, 49 agricultural wells were sampled and their sodium adsorption ratio and electrical conductivity were determined. In 81% of cases, the MFIS led to the same class as USSL and in 92.8% of cases agreed with USSL classification. In only 2 out of 49 samples did the MFIS and USSL strongly disagree. The comparison showed that the MFIS method is more acceptable, reliable, and logical in the classification of water quality for irrigation purposes than other methods. The output map of the MFIS scores indicates that the upper part of Marvdasht aquifer has better quality water for irrigation.     

Phytotoxicity of urea and biuret sprays to apple foliage

The effect of urea and biuret on leaf burn was investigated. Urea and biuret were applied as foliar sprays in factorial combinations at the rates of 0,1, and 2% (w/v) and 0,0.05,0.1, and 0.15% (w/v), respectively, in late April to 2‐year‐old ‘Braeburn'/'Malling‐Merton 111’ ('MM. 111') apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees in a greenhouse. The experiment was repeated in the field in late May and in August using 11‐year‐old ‘Golden Delicious'/'Malling 7A’ ('M.7A'). In August, additional urea [4% (w/v)] and biuret [0.4% (w/v)] treatments were applied. Biuret alone at all rates did not cause leaf damage. Within the range of concentrations used, urea was largely responsible for leaf burn and chlorosis following foliar sprays. However, presence of both chemicals in the spray solution increased leaf injury in April, but not at the later applications. Growers should use low‐biuret urea within reasonable costs.     

Bactra spp. in Pakistan and their Potential as Biocontrol Agents of Cyperus rotundus

Abstract

Observations on distribution, abundance, phenology, host spectrum, biology and damage of Bactra venosana and B. minima are reported. Morphological differences between larvae and pupae of the two species for field identification are given. Oviposition and larval feeding tests were carried out and showed that oviposition is indiscriminate but larvae have a strong preference for Cyperus rotundus though they also feed on some other Cyperus spp. In laboratory experiments 72% of plants damaged by B. venosana and 65% by B. minima failed to regenerate. The ecological preferences of B. venosana and B. minima are also discussed and as a result both species are recommended for simultaneous introduction for the control of C. rotundus in areas where other Cyperus spp. are not economically important.     

Growth Parameter and These Ratio Ionics Responses of Three Cultivars Pistachio to Low and High Salinity

Salinity as a major abiotic stresses is one of the main challenges in world’s agricultural productions. The aim of this work was to study the effect of salinity on growth parameter and these ratio ionics responses of three cultivars pistachio. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design consisting of a 3 × 4 factorial combination of three pistachio cultivars (Akbari, Aghaei, and Kalle-Ghuchi) and four salinity levels (1, 5, 10, and 15 dS/m sodium chloride) with three replications. The results showed that the Aghaei cultivars having a high ratio of potassium (K)/sodium (Na) and maintain this ratio at different levels of salinity and Akbari cultivars is sensitive to salinity because of the less ratio of K/Na.     

Seed priming with sorghum water extract and benzyl amino purine along with surfactant improves germination metabolism and early seedling growth of wheat

The influence of seed priming with sorghum water extract (SWE) and benzyl amino purine (BAP) on germination metabolism and early seedling growth of wheat was evaluated in this study. For priming, wheat seeds were soaked in SWE (5%), BAP (5 mg L^?1) alone and mixed with nonionic surfactant Tween-80 (0.05%). All the seed priming treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the germination metabolism and early seedling growth as compared with dry seeds. Seed priming with combination of SWE, BAP and Tween-80 was the most effective treatment in improving the final germination percentage (34%), number of tillers per pot (50%), fresh weight (32%), dry weight (63%), chlorophyll contents (7%) and total phenolic contents (36%) over dry seed control. Similarly, maximum total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars and α-amylase activity were observed from the combined priming with SWE, BAP and Tween-80. Total soluble proteins were maximum in growing seedlings followed by germinating seeds than primed seeds. The germination and growth improvement by priming with SWE was comparable to BAP which makes it a cost-effective natural growth regulator. Combined applications are more effective, which may be due to enzymatic regulation in a synergistic manner.