Sunflower seed yield as influenced by some agronomic and seed characters

Summary An investigation was made to the interrelationships of agronomic and seed characters and their effect upon seed yield. Twenty genotypes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) from diverse origin were studied in spring and autumn season, 1989.Most of the studied characters exhibited different relationships in spring and autumn seasons. The correlations between plant height and oil content, 100-achene weight and number of achenes per head and plant height and head diameter were, however, consistent in both seasons and across the seasons. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified six relevant characters on which path analysis was done.Path analysis indicated that yield components like head diameter, number of achenes per head and 100-achene weight had comparatively smaller direct effects on seed yield (0.22, 0.15 and 0.23, respectively). Days to physiological maturity, plant height and oil content had relatively stronger direct effects on seed yield (0.33, 0.38 and 0.29, respectively). Days to physiological maturity, plant height and head diameter had considerable indirect effects. Head diameter, 100-achene weight and number of achenes per head were indentified as selection criteria for yield improvement.     

Mixtures of plant disease suppressive bacteria enhance biological control of multiple tomato pathogens

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains CHA0 (Pseudomonas fluorescens), IE-6 S⁺ (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and 569Sm^r (Bradyrhizobium japonicum) were tested singly and in combinations for biological control against multiple tomato pathogens (root-infecting fungi and root-knot nematodes). Strains CHA0 and IE-6S⁺ inhibited in vitro growth of 569Sm^r while IE-6S⁺ suppressed CHA0. The bacterial species not only inhibited the radial growth of three root-infecting fungi, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani (AG 8), but also caused substantial mortality of Meloidogyne javanica juveniles. Used as a soil drench the three bacteria not only suppressed root-infecting fungi and root-knot nematodes but also enhanced growth of tomato plants both under glasshouse and field conditions. The suppressive effect was generally more pronounced when the bacteria were employed together. Strain IE-6S⁺ exhibited better rhizosphere colonization than CHA0 and 569Sm^r. Populations of CHA0 in the rhizosphere declined when the bacterium was used with either IE-6S⁺ and/or 569Sm^r, while populations of IE-6S⁺ in the rhizosphere were enhanced when used in combination with CHA0 and/or 569Sm^r. IE-6S⁺ was the only bacterium that colonized inner root tissues of tomato plants. When using an iron chelator to create iron deficiency in the soil, the biocontrol efficacy of the bacteria against F. solani and R. solani was enhanced while against M. phaseolina and M. javanica this activity remained unchanged. Only strain 569Sm^r gave significant suppression of M. phaseolina in both iron-deficient and iron-sufficient soils.     

Two-year study on combining ability and heterotic potential in functional traits under salt stress in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Salt tolerance is a physiologically and genetically complex trait controlled by multiple genes. To analyze the genetic basis of salt tolerance we evaluated 18 F₁ along with their nine parents under three salt stress levels i.e. control, 10 dS m⁻¹ and 15 dS m⁻¹ in the summer of 2017 and 2018. Data were recorded for the number of bolls, seed cotton yield, boll weight, Na⁺, K⁺, K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, H₂O₂, SOD, POD, CAT and TSP. Line × tester analysis indicated that the contribution of lines was greater than testers. Except for Na⁺, most of the traits were controlled by non-additive genes. With the rise of salt stress, SCA variances increased and were higher than GCA variances for most of the traits indicating the traits were controlled by a few largely dominant genes. KEHKSHAN, FH-118 and FH-114 were found good general combiner whereas the cross KEHKSHAN × FH-114 was a good specific combiner and also indicated significant better parent heterosis for most traits during two years under salt stress and can be utilized in a breeding programme for salt tolerance.     

Biocontrol of Meloidogyne incognita on tomato using antagonistic fungi,plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria and cattle manure

BACKGROUND: Biocontrol achieved by a single biocontrol agent is generally inconsistent under field conditions. The aim of the present study was to increase the competitiveness and efficacy of biocontrol agents by using them together with cattle manure. RESULTS: The effects of antagonistic fungi [Aspergillus niger v. Teigh., Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thom) Samson and Penicillium chrysogenum Thom] and plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) [Azotobacter chroococcum Beijer., Bacillus subtilis (Ehrenberg) Cohn and Pseudomonas putida (Trev.) Mig.] were assessed with cattle manure on the growth of tomato and on the reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita (Kof. & White) Chitwood. Application of antagonistic fungi and PGPR alone and in combination with cattle manure resulted in a significant increase in the growth of nematode‐inoculated plants. The highest increase (79%) in the growth of nematode‐inoculated plants was observed when P. putida was used with cattle manure, followed by use of P. lilacinus plus cattle manure. Paecilomyces lilacinus resulted in a high reduction in galling and nematode multiplication, followed by P. putida, B. subtilis, A. niger, A. chroococcum and P. chrysogenum. The combined use of P. lilacinus with cattle manure resulted in a maximum reduction in galling and nematode multiplication. CONCLUSION: Application of P. lilacinus or P. putida with cattle manure was useful to achieve greater biocontrol of M. incognita on tomato. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modeling Dissolved Ozone and Bromate Ion Formation in Ozone Contactors

Many drinking water utilities that use source waters with significant bromide ion levels are currently seeking disinfection regimes that will minimize the formation of brominated disinfection byproducts while providing adequate disinfection. While ozonation appears to be a promising option for achieving these goals, the uncertainty of future drinking water regulations has developed a need for predicting actual disinfection byproduct formation prior to the costly investment for upgrading existing treatment facilities. The models developed in this paper provide comparisons of ozonation application methods, providing a basis for minimizing bromate and aiding in future design considerations. Theoretical and empirical models for the determination of ozone transferred, dissolved ozone concentrations, and bromate formation have been derived and compared with pilot-scale and full-scale data; a good agreement has been observed between the actual data and the predicted data, showing the validity of these models. True-batch bromate formation more closely simulated pilot-scale and full-scale data. Bromate formation in one stage vs two stage ozone contactors and different reactor configurations have been compared. Ozone gas phase concentration appears to have an effect on bromate formation as well.     

Effect of blood handling conditions on progesterone assay results obtained by chemiluminescence in the bitch

Assay of blood progesterone (P₄) is commonly practiced to determine the time of ovulation, diagnose luteal insufficiency, and predict time of parturition in bitches. Because of practical constraints, most blood samples cannot be assayed on site immediately after collection. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of various sampling and storage conditions on concentrations of P₄ as determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay. The blood of 5 Beagle bitches was collected from the jugular vein to study the effect of the type of collection tube (silicone, lithium heparin, EDTA), the storage time of unseparated or separated plasma (2 h to 14 d), and the number of freeze-thaw cycles (1–10) on P₄. The effect of each factor was tested within one assay session. None of the factors significantly affected P₄. Thus, P₄ appears to remain relatively stable in canine blood samples exposed to various processing and storage conditions.     

Dietary Supplementation of Almond Prevents Oxidative Stress by Advocating Antioxidants and Attenuates Impaired Aversive Memory in Male Rats

Scopolamine, an anti-muscarinic agent, has been shown to induce amnesia and oxidative stress similar to that observed in the older age. The present study was designed to determine the relationship between the oxidative status and memory improvement in scopolamine injected rats pre-administered with almonds. Rats (n?=?8) in the almond group were administered orally with 400 mg/kg almond suspension for 28 days daily before the intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg). Passive avoidance task (PAT) was used to assess memory function at the end of treatment. The present study revealed that scopolamine injection significantly impaired the memory function in rats pre-treated with saline which was accompanied by increased oxidative stress as evident by increased brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes as compared to healthy controls. Pre-treatment with almond significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced oxidative stress and memory dysfunction. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with almonds may have a beneficial effect in reducing the risk of oxidative stress-induced memory loss and delaying or preventing the onset of age-related memory impairment.     

Effect of simultaneous and sequential inoculations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ralstonia solanacearum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phomopsis vexans</Emphasis> on eggplant in sand mix and fly ash mix soil

Effects simultaneous and sequential inoculations of Meloidogyne incognita, Ralstonia solanacearum and Phomopsis vexans were studied on the growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of eggplants grown in 25% fly ash and 25% sand mix soil. Plants grown in 25% fly ash mix soil had lesser plant growth than grown in 25% sand ash mix soil. Inoculation of M. incognita / R. solanacearum or P. vexans caused reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in both types of soils but these pathogens in combination caused a greater reduction in than individual inoculation. Inoculation of M. incognita 20 days prior to R. solanacearum caused a greater reduction in plant growth than inoculation of M. incognita prior to P. vexans. Inoculation of P. vexans prior to R. solanacearum caused a lesser reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents than inoculation of P. vexans prior to M. incognita. Inoculation of R. solanacearum 20 days prior to M. incognita caused a greater reduction in plant growth, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents than inoculation of R. solanacearum prior to P. vexans. Galling and multiplication of M. incognita was higher in plants grown in 25% sand amended soil than with 25% fly ash soil. R. solanacearum and P. vexans had adverse effects on galling and nematode multiplication. Wilt and blight indices caused by R. solanacearum and P. vexans were 3 respectively. Wilt and blight indices were 4 when two pathogens were inoculated together.