Sulfur uptake and translocation in maize (zea mays) grown in a high pH soil treated with elemental sulfur

A glasshouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the influence of elemental sulfur (S) application rates (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g S kg^?1 soil) on the release and uptake of S at 0, 20, and 40 days after incubation. Results showed that there was a progressive upward trend in maize leaves, stem, and root S content with application of elemental S. However, maize production followed a nonlinear model. Plants grown in untreated soils suffer from S deficiency and addition of elemental S at a rate of 0.5 g S kg^?1 soil alleviated S deficiency. The decrease in maize performance due to the highest S application rate was not related to S toxicity. The greatest leave, stem, and root productions were obtained at S concentrations of 0.41, 0.58, and 0.2%, respectively. Overall, application of elemental S at a rate of 0.5 g S kg^?1 soil is recommended for maize performance improvement.     

Ecophysiological and genetic variation in seedling traits and in first-year field performance of eight <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia senegal</Emphasis> provenances in the Blue Nile,Sudan

The genetic variation in seed weight, seed number per kg and seedling traits was compared among eight Acacia senegal provenances originating from the clay plain (east) and sand plains (west) of the gum belt in Sudan. The main objective of this study was to identify germplasm sources of A. senegal that have a good seed germination capacity and seedling traits suitable for reforestation in the clay-soil part of the dryland gum belt in the Blue Nile region in Sudan. A specific objective was to tentatively explore the adaptive strategy of A. senegal populations. Seventeen-week-old seedlings were planted in the field at spacing of 3 m × 3 m, giving 100 trees per plot and replication; within a randomized complete block design with four replications. The experimental site was in the clay plain region. Seed variables showed significant differences. Clay plain provenances showed considerable variation in seed weight and seed number. They had the smallest seed weight but the highest seed number, while the sand (western) provenances had the largest seed weight but lowest seed number. Seedling branch number, root length, root to shoot ratio and shoot dry weight differed significantly among the provenances 12 weeks after germination. Clay provenances had the highest branch number and shoot dry weight but the shortest roots and lowest root to shoot ratio. This was interpreted as showing better adaptation to the site in these local provenances in comparison to those originating from the western sandy soil regions. High positive correlations were observed between seedling variables, such as root nodule and branch numbers; this could be used for early selection. The variation was greater between provenance groups than within them, suggesting that especially selection among groups would yield genetic gain.     

Determination of the role of salicylic acid and Benzothiadiazole on physico-chemical alterations caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumber mosaic virus</Emphasis> in tomato

Shoe-string disease caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the major threats to tomato production worldwide. The alteration in some biochemical parameters in leaves of the susceptible tomato genotype (Nagina) associated with CMV infection and the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) were studied in this paper. Results showed that exogenous treatment with SA and BTH not only led to plants which gave significantly more yield than diseased controls (DC), but also delayed symptom expression and reduced disease severity. Analysis of biochemical parameters indicated that exogenous application of elicitors and viral infection, significantly affected the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Compared to the DC plants, minimum disease severity and maximum number of fruit were recorded after a single dose of SA + BTH. Maximum plant height was recorded after weekly application of SA and maximum fruit yield per plant was gained with single dose of SA. Moreover, the activity of POD was significantly elicited many-fold after weekly application of SA + BTH, while higher amount of SOD was recorded with single dose of SA. The activity of CAT was also significantly accelerated after weekly application of SA + BTH while increased level of APX was noticed with single dose of BTH. In conclusion, the combined application of SA and BTH played an important role in induction of defense mechanism against CMV infection and can be useful in tomato disease management programs.     

Nutritional Composition and Thermal Properties of Goldstripe Sardinella (Sardinella gibbosa) Fillets and By-Products

Fish is a nutritious food for the whole family and a good source of protein and n-3 fatty acids. The fish-processing industry produces tonnes of fish-processing waste and by-products annually. Disposal of untreated by-products of the fish-processing industry may cause environmental pollution. Sardinella gibbosa or goldstripe sardinella is commonly used in surimi and fish cracker productions in Malaysia. However, data on the nutritional composition of goldstripe sardinella fillets (GSF) and by-products (GSB) remain limited. The objectives of this study are to determine the nutritional composition and thermal properties of fillets and by-products of S. gibbosa. Results showed that the protein and moisture contents of GSF were higher than GSB. Conversely, the ash and fat levels of GSF were lower than GSB. Levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in GSF and GSB were higher than monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid and oleic acid were the major SFA and MUFA found in GSF and GSB. Both GSF and GSB contain higher percentages of DHA and EPA. Melting and crystallization profiles of the oil from S. gibbosa fillets were similar to by-product oil, which was related to their fatty acid content.     

Effect of salinity on tissue nutrient contents of the four dryland tree species of Indus flood plains

Salinity is a common issue of semi-arid and arid lands rendering them unfit for agriculture. Saline wastelands can be converted into productive ecosystems by rehabilitating them with salt tolerant native tree species. The objective of this work was to study the effect of NaCl salinity on tissue nutrient contents of the four dryland tree species. Saplings were grown in pots under nonsaline and high salinity conditions. After eighteen weeks the plants were harvested and their tissue nutrient contents were analyzed. Results revealed that all species accumulated high amounts of Na⁺ under saline conditions, while concentrations of N, P and Mg²⁺ decreased in their tissues. Concentrations of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ showed more variable trend in various tissues in response to increase in soil salinity. Na⁺: K⁺ ratios of roots (1.57), stems (1.27), and leaves (1.66) of salinized Salvadora oleoides plants were lowest among all the four species. Root Na⁺: K⁺ ratio of salinized plants was significantly higher for Prosopis cineraria (7.10), while these ratios for stem (1.85) and leaf (3.42) were highest for Tamarix aphylla. Plants of P. cineraria showed lowest Stem-Na⁺/root-Na⁺ ratio (0.30) when subjected to salinity. Results showed that salinity induces nutrient deficiency in all species. Salinity tolerance of these species can be attributed to their ability to (i) restrict translocation of Na⁺ from roots to stem; (ii) keeping low tissue Na⁺: K⁺ ratios; and (iii) selectivity of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ over Na⁺, and can be used for the screening of salt-tolerant ecotypes for the rehabilitation of saline wastelands.     

Carbon mineralization in response to nitrogen and litter addition in surface and subsoils in an agroecosystem

More than 50% of global soil organic carbon stocks are stored below 20 cm of soil depth capable of massively altering global C cycle and climate. However, subsoil C dynamics are largely overlooked implicitly assuming that surface and subsoil C dynamics are similar. Here, we compared the soil C dynamics in surface and subsurface soil layers in response to nitrogen and maize leaf litter additions. Soils, sampled from 0 to 5, 15 to 35, 35 to 55 and 55 to 75 cm depths, were incubated at 25°C after adding litter, nitrogen (NH₄NO₃) or litter plus nitrogen. Soil respiration (C mineralization) was measured throughout the incubation period. Litter addition significantly increased C mineralization in all the soil layers. However, the soil CO₂ release relative to control was more than twofold higher in 15–35 and 35–55 cm soil layers than the surface layer. Nitrogen additions significantly decreased C mineralization in 0–15 cm soil, increased in 35–55 cm and had minimal effects in the 15–35 and 55–75 cm layers. Different soil C dynamics in surface and subsurface soil layers found in our study contradict the general assumption that soil C dynamics may be treated similarly along different soil depths.     

Salinity tolerance of earthworms and effects of salinity and vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor

Salinity is a major factor limiting irrigated agriculture in arid regions. Vermi amendments can be used for improving the fertility of salt-affected soils. Current study was aimed to find out the response of different earthworm species to soil salinity and to check the effects of salinity and different vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor under salt stress. Eight earthworm species were subjected to different salinity levels for 4 weeks. Various vermi amendments and salinity treatments were provided in a factorial combination to S. bicolor plants to see their effect on growth and biomass parameters. L. mauritii, E. incommodus and P. posthuma were found to be the most salt-tolerant species showing good survival and growth till soil EC_e value of 10.48 mS cm^?1. Results showed that salinity significantly decreased plant growth that was enhanced by the application of different vermi amendments. Maximum growth of S. bicolor was recorded when vermicompost and vermiwash were used together under both saline and non-saline conditions. The results showed that the application of vermi amendments improved nutritional balance of the soil, delayed salt-induced damage to the plants and supported their growth so can be helpful in increasing crop production on saline soils.     

Determination of annual reproductive cycle in male sterlet,Acipenser ruthenus using histology and ultrasound imaging

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - The aim of this study was to evaluate seasonal testicular development in the cultured sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus. During annual sexual cycle of male sterlet,...