Effect of Tillage Implements and Weed Management Techniques On Nutritive Values of Wheat Grains

Field experiments were conducted on wheat during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 under rainfed conditions. The statistical significance between treatment means was determined at 5% significance level. Data were recorded on weed density, protein, fat and ash contents of wheat grains. Weed density in shallow tillage was highest (20.67?m^?2) while it was lowest (14.23?m^?2) in deep tillage. In weed control factor, weed density was highest in weedy check (33.10?m^?2), followed by parthenium aqueous extract (21.50?m^?2), and lowest (6.79?m^?2) in plots treated with Affinity (isoproturon?+?carfentrazone). Results showed that the highest crude protein content (10.88%) was recorded in deep tillage, while lowest (10.45%) in shallow tillage, indicating that tillage depths have an impact on wheat grains protein content. For weed control factor, the crude protein content was highest (11.98%) in Affinity treated plots, followed by herbicides, Buctril super (bromoxynil?+?MCPA) (11.44%) and Puma super (fenoxaprop-p-ethyl) (11.12%). Hence, the control measures also affected crude protein content of wheat grains, which is also obvious from the weedy check where wheat grains crude protein content was lowest (9.73%). The two years combined data analysis also showed the highest crude fat content (1.75%) in deep tillage treatments followed by normal tillage (1.67%) and lowest fat content (1.53%) in shallow tillage. For ash content, the highest content (3.03%) was with Affinity herbicide treatments, followed by Buctril super (2.74%) and Puma super (2.48%) herbicides. In conclusion, both the tillage and herbicides indicated positive effects on the nutritive status of wheat grains.

     

Ascorbic Acid Enhances Growth and Yield of Sweet Peppers (Capsicum annum) by Mitigating Salinity Stress

Salinity is a crucial problem which has affected crop productivity globally. Ascorbic acid is considered helpful against abiotic stresses due to its powerful antioxidant potential. In the pot experiment, salinity stress (0, 35, 70, and 105?mM) was applied to sweet peppers in split doses after 20 days of transplantation. To mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, ascorbic acid (0, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20?mM) was applied as foliar spray after a 6-day interval during vegetative growth. Sweet pepper plants sprayed with distilled water (control) recorded maximum plant height (cm), leaf area (cm²), number of branches, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), and chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), while the maximum polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1) were recorded in plants treated with 70?mM NaCl application. Salinity stress beyond 70?mM significantly reduced all the studied parameters. An ascorbic acid concentration of 1.20?mM significantly mitigated the negative effects of salt stress and recorded maximum plant height (cm), number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area (cm²), number of branches plant^?1, stem diameter (mm), number of fruit plant^?1, fruit diameter (cm), yield plant^?1 (g), chlorophyll content (mg 100?g^?1), PPO activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1), and APX activity (unit mg protein^?1 min^?1). Hence, a 1.20?mM concentration of foliar ascorbic acid could be used in saline conditions up to 70?mM of sodium chloride (NaCl) for better growth, productivity, and enzymatic activity of sweet peppers.

     

BORON NUTRITION OF PEANUT GROWN IN BORON-DEFICIENT CALCAREOUS SOILS: GENOTYPIC VARIATION AND PROPOSED DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Field studies were conducted to assess boron (B) requirement, critical concentrations in diagnostic parts based on yield response curves and genotypic variation by growing three peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars (‘Golden’, ‘BARD-479’, ‘BARI-2000’) on two B-deficient calcareous soils. Boron application significantly increased pod yield of all the cultivars over control. Maximum pod yield increases were: ‘Golden’, 16?23%; ‘BARD-479’, 21?27%; and ‘BARI-2000’, 25?31%. The cultivars varied in B efficiency and cv. ‘Golden’ was the most B efficient (81?86%) while cv. ‘BARI-2000’ was the least efficient (76?80%). Boron requirements for near-maximum (95%) dry pod yield were 0.65 kg ha^?1 for ‘Golden’, 0.75 kg ha^?1 for BARD-479 and 0.80 kg ha^?1 for BARI-2000. Critical B concentrations in shoots and seeds were: ‘Golden’, 33 mg kg^?1 and 26 mg kg^?1; ‘BARD-479’, 38 mg kg^?1 and 31 mg kg^?1; and ‘BARI-2000’, 42 mg kg^?1 and 33 mg kg^?1.     

Fungal endophyte Penicillium janthinellum LK5 can reduce cadmium toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum (Sitiens and Rhe)

We investigated the role of gibberellins-producing endophyte Penicillium janthinellum LK5 associated with Solanum lycopersicum (host), abscisic acid (ABA)-deficient tomato mutant Sitiens and its wild-type Rheinlands Ruhm (Rhe) plants under cadmium (Cd) stress. A 100-μM Cd application to host, Sitiens and Rhe reduced the shoot growth, chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance. However, these parameters were significantly (P?<?0.0011) higher (1.0- to 2.6-folds) in host, Sitiens and Rhe under endophytic association than in non-endophyte infected plants (control) under Cd stress. Furthermore, endophytic association minimized the Cd-induced membrane injury and oxidative stress to host, Sitiens and Rhe plants by reducing electrolytes and lipid peroxidation while increasing the content of reduced glutathione and catalase activities as compared to non-endophyte-infected plants. Stress-responsive ABA content significantly increased (～2-folds) in Sitiens and Rhe under endophyte association, while in host plants it was decreased under Cd stress. Salicylic acid content was ～?1.7-fold higher in host, Sitiens and Rhe plants under Cd stress and endophyte association than in the control. Besides gibberellins production, the endophyte has the potential to solubilize phosphates (12.73?±?0.24 mg/l) since higher P was observed in the roots of Sitiens, Rhe and host plants. Similarly, nutrients like sulfur and calcium were more efficiently assimilated in roots of endophyte-associated plants than control under Cd stress. Conversely, Cd accumulation was significantly decreased (P?<?0.001) in the roots of endophyte-inoculated host, Sitiens and Rhe than control. In conclusion, endophyte symbiosis can counteract heavy metal stress which can exert negative effects on plant growth.     

Soil micromorphological and physical properties after application of composts with polyethylene and biocomponent-derived polymers added during composting

Composts are considered to be one of the best soil amendments. However, the effects of composts with added polymeric materials on soil physical,hydraulic, and micromorphological properties have not been widely discussed. Changes in soil physical properties influence the numerous services that soils provide. We studied the impacts of composts with the addition of three different polymers(F1–F3) produced from polyethylene and thermoplastic corn starch on the physical, hydraulic, and micromorphological properties of two soils, a Cambic Phaeozem and a Luvic Phaeozem. Applying composts with polymers had limited or no significant effect on soil bulk density and porosity, but increased the field water capacity by 18%–82% and 3%–6% and the plant-available water content by 15%–23% and 4%–17% for the Cambic Phaeozem and Luvic Phaeozem, respectively. The application of composts with polymers had a greater effect on the Cambic Phaeozem than on the Luvic Phaeozem. It was suggested that the use of modified composts led to changes in soil physical properties and micromorphological features and this effect was dependent on the compost application rate. Composts made with the addition of composite synthetic and natural material-derived polymers during composting were found to be a composite mixture that can be successfully used in agriculture.     

Projected benefit-cost analysis of agri-silvicultural system: vegetable crops intercropping with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salix alba</Emphasis> (Willow)

An experiment upon an agri-silvicultural system involving Willow (Salix alba) tree, Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) and Knol khol (Brassica oleracea var. caularapa) was laid in randomized block designed at farmers’ willow field at Shalimar near Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Srinagar India during 2005 and 2006. The main plot was divided into sub-spots with 8 m × 2 m in size each in which four two-year-old willow (Salix alba) trees were at a spacing of 2 m × 2 m in a sub-spot. The intercrops were maintained at recommended spacing and supplied with recommended doses of fertilizers. The benefit-cost ratio in willow plantation intercropped with vegetable crops of Kale and Knol Khol was analyzed and compared with the benefit-cost ratio of sole willow tree forestry. The results showed that every rupee invested in plantation of agri-silvicultural system generates benefit-cost ratio of 2.78 and 2.79 in case of Willow intercropping with Kale and Willow with Knol khol, respectively, while as for sole crop of willows benefit-cost ratio was calculated to be 2.66. These results provided circumstantial evidence in favour of adopting agroforestry involving willow instead of Sole tree forestry.     

基于年橘为载体的柑橘木虱优势寄生蜂亮腹釉小蜂规模化生产技术

黄龙病是柑橘生产中最具毁灭性的病害,柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama)是黄龙病的传播媒介,亮腹釉小蜂Tamarixiaradiata(Waterston)是柑橘木虱的优势寄生蜂,在防治柑橘木虱上具有巨大潜力。本文研究了年橘Citrus reticulata Blanco cv.Nianju为载体的亮腹釉小蜂生产的关键技术,建立了年橘-柑橘木虱-寄生蜂的生产体系,实现了规模化生产。明确了年橘新芽繁育的标准化修剪方法,以整体修剪法为最佳,产芽时间为12.6 d,产芽数量为39.6个/株;明确了柑橘木虱若虫繁育中柑橘木虱成虫接种数量,以柑橘木虱:新芽为2:1为最佳;明确了亮腹釉小蜂生产中亮腹釉小蜂接种数量,以亮腹釉小蜂:柑橘木虱为1:10为最佳。按本文生产方法,每笼（5株年橘）可收获亮腹釉小蜂646.67头。     

警惕种子传带的南方番茄病毒Southern tomatovirus对我国番茄产业的危害

南方番茄病毒Southern tomato virus (STV)是近年来新发现的一种侵染番茄的病毒, 通常与多种病毒复合侵染, 可能与番茄的褪绿、黄化、衰退、果实变小等症状相关。该病毒最早在1984年发现, 并于2005年命名。我国首先于2015年在山东寿光发现。最近, 我们在山东和北京市多地的番茄样品中均检测到了该病毒, 并通过检测发现国内一些主要品种番茄种子的STV携带率达40%。STV基因组为一条双链RNA, 隶属Amalgaviridae科Amalgavirus属, 是严格种传病毒, 不能通过汁液摩擦接种和嫁接传播。鉴于STV的潜在危害以及与其他病毒高度复合侵染造成的严重损失, 本文介绍了STV检测方法, 并提出应开展对主栽品种的种子检测和针对性防控。     

Rinderpest in the landhi dairy colony

Earlier diagnostic reports of rinderpest in buffaloes in the Landhi Dairy Colony were discounted by most veterinarians in Pakistan. Four recent investigations have shown beyond doubt that the affliction was indeed rinderpest.     

Identification of cultivars of the forage legume Pueraria phaseoloides by electrophoretic patterns of storage proteins

Summary A polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis procedure was developed for discriminating cultivars of the forage legume Pueraria phaseoloides on the basis of the patterns of cotyledon proteins. The genotypic marker proteins were extracted with 5M acetic acid and electrophoresed at pH 3.1 in aluminum lactate buffer. The procedure gave highly reproducible discrimination of ten selected cultivars.