Combining ability analysis to identify suitable parents for heterosis in seed cotton yield,its components and lint % in upland cotton

Combining ability and heterosis were studied in a 6 × 6 diallel cross to see the nature of gene action in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during 2002 to 2004. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among all the F₁ and F₂ hybrid means and their respective six parental values for all the traits examined. In both generations, the mean squares due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were also highly significant. SCA genetic variances were greater than GCA and more important for the traits, i.e. boll weight, boll number and seed cotton yield per plant, showing the predominance of non-additive gene action. Lint % in both generations and boll weight in F₂s only were controlled by additive type of gene action due to maximum GCA variances. Cultivar CIM-1100 was found to be the best general combiner and its utilization produced valuable hybrids with desirable SCA in both generations. F₁ and F₂ hybrids, viz., CIM-1100 × CRIS-9, CIM-1100 × FH-682, CIM-1100 × BH-36 and CIM-109 × CIM-1100 as high × low and low × high parents performed well in SCA determination, outstanding mean performance and heterosis. Better SCA effects associated with useful heterosis were more pronounced for yield traits. In F₁ hybrids, maximum heterosis was observed for seed cotton yield followed by boll number, boll weight and lint %. The heterosis over better parent was +3.13 to +65.63% for bolls per plant, +0.75 to +24.40% for boll weight, +0.82 to +115.22% for seed cotton yield and +0.27 to +3.88% for lint %. Involvement of CIM-1100 in most of the F₁ and F₂ hybrids resulted in the synthesis of superior genotypes for most of the traits studied. Inbreeding depression was elevated in good performing hybrids and was the highest for seed cotton yield. Highest yielding F₁ hybrids yielded lesser in the subsequent generation due to over-dominance and inbreeding depression, whereas moderate yielding F₁ hybrids were found more stable even passing through process of segregation due to additive gene action. The combined performance of F₁ and F₂ hybrids could be a good indicator to identify the most promising populations to be utilized either as F₂ hybrids or as a resource population for further selection.     

Economic contribution of participatory agroforestry program to poverty alleviation: a case from Sal forests, Bangladesh

In the Forest Department of Bangladesh, a Participatory Agroforestry Program (PAP) was initiated at a denuded Sal forests area to protect the forest resources and to alleviate poverty amongst the local poor population. We explored whether the PAP reduced poverty and what factors might be responsible for poverty alleviation. We used three poverty measurement methods: the Head Count Index, the Poverty Gap Index and the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke index to determine the extent poverty reduction. We used a linear regression model to determine the possible differences among factors in poverty reduction. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and face to face interviews within the study area. PAP proved effective at poverty alleviation, considerably improving the local situation. The linear regression model showed that PAP output explained the income differences in poverty reduction. Participants identified bureaucracy and illegal money demands by forest department officials, an uncontrolled market system, and underdeveloped road infrastructure as the main obstacles to reduction of poverty. Overall, PAP is quite successful in alleviating poverty. So this program might be ofinterest at other degraded forest areas as a tool to alleviate poverty.     

Growth and yield response of wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.) to phosphobacterial inoculation

In this study growth and yield response of wheat crop to phosphobacterium inoculum was observed under sandy loam conditions. The investigations were carried out at field experiment. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments were; 120-0-0 NPK kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₁), 120-50-0 kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₂), 120-100-0 NPK kg/ha⁻¹ (T ₃), T ₁ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₄), T ₂ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₅) and T ₃ + Phosphobacterium inoculum (T ₆).The results showed that bacterial strain (Pseudomonas spp.) was able to effect on yield and its attributes in wheat crop. The crop showed significant positive results. The inoculation significantly stimulates the germination count (m⁻²), number of tillers and spikes (m⁻²), 1000 grains weight (g) and grain yield (kg/ha⁻¹). We suggest that application of 120-100-0 kg/ha⁻¹ NPK along with coating of seed with phosphobacterium (Pseudomonas spp.) all the way through inoculation is a better practice to reduce the exploit of phosphatic fertilizers which are much costly.     

Improved fruit retention,yield and fruit quality in mango with exogenous application of polyamines

Aqueous solutions (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 mM) of PAs (putrescine, spermine, spermidine) containing a surfactant ‘Tween 20’ were sprayed onto panicles of mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Kensington Pride) at final fruit set (FFS) stage (when all flowers abscised but remain attached to the panicle) during 1999–2001 to investigate their effects on fruit retention, yield, size, and fruit quality. The optimum time of PA application for improving final fruit retention and fruit yield was determined by spraying different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 mM) of spermine (SPM) containing a surfactant ‘Tween 20’ at four phenological stages including flower bud differentiation (FBD), 5–8 cm long grown panicles (GP), full bloom (FB) and at initial fruit set (IFS) stage (when 2/3rd of the flowers were abscised but attached to the panicle) during 2000. Exogenous application of PAs at FFS stage did not significantly increase fruit retention. However, compared to control (0.79 and 2.3% fruit retention), PAs treatments resulted in comparatively higher mean fruit retention (1.53 and 2.92%) during 1999–2000 and 2000–2001, respectively. Among three PAs tested, SPM was more effective in increasing mean final fruit retention. Fruit size was not significantly affected by any PA treatment. Among the four application times, SPM (0.01 mM) spray at FB stage resulted in significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater fruit retention (4.99%) compared with control (2.1%). However, fruit yield was comparatively higher with SPM (0.01 mM) application at IFS stage or 5–8 cm GP stage compared to the control. Overall FB application was found as the optimum time of application. Application of PAs at FFS stage retarded fruit skin colour development compared to the control. Sugars and total soluble solids (TSS) were generally reduced in PA-treated fruit. Fruit acidity was increased (16.7%) with SPM, whereas it was 11% with PUT treatment as compared to the control. Total carotenoids in pulp were generally improved (49%) with PA treatments, compared to the control. Ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly reduced with spermidine (SPD) (24%) and PUT (20%) treatments, whereas higher concentrations of SPM (1 mM) tended to increase it (12.7%) compared to the control. In conclusion, application of SPM (0.01 mM) at FB stage resulted in the highest fruit retention, whereas SPM (0.01) spray at GP or IFS stage resulted in higher fruit yield. PUT application at FFS stage significantly improved fruit quality by increasing total carotenoid, while reducing acid content of ripe fruit.     

A possible involvement of gibberellin in the mechanism of Avenafatua resistance to triallate and cross-resistance to difenzoquat

Avena fatua L. populations from numerous fields in Alberta have simultaneously developed resistance to recommended rates of two dissimilar herbicides, triallate and difenzoquat. We used exogenous applications of gibberellic acid (GA₃) to investigate the possibility that endogenous gibberellins were involved in the A. fatua 's resistance mechanism. For control plants, without applied GA₃, shoots of the most resistant (R) populations emerged more rapidly and elongated faster than shoots of the susceptible (S) populations. Increases in shoot elongation in response to exogenous GA₃ were significantly lower in R populations compared with S populations. This suggests that R populations may have elevated endogenous gibberellin levels, relative to S populations. Additionally, inhibition of S population shoot elongation and shoot anatomical abnormalities caused by relatively low concentrations of triallate and difenzoquat could be prevented by exogenous application of GA₃. These results suggest that there may be a phytohormonal involvement in the mechanism of triallate/difenzoquat resistance in A. fatua . That is, higher endogenous gibberellin levels in R populations may result in meristematic growth that is rapid enough to preclude phytotoxic levels of these herbicides from reaching the shoot meristem, which is the likely site of action.     

Management of root-knot disease of tomato by the application of fly ash in soil

The effects of fly ash at different concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 … 100% vol./vol. in soil) on plant growth and yield were investigated in tomato plants infected or noninfected with root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (2000 juveniles per plant) in clay pots. An increase in fly ash concentration in the soil correspondingly increased the availability of carbonates, bicarbonates, sulphate, chlorides, B, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn in the soil. The porosity, water-holding capacity, pH, conductivity and cation exchange capacity also increased progressively in the fly ash amended soil. Ash application enhanced plant growth, leaf pigment concentrations, fruit production, weight of fruit/plant and mean fruit weight of both nematode-infected and noninfected tomato plants, being maximum in the soil containing 50 or 60% fly ash. The yield enhancements were 93.6 (infected plants) and 84% (noninfected plants) at 50 and 60% fly ash levels, respectively. Fly ash treatments adversely affected root invasion by juveniles, disease intensity and reproduction of the nematodes. A gradual increase in the ash concentration in soil caused a corresponding decrease in the numbers of invading juveniles, galls and egg masses per root system and eggs/egg mass, being lowest at 100% fly ash i.e. 52, 16, 10 and 81 against 289, 137, 131 and 238 (control), respectively. Linear regression suggested 40% fly ash as the most economic level, enhancing yield of infected plants by 96% and suppressing the nematode disease and reproduction by 63 and 76%, respectively.     

转α-微管蛋白基因SoTUA甘蔗T2代的生理生化特性分析

本研究对已获得的转α-微管蛋白基因SoTUA的T₂代甘蔗株系进行PCR扩增及测序,从检测阳性的转基因甘蔗中选6个转基因株系（T1、T2、T3、T4、T5、T6）与非转基因野生型甘蔗对照（WT）进行了低温胁迫（4 ℃）处理,在处理0、5、10 d测定甘蔗叶片丙二醛（MDA）和渗透调节物（可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白）含量以及过氧化物酶（POD）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性,并采用RT-qPCR法分析了低温处理下甘蔗叶片α-微管蛋白基因的表达情况。结果表明：在4 ℃低温处理下,6个转SoTUA基因甘蔗与WT中α-微管蛋白的转录因子表达量随着胁迫时间的延长上调表达。胁迫后5、10 d转基因株系的相对表达量始终高于WT甘蔗,低温处理10 d时转基因T1显著高于其他株系（P<0.05）。在低温胁迫下,甘蔗的MDA含量逐渐增高,而转基因甘蔗增幅显著低于WT甘蔗,10 d时转基因株系MDA的含量比WT低41.77%（P<0.05）;POD活性在不同株系之间变化趋势不同,但转基因甘蔗POD活性显著高于WT甘蔗（P< 0.05）;转基因T1、T2、T4、T6株系的SOD活性随着胁迫天数增加呈现先增加后减少的趋势,而WT与转基因T3、T5的SOD活性逐渐升高;甘蔗的可溶性糖含量逐渐上升,转基因甘蔗的可溶性蛋白含量在0 d显著高于野生型甘蔗,胁迫后变化趋势在株系之间有所差异;转基因甘蔗SoTUA相对表达量与可溶性糖含量呈极显著的正相关。利用隶属函数综合分析评价,抗寒性排序结果为：T3>T2>T1>T5>T6>T4>WT。在低温胁迫下,转基因甘蔗SoTUA基因的上调表达能提高甘蔗的抗寒性,且具有遗传稳定性。     

First record of Oomyzus scaposus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), as a parasitoid of Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Pakistan

Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a natural enemy of several important pests. This biocontrol agent is also a host for different parasitoids. Little is known about the parasitoid complex of C. septempunctata in Pakistan. The authors identified Oomyzus scaposus (Thomson, 1878) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as a larval-pupal parasitoid of C. septempunctata in the district of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Out of 36 C. septempunctata pupae collected, 58.3% were parasitized by O. scaposus. This study documents the first record of O. scaposus parasitizing C. septempunctata in Pakistan.     

Response of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus Holmberg, 1887) to balanced digestible protein

This 45‐day work aimed to determine the response of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) to balanced digestible protein (BDP) and to use these responses to determine whether the optimum economic levels of BDP would differ depending on the form in which the fish is sold. Six isoenergetic diets containing 163, 201, 238, 272, 315 and 348 g/kg BDP (dry‐matter basis) were prepared through the serial dilutions of a high‐protein diet with the low‐protein diet. Fish (initial average body weight, 10.82 ± 0.14 g) were fed with respective experimental diets three times a day until apparent satiation. The optimum biological level of BDP was calculated as 326 g/kg (dry‐matter basis) by the quadratic regression model for maximum body weight gain of juvenile pacu. To maximize economic returns (US$/kg) for different end products, the optimum economic levels of BDP were calculated as 311, 317 and 319 g/kg (dry‐matter basis) by an economic model for whole‐body, eviscerated and sliced juvenile pacu respectively. This finding revealed that obtaining maximum biological performance of fish in the case of high feed costs or low prices of the end product in consumer market would substantially reduce the economic returns.     

Effect of population density on the growth, feed and protein conversion efficiency and biochemical composition of a tropical freshwater catfish, Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)

Abstract. Six groups of tropical freshwater catfish, Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)(mean weight. 20·45 ± l·5g), were reared in 0·34m³ fibreglass tanks at different stocking densities (105, 195, 285, 375, 465 and 555 specimens/m³ water) for 84 days. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of various stocking densities on the growth, nutrition, biochemical composition and survival of M. nemurus. The lowest growth rate appeared in fish at the highest density and the highest was observed in fish stocked in moderate density of 285 and 375 fish/m³ water. Fish production was also lower at relatively low stocking densities of 105 and 195 fish/m³. Food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and biochemical composition of M. nemurus indicate that there exists an optimum stocking density which lies between 285 and 375 fish/m³.