Exploring genetic diversity for heat tolerance among lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes of variant habitats by simple sequence repeat markers

The study was carried out to assess genetic diversity among 119 lentil genotypes grown in different habitats for heat tolerance using morpho‐physiological and reproductive traits and SSR markers. High‐temperature stress was applied at seedling (35/33°C) and anthesis stages (35/20°C) to study the effects on morpho‐physiological and reproductive traits under hydroponic condition, which was compared with non‐stressed and stressed field conditions. A set of 209 alleles were identified by 35 SSR markers among the genotypes. Genetic diversity and polymorphism information content values varied between 0.0494–0.859 and 0.0488–0.844, with mean values of 0.606 and 0.563, respectively. Genotypes were clustered into nine groups based on SSR markers. Morpho‐physiological and reproductive traits under heat stress were found to be significantly different among SSR clusters. These findings suggest that heat adaptation is variable among the genotypes and the tolerant materials can be evolved through hybridization using parents from different clusters with diverse mechanisms of heat tolerance.     

Effect of Nephthyl Acetic Acid Foliar Spray on Amelioration of Drought Stress Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The present study aimed to determine the effect of nephthyl acetic acid (NAA) on the physiological mechanism of drought tolerance in selected maize (Zea mays L.) varieties under induced drought stress at the vegetative stage. Maize seeds were sown in plastic pots (14 cm lower inside diameter, 18.5 cm upper inner diameter, 15.6 cm height, and 0.5 cm thickness) filled with 3 kg of air-dried soil and sand (3:1) in triplicate in the greenhouse of the Botany Department, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda in 2014. Results showed that the activities of antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation were associated with the dry mass production and consequently with the drought tolerance of the maize varieties. It has been concluded that the inhibitory effects of water stress were ameliorated by exogenous application of NAA and were found to be significant for antioxidant enzymes at the vegetative stage in both varieties.     

Soybean (Glycine max) Extracts Impact on Plant and Soil Biology

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the phytotoxic effect of aqueous extract from fresh and oven-dried leaves and roots of soybean plants on maize growth and on rhizosphere soil. The extract prepared from fresh leaves of drought-stressed soybean plants significantly increased the accumulation of proline, soluble sugar, and endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) content of maize-treated plants. Increase in antioxidant activity like superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and endogenous ABA was recorded in treated plants. The soybean leaf extracts prepared from drought-stressed plants significantly decreased the soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of maize cultivated soil. The soybean drought-stressed leaf extracts prepared plants were found more effective in modulating the physiology of maize, indicating the higher allelopathic potential of soybean.     

Genetic variability and estimates of heritability in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) genotypes grown in a semiarid zone of Sudan

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate nine genotypes of sorghum grown for two consecutive cropping seasons in 2006 and 2007 under rain-fed conditions in a semiarid zone at the Research Farm of El Fasher Research Station, Sudan. The objective of the study was to assess genetic variability and heritability among sorghum genotypes using phenotypic morphological traits. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used for the experiment. The grain yield (kg ha^?1), the number of heads/plant, followed by straw yield (kg ha^?1) had the highest genotypic coefficients of variation in both seasons. High heritability (above 95%) was shown for plant height in both seasons. High genetic advance was reported in straw yield, 1000-grain weight and days to flowering in both seasons. Highly significant differences among genotypes were found for all characters. The high-yielding genotype was Adv-Edo-CWS (E-9) with grain yields of 2780.6 kg ha^?1. Grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with straw yield (r = 0.91), number of heads/plant (r = 0.69), plant height (r = 0.53) and 1000-grain weight (r = 0.36). However, it was significantly and negatively correlated with days to 50% flowering (r = ?0.21). Based on their positive association with grain yield, the character’s straw weight, number of heads/plant, plant height and 1000-grain weight would be the preferable selection criteria for sorghum improvement program in the country.     

The endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica protects wheat from fusarium crown rot disease in simulated UK autumn conditions

The root endophytic fungus Piriformospora indica (Sebacinacea) forms mutualistic symbioses with a broad range of host plants, increasing their biomass production and resistance to fungal pathogens. This study evaluated the effect of P. indica on fusarium crown rot disease of wheat, under in vitro and glasshouse conditions. Interaction of P. indica and Fusarium isolates under axenic culture conditions indicated no direct antagonistic activity of P. indica against Fusarium isolates. Seedlings of wheat were inoculated with P. indica and pathogenic Fusarium culmorum or F. graminearum and grown in sterilized soil‐free medium or in a non‐sterilized mix of soil and sand. Fusarium alone reduced emergence and led to visible browning and reduced root growth. Roots of seedlings in pots inoculated with both Fusarium isolates and P. indica were free of visible symptoms; seed emergence and root biomass were equivalent to the uninoculated. DNA was quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The ratio of FusariumDNA to wheat DNA rose rapidly in the plants inoculated with Fusarium alone; isolates and species were not significantly different. Piriformospora indica inoculation reduced the ratio of Fusarium to host DNA in the root systems. The reduction increased with time. The ratio of P. indica to wheat DNA initially rose but then declined in root systems without Fusarium. With Fusarium, the ratio rose throughout the experiment. The absolute amount of FusariumDNA in root systems increased in the absence of P. indica but was static in plants co‐inoculated with P. indica.     

A novel rhizobacterium Bk7 for biological control of brown sheath rot of rice caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae and its mode of action

The study presents the first report on biocontrol of brown sheath rot disease of rice caused by Pseudomonas fuscovaginae using rhizo-bacterial isolate Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Bk7. Four potential bioactive antagonists were selected from 120 Bacillus isolates. Results obtained from in vitro laboratory assay showed that rhizosphere bacterial strain Bk7 and its metabolites significantly suppressed the growth of Pseudomonas fuscovaginae with 93 % efficacy. In glasshouse experiments, strain Bk7 exhibited biocontrol efficacy of 76.6 % by reducing the disease incidence to 16.9 %, compared to 72.8 % observed in control treatment. In addition, the isolate Bk7 showed the growth promotion efficacy of plant height (GPE, 46.4 %) and fresh weight (GPE, 84.3 %). Characterization of isolate Bk7 revealed its strong capability for biofilm formation, inorganic phosphate solubilization and production of high amounts of Indole-3 acetic acid, siderophores and ammonia in vitro. Results obtained from multiplex PCR assay confirmed the presence of five lipopeptide biosynthetic gene markers (srfAA, fenD, bmyB, bacA and ituC) in the genome of strain Bk7. Moreover, Real-time qPCR of these genes demonstrated that surfactin, iturin and bacylisin coding genes were highly expressed in response to P. fuscovaginae exposure in vitro. Rhizosphere bacterial strain Bk7 was identified as B. amyloliquefaciens strain Bk7 based on the analysis of 16S rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequences and a fatty acid methyl ester analysis. The results obtained from this study showed the potential usefulness of Bk7 as a biocontrol agent in disease control of rice brown sheath rot.     

Use of diatomaceous earth for the management of stored-product pests

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is almost pure amorphous silicon dioxide, made up of fossilised diatoms; it acts as an insecticide by absorption of epicuticular lipids and fatty acids, leading to desiccation in arthropods. Numerous DE formulations have been attempted for the management of stored-product pests with good results. DE is persistent in its action, poses few or no pest resistance problems, and it leaves no residue. The efficacy of DE is affected by factors such as: its provenance, temperature, humidity and characteristics of target pests and substrate. Application of DE at currently recommended doses causes changes in bulk density of the grain; however, the use of enhanced DE formulations provides control at much lower doses. Therefore, new formulations of DEs usually include other low toxicity insecticides.     

Genetic progress in wheat yield and associated traits in China since 1945 and future prospects

Genetic progress has brought about a dramatic increase in yield potential per se for almost all production areas around the world. The present study examines the relationship of wheat yield with year of release, yield components, harvest index (HI), biomass production, and plant height. We used aggregative data from 1945 to 2010 to calculate genetic gain in wheat yield across different zones in China. A deeper understanding of these issues facilitates the identification of specific yield-limiting factors that can be used for future breeding strategies. Absolute yield gain for the different zones was found to range from 20 to 103 kg ha^?1 year^?1, whereas relative yield gain ranged from 0.33 to 1.42 % per year. When data from all the Chinese wheat production zones was pooled, yield gain at the national level had an absolute value of 66 kg ha^?1 year^?1 and a relative value of 1 % per year. Grain weight and spike weight, rather than the other yield components, are significantly correlated with year of release for most zones, suggesting that these two were the most promising traits for breeders in the past. These two traits are also responsible for the significant genetic progress in wheat yield in China since 1949. HI and biomass production also showed strong correlation with year of release and grain yield. In China, HI and grain weight have experienced such a substantial increase that both have almost reached their theoretical maxima in the period 1945–2010. Further improvement in the yield potential of wheat will have to involve increase in biomass production and grain number. This paper also reviews cropping systems and technologies as well as improvement in physiological trait from 1945 onwards during the period of genetic gain.     

体外法研究日粮不同来源氮和碳水化合物比例对干物质体外降解率的影响

本试验的氮源是纯化大豆蛋白(IsolatedSoybeanProtein,ISP)和尿素(NPN),按80:20、50:50和20:80分3组;碳水化合物源分别是从干草中提取的中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、玉米淀粉和蔗糖,按10:85:5、10:80:10、10:75:15、30:65:5、30:60:10、30:55:15、50:45:5、50:40:10和50:35:15分9组的3×9因子实验设计。应用体外尼龙袋发酵技术,研究了奶牛日粮不同来源氮和碳水化合物及其比例对干物质(DM)体外降解率的影响。结果表明,过量补充尿素及随着日粮中淀粉和蔗糖比例的增加,日粮干物质的体外降解率均下降。根据试验结果,建议在泌乳期奶牛的全混合日粮中尿素的补充量应低于干物质的2.8%,非结构性碳水化合物的含量不应超过干物质的45%。     

The optimal immunization procedure of DNA vaccine pcDNA–TA4–IL-2 of Eimeria tenella and its cross-immunity to Eimeria necatrix and Eimeria acervulina

The immunization procedure of DNA vaccine pcDNA–TA4–IL-2 of Eimeria tenella, including route, dose, time of immunization and age of primary immunization of chicken, was optimized. The stability and the cross-species protection of the vaccine were also analyzed. Efficacy of immunization was evaluated on the basis of oocyst decrease ratio, lesion score, body-weight gain and the anti-coccidial index (ACI). Chinese Yellow chickens were randomly distributed into corresponding groups (30/group). The challenged, unchallenged and vector control groups were designed. The results illustrated that 25 μg was the optimal dose and intramuscular injection was the most effective route to induce protective immunity. There were no significant differences of ACIs between boosting and non-boosting groups. Storage time and temperature had little effect on the immunizing efficacy of the vaccine. The vaccine could provide partial cross-protection against the challenge with E. necatrix and E. acervulina, but not with E. maxima.