Correction to: Automation in Agriculture by Machine and Deep Learning Techniques: A Review of Recent Developments

Precision Agriculture - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-021-09824-9     

Population structure and phylogenetic relationship of Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and Nectarine [Prunus persica var. nucipersica (L.) C.K. Schneid.] based on retrotransposon markers

For effective varietal improvement of horticultural crops peach (Prunus persica) and nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica), information about their population structure and genetic relatedness plays an important role. In this study we used retrotransposon-based markers (iPBS) to estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of 48 peach and nectarine genotypes from various distinct geographical regions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 461 alleles were identified from PCR amplicons derived from nine iPBS primer pairs with an average of 8.5 alleles/locus. Among all four groups the genotypes collected from Swat and Hunza had the highest and the lowest expected heterozygosity, unbiased expected heterozygosity and Shannon’s information index, respectively. We constructed a Neighbour-Joining dendrogram and performed principal coordinate analysis based on the distance matrices, and both forms of analysis grouped the 48 genotypes into two distinct clusters. The STRUCTURE software distributed the forty-eight genotypes into two main populations (k?=?2) indicating a low diversity between genotypes collected from Chakwal, Swat, Mansehra and Hunza.

     

Quality evaluation of different honey samples produced in Peshawar valley

The present study was designed to evaluate different honey samples obtained from local market for their quality parameters for assessment of their feasibility for foreign export by comparing it with international standards. The study was conducted at PCSIR laboratories complex, Peshawar, during 2006. The tested samples were evaluated for moisture content, Ash percentage, acid content, HMF and reducing sugars percentage. The moisture content of locally produced honey was in the range of 14.5 to 18.23%. The ash content of locally produced honey samples ranged between 0.047-0.35 which is within the standard limits. The acid content of the honey samples ranged between 19.5 and 38.0 meq kg(-1). The HMF contents of locally produced honeys ranged from 5.3 to 23.20 mg kg(-1). The content of reducing sugar of the tested samples ranged between 43.14 and 81.40% for the tested samples of locally produced honey. All of the samples were found to be in acceptable range of international standards for all of the tested parameters except for only one sample with lower reducing sugars. These samples were marked to be according to the international standards and are healthy for human consumption.     

Genetic difference in adventitious rhizogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia procera</Emphasis> Benth. with IBA treatment

Variable adventitious rhizogenesis of juvenile shoot cuttings was observed in seven half-sib families (TP-1, BAN-1, AN-3, JR-3, SL-16, UM-3, and UM-5) of Albizia procera Benth. Treatment with IBA invariably promoted sprouting by 8%, adventitious rooting by 218%, root number by 869%, and root length by 36.4% compared with the control. Interaction between families and IBA treatment significantly enhanced sprouting and root length in BAN-1, JR-3, UM-3, and UM-5, and root number in all families, but had a significant suppressive effect on sprouting in AN-3. Treatment with IBA increased family heritability (h _f ²) 1.38-fold for sprouting, 2.86-fold for adventitious rooting, and 10.86-fold for root number, but reduced family heritability by a factor of 8.25 for root length. Thus, direct genetic effects seem to have strongly affected sprouting and adventitious rooting, with IBA playing an auxiliary role, but had little effect on root number and length, for which IBA had a dominant regulatory role.     

Efficacy of insecticide mixtures against pyrethroid‐ and organophosphate‐resistant populations of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BACKGROUND: Spodoptera litura (F.) is an important pest worldwide, with over 112 host plants, and is exposed to insecticides throughout the year, resulting in the rapid development of resistance. Insecticide mixtures can delay the development of resistance more effectively than sequences or rotations. Cypermethrin, deltamethrin, profenofos, chlorpyrifos and fipronil were assessed separately and in mixtures against laboratory susceptible S. litura and two field‐collected populations. RESULTS: The field‐collected population from Khanewal (KWL) was significantly more resistant to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, chlorpyrifos and profenofos than one collected from Muzaffar Garh (MGH). Mixtures of cypermethrin + chlorpyrifos or profenofos and of deltamethrin + chlorpyrifos or profenofos at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20 ratios significantly increased (P < 0.01) toxicity to cypermethrin and deltamethrin in field populations. The combination indices of cypermethrin + chlorpyrifos at 1:1 and 1:10 ratios and cypermethrin + fipronil at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20 ratios for the KWL strain and of cypermethrin + profenofos or fipronil at 1:1, 1:10 and 1:20 ratios for MGH were significantly below 1, suggesting synergistic interactions. The inhibitors DEF and PBO largely overcame resistance to deltamethrin, cypermethrin and profenofos, suggesting that resistance to the insecticides was associated with esterase and monooxygenase detoxification respectively. CONCLUSION: Chlorpyrifos, profenofos and fipronil could be used in mixtures to restore cypermethrin and deltamethrin susceptibility. These findings may have considerable practical implications for S. litura resistance management. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nematicidal Potential of the Neem Tree Azadirachta indica (A. Juss)

Plant products are receiving greater attention as prophylactics against several species of plant-parasitic nematodes. Numerous experiments have shown the potential nematicidal value of plant parts and their by-products when incorporated into soil or when the plants themselves are interplanted as seedlings among crop plants. Various products (oils, cakes, extracts, etc.) prepared from the leaves and seeds of the neem plant (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) (Family Meliaceae) have been reported as effective protectants against nematode pests when used as root-dips and seed treatments. Nemato-toxic compounds of the neem plant, especially the azadirachtins, are released through volatilization, exudation, leaching and decomposition. The modes of action of these compounds are complex, and a number of mechanisms in relation to nematode management are yet to be fully explored. This review critically assesses the potential of these products in the management of nematodes in tropical agriculture.     

Ascorbic acid triggered physiochemical transformations at different phenological stages of heat‐stressed Bt cotton

Heat stress at reproductive stages of cotton crop is the main cause for instability in yield than other abiotic stresses of crops. An experiment was conducted to observe the impacts of heat stress at squaring and flowering stages of cotton and potential of exogenously applied ascorbic acid to alleviate this stress. The experiment was planted for two consecutive years, that is 2013 and 2014, in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications. Treatments were comprised of heat stress in main plots, viz. H₀ = no heat imposition; H₁ = heat imposition at square initiation; H₂ = heat imposition at flower initiation and foliar‐applied ascorbic acid in subplots, viz. A₀ = control or water spray; A₁ = 20 mg/L; A₂ = 40 mg/L; and A₃ = 60 mg/L. Results showed that heat stress badly affected plant water relations (relative water contents and osmotic potential), total chlorophyll contents and activities of antioxidant enzymes that led to a corresponding decrease in seed cotton yield. Foliar application of ascorbic acid (40–60 mg/L) ameliorated adverse effects of heat and thus helped the crop to improve its water relations, stay green and antioxidant enzymes resulting into better crop yield.     

Exogenous Glycinebetaine and Salicylic Acid Application Improves Water Relations, Allometry and Quality of Hybrid Sunflower under Water Deficit Conditions

Limited water availability hampers the sustainability of crop production. Exogenous application of glycinebetaine (GB) and salicylic acid (SA) has been found very effective in reducing the adverse effects of water scarcity. This study was conducted to examine the possible role of exogenous GB and SA application in improving the growth and water relations of hybrid sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) under different irrigation regimes. There were three levels of irrigation, viz. control (normal irrigations), water stress at budding stage (irrigation missing at budding stage) and water stress at flowering stage (FS) (irrigation missing at FS). GB and SA were applied exogenously at 100 and 0.724 m m respectively, each at the budding and FS. Control plants did not receive application of GB and SA. Water stress reduced the leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf relative water contents, water potential, osmotic potential, turgor pressure, achene yield and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, exogenous GB and SA application appreciably improved these attributes under water stress. However, exogenous GB application at the FS was more effective than other treatments. Net assimilation rate was not affected by water stress as well as application of GB and SA. The protein contents were considerably increased by water stress at different growth stages, but were reduced by exogenous GB and SA application. The effects of water stress and foliar application of GB were more pronounced when applied at FS than at the budding stage. Moreover, exogenous GB application was only advantageous under stress conditions.     

A new acylated steroid glucoside from Perovskia atriplicifolia.

Atroside (1), an acylated steroid glucoside, has been isolated from Perovskia atriplicifolia along with other known compounds.     

Contribution of cultivated crops,vegetables, weeds and ornamental plants in harboring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci </Emphasis>(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and associated parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in cotton agroecosystem in Pakistan

The population dynamics of Bemisia tabaci and its parasitoids was studied on Gossypium hirsutum, Cucumis melo, Helianthus annus, Glycine max, Solanum melangena, Cucurbita pepo melopopo, Bauhinia pupurea, Morus alba, Albizzia lebbek, Lantana camara, Achyranthus aspera, and Convolvulus arvensis in cotton growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan during 2004 and 2005. Whitefly infested leaves having maximum number of second to third instar were collected and kept in glass petri dishes with lid on at 28 ± 2°C and 65 ± 3% RH. Mean population of whitefly adults that emerged per 200 cm² leaf area per sampling period recorded was maximum on G. hirsutum (43.2), followed by C. melo (31.5), L. camara (23.0), H. annus (20.5), G. max (19.3), C. pepo melopopo (18.1), S. melangena (16.9), A. aspera (11.2), C. arvensis (9.2), B. pupurea (5.4), M. alba (5.3) and A. lebbek (5.0). Percentage parasitism was higher on G. hirsutum (44.3%), followed by C. melo (38.9%), A. aspera (38.3%), L. camara (38.1%), A. lebbek (35.3%), G. max (33.5%), C. arvensis (33.0%), M. alba (31.1%), B. pupurea (27.0%), S. melangena (24.8%), C. pepo melopopo (16.1%) and H. annus (15.2%). Overall the population of whitefly remained low during winter (November–February) and high during summer (May–August) whereas, the percentage parasitism was higher during June–September and lower during December–February. The study revealed that the availability of parasitoids could be enhanced by planting L. camara, B. pupurea, A. lebbek and M. alba in the cotton growing area.