Seed Oil Quantity and Fatty Acid Composition of Different Sea Buckthorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippophae Rhamnoides</Emphasis> L.) Wild Populations in Iran

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a valuable multipurpose medicinal plant belonging to Elaeagnaceae family. In this study, oil content and fatty acid composition of seed oil from 20 sea buckthorn wild populations of Iran were evaluated in 2014 and 2015. Oil extraction was done using n-hexane solvent in a Soxhlet apparatus and then GC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters was performed. The highest and lowest amount of seed oil content in two years were obtained from Sarein and Kejel populations, respectively (3.88 to 8.63% in 2014 and from 4.07 to 9.66% in 2015). Importance of seed oil is related to it’s highly amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Maximum content of oleic acid cis were existed in Kelavenga (21.19%) on 2014. The highest value of oleic acid trans were related to Shahrestanak (6.34%) in 2015. Maximum content of linoleic acid in 2014 were existed in Baladeh (42.03%) on 2015. The highest linolenic acid content were obtained from Dehdar (30.73%) in 2014. Factor analysis based on PCA revealed, first three components (PC1–PC3) explained 63.86% of the total variation. The first component (PC1) was contributed by some traits such as seed oil percentage, Palmitoleic acid, oleic acid trance and linoleic acid contents with about 29% of total variation. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided the populations into four main groups with high diversity. Wide range of variation across the sea buckthorn populations in seed oil traits could be exploited for selection of suitable genotypes to improvement and commercial exploitation of this plant.     

Effect of Glutathione-Supplemented INRA82 Extender on Miniature Caspian Stallion Sperm Quality during Storage at 5°C

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of glutathione-supplemented INRA82 extender on miniature Caspian stallion sperm quality during storage at 5°C. A total of 12 ejaculates from three stallions (four ejaculates from each stallion) were collected and diluted with INRA82 extender that included different concentrations of glutathione (0 [INRA-G0], 5 [INRA-G5], and 10 mM [INRA-G10]) and stored for 48 hours at 5°C. Sperm motility (computer-assisted sperm analysis), plasma membrane integrity (eosin–nigrosin staining) and functionality (hypo-osmotic swelling test), and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were determined during storage at 5°C. The results showed that the sperm total and progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity and functionality in all extenders were significantly decreased with increasing storage time. However, the MDA level in all extenders was significantly increased with increasing storage time. Also, the results showed that most of the evaluated sperm quality parameters in the present study, with the exception of MDA, were significantly greater in INRA-G5 than in INRA-G0 and INRA-G10 after 24 and 48 hours of storage at 5°C. We have concluded that supplementation of INRA82 with 5 mM glutathione can improve miniature Caspian stallion sperm quality during storage at 5°C by increasing total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity and functionality, and decreasing the MDA level compared with INRA-G0 and INRA-G10. More advanced in vitro evaluations and artificial insemination are required to reveal the exact effects of INRA-G5 on miniature Caspian stallion sperm quality and its fertilizing ability.     

Accumulation of phytate in vegetable-type soybean genotypes harvested at four developmental stages

A total of 17 vegetable-type soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) genotypes were planted in four-row plots arranged in a randomized complete block design in 1988 and 1989 at Petersburg, Virginia. Each genotype was harvested at four developmental stages and evaluated for phytate content. Highly significant differences for phytate content were observed among the stages of harvest and genotypes, and there was an interaction between genotype x stage of harvest. The significant differences observed for phytate content among genotypes indicated that genetic variation exists among the tested genotypes for selection and improvement through hybridization. Among the genotypes, ‘Kingston’ and PI 423852 had the highest phytate content in most stages of harvest while PI 416771, ‘Emperor’, and PI 416982 had the lowest phytate values. A heritability estimate of 81 percent was observed for phytate content. This high heritability value indicates that selecting genotypes for lower phytate content would be effective. Significant correlations were observed for phytate content among genotypes harvested at R6, R7, R8, and overall. The magnitude of association of R6 with the overall phytate mean was especially high. These results illustrate that determining the phytate content of genotypes at the R6 growth stage would be a good predictor of the overall genotypic performance. Contribution of Virginia State University Agricultural Research Station. Journal Series No. 201. The use of any trade names and/or vendors does not imply approval to the exclusion of the other products or vendors that may also be suitable.     

Generation means analysis of traits related to lodging using two crosses of durum × emmer wheat

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Lodging is one of the most important factors that affect wheat final yield. Emmer [Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Schübl.) Thell.] is a...     

Common Kilka Hydrolysis: Investigation of Functional and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Hydrolysates Obtained by Kiwifruit and Ginger Proteases

The functional and in vitro antioxidant properties of common kilka fish protein hydrolysates with different degree of hydrolysis (DH) obtained by kiwifruit protease (KP) and ginger protease (GP) were evaluated. The electrophoretic patterns of hydrolysates showed the presence of one major band in different DHs with a molecular weight of less than 25 kDa. Protein solubility was positively correlated with DH, and the solubility of KP and GP hydrolysates (HKP and HGP, respectively) at 15% DH was higher than other DHs (p ≤ 0.05). Higher emulsifying and foaming properties were observed in HKP over a pH range of 2–10 (p ≤ 0.05), and in vitro antioxidant activity was higher in HKP at 15% DH as seen from 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric-reducing power. Thus, the results reveal that DH and enzyme type affects functional properties and antioxidant activity of the hydrolysates.     

A comparison of 5 soil phosphorus extraction methods applied to different soils of South of Iran

Phosphorus (P) fertilization is commonly based on soil testing, for which a variety of different soil P extraction methods are in use. In this research, the correlation and calibration of five extraction techniques for available P were studied: Soltanpour and Schwab, Olsen, EDTA-Na₂, Paauw and Morgan in 168 different soil samples from 63000 ha of Sirjan pistachio orchards of Kerman province, Iran. The Morgan reagent extracted the most P and then EDTA-Na₂> Olsen> Soltanpour and Schwab> Paauw extracted more phosphorus, respectively. Positive and significant correlation (P < 0.05) existed among all extractants. The correlation coefficients between different extractants and plant P concentration indicated that, EDTA-Na₂ (P < 0.01), Olsen and Paauw methods (P < 0.05) had positive and significant correlation with leaf P concentration and thus with due attention to acceptable relationship with plant indices, the Olsen and EDTA-Na₂ methods could be used to advise on available P.