Biochemical traits associated with growing sorghum genotypes with saline water in the field

Abstract

This study was aimed to determine biochemical traits related to higher phytomass production in sorghum genotypes irrigated with saline water. It was also attempted to consider whether or not forage yield production under non-saline conditions could be used as an index for for the selection of high yielding genotypes of sorghum under saline conditions. Forty-five sorghum genotypes were grown under field conditions using saline water or normal irrigation water in two growing seasons in Yazd, Iran. It appeared that salinity tolerance in sorghum genotypes, in addition to local adaption, was highly related to forage yield as well as some biochemical traits as carotenoid concentration, catalase activity, and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio. The screening method based on biochemical traits appeared to be applicable for identification of the salt-tolerant genotypes.     

SOURCE-SINK MANIPULATION EFFECTS ON MAIZE KERNEL QUALITY

Evaluation of source or sink limitations on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and yield components is important for the rational design of agricultural practices as well as breeding strategies. There is little information on how the source or sink limitations during the effective grain-filling period affect final kernel quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of source/sink manipulation in different times after mid-silking stage on kernel weight (KW), kernel number per square meter (KN m^?2), kernel protein and oil of different maize hybrids. Field experiments were conducted at the experimental field of College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, located at Bajgah (52° 35′ N and 39° 4′ E and 1810 m above sea level, asl) during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. The treatments included three hybrids and defoliation that were arranged in the main, and subplots, respectively. Leaves removal treatments were imposed when plants were at the mid-silking stage. Silking was taken as the time when 50% of the plants in a row presented visible silks. Defoliations included control, 50% of defoliation at 25 (early defoliation), and 35 (late defoliation) days after silking (defoliation treatments were applied to all plants of each plot). The experiments were conducted in randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications and the treatments in a split-plot arrangement. Early defoliation greatly reduced kernel growth rate and grain filling period, resulting in lower mean kernel weight. Defoliation treatments modified KN m^?2 and kernel number per ear (KNPE) and variations in these components affected protein and oil content. Decreased source size by defoliation decreased kernel protein content dramatically with no significant change in oil content. Differences among treatments appeared to be related only to the post-flowering source/sink ratio. Therefore, to improve protein yield in maize, hybrids and agronomic practices should aim to increase the post-flowering source/sink ratio.     

Chemical priming with urea and KNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> enhances maize hybrids (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) seed viability under abiotic stress

Seed priming is a method to improve germination and seedling establishment under stress conditions. The effect of seed priming in chemical solutions such as urea and KNO₃, on protein and proline content, germination, and seedling growth responses of four maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids under drought and salt stress conditions was studied in a controlled environment in 2010. Treatments included stress type and intensity at five levels: moderate drought (MD), severe drought (SD), moderate salt (MS), severe salt (SS), and control (C1, without stress), three seed priming types including water (C2, as control), KNO₃, and urea (as chemical priming), and four maize hybrids including Maxima, SC704, Zola, and 307. The results showed that the highest germination percentage (Ger %), germination rate (GR), seedling length (SL), radical length (RL), and seedling to radical length ratio (S/R) were achieved in no stress treatments and most proline content in SD treatment. Urea priming led to more Ger%, GR, and SL compared to other primers and treatment under KNO₃ priming resulted in higher RL compared to other primers. Chemical priming had no effect on S/R and proline content. Also, in terms of most traits, no difference was found among the four hybrids. Results showed that salt stress could affect GR and RL more than the drought stress. Drought stress affected germination percentage and S/R more than the salt stress. Both stresses decreased all measured parameters, except protein and proline content which were increased remarkably, and more under drought compared to salt stress. Based on proline content, hybrid 304 appeared to be more resistant to stress than other hybrids. Generally, KNO₃ and urea alleviated effects of both stresses and led to increased germination and seedling growth as well as the root length. Therefore, priming could be recommended for enhancing maize growth responses under stressful conditions.     

SELECTIVITY AND PARTITIONING OF POTASSIUM AND SODIUM IN SESAME

Net uptake and partitioning of sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) in plants of two sesame cultivars (Sesamum indicum cv. ‘PB-1’ and cv. ‘UCR’) exposed to 20 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) were studied over a period of 28 days. Both cultivars showed a marked discrimination between K⁺ and Na⁺ during uptake. The reduction of K⁺ in the plants caused by the NaCl treatment was of similar magnitude in the two cvs. The cv. ‘UCR’ showed lower Na⁺ concentrations in the shoot tissues than ‘PB-1’ and K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity ratios were higher in cv. ‘UCR’ than in cv. ‘PB-1’. At the last sampling on day 28 there was a marked decrease of shoot growth in cv. ‘PB-1’ in comparison to the cv. ‘UCR’. Leaves of cv. ‘PB-1’ showed clear toxic symptoms, while those of cv. ‘UCR’ did not. It is concluded that Na⁺ exclusion from the shoot contributes to salt tolerance of sesame, cv. ‘UCR’.     

Woven Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn as potential fiber reinforced for anti-ballistic composite material

Woven Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn is the combination of natural and synthetic fibers in the form of thread or yarn. The yarn is weaved to form a fabric type of fiber reinforced material. Then, the fabric is fabricated with epoxy as the resin to form a hybrid composite. For composite fabrication, woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar hybrid yarn composite was prepared with vacuum bagging hand lay-up method. Woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar hybrid yarn composite was fabricated with total fiber content of 40 % and 60 % of Epoxy as the matrix. The fiber ratios of Kenaf/Kevlar hybrid yarn were varied in weight fraction of 30/70, 50/50 and 70/30 respectively. The composites of woven fabric Kenaf/Epoxy and woven fabric Kevlar/Epoxy were also fabricated for comparison. The mechanical properties of five (5) samples composites were tested accordingly. Result has shown that of value of strength and modulus woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn composite was increased when the Kevlar fiber content increased. Therefore, among the hybrid composite samples result showed the woven fabric Kenaf/Kevlar Hybrid Yarn composites with the composition of 30/70 ratio has exhibited the highest energy absorption with 148.8 J which 28 % lower than Kevlar 100 % sample. The finding indicated there is a potential combination of natural fiber with synthetic fiber that can be fabricated as the composite material for the application of high performance product.     

Effect of combined shrimp and rice farming on water and soil quality in Bangladesh

This study analyzed water and soil quality and environmental impacts of shrimp farming in the southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh. Shrimp farming in the region is very traditional in nature where two culture systems viz. shrimp–rice and shrimp-only are being practiced, which are characterized by lower production, repeated stocking, irregular feeding, and fertilizing. Water quality in both farming systems was found suitable for optimum growth and survival of shrimp (Penaeus spp.). The level of 5-day biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) in both systems even in canal water was within the recommended level provided by the Government of Bangladesh which is less than 5 mg/l. Therefore, effluents of shrimp farms in the study area did not show any nutrient pollution on the surrounding environment. However, saltwater intrusion has caused many problems like loss of agricultural production, reduced availability of fodder for livestock, and fresh water for domestic uses in the coastal region. The findings of this study confirmed that shrimp farming using saline water have long-term effect of soil salinization. As a result, it poses a real threat toward sustainability of coastal shrimp farming as well as coastal development in Bangladesh.     

The effects of rearing water depths and feed types on the growth performance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) has been growing in popularity as a culture species globally. Although considerable research has been carried out on this species’ feeding preferences, no research has been carried out on optimum water level for growth. This is particularly surprising given this species' benthic nature. This study assessed the effect of different combinations of water levels and types of feed on the growth performance of African catfish. The study employed a 3 × 2 factorial design with three ponds of different water levels (0.5, 1 and 1.5 m) and two types of feeds (floating and sinking). Twelve earthen ponds (1 × 2 m) were each stocked with 16 catfish fingerlings (mean weight ~100 g), and their growth was monitored for 12 weeks. The fish cultured in the shallowest water grew significantly faster than those cultured in the deepest ponds. At the same time, fish cultured in the shallowest ponds had the lowest feed intake rates and consequently the lowest feed conversion ratios. Catfish fed sinking pellets grew faster than those fed floating pellets although the difference was not significant. There was no significant interaction between pond water depth and feed type. The results of this study suggest that the growth and feeding efficiency of C. gariepinus can be optimized by culturing in fairly shallow ponds (0.5 m).     

Integrated control of fusarium head blight and deoxynivalenol mycotoxin in wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease that affects wheat, is caused by a complex of Fusarium species. The overall impact of Fusarium spp. in wheat production arises through the combination of FHB and mycotoxin infection of the grain harvested from infected wheat spikes. Spike infection occurs during opening of flowers and is favoured by high humidity or wet weather accompanied with warm temperatures. Available possibilities for controlling FHB include the use of cultural practices, fungicides and biological approaches. Three cultural practices are expected to be of prime importance in controlling FHB and the production of mycotoxins: soil preparation method (deep tillage), the choice of the preceding crop in the rotation and the selection of appropriate cultivar.     

High potential of agro-industrial by-products of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) as the powerful antifungal and antioxidant substances

Microorganisms such as fungi are one of the most important factors that cause oxidative processes during postharvest stage and consequently deterioration of agriculture products would not be unexpected. On the other hand, high antioxidant properties of industrial by-products of pomegranate propose them as powerful antioxidant and antifungal substances. So to investigate the antioxidant and antifungal properties of pomegranate, two independent factorial experiments based on randomized design with 5 replications were conducted. In the first experiment the effect of 3 different parts of pomegranate (peel, seed and leaf) and 2 different kinds of extracts (aqueous and methanolic) with 4 concentrations (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm) were investigated on 3 postharvest fungi (Penicillium italicum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Botrytis cinerea). In the second experiment antioxidant capacity and phenolic content were measured for two different extracts from different parts. Based on the results the methanolic extract showed the highest inhibitory effects on the mycelia growth (IMG) and spore germination (ISG) with 49.82 and 41.25% respectively. On the other hand, peel and seed extracts had more inhibitory effect (IMG and ISG) than leaf extract. The phenolic content of peel extract were also measured 2.8 fold higher than pomegranate leaf extract and antioxidant capacity of peel, seed and leaf extracts of pomegranate were 55.3%, 35.7% and 16.4% respectively. Therefore, it seems that the high percentage of phenolic content in the peel and seed of pomegranate could cause the high antifungal and antioxidant activity of their extracts.     

Tree species could have substantial consequences on topsoil fauna: a feedback of land degradation/restoration

The characteristics of the faunal community in the soil are closely related to soil quality and function. Land degradation, which reduces vegetation cover, may affect the soil surface-active fauna because both the above ground and below ground invertebrates depend on complex plant communities. In this study, we evaluated the effect of land degradation/restoration and factors affecting soil fauna in northern Iran. The studied land uses were virgin natural forest (VNF), Alnus subcordata C.A.M. plantation (ASP), Quercus castaneifolia C.A. Mey plantation (QCP), Cupressus sempervirens var. horizontalis plantation (CSP) and degraded natural forest (DNF). VNF and ASP enhanced soil earthworm density (2.43 and 2.12 ind. m^?2) and dry mass (27.44 and 23.39 mg m^?2) with more ratio of epigeic. The activities of acarina (91,851.37 and 85,810.43 ind. m^?2), collembola (83,009.50 and 74,996.18 ind. m^?2) and protozoa [921.25 and 851.81 (×?10² g soil)] were increased under VNF?≈?ASP, respectively. Nematode population (650 in 100 g soil) significantly improved under VNF. In general, good quality forest floor, alkaline soil and accumulation of macro-element nutrients improved biological activities under the VNF and ASP sites, while low-quality forest floor, acidic soil, less macro-elements nutrients decreased biological activities imposed by the QCP, CSP and DNF sites. More activities of the studied soil fauna were found in autumn and spring. The findings of this study support the importance of preserving natural forests. In addition, employing N₂-fixing and suitable native broadleaved species have been proposed in a bid to rehabilitate DNFs.