Effect of pre-harvest foliar application of amino acids and seaweed (Ascophylum nodosum) extract on growth,yield, and storage life of different bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown under hydroponic conditions

The study was set up to evaluate the efficiency of amino acids and seaweed on vegetative growth, reproductive phase, yield, and postharvest storage quality of hydroponically grown bell pepper cultivars “Sven Rz F-1” and “Red Knight.” Different concentrations of amino acid and seaweed were sprayed on bell pepper plants under hydroponic conditions. Pre-harvest foliar application of amino acids and seaweed significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, yield per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, average fruit diameter, fruit wall thickness, and average single fruit weight. Amino acid and seaweed significantly improved postharvest physicochemical quality of both bell pepper cultivars under extended cold storage conditions. Conclusively, amino acid as well as seaweed extract not only improved growth, development, yield, and overall quality of bell pepper cultivars but also increased storage life with reduced weight loss and decay along with better physicochemical quality.     

Effects of Farm Yard Manure and Lime on Cadmium Uptake by Rice Grown in Two Contaminated Soils of Chittagong

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of farm yard manure （FYM） and lime （calcium carbonate） on reducing the uptake of Cd by rice in two Cd contaminated soils of Chittagong. The effects of farm yard manure, lime and farm yard manure mixed with lime （FYM ＋ Lime） on rice （Oryza sativa L.） growth, Cd uptake by rice and 0.1 N HC1 extractable Cd in soil were investigated. Results showed that addition of lime and farm yard manure mixed with lime significantly decreased 0.1 N HCl extractable Cd in the city sewage soil. Application of farm yard manure significantly decreased Cd concentration in rice in the city sewage soil. Lime and farm yard manure mixed with lime significantly reduced Cd concentration in rice m both the contaminated soils. Lime was more efficient than farm yard manure in reducing the uptake of Cd by rice.     

Effect of two species of cyanobacteria as biofertilizers on some metabolic activities, growth, and yield of pea plant

Two cyanobacterial species (Nostoc entophytum and Oscillatoria angustissima) were tested as biofertilizers, substituting the normally used chemical fertilizer, for pea plant. Inoculation of soil with a suspension of each species or a combination of the two species significantly increased the germination percentage and stimulated the other measured growth parameters and photosynthetic pigment fractions of pea. However, the soil inoculation with one cyanobacterial species and the addition of the recommended dose or half the recommended dose of chemical fertilizer were usually more effective and also increased carbohydrate and protein contents of produced pea seeds. However, biofertilization combined with half the recommended dose of the chemical fertilizer was usually more effective than the addition of the full rate of the chemical fertilizer, and this may allow saving 50% of the used chemical fertilizer. The protein profile of the produced seeds showed appearance and disappearance of some protein bands in response to fertilization treatments compared to the control. Blue green algae analyses show that N. entophytum fixed more N, produced more exopolysaccharide, and contained more auxin and cytokinin than O. angustissima, the latter contained more gibberellins. These data may explain their different influences on growth and yield of pea.     

陆地棉机采性状对皮棉产量的遗传贡献分析

 采用加性-显性-加加上位性及其与环境互作的遗传模型（ADAA模型）,对8个陆地棉亲本（其中有6个机采棉品种）及其F₁和F₂的28个组合5个机采性状和单株皮棉产量的新疆阿拉尔和石河子2试点资料,进行了贡献分析。结果表明,5个机采性状对皮棉产量表型值的贡献变化范围为－20%～－14%;在显性贡献中,第一果枝高度对皮棉产量的贡献率最大（CR_D=10%）,其次是节间长度的贡献（CR_D=8%）,而霜前花率对皮棉产量有较大的抑制作用（CR_D=－25%）;霜前花率对皮棉产量的加加上位贡献率最大（CR_AA=86%）,其次是第一果枝节位（CR_AA=24%）。霜前花率在特殊的环境中对皮棉产量表现为很大的显性正向贡献（CR_DE=78%）和加加上位效应抑制作用。不同亲本5个机采性状对其皮棉产量的显性和加加上位效应贡献不同。5个机采性状对不同组合皮棉产量显性效应的贡献较小,霜前花率对皮棉产量的显性效应的贡献在2个地点的表现往往和单株皮棉产量在不同地点表现显性效应的性质（正或负）相一致,并且在5个机采性状中对皮棉产量的显性贡献是最大的。加加上位效应在皮棉产量的遗传中起着很重要的作用,而在8个亲本及其后代各组合的5个机采性状中,霜前花率可作为选择皮棉产量加加上位效应的主选性状。在不同的环境中,皮棉产量加加上位效应的主选机采性状随组合有所不同。     

Deficit irrigations during soybean reproductive stages and CROPGRO-soybean simulations under semi-arid climatic conditions

This study was carried out to determine the effect of water stress on five different generative stages of soybeans and to evaluate the CROPGRO-soybean model under semi-arid climatic conditions. The study was conducted at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Harran University research field in 2003 and 2004 growing seasons. Plants received full irrigation during vegetative stages, after which it was cut off at different reproductive stages (treatments): R_1-2, beginning of flowering and full bloom; R₃, beginning of pod; R₄, full pod; R₅, beginning of seed; and R₆, full seed. The control treatment was full irrigation throughout. Observed yields ranged from 1955 (R₆) to 3684 kg ha⁻¹ (control) in 2003, and from 1867 (R₆) to 3952 kg ha⁻¹ (control) in 2004, respectively. Generally, in both of the years any water stress imposed on soybeans in three different generative stages (R₃, R₅, and R₆) resulted in substantial yield reduction compared with full irrigation; yield reduction was greatest at the R₆ stage. Biomass and 1000 seed weight also showed significant difference. Overall, CROPGRO-soybean simulated parameters from all treatments were higher compared with observed ones. Although simulated yield results were close to measured ones, they could not track observed yield patterns. Generally, the CROPGRO-soybean simulation model failed to satisfactorily mimic observed soybean yield, biomass, and 1000 seed weight and therefore it is suggested not to be used for similar scenarios and climatic conditions.