Forage Chicory: A Plant Resource for Nutrient-Rich Sites

Grazing livestock create localized nutrient patches that increase soil ionic strength (IS) and influence plant productivity. The ability of plant root systems to control ion absorption and flux to xylem, and to sequester ions reaching leaf tissue in bound, nontoxic forms are means of minimizing IS. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the growth and mineral acquisition responses of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L. cv. Grasslands Puna) to increasing (0.9, 4, 8, and 12 dS m^?1) IS in the rhizosphere obtained by additions of NaCl/CaCl₂ (1 : 1 m ratio). Plants were harvested four times after planting (20, 27, 34 and 41 d) to identify responses as a function of time. Increased accumulation and localization of Na in roots in comparison to shoots suggested that chicory restricted Na transport to shoots, and that insoluble Na in tissues increased with increasing IS. Soluble cations in shoots were about 50 % of total cations, irrespective of rhizosphere IS and Na uptake. Differences in the cation:anion ratio could not be accounted for by organic acid concentrations in chicory, but substantial accumulation of nonstructural carbohydrates as fructans in roots could contribute to charge balance. Our results demonstrate that forage chicory has moderate tolerance to IS, suggesting that it might be a useful species for sites with potential for IS. Chicory growth would probably be sustained under IS conditions, and the resultant vigorous growth and accumulation of mineral nutrients in shoots would contribute to acceptable nutritive value for grazing livestock. Plants capable of growing in and acquiring nutrients from nutrient‐laden patches in the sward would help minimize erosion and nutrient transport, with positive benefits for water and soil quality.     

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting sugars, organic acids and other biochemical properties possibly contributing to flavor, identified in four advanced backcross populations of tomato

Although the Advanced Backcross strategy has proven very useful for QTL detection in tomato, it has been used mainly in identifying QTL for agronomic traits such as yield, color, etc. Tomato flavor is an important quality characteristic, yet it has been difficult to assess flavor or traits that affect it. In this study the AB-QTL strategy was applied to four advanced backcross populations to identify QTL for biochemical properties that may contribute to the flavor of processed tomatoes, such as sugars and organic acids. A total of 222 QTL were identified for 15 traits, including flavor as assessed by a taste panel. Correlations of certain biochemicals with flavor and possible methods of assessing and improving flavor are discussed. In particular, QTL with very significant effects associated with the ratio of sugars/glutamic acid, a trait highly correlated with improved flavor, have been identified as good targets for future work in improving the flavor of tomatoes. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of Storage Conditions on Germination in Wheat

The percentage germination was determined for storage of wheat at four grain moisture contents (15, 18, 21 and 24 %), four temperature levels (4, 15, 25 and 40°C) and three levels of mechanical damage (0, 15 and 30 %). The effect of each level of moisture was investigated using three replicates for each temperature and each level of mechanical damage. During storage, at 0.25, 0.5 and 1 % dry matter loss (DML), germination tests were carried out on samples taken from each of the above treatments. The percentage germination was compared statistically amongst treatments. The analysis showed significant differences among most of the treatments. The percentage germination decreased very slowly at a low moisture level (15 %), low temperature (4°C) and low level of damage (0 %), while it decreased rapidly at a high moisture level (24 %), high temperature (40°C) and high level of damage (30 %). For example, the percentage germination was 41 % when the wheat was stored at 4°C, 15 % mechanical damage and 24 % moisture content after a storage time of 36.5 days, while the percentage germination was 88.3 % when the wheat was stored at 4°C, 15 % mechanical damage and 15 % moisture content after a storage time of 104 days.     

Analysis of variation and interrelationships in potato germplasm

Summary As the exploitation of economic characters in potato is reaching a plateau, use of exotic germplasm offers an ideal opportunity for further improvement. Fifty-five accessions from eleven countries were studied under long and short day conditions. Wide variation was noticed for a number of phenological, morphological and tuber characters. Analysis of variation and correlations has demonstrated possibilities for using this diverse germplasm in various potato improvement programs.Abbreviations APC - Andean Primitive Cultivars - AUDPC - Area Under Disease Progress Curve - CCBL - Commerical Cultivars and Breeding Lines - LD - Long Days - SD - Short Days     

Compensatory Growth Responses During Reproductive Phase of Cowpea after Relief of Water Stress

Unpredictable drought affects growth and yield of dryland cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) during rainy season. With the objective of identifying compensatory growth responses after relief of water stress, pot-grown plants (cv. C-752) were water-stressed at flowering, and physiological responses, short term dry matter partitioning upon relief of water stress, and productivity at maturity were studied. Water stress decreased, to varying degrees, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis rate and transpiration rate. Recovery in assimilation lagged behind that in water relations. Assimilate supply seemed to be limiting early pod growth upon relief of water stress due to low photosynthesis rate, reduced leaf area per pod, and increased partitioning to leaf expansion. However, later pod growth was not limited by assimilate supply and final dry matter per pod was similar in both non-stressed and stress-affected plant. Cowpea exhibited the following growth responses during pod-fill stage upon relief of water stress: 1. increase in leaf area, 2. shift in dry matter partitioning in favour of leaf expansion, 3. extended green leaf duration, and 4. increase in pod number. These partially compensating physiological responses probably ensure reasonable productivity of dryland cowpea during rainy season.     

Genetic variation of the rate of leaf appearance in maize: Possible yield prediction at the early stage

Summary Evidence of genetic variation for early vigour is presented using maize line × tester crosses. The leaf appearance rate and associated variance components are affected by a physiological stress attributable to the transition to autotrophic nutrition by the plant. At this stage, specific combining ability plays an important role in the total genetic variation. It is concluded that differing genetic controls exist in early and late material, and that this difference is also manifested in leaf initiation and elongation rates. The ground coverage rate, as a component of plant development, is genetically correlated to total dry matter yield. The genetic correlations vary according to the growth stage.     

Seed Size Variation and its Effects on Germination and Seedling Vigour in Rice

The extent of seed size variations within a rice variety and its effect on germination and seedling vigour were investigated. Seed size was determined by weighing individual grains of randomly selected one hundred panicles. Grains were sorted into four size classes: 11–15, 16–20, 21–25 and 25–30 mg. There was nearly a three-fold variation between the smallest and the largest seeds, which ranged from 11 to 30 mg. Germination rate and seedling vigour index values increased with the increase of seed size suggesting the selection of larger seeds for good stand establishment.     

不同覆盖方式对植烟土壤有机质及烟叶品质影响的初步研究

为提高烟叶品质,进行了对植烟土壤不同覆盖方式的比较试验,结果表明:高C/N比秸秆与地膜双覆盖能够协调烤烟生长全过程的土壤温度,并且地温日变化幅度小,蓄水保墒作用显著,有机质积累明显,腐殖化作用强,使得烟叶内在化学成分比例更协调,产值高。秸秆单覆盖对土壤性状改良与秸秆和地膜双覆盖相似,烟叶内在化学成分较协调,品质较好,但由于在烤烟生长前期不能提高土壤温度,使得烟叶生长速度较慢,产量下降,产值与地膜单覆盖差异不显著;由于没有新鲜的有机质补充,地膜单覆盖对土壤性状改良不及秸秆单覆盖和秸秆与地膜双覆盖,从而使得烟叶品质较不协调,但产量较高,产值也较高。     

蔬菜基于与无机肥配施的有机肥适用量研究

目前有关蔬菜作物有机无机肥的配施比例等有关施肥种类不合理的问题依然存在,为获得蔬菜生产上合理施用有机肥的用量,通过对菜心等叶菜和苦瓜开展田间试验,考察施不同量有机肥对菜心等叶菜和苦瓜产量和品质的影响,获取2类蔬菜的有机肥与无机肥配施时的合适用量,并进行了验证。结果表明:(1)菜心等叶菜有机肥与无机肥配施时,产量较高和品质较优的有机肥合适施用量为每茬50 kg/667 m2,若产量水平特别高的叶菜可适当增加至每茬100 kg/667 m2。(2)苦瓜有机肥与无机肥配施时,产量水平一般的苦瓜使用商品有机肥合适用量约为300 kg/667 m2,产量水平特别高的可增至500 kg/667 m2;若使用农家有机肥的合适用量约为750 kg/667 m2。     

Self-compatibility and heterosis in white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

Inbred lines of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) have been produced utilising the rare self-fertility (Sf) allele. Twenty-two lines of four distinct groups have been maintained through five generations of selfing by single seed descent. Fourteen lines were used in crosses to produce F¹s. Both parents and hybrids were analysed for a range of morphological characters. Positive heterosis for dry matter production was observed in half the hybrids. No other trait showed significant heterosis. The degree of heterosis appears to be related to the extent of variation in morphological characters between the parental lines, some combinations of lines yielding heterotic hybrids in all cases, others in none. The majority of the F¹ hybrids are superior in terms of dry matter production to eight control varieties. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.