Yield Stability of Winter Wheat (Triticum sp.) Cultivars and Lines

The purpose of this study was to compare responsiveness to environment as well as the stability of newly developed promising lines with traditional commercial cultivars. Subject research was conducted in Ankara between 1983-1989 on common and durum wheat cultivars and lines. Regression coefficient (b) was used as the criterion of genotypes' responsiveness to environment whereas deviation from regression (S²d) and coefficient of determination (r²) were used as stability parameters. Each experiment year was regarded as an environment and yield average of each year was used as the environmental index.
In consequence of the research, it was determined that new varieties with high yield, adaptable to diverse environments could be developed by means of hybridizations between parents having different genetic characteristics which were provided from diverse ecological regions.     

Physiological Analysis of Yield Variation in Mungbean (Vigna radiata [Roxb.] Wilczek)

Two mungbean varieties, Guj-1 and PIMS-1 differing in their productivity potential, were examined to investigate their photosynthetic system at various stages of growth in relation to yield with two different dates of sowing. Vertical leaves were found to be beneficial. On the other hand, excessive leaf area during the later stages of growth may be detrimental to yield. Lower LAD at seedling stage and overall high NAR values may be reflected in higher grain yield. NAR declined as season progressed and this, in turn, may be related with increase in LAI. The grain yield was considerably more at the first date of sowing as compared to second date of sowing, the effect was being more pronounced in var. PIMS-1 . Various environmental factors recorded at two different dates of sowing and at various stages of growth indicated that these factors may have influenced the yield potential at two different dates of sowing.     

Effects of the probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus, on the growth performance, haematology parameters and immunoglobulin concentration in African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) fingerling

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus , on the growth performance, haematology parameters and immunoglobulin concentration in African catfish Clarias gariepinus fingerling. Two experimental diets were formulated to contain 35 g kg⁻¹ crude protein and 10 g kg⁻¹ lipids accordingly and fed three times daily for 12 weeks to 25 C. gariepinus fingerlings per fibreglass tank in 12 replicates each. The control diet was prepared with no probiotic supplementation whereas the second diet was prepared supplemented with a probiotic, L. acidophilus , containing about 3.01 × 10⁷ colonies/g of diet. The results show that growth performance [specific growth rate (SGR) and relative growth rate (RGR)], nutrient utilization [protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR)] and survival were significantly ( P <0.05) higher in fish maintained on the probiotic-supplemented diet compared with those on the control diet. Haematology parameters (packed cell volume, haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, red blood cell and white blood cell, total serum protein, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, glucose and cholesterol) and total immunoglobulin concentrations were also significantly better in fish fed the probiotic-supplemented diet than in the control. Although the water quality parameters monitored were better in the fish fed the probiotic-supplemented diet than in the control, the parameters were not significantly different ( P >0.05). From the results of this experiment, we conclude that L. acidophilus can be used as a probiotic agent in African catfish culture, to enhance fish health, survival and better feed efficiency and growth performance.     

Chlorophyll Fluorescence,Photosynthetic and Morphological Characteristics of Waterlogged Sesame Seedlings

Two sesame accessions, ZZM2541 and Ezhi-2, with different tolerance to waterlogging were selected, and the seedlings at the 4-true leaf stage were treated by waterlogging for 48 h. Growth parameters were evaluated 1 d before the beginning of waterlogging and on the 3rd day after the removal of waterlogging (DARW). Morphological characteristics of root and chlorophyll fuorescence were measured on the 3rd DARW and leaf gas exchange was measured on the zero, 3rd and 15th DARW. Results showed that sesame accessions ZZM2541 and Ezhi-2 responded to waterlogging in considerably different performance.The stress induced leaf chlorosis and abscission and slowed growth of plant height in both accessions, but symptom occurred seriously in the susceptive Ezhi-2. In the more tolerant ZZM2541, plentiful of adventitious roots formed above the level.All of the average values of maximum fuorescence yield (Fm), quantum efficiency of open PSII centres (Fv/Fm), initial fluorescence (Fv/F0) and chlorophyll content (Chl) decreased at the 4-true leaf stage in both accessions after suffering to the stress.The decreases of Fm, Fv/F0 and Chl were more pronounced in Ezhi-2 than in ZZM2541. Less reductions of mean photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (gs) were observed in the leaves of waterlogged ZZM2541 than in waterlogged Ezhi-2 (compared to controls), and the leaves of Ezhi-2 showed a higher water use efficiency (WUE) after the removal of waterlogging. Based on the results, it was concluded that the tolerance to waterlogging of ZZM2541 appears to depend on a combination of photosynthetic characteristics responses and morphological adaption.