Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120813Info0079310.22069/ijpp.2012.793ENJournal Article20120813Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Association between aflatoxin contamination and N2 fixation
in peanut under drought conditions16117277210.22069/ijpp.2012.772ENA. ArunyanarkDepartment of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom
73140, Thailand.S. PimratchDepartment of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand.S. JogloyDepartment of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand.https://orcid.org/00S. WongkaewSchool of Crop Production Technology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of
Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand.N. VorasootDepartment of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand.C. AkkasaengDepartment of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand.T. KesmalaDepartment of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand.A. PatanothaiDepartment of Plant Science and Agricultural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon
Kaen 40002, Thailand.C.C. HolbrookCrop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, USDA/ARS, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia
31793, USA.Journal Article20120811Traits related to nitrogen fixation may be used as indirect selection criteria for<br />aflatoxin resistance in peanut. The aim of this study was to investigate the<br />relationship between N2 fixation traits and aflatoxin contamination in peanut under<br />different drought conditions. Eleven peanut genotypes were evaluated under three<br />water regimes for two seasons in the field. Data were observed on kernel infection<br />by Aspergillus flavus, aflatoxin contamination, total nitrogen content, N2 fixation<br />and its related traits viz. nodule number, nodule dry weight and nitrogenese<br />activity. Drought stress reduced total nitrogen content and N2 fixation, but it<br />increased kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination. Total nitrogen content, N2<br />fixation and its related traits had negative and significant effects on kernel infection<br />and aflatoxin contamination especially under drought conditions. In addition,<br />negative correlations between kernel infection and aflatoxin contamination with<br />drought tolerance index (DTI) of N2 fixation traits were also found. The results<br />indicated that the ability to maintain high N2 fixation under drought conditions of<br />peanut genotypes can result in better resistance to aflatoxin contamination.Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Using SNPs for transplanting of cotton seedlings to increase
plant growth and yield17318477310.22069/ijpp.2012.773ENZh. ZhangCollege of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan, 030051, P. R. China.H. LiCollege of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan, 030051, P. R. China.H. WangInstitute of Cotton, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Yuncheng, 044000, P. R. China.J. NanInstitute of Cotton, Shanxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Yuncheng, 044000, P. R. China.Journal Article20120811Straw nursery pots (SNPs), which utilize agricultural residues such as wheat<br />straw and corn stalks as raw materials, can be widely used in the transplanting<br />of seedlings of crops, vegetables, flowers and trees. Plastic nursery pots (PNPs)<br />and direct sowing (DS) were used as controls in evaluating the effects of SNPs<br />on plant growth, dry matter partitioning, yields and economic benefits of<br />transplanted cotton. SNPs significantly increased the rate of emergence,<br />shortened the convalescent period by about 7 d and increased the transplant<br />survival rate by 8.8% compared to PNPs. This led to significantly increased dry<br />matter accumulation: that of reproductive parts for SNP seedlings were 1.5- and<br />1.8-fold of that for PNPs and DS, respectively. The lint yield using SNPs was<br />11.5 and 17.5% greater than for PNPs and DS, respectively. Boll number per<br />plant with SNPs was 7.5 and 23.3% greater than for PNPs and DS, respectively;<br />lint weight was not significantly different than with PNPs and was 5.8% greater<br />than for DS. There were no significant differences in lint percentage among the<br />three systems. Further benefit analysis showed that net revenue per hectare<br />from using SNPs in cotton production was US$108 and US$279 greater than<br />for PNP and DS, respectively. This was mainly due to significantly increased<br />output, a reduced number of seedlings needed, nursery pot costs accounting for<br />a relatively small proportion of total investment, and the relatively low labor<br />costs in China.Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk) seed germination
and emergence as affected by environmental factors
and planting depth18519477410.22069/ijpp.2012.774ENF. Ghaderi-FarGorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Dept. of Agronomy, Iran.S.M. AlimaghamGorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Dept. of Agronomy, Iran.A.M. KameliGorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Dept. of Agronomy, Iran.M. JamaliGorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Dept. of Agronomy, Iran.Journal Article20120811Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk) seed germination and emergence in response to<br />drought (Polyethylene glycol 8000) and salinity stress (NaCl), temperature, pH and<br />planting depth were studied in laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Base,<br />optimum and ceiling germination temperature were estimated as 3.35, 21.24 and<br />35.04 oC, respectively. Isabgol seed is rather tolerant to low water potential and high<br />salt stress. Salinity stress up to 200 mM had no effect on Isabgol seed germination,<br />but the germination decreased by increasing the salt concentration. The drought and<br />salinity required for 50% inhibition of maximum germination were 328 mM and -<br />1.24 MPa, respectively. High percentage of seed germination (>93%) was observed<br />at pH=4-6 and declined to 52-58% at alkaline (pH 7-9) pH. Maximum seedling<br />emergence occurred when the seeds were planted on the soil surface and decreased<br />with increasing the depth of planting; no seed emerged from depth of 3 cm.Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Salt stress effect on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
growth and leaf ion concentrations19520877510.22069/ijpp.2012.775ENH.R. AsgariDept. Desert Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran.W. CornelisDept. Soil management, Ghent University, Belgium.P. Van DammeDept. Plant Production, Ghent University, Belgium.Journal Article20120811Crops growing in salt-affected soils may suffer from physiological drought<br />stress, ion toxicity, and mineral deficiency which then lead to reduced growth and<br />productivity. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of different<br />salinity levels, i.e. ECe=3 dS m-1 (control), 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1 on wheat grain<br />yield, yield components and leaf ion uptake. Desired salinity levels were obtained<br />by mixing adequate NaCl before filling the pots. Soil water was maintained at 70%<br />of available water holding capacity. Results revealed that Kouhdasht and Tajan<br />showed highest and lowest grain yield and yield compomnents as compared to<br />others. Leaf Na+ and Cl- concentrations of all genotypes increased significantly<br />with increasing soil salinity, with the highest concentrations in Tajan, followed by<br />Rasoul, Atrak and Kouhdasht. Highest leaf K+ concentration and K+: Na+ ratio<br />were observed in Kouhdasht, followed by Atrak, Rasoul and Tajan, respectively.<br />Based on higher grain yield production, higher leaf K+ concentration, K+: Na+ ratio<br />and lower leaf Na+ and Cl- concentrations, Kouhdasht and Atrak were identified as<br />the most salt-tolerant genotypes.Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Determination of levels of Striga germination Stimulants for
maize gene bank accessions and elite inbred lines20922477610.22069/ijpp.2012.776ENH. KarayaInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1041-00621, Nairobi Kenya.K. NjorogeUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Upper Kabete Campus, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi Kenya.S. MugoInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1041-00621, Nairobi Kenya.E. S. ArigaUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Upper Kabete Campus, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi Kenya.F. KanampiuInternational Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1041-00621, Nairobi Kenya.J. H. NderituUniversity of Nairobi, Faculty of Agriculture, Upper Kabete Campus, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Nairobi Kenya.Journal Article20120811Parasitism by Striga hermonthica (Del) Benth is a severe constraint in maize<br />production in sub-Saharan Africa. Varying levels of tolerance to Striga attack have<br />been identified and exploited in breeding programs of several crops. However, the<br />level and stability of the tolerance is generally unacceptable in field-practice. Only<br />limited exploration has been undertaken among the farmers’ landraces to find the<br />presence of viable sources of resistance to Striga. The objective of this study was to<br />examine and document the presence of the Striga germination stimulants from a<br />collection of some 420 maize landraces, populations and elite inbred lines. The<br />genotypes were variously sourced from International Maize and Wheat Improvement<br />Center (CIMMYT), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Kenya<br />Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). The ability to effect germination as a<br />measure of the amount of germination stimulant produced was used to assess the<br />materials, using the standard procedures. Data were recorded on Striga germination<br />by counting Striga seeds with protruding radicle. Highly significant (P=0.001)<br />differences were observed among the germplasm screened. Several landraces were<br />found to stimulate low levels of Striga germination compared to the commercial<br />checks. Landraces CRIC 51, CUBA T-31, BRAZ 1758, BRAZ 1279 and VERA 217<br />exhibited the lowest Striga germination, an indication of high level of resistance to<br />Striga. The inbred lines were found to have a higher Striga germination percent<br />compared to the landraces, a likelihood of a higher concentration of strigol, the<br />stimulant causing chemical. CIMMYT lines CML 202 IR, CML 445 IR and CML<br />204 IR induced the least amount of Striga seeds to germinate. Higher levels of<br />germination of Striga seeds were found in the IITA lines which are known to be resistant, depicting a probable avoidance root architecture mode of resistance as<br />opposed to low production of strigol. It was concluded that the landraces with low<br />Striga germination percent can be used by breeders in the extraction of new Striga<br />resistant inbred lines. The resistant inbred lines can be recommended for direct use in<br />the formation of maize synthetics and hybrids resistant to S. hermonthica.Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Screening of Greek wheat landraces for their yield responses
under arid conditions22523877710.22069/ijpp.2012.777ENA.J. KaramanosAgricultural University of Athens, Faculty of Crop Science, Laboratory of Agronomy, 75, Iera Odos st., 11855
Athens, GREECE.G. EconomouAgricultural University of Athens, Faculty of Crop Science, Laboratory of Agronomy, 75, Iera Odos st., 11855
Athens, GREECE.A. PapastavrouAgricultural University of Athens, Faculty of Crop Science, Laboratory of Agronomy, 75, Iera Odos st., 11855
Athens, GREECE.I.S. TravlosAgricultural University of Athens, Faculty of Crop Science, Laboratory of Agronomy, 75, Iera Odos st., 11855
Athens, GREECE.Journal Article20120811The present study was a part of a long time screening experiment that included<br />a high number of wheat landraces (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivated in Greece, and<br />focused on the agronomic point of view and the drought adaptation for some of<br />these landraces. One of the most acceptable ways for the assessment of drought<br />resistance is the examination of yield and yield components in different water<br />regimes. Therefore, in our two-years experiments parameters of plants water<br />relations and yield components such as grain yield, total biomass, number of<br />kernels per spike and mean grain weight were recorded for the several cultivars.<br />The data obtained during the two experimental seasons clearly pointed out the<br />differential behavior of wheat landraces under water stress conditions. The<br />populations that exhibited the greater adaptability (low bN) were Grinias Zakinthou<br />(biomass, grain yield) and Skilopetra Ptolemaidas (harvest index, kernels per spike)<br />and they could be used in breeding programs in Greece and other arid regions.Gorgan University of Agricultural SciencesInternational Journal of Plant Production1735-68146220120811Regional climate change scenarios and their impacts on
water requirements for wheat production in Iran23926677810.22069/ijpp.2012.778ENGh.R. RoshanDepartment of Geography, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran.S.W. GrabSchool of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa.Journal Article20120811We simulate the effect of climate change on water requirements of cold season<br />wheat in various climatic zones of Iran. The research considers both observed<br />climate (temperature and precipitation) changes during recent decades (1960-2009)<br />based on instrumental records and projected future changes to 2100 based on the<br />MAGICC/SCENGEN 5.3 compound model. 20 General Circulation models are used<br />based on a single scenario known as P50, which is the average of SRES or emission<br />scenarios. Results indicate that whilst winter precipitation has marginally increased<br />across the country as a whole, a significant decline in mean spring precipitation is<br />recorded between 1960 and 2009. However, considerable variability in trends is<br />measured across various climatic regions of Iran. Mean annual temperature / rainfall<br />changes in the various climate zones of Iran for the period 1960-2009 follow: +0.1 °C<br />/ decade / +0.43 mm / decade in arid regions, -0.1 °C / decade / -1.7 mm / decade in<br />semi-arid regions, +0.1 °C / decade / -1.33 mm / decade in Mediterranean / semihumid<br />regions and -0.01 °C / decade / -0.04 mm / decade in humid / hyper humid<br />regions. Temperature projections to 2100 indicate an overall temperature rise of ca.<br />4.25 °C relative to that for 1961-1990, with increases projected for all climatic<br />regions of Iran. Despite an overall projected mean precipitation increase of 36% for<br />the year 2100, relative to that for 1961-1990, these are insufficient to compensate for<br />temperature increases. Consequently, calculated water deficits during the growing<br />season (autumn to spring) in Iran’s wheat producing areas are expected to increase<br />from 5.2% in 1980 to over 23% by 2050 and 38% by 2100.