CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Heterotic relationship between INERA, CIMMYT and IITA maize inbred lines under drought and well-watered conditions
Get PDFThe Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research of Burkina Faso has extracted a large number of inbred lines from Open Pollinated Varieties, which are environmentally adapted and adopted by farmers. However, there is a gap in knowledge on heterotic grouping of these lines and their heterotic relationship with exotic lines. Twenty-four CIMMYT and INERA white lines were crossed to two CIMMYT testers and; twenty six IITA and INERA yellow inbred lines were crossed to two IITA testers. Two trials composed of 48 white testcrosses and 52 yellow test¬crosses plus three checks were evaluated in well-watered and drought stress conditions in the dry season over two years. Significant general combining ability (GCA) effects due to lines and, testers for many traits including grain yield were observed. However, specific combining ability (SCA) effects for most traits except for plant and ear heights were not significant. Of the 24 CIMMYT and INERA white lines, 15 lines could be classified into het¬erotic groups based on the SCA effects and testcross mean grain yield in well-watered environment and, 10 lines were classified under drought stress condition. Eighty five percent of the IITA and INERA yellow lines were clas¬sified into heterotic groups in both drought and non-drought conditions. Thirteen yellow lines and five white lines maintained their heterotic groups in both well-watered and water-stressed conditions
Imidazolinone-tolerant maize as a tool for weed control in flooded rice production systems
Get PDFThis study aimed to (1) evaluate the optimal dose of the herbicide [imazapic + imazapyr], for control of red rice, as well as its selectivity to imidazolinone-tolerant maize; (2) to identify the most suitable adjuvant to be added to the optimal dose for maximizing red rice and barnyardgrass control; and (3) to evaluate its carryover effect on winter species commonly planted after maize in Southern Brazil. Three studies were carried out (two under field conditions, one under greenhouse) in completely randiomized blocks design. Experiment one consisted of ap¬plication of [Imazapic + Imazapyr] and nicosulfuron, at increasing rates, on OnDuty® maize crop; experiment two consisted of application of the optimal dose of [Imazapic + Imazapyr] determined in experiment 1, plus atrazine, with distinct adjuvants, and experiment 3 consisted of planting rapeseed (Brassica napus), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), white clover (Trifolium repens) and vetch (Vicia sativa) after applying [Imazapic + Imazapyr] at 1x and 2x the label dose in order to verify its toxic¬ity effects. Application of [imazapic + imazapyr] at dose of 0.100 kg c.p. ha-1 (equivalent to 52.5 + 17.5 g a.i. ha-1) on imidazolinone-tolerant maize was effective in controlling red rice and barnyardgrass when using Cicol or Dash as adjuvants, being also selective to the crop cv C 909 CL. Residues of these herbicides can affect winter crops in succession. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the use of vetch in phytoremediation following imidazolinone-tolerant maize
Evaluation of multi-stress tolerant maize varieties for sustainable intensification in Northern Guinea Savanna of north eastern Nigeria
Get PDFMaize productivity is limited by multiple stresses in the savannas of West and Central Africa. Field trials were conducted in northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate the performance of multi-stress tolerant maize varieties. Thirteen varieties including Local Check replicated three times were tested in randomized complete block design. Plant and ear heights were significantly higher for LNTP x LNP-WC3 and 2004 TZE-W DT-STRC4 than POOL 18-SR, 2009 TZE-W POP-STR, EVDT 99-W STR; and EVDT 2000-Y STRQPM, respectively. Striga count was significantly lower for EVDT 99-W STR and LNTP x LNP-WC3 than all the other entries. Days to 50% tassel and 50% silk were each significantly earlier for EVDT 99STR W-STR QPM, DT-W STR SYN, EVDT-99W STR and 2009 TZEW DT STR than the Local Check. Anthesis Silk Interval (ASI) was significantly lower for TZE COMP3 DT-WC2, 2009 TZEW DT STR, and EVDT 99-W STR than Local Check. Number of ears plant-1 was sig¬nificantly higher for 2008 DTMA-Y STR than Local Check. Grain yield ha-1 was significantly superior for DT-Y STR SYN, 2008 DTMA-Y STR, 2004 TZE-W DTSTR C4, 2009 TZEW DT STR and EVDT 99-W STRQPM, respectively. Plant height was positively correlated with ASI and ear height, while ear height was positively associated with ears plant-1, days to 50% silk and 50% tassel. Grain yield ha-1 was positively correlated with ears plant-1, days to 50 % silk, days to 50% tassel and ear height, while ears plant-1 was negatively correlated with ear weight. Farmer selec¬tion criteria for acceptance of variety were in the order: Striga tolerance > nutrient value > drought tolerance > flour value > good taste > high yield > early maturity. The five varieties: DTY STR SYN, 2008 DTMA-Y STR, 2004 TZE-W DT STRC4, 2009 TZEW DT STR and EVDT 99-W STRQPM satisfied farmers criteria and were promising and thus nominated for on-farm demonstration and subsequent adoption in the region
The effect of 5 cycles of biparental mass selection on a narrow base maize population based on phenotype, combining ability, and SSR analyses
Get PDFFive cycles of biparental mass selection (MS) were carried out to improve the narrow-base maize population P4C0. In different ecological environments, the phenotypes of the developed populations were analyzed, the combining abilities were tested according to an incomplete diallel model to study the effects of selection, and the effects of MS on genetic diversity of the populations were also analyzed by using 51 pairs of SSR markers. It was found that MS was effective in improving the main traits and general combing ability (GCA), and it was effective on maintain¬ing the genetic diversity of the population. At the same time, the genetic structure was changed with advance of selection
A new additional record of Phloeosinus armatus Reitter from Italy (Coleoptera Curculionidae Scolytinae)
Get PDFIn the early 1990s, outbreaks of the Cypress bark beetle Phloeosinus armatus Reitter were reported on Cupressus sempervirens L. and C. arizonica Sarg. in north-western Italy (Liguria). About 10 years later, this bark beetle, whose distribution range is originally the eastern Mediterranean, was found again in the same region on rows and isolated plants of Mediterranean cypress. In this paper P. armatus is reported for the first time on C. sempervirens in central Italy (Tuscany), where this insect species is widespread both on ornamental trees and on woodland formations. A taxonomic key is presented for the identification of both the male and female adults of P. armatus among species of the genus Phloeosinus Chapuis living on Cupressaceae in south-western Europe. Due to its greater size, compared with the indigenous species P. aubei, and the behavioural similarities in the adult maturation phase among the two species, P. armatus could convey large quantities of inoculum of the fungus Seiridium cardinale (Wagener) Sutton et Gibson, causal agent of cypress canker. The need for extensive monitoring and specific research for the development of attractants and traps to capture the adult bark beetles is emphasized
Generation means analysis of phytic acid and inorganic phosphorus contents in corn (Zea mays L)
Get PDFThis study reported the effects of gene action in controlling the traits with respect to the contents of phytic acid (PA) and inorganic phosphorus (InP) in corn seeds by using an analysis of six generation means (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2) in six crosses of elite inbred lines. The crosses of Ki16 x Ki10, Ki52 x Ki51, and 30A10-S10-14-1-2 x Ki23 for the PA content and 30A10-S10-11-1-10 x Ki20 for the InP content were adequately described by the additive-dominance model which it showed the importance of the additive and dominance gene effects on both the PA and InP traits. The non-allelic gene action (epistasis) study in the PA trait in the three crosses of 30A10-S10-11-1-10 x Ki20, Ki51 x Ki20, and C5219041-S6-95 x Ki23 revealed that there was a statistically significant difference only in the cross 30A10-S10-11-1-10 x Ki20 which had an additive x additive gene action. For the study on the non-allelic gene action of the InP trait in the five crosses of Ki16 x Ki10, Ki51 x Ki20, Ki52 x Ki51, 30A10-S10-14-1-2 x Ki23, and C5219041-S6-95 x Ki23, although the different gene actions were observed, the gene effects of dominance and dominance x dominance were significantly inherited for the InP content in many crosses. From the yield study in the six generations in the six crosses, both heterosis and the additive gene effect were prominent action in the yield performance. Moreover, correlation between yield and the PA content in the crosses was positive
Biochemical and agronomic performance of quality protein maize hybrids adapted to temperate regions
Get PDFQuality protein maize (QPM) is high lysine (tryptophan) maize with hard endosperm and good agronomic perfor¬mance. QPM was developed primarily for utilization in tropical and sub-tropical regions where maize is a staple food. Its adaptation and cultivation in temperate areas is still not fully developed, although QPM could have merits for production and consumption in developed parts of the world, especially as animal feed. Maize Research Insti¬tute Zemun Polje has a program on developing QPM genotypes for growing in temperate regions. The objective of our research was initial screening of 72 hybrids (derived from crosses between QPM lines adapted to temper¬ate environments and three commercial lines with standard kernel quality) for kernel modification, tryptophan and protein contents, quality index (QI) and grain yield. Five hybrids with high tryptophan content (0.071 to 0.081%) and yield at the level of standard hybrids (96 - 114%) were identified. Protein content ranged from 10 to 11.20%, similar to standard hybrids. QI was in the range from 0.71 to 0.74, which was better than in standard hybrids (0.57 – 0.62), but below the QPM threshold of 0.80. The percentage of good kernel modifications (type 1 and 2) was over 80% in three and over 74% in two hybrids. The results indicated the complexity of obtaining high yielding hybrids with high levels of essential amino-acids. Identified potential QPM hybrids have to be further evaluated for agro¬nomic traits, but the results can be considered important in the context of limited information on QPM adapted to temperate environmental conditions
Re-use of wastewater for a sustainable forest production and climate change mitigation under arid environments
Get PDFOver the last decades biotic and abiotic constrains together with human actions are determining a substantial environmental pressure, particularly in dry lands as the south of the Mediterranean region. From very long time, indeed, simultaneous drivers such as demographic growth, climate change and socio-economic factors are weakening the previous homeostasis between human needs and natural resources on the regional scale.Resulting pressures are determining environmental degradation and increase of desertification risk for the arid and semiarid lands. Water quality and availability are both crucial points limiting people well-being and livelihoods in the same context. Scarcity of fresh water and heavy and mismanaged production of wastewater are the main factors affecting water resources. Increasing pollution of soil and ground waters reduces the possibility of sustainable development of local communities with relevant social consequences. The FAO's supporting program in north Africa aims to: a) develop new and cheaper phytotechnologies (e.g. constructed wetland system; innovative treatment system for reuse of waste water for fertigation); b) treat wastewater for water quality protection; c) promote land recovery by means of sustainable multipurpose forestry; d) adopt bioengineering interventions to stop slopes erosion and protect urban, and semi-urban infrastructures; e) create pilot demonstrative areas to test multi-purpose sustainable agroforestry systems. Within this frame, an integrated approach was designed to promote innovative sustainable water management and multipurpose forestry, in order to mitigate the effects of climate change, promote land recovery, and improve the livelihoods of local population. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the FAO project GCP/RAB/013/ITA. Particularly, two pilot studies are shown and discussed
Ultrastructure of the anterior alimentary tract of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya et Enda (Nematoda Aphelenchoididae)
Get PDFIn view of the phytosanitary importance of nematodes of the genus Bursaphelenchus and the limited information available on their ultrastructure, we carried out a study of the buccal cavity and oesophageal area of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya et Enda, 1979. Like the quarantine species Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Bührer) Nickle, its development takes place in the resin canals of conifers. The specimens used in our study were taken from a laboratory population collected on Pinus pinaster Aiton in meso-thermophilic mixed forests of central Italy (Tuscany) and grown on Petri dishes in a climatic chamber for 20 generations. The ultrastructural features of the mouth opening, anterior intestine, labial sensilla, amphidial canals, stylet and metacorpus were investigated with a TEM. The oesophageal glands are also described. The observed structures are discussed and compared with those described for other nematodes
Thinning trials in lowland plantations in the Veneto Region (North-eastern Italy)
Get PDFThinning trials in lowland plantations in the Veneto Region (North-eastern Italy). More than 234 hectares of new plantations of lowland mixed forest have been realized in the last 20 years in the Veneto Region (North-eastern Italy). In many of these is now needed to start thinning operations, but there is a lack of experience about this topic. Aim of this work was to undertake an experimentation on different types of thinnings. The thinning trial has been performed at Bosco San Marco forest, municipality of Cessalto (Venice), in a very dense hornbeam-oak plantation aged 16. In 2010, three different thinning types were implemented on 9 hectares according to the following layout: geometrical (34% of woody mass removed), selective (15%), mixed geometrical-selective (30%), control plot. Three years later no significant differences between thinning trials in term of diametric growth, geometrical thinning excepted, were observed. These results provide a suite of solutions to the forest manager for choosing the early thinning type in high tree density condition