CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Hormetic effect of Gamma rays on Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl. seed
Full text linkPinus pseudostrobus Lindl. is one of the most used conifer species in reforestation projects. However, it presents some problems with the viability of its seeds. Although the usefulness of the radiostimulant effect of gamma rays in processes such as germination and growth of forest species has been demonstrated, there is no information available on this species. For this reason, it was proposed to evaluate the "hormetic effects" of low doses (0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.5 Gy) of gamma rays (60Co Theratron 780E Unit) on germination capacity, seedling growth, and chlorophyll content in this species. The results showed that all doses (0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, and 7.5 Gy) improved germination percentage, but not seedling growth. The highest germination percentage was recorded at 61.53 percent with the 0.5 Gy dose, while the gamma doses of 1.5 and 3.0 Gy ranked second with 53.84%. The height and diameter of seedlings from 0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 Gy irradiated seeds did not show significant differences. However, as the dose increases, the stress generates a decrease in growth. The photosynthetic pigment content was lower at doses of 0.5 and 1.5 Gy (Ch a= 0.35, Ch b = 0.15, Ch a+b = 0.50, Car = 0.18). This study is important because it shows that the stimulatory effects of low gamma doses on germination and seedling growth may not be the same
Ecological intensification practices for enhancing productivity in greengram – maize cropping system
Full text linkField experiments were carried out at Department of Millets, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during kharif, 2017, rabi, 2017-18, kharif, 2018 and rabi, 2018-19 in sandy clay loam soil to study the effect ofecological intensification practices on growth, yield attributes and yield of greengram- maize cropping system. Experimental results revealed that in greengram, Ecological Intensification (EI) practices recorded higher grainyield (846 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 24,782/ha) and BC ratio (1.84) in greengram- maize cropping system. In maize, Ecological Intensification (EI) practices recorded higher grain yield (5963 kg ha-1), net return (Rs. 59,714/ha) and B:C ratio (2.48) in greengram- maize cropping system
Optimising sowing window for Sorghum bicolor L. and Panicum sumatrense L. in semiarid tropics
Full text linkRain-dependant farming is prevalent in semiarid tropics and in Southern parts of India; farmers widely cultivate sorghum without scientific understanding of distribution as well probable receipt of rainfall. There is lack of knowledge about correct ‘sowing window’ which often leads to low yield and complete crop failure. The objective of this paper was to assess the quantum of rainfall received during the last 20 years and determine the probable on set and continuity of rainfall on weekly basis so as to raise a crop under rain-dependant situations. The field experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with 3 replications and data were statistically analysed in AGRES software. The treatments comprised of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) (C1) and little millet (Panicum sumatrense L.) (C2) as factor one (crops) and sowing window based on standard meteorological week (SMW) viz., sowing at 31st SMW based on farmer’s practice (M1), Sowing at 33rd SMW based on 50% rainfall probabilitywith 100% recommended doses of fertilizers (M2), Sowing at 38th SMW based on 75% rainfall probability with 100% recommended doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium (M3), Sowing window based on currentweather forecast-35th SMW (M4), as factor two. The study indicated Sorghum (C1) sowing on 38th standard meteorological week (M3) is ideal to get maximum yield under rainfed condition
Log traceability and supply-chain verification by DNA markers in Fagus sylvatica L. in Italy
Full text linkVerifying the match of a timber log with its population of origin represents a meaningful improvement for the preservation and valorisation of the wood chain.In this study, we tested the applicability of the molecular approach for tracing the supply chain of timber of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to check if the declared source of timber truly complied with the declared origin.Samples were collected in four sawmills and in the declared forest standing populations. Different assignment tests for the “unknown” timber were used. Ordination pattern and STRUCTURE analyses identified three clusters and one case of mismatch between the analysed wood and the declared source. The Bayesian method (GeneClass2) and the machine learning approach (AssignPop) assigned 42-72% of the cases to the proper source, with higher uncertainty in one site.This study permitted to detect the lack of congruence of the declared wood source with the actual logging site by DNA markers, screening sampling reference populations (standing trees) and timber from sawmills. Thus, the application of DNA markers confirmed to be able to find failure in the wood supply chain. This application could act as a benchmark to further develop an independent supply-chain verification system that should be implemented as part of the inventory process
Thinning cycles as the key factor to improve stand productivity in alder plantations
Full text linkConsidering the high demand for wood and other forest ecosystem services, planning and managing forest plantations to mitigate and answer these increasing issues is necessary. Thinning is one of the most common managing practices for manipulating the growth of planted trees. However, studies about the impact of the thinning-cycle on stand and soil properties are rare for Alnus subcordata C.A.Mey. in Hyrcanian Forests. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of thinning-cycles on stand and soil properties in the Alnus subcordata plantation in the Hyrcanian Forests, Northern Iran. Three neighboring alder plantations were selected with different thinning treatment cycles: the one-time thinning-cycle (T1, thinned in 2007), three-time thinning-cycle (T3, thinned in 2005, 2010, and 2015), and no thinning as the control (C). In each plantation, 15 plots (20×20 m) were systematic-randomly established (75×50 m grid). In each plot, the characteristics of trees (diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height) and total percentage of vegetation cover were recorded. Soil physiochemical properties were studied by taking samples (0-10 cm) from each plot. The highest value of DBH, total height, tree volume, and basal area and the lowest amount of the total height to DBH ratio were observed in T3. The highest levels of vegetation diversity, evenness, and richness indices were obtained in T3. Soil moisture was significantly higher in the control. The soil pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, and potassium were significantly higher in T3. According to the principal component analysis, there was no difference between T1 and control. For this reason, T3 was a more beneficial treatment. Our findings suggested that in alder plantations, the reduction of above and belowground competition via the three-time thinning-cycle, in addition to the financial benefits, not only improves the quality and quantity of the remaining trees but also has a significant potential to improve soil productivity
The maize brown midrib6 (bm6) mutation encodes a functional GTP Cyclohydrolase1
Full text linkBrown midrib mutations in maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) alter lignin composition and enhance cell wall digestibility. These mutations are prime candidates for silage breeding. Six brown midrib mutants are currently known, brown midrib1 (bm1) to brown midrib6 (bm6). The bm1 and bm3 mutations are being used commercially for silage. The underlying genes responsible for five of the six bm mutations in maize (bm1, bm2, bm3, bm4, and bm5) are known. Chen and co-workers (2012) characterized the bm6 mutation, demonstratingthat bm6 increases cell wall digestibility and physically mapped bm6 within a 180 kilobase region on chromosome 2. The present investigation utilized map-based cloning to identify the candidate gene responsible for the bm6 phenotype as GTP Cyclohydrolase1 (GCH1) and validated the candidate gene through reverse genetics. Orthologs of bm6 include at least one paralogous gene in maize on chromosome 10 and various homologs in other grasses and dicots. The discovery that GCH1 is responsible for the maize bm6 phenotype suggests that GCH1 plays a role in the tetrahydrofolate biosynthetic process
Evaluation of CERES Maize model under Indian Temperate Conditions
Full text linkField experiments were conducted in India at Shalimar Campus of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir during 2015 and 2016 to study the growth and yield of maize at different planting dates and nitrogen levels. Maize was simulated at different agro-ecological zones (altitudes) of Kashmir valley. Further, maize was evaluated at fixed dates with varied nitrogen levels and at fixed nitrogen level with varied dates of sowing. Experiment was laid in split plot design with three dates of sowing, i.e. 22nd May, 30th May and 8th June, assigned to main plot and four levels of nitrogen, i.e. 80 kg N ha-1 (N1), 120 kg N ha-1(N2), 160 kg N ha-1 (N3) and 200 kg N ha-1, assigned to sub plot. Genetic coefficients of maize crop variety (Shalimar Maize composite-4) were generated, calibrated and validated in CERES Maize model using DSSAT 4.5. Simulated studies carried atdifferent locations indicated that sowing of Maize on 30th May (D2) with 200 kg N ha-1 (N4) predicted highest grain yield in location Kokernag which was followed by location Srinagar on same date 30th May (D2) with 160 kg N ha-1(N3) and lowest yield was recorded in district Kupwara. Maximum Biological yield was also recorded at 30th May with 160 kg N ha-1 (N3). Among the district Kokernag recorded maximum biological yield with delayed maturity (160 days) simulation studies were carried out with 7 dates of sowing at fixed level of Nitrogen in all the districts. Simulated studies of maize showed that sowing on 30th May with 160 kg N ha-1 (N3) recorded maximumLeaf Area Index Biological yield and grain yield. However, highest grain yield was recorded at location Kokernag and lowest was recorded at location Kupwara
Triallel analysis for grain yield and its components over pooled environments in maize ( Zea mays L.)
Full text linkSeven parents were utilized in crossing programme to produce 21 single crosses and 105 three-way crosses to study gene actions for grain yield and yield contributing characters. Triallel analysis was conducted for important yield components i.e.,ear length, ear diameter, number of kernel rows ear-1, number of kernels row-1, 100-grainweight, shelling percentage and grain yield. Significance of 1-line general line effects of both first and second kind, 2- line specific effects of first kind and second kind as well as 3-line specific effects for all the yield and yield contributing traits except number of kernels row-1 in case of 3-line specific effects suggested the major role of all three types of epistatic components viz., additive × additive, additive × dominance, domi- nance × dominance, in addition to the additive and dominance gene actions in the expression of these traits. For grain yield, BML-51 was a good general combiner both as grandparent and immediate parent while BML-32 and BML-14 were good general combiners as immediate parent. (BML-51 × BML-6) and (BML-32 × BML-13) had desirable 2-line effects of first and second kind. Crosses viz., (BML-14 × BML-6) × BML-51, (BML-32 × BML-6) × BML-51and (BML-51 × BML-10) × BML-6 were the best performing triplets with desirable 1-line general and 2-line specific effects. Parent order effects i.e. the order of lines utilized in three-way crosses were clearly elucidated, the order of in which crosses will be effected for obtaining superior hybrids with high grain yield.
Identification of teosinte populations (Zea spp.) useful for grain yielding improvement in maize (Zea mays L.)
Full text linkThe great phenotypic and genotypic diversity of Genus Zea can be inherited within and between populations. Teosinte (Zea spp.) is the closest wild relative to maize, distributed in Mexico and Central America from Chihuahua to Costa Rica through several environmental conditions. The potential ability of exotic germplasm to incorporatetraits on maize (Zea mays L.) domesticated crops has been demonstrated. Among traits of economic interest that can be transferred from teosinte to maize, the following stand out: higher grain yield, resistance to pests and diseases, and product quality. 180 crosses between BC2F1 (maize-teosinte families) and LUG282 were evaluated to test introgressed teosinte germplasm potential on CIMMYT line CML311 background. The 180 F1 with teosinte introgressions were evaluated at three environments and compared to a reference control LUG282xCML311 and to some other experimental and some commercial hybrids as controls also. Main variables evaluated were days to anthesis and silking, plant and ear height, root and stalk lodging and grain yield. The results of the combined ANOVA by teosinte families showed that hybrids with introgressions of a teosinte population from La Lima, Tolimán, Jalisco, (Zea mays ssp. parviglumis landrace Balsas) averaged higher in grain yield, but they were notstatistically superior to the reference control LUG282xCML311 (α = 0.05); while in the combined ANOVA by treatments only the hybrid with teosinte T100 (T = treatment number) was statistically superior to reference control for grain yield (α = 0.05). Among other traits, hybrids with Zea diploperennis introgressions (San Andres Milpillas, Nayarit) appeared to be a reliable source for resistance to foliar diseases
Effects of different temperatures and water stress in germination and initial growth of creole genotypes of maize from three different agroclimatic regions of San Luis Potosí (México)
Full text linkMost of the studies on the effects of climate change on maize have been carried out on grain yield; few have been centred on germination and growth. In this investigation, experiments were carried out at different temperatures and water stress to evaluate the germination and initial growth of 12 creole maize genotypes from different agroclimatics regions of San Luis Potosí. The temperatures were 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, proposed for having relation with the scenarios of temperature increase due to climate change in San Luis Potosí. The simulation of the water stress was carried out by the use of PEG-8000 (-0.5, -1 and -1.5 MPa), a control (0 MPa) was used. Four repetitionsof 25 seeds for each creole genotype were carried out under a design at random with factorial arrangement. Germination and initial growth of the genotypes were negatively affected by the increase of temperature and decrease of water stress. Also these results were depended by the genetics materials origins and the climatic characteristics of each agroclimatic region of the state. In addition, the genotypes from less conditions of stress (Huasteca) were the most affected in comparison to materials from unfavorable conditions for the growth of maizeplants (regions Altiplano and Media). Results suggest that the particular conditions of each region has influenced in the dynamic of germination and growth. We concluded, the related effects of climate change have affected differently and negatively the germination and initial growth of early maize from different agroclimatic regions