Agro-climatic Areas Research Articles

Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability of Heading Time and Grain Yield of 12 Open Pollinated Sorghum Varieties across Different Agro-ecological Zones in Burkina Faso

Sorghum is the most important crop grown in Burkina Faso and is a staple food for millions of people in rural areas. However, sorghum grain production is mainly from local varieties which are low yielding. Introduced exotic varieties were high yielding but low adopted due to bad grain quality for local dishes. Therefore, it is important to popularize new varieties that meet farmer’s needs. We assessed the agronomic performance and stability of 12 sorghum varieties in different agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso. Studies were conducted in one location (Kamboinse research station) during 2022 and in six locations (Farako-Bâ, Kamboinse, Fada, Sabou, Zoula and Andemtenga) during rainy season 2023. Twelve sorghum varieties including checks (Kapelga, ICSV 1049) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with genotypes as studied factors. Agromorphological parameters along with midge damage and number of Striga plants were collected in all the sites. Genotypes, environments and genotype × environment interactions were significant for heading time and grain yield. The varieties had different heading times and different grain yields within environments and across the six environments. The GGE biplot discriminated the study areas into a unique mega-environment for heading time and three mega-environments for yield potential. The majority of varieties yielded more than the average sorghum yield in sub-Sahara Africa, however low yielding varieties were found in environments affected by biotic and abiotic constraints. Some high yielding varieties (Sariaso 43 = 3960.94 kg/ha, 014-SB-EPDU-1004 = 3681.64kg/ha, Sariaso 42 = 3478,52 kg/ha and Sariaso 39 = 3427.73 Kg/ha) were clearly identified in constraintless mega-environments of Kamboinse and Farako-Ba. In conclusion, the GGE biplot analysis revealed that Sariaso 43 was the best genotype that combined suitable heading time and high grain yield across environments. The best performing genotypes for heading time were Sariaso 39 and PR3009B for grain yield. Identified high yielding varieties will be submitted for released and cultivation in suitable agro climatic areas.

Combined effects of cultivar, extraction technology, and geographic origin on physicochemical traits of Moroccan olive oil as revealed by multivariate analysis

This study aimed at evaluating physicochemical traits of olive oil (‘Haouzia’ and ‘Moroccan Picholine’) according to extraction technologies (ETs: super-pressure SP, 2-phase 2 P, and 3-phase 3 P) across eight climatically contrasted Moroccan agroclimatic areas (AA). Our samples were classified as extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), whose traits varied (p < 0.05) among ETs, cultivars, and AA. EVOO from SP had high records of basic indices, most phytosterols, and trans fatty acids (TFA) due to partial oxidation during extraction, while continuous ETs (2 P and 3 P) displayed a better oil quality as demonstrated by routinely measured parameters. ‘Haouzia’ had the greatest saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and TFA. However, it had a lesser stability revealed by a low MUFA/PUFA and oleic/linoleic (O/L) as compared to ‘Moroccan Picholine’. Arid climatic areas had the highest palmitoleic, oleic acid, MUFA, MUFA/PUFA, and O/L and therefore the best oil stability as compared to the remaining agroclimatic areas. These variations were confirmed by principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and artificial neural networks. Important simple and multiple regression models with strong correlations were highlighted among the studied variables. In conclusion, environmental conditions have a key role to be considered when assessing olive oil quality and authenticity.

Changes in the Agroclimatic Areas of Slovakia in 1961–2020

Changes in the Agroclimatic Areas of Slovakia in 1961–2020

Screening of Chickpea genotypes from different agro-climatic areas against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (race 3) using morphological and molecular marker

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris (FOC), an extremely destructive pathogen, infects chickpea plants leading to over 100% losses. Although using chemicals like Carbendazim and Mancozeb control the disease but ruin the soil’s natural flora and fauna. Also, the emergence of new FOC races threatens the current genotypes. Many efforts have been made towards improving chickpea genotypes through breeding and selection, but the situation has not been improved over the last 2 decades. The current research uses pot screening and molecular-based approaches to screen out the resistant chickpea cultivars. In that view, the present research uses 16 chickpea genotypes collected from diverse agro-climatic areas and checked against FOC race-3. After the pot screening and ANOVA (P&lt;0.001), the genotypes were categorized as highly Resistant (C 235, HC 1), resistant (GNG 2477, PHULeG 0517, GNG 2171, HC 7, PHULe G 0127), susceptible (ICCV 10) and highly susceptible (PUSA 547, RSG 931, RSG 888, ICCV 512, CSJ 513, ICCV 6). In Marker-assisted selection (MAS), the DNA of genotypes was subjected to PCR with STMS markers TA-96 and TA-27. The results revealed that the genotypes ICCV 512, C 235, GNG 2171, ICCV 10, HC 7, PHULe G 0127 and HC 1 were resistant. These results are significant for selecting resistant genotypes and can be utilized in the future validation and development of more wilt-resistant chickpea genotypes. Our results based on pot-screening and molecular-based datasets suggested a more reliable identification system for screening of FOC resistance cultivar inhibiting, which can help narrow down the selection.

Performance Evaluation of Multi-Typed Precipitation Products for Agricultural Research in the Amur River Basin over the Sino–Russian Border Region

Precipitation data are crucial for research on agricultural production, vegetation growth, and other topics related to environmental resources and ecology. With an increasing number of multi-typed gridded precipitation products (PPs), it is important to validate the applicability of PPs and improve their subsequent monitoring capabilities to ensure accurate precipitation-based research. This study evaluates the performance of four mainstream PPs—European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis V5 (ERA5), ERA5-Land, Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP), and integrated multi-satellite retrievals for the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM)—in capturing the characteristics of precipitation intensity and derived agricultural drought in the crop-enrichment area over the Sino–Russian border region. The results show that, overall, GPM has the most balanced capability among the different experimental scenarios, with well-identified seasonal precipitation intensities. ERA5-Land had strong abilities in depicting annual distribution from spatial/stationary outcomes and obtained advantages in daily multi-parameter consistency verification. When evaluating monthly data in different agroclimatic areas, MSWEP and GPM had outstanding performances in the regions of Russia and China, respectively. For evaluating precipitation intensities and agricultural drought based on daily and monthly precipitation, MSWEP and GPM demonstrated finer performances based on combined agricultural thematic areas (ATAs). However, seasonal effects and affiliated material features were found to be the main factors in exhibiting identification capabilities under different scenarios. Despite good handling of intensity recognition in the eastern Chinese area, ERA5′s capabilities need to be improved by extending sources for calibrating gauged data and information on dry–wet conditions. Overall, this study provides insight into the characterization of PP performances and supports optimal product selection for different applications.

Developing a computational toolbased on an artificial neural network for predicting and optimizing propolis oil, an important natural product for drug discovery.

Propolis is a promising natural product that has been extensively researched and studied for its potential health and medical benefits. The lack of requisite high oil-containing propolis and existing variation in the quality and quantity of essential oil within agro-climatic regions pose a problem in the commercialization of essential oil. As a result, the current study was carried out to optimize and estimate the essential oil yield of propolis. The essential oil data of 62 propolis samples from ten agro-climatic areas of Odisha, as well as an investigation of their soil and environmental parameters, were used to construct an artificial neural network (ANN) based prediction model. The influential predictors were determined using Garson's algorithm. To understand how the variables interact and to determine the optimum value of each variable for the greatest response, the response surface curves were plotted. The results revealed that the most suited model was multilayer-feed-forward neural networks with an R2 value of 0.93. According to the model, altitude was found to have a very strong influence on response, followed by phosphorous & maximum average temperature. This research shows that using an ANN-based prediction model with a response surface methodology technique to estimate oil yield at a new site and maximize propolis oil yield at a specific site by adjusting variable parameters is a viable commercial option. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the development of a model to optimize and estimate the essential oil yield of propolis.

THE WALNUT - CONSTRAINTS AND ADVANTAGES FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Persian walnut or English walnut (Juglans regia L.) is a commonly grown species for nut production and noble wood. The nut is one of the oldest food and traditional medicine sources. The native and commercial walnut genotypes present a large diversity that differ widely in nut productivity and quality. However, genetic erosion poses a serious threat to this tree. Several researches of walnut genetic diversity are being carried out utilizing morphological, biochemical, and molecular approaches in order to select superior walnut cultivars of different agroclimatic areas to increase nut production and quality. Genetic resource evaluation and agrodiversity conservation have a major role in ensuring food security for future generations through a continuous supply of new rootstocks and improved cultivars.

Productivity and quality of grain pea varieties cultivated in the Azov area of the Rostov region depending on hydrothermal factors

The current paper has presented the three-year study results of the impact of the regime of the main agrometeorological indicators (the amount of precipitation during the vegetation period, temperature and hydrothermal coefficient) on the size and quality of the yield of grain pea varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. It is most effective to cultivate high-yielding technological pea varieties with good grain quality, well adapted to various growing conditions (drought, waterlogging). On average, over the three years of study, productivity increase of the varieties ‘Sotnik’, ‘Amulet’, ‘Premier’, ‘Aliyans’, ‘Kadet’, ‘Ataman’,’ KVS La Mansh’ and ‘Glyans’ was on 0.57 t/ha more than that of the standard variety ‘Aksai Usatiy 5’. There have been identified the varieties ‘Kadet’, ‘Premier’, ‘Amulet’, ‘Velvet’ and ‘KVS La Mansh’ with a high protein percentage in grain (27.3–28.0%). According to the obtained results, we can say that protein percentage in grain of the studied pea varieties is directly affected by both the hydrothermal coefficient during the vegetation period and the productivity. The purpose of the current study was to investigate and analyze productivity and seed quality of the pea varieties, depending on the hydrothermal conditions in the Azov agro-climatic area of the Rostov region. These results obtained can be used in further breeding work. It is important that these varieties are adaptive to the soil and climatic conditions of the Rostov region, they are the initial material for breeding new highly productive pea varieties with a complex of economically valuable traits, as well as for growing under production conditions.

Spatial mapping of groundwater quality using GIS for Jakham River basin of Southern Rajasthan

The physico-chemical analysis of groundwater quality plays a significant role to manage the water resources for drinking as well as irrigation in the sub-humid and semi-arid agro-climatic areas. In this study, the hydrogeochemical analyses and spatial mapping of groundwater quality in the Jakham River Basin located in the southern part of Rajasthan were investigated.The groundwater quality samples were collected from 76 wells marked on the grid map of 5×5 km2 area.A spatial distribution in sampling location in the basin was prepared using GIS (Geographical information system) tool based on 6 physico-chemical parameters i.e., pH, EC, TDS, Cl, NO3and F.The groundwater quality data from the pre and post-monsoon seasons of 2019-20 were used to carry out a detailed analysis of water quality parameters.The water quality maps for the entire basin have been generated using anIDW interpolation technique for these parameters as per the identified location.The higher value of TDS and EC were found in the south-eastern part and along the roadside of study area, which were dominated by agriculture activities and industrial influence. The concentration was observed higher in the post-monsoon period. For EC and TDS, major part of the (&gt;50%) of the study area comes under the safe limit of potable water. Major part of the basin witnessed fluoride concentration (0.40-80 mg/l) for both the season, which is lower than the permissible limit. Higher NO3 concentration was observed after the rainy season. The influence of geogenic activities could be clearly seen in the groundwater quality of the basin. Theresultant map shows that the entire basin has optimally goodgroundwater quality for human consumption. Hence, this study provides suggestion to prepare strategies for the proper management and augmentation of the groundwater condition in the Jakham River Basin.

Growth dynamics and accumulation of forage mass of forage cactus clones as affected by meteorological variables and water regime

Comprehending the relation between climatic variables and the productive and morphological characteristics of the forage cactus is essential to the adjustment of the management of its production in different agro-climatic areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between the meteorological variables and the water regime with the growth dynamics and accumulation of forage mass of three different forage cactus clones. We submitted the clones Miúda–MIU; Orelha de Elefante Mexicana–OEM and IPA Sertânia–IPA to three water regimes (40 %ETc, 80 %ETc and 120 %ETc), plus the non-irrigated condition (0 %ETc), during 18 months, in the municipality of Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil. Morphological, structural, and productive characteristics of the plants, and environmental variables were supervised throughout the experimental period. Pearson’s correlation, multicollinearity test, canonical correlation and path analysis were applied to these data. It was observed that the minimum air temperature, the relative air humidity, and the irrigation were the variables that affected the growth dynamics and the accumulation of fodder mass of the forage cactus clones the most. The clone OEM presented more sensitivity to the environmental conditions (climate and irrigation) in comparison to the other clones MIU and IPA. The environmental conditions affected the growth dynamics more than the productivity of the clone from the genus Nopalea. It was determined that the species of forage cactus presented differentiated morphological and productive responses among themselves, under semiarid conditions in Brazil.

Gases Released During Soil Biodisinfestation of Pepper Greenhouses Reduce Survival of Phytophthora capsici Oospores in Northern Spain

Phytophthora capsici is one of the oomycetes that affects protected pepper crops in different agroclimatic areas of Spain. Currently, environmentally friendly strategies such as biodisinfestation for plant disease control have become increasingly popular. In this study, the effect of released gases during biodisinfestation with a fresh manures mixture amendment on P. capsici oospore viability was determined. A biodisinfestation trial was performed in a greenhouse located in northern Spain (Biscay), with a mixture of fresh sheep (2 kg m−2) and dry poultry manures (0.5 kg m−2) followed by soil sealing with a transparent polyethylene plastic film for 21 days (onset June 15th). Gases were sampled from the aerial cavity of biodisinfested plots at different days after soil sealing (0–1–2–3–4–7–9–11, and 14 days). Vacutainer tubes were incubated at 20°C with oospores of P. capsici that were previously placed under vacuum and refilled with extracted gases. Treatments assayed were gases from different sampling times (0–1–2–3–4–7–9–11–14 days, and succession of days 1–2–3–4–7–9–11–14) combined with different exposure times (7–14–21 days) at 20°C in the laboratory. Control treatments were included: air-tubes and vacuum-tubes. An additional reference treatment under real field conditions was also considered: buried oospores at 15 cm depth in the biodisinfested plots. Oospore viability was determined with the plasmolysis method. The most effective treatment was the succession of gases collected during all sampling days. The significant but slight reduction in oospore viability by exposure to the different gas treatments was consistent with the low dose of applied amendment and the low soil temperature registered at 15 cm depth during soil biodisinfestation (&amp;gt;25°C−100% time, &amp;gt;35°C−23%, &amp;gt;40°C−3%). The above circumstances might have generated a small quantity of gases with low impact on oospore viability. The biodisinfested soil at 15 cm depth reference treatment showed the lowest oospore viability in all the exposure times assayed. The overlap of thermal and higher biofumigation effects in this treatment could likely be responsible for its greater efficacy. A disinfectant effect purely attributable to released gases throughout biodisinfestation has been demonstrated. We believe that our research will serve as a base for future application in agro-environments with reduced thermal inactivation effects.

Methodological recommendations for assessment of resource potential efficiency of grain producers

The purpose of the authors' study is to substantiate methodological recommendations for assessing the efficiency of the resource potential of grain producers. To achieve this goal, the analytical hierarchy method was used, which made it possible to determine the coefficients in the equation, statistical groupings to determine the gradation of the indicator. The materials for the study were data from agricultural organizations of the Nizhny Novgorod region on the sown area, the availability of fixed assets at the beginning of the year and the average annual number of workers in grain production. Testing of the received methodological recommendations was carried out according to the data of agricultural organizations of the Nizhny Novgorod region in the context of agroclimatic regions (North-East (I); Central Left-Bank (II); River soil protection (III); Suburban (IV); Central Right-Bank (V); Southwest (VI); Southeast (VII)). As a result of testing, the authors found that in the Nizhny Novgorod region 38 agricultural organizations with a low level of efficiency of resource potential, 175 with an average, 127 with a high. A flowchart was also formed to use methodological recommendations to assess the efficiency of using resource potential in grain production. Methodological recommendations for assessing the effectiveness of resource potential in grain production include the following stages: selection of factors; Creating a hierarchy of factor selection tasks a pairwise comparison of the effects of agroclimatic areas on grain production; pairwise comparison of the degree of influence of factors in agroclimatic areas on grain production; distribution of priority among factors; input of formula weight coefficients; distribution of grain producers by level of resource potential utilization efficiency and analysis of results.

Testing of bio-organic fertilizer based on organic waste to improve the productivity of vineyards

The authors developed an environmentally safe technology for obtaining liquid organic fertilizer. The technology includes obtaining compost by applying microflora containing actinomycetes and microscopic fungi, populating the compost with vermiculture Eisenia foetida and obtaining biohumus. In 2018-2020 fertilizers obtained from organic waste were used on industrial plantings of technical variety Bastardo Magarachsky (planting scheme: 3 × 1.5 m, formation - double-shouldered cordon, rootstock - Kober 5 BB, non-irrigated culture) as foliar dressing. Climatic zone and place of experiment: South Coast agroclimatic area, sub-area - with subtropical winter (annual rainfall - 450-500 mm; hydrothermal coefficient of moisture - 0.5-0.6). Standard methods of agronomic observations of growth and development of grape plants were used in the work. Consumption rate 2 l/100 liters of water. The number of treatments - six, the terms of application: shoots growth; before flowering; after flowering; berry growth; beginning of softening; beginning of sugar accumulation (a month before harvesting). It was found that at the background of the same potential productivity of grape plants compared to the control, the yield increased by 15,9%; mass fraction of sugars in berry juice - by 7,1%, mash output - by 14,7%; technological stock of coloring and phenolic substances - by 7,6%.

Climatic characteristics changes analysis of the agroclimatic Novgorod regions

The article focuses on the problem of changes in meteorological parameters – average air temperatures and annual precipitation amount within the agroclimatic areas of the Novgorod region. Despite the small size of the region, its location in the North-West of the European part of Russia and fairly small differences in hypsometric parameters, there are significant differences in climate parameters within the region. The factors, mentioned in the article, are the cause for the climate heterogeneity of the region. The authors attribute these climate changes within the boundaries of agroclimatic regions with specific meteorological changes in local climates. The article presents the factors that determine the differences in climatic conditions and, as a result, the agroclimatic zoning of the region.

Modeling the Effects of Irrigation Water Salinity on Growth, Yield and Water Productivity of Barley in Three Contrasted Environments

Freshwater scarcity and other abiotic factors, such as climate and soil salinity in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, are affecting crop production. Therefore, farmers are looking for salt-tolerant crops that can successfully be grown in these harsh environments using poor-quality groundwater. Barley is the main staple food crop for most of the countries of this region, including Tunisia. In this study, the AquaCrop model with a salinity module was used to evaluate the performance of two barley varieties contrasted for their resistance to salinity in three contrasted agro-climatic areas in Tunisia. These zones represent sub-humid, semi-arid, and arid climates. The model was calibrated and evaluated using field data collected from two cropping seasons (2012–14), then the calibrated model was used to develop different scenarios under irrigation with saline water from 5, 10 to 15 dS m−1. The scenario results indicate that biomass and yield were reduced by 40% and 27% in the semi-arid region (KAI) by increasing the irrigation water salinity from 5 to 15 dS m−1, respectively. For the salt-sensitive variety, the reductions in biomass and grain yield were about 70%, respectively, although overall biomass and yield in the arid region (MED) were lower than in the KAI area, mainly with increasing salinity levels. Under the same environmental conditions, biomass and yield reductions for the salt-tolerant barley variety were only 16% and 8%. For the salt-sensitive variety, the biomass and grain yield reductions in the MED area were about 12% and 43%, respectively, with a similar increase in the salinity levels. Similar trends were visible in water productivities. Interestingly, biomass, grain yield, and water productivity values for both barley varieties were comparable in the sub-humid region (BEJ) that does not suffer from salt stress. However, the results confirm the interest of cultivating a variety tolerant to salinity in environments subjected to salt stress. Therefore, farmers can grow both varieties in the rainfed of BEJ; however, in KAI and MED areas where irrigation is necessary for crop growth, the salt-tolerant barley variety should be preferred. Indeed, the water cost will be reduced by 49% through growing a tolerant variety irrigated with saline water of 15 dS m−1.

Prevalence and risk factors of trematode infection in swamp buffaloes reared under different agro-climatic conditions in Java Island of Indonesia

Background and Aims:This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and intensity and to identify the associated risk factors and impact of trematode infection in swamp buffaloes reared under different agro-climatic conditions in Java, Indonesia.Materials and Methods:A total of 580 fecal samples were collected from swamp buffaloes in five different agro-climatic areas in Banten and Central Java Provinces, Indonesia. The fecal samples were examined using the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory Technique to determine the prevalence and intensity of trematode infection. The risk factors for infection were determined from an in-depth interview of owners/keepers, and the results were analyzed using Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. The infection was also correlated with swamp buffalo production parameters (body weight and body condition score [BCS]).Results:From all fecal samples, the overall prevalence of trematode infection was 64.83%, which comprised Fasciola spp. (16.03%; mean eggs per gram [EPG]±SD: 1.02±0.43) and Paramphistomatidae (62.93%; mean EPG±SD: 1.01±0.66). The main risk factor for trematode infection was feeding animals with rice straw (odds ratio [OR]: 40.124); the risk of trematode infection was 40.142 times higher in buffaloes that consumed rice straw. Other risk factors included the frequency of anthelmintic treatment (OR: 4.666), age (OR: 0.449), and drinking water source (OR: 0.358). Trematode infection did not significantly affect the body weight or BCS of swamp buffaloes.Conclusion:Although the prevalence of trematode infection was high in swamp buffaloes, the intensity of infection was low, and the infection did not affect the animals’ physical parameters.

Methodological aspects related to biological assessment of insectoacaricides on flower cultures of protected ground

Relevance. Analysis of the present range of pesticides that are used in flower orangeries showed critical shortage of allowed pesticides. Now there are no methods for registration testing of insecticides designed to protect flowers in greenhouses. Thus, the purpose of our research is to develop methodological approaches to assessment of abundance of major pests for flower cultures of protected ground and determination of biological effectiveness of new insectoacaricides.Methods. The following phytophages represent flower pests that are predominant in the protected ground: aphids: green peach – Myzus persicae Sulz., melon and cotton – Aphis gossypii Glov., greenhouse-potato – Aulacorthum solani Kalt., potato – Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thom., green rose – Macrosiphum rosae Linn.; whiteflies: greenhouse whitefly – Trialeurodes vaporariorum Wstw., silverleaf whitefly – Bemisia tabaci Genn.; thrips: tobacco – Thrips tabaci Lind., rose – Th. fuscipennis Hal., western flower – Frankliniella occidentalis Perg., heterophagous – F. intonsa Tryb., greenhouse – Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis Bouche; mites: red spider – Tetranychus urticae Koch.; red greenhouse – T. cinnabarinus BoisdResults. Researches related to assessment of abundance of major pests for flower cultures and choosing methods related to determination of biological effectiveness of insectoacaricides were performed in flower orangeries of Leningrad Region on hybrid tea roses Rosa L., chrysnatemums Chrysanthemum L., gerberas Gerbera G. As a result, the algorithm for performing tests related to study of new insectoacaricides on flower cultures in greenhouses is developed. Methodology instructions that we offer for assessment of abundance of major pests for flower cultures of protected ground and determination of biological effectiveness of new insectoacaricides are intended for ensuring the uniform methodological approach to performance of registration tests of modern means to fight against these pests and opportunity for analysis of tests in various agroclimatic areas and obtaining a reasonable general conclusion and findings related to pesticides taking into account international requirements.

The Transformation of Agro-Climatic Resources of the Altai Region under Changing Climate Conditions

This research examines the transformation of the agro-climatic conditions of the Altai region as a result of climate change. The climate of the Altai region in Russia is sharply continental and characterized by dry air and significant weather variability, both in individual seasons and years. The current study is determined by the lack of detailed area-related analytical generalizations for the territory of the Altai region over the past 30 years. Most of the published data dealing with an integrated analysis of the agro-climatic conditions in the Altai region date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s; in most cases, this data is from climate reference-books based on the generalized data from the first half of the 20th century. To make accurate forecasts and to efficiently manage agricultural production in the Altai region, area-related data on the state and dynamics of agro-climatic changes have been analysed. The results reveal that in the period between 1964 and 2017, significant climatic changes occurred in the territory of the Altai region. These climatic changes affected the growing season length, which increased due to a shift in the dates of the air temperature transition above 10 °C, to earlier dates in spring and to later dates in autumn. Furthermore, the current study also revealed that the foothills of the Altai Mountains are the most moistened parts of the region and the Kulunda lowland is the most arid part. In the Altai region, the accumulated temperatures and amounts of precipitation during the growing season increased significantly, and the values of integrated coefficients and indices that reflect the moisture supply conditions for the territory also changed significantly. Based upon the results, a schematic map of the current precipitation distribution on the Altai region’s territory has been generated. These results and this map may be used to conduct more detailed studies in the field of agro-climatology and to update the current borders of agro-climatic areas and revision of the agro-climatic zonation scheme.

Genetic Diversity in Tomato Genotypes (&lt;i&gt;Solanum lycopersicum&lt;/i&gt;) Based on Salinity Responsive Candidate Gene Using Simple Sequence Repeats

Abstract Salinity inhibition of plant growth is the result of osmotic and ionic effect and different plant species have developed different mechanisms to cope with those effects. With the discovery of molecular markers and marker assisted selection technology, it is possible to develop markers that identify salt tolerance. The genetic diversity of tomato genotypes were analyzed using SSRs polymorphic markers and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. Leaves of the twenty tomato genotypes (landraces/accessions in Nigeria) were used to isolate their DNA using Bioland Plant Genomic DNA protocols. Primers were designed from 15 different salt responsive candidate genes, using Vector NTI and the sequence genes were obtained from ncbi genomice web site. All 15 primers sets generated shows clear distinct polymorphic profiles as evident from the 6% agarose gel profile. Dendrogram generated shows three groups, none of the panel intermixed in a subgroup. The genetic distance information reported in this study might be used by breeders when planning future crosses among tomato genotypes. From the result obtained UC82B recorded the highest vegetative and yield parameters, therefore, adoption of this genotype could be help increasing the tomato production in Sokoto agro-climatic area. Abstract Salinity inhibition of plant growth is the result of osmotic and ionic effect and different plant species have developed different mechanisms to cope with those effects. With the discovery of molecular markers and marker assisted selection technology, it is possible to develop markers that identify salt tolerance. The genetic diversity of tomato genotypes were analyzed using SSRs polymorphic markers and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. Leaves of the twenty tomato genotypes (landraces/accessions in Nigeria) were used to isolate their DNA using Bioland Plant Genomic DNA protocols. Primers were designed from 15 different salt responsive candidate genes, using Vector NTI and the sequence genes were obtained from ncbi genomice web site. All 15 primers sets generated shows clear distinct polymorphic profiles as evident from the 6% agarose gel profile. Dendrogram generated shows three groups, none of the panel intermixed in a subgroup. The genetic distance information reported in this study might be used by breeders when planning future crosses among tomato genotypes. From the result obtained UC82B recorded the highest vegetative and yield parameters, therefore, adoption of this genotype could be help increasing the tomato production in Sokoto agro-climatic area.

Genetic Diversity in Tomato Genotypes (&lt;i&gt;Solanum lycopersicum&lt;/i&gt;) Based on Salinity Responsive Candidate Gene Using Simple Sequence Repeats

Abstract Salinity inhibition of plant growth is the result of osmotic and ionic effect and different plant species have developed different mechanisms to cope with those effects. With the discovery of molecular markers and marker assisted selection technology, it is possible to develop markers that identify salt tolerance. The genetic diversity of tomato genotypes were analyzed using SSRs polymorphic markers and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. Leaves of the twenty tomato genotypes (landraces/accessions in Nigeria) were used to isolate their DNA using Bioland Plant Genomic DNA protocols. Primers were designed from 15 different salt responsive candidate genes, using Vector NTI and the sequence genes were obtained from ncbi genomice web site. All 15 primers sets generated shows clear distinct polymorphic profiles as evident from the 6% agarose gel profile. Dendrogram generated shows three groups, none of the panel intermixed in a subgroup. The genetic distance information reported in this study might be used by breeders when planning future crosses among tomato genotypes. From the result obtained UC82B recorded the highest vegetative and yield parameters, therefore, adoption of this genotype could be help increasing the tomato production in Sokoto agro-climatic area. Abstract Salinity inhibition of plant growth is the result of osmotic and ionic effect and different plant species have developed different mechanisms to cope with those effects. With the discovery of molecular markers and marker assisted selection technology, it is possible to develop markers that identify salt tolerance. The genetic diversity of tomato genotypes were analyzed using SSRs polymorphic markers and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. Leaves of the twenty tomato genotypes (landraces/accessions in Nigeria) were used to isolate their DNA using Bioland Plant Genomic DNA protocols. Primers were designed from 15 different salt responsive candidate genes, using Vector NTI and the sequence genes were obtained from ncbi genomice web site. All 15 primers sets generated shows clear distinct polymorphic profiles as evident from the 6% agarose gel profile. Dendrogram generated shows three groups, none of the panel intermixed in a subgroup. The genetic distance information reported in this study might be used by breeders when planning future crosses among tomato genotypes. From the result obtained UC82B recorded the highest vegetative and yield parameters, therefore, adoption of this genotype could be help increasing the tomato production in Sokoto agro-climatic area.