Seeds Of Cultivars Research Articles

Production of New Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor) Cultivar

A field trial was conducted to produce a new cultivar from the local variety jera'a. The experiment 
 was carried out for two seasons, 2006 and 2007 using mass selection plant breeding method. 
 The results showed highly significant increase in stock for the new selected cultivar over the local 
 variety amounted to 11.49 % for stock yield, and highly significant increase in grain yield giving 3.50 
 t/h. for the new cultivar over the local variety 2.67 t/h. This increase represented 23.71% and 25.75% 
 in grain yield and kernel/head respectively. 
 Highly significant correlation coefficient was obtained between grain yield and kernels/head 
 (0.964**) and between plant length and stock yield (0.701**). 
 It is recommended to multiply the new selected cultivar seeds to be distributed to farmers, as well as 
 to use them for further breeding work. 

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PARAMETERS ON THE LIPOLYTIC ACTIVITIES OF LIPASE AND PHOSPHOLIPASE EXTRACTED FROM PRUNUS ARMINICA MEAL OF HUNZA CULTIVAR


 
 
 
 Prunus Arminica.L seeds of Hunza cultivar were defatted with chloroform, methanol mixture (2:1v/v) by ultrasonic assisted extraction technique. The lipase and phospholipase extracted, incubated at 400C and pH 6 in citrate buffer for 1 hour. The lipolytic activities of enzymes were measured at different temperatures i,e 30-700C , pH i,e 3-9 and solvents i,e n-heptane , Di-isopropyl ether and Cyclo hexane. 10 % emulsion of lecithin and olive oil used as the substrate for phospholipase and lipase substrates respectively. The enzymes showed stability at lower temperatures i,e 35-500C and slightly acidic to neutral i.e pH 5 to pH 7. Concentration of liberated fatty acids was the indicator of the enzymes activity which were measured by taking absorbance at 440nm. Stearic acid with different concentrations in hexane and methanol (1:1v/v) were used for the standard curve. Cu-TEA reagent with small quantity of CaCl2 was used for maximum extraction of Cu-FFA and for stable value of blanks in the present study. The enzymes showed maximum activities at 450 C temperature and 6 pH.
 
 
 

Research and Control Techniques for Volunteer Rice

Recently, the Japanese government policy has recommended the cultivation of multipurpose high-yield paddy rice cultivars for animal feed (not only in the form of brown rice but also of whole crop silage (WCS) and others) in response to the decrease in demand on palatable rice for human consumption in Japan. However, when palatable cultivars are cropped in the following year of cultivations of high-yield cultivars for animal feed, the seeds of the high-yield cultivars are often left in the paddy field and grow as volunteer rice in the next crop season over winter, resulting in decrease in grain yield and lowering the quality of the palatable rice. Up to date, many ecological studies on overwintering ability of rice seeds have been carried out, and several key techniques on how to reduce volunteer rice were developed. This review summarizes ecological characteristics of volunteer rice, and describes effective countermeasures with cultural method, herbicides, lime nitrogen, and premature harvest (for only WCS).

Physiological responses of bread and durum wheat seeds to osmotic stress and salinity in the early germination stage

Determining the mechanisms underlying tolerance to osmotic stress and salinity during the germination period is an essential task in order to improve agricultural production in arid and semi-arid areas. In this work, the seeds of bread and durum wheat cultivars were treated with different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 and NaCl for 1 week, and half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of germination were calculated. The seeds were then exposed to IC50 values of NaCl and PEG-6000 for 2 days in order to assess their physiological and biochemical properties. Alpha and beta amylase enzyme activities, the reducing sugar, total sugar, proline, protein, and H2O2 contents, and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the seeds were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that the bread wheat seeds had a much higher tolerance to excess salt and osmotic stress than the durum wheat seeds. In particular, the average IC50 value of NaCl for the bread wheat cultivars was almost twice that for the durum wheat cultivars. The imbibition test revealed that the water uptake capacity of the seeds did not explain the difference in tolerance to these stress conditions. On the other hand, the bread wheat seeds exhibited constitutively higher proline, total sugar, and H2O2 contents as well as antioxidant capacity compared to the durum wheat seeds (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the current findings suggest that the interplay of oxidative metabolism and compatible solutes may contribute to improving germination tolerance under water deficit and salinity conditions in wheat.

Physical and physiological soybean seed qualities stored under different environmental conditions and storage bag depths.

The Brazilian Midwest is responsible for 54.3% of the country's soybean production. Adequate storage technologies are essential to maintain physical, physiological, and sanitary seed qualities while also minimizing deterioration processes and consequent germination and vigor declines. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the physiological potential and physical qualities of soybean seeds stored under different environmental conditions and storage bag depths. Assays were carried out in September 2021 employing Foco 74i77 RSF IPRO cultivar seeds stored from April to August 2021 under three conditions, as follows: chilled at an average temperature of ≤20 °C, at an average temperature of ≤25 °C using a with blanket, and in without blanket warehouse structure at an average temperature of ≥25 °C with no with blanket. A completely randomized 3x3 factorial experimental design was applied, comprising three storage environments and three bag positions (top, middle, and bottom), with three replication each. Physical, physiological, and biochemical tests were performed on the stored seeds. The findings indicate better seed preservation in the chilled environment or when using a with blanket, with significant differences noted for seeds stored the middle of the storage bag. Therefore, soybean seed storage in a chilled environment or using a with blanket aids in slowing down the seed deterioration processes, preserving physiological quality and vigor compared to a conventional storage environment. Additionally, the quality of soybean seeds stored under these conditions in the middle of storage bags is maintained.

Screening of snap and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes for resistance to Bean common mosaic virus and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus

The most effective control of Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and Bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV) is achieved by using the seeds of resistant cultivars. During conventional breeding, resistance against BCMV and BCMNV in common bean can be developed by pyramiding the strain-nonspecific dominant I gene with strain-specific recessive (bc-) resistance genes for long-term virus control. In this study, a total of 58 bean genotypes involving registered green and dry bean cultivars, local genotypes, and breeding lines were tested for the presence of known resistance genes. First of all, each genotype was inoculated with the NL-3 strain of BCMNV and the NL-4 strain of BCMV separately, and the plants were evaluated for the symptom appearance and tested by DAS-ELISA to confirm the presence or absence of the virus after three weeks of sap-inoculation. In the last part of the study, the resistance genes in bean genotypes were investigated by SCAR markers of SW-13 linked with the I gene and SBD-5 linked to bc-12. According to the phenotypic and molecular tests, out of 58 common bean genotypes tested, 37 involved the I gene, and seven and three genotypes contained bc-22 and bc-12 genes, respectively.

Germination improving of Stored Triticale Seeds and and seedling growth by α – Amylase Enzym

An experiment was carried out at the Department of Field Crops laboratory, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, in order to know the effect of stimulating the stored seeds of triticale Farah cultivar by α -amylase enzyme using a complete random design (CRD) in a factorial experiment. The first factor was the storage periods of 6 months, 1.5 years and 2.5 years (S1,S2 and S3) and the second factor was α -amylase enzyme concentrations of 0 (dry seeds), seeds soaked in distilled water, 1 and 2 mg L-1 of the enzyme (C1,C2,C3 and C4). Results showed that increasing the storage period reduces the viability of seeds and their ability to germinate and seedling characters. The percentage of germination, plumule length, radicale, seedling vigor, plumule dry weight and radical dry weight reduced from 93.5%, 10.68 cm,11.05 cm, 2033.42, 0.1149 g and 0.1231 g in S1 treatment to 83.88%, 7.53cm, 7.5 cm, 1267.1, 0.0977 g and 0.1022 g in S3 treatment. The concentration 1 mg L-1 was superior in germination, plumule length, seedling vigor and plumule dry weight and the values were 92.44, 9.46cm, 1805.78 and 0.1111 g. However the concentration of 2 mg L-1 was superior in radical length and its dry weight. The best interaction was between storage period S1 and enzyme concentration C3 with values of 96.6%, 11.50 cm, 2212.33 and 0.1288 g for germination percentage, plumule length, seedling vigor and plumule dry weight and with the concentration C4 that recorded 11.67 cm and 0.1353 g for radical length and dry weight respectively.

Asetil Salisilik Asit Solüsyonlarında Ön Çimlendirmenin Havuç Tohumlarının Tuz Stresi Altında Çimlenme ve Çıkışı Üzerine Etkileri

Bu araştırmada asetil salisik asit (ASA) solüsyonun farklı dozlarında ön çimlendirmenin “Nantes” havuç çeşidi (Daucus corata L.) tohumlarının tuz stresi altında çimlenme ve çıkış performansları üzerine etkileri laboratuar koşullarında araştırılmıştır. Tohumlar, ASA solüsyonları içerisinde 24 saat süreyle iklim dolabında ön çimlendirme işlemine tabi tutulmuştur. Bu işlemden sonra ön çimlendirme ve kontrol grubu olarak iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Her iki grup 0, 50, 100 ve 150 mM NaCl stresine maruz bırakılarak, ASA uygulamasının tuzluk sterine tepkileri incelenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda yüksek tuz konsantrasyonunun (150 mM NaCl) havuç tohumlarının çimlenmesini azalttığı, yüksek dozdaki ASA ön uygulamalarının tohumların çimlenme ve çıkış parametrelerini etkilediği belirlenmiştir. Sonuçlara göre ön uygulamalar arasında doz x tuz interaksiyonunda 150 mg/L ASA uygulmasında 0 ve 50 mM NaCl interaksiyonunda %93 ile en yüksek çimlenme oranı belirlenmiştir. ASA uygulamalarının, düşük ve yüksek tuzluluğa sahip yetiştirme ortamlarında tohumların çimlenme oranında artış sağladığı ve başarılı bir şekilde kullanılabileceği ön görülmüştür.

Assessment of Hemp Seed Oil Quality Pressed from Fresh and Stored Seeds of Henola Cultivar Using Differential Scanning Calorimetry.

Cold-pressed hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) seed oil has become very popular amongst consumers and researchers, due to its manifold application in food and medicine industry. In this study, oils pressed from stored and fresh hemp seeds of the Henola cultivar were analyzed. Determination of the acid value (AV) and color of oil (a* parameter) revealed significant differences between the two groups of oils (fresh and stored seeds) in contrast to the peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), and fatty acid composition. On the other hand, isothermal and non-isothermal assessments of the thermo-oxidative stability by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed no significant differences in oxidation induction time (OIT) as well as in onset temperature (Ton) between two groups of oils (p > 0.05). The DSC isothermal test (OIT 160) showed significant correlations with mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as with values of AV and a* (p ≤ 0.05), in contrast to the non-isothermal test, for which correlations were not significant (p > 0.05). However, the best distinction of both groups of oils was obtained analyzing all results together (DSC, fatty acid and tocochromanols composition, color, and oxidative stability results) by principal component analysis (PCA).

Importance of Priming Application Times on Growth, Relative Water Content and Photosynthetic Pigments of Rapeseed (Brassica napus ssp. oleifera L.) Cultivars Under Salinity Stress

Environmental stress factors affect plant production more and more every day. One of these stress factors is salinity. The use of biostimulants is increasing day by day and gaining importance in order to reduce the effects of stress factors and increase the yield and quality in plant production. Chitosan (Ch) is one of the biostimulants whose use in agriculture is increasing day by day. Seeds of rapeseed cultivars were used in this study, and it is an important oil plant. In this study, the times of priming applications with Ch (3 times) [0 (control) (Ch1), 12 hour (Ch2), 24 hour (Ch3)] and different doses of salt stress (S) [0 (control) (S1), 50 mM L-1 (S2), 100mM L-1 (S3)] in rapeseed cultivars (NK Caravel (C1), Elvis (C2), Champlain (C3) under laboratory conditions were investigated. Germination percentage (GP), seedling length (SL), root length (RL), seedling fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll (Total Chl), carotenoid (Crt) parameters were examined. As a result of the research, with Ch applications, GP (84.67% to 86.67), SL (7.83 cm to 8.12), RL (6.42 cm to 6.50), SFW (0.10 g to 0.53), RFW ( 0.02 g to 0.06), RWC (62.84% to 63.30), Total Chl (1.60 mg g-1 to 1.90), and Crt (1.60 mg g-1 to 1.89) has increased. It has been determined that Ch application times play an important role in reducing salt stress in the investigated parameters.

Bioestimulants on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar TAA Marhe in vitro

Plant biostimulants are substances that can increase plant germination growth, and development, acting on the stimulation of cell division. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro action of two commercial biostimulants AgroRaiz® and Stimulate® on the physiological quality of seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris cultivar TAA Marhe. Seeds of the TAA Marhe cultivar were used at the usual concentration of both biostimulants AgroRaiz® 0.3 L 100 kg-1 and Stimulate® 0.5 L 100 kg-1 seeds. Classic germination test, dry matter, root length and accelerated aging test were performed. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and four replications. The usual doses of biostimulators did not influence the germination rate and dry mass by the classical method; however, Stimulate® demonstrated action on mean root length. For the aging assay, AgroRaiz® proved to be superior to Stimulate® in germination and seedling dry matter.

Chemical Characterization of Date Seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Cultivated in Algeria for its Application as Functional Ingredients

Abstract Seven date seeds cultivars, Deglet Nour, Degla Baïdha, Fakht, Ghars, Hamraya, Tafezouin and Takermost were provided from Algerian Sahara. Some of these Algerian date seeds were studied for the first time (Fakht, Hamraya and Takermost). The biochemical characterization of these date seeds were studied, including fatty acids and minerals profiles. The results showed that date seeds are a good source of carbohydrates and crude cellulose, with averages of 66.63 and 13.20%, respectively. They are also a good source of proteins, with the cultivar Deglet Nour seeds as the richest one (9.27 ± 0.03%). The main fatty acid for all date seeds oils is oleic acid except for Deglet Nour in which lauric acid is the main one. However, the studied date seed oils could be classified as oleic-lauric oil. Potassium was the highest mineral in all date seeds cultivars, with values ranging from 2700 to 2900 mg/Kg, followed by sodium and iron. These results indicate that date seeds have good nutritional value with different compositions among cultivars. It could be concluded that date seeds could be considered as a good opportunity for their technological and industrial valorization.

Paclobutrazol And Cytokinin Regulation On Culm Growht Of Black Rice (Oryza sativa L. “Cempo Ireng”)

Rice is a staple food for the majority of Asians; nevertheless, black rice has not been commonly consumed among them. The components of the yield will be determined by the allocation of photosynthate on rice and the tall phenotype of black rice, which is a significant contributing factor to lodging. The growth inhibitor paclobutrazol prevents the manufacture of gibberellin, which results in the tall phenotype of black rice. The endogenous cytokinin content is high at the beginning of the grain filling and then rapidly decreases after that. The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of paclobutrazol and cytokinin on culm height, internode length, culm diameter, lodging resistance, culm parenchyma cell arrangement, and flag leaf structure. Throughout the inquiry, Cempo Ireng black rice cultivar seeds were employed. The seeds were planted in plastic containers that held 10 kg of soil for growth medium and organic fertilizer, and a random block pattern was used for the experiment's design. At 10 weeks following sowing, paclobutrazol was sprayed as a foliar application at concentrations of 0, 50, and 100 ppm. By injecting the kinetin diluted in 0.8 percent agar gel at a rate of 10-5 M in the flag leaf internode lacuna twice, separated by two days, two weeks after anthesis. Eight replications and six combinations were made. DMRT and the significant different were used in the statistical analysis of the mean comparisons (P=0.05). Plant height and internode length were decreased by paclobutrazol (100 ppm), although internode diameter was raised and lodging resistance was induced. The organization of the parenchyma cells in the culm (100 ppm packlobutrazol) changed, and the cells were small and lacked intercellular gaps.

Oxidative stress, protein metabolism, and physiological potential of soybean seeds under weathering deterioration in the pre-harvest phase

Weathering deterioration affects seed quality, especially in areas with excessive rainfall. This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative stress, physiological quality, and protein metabolism of seeds of different soybean cultivars under weathering deterioration at the pre-harvest phase. Six soybean cultivars (BMX Apolo, DM 6563, NS 5959, NA 5909, BMX Potência, and TMG 1175) were subjected to simulated rainfall at the R8 stage. Each level was divided into two applications at 72-h intervals: 60 mm (30 + 30), 120 mm (60 + 60), and 180 mm (90 + 90). Then, the seeds were harvested and evaluated for physiological potential, antioxidative enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, proteins, and protease activity. The simulated rainfall allowed the variation in seed moisture, promoting a significant reduction in germination and seed vigor, especially at 120 and 180 mm levels. There were also reductions in antioxidative enzyme activity with weathering deterioration (mainly for catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and peroxidase), accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, and reductions in protein content and protease activity. The proposed rainfall system is efficient in inducing weathering deterioration during the pre-harvest phase and its deleterious effects. Weathering deterioration in soybean seeds in the pre-harvest stage is directly influenced by genotype.

IN VITRO PLANT REGENERATION IN LOCAL AUS RICE THROUGH MATURED SEED CULTURE

An investigation was carried out to decipher the effect of genotypes and concentrations of growth regulators for callus induction and subsequent plant regeneration from mature seeds of rice. Two local rice cultivars viz. Nayanmony and Kalomona and two growth regulators viz. 2, 4-D and NAA were used to evaluate their performance. The seeds were cultured under aseptic condition onto MS basal medium at varying concentrations and combinations of 2, 4-D (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mgL- 1) and NAA (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 mgL-1) for callus induction. For plant regeneration MS medium fortified with 0.5 mgL- 1 NAA and 3.0 mgL-1 BAP was applied. Between the two cultivars Nayanmony showed better responses in callus induction frequency (91.38%), weight of callus (0.90 g)as well as diameter of callus (7.48 mm). Among the combinations 2, 4-D (1.5 mgL-1) alone produced the best callus (95.16%) and the highest weight of callus (1.88 g) but diameter of callus (8.27 mm) was the highest from 2, 4-D 1.0 mgL-1 +0.5 mgL-1 NAA. It was observed that both genotype and growth regulator significantly affected callus induction and plant regeneration. The medium supplemented with 2, 4-D 1.5 mgL-1 + NAA0.0 mgL-1 exhibited better performance in callus induction (99.33%) and weight of callus (1.92 g) in cultivar Nayanmony whereas Kalomona was better for diameter of callus (8.38 mm) at 2, 4-D 1.0 mgL-1 + NAA0.5 mgL-1. The cultivar Nayanmony performed better regarding plant regeneration (88.15%) compared to Kalomona (86.67%). Plantlets derived from the 2, 4-D 1.5 mgL-1+ NAA 0.0 mgL-1 showed the best results for survival. Therefore, it is suggested that application of MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D 1.5 mgL-1 and NAA 0.0 mgL-1 is advantageous to accomplish overall efficiency of callus induction, subsequent plant regeneration and survival from seeds of Nayanmony cultivars. Thus, selection of better responsive cultivar like Nayanmony and MS medium fortified with 1.5 to 2.0 mgL-1 2, 4-D would be beneficial in transformation attempts to improve the crop.

Deep-Learning Approach for Fusarium Head Blight Detection in Wheat Seeds Using Low-Cost Imaging Technology

Modern techniques that enable high-precision and rapid identification/elimination of wheat seeds infected by Fusarium head blight (FHB) can help to prevent human and animal health risks while improving agricultural sustainability. Robust pattern-recognition methods, such as deep learning, can achieve higher precision in detecting infected seeds using more accessible solutions, such as ordinary RGB cameras. This study used different deep-learning approaches based on RGB images, combining hyperparameter optimization, and fine-tuning strategies with different pretrained convolutional neural networks (convnets) to discriminate wheat seeds of the TBIO Toruk cultivar infected by FHB. The models achieved an accuracy of 97% using a low-complexity design architecture with hyperparameter optimization and 99% accuracy in detecting FHB in seeds. These findings suggest the potential of low-cost imaging technology and deep-learning models for the accurate classification of wheat seeds infected by FHB. However, FHB symptoms are genotype-dependent, and therefore the accuracy of the detection method may vary depending on phenotypic variations among wheat cultivars.

The influence of seed structures on dormancy in seeds of <i>Urochloa</i> hybrid cultivar ‘Mulato Ⅱ’

This study determined the effects of seed structures on seed dormancy and tested methods to break dormancy in seeds of Urochloa hybrid cultivar ‘Mulato II’. Seeds stored for 10 months in indoor ambient conditions were studied to determine effects of seed structures on seed germination and their water permeability. Results showed that seed structures presented a barrier to water permeability. Removal of lemmas, puncturing the seed coat, seed structure removal and sulfuric acid immersion all reduced seed dormancy. Water and alcohol extracts from different parts of seeds inhibited seed germination of Brassica pekinensis seeds. There were 3 mechanisms responsible for seed dormancy; first, the mechanical barrier of seed structures, which excluded water and reduced gas exchange as well as restricting growth of the embryo; second, an endogenous germination inhibitor mainly found in lemmas; and third, water permeability of the seed coat (including pericarp and testa). The mechanical removal of lemmas and immersion in concentrated sulfuric acid reduced seed dormancy, although mechanical removal of the lemma alone was effective, convenient and safer.

The role of storage reserves and their mobilization during seed germination under drought stress conditions of rapeseed cultivars with high and low oli contents

Seed germination is one of the complex traits in the plant life cycle, which is accomplished by the interaction of various complex processes including seed reserve mobilization and utilization under various environmental conditions. Since seed reserves can influence seed germination, the quantitative and qualitative differences in seed reserves may relate to the germination characteristics of rapeseed seeds. Therefore, we hypothesized the positive relationship between seed germination and mobilization process of seed reserves during the seed imbibition of two rapeseed cultivars with high and low oil contents under normal and drought stress conditions. Herein, we measured the initial absorption of water and seed microstructure during seed imbibition, besides, we also determined seed germination parameters, osmolytes, enzymatic activity, lipid peroxidation, and fatty acid composition in both rapeseed cultivars. Our results displayed that the high oil content cultivar (QY1) showed a higher germination percentage with higher water absorption during the seed imbibition under drought stress conditions. Moreover, seed microstructural analysis indicated that oil bodies (OBs) were surrounding the protein storage vacuoles (PBs) compartment and cell periphery, the gap between OBs was increased to some extent, and boundaries became blurred in QY1 under drought stress conditions. Besides, the number of oil bodies was higher, while their area was lower, which might provide more energy for the germination process. Furthermore, the active metabolism of protein, sugar, and proline in QY1 was higher than ZYZ108 under normal and drought stress conditions, which might be closely related to the accretion of osmoregulatory substances that improved water uptake, thereby improving seed germination. Additionally, unsaturated fatty acids were higher in QY1 than ZYZ108, which provide greater protection against drought stress damages. Besides, QY1 exhibited high efficiency of defense system, which reduced malonaldehyde (MDA) content, hence ameliorating the oxidative damage due to drought stress. Taken together, this investigation provides new insight into the role of seed reserves as energy resources in the germination process in high oil content seeds of rapeseed cultivars, especially under drought stress conditions.

Prediction of Germination Percentage Through Electrical Conductivity in White and Coloured Coated French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Background: Rapid detection of seed germination will be a valuable tool for seed testing laboratories and commercial seed companies. The EC test has been accepted into ISTA rules for beans. The potential of the electrical conductivity test (EC) readings in predicting total and normal germination of nine white coated and nine coloured coated French bean cultivar seeds was examined. Methods: Nine different white coated and nine coloured coated French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars were obtained from different sources. EC measurements for predicting germination were carried out 2, 4, 6 and 8 h during soaking at 20°C. Germination test was conducted on three replicates of 50 seeds in between wet towel papers for 8 days at 25°C in the dark. Result: Regression models were developed between EC and percentages of normal and abnormal seedlings in the germination test. EC readings at 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours were negatively related to percentage of total (R2=0.717, 0.830 P less than 0.05) and normal germination percentages (R2=0.762, 0.897 P less than 0.05). Results suggested that EC measurements carried out in between 2 and 8 hours soaking can be used for the estimation of seed germination in beans.

High self-paternity levels and effects of fertilised-seed number on size of strawberry fruit.

Cross-pollination can increase fruit production in both self-incompatible and self-compatible fruit crops. However, it is often unclear what proportions of the fruit crop result from cross-pollination. We quantified the proportion of cross-pollinated seeds and the proportion of fertilised seeds in two strawberry cultivars, Red Rhapsody and Sundrench, at increasing distances from a cross-pollen source. We assessed whether fully self-pollinated fruit and partly cross-pollinated fruit differed in fruit size, colour, firmness, Brix and acidity. We also assessed whether fruit size and quality were affected by the number or percentage of fertilised seeds. Almost all seeds of both cultivars resulted from self-pollination (~98%), even at only 1 m from a cross-pollen source. Distance from a cross-pollen source did not affect the proportion of partly cross-pollinated fruit or the proportion of cross-pollinated seeds per fruit. The mass and diameter of fully self-pollinated Sundrench fruit, and the redness and Brix of fully self-pollinated Red Rhapsody fruit, were higher than partly cross-pollinated fruit. Fruit mass, length and diameter increased, and acidity decreased, with increasing numbers of fertilised seeds in both cultivars. Fruit mass also increased with the percentage of fertilised seeds. Our results show that cross-pollination was not required for Red Rhapsody and Sundrench fruit production, and that cross-pollination was a rare occurrence even close to cross pollen source. Self-pollen deposition on stigmas is required to maximise the number of fertilised seeds, and consequently fruit size and quality. Our research indicates that bees improve strawberry fruit size by increasing the number of stigmas that receive pollen. Our results suggest that placing bee hives on strawberry farms during flowering and establishing nearby pollinator habitat to support wild pollinators could improve strawberry yield and fruit quality.