Empty Grains Research Articles

Effect of biochar on soil chemical properties of tidal wetland in Jambi, Indonesia, and growth and yield of various rice varieties

The study aimed to determine the effect of biochar on the growth and yield of several rice varieties in a tidal wetland agroecosystem. This research used a split-plot design with the main plot was biochar application, consisting of three levels (no biochar, rice husk biochar, and coconut shell biochar), and the subplot was rice variety consisting of ten varieties (Inpara, Inpari 30, Kuning, Karya Rendah, Bujang Pelawah, Pandan Wangi, Bujang Berinai, Kwatek Tinggi, Candu, and Serai). Plant parameters observed were plant height, number of tillers, productive tillers, panicle length, number of grains per panicle, number of empty grains per panicle, milled rice weight, and weight of 1,000 grains. Results of this study showed that the application of biochar improved soil fertility by increasing organic carbon, available phosphorus and potassium, cation exchange capacity, and reducing the soluble iron in the soil. However, the application of biochar did not significantly affect the height of rice plants. The application of coconut shell biochar yielded the best results in increasing the number of productive tillers, the number of grains per panicle, grain dry weight, and reducing the number of empty grains per panicle.

Potential of Black Rice Mutants (M4) Through Genetic Parameters to Develop Superior Drought-Resistant Varieties

Rice plays an important role in meeting carbohydrate requirement and calorie needs to ensure food security. However, in recent years, rice productivity has decreased due to land conversion and climate change such as El Niño. The productivity of drought-resistant rice can be increased through breeding. Genetic diversity and heritability are important genetic parameters in the plant breeding process. Information about genetic diversity and heritability helps determine genetic progress through selection. This research aims to examine the potential genetic diversity and heritability of several mutant lines (M4) of black rice (G10) in order to develop superior rice varieties that are adaptive to dry land. In this research, we used experimental methods using a Randomized Block Design (RBD), calculating the value of the Genetic Diversity Coefficient (GDC) and heritability between quantitative characters. The results of narrow genetic research were found in the characteristics of the number of productive tillers and weight of 100 grains, while high heritability was found in the characters of plant height, moderate heritability was found in the total number of tillers, panicle length, number of empty grains per panicle, and weight of 100 grains. Overall, this research succeeded in identifying mutant lines (M4) of black rice (G10) which have the potential to be developed into superior varieties, especially for cultivation in dry land.

Inhibition of microelement accumulation and disorder of saccharide and amino acid metabolism explain rice grain empty under dimethylarsinic acid stress.

Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed an intensification of energy metabolism in rice grains under DMA stress, possibly causing the consumption of sugars or non-sugars and the development of unfilled grains Excessive dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) causes rice straighthead disease, a physiological disorder typically with erect panicle due to empty grain at maturity. Although the toxicity of DMA and its uptake and transport in rice are well recognized, the underlying mechanism of unfilled grains remains unclear. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted using a susceptible variety (Ruanhuayou1179, RHY) and a resistant one (Nanjingxiangzhan, NJXZ) via the metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to explore the mechanisms of empty grains in diseased rice under DMA stress. The results demonstrate an increase in total and methylated As in grains of RHY and NJXZ under DMA addition, with RHY containing higher levels of DMA. DMA addition increased the soluble sugar content in grains of RHY and NJXZ by 17.1% and 14.3% compared to the control, respectively, but significantly reduced the levels of amino acid, soluble protein, and starch. The decrease of grain Zn and B contents was also observed, and inadequate Zn might be a key factor limiting rice grain yield under DMA stress. Notably, DMA addition altered the expression levels of genes involved in the transport of sugar, amino acids, nitrates/peptides, and mineral ions. In sugar and amino acid metabolism, the reduction of metabolites and the upregulated expression of genes reflect positive regulation at the level of energy metabolism, implying that the reduction of grain starch and proteins might be ascribed to generate sufficient energy to resist the stress. This study provides a useful reference for understanding the molecular mechanism of grain emptying under DMA stress.

Melatonin differentially refines the metabolome to improve seed formation during grain developmental stages and enhances yield in two contrasting rice cultivars, grown in arsenic-contaminated soil

The manuscript revealed the ameliorative effects of exogenous melatonin in two distinct reproductive stages, i.e., developing grains (20 days after pollination) and matured grains (40 days after pollination) in two contrasting indica rice genotypes, viz., Khitish (arsenic-susceptible) and Muktashri (arsenic-tolerant), irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water throughout their life-cycle. Melatonin administration improved yield-related parameters like rachis length, primary and secondary branch length, number of grains per panicle, number of filled and empty grains per panicle, grain length and breadth and 1000-grain per weight. Expression of GW2, which negatively regulates grain development, was suppressed, along with concomitant induction of positive regulators like GIF1, DEP1 and SPL14 in both Khitish and Muktashri. Melatonin lowered arsenic bioaccumulation in grains and tissue biomass, more effectively in Khitish. Unregulated production of reactive oxygen species, leading to cellular necrosis caused by arsenic, was reversed in presence of melatonin. Endogenous melatonin level was stimulated due to up-regulation of the key biosynthetic genes, SNAT and ASMT. Melatonin enhanced the production of diverse antioxidants like anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenolics and ascorbic acid and also heightened the production of thiol-metabolites (cysteine, reduced glutathione, non-protein thiols and phytochelatin), ensuring effective chelation and arsenic detoxification. Altogether, our observation, supported by principal component analysis, proved that melatonin re-programs the antioxidative metabolome to enhance plant resilience against arsenic stress to mitigate oxidative damages and reduce arsenic translocation from the soil to tissue biomass and edible grains.

Rock dust as a source of nutrients for upland rice crop

Some farmers use rock dust as a cheap and efficient alternative to supply nutrients to plants. It is known that rock dust has the potential to replace chemical fertilization in organic production or it may complement chemical fertilization in other production systems. Thereby, the aim of this research was to evaluate the response of upland rice under different doses of rock dust. The experiment was carried out at Fazenda Cachoeira, Raul Soares city, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil with an altitude corresponding to 360 m, sandy-clay soil. It was used BRSMG Caravera cultivar. Analysis of rock dust and soil before and after fertilization were performed to check nutrients levels present in them. It was used randomized blocks as the experimental design with five replications and four doses of rock dust: 1100, 1300, 1500, 1700 kg. ha-1, with an additional treatment consisting of NPK mineral fertilization without rock dust. Yield, weight of 1000 grains and the percentage of full and empty grains did not differ between treatments. Therefore, rock dust is a promising strategy to replace chemical fertilizer in rice crops providing equivalent yield to conventional fertilization with remarkable reduction of crop costs as well as the reduction of environmental impacts caused by the excessive use of chemical fertilizers.

OPTIMASI OPTIMASI PROSES PEMBERSIHAN BERAS: STRATEGI TERAPAN UNTUK PENINGKATAN KUALITAS HASIL PERTANIAN

This community service activity (PKM) aims to introduce and train the community to process their rice harvests using appropriate technology, in the form of a grain peeling machine. The main target of this PKM activity is the people of the Jaya Mandiri Farmers Group in Batu Layang Village RT.04/RW.15, North Pontianak District, who still have limited means for their agricultural activities. The methods applied in this PKM activity are science and technology diffusion, socialization, and active community participation. So that with this PKM activity, the community has gained knowledge and skills in processing their post-harvest rice products, and it is hoped that this can help overcome their productivity problems due to limited agricultural facilities. Cleaning rice not only aims to remove empty grains, dirt and other foreign objects, but also increases the selling value per unit weight, increases the efficiency of drying and processing post-harvest products and extends shelf life. The working principle of the automatic rice cleaning tool is that when the rice is in the main reservoir, it then goes down through a small gap so that when it comes down it is cleaned with a fan so that the dirt stuck to the rice is blown away and the clean rice enters the reservoir section. The construction of this rice cleaning machine is divided into a hoper as a place to input rice, a crankshaft system, while the drive system consists of an electric motor, pulley, belt, pegs, bearings. With this device, the process of cleaning rice can be carried out simply and easily, and the process time, namely cleaning time, is shorter. With a shorter processing time, the production rate per unit time becomes greater. Improving the quality of agricultural products is very important in supporting food security and farmer welfare. One of the key aspects in ensuring the quality of agricultural products is the post-harvest processing process, especially the rice cleaning process. In this context, this research aims to optimize the rice refining process through the implementation of effective applied strategies. This study was conducted through a comprehensive series of laboratory experiments and field tests. Refining methods involving a combination of traditional and innovative technologies were evaluated to find the most efficient strategy for improving rice quality. The research results show that the use of a combination of certain technologies can increase the efficiency of rice cleaning, as well as reduce yield losses and increase the selling value of the product. This research makes a significant contribution to the development of agricultural practices that are sustainable and oriented towards quality results. These findings have direct implications for farmers in increasing the competitiveness of their products in local and global markets, as well as in supporting government efforts to achieve national food security goals.

Grain Quality of Three Rice Genotypes Grown in Organic and Non-Organic Systems

Grain quality is essential for assessing the overall quality of the grain produced and determining the market value of the final product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical quality of grains cultivated using both organic and non-organic methods. The research employed grains from red, white, and black rice genotypes planted during the third period. Each sample consisted of 100 grams, with three replicates. Data analysis involved variance testing using T and BNT tests, with a significance level set at 5%. Parameters for assessing the physical quality of grains included moisture content, empty grains, damaged kernels (yellow), calcified kernels (young kernels), foreign matter, other varieties, odors, and pests. The research took place at the Polytechnic Organic Farm and Plant Laboratory of Politeknik Negeri Lampung from January to April 2022. The findings indicated that the grain yields of red, white, and black rice genotypes quantitatively exhibited lower levels of yellow/damaged kernels and calcified/young kernels when cultivated organically compared to non-organic methods. However, for other analyses, the results did not show significant differences between the two cropping systems. Nevertheless, the grains of red, white, and black rice genotypes met the quality standards outlined in SNI 01-0224-1987, classified as grade II for organic cultivation and grade III for non-organic cultivation.

Evaluation of seedling cultivation and irrigation regimes on yield and yield components in rice plant.

A split-plot experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in two cropping years at Mazandaran Rice Research Institute to study cultivation and irrigation regimes. The main factor is three-level irrigation regimes, permanent irrigation throughout the day (T1), irrigation two days after water disappears from the soil (T2) and permanent soil saturation (T3) the second factor is three-level cultivation methods., Plowless cultivation (W1), stack 60 cm (W2), and stack 80 cm (W3). Based on the results obtained from the combined analysis, the effect of the year was significant in terms of rainfall, productivity 2, number of tillers, number of empty grains, 1000-grain weight, percentage of the crushed grain, and white rice yield. The effect of the main factor was significant for all traits except productivity 1 and plant height. Based on the results of comparing the mean effect of year × treatment, four treatments, without plowing with permanent irrigation throughout the day in the first and second year of the experiment, cultivation without plowing with irrigation two days after water disappears from the soil in the second year of experiment and cultivation without Plowing with permanent saturated irrigation in the first and second years of the experiment was identified in terms of grain yield as suitable planting methods with appropriate irrigation regimes. Based on the results obtained from the polygon view in different years of the experiment, T3W1, T3W2, and T1W1 treatments can be suggested as desirable treatments in terms of irrigation regimes and cultivation methods in this rice cultivar. According to the ranking diagram of treatments based on traits in the years of experimentation, T1W1, T2W2 and T1W3 were introduced as the most desirable treatments for cultivating this rice cultivar.

Growth and production of rice (oryza sativa l.) With several application doses of urea fertiliser and cow manure

Integration of fertilisation using organic and inorganic fertilisers is one of the efforts to increase rice growth and production. This study aims to evaluate and analyse the effect of urea fertiliser and cow manure application on the growth and production of rice plants. This study used a separate plot design with three groups. The main plot was the dose of urea fertiliser including 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1, and 300 kg ha-1. The subplots were doses of cow manure including 500 kg ha-1, 1000 kg ha-1, 1500 kg ha-1, 2000 kg ha-1, and 2500 kg ha-1. The research data were then analysed by means of variance with BNT test as a further test. The results showed that the interaction of urea 300 kg ha-1 and no manure on panicle length (23.28 cm), urea 100 kg ha-1 and 2000 kg ha-1 on panicle weight per plant (2.85 g), urea 200 kg ha-1 and 2500 kg ha-1 manure on the number of filled grains per panicle (101, 67 grains), urea 100 kg ha-1 and 2500 kg ha-1 manure on the percentage of empty grains per panicle (12.12%), and urea 200 kg ha-1 and 2500 kg ha-1 manure on the weight of 1000 seeds (26.87 g). The single treatment of urea dose, 200 kg ha-1, gave the best effect on chlorophyll a (234.55), chlorophyll b (96.04) and total chlorophyll (337.27). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the application of urea fertiliser with cow manure has a positive impact on the growth of rice plants.

Estimation of the productivity of rice samples under severe field drought

Drought is one of the most important factors hindering the cultivation of rice, resulting in large yield losses, and limiting productivity growth. The purpose of the current study was to determine the drought resistance of rice varieties and samples of various origins under conditions of periodic irrigation with periods of prolonged soil aridity and high air temperature, to identify drought-resistant plants for the selection of upland varieties. There have been studied 68 varieties and samples of upland rice when grown on irrigated and flooded areas (Proletarsk, Rostov region). There has been established that varieties and samples under drought conditions and sufficient water supply formed different grain productivity, which in 2020–2021 with a lack of water amounted to 63.7 % of the norm, and in 2022 to 30.1 %. There has been found that the correlation of rice productivity under dry conditions with that under full moisture supply was weak negative (r = –0.22±0.12), and with the drought resistance index (DRI) it was high positive (r = 0.95±0.04). The values of quantitative traits under drought conditions have changed significantly in comparison with the control. Such traits as plant height (95.7 %), panicle length (73.1%), panicle density (58.7 %), number of harvested plants per 1 m2 (87.3 %), plant weight (42.3 %), panicle weight (25.1 %), total number of spikelets (54.5 %) and grains per panicle (32.4 %), 1000-grain weight (70.4 %) have decreased. Such traits as number of productive stems per 1 m2 (115.2 %), tilling capacity (126.1 %), the number of empty spikelets per panicle (205.1 %) and the percentage of empty grains (339.1 %) have increased. There have been identified such 9 varieties and samples with DRI from 51.1 to 93.7 % as ‘Kontro’, ‘An-Yun-Ho’, ‘Chan-Chun-Man’, ‘Hong-Mo’, ‘8323’, ‘8338’, ‘8337’, ‘ZULK 8’, ‘ZULK 9’, which formed maximum productivity in dry conditions (3.95–5.51 t/ha).

Effect of nitrogen doses on growth and yield of several varieties of tungro-infected rice plant

Tungro is still a problem in efforts to increase rice production, it can disrupt the stability of rice production if conditions worsen. Plant fertilizer application is an integral part of plant cultivation, especially nitrogen fertilizer. Improper utilization of fertilizers can harm agriculture by increasing plant vulnerability to pests and diseases. Thus, the purpose of the study was to examine the effects of various doses of nitrogen on the agronomic performance of rice plants, as well as their susceptibility to tungro. The research was conducted at the Greenhouse, Sukamandi, and the Muara Experimental Field, Center for Rice Research, Bogor. The experiments, both in the greenhouse and field, used a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications. The main plots were variety, while the subplots were nitrogen dosage. The results showed that Inpari 36 Lanrang was better than Ciherang and IR64 in terms of plant height, number of tillers, empty grain per clump, leaf greenness, and yield/pot in the greenhouse. While from the field experiment, varieties have different flowering times, plant heights, number of filled grains, number of empty grains, 1,000-grain weight, net assimilation rate, yield/plot, and tungro incidence. The use of nitrogen fertilizer affected flowering time in the greenhouse and affected productive tillers, yield per plot in the field, and the greenness of the leaves of healthy plants. The optimum dose is 167.5 kg ha-1 nitrogen. As a result, it is recommended that controlling tungro disease should involve the integration of fertilizer application that is balanced with the use of resistant varieties.Keywords: agronomic performance, nitrogen rates, plant diseases, resistant varieties, tungro infection

Effect of Mutations Induction on Vegetative and Generative Characters of G16 Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

The aim of this research was to identify the vegetative and generative characters of G16 rice mutants due to gamma-ray irradiation. The experiment was conducted in Saribaye Village, Lingsar District, West Lombok Regency. The experimental design used was an Augmented Design, using three comparison plants, namely the G16 line (parent), Inpago Unram 1 variety, and IPB 3S variety. The four mutant populations tested were mutant doses of 200, 300, 400 and 500 Gy. The results showed that the induction of gamma ray mutations affected the character of plant height, flag leaf angle, flowering age, panicle length, number of filled grains per panicle, harvest age, and grain weight per clump. Comparison plants and mutant plants showed an interaction on all observed characters, except the number of total tillers and the number of productive tillers. Wide genetic diversity was shown by all characters, except flag leaf angle, total tiller number, weight of 100 grains, and weight of empty grain per clump. High heritability was obtained on the character of plant height (0.97), flag leaf angle (0.74), flowering age (0.99), number of productive tillers (0.57), panicle length (0.86), number of filled grain per panicle (0.92), number of empty grains per panicle (0.55), age at harvest (1.00), and weight of 100 grains (0.99).

Effects of silicate application on rice growth, yield and quality under nighttime warming in southern China.

The main feature of climate warming is that nighttime warming is higher than the daytime warming. Nighttime warming reduced single rice production in southern China, while silicate application increased rice yield and stress resistance. It is still unclear regarding the effects of silicate application on growth, yield, and especially quality in rice under nighttime warming. We performed a field simulation experiment to investigate the effects of silicate application on tiller number, biomass, yield and quality of rice. Warming was set at two levels, ambient temperature (control, CK) and nighttime warming (NW). The open passive nighttime warming method was used, with rice canopy being covered with aluminum foil reflective film at night (19:00-6:00) to simulate nighttime warming. Silicate fertilizer (steel slag) was applied at two levels, i.e., Si0(0 kg SiO2·hm-2) and Si1(200 kg SiO2·hm-2). The results showed that, compared with the control (ambient temperature), average temperature at nighttime on rice canopy and at 5 cm soil layer increased by 0.51-0.58 ℃ and 0.28-0.41 ℃ during rice growing season, respectively. Nighttime warming decreased tiller number and chlorophyll content by 2.5%-15.9% and 0.2%-7.7%, respectively. In contrast, silicate application increased tiller number and chlorophyll content by 1.7%-16.2% and 1.6%-16.6%, respectively. Under nighttime warming, silicate application increased dry weight of shoot, total dry weight of the whole plant, and yield at grain filling-maturity stage by 64.1%, 55.3%, and 7.1%, respectively. Under nighttime warming, silicate application significantly increased milled rice rate, head rice rate, and total starch content by 2.3%, 2.5%, and 41.8%, respectively. Nighttime warming reduced rice yield by decreasing the number of effective panicles, seed setting rate, and 1000-grain weight, but increasing empty grains. Silicate application increased rice yield by increasing the number of effective panicles, filled grains per panicle, seed setting rate and 1000-grain weight, but reducing empty grains. In conclusion, silicate application could effectively alleviate the suppressive effects of nighttime warming on growth, yield, and quality of single rice in Southern China.

Karakterisasi dan Keragaman Genetik Mutan Padi Inpago Unram 1 Generasi Kedua (M2) Akibat Iradiasi Sinar Gamma

This study aims to determine the quantitative character of the mutant genotype (M2) and the genetic diversity of the mutant (M2) due to gamma ray irradiation. This experiment was carried out from June to October 2021 in Nyurlembang Village, Narmada District, West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, using a Randomized Block Design (RAK) in a partitioned design with a total of 27 treatments consisting of 24 mutant plant genotypes and 3 comparison plants. The results of the observations were analyzed using analysis of variance at a level of 5%, then significantly different treatments were further tested using the Central Significant Difference (BNT) test at a level of 5%. The results showed that gamma ray irradiation caused differences in the characters of each genotype, including the character of plant height, panicle length, number of empty grains, flowering age, and harvest age. The genetic diversity of the M2 generation mutant brown rice (Inpago Unram Satu) due to gamma ray irradiation of 200 Gy shows the character of the number of filled grain, the number of empty grains, and the weight of the filled grain, while other characters have a narrow genetic variation.

Knockout of OsSWEET15 Impairs Rice Embryo Formation and Seed-Setting.

We show that the knockout of a sugar transporter gene OsSWEET15 led to a significant drop in rice fertility with around half of the knockout mutant's spikelets bearing blighted or empty grains. The rest of the spikelets bore fertile grains with a slightly reduced weight. Notably, the ovaries in the blighted grains of the ossweet15 mutants expanded after flowering but terminated their development before the endosperm cellularization stage and subsequently aborted. β- glucuronidase (GUS) and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) reporter lines representing the OsSWEET15 expression showed that the gene was expressed in the endosperm tissues surrounding the embryo, which supposedly supplies nutrients to sustain embryo development. These results together with the protein's demonstrated sucrose transport capacity and plasma membrane localization suggest that OsSWEET15 plays a prominent role during the caryopsis formation stage, probably by releasing sucrose from the endosperm to support embryo development. By contrast, the empty grains were probably caused by the reduced pollen viability of the ossweet15 mutants. Investigation of ossweet11 mutant grains revealed similar phenotypes to those observed in the ossweet15 mutants. These results indicate that both OsSWEET15 and OsSWEET11 play important and similar roles in rice pollen development, caryopsis formation and seed-setting, in addition to their function in seed-filling that was demonstrated previously.

The Effects of the Application of Trichoderma Asperellum and Biochar on Growth and Productivity of Rice Cultivated by the SRI Method and on Soil Quality

Continuous use of chemical fertilizers to increase productivity often causes disruption to essential soil nutrients and environmental degradation and adversely affects soil rhizosphere microorganisms. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the joint application of Trichoderma asperellum and biochar for increasing rice productivity using the SRI method and for improving the quality of paddy fields. This study consisted of eight treatments: T0BC (standard application of NPK without Trichoderma asperellum and biochar), T1BG (Trichoderma asperellum + NPK), T2BC (husk biochar + NPK), T3BC (coconut shell biochar + NPK), T4BC (mangrove biochar mangove + NPK), T5BG (Trichoderma asperellum + husk biochar + NPK), T6BC (Trichoderma asperellum + coconut shell biochar + NPK), and T7BC (Trichoderma asperellum + mangrove biochar + NPK). A randomized block research design was applied with three replications. Observations were conducted on plant height, number of tillers, leaf area index, number of panicles, number of pithy grains, number of empty grains, yield per pot, yield per hectare, and soil nutrient. The results showed that the application of a combination of Trichoderma asperellum and positive biochar increased the observed growth and yields 55.31% higher than the full dose of inorganic fertilizer. Combined application also increased pH, total N, available P, and Kdd, thereby increasing the nutrient content of paddy fields. Collectively, Trichoderma asperellum and biochar increased soil fertility and nutrient absorption, and encouraging the growth of Trichoderma asperellum increased the population in the rhizosphere.

A biocontrol Bacillus velezensis strain decreases pathogen Burkholderia glumae population and occupies a similar niche in rice plants

Bacillus velezensis strain IBUN 2755 has biocontrol capacity against Burkholderia glumae, a very important pathogen in rice. However, the mechanisms by which IBUN 2755 strain achieves control of B. glumae are still unclear. We determined that both IBUN 2755 and B. glumae are attracted by compounds present in the rice Fedearroz 2000 cv root exudates. Both strains could use the same root exudates compounds as the sole carbon source (alanine, proline, glucuronic acid, arabinose and manose), which suggests a possible niche overlap for both species. Importantly both strains were able to colonize rice plants as endophytes, showing that they are present in the same environment. The presence of IBUN 2755 reduced B. glumae endophytic population both in root and shoot through the crop cycle, reducing disease symptoms such the presence of empty grains, which is a major concern for rice growers. Our results suggest that IBUN 2755 acts as a biocontrol strain by reducing the populations of B. glumae in rice plants with its capacity to compete for this particular ecological niche being one of the putative mechanisms of action of this strain.

QUALITY OF BLACK PEPPER PRODUCED IN NORTHEASTERN PARÁ

Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is the most widely used spice in the world. This crop has great economic importance in Brazil, especially in the North and Southeast regions. However, the variability in quality between cultivars is high. The objective of this study was to characterize black pepper from northeastern Pará available on the market and obtain an overview of its quality parameters. A total of 23 samples from black pepper cultivars/clones were evaluated for impurities and foreign matter, empty grains, density, moisture and ether extract, as established by Brazilian legislation. Additionally, the contents of total ash, protein, crude fiber and piperine were determined. Among the samples, one was outside the standard for density. The moisture contents were below the maximum limit required by the legislation, demonstrating that the drying and storage of the grains were adequate. Regarding the ether extract, 52% of the samples did not meet the commercialization standards. Concerning piperine, the Equador and Panny clones had levels greater than 5%. It was found that the nutritional composition of black pepper is influenced by the technological level of the production system. In summary, black pepper produced in northeastern Pará has variable quality.

Kandidat Galur Unggul Mutan Padi G16 Hasil Induksi Mutasi dengan Sinar Gamma

The aim of this study was to obtain superior lines that had higher yields and shorter harvesting ages than their parents. The research was conducted in Saribaye Village, Lingsar, West Lombok Districts, from February to July 2020. The study used a Single Plant Design with the treatment of the M1 G16 mutant population at irradiation doses of 200 Gy, 300 Gy, 400 Gy and 500 Gy and parent (G16 line) as a control. Each treatment planted 200 seeds while the control was repeated three times. The variables observed included the number of productive tillers (saplings), panicle length (cm), number of filled and empty grains per panicle (grains), age of harvest (HSS), weight of 100 grains (g) and weight of filled grain per clump (g). . The value of genetic variance is calculated based on the reduction of phenotype variance with environmental variation (Mangoendidjojo, 2007). Determination of the potential for superior line candidates is done by setting the selection limit value (Xs) according to Kuswanto and Waluyo (2012). The selected genotype is a genotype that has a production value of more than Xs and an age of less than Xs. The results showed that there was an increase in genetic variance due to gamma ray irradiation treatment. A total of three mutant genotypes were successfully selected as candidates for superior strains, namely M1G16-9D3, M1G16-14D3, M1G16-27D3. The three mutant genotypes have the opportunity to be further developed into superior varieties with high yield potential and early maturity.

Comparison of the Yield of Different Rice Varieties Treated with l-Ascorbic Acid on Site-Specific Saline Soil

We conducted a comparative study of the effect of vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) treatment on the yield of selected rice varieties grown in site-specific saline soil; the study area was Paluh Merbau, which is situated on the east coast of North Sumatra and has a salinity of 5.9 dS/m. Salinity causes osmotic, salt-specific, and oxidative stress, which negatively affects crop yields. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of l-ascorbic acid treatment on the yield parameters of eight varieties of rice grown on saline soil. This study was based on a randomized block design with two factors. The first factor was the rice variety (Ciherang, IR 64, Lambur, Batanghari, Banyuasin, IR 42, Inpara 10, and Margasari), and the second factor was the concentration of l-ascorbic acid (0, 500, 1,000, or 1,500 mg/L). The number of empty grains per panicles, grain weight per clump, and number of filled grains per panicles increased as the concentration of l-ascorbic acid increased. l-Ascorbic acid at a concentration of 1,500 mg/L exhibited the best results, and the grain weight of Banyuasin and Batanghari varieties was 33.22 and 30.18 g, respectively; however, there was no significant difference in grain weight between the varieties. Batanghari and Ciherang were the most salt-tolerant genotypes, with a high ability to produce high number of filled grains compared to other varieties. l-Ascorbic acid treatment can promote the yields of rice varieties grown under salinity stress.