Highest Number Of Tubers Research Articles

SEED POTATO PRODUCTIVITY AS INFLUENCED BY ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF THE NUTRIENT SOLUTION IN SOILLESS MEDIA DURING SPRING SEASON IN SUBTROPICAL REGIONS OF N- W INDIA

Soilless cultivation under controlled conditions is used for rapid multiplication of early generation virus-free potato seed using aeroponics and other mediums. The plant growth under these systems is affected by different factors like soilless media, nutrient solution concentration used, environment, genotype etc. Besides the composition of nutrient solution its electrical conductivity (EC) influences availability of nutrients and affects plant growth and yield. The two-factorial study on water source and EC was carried out on a cocopeat based medium for a nutrient efficient variety Kufri Gaurav. Well sprouted aeroponically produced minitubers of the variety were planted (at 30 x 15 cm planting density) in soilless medium filled troughs placed under net house. The water source Normal tap water was compared with RO (demineralized) water, while EC was considered at three levels 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0. The results indicated a proficient growth of the genotype at EC 2.0 (plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf length and number of stems). However, for the yield characters, EC 1.0 was found to produce both higher number of tubers, yield as well as harvest index per meter square. Based on the observations it can be inferred that at lower EC the partitioning of the photosynthates is towards the sink (tubers) as compared to the vegetative growth, which would be more desirable under the soilless systems, where limited/ managed canopy growth is more desirable, with higher productivity. The study also indicated virus free seed production in soilless medium during the spring season (seed plot period lasts up to December) in northwestern plains of India under net house, giving indication for successive/ multiple seed crops under soilless controlled conditions.

Bed, ridge and planting configurations influence crop performance in field-transplanted hybrid potato crops

Current cultivation practices for field transplanted potato crops grown from nursery-raised hybrid potato seedlings are mostly borrowed from the tuber-based conventional system. Most studies on field performance of field transplanted seedling crops have largely reported the use of ridged rows and in exceptional cases, the use of beds. It is therefore critical to assess the feasibility of the use of alternative ridge or bed systems for cultivation of field-transplanted nursery-raised potato seedlings considering the differences in physiological behaviour of crops grown from different starting materials. This study assessed the effects of six systems which included bed and ridge systems of different dimensions and planting configurations for field transplanted seedling crops. Field crop establishment, canopy growth and development as well as yield and yield components were assessed. In general, systems that boasted high plant densities resulted in faster canopy development and higher number of tubers and tuber yield. Bed systems (raised and flat beds; 8.0 plants m−2) therefore gave the highest numbers of tubers and tuber yield across all treatments. These systems also produced the most tubers in all tuber size classes resulting in the highest yields in all classes. Standard ridge systems (full- and half ridges; 0.75 m row distance), had the lowest plant populations (5.3 plants m−2) which resulted almost always in fewer tubers and lower yield. Other ridge systems (0.9-m and 0.5-m ridge systems), although having higher plant densities than the standard ridge systems (8.9 and 8.0 plants m−2, respectively) still performed poorer than the bed systems. The small and compact ridges in the 0.5-m ridge system and the compact arrangement of plants in the 0.9-m ridge system caused these effects. Conclusively, based on this study, productivity in field transplanting systems is highly influenced by plant density. Further, cultivation systems boasting higher planting densities should be recommended when the goal for production is to produce large quantities of seed tubers (> 35; ≤ 50 mm).

The Effects of Different GA3 and Mycorrhiza Dosages on Mini Tuber Production in Potatoes

This study was conducted in 2017 under greenhouse conditions using selected four different potato clones to determine the effects of different doses of GA3 and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on mini tuber production. The research, carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications, applied GA3 doses of 0, 5, 10, and 15 ppm, and mycorrhizal inoculat doses of 0, 500, 1250, and 2000 mg/100 tubers. Parameters including emergence time, plant height, main stem number, tuber number, average tuber weight, tuber size distribution (>45 mm, 28-45 mm, <28 mm), and maturity period were examined. The effect of GA3 application on all investigated parameters except the number of main stems was significant, statistically. The highest mini tuber number (9.1 tubers) and mini tuber yield (408.4 g/pot) were obtained from the application of 15 ppm GA3, while the highest average mini tuber weight (46.74 g) was obtained from the control group. In mycorrhizal applications, the highest tuber number was obtained at a dose of 500 mg/100 tubers, and the highest mini tuber weight and yield were obtained at a dose of 1250 mg/100 tubers. As a result of the study, it was determined that the application of 15 ppm GA3 is suitable due to its positive effect on mini tuber multiplication, and the mycorrhizal application at a dose of 500 mg/100 tubers is appropriate due to its positive effect on increase of tuber number.

Estrés hídrico en el crecimiento y rendimiento de cultivares comerciales de papa (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) en la región centro del Perú

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a crop of great importance worldwide due to its high nutritional value and its adaptability to different climatic conditions. In Peru, it is one of the main crops in terms of production and consumption, with Junín being one of the departments with the highest production. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of water stress on the growth and yield of commercial potato cultivars. Four irrigation frequencies (field capacity, every 7, 14 and 21 days) and five commercial potato cultivars (Canchán, Yungay, Wankita, Serranita and Shulay) were evaluated, distributed in a completely randomized design with a 5x4 factorial arrangement, with five replications. It was installed under greenhouse conditions and seven variables (plant emergence, plant height, number of stems, number and weight of tubers, transpiration rate and dry matter) were evaluated. The results showed statistical differences in all the variables evaluated. It was found that the Canchán cultivar with irrigation frequency every 21 days was more tolerant to drought with an average rate of 0.69 ml, the maximum permissible irrigation limit in greenhouse is every 14 days. The highest number of tubers was observed in the Wankita cultivar with 29.8 tubers under a drought stress of 14 days. The highest tuber weight was obtained with the Yungay cultivar at field capacity with 0.438 kg per plant. It is concluded that water stress influences potato growth and production.

Gospodarska svojstva tradicijskih sorata krumpira Poli i Brinjak

The paper presents the results of a triennial research on the economic properties of two commercial (Désirée and Colomba) and two traditional potato varieties (Poli and Brinjak) in northwestern Croatia. Research was conducted during 2020, 2021, and 2022 at the Experimental Field of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb in non-irrigated conditions. The significantly highest tuber yield (33.10 t ha-1) was achieved in 2020, when the most precipitation fell during the growing season (583.6 mm). In a triennial average, the Désirée (27.37 t/ ha-1) and Poli (26.17 t ha-1) varieties achieved the significantly highest tuber yield. The highest dry matter content was detected in the varieties Poli (23.37 %) and Brinjak (23.26 %), and the lowest one in the variety Colomba (17.39 %). In 2020, when the weather was more favorable for potatoes, whereas the fraction > 55 mm had the largest share of tubers, with the fraction amounting to 35–55 mm in unfavorable years of. Within the > 55 mm fraction, the Désirée variety had the largest share of tubers, while the Poli and Brinjak varieties had it within the 35–55 mm fraction. On average, the Poli variety had the largest share of tubers smaller than 35 mm, and the Colomba variety had the largest share of tubers larger than 55 mm. The highest number of tubers per plant was detected in the Poli variety, and the highest mass of tubers per plant in the Désirée variety, respectively. Although traditional potato varieties are in some respects inferior to the commercial ones, it is necessary to cure them from viruses and preserve them (on-farm) in order to maintain biodiversity and diversity in the gastronomic offer.

Assessment of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Performance for Yield and Quality Production under Natural Farming System in Gird Region of Madhya Pradesh, India

Objective of the Study: To assess the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) performance for yield and quality production under natural farming system in gird region of Madhya Pradesh.
 Study Design: Randomized complete block design.
 Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute- RS, research farm Gwalior during winter (Rabi) season of 2022-2023.
 Methodology: Selected 5 plants from each treatment and replicated 3 times. Then follows methods as per given in materials and methods section of paper. Treatments T1: Control, T2: Inorganic practices (standard technology), T3: NADEP compost @ 25 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 1L/ha + PSB (Phosphorus solublizing bacteria) @ 1L/ha, T4: T3+ FYM @ 25 t/ha, T5: T3 + Vermicompost @ 7.5 t/ha, T6: T3+ neem cake @ 5 t/ha + foliar spray of copper oxychloride @ 3 g/L, T7: Integrated practice [90% RDF through inorganic sources {urea, SSP, MOP}, 10% RDF through organic sources i.e., FYM @ 25 t/ha.
 Results: Results revealed that maximum number of tubers (135.03, 144.598 and 245.344) for grade 25-50 g, 50-75 g and >75 g respectively, highest number of tubers per ha (591286 at harvest), maximum yield of tubers (6.75, 10.844 and 18.40 t/ha) for grade 25-50 g, 50-75 g and >75 g respectively, highest yield of tubers (37.665 t/ha), highest true density of tubers (1.123 g/cc), highest tuber dry matter (17.173%) and highest starch content (14.313%) were recorded in treatment T7. While, the maximum number of tubers (129.08) for grade (0-25 g) and, maximum yield of tubers (3.2098 t/ha) for grade (0-25 g) was found in control plot.
 Conclusion: Among 7 treatments, T7- Integrated practice (90% inorganic practices, 10% organic) found better for number of tubers in different grades, yield of tubers in different grades, total tuber yield (t/ha) and for quality parameters e.i., True density (g/cc), Tuber dry matter (%) and Tuber starch content (%).

Effect of Applying Boron, Zinc, and Manganese Foliarly on the Yield Attributes and Yield of the Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Cultivar Kufri Chipsona-1 in the Gwalior Climate

The current study was conducted during Rabi 2018–19 at the All India Coordinated Research Project on Potato, which was located in the Department of Horticulture at Rajmata Vijyaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalya, Gwalior (M.P.). The purpose of the experiment was to determine how different foliar treatment concentrations of boron, zinc, and manganese affected the production characteristics and yield of the potato variety Kufri Chipsona-1 in Gwalior climate conditions. Eight foliar spray treatments of micronutrients were included in the experiment. Three replications of each of these treatments were arranged in a Randomized Block Design and statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance methods. 'F' test was used to determine treatment significance. The application of zinc, manganese, and boron had a substantial impact on the yield characteristics and yield of potatoes, according to the treatment. In treatment T8 (Boron + Zinc + Manganese), the highest number of tubers (27.67/plant) and weights of tubers (680 g/plant) were noted. It is determined that using boron, zinc, and manganese would increase crop yields in potato farming under the climatic circumstances of Gwalior.

Effect of Biofertilizer and Metribuzin on the Yield Traits of Potato under the Influence of Water Stress

A field experiment was conducted in Al-Mashroo area / Al-Hamzawi, affiliated to Al-Musayyib district, 35 km north of Babylon, to determine how bio-fertilizer and herbicide spraying affected potato yield and quality under different irrigation periods. The RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) split-split plot design was used to conduct the experiment with three replications. The experiment had three factors: irrigation periods (5, 7, and 9) days for the main plots. The second element, biofertilizer, has three levels (control treatment without CO, rhizobia R, mycorrhizal M) and sub-plots. The third component, metribuzin, has four stages (no CO, preemergence, postemergence, late postemergence) and sub-sub plots. The statistical investigation indicated that it excelled the following traits: number of marketable tubers plant-1, weight of marketable tubers (g), total yield of one plant (g. plant-1), marketing yield (ton.ha-1). The number of tubers, marketing yield, and plant yield substantially impacted pre-emergence and post-emergence treatments. The (Myco) fertilizer treatment performed better in tuber quantity, weight, and marketing yield (3.26 and 3.77 tuber plant-1, 106.5 and 107.67 g, 23.17 and 24.78 tons ha-1) for both seasons. Irrigation every 7 days increased tuber quantity, weight, yield per plant, and marketing yield (3.37 and 3.89 tubers). 384.3 and 462.3 gm, Plant-1, 112.2 and 115.53 g Plant-1 (20.85 and 22.08 tons ha-1) both seasons. The bilateral interaction between irrigation periods and herbicide was significant in tuber number and marketing yield (3.66 and 3.94 tubers.plant-1, 4.28 and 4.52 tubers.plant-1, 25.57 and 22.83 tons ha-1 and 27.11 and 24.34 tons ha-1) for both seasons. The interaction between irrigation times and biofertilizer was more significant than the 7-day interaction. For both seasons, Mycox produced 4.01 and 4.64 tubers plant-1, 113.6 and 119.70 gram, 25.52 and 27.18 tons ha-1, and marketing yield. The herbicide-bio-fertilizer interaction significantly impacted tuber production, with post-Myco interaction leading to 3.89 and 4.41 tubers per plant-1 in both seasons. The triple interaction was substantial, with 7 days post-Myco resulting in a higher number of tubers (5.32 tubers plant-1) in both seasons.

Updated Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in TSC

Paolo Curatolo MD, Romina Moavero MD, Denis Roberto, Federica Graziola Seminars in Pediatric Neurology Volume 22, Issue 4, December 2015, Pages 259-273 Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of widespread hamartomatous lesions in various organs, including brain, skin, kidneys, heart, and eyes. Central nervous system is almost invariably involved, with up to 85% of patients presenting with epilepsy, and at least half of patients having intellectual disability or other neuropsychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder. TSC is caused by the mutation in one of the 2 genes TSC1, at 9q34, and TSC2, at 16p13.3. They respectively encode for hamartin and tuberin, which form an intracellular complex inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin. Mammalian target of rapamycin overactivation following the genetic defect determines the cell growth and proliferation responsible for TSC-related lesions, as well as the alterations in neuronal excitability and synaptogenesis leading to epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders. A causative mutation for the disorder is identified in about 85% of patients with a clinical diagnosis of TSC. Mosaicism and technology limits likely explain most of the no mutation identified cases. This review confirms that patients with TSC2 mutations considered as a group usually present a more severe phenotype, characterized by higher number of tubers, earlier age at seizure onset and higher prevalence of intellectual disability. However, the clinical phenotype of the disease presents a high variability, thus making the prediction of the phenotype on an individual basis still challenging. The increasing application of new molecular techniques to subjects with TSC has the potential to significantly reduce the rate of patients with no mutation demonstrated and to identify an increasing higher number of mutations. This would hopefully allow a better characterization of higher risk mutations, which might help clinicians to plan individualized surveillance plans. Furthermore, the increasing availability of disease registries to collect clinical and genetics data of patients help to define more valid and clinically oriented genotype or phenotype correlations.

Mycorrhizal response of Solanum tuberosum to homokaryotic versus dikaryotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate plant symbionts of most land plants. In these organisms, thousands of nuclei that are either genetically similar (homokaryotic) or derived from two distinct parents (dikaryotic) co-exist in a large syncytium. Here, we investigated the impact of these two nuclear organizations on the mycorrhizal response of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) by inoculating four potato cultivars with eight Rhizophagus irregularis strains individually (four homokaryotic and four dikaryotic). By evaluating plant and fungal fitness-related traits four months post inoculation, we found that AMF genetic organization significantly affects the mycorrhizal response of host plants. Specifically, homokaryotic strains lead to higher total, shoot, and tuber biomass and a higher number of tubers, compared to dikaryotic strains. However, fungal fitness-related traits showed no clear differences between homokaryotic and dikaryotic strains. Nucleotype content analysis of single spores confirmed that the nucleotype ratio of AMF heterokaryon spores can shift depending on host identity. Together, these findings continue to highlight significant ecological differences derived from the two distinct genetic organizations in AMF.

Adaptation of Irish potato to Kebbi state Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), sometimes known as Irish potato, was developed in the Andes Cordillera's high plains, where it is widely cultivated for food. In the mid-16th century, the Spanish conquerors of Peru discovered the crop and introduced it to Spain and western Europe. Potato tubers comprise 70–82 percent water, 17–29 percent dry matter, 11–23 percent carbohydrate, 0.8–3 percent protein, 0.1 percent fat, and 1.1 percent minerals, according to their composition. Important vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C are produced in greater quantities per hectare in potatoes than in other main crops like rice, maize, and wheat. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the adaptation of Irish Potato to Kebbi State Agro-ecological zone of Nigeria during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. Three irrigation intervals (3, 6, and 9 days), four NPK (20: 10: 10) fertilizer rates (0, 300, 600, and 900kg ha-1), and three potato cultivars are included in the treatments (Nicola, Bertita, and Diamant). A split-plot design with three replications was used to lay out the treatments. The main plots were assigned a factorial combination of irrigation interval and NPK rates, whereas the subplots were given varieties. Potato variety Diamant proved to be the most robust in terms of plant height and number of branches; and Nicola in terms of number of leaves per plant. Variety Nicola had an edge over the two other varieties in terms of fresh tuber yield probably as a result of its higher tuber number per stand. The result implies that the use of either of 600 or 900kg NPK ha-1 and the Variety Nicola could be considered adopted for higher fresh potato yield since recorded superior performance in the study area.

Performance Evaluation of IrishPotato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties for Tuber Yield in Buno Bedele, Southwestern, Ethiopia

In this study, adaptation trial of improved potato varieties was conducted in Buno Bedele Zone with the objective of recommending best-performing variety. Four potato varieties (Belete, Gudenie Jalanie and Horo) were evaluated for their vegetative growth performance and tuber yield under rain fed conditions. Combined analysis of data revealed that, varieties showed highly significant at (P <0.01) variations for days to maturity, number of tubers per plant, Marketable and tuber yield. The longest days to maturity (95.25 days) was recorded from Gudanie while the shortest days to maturity (87.25 days) was recorded from Horo. Besides, the tested potato varieties showed highly significant (P < 0.01) variations for the number of total tubers per hill. The highest tuber number per hill (22.37) was recorded from Belete variety where as the lowest tuber number per hill (13) was recorded from Jalanie. Variety Belete had also highest (24.24 t/ha) marketable tuber yield followed by Gudanie variety (19.14t/ha) as compared with other Varieties where as, Jalanie variety had the lowest (9.83 t/ha) marketable tuber yield. There was highly significant (p<0.01) difference in total tuber yield among the potato varieties evaluated. The highest total tuber yield (26.24 t/ha) was recorded from Belete variety followed by Gudanie variety (22.06 t/ha). On the other hand, the lowest total tuber yield (11.14 t/ha was recorded from Jalane variety which was found to be at par with Horo variety Belete and Gudenie varities were also relatively resistant to late blight diseaseas compared to other varieties. On the other hand Jalanie and Horo varieties were moderately susceptible and moderately resistant, respectively. The result of the correlation analysis also revealed that tuber number and number of tubers per plant were significantly and positively correlated with marketable and total tuber yield. Likewise marketable tuber yield was also significantly and positively correlated with total tuber yield. Belete and Gudanie were varieties that showed better performance in terms of yield and yield component as well as disease resistance. Therefore, the two varieties are recommended to be demonstrated on farmer’s field for further scaling up.

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT RATES OF METOLACHLOR AND WEEDING REGIME ON CROP VIGOUR AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas L.) AT AFAKA, KADUNA, NIGERIA.

The field experiment was conducted at the Research farm of the of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna, to determine the influence of different rates of metolachlor and weeding regime on crop vigour and yield components of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). The experiment was carried out during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 raining seasons. The trial consisted of four weeding regimes at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP), two rates of metolachlor (3.0 kg a.i./ha-1 and 2.0 kg a.i/ha-1), hoe weeded control at 4 and 8 weeks after planting (WAP), weed free treated plots and weedy check plots. Making a total of eleven treatments, laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. The gross and net plot sizes were 6.75 m2 (3 m x 2.25 m) and 2.25 m2 (3 m x 0.75 m) respectively. The result showed that in 2019/2020 the weed free treated plots and the plots with the application of metolachlor at 3.0 kg a.i/ha-1 plus weeding regime at 3 WAP resulted in comparable higher crop vigour, higher number of tubers per plot, and higher tuber weight per plot than all the other treatments. While the weedy check plots recorded the least vigorous crops and the least significant tuber weight per plot than all the other treatments. At 2020/2021 the plots with the application of metolachlor at 2.0 kg a.i./ha-1 plus weeding regime at 12 WAP and the weed free treated plots recorded the highest vigorous crops. The highest number of tubers per plot and the highest weight of tubers per plot at harvest was recorded by the weed free treated plots (9.10a) followed by the plots with the application of metolachlor at 3.0 kg a.i./ha-1 plus weeding regime at 3 WAP (7.60b). The study therefore recommended the use of the weed free treated plots and the plots with the application of metolachlor at 3.0 kg a.i./ha-1 plus weeding regime at 3 WAP in the study area for better yield of sweet potato

Effects of Combination of Copper Fungicide and Plant Activator on Late Blight and Quality Criteria of Potato

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most important fungal diseases that cause damage to both the green parts and tuber of the potato plant and limits potato cultivation. Systemic fungicides are mostly preferred by farmers in the control of potato late blight. The fact that systemic fungicides cause health problems in terms of human and environmental health has revealed the need for research on control methods that do not threaten environmental health. In recent years, successful results have been obtained in the control of many diseases with plant activators known as Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) promoters. This study was carried out in the spring season of 2016-2017 to observe the effect of copper fungicide and plant activator (Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product) combination on the control of potato late blight disease and some quality criteria of potato tubers in the experimental plots of Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School in Ödemiş district of İzmir province. The experiment was planned as two separate experiments with Marabel and Melody potato cultivars. The experiment was established according to a split-plot experimental design with four replications. In this study, the effect of the treatments on potato quality and yield criteria such as tuber number, tuber width, tuber length, single tuber weight, yield per decare, and the effects of the pesticides on potato late blight disease and disease severity parameters were evaluated. When the data obtained as a result of the study were evaluated, it was determined that the combination application had a positive effect on the control of potato late blight disease in both potato cultivars compared to the control plots. When the quality criteria of potato tubers were evaluated, the highest number of tubers was obtained from the plots where copper fungicide and plant activator (Isr-2000) combination was applied. Significant increase was obtained in potato quality and yield criteria such as tuber width, tuber length, average tuber weight and yield per decare when the combination plots were compared with the control plots. In conclusion, the use of contact fungicides and plant activator combinations in the control of late blight in the spring period within the scope of sustainable agriculture is promising as an application alternative in the control of plant diseases in organic agriculture.

YIELD EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF POTATO IN BAJHANG DISTRICT OF NEPAL

A field experiment was carried out in Bithadchir rural municipality of Bajhang district, Nepal in 2021 in the title “Yield evaluation of different varieties of potato in Bajhang district”. The experiment was carried out to find out the best varieties for the hills and high-hills of Nepal based on their availability, suitability and previous record of performance and to assist the farmers to increase the potato production and ensure their food security. One factorial RCBD experimental design was used to evaluate the yield of different varieties. The varieties used as a treatments are Cardinal, Desire, Axona, Blue Danube and Bajhang Local. The results from our experiment shows that cardinal had maximum tuber weight per plant (515.75 gm), highest large grade tuber percentage (37.95%) and also the highest productivity (29.47 t/ha). Moreover, highest number of tubers (14.55) with maximum medium grade tuber percentage (34.71%) was found in Bajhang local. Similarly, being a native variety of the region, the growth parameters (number of main stems per hill, leaves and leaflet numbers, and canopy diameter) and also some yield parameters (number of tubers per plant, tuber size grade) of Bajhang local were also impressive. Therefore, the findings of our research conclude that Cardinal is the best variety under study in terms of yield and variety Bajhang local cultivation should also be promoted due to its wide adaptability in the existing local microclimate.

Influence of Harvest Periods on Cassava (<i>Manihot esculenta</i> Crantz) Agronomic Traits and Physiological Response to Post-Harvest Physiological Deterioration

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is the third largest source of calories in tropical countries and the sixth most important food crop in the World. However, the short shelf life of its storage roots after harvest due to a rapid post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD) makes the roots to be considered as a risky product to market. The objectives of this work were to investigate the influence of two harvest periods on cassava agronomic parameters and their physiological response to PPD. Three cassava cultivars 96/1414, I070593 and LMR were selected for the experiment and harvested at 10 and 12 months after planting (MAP). The response to PPD was assessed during storage at 0, 3, 8 and 15 days after harvest (DAH). Total proteins content, soluble sugars and starch, total polyphenols compounds, polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities were recorded during storage. Results showed large variation among the parameters at the two harvest periods across the cultivars. High number of tubers was recorded in all the cultivars at 12 MAP and a significant increase in storage roots length was observed in 96/1414 and LMR from 10 MAP to 12 MAP (25 ± 5.1 to 41.3 ± 5.9 and 22.6 ± 3.3 to 27.9 ± 4.8) respectively. A reduction of about 49% of tubers weight was observed in I070593 from 10 to 12 MAP while an increase of about 36% and 11% were recorded in LMR and 96/1414 respectively. Tubers from I070593 showed less susceptibility to PPD when harvested at 10 MAP compared to those from LMR and 96/1414 where less susceptibility to PPD were recorded at 12 MAP. An increase in soluble sugars content, total proteins content and peroxidase activity subsequently to a decrease in starch content were recorded during storage from 8 to 15 days after harvest especially at 10 MAP in I070593 and at 12 MAP in LMR and 96/1414. High content of total phenolic compounds and less activity of polyphenol oxidase were correlated to PPD susceptibility. This work opens a new insight issue of the consideration of the appropriate harvest time of the cultivars as a tool to better control the onset of postharvest physiological deterioration.

GROWTH, YIELD AND ABSORPTION OF CARBONDIOXIDE (CO2) POTENTIAL DAYAK ONION (Eleuteherine americana Merr) ON PEAT SOIL

The purpose of this study was to determine the growth, yield and the potential for carbondioxide absorption of dayak onion plants given four types of manure on peat soil. This experiment used a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications. The treatments tried were chicken, swallow, cow, goat manure. The results showed that the type of manure had an effect on plant growth and yield. The growth of plant height and the number of leaves dayak onion planted on peat soil given cow and goat manure grew significantly higher and more the number of leaves, the lowest was found in dayak onion plants fed with swallow manure. The highest yield was obtained on dayak onion plants fertilized with 30 t ha-1 cow manure with a tuber weight of 41.50 g clump-1, with a larger tuber diameter, but the highest number of tubers was obtained in dayak onion plants fertilized by swallow manure with tubers diameter smaller. The highest weight of biomass, stored carbon and carbon dioxide absorption were 6.6; 3.3 and 12.11 t ha-1 found in dayak onion plants planted on peat soil given cow manure 30 t ha-1

Exploring the Bush yam (Dioscorea praehensilis Benth) as a Source of Agronomic and Quality Trait Genes in White Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) Breeding

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an important food security crop in the tropics and subtropics. However, it is characterized by a narrow genetic base within cultivated and breeding lines for tuber yield, disease resistance, and postharvest traits, which hinders the yam breeding progress. Identification of new sources of desirable genes for these traits from primary and secondary gene pools is essential for this crop improvement. This study aimed at identifying potential sources of genes for yield and quality traits in a panel of 162 accessions of D. praehensilis, a semi-domesticated yam species, for improving the major yam species, D. rotundata. Significant differences were observed for assessed traits (p < 0.05), with D. praehensilis genotypes out-performing the best D. rotundata landraces for tuber yield (23.47 t ha−1), yam mosaic virus (YMV) resistance (AUDPC = 147.45), plant vigour (2.43) and tuber size (2.73). The study revealed significant genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficients of variance for tuber yield, YMV severity score, and tuber flesh oxidation. We had also a medium-to-high broad-sense heritability (H2b) for most of the traits except for the dry matter content and tuber flesh oxidation. This study identified some promising D. praehensilis genotypes for traits such as high yield potential (WNDpr76, CDpr28, CDPr7, EDpr14, and WNDpr63), resistance to YMV (WNDpr76, CDpr7, EDpr14, CDpr28, and EDpr13), high dry matter content (WNDpr76, CDpr28, and WNDpr24), low tuber flesh oxidation (WNDpr76, CDpr5, WNDpr31, CDpr40, and WNDpr94) and high number of tubers per plant (WNDpr76, CDpr7, CDpr68, CDpr29, and CDpr58). These genotypes could, therefore, be employed in breeding programmes to improve the white Guinea yam by broadening its genetic base.

Risk Factors Associated with Refractory Epilepsy in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Systematic Review.

Background: Epilepsy affects 70–90% of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). In one-third of them, the seizures become refractory to treatment. Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) carries a significant educational, social, cognitive, and economic burden. Therefore, determining risk factors that increase the odds of refractory seizures is needed. We reviewed current data on risk factors associated with DRE in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Methods: The review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Embase, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and ClinicalTrial.gov databases were searched. Only full-text journal articles on patients with TSC which defined risk factors related to DRE were included. Results: Twenty articles were identified, with a cohort size between 6 and 1546. Seven studies were prospective. Three factors appear to significantly increase DRE risk: TSC2 mutation, infantile spasms, and a high number of cortical tubers. Conclusions: A proper MRI and EEG monitoring, along with genetic testing, and close observation of individuals with early onset of seizures, allow identification of the patients at risk of DRE.

An Efficient in vitro Propagation Protocol of Pot Calla lily (Zantedeschia spp cv. Orania and Sunclub) via Tuber Production

Zantedeschia spp is an important flower in the ornamental plants market. Due to the high demand for this plant in the horticultural industry, it is indispensable to introduce an in vitro protocol for its mass propagation. For this aim, the tubers of calla lily were disinfected in a hot water bath with different temperatures (30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 oC) and duration (30 or 35 min). Then explants were cultured on MS medium with different combinations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and Kinetin (Kin). Based on the obtained results, the highest disinfection percentage (more than 90%) was obtained at 45 oC for 35 min. Also, the highest proliferation rate (with an average of 15.33 and 14.32 in cv. Orania and cv. Sunclub, respectively) was observed in 2.5 mg L-1 BAP + 1.5 mg L-1 Kin. The highest rooting percentage (100% in both cultivars) and root number per explant (with an average of 4.00 and 3.03 in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) was obtained in 0.5 mg L-1 Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 0.1 mg L-1 Kin, but the highest root length (with an average of 120.0 and 106.6 mm in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) was observed in 1.0 mg L-1 IAA + 0.1 mg L-1 Kin. In MS medium + 2.0 mg L-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) + 4% Sucrose, the highest number of tubers (with an average of 6.66 and 5.21 in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) was formed. The highest fresh and dry weights (with an average of 948.33 and 851.33 mg in cv. Orania and Sunclub, respectively) of tuber were obtained in 2.0 mg L-1 IBA + 6% sucrose. The rooted and tuberous plants were adapted in the greenhouse successfully.