Inferior Seeds Research Articles

Response of field crop seeds to stimulators improve germination and growth

Seeds are the foundation of agricultural production. Whatever other production elements are present, they will not compensate for the poor production that occurs as a result of the use of inferior seeds, which surely leads to a drop in quantity and quality production. To restart the metabolic processes in the seeds that have been prepared for planting, the seed must be hydrated in order to encourage it to germinate, and it will only do so when the right moisture is available. Stimulating seed germination in a short period of time, fighting with the bush that grows alongside the crop, and lowering the amount of pesticides required in control. Therefore, conserving the environment from pollution and lowering agricultural production costs through the use of available technology with outstanding results, particularly for leguminous crops that suffer from the presence of hard seeds. Soaking technology minimizes seeding rates, reduces work and time, and provides a homogeneous field in growth and its reflection on the harvest at one time, as well as facilitating the harvest process. In comparison to other ways, this is the safest for increasing the output and quality of field crops.

Seed Physiological Quality Testing Gambir (Uncaria gambir roxb.) at Various Ages of Harvest

Background: Gambier has a problem with low production levels which is caused by the use of inferior quality plants that come from inferior seeds. This study aims to determine the optimal harvesting age for producing gambir seeds with optimal physiological quality. The maturity phase of the fruit became the basis for determining the timescalation of the harvest that count from the day after anthesis. The research was carried out from June to December of 2021. This research was conducted at the Seed Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture andalas University, Padang. The plant material utilized is the seed of the Mancik Riau gambier. Methods: The research employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments based on days after anthesis (DAA) because at this phase the plants pollinated and the fruit maturity phase begin and it used three replication : seeds harvested at 110-112 DAA, 107-109 DAA, 104-106 DAA, 101-103 DAA and 98-100 DAA. Quantitative data are analyzed at a 5% significance level using Analysis of Variance; if the effect is significant, the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (MRT) is performed; and qualitative data are presented descriptively. Result: The results revealed that the harvest age of 98-100 DAA provided the highest viability and vigor, as measured by germinated power testing at 80.50%, seed growth potential testing at 81.83%, T50 test, index value testing at 11.04 and soil emergence testing at 84.33%, indicating that the plant had reached physiological maturity.

Local seed displacement from Day 0 to Day 30 in I-125 permanent prostate brachytherapy: A detailed, computed tomography-based analysis

PURPOSETo accurately quantify local seed displacement from Day 0 to Day 30 for our brachytherapy procedure. To quantify seed loss/migration and to identify the locations from where seeds are missing. METHODS AND MATERIALSSeed displacements were analyzed in 62 consecutive patients, who received brachytherapy with stranded I-125 seeds. At the start of the procedure, four fiducial gold markers were implanted. At the end of the implantation procedure an in-room 3D CBCT scan (Day 0) was acquired for accurate seed localization. At Day 30 a regular CT scan was acquired. This CT scan was rigidly registered to the CBCT scan using the fiducials. Subsequently, the Hungarian method was used to find pairs of corresponding seeds. Displacements were calculated and missing seeds were identified. RESULTSLocal seed displacements are smaller than 5 mm for 76.3% of the seeds; 2.3% show displacements larger than 10 mm. The largest seed displacements are seen along the inferior-superior axis: on average 1.0 ± 3.2 mm in superior direction with respect to the intraprostatic fiducials. Largest displacements are seen at the inferior-lateral sides of the prostate. On average, the inferior seeds move 1.0 ± 2.8 mm in anterior and 1.8 ± 3.3 mm in superior direction. The percentage of missing seeds is 0.2% (8 out of 3893 seeds for 5 patients). Most of the missing seeds were also originally implanted at the inferior-lateral sides of the prostate. CONCLUSIONSLocal seed displacements and number of missing seeds are small, and predominantly occur around the apex.

Super Rice With High Sink Activities Has Superior Adaptability to Low Filling Stage Temperature.

To investigate the differential responses of super rice grain filling to low filling stage temperature (LT) and the regulative effect of nitrogen panicle fertilizer (NPF), physiological and molecular experiments were conducted with two super rice varieties (Nanjing 7th: N7 and Nanjing 9108th: N9108) on two different filling stage temperature treatments implemented by applying two sowing dates [Normal filling stage temperature (CK): Sowed on May 30, Tmean = 24.7°C and low filling stage temperature (LT): Sowed on July 1, Tmean = 20.3°C], and two NPF levels (0 and 150 kg N ha−1). In this study, LT, NPF, and simultaneous LT and NPF treatments suppressed the grain filling in all varieties with different levels. Under LT or NPF treatments, the reduction of grain weight, seed setting rate, and filling rate were closely associated with suppressed starch biosynthesis rate in inferior seeds, suggesting that reduced starch biosynthesis rate, expression, and activities of enzymes encoded by related genes, Floury endosperm-4 (FLO4), Starch branching enzyme-I (SBE1), and Starch phosphorylase-L (PHO-l), were responsible for the grain filling reduction. Under LT or NPF treatments, significantly higher grain filling rates and lower variance were found in N9108 compared to that in N7, which were closely related to their higher starch biosynthesis ability, related gene expression, and enzymes activities. One of the probable explanations of the grain filling difference was the variation in the relative amount of key regulative hormones, Abscisic acid (ABA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC). These results raise a possibility that super rice with higher sink activities has superior adaptability to LT and NPF due to their higher sink activities.

Selection of highly productive clove trees in the Anambas population

The productivity of cloves in Indonesia is low, probably due to the use of inferior seeds. The success of plant cultivation is determined by many factors, including the use of quality seeds. This study aims to select high-yielding clove trees, which can be recommended as a quality source of seeds. The research was conducted in Anambas Islands Regency, in a population of cloves belonging to a farmer. A highly productive population was selected as the genetic material following the guidelines for selecting the clove population. Furthermore, highly productive mother trees were selected from this population with the criteria of production average 80 kg tree−1. In addition to their production potential, their morphological characters and chemical compound content were also observed. Twenty mother trees with a production potential of more than 100 kg of flowers tree−1 were selected as high yielding trees. The morphological characters of the selected trees do not resemble any of the released varieties. The content of essential oils and main chemical components is following the Indonesian National Standard of clove quality. Twenty highly productive trees can be recommended for further research for use as sources of quality seeds.

Melatonin improves the seed filling rate and endogenous hormonal mechanism in grains of summer maize.

The unpredictable precipitation and water deficit conditions in semiarid regions significantly reduce the yield of summer maize. The exogenous application of plant growth regulators can be used as a strategy to enhance plant stress tolerance and improve the growth and yield of maize under semiarid conditions. Here, we studied the protective role of melatonin application on maize yield using grain filling rate and hormonal crosstalk in maize grains. In the first field experiment, seeds were soaked with melatonin at a concentration of 0 (SM0 ), 25 (SM1 ), 50 (SM2 ), and 75 μM (SM3 ) μM. In contrast, in the second experiment, melatonin was applied on the foliage at the ninth leaf stage at a concentration of 0 (FM0 ), 25 (FM1 ), 50 (FM2 ), and 75 (FM3 ) μM. Our findings showed that melatonin treatments as seed soaking significantly increased single seed weight, seed filling rate in superior, medium and inferior seeds by regulating the hormone levels compared to foliar application. Application of melatonin significantly increased the zeatin+zeatin riboside (Z+ZR), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and gibberellic acid (GA) contents. However, it significantly inhibited the contents of abscisic acid (ABA) during the seed filling period. The content of Z+ZR, IAA, and GA was positively correlated with the maximum seed filling rate, seed weight, and mean filling rate in middle, superior and lower seeds, while the ABA was negatively correlated. The ABA content in inferior seeds was positively correlated with the maximum and mean seed filling rate. In semiarid regions, melatonin treatment of SM2 and FM2 significantly increased the dry matter per plant, 100-grain weight, seed filling rate, IAA, Z+ZR, GA contents, ear characteristics, and maize yield.

Seed filling in maize and hormones crosstalk regulated by exogenous application of uniconazole in semiarid regions.

In semiarid regions, deficit and unpredictable precipitation results in yield losses. Uniconazole is a plant growth regulator and its application is beneficial in water saving agriculture and improves maize production in semiarid regions. In order to determine the effects of uniconazole application on seed filling and hormonal changes of maize, a field study was conducted in the summer of 2015 and 2016. Seeds were soaked in uniconazole at concentration of 0 (SCK), 25 (S25), 50 (S50), and 75 (S75) mgkg-1, while in the second experiment, uniconazole was applied to the foliage at concentration of 0 (FCK), 25 (F25), 50 (F50), and 75 (F75) mgL-1 at the eight-leaf. Uniconazole application significantly improves the seed filling rates by regulating the endogenous hormones contents. Uniconazole seed soaking treatments improved significantly the seed filling rate of superior, middle, and inferior seeds compared with foliar application treatments. Uniconazole improved significantly the zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR) and abscisic acid (ABA) contents while reducing the gibberellic acid (GA) content in the seeds during the process of seed filling. The Z + ZR and ABA contents were significantly positively correlated while the GA content was negatively correlated with maximum seed weight, maximum seed filling rates, and mean seed filling rates. Treatments S25 and F25 significantly improved the above dry matter accumulation plant-1, seed filling rates, ABA, Z + ZR contents, characters of ear, and grain yield while reduced the GA content. It is concluded from our results that the uniconazole application at concentration of 25mgkg-1 as seed soaking or 25mgL-1 foliar applied at the eight-leaf stage is beneficial to improve the seed filling rates and grain yield of maize in semiarid regions.

High-throughput sequencing revealed that microRNAs were involved in the development of superior and inferior grains in bread wheat

High-throughput sequencing was employed to investigate the expression of miRNAs and their target genes in superior and inferior seeds of Aikang 58. Small RNA sequencing revealed 620 conserved and 64 novel miRNAs in superior grains, and 623 conserved and 66 novel miRNAs in inferior grains. Among these, 97 known miRNAs, and eight novel miRNAs showed differential expression between the superior and inferior seeds. Degradome sequencing revealed at least 140 candidate target genes associated with 35 miRNA families during the development of superior and inferior seeds. GO and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the differentially expressed miRNAs, both conserved and novel, were likely involved in hormone production, carbohydrate metabolic pathways, and cell division. We validated eight known and four novel grain development-related miRNAs and their target genes by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to ensure the reliability of small RNA and degradome-seq results. Of these, miR160 and miR165/166 were knocked down in Arabidopsis using short-tandem target mimic (STTM160 and STTM165/166) technology, which confirmed their roles in seed development. Specifically, STTM160 showed significantly smaller grain size, lower grain weight, shorter siliques length, shorter plant height, and more serrated leaves, whereas STTM165/166 showed decreased seed number, disabled siliques, and curled upward leaves.

Effect of ridge-covering mulching materials on hormonal changes, antioxidative enzyme activities and production of maize in semi-arid regions of China

The objectives of this study was to investigate the effect of different ridges covered mulching materials on maize production under different simulated rainfall levels and the relationship with anti-oxidant enzyme activities in leaves and hormonal changes in grains. In the present study, conventional flat cultivation (CK) was compared with several ridge covered mulching materials (PM: plastic film, BM: biodegradable film, SC: soil crust ridges) under 320 mm and 430 mm simulated rainfall levels. The results clearly indicated that the effect of ridge covering mulching materials on antioxidant enzyme activities and hormonal changes of maize were significantly related to precipitation levels. At 430 mm rainfall level, PM significantly promoted indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin + zeatin riboside and abscisic acid contents and decreased ethylene, and gibberellic acid contents in superior, middle and inferior seeds as compared with CK430 treatment. At 430 mm rainfall level, PM significantly increased soil water storage, characteristics of ear, antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves, hormonal changes in seeds and reducing lipid peroxidation which led to increased (43.1%) grain yield of maize than that of CK430 treatment. At 430 mm rainfall level and ridges covered with plastic film significantly increased the activities of peroxidase (33.5%), catalase (76.0%) and superoxide dismutase (43.6%) at grain filling stage, while activity of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in leaves significant rise and reached up to maximum (16.7 μmol g−1 FW) value at maturity stage under conventional flat planting. Based on these results, we conclude that the PM treatment with 430 mm simulated rainfall significantly increased the soil water storage, adjusting antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves, debasing lipid peroxidation and balance of hormones in the grains as a result improve maize productivity under semi-arid regions of China.

Effects of ridge-covering mulches on soil water storage and maize production under simulated rainfall in semiarid regions of China

The ridge furrow rainwater harvesting (RFRH) system with different ridge covering materials as mulch for collecting runoff water is a valuable technique for enhancing seed filling rates and maize productivity. Therefore, a field experiments were conducted during 2 consecutive years in 2014-15, under large mobile rain-proof shelter at the Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Semi-Arid Areas of China. Objectives of this study were enhancing soil water storage, promoting seed filling and yield of maize, with following two planting models: (i) traditional flat planting (CK); (ii) ridges covered with different mulching material (plastic film (PM), biodegradable film (BM), soil crust ridges (SC)); and two simulated rainfall levels: 320mm and 430mm rainfall. Results of this work revealed that mulching material on ridges had distinct effect on soil water storage in the 200cm depth of soil at the middle of furrows and in the order of PM430≈BM430>SC430>PM320>BM320>SC320, compared to CK320 and CK430, respectively. The average seed yield increased by 27%, 23% and 17% for PM320, BM320, and SC320, compared to CK320, and increased by 30%, 25% and 12% for PM430, BM430 and SC430 as compared to CK430 over 2 consecutive years, respectively. Average WUE significantly improved by (P<0.05) in PM430 and PM320, BM430, BM320, SC320, and SC430 were 32.8%, 29.7%, 24.8%, 24.2%, 17.6% and 8.5% over 2 years compared to CK320 and CK430, respectively. The effect of RFRH system on maize seed filling was significantly related to the simulated rainfall levels and the position of the seeds on the ear. Both PM320 and BM320 significantly (P<0.05) promoted the seed filling rates of the superior, middle and inferior seeds. Seed-filling rates of the superior, middle and inferior seeds at the PM430 were also significantly increased. Our results suggested that PM430 and BM430 both significantly increased the SWS during the seed-filling process; which resulted higher grain yield and might have potential for reducing maize productivity risk under dry-land farming system.

Impact of front line demonstration on the yield of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

the income to small and marginal farmers of Mokokchung district. However, the major constraints of traditional chilli cultivation are low productivity due to use of inferior seeds and non-adoption of recommended package of practices. To solve these problems, front line demonstrations were conducted at farming situations with participation of farmers. The cultivation practices in these FLDs (i.e. use of improved cultivars, proper nursery raising, balanced fertilizer application etc.) increased the yield by 14.93 per cent, on average as compared to the farmers practice (7.7 q/ha). The highest extension gap was 1.35 q/ha while the technology index, which is inversely correlated to the feasibility of the improved technology in the farmers’ fields was 27.6 per cent. The adoption of improved technology under FLDs resulted in higher gross returns (Rs.54300/ha), net returns (Rs.29200/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (1:2.16) as compared to farmers’ practice.

Performance of Indirect ELISA for Maize Hybrid Purity Test

Maize is the second large crop in China that needed 100-120 million tons seeds for an average year and the production loss caused by inferior seeds was amazing. Bing an allogamous wind-pollinated plant, maize hybrid purity problem is mainly reflected the inbred lines seed mixed in hybrid. Therefore it is important to have specific and sensitive purity test methods to prevent the poor seeds into market. In this paper, we developed an inderect ELISA using polyconal antibody against maize inbred lines to bind extracts from whole grain with pure water. The single blind trial demonstrated that the average detectable rate of indrect ELISA was 95.2%. We also extended this method to other maize hybrid varieties, found it has no ability to descriminate the maize hybrid facticity.

Efeito do condicionamento osmótico na germinação e vigor de sementes de sorgo com diferentes qualidades fisiológicas

O objetivo nesta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do condicionamento osmótico na germinação e no vigor de sementes de sorgo, cultivar IPA 1011, com diferentes qualidades fisiológicas. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições, no esquema fatorial 2 x 2, constando de quatro tratamentos: 1. sementes envelhecidas; 2. sementes não envelhecidas; 3. sementes envelhecidas e condicionadas osmoticamente e 4. sementes não envelhecidas e condicionadas osmoticamente. A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada por meio do teor de água (TA), massa de mil sementes (MMS), primeira contagem (PCG), teste de germinação (TG), índice de velocidade (IVG) e tempo médio de germinação (TMG), envelhecimento acelerado (TEA), teste de frio (TF), condutividade elétrica (TCE) e lixiviação de potássio (TLK). Os resultados mostraram que o envelhecimento artificial afeta negativamente o desempenho das sementes de sorgo, podendo tais efeitos serem parcialmente revertidos pelo condicionamento osmótico, sendo que essa técnica não influencia a germinação, mas promove benefícios no vigor das sementes de qualidade fisiológica superior e inferior.

Degradation and abandonment of mechanized rain‐fed agricultural land in the Southern Gadarif region, Sudan: the local farmers' perception

AbstractIn the Gadarif Region of Sudan, destruction of the natural vegetation for agricultural expansion is one of the major causes of the degradation of renewable resources and the environment. This study identifies and analyses the farmers' attitudes and perceptions towards agricultural land degradation and abandonment. The cross‐sectional data collected from ten key informants and 41 large‐scale farmers focussed on the degradation and abandonment of mechanized agricultural land. The results of the study show that the respondents are well aware that soil degradation is in various forms are taking place on their cultivated agricultural land. This is based on their perception and interpretation of indicators such as weed infestation, poor soil fertility and soil compaction. Continuous cropping, mono‐cropping, rainfall shortage and the use of inferior seeds are the main reasons of land degradation as indicated by farmers. The main measures acknowledged to maintain and improve land productivity are repeated soil ploughing, abandonment/fallow periods and crop rotation.The study adduces evidence of widespread land degradation. The mitigation measures followed by the farmers may though not be sufficient to restore the soil fertility. The application of appropriate chemical fertilizers, sound crop rotation and long fallow periods can be recommended. Any management and research intervention regarding the problem of land degradation should; however, be concerted with the farmers' knowledge. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Hummingbird responses to gender-biased nectar production: are nectar biases maintained by natural or sexual selection?

Pollinators mediate the evolution of secondary floral traits through both natural and sexual selection. Gender-biased nectar, for example, could be maintained by one or both, depending on the interactions between plants and pollinators. Here, I investigate pollinator responses to gender-biased nectar using the dichogamous herb Chrysothemis friedrichsthaliana (Gesneriaceae) which produces more nectar during the male floral phase. Previous research showed that the hummingbird pollinator Phaethornis striigularis visited male-phase flowers more often than female-phase flowers, and multiple visits benefited male more than female fecundity. If sexual selection maintains male-biased rewards, hummingbirds should prefer more-rewarding flowers independent of floral gender. If, however, differential rewards are partially maintained through natural selection, hummingbirds should respond to asymmetry with visits that reduce geitonogamy, i.e. selfing and pollen discounting. In plants with male biases, these visit types include single-flower visits and movements from low to high rewards. To test these predictions, I manipulated nectar asymmetry between pairs of real or artificial flowers on plants and recorded foraging behaviour. I also assessed maternal costs of selfing using hand pollinations. For plants with real flowers, hummingbirds preferred more-rewarding flowers and male-phase morphology, the latter possibly owing to previous experience. At artificial arrays, hummingbirds responded to extreme reward asymmetry with increased single-flower visits; however, they moved from high to low rewards more often than low to high. Finally, selfed flowers did not produce inferior seeds. In summary, sexual selection, more so than geitonogamy avoidance, maintains nectar biases in C. friedrichsthaliana, in one of the clearest examples of sexual selection in plants, to date.

Influence of Unfilled Cotton Seed upon Emergence and Vigor1

The influence of cottonseed fullness upon emergence and seedling growth was studied under a minimal temperature of 17 C ± 1. Seeds of Acala SJ‐1 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were sorted by X‐ray photography into four classes, or degrees of seed filling (50, 75, 90, and 100%).Completely filled seeds were superior to partially filled seeds for total emergence, seedling survival, and early growth. Emergence and seedling survival were related more to seed fullness than to seed weight in this study. These data indicate that grading of planting seed based upon weight or size is not adequate to remove many inferior seeds.