Percentage Of Kernels Research Articles

Responses of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Constitutively Expressing Four Different Monolignol Biosynthetic Genes to Fusarium Head Blight Caused by Fusarium graminearum.

The Fusarium head blight (FHB) pathogen Fusarium graminearum produces the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and reduces wheat yield and grain quality. Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotype CB037 was transformed with constitutive expression (CE) constructs containing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genes encoding monolignol biosynthetic enzymes caffeoyl coenzyme A (CoA) 3-O-methyltransferase (SbCCoAOMT), 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (Sb4CL), or coumaroyl shikimate 3-hydroxylase (SbC3'H) or monolignol pathway transcriptional activator SbMyb60. Spring wheats were screened for type I (resistance to initial infection, using spray inoculations) and type II (resistance to spread within the spike, using single-floret inoculations) resistances in the field (spray) and greenhouse (spray and single floret). Following field inoculations, disease index, percentage of Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK), and deoxynivalenol measurements of CE plants were similar to or greater than those of CB037. For greenhouse inoculations, the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and FDK were determined. Following screens, focus was placed on two each of SbC3'H and SbCCoAOMT CE lines because of trends toward a decreased AUDPC and FDK observed following single-floret inoculations. These four lines were as susceptible as CB037 following spray inoculations. However, single-floret inoculations showed that these CE lines had a significantly reduced AUDPC (P < 0.01) and FDK (P ≤ 0.02) compared with CB037, indicating improved type II resistance. None of these CE lines had increased acid detergent lignin compared with CB037, indicating that lignin concentration may not be a major factor in FHB resistance. The SbC3'H and SbCCoAOMT CE lines are valuable for investigating phenylpropanoid-based resistance to FHB.

Assessment of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Cultivars on Yield and Yield Contributing Traits using Principal Component Analysis

Background: The breeder’s ability to identify and exploit genetic diversity at the genotypic level is essential for the success of any breeding effort. It requires evaluating various treatments for a variety of traits in order to choose parents with the greatest genetic diversity. The purpose of this research is to characterize the genetic variation among 48 groundnut accessions with 6 checks. Methods: Experiment was conducted to study groundnut genotypes for 15 varied traits such as phenological, yield attributing and biochemical ones. Data analysis for principal component analysis (PCA) is done using R software. Result: Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to investigate the principal components of variance usingtraits of study. Total variance among characters are classified into 15 principal components. Out of which first five components have eigen value greater than 1 contributing to 65.9% total variance. PC 1 alone accounted for highest variance of 16.3%, followed by PC 2 with 12.6%. PC1 explained a large amount of variation in important traits as number of mature kernels per plant, total number of kernels per plant, pod yield per plant and kernel yield per plant. PC 2 have positive influence on days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, number of branches per plant, biological yield per plant, number of mature kernels per plant, total number of kernels per plant, sound mature kernel percentage, oil content and harvest index.

Comprehensive modeling of far-infrared drying process for rough rice in a combined FIR dryer

This study introduces a novel single-parameter model for the far-infrared (FIR) drying process of rough rice in a combined FIR dryer, aiming to streamline the prediction process and enhance its efficiency. The experiments involved three levels of FIR intensity (0, 500, and 1000 W m−2) and three levels of inlet air temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C), with a comprehensive examination of various mathematical thin-layer models to predict the drying process. The study developed a comprehensive single-parameter model by investigating the interrelationship of the models’ coefficients under distinct drying conditions, demonstrating its capability to faithfully depict the drying characteristics of rough rice within the combined FIR dryer with an R2 exceeding 0.99. The findings also provide valuable insights into the impact of drying conditions on the drying time, percentage of cracked kernels (PCK), and amylose content of rough rice, revealing increasing trends in PCK and amylose content with higher drying temperature and FIR intensity, offering practical and efficient tools for optimizing the drying process and enhancing the quality of dried rice products. Overall, this research significantly advances rice drying technology and offers practical solutions for improving the efficiency and quality of rice drying processes.

Quantitative trait loci for bearing habit in a ‘Sparrow’ × ‘Schessler’ Juglans nigra mapping population

Eastern black walnut, Juglans nigra L., is an economically important tree species valued for its high-quality timber and edible nuts. A regional industry for the species’ nut and kernel products resides in Missouri, where over 9 million kg of hulled in-shell nuts are purchased in masting years. The crop is primarily based upon nuts harvested from wild trees, placing a ceiling on nut volume and quality (e.g. small nut size, dark pellicle color, and 10–14% kernel by weight). Orchards of named cultivars, like ‘Kwik Krop’ and ‘Sparrow’, supply up to 22,000 kg of nuts with a higher kernel percentage (> 26%) and improved quality. Such cultivars often represent chance wild or on-farm seedlings, clonally propagated since the late 1800’s by enthusiasts. Today, continued improvement of eastern black walnut as an orchard crop is limited by a long generation time, delayed expression of important traits, and space requirements – creating a strong need for marker-trait association studies that inform progeny selection. The first linkage map for J. nigra was recently created using the ‘Sparrow’ × ‘Schessler’ F1 population and loci for phenology traits discovered. The objective of this study is to utilize these genetic resources to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) and report associated DNA markers for the spur-bearing habit, which promotes precocity and high yield. Using single-year data from the 11-year-old population, we observe that segregation for the spur-bearing habit appears to be recessive and multigenic. Three QTLs (p > 0.99) were identified on linkage group (LG) 8, LG11, and LG16 that explain 7.2%, 8.7%, and 10% of trait variation, respectively. Regions between flanking DNA markers were 3.16 cM, 4.32 cM, and 9.69 cM, respectively. This study is the first to examine the genetic control of bearing habit and yield in eastern black walnut and informs breeders’ approach for their future genetic improvement.

Impact of Trichoderma afroharzianum infection on fresh matter content and grain quality in maize.

Trichoderma afroharzianum, a ubiquitous soil-borne fungus found on plant roots and decaying residues, displays competitive traits and mycoparasitic behavior against diverse microorganisms. Selected strains of this fungus are known in agriculture for their beneficial effects on plant growth and as bio-fungicides. However, recent findings have pinpointed Trichoderma afroharzianum as the causal agent behind maize ear rot disease in Europe since 2018, notably impacting maize cobs in Germany, France, and Italy. This study aims to evaluate the severity of Trichoderma ear rot disease on maize fresh matter content and specific quality parameters under semi-field conditions. Two distinct maize varieties were artificially inoculated with a pathogenic Trichoderma isolate at the flowering stage using needle pin or silk channel methods. Disease severity was assessed visually at the time of harvest based on the percentage of infected kernels according to EPPO Guidelines (PP 1/285). Fresh matter content and quality parameters such as alpha-amylase activity, C/N ratio, water, and sugar content were analyzed. Results showed that needle pin inoculation led to higher disease severity (60%) compared to silk channel inoculation (39%). Cob weight decreased significantly at the highest disease severity level by up to 50% compared to control plants. In both varieties, alpha-amylase activity increased significantly with higher Trichoderma disease severity, resulting in starch degradation and increased glucose release. The germination rate was severely affected by the infection, with only 22% of grains germinating, and the seedlings showed shortened and deformed growth. This is the first report on Trichoderma ear rot infection and its effect on fresh matter content and quality parameters in maize after artificial inoculation under field conditions. The results address an important knowledge gap and provide valuable insights into the infection pathway and impact on maize quality.

A Glutathione S-Transferase from Thinopyrum ponticum Confers Fhb7 Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat.

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly incited by Fusarium graminearum, has caused great losses in grain yield and quality of wheat globally. Fhb7, a major gene from 7E chromosome of Thinopyrum ponticum, confers broad resistance to multiple Fusarium species in wheat and has recently been cloned and identified as encoding a glutathione S-transferase (GST). However, some recent reports raised doubt about whether GST is the causal gene of Fhb7. To resolve the discrepancy and validate the gene function of GST in wheat, we phenotyped Fhb7 near-isogenic lines (Jimai22-Fhb7 versus Jimai22) and GST overexpressed lines for FHB resistance. Jimai22-Fhb7 showed significantly higher FHB resistance with a lower percentage of symptomatic spikelets, Fusarium-damaged kernels, and deoxynivalenol content than susceptible Jimai22 in three experiments. All the positive GST transgenic lines driven by either the maize ubiquitin promoter or its native promoter with high gene expression in the wheat cultivar 'Fielder' showed high FHB resistance. Only one maize ubiquitin promoter-driven transgenic line showed low GST expression and similar susceptibility to Fielder, suggesting that high GST expression confers Fhb7 resistance to FHB. Knockout of GST in the Jimai22-Fhb7 line using CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing showed significantly higher FHB susceptibility compared with the nonedited control plants. Therefore, we confirmed GST as the causal gene of Fhb7 for FHB resistance. Considering its major effect on FHB resistance, pyramiding Fhb7 with other quantitative trait loci has a great potential to create highly FHB-resistant wheat cultivars.

Population growth of different stored product species on wheat, barley, and tritordeum

Stored product species can be developed in a variety of stored product grains. In this study, were compare three different grains for their suitability for population growth of primary and secondary stored product insects. In the first series, we evaluated the population growth and damage of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on whole wheat, barley and tritordeum kernels after 65 days. In the second series, three different percentages of whole and cracked kernels were tested: 100% cracked kernels, 100% whole kernels and 50% cracked +50% whole kernels, for Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The results showed that tritordeum was suitable for the population growth of all species tested. In most of the cases, R. dominica showed higher frass production but S. granarius showed a higher number of damaged kernels. Cracked kernels were preferred by secondary pests than whole kernels and wheat showed the highest progeny production than tritordeum and barley. Overall, commodity, and grain type and percentage of cracked kernels can affect the population growth of stored product insect species. Results of this study showed that stored product insect species can develop in tritordeum and thus should be taken into consideration for further results as may be damaged during storage.

Summer Hedge Pruning of Pecan in the Southeastern United States

Hedge pruning has been used in southeastern US pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards for ∼10 to 15 years and has become common in the region within the past 5 years. However, questions remain regarding how pecan trees in the southeastern United States will respond to hedge pruning into the hot summer months in a humid environment. Two treatments were evaluated for ‘Creek’ and ‘Caddo’ pecan: dormant hedge-pruned (Jan–Feb 2019 and 2022) and summer hedge-pruned (Jun 2019 and 2020). Summer hedge pruning did not affect pecan yield, nut weight, or percent kernel compared with dormant-season pruning. Length of shoot regrowth was reduced significantly by summer hedge pruning compared with dormant-season hedge pruning. The advantages of hedge pruning ‘Creek’ and ‘Caddo’ from the dormant season through midsummer can help transition southeastern US pecan production to a more profitable and sustainable system.

Morphological and pomological assessments of seedling-originated walnut (Juglans regia L.) trees to select the promising late-leafing genotypes.

In many parts of the world, including Iran, walnut (Juglans regia L.) production is limited by late-spring frosts. Therefore, the use of late-leafing walnuts in areas with late-spring frost is the most important method to improve yield. In the present study, the phenotypic diversity of 141 seedling genotypes of walnut available in the Senejan area, Arak region, Markazi province, Iran was studied based on morphological traits to obtain superior late-leafing genotypes in the cropping seasons of 2022 and 2023. Based on the results of the analysis of variance, the studied genotypes showed a significant variation in terms of most of the studied morphological and pomological traits. Therefore, it is possible to choose genotypes for different values ​​of a trait. Kernel weight showed positive and significant correlations with leaf length (r = 0.32), leaf width (r = 0.33), petiole length (r = 0.26), terminal leaflet length (r = 0.34), terminal leaflet width (r = 0.21), nut length (r = 0.48), nut width (r = 0.73), nut weight (r = 0.83), kernel length (r = 0.64), and kernel width (r = 0.89). The 46 out of 141 studied genotypes were late-leafing and were analyzed separately. Among late-leafing genotypes, the length of the nut was in the range of 29.33-48.50mm, the width of the nut was in the range of 27.51-39.89mm, and nut weight was in the range of 8.18-16.06g. The thickness of shell was in the range of 1.11-2.60mm. Also, kernel length ranged from 21.97-34.84mm, kernel width ranged from 21.10-31.09mm, and kernel weight ranged from 3.10-7.97g. Based on important and commercial traits in walnut breeding programs, such as nut weight, kernel weight, kernel percentage, kernel color, and ease of kernel removal from nuts, 15 genotypes, including no.92, 91, 31, 38, 33, 18, 93, 3, 58, 108, 16, 70, 15, 82, and 32 were superior and could be used in walnut breeding programs in line with the introduction of new cultivars and the revival of traditional walnut orchards to commercialize them.

Influence of broken kernels content on soybean quality during storage

Although it is recognized that the post-harvest system is most responsible for the loss of soybean quality, the real impact of this loss is still unknown. Brazilian regulation allows 15% and 30% of broken soybean for group I and group II (quality groups), respectively. However, the industry is not informed about the loss in the quality parameters of soybeans and its impacts during long-term storage. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effect of the breakage kernel percentage of soybean stored for 12 months. Content of 15% of breakage kernels did not affect soybean quality. However, content of 30% of breakage kernels affected significantly soybean quality, which was evidenced by the increase of up to 75% in moldy soybeans, 72% in acidity, 50% in leached solids, 27% in electrical conductivity, and the decrease of up to 12% in soluble protein, 6.4% in germination and 3.5% in thousand kernel weight after 8 months of storage. Although the legislation establishes a percentage limit, it is recommended to store soybeans with up to 15% breakage kernels. On the contrary, values higher than that can cause a significant reduction in soybean quality, resulting in commercial losses.

Effect of Genotype, Environment, and Their Interaction on the Antioxidant Properties of Durum Wheat: Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization and Sowing Time

In this study, the influence of genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E) on the content of total free phenolic compounds (TPC) and the antioxidant capacity (AC) was investigated, using sixteen durum wheat genotypes cultivated under seven crop management systems in Mediterranean environments. Possible correlations between TPC and AC with protein content (PC) and vitreous kernel percentage (VKP) were examined. Gs that exhibited stability across diverse conditions were studied through a comprehensive exploration of G × E interaction using a GGE biplot, Pi, and 𝘒R. The results indicated significant impacts of E, G, and G × E on both TPC and AC. Across E, the mean values of G for TPC, ABTS (2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) values were 48.8 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g, 121.3 mg TE/100 g, 23.0 mg TE/100 g, and 88.4 mg TE/100 g, respectively. E, subjected to splitting top-dressing N fertilization, consistently showed low values, while the late-sowing ones possessed high values. Organic crop management maintained a stable position in the middle across all measurements. The predominant influence was attributed to G × E, as indicated by the order G × E &gt; E &gt; G for ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, while for TPC, it was E &gt; G × E &gt; G. For TPC, the superior Gs included G5, G7 and G10, for ABTS included G3, G5 and G7, and for protein included G1, G9, and G16. G7 and G5 had a high presence of frequency, with G7 being the closest genotype to the ideal for both TPC and ABTS. These results suggest that the sowing time, nitrogen fertilization, and application method significantly impact the various antioxidant properties of durum wheat. This study holds significant importance as it represents one of the few comprehensive explorations of the impact of various Es, Gs, and their interactions on the TPC and AC in durum wheat, with a special emphasis on crop management and superior Gs possessing stable and high TPC and AC among them, explored by GGE biplot, Pi and 𝘒R. Further experimentation, considering the effect of the cultivation year, is necessary, to establish more robust and stable conclusions.

Vegetative and Reproductive Responses Induced by Organo-Mineral Fertilizers on Young Trees of Almond cv. Tuono Grown in a Medium-High Density Plantation

Field experiments were conducted in three successive seasons (2019–2021) to evaluate the effects of four commercial organo-mineral fertilizers with biostimulating action (Hendophyt®, Ergostim®, and Radicon®) on the vegetative and productive performance of young almond trees (Prunus dulcis, cv. Tuono) grown in a semiarid climate in Southern Italy. Foliar treatments were applied three times during each season (at the swollen bud, beginning of flowering, and fruit set-beginning of fruit growth stages). Both 2020 and 2021 were adversely affected by late frosts, resulting in damage to the flowers and small fruits without any positive effect of the biostimulant applications. In contrast, the results obtained during the normal climate year (2019) indicated that the growth of trunk diameter and shoot length of trees tended to increase in biostimulant treatments compared to those of the control. The number of buds and flowers per unit length of the branch revealed no significant differences among years and all compared treatments. However, in 2019, the fruit set percentage, number, and weight of kernels per tree were significantly higher in the biostimulant treatments compared to those of the control. To this regard, the use of biofertilizers is suitable for maintaining soil fertility and improving crop productivity This information holds significance for almond tree growers.

Yield related traits in some Persian walnut cultivars: Analysis of genetic and genetic by environment interaction

The most important trait in tree species, including walnut, is the yield. In this study, the effect of genotype and their interaction with year on Nut weight, Kernel weight, Kernel percentage, Fruit set, Nuts number on Scaffold (Canopy) Cross Area (SCA), Nut weight on SCA and Kernel weight on SCA were evaluated on Caspian, Persia, Alvand, and Chaldoran walnut cultivars. The results showed that the effects of year, genotype, and year × genotype interaction on all traits were significant. The results showed that Alvand had the highest number of nuts (41.8 per m2) and nut weight (472.1 g/m2) on (SCA). Heritability (H2b) for kernel weight and kernel percentage, were estimated 0.75 and 0.80, respectively. The lowest value of H2b (0.36) was belong to fruit set. The analyses of genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits showed that, the nut weight had (rg = 0.31, rp = 0.27) a moderate correlation with SCA same as kernel weight (rg = 0.34, rp = 0.29). The GGE biplot analysis explained most of the existing variations (&gt;90%). The genetic effect (PC1) for all traits were higher respect to the genetic × environment interaction (PC2), especially for the kernel percentage (94.4%) and number and weight of nut and kernel on SCA (&gt;90%). The lowest value of the PC1 was related to the fruit set (65.6%), which indicates the trait was more affected by genetic × environment interactions (21.8%). So, this result showed that the yield-related traits in walnut is highly relevant to environment(year in this study) and evaluation of the new cultivars needs careful attention in this case.

Changes in the relationships between pomological characteristics in hazelnuts according to the picking manually from the branch and the ground

This research was carried out to determine the relationships between pomological characteristics of hazelnuts collected manually from the branch and the ground. The research was carried out in three different orchards belonging to a producer, which contains Tombul, Foşa and Çakıldak hazelnut varieties in Kocaali district of Sakarya province (Türkiye). The orchards, located at an altitude of 300 m, face north. Hazelnut samples of Tombul, Foşa and Çakıldak varieties were collected from the branch in the first (2009) and second year (2010), on 12-15 August, 15-18 August and 22-25 August, respectively, and from the ground on 24-27 August, 27-30 August and 4-7 September, respectively. Nut weight, nut size, shell thickness, kernel weight, kernel size, kernel cavity, kernel percent, shriveled kernel ratio, good kernel ratio, full and average blanching ratios were determined in dried fruits. Correlation analysis was performed between the properties examined separately in the two groups of samples. In the samples collected from the branch and the ground, the highest variation was seen in the shriveled kernel ratio and the lowest in the good kernel ratio. It was determined that all of the significant correlation coefficients in the samples collected from the branch were positive, and the highest correlation coefficients were between full blanching ratio-average blanching ratio, nut weight-kernel weight and nut size-kernel size, respectively. In the samples collected from the ground, more significant correlations, and also negative significant relationships were found between the investigated properties. It was determined that the highest positive correlations were found between nut size-kernel weight, nut weight-kernel weight, full blanching rate-average blanching rate, nut weight-kernel size and nut size-kernel size, respectively; the highest negative correlations were found between the shell thickness-good kernel ratio, the shell thickness-kernel size, and the shriveled kernel ratio-good kernel core ratio, respectively. It can be said that the samples collected manually from the ground in hazelnut were more homogeneous than those collected from the branch in terms of the quality characteristics examined; in the samples collected from the ground, the good kernel ratio and kernel size were negatively affected by the shell thickness, the shriveled kernel ratio was positively affected, and there were no differences between the samples in terms of other relations.

Selection of Superior Properties of Walnut Genotypes in Ereğli-Halkapınar (Konya) and Ayrancı (Karaman) Walnut Population

This selection study was conducted to determine the walnut genotypes with superior characteristics grown from seeds in Ereğli and Halkapınar districts of Konya province and Ayrancı district of Karaman province between 2019-2022. In 2021 on the fruits taken, 8 genotypes in total, including 5 genotypes in shelled walnuts and 4 genotypes in kernels (1 genotype received high scores in both shelled and kernel walnuts) were found to be promising. In 8 genotypes selected, the shelled weight is 10.66-26.31 g, the kernel weight is 5.32-9.82 g, the kernel percentage is 37.33-57.91%, the shell thickness is between 1.06-1.90 mm, the shell color is “light” in 1 genotype, “moderate” in 4 genotypes, “dark” in 3 genotypes, kernel color is in 1 genotype “extra light”, “light” in 7 genotypes, remove of kernel from the shell was “easy” in all genotypes. Shell adhesion was “good” in all genotypes, cracking of the shell was detected “easy” in 7 genotypes, “moderate” in 1 genotype, shell texture was “smooth” in 3 genotypes, “moderate” in 4 genotypes, and “rough” in 1 genotype. Remove of kernel from the shell was determined “easy” in all genotypes. Kernel fill and healthy kernel percentage was determined as 100% in all genotypes. At the end of the research, 6 of the selected genotypes showed homogamy, 1 showed protogeny and 1 showed protandry flowering properties.

PARTIAL RESULTS ON FRUITS ASSESSMENT OF SOME WALNUT GENOTYPES PRESERVED AT RIFG PITESTI, ROMANIA

Forty-five walnut genotypes, with different origins, from germplasm fund of RIFG Pitesti, Romania were evaluated, regarding fruit size (nut weight, size index – SI, index of roundness - IR and kernel percentage). The results obtained have highlighted the fact that in walnut collection from RIFG Pitesti there is a large phenotypic diversity. Thus, the average nut weight ranged from 8.00 g ('Novaci' cv.) to 22.00 g ('Geoagiu' 453 cv.). The largest fruits registered 'Geoagiu 453', 'Germisara', 'Ciprian Ion', 'Hartley' cvs. (over 20 g). The kernel percentage ranged from 30.66% ('Geoagiu 210' cv.) to 56.25% ('Valrex' cv.). The largest kernel percentage (over 50%) registered 'Recea', 'Valcor', 'Valrex', 'M 44-39', 'Sarmis', 'Velnița', 'Schinoasa', 'Ciumești 77', 'Cazacu', 'Chisinau', 'Fălești', 'Codrene' and 'Jupânești' cvs. It has been observed that some genotypes, although they have small fruits, have a high kernel percentage ('Valcor', 'Valrex', 'M 44-39', 'Sarmis', 'Schinoasa', 'Recea', 'Chandler', etc.). and other genotypes with large fruit have small kernel percentage ('Geoagiu 453', 'Germisara', 'Ciprian Ion', 'Hartley'. etc.). The values of the index of roundness varied from 0.64 mm on 'Recea' cv. (elongated form) to 1.01 mm on 'Secular' cv. (round form). Most of the genotypes studied (86.67%) had elongated fruits.

STUDIUL PRIVIND RESURSELE GENETICE DE NUC DIN FLORA SPONTANĂ ŞI CULTIVATĂ A ZONEI DE NORD-EST A ROMÂNIEI

The aim of the paper is was to introduce the valuable features of some walnut biotypes selected from the spontaneous and cultivated flora (from the Moldova area) and homologated approved as new cultivars between 1994-2001 that improve the autochthonous walnut assortment with cultivars that have quality fruits, adapted to the climate conditions particular to the North-East of Romania. Analysing the bloom phenophase, it was observed that during the four years of study (2017-2020), the beginning and end of bloom for male and female plants flowers developed between 20th of April and 13th of May. The date when fruits maturated was the earliest for cultivar ‘Miroslava‘ on the 10th of September 2018 and the latest for cultivar ‘Anica‘ on the 25th of September 2020. Analysing the average production over four years, it can be observed that cultivars ‘Velniţa‘ (3.33 kg/tree), ‘Anica‘ (2.93 kg/tree), ‘Ovidiu‘ (2.85 kg/tree) and ‘Miroslava‘ (2.53 kg/tree) have recorded superior values in comparison with the witnesscontrol control cultivar ‘Jupâneşti‘ (1.88 kg/tree). In terms of fruits weight (g), statistically, cultivars ‘Miroslava‘ (14.3 g), ‘Anica‘ (13.1 g) and ‘Velniţa‘ (13.0 g) are highlighted with highly positive significant differences in comparison with the witnesscontrol control cultivar ‘Jupâneşti‘ (12.1 g). In terms of percentage of kernel’s weight from the fruit’s weight, the 4 four studied cultivars have recorded values over 50%. For each of the studied cultivars (‘Anica‘, ‘Miroslava‘, ‘Velniţa‘ and ‘Ovidiu‘) the shell’s colour (the endocarp) is was light brown, having the surface structure light to medium wrinkled and it breaks easily.

Insecticidal efficacy of two candidate diatomaceous earth powders against the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

The insecticidal efficacy of amorphous silica powders 1 and 2 with different physical and elemental compositions were evaluated against the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) using concrete arenas. The particle diameter and shape characterization (circularity, elongation, aspect ratio, and convexity) of the two silica powders were performed using Morphology G3 instrument. The particle diameter and shape characteristics (circularity and elongation) of silica powder 1 were significantly higher compared to silica powder 2. However, these factors did not influence the efficacy of silica powders against R. dominica. Silica powder 2 showed higher mortality at lower application rates and shorter exposure times compared to silica powder 1. The efficacy of silica powder 2 was due to its higher oil adsorption capability, low pH, and high silicon dioxide content compared to silica powder 1. Adult progeny production was inversely related to the powder application rate. Silica powder 2 was more effective on R. dominica in inhibiting adult progeny production at 0.25 g/m2. Lower percentages of insect-damaged kernels and grain weight loss were observed at lower application rates (0.10–0.20 g/m2) following exposure to silica powder 2 compared to silica powder 1, which required higher application rates (2.0–3.5 g/m2). Overall, silica powder 2 demonstrated superior efficacy against R. dominica in terms of mortality, progeny production, insect-damaged kernels, and grain weight loss.

PSII-24 Relationship Among Color, Physicochemical Traits, and Ruminal in Situ Dry Matter Digestion of Corn Grains from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States

Abstract Corn-derived starch and rumen-degradable protein (RDP) available for rumen microbial fermentation vary significantly with corn hybrid and environmental conditions. Identifying corn physicochemical traits potentially correlated with ruminal DM digestibility would facilitate the prediction of its nutritional value compared with more time-consuming determinations. We assessed 1) the effect of corn origin on color, physicochemical traits, and 22-h in situ DM digestibility (22h-DMD), and 2) the relationship of color and physicochemical traits with 22h-DMD on Argentinian (AR, n = 29), Brazilian (BR, n = 4), and North American (US, n = 15) corn samples. The hardness-associated properties measured were: color (Hue angle; H) and physicochemical traits [crude protein (CP), thousand kernel weight (TKW), test weight (TW, Schopper chondrometer with ¼ L capacity), floaters (FLO, percent of kernels floating in a sodium nitrate solution), kernel density (KD, pycnometer method), vitreousness (VIT), and coarse-to-fine milling ratio (C:F)]. In situ 22h-DMD was determined using two ruminally cannulated steers receiving a 53:47 forage-to-concentrate ratio diet. Mastication was simulated by grinding a 100-g sample for 10 s using a 0.625-cm screen. For each steer, three sets of 4-g (DM basis) of each corn sample were placed into R1020 Ankom bags and introduced in the ventral sac of the rumen at two independent events separated by 48 h. Four bags per sample were placed in a water bath (39 °C, 15 min) to determine the soluble fraction (0h-DMD). Corn origin effect on color and physicochemical traits and on 0h-DMD and 22h-DMD were tested using GLM and MIXED procedures, respectively. Means were compared by Tukey-Kramer test. Relationships among variables were studied using a correlation matrix (PROC CORR) and stepwise multiple linear regression (PROC REG). All traits differed (P &amp;lt; 0.01; Table 1) among corn origin, being AR corns intermediate in hardness-associated properties between BR and US samples, though more similar to BR ones. Correlation coefficients (P &amp;lt; 0.01) of 22h-DMD with H, FLO, TW, KD, C:F, and CP, were 0.43, 0.80, −0.77, −0.71, −0.82, and −0.72, respectively; TKW was unrelated (P = 0.26) to 22h-DMD. The predictive 22h-DMD equation (P &amp;lt; 0.01) based on physicochemical traits was 22h-DMD (%) = 160.31 – 1.16 × TW (kg/hL) – 7.49 × C:F (g/g; RMSE = 3.54, R2 = 0.74). Softer kernels with higher H and FLO and lower TW, KD, C:F, and CP, demonstrated greater 22h-DMD than harder samples. Indeed, TW and C:F resulted in reliable predictors of 22h-DMD to describe the nutritional value of corn samples. Succinctly, AR and BR corn hardness-associated properties contrasted with US ones. We hypothesized that greater CP and reduced 0h-DMD and 22h-DMD of harder genotypes may reduce or eliminate the need for RDP supplementation when those grains are included in beef cattle finishing rations; however, more research is warranted on this topic.

Clonal Selection in the Local 'Trabzon Sivrisi' Hazelnut Population Grown in Some Districts of Trabzon

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the clones with superior characteristics in the 'Trabzon Sivrisi' hazelnut population.&#x0D; Materials and Method: The study was carried out in hazelnut orchards in the Araklı, Arsin and Yomra districts of Trabzon (Türkiye) in 2016 and 2017. The study was planned as selecting 3 different ocaks from each hazelnut orchard followed by the selection of a plant (branch) with the highest yield among these ocaks. Nut per cluster, yield (g), kernel weight (g), kernel ratio (%), shell thickness (mm), kernel cavity (mm), good kernel (%) and defective kernel belonging to the selected hazelnut clones in the study were examined and recorded. In addition, the protein (%), and fat ratio (%) were determined.&#x0D; Results: Out of 207 clones observed and examined in the research area, 8 are promising and recommended for further research. Clones numbered TY42-3 and TA42-2 with a total score above 400 were selected according to the modified weighted grading method carried out at the end of the study. In the examination made according to nut characteristics the following clones were evaluated as promising: TAK20-2 in terms of nut per cluster, TA39-1 in yield, TY35-3 in kernel weight, TY15-1 in shell thickness, TY1-3 in kernel percentage, good kernel, and defective kernel rate and TY28-1 in terms of kernel cavity.&#x0D; Conclusion: In this study, 8 clones were evaluated as hopeful. The fact that cultural practices such as irrigation, pruning and fertilization were not carried out in the orchards where the study was carried out both increases the value of the data obtained and reveals the importance of our country regarding the gene center. It is important for our country to continue the study and put the clones determined as promising under trial in controlled conditions, to follow the process and to take them to the registration process.