Tuber Length Research Articles

Genetic parameter estimates and selection gain for multiple traits in white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in Ghana

Abstract Quantifying selection gains enables a more targeted assessment of breeding program effectiveness, highlighting opportunities for strategic improvement and optimized genetic advancement in white Guinea Yam. This study assessed genetic parameters and gain for key traits in a white Guinea yam (D. rotundata) breeding population. A total of 81 genotypes were evaluated for two seasons using a 9 × 9 lattice design with three replicates. Data was collected on yam mosaic virus disease severity, tuber yield and tuber dry content for genetic analysis. Broad sense heritability was generally high (> 60) for most of the traits. At the same time, the corresponding genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was exceptionally high (30.28–93.96%) for tuber yield, tuber flesh oxidation, average tuber weight and number of tubers per plant, suggesting additive genetic effects. A multi-trait selection index of the 5% highest performing genotypes revealed positive genetic gain for plant vigour, tuber length, and width, tuber weight per plant, average tuber weight and fresh tuber yield. The genetic gain was, however, negative for tuber dry matter content compared to the check varieties, necessitating a modification of the current breeding scheme such that post-harvest food quality is not sacrificed for tuber yield. Ranking of the breeding lines based on the multi-trait selection index identified four lines (TDr1700004_014, TDr1700004_113, TDr1700001_112 and TDr1700002_090) with high genetic merits for all the economic traits. These lines can be used as potential trait progenitors and evaluated further for possible release as new varieties. Our results decipher the genetic control and provide an overview of the performance of the breeding program for key traits in white Guinea yam.

Reduction of Potassium Supply Alters the Production and Quality Traits of Ipomoea batatas cv. BAU Sweetpotato-5 Tubers

In Bangladesh, sweetpotato is the fourth most important source of carbohydrates behind rice, wheat, and potatoes. Potassium is vital for sweetpotato growth, boosting tuber size, sweetness, disease resistance, and yield quality, with deficiencies leading to poor tuber formation and increased stress susceptibility. The present study evaluated the effect of varying dosages of potassium fertilizer (Muriate of Potash, MoP) on the growth, yield, and biochemical qualities of sweetpotato. As a genetic material, BAU sweetpotato-5 was chosen as it is recognized for its high yield, short duration, and nutritional advantages. There were three treatments—full dosage of MoP (321.6 kg ha−1, T0), half dosage of MoP (160.8 kg ha−1, T1) and no MoP (T2). Four replications of a randomized complete block design (RCBD) were used in the experiment. According to analysis of variance, the morphological and biochemical parameters, such as the fresh weight plant−1, number of tuber plant−1, chlorophyll content, total phenolic content, vitamin C, carotenoid, anthocyanin, Zn, and Fe content varied significantly among treatments. The application of the full recommended dosage of MoP resulted in the highest values for several traits, including the fresh weight plant−1, number of tuber plant−1, chlorophyll content, carotenoid, anthocyanin, and Fe content. Conversely, total phenolic content and vitamin C were highest without MoP application. Principal component analysis (PCA) differentiated treatment T0 from T1 and T2 due to higher positive coefficients of the number of leaves at 115 days after transplantation, vine length at 115 days after transplantation, number of branches, stem diameter, fresh weight plant−1, tuber length, tuber diameter, tuber weight, number of tuber plant−1, SPAD, carotenoid, anthocyanin, Fe, and negative coefficients of total phenolic content, vitamin C, and Zn. The findings suggest that potassium is integral to maximizing both yield and key nutritional components in sweetpotato cultivation.

Karakter Agronomi dan Fisiologi Berbeagai Varietas Tanaman Lobak (Raphanus Sativus L.) Dengan Penerapan Sonic Bloom di Dataran Rendah

Radish plants (Raphanus sativus L.) belong to the category of horticultural plants that are bushy with a taproot. The desire to develop this crop among farmers in Gandasuli Village, South Halmahera Regency is quite high. However, the main obstacle to developing radishes in lowland areas is the relatively high temperature, leading to concerns about crop failure. How to increase plant productivity using sonic bloom technology. This technology uses sound waves and high frequencies without disturbing the surrounding environment. This research aims to understand the agronomic and physiological development of various radish plant varieties that can thrive well without the application of sonic bloom and with the application of sonic bloom, as well as to observe the effect of sonic bloom on these various varieties in lowland areas. The research design is divided into two stages: stage 1, research without using sonic bloom, and stage 2, research using sonic bloom, which employs a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Different variety treatments are P1 = white radish, P2 = long red radish, and P3 = round red radish. The application of sonic bloom, which shows many significant effects on the observed variables, is demonstrated on white radish plants in the variables of plant height at 14 days after planting (HST), number of leaves at 14 and 21 HST, tuber length, fresh weight of the plant's upper part, fresh weight of the tuber, chlorophyll content, and number of stomata at 14 HST.

Optimization of golden snail egg liquid organic fertilizer in sweet potato cultivation: towards sustainable agriculture and increased production

Abstract Increasing sweet potato production is often done by applying excessive amounts of chemical fertilizer which causes environmental degradation. The use of liquid organic fertilizer made from golden snail eggs, which are pests, is an alternative to increase sweet potato production while controlling golden snail pests using eco-friendly methods. This research aims to analyse the optimal concentration and time interval for applying golden snail eggs liquid organic fertilizer (GSE-LOF) to increase sweet potato production. Sei Mencirim Village in Deli Serdang Regency served as the research site in August – December 2023. The research design used was a Randomized Block Design, the first factor was concentration of GSE-LOF (0; 37.5; 75 and 112.5 mL/L) and second factor was the time interval of applying (5; 10 and 15 days). Data of the research showed that concentration of GSE-LOF had a noteworthy impact on length and weight of tuber and shoot fresh weight. The time interval for applying GSE-LOF had significant impact on shoot fresh weight. Interaction between concentration and time interval for application of GSE-LOF had a noteworthy impact on the shoot fresh weight. It is recommended to apply GSE-LOF with a concentration of 37.5 mL/L and an application interval of 15 days.

Fertilizer management practices for cassava in acid dryland of Sukabumi Regency, West Java

The productivity of cassava in acid dryland is generally still low. Fertilization, land amelioration, and superior varieties are the main solutions for increasing cassava productivity. This research aimed to determine the response of high-yielding varieties and fertilization technology packages to the growth and yield of cassava in acid dryland of Sukaharja Village, Warung Kiara District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java. The contents of organic carbon, nitrogen, and magnesium of the soil is below the minimum threshold, so the application of N fertilizer, organic matter, and ameliorant is expected to increase plant growth. The research consisted of two treatment factors: two cassava varieties and three fertilization technologies. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized split-plot experimental design with three replications with variety as the main plot and fertilization technology package as the subplots. The treatment effect was observed on the character of plant height, wet biomass weight, stem diameter, number of tubers, tuber length, tuber diameter, tuber weight (large and small) per plant, and tuber yield per plot to be converted per ha. Tuber quality was observed by observing water content, percent dry matter, and starch yield. The results showed that the fertilization technology package increased plant height, fresh biomass weight, stem diameter, large tuber weight per plant, and yield per hectare in both varieties. Differences in varieties and fertilization technology packages have no effect on starch levels.

PRODUKSI UBI JALAR (Ipomea batatas L.) KARENA PENGARUH KETINGGIAN BEDENGAN DAN JENIS MULSA

Sweet potato plants require bed height and type of mulch for good growth and production. This research aims to determine the effect of bed height and mulch type on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) production. The study used a factorial randomized block design (RBD) with 2 factors. The first factor is the treatment of bed height and the second is the mulch type. The research was analyzed using analysis of variance and continued with an honest significant difference (HSD) test which will be done using the Excel application. The research showed that bed height and partial use of mulch significantly affected tuber production in sweet potatoes. The best bed height is 30 cm. The use of silver-black plastic mulch has a significant influence on sweet potato production. The interaction between bed height and mulch type only significantly affected tuber length in sweet potatoes

QTL discovery for agronomic and quality traits in diploid potato clones using PotatoMASH amplicon sequencing.

We genotyped a population of 618 diploid potato clones derived from six independent potato-breeding programmes from NW-Europe. The diploids were phenotyped for 23 traits, using standardized protocols and common check varieties, enabling us to derive whole population estimators for most traits. We subsequently performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for all traits with SNPs and short-read haplotypes derived from read-backed phasing. In this study, we used a marker platform called PotatoMASH (Potato Multi-Allele Scanning Haplotags); a pooled multiplex amplicon sequencing based approach. Through this method, neighboring SNPs within an amplicon can be combined to generate multiallelic short-read haplotypes (haplotags) that capture recombination history between the constituent SNPs and reflect the allelic diversity of a given locus in a different way than single bi-allelic SNPs. We found a total of 37 unique QTL across both marker types. A core of 10 QTL was detected with SNPs as well as with haplotags. Haplotags allowed to detect an additional 14 QTL not found based on the SNP set. Conversely, the bi-allelic SNP set also found 13 QTL not detectable using the haplotag set. We conclude that both marker types should routinely be used in parallel to maximize the QTL detection power. We report 19 novel QTL for nine traits: Skin Smoothness, Sprout Dormancy, Total Tuber Number, Tuber Length, Yield, Chipping Color, After-cooking Blackening, Cooking Type, and Eye depth.

Effect of straw and plastic mulches on growth and yield of zero tillage potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the Coastal Khulna Region of Bangladesh

A randomized complete block design experiment was undertaken at the field laboratory of the Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, from November 2021 to March 2022 to ascertain the impact of various mulch treatments on zero tillage potato cultivation. The experiment employed BARI Alu 78 as the planting material and utilized three replications with five distinct mulch treatments. These mulch treatments were identified as follows: Straw mulch (T1), Mulch film (T2), Black polythene (T3), White polythene (T4), and Blue polythene (T5). The metrics that were recorded included the number of sprouts, plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, leaf length, number of tubers, tuber length, tuber breadth, number of defective tubers, weight of defective tubers, and tuber weight. Different mulching techniques significantly influenced the overall crop yield and the underlying factors that influenced the results. The mulch film treatment resulted in the highest yield, with a production of 34.76 tons per hectare, followed by black polythene (28.11 tons per hectare), straw mulch (23.74 tons per hectare), white polythene (20.44 tons per hectare), and blue polythene (18.66 tons per hectare). The economic analysis revealed that mulch film had a high benefit cost ratio along with high input and output. Black polythene came in second place when the benefit cost ratio was compared to that of mulch film and the rest of the three treatments. Combining zero tillage with mulch film or black polythene demonstrates significant potential for becoming a cost-effective practice in the coastal region of Bangladesh.

Referencing the Center of Rotation of the Talus to Restore Tuber Length in Anatomic Reduction of Calcaneus Fractures

Introduction: The deforming forces of calcaneus fractures shorten, push into varus, and disrupt its articular surface. The height of the calcaneus depends on restoration of Bohler’s Angle (BA) and Tuber Length (TL). Contraction of the gastrocsoleus plantarflexes the ankle around the center of rotation of the talus (COR). The moment arm of the Achilles tendon is the calcaneal tuber. The purpose of this study is to define the COR, assess the TL after reconstruction of the calcaneal tuber and assess its influence on calcaneal height and work of the Achilles tendon. Methods: An IRB-approved retrospective study included 345 calcaneal fracture operative cases at a level 1 trauma center over 10 years. Of them, 39 cases had lateral x-rays of both operated and uninjured feet. X-rays were sized to each other on the Detroit Bonesetter App, which was used to find BA and COR. The moment arm of the Achilles tendon was defined as the distance from the tendon insertion to the COR of the talus. It was also the measurement used to describe TL. Results: The average postoperative TL was 5.72 ± 0.47 cm, and the average contralateral TL was 5.99 ± 0.42 cm (p=0.01). This resulted in a calculated average of 4.48% ± 5.28% increased gastrocsoleus work in all patients compared to the contralateral extremity. ORIF had shorter TL compared to CRPF (p=0.02). Eight of the 39 patients had shortened TL despite adequately restored BA. Conclusions: While BA restoration has served as the operative marker of success for intra-articular calcaneus fractures, it does not consider the change in mechanical work of the Achilles tendon, which may be a better indicator of the functional length of the calcaneus. This study demonstrates that there is increased work on the Achilles with shortened TL even when the reduction has adequately restored BA. Finding COR and referencing it to measure TL compared to the contralateral foot should be considered as an additional goal to restoration of BA, anatomic reduction, and varus deformity correction when treating calcaneal fractures.

Effect of Different Planting Dates on Tuber Production in Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) in Low Hill Conditions of Himachal Pradesh, India

The research, entitled " Effect of different planting dates on tuber production in dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) in low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh" was carried out at RHRTS Dhaulakuan, Ponta Sahib (HP). The study aimed to investigate the impact of different planting dates on tuber production in five dahlia cultivars (Anarkali, Gargi, Giani Zail Singh, Matungini and Suryadev) in low hill. Three planting dates (September 15th, October 15th and November 15th) were chosen for evaluating vegetative parameters. Plant height (109.61 cm) and internodal length (10.34 cm) both were found to be optimal in the cultivar Suryadev. Furthermore, the cultivar Matungini exhibited the highest plant spread (42.72 cm). In terms of tuber production, Anarkali demonstrated superior performance in tuber weight (368.90 g), and tuber yield per plot (2.00 kg). Conversely, Matungini excelled in the number of tubers per plant (4.69), tuber length (13.24 cm) and tuber diameter (30.25 mm), while Giani Zail Singh showcased the best tuber diameter. The planting date of October 15th was identified as highly suitable for optimal tuber production across all parameters under low hill climatic conditions.

Penggunaan Bagian Stek Umbi Tanaman Gembili (Dioscorea esculenta) dan Model Lanjaran Terhadap Produksinya

Lesser yam (Dioscorea esculenta) is a root crop which grows and spreads in various parts of Indonesia, from Papua to Sumatra. Plant support technique using stakes is a way to support physical plant growth to control shape, size, and direction of plants. This study aimed to obtain the tuber parts as propagules of lesser yam plant (Dioscorea esculenta) and the of stakes as plant support on lesser yam yield. The research experiment was carried out using a randomized block design (RBD) which consisted of 2 treatment factors; the first factor being the plant support techniques consisted of no support, single support, and pyramidal support model, and the second factor tuber parts as propagules consisted of root, middle, and tip root cuttings. The results showed that the interaction between the tuber cuttings and the plant support model was not significant or there was no synergistic in supporting the growth and yield in the form tubers, whereas the effect of tuber cutting treatments was significant on number of tubers (12 planted tubers) and highly significant on tuber weight (1864.9 g), tuber diameter (5.84 cm) and tuber length (6.11 cm). The effect of plant support models was not significant on number and weight of tubers, however was significant on the tuber diameter (5,54cm), and highly significant on the tuber length (6.05 cm).

Rootstock scion interaction studies on various horticultural attributes of pomato grafts under protected structures

Pomato is a horticultural wonder plant, as tomato and potato can be produced from a single plant. This experiment explored the influence of diverse graft combinations of tomato scions grafted onto potato rootstocks on various growth and yield-attributing traits. The investigation outcomes confirmed the significantly positive influence of scion grafted onto rootstock on various yielding attributes of tomato and potato harvested from pomato grafts. Scion “Rakshita” grafted onto the rootstock of Kufri Himalini had the maximum fruit length. In contrast, the fruits harvested from the graft combination of Avtar grafted onto Kufri Khyati had the maximum number of fruits per cluster and the number of fruits per plant. The highest average fruit weight, fruit yield per meter square, and total fruit yield quintal per hectare were recorded with control “Avtar. The longest harvest duration was noticed with the graft combination of Heemsohna grafted onto Kufri Himalini. Moreover, on, rootstock Kufri Himalini with scion Rakshita resulted in maximum tuber length, and average tuber weight, while Kufri Himalini with Avtar had maximum fruit width. The maximum number of tubers per plant was also noticed with Kufri Pukhraj with Palam Tomato hybrid −1. The potato harvested from the rootstock of Kufri Pukhraj with Avtar had the highest tuber yield per plant, total tuber yield quintal per hectare, and tuber equivalent yield. The highest survival percentage of grafted plants was noted in Heemsohna onto Kufri Jyoti. In context to the cumulative yield of tomato fruits and potato tubers obtained from the pomato graft was found to be incremented in grafts of Avtar grafted onto Kufri Pukhraj followed by Rakshita grafted onto Kufri Rakshita, which also resulted in the maximum benefit-cost ratio with highest net return and gross return. The graft combination of scion Avtar and Rakshita onto Rootstock Kufri Pukhraj resulted in a positive increment in yield attributing traits of the pomato plant than of control of un-grafted tomato and potato.

Partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by organic fertilizer increases yield, quality and nitrogen utilization of Dioscorea polystachya.

This field experiment aimed to investigate the effects of different ratios of organic and inorganic fertilizers with maintaining equal nitrogen application rates on the yield, quality, and nitrogen uptake efficiency of Dioscorea polystachya (yam). Six treatments were set, including a control without fertilizer (CK), sole application of chemical fertilizer (CF), sole application of organic fertilizer (OM), 25% organic fertilizer + 75% chemical fertilizer (25%OM + 75%CF), 50% organic fertilizer + 50% chemical fertilizer (50%OM + 50%CF), and 75% organic fertilizer + 25% chemical fertilizer (75%OM + 25%CF). The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Various yield parameters, morphology, quality indicators, and nitrogen utilization were analyzed to assess the differences among treatments. The results indicated that all fertilizer treatments significantly increased the yield, morphology, quality indicators, and nitrogen utilization efficiency compared to the control. Specifically, 25%OM + 75%CF achieved the highest yield of 31.96 t hm-2, which was not significantly different from CF (30.18 t hm-2). 25%OM + 75%CF exhibited the highest values at 69.23 cm in tuber length and 75.86% in commodity rate, 3.14% and 1.57% higher than CF respectively. Tuber thickness and fresh weight of 25%OM + 75%CF showed no significant differences from CF, while OM and 50%OM+50%CF exhibited varying degrees of reduction compared to CF. Applying fertilizer significantly enhanced total sugar, starch, crude protein, total amino acid, and ash contents of D. polystachya (except ash content between CK and OM). Applying organic fertilizer increased the total sugar, starch, crude protein, total amino acid, and ash contents in varying degrees when compared with CF. The treatment with 25%OM+75%CF exhibited the highest increases of 6.31%, 3.78%, 18.40%, 29.70%, and 10%, respectively. Nitrogen content in different plant parts followed the sequence of tuber > leaves > stems > aerial stem, with the highest nitrogen accumulation observed in 25%OM + 75%CF treatment. Nitrogen harvest index did not show significant differences among treatments, fluctuating between 0.69 and 0.74. The nitrogen apparent utilization efficiency was highest in 25%OM + 75%CF (9.89%), followed by CF (9.09%), both significantly higher than OM (5.32%) and 50%OM + 50%CF (6.69%). The nitrogen agronomic efficiency varied significantly among treatments, with 25%OM + 75%CF (33.93 kg kg-1) being the highest, followed by CF (29.68 kg kg-1), 50%OM + 50%CF (21.82 kg kg-1), and OM (11.85 kg kg-1). Nitrogen partial factor productivity was highest in 25%OM + 75%CF treatment (76.37 kg kg-1), followed by CF (72.11 kg kg-1), both significantly higher than 50%OM + 50%CF (64.25 kg kg-1) and OM (54.29 kg kg-1), with OM exhibiting significantly lower values compared to other treatments. In conclusion, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can effectively enhance the yield, quality, and nitrogen utilization efficiency of D. polystachya. Particularly, the treatment with 25% organic fertilizer and 75% chemical fertilizer showed the most promising results.

QTL identified that influence tuber length-width ratio, degree of flatness, tuber size, and specific gravity in a russet-skinned, tetraploid mapping population.

Potato tuber shape, size, and specific gravity are important agronomic traits in the russet market class of potatoes with an impact on quality, consistency, and product recovery of processed foods such as French fries. Therefore, identifying genetic regions associated with the three traits through quantitative trait locus/loci (QTL) analysis is a crucial process in the subsequent development of marker-assisted selection for use in potato breeding programs. QTL analysis was conducted on a tetraploid mapping population consisting of 190 individuals derived from the cross between two russet-skinned parents, Palisade Russet and the breeding clone ND028673B-2Russ. Field data collected over a 2-year period and used in the QTL analyses included tuber length-width and width-depth ratios that were obtained using a digital caliper. The width-depth ratio provided an assessment of the "flatness" of a tuber, which is of importance in potato processing. To cross-validate the accuracy and differences among tuber shape measurement methods, a trained evaluator also assessed the identical tubers based on 1-5 scale (compressed to long) visual assessment method. Furthermore, the weights of analyzed tubers and specific gravities were also collected during the phenotyping process for each mapping clone. A major tuber shape QTL was consistently observed on chromosome 10 with both the length-width ratio and visual assessments. On chromosome 4, a significant QTL for tuber shape from the visual assessment phenotypic data was also detected. Additionally, a tuber shape-related QTL on chromosome 6 was also detected from the length-width ratio data from 2020. Chromosome 2 was also identified as having a significant QTL for the width-depth ratio, which is of importance in influencing the flatness of a tuber. One significant QTL for tuber weight (i.e., tuber size) was observed on chromosome 5, and a significant QTL for specific gravity was found on chromosome 3. These significant and major QTL should be useful for developing marker-assisted selection for more efficient potato breeding.

Multienvironment genomic prediction in tetraploid potato.

Multienvironment genomic prediction was applied to tetraploid potato using 147 potato varieties, tested for 2 years, in 3 locations representative of 3 distinct regions in Europe. Different prediction scenarios were investigated to help breeders predict genotypic performance in the regions from one year to the next, for genotypes that were tested this year (scenario 1), as well as new genotypes (scenario 3). In scenario 2, we predicted new genotypes for any one of the 6 trials, using all the information that is available. The choice of prediction model required assessment of the variance-covariance matrix in a mixed model that takes into account heterogeneity of genetic variances and correlations. This was done for each analyzed trait (tuber weight, tuber length, and dry matter) where examples of both limited and higher degrees of heterogeneity was observed. This explains why dry matter did not need complex multienvironment modeling to combine environments and increase prediction ability, while prediction in tuber weight, improved only when models were flexible enough to capture the heterogeneous variances and covariances between environments. We also found that the prediction abilities in a target trial condition decreased, if trials with a low genetic correlation to the target were included when training the model. Genomic prediction in tetraploid potato can work once there is clarity about the prediction scenario, a suitable training set is created, and a multienvironment prediction model is chosen based on the patterns of G×E indicated by the genetic variances and covariances.

Effect of Foliar Spraying with Organic Compounds on Progeny of True Potato Seeds

The research was conducted during the agricultural season of 2022-2023 in a protected greenhouse at the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering at Idlib University. The study focused on potato plants derived from true seed cultivation of the Naeema potato variety, planted during the spring season of 2022. Two foliar spray treatments were applied to the cultivated potato plants: amino acids and dry yeast, in addition to a control group that was sprayed with water only. The experiment followed a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed that the foliar spray treatment with amino acids significantly outperformed the control group in all studied characteristics, including marketable tuber number, main stem length, tuber count per plant, tuber length, tuber diameter, tuber weight, and total tuber yield per plant. Similarly, the foliar spray treatment with dry yeast outperformed the control group in marketable tuber number, main stem length, tuber count per plant, tuber length, and total tuber yield per plant. However, the two treatments had no significant differences in tuber diameter and weight. Finally, the foliar spray treatment with amino acids showed superior results to the foliar spray treatment with dry yeast in marketable tuber number, length, diameter, weight, and total tuber yield per plant. No significant differences were observed between the two foliar spray treatments in main stem length and tuber count per plant.

Effect of Different Seed Sources and Planting Tube Sizes on Germination and Early Growth of Baobab Seedlings in Malawi

Baobab is an important multipurpose fruit tree which provides food and economic values along the sub‐Saharan African countries. Although there has been remarkable research on domestication of Adansonia digitata, understanding the variation on seed germination and early growth of baobab among different seed sources and planting tube sizes is essential for silvicultural practices at the nursery stages, massive domestication and conservation strategies. The study assessed the effect of different planting tube sizes on seed germination and early growth of baobab seedlings of 10 Malawi subpopulations. Two‐way ANOVA revealed significant interaction (p < 0.001) between subpopulations and planting tube sizes on germination percentage and early growth in the number of leaves, root collar diameter, plant height, tuber length and tuber weight. Both seed source and different planting tube sizes significantly affected the germination and early growth of baobab. In conclusion, germination and growth of baobab is influenced by subpopulations and planting tube sizes. The results signify that different genotypes responded differently to the microclimate of tube sizes on germination and growth of baobab.

Peculiarities of the parietal bones of the vault of the human skull structure and shape, taking into account sex and craniotype

The development of neurosurgery and the increase in requirements for the performance of surgical approaches performed through the bones of the skull vault lead to the formation of new requests for detailing and clarification of the craniometric characteristics of the parietal bones. The purpose of our study is to establish the features of the shape and other spatial indicators of the parietal bones of the skull of a mature person, taking into account sex and certain types of craniotype. The study was conducted on 130 studied preparations of bone structures of the head of adults from the collected collection of the Department of Normal Anatomy of the Kharkiv National Medical University, in the amount of 82 bone preparations, including isolated parietal bones, as well as 48 tomograms obtained during the examination of patients. The basis for establishing a craniotype is the principle of calculating the cranial index. For statistical analysis, we used the programs Statistica 13.5.0.17 (trial version) and Microsoft Excel of the corporate package MS 365. To establish the peculiarities of the structure and shape of the parietal bones, the following craniometric indicators were determined: the length and width of the parietal tubers, the parietal chord and the arch, calculated the curvature index of the parietal bone. The obtained data were analyzed for mature people of different genders and three established craniotypes. It has been established that brachycephals are characterized by an expanded and expanded form of the parietal bones, which is associated with the predominance of the transverse dimensions of the entire cerebral skull. For mesocephals, the most typical intermediate- average form depending on the values of the cranial index. Dolichocephals have an elongated and narrowed form of the parietal bones, which is combined with general changes in the cerebral skull. Additional linear parameters of the parietal bones are directly dependent on the established craniotype. The dolichocephalic type is characterized by maximum length values of parietal tubers: ¯x =18.43 mm (right) and ¯x =18.24 mm (left) with minimum width parameters: up to ¯x =15.71 mm and ¯x =15.02 mm. Representatives of the brachycranic type are characterized by the minimum indicators of the length of the parietal tubers: from ¯x =12.73 mm to ¯x =12.81 mm and the maximum indicators for the width - ¯x =23.52 mm (right) and ¯x =23.04 mm (left). The parietal chord, like the parietal arch, had a similar trend in the distribution of indicators, namely: an increase from dolichocrania to brachycrania. In men with a dolichocephalic type of skull structure, the average values of these parameters were at the level of ¯x =108.2 mm (right) and 107.6 mm (left) for the parietal chord, and ¯x =114.2 mm and ¯x =113.2 mm for the parietal arcs In men with brachycranic type, the parietal chord reached - ¯x =116.6 mm (right) and ¯x =115.8 mm (left), and the parietal arch reached - ¯x =127.8 mm (right) and ¯x =126.9 mm ( left). In women, a similar principle of size distribution has been established, taking into account a small, 2-3 mm, general decrease in indicators compared to men. The curvature index of the parietal bones was determined: the maximum average values ¯x =83.00-83.58 were obtained in dolichocephals, the minimum values were ¯x =80.56-81.64 in brachycephals. This indicates an increase in the curvature of bones in brachycephals, given that the absolute value of the index is inversely proportional to the degree of curvature. Thus, the obtained data indicate a stable relationship between the craniotype of the skull and additional parameters of the parietal bones.

Farklı Yetiştirme Ortamları ve Hümik Asit Dozlarının Turpta Bitki Gelişimi ve Kalite Üzerine Etkileri

This research was conducted to determine the effects of different growing media and humic acid doses on plant growth parameters and quality properties in cherry-red radish. In the study, 4 different growing media [Soil, Peat:Perlite (1:1), Peat:Perlite (2:1) and Peat:Perlite (3:1)] consisting of soil and mixtures of peat and perlite at different ratios were used. In addition to, 0 (control), 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm doses of humic acid in liquid form named TKİ Hümas were investigated. Rolex F1 cherry-red radish variety (Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus) was used in the study. According to the findings obtained from the research, it was detected that Peat:Perlite (2:1) medium came to the forefront in terms of plant growth parameters and quality properties among the growing media. It was found that humic acid applications (500, 1000 and 2000 ppm) significantly increased tuber fresh weight, tuber diameter and tuber length compared to the control (0 ppm). Among the humic acid doses, the highest tuber fresh weight, tuber diameter and tuber length were obtained from 1000 ppm dose. In general, it was determined that soilless growing media and humic acid had positive effects on plant growth and quality. When the growing media and humic acid doses are evaluated among themselves, it was concluded that especially Peat:Perlite (2:1) medium and 1000 ppm dose were more effective on plant growth and quality and could be used successfully in soilless cherry-red radish cultivation in terms of agricultural sustainability and productivity.

Genetic diversity and stability analysis of sweet potato accessions of north-eastern India grown under the mid-hill conditions of Meghalaya

AbstractA total of 32 sweet potato genotypes were evaluated to assess the genetic diversity based on quantitative traits and molecular markers, as well as stability for yield and related traits. Wider variability was observed for the traits like vine length (181.2–501.3 cm), number of leaves/plant (103.0–414.0 cm), internodal length (3.20–14.80 cm), petiole length (6.5–21.3 cm), leaf length (8.50–14.5 cm), leaf breadth (8.20–15.30 cm), leaf area (42.50–115.62 cm2), tuber length (7.77–18.07 cm), tuber diameter (2.67–6.90 cm), tuber weight (65.60–192.09 g), tuber yield (7.77–28.87 t ha−1), dry matter (27.34–36.41%), total sugar (4.50–5.70%) and starch (18.50–29.92%) content. Desirable traits such as tuber yield, dry matter and starch content have shown high heritability (>60%) with moderate to high genetic advance. Under molecular analysis, a total of 232 alleles were observed from all 32 microsatellite markers, which ranged from 4 to 14 with an average of 7.77 alleles per locus. In the population, the average observed heterozygosity (0.51) was higher than the expected heterozygosity (0.49). The contribution of genotype, genotype by environment interaction to the total variations was found to be significant. Based on the multi-trait stability index (tuber length, tuber diameter, tuber weight and tuber yield), genotypes X-24, MLSPC-3, MLSPC-5, ARSPC-1 and TSP-12-12 were found to be most stable. Among them, the high-yielding and stable genotypes TSP-12-10 (26.0 t ha−1) and MLSPC-3 (23.9 t ha−1) can be promoted for commercial production or used as parental material in future crop improvement programmes.