Local Varieties Research Articles

Ampelographic Diversity Assessment of Local Grape Genotype Grown in India

Grapevine is well adapted to the agro climatic conditions of India, which makes it one of the major element of the Indian horticulture. However, there has been limited focus on assessing grapevine germplasm, and genetic resources have previously remained underutilized despite their potential for adapting to environmental changes. This study aims to evaluate the diversity of local (developed in India) grapevine accessions growing in different regions in India. A total of 20 local varieties were evaluated using 14 fruit traits previously developed by DUS. An important variability was revealed among the local varieties studied based on fruit characteristics. The most discriminant traits were bunch weight, berry diameter, bunch length, berry weight, berry shape, seed number per berry. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed three main clusters, each regrouping accessions of different named varieties. Mean values of cluster for various yield parameters revealed that cluster I possessed maximum value for yield related attributes. Maximum bunch weight was observed in Manjari Medika (270.0g) followed by Pusa Seedless (243.1 g), Arka Shyam (213.5 g) while higher 50 berry weight (201.0 g) and berry diameter (20.30 mm) in Arka Majestic genotype. Arka Majestic and Manjari Medika showed better quality traits. Our results indicate a potential of morphological diversity within the local genotypes that should be further investigated in order to understand their performance and to evaluate them in selection programs.

Agronomic performance and nutritive value of Urochloa species, Desho and Rhodes grass grown in sub-humid central Ethiopia

Improved forage grasses with high quality and biomass are a crucial additional feed source for cereal-livestock farming in Ethiopia. This study compared the performance of 4 Urochloa species [U. brizantha (DZF-13379), U. humidicola (DZF-9222), U. decumbens ‘Basilisk’ (DZF-10871) and U. mutica (DZF-483)] with other 2 commonly used grasses, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana ‘Massaba’) and Desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium local variety Kindu kosha), over 3 years during the main rainy season in Bishoftu in a sub-humid area of Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized block design. There was significant variation among species for agronomic parameters. The species × year interaction was significant for dry matter yield, plant height, and plot cover but not significant for leaf-to-stem ratio. Nutritional value [ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD)] was significantly different among species with no differences for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). All species showed potential as alternative ruminant feeds with U. mutica and U. brizantha the highest yielding in the sub-humid environment.

Validating the Vegetable Variety Navigator Decision-support Tool Using Recent On-farm Variety Trial Data

Local variety trial data are necessary for informing growers how a specific variety might perform on their farm but there is a growing deficiency in these data, particularly for specialty crops. To address this issue, an online decision-support tool named the Vegetable Variety Navigator (VVN) was developed in 2020 to compile, analyze, and visually communicate publicly available broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), and sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) variety trial data. To validate the accuracy and predictive potential of the VVN, we conducted 16 on-farm variety trials for broccoli, cucumber, and sweet pepper between 2020 and 2022. Yield of each variety in a trial was compared with the mean of all other varieties in the same trial to calculate a mean relative yield (MRY). The difference between observed relative yield in the field and predicted relative yield from the VVN (ΔMRY) was used to assess the accuracy of three different VVN prediction strategies. Strategies included using data from the following: 1) the single geographically nearest trial, 2) the mean of the three geographically nearest trials, or 3) the mean of all available trial data regardless of location. Compared with random predictions of MRY for each variety (from within a normal distribution of MRY values in the VVN database), the VVN predictions reduced ΔMRY and improved the accuracy of relative yield predictions across varieties by up to 21% in broccoli, 51% in cucumber (depending on strategy), and 51% in sweet pepper. Results confirm the value of the VVN as a decision-support tool for growers facing an ever-increasing number of crop variety options with less variety trial data. Future research and development are needed to improve the accuracy of the VVN by accounting for possible effects of crop types, management, and location on relative yield and quality.

Biochemical characterization of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties grown in Togo

Food and nutrition insecurity are a major problem in low-income countries. However, some crops like sesame are still underused and can be used to improve the food and nutritional security in rural areas. Grains of seven varieties of sesame comprising four (4) local and three (3) introduced varieties were studied for their nutrient content and oil composition to provide information on their nutritional value and oil quality for a holistic development and valorisation of the crop in Togo. Results revealed that water, ash, lipid, protein, total sugar, fiber, vitamin C, energy, total phenol and tannin contents ranged from 5.08 to 6.30%; 3.94 to 5.40%; 36.69 to 45.62%; 19.52 to 25.37; 11.10 to 19.16; 3.84 to 7.01%; 1.10 to 1.94%; 660 to 953.3 Kcal/ 100g; 0.0020-7 to 0.006% and 0.005 to 0.017%. The oils extracted from these different varieties had saponification and acid indices that ranged respectively from 179.95 to 190.54 and from 4.47 to 8.96. In terms of fatty acid composition, oleic acid and linoleic acid ranged from 37.92 to 42.24% and 36.1 to 39.8% respectively, while palmitic acid ranged from 6.82 to 12.41% and stearic acid from 5.51 to 7.83%. The results enabled us to identify the sesame grains of local varieties G3 and G3B as being suitable for enriching infant flours or for remedying the problems of protein and energy deficiency in Togo. Further, the oils extracted from these varieties are of good quality and can therefore be used in industry and for food purposes.

Genetic and phenotypic evidence suggest the existence of indigenous olive population of wild var. sylvestris in the Carmel coast, southern Levant

BackgroundPopulations of Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris, the ancestor of cultivated olives, are scattered across the Mediterranean Basin. However, after millennia of possible hybridization with cultivated varieties, the genetic identity of many of these populations remain questionable. In the southern Levant, the plausible primary domestication center of olives, many of the naturally growing olive (NGOs) are considered feral, having developed from nearby olive groves. Here, we investigated the genetic identity of NGOs population in the Carmel region, hypothesizing that their specific location, which limit anemophily, provided an opportunity for the persistence of genuine var. sylvestris.ResultsWe mapped more than 1,000 NGOs on the Kurkar ridge along the Carmel coast, within and outside the residential area of Atlit and used simple sequence repeats of 14 loci to assess the spatial genetic structure of 129 NGOs. Genetic diversity parameters and genetic distances between NGO and cultivated olives, as well as phenotypic and morphometric analyses of their oil content and pits, respectively, indicated the presence of a genuine var. sylvestris population. However, NGOs within the residential area of Atlit and old settlements showed an intermediate admix genetic structure, indicating on hybridization with local varieties, a consequence of their proximity to cultivated trees.ConclusionsIntegrating the results of genetic and phenotypic analyses we provide crucial evidence of the presence of a genuine var. sylvestris population in the southern Levant, in close geographical proximity to archaeological sites with the earliest evidence of olive exploitation in the ancient world. We supplement the results with recommendations for a conservation program that combines municipal requirements and the urgent need to preserve the largest population of var. sylvestris in the southern Levant.

Effect of Treatment with Humic Acid on Some Growth Characteristics and Protein Content in Different Varieties Vicia faba L. Plant

An experiment was carried out using plastic pots in the 2023-2024 season to evaluate the method of treatment with humic acid in the growth characteristics and protein percentage of different varieties of faba bean plants. The study included two factors, the method of adding humic acid (without acid, spraying acid on the plant, adding acid to the soil). The second factor included four varieties of beans (local Iraqi, Netherland, Spanish, and French). The results showed: superiority of the treatment of adding Humic acid to the soil in terms of plant height, total chlorophyll percentage, number of leaves, and protein percentage by 13.25% and 7.59 mg g-1 wet weight. 6.78% and 8.75%, respectively Compared to the control treatment, the local variety was superior in the characteristics of plant height and number of leaves by 31.72 and 7.26% compared to the French variety, which was superior in the characteristics of number of leaves and protein percentage by 12.27 and 24.0%, respectively. The interaction also outperformed adding acid to the local variety in plant height. By 53.13%, the French variety with added acid exceeded the characteristics of number of leaves and protein percentage by 26.40 and 30.50%, respectively.

Key Determinants of Local Bean Production and Marketing in Mbeya District, Tanzania

Common beans are a widely cultivated crop in East and Central Africa. This study aimed to assess the factors affecting local bean production and marketing at the household level. Using a non-experimental research design, the study surveyed 111 farmers from the Isangati division in Mbeya District. Cross-sectional data were collected through expert sampling methods, and regression analysis was employed to examine the influence of socio-economic factors on the production and marketing of local bean varieties. The results indicated that variables such as age, education, occupation, and farm size significantly influenced bean production (p<0.01), as did market accessibility and the acceptability of bean varieties (p<0.01). The study concluded that proximity to markets, socio-economic conditions, and consumer preferences play a crucial role in shaping bean production and marketing outcomes. As a result, interventions should be tailored to meet both user and consumer preferences.

Growth and yield of direct seeded rice as influenced by irrigation levels and varieties

The combined influence of agronomic, environmental and genetic variables results in better crop yield. Among these components, an appropriate irrigation system and varietal choice are crucial. With this background, a field experiment with a split-plot layout was planned during the summer period of 2020 at the Agriculture and Horticultural Research Station, Bhavikere, Karnataka, India, to examine the effects of four different irrigation levels (0.75, 1.00, 1.25 and 1.50 IW/CPE ratio) in the main plot and four different varieties (Local variety, Jyothi, MAS 946-1 and MAS-26) in the subplots on growth and yield performance under direct seeded rice condition. Results of the experiment revealed that among four different levels of irrigation, scheduling irrigation at 1.50 IW/CPE ratio recorded higher growth and yield parameters at harvest viz., plant height (82.76 cm), number of tillers per plant (13.29), leaf area index (2.66), total dry matter accumulation (73.36 g/plant), number of panicle per plant (10.35), panicle length (21.59 cm), number of filled grains per panicle (90.4), grain yield (5569 kg/ha) and straw yield (7514 kg/ha). While, among the varieties used for the study, MAS 946-1 recorded the higher growth and yield parameters at harvest (64.19 cm, 13.96, 2.45, 73.34 g/plant, 10.96, 21.25 cm, 84.3, 5743 kg/ha and 7288 kg/ha, respectively). Hence, scheduling irrigation at 1.50 IW/CPE ratio and use of MAS 946-1 variety demonstrated superior performance, making it most appropriate for maximising higher production under direct seeded rice condition. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 527-533, 2024 (September)

Analysis of wheat traits that determine female farmers’ preferences for wheat varieties: Gender insight from southern tigray, ethiopia

BackgroundWheat productivity has been constrained by changing agroecological and socio-economic conditions, coupled with a lower uptake of new farm technologies. Gender difference is one major social category that needs systematic estimation to distinguish the adoption of technology and the preference between male and female farmers. Hence, this study analyzes wheat traits that determine female farmers’ preferences for wheat varieties in southern Tigray, Ethiopia.MethodsThe primary data was collected by using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews from 169 female farmers who were selected by using a two-stage sampling procedure. This study used descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model to estimate the wheat traits that determine the wheat variety preference of female farmers.ResultThe result obtained from descriptive statistics shows the existence of heterogeneity in trait preference of female farmers among bread wheat, durum wheat, and local wheat variety types. The result indicates that risk-averting traits were the most frequently selected traits for both wheat types. Furthermore, the result of multinomial logit model indicates that wheat variety traits such as yield difference, marketability, resistance to drought, and resistance to frost and disease significantly influenced female farmers’ choice of wheat variety to grow.ConclusionThis study aims to fill the current knowledge gaps and tackle the significant issues faced by wheat-growing female farmers by examining the wheat traits that influence the wheat variety choice of these farmers. The finding scrutinized that even though the female farmers’ choices of wheat variety traits were heterogeneous, the majority of their decisions on the choice of wheat variety were primarily guided by risk-averting and yield traits. This evidence provides significant insight for developing gender-sensitive variety traits in crop breeding programs. Moreover, the findings significantly help policymakers, input suppliers, breeding programs, and extension workers to become more gender-responsive, to increase the productivity of wheat-growing female farmers.

Apple Pomace as a Potential Source of Oxidative Stress-Protecting Dihydrochalcones.

Among fruits, the apple is unique for producing large amounts of the dihydrochalcone phloridzin, which, together with phloretin, its aglycone, is valuable to the pharmaceutical and food industries for its antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties, as well as its use as a sweetener. We analysed the phloridzin concentration, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity in the peel, flesh, seeds, juice, and pomace of 13 international and local apple varieties. In the unprocessed fruit, the seeds had the highest phloridzin content, while the highest total phenolic contents were mostly found in the peel. In processed samples, phloridzin and the total phenolic compounds especially were higher mostly in juice than in pomace. Moreover, the total phenolic content was much higher than the phloridzin content. Juice showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by the peel and flesh. Across all samples, antioxidant activity did not directly correlate with phloridzin concentrations, suggesting that the antioxidant activity ascribed to phloridzin may need re-evaluation. In the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, phloridzin only showed antioxidant activity at high concentrations when compared to its aglycone, phloretin. Considering the large amounts of apple juice produced by the juice industry, residual pomace is a promising source of phloridzin. For technical use, processing this phloridzin to phloretin would be advantageous.

Differential physiological responses to salt stress in rice landraces in Thailand

Soil salinity is a limitation factor for rice cultivation in the north-eastern Thailand. Understanding the mechanisms of salt stress tolerance is critical for maintaining or improving crop yield under salt stress. Over the past ten years, many landrace rice varieties have been examined for genetic diversity. To utilize the richness of natural resources and to explore novel genetic resources for developing a new variety, evaluating local rice varieties for salinity is still needed. This study investigated the physiological and biochemical responses of 8 landrace rice varieties in comparison to ‘Pokkali’, the standard salt-tolerant rice genotype, to clarify the major salt tolerance mechanisms in the landraces found in Thailand. After being exposed to 120 mM NaCl for 7 days, ‘Pokkali’ expressed physiological parameters in response to salt stress which are indicative of salt tolerance ability including low growth reduction, low Na+/K+ ratio, low chlorophyll degradation and low membrane integrity. In contrast, the landrace varieties displayed varying patterns of response. No landrace variety showed an outstanding ion exclusion mechanism as ‘Pokkali’, as evidenced by the fact that all landrace varieties showed approximately two times higher Na+/K+ ratios than ‘Pokkali’. However, it was found that ‘Surin’ had a similar salt stress response to ‘Pokkali’ (low growth reduction, low chlorophyll degradation, low membrane integrity), except for the markedly increased proline and sugar accumulation, suggesting an osmotic adjustment mechanism. Therefore, this variety could be a potential genetic resource to be developed as a donor for the osmotic adjustment trait to improve salt-tolerant rice in the future.

Efficacy of arginine kinase as a promising RNAi target in Aphis gossypii genome as revealed through aphid bioassay on field-grown transgenic cotton plants

The cotton aphid Aphis gossypii is a major agricultural pest of cotton that causes substantial damage to the crop not only by sucking sap but also through virus transmission. Globally adopted traditional and contemporary approaches to control aphid infestation have certain limitations and are hazardous to human health. RNA interference (RNAi) technology has unfolded its potential as an effective crop protection strategy against various pests. In this study, we adopted plant-mediated RNAi strategy to enhance aphid resistance in cotton by targeting arginine kinase (AK), which is a crucial enzyme responsible for energy homeostasis in insects. We selected a 312bp dsRNA fragment containing eight siRNAs and showing optimum GC content, Hb index, and stable secondary structure based on computational prediction studies. The binary construct expressing dsRNA was used to transform local cotton variety MNH886 and four transgenic lines were obtained in the T1 generation. Out of the four T1 transgenic cotton lines, dsA-7 exhibited the highest aphid mortality (73.3%), whereas, dsA-1, dsA-3 and dsA-6 revealed 60%, 61%, and 66.6% aphid mortality, respectively, in comparison to 13.3% mortality in the mock control cotton line. Moreover, significant knockdown in mRNA expression of AK was observed in aphids fed dsA-7 which was 79%. In comparison, 54%, 47%, and 45% downregulation was recorded in aphids which fed on dsA-6, dsA-3, and dsA-1 transgenic cotton lines, respectively. These results revealed that plant-mediated downregulation of aphid RNA induced significant RNA interference in A. gossypii which resulted in considerable aphid mortality and led to plant protection against aphids.

Transgressive Variability of Quantitative Characters in Second Generation (Wheat Hybrids)

The article presents the results of a study of the degree and frequency of transgression in reciprocal hybrids of soft wheat of the second generation (F2). The studies were conducted in the 2020-2021 vegetation year on an experimental plot of the experimental base of the Research Institute of Crop Husbandry of Azerbaijan under irrigated conditions. During the research year, some yield indicators (length of the ear, number of spikelets, number of grains and weight of grains in the ear) of 9 local varieties (Mirbashir-128, Azeri, Gobustan, Fatima, Gyrmyzy gul-1, Murov-2, Askeran, Matin and Onur) of soft wheat and 32 combinations of second-generation hybrids were studied. The degree and frequency of transgression were determined. During the growing season, phenological observations were carried out in accordance with the methodology of scientific research in the field of breeding of grain-crop plants. In the second-generation hybrids (F2), transgressive variability in quantitative traits was calculated using the method of G. S. Voskresensky and V. I. Shpot. The results of the study showed that positive transgression was observed in the second-generation hybrid combinations (F2), which were characterized by high dominance and heterosis in the first generation (F1). In the combinations obtained with the participation of the Gobustan variety, high transgression and frequency were mainly noted in quantitative traits, regardless of whether it was taken as the maternal or paternal form, and negative transgression was mainly recorded when using the Fatima variety as the maternal one. In the reciprocal hybrids Onur × Azeri and Onur × Gyrmyzy gul-1, when the Onur variety was taken as the maternal form, and in the reciprocal hybrids Mirbashir-128 × Gyrmyzy gul-1, when the Mirbashir-128 variety was taken as the maternal form, a positive level of transgression was recorded for all studied traits.

Status of Groundnut Production in Africa: A Review From 2012 to 2022

Food safety, and security remains a major concern in developing nations. Groundnuts rank the second globally in oil seed production after soya beans and the 11th most important crop for human intake. Limited productivity against the potential of existing crops due to biotic, abiotic, market, and policy factors causes the poor food production trends. This work uses a systematic review approach to determine the productivity of groundnut as a major food crop in Africa for the last 10 years based on the trend of declining yields of groundnut in this duration, and the role of influencing factors. The extracted data is summarized creating a feasible proposal on how the productivity, and quality of the crop could be improved to meet the food security need. Among the top 11 producers of groundnuts in Africa, West Africa accounts for 55% with regions like Nigeria, and Senegal having the highest productivity of 3.3 t, and 1.1 t respectively over the last ten years. In East Africa, Sudan has the highest production of 2.04 t over the 10 years. Despite being the second continent in the size of area under production of groundnut, Africa has the lowest average yields per hectare (1 t/ha), compared to America (3 t/ha), and Asia (1.8 t/ha). Regions that used improved varieties had higher yield than those using local varieties, and less technologies. High disease infestation shows a direct correlation with declining yields of groundnut. Therefore, the low productivity of groundnuts could be associated with social, cultural, and economic factors that create disparities in accessing improved technologies, farming, production and marketing resources. Development of improved varieties and policies in the region that support improved agronomic inputs are feasible practices for attaining cultivars that resist the yield, and quality limiting parameters.

Occurrence and Distribution of Major Cassava Pests and Diseases in Cultivated Cassava Varieties in Western Kenya.

Cassava is an important food crop in western Kenya, yet its production is challenged by pests and diseases that require routine monitoring to guide development and deployment of control strategies. Field surveys were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to determine the prevalence, incidence and severity of cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), whitefly numbers and incidence of cassava green mite (CGM) in six counties of western Kenya. Details of the encountered cassava varieties were carefully recorded to determine the adoption of improved varieties. A total of 29 varieties were recorded, out of which 13 were improved, although the improved varieties were predominant in 60% of fields and the most widely grown variety was MM96/4271. The CMD incidence was higher in 2022 (26.4%) compared to 2023 (10.1%), although the proportion of CMD attributable to whitefly infection was greater (50.6%) in 2023 than in 2022 (18.0%). The CBSD incidence in 2022 was 6.4%, while in 2023 it was 4.1%. The CMD incidence was significantly lower (5.9%) for the improved varieties than it was for the local varieties (35.9%), although the CBSD incidence did not differ significantly between the improved (2.3%) and local varieties (9.7%). Cassava brown streak virus (CBSV) and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus (UCBSV) were both detected. Most infections were single CBSV infections (82.9%), followed by single UCBSV (34.3%) and coinfection with both viruses (16.7%). Whiteflies were more abundant in 2023, in which 28% of the fields had super-abundant populations of >100/plant, compared to 5% in 2022. KASP SNP genotyping designated 92.8% of the specimens as SSA-ECA for 2022, while it was 94.4% for 2023. The cassava green mite incidence was 65.4% in 2022 compared to 79.9% in 2023. This study demonstrates that cassava viruses, whiteflies and cassava green mites continue to be important constraints to cassava production in western Kenya, although the widespread cultivation of improved varieties is reducing the impact of cassava viruses. The more widespread application of high-quality seed delivery mechanisms could further enhance the management of these pests/diseases, coupled with wider application of IPM measures for whiteflies and mites.

NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis of Biotic Stress Responses in the Traditional Korean Landrace Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum var. annuum, cv. Subicho).

Korean landrace red peppers (Capsicum annuum var. Subicho), such as the traditional representative Subicho variety, are integral to Korean foods and are often consumed raw or used as a dried powder for cuisine. However, the known vulnerability of local varieties of landrace to biotic stresses can compromise their quality and yield. We employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy coupled with a multivariate analysis to uncover and compare the metabolomic profiles of healthy and biotic-stressed Subicho peppers. We identified 42 metabolites, with significant differences between the groups. The biotic-stressed Subicho red peppers exhibited lower sucrose levels but heightened concentrations of amino acids, particularly branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and isoleucine), suggesting a robust stress resistance mechanism. The biotic-stressed red peppers had increased levels of TCA cycle intermediates (acetic, citric, and succinic acids), nitrogen metabolism-related compounds (alanine, asparagine, and aspartic acid), aromatic amino acids (tyrosine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan), and γ-aminobutyric acid. These findings reveal the unique metabolic adaptations of the Subicho variety, underscoring its potential resilience to biotic stresses. This novel insight into the stress response of the traditional Subicho pepper can inform strategies for developing targeted breeding programs and enhancing the quality and economic returns in the pepper and food industries.

Ideotype map research based on a crop model in the context of a climatic gradient

Due to increasing climate uncertainties, optimizing plant traits is essential for sustainable agriculture. This article presents an approach that combines advanced modelling techniques to identify optimal plant traits under various agro-environmental conditions. By integrating a crop model, a climate generator, and our PEQI algorithm (Profile Expected Quantile Improvement), our method aims to create ideotype maps tailored to specific regions.We use the SAMARA model (Simulator of crop trait Assembly, MAnagement Response, and Adaptation), calibrated with trials carried in Sahel on a set of local varieties, to simulate crop growth in diverse environments. The PEQI algorithm adjusts varietal parameters to maximize expected yield, defining precise selection objectives known as ideotypes, which are particularly important in regions with irregular rainfall patterns like the Sahel.With the PEQI algorithm based on a kriging metamodel, we ensure effective adaptation to spatially variable environments. By leveraging a climate generator to simulate meteorological variability, our integrated approach optimizes crop yields in regions such as Senegal, southern Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau. The outcome is an ideotype map for sorghum, providing breeders with a robust decision-support tool to enhance crop performance amidst climate uncertainty.

Authentication of premium Asian rice varieties: Stable isotope ratios and multi-elemental content for the identification of geographic fingerprints

Over 90 percent of the world's rice is produced and consumed in the Asia-Pacific region. Varieties such as Thai Jasmine rice and Paw San (or “Myanmar pearl rice”) are globally recognised as premium, while more local high-grade varieties include the Indonesian Ciherang and Inpari. Being able to trace the origin of these products has become necessary, since they are marketed at relatively higher prices compared to other cultivars, and they often become the target of fraudulent activities. In this work, we aimed to identify variables that could distinguish the premium-producing regions within each country, by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Low-Level Data Fusion (LLDF) followed the analysis of more than 300 authentic samples, and (O)PLS-DA models yielded very high accuracy values. The most important geo-differentiating variables (VIP>1.4) were identified as: δ13C, δ18O, δ2H, δ34S, Co, Rb, Cu, Ba and Zn.

Effects of different phosphorus and potassium supply on the root architecture, phosphorus and potassium uptake, and utilization efficiency of hydroponic rice

Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) affect seedling growth, root configuration, and nutrient uptake in hydroponic rice, but there are few studies on all growth stages of rice. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the response characteristics of root morphology, plant physiology, and P and K uptake and utilization efficiency to different supplies of P and K. Two local conventional rice varieties (Shennong 265 and Liaojing 294) were used as experimental materials across four treatments, including HPHK (sufficient P and K supply), HPLK (sufficient P supply under low K levels), LPHK (sufficient K supply under low P levels) and LPLK (low P and K levels) in a hydroponic setting. The results showed that HPHK and HPLK significantly decreased the acid phosphatase activity of leaves and roots from full heading to filling stages when compared to LPHK and LPLK. Sufficient supply of P or K significantly increased the accumulation of P and K (aboveground, leaves, stem sheath, and whole plant) and root morphological parameters (root length, root surface area, total root volume, and tips) during major growth stages when compared to LP or LK levels. HPHK was significantly higher than other treatments in terms of dry weight and the root activity at the main growth stage, P and K uptake rates in nutrient solutions at various stages, related P and K efficiency at the maturity stage, yield, effective panicle number, and grain number per panicle. In addition, the effect of HPHK on the above indexes were significantly greater than those of single sufficient supply of P or K. In conclusion, HPHK can improve plant configuration, increase plant P and K absorption and root activity, and increase rice yield and related P and K utilization efficiency.

First Report of Burkholderia glumae Causing Bacterial Panicle Blight in Rice in Bangladesh.

Bacterial panicle blight (BPB) is one of the emerging diseases occurring in different Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) of Bangladesh and can cause up to 75% yield loss. In Bangladesh, the typical symptoms of BPB include sheath rot, panicle blight, grain spotting, and grain rot in both inbred and hybrid rice varieties, which resemble those reported by Zhou (2019). To confirm, 300 field samples of 20 panicles each with typical BPB symptoms from 20 districts (3 locations each district and 5 fields per location) were collected during mid-November 2022 for the causal pathogen(s) isolation. Nearly 70% of the panicles showed a dark brown chaffy appearance in the fields. For identification of the causal pathogen(s), 1 g of rice grains with typical BPB symptoms was surface sterilized by immersing for 15 seconds in 70% ethanol, 1 min in 3% sodium hypochlorite solution followed by rinsing the grains three times, and soaked in 1 mL sterile distilled water for 10 min (Mirghasempour et al. 2018). During grinding using mortar and pestle, 5 mL water was added (Islam et al. 2023) after which the suspension (20 μL) was then streaked onto the selective medium (S-PG) (Tsushima et al. 1986). Purple color colonies on the S-PG medium were selected and purified as candidate pathogens. For further confirmation, the genomic DNA of the bacterial isolates was extracted and amplified by PCR using 16SF (5'-AGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCAG-3') and 16SR (5'-GGCTACCTTGTTACGACTT-3') (Nandakumar et al. 2009), and glu-FW (5'-GAAGTGTCGCCGATGGAG-3') and glu-RV (5'-CCTTCACCGACAGCACGCAT-3') primers (Maeda et al. 2006). The PCR products were visualized on 1% agarose gel resulting amplicons of 1494bp for 16S-rDNA and 529bp for gyrB. The PCR results revealed 529bp amplification for gyrB gene in one sample that was collected from a field in Natore (24°21'0.00" N 89°04'59.88" E) district cultivating Swarna (a local rice variety), primarily indicating the causal pathogen is Burkholderia glumae. The PCR products were sequenced using both primers and sequence data was analyzed by the BLAST nucleotide program. The obtained partial sequences of 16S rDNA and gyrB were deposited in Genbank (OR573691 and PP332812 respectively). The homology of 16S rDNA resulted over 98% with B. glumae (OK559611 and ON870618.1) and 100% with B. glumae (PP332812 and KX213523) for gyrB gene. To confirm B. glumae by pathogenicity test, 10 mL (108 UFC/ml) suspension of the representative strains, 0.5 mL was then injected into the panicles and sheaths of Horidhan (a susceptible local variety) in greenhouse condition and a control was inoculated with distilled water (Nandakumar et al. 2009). Typical BPB like symptoms were observed after 3 weeks post inoculation. The pathogen was again confirmed by reisolating from the infected spots as B. glumae to fulfill Koch's postulates. This report confirms the presence of B. glumae causing BPB of rice in Bangladesh. Future research for the investigation of BPB and the evolutionary origins of its causal bacteria is necessary to reduce the emergence of the disease and its management in Bangladesh.