Kernel Oil Content Research Articles

Linkage and association analyses reveal that hub genes in energy-flow and lipid biosynthesis pathways form a cluster in upland cotton

Upland cotton is an important allotetraploid crop that provides both natural fiber for the textile industry and edible vegetable oil for the food or feed industry. To better understand the genetic mechanism that regulates the biosynthesis of storage oil in cottonseed, we identified the genes harbored in the major quantitative trait loci/nucleotides (QTLs/QTNs) of kernel oil content (KOC) in cottonseed via both multiple linkage analyses and genome-wide association studies (GWAS). In ‘CCRI70′ RILs, six stable QTLs were simultaneously identified by linkage analysis of CHIP and SLAF-seq strategies. In ‘0-153′ RILs, eight stable QTLs were detected by consensus linkage analysis integrating multiple strategies. In the natural panel, thirteen and eight loci were associated across multiple environments with two algorithms of GWAS. Within the confidence interval of a major common QTL on chromosome 3, six genes were identified as participating in the interaction network highly correlated with cottonseed KOC. Further observations of gene differential expression showed that four of the genes, LtnD, PGK, LPLAT1, and PAH2, formed hub genes and two of them, FER and RAV1, formed the key genes in the interaction network. Sequence variations in the coding regions of LtnD, FER, PGK, LPLAT1, and PAH2 genes may support their regulatory effects on oil accumulation in mature cottonseed. Taken together, clustering of the hub genes in the lipid biosynthesis interaction network provides new insights to understanding the mechanism of fatty acid biosynthesis and TAG assembly and to further genetic improvement projects for the KOC in cottonseeds.

Development of high-oil maize haploid inducer with a novel phenotyping strategy

Doubled haploid (DH) technology is important in modern maize breeding. Haploid inducers determine the efficiency of both haploid induction and identification. It has taken decades to improve the efficiency, haploid induction rate (HIR), from the ∼2% of the ancestor haploid inducer, stock6, to the ∼10% of modern haploid inducers. Improvement of kernel oil content (KOC) would further enhance haploid identification efficiency. Using molecular marker-assisted selection, in combine with the number of haploids per ear as phenotypic criterion, we developed a new high-oil haploid inducer line, CHOI4, with a mean HIR of 15.8% and mean KOC of 11%. High KOC of CHOI4 can achieve a mean accuracy greater than 90% in identification of haploids of different backgrounds, with reduced false discovery rates and false negative rates in comparison with the previous high-oil haploid inducer line, CHOI3. Comparison of phenotypic selection strategies suggested that the number of haploids per ear can be used as a phenotyping criterion during haploid inducer line development. CHOI4 could further increase the efficiency of large-scale DH breeding programs with lower cost.

Pollen limitation and xenia effects in a cultivated mass-flowering tree, Macadamia integrifolia (Proteaceae).

Pollen limitation is most prevalent among bee-pollinated plants, self-incompatible plants and tropical plants. However, we have very little understanding of the extent to which pollen limitation affects fruit set in mass-flowering trees despite tree crops accounting for at least 600 million tons of the 9200 million tons of annual global food production. We determined the extent of pollen limitation in a bee-pollinated, partially self-incompatible, subtropical tree by hand cross-pollinating the majority of flowers on mass-flowering macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) trees that produce about 200 000-400 000 flowers. We measured tree yield and kernel quality and estimated final fruit set. We genotyped individual kernels by MassARRAY to determine levels of outcrossing in orchards and assess paternity effects on nut quality. Macadamia trees were pollen-limited. Supplementary cross-pollination increased nut-in-shell yield, kernel yield and fruit set by as much as 97, 109 and 92 %, respectively. The extent of pollen limitation depended upon the proximity of experimental trees to trees of another cultivar because macadamia trees were highly outcrossing. Between 84 and 100 % of fruit arose from cross-pollination, even at 200 m (25 rows) from orchard blocks of another cultivar. Large variations in nut-in-shell mass, kernel mass, kernel recovery and kernel oil concentration were related to differences in fruit paternity, including between self-pollinated and cross-pollinated fruit, thus demonstrating pollen-parent effects on fruit quality (i.e. xenia). This study is the first to demonstrate pollen limitation in a mass-flowering tree. Improved pollination led to increased kernel yield of 0.31-0.59 tons ha-1, which equates currently to higher farm-gate income of approximately $US3720-$US7080 ha-1. The heavy reliance of macadamia flowers on cross-pollination and the strong xenia effects on kernel mass demonstrate the high value that pollination services can provide to food production.

Effect of different N doses on maize yield and quality

The effect of N doses on the yield and nutritional values of the Sushi (FAO 340) maize hybrid were analysed in three years (2018, 2019, and 2020). The analyses were performed at the Látókép Experimental Station of the University of Debrecen on calcareous chernozem soil, in a striped, small-plot, non-irrigated long-term field experiment. In the experiment, in addition to the non-fertilized treatment (A0), the N-fertilizer doses were applied as basic fertilizer and top dressing. The 60 and 120 kg N ha-1 dose (A60, A120) applied as spring basic fertilizer were followed by two phases of top-dressing in V6 (V690, V6120) and V12 (V12150, V12180) phenophases; the amounts were +30 and +30 kg N ha-1. Maize yields were affected to varying degrees by crop year. The highest yields in 2018 and 2020 were recorded in the same V6150 treatment, while in 2019 the highest yield was obtained in the A120 treatment. Increasing the N doses resulted in an increase in the protein content of the maize kernel. Depending on the fertilizer treatments and the crop year effect, the protein content of maize kernels varied between 6.2–10.2 g x 100 g-1. In all three years, the protein content was the lowest in the control treatment (A0) and the highest in the V6150 treatment. The starch content ranged from 70.7 to 77.9 g x 100 g-1 in the average of the three years. In 2020, it was significantly higher in all nutrient treatments than in the other examined two years. The highest starch content - except for 2020 (A120, 77.9 g x 100 g-1) - was recorded in the A0 treatment (74.2, 72.3 g x 100 g-1). The oil content of maize kernels varied between the values of 3.8 and 5.2 g x 100 g-1 in the average of three years. In terms of oil content, the results for 2018 and 2019 can be considered the same, while in 2020 it was significantly lower. Fertilizer treatments did not significantly affect the oil content of maize in any of the years. The fertilizer dose applied in the V12 phenological phase was not effective in terms of yield and nutritional content (protein, starch and oil content).

Analysis of the nutritional components in the kernels of yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) accessions

The oilseed tree species yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is a promising oil crop; however, the nutritional properties of the kernels have not been adequately explored. This study investigated the nutritional components of the kernels of seven yellowhorn accessions using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed significant variations in the content of nutritional components detected in the analyzed samples. On average, the kernel oil content was 54.8 g/100 g, and 19 fatty acids were detected. The content of nervonic acid, a relatively rare fatty acid that is indispensable for nervous system development, was 3.80 %. The total concentrations of the eight phytosterols and four tocopherol homologues detected herein were 182.4 and 24.3 mg/100 g, respectively. β-Sitosterol and Δ7-stigmastenol were the most dominant phytosterols, whereas γ-tocopherol was the prevalent homologue of tocopherol. The contents of vitamin A and vitamin C in yellowhorn oil were reported for the first time in this study and were 0.133 and 0.277 mg/100 g, respectively. The total protein content, including that of the 18 detected amino acids, was 26.2 g/100 g. Principal component analysis grouped the accessions into those with high nervonic acid and phytosterol contents, high vitamin C content, high oil and oleic acid content, and moderate levels of the tested compounds.

Optimization of deficit irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer management for peanut production in an arid region

Deficit irrigation (DI) has been emerging as an important technique for enhancing crop water productivity (WP). However, advantage of DI under varying nitrogen (N) application rates remains unclear. Field experiments were conducted during 2012–2014 to investigate the impacts of six irrigation levels[FI (full irrigation), DI10, DI20, DI30, DI40 and DI50, with irrigation amount of 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 and 50% of ETc, respectively) and four N application rates (N0, N10, N20 and N30, with 0, 10, 20 and 30 kg N ha−1, respectively) on WP, yield, quality, and net economic return of peanut in hot arid region of India. We used Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to obtain the optimal combination of irrigation and N rates. Both irrigation level and nitrogen dose had significant effects on yield and quality parameters examined in the study. Relative to FI, DI40 and DI50 significantly reduced yield (40.2–62.1%), economic benefit (70.8–118.5%), WP (8.2–33.0%), and kernel oil content (7.5–11.9%), but DI20 increased WP by 17.1% with only marginal reduction in economic benefit (2.6%), and yield (3.2%). Compared to N0, the N30 had 1.7, 1.1, and 1.6-folds increased yield, oil content in the kernel, and WP, respectively. Among all treatments, DI0N30 had the greatest yield and net return; DI20N30 had greatest WP and oil content in the kernel. TOPSIS analysis showed that DI20N30 was optimal in balancing of WP, yield, net return, and quality of peanut in northwestern arid India. The results have direct implications for improving irrigation water and N management for irrigated crops in arid regions.

Accumulation Pattern of Amygdalin and Prunasin and Its Correlation with Fruit and Kernel Agronomic Characteristics during Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Kernel Development.

To reveal the accumulation pattern of cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin and prunasin) in bitter apricot kernels to further understand the metabolic mechanisms underlying differential accumulation during kernel development and ripening and explore the association between cyanogenic glycoside accumulation and the physical, chemical and biochemical indexes of fruits and kernels during fruit and kernel development, dynamic changes in physical characteristics (weight, moisture content, linear dimensions, derived parameters) and chemical and biochemical parameters (oil, amygdalin and prunasin contents, β-glucosidase activity) of fruits and kernels from ten apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars were systematically studied at 10 day intervals, from 20 days after flowering (DAF) until maturity. High variability in most of physical, chemical and biochemical parameters was found among the evaluated apricot cultivars and at different ripening stages. Kernel oil accumulation showed similar sigmoid patterns. Amygdalin and prunasin levels were undetectable in the sweet kernel cultivars throughout kernel development. During the early stages of apricot fruit development (before 50 DAF), the prunasin level in bitter kernels first increased, then decreased markedly; while the amygdalin level was present in quite small amounts and significantly lower than the prunasin level. From 50 to 70 DAF, prunasin further declined to zero; while amygdalin increased linearly and was significantly higher than the prunasin level, then decreased or increased slowly until full maturity. The cyanogenic glycoside accumulation pattern indicated a shift from a prunasin-dominated to an amygdalin-dominated state during bitter apricot kernel development and ripening. β-glucosidase catabolic enzyme activity was high during kernel development and ripening in all tested apricot cultivars, indicating that β-glucosidase was not important for amygdalin accumulation. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of kernel amygdalin content with fruit dimension parameters, kernel oil content and β-glucosidase activity, but no or a weak positive correlation with kernel dimension parameters. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the variance accumulation contribution rate of the first three principal components totaled 84.56%, and not only revealed differences in amygdalin and prunasin contents and β-glucosidase activity among cultivars, but also distinguished different developmental stages. The results can help us understand the metabolic mechanisms underlying differential cyanogenic glycoside accumulation in apricot kernels and provide a useful reference for breeding high- or low-amygdalin-content apricot cultivars and the agronomic management, intensive processing and exploitation of bitter apricot kernels.

Impact of phosphorus and sulphur nutrients as sole and in combination from organic sources and integration of organic and inorganic source on groundnut quality

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of phosphorus and sulphur nutrients as sole and in combination from organic and integration of organic and inorganic sources on groundnut quality. Two studies were conducted to select best phosphorus and sulphur sources by using farmyard manure, poultry manure (PM), vermicompost and sewage sludge. There were six treatments in study one and two, including inorganic source of single super phosphate (SSP) and no phosphorus (control) in trial one and no sulphur (control) in trial two. They were replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Among them the selected best source poultry manure was combined with chemical fertilizer (CF) single super phosphate to supply phosphorus and sulphur by having six treatments (Control, 100%PM, 75%PM + 25%CF, 50%PM + 50%CF, 25%PM + 75% CF, 100% CF) and were replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The oil and protein content of kernels were increased as a result of phosphorus and sulphur. Poultry manure as a sole source of phosphorus and sulphur exhibited the highest oil and protein content. 25% poultry manure with 75% chemical fertilizer as a combination exhibited the highest oil content (45.20%) and 75% poultry manure with 25% chemical fertilizer as a combination resulted in the highest protein content (12.50%) of kernels.

Improving the sorting efficiency of maize haploid kernels using an NMR-based method with oil content double thresholds

BackgroundMaize haploid breeding technology can be used to rapidly develop homozygous lines, significantly shorten the breeding cycle and improve breeding efficiency. Rapid and accurate sorting haploid kernels is a prerequisite for the large-scale application of this technology. At present, the automatic haploid sorting based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using a single threshold method has been realized. However, embryo-aborted (EmA) kernels are usually produced during in vivo haploid induction, and both haploids and EmA kernels have lower oil content and are separated together using a single threshold method based on NMR. This leads to a higher haploid false discrimination rate (FDR) and requires secondary manual sorting to select the haploid kernels from the mixtures, which increases the sorting cost and decreases the haploid sorting efficiency. In order to improve the correct discrimination rate (CDR) in sorting haploids, a method to distinguish EmA kernels is required.ResultsSingle kernel weight and oil content were measured for the diploid, haploid, and EmA kernels derived from three maize hybrids and nine inbred lines by in vivo induction. The results showed that the distribution of oil content showed defined boundaries between the three types of kernels, while the single kernel weight didn't. According to the distribution of oil content in the three types of kernels, a double-threshold method was proposed to distinguish the embryo-aborted kernels, haploid and diploid kernels based on NMR and their oil content. The double thresholds were set based on the minimum oil content of diploid kernels and the maximum content of EmA kernels as the upper and lower boundary values, respectively. The CDR of EmA kernels in different maize materials was > 97.8%, and the average FDR was reduced by 27.9 percent.ConclusionsThe oil content is an appropriate indicator to discriminate diploid, haploid and EmA kernels. An oil content double-threshold method based on NMR was first developed in this study to identify the three types of kernels. This methodology could reduce the FDR of haploids and improve the sorting efficiency of automated sorting system. Thus, this technique represents a potentially efficient method for haploid sorting and provides a reference for the process of automated sorting of haploid kernels with high efficiency using NMR.

Effects of Harvest Time on the Yield, Quality and Active Substance of Torreya grandis Nut and Its Oil.

Torreya grandis is an important economic tree species in China. It provides nutritional value and is important to the health care industry. There are ongoing issues with product quality which are primarily related to improper management and early harvest. This study was carried out during the fruit ripening processes to evaluate the influence of harvesting date on T. grandis quality, and to determine the optimal harvest period. The effects of harvest time on the variation of quality and nutritional parameters of T. grandis nuts and its oil were evaluated, and the optimal harvest period was determined. The results showed that harvest timing had a strong effect on both oil yield and quality. Prolonged ripening could induce higher levels of kernel rate, fruit inclusions, oil and nutritional quality. When the sample harvested in the mid-September, the kernel rate and oil content were increased by 1.88±0.31% and 6.65±0.47%, respectively, compared to samples harvested in the beginning of late-August. Similarly, the mid-September harvest resulted in total unsaturated fatty acids content of the oil being increased by 5.3±0.34%, the FFA and peroxide value being decreased by 40.7±0.15% and 76±0.08%, respectively, and total tocopherols and free amino acids were increased 7.5±0.24% and 47.3±0.15%, respectively, compared to the samples harvested on Aug. 25. The results indicated that the optimal harvest time of T. grandis fruits was mid-September as it was beneficial for improving the quality of T. grandis nut and its oil. It was suggested that T. grandis fruit should be harvested later.

Physicochemical characterization of Jatropha oil seed and suitability as biodiesel feedstock

The physiocochemical properties of Jatropha curcas kernel oils were characterized as potential biodiesel, including oil yield per plant, seed oil content, kernel oil content, acid value, iodine value, saponification value and cetane number. Twenty-five accessions of Jatropha curcas were used for oil content measurement sranging from 21.14 to 40.66 %with a mean value of 32.85% and Kernels oil 48.59 to 60.45 % with a mean value of 56.28 %. The seed index ranged significantly from a seed weight of 45.45 to 64.45 g. Oil yields per plant ranged from 0.44 to 2.85 kg with a mean value of 1.70 kg per plant, respectively. To understand the properties of acid value, iodine value, saponification and cetane number, experimental physio-chemical studies were performed. Since these properties are critical for determining the current oil condition. The current study confirms that accession seeds performed higher than international saponification value, iodine value and cetane number standards may be an important source for meeting potential energy requirements.

RESEARCH REGARDING CORRELATIONS BETWEEN PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF SOME MAIZE HYBRIDS CREATED AT ARDS LOVIN (TIMIȘ COUNTY)

In the process of maize breeding, over time, researchers have shown that improving grain quality leads to a decrease of productivity, between quality and productivity being a negative linear correlation, which is also highlighted by the results of this study. The purpose of this research is to create and identify maize hybrids with a high percentage of protein and oil content in kernels. In order to accomplish the objective we needed to use specific breeding methods to transfer the genes involved, methods like: recurrent and recurrent-reciprocal selection, crosses and back-crosses. The obtained hybrids were observed in a comparative culture consisting of 20 simple maize hybrids, with different vegetation periods, perspective hybrids created at ARDS Lovrin. In addition to the determinations made during this study, regarding the production, oil and protein content of maize hybrids, we were interested to see how these characters are correlated. The methods used for the statistical interpretation were: analysis of variance, Student test and different correlations between quality indices, as well as between quality indices and the production components. The limit value of the correlation coefficient for the probability of transgression α was calculated according to table XI - Ceapoiu. The percentage of protein in maize kernels usually has values between 9% and 11%. In the maize breeding process, one of the purposes is to exceed the maximum threshold, but also to improve the quality of protein, because it is deficient in essential aminoacids (lysine and tryptophan).The percentage of protein in maize grain is polygenically determined. To increase the percentage of protein in kernels, it is recommended that in the breedin gprocess, the female form (inbred lines with female inflorescence) to be the one with a high protein content, because 2/3 of the endosperm comes from the maternal parent. The quality of maize kernels can be tested through animal experiments, their response being one of the best selection criteria, as it was found that there are differences in preferences of some hybrids, even if from a biochemical point of view they are similar. A special use of corn kernels is found in the food industry. In addition to their use in obtaining corn meal, they are also used for oil extraction. It is known that there is a negative correlation between corn grain production and kernel quality, because while improving the quality of maize kernels, production decreases.

Development of peanut varieties with high oil content by in vitro mutagenesis and screening

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important oil crop globally and high oil content is one of the major targets in peanut breeding programs. Previous studies indicated that the osmotic pressure (OP) of the leaves of peanut plants subjected to drought stress was negatively correlated with kernel oil content. Based on this knowledge, we established a practical and reliable method for creating new peanut varieties with high oil content using in vitro mutagenesis and directional OP-based selection. Using embryonic leaflets of peanut variety Huayu 20 as explants, pingyangmycin (PYM) as the mutagen, and hydroxyproline (HYP) as the OP regulator, we developed 15 HYP-tolerant regenerated plants. For each regenerated plant, we selected offspring with oil content>55% (relative to 49.5% for Huayu 20). We developed and released three new peanut varieties with high yield and high oil content from the offspring of the HYP-tolerant regenerated plants. The three new varieties were named as Yuhua 4, Yuhua 9 and Yuhua 14 and their oil contents were 57.7, 61.1 and 59.3%, respectively. The results indicate that in vitro mutagenesis with PYM followed by directed screening with HYP is a useful approach for breeding peanut varieties with high oil contents.

Improving productivity, quality and biofortification in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) through sulfur and zinc nutrition in alluvial soils of the semi-arid region of India

Sulfur (S) fertilization is essentially required for improving the crop productivity and oil content especially in legume oilseeds like groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) in south-Asian soils most of which are S-deficient. Apart from S, zinc (Zn) is also deficient in south-Asian soils. Thus, Zn-fertilization may prove as a cost-effective and sustainable approach to produce Zn-biofortified groundnut kernels to combat Zn-malnutrition besides enhanced oil, protein and kernel productivity. Hence, a field experiment was conducted on S- and Zn-fertilization in groundnut using 3 S-levels (0, 20, 40 kg/ha), 4-Zn levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 kg/ha) and 2 Zn-biofertilizer levels (control and Zn-biofertilizer) in a split-plot design replicated thrice in a south-Asian semi-arid environment. Application of 40 kg S/ha significantly improved the pod and kernel yield, oil content and oil yield, protein content and protein yield in groundnut. Zn-application substantially improved the pod and kernel yield, oil yield and protein yield upto 5 kg Zn/ha; while further increase to 7.5 kg/ha considerably declined the pod and kernel yield, oil and protein yield. Application of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kg Zn/ha led to 7.8, 17 and 26.4% increase in Zn-content in groundnut kernels over control; however, 5.0 kg Zn/ha proved superior for harnessing higher Zn uptake at different growth stages and in different plant parts at harvest. Zn-biofertilizer enhanced the pod yield by ∼5%. Interaction effects stressed upon supplementing 2.5 kg Zn/ha with Zn-biofertilizer in harnessing groundnut productivity equivalent to sole use of 5 kg Zn/ha. Application of 40 kg S/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha enhanced pod productivity by 31.6 and 21.2%, respectively over control. Overall, dual application of 40 kg S/ha and 5 kg Zn/ha may prove highly beneficial to enhance the pod and kernel productivity, quality with Zn-biofortified groundnut kernels besides improving human and animal health in S and Zn-deficient south-Asian alluvial soils.

Effect of inorganic and bio-fertilizers on quality of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment entitled, “Effect of inorganic and bio-fertilizers quality of summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)” was conducted at PG Research Farm, Agronomy Section, R.C.S.M. College of Agriculture, Kolhapur during summer, 2019. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications and nine treatment combinations of three inorganic fertilizer levels F1-75% RDF (18.75:37.5:0 kg ha-1), F2-100% RDF (25:50:0 kg ha-1), F3-125% RDF (31.25:62.5:0 kg ha-1) and three bio-fertilizers levels B1-Control, B2-Rhizobium spp. + PSB (Lignite based), B3- Rhizobium spp.+ PSB (Liquid based). The crop was fertilized as per treatments by using urea and single super phosphate was given by placement method. The application of 100% of RDF ha-1 was comparable with 125% RDF ha-1 significantly over 75% RDF ha-1 in respect of recording higher value of quality attributes viz., oil content in kernel, oil yield, protein content in kernel and protein yield. The dual seed inoculation of Rhizobium spp. + PSB (Lignite based) as well as Rhizobium spp. + PSB (Liquid based)in respect of recording higher value of quality attributes viz., oil yield, oil content in kernel, protein content in kernel and protein yield. The quality attributes of groundnut were not influenced by the interaction effect of both the factors. This indicates that the both factors under study viz., inorganic and biofertilizer levels behaved independently in respect of quality of summer groundnut variety.

Slag-Based Gypsum as a Source of Sulphur, Calcium and Silicon and Its Effect on Soil Fertility and Yield and Quality of Groundnut in Southern India

Slag-based gypsum (SBG) is a unique synthetic gypsum which is alkaline in nature, besides calcium (Ca) and sulphur (S); it contains appreciable amounts of iron (Fe), silicon (Si), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of SBG as a source of S, Ca and Si for groundnut in comparison with natural gypsum (NG). The effect of different levels and time of application of SBG on soil fertility and yield and quality of groundnut were also studied. Field experiments were conducted with five treatments which includes two levels of SBG (500 and 625 kg ha−1) applied as basal and basal + split and one level of NG (500 kg ha−1) applied as basal. Basal and basal + split applications of SBG significantly increased the pod and haulm yield of groundnut, pH, electrical conductivity and plant-available nutrients in post-harvest soil. However, N:S ratio, kernel and protein yield and oil content did not vary with SBG application. Applied S, Ca and Si as SBG and their uptake were positively correlated with plant-available S, Ca and Si and pod, oil and protein yield of groundnut, respectively. Basal and basal + split applications of SBG resulted in a similar effect on soil fertility and yield and quality of groundnut. Findings from this study show that SBG can be a potential alternative for NG as a source of S, Ca and Si for groundnut production. Among the treatments, basal and basal + split applications of 625 kg SBG ha−1 substantially improved the fertility of soils and yield and quality of groundnut.

Evaluation of Postharvest Processing of Hazelnut Kernel Oil Extraction Using Uniaxial Pressure and Organic Solvent

Uniaxial loading and organic solvent are small-scale oil expression methods used to evaluate the mechanical behavior, oil content, and oil efficiency of oil-bearing materials aimed at designing a low-cost mechanical pressing system. Bulk kernels of pressing height 40 mm were heated from 40 to 60 °C and compressed at maximum force of 60 kN and speeds from 4 to 8 mm/min. Relaxation times between 3 and 12 min were applied to assess the kernel oil efficiency. The kernel oil point was identified at deformation levels between 15 and 25 mm at a speed of 4 mm/min using a litmus test. The kernel oil was analyzed for peroxide value and free fatty acid. Kernel oil content was determined by Soxhlet extraction. Increased speed caused a serration effect on the force–deformation curve leading to lower oil yield. Lower and upper oil point forces at 6.21 ± 0.58 and 10.61 ± 0.71 kN were observed to be useful for predicting the pressure for maximum output oil. The peroxide value and free fatty acid content of kernel oil decreased with increasing temperature, indicating its quality usage. The relaxation time of 12 min after compression increased kernel oil efficiency of 15.6%. In designing new presses, there is a need to consider compression and relaxation processes to reduce the residual kernel cake oil.

Screening Turkish maize landraces for kernel oil content and oil quality traits

AbstractIn this study, maize landraces, previously collected from different regions of Turkey through a national maize breeding project, were screened for kernel oil content and oil quality. After a seed reproduction in 2017, the screening trial was conducted in 2018, using an Augmented Experimental Design with 192 local maize populations along with seven check hybrids. Data were collected on oil, oleic acid, linoleic acid, monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids, total carotenoid and total tocopherol contents. The results showed that there was a considerable amount of genetic variation among the Turkish maize landraces for almost all the traits investigated in this study. Some of the evaluated landraces are available that could be considered as high oil variety or special genotypes in terms of certain oil quality traits. Landraces had significantly higher values than checks for oil content, oleic acid, MUFA and tocopherol contents. Genetic analyses suggest that the kernel quality traits could be successfully manipulated using the investigated plant material. Heritability values were found high for all the traits of interest, except for saturated fatty acid and total carotenoid content. The promising landraces detected in this study could be exploited in future breeding programmes upon further evaluations at the population level.

The impact of applying foliar fertilizers on the health condition of maize


 The nutrient supply of plants is becoming more important in plant protection since the appropriate condition of plants can be ensured by optimal and satisfactory nutrient supply to avoid nutritional deficiency diseases. Due to the extreme weather conditions, plants are forced to face several stress factors, which leads to deterioration of the plant health. The increasing occurrence of droughts poses threat to nutrient uptake through the roots since all the nutrients can be accessible to the plants only if they are in dissolved form in the soil – which is not possible in the absence of water. Therefore, the importance of foliar fertilizer is becoming a more and more significant part of the nutrient supply, because with the help of this technology the development of any nutrient deficiency can be prevented. 
 In this experiment, we focused on the efficiency of two different foliar fertilizers on maize. Foliar fertilizers were applied two times, once in the stage with 8 leaves and tasseling phenophase of the maize. To verify the efficiency of the foliar fertilizers, the chlorophyll content of untreated and treated plant’s leaves was measured after each application. Moreover, the length and diameter of maize cobs, thousand kernel weight, protein, oil and starch content were also measured, and the results were compared to the untreated (control) ones. According to the results, in all aspects significant differences were observed and due to the laboratory analysis of leaves, in the case of magnesium and zinc supply the foliar fertilizers were able to prevent the development of nutrient deficiency.

Evaluation of Yield and Some Quality Characteristics of Soybean (Glycine Max. L.) Lines and Cultivars Grown in Konya Conditions

Bu çalışma ile Bahri Dağdaş Uluslararası Tarımsal Araştırma Enstitüsü’ nde yürütülen soya ıslah programı kapsamında kullanılan soya fasulyesi genotiplerinin verim ve bazı kalite özellikleri yönünden incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada 2015-2016 yılları arasında Konya koşullarında yetiştirilen 9 hat (ÇU 03 75 1, ÇU 05-62, KA 04-06-01, KKMA 118, KSA 26, KSA19-1, KSUS 157, S01 08 15 ve Sa 88) ile 5 tescilli çeşit (Umut 2002, Arısoy, Ataem 7, Çetinbey, Nova) soya fasulyesi kullanılmıştır. 2015 yılına ait bin tane ağırlığı, rutubet oranı, protein ve yağ miktarı ortalamaları sırasıyla 161.04 g, %10.14, %40.30 (km) ve % 19.10 (km) olarak bulunmuştur. 2016 yılına ait bin tane ağırlığı, rutubet oranı, protein ve yağ oranları ortalamaları ise sırasıyla 157.98 g, %8,70, %38.77 (km) ve % 19.67 (km) olarak tespit edilmiştir. 1. yıl elde edilen verim (354.02 kg da-1) 2. yıldan (256.55 kg da-1) yüksek olmuştur. Her iki yıldan elde edilen sonuçların ortalaması değerlendirildiğinde 2, 3, 5 ve 7 no’ lu hatlara ait bin tane ağırlığı standart ortalamaların üzerinde bulunmuştur. 2, 3 ve 7 no’ lu hatlarda protein oranı yönünden; 1, 4, 6 ve 9 no’ lu hatlarda ise yağ oranı yönünden standart ortalamalarının üzerinde değerler belirlenmiştir. Verim, bin tane ağırlığı, rutubet oranı, protein ve yağ oranları açısından incelendiğinde çeşitler arasındaki fark istatistiki olarak P <0.01 seviyesinde önemli bulunmuştur. Varyans analizi sonuçlarına göre soya hat ve çeşitlerinin bin tane ağırlığı ve rutubet miktarı üzerinde ‘yıl x çeşit’ atraksiyonunun önemsiz olduğu; yağ ve protein oranlarının ise istatistiki olarak P <0.01 seviyesinde önemli olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda bazı genotiplerin verim ve kalite özellikleri yönünden Konya koşullarında bazı standart çeşitlerden daha üstün performans sergiledikleri belirlenmiştir.