Panicle Research Articles

Growth Parameter and Yield Attributes of Rice ( Oryza Sativa ) as Influenced by Different Combination of Nitrogen Sources

The study was carried out in agronomy farm of Paklihawa Campus, IAAS, Rupandehi, Nepal. The objective of the study was to determine the response of rice as influenced by different combination of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources. The study consists of three nitrogen sources i.e. urea, farmyard manure and blue green algae at various levels comprising seven treatments in randomized complete block design with three replications. Rice seedling were raised in wet nursery bed and transplanted in experimental plots. Growth parameters, yield attributing traits and grain yield of rice were recorded. Result indicates that treatment combination of 75% of recommended dose of nitrogen (90 kg ha-1), farmyard manure (5 tons ha-1) and blue green algae (9 kg ha-1) contributes to higher plant height (96.13 cm), effective tiller per square meter (345.6), filled grain per panicle (180.9), grain yield (4.787 tons ha-1), and straw yield (9.07 ton ha-1) (p < 0.05). Also, there was a positive correlation between the grain yield and effective tillers per square meter (R2=0.254), grain yield and number of filled grains per panicle (R2=0.315). Hence, 75% of recommended dose of nitrogen (90 kg ha-1), farmyard manure (5 tons ha-1) and blue green algae (9 kg ha-1) were found to improve plant characteristics thus improving rice yield.

Management characteristics of beef cattle production in Hawaii

ABSTRACT A comprehensive life cycle assessment of the US beef value chain requires the collection of region-specific data for accurate characterization of the country’s diverse production practices. Cattle production in Hawaii is very different from the rest of the country due to its unique ecosystem and geographic location. A survey of cattle producers provided information on herd size and characteristics, grazing management, forage and feed sources, and marketing. Ranch survey responses represented 44% of the state’s beef cows with operation sizes varying from 5 to 10,000 cows. Most cows (79%) were maintained on operations that finished at least some of their cattle, and the majority of those operations finished cattle on forage without concentrate feeds. Cattle were kept on natural pastures ranging in size from 16 to 52,610 ha per ranch with a stocking rate of 2.4 ha/cow on cow-calf operations and 2.0 ha/animal on operations that included older growing animals. Common forage species were Panicum maximum (guinea or green panic grass), Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass), Digitaria eriantha (pangola or digitgrass), and Trifolium repens (white clover). Reported cow and finished cattle BW were 498 ± 52 kg and 493 ± 75 kg, respectively. More ranchers marketed their beef cattle through wholesalers or distributors (34%) rather than directly to consumers (24%), retailers (20%), or other channels (17%). Marketing under grass-fed certification was reported by 39% of ranches. Information obtained is being used to define management characteristics for modeling production systems and performing a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability of beef cattle production.

Studies of Genetic Parameters and Cluster analysis of some Quantitative Characters through Diallel analysis of rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

General combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability, (SCA) and genetic analysis were used in this study for F1 generation obtained from half diall cross among six rice parents namely; Toride1, Fuknishiki Giza172, Sakha101, IR83526-38-3-3-1, and Sakha105. The results showed that both (GCA) and (SCA) variances were found to be highly significant for all nine characters studied in F1 generations. This would indicate the importance of both additive and non-additive genetic variance in determining the performance of these nine characters. The best cross combinations for earliness were (IR 83526-38-3-3-1 x Sakha105), (Giza172 x Fuknishiki), (IR 83526-38-3-3-1 x Toride1), (IR 83526-38-3-3-1 x Fuknishiki), and (Sakha101 x Fuknishiki) for earliness and grain yield per plant, it could be used in breeding program. Analysis by components of variation showed that additive (D) genetic variances were significant for all characters in F1 generation except number of panicle/plant, grain yield/plant, and 1000-grain weight. The two dominant components H1 and H2 were found to be highly significant for all traits studied in the F1 generations. Also, the magnitudes of these components were found to be larger than those of the additive genetic variance. These results indicated that the dominance genetic variation had greater role in the inheritance of these traits, F value was positive in F1 for all traits except for number of panicles/plant and grain yield/plant. This indicates more dominant alleles present in the parental lines than recessive alleles in the F1 generation. Dominance variation overall heterozygous loci (h2) was significant in the 1000-grain weight and panicle weight in the F1 generation. The estimates of average degree of dominance (H1/D)1/2 were found to be higher than unity for all traits under investigation in the F1, indicating the presence of over dominance for these traits at F1 generations. Clustering varieties, based on similarity of quantitative characters, produced two broad groups. The first one included IR83526-38-3-3-1 alone in one branch due to the highest value in plant height, the number of field grains per panicle and this variety from Indica types. While, the second group was divided into two sub-groups, the first sub-group included Giza172 and Sakha 101, which were similar in the number of tiller per plant and number of panicles per plant. The second sub group including Fuknishiki in one branch, while, Toride1 and Sakha 105 varieties were very near due to similarity in grain yield/plant, number of field grains per panicle and 1000-grain weight.

Effects of zeolite application on grain yield, water use and nitrogen uptake of rice under alternate wetting and drying irrigation

With the increasing scarcity of water resources and growing population, the dual goal of saving irrigation water and increasing grain yield has become a major challenge in rice production around the world. A two-year lysimetric experiment was conducted to assess the effects of zeolite application (Z0: 0 and Z1: 15 t/hm2) and water regimes (W0: continuous flooding irrigation, W1: energy-controlled irrigation, W2: alternate wetting and drying irrigation) on grain yield, water use and total nitrogen uptake of rice. Zeolite addition to paddy field significantly increased grain yield, total N uptake, and water use efficiency (WUE), despite a negligible effect on amount of irrigation water used. Compared with W0, the separate use of W1 and W2 each considerably decreased irrigation water. However, W2-grown rice showed a significant decline in grain yield. In contrast, W1 showed comparable grain yield with W0, and achieved the highest WUE. Correlation analysis revealed that grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with effective panicles, spikelets per panicle, water consumption, and total N uptake. It is concluded that the combination of zeolite application at the rate of 15 t/hm2 and energy-controlled irrigation could be recommended to benefit farmers by reducing irrigation water while improving grain yield on a clay loam soil. Keywords: zeolite, alternate wetting and drying irrigation, rice, yield, water use efficiency DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20181101.3064 Citation: Zheng J L, Chen T T, Xia G M, Chen W, Liu G Y, Chi D C. Effects of zeolite application on grain yield, water use and nitrogen uptake of rice under alternate wetting and drying irrigation. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2018; 11(1): 157–164.

Genotype analysis of genes involved in increasing grain number per panicle in rice germplasm

벼 수량성 증진을 위하여 수당립수 증진 유전자로 보고된 5종의 유전자에 대한 분자표지를 검정하고 유전자원 479점에서 이들의 유전자에 대한 유전형을 검정하였다. 판독이 용이한 Gn1a 및 DEP1, Apo1 유전자의 In/del 분자표지를 각각 개발하였고 Ghd7과 Nal1 유전자에 대하여서는 기존 보고된 SNP 분자표지를 이용하여 편리성을 검정하였다. 이들 분자표지는 아가로즈젤에서 각각의 유전형 판독이 용이하기에 벼 수량성 향상을 위한 분자육종에 적용이 가능할 것으로 기대되었다. 유전자원 479점에서 수당립수 증진 유전자 5종의 유전형을 분석하였을 때 총 13개의 haplogype으로 분류되었다. 대부분의 Indica 품종과 Japonica 품종은 haploptype 1과 haplotype 13에 속하였다. 나머지 haplotype에 속한 55점의 유전자원은 수당립수 증진 유전자에 대한 유전다양성을 보유한 자원으로 유전체 분석 등을 위한 핵심집단으로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 판단되었다. 유전자원 396점의 수량구성요소를 비교하였을 때, Nal1을 제외한 4종의 수당립수 증진 유전자의 수량증진 대립유전자형에서 이삭 수가 0.6 ~ 0.8개/주 감소하였으나 수당립수는 이삭당 27 ~ 29개 증진되었다. Nal1 유전자는 유전적 배경에 따라 효과가 다르게 나타나며, Nal1-japonica 대립유전자형의 수당립수 증진 효과보다 Nal1-indica 대립유전자형이 감소효과가 큰 것으로 추측되었다. 앞으로 본 논문에서 검정된 수당립수 증진 분자표지 5종과 유전자원의 유전형을 정보를 바탕으로 벼 수량성 증진 육종에 활용하고자 한다.

Efficacy of the association of cover crops with maize and direct sowing short-term effect on crops? yields in maize-cotton cropping system in Western Burkina Faso.

To improve the productivity and sustainability of cotton and cereals based system, direct sowing under mulch was tested for its efficacy on cotton and maize yields on the research station of Farako-Bâ, in Western Burkina Faso. The experimental design was a complete randomized blocks of Fisher with four replications. Conventional tillage by annual moldboard plowing (T7) was compared with direct sowing under mulch-based cropping system (DMC) using maize association with cover crops defined as: maize without cover crop (T1), maize + Brachiaria ruziziensis (T2), maize + B. ruziziensis + Mucuna cochinchinensis (T3), maize + B. ruziziensis + Panicum maximum (T4), maize + B. ruziziensis + Stylosanthes hamata (T5), and maize + Crotalaria juncea (T6). Cover crops were planted 21 days after maize emergence between the rows of this main crop. The biomass produced by the cover crops and maize straws were evaluated as well as maize and cotton yields, during the first 6 years of the study, from 2010 to 2015. Results showed that among cover crops, the biomass production was significantly lower with C. juncea. The associations of cover crops with maize increased significantly the production of total dry matter compared to plots without cover crops, in the conventional tillage. Association with cover crops did not influence significantly nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents of maize and the maize’s yields even if the depressive effects were recorded. Compared to the conventional tillage, the DMC appeared also effective on seed cotton yields even without a significant improvement during the 6 first years of the study. These promising results, confirm the feasibility in tropical conditions of DMC which must be continued to better analyze its long-term effects on soil properties. Key words: Cover crops, mulch-based cropping system (DMC), conventional tillage, biomass, yield.

Phytochemical screening, toxicity and antimicrobial action of Solanum paniculatum Linn extract against dental biofilm bacteria

The aims of study were to determine the phytochemical composition of hydroalcoholic extract of Solanum paniculatum Linn (jurubeba) root, to evaluate its in vitro antimicrobial action, as well as to determine the acute toxicity and potential cytotoxic effects of this extract. The extract was characterized by phytochemical screening and thin-layer chromatography. The following oral bacteria were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus salivarius and Lactobacillus casei. Each assay was carried out in duplicate and the positive control (0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate) was subjected to the same procedure. Results were analyzed by Student t-test or Mann-Whitney test, with the level of significance set at 5%. Preclinical acute toxicity assays were performed using the median lethal dose of the extracts in animals. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of the extracts on human erythrocytes were evaluated. Solanum paniculatum showed MIC values of 7.81 mg/mL. The extract had no acute effects at concentrations of 0.97 to 500 mg/mL. The S. paniculatum extract was only cytotoxic at a concentration of 250 mg/mL. Phytochemical screening revealed predominance of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and tannins. In conclusion, S. paniculatum Linn showed in vitro antimicrobial activity against bacterial monocultures. No toxicological effects were observed. The predominance of phenols may explain the pharmacological activity of this extract. However, randomized controlled clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the effect of S. paniculatum added to mouthwash solution. Key words: Microbiology, phytotherapy, chromatography, toxicity, Solanum paniculatum Linn.

Molecular analysis of stomach contents reveals important grass seeds in the winter diet of Baird's and Grasshopper sparrows, two declining grassland bird species.

We analyzed the diet of Baird’s Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) and Grasshopper Sparrow (A. savannarum) in three different sites and sampling periods across the Chihuahuan Desert in northern Mexico. DNA from seeds in regurgitated stomach contents was sequenced using NGS technology and identified with a barcoding approach using the P6 loop of the trnL intron as genetic marker. During each sampling period, we collected random soil samples to estimate seed availability in the soil seed bank. Due to the variability and size of the genetic marker, the resolution was limited to a family level resolution for taxonomic classification of seeds, but in several cases a genus level was achieved. Diets contained a high diversity of seeds but were dominated by a limited number of genera/families. Seeds from Panicoideae (from the genera Panicum, Setaria, Eriochloa, Botriochloa, and Hackelochloa) contributed for the largest part to the diets (53 ± 19%), followed by Bouteloua (10 ± 12%). Depending on the site and sampling period, other important seeds in the diets were Eragrostideae, Pleuraphis, Asteraceae, Verbena, and Amaranthus. The most abundant seeds were not always preferred. Aristida and Chloris were common in the soil seed bank but these seeds were avoided by both bird species. Baird’s and Grasshopper sparrows did not differ in seed preferences. This work highlights the importance of range management practices that favor seed production of Panicoideae and Bouteloua grasses to enhance winter habitat use and survival of Baird’s and Grasshopper sparrows in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Ulcerprotective activity of ethanolic extract of baccaurea ramiflora and Microcos paniculata on experimental animals

The current study was planned to evaluate the ulcer protective activity of the leaves of Baccaurea ramiflora and Microcos paniculata . Dried and crushed leaves of Baccaurea ramiflora and Microcos paniculata were defatted with petroleum ether and then extracted with alcohol. The alcoholic extract at the doses of 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg body weight was subjected to evaluation of ulcer protective activities in experimental animal models. The reduction in ulcer index dose dependently in hard liquor induced ulcer and in pylorus ligation induced ulcer, by 100 and 200mg/kg body weight doses respectively by the extracts proving its anti-ulcer activity.

MANAGEMENT OF RICE BLAST WITH DIFFERENT FUNGICIDES AND POTASSIUM SILICATE UNDER IN VITRO AND IN VIVO CONDITIONS

During 2015 and 2016 cropping season investigations were carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, with the aim to manage rice blast disease by means of different fungicides and potassium silicate under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Fungicides were tested against spore germination of Pyricularia grisea and their efficacy was determined by calculating ED50 and ED90 values. Tricyclazole (Baan 75WP) and Propiconazole (Tilt 25EC) were found to be most fungitoxic compounds and Mancozeb (Indofil Z-78 75WP) was least fungitoxic. Under in vivo conditions, fungicides and potassium silicate were applied at tillering and boot stage. It was found that the fungicide Tricyclazole (Baan 75WP) at 0.06% was most effective and provided disease control of 67.9% followed by Propiconazole (Tilt 25EC) at 0.1% with 60.3% disease control, Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole (Amistar Top 325SC) at 0.1% with 55.1% disease control and Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole (Nativo 75WP) at 0.04% with 53.3% disease control. Difenoconazole (Score 25EC), Tebuconazole (Folicur 25EC) and Mancozeb (Indofil Z-78 2 75WP) were least effective. The potassium silicate applied at 40 and 50 ml/l was found effective against rice blast and significantly increased the grain yield by reducing the toppling of panicles. Thus, it can provide us with an environmentally safe alternative source to rice blast disease management.

Growth, morphostructural and haematological performances of West African Dwarf male sheep fed garlic powder additive diets

An experiment was carried out to investigate the additive effect of garlic powder on growth, morphostructural and haematology of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams fed Panicum maximum basal diet supplemented with concentrate. Forty Yearling WAD rams with average initial live weight of 12.41kg were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments of garlic powder additive (GPA) at 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% (0 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg, 4000 mg/ kg, 6000mg/kg and 8000mg/kg respectively) of the supplements for 12 weeks. Results revealed that inclusion of 4000 mg/kg garlic powder additive in experimental diets showed better weight gain and feed conversion ratio for WAD rams than the control (0% GPA) and the other treatments (P<0.05). The morphometric measurements gains correlate with the pattern of body weight gain reported in the treatment groups. Haematological findings showed better packed cell volume in animals fed GPA compared with the control (P<0.05) . However, all investigated haematological parameters had values within normal limits for healthy sheep. Addition of garlic powder to sheep diet improved body weight gain up to 4000mg/kg of supplemental diet while also enhancing the health status of the animals.

In Vitro Study of Eight Indonesian Natural Extracts as Antiviral Against Dengue Virus

Background: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) caused by a dengue viruses is still a major problem in tropical countries, including Indonesia. World Health Organization data showed that over 40% of world population are at risk of DHF.1In 2014 there were 71.668 of DHF cases in 34 provinces with 641 death.2 In Central Java in 2013, the incidence rate and fatality rate of DHF was 45.52 in 100.000 populations and 1.21% respectively.3 Until nowadays, there is no vaccine or effective therapy is available as yet.4 Thus research on discovering specific antiviral against dengue is needed. Indonesia is rich in indigenous herbal plants, which may has potential antiviral activity, such as Psidium guajava (Jambu biji), Euphorbia hirta (Patikn kerbau), Piper bettle L (Sirih), Carica papaya (Pepaya), Curcuma longa L(Kunyit/turmeric), Phyllanthus niruri L (meniran), Andrographis paniculata (Sambiloto), Cymbopogon citrates (Serai). Previous studies show that these plants have antiviral and antibacterial properties.5However, there is only limited study of these plants against dengue virus . Objective: This study aimed to know whether these plants have potential activity against dengue virus in vitro. Method: Leave extracts of eight indigenous herbal plants as mention before were originated from Solo, Central Java, the crude extracts were tested in vitro against dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) strain NGC using Huh7it-1 cell line. Those crude extracts were screened for antiviral activity using doses of 20mg/ml. Candidates that showed inhibition activity were further tested in various doses to determine IC50 and CC50. Result: From eight leave extracts tested, one of them i.e Carica papaya (pepaya) inhibited virus replication up to 89,5%. Dose dependent assay with C.papaya resulted in IC50, CC50 and selectivity index 6,57 μg/mL, 244,76 μg/mL and 37, 25 μg/mL respectively. Conclusion: C.papaya has potential antiviral activity against dengue virus in vitro. Further study is needed to confirm antiviral activity in vivo.

Comparación de un sistema de intensificación del cultivo de arroz (SICA) con sistemas tradicionales de siembra en la zona de Churute, Ecuador

El sistema de intensificación del cultivo de arroz (SICA) es un conjunto de prácticas que según reportes permite incrementar significativamente el rendimiento del cultivo. Este estudio incluye un ensayo de campo para evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de un SICA y dos sistemas de siembra tradicionales (siembra por trasplante y al voleo) sobre los componentes del rendimiento (número de panículas, granos por panícula y peso de granos) del cultivo de arroz bajo condiciones ambientales del Litoral Sur de Ecuador. En el estudio, no se detectaron diferencias significativas en los componentes de rendimiento por área entre los tres sistemas evaluados, pero sí se registraron diferencias en el rendimiento por planta. Las plantas cultivadas usando SICA tuvieron un rendimiento por planta más alto, más macollos y más panículas por planta que las cultivadas usando los métodos tradicionales, lo que indica que el SICA favoreció el desarrollo morfológico y fisiológico de la planta durante el cultivo. Bajo las condiciones de este ensayo, el SICA no incrementó el rendimiento por área del cultivo, pero incrementó la eficiencia fisiológica de las plantas de forma individual.

Yield and diseases of potato as affected by deep soil tillage and crop succession with grass types

Yield and disease incidence were evaluated in potato ( Solanum tuberosum cv. Atlantic) after six years of cultivation in succession with corn ( Zea mays cv. ‘AG 6080’) under conventional tillage (CT, depth of tillage: 0.20 m) or in succession with three grass types [Guinea grass ( Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia), Palisade grass ( Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) and corn] under deep tillage (DT, depth of tillage: 0.70 m). Total tuber yield was higher in DT in average 36% the value obtained in CT (17.76 t ha -1 ), with no effect of the grass type. Common scab ( Streptomyces scabies ) incidence was influenced by treatments, the highest (16.9%) and the lowest (9.5%) values being obtained in succession with corn and Guinea grass ( Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania), respectively, both under DT. The lowest incidence of tuber greening at field (2.58%) was also recorded in Guinea DT, significantly lower than obtained in Corn CT (6.33%), possibly due to a more efficient ridging operation. Grass types showed different values of aboveground dry matter production. Guinea grass (26.56 Mg ha -1 ) was the most and Corn under CT and DT (5.72 and 5.56 Mg.ha -1 , respectively, without ears) were the least productive ones. Soil density, macroporosity and resistance to penetration indices were significantly better with DT, the grass type affecting them in a minor degree. The deep tillage system is therefore recommended for potato cultivation regardless the grass type used for crop sucesssion.

LD50 Estimations for diabecineTM polyherbal extracts based on in vitro diabetic models of 3T3-L1, WRL-68 and 1.1B4 cell lines

Safety data of newly developed active pharmaceutical ingredient is of regulatory requirement. The LD50 value is important to estimate the suitable dosage of extract for acute toxicity study and determine its safe dosage. LD50 estimations for aqueous and ethanol extracts of polyherbal Diabecine™ were determined due to its potential to be used as active ingredient in herbal supplement for diabetic patients. DiabecineTM is a proprietary herbal blend of Curcuma xanthorriza, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Andrographis paniculata, Orthosiphon stamineus and Eugenia polyantha Wight traditionally used as herbal medicine for diabetes. The cytotoxicity towards three cell lines commonly used for in vitro diabetic study namely, 3T3-L1, WRL-68 and 1.1B4, was determined in this study using MTT assay method. The IC50 values were determined and used to estimate LD50 values using ICCVAM's regression formula: log LD50 (mg/kg) = 0.372 log IC50 (μg/mL) + 2.024. All the extracts showed non-Toxic effects against 3T3-L1, WRL-68 and 1.1B4 cell lines at concentration of 0.5 to 100 μg/mL, but significantly cytotoxic to all the three cell lines at concentration of 1,000 μg/mL and above. The IC50 values for 3T3-L1, 1.1B4 and WRL-68 are in the range of 493.8 to 779.6 μg/mL, 258.4 to 386.7 μg/mL and 630.9 to 2,785 μg/mL. The 1.1B4 cell line was shown to have the highest cytotoxic sensitivity to the extracts. The IC50 values for 1.1B4 were used to estimate the LD50 values for ethanol freeze-dried, ethanol spray-dried, aqueous freeze-dried and aqueous spray-dried extracts, which are 956.4 mg/kg, 969.4 mg/kg, 834.4 mg/kg and 880.4 mg/kg. The starting dose of each extracts for acute toxicity study could be 3.2 factors lower than the estimated LD50 values, which was suggested to be 298.9 mg/kg, 302.9 mg/kg, 260.8 mg/kg and 275.1 mg/kg for ethanol freeze-dried, ethanol spray-dried, aqueous freeze-dried and aqueous spray-dried extracts.

DRY MATTER OBTAINIMENT METHOD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ROUGHAGES

Abstract It was aimed determinate the influence of drying methods on nutritional composition of different roughages. The experimental material were four grass species (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, Urochloa brizantha cv. MG4, Cynodon dactylon cv. Coastcross e Panicum maximum cv. Aries), one forage legume (Stylosanthes cv. Campo Grande) and two silages (Zea mays e Triticum aestivum cv. BRS Umbu). The drying methods were based on use of forced air oven or microwave oven. The experimental design were a 2 x 8 factorial arrangement (2 drying methods and 8 roughages) with 4 repetitions. There was no effect of drying method on roughages dry matter content. Microwave oven drying increased neutral detergent fiber. There was an interaction between drying method and evaluated roughage. Increased contents of crude protein (estilosante), neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (Coastcross, MG4, Marandu e estilosante) and ether extract (MG4, estilosante e Aries) were observed when roughages were dried using microwave oven. The microwave oven usage is an alternative to obtain the dry matter content of roughages; however this technic may affect the sample composition.

Relationship between Panicle Production and Yielding Traits Influenced by Transplanting Density in Mid-Maturing Quality Rice 'Haiami' in the Mid-Plain Area of Korea

Relationship between Panicle Production and Yielding Traits Influenced by Transplanting Density in Mid-Maturing Quality Rice 'Haiami' in the Mid-Plain Area of Korea

Effects of genome doubling on expression of genes regulating grain size in rice.

Rice is one of the most important staple crops. It has been the major focus in breeding program to improve grain yield. A unique feature of tetraploid rice is the increased grain size and weight compared to diploid. Therefore, investigating the effects of genome doubling on expression of genes regulating grain size is important for yield improvement in rice breeding program. In this study, we analyzed differential expression of six genes regulating grain size in young panicles of various developmental stages between diploid and tetraploid rice. Transgenic approaches were employed to explore the dosage effects on gene expression and grain size. The results showed that genome duplications did not influence the developmental patterns of rice growth, but enhanced plant height, leaf width and grain size. The grain length and width in Indica tetraploid increased significantly, but the grain length showed more obvious change than width in Japonica tetraploid. The expression levels were affected not only by the developmental stages, but also by genetic background. Upon genome doubling, the positive regulation gene GS5 and HGW expression levels were generally higher in tetraploid than the corresponding diploid. Negative regulation gene GS3 in Indica tetraploid tended to be down-regulated or silenced, but increased in Japonica tetraploid. Another negative regulation GW2 was up-regulated in Indica tetraploid and silenced in Japonica tetraploid. The extra copies of GW2 in diploid transgenic lines exerted a gene dosage effect that resulted in the higher expression level than that of wild type diploid and tetraploid, which causes small grain formation in transgenic lines. Our results will help to understand the function of genes regulating the grain size in the diploid and tetraploid, and provide a theoretical basis for yield improvement.

StemanatomicalstudiesofsomespeciesofIndigoferaL.(Leguminosae-Papilionoideae)

Stem anatomical studies of eight species of the genus Indigofera species common in Eastern Nigeria was carried out with the aid of a light microscope. This is with a view of establishing taxonomic relationship among the species. The type of epidermal and hypodermal layers, nature and size of corticular vessels and vascular bundle arrangement are some of the characters assessed and discussed among the Indigofera species studied. The 3-5 lignified hypodermal layers found in I. paniculata, I. pulchra and I. tinctoria distinguish these species from the other species of Indigofera studied. Similarly the conjoint collateral and open vascular bundle type present in I. paniculata, I. senegalensis and I.stenophylla are remarkable and diagnostic for taxonomic characterization of these species. The cortex is distinct with the variations in size and number of vessels with bigger vessels occurring at the hypodermal region and gradually reducing in size towards the center as observed in I. paniculata and I. pulchra and possess cells that are closely packed with little or no intercellular spaces. The nature of the endodermal layer shows that it is sclerenchymatous in I. paniculata, I. prieureana and I. pulchra. The presence of tannins and other ergastic substance in the stem of these species further confirms the highly tanninferous nature of these plants and hence their economic values to man. The biosystematic implications of these findings have been discussed in the light of current literature.

Calves growth infant of breed Nellore supplemented with chromium

The present study evaluated the growth of nursling Nelore calves supplemented with chromium during creep feeding. The study was conducted using 131 Nelore calves with an average age of 60 days and average adjusted initial weight of 75 kg; considering that all calves were accompanied by their mothers. Therefore, the experimental groups were defined as T1: 35 males supplemented with chromium; T2: 34 males without chromium, T3: 30 females supplemented with chromium and T4: 32 females supplemented without chromium. The experimental period lasted from 60 days of age to 210 days (weaning), the animals were kept in two pickets of Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa provided with troughs for the creep feeding system, which permitted calves exclusive access to the concentrate formula based on 75% of TDN and 20% of crude protein, with 35% of soybean meal, 63% of corn and 2% of mineral nucleus containing 10 mg of chromium chelate for each kg of the product. The data were subjected to the analysis of variance, using the software R (R Development Core Team, 2013). In the evaluation of the live weight at 150 days of age, no significant difference was found in the use of chromium in males and females (regardless of sex). However, in the analysis between sexes, females’ live weights were lower than males’ live weight (p = 0.04), being 131.1 kg and 138.1 kg respectively. In the evaluation of live weight at 210 days there was no significant difference between males and females (p = 0.07), but there was a difference (p = 0.03) in the use of chrome in the evaluated treatments. So, it could be concluded that the creep feeding system with chrome chelate supplementation promoted an improvement in male and females calves’ growth for average daily weight gain and weaning weight, with a positive influence on the weight of cows.