Ppm GA3 Research Articles

Effect of GA3 Concentration and Frequency on Yield and Quality of Zark Grape = تأثير تركيز وتكرار الرش بحمض الجبريليك على إنتاج ونوعية العنب صنف زرك

A field experiment was carried out in a private vineyard located at Kamaki village, Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq, during 2012 growing season to investigate the effect of four concentrations (0, 10, 20 and 30 ppm) and three frequencies (single, double and triple) of GA3 on yield and quality of 'Zark' grapes. The results indicated that GA3 concentration and frequency significantly affected most studied traits. Increasing concentration and frequency of GA3 tended to increase yield per vine in term of number of clusters, cluster weight, number of berries per cluster and size of 100 berries. Juice percentage and density, total soluble solids, total sugars were also increased. However, total acidity and total phenols were significantly reduced. Weight of 100 berries was significantly affected only by increasing GA3 concentration. The interaction between 30 ppm GA3 and spraying triple surpassed all the traits studied in this investigation except size of 100 berries, total acidity and total phenols.

EFFECTS OF COLD STRATIFICATION AND GA3 ON GERMINATION OF ARBUTUS UNEDO SEEDS OF THREE PROVENANCES.

Background:Arbutus unedo is a valuable Mediterranean shrub as an ornamental plant as well as fruit tree. Fresh fruits of A. unedo are a good source of antioxidants, of vitamins C, E and carotenoids and also are characterized by the high content of mineral elements.Materials and Methods:The effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and cold stratification (CS) on seed germination performance were investigated in A. unedo seeds collected from three provenances in the Northern part of Greece. Seeds of each provenance were soaked in solutions of GA3 (500, 1000 or 2000 ppm) for 24 h and subsequently were subjected to CS at 3 - 5°C for 0, 1, 2, and 3 months.Results:Non-stratified seeds of the three A. unedo provenances which were not treated with GA3 solutions exhibited very low germination. However, seed germination was significantly improved after a one-month period of CS. Similarly, the non-stratified seeds of all three provenances became non-dormant after the treatment with 2000 ppm GA3 and they germinated at high percentages. However, in untreated seeds with GA3, after a one-month CS period the seeds of the Pieria provenance exhibited higher germination percentage than that of Rodopi provenance seeds. Furthermore, in non-stratified seeds, the Pieria provenance seeds treated with GA3 germinated at higher percentages and more rapidly than those of the other two provenances.Conclusion:The results indicated that untreated seeds exhibited very low germination at 20/25°C. However, in all three provenances seed germinability was significantly improved by a one-month period of CS or treatment of seeds with 2000 ppm GA3. Furthermore, there was a considerable variability among seed provenances in response to the treatments which were applied.

Effect of growth regulators and stages of spray on seed yield and seed quality parameters of ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb) L.

The experiment was undertaken to study the influence of different growth regulators on seed yield and seed quality parameters in ridge gourd [Luffa acutangula (Roxb) L.]. There were 30 treatment combinations comprising of two factors; plant growth stage as main plot treatment, and plant growth regulators as sub plot treatment embedded in a split plot design. The results indicated that significantly the highest average fruit weight (32.76 g), matured fruit yield per plant (65.84 g), 100 seed weight (13.41 g) and seed yield per plant (12.79 g) was recorded with spraying of 500 ppm ethereal, whereas significantly the maximum fruit length (20.89 cm) and fruit diameter (5.15 cm) with 25 ppm GA3. Significantly the highest seed germination (69.22 %) was recorded with spraying of 250 ppm ethereal, while application of NAA at 50 ppm recorded significantly the highest vigour index I (2737.85) and vigour index II (5029.33). Spraying of PGR at two to four leaf stage recorded the higher fruit length (20.19 cm), fruit yield per plant (47.49 g), 100 seed weight (13.18 g) and seed yield per plant (11.98 g) as well as highest germination (60.90%), vigour index I (2460.80) and vigour index II (4377.66). It is concluded that spraying of 500 ppm etherel at two to four leaf stage increased the higher fruit length, fruit yield per plant, 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant as well as highest germination, vigour index I and vigour index II.

Growth and yield difference due to application of various levels of gibberelic acid in local and BARI falon-1

An experiment was carried out at the research farm of Patuakhali Science and Technology University (PSTU) during the period from November 2010 to April 2011 to study on growth and yield performance of cowpea (BARI Falon-1 and local Falon) with different concentration of GA3 (control, 25.00, 33.33, 50.00 and 100.00 ppm) to find out the suitable variety and optimum level of gibberelic acid (GA3) application which would be also suitable to cultivate under coastal region of Patuakhali. Among the treatments, GA3 at 33.33 ppm treated plant of BARI Falon–1 showed the better performance on growth and yield contributing characters. As a result, the tallest plant (62.53 cm), number of leaves and branches plant–1 (28.67 and 20.07, respectively), TDM (83.99 g), CGR (1.68 cm2 day-1), RGR (0.729 cm2 day-1) and NAR (1.275 cm2 day-1) were exhibited from the variety BARI Falon-1 with the spraying of GA3 at 33.33 ppm at harvest. Yield contributing characters had also higher such as pods plant–1 (11.67), length of pod (17.20 cm), seeds pod–1 (16.80), 100-seed weight (12.49 g), seed yield (20.16 g plant-1 and 3139.93 kg ha-1) and harvest index (24.04%) with the variety BARI Falon–1 whily it was treated by 33.33 ppm GA3. Hence, it can be concluded that the application of GA3 up to 33.33 ppm than other GA3 levels and BARI Falon-1 than Local Falon would be the most suitable for obtaining the greater yield of cowpea under the coastal area of Patuakhali region. So, considering the above observation, BARI Falon-1 therefore is suggested to cultivate in Patuakhali region while 33.33 ppm GA3 would be also optimum level for the better prodcution of cowpea.Progressive Agriculture 27 (2): 94-100, 2016

Response of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) seed to seed priming treatments under sub-optimal environments

To overcome the problem of delayed, non-uniform and poor seed emergence in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), an experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement during winter and spring season of 2012, 2013 and 2014 at the Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The treatments consisted of two environments (sowing during third week of January and February) and 18 priming treatments (soaking for 24h in GA3 100 and 500 ppm, potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KH2PO4) 10-1M and 10-3M, sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate (NaH2PO4) 10-1M and 10-3M, 0.1% potassium nitrate (KNO3);only hydration followed by burying in farm yard manure for 48hr). The seeds from all these treatments were kept in moist gunny bags for two different durations, i.e. 24 and 48 hr, respectively, at room temperature. Untreated seeds served as control. Following this, the treated seeds were air dried at room temperature and then sown in polythene bags. Emergence per cent (79.22 and 79.67) and speed of emergence (4.45 and 4.75) in each environment was better when seeds were treated with 10-1M KH2PO4 and incubated in gunny bags for 48 hr. However, February sown seeds emerged earlier and faster than January sown seeds. Seedling length and seedling fresh weight were highest when seed were treated with 500 ppm GA3 but statistically at par with 10-1M KH2PO4. Other seed quality parameters like seedling dry weight, vigour index-I and II were also superior with 10-1M KH2PO4.Therefore it was inferred that to improve the germination of bitter gourd seeds under optimal and sub-optimal temperature, it should be soaked for 24 hr in 10-1M KH2PO4 followed by keeping in moist gunny bags for 48 hr.

The effect of different concentrations of pre-harvest gibberellic acid on the quality and durability of ‘Obilnaja’ and ‘Black Star’ plum varieties

The research work aimed at investigating the effect of pre-harvest gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment on the quality of ‘Obilnaja’ and ‘Black Star’ Japanese plum varieties. GA3 was sprayed onto the trees during the fruit color break at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm concentrations. After pre-cooling, the plums were placed in modified atmosphere packages and exposed to the following conditions as follows: short storage-transportation (ST) [20 days at 2 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH)]; distribution center (DC) (5 days at 6 °C and 80% RH), and shelf life conditions (SL) (2 days at 20 °C and 70% RH). Pre-harvest GA3 treatments increased the fruit weight and size. Treatment of GA3 at 50, 75, and 100 ppm increased the fruit flesh firmness and total soluble substances (TSS) values in both the plum varieties during storage, transport, and marketing; it also limited the weight loss during the marketing process. Treatment of GA3 had no significant effects on the color, titratable acidity (TA), and the total phenolic and antioxidant activity values of plums. Pre-harvest GA3 treatment at 50 ppm GA3 can be thus recommended for both the plum varieties due to its effect on the fruit quality.

Effects of Different Germination Characteristics, Sowing Date and Rain Sheltered Cultivation on Stable Seed Production in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate methods to reduce seeding expenses, thereby increasing farm income. This study investigated the effects of rain shelter controlled cultivation and adapted seeding times on the stable seed production of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Methods and Results: Seed germination was conducted under 10 condition compose to control, water washing, cold storage at 4℃ for 15 days, seed sterilization with a benomyl pesticides, hormone treated seed by submerging in 100 ppm GA₃ with the cold storage at 20℃ and 25℃, darkness in a covered petridish and illuminated with a 1,500 Lux lamp. There were three cultivation type, open cultivation with non-woven fabric mulching, cultivation with a vinyl covering and rain sheltered in a plastic greenhouse. Sowing dates were April 27, May 18, June 7 and June 28, 2013. Plants were spaced 10 ㎝ apart in rows 30 ㎝ apart. Mixed oil cake fertilizer, N-P₂Osub5/sub-K₂O (12-10-10) was applied at 600 ㎏• 10 asup−1/sup. Conclusions: Optimum germination occured in darkness at 25℃ and cold storage after submerging in GA₃. The highest seed yields (4.5 ㎏• 10 asup−1/sup) occurred in the plastic greenhouse for the April 25 sowing. The highest root yield (17%) was found on April 1, under greenhouse conditions

Effect of plant growth regulators on growth, yield and quality of tissue cultured papaya (Carica papaya) cv. Red Lady

The present investigation was carried out to find out the response of plant growth regulators on the growth, yield and quality of tissue cultured papaya (Carica papaya L.) cv. Red Lady in Mizoram, north-east India. The study indicates that growth yield and quality of the papaya fruits were significantly influenced by plant growth regulators studied. Among treatments, the highest vegetative growth, yield attributing characters and yield were recorded with GA3 200 ppm. It also recorded maximum value with respect to different growth parameters, viz. plant height, girth and E-W and N-S spread. Treatment with 200 ppm GA3 also showed superiority in different yield-attributing characteristics, such as fruit set percentage, number of fruits/plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit circumference, fruit weight, and fruit volume. Quality parameters, such as TSS, acidity, total, reducing and non-reducing sugars of fruits, 400 ppm of ethrel, exhibited significantly maximum value.

English

The biological function of fruiting is to produce and disseminate seeds. However, seedless fruits have some advantages, including the ease of consumption and the increased added value of the final product and fruit quality. The present study aimed to evaluate the combined use of gibberellic acid (GA3) and hand pollination with Annona squamosa pollen grains on fruit set and the physical and chemical parameters of 'Gefner' custard apple fruits. The experiment was performed in a commercial custard apple orchard in a randomized design, with 11 treatments, four replications and five plants per parcel. The treatments applied were as follows: (1) hand pollination with the pollen of sugar apple (HPPSA) (control); (2) HPPSA + 500 ppm GA3 applied on the 1st week after anthesis (WAA); (3) HPPSA + 500 ppm GA3 applied on the 1st and 3rd WAA; (4) HPPSA + 500 ppm GA3 applied on the 1st, 3rd and 5th WAA; (5) HPPSA + 1,000 ppm GA3 applied on the 1st WAA; (6) HPPSA + 1,000 ppm GA3 applied on the 1st and 3rd WAA; (7) HPPSA + 1,000 ppm GA3 applied on the 1st, 3rd and 5th WAA; (8) 1,000 ppm GA3 applied at flowering and on the 1st and 3rd WAA; (9) 1,000 ppm GA3 applied at flowering and on the 1st, 3rd and 5th WAA; (10) 1,500 ppm GA3 applied at flowering and on the 1st and 3rd WAA, and (11) 1,500 ppm GA3 applied at flowering and on the 1st, 3rd and 5th WAA. A total of 20 plants were used. The harvest was performed at the 18th WAA. The fruit set rate, number of seeds per fruit, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit mass, pulp mass, peel mass and fruit chemical characteristics were evaluated. The results were submitted to an analysis of variance, and the means were compared by the Tukey test (P > 0.05). A significant difference among the treatments was not observed for fruit set, presenting an average of 77% at the 18th WAA. Three applications of 500 ppm GA3 plus hand pollination induced the production of fruits with increased length, diameter and mass. Fruits produced by hand pollination alone or combined with GA3 had a lower percentage of fruit peel. The use of 1,500 ppm of gibberellic acid is efficient for producing seedless fruits in custard apple with high physical and chemical parameters.

Obtaining Protoplasts from Leaf Tissue Plantlets of Rubus Glaucus Benth (Blackberry) to Develop Proembryos

Blackberry is a plant native from the highlands of South America, which grows in the Ecuadorian Andes. This plant has been cultivated for centuries in Ecuador and has been used as food and medicine. Its fruit is widely consumed due to its high content of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. For a large-scale production, this study was aimed to establish alternatives and appropriate protocols for obtaining proembryos of Rubus glaucus using callus and protoplasts from leaf tissues. The following hormones were used in different concentrations: Auxins (2,4-D and NAA), Cytokinins (TDZ and Zeatine) and Giberillin GA3 and a basic Murashige and Skoog (MS) media as culture medium. Several assays were performed to determine the most suitable concentration of phytohormons for embryogenic callus formation and for stablishing proembryos in cell suspensions. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan test. The best treatment (p < 0.0001) was reached with 0.5 ppm of 2, 4-D auxin in Callogenesis phase, this concentration was sufficient to form vegetative callus over a period of four weeks with the leaf explant covered totally. Regarding to the increase of vegetative growth of callus, the cytokinin Zeatin at 0.5 ppm enabled an average increase of 0.5 cm per growing callus and finally 0.5 ppm of GA3 enabled an average growth rate of 141 667 cells/mL in the protoplast suspension.

Effect of plant growth regulators on flower and bulb production of hippeastrum (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort.)

The experiment was conducted at the Horticultural research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur during October 2008 to July 2009 to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators on flower and bulb production of Hippeastrum. There were ten treatments comprising of three concentrations of three growth regulators viz., IAA (20, 60 and 100 ppm), ethrel (100, 300 and 500 ppm) and GA3 (100, 300 and 500 ppm) along with control (soaked in water). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Flower and bulb characteristics of Hippeastrum were influenced significantly by different levels of growth regulators. Application of IAA at 60 and 100 ppm and GA3 at 100, 300 or 500 ppm twice as foliar spray at an interval of 30 days promoted the number of bulblets on the treated plants. Ethrel at a concentration of 100 ppm increased the number of flowers per scape (4) and showed earliness in days to flower scape emergence (72.33 days) and first flower open (88.67 days). On the other hand, the biggest size of flower (15.14 cm x 12.44 cm) and flower scape (40.28 cm x 21.95cm) at harvest and the maximum days for flowering (11.50 days) were evident from plants treated with 500 ppm GA3. The highest number of bulblets per plot (40.00), bulbs weight per plot (4056 g) along with bulb yield (40.56 t/ha) were also obtained in GA3 at 500 ppm.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(4): 591-600, December 2015

Economic dynamics of tissue cultured strawberry (Fragaria× ananassa) under the influence of integrated plant nutrients in humid sub tropical hills of North Eastern India

Satisfactory and sustainable level of agricultural production can be achieved by combined application of inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, bio-fertilizers, bio-regulators and vermicompost. A field experiment was conducted during 2010-12 at experimental farm, Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India, to find out the profitability of tissue cultured strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) (cv. Festival) cultivation by using various integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) combining inorganic fertilizers with organic manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-regulators. The response of IPNS on economics of strawberry indicated that the overall cost of cultivation as well as economics of strawberry production was significantly influenced by integration of various components. Among the different treatments, the highest expenditure of Rupees 2 077 576.83/ha was incurred in 100% RDF + vermicompost as against the lowest in control. With respect to the income, the highest net income of Rupees 7 298 119.27/ha was obtained in 75 % RDF + vermicompost + Azospirillum + PSB + 50 ppm GA3+50 ppm BA. The same treatment also recorded the highest cost benefit ratio of 1: 3.51.

Effect of Seed Treatments and Potting Medium on Seed Germination and Associate Parameters in Critically Endangered Litsea glutinosa (Lour.)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different seed treatment and soil media on germination percentage and associate parameters in Litsea glutinosa during May to June, 2013 at vegetative multiplication nursery of Genetics and Plant Propagation Division of Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). Data on daily seed germination from twenty treatment combination was recorded and used for estimation of germination percentage, germination energy (%), energy period, germination value and peak value of mean germination. Critical perusal of analysis revealed that seed treatment with ‘Water+200 ppm GA3’ was resulted in positive effect on all the characters studied i.e. germination percentage, germination energy, energy period, germination value and peak value of mean germination. Whereas, potting mixture of ‘1/3 Sand+1/3 FYM+1/3 Soil’ revealed positive effect on all the characters studied among all the potting mixture tried.

Effect of Different Growth Promoting Substances on Rejuvenated Sapota Plants

An experiment on “Effect of growth promoting substances on rejuvenated sapota plants” was carried out at Main Garden, University Department of Horticulture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India during the year 2013–2014. The investigation was done on uniform and rejuvenated 45 year old plants of sapota variety Kalipatti. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatment combinations and each treatment was replicated thrice. Plant growth promoting substances like KNO3 (potassium nitrate) and GA3 alone or in combination with different concentration was sprayed in 1st week of July, August and September in 2013 during the course of the investigation. Growth observations like leaf area (cm2), Chlorophyll content (mg/g); Yield and yield contributing characters like number of flowers per shoot, fruit set percentage, Fruit drop %, Days required for flowering to harvesting, Number of fruits per plant, fruit yield, fruit size, fruit volume, fruit weight; Quality parameters like fruit moisture, peel weight, pulp weight, total soluble solids, acidity, total sugar content, seed weight were studied during the research. The treatment T9 (2% KNO3 + 50 ppm GA3) was found superior among all other treatments in terms of the highest number of fruit per plant and fruit yield with earlier flowering along with the various fruit quality parameters such as highest in pulp content, total soluble solids, total sugar content.

Post-harvest chemical manipulation in strawberry regeneration under Jammu sub-tropics

The present investigation on postharvest chemical manipulation in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) regeneration under Jammu sub-tropics was carried out to standardize the dose and time of application of chemicals for optimising the runner production. Application of plant growth regulators enhanced the runner production in strawberry cultivar Chandler under Jammu sub-tropics. The maximum number of runners/mother plant (13.53), number of trains/mother plant (4.10), number of runners/train (3.30), plant spread per mother plant (34.02 cm), plant spread per runner plant (10.83 cm), number of leaves per mother plant (22) and number of leaves per runner plants (7.29) of strawberry cv. Chandler was recorded with the application of 300 ppm GA3 + 150 ppm BA. The maximum plant height per mother plant (23.29 cm), plant height per runner (10.88 cm), petiole length per mother plant (19.1 cm), petiole length per runner plant (10.70 cm) and root length per runner plant (5.90 cm) were recorded under application of GA3 100 ppm. Whereas, control treatment recorded the maximum crown diameter (6.92 mm), crown weight (0.66 g) and leaf area (16.57). The findings indicated that the application of GA3 (300 ppm) + BA (150 ppm) enhanced the regeneration capacity of strawberry runners under Jammu sub-tropics.

Effect of stratification and gibberellic acid on seed germination and seedling growth of walnut under Kashmir valley conditions

Off-season seed sowing in walnut in order to reduce sprouting period and extend propagation season under field conditions of Kashmir valley was undertaken during 2011 and 2012. Common walnut seeds at cold and ambient conditions treated with GA3 (50 and 100 ppm), ethrel (1000 and 1500 ppm), sulphuric acid (7.5 and 9.5%) and potassium nitrate (0.2 and 0.4%) were evaluated in split plot design (SPD) having 32 treatment combinations and three replications. GA3 100 and 50 ppm produced the maximum sprouting (58.24 and 54.23%). Ethrel 1500 and 1000 ppm showed low bud sprouting (38.07 & 35.58%, respectively), but was significantly higher than control (29.99%). Cold treated nuts showed significantly higher germination (46.51%) than ambient conditions (42.21%). Correlation between cold × unsoaked × GA3 was statistically significant. Unsoaked seeds × cold also produced sprouting rate (47.73%) higher than soaked with ambient storage (42.21%). Cold-30-day × 100 ppm GA3 interaction showed the maximum sprouting rate (63.29%). Interaction between unsoaked × 30-day-cold × GA3 100 ppm showed higher sprouting rate (65.33%) than soaked × 30-day-ambient storage × ethrel 1000 ppm (33.33%). Whereas, minimum sprouting (34.33%) was obtained in ambient-30-day × ethrel 1000 ppm. Vegetative growth viz., seedling height, number of days from germination leaf fall and stem diameter (mm) were the similarly influenced. Research findings indicate that off-season sowing in walnut and GA3 soaking could be economically viable method for enhancing seed germination. Refrigerated cold (30 days) and 100 ppm GA3 is feasible procedure for forcing seed germination and to extend the period of propagation in walnut.

2E21 赤血球サスペンション流れにおける血小板模擬粒子の流路内分布 : 赤血球変形能の影響

In blood flow through microvessels, platelets are known to have enhanced concentrations near the vessel wall, which is the so-called "near-wall excess" (NWE). Since this characteristic of platelets plays an important role in hemostasis, there have been intensive studies on the platelet behavior in microchannel flows. In the present study, we examine the effects of red blood cell (RBC) deformability on the NWE in microchannel flows. The RBC deformability was altered by fixing RBCs in 40-4000 ppm glutaraldehyde solution (GA_RBC). The viscosity of RBC suspension fixed by 4000 ppm glutaraldehyde was significantly higher than that of normal intact RBC suspensions (p<0.05). Fluorescent platelet-sized particles were mixed in the suspension of RBCs with altered deformability, and the cross-sectional distributions of the particles were observed in microchannels with square cross-sections of 50μm width, utilizing a confocal laser scanning microscope at various heights from the bottom of the channel. In the case of intact RBC suspensions, the platelet-sized particles showed an apparent NWE. In the case of 4000 ppm GA_RBC suspensions, in contrast, the particles exhibited nearly uniform distributions in the channel cross-section.

Exogenous GA₃ Application Enhances Xylem Development and Induces the Expression of Secondary Wall Biosynthesis Related Genes in Betula platyphylla.

Gibberellin (GA) is a key signal molecule inducing differentiation of tracheary elements, fibers, and xylogenesis. However the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of GA on xylem elongation and secondary wall development in tree species remain to be determined. In this study, Betula platyphylla (birch) seeds were treated with 300 ppm GA3 and/or 300 ppm paclobutrazol (PAC), seed germination was recorded, and transverse sections of hypocotyls were stained with toluidine blue; the two-month-old seedlings were treated with 50 μM GA3 and/or 50 μM PAC, transverse sections of seedling stems were stained using phloroglucinol–HCl, and secondary wall biosynthesis related genes expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Results indicated that germination percentage, energy and time of seeds, hypocotyl height and seedling fresh weight were enhanced by GA3, and reduced by PAC; the xylem development was wider in GA3-treated plants than in the control; the expression of NAC and MYB transcription factors, CESA, PAL, and GA oxidase was up-regulated during GA3 treatment, suggesting their role in GA3-induced xylem development in the birch. Our results suggest that GA3 induces the expression of secondary wall biosynthesis related genes to trigger xylogenesis in the birch plants.

Influence of bio-fertilizers and bio-regulators on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

The present investigation was carried out during 2010-2012 to find out the effect of integration of bio-fertilizers with organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on growth, yield and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Festival. The growth, yield and quality of strawberry fruits were significantly influenced by integration of bio-fertilizers, organic manure and inorganic fertilizers. The maximum growth in terms of plant height, spread and number of crowns/plant were observed in the treatment consisting of 75 % RDF + vermicompost + Azospirillum +PSB + 50 ppm GA3+ 50 ppm BA. This treatment also exhibit superiority in yield attributing characters like number of runners/plant, berry set percentage, berry weight, number of berries/plant and yield/ha. The quality parameters of the fruit like TSS, titrable acidity, ascorbic acid, total sugars and reducing sugars were also influenced by combined use of organic, inorganic and biological sources of nutrients. Significant to highly significant positive correlation was observed among different growth and yield attributing characters with yield.

Sources of gallium in ferromanganese crusts from the Sea of Japan

Possible sources of gallium in hydrothermal-sedimentary ferromanganese crusts of the Belyaevsky Seamount (Central Basin, Sea of Japan) are considered. Studies with successive selective leaching have shown that ~80% of Ga are present in the manganese fraction. The Changbaishan Volcano ash with up to 35.3 ppm Ga has been found in the marine sediment column located in the immediate vicinity of the Belyaevsky Seamount. This suggests that Ga of the Fe–Mn crusts of the seamount was supplied with the ash of volcanic rocks containing up to 300 ppm Ga.