Seed Oil Percentage Research Articles

EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION WITH GIBBERELLIC ACID AND UREA ON GROWTH, YIELD, SEED OIL CONTENT AND ITS FATTY ACIDS OF RAPESEED

The present investigation was carried out at Giza Experimental Station, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), during the two successive winter seasons, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 in order to investigate the influence of foliar spraying at 40 and 60 days after sowing (DAS) with concentrations of gibberellic acid (0, 50 and 100 ppm) and rates of urea (0, 4 and 8%) on growth, leaf area index (LAI), yield and yield components as well as some seed chemical constituents of rapeseed c.v. Pactol. Results indicated that increasing the concentration of gibberellic acid (GA3) from 0 up to 100 ppm caused significant increase in plant height, number of branches/plant, shoot dry weight/plant and LAI at 77, 98 and 119 DAS (except number of branches / plant at 119 days did not reach the level of significance with 50 ppm GA3 in both seasons). Also, number of siliques/plant, 1000-seed weight, seed weight/plant and seed yield/feddan as well as seed oil percentage and yield of oil/feddan were significantly increased by increasing GA3 from 0 up to 100 ppm. Generally, the difference between 50 and 100 ppm of GA3 did not reach the level of significance in most of the investigated traits. The increments due to spraying 100 ppm GA3 were estimated by 17.1 and 18.7% for seed weight per plant and 12.4 and 12.5% for seed yield per feddan compared with control in the first and second season, respectively. Likewise, 100 ppm GA3 enhanced oleic acid, the first main component of fatty acids (unsaturated), being 56.828% against 53.974% in seed of control plants. A steady and progressive increase in all studied growth traits, LAI and all investigated yield traits were observed with each increment in applied urea rates up to 8% in both seasons. Spraying urea with 8% induced significant increments of 26.2 and 28.9% for seed weight/plant and 18.4 and 20.0 % for seed yield/feddan in the first and second season, respectively. Whereas, seed oil percentage was decreased due to foliar application with urea. Nevertheless, oil yield/feddan was significantly increased due only to the increase induced in seed yield/feddan. Sprayed plants of Brassica napus L. with 8% urea produced oil free from euricic acid and had higher percentage of oleic acid (66.086% of the total fatty acids of the seed). The interaction among levels of GA3 and urea proved significant in most of the investigated growth traits, LAI and yield traits. The most effective treatment which gave the highest values of yield and its components (except that of 1000-seed weight) in both studied seasons was that of 50 ppm GA3 with 8% urea which gave significant increase of 36.8 and 39.7% for seed yield / feddan more than the control in the first and second season, respectively. Such treatment was not significantly differed with that of 50 ppm GA3 + 4% urea.

Seed trait evaluation of Gossypium barbadense L. chromosomes/arms in a G. hirsutum L. background

Investigation of cotton nutritional components is important because its seeds provide a useful nutritional profile and can possibly serve as a biofuel resource. In this study, five cultivars, 13 cotton chromosome substitution (CS-B) lines, their donor parent, '3-79', and their recurrent parent, 'TM-1', were evaluated for seed traits over four environments. A mixed linear model approach with the jackknife method was employed to estimate variance components and to predict genotypic effects for each seed trait. Genotypic effects were more important than genotype by environment interaction for all seed traits. Chromosome associations with these seed traits were detected using the comparative method by comparing the differences between each CS-B line and TM-1. For example, chromosome 4 of 3-79 in TM-1 background was associated with reduced seed index (SI), embryo percentage, protein percentage while associated with increased seed oil percentage and seed fiber percentage. Other chromosome associations with these seed traits were also observed in this study. SI was highly correlated with three seed index traits: seed protein index, seed oil index (OI), and seed fiber index. Lint percentage, boll number, and lint yield were positively correlated with protein percentage while negatively correlated with SI and OI. SI and seed fiber content exhibited negative correlations with micronaire but positive correlations with fiber length and strength. Results suggested that agronomic traits and seed nutrition components can be improved simultaneously.

Development of ‘naked-tufted’ seed coat mutants for potential use in cotton production

Use of chemical mutagenesis has been highly successful in most major crops. The objective of this research was to develop ‘naked-tufted’ seed mutants and to incorporate this genetic trait into cotton to enhance crop quality and reduce processing costs. In 1997, six commercial cultivars were treated with 2.45% v/v ethyl methane sulfonate. In 1999, three M3 plants were identified that had partially naked seed coats. The trait was stabilized through individual plant selections from 2000 to 2004. During 2005 and 2006, the homozygous naked-tufted M8 mutant lines were evaluated for lint yield, lint percent, fibers/seed, fibers/mm2, fiber quality, seed oil content, ginning efficiency and yarn spinning performance. Overall, the naked-tufted seed mutants had lower lint yield, lower fibers/seed, lower lint/seed, and lower fibers/mm2 when compared with their original fuzzy parents. The lint turnout from the mutants was similar to the fuzzy parents and the commercial cultivars. The naked-tufted seed mutants had higher seed oil percent, 6–17% lower short fiber contents, significantly reduced seed coat neps (37–42%), higher elongation and yarn tenacity than their fuzzy counterparts. Preliminary data also showed that the naked-tufted mutants required less energy to gin.

DETERMINATION ON THE AGRICULTURAL AND QUALITY PROPERTIES OF URTICA PILULIFERA L. (ISIRGAN) UNDER BORNOVA ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Five species of nettle ( Urtica sp.) are found in Turkey . Stinging Nettle ( Urtica pilulifera L.), is naturally distributed in the temperate zone of the world. It contains proteins, flavonoids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. So, its leaves, roots and seeds are used for food, fiber, herbal medicine, colour agent and cosmetic industry. U. pilulifera is an annual plant and its seeds are locally called ‘'black nettle seed''. The species hasn't been cultivated yet in agriculture. The aim of this study is to investigate the properties of the nettle and also to research cultivating of U. pilulifera. The research was conducted in the experimental fields of the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University , in the growing periods of 2005 and 2006. In the trial, seeds of U. pilulifera from Antalya are used. 100 plants from the field trial were selected and they were harvested. Plant height (cm), root lenght (cm), yield of the plant (gr), yield of the root (gr/plant), number of branches (pieches/plant), number of globose pedunculate heads (pieces/plant) and yield of globose pedunculate heads (gr/plant) were determined in the field experiment. Total oil percentage of the seeds was analyzed.

EFFECT OF TRANSPLANT AGE AND SOME GROWTH REGULATORS ON PRODUCTIVITY OF CANOLA CROP.

Two field experiments were carried out at El-Gemmeiza Agric. Res. Station, Gharbia Governorate, during 2005 / 2006 and 2006 / 2007 seasons, to study the effect of transplanting canola seedling at different ages (30, 45 and 60 days as well as direct seeding) and preplanting soaking canola transplants, in GA3, IAA and NAA and without dipping (control treatment), on growth, yield and yield attributes of canola seeds (Srew 4). The treatment took of stages of 30 days from seeding the seeding were soaked for 24 hours just before transplanting using control without soaking. Results indicated that, the differences between transplanting treatments as well as direct seeding for number of days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), number of branches / plant, fruiting zone length, seed yield / plant (g), 1000 – seed weight (g), seed yield kg/fad. and oil seed percentage were significant in the two seasons. Transplanting canola plants at 45 days old gave the highest values for all attributes studied in both seasons, except No. of branches/plant and oil percentage. While, transplanting after 30 days produced the highest values for number of branches / plant and seed oil percentage in the two seasons. The minimum values of the above attributes studied were obtained by sowing seed directly. IAA application significantly increased all attributes studied in first and second seasons. Interaction between transplanting and soaking treatments showed significant increase for all attributes studied except number of branches / plant, 1000 – seed weight (g) and seed oil percentage in both seasons.

EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS AND BIO-FERTILIZERS ON PRODUCTIVITY OF PEANUT CROP

Two field experiments were conducted during 2006 and 2007 summer growing seasons at Ismailia Agric. Res. Station, to study the effect of phosphorus treatments (soil at the rate of 0, 31 kg P2O5 and foliar application of 2% P2O5) as well as bio-fertilizer treatments (0, Phosphorein alone, Phosphorein + Rizobactrein, Phosphorein + Microbein and Phosphorein + Nitrobein) on yield, yield components and seed oil percentage of peanut (Arachis hypogaea, L.) Giza 6 cultivar. Results indicated that soil application of 31 kg P2O5/fad. gave the highest values for number and dry weight of nodules/plant (mg), phosphorus content, number of pods/plant, pod yield/plant (g), seed yield/plant (g), 100 – pod weight (g), 100 – seed weight(g), pod yield/fad (kg) and seed yield/fad. as well as seed oil percentage in both seasons. Also results showed that all inoculating treatments increased number, dry weight of root nodules and phosphorus content but with varying degrees compared with inoculation with phosphorein alone. In that respect bio-fertilizer treatments were descendingly arranged as follow: Phosphorein + Microbein > Phosphorein + Notrobein > Phosphorein + Rizobactrein. Co-inoculation with Phosphorein + Microbein exhibited superiority for the above mentioned parameters over the other co-inoculation treatments. Similar findings were obtained for yield and its components when inoculation with Phosphorein + Microbein produced pod yield/fad. higher 38.14 and 39.58% above the control treatment in both seasons. Interaction effect between phosphorus and bio-fertilizer treatments was significant for all studied attributes in both seasons, dry weight of nodules/plant, phosphorus content, seed yield/plant, 100 – seed weight and shelling percentage. It was shown that soil application of 31 kg P2O5 with combination of Phosphorein + Microbein gave the highest values for yield and yield attributes in both seasons.

Different Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilizer Treatments on Some Agro-Physiologic Traits in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

In order to investigate the effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on agronomical and physiological traits of two winter rapeseed varieties, an experiment was established in a randomized complete block design as split-plot factorial arrangement with four replications in 2005-2006 at Agricultural Research Station of Khorramabad, Iran. Irrigation as main-plot factor consisted of four levels (I60, I90, I120 and I150). Sub-plot factors included nitrogen in four levels (N0, N70, N140, and N210 kg N ha(-1)) and two varieties (Zarfam and SLM046). Thousand-seed weight (TSW) in all irrigation and nitrogen levels was lower in the 2006 than that of the 2005. Seed oil percentage (SOP) was decreased with increasing water use only in second year. As nitrogen rate increased, SOP decreased and seed oil yield (SOY) increased in the 2006 significantly (p < 0.05). With increasing water supply, SOY increased in first year. Zarfam variety had a higher TSW and SOP in both years. According to combined analysis results, seed and oil yield were not significantly affected by irrigation treatments and rapeseed varieties. Seed yield had not significant difference between 70 to 210 kg N ha(-1) treatments. Both Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and dry matter remobilization efficiency (DMRE) were increased by decreasing water supply in I90 to I150 treatments. But N0 and N210 resulted in the lowest WUE and DMRE, respectively. Considering all traits, the first year of experiment was better than second year. The irrigation x variety interaction had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on seed yield and WUE. Generally, I150N70V1 combination is recommended in the region of the study due to high performance in production of seed and oil yield.

YIELD AND QUALITY OF TWO FLAX VARIETIES AS AFFECTED BY FOLIAR SPRAYING WITH POTASSIN RATES AND NITROGEN LEVELS UNDER SANDY SOIL CONDITION

Two field experiments were performed at the Experimental Farm, Esmailia Agric. Res. Station Agric. Res. Center, Esmailia Governorate, Egypt during the two growing seasons of 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 to study the influence of foliar spraying of potassin rates at (1 and 1.5 liters potassin/fed.) and the three nitrogen levels of 25, 50 and 75 kg N/fed. on yield, yield components and some technological characters of the two flax varieties Sakha 1 and Sakha 2. Moreover, simple correlation coefficient among straw and seed yields and their components as well as fiber yield and its quality were studied. Results obtained could be summarized as follows: The flax variety Sakha 1 surpass Sakha 2 in total length, technical length, straw yield/plant as well as per feddan, fiber yield/plant as well as per feddan, fiber length and fiber fineness in both seasons in addition to the combined analysis over them. Fiber percentage had similar trend except with only the second season where Sakha 2 superior over Sakha 1 in this case without significance. The flax variety Sakha 2 ranked first in no. of fruiting branches, no. of capsules/plant, no. of seeds/capsule, 1000 seed weight, seed yield/plant as well as per feddan, seed oil percentage and oil yield/fed. Foliar spraying with potassin at the rate of 1.5 liter/fed. achieved maximum mean values of all straw and seed characters under study, except with fiber fineness trait, which recorded highest estimates by spraying with 1 liter, these results were true in both seasons and the combined data. There was gradual increment in straw and seed yields in addition to their components with increasing nitrogen levels from 25 towards the highest dose at 75 kg N/fed., except with fiber fineness trait which more fine fiber obtained by applying 25 kg N/fed. and more coarse fiber occurred with increasing nitrogen levels towards the highest level. Straw yield/plant was highly significant and positive correlated with each of total length, technical length, fiber yield/plant, fiber yield/feddan and fiber length. Also, the r values were highly significant and positive between seed yield and either no. of capsules/plant or 1000 seed weight.

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION INTERVALS AND INTERCROPPING PATTERNS ON YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS OF SOYBEAN AND SUNFLOWER IN RECLAIMED LAND

Two field experiments were conducted at Nubaria Agric. Res. Station during 2003 and 2004 seasons. The objective of this investigation aimed to study the effect of irrigation intervals (irrigation every 14 and 28 days) and six intercropping patterns: (1) Pure stand of soybean (sown in hills 10 cm distance apart on each side of the ridge and thinned at two plants/hill). (2) Pure stand of sunflower (sown in hills 30 cm distance on side of the ridge and thinned at one plant/hill). (3) Soybean sown on one side of the ridge and sunflower sown on the other side of the ridge (100% soybean+100% sunflower). (4) Soybean sown in 2:2 rows with sunflower. (5) Soybean sown in 2:4 rows with sunflower. (6) Soybean sown in 4:2 rows with sunflower on yield and its components of both crops, as well as the competitive relationships. A split plot in complete randomize design with four replicates was used. The results indicated that Irrigation intervals had significant effects on soybean plant height, number of pods/plant, seed yield/fad. and seed oil percentage of soybean plants. Intercropping patterns had significant effects on all studied traits, except oil and protein content percentages in the two seasons. The highest seed yield/fad. was obtained by irrigation every 14 days and sowing soybean in pure stand. Pure stand gave higher seed yield of soybean than that of all intercropping patterns. Irrigation intervals had significant effects on sunflower plant height, number of leaves/plant, seed yield/plant and seed yield/fad. of sunflower plants in the two seasons. Also, intercropping patterns had significant effects on all studied traits in the two seasons. Pure stand of sunflower gave higher seed yield/fad. than all intercropping patterns. The highest seed yields of sunflower and soybean were obtained by irrigation every 14 days and pure stands in the two seasons. The results indicated that land equivalent ratios (LER) of soybean and sunflower values were more than one. Moreover, it could be concluded that soybean and sunflower sown at pure stands with irrigation every 14 days can be recommended for raising soybean and sunflower productivity as compared with all intercropping patterns under the condition of Nubaria region. Also, sunflower was always the dominant crop, whereas soybean was dominated.

Growth, nodulation, and yield of soybean and associated weeds as affected by weed management

Two field experiments were conducted at the experimental farm of the National Research Centre at Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate, Egypt, during 2006 and 2007 seasons, to study the effect of three pre-emergence herbicides, prometryn [at the rate of 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 kg ha-1], oxadiargyl [at the rate of 240, 480 and 720 g ha-1] and butralin [at the rate of 1.20, 2.40 and 3.36 kg ha-1], two hand hoeing treatments and a nonweeded check, on weed infestation, nodulation, growth, yield and yield attributes of soybean plants. Two hand hoeing treatments resulted in the highest weed depression expressed as the lowest fresh and dry weights of broadleaved, grassy and total weeds. The reduction percentage in weed dry matter compared to the nonweeded treatment was 98.3, 92.64 and 96.9% in broadleaved, grassy and total weeds, respectively. Application of the three herbicides at higher or recommended doses significantly reduced fresh and dry weight of the weeds compared to the nonweeded treatment. The results indicated that all the three herbicides at rates higher than the recommended markedly decreased the number, fresh and dry weight of nodules as well as root, shoot and total dry weight plant-1, while application of two hand hoeing treatments significantly increased these traits. Two hand hoeing treatments and pre-emergence herbicides at the recommended rates markedly increased soybean yield and its attributes. Two hand hoeing treatments gave the highest values of number of pods per plant-1, weight of pods per plant-1 and number of seeds per plant-1 by 140.7, 150.0 and 59.8%, respectively, compared to the nonweeded treatment. On the other hand, oxadiargyl at the recommended rate (480 g ha-1) was the best treatment for promoting seed yield (g plant-1), seed yield (kg ha-1) and biological yield (g plant-1) compared to the nonweeded treatment by 87.3, 85.0 and 88.2%, respectively. Prometryn at the rate of 1.50 kg ha-1, followed by two hand hoeing treatments, produced the highest shoot and seed protein percentage as well as seed oil percentage, compared to the other weed control treatments.

PHYTOREMEDIATION OF LEAD POLLUTED WATER USING FIVE DIFFERENT NATURAL MATERIALS

Pollution of the environment with toxic metals is widespreadincluding wastewater. Lead is the most element concerning healthand environment due to its accumulation potential in the food chainand also in ground water. The aim of this research was to study theadsorption ability of five different natural materials such as (Cottonstalks, Acacia, Orange peels, Rice straw and Pomegranate peels) forremoval of lead ions from lead polluted solution and industrialwastewater and the effect of water remediation on the growth ofsunflower plants.Lead polluted solution (200 ppm Pb) was treated with thedifferent portions of natural materials i.e. 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g/100 ml.Residual concentration of lead in the solution was measured after24, 48 and 72 h. lead concentration was decreased after 72h usingcotton stalks, acacia, orange peels, rice straw and pomegranate peelsfrom 200 ppm to 1.07 (89.3%), 1.45 (85.5%), 1.20 (88%), 0.85(91.5%) and 0.54 (94.6%), respectively. A Pot experiment undergreenhouse conditions in a virgin soil was conducted in todetermine the effect of water remediation on the growth ofsunflower plants (Helianthus annuus cv. Avante) and was irrigatedusing industrial wastewater collected from Helwan iron and steelindustries. Data indicated that irrigation with industrial wastewaterinhibited seed development, reduced seed oil percentage, crudeproteins percentage, increased total carbohydrates and the mobilityof lead within the plant compared with the treatments of remediatedwater and control. It was declared that, water remediation decreasedthe plant hazard caused by lead present in industrial wastewater.

Partition of Photosynthates and Energy Production in Different Flax Cultivars

Two field trials were carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Station of the National Research Centre at Shalakan, Kalubia Governorate during 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 seasons to evaluate seven fibre flax, i.e., Wiko, Nike, Alba, Viking, Texa and Belinka genotypes as well as two dual purpose flax, i.e., Giza 5 and Giza 6 in relation to energy production. The results showed that flax cultivars differed significantly in photosynthate partitions. Significant differences were obtained in carbohydrates, protein and oil percentage of vegetative organs, seeds and straw, except protein percentage of straw which responded insignificantly. Glucose required for synthesis of chemical constituents, carbon equivalent in vegetative organs, straw and seeds differed significantly in all investigated flax cultivars under investigation. Energy yield plant−1 and hectare _1 for straw and seeds yield also differed significantly. All investigated flax cultivars showed significant differences in yield as well as its components. Broad sense heritability and coefficient of variation were estimated for all investigated flax cultivars. Heritability ranged between 60.93% for number of capsules plant _1 and 90.74% for seed index.

Productivity of some sunflower hybrids grown on newly reclaimed sandy soils, as affected by irrigation regime and fertilization

Productivity of sunflower hybrids under surface (flooding), dripping and sprinkler irrigation systems was studied in 1999 and 2000 summer seasons at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University Ismailia, Egypt, on sandy soil. Under surface as well as under drip systems three irrigation regimes (high, medium, and low according to the amount of water supplied to the crop throughout the seasons) and 4 fertilization treatments, namely 45 N+15.5 P2O5 + 25 K2O or 90N + 31P2O5+50 K2O/fad. (fad.=4200 m2), without or with biofertilization+micronutrients foliar application, were studied. Under sprinkler system, one irrigation regime and the four fertilization treatments was studied. In the 1999 season, two hybrids (XF4731 and Euroflour) were tested under surface and drip irrigation systems while under sprinkler system the tested hybrids were XF4731 and Vidoc. In the 2000 season, the studied hybrids were Euroflour and Hightec under the three systems. Over irrigation regimes and fertilization treatments in the 1999 season, XF4731 had a significantly higher seed yield/fad. than Euroflour. XF4731 attained 953, 973 and 471 kg/fad. under surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, respectively. In the 2000 season, Hightec significantly outyielded Euroflour in two systems. The reverse was true under drip irrigation, as Euroflour produced a significantly higher seed yield/fad. than Hightec (523 kg). The water use efficiency (WUE - kg seeds/m3 water) of the hybrids as well as their oil yield (kg/fad) showed nearly the same trend of seed yield/fad. Meanwhile, Euroflour recorded the highest seed oil percentages under the different systems and regimes of irrigation. The studied high irrigation regimes under surface irrigation (6228-4796 m3 water/fad) and under dripping system (2690-2549 m3 water/fad) and application of high rates of NPK only under drip system or combined with biofertilization+micronutrients foliar under surface and sprinkler systems are recommended for sunflower growing on the newly reclaimed sandy soil in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt.

Soybean seed oil content: genetic control under different photoperiods

The oil content of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds is a polygenic and complex trait that is responsive to environmental effects that occur during plant development. Our objective was to study the seed oil content of soybeans developed under diverse photoperiod and temperature conditions. Three parental inbred lines with classic (BR-13, FT-2 and BR85-29009) and one with long juvenile flowering type (OCEPAR 8) and the F2, F3, and F9 generations derived from all possible crosses between them (including reciprocals) were sowed in September 27th, October 20th and December 17th in 1993 in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil (between 23o08'47" and 23o55'46" latitude S). The October and December sowing dates are within the period the varietal research personnel recommend for sowing soybeans in Paraná State. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences among sowing dates, among advanced inbred lines, and the sowing date x inbred line interaction. Seed oil content increased from September to October and decreased from October to December in all materials, but the reduction was greater in FT-2 and OCEPAR 8 among the parentals. The additive genetic variance (D) or additive variance among linked genes (D1) was significant for all crosses and sowing dates. Genotype x micro-environment interactions were important in some crosses. The additive [d] effects were greater in September and October, and the additive x additive interaction [i] was important in October among the mean genetic parameters. Significant dominance effects [h] were more frequent in December and October, often in direction of the increased seed oil content. The heritability estimates ranged from 15 to 43%, with the highest values obtained in September. The prediction of cross potential to generate higher seed oil inbred lines indicated that selection is likely to be successful in most crosses. The highest proportion of inbred lines with seed oil percentage above the standard (lines with more than 22% seed oil content) was for BR85-29009 x OCEPAR 8 in September, FT-2 x OCEPAR 8 in October, and in BR85-29009 x OCEPAR 8 and BR-13 x OCEPAR 8 in December.

COMBINING ABILITY STUDIES ON OIL CONTENT IN RELATION TO FUZZ GRADES IN COTTON

The seeds of Gossypium are usually fuzzy of different grades. The combining ability on oil content in relation to fuzz grades is reported in this paper. Seven cotton lines differing in fuzz grade from fully fuzz to naked seeds were crossed with the fuzzy varieties: MCU.5, MUC.7, MCU.9 and LRA. 5166 in a 'line x tester' fashion. Seed oil percentage exhibited greater range of variation among hybrids (16.55 to 23.58). The naked seed parent, TCH.89/7 recorded the highest significant oil percentage (23.66) and hybrids involving naked seed parent also recorded significantly higher oil percentage. Heritability (broad sense) was as high as 94.6 per cent though, the genetic advance as percentage of mean was low (8.49%). The GCASCA ratio was also less than unity indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action for oil content. Significant relationship between the per se performance and gea effects of the parents for oil content was noticed with sparsely fuzzed line TCH.65/8 and naked seed line TCH.89/7. Bot the cross combinations with high sea effects with respect to oil content involved poor conbiners. Correlation studies revealed that seed oil content had a significant and negative correlation co-efficient (-0.34) with fuzz grade and had significant and positive correlation co-efficient (0.34) with single seed kernel weight.

Genetic Mapping of a Locus (hyp) Affecting Seed Hypodermis Color in Sunflower

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed color is determined by pigmentation of three layers of the pericarp (hull): epidermis, hypodermis, and phytomelanin layer. A gene with major effects on hypodermis color was reported previously. However, genetic factors that determine the presence or absence of pigment in the hypodermis have not been reported. We identified RFLP markers linked to factor(s) affecting hypodermis pigmentation and assessed the relationship between this trait and oil percentage in sunflower seed. An F2 single‐cross population was produced from homozygous and homogeneous inbred parents ZENB8 and HA89, with pigmented and unpigmented hypodermis, respectively. Two hundred sixty‐seven F2 plants and their F3 families were evaluated. A dominant factor (Hyp) determining the presence of white pigments in the hypodermis was located to linkage group ‘G’. Seeds with white hypodermis had lower oil percentage than those with unpigmented hypodermis. The Hyp factor was located in the same map interval as one QTL with major effects on seed oil percentage in this population. Knowledge of genetic linkage among DNA markers, hypodermis pigmentation, and oil percentage should enhance breeding programs.

Use of RFLP Markers for Genetic Linkage Analysis of Oil Percentage in Sunflower Seed

Increased seed oil percentage is an important objective when breeding for high oil yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Although some researchers have investigated the genetics and heritability of sunflower oil percentage, most analyses were conducted on the oil percentage in the whole seed through conventional breeding and biometric procedures. The primary objective of this research was to identify restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) linked to quantitative trait loci affecting seed oil percentage, kernel oil percentage, and kernel percentage. An F2 population consisting of 289 individuals was produced by crossing two inbred lines that differ for the traits. The RFLP and trait data were obtained directly from self‐pollinated F2 plants. The RFLP markers (identifying 201 codominant loci) located six regions representing 57% of the genetic variation of seed oil percentage. Two of these regions were associated with kernel oil percentage, two with kernel percentage, and two with both components. Additive gene action was predominant for seed oil percentage and its components.

Effects of nitrogen supply on the growth, yield components, and distribution of nitrogen in Linola

Abstract A glasshouse study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of nitrogen (N) supply on the vegetative growth, yield components and the distribution of N in Linola™ (low linolenic acid linseed). Nitrogen stress reduced the number of tillers (secondary basal stems) and fruiting branches per plant. Severely N‐stressed plants produced only 20% of the dry matter of plants provided with an adequate N supply. The dry‐matter harvest index of the shoot was negatively related to N supply. The main effect of N stress on yield components was a reduction in the number of capsules per plant; seed number per capsule and the 1000‐seed weight were not altered by N stress. Nitrogen stress reduced seed and oil yields per plant through its effect on capsule production. Seed yield and seed oil percentage were reduced by excessively high levels of N supply. Concentrations of total N were highest in leaves and lowest in roots. There was little change in seed N concentrations in relation to N supply. Concentrations of nitr...

Critical nitrate-nitrogen and total nitrogen concentrations for vegetative growth and seed yield of Linola (edible-oil linseed) as affected by plant age

Edible-oil linseed (Linola, CSIRO Australia) was grown in a sand culture experiment in a glasshouse to develop tissue tests for assessing the nitrogen (N) status of the crop. Seven rates of N, provided as nitrate, were used to obtain critical N concentrations. Plants were tissue-tested at 3 developmental stages: early tillering (TL), flower buds visible (BV), and the start of flowering (SF). Suitable tissues for tests based on nitrate-N were the upper half of the main stem and the whole main stem. Leaves were unsuitable as their nitrate-N concentration was unresponsive to N supply until well above the rate for maximum growth. For tests based on total N, suitable tissues were upper stem, upper leaves, total stem, total leaves, and whole shoot. Critical N supply rates for vegetative growth at TL, BV, and SF, respectively, were 85, 145, and 145 mg/L. The critical N supply rate for seed yield was 65 mg/L. Excessive N supplies (350, 700 mg N/L) reduced both seed oil percentage and seed yield. Critical nitrate-N concentrations in fresh, upper stem tissue for vegetative growth decreased from-0.26 to 0.16 mg/g fresh weight (FW) between stages TL and BV. A critical nitrate-N concentration for seed yield could only be obtained for fresh stem tissue at TL, and this value was 50% lower than that for vegetative growth. Critical nitrate-N concentrations [mg/g dry weight (DW)] in dried stem tissue for vegetative growth at TL, BV, and SF, respectively, were 2.3, 1.7, and 0.7 (upper stem); and 2.1, 1.1, and 0.6 (whole stem). Critical nitrate N values (mg/g DW) for seed yield at TL, BV, and SF were 1.1, 0.8, and 0.3 (upper stem); and 1.0,0.7, and 0.2 (whole stem). Critical total N concentrations (% DW) for vegetative growth at TL, BV, and SF, respectively, were 3.0, 2.3, and 2.2 (upper stem); 5.3, 5.8, and 4.5 (upper leaves); 2.2, 1.7, and 1.6 (whole stem); 5.5, 4.9, and 4.5 (total leaves); and 4.5, 3.1, and 2.7 (whole shoot). Corresponding total N values (% DW) for seed yield at TL, BV, and SF, respectively, were 2.9, 2.2, and 2.0 (upper stem); 5.2, 4.8, and 4.3 (upper leaves); 2.1, 1.4, and 1.4 (whole stem); 5.2, 4.4, and 4.2 (total leaves); and 4.3,2.8, and 2.6 (whole shoot). The upper stem is the preferred tissue when testing for nitrate-N, and the whole shoot is the most convenient tissue for total N. Tissue testing for N status of Linola needs to be matched closely to plant age or stage of development because of the decline in critical N concentrations between early tillering and flowering.

Agronomic potential and seed oil composition of Cuphea lutea and C. laminuligera

In order to test the domestication potential of Cuphea species in the Mediterranean area some germplasm resources of Cuphea lutea and Cuphea laminuligera were tested for their phenological and morpho-physiological characteristics. In order to determine the proper harvesting time for maximum yield of seeds and oil, seeds in different stages of maturity were collected, separated into colour categories and analysed for oil content and fatty acid composition. Results confirm that the germplasm resources of Cuphea lutea and Cuphea laminuligera seem to be well adapted to the local climatic conditions of our experimental station and appear to be suitable for the cultivation in the Mediterranean area. According to the grading suggested by Hirsinger (1985), the germplasm collections of Cuphea lutea appear to be “excellent” for some phenological traits such as days till flower and days till seed yield; furthermore we can define them “good” and “fair” for some agronomic aspects such as 1000-seed weight and seed yield, respectively. In both species seed oil percentage increases when green-yellowish seed turns to reddish. No significant increase in oil content was observed when waiting beyond this time. Seed oil composition generally follows patterns reported previously. The amount of lauric acid is similar during the three stages of maturity. Based on the information obtained from these studies, seeds of C. lutea and C. laminuligera seem to be mature and ready for harvest when the seed coat turns from green-yellowish to reddish leading to a decrease of shattering and loss of seed.