Seed Setting Stage Research Articles

Effects of protection system and grazing seasons on goats’ nutrition in El Rosa, North Kordofan State, Sudan

The range grazing and distance walked for diet selection and nutritive value were studied in close and open range systems at the flowering and seed setting stages during the September and November 2009 respectively in El-khuwei locality (El Rosa). A completely randomized design was used (CRD). Sampling was done by two stage flowering and seed sating stage under protected and open range systems were selected diets and feed intake locating a 2000 x 2000 m plots. The average weights gains during the flowering and seed setting stage were 23.25 and 26.82kg respectively. Goat preference on bite counts of the different species significantly higher (P < 0.001) at flowering stage ranked leflef Luffa aegyptiaca , Aborakhus Andropogon gayanus, Bano Ergrostis tremula, Difra Echinocloa colonum , Huskneet Cenchrus biflorus and Himeira Hymerocardia. Whil Gadgad Geigeria alata, Gaw Aristida sp , Umfraredo Schoenofeldia gracilis , Fisiya Fimbristyls hispidula and browses Usher Calotropis procera least than that. A significant higher (P < 0.001) goats selective feed intake, in vitro dry matter digestibility dry matter, organic matter and crude protein higher in the protecte range at flowering stage and lowers in the open range at seed setting stage. However; highly ash contents and crude fiber in the open range system during the seed satting stage and least than that. The distance walked by goats for diet search was significantly longest in the open range system during the seed setting stage. Body weight gain was significantly highest during the flowering stage. It was concluded that at flowering stage higher goats preference on bite counts of the different species and body weight gain. However; feed intake, in vitro dry matter digestibility dry matter, organic matter and crude protein in the protecte range. During the seed satting stage were higher ash contents, crude fiber and distance walked by goats for diet search in the open range system.

Canopy height measurement by photogrammetric analysis of aerial images: Application to buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) lodging evaluation

Lodging is one of the major factors contributing to crop yield and quality reduction. However, the current method for lodging rate evaluation (visual rating) lacks quantitativeness, objectivity, and precision. We have designed a low-cost, simple photogrammetric method to circumvent this problem. The efficiency of the method was evaluated in a field cultivated with a lodging-resistant variety and a standard variety of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Aerial images of the plant were acquired with a compact digital camera hung under a small balloon (2.2m in length, 0.56m3 in volume) from a height of 50–150m. Canopy height was calculated from the aerial stereo images with photogrammetric software. The photogrammetric analysis showed that digital canopy height data compared well with ground truth data at the flowering and seed-setting stages but were underestimated at the harvesting stage. The underestimation was probably caused by the change of plant structure due to flowers and leaves withering at harvest. Digital canopy height data revealed that the lower the sowing density, the less the lodging in the standard variety. This result would not be obtained by conventional visual rating and is essential for the development of cultivation technologies to reduce buckwheat lodging. The designed photogrammetric method can effectively estimate canopy height over a wide area and analyze lodging rate quantitatively. It would also have applications in other areas, e.g., the evaluation of damage by hail, the estimation of diseased areas, and assessment for agricultural insurance application.

Influence of harvesting stage and inorganic and organic fertilizers on yield and oil composition of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in a semi-arid tropical climate

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an evergreen woody aromatic herb with a characteristic aroma and lavender like leaves and is suitable for use in perfumes, soaps and fragrances. A field experiment was conducted at Bangalore, India, to study the influence of harvesting stages and inorganic and organic fertilizer on yield and oil composition of rosemary in a semi-arid tropical climate. Results revealed that seed setting stage (HS4) produced maximum plant weight, herbage and oil yield of rosemary compared with other stages of harvesting. Combined application of vermicompost 10tha−1+fertilizer NPK (100:25:25kgha−1) significantly increased the herbage and oil yield of rosemary compared control (no fertilizer) (T1) and vermicompost (T2) and on par with treatment T3, T5, T6 and T7. Herbage yield increased by 66.1% and oil yield by 54.9% with the application of vermicompost 10tha−1+fertilizer NPK (100:25:25kgha−1) which indicated that 50% inorganic fertilizer can supplemented with organic manure without affects the oil yield of rosemary. Oil content and composition were influenced by harvesting stage but fertilizer levels were not influenced the content and composition.

Evaluation of drought and heat stressed grain sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor) for ethanol production

Sorghum is one of the most drought-tolerant grain crops and is used in biofuel production. Since sorghum is often exposed to drought and high temperature (heat) stress, this study investigated the effect of stress applied at different phenological stages of crop development on the glucose levels in grain and subsequent ethanol production. Short season sorghum hybrid DK-28E grown under controlled environment was exposed to drought and heat stress at five different stages of growth, namely: (1) pre-flowering (boot leaf emergence) to flowering, (2) flower to seed-set, (3) seed-set to early seed-fill, (4) early seed-fill to mid seed-fill, and (5) mid seed-fill to late seed-fill stage. Drought stress at any of the growth stages did not statistically affect either the glucose content or the ethanol production compared to the control (337 mg/g), although the ethanol yield increased up to 4.5% (352 mg/g) in flowering to seed-set stage. Heat stress, on the other hand, significantly reduced the glucose release and ethanol yield compared to the control (322 mg/g). Marginal ethanol yield reduction by 9% (293 mg/g) and 8.3% (295 mg/g) was seen in plants stressed during early seed-fill to mid seed-fill and mid seed-fill to late seed-fill stages, respectively. The results suggest that the phenological stage when sorghum is exposed to stress affects the ethanol yield. Overall, from the point of ethanol yield, it appears that grain sorghum cultivated in semi-arid regions where heat and drought stress are prevalent can be used for biofuel production. However, economic viability of ethanol production, especially of grain sorghum from high temperature stress needs to be investigated.

Variation in the Volatile Constituents of Artemisia annua var. CIM-Arogya during Plant Ontogeny

The essential oils yield and composition of the aerial parts of A. annua var. CIM-Arogya grown in Uttarakhand, India were analyzed and compared by capillary GC and GC-MS at different stages of development. The analysis led to the identification of 81 constituents forming 91.0%-97.1% of the essential oils compositions. The essential oil content of the aerial parts was found to vary from 0.3% to 0.7% at different stages of growth. A. annua crop harvested at full flowering and seed setting stage gave higher yield of essential oil (0.6%, 0.7%) than that harvested at pre flowering (0.5%), late vegetative (0.4%, 0.5%), mid vegetative (0.4%, 0.4%) and early vegetative stages (0.3%, 0.3%). The essential oils at different stages of growth showed monoterpenoids (38.5%-72.0%) and sesquiterpenoids (22.2%-48.2%) as major grouped constituents. The major constituents identified were camphor (22.8%-42.6%), 1,8-cineole (3.7%-8.4%), linalool (<0.1%-11.9%), beta-caryophyllene (2.0%-9.2%), (E)-beta-farnesene (1.3%-8.5%), germacrene D (0.5%-7.3%) and 1-epi-cubenol (0.7%-5.2%) in essential oil samples collected at different crop stages.

Essential Oil Content and Composition of Thymus fedtschenkoi Ronniger at Different Phenological Stages

The seasonal variation in the yield and compositions of the essential oil from samples of Thymus fedtschenkoi Ronniger collected in west Iran is reported. Essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus. Analysis was performed by GC and GC-MS. The yield in essential oil showed a maximum at the flowering stage (2.9 %) and a minimum during the seed set stage (0.7 %). The compositions also showed different patterns at different phases of the vegetative cycle. Linalool was the main component of all oils and the highest amount (83.1 %) was observed at the full flowering stage. The other main constituents identified in the oil of vegetative stage of T. fedtschenkoi were (E)-caryophyllene, α -Terpineol and α-humulene. The oil obtained from floral budding stage was dominated by α-terpineol, and α-humulene. The major components identified in the flowering stage oil were 1,8-cineole and terpinene-4-ol. Finally, the oil obtained from seed set stage was dominated by geranyl acetate and p-cymen.

Essential Oil Composition of the Inflorescence of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Collected at Different Stages of Flowering from Kumaon Region of Western Himalaya

The essential oils obtained from Artemisia capillaris at different stages of flowering were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main components of this oil were capillene, γ-terpinene, eugenol, limonene, p-cymene, myrcene and α-pinene. Capillene (40.1%), α-pinene (2.4%) and p-cymene (2.5%) were higher in the oil obtained from plants collected during full bloom stage, while γ-terpinene (24.6%) and eugenol (15.0%) were the main components of the oil from the seed setting stage. Characteristic of the oil was the presence of the rarely occurring compounds like capillene and norcapillene.

Preliminary Study on the Exchange of Gaseous Nitrogenous Compounds in Phyllosphere of &lt;I&gt;Oryza sativa&lt;/I&gt; L. at Flowering and Seed Setting Stages

Preliminary Study on the Exchange of Gaseous Nitrogenous Compounds in Phyllosphere of &lt;I&gt;Oryza sativa&lt;/I&gt; L. at Flowering and Seed Setting Stages

Seasonal Change in Forage Value of Rangeland Weeds in Northern Idaho

AbstractPrescribed grazing is an effective tool for controlling some rangeland weeds. Forage quality of eight nonnative rangeland weeds common to northern Idaho was determined. Five collection sites were established for each weed species: rush skeletonweed, meadow hawkweed, houndstongue, sulfur cinquefoil, yellow starthistle, Dalmatian toadflax, hoary cress, and tansy ragwort. Plants were collected at rosette, bolt, flower, and seed set stages; dried and separated into leaves, stems, flowers, or seed; and analyzed separately for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and mineral content (ash). As expected, plants became more fibrous as they matured because stems increased in NDF value throughout the season and the leaf : stem ratio of most weeds we examined decreased throughout the season. In general, the weeds we examined expressed only moderate fiber levels, beginning the season with NDF values near 34% in the rosette stage and becoming near 52% NDF in the seed set stage. CP values were near 25% in the rosette stage for houndstongue, rush skeletonweed, and hoary cress whereas other weeds we examined had about 15% CP in the rosette. As the season advanced, all plants lost protein content and ended the season with CP values from 5 to 8% at seed set. Ash values declined for all species as the season progressed. Our results indicate that these weeds have forage values similar to many native plants and could be reasonable forage resources for livestock. We did not examine the content of secondary compounds in these weeds that may render them unpalatable and limit their forage value.

Methane oxidation activity and bacterial community composition in a simulated landfill cover soil is influenced by the growth of Chenopodium album L.

Oxygen availability in landfill cover soil is a major limitation to the growth and activity of methanotrophs as methane oxidation is an aerobic microbial process. Plants tolerant to high concentrations of landfill gas (LFG) may play an important role in improving methane oxidation within landfill cover soil and reducing emission of methane, a greenhouse gas, from it. In this study, the effect of an LFG tolerant plant Chenopodium album L. on methane oxidation activity (MOA) and bacterial community composition in landfill cover soil was investigated. Soil samples from four simulated lysimeters with and without LFG and plant vegetation were taken at 4 stages during the plant's development cycle. Results showed that the total number of culturable bacteria in soil could be significantly increased ( P < 0.05) by the growth of C. album. The total number of methanotrophs and MOA in soils with LFG was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) than in soils without LFG on sampling days 90, 150 and 210. The total number of methanotrophs and MOA in lysimeters with LFG added increased in the presence of C. album when the plant entered the seed setting stage. Polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) gel patterns of 16S rDNA gene fragment and band sequencing analyses showed apparent differences in soil bacterial communities in the presence of LFG and plant vegetation. Members of the genus Methylosarcina were found to be the active and dominant methanotrophs in rhizosphere soil of C. album with LFG, while Methylococcus, Methylocystis, and Methylosinus were the primary methanotroph genera in LFG soil without C. album. Thus, C. album appears to select for specific methanotrophic bacteria in the presence of LFG. Soil MOA and microbial diversity can also be significantly affected by the presence of this plant.

Transport of Cd and Zn to seeds of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) during specific stages of plant growth and development

The accumulation of excess Cd in the seeds of cereal and other crops compromises their commercial value and presents a potential risk to human health. Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.] is a moderate accumulator of heavy metals such as Cd and Zn, and the seeds are consumed throughout the world, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. The study here examined the transport of Cd into Indian mustard plants and to seeds as a function of external Cd and the stage of the life cycle (vegetative growth, flowering and seed set) to identify critical developmental windows where transport from roots to seeds was the greatest. Plants were also treated simultaneously with Zn to determine if Zn fertilization mitigated the transport of Cd to seeds. Plants treated with Cd during the seed set accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd, exceeding 8 mg kg(-1) dry weight in some instances. Cadmium accumulated during vegetative growth was not highly redistributed to seeds. No effects of Zn were observed with regard to Cd redistribution to seeds. This may be because of the relatively small Zn : Cd ratios tested. However, the results suggest that if Zn fertilization is to be used to reduce the Cd accumulation in seeds of this species, that plants should be treated during the seed set stage. As the seeds of Indian mustard consistently accumulated Cd to concentrations that exceed acceptable limits for food crops, additional study of Cd redistribution in this species is warranted.

Essential Oil Quality and Yield with Respect to Harvest Index in Tagetes minuta Cultivated in Sub Tropical Plains of North India

Planned studies were carried out to determine the most appropriate stage of economic harvest in Tagetes minuta by examining dry matter partitioning, essential oil yield and quality of oil at different growth stages grown in Lucknow conditions at the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India, during winter season 2002–2003. The maximum essential oil yield (1.01 g/plant and 56.1 kg/ha) was obtained upon harvesting at post fowering stage (seed setting stage). Advantage in essential oil yield at this stage was 130%, 34.5% and 36.5% yield enhancement over pre-flowering, 50% and 100% flowering stages, respectively. Flowers and leaves contained the maximum essential oil 2.14% and 1.89% (dry weight basis), respectively. Relative contribution of leaf, flower and stem to essential oil production was 40.7%, 37.8% and 21.5%, respectively. In the oil quality analysis, dihydrotagetone (77.1%) was the predominant component in oil from the leaves while (Z)-β-ocimene, limonene and (Z)-tagetone were the major constituents in the flower oil. The study suggests that T. minuta should be harvested at the post-flowering stage for realizing maximum essential oil yield and its desirable major chemical constituents. The study also differentiated the quality of leaf and fower oil for chemical constituents.

Effects of grazing disturbance on the reproduction of a perennial herb, Cypella herbertii (Lindl.) Herb. (Iridaceae)

A recent study in a natural grassland in Argentina revealed that grazing strongly reduced the available pollinators for a population of Cypella herbertii. Comparing grazed and fenced areas (exclosures) we tested the hypothesis that self-incompatibility would be selected against in a pollinator-poor environment leading to changes in breeding system. No differences in breeding system were found between populations from inside and outside exclosures. However, we detected: (i) C. herbertii clearly exhibits a mixed-mating system but has a remarkably low spontaneous fruit formation; (ii) this species though highly self-compatible expresses a significant decay at seed set stage when self-pollinated. We conclude that grazing impact on pollinators together with C. herbertii’s high dependence on pollinators should be considered when assessing the risk of extinction of this species.

Effects of grazing on soil seed bank dynamics: An approach with functional groups

Abstract. The relationship between intensity and timing of cattle grazing on changes in the size and composition of the soil seed bank were investigated in a 3-yr study in a Mediterranean grassland in northeastern Israel. Treatments included manipulations of stocking rates and of grazing regimes, in a factorial design. The retrieved soil seed bank community was rich in species, with 133 species accounting for 80% of the 166 species recorded at the site. Within the seed bank, 89% of the species were annuals. Seed bank dynamics was analysed in terms of plant functional groups and germination strategies. In terms of total seed bank density and including all functional groups, 42% of the seeds present in the soil did not germinate under watering conditions. The dormancy level differed greatly among functional groups. The seed bank of annual legumes, crucifers, annual thistles and annual forbs had a large fraction of non-germinated seeds and characterized areas grazed early in the growing season under high and very high grazing intensity. These functional groups were considered to have a higher potential for persistent seed banks production. In contrast, short and tall annual grasses and tall perennial grasses, that were dominant in ungrazed or moderately grazed paddocks, generally had seed banks with a very small fraction of non-germinated seeds. Seed bank densities varied widely between grazing treatments and years. Under continuous grazing, heavy grazing pressure reduced seed bank densities of grasses and crucifers in comparison to moderate grazing. The greatest reduction on the seed bank densities resulted from heavy grazing concentrated during the seed-set stages.

Response of rainy-season sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to irrigation and nitrogen under north-western Rajasthan

A field e x p e y t was conducted during the rainy (Wlamseason of 1990,1991 and 1992 to study the response of s~uiflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to 6 levels of irrigation and 3 levels of nitrogen. Four post- sowing irrigations t i sunflower based on inigation water cumulativepan evaporation (IW :CPE) ratio 0.8 : or based on physiological stages at 25 days after sowing (DAS) + initiation of flower buds +mid-flowering + seed-setting stage recorded higher values of yield attributes, seed yield and oil content. Various yield attributes, viz. plar(t height, disc diameter and test weight and consumptive use of water and water-use efficiency (WUE) iyeased linearly up to 80 kg N/ha. However, oil content in seed reduced as the N dose increased from 40 to 80 kg N/ha Maximum consumptive use of 401 mm water and WUE of 2.83 kg/inal mmwee recordedwhen 4.irrigations were applied on the basis of :CPE ratio 0.8.

Influence of plant growth stage on the essential oil content and composition in Davana (Artemisia pallens wall.).

The influence of three plant growth stages (full emergence of flower heads, anthesis, and initiation of seed set) on the essential oil content and composition in Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall) was investigated over two successive seasons. The essential oil content was found to be higher at the full emergence of flower heads than at anthesis and initiation of seed set stages. The contents of davanone, the major constituent of davana oil, and linalool decreased while those of (Z)- and (E)-methyl cinnamate, (E)-ethyl cinnamate, bicyclogermacrene, davana ether, 2-hydroxyisodavanone, and farnesol increased from flower heads emergence stage to the initiation of seed set stage. These results support the general practice of harvesting the crop at full bloom stage. Five compounds, viz., (Z)- and (E)-methyl cinnamates, (Z)- and (E)-ethyl cinnamates, and geranyl acetate, were identified for the first time in davana oil.

Variation in Herbage Yield, Oil Yield and Major Component of VariousOcimumSpecies/Varieties (Chemotypes) Harvested at Different Stages of Maturity

ABSTRACT Ocimum species show a high degree of variation in herbage and oil yield, and oil composition depending upon the ontogenetical stage of the plant at the time of harvest. Using various chemotypes of Ocimum basilicum var. glabratum, O. basilicum var. purpurescens, O. basilicum var. thyrsiflorum, O. basilicum var. minima, O. americanum, O. sanctum, O. viride, O. kilimandscharicum and O. gratissimum, the effect of growth stage on oil yield, herbage yield and oil composition was examined over three consecutive seasons. It was found that although the herbage yield for all Ocimum species/varieties (chemotypes) around the initiation of seed formation (180 days after planting), the maximum oil yield coincided with the maximum herbage yield for only O. basilicum var. purpurescens, O. viride and O. sanctum. For the other species/varieties (chemotypes) examined, the maximum oil yield was found to be at the 50% seed set stage (210 days) or between the 50% seed set stage and the full seed maturation stage (210–...

Solar energy components in cotton and safflower crops

Solar energy components at different phenophases of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and safflower (Carthanus tinctorius) crops were measured. The percentage of different components are calculated. Solar energy utilisation component is found maximum during flowering stage in cotton and during seed setting stage in safflower. The albedo is constant till the flowering stage and gradually increases reaching a maximum at the boll development stage and later decreases gradually in the cotton crop. In the case of safflower, the albedo gra dually increases till the seed setting stage is attained and decreases. The transmitted component first decreases and then increases in both the crops.

Study of solar radiation over cowpea

Hourly radiation balance, at three phenophases of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L. Walp) crop was studied at Dharwad (15°26' N, 75° 06' E, 678 m. a.s.l.) in India. On daily basis, the radiation utilized was maximum at the seed-setting stage, followed by the flowering and harvesting stages. On hourly basis, the percentage of radiation utilized was found to be maximum during the morning and the evening and minimum in the noon.

Effect of stage of development on chemical yields in smooth sumac, Rhus glabra L.

Smooth sumac ( Rhus glabra L.) has been identified as a potential source of polyphenols, oil, and polymeric hydrocarbon for the chemical industry. The effect of stage of development (prebud, full bud, full flower and seed set) on acetone extract (‘polyphenols’ and ‘oil’) and hexane extract (polymeric hydrocarbon) yields was studied in two Beltsville, Maryland (USA) populations in 1982 and 1983. Most extract was found in the leaves, but a substantial amount was also present in stem tissue. Leaf fraction acetone extract yields were generally highest at the full-flower stage and stem yields were generally highest at the seedset stage. Leaf fraction hexane extract yield was highest at the seed-set stage whereas stage of development had no consistent effect on stem fraction yields. For Population 2, there was a fairly strong inverse relationship between yields of leaf fraction acetone and leaf fraction hexane extract both years, and, for Population 1, a fairly strong direct relationship between yields of stem fraction acetone extract and stem fraction hexane extract in 1982. Data indicate that harvesting at the full-flower stage would maximize acetone extract yields, whereas harvesting at the seed-set stage would maximize hexane extract yields.