Seed Research Articles

Enhancing Multinutrients Delivery and Seed Coating with Biodegradable Based Electrospun Nanofibre

A field experiment was conducted at ARS, Bhavanisagar, during summer 2021, to investigate the effect of multi-nutrient-loaded electrospun PVA nanofibre on the green gram. The nanofibre developed from polyvinyl alcohol (10%) infused with macro and micronutrients. The nanofibre coated seeds recorded the higher plant height (44.97 cm); crop growth rate (1.5- 18.43 g m-2 d-1); leaf area index (0.56-1.84 m2m-2) and leaf area duration (13.29-34.77days). Further, the higher grain yield (854.2 kg ha-1) and haulm yield (1100 kg ha-1) were obtained from the nanofibre-coated seeds. According to the findings of this study, nanofibre technology is a novel idea for the fertilizer sector because it reduces fertilizer use and increases nutrient use efficiency.

Coating formulas protect shelled nutmeg seeds from Aspergillus colonization

Coating of nutmeg seeds may prevent the colonization of Aspergillus contamination. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of coating formulas to A. flavus on shelled nutmeg. Shelled nutmeg seeds were coated with aqueous (TT) and gel (GM+) formulas containing propylparaben (0.1%), potassium sorbate (0.8%), and clove oil (1.25%), and the aqueous GM- (0.65% clove oil and 0.4% potassium sorbate). The coated seeds were then sun-dried and sprayed with A. flavus conidia. The untreated control was only inoculated with A. flavus. The colonization of A. flavus on the seeds was visually observed. The aflatoxins, propylparaben, and potassium sorbate in the treated seeds were analyzed with HPLC. The results showed that seeds treated with GM+, GM-, and TT formulas were visually free from A. flavus. The total aflatoxins were not detected in the seeds treated with the GM+, but in the coated with GM- and TT was 0.95 µg/kg and 12.6 µg/kg, respectively. In the uncoated seeds, the total aflatoxins were 695.9 µg/kg. Propylparaben and potassium sorbate residues in the coated seeds were 66-11 mg/kg and 213-415 mg/kg, respectively. The coating formula effectively minimized A. flavus colonization and aflatoxin. Therefore, the coating formula could be used for reducing Aspergillus contamination.

Analysis of Seed Phenotypic and Metabolic Characteristics of Diploid and Tetraploid Tartary Buckwheat

Polyploid plants grow well, are stress tolerant, and are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. Thus, they are useful for improving crop quality and yield. In this study, we compared the seed characteristics and metabolite profiles of diploid and tetraploid tartary buckwheat, which was developed via an artificially induced chromosome doubling event. The length, width, area, and thousand-grain weight were greater for the tetraploid seeds than for the diploid seeds. However, the germination rate decreased for the tetraploid seeds. Additionally, there was a gap between the shell and kernel of the tetraploid seeds. Moreover, the water absorption rate was higher for the tetraploid than for the diploid seeds. Chromosome doubling increased the seed total flavonoid content and deepened the seed color. A principal component analysis of the ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry data revealed the clear separation between the diploid and tetraploid samples. An orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis and other multivariate statistical analyses identified 83 differentially abundant compounds, with most of the flavonoid metabolites more abundant in the tetraploid than in the diploid seeds. Research on tartary buckwheat polyploidy may result in enhanced germplasm resources and may clarify the mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds.

A nonlocal population model for the invasion of Canada goldenrod.

A mathematical model for the population invasion of Canada goldenrod is proposed, with two reproductive modes, yearly periodic time delay and spatially nonlocal response caused by the influence of wind on the seeds. Under suitable conditions, we obtain the existence of the rightward and leftward invasion speeds and their coincidence with the minimal speeds of time periodic traveling waves. Furthermore, the invasion speeds are finite if the dispersal kernel of seeds is exponentially bounded and infinite if dispersal kernel is exponentially unbounded.

Cotton Genotype Differences in Seed Coat Fragments Related to Seed Fragility and Fiber-Seed Attachment Force

HighlightsRelationships between seed coat fragments and other seed and fiber properties were examined among cotton genotypes.Genotypes in the study had a broad range of properties that were significantly different among genotypes.Seed coat fragment levels were significantly correlated with cottonseed fragility, fiber-seed attachment force, and ginning energy.Longer, stronger cottons tended to have higher seed coat fragment levels.Abstract. Seed coat fragments (SCF) are difficult to remove from ginned lint. Cotton genotypes vary in SCF levels, but details are lacking regarding the cause of SCF. This study examined ten genotypes with highly variable levels of SCF to find relationships between SCF and cottonseed rupture force, fiber-seed attachment force, and net gin stand energy. Results showed that the attachment force of the fiber to the seed increased significantly with SCF levels, and net gin stand energy consumption increased with SCF levels, suggesting fibers more strongly attached to seed were prone to SCF formation. Cottonseed rupture force was measured, but only one genotype with very low seed rupture force had increased SCF; otherwise, SCF increased with cottonseed rupture force. Unexpectedly, fiber length, strength, and micronaire were significantly correlated with SCF levels, indicating that the longer, stronger, cottons with lower micronaire in the premium range tended to have higher SCF levels. These results show that multiple, otherwise desirable factors may contribute to cotton containing high SCF levels. Keywords: Seed coat fragments, Cottonseed fragility, Cotton attachment force, Gin stand energy, Fiber quality.

Rapid Quality Evaluation of Camellia Oleifera Seed Kernel Using a Developed Portable NIR With Optimal Wavelength Selection

Moisture content is one of the factors measured to evaluate the quality of Camellia oleifera seeds. High quality <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C. oleifera</i> seeds used for trading must have a low moisture content, specifically not more than 15% on a dry basis (db). Moisture content analysis requires a prolonged laboratory investigation so that the development of fast and effective determination methods is helpful. The objective of this paper was to develop a low-cost portable NIR reflectance spectrometer collaborating with an android application for the rapid prediction of the moisture content in <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C. oleifera</i> seeds. To calibrate the prediction model, an effective chemometric algorithm, based on partial least squares regression was established, and models based on wavelength selection algorithms such as backward interval partial least squares ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">bi</i> PLS) and partial least squares coupled with variable importance projection (VIP-PLS) were implemented as an improved version of PLS. Both algorithms ( <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">bi</i> PLS and VIP-PLS) improved the predictive performance and accuracy of the model. The experimental results showed that the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">bi</i> PLS model with the 1 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">st</sup> derivative transformation provided the best prediction for measuring the moisture content of <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">C. oleifera</i> seeds with a coefficient of determination (R <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> ) value of 0.927, standard error of prediction (SEP) of 0.848%db, bias of −0.067%db, function slope of 1.005, and ratio of performance deviation (RPD) of 3.696. Finally, the device was tested according to the ISO 12099:2017(E) standard and confirmed the reliability of the device for in-field use.

Optimization and Evaluation of Hydration Method for Cold Recovery of Oils and Defatted Meal from Pinus armandi Seed Kernels.

Large quantities of oils and proteins are demanded per year while their production needs environmentally friendly (green), safe, low cost, efficient and sustainable methods. Hydration method for producing Pinus armandi seed kernel oil and defatted meal rich in proteins was therefore developed, which had the following optimal conditions: baking kernels at 130 °C for 10 min, grinding them to pass through a 80-mesh sieve, mixing the ground kernel (10.00 g) with 1.00 mL of 8% brine or water and agitating at room temperature for 30 min. This method recovered 96.71% edible oil with vitamin E and K, phytosterols, carotenoids and squalene concentrated and de-oiled meal containing 57.98% proteins and 4.17% oils with ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, folate, total phenolic and flavonoids concentrated. It had higher recovery rate and other physicochemical indices of edible oil and was found to be more sustainable as compared with cold pressing, enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction and solvent extraction.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bio-Glycerol from Cameroon Palm Kernel Seed Oil

Bio-glycerol was synthesized from Cameroon palm kernel oil (PKO) through the transesterification procedure. Palm kernel oil extracted from palm kernel seeds using mechanical expression and solvent extraction was purified and characterized by physico-chemical methods and used in the transesterification process to give biodiesel and bio-glycerol. The biodiesel was purified and characterized as reported in previous articles. Our focus in this article is on glycerol, an important by-product of the transesterification process which has potential pharmaceutical, cosmetic and engineering applications. The bio-glycerol was purified by acidification and the purified glycerol was subjected to physical and chemical characterization. The specific gravity of glycerol was obtained as 1.2 kg/L, viscosity at 40&degC gave 1500 cSt and 500 cSt at 100&degC; pH was 7.4; the flash point was 160&degC, and the ASTM color was 2.0 before purification and zero after purification. The sulfur content was 0.016%w/v. This sulfur content is low thus posing no environment threat. The chemical composition of the synthesized bio-glycerol determined using IR spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed the known chemical structure of glycerol. The purification and analysis of bio-glycerol is important as it can find applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries inter alia.

Seed Vigour Tests on seven Cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris Grown in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, India

Rajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L. family; fabaceae) is also known as kidney bean/ French bean. It is an annual plant and cultivated throughout the world for their edible beans. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of seed vigour by germination test of different cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris grown in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The experimental material constituted a collection of 7 cultivars (Red small, Red big, Grey, Pink, Yellow, Brown, White) of Phaseolus vulgaris. The seed samples of seven cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris were taken from Joshimath, District Chamoli Garhwal Uttarakhand. Morphological aspects viz; seed weight, seed moisture content, seed density and seed diameter were recorded prior to germination test of Phaseolus vulgaris at Seed Testing Laboratory, Department of Seed Science and Technology, H.N.B Garhwal University. Seeds were sterilized with 0.2% sodium hypochlorite solution for germination test. Two replicates of each variety and 25 seeds in each replicates were kept in petriplates on whatman filter paper. Petriplates were kept in seed germinator at 25 ± 2 °C until final count. The number of normal seedling was counted at the final count, higher the number of normal seedlings greater is the seed vigour. The germination percentage was found 100% in five cultivars, and the other two cultivars showed 96.66% in yellow seeds and 68.33% in Grey cultivar of Phaseolus vulgaris. Brown cultivars represented maximum dry weight of root (0.029 g) while minimum dry weight of root has been recorded in yellow cultivar (0.01353 g). Maximum vigour index were recorded in brown cultivar and minimum was recorded in pink cultivar. The findings from the study indicate that brown cultivar of Phaseolus vulgaris is highly vigours.

Effect of seed priming with plant defence activators on growth parameters and disease incidence in bell pepper under nursery conditions

The effect of different plant defence activators on the seedling growth and disease incidence in bell pepper cv Solan Bharpur was studied under nursery conditions in the Department of Seed Science and Technology Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in 2019. It was observed that amongst different treatments applied as seed priming before sowing in nursery, highest emergence of 86.34, 83.25 and 82.41 per cent was recorded in treatments T5 (Salicylic acid @ 75 ppm + potassium nitrate @ 1.5% for 8 hours), T7 (Butyric acid @ 100 ppm + potassium nitrate @ 1.5%) and T4 (Potassium nitrate @ 1.5%/10 hours) respectively. At 28 and 42 days after sowing, the seedling height was significantly highest (4.62 and 12.21 cm respectively) in treatment T5. Minimum ungerminated seeds were observed in T5 (13.66%) and T7 (16.75%). Lowest incidence of damping off (5.43%) was recorded in T7. In case of viruses, the minimum incidence of 2.90 and 3.05 per cent was recorded in the seedlings raised from the seeds treated with T7 and T5 respectively. Application of salicylic acid @ 75 ppm + potassium nitrate @ 1.5 per cent for 8 hours or butyric acid @ 100 ppm + potassium nitrate @ 1.5 per cent for 4 hours as seed priming before sowing in nursery, enhanced the seedling growth parameters significantly and also reduced the incidence of diseases like damping off and viruses in bell pepper cv Solan Bharpur under nursery conditions.

Response of seed reserve utilization and its associated traits in rice genotypes

An experiment on seed reserve utilization using seven rice genotypes was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad in Factorial Completely Randomised Design with three replications during the year 2021. Seed reserve utilization and its associated traits viz., the weight of utilized seed reserve (WUSR), seedling dry weight (SLDW), remnant seed dry weight (RSDW), seed reserve utilization efficiency (SRUE), and seed reserve depletion percentage (SRDP) varied significantly among the genotypes, days to emergence and their interaction. While initial seed dry weight (ISDW) showed significance among genotypes only. About, the interaction between genotypes and days to emergence, significantly high ISDW (23.93 mg/seed), RSDW (530 mg) and SRUE (29.8) and significantly low WUSR (2.10 mg/seed) and SRDP (8.97 %) were recorded in AUS 276 on 6th day, while significantly high WUSR and SLDW were recorded in Dular (11.76 mg/seed) and Moroberekan (206.33 mg) on 14th day, respectively. Significantly low ISDW (9.30 mg/seed) and SLDW (49.67 mg) on the 6th day, significantly low RSDW (78.33 mg) and SRUE (14.8), and significantly high SRDP (66.63 %) on the 14th day was recorded in RNR 15048. The results explain that WUSR, SLDW, and SRDP increased significantly from the 6th day to 14th day for all the genotypes indicating the depletion of seed reserves for the growth and development of seedlings, and among the characters studied, WUSR is the most important for conversion into seedling tissue than seed reserve utilization efficiency.

Effect of different spacing and planting ratio on seed yield and quality parameters of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) hybrid GAVCH 1

An investigation was carried out to find the effect of spacingand planting ratio on seed yield and quality parameters inchilli at Main Vegetable Research Station, Anand andDepartment of Seed Science and Technology, BACA, AAU,Anand during Kharif-Rabi season of the year 2019-20. Plantspacing 90 × 60 cm (S2) recorded significantly highest seedyield per plant (23.98 g), number of fruits per plant (103.13),germination per cent (95.11 %), seedling root length (4.71cm), seedling shoot length (4.54 cm), seedling length (9.24cm), seedling fresh weight (381.3 mg), seedling dry weight(20.53 mg), seedling vigour index I (879.90) and seedlingvigour index II (1954.4). Irrespective of plant spacing, amongthe three planting ratios, planting ratio 2:1 (P2) recordedsignificantly higher number of fruits per plant (115.58), weightof fruit (1.018 g), fruit length (9.32 cm) and fruit girth (3.97cm), number of seeds per fruit (42.16), 1000 seed weight(5.76 g), seed surface area (8.74 sq. mm), seed yield per plant(27.54 g), germination (94.67%), seedling root length (4.61cm), seedling shoot length (4.45 cm) and seedling length(9.06 cm), seedling fresh weight (384.1 mg), seedling dryweight (20.81 mg), seedling vigour index I (858.92) andseedling vigour index II (1971.80). However, significantlyhigher fruit to seed ratio (4.77) was found in 3:1 plantingratio (P3) in seed parent of chilli hybrid

Comparison of Microwave-Assisted Extraction to Soxhlet Extraction of Mango Seed Kernel Oil using Ethanol and n-Hexane as Solvents

Mango seed kernel oil was extracted by Soxhlet Extraction (SE) and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) with ethanol and n-hexane as extraction solvents. To optimize the extraction condition for SE, the temperature was set to 90°C for ethanol and 80°C for n-hexane with varying solvent-to-feed ratios (S/F ratio) of 75/12, 75/10, and 60/6 mL/g. As for MAE, the same S/F ratios were considered. Extraction was done for 5, 10, and 15 minutes with microwave power levels of 120 and 240 W. It was found out that the highest yield per extraction process for SE was: 18.00±0.25 % and 9.38±2.03 % using ethanol and n-hexane, respectively; and 6.69±0.05 % and 4.68±0.06 %using ethanol and n-hexane, respectively for MAE. It was also noted that MAE, with the microwave power level of 120 W has less extraction time for about 15 minutes as compared to SE of 8 hours. Also, the best S/F ratio in this study is 60/6 for all processes. In oil quality determination, the oil extracted was examined through several tests such as FTIR, GC-MS, acid value, % FFA, iodine value, saponification value, and melting point. It was noted that oil extracted in ethanol has a better yield compared to that of n-hexane but the oil extracted using n-hexane would provide superior quality.

Superabsorbent Polymer Seed Coating Reduces Leaching of Fungicide but Does Not Alter Their Effectiveness in Suppressing Pathogen Infestation.

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) applied to soil have been recognized as water reservoirs that allow plants to cope with periods of drought. Their application as a seed coat makes water available directly to the seeds during their germination and early growth phase, but on the other hand, it can affect the efficiency of plant protection substances used in seed dressing. In our experiments, we evaluated the effect of seed coating with SAP on fungicide leaching and changes in their effectiveness in suppressing Fusarium culmorum infestation. Leaching of fungicide from wheat seeds coated with SAP after fungicide dressing, as measured by the inhibition test of mycelium growth under in vitro conditions, was reduced by 14.2–15.8% compared to seeds without SAP coating. Germination of maize seeds and growth of juvenile plants in artificially infected soil did not differ significantly between seeds dressed with fungicide alone and seeds treated with SAP and fungicide. In addition, plants from the seeds coated with SAP alone grew significantly better compared to untreated seeds. Real-time PCR also confirmed this trend by measuring the amount of pathogen DNA in plant tissue. Winter wheat was less tolerant to F. culmorum infection and without fungicide dressing, the seeds were unable to germinate under strong pathogen attack. In the case of milder infection, similar results were observed as in the case of maize seeds.

Analysis of Cyanogenic Compounds Derived from Mandelonitrile by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Rosaceae and Sambucus Families.

An analytical method for extraction and quantitative determination of amygdalin, prunasin, and sambunigrin in plant material is described. The method is based on extraction with high-power ultrasound (UAE), with acidified water as solvent and quantification by HPLC–DAD. The best extraction conditions were: 80% sonication amplitude, 55 s extraction time, 70% duty cycle, 0.1 g sample mass, and 10 mL acidified water (0.1% perchloric acid). Once developed, the method was validated in terms of accuracy and precision. Good linearity was obtained, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999 and the quantification limits ranged from 2.2 μg/g (amygdalin) to 9.6 μg/g (sambunigrin). The accuracy (recovery study) ranged between 90 and 104% and the reproducibility of the method was always <2.3% (RSD). Special attention should be paid to the ratio sample/solvent in samples with potential β-glucosidase activity to avoid degradation of the cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs). The proposed method was used to evaluate the content of CNGs in kernels of Prunus genera, apple seeds, apple pomace, and different plant materials of Sambucus nigra.

Seed priming with Salicylic Acid (SA) and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Improve Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) under Salt Stress

Aim: Salinity is a major barrier to successful crop production. Seed priming and exogenous application of different signaling molecules can efficiently confer salinity tolerance. Wheat is a major cereal crop in the world and salinity drastically reduces the wheat seedling growth and yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the potentiality of different signaling molecules such as salicylic acid (SA) and H2O2 to alleviate the salinity-induced growth inhibition of wheat.&#x0D; Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, from September-October, 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: The wheat (cv. BARI-Gom 24) seeds were soaked in normal tap water (hydro-priming), 1 mM SA, 2 mM SA, 0.1 mM H2O2, and 0.15 mM H2O2 solutions for 30 minutes. The untreated seeds were used as control. Eventually, primed seeds were exposed to 150 mM NaCl in Petri dishes during germination. Primed and non-primed seedlings were grown for 15 days under 150 mM NaCl stress condition.&#x0D; Results: The result revealed that salt stress significantly reduced germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), seed vigor index (SVI), shoot and root length. The results also exhibited that photosynthetic pigments, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, lycopene, and beta-carotene contents were significantly reduced by salt stress. Seed priming with SA and H2O2 and hydro-priming promoted the germination percentage, seedling growth (including shoot and root length), SVI, and photosynthetic pigments.&#x0D; Conclusion: Pretreatment with 1 mM SA and 0.1 mM H2O2 was observed to be relatively more efficient in conferring salinity tolerance of wheat compared with other treating conditions. Overall, this study suggests that wheat seed priming with SA and H2O2 and hydro-priming can improve salinity tolerance.&#x0D; Aim: Salinity is a major barrier to successful crop production. Seed priming and exogenous application of different signaling molecules can efficiently confer salinity tolerance. Wheat is a major cereal crop in the world and salinity drastically reduces the wheat seedling growth and yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the potentiality of different signaling molecules such as salicylic acid (SA) and H2O2 to alleviate the salinity-induced growth inhibition of wheat.&#x0D; Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, from September-October, 2021.&#x0D; Methodology: The wheat (cv. BARI-Gom 24) seeds were soaked in normal tap water (hydro-priming), 1 mM SA, 2 mM SA, 0.1 mM H2O2, and 0.15 mM H2O2 solutions for 30 minutes. The untreated seeds were used as control. Eventually, primed seeds were exposed to 150 mM NaCl in Petri dishes during germination. Primed and non-primed seedlings were grown for 15 days under 150 mM NaCl stress condition.&#x0D; Results: The result revealed that salt stress significantly reduced germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), seed vigor index (SVI), shoot and root length. The results also exhibited that photosynthetic pigments, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, lycopene, and beta-carotene contents were significantly reduced by salt stress. Seed priming with SA and H2O2 and hydro-priming promoted the germination percentage, seedling growth (including shoot and root length), SVI, and photosynthetic pigments.&#x0D; Conclusion: Pretreatment with 1 mM SA and 0.1 mM H2O2 was observed to be relatively more efficient in conferring salinity tolerance of wheat compared with other treating conditions. Overall, this study suggests that wheat seed priming with SA and H2O2 and hydro-priming can improve salinity tolerance.

Gene expression profiling reveals transcription factor networks and subgenome bias during Brassica napus seed development.

We profiled the global gene expression landscape across the reproductive lifecycle of Brassica napus. Comparative analysis of this nascent amphidiploid revealed the contribution of each subgenome to plant reproduction. Whole-genome transcription factor networks identified BZIP11 as a transcriptional regulator of early B. napus seed development. Knockdown of BZIP11 using RNA interference resulted in a similar reduction in gene activity of predicted gene targets, and a reproductive-lethal phenotype. Global mRNA profiling revealed lower accumulation of Cn subgenome transcripts relative to the An subgenome. Subgenome-specific transcription factor networks identified distinct transcription factor families enriched in each of the An and Cn subgenomes early in seed development. Analysis of laser-microdissected seed subregions further reveal subgenome expression dynamics in the embryo, endosperm and seed coat of early stage seeds. Transcription factors predicted to be regulators encoded by the An subgenome are expressed primarily in the seed coat, whereas regulators encoded by the Cn subgenome were expressed primarily in the embryo. Data suggest subgenome bias are characteristic features of the B. napus seed throughout development, and that such bias might not be universal across the embryo, endosperm and seed coat of the developing seed. Transcriptional networks spanning both the An and Cn genomes of the whole B. napus seed can identify valuable targets for seed development research and that -omics level approaches to studying gene regulation in B. napus can benefit from both broad and high-resolution analyses.

Mixed Aqueous Surfactants Solution for Rapid Oil Extraction from Palm Kernel Seed

Adverse effects associated with the use of hexane or other similar organic extraction solvents for extracting oil from oilseeds have been a drive for alternative less toxic oil extracting solvents. This research focuses on oil extraction from grinded palm kernel using solution of mixed aqueous polyoxythylene (23) lauryl ether (BRIJ-35) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactants and sodium chloride (NaCl) as the electrolyte. Grinded Biomass was agitated in the solution of the mixed surfactant, allowing the extracted oil to be liberated from the seeds as separate phase from the aqueous phase. The effect of SDS concentration, NaCl concentration, contact time and liquid/seed ratio on oil yield was studied. The extracted oil was subjected to Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FT-IR) characterization to determine the functional groups present in the oil. At optimum conditions for the mixed aqueous surfactant extraction (0.2379 wt.% SDS, 0.5995 wt.% BRIJ-35, 0.3wt.% NaCl, 10 ml/g liquid/solid ratio, 25 min contact time at 25oC), an optimum 78% oil yield was obtained. In contrast, at 50oC for 24hr, an optimum of 81% and 82% oil yield were obtained respectively when hexane and petroleum ether were used as oil extracting solvents. Addition of BRIJ-35 and NaCl to the SDS solution improved the oil yield. Oil extracted using mixed aqueous surfactants, petroleum ether and hexane have the same functional groups indicating the surfactant does not affect the quality of the oil extracted.

Hydrogel Alginate Seed Coating as an Innovative Method for Delivering Nutrients at the Early Stages of Plant Growth.

Seed coating containing fertilizer nutrients and plant growth biostimulants is an innovative technique for precision agriculture. Nutrient delivery can also be conducted through multilayer seed coating. For this purpose, sodium alginate with NPK, which was selected in a preliminary selection study, crosslinked with divalent ions (Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II)) as a source of fertilizer micronutrients, was used to produce seed coating. The seeds were additionally coated with a solution containing amino acids derived from high-protein material. Amino acids can be obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of mealworm larvae (Gly 71.2 ± 0.6 mM, Glu 55.8 ± 1.3 mM, Pro 48.8 ± 1.5 mM, Ser 31.4 ± 1.5 mM). The formulations were applied in different doses per 100 g of seeds: 35 mL, 70 mL, 105 mL, and 140 mL. SEM-EDX surface analysis showed that 70 mL of formulation/100 g of seeds formed a continuity of coatings but did not result in a uniform distribution of components on the surface. Extraction tests proved simultaneous low leaching of nutrients into water (max. 10%), showing a slow release pattern. There occurred high bioavailability of fertilizer nutrients (even up to 100%). Pot tests on cucumbers (Cornichon de Paris) confirmed the new method’s effectiveness, yielding a 50% higher fresh sprout weight and four times greater root length than uncoated seeds. Seed coating with hydrogel has a high potential for commercial application, stimulating the early growth of plants and thus leading to higher crop yields.

Salicylic acid improves seed germination through modulating antioxidant enzymes under salt stress in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the role of Antioxidant Enzymes (AOE) in Salicylic Acid (SA) induced salt-stress tolerance during chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed germination at ICAR- Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau during 2018. Results showed the differential germination performance of salt-sensitive (PG 186) and salt-tolerant (CSG 8962) chickpea cultivars under three levels (0, 75, 150 mM NaCl) of salt stresses. Salt stress adversely affected the seed germination and traits of early seedling establishment in PG 186 cultivar than in CSG 8962. Sand matrix priming (SMP) of seeds using SA @ 150 ppm improved the germination (up to 2 times) and other seed quality parameters in sensitive cultivar under higher (150 mM NaCl) salt-stress level. Further investigating the role of SA on modulating AOE, a negative influence of SA on major AOE (POX, CAT and GR) was observed in cotyledons of PG 186 genotype under high salt stress. However, the level of APX was observed to be constitutively higher in tolerant CSG 8962 chickpea genotype. The summary of results suggested that, SA alleviates oxidative stress through reducing major AOE in cotyledon to improve chickpea seed germination.