Stem Fresh Weight Research Articles

QTL mapping of bio-energy related traits in Sorghum

Plant height (PHT), stem and leaf fresh weight (SLFW), juice weight (JW) and sugar content of stem (Brix) are important traits for biofuel production in sweet Sorghum. QTL analysis of PHT, SLFW, JW and Brix was conducted with composite interval mapping using F2 and F2:3 populations derived from the cross between grain Sorghum (Shihong137) × sweet Sorghum (L-Tian). Three QTLs controlling PHT were mapped on SBI-01, SBI-07 and SBI-09 under four different environments. These QTLs could explain 10.16 to 45.29% of the phenotypic variance. Two major effect QTLs on SBI-07 and SBI-09 were consistently detected under four environments. Eight QTLs controlling SLFW were mapped across three environments and accounted for 5.49–25.36% of the phenotypic variance. One major QTL on SBI-09 located between marker Sb5-206 and SbAGE03 was observed under three environments. Four QTLs controlling Brix were identified under two environments and accounted for 11.03–17.65% of the phenotypic variance. Six QTLs controlling JW were detected under two environments, and explained 6.63–23.56% of the phenotypic variance. QTLs for JW on SBI-07 and SBI-09 were consistent in two environments showing higher environmental stability. In addition, two chromosome regions on SBI-07 and SBI-09 were identified in our study having major effect on PHT, SFLW and JW. The results would be useful for the genetic improvement of sweet Sorghum to be used for biofuel production.

Effects of some preservative solutions on vase life and keeping quality of snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus L.) cut flowers

The effect of selected chemical agents used as preservative solutions to improve the keeping quality of cut snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus L. cv. Yellow Butterfly) flowers had been studied. These preservative solutions (treatments) were: 2% sucrose, 200 ppm 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate (8-HQS), pulsing treatment with 200 ppm 8-HQS in combination with 2% sucrose for 12 h, pulsing the spikes with 0.2 mM silver thiosulfate (STS) for 1 h, pulsing with 0.2 mM STS for 1 h followed by 2% sucrose solution, or distilled water used as control. The results showed that all treatments had improved the keeping quality and vase life of the cut flowers comparing to control ones. Among all these treatments, the 8-HQS plus 2% sucrose treatment showed best water uptake, water balance, percentage of maximum increase in fresh weight of the cut flower stem and vase life which was extended up to 18 days. Moreover, this keeping solution treatment retarded the degradation of chlorophyll as well as carbohydrate of the cut flowers during their postharvest life. It has been concluded that 200 ppm 8-HQS combined with 2% sucrose solution has the potential to be used as a commercial cut flower preservative solution to delay flower senescence, enhance post-harvest quality and prolong the vase life of cut snapdragon flowers.

돈분 액비 관비가 오이의 생육 및 토양화학성에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted to evaluate fertigation effects of pig slurry (PS) and chemical fertilizer (CF) in cucumber by investigating the growth and yield, nutrient content and uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and soil characteristics in greenhouse cultivation. The cropping patterns of cucumber were semi-forcing culture and retarding culture, and the experiment involves four treatments: No fertilizer (NF), and of N application by slurry composting biofiltration liquefied fertilizer (SCBLF), and of N treatment by chemical fertilizer. The difference on the plant height of cucumber between SCBLF and CF treatments was no significant, but fresh weight and dry weight of stem and root were higher in SCBLF treatment. The Ca content of the leaf was lower in the treatments of SCBLF and the K content of the root was lower in the CF treatment. The Ca content of the stem was lowest in the CF treatment and the mineral content of the fruit showed no significant difference. In case of semi-forcing culture, the gross yield was lower in the CF treatment and the yield of unmarketable fruit was lower in the SCBLF treatments. The nutrient use efficiency of cucumber is as follows: K (8.3 ~ 30.9%), N (4.2 ~ 13.0%), P (1.9 ~ 2.0%). The SCBLF treatments showed higher figure in the soil pH than that of the CF treatment, while EC and the content of -N were higher in the CF treatment than the former. The content of exchangeable K was higher in the plot treated with SCBLF, and there were no significant differences in the content of Ca and Mg between the treatments. In conclusion, it is suggested that the application of liquefied manure made from pig slurry may be able to replace the use of chemical fertilizer in nitrogen and potassium.

Effects of row spacing and plant density on silage yield of corn (Zea mays L.cv.sc704) in two plant pattern in North of Iran

In order to investigate the effects of row spacing and plant density on silage yield corn in two plant pattern, an experimental design was a randomized complete block in a factorial, treatments arrangement with three replications in north of Iran in 2009. Row spacing was included 65, 75 and 85 cm that evaluated in plant density 70000 and 80000 plant in ha-1 and plant pattern were conventional row (linear) and new two rows (zigzag). The results indicated that row spacing and plant density did not significantly affect in biological yield and silage yield. New two rows had more biological yield (24%) than conventional row. New two rows pattern increased a plant fresh and dry weight, because plant height, stem diameter, ear length and ear diameter were high. There is negative between plant height and stem diameter. New two rows had increased silage yield of 29% related to conventional row. Difference was 3707 kg ha-1 between new two rows and conventional rows. High row spacing increased leaf fresh weight (10.4%) and stem fresh weight (4.7%), but decreased ear fresh weight (4.6%) relation to low row spacing. High plant density increased leaf fresh weight (1.3%) and stem fresh weight (7.1%) ear fresh weight (6.7%) relation to low plant density. We conclude that silage corn responds to plant pattern and new two rows is higher for biological yield than conventional rows. Finally, new two rows had greater biological yield(19.1 Mg ha–1) and silage yield (53.3 Mg ha–1) than conventional row, increasing the probability of corn silage harvest before a fall frost. Key words: Forage, biological yield, conventional row, plant height.

Continuous Automatic Measurement of Water Uptake and Water Loss of Cut Flower Stems

In studying the postharvest water relations of cut flowers, researchers aim to determine rates of water uptake and water loss along with changes in fresh weight. An automatic apparatus was devised for continuous monitoring of these indices. The novel apparatus consists of two balances automatically recording mass at a relatively high data acquisition rate (min−1), a personal computer, two containers, and plastic tubing. The apparatus is accurate, labor-saving, and real-time. It enabled dynamic synchronous recording of water uptake as well as fresh weight of the cut flower stem, from which precise water uptake loss rates during vase life can be accurately determined. Rates of water uptake and water loss of individual cut rose (Rosa hybrida cv. Movie Star) stems were measured using the apparatus under alternating 12-h light and dark periods. Both water uptake and water loss rates fluctuated with the light to dark shift over 120 h of observation. Stem fresh weight increased rapidly over the first 40 h of vase period and decreased gradually thereafter. Cut lily (Lilium hybrida cv. Yellow Overlord) stems showed similar trends in water uptake and water loss rate to cut rose stems. The accuracy and sensitivity of the new apparatus was validated by comparison with manual weighing using a balance at 2-h intervals under alternating 12-h light and dark periods over 108 h. The apparatus described here constitutes a suitable method for direct measurement of water uptake and fresh weight, including capturing relatively rapid water balance responses to changes in the postharvest environment.

Effects of different fertilization on growth of soilless culture lily

The experiment of two cultivars of lily Conca D' or and Siberia was carried out with an application of four types of fertilizer(All-organic fertilizer,all-inorganic fertilizer,organic fertilizer plus inorganic fertilizer and nutrient management referred to as treatment 1,treatment 2,treatment 3 and treatment 4 respectively),to take no fertilizer as the control.The results showed that the descending order of plant height in both two cultivars of lily were treatment 2,treatment 3,treatment 4,treatment 1,CK;the descending order of leaf number were treatment 3,treatment 1,treatment 4,treatment 2,CK;stem diameter of Conca D' or in treatment 1 was the sturdiest,followed by treatment 3,stem diameter of Siberia in treatment 3 was the sturdiest,followed by treatment 1,and that of CK was much thinner than others.Treatment 3 could significantly improve chlorophyll content,it also increased leaf area,weight of roots and scales and extend lily roots in the underground part of lily.Meanwhile,the cut flower quality of lily was the best in treatment 3.Moreover,the treatment which contained organic fertilizer(treatment 1 and treatment 3) could significantly increased stem diameter,flower bud number and the fresh weight of leaf and stem;treatment which contained inorganic fertilizer(treatment 2 and treatment 3) could add the plant height and the length of base root of lily.

Effects of day length and daminozide on the flowering, some quality parameters and chlorophyll content of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different day lengths and daminozide on days to flower, some quality parameters and chlorophyll contents of spray chrysanthemum plants (Chrysanthemum morifolium cvs. 'Yellow Reagan' and 'White Reagan') grown under greenhouse conditions. Day length and daminozide significantly affected days to flower, stem length, stem diameter and flower numbers per stem. While stem fresh weight and chlorophyll a and b contents were affected by day length, daminozide had an insignificant effect on these parameters. Long day (LD) conditions delayed days to flower by 42 days as compared to short day (SD) conditions. SD conditions reduced stem length (84.47 cm) by almost 2-fold as compared to LD conditions (169.88 cm). Under SD conditions, the stem lengths of plants treated (3000 mg L-1) and untreated (control) with daminozide were 79.21 and 89.73 cm, respectively, whereas under LD conditions, they were 156.33 and 183.43 cm, respectively. The flower number increased per stem both under SD conditions and with daminozide application. The numbers of flowers per stem were 13.40 and 11.87 under SD and LD conditions, respectively, and 14.11 flowers were obtained from the plants treated with daminozide, while 11.17 flowers per stem were obtained from the plants untreated with daminozide. LD conditions increased both chlorophylla (11.50 µg/mg) and chlorophyll b (5.93 µg/mg) contents as compared to SD conditions. In the study, compact and higher quality flowers with a desired stem length were obtained both under SD conditions and with daminozide application. Key words: Chlorophyll, chrysanthemum, daminozide, long day, short day, stem length.

THE EFFECTS OF FE-EDTA APPLICATION ON THE FRESH AND DRY WEIGHT OF STEM AND FLOWERS AND THE RATE OF FLOWERING OF CARNATION (DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS L.)

The spray carnation seedlings obtained from the cuttings stored at 4°C during 55 days at cool storage and unstored were transferred to a greenhouse environment and the effects of different doses of Fe-EDTA (50, 100, 200, 300 mg L -1 ) applied via foliar application on the fresh and dry weight of leaf, stem and flowers of plants and the number of flowers per plants were investigated. At the end of the growing season, the effects of storing conditions on the leaf dry weight of the plant and of the Fe-EDTA application on the stem fresh weight and number of flowers per plant were found statistically significant. There were no clear effects observed from Fe-EDTA application on the fresh and dry weight of flowers.

Essential oil analysis and phytotoxic activity of two ecotypes of Zataria multiflora Boiss. growing in Iran

This study was conducted to assess the allelopathic effect of essential oils (EOs) obtained from the aerial parts of two different ecotypes (ECTPs A and B) of Zataria multiflora Boiss. with the aim of evaluating their in vitro germination and growth inhibition potential. Gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the oils revealed that carvacrol and linalool (77.4% and 90.6%) were the two major oil components in ECTPs A and B, respectively, which were regarded as two different chemotypes. Other important volatile compounds found in ECTP A were α-pinene (2.7%), p-cymene (7.9%) and γ-terpinene (3.5%). However, in ECTP B these compounds were in lesser amounts and γ-terpinene was not detected. The inhibitory effects of both EOs of ECTPs at concentrations of 0, 80, 160, 320 and 640 µL L−1 on the seed germination and seedling growth of four noxious weeds were evaluated. A significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in germination rate, seedling length, root and stem fresh and dry weights were observed by ECTPs; the highest suppressing effect was observed at 320 and 640 µL L−1. The results reported in this study suggest that herbicidal properties of the two ECTP oils could be attributed to their major components.

Effects of different irrigation regimes on yield and some quality parameters of carnation

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation water amounts (kcp1: 0.25, kcp2: 0.50, kcp3: 0.75, kcp4: 1.00 and kcp5: 1.25) and irrigation intervals (I1: 1-, I2: 2- and I3: 3-day) on the yield and some quality parameters of carnation plants (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. 'Turbo') grown in soil under greenhouse conditions. Class A Pan was used to determine irrigation water amounts. Yield and quality parameters (stem length, stem fresh weight, flower diameter and stem diameter) were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the irrigation water amount and irrigation interval. While node number was affected by irrigation water amount, irrigation interval did not affect node number. The highest total flower number per m2 was recorded in I1kcp4 (89.56 flowers m-2), whereas the lowest total flower number per m-2 was found in I3kcp1 (10.0 flowers m-2). Among the irrigation water amounts, the longest stems were determined in kcp5 (71.04 cm) and kcp4 (69.30 cm); however, the difference between both treatments was statistically insignificant. Among the irrigation intervals, the longest stem (67.56 cm) was obtained from the carnations irrigated with high irrigation interval (I1). The treatments with both the same irrigation water amount and higher irrigation intervals produced higher flowers yield and quality. Key words: Carnation, irrigation interval, yield, quality parameters, stem length.

Produtividade e longevidade de crisântemos, cultivados em hidroponia, em resposta a doses de cálcio

Para verificar a resposta de diferentes variedades de crisântemos a doses de cálcio um experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação sob sistema hidropônico de três fases e cascalho como substrato. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas, sendo as doses de cálcio (1,0; 2,5; 4,0; 5,5 mmol L-1) dispostas nas parcelas e três variedades (Blush Hawai, Calabria e Dark Flamengo) nas subparcelas, com 3 repetições. Para as diferentes doses de cálcio, utilizou-se solução nutritiva completa. Foram avaliados o peso da matéria fresca da folha, caule, inflorescência e parte aérea, ciclo, comprimento de haste e número e longevidade das inflorecencias, expressa pelo número de dias da colheita ao descarte das mesmas (murcha e perda de coloração das flores). As variedades Calabria e Blush Hawai apresentaram-se mais precoces e mais produtivas. Houve aumento linear na longevidade das três variedades com o aumento das concentrações de cálcio na solução nutritiva. O melhor desenvolvimento e crescimento das variedades de crisântemos foi obtido quando utilizada a solução nutritiva com 4,0 mmol L-1 de cálcio.

APPLICATION OF CHITOSAN ON IN VITRO GROWTH OF RHYNCHOSTYLIS GIGANTEA PROTOCORMS AND SEEDLINGS

One-month-old protocorms of Rhynchostylis gigantea (approximately 20 to 30 mm in diameter) derived from in vitro seeds propagation were cultured on modified Vacin and Went (VW) medium supplemented with chitosan at the concentration of 0 (control), 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg/L for two months. After this only seedlings that had one leaf with 1 or 2 roots were selected and sub-cultured on to the same medium and further sub-cultured every month for 6 months. Growth of the protocorms was measured every 2 months. Seedlings cultured on VW supplemented with 60 mg/L of chitosan for two months had the highest number of leaves (3.6±-0.25). Whereas, the seedlings cultured on VW supplemented with chitosan at 40 mg/L had the highest number of roots (4.0±0.71). After four months, seedlings cultured on VW supplemented with 40 mg/L of chitosan had the highest leaf length, leaf width and leaf area (2.2±0.19, 0.7±0.05 cm and 1.4±0.19 cm 2 , respectively). Six months after culture, seedlings cultured on VW supplemented with 40 mg/L of chitosan had the highest stem fresh and dry weight and number of roots (1.452±0.16, 0.082±0.01 g and 7.5±0.47, respectively). VW supplemented with 10 mg/L of chitosan increased the number of leaves, plant height and root dry weight (4.3±0.12, 1.3±0.08 cm and 0.084±0.01 g, respectively). While seedlings grown in VW supplemented with 20 mg/L of chitosan had the longest root length (2.3±0.27 cm). However, there was no seedling survived in VW supplemented with 60 mg/L of chitosan after 4 months cultured.

EFFECTS OF FOUR ROOTSTOCKS ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THREE ROSE SCION CULTIVARS

Performance of three rose cultivars ('Golden Gate', 'Hocus Pocus' and 'Trixx') was evaluated onto four rootstocks (Rosa banksiae Ait., Rosa canina L., Rosa chinensis Jacq. 'Masquerade' and Rosa multiflora Thunb.) in 2006 and 2007. Results indicated that rootstock of Rosa banksiae was incompatible to all cultivars used in this experiment. Number of cut flower, stem and flower diameter, leaf fresh and dry weights, flower stem fresh and dry weights and leaf chlorophyll index were affected by the type of used rootstock. Under the conditions of this research, R. canina was the best rootstock for producing the highest number of flowers (6.76 flowers/plant). Rosa chinensis. 'Masquerade' and R. canina rootstocks were the best rootstocks for the increasing averages of the stem diameters (4.67 and 4.67 mm, respectively) and flower diameters (20.50 and 20.21 mm, respectively). The highest leaf fresh and dry weights were found in cultivars budded on R. canina (8.82 and 2.94 g, respectively) and Rosa chinensis Jacq. 'Masquerade' (8.82 and 2.89 g, respectively). R. canina and Rosa chinensis 'Masquerade' were the best rootstocks for the highest fresh weights (18.04 and 18.15 g, respectively) and dry weights (5.33 and 5.26 g, respectively) of flower stems. Cultivars grafted on R. canina had the high quantities of chlorophyll index. Although the rootstock of the R. canina was the best in the most characters measured compared with other rootstocks used in this study, the rootstock of the Rosa chinensis Jacq. 'Masquerade' was closely comparable to it.

Life-cycle chronic gamma exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana induces growth effects but no discernable effects on oxidative stress pathways

Arabidopsis thaliana was exposed to low-dose chronic gamma irradiation during a full life cycle (seed to seed) and several biological responses were investigated. Applied dose rates were 2336, 367 and 81 microGy h(-1). Following 24 days (inflorescence emergence), 34 days (approximately 50% of flowers open) and 54 days (silice ripening) exposure, plants were harvested and monitored for biometric parameters, capacities of enzymes involved in the antioxidative defence mechanisms (SOD, APOD, GLUR, GPOD, SPOD, CAT, ME), glutathione and ascorbate pool, lipid peroxidation products, altered gene expression of selected genes encoding for antioxidative enzymes or reactive oxygen species production, and DNA integrity. Root fresh weight was significantly reduced after gamma exposure compared to the control at all stages monitored but no significant differences in root weight for the different dose rates applied was observed. Leaf and stem fresh weight were significantly reduced at the highest irradiation level after 54 days exposure only. Also total plant fresh was significantly lower at silice riping and this for the highest and medium dose rate applied. The dose rate estimated to result in a 10% reduction in growth (EDR-10) ranged between 60 and 80 microGy h(-1). Germination of seeds from the gamma irradiated plants was not hampered. For several of the antioxidative defence enzymes studied, the enzyme capacity was generally stimulated towards flowering but generally no significant effect of dose rate on enzyme capacity was observed. Gene analysis revealed a significant transient and dose dependent change in expression of RBOHC indicating active reactive oxygen production induced by gamma irradiation. No effect of irradiation was observed on concentration or reduction state of the non-enzymatic antioxidants, ascorbate and glutathione. The level of lipid peroxidation products remained constant throughout the observation period and was not affected by dose rate. The comet assay did not reveal any effect of gamma dose rate on DNA integrity.

Allelopathic Effects of Ludwigia decurrens and L. adscendens subsp. diffusa on Germination, Seedling Growth and Yield of Corchorus olitorious L.

This study examined the allelopathic effect of Ludwigia decurrens and L. adscendens exudates on germination, seedling growth (hypocotyl and radicle elongation), seedling mortality, vegetative growth and reproductive yield of Corchorus olitorious. Ludwigia decurrens, L. adscedens exudates and tap water (control) were applied to seeds of Corchorus olitorious over a period of 15 days and to 3 weeks old seedling for a period of 4 weeks. Ludwigia exudates had no inhibitory effect on the germination percentage of C. olitorious, but the exudates from the two Ludwigia spp. induced mortality rate of the 15 day old seedlings (control: 5.00%, L. decurrens: 17.50%, L. adscendens: 26.88%) and a significant decrease in seedling elongation (hypocotyl and radicle length) of C. olitorious. For the vegetative growth experiment, results showed that the stem length, stem fresh weight and leaf area of C. olitorious were significantly inhibited during week 6 (P

Response of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis to Irrigation With the Hudiara Drain Effluent

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the industrial effluent of the Hudiara drain on the growth and element accumulation by Eucalyptus camaldulensis at early growth stage. Plants were irrigated for 18 months with effluent diluted with tap water at 0% (T0), 25% (T1), 50% (T2), 75% (T3), and 100% effluent (T4). Results showed that the maximum growth in terms of stem height (260 cm), number of branches (29), stem fresh weight (436.67 g), stem dry weight (203.33 g), total seedling length (344 cm), number of leaves (825), leaf fresh weight (195 g), and leaf dry weight (100 g) were recorded in plants treated with T2. However, maximum seedling collar diameter (2.25 cm), root fresh weight (230 g), and root dry weight (103.33 g) were observed in T3 treated plants. On the other hand, seedlings attained maximum root length (100.67 cm) at T1 treatment. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll increased up to T2, declining beyond that treatment. The accumulation of Na, Cd, and Cr in tissues increased with increasing concentrations of the effluent. However, the increase in effluent concentration decreased K and P in roots, and increased Fe in roots and stems, while T1 and T2 increased Mg in stems. The results suggest that mixing the wastewater of the Hudiara drain with tap water (50:50v/v) benefits the growth of E. camaldulensis.

Effects of Cycocel and Irrigation Regimes on Some Physiological Parameters of Three Olive Cultivars

Problem statement: The water deficiency is one of the serious problems, in the arid zones. Cycocel by increasing the stomata resistance and decreasing transpiration can help to water use efficiency. Approach: In this research the impacts of different doses of Cycocel (0, 500 and 1000 mg L-1) and irrigation regimes (33, 66 and 100% of available water; referred to as I1, I2 and I3, respectively) on some physiological parameters of three olive cultivars (Baghmalek, Fishami and Dezfuli) were investigated. The experiment design was factorial split in completely randomize. Measured parameters included fresh and dry weight of root and stem, root length, leaf area, Relative Water Content (RWC), stomata resistance and ratio of total fresh and dry weight of shoot to root. Results: Results showed that drought stress decreased stem fresh weight from 24 g for well Irrigated (I1) compared to 17.5 g for drought stress treatment (I3). Fishami cultivar indicated highest fresh and dry of stem (28.15 and 16.52 g), leaf (12.97 and 9.44 g) and root (25.34 and 7.99 g respectively) compared to other two cultivars. Olive plants in I3 treatments had higher stomata resistance (46.05 sec cm-1) and lower RWC (54.92%). C3 treatment resulted in highest stomata resistance (28.18 and 42.81 sec cm-1 measured in the morning and at noon, respectively); the corresponding values for C1 treatment were 22.26 and 28.93 sec cm-1. Conclusion: Results suggested that I2 and cv. Fishami were superior compared to other irrigation treatments and cultivars. Cycocel adjusted drought neutralized negative effects of drought stress.

Effect of Irrigation Scheduling on Gerbera Flower Yield and Quality

Better understanding of the effects of irrigation frequency and dose on flower production of gerbera plants (Gerbera jamesonii) can lead to optimal water management and crop yield. Measurements of greenhouse microclimate and production and quality characteristics of a gerbera crop were carried out under two irrigation frequency regimens in soilless cultivation in a greenhouse located in Arta, Greece. Irrigation scheduling was based on solar radiation and performed whenever accumulated solar radiation energy outside the greenhouse reached 1650 kJ·m−2 [high irrigation frequency (HIF)] or 3300 kJ·m−2 [low irrigation frequency (LIF)]. The amount of water applied was 0.125 mm and 0.250 mm for HIF and LIF, respectively. Stem fresh weight, length and thickness, and number of harvested gerbera flowers were measured along with crop evapotranspiration, crop leaf area, and greenhouse microclimate variables. Measurements started 8 months after transplanting and lasted 90 days (May to July). Leaf area, fresh weight, harvested cut flowers, and the main quality characteristics of gerbera flowers (stem length and flower diameter) were unaffected by the irrigation frequency. In the framework of the experiment, simple formulas for calculation of leaf area index were developed. Finally, a first approach study of an alternative remote sensing irrigation control method using a reflectance index was made and the results are presented.

ROOT ZONE TEMPERATURE AFFECTS EMERGENCE AND GROWTH TRAITS OF SNAKE TOMATO (TRICHOSANTHES CUCUMERINA L.)

Two Nigerian morphological variants of Trichosanthes cucumerina L., (Cucurbitaceae) an under-exploited tropical leaf and fruit vegetable were evaluated for response to root zone temperature (RZT) in a climate controlled growth chamber at 20, 25 and 30 oC. The Green variant [V1] has long fruit with deep green background and white stripes at unripe stage while Light Green variant [V2] has light green coloured long fruit when at unripe stage. Results showed that the first emergence for seeds at RZT of 30 oC occurred at 7 days after planting (DAP) for both variants while those planted at RZT of 20 oC and 25 oC showed first emergence at 10 and 14 DAP, respectively. At RZT of 20 oC, 25 oC and 30 oC, days to 50% emergence were 18, 12 and 8 DAP while last emergence was registered at 24, 15 and 10 DAP, respectively. This work showed that under controlled growth chamber conditions, days to first emergence was reduced by 5 days compared to the 12 DAP recorded under tropical field conditions. Root zone temperatures (T) produced statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on the average number of tendrils, number of leaves, fresh leaf weight, stem length, fresh stem weight, root length, root weight and root volume while the main effect of T. cucumerina variants (V) and the interaction (V x T) produced no significant effects on all the parameters measured. The values recorded for each of the growth parameters were only numerically higher in the Green Variant (V1) compared to Light Green Variant (V2). The significantly highest value for each of the growth traits were recorded at 30 oC followed by 25 oC and 20 oC, in that order. Low root zone temperature of 20 oC produced adverse effects on both emergence and growth of T. cucumerina. This study established the need for providing soil warming facility for a successful cultivation of T. cucumerina in chilly (temperate) environment.

EVALUATION OF SOME CULTIVARS OF PEAS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF UK.

Two field experiments were carried out in 2000 and 2001 seasons at the Experimental Farm (Cockle Park Farm) of the Faculty of Agriculture, Newcastle University to evaluate some cultivars of peas, i.e. Maro, Focus, Quasar and Flare, by studying of their growth characters, yield and its components as well as their photosynthetic activity. The results showed that Flare or focus had a higher growth rate of plant length and number of vegetative nodes, while Flare or Quasar, showed higher growth rate of both fresh weight of stem and tendril as well as total dry weight. In addition, green pod yield and its components of pea, i.e. number of pods/plant, number of seeds/plant, pod length and pod thickness were significantly increased in Maro or Focus. Moreover, Focus had a greater photosynthetic activity on bottom leaves than the other studied pea cultivars at the first age (71 days from sowing) and the second age (93 days from sowing), while, Maro had a greater photosynthetic activity in the third age (100 days from sowing). On the other hand, on top leaves, cv flare in the first age, had a greater photosynthetic activity and cv Quasar in the second ones, had a good photosynthetic activity. On the contrary, at the third age, the different cultivars not appeared any clear promotion in characters of photosynthetic activity, i.e. e ref, delta e, c ref, delta c, Q leaf, U. Ci, E, 9s and A.