Relative Growth Rate Values Research Articles

DETERMINATION OF THE GRASS YIELD AND GROWTH PARAMETERS OF MAIZE WITH QUINOA INTERCROPPING AT DIFFERENT PLANT MIXTURES

The aim of this study was to grow maize with quinoa plants as an alternative in an intercropping system and to determine the effects of different plant mixtures on production. For this purpose, a trial was carried out in the coastal Aegean region (Aydın Province) of Turkey under Mediterranean climate conditions. In addition to 100% maize and 100% quinoa (monocultures), 3 different mixtures (75% maize-25% quinoa, 50% maize-50% quinoa and 25% maize-75% quinoa) were also created with the help of the row numbers in parcels. To determine the effects of the different plant mixtures, the ash rate, grass yield and protein yield were measured in the mid-dough stage of maize. Moreover, the dry weights of the plants and plant parts (leaf, stalk and ear) were measured on 9 different sampling dates throughout the generative period, and the relative growth rate (RGR) and crop growth rate (CGR) were calculated. As a result, some climatic factors (extreme temperatures in 2020 and extreme rainfall in June 2019) had major impacts on the RGR and CGR values. Although the amount of maize dry matter increased in almost all mixtures, quinoa performed well only in the 50% quinoa-50% maize practice. In terms of grass yield and quality, quinoa can serve as a good alternative plant in intercropping systems with maize to improve the grass quality (with higher protein yields and ash rates) without reducing the grass yield excessively.

Seedling-stage screening method for tolerance of upland rice genotypes to low pH stress

One of the causes of generally low upland rice productivity in Indonesia is low fertility and soil pH. The use of genotypes with high yielding capacity and tolerant of acid soils can increase rice productivity. This study aimed to develop an early and efficient selection method, to determine rice genotypes tolerant to low pH. This research was conducted using a seed germination technique on rice paper medium with varied acidity level (pH 6.5, 5.5 and 4.5). Research data on the germination test showed that germination variables: growth uniformity, relative growth rate, vigour index, T50, and root length can be used as early indicators for determining rice genotypes tolerant to low pH. Research data showed that genotype Pae Huko is relatively more tolerant to low pH than the other three tested genotypes. Pae Huko had the highest values for relative growth rate, growth uniformity, vigour index, and T50 of 92.12%, 87%, 73.3, and 1.6 days, respectively. It had also the highest root length of 14.27 cm. The results give an indication that the method can be used as an early screening for determining tolerant rice genotypes to low pH. Further test (glasshouse experiment) is required to confirm the current results.

Effects of cabbage cultivars on the food consumption and utilization parameters of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)

Food consumption and utilization parameters of Plutella xylostella (L.) were studied on the leaves of eight cabbage cultivars under laboratory conditions (27 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 5 % RH, 16 L: 8D photoperiod). The present study evaluated the effect of different biochemical factors of cabbage cultivars on the food consumption and utilization parameters of P. xylostella. All the food consumption and utilization parameters differed significantly among the cabbage cultivars. The highest values of relative consumption rate (RCR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were observed on the cabbage cultivars ‘NS 183’, ‘DEB 806’, ‘Green Express’ and ‘Mohor’. The highest values of the efficiency of conversion of ingested (3.94 %) and digested (4.95 %) food was observed on the cabbage cultivar ‘DEB 806’. In contrast, the 4th instar P. xylostella larvae fed on the cabbage cultivar ‘Lucky Ball’ exhibited the lowest values of RCR (1.31 mg food consumed/mg body weight/ day), RGR (0.33 mg weight gain/mg body weight/ day), ECI (2.47 %) and ECD (2.95 %). The food consumption and utilization parameters of P. xylostella were positively correlated with the protein: carbohydrate (P:C) ratio of cabbage cultivars. The food consumption and utilization parameters of P. xylostella showed a non-significant correlation with the total glucosinolate content and total phenolic content of cabbage cultivars. The present study will help to identify effective resistant or tolerant cabbage cultivars for the development of Integrated Pest Management strategies against P. xylostella.

Differential Feeding Preference and Performance of Leafworm Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on some Cultivars of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

| Leafworm Spodoptera litura Fabricius is a highly polyphagous pest of food, forage, vegetable and horticultural crops. This sporadic species is becoming an emerging threat to the potato crop in central Punjab and is being evidenced infesting potato crop in Sargodha, Faisalabad and Okara districts. This in-vitro study assessed the comparative feeding preference, food consumption and utilization rates and larval development of S. litura on different white and red skinned potato cultivars. Feeding bioassays revealed that all parameters including leaf weight loss, larval weight gain, relative food consumption and growth rates and conversion efficiency of the ingested food were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05). Exotic potato cultivars Diamant, Desiree and Asterix exhibited maximum leaf consumption and larval weight gain (i.e. 264.61, 259.37 and 233.01 mg and 121.46, 120.17, 120.13 mg, respectively) concomitantly with maximum values of relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR) and ingested food conversion efficiency (ECI). Cultivars Lady Rosetta, Cardinal, Ajax, Kuroda and Sante exhibited intermediate values. Minimum feeding preference and susceptibility to S. litura was shown by the native potato cultivars Faisalabad Red and Faisalabad White with minimum food consumption, larval weight gain, RGR, RCR and ECI values, and hence are recommended to indigenous potato growers for commercial cultivation in areas where S. litura threatens potato crop.

CRECIMIENTO DE PLÁNTULAS DE NUEVE GENOTIPOS DE Bouteloua curtipendula CON DOS TAMAÑOS DE CARIÓPSIDE

Establecer praderas en temporal árido representa un reto, por lo que un rápido desarrollo de la plántula implica ventajas. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el crecimiento inicial de Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. proveniente de dos tamaños de cariópside. El material vegetal incluyó a las variedades NdeM-125, NdeM-303, NdeM-417, NdeM-La Resolana y los genotipos CP-62 (Coahuila), CP-Centauro (Durango), CP-Teloxtoc (Puebla), CP-Ñañú1 (Hidalgo) y CP-Mixe (Oaxaca), con tamaños de cariópside grande (CG) y chico (CCh). Cariópsides de cada tamaño se sembraron en almácigo en sustrato de suelo, tepezil (mineral inerte y liviano que facilita la aireación y capilaridad) y corteza molida de árbol a razón 2:1:1. Se realizó trasplante en tubetes de 70 cm3 21 días después de siembra (dds) bajo un diseño completamente al azar. Se realizaron muestreos destructivos a los 43, 56, 67, 81 y 96 días después de siembra (dds) en condiciones de invernadero. Se determinó el peso de los componentes morfológicos en cada muestreo y se calculó la tasa absoluta de crecimiento (TAC), área foliar específica (AFE), tasa relativa de crecimiento (TRC) y tasa de asimilación neta (TAN). Se realizó análisis de varianza y prueba de comparación de medias de Tukey (P ≤ 0.05). El rendimiento de materia seca (MS) de componentes morfológicos fue diferente (P ≤ 0.05) a 56 dds y se observó que sembrar CG en NdeMLa Resolana resultó en mayor MS aérea y radical y mostró mayor peso de inflorescencia (P ≤ 0.05) a 81 y 96 dds. Los valores máximos para TAN y TRC ocurrieron en etapas iniciales y disminuyeron a mayor edad de planta para todos los materiales. En TRC, NdeM-125 con CG fue mayor conforme avanzó la edad de la planta, mientras en TAN, CP-Ñañú1 mostró mayores valores (P ≤ 0.01). El AFE fue mayor para todos los materiales a 81 y 96 dds y CP-Mixe con CCh fue el mejor tratamiento. Seleccionar por tamaño de cariópside resulta en desarrollo diferencial de plántula. Las plantas de NdeM-La Resolana a partir de ambos tamaños de cariópside mostraron producción de semilla precoz, lo que resulta valioso para auto-recuperación de agostaderos.

Bioconversion performance and development of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) on treated cocoa pod husk

Indonesia is the third largest cocoa producer in the world, thus the number of cocoa pod husk (CPH) resulted from this activity is abundant. To handle this waste, farmer usually uses it directly as a feed source to small ruminants but this practice is less effective due to its low protein content and it also contains a substantial amount of lignin. Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae are known as bioconversion agents that can be fed upon various organic substrates and they are also high protein source. The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of BSF grown on CPH based on their relative growth rate (RGR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), waste reduction index (WRI), and development time. Body size of the imago from each treatment was also measured. Larvae were fed with fresh CPH (F), fresh blended CPH (B), composted CPH (C), mix of fresh CPH with food waste (F+FW) and mix of composted CPH with food waste (C+FW). Food waste served as a control. The results of this study show that the most ideal treatment that possible to be applied in cocoa plantation was C+FW treatmentwhich gave average prepupal fresh weight of 11.20 g/100 larvae with 18 days of development time. This treatment had the highest value of WRI and RGR among all treatments. Composted CPH that mixed with food waste treatment also had a shorter development time of BSF larvae.

Effect of nano fertilization on sugar beet

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) ranks second important sugar crop in the world. The aim of the herein trial is to study the effect of mineral and nano-nitrogen fertilizer (Sissay) and a mix of three micro elements (boron, zinc and manganese) on growth and yield in sugar beet plants. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out at the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Nasr city, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons. The experiments were laid out in a complete randomized block design with four replications. The obtained results showed that the treatment had mineral nitrogen at a rate of 54 or 90 Kg N per feddan + nano Sissay (810 g/ feddan) + a mix of nano micro elements (200 ppm) gave the highest values of relative growth rate, net assimilation rate over 60 to 90 days from sowing date, root weight, sucrose percentage and sugar yield per plant at harvest time as compared with all other studied treatments in both seasons. Control treatment (without fertilization) gave the lowest values. In conclusion, using nano-nitrogen fertilizer (Sissay) and micronutrients (B, Zn and Mn) with mineral nitrogen fertilizer can save around 40% from recommended doses of mineral nitrogen fertilizer.

Natural Progression and Factors Predicting Growth of Retroperitoneal Schwannoma.

Although knowledge of the natural history of retroperitoneal schwannoma, including growth rate, would be useful when determining the indications and timing of surgical treatment for such nonpalpable tumors, the existing evidence is unclear. We examined the natural history of retroperitoneal schwannoma and assessed whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings predict future growth. Among patients with retroperitoneal schwannoma treated in our department during the period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, eight who underwent follow-up assessment by MRI and did not undergo tumor resection for longer than 1 year were enrolled. Changes in lesion size were examined in relation to selected clinical and MRI findings. In cases of pressure erosion in the vertebral body, change in the size of the intraosseous region was compared to change in the size of the whole lesion. Median absolute growth rate (AGR) was 1.9 cm3 per year, median relative growth rate (RGR) was 5.6% per year, and median tumor volume doubling time (VDT) was 3.1 years. AGR, RGR, and VDT were not associated with any clinical variable. RGR and VDT values in the intraosseous region were about twice those of the whole lesions. The growth rates of retroperitoneal schwannomas varied. Additionally, no MRI or clinical findings predicted growth of retroperitoneal schwannoma. Therefore, careful follow-up is necessary for this tumor type, especially for lesions with bone erosion.

Ecological Evidence for the Fitness Trade-Off in Triazine Resistant Chenopodium Album L.: Can We Exploit the Cost of Resistance?

The alleles responsible for herbicide resistance in weeds can result in a fitness cost within affected plants. Over 200 cases of resistance to triazine herbicides have been confirmed in a wide range of weed species globally. In New Zealand, Chenopodium album L. was the first species reported as resistant to triazines. Several studies have already shown that triazine resistance in weeds is associated with fitness costs. Our current study provides further information about fitness penalties caused by triazine resistance during the vegetative growth phase of C. album. Triazine-resistant phenotypes produced less biomass and were shorter than susceptible ones prior to the onset of flowering. At an early stage of growth, triazine-resistant plants had lower photosynthetic efficacy and growth rates than susceptible plants, indicated by lower net assimilation rate (NAR) and relative growth rate (RGR), respectively. However, at a later stage of growth, the resistant plants had greater RGR values than susceptible phenotypes, though there were no significant differences in NAR between triazine-resistant and susceptible plants at this later stage. The triazine-resistant plants had less capacity for vegetative growth than susceptible plants during competition with wheat, indicating less ability to capture resources by triazine-resistant plants under competition. Overall, this study has revealed that the triazine resistance allele caused a substantial fitness cost to C. album only at the early phase of vegetative growth stage; thus, the use of crop competition to try managing triazine-resistant C. album plants should occur during this early phase.

تأثیر عمق الزراعة وحجم الحبة فی انبات وتمیز بادرات محصول الشعیر.(Hordeum vulgare L)

A pot experiment was carried out in the winter season of 2016/2017, to study the effect of depth of seeding (3,6 and 9 cm) and kernel size (small, intermediate and large on germination percent and vigor, seedling characteristics including seedling length, root length ,seedling fresh weight and growth stages of seedling represented by days to unfolding of first, second and third leaf, in addition to leaf area and relative growth rate in barley cultivar Rihan-3. The experiment was laid out as factorial in randomized complete block design of three replicates. The results indicated a significant superiority of the 3 cm depth, compared to the other depths, in initiation of germination and the characteristics of seedlings where it gave the least number of days to emergence (6.78days), highest germination percentage (77.8%), seedling length and fresh weight (6.67 cm and 1.611 g, respectively), highest germination vigor (844) and highest relative growth rate (1.504 g/ day).The results also showed that large-sized kernels gave the highest values for germination percent (78.9 %), least time for differentiation of first, second and third leaves, longer seedling shoot and root lengths (13.33, 7.67 and 5.56 cm, respectively), heaviest seedling fresh weight (1.756 g) and seedling growth vigor (1051) in addition to highest values for relative growth rate (1.776 g/ day) and leaf area (192.5 mm2). Results showed the highest values ​​with the use of the large size of the grains. Germinant %( 78.9) differentiation time 0f 1sd-2nd-3rd leaf ,relative growth rate (1.776 g /day) and seedling fresh weight(1.756g), and also length seedling and root (5.56, 7.67, 13.33 cm), and the leaf area (192.5 mm2).

Respuesta agronómica de mucilago de cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) en cultivo de maíz (Zea mays L.)

Se comparó la producción de mucilago drenado de granos de Theobroma cacao, T. grandiflorum y T. bicolor en caja de madera y luego se evaluó su posible uso como biofertilizante. T. cacao presentó la mayor producción de mucilago drenado (4.5 ml mucilago kg-1 grano h-1) con contenidos de 11.18 mg P L.-1, 0.2 % K y 0.08 % N. Posteriormente se determinó el crecimiento de dos variedades de Zea mays (ICA V-305 y Calilla) usando mucilago drenado de T. cacao. El experimento en campo tuvo cinco tratamientos (fertisun, control (sin abonado), 5 % mucilago, 10 % mucilago y 15 % mucilago) bajo un diseño completamente al azar en arreglo de parcelas divididas. Las variables de respuesta agronómica evaluadas fueron: TAC y TRC. En la evaluación de TAC en las dos variedades de Zea mays estudiadas se observó que la variedad calilla presentó mayor crecimiento en menor tiempo cuando se aplicó mucilago drenado al 5 % respecto de la variedad ICA V-305, por lo cual se consideró el mejor tratamiento para usar como abono líquido. Considerando la existencia de malezas en el sitio de estudio, las cuales fueron retiradas solo en los dos primeros muestreos (13 y 21 dds) no se observó una tendencia clara en los valores TRC para las dos variedades de Z. mays evaluadas.

PENGARUH SUBSTITUSI TEPUNG IKAN DAN TERI DALAM PAKAN TERHADAP EFISIENSI PEMANFAATAN PAKAN DAN PERTUMBUHAN BENIH IKAN NILA (Oreochromis niloticus)

The growth of tilapia could be improved when the feed utilization by the find was more efficien.Dietary anchovy flour might increase the utilization rate the feed. Feedswith amino acid profile similar to the amino acid profile of the fish would growth better. However, the feed lack of one might essential amino acids might disrupt the process of growththe fish. The feed substitution could improve better amino acid congfiguration for better growth of fish. This experiment was to determine the effect of substitution of anchovy flour with fish meal in feed onthe feed utilization efficiency and growth of tilapia (O. niloticus) seed. The trial fish used were individual body better range betwen 5-7 cm tilapia (O. niloticus) with initial average body weight of 3.07±0.03 g/fish density the was 1 fish/liter for 35 days. The variables measured included the totalfeed consumption (TFC), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), relative growth rate (RGR), and survival rate (SR). The experimentused was completely randomized design that consisted of 5 treatments and 3 replicates. The fifth treatments were treatment A, B, C, D, and E, withration of dietary fish meal to anchovy flour was 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 100:0%, respectively. The data showed that dietary anchovy flour resulted significantly effect on TFC, FUE, RGR, and PER values, but did not for SR value. Treatment Cassumsted the best performance values for TFC,FUE, PER, and RGR, with the values for 80,70%, 69,45%, 2,19%, and 1,6%/day, respectively. The water quality parameters during this study varried between suitable range for the tilapia (O. niloticus). It was suggestedthat substitution of fish meal to anchovy flour with the ration of 50:50% in feed was able to increase the values of TFC,FUE, PER, and RGR.

The effect of fish meal and milkfish offal meal combination in different artificial feeds on growth and survival rate of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

The cost which spent for feed is about 50 – 70% of total component production. The method to reduce tiger shrimp production cost is using milkfish offal waste utilization as an alternative for feed substitution. This study used laboratory experimental method using completely randomized design with four treatments and three replications for each treatment. Each treatment used different milkfish offal meal (%) and fish meal (%) ratio, they were: 0%:60% (A), 20%:40% (B), 40%:20% (C), and 60%:0% (D). Feed was given four times a day at 08.00, 13.00, 17.00, and 23.00 about 8% of the shrimp biomass weight. The material used was juvenile tiger shrimp with 0.75 – 1.29 g of average biomass weight. Tiger shrimp maintained at 30 individuals of stock density in a bucket of water with 30 L volume and 30 ppt salinity. The results showed that crumble-shaped artificial feed with a different substitution percentage of milkfish offal meal had high significant effect (P<0.01) on Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Feed Utilization Efficiency, and had significant effect (P<0.05) on Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), but it had no significant effect (P>0.05) on survival rate (SR). The highest value of RGR was 4.90%/day in treatment B. The best PER and feed efficiency were 1.69 and 56.96% in treatment B. Survival rate of tiger shrimp ranged between 83.33 – 87.78%. The water quality was in decent condition for shrimp cultivation media. The conclusion is 20% milkfish offal meal substitution in the artificial feed provides the best growth and survival rate of shrimp.

Greater Performance of Exotic Elodea nuttallii in Response to Water Level May Make It a Better Invader Than Exotic Egeria densa During Winter and Spring.

The strategy of producing rapid initial growth and establishing early in the growing season is important, and it is employed by invasive macrophytes. Elodea nuttallii and Egeria densa, two Hydrocharitaceae species, became weeds after invading many countries in recent years. Comparative studies on their invasive traits in relation to native species during winter and spring are limited. In the present study, we compared the growth performance of these two exotic species with a perennial native species, Potamogeton maackianus, in different water depths (1, 2, and 3 m) during winter (January and February) and spring (March and April). Three morphological traits (shoot number, root number and shoot length), total biomass, relative growth rate (RGR) and two physiological photosynthetic traits (total chlorophyll content and the maximum quantum yield of PSII [Fv/Fm]) were measured for each macrophyte. All three species could overwinter as entirely leafy plants. Biomass, RGR, morphological traits and physiological traits were all different among species. However, water depths had a significant effect only on morphological traits. At all water depths, E. nuttallii had significantly higher values for morphological traits, total biomass and RGR than P. maackianus, while E. densa had significantly fewer roots and a lower total chlorophyll content than P. maackianus. Except for Fv/Fm at a 3 m water depth, morphological and physiological photosynthetic traits, biomass and RGR of E. nuttallii were significantly higher than those of E. densa. In addition, a large number of adventitious roots developed from E. nuttallii but not from the other two species. These results indicate that the advantages of E. nuttallii to grow in winter and spring may make it more prone to expansion than E. densa in China.

Management of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Helicoverpa armigera&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by Nutritional Indices and Botanical Extracts of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Millettia ferruginea&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Azadirachta indica&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

The development of hosts that are resistant and evaluation of botanical extracts to H. armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is crucial for sustainable management, yet very limited in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was done to identify alternative methods to insecticide control through host consumption study and botanical extracts. The performance of third-fifth larval stages of H. armigera on three host plant varieties including chickpea, tomato and faba bean and botanical extracts against the third larval instars and oviposition deterrence was studied under laboratory condition (22°C ± 2°C, 55% ± 5% RH, 12:12 L: D photoperiod). Significant differences were found in the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI%) (F = 80.06; df = 6, 2; p < 0.05) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD%) (F = 175.91; df = 6, 2; p < 0.05) values of H. armigera reared on the three host plant varieties of the whole larval instars. The minimum relative consumption rate (RCR) (11.271 ± 0.328) and maximum approximate digestibility (AD) (177.9 ± 1.928) values of the whole larval instars were on Dagaga and Koshari, respectively. The values of relative growth rate (RGR), ECI% and ECD% of the whole larval instars were highest on chickpea varieties and lowest on tomato Koshari. Among chickpea varieties, Habru was relatively resistant to larval instars of H. armigera. Botanical extracts at 50% neem oil (NO), 5% birbira seed extract (BSE) and 5% neem seed extract (NSE) (18.4%) resulted superior in larval mortality however, statistically not different. At both 5% and 2.5% concentration level of botanical extracts the minimum larval mortality was recorded from neem leaf extract (NLE). Maximum numbers of eggs were laid on control treatments and the minimum eggs were on 5% BSE. The deterrent effect of 50% neem oil was stronger (ODI = 17.66%) than that of 5% BSE (ODI = 14%) which is statistically similar value with 5% NSE (ODI = 13%). In conclusion, the result indicated that use of Habru chickpea variety with 50% NO was very effective in controlling both the larvae and deterring the adults of H. armigera from egg lying. These measures could be important in the wider managements of H. armigera by integrating host resistance and botanical extracts.

Relationship between electrogenic performance and physiological change of four wetland plants in constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells during non-growing seasons

To find suitable wetland plants for constructed wetland-microbial fuel cells (CW-MFCs), four commonly used wetland plants, including Canna indica, Cyperus alternifolius L., Acorus calamus, and Arundo donax, were investigated for their electrogenic performance and physiological changes during non-growing seasons. The maximum power output of 12.82mW/m2 was achieved in the A. donax CW-MFC only when root exudates were being released. The results also showed that use of an additional carbon source could remarkably improve the performance of electricity generation in the C. indica and A. donax CW-MFCs at relatively low temperatures (2–15°C). However, A. calamus withered before the end of the experiment, whereas the other three plants survived the winter safely, although their relative growth rate values and the maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) significantly declined, and free proline and malondialdehyde significantly accumulated in their leaves. On the basis of correlation analysis, temperature had a greater effect on plant physiology than voltage. The results offer a valuable reference for plant selection for CW-MFCs.

PENGARUH AIR LIMBAH CELUPAN BATIK DI PARAKANNYASAG TASIKMALAYA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN KI APU (Pistia stratiotes L.)

Batik industry produces waste water containing chromium which can be harmful for ecosystem and human health. There had been research aimed to find out the influence of batik dye waste water in Parakannyasag Tasikmalaya on the growth of Pistia stratiotes L. Material of P. stratiotes was obtained from Indihiang rice field, Tasikmalaya. Waste water was taken from disposal of home batik dye industry in Parakannyasag Tasikmalaya. Study design used a Complete Randomized Design (RAL) with 5 treatments (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and 5 replications. The growth parameter include root length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, leaf broad, stolon number, stolon length, fresh weight and calculated of Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Doubling Time (DT) and leaf chlorophyll content were observed, The result showed growth of P. stratiotes at 25% concentration of wastewater was root length 2,2 cm, leaf number 3,5 strands, leaf length 0,3 mm, leaf width 0,4 mm, leaf broad 1,7 mm, stolon number 1,3 pieces, stolon length 1,8 cm and fresh weight 4,4 g; At 50% consentration of waste water showed root length 11,2 cm, leaf number 5,7 strands, leaf length 0,39 mm, leaf width 0,17 mm, leaf broad 1,3 mm, stolon number 1,6 pieces, length of stolon 2,6 cm and fresh weight 3,6 g. At 75% of waste water consentration showed, root length 5,5 cm, lef number4,8 strands, leaf length -0,1 mm, leaf width 0,1 mm, leaf broad -0,4 mm, stolon number 1,1 pieces, stolon length 2,0 cm and fresh weight 3,0 g; At 100% consentration of waste water showed root length 6,6 cm, leaf number 3,8 strands, leaf length -0,3 mm, leaf width -0,2 mm, leaf broad -0,5 mm, stolon number 0,9 pieces, length 1,9 cm stolon and fresh weight 2,9 g. The highest RGR value at 25% of wastewater concentration demonstrated 0,02 g/day and the highest DT value at 75% concentration of waste water demonstrated 48,0 days. The highest growth of root organs occured at 50% concentration of waste water and caused in optimum growth of P. stratiotes.

Functional growth analysis of ‘Sonata’ strawberry plants grown under controlled temperature and daylength conditions

In order to investigate the relationship between environmental conditions and vegetative growth and reproductive development in the strawberry, freshly rooted runner plants of the cultivar ‘Sonata’ were grown in a phytotron at temperatures of 12, 18 and 24°C and photoperiods of 10h short day (SD) and 20h long day (LD) for 31d and harvested at 10d intervals. Plant dry weight and leaf area increases were exponential versus time, giving a linear regression with the natural log (ln). This rendered the relative growth rate (RGR) constant over time at each environmental condition. Over the entire 31d growth period, the RGR increased linearly with increasing temperature across the range of temperatures with a further 10–13% enhancement by LD. A maximum RGR value of 0.077g/g/d was determined in LD at 24°C. Increases in the RGR was driven by a combined increase in net assimilation rate (NAR) and leaf area ratio (LAR) and was associated with an increased allocation of dry matter production into leaves and less into crowns and roots. Because of this, the shoot/root ratio increased consistently with increasing temperature and photoperiod, which was also associated with a significant increase in the tissue C/N concentration ratio. Low temperature promoted starch accumulation markedly in all parts of the plants, with a further enhancement by LD conditions, while the concentrations of soluble sugars were less affected by the climatic environment. Forcing of plants exposed to the various growth conditions for 31d showed that all plants at 12 and 18°C and 80% of those at 24°C had initiated flowers in SD, whereas none had initiated flowers in LD regardless of temperature conditions. All these results demonstrate an opposite environmental relationship between vegetative growth and reproductive development in the strawberry.

Comparative performance of the Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) on various wheat cultivars

The Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is known as a serious pest of stored grains and stored products. Host plant is an effective ecological factor on performance of an insect pest. In this study, effects of ten wheat cultivars were evaluated on life table parameters and nutritional indices of T. granarium under laboratory conditions, 33 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 14: 10 (L: D) h. Our research showed that various wheat cultivars have significant effects on life history, demographical parameters and nutritional indices of T. granarium. The highest immature survival rate was observed on cultivar Gaskojen. Significant differences on developmental time, adult fecundity and longevity of T. granarium were found across tested wheat cultivars. In addition, there were significant differences among the wheat cultivars for population growth parameters of T. granarium. The highest (rm) values were observed on Gaskojen (0.078 eggs/female/day) and its lower values were resulted from rearing of T. granarium on Kouhdasht and Bezostaya. The larvae fed on Gaskojen showed the higher value of food consumption as compared with others. In addition, the higher value of relative growth rate (RGR) was found on cultivar Gaskojen, while the relative lower value was observed on cultivar Kouhdasht. The results indicated that Gaskojen cultivar was a relatively susceptible wheat cultivar and Kouhdasht cultivar was relatively unsuitable host for feeding of T. granarium which could prove useful in the development of IPM programs for this pest.

Growth indices and grain yield attributes in six maize cultivars representing two era of maize breeding in Nigeria

Growth parameters such as seedling germination attributes, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) and leaf area ratio (LAR) as well as yield parameters were investigated in six maize cultivars representing two era of maize breeding in Nigeria during the 2005 late and 2006 early cropping seasons. Differences between maize breeding era were significant for seedling emergence (E %) and emergence index (EI) while genotypes within a particular breeding era (G/E) differed significantly for E% and emergence rate index (ERI). Seasonal (S) variation in seedling parameters was also significant for E % and ERI with a 15% higher seedling emergence in 2006 early season. CGR in the genotypes in breeding era 1 was higher by seven percent (7%) during vegetative growth phase but lower by 14% at flowering phase compared to genotypes in breeding era 2. NAR on the other hand was consistently higher in varieties developed in 1970’s by 15.2 and 13.8% compared to varieties developed in 1990’s. Regardless of the breeding era, varieties with higher values for LAR at flowering (except var. TZPB-SR) were higher yielding than those with lower LAR. Overall, varieties developed in era 2 were superior to those developed in era 1 for E% and also had six percent (6%) higher values for LAR at vegetative growth phase than those developed in era 1 but decreased by two percent (2%) at flowering phase. E% in the genotypes ranged from 48.56 in ACR 9943 DMRSR to 79.33 in ACR99TZL COMP4 DMRSR, while EI and ERI ranged from 0.86 and 0.010 in TZB-SR to 0.96 and 0.014 in ACR 97 TZL COMP1-W. Grain yield was significantly higher in 2006 early cropping season by 0.3t/ha -1 translating to 14.78% than in late season and it ranged from 1.64t/ha -1 in TZPB-SR (era 1) to 2.94t/ha -1 in ACR99TZLCOMP4DMRSR (era 2). Var. ACR99TZL COMP4DMRSR with the lowest values for CGR, RGR and NAR at vegetative phase had the highest grain yield (2.94t/ha -1 ) indicating that genotypic superiority for grain yield is not particularly related to differences in any of these traits but rather dependent on the inherent genetic potential of the varieties themselves. Keywords: Zea mays L., Growth indices, Maize breeding era, Grain yield