Abstract: The paper is included within the framework of a
complex research program, which was initiated from the hypothesis
arguing on the existence of a correlation between pineal indolic and
peptide hormones and the somatic development rhythm, including
thus the epithalamium-epiphysis complex involvement. At birds,
pineal gland contains a circadian oscillator, playing a main role in the
temporal organization of the cerebral functions. The secretion of
pineal indolic hormones is characterized by a high endogenous
rhythmic alternation, modulated by the light/darkness (L/D)
succession and by temperature as well. The research has been carried
out using 100 chicken broilers - “Ross" commercial hybrid,
randomly allocated in two experimental batches: Lc batch, reared
under a 12L/12D lighting schedule and Lexp batch, which was photic
pinealectomised through continuous exposition to light (150 lux, 24
hours, 56 days). Chemical and physical features of the meat issued
from breast fillet and thighs muscles have been studied, determining
the dry matter, proteins, fat, collagen, salt content and pH value, as
well. Besides the variations of meat chemical composition in relation
with lighting schedule, other parameters have been studied: live
weight dynamics, feed intake and somatic development degree. The
achieved results became significant since chickens have 7 days of
age, some variations of the studied parameters being registered,
revealing that the pineal gland physiologic activity, in relation with
the lighting schedule, could be interpreted through the monitoring of
the somatic development technological parameters, usually studied
within the chicken broilers rearing aviculture practice.
Abstract: Biplot can be used to evaluate cultivars for their oil
percent potential and stability and to evaluate trial sites for their
discriminating ability and representativeness. Multi-environmental
trial (MET) data for oil percent of 10 open pollinating sunflower
cultivars were analyzed to investigate the genotype-environment
interactions. The genotypes were evaluated in four locations with
different climatic conditions in Iran in 2010. In each location, a
Randomized Complete Block design with four replications was used.
According to both mean and stability, Zaria, Master and R453, had
highest performances among all cultivars. The graphical analysis
identified best cultivar for each environment. Cultivars Berezans and
Record performed best in Khoy and Islamabad. Zaria and R453 were
the best genotypes in Sari and Karaj followed by Master and Favorit.
The GGE bi-plot indicated two mega-environments, group one
contained Karaj, Khoy and Islamabad and the second group
contained Sari. The best discriminating location was Karaj followed
with Khoy, Islamabad and Sari. The best representative genotypes
were Zaria, R453, Master and Favorit. Ranking of ten cultivars based
their oil percent was as Zaria > R453 ≈ Master ≈ Favorit > Record ≈
Berezans > Sor > Lakumka > Bulg3 > Bulg5.
Abstract: Organic farmers across Saskatchewan face soil
phosphorus (P) shortages. Due to the restriction on inputs in organic
systems, farmers rely on crop rotation and naturally-occurring
arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for plant P supply. Crop rotation
is important for disease, pest, and weed management. Crops that are
not colonized by AMF (non-mycorrhizal) can decrease colonization
of a following crop. An experiment was performed to quantify soil P
cycling in four cropping sequences under organic management and
determine if mustard (non-mycorrhizal) was delaying the
colonization of subsequent wheat. Soils from the four cropping
sequences were measured for inorganic soil P (Pi), AMF spore
density (SD), phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA, for AMF
biomarker counts), and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPase,
related to AMF metabolic activity). Plants were measured for AMF
colonization and P content and uptake of above-ground biomass. A
lack of difference in AMF activity indicated that mustard was not
depressing colonization. Instead, AMF colonization was largely
determined by crop type and crop rotation.
Abstract: In order to study the effects of supplemental irrigation, different levels of nitrogen chemical fertilizer and inoculation with rhizobium bacteria on the grain yield of chickpea, an experiment was carried out using split plot arrangement in randomize complete block design with three replication in agricultural researches station of Zanjan, Iran during 2009-2010 cropping season. The factors of experiment consisted of irritation (without irrigation (I1), irrigation at flowering stage (I2), irrigation at flowering and grain filling stages (I3) and full irrigation (I4)) and different levels of nitrogen fertilizer (without using of nitrogen fertilizer (N0), 75 kg.ha-1 (N75), 150 kg.ha-1 (N150) and inoculation with rhizobium bacteria (N4). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer levels and bacterial inoculation, were significant affect on number of pods per plant, number grains per plant, grain weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index at 1% probability level. Also Results showed that the grain yield in full irrigation treatment and inoculated with rhizobium bacteria was significantly higher than the other treatments.
Abstract: The toxicity of aqueous extracts of two plants,
Nicotiana tobacum and Eucalyptus globulus were investigated against second instar larvae of Lycoriella auripila, one of the most
important pests of button mushroom, using agar dilution technique.
Seven concentrations of aqueous extracts of both plants were applied
on second instar larvae and their mortality were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 h. The obtained results revealed that aqueous extracts of N.
tabacum and E. globulus caused 77.55 and 72.5% mortality of larvae
of L. auripila at concentration of 4000 ppm after 72h, respectively. Toxicities of tobacco extract after 24, 48 and 72 h were 1.52, 1.85
and 1.70 times greather than eucalyptus, respectively. The estimated LC50 after 24, 48 and 72 h were 7316.5, 2468.5 and 2013.1 ppm for
tobacco and 64870.0, 6839.5 and 3326.4 ppm for eucalyptus, respectively. These plants merit further study as potential insecticides
for the control of L. auripila.
Abstract: The comparative analysis of different taxonomic
groups of microorganisms isolated from dark chernozem soils under
different agricultures (alfalfa, melilot, sainfoin, soybean, rapeseed) at
Almaty region of Kazakhstan was conducted. It was shown that the
greatest number of micromycetes was typical to the soil planted with
alfalfa and canola. Species diversity of micromycetes markedly
decreases as it approaches the surface of the root, so that the species
composition in the rhizosphere is much more uniform than in the
virgin soil. Promising strains of microscopic fungi and yeast with
plant growth-promoting activity to agricultures were selected. Among
the selected fungi there are representatives of Penicillium bilaiae,
Trichoderma koningii, Fusarium equiseti, Aspergillus ustus. The
highest rates of growth and development of seedlings of plants
observed under the influence of yeasts Aureobasidium pullulans,
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Metschnikovia pulcherrima. Using
molecular - genetic techniques confirmation of the identification
results of selected micromycetes was conducted.
Abstract: Most agricultural crops cultivated in Brazil are highly
nutrient demanding. Brazilian soils are generally acidic with low base
saturation and available nutrients. Demand for fertilizer application
has increased because the national agricultural sector expansion. To
improve productivity without environmental impact, there is the need
for the utilization of novel procedures and techniques to optimize
fertilizer application. This includes the digital soil mapping and GIS
application applied to mapping in different scales. This paper is
based on research, realized during 2005 to 2010 by Brazilian
Corporation for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA) and its partners.
The purpose was to map soil fertility in national and regional scales.
A soil profile data set in national scale (1:5,000,000) was constructed
from the soil archives of Embrapa Soils, Rio de Janeiro and in the
regional scale (1:250,000) from COMIGO Cooperative soil data set,
Rio Verde, Brazil. The mapping was doing using ArcGIS 9.1 tools
from ESRI.
Abstract: Different techniques for estimating seasonal water
use from soil profile water depletion frequently do not account for
flux below the root zone. Shallow water table contribution to supply
crop water use may be important in arid and semi-arid regions.
Development of predictive root uptake models, under influence of
shallow water table makes it possible for planners to incorporate
interaction between water table and root zone into design of irrigation
projects. A model for obtaining soil moisture depletion from root
zone and water movement below it is discussed with the objective to
determine impact of shallow water table on seasonal moisture
depletion patterns under water table depth variation, up to the bottom
of root zone. The role of different boundary conditions has also been
considered. Three crops: Wheat (Triticum aestivum), Corn (Zea
mays) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum), common in arid & semi-arid
regions, are chosen for the study. Using experimentally obtained soil
moisture depletion values for potential soil moisture conditions,
moisture depletion patterns using a non linear root uptake model have
been obtained for different water table depths. Comparative analysis
of the moisture depletion patterns under these conditions show a wide
difference in percent depletion from different layers of root zone
particularly top and bottom layers with middle layers showing
insignificant variation in moisture depletion values. Moisture
depletion in top layer, when the water table rises to root zone
increases by 19.7%, 22.9% & 28.2%, whereas decrease in bottom
layer is 68.8%, 61.6% & 64.9% in case of wheat, corn & potato
respectively. The paper also discusses the causes and consequences
of increase in moisture depletion from top layers and exceptionally
high reduction in bottom layer, and the possible remedies for the
same. The numerical model developed for the study can be used to
help formulating irrigation strategies for areas where shallow
groundwater of questionable quality is an option for crop production.
Abstract: This study assessed fish marketing as panacea towards
sustainable agriculture in Ogun State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling
technique was used in the selection of 150 fish marketers for this
study. Descriptive statistics were used for the objectives while
Product Pearson Moment Correlation was used to test the hypothesis.
Result of the findings revealed that the mean age of the respondents
was 38.60 years. Majority (93.33%) of the respondents had
acceptable levels of formal education. Many (44.00%) of the
respondents had spent 1-5 years in fish marketing. The average
quantity of fish sold in a day was 94.10kg. However, efficient fish
marketing were hindered by inadequate processing equipment,
storage rooms and ice holding facilities (86.67%). There was a
significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics and
profit realized from fish marketing (p < 0.05). It was recommended
that storage and warehousing facilities should be provided to the fish
marketers in the study area.
Abstract: The acid rain causes change in pH level of soil it is
directly influence on root and leaf growth. Yield of the crop was
reduced if acidity of soil is more. Acid rain seeps into the earth and
poisons plants and trees by dissolving toxic substances in the soil,
such as aluminum, which get absorbed by the roots. In present
investigation, effect of acid rain on crop Vigna radiata was studied.
The effect of acid rain on change in soil fertility was detected in
which pH of control sample was 6.5 and pH of 1% H2SO4 and 1%
HNO3 were 3.5. Nitrogen nitrate in soil was high in 1% HNO3 treated
soil & Control sample. Ammonium nitrogen in soil was low in 1%
HNO3 & H2SO4 treated soil. Ammonium nitrogen was medium in
control and other samples. The effect of acid rain on seed
germination on 3rd day of germination control sample growth was
6.1cm with plumule 0.001% HNO3 & 0.001% H2SO4 was 5.5cm
with plumule and 8cm with plumule. On 10th day fungal growth was
observed in 1% and 0.1% H2SO4 concentrations when all plants were
dead. The effect of acid rain on crop productivity was investigated on
3rd day roots were developed in plants. On 12th day Vigna radiata
showed more growth in 0.1% HNO3 and 0.1% H2SO4 treated plants
as compare to control plants. On 20th day development of
discoloration of plant pigments were observed on acid treated plants
leaves. On 34th day Vigna radiata showed flower in 0.1% HNO3,
0.01% HNO3 and 0.01% H2SO4treated plants and no flowers were
observed on control plants. On 42th day 0.1% HNO3, 0.01% HNO
and 0.01% H2SO4 treated Vigna radiata variety and control plants
were showed seeds on plants. In Vigna radiate variety 0.1%, 0.01%
HNO3, 0.01% H2SO4treated plants were dead on 46th day and fungal
growth was observed. The toxicological study was carried out on
Vigna radiata plants exposed to 1% HNO3 cells were damaged more
than 1% H2SO4. Leaf sections exposed to 0.001% HNO3 & H2SO4
showed less damaged of cells and pigmentation observed in entire
slide when compare with control plant.
Abstract: We propose our genuine research of geometric
moments which detects the mineral inadequacy in the frail groundnut
plant. This plant is prone to many deficiencies as a result of the
variance in the soil nutrients. By analyzing the leaves of the plant, we
detect the visual symptoms that are not recognizable to the naked eyes.
We have collected about 160 samples of leaves from the nearby fields.
The images have been taken by keeping every leaf into a black box to
avoid the external interference. For the first time, it has been possible
to provide the farmer with the stages of deficiencies. This paper has
applied the algorithms successfully to many other plants like Lady-s
finger, Green Bean, Lablab Bean, Chilli and Tomato. But we submit
the results of the groundnut predominantly. The accuracy of our
algorithm and method is almost 93%. This will again pioneer a kind of
green revolution in the field of agriculture and will be a boon to that
field.
Abstract: To study the performance of soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars in varying weeding regimes, a field experiment was conducted in 2010. The experiment was split plot in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. The four cultivars and two lines of soybean including: Sahar, Hill, Sari, Telar, 032 and 033 in main plot and weeding regime consist of no weeding (control), one weeding (35 days after planting) and two weeding (35+20 days after planting) were randomized in sub plot. In weed infested plots inevitably had the highest yield reduction in all varieties. On the other hand, plots weeded twice showed the best performance for all cultivars and lines. Although 033 had the highest yield over weeding regimes, but Hill was the best cultivar in suppression of weeds, which indicated the competitiveness of this cultivar. Double weeding, with the use of competitive soybean cultivars would be an effective approach for producing yield.
Abstract: In order to study of hydropriming and halopriming on
germination and early growth stage of wheat (Triticum aestivum) an
experiment was carried out in laboratory of the Department of
Agronomy and Plant breeding, Shahrood University of Technology.
Seed treatments consisted of T1: control (untreated seeds), T2:
soaking in distilled water for 18 h (hydropriming). T3: soaking in -
1.2 MPa solution of CaSO4 for 36 h (halopriming). Germination and
early seedling growth were studied using distilled water (control) and
under osmotic potentials of -0.4, -0.8 and -1.2 MPa for NaCl and
polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000), respectively. Results showed that
Hydroprimed seeds achieved maximum germination seedling dry
weight, especially during the higher osmotic potentials. Minimum
germination was recorded at untreated seeds (control) followed by
osmopriming. Under high osmotic potentials, hydroprimed seeds had
higher GI (germination index) as compared to haloprimed or
untreated seeds. Interaction effect of seed treatment and osmotic
potential significantly affected the seedling vigour index (SVI).
Abstract: Saffron (Crocus sativus) is cultivated as spices,
medicinal and aromatic plant species. At autumn season, heavy
rainfall can cause flooding stress and inhibits growth of saffron. Thus
this research was conducted to study the effect of silver ion (as an
ethylene inhibitor) on growth of saffron under flooding conditions.
The corms of saffron were soaked with one concentration of nano
silver (0, 40, 80 or 120 ppm) and then planting under flooding stress
or non flooding stress conditions. Results showed that number of
roots, root length, root fresh and dry weight, leaves fresh and dry
weight were reduced by 10 day flooding stress. Soaking saffron
corms with 40 or 80 ppm concentration of nano silver rewarded the
effect of flooding stress on the root number, by increasing it.
Furthermore, 40 ppm of nano silver increased root length in stress.
Nano silver 80 ppm in flooding stress, increased leaves dry weight.
Abstract: An attempt was made to study of nitrogen
components response of corn (Zea mays L.) to drought stress. A farm
research was done in RCBD as split-plot with four replications in
Khorramabad, west Iran. Drought stress levels as irrigation regimes
after 75 (control), 100, and 120 (stress) mm cumulative evaporation
were in main plots, and four seed corn varieties include 500 (medium
maturity), 647, 700, and 704 (long maturity) were as subplots.
Soluble protein, nitrate and proline amino acid were measured in
shoot and root at flowering stage, and grain yield was measured in
harvesting stage. As the drought progressed, the amount of nitrate
and proline followed an increasing trend, but soluble protein
decreased in shoot and root. The highest amount of nitrate and
proline was observed in longer maturity varieties than shorter ones,
but decrease yield of long maturity varieties was higher than medium
maturity varieties in drought condition, because of long duration of
stress.
Abstract: Sophorolipids (SLs) production by the yeast Candida
bombicola was studied in batch shake flasks using synthetic dairy
wastewaters (SDWW) with or without any added external carbon and
nitrogen sources. A maximum SLs production of 38.76 g/l was
observed with the SDWW supplemented with low cost substrate of
sugarcane molasses at 50 g/l and soybean oil at 50 g/l. When the
SDWW was supplemented with more costly glucose, yeast extract,
urea and soybean oil, the production, however, got lowered to only
29.49 g/l, but with a maximum biomass production of 17.38 g/l
together with a complete utilization of the carbon sources.
Abstract: From food consumption surveys has been found that potato consumption comparing to other European countries is one of the highest. Hence acrylamide (AA) intake coming from fried potatoes in population might be high as well. The aim of the research was to determine acrylamide content and estimate intake of acrylamide from roasted potatoes bred and cultivated in Latvia. Five common Latvian potato varieties were selected: Lenora, Brasla, Imanta, Zile, and Madara. A two-year research was conducted during two periods: just after harvesting and after six months of storage. Time and temperature (210 ± 5°C) was recorded during frying. AA was extracted from potatoes by solid phase extraction and AA content was determined by LC-MS/MS. estimated intake of acrylamide ranges from 0.012 to 0.496μgkg-1 BW per day.
Abstract: Ozone (O3) is considered as one of the most
phytotoxic pollutants with deleterious effects on living and non living
components of Ecosystems. It reduces growth and yield of many
crops as well as alters the physiology and crop quality. The present
study described series of experiments to investigate the effects of
ambient O3 at different locations with different ambient levels of O3
depending on proximity to pollutant source and ranged between 17
ppb/h in control experiment to 112 ppb/h in industrial area
respectively. The ambient levels in other three locations (King Saud
University botanical garden, King Fahd Rd, and Almanakh Garden)
were 61,61,77 ppb/h respectively. Tow legume crops species (vicia
vaba L ; and Pisum sativum) differ in their phenology and sensitivity
were used. The results showed a significant negative effect to ozone
on morphology, number of injured leaves, growth and productivity
with a difference in the degree of response depending on the plant
type. Visia Faba showed sensitivity to ozone to number and leaf area
and the degree of injury leaves 3, pisum sativum show higher
sensitivity for the gas for degree of injury 1,The relative growth rate
and seed weight, it turns out there is no significant difference
between the two plants in plant height and number of seeds.
Abstract: The effect of moisture content and loading rate on
mechanical strength of 12 brown rice grain varieties was determined.
The results showed that the rupture force of brown rice grain
decreased by increasing the moisture content and loading rate. The
highest rupture force values was obtained at the moisture content of
8% (w.b.) and loading rate of 10 mm/min; while the lowest rupture
force corresponded to the moisture content of 14% (w.b.) and loading
rate of 15 mm/min. The 12 varieties were divided into three groups,
namely local short grain varieties, local long grain varieties and
improved long grain varieties. It was observed that the rupture
strength of the three groups were statistically different from each
other (P
Abstract: Relevant agricultural information disseminator
(extension agent) ratio of 1:3500 farm families which become a
menace to agricultural production capacity in developing countries
necessitate this study. Out of 4 zones in the state, 24 extension agents
in each zone, 4 extension agents using cell phones and 120 farmers
using cell phone and 120 other farmers not using cell phone were
purposively selected to give 240 farmers that participated in the
research. Data were collected using interview guide and analysized
using frequency, percentage and t-test.. Frequency of contact with
agricultural information centers revealed that cell phone user farmers
had greater means score of X 41.43 contact as against the low mean
X19.32 contact recorded by farmers receiving agricultural
information from extension agents not using cell phone and their
production was statistically significant at P < 0.05. Usage of cell
phone increase extension agent contact and increase farmers-
production capacity.