Sorghum is a vital crop, especially in drier tropical regions, where it supplies the daily caloric needs for people. However, the productivity and profitablity of crop are hampered by several biotic stresses, including grain mold. Grain mold disease complex is associated with several fungal genera, including those that are mycotoxigenic. The aim of this research was to compare grain mold severity, 100-seed weight, germination rate, and mycoflora of seeds collected from non-commercial and commercial sorghum fields in Burleson County, Texas, Grain mold severity was based on a scale of 1-5, germination rate was based on the percentage of 100-seeds per replicate, and identification of the fungal species under microscope was based on the conidia, conidiophores, colony morphology, and color. Overall, seeds collected from commercial fields exhibited lower grain mold severity and higher seed weight, while seeds from non-commercial fields had higher percent germination rates. The mycoflora analysis of seeds obtained from both non-commercial and commercial fields revealed the occurrence of many microorganisms, as: Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris spp., Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus niger, Colletotrichum sublineola, and other unidentified fungal species and bacterial strains. All identified microorganisms except for A. niger were detected in samples from non-commercial and commercial fields; A. niger (1%) was only recovered from non-commercial fields., In conclusion, lower grain mold infection and higher seed weight were observed in commercial fields when compared to non-commercial or research plots, while percent seed germination rate was higher in non-commercial fields.
Sorghum, a multipurpose and drought-tolerant crop, will play an integral role in future food security, especially in the drier tropics. In Niger and Senegal, sorghum supplies the daily caloric needs of millions of inhabitants. One of the major constraints to sorghum production is downy mildew incited by Peronosclerospora sorghi. In this communication, we report the results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of a subset of the 120 accessions from Niger and Senegal for downy mildew response under natural infection. The GWAS revealed several loci that have already been reported for their role in plant disease resistance response. Significant SNPs identified on chromosomes 1 and 5 traced back to genomic regions neighboring loci coding for transcription factors involved in biotic stress response. On chromosome 4, the SNP identified was less than 5 kb apart from a gene coding for an E3 ubiquitin ligase enzyme that regulates gene expression levels in relation to plant disease resistance. A membrane-bound protein involved in programmed cell death on chromosome 6 and a transposase on chromosome 8 were identified. Furthermore, a SNP locus that has not been reported previously for biotic stress response was also identified on chromosome 10. This SNP was 4.94 kb downstream of Sobic.010G172100, which encodes a protein similar to the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. bHLHs are known for their role in abiotic stress responses. Further work to validate and confirm the activities of the identified SNPs in resistance response will be conducted.
Poor soil fertility is a problem for agriculture in Burkina Faso. Litterfall is an important way for bio-elements to return to the soil. Therefore, the dynamics and quantity of litterfall were studied as part of a collaborative research project that aims to better manage agroforestry parkland. Five 0.25 m2 litter traps were placed under 5 trees of 3 species (Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea microcarpa and Parkia biglobosa) that have multiple purposes in agroforestry. Every 2 weeks, litter was collected and sorted into leaves, twigs, fruits and other non-foliar components, which were oven dried and weighed. We calculated total annual litter production by species and fractions. Afterwards, Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea microcarpa, and Azadirachta indica litterfall and Sorghum crop residues were composted and the chemical qualities of the composts were compared. Mean total litterfall (±SE) was 689±94, 671±141, and 1435±190 g dw m-2 yr-1 for L. microcarpa, Parkia biglobosa, and V. paradoxa, respectively. Leaf litter component composition varied from 47% to 87% depending on species. The largest littefall input occurred in the dry season, October–April. Litter quantity showed that agroforestry parkland is productive. Litterfall composts had better chemical quality than conventional crop residue compost, but the decomposition rate of V. paradoxa litter was very low (29%). These results suggest that with proper management, litterfall could contribute significantly to enhancing soil fertility in agroforestry parkland.
Vouarana hispaniolae (Sapindaceae) is described as a new fossil flower in Dominican Republic amber. The flower is functionally staminate and is characterized by an actinomorphic corolla with 5 distinct, imbricate sepals that are ciliate on their margins, and closely appressed to surface of the receptacle; petals presumable 5, two partly visible are rhombic to triangular in shape; stamens 8, outstretched, filaments bearing thick setae at base; anthers square, basifixed, some retuse at apex, dehiscing via longitudinal slits, central pistillode short, setose; extra-nectary disc entire; pollen trigonous, glabrous and smooth. The fossil species differs from the two extant species of Vouarana that range from Costa Rica to northern Brazil by possessing a uniform covering of bristly setae over the entire receptacle, appressed sepals and square basifixed anthers. This specimen represents the first fossil flower of the Sapindaceae from the Neotropics.
Effects of four salts addition (10-200 mM), NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 were examined on the growth of protoplasts and formation of helical 1.5 mm long, protoplast-callose-fibers (PCF) in Arabidopsis thaliana liquid leaf protoplast cultures. The basal medium was Murashige and Skoog’s medium containing 1 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.1 μM benzyladenine, 3% sucrose, and 0.4 M mannitol. The protoplast division was highly stimulated by the addition of 50 mM Ca2+ ion but was totally inhibited by 50 mM Mg2+ ion. Inhibition by K+ and Na+ ions was in-between. By contrast, PCF formation, whose numbers were counted under a fluorescence inverted microscope after Aniline Blue staining for β-1,3-glucan (callose), was stimulated by both K+ and Ca2+ ions but inhibited by Mg2+ ion. After selecting Arabidopsis PCF using a micromanipulator, the sub-fibril ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PCFs of Betula platyphylla and Larix leptolepis, cultured with 200 mM Ca2+ and 50 mM Mg2+ ions, respectively, after long-term storage and rehydration, were examined by TEM. The effects of different factors were discussed on PCF formation and sub-structures in different herbaceous and tree plant species.
Journal of Agricultural Studies (JAS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JAS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 12, Number 1 Alexandru Ioan Apahidean, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, RomaniaAnca-Luiza Stanila, National Research Institute for Soil Science, RomaniaAndré Luiz Rodrigues Magalhães, Universidade Federal do Agreste de Pernambuco-UFAPE, BrazilAngel Ramon Sanchez Delgado, Universidade federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BrazilEric Krawczyk, University of Michigan, USAEric Owusu Danquah, CSIR-Crops Research Institute, GhanaJorge A. López, State University of Amapá, BrazilMaría Francisca Perera, ITANOA, EEAOC-CONICET, ArgentinaRaul Pașcalău, Banat's University, RomaniaSybelle Mesquita Silva, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, BrazilToncho Gospodinov Penev, Trakia University, Bulgaria Richard WilliamsEditorial AssistantJournal of Agricultural Studies--------------------------------------Macrothink Institute5348 Vegas Dr.#825Las Vegas, Nevada 89108United StatesPhone: 1-702-953-1852 ext.521Email 1: jas@macrothink.orgEmail 2: jas@macrothink.comURL: http://jas.macrothink.org
A total of 179 sorghum cultivars planted in replicated plots in Isabela, Puerto Rico, were evaluated for five agronomically important traits grain yield, seed weight, panicle height, panicle length, and flowering time. This study identified the top cultivars in each trait through statistical analysis. In a previous study, the reaction of the same cultivars to anthracnose, rust, grain mold, and germination rates was determined. Combining the five traits in this study and the previous four measured traits, a correlation analysis among the nine traits was conducted. The results revealed that there are significant correlations between a few paired traits. Correlations such as panicle height and rust infection (Spearman’s ρ= 0.36), panicle height and grain mold infection (Spearman’s ρ= -0.30), germination rate and panicle height (Pearson’s r= 0.31), germination rate and panicle length (Pearson’s r= 0.27), panicle length and panicle height (Pearson’s r= 0.52), flowering time and panicle height (Pearson’s r= 0.65), and flowering time and panicle length (Pearson’s r= 0.50) were found.
The effects of four salts, NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2, on protoplast division and protoplast-callose-fiber (PCF) formation were examined using suspension cultured cells of a mangrove tree, Sonneratia caseolaris. Basal medium was hormone-free Murashige & Skoog’s medium containing 0.8 M sorbitol and 3% sucrose. Addition of 50-100 mM of Mg2+ ions highly stimulated both cell division and PCF formation, while addition of Ca2+ ions was inhibitory. Addition of Na+ ions at 10-25 mM and K+ ions at 50-100 mM stimulated protoplast division but not PCF formation. Helical PCF rapidly elongated from a specific site of cell division plate after 3 days of culture. The β-1,3-glucan (callose) component of the protoplast-fibers was stained with Aniline Blue fluorescent dye and was re-certified enzymatically using laminarinase. After selecting the PCF using a micromanipulator, we analyzed the fibril- and sub-fibril- structures using laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). We discuss the uniqueness of the PCF of S. caseolaris as compared to PCFs of several plants.
Sorghum ranks second to pearl millet as the most important cereal in Niger and is used primarily for food, feed, and other uses. During the 2022 growing season, 96 fields from the five major sorghum production regions of Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Zinder were surveyed for foliar and panicle diseases. In each field, 40 plants were assessed using a W-shaped pattern to cover the whole field. A total of 19 diseases, including leaf blight, anthracnose, long smut, zonate leaf spot, bacterial leaf stripe, oval leaf spot, and rough leaf spot were documented. Leaf blight (100%) was detected in all the fields surveyed. In the regions of Dosso and Zinder, anthracnose was found in all the surveyed fields while oval leaf spot was detected in all surveyed fields in Maradi and Zinder. The highest mean incidence of leaf blight (95%) was recorded in the regions of Tahoua and Zinder while oval leaf spot (80%), anthracnose (56%), and gray leaf spot (25%) were highest in Maradi region. The highest mean severities of leaf blight (30%), long smut (29%), grain mold (18%), and anthracnose (13%) were recorded in Maradi region. The severity of head smut was 100% in all the regions where the disease was observed. Fields with incidence of 90% and above identified during the survey are considered as ‘hot spots’ for disease resistance screening. This work is significant because the information generated by the study can be utilized by sorghum workers, students, funding agencies and government officials to prioritize research projects.
The protoplast co-culture method with digital image analysis (DIA-PP method), was used for in vitro bioassay of allelopathic activity in the leaves of in vitro cultured plants of Spiraea cantoniensis. Purple leaves of transgenic S. cantoniensis, containing an anthocyanin, cyanidin 3-glucoside showed strong inhibitory allelopathic activity, 100% inhibition of recipient lettuce protoplast division by 80 × 103 mL-1 of co-cultured protoplasts, while green leaves of non-transgenic S. cantoniensis showed only 20% inhibition. Cyanidin 3-glucoside which inhibited lettuce protoplast division 80% at 100 µM was evaluated as an allelochemical of transgenic S. cantoniensis. Inhibition was stronger at the cell division stage of lettuce protoplast growth than that at the other stages, i.e., cell wall formation stage and yellow pigment accumulation stage. The results were discussed comparatively with the strong inhibitory activity of non-transgenic S. thunbergii and other allelopathic plant species containing different anthocyanin or carotenoid pigments as putative allelochemicals.
Deforestation leads to a significant loss of carbon and contributes indirectly to climate change. This study was carried out in four types of formations in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso to assess the contribution of plant species to climate change mitigation. The below-ground biomass of two species (Piliostigma reticulatum and Guiera senegalensis) was determined by the direct method. Three classes of subjects were determined and a total of 80 shrubs of P. reticulatum and 90 shrubs of G. senegalensis were completely excavated. The results showed that P. reticulatum measures about 0.49 to 2.10 m in height, 3.58 to 25 cm in circumference at the base of the trunk and stores 0.18 to 3.68 tC/ha in the root biomass (respectively after 3 years and 15 years) for a 3x3m plantation. In the 15-year fallow dominated by G. senegalensis stands, 3.93 tC/ha are stored by the underground biomass of G. senegalensis shrubs. Model fit showed that there is a good correlation between circumference at the base of the trunk and below-ground biomass for P. reticulatum. For G. senegalensis, it is the total height of the foot that is most correlated with the below-ground biomass. These results provide information on the carbon sequestration potential of these two species, and can thus help in the decision-making process for climate change adaptation and/or mitigation policies.
Inhibitory allelopathic activities of dried leaves of potted plants and protoplasts of Glycine max (soybean) cv. Okuhara-wase were studied using two in vitro bioassay methods. Strong inhibition (90%) of growth of recipient lettuce root was obtained with 50 mg soybean leaves using the lettuce seedling growth test (sandwich method), and moderate inhibition (65%) of lettuce protoplast division was obtained with 100 × 103 mL-1 protoplasts of etiolated soybean seedlings using the protoplast co-culture method with digital image analysis (DIA-PP method). Three isoflavones, genistein, genistin (genistein-7-O-glucoside), and daidzin (daidzein-7-O-glucoside) were investigated as putative allelochemicals using the DIA-PP method. The three isoflavones at 100 µM showed early crystal accumulation in lettuce protoplasts and inhibited lettuce protoplast division by 100%. Genistein showed the strongest inhibition. The results were compared and discussed with the previous reports on the invader leguminous plant, Kudzu, and two isoflavones, daidzein and Kudzu-specific puerarin (daidzein-6-C-glucoside), and other allelopathic plants and their putative allelochemicals.
To clarify the process of plant adaptation to coastal areas, we conducted morphological and anatomical analyses of Eurya japonica Thunb. (Pentaphylacaceae). There was no significant difference in leaf shape between the inland and coastal populations, although the leaves in coastal populations tended to be thicker. However, our anatomical analysis revealed significant differences in stomatal size and adaxial and abaxial epidermal cell sizes. The smaller stomata of the coastal population of this species were effective in reducing transpiration during gas exchange. Furthermore, the expansion of epidermal cells could be an adaptive strategy to retain water in leaves in coastal environments.
In order to investigate the effect of OsAAP1 gene mutation on chalkiness traits of rice endosperm and the microstructure of starch granules in endosperm, we used rice OsAAP1 mutants as experimental materials, with the help of ordinary optical microscopes and scanning electron microscopes, the morphological structure and arrangement of chalkiness traits and starch granules in the endosperm of Zhonghua 11 rice were observed in rice OsAAP1 mutants and controls. The results showed that the chalkiness rate, chalkiness area and chalkiness degree in rice endosperm of the OsAAP1 mutants were significantly increased, and the morphological structure, arrangement and development of chalkiness traits and starch granules were closely related. Compared with the control Zhonghua 11, there were also significant differences in the shape, structure and arrangement of starch granules between chalky rice and non-chalky rice. However, there was no significant difference between the starch granules in the transparent part of chalky rice and non-chalky rice, and the starch granules in the areas with low chalkiness degree developed well. Thus, the OsAAP1 mutation of rice could significantly increase the chalkiness traits of rice endosperm, and have an important impact on the morphology, structure and development of starch granules in its endosperm.
Alien, introduced, and non-native species expand their distribution through the development of various transportation networks. In Japan, Ligustrum lucidum Aiton (Oleaceae) was introduced in the mid-1800s for use as roadside trees, but has escaped from the planting area and spread everywhere. This species also invades coastal areas and has adapted to develop its characteristic features under various stress conditions. To clarify the adaptive features of L. lucidum in coastal areas, we conducted morphological and anatomical analyses. We found that the stomatal size of L. lucidum was smaller in the coastal populations than in inland populations, which is similar to the coastal adaptation pattern of L. japonicum Thunb., a closely related native species. Our results suggest that strong selective pressure on coastal area conditions could force their leaves to avoid excessive transpiration, and such an adaptation pattern of L. lucidum could expand its distribution to various coastal areas.
Xylem cells are responsible for water transport and mechanical support in most plants. Since vines depend upon other plants for mechanical support, the main responsibility of xylem cells in vines is primarily water transport and not mechanical support. The purpose of the current study was to study xylem characteristics in stems of five species of Aristolochia. Tissue samples from about 1.0 to 5.5 mm in diameter were processed with standard histological techniques. Anatomical characteristics were similar among all five species. Results show: (1) interfascicular cambia were not present, so stems had only furrowed xylem, (2) numbers of vascular bundles in stems were specific for each species and did not increase as stems enlarged, (3) radii of vessels were not dimorphic for any species, (4) numbers of vessels were linearly related with stem diameters, and (5) the largest half of all vessels supplied 95% of total xylem conductivity. To our knowledge, this is the first publication to document the development of furrowed xylem, describing both vessel characteristics and xylem conductivities in stems of Aristolochia species.
Serpentine soils are known to affect plant growth and plants in these soils have morphological and anatomical modifications. Comparative leaf morphology and anatomy studies of Eurya japonica Thunb. was conducted between serpentine and inland (control) areas. Our morphological analyses revealed that the individuals in the serpentine areas had significantly smaller and thicker leaves than those in the inland areas. Our anatomical analyses showed that the smaller leaves of serpentines had decreased numbers of cells, and their thicker leaves contributed to the increased height of epidermal cells, palisade tissue, and spongy tissue. Furthermore, the stomatal size of serpentines was significantly smaller than those from the inland areas. We concluded that E. japonica adapted to the serpentine areas by decreasing leaf size due to low levels of nutrients, by thickening the leaves to store water and reducing the stomatal size to minimize water loss via gas exchange.
Plants automatically control the size variations in organs to achieve efficient exploitation of resources. However, it is unclear whether the scaling relationships of plant organs share a similar character for different individuals under varied micro-conditions (e.g., light and soil water). We conducted a case study of the lengths of staghorn sumac leaves and longleaf pine cone scales to test the relationships. Our results indicated that although there were size variations, there existed power laws of frequency in the lengths of staghorn sumac leaves and longleaf pine cone scales. The exponents differed but were positively correlated with the minimum length of leaves or cone scales. Taylor’s Law existed in the lengths of cone scales and some tree leaves, and scale break was observed. This study provides new information on scaling relationships and self-organization in the patterns of tree parts arrangement. Taylor’s Law may be used to detect minor changes in the growth regime.
Variability, heritability and genetic advance are basic in order to provide information for plant breeding programs. Forty nine upland rice genotypes were tested in 7*7 simple lattice design at Fogera in Wereta station of Adet Agricultural Research Center in 2012/13. The objectives of the study were to estimate the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of the genotypes tested. Analysis of variance revealed that there was highly significant difference among the 49 genotypes for all the characters studied. Accessions IR 78937-B-3-B-B-1 and IR 78937-B-3-B-B-2 had the highest yield with a score of 5374.5 kg/ha and 5305.6 kg/ha respectively. The high yielding genotype IR 78937-B-3-B-B-1 had a yield advantage of 57% and 22.2%, respectively, as compared to standard checks Nerica-4 and Hidasie. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) values ranged from 2.5% for panicle length to 49.98% for number of spikelet per panicle. While the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) ranged from 2.4 % for panicle length to 47.6 % for number of spikelet per panicle. Number of tiller per plant (22.47%), number spikelet per panicle (49.98%), thousand seed weight (25.56%) and yield (23.93%) had higher PCV values. The PCV values for flag leaf length (14.79%), flag leaf width (16.12%), and culm length (16.42%) and number of panicle per plant (16.32%) were medium. Flowering cycle (7.81%), maturation cycle (2.9%), and panicle length (2.5%) had lower PCV values. GCV values were low for flowering cycle (7.21%), maturation cycle (1.82%) and panicle length (2.4%); medium for flag leaf length (14.26%), flag leaf width (15.39%), culm length (15.19 %) and number of panicle per plant (15.72%); high for number of tillers per plant (22.18 %), yield (23.07%), thousand seed weight (25.18%) and number of spikelet per panicle (47.60%). The high GCV values of these characters suggest that genetic impact is higher and environmental influence is lower. This study generally had indicated that there was significant genetic variability or divergence among the genotypes. Thus, the improvement program of the upland rice genotypes through direct selection rather than a lengthy crossing program is recommended.
Allelopathic activities of a salt-tolerant and low-temperature tolerant mangrove tree, Kandelia obovata, which grows in brackish water regions of sub-tropical areas, and two fast-growing trees, Betula platyphylla and Populus alba, which grow in the temperate area, were examined by two in vitro bioassay methods, the sandwich method using dried leaves and the protoplast co-culture method using leaf protoplasts. Lettuce root growth examined by the sandwich method, was inhibited 50% by 50 mg dried mature leaves of K. obovata. In the protoplast co-culture method, inhibition rates of cell division of lettuce protoplasts were 31% and 69% by leaf protoplasts of K. obovata at densities of 1 × 104 mL-1 and 5 × 104 mL-1, respectively. These results were compared with the inverse relationship between allelopathic activities and salt tolerance of mangrove plants of different families. B. platyphylla showed 37% inhibition by the sandwich method using dried young leaves, but only 10% inhibition at 5 × 104 mL-1 by the protoplast co-culture method using leaf protoplasts of B. platyphylla. Dried young leaves of P. alba showed 66% inhibition, but the leaf protoplasts at the density of 5 × 104 mL-1 showed highly stimulatory activity. Abscisic acid, of which contents in leaf protoplasts of three tree species varies from high to low in relation to salt tolerance and recalcitrance of tissue culture, was discussed as a putative allelochemical.
