scholarly journals Fertilizer Effects on Endosperm Physicochemical Properties and Resistance to Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), in Malawian Local Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties: Potential for Utilization of Ca and Mg Nutrition

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Ephantus Nguma ◽  
Chandiona Munthali ◽  
Daiki Murayama ◽  
Kazumitsu Onishi ◽  
Masahiko Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Kernel Hardness ◽  
Prostephanus Truncatus ◽  
Grain Hardness ◽  
Larger Grain Borer ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Hybrid Maize

Maize grain hardness influences storage pest resistance, a key characteristic valued by smallholder farmers. The structural changes in the endosperm determine grain hardness and are influenced by agronomic practices. The purpose of this study was to establish whether supply of calcium and magnesium based fertilizers can alter physicochemical properties of local and hybrid maize varieties and reduce the infestation by larger grain borer (Prostephanus truncatus (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)) during storage. Two local and one hybrid maize varieties commonly grown by smallholder farmers in Malawi were cultivated under three fertilizer treatments (NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium), NPK plus gypsum, and NPK plus dolomite). After harvest, the grains were classified into flint and dent types, followed by P. truncatus infestation and determination of their physicochemical properties. The addition of gypsum and dolomite fertilizers led to higher levels of amylose, total zein and β-14 zein, traits associated with kernel hardness, compared to the application of NPK fertilizer. Moreover, local maize varieties showed higher resistance to P. truncatus infestation, hardness and biochemical properties associated with hardness (total zein, α-19 and β-14 zein, starch lysophosphatidylcholine, and non-starch free fatty acid) compared to hybrid variety. Our study suggests the potential for utilizing Ca and Mg nutrition in maize to improve kernel hardness, thus adoption of gypsum and dolomite by smallholder farmers may be beneficial against P. truncatus during storage.

scholarly journals Reproductive performance of the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) on three different food hosts

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
B.T Sadiku ◽  
K.A Kemabonta ◽  
W.A Makanjuola
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Wood Species ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Insect Pest ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prostephanus Truncatus ◽  
Larger Grain Borer ◽  
Grain Damage ◽  
Cassava Varieties

The reproductive performance, damage and weight loss of the Larger Grain Borer (LGB), Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) on three food hosts namely cassava (TMS 30572, TME 419 and TMS98/0505), maize (SUWAN-1-SR-Y, BR 9943-DMR-SR and 2009 TZEWDT STR) and wood (Albizia glaberrima, Gmelina arborea and Tectona grandis) were investigated. Samples of 100g of the food host were weighed in four replicates into 250ml Kilner® jar and infested with 10 pairs of 1-5 day old LGB. The developmental period of LGB on each of the food host was noted and recorded. Similarly, weight loss and weight of damaged grains was determined as basis for determining the susceptibility of the food hosts to LGB infestation. Proximate composition of infested and un- infested food hosts of LGB were determined following the analytical procedures. Maize was the most preferred host, followed by cassava as indicated by the high number of adult LGB and grain damage recorded on them. The development of LGB was completed on all maize and cassava varieties but not on any of the wood species examined. Percent damage, weight loss, and percent dust were significantly (P<0.05) different among the food hosts. The mean percent damage (79.0), percent weight loss (57.0) and percent dust (25.0) recorded in cassava variety-TMS30572 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than on other food hosts. No weight loss was recorded on T. grandis. This study revealed the ability of P. truncatus to breed and feed on the maize and cassava varieties with no evidence of breeding on the three wood species. Carbohydrate contents were higher in the most preferred food host, maize (70.91) and less preferred food, cassava (82.02) than non-preferred wood species (13.56), indicating that carbohydrate was an essential component in most preferred food. Infestation of LGB caused significant reduction (P<0.05) in the nutritional component of the food hosts. This study showed that LGB still remains an economically important insect pest of maize and cassava. Considering the importance of these two crops to the livelihood of smallholder farmers, appropriate monitoring and control measures should therefore be put in place to safe guard maize and cassava from the ravages of this pest for the attendant enhancement of food security in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Potentials of hybrid maize varieties for small-holder farmers in Kenya: A review based on swot analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (57) ◽  
pp. 7562-7586
Author(s):  
C Schroeder ◽  
◽  
T Onyango K’Oloo ◽  
NB Ranabhat ◽  
NA Jick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Hybrid Maize

Maize is the primary staple crop in Kenya and plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Kenya. Its availability and abundance determines the level of welfare and food security in the country. In Kenya, future increases in maize production to meet domestic demand will have to rely on improvements in yield per hectare rather than on the expansion of maize production area. Enhanced maize productivity can be achieved by increased use of modern production techniques such as the adoption of hybrid maize varieties, the use of chemicals and fertilizer application. Small-scale maize prodcution plays a major role in Kenya’s maize economy and adoption of hybrid technology by small-scale farmers would have the potential to address sustainability and supply issues. However, such modern technologies are still rarely used by Kenya’s small-scale farmers, particularly by those in marginal areas. This study, therefore, tries to review the reasons for the low rate of adoption of hybrid maize varieties among small-scale farmers with focus on those smallholders in Kenya’s marginal areas. Lack of awareness of existing or newly released hybrid varieties, lack of hybrid varieties adapted to marginal areas, lack of confidence in the quality of some hybrid maize seeds, poor access to stockists, low profitability due to high seed cost, inadequate access to credit, the need for fertilizer application and low literacy level have been found to be important factors explaining the low adoption rates by smallholder maize producers in marginal areas. In addition, these constraints might also explain the widespread practice of recycling hybrid grain among small-scale farmers once they have adopted hybrid maize varieties. Therefore, it is hoped that by overcoming these constraints, the adoption of hybrid maize varieties among smallholder farmers could be greatly enhanced, which in turn could lead to a significant positive impact on the country’s food security situation.

scholarly journals Resistance of Some Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) to Damage by Maize Weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59
Author(s):  
T. J Adebowale ◽  
A. A Osipitan
Keyword(s):  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Sitophilus Zeamais ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prostephanus Truncatus ◽  
Maize Weevil ◽  
Grain Damage ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Grain Dust ◽  
Hybrid Maize ◽  
Moderately Resistant

Damage to stored maize grains by Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus is enormous and could be total if the insects are not controlled timely and appropriately. Control of the insects with host plant resistance has advantages over other control measures because of its lasting effect, friendliness to the environment and safety to natural enemies among others. This study assessed host resistance of 11 maize varieties to infestation and damage by S. zeamais and P. truncatus. One hundred gram maize grains each of the maize varieties were weighed into 250 cm3 glass jars and separately infested with twenty, 1-5 days old S. zeamais or P. truncatus. Percentage grain damage, weight loss, adult mortality, grain dust and number of insects were determined and integrated to define the resistance of the maize varieties to the insects. Eight of the 11 maize varieties were either resistant or moderately resistant to damage by S. zeamais and P. truncatus, while three were susceptible. The basis of resistance is antibiosis conferred by the ash, carbohydrate and fat content of the maize grains. The resistance varieties could be planted to mitigate infestation and damage by the insects. The factors conferring resistance can be used as environmentally friendly source of resistance to breed maize grains for resistance to the insects.

Chemical composition and repellent potentials of two essential oils against larger grain borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 101937
Author(s):  
Samuel Adelani Babarinde ◽  
Oladele Abiodun Olaniran ◽  
Adebukola Taofikat Ottun ◽  
Abosede Elizabeth Oderinde ◽  
Adetayo David Adeleye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Prostephanus Truncatus ◽  
Larger Grain Borer

scholarly journals PSVII-37 Late-Breaking Abstract: CNV analysis of indigenous sheep reveals genes linked to disease resistance and adaptation

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 339-339
Author(s):  
Annelin Molotsi
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Gene Annotation ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Copy Number Variations ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Matrix Composition ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Gene Group

Abstract Smallholder farmers often make use of low-input systems, suggesting that robust and adaptable individuals are needed in these systems that have good production and reproduction in these low-input systems. One of the reasons certain individuals may be more adaptable or have higher production outputs could be due to the presence of advantageous mutations or genetic structural variants. Genetic variants, namely copy number variations (CNVs), are structural changes to the DNA and are larger than a single nucleotide. In this study, 47 sheep were investigated for the presence of CNVs. A total of 206 CNVs passed quality control. These CNVs were compared to the NCBI RefSeq Ovis aries: Oar_v4.0 to identify candidate genes located within or overlapping the copy number variations identified. Gene annotation analysis was carried out on the identified candidate genes. Gene annotation assigned the candidate genes to two gene groups. The first gene group were protein coding genes responsible for interferons that are the natural defences individuals have against viral and bacterial infection. The second gene group was found to be responsible for a variety of biological functions including transport, metabolic precursors, neurogenesis, signalling as well as bone and cartilage matrix composition along with a number of other important functions. This indicates that CNVs could have various effects on important biological process which could possibly influence an individual’s survival or even production and reproduction. This highlights the need for CNV studies to determine the influence of these CNVs and how they can be utilised in breeding programmes to improve adaptation and production outputs.

scholarly journals Trehalose Protects Maize Plants from Salt Stress and Phosphorus Deficiency

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 568
Author(s):  
Md. Motiar Rohman ◽  
Md. Robyul Islam ◽  
Mahmuda Binte Monsur ◽  
Mohammad Amiruzzaman ◽  
Masayuki Fujita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutathione Peroxidase ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Phosphorus Deficiency ◽  
Monodehydroascorbate Reductase ◽  
Maize Seedlings ◽  
Combined Stress ◽  
Ros Scavenging ◽  
Sod Activity ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Hybrid Maize

This study is undertaken to elucidate the role of trehalose (Tre) in mitigating oxidative stress under salinity and low P in maize. Eight-day-old maize seedlings of two maize varieties, BARI Hybrid Maize-7 and BARI Hybrid Maize-9, were subjected to salinity (150 mM NaCl), low P (5 µM KH2PO4) and their combined stress with or without 10 mM Tre for 15 d. Salinity and combined stress significantly inhibited the shoot length, root length, and root volume, whereas low P increased the root length and volume in both genotypes. Exogenous Tre in the stress treatments increased all of the growth parameters as well as decreased the salinity, low P, and combined stress-mediated Na+/K+, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, and methylglyoxal (MG) in both genotypes. Individually, salinity and low P increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in both genotypes, but combined stress decreased the activity. Peroxidase (POD) activity increased in all stress treatments. Interestingly, Tre application enhanced the SOD activity in all the stress treatments but inhibited the POD activity. Both catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity were increased by saline and low P stress while the activities inhibited in combined stress. Similar results were found for ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione peroxidase (GR), and dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) activities in both genotypes. However, monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) activity was inhibited in all the stresses. Interestingly, Tre enhanced CAT, APX, GPX, GR, MDHAR, and DHAR activities suggesting the amelioration of ROS scavenging in maize under all the stresses. Conversely, increased glyoxalase activities in saline and low P stress in BHM-9 suggested better MG detoxification system because of the down-regulation of glyoxalase-I (Gly-I) activity in BHM-7 in those stresses. Tre also increased the glyoxalase activities in both genotypes under all the stresses. Tre improved the growth in maize seedlings by decreasing Na+/K+, ROS, MDA, and MG through regulating antioxidant and glyoxalase systems.

scholarly journals Identification of Associations between SSR Markers and Quantitative Traits of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Jan Bocianowski ◽  
Kamila Nowosad ◽  
Barbara Wróbel ◽  
Piotr Szulc
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Ssr Markers ◽  
Marker Assisted Selection ◽  
Quantitative Traits ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Multiple Traits ◽  
Good Tool ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Hybrid Maize

Microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers have wide applicability for genetic analysis in crop plant improvement strategies. Marker-assisted selection is an important tool for plant breeders to increase the efficiency of a breeding process, especially for multigenic traits, highly influenced by the environment. In this paper, the relationships between SSR markers and 26 quantitative traits of hybrid maize varieties (Zea mays L.) were analyzed. Association analyses were performed based on 30 SSR primers in a set of thirteen hybrid maize varieties. A total of 112 SSR markers were detected in these genotypes. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 17, with the average number of alleles per locus equal to 3.7. The number of molecular markers associated with observed traits ranged from 1 (for the number of kernels in row, ears weight and fresh weight of one plant) to 14 (for damage of maize caused by P. nubilalis) in 2016 as well as from 1 (for soil plant analysis development—SPAD, the number of grains in ear and fresh weight of one plant) to 12 (for carotenoids content) in 2017. The sum of statistically significant associations between SSR markers and at least one trait was equal to one hundred sixty in 2016 as well as one hundred twenty-five in 2017. Marker trait associations (MTAs) were found on the basis of regression analysis. The proportion of the total phenotypic variances of individual traits explained by the marker ranged from 24.4% to 77.7% in the first year of study and from 24.3% to 77.9% in 2017. Twenty-two SSR markers performed a significant effect on at least one tested trait in both years of experiment. The three markers (phi021/4, phi036/3, and phi061/2) can be a good tool in marker-assisted selection because they allow simultaneous selection for multiple traits in both years of study, such as the number of kernels in row and the number of grains in ear (phi021/4), the number of plant after germination, the number of plants before harvest, and the number of ears (phi036/3), as well as moisture of grain and length of ears (phi061/2).

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