Genetics of Inter Cropping for Crop Productivity Enhancement

Inter cropping which is also known as mixed cropping has ability of increasing usage of nutrient and water efficiently, enhancing crop productivity, and plasticity to abiotic and biotic stress resulted by change in climate. In this agroecological farming method, two or more crops are cultivated together on the same farm area. Cereal with legume is a common combination. Crop selection is not profitable unless characteristics useful in intercrops, such as intercropping in legume and cereal cultivars, are considered. Inter cropping can result in enhanced soil fertility and structure, improved weed suppression, the conservation of soil moisture, and comparatively better control of diseases and pests, resulting greater yield and increased profitability. The biggest benefit of intercropping systems is the fact that they combine above-ground and below-ground benefits: these benefits include both short and tall plant components, which helps them to harness sunlight for photosynthesis, as well as deep and shallow rooted plant components, which assists them in using water and nutrients for crop production. Intercropping is popular in areas of the world including China, Mali, Indonesia, India, Ethiopia, and Niger due to its high growing popularity in agriculture. General & Specific Combining Ability principles in hybrid breeding have been applied for crop combinations and cultivars, and their impacts are recognized as General/ Specific Mixing Ability. The other considerable advantages of intercropping include greater land use efficiency, competitive ability towards weed, favorable exudates from the component legumes, and greater yield stability which cannot be achieved in monocropping. Plant breeding enables intercropping systems to better use their genetic diversity by conducting plant breeding research and harnessing this variability to cross-crop adaptability. High labor inputs in harvesting, higher cost of maintenance and reduction of the main crop are some disadvantages of intercropping.

Resistance of Winter Spelt Wheat [Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta (L.) Thell.] to Fusarium Head Blight

Resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) of spelt wheat was investigated in field trials carried out at three European locations between 2016 and 2018. Resistance was assessed after artificial inoculation by visual scoring of symptoms and the determination of the contamination of grains and glumes with the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). It was found that typical spelt traits such as tall plant height, lax spikes, and tough glumes play a role as passive resistance factors. Across all test environments, modern spelt varieties with a significantly reduced plant height showed a significantly higher susceptibility to FHB and a higher contamination of the grains with DON compared to old landraces/varieties and plant genetic resources. Similarly, the lowest mycotoxin levels in grains were found only in old landraces and varieties, while the highest DON concentration was observed mainly in modern varieties. The results obtained can be used for the selection of suitable parental material for breeding spelt with improved FHB resistance.

Morpho-agronomic parameters, chemical composition and genetic divergence among Manihot sp. access

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the morpho-agronomic parameters, chemical composition and genetic divergence among Manihot sp. access collected in the Curimataú and Cariri micro regions of the State of Paraíba - Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 10 access and 8 replicates. Morpho-agronomic characterization was evaluated through 16 agronomic traits and 12 morphological traits. For the chemical evaluation, 11 traits were discriminated. According to the results, access 2 (Monteiro-PB) was considered a tall plant, with larger canopy area with smaller leaves. The access are cylindrical plants with dark green apical leaf and obovate-lanceolate central lobe, straight or zig zag growth, green vein and with the presence of five lobes and terminal branches in the green plants. The branching levels range from 1 to 4, upward or horizontal petiole and reddish green petiole color. The stipules are short and the sinuosity of leaf lobe is smooth. From the chemical variables evaluated in the access of Manihot, the ones that contributed the most to distinguish genotypes were the content of neutral detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates and total carbohydrates. The morpho-agronomic traits together with the chemical composition data serve as a parameter to indicate the possible access to be used in the forage processing, with better nutritional value.

Elucidation of the rhizosphere microbiome linked to Spartina alterniflora phenotype in a salt marsh on Skidaway Island, Georgia, USA

ABSTRACT Smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, dominates salt marshes on the east coast of the United States. While the physicochemical cues affecting S. alterniflora productivity have been studied intensively, the role of plant–microbe interactions in ecosystem functioning remains poorly understood. Thus, in this study, the effects of S. alterniflora phenotype on the composition of archaeal, bacterial, diazotrophic and fungal communities were investigated. Overall, prokaryotic communities were more diverse and bacteria were more abundant in the areas colonized by the tall plant phenotype in comparison to those of short plant phenotype. Diazotrophic methanogens (Methanomicrobia) preferentially colonized the area of the short plant phenotype. Putative iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria and sulfur-oxidizing Campylobacteria were identified as indicator species in the rhizosphere of tall and short plant phenotypes, respectively. Finally, while diazotrophic populations shaped microbial interactions in the areas colonized by the tall plant phenotype, fungal populations filled this role in the areas occupied by the short plant phenotype. The results here demonstrate that S. alterniflora phenotype and proximity to the root zone are selective forces dictating microbial community assembly. Results further reveal that reduction–oxidation chemistry is a major factor driving the selection of belowground microbial populations in salt marsh habitats.

СОЗДАНИЕ ИСХОДНОГО МАТЕРИАЛА ДЛЯ СЕЛЕКЦИИ ЯРОВОГО ЯЧМЕНЯ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ЛАЗЕРНОГО ИЗЛУЧЕНИЯ И КАРБОНАТА КАЛИЯ

Работа посвящена изучению мутагенного действия карбоната калия и лазерного красного света на яровой ячмень сорта Биос-1. В статье раскрываются данные за три года наблюдений. В первом поколении (М1) в течение вегетации проводили наблюдения за всхожестью и выживаемостью растений, наступлением фаз развития. Второе поколение (М2) высевали отдельными семьями (семья потомства одного колоса М1). На протяжении всего периода вегетации отбирали измененные растения, отличающиеся от исходного сорта, выделяли семьи с хлорофилльными мутациями, с видимыми морфологическими и физиологическими изменениями. В третьем поколении проверяли наследование измененных признаков у растений. После уборки растений М1, М2, и М3 анализировали по элементам структуры продуктивности, сравнивая их с исходной формой. Было выявлено, что обработка семян лазерным красным светом (ЛКС) и карбонатом кали (K2CO3) способствует формированию в М1 высокого растения с длинным рыхлым колосом и массой зерна с колоса, превышающей контрольные показатели. Частота хлорофилльных изменений в М2 изменялась от 0,78 (K2CO3 0,1 ЛКС) до 5,61 (K2CO3 0,1 н). Максимальная частота семей (12,15) с морфофизиологическими изменениями отмечена при обработке семян карбонатом калия. Минимальное значение данного показателя отмечено в варианте ЛКС K2CO3 2,71. В М2 были отмечены 20 новообразований ярового ячменя: короткий стебель, повышенное количество колосков в колосе, а также массы зерна с главного колоса и всего растения, раннее созревание, прямостоячий колос, средние остевидные образования. В третьем поколении частота мутантных семей снизилась по сравнению с частотой морфофизиологических изменений в М2. Частота мутаций колебалась от 1,81 (ЛКС K2CO3) до 9,35 (K2CO3). В М3 преобладали наследственные изменения количественных признаков и периода вегетации растений. В результате исследований выделены линии, которые могут служить ценным исходным материалом для селекции ячменя.The work is devoted to the study of the mutagenic effect of potassium carbonate and laser red light on spring barley of the Bios-1 variety. The article reveals the data for three years of observation. In the first generation (М1) during the growing season, observations of the germination, survival of plants and the onset of developmental phases were made. The second generation (М2) was sown by individual families (the family of the offspring of one М1 spike). Throughout the growing season the plants that differed from the original variety were selected, the families with chlorophyll mutations, with visible morphological and physiological changes were distinguished. In the third generation, the inheritance of altered traits in plants was tested. After harvesting the М1, М2, and М3 plants, they were analyzed by the elements of the productivity structure, comparing them with the initial form. It was found that the treatment of seeds with laser red light (LRL) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) promotes the formation in М1 of a tall plant with a long loose spike and a grain weight from an ear that exceeds the control indices. The frequency of chlorophyll changes in М2 ranged from 0.78 (K2CO3 0.1 LRL) to 5.61 (K2CO3 0.1 n). The maximum frequency of families (12.15) with morphophysiological changes was noted during seed treatment with potassium carbonate. The minimum value of this indicator was noted in the LRL K2CO3 variant - 2.71. In М2, 20 neoplasms of spring barley were noted: a short stem, an increased number of spikelets in an ear, and an increased weight of grain from the main ear and the whole plant, early ripening, an upright spike, and middle sphenoid formations. In the third generation, the frequency of mutant families decreased compared with the frequency of morphophysiological changes in М2. The mutation frequency ranged from 1.81 (LRL K2CO3) to 9.35 (K2CO3). In М3, hereditary changes in quantitative traits and the vegetation period of plants prevailed. As a result of the research there were identified the lines that can serve as a valuable source material for barley selection.

UPAYA PENINGKATAN PRODUKTIVITAS SORGUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) MELALUI PUPUK BIOBOOST

Research aims to understand the influence of fertilizer bioboost sorghum to productivity. Design used in this research was a random group ( shelf ) non factorials, The treatment of the volume of fertilizer biobost consisting of : A = Without treatment, B = The provision of fertilizer biobost 120 ml / plant, C = The provision of fertilizer biobost 240 ml / plant, D = The provision of fertilizer biobost 360 ml / plant, E = The provision of fertilizer biobost 480 ml / plant. Research various volume fertilizer biobost consisting of 5 treatment 3 times repeated. Thus this research consisting of 15 units of experiment / a plot, every unit experiment consisting of 16 plants and 12 are as sample. The quantity of a crop whole 240 plant. The results of the observation of treatment analyzed each statistically, and when markedly dissimilar will be continued by test further different real honest ( bnj ) 1 percent the first. Based on the research that has been carried out it can be concluded that treatment volume fertilizer Bioobost had have real impact on all parameter observation, where treatment is the best treatment E = The provision of fertilizer biobost 480 ml / plant, with tall plant 188,33 cm, appearing flowers age 68,22 hst, age harvest 103,44 hst, and a weight of dry 113,61 gram/tanaman setara dengan 6,05 ton ha-1.

Zealand hard red spring wheat

Zealand hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed using a modified bulk breeding method at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB. Zealand is an apically awn-letted, hollow-stemmed cultivar with a combination of high yield potential, tall plant type, large leaves, and early maturity. In three years of testing in the Western Bread Wheat Cooperative Registration Test during 2013–2015, Zealand exhibited grain yield similar to Glenn and Carberry and 5%–6% lower than Unity and AAC Viewfield, though this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Zealand yielded 37% greater than the highest-yielding Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) check, CDC Osler, in A-level testing at a certified organic farm. Zealand matured 1–4 d earlier and was taller than all the check cultivars, but exhibited lodging resistance better than Unity and similar to the other checks. The test weight of Zealand (79.1 kg hL−1) was lower than Glenn and similar to the other checks, while its seed mass was in the range of the check cultivars. Overall, Zealand was rated as resistant (R) to the prevalent races of leaf rust, moderately resistant (MR) to stripe rust and loose smut, intermediate (I) to stem rust and leaf spot, and moderately susceptible (MS) to common bunt and Fusarium head blight. Three years of end-use quality evaluation indicated that Zealand is acceptable for the CWRS class, with relatively few weaknesses. The tall plant type, large leaves, and early maturity render Zealand suitable for organic/high weed environments.

Characterization and categorization of Indian mustard genotypes for agro-morphological traits

A total of sixty genotypes and germplasm lines were evaluated and characterized for 14 quantitative and 8 qualitative traits in Brassica juncea. Observations were recorded on the basis of scores given in the DUS descriptor. Majority of accessions were very late in maturity and medium in flowering. No variability was observed for leaf length and leaf width. On the basis of branches, most of the genotypes were classified under intermediate category. Long main shoot length (31), medium number of siliquae on main shoot (46), medium density on main shoot (52), short siliqua length (51), very tall plant height (38), few numbers of seeds per siliqua (33), medium 1000-seed weight (38), medium seed yield per plant (32) and low oil content (40) were observed in most of the genotypes. For qualitative traits, most of the genotype showed dark green leaf color, sparse hairs, dentation of leaf margin lyrate type, open leaf growth habit, yellow petal color, semi-appressedsiliqua angle with main shoot and intermediate siliqua surface texture. Wide (Yellow, Dull grey, Reddish brown, Brown and Black) diversity has been observed for seed color.