Genetic studies of different agronomic, quality and yield contributing traits in Gossypium hirsutum L.

An experiment of 4 × 4 diallel was carried out to study the gene action of different yield and yield contributing traits of four advanced cotton cultivars using Mather and Jinks approach. Significant variation was present for all the characters (P< 0.01). The data on recorded parameters revealed that most of the traits were fully or partially fit for genetic interpretation. Additive gene action (D) was significant and pre-dominant for all the characters while seeds per locule showed dominance effect of H1& H2, and it was confirmed by the value of degree of dominance (H1/D 0.5). The value of H2/4H1 and h2 (measures the direction of dominance) demonstrated asymmetrical division of dominant genes for all traits, except ginning out turn (G.O.T) percentage and fiber length, in parental material. All the studied traits showed high value of narrow sense heritability (h2NS), however seeds per locule possessed low heritability. The genetic analysis revealed that all the characters could be improved by progeny and pedigree selection, whereas hybrid dynamism could be exploited in the trait like seeds per locule.

Metal Speciation in Sludges: a Tool to Evaluate Risks of Land Application and to Track Heavy Metals Contamination in Sewage Network

Agricultural spreading of dewatered sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants is economically profitable but care must be taken to ensure that there is neither degradation of the agronomic quality of the soils nor contamination of them in the long term, particularly by accumulation of heavy metals. To evaluate the variability of the sludge in a given geographical area, we studied the sludge coming from five treatment plants in northern Algeria. We determined parameters that account for the agronomic quality of sludges and total content of Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Ti and Zn. We evaluated the bioavailability of theses metals by determining their speciation by sequential extraction, each metal being distributed among five fractions: easily exchangeable, acido-soluble, bound to carbonates and partly to Fe-sulphides, bound to Fe- and Mn-oxides, bound to organic matter or sulphides, contained in poorly soluble minerals. We found that all the analysed sludges had satisfactory properties from an agronomic quality point of view. High total Ni content indicated that three sludges were not spreadable under French or Chinese regulations. Metal speciation, however, showed that Ni was contained in very poorly bioavailable fractions, and therefore presented a low risk in the soils concerned. In contrast, the total Cu was below the regulatory limit values, but contained in very bioavailable fractions with a risk of toxic effects by accumulation over less than 10 years. These results showed that regulations must take into account the bioavailability with regard to the characteristics of the soils on which sludge will be spread. Metal speciation in the sludge also made it possible to identify the zone of the sewerage network on which the sources of contamination must be sought and gave indications on the nature of these sources.

ANALYSIS OF THE CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES OF A TYPIC HAPLUDULT SOIL UNDER FOREST SYSTEMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical quality of a Typic Hapludult soil under secondary forest (capoeira), pasture and three leguminous tree species: Acacia auriculiformis, Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia and Inga edulis, in Conceição de Macabú County, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, implemented in December 1998. Soil samples from the 0-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m layers were collected and analyzed in July/2015. The C content in the 0.10 m layer was higher in capoeira and lower in the pasture. The CECef and CECpH=7 values and the N, P, Ca, Mg and K levels were lower in pasture, higher in Acacia auriculiformis or capoeira, and intermediate in Inga edulis and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia. The chemical variables regarding the vegetation cover generally had the lowest values in the pasture, the highest in the Acacia auriculiformis or capoeira, and intermediate values in Inga edulis and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia. It was concluded that revegetation leads to changes in the superficial layer of the soil which make its attributes closer to those of capoeira and further away from those of pasture, indicating an increase in quality to support the functioning of a forest ecosystem, despite the worsening of some Agronomic quality indicators.

Utilization of Evolutionary Plant Breeding Increases Stability and Adaptation of Winter Wheat Across Diverse Precipitation Zones

Evolutionary plant breeding (EPB) is a breeding method that was used to create wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-evolving populations (EP), bi-parental and composite-cross populations (BPPs and CCPs), by using natural selection and bulking of seed to select the most adaptable, diverse population in an environment by increasing the frequency of favorable alleles in a heterogeneous population. This study used seven EPs to evaluate EPB in its ability to increase the performance of agronomic, quality, and disease resistance traits and adaptability across different precipitation zones. The populations were tested in field trials in three diverse locations over 2 years. Least significant differences showed the EPs performance was dependent on their pedigree and were statistically similar and even out-performed some of their respective parents in regards to grain yield, grain protein concentration, and disease resistance. Stability models including Eberhart and Russel’s deviation from Regression (S2di), Shukla’s Stability Variance (σi2), Wricke’s Ecovalance (Wi), and the multivariate Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) model were used to evaluate the adaptability of the EPs and their parents. The BPPs and CCPs demonstrated significantly greater stability over the parents across precipitation zones, confirming the capacity of genetically diverse EP populations to adapt to different environments.

Qualidade de mudas de mamoeiro Formosa (Carica papaya L.) produzidas em substratos com rejeitos de mica na composição e fertilização com urina de vaca

<p class="Normal1">Although papaya (Carica papaya L.) is one of the most expressive crops of Brazilian fruit, there is no information on the production of seedlings of this species on substrates with muscovite tailings (mica) and the use of cow urine as an organic fertilizer. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of substrates with different proportions of mica and with the use of cow urine as organic fertilizer on the quality of Formosa papaya seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5 x 2 factorial arrangement, corresponding to the percentages of 0.0%; 25.0%; 50.0%; 75.0% and 100.0% mica in the substrate with and without weekly application of cow’s urine diluted in water (5.0%) and fifteen repetitions. The variables analyzed were stem height / diameter ratio, total leaf area, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, total dry mass, leaf biomass allocation, stem biomass allocation, root biomass allocation and Dickson quality index. Formosa papaya seedlings with better agronomic quality were produced with substrate with 48.3% mica in the composition and weekly application of cow urine diluted in 5.0% water </p>

Agricultural valorization by biotransformation of fish wastes combined with grape marc and molasses

<p>Since the advent of agriculture, organic wastes have been used to fertilize agricultural soils. The sustainability of the recovery of these wastes depends on the quality of the products developed in order to meet the expectations of the agricultural profession. The objective of our study was to evaluate the quality of the biotransformation of a ternary mixture of industrial waste: fish waste, molasses, and grape marc. Several balanced mixtures were developed and underwent natural biotransformation for two weeks to produce a fertilizer of good nutritional and microbiological quality. Quality control parameters (pH, conductivity, dry matter, phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, carbon, etc.) were monitored during the time stipulated for biotransformation.</p><p>The results showed that the bio-fertilizer generated from the mentioned wastes is characterized by good agronomic quality (rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium), mature, with a stable pH and had an excellent hygienic condition, due to the absence of spoilage microorganisms, which would constitute a major obstacle to the adoption of this practice.</p><p>The fertilization test showed that our product is more interesting than commercial fertilizer. Triangular surfaces of iso-responses are established to identify the relevant formulations leading to a product of specific interest to build in practice a predictive operational model for industrial waste management. The biotransformation of a mixture consisting of approximately 50% of fish waste, 12.5% molasses, and 37.50% grape marc is an optimal formulation to generate a product rich in the nutrients essential for optimal growth plants (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). The formulas do not integrate the grape marc was the most unfavorable mixtures from their efficacy and/or health safety criteria.</p>

Evaluación, Física, Química y Biológica de compostas tipo bocashi elaboradas con estiércol de bovino, ovino, cerdo y conejo más una vermicomposta

Some composts can produce phytotoxins that inhibit the development of plants and the absorption of nutrients by an excess of indoleacetic acid if the compost is not mature. In the present work, the objective is to evaluate the quality of the compost by means of direct tests of phytotoxicity and agronomic quality with different composts. To determine the quality as organic compost and vermicompost fertilizer were considered physical, chemical and biological variables according to existing manuals. The results obtained for these variables were: In the physical, chemical and biological variables, all the parameters are fulfilled according to the norm. Seed germination of vegetables increased with respect to the control in 14.93%, possibly due to the presence of some root development promoter found in the compost. With regard to survival the witness was inferior by 3.08% Although the amount of nutrients found in composts are not so high, they comply with the minimum requirements of the regulations to be used as a substrate in horticultural applications. Conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the compost elaborated with any type of residue can be used as a substrate in seedbeds of chili, onion or other vegetables to induce germination and accelerate the development of plants.

Mutation induction as a strategy to overcome the restricted genetic base in Physalis

The restricted genetic base in physalis in Southern Brazil is a challenge that requires genetic breeding for the achievement of fruits with superior agronomic quality. Therefore, genetic changes were induced in physalis for the selection of populations with superior fruit quality. To that end, seven populations of physalis were submitted to gamma irradiation (0,100 and 200 Grays – Gy), which provided 21 populations. Significant population difference was observed, which indicates the existence of variability between at least two populations of physalis. The contrasts showed difference for Colômbia01, Colômbia02, Caçador and CAV. The mutation induction was effective at causing genetic variations in these populations. For Colombia01 (100 Gy), it was observed reduction of 3.97 mm and 2.56 mm (200 Gy) in the transverse fruit diameter (DTF). In the Colombia02 population (200 Gy), there was an increase of 2.99 mm in the longitudinal fruit diameter (DLT) and 4.90 mm in the DTF. For CAV (200 Gy), it was found the increase of 1.81 ºBrix. Mutation induction was beneficial in these cases, but fruit quality is still below the potential of the crop, when compared to fruits from Andean countries. It is possible to suggest that quantitative traits, such as fruit mass (MF) and total soluble solids (SST), and the degree of ploidy in physalis (2n = 4x = 48) reduce the mutagenic agent ability to cause variations.