The radicle emergence test and storage longevity of cucurbit rootstock seed lots

A study was carried out to test whether a single count of radicle emergence (RE test) would correlate with the storage potential of seed lots of cucurbit (C. maxima × C. moschata) rootstock cultivars. The RE test was performed by counting radicle emergence percentage between 26 and 100 hours of germination. Seed longevity was determined by storage at 75% relative humidity at 35°C over 100 days, with seed survival curves constructed based on normal germination percentages. Ki (estimated initial viability in probits), σ (standard deviation of the normal distribution of seed death in time) and p50 (time for viability to fall to 50%) were determined through probit analysis. Correlation analysis showed that RE counts particularly between 30 and 34 hours were highly (P < 0.01) correlated with normal germination percentage, Ki and p50. It can be concluded that RE tests can be used as an indicator of subsequent seed lot longevity in cucurbit rootstock seed cultivars.

Allelopathic activity of Piptadenia moniliformis Benth. on the physiological potential of seeds of Amburana cearensis Allem.

The adoption of agroforestry systems or reforestation programs contributes to the economy of a region in a sustainable way, since the adopted species can be exploited by the cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries. For the establishment of plant species in a given area, studies are needed on the interaction that can develop between them, with emphasis on research on allelopathy. Given the above, the aim of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract of leaves of the native species Piptadenia moniliformis on the initial development of the forest species Amburana cearensis. The aqueous extract was used at different concentrations. (0 - water, 25, 50, 75 and 100%), adopting a completely randomized design. The following characteristics were evaluated: emergence percentage, emergence speed index, mean emergence time, shoot and root length and total shoot, root and total dry part of normal seedlings. The 100% concentration of the aqueous extract of P. moniliformis leaves reduced the emergence percentage of A. cearensis seedlings. A smaller number of normal seedlings was observed at concentrations of 75 and 100%. The initial development of seedlings was hampered by the increase in extract concentrations. The aqueous extract of fresh leaves of P. moniliformis provides a negative allelopathic effect for both emergence and early development of A. cearensis seedlings, therefore intercropped cultivation among the forest species is not recommended.

Effect of Different Sowing Media on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of (Golden Shower Tree) Senna fistula L

This study investigated the effect of sowing media on the seed germination and subsequent seedling growth of Senna fistula L. Treatments were T1 (Top soil), T2 (River sand), T3 (Grinded coconut husk) and T4 (weathered sawdust), replicated two times for seed germination. The treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and the data generated was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance, while mean separation where appropriate was done using Least Significant Difference (LSD). The different sowing media used had positive effect on the seed emergence, the seeds planted in river sand had the highest emergence percentage of 70%. The different sowing media used did not have any significant effect on the vegetative growth parameters, statistically, they had same effect on the parameters measured. Nonetheless, seedlings from river sand produced highest number of leave (20.4), seedlings from topsoil produced highest plant height and largest leaf area of l0.62 cm and 37.l4 cm2 respectively. The seedlings from weathered sawdust produced the highest stem diameter of 0.79 mm, while seedlings from grinded coconut husk had lowest values for all the growth parameters measured. Therefore, it is recommended that river sand or weathered sawdust can be used to propagate Senna fistula seeds.

Effect of Different Sowing Media on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of (Golden Shower Tree) Senna fistula L

This study investigated the effect of sowing media on the seed germination and subsequent seedling growth of Senna fistula L. Treatments were T1 (Top soil), T2 (River sand), T3 (Grinded coconut husk) and T4 (weathered sawdust), replicated two times for seed germination. The treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and the data generated was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance, while mean separation where appropriate was done using Least Significant Difference (LSD). The different sowing media used had positive effect on the seed emergence, the seeds planted in river sand had the highest emergence percentage of 70%. The different sowing media used did not have any significant effect on the vegetative growth parameters, statistically, they had same effect on the parameters measured. Nonetheless, seedlings from river sand produced highest number of leave (20.4), seedlings from topsoil produced highest plant height and largest leaf area of l0.62 cm and 37.l4 cm2 respectively. The seedlings from weathered sawdust produced the highest stem diameter of 0.79 mm, while seedlings from grinded coconut husk had lowest values for all the growth parameters measured. Therefore, it is recommended that river sand or weathered sawdust can be used to propagate Senna fistula seeds.

SEEDLING EMERGENCE STABILITY OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT [VIGNASUBTERRANEA L. (VERDC.)] UNDER SAVANNA AND HUMID RAIN FOREST AREAS CONDITIONS DURING TWO CROPPING SEASONS IN COTEDIVOIRE

The yield of Bambara groundnut [Vignasubterranea L. (Verdc.)] is extremely low and unpredictable. Erratic yields have been attributed, at least in part, to variable or poor field establishment due to seedling emergence. The aim of this study wasto evaluate under field conditions, the effects of genotype and environment on seedling emergence in Bambara groundnut. Field experiment was conducted with 15 landraces in Northern and Southern regions of Cote dIvoire. A randomized complete block design with five replications was used in each environment. Estimated variables included number of day for emergence (DFE), mean emergence time (MET), emergence index (EI), time to 50% emergence (T50) and seedling emergence percentage (EP). Analysis of variance revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences between genotypes, locations and the interaction genotype x location for all traits studied. Location x year x genotype interactions were only significant for DFE, EI and EP.The highest DFE and T50 and MET were observed with the genotype Ci7. The least DFE, MET and T50 were obtained with genotypes Ci1, Ci2, Ci10, Ci11, Ci12, Ci13 and Ci22. Highest seedling emergence percentage was recorded with genotype Ci15 (93.29%) in Korhogo and Ci4 in Korhogo (90.85%) and Abidjan (89.59 %). Lowest EP was observed with the genotype Ci3 (42.33%).Correlations indicated that genotype with higher emergence percentage, emerged faster (low DFE, MET, T50) and exhibited higher emergence index (EI). AMMI analysis showed that Ci1, Ci4, Ci7, Ci11, Ci14 and Ci15 were the ideal genotypes because they expressed high and stable EP.

Influence of Bio-fertilizers and Botanicals on GrowthYield and Yield Attributes of Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Var. (Azad Pea-3)

The Field Experiment was conducted at Field Experimentation Centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Prayagraj (U.P) during the year 2020-2021.The Experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with 13 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were T0 - Control, T1- Azotobacter @ 3g, T2-Azotobacter @ 5g ,T3- Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria @ 3g, T4-Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria @ 5g, T5- Azospirillum @ 3g, T6-Azospirillum@ 5g,T7- Rhizobium @ 3g, T8-Rhizobium @ 5g , T9- Moringa leaf extract @1%, T10-Moringa leaf extract @3%, T11- Lantana camera leaf extract @1%, T12-Lantana camera leaf extract @ 3% with a soaking duration of 8 hours. The results showed that seeds primed with T8- Rhizobium @ 5g improved Field emergence percentage, growth, yield and yield attributing traits followed by T7-Rhizobium @ 3g and T4- PSB@ 5g. The least performance was observed in T0-Control when compared with the other treatments. This it indicated that the process of seed treatment by bio-fertilizers may be the better option for seed growers to achieve higher seed yield and yield attributes in Pea.

Radicle emergence test as a quick vigour test to predict field emergence performance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seed lots

An experiment was made to standardize the radicle emergence test to predict the field emergence performance in ten different seed lots [L1 to L4: high vigour lots (> 90 % germination), L5 to L7: medium vigour lots (80-90 % germination) and L8 to L10: low vigour lots (< 80 % germination)] of rice cv. CO 51. The results showed that the significant differences are observed in physiological and biochemical parameters in different seed lots. The seed vigour was classified into three groups viz., high, medium and low vigour based on the relationship between mean germination time and field emergence. When the Mean Germination Time (MGT) was < 34 hours, the field emergence was > 85 per cent, which was considered as high vigour; when the MGT was 34-35 hours, the field emergence was 80-85 per cent, that was considered as medium vigour; when the MGT was > 35 hours, the field emergence was < 80 per cent, that was considered as low vigour. The radicle emergence test (2mm radicle length) was highly negatively correlated with mean germination time (-0.930**) followed by mean just germination time (-0.852**) and electrical conductivity of seed leachate (-0.827**) and it was positively correlated with field emergence (0.894**) followed by germination (0.878**) and dehydrogenase activity (0.864**). The R2 values between seed vigour parameters and radicle emergence test were significantly higher in 2mm length of radicle emergence when compared with 1mm length of radicle emergence. Finally, the study concluded that 36 hour MGT with the attainment of 2mm radicle emergence percentage could be used as a quick method to assess rice seed lots' quality by the seed analysts and seed industry.

EFEITO DO TAMANHO DAS SEMENTES SOBRE A EMERGÊNCIA E MORFOFISIOLOGIA DE MUDAS DE MAMA CADELA

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a emergência de plântulas e a morfofisiologia de mudas de mama-cadela (Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul) produzidas a partir de sementes de diferentes tamanhos. Foram determinadas a porcentagem de emergência de plântulas e as características morfofisiológicas das mudas (altura, diâmetro do colo, índice de robustez, espessura foliar, índice de clorofila, biomassa seca, massa foliar específica - MFE e área foliar total). A emergência iniciou-se após 21 dias da semeadura e atingiu, ao final do experimento, 84% para as sementes pequenas, valor inferior ao das sementes médias e grandes (94 e 90%, respectivamente). Em 60 dias, as mudas apresentavam, em média, 2,53 mm de diâmetro e 12,81 cm de altura. Nos primeiros 30 dias, as mudas formadas a partir de sementes pequenas tinham alturas menores que as demais. O tamanho das sementes não afetou o diâmetro do colo e a espessura das folhas durante o crescimento inicial das mudas, assim como para os parâmetros morfofisiológicos estudados. Ao longo de 120 dias, houve aumento do conteúdo de clorofilas, biomassa seca, área foliar total, exceto para a MFE. O tamanho das sementes afeta a emergência e a altura das mudas de mama-cadela após 30 dias após a emergência. Palavras-chave: Brosimum gaudichaudii; Cerrado; crescimento inicial. Effect of seed size on emergence and mophophysiology of mama-cadela seedlings ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the seedling emergence and morphophysiology of mama-cadela (Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul) seedlings produced from seeds of different sizes. Seedling emergence percentage and seedling morphophysiological characteristics (height, diameter, slenderness index, leaf thickness, chlorophyll index, dry matter, specific leaf mass - MFE and total leaf area) were determined. The emergence started after 21 days of sowing and reached, at the end of the experiment, 84% for small seeds, lower than the average and large seeds (94 and 90%, respectively). In 60 days, the seedlings had, on average, 2.53 mm in diameter and 12.81 cm in height. In the first 30 days, seedlings formed from small seeds had shorter heights than the others. The seeds size did not affect the diameter and the leaves thickness during the initial growth of the seedlings, as well as for the morphophysiological parameters studied. Over the 120 days, there was an increase in the content of chlorophylls, dry matter, total leaf area, except for MFE. The seeds size affects the emergence and the height at 30 days after mama-cadela seedlings emergence. Keywords: Brosimum gaudichaudii; Brazilian savanna; initial growth.

A, The Allelopathic effects of Papavare somniferum on germination and initial seedling growth of Echinochloa cruss-galli

Weeds are unwanted plants in crop that can be control by different methods among them use of aqueous extract of crop is an imperative method. To investigate the allopathic potential of aqueous extract of winter crop Papavare somniferum (opium) on summer weed Echinochloa cruss-galli (barnyard grass) laboratory experiments were conducted. The experiment coomprised seven concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2, 4, and 8%) of different plant parts i.e., leaves, stem and flower of P. somniferumwere. All the tested concentrations and plant parts of P. somniferum significantly reduced mean emergence time, germination index, germination percentage, time to 50% germination as well as well growth of E. cruss-galliweed. However, maximum mean emergence time (9.07 days), time to 50% germination (3.67 days) was noted at leaves and stem extract, respectively. Application of aqueous extract of stem at 8% concentration resulted in greatest time to complete 50% germination (5.42 days) and lowest fresh weight (6.28 g), dry weight (1.00 g) and root length (0.33 cm) of E. cruss-galli. Whereas leaf extract at 8% concentration produces less shoot length (1.13 cm) and more emergence time (9.18 days). Lowest emergence percentage (6.67%) and germination index (0.89) were produced by aqueous extract of fruit at 8% concentration. On the basis of this experiment, it can be concluded that higher concentration (8%) of stem extract of P. somniferumwas used to biologically control the infestation of E. cruss-galli weed.

GENETIC VARIABILITY IN JUVENILE CHARACTERS OF PROGENIES OF Apuleia leiocarpa

The objective of this search was to quantify the genetic variability in progenies from grápia mother trees in natural populations, for initial growth characters of the seedlings. Seeds were collected from 13 mother trees, from four origins, located in the municipalities of Pareci Novo, São José do Sul and Aratiba in RS, and Seara in SC, as well as data from plants and place of origin. Biometrics were performed on 100 seeds lot from each mother tree, and an experiment was installed to evaluate progenies in a completely randomized design. It was evaluated the seedling emergence speed and the emergence percentage, the stem diameter and seedlings height, as well as the final survival percentage. A significative difference was found for all variables observed for seeds and seedlings of grápia mother trees. Seed length and width demonstrated high values for individual heritability in the narrow sense (above 0.6), being possible to use the seed size for an analysis of genetic variability between plants of the species, but not as an indicative variable of physiological quality and vigor. The correlation analysis indicated that the seedling emergence percentage is related to the characteristics of the mother plant plant (height and diameter). Thus, the use of seedlings for forest restoration areas is appropriate, as they have indications of genetic diversity.