Control of Leaf Width by the APC/CTAD1-WL1-NAL1 Pathway in Rice

Leaf morphology is one of the most important features of the ideal plant architecture. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms controlling leaf morphology in crops remain largely unknown, despite their central importance. Here we demonstrate that the APC/CTAD1-WL1-NAL1 pathway regulates leaf width in rice, and mutation of WL1 leads to width leaf variation. WL1 interacts with TAD1 and is degraded by APC/CTAD1, with the loss of TAD1 function resulting in narrow leaves. The WL1 protein directly binds to the regulatory region of NAL1 and recruits the corepressor TOPLESS-RELATED PROTEIN to inhibit NAL1 expression by down-regulating the level of histone acetylation of chromatin. Furthermore, biochemical and genetic analyses revealed that TAD1, WL1, and NAL1 function in a common pathway to control leaf width. Our study establishes an important framework for the APC/CTAD1-WL1-NAL1 pathway-mediated control of leaf width in rice and introduces novel perspectives for using this regulatory pathway for improving crop plant architecture.

Nutritional content, performance and ratooning ability of four sorghum genotypes

Sorghum is a grain plant that is a source of food, biofuel and feed, which can be produced using the techniques of ratoon cultivation. The objective of this study is to assess the nutrition content, the performance of the four sorghum genotypes and the vegetative characteristics of the sorghum ratoon. The research was carried out from December 2020 to July 2021 at the Ciawi Research Garden, the Livestock Research Institute. The study employed four treatments (genotype) and three replications of random block design. The range of protein content, crude fat crude fiber and ash in the four genotypes of sorghum was 7.91-9.30, 1.91-2.69, 33.41-37.57 and 8.25-9.11%, respectively. Genotype significantly affected P<0.05 on plant height, stem height, leaf width, internode length, flag leaf width and fresh weight, but not significantly different P>0.05 on leaf length, stem diameter and flag leaf length on the main plant. Genotype had no significant effect (P>0.05) on plant height, number of tillers, leaf length, leaf width and fresh weight of ratoons. It was concluded that the ability of ratoon in sorghum was not affected by the genotype of sorghum.

Genetic Variability in Growth Characteristics among Different Clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.

The present investigation was carried out at the College of Forestry, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during August, 2018 to June, 2019 to study the genetic variability in growth characteristics among different clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis. Different clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. were planted in RCBD, with 4 replications revealed significant variations among all eight treatments (clones) with respect to 9 different characters. Based on the mean performance, treatment-1 (clone-526) showed maximum value for characters like biomass (1124.17), plant height (247.9 cm), collar diameter (23.25 mm), and a number of leaves plant-1 (463.25 number). Similarly, the maximum value was observed in treatment-8 (clone-136) for traits like leaf area (42.70 cm2), leaf length (15 cm), and leaf width (5.75 cm). The highest leaf length to leaf width ratio (3.57) and lowest number of branches plant-1 (18.75 number) were found in treatment-2 (clone-288). All characters had exhibited higher genotypic variance than an environmental variance. Similarly, the genetic coefficient of variation in the case of all variables was also found greater than an environmental coefficient of variation. Heritability was found maximum in plant height (87.35%) and all other characters also showed high heritability. Genetic advance as % of mean was found maximum in biomass (71.15%). Based on the overall mean performance of growth characters, Treatment-1 (Clone-526) was found as a superior clone with respect to the most important character biomass for the test locality. High GCV, heritability, and GAM value for biomass indicated that the character would respond to selection for the improvement program.

Growth Effect of the Different Ratios of Wood Vinegar on Brassica juncea

Four (4) different ratios of wood vinegar namely; 1:5; 1:10; 1:20 and 1:30 mL WV to water ratio extracted from coconut shell was tested to determine their growth effect on Brassica juncea or mustard plant or locally known as mustasa. Parameters measured were leaf number, plant height, plant leaf width. Using randomized complete block design, experimental tests were conducted using Brassica juncea as test plants. The samples of 10 days old were allowed to flourish in a potted plant with day to day application of the wood vinegar solutions together with the negative control for a total of 30 days. Results revealed that the wood vinegar ratios applied have no significant effect on the growth of the mustard plant in terms of its leaf number, plant height and leaf width. This indicates that coconut shell wood vinegar at 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30 are not applicable ratios for plant production, as that an increased wood vinegar application increases plant production and growth.

Red Light Enhances the Antioxidant Properties and Growth of Rubus hongnoensis

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of light quality on R.hongnoensis growth, physiology, and antioxidant properties. Five light conditions were employed, including white (control), red (R), blue (B), combined LED of R, green (G), and B at 7:1:2 (RGB), as well as combined LED of R, G, B, and far-red (Fr) at 7:1:2:1 (RGBFr). R light had the greatest growth-promoting effect based on plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem diameter, and leaf area. However, leaf width and root length exhibited the greatest growth under RGB. The fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots were highest under R and RGB light. Photosynthesis was highest under RGB and lowest under B. Transpiration was highest in RGBFr. Stomatal conductance and photosynthetic water use efficiency were greatest under RGBFr. Total phenol content and radical scavenging activity were highest under R, while total flavonoid content was highest under RGB. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were upregulated under W, whereas guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity was highest under RGB. The present results suggest that, among the tested light treatments, R light was most conductive for vegetative growth and antioxidant capacity in R. hongnoensis.

Phenotype - Chemotype Correlation of the Herb Bletilla Rchb. f. Based on a Comprehensive Evaluation of Thirty- Three Geographic Populations

Background The Bletilla genus of Orchidaceae includes plants with great economic value, among which B. striata is the main traditional medicinal plant, and its pseudobulb, known as BaiJi, was first recorded in Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. However, there has been little systemic evaluation of the germplasm quality of Bletilla plants in China. In order to comprehensive evaluate the Bletilla resources in China and screen out the candidate phenotypic traits determining yield and/or quality of Bletilla, the variation of phenotypic indicators (pseudobulb, leaf, stem, inflorescence, flower) and active ingredients contents (polysaccharide, total phenolics and militarine) in different populations of B. striata and B. ochracea were investigated through 4 years' common-garden experiment. Results There were abundant phenotypic variations and significant differences among different populations in the morphological phenotypes, pseudobulb weight and main active ingredient contents. Five populations, including HNSZ, AHBZ, HBLT, HBSN and JSNJ, showed good prospects for industrial development, presenting higher quality in terms of yield and main active ingredient content. Pseudobulb yield, polysaccharide and total phenol content are positively correlated with phenotypic traits. Militarine content is negatively correlated with almost all indexes. Plant height, leaf width and stem diameter may be important indicators of potential excellent germplasms. Conclusions Bletilla is not strictly geoauthentic medicinal plants. B. ochracea could be accepted as an alternative resource to B. striata. The best harvest period of Bletilla is the third year after cultivation. Plant height, leaf width and stem diameter may be important indicators of potential excellent germplasms. These results provide important information required for the efficient screening and utilization of Bletilla germplasm resources.

Intercropping Vicia sativa L. Improves the Moisture, Microbial Community, Enzyme Activity and Nutrient in Rhizosphere Soils of Young Kiwifruit Plants and Enhances Plant Growth

Drought, low nutrition, and weeds have become the major limiting factors of young kiwifruit orchards. In this study, the effects of intercropping Vicia sativa L. on the moisture, microbe community, enzyme activity, and nutrients in rhizosphere soils of young kiwifruit plants and their growth were investigated. The results show that intercropping V. sativa could effectively enhance soil moisture by 1.39–1.47 folds compared with clean tillage. Moreover, intercropping V. sativa could significantly (p < 0.01) increase the microbial community, enzyme activity and nutrient of kiwifruit rhizosphere soils, and improve plant height, stem girth, leaf number, maximum leaf length, maximum leaf width, and chlorophyll content of young kiwifruit plants by 43.60%, 18.68%, 43.75%, 18.09%, 21.15%, and 67.57% compared to clean tillage, respectively. The moisture, microbial quantity, enzyme activity, and nutrients in rhizosphere soils of young kiwifruit plants exhibited good correlations with their plant height, stem girth, leaf number, maximum leaf length, maximum leaf width, and chlorophyll content. This study highlights that intercropping V. sativa in young kiwifruit orchard can be used as an effective, labor-saving, economical and sustainable practice to improve the moisture, microbial community, enzyme activity, and nutrient of soils, and enhance kiwifruit plant growth and control weeds.

Genetic Variability Studies for Yield and Yield Related Attributes in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Genotypes

A set of twenty four rice genotypes including one check variety were grown to estimate study genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficient for 13 quantitative characters, observation recorded to study the genetic variability parameters, correlation coefficient and path coefficient for yield and its attributing traits. High to moderate estimates of GCV and PCV were recorded for test weight followed by spikelets per panicle, grain yield per plant, flag leaf width, flag leaf length, tillers per hill, biological yield and panicles per hill. Grain yield indicated significant positive correlation with plant height followed by tillers per hill, panicles per hill, biological yield and harvest index in terms of phenotypic correlation coefficient whereas in terms of genotypic coefficient it showed positive and significant correlation with plant height, tillers per hill, panicles per hill, biological yield and harvest index. Path coefficient analysis showed positive significant direct effects on grain yield per hill were exhibited by plant height, tillers per hill and harvest index at genotypic level whereas it showed positive and significant direct effect for tillers per hill, flag leaf width, biological yield and harvest index at phenotypic level. Thus, these traits are identified as the efficient and potential for indirect selection for the improvement of rice productivity in the present experimental materials.

Nitrogen enhanced sorghum morpho-physiological activity, and antioxidant capacity

Imbalanced mineral nutrition and scant information about nitrogen (N) in plants may result in reduction in sorghum morpho-physiological activities. However, farmers use higher or lower fertilizer doses regarding sorghum growth and yield. This study was undertaken to determine the response of sorghum morpho-physiological activities to different rates of nitrogen (N) during two growing seasons of 2017 and 2018. The treatments were consisted of a factorial combination of three N levels (N1 = 0 kg N ha− 1, N2 = 150 Kg N ha− 1, and N3 = 300 kg N ha− 1) and two varieties (V1 = CFSH30, and V2 = Siyong 3180). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Our results found that N application (N2 and N3) significantly increased plant growth and morpho-physiological activities; leaf length increased by 2.7–8.9%, leaf width by 0.4–4.5%, plant height by 27.8–20.5%, Specific leaf weight by 4.2–10.9%, leaf weight by 18.4–17.4%, and protein contents by 39.5–117.0% compared to N1. Interestingly, higher rates of N reduced number of plants m− 2 by 42.4–24.8% but increased number of plants m− 2 weight kg− 1 by 11.6–62.8%. Moreover, compared with control, N enhanced CAT activity by 92.8-131.9%, SOD by 81.2–84.5%, and POD by 43.6–52.8% in 2017 and 2018. This study indicated that N3 significantly performed best among all treatments during the two growing seasons particularly in case of V1. Moreover, we also concluded that V1 performed better in terms of producing higher leaf width, plant height, specific leaf weight, stem weight, number of plants m2 (weight/kg− 1), protein contents, and antioxidant enzymes activity as compared to V2.