Effect of Seed Priming with Micro-Nutrients, Botanicals on Seedling Characteristics of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Var. Paiyur 2

The experiment was conducted in Seed Testing Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.) during kharif season 2019-2021, so as to standardize the acceptable seed treatments for sorghum (Paiyur-2).Different seed priming treatments were taken into the study viz., were evaluated T1 – Zinc Sulphate @ 0.5% up to 3hours, T2 – Zinc Sulfate@1% at 4 hours, T3 – Zinc [email protected]% at 6 hours, T4 – Thiourea @ 0.5% at 3 hours, T5 – Thiourea @ 1% at 4 hours, T6 – Thiourea @ 1.5% at 6 hours, T7 – KNO3@ 0.5% at 3 hours, T8 – KNO3 @ 1% at 4 hours, T9 – KNO3 @ 1.5% at 6 hours, T10 – Moringa Leaf extract @ 3% at 8 hours, T11 – Neem leaf extract @ 3% at 8 hours, T12 – Thiourea @0.5% with Zinc Sulphate(ZnSo4) @ 0.5% at 6 hours. During this study it had been found that maximum germination percent, seedling length and vigour attributes was observed when seed treated with T10- Moringa leaf extract @ 3% followed by T9 – KNO3 @ 1.5% and minimum observed in Control (Untreated seed). Seed treatment with Moringa leaf extract @ 3% enhances germination on seedling characters and it is a simple method and no requirement for expensive equipment and chemical might be used for overcoming challenges associated with a poor germination and seedling establishment.

Effect of Oak Tree Sawdust Fermentation Period on Peanut Seed Germination, Seedling Biomass, and Morphology

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds were germinated to investigate the effect of the fermentation period of oak tree sawdust on germination viability and seedling characteristics. Its germination rate, seedling weight, length, and total vigor index were assessed. The seeds were sown in oak tree sawdust fermented for 0, 30, 45, and 60 days. The germination rates of the seeds in fermented sawdust were significantly different. The seeds in the 45-day fermented sawdust produced the heaviest biomass weight (4.6 g) with the longest true leaf (1.7 cm) and hypocotyl (3.4 cm) resulting in the highest total vigor index (925.8). In contrast, seeds in 0-day fermented sawdust had the lowest total vigor index (18.3). Microbiome analysis showed that the microbial community in the sawdust changed as the fermentation progressed, indicating that the microbial community seems to affect seed germination physiology. Taken together, 45-day fermented sawdust is recommended for optimal peanut seed germination and seedling growth.

Evaluation of The Effect of Epiphytic, Endophytic And Rhizosphere Bacteria On Seed Germination And Seedling Characteristics

During 2013 and 2014, in order to investigate the effect of bacteria on the characteristics and growth rate of cotton seedlings, isolated epiphytic, endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria from cotton plants in Golestan province. Based on biochemical and phenotypic tests, amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, were identified strains. Isolates of Bacillus pumilus MR11, B. pumilus MR12, B. pumilus MR13, B. safensis MR21, B. safensis MR22 and Stenotrophomonas pavanii MR31 identified as superior endophytes and rhizosphere. Also Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. syringae and Pantoea annanatis were identified as epiphytic from plants and seeds. These isolates were evaluated to effect on seedling growth characteristics. Based on results, the six-day-old seedlings treated with Bacillus pumilus MR11 and B. pumilus MR12 had the highest root and shoot length and fresh shoot weight. Due to the fact that B. pumilus MR12 and S. pavanii MR31 isolates had the highest percentage and germination rate, so their use as seed treatment can increase the percentage and germination rate of seeds and be effective in reducing the damage caused by seedling diseases. This is the first report of isolation of B. safensis, B. pumilus and S. pavanii bacteria from rhizosphere and cotton endophytes in Iran.

Agronomic Attributes of Five Okra Landraces Selected for Okra Production in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria

A research study on the agronomic attributes of five okra genotypes for Okra production were evaluated for growth and yield at the teaching and research farm of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) Igbariam Anambra state. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications using 3m row plots. The total field size was 187 m2 (0.00187 ha) and a plant spacing of 0.60m × 0.30m was used. There was no significant difference in the treatment means for all the parameter studied, however, result from the seedling characteristics revealed that Nkwelle Okra was the earliest to emerge (4.25 days) while Awkuzu okra was the last to emerge (6.00 days). The experiment showed that Awkuzu okra was earliest to flower at 60.30 days after planting while Nteje Okra was the last to reach 50% flowering at 70.10 days after planting. Awkuzu Okra had the highest number of pods per plant (11.80), pod weight (50.90g) and yield t/ha (0.00005t/ha) while the least was Nteje Okra for number of pods per plants (6.50), pod weight (29.60g) and yield t/ha (0.000029 t/ha). Therefore, a further genetic study was recommended for the studied genotypes to produce hybrid and synthetic cultivar for the production of okra in the study area.

Genetic variability among jarina palm (Phytelephas macrocarpa Ruíz & Pavón) progenies based on seed, germination and seedling characteristics

Jarina is a palm tree from the western Amazon region, whose seeds have characteristics like those of animal ivory, used for making handicrafts. The aim of this work was to evaluate the genetic variability of jarina palm progenies, from seed morphophysiological characteristics, germination and seedling stages. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, with 15 treatments (progenies), 3 repetitions, and 15 seeds per experimental unit. Thirty-one morphophysiological characteristics of the seed and seedling were used. With the characteristics that had significant variability, the progenies were grouped using the UPGMA method. The results showed genetic variability among progenies for 24 traits. Considering 50% of dissimilarity, four groups were identified: Group 1 - P05; Group 2 - P04, P11 and P12; Group 3 - P06, P10, P08, P14, P15, P07, P09, P02 and P13; and Group 4 - P01 and P03. Morphophysiological traits of the seed, germination and seedling are useful to detect genetic variability among jarina palm progenies. Three progenies (P04, P11 and P12) stood out for having the highest percentage of germination and the different seedling stages, as well as the highest speed indices and shortest times, in relation to germination and seedling stages.