Online: ISSN 2784 – 0360 | ISSN – L 2784 – 0360 | Print: ISSN 2784 – 0379 ISSN-L 2784 – 0360

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2020

Biomass Yield Enhancement of Dhaincha (Sesbania Species) Through Cultural Practices

Jul 18, 2020 |

S.C. Chanda, M.A. Razzak, M.A. Hossain, A.K.M. Golam Sarwar

ABSTRACT. Three separate field experiments were conducted to exploit biomass yield potential of dhaincha (Sesbania species) by different cultural practices. A total of six accessions from three Sesbania species, viz. S. bispinosa (#05, 71, 77 and 109), S. cannabina (#28) and S. sesban (#81), were used as experimental materials. Experimental treatments were population densities, viz. 180, 240 and 300 plants m-2; sowing dates, viz. 30 April, 15 May, 30 May and 15 June, and fertilizer doses, viz. 0 (without N/control), 10, 20 and 30 kg N ha-1. All the experiments were designed following randomized complete block design with three replications. Experiments on population density and sowing dates were conducted in control condition (without any fertilizer application). The N-fertilizer was applied as top dress at 30 days after sowing (DAS) and crops were harvested at 60 DAS. The maximum biomass (10.07 t ha-1) was obtained from 240 plants m-2. At 30 April sowing, plants produced the tallest height (199.69 cm), widest base diameter (1.02 cm), highest fresh weight (62.07 t ha-1) and biomass yield (14.73 t ha-1). There were no significant differences in biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors between 20 and 30 kg N ha-1. Among the species, S. bispinosa was the best performer in terms of biomass yield and yield contributing descriptors. It may be concluded that S. bispinosa (accession #71) could be cultivated with the population density 240 plants m-2, at 30 April, without any fertilizer application. In case of later sowing/cultivation, the 20 kg N ha-1 could be applied for the maximization of biomass yield.

Keywords: green manure crop; population density; sowing time; fertilizer management; total dry matter.

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The Role of Pretreatment Parameters on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Two Fennel Cultivars

Jul 18, 2020 |

M. Khoshkharam, M.H. Shahrajabian, W. Sun, Q. Cheng

ABSTRACT. Fennel is one of the most important medicinal and spice plants and has become one of the most important economical medicinal plants in Mediterranean, and the Middle East. The germination ability and percentage are fundamental characteristics which influence the viability of the plants. Prechilling has meaningful influence on coleoptile length, radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage, mean time for germination and germination rate, but uniformity of seed germination did not significantly influenced by it. The cultivar effect was significant on coleoptile length, radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage and germination rate. However, mean time for germination and uniformity of seed germination did not significantly affected by cultivar. All experimental characteristics, except uniformity of seed germination, significantly influenced by hormone. The maximum coleoptile length, radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage and germination ratio was related to 45 days moist prechilling treatment. Isfahan cultivar also had obtained the highest coleoptile and radicle length, seedling length, germination percentage and germination ratio compare to Shiraz cultivar. It seems that application of endogenous GA3+KI and BA+KI concentration, which is provided mostly by chilling treatment, is the most effective factor for breaking the seed dormancy. On the basis of the results, usage of 45 days moist prechilling accompanied with application of GA3+KI and BA+KI in Isfahan cultivar was appropriate.

Keywords: kinetin; gibberellic acid; benzyladenine; germination percentage; germination rate.

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Seed Germination and Seedling Establishment of Cherimoya (Annona Cherimola Mill.) at different Temperatures

Jul 18, 2020 |

A. Kheloufi, L.M. Mansouri, H. Khettache

ABSTRACT. Cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) has an exceptional flavor and aroma, which makes it a fruit with great potential. However, little is known about its propagation by seeds. According to the scientific literature, the germination of cherimoya seeds is affected much more by external conditions than by internal conditions. Germination of cherimoya variety ‘Concha Lisa’ were tested for germination at constant temperatures of 25, 30, 40°C, and at room temperature, varying from 20-25°C, coupled with total darkness. Seeds were sown in Petri dishes (0.8% agar water), for 25 days of incubation. The kinetics of germination was determined according to five closely related parameters, viz. final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), time to 50% germination (T50) and seedling length (SL). The temperature of 30°C was found optimally suitable with 70.8% FGP, 17.5 days MGT and 3.91 cm SL, while the room temperature of 20-25°C slightly improved germination with only 25% FGP. Furthermore, significant decrease in FGP and SL was observed at 25°C and 40°C of temperature in comparison to 30°C. The analysis also revealed that cherimoya seed germination, day 10-15 after seed sowing is suitable for final counts. An overview on the emergence of cherimoya seedlings, during a 12-week period in pots is presented.

Keywords: agriculture; Annonaceae; custard apple; exotic fruit; fruit tree; seed quality.

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Effect of Farmer-Herdsmen Conflict on Poverty Status of Farming Households in Kwara State, Nigeria

Jul 18, 2020 |

L.O. Adebisi, O.A. Adebisi, A.A. Opakunle, U.G. Asogwa, C.O. Farayola, T.O. Daodu

ABSTRACT. This study examines the effect of farmer-herdsmen conflict on poverty status of crop farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data was used for the study and a three stage sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the respondents. A structured questionnaire was used for the purpose of extracting needed information from 110 crop farming households selected for the study. The data collected were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) Index, and Tobit regression model. The result of prevalence of poverty among the farming households, who experienced conflict and those who didn’t in the study area, was 19.23% and 10.34%, while the intensity of poverty was 1.38 and 0.99%, respectively. The severity of poverty, which measures the extent of poverty, shows poverty was more severe among the poor who experienced conflict with a poverty index of 0.0002 than the poor who didn’t experienced conflict, who had index of 0.0001. The Tobit regression model, which measured the effects of farmer-herdsmen conflict on poverty status of the farming household, indicates that the likelihood of being poor were more with large farming households, non-educated farming household heads, small farm size, low farm income households, low off-farm income and occurrence of conflict. The study therefore recommends that governments should designate some areas for the herdsmen as grazing field and also establish grazing reserves and communities in all the states, so as to reduce farmers-herdsmen conflict.

Keywords: expenditure; pastoralist; Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT); tobit regression.

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Effect of Leventis Foundation Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme on Trainees’ Food Output in Osun State, Nigeria

Jul 18, 2020 |

K.A. Adeloye, A.O. Ajayi, A.O. Sotomi

ABSTRACT. The study assessed the effect of Leventis Foundation Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programme (LFYAEP) on trainees’ food output in Osun State, Nigeria. A total of 248 ex-trainees of LFYAEP were selected and interviewed in the study area through a systematic random sampling technique using list of Leventis Foundation Agricultural School, Ilesa ex-trainees between the year 2010 and 2017 as sample frame. Data collected were presented using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of the respondents was 30.0±6.2 and their farming experience was 7.2±4.4. About 74.7 and 77.6% got information about the empowerment through their community leaders and media respectively; also, they all participated to better their lot in life. In addition, there were high knowledge and skill proficiency in all the farm enterprises engaged in after the empowerment. Furthermore, the respondents recorded increased food output in all the farm enterprises engaged in after the empowerment. The findings revealed that at p< 0.05, respondents’ reasons for participation (χ2 = 31.612) had significant association with their food output. Furthermore, at p< 0.05, farming experience (r = 0.483), age (r = 0.322), years of formal education (r = 0.153), knowledge possessed (r = 0.148) and skill proficiency (r = 0.221) of respondents had significant relationship with their food output. Finally, there was significant difference between food output before and after the empowerment (F = 65.59). The study concludes that there was a significant improvement in the quantity and quality of food produced by the ex-trainees after the empowerment programme. It was recommended that similar empowerment should be put in place for all youth to enhance productivity. Keywords: food security; farm management; ex-trainees.

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Agrochemical Evolution of the Chernozemic Soil in the Superficial Horizon by Differentiated Nitrogen Fertilization

Jul 18, 2020 |

Adina Petruța Jipa, Danela Murariu

ABSTRACT. Soil fertility, upon which plant growth and hence crop yield and quality depend, embraces its content of plant food (nutrients), its organic matter content, its structure, its ability to supply water and its depth. Excessive use of fertilizers with nitrogen products of ion nitric accumulation in the soil (temporary) and in plants, which disturbs the balance of photosynthesis, causes the appearance of necrosis and burns on leaves, severe intoxication and even death by asphyxiation phenomena and cyanosis at ruminants, children and old people. One of the ways of soil pollution through agricultural technology is over-fertilization and, in particular, the administration of high doses of nitrogen fertilizers. Excess of nitrogen fertilizers, as well as their empirical application, have negative effects on harvest quality. The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of five nitrogen levels and different type of fertilizers on the agrochemical evolution of the chernozemic soil in the superficial horizon. Field experiments were conducted at the Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Suceava, Romania, in two growing seasons (2017 and 2018) with five nitrogen levels (80 kg/ha, 120 kg/ha, 160 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha and 240 kg/ha) and two type of nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate and urea).

Keywords: ammonium nitrate; urea; chemical fertilizers; chernozemic soil.

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A Review on Plant Genomes of Some Important Traditional Chinese Fruits and Herbs

Jul 18, 2020 |

M.H. Shahrajabian, W. Sun, Q. Cheng

ABSTRACT. Chinese medicinal herbs and fruits have grown rapidly and significantly in recent years and have a positive influence on improving people’s attention to their health and organic life style. According to the advancement of sequencing technologies and reduced costs, the genome sequencing data of medicinal plants are accumulating rapidly. Our aim was to review plant genomes of three important medicinal plants in China. There is an ample genetic diversity of plants with medicinal importance around the globe and this pool of genetic variation serves as the base for selection, as well as for plant improvement. Plant genomes are characterized by large variations of genome size and ploidy level. Comparative genomics provides a method to unravel the relationship between genomes, by describing conserved chromosomes or chromosomal regions between related species. It is also clear that it is possible to use plant genome as a tool for improving breeding strategies. However, certain limitations represent a number of challenges for the generation and utilization of genomic resources in many important medicinal plant species. This review has focused on plant genomes of some important horticultural plants, which are famous in traditional Chinese medicine, namely ginger, ginseng and goji berry. However, more researches are needed to introduce the genome research of medicinal plants.

Keywords: gene sequencing; ginger; ginseng; goji berry; horticultural crops; organic life.

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The Effect of Salicylic Acid on Different Plant Processes – A Review

Jul 18, 2020 |

A. Ahmadi Shadmehri, A. Khatiby

ABSTRACT. Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known signaling molecule that plays an important role in resistance against pathogens, as well as adaptation to some abiotic stress factors, such as drought, heavy metal toxicity, chilling, heat and osmotic stress and can be a factor effective treatment for plants. The impact of SA on different plant processes under optimal environmental conditions is controversial. Also, SA as a plant growth regulator may have a positive effect on the regulation of physiological and biochemical processes of different plant species, such as seed germination, seed production, respiration, vegetative growth, flower formation and photosynthesis. In addition, SA as a regulator of cell growth, could contribute to maintaining cellular redox homeostasis by induction of the alternative respiratory pathway and the regulation of antioxidant enzymes activity and to regulating gene expression by inducing a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. However, SA may act as a stressor, and may have a negative impact on different plant processes. Recent results indicate that the exogenous application of SA to plants have affect several on many physiological processes, such as control of ion absorption, stomatal closure and transport, reducing of stress and stimulation of growth and differentiation of plants, and also the controlled levels of SA in plants are important for improving performance and adaptation to environmental stimuli and emphasize its important role in plant health and protection. The present study investigated the effect of SA on different plant processes.

Keywords: signaling molecule; plant processes; stress.

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Cultivation Possibilities of Some Common Beans Varieties under Second Crop Conditions

Jul 18, 2020 |

M. Tunc, B.T. Bicer, Z. Turk

ABSTRACT. This research was carried to determine the yield and yield components on some common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties in 2017 and 2018 years, in Diyarbakir, southeast Anatolia of Turkey. In the experiment, Onceler-98, Karacasehir-90, Yunus-90, Akman-98, Goynuk-98, Aras-98, Terzibaba, Adabeyazi, Cihan and Noyanbey cultivars were used. Experiment was set up in randomized complete block design with three replications. Plots were 6 m length with five rows, the inter-row and intra-row spacing were 0.7 m and 0.10 m. Seeds were sown after wheat harvest as second crops. The differences among cultivars were significant for number of days of flowering and maturity, plant height, number of pods and seeds per plant, grain yield and 100 seed weight. Number of days to flowering ranged from 48.0 to 62.8; number of days to maturity ranged from 99.8 to 113.8. The number of pods and seeds per plant varied from 12.8 to 30.8, and 24.3 to 105.6, respectively. Grain yield ranged from 792.3 kg ha-1 (Cihan and Noyanbey) to 2709 kg ha-1 (Goynuk-98 and Onceler-98). In the experiment area, high heat temperature and high evaporation throughout July and August, negatively affected the blooming, pollination and fertilization on cultivars of dwarf and determinate plant habit types. Brushy type and late-maturing varieties should be preferred under second crop conditions.

Keywords: dry bean; Phaseolus vulgaris; yield.

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Effect of Cold Stratification on Seed Germination of The Multipurpose Fruit Shrub, Ziziphus Lotus (L.) LAM. (Rhamnaceae)

Jul 18, 2020 |

A. Kheloufi, L.M. Mansouri, K. Laib

ABSTRACT. Shrubs and trees of the genus Ziziphus are a good example of naturally occurring multipurpose plant species with great potential in arid regions. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cold stratification on seed germination and seedling growth of Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. Seeds were subjected to 0, 45, 90 and 120 days of cold stratification at 5°C. We also examined fruit, kernel and seed morphology. For each treatment period, four replicates of 50 seeds were incubated in plastic containers between two layers of moist sand at 15% and under greenhouse conditions for 15-day period. At the end of the experiment, the final germination percentage (FGP), shoot length and root length were assessed. The results clearly indicated that increasing duration of cold stratification improved seed germination. The most effective stratification period was 120 days where Z. lotus recorded 83% of FGP and 16.5 cm of total seedling length. Cold stratification treatments significantly increased shoot height, root length, as well as seedling total length. 120 days stratification treatment resulted in the highest shoot and root length (6.80 cm and 9.75 cm, respectively). An overview on the emergence of Z. lotus seedlings during a 15-day period was also illustrated.

Keywords: agriculture; arid region; buckthorn; Jujube; medicinal plants; seed quality.

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Comparison of IPM Packages on Flower Thrips and Pod Borers Management

Jun 5, 2020 |

M.A. Hossain, M.M. Rahman, M.G. Azam, M.H. Imam

ABSTRACT. Effectiveness of integrated management approaches using blue sticky trap, pheromone trap, bio and synthetic insecticides were evaluated against major insects, like flower thrips and pod borers of mungbean at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Rahmatpur, Barishal and Pulses Research Centre, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh, respectively, during two consecutive years of 2018 and 2019. All of the management packages significantly reduced flower infestation, thrips population and pod borer infestation in mungbean. The highest percentage of reduction of flower infestation, thrips population and pod borer infestation was found in IPM package-3: installing blue sticky trap + two spraying of chlorfenapyr (Intrepid 10 EC) @ 1 ml/l + third spraying with (chlorantraniliprole + thiamethoxam), i.e. Virtako 40 WG) @ 0.15 g/l, followed by IPM package-1, IPM package-2 and recommended practice (spraying imidacloprid, i.e. Imitaf 20 SL @ 0.5 ml/l). The highest yield was also recorded from IPM package-3, which was statistically similar to IPM package-1, followed by IPM package-2 and recommended practice. Although the IPM package-3 provided the highest yield and return, followed by IPM package-1, but recommended practice (farmer’s practice) gave the highest benefit because of higher cost of IPM components brought down the profit margin of IPM packages. The components of IPM package-1, i.e. biopesticides, are ecologically safer than that of IPM package-3 (synthetic chemical insecticides). So, considering environment friendliness, the IPM package-1: installation of blue sticky trap and pheromone trap + two spraying of azadiractin (Biomeem plus 1EC) @ 1 ml/l + third spraying with spinosad (Success 2.5 EC) @ 1.2 ml/l would be the best package for controlling flower thrips and pod borers of mungbean with higher yield in the insects prone areas, without harming the ecosystem.

Keywords: integrated management; environment; yield; return; cost, benefit.

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The Yield and Quality Properties of Chickpea Seeds (Cicer Arietinum L.) Affected by Harvest Times

Jun 5, 2020 |

S. Gürsoy

ABSTRACT. Harvesting of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds at right time of maturity is one of the important issues because pod dropping and shattering is a major problem during harvest. Also, the physical properties of chickpea seeds can be affected by harvest time. For this purpose, a field experiment was carried out to examine the effects of harvest times after physiological maturity on the seed yield per plant and the seed quality properties in chickpea production. The treatments used in the experiment consisted of five harvest times, which chickpea pods were harvested at physiological maturity (H1) and 5, 10, 15, and 20 days after physiological maturity (H2, H3, H4 and H5, respectively). The physiological maturity time (R7) was considered as the stage that leaves start to yellow and 50% of pods are yellow. Moisture content, dimension properties, hundred seed weight, true density, bulk density and porosity and seed yield per plant was determined in the study. The results showed that all measured variables were affected by harvest time. The true density and porosity increased with delayed harvest time. But, the other measured variables decreased when harvest was delayed.

Keywords: harvest stage; seed quality; physiological maturity; density.

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Adaptibility Performances of Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.) Genotypes under Different Environments for Stability of Quantitative Traits

Jun 5, 2020 |

M.G. Azam, M.A. Hossain, J. Hossain, M.A. Hossain, M.O. Ali

ABSTRACT. The evaluation and computation of yield stability of a genotype over environments is a critical component of a certain breeding program. The present study was intended to screen 11 advance chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes and one check for genotype × environment interaction (G × E) at six locations with varying micro and macro climatic conditions for yield correlated phenotypic characters. A number of 11 advanced genotypes of chickpea and one check variety were assessed for their adaptability at six different locations of Bangladesh. The randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was chosen to experiment. The means were used to compute Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) analysis of variance, followed by regression analysis to measure × E. The regression analysis showed significant genotype × environment interaction for all the phenotypic characters. The mean values of days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of pods per plant and seed yield were highly significant for linear, as well as non-linear components of G × E. Chickpea yield was significantly (p< 0.01) affected by genotypes, the environments and G × E interaction, indicating that the varieties and the test environments were diverse. G × E was further partitioned by principal component axes. The first two principal components cumulatively explained 86.59% of the total variation, of which 53.34% and 33.25% were contributed by IPCA1 and IPCA2, respectively. The AMMI stability value discriminated genotypes G2 (BCX 09010-9), G3 (BCX 09010-2) and G8 (BCX 01008-4) the stable genotypes. The investigated genotypes exhibited varying adaptability in different environments. Genotypes G3 (BCX 09010-9) and G9 (BCX 01008-3) were stable genotypes with high yield over a wide range of environments are promising candidate chickpea varieties. Keywords: radicle length; radicle weight; organ extract; coleoptile length; coleoptile weight.

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Sensory Evaluation and Willingness to Pay for Orange Flesh Sweet Potato

Jun 5, 2020 |

O.A. Adebisi, L.O. Adebisi, I.B. Olatunji, T.O. Daodu, A.M. Omofaiye, O.A. Akilapa

ABSTRACT. This study seeks to assess consumers’ awareness, acceptability and willingness to pay for orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) in Kwara State, Nigeria. Primary data, which was collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire, was used for the study. A three stage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents for the study. A total of 240 households were used for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, contingent valuation method, logistic regression model and Likert-type scale. Result of analysis revealed 65% of the respondents were aware of the health benefits of OFSP, 89.3% of the consumers were most willing to pay above the bid amount for OFSP in the study area. Also, willingness of consumers to pay for OFSP is significantly affected by age of household head, household size, education of household head, bid amount and awareness of the health benefits of OFSP. The constraints to the consumption of orange flesh sweet potato include scarcity of OFSP, technicality of preparation, perishability and the cost of OFSP. The study therefore recommended that the benefits of OFSP over its indigenous counterpart should be more publicized through research institutes, extension agencies, health workers, NGOs and media for the populace to be more aware, which will enhance consumption in order to alleviate vitamin a micronutrients deficiency. Also, OFSP should be made available at reasonable prices, given that bid amount could dissuade consumers who are interested.

Keywords: vitamin A; orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP); contingent valuation method (CVM); health benefits.

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Characterization of Pomegranate Cultivars in Palm Groves of the Oued Righ Valley (South-Eastern Algeria)

Jun 5, 2020 |

A. Allam, M. Tama

ABSTRACT. Varietal recognition is a key step for good management of genetic diversity. Indeed, the morphological description of certain organs, such as the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds, allow a more or less rapid and reliable identification of the varieties or cultivars. The culture of the pomegranate tree is very known in the valley of Oued Righ in the Algerian Southern, and it constitutes the main fruit species with a number of trees of 27.77 % of total number. The pomegranate tree is found in more than 84% of the farms of the region and its production is complementary of that of the dates. Unfortunately, no study has been realized on the characterization and the valorization of this species. To know and identify the varieties or the existing cultivars, we have undertaken a work of characterization of clones cultivated in the valley of Oued Righ. The plant material constituted by 13 clones of pomegranate tree stemming from various farms. The method of work consists in taking 20 fruits by tree for physico-chemical analyses in the laboratory. The results of analyses on sample of 13 clones described five cultivars, among which some present acceptable characters of fruit from a caliber point of view, contents in sugars and acidity. It shows that the naming of cultivars by the farmers based only on the acid taste of fruits “Hamad” or sweetened “Hlou” is not scientific and remain insufficient. Our results confirm the usefulness of morphological descriptors in the characterization of plant genetic resources. However, more clarification can be achieved by the undeniable contribution of molecular markers.

Keywords: Oued Righ; Sahara; oasis; palm grove, cultivar.

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Information System Usage and Risk Management Among Arable Crop Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria

Jun 5, 2020 |

O.A. Omotesho, I.L. Olaghere, F.S. Daramola, A.H. Adenuga

ABSTRACT. Farmers need to be adequately informed in employing economic strategies to tackle risk situations in agriculture. This study sought to examine the risk management coping strategy employed by the farmers, explore determinants of risk management strategies, and to establish the relationship between information systems and risk management strategy employed. Primary data were used from 141 randomly selected farmers. Pre-tested interview schedule was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, Likert-type scale, Multinomial logistic regression, and Bivariate correlation analysis were used for data analyses. The results revealed that the majority of the farmers were risk-averse. Gender of household head, the highest level of education attained, household size, farming experience and membership of association had a significant effect on the choice of coping strategies employed by the farmers. Correlation results showed that the more access to information the farmers had to the different risks they encountered, the higher the management strategies they were likely to use. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between information systems and risk management strategies employed. It was recommended that extension agents should be adequately sensitized on the various sources of information systems available to the farmers so that they can, in turn, pass the information to the farmers.

Keywords: bivariate correlation; crop production; information systems; Nigeria; risk planning.

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Cultivation of Cotton in China and Iran with Considering Biological Activities and Its Health Benefits

Jun 5, 2020 |

W. Sun, M.H. Shahrajabian, M. Khoshkharam, H. Shen, Q. Cheng

ABSTRACT. Cotton (Gossypium L.) is one of the most important commercial crops and it is famous as white gold. Cotton has a diversity of applications, principally medicinal and many other usages, such as pigments, derivatives for cattle feed, different uses of the oil extracts and etc. Cottonseed oil has a ration of 2:1 of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids and generally consists of 65-70% unsaturated fatty acids, including 18-24% monounsaturated (oleic) and 42-52% polyunsaturated (linoleic), and 26-35% saturated (palmitic and stearic). The most important health benefits of cotton is treat respiratory diseases, treat skin problems, treat wounds, beneficial for breastfeeding mothers, a good cure for rat bite, an appropriate cure for scorpion bite, for joint and eye pains, for swollen legs, for removing bacteria in teeth, and alternative medicine for various diseases such as cancer, HIV and etc. Cotton seed oil mostly extracted from Gossypium hirsutum and Gossypium herbaceum, that are also grown for cotton fiber and animal feed. Gossypol is one of the most effective ingredients, both in traditional pharmaceutical practices and alternative modern medicinal preparations. It is a toxic polyphenolic bisesquiterpene, which may have antifertility and antiviral properties. The obtained findings suggest potential of cotton as a natural resource in pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords: gossypol; oil; Traditional Chinese Medicine; Traditional Iranian Medicine.

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Considering Soil Water Content, Nutrients Movement, Phenology and Plant Growth with Reference to Development of Functional Foods in a Lysimeter Study

Jun 5, 2020 |

M.H. Shahrajabian, M. Khoshkharam, A. Soleymani, W. Sun, Q. Cheng

ABSTRACT. Lysimeter is equipped with mechanisms for weighing by load cells enable automated measurements, and the signals resulting from weight changes in the system due to evaporation that are generally recorded in a data acquisition system. According to methods of measuring water content, lysimeters may be divided into weighing lysimeter and non-weighing lysimeter. The weighing lysimeters provide scientists the basic information for research related to evapotranspiration, and they are commonly divided into two types, continuous weighing and intermittent weighing. Weighing lysimeters have been used to quantify precipitation (P) not only in the form of rain or snow, but also dew, fog and rime, and also to determine actual evapotranspiration (ET). Compared to laboratory experiments, out-door lysimeter studies have advantages, like being closer to field environment conditions, it is possible to grow plants and therefore to study the fate of chemicals in soil/plant systems, transformations and leaching. The limitations are costy, which depend on design, variable experimental conditions, such as environmental/ climatic parameters, which are normally not controlled, the soil spatial variability is normally less, they are not suitable for every plant species and even every soil type. The objective of lysimeter is defining the crop coefficient (Kc), which used to convert ETr into equivalent crop evapotranpiration (ETc) values, and determing agronomical characteristics of crops, which are planted in the field of lysimeter. The duration of a lysimeter study is determined by the objective of the study, but for different crops, it should normally be at least two years. Weighing lysimeters using load cells have the advantage of measuring the water balance in the soil over a short time and with good accuracy. Precipitation should be recorded daily at the lysimeter site. All weather data like air temperature, solar radiation, humidity and potential evporation should be obtained onsite, and the frequency and time of measurements should be at least daily.

Keywords: weighing lysimeter; evapotranspiration; crop coefficient; precipitation; super foods.

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The Effect of Priming on Germination Characteristics of Barley Seeds under Drought Stress Conditions

Jun 5, 2020 |

S.A. Tabatabaei, O. Ansari

ABSTRACT. Seed priming methods have been used to increase germination and seedling establishment under different abiotic stress conditions. Seed priming was used in barley to increase seed germination and tolerance on stress exposure. Barley seeds were treated with various priming agents for different time and temperatures. The effect of priming was assessed on germination characteristics on subsequent exposure to drought (PEG-12 bar) stress for 7 days. Seed priming treatments significantly (p≤ 0.01) affected germination percentage (GP), normality seedling percentage (NSP), germination Index (GI), germination uniformity (GU), means time to germination (MTG), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), seedling vigor index (SVI) and coefficient of allometry (AC). Seed priming with gibberelic acid (GA), salicylic acid (SA), ascorbic acid (ASc), hydropriming (HP), osmopriming (OP) and combined treatments (CT) significantly (p≤ 0.01) increased germination characteristics, compared to the unprimed. Seed priming with concentrations 25, 50 ppm of GA for 15 h at 10°C, 25 ppm of SA for 12 h at 10°C, 50 ppm of ASc for 12 h at 15°C, treatment 16 h hydropriming at 10°C and -15 bar PEG for 24 h for osmopriming maybe considered as optimal treatment for priming of barley seeds in drought stress conditions. In some cases, combined treatments are better than the separate treatments. Seed priming with PEG (potential -l5 bar PEG for 24 h at 10°C) was more effective in drought stress than the other treatments.

Keywords: seed priming; Hordeum vulgare L.; drought stress.

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Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth, Flowering, Fruiting and Nodulation of Three Varieties of Common Bean in The Arid Region of Aïn Naga (Biskra, Algeria)

Jun 5, 2020 |

L.M. Mansouri, A. Kheloufi, R. Belatreche, N. Heleili, Z.F. Boukhatem

ABSTRACT. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to nitrogen fertilizer. The main factor included the fertilizer (Granular Urea 46% N), was made up of two levels: no fertilization (0 kg/plot: control) and fertilization (0.4 kg/plot), while the secondary factor was the variety (three varieties of common bean: Djedida, Nelson and Jalila). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement and replicated four times. The effect of fertilization was evaluated during two development stages (flowering and fruiting) for each variety and this on the total dry biomass, the length of the aerial and root parts, as well as on the number of secondary roots. On the other hand, the combined effect of fertilization and variety was studied on some yield parameters per plant, such as the number of flowers, pods, seeds and the harvest index. In addition, the number of nodules at the end of seed maturation was evaluated. The results indicated that the nitrogen fertilizer application significantly reduced the root length, the number of nodules and secondary roots in most of the common bean varieties. However, fertilizer application significantly increased dry matter in both flowering and fruiting stages, for the three studied varieties. Pod number per plant and seed yield was increased by the application of N fertilizer, depending on varieties and the parameters being measured. Djedida and Jalila varieties gave the best yield and can therefore be recommended to farmers. According to our results, the percentage of improvement by N fertilization on one parameter or another does not exceed an average of 20%, compared to the control. Indeed, the effect of fertilization is positive and seems to increase the harvest index by 18% in Djedida and by 20% in Jalila, compared to non-fertilized plants. Unfertilized plants of the variety Nelson showed the highest ability to nodulate.

Keywords: agriculture; dry matter; crops; Fabaceae; Phaseolus vulgaris; yield.

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