Volume 6 Special Issue 1 2012
Seed

ISBN 978-4-903313-98-6

CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS

Ahmad Majd, Mahin Ghaemi, Kamal Ghasemi Bezdi (Iran) Dormancy, Storage, and Regrowth of Encapsulated Shoot Tips of Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L. cv. ‘Termez’) (pp 1-4)

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Original Research Paper: Due to the recalcitrant character of cotton in vitro culture as well as the lack of somatic embryogenesis in most cotton cultivars, its shoot tips were used for producing synthetic seeds. Cotton seeds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing B5 vitamins and 30 g/l sucrose. Explants were prepared from seedling shoots and placed on three dormant treatment media: 0.6 mg/l abscisic acid (ABA), 150 g/l sucrose and 6 g/l polyethyleneglycol (PEG). Treated and control shoots were encapsulated in calcium alginate and after storage at 4°C for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, were regrown on MS medium containing B5 vitamins, 30 g/l sucrose, and 0.5 mg/l gibberellic acid (GA₃). After 60 days in storage, PEG-treated shoots showed the highest regrowth rate (88.8%) while non-treated shoots did not show any regrowth. In non-storage conditions, shoots in control and sucrose treatments showed more growth than shoots treated with ABA and PEG. All samples treated for 60 days showed less growth than samples treated for 15 days. The shoots that developed from different treatments as well as control shoots were rooted on MS medium containing B5 vitamins, 0.5 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid and 30 g/l sucrose, with a 71.2-97.7% rooting percentage. Although the levels of rooting differed in each treatment, in most cases they were not significantly affected by storage period or the type of dormancy treatment.

Vikas Bandu Naikawadi, Mahendra Laxman Ahire, Tukaram Dayaram Nikam (India) Seed Characterization, Viability and Promotion of Seed Germination in Nervine Tonic Plant Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (pp 5-11)

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Original Research Paper: Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (Convolvulaceae; Shankhpushpi) is one of the important medicinal plants used as a nervine tonic. The aim of the present study was to characterize seed, to assess viability and to enhance germination of E. alsinoides seed. Seed characterization and viability testing showed that about 80% yellowish-green seeds and 45% brown seeds were viable. Black seeds found in the capsules were non-viable. Yellowish-green seeds subjected to different pre-sowing treatments for improved germination included physical scarification using sand paper, acid scarification, presoaking treatment of wet heat (hot water and boiling water), cold water and different types of plant growth regulators including cytokinins, auxins and gibberellic acid (GA₃). Significantly highest (78.7 ± 1.8%) rate of seed germination and higher germination speed (GS), germination value (GV), emergence index (EI) and vigor index (VI) were observed in the seeds soaked in 5.00 mM GA₃ for 36 h. Fresh and aged seeds (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months old) were subjected to TTC test and presoaking in 5.00 mM GA₃ for 36 h resulted in lower viability and seed germination percentage, indicating that E. alsinoides seeds have a storage life of about 2 years.

Jitendra Gopichand Patil, Mahendra Laxman Ahire, Tukaram Dayaram Nikam (India) Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on in Vitro Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Digitalis purpurea L. (pp 12-18)

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Original Research Paper: Digitalis purpurea L. (foxglove; Scrophulariaceae) is an herbaceous medicinally important cardiac glycoside-producing plant. The aim of the present study was to access the seed viability and influence of plant growth regulators on in vitro seed germination and seedling development. The 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test showed that 100% of seeds were viable while a direct germination test in soil and in Petri dishes showed only about 20% germination ability. The surface-sterilized seeds were cultured in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3% sucrose, 0.8% agar and different concentrations (0 to 15.0 µM) of cytokinins (6-benzyladenine - BA; kinetin - Kin and thidiazuron - TDZ) and auxins (α-naphthaleneacetic acid - NAA; indole-3-acetic acid - IAA and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid - 2,4-D) alone and in combination. Addition of all types and concentrations of cytokinins and auxins stimulated the rate and percentage of seed germination. Significantly higher seed germination (65.5 ± 1.2% and 63.1 ± 3.2%) was observed on MS medium containing 10.0 µM BA and Kin, respectively than control (16.7 ± 3.1%). Addition of 10.0 µM IAA in the MS medium was most effective for significantly highest (81.0 ± 3.1%) germination percentage. This was evident by significantly higher germination speed (GS; 2.70 ± 0.1), germination value (GV; 31.3 ± 2.4) and vigor index (VI; 259.1 ± 10.1) on MS medium fortified with 10.0 µM IAA as compared with control (GS: 0.56 ± 0.1; GV: 01.4 ± 0.5 and VI: 50.0 ± 09.4). Addition of cytokinins and auxins to the culture medium significantly increased the growth of seedlings. The protocol developed in the present study can be used for large-scale seedling formation and biomass production of this important medicinal plant. It also used to obtain sterile and uniform starting material for various in vitro studies for the improvement of this plant.

Samuel Kamatham, Rajesh Yarra, Padmaja Gudipalli (India) Temperature Pre-treatment of Seeds for Overcoming the Zygotic Embryo Dormancy of Givotia rottleriformis Griff. under in Vitro Conditions (pp 19-23)

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Original Research Paper: In vitro zygotic embryo culture provides a means for overcoming the long seed dormancy observed in some forest tree species. Temperature is the major factor that regulates seed dormancy in many plant species. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment of seeds at different temperatures in overcoming the zygotic embryo dormancy of Givotia rottleriformis Griff. under in vitro conditions. The germination frequency and plantlet conversion varied from zygotic embryo axes isolated from seeds pre-treated for 24 h at different temperatures (35-65°C) when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (1/2 macronutrients). High frequency of germination (96.5%) and plantlet conversion (94.5%) was achieved from zygotic embryo axes isolated from seeds that were pre-treated at 55°C for 24 h when cultured on MS (1/2 macronutrients) basal medium. Further, temperature pre-treatment of seeds promoted the development of healthy plantlets with vigorous shoot and root growth from the zygotic embryos cultured with endosperm on MS (1/2 macronutrients) medium. The plantlets developed from zygotic embryos with endosperm of temperature-treated (55°C for 24 h) seeds exhibited superior growth with increased height (37.8 cm), number of leaves (11.8), leaf length (19.6 cm) and leaf width (18.7 cm) per plants. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of temperature pre-treatment of seeds in overcoming the zygotic embryo dormancy in vitro and inducing rapid development of plantlets which can be exploited for mass propagation and conservation of G. rottleriformis.

Haim Nerson (Israel) Heterosis in Fruit and Seed Characters of Muskmelon (pp 24-27)

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Original Research Paper: Two field experiments were conducted in the spring-summer seasons of 2008 and 2009 at the Newe Ya'ar Research Center (northern Israel), to examine heterosis in Galia-type muskmelon. The study includes three hybrid cultivars and their five parental cultivars/accessions. The mean fruit yield and the mean seed yield per unit area of the hybrids were 57 and 35% higher than that of the maternal accessions and by 66 and 49% than that of the paternal accessions, respectively. Accordingly, heterosis values were highly significant (P = 0.01) for fruit yield and significant (P = 0.05) for seed yield. Superiority of the hybrids in fruit yield was mainly due to larger fruits rather than due to increased fruit number. Superiority of the hybrids in seed yield was about equally distributed between increased fruit number per unit area and by increased seed number per fruit. The hybrids showed significant advantages over their parental accessions in some fruit quality traits like uniform rind netting, fruit flesh width and small seed cavity. Germination percentage, germination speed and standard deviation of germination speed, in hybrids, were all close to paternal accessions values and significantly higher with respect to maternal accessions. The main conclusion of the present study is that heterosis is clearly evident in most characters of Galia-type muskmelon and there is a great advantage in growing these commercial muskmelon hybrids.

Seyed Morteza Araghi Shahri, Ghasemali Ali Dianati Tilaki, Mohammad Ali Alizadeh (Iran) Influence of Salinity Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Early Growth Stage of Three Secale Species (pp 28-31)

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Original Research Paper: Soil salinity is one of the most important constraints that limit crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Salinity also influences seed germination and it is crucial for the establishment of plants that grow in saline soils. This research was carried out in order to test the effects of different salinity levels on germination and early seedling growth traits of Secale species (Secale montanum, Secale cereale and Secale ceremont). Seed were treated with different salt solutions in an experiment using completely randomized design in three replications and 50 seeds/replicate. Experimental treatment included 6 levels of NaCl concentration (0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 350 m mol/L). According to results the high levels of seed germination, germination rate, plumule length, and radicle length and seed vigor index were showed at control treatment. In 300 and 350 mM salinity concentration, the number of germinated seeds decreased significantly and there was not showed any germinated seed in S. cereale and S. ceremont. There was an evident decreasing in radicle and plumule length by increasing in NaCl concentration from 0 to 350 mmol/L. The highest germination rate obtained in control for S. ceremont. Mean germination time increased in Secale seeds by increasing salt concentrations. The highest radicle and plumule length were showed in control (3.53 and 7.42 cm, respectively). Vigor index decreased when salt concentration increased. The results indicated that appropriate treatment of the salt stress can improve the salt-tolerance in Secale.

Abdolkarim Zarei, Zabihollah Zamani, Amir Mousavi, Reza Fatahi, Maryam Karimi Alavijeh, Bahareh Dehsara, Seyed Alireza Salami (Iran) An Effective Protocol for Isolation of High-Quality RNA from Pomegranate Seeds (pp 32-37)

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Original Research Paper: In the present study, various protocols were tested to extract RNA from different parts of pomegranate, especially the fruit. Using a modified CTAB-based procedure, high quality RNA could be extracted from different parts of pomegranate fruit. This protocol was successfully applied to isolate total RNA from the seeds of four pomegranate genotypes (‘Bihaste-Ravar’, ‘Bihaste-Najafabad’, ‘Torshe-Zabol’ and ‘Malase-Esfahani’) at five developmental stages as well as from fruit peel and leaves. Electrophoretic analysis clearly separated two ribosomal sub-units indicating no degradation of the isolated RNA. By using this protocol, the absorbance (A) ratio of 260/280 nm ranged from 1.82 to 2.06, indicating the high quality of isolated RNA with no phenolic or protein contamination. In addition, the A₂₆₀/A₂₃₀ nm ratio was between 2.05 and 2.11, indicating that the extracted RNA was free of polysaccharides. The average yield of extracted total RNA was 106.42 µg/g fresh weight. Fragments of Actin and 18S reference genes were successfully amplified by RT-PCR and constant expression of the Actin gene was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Using this protocol, RNA extracted from pomegranate fruit was suitable for cDNA construction and hence for subsequent molecular studies.

Muhammed Tajoddin, Manohar Shinde, Junna Lalitha (India) Agronomic Characteristics and Seed Yield of Mung Bean Cultivars Differing in Seed Color using Organic and Conventional Farming in Indian Subtropical Region (pp 38-40)

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Short Communication: A field study of two mung bean (Phaseolus aureus L.) varieties, namely China mung and AML-2, was conducted in Bidar district of Karnataka State, India to compare phenotypic characteristics and grain yield using organic and conventional farming. Fourteen agronomic traits were analyzed to select the best cultivar for their use in plant breeding. Of the various traits analyzed, plant height, number of pods/plant, seed maturation and seed yield were considered as the most pronounced features. There was a positive correlation (r = 1.000, P ≤ 0.01) between plant height, number of seeds/pod, pod number/plant and seed yield. The yield component, which is the largest and most consistent, was pods/plant, which showed a close positive relationship to seed yield. The seed yield in yellow cultivar ALM-2 was higher (8.64 q/ha) than that of green cultivar China mung (7.41 q/ha). ALM-2 was identified as a high-yielding cultivar and a potential source to be included in future breeding activities.

R. S. Sreerag, C. A. Jayaprakas (India) Efficacy of Organophosphorus Insecticides against Rhizoecus amorphophalli-Infested Tubers of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius Under Laboratory Conditions (pp 41-46)

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Original Research Paper: Elephant foot yam, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is an edible aroid widely cultivated in tropical countries. Upon harvest, the tubers are either marketed directly as a vegetable or stored as seed material. Infestation by the mealy bug, Rhizoecus amorphophalli is a serious problem during its long-term storage. This sap-sucking insect pest attacks the stored tubers and sucks the juice leading to desiccation and shriveling of tubers. Mealy secretions from the insect disfigure the tubers affecting their acceptability and marketability. Proper management of this noxious pest plays a crucial role in avoiding storage damage inflicted by mealy bugs. The present study aimed to check the efficacy of six locally available organophosphorus insecticides against mealy bug under laboratory conditions. All the 1^st instars sprayed with 0.001% malathion were completely killed whereas 0.005% of quinalphos and methyl parathion was required to produce the same effect. Malathion, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and methyl parathion at 0.5% effectively controlled adult females but other insecticides resulted in only 90% mortality and were less effective. Dipping the mealy bug-infested tubers in chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion at 0.5% completely controlled this pest on the first day but malathion and dimethoate produced a similar effect only on the second day after treatment. Dipping the infested tubers for 10 min in any of these insecticides is recommended for the management of this pest. To achieve better results, the strategy has to be aimed at controlling the establishment of young crawlers by dipping the tubers several times until crawler production ceases, thereby controlling the mealy bug population.

Pawan K. Sharma, Rohini Trivedi, Sunil D. Purohit (India) Activated Charcoal Improves Rooting in in Vitro-Derived Acacia leucophloea Shoots (pp 47-50)

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Original Research Paper: An improved method of root induction in in vitro-derived Acacia leucophloea shoots was developed. Roots were induced on Murashige and Skoog medium containing half-strength nutrients, 3.0% sucrose, 1.0 mg l^-1 indole-3-butyric acid and 200 mg l^-1 activated charcoal (AC). Incorporation of AC could induce roots in more than 88% of shoots. The rooted plantlets were free from any callus and therefore showed better survival during hardening and acclimatization. The role of AC in obtaining callus-free rooting was highly beneficial.

Kamalabai Sindhu, Velappan Yazhini, Swaminathan Sujatha (India) Influence of Mineral Nutrients on the in Vitro Rooting of Micro-shoots and Hardening in Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) Variety ‘Grand Naine’ (pp 51-55)

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Original Research Paper: To standardize a commercially viable in vitro rooting procedure for banana (Musa paradisiaca L.), micro-shoots from three week-old cultures of variety ‘Grand Naine’ were inoculated onto four different mineral salt concentrations of MS (Murashige and Skoog) media supplemented with 2 mg l^-1 NAA (α-naphthyleneacetic acid), 20 g l^-1 sucrose, 100 mg l^-1 activated charcoal and 8 g l^-1 agar. After three weeks of incubation, the micro-shoots cultured onto ¾-strength MS media showed the best response in terms of root initiation and growth. After hardening, plantlets developed on ½- or ¾-strength MS medium could be acclimatized and grew well ex vitro. Therefore, low mineral salt concentration in the in vitro rooting media can be adopted as an effective low-cost in vitro rooting procedure for banana ‘Grand Naine’.

Chun Mei Chang, Suprasanna Penna, Suresh Gopal Bhagwat (India) Callus Induction and Plant Regeneration from Different Triticum Species (pp 56-62)

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Original Research Paper: Efficient and reliable in vitro plant regeneration systems are a prerequisite for in vitro propagation of elite genotypes and genetic manipulation aimed at crop improvement. The present study was conducted to study the in vitro responses of different Triticum species: Triticum aestivum, Triticum dicoccum and Triticum durum using different types of explants for callus induction and plant regeneration. Immature embryos on MS medium supplemented with 18 to 36 µM 2,4-D yielded pale yellow, soft and compact callus and better plant regeneration than callus derived from other explants. Comparison of the callus size in different genotypes indicated that the tall varieties - Unnath C306 and NP200 were numerically better than the semi-dwarfs and significantly better than semi-dwarf variety containing sphaerococcum gene used in this study. Callus induction from immature embryos was highly influenced by the developmental stage of the embryo and environmental condition at the time of sampling. The regenerated plants were grown to full maturity and evaluation of agronomic traits showed less variation, suggesting that immature embryo could be used for raising in vitro cultures for application in mutation induction or genetic transformation.

Asha Aalok, Ashutosh Kumar Tripathi (India) Influence of Different Leaf Litter Vermicompost Substitution on the Growth of Eucalyptus Hybrid (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn x E. tereticornis Sm) (pp 63-66)

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Original Research Paper: Due to environmental problems caused by improper waste management like burning of leaf litter and intensive use of chemical fertilizers, scientists around the world are seeking for management alternatives. The aim of this study was to see the effect of different vermicompost treatments [prepared from leaf litters of eucalyptus, parthenium, poplar, sal and pine needles, individually mixed with municipal solid waste (MSW) in 1:1 ratio (v/v)] and control (nursery soil) on the growth of Eucalyptus hybrid. For this, nursery soil and vermicomposts were mixed in three different proportions 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3. The results showed that vermicompost substitution significantly increased seedling germination and plant morphology (height, number of leaves, number of branches, total leaf area, root length and number of lateral roots) as compared to control. But with increased vermicompost concentration (1:3), a decrease in plant growth was noticed. Most of the growth parameters responded better with PiLMSWV in 1:2 ratio. Maximum root length and number of lateral roots were achieved in PoLMSWV (1:2).

Animesh Dey, P. S. Chaudhuri (India) Community Characteristics of Earthworms in Different Age Groups of Pineapple Plantations (Ananus comosus) in West Tripura, India (pp 67-75)

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Original Research Paper: A total of 13 species of earthworms were collected from four age groups (0-5 years, 15-20 years, 30-35 years and 40-45 years) of pineapple plantations. Among them 4 species belonged to the family Megascolecidae [Metaphire houlleti (Perrier), Metaphire posthuma (Vailant), Kanchuria sp., Kanchuria sumerianus Julka], 5 species to the family Octochaetidae [Eutyphoeus gigas Stephenson, Eutyphoeus scutarius Michaelsen, Eutyphoeus comillahnus Michaelsen, Eutyphoeus gammiei (Beddard), Eutyphoeus sp.], 3 species to the family Moniligastridae [Drawida assamensis Gates, Drawida papillifer papillifer Stephenson, Drawida nepalensis Michaelsen] and one species to the family Glossoscolecidae [Pontoscolex corethrurus (Muller)]. Out of 13 species, only 5 [Drawida assamensis, Drawida papillifer papillifer, Pontoscolex corethrurus, Metaphire houlleti and Eutyphoeus gigas] were common to all the age groups of pineapple plantations. While M. houlleti, M. posthuma and P. corethrurus are exotic, the rest of the earthworm species are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. D. assamensis was the dominant earthworm species in all the age groups of pineapple plantation in respect of its density, biomass and relative abundance. While 30-35 years old pineapple plantation showed highest species richness (as indicated by presence of 11 earthworm species) the other age groups of plantations had only 7-8 earthworm species. The overall earthworm densities and biomasses increased significantly (P < 0.01) with increase in the age of pineapple plantation. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) in Shannon diversity index and species evenness and significant increase (P < 0.05) in Simpson’s dominance index with increase in the age of plantation was worthy of note.

Samaneh Rahmatpour, Hossen Ali Alikhani, Leila Mohammadi (Iran) Comparing the Effect of Extractor Types and Substrate on Vermiwash Quality (pp 76-81)

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Original Research Paper: Few reports are available on the effect of extractor characteristics and substrate on vermiwash quality. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of different kinds of extractor and substrate on the quality of vermiwash. Completely randomized design was performed in a factorial arrangement with 15 treatments (3×5, three substrate and five kinds of extractor), each in 4 replicates. Salinity, respiratory activity, some of macro and micro nutrient and microbial population were measured in vermicompost tea produced. The results showed that using DTPA extractor increased the amount of all minerals compound except potassium in vermiwash significantly (P < 0.05). The highest level of Nitrogen concentration was in the extracted vermiwash by distilled water with pH=5. Extraction by distilled water with pH=9 and DTPA solution extractors showed the maximum level of total Iron in this study. Total microbial population did not differ with extraction type, but maximum respiration rate was observed in the extracted vermiwash by DTPA solution extractor. Maximum elements concentration was observed in the extracted vermiwash of immature vermicompost, excluding potassium and nitrogen in maximum concentration that existed in the extracted vermiwash of earthworms. Generally, distilled water solutions were comparable with DTPA solution and the extracted vermiwash of immature vermicompost was the best substrate. Thus, the results clearly suggested that preparation methods of vermiwash may influence the properties of final vermiwash. The increased level of plant nutrients in final products in different methods demonstrated that the vermiwash could be a valuable biofertilizer for sustainable farming practices.

Amrit Pal Kaur, Satwinder K. Sohal (India) Influence of Partially Purified Soybean Protease Inhibitor on Second Instar Larvae of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera:Tephritidae) (pp 82-87)

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Original Research Paper: One approach that can be employed in integrated pest management is the use of proteins with anti-nutritional effects on insect metabolism and development. The antimetabolic properties of partially purified soybean protease inhibitors were evaluated against  second  instar larvae of melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/mL) of the partially purified inhibitor had a detrimental effect on the growth and development of the B. cucurbitae larvae tested in laboratory feeding bioassays. A decrease was observed in the larval weight gain, mean relative growth rate, food assimilation and survival of the treated larvae. Inhibitory effect of the partially purified inhibitor was also observed on percentage pupation and emergence which decreased to a maximum of 42.22% at 50 µg/mL and 18.86% at 400 µg/mL, respectively. The activity of four proteases (trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, leucine amino-peptidase), two antioxidant (Superoxide dismutase, Catalase) and four detoxification enzymes (esterases, acid phosphatases, alkaline phosphatases, glutathione-S-transferases) assessed after an interval of 24, 48 and 72 h revealed a suppression in trypsin and chymotrypsin activity at all concentrations. Trypsin was maximally inhibited by 91.08% at 400 µg/mL while chymotrypsin showed a maximum inhibition of 62.02% at 200 µg/mL. The activity of elastase varied while that of leucine aminopeptidase increased after prolonged treatment. The activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, phosphatases and glutathione-S-transferases also increased with treatment at most of the exposure intervals. The findings revealed the potential of the partially purified protease inhibitors to disrupt the development of the melon fruit fly.

Bikash Baral (Nepal), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Roshan Sharma Paudyal, Vimal Narayan Gupta (Nepal) Biogenesis and Cycling of Ureides in Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.) (pp 88-97)

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Original Research Paper: Leguminous plants continuously recycle nitrogenous compounds from the nodules to the aerial parts of the plants through the xylem stream in the form of ureides, allantoin and allantoic acid. These ureides and ureide products, which are intermediates of purine degradation, are the dominant products that define long-distance transport of nitrogenous compounds from the root to the shoot. The oxidation products of de novo purine synthesis result in these nitrogenous compounds and nodules are the main sites of their synthesis, which takes place in a coordinated plant-bacteria association (by intracellular bacteria). For the development of nodules, there are different steps, i.e., bacterial infection, nodule organogenesis, and the onset of nitrogen fixation. The occurrence, localization and properties related to the enzymes involved in the assimilation of ureides in shoot tissues remains an unsolved issue. In this study, ureides in plant tissues have been analyzed. The total amount of nitrogen translocated to the aerial parts of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) plants was quantified. Other physiological attributes measured at different time intervals (from sowing to harvest) included shoot and root length, symbiotic parameters, plant biomass, and the nitrogen (N) status of the stem, leaves and nodules. KR1 and MR2, two rhizobial isolates, were isolated from Pisum sativum var. ‘Macrocarpon’ and from Phaseolus vulgaris (cv. ‘Carioca 29’) plants, respectively, and were selected from entirely different agro-climatic regions (Kathmandu valley and Manang, respectively). Plants were harvested at regular intervals (every 5 d) for dry matter and xylem-extracted exudates. From the performed experiment, it was concluded that the rhizobial isolate (MR2) of Manang origin growing in adverse climatic and soil conditions was more efficient in fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

Vijaya Sudhakara Rao Kola, Vijay Yepuri, Malathi Surapaneni, Jyothi Badri, L.R Vemireddy, Anuradha Ghanta, Ebrahimali Abubaker Siddiq (India) Genetic Diversity and DNA Fingerprinting in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cultivars of ANGRAU (pp 98-101)

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Original Research Paper: Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed crops and is widely cultivated in India and worldwide. India is rich in genetic variability of sesame. To determine the level of genetic diversity among 9 genotypes, 207 sesame-specific microsatellite markers were used in the present study. Of these, 46 markers were polymorphic. A dendrogram generated from the molecular profiles of these 46 polymorphic primers showed four clusters and one clade. Among these, the clade included ‘Swetha’, cluster І included ‘Rajeswari’, ‘Madhavi’, cluster ІІ ‘Chandana’, ‘YLM-11’, and ‘Hima’, cluster ІІІ included ‘YLM-17’, and cluster ІV included ‘YLM-66’ and ‘Gouri’. The genetic similarity coefficient among the 9 genotypes ranged from 79 to 92% and PIC values ranged from 0.41 to 0.96. By DNA fingerprinting, all 9 genotypes could be easily distinguished with only 6 SSR primers. These results demonstrated that the cultivars developed at Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University are from diverse origin exhibiting good variability.

Danesh Rezaeirad, Davood Bakhshi, Mahmood Ghasemnezhad, Habibollah Samizadeh (Iran) Evaluation of Some Vegetative and Reproductive Characteristics of Select Local Pears (Pyrus sp.)in Guilan Province, Iran (pp 102-107)

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Original Research Paper: Wild (local) pears (Pyrus sp.) that grow in Guilan, a province in the north of Iran, are locally called ‘Khoj’. Despite their extensive diversity, little is known about these kinds of pears. This research was conducted over two years to evaluate various aspects of pear-tree growth and development of genotype characteristics of 10 select local pears in the Fouman region located in Guilan province. Canopy shape varied from right in ‘Latanz’ to flat in ‘Arbakhoj’. ‘Latanz’ fruit had the largest and the earliest ripening fruits . In contrast, ‘Zizaling’ produced the latest-season fruits. ‘Latanz’ flower had 10 petals, whereas the corolla of remaining genotypes consisted of five petals. Least diversity was observed in the scales and spines on the tree trunk; however, most diversity was found in growth traits. Among 9 traits related to leaf, leaf length to width ratio and shape of the leaf base and tip had more diversity than other traits and could be used to distinguish the 10 genotypes based on DUS. Among different tree organs, most characteristics were observed in fruits and varieties of fruit size, position of maximum diameter, fruit color, sepal mode, and time of ripening, these being the most distinguishing traits of all 10 genotypes. Cluster analysis (using Ward’s method) based on some fruit traits, genotypes were grouped into three clusters: large, medium, and small.

Tatyana Anatolyevna Trofimova (Russia), Akbar Hossain (Bangladesh), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) The Ability of Medical Halophytes to Phytoremediate Soil Contaminated by Salt and Heavy Metals in Lower Volga, Russia (pp 108-114)

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Original Research Paper: Most of the soils in the lower Volga region of Russia are polluted by salinity and heavy metals due to the saline water of the Volga River and industrial pollutants. As a result, most of the soils of this region are unsuitable for crop cultivation. In order to assess the potential growth of two medicinal halophytes, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Artemisia absinthium,in this region, sulphate (SO₄)- and chloride (Cl)-containing salts (at 3.0, 5.0, 8.0 and 10.4%, w/v) were added to a lysimeter prior to seeding. In addition, to assess the response of these plants to zinc (Zn) in soil where salt concentration was high (10.4% Cl and SO₄ type of salts), zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) was applied at 300, 400 and 500 mg Zn kg^-1 soil. A three-year trial indicated that both halophytes showed high tolerance to Zn without accumulating this heavy metal in their biomass. The ability of these plants to grow on Zn-polluted and saline soils would allow them to serve the pharmaceutical industry as medicinal raw materials while playing an important role in ecological phytoremediation.

Massino Alexander (Uzbekistan) Evaluation of Drought Tolerance of Corn (Zea mays L.) Hybrids and Their Response to Biofertilizer (pp 115-117)

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Short Communication: Drought is one of the major problems affecting crop production in many parts of Uzbekistan. It is important to select high-yielding corn cultivars, and to improve their growth and development under ecologically stressed conditions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate corn hybrids which had adapted to stressful (salt) conditions and to investigate their response to biofertilizer. Among the studied corn hybrids, Harinoso de Ocho (4.10 t/ha) and Celaja (4.0 t/ha) had the highest yield while Sonora 373 (3.14) and Zapalote chico SRV (3.24) produced the lowest yield under stressed conditions. An analysis of variance showed that the effect of Pseudomonas putida TSAU1 (also considered to be a biofertilizer) on grain yield of salt-tolerant corn hybrids Harinoso de Ocho, Celaja and Colorado was significant compared to control plants. These results, in agreement with previous reports in the literature, suggest that by concentrating the breeding objective to select salt-tolerant corn genotypes can result in a more rapid improvement of grain yield under drought stress. The response to bacterial inoculants differed among hybrids. Corn hybrids that benefit from an association with plant growth-promoting bacteria should be selected.

Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Why is Arabidopsis so Special? (pp 118-120)

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ABSTRACT

Research Note: The correct form of representing the Latin name of a plant is in italics. For example, the Latin name for potato is Solanum tuberosum. Therefore, Arabidopsis thaliana would be italicized. However, while the common name of most plant species is written with a lower-case letter, such as potato, spinach or lettuce, Arabidopsis is not written as arabidopsis in many if not most arabidopsis papers. This is most likely because the common name for A. thaliana is not Arabidopsis, it is thale cress or mouse-ear cress (in English). This begs the question, where did the “technical jargon” or “informal short-hand” come from? However, a very recent (2012) publication uses the term Arabidopsis to describe three Arabidopsis species (A. thaliana, A. suecica and A. arenosa), even if only in the title, throwing this theory into disarray. Who introduced it into the scientific literature, and for what reasons? This short paper aims to discover a little more about a little-known and explored issue of this tiny model species, which rose from weed status to star power.

Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Is BA (6-Benzyladenine) BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine)? (pp 121-124)

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ABSTRACT

Research Note: Yes it is. This is the answer to the title. Why the question was asked is because plant scientists appear to be almost equally divided in their use of the abbreviation BA and BAP to describe the exact same cytokinin, 6-benzyladenine or 6-benzylamino purine, a synthetic compound (the natural form being Cytokinin B) commonly used in plant tissue culture. This short paper seeks to provide some clarification and to highlight the issues and disputes regarding the nomenclature of this (and other) cytokinins. A short survey of 38 countries indicates that BAP is used in 63% many more countries than in BA. Interestingly, in Japan at least, Wako and Sigma-Aldrich list the purchasable product as BAP, directly influencing the choice by scientists.

Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Callus, Calluses or Calli: Multiple Plurals? (pp 125-126)

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ABSTRACT

Research Note: In plant tissue culture, the disorganized (or undifferentiated) tissue that forms in response to stress or a whole array of in vitro treatments results in the formation of a disorganized mass of tissues, or callus, in both solid and liquid media. In animal and human bodies, it could also be referred to as cancer (in terms of disorganized growth) or callus (in terms of hardened growth). However, the plural form of the word callus, if we were to follow strict Latin rules, would be calli, or the Anglicized form (US or UK) would be calluses. Despite this, the term callus and calli are used very loosely in the literature when referring to the plural (> 1). I propose that the term callus be used in singular and plural form to describe the process and the object, and even in the plural form to describe unquantifiable masses of callus. In other words, I do not advocate the use of the term calli. For example, callus formed on leaf explants; callus tissue was removed from leaf explants; a large amount of callus formed on leaf explants. Should the singular and plural form be treated as one term in English, as for sheep, fish or pollen, in which the singular and plural forms are treated equally? In which cases could calluses be used? I examine this discrepancy in more detail in this short paper.