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Volume 5 Number 1 2011
CONTENTS AND ABSTRACTS
Haim Nerson (Israel) Growing Season is an Essential Factor in Seed Production and Quality of Melon (pp 1-6)
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Original Research Paper: Six melon market-types were used in two greenhouse experiments to examine the effects of growing season on seed production and quality. In the first experiment (2005-2006) melon plants were sown on different dates in order to reach fruit and seed development at mid-fall, -winter, -spring and -summer. In the second experiment fruit and seed development occurred either in the spring-summer or in the fall-winter season. The main effect in the summer season under greenhouse conditions was a significant decrease in fruit number per plant. The average fruit number per plant in summer decreased by 47, 45 and 29% as compared to fall, spring and winter seasons, respectively. In the winter season, fruit size and the number of fully-developed seeds per fruit were significantly lower as compared to the other seasons. The average fruit weight in winter was 42, 51 and 48%, and the number of fully-developed seeds was 10, 12 and 11% in comparison to relevant values in fall, spring and summer seasons, respectively. Mean seed yields per plant were 16.9, 3.2, 14.1 and 8.9 g in fall, winter, spring and summer in the first experiment, and 5.4 and 17.0 g in fall-winter and spring-summer in the second one. Winter-grown seeds had lower quality than seeds which developed in the other seasons as expressed by germination percentages and germination rate. In most cultivars, melon seeds showed at least some degree of partial and conditional dormancy, expressed by germinability improvement after some time of storage. Melon seed storage at high temperature (40°C) for up to 18 months had no deleterious effect on germinability, but storage at freezing temperature (-18°C) of seeds developed in the spring-summer season caused a significant delay in germination of some cultivars.
Salim Farzane, Elias Soltani (Iran) Relationships between Hydrotime Parameters and Seed Vigor in Sugar Beet (pp 7-10)
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Original Research Paper: The hydrotime concept is a unifying model to describe the patterns of germination that occur in response to the water potential (ψ) of a seed’s environment. The question is, is there a relationship between the physiological status (i.e., hydrotime parameters) and early vigor? Four replicates were conducted, each consisting of 50 or 25 seeds (in a germination test and seedling growth, respectively) in which five cultivars (‘IC’, ‘H5505’, ‘PP22’, ‘PP8’, ‘7233’ and ‘BR1’) of sugar beet seeds (Beta vulgaris L.) were germinated at five water potentials. Germination rate and final germination percentage were severely affected by reduced water potential in all cultivars. The predicted germination time courses at the various ψ and temperature values generally fitted well with the observed germination data by an R2 value of 0.99 in all cultivars. The ψb(50) varied between -1.30 and -1.67 MPa. HT(50) reduced from about 85 MPaod to 100 MPaod. There were significant differences among the six cultivars from five water potentials for germination rate and percentage, seedling dry weight and seedling length. Results indicated a correlation between germination traits and hydrotime model parameters. There was a significant relationship between base water potential and germination percentage (r = 90*) and rate (r = 0.81*), seedling dry weight (r = 0.89*) and seedling length (r = 0.85*). However, there was a non-significant relationship between hydrotime value and seed vigor parameters. Here, lower base water potential also contributed to high early vigor. Thus, plant breeding efforts or physiological remedies should be focused on improvement of cultivars with a lower base water potential.
Johnson Adedayo Adetumbi (Nigeria), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Olabisi Alamu (Nigeria) Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) Seed Germination Indices and Yield as Affected by Length of Storage (pp 11-14)
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Original Research Paper: Due to the deleterious effects of regeneration on the genetic variability of stored seed, this research was carried out to investigate the effect of long-term storage on some germination indices and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Seeds of two elite cowpea varieties (Ife Brown and Ife BPC), previously conserved and freshly produced, were evaluated for seed germination quality and yield. Ten kg each of stored seed were kept in 45 × 35 cm transparent polyethylene bags in the gene bank of NACGRAB, and maintained at -20°C and 10% relative humidity for 7 years. A standard germination test was conducted on the seed lot before storage, after storage and after field cultivation. The field evaluation was conducted at the NACGRAB research farm during the 2010 cropping season. Long-term storage reduced viability by between 4 and 12% in cowpea seed regardless of the temperature and relative humidity of the storage environment. However, for the purpose of regeneration from a seed bank, cowpea seed could be successfully stored for 7 years without a significant loss in viability or yield potential of the crop. Seed germination indices play an important role in seed quality evaluation of cowpea to complement the germination test.
Moon Moon Choudhury, Chetankumar Maliyappa Rajanna (India), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Balakrishna (India) Influence of Packaging Materials and Seed Treatments on Physiological Attributes during Storage of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) (pp 15-20)
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Original Research Paper: The effect of packaging materials and seed treatments on seed viability during storage was studied during August 2009 to July 2010. Freshly harvested seeds of rice cv. ‘MAS 946-1’ produced under two systems of cultivation were dried to a safe level of moisture (< 13%), graded to uniform size and treated with Thiram + Bavistin, Malathion (10% dust) and bioneem at recommended dosages and packed in either a cloth bag, polylined cloth bag or polythene bag (700 gauge) and maintained for 10 months under ambient conditions. The results clearly revealed that seeds stored in polythene bags and treated with Thiram + Bavitin (1 g/kg seed) had higher seed quality parameters namely germination (81.50%), mean seedling length (20.92 and 19.62 cm), seedling vigour (1609 and 1704), lower infection (10.27 and 9.44%) and lower electrical conductivity (58.15 and 62.02 µS/ppm), respectively.
Mahjoobeh Esmaeilzade-Moridani, Morteza Eshraghi-Nejad, Farshid Ghaderi-Far (Iran) The Appropriate Laboratory Tests for Predicting Field Emergence and Performance of Chickpea (pp 21-24)
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Original Research Paper: Investigation of the relationships between laboratory tests and seedling emergence of chickpea cultivars in field and determination of the appropriate laboratory test were essential for archive the good establishment and reasonable yield. For this propose an experiment was carried out with five cultivars in Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran. Laboratory tests including standard germination test (SG), germination rate (GR), electrical conductivity (EC), accelerated ageing test (AA) (41°C for 48, 72, 96 and 120 h), seedling growth rate (SGR) and seedling length (SL) were carried out in a completely randomized design. Field study was conducted at three sowing dates. Correlation coefficients were used to determine the appropriate test for estimating field emergence. Results showed that standard germination test has not good correlation with field emergence at all sowing dates, but vigor tests have higher correlations at all sowing dates than SG. The results indicate that SL (r ≥ 0.73), AA72 (r ≥ 0.86ns), and EC (r ≤ -0.52ns) were closely associated with field emergence at sowing dates. Thus SL, AA72 and EC were the most successful in predicting the emergence potential of the chickpea seeds.
Moruf Ayodele Adebisi, Ayoola Monsur Abdul-Rafiu, Chinyere O. Ewuzie (Nigeria) The Use of Multiple Seed Vigour Tests to Predict Field Emergence and Potential Longevity in Three Capsicum Species (pp 25-28)
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Original Research Paper: Laboratory and field tests were conducted in 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons under rain-fed conditions in which vigour tests were used to rank seed quality and predict field emergence and seed longevity in three Capsicum species (C. chinense, C. frutescens and C. annuum). Fresh seeds from mature ripe fruits were extracted from the three species and tested for different seed vigour traits (seedling shoot length, seedling root length, seedling vigour index, and among others). Considerable differences in seed vigour traits among the species were observed. Standard germination provided a more sensitive parameter in ranking seed lot quality than other tests and provided best estimates of field emergence and seed longevity in three Capsicum species. Also germination index predicted field emergence in 2009 and 2010 especially in C. frutescens than other species. Mean field emergence was generally lower than standard germination in both years and the difference varied between species and sowing time. Seedling vigour index, plant height and plant vigour index had positive and significant correlations with field emergence in both years. Capsicum chinense had better seed vigour traits compared to other species.
Mahendra Laxman Ahire, Tukaram Dayaram Nikam (India) Differential Response of Brinjal (Solanum melongena Linn.) Varieties to Salinity Stress in Relation to Seed Germination and Osmolytes Accumulation (pp 29-35)
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Original Research Paper: The effect of NaCl stress was studied in nine commercial hybrid varieties of brinjal under various levels (0 – 200 mM) of salinity (NaCl). NaCl stress decreased germination percentage, shoot length and root length and biomass production in all the nine varieties. Among the nine varieties maximum reduction in germination, seedling growth and biomass production was observed in MEBH 10 and minimum in MHBJ 112. Therefore, for further study MEBH 10 was considered as salt sensitive and MHBJ 112 was considered as salt tolerant varieties. Increased NaCl stress decreased chlorophyll content, and increased malondialdehyde level (MDA; lipid peroxidation), free proline, glycine betaine (GB) and total soluble sugars (TSS) content in both varieties. The magnitude of increase in accumulation of MDA, free proline, GB and TSS was highest in variety MHBJ 112 than MEBH 10. The MDA content was drastically decreased at 200 mM level of NaCl in both the varieties. The decreased in germination percentage, growth of the seedlings and increased osmolyte accumulation (proline, GB and TSS) showed that MHBJ 112 is salt tolerant and MEBH 10 is salt sensitive variety.
Chetankumar Maliyappa Rajanna, Radha Bandharlahalli Narayanswamy, Moon Moon Choudhury (India), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Rajendra Prasad (India) Characterization of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Hybrids and their Parental Lines Based on the Seed, Seedling, and Plant Morphological Traits (pp 36-41)
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Original Research Paper: Increasing interest in the descriptive characterisation of plant varieties in the context of intellectual property rights is stimulated by the recent agreements within the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The requirements of these activities vary, for example, the varietal registration process (involving testing for distinctness, uniformity and stability-DUS) requires that a description of a newly bred variety be produced and compared to all existing varieties of common knowledge. The genuineness of variety is one of the most important characteristics of quality seed. In addition, seed certification, which forms a link between variety registration and seed production, involves an assessment of both varietal identity and purity to assure the quality of seed marked to farmer or grower. Hence characterization of two Indian bred public hybrids such as KRH-2 and DRRH-2 including their parental lines viz., IR-58025A, IR-58025B, KMR-3R, IR-68897A, IR-68897B, and DR-714-1-2R based on the seed, seedling, and plant morphological traits play an important role from many points of view to be able to distinguish between crop varieties, Out of 38 qualitative and quantitative morphological traits (as per the National DUS Test Guidelines) observed, flag leaf attitude, flag leaf length and width, days to 50% flowering and maturity, degree of panicle exertion, presence of awns, panicle secondary branching, days to maturity, leaf senescence and seed traits such as 1000-seed weight, grain length and width and shape of grain were found to be more useful for grouping of genotypes. The characters such as leaf length (varied from 22.55 cm (KRH-2) to 35.70 cm (IR-68897A), days to 50% flowering (from 73 days (IR-68897B) to 102 days (KMR-3R), panicle secondary branching (from weak to clustered), days to maturity from 112 days (IR-68897B) to 134 days (IR-58025B)), 1000-seed weight from 18.63 (IR58024A) to 24.94 g (IR-68897B)), and decorticated grain shape (from semi-spherical to elongated) exhibited more variation among the parents and hybrids.
Akashdeep, Bavita Asthir (India) Thermotolerance and Antioxidant Response Induced by Putrescine and Heat Acclimation in Wheat Seedlings (pp 42-46)
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Original Research Paper: Following heat acclimation (35°C) and putrescine (Put, 100 mM) pretreatment, seedlings of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars namely PBW 343, C 306 (heat tolerant) and WH 542 (heat susceptible) were exposed to heat stress at 45°C for 2 h and then recovered at 25°C for 5 days. Pre-treated seedlings performed better under heat stress than the control. Heat acclimation and Put pretreatment ameliorated heat shock response through reduced electrolyte leakage and increased respiratory activity indicating protection of the cell membrane. Higher activities of POX, DAO and PAO were observed in pre-treated seedlings than control in both roots and shoots. Seedling growth of all three cultivars was dramatically reduced under heat stress but heat acclimation and Put pre-treatment were effective in imparting thermoprotection against the lethal heat shock of both roots and shoots in intact seedlings.
Atefe Ameri, Hamide Fatemi, Hossein Aroiee (Iran), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) What’s the Effect of Saline Priming on Germination Factors of Capsicum annuum var. ‘California Wonder’ Seeds? (pp 47-49)
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Short Communication: Due to the often slow and uneven germination of pepper seeds, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of priming on germination and other related factors. This investigation also evaluated the effect of priming on germination factors of Capsicum annuum var. ‘California Wonder’ seed. Experimental treatments included 1% NaCl, 1% CaCl2, 3% KNO3, 3% FeSO4 and a control conducted in a completely randomized design under laboratory conditions. Seed priming with FeSO4 was the best treatment resulting in the maximum radicle dry weight, germination percentage and germination rate with values of 0.126 g, 70% and 5.07, respectively while in the control values were 0.063, 36.81%, and 0.83, respectively.
Emmanuel O. Ajayi, Temitope O. Modupeola, Folasade M. Tairu, Julius A. Fagbayide, Oladayo O. Idowu-Agida (Nigeria) Correlation Analysis of Oil Content and its Components in Jatropha curcas L. Collected from Five Agro-Ecologies in Nigeria (pp 50-52)
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Short Communication: In recent years Jatropha curcas L. has received considerable attention from researchers as a potential source of non-edible vegetable oil which is suitable for the production of liquid biofuel. Knowledge of the association between yield and its component traits and among the component parameters themselves can improve the efficiency of selection in plant breeding. In view of this, this study was carried out to determine the association between the oil content and important oil attributing characters from five agro-ecological zones in Nigeria, selection for which would help in the development of high oil-yielding Jatropha genotypes. Samples of J. curcas were collected from the five Nigerian agro-ecologies (Asa from Iwo, Ibadan; Ex-Kwagiri from Kaduna; Egbe from Ekiti; Ex-Dala from Kano and Ex-Mbat Daya from Bauchi) and the physical and chemical characteristics, oil and nutrient contents were determined. A negative association existed between oil content and seed weight, kernel weight, length of seed and phosphorus content, while a strong positive association existed between seed weight, seed length and kernel weight, and specific gravity. Selection of a seed for oil content could be based on lower seed weight, lower kernel weight and shorter seed length.
Alaba Fariyike, Oyeboade Adebayo (Nigeria), Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan), Ayodele Adelaja, Oluyemisi Adewale (Nigeria) Efficiency of Sulphuric Acid, Mechanical Scarification and Heat Treatment on Breaking Dormancy of Tetrapleura tetraptera Seeds (pp 53-55)
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Short Communication: An in-vitro trial was conducted to determine the effect of different scarification methods on seed germination of Tetrapleura tetraptera. The trial was carried out using a completely randomized design in three replications. Treatments compared were different concentrations of sulphuric acid (absolute, 90, 70 and 50%), mechanical scarification using sand paper and heat treatments using boiling water at different durations (1, 5 and 7 min). Absolute sulphuric acid used for 7 min resulted in 100% germination of T. tetraptera seeds. This was followed by 90% germination with 90% sulphuric acid, also for 7 min. The use of 50 and 70% sulphuric acid at 7 min resulted in 30 and 10% seed germination, respectively. Heat treatment at 100°C resulted in 16% germination when applied for 7 min. Mechanical scarification using sand paper also resulted in 90% germination and is therefore recommended as an alternative for efficient seed germination in the absence of sulphuric acid.
Dam T. T. Giang, Pham Thanh Van, Michio Tanaka, Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva (Japan) Sterilization and Germination of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Seed and Response to LEDs (pp 56-58)
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Research Note: Seeds obtained from two commercially available hybrid papaya (Carica papaya L. cv. ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Sunrise Solo’) were removed from the fruit at the ripe stage of development. Seeds were left to soak overnight then washed in running tap water to remove as much of the fruit as possible and the gelatinous aril attached to seeds. Seeds were physically rubbed against a conventional kitchen sieve to remove all the arils. The naked seed were surface sterilized in a solution of 0.1% mercuric chloride + 2 drops of Tween-20 for 5 min, rinsed 3 times in sterilized distilled water (SDW) then sprayed with 80% ethanol – sufficient to cover the seeds but not soak them – for 1 min. Using this protocol 100% sterilization and 100% germination were possible. Sterilized seeds were rinsed three times in SDW under clean-bench conditions then plated, in Petri dishes, on simple Murashige and Skoog medium with 3% sucrose and placed under different light conditions: positive control (100% white), negative control (darkness) and two combinations of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with different red (R) and blue (B) ratios (30% R + 70% B; 70% R + 30% B). Although seed germination was extremely high (97%-100%) independent of the treatment, 70% R + 30% B resulted in extremely long hypocotyls while and 30% R + 70% B showed highly stunted seedlings; profuse somatic embryogenic callus formed under 70% R + 30% B. Using our protocol, 100% papaya seed germination can be achieved on Murashige and Skoog rather than on Vacin and Went medium.
Ibironke A. Ajayi, Vivian N. Aghanu (Nigeria) Chemical Characterization of Monodora tenuifolia Seeds from Nigeria (pp 59-62)
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Research Note: Monodora tenuifolia seeds, obtained from University of Ibadan premises in Ibadan, Nigeria, have been subjected to standard analytical technique in order to evaluate their proximate composition, physicochemical properties and contents of nutritional valuable elements. The average values of the proximate analysis on dry matter basis were 32.09 ± 1.58 g/100 g dry matter (DM) crude oil, 8.40 ± 0.25 g/100 g DM crude protein, 16.20 ± 1.85 g/100 g DM moisture, 2.85 ± 0.40 g/100 g DM ash, 33.91 ± 1.42 g/100 g DM crude fibre and 6.55 ± 1.58 g/100 g DM carbohydrate. The physical properties of the oil extracts showed the state to be liquid at room temperature (25 ± 1°C) and the colour of the oil brown. The specific gravity of the oil was 0.8806 ± 0.0253. The iodine value of the oil placed it in the non-drying group. The mineral analyses showed that the most prevalent mineral element in M. tenuifolia seeds is potassium (42.05 ± 0.50 mg/l DM). Other mineral elements in the seeds are magnesium 18.40 ± 5.73 mg/l; sodium 3.15 ± 1.73 mg/l DM and calcium 1.60 ± 0.03 mg/l all on dry matter basis. Iron, which is a trace element, is quite high in the seed (2.26 ± 0.05 mg/l). The seed oil could serve industrial purposes such as soap making, lubrication and cosmetics. |
