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Few studies have attempted to investigate the combined effects of soil matric potential (Ψm) and osmotic potential (Ψs) on plant production and water use efficiency (WUE). The purpose of this study...

In plant production that produces high-value products, biostimulants are gaining more and more importance. Research hypothesis; biostimulants can contribute to the change of vitamin C content in ed...

A total of 36 colocated QTLs associated with plant production traits were mapped using IR62266/Norungan recombinant inbred lines under drought and non-stress conditions in target populations of environment. Multi-model composite interval mapping and multi-environment analysis detected seven consistent QTLs for plant production traits on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 10 and 11. QTLs for plant height, number of tillers, biomass, spikelet fertility and grain yield under drought identified on chr. 1 (RM5389-RM11943-RM5794), chr. 2 (RM324-RM5390 and RM12460-RM423-RM5345), chr. 3 (RM6329-RM5475-RM16030), chr. 6 (RM508-RM585-RM217), chr. 10 (RM7361-RM8207) and chr. 11 (RM209-RM6499) in this study have been reported as meta-QTLs for yield under drought. Consistent positive allelic contribution from the landrace, Norungan was shown at the two QTLs on chr. 2, while IR62266 showed consistent positive allelic effect at the QTL on chr. 10. At other four regions the effect was confounded with the stress condition, for instance the region on chr. 3 identified for straw yield showed additive effect from Norungan in all stress trials, while in the non-stress trials the positive allele came from IR62266. Epistasis for grain yield was detected in the regions of non-additive effects and its relative contribution was small. Relatively small percentage of grain yield variation was explained by additive x environment interaction (0.28 - 1.77%), but was larger than that explained by additive effect QTL across environments (0.05 - 0.35%). These consistent QTLs may have genes evolutionarily conserved in response to drought and could be ideal candidates for rice yield improvement in water-limited environments.

The use of Trichoderma fungi in plant production is an interesting biotechnological tool to increase productivity. The research evaluated the potential of two non-commercial strains of Trichoderma ...

The main aim is to describe plant production systems and introduce bokashi technology for the advanced utilisation of food waste in Europe. The secondary objective is to demonstrate that the new Bo...

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Kea’, ‘Kiwi’ and ‘Ruru’ were evaluated for production as potted plants. Following environmental effects were investigated; (a) Temperatures regimes for 40 days each for two ...

Biofortification of soybean grains with lithium (Li) is a strategy to improve a food with high social acceptance, in order to promote health benefits. The aim of this work was to evaluate t...

The aim of this work was to evaluate manganese (Mn) sources and levels effects in irrigated rice production in central Brasil (tropical lowlands of Tocantins state). The experiment was cond...

In organic plant production, nitrogen (N) availability is often a growth-limiting factor. Under such conditions, off-farm waste-derived nutrient resources may be an alternative to meet the N demand. In this study, we described a production method for a shrimp shell (SS) pellet Product and evaluated the N fertiliser effect and N recovery efficiency (NRE) in a controlled climate pot experiment with potatoes. The experiment was set up with low, medium and high N levels of SS pellets in comparison with a standard mineral fertiliser (MF) at 9°C, 15°C and 21°C. In a separate study, we examined the loss of N as N2O from SS pellets in comparison with SS powder in a 100 days incubation experiment. The results documented the possibility to formulate a fertiliser pellet product from SS, and that SS pellets were an effective N fertiliser in potato at all Growth temperatures. Nevertheless, a slightly slower development and lower tuber yields than for MF indicated a delayed N-availability from SS pellet fertiliser. NRE after use of MF was around 90%, and about 70% for the different levels of SS pellets. The incubation experiment showed a higher rate of available N for SS powder than for pellets (67% and 39%, respectively) after 100 days of incubation at constant humidity and temperature. This difference was attributed to a lower degree of dissolved materials and a higher rate of denitrification and N2O emissions for pellets than for powder, probably caused by differences in physical properties, occurrence of anoxic hotspots and higher microbial activity around and inside the SS pellets. Growth and nitrogen recovery efficiency of potato (Solanum tuberosum) fertilised with shrimp shell pellets

Taking advantage of annual data on the production of rice, wheat, maize (corn), soybeans, and oil-bearing plants in China, we calculate scale efficiencies of product yields and product output value...

International audience; The use of saline water for plant production will become increasingly necessary over future decades. In some cases, fruit quality such as in tomato, can be improved by irrigation with saline water. The influence of different salt concentrations on physiological responses and the expression of some selected genes of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L), cv. West Virginia 106, was examined. Tomato plants were grown in peatmoss substrate and irrigated with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 or 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) in a glasshouse. The NaCl treatments of 75, 100 and 150 mM salt resulted in shorter plants, decreased stem width, a lower plant dry weight, fewer flowers, and smaller leaf area, while yield was reduced by treatment with concentrations of 50 mM NaCl and above. Average fruit weight and fruit number were also negatively affected by treatment with 50 mM salt and above. Salinity treatment led to increased fruit total soluble solids, titratable acidity and firmness and improved the taste index. Salt-responsive marker genes identified in Moneymaker were also induced in cherry tomato but not at the highest salt concentrations. Our results indicated that cherry tomato treated with 25 mM NaCl produced fruit with improved quality in comparison with non-salinized control plants without compromising yield, while at 50 and 75 mM the improved fruit quality was accompanied by a reduction in yield.

This review paper describes a novel approach to plant cultivation under soil-less culture. At present, global climate change is expected to raise the risk of frequent drought. Agriculture is in a phase of major change around the world and dealing with serious problems. In future, it would be difficult task to provide a fresh and clean food supply for the fast-growing population using traditional agriculture. Under such circumstances, the soil-less cultivation is the alternative technology to adapt effectively. The soil-less system associated with the Hydroponic and Aeroponics system. In the aeroponics system, plant roots are hanging in the artificially provided plastic holder and foam material replacement of the soil under controlled conditions. The roots are allowed to dangle freely and openly in the air. However, the nutrient rich-water deliver with atomization nozzles. The nozzles create a fine spray mist of different droplet size at intermittently or continuously. This review concludes that aeroponics system is considered the best plant growing method for food security and sustainable development. The system has shown some promising returns in various countries and recommended as the most efficient, useful, significant, economical and convenient plant growing system then soil and other soil-less methods.

Agencies are moving towards performance-based design methodologies for asphalt pavements, and different methods to evaluate the asphalt performance in the laboratory have been developed. The laboratory performance can be evaluated at the mix design and/or production stages. A good understanding of differences in the behaviour of mixtures produced in the laboratory and plant is required to assess anticipated field performance at the mix design stage. The objectives of this paper are to compare the measured properties of plant-produced and laboratory-produced mixtures, to evaluate the effect of mixture variables on the differences observed, and to translate these to anticipated differences in fatigue performance through pavement evaluation using a linear viscoelastic layered analysis. In this study, 11 plant mixed, plant compacted, and their corresponding laboratory-mixed, laboratory-compacted mixtures are evaluated through binder and mixture testing. Mixture variables include aggregate gradation, b...

Plant density is an important factor in determining the microenvironment in the agricultural and plant production systems. This study examined the effects of different planting densities (25×60 cm, 25×70 cm, 25×80 cm, 35×60 cm, 35×70 cm, 35×80 cm, 45×60 cm, 45×70 cm, and 45×80 cm) on agromorphological parameters and essential oil production of Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad, in 2 growing years. The essential oils were isolated from aerial flowering parts of the plants by hydrodistillation method and subjected to GC and GC-MS analyses to determine the constituents. The mean total two years of growth results indicated that the plant dry weight increased with decreasing density. The highest and the lowest leaf + inflorescence yield per unit area were obtained in the highest and the lowest planting density, respectively. Also, results showed that the 18 compositions were identified in essential oil of S. khuzestanica plants under all employed treatments. In general, essential oil percentage was increase...

We evaluated the utilization of granite powdera residue of stone cutting and polishing resulting from its preparation for construction and ornamental usein the preparation of nursery potting mixtures, within a general objective of waste recycling and reuse. Granite powder was blended with two composts of different origins and properties: one elaborated from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW), and another from pine bark. Since all materials presented pH values over 8, which are excessive for growing most vegetal species, the use of iron sulphate to acidify them has been assessed. Three doses of iron sulphate (14, 69, and 97g kg(-1), equivalent to 0.1, 0.5, and 0.7 meq H+ g(-1)) were added to the granitic powder and mixtures with 25 or 75% (v/v) of each compost, which were incubated in the laboratory during 30days. Doses of iron sulphate above 0.1 meq H+ g(-1) resulted in excessive electrical conductivity (>2 dS m(-1)) in all the samples, and too low pH values (

A waterborne acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive produced in a commercial plant to label market was successfully developed. In order to reach the required functional properties (i.e. holding time, peel, and loop tack strengths), glass transition temperature, functional monomer content, type of surfactant, and reaction temperature were optimized. A proper balance of wetting and thickening agents content was found taking into consideration their significant unfavorable effect on functional properties.

Light-emitting diode (LED), as an efficient, energy-saving light source, has been widely used in artificial light plant production systems. It is confirmed that the combination of red and blue LED ...

The paper presents issues linked with the Polish sector of fibrous plants in terms of economic and production conditions. The author analyzes the situation of flax and hemp producers in which industrial plants have traditionally been cultivated in Poland. He determines the cause of significant reduction in the cultivation area of these plants in the total volume of crops, despite beneficial climatic and soil conditions prevailing in Poland. The paper also presents the economic conditions of the processes linked with agriculture of fibrous plants with special reference to globalization phenomena and current situation in the European Union. Further the paper shows the results of the study carried out among the farmers working in Wielkopolska region of Poland. Their responses indicate that the cultivation of fibrous plants is a marginal form of agricultural activity and it is believed to be difficult and the demand for the produce is not guaranteed. The farmers also would welcome higher economic effectivenes...

An inexact multi-constraint programming model under uncertainty was developed by incorporating a production plan algorithm into the crop production optimization framework under the multi-plant collaborative cultivation system. In the production plan, orders from the customers are assigned to a suitable plant under the constraints of plant capabilities and uncertainty parameters to maximize profit and achieve customer satisfaction. The developed model and solution method were applied to a case study of a multi-plant collaborative cultivation system to verify its applicability. As determined in the case analysis involving different orders from customers, the period of plant production planning and the interval between orders can significantly affect system benefits. Through the analysis of uncertain parameters, reliable and practical decisions can be generated using the suggested model of a multi-plant collaborative cultivation system.

Onion yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) and Garlic viruses (GarVs) A–D belonging to the genera Potyvirus and Allexivirus, respectively, cause serious disease problems and yield losses in garlic (Allium sativum L.). Possibility of obtaining virus-free garlic using stem-disc dome (SDD) culture and its combination with thermotherapy (36 °C for 4 and 5 weeks) were studied. Duplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used for detecting these viruses. Results showed that the efficiency of viral elimination is depended on viral type, applied methods and duration of thermotherapy. For SDD culture, an overall average efficiency of virus-free plant production was 61 and 77% for GarVs and OYDV, respectively. Thermotherapy combined with SDD culture had a deleterious effect on OYDV elimination. For GarVs, it was more effective than SDD culture by itself and a high GarVs elimination of 75% was achieved by thermotherapy for four weeks of treatment. The efficiency of GarVs elimination (90%) was improved as treatme...

Phosphorus (P) is central to the sustainability of New Zealand pastoral farming. The Winchmore long-term field experiments are the longest running grazed field trials of their type in the world. Treatments include variable inputs of both fertiliser (largely superphosphate, SSP) and irrigation. Insights from the trials include the following. After initially accumulating quickly as organic P, a steady state was reached whereby P preferentially accumulated as inorganic P in proportion to SSP applications rates. Pasture production paralleled accumulated P when SSP application stopped. Organic P decreased when lime was applied, but quickly recovered when more P was applied than necessary for plant production. P unaccounted for in a mass balance was lost in irrigation outwash. Losses related to stocking rate more than soil test P or SSP applications. The long-term field trials at Winchmore therefore represent a valuable resource to improve knowledge of agri-environmental P dynamics.

Currently, Just-in-Time (JIT) is becoming one of the increasingly important manufacturing modes applied by enterprises for surviving in drastic market competition. As a key function of JIT manufacturing, the material delivery characterised by real time, accuracy and optimisation can make sure of JIT's implementation in enterprises effectively and efficiently. In the study, we present a new kind of real-time optimal material delivery method for plant production by utilising radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. In the method, the precise and visual layouts for the whole physical plant and all kinds of its inner manufacturing resources such as machines, RFID devices, forklifts and inventories are realised. Later, the mathematical model for dynamically obtaining the optimal routes for forklifts is established by taking the minimal travel distance as the objective. Particularly, to solve the problem, a real-time optimum route planning method based on the ant colony optimisation (ACO) algorithm is developed. In order to monitor and navigate the forklifts in real time during material distribution in the plant for material delivery planners and operators, a position locating scheme for forklifts and materials is proposed. Finally, a case study is carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of the presented method, which establishes the base for implementing JIT manufacturing in plant production.

Nutrient ranges for finished plant production exist for many plant species, however, ranges (recommended or survey) do not exist for unrooted cuttings. A tissue nutrient survey was conducted during 2004–2008 on 44 plant genera commercially produced as unrooted cuttings. The objectives of this survey were to compare mean tissue nutrient levels from the selected plants to recommended ranges and to provide survey ranges for species for which sufficiency data are not available. Mean tissue levels in almost 50% of the unrooted cutting species surveyed were statistically similar to ranges established for finished plants. Species with nutrients that fell outside the recommended ranges did not reach critical minimum deficiency or toxicity levels. The nutrient ranges presented in this survey represent typical nutrient levels in cuttings of each species. Growers can use these ranges when interpreting tissue analysis reports of their unrooted cuttings and making corrective nutrient management decisions.

We examined the association of assimilate supply in the occurrence of milky white kernels in three cultivars with different percentages of milky white kernels in the field condition: ‘Hatsuboshi’, ‘Koshiibuki’ and ‘Koshihikari’. Five days after heading, the plants were placed in four controlled-environment chambers with either a high or low night temperature and elevated or normal [CO2] supply. Plants in each chamber were either defoliated with only flag leaf remaining, flag leaf and second leaf remaining or left intact (control). The percentage of each type of chalky kernel was examined. The percentage of milky white kernels was increased by defoliation and decreased by elevated [CO2], associated with assimilate supply. No association was observed between assimilate supply and white back or basal white kernels. The percentage of milky white kernels was negatively correlated with assimilate supply at a high night temperature in all cultivars. At a low night temperature, there was a clear threshold of assimilate supply, over which the percentage of milky white kernels was nearly zero. Cultivar differences were observed in the relation between the percentage of milky white kernels and assimilate supply. In conclusion, we found a varietal difference in the occurrence of milky white kernels in response to assimilate supply. In the cultivars used in this study, ‘Hatsuboshi’ was more sensitive to the low assimilate supply than ‘Koshihikari’.

Autophagy appears to function in bulk protein degradation and N remobilization in senescence. Depodding of soybean suppresses N remobilization from leaves, leading to “green stem syndrome”. Expression of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) and N contents of the leaves and stem was analyzed in soybean plants from none (control), half (50% depodding) and all (100% depodding) of flowers and pods were removed at the reproductive 5 stage. Total N content and SPAD in leaves of the plant after 100% depodding were retained at a constant level and those after 50% depodding gradually decreased from 4 to 5 wk after depodding, while those in the control plants rapidly decreased during this period. Expression of GmATG8c and GmATG8i in leaves peaked at 4 wk in control while the gene expression increased gradually after 50% and 100% depodding. The transient up-regulation of ATGs and the decline of leaf N content and SPAD occurred simultaneously. These results indicated that ATGs are involved in leaf senescence and N remobilization from leaf to pod.

Polyphenols are bioactive compounds, mainly concentrated in seed coats, which play an important role in human nutrition. Ten samples of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus L.), including three yellow cultivars representing a broad range of varietal characteristics, such as color and seed weight, were analyzed for their polyphenol content. The effect of dehulling on the polyphenol content was studied. The concentration of total polyphenols was found to be in the range of 280 mg to 356 mg/100 g whole seeds, 702 mg to 1296 mg/100 g seed coat, and 172 mg to 286 mg/100 g cotyledons. Most of the polyphenols were concentrated in the seed coat. The average polyphenol content of yellow cultivars was found to be higher than the green cultivars, except in ‘China Mung’. The acidic methanol extract polyphenols constitute about 75% and methanolic extract polyphenols about 25% of the total polyphenols. Dehulling reduced polyphenol content significantly (p < .01) by 14% to 52%. Yellow cultivars contained more seed coat polypheno...

Plant systems for the production of recombinant immunogens have the potential to overcome obstacles currently impeding the delivery of vaccines to poorer, more remote populations by localizing production and reducing associated costs. The nature of the future plant-derived vaccine candidates will have an important impact on the extent to which universal access to vaccines can be achieved using these technologies. In this article, we examine approaches taken to design immunogens, expression systems and delivery strategies that are medically feasible and immunologically effective while retaining key benefits of a plant production platform. We identify three 'target areas' in which plant-made immunogens may offer particular advantages over conventional production systems.

The supernodulating variety “Sakukei 4”, which has improved growth and yield, was recently developed. To evaluate its physiological traits related to the high productivity, we compared dry matter production, nitrogen (N) accumulation and N utilization in Sakukei 4 with those in the parental normally nodulating varieties, Enrei and Tamahomare, and a nonnodulating line, En1282, in pot experiments. The seed yield of Sakukei 4 was similar to that of Enrei and Tamahomare.Leaf area and relative ureide abundance in xylem sap were maintained for longer growth period in Sakukei 4 and Tamahomare than in Enrei. The total amount of nodule N2fixation at maturity was also larger in Sakukei 4 andTamahomare than in Enrei and En1282. In En1282 and Enrei, a larger part of N accumulated in leaves and stems before seed maturation was translocated to seeds during seed filling. However, Sakukei 4 and Tamahomare, more N tended to remain in leaves and stems at maturity. These observations suggested that the physiological traits of dry-matter accumulation and N utilization in Sakukei 4 were quite similar to those in Tamahomare, despite the difference in nodulation. N use efficiency for dry matter production (NUED) was lower in Sakukei 4 than in Enrei and Tamahomare, probably due to the energy cost for sustaining a greater number and mass of nodules. This observation indicated that the low NUED of Sakukei 4 impairs its productivity and seed yield, and therefore Sakukei 4 could not exceed Enrei or Tamahomare in seed productivity.

Wheat cultivar Haruyutaka, bred in Hokkaido, as a cultivar with improved genetic traits for production in western Japan, had a lower grain yield when grown in Yamaguchi in western Japan than Daichinominori, native to Yamaguchi. We examined the yield and grain growth of these two cultivars in the two areas in 2005/2006, 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 to elucidate theirgrain filling mechanisms under the two environments. When grown in Yamaguchi, Haruyutaka had a lower grain yield due to smaller grains than Daichinominori and when grown in Hokkaido, Daichinominori had a lower grain yield due to smaller grainsthan Haruyutaka. The slower grain growth, especially, at the later period of grain filling was considered to be the major cause of smaller grain in both cultivars, but it was more pronounced in Haruyutaka grown in Yamaguchi. Haruyutaka and Daichinominori ceased total dry mass production earlier when grown in the non-native area, Yamaguchi and Hokkaido, respectively, resulting in less supply of current assimilation products to grain growth. When grown in Yamaguchi, the amount of post-anthesis culm reserves, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), was smaller in Haruyutaka than in Daichinominori, while they accumulated a similar amount of WSC in Hokkaido. The pattern of remobilization of WSC to grains was similar in both areas. However, the grain filling period was significantly shorter in the non-native area. These results suggested that in the non-native environment, the grain size is decreased due to slower grain growth, mainly due to less current assimilation, and shorter grain filling period.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has a fairly well established herbal medicine sector. Medicinal plants engage an important position in the socio-cultural, spiritual and health aspects of Iranian rural population. The country has a vast variety of flora, and the Government is placing emphasis on the development of pharmaceuticals through herbal compounds. Many research contributions have shown that medicinal plants may be successfully cultivated, and processing has a great potential in many Iranian regions. Therefore it became imperative to find out the optimum techniques to exploit their yield potential for recommendations to the farmers. Chamomile is one of the important herbal medicines as it is used for the treatment of many diseases. Origin of Chamomile plant species is determined in the Frontal Asia Gene Pool Centre, mainly in this country. This study presents the results of qualitative-quantitative analyses of essential oil from chamomile originated from various parts of Iran. The Zagros Mount...

The worldwide need to produce safe and affordable vaccines with a minimum requirement of manufacture and processing, together with the advancements achieved in biotechnology, have promoted the development of efficient alternatives to traditional ones. One of the available options is the use of transgenic plants, not only as a protein production system but as an antigen transportation system as well, being capable of delivering antigens to the mucosal immune targets, becoming what is known as edible vaccines. The versatility of the plant production system allows for instance, to express and to accumulate foreign antigens in edible plant tissues. Thus, the hypothesis for the choice of plant-based vaccines is that once a plant-based vaccine is eaten, the susceptible host mounts a mucosal immune response against the antigen that is expressed in the plant, becoming protected against the pathogen from which the antigen was selected. This idea is still under study. Here, we described the basis of the system, the promising future and the possible drawbacks.

The hedonic price method is used to estimate the relationship between residential property values and proximity to an integrated iron and steel plant located in the outskirts of Gijon, a city in the north of Spain. Empirical results suggest that there is a statistically significant negative relationship between housing values and the distance from the iron and steel plant. From a partial equilibrium analysis, increasing the distance from the plant, decreasing plant production or dismantling the plant would lead to an increase in the value of the housing units. The results show as well that the housing units located nearest to the factory would be the most favoured by applying the aforementioned changes.

Field studies were conducted in northeast Nigeria to evaluate the response of early and late-maturing maize varieties infested with natural populations of Striga to different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. There were significant reductions in the number of emerged Striga at 120 kg N ha−1 for the early varieties and at 60 and 120 kg N ha−1 for the late varieties. The number of emerged Striga only significantly differed among the late varieties. Averaged across varieties, grain yield of the early varieties was 144% higher at 60 kg N ha−1 and 192% higher at 120 kg N ha−1 than without added N. For the late varieties the increase in grain yield was 85% higher at 60 kg N ha−1 and 144% higher at 120 kg N ha−1 than without added N. Among the early varieties, TZE COMP4 C3 had significantly lower grain yield than the other varieties. Among the late varieties, grain yields of 8338-1-1 and TZB-SR were significantly lower than in the other varieties. Our results show that the application of 60–120 kg N/ha to Striga...

Pod dehiscence (shattering) is a major source of yield loss in the mechanically harvested soybean. We examined near-isogenic lines (NILs) for a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling pod dehiscence, designated as qPDH1, to reveal the mechanism underlying the effect of this QTL on shattering resistance. The degree of shattering resistance differed among the NILs; as pod dehiscence percentage after 3 hr heat treatment was under 50% and over 90% for the genotypes resistant to shattering and those susceptible to shattering, respectively. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in the length, width and thickness of pods among the NILs. Anatomical analysis of the dorsal sutures of pods, at which pod dehiscence was found to commence most frequently, revealed no marked differences between the NILs. These results suggest that qPDH1 controls pod dehiscence without markedly changing the morphology of the pods.

The response spectrum for green light induced-acceleration of heading in wheat cv. Norin 61 was investigated using narrow-bandwidth (10 nm) green light within the range of 520–550 nm. Heading was observed from approximately 30 days after emergence. The earliest heading was observed at 540 nm, which suggests the presence of a green light photoreceptor different from hitherto known photoreceptors.

The firmness of buckwheat noodles plays an important role in its palatability. We investigated the effects of artificial sprouting after harvest and preharvest sprouting in the field of buckwheat grains on the firmness of cooked buckwheat noodles by measuring the force required to compress the cooked noodles. Sprouting significantly decreased the peak force and peak strain to compress cooked noodles, suggesting that sprouting lowers the palatability of cooked buckwheat noodles. Sprouting significantly decreased the force needed to compress cooked noodles largely, suggesting that the cooked noodles made from sprouting grains lead to the perception of less resistance to completely cut off by mastication.

We found a symptom of abnormally early ripening in a farmer’s field in Natajima, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, in 2004/2005, and examined its physiological mechanisms for two weeks until maturity. In the following two seasons, 2005/2006 and 2006/2007, we examined the mechanisms throughout the grain filling period at another farmer’s field where the symptoms appeared in the preceding four seasons. The grain yield was lower in abnormally early ripening (AER) than in the normal because of lighter grain weight in 2004/2005. The grain weight and water soluble carbohydrate, WSC, in culm were similar at the beginning of symptom, two weeks before maturity, then the grain weight increased and WSC in culm decreased more sharply in the normal than in the AER. So the grain weight was poorer and more WSC in culm remained unutilized at maturity in the AER. Another field showed the symptom of AER in both seasons. The spike dry weight and WSC in culm were the similar between the treatments from anthesis to milk ripe stage in 2005/2006, then they showed almost similar pattern in their change as in 2004/2005 until maturity. It was thought that the slower grain growth in later phase might be due to limited current assimilation and poor remobilization of culm reserves to the grains in AER.

Late blight (LB) is one of the most aggressive tomato diseases in California. Accurately detecting the disease will increase the efficiency of properly controlling the disease infestations to ensure the crop production. In this study, we developed a method to spectrally predict late blight infections on tomatoes based on artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN was designed as a back-propagation (BP) neural network that used gradient-descent learning algorithm. Through comparing different network structures, we selected a 3-25-9-1 network structure. Two experimental samples, from field experiments and remotely sensed image data sets, were used to train the ANN to predict healthy and diseased tomato canopies with various infection stages for any given spectral wavelength (µm) intervals. Results of discrete data indicated different levels of disease infestations. The correlation coefficients of prediction values and observed data were 0.99 and 0.82 for field data and remote sensing image data, respectively. In addition, we predicted the field data based on the remote sensing image data and predicted the remote sensing image data with field data using the same network structure, and the results showed that the coefficient of determination was 0.62 and 0.66, respectively. Our study suggested an ANN with back-propagation training could be used in spectral prediction in the study.

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of varietal differences in the endosperm structure on the high-degree polishing properties of Hattan varieties of rice suitable for brewing original Hiroshima sake. Four varieties were used: Hattan No.35, Hattan-nishiki No.1, Hattan-nishiki No.2, and Yamada-nishiki. Ellipsoidal-white-core grains occurred at a higher rate in Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2, whereas lined-white-core grains were observed at a higher rate in Hattan No.35 and Yamada-nishiki. Hattan No.35 and Yamada-nishiki showed low void polishing rates, and Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2 high void polishing rates after 50% polishing. Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2 showed inferior properties; that is, many broken and cracked grains, particularly cracked grains, after 50% polishing. The contents of broken grains and cracked grains in Hattan No.35 were higher than those in Yamada-nishiki and lower than those in Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2. In Hattan No.35 and Yamada-nishiki, fewer airspaces were observed between the amyloplasts at the center of the white-core as compared with Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2. This study showed that the differences in the endosperm structure of white-cores in the brewers’ rice grain are related to varietal differences in the tolerance to high-degree polishing.

(2008). Changes in Nutritive Value of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) during Overwintering Period. Plant Production Science: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 228-231.

The supernodulating soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivar Kanto 100 was previously characterized by superior nitrogen (N) fixation and photosynthesis, and resulting in high yields. However, this cultivar seems to be susceptible to waterlogging during the vegetative growth stage, which frequently occurs in major soybean producing areas in East Asia. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of waterlogging on nodulation, N fixation and photosynthesis in Kanto 100 with those in its normally-nodulating ancestral cultivar Enrei. Kanto 100 and Enrei were grown in pots, and subjected to waterlogging for 10 days at three vegetative growth stages in 2003 and 2004. Waterlogging significantly reduced the number of nodules of both cultivars, but the magnitude of the reduction was more pronounced in Kanto 100. The acetylene reduction activity (ARA) of nodules and apparent photosynthetic rate (AP) of leaves were generally depressed immediately after the start of waterlogging, but both functions recovered substantially at the pod-filling stage in both cultivars. No marked cultivar difference was found in the magnitude of the reduction of ARA per plant and AP measured immediately after waterlogging and at the pod-filling stage in both years, but growth impairment was more pronounced in Kanto 100 in 2003. These results suggest that the supernodulating cultivar Kanto 100 is more susceptible to waterlogging than its normally-nodulating ancestral cultivar.

In the present study we evaluate the feasibility of using untreated industrial sewage sludge by liming before use as a fertilizer, produced in Pakistan. In a pots experiment, limed industrial sewage sludge (LSW) and non-limed sewage sludge (NLSW), were amended with soil separately and grown sorghum. After maturity, the sorghum grains were analysed for total contents of potentially toxic metals (TPTM), As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. The proportion of different mobility fractions of each element in LWS and NLSW, a modified BCR sequential extraction procedure (Community Bureau of Reference) and single extractions with mild extractants (deionized water and CaCl2) were used. In LSW, the availability of most of the elements under study was reduced, probably due to the increased pH of soil, while this was the reverse in the cases of Cd and Cu, their mobility was slightly increased by lime-treated sludge. The sorghum grains grown in LSW have low level As, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn as compared to grains grown in ...

In some parts of the world, the soil selenium (Se) content is too low to ensure the Se level recommended for human or animal consumption in the crops produced. In order to secure a desired concentration of Se in crops, Se has been applied as mineral fertilizer to agricultural fields. Since only a minor part of the inorganic Se applied is utilized by plants and small increases in Se concentrations in, e.g., drinking water, may be toxic, the method is somewhat controversial. As an alternative to Se-enriched mineral fertilizer, different seafood-processing wastes have been examined as a source for Se in crop production. Both in greenhouse pot experiments and field trials the Se in seafood waste was not plant-available during the first growing season. There was no significant difference between the Se concentration in wheat growing in soil without added Se and in soil receiving Se from seafood waste in amounts ranging from 0.9 to 9 g ha−1. Neither was any residual effect of Se in seafood waste seen d...

(2007). Effects of Application of N, P And K Alone Or In Combination on Growth, Yield And Curcumin Content of Turmeric(Curcuma Longa L.) Plant Production Science: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 151-154.

(2007). Varietal Differences in Stem Diameter and Rooting Number of Phytomers in Conjunction with Root System Development of Field-Grown Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Plant Production Science: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 357-360.

The varietal difference of pod dehiscence in 25 soybean cultivars consisting of 16 Japanese and 9 Thai cultivars was examined at 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after placing in a desiccator (desiccator method) and 2, 4 and 7 hrs after placing in an oven at 60ºC (oven-dried method). The cultivars examined were divided into susceptible and resistant groups according to the degree of pod dehiscence. Most of the Japanese cultivars (excepting Suzuotome) and NS1 were susceptible while most of the Thai cultivars (excepting NS1) and Suzuotome were resistant to dehiscence. The degrees of pod dehiscence measured by the desiccator and oven-dried methods were nearly the same, and the moisture content of the pods not dehisced was always higher than that of the dehisced pod. The effect of ambient humidity on pod dehiscence was examined in five soybean cultivars SJ5, Shirotae, Tamahomare, CM60 and Fukuyutaka. When the pods were exposed to 15 or 25% relative humidity (RH), the pods of susceptible cultivars, Shirotae, Tamahomare and Fukuyutaka, started to dehisce at 24 hrs after the start of the treatment, but those of resistant cultivars, SJ5 and CM60, did not dehisce for 72 hrs. None of the cultivars dehisced under 50 and 60% RH. These results revealed that placing the pods in the desiccator for 14 days (desiccator method) or exposing the pods to 60ºC for 7 hrs in an oven (oven-dried method) were useful methods for checking the degree of dehiscence.

(2006). Nondestructive Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Components by Single Seed Analysis. Plant Production Science: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 161-164.

SummaryResponses to an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis, prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) at 0.01% (w/v), applied at three different times during nursery plant production, was tested in June-bearing strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) cultivar ‘Honeoye’ under cool-climate, long-day conditions. The effects of mechanical manipulation, detaching runner plants from the mothers, were also tested on the same dates. The treatment dates were 12 August, 24 August and 2 September 2004 which corresponded to day-lengths of 16, 15 and 14 h, respectively. After lifting on 11 November, and sorting into size categories, the plants were cold-stored and their performance was subsequently investigated under greenhouse conditions. Mother plant growth was decreased by the first two Pro-Ca treatments. A Pro-Ca application on 12 August also decreased the number of runners, and the total number of daughter plants was reduced by 30%.This reduction was highest in the smallest plant category, which was the most abundant.All Pro-...

The ratio of dry-matter increase in seed (S) to that in shoot (W), referred to as Rs/W, during the seed-filling period may reflect the balance between the assimilate supply and the sink capacity of harvest organs. In the determinate soybean, cv. Tamahomare, Rs/W during the seed-filling period was nearly the same under various growing conditions including shading and thinning of plants. Therefore, the S in the determinate soybean seems to correlate with the W under various conditions. However, the correlation of the S with the W in indeterminate soybeans in which shoot growth continues during the seed-filling period is unknown. In this study, three soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], Tamahomare (determinate), Tozan69 (indeterminate) and Peking (semi-indeterminate), were grown under shading and thinning conditions during the seed-filling period. The Rs/w approximated a positive linear regression in the three cultivars. Rs/w was approximately 0.5 in each cultivar. Positive correlations were observed between W and S, pod number or total node number in all cultivars. However, the seed number per pod and individual seed weight were not significantly influenced either by shading or thinning in any cultivar. Hence the rate of partition of assimilate to seeds seems to be determined by pod number. Harvest index was stable except when W was extremely low as when plants were heavily shaded. Our results suggested that the Rs/w, harvest index and the yield-determining processes of the determinate and the indeterminate soybeans are fundamentally the same.

Trace metal deficiencies in soils can have adverse effects on plant production and animal health. Conversely, trace metals at elevated concentrations in soils can be phytotoxic. The exploitation of intraspecies variation in plant trace metal accumulation may be one way to manage both trace metal deficiency and phytotoxicity that can occur in some soils. An investigation was undertaken to determine the variation in Co, Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe uptake in different ryegrass varieties. Eleven different ryegrass varieties were grown in a glasshouse experiment on two soils that contained elevated or background metal concentrations. We found that there was up to a 2.5‐fold range in trace metal concentrations between ryegrass varieties grown on the contaminated soil, with the short rotation/annual ryegrass varieties, i.e., ‘Flanker’, ‘Tabu’, and ‘Archie’, generally accumulating significantly smaller amounts of Cd, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Co than the other varieties tested. Metal uptake in the uncontaminated so...