African Journal of Agronomy

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Sweet Corn Inbred Lines

Pitipong Thobunluepop

Faculty of Technology, Department of Agricultural Technology, Mahasarakham University, Talard Sub-District, Muang District, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand, 44000. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 14 November, 2024

Abstract

Synthetic seed consisting of somatic embryos enclosed in protective coating are a suitable tool for clonal mass propagation of elite plant varieties. The in vitro study was aimed to evaluate the optimizing medium for sweet corn somatic embryogenesis, synthetic seed production which leads to increasing germination and seed viability percentage. The in vitro study was aimed to evaluate the optimizing medium for sweet corn somatic embryogenesis, synthetic seed production which leads to increasing germination and seed viability percentage. Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) variety FAH01 embryogenic callus were derived from culturing immature zygotic embryos at 11 days after pollination on N6 medium that contained 2, 4- D 2 mgl-1 and sucrose 60 gl-1. Somatic embryos was developed after transferred embryogenic callus to N6 medium contained with 2 mgl-1 2, 4- D and 30 gl-1 sucrose. Sweet corn synthetic seed was produced by somatic embryos encapsulated into a protective calcium -alginate matrix with provides mechanical support, protection and is coated with a wax film to prevent desiccation. Synthetic seed were produced, it was found that when synthetic seed were treated with 60 gl-1 sucrose and stored at 15 ± 2 degree Celsius for 2 weeks, the percentage of germination of synthetic seeds were 42%, percentage of normal seedling was 91% and abnormal seedling was 8%, and they germinated for 8 - 9 days and could produce normal plantlet. When the synthetic seed were dehydrated by silica gel until remained 60% of their moisture content and then stored for 2 weeks, they could germinated at level 23%, which 83% of normal seedling and 17% of abnormal seedling. The survival ratio in sweet corn synthetic seed in this investigation indicated that there is still some more research required to increase number of the survival seeds and the optimum storage technique to prolong their viability is also needed.

Keywords: Somatic embryo, synthetic seed, sweet corn, artificial seed, tissue culture.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Crossbreeding Sweet Corn: Advancements in Taste and Nutrition of Green Maize Varieties

G. Olaoye*, O. B. Bello, A. K. Ajani and T. K. Ademuwagun

Department of Agronomy, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Accepted 8 October, 2024

Abstract

Reports of improvement in sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata) for grain yield and agronomic traits through introgression of genes from the field corn (Zea mays L.) are common in literature. However, few studies have reported improvement in field corn varieties for organoleptic and/or nutritional properties through the transfer of recessive alleles that condition sweetness in sweet corn into the field corn. Field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine changes in quantitative and qualitative characteristics of three F1 hybrids derived by crossing sweet corn (pollen parent) unto field corn and their F2 populations derived by sibmating approximately 200 ears from each of the F 1 hybrids. Our results showed significant changes in grain yield, grain protein concentration, carbohydrate and calcium contents in the F1 hybrids and F2 populations. One hybrid (Pop31DMR x Sweet corn) had 21% grain yield advantage over the maternal parent while another hybrid (Obatanpa x Sweet corn) showed superiority for grain protein (27.3%) with corresponding lower carbohydrate content. Grains obtained from the F2 populations had lower seed protein content than their respective maternal parents or the F1 hybrids and with corresponding higher carbohydrate content. Percent (%) loss in grain protein in the F2 seeds was higher than for other nutrient elements. Modest heterotic response was recorded for grain yield in Pop31DMR x Sweet corn cross and for grain protein concentration in Obatanpa x Sweet corn cross.

Key words: Grain yield, nutritional properties, inbreeding depression, heterotic response.

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of Line x Tester Interactions Across Different Locations and Years in Sudanese and Exotic Forage Sorghum Lines

Maarouf I. Mohammed

Shambat Research Station, ARC, P.O. Box 30, Khartoum North. Sudan. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 5 October, 2024

Abstract

Combining ability in forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was not as much investigated as in grain sorghum. In the present study, 4 local stocks (Testers) and 7 exotic stocks in A3 cytoplasm were crossed in line x tester fashion to investigate combining ability in forage sorghum. The hybrids and their parents were evaluated across two years (2002 - 2003) and at two locations in Khartoum State, Sudan. Forage yield, days to flower, plant height, leaf to stem ratio and stem diameter were studied. Significant general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects in desirable direction were detected for most traits. The best general combiners for forage yield and earliness in flowering were identified. Both additive and non -additive gene actions were important in the expression of all characters with the preponderance of additive actions for days to flower, forage yield, stem diameter, leaf to stem ratio and non-additive actions for plant height. GCA effects were more stable over years than specific ones. Selection in early generations was suggested for characters predominately controlled by additive genes. Heterosis breeding was recommended for forage yield improvement. For leaf to stem ratio, selection must be based on more genetically diverse materials.

Key words: A3 cytoplasm, additive, ankolib, combining ability, islang, hybrid sorghum, shambat.
 

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the Inhibitory Effects of Ustilaginoidea virens Toxins on Germination Rates in Rice Seeds

Rongtao Fu, Jian Wang, Cheng Chen, Xueshu Gong and Daihua Lu*

Institute of Plant Protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Science, No. 20 Jingjusi Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 4 August, 2024

Abstract

The plant pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens is known to generate secondary metabolite ustiloxins, which are poisonous to humans and domestic animals and to affect plant cells during the growth process. In this study, rice false smut was collected from different locations in Sichuan province and the strains isolated. The crude toxins of U. virens were extracted from the liquid culture medium of isolated strains to determine the effects on rice seed germination. Our results, as expected, show that the crude toxins had inhibitory effects on the growth of rice germ and radicle. Moreover, these inhibitory effects were maintained even when the toxin was diluted up to 100 times. Crude toxins caused higher inhibition in the radicle than in the germ. Inhibitory effects of crude toxins on rice germination varied significantly depending on the location of where the isolated strains were extracted. This study also showed that inhibition of rice seed germination by crude toxins was different depending on the type of rice used, which corresponded with the field disease resistance evaluation.

Key words: Ustilaginoidea virens, crude toxins, inhibitory effect, significant difference.
 

African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 12 (11), pp. 001-009, November, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Cowpea Varietal Performance in the Optimized Shrub (P. reticulatum) Intercropping System in Senegal

Mouhamadou Moussa Diangar^1, Nafissatou Diallo^1,2, Ngane Niang^1,3, Dioumacor Fall^1, Ibrahima Diedhiou^2, Binta Samba^1, Amanda Davey^4, Richard P Dick⁵*

¹Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles, Hann Bel Air, route des hydrocarbures BP : 3120 Dakar, Sénégal
²Ecole nationale supérieure d’Agriculture, Route de Khombole, B.P : A 296 Thiès- Sénégal
³Université Assane Seck de Ziguinchor, Diabir- Ziguinchor, BP : 523 Ziguinchor, Sénégal
⁴Global Water Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus OH, USA
⁵School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University, Columbus OH, USA.

Received July 12, 2024; Revised September 24, 2024; Accepted September 26, 2024 and Published 12 November, 2024

Abstract

The Sahel is a vulnerable semi-arid ecosystem for crop production due to climate change, recurring drought, desertification, and sandy soils with naturally low quality. Growing populations have increased cropping intensity and a loss of fallowing that has resulted in degraded soils. Agroecological management systems are needed that use local resources. A solution is the Optimized Shrub-intercropping System (OSS) that utilizes Piliostigma reticulatum at elevated densities (1200-1500 ha-1) and produces significant amounts of annually coppiced biomass that is returned to soils. Research has shown OSS remediates soils, promotes crop drought resistance, and dramatically increases yields. However, there is no information on whether there are differential crop varietal responses to OSS, including  low-input cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walpers) which is an important protein food source. Therefore, the objective was to determine the effect of OSS on the growth and yield of diverse cowpea cultivars. The study was done at the Keur Ndary Ndiaye long-term experiment in Senegal that had a randomized complete block 2 X 4 factorial design (3 replications) with these treatments: 2 management systems (+OSS and -OSS) and 4 cowpea cultivars (B21, Mouride, Sam and Yacine). The study was done over 2 growing seasons that included plant growth measurements. Averaging across cowpea varieties showed that +OSS significantly increased seed yields from 658 to 1433 kg ha-1 in 2021 and from 107 to 868 kg ha-1 in 2022.  In the presence of shrubs, the best varietal yielding performance in 2021 was Yacine (2007 kg ha-1) and Mouride (1634 kg ha-1); and in 2022 Sam (1113 kg ha-1) and Yacine (975 kg ha-1). Yacine had high yields both years and could be due it being a short duration variety. OSS with P. reticulatum increases crop yields and is a sustainable practice that utilizes a local resource that is very appropriate for subsistence farmers of Senegal. 

Keywords: Shrub intercropping, Piliostigma reticulatum, cowpea, soil fertility.

Global Journal of Food and Agricultural Sciences Vol. 10 (10), pp. 001-009, October, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of Protein Supplementation on Weight Gain and Dressing Percentage in West African Dwarf Goats Infected with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Linus I. Mhomga¹*, Pius A. Nnadi^2, Samuel N. Chiejina^3, Idika K. Idika⁴ and Lucas A. Ngongeh³

¹Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373,
Makurdi, Benue State- Nigeria,
²Department of Animal Health and Production, University of Nigeria, Nsukka;
³Department of Veterinary Microbiology and  Parasitology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike;
⁴Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Accepted 13 July, 2024

Abstract

The body weight and dressing percentage of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats affected with mixed gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections were measured as part of a study to determine the impact of protein supplementation. Based on body weight, four groups (A-D) of five worm-free male WAD goats aged 6 to 8 months were created. While groups C and D were fed simply forages, animals in groups A and B were offered forages together with concentrate supplements. Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Tc) and Haemonchus contortus (Hc) were experimentally infected on Groups A and D, respectively, but not on Groups B or C. The goats were given single doses of 500 L3 in week 1, 1000 L3 in week 2, 2000 L3 in week 3, and 4000 L3 in week 4 of a weekly trickle-escalating infection with the parasites' infective larval stage (L3). Using accepted methods, body weight, faecal egg counts (FEC) per gramme of faeces, and worn burden (Wb) were calculated. Following the animals' painstaking sacrifice, the experiment's dressing percentage was calculated. The outcomes revealed a Day 42 (D42) body weight and worm burden had a significant negative connection (rp = -0.76; P = 0.01). BCS on D42 was likewise significant and had a weak negative correlation (rs = -0.72; P = 0.02) with worm burden. Groups A and B had a mean dressing % that was substantially higher than groups C and D's (P 0.05). For groups A, B, C, and D, the mean SEM dressing percentages were 59.4 0.6, 60.6 0.7, 56.8 0.4, and 52.4 2.0, respectively. Between groups A and B, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The number of Hc and Tc faecal eggs on D40 and D42 significantly correlated with the number of D42 worms (rp = 0.74; P = 0.01). We came to the conclusion that supplementing lessened the unfavourable effects of infections on body weight, which enhanced dressing percentage.

Keywords: Body weight, dressing percentage, WAD goats, faecal egg counts, worm burdens.