African Journal of Crop Science

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (2), pp. 060-066, June, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Identifying elite rhizobia for soybean (Glycine max) in Kenya

¹Maureen Nekoye Waswa, ²Nancy K. Karanja, ³Paul L. Woomer and ⁴George M. Mwenda

^1,2Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi P.O. Box 29053-00100, Nairobi. 

³N2Africa Program, International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), P.O Box 823 – 00621, Nairobi, Kenya.

⁴Centre for Rhizobium Studies, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South St., Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.

*Corresponding author. [email protected]

Accepted 05, May 2014

Abstract

Bio-prospecting was conducted in Kenya to identify elite isolates of rhizobia capable of effectively nodulating promising soybean varieties. One hundred isolates were recovered from nodules of wild and cultivated legume hosts. These isolates were authenticated and tested for effectiveness on soybean (Glycine max) var. SB 19 in sterile vermiculite, and the twenty-four most promising isolates screened in potted soil to assess their competitive abilities on two varieties ("promiscuously nodulating" SB 19 and specific SC Safari). The six best performing isolates were then evaluated under field conditions, comparing them to strain USDA110. Test isolates were classified into; non-infective, ineffective, partly effective, effective and highly effective based on their performance relative to controls and industry standards. In potted soil, native rhizobia isolates nodulated promiscuous soybean (SB19) but only 46% of them nodulated specific soybean (Safari). In the field experiment, isolate NAK 128 performed best on both promiscuous and specific soybean varieties, significantly (p<0.05) outperforming USDA110 by 29% and 24%, respectively. Partial economic return to inoculation with NAK 128 was about 21:1,  justifying inoculation as a field practice and producing up to 2.5 million nodules (334 kg) ha^-1, significantly (p<0.05) more than USDA 110. The best isolates from this investigation have commercial potential.

Key words: African biodiversity, bio-prospecting, promiscuous soybean, rhizobia isolate selection, USDA 110.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 2 (1), pp. 051-059, January, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Inheritance of resistance to kernel infection by Aspergillusflavus and aflatoxin accumulation in groundnut

Ozimati A.A¹, Rubaihayo P.R¹, Gibson P¹, Edema R¹, Kayondo I.S¹, Ntare B.R², Okello D.K³

¹Department of Agricultural Production, School of Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

²International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), BP 320 Mali, Bamako.

³National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute, Serere, Uganda. (NaSARRI)

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 30 December, 2013

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination in groundnut is one of the major barriers in international groundnut trade. Aflatoxin may cause human cancer, hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. The objectives of the study were to determine: (i) the level of resistance to Aspergillusflavus and aflatoxin accumulation in selected groundnut genotypes. (ii) the gene action for resistance to kernel infection by Aspergillusflavus and aflatoxin accumulation and (iii) heritability for Aspergillusflavus and aflatoxin accumulation resistance. Eighteen groundnut genotypes were evaluated in the laboratory. Nine genotypes selected were crossed in North Carolina II mating design of four by five parents and theF₂ seeds obtained were evaluated in the laboratory for percent-severity kernel infection (PSKI3 and PSKI7), percentage kernel disease incidence (PKDI3 and PKDI7) and aflatoxin accumulation. Significant variation for PSKI3, PSKI7 and PKDI3 were observed. Baker’s ratio for both PSKI3 (0.73) and PSKI7 (0.67) were high, whilelow Baker’s ratio of 0.49 for aflatoxin accumulation was observed. Narrow–sense heritability of 66%-74% and 35%-46% for PSKI7 with A.flavus and aflatoxin accumulation were respectively observed. High narrow-sense heritability and additive variance for A.flavus indicate that the alleles for resistance to A.flavus can be easily transmitted to the offspring through recombination.

Key Words: A.flavus, aflatoxin, groundnut, Arachishypogaea L., heritability, North Carolina II.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 1 (1), pp. 001-010, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Participatory technology development for improving animal-technical service system in Gongshan County, Northwest Yunnan Province, China

Shicai Shen^1*, Rajendra Prasad Shrestha² and Jie Qian³

¹Center for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge, Kunming Yunnan 650034, China.

²School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok 12120, Thailand.

³Kunming Institute of Botany, China Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650204, China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 15 July, 2013

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine and analyze the animal-technical service system and participatory technology development (PTD) approach adoption in Gongshan County, northwest Yunnan Province, China. The results have shown that there is a completed organization pattern and service function in Gongshan County’s animal husbandry system. Administrative interventions, system fragmentation and financial deficiency are primary barriers which result in lowering the efficiency and effectiveness of extension performance. The adoption of PTD approach was successful in solving problems related to the animal-technical service system and improves the livelihoods in Gongshan County. Finally, the paper suggests that it is necessary to combine the PTD approach into Chinese animal husbandry reforms.

Key words: Animal extension service, participatory technology development, Gongshan County, China.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 1 (2), pp. 024-028, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Effect of organic seed pelleting on seed storability and quality seedling production in biofuel tree species

P. Srimathi¹, N. Mariappan²*, L. Sundaramoorthy² and M. Paramathma³

¹Department of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Centre, TNAU, Coimbatore-641003, Tamil Nadu, India.

²Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi, Coimbatore-642103, Tamil Nadu, India.

³Centre of Excellence for Biofuel, Forest College and Research Institute, TNAU, Mettupalayam-641103, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 18 June, 2013

Abstract

Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata are the promising biofuel species worldwide that contained 35 to 45% seed oil, respectively. Due to the reason of high oil content of these seeds are liable to getting easily deteriorated by fungal and insects during storage and that could hold the limitation of spreading through afforestation. To resolve this problem, the present study was carried out with J. curcas and P. pinnata seeds pelleted with leaf powders of Azadirachta indica, P. pinnata and Adhatoda vasica in order to study the effects of botanical pelleting storability and production of quality seedlings at nursery. This experiment was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India during 2009 to 2010. The results revealed that J. curcas and P. pinnata seeds pelleted with pungam and neem leaf powder showed the maximum germination percentage and growth characters at nursery, respectively. From the study, it was also observed that Jatropha seeds pelleted with pungam leaf powder recorded 169% higher germination and P. pinnata seeds pelleted with A. indica leaf powder registered 92% higher germination than control after 9 months of storage. We conclude from this study that, botanical leaf powder seed pelleting not only improve the longevity of seeds through protecting the seeds from fungal and insect attack but also improve the seed and soil relationships through enriching the rhizosphere region of seed to produce better growth and development.

Key words: Jatropha, pungam, leaf powder pelleting, seed storage, growth, development.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 1 (1), pp. 011-017, September, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Development of a fast and reliable ozone screening method in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)

Norvie L. Manigbas^1,2, Dong-Soo Park¹, Soo-Kwon Park¹, Sang-Min Kim¹, Woon-Ha Hwang¹, Hang-Won Kang¹ and Gihwan Yi¹*

¹Functional Crop Resource Development Division, Department of Functional Crop, National Institute of Crop Sciences,

Rural Development Administration, Milyang, 627-803, Korea.

²Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 82-55-350-1182. Fax: 82-55-352-3059.

Accepted 22 July, 2013

Abstract

A rapid and reliable screening method for rice ozone tolerance was developed to enhance evaluation technique in determining the reaction of tolerant and susceptible genotypes at the early stage of growth. Plant growth parameters were measured to evaluate ozone effects on the growth of seedlings which can be later used as criteria for ozone tolerance. Plants were subjected to 0.3 and 1 ppm ozone using 15 and 30 day-old seedlings with 7 h exposure per day for 10 days. Our results show that the tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible cultivars can be classified at higher ozone concentration with younger seedlings by the leaf bronzing score after 10 days. Thus, screening for ozone tolerance could be done using 1 ppm concentration. For rapid screening, direct seeding and younger seedlings at 15 days are most desired to reduce time of growing in the pots or trays. Shoot dry weight was significantly reduced in the ozone-treated seedlings compared with the control plants. Higher reduction of shoot biomass was observed in 15 day-old seedlings at 34 - 66% and 38 - 54% in 0.3 and 1 ppm, respectively compared with 12 - 24% and 28 - 48% in the 30 day-old seedlings.

Key words: Fumigated chamber, leaf bronzing, ozone screening, rice.

African Journal of Crop Science Vol. 1 (2), pp. 018-023, October, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of dressing of hot water-steeped and unsteeped seeds on longevity and seedling emergence in CORCHORUS  OLITORIOUS  L.

Ibrahim H., Oladiran J. A., Adeyemi R. A. and Danladi M. M.

Department of Crop Production, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology,

Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 23 May, 2013

Abstract

The study was conducted at the laboratory of the Department of Crop Production, Federal University of Technology Minna. Seeds of cultivars “Amugbadu” and “Oniyaya” of CORCHORUS OLITORIUS were steeped in hot water at 97°C for five seconds (for the purpose of breaking dormancy) and subsequently air dried to about 10% moisture content (wet weight basis). They were then treated with seed-plus, Apron-star (As) or Wood ash (Wa) at the rate of 10 g per 4 kg seed, packaged in paper envelopes and stored for 20 weeks at 30°C while the unsteeped seeds served as the control. Germination ability and seedling emergence were determined before and during storage. Before storage, 90 and 95% germination levels were recorded for hot-water steeped seeds of “Amugbadu” and “Oniyaya” respectively in contrast to 25 and 33% germination for the unsteeped seeds. There was a general decline in both germinability and seedling emergence with storage period irrespective of treatments. In non-dormant “Amubgadu” seeds, viability was better maintained without seed dressing or when seeds were dressed with wood ash. In “Oniyaya”, viability was poorest in As-dressed seeds. Significantly better seedling emergence was recorded in non-dormant seeds dressed with wood ash. Unsteeped (dormant) seeds germinated poorly throughout the storage period. Dormant seeds from which zero germination was recorded after 12 weeks of storage gave about 75% germinations followed by steeping in hot water. It is postulated from this observation that the poor germination of stored seeds might be due to a decline in the germination energy of the seeds which made their radicle unable to rupture the endospermic tissue and seed coat. This is an indication that the seeds were still viable at this age but required the weakening of the seed coats (which was effected by hot water-steeping) to permit germination.

Key words: Longevity, seed dressing, seedling emergence, jute mallow.