African Journal of Plant Breeding

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 2375-074X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Molecular genotyping of selected soybean (Glycine max L.) genotypes grown in different regions of East Africa

Fredrick M. Njoka¹*, Zedekiah A. Okwany¹ and Elijah K. Githui²

¹Kenyatta University, P. O. Box 4388, Nairobi Kenya.

²National Museums of Kenya, P. O. Box 78420-00500, Ngara Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 10 December, 2019

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) is one of the most popular pulses because of its protein content and nodulating ability. However, most farmers and researchers do not have sufficient genetic information of the genotypes that they grow. This research aimed at determining the molecular characteristics of selected soybean genotypes grown in different regions of East Africa and make recommendations to the farmers and researchers. Genotypes were collected from Uyole, Ukiriguru, Kawanda, Namulonge, Njoro and Embu Agricultural Institutes as well as from farmers. Molecular analysis was done by DNA being extracted according to phenol chloroform method. This was followed with PCR process using custom ordered pair of primers that corresponded to the flanking ends of the targeted gene fragment (5S ribosomal genes). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and gene clean were then performed on the isolated PCR fragments. The elute was confirmed on agarose gel then sent for automated sequencing ABI prism (Applied Biosystems) at ILRI. The resulting gene sequences were compared with gene sequences of known Glycine species using various enzymes in computer based simulations. The gene sequences were then subjected to gene blast using MEGA 4 and resulted with a phylogenetic tree for the selected East African soybean. The studied cultivars were found to be closely related to Glycine max species. Enzyme Sac11 was identified as a marker for the East African soybean genotypes. These results may also assist plant breeders to produce hybrids with the best performing cultivars based on their genetic diversity.

Key words: Soybean, DNA analysis, sequencing, polymorphism, markers.

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 2375-074X Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Study of pollen tube growth, cross-compatibility and fruit set in some almond genotypes

Y. Sharafi^1*, M. Karimi ¹ and M. Ghorbanifar¹

Department of Horticultural Science, Islamic Azad University of Maragheh Branch, Maraghe, Iran.

Accepted 12 September, 2019

Abstract

Almond is one of the most important nut crops of Maragheh, Iran. In the present study, six Maragheh indigenous genotypes with favorable traits were selected for the investigations of pollen tube growth, fruit set and their compatibility. Genotypes were pollinated by the pollen of each other. Fruit set was studied in the filed, and pollen tube growth was studied in the laboratory with florescence microscopy. Experimental design was completely randomized with different number of treatments (pollen type) and 4 repeats in all of the crosses. Data were analyzed with SAS software. Results showed that, all of the genotypes were cross compatible, although the pollen tube number in the ovary was affected by the pollen type but fruit set was not affected.

Key words: Almond, cross-compatibility, pollen tube growth, florescence microscopy, fruit set.

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 2375-074X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Isolation of potential antibacterial and antioxidant compounds from Acalypha indica and Ocimum basilicum

K. Ramya Durga*, S. Karthikumar and K. Jegatheesan

Department of Biotechnology, Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology, Virudhunagar-626001, TN, India.

Accepted 21 April, 2019

Abstract

In recent years multiple drug resistance has been developed in many microbes due to indiscriminate use of existing antimicrobial drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases. This paves the way for reconsidering traditional medicine; hence a study was carried out to explore the antimicrobial activities of the acetone and ethanol extract of Acalypha indica and Ocimum basilicum against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus sp. The results revealed that the ethanol extract of both the plants was more effective than acetone extract particularly on Proteus sp. Hence, both the plants can be vitally used in treating various diseases caused by those pathogens.

Key words: Acalypha indica, Ocimum basilicum, antibacterial activity, antioxidant activity.

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 2375-074X Vol. 7 (1), pp. 001-009, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Low intensity tapping systems applied to clone PR 107 of Hevea brasiliensis (Muell. Arg.): Results of 21 years of exploitation in South-eastern Côte d’Ivoire

Eric Francis Soumahin^{1, 2}* Samuel Obouayeba¹, Koulaka Emmanuel Dick², Denezon Odette Dogbo³ and Abo Pierre Anno²

¹Centre National de Recherche Agronomique, Station de Recherche de Bimbresso, Programme Hévéa, 01 BP 1536 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.

²Université de Cocody-Abidjan, UFR Biosciences, Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale, 22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.

³Université d’Abobo-Adjamé, UFR Sciences de la Nature, Laboratoire de Physiologie et de Physiopathologie Végétales, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 15 October, 2019

Abstract

The cultivation of Hevea brasiliensis, which is the main source of natural rubber, is facing a problem of scarcity and/or high cost of skilled labour. One of the means to remedy this constraint is to reduce the intensity of tapping. This work aims at studying tapping systems of low intensity tapping but highly stimulated (S/4 d3 6d/7 8-10/y(m) and S/2 d6 6d/7 8-10/y(m)) which enable to reduce the need for tappers by 10 and 50% compared to a standard or traditional tapping system (S/2 d3 6d/7 4/y(3m), the control), in clone PR 107 of Hevea brasiliensis in south-eastern Côte d'Ivoire. This study was carried out on the basis of agronomic, physiological and economic criteria. The results of 21 years of exploitation have shown that reducing the frequency of tapping is not compensated, in terms of yield, by high stimulations. However, the reduction of the length of tapping cut is compensated, in terms of yield, by hormonal stimulation. Low intensity tapping systems do not adversely affect the growth and physiological profile of trees. They reduce the rate of tapping panel dryness. All tapping systems are profitable. The best low intensity tapping systems (S/4 d3 6d/7 10/y(m) and S/2 d6 6d/7 10/y(m)) may constitute an alternative to the standard or traditional tapping system so as to reduce the need for tappers and thus, make up for a deficit and/or a high cost of tapping labour.

Key words: Hevea brasiliensis clone PR 107, low intensity tapping systems, stimulation, yield, growth, tapping panel dryness, labour, profit margin, Côte d'Ivoire.

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 2375-074X Vol. 6 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Dry matter yields and hydrological properties of three perennial grasses of a semi-arid environment in east Africa

Kevin Z. Mganga^1*, Nashon K. R. Musimba¹, Dickson M. Nyariki¹, Moses M. Nyangito¹, Agnes

W.  Mwang’ombe², Wellington N. Ekaya³, Daniele Clavel⁴, Judith Francis⁵, Ralph von Kaufmann⁶, Jan Verhagen⁷ and William M. Muiru²

¹Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 29053-00625 Nairobi, Kenya.

²Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi.

³Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), Uganda.

⁴Agricultural Research for Developement CIRAD, France.

⁵Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), The Netherlands.

⁶Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

⁷Wagengen University, The Netherlands.

Accepted 13 September, 2019

Abstract

Enteropogon macrostachyus (Bush rye), Cenchrus ciliaris L. (African foxtail grass) and Eragrostis superba Peyr (Maasai love grass) are important perennial rangeland grasses in Kenya. They provide an important source of forage for domestic livestock and wild ungulates. These grasses have been used extensively to rehabilitate denuded patches in semi-arid environment of Kenya. This study investigated the dry matter yields and hydrological properties of the three grasses under simulated rainfall at three phenological stages; early growth, elongation and reproduction. Laboratory seed viability tests were also done. Hydrological properties of the three grasses were estimated using a Kamphorst rainfall simulator. Results showed that there was a significant difference (p > 0.05) in dry matter yields and soil hydrological properties at the different grass phenological stages. Generally, all the three grasses improved the soil hydrological properties with an increase in grass stubble height. C. ciliaris gave the best soil hydrological properties followed by E. macrostachyus and E. superba, respectively. E. macrostachyus recorded the highest seed viability percentage. C. ciliaris and E. superba were ranked second and third, respectively. C. ciliaris yielded the highest biomass production at the reproductive stage followed by E. superba and E. macrostachyus, respectively.

Key words: Cenchrus ciliaris, Enteropogon macrostachyus, Eragrostis superba, rangeland.

African Journal of Plant Breeding ISSN 2375-074X Vol. 6 (11), pp. 001-006, November, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Development of a lemon sorting system based on color and size

M. Khojastehnazhand, M. Omid* and A. Tabatabaeefar

Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

Accepted 13 July, 2019

Abstract

Grading systems give us many kinds of information such as size, color, shape, defect, and internal quality. Among these color and size are the most important features for accurate classification and/or sorting of citrus such as oranges, lemons and tangerines. Basically, two inspection stages of the system can be identified: external fruit inspection and internal fruit inspection. The former task is accomplished through processing of color images, while internal inspection requires special sensors for moisture, sugar and acid contents. In this paper, an efficient algorithm for grading lemon fruits is developed and implemented in visual basic environment. The system consists of two CCD cameras, two capture cards, an appropriate lighting system, a personal computer and other mechanical parts. The algorithm initially extracts the fruit from the background. The samples of different grades of lemon are situated in front of the cameras and are calibratted off-line. Then information on the HSI color values and estimated volumes of fruits are extracted and saved in a database. By comparing the information during sorting phase with the available information inside the database, the final grade of the passing fruits are determined. This algorithm can be easily adapted for grading and/or inspection of other agricultural products such as cucumber and eggplant.

Key words: Lemon, sorting, volume, image processing, machine vision, HSI color.