International Journal of Agricultural and Natural Sciences

MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF LOCAL TURKISH CIRGALAN PEPPER GENOTYPES VIA SRAP MARKERS

Hülya Erarslan — 2024-11-11

Cırgalan pepper is a local cultivar that has been grown in Kayseri for many years, consumed as powdered pepper after being dried and has essential value for the spice market. However, these cultivars have lost their production areas because of yield and quality losses. As in other local varieties, the variety in question also shows significant variation in production areas due to open pollination. It is essential to establish breeding programs to utilize the existing variation in local varieties and to increase yield and quality parameters. The first stage of pepper breeding is the characterization of present genotypes. In this study, molecular characterization of genotypes of Cırgalan pepper collected from pepper production areas of Kayseri province was aimed. In this study, 32 pepper genotypes were subjected to DNA analysis using 14 SRAP primer combinations, identifying 79 total bands. The highest number of bands was obtained from the primer combination Me13-Em14 (9), while the lowest number of bands was obtained from the primer combinations Me9-Em6 and Me12-Em8 (3). The average polymorphism rate was 29.3%, with the highest polymorphism rate observed for the Me12-Em4 primer combination (60%). The PIC values of the markers varied broadly, from 0,01 (for primer combination Me9-Em6) to 0,51 (Me13-Em14), with a mean of 0.30. Genetic similarity was determined between 0.67-1.00. This study showed genetic differences among Cırgalan pepper genotypes produced in the Kayseri region. With breeding programs in light of these results, it can be helpful to increase production areas of this cultivar, which was adopted in the Kayseri region after obtaining disease resistance, in addition to improving the yield and quality of this cultivar.

DISEASE INCIDENCE, INSECT PEST PREVALENCE, WEED ABUNDANCE, AND DIVERSITY IN SESAME (Sesamum indicum L.) FIELDS OF KAMASHI AND ASSOSA ZONES OF BENISHANGUL GUMUZ REGION, ETHIOPIA

Sintayehu Gedifew — 2024-11-11

Sesame, a vital global oilseed crop, confronts persistent challenges from diseases and pests, particularly in high rainfall areas like Northwestern Ethiopia, where yield loss is imminent. Information regarding the primary pests affecting sesame within specific agroecological contexts is essential for devising effective pest management strategies. However, limited information exists on major sesame pests in the Assosa and Kamashi zones of the Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia. Hence, a survey was conducted during the 2017/2018 main cropping season in Assosa and Kamashi zones to identify major diseases, insect pests, and weed species affecting sesame, as well as to determine the incidence and severity of diseases, prevalence of insect pests, and the abundance and diversity of weed species in the area. The survey uncovered bacterial blight, Cercospora leaf spot, and phyllody as the predominant diseases affecting sesame crops in the regions surveyed. Bacterial blight exhibited the highest disease incidence at 98.84%, followed by Cercospora leaf spot at 73.25%, with phyllody recorded at a lower incidence of 11.29%. Disease severity assessment indicated bacterial blight had a mean severity of 49.88%, while Cercospora leaf spot recorded 36.44%. Additionally, aphids, gall midge, and webworms were found as primary insect pests, with aphids and gall midge having mean incidences of 13.76% and mean prevalence of 45.61% and 8.77%, respectively. In contrast, webworm had a low mean incidence (1.00%) and prevalence (1.75%). The survey also highlighted the diversity of weed species, with ten identified as broadleaf. These broadleaf weeds, especially fast-growing ones, compete significantly with sesame, suggesting early hand weeding, particularly in regions like Benishangul Gumuz with high rainfall. Overall, the findings underscore the necessity for customized pest management strategies based on agroecological conditions and pest dynamics.

IMPACT OF PIGMENTS ON THE HEALTH OF Punica Granatum L.

Pooja Mesurani — 2024-11-11

The pomegranate, scientifically known as Punica granatum L., is an intriguing fruit due to its nutritional makeup, which includes a high chlorophyll concentration, flavor, and cultural importance. Chlorophyll levels in leaves ensure that the plant can efficiently produce carbohydrates that can be transported to developing fruits. Also, a decrease in chlorophyll levels can directly affect the growth of pomegranate due to a reduced photosynthetic rate. In this research effect of the content of leaf pigments on different varieties (Healthy and Cracked fruits) of pomegranate from the same cultivar, Bhagwa, was determined. Two distinct seasons were selected for sample collection, one with the initial developing stage of fruits and the second where fruits were in the harvest stage. The analysis revealed that leaf pigment levels at the initial development stage were almost identical in healthy and cracked fruit. Still, as the development of fruit starts, and when it reaches the fully developed stage, the pigment levels in all extracting solvents in leaves of the plant-bearing cracked fruit decreased when compared with healthy fruit. So, parameters leading to a decrease in chlorophyll content need to be evaluated, and protection methods should be implemented at appropriate times to reduce cracking and overall growth of pomegranate.

EFFECT OF STINGING NETTLE LEAF AND SEED POWDERS ON PHYSICAL, TEXTURAL AND SENSORY PROPERTIES OF COOKIES

Nermin Bilgiçli — 2024-11-11

In this study, different parts (leaf and seed) of the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) were used in cookie production, and their effects on some physical, textural, and sensory properties of the cookies were investigated. Stinging nettle leaf powder (SNLP) and stinging nettle seed powder (SNSP) were used in cookie production at different ratios (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) and replaced with wheat flour. The L*, b*, and SI color values of cookies decreased with the increasing usage ratios of SNLP and SNSP in cookie formulation The diameter, thickness, and spread ratio values of the cookies containing SNLP and SNSP varied between 53.93-55.90 mm, 6.06-6.59 mm and 8.45-9.19 and 55.85-59.02 mm, 5.52-6.62 mm and 8.44-10.70, respectively. Significant (p<0.05) diameter and spread ratio increases were determined using 4% or more SNSP in cookies. While the firmness value of cookies increased at all usage ratios of SNLP, it decreased with the use of SNSP above 4%. The cookies' taste, odor, appearance, color, and overall acceptability scores were reduced with the increasing ratios of SNLP. In general, the panelists did not like cookies containing 8-10% SNLP. Although there was a decrease in sensory scores of cookies at high SNSP ratios, scores remained within the panelists' liking limits for all SNSP ratios.

USE OF IAA-PRODUCING PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING BACTERIA FOR THE AMELIORATION OF SALT AND DROUGHT STRESS IN WHEAT

Rosephil Coutinho — 2024-11-11

The major abiotic stresses responsible for the loss of significant agricultural produce are high soil salinity and drought. Plant growth-promoting bacteria can help plant resilience to such stresses through various mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the plant growth promotion potential of rhizospheric bacteria under conditions of high salinity and drought in wheat. Rhizospheric soil samples were screened for bacteria possessing plant growth-promoting traits. The isolates were further evaluated for salt tolerance, drought tolerance and indole-acetic acid (IAA) production under high salinity and drought conditions. Plant growth-promotion studies were conducted, followed by plant root length, shoot length and fresh weight measurements. Pot assays revealed that coating wheat seeds with the IAA-producing salt-tolerant isolates had a favourable impact on plant parameters under salt stress, wherein an increase between 2.4 – 2.6-fold, 1.3 – 1.6-fold, 1.4 – 1.8-fold was observed in the root length, shoot length and fresh weight of the inoculated plants respectively. In the case of IAA-producing drought-tolerant isolates, no increase was observed in the shoot length or root length. However, an increase of 1 – 2-fold was seen in the fresh weight of the inoculated plants compared to the control under drought conditions. These findings suggest that inoculation of wheat seeds with AK-8, identified as Acinetobacter junii, and FS-1, identified as Klebsiella aerogenes, can be harnessed as a strategy for ameliorating salt and drought stress in wheat, thereby increasing crop yield.

HOW DOES MAIZE FODDER MATURITY IMPACT FORAGE YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION?

Noordeen Nusrathali — 2024-11-11

This study was conducted to find maize germplasms that provide higher forage yield with a high nutritional composition. Eight local maize landraces were cultivated with a control variety Badra in Agrotech Park, Malwatta, Sri Lanka, with all recommended agronomical techniques. The nutritional contents and yield characteristics of fodder maize were examined at 70, 80, and 90 days after planting (DAP) and the responses were compared with Badra. The results revealed that SEU17 recorded the maximum fresh fodder yields of 95.71, 79.84, and 73.14 at 70DAP, 80DAP, and 90DAP harvest, respectively. The total number of leaves and the number of dry leaves of all maize fodder landraces increased with maturity. The highest number of leaves was observed at 90DAP in SEU17 (14.81) and SEU15 (12.35) had the lowest total number at 70DAP. With maturity, the total number of leaves and the number of dry leaves of all maize fodder landraces increased. SEU17 (14.81) had the highest total number of leaves at 90DAP, while SEU15 (12.35) had the lowest total number of leaves at 70DAP. The dry matter of SEU15 was highest followed by SEU06 and SEU02 at 80DAP. Only the SEU17 had the significantly highest ash content at both 70, 80 and 90 DAP. SEU16 reported the highest value of Ether Extract (EE) and Crude Protein (CP) content at 70, 80, and 90DAP. At 70 and 80DAP of harvest, SEU02 and SEU15 had the greatest fiber content of 27.23 and 30.65, respectively. The two-way interaction between landraces and harvest stage caused significant (p<0.05) variation in fresh weight, dry matter and CP content. It is suggested that SEU16 and SEU17 landraces be grown forage production under circumstances similar to the current study. Therefore, these landraces should be used in future breeding programs to generate improved fodder types.

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF DROUGHT ON THE QUALITY OF AROMATIC PLANTS: IMPROVEMENT OF TOTAL PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOID CONTENTS AND TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY

Amina Šerbo — 2024-11-11

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of drought on the antioxidant properties and some growth parameters of mint (Mentha x piperita L.), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), and oregano plants (Origanum vulgare L.). This study was carried out at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences experimental station in Sarajevo in 2024. Four water-holding capacities (WHC), namely 90% WHC, 80% WHC, 60% WHC, and 40% WFC were used as drought stress levels in this study. An experiment had a completely randomized design with three replicates and was carried out in pots in the greenhouse under controlled conditions. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents and total antioxidant capacity in the leaf extracts of the tested plants were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, AlCl₃ assay, and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, respectively. Drought at 60% and 40% WHC caused a decline in plant height, leaf area, and fresh and dry weight. In contrast, it increased total phenolic and flavonoid contents and total antioxidant capacity compared to plants exposed to 80% and 90% of WHC, regardless of plant species. The highest total phenolic contents (392.9 mg 100 g^-1), total flavonoid contents (219.9 mg 100 g^-1), and total antioxidant capacity through FRAP assay (3.35 mmol Fe²⁺ 100 g^-1), were observed in mint plants exposed to drought at 60% WHC. The results of this study point to the conclusion that the antioxidant properties and, thus, the quality of the studied aromatic plant species can be enhanced significantly by deliberately applying drought stress during their cultivation. However, this enhancement is usually accompanied by a decrease in plant growth. In this regard, for each particular aromatic plant species, it is necessary to carefully assess the advantages and disadvantages of the deliberate application of each drought level during cultivation.

The THE INTERACTION EFFECT OF WEED FREQUENCY AND INTER-ROW SPACING ON THE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MUNG BEAN (Vignaradiata L. Wilczek)

Abdu Mohammed Yahya — 2024-11-11

Mung bean is an important pulse crop but, its productivity is low mainly due to a lack of optimum recommendations for plant population and weed management. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of inter-row spacing and weed frequency on the yield and yield components of mung bean. The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement with three replications. Data on crop phenology and growth, yield, and yield components of mung bean were collected and subjected to ANOVA using SAS version 9.1software. The results of ANOVA revealed that weed density, weed dry weight, weed control efficiency, seed yield, biomass yield, and harvesting index were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the interaction effect of inter rows spacing and weeding frequency. The highest seed yield (1536.33kg ha-1) and the highest percent of MRR (3426) with the highest net benefit (82632.70 ETBha^-1) was obtained from the interaction of 30 cm inter-row spacing and weed-free check followed by the combination of 30cm and 40 cm inter-row spacing with two times weeding respectively. This indicated that seed yield increased with reduction of weed population at moderate plant spacing. So, it can be concluded that the use of 30 cm inter-row spacing with weed-free check was the most agronomic efficient and economically viable and is recommended as the first option for mung bean production, followed by the combination of 30 cm and 40 cm inter-row spacing with two times weeding frequency as second and third options respectively.

EFFECT OF GIBBERELLIC ACID ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF BARLEY UNDER NACL-INDUCED SALINITY

Onur Okumuş — 2024-11-11

Barley is a widely cultivated grain in the world. Barley is widely used in both human and animal nutrition. Uniform germination is one of the critical factors affecting yield. Salinity is one of the most common abiotic stress factors in the world. In recent years, various seed coating processes have provided more uniform germination of seeds. This study investigated the response of different doses of gibberellic acid applications to salt stress. Germination percentage, shoot, root length, and wet and dry weight data were analyzed. The study used two widely used barley varieties (Anka 06 and Cirit). Control, 5 and 10 EC were used as salt dose, and control, 100 and 200 ppm were used as gibberellic acid. As a result of the study, gibberellic acid positively affected germination data in both varieties at increasing salt doses.

IMPACT OF WATERING LEVELS ON SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.) GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY

Habibullah Poya — 2024-11-22

The present investigation was carried out to assess impact of water scarcity conditions on soybean (Glycine max L.) growth and yield. The experiment was done at Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, Afghanistan during the period of 2021 and 2022. The experimental farm having an elevation of 1971 meters above mean sea level, the farm is situated at 34°N latitude and 69°E longitude. The experiment consisted of five replications and four treatments according to randomized completely-block design. The treatments included I0 control, I₁ (431 mm), I₂ (526.9 mm), and I₃ (622.7 mm). The characteristics that have been considered were plant height, leaf count, branch count, pod count, length of pod, number of seeds per plant, 100-seed weight, and grain production per hectare. The gathered data were subjected to an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and used the STAR package application. The least significant difference (LSD) with a probability of 5% was employed to compare each treatment. The combined findings of 2021 and 2022 showed that there were some notable variations across the treatments, I₃ levels of irrigation represented the best across all variables examined, and have been enough water for the growth and development of soybeans, and enough water around the roots of the plants made enough nutrients available to the plants. This is why there were significant differences between the treatments and I_3,which have the best performance.