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Ectopic Expression of WUSCHEL (AtWUS) Gene Alters Plant Growth and Development in Rice
Thiveyarajan Victorathisayam,
Ganapathi Sridevi
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
43-53
Received:
4 July 2020
Accepted:
25 July 2020
Published:
25 August 2020
Abstract: Developmental genes (DG)/ morphogenic genes are involved in enhancing the transformation and regeneration of plants. One such DG is the WUSCHEL (WUS) gene, a homeodomain transcription factor, and is involved in the stem cell maintenance of shoot apical meristem (SAM). In dicots, ectopic expression of WUS induced the embryogenic calli formation and organogenesis. On the other, WUS overexpression resulted in pleiotropic effects in most of the monocots. Also, very few dicots failed to regenerate due to the overexpression of WUS. In our study, the 35S driven WUS (AtWUS) gene expressing transgenic rice plants were generated. All the transgenic plants with the WUS (W) gene along with the vector (V) and untransformed (U) lines were confirmed by detailed Southern analyses. The single-copy W and V plants with complete T-DNA were taken for detailed analyses. The W plants exhibited few phenotypic changes such as thick stem, reduction in the internode length, enclosed panicle, unopen flower, pale yellow colour of the anther, and loss of viable pollens compared to the U and V plants. Interestingly, crown root formation and small vein formation in the leaves were detected in the W plants. The expression of the WUS gene was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis in the W plants. The seeds from the hemizygous plants showed enhanced embryogenic calli formation and attained early regeneration compared to U and V plants thereby confirming the role of the WUS gene in embryogenesis and regeneration.
Abstract: Developmental genes (DG)/ morphogenic genes are involved in enhancing the transformation and regeneration of plants. One such DG is the WUSCHEL (WUS) gene, a homeodomain transcription factor, and is involved in the stem cell maintenance of shoot apical meristem (SAM). In dicots, ectopic expression of WUS induced the embryogenic calli formation and ...
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Drivers of Sex-specific Trade-offs in the Macroalga Ascophyllum nodosum
Martyn Kurr,
Andrew John Davies
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
54-63
Received:
17 July 2020
Accepted:
17 August 2020
Published:
3 September 2020
Abstract: Little is known about reproductive trade-offs in seaweeds, but sex-specific differences in mortality, production of metabolites, threshold size for reproduction, and susceptibility to herbivory have been reported. The macroalga Ascophyllum nodosum exhibits sex-specific trade-offs at sites where wave-action and herbivory are stronger, because females increase their investment into reproduction at the expense of chemical defences. Females may do this at stressed sites because of high germling and juvenile mortality, or to compensate for lower fecundity due smaller adult sizes at these sites. This study aimed to determine which is the case by comparing A. nodosum in an area where stressors (wave-action and herbivory) impacted upon both adult performance and juvenile mortality, to one where only adult performance was impacted (by ice-damage). Seven populations of the algae were compared at both the regional (> 1000 km) and local scales (< 50 km), to assess the presence of sex-specific differences in algal size, sex-ratio, and the chemical defences and tissue condition of both vegetative and reproductive structures. Taking a multi-scale approach is a useful way to determine which abiotic variables are driving biological patterns, because variability in the latter mirrors variability in the former. Sex-specific trade-offs were more common at both the regional and local scale when herbivory and wave-exposure were high. Other factors caused differences in physiology at both scales, but did not drive sex-specific differences. Furthermore, sex-specific differences were consistent in the defence of reproductive tissues at all sites, suggesting that this was not driven by stress at all. Therefore, sex-specific differences in A. nodosum are caused by some stressors, not caused by others, and are present in some fashion regardless of stress. This is the first study to directly quantify sex-specific trade-offs at different spatial scales in populations of either plants or algae, and as such it reveals novel insights into the driving forces behind them.
Abstract: Little is known about reproductive trade-offs in seaweeds, but sex-specific differences in mortality, production of metabolites, threshold size for reproduction, and susceptibility to herbivory have been reported. The macroalga Ascophyllum nodosum exhibits sex-specific trade-offs at sites where wave-action and herbivory are stronger, because female...
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Intercropping of Coffee with Enset (Enset ventricosum Welw. Cheesman) at Teppi, Southwestern Ethiopia
Behailu Mekonnen,
Essubalew Getachew,
Shiferaw Temteme,
Tesfaye Shimber,
Anteneh Netsere
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
64-71
Received:
12 August 2020
Accepted:
31 August 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Intercropping is an excellent system of cropping which achieves a diversified and intensified crop production through better utilization of growth resources and inputs. An experiment was conducted at Teppi Agricultural Research Center from 2011 to 2015 cropping calendar to determine optimum intercropping ratios of coffee and enset that enhances yield productivity and land-use efficiency. The study consisted of six treatments viz., sole cropping of each crop, a staggered planting of both crops, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 row ratios of coffee to enset, respectively. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. A lowland coffee variety (Catimor J-19) and local enset variety were used. The result revealed that the growth parameters of both coffee and enset were not significantly influenced by intercropping, except the internode length of coffee primary branches. However, the yields of the component crops were significantly (p<0.05) affected by different ratios of intercropping. The maximum clean coffee yield was obtained from the sole coffee plot (1127.68 kg ha-1) followed by the staggered plot (1082.04 kg ha-1). Similarly, the highest kocho (44167 kg ha-1) and bulla (1734.70 kg ha-1) yields were also found from the sole enset plot. On the other hand, the combined yields of the component crops in all intercropped plots were higher than the sole plots and the LER value was greater than 1. The maximum relative yield advantage of coffee and LER value was recorded from the staggered plot followed by the plot consists of a 3:1 row ratio of coffee to enset. In general, the result was disclosed the agronomic feasibilities of coffee and enset intercropping and the compatibility of the component crops as well. Therefore, it can be concluded that staggered planting of coffee and enset is a suitable cropping arrangement for enhancing the yield productivity of the component crops and ensuring food security for the resource-poor farmers. Thus, the aforementioned planting arrangement can be recommended for farmers and growers in the study area. Nevertheless, additional researches are required in different agro-ecologies of the country with economic feasibility studies to deliver a concrete recommendation.
Abstract: Intercropping is an excellent system of cropping which achieves a diversified and intensified crop production through better utilization of growth resources and inputs. An experiment was conducted at Teppi Agricultural Research Center from 2011 to 2015 cropping calendar to determine optimum intercropping ratios of coffee and enset that enhances yie...
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Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Performance of Wheat Crop Through Application of Urea Stable and Conventional Urea in Vertisols of Ambo District
Tolcha Tufa,
Tolera Abera,
Tesfaye Midega,
Adane Adugna,
Hirpa Legesse,
Bezuayehu Tola
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
72-79
Received:
25 September 2020
Accepted:
13 October 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Nitrogen is the most yield liming nutrient that can be highly soluble and lost through leaching, volatilization and denitrification. In this view an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of urea stable and convectional urea on nitrogen use efficiency and crop performance of wheat in Vertisols of Ambo District, west Shewa Zone. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were different rate of urea stable and convectional urea applied at planting and in split: (Control, 23 kg N ha-1 from urea stable applied once at planting, 23 kg N ha-1 from urea stable in split application, 46 kg N ha-1 from urea stable in split application, 46 kg N ha-1 from urea stable applied once at planting, 46 kg N ha-1 from urea in split application, 69 kg N ha-1 from urea stable in split application, 69 kg N ha-1 from urea in split application, 69 kg N ha-1 from urea stable applied once at planting). Agronomic use efficiency was significantly varied among applied urea stable and convectional urea during first year. Significantly higher (32.77 and 40.8 kg grain/ kg N applied) agronomic efficiency of wheat from farm one (1) and two (2) were recorded by application of 23 kg N ha-1 from urea stable in split form. Mean grain yield, dry biomass, harvest index, plant height and spike length of wheat were significantly affected with application of urea stable and convectional urea. The highest mean spike length (6.6cm), plant height (80cm), harvest index (45%) and thousand seed weight (45g) were recorded from split application of 69 kg N ha-1 in the form of urea stable fertilizer. Wheat grain yield of 3623 kg ha-1 and dry biomass 8921 kg ha-1 were recorded from split application of 69 kg N ha-1 from conventional urea fertilizer. Statistically significant difference of yield and yield components of wheat were not observed by applying similar rate of urea stable and convectional urea. Therefore, urea stable and convectional urea could be used as alternatively for wheat production in study area.
Abstract: Nitrogen is the most yield liming nutrient that can be highly soluble and lost through leaching, volatilization and denitrification. In this view an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of urea stable and convectional urea on nitrogen use efficiency and crop performance of wheat in Vertisols of Ambo District, west Shewa Zone. The exper...
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Review on Factors Affecting Youth Participation in Agribusiness in Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 3, September 2020
Pages:
80-86
Received:
1 September 2020
Accepted:
11 November 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Ethiopian agriculture is the largest sector which is approximately employing 85% of the country’s population. Out of labor forces working in agriculture in Ethiopia, young people share about 50 percent. This review has addressed three specific objectives (assessing contributions of agribusiness in creating employment opportunity for youth, identifying factors affecting youth participation in agri-business and assessing types of agribusiness in Ethiopia). Agriculture which includes crop production, animal husbandry, forestry, fisheries and apiculture remains by far the most important sector of the Ethiopia from which livestock constitute the largest component of the country’s agricultural sector. Despite agribusiness plays great role in employing people, youth are challenged by many problems in agribusiness. Limited access to land, inadequate access to financial services, gender or sex, backwardness of agricultural tools, and attitudinal problems are some of the challenges for youth involvement and advancement in agribusiness. Therefore, providing improved credit system, equally distributing available land and aiding youth to conserve soil, improving extension system through providing incentives to participants and creating more awareness in changing attitudes of community and youth toward agriculture, providing gender awareness, introducing good varieties and animal species and introducing new technological tools are recommended to accelerate their participation and success in agribusiness.
Abstract: Ethiopian agriculture is the largest sector which is approximately employing 85% of the country’s population. Out of labor forces working in agriculture in Ethiopia, young people share about 50 percent. This review has addressed three specific objectives (assessing contributions of agribusiness in creating employment opportunity for youth, identify...
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