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Effect of Heat Stress in Synthesis of Heat Shock Proteins and Antioxidative Enzyme Response in Trigonella foenum-graceum L
Geetika Pant,
Sanivarapu Hemalatha,
Selvam Arjunan,
Sudhakar Malla,
G. Sibi
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, December 2013
Pages:
51-56
Received:
29 October 2013
Published:
30 November 2013
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20130104.11
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Abstract: Plants exposed to high temperature causes inhibition of photosynthesis, cell membrane damage and cell death. Plants have a number of protective systems against deleterious stress effects through the synthesis of proteins and enzymes. This study was performed to investigate the effects of heat stress on synthesis of proteins and reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum) plants. The plants were exposed to 30 ºC, 35 ºC and 40 ºC for 4 hrs and 6 hrs to induce heat stress. Catalase and peroxidase assays were performed to determine the defense mechanisms by T. foenum-graceum plants against reactive oxygen species produced due to heat stress. There was an increased enzymatic activity in response to exposure time and temperature. Proteins were extracted from heat stressed plants and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the variation among the protein bands and high level of gene expression results in synthesis of proteins having molecular weight of 30 - 60 kDa. MALDI-TOF-MS was used to compare the peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) data with SWISS-PORT and NCBI database for the identification of expressed proteins in response to heat stress.
Abstract: Plants exposed to high temperature causes inhibition of photosynthesis, cell membrane damage and cell death. Plants have a number of protective systems against deleterious stress effects through the synthesis of proteins and enzymes. This study was performed to investigate the effects of heat stress on synthesis of proteins and reactive oxygen spec...
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Heterosis Study for Grain Yield, Protein and Oil Improvement in Selected Genotypes of Maize (Zea Mays L)
Atnafua Bekele,
Tnaro Nageshwar Rao
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, December 2013
Pages:
57-63
Received:
5 November 2013
Published:
30 November 2013
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20130104.12
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Abstract: The extent and nature of heterosis was studied at College of Agricultural farm; Rajendranagar for thirteen important characters in Line x Tester mating design comprising of twenty four crosses from 6 lines and 4 testers in maize (Zea mays L.). It was carried out under irrigated condition in 2002-2003 using randomized block design with three replications. The results of this study indicated that the occurrence of non additive gene action for grain yield, oil and protein. B-QPM-117x B-QPM-128 was the only hybrid that recorded positive and highly significant standard heterosis for grain yield over DHM-105 with a value of 31.95%. Hence this cross can be a good substitute over the check DHM-105. Though it was not significant only hybrid B-QPM-114x B-QPM-118 showed the highest positive standard heterosis for oil content with the value of 0.71% and for grain yield per plot with value of 20% over the check Mandhuri. However, all the other crosses gave negative and significant standard heterosis for oil and protein contents over this check. This hybrid can be considered to improve oil content. Heterobeltiosis studies revealed that the five hybrids showed positive and significance performance for grain yield. Further three hybrids recorded positive and significant heterobeltiosis for protein content.
Abstract: The extent and nature of heterosis was studied at College of Agricultural farm; Rajendranagar for thirteen important characters in Line x Tester mating design comprising of twenty four crosses from 6 lines and 4 testers in maize (Zea mays L.). It was carried out under irrigated condition in 2002-2003 using randomized block design with three replica...
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Effect of pH on Mycelial Growth and Sporulation of Aspergillus parasiticus
Abubakar A.,
Suberu H. A.,
Bello I. M.,
Abdulkadir R.,
Daudu O. A.,
Lateef A. A.
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, December 2013
Pages:
64-67
Received:
14 November 2013
Published:
30 November 2013
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20130104.13
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Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro use of pH factor in the control of Aspergillus parasiticus which is a notable causative agent of food rot and plant mycotoxins. Under laboratory condition, A. parasiticus was innoculated in Potato Dextrose Broth media of varied pH ranging from 4.0 to 10.0 and incubated for 7 days at room temperature. Within the pH range of 4.0 to 10.0, the mean mycelial dry weight produced ranged from 355.67mg to 302.73mg while the spore production ranged from 4.5 x 107 to 2.8 x 107. There was no significant difference at 95% confidence limit between the mycelial dry weight means except at pH 10.0. The spores formed at pH of 5.0 and 7.0 were significantly different from other pH; with highest number of spores formed at pH of 5.0 and the lowest at pH of 10.0. The lowest mycelial weight and spore formation recorded at pH 10.0 indicate that higher alkaline medium is not suitable for development of A. parasiticus. It was therefore concluded that certain alkaline medium can be used to inhibit the mycelia growth and sporulation of A. parasiticus in order to prevent it from damaging our crops.
Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro use of pH factor in the control of Aspergillus parasiticus which is a notable causative agent of food rot and plant mycotoxins. Under laboratory condition, A. parasiticus was innoculated in Potato Dextrose Broth media of varied pH ranging from 4.0 to 10.0 and incubated for 7 days at room temperatu...
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Sustaining Frafra Potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius Poir.) in the Food Chain; Current Opportunities in Ghana
Issah Sugri,
Francis Kusi,
Roger Adamu L. Kanton,
Stephen K. Nutsugah,
Mukhtar Zakaria
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, December 2013
Pages:
68-75
Received:
12 September 2013
Published:
20 December 2013
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20130104.14
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Abstract: Frafra potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius Poir.)is one underutilized crop species which is critical to improving food security in the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana. Food dishes of Frafra potato (FP) are a delicacy particularly for children. The tubers have high marketing potential even compared with its counterpart, sweet potato. However, crop improvement programmes in FP have been slow leading to the current varieties being recycled for several decades. Research tools such asfield survey, focused group discussions and key informant interviews were employed to gather information on production practices, challenges and strategies to improve FP production and utilization. Information was generated from 10 focused group discussions and 270 respondents in 5 districts. Overall, FP is produced under rain-fed agriculture by less than 30% farmers on less than ¼hectare/farmer. In Bongo, Kongo and Bolgatanga environs, FP is cultivated by over 70% of households to supplement household food. Production is primarily planned for domestic consumption; contributing up to 20% of household food between Octoberto December. Consumer preference traits included tuber size, starch, low water content, taste and ease of peeling. Key problems identified were decreasing soil fertility, lack of improve varieties, labour-intensive operations, insect pests and high postharvest losses. Crop improvement should target high yielding cultivars, large tuber size, white and pink flesh and biofortification with micro-nutrients. Processing tubers into stable preservable products using low-cost roasting, dry-frying and solar dehydration methods should be evaluated. Dissemination of current improved technologies to increase productivity requires prompt attention by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Abstract: Frafra potato (Solenostemon rotundifolius Poir.)is one underutilized crop species which is critical to improving food security in the Upper East and Upper West Regions of Ghana. Food dishes of Frafra potato (FP) are a delicacy particularly for children. The tubers have high marketing potential even compared with its counterpart, sweet potato. Howev...
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Genetics of Fruit Quality in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) under Waste Water
Muhammad Massub Tehseen,
Usman Ijaz Smiullah,
Najaf Ali,
Jawad Rashid Chaudhry,
Muhammad Saleem,
Ghazanfar Hammad
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, December 2013
Pages:
76-80
Received:
1 November 2013
Published:
30 December 2013
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20130104.15
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Abstract: A field experiment consists of five genotypes of okra was conducted in the research area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during crop season 2010-2011.All possible crosses were made to obtain F1seed following diallel analysis design. The F1 seed along with their parents was evaluated. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design. Data was collected for some quality traits as protein content, dietryfiber content and carbohydrates. The numerical approaches demonstrated that dietary fiber contents and carbohydrate contents under wastewater irrigation were ruled by over-dominance with non-additive type of gene action while partial dominance was observed in protein contents under wastewater irrigation, dietary fiber contents and carbohydrates under normal irrigation water which suggested that early selection might end up in improving these genotypes. Non-allelic interaction or epistasis was absent for all the traits studied. It indicated thatselection in early generations for these traits would be difficult.
Abstract: A field experiment consists of five genotypes of okra was conducted in the research area of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during crop season 2010-2011.All possible crosses were made to obtain F1seed following diallel analysis design. The F1 seed along with their parents was evaluated. The exper...
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Different Densities of Adansonia digitata. L. Trees: Structure and Impact on Neighbouring Flora in Northern Ghana
Abdul-Wahab Mbelayim Imoro,
Victor Rex Barnes
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 4, December 2013
Pages:
81-91
Received:
28 November 2013
Published:
30 December 2013
DOI:
10.11648/j.jps.20130104.16
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Abstract: The ecological significance of baobab trees in the Savanna ecosystem is yet to be recognized despite its numerous socio-economic importance in the area. This study was conducted at Doba to investigate the impact of basal area of baobab trees on associated plant species diversity and their aboveground biomass. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify the various baobab aggregation regimes categorized into highly-clumped, moderately-clumped and the isolated stands. A design consisting of concentric circles (zones) in addition to plot sizes of 100 m x 100 m was used. All woody species (height ≥ 1.5 m) within the 100 m x 100 m plots were enumerated and also the non-woody species within the concentric zones nested within the larger plots were enumerated using 1 m2 quadrats. All trees/shrubs characteristics were measured. Also, the woody species biomass was determined by a non-destructive method while non-woody species biomass was determined by a destructive technique. The results showed that the mean height of the isolated, moderately-clumped and the highly-clumped baobab stands were 14.2 ± 2.20 m, 11.3 ± 1.06 m and 11.5 ± 0.81 m respectively. The results also indicated that the greatest mean woody species biomass was recorded at the highly-clumped baobab sites (4539.18±715.97 kg/ha) while the least was found at the isolated baobab stands (2497.36 ± 1088.87 kg/ha). Similarly, woody species diversity at the highly-clumped sites was the highest among the three sites. The mean biomass values of the non-woody species did not vary under the various baobab stands, however, their biomass under the various concentric zones differ significantly. Also, the non-woody species diversity showed that zone B (2.07 ± 0.36) under the highly-clumped stands was the most diverse area while zone C (1.24 ± 0.24) under the moderately-clumped stands was the least diverse zone. It is therefore recommended that baobabs are a potential nurse and/or facilitative plant for some species and should be managed and conserve on the parklands to realize its fullest potential.
Abstract: The ecological significance of baobab trees in the Savanna ecosystem is yet to be recognized despite its numerous socio-economic importance in the area. This study was conducted at Doba to investigate the impact of basal area of baobab trees on associated plant species diversity and their aboveground biomass. Purposive sampling technique was used t...
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