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Selenium in Soil-Crop-Animal System: A Holistic Perspective to Manage Animal and Human Health
Uttam Saha,
Abioye Fayiga,
Bipul K. Biswas,
Leticia Sonon
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
51-66
Received:
10 March 2017
Accepted:
24 March 2017
Published:
25 April 2017
Abstract: Selenium (Se) dependent enzymes play important roles in physiological functions such as thyroid hormone metabolism, strengthens anti-oxidant defense system and immune system. However, about 800 million people worldwide are believed to be deficient in Se which is attributed to low Se levels in the soil. This is because Se in plant and animal products in human diet depends upon the available Se in the soil. Deficiency of Se can be prevented or treated by adequate dietary intake or through direct supplementation. There have been reports that patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, HIV viral loads and cancer have responded to Se supplementation. However, food fortification has been found to be more efficient than supplementation. Both agronomic biofortification and genetic biofortification have been used to increase Se content of food crops and animal products. Genetic engineering makes use of key genes of Se hyperaccumulators to increase Se accumulating potential of food crops. Agronomic biofortification increases Se content of food crops by adding Se rich fertilizers to the soil or foliar application of Se. Selenium can also be added to animal diets or feedstuff to increase Se content of meat, eggs, and milk. Although inorganic forms of Se are approved as feed additives, they are less efficient than organic sources such as selenomethionine (SeMet) which is the dominant form in plants and animals. Animal products have been found to have higher Se content than plant products with fish having the highest Se content. Fruits and vegetables have a low content of Se probably because of their low protein content. Recommendations for dietary intake of Se vary with country, age and sex. There are concerns that the present recommended Se daily allowance may not be adequate due to discovery of other selenoenzymes with higher Se requirements than gluthathione peroxidase. There may be a need to review the current recommended daily allowance for Se in order to improve human health.
Abstract: Selenium (Se) dependent enzymes play important roles in physiological functions such as thyroid hormone metabolism, strengthens anti-oxidant defense system and immune system. However, about 800 million people worldwide are believed to be deficient in Se which is attributed to low Se levels in the soil. This is because Se in plant and animal product...
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Flowering Syndrome-Hybrid Performance Relationship in Maize 1-Agromonic Traits
H. A. Alkhazaali,
M. M. Elsahookie,
F. Y. Baktash
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
67-71
Received:
26 January 2017
Accepted:
10 February 2017
Published:
26 April 2017
Abstract: To determine the relationship between flowering syndrome and hybrid performance in some maize (Zea mays L.) crosses, selection on early and late flowering plants was undertaken. Selection was applied on plants of four inbreds; Zm19, Zm32, Zm51, and Zm61. Selected plants were propagated in the next season, grown in the third season and crossed to two testers (Zm21 late, and Zm60 early). The F1 seeds were planted in the fourth season in a randomized complete block design of three replicates in 83’000 plants/ha. This was done in the farm of the College of Agric., Univ. of Baghdad. The results showed that selection for divergent flowering of inbred gave significant difference in days to silking among all crosses. The days ranged between 62 d for early selects, to 66 d for late selects. This was reflected on time of seed filling that increased grain yield. The best crosses gave plant growth rate of 18.3 – 21.6 g.m-2.d-1, seed growth rate of 3.2 – 3.5 g.plant-1.d-1, and seed filling of 35 – 38 d. The cross that gave highest response of selection (61 x 21) gave 1.79 kg.m-2 dry matter for early select, and 2.20 kg.m-2 for late flowering select cross. It was recommended to select on maize inbreds to create new variations for better traits provided using large inbred populations.
Abstract: To determine the relationship between flowering syndrome and hybrid performance in some maize (Zea mays L.) crosses, selection on early and late flowering plants was undertaken. Selection was applied on plants of four inbreds; Zm19, Zm32, Zm51, and Zm61. Selected plants were propagated in the next season, grown in the third season and crossed to tw...
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Flowering Syndrome-Hybrid Performance Relationship in Maize 2- Grain Yield and Yield Components
H. A. Alkhazaali,
M. M. Elsahookie,
F. Y. Baktash
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
72-77
Received:
26 January 2017
Accepted:
10 February 2017
Published:
26 April 2017
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted for 4 seasons on the farm of the Dept. of Field Crop Sci., Coll. of Agric., Univ. of Baghdad in spring and fall plantings in 2014 and 2015. That was to determine the relationship of hybrid performance in maize (Zea mays L.) crosses with early and late selects of inbreds. Four inbreds; Zm19, Zm32, Zm51, and Zm61 were grown and the very early and very late silking plants were selected and selfed for propagation in the first two seasons. The third season involved growing the selects and top-crossing with early and late inbreds (Zm60 and Zm21). The sixteen crosses were planted in season 4 in RCBD of 3 replicates in population density of 83’000 plants. ha-1. The cross (Zm19xZm60) resulted from early select of Zm19 gave significantly higher grain yield (10.52 t. ha-1) compared to its late counterpart (8.19 t. ha-1). The same cross gave higher grain yield than late Zm19 crossed to late inbred (Zm21) (6.64 t. ha-1). Early selects on inbreds crossed to testers showed significant differences in kernel growth rate (KGR), kernel filling duration (KFD) and kernel weight. Values of KGR ranged between 3.2 - 3.5 g. plant-1. d-1, KFD between 35 – 38 d, and kernel weight between 228 – 294 mg. kernel-1. It was concluded that selection on maize inbred populations creates new variations in traits lead to higher grain yield hybrids. Other traits such as ear length, kernel. ear-1, and kernel weight could be good candidates for selection on inbreds that could help developing new high grain yield hybrids.
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted for 4 seasons on the farm of the Dept. of Field Crop Sci., Coll. of Agric., Univ. of Baghdad in spring and fall plantings in 2014 and 2015. That was to determine the relationship of hybrid performance in maize (Zea mays L.) crosses with early and late selects of inbreds. Four inbreds; Zm19, Zm32, Zm51, and Zm61 were...
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Appraisal of Some Heavy Metals and Elements in Irrigated Vegetables and Fruit Cultivated in College Farm, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Gwana Adamu Mohammed,
Bassey Effong Edet,
Hauwa Lawan Badawi,
Halima Mohammed Bala,
Mustapha Umar Marte,
Ali Mohammed,
Laku Dauda
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 3, May 2017
Pages:
78-86
Received:
16 December 2015
Accepted:
8 February 2016
Published:
29 May 2017
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine concentration levels of heavy metals and element in irrigated leafy vegetables and fruit cultivated at colleges’ farm along river Kumodu Gana bank, Maiduguri. Samples were obtained randomly from five locations and analysed as described by AOAC, (1990). Cadmium, copper, iron, potassium, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc were determined in plant parts of spinach (Amaranthus blitum), jute wallow (Corchurus tridents), roselle (Habiscus sabdariffa variety), and fruits of pepper (Capsicum species). The results revealed mean concentration level of each element determined in the vegetable plants studied; for cadmium had 0.80 - 3.21 µg/g, copper (0.38 - 1.58 µg/g), iron (0.27 - 1.89 µg/g), potassium (6.6 - 27.13 µg/g), manganese (0.26 - 2.42 µg/g), nickel (0.23 - 4.21 µg/g), lead (0.32 µg/g), and 0.13 - 0.74 µg/g for zinc. The magnitude of concentration levels of these elements detected in different irrigated vegetable plant parts materials’ sequential order was K > Ni > Cd > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb, the highest was potassium (K), the least was lead (Pb) and Pb was detected in roselle (Habiscus sabdariffa variety) only. No significance differences between the plant parts when compared their concentration levels in term of the elements determined. Their concentrations are below the recommended safe limit proposed by AOAC, EU, FAO and WHO. Hence, irrigated vegetables cultivated in the studied area were found fit, wholesome for consumption and health risk free. Further studies on the same irrigated vegetables and area are recommended.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine concentration levels of heavy metals and element in irrigated leafy vegetables and fruit cultivated at colleges’ farm along river Kumodu Gana bank, Maiduguri. Samples were obtained randomly from five locations and analysed as described by AOAC, (1990). Cadmium, copper, iron, potassium, manganese, nickel, lead a...
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