Comparative transcript abundance of gibberellin oxidases genes in two barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes with contrasting lodging resistance under different regimes of water deficit.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare ) is the world's fourth most important cereal crop, and is particularly well adapted to harsh environments. However, lodging is a major productivity constraint causing 13-65% yield losses. Gibberellic acid (GA) homeostatic genes such as HvGA20ox, HvGA3ox and HvGA2ox are responsible for changes in plant phenotype for height and internodal length that contribute towards lodging resistance. This study explored the expression of different HvGAox transcripts in two contrasting barley genotypes (5-GSBON-18, lodging resistant; and 5-GSBON-70, lodging sensitive), which were sown both under controlled (hydroponic, completely randomised factorial design) and field conditions (split-plot, completely randomised block design) with two irrigation treatments (normal with three irrigation events; and water deficit with one irrigation event). In the hydroponic experiment, expression analysis was performed on seedlings at 0, ¾, 1½, 3 and 6h after application of treatment. In the field experiment, leaf, shoot nodes and internodes were sampled. Downregulation of HvGA20ox.1 transcript and 2-fold upregulation of HvGA2ox.2 transcript were observed in 5-GSBON-18 under water deficit conditions. This genotype also showed a significant reduction in plant height (18-20%), lodging (<10%), and increased grain yield (15-18%) under stress. Utilisation of these transcripts in barley breeding has the potential to reduce plant height, lodging and increased grain yield.

Characterization of Histone H3 Gene Family Reveals That GmHH3-3 is Associated With Higher Seed Weight in Glycine max.

The main function of histone protein is to provide support to the structure of chromosomes. It helps in binding a long thread of DNA into a more condensed shape to fit into the nucleus. From histone variants, histone H3 (HH3) plays a crucial role in plant growth and development. Characterization of histones has not been reported in Glycine max till now. The objective of this study was to characterize the HH3 gene family for molecular breeding of G. max. In this study, 17 HH3 members in G. max were identified by performing local BLASTp using HH3 members from Arabidopsis as a query. Phylogenetic analysis classified HH3 genes in seven clades. Sequence logo analysis among Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Glycine max showed a higher level of similarity in amino acids. Furthermore, conserveness of G. max HH3 genes was also confirmed by Gene Structure Display. Ten paralogous gene pairs were identified in GmHH3 genes in the Glycine max genome by conducting collinearity analysis. G. max HH3 genes have experienced strong purifying selection pressure, with limited functional divergence originating from the segmental and whole-genome duplication, as evidenced by the Ka/Ks ratio. The KASP marker was developed for GmHH3-3 gene. Genotyping was performed on 46 G. max genotypes. This differentiation was based upon the presence of either GmHH3-3-C or GmHH3-3-T allele in the CDS region. The results showed that G. max accessions containing the GmHH3-3-T allele at respective locus showed higher thousand seed weight than that of those accessions that contain the GmHH3-3-C allele. This research provides the basic information to further decipher the function of HH3 in soybean.

Organic amendments and conservation tillage improve cotton productivity and soil health indices under arid climate.

Long-term different tillage system field trials can provide vital knowledge about sustainable changes in soil health indices and crop productivity. This study examined cotton productivity and soil health indices under different tillage systems and organic materials. The present study was carried out at MNS University of Agriculture, Multan to explore the effect of different tillage systems: conventional tillage (T1), conservation tillage (T2), and organic materials: control (recommended dose of synthetic fertilizers; 160:90:60 kg ha-1NPK), poultry manure (10 t ha-1 PM), compost (10 t ha-1 CM), farmyard manure (20 t ha-1 FYM), and biochar (7 t ha-1 BC) on cotton productivity and soil health indices. Two years field trials showed that different tillage systems and organic materials significantly improved the growth, morphological, and yield attributes of cotton and soil health indices. The cotton showed highest seed cotton yield (3692-3736 kg ha-1), and soil organic matter (0.809-0.815%), soil available nitrogen (74.3-74.6 mg kg-1), phosphorus (7.29-7.43 mg kg-1), and potassium (213-216 mg kg-1) under T2 in comparison to T1 system during both years of field experiment, respectively. Similarly, PM (10 t ha-1) showed highest seed cotton yield (3888-3933 kg ha-1), and soil organic matter (0.794-0.797%), nitrogen (74.7-75.0 mg kg-1), phosphorus (7.39-7.55 mg kg-1), and potassium (221-223 mg kg-1) when these are compared to FYM (20 t ha-1), CM (10 t ha-1), and BC (7 t ha-1) during both years of field experiment, respectively. These findings indicate that conservation tillage system with application of 10 t ha-1 PM are the best practices for the sustainable cotton production and to ensure improvement in the soil health indices under arid climatic conditions.

Effect of slow-release nitrogenous fertilizers on dry matter accumulation, grain nutritional quality, water productivity and wheat yield under an arid environment.

Slow release nitrogenous fertilizers can improve crops production and reduce the environmental challenges in agro-ecosystem. There is a need to test the efficiency and performance under arid climatic conditions. The study investigates the effect of slow-release fertilizers (urea, neem coated urea (NCU), sulfur coated urea (SCU) and bioactive sulfur coated urea (BSCU)) on the growth, productivity and grain nutritional qualities of wheat crop. Slow-release fertilizers (SRF) with nitrogen levels (130,117,104 and 94 kg ha-1) were applied with equal splits at sowing, 20 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). Research showed that the BSCU with 130 kg ha-1 increased dry matter accumulation (1989 kg ha-1) after anthesis and grain yield 4463 kg ha-1. The higher plant height (102 cm) was attained by 130 kg N ha-1 SCU while the minimum (77.67 cm) recorded for 94 kg N ha-1 as urea source. Maximum grain NPK concentrations (3.54, 0.66 and 1.07%) were recorded by BSCU 130 kg N ha-1 application. While, the minimum NPK (0.77, 0.19 and 0.35%) were observed by Urea 94 kg N ha-1. The high irrigation water use efficiency (WUE) recorded (20.92 kg ha-1 mm-1) and a crop index of 25.52% by BSCU 130 kg N ha-1 application. Research findings show that generally all SRF but particularly BSCU proved effective and can be recommended for wheat crop under arid environment.

Foliar application of potassium and moringa leaf extract improves growth, physiology and productivity of kabuli chickpea grown under varying sowing regimes.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is of prime importance because of vital source of protein as major food legume. Globally, it is cultivated on large area to meet dietary requirements of humans. Climatic extremes (erratic rainfall, extreme high and low temperature) are key restrains for its production. Optimum sowing time is considered as an important factor to address climatic variations and to attain maximum yield. Foliar application of potassium (K) has also been reported to increase resistance against abiotic stresses. Similarly, exogenous application of plant based growth substances (bio-stimulants) like moringa leaf extract (MLE) are extensively used to enhance productivity of field crops. Therefore, current study was planned to evaluate the impact of foliar applied K and MLE on growth, physiology and productivity of kabuli chickpea grown under varying sowing dates. There were two sowing dates (normal sown; November 15 and late sown; December 15, 2020). Experiment was comprised of treatments i.e. control, water spray, foliar application of K at 1%, foliar application of MLE at 3% and combined application of K and MLE. Foliar applied K and MLE significantly improved physiological, biochemical and yield attributes of kabuli chickpea cultivated under normal and late sown conditions. Increase in growth and yield attributes like plant height, number of nodules per plant, nodules dry weight, branches and pods per plant, 100- grain weight, biological and grain yield were recorded in case of combined foliar application of K and MLE in normal and late sown chickpea. Maximum improvement in gas exchange attributes (stomatal conductance and transpiration rate), chlorophyll contents, antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) and osmolytes (proline) were recorded with combined application of K and MLE in both sowing dates. Thus, combined applied K and MLE can be used to enhance productivity of kabuli chickpea.

Integrated phosphorus nutrient sources improve wheat yield and phosphorus use efficiency under sub humid conditions.

Majority of Pakistani soils are deficient in phosphorus. Phosphorus is usually applied in form of synthetic fertilizer. However integrated use of P from synthetic and organic sources can be more profitable and beneficial on sustainable basis. Field trials were conducted at research farm University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJK, Pakistan for two consecutive years to check the comparative effects of synthetic fertilizer and organic manures applied alone and in combinations on the phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), wheat yield and yield components. Shafaq-06 cultivar of wheat was used as test cultivar. Ten treatments were included: (I) Control (P0) without application of fertilizer; (II) SSP @ 60 kg/ha (P60SSP); (III) SSP @ 90 kg/ha (P90SSP); (IV) SSP @ 120 kg/ha (P120SSP); (V) PM @60 kg/ha (P60PM); (VI) PM @90 kg/ha (P90PM); (VII) PM @120 kg/ha (P120PM); (VIII) SSP @30 kg/ha + PM @30 kg/ha (P30SSP+30PM); (IX) SSP @45 kg/ha + PM @45 kg/ha (P45SSP+45PM); (X) SSP @60 kg/ha + PM @60 kg/ha (P60SSP+60PM) which were laid out under the Randomized Complete Block Design. Significantly higher values for yield of grain (2397 kg/ha) was recorded with PM + SSP @ 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 each. Likewise, FPUE, PIR of wheat and AFPUE was quite higher with combined use of PM and SSP i.e. P60SSP+60PM treatment. Additionally, increase in PUE, wheat yield and yield components associated with combined treated plot would help to minimize the use of high cost synthetic mineral fertilizers and represents an environmentally and agronomically sound management strategy.

Assessing the potential of partial root zone drying and mulching for improving the productivity of cotton under arid climate.

Water scarcity constrains global cotton production. However, partial root-zone drying (PRD) and mulching can be used as good techniques to save water and enhance crop production, especially in arid regions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mulching for water conservation in an arid environment under PRD and to further assess the osmotic adjustment and enzymatic activities for sustainable cotton production. The study was carried out for 2 years in field conditions using mulches (NM = no mulch, BPM = black plastic mulch at 32 kg ha-1, WSM = wheat straw mulch at 3 tons ha-1, CSM = cotton sticks mulch at 10 tons ha-1) and two irrigation levels (FI = full irrigation and PRD (50% less water than FI). High seed cotton yield (SCY) achieved in FI+WSM (4457 and 4248 kg ha-1 in 2017 and 2018, respectively) and even in PRD+WSM followed by BPM>CSM>NM under FI and PRD for both years. The higher SCY and traits observed in FI+WSM and PRD+WSM compared with the others were attributed to the improved water use efficiency and gaseous exchange traits, increased hormone production (ABA), osmolyte accumulation, and enhanced antioxidants to scavenge the excess reactive oxygen. Furthermore, better cotton quality traits were also observed under WSM either with FI or PRD irrigation regimes. Mulches applications found effective to control the weeds in the order as BPM>WSM>CSM. In general, PRD can be used as an effective stratagem to save moisture along with WSM, which ultimately can improve cotton yield in the water-scarce regions under arid climatic regions. It may prove as a good adaptation strategy under current and future water shortage scenarios of climate change.

Development and Exploitation of KASP Assays for Genes Underpinning Drought Tolerance Among Wheat Cultivars From Pakistan.

High-throughput genotyping for functional markers offers an excellent opportunity to effectively practice marker-assisted selection (MAS) while breeding cultivars. We developed kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays for genes conferring drought tolerance in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In total, 11 KASP assays developed in this study and five already reported assays were used for their application in wheat breeding. We investigated alleles at 16 loci associated with drought tolerance among 153 Pakistani hexaploid wheat cultivars released during 1953-2016; 28 diploid wheat accessions (16 for AA and 12 for BB) and 19 tetraploid wheat (AABB) were used to study the evolutionary history of the studied genes. Superior allelic variations of the studied genes were significantly associated with higher grain yield. Favored haplotypes of TaSnRK2.3-1A, TaSnRK2.3-1B, TaSnRK2.9-5A, TaSAP-7B, and TaLTPs-1A predominated in Pakistani wheat germplasm indicating unconscious pyramiding and selection pressure on favorable haplotypes during selection breeding. TaSnRK2.8-5A, TaDreb-B1, 1-feh w3, TaPPH-7A, TaMOC-7A, and TaPARG-2A had moderate to low frequencies of favorable haplotype among Pakistani wheat germplasm pointing toward introgression of favorable haplotypes by deploying functional markers in marker-assisted breeding. The KASP assays were compared with gel-based markers for reliability and phenotypically validated among 62 Pakistani wheat cultivars. Association analyses showed that the favorable allelic variations were significantly associated with grain yield-contributing traits. The developed molecular marker toolkit of the genes can be instrumental for the wheat breeding in Pakistan.

Interference of horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum L.) and other weeds affect yield of autumn planted maize (Zea mays L.).

To assess comparative losses of Trianthema portulacastrum (HP) relative to other weeds, the experiment was set during consecutive summer seasons 2018 and 2019 at the Research Farm MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Experiment consisted three replications which were laid out under randomized complete block design. Experiment consisted of ten treatments viz: weeds free (whole season), HP free till 20 Days after emergence (DAE), HP free till 40 DAE, HP free till 60 DAE, all weeds free 20 DAE, all weeds free 40 DAE, all weeds free 60 DAE, weedy check (all weeds), weedy check except HP and weedy check containing only HP. During 2018 in all weeds weedy check, maximum HP relative density (33.33%) was observed while in 2019, plot where weeds were controlled from growing till 20 DAE showed (80%) relative density at 30 DAE. HP maximum frequency (66.67%, 77.78%) and relative frequency (66%, 100%) was recorded at 45 DAE in plots where HP was kept controlled till 20 DAE and all weeds kept controlled till 20 DAE, respectively. Maximum number of grains per cob (738, 700.68), 1000 grain weight (306.66, 271.51 g) and grain yield (6150, 8015 kg hec-1) were recorded in plots which were kept all weed free till 60 DAE. As the competition period of weeds increased over 40 DAE, it substantially reduced yield of maize. Keeping the plots HP free till 40 DAE in the maize fields with HP as the major dominating weed, likely increase in maize grain yield is up to 30% compared to the fields where HP left un attended throughout the growing season. However, if maize field is infested with a mix of weeds with more than one dominating weeds including HP, compared to weedy situation the whole season, 30% higher grain yield can be obtained if all weeds are kept controlled till 40 DAE. Hence it can be concluded that whether the farmers face heavy HP infestation only or the mix of weeds as dominating weeds, in either case farmer should control weeds within first 40 days in maize field for better grain yield.

Integration of entomopathogenic fungi and eco-friendly insecticides for management of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier).

Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a voracious pest of date palm worldwide. Pakistan ranks sixth in date palm production globally. Losses to date palm plantations in Pakistan sometimes surpass 10%-20%. Most of the traditional management strategies used by farmers have been found insignificant to combat this voracious pest. The entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana [QA-3(L) and QA-3(H)] and insecticides, Nitenpyram (Active 10% SL) [NIT (L) and NIT (H)] were applied to larval (2nd, 4th, and 6th), pupal and adult stages of R. ferrugienus. Integration or alone application of fungi with insecticides at different concentration under laboratory conditions. Combined application was depicted additive and synergistic interactions. Contrarily, highest cumulative mortality (100%) was recorded in 2nd instar larvae as compared to later instar larvae at combined application. The maximum pupal and adult mortality remained 89% and 66% respectively after treatment with [QA-3 (H) + NIT (L)]. The combination of B. bassiana at higher concentration whereas Nitenpyram at lower dose was found more lethal to larvae, pupae and adults of R. ferrugineus. This signifies the need of combining B. bassiana and bio-rational insecticides that can reduce the cost of management with least harm to environment and natural enemies.

Assessment of grain yield indices in response to drought stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Drought stress constricts crop production in the world. Increasing human population and predicted temperature increase owing to global warming will lead ruthless problems for agricultural production in near future. Hence, use of high yielding genotypes having drought tolerance and scrutinize of drought sensitive local cultivars for making them tolerant may be the proficient approaches to cope its detrimental outcomes. The current study was executed during 20015-2016 and 2016-2017 in field using randomized complete block design under factorial arrangements on 50 wheat genotypes for exploring their sensitivity and tolerance against drought. Some of the attributes of grain yield and drought tolerance indices were recorded. Grain yield showed negative correlations with tolerance index (TOL), drought index (DI) and stress susceptibility index (SSI) while positive correlation with mean productivity (MP) and geometric mean productivity (GMP) under drought condition. These findings depicted that tolerant genotypes could be chosen by high MP and GMP values and low SSI and TOL values. Based on the results, genotypes GA-02, Faisalabad-83, 9444, Sehar-06, Pirsabak-04 and Kohistan-97 were more tolerant and recognized as suitable for both normal and drought conditions. Genotypes of Chenab-00, Kohsar-95, Parwaz-94 and Kohenoor-83 confirmed more sensitive due to high grain yield loss under drought stress.

Role of salicylic acid in regulating ethylene and physiological characteristics for alleviating salinity stress on germination, growth and yield of sweet pepper.

BACKGROUND: During a preliminary study, effects of 0, 20, 40, and 60 mM NaCl salinity were assessed on germination rate in relation to electrolyte leakage (EL) in sweet pepper. Results explored significant rises in ethylene evolution from seeds having more EL. It was, therefore, hypothesized that excessive ethylene biosynthesis in plants due to salinity stress might be a root cause of low crop productivity. As salicylic acid is one of the potent ethylene inhibitors, thus SA was used to combat effects of ethylene produced under salinity stress of 60 mM NaCl on different physiological and morphological characteristics of sweet pepper. METHODOLOGY: The effect of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mM SA was evaluated on seed germination, growth and yield of sweet pepper cv. Yolo wonder at salinity stress on 60 mM NaCl. Seeds were primed with SA concentrations and incubated till 312 h in an incubator to study germination. Same SA concentrations were sprayed on foliage of plants grown in saline soil (60 mM NaCl). RESULTS: Seeds primed by 0.2 to 0.3 mM SA improved germination rate by 33% due to suppression of ethylene from 3.19 (control) to 2.23-2.70 mg plate-1. Electrolyte leakage reduced to 20.8-21.3% in seeds treated by 0.2-0.3 mM SA compared to 39.9% in untreated seeds. Results also explored that seed priming by 0.3 mM improved TSS, SOD and chlorophyll contents from 13.7 to 15.0 mg g-1 FW, 4.64 to 5.38 activity h-1 100 mg-1 and 89 to 102 ug g-1 compared to untreated seeds, respectively. Results also explore that SA up to 0.2 mM SA applied on plant foliage improved LAI (5-13%), photosynthesis (4-27%), WUE (11-57%), dry weight (5-20%), SOD activity (4-20%) and finally fruit yield (4-20%) compared to untreated plants by ameliorating effect of 60 mM NaCl. Foliar application of SA also caused significant increase in nutrient use efficiency due to significant variations in POD and SOD activities. CONCLUSION: Salicylic acid suppressed ethylene evolution from germinating seeds up to 30% under stress of 60 mM NaCl due to elevated levels of TSS and SOD activity. Foliar application of SA upgraded SOD by lowering POD activity to improve NUE particularly K use efficiency at salinity stress of 60 mM NaCl. Application of 0.2 and 0.3 mM SA emerged as the most effective concentrations of SA for mitigating 60 mM NaCl stress on different physiological and morphological characteristics of sweet pepper.