•There was a diversity among the cardinal temperatures of landraces.•Cumulative Temperature Response Index divided landraces into cold/heat-tolerant groups.•The landraces with higher base ...temperatures had higher Heat-CTRI.•The landraces with lower base temperatures had higher Cold-CTRI.•Landraces have adapted to growing environment conditions over a long-term period.
Landraces have developed over time, through adaptation to their natural and maternal growing environment and originated by adaptive responses to local habitats. The objective of the present study was to study seed germination response to temperature and to compare heat and cold tolerance of landraces and their relationships with air temperature. We aimed to find if there is a relationship between heat and cold tolerances with mean annual temperatures in which the landraces are growing. The cumulative temperature response index (CTRI) for germination response to temperature was calculated based on the estimated cardinal temperatures for germination rate and percentage. The cardinal temperature for germination percentage of tomato landraces ranged from 7.7 °C to 9.9 °C for the base temperature, 16.6 °C–23.5 °C for the optimum temperature and 35.5 °C–43.6 °C for the ceiling temperature. The cardinal temperature for germination rate in the 5th percentile ranged from 9.9 °C to 12.8 °C for the base temperature, 26.7 °C–30.9 °C for the optimum temperature and 36.0 °C–39.0 °C for the ceiling temperature among the tomato landraces. The highest Heat CTRI (H-CTRI) was obtained in Gorgan, Shiraz and Varamin landraces (5.6) and the highest Cold CTRI (C-CTRI) were calculated in Sanandaj landrace (5.7). We found significant relationships between long-term annual air temperature and CTRIs, showing an adaptation to environmental conditions in which the tomato landraces are grown for a long-term period. Adapted landraces to cold conditions such as Sanandaj had a higher C-CTRI thereby they tolerate low temperatures. Also, adapted landraces to warm conditions such as Gorgan, Shiraz and Varamin had a higher H-CTRI and more tolerant of high temperatures.
In the last two centuries, papers have been published including measurements of the germination process. High diversity of mathematical expressions has made comparisons between papers and some times ...the interpretation of results difficult. Thus, in this paper is included a review about measurements of the germination process, with an analysis of the several mathematical expressions included in the specific literature, recovering the history, sense, and limitations of some germination measurements. Among the measurements included in this paper are the germinability, germination time, coefficient of uniformity of germination (CUG), coefficient of variation of the germination time (CVt), germination rate (mean rate, weighted mean rate, coefficient of velocity, germination rate of George, Timson’s index, GV or Czabator’s index; Throneberry and Smith’s method and its adaptations, including Maguire’s rate; ERI or emergence rate index, germination index, and its modifications), uncertainty associated to the distribution of the relative frequency of germination (U), and synchronization index (Z). The limits of the germination measurements were included to make the interpretation and decisions during comparisons easier. Time, rate, homogeneity, and synchrony are aspects that can be measured, informing the dynamics of the germination process. These characteristics are important not only for physiologists and seed technologists, but also for ecologists because it is possible to predict the degree of successful of a species based on the capacity of their harvest seed to spread the germination through time, permitting the recruitment in the environment of some part of the seedlings formed.
Background: Medicago falcata L. (M. falcata L.) is widely distributed in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, which is a significant source of resistance genes. Its seeds have a high level of physical ...dormancy (PD). The current study aimed to study the dormancy characteristics, water absorption characteristics and methods for releasing hard seeds of M. falcata L., to reveal the the relationship between seed coat structure and water absorption and to understand the dormancy characteristics, which can provide theoretical basis for seed dormancy and seed biology research. Methods: Seed germination rate (GR), absorption, germination inhibitor activity and initial site of water entry into seeds were measured to investigate the causes of seed dormancy. Treatments to break dormancy included: (1) sandpaper sanding, (2) ultrasonic treatment for 30 min after sandpaper sanding, (3) 98% sulfuric acid immersion (5,10, 20, 40, 60 and 120 min) and (4) hot water immersion at different temperatures (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90oC) for 10 min, 20 min and 30 min. Result: The results showed that the hard rate of untreated seeds was 99.33% and the hard rate after the seed coat was scratched was 1.33%. Based on the inhibitory activity test of M. falcata L. seeds, high concentration seed extract has an inhibitory effect on the growth of other seeds. The toludine staining test showed that the hilum and microscope are the initial and main parts for seed water absorption. The germination rate of seeds after soaking in 98% sulfuric acid for 40 minutes and ultrasonic treatment with sandpaper for 30 minutes is higher than 94%, which is an effective method to relieve the PY of M. falcata L. seeds.
Sophora davidii, a vital forage species, predominantly thrives in the subtropical karst mountains of Southwest China. Its resilience to poor soil conditions and arid environments renders it an ideal ...pioneer species for ecological restoration in these regions. This study investigates the influence of acidic, aluminum-rich local soil on the germination and seedling growth physiology of S. davidii. Experiments were conducted under varying degrees of acidity and aluminum stress, employing three pH levels (3.5 to 5.5) and four aluminum concentrations (0.5 to 2.0 mmol·L
−1
). The results showed that germination rate, germination index, and vigor index of S. davidii seeds were decreased but not significantly under slightly acidic conditions (pH 4.5-5.5), while strong acid (pH = 3.5) significantly inhibited the germination rate, germination index, and vigor index of white spurge seeds compared with the control group. Aluminum stress (≥0.5 mmol·L
−1
) significantly inhibited the germination rate, germination index, and vigor index of S. davidii seed. Moreover, the seedlings' root systems were sensitive to the changes of aluminum concentration, evident from significant root growth inhibition, characterized by root shortening and color deepening. Notably, under aluminum stress (pH = 4.3), the levels of malondialdehyde and proline in S. davidii escalated with increasing aluminum concentration, while antioxidant enzyme activities demonstrated an initial increase followed by a decline. The study underscores the pivotal role of cellular osmoregulatory substances and protective enzymes in combating aluminum toxicity in S. davidii, a key factor exacerbating growth inhibition in acidic environments. These findings offer preliminary theoretical insights for the practical agricultural utilization of S. davidii in challenging soil conditions.
Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is increasingly being explored for Pb-contaminated water bodies and soil remediation. However, the Pb-related precipitate resulting from the MICP ...process can possibly leach acid over time when subjected to harsh environments, causing serious threats to human health. In this study, for the first time, self-healing microbial-induced calcium carbonate (MICC) materials are proposed and applied to prevent Pb2+ migration where the Pb-related precipitate is acid leached after spore germination, spore-vegetative cell transformation, urease secretion, and urea hydrolysis, thereby producing spore-containing precipitation. This process was repeated five times to explore the effect of a harsh circular environment on self-healing MICC materials. Results indicated that Pb immobilization would have deteriorated if the inosine and trace elements had not been intervened during spore germination and spore-vegetative cell transformation, respectively. The spores and vegetative cells provided extra nucleation sites for Pb2+ and minerals to attach. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) combined Pb2+ with functional groups and chemical bonds to prevent their migration to surrounding environments. The scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) images also indicated that the cerussite mineral was precipitated prior to the calcite mineral because Pb2+ had more affinity to combine with CO32- and OH-. An immobilization efficiency of greater than 95% remained nearly the same after five cycles, while it reduced very quickly to less than 10% after three cycles when neglecting the self-healing MICC materials, thus highlighting their relative merits.
Display omitted
•The self-healing MICP using spores was proposed and applied to Pb immobilization.•The spores can transform into vegetative cells to catalyze urea hydrolysis.•The immobilization efficiency remains high under harsh conditions of five cycles.•Calcite prevents Pb-related precipitation from leaching during the acid treatment.•Calcite also secures the bacterial spores’ activity in the sterilization process.
The possibility to improve the germination characterization of the wheat seeds by cold atmospheric nitrogen plasma jet treatment was report. Spectroscopic measurements were performed to identify the ...constituent particles of a nitrogen atmospheric plasma jet. Spectroscopic measurements revealed that the particles with relatively high energy excited states exist inside the jet nozzle. During this study the cold atmospheric plasma parameters were set for attain the highest rate of the germination seeds. The nitrogen used in this system as carrier gas. The nitrogen cold atmospheric plasma operated at 14 l/min as a fixed flow rate. The operation of plasma jet at 14 l/min was represented the suitable plasma dose to enhancement the germination parameters. The N
2
first positive system (N
2
1+), N
2
second positive system (N
2
2+) and N
2
ion first negative system (N
2
+
1−) were represented the emission spectra observed inside the jet nozzle. The germination characteristics of wheat seeds have been significantly enhanced after cold atmospheric plasma treatment. The mean weight of fresh sprout was 823.82 mg for untreated seeds and increased to 1231.80, 1369.50 and 1342.46 mg for 2 min, 4 min, and 6 min treatments respectively. The effects of nitrogen cold atmospheric plasma jet on the growth parameter depended on exposure time.
A synthetic cytokinin of N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) can induce female strobili in clusters of male strobili in Japanese black pine. In order to use the hormonal method of BAP to improve seed ...production in seed orchards in cold regions, we investigated effects of BAP treatments (paste application on winter buds, injection of solution into branches and stems), the timing of treatments (5, 13, 20, 27 September, and 4 October 2013), and the clones (five clones) on female strobilus induction in a seed orchard in Aomori Prefecture, measured the time required for each treatment, and estimated the yields of seed and seedling produced by the best of the treatments. All types of BAP treatment induced female strobili in clusters of male strobili, although their effects varied by type (higher for branch injection and lower for stem injection than paste application, P<0.05), timing (more effective from mid to late September than earlier and later, P<0.001), and clone. Stem injection needed the shortest time and the time required for the others was comparable. The percentage of seeds filled and the germination rate of seeds in corns induced by BAP treatment were approximately 65% of normal seeds. Branch injection, which could most effectively enhance female strobilus induction, would increase 3.8 corns producing 40 seedlings per cluster of male strobili. In a tree, 5 primary branches given the injection could produce 5.8 times as many seedlings as an untreated tree in the seed orchard.
Relevance. Soil pollution with oil has a significant impact on soil fertility and productivity when growing crops. During soil remediation, insufficient attention is paid to soil phytotoxicity ...assessment in terms of the intensity of the initial growth and development of plants. The results of the study of ordinary chernozem phytotoxicity evaluation on the example of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) after remediation with biochar and a bacterial preparation, containing strains of Bacillus & Paenibacillus, are presented. Aim. To evaluate ordinary chernozem integral phytotoxicity after remediation with biochar and a bacterial preparation, containing strains of Bacillus and Paenibacillus. Objects. Ordinary heavy loamy chernozem, under model conditions, which 5% of the soil mass are oil-contaminated. For soil remediation from oil pollution, biochar and a bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus strains were applied in various combinations: independent application of ameliorants, joint application, inoculation of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus on biochar. The period of soil incubation with biochar and of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus has a duration of 30 days. Methods. The residual oil content was determined by the method of extraction with carbon tetrachloride with detection on an infrared analyzer. Soil phytotoxicity after remediation was assessed by indicators of the intensity of initial growth and development of winter barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): germination, germination rate, germination energy, germination friendliness, shoot length, root length, shoot phytomass, root phytomass. As a result of determining these indicators, a complex integral indicator of soil phytotoxicity (IIPht) was calculated. Results. The combined use of biochar with of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus in oil-contaminated soil leads to the most effective reduction in oil content than when self-introduced and inoculated with of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus on biochar at the recommended and 100-fold dose, the efficiency is 33 and 58%, respectively. Based on the analysis of phytotoxicity, the highest sensitivity of indicators of barley initial growth intensity was established: germination, friendliness and germination rate. With the independent application of biochar and of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus, the most informative indicators are shoot phytomass, germination and germination rate; with the combined application of biochar and of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus, germination energy, shoot length and shoot phytomass; with inoculation of of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus on a biochar, root length, phytomass of shoots and roots. The study of the phytotoxicity of oil-contaminated Haplic Chernozem after remediation made it possible to establish the ecological efficiency and expediency of using only biochar and biochar inoculated with of bacterial preparation with Bacillus & Paenibacillus.
In the current conditions of intensification of grain production, it is important to develop resource-saving cultivation technologies that ensure the maximum realisation of the genetic potential of ...crop varieties through the use of foliar fertilisation and mineral fertilisers. The article presents the results of research on the optimisation of fertilisation of spring barley plants. During the period of research, the influence of fertilisation and foliar feeding on the germination and preservation of spring barley plants, net photosynthetic productivity, elements of the yield structure, yield and grain quality was assessed. The research was conducted in the experimental field of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University during 2018-2020 on grey forest medium loamy soils. The hydrothermal conditions were quite contrasting and differed from the average perennial conditions both in terms of heat intensity and moisture level, which allowed to study the influence of the studied factors and their interaction on the formation of spring barley yield and grain quality. The maximum indicators of plant preservation, net productivity of photosynthesis, elements of crop structure, yield and grain quality were obtained in the experiment variant with the combined application of mineral fertiliser at a dose of N30P30K30 and foliar feeding of plants with Vuksal microfertiliser (BBCH 33-51) and (BBCH 51-54) in Aizhan and Aristey varieties. With the application of mineral fertiliser at a dose of N30P30K30, the grain yield of spring barley varieties Aizhan and Aristey increased by 0.99; 0.85 Mg·ha-1, and the protein content by 1.9; 2.0% compared to the control variant. With the combined application of mineral fertiliser at a dose of N30P30K30 and foliar feeding of plants with Vuksal microfertiliser, grain yield increased by 1.54; 1.23 Mg·ha-1 for one-time foliar feeding; by 1.77; 1.42 Mg·ha-1 for two-time foliar feeding, and protein content by 2.8; 2.7 and 3.4; 3.3% in Aizhan and Aristey varieties compared to the control variant, respectively.
Soil salinization has a serious influence on rice yield and quality. How to enhance salt tolerance in rice is a topical issue. In this study, 120 recombinant inbred line populations were generated ...through nonstop multi-generation selfing using a male indica rice variety Huazhan (
L. subsp.
cv. 'HZ') and a female variety of Nekken2 (
L. subsp.
cv. 'Nekken2') as the parents. Germination under 80 mM NaCl conditions was measured and analyzed, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was completed using a genetic map. A total of 16 salt-tolerance QTL ranges were detected at bud stage in rice, which were situated on chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. The maximum limit of detection was 4.69. Moreover, the
was narrowed to a 192 kb region on chromosome 12 using map-based cloning strategy. Statistical analysis of the expression levels of these candidate genes under different NaCl concentrations by qRT-PCR revealed that
(
) was significantly down-regulated with increasing NaCl concentration, and the expression level of the chlorine-transporter-encoding gene
in HZ was significantly higher than that of Nekken2 under 0 mM NaCl. Sequencing analysis of
promoter region indicated that the gene expression difference between parents may be due to eight base differences in the promoter region. Through QTL mining and analysis, a plurality of candidate genes related to salt tolerance in rice was obtained, and the results showed that
might negatively regulate salt tolerance in rice. The results provide the basis for further screening and cultivation of salt-tolerant rice varieties and have laid the foundation for elucidating further molecular regulation mechanisms of salt tolerance in rice.