International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 4 (9), pp. 001-007, September, 2015.  © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Genetic analysis of tolerance to heat stress in maize (ZEA  MAYS  L.)

Zahra Khodarahmpour

Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 16 May, 2015

Abstract

Twenty eight hybrid combinations of eight selected inbred lines ((including 3 lines sensitive (A679, K3651/1 and K3640/5), 2 lines medium (K47/2-2-1-21-2-1-1-1 and K19) and 3 lines tolerance to heat stress (K18, K166A and K166B)) with different response to heat stress were evaluated in 2008 for grain yield and some related traits in a randomized complete block design arranged into three replications in Shoushtar City (a sub-tropical region in Khuzestan Province of Iran). Hybrids were planted at two planting dates, 6th of July (coinciding heat stress with pollination time and grain filling period) and 27th of July (normal planting). Diallel analysis was done using Griffing’s method 4 and model II. As a result, grain yield in heat stress condition and 1000 grain weight in both conditions showed high general combining ability to specific combining ability ratio, indicating the effects of additive contribution. But grain yield in normal condition, grain number per ear, grain row number per ear, grain number per ear row and hektolitr weight in both conditions showed low GCA/SCA, indicating contribution of non-additive effects. General combining ability of all traits was non-significant in parents except for grain row number per ear. K18×K166B of the highest yield, positive and combining significantly in both conditions for grain yield was enjoyed.

Key words: Maize, heat stress, additive and non-additive effects, combining ability, hybrid.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 4 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of different levels of salinity on germination of four components of lentil cultivars

Reza Abazarian*, Mahmoud Reza Yazdani, Korosh Khosroyar and Pooya Arvin

Department of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd Branch, Iran.

Accepted 21 January, 2015

Abstract 

Combat of salinity and the major issues it has brought with human struggle have been on for several thousands of years. In this way, the stress caused by it resulted to a reduction of the agricultural production capability of the outlined land. To evaluate the effects of different levels of salinity on the germination of four lentil cultivars (Kabralyaaynta, Philip 97-1L, ILL6199 and Gachsaran), a factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 3 replications in the laboratory seed physiology of the State University of Bojnourd (Iran) Branch. Five levels of salinity treatments (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 ds/m) were derived with the use of sodium chloride salt. The seeds planted in plastic containers with dimensions 5 × 8 × 11 cm were performed and these results showed that the speed and percent germination of all cultivars increased in salinity. Other parameters measured included length of root and stem and the decrease of salt concentration in the solution, if the dry weight of cotyledons in low salinity levels (from zero to 6 ds/m) decreased and increased in level. Among the cultivars studied, Gachsaran figure, when compared with other cultivars in terms of most parameters, was affected by salinity.

Key words: Salinity, percentage of germination, length of root and stem, lentil.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 4 (8), pp. 001-006, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors affecting farmer’s decision to continue farm activity in marginal areas of Jordan

Amani Alassaf¹*, Mohamad Majdalwai¹ and Oraib Nawash²

¹Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Department. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

²Royal Botanic Garden, Amman, Jordan.

Accepted 19 May, 2015

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating the factors influencing family decisions to continue farm activities in marginal land of Jordan. For representing marginal lands; selective parts of Karak, Jarash and Mafraq regions were included in this study. Systematic random and spatial sampling techniques were used to collect data from 85 farm families in these regions. Descriptive analyses and binomial logistic regression were employed to determine the socio-economic and land management factors affecting farmers’ decisions to continue farming activity. Socio-economic and land resource profile of farm family had important effect on their decision to continue farm activity. The profiles included factors of: age and education level of household head, farm income and family labour work at farmer, these socio-economic factors significantly influenced the farmer’s decision to continue farming. Additionally, land management through adopting soil conservation and the institutional assistance in conservation had positively affected the decision to continue farming activity. These factors might be considered as a roadmap for structuring work plans to continue farm activity in marginal land. These work plans could be translated to services provided through extension and awareness campaign, technical and financial assistance in land conservation.

Key words: Farmer’s decision, farm activity, socio-economic factors, land resource.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Farmers’ response to price and other factors of rice in Pakistan

Misbah Nosheen¹*, Attique Ur Rahman^3,4, Safeer Ullah³ and Javed Iqbal²

¹Department of Economics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan.

²Economic Affair Division (EAD), Islamabad, Pakistan.

³Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.

⁴London School of Economics, England.

Accepted 12 May, 2015

Abstract

The objective of this study was to increase the understanding of the specification and estimation of rice acreage response as well as to provide instruments for agricultural policy analysis. The coefficients of the area response models for respective crops were estimated through the ordinary least squares (OLS) method. The obvious recommendations for policy reform were to liberalize farm gate prices, reduce the state’s role in procurement. Future research should be based on how this might best be achieved. Attention should be given to the conditions that are necessary for the private sector by ways of minimizing price instability. In keeping with structural reforms, output prices need to be transmitted to farmers with least distortion. Price support and control, which cause distortions in market signals and huge fiscal costs, need to be removed.

Key words: Rice, acreage response, farmers, agriculture.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 4 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Physicochemical changes in fresh-cut Honeydew melon fruit during storage

Suriyan Supapvanich¹* and Gregory A. Tucker²

¹Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Chalermprakiat Sakonnakhon province campus, Kasetsart University, 59, Chiangkrua, Muang, Sakonnakhon province, 47000 Thailand.

²School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington campus, The University of Nottingham, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD United Kingdom.

Accepted 10 May, 2015

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate certain physicochemical changes in fresh-cut Honeydew melon fruit during storage. Flesh colour, soluble solid content, firmness and cell wall hydrolases, such as pectinesterase, polygalacturonase, β-galactosidase and galactanase activities were determined. Flesh colour and soluble solid content remained constant whilst firmness decreased significantly throughout storage. The loss of firmness was associated with the increases in polygalacturonase and galactanase activities. A high β-galactosidase activity was detected; however, a significant change in the enzyme activity was not found. Pectinesterase activity declined throughout storage. These results indicated that firmness is a key factor affecting quality of minimally processed Honeydew melon fruit and associates with the increase in polygalacturonase and galactanase activities.

Key words: Minimally processed, Honeydew melon, physicochemical changes, cell wall hydrolases.

International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 4 (6), pp. 001-010, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Physiological and chemical quality of carrots subjected to pre-and postharvest treatments

T. S. Workneh¹*, G. Osthoff² and M. S. Steyn²

¹School of Bioresources Engineering and Environmental Hydrology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Private Bag X0l, Scottsville, 3209, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

²Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, P. O. Box 9300, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Accepted 22 April, 2015

Abstract

Quality changes in preharvest ComCat^® treated and untreated control carrots stored at 1 ± 0.5°C and ambient temperatures (16.7 to 29.5°C) and relative humidity (31 to 68%) were studied for more than 4 weeks. The carrots were analysed for headspace gases (O₂, CO₂, and N₂), total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid (AA) content, and peroxidase (POX) activity. The effect of chlorinated and anolyte water disinfecting treatments coupled with MAP was investigated. ComCat^® treated carrots had higher TSS at harvest. TSS content was better maintained during storage in preharvest treated carrot. The preharvest ComCat^® treatment had no significant effect on AA content and POX activity of carrots during storage, although it had slightly higher AA at harvest. During storage, these treatments when coupled with MAP which also had significant effects on TSS content of carrots. Disinfecting carrots in anolyte water significantly maintained the AA content and decreased the level of POX activity. The combined effect of pre-and postharvest treatments such as ComCat^®, disinfecting, packaging and low temperature storage treatments had a significant positive effect on maintaining postharvest quality and improvement of the shelf-life of carrots.

Key words: ComCat^®, disinfection, packaging, storage, refrigeration, pre-harvest treatment.