International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 5756-2148 Vol. 6 (3), pp. 001-005, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of crisphead lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L.) for winter production in a soilless production system

Maboko M. M.* and Du Plooy C. P.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)-Roodeplaat, Private Bag X 293, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.

Accepted 19 October, 2018

Abstract

Soilless cultivation of lettuce gained popularity in recent years in South Africa because of improved yield and quality. Thirteen crisphead lettuce cultivars were evaluated in a gravel-film production system during the winter season at the experimental farm of the ARC-Roodeplaat. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with five replicates. For each cultivar, yield, internal quality, compactness, uniformity, ribbing, tip-burn, disease tolerance, bolting tolerance and number of days to maturity were recorded. The cultivars were ready for harvest from 70 - 77 days after transplanting. Results showed clear differences between cultivars, with four cultivars, namely Del-Rio, Patagonia RZ, Winter haven and Winter Supreme, out yielding the rest of the cultivars included in the trial. These four cultivars were also more tolerant to tipburn and disease, compared to most other cultivars included in the trial. Cultivars Annie, Del Rio, Supreme Plus and L425 showed the best core ratio, combined with a good colour and tip burn resistance. Results, thus, indicate that variability in yield and quality of crisphead lettuce are determined by cultivar differences, changes in environmental conditions, as well as different production systems utilized by farmers. Improved yield and quality can be obtained by selecting the correct cultivars for winter production in a soilless medium.

Key words: Gravel-film technique, quality, yield, growing season.

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 5756-2148 Vol. 6 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Regeneration efficiency of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] via embryonic axes explants

M. Yusuf^1*, A. A. Raji², I. Ingelbrecht² and M. D. Katung¹

¹Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agriculture/ Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

²International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Central Biotechnology Laboratory,Ibadan, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 October, 2018

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to test the in vitro regeneration efficiency of cowpea shoots via embryonic axes explants and the effect of benzyl amino purine (BAP) concentration on shoot formation. A total of 600 explants (embryonic axes) were plated from which 237 shoots were regenerated. The average regeneration ratio was 39% and the number of shoot per explant obtained stood at an average of 6.0. This indicates likelihood that higher regeneration percent and number of shoots per explant could be possible as more proficiency is attained in the use of the protocol. The role of the growth regulator, benzyl amino purine (BAP), as a shoot growth inducing factor and modifier in cowpea in vitro regeneration was demonstrated in the experiment. The protocol used in the experiment gave promising results for the efficient regeneration and subsequent genetic transformation of cowpea.

Key words: Cowpea, in vitro, regeneration ratio, benzyl amino purine (BAP), embryonic axes explants.

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 5756-2148 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-008, January, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of phenotypic diversity of macadamia (Macadamia spp) germplasm in Kenya using leaf and fruit morphology

Lucy Gitonga^{1, 2}, Esther Kahangi², Anne Muigai³, Kamau Ngamau², Simon Gichuki⁴, Wilson Cheluget¹ and Simon Wepukhulu¹

¹Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Horticultural Research Center, P.O box 01000-220, Thika, Kenya.

²Department of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 00200-62000, Nairobi, Kenya.

³Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O Box 00200-62000, Nairobi, Kenya.

⁴Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Biotechnology Center, P.O. Box 00200-57811, Nairobi, Kenya

Accepted 16 September, 2018

Abstract

The ability to identify genetic variation is indispensable to effective management and use of genetic resources. Morphological traits are among the earliest markers used in germplasm characterization and management. Leaf and fruit morphological characteristics were recorded for 23 cultivars of Macadamia using a sample of 30 for each trait and replicated three times. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences in leaf length, width, petiole length and leaf marginal serrations. Significant differences were also revealed in fruit cluster length, number of fruits per cluster, fruit length but not fruit width. Cluster analysis using R statistics grouped the accessions into three major clusters referring to the two cultivated Macadamia species; Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla displaying the highest dissimilarity, and the hybrids at the intermediate position. These markers are found to be reliable in distinguishing between the macadamia cultivars in Kenya. Among the markers, leaf petiole and marginal serrations are easily assessable and possible to use in distinguishing between the species.

Key words: Genetic diversity, macadamia germplasm, morphological markers, cluster analysis.

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 5756-2148 Vol. 5 (9), pp. 001-006, September, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Irrigation suitability evaluation and crop yield – An example with Amaranthus cruentus in Southwestern Nigeria

Fasina, A. S.*, Awe, G. O. and Aruleba, J. O.

Department of Crops, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Accepted 14 April, 2018

Abstract

A detailed soil survey of 1.03 hectares of land within University of Ado Ekiti Teaching and Research Farm was carried out to evaluate the suitability of the soils for irrigation agriculture and to examine the influence of three different soil types, water and fertilizer rates on the yield of Amaranthus cruentus. All the soils evaluated were considered not suitable for gravity irrigation but soil A was considered highly suitable, soils B and C were considered moderately suitable for drip irrigation respectively. The results showed that soil types greatly influenced Amaranthus yield significantly (P<0.05). Soil A gave the highest total biomass yield (4597.9 kg/ha), followed by soil C (3152.2 kg/ha) and soil B (3111.1 kg/ha). Fertilizer regime based on soil test gave the highest biomass yield of 4051.6 kg/ha followed by the control with 3636.7 kg/ha and lastly the blanket with 3173.9 kg/ha. The study showed that watering the crop daily gave the highest biomass yield of 3703.1 kg/ha followed by once in two days with 3632 kg/ha and twice daily with 3527 kg/ha. This study confirmed that fertilizer recommendations based on soil test is necessary for determining the adequate level of nutrients that could replenish the soil as well as satisfy the need of the crop. The study suggests the use of drip irrigation rather than gravity irrigation in terms of water use.

Key words: Drip irrigation, gravity irrigation, Amaranthus, suitability evaluation, yield.

International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics ISSN 5756-2148 Vol. 5 (8), pp. 001-008, August, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The morphology and ultrastructure of glandular and non-glandular trichomes of Pteronia incana (Asteraceae)

Buyisile Mayekiso¹*, Micheal L. Magwa², Roger Coopoosamy

¹Botany Department and ²ElectronMicroscopic unit, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Accepted 09 April, 2018

Abstract

The electron microscopical investigation of foliar appendages of Pteronia incana (Burm) has shown that there are two types of trichomes. The non- glandular type which consists of two-four cells forms a dense mass of long fibrous hairs, covering the entire surface of plant. The glandular trichome types which are club- oval shape and consist of several glandular cells. The gland cells of the glandular trichome are characterized by a dense cytoplasm containing osmophilic droplets, various organelles such as modified plastids, endoplasmic reticulum, a large nucleus with a dense cytosol. The secreted material accumulates in a cavity beneath a wall derived from separation of the cuticularized outer wall surface of the top tier of secretory cells and are released to the outside when the cavity ruptures. Only the apical pair of cells participates in secretion. Cells of both types possess plastids without thylakoids. These active compounds secreted by P. incana might be the reason why this plant is unpalatable to livestock.

Key words: Pteronia incana, trichomes, oil glands, electron microscope.