Issue 02

Callus formation and organogenesis of tomato (lycopersiconescu lentum mill variety thilina)

Sun, 20 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Callus formation and organogenesis of tomato (lycopersiconescu lentum mill variety thilina) Manawadu, I.P.; Dahanayake, N.; Senanayake, S.G.J.N. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of explant source and hormone concentrations on the callogenesis, calli growth, plantlet regeneration and rooting of a local tomato variety (Lycopersicon esculentum mill. variety ‘Thilina’). Different combinations of Benzyl Adenine (BAP) and 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) were used with hypocotyl, leaf and root explants in a completely randomized design with five replicates to evaluate the success in plantlet regeneration. Regenerated healthy shoots sub cultured in to MS medium with various concentrations of Indole-3-butric acid (IBA) for rooting.After one month the weight of fresh callus, number of regenerated shoots and roots were evaluated. Anova (DMRT) test shows there were significant effects at p<0.05 level. Combination of BAP (0.1mgl-1) with 2.4-D (2.0mgl-1) and hypocotyl explant produced the best quality fresh callus in highest weight. The best hormonal combination for shoot regeneration (4 shoots/explant) was 0.1mgl-1 NAA and 0.5mgl-1 Kinetin from callus. Maximum direct regeneration was observed on MS medium containing 0.5mgl-1 Ki netin, 2.0mgl-1 BAP, 0.1mgl-11-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 100mgl-1 my-inositol within 15-20 days (4 shoots/explant). Leaf bud revealed to be better explants for direct regeneration. Highest root number per plantlet was observed with 2.0mgl-1 IBA.

Evaluation of detection methods for cowpea bacterial blight caused by xanthomonas axonopodis pv vignicola in Nigeria.

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Evaluation of detection methods for cowpea bacterial blight caused by xanthomonas axonopodis pv vignicola in Nigeria. Claudius-Cole, A.O.; Ekpo, E.J.A.; Schilder, A.M.C. The detection of cowpea bacterial blight in seed lots of cowpea (Vigna uniguiculata) is important for developing management options. Cowpea seeds were collected from five locations within two agro ecological regions in Nigeria. Various modifications to the plating and soaking methods were adopted to evaluate extraction of bacteria from seeds and selected isolates from the seed lots were subjected to various pathogenicity tests with the objective of find out the best method of detecting the cowpea bacterial blight pathogens in seed lots. All seed assay experiments and pathogenicity tests were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Percentage seed infection was significantly higher in Zaria, Minjibir (northern guinea savannah) and Iseyin (forest transition zone) compared to the other production locations in both plating and washing assay methods. The seed coat alone was the most (p≤0.05) colonized part of the seed by the pathogen followed by the cotyledons while embryo was the least colonized. Pod inoculation was the most effective pathogenicity test followed by inoculation of young plants, while inoculation of the excised cotyledons, stems and petioles were not reliable in expressing symptoms. Detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv vignicola (Xav) is better made with methods that breach the seed coat or using the seed coat alone. Detached pods are just as efficient and takes less time to get results compared to inoculation of young plants for determining pathogenicity of Xav isolates.

Growth and yield of cucumber as influenced by poultry manure in Asaba area of Delta state, Nigeria

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Growth and yield of cucumber as influenced by poultry manure in Asaba area of Delta state, Nigeria Enujeke, E.C. Field experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 cropping seasons in the Teaching and Research Farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Nigeria to evaluate the growth and yield responses of cucumber to five different rates of poultry manure. The study was carried out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Rates of poultry manure in tons per hectare were 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20, while the parameters investigated were vine length, number of leaves per plant, fruit diameter (cm), fruit length (cm), and fruit weight of ‘Marketmore’variety of cucumber. The results of the study showed that parameters assessed were significantly influenced by the application of poultry manure. At 4, 6 and 8 weeks after planting, plants that received highest rate of poultry manure (20 tha-1) showed greatest performances. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that farmers in the study area can apply 20 tha-1 of poultry manure to increase growth and yield of cucumber.

Nutritional composition and storage stability of groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) Seeds cultivated with organic fertilizers

Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Nutritional composition and storage stability of groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) Seeds cultivated with organic fertilizers Brintha, I.; Mahendran, T.; Seran, T.H. A research study was conducted to determine the nutritional composition and storage stability of groundnut seeds (Arachis hypogaea L.) that were cultivated with organic fertilizers. The mature seeds were collected separately from groundnut plant grown with inorganic and organic fertilizers as basal and organic liquid fertilizer, known as Amuthakaraisal (mixture of cow dung, urine and molasses) applied as top dressing at different vegetative growth stages of groundnut. The collected seeds were dried and stored for further analysis. Protein, fat, moisture, fiber, total soluble solid and mineral contents were determined using the standard methods. The results revealed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in protein, fat, fiber and total soluble solid content of the groundnut and there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in moisture and mineral contents among treatments while acid value and saponification value of the groundnut oil differed significantly (P<0.01). Based on the results of the nu tritional composition of the seeds and physic-chemical aspects of the oil, the organic liquid fertilizer applied at 15, 30, 45 days after planting produce high nutritional quality and storage stability seeds compared with other tested treatments.