Causation between Agronomic Traits in Homozygous Soybean Lines

Seed yield in soybean is associated with other yield components. The objective of the study was to investigate the pattern of relationship between seed yield and yield components in soybean. Agronomic characters and seed yield of 147 soybean homozygous lines (HL) and 3 check cultivars (Dega 1, Detap 1, and Anjasmoro) were evaluated in Banyuwangi (East Java, Indonesia) from April to July 2018. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 2 replications. After threshing, the HLs were grouped into large seed size (> 14.00 g/100 seeds) and medium seed size (10 - 14 g/100 seeds). The causation and inter-relationship between yield components and seed yield were quantified using path analysis. Based on the seed size, a total of 150 HLs was grouped into 97 lines and 53 lines of large and medium seed size, respectively. The correlation analysis showed a similar pattern between groups of large and medium seed size. The seed yield in both groups was highly determined by the characters of the number of filled pods, number of nodes, number of branches, plant height, and wet biomass. The results of path analysis revealed that plant age, particularly the length of the generative phase, was an important factor affecting seed yield in large seed soybean lines. The length of the generative phase determining the soybean yield in this study can be suggested to be used as selection criteria to obtain high yielding and large seed size variety. HIGHLIGHTS The investigation on the pattern of relationship between seed yield and yield components in soybean The path analysis to quantify the causation and inter-relationship between yield components and seed yield The soybean seed yield was highly determined by the characters of the number of filled pods, number of nodes, number of branches, plant height, and wet biomass The length of the generative phase could be used as selection criteria to obtain high yielding and large seed size soybean variety

Mass occurrence and habitat selection of Common Redpolls (Carduelis flammea) after a large seed crop year: snow-covered ground facilitates food access

In boreal forests, food supplies typically have cyclic variations, and many species here fluctuate in numbers from year to year. One group of species showing large variations in population size is birds specialized on seeds from masting trees. Here, I analyze spatial patterns of a mass occurrence and habitat selection of the Common Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) during the breeding season in southeastern Norway in 2020 after a year with large seed crops from Norway Spruce (Picea abies) and Downy Birch (Betula pubescens). I found that Common Redpoll numbers increased with elevation and towards the northwest. Numbers were also strongly and positively correlated with snow depth in early April when snow was present mainly above 400 m elevation. Sites with snow cover in early April (30% of all sites) held 96.4% of all individuals recorded. Field observations indicated that Common Redpolls foraged extensively for spruce seeds on the snow until the end of May when young were independent. I suggest that the mass occurrence was due to a unique combination of exceptionally large seed crops of two tree species coinciding in the same year. The masting produced large amounts of food both for overwintering (birch seeds) and for breeding (spruce seeds), and during the breeding season snow cover facilitated access to food resources. Dependency of Common Redpolls on snow cover suggests that climate change may negatively impact some seed-eaters in boreal regions. On the other hand, higher temperatures may induce more frequent masting which may be beneficial for seed-eaters. Thus, climate change is likely to lead to complex ecosystem changes in areas where snow cover may disappear.

Clidemia hirta (Koster's curse).

C. hirta is a small shrub producing vast amounts of seeds that produce a large seed bank. Although the plant can grow in relatively shaded conditions, sexual reproduction only occurs in more favourable light regimes such as tree fall gaps. Formerly, it was only considered as a pasture or crop weed but in recent decades it has become a major weed of natural forest communities. It may produce large quantities of seedlings with low mortality and is now viewed as a threat to native biodiversity in much of the tropics, but on the oceanic islands in particular.

Bark-stripping of Common Buckthorn by Goats During Managed Browsing on Bur Oak Savannas

Goats are being used increasingly to manage woody invasive plants in woodland habitats, but their specific impacts on those plants over a period of time during active, periodic browsing has not been documented. This study investigated bark-stripping by goats browsing on common buckthorn in savanna habitats, focusing on possible size-selective feeding and the cumulative effects of repeated, periodic browsing over a 3-year period. When surveyed after the first browsing period, bark was stripped selectively on buckthorn stems 20 to 60 mm in diameter. Approximately 60% of all stripped stems were completely girdled, but only 14-17% of stems were bark-stripped. After five browsing periods, 66% of standing stems displayed bark stripping and 39% were completely girdled. Buckthorn densities were reduced by 90% compared to the first browsing period, the decline resulting mostly from consumption of foliage and terminal shoots of small (<20 mm) buckthorn and bark-stripping resulting in top-kill in intermediate-sized (20-60 mm) plants. Large buckthorn (>60 mm) were largely unimpacted by goats. Relatively few (28%) seedling buckthorn were browsed by goats, although >90% of 2nd-year plants were browsed. Buckthorn can be managed in part via goat browsing, but repeated, periodic browsing over several to many years may be necessary to produce a significant impact, and other techniques will be needed to eliminate large, seed-producing plants.

Radiation-induced mutations in genetic enhancement and development of new crop varieties in black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper).

Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper), popularly known as urdbean or mash or black gram, is a grain legume rich in protein (25-28%), widely cultivated in the Indian subcontinent and to a lesser extent in Thailand, Australia and other Asian and South Pacific countries. Genetic improvement in this crop is hindered due to the narrow genetic base. As genetic variability is a prerequisite for any crop improvement programme, induced mutations provide an important source for generating variability. Radiation (gamma, X-rays and neutron) induced mutants were identified for various morphological and biochemical traits, creating a pool of genetic variability. These mutants were used in a cross-breeding programme to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties in black gram. The effective blend of mutation and recombination breeding at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has resulted in the release of five black gram varieties (TAU-1, TAU-2, TPU-4, TU94-2 and TU-40) by incorporating desirable traits like large seed, wider adaptability, resistance to disease and improved quality. These varieties have been developed from mutants directly or by using them in cross-breeding programmes. For example, a black gram variety, N0.55, was irradiated with gamma-rays and electron beams to obtain a large number of mutants. The large-seed mutants, UM-196 and UM-201, were used in cross-breeding with the elite cultivar T-9 for developing the high-yielding varieties TAU-1, TAU-2, TPU-4, TU94-2 and TU-40. TAU-1 has become the most popular variety in Maharashtra state, occupying the maximum area under black gram cultivation. Induced mutations will continue to play an increasing role in generating genetic variability for various traits as a major component of environmentally sustainable agriculture.

A glimpse from the ancient world: What a gold necklace from Tillya-tepe reveals about opium in Afghanistan

Among the six excavated burials at Tillya-tepe, in northern Afghanistan, was one occupied by an elite woman wearing a substantial necklace consisting of large gold beads shaped as seed-heads. The scale and fine workmanship of this necklace suggest that it was one of her most important possessions. It can be demonstrated that these large seed-heads are representations of poppy capsules, whose significance lies in the fact that they are the source of the potent drug opium. This necklace is the most outstanding object within a group of items decorated with poppy imagery, all of which were discovered in female burials. The opium poppy has long been a culturally important plant, and the implication of this identification is investigated in several contexts. Firstly, the proliferation of poppy imagery in the female burials at Tillya-tepe is examined, and then there is a discussion of material evidence for opium among relevant peoples along the Eurasian steppes. The particular cultural importance of opium is reviewed, leading finally to a proposal for the societal role of these women.

The Results of the Laboratory Studies of Harvesting the White Lupine by a Stripper Header with Fingers for Large Seed Crops

Introduction. Agricultural machinery and devices used for harvesting white lupines do not provide a complete collection of seeds, which leads to the violation of agricultural requirements for the harvesting of leguminous crops. It is necessary to find new technological and technical solutions to reduce losses of seeds during this process. The most perspective solution to the problem of white lupine harvesting is the application of industrial flow line technology together with the improvement of the method to comb standing plants by a stripper header. Materials and Methods. The article presents the design of a laboratory setup with experimental working bodies, which allows simulating the process of harvesting white lupines by separating the seed part of plants in the field. The empirical method based on the theory of multi-factor experiment was used to substantiate the parameters and operating modes of the stripper header with fingers for large seed crops. The algorithm and results of experimental studies to determine the completeness of seed collection are presented. Results. The results of the laboratory studies of the stripper header with fingers for largeseeded crops to determine the qualitative indicators for the completeness of the collection of white lupine seeds are presented. It is determined that the maximum completeness of seed collection is 99.5%. Discussion and Conclusion. In studying the technological process of harvesting white Degas lupine seeds by a combing header with fingers for large-seeded crops under laboratory conditions, the physical and mechanical properties of plants were experimentally studied, their morphological characteristics were clarified, and the regimen-technological parameters of the harvesting header were determined to ensure seed loss within agrotechnical requirements (0.5%).

Specific energy consumption of a Moringa oleifera seed shelling machine

In this work, the Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) and machine capacity for a Moringa oleifera seed shelling machine were determined in relation to the cylinder speed and seed sizes. A M. oleifera seed shelling machine was tested and the SEC was appraised. The SEC and machine capacity of the M. oleifera seed shelling machine were determined at five speed levels, viz. 200, 240, 280, 320 and 360 rpm using three seed sizes (viz. small, medium and large seed sizes). The SEC and machine capacity increased with the seed sizes during the shelling process. The same trend was observed for the relationship between the SEC and cylinder speed. The minimum values obtained for the SEC using the small, medium and large M. oleifera seed sizes were 31.25, 40.07 and 54.22 Wh·kg^–1, respectively, at a cylinder speed of 200 rpm while the maximum values obtained for the small, medium and large seed sizes were 58.01, 74.37 and 100.63 Wh·kg^–1, respectively, at a cylinder speed of 360 rpm. The optimum values obtained for the machine capacity were 14.58, 11.38 and 8.41 kg×h^–1 using the small, medium and large seed sizes, respectively. Conclusively, this study shows that the SEC and machine capacity were affected by the variation in the cylinder speed and seed sizes.

Family structure of F5 soybeans lines derived from soybean varieties with the main differences on seed size and maturity traits

Kuswantoro H, Artari R, Iswanto R, Imani H. 2020. Family structure of F5 soybeans lines derived from soybean varieties with the main differences in seed size and maturity traits. Biodiversitas 21: 2576-2585. The success of breeding programs depends on the availability of genetic resources with high genetic diversity. Genetic diversity plays a role in relationship between genotypes or within a group of genotypes. Seed size and the days to maturity are the main traits to develop a new superior variety for better seed quality and quantity. The plant materials consisted of eight F5 families originating from a combination of crossbreeding between four Korean soybean varieties (Daehwang, Daemang, Daewon, and Songhak) and two Indonesian soybean varieties (Argomulyo and Lawit). The main traits of four Korean soybean varieties are similar to each other, i.e. large seed size and early maturity. The two Indonesian soybean varieties differ on seed size and maturity. Argomulyo has a large seed size and early maturity, while Lawit has a small seed size and late maturity. Agronomic data, such as days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, days to harvesting, plant height, number of branches, number of reproductive nodes, number of filled pods, number of unfilled pods, seed yield per plant, 100 seeds weight, and seed yield per plot, were analyzed using R programs to form the groups. The grouping was based on principal component analysis. The results showed that the family structure of a cross was determined by the characteristics of the crossed genotypes. The family structures with Argomulyo as male parents were more influenced by 100 seeds weight, while the family structures with Lawit as male parents were more influenced by days to maturity. No family structure was formed with a large seed size on crossing with Lawit as the male parent. In this population, high seed yield as the main target of plant breeding was obtained on crossing of Daemang with Lawit.