Reproductive efficiency methods and their relationship with siliqua production in Mustard

Five reproductive efficiency methods (REM) were evaluated under field condition to measure yield in 12 varieties of Brassica campestris L. in 2005 and 2006 at Mymensingh (240 75′ N latitude and 900 50′ E longitude) based on flower and siliqua production and total reproductive unit (TRU- number of buds, flowers, siliqua and number of empty pedicels). Five REMs were estimated and they were REM-I [ (Mature siliqua ÷ TRU) × 100]; REM-II [(Mature siliqua ÷ Flower number) × 100]; REM-III [{(Mature siliqua + Immature siliqua) ÷ TRU} × 100]; REM-IV[{(Mature siliqua + Immature siliqua) ÷ Flower number} ×100]; and REM-V [(Flower number ÷ TRU) × 100]. Siliqua number plant-1 showed positive and significant relationship with TRU (r=0.869** and 0.713** in 2005 and 2006, respectively) and flower number (r=0.984** and 0.834** in 2005 and 2006, respectively). Path analysis revealed that there exited high positive direct effect of siliqua number with sink (flower) number (0.655 and 0.714 in 2005 and 2006, respectively) and TRU (0.201 and 0.252 in 2005 and 2006, respectively). Among the REMs, REM-III had high positive direct effect with only siliqua production (1.331 and 0.899 in 2005 and 2006, respectively). For the first time we report REMs in mustard that number of sink production is an important index of siliqua yield and REM-III appears more reliable method of estimating RE in Brassica campestris

A study of some morphophysiological factors affecting yield of Pigeonpea grown and their relevance to high intensity production system

A field study was conducted with 38 F6 lines to investigate abscission patterns and their relationship with yield. The rate of abscission increased with the progression of floral nodal position and time after first flowering implying that genotypes with fewer inflorescence nodes and a shorter, synchronous flowering period might have lower abscission rates and be useful for high intensity production. Abscission rate was found to be negatively correlated with yield suggesting that abscission is an important yield limiting factor and genotypic differences in abscission rate were found which could be utilized in breeding a high yielding cultivar. A green house study using rooting boxes demonstrated variations in both canopy and rooting patterns. The results showed that increased number of branches and low branch angle contributed to an erect and compact canopy in ICPH 8 which had also the highest shoot/root ratio. These results suggest that selection of genotypes similar to ICPH 8 might increase productivity at higher planting density. The physiological implications of some of the variation demonstrated are discussed

Morphological, growth and biochemical features of Dipogon lignosus (L.) Verdc. bean

Lignosus bean is a perennial vine of Fabaceae. Green seeds, tender leaves and twigs are used as vegetable and dry split cotyledons as pulse soup. Canopy characters, growth and biochemical features of the two genotypes, ‘G1’ and ‘G2’, of Lignosus bean were studied. Numbers of leaf meter-1 vine, % fertile inflorescence plant-1, green pod yield plant-1 and dry mass plant-1 were greater in G1 genotype (10.11, 73.17%, 3.21 kg and 2.68 kg, respectively) than G2 genotype (9.55, 66.52%, 2.80 kg and 1.97 kg, respectively). On the other hand, leaflet area, inflorescence length, number of node and pod inflorescence-1 , fresh pod length and width, hundred fresh seed weight and shell ratio were higher in G2 genotype (33.26 cm2 , 9.47 cm, 24.33, 3.51, 6.99 cm, 1.55 cm, 125.08 g, 83.61%, respectively) than that in the G1 one (29.04 cm2 , 0.61 cm, 8.32 cm, 16.0, 2.52, 6.56 cm, 1.35 cm, 80.57 g, 72.69%, respectively). Total soluble solids of seed; and total chlorophyll of leaf and seed were also higher in G2 (31.43%, 59.19 mg/l and 0.83 mg/l, respectively) but Vitamin C of green seed was higher in G1 genotype (43.84 mg%). It may be concluded that the two genotypes can be distinguished on the characters of leaf, flower and seed

Floral morphology and seed yield in two Indigofera spp. as affected by shoot clipping

An experiment was carried out to know the effect of shoot clipping on floral morphology and seed yield in two Indigofera spp. viz. I. tinctoria L. and I. suffruticosa Mill. All parts of shoot including the main stem were clipped at 60 cm height from the base at 120 days after sowing (DAS). At 120 DAS, I. tinctoria already exhibited 1st flowering while I. suffruticosa showed no flowering. Shoot clipping had significant effect on almost all floral morphological features in two Indigofera spp. Flower raceme−1 and pod raceme−1 were fewer in clipped plant than in unclipped one. Shoot clipping altered the size of different floral parts to a great extent. The seed yield was decreased in clipped plant than that of unclipped one. Shoot clipping decreased flower and pod size and seed yield in two Indigofera sp

Starch and flour extraction and nutrient composition of tuber in seven cassava accessions

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots (tubers) are used as staple food. Starch extracted from tubers is widely utilized as raw materials in industries. Dry matter (DM) content, starch and flour extraction and proximate composition were investigated in seven cassava accessions (Coc-A1, Kh-A2, Cow-A3, Sa-A4, Me-A5, Va-A6 and Sy-A8.) in 2010- 2011. Leaf DM varied from 20.51% in Me-A5 to 29.01% in Sy-A8; that of stem from 27.24% in Va-A6 to 32.10% (average of Sy-A8, Me-A5 and Sa-A4); and that of tuber from 37.30% in Kh-A2 to 45.26% in Sy-A8. Starch was extracted by blending chopped tuber followed by decantation. Tubers were sliced, sun dried and milled into flour. Tuber starch content (fresh wt. basis) varied between 15.04% in Sy-A8 and 24.97% (average of Coc-A1 and Me-A5); that of peel from 4.54% in Va-A6 to 5.85% in Coc-A1. Crude protein varied from 1.80% (average of Kh-A2, Cow-A3 and Sy-A8) to 4.53% in Va-A6. Crude fiber content varied from 1.95% (average of Sa-A4 and Coc-A1) to 4.27% in Cow-A3. Cyanogens present in cassava plant escape as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) during harvesting and processing. Variation for HCN existed and it was 140.95 mg/kg fresh tuber (average of Sy-A8 and Coc-A1) to 546.0 mg/kg fresh tuber in Va-A6. There was no detectable HCN in the extracted flour and starch. It may be concluded that genetic variation for DM, starch, protein and HCN existed in seven cassava accessions, and Coc-A1 may be a better one due to its lower HCN, higher DM and starch content

Prediction of leaf number by linear regression models in cassava

Estimation of leaf number currently held on the plant and degree of leaf sheding occurred was carried out in two Cassava (Manihot esculenta) morphotypes (Philippine and Nagra) at Mymensingh (24°75´N 90°50´E). Four linear regression Models were developed for estimating leaf number (LN) from length (L) of mainstem (MS) and primary branch (PB) and they were LNMS = -6.89 + 1.05LMS (Model # 1) and LNPB = -5.116 + 1.033LPB (Model # 2) for Philippine; and LNMS = -4.041 + 0.73LMS (Model # 3) and LNPB = -1.597 + 0.707LPB (Model # 4) for Nagra morphotype. New leaf number produced in the mainstem (LNMS) and primary branch (LNPB), total leaf number in the mainstem (TLMS) and primary branch (TLPB) of each morphotype were also counted for leaf abscission (LAB) prediction model and the results showed that the regression models of leaf abscission in the primary branch (LABPB) from new leaf in the primary branch (LNPB) was effective (LABPB = - 0.521 + 0.525LNPB) (Model # 6). These regression Models showed linear relationships when actual leaf number was plotted against predicted leaf number and that this confirmed accuracy of the developed Models. Moreover, Models selection indices had high predictability (high R2) with minimum error (low error mean square error and percentage deviation). The selected Models appeared accurate and rapid, but can be used for estimation of leaf production in Philippine and Nagra morphotypes of Cassava

Farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices of moringa as nutritional and medicinal food in ‘Mymensingh’ region of Bangladesh

All plant parts, especially leaves and pods of the moringa (Moringa spp.) tree are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals of nutritional and medicinal value. Moringa is usually grown in the homestead, along road-sides, and on fallow land in Bangladesh. Tender pods of moringa are predominantly used as vegetables although utilisation of other plant parts has sparsely been reported in Bangladesh. However, no systematic study has so far been made on farmers' knowledge, attitude and practices of moringa as nutritional and medicinal food in Bangladesh. Hence, a survey was conducted on this aspect in two villages of 'Boira' union of 'Mymensingh' district of Bangladesh from August 1 to September 15, 2015. Data were collected from 59 farmers out of 209 (28% of farming population) growing moringa, through personal interview schedules. Results revealed, on average, an age of 36.7 years, an education level of grade 6, a family size of 5.5, a farm size of 0.37 ha, an annual income of 1662.5 US$, social mobility score of 6.6, knowledge on propagation practices of 11.8, knowledge on nutrition and utilisation score of 6.9 (max. score 27), attitude score of 27 (max. score 48) and uses score of moringa of 10.8 (max. score 50). The results indicate that there is potential of growing an increased number of trees and improving knowledge on nutrition and uses in the locality. Further, farmers were asked about use of pods and leaves (5-0 scale: 5-very high and 0-no use). Farmers were categorized as low, medium and high users (4, respectively). Highest number of farmers (71.2%) with >4 score used tender pods as vegetables, while for leaves low, medium and high users shared a percentage of 30.5, 30.5 and 39.0%, respectively. This signifies that there is potential of improving the knowledge of uses of moringa plant parts. Further, respondents had inadequate knowledge on balanced protein, availability of abundant minerals and vitamins, and medicinal properties of moringa leaves. Hence, the findings allow the conclusion that there are ample opportunities to increase knowledge on nutrition as well as uses of moringa leaves in Mymensingh region of Bangladesh

Prediction of leaf number by linear regression models in cassava

Estimation of leaf number currently held on the plant and degree of leaf sheding occurred was carried out in two Cassava (Manihot esculenta) morphotypes (Philippine and Nagra) at Mymensingh (24°75´N 90°50´E). Four linear regression Models were developed for estimating leaf number (LN) from length (L) of mainstem (MS) and primary branch (PB) and they were LNMS = -6.89 + 1.05LMS (Model # 1) and LNPB = -5.116 + 1.033LPB (Model # 2) for Philippine; and LNMS = -4.041 + 0.73LMS (Model # 3) and LNPB = -1.597 + 0.707LPB (Model # 4) for Nagra morphotype. New leaf number produced in the mainstem (LNMS) and primary branch (LNPB), total leaf number in the mainstem (TLMS) and primary branch (TLPB) of each morphotype were also counted for leaf abscission (LAB) prediction model and the results showed that the regression models of leaf abscission in the primary branch (LABPB) from new leaf in the primary branch (LNPB) was effective (LABPB = - 0.521 + 0.525LNPB) (Model # 6). These regression Models showed linear relationships when actual leaf number was plotted against predicted leaf number and that this confirmed accuracy of the developed Models. Moreover, Models selection indices had high predictability (high R2 ) with minimum error (low error mean square error and percentage deviation). The selected Models appeared accurate and rapid, but can be used for estimation of leaf production in Philippine and Nagra morphotypes of Cassava