Response of argentine canola seedlots to four laboratory vigour tests

Non-Peer ReviewedSixteen seedlots from four varieties of Argentine canola, Brassica napus L., were subjected to four laboratory vigour tests including the modified germination test, accelerated aging test, controlled deterioration test and conductivity test. Results indicated that within each variety, high germination seedlots had lowest conductivity readings and were least prone to accelerated aging or controlled deterioration. Conversely, low germination seedlots had highest conductivity and were most prone to deteriorate after exposure to 45oC for 24 h. Germination counts of seedlots in each vigour test were correlated with field data from early May plantings at Saskatoon, Watrous and Rosebank in 2000. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated that the modified germination test, accelerated aging test, controlled deterioration test and seedling dry weight in controlled deterioration test provided the best indication of seedling emergence and seedling establishment. Seedling dry weight in the controlled deterioration test provided the highest statistical correlation with seedling fresh weight and biomass. Conductivity readings were inversely correlated with seedling establishment and biomass

Seed quality and vigour of Polish canola (Brassica rapa)

Non-Peer ReviewedSeed vigour of nine Polish canola varieties was studied in the laboratory using the controlled deterioration test and a modified germination test. Vigour ratings were correlated with field data from late May plantings at Saskatoon in 1998 - 2000. Correlation coefficients indicated that the modified germination test provided a better indication of seedling establishment and seedling growth than the controlled deterioration test. Exposure of seed lots to high temperature (45oC for 24 h) substantially reduced the vigour of AC Parkland and Reward but had little effect on the vigour of other Polish varieties

Management practices for control of ragwort species

The ragwort species common or tansy ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris, formerly Senecio jacobaea), marsh ragwort (S. aquaticus), Oxford ragwort (S. squalidus) and hoary ragwort (S. erucifolius) are native in Europe, but invaded North America, Australia and New Zealand as weeds. The abundance of ragwort species is increasing in west-and central Europe. Ragwort species contain different groups of secondary plant compounds defending them against generalist herbivores, contributing to their success as weeds. They are mainly known for containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are toxic to grazing cattle and other livestock causing considerable losses to agricultural revenue. Consequently, control of ragwort is obligatory by law in the UK, Ireland and Australia. Commonly used management practices to control ragwort include mechanical removal, grazing, pasture management, biological control and chemical control. In this review the biology of ragwort species is shortly described and the different management practices are discussed

An overview of NMR-based metabolomics to identify secondary plant compounds involved in host plant resistance

Secondary metabolites provide a potential source for the generation of host plant resistance and development of biopesticides. This is especially important in view of the rapid and vast spread of agricultural and horticultural pests worldwide. Multiple pests control tactics in the framework of an integrated pest management (IPM) programme are necessary. One important strategy of IPM is the use of chemical host plant resistance. Up to now the study of chemical host plant resistance has, for technical reasons, been restricted to the identification of single compounds applying specific chemical analyses adapted to the compound in question. In biological processes however, usually more than one compound is involved. Metabolomics allows the simultaneous detection of a wide range of compounds, providing an immediate image of the metabolome of a plant. One of the most universally used metabolomic approaches comprises nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). It has been NMR which has been applied as a proof of principle to show that metabolomics can constitute a major advancement in the study of host plant resistance. Here we give an overview on the application of NMR to identify candidate compounds for host plant resistance. We focus on host plant resistance to western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) which has been used as a model for different plant species

Towards eco-friendly crop protection: natural deep eutectic solvents and defensive secondary metabolites

Plant science