Yield and seed quality of barley and wheat in glasshouse and field conditions [Rendimiento y calidad de la semilla de cebada y trigo en campo e invernadero]

Two experiments were carried out under field conditions; one was conducted in winter-spring (FEWS) growing season under irrigation and another experiment was conducted under rainfall conditions in the summer (FES), while a third experiment was carried out in green house conditions in the summer (GES), in order to study the environmental effects in grain yield (GY) and seed quality between barley and bread wheat. In the combined analysis of the experiments carried out under field conditions, the results showed that the barley had 21, 31, 28 y 22% higher grain yield (GY), above-ground dry matter (AGDM), number of spikes/m2, number of grains/m2 (NGPSM), respectively, with respect to wheat. Barley plantlets were 6cm higher and reached its larger yield 18 days before those of wheat, although wheat showed an 11% larger harvest index (HI) than barley. GY, HI, AGDM, NGPSM and plant height all decrease in FES for barley in 30, 29, 2, 12% and 25cm, respectively, and for wheat in 38, 10, 32, 27% and 32cm, respectively, compare with FEWS. The number of days to anthesis was 28 days and 46 days before in FES than in FEWS, respectively, in barley and wheat. Also, in GES barley was better than the wheat on GY and AGDM in 17 and 33%, respectively. Barley showed a better seed quality than wheat in plantlet vigor, whereas wheat plantlets showed 10 and 23% larger germination and volumetric weight, respectively

Effect of Azospirillum brasilense and chemical fertilization on the growth, development, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) [Efecto de Azospirillum brasilense y fertilización quemica sobre el crecimiento, desarrollo, rendimiento y calidad de fruto de fresa (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)]

The effect of chemical fertilization and Azospirillum brasilense on strawberry growth, development, yield and fruit quality was evaluated. Three treatments were applied: T1: application of A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 colony forming units (CFU) / plant; T2: A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 CFU/plant + chemical fertilization; T3: chemical fertilization; and T4: control. The variables evaluated were: number of leaves (Nh), of flowers (Nfl) and fruits (Nfr), leaf area (AF), plant dry weight (PS), root length (LR) plant height (AL), yield per plant (RP) and fruit size (TF). Relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (RAF) and leaf weight ratio (RPF) were calculated from the dry weight. Results show that the concentration of A. brasilense used caused null effects or inhibited growth and yield; manifested in leaf area reduction, leaf thickness and plant fragility increase, from the higher values of AFE; it also led to less production of biomass, producing reduction of the fruit size and weight. The chemical fertilization in general terms had positive effects on the quality and yield of the fruit, resulting the best treatment in Nh, biomass production, Nfl, and AF variables at 35, 100, 145 and 35 dde, respectively. No significant differences were found in AP, LR, NFR, TCR, TAN, RAF and RPF in any stage of growth

Effect of Azospirillum brasilense and chemical fertilization on the growth, development, yield and fruit quality of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) [Efecto de Azospirillum brasilense y fertilización química sobre el crecimiento, desarrollo, rendimiento y calidad de fruto de fresa (Fragaria x ananassa Duch)]

The effect of chemical fertilization and Azospirillum brasilense on strawberry growth, development, yield and fruit quality was evaluated. Three treatments were applied: T1: application of A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 colony forming units (CFU) / plant; T2: A. brasilense at a concentration of log 9 CFU/plant + chemical fertilization; T3: chemical fertilization; and T4: control. The variables evaluated were: number of leaves (Nh), of flowers (Nfl) and fruits (Nfr), leaf area (AF), plant dry weight (PS), root length (LR) plant height (AL), yield per plant (RP) and fruit size (TF). Relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (RAF) and leaf weight ratio (RPF) were calculated from the dry weight. Results show that the concentration of A. brasilense used caused null effects or inhibited growth and yield; manifested in leaf area reduction, leaf thickness and plant fragility increase, from the higher values of AFE; it also led to less production of biomass, producing reduction of the fruit size and weight. The chemical fertilization in general terms had positive effects on the quality and yield of the fruit, resulting the best treatment in Nh, biomass production, Nfl, and AF variables at 35, 100, 145 and 35 dde, respectively. No significant differences were found in AP, LR, NFR, TCR, TAN, RAF and RPF in any stage of growth

Physiological performance, yield, and quality of dry bean seeds under drought stress

Net photosynthesis (A), respiration (RE), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E), yield, and its components, as well as physical and physiological quality of seeds were evaluated on dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants cv. 'Otomí', subjected to drought stress during the stages of flowering (F), pod formation (PF) and seed filling (SF). After 3 days under drought stress, gs, E and A decreased by more than 50% at F, PF and SF, respectively; after 10 days of stress, there was total inhibition of those processes, whereas the maximum reductions showed by RE were 42, 62, and 85% in F, PF and SF, respectively. Drought stress induced seed yield reductions of 10, 57, and 50% at F, PF and S F, respectively. High yield losses at PF and SF were caused by reductions in the number of seeds and pods per plant and seeds per pod. At the SF stage the loss in yield was moderate, because at this stage the plants were able to form new leaves and delay pod formation until water stress was over. The physiological quality was not affected by drought stress, even though the weight of 1000 seeds was reduced by about 10%

Polianthes breeding

Polianthes tuberosa, known locally as "Tuberose" or "Nardo" has been utilized as an ornamental crop since prehispanic times and also to extract volatile compounds for perfume fabrication. The genus Polianthes (Agavaceae) is endemic to Mexico and it comprises 14 species grouped in two taxonomic sections offering colored flowers ranging from scarlet red to yellow, which is a covetable characteristic over the white tuberoses. Accessions of different species have been collected from the wild and with the aim to develop a breeding program, the different genotypes were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).The compatibility among species has been tested and interspecific and intersectional hybridization has been achieved. The results of the present study indicate the molecular variability among species, the creation of interspecific hybrids of Polianthes and the possibility to combine important horticultural traits from wild species into novel tuberose cultivars

Polianthes breeding

Polianthes tuberosa, known locally as "Tuberose" or "Nardo" has been utilized as an ornamental crop since prehispanic times and also to extract volatile compounds for perfume fabrication. The genus Polianthes (Agavaceae) is endemic to Mexico and it comprises 14 species grouped in two taxonomic sections offering colored flowers ranging from scarlet red to yellow, which is a covetable characteristic over the white tuberoses. Accessions of different species have been collected from the wild and with the aim to develop a breeding program, the different genotypes were characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP).The compatibility among species has been tested and interspecific and intersectional hybridization has been achieved. The results of the present study indicate the molecular variability among species, the creation of interspecific hybrids of Polianthes and the possibility to combine important horticultural traits from wild species into novel tuberose cultivars

Effect of freeze-drying and production process on the chemical composition and fatty acids profile of avocado pulp [Efecto del liofilizado y del proceso de producci�n en la composici�n qu�mica y el perfil de �cidos grasos de la pulpa de aguacate]

Freeze-drying technology is the best dehydration process to preserve shelf-life and allowing avocado to maintain its sensorial and nutritional characteristics. The aim of this work was to determine if the freeze-drying and production condition have an effect on the nutritional quality of the avocado pulp grown in rain-fed and irrigation orchards. Four treatments were applied: non-freezedried rain-fed fruits, non-freeze-dried irrigation fruits, freeze-dried rain-fed fruits and freeze-dried irrigation fruits. Results showed that the fruit is made up of 71.4%, 16%, and 12.6% pulp, seed and skin, respectively. The pulp is made up of 71.51%, 19.96%, 2.81%, 0.51% and 1.51% water, lipids, ashes, crude fiber and protein, respectively. Avocado oil is composed by 61%, 18.8%, 11.6% and 7% oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and palmitoleic fatty acids, respectively. The freeze-drying decreased the linoleic acid by 1.43 g/100g. Under rain-fed conditions 4% and 13% less total fat and oleic fatty acid are produced than in irrigation conditions. We conclude that freeze-dried avocado pulp shows slight changes in their nutritional quality. � 2014, Sociedad Chilena de Nutricion Bromatologia y Toxilogica. All rights reserved

Changes in carbohydrate concentration in leaves, PODS and seeds of dry bean plants under drought stress

Changes in the concentration of sucrose, glucose, fructose and starch, in leaves, seeds and pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv 'Otomí' of determinate growth habit, were evaluated under both drought stress and non stress (irrigated) conditions. Plants were submitted to drought stress during the flowering, pod formation and seed filling stages. The stress increased the concentrations of glucose from 18 up to 196% and of fructose from 20 up to 333% in mature leaves, likely due to starch hydrolysis, while showing starch reductions from 17 up to 46% and sucrose reductions from 41 up to 70%. These changes in leaves promoted the sugar exports toward pods and seeds, since their sucrose concentration increased. In the reproductive organs, the concentration of glucose and fructose of stressed plants increased 136 and 138% in pods and 83 and 73% in seeds, respectively. Contrary to the changes registered in leaves, in reproductive tissues the sucrose increased up to 238% in pods and up to 148% in seeds, while the starch became reduced down to 37% in pods and to 21% in seeds. The increase of hexoses in pods and seeds might be explained by in situ starch hydrolysis, whereas the increase in sucrose is probably due to an enhanced synthesis of this sugar for a higher osmotic adjustment

Changes in carbohydrate concentration in leaves, PODS and seeds of dry bean plants under drought stress

Changes in the concentration of sucrose, glucose, fructose and starch, in leaves, seeds and pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv 'Otom�' of determinate growth habit, were evaluated under both drought stress and non stress (irrigated) conditions. Plants were submitted to drought stress during the flowering, pod formation and seed filling stages. The stress increased the concentrations of glucose from 18 up to 196% and of fructose from 20 up to 333% in mature leaves, likely due to starch hydrolysis, while showing starch reductions from 17 up to 46% and sucrose reductions from 41 up to 70%. These changes in leaves promoted the sugar exports toward pods and seeds, since their sucrose concentration increased. In the reproductive organs, the concentration of glucose and fructose of stressed plants increased 136 and 138% in pods and 83 and 73% in seeds, respectively. Contrary to the changes registered in leaves, in reproductive tissues the sucrose increased up to 238% in pods and up to 148% in seeds, while the starch became reduced down to 37% in pods and to 21% in seeds. The increase of hexoses in pods and seeds might be explained by in situ starch hydrolysis, whereas the increase in sucrose is probably due to an enhanced synthesis of this sugar for a higher osmotic adjustment

Dehydrins patterns in common bean exposed to drought and watered conditions

Drought is a major constraint for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in México. Dehydrins are constitutive or stress-induced proteins related with a protective role of membranes and macromolecules against denaturation, thus preventing loss of their function. In this work, seed production and patterns of dehydrins accumulation in leaves and pods were evaluated in common bean cv. 'Otomí' subjected to drought, as compared with well-irrigated plants. Drought applied at pod formation and seed filling (SF) reduced yield up to 57 %. An antibody against a consensus sequence present in most dehydrins allowed for dehydrin identification. Two dehydrins of 82 and 73 kDA turned up both in leaves and pods throughout all the evaluated conditions. Presumably, both dehydrins are constitutive in the 'Otomí' cultivar. These dehydrins showed higher expression than controls in leaves after 6 d of drought at seedling and SF stages, and in pods 6 d after drought had started at SF. Increased expression might provide better protection during early stages of seedling and seed development. Increments on 63, 36 and 22 kDa dehydrin expression in pods at late SF might coincide with plant developmental programs, which prepare seed for desiccation. Dehydrins of 158, 54, 46, and 41 kDa were detected in pods 10 d after floral opening as a transient response to drought stress in SF. These results indicate dehydrins are relevant during plant development, as well as during drought stress