Stress breeding of neglected tetraploid primitive wheat (Triticum dicoccum, Triticum carthlicum and Triticum polonicum)

Ancient wheats are progressively more considered as valuable resources for genes of interest especially in organic and health food markets which could be introduced into cultivated varieties. Better evaluation of primitive wheats that symbolize a valuable genetic resource may provide breeders with important sources for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. dicoccum) is one of the most ancient of cultivated cereals, makes good bread, higher in fiber than common wheat, emmer is used is for making pasta and bread, with no need at all to use pesticides during growing season, grow in severe environments and minor lands, resistance to Septroria leaf blotch and resistance to Russian wheat aphid and Green bug. Persian wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. carthlicum) described with many favorable characters, like being a good resistant species to stem rust and powdery mildew, plants have more tillers with good productivity, low temperature tolerant and pre-harvest budding and fairly resistant to fungus diseases. Polish wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. polonicum) were used for bread making as many forms having grains with high protein content (27%), and it is a great source for high yielding wheat varieties characterized by plump grain, and could be used in genetic bio-fortification of durum wheat and common wheat. Lack of scientific researches and facilities to produce and marketing, in addition to concentrating on new varieties are considered as limitation factors of expanding these species. For better adaptation to climate change and for future food security, it is highly recommended to improve utilization and sustainable use of targeted species and cooperation between scientists and researcher on the national and international levels. This review is an attempt to highlight the value of targeted species with general information about classification, origin and distribution, importance domestication, characterization and conservation, traditional breeding and role of each of molecular biology, tissue culture and mutation in exploiting genetic variation in targeted species

Actual versus best practices for young children with cerebral palsy : a survey of pediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Quebec, Canada

Background and rationale. Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common disabling disorders of childhood and constitutes a substantial portion of pediatric rehabilitation. This condition demands comprehensive rehabilitation using age-appropriate tasks and activities and encompassing aspects of body function and structure, activity and participation, and personal and environmental factors. Yet little is known regarding actual occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) practices.Objective. The primary objective of this doctoral thesis was to describe OT and PT practices for young children with CP in the Province of Quebec, Canada.Methods. This was a cross-sectional, multi-centered survey. All eligible and consenting pediatric occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) were interviewed using a structured telephone interview based on vignettes of two typical children with CP at two age points---18 months and 4 years. Reported practices were grouped according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Literature review of pediatric assessments and interventions potentially used for CP was done to determine their level of evidence of effectiveness. In addition, two expert groups provided, for each vignette, a best practice problem identification list and a best practice intervention list.Results. A total of 62 PTs (83.8% participation rate) and 85 OTs (91.4% participation rate) participated in the study. Overall, 91.9% of PTs and 67.1% of OTs reported using at least one standardized pediatric assessment for at least one vignette. OT and PT interventions focused primarily on impairments and primary function, with less attention to interventions related to play and recreation/leisure. Clinicians reported the need for more training and education specific to CP and to the use of research findings in clinical practice. Wide variations and gaps were identified in therapists' responses suggesting the need for a basic standard of PT and OT management as well as strategies to encourage knowledge dissemination regarding current best practice. Further, implementation of evidence-based practice necessitates more collaboration between researchers, clinicians and administrators

Selection criteria for yield in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Nineteen  genotypes of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) were collected from different places in Syria for evaluating the selection criteria for yield parameters. Yield traits (days to 50% flowering, days to flower setting, days to maturity, plant height/cm at flowering stage, fruit weight/g, number of harvested plants and fruit yield per genotype/kg) were recorded  in order to study the traits relations and to their direct and indirect effects via other traits on eggplant yield. Results showed that both plant height and number of harvested plants together with other morphological parameters had positive significant correlation with yield parameters, so it can be taken as selection criteria to increase final yield of eggplant

Evaluation of resistance of some barley varieties to wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) in Hama Governorate

Wheat stem sawfly (Hymenoptera: Cephidae) is a significant pest on wheat and barley in Syria, and host plant resistance is one of the most effective mitigation of wasps damage. The preference for laying eggs among females of wheat stem sawfly (WSS) was studied in some cultivation barley varieties in Syria, and the reasons for this preference, by comparing the characteristics of plant height in the stages of early wasp propagation, phenological development stages synchronized with late propagation wasps stages that are known having attraction influence for female wasps to put eggs, within the natural conditions at the place of experimenting in Soran region, northern of Hama, about 20 km. The results showed a great variation in the infection rates between the tested barley cultivar varieties. Female of wheat stem sawfly (WSS) preferred to lay eggs in the barley cultivar (Arabi Aswad) (Aswad means black), which was a sensitive variety for infection althoughit is not being the highest height plant in the early stages or the less developed in the late stages of wheat stem sawfly spread, whereas the rest of the tested varieties distinguished (Furat 1, Furat 3, Furat 4, Furat 5, Furat 6, Furat 9, Arabi Abiad, and Arabi Abiad Mohsan) (Abiad means white, Mohsan means improved) by its relative resistance to the injury. Our results suggest conducting other studies to reach the reasons forpredilection preference or lack of preference and benefit from them later for reducing losses resulting from this injury

Estimation of Yield traits & Correlation in Zea Mays

Seven Zea mays genotypes were planted at two sites Aleppo and Edleb which are research centres belongs to the General Commission of Scientific Agricultural research GCSAR northern Syria. Yield traits (ear diameter, ear length, row number per ear-1, grain number per ear-1, thousand grain weight) were studied in order to estimate the variation between genotypes and to between sites and to select the best genotypes concerning studied yield  traits to be applied in maize breeding programs. Results showed that all Studied genotypes of maize had significant differences in yield traits in which both genotypes (Z 263, Z 67) were remarkable in all studied traits like thousand grain weight (391.7, 390.7) g for each of them respectively. Results also revealed that most studied traits were significantly superior in Aleppo comparing to Edleb. Results of correlation showed positively and significantly relations between all studied traits except between each of row number per ear-1 and grain number per ear-1 with thousand grain weight

Assessment phenotypic diversity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes by multivariate analysis

An efficient way to achieve superior productivity is to determine the genetic variation of the various rice genotypes. This research was aimed at estimating potential variations between rice genotypes and identifying each trait contribution in total variation and classifying superior genotypes. The experiment was performed at the Rice Research and Training Centre, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheik, Egypt. Twenty-two genotypes of rice were analyzed using seven agronomic traits. Multivariate approaches were utilized including principal components and cluster analysis. Results showed that PC1 and PC2 represented 66.1% of the variation between studied genotypes, mainly 48% because of grain yield per plant variation in PC1 followed by the characteristics of its components i.e., number of panicles per plant, number of filled grains per panicle, and 1000-grain weight. The three Egyptian rice genotypes Giza 181, Giza 178, and Giza 177 were the best genotypes for grain yield. Cluster results revealed that the majority of genotypes originated from one source (except for Indian variety IET1444) or belonged to one classification were clustered together. Multivariate analytical approaches are ideal instruments for providing information on agronomic character variations. Consequently, the results of the current study should be taken into account when developing new rice varieties.  &nbsp

Evaluating the performance of some Primitive Wheat Triticum dicoccum Genotypes

Seven wheat genotypes (Triticum dicoccum) and the local check sham5 variety were planted during  growing season 2010/2011under rainfed conditions using RCBD with three replications. Yield components (number of total and fertile tillers, number and weight of grains per spike, weight of thousand grain and individual plant grain yield) were studied in two sites in order to define the differences between the studied genotypes in both sites and to provide the superior genotypes for breeding programs. Results showed that the genotype PW70 was significantly superior in (grain yield, number and weight of grain per spike) comparing to check. While, the genotypes (PW96, PW119, PW123) were significantly superior in thousand grain weight comparing to check, as well as the genotype (PW81, PW127) were significantly superior in total and fertile tillers number comparing to check. Most traits were significantly superior in Al-Ghab site

Correlation, Regression and Path analysis among yield and yield traits in Triticum dicoccum

Seven wheat genotypes (Triticum dicoccum) and the local check sham5 were planted all at Al-Ghab and Izra Research centers in The General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research in Syria during growing season 2010/2011. Yield components (number of total and fertile tillers per plant, number and weight of grains per spike, weight of thousand grain and individual plant grain yield) were studied in two sites in order to predict their effect and to determine their effects on grain yield in order to define selection criteria for grain yield. Results revealed all studied traits except total tillers number were positively correlated with grain yield, and only (fertile tillers number and grain number per spike and grain weight per spike) had a significant regression with grain yield and these traits can explain about (27.6, 67.7, 62.2)% respectively of the variation final grain yield. Results of path analysis indicated that the direct effect of fertile tillers per plant and grain weight per spike on grain yield was positive and high (0.6178, 0.7563) respectively, so that we can depend on them in breeding program as selection criteria to increase grain yield in plant

Multi-environmental evaluation of wheat tetraploid genotypes for agronomic traits under rainfed conditions in Syria

This study was conducted at Homs, Al-Swaida and Tartous, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, Syria during 2016/2017 season. Seven wheat genotypes were planted under rainfed conditions in randomized complete block design with three replications. Studied traits were days to maturity, plant height, number of grain per spike, grain weight per spike, 1000 kernal weight and grain yield per plant to evaluate variance between genotypes and locations. Results showed existence of high variance between studied genotypes in all traits especially plant height. It resulted that genotype W45193 was significantly superior in grain yield per plant with an increasing rate of 69.62% comparing to control Sham 5. Also, it was significantly superior in spike numbers with an increasing rate of 53.53%, 57.24% compared to both controls Sham 3 and Sham 5, respectively. Genotype W45064 was significantly superior in grain weight per spike and 1000 kernal weight compare to both controls Sham 3 and Sham 5. W 45194 was significantly superior in 1000 kernal weight comparing to control Sham 5 (36.34, 31.16 g), respectively. Furthermore, all studied traits (except spike number per plant) were more significant in Tartous compare to both Homs and Al-Swaida