Oviposition Site Preference and Its Effects on Subsequent Development of Variegated Grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus L.) under Laboratory Conditions

Female grasshoppers can affect the fitness of their offspring through their selection of oviposition site. Knowledge of soil type on oviposition, and its effects on subsequent development can provide guidelines for habitat manipulations that reduce the harmful effects of these pests on farmers fields. The influence of soil types on the oviposition site preference of variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus L.) reared some cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) varieties, was investigated in a cage trial carried out at the Bio factory laboratory, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Njala University, Sierra Leone during 2022/2023. The treatments comprised three soil types (Sandy, Loamy and Clay), each with three replications laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in wooden cages. Data were collected on the following development parameters including, Net reproductive growth ratio (R0), Generation time (Tc), Intrinsic rate of increase (rm), Finite rate of increase (), Doubling time (Dt), and overall survivorship. Findings revealed that, Z. variegatus L. preferred sandy soil in which, on average, most eggs were deposited (338, 6.62 4.40), followed by loamy soil, 286 (5.53 3.96), and then, clayey soil, 200 (3.91 3.85);though, the differences were not significant. This study established that Z. variegatus deposited more eggs in sandy soil > loamy soil > clayey soil, respectively;and subsequent survivorship of the immature unto mature adult insect, revealed a similar order. This indicates that the sandy soil is the most preferred substrate for oviposition and subsequent development into adult insects.

DNA methylation mediated by RdDM pathway and demethylation affects furanone accumulation through regulation of QUINONE OXIDOREDUCTASE in strawberry

Recently,increasing evidence suggests that DNA methylation plays a crucial role in fruit ripening.However,the role of DNA methylation in regulating specific traits,such as flavor,remains unclear.Here,we report a role of DNA methylation in affecting furanone biosynthesis in strawberry.Strawberry quinone oxidoreductase(FaQR)is a key enzyme in furanone biosynthesis.There are four FaQR homologs in strawberry cultivar‘Yuexin’,and one of them,FaQR3,contributes∼50%of FaQR transcripts,indicating a major role of FaQR3 in furanone biosynthesis.Through characterization of levels of DNA methylation and FaQR3 transcript and furanone contents during fruit ripening and after the application of DNA methylation inhibitor,we found that the DNA methylation level of the FaQR3 promoter was negatively correlated with FaQR3 expression and furanone accumulation,suggesting that DNA methylation may be involved in furanone biosynthesis through adjusting FaQR3 expression,and responded to different temperatures consistently.In addition,transient expression of a gene in the RNA-directed DNA methylation(RdDM)pathway,FaAGO4,and enrichment analysis of the 24-nucleotide siRNAs suggested that DNA methylation in the FaQR3 promoter is mediated by the RdDM pathway.Transient RNA interference(RNAi)of FaDML indicated that the demethylation pathway may be involved in regulating furanone accumulation.These findings provide new insights into the role of DNA methylation and demethylation in affecting flavor quality in strawberry during fruit ripening.

Phylogenetic Relationships in Genus Arachis Based on SSR and AFLP Markers

Fourteen wild species of different sections in the genus Arachis and 24 accessions of the AABB allotetraploid A. hypogaea （cultivated peanut） from several countries which belong to different botanical varieties, were analyzed by SSR and AFLP marker systems. The assay-units per system needed to distinguish among all the tested accessions were at least five for SSR or two for AFLP. The genetic distance detected by the SSR markers ranged from 0.09 to 0.95, and the mean was 0.73; and the genetic distance detected by the AFLP markers ranged from 0.01 to 0.79 with an average of 0.42. All the tested peanut SSR primer pairs were multilocus ones, and the amplified fragments per SSR marker in each peanut genome ranged from 2 to 15 with the mean of 4.77. The peanut cultivars were closely related to each other, and shared a large numbers of SSR and AFLP fragments. In contrast, the species in the genus Arachis shared few fragments. The results indicated that the cultivated peanut （A. hypogaea L.） varieties could be partitioned into two main groups and four subgroups at the molecular level, and that A. duranensis is one of the wild ancestors of A. hypogaea. The lowest genetic variation was detected between A. cardenasii and A. batizocoi, and the highest was detected between A. pintoi and the species in the section Arachis. The relationships among the botanical varieties in the cultivated peanut （A. hypogaea L.） and among wild species accessions in section Arachis and those in other sections in the genus Arachis were discussed.

基于DArT-Seq SNP的高密度遗传图谱的构建及野生型和栽培型西瓜杂交遗传群体偏分离基因组区域的鉴定

目的与意义:西瓜[Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum.et Nakai]是重要的蔬菜作物,在全世界范围内都广泛种植.构建高密度的西瓜遗传图谱和不断利用新开发的标记构建饱和遗传图谱仍然是目前西瓜基因组学研究的重要内容之一.本项研究主要以西瓜自交系‘K3’和野生西瓜种‘PI189225’为亲本构建F2分离群体,利用以DArTseq为基础的SNP标记构建西瓜高密度遗传连锁图谱.

Overcoming the Physical Seed Dormancy in Bambara Groundnut （Vigna subterranea L.） by Scarification： A Seed Quality Study

Bambara groundnut （Vigna subterranea L.） is a neglected African crop legume with potential to play a significant role as astaple and industrial crop in sub-Saharan Africa. The crop can compete with Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max under harshcondition associated with climate change. However, there are some challenges associated with successful production of bambaragroundnut, such as poor crop establishment due to physical seed dormancy. This study was conducted to investigate the effect ofscarification on overcoming seed dormancy in bambara groundnut. Bambara groundnut landrace seeds were characterized by seedcoat colour （cream, light brown and brown） in order to determine the effects of mechanical （sand paper） and chemical （sulphuric acid）seed scarification on germination and emergence. A completely randomized design with three replications was used. Thousand grainmass （TGM）, mean germination time （MGT）, germination vigour index （GVI）, seedling root to shoot ratio, seedling dry mass andfield emergence were determined. Thousand grain mass increased with the decrease in seed coat colour pigmentation. Brown seedshad the highest final germination and field emergence, and cream seeds had the least. Imposing chemical or mechanical scarificationimproved germination as compared to no scarification. However, seedling establishment was vigorous in seeds that were notscarified. Seed quality in bambara groundnut is highly influenced by scarification and seed coat colour. The practical implications ofthe study are that producers can use scarification to improve bambara groundnut germination, however further research through seedenhancements is still needed for seedling establishment under field conditions.

Crude Protein and Proline in Dry Bean Seed Respond to Weeding and Soil Fertility Regimes

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of weeds and fertilizer application on dry bean seed quality. Four dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, Caledon (C), Ukulinga (U), Gadra (G) and uMtata (M) were planted for seed production using a field experiment designed as a split, replicated three times. There were three levels of weeding W0 (no weeding), W1 (weeding until 50% flowering) and W2 (weeding all the time until harvest). The weeding treatments were split into no fertilizer application (F0) and optimum fertilizer application (F1) according to soil fertility analysis. At harvest maturity, seeds were compared for quality with respect to size, germination and total protein content. Proline content was determined as a measure of crop response to the weed and fertilizer stresses during crop production. Although seed size was affected by management stress, seed germination was not significantly affected by weeding and fertilizer even when it was explored in terms of seed vigor by determining rate of germination and seedling size. However, weed management and fertilizer application significantly affected proline and total crude protein contents in seeds (P < 0.05). The findings of this study show that the biotic stress of weeds and abiotic stress of soil fertility can be used to determine seed physiological quality of dry bean seeds.

Seed Scarification Improves Physiological Growth and Development of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea) Depending on Seed Coat Colour

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of scarification on bambara groundnut(Vigna subterranea)physiological growth and development and crop phenology.Bambara groundnut landrace seeds used in this study were characterized by seed coat colour(cream,light brown and brown).Seed scarification treatments were mechanical(sand paper)and chemical(sulphuric acid)scarification,while seeds that were not scarified served as a control.A completely randomized design with three replications was used.The parameters that were assessed were time to emergence,final emergence percentage,leaf number,chlorophyll content index(CCI),canopy diameter,plant height,chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv/Fm),photosynthetic performance index(Pi),time to flowering and time to senescence.CCI,leaf number and plant height were significantly(p<0.05)influenced by seed coat colour,seed scarification treatments and their interaction thereof.Seed scarification treatment had a significant effect on CCI,leaf number and plant height.Generally,seed scarification improved plant overall performance than the control.Chemical scarification presented superior performance of bambara groundnut growth and development.Light brown seeds produced plants with superior overall performance,having superior emergence,CCI,leaf number,and early flowering and senescence.Light brown seeds were followed by cream seeds in terms of superiority of plant performance,having produced plants with superior canopy diameter,plant height and Pi.Therefore,bambara groundnut farmers and researchers can successfully use scarification to improve its physiological growth and attain earlier phenological stages,hence maturity.At the same time,light brown seeds should be selected for cultivation to give the best plant performance.

基于DArTseq的SNP标记的西瓜核心种质遗传多样性和群体结构分析

目的与意义:亲本材料是进行育种工作的基础,遗传基础狭窄导致难以培育出突破性品种,因此亟需加强遗传资源的引进及其农艺性状特征和遗传基础的了解与掌握,对现有优良西瓜品种和育种亲本材料进行遗传多样性研究,可有效减少相似遗传背景的组合,减少育种的工作量。同时,随着分子生物学技术的发展,分子标记种类及检测手段日趋完善,利用分子标记技术对植物进行聚类分析,可以快速了解植物的遗传多样性、亲缘关系和品种鉴定等。本研究对37份核心西瓜种质进行遗传多样性分析,确定这些西瓜核心种质材料间的遗传背景差异,为后期育种工作中的亲本组配、等位基因发掘和标记辅助选择等提供参考。

Mineral Fertilizer Use for Optimal Groundnut Production in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian Zones of Benin

Abstract This study aims to determine the optimal N, P, K, Mg and Zn rates for groundnut production on Ferric and Plintic Luvisol in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones of Benin Republic. Two years (2018 and 2019) experiment was carried out in the municipality of Ouessè in the Sudano-Guinean zone and Bembèrèkè in the Sudanian zone. The tested nutrient doses were N (0, 20 and 40 kg⋅ha−1), P (0, 25 and 50 kg⋅ha−1), K (0, 20 and 40 kg⋅ha−1), Mg (0, 15 and 30 kg⋅ha−1) and Zn (0, 4 and 8 kg⋅ha−1). The Box and Behnken rotating design is used to define the N, P, K, Mg and Zn rate combinations leading to 46 combinations. A completely randomized bloc design was setting up considering farmers as replication. In total, four farmers’ fields were selected. A one-way analysis of variance is carried out on yield data, using the linear mixed-effect model. Response surface analyses were used to determine the optimal doses for each N, P, K, Mg and Zn. Nodule production (6.5 times higher than the control), number of gynophores (2.8 times higher than the control) and root length (19.2 ± 0.2 cm) of groundnut plants were significantly (p = 0.0001) improved with nutrient application. The response surface analysis shows that treatments N-P-K-Mg-Zn of 16.01-20.18-6.70-5.65-2.47 (in the Sudano-Guinean zone) and 13.1-25.07-11.47-0-1.82 (in the Sudanian zone) are the optimal rates that have induced optimal yield of 2.1 t⋅ha−1 (i.e. 2.5 times the yield in the farmers’ field) pod yield and the best return on investment per hectare. Nevertheless, for a sustainable groundnut producproduction, treatment 13.1-25.07-11.47-20-1.82 is suggested as regular K input is required for the respect of the fertilization laws.

Modelling the Current and Future Spatial Distribution Area of Shea Tree (<i>Vittelaria paradoxa</i>C. F. Gaertn) in the Context of Climate Change in Benin

In Benin, Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is one of the agroforestry species of great socio-economic importance for local populations. Given the actual variation in the climate parameters, it is necessary to anticipate the future spatial distribution of Shea trees as an adaptation strategy and for designing relevant conservation strategies. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the influence of climate change on the distribution areas of Shea trees in Benin. Occurrence data consisting of geographic coordinates of Shea trees in Benin as well as bioclimatic variables were recorded. Furthemore, additional presence points were collected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility database website. Current and future environmental data for the study area were obtained from the Africlim website. Bioclimatic variables (moisture and temperature), monthly maximum and minimum temperatures and annual rainfall were collected from Worldclim synoptic stations website for the period 1970-2000. The aridity index was created from the potential evapotranspiration (PET) and annual rainfall, using spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS. The impact of current and future environmental conditions on favourable Shea trees’ growing area was assessed following the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach under two climate scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). Under the current climate conditions, 80% of Benin territory and 79% of the protected areas were highly favourable for Shea trees growing and conservation. However, all climate scenarios projected the significant decrease of 14% to 19% of the distribution of favourable for Shea tree growing area and 26% to 30% of the protected areas by 2055 in favour of non-favourable for the trees’ distribution. The protection of habitats favourable for the species development, coupled with a quick restoration of the species through the use of appropriate vegetative propagation techniques are required to sustain the species’ conservation in Benin and maintain farmers’ livelihood.

The Direct Use of Post-Processing Wood Dust in Gas Turbines

Woody biomass is a widely-used and favourable material for energy production due to its carbon neutral status. Energy is generally derived either through direct combustion or gasification. The Irish forestry sector is forecasted to expand significantly in coming years, and so the opportunity exists for the bioenergy sector to take advantage of the material for which there will be no demand from current markets. A by-product of wood processing, wood dust is the cheapest form of wood material available to the bioenergy sector. Currently wood dust is primarily processed into wood pellets for energy generation. Research was conducted on post-processing birch wood dust;the calorific value and the Wobbe Index were determined for a number of wood particle sizes and wood dust concentrations. The Wobbe Index determined for the upper explosive concentration (4000 g/m3) falls within range of that of hydrogen gas, and wood dust-air mixtures of this concentration could therefore behave in a similar manner in a gas turbine. Due to its slightly lower HHV and higher particle density, however, alterations to the gas turbine would be necessary to accommodate wood dust to prevent abrasive damage to the turbine. As an unwanted by-product of wood processing the direct use of wood dust in a gas turbine for energy generation could therefore have economic and environmental benefits.

Morphotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of Saprolegnia ferax from India

Saprolegnia ferax is isolated from polluted water sample collected from Mula River,Pune,Maharashtra,India.The isolated taxon is illustrated and compared with the morphotaxonomy based first record of Indian S.ferax isolated by Wani et al.(2017).The present study deals with the re-description of the isolated taxon S.ferax based on detail morphological features,sequence analysis and phylogeny of ITS and LSU regions of rDNA.

Effect of Land Uses on Soil Erodibility in the Njala Area of Southern Sierra Leone

Soil loss through erosion continues to pose serious challenges to increasing the smallholder agricultural productivity in Sierra Leone. While emphasis on sustainable land use practices continue to gain attention among land users, however, the rate of adoption among smallholder farmers is still very low and hence, in most part of the country soil fertility has been declining at alarming rates. In the Njala area, studies have shown that soil loss ranges from moderate to high. Though soil erosion has been identified as a major soil fertility declining factor, however, the effect of land use practices on the inherent resistance of soil materials to erosion is lacking. This study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of land uses on soil erodibility. The results showed that the soils are coarse sandy loam with high sand content. The dispersion ratios and erosion indices of soils under cassava, plantain, maize and guava were above the minimum thresholds of 15.0 and 10.0 respectively, thus indicating that these soils are highly erodible compared to soils under fallow and sweet potato which have dispersion ratios and erosion indices below the minimum thresholds. Clay content was inversely proportional to and significantly correlated with dispersion ratio and erosion index while the correlations between silt + clay, dispersion ration and erosion index, and silt, silt + clay and dispersion ratio were negative and non-significant. Considering the coarse nature of soils, landscape features and high erodibility indices, these soils would need special soil and water conservation practices to counter further degradation. These may include following, agroforestry, silvi-pasture, controlled and rotational grazing. In addition, awareness of sense of self-responsibility and forest policies and regulations are needed.

Plant genetic engineering and genetically modified crop breeding: history and current status

This review charts the major developments in the genetic manipulation of plant cells that have taken place since the first gene transfer experiments using Ti plasmids in 1983. Tremendous progress has been made in both our scientific understanding and technological capabilities since the first genetically modified(GM)crops were developed with single gene resistances to herbicides, insects, viruses, and the silencing of undesirable genes. Despite opposition in some parts of the world, the area planted with first generation GM crops has grown from 1.7 Mhm^2 in 1996 to 179.7 Mhm^2 in 2015.The toolkit available for genetic modification has expanded greatly since 1996 and recently Nobel Laureates have called on Greenpeace to end their blanket opposition,and plant scientists have urged that consideration be given to the benefits of GM crops based on actual evidence. It is now possible to use GM to breed new crop cultivars resistant to a much wider range of pests and diseases, and to produce crops better able to adapt to climate change.The advent of new CRISPR-based technologies makes it possible to contemplate a much wider range of improvements based on transfer of new metabolic pathways and traits to improve nutritional quality, with a much greater degree of precision. Use of GM, sometimes in conjunction with other approaches, offers great opportunities for improving food quality, safety, and security in a changing world.

Science-to-action through global and regional biochar networks

Sustainable solutions to the plethora of environmental issues facing us today require sound science as well as actionable technology that is affordable and equitable.Broader awareness of biochar systems emerged from insights of historical soil management of Amerindian populations who modified their soils to remain fertile for centuries,pointing at sustainable improvement of soil functions through biochar additions.This insight alone may remain inconsequential for sustainable development without probing the translation into modern-day realities.To negotiate viable technologies and management that work today and in the future,science has to engage in constant conversation with stakeholders.Here I argue for the importance of local,regional,national and global networks to serve as platforms to foster the translation of science to action,especially,but not limited to,biochar research,development and deployment.

Root System Traits Contribute to Variability and Plasticity in Response to Phosphorus Fertilization in 2 Field-Grown Sorghum[Sorghum bicolor(L.)Moench]Cultivars

Due to roots'physical and physiological roles in crop productivity,interest in root system architecture(RSA)and plasticity in responses to abiotic stresses is growing.Sorghum is significant for the food security of millions of people.Phosphorus deficiency is an important limitation of sorghum productivity.There is little information on the RSA-based responses of sorghum to variations in external P supply([P]_(ext)).This study evaluated the phenotypic plasticity and RSA responses to a range of[P]_(ext) in 2 sorghum genotypes.The results showed that both genotypes responded to[P]_(ext) but with significant variations in about 80%of the RSA traits analyzed.Aboveground biomass and most RSA traits increased with increasing[P]_(ext).Plasticity was both genotype-and trait-dependent.For most RSA traits,the white sorghum genotype showed significantly higher plasticity than the red genotype,with the former having about 28.4%higher total plasticity than the former.RSA traits,such as convex area,surface area,total root length,and length diameter ranges,showed sizeable genetic variability.Root biomass had a high degree of plasticity,but root number and angle traits were the leading contributors to variation.The results suggested 2 root trait spectra:root exploration and developmental spectrum,and there was an indication of potential trade-offs among groups of root traits.It is concluded that RSA traits in sorghum contribute to variability and plasticity in response to[P]_(ext).Given that there might be trade-offs among sorghum root traits,it would be instructive to determine the fundamental constraints underlying these trade-offs.

Seed metabolomic study reveals significant metabolite variations and correlations among different soybean cultivars

Soybean[Glycine max（L.） Merr.]is one of the world＇s major crops,and soybean seeds are a rich and important resource for proteins and oils.While ＂omics＂ studies,such as genomics,transcriptomics,and proteomics,have been widely applied in soybean molecular research,fewer metabolomic studies have been conducted for largescale detection of low molecular weight metabolites,especially in soybean seeds.In this study,we investigated the seed metabolomes of 29 common soybean cultivars through combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.One hundred sixty-nine named metabolites were identified and subsequently used to construct a metabolic network of mature soybean seed.Among the 169 detected metabolites,104 were found to be significantly variable in their levels across tested cultivars.Metabolite markers that could be used to distinguish genetically related soybean cultivars were also identified,and metabolitemetabolite correlation analysis revealed some significant associations within the same or among different metabolite groups.Findings from this work may potentially provide the basis for further studies on both soybean seed metabolism and metabolic engineering to improve soybean seed quality and yield.

Design of hospital healing gardens linked to pre- or post-occupancy research findings

This work examined the evidence-based design （EBD） and post-occupancy research of hospital healing gardens. The lack of statutory design guidelines raises concerns on how such gardens are created and whether they meet the intended design purpose. This issue is particularly important for hospitals because a neutral or even a negative effect on users can be generated. A systematic analysis of the literature in two databases （Scopus and Web of Science） was undertaken. Results showed that pre- and post-occupancy research findings on hospital healing garden design are sparse and design recommendations vary among users. Despite the tack of research on the design of healing gardens, the review showed that while post-occupancy research findings evaluate the effectiveness of design recommendations, pre-occupancy research findings, combined with site analysis, constitute a traditional approach followed in landscape architecture practice and determine the site and user features that must be addressed for each hospital. Pre- and post-research findings must be considered in the design process to create a “successful” healing garden. A summary of EBD recommendations for different users is presented, and the need to enrich the existing amount of EBD recommenda-tions is highlighted.

Transcriptional regulation of fleshy fruit texture

Fleshy fruit texture is a critically important quality characteristic of ripe fruit.Softening is an irreversible process which operates in most fleshy fruits during ripening which,together with changes in color and taste,contributes to improvements in mouthfeel and general attractiveness.Softening results mainly from the expression of genes encoding enzymes responsible for cell wall modifications but starch degradation and high levels of flavonoids can also contribute to texture change.Some fleshy fruit undergo lignification during development and post-harvest,which negatively affects eating quality.Excessive softening can also lead to physical damage and infection,particularly during transport and storage which causes severe supply chain losses.Many transcription factors(TFs)that regulate fruit texture by controlling the expression of genes involved in cell wall and starch metabolism have been characterized.Some TFs directly regulate cell wall targets,while others act as part of a broader regulatory program governing several aspects of the ripening process.In this review,we focus on advances in our understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms governing fruit textural change during fruit development,ripening and postharvest.Potential targets for breeding and future research directions for the control of texture and quality improvement are discussed.