Cengiz Kaya

Bio: Cengiz Kaya is an academic researcher from Harran University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Membrane permeability & Chlorophyll. The author has an hindex of 42, co-authored 105 publications receiving 5745 citations.

Effect of Silicon on Plant Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Maize Grown Under Water-Stress Conditions

Abstract: The effect of silicon (Si) on physiological attributes and nutritional status of maize (Zea mays cv. DK 647 F1) under water stress was studied in a pot experiment. Treatments were (1) well watered (WW): 100% of FC (soil field capacity), (2) WW + Si1: 100% of FC + 1 mM Si, (3) WW + Si2: 100% of FC + 2 mM Si, (4) water stress (WS): 50% of FC, (5) WS + Si1: 50% of FC + 1 mM Si and (6) WS + Si2: 50% of FC + 2 mM Si. In the control treatment, plants were irrigated to field capacity (100% FC). Water stress was imposed by maintaining a moisture level equivalent to 50% of field capacity, whereas the well-watered pots (control) were maintained at full field capacity. Water stress was found to reduce the total dry matter (DM), chlorophyll content, and relative water content (RWC), but to increase proline accumulation and electrolyte leakage in maize plants. Both Si treatments largely improved the above physiological parameters, but levels remained significantly lower than the control (WW) values except for...

Comparative Effects of NaCl and Polyethylene Glycol on Germination, Emergence and Seedling Growth of Cowpea

Abstract: Seeds of Paceno and Cuarenteno cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) were tested for salt and drought tolerance at germination, seedling emergence and early seedling growth in NaCl and PEG-8000 solutions of different osmotic potentials (0, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6, and −0.8 MPa). Daily and final germination and emergence percentage, as well as germination and seedling emergence rate, and seedling growth were recorded under controlled conditions. Results showed that germination and emergence rate were delayed by both solutions in both cultivars, with differences between cultivars among growth stages, given that cultivar Cuarenteno, showed a higher germination rate than Paceno in NaCl, but Paceno was less affected by NaCl and PEG solutions at the emergence stage. Sodium chloride had a lesser effect on both cultivars in terms of germination rate, emergence rate and the final germination and emergence percentage than did PEG-8000. This conclusively proves that the adverse effect of PEG-8000 on germination, emergence and early seedling growth was due to the osmotic effect rather than the specific ion. Seedling growth was reduced by both stresses, but NaCl usually caused less damage than PEG to cowpea seedlings, suggesting that NaCl and PEG acted through different mechanisms.

Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.

Abstract: Impatti, adattamento e vulnerabilita Le cause e le responsabilita dei cambiamenti climatici sono state trattate sul numero di ottobre della rivista Cda. Approfondiamo l’argomento presentando il documento: “Cambiamenti climatici 2007: impatti, adattamento e vulnerabilita” votato ad aprile 2007 dal secondo gruppo di lavoro del Comitato Intergovernativo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Si tratta del secondo di tre documenti che compongono il quarto rapporto sui cambiamenti climatici.

Zinc in plants

Abstract: Zinc (Zn) is an essential component of thousands of proteins in plants, although it is toxic in excess. In this review, the dominant fluxes of Zn in the soil-root-shoot continuum are described, including Zn inputs to soils, the plant availability of soluble Zn(2+) at the root surface, and plant uptake and accumulation of Zn. Knowledge of these fluxes can inform agronomic and genetic strategies to address the widespread problem of Zn-limited crop growth. Substantial within-species genetic variation in Zn composition is being used to alleviate human dietary Zn deficiencies through biofortification. Intriguingly, a meta-analysis of data from an extensive literature survey indicates that a small proportion of the genetic variation in shoot Zn concentration can be attributed to evolutionary processes whose effects manifest above the family level. Remarkable insights into the evolutionary potential of plants to respond to elevated soil Zn have recently been made through detailed anatomical, physiological, chemical, genetic and molecular characterizations of the brassicaceous Zn hyperaccumulators Thlaspi caerulescens and Arabidopsis halleri.

Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants

Abstract: Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for crop production in many of the world's agricultural areas and its efficient use is important for the economic sustainability of cropping systems Furthermore, the dynamic nature of N and its propensity for loss from soil‐plant systems creates a unique and challenging environment for its efficient management Crop response to applied N and use efficiency are important criteria for evaluating crop N requirements for maximum economic yield Recovery of N in crop plants is usually less than 50% worldwide Low recovery of N in annual crop is associated with its loss by volatilization, leaching, surface runoff, denitrification, and plant canopy Low recovery of N is not only responsible for higher cost of crop production, but also for environmental pollution Hence, improving N use efficiency (NUE) is desirable to improve crop yields, reducing cost of production, and maintaining environmental quality To improve N efficiency in agriculture, integrated N management strategies that take into consideration improved fertilizer along with soil and crop management practices are necessary Including livestock production with cropping offers one of the best opportunities to improve NUE Synchrony of N supply with crop demand is essential in order to ensure adequate quantity of uptake and utilization and optimum yield This paper discusses N dynamics in soil‐plant systems, and outlines management options for enhancing N use by annual crops