Showing papers in "Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture in 2007"

PRIMARY IDENTIFICATION OF EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) WOOD LIGNIN MONOMERS BY FT-IR SPECTROSCOPY

Abstract: Lignin samples were isolated from Eucalypt wood (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) by kraft process, and then all samples were examined and tested with Fourier Transform Infrared Instrument Technique for identifying the types of lignin monomers units from their spectra.The Lignin monomers spectra chart showed these peak bands( 616.80, 795.11, 876.96, 1057.14, 1127.19, 1458.74, 1509.21, 1542.05 , 1636.26, 1735.68, 2863.72,2922.35, 2967.95, 3447.01,and 3650.56 cm ).No evidence for methoxyl group bands were observed, though all monomers of the tested lignin in this investigation which obtained from Eucalypt wood by KRAFT process consist mainly of P-hydroxy phenyl propane units. INTRODUCTION Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) is an analytical technique used to identify the functional groups of the organic (and in some cases inorganic) materials. This technique measures the absorption of various infrared light wave lengths by the materials interest. These bands identify specific molecular components and structures (Silverstein and Webster, 1998).The first astronomical application of Fourier Transform spectroscopy experinced in the late 1950’s and early 1960s when J. cones and coworkers obtained high resolution and high quality spectra. To day commercial Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer are widely available aided by fast computers which perform Fourier Transforms in flash , vise infrared (Socrates,1994). Recently the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) is used as a fast, reliable and easy analytical tool for wood and wood derivatives because of its improved spectral quality and is meaning full difference spectra which can be obtained even in region of high background absorption and the ability to detected small changes in bands overlapped by strong bands undergoing (Rutherford etal., 2004). Lignin is after cellulose, the principal constituent of wood structure of higher plant. Infrared spectroscopy in the near IR region wave length 2.5-1.5μm ,wave number 4000-600 cm is useful as physical method for characterizing lignin and its derivatives, and their spectrum is characteristic property of compound with exactly known structures ,there are several uncertainties with the interpretation of lignin IR ,the variation in lignin structures and compositions due to the origin sample ,the isolation procedure are the causes of different spectra measuring of lignin(Alobydi etal.,2004). Fengel and Wegener(1989) give the elemental composition and methoxy content of the analytical and technical lignin isolated from Eucalyptus regnons , Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol (35) No (1) 2007 the results show 56-60% of carbon content and the methoxy contents reach to 1822%, these Received 29 / 10 /2006 accepted 7/3/ 2007. results differed than the carbon content of the softwood lignin which reaches about 60-65% where as therefore, IR spectra of lignin shows several major absorption bands which can be assigned empirically to structural groups. Chemists cleared that the empirical formula of lignin based on a phenyl propane (C9)unit is C9H8.83O2.37(OCH3)0.96 in coniferous lignin ,and C9H8.9O3(OCH3)1.45 in deciduous lignin and it appears that there are about 3 sringyl propane unit for every 2 guaiacyl propane units in deciduous lignin (Sarkanen etal.,1967). So for the all reasons above our investigation was put to study the different absorption bands of the Kraft lignin extracted from Eucalyptus camaldulensis by using the Fourier Transform Infrared technique and to find out and identify the structural units and the functional groups of it. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wood & wood cooking: A log at about1.5m of Eucalyptus camaldulensis was bought from a local Mosul markets, then it was barked and chipped with a multiknifes chipper in one of a local industry according to (ASTM-584, 1968).All chips were screened by vibration tray at about 1.6-2.2 cm in size.5000 gm of the chips had been randomizing obtained and subjected in a digester in the technical institute of Mosul (Othmer, 1967). A white liquor was made by mixing 250 gm of sodium sulphate -5-hydrate RS, 550 gm of potassium hydroxide powder, 250 gm of sodium carbonate, and 30 liters of tape water, the liquor added to the wood chips in the digester and the cover of the digester closed tightly, then the mixture was cooked in the digester for 5hrs, 160C°, and at (7 bars) pressure. After the completing of the digestion periods the black liquor was separated from the digested wood chips. The black liquor was Acidified by sulfuric acid (72% Conc.) which was added to it at several batches to reduce the pH level in the black liquor from (pH12) to (pH 8)at this point the acidification was stopped at and at that level the precipitated Kraft Lignin had been seen at the bottom of the container. The precipitated Lignin was separated by decantation and washed for several times by water then put in oven for 24hrs for drying it at 50C°. Infrared spectroscopy: Several samples of Eucalypts Kraft Lignin with potassium bromide pellets were made. Each sample was prepared by milling (5 milligram) of the extracted lignin and pressed with potassium bromide to form apellet from each other (Gracin, 2001). The fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer of the name Tensor 27 Broker co., Germany. The ratio of 1:100 was used as infrared source with the adenterated triglycine sulfate detector. This instrument was scanned from 4000 to Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol (35) No (1) 2007 400 reciprocal centimeters (cm); averaging to scans at 1.0 cm interval with a resolution of 4.0 cm .All spectra were normalized after acquisition to a maximum absorbance. RESULTS & DESCUSSION The FT-IR spectra of the Eucalyptus Kraft Lignin samples showed typical absorption bands. Figure (1) shows all spectra band result an FT-IR chart, where as table (1) summarizes all wave numbers of the peak absorption monitored in Figure (1) with there corresponding descriptions and intensities. As it is shown in Figure (1) and table (1), the first peak absorption is at the fingerprint region of about 1 cm 80 . 616 which is mean a bending vibration in an out plane of γ C H involving in the aromatic ring of the Lignin monomers with weak intensity, this result is accepted with Haw and Schultz (1985) ,and Wallis etal. (1996) indicates the region between 1 cm 580 670 which involve ion vibrations of SO4, sulfide, mercaptan with medium intensity. Table (1): Vibration descriptions, frequencies, and the intensities of lignin monomers . Description Frequency,cm Intensity Bending vibration in (γCH) in out of plane of the aromatic ring of the lignin monomers. 616.80 Weak Stretching vibration for methyl groups (CH3). 795.11 Strong Bending vibration for hydrogen atoms in an out plane of the phenyl ring. 876.96 Strong Stretching vibration for υ(C=O) of the alcohol. 1057.14 Broad &Shoulder Stretching vibration of the ether groups. 1127.19 Weak Stretching vibration of in the aromatic ring. 1458.74 1509.21 1542.05 Medium Stretching (nonconj) vibration band for υ(C=C) in aliphatic chain. 1636.26 Medium Stretching vibration of the aliphatic aldehyde and ester groups. 1735.68 Very weak Stretching vibration for methylene groups. 2863.72 2922.35 Medium Asymmetric Stretching of methyl groups. 2967.95 Medium Stretching vibration for hydrogen 3447.01 Very strong and broad --υ(CـــC) Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol (35) No (1) 2007 bonds in lignin monomers. Stretching vibration for free separated alcohol and phenol. 3650.56 Strong and sharp The second peak band is at 1 cm 11 . 795 level in the same figure give a description of the methyl stretching vibration with strong intensity, the result agree with (Pandey, 1999),while and Raymond (2004) said that the region between

EFFECT OF SOAKING PERIODS , GIBBERELLIC ACID , AND BENZYLADENINE ON PISTACHIO SEEDS GERMINATION AND SUBSEQUENT SEEDLING GROWTH (Pistacia vera L.)

Abstract: A nursery experiment was conducted in the College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, Ninevah, Iraq to evaluate the effects of soaking periods (12 and 24 hours), Gibberellic Acid ( 0, 100 and 200 mg.l GA3) and Benzyladenine (0,50 and 100 mg.l BA) on pistachio seeds germination and subsequent seedlings growth of Pistacia vera Ashoury cultivar.Soaking seeds for 12 hours in (200 mg.l GA3 + 100 mg.l -1 BA) showed the highest germination percentage (88.5%). Better seedling growth parameters (seedling height and diameter) were obtained with seed soaking in 200 mg.l GA3 for 12 hours, while the internode length was significantly improved by soaking seeds in 200 mg.l GA3 for 24 hours . Dry weights of seedling shoot and root were significantly increased by soaking seeds for 24 hours in (200 mg.l GA3+100 mg.l -1 BA) and 24 hours in (200 mg.l GA3), respectively. INTRODUCTION Pistacia is a genus of the Anacardiaceae family which are widely known trees and shrubs (Onay , 2000) . Pistachio seeds were used in commercial production for rootstocks ( Hartmann et al. , 2002). Usually, pistachio don’t propagate well from cuttings, so they are grafting or budding on various rootstocks due to difficulties in rooting of soft and hard cuttings (Sakoury , 1976 ; Onay , 2000). Seedlings rootstocks of Pistacia vera made more lateral roots and thicker stems than the other species and they can reach budding size in a shorter time (Ayfer et al. , 1990) .Ashoury is one of three main commercial Syrian pistachio cultivars which represents 85% of cultivars in Aleppo pistachio orchards (Padulosi and Hadj-Hassan , 1998 ; Tubeileh et al. , 2004).Gibberellins (GA) is an important endogenous growth regulator which has profound and diverse effects on plant growth and development. One of the roles of gibberellins is induction of seed germination and the promotion of radical elongation and mobilization of endosperm reserves during early embryo growth , as well as flower and fruit development ( Hopkins , 1999 ; Peng and Harberd , 2002 ; Hartmann et. al. , 2002). Cytokinins is among the most important hormones in regulating cell division and has the capacity to initiate division in quiescent or nondividing cells, in addition to stimulating cell division , cytokinins also influence shoot and root differentiation in tissue culture , the growth of lateral buds, leaf expansion , chloroplast development and leaf senescence . Mesoptamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316X) Vol. (35) No. (2) 2007 Benzyladenine (BA or BAP) is one of the synthetic cytokinins (Hopkins and Hüner , 2004). Many attempts have been made to use GA3 for improving seed Received 15/11/2006 and accepted 7 / 3 /2007 Mesoptamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316X) Vol. (35) No. (2) 2007 germination and subsequent seedlings growth of plants (Yousif, et al., 1984 on Pistacia vera L. seeds ; Al-Fawaier , 1994 on Pistacia atlantica Desf. seeds ; Khalil , 1997 on Amygdalus arabica Oliv. Seeds ; Beyhan , et al. , 1999 on hazelnut seeds ; Abdullah and Younis , 2002 on P. atlantica and P. terebinthus ; and Al-Imam and Al-Brifkany , 2006 (a&b) on three cultivars of hazelnut seeds), but there is a little information about the effects of seeds soaking especially in cytokinins and its combinations with GA3 on seed germination and seedling growth of pistachio.The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of pistachio seeds soaking periods and different concentrations of GA3 and cytokinins (BA) and their interaction for the improvement of the pistachio seeds germination and the subsequent seedlings growth . MATERIALS AND METHODS The mature seeds of Pistacia vera L. cultivar Ashoury were obtained from commercial Aleppo pistachio orchards on September 25, 2004 which is used in this experiment.The seeds were tested for viability before starting the experiment using the triphenyltetrazolium chloride procedure, the viability was more than 98% and the germination test was conducted in peat moss in greenhouse and germination, indexed by emergence of the radical through the testa, after three weeks at 20±1C and 2.2 klx of fluorescent light according to Mathur et al. (1971) and, Bonamy and Dennis (1977). A factorial experiment was conducted to study three factors , the first was the two soaking periods, 12 and 24 hours, the second was three different concentrations of Gibberellic acid (GA3) solutions (0,100 and 200 mg.l), while the third factor was three concentrations of benzyladenine (BA) solutions (0,50 and 100 mg.l) were used to study seeds germination percentage and subsequent seedlings growth . On March 1 , 2005 the pistachio seeds were sown at depth 2 to 3 cms. in black Polyethylen bag (20cm. in diameter and 60cm. length) using sand-loam soil as showed in table (1) as Page et al., (1982) . Table (1): Some properties of experiment soil . Soil pH EC : ds.m Soluble cation M. m Ca Mg K 7.21 0.94 3.7 0.9 0.29 Soluble anions M. m available Fe available N Avalible P Cl HCO3 Fe mg.Fe/Kg.soil mg./Kg.soil M.m /Kg.soil 3.0 3.04 1.17 0.45 2.39 Sand silt clay organic matter 471.5 390.1 138.4 9.4% Percentage of germination was recorded daily on the basis of cotyledon emergence during two months. Irrigation was applied as needed .When the experiment was ended on September 1, 2005 , the stem height , stem diameter of Mesoptamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316X) Vol. (35) No. (2) 2007 five cm. above the soil surface , internode length and total dry weight of vegetative and root system were measured for all plants. Data were statistically analyzed using completely randomized design with three factors with four replicates ( 15 seeds per replicate). Analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test were used (Roger Mead and Hasted, 2003). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Seeds germination(%) : Soaking seeds for 12 hours gave the highest seed germination percentage which significantly differ than seeds soaked for 24 hours (Table 2). Seeds germination percentage significantly increased with the increasing of the concentration of GA3 and BA ( Table 2). The highest seeds germination percentages were found when the seeds were soaked for 12 hours in 200 mg.l GA3, and for 12 hours in 100 mg.l -1 BA (Table 3) , and for 12 hour in 200 mg.l GA3 + 100 mg.l -1 BA (Table 4) which was 88.50%. This increase in seeds germination percentage might be related to the initial enzyme induction and to the activation of reserve food – mobilizing systems by Gibberellins which have also been used to enhance Table (2): Effect of soaking periods , Gibberellic acid and Benzyladenins concentrations on seed germination and seedling growth parameters. Benzyladenins (mg.l) Gibberellic acid (mg.l) Soaking Periods (hr) Growth Parameters 100 50 0 200 100 0 24 12 82.48 a 74.85 b 69.57 c 78.88 a 76.70 b 71.32 c 74.22 b 77.04 a Seed Germination(%) 15.60 b 17.92 a 17.92 a 17.93 a 17.13 b 13.42 c 16.14 a 16.18 a Seedling height (cm ) 3.07 c 3.18 b 3.24 a 3.61 a 3.13 b 2.74 c 3.07 b 3.25 a Seedling diameter (mm) 1.17 b 1.25 a 1.26 a 1.37 a 1.25 b 1.07 c 1.27 a 1.18 b Internode length (cm) 16.02 a 14.18 b 12.01 c 16.12 a 14.76 b 11.32 c 18.65 a 9.49 b Vegetative dry weight (g) 11.35 a 10.50 b 9.26 c 11.79 a 10.31 b 8.99 c 13.18 a 7.55 b Root dry weight (g) The same letter with row indicates that there is no significant difference (p<0.05) germination and stimulate carly seedling emergence and growth (Hopkins and Hüner , 2004 ). In spite of cytokinins dose not appear essential for seed germination but during germination , cytokinins appear to offset the effect of inhibitors, notably ABA . It has been described , as playing a permissive role in germination in allowing gibberellins to function (Hartmann et al., 2002). Hopkins and Hüner (2004) stated that Gibberellins prominently involved in seed Mesoptamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316X) Vol. (35) No. (2) 2007 germination and mobilization of endosperm reserves during early embryo growth as well as flower and fruit development. Seedling Growth Parameter : Pistachio seeds soaking for 12 hours significantly increased seedlings diameter as compared with seeds soaking for 24 hours (Table 2), while internodes length increased significantly at 24 hours soaking periods as compared with seeds soaked for 12 hours (Table 2). The three seedlings growth parameters, seedling height, seedling diameter and internodes length were significantly increased with increasing the concentrations of GA3 and decreased with increasing the Table (3): Interaction effects of soaking periods, gibberellic acid and benzyladenins on seed germination and seedling growth parameters. Roots dry weight ( g) Vegetative dry weight ( g) Internode length (cm ) Seedling diameter ( mm ) Seedling height (cm ) Seed germination ( % ) Treatments Interaction effect of soaking periods and Gibberellic acid. 6.75 f 8.63 f 1.03 d 2.71 d 13.10 f 72.23d 12 hrs + 0 GA3 7.83 e 9.60 e 1.15 b 3.13 c 16.73 d 77.83 b 12 hrs+100 GA3 8.08 d 10.51 d 1.36 a 3.92 a 18.70 a 81.07 a 12 hrs + 200GA3 11.24 c 14.28 c 1.08 c 2.77 d 13.73 e 70.40 e 24 hrs + 0 GA3 12.80 b 19.92 b 1.36 a 3.13 c 17.53 b 75.57 c 24 hrs + 100GA3 15.51 a 21.73 a 1.37 a 3.31 b 17.17 c 76.70 bc 24 hrs + 200GA3 Interaction effect of soaking periods and Benzyladenins. 5.12 f 8.24 f 1.13 d 3.29 a 18.00 a 70.17 e 12 hrs + 0 BA 8.51 e 8.57 e 1.30 b 3.19 b 15.57 b 76.10 c 12 hrs + 50 BA 9.03 d 11.66 d 1.03 d 3.28 a 14.97 c 84.87 a 12 hrs + 100 BA 13.40 b 15.77 c 1.38 a 3.19 b 17.83 a 68.97 f 24 hrs + 0 BA 12.48 c 19.79 b 1.20 c 3.17 b 15.63 b 73.60 d 24. hrs + 50 BA 13.66 a 20.37 a 1.23 c 2.85 c 14.97 c 80.10 b 24 hrs + 100 BA Interaction effect of Gibberellic acid and Benzyladenins concentrations 7.35 h 10.25 g 1.10 e 2.69 g 16.05 e 64.40 g 0GA3 + 0 BA 9.61 f 11.48 f 1.13 e 2.95 F 13.20 F 70.65 F 0GA3 + 50 BA 10.03 e 12.23 e 0.93 g 2.59 h 12.00 g 78.90 C 0GA3 + 100 BA 8.57 g 11.59 f 1.26 c 3.23 d 18.50 b 70.80 F 100 GA3 + 0 BA 11.19 c 11.48 f 1.32 b 3.13 e 17.25 c 76.20 d 100 GA3 + 50 BA 11.18 c 17.14 b 1.19 d 3.04 ef

PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE STRATIFICATION EFFECT ON THE DYNAMIC CHANGES IN ENDOGENOUS ABSCISIC ACID IN BITTER ALMOND SEEDS (Prunus amygdalus L.) AND ITS RELATION TO SEEDS GERMINATION.

Abstract: Endogenous concentrations of free and bound abscisic acid (ABA) in bitter almond seeds Badam variety (local variety) from Sulaimania orchards Prunus amygdalus L. were determined by TLC and HPLC during various periods of cold stratification (0,15,30,45, and 60 days) and the germination was investigated at the Plant Hormones Laboratory in the Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, during the period 2004 to 2005. The results indicated that cold stratification (at 5 oC using perforated polyethylene bags filled with moistened perlite) significantly reduced abscisic acid (ABA) contents of the seeds and their endocarps. A sharp significantly decline in ABA was observed during the first 15 days, especially in 45 days, after that the decline was completely decreased. The reduction in the level of ABA during stratification was associated with significantly increased germination percentage especially for 45 days (85.133 %).

ESTIMATION OF HETROSIS, GENERAL AND SPECIFIC COMBINING ABILITY USING DIALLEL CROSS IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.)

Abstract: Five maize genotypes (CMT 033066, CMT 033060, CMTQ 033072, CMS 983046, CMTQ 033070) were used in 5x5 diallel crossing with out reciprocals. Combining ability for some quantitative and physiological traits was studied. F1 hybrids and the parental genotypes were grown in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The analysis of data carried out according to Griffing (1956) Method 2 (fixed model). Significant mean squares due to genotypes were exhibited for all traits. Highly significant mean squares due to GCA was exhibited for all traits , except Photosynthetic rate which was found non significant. Also highly significant mean squares due to SCA was obtained for all traits except, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate which was significant only and stomatal conductance was found not significant .The ratio GCA/SCA was less than one for all traits, indicating the importance of non additive gene effect, with the exception of plant height which was more than one, indicating the importance of additive gene effect, and the average degree of dominance values was more than one for all traits, except plant high, indicating the over dominance gene effect role in controlling these characters. Heritability in broad sense was high for all studied characters, while in narrow sense heritability was high for plant height only, moderate for transpiration rate and stomatal conductance and low for the remainder traits. INTRODUCTION Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereals both for human and animal consumption. Successful cultivation markedly depend on the right choice of varieties .Variety selection trails to identify the best suitable varieties for given areas frequently necessary. In recent years, major research activities have been directed on the physiological basis of maize growth and productivity (Koscielniak et al., 2005 and Malti et al., 2006). Physiological bases for the hybrids selection achieved by measurements of net photosynthetic and transpiration rates, stomatal conductance, and intercellular CO2 concentration. Measuring of those factors has great importance of maize parental inbred lines able to produce F1 hybrids with a high CO2 assimilation rate during growth (Koscielniak et al., 2005). Diallel crossing programs have been applied to provide a systematic approach for the detection of suitable parents and crosses for investigated characters. In addition, diallel analysis gives plant breeders the opportunity to choose the efficient selection method by allowing them to estimate several genetic parameters (Unay et al., 2004). Combining ability describes the breeding values of parental lines to produce hybrids. Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol. (35) No. (3) 2007 This study was conducted by the senior author as apart of his ph.D. Received 29 / 10 / 2006 accepted 23 / 5 / 2007 In many studies, GCA effects for parents and SCA effects for crosses were estimated in maize (Araujo and Miranda 2001). Non-additive gene effects for grain yield were found to be significant in maize (Dehanghpour et al., 1996 and Kalla et al., 2001) which suggested that several combination among parental lines by their mean performance and genetic nature had the potential for the development of more yielding and earlier genotypes . Heterosis is defined as the deviation of F1 over the parental mean. There are averages of 55% midparent heterosis for variety crosses and 105% or better parent heterosis for inbred crosses in maize (Larish and Brwbaker, 1999 and Muhammad and Muhammad, 2002) . The aim of present study was to estimate the heterosis, GCA, SCA effects and some genetic parameters for growth and some physiological characters in a 5X5 half diallel maize crossing system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five genotypes of maize (Zea mays L.) from CYMMIT organization (CMT033066, CMT033060, CMTQ033072, CMS983046, CMTQ033070) were selected based on preliminary field observations of their growth performance and physiological bases especially photosynthetic and transpiration rates. In Autumn 2005,selected genotypes were seeded at Kanipanka Agriculture Station(545 masl 35o22'37\" N 45o43'33\" E), half diallel crosses were conducted among them, each hybridization done in three cobs as well as self pollination to male parents, obtaining 10 hybrids. In the next season Spring 2006 parents and their F1s were identified in comparative investigation, using RCBD design with three replication. At maturity 5 plants from each genotype were taken randomly for recording observation. The data were taken from individual plants and arranged for each plot for: Plant height, LAI, No.of leaves, Total dry biomass weight (gm), dry weight of leaves, %Leaf/Stem ratio, Photosynthetic rate μMole m2sˉ1, transpiration rate. mMole m־sˉ1, Stomatal Conductance Mole m2sˉ1. At tasseling while the plant leaves have completed their maximum size, all physiological parameters were measured by using LCA4 instrument which is an infrared gas analyzer. Data analyzed according to method 2 of Griffing (1956) (fixed model), and the following estimaters were carried out as out lined previosly (Singh and chaudhary 1985): 1.Heterosis as percentage of F1 deviation from the mid parents . 2.General combining ability effects for parents and specific combining ability effects for crosses. 3. The variance of general and specific combining ability effects for each parents. 4. Estimation of some genetic parameters: Additive, dominance, environmental variances, heritability (in broad and narrow sense) and average degree of dominance. Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol. (35) No. (3) 2007 RESUTES AND DISCUSSION Table (1) shows a significant differences among genotypes in all the traits, total variation among the genotypes was partitioned in to the variation due to general & specific combining ability .It was shown that mean square due to GCA were highly significant for all traits except for the number of leaves/ plant; and photosynthetic rate which were found to be not significant. The mean squares due to SCA were found to be highly significant for all traits except the transpiration rate which was significant and stomatal conductance non significant. It was indicated from table 2 that parent 1 gave a highest plant height (241.00) cm, while parent 5 exhibited a maximum values for No . of leaves/plant ; LAI; Leaves dry weight and leaf /stem ratio with values 18.33; 7.40; 154.21 gm and 0.53 respectively. Parent 4 gave the highest values for total biomass; Photosynthetic rate; Transpiration rate and Stomatal conductance with the value 342.42gm31.99; 7.21 and 0.23 respectively. Some physiological traits were studied by (Koscielniak et al., 2005)and shown similar results to the present study. The differences between parents reflected obviously on their hybrids means, the maximum biomass value 392.38 gm & Photosynthetic rate 25.70μMolm-2s-1 was shown by the hybrid 1×3 , while the hybrid 1x4 gave the highest value of number of leaves /plant 19.33; LAI 7.57 and leaf/ stem ratio 0.50 . Hybrid 2x3 showed the greatest value of plant height 287.33 cm and leaves dry weight 144.61 gm, and the hybrid 4x5 gave the maximum value of transpiration rate 5.8 & stomatal Conductance 0.15. Differences between parents & their hybrids caused a significant positive & negative heterosis of hybrids as compared to mid – parental values in all traits (Table 3) similar results were reported by El-Baroudiy (1999) and Mohammad (2005). Hybrid 1×4 exhibited the highest positive heterosis for LAI 23 .39 % & leaf/stem ratio 42.85%, while the hybrid 2x3 gave the maximum positive heterosis for plant height 25.47 %; No of leaves /plant 14.01;leaves dry weight / plant 60.26 % & total biomass/plant 64.86%. Maximum positive heterosis for Tr. Rate 22.71% & stomatal conductance 40.00% were exhibited by the hybrid 2×5, while for Photosynthetic rate 24.57 % had shown by the hybrid 3x4, similar resultes obtained by El-Baroudiy (1999) and Mohammad (2005). The effect of over-dominance genes for parent with a higher value is responsible for the positive heterosis but the heterosis with a negative values caused by the effect of partial dominance genes for parent with lower value(Towfiq, 2004), The estimates of general combining ability effects of parents and their corresponding standard errors are presented in table (4).Parent 2 showed the highest significant positive values of GCA effect for plant height, LAI, leaf/stem ratio and stomatal conductance, and parent 5 showed significant positive values of GCA effect for plant height, LAI, total biomass and leaf /stem ratio, these two parents were shown a significant negative values for the other characters. Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol. (35) No. (3) 2007 The high positive value of GCA effect of them indicate that their contribution in transferring these characters to their hybrids is high, similar results were reported by El-Baroudiy (1999 ), Unay et al. (2004), Rezaei and Roohi (2004), Towfiq (2004) and Mohammad (2005). Estimates of specific combining ability effects of hybrids were exhibited in Table (5).The hybrid 2x3gave a significant positive values of SCA effect of most of characters (plant height, no. of leaves/plant, LAI, leaves dry weight, total biomass and photosynthetic rate with the values of (28.033, 1.666, 0.275, 37.666, 82.127, 1.956), respectively and hybrid 1x2 gave significant positive value of SCA for plant height . No. of leaves/plant, LAI, leaves dry weight and leaf/stem ratio, with the value of (39.119, 0.808, 0.716, 26.843, 0.105), respectively. Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815 – 316 X) Vol. (35) No. (3) 2007 Table (1) : Combining ability analysis for studied traits in a 5x5 diallel cross in maize Mean of Squares Source of Variation s 2e SCA GCA Genotypes Replications 28 10 4 14 2 df Character 11.112 323.919 * * 4113.747 * * 1406.279 * * 137.756 Plant Height 0.552 3.371 * * 1.037 N.S 2.724 * * 0.600 Number of le

Effect of cold aqueous extract of ficus carcia leaves on some biochemical parameters of blood and tissues in rats

Abstract: Different concentrations of cold aqueous extract Ficus carcia leaves were studied on the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids, Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) activity and total protein in the serum and in the liver glycogen level and total protein in the liver and heart of the normal rats. 25 male albino wistar rats derived were used, with age 3-4 month, and weight 225-300 g. The rats were divided randomly into five groups. The first group was injected with distilled water and consumed the control group. The second, third, fourth and fifth groups were injected intraperitonealy with 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg B.W with aqueous extract of Ficus carcia leaves. The blood, liver, and heart tissues were collected. The statistical results showed a significant decrease in the glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids. While a significant increase in the Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) activity was showed in group 5of both compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the tissues a significant reduction showed in the liver glycogen, for all concentration of the injected extract while insignificant differences were showed in the liver and heart total protein compared with the control group (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the cold aqueous extract of ficus carcia leaves has a biochemical role in the regulation and controlling the metabolic reaction through decreasing the glucose and lipids levels.

SOME BIOLOGICAL AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES ON POPLAR BUD PSYLLID Egeirotrioza justa BURK & LAUTE IN MOSUL REGION

Abstract: ABSTRUCT This study was conducted on poplar bud psyllid in Ninevah during the years 2004 and 2005. For the first time Egeirotrioza justa Burk & Laute has been studied and recorded in Iraq. The poplar bud psyllid Egeirotrioza justa Burck & Laute attacks Populous euphratica trees and as a result of feeding by newly nymphs, small galls are formed on the twig tissues near the buds. The adults appeared on the trees during May to July. Mating usually occurred during the first week of May, mean periods of pre – oviposition, oviposition and post – oviposition (1.8 ± 0.74, 5.30 ± 0.57,and 2.00 ± 0.49) days, respectively. Egg laying took place singly on the leaf petiols, and on bouth services and margins of mature as well as the tender young leaves and twigs. The average number of eggs laid per female was 21.80, hatching of eggs was 80%, and sex ratio was 1:2. This species hibernates as a second nymphal instar. This insect has one generation per year.The study indicated that the south direction of a tree from south side of the forest and at a height more than 3m for trees were represented high average number of eggs nymphs and adults (100.00, 64.48,and 57.40), respectively.

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF SELECTION INDICES FOR GRAIN YIELD IN BREAD WHEAT (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract: Six traits of bread wheat in 15 F2 generation of crosses from 6×6 diallel mating system with their parents were studied. The relative efficiency over grain yield from selection based on several indices were calculated . The results indicated that there was an increase in efficiency of selection for yield from 12.986 to 122.372% in various indices, which indicated that a selection index based on combination of traits, including number of spikes , spike length, 100 grains weight and number of grains per spike was superior to all selection indices, therefore the selection based on these four traits is recommended. INTRODUCTION A breeder is always concerned with the selection of superior genotypes which performance is dependent on the phenotypic expression. Often selection based on phenotypic performance does not lead to expected genetic advance mainly due to the presence of genotype-environment interactions as well as due to undesirable association between the component traits at the genotypic level .Thus a knowledge of correlation between complex traits like grain yield in wheat and its component traits, which show susceptibility to environmental conditions, therefore, capable of being measured with great precision, can obviously be of considerable use for a rational approach to the improvement of grain yield .So correlated response which reflect the expected change in yield resulting from selection for other components was reported by Smocek (1977), Whan et al. (1982) and May and van-Sanford (1992) in wheat and by Yousif (2004) in barley furthermore discriminant function, development by Fisher 1936and first applied by Smith 1936 for plant improvement (Sharma et al., 1973), offers an effective method for the simultaneous improvement of two or more traits by selection . This has been adopted in wheat by Simlote (1947),Sikka and Jain (1958), Ahmad and Hamdo (2000) and Ahmad (2003). The present investigation was undertaken to analyze the nature and degree of interrelationship between different traits and also to test the suitability of various selection indices to find a simple and useful in wheat breeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS The genetic materials used in this study were fifteen F2 populations derived from a set of diallel crosses, involving six bread wheat parents, namely, Gemeney, Saberbeg, Pandas, 69-S3, 35-S6 and Kvz / cgn. The parents and their F2 hybrid seeds were grown at Research Station, College of Education, Mosul University during the growing season (2002-2003), under natural dry farming condition. Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815-316X) Vol.(35) No.(3)2007 Received 25/9/2006 accepted 4 / 4 / 2007 . The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. One row were allotted to each parent and F2 per replication. The sowing were done by dibbling the seed at a distance of 15 cm. in the rows of 3 m length with a row to row spacing of 30 cm. Recommended cultural practices were followed to raise a good crop. Fifteen effective plants of each row in each replication, were selected at random for recording data on: grain yield per plant (g), number of spikes per plant, spike length (mm), 100 grain weight (g) and number of grains per spike. The estimates of phenotypic and genotypic variances and co-variances were obtained from the analysis of variance and co-variance diallel tables from the row means. The additive genotypic and phenotypic correlations were worked as per procedure proposed by Al-Rawi and Ahmed (1984). Heritability in narrow sense for each trait was calculated using the Bhatia et al. (1978) equations which depend on the general and specific combining ability estimates according to method-2 model-1 of Griffing (1956) . The genetic advance, correlated response and relative selection efficiency were worked out using the procedures suggested by Searle (1965). Fifty eight different indices were computed by Miller et al.(1958) method and compared in this study, thirty three of them included yield and the remainder excluded it, the expected genetic advance of these indices were expressed as percent of genetic advance expected from selection on the bases of grain yield alone. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The estimates of additive genotypic and phenotypic correlations between the studied characters in wheat are shown in Table (1).In general, the correlation at the genotypic and phenotypic level shown the same trend and genotypic correlations were of greater magnitude.The phenotypic and genotypic correlation coeffient of yield was positive and significant with spike length , 100 grains weight and number of grains per spike and negative and significant with plant height , this indicates that the effect of genes on grain yield with spike length , 100 grains weight and number of grains per spike are synergistic , but the effect of genes on grain yield with plant height are Antagonistic. The estimates of narrow sense heritability and expected genetic advance with respect to the character used as the criterion of selection are given in Table (2). In general, narrow sense heritability estimates were high for all characters. The results showed high values of genetic advance for grain yield , short plant height and spike length and moderate values for other traits. Table(3) was shown that the correlation response for grain yield if selection were for spike length, at a selection intensity 5%, would be 3.635 grains which represent a change of 15.494% of the original mean. Selection for number of grains per spike result a change of 10.083% of the original mean.This indirect selection is very important when the primary traits is difficult to evaluate, and the secondary traits has a high heritability and genetically highly correlated with the desired character. Selection indices for grain yield were constructed and different combinations were Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815-316X) Vol.(35) No.(3)2007 examined in an attempt to identify those character which may be of help during selection .The result of Table (4) indicate that:out of two Fifty eight possible function only six are considered since they indicate superiority. In indices based on two characters combination the increase in efficiency was of the order of 13-74%,93-102% in three characters combination and 122%with four character combination .spike length is common attributes in all indices indicating its influence on yield .Plant height and number of grains per spike are also important Table(1): Values of additive genotypic (upper right) and phenotypic (lower left) correlations between all pairs of studied traits in wheat X1;X2;X3;X4;X5 and X6 are grain yield per plant (g);plant height (cm); number of spike per plant; spike length (mm); 100 grains weight(g) and number of grains per spike respectively. *,**significant at 5% and 1% level, respectively. Table (2):Estimates of narrow sense heritability (h2),expected genetic advance (∆G)and expected genetic advance in percent of the mean(∆G%) for studied characters of wheat. ∆G% ∆G h2 Mean Characters 30.748 7.214 0.517 23.46 X1 8.519 6.554 0.516 76.93 X2 13.763 2.086 0.533 15.16 X3 8.533 7.117 0.723 83.40 X4 36.653 1.539 0.583 4.20 X5 7.136 2.711 0.533 37.99 ْ◌ X6 Table (3): Expected charge in yield resulting from selection for other character as percentage of the mean yield. Expected change in % mean of yield Expected change character selected -25.055 -5.878 X2 X6 X5 X4 X3 X2 X1 Traits ** O.886 ** 0.442 ** 0604 ** 0.395 ** 0.896 X1 ** 0.601 ** 0.833 ** 0.497 0.301 ** -0.540 X2 ** 0.698 ** -0.728 ** 0.385 0.212 0.131 X3 ** 0.710 ** -0.576 0.276 ** 0.426 ** 0.515 X4 0.297 ** 0.443 ** -0.522 ** 0.672 ** 0.473 X5 -0.212 ** 0.630 ** -0.564 * 0.391 ** 0.715 X6 Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815-316X) Vol.(35) No.(3)2007

Effect of planting media and boron spray on growth

Abstract: This study was conducted in Agricultural College/ Dohuk University during the period 1 Sep 2004 and 30 Jun 2005. The objective was to improve the growth of maidenhair plant (Adiantum tenerum 'Scutum Roseum) by selecting a suitable and available media and boron nutrition requirement. Two kinds of media were used, loamy soil : manure, and loamy soil : peat moss (2:1 by volume) and boron foliar application (boric acid) in concentrations (0, 30, 60, 90,120) mg / L. Results showed in vegetative dry weight, root dry weight, leaf length, leaves number for plants growing in peat moss media increased by 25%, 9%, 16%, 28% consecutively comparing with those grown in manure media. While chemical content cannot effected by this factor except nitrogen 4.02% which increased significantly in plants growing in animals manure media. Spray plants with the medium concentration of boron 60 mg/L give highest values which a superiority significant for most of vegetative and chemical characters when comparing with the others and reached 5.71 g, 0.548 g, 44.30 cm, 4.20%, 0.535% for vegetative dry weight, root dry weight, leaf length, nitrogen, and phosphorus consecutively except leaves number when spread with 30 mg/L and boron content 0.140% when spray with highest concentration 120mg/L. Interactions between the two factors have significantly effected all vegetative and chemical characters and highest values obtained when plant grown in peat moss media and sprayed with 60 mg/L and reached 6.08 g, 0.550 g, 47.40 cm, for vegetative dry weight, root dry weight, leaf length, consecutively except leaves number when plant grown in the same media and spread with 30 mg/L while nitrogen and phosphorus gave higher concentration when plants grown in animals manure and sprayed with 60 mg/L as well as boron content 0.153% when spray with highest concentration 120 mg/L. and grown in peat moss media . INTRODUCTION Maidenhair fern (Adiantum tenerum 'Scutum Roseum') is a fine-textured, delicate, and small to medium-sized plant of the perennial, herbaceous which belongs to Adiantaceae family. It is widely distributed through hot regions and rain forests of SouthAmerica, it need a humid and warm atmosphere (Abou Dahab, 1978, Tropical plant database, 1996). Although Maidenhair fern, which propagates by division or spores, grows in partial to full shade on well-drained soils with high organic matter it does not tolerate dry soil (Gilman, 2003). They are planted as ornamental landscape fern for shade gardens. Although their Leaves and rhizomes are used to kill viruses, bacteria they are used for many medicinal purposes such as cough suppressant, decongestant, expectorant, menstrual stimulant, and for hair loss as well as there has been no specific research on this plant to isolate and test its chemicals compounds are such as Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815-316X) Vol.(35) No.(4) 2007 triterpenes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, carotenoids, astragalin adiantone, and adiantoxide, (Taylor, 2005). ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ـ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ـ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ــ ـ Received 16 / 4 / 2007 accepted 20 / 7 /2007 Boron is one of the seven essential micronutrients required for the normal growth of most plants (Keren and Bingham, 1985), and its presence low in sandy soils and in organic matter (Rosen and Eliason, 2002). Its deficiency cause a breakdown of the growing tip tissue or a shortening of the terminal growth (Vitosh et al., 1994 and Uchida, 2000). However, this element plays a big role in plant metabolism such as sugar transport, cell wall synthesis, lignifications, carbohydrate metabolism, RNA metabolism, respiration and amino acid (Vitosh et al., 1994). Marzadori et al. (1991) reported that after the organic matter has been removed the amount of Boron adsorbed by soil is considerably greater while adding organic matter to soil will increase Boron content and its availability to plants. Bin-salman (2000) found that foliar spray of boron on potato leaves with two concentrations 625 and 1250 mg/L have significant effect on plant length, number of aerial branch, dry weight of vegetative growth with the increase in concentrations whereas nitrogen and phosphorus concentration decreases. For potted plants production, the use of pure field soil is not recommended for the soil tends to become compacted and therefore, it decreases drainage and aeration so that soil must be amended or completely replaced with various organic materials, such as peat moss (Reed, 2005) or animal manures which are most commonly available organic material and excellent fertilizer for crops and forages, there material contains nitrogen, phosphate, potash, and micronutrients that are essential for plant growth (Savoy, 2000). Peat moss alone or combined in equal volume amounts with sand constitutes an effective for root substrate and assist in conserve moisture a help maintain a uniform soil temperature (Nelson, 2003). Yermiyahu et al. (2001) found that adding organic matter to sandy soils will increase Boron in plants, where leaching sandy soils will cause losing in Boron. Al-mukhtar (2003) found that there were no significant differences between the results which obtained from the growing of plants in media that contained a peat moss instead of manure. Conover (1991) defined that Pteridophytas growth is best in media that contains organic maters. Ponton et al. (1990) found that, media contains peat moss, are most suitable for nephrolepis plant. The objective of this study was to improve the growth of maidenhair plants brought from the high shady and moisterous locations in the northern areas of Iraq by selecting suitable and available media because of so necessary and valid for greenhouse producers, as well as, there were no previous studies in this plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was carried out in the greenhouse of College Of Agriculture/ Dohuk University during the period between 1 Sep 2004 and 30 Jun 2005. The plants brought from the high shady and moisterous locations in the northern areas of Iraq and planted on Sep. 1 2004 in (1×1×0.5) m woody box filled with Mesopotamia J. of Agric. (ISSN 1815-316X) Vol.(35) No.(4) 2007 sandy soil media and covered with plastic. When the plants give (2-3) branches they have been transplanted to (15) cm pots with two kinds of a mixture media. The first was loamy soil: peat moss (2:1 by volume) while the second was loamy soil: animal manure: (2:1 by volume). Physical and chemical analysis of Media has been done on laboratory of horticulture department in Agriculture college table (1). Two months after first planting, the plants was foliar sprayed with five levels of boron fertilizer (boric acid source) (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 mg/L) then was putted in greenhouse for growing. Nutrient concentration ranges for asparagus is 40-100 mg/L (Jones et al., 1991). The suggested rate for foliage application is 137 and 46 gram of boron in 135 litters of water per acre 1018, 341 mg/L for highly and low to medium responsive crops consecutively (Vitosh et al., 1994). All required agricultural managements were carried out as usually recommended for foliage plant production. The statistical layout of this experiment was Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicated each one 4 pots. The recorded data, at the end of experiment after 7 months of planting, are vegetative dry weight , root dry weight , leaf length, leaves number and chemical analysis was done for the determination of nitrogen (Modified Micro-Kjeldahi) as described by Black (1965), phosphorus as describe by Matt (1970) with use of Spectrophotometer, and boron with Carmine Method which is described by Black (1965). The data, however, were statistically analyzed using Duncan Multiple test at 5% level (SAS, 1996). Table (1): physical and chemical properties of the media. Soil characters Media kind loamy soil : peat moss loamy soil : animals manure