Transcriptome analysis of avenin genes in six oat varieties during grain development

The economic value of cereal forage for feeding beef cattle is dependent on both its yield and feeding value (i.e., crude protein, minerals, detergent fiber, energy, digestibility and animal performance). The objective of this study was to identify oat varieties grown in the Peace Region of Alberta, Canada, with superior forage yield and feed quality for beef cattle production. Nine oat varieties were compared in field experiments from 2009 to 2011. Significant differences between the tested oat varieties were observed for the plant height, forage dry matter (DM) yield and several of the protein, fiber, macro minerals, micro minerals, energy and digestibility parameters. Three of the 4 taller oat varieties (Murphy, Foothill, CDC Baler and Waldern) also ranked high in DM. Based on the DM data, Murphy and AC Mustang were identified as the high forage yield potential varieties in the study area. However, most of the quality indicators, used for grouping the varieties, indicated that the low potential DM group (probably due to the presence of CDC SO-I) appeared to have slightly better forage quality than the high and the medium potential forage DM yield groups. The tested oat varieties had sufficient levels of some nutrition parameters but not for some others. Because of these inconsistencies, some form of commercial mineral supplement would be required to optimize the health, growth and reproduction of beef cattle. The implications of the results obtained in this study in relation to beef cattle production system are highlighted.

The microplot experiments were carried out in 2002–2004. The influence of varied NPK fertilization on the yielding, yield structure elements and nutrients of naked and hulled varieties of spring barley and oat was the study objective. The following elements were analyzed: ears (panicles) density, grain and protein yields, weight and number of grains per ear (panicle), weight of 1000 grains and test weight. The content of fiber, oil, ash, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium was also determined. A tendency to increase grain yield of barley and oat was observed after application of 200 kg NPK ha-1 in relation to the other levels of mineral fertilization. The highest grain yield was achieved after application of 200 kg NPK ha-1. Naked varieties of spring barley and oat yielded at the level of 67.7 and 75.8% in relation to their hulled varieties, respectively. Introducing 100 kg NPK ha-1 resulted in significant reduction of protein yield of barley. Mineral fertilization did not significantly affect the values of the elements of cereals yield structure. Hulled barley was characterized by a higher ears number and grain weight per ear than naked one. Hulled oat produced higher grain weight per panicle and weight of 1000 grains than naked one. Grains of naked barley and oat had significantly higher density at loose state. Levels of mineral fertilization significantly modified protein, oil, carbohydrates and calcium content in grains. Naked varieties of spring barley and oat contained significantly more protein, but less fiber and ash in grains than hulled ones. In addition, naked oat was characterized by the highest oil content.

Oat is one of most important cereal crops mainly cultivated in highlands of Ethiopia. However, its production remains constrained due to limited varietal options, absence of site-specific recommendations for blended fertilizer application, and optimal seeding rates. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the rate of seeding and blended NPSB fertilizer on yield and yield components of oat varieties during 2023/24 cropping season at Chencha, South Ethiopia. The study consisted three seeding rates combined with two oat varieties (main plot) and four levels of blended NPSB fertilizer (sub plot) laid out in split plot design in three replications. Data on crop phenology, growth, yield and yield components were collected and subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that days to heading, days to maturity, plant height, biomass yield, grain yield, thousand seed weight and harvest index were significantly (p≤0.05) affected due to seeding rate combined with oat variety and blended NPSB fertilizer rates. The Souris variety proved superior, achieving the highest biomass (21,348.3 kg ha-1) at a 100 kg ha-1 seeding rate and the maximum grain yield (3,589.5 kg ha-1) at the 130 kg ha-1 rate. Separately, the optimal fertilizer level was 100 kg ha-1 of blended NPSB, which produced the highest average biomass (15,994 kg ha-1) and grain yield (2,344 kg ha-1). Therefore, cultivating the Souris variety at a seeding rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹, coupled with the application of 100 kg ha⁻¹ of blended NPSB fertilizer, is recommended to achieve balanced and optimal oat production in Chencha and comparable agro-ecological zones. Keywords: Blended fertilizer; Oat; Seeding rate; Soil fertility

We performed a systematic investigation of the quantitative relationship between genome copy number, transcription, transcript abundance and synthesis of photosynthetic proteins in the chloroplast of the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii grown either in mixotrophic or phototrophic conditions. The chloroplast gene copy number is lower in the latter condition and the half-life and accumulation levels of most chloroplast transcripts are significantly reduced, although the relative rates of protein synthesis remain similar. Our study shows that, in most instances, chloroplast protein synthesis is poorly sensitive to changes in gene copy number or transcript abundance in the chloroplast. Treatment with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine, that inhibits chloroplast DNA replication and decreases extensively the number of copies of the chloroplast genome, had limited effects on the abundance of most chloroplast transcripts and little if any effect on the rates of protein synthesis. When using rifampicin, that selectively inhibits chloroplast transcription, we found no direct correlation between the level of transcripts remaining in the chloroplast and the rates of chloroplast protein synthesis. For two chloroplast genes, a 90% decrease in the amount of transcript did not cause a drop in the rate of synthesis of the corresponding protein product. Overall, our results demonstrate that there is no gene dosage effect in the chloroplast and that transcript abundance is not limiting in the expression of chloroplast-encoded protein.

The applicability was evaluated of 16 different oats species and varieties of different provenance in the coeliac diet in view of the composition of the protein complex and immunological testing during two-year experiments (2001 and 2002). Determination was carried out of total nitrogen content (average of evaluated oats collection in 2001 was 2.21%, in 2002 2.78%), protein nitrogen content (average 2001 1.94%, 2002 2.28%), and crude protein (N × 6.25) content (average 2001 13.80%, 2002 17.37%). The proportions of different protein fractions play a decisive role for the aims of this study because, based on the existing knowledge, coeliacally active protein components are present particularly in the prolamin fraction. The percentage of prolamins (determined by discontinual fractionation after Osborne) in the author’s evaluated collection of oats species and varieties under the conditions of Central Bohemia reached on average 17.68% of the total protein in 2001, and 15.36% in 2002. The average percentage of albumins and globulins of the total protein reached 36.97% in 2001 and 41.04% in 2002, the average percentage of glutelins of the total proteins was 37.61% in 2001 and 34.10% in 2002, and residual was on average 7.55% in 2001 and 8.70% in 2002, respectively, of the total protein. Electrophoretic analysis of reserve (gluten) proteins (SDS-PAGE ISTA) showed in the oats collection evaluated the percentage of LMW + prolamins in the range 56–77% of the total reserve proteins in 2001, and 52–73% in 2002. The results of A-PAGE electrophoretic analysis of prolamin proteins confirmed the presence of α-prolamins, that ranged in the total content of prolamins from 50 to 88% in 2001, and from 77 to 100% in 2002, while β- + γ-prolamins ranged in 2001 from 11 to 49%, and in 2002 from 0 to 22%. These values do not give serious guarantees for the possible utilisation of oats in the gluten-free diet. The results of the immunological evaluation of the amount of prolamins in oats grains using ELISA showed great differences between different varieties and the experimental years. In 2001, 7 oats samples out of 13 evaluated, and in 2002 10 samples out of 12 evaluated were below the limit for the gluten-free diet (10 mg prolamins (gliadins)/100 g of sample dry matter), but the other varieties exceeded the limit, particularly in 2001, very significantly. The results obtained in the evaluated collection of species and varieties of oats revealed a great variability in the structure of the protein complex and in the immunological testing. In addition a significant effect of the year on the results of all analyses was evident. Based on our results, the use of oats in the diet for coeliac disease can be very risky for these reasons.  

field experiments was carried out at a farm located in Al- Bathaa region 20 km west province of Dhi Qar, 350 km south of the capital Baghdad, during two winter seasons 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 .The experiment was designed to study the effect of the Boron concentration on the characteristics of the growth and yield for four varieties of Oats. experiment was layout using R.C.B.D. arranged in split – plot with three replications. In experiment varieties (Shifaa , Carrolup , Genzania and Alguda ) were using as a main plots, while while Boron concentration (0 , 75 , 150 and 225 ) mg L-1 were assigned as sub-plots. In each season the following traits were studied :- Number panicles m-2 , Number of grains. panicle-1 , 1000 grain weight , Grain yield , Biological yield and harvest index . The data obtained was analyzed according to analysis of variance methods. Means were compared using L.S.D. test at 5 % level and the results could be summarized foliar application of boron at different concentration significantly influenced on most of grain yield components , grain yield , biological yield and harvest index .Since high concentration of boron gave highest grain yield amounted to 9.8 ton ha-1 and 12.63 ton ha-1 for first and second season respectively. Also there were significant differences between varieties in growth traits grain yield components , grain yield , biological yield and harvest index. Since variety Carrolup gave highest grain yield in first season amounted to 9.22 ton ha-1 , while in second season variety Shifaa gave highest grain yield amounted to 12.38 ton ha-1 . Results showed , that there were significant interaction between varieties and boron concentrations on all traits.

Climate change necessitates a revised approach to crop cultivation technologies, prioritizing enhanced agricultural practices for soil conservation, water retention, and high-quality yields. To evaluate the influence of different soil tillage systems on yield and yield quality in spring cereals, a field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research and Development Station (ARDS) Turda. The experiment followed a split-plot design with two replications, within a 3-year rotation (soybean–spring cereals–maize). Three spring cereal species (wheat, two oat varieties, and barley) were tested under four tillage systems (plowing, chiseling, disking, and direct sowing) on Phaeozem soil with a clay-clay texture. The hectoliter weight (TW), thousand kernel weight (TKW), and grain protein content are influenced to some degree by the tillage system. The highest soil compaction levels were observed in the NT system, while the lowest were recorded in the CS system. High temperatures and drought led to notable soil moisture decreases in June and July, especially in the minimum tillage with disking (MTD) and NT systems. Tillage with plow and chisel resulted in lower bulk density values. Yields in the unconventional systems (minimum tillage with chisel (MTC) and MTD) were comparable to those in the conventional system (CS), indicating their viability as alternatives to traditional plowing. A yield reduction was noted in the no-tillage system.

Gluten contamination from wheat, rye, and barley was examined in oats at initial and final stages of the production-consumption line, i.e., in seed form in field and processed, packaged form in market. The study focused on 23 oat seed varieties and 15 gluten-free oat-only products from these seeds. The oat seeds included all varieties registered in Turkey (23), cultivated in an experimental field during 2021–2023 growing seasons and harvested. 15 gluten-free oat-only products represented all such products available on market. A gluten-free protocol was followed throughout harvesting, handling, and analysis processes. Contamination levels in samples were determined using R5 antibody-based sandwich ELISA method, based on 5 ppm and 20 ppm gluten concentration limits. None of oat seeds had a gluten concentration greater than 5 ppm. However, 11 of 15 gluten-free oat-only products (73%) had a gluten concentration greater than 5 ppm, and 10 gluten-free oat-only products (67%) had a gluten concentration greater than 20 ppm. The contamination rate in seeds was significantly lower than global average, while in gluten-free oat-only products, it was considerably higher. This trend reflects the high prevalence of contamination worldwide in both oat seeds and gluten-free oat-only products, with contamination rate being higher in gluten-free oat-only products, suggesting that increased interventions lead to higher contamination levels.

Effect of fertilization and irrigation schedule on water and fertilizer solute transport for wheat crop in a sub-humid sub-tropical region

Question: Which fraction of the decrease in species richness under fertilization can be explained by assemblage‐level thinning?Location: An alpine meadow on the eastern Tibet plateau. Methods: 60‐m2 plots were randomly assigned to a control or one of four levels of ammonium phosphate fertilizer. Treatments were repeated for three years. The effect of as semblage‐level thinning was decided based on similarity in quadrats within and between fertilizing levels, bootstrap simulation based on random thinning of the high density (low production, low fertility) quadrats and correlation of species’ biomass in low fertility and high fertility.Results: Fertilization increased production, reduced species richness and reduced density of individuals. Heavily fertilized quadrats are more similar in species composition in 2000 but less similar in 2001 and 2002. Rarefaction showed that a decrease in density can account for 32.3‐42.9% decrease of species richness, but the simulated species richness is always significantly higher than the observed one. When production and species richness are similar at two levels of fertilization, species biomass in the higher fertility treatment is positively correlated with biomass at lower fertility. When the two fertilizer levels differed in production and species richness, there was no evidence of correlation in species biomass, suggesting that assemblage level thinning cannot explain all the loss of species.Conclusion: Although a decrease in density could explain much of the decrease (up to 42.9%) in species richness when this alpine meadow was fertilized, other important mechanisms such as interspecific competition cannot be ignored. Future studies should investigate the effect of assemblage level thinning on species diversity, and search for mechanisms responsible for a decrease in diversity.

To evaluate the effectiveness of trifluralin tolerance in different varieties of wheat, barley and oats crops, greenhouse and field experiments were conducted in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, in 2015 and 2016. In greenhouse study, 64, 12, and 38 varieties of wheat, barley and oats were tested, respectively. In the field study, 11 oat varieties (Ugf775456, Wallaroo, Ozark and ...), two barley (Nosrat and Ryhan) and two wheat (Psrsi and Pishtaz) varieties were examined. In both studies, 2.5 liters of trifluralin per hectare (commercial form) was used. A factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design and a randomized complete block design with three replications were used in greenhouse and field experiments, respectively. In the greenhouse study, germination percentage and dry weight and in the field study, grain yield, emergence percentage and length of coleoptiles were recorded. The use of herbicide increased seed yield and germination percentage of oat crop higher than barley and wheat. Coleoptiles length of crops and wild oat was significantly different. The difference of coleoptile length of wheat, barley and oat crop allow the use of trifluralin as layers.

Adopting a high-density planting system in cotton cultivation has resulted in increased yields compared to traditional methods. Despite the clear benefits, farmers face various challenges throughout the cultivation process, from sowing to harvesting. However, selecting appropriate plant spacings, fertilizer levels and implementing tailored cultivation techniques can significantly enhance productivity. A field experiment was conducted at Siddapur research farm, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal, Telangana, India during kharif 2023 to investigate the “Impact of different plant densities and fertilizer levels on yield attributes, yield and fibre quality characters of cotton in high density planting system (HDPS)”. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (factorial) and replicated thrice, consisting of 12 treatment combinations comprising of three plant spacings S1: 80 x 20 cm (62,500 plants ha-1), S2: 90 x 15 cm (74,074 plants ha-1), S3: 90 x 60 cm in factor I and four fertilizer levels (F1: 100%RDF, F2: 125%RDF, F3: 100%RDF + Microbial consortia, F4: Control) in factor II. Both the factors significantly influenced the number of bolls per plant, number of bolls m-2 and seed cotton yield per hectare. The results revealed that higher no. of bolls plant-1 were recorded in 90 x 60 cm (18,518 plants ha-1) however, higher no. of bolls m-2, seed cotton yield (2233 kgha-1) obtained from higher plant density (74,074 plants ha-1) with the spacing 90 x 15 cm. Boll weight was not significantly influenced by varied plant spacings and fertilizer levels. Among the different levels of fertilizer, 125%RDF recorded highest no. of bolls per plant, no. of bolls m-2 and seed cotton yield (2362 kgha-1). Fibre quality characters viz., Upper half mean length(mm), micronaire(µginch-1), tenacity(gtex-1) and uniformity index (%) were not significantly influenced by both plant spacings and fertilizer levels as they are primarily governed by genetic makeup of cotton genotypes. For optimum seed cotton yield, cotton should be sown at closer spacing 90 x 15 cm and the application of 125%RDF was economically feasible in high density planting system.

In 6-year studies (2005–2010) carried out in static field experiment on lessive proper soil in the Bałcyny Production and Experimental Company near Ostróda town, the reactions of two varieties of oat (Chwat and Cwał) to a chemical protection against weeds as well as weeds and diseases was evaluated. The comparison of reactions of oat was estimated in two following crop sequence systems: i.e. A) the cultivation of oat varieties in 6-field crop rotation: potato – oat – fibrous flax – rye – horse bean and winter triticale, and B) cultivations in 38–43-year monoculture. The oat cultivation without any protection was a control object in both systems. The studies demonstrated that the both crop sequence systems significantly differentiated the reaction of two oat varieties to applied levels of the protection. Generally, chemical protection applied in crop rotation, decreased yields of oat varieties, and in the case of the monoculture the yield of oat significantly increased with intensification of protection. Simultaneously, a significant higher yield growth took place in the case of the protection against diseases than against weeds. In both crop sequence systems, the Chwat variety of oat reacted better to protection levels. When it was cultivated in the 6-field crop rotation the grain yield was decreased despite herbicides and fungicides application while in the case of monoculture it significantly increased. W 6-letnich badaniach (2005–2010), prowadzonych w statycznym doświadczeniu polowym na glebie płowej, średniej w Zakładzie Produkcyjno-Doświadczalnym Bałcyny koło Ostródy, oceniono reakcję dwóch odmian owsa (Chwat, Cwał) na chemiczną ochronę przed chwastami oraz łącznie na ochronę przed chwastami i chorobami. Porównania reakcji dokonano w dwóch systemach następstwa roślin: A) uprawa odmian owsa w 6-polowym płodozmianie: ziemniak – owies – len włóknisty – żyto – bobik – pszenżyto ozime i B) uprawa w 38–43-letniej monokulturze. Obiektem kontrolnym w obu systemach następstwa roślin była uprawa odmian owsa bez żadnej ochrony. Badania wykazały, że system następstwa roślin istotnie różnicował reakcję odmian na stosowane poziomy ochrony łanu. W płodozmianie stosowanie chemicznej ochrony generalnie skutkowało obniżeniem plonu odmian owsa, istotnym tylko w wypadku aplikacji herbicydów. W monokulturze plony owsa istotnie rosły wraz z intensyfikowaniem ochrony łanu, przy czym znacznie większy przyrost plonu dała ochrona przed chorobami niż chwastami. W obu systemach następstwa roślin odmianą silniej reagującą na poziom ochrony okazała się Chwat. Uprawiana w płodozmianie, w wyniku stosowania herbicydów i fungicydów obniżyła plony ziarna, natomiast w monokulturowej uprawie istotnie podniosła swoją wydajność.

In the present scenarios of changed climatic condition, the crop should thrive in challenging environments and should have lower carbon footprints to establish climate resilient agricultural system. Keeping in mind, a field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2022 and 2023 to find out the effect of plant population and fertility level on GHGs from rainfed pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in the research farm of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, Bihar. There were nine treatment combinations comprised of three levels of plant population (M 1 – cm, M 2 – cm and M 3 – cm) in the main plot and three fertility levels with N:P:K (S 1 – 90:45:45, S 2 – 120:60:60 and S 3 – 150:75:75 kg N: P 2 O 5 : K 2 O/ha) as sub-plot treatments. The experiment was laid out under a split-plot design with three replications. Significant changes were recorded in the greenhouse gas emission pattern of pearl millet with the variance of treatments. The optimum spacing ensured adequate sunlight and nutrient access for individual plants and balancing fertilizer application helped to mitigate greenhouse gas emission by promoting healthier growth of the plant. It was experienced that CO 2 emission was enhanced as the plant population and fertility levels increased. Meanwhile, N 2 O gas emission was decreased with higher planting density but increased with increase in fertility levels irrespective of all the observed stages. The most threatening factor global warming potential was also higher with wider plant spacing and high fertilizer application.Therefore, the optimum plant population of 45 X 20 cm along with the nutrient level of N 120 P 60 K 60 kg ha -1 would be recommended for climate-enduring pearl millet cultivation under rainfed condition. By agronomic intervention of optimizing spacing and fertility level would make the pearl millet to be the part of sustainable crop diversification opportunity.

A field experiment “Effect of Genotypes under Varying Fertility Levels and Bio-fertilizer Inoculation on Yield, Yield Attributes and Economics of Mustard {Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.}’’ was carried out at Instructional Farm of Agronomy, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, Rajasthan during rabi season of 2020-2021 in factorial randomized design (RBD). However, the treatment comprised of four genotypes i.e. Bio-902 (V1), Giriraj (V2), RH-0749 (V3) and NRCHB-101 (V4) and four fertility levels i.e. 75% RDF (F1), 100% RDF (F2), 75% RDF + Bio-fertilizer (F3) and 100% RDF + Bio-fertilizer (F4). Results clearly revealed that the entire yield, yield attributes and ultimately on economics were immensely influenced by genotypes and fertility levels. Yield and yield attributes i.e. seed, straw, biological, harvest index, primary, secondary, tertiary branches/plant, siliqua/plant, seed/siliqua and 1000 seed weight were increased with increasing the fertility levels. In among genotypes, Giriraj (V2) recorded significantly higher value of yield component i.e. seed, straw, biological, harvest index and yield attributes i.e. siliqua/plant and seed/siliqua. Further primary branches, tertiary branches and 1000 seed weight which were statistically at par with NRCHB-101(V4), Bio-902 (V1) and NRCHB-101(V4), respectively and significantly superior to RH-0749.Among the various fertility levels maximum yield and yield attributes were significantly obtained under 100% RDF+ Bio-fertilizer (F4) which was superior over rest of the treatments. However, significantly higher values of all the yield attributes and yield of mustard crop were observed with genotypes ‘Giriraj’ followed by NRCHB-101, Bio-902 and RH-0749 and fertility level 100% RDF + Bio-fertilizer as compare to other treatments. Relative economic analysis for crop cultivation indicated that the maximum gross return (₹/ha103762, 97238), net return (₹/ha83347, 77148) and benefit: cost ratio (4.09, 3.84) was found with Indian mustard variety ‘Giriraj’ with application of 100% RDF+ Bio-fertilizer.