Effects of soil sterilization,inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and cropping history on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth in an oxisol from subtropical Australia

The effects of soil sterilization and inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) on VAMF colonization, nutrition and growth of peanut plants (cv. Virginia Bunch) were investigated in an Oxisol soil in pots in the glasshouse. Sterilization, nutrient and inoculation treatments were applied to soil with a history of either continuous summer cropping (>50 years) or continuous grass pasture. Root colonization by VAMF was strongly affected by sterilization of soil from both cropping histories. Irradiation and aerated steam treatments virtually eliminated VAMF colonization; methyl bromide+chloropicrin caused an early reduction in colonization which was no longer visible twenty-one days after flowering; and DD+methyl isothiocyanate caused no significant reduction. Despite earlier differences in VAMF colonization of roots, plant growth responses were not recorded until after flowering. Plant growth 21 days after flowering was strongly correlated with VAMF colonization at first flower and at 21 days after first flower. Effective soil sterilization caused significant reductions in plant growth which were eliminated by addition of VAMF inoculum. Growth reductions in the absence of VAMF could be directly related to severe P deficiency, which was reflected in P uptake as early as first flower; Zn uptake was also reduced. Although VAMF colonization was slightly higher in grassland than in continuously cropped soil, growth responses to VAMF inoculation were not observed in unsterilized soil regardless of cropping history, indicating a general adequacy of resident VAMF populations. Plants grew better in untreated cropped soil than in grassland soil although growth was poor in both after effective soil sterilization. These differences could be related to the higher level of available P in the cropped soil and the inability of plants to access this P in the absence of VAMF. Regular applications of N-free nutrient solution had no effect on plant growth even in effectively sterilized soil, suggesting a threshold response to P in the absence of VAMF in this soil.     

Diniconazole's effect on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) growth and development

Greenhouse nutrient solution studies demonstrated that diniconazole will decrease peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) shoot growth when either root or shoot applied. Root growth and development were decreased by root and, to a lesser extent, by shoot uptake of diniconazole. Diniconazole is apparently xylem translocated, but not phloem translocated. Concentrations of 200 ppb ES isomer of diniconazole in nutrient solution (root uptake) increased specific leaf weight and starch deposits in the leaf. Field applications of 193 g ES isomer ha^–1 of diniconazole reduced main stem height by 33%, leaf area index by 16%, and total vegetative dry weight by 19%, but had no effect on average leaf size. Decreased germination of seeds from plants treated with 1435 g ha^–1 diaminozide was associated with increased seed dormancy. Seed dormancy was counteracted by either ethylene gas or storage for 150 days after harvest. Soil applications of diniconazole were more effective than foliar appliations in reducing vine growth. Diniconazole's ER isomer is a broad spectrum fungicide that reduced damage (when compared to the control) bySclerotium rolfsii andRhizoctonia solani. The reduced damage by these diseases was thought to be the primary reason for the significant pod yield increase (when compared to the control) observed with the diniconazole treatments. In drought-stressed plots, populations of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) were increased by diniconazole.Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee by the University of Georgia or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply UGA or USDA approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that also may be suitable.     

The influence of plant growth habit on calcium nutrition of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) pods

In field experiments in India and Niger runner and bunch groundnut cultivars were compared for their pod distribution pattern and its relevance to the calcium (Ca) supply for pod development. Bunch cultivars produced sixty to eighty percent of their pods within 5 cm of the tap root. Runner cultivars explored a radius of up to 30 cm for pod production and exploited the soil area in a more homogeneous manner than bunch types. The available soil volume per pod was 19 to 27 cm³ for bunch types and 43 to 46 cm³ for runner types, varying the potential for Ca competition between pods. Computation of the soil Ca content needed to satisfy pod Ca requirements showed that much higher concentrations were needed for the bunch cultivars than for the runners. No significant differences in Ca content of pods existed between bunch and runner cultivars. However, in the runner cultivars, the Ca content of the more widely dispersed pods in outer zones was greater than that of the more densely populated inner pod zones. Regression analysis of shelling percentage across a range of environments showed that the shelling percentage of runners declined less rapidly than did the shelling percent of bunch types, indicating that runners were more efficient in exploiting Ca at lower soil Ca availability than the bunch types.Approved as ICRISAT Journal Article No. 1372.     

Partial characterization of an allergenic glycoprotein from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A concanavalin A-reactive glycoprotein allergen has been isolated from peanut (Arachis hypogaea). The allergen was separated by affinity chromatography and purified by gel permeation and ion-exchange chromatography. The monomeric molecular weight is 65,000 and the pI is 4.6. The presence of one cysteine residue per molecule results in some dimer formation. Concanavalin A-reactive glycoprotein is a potent allergen for peanut-sensitive patients in both in vivo and in vitro tests. It is allergenically stable, on in vitro examination, at temperatures of up to 100 degrees C and over the pH range 2.8-10. Removal of the carbohydrate moiety failed to eliminate the allergenicity. Concanavalin A-reactive glycoprotein is identified in the crossed immunoelectrophoretic pattern as a major antigen of peanut protein extract but its structural characteristics indicate that it is probably not a component of the major storage-protein complex, arachin.     

Mycoflora and mycotoxins of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds in Egypt. 1-sugar fungi and natural occurrence of mycotoxins

Sixty-four species and 2 varieties which belong to nineteen genera of fungi were identified from 40 peanut seed samples collected from different places in Egypt by using a dilution-plate method on glucose-Czapek's medium. The most frequent genera were Aspergillus (21 species & 2 varieties), Penicillium (16 species) and Fusarium (6 species). A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, P. chrysogenum and F. oxysporum were the most common fungal species. Forty seven percent of the samples proved to be toxic to brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae. Thin-layer Chromatographic analysis revealed that peanuts were contaminated by aflatoxins (11 samples), thrichothecene-toxins (10 samples), zearalenone (one sample) and citrinin (one sample). We believe that this is the first report of the natural occurrence of zearalenone and trichothecene-toxins in peanuts.     

Effects of desiccation on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seed protein composition

Response of peanut to desiccation was studied by monitoring changes in the seed protein content and composition during a 14 day desiccation period using a combination of electrophoretic and immunochemical techniques. Following desiccation, the protein content of ‘white’ (most immature) and ‘orange’ seed increased, while that of the ‘brown’ (mature) seed was not affected. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed no major qualitative differences in the protein composition during desiccation of the samples. However, immunoblotting with anti-dehydrin antisera revealed the presence of several new proteins in the desiccated samples compared with the controls. One of the dehydrin-like proteins, band ‘c’ was found to be related to water-stress, while the other proteins appeared to be the storage proteins accumulated as the seed matured in vitro. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) showed major changes in the protein quantity and quality of ‘white’ seed during the 0–14 days of desiccation. In contrast, in the ‘orange’ and ‘brown’ seeds changes in protein composition were less significant. Results indicated that there are several dehydrin-like proteins expressed in peanuts, however, not all of them are related to water stress.     

Influence of salinity on mineral nutrition of peanut (Arachis hypogea L.)

Summary Effect of sodium chloride and sodium sulphate salinities on growth and mineral nutrition of peanut (A. hypogea L.) variety TMV-10 has been studied. Both salts suppressed growth of the plants. The inorganic analysis revealed that NaCl and Na₂SO₄ caused accumulation of Na, P, Fe and Mn in root, stem, leaf and gynophore. NaCl treatment caused accumulation of Cl in these parts. The uptake of K was hampered by both salts whereas Ca uptake was retarded mainly by Na₂SO₄. The results are discussed in relation to the salt tolerance capacity of the plant.     

The influence of zinc and sulphur deficiency on oil-filling in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) kernels

In the developing peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) kernels, the period between 15 and 35 days after podding (DAP) was identified as the active period of oil-filling. The period of active oil-filling was associated with a decrease in the starch, soluble sugars and proteins so as to make available the energy and carbon skeleton for the synthesis of oil. The oil content in the mature kernels decreased by 11, 12 and 25 per cent with Zn, S and Zn+S deficiency, respectively. In addition, proteins and starch content decreased significantly while that of soluble sugars increased slightly. The activity of malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase also decreased due to Zn as well as S deficiency. The deficiency treatments resulted in a decrease in phospholipids, free fatty acids and triacylglycerols in mature kernels. Further the proportion of 16∶0 and 18∶2 decreased while that of 18∶1 increased in developing kernels.     

Effect of foliar application of phosphorus on growth and mineral composition in peanut plants (Arachis hypogaea L.) under salt-stress

Summary Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L., Var. TMV-2) plants were raised in sand cultures under natural photoperiod. Salt treatment (0.4% NaCl on dry weight basis) was given 10 days after sowing. Nutrient solution was supplied 15 days after sowing to control and salinized plants. Phosphate (0.1% NaH₂PO₄ with 0.01% Tween-80) was sprayed to the plants to the drip point once daily from 20th to 25th day and from 30th to 35th day. The plants were harvested at 30th and 40th day for analysis. The plants grown under saline conditions showed a market reduction in growth. When phosphorus was supplied to saline plants by foliar application, there was an increase in dry weight, leaf area, stomatal frequency, and yield and the increase was more marked when the plants received phosphate for two periods. Phosphorus content decreased due to salinity which was restored by foliar spray of phosphate. With salinity, sodium accumulated while potassium and calcium were lowered. Phosphate spray decreased sodium and increased potassium and calcium in general.     

磷肥对花生根系形态、生理特性及产量的影响

采用池栽, 测定不同施磷量对花生(Arachis hypogaea)根系性状、生理特性及产量的影响。结果表明: (1)结荚中期, 根系总长度、体积、表面积及根尖数量均随施磷量的增加而增加, 在施磷30-90 kg·hm^-2范围内, 施磷比不施磷4项指标分别增加3.5%-20.7%、9.3%-21.9%、9.7%-20.3%和12.6%-21.4%。特别是当施磷量超过60 kg·hm^-2时, 上述4项指标均显著高于不施磷处理; 施磷可使根系中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT) 3种酶活性分别提高12.7%-20.6%、14.8%-36.8%和17.0%-41.8%, 丙二醛(MDA)含量降低8.4%-19.5%, 根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量分别提高10.4%-25.0%、29.2%-53.5%; 同时, 施磷可使单株根瘤数量和鲜重分别增加10.7%-21.7%和22.6%-35.6%。(2)收获期, 除MDA含量随施磷量的增加而增加, SOD、POD和CAT活性, 根系活力和可溶性蛋白含量均随施磷量增加而呈降低趋势, 但多数指标施磷与不施磷及不同施磷量之间差异不显著。造成这一现象的原因与施磷后花生荚果库容增大, 对光合产物需求量增加, 导致植株和根系营养不良, 加速衰老有关。(3)花生单株结果数、生物产量、经济系数、出米率及产量均随施磷量的增加而增加, 其中产量的增加主要是通过生物产量和经济系数协同提高来实现的。     

Mycoflora and mycotoxins of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds in Egypt. III. Cellulose-decomposing and mycotoxin-producing fungi

From 40 peanut seed samples collected in Egypt, forty-three species and one variety of fungi, belonging to 16 genera, were collected. The most dominant genera were Aspergillus (11 species + one variety), Penicillium (11 species) and Fusarium (4 species). From the preceding genera A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, P. chrysogenum and F. oxysporum were the most frequent species.Forty-nine isolates belonging to 12 species and one variety were tested for production of mycotoxins, after growth on liquid medium containing two carbon sources (sucrose or cellulose). Thin layer chromatographic analysis revealed that the quality and quantity of mycotoxins was higher on sucrose than cellulose. Mycotoxins identified were aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ & G₂, citrinin; fumagillin; diacetoxyscirpenol T-2 toxin; satratoxin H; and zearalenone.     

Utility of EST-derived SSR in cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and Arachis wild species

Background  

Lack of sufficient molecular markers hinders current genetic research in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.). It is necessary to develop more molecular markers for potential use in peanut genetic research. With the development of peanut EST projects, a vast amount of available EST sequence data has been generated. These data offered an opportunity to identify SSR in ESTs by data mining.     

Thidiazuron-induced highly morphogenic callus and high frequency regeneration of fertile peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants

Summary An efficient regeneration system was developed by culturing immature cotyledons and embryo axes of Arachis hypogaea L. cv. Georgia Green on Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS) supplemented with various concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ; 1, 5, 10, and 15 μM). Highly morphogenic callus was produced from 100% of the explants comprising the cotyledon with attached embryo axis when cultured in the dark on 10 μM TDZ. Upon excision and continued culture in the dark on 10 μM TDZ, morphogenic callus grew repetitively during monthly subcultures and retained its regeneration potential. For organogenesis, a gradual reduction in TDZ concentration and exposure to light were necessary before transfer to MS basal medium. Inclusion of indole-3-butyric acid in liquid MS medium favored rooting of recovered shoots. A distinct feature of this investigation is the induction of highly morphogenic callus by TDZ and regeneration of morphologically normal, fertile peanut plants after 8 months of callus subculture.     

花生镉污染研究进展

花生既是世界主要的油料作物,又是重要的植物蛋白来源和食品加工原料.随着花生直接食用和食品加工的不断增加,国际上对花生籽粒Cd含量问题越来越关注.我国是世界上重要的花生生产国和出口国.近年来,花生Cd含量偏高已经成为制约我国出口贸易的重要因素.本文从花生籽粒Cd富集能力、花生Cd含量的种内差异、籽粒中Cd的分布规律、影响花生籽粒Cd积累的机制和降低花生籽粒Cd含量技术等方面,对花生Cd污染研究的现状与问题进行了论述.指出在花生Cd污染控制方面有2种策略可以考虑,一是降低花生对土壤Cd的吸收;二是控制Cd向籽粒的迁移富集.为此需要从3个方面加强对花生籽粒Cd积累机制的研究,即花生根系活性特征参数及其与籽粒Cd积累的关系;花生果荚Cd吸收机制及其对籽粒Cd含量的贡献;花生植株体内Cd迁移机制及其与籽粒Cd含量的关系.     

Effect of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae on the growth and yield of rice-stubble cultured soybeans

Summary Inoculation with vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungiGlomus fasciculatus, G. mosseae, G. etunicatus orAcaulospora scrobiculatus, increased plant dry weight and seed yields of pot-grown soybean plants in sterilized soil. Inoculation with a mixture ofG. fasciculatus, G. mosseae andG. etunicatus, orG. fasciculatus alone, increased seed yields and other agronomic traits of soybean plants grown in a no-tillage, rice-stubble field.     

RFLP variability in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars and wild species

Summary RFLP variability was studied in eight U.S. peanut cultivars, representing the four market types, and in 14 wild Arachis species accessions, using random genomic clones from a PstI library. Very low levels of RFLP variability were found among the allotetraploids, which included the U.S. cultivars and Arachis monticola, a wild species. The diploid wild species were very diverse, however. RFLP patterns of the allotetraploids were more complex than the diploids, and the two constituent genomes could usually be distinguished. On the basis of RFLP band sharing, A. ipaensis, A. duranensis, and A. spegazzinii appeared most closely related to the diploid progenitor species of the allotetraploids. A dendrogram of relationships among the diploid wild species was constructed based on band sharing.     

Effect of foliar application of phosphorus on RNA and DNA under salt-stress in peanut plants (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L., var. TMV-2) plants were raised in sand cultures salinized with sodium chloride at 0.4% on air dry weight basis. Phosphate was sprayed to the drip point, once daily for five days from 20th to 25th day and from 30th to 35th day. Shoot apices and mature leaves were harvested for nucleic acid analyses at 30th and 40th day, receiving one and two sets of sprays respectively. Salinity decreased RNA and DNA levels which were partially restored by foliar application of phosphate.     

Ontogenetic changes in growth and net photosynthetic rate of two peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars

The ontogenetic changes in growth, and the diurnal changes in net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and stomatal conductance were studied in two peanut cultivars of different habit groups. Significant cultivar differences were noticed: the prostrate cv. M 13 was found superior to the erect cv. J 11 in all the parameters studied. Specific leaf mass and the rates of gross photosynthesis and respiration were higher in cv. M 13 than in cv. J 11. In vegetative phase, the maximum P_N was in cv. J 11, but in pod filling phase, it was in cv. M 13. The differences in growth and P_N of the cultivars were significant after the onset of reproductive sink. Therefore, the screening for higher P_N has to be made at the pod-filling phase, and between 09.00 and 10.00 of the day (at optimum temperature).