The Influence of Temperature and Water Deficits on the Partitioning of Dry Matter in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The partitioning of dry matter to stems, leaves and pods ofgroundnut was examined as a function of mean air temperatureand water stress. Different levels of stress were imposed bygrowing plants on stored moisture at five different mean temperaturesbetween 19 °C and 31 °C and at four levels of saturationvapour pressure deficit. Stands of plants were grown in controlledenvironment glasshouses. The ratio of pod to shoot weight (PWR) was greatest at 22 °Cand decreased from 0.28 to 0.04 as temperature increased to31 °C. PWR was closely related to the number of pods longerthan 5.0 mm but negatively correlated with stem weight ratio.In general, water stress had a minor influence on PWR althoughpeg and pod production were stimulated in five of the nine treatments.Mild water stress promoted peg and pod production because reproductivegrowth was less affected than the growth of leaves and stems,the major sinks early in the reproductive phase. In one treatment,mild water stress increased PWR by a factor of 2.2 indicatingthat when adequate water is supplied to relieve a mild stress,PWR can be greatly increased. Key words: Temperature, Water deficit, Partitioning, Groundnut     

Responses to Saturation Deficit in a Stand of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) 1. Water Use

Stands of groundnut were grown in computer-controlled glasshouseson water stored in an undisturbed soil profile. The maximumsaturation vapour pressure deficit (D) of the air was either1.0, 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 kPa, and the mean air temperature was27 °C. Transpiration (E), determined from the soil water balance, wasstrongly dependent on D, because D influenced both the fractionof incident solar radiation intercepted by foliage (f) and thetranspiration rate per unit f (E/f). When D exceeded 2 kPa,canopy expansion was restricted and f reduced during early growth,but differences in f diminished as the canopies closed. E/fincreased with D, implying that any restriction of transpirationthrough stomatal closure at large D was outweighted by a steeperhumidity gradient from leaf to air. In all treatments E/f decreased as the soil profile dried. Saturationdeficit per se had little influence on the proportional reductionin E/f with time, even though soil water deficit was considerablygreater at large D. This lack of response occurred because plantscompensated for the greater evaporative demand by extractinglarger amounts of water from deep in the profile. Groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L., humidity, rooting depth, transpiration     

The Response of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to Timing of Irrigation

A timing-of-irrigation experiment was conducted in controlled-environmentglasshouses, in which a finite quantity of water was appliedto four stands of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at differentstages of the growing season. Irrigation schedules were broadlydivided into two periods; sowing to pod initiation and pod initiationto final harvest. Within these periods two levels of soil moisturedeficit were imposed by withholding or applying limited amountsof irrigation at regular intervals. Shoot dry matter yields were hardly affected but pod yieldswere more than 4-fold lower in early- than in late-irrigatedstands. Thermal time was used to separate the effects of temperatureand water stress on developmental processes. The degree-dayrequirement for peg initiation was similar in all treatmentsbut late-irrigation delayed pod development by about 200 °Cd.The effect of timing of irrigation on pod yield operated mainlythrough its influence on the duration of pod production, whichwas closely linked to the rate and duration of canopy expansionlate in the season. The insensitivity of pod yield to earlymoisture deficits reflected the extreme plasticity of growthand development in groundnut, since most processes resumed ratessimilar to the pre-stress levels in early-irrigated stands oncestress was released. Key words: Groundnut, irrigation, growth, development     

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars for cultivation on calcareous soils

Summary Studies of incubation experiments showed that the phosphorus turnover under aerobic decomposition in soil starts with a non-biological process, which is rapid and probably due to chemical fixation. The present study allowed a distinction to be made between chemical fixation and biological immobilisation of added phosphorus with special reference to the effects of addition of energy material in the process of biological turnover. Invariably, both glucose and cellulose additions resulted in an increase in phosphorus immobilisation. Comparatively, cellulose acted slowly on phosphorus turnover, with the prospect of more immobilisation in long term experiments. re]19730416     

Responses to Saturation Deficit in a Stand of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). 2. Growth and Development

Stands of groundnut were grown in four glasshouses with themaximum saturation deficit (D) of the air limited to 1.0, 2.0,2.5 or 3.0 kPa. The soil was near field capacity when plantsemerged and no water was applied thereafter. In a fifth glasshouse,a stand was grown at low D on soil irrigated to field capacityevery few days. Developmental processes such as timing of flowering, peggingand pod formation were unaffected by D, but the numbers of branches,flowers and pegs were reduced in the drier treatments. Measurementsduring the first 30 d showed that in the drier treatments leafgrowth was reduced, and the partitioning of dry matter intoroots was enhanced. In the unirrigated stands, dry matter production in shoots wasreduced by 40 per cent as the maximum D increased from 1.0 to3.0 kPa. Growth was affected through reductions both in leafarea (and therefore light interception) and in the productivityper unit of light intercepted. These responses to D and soilwater were linked to changes in bulk water potential of leaves. Productivity per unit of water transpired (q) decreased withincreasing D. The product of q and the mean daytime value ofthe difference in vapour pressure between leaf and air was moreconservative than q, and ranged from 3.1 to 5.6 g kPa kg^–1. Groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L., saturation deficit, growth, development, light interception, water use efficiency     

Effects of Atmospheric Saturation Deficit on the Stomatal Conductance of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum typhoides S. and H.) and Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Experiments were carried out to investigate the influence ofatmospheric saturation deficit on the stomatal conductancesof millet and groundnut plants grown in undisturbed soil incontrolled environment glasshouses. Environmental conditionsduring growth were maintained close to those experienced inthe semi-arid tropics. The results demonstrated that the stomatal conductances of well-wateredplants of both species were affected strongly by changes insaturation deficit. The response was stronger at higher irradianceswhen variations in saturation deficit between 1.5 and 3.0 kPacaused 3–4-fold changes in leaf conductance. However,the stomatal response was greatly reduced or absent in unirrigatedplants in which stomatal conductances were reduced. Reduction of the transpiring leaf area by covering some of theleaves increased the leaf conductances of the remaining leavesand partially restored the stomatal response to saturation deficitin unirrigated plants. Leaf conductance was sensitive to thetranspiring area per plant and declined as the transpiring areaincreased. However, the reduction in mean leaf conductance wasinsufficient to prevent an increase in canopy conductance owingto the increased transpiring area: The results are compared to earlier field data for millet, andthe possible origin of the stomatal response is discussed.     

The Deamidase of Groundnut Plants (Arachis hypogaea)

The deamidase enzyme system present in extracts of groundnutplant tissues has been studied. The distribution of the enzymewithin the different organs of the plant were determined, andsome of the properties of the enzyme present in leaf extractsare recorded. From its substrate specificity the enzyme is probablybest regarded as a -methyleneglutaininase, although it catalysesthe hydrolysis of glutamine at about one-fifth of the rate of-methyleneglutamine. The enzyme may play an important role inthe over-all nitrogen metabolism of the plant, as well as controllingthe relative concentrations of -methyleneglutamine and -methyleneglutamicacid in the different organs. The properties of the enzyme havebeen compared with those recorded in the literature of glutaminasesand asparaginases, and certain common features are apparent.The new deamidase was, however, more stable to certain denaturingtreatments than were the other types of deamidase.     

Micropropagation in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Multiple shoots in Arachis hypogaea L. could be induced from the de-embryonated cotyledons (DC), embryo-axes (EA) and mature whole seeds (MWS) in MS medium supplemented with different levels of benzylaminopurine (BAP). DC was the most suitable explant with 57.9 % induction and more than 40 shoots per explant in 31.6 % of cases. Though EA and MWS had high percent induction at or above 30 mg dm^–3 BAP, only 10 – 14 shoots per explant were observed. In DC, multiple shoots were confined to the proximal end and in EA they originated from the axillary bud region. Histological studies on DC confirmed the origin of shoots from the region of attachment with the embryo. Shoots could be rooted in MS medium containing 2 g dm^–3 charcoal and 200 mg dm^–3 casein hydrolysate. Sixty percent of the rooted plantlets could be established in the field.     

The Morphology and Anatomy of Ovule and Fruit Development in Arachis hypogaea L

The vascular system of the monocarpellary gynoecium with tenwell differentiated traces and a few cross links probably representsa precocious development of the post-fertilization vasculatureof the fruit wall. The restriction of the two integuments ofthe ovule to the micropylar half, and the endothecial natureof the chalazal cells adjoining the embryo sac appear to indicatea pathway of derivation of the unitegmic tenumucellate ovulefrom the bitegmic crassinucellate one. During double fertilization,a dark staining refractive body appears in the nucleolus ofthe egg as well as the fusion product of the polar nuclei. The peg that carries the ovary into the soil after fertilizationgrows by the activity of a rib meristem at the basal solid partof the gynoecium. During sub-soil fruit development, the ovarywall develops a prominent spongy inner zone which finally disappears,and a peripheral zone that forms the mature fruit wall. Theabinitio nuclear endosperm is much reduced and degenerates afterproducing a few cell layers in the chalazal half alone. Seeddevelopment is pachychalazal. The main vascular supply of theseed branches at the chalaza into eight to ten strands in theseed coat. All seeds that have a vascular ramification in theseed coat are probably pachychalazal. In the variety Valencia, diminutive fruits with viable seedmay develop aerially from pegs that fail to grow long enoughto reach the soil from the higher nodes. Arachis hypogaea L., groundnut, fruit development, seed development, carpel vasculature, seed vasculature, pachychalaza     

Response of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to inoculation withRhizobium strains isolated from wild arboreal legumes

Summary The rhizobial strain isolated from wild arboreal legumes viz.Butea monosperma, Glyricidia sepium andAcacia nilotica effectively increased nodulation, shoot weight, pod weight, nitrogenase activity and also showed high competitive ability as compared to the homologous strains NC92 and G2 as well as chemical and absolute controls in groundnut. Thus, the findings of present study open a new field for exploring superior rhizobia from wild legumes, which can be used for improving the yield of cultivated legumes.

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Réponse de l'arachide (Arachis hypogaea L.) à l'inoculation par des souches de Rhizobium isolées de légumes arboricoles sauvages

Résumé Les souches rhizobiennes isolées de légumes sauvages arboricoles commeButea monosperma,Glyricidia sepium etAcacia nilotica ont effectivement augmenté la nodulation, le poids de la racine, le poids des cosses, l'activité de nitrogénase. Elles ont aussi montré une aptitude à la forte compétition par comparaison avec les souches homologues NC92 et G2 de même qu'un contrôle chimique et absolu de l'arachide. Aussi, les résultats de la présente étude ouvrent un nouveau champ pour l'exploration des rhizobia supérieurs de légumes sauvages, qui peuvent être utilisés pour l'amélioration du rendement de légumes cultivés.

     

Diallel analysis in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Summary An 8 × 8 full diallel experiment based on 4 bunch plus 4 spreading types of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) was conducted over three environments. For both number of pods and pod yield, additive, nonadditive and reciprocal cross effects were detected and these were also influenced by changes in environments. For number of pods additive genetic variance was predominant whereas it was approximately equal to non-additive genetic variance for pod yield. Graphical analysis revealed the presence of strong non-allelic interaction for number of pods whereas for pod yield absence of dominance and/or presence of non-allelic interaction was evident.Part of Ph.D. Thesis of the first author     

Influence of Saturation Deficit on Leaf Production and Expafision in Stands of Groundnut-{Arachis hypogaea L.) Grown Without Irrigation

The response of leaf area expansion to atmospheric saturationdeficit (SD) and soil moisture deficit was examined in termsof leaf water potential (₁) and turgor potential (_p), as partof a wider study of the effects of SD on groundnut growth. Standsof plants were grown at four levels of SD and without irrigationin controlled environment glasshouses. A fifth stand was grownat low SD on soil kept irrigated to field capacity. Large saturation deficits accelerated the depletion of soilmoisture reserves in the unirrigated stands and greatly reducedleaf area index, particularly in the driest treatment. Leafnumber per plant and leaf size both decreased as SD increased,but the effect on leaf size was greater than on number. SD hadless effect than soil water deficit on leaf production. Turgorpotential and leaf extension rate (R) were both reduced at highsaturation deficits and R was linearly related to _p between0900 and 1600 h. However, leaf extension rate and turgor potentialwere poorly correlated between 0400 and 0700 h in the driesttreatment. Arachis hypogaea L., groundnut, saturation deficit, leaf growth, canopy development     

Characterization of Two Strains of Cowpea Mild Mottle Virus Naturally Infecting Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in India

Two viruses were isolated from commercial groundnut plants showing mild mottle (MM) and severe mottle (SM) symptoms in the Rayalaseema area of Andhra Pradesh State, India. The host range of both the isolates was restricted to Fabaceae. The physical properties of both isolates were: DEP 10^-6 to 10^-7. TIP 70–85 C and LIV 5–8 days. Partially purified virus preparations contained slightly flexuous filamentous particles. In ELISA and gel diffusion tests both isolates reacted similarly with anusera to the carlaviruses cowpea mild mottle, cassia mild mosaic and potato M. Particle morphology. sedimentation coefficient, and estimated sizes of the coat proteins and RNAs gave additional evidence that the viruses were carlaviruses. Bemisia labaci transmitted only the MM isolate and the two isolates also differed in electrophoretic mobility of intact particles and amino acid composition of the coat proteins. The isolates are identified as distinct strains of cowpea mild mottle virus.     

Absence of Root Hairs in Non-Nodulating Groundnut, Arachis hypogaea L.

Root hairs observed at the site of lateral root emergence innodulating groundnut cultivars were found to be absent in non-nodulatinggroundnut lines. In a segregating F₂-population of the crossNC 17 x PI 259747 a strong association was observed betweenthe presence of root hairs and nodulation, and the absence ofroot hairs and non-nodulation. Key words: Root hairs, Arachis hypogaea, Non-nodulation     

Molecular Profiling of Genetic Variability in Domesticated Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Based on ISJ, URP, and DAMD Markers

To detect DNA polymorphisms in the peanut, we screened 26 polymorphic primers using intron–exon splice junction (ISJ), universal rice primer (URP), and directed amplification of minisatellite region DNA (DAMD) techniques. Amplification of genomic DNA of 16 peanut accessions yielded 121 ISJ, 50 URP, and 25 DAMD fragments, of which 34, 25 and 16 were polymorphic, respectively. The range of polymorphism was 10.0–62.5%, averaging 27.7%, for ISJ; 20–80%, averaging 49.5%, for URP; and 28.6–50.0%, averaging 36.3%, for DAMD. In comparisons of multiplex ratio, average polymorphism information content, and marker index, the URP markers were relatively more efficient than ISJ and DAMD markers. Clustering results remained more or less the same with ISJ and URP markers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the study of the genetic diversity of the peanut using ISJ, URP, and DAMD markers.     

The Response of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) to Timing of Irrigation: II. 14C-PARTITIONING AND PLANT WATER STATUS

Finite quantities of water were applied at different growthstages of groundnut stands (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown in controlledenvironment glasshouses. Soil moisture deficits were imposedbetween sowing and pod initiation or between pod initiationand final harvest by withholding or applying water. Effectson assimilate production and partitioning and plant water relationswere examined. Leaves were the primary sites of ¹⁴CO₂ fixation, though theircontribution generally declined late in the season, whereasfixation by stems was initially low but increased sharply whenstress was released in the late-irrigated stands. ¹⁴C-fixationby stem apices and pegs also rose sharply following irrigationof the late-stressed stands. Leaves were the primary source of assimilates, though translocationtended to decrease as the season progressed, even in the late-irrigatedstands. Stems were initially the major sinks, but their sinkactivity disappeared almost completely when stress was releasedin the late-irrigated stands. Assimilate import by stem apicesdeclined progressively and pod sink activity was negligiblein the late-stressed stand, but both increased markedly whenearly-season stress was released. Leaf water status showed marked diurnal variation, whereas pegsshowed less variation and maintained much higher turgor levels,largely because of their lower solute potentials. Marked osmoticadjustment occurred in expanding but not in mature leaves, allowingthem to maintain higher turgor levels during periods of severestress. This adjustment was rapidly lost when stress was released.The observed changes in assimilate production and partitioningpreceded detectable changes in bulk turgor levels. Implications for growth, development and yield are discussed. Key words: Groundnut, irrigation, partitioning, water status     

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.     

Jasmonic Acid-Mediated-Induced Resistance in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Against Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Jasmonic acid (JA) acts as a signal molecule to induce resistance in plants against herbivores and its levels are elevated in plants after wounding or insect damage. Groundnut is an important crop in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, but there is surprisingly little knowledge on its induced defenses against herbivores. The effect of JA as a spray on induced resistance in three groundnut genotypes, namely, ICGV 86699 (resistant), NCAc 343 (resistant), and TMV 2 (susceptible), against Helicoverpa armigera was studied. The activity of oxidative enzymes [peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO)] and the amounts of other host plant defense components [total phenols, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein content] were recorded at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after pretreatment (1 day) with JA followed by infestation with H. armigera (PJA + HIN) and H. armigera infestation with simultaneous JA application (HIN + JA) to understand the consequences of induced resistance in groundnut. The plant damage, larval survival, and larval weights were also recorded. There was a significant increase in POD and PPO activities and in the amounts of total phenols, H₂O₂, MDA, and proteins in PJA + HIN- and JA + HIN-treated plants as compared to the plants treated with JA and infested with H. armigera individually and to untreated control plants. Among all the genotypes, the strongest induction of defense was observed in the ICGV 86699 genotype. It is concluded that pretreatment with JA and its application during low levels of insect infestation can increase the levels of host plant resistance against herbivorous insects and reduce the pest-associated losses in groundnut.     

Dynamic Succession of Soil Bacterial Community during Continuous Cropping of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Plant health and soil fertility are affected by plant–microbial interactions in soils. Peanut is an important oil crop worldwide and shows considerable adaptability, but growth and yield are negatively affected by continuous cropping. In this study, 16S rRNA gene clone library analyses were used to study the succession of soil bacterial communities under continuous peanut cultivation. Six libraries were constructed for peanut over three continuous cropping cycles and during its seedling and pod-maturing growth stages. Cluster analyses indicated that soil bacterial assemblages obtained from the same peanut cropping cycle were similar, regardless of growth period. The diversity of bacterial sequences identified in each growth stage library of the three peanut cropping cycles was high and these sequences were affiliated with 21 bacterial groups. Eight phyla: Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were dominant. The related bacterial phylotypes dynamic changed during continuous cropping progress of peanut. This study demonstrated that the bacterial populations especially the beneficial populations were positively selected. The simplification of the beneficial microbial communities such as the phylotypes of Alteromonadales, Burkholderiales, Flavobacteriales, Pseudomonadales, Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales could be important factors contributing to the decline in peanut yield under continuous cropping. The microbial phylotypes that did not successively changed with continuous cropping, such as populations related to Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales, could potentially resist stress due to continuous cropping and deserve attention. In addition, some phylotypes, such as Acidobacteriales, Chromatiales and Gemmatimonadales, showed a contrary tendency, their abundance or diversity increased with continuous peanut cropping progress. Some bacterial phylotypes including Acidobacteriales, Burkholderiales, Bdellovibrionales, and so on, also were affected by plant age.