Cultivar differences in soluble sugar content of mature rice grain

Mature grain from 31 rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cultivars grown in the same location was analyzed for soluble sugar content to determine quantitative differences in this parameter. Cultivar variation in caryopsis sucrose content was 4-fold ranging from 15 to 59 μmol sucrose (g fresh weight)⁻¹. Soluble reducing sugar ranged from 7 to 15 μmol hexose (g fresh weight)⁻¹. Soluble sugar content was much greater in the outer part of the grain than in the endosperm. Caryopsis enzyme activities were measured in 8 cultivars having a range of grain sucrose content. No relationship between grain sucrose content of these cultivars and the level of enzymes of sucrose metabolism, glycolysis, and oxidative pentose pathway was established. Caryopsis respiration after 1 h of imbibition also was not related to the amount of soluble sugars available in the grain among these 8 cultivars. The results show that there are significant differences in the sugar-accumulating capacity of the caryopsis of different rice cultivars. The detection of a fructose 2,6-bisphosphate-sensitive, PP_i: fructose 6-phosphate phosphototransferase (EC 2.7.1.90) in the endosperm suggests the presence of a regulatory mechanism for sucrose/starch partitioning established in other plant tissues.     

Antioxidant Composition of Red and Orange Cultivars of Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicon L): A Comparative Evaluation

Fourteen commercial cultivars of tomato were analyzed for their antioxidant composition. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in lycopene and phenolic contents between red and yellow cultivars. Red cultivars had higher lycopene content (2.735 to 6.552 mg 100g^?1) than yellow cultivars (0.769 to 1.238 mg 100g^?1). Mean total polyphenolic content and total antioxidant activity in red cultivars was also higher than those in yellow cultivars. Overall cherry tomatoes had highest phenolic content and appeared to be a promising cultivar in terms of their health promoting effects. The results highlight an existing unexploited variability in yellow tomato to improve their antioxidant properties.     

Chemical role of α-tocopherol in salt stress mitigation by improvement in morpho-physiological attributes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Elevated concentrations of salts in soil and water represent abiotic stresses. It considerably restricts plant productivity. However, the use of alpha-tocopherol (α-toc) as foliar can overcome this problem. It can improve crop productivity grown under salinity stress. Limited literature is documented regarding its optimum foliar application on sunflower. That’s why the need for the time is to optimize α-toc foliar application rates for sunflower cultivated in salt-affected soil. A pot experiment was performed to select a better α-toc foliar application for mitigation of salt stress in different sunflower cultivars FH (572 and 621). There were 2 levels of salts, i.e., control (no salt stress) and sodium chloride (120 mM) and four α-toc foliar application (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L^?1). Results showed that foliar application of 100 mg/L- α-toc triggered the remarkable increase in fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight, shoot, and root lengths under salinity stress in FH-572 and FH-621 over 0 mg/L- α-toc. Foliar application of 200 mg/L- α-toc was most effective for improvement in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids compared to 0 mg/L- α-toc. Furthermore, an increase in A was noted in FH-572 (17%) and FH-621 (22%) with α-toc (300 mg L^?1) application under saline condition. In conclusion, the 100 and 200 mg/L- α-toc are the best application rates for the improvement in sunflower FH-572 and FH-621 growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange attributes. Further investigations are needed to select a better foliar application rate between 100 and 200 mg/L- α-toc at the field level under the different agro-climatic zone and soil types.     

Effects of pyriproxyfen on some physiological aspects of the pistachio fruit hull borer,Arimania comaroffi Ragonot,pupae

The pistachio fruit hull borer, Arimania comaroffi (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is one of the minor pests of pistachio orchards. This pest passes the winter as pupae in silken cocoons in soil beside pistachio trees. In this study, effects of insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen were investigated on some physiological aspects of the pest by measuring glycogen, total sugar, lipid, protein, low-molecular-weight carbohydrates (trehalose and glucose) and polyols (sorbitol and myo-inositol) contents of the pupal body. Last larval instar was treated with 1?μl of the pesticide, and the effects on pupae were measured after one week. Glycogen content in treatment with 3.11?mg/g fresh body weight was significantly different from control with 8.51?mg/g fresh body weight, but no significant differences in protein and lipid contents (p?>?0.05) were observed. Glucose content in treated pupae with 1.50?mg/g fresh body weight was significantly different from control with 2.99?mg/g fresh body weight. Trehalose and sorbitol contents in treated pupae with 0.52 and 0.04?mg/g fresh body weight, respectively, were significantly lower than control with 2.07 and 1.5?mg/g fresh body weight, while there were no significant differences in glucose and myo-inositol contents between treated and control pupae.     

组培苗鲜罗汉果与干罗汉果营养成分的分析和比较

对组培苗鲜罗汉果与干罗汉果提取物的营养成分进行分析和比较研究,分别测定了蛋白质、脂肪、总糖、碳水化合物、灰分、矿质元素、维生素E和氨基酸含量。结果表明:组培苗鲜罗汉果和干罗汉果蛋白质含量分别为22.23%、19.8%,氨基酸总量分别为12.51%、8.36%,其中人体必需氨基酸占氨基酸总量分别为38.13%、36.36%,矿质元素含量分别为1081mg/100g、1089mg/100g,维生素E含量分别为0.183mg/100g、0.589mg/100g。组培苗鲜罗汉果的蛋白质、氨基酸含量比组培苗干罗汉果分别高2.43%、4.15%,碳水化合物、维生素E含量组培苗干罗汉果比组培苗鲜罗汉果分别高2.44%、0.406mg/100g,矿质元素、粗脂肪、总糖、灰分等含量两者不存在明显差异。     

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Twenty-Four Vitis vinifera Grapes

Grapes are rich in phytochemicals with many proven health benefits. Phenolic profiles, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of twenty-four selected Vitis vinifera grape cultivars were investigated in this study. Large ranges of variation were found in these cultivars for the contents of total phenolics (95.3 to 686.5 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (94.7 to 1055 mg/100 g) and antioxidant activities (oxygen radical absorbance capacity 378.7 to 3386.0 mg of Trolox equivalents/100 g and peroxylradical scavenging capacity14.2 to 557 mg of vitamin C equivalents/100 g), cellular antioxidant activities (3.9 to 139.9 µmol of quercetin equivalents/100 g without PBS wash and 1.4 to 95.8 µmol of quercetin equivalents /100 g with PBS wash) and antiproliferative activities (25 to 82% at the concentrations of 100 mg/mL extracts).The total antioxidant activities were significantly correlated with the total phenolics and flavonoids. However, no significant correlations were found between antiproliferative activities and total phenolics or total flavonoids content. Wine grapes and color grapes showed much higher levels of phytochemicals and antioxidant activities than table grapes and green/yellow grapes. Several germplasm accessions with much high contents of phenolics and flavonoids, and total antioxidant activity were identified. These germplasm can be valuable sources of genes for breeding grape cultivars with better nutritional qualities of wine and table grapes in the future.     

Production of Pharmaceuticals from Papaver Cultivars in Vitro

Iranian (Papaver bracteatum Lindl.) and opium poppy (P. somniferum L.) plantlets obtained from germinated seeds grown on a Murashige and Skoog basal medium (BM) readily manifest alkaloids. Temperature had a profound effect on growth and alkaloid production after 8 weeks in culture. Plantlets of poppy cultivars (cvs.) grew best at 18.5 and 20°C compared to 15 or 25°C. An alkaloid survey study with 24 Iranian and 21 opium poppy cvs. revealed that total morphinan alkaloids ranged from 0 to 6.55 mg/g dw. Prolific axillary branching was achieved from poppy cvs. by maintaining shoots on BM containing 1.0 mg/L N⁶‐benzyladenine and 0.01 mg/L α‐naphthalene acetic acid for an additional 16 weeks. The influence of vessel size on the growth response of established shoot clumps was determined by subculture in a variety of culture vessels for 8 weeks. The tested culture vessels included culture tubes (55 mm³ capacity (cap.)), babyfood jars (143 mm³ cap.), Magenta GA‐7 containers (365 mm³ cap.), and polycarbonate jars (1890 mm³ cap.) employing an in vitro hydroponics system (i.e. an automated plant culture system (APCS)). Highest growth rates occurred employing the APCS. The culture vessel capacity had a significant positive correlation on shoot length, fresh weight, number of leaves, and number of shoots. Shoot length, fresh weight, leaves, and shoots grown in the APCS exhibited increases of 1‐, 21.5‐, 7.8‐, and 8.3‐fold, respectively, compared to shoots grown in culture tubes. Higher culture growth rates that occurred in the larger‐size vessels were correlated with lower alkaloid production (mg alkaloids/g dw). However, the overall total alkaloids/vessel [(mg alkaloid/g dw)×g culture dw] increased because of greater biomass production per vessel. The alkaloid content was found to remain stable for shoots grown over a 6–month evaluation period.     

Influence of S-ethyl Dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) on the Fatty Acid Composition of Wheat Leaf Galactolipids

Winter wheat (Triticum sativum L. cv. Nisu) was grown in sand which contained 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate (EPTC) per kg air dry sand. The galactolipids of leaves of 21-day-old seedlings were isolated by preparative thin layer chromatography. The fatty acids of the mono- and digalactosyl diglycerides were analysed by gas liquid capillary chromatography. The major fatty acids of the wheat leaf galactolipids were palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, vaccenic, linoleic and linolenic acids (in the monogalactosyl diglyceride fraction of untreated plants 22.5, 2.4, 3.1, 5.2, 2.5, 51.1 and 1526.6 μg and in the digalactosyl diglyceride fraction 108.8, 2.3, 10.4, 9.9, 8.2, 42.3 and 1120.7 μg/g leaf fresh weight, respectively). Total fatty acid content of the mono- and digalactosyl diglyceride fractions was decreased by 85 and 87%, respectively, at 1 mg EPTC/kg sand, while decrease in the fresh weight of the leaves was 79%. The content of linoleic and linolenic acids/g fresh weight of the leaves was decreased in the monogalactosyl diglyceride fraction by 27 and 43%, respectively, while the content of all other fatty acids was increased. In the digalactosyl diglyceride fraction the content of both linoleic and linolenic acids/g leaf fresh weight was decreased by 55%. The content of palmitic and vaccenic acids was also decreased, whereas the content of other fatty acids remained at the level of the untreated samples. The general quality of the fatty acids in the mono- and digalactosyl diglyceride fractions was altered slightly by EPTC.     

Phytochemical profiling,antioxidant and HepG2 cancer cells’ antiproliferation potential in the kernels of apricot cultivars

Phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cells were studied in the kernels of apricot cultivars grown in the northern areas of Pakistan.Relatively, the kernel of Habbi cultivar/AP-12 depicted significant potential to scavenge DPPH and ABTS+ free radicals as well as oxygen radical absorbance capacity along with highest contents of total flavonoids, phenolics, chlorogenic and syringic acids on dry weight basis. The average concentration of quercetin ranged 0.072–1.343 mg/100 g, and of EGCG from 0.713 to 6.521 mg/100 g with maximum concentration in Hulappa/AP-3 and Kho Chali-Khatta 3/AP-17, respectively. Amygdalin content was highest (1145 mg/100 g) in the kernel of Balaani/AP-14. Highest inhibition of HepG2 cells was found in the kernel of Waflu Chuli/AP-9 (EC50 = 15.70 ± 3.77 mg/mL). The PCA showed significant contributions of polyphenols and flavonoids towards biochemical assays, while CA revealed similarities and associations among various cultivars. Our study revealed that Habbi, Waflu Chuli, Thukdeena and Balaani kernels are rich sources of bioactive compounds and possess significant antioxidant and anticancer activity and can contribute considerably in the prevention and treatment of chronic health disorders.     

Effect of seaweed extracts on the growth and biochemical constituents of Vigna sinensis

The effect of seaweed liquid fertilizers (SLF) of Sargassum wightii and Caulerpa chemnitzia on growth and biochemical constituents of Vigna sinensis was studied. The seeds soaked with aqueous extract of seaweeds performed better when compared to the water soaked controls. Hundred per cent germination was recorded both in aqueous extract soaked and water soaked treatments. The low concentration (20%) of aqueous extracts of S. wightii and C. chemnitzia promoted the seedling growth including the parameters of shoot length (15.87, 14.13 cm/seedling), root length (6.42, 5.38 cm/seedling), fresh weight (4.017, 4.012 g/seedling) and dry weight (0.878, 0.865 g/seedling), chlorophyll (1.599, 1.491 mg g-1 fr. wt.), carotenoids (0.899, 0.875 mg g-1 fr. wt.), protein content of shoot (3.956, 3.474 mg g-1 fr. wt.) and root (2.926, 2.890 mg g-1 fr. wt.), amino acid content of shoot (1.447, 1.429 mg g-1 fr. wt.) and root (0.698, 0.680 mg g-1 fr. wt.), reducing sugar content of shoot (6.426, 6.233 mg g-1 fr. wt.) and root (5.118, 5.103 mg g-1 fr. wt.), total sugar content of shoot (11.846, 11.350 mg g-1 fr. wt.) and root (10.368, 10.102 mg g-1 fr. wt.), alpha-amylase (1.927, 1.819 microg min-1 mg-1 protein) and beta-amylase (1.730, 1.617 microg min-1 mg-1 protein) activities in V. sinensis. Among the two seaweeds tested, S. wightii exhibited better responses.     

Genetic study of resistance to inhibitory effects of UV radiation in rice (Oryza sativa)

Genetic analysis of resistance to the inhibitory effects of UV radiation on growth of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cultivars was carried out. Some experimental plants were grown in visible radiation supplemented with UV radiation containing a large amount of UV-B and a small amount of UV-C in a phytotron, while others were grown without UV radiation. The degree of resistance to UV radiation was estimated in terms of the degree of reduction caused by supplemental UV radiation in the fresh weight of the aboveground plant parts and the chlorophyll content per unit fresh weight. Fresh weight and chlorophyll content in F₂ plants generated by reciprocally crossing cv. Sasanishiki, a cultivar more resistant to UV radiation, and Norin 1, a cultivar less resistant to such radiation exhibited a normal frequency distribution. The heritabilities of these two properties in F₂ plants were low under conditions of non-supplemental UV radiation. Under elevated UV radiation, the F₂ population shifted to the lower range of fresh weight and chlorophyll content, and the means were close to those of Norin 1. The heritabilities of these two properties were the same in the reciprocal crosses, indicating that maternal inheritance was not involved. Inheritance of chlorophyll content per unit fresh weight was further determined in F₃ lines generated by self-fertilizing F₂ plants of Sasanishiki and Norin 1. The results showed that the F₃ population was segregated into three genotypes, namely, resistant homozygotes, segregated heterozygotes and sensitive homozygotes, with a ratio of 1:65:16.
It was thus evident that the resistance to the inhibitory effect of elevated UV radiation in these rice plants was controlled by recessive polygenes.     

Effect of soil cadmium application and pH on growth and cadmium accumulation in roots, leaves and fruit of strawberry plants (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Three strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars Rainier, Totem and Selva were grown under greenhouse conditions in a Parkhill sandy loam soil with a background DTPA-extractable Cd concentration of 0.18 mg kg^-1 and a pH of 5.1. Experimental treatments included combinations of 4 Cd applications (0, 15, 30 and 60 mg Cd kg^-1 soil) applied as CdSO₄ and 2 soil pH values 5.1 and 6.8. Both the application of Cd and pH of the soil significantly affected plant growth, yield and Cd accumulation in plant tissue anf fruit. Although roots accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd of all plant parts investigated, increased soil Cd application reduced leaf weight more than root weight. In general, yield of strawberries was decreased by an increase in amount of soil-applied Cd, however the yield response varied among cultivars. At 60 mg Cd kg^-1 soil, yield of Rainier cultivar was reduced to 17.6% of control plants. Over 90% of total Cd taken up by plants grown in Cd-treated soil accumulated in roots, regardless of the Cd level in the soil. Root Cd concentrations ranged from 2.6 mg kg^-1 (control plants) to 505.7 mg kg^-1 (Totem plants grown in soil at highest Cd and a soil pH 5.1) and were directly related to soil Cd concentrations. Cd translocation from roots to leaves and fruit was very limited, resulting in a maximum Cd concentration in root leaf tissue of 10.2 mg kg^-1. Accumulation of Cd in fruit was found to correlate well with leaf Cd, although even at the highest amount of applied Cd, fruit Cd concentration did not exceed 700 g kg^-1 of fresh weight.Contribution no. 951     

Chemical role of α-tocopherol in salt stress mitigation by improvement in morpho-physiological attributes of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Elevated concentrations of salts in soil and water represent abiotic stresses. It considerably restricts plant productivity. However, the use of alpha-tocopherol (α-toc) as foliar can overcome this problem. It can improve crop productivity grown under salinity stress. Limited literature is documented regarding its optimum foliar application on sunflower. That’s why the need for the time is to optimize α-toc foliar application rates for sunflower cultivated in salt-affected soil. A pot experiment was performed to select a better α-toc foliar application for mitigation of salt stress in different sunflower cultivars FH (572 and 621). There were 2 levels of salts, i.e., control (no salt stress) and sodium chloride (120 mM) and four α-toc foliar application (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L⁻¹). Results showed that foliar application of 100 mg/L- α-toc triggered the remarkable increase in fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight, shoot, and root lengths under salinity stress in FH-572 and FH-621 over 0 mg/L- α-toc. Foliar application of 200 mg/L- α-toc was most effective for improvement in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids compared to 0 mg/L- α-toc. Furthermore, an increase in A was noted in FH-572 (17%) and FH-621 (22%) with α-toc (300 mg L⁻¹) application under saline condition. In conclusion, the 100 and 200 mg/L- α-toc are the best application rates for the improvement in sunflower FH-572 and FH-621 growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange attributes. Further investigations are needed to select a better foliar application rate between 100 and 200 mg/L- α-toc at the field level under the different agro-climatic zone and soil types.     

Induction of tropane alkaloid formation in transformed root cultures of Brugmansia suaveolens (Solanaceae)

Hairy root cultures of Brugmansia suaveolens were set up by infection of root tips with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The successful transformation was confirmed by analysing rolC and virC genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hairy root cultures were employed to study the formation of tropane alkaloids, such as hyoscyamine. The transformed cultures were incubated with potential elicitors, such as methyljasmonate, quercetin and salicylic acid in order to stimulate the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids. Profile and amounts of tropane alkaloids were analysed using capillary GLC-MS. At least 18 different tropane alkaloids could be identified. Treatment of the cultures with 200 microM methyljasmonate increased the alkaloid accumulation 25-fold up to a level of 1 mg/g fresh weight as compared to untreated controls. Quercetin enhanced the alkaloid production 10 fold (0.4 mg/g fresh weight) within 24 h. In contrast 100 microM salicylic acid decreased alkaloids to a level of 1 microg/g fresh weight.     

Wheat growth responses of cultivars to H+ concentration

Shoot length (cm), shoot fresh weight (g/pot), root length (cm), and root fresh weight (g/pot) were measured on six cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Saluda, C9733, Gore, Stacy, FL301, and FL302) grown at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, or 4.0 for 14 days in white quartz flintshot sand. Plants were watered on alternate days with pH-adjusted buffer solutions. All measured plant parameters decreased as H⁺ concentration increased from pH 6.0 to 4.0. Decreased lengths of shoots and roots were similar among the cultivars as the pH decreased. This indicated a uniform response of wheat cultivars to excess H⁺ concentration in the soil solution; however, the decrease in shoot and root length was only about 50% as large as was previously reported for sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.].     

Effects of storage temperatures and annealing conditions on the structure and properties of potato (Solanum tuberosum) starch

Starches were extracted from freshly harvested potatoes (12 cultivars, grown in Perthshire) and the properties of the starches of six cultivars were compared with starches extracted from the same samples but stored at 5, 25 or 55 degrees C for 7 days before extraction. The amylose (total) content of the freshly extracted starches from tubers stored at 5, 25 or 55 degrees C was on average 27.9+/-2.3, 28.3+/-1.7, 29.2+/-2.2 and 28.8+/-1.5%, respectively, with corresponding phosphorus representing 60+/-16, 64+/-9, 61+/-5 and 63+/-9 mg 100 g(-1). The unit chain distribution by chromatography of the amylopectin molecules from the starches extracted from the different conditions was very similar with an average degree of polymerisation (DP) of 26+/-2 where the two major fractions (F1 and F2) represented 54+/-2 and 19+/-1, respectively. Peak gelatinisation temperatures (Tp) and enthalpies (DeltaH) for the freshly extracted starches and from tubers stored at 5 or 25 degrees C were very similar (63.3+/-1.5 degrees C and 18.6+/-0.8 J g(-1); 63.1+/-1.0 degrees C and 17.7+/-1.5 J g(-1) and; 62.9+/-0.7 degrees C and 18.7+/-1.1 J g(-1), respectively) although starches stored at 55 degrees C were annealed, where Tp represented 71.1+/-1.1 degrees C and DeltaH 18.1+/-1.4 J g(-1). These in situ-annealed starches were comparable in terms of gelatinisation characteristics to annealed freshly extracted starches where on average, T(p) represented 72.7+/-1.0 degrees C and DeltaH 20.8+/-1.0 J g(-1). Annealing of tubers in situ prior to processing might be beneficial with respect to developing new potato-based products.     

银耳‘绣银1号’的选育报告

银耳‘绣银1号’由福建省安溪县采集的野生银耳(TWW01-AX)经多次分离纯化和反复驯化系统选育而成。适合袋栽、瓶栽和段木栽培,银耳菌丝白色或淡黄色,具有锁状联合,子实体由多片波浪状卷曲的耳片组成绣球状或菊花状,耳片边缘呈锯齿状,不规则;新鲜银耳呈淡黄色、半透明。栽培周期约为43 d,鲜耳平均直径13.4 cm,厚度7.0 cm,干耳平均产量81.9 g/袋,相比于主栽品种,总糖含量高,耳心硬度部分小,子实体隆起度高,适应性广,稳定性强,有良好的生产应用价值。     

Variability among lettuce cultivars grown at two levels of available phosphorus

Fifteen lettuce cultivars representing three different morphological types were grown in a sand alumina system under conditions of low (deficient) and high (sufficient) P supply. An efficient plant was defined as one that produced a large shoot fresh weight under low P conditions. Cultivars within their respective groups varied significantly for some traits that appeared to be important in determining adaptation to P. This led to the conclusion that accumulation of P in shoot tissue or the total plant was the main difference between efficient and inefficient cultivars. Accumlation of P seemed to be due to a greater absorption capability of roots or greater root mass (weight), depending on the different lettuce groups. Differences in internal use of P did not contribute to differences in shoot fresh weight.The butterhead cultivars were the least efficient plants when grown under low P. Compared to the other groups, plants has lower translocation efficiency and a greater root: shoot ratio. Never-the-less, butterhead cultivars as efficient as the best cultivars of other groups were found. There were no differences between Brazilian and American cultivars for any of the traits analysed, probably due to the fact that in both countries vegetables are bred under high fertility levels and grown with heavy applications of fertilizers. The results of this study demonstrate that there were genotypic variability and/or genotype×environment interaction effects for shoot weight (yield) among the lettuce cultivars grown under low P conditions imposed in the sand-alumina system.     

Impact of tillage practices on Hessian fly-susceptible and resistant spring wheat cultivars

Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is a residue-borne pest of spring wheat that can become important in reduced tillage production systems. The relative abundance of Hessian fly was examined on spring wheat cultivars grown under conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) practices in northern Idaho from 2000 to 2002. Six cultivars were tested: Hessian fly-susceptible 'Penawawa' and'Westbred 936' and -resistant (H3 gene) 'Wawawai', 'Jefferson', 'Hank', and 'Westbred 926.' Hessian fly egg densities were not significantly different among treatments, indicating ovipositing females showed no preference for tillage treatment or cultivar. Mean number of Hessian fly puparia per plant was significantly greater in CT plots during the last sampling in 2000; however, in 2001, NT plots had significantly more puparia than CT plots. Tillage had no significant effect on mean Hessian fly per plant in 2002. Significantly more puparia were observed on susceptible compared with resistant cultivars in 2000 and 2002. In 2001, susceptible Penawawa had significantly more puparia than resistant cultivars, whereas puparial densities on susceptible Westbred 936 were higher than on resistant cultivars other than Wawawai. Yield and 100-seed weight were not affected by tillage treatment. Significant variation in yield among cultivars was observed only in 2000, when fly-resistant Hank yielded the highest. Hank had the highest 100-seed weight in 2000 and 2001, whereas Penawawa and Jefferson had the lowest 100-seed weights each year. Reduced tillage had no consistent effect on spring wheat yield or abundance of Hessian fly under the conditions of our trials, which evaluated small plots.