Abstract:Corchorus olitorius (L.) is an important leafy vegetable known for its rich source of several nutrients and dietary fibre in

It has been shown that the adverse effects of salinity can vary between different varieties of the same plant species. This study was conducted to determine the tolerability of three newly released lines of maize to saline conditions when primed with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salicylic acid (SA) each at 1.0 M concentration; seeds primed with distilled water were used as control. Concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 300 mM NaCl were tested. The experiment followed a 3x3x5 factorial arrangement of treatments with three replications. The results revealed significant interaction between maize lines and salinity where the germination percentage of line SWAN-LSR-Y was much more affected than the other lines at the salinity level of 50 mM, and its speed of germination was more affected than the others when passing from 150 to 300 mM NaCl. The seedling lengths (radicle and plumule) and seed vigor index were influenced by significant interaction between the primer and salinity, where EDTA enhanced better seedling growth than the other primers when the salinity did not exceed 150 mM. OMR-LSR-SY maize line did not show tolerability at this concentration. Similarly, EDTA and SA treated maize lines showed lower accumulation of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion radical (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as well as a decrease in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, most importantly in SWAN-LSR-Y and BR9928-OMR-SR-Y maize lines. Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were enhanced in SWAN-LSR- Y and BR9928-OMR-SR-Y upon application of EDTA.

The low level of carbonic anhydrase activity in groundnut grown on soil with limited zinc (Zn) content is one of the factors responsible for low yield in groundnuts in Nigeria. Hence, this study was carried out to further strengthen the significance of Zn in enhancing photosynthetic processes through carbonic anhydrase activity. It also determines how Zn application affects biochemical components, growth, yield and composition of Arachis hypogaea cv SAMNUT 22. In this study, a potexperiment was performed to investigate the effects of five concentrations of Zn applied in form of zinc oxide (0.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00 and 4.00 gL-1ZnO) on the chlorophyll, carbonic anhydrase activity, bio-productivity and proximate composition of groundnut seeds. Data on the aforementioned parameters were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance and means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test at p<0.05. The results showed that total chlorophyll in leaves increased with increasing concentration of ZnO and hence the lowest and highest chlorophyll were recorded in 1.00 gL-1 and 4.00 gL-1 respectively. Carbonic anhydrase, after flowering showed a marked improvement with increases in ZnO application compared to the control. The bio-productivity in terms of growth components and yield attributes were respectively enhanced when the concentration of the applied ZnO is increased. Carbohydrate, protein and ash content of harvested seeds were significantly higher (p<0.05) in ZnO treated plants when compared to the control. The results indicated that application of ZnO at 4.00 gL-1 is considered optimum for enhancement of biochemical, growth and yield attributes of the studied groundnut. Also, the reported concentrations of ZnO showed positive influences only on carbohydrate, protein and ash contents of the harvested seeds.

Seed priming is used to achieve different objectives of crop production. These include better germination, improved growth and yield as well as better tolerance to different environmental stresses. Some of the methods employed work for some crops while they are detrimental to others. The present work x-rayed different aspects of priming technology starting from its types and ends with its direct and indirect effects. It started with explanation of different types of priming media: hydro-priming, osmo-priming, hormonal and chemical priming. It then examined optimum priming concentration and duration. It also looked into how seed priming improves yield and yield quality of different crops. It further examined how seed priming aids direct seeding, confers tolerance against drought, salinity and low temperature stresses in plants. In addition, it discussed how thermo-inhibition and oxidative stress are alleviated with seed priming. In the same vein, It explained some of the mechanisms of priming operation and answered the question on whether seed priming is a source of stress to seeds or not. Moreover, it justifiably elucidated biochemical and enzymatic changes, pattern of genetic expression, and proteomics of primed seeds and their resulting plants. Finally, it answered the question on whether seed priming has direct or indirect effects on plants. The information contained in this paper will aid understanding of seed priming technology and make transition from its theoretical knowledge to practical use an easy task.

Background: The low yield in groundnut which can be partly attributed to poor land preparation methods necessitated the need for alternative strategy of land preparation that will promote higher productivity in groundnut farming. Methods: A field experiment was carried out in two separate locations between May and August in 2016 to assess the effect of planting methods on growth and yield of groundnut cultivars. Result: The results revealed that groundnut crop sown on modified ridges and furrow with narrow furrow planting recorded significantly higher plant height, number of leaves, 50% flowering, yield attributes and yield when compared to other methods of planting All the groundnut cultivars responded positively to all planting methods except those grown on flat surface without beds. However, modified ridges and furrow with narrow furrow planting proved to be the best method.