Genetic diversity is important for developing salt‐tolerant rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. Certain Thai rice accessions display salt tolerance at the adult or reproductive stage, but their response to salinity at the seedling stage is unknown. In this study, a total of 10 rice cultivars/line, including eight Thai cultivars and standard salt‐tolerant cultivar and susceptible line, were screened using a hydroponic system to identify salt‐tolerant genotypes at the seedling stage. Different morphophysiological indicators were used to classify tolerant and susceptible genotypes. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to determine the evolutionary relationships between the cultivars. Results showed that ‘Lai Mahk’, ‘Jao Khao’, ‘Luang Pratahn’, and ‘Ma Gawk’ exhibited salt stress tolerance comparable with the standard salt‐tolerance check ‘Pokkali’. Whole‐exome single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based phylogenetic analysis showed that the Thai rice cultivars were monophyletic and distantly related to Pokkali and IR29. Lai Mahk and Luang Pratahn were found closely related when using the whole‐exome SNPs for the analysis. This is also the case for the analysis of SNPs from 164 salt‐tolerance genes and transcription regulatory genes. The tolerant cultivars shared the same haplotype for 16 genes. Overall, the findings of this study identified four salt‐stress‐tolerant Thai rice cultivars, which could be used in rice breeding programs for salinity tolerance.

The study evaluated the proximate, minerals and antinutrient contents of the plant Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) decne (Asclepiadaceae). Nutrient and antinutritional factors were determined using standard analytical methods and parameters subjected to statistical analysis. Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca) and Cobalt (Co) were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem while Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg) were found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the tender stems when compared to the leaves. The percentages of Moisture content, Crude proteins and Total ash were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem while crude fiber and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the stem when compared to the leaves. Oxalate and phytic acid were anti nutrient found to be significantly (p<0.001) higher in the leaves when compared to the tender stem. However, Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Potassium (K) and Crude fat were not significantly (p>0.05) different when compared in the leaves and tender stem. Correlation analysis indicated that antinutrient contents in the tender stems will not affect the mineral absorption in the leaves while negative correlation between Fe and Cu in the stems could affect the absorption of iron. Therefore, Leptadenia hastata leave and tender stem consumed in soup and local salad in northern Nigeria proved to be rich in minerals and nutrients to support its dietary role as a consumed vegetable.

Aims: To study the effects of mine tailings on the growth and yield of two genotypes of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Study Design: The experiment was laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments, two blocks and each block was replicated three times. Place and Duration of Study: Botanical Garden, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria during the rainy season in a field experiment in 2014. Methodology: The mine tailings combinations include four different additions mine tailings soil {(T0) 0 kg as control, (T1) 2 kg, (T2) 3 kg, (T3) 4 kg} and the respective mine tailings soils were added to 6.3 kg of normal soil. Two common bean accessions were used (Cranberry-G1 and Pinto-G2), which gave the total of eight treatment combinations (T0G1, T0G2, T1G1, T1G2, T2G1, T2G2, T3G1, T3G2). Results: The control recorded significant higher mean plant height (cm), number of leaves and number of trifoliate leaves, number of pods and number of seeds per pod in both genotypes for all the different weeks after planting (WAP). A significant decrease in plant height, number of trifoliate leaves, number of leaves per plant, number of pods and number of seeds per pod in both genotypes were observed with increased levels of mine tailings. There was a significant increase in time to 50% flower and 50% pod production (P = 0.01) over the control which increased with increasing levels of mine tailings. The genotypes exhibited no significant difference (P = 0.05) for most traits accessed, except for number of pod per plant. It is evident from the findings that Cranberry is more tolerant to heavy metals contamination in soil, perhaps may be more suitable for planting in such mining soils. Conclusion: The study showed that inclusion of mine tailings had detrimental effect on both the growth and yield of common bean.