Abstract: The objectives of the present study were to study the morphological characteristics, yield components, chemical compositions and genetic relatedness of six wheat Triticum spp genotypes frequently grown under rain-fed conditions at the southern highland of West-Bank, Palestine. Three local genotypes commonly known as Black-Depia, White-Depia, and White-Hetia, and three introduced ones namely Ambar, Sham-3, and Sham-5, were allocated at three different agro-ecological conditions namely Al-Arroub, Dora, and Janata using completely randomized block design, with five replications (net plot size of 25 m 2 areas per replicate). The results showed significant variations among the six wheat genotypes almost for all measured parameters (maturation and harvesting date, stem length, tillering, number of grains per spike, average spike weight, spike length, spike length with awns, weight of 100 seeds per genotypes, and total yields). Generally, local wheat genotypes presented better yield than the introduced ones. Black-Depia genotype showed the highest yield (grain plus hay) among the three examined sites therefore, it could be a promising cultivar for any further breeding program especially for drought tolerance; however, the lowest yields were obtained in Sham-5 and Sham-3 at Janata site, respectively. Regarding wheat quality parameters, no significant variations were observed for any conducted analyses, however, there were trends for higher protein contents in Sham-5 and White-Hetia genotypes. UPGMA dendrogram clustered the examined six wheat genotypes into two main clusters related to Black-Depia as an isolated genotype. The first cluster is composed of “Sham-5, White-Hetia and Sham-3 genotypes; and the second cluster consisted of White-Depia and Amber genotypes.

Abstract: The replacement of open pollinated varieties by hybrids is an effective way to increase the maize production. The access to hybrid maize is very limited for Nepalese farmers. In order to identify high yielding maize hybrids, eighteen maize hybrids were tested under coordinated varietal trial using randomized complete block design in two replicates in 2007/08 to 2008 /09 during winter seasons at National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The results showed that, among studied traits, hybrids exhibited significant differences for tasseling, silking and grain yield in both years. The hybrid namely L3/L2 produced the highest grain yield (7.2 t/ha) followed by L1/L3 (6.4 t/ha) and P UTU-20/AG-27 (5.9 t/ha), respectively. The results indicated that these hybrids were promising; they should be tested under on-farms and promoted for general cultivation in Terai region of Nepal.

Abstract: Munronia pinnata (Wall) The ob (Meliaceae) is a rare, therapeutically important medicinal plant used in traditional and folklore medicine in Sri Lanka. Available species/morphotypes/ecotypes of M. pinnata in different locations exhibit diverse range of variations suggesting the possible revision of current taxonomic status. Present study compares seventy different vegetative and reproductive morphological characters in order to suggest the possible taxonomic delimitation of 13 populations of M. pinnata available in Sri Lanka. A cluster analysis and a Principle Component analysis (PCA) were performed using average taxonomic distance. A single access (sequential), key to sub specific taxa was constructed using stable morphological characters. In the cluster, APRG - 5 populations (Population collected from Ritigala forest) has got separated from all the other populations at a distance of about 100%. Populations collected from the same geographical areas (Gampaha district GPPW - 3, GPWP - 3; Moneragala district MGMG - 9 MGWW - 7; Nuwara Eliya district NEKP - 3, NEMR - 3) have grouped closely either in the dendrogramme or in PCA or both. Based on the results, it could be concluded that population APRG - 5 is distantly related to all others and deserved placing as a sub specific taxon of M. pinnata. Further, populations collected from the same geographical area seem to be closely related with one another. Sequential key prepared using morphological characters could be used for the identification of M. pinnata populations even in the absence of flowers.

Abstract: Size selection of agricultural machinery must necessarily base on anticipated performance and anticipated cost. In field machinery selection, the most pertinent variable is size or capacity of the machine. A computer program was developed in C⁺⁺ programming language, to predicted implement performance parameters are total field time, theoretical field capacity, effective field capacity and field efficiency for 1.0, 1.5 and 2 m width implement at operation speed of 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 km/hr. Program was built, compiled and was then debugged. It was found that as speed and implement width increased, the total field time decreased while theoretical field capacity and effective field capacity increased and field efficiency decreased. The highest field efficiency was 85.5% and it was recorded by implement width of 2 m at 4.5 km/hr speed while the lowest field efficiency was 80.7% and it was recorded by implement width of 1 m 6 km/hr. It was concluded that width of plow found to has higher effect than plow operating speed on increasing the effective field capacity, consequently, the field efficiency.

Abstract: Salicylic acid is a natural chemical used to enhance biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. In our experiment we studied about the effect of salicylic acid on the growth of the capsicum under water stress condition. Four concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mM) of salicylic acid (SA) were applied through seed soaked method. Pretreatment with salicylic acid improved the majority of physiological and morphological parameters measured in capsicum seedling and plants. Results showed that SA treatment reduced the injury rating value, electrolyte leakage and increased proline content in seedlings, the dry matter of plants and ultimately yield. The best drought protection observed when the seeds were soaked in 0.50 mM SA.