The current US corn grading system accounts for the portion of damaged kernels, measured by timeconsuming and inaccurate visual inspection. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), a non-destructive and fast analytical method, was tested as a tool for discriminating corn kernels with heat and frost damage. Four classification algorithms were utilized: Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-...

Micropropagated and seed-born silver birches (Betula pendula Roth) were compared for survival, height growth and occurrence of biotic damage (voles, hares, mooses, stem lesions and cankers) in fi eld trials in southern Finland. The material consisted of 11 clones and 10 different lots of seedlings growing in 10 fi eld trials, established in clearcut forest cultivation areas. The plants were 6–7...

Dietary proanthocyanidins (PACs) as health-protective agents have become an important area of human nutrition research because of their potent bioactivities. We investigated the retinoprotective effects of PACs from sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed against visible light-induced retinal degeneration in vivo. Pigmented rabbits were orally administered sea buckthorn seed PACs (50 and 1...

SIDHU, S. S., and R. J. STANIFORTH. 1986. Effects of atmospheric fluorides on foliage, and cone and seed production in balsam fir, black spruce, and larch. Can. J. Bot. 64: 923-931. Fluoride accumulations and damage symptoms to foliage, cones, and seeds of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), and larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) were monito...

The timing of harvest is a major factor affecting seed quality in soybean, particularly in Midsouthern USA, when rain during harvest period is not uncommon. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of time of harvest on soybean seed quality (seed composition, germination, seed coat boron, and lignin) in high germinability (HG) breeding lines (50% exotic) developed under high h...

Soybean is an important commercial crop known as the “GOLDEN BEAN”. Damage is an important quality factor for grading, marketing and end use of Soybean. Seed damage can be caused by weather, fungi, insects, artificial drying, and by mechanical damage during harvest, transportation, storage and handling. Seed-borne pathogens causes enormous losses to crops in the world as well as in India. The p...

INTRODUCTION: Head scab caused by Fusarium graminaerum (Schwabe) has caused significant losses in the soft red winter wheat crop in Kentucky and in small grain crops in many regions of North America. Damage from head scab results in reductions in seed quality, emergence, and yield of wheat. In addition, losses in food-grain quality are caused by production of fungal mycotoxins, specifically vom...

In a two-year study, aqueous seed extracts of the neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) and Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) were evaluated in the field for the management of pests of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. The aqueous neem seed extracts were applied at the rate of 30, 50, 75 and 100 g/l and B.thurigiensis was applied at the rate 1.0 g/l of water. Actellic 25 EC, a synth...

Seed dispersal by ants (myrmecochory) is widespread, and seed adaptations to myrmecochory are common, especially in the form of fatty appendices (elaiosomes). In a recent study, slugs were identified as seed dispersers of myrmecochores in a central European beech forest. Here we used 105 beech forest sites to test whether myrmecochore presence and abundance is related to ant or gastropod abunda...

Seed deterioration is loss of seed quality, viability and vigor due to effect of adverse environmental factors. Many of our crops are reproduced through seeds, and throughout the world large quantities are produced, stored and transported. Seed ageing during storage may cause retardation of field establishment, and may eventually result in seedling abnormalities or even failure of emergence. Du...