Studies of predator-prey interactions have found that geographically structured coevolution has played an important role in the adaptive diversification of crossbills (Loxia spp.). We extend those studies by considering common crossbills (L. curvirostra) in the Mediterranean where they rely on seeds in the cones of black pine (Pinus nigra). On the continent, where tree squirrels (Sciurus vulgar...

Changes in catalase (CAT) activity and in CAT isoform pattern and expression were investigated in developing sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds during desiccation on the mother plant and after artificial drying on the flowerheads. Seeds regularly desiccated during their development on the mother plant and reached mass maturity at c. 42 d after flowering (DAF). Freshly harvested seeds did no...

Soybean seed is usually not carried-over to the next planting season because it deteriorates rapidly in storage, resulting in poor growth when planted. This rapid deterioration is a serious problem in seed production. The short shelf life of soybean seed is the result of its high lipid content and high levels of polyunsaturated linolenic and linoleic acids. The soybean production practice of pl...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Most studies on seed position-dependent effects have focused on germination characteristics. Our aim was to determine the effects of seed position in the spikelet on differences in timing of germination and on the ecological life history of the grass Eremopyrum distans in its cold desert habitat. METHODS For seeds in three spikelet positions, morphology, mass and dormancy/...

an experiment was conducted at assossa agricultural research center (aarc) station during 2008 cropping season in order to study the effects of co-inoculation of bradyrhizobium japonicum (tal-378 and tal-379) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (psb) (pseudomonas spp.), and conventional farmers’ fertilizer level (combined and individual application of 46n kg ha-1 and 46 p2o5 kg ha-1) on nodulat...

fajr (ksc 260) is an early maturity grain maize hybrid that has been developed from a cross between two inbred lines (k1264/5-1×k615/1). this cross was carried out in 1998, for the first time. several characteristics of fajr hybrid were studied in different trials (preliminary, semi final, final and on-farm trails) over several locations during 1998 to 2005. the mean grain yield of the hybrid o...

In order to investigate the influence of sulfur coated seeds in SCS (a moisture absorbent polymer layer on seeds) on physiological traits of cotton, a field experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with factorial arrangement with 3 replications. Three planting date included early (E), optimum (O), and delayed (D) planting time. Seed coating priming treatments consisted of F (fuz...

cantaloupe (cucumis melo var reticulatus) belongs to cucurbitaceae family and is cultivated in various parts of iran. polyethylene mulches have recently been used in vegetable growing, for different purposes. to study the effects of different polythylehe mulches on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of cantaloupe, an experiment was conducted in kaboutar-abad agricultural research ...