Campbell, L. G., Teitel, Z., Miriti, M. N. and Snow, A. A. 2014. Context-specific enhanced invasiveness of Raphanus crop-wild hybrids: A test for associations between greater fecundity and population growth. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1315-1324. Evolution by crop-wild hybridization may create plant lineages with greater population growth rates, dispersal, and persistence than weedy progenitors, depending upon plant density. We asked: (1) how does hybridization affect demography and population growth rate (lambda, λ) and (2) how does density affect demography and λ? Over 1 yr, we followed wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum and crop-wild hybrid, Raphanus sativus×R. raphanistrum, plants grown in 18 experimental sub-populations (originally derived from three wild and three hybrid populations) to assess contributions of germination, survival, and seed production to λ. We explored genotypic differences in demographic characteristics of low- and high-density populations (from populations grown at unmanipulated densities for three generations), using a LTRE. Hybrid populations had greater λs than weedy progenitors when grown in low (but not high) densities. Seed production was more influential on λ than germination or survival, and seed mortality was least influential. Our results indicate weedy Raphanus populations may be best controlled by limiting seed production, rather than killing plants outright or preventing seeds from germinating. Furthermore, relative invasiveness of genotypes is density-dependent, low-density conditions improving potential invasiveness of hybrid populations. We emphasize that assessing invasive potential of a plant will be more successful if one uses a comprehensive demographic approach accounting for a weed's entire life history.

Zhang, T., Lamb, E. G., Soto-Cerda, B., Duguid, S., Cloutier, S., Rowland, G., Diederichsen, A. and Booker, H. M. 2014. Structural equation modeling of the Canadian flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) core collection for multiple phenotypic traits. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1325-1332. Flax seed yield is a complex trait that results from the inter-relationship between many crop characteristics. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical method used to determine the relationship between measured variables such as crop characteristics. Crop phenology, canopy traits, yield, and its components were included in structural equation models to determine how these crop characteristics relate to seed yield in a phenotypically diverse collection of flax germplasm. Early season vigor (scored as greater plant stand) was positively associated with canopy light interception and higher seed yield. Plant height also had a significant positive effect on seed yield. Moreover, yield components such as 1000-seed weight, number of bolls per unit area, and boll weight were strongly and positively correlated with seed yield. Focusing on yield-related traits, canopy architecture and expansion, and seed weight may be advantageous over yield per se in breeding for yield improvement.

Jain, S., Porter, L. D., Kumar, A., Mir, R. R., Eigenbrode, S. D. and McPhee, K. E. 2014. Molecular and phenotypic characterization of variation related to pea enation mosaic virus resistance in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1333-1344. Identification of genetically diverse lentil germplasm with resistance to pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) through the combined approach of molecular marker analysis and phenotyping could prove useful in breeding programs. A total of 44 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) accessions, were screened for resistance to PEMV. Two accessions (PI 431663 and PI 432028) were identified with resistance to PEMV in field tests while several accessions were found resistant in greenhouse screenings. Thirty-six polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers which produced 43 loci with 2 to 12 alleles per locus were used for genetic diversity analysis. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values for these markers ranged from 0.22-0.85 with a mean of 0.55 per marker. Using allelic data of 36 SSR primer pairs, dissimilarity ranging from 0.12 to 0.74 was calculated. Cluster analysis performed using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) determined that most of PEMV-resistant accessions were grouped in one cluster along with other accessions from Iran, Chile, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan and Lebanon. All the adapted cultivars originating from North and South America were grouped in another cluster along with some European accessions. The 44 accessions were classified into 4 subpopulations using Structure 2.2 software complimenting the results of UPGMA analysis and indicated the effect of geographical origin on the grouping of accessions. The results of this study can be used to select genetically diverse PEMV-resistant accessions for lentil improvement programs.

Jin, W., Wang, Y. and Wang, H. 2014. Adventitious shoot regeneration from leaves of apple rootstock ‘Pingyitiancha’ (Malus hupehensis var. pinyiensis) and genetic fidelity of regenerated plantlets using SSR markers. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1345-1354. Apple is one of the major fruit tree species in China, its cultivation area and total output rank first in the world. ‘Pingyitiancha’ (Malus hupehensis var. pinyiensis) is a widely used rootstock for apple cultivation in China. Several factors affecting leaf regeneration were investigated. In this study, a successful adventitious shoot regeneration protocol for this cultivar was established. ‘Pingyitiancha’ leaves were a suitable source of explants for regeneration of adventitious shoots. The optimal adventitious shoot regeneration protocol involved subculturing seedling leaves for 30-35 d. The optimum medium was Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2.0 mg L^-1 thidiazuron and 0.2 mg L^-1 indole-3-butyric acid. Explants with the abaxial surface in contact with the medium kept for 14 d in the dark showed the highest regeneration percentage of adventitious shoots of explants (100%), and produced an average of 3.6 shoots per regenerating explant. Shoots regenerated from leaves were rooted on half-strength MS medium containing 0.4 mg L^-1 1-naphthalene acetic acid. The rooting percentage was 94.4%. Using SSR markers, all banding profiles from regenerated plantlets were monomorphic and same to those of the mother plant. It showed that the uniformity of the in vitro regenerated plantlets was maintained.

Drinkwater, J. M., Tsao, R., Liu, R. and Wolyn, D. J. 2014. Genetic variation and heritability of rutin and glutathione concentrations in asparagus spears. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1355-1362. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) spears contain numerous phytochemicals, including rutin (a flavonoid) and glutathione (a biothiol), that are beneficial to human health due to antioxidant or other activities. To assess the potential to increase phytochemical content through breeding, genetic variability was surveyed in diverse germplasm adapted to southern Ontario. Selected female and supermale genotypes were also hybridized in a partial diallel to estimate heritability and identify parents with good combining ability. Genetic variation for rutin (3.30 to 8.14 mg g^-1 dry weight) was observed, while glutathione concentrations (5.37 to 7.86 µmol g^-1 dry weight) did not differ significantly among tested genotypes. Combining ability effects were significant for rutin concentration and heritability was also moderate. From these results, breeding to improve the concentration of rutin, rather than that of glutathione, is most achievable in the germplasm tested.

Choo, T. M., Martin, R. A., Savard, M. E. and Blackwell, B. 2014. Effects of planting date and earliness on deoxynivalenol contamination in barley under natural epidemic conditions. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1363-1371. Fusarium head blight, principally caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, is a destructive disease of barley in many countries and it can result in mycotoxin contamination such as deoxynivalenol (DON) in the grain. An integrated management strategy is needed to mitigate the level of DON contamination in barley. Therefore, a study was initiated to determine if early planting and early-heading cultivars can be used to avoid severe DON contamination under natural epidemic conditions in the Maritimes. Twelve six-row barley cultivars were planted in a split-plot design with two planting dates (early vs. late) as main-plot units and cultivars as sub-plot units at the Harrington Research Farm in Prince Edward Island in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Grain samples from all experimental plots were contaminated with DON and one contained as high as 23.1 mg kg^-1. Early planting frequently resulted in less DON contamination and higher yield than late planting. Days to heading was positively correlated with DON concentration only at late planting in 2007. The results of this study suggest that six-row barley should be planted early in the Maritimes to avoid a high level of DON contamination and a reduction in grain yield, and that use of early-heading cultivars may not be effective at reducing DON contamination while retaining high yield.

Friesen, A. P., Conner, R. L., Robinson, D. E., Barton, W. R. and Gillard, C. L. 2014. Effect of microwave radiation on dry bean seed infected with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum with and without the use of chemical seed treatment. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1373-1384. Seed-borne anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is a serious disease that affects dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed quality and yield. A 2-yr study was conducted to examine the effect of microwave radiation on two bean cultivars, Navigator (navy bean) and AC Ole (pinto bean). In the laboratory, a maximum exposure time between 40-50 s caused <10% decrease in seed germination and 0.14 and 0.10% s^-1 decrease in pathogen viability for the Navigator and AC Ole cultivars, respectively. Field studies were conducted at Ridgetown and Exeter, ON, to evaluate the effect of microwave radiation and two chemical seed treatments (thiamethoxam fludioxonil metalaxyl-M azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin fluxapyroxad metalaxyl), on emergence, percentage of infection, seed pick, yield and return on investment. Microwave treatment decreased emergence by <10% in both cultivars and decreased disease symptoms by 17-23% for leaf and stem infection in cv. AC Ole when combined with chemical seed treatment. Microwave treatment did not affect pod infection, seed pick, yield, or return on investment, yet chemical treatment increased yield between 9 and 25% in cv. Navigator.

Mahoney, K. J. and Gillard, C. L. 2014. Plant health and yield of dry bean not affected by strobilurin fungicides under disease-free or simulated hail conditions. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1385-1389. Strobilurin fungicides have been advocated to manage plant stress, optimize plant health, and increase yields of several crops. Studies were conducted in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 to determine if azoxystrobin or pyraclostrobin induced plant health effects and increased yield of dry bean grown under conditions with very low levels of foliar disease and with the application of a simulated hail stress treatment. Azoxystrobin (125 g a.i. ha^-1) and pyraclostrobin (100 g a.i. ha^-1) applied at the start of flowering reduced the percentage of harvested dry bean seeds that were discoloured or misshaped (i.e., pick value) to 2.06 and 2.15%, respectively compared with 2.4% for the untreated control. Increased seed quality of edible legumes has been identified as a plant health benefit induced by strobilurin fungicides; however, neither fungicide contributed to increased seed weight or dry bean yield compared with the untreated control in the presence or absence of a simulated hail treatment. The results of this study suggest that the application of azoxystrobin or pyraclostrobin when dry bean growing conditions are unfavourable for disease development should be weighed against economic considerations and the potential risks associated with disease resistance development.

Tesfaendrias, M. T., Trueman, C. L., Gossen, B. D., McKeown, A. W. and McDonald, M. R. 2014. The influence of nitrogen and calcium fertilizers on septoria late blight and yield of celery. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1391-1399. Late blight (Septoria apiicola) reduces both yield and quality of fresh market and processing celery. Field trials were conducted over 4 site-years to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) rate and foliar calcium (Ca) fertilization on the development of late blight and yield on celery grown on muck soils, which have a high organic matter (OM) content. A treatment with the protectant fungicide chlorothalonil was included to determine if fertilizer could replace fungicide application in celery production. There was a cultivar×site-year interaction for each of the disease and yield variables. Repeated application of chlorothalonil fungicide reduced late blight and generally increased plant height, weight and marketable yield. The rate of N applied had a small effect on late blight, which varied among site-years. Area under the disease progress curve decreased with increasing rate of N at both sites in 2008. Similarly, an increasing rate of N resulted in an increase in yield in one of four site-years. Application of Ca did not affect late blight severity and increased yield in only 1 site-year. There was a negative correlation between late blight severity and yield. Tissue N concentrations varied among the treatments at sites with a relatively low OM content, but not at the high OM sites. The treatments had no effect on Ca tissue concentrations. Application of N and Ca alone did not adequately control late blight, but there was a slight reduction in late blight severity with increasing rates of N. Application of both N and Ca can improve yield and also contribute indirectly to improved late blight management in combination with fungicides and other integrated crop management practices.

Mahoney, K. J., Nurse, R. E. and Sikkema, P. H. 2014. The effect of hard water, spray solution storage time, and ammonium sulfate on glyphosate efficacy and yield of glyphosate-resistant corn. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1401-1405. Effects of ammonium sulfate (AMS) on reduced glyphosate rates are well documented; however, these rates are not used by farmers. Studies in 2011 and 2012 determined the effects of AMS and hard water on glyphosate applied at a field rate. AMS (0 or 2.5 L ha^-1) and glyphosate (900 g a.e. ha^-1) were added to distilled or hard water carriers. Glyphosate plus AMS, in either distilled or hard water, did not usually affect velvetleaf, pigweed species, common ragweed, common lambsquarters and large crabgrass above-ground biomass and density 8 wk after treatment (WAT); however, velvetleaf biomass was reduced with the addition of AMS to glyphosate. Compared with the weedy control 8 WAT, glyphosate plus AMS reduced velvetleaf biomass by 93%, while treatments with no AMS reduced biomass by 77%. In distilled water, 4.8 common lambsquarters plants m^-2 remained compared with 7.8 plants m^-2 with glyphosate in hard water. For corn yield, an AMS×water hardness interaction was detected; however, no differences were observed among the treatment combinations and the addition of AMS to glyphosate did not affect yield. Therefore, advocating adding AMS to spray solutions containing glyphosate, especially when a labeled rate is used, should be called into question.

Burton, N., Shirriff, S. W. and Beckie, H. J. 2014. Response of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.) to alternative herbicides. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1407-1411. A greenhouse study was conducted to examine the response of glyphosate-resistant (GR) plus acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor-resistant kochia to five post-emergence herbicide treatments commonly used to control the weed species in chemical fallow, cereals, or oilseed crops in western Canada. The treatments, which were applied to two GR kochia biotypes and one non-GR (susceptible) biotype, included the labeled rate of dicamba, dicamba/fluroxypyr, dicamba/diflufenzopyr, MCPA/bromoxynil, and glufosinate. Both GR and non-GR biotypes responded similarly to each of the herbicide treatments. Although both GR biotypes were sensitive to the herbicides, MCPA/bromoxynil was the most effective treatment in reducing shoot biomass 3 wk after application (99%), followed by glufosinate (91%) then the dicamba mixtures (82%). Dicamba alone only suppressed kochia biomass (76% reduction).

Pratchler, J., Shirriff, S. W. and Beckie, H. J. 2014. Quick test for qualitative detection of glyphosate-resistant kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1413-1417. A growth chamber study was conducted to determine the feasibility of developing a quick, yet reliable assay to detect glyphosate-resistant (GR) kochia. Seeds of six kochia populations, three GR and three non-GR (susceptible), were placed on filter paper in dishes treated with varying doses of glyphosate. After 7-d incubation, seedlings with a true leaf (i.e., not cotyledons) at 25 mg L^-1 glyphosate accurately distinguished GR from susceptible kochia seed lots. This bioassay can facilitate more timely confirmation of GR kochia, thereby aiding resistant weed management.

Malcolmson, L., Frohlich, P., Boux, G., Bellido, A-S., Boye, J. and Warkentin, T. D. 2014. Aroma and flavour properties of Saskatchewan grown field peas (Pisum sativum L.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1419-1426. The aroma and flavour properties of cooked field peas (Pisum sativum L.) were evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Two to four cultivars within four market classes of pea (yellow, green, marrowfat and dun) grown in two locations in Saskatchewan over 2 crop years were evaluated. Panelists found the greatest differences in aroma and flavour properties among market classes, although significant differences were also found among crop year for the aroma attributes of cooked vegetable, earthy, brothy, grainy, hay-like and metallic and the flavour attributes of pea and bitterness. There was also a significant cultivar by crop year interaction for metallic and pea flavor. Dun peas had low intensity scores for sweetness, bitterness and pea flavour. Both green and marrowfat peas had high intensity scores for sweetness and pea flavour. Green peas also had high intensity scores for pea, cooked vegetable, earthy and metallic aroma. Yellow peas had high intensity scores for pea flavour and pea, cooked vegetable and earthy aroma. Differences were found among the four cultivars of yellow peas for bitterness, pea flavour, and pea and earthy aroma. For green peas, differences were found among the three cultivars for pea flavour and aroma. The only difference found among the two cultivars of marrowfat peas was for sweetness. No differences were found between the two cultivars of dun peas. For all pea market classes, milder flavour and aroma may be beneficial in some whole pea or pea flour applications.

Stanich, K., Cliff, M. A., Hampson, C. R. and Toivonen, P. M. A. 2014. Shelf-life and sensory assessments reveal the effects of storage treatments with 1-methylcyclopropene on new and established apples. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1427-1439. This research used shelf-life and sensory assessments to explore the influence of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on four apples (Aurora, Fuji, Nicola™, Salish™). Maturity (internal ethylene concentration, starch clearing index), quality (soluble solids, titratable acidity, firmness) and sensory determinations were conducted on fruit that had undergone air (AIR) or controlled atmosphere (CA) storage treatments with and without 1-MCP. Trained panelists evaluated apples, along with industry standards (Gala, McIntosh and either Fuji or Ambrosia), for eight attributes (crispness, hardness, juiciness, skin toughness, sweetness, tartness, sweet-tart balance and flavour). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and principal component analyses (PCA) to compare the treatment and cultivar responses. Cultivars responded very differently to CA and 1-MCP. Fruit from AIR with 1-MCP were very similar to CA fruit without 1-MCP; further improvements were not observed when 1-MCP was applied to CA fruit. PCA bi-plots of the shelf-life and sensory assessments revealed that treated Salish™ fruits were more similar to one another than to cultivars from other treatments. This work successfully documented the unique changes associated with the use of 1-MCP on new and established apple cultivars. It will assist industry in applying appropriate storage practices for new and established apple cultivars.

Wang, J., Du, W., Wu, J., Chen, X., Liu, C., Zhao, J., Yang, Q. and Li, F. 2014. Development of a specific SCAR marker for the Ns genome of Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1441-1447. Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng (2n=2×=14, NsNs) possesses many agronomically desirable traits that could be used in wheat improvement. We have previously produced a complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines (1Ns-7Ns, 2n=44=22 II). To track the addition of P. huashanica chromatin in wheat rapidly and effectively, a repetitive sequence of 1665 base pairs, designated pHs8, was isolated based on 21 different Triticeae species, including the parents' common wheat cv. 7182 and P. huashanica, by RAPD analysis. The diagnostic fragments of the RAPD marker OPF15₁₆₆₅ were cloned, sequenced, and converted into a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker, known as RHS12. Southern hybridization using labeled pHs8 as probe showed intense hybridization signals on P. huashanica, but not on the other 20 species at all. RHS12 was validated using 21 different plant species and a complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines. Our results indicated that the SCAR marker targeted the Ns genome of P. huashanica and it was present in all seven P. huashanica chromosomes. The newly developed SCAR marker should help wheat breeders to screen for genotypes containing P. huashanica chromatin with low costs and high throughput.

Liu, T.-N., Gu, L.-M., Xu, C.-L. and Dong, S.-T. 2014. Responses of group and individual leaf photosynthetic characteristics of two summer maize (Zea mays L.) to leaf removal under high plant density. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1449-1459. The present experiment was conducted during the growing seasons of 2012 and 2013 using two summer maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars, Zhengdan958 (a compact cultivar) and Jinhai5 (a semi-compact cultivar) grown at a plant density of 105 000 plants ha^-1, to evaluate the influence of leaf removal on canopy apparent photosynthesis (CAP), individual leaf photosynthetic characteristics and grain yield. Plants were subjected to the removal of two (S1), four (S2) or six leaves (S3) from the top of the plant 3 d after anthesis (DAA), with no leaf removal as control (S0). The results of 2 yr indicated that with increased intensity of leaf removal, the transmission of light to lower strata of the canopy increased. With the removal of two leaves (S1), CAP increased and longer durations of CAP and green leaf are index were maintained during grain filling, whereas CAP in S2 and S3 treatments was inhibited and drastically declined. Generally, leaf removal appeared to stimulate an increase in the net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (g_s) and chlorophyll content of the remaining ear leaves in S2 and S3 treatments prior to 26 DAA. Nevertheless, thereafter, plants in the S1 treatment had an advantage in terms of individual photosynthetic capacity. These results indicate that excising two leaves made plants more tolerant of high plant density due to enhanced photosynthetic capacity in ear leaves as well as a more efficient canopy structure, resulting in a better coordination of groups and individuals, and finally achieved significantly higher grain yield. In addition, relative to Zhengdan958, the effects of leaf removal on Jinhai5 were more apparent.

Ren, Y., Zhu, J., Hussain, N., Ma, S., Ye, G., Zhang, D. and Hua, S. 2014. Seedling age and quality upon transplanting affect seed yield of canola (Brassica napus L.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1461-1469. Seedling quality is an essential indicator for seed yield in canola, which is affected by many factors, including seedling age. Two field experiments were conducted to compare canola seedling quality and seed yield on 30-, 35-, 40-, 45-, 50-, 55-, and 60-d-old seedlings in 2011 and 2012. The relationship between seedling quality traits and seed yield of different seedling ages was also analyzed. Results revealed that the highest seed yield obtained from 40-d-old seedlings was attributed to more branches and siliques per plant. The negative effect of young seedlings (30-d-old) on seed yield was greater than that of old seedlings (60-d-old). The reduction rates in seed yield on the 30- and 60-d-old seedlings were 25.7 and 18.2%, respectively, compared with the 40-d-old seedlings. Increased root neck diameter, green leaf number, shoot, and root dry matter was the case on 40-d-old seedling transplanted plants compared with other ages. However, the increase was larger in the old seedlings than in the young seedlings. On average, the shoot and root dry weights of the 30-d-old seedlings were 1.9 and 1.7% of those in the 60-d-old seedlings. However, correlation analysis revealed that the seedlings with the highest shoot and root dry matter did not necessarily obtain the highest seed yield. Factor analysis suggested that the effects of root neck diameter and green leaf number on seed yield were more pronounced than those of shoot and root dry matter. Therefore, high seed yield in canola could be defined in terms of optimum green leaf numbers and branches per plant.

Xiangxiang, W., Quanjiu, W., Jun, F., Lijun, S. and Xinlei, S. 2014. Logistic model analysis of winter wheat growth on China's Loess Plateau. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1471-1479. The leaf area index (LAI) and above-ground biomass are closely related to crop growth status and yields. Therefore, analysis of their variation and development of a mathematical model for their prediction can provide a theoretical basis for further research. This paper presents a new equation for logistic pattern that calculates above-ground biomass and LAI for different irrigation treatments independent of growing degree days (GDD) and plant height. The model root mean square of error (RMSE) for the LAI was from 0.25 to 1.36, and for above-ground biomass it was from 0.49 to 1.34. The r² values for the model's output under the single irrigation, double irrigation, triple irrigation, and quadruple irrigation treatments were 0.98, 0.87, 0.96, 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. For above-ground biomass they were 0.96, 0.97, 0.99, 0.97, and 0.97, respectively. The relative error for LAI ranged from 0.026 to 15.2%. For above-ground biomass, the Re ranged from 5.78 to 8.79%. The results gave good agreement between the estimated values and the measured values. The Logistic model was good at estimating the LAI and the above-ground biomass from the plant height.

Thameur, A., Ferchichi, A. and López-Carbonell, M. 2014. Involvement of abscisic acid metabolites and the oxidative status of barley genotypes in response to drought. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1481-1490. Endogenous concentrations of free abscisic acid (ABA), abscisic acid glucosyl ester (ABAGE), phaseic acid (PA), dihydrophaseic acid (DPA) and 7'-hydroxy ABA (7'-OH ABA) were analysed by means of a LC-MS/MS system in five genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown under well-watered and drought stress conditions. For this purpose a drought treatment was conducted using genotypes: ‘Ardahoui’, ‘Manel’, ‘Pakistan’, ‘Rihane’ and ‘Roho’. Our results show that free and conjugated ABA levels increased in all genotypes grown under water stress, except in Manel genotype, in which ABAGE levels were the lowest. In contrast, genotypes Ardhaoui and Roho showed the highest ABA and ABAGE levels. Nevertheless, drought Rihane plants showed the maximum ability to increase the endogenous ABA concentrations. PA, DPA and 7'-OH ABA increased also in all drought genotypes, especially in the leaves of Manel and Roho genotypes, while the highest ability to increase the endogenous PA content corresponded to genotypes Ardahoui and Pakistan. To evaluate the plant oxidative status, some antioxidant compounds were analysed. Under drought conditions, small changes in some of them were seen. Among the genotypes studied, Manel was the only one which did not show increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and, in parallel, showed a decrease in ABAGE content. These results provide us valuable information and contribute to the knowledge of the different responses of these genotypes to drought stress.

Yuan, Z., Wang, C., Li, S., Li, X. and Tai, F. 2014. Effects of different plant hormones or PEG seed soaking on maize resistance to drought stress. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1491-1499. Drought stress has a major impact on plant growth and productivity, and seed soaking is an important way to increase seedling resistance to drought stress. This study investigated whether drought hardening chemicals, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), or plant growth regulators enhance plant drought tolerance. The effects of PEG and several plant hormones, such as indoleacetic acid, gibberellic acid 3, 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), on seed germination and seedling growth under drought stress were analyzed. The results revealed that seed soaking with 5×10^-3 mg L^-1 6-BA or 10% PEG improved maize seed germination parameters under drought stress, including seedlings dry weight, seed vigor and germination rate. In addition, some physiological indices, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, soluble protein contents and malondialdehyde etc. in seedlings under drought stress were improved compared with the control. Therefore, the application of 6-BA or PEG as a seed soak treatment had a significant and synergistic effect on seed germination and seedling growth under drought stress. However, the PEG seed soak treatment maybe slightly lead to plant damage and then improved plant ability to acquire some resistance to stress, the 6-BA were not so.

Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., Wang, F., Liu, C. and Liu, K. 2014. Development of transgenicBrassica napuswith an optimized cry1C* gene for resistance to diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1501-1506. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cry1Ac gene has been transformed into rapeseed to control diamondback moth (DBM, Plutella xylostella), which is one of the major lepidopteran pests of rapeseed (Brassica napus). However, Cry1A-resistant DBM populations have already developed in the field. Cry1C* is a new synthetic Bt gene based on the original cry1Ca5 sequence through optimizing its codons as well as removing AT-rich sequences and inverted repeats. In our present study, the cry1C* gene was introduced into rapeseed via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and a total of 42 transgenic lines were recovered. The results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot both confirmed the expression of the cry1C* gene in the genomes of the transformants. We also assessed the expression of this foreign gene at the mRNA level in some selected transgenic lines by real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the Cry1C* expression at the protein level greatly varied among individual transgenic plants, and transgenic line 1C-8 had the highest protein level of 799.32 ng g^-1. The transgenic rapeseed plants expressing cry1C* gene showed a high efficacy against DBM. Taken together, the cry1C*-transgenic rapeseed could be employed as a useful germplasm in pest management and in the broad bioinsecticidal spectrum to prevent and postpone the development of pest resistance.

Vaisman, I., Entz, M. H., Bamford, K. C. and Cushon, I. 2014. Green manure species respond differently to blade rolling. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1507-1511. Reducing tillage in green manure (GM) management has led to interest in using the blade roller in organic agriculture. This study investigated the interaction effect of GM termination method (blade rolling and conventional tillage) and GM species choice [chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus L.), Indian Head lentil (Lens culinaris), and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth)] on a subsequent crop of hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Significant effects on weed density and biomass, wheat biomass, and wheat yield indicated that the GM species were affected differently by termination methods. It was also discovered that spring-seeded hairy vetch continues to grow after rolling, while chickling vetch and lentil die.

Alotaibi, K. D. and Schoenau, J. J. 2014. Comparison of amendment with distillers' grain versus urea on crop yield and nutrient uptake in a canola-wheat rotation in southern Saskatchewan. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1513-1517. A surplus of distillers' grain resulting from rapid expansion in biofuel production has led to interest in finding alternative uses for this co-product, apart from its traditional use as an animal feed. Land application to agricultural soil in order to recycle the nutrients is one potential use. In this study we evaluated the effect of a single application of wet wheat distillers' grain (WDG) on crop yield and nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in a 3-yr canola-wheat-canola rotation in southern Saskatchewan. The experimental treatments included a single application of WDG at a rate of 100 kg N ha^-1 in comparison to urea applied at the same rate of N along with an unfertilized control. In the first year, WDG produced a canola yield of 1266 kg ha^-1, which was significantly greater than the urea treatment. The WDG treatment resulted in increased plant N uptake that was 59% greater than the control, but was 20% less than that observed in the urea treatment, indicating that only a portion of the applied N in the WDG was available for recovery. Greater yield of WDG may be due to factors other than N. Both WDG and urea treatments had a significant effect on plant P uptake in the first year. The residual effect of WDG addition on crop parameters in the second and third years was mainly limited to enhancement of plant P uptake in second year. Overall, the WDG applied at the same rate of N was at least as effective as urea for increasing crop yield.

Bae, J., Mercier, G., Watson, A. K. and Benoit, D. L. 2014. Seed germination test for heavy metal phytotoxicity assessment. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1519-1521. We introduced a germination assay for metal toxicity using micro-centrifuge tube and agar media as germination substrate. The additives associated with metal treatment preparation had no effect on germination of four test species. This method can circumvent some of the limitations derived from the traditional petri-dish germination assays.

Reid, L. M., Voloaca, C., Wu, J., Woldemariam, T., Jindal, K. and Zhu, X. 2014. CO452 corn inbred line. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1523-1527. CO452 is a short-season corn (Zea mays L.) stiff stalk inbred line with excellent combining ability as well as moderate resistance to common rust and intermediate resistance to gibberella ear rot, fusarium stalk rot and common smut. Excellent performance data were achieved when CO452 was combined with Lancaster inbreds such as LH162 and Iodent inbreds such as MBS8148.

Reid, L. M., Voloaca, C., Wu, J., Woldemariam, T., Jindal, K. and Zhu, X. 2014. CO454 corn inbred line. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1529-1533. CO454 is a short-season corn (Zea mays L.) inbred line with excellent combining ability as well as moderate resistance to common smut and rust. Excellent hybrid yields and performance data were achieved when CO454 was combined with stiff stalk inbreds such as TR3030 and MBS1130 as well as with the Iodent inbred MBS8148.

Warkentin, T. D., Vandenberg, A., Tar'an, B., Banniza, S., Arganosa, G., Barlow, B., Ife, S., Horner, J., de Silva, D., Thompson, M., Parada, M., Wagenhoffer, S. and Prado, T. 2014. CDC Raezer green field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1535-1537. CDC Raezer, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2011 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, for distribution to Select seed growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Raezer has good lodging resistance, powdery mildew resistance, medium-sized seeds with round shape, good cotyledon bleaching resistance and good yielding ability. CDC Raezer is adapted to the field-pea-growing regions of western Canada.

Warkentin, T. D., Vandenberg, A., Tar'an, B., Banniza, S., Arganosa, G., Barlow, B., Ife, S., Horner, J., de Silva, D., Thompson, M., Parada, M., Wagenhoffer, S. and Prado, T. 2014. CDC Amarillo yellow field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1539-1541. CDC Amarillo, a yellow cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2012 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for distribution to Select seed growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Amarillo has good lodging resistance, medium-sized, round seeds, and good yielding ability. CDC Amarillo is adapted to the field-pea-growing regions of western Canada.

Warkentin, T. D., Vandenberg, A., Tar'an, B., Banniza, S., Barlow, B., Ife, S., Horner, J., de Silva, D., Thompson, M., Parada, M., Wagenhoffer, S. and Prado, T. 2014. CDC Saffron yellow field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1543-1545. CDC Saffron, a yellow cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2011 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for distribution to Select seed growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Saffron has good lodging resistance, medium-sized, round seeds, and good yielding ability. CDC Saffron is adapted to the field-pea-growing regions of western Canada.

Warkentin, T. D., Vandenberg, A., Tar'an, B., Banniza, S., Arganosa, G., Barlow, B., Ife, S., Horner, J., de Silva, D., Thompson, M., Parada, M., Wagenhoffer, S. and Prado, T. 2014. CDC Limerick green field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1547-1549. CDC Limerick, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2012 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, for distribution to Select seed growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Limerick has good lodging resistance, powdery mildew resistance, medium-sized seeds with round shape, good cotyledon bleaching resistance, high protein concentration, and good yielding ability. CDC Limerick is adapted to the field-pea-growing regions of western Canada.

Warkentin, T. D., Vandenberg, A., Tar'an, B., Banniza, S., Arganosa, G., Barlow, B., Ife, S., Horner, J., de Silva, D., Thompson, M., Parada, M., Wagenhoffer, S. and Prado, T. 2014. CDC Greenwater green field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1551-1553. CDC Greenwater, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2014 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, for distribution to Select seed growers in Saskatchewan and Alberta through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Greenwater has good lodging resistance, powdery mildew resistance, medium-sized seeds with round shape, good cotyledon bleaching resistance, and good yielding ability. CDC Greenwater is adapted to the field-pea- growing regions of western Canada.

Hampson, C., MacDonald, R., McKenzie, D.-L., Herbert, L. and Pagliocchini, C. 2014. ‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) sweet cherry. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1555-1558. ‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) is a new early-season sweet cherry being released for commercial production by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada sweet cherry breeding program at Summerland, BC, Canada. Harvest timing in Summerland (Jul. 09) is similar to that of ‘Bing’ or ‘Van’ but fruit size is much larger (over 12 g). Fruit firmness, soluble solids content and susceptibility to rain splitting resemble those of other cultivars of similar harvest timing, but stem detachment force is higher. The trees are not self-fertile and bloom late in the cherry blossom season.