Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / This study evaluated the effects of 5 different soaking treatments in conjunction with 5 varying irrigation intervals on the germination, growth and nutritional values of seed of Hordeum vulgare Sv13. The 5 different soaking times consisted of 1, 3, 8, 16 and 24 hours. The barley seed was first cleaned and then placed in a vessel containing 500 ml of distilled water with a 20 % solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach) at room temperature. Thereafter the pre-soaked seeds were transferred to a perforated container, containing no medium and placed into a growing chamber equipped with drip irrigation. The seed was then irrigated with 1245 ml of water at 5 different intervals namely every 2, 4, 8 10 and 12 hours. The temperature of the hydroponic growing room was kept at a constant 23 °C using a hotoperiod of 16-hour day/ 8-hour darkness. The seed was allowed to germinate and grow for a period of 8 days before being harvested. The objectives of this study were to determine the most beneficial combination of soaking treatment in conjunction with the most beneficial irrigation interval on the germination rate of the seed allowing for radicle emergence and coleoptile production. It was also used to determine which combination of treatments was most beneficial to the growth and nutritional values of the seed post-harvest. Another objective was to ascertain the shortest soaking time for application in a small-scale, hydroponic growing unit as well as the frequency of irrigation required to grow seedlings, thereby determining the amount of water required to produce a seedling mat for a small-scale, subsistence farmer, with the emphasis being on water reduction. Each treatment was replicated 10 times and consisted of 500 grams of seed, which when placed into its container measured 2 centimetres in depth, totalling 25 treatments in all. Germination was measured by observing radicle emergence in the first 2 days of the growing period first after a 24-hour cycle and again after 48 hours. The numbers of leaves present at harvest after an 8-day growing period were also counted to determine germination rate of the seeds. Growth was determined by average leaf height as well as the tallest leaf on day 8 of the growing cycle. Root mat expansion was also measured, post-harvest, which was compared to the initial 2 cm planting depth of seed. Wet and dry weights of the plant material were measured post-harvest. Samples of the harvested material were also sent for nitrogen and protein analysis. It was discovered that most of the results favoured a shorter soaking time and an increase in irrigation frequency, bar a few exceptions. Most favoured a pre-soaking time of only 1 hour together with an irrigation frequency of between 2 and 4 hours. This shows that small-scale farmers would be able to reduce the time spent on soaking of their seed. Although the frequency of the irrigation interval remained high further testing would be required to determine if the amount of water applied at each irrigation interval could be reduced and still produce favourable results. It would also remain to be seen if no irrigation during the 8-hour dark photoperiod would have any negative impact on germination, growth and nutritional values of the seedlings.

No description available.

Bibliography: leaves 153-185. Vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza formation is a complex process which is under the genetic control of both plant and fungus. This project aims to develop a model infection system in Hordeum vulgare L. (barley) suitable for molecular analysis; to identify host plant genes differentially expressed during the early stages of the infection process; and to screen a mutant barley population for phenotypes which form abnormal mycorrhizas.

Bibliography: leaves 127-166. This study describes the isolation, sequencing and characterization of two cDNAs encoding barley (1-4)-B-xylanase isoenzymes X-I and X-II and the gene corresponding to isoenzyme X. The results of genomic Southern blot analyses indicate that the barley (1-4)-B-xylanase gene family consists of at least 3 genes which are mapped to a single locus on the long arm of chromosome 7(5H). The cDNA is used to monitor tissue-specific expression, developmental regulation and hormonal control of the (1-4)-B-xylanase genes.

Laboratory experiments, genetic simulation, and theoretical analyses were performed to address several objectives related to the use of genetic markers in plant breeding programs. Two software packages were developed: GREGOR provides flexible and efficient computer algorithms for performing genetic simulation experiments, and KIN provides improved methods for estimating coancestry from known pedigrees. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were investigated in elite barley lines, and estimates of genetic distance based on RAPD markers were compared to estimates based on coancestry. Both types of estimate can provide information that is useful to breeders and geneticists. Genetic simulation was used to investigate the power, accuracy and precision of several methods that are available for analyzing quantitative trait loci (QTL). In most cases, simplified methods of QTL analysis based on linear regression were similar or superior to more complex methods based on mixture models. Methods for genetic analysis using selective genotyping and pooled DNA were also investigated. These methods may allow precise estimates of the positions of markers and QTL to be made.

Stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei) is a serious disease of barley that can cause up to 70% yield loss in susceptible varieties. The fungus is moving northward, threatening major barley production areas in the US, where most cultivars are susceptible. Fungicides are available for control of stripe rust, but economic and environmental considerations favor genetic resistance. Two stripe rust resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs) located in chromosomes 4 and 7 have previously been reported. One hundred and ten doubled haploid progeny from a stripe rust susceptible x resistant cross were derived using the Hordeum bulbosum technique and phenotyped for agronomic and malting quality traits in order to assess the importance of linkage drag associated with the mapped stripe rust resistance QTLs. Data on 33 markers were combined with phenotypic data for QTL analysis. A molecular marker-assisted backcross program was implemented to initiate the transfer of the stripe rust resistance loci into susceptible US germplasm. No negative QTLs for agronomic or malting quality traits were detected within or adjacent to the intervals that were targeted for marker-assisted selection. A minor leaf rust resistance QTL, however, was found adjacent to the stripe rust locus on chromosome 7. Linkage drag in this region could operate in favor of the breeder. Epistatic interaction between the two stripe rust resistance QTLs confirms the necessity of introgressing both chromosome intervals. / Graduation date: 1994

Bibliography: leaves 153-185. / [ix], 200, [29] leaves, [6] leaves of plates : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza formation is a complex process which is under the genetic control of both plant and fungus. This project aims to develop a model infection system in Hordeum vulgare L. (barley) suitable for molecular analysis; to identify host plant genes differentially expressed during the early stages of the infection process; and to screen a mutant barley population for phenotypes which form abnormal mycorrhizas. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Science, 1995

"May 2003" / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-225) / 225 leaves : ill., plates (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, 2003

Bibliography: leaves 127-166. / xvi, 166, [64] leaves, [11] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This study describes the isolation, sequencing and characterization of two cDNAs encoding barley (1-4)-B-xylanase isoenzymes X-I and X-II and the gene corresponding to isoenzyme X. The results of genomic Southern blot analyses indicate that the barley (1-4)-B-xylanase gene family consists of at least 3 genes which are mapped to a single locus on the long arm of chromosome 7(5H). The cDNA is used to monitor tissue-specific expression, developmental regulation and hormonal control of the (1-4)-B-xylanase genes. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Science, 1997

"May 2003" / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-225) / 225 leaves : ill., plates (col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture and Wine, 2003