Seed dormancy has an important role in resistance and survival mechanisms of plants. Finding of some information about the range of primary dormancy and effective factors in dormancy breaking and optimal conditions of seed germination are necessary for weed control and other research purposes.  In this research, the seeds of 10 species of grass weeds in Tehran province fields (Echinocloa...

Evaluation of Genetic Variation and Simultaneous Selection for Seed Forage Yield in Selected Genotypes Dactylis glomerata Bromus inermis

The lpsA gene, a late acting gene in the biosynthetic pathway of ergovaline, a suspected causative agent for fescue toxicosis in cattle, has been cloned from Neotyphodium lolii, an endophytic fungus of Lolium perenne. In this study, a similar gene was detected in several strains of endophytic Neotyphodium spp. isolated from grass hosts endogenous to Iran using direct and nested-PCR assays. Exce...

Generalist plant pathogens may have wide host ranges, but many exhibit varying degrees of host specialization, with multiple pathogen races that have narrower host ranges. These races are often genetically distinct, with each race causing highest disease incidence on its host of origin. We examined host specialization in the seed pathogen Pyrenophora semeniperda by reciprocally inoculating path...

Stockpiling herbage can redistribute nutrient availability and supplement quantity for livestock, depending on production objectives. Brassicas (Brassica spp.) and improved prairiegrass (Bromus catharticus Vahl.) cultivars are adapted to growing conditions occurring in the Appalachian region and provide nutritionally valuable herbage in autumn; however, highly digestible brassica herbage may re...