Orhan Arslan

Herbicidal Potential of Catechol as an Allelochemical

Abstract Catechol is an allelochemical which belongs to phenolic compounds synthesized in plants. Its herbicidal effects on weed species; field poppy (Papaver rhoeas), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) were investigated using wheat (Triticum vulgare) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) species as control plants. In comparison to 2,4-D (a common synthetic herbicide), 13.64 mᴍ of catechol have been found to have a strong herbicidal effect, as effective as 2,4-D on field poppy weed by killing it, and a suppressive herbicidal effect on the other weeds by inhibiting their growth significantly. Concerning all the weeds, in general, elongation of the shoot was affected more negatively than that of the root. Fresh weights of the weeds were decreased by catechol significantly only in field poppy but not in other weeds. The study reveals that catechol is a potent inhibitor of growth of the weeds and therefore it can be evaluated as a herbicide for future weed management strategies

High-molecular-weight glutenin subunit variation in Turkish emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] landraces

The genetic diversity of high-molecular-weight (HMW) glutenin subunits in 18 cultivated emmer wheat landrace populations, originating from Turkey, was investigated using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The mean number of alleles (na) and effective alleles (nea) were observed as 3.67 and 1.53, respectively. The mean values of expected heterozygosity (gene diversity) (He) and average heterozygosity (He,av) were calculated as 0.31 and 0.12, respectively. Actual genetic differentiation (D) and gene flow (Nm) between the different populations were observed as 0.24 and 0.16, respectively. Statistical analysis of Pearson’s correlation, multiple regressions and principal component analysis indicated that eco-geographical variables have a significant effect on HMW-glutenin diversity. Considering the dramatic decrease in genetic diversity of modern high-yielding cultivars, the conservation of genetic diversity in these wheat landraces, and in other old cultivars, is important for improving modern monocultures and their ability to resist biotic and abiotic conditions caused by climate changes, thus generating a wide adaption to a variety of environmental conditions. Adoptation measures for germplasm conservation of Turkish emmer wheat landraces and utilisation of their germplasm for improvement of modern wheat varieties were discussed in this study.

Genetic characterization of Turkish cultivated emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] landraces based on isoenzyme analysis

Nineteen landrace populations of Turkish cultivated emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] were characterized in terms of three isoenzyme [Endopeptidase-1, Aminopeptidase-1 and Aminopeptidase-2] systems, by isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis. For overall loci, the mean number of alleles and effective alleles were observed as 2.00 and 1.37, respectively. The mean value of gene diversity and average gene diversity, in overall loci, were detected as 0.23 and 0.07, respectively. Actual genetic differentiation and gene flow between different populations were calculated as 0.19 and 0.11, respectively. Pearsons correlation and multiple regression analyses indicated that eco-geographical variables have significant effects on isoenzyme genetic diversity. Landraces that have desirable agronomical and immunological resistance traits that makes them adaptable to climate change and different eco-geographical conditions are important genetic resources to utilise for the improvement of future crops of modern wheat varieties. There is a need to assess the genetic structure and genetic composition of important agronomical characters and to determine the magnitude of the genetic diversity currently conserved in the germplasm of landraces, both in farm fields and in ex situ collections and finally, strategies for the effective use of landraces, particularly of emmer wheat, should be planned and implemented in Turkey were discussed.