Aerial bulbils of garlic varies in weights and numbers with different varieties, but yield potential is known around 20 % of its bulb weight. To produce fresh leafy garlic in winter season, varietal difference, culture media and methods, planting dates were tested from 1986 to 1988. Between varieties, southern ecotype was more benificial than northern type which has deeper dormancy and less weights and numbers of bulbils. Harvest was possible in 20-30 days and harvesting time was flexible, since bulbils could be used as a vegetable nearly from germination to bulbing. Commercial production was possible without artificial heating and nutrient supply due to their adaptability in low temperature and enough nutrient in the storage organ.

Optimum salt concentration was 10,000 ppm. Shoot and root dry weight had high direct effects to visual score, and the shoot dry weight related to number of leaves/plant. Root dry weight and number of leaves/plant of seedling obtained from nutrient solution were related to grain yield and yield components grown in saline soil. From fifteen wheat varieties tested; Insee 1, Sonalika, SW 95 and SW 23 were salt tolerant, no. 84, SW 91 and SW 93 were salt susceptible based on the results from nutrient solution. When wheat yield and yield components obtained from saline soil condition were considered, SW 23, Insee 1, no. 1015 and Sonalika were classified into salt tolerance group whereas SW 91 and Insee 2 were classified into salt susceptible group. However, when the results from two conditions were combined, Insee 1 and SW 23 were the most salt tolerant varieties and SW 91 was salt susceptible variety. It was concluded that root dry weight and number of leaves/plant could be used to screen salt tolerance of wheat in seedling grown in nutrient solution.

Ten wheat cultivars were inoculated with 19 different Azotobacter strains. Plants were grown in Petri dishes on wet filter paper and watered with full nutrient solution. It was established that number, length and dry matter mass of primary roots, the length of the aboveground part, concentration and content of nitrogen in the plant tissue varied depending on the relationship between the investigated wheat varieties and applied Azotobacter strains. Rhizogenesis of some varieties was stimulated by a specific Azotobacter strain. The length of the aboveground part was significantly increased with all varieties under the influence of inoculation, whereas, dry matter mass of some varieties was above, below or at the control level. Nitrogen concentration in teh aboveground part was with most varieties, higher with inoculation and with 2 varieties at the control level. With inoculation the nitrogen content in the aboveground part was, in the majority of cases, higher and in the root lower as compared with the control.

This paper describes the modified hematoxylin laboratory method used at CIMMYT for screening wheat varieties for tolerance to aluminum. The CIMMYT wheat breeding program utilizes aluminum-tolerant materials and segregates selected under laboratory conditions in which seedlings are exposed to a low pH nutrient solution containing high levels of aluminum. The main effect of aluminum toxicity in the nutrient solution can be clearly detected because in sensitive seedlings cell division of the apical part of the root stops

Interdisciplinary research was carried out in Kampuchea to provide basic data for the definition of research priorities for further collaborative efforts by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) [Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines] and Kampuchean rice researchers. This paper is based on field visits and farmers interviews by IRRI's agricultural anthropologist in several of Kampucheas major rice agroecosystems. Rainfed and partially irrigated lowlands, partially irrigated level lands, and deepwater rice agroecosystems are described, as well as respective farmer management strategies. Rice varieties and yields, and crop and nutrient management are discussed for each agroecosystem. Information on farmer perceptions and technical knowledge is presented. The currently changing krom samakki cooperative groups and other aspects of social organization are described. Research recommendations are made concerning integrated soil nutrient management, evaluation of traditional varieties and management, water management, integrated pest management, agroecosystems classification, farm implements, and a farming systems approach interdisciplinary farming systems-based methods for the initial assessment of rice research priorities in Kampuchea were further developed.

The experiment aimed to determine the age at which rice seedlings are most sensitive to salinity, using salt-tolerant varieties Nona Bokra and Pokkali and salt-sensitive IR28 and IR2035-117-3. Pregerminated seeds were sown on styrofoam sheets, each with 60 holes and a nylon net bottom, at one seed/hole, 60 seeds/variety. The sheets were floated in 40-x20- x 15-cm plastic trays filled with nine liters nutrient solution N maintained at pH 5.0. Seedlings were grown at 29/21 degrees Celsius (day/night) with about 70% relative humidity in the phytotron glasshouse under natural daylight. Salinity stress of 6,800 ppm (Ec 12dS/m) was introduced by adding 1:1 mixture of NaCl and CaCl2 to the nutrient solution at 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12d after seeding. Unsalinized trays of each variety were the checks. Seedling survival was measured 14d after salinization. Survival of unsalinized checks of all varieties was 100%. Salt-tolerant Nona Bokra and Pokkali were not affected by salinity. Seedlings of sensitive variety IR28 were severely affected up to 7d, then gradually gained tolerance. IR2035-117-3 seedlings showed sensitivity up to 6d. Varietal differences in salt sensitivity were apparent. Tolerance in sensitive varieties increased with age, showing that seedling age is a critical factor in screening for salt tolerance.

Response surfaces are estimated employing pooled analysis with soil nutrient and rainfall varieties along with the experimental factors N and P fertilizer. Response surfaces are predicted from the pooled analysis for 15 different levels of soil nutrients at two levels of the rainfall and the characteristics of economic optima are calculated. Subsequently, the analysis is repeated without the soil nutrient variables. The comparison of the results gives an indication about the value of collecting information on soil nutrients. With current prices this value is around $ 1.3 million per year for zone 2 and 3 in Syria

A relationship between the relative growth rate and nutrient uptake rate of different varieties of C. capsularis and C. olitorius and their fibre yield potentiality were studied. The relations between growth rate of shoot and nutrient uptake (N, K and Ca) were lower at 45 days after sowing which became higher (2-3:1) at the stage nearing maturity (106 days). But in the case of P. the ratio was more or less equal and paralleled the growth rate till maturity. The fibre yield potential of JRC-321, JRC-212, JRO-620 and JRO-878 may be expressed more fully at a higher level of fertility whereas D -145 JRO-524, JRO-36E and JRO-7835 may be grown on soils of moderate fertility without the risk of losing their full yield potential. Differential behaviour pattern of nutrient uptake varied at different growth stages. It has thus been suggested that the proper time of application of fertilizer be made to coincide with the period of maximum demand of the species or the variety for the nutrient concerned.