Rice accounts for 21, 14 and 2% of global energy, protein and fat supply, respectively. There are thousands of different rice varieties; some have been in the diet for centuries, while others are new hybrids promoted for qualities such as high yield and drought and disease resistance. Little is known about the nutrient composition of many of the world's rice varieties. This paper investigates the literature on nutrient composition of rice varieties. Standardization of data to 100 g samples of unpolished rice (dry matter basis), showed intra-varietal ranges of; 9 g protein, 5.65 mg iron, 3.34 mg zinc, 1.6 mg thiamin, 0.392 mg riboflavin and 7.2 mg niacin. Currently, several research institutions are working toward improving the nutrient content of rice through greater utilization of rice genetic resources. The results section discusses in detail the magnitude of intra-varietal differences and highlights practical applications of genetic diversity in rice.

This study determined the chemical composition, in situ ruminal nutrient disappearance and in vitro gas production kinetics of three cactus varieties grown in northeastern Brazil. The varieties were Gigante, IPA-20 and Miúda. Results of the chemical analysis showed no significant differences in ash, ether extract, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) between the cactus varieties. However, acid detergent fibre was highest (P < 0.05) for IPA-20, intermediate (P < 0.05) for Gigante, and lowest (P < 0.05) for Miúda. Fractionation of carbohydrate and true protein based on rates of ruminal degradation indicated that the main carbohydrate component was the rapidly degradable fraction, whereas the main true protein component was the intermediately degradable fraction. No differences in carbohydrate or protein fractions were observed between the cactus varieties. Results of the in situ experiment showed no differences in ruminal dry matter (DM, average 803 g kg(-1) of DM), CP (900 g kg(-1) of CP) and NDF (611 g kg(-1) of NDF) disappearance between the three cactus varieties after 48 h of ruminal incubation. Potential gas production at the end of 48 h of incubation was higher (P < 0.05) for Gigante than for the Miúda or IPA-20 variety. However, rate of gas production and lag time in gas production were similar for the three cactus varieties at 6.8% h(-1) and 0.6 h respectively. Our results showed little or no differences in chemical composition or ruminal nutrient degradabilities between the three cactus varieties.

Cholesterol contents and other nutrient parameters of Greek cheeses, namely water, fat, protein, ash, lactic acid, salt, caloric value and fatty acid content, were assayed using chemical and chromatographic methods. The cholesterol concentrations on fresh weight (f.w.) basis (mg/100 g) in soft (67.9, range 51.3-85.3), whey-soft (49.4, range 39.0-57.9), Manouri (99.5, range 83.9-115.2), semi-hard (90.8 range 81.0-102.6) and hard (93.1 range 76.2-110.5) categories were correlated to European cheese varieties. Respective mean values (g/100 g f.w.) of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were: soft 17.2, 5.0, 0.7, whey-soft 11.5, 3.1, 0.6, Manouri 34.1, 9.4, 1.3, semi-hard 21.4, 18.3, 5.56, 1.03 and hard 21.6, 6.6, 1.2, while all pooled averages were 19.1, 5.5 and 0.9, respectively. Trans fatty acids ranged within 0.36-2.46 (g/100 g f.w.) with an average of 1.06 for all types. The main trans fatty acids (16:1, 18:1, 18:2) contents (g/100 g f.w.) are also given. The fat/protein ratio indicated a relatively higher fat content of Greek cheese if compared to similar cheese types of other European countries. A very strong correlation between cholesterol and fat content was found for pooled data, although the correlation was weaker within individual cheese varieties. In addition, a trend of decreasing cholesterol/fat and cholesterol/energy ratios with increasing fat content suggests that Greek cheeses may not be overloaded with cholesterol.

A comprehensive evaluation was carried out for twelve kiwifruit varieties that had been introduced and planted in China: the fruit qualities were assessed and nutrient elements were analyzed, using the Rationalization-Satisfaction Index and the Consolidating Rule of Multidimensional Value Theory. According to the results of evaluation, ‘Jinkui’, ‘Miliang 1’, ‘Kuimi’ and ‘Lushanxiang’, etc. were picked out as fine varieties, which are suitable to the climatic conditions of the hillock and lower mountainous areas along the Yangtze River valley.

In order to examine the possibility that oil seed rape could be used as a forage fodder crop and to select the most suitable variety of forage rape at the southern area of Korea, two varieties of oil seed rape currently grown for oil production and six introduced varieties of forage rape with relatively high yield and high nutritional value were grown at the same condition and their nutritional value were observed.

Studies were carried out to assess the grain quality of 10 new rice varieties (breeding lines) being evaluated by breeders compared to 10 local varieties grown by farmers. Physical parameters measured were grain size and shape, thousand grain weight, chalkiness, grain colour, total milling recovery (TMR) and broken fraction. The chemical parameters measured were total protein, water-soluble proteins (WSP), amylose, ash and minerals contents. The results of the study showed significant differences (p<0.05) in all parameters monitored between the breeding lines and the local varieties. The breeding lines had good grain size and shape (L/W-3.12), good endosperm appearance, milling quality (TMR-67.2%) and higher amylose content (22.87-30.78%). The local varieties however, had lower levels of brokens (22.50%), higher protein (6.78-10.50%), WSP (0.21-0.49%), ash (0.48-0.67%) and minerals (K and Ca) contents. The local varieties had higher nutrient levels than the breeding lines and this needs requisite attention in future breeding programmes.

It appears that the growth of barley seedlings during spring is restricted by moderate internal deficiency of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in most cases. This agrees with the well-known increases of growth and grain yields if P and K fertilizer placement is used in spring barley growing. It is also evident from our earlier work that barley cultivars may differ in the P acquisition from soil (Gahoonia and Nielsen, 2004; Gahoonia and Nielsen, 2003). The existence of cereal varieties differing in the efficiency in P uptake from soil suggests that more nutrient efficient varieties can be identified among the existing varieties. The aim of this work was to study differences between selected barley cultivars in their soil-P and soil-K acquisition to find indication of moderate P and K deficiency in spring barley seedling grown under organic farming conditions at various soil fertility levels.

The changes in pH level, potassium, calcium and magnesium content were noticed in soil under dripper, where nutrient solution was applied. Application of nutrients as a form of fertigation with complete fertilizer decreased pH in the soil zone, just under drippers whereas traditional, surface nutrient application, followed by irrigation with alkaline water without fertilizers resulted in increase of soil pH. The presence of calcium and magnesium ions, naturally occurred in irrigation water, resulted in higher accumulation of these elements in soil under drippers. Drip irrigation decreased potassium in soil under the emitter, irrespectively of type of fertilizer application. The nutrient content in leaves and fruits was influenced mainly by meteorological conditions, age of trees and plant yield. Fertigation increase phosphorus content in leaves, in both apple varieties

Under certain conditions, olive trees grown on calcareous soils suffer from iron chlorosis. In the present study several olive varieties and scion-rootstock combinations were evaluated for their tolerance to iron chlorosis. Plants were grown over several months in pots with a calcareous soil, under two fertilization treatments. These consisted of periodic applications of nutrient solutions containing either, 30 micromol/L FeEDDHA or not Fe. Tolerance was assessed by the chlorosis and growth parameters of plants grown without Fe, compared to those plants grown with Fe. Results show that there are differences in tolerance among olive varieties and that tolerance is mainly determined by the genotype of the rootstock. These results open the way to use tolerant varieties for those conditions where iron chlorosis could become a problem.

An analysis of the leaf nutrient concentrations data of bearing palms (grown in a suitable coastal ecosystem) of three coconut dwarf varieties [Malayan yellow dwarf(MLYD), Catigan green dwarf(CATGD) and Tacunan green dwarf(TACGD)] planted at the designed-genetic blocks of the Zamboanga Research Center, San Ramon, Zamboanga City (Western Mindanao, Philippines), covering the period 1995-1999, was conducted . The variability and trend of each leaf nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, S and B) over the years was determined. The critical levels of leaf nutrients are estimated based on the average or normal values of the historical data. An initial general reference guide on the physiological leaf critical levels of dwarfs is presented, as follows (leaf #14, dry matter): 1.70% N: 0.125% P; 0.90% K; 0.38% Ca; 0.26% Mg; ; 0.12% Na, 0.37% Cl; 0.15% S; and 11 ppm B. The implications of knowing the adequacy and critical levels in leaves as an indicator of crop nutrition to optimize the yield potential of dwarf varieties of coconut are discussed.