Welcome to MELSpace
DSpace is a digital service that collects, preserves, and distributes digital material. Repositories are important tools for preserving an organization's legacy; they facilitate digital preservation and scholarly communication.
Recent Submissions
- Screening bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes for yellow rust resistance and grain yield performanceAuthor(s): Olana, Abera; Shifa, Hassen; Tadesse, Wuletaw (Taylor and Francis Group)Date: 2026-03-16Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessYellow rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici is one of the most destructive diseases of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), causing severe yield losses in Ethiopia. The development of resistant cultivars remain the most effective, economical, and environmentally friendly strategy for managing the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the reaction of 240 spring bread wheat lines and seven check varieties to yellow rust resistance with superior grain yield under field conditions. The genotypes were evaluated at KARC, MWU, and SARC using an augmented experimental design. Disease severity, coefficient of infection (CI) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC), along with grain yield and related agronomic traits, were recorded. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) among genotypes, environments, and genotype × environment interactions for disease and yield parameters. Wide variation in yellow rust response was observed across locations, with final disease severity ranging from 0 to 90%. CI and AUDPC showed strong positive correlations, while both parameters were significantly and negatively correlated with grain yield and thousand kernel weights. Based on combined disease resistance and yield performance, 19 genotypes were consistently identified as superior across all locations. The identified genotypes represent valuable sources of yellow rust resistance and can be utilized in wheat breeding programs.
- Under supplementary irrigation, phosphorus fertilizer input enhances post-anthesis dry matter accumulation and yield by improving canopy characteristicsAuthor(s): Li, Yakun; Li, HuiHui; Liu, Jianli; Liu, Yi; Xiao, Jianke; Nangia, Vinay; Liu, Yang (Elsevier)Date: 2026-03-20Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessContext While post-anthesis dry matter accumulation (DMAA) is crucial for wheat yield, few studies have systematically examined how canopy photosynthesis at different leaf positions responds to water and phosphorus management. Objective The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of different irrigation and phosphorus levels on wheat canopy traits and DMAA dynamics and to analyze how the photosynthetic traits of different canopy leaf positions drive DMAA and yield. Methods A three-year field experiment with a split-plot design was conducted. Irrigation levels ranged from 70% to 100% relative water content, and phosphorus rates varied from 0 to 180 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ . Canopy characteristics (e.g., leaf area index, net photosynthetic rate) and DMAA dynamics were measured. Results Water-phosphorus coupling significantly changes canopy structure and function. The leaf area index of each leaf layer increased, and the increase of the leaves below the third leaf was the largest. The chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, antioxidant enzyme activity and post-anthesis dry matter accumulation related parameters of the top three leaves showed a consistent trend, reaching the peak under the specific water and phosphorus combination. The P2 treatment under low irrigation conditions and the P1 treatment under medium and high irrigation conditions reached the peak under the specific water and phosphorus combination. Multivariate analysis showed that canopy traits, especially the related indexes of the second leaf, directly drove dry matter accumulation and yield formation after anthesis. When the relative water content was 85% and the phosphorus application rate was 60–120 kg ha−1, the wheat yield reached the maximum. Conclusions Moderate irrigation (85% relative water content) combined with reduced phosphorus input (60 kg ha⁻¹) optimized canopy structure, delayed senescence, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, and ultimately increased grain yield through improved DMAA. Implications This study provides a physiological basis for optimizing water and phosphorus management to enhance canopy performance and productivity in wheat cultivation.
- The effects of exogenous spermidine on starch development, multi-scale structure, and in vitro digestibility in wheat were investigated under drought stressAuthor(s): Wen, Jialu; Liu, Jianli; Tang, Jianping; Zou, Ting; Gao, Aqing; Nangia, Vinay; Liu, Yang (Elsevier, 2026-04-01)Date: 2026-03-21Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessphysiological activity in stress responses, whether Spd can directly regulate the multi-scale structure and digestive properties of wheat starch under drought conditions remains unclear. Therefore, this study applied drought stress (DR) during the early grain filling stage (1–10 days after anthesis), combined with exogenous spermidine spraying and spermidine inhibitor (Mitoguazone, MGBG), to investigate the effects of Spd on wheat starch formation, accumulation, multi-scale structure, and in vitro digestibility under DR treatment. The results showed that exogenous Spd enhanced starch synthase activity under DR treatment, promoted starch development and accumulation, and thereby increased wheat yield. Additionally, Spd increased the proportion of B-type starch granules, solubility, and swelling power under DR conditions. By reducing the proportion of long branched-chains, Spd decreased starch crystallinity and ordered structure, leading to lower gelatinization enthalpy and gelatinization temperature, while increasing the contents of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and resistant starch (RS). In contrast, MGBG exhibited the opposite trends. This study reveals a novel function of polyamine compounds as starch structure modifiers, providing a chemical perspective for the quality regulation of food raw materials.
- Rainwater Harvesting in Uzbekistan: Fostering Sustainability through the SES Framework AnalysisAuthor(s): Oboke, Ugonna (Humboldt University of Berlin, Faculty of Life Sciences, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, The Centre for Rural Development (HU - FoLS - AGRAR - SLE), 2025-10-31)Date: 2025-10-31Type: PresentationStatus: Timeless limited accessRainwater Harvesting in Uzbekistan: Fostering Sustainability through the SES Framework Analysis. Presentation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master's Thesis in Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM).
- From Research to Fieldwork: My Six Months Studying Rainwater Harvesting in KashkadaryaAuthor(s): Oboke, Ugonna (Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute for Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, 2025-10-31)Date: 2025-10-31Type: BlogStatus: Timeless limited accessUzbekistan’s economy and the livelihoods of many rural communities depend on agriculture. However, farmers in many parts of the country are increasingly facing water scarcity, land degradation, and soil salinization. These challenges are especially visible in dryland regions, where limited rainfall and overuse of groundwater are placing growing pressure on land and ecosystems.