Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on ripening of ‘Canino’ apricots and ‘Royal Zee’ plums

‘Canino’ apricots and ‘Royal Zee’ plums were treated with 1000 nl l⁻¹ 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 20 °C for 20 h following harvest before 0 °C storage. After 5 days storage for apricots and 10 days for plums and after 30 days storage for both, fruit were moved to 20 °C for ripening. In addition, apricots were stored for 20 days and then treated with 1-MCP concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000 nl l⁻¹ at removal and held for ripening. Ethylene production and respiration rate, as well as fruit quality of apricots varied with treatment. Ethylene production was efficiently inhibited by 1000 nl l⁻¹ 1-MCP in fruit treated after storage but not in fruit treated before storage. Fruit softening was associated with ethylene production and affected by 1-MCP in a concentration dependent manner when treated after storage, while 1-MCP did not affect softening in prestorage treated fruit. The color change of fruit was ethylene-independent and not affected by 1-MCP. Internal flesh browning was decreased by 1-MCP regardless of the concentration when treated after storage, while it was enhanced in fruit treated before storage. Decay development in apricots was decreased by 1-MCP in a concentration dependent manner. Ethylene production and respiration in ‘Royal Zee’ plums was greatly inhibited by 1-MCP during ripening after both short-term (10 day) and long term (30 day) storage. Parameters associated with ripening processes were decreased significantly by 1-MCP, including softening, color change, and loss of titratable acidity. These data demonstrate that 1-MCP has potential to delay ripening of apricots and plums, but the cultivar, maturity of fruit, and time of application must be chosen carefully. It is suggested that 1-MCP is more efficient for extending the shelf life and improving the quality of ‘Canino’ apricots directly marketed or after storage, whereas it might be a potent compound for extending both storage period and shelf life of ‘Royal Zee’ plums.     

Integrated ethylene and temperature conditioning for induction of ripening capacity in ‘Anjou’ and ‘Comice’ pears

‘Anjou’ and ‘Comice’ pears from three harvest dates were conditioned to develop ripening capacity by exposure to 100 μL L⁻¹ ethylene at 20 °C for 0, 24, 48, or 72 h, followed by varying durations of temperature conditioning at −0.5 or 10 °C. Ripening capacity was tested by measuring fruit firmness after 7 d at 20 °C after completion of conditioning treatments. Fruit firmness was also measured after conditioning but before ripening, and was designated “shipping firmness”, indicative of the potential for the fruit to withstand transport conditions without physical injury. Ripening capacity in both cultivars developed more rapidly with later harvest date, increasing duration of ethylene conditioning, and increasing duration of temperature conditioning. Ripening capacity developed much more rapidly at 10 °C than at −0.5 °C. Useful durations of temperature conditioning at 10 °C were limited by fruit softening below acceptable values of shipping firmness. However, sequential combinations of ethylene and temperature conditioning at both −0.5 and 10 °C were identified wherein post-conditioning shipping firmness was acceptable.     

Comparative studies within and between seed and seedling populations of leafed, ‘leafless’ and ‘semi-leafles’ genotypes of Pisum sativum L.

In an attempt to explain previously observed differences between the growth rates of leafless and conventional plants, we have compared representatives of three pea phenotypes; conventional (AfAfStSt), semileafless (afafStSt) and leafless (afafstst) with regard to their embryonic axis/embryo weight ratio and their patterns of pre-emergent growth. Within each phenotype, comparisons were made between genotypes which differed for mean weight per seed and between seed weight classes within each genotype. Although significant differences were found between genotypes for embryonic axis/embryo weight ratios, these could not be attributed to differences between phenotypes. Within each seed population there was a consistent decrease in this weight ratio with increasing seed size irrespective of phenotype.Relative growth rate (RGR) of the seedlings prior to emergence was similar for all genotypes within and between phenotypes and also for seed size classes from individual populations. There was however a positive relationship betweed seed size and absolute growth rate within and between seed populations.The results suggest that differences between the phenotypes do not become manifest until after emergence of the seedling from the soil and the possibility of a post-emergent lag phase in the leafless type is therefore suggested.     

Partial self-compatibility in ‘Tombul’ and ‘Montebello’ hazelnuts

Summary Self-pollination of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars in 1988 and 1990 revealed the existence of partial self-compatibility in Tombul and Montebello. Percent cluster set in these cultivars averaged 44 and 20%, respectively, but was less than 10% in 8 other cultivars investigated. Percent cluster set from pollination with Segorbe averaged 62 and 41% in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Self-pollination produced 40% fewer nuts per cluster and twice as many blanks as cross-pollination. All cultivars and selections have an active sporophytic incompatibility system.Evaluation of self-compatibility in seedlings from the cross Montebello × Compton revealed that the partial self-compatibility of the maternal parent was transmitted to some of the progeny. Self-pollination resulted in greater than 10% cluster set in two selections, OSU 41.134 and OSU 43.025, in both years, but only in 1988 in OSU 42.089 and Willamette. Three other selections had very low set in both years. Results of incompatible crosses with standard testers were generally in agreement with those of self-pollination, except that the S₂ tester induced greater set on 3 genotypes in 1988 and the S1 tester on 2 genotypes in 1990 than self-pollination. The partial self-compatibility of Montebello, OSU 41.134, and OSU 43.025 appears to be due to a failure of their stigmas to prohibit pollen tube growth in incompatible crosses. There is no evidence of a pollen-part mutation in Montebello, nor is there evidence that partial self-compatibility is due to the interaction of S-alleles, as Barcelona, which has the same alleles as these three genotypes, failed to set nuts in all incompatible crosses.     

Detection of downy and powdery mildew resistance QTL in a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ population

One hundred and eighty six F₁ plants from a ‘Regent’ × ‘RedGlobe’ cross were used to generate a partial linkage map with 139 microsatellite markers spanning all 19 chromosomes. Phenotypic scores for downy mildew, taken over two years, confirmed a major resistance QTL (Rpv3) against downy mildew in the interval VVIN16-cjvh to UDV108 on chromosome 18 of ‘Regent’. This locus explained up to 62 % of the phenotypic variance observed. Additionally a putative minor downy mildew resistance locus was observed on chromosome 1 in one season. A major resistance locus against powdery mildew (Ren3) was also identified on chromosome 15 of ‘Regent’ in the interval UDV116 to VChr15CenGen06. This study established the efficacy of and validated the ‘Regent’-derived downy and powdery mildew major resistance genes/QTL under South African conditions. Closely linked SSR markers for marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding strategies were identified.     

Comparative genetic analysis of field resistance to downy mildew in the lettuce cultivars ‘Grand Rapids’ and ‘Iceberg’

Downy mildew on lettuce is currently controlled using host resistance genes (Dm genes) that confer race-specific resistance in seedlings. Field resistance (FR) that is active in adult plants but not seedlings was identified in the cvs. Grand Rapids and Iceberg. The goal of our study was to evaluate the utility of Grand Rapids as a source of novel Bremia resistance alleles, particularly in comparison with Iceberg. To measure FR, downy mildew symptoms were evaluated following natural infection in field experiments. The responses of Grand Rapids and Iceberg were similar in many respects. Although both cultivars had a small percentage of plants exhibiting disease symptoms, the average disease ratings were as low as for cultivars with effective Dm genes. We observed no evidence for race specificity. FR was effective over 3 years of our study, despite documented variation within pathogen populations. Both cultivars lacked all known seedling resistance genes except Dm13, which was not responsible for the resistance observed in field experiments. Similar segregation of FR was observed in F₂ populations for both Grand Rapids and Iceberg. The presence of highly susceptible families within Grand Rapids × Iceberg populations suggested the presence of at least one unique resistance allele in each cultivar. Preliminary genetic analysis of FR from Grand Rapids revealed a high estimate of narrow-sense heritability that suggested simple inheritance, but single gene models did not fit the observed data. Our results suggest that Grand Rapids may represent an underutilized resource for controlling downy mildew in lettuce.     

Dynamics of ascorbic acid in ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Gala’ apples during on-tree development and storage in atmospheres conducive to internal browning development

The underlying causes as well as chemical and biochemical alleviation for CO₂-induced browning in apple fruit are poorly understood. Ascorbic acid (AsA) dynamics in ‘Braeburn,’ a susceptible cultivar, and ‘Gala’, a resistant cultivar, were evaluated during on-tree development and storage at 0.5 °C in air or controlled atmospheres (CA) containing 1 kPa O₂ and 1, 3 or 5 kPa CO₂. ‘Braeburn’ fruit treated with diphenylamine (DPA) was also stored for 1 month to determine effects on browning incidence and AsA concentration. ‘Braeburn’ apples had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) AsA levels than ‘Gala’ during on-tree development, and storage. No correlation between AsA and maturity/ripening indices for ‘Braeburn’ or ‘Gala’ was apparent. Histochemical localization of fruit AsA showed a staining intensity consistent with the quantity analytically determined, and showed that AsA is diffusely distributed throughout the cortex in both cultivars during on-tree development. During storage, AsA was localized to the periphery of brown tissue in ‘Braeburn’ and to the coreline and cortex proximal to the peel in ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Gala’ tissues. DPA decreased browning development during storage, however, no correlation between DPA treatment and AsA quantity in healthy or brown cortex tissue was observed. The results indicate AsA quantity alone is not an indicator of CO₂ sensitivity in these two cultivars.     

Assessment of tissue culture-derived ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) for somaclonal variation

To assess somaclonal variation, ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ trees obtained via axillary and adventitious bud formation were compared ex vitro to conventionally grafted trees. In general, tissue culture-derived trees were relatively erect in comparison to grafted trees. Their branch angles were narrower than those of grafted trees. All trees that flowered had pink blossoms. There were no obvious differences in flowering time or in floral morphology. Most of the seven-year-old grafted control trees produced more fruits than either axillary or regenerated trees. Although there were differences in the range of fruit color between ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Gala’ apples in both the control and tissue culture-derived plants (the fruits of ‘Royal Gala’ were darker red and more striped than those of ‘Gala’) and also in the degree of pigmentation from tree-to-tree, none of the variation exceeded that observed among apples harvested from an individual ‘Royal Gala’ or ‘Gala’ control tree for either the plants derived from axillary buds or adventitiously. Since both ‘Gala’ and ‘Royal Gala’ axillary buds showed very little somaclonal variation for the morphological and reproductive traits we studied, it appears that tissue culture may be a useful way to propagate these cultivars. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

‘荷’你‘藕’遇

正七八月是赏荷的季节。打开互联网,随意一搜,全国各地的荷展就超过百个,但是今年顶级的荷展在江苏扬州。7月28日上午,第30届全国荷花展在扬州瘦西湖风景区开幕,全国27个省市近400名业内专家齐聚于此,共同感受"一水回环杨柳外,画船往来藕花天"的荷之盛宴。全国政协人口资源环境委员会副主任、     

Chromosome locations of genes controlling ‘purple leaf base’ in rye and wheat

Summary Purple leaf base is expressed only if there is anthocyanin pigmentation in coleoptiles either in rye or in rye-wheat-additions. Genes controlling purple leaf base were found to be located on chromosomes 5R (An5), 4B (Ra2) and 6B (Ra3) using the trisomic set of rye cv. Esto and autoplasmic rye-wheat-additions, respectively.     

Morphological and physiological behaviour of sweet cherry ‘somaclone’ HS plants in field

We reported earlier that somaclonal variant HS (HS), regenerated from Prunus avium `Hedelfinger’ (H) leaf explants, showed reduced apical dominance both in vitro and in vivo. In this report we found that the somaclone HS, showed reduced vegetative vigour as determined by trunk circumference and tree height nevertheless natural architecture of the tree was preserved. HS canopy was less crowded as to compare to H and leaves were shorter with a shorter petiole, they were better spaced out as indicated by internodes length. HS had a significantly thinner cuticle and wax layer compared to H leaves surface. Histological analysis of leaves also showed that HS had thicker mesophyll and palisade the latter composed of more than one layer which, together with increased stomatal density, are distinguishing signs of extensive exposure of leaves to sun. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content did not differ between H and HS, β-carotene content was slightly lower in HS leaves. However no significant differences were found between the two genotypes in terms of net photosynthesis, intercellular CO₂ concentration, leaf transpiration and water use efficiency. HS flowered 1-year later than H and number of flowers was reduced. Fruit size, shape, skin colour change during the ripening process and the main parameters of fruit quality as assessed in the wild type and the somaclone were basically the same.     

Pollen and pollination experiments. IV. ‘Mentor pollen’ and ‘pioneer pollen’ techniques regarding incompatibility and incongruity in apple and pear

Summary It was attempted to overcome self-incompatibility in apple and pear and incongruity between these species with the aid of compatible mentor or pioneer pollen. The mentor pollen was applied in a mixture (1:1) with the incompatible/incongruous pollen and the pioneer pollen was applied one day in advance of the other pollination. Two trials in 1976 with dead methanol-treated mentor pollen on apple were moderately successful, probably because of the hot spring weather. In the apple and pear trials of 1979 neither the methanol-treated nor the viable irradiated (100 krad) mentor or pioneer pollen significantly improved the seed set by self pollen or that after intercrossing. Competition and early embryo abortion after selfing or intercrossing probably contributed to the lack of success of these methods. The viable irradiated pollen induced a rather high parthenocarpic fruit set, whether applied on its own or mixed with or in advance of the incompatible pollen; the inviable methanol-treated pollen had no such stimulating influence.     

Characterization and allelism of soybean mosaic virus strain SC3 resistance in ‘Qihuang-1’ derived soybean cultivars

Soybean mosaic virus is a severe constraint of soybean production in China. A total of country-wide 22 SMV strains (SC1-SC22) were identified. Of these, SC3 is a major strain widely distributed in Huanghuai and Yangtze River Valley region of China. Soybean cultivar ‘Qihuang-1’ contains R_SC3Q locus conditioning the resistance to SC3 and is an important parental line extensively used to breed the soybean cultivars in China. The objective of this study was to elucidate the genetic pattern of SC3 resistance genes in cultivars developed from ‘Qihuang-1’ or its derivative lines. Hence, we have evaluated the SC3 resistance in 91 cultivars developed from ‘Qihuang-1’ or its derivative lines. The results showed that a total of 43 cultivars exhibited resistance to the SC3 strain. Among them, 37 cultivars were derived from ‘Qihuang-1’. Then, we have detected the R_SC3Q loci in these cultivars using four SSR markers (Satt334, Sct_033, BARCSOYSSR_13_1114 and BARCSOYSSR_13_1136). It revealed that, among the 37 resistant cultivars derived from ‘Qihuang-1’, there are 20 cultivars containing R_SC3Q loci. Moreover, the allelic relationship of resistance genes was analysed using the crosses from resistance × resistance between ‘Qihuang-1’ and its resistant derived cultivars. The results showed that the resistance genes of ‘Qihuang-1’ and its 20 cultivars were allelic. But it is not allelic with those of the other 17 cultivars, different from ‘Qihuang-1’, and also, R_SC3Q does not condition the resistance. These results will be beneficial to exploring the transmission of resistance genes of ‘Qihuang-1’ and will be useful to the disease resistance breeding of soybean.     

Effects of Sucrose Concentration on the Bulblet Formation and Growth of ‘Acheng’Garlic in vitro

以MS为基本培养基，用地方品种阿城紫皮大蒜茎尖为外植体进行离体培养试验。结果表明，随蔗糖浓度的提高，大蒜试管微鳞茎形成被促进，而鳞茎发生数呈下降趋势；蔗糖浓度在30，60，90 g/L时，鳞茎发生数无显著差异，但均与120 g/L蔗糖处理下的鳞茎发生数间存在极显著差异；此外，各个处理条件下形成的平均鳞茎直径与鳞茎鲜重间均存在着极显著差异，90g/L处理效果最佳。     

Variation for plant characters and for performance of softwood cuttings of Rosa canina ‘Inermis’ seedlings

Summary Thirty, one-season-old Rosa canina Inermis seedlings (8–12 mm in diameter) were grown in the greenhouse. After 5 months, single-node softwood cuttings were made of each plant. Analysis of variance demonstrated marked differences between the internode length, number of leaflets per leaf and the leaf area of the original seedling, and between the time of axillary bud-break, axillary sprout length and weight of adventitious roots of their 23-day-old cuttings. Clonal root weight of cuttings was highly significantly correlated with: number of leaflets per leaf (r=–0.65), leaf area (r=+0.65), and days to axillary bud-break (r=+0.62). The origin of heterogeneity among Inermis seedling rootstocks, its probable effect on the flower production of cut roses and its possible use in the selection for clonal rootstocks are discussed.     

Breeding of new rice cultivar ‘Tohoku 194’ with ‘Sasanishiki’-type good eating quality of cooked rice

Cooked rice of ‘Sasanishiki’ is soft and not as sticky as those of Japanese leading cultivars ‘Koshihikari’ and ‘Hitomebore’. As a method for efficient selection of a breeding line having a good eating quality like that of ‘Sasanishiki’, the use of physical properties of cooked rice and cooking quality was examined. There were differences of physical properties of the surface layer, starch-iodine blue value per solid substance weight in cooking water and volume expansion of cooked rice between ‘Sasanishiki’ and ‘Hitomebore’, these properties being considered to be usable for the selection of breeding lines. Using these traits as selection targets, one line, named ‘Tohoku 194’, which has eating quality highly similar to that of ‘Sasanishiki’ and cold tolerance derived from ‘Hitomebore’, was selected from progeny of a cross between ‘Sasanishiki’ and ‘Hitomebore’. An application for registration as a new variety has been submitted for ‘Tohoku 194’ under the Japanese Plant Variety Protection Act, and is expected to become a recommended cultivar in Miyagi Prefecture. ‘Tohoku 194’ may fulfill various demands of consumers and companies in the food industry.     

‘翠绿1号’假俭草

中南草坪科研推广中心培育的‘翠绿1号’假俭草新品种草坪草,选育于亚热带高寒山区,不仅可用于城市绿化美化、改善生态环境、建设旅游景观,还能用于适度放牧、生产种子,增加农民收入。目前,该新品种已进入快速推广应用阶段。形态习性茎、叶、穗全为绿色,叶色青蓝,长相优美而且比较耐寒。它植株低矮(自然高度为3-8cm),根深耐旱;匍匐茎粗壮发达,节间短(1.5cm左右)而多叶,分枝贴地横向蔓延(茎叶宿存于地面不脱落);叶片线形、直立、密集,长2-5cm,宽0.15-0.3cm,叶色青蓝,柔韧性、弹性适度,无刺感,对人畜无毒害;花序总状,呈覆瓦状排列,穗长4-6cm,…     

The effect of temperature on fruit set,seed set and seed germination in ‘Sonia’ × ‘Hadley’ hybrid Tea-rose crosses

Summary The effect of temperature on fruit set, seed set and seed germination was studied in Sonia × Hadley Hybrid Tea-rose crosses. Sonia mother bushes were grown at constant temperatures (10, 14, 18, 22, 26°C) in the greenhouses of the phytotron until fruit ripening. Fruit set, fruit weight and number of seeds increased as temperature was higher. Optimum temperatures were found for days to fruit ripening (18°C), seed germination (22°C) and number of seedlings per pollinated flower (22°C). Fruit weight and number of seeds were positively correlated. For crossing and the subsequent growing of seed-bearing plants 22°C was the most favourable temperature. Effects of temperature on pollen tube growth, fertilization and seed germination are discussed.