Germination patterns in coconut populations (Cocos nucifera L.) in Mexico

Lethal yellowing disease has drastically affected the coconut populations on the east coasts of Mexico and is threatening to invade all the production areas in Mexico. For the purpose of defining the existence of genetically differentiated coconut populations that eventually could have a differential response to this disease, we studied the germination patterns in 20 representative coconut populations using 90 nuts per population in three lots under similar growing conditions. Following the emergence of the leaf through the plumuler fissure, the following were calculated weekly: (1) percent emergence of the first leaf, percent mortality between germination and emergence, and percent germination capacity; (2) time required to reach 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of germination; (3) mean time to complete germination, coefficient of the rate of germination, and uniformity of germination; and (4) sigmoid curve parameters of accumulative percent germination, adjusted to a model of nonlinear regression (log scale). The results showed three population groups: (a) with early and uniform germination; (b) with early and heterogeneous germination, and (c) with late and heterogeneous germination. The same population groups were previously observed using fruit morphological traits. This suggests the presence in Mexico of three tall coconut genotypes. Late and heterogeneous populations have been almost totally eliminated by the disease and some precocious populations have been shown very low levels of mortality. This suggests a correlation between precocity and resistance. The geographical distribution of the ecotypes suggest that the mortality will be deferential when the disease arrives to the other coconut producing areas in Mexico.     

Eelgrass slabs, a soilless culture substrate that inhibits adhesion of fungi and oomycetes and enhances antioxidant activity in tomato

Composed of a marine plant, Zostera sp., eelgrass slabs are a novel organic substrate for soilless cultures used in tomato production. The benefit of using eelgrass slabs for growing tomatoes was assessed by comparing it with coconut fiber slabs in regard to contamination by Pythium spp. and to the antioxidant properties of tomato fruits. First, tomato root contamination by Pythium spp. was studied by direct plate counting, and a molecular comparison of fungal and oomycete communities was conducted using PCR-DHPLC. Second, the antioxidant properties of tomato fruits were analyzed by measuring total phenol and carotenoid contents and by evaluating radical scavenging activity. Compared to plants grown on coconut fiber slabs, those on eelgrass slabs presented a lower rate of Pythium spp. root contamination. Moreover, culture on eelgrass slabs produced fruits with better radical scavenging activity and higher total phenol content compared to controls. Carotenoid content was not affected by the type of substrate. This study highlights the value of detrital leaves of Zostera sp. as a substrate for soilless culture that reduces root contamination and also promotes the production of tomato fruits with better nutritional value.     

Are red-footed boobies Sula sula at risk from harvesting by humans on Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean?

The red-footed booby, Sula sula, has been hunted in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, eastern Indian Ocean, since first settlement in 1827. Formerly present throughout the islands, an estimated 30,000 pairs now breed only on isolated and uninhabited North Keeling Island. Despite legislative protection, illegal hunting for food remains a major conservation threat. Informants estimated that 2000-3000 birds are killed in most years and possibly as many as 10,000 in some years. Analysis of nest count data collected between 1985 and 2002 to assess long-term population trends showed no evidence of decline in nesting density. There was large inter-annual variation with substantial fluctuations which tended to be greater following significant cyclonic events. These results indicate that the level of illegal harvest during the study period has not negatively impacted the booby nesting population. Future management of seabird harvesting requires improved knowledge on the population's capacity to sustain harvesting, together with increased enforcement activity to control illegal harvest, and enhanced education programs to encourage change in community attitudes.     

Exploration and Collection of Coconut Germplasm in Kadmat and Amini Islands of Lakshadweep, India

Coconut, Cocos nucifera L. is an important plantation crop of the tropics. Lakshadweep group of islands in the Arabian Sea are considered to be home to some important coconut cultivars. The present exploration was planned to sample the variability within the population of Laccadive ordinary tall (LCT), Laccadive micro tall (LMT) from two islands, Amini and Kadmat, of Lakshadweep. Sampling was done from 24 sites in Amini and 13 sites in Kadmat. On an average 10 palms were sampled from each site. During the trip, five accessions of LCT, three of LMT and one of Kaithathali were collected. Eight fruit component measurements were recorded to study the variability in the population. Intra-population variability was observed in both LCT and LMT. Three forms of LCT belonging to niu kafa, niu vai and introgressed types could be identified. Elongated angular fruits (elliptical) with 70% husk were niu kafa types, round or oval shaped ones with 55% husk were niu vai types and pear shaped ones with 58% husk were the introgressed forms. This exploration trip unearthed the missing link of niu vai type in the form of round fruit type which has not been reported earlier. Identification of different groups in LCT has far reaching implications in breeding. In the production of hybrids involving LCT, selection of mother palms of LCT is crucial. It is suggested that the elliptical fruit types may be avoided in the production of commercial hybrids, since it has high percentage of husk.     

Early coconut distillation and the origins of mezcal and tequila spirits in west-central Mexico

No evidence exists of distillation in Mexico before European contact. The Philippine people in Colima established the practice in the 16th Century to produce coconut spirits. Botanical, toponymic, archaeological, and ethnohistoric data are presented indicating that agave distillation began in Colima, in the lower Armería-Ayuquila and Coahuayana-Tuxpan river basins, using Agave angustifolia Haw. and through adaptation of the Philippine coconut spirits distillation technique. Subsequent selection and cultivation of agaves led to their domestication and diversification. This did not take place in the lower river basins, where agave populations tended to disappear. The distillation technique spread to the foothills of Colima volcanoes and from there to all of western Mexico, leading to creation of tequila and other agave spirits. Two factors aided producers in avoiding strict Colonial prohibitions and were therefore key to the diffusion and persistence of agave spirits production: (1) clandestine fermentation in sealed, underground pits carved from bedrock, a native, pre-European contact technique; and (2) small, easy-to-use Philippine-type stills that could be hidden from authorities and allowed use of a broad range of agave species. Dedicated to Henry Bruman in honor of his contribution to the understanding of coconut and agave genetic resources history in America.     

松子的声学特性及分形判别

针对开口与未开口松子结构差异，利用声学测试系统，对开口松子与未开口松子声学特性进行测试，以区分开口与未开口松子。试验中，松子在一定高度下落，碰撞到陶瓷板，微音计接收到声音，输入计算机，利用计算机进行分析计算，得到波形图和频谱图。对开口松子与未开口松子的波形和频谱进行分析，计算其分形维。通过试验和分析计算，发现开口松子的波形分形维小于未开口松子分形维，开口松子波形分形维平均值为1.4097，而未开口松子波形分形维平均值1.6576；开口松子的频谱图分形维大于未开口松子，开口松子频谱分形维平均值为1.3497，未开口松子频谱分形维平均值为1.1846。松子波形和频谱的分形维可以作为用于判别松子是否开口的一个指标。     

Rapid, non-destructive selection of peanuts for high aflatoxin content by soaking and tandem mass spectrometry

Peanut lots are subject to aflatoxin levels high enough to cause concern to health agencies and trade channels. A possible solution would be to mechanically sort out high aflatoxin nuts from the process stream. Only highly contaminated nuts would need to be removed. However, there exists at present no sorting mechanism which meets commercial needs of adequate reduction and product preservation. To build such a sorter requires knowledge of the properties that can be used for sorting. The first step in the design is to select on the order of one hundred undamaged contaminated nuts which can be compared with noncontaminated ones. Because contaminated nuts are rare, a very large number of nuts needs to be examined nondestructively. We present a method to rapidly carry out such a selection. The method is based on dipping nuts into extraction fluid and examining the resulting fluid by tandem MS without preliminary cleanup. This method has been applied to examine over 65,000 nuts, yielding approximately 120 nuts, each containing more than 250-43000 ng/g aflatoxin (depending on process stream).     

Reproductive Biology in Wild and Silvicultural Managed Populations of Escontria chiotilla (Cactaceae) in the Tehuacán Valley, Central Mexico

Reproductive biology of the columnar cactus Escontria chiotilla was analysed in wild and silvicultural managed populations in the Tehuacán Valley, Central Mexico, where this cactus is under domestication because of its edible fruits. Anthesis is diurnal, flowers opening between 8:00 and 17:00 h, the period between 12:00 and 13:00 appearing to be crucial in pollination success since at this time the maximum opening of flowers, turgidity of stigma, and activity of flower visitors, as well as the highest nectar production and pollen release occur. The bees Apis mellifera, Bombus pensylvanicus and Xylocopa mexicanorum, and the hummingbirds Amazilia violiceps, Cynanthus sordidus and Cynanthus latirostris were the most frequent flower visitors during the crucial period, and were observed contacting both stamens and stigma of E. chiotilla. No differences were found in anthesis nor in flower visitors among both population types. Distances separating the populations studied and bridges of individuals of E. chiotilla between them are within the radius that bees and hummingbirds may travel, indicating that spatial barrier to pollen flow are unlikely. Breeding system is self-incompatible. Production of flowers occurs during the whole year in both population types, allowing continual pollen flow among them. This observation confirms reports of high gene flow among the populations studied in previous population genetics studies. The high pollen flow among wild and managed population explains that however the occurrence of artificial selection, the process of domestication is in incipient stages presumably because gene flow counteracts effects of artificial selection.     

Morphological variation and domestication of Escontria chiotilla (Cactaceae) under silvicultural management in the Tehuacán Valley, Central Mexico

People of the Tehuacán Valley, Central Mexico utilise the columnar cactus Escontria chiotilla for their edible fruits, gathering them in the wild and in silviculturally managed populations. Silvicultural management consists in sparing and enhancing selectively, in disturbed areas, individual trees producing fruits of the better quality for consumption and commercialisation. Fruits of trees in silviculturally managed populations are generally larger (27.23 ± 0.39 cm) and heavier (11.10 ± 0.44 g), with a higher amount of pulp (4.84 ± 0.27 g), and more (532.72 ± 15.60) and heavier (0.78 ± 0.013 mg) seeds than in wild non-manipulated populations (22.62 ± 0.31 cm, 6.44 ± 0.22 g, 2.33 ± 0.11 g, 407.63 ± 20.67, and 0.62 ± 0.015 mg, respectively). Phenotypes of trees producing better fruits were significantly more abundant in manipulated populations than in the non-manipulated ones. Artificial selection appears to be the cause of such differences among populations and, therefore, domestication process of this plant species is seemingly occurring under silvicultural management.     

蚯蚓粪与椰糠配施对盐渍土的改良效应

选用蚯蚓粪和椰糠为改良剂,不同浓度人工海水淹泡的土壤为改良对象,通过盆栽试验种植空心菜研究未施肥、单施蚯蚓粪、单施椰糠、蚯蚓粪+椰糠不同比例组合配施对盐渍土的改良效应。结果表明:(1)对于20%、60%和100%人工海水淹泡的盐渍土,蚯蚓粪与椰糠分别按1∶2.5、3∶2.5和3∶3.5配施种植空心菜效果最好,空心菜平均株高比未施肥处理、单施蚯蚓粪处理和单施椰糠处理分别提高56.1%、49.7%~50.6%、48.6%~51.8%;单株空心菜平均产量分别是未施肥处理、单施蚯蚓粪处理和单施椰糠处理的2.6~2.8、2.1和1.8~2.6倍。(2)与未施肥、单施蚯蚓粪和单施椰糠3种处理相比,3种不同等级的盐渍土通过配施不同比例的蚯蚓粪和椰糠处理后土壤pH值均得到明显改善,由酸性变为中性或接近中性;不同等级盐渍土的有机质、碱解氮、有效磷和速效钾含量均得到极显著提高(P<0.01),而土壤Cl-含量却极显著降低(P<0.01)。综上,蚯蚓粪与椰糠配施可显著改善盐渍土的pH值,并能显著增加盐渍土的养分含量和降低盐渍土的Cl-含量,更有利于作物的生长发育。几种不同处理对盐渍土的改良效果表现为蚯蚓粪+椰糠>单施蚯蚓粪>单施椰糠>未施肥。     

蝼蛄爪趾特性仿生钢丝辊刷除椰衣装置设计及参数优化

针对手工剥除椰子纤维外衣中存在的加工效率低、易造成人员受伤等问题,设计了一种基于蝼蛄爪趾特性的仿生钢丝辊刷除椰衣装置。该装置主要由钢丝辊刷、椰子夹紧机构和进给机构组成,其工作时依靠钢丝断面刃口勾刷椰衣纤维,结合钢丝的弹韧性实现除衣后不损坏椰壳。利用除椰衣装置开展参数优化试验,并运用Design Expert软件进行试验方案设计和结果数据分析。试验结果表明,辊刷转动速度对除椰衣厚度影响最大,刷毛栽植间距影响次之,刷毛直径影响最小;在辊刷转动速度一定时,随着刷毛栽植间距的增加,除椰衣厚度呈先增大再减小的变化趋势,但当辊刷转动速度增大时,除椰衣厚度的变化量不明显;当刷毛栽植间距一定时,随着辊刷转动速度的增大,椰衣去除的厚度会逐渐上升,刷毛直径的大小对除椰衣厚度的影响较为显著(P0.05)。试验数据回归分析结果表明,除衣装置的最优组合参数为辊刷转动速度是970rad/min,刷毛直径是6mm,刷毛栽植间距是10mm,预测在最优参数组合下的除衣厚度为31.24 mm,通过重复试验证明最优组合参数可以到达规定的除衣厚度,且不损伤内部椰壳,满足椰子深加工需要。     

Effect of Particle Size and Reused Organic Substrates on Tomato Crop Production

The bagasse of mezcal maguey and the fiber of coconut fruit are organic byproducts of the mezcal and copra agro-industries in Oaxaca, Mexico. The effects of different particle sizes and prior usage times as substrates on the production and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) were studied. Three independent and simultaneous experiments were conducted in multi-tunnel greenhouses. Three prior growing cycles of tomato crop, each 150 days in length days of use (DOU), were used for the usage time experiments with mezcal maguey bagasse as the growth medium. In the first experiment, tomato plants grown on substrate with 150 DOU produced the highest yields, the largest number of commercial quality fruits and the fewest non-commercial quality fruits. In the second experiment, the combination of fine particle size and maguey bagasse substrate with 150 DOU produced the highest yields. In the third experiment, fine and medium-sized particles of maguey bagasse and coconut fiber produced the highest yields. The data indicate that both coconut fiber and mezcal maguey bagasse can be used as substrates for tomato cultivation without affecting fruit quality; furthermore, the use of fine and medium-sized particles increases production. Maguey bagasse with up to 150 DOU as a substrate is best for culture, as prior usage beyond this length of time negatively affects production.     

农大4号与DS-1欧李正、反交F1代果实品质的遗传变异分析

为探究欧李果实品质的遗传规律,本研究选用欧李农大4号与DS-1及其正、反交后代群体为试验材料,测定双亲及后代群体果实的平均单果重、核重、纵横径、果形指数、可溶性固形物含量、类黄酮含量、总酚含量及抗氧化能力(DPPH、FRAP、ABTS),对其后代遗传规律进行分析。结果表明,所测定的指标均呈现正态或偏正态分布,呈连续变异,为多基因控制的数量遗传性状。纵径、横径、果形指数和可溶性固形物含量的变异系数均小于20%,后代未出现广泛分离,选择潜力较小,其中果形指数的变异系数最小,选择潜力最小,这与大多数欧李果实呈现扁圆形的情况一致。平均单果重、核重、类黄酮含量、总酚含量和抗氧化能力的变异系数均超过20%,后代广泛分离,选择潜力较大,尤其以平均单果重的选择潜力最大。平均单果重、纵横径受父本影响较大,以大果为父本时更易选出大果后代。果形指数不受父母本影响。可溶性固形物含量和核重表现明显的衰退变异,为趋小性遗传。以高类黄酮、总酚含量和抗氧化能力的植株为母本时,后代更易选出高类黄酮、总酚含量和抗氧化能力的优株。相关性分析将表型特征与内在物质含量相联系,为初步判断物质含量奠定重要基础。主成分分析提取了包括清除ABTS自由基和类黄酮含量的第一主成分和包括纵横径的第二主成分。聚类分析筛选出了具有较高生物活性、较强抗氧化能力和果实较大等不同特征的优株,可根据育种目标加以重点利用。本研究为欧李育种提供了重要参考的意义。     

Giant tortoise and vegetation interactions on Aldabra atoll—Part 2: Coastal

Grazing by a large population of giant tortoises on Aldabra atoll in the western Indian Ocean may be linked to apparent changes taking place in the coastal grass and scrub lands. This paper presents a circumstantial case for the involvement of the tortoise population in a change from coastal, maritime, scrub-tussock vegetation to one of short, turf grassland.     

Effect of roasting on phenolic content and antioxidant activities of whole cashew nuts, kernels, and testa

The effect of roasting on the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of cashew nuts and testa was studied. Whole cashew nuts, subjected to low-temperature (LT) and high-temperature (HT) treatments, were used to determine the antioxidant activity of products. Antioxidant activities of cashew nut, kernel, and testa phenolics extracted increased as the roasting temperature increased. The highest activity, as determined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), hydroxyl radical scavenging capacity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC), and reducing power, was achieved when nuts were roasted at 130 °C for 33 min. Furthermore, roasting increased the total phenolic content (TPC) in both the soluble and bound extracts from whole nut, kernel, and testa but decreased that of the proanthocyanidins (PC) except for the soluble extract of cashew kernels. In addition, cashew testa afforded a higher extract yield, TPC, and PC in both soluble and bound fractions compared to that in whole nuts and kernels. Phenolic acids, namely, syringic (the predominant one), gallic, and p-coumaric acids, were identified. Flavonoids, namely, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and epigallocatechin, were also identified, and their contents increased with increasing temperature. The results so obtained suggest that HT-short time (HTST) roasting effectively enhances the antioxidant activity of cashew nuts and testa.     

Processed sweet corn has higher antioxidant activity

Processed fruits and vegetables have been long considered to have lower nutritional value than the fresh produce due to the loss of vitamin C during processing. Vitamin C in apples has been found to contribute <0.4% of total antioxidant activity, indicating most of the activity comes from the natural combination of phytochemicals. This suggests that processed fruits and vegetables may retain their antioxidant activity despite the loss of vitamin C. Here it is shown that thermal processing at 115 degrees C for 25 min significantly elevated the total antioxidant activity of sweet corn by 44% and increased phytochemical content such as ferulic acid by 550% and total phenolics by 54%, although 25% vitamin C loss was observed. Processed sweet corn has increased antioxidant activity equivalent to 210 mg of vitamin C/100 g of corn compared to the remaining 3.2 mg of vitamin C in the sample that contributed only 1.5% of its total antioxidant activity. These findings do not support the notion that processed fruits and vegetables have lower nutritional value than fresh produce. This information may have a significant impact on consumers' food selection by increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.     

Selenium and aflatoxin levels in raw Brazil nuts from the Amazon basin

Whereas selenium (Se) is an important antioxidant in human metabolism to prevent cancer, aflatoxins are highly carcinogenic. Brazil nuts from Eastern and Western Amazon regions were evaluated to find any relationship between Se and aflatoxins levels. A total of 80 (in-shell and shelled) nuts samples were collected directly from different forest sites and analyzed for Se by atomic emission spectrometry and aflatoxins by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for Se was 2.0 mg/kg, and LOQ for total aflatoxins was 0.390 microg/kg. Nut Se levels from the Eastern region were higher than the Western, in addition to the aflatoxins. The moisture content (mc) and water activity (aw) of the raw nuts from the two regions did not present a significant difference, for either in-shell or shelled. The mc was 24.5% (minimum of 20.1% and maximum of 30.4%) and 22.1% (minimum of 14.6% and maximum of 28.9%) and a w of 0.85 for both regions. Further studies need to be carried out to discover the role of Se on fungi growth stress and aflatoxin production mechanisms.     

Quantitave evaluation of Ethiopian landraces of lentil (Lens culinaris)

Summary One hundred and fifty-six landrace populations of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) collected from 10 provinces in Ethiopia were evaluated for a set of six quantitative traits at three sites contrasting in altitude. Consistent regional differences among landraces were found for time to flower and maturity, 100-seed weight, number of seeds/pod and plant height. The regional differences were clarified by a discriminant analysis based on 100-seed weight, time to flower and plant height. The lentil of the West Highlands was early and short, that of the North Highlands was large-seeded, whereas lentils from the Central Highlands were the least distinctive group. Selection for seed size was the result of local human preferences. Humans were probably also responsible for the lack of adaptive value of plant phenology in relation to altitude. Selection for seed yield at the low and middle elevation sites gave a positive response to selection at both sites. However, selection for yield at the highland site did not give a positive response elsewhere, indicating that adaptation to highland conditions differed from that at lower elevations.     

Scope of novel and rare bulbiferous coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.)

A naturally occurring, rare bulbiferous coconut palm was identified at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Regional Station, Vittal in Karnataka State, India, among West Coast Tall population. The palm produces only bulbil shoots in leaf axils in place of normal inflorescence. The identified palm happened to be twins in which one member was more vigorous than the other, but both of them produced only bulbil shoots instead of floral parts. Morphological and molecular studies on these palms revealed the main palm and their bulbil progenies are genetically uniform. The genetic uniformity of the twin mother palms and their bulbil progenies was confirmed through microsatellite analysis using 10 polymorphic SSR primer pairs specific to coconut and has been well demonstrated to differentiate coconut cultivars. The primary and secondary bulbil shoots were found to be capable of growing into independent plants making it possible to use them as propagules to develop a homogeneous clonal population hitherto unavailable in coconut. The bulbils showed axillary growth in 6–12th leaf axil which further again develop as secondary bulbils indicating the complete vegetative state of the palm. Comparison of shoot apices of a normal seedling with bulbil shoot revealed variation in cell growth pattern. Conservation of bulbiferous palms as a unique genetic resource needs to be taken up to utilize these rare sources for future breeding programmes, provided their seed-fertility can be restored.     

Neglected landraces of collard (Brassica oleracea L. var. viridis) from the Carolinas (USA)

A common garden crop grown in the coastal plain region of North and South Carolina (United States) is the non-heading, leafy green type of Brassica oleracea L. known as collard (B. oleracea L. subsp. oleracea convar. acephala (DC.) Alef. var. viridis L.). Predominantly a fall and winter vegetable in this region, collard is often the only green planting to be found in the yard or garden of a rural home during these cool seasons. Historically, the traditional collard patch and even commercial fields were planted with unique varieties perpetuated by individual seed savers, and collectively, the regional diversity for this crop was probably very significant for well over a century. Genetic erosion of this collard germplasm pool has been severe in recent decades as commercial hybrids have been adopted by both large-scale producers and home gardeners. Although a significant number of collard landraces are being perpetuated to this day, existing diversity among landraces still grown in the region is now in the hands of an aging population of seed savers who maintain germplasm through on-farm preservation. From 2003 to 2006, we explored the coastal plain region of North and South Carolina in search of collard gardens containing traditional landraces. Exploration trips were conducted mid-winter to early spring. About 90 samples of collard were obtained from seed savers during the course of this exploration. Observations of morphological differences of these landraces indicate that significant diversity exists in this group. Obtained landraces are being deposited into the U.S. plant introduction collection and will be available for future use. This preserved collection could prove to be an important new source of genes for B. oleracea improvement.