Lipid evaluation of cultivated and wild carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) seed oil growing in Turkey

Studies were carried out on the oil content, fatty acids, tocopherols and sterols in the seeds of two carobs (Ceratonia siliqua), cultivated and wild, from Turkey. The oil yields of cultivated and wild carob seeds were established as 1.73 and 1.82% on a dry weight basis, respectively. The main fatty acids in cultivated and wild carob seed oils are linoleic (49.1% and 51.0%), oleic (30.4% and 26.5%), palmitic (10.3% and 12.0%) and stearic (3.5% and 4.6%), respectively. Tocopherols and phytosterols are important constituents of the unsaponifiable fraction of several seed oils. The major tocopherol in both seed oils was γ-tocopherol. The composition (mg/100 g) was as follows α-tocopherol (69.06 and 70.39 mg/100 g), P8 (22.29 and 24.78 mg/100 g), δ-tocopherol (8.70 and 10.66 mg/100 g), β-tocopherol (2.30 and 1.85 mg/100 g). The total tocopherol contents had 208.45 and 223.14 mg/100 g, respectively. The total content of sterols of both oils were determined as 16400.94 and 30191.55 mg/kg, with β-sitosterol as the predominant sterol that accounted for more than 70% of the total amount of sterols other sterols, campesterol (5.33–5.32%), stigmasterol (0.58–11.43%) 7-avenasterol (3.45–3.03%), 7-stigmasterol (2.16–2.4%), and chlerosterol (1.33–1.0%) were detected in both carob oils. As a result, the accurate quantification of these analyses has very important applications for the nutrition sciences.     

Seed abortion of ‘Tosa-Buntan’ pummelo pollinated with soft-X-irradiated pollens

Cross-pollination was performed with soft-X-irradiated hyuga-natsu pollens (1000 Gy) for ‘Tosa-Buntan’ pummelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck). This resulted in the transformation of large and complete seeds into small and empty ones (practically seedless). Although fruit set, fruit retention, total soluble solids content (TSS) and titratable acidity of the juice were not affected, decrement in the fruit size was observed. Two weeks after the pollination, endosperm cell division with free nuclei began in both the non-irradiated and irradiated pollen treatment conditions. Seven weeks after pollination, endosperm division with the cell wall occurred in the non-irradiated pollen treatment conditions; however, the endosperm development ceased in most ovules that underwent the irradiated pollen treatment, and the ovules remained in their free nuclear stage. The delayed degeneration of the ovules, following successful fertilization and commencement of endosperm cell division, allow these seedless fruits to be categorized as pseudo-parthenocarpic.     

Pollen grains of heat tolerant tomato cultivars retain higher carbohydrate concentration under heat stress conditions

Exposure to high temperatures (heat stress) causes reduced yield in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum), mainly by affecting male gametophyte development. Two experiments were conducted where several tomato cultivars were grown under heat stress, in growth chambers (day/night temperatures of 31/25 °C) or in greenhouses (day/night temperatures of 32/26 °C), or under control (day/night temperatures of 28/22 °C) conditions. In heat-sensitive cultivars, heat stress caused a reduction in the number of pollen grains, impaired their viability and germinability, caused reduced fruit set and markedly reduced the numbers of seeds per fruit. In the heat-tolerant cultivars, however, the number and quality of pollen grains, the number of fruits and the number of seeds per fruit were less affected by high temperatures. In all the heat-sensitive cultivars, the heat-stress conditions caused a marked reduction in starch concentration in the developing pollen grains at 3 days before anthesis, and a parallel decrease in the total soluble sugar concentration in the mature pollen, whereas in the four heat-tolerant cultivars tested, starch accumulation at 3 days before anthesis and soluble sugar concentration at anthesis were not affected by heat stress. These results indicate that the carbohydrate content of developing and mature tomato pollen grains may be an important factor in determining pollen quality, and suggest that heat-tolerant cultivars have a mechanism for maintaining the appropriate carbohydrate content under heat stress.     

Breaking the intergeneric crossing barrier in papaya using sucrose treatment

A breeding programme was undertaken using Carica papaya var. Surya and Vasconcellea cauliflora with a view to raise progenies resistant to ‘papaya ringspot virus’ (PRSV). Earlier studies have clearly demonstrated the cross incompatibility between these two genera. Hence, an attempt was made to break this barrier using sucrose. The pollen of V. cauliflora was collected and pollination was carried out by smearing sucrose solution in the concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% on to the stigmatic surface of the flower. At 5% sucrose concentration, maximum viable seed set (13.73) was obtained. Sucrose at 5% was observed to break the intergeneric barrier by enhancing the pollen germination. There was drastic reduction in the effect of sucrose with the decrease in the concentration levels. The pollen germination studies carried out with and without sucrose clearly demonstrated the efficacy of sucrose in enhancing pollen germination and pollen tube growth. The intervarietal hybridization carried out between the varieties Surya and Pusa Dwarf showed 91.7% set of the fruits with 300 viable seeds per fruit. The hybridity of the progenies was confirmed using ISSR primers by the amplification of DNA from progenies and parents. Four primers UBC 807, 810, 814 and 861 clearly amplified male specific bands, which were present in progenies, but absent in female parent.     

Glucosinolate profiling of seeds and sprouts of B. oleracea varieties used for food

Consumption of plants of the species Brassica oleracea is related to a decreased incidence of certain cancer forms in humans, and this has been linked to the presence of glucosinolates in those vegetables. After ripe seeds, sprouts of some brassicaceous plants contain the highest concentration of these compounds and are therefore a good source of glucosinolates for chemoprotection. In the present experiments, the content and distribution of glucosinolates was determined in ripe seeds and sprouts (seedlings) of five varieties of B. oleracea (white cabbage, red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower) by high performance liquid chromatography. The type and concentration of individual glucosinolates varied according to variety of B. oleracea, plant parts in which they occurred and the sprouting period of the seed. Concentration of alkyl glucosinolates decreased whereas that of indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolates increased throughout the sprouting period. Roots had the highest glucosinolate concentration in four and seven day old sprouts whereas at both sprouting times, cotyledons had the highest concentration of alkylthio- and alkylsulphinylglucosinolates.     

Intergeneric hybridizations between Opisthopappus taihangensis and Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium

For the first time, reciprocal intergeneric hybridizations were produced between Opisthopappus taihangensis and Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium without emasculation. About 20% seed set was similarly obtained from reciprocal hybridization. Only 5 and 6 of the viable plants observed from 45 and 78 seedling survived present some conspicuous intermediate characteristics. Phenotypic evaluation among the progenies of the parents and the putative hybrids was performed carefully since an average of 5.3% seed set was produced in the type of self-pollination using pollen from the same flower and >10% seed set was similarly obtained in the types of self-pollination using pollen from different flowers in a plant and flowers in individual plants from different seeds. One individual of each hybrid shared the inflorescence habit with the pollen plant was confirmed further by the sequence of ncpGS. The two hybrids might be used as bridges of breeding of multi-generic hybrids.     

番茄温敏型核雄性不育系T-4生理生化指标间的相关及通径分析

以温敏型核雄性不育系T-4及对照First为试材,花期观察花粉发芽率,测定其可溶性糖、淀粉、游离脯氨酸和蛋白质,结果期调查单果种子数,从而分析各项生理指标的相关性。结果表明:可溶性糖、淀粉、游离脯氨酸及蛋白质含量两两之间的相关性均达到了极显著水平;可溶性糖、淀粉、游离脯氨酸和蛋白质含量与果实种子数和花粉发芽率的相关均达到极显著水平;脯氨酸对花粉发芽率和果实种子数的直接通径系数都很高,分别为0.8341和0.9889。     

Methods to improve the fertility of poinsettia

‘Success’ or ‘Red Splendor’ plants propagated by shoot tip culture or embryogenesis had higher pollen germination than those propagated by cutting. All clones of ‘Pepride’, ‘Peter Star’ and ‘Nobel Star’ propagated by cutting or by embryogenesis or shoot tip culture did not have viable pollen. ‘Peter Star’ mutants through mutagenesis could recover pollen viability. When both parents were propagated by tissue culture, fruit set increased compared to when one or both parents were propagated by cuttings. Furthermore, the number of the harvested seeds doubled per pollination set, when the tissue culture parents were used instead of cutting-propagation plants.     

银杏叶生小孢子囊比较形态学及系统意义

 运用常规石蜡切片方法,结合光学显微镜和扫描电镜技术对作者发现的中国第一株叶生小孢子囊银杏的比较形态学及系统意义进行研究。叶生小孢子囊雄株有正常小孢子囊和叶生小孢子囊两种类型。叶生小孢子囊常着生在某些短枝的叶片边缘,这些叶片明显较正常叶片小,叶片顶端或两侧常有1 ~3个深裂刻(lobe),在裂刻处堆积1 ~9个不等的小孢子叶,或者小孢子叶1 ~3 (5)个聚生在叶柄叶片交界的叶柄两侧,小孢子叶无柄。着生小孢子囊的叶片除在小孢子囊着生处叶片加厚外,解剖结构和正常叶片无明显差异,均由表皮,叶肉,叶脉3部分组成,栅栏组织和海绵组织分化不明显。叶生小孢子囊的数量、着生位置和形态具多样性。正常小孢子囊近椭圆形,叶生小孢子囊近圆形,孢子囊壁4 ~7层细胞,散粉期绒毡层已经退化,仅留痕迹,孢子囊内分布大量花粉。叶生小孢子叶的花粉极轴和赤道轴分别为19.99和13.60μm,每个叶生小孢子(花药)有花粉1.86万粒。正常花粉为光滑型,而叶生小孢子囊花粉为粗糙型。叶生小孢子囊花粉具有萌发能力。叶生小孢子囊银杏的个体发生,表明银杏的小孢子叶有叶性来源的性质,叶生小孢子囊银杏可能是一种奇特的嵌合体。对叶生小孢子囊银杏的系统发生进行了探讨。     

Fatty acids, bioactive lipids and radical scavenging activity of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. seed oil

In the present contribution lipid composition and characteristics of Indian Celastrus paniculatus seed oil were determined. C. paniculatus seeds are a rich source of oil (46%). The amounts of neutral lipids in the oil were the highest, followed by glycolipids and phospholipids. Oleic followed by palmitic and linoleic were the major fatty acids in C. paniculatus seed oil and its lipid classes. C. paniculatus seed oil being characterized by a relatively high amount of phytosterols, wherein the sterol marker was β-sitosterol followed by campesterol and stigmasterol. γ-Tocopherol was the major tocopherol isomer while the rest being α-tocopherol. When C. paniculatus oil and extra virgin olive oil were compared upon their radical scavenging activity (RSA) toward the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical C. paniculatus oil exhibited stronger RSA. In consideration of potential utilization, detailed knowledge on the composition of C. paniculatus oil is of major importance. The diversity of applications to which C. paniculatus oil can be put gives this plant great industrial importance.     

Inheritance of fertility restoration of male-sterility conferred by cytotype Y and identification of instability of male fertility phenotypes in onion (Allium cepa L.)

A novel onion (Allium cepa L.) cytoplasm, cytotype Y, was found in a previous study. Cytotype Y contained unique stoichiometry of coxI and orf725, a candidate gene responsible for male-sterility induction in onions. A S₁ segregating population was produced from a single plant selected from PI273626. Although male-fertility segregated in this population, the ratio significantly deviated from single-gene inheritance. However, genotypes of RF31446 marker perfectly linked to Ms locus-controlling fertility restoration completely matched with male-fertility phenotypes, indicating that male-fertility restoration of male-sterility conferred by cytotype Y might be determined by the Ms locus. One plant derived from the S₁ population showed discrepancy between male-fertility phenotype and RF31446 genotype. Although the RF31446 genotype was homozygous recessive, reduced amount of pollen grains were observed in anthers. Many pollen grains of the unstable male-sterile plant were deformed. Analysis of 13 molecular markers flanking the Ms locus showed no crossover between the Ms locus and the RF31446 marker. Ten more unstable male-sterile plants were identified from open-pollinated progenies of the unstable male-sterile plant. Viable seeds were successfully produced from unstable male-sterile plants, indicating that pollen grains of the unstable male-sterile plants were partially viable. In addition, an umbel containing unstable male-fertile flowers was identified from one of maintainer lines, although both male and female organs might be sterile in these flowers.     

Fruit set and embryo rescue in crosses using parthenocarpic ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon

The ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon is a seedless, astringent parthenocarpic cultivar that does not produce male flowers. After pollination using four non-astringent cultivars (‘Zenjimaru’, ‘Nishimurawase’, ‘Okugosho’ and ‘Hanagosho’), seeds were produced to different degrees. ‘Mopanshi’ fruits pollinated with ‘Zenjimaru’ produced far more seeds than those pollinated with the other three cultivars. The ratio of abnormal seeds obtained from the fruits pollinated with ‘Hanagosho’ was higher than that obtained from the fruits pollinated with the other three cultivars. Most embryos degenerated in the early to late stages of seed development. Immature embryos were cultured in a modified MS medium (half of NO₃ in MS medium + 0.4 μM BA + 0.1 μM IBA) with the greatest success (52–80%) from embryos taken from fruits 60–80 days after pollination. Seedlings failed to initiate radicles so they were transferred to dark culture conditions for 8 days or to a rooting media that contained 3% sucrose and 1% Chinese ink. The seedlings on the medium darkened with ink rooted at greater than 90.83% compared to 75.83% for dark cultured seedlings. This study demonstrated that ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon could be used as a female parent in crosses, but embryos needed to be moved to tissue culture conditions to continue to develop and form plantlets.     

秋水仙素诱导新铁炮百合2n花粉方法的优化

以新铁炮百合种子为试材,采用正交实验设计探索利用秋水仙素处理新铁炮百合种子的诱导2n花粉方法和可能性。结果表明:种子萌发处理时间5 d、秋水仙素浓度0.05%或0.2%时新铁炮百合种子出苗的效果最好;经对大花粉率极差分析,秋水仙素处理浓度是诱导大花粉的最主要因子,秋水仙素浓度0.1%、处理时间为24 h,种子萌发处理时间7 d,种子品种富田3号是诱导新铁炮百合大花粉有效方法。     

砀山酥梨和秋白梨酚类物质UPLC–PDA–MS/MS–ESI分析

采用超高效液相色谱—二极管阵列—串联四级杆质谱联用法(UPLC–PDA–MS/MS–ESI)对砀山酥梨和秋白梨果皮、果肉和果心(不含种子)中的酚类物质进行了分析。结果表明,两个品种检出42种酚类组分。大多数酚类物质在果皮中含量最高,仅绿原酸和Z–咖啡酰奎尼酸在果心最高。果皮中的酚类物质种类最多,砀山酥梨果皮中含有5大类42种;秋白梨果皮中含有4大类30种,砀山酥梨比秋白梨多7种黄酮类组分和3种槲皮素糖苷类物质。在果心和果肉中未检出黄烷醇类、黄酮醇类和黄酮类物质。在砀山酥梨果皮中鉴定出其他梨果实中尚未见有报道的芹菜素7–O–芸香糖苷,在砀山酥梨和秋白梨果皮中鉴定出原花青素B1和B2两种原花青素二聚体和原花青素C1及暂命名的C-1、C-2和C-3等4种原花青素三聚体。     

桃雄性育性与花器官内游离氨基酸含量的关系

在花粉母细胞减数分裂之前和减数分裂期、花粉发生与发育期、花粉成熟期，对雄性可育品种和不育品种的花器官进行了游离氨基酸的成分与含量的测定分析。游离氨基酸总量与游离脯氨酸的含量均在减数分裂期开始明显上升，陡升期出现在花粉发生与发育期，精氨酸和谷氨酸在减数分裂之前提前出现峰值，而在花粉发生与发育期急速下降。可育品种的游离氨基酸总量与脯氨酸含量明显高出不育品种，其含量显著差异也恰在花粉发生与发育期出现。结合细胞形态学观察，药壁组织的绒毡层的发育与解体状况和花粉育性、氨基酸代谢有着密切关系。花粉成熟时雄蕊内游离氨基酸含量的差异，实际是花粉的含量差异，可育品种的脯氨酸、精氨酸、赖氨酸和蛋氨酸的含量成倍乃至数倍高出不育品种。雌蕊内也有一定的游离脯氨酸，且可育品种明显高出不育品种。     

Methods for testing the fertility of tomato pollen formed at low temperature

A reliable indication of pollen fertility is the number of seeds per fruit produced following artificial pollination, but this method is laborious, and very slow because sampling needs ripe fruits. To seek faster techniques to test the fertility of tomato pollen produced at low temperatures, we cultivated a large collection of tomato cultivars and lines of related wild species under cold conditions with minimum nocturnal temperatures below 10°C. We compared numbers of seeds per fruit with: number of pollen tubes at the base of the style, index of natural fruit-set, percentage of pollen grains stained with acetocarmine, percentage of pollen grains giving fluorochromatic reaction with fluoresceine diacetate, and percentage of pollen grains which germinated in vitro. All these variates correlated positively and significantly between themselves. The number of pollen tubes at the base of the style most closely correlated with number of seeds. This technique is equally laborious, but is good for precise testing of small numbers of genotypes and results are quickly available. Both acetocarmine staining and fluorochromatic reaction were simple, fast techniques with potential for screening large collections to detect genotypes with highly fertile pollen at low temperature; acetocarmine was the best, but neither test would identify genotypes with low-fertile pollens. Index of natural fruit-set and germination in vitro did not effectively determine the fertility of pollen produced at low temperature.     

Breaking the intergeneric hybridization barrier in Carica papaya and Vasconcellea cauliflora

The present investigation was undertaken to develop PRSV (Papaya ringspot virus) resistant hybrids through intergeneric hybridization. Intergeneric hybridization was done involving nine Carica papaya cultivars as female and Vasconcellea cauliflora as male. To break the intergeneric hybridization barrier, various nutrient combinations were used. Among the combinations used, sucrose 5%, sucrose 5% + boron 0.5% and sucrose 5% + CaCl₂ 0.5% improved the fruit set and seed set percentage. A total number of 1197 flowers were pollinated and 308 fruits were obtained. On extraction, 721 seeds were obtained from CO 7, Pusa Nanha and CP 50. Out of 721 F₀ seeds (crossed seeds) sown, 419 seeds germinated and artificial screening for PRSV was carried out 27 days after sap inoculation. Out of 29 F₁ hybrid plants from CO 7 x V. cauliflora cross, only six plants namely CO 7V1 to CO 7V6 were found free from PRSV symptoms. Similarly, out of 55 F₁ hybrids from cross involving Pusa Nanha x V. cauliflora only 23 plants namely PNV1 to PNV23 were found free from the symptoms and 70 plants namely CPV1 to CPV70 out of 335 plants of CP50 x V. cauliflora cross were found free from PRSV symptoms. Among the crosses, Pusa Nanha x V. cauliflora had higher yield under PRSV infected conditions, however, total soluble solids and total sugars were found lesser than the CO 7 x V. cauliflora cross. The hybridity of the progenies were confirmed by using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) primers by the amplification of DNA from progenies and their parents. ISSR primers UBC 856, UBC807 and ISSR primer combinations UBC 856-817, UBC 810-817, UBC 861-817, UBC 856-810, UBC 861-810 and UBC 856-817 clearly amplified specific bands of the male parent, which were present in F₁ progenies, but it was absent in female parents.     

不同配方及浓度液体授粉对‘圣达尔’西瓜制种效果的影响

我国每年需要大量西瓜杂交种子来满足生产的需要,因此,很有必要对西瓜杂交制种的过程进行研究。授粉是西瓜杂交制种过程中很关键的一个环节,本文以液体授粉对‘圣达尔’西瓜杂交制种为实验,以提高其制种产量和制种质量为为目的,筛选出了‘圣达尔’西瓜杂交制种中,适宜的液体授粉配方为:100mg/L硼酸+10%蔗糖溶液+2.5mg/L赤霉素,pH值等于7;适宜的花粉浓度为2g/L,为进一步增强制种生产效果提供依据。     

The effects of temperature on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth of Pistacia spp.

The pollen germination and pollen tube growth among nine Pistacia genotypes was quantified in order to identify differences in the tolerance of pollen to temperature variations. The effect of temperature on in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth was investigated in Pistacia vera (Uygur, Atli, Kaska, Sengel, Kavak), P. atlantica, P. khinjuk, P. terebinthus and P. palaestina. When pollen was incubated in a germination medium for 24 h in darkness, distinct differences were observed in pollen germination and pollen tube growth at different temperatures.     

Hybridization among Epimedium (Berberidaceae) species native to China

The hybridization of fourteen plant populations belonging to seven Epimedium species native to China was studied by self-cross, infra-population cross, inter-population cross within species, and interspecific cross. Self-pollination studies on nine populations indicated high incompatibility; capsule-set rates were higher than zero in only three (4.61–6.76%). Interspecific cross-pollinations demonstrated high crossabilities in most cross combination (15.38–92.44% capsule-set rate), and the F₁ seeds possessed high germination rates (>20%). The F₁ hybrids of three interspecific cross combinations were raised to maturity. The morphology, karyomorphology of somatic cells, and pollen mother cell (PMC) meiosis of these F₁ plants revealed that they were all highly fertile (>76.10% in pollen viability), that there were few structural differences in chromosomes among species, and that most PMCs had 6 bivalents at MI. Abnormal chromosomal behaviors occurred in a minority, including chromosome bridges, unequal segregation of chromosome number, lagging chromosomes, and micronuclei. A series of experimental crosses provided strong evidence for an outbreeding system and a weak internal barrier to hybridizations in the taxa studied.