Influences of day and night temperatures on flowering of Fragaria x ananassa Duch., cvs. Korona and Elsanta,at different photoperiods

The effects of photoperiod (12, 13, 14, 15 or 16 h), day temperature (12, 15, 18, 24 or 27 °C) and night temperature (6, 9 or 12 °C) and their interactions on flower and inflorescence emergence were investigated by exposing 4 week old runner plants of strawberry cvs. Korona and Elsanta during a period of 3 weeks. A daily photoperiod of 12 or 13 h resulted in the highest number of plants with emerged flowers. A photoperiod of 14 h or more strongly reduced this number, while no flowers emerged at a photoperiod of 16 h. Plants exposed to photoperiods of 12 or 13 h flowered earlier and had longer flower trusses. A day temperature of 18 °C and/or a night temperature of 12 °C were optimal for plants to emerge flowers and resulted in the shortest time to flowering. A night temperature of 6 °C strongly reduced the number of plants that emerged flowers, especially when combined with lower day temperatures. Photoperiod and temperature had no effect on the number of inflorescences, all flowering plants produced on average one inflorescence. The number of flowers on the inflorescence increased with decreasing day temperature and when photoperiod was raised from 12 to 15 h. In general, ‘Korona’ was more sensitive to photoperiod and temperature as ‘Elsanta’, and had a lower optimal day temperature for flower emergence. Results of this experiment may be used to produce high quality plant material or to define optimal conditions when combining flower induction and fruit production.     

大扁杏幼树雌蕊发育和结果规律

连续5 a对6-8 a生大扁杏幼树的开花和结果情况进行了研究,结果表明果枝长度对大扁杏幼树的雌蕊发育和坐果率有显著的影响,长果枝上的花比其它类型果枝发育好,坐果率较高.花的发育状况与坐果率之间有一定的相关关系,大扁杏子房正常发育的比例较低.     

Effects of walnut trees on biological nitrogen fixation and yield of intercropped alfalfa in a Mediterranean agroforestry system

While intercropping annual non nitrogen-fixing crops with deciduous hardwood species is now well documented, there is a need to investigate if nitrogen-fixing intercrops may succeed in agroforestry systems. Intercropping with trees usually leads to a decline in crop yield, and could in addition possibly reduce the biological N fixation (BNF) over time due to the competition for resources. In a Mediterranean experimental site, 17 year-old hybrid walnut trees (Juglans nigra x Juglans regia L.) planted in East-West oriented lines were intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to assess the impact of competition for light and water on alfalfa yield and BNF. Alfalfa yield and shoot δ¹⁵N values (a proxy for the proportion of N derived from the air, %Ndfa) were measured during one year at different distances from the tree row in two directions (north and south). Alfalfa yield was reduced close to the tree row (−28% and −22% on the northern and southern sides respectively), but less than the reduction of irradiation (−59% and −33% respectively). Shading improved by 35% the apparent light use efficiency (LUE: aboveground biomass produced per unit of global radiation) of alfalfa, indicating that alfalfa was shade tolerant at this Mediterranean site. Alfalfa shoot δ¹⁵N values were lower close to the tree rows than at mid inter-row: BNF was stimulated close to the trees. Compensative and facilitative mechanisms between trees and alfalfa plants led to a rise in LUE and%Ndfa in shaded areas. These results contradict the frequent assumption that N fixation is reduced in the shade of trees. Appropriate tree canopy management may help maintain light competition between trees and alfalfa to a level that still enhance complementary, which would further improve the sustainability of the use of alfalfa as an intercrop in Mediterranean regions.     

东方杉的组织培养繁殖技术研究

以东方杉大树基部当年生的幼嫩萌枝为外植体,进行了组织培养技术研究。结果表明,外植体的最佳消毒方法为75%酒精消毒30～60 s后用升汞0.2%浓度消毒10～15 min。采用茎段微型扦插和诱导丛生芽的方法来增殖扩繁,适宜东方杉芽增殖培养基为:MHJ BA 0.5 mg/L NAA 0.05 mg/L L-谷氨酰胺0.5 g/L 活性碳5 g/L 蔗糖2%,茎段腋芽萌发率可达90%。芽伸长生长的培养基为:MHJ L-谷氨酰胺0.5 g/L 活性碳5 g/L 蔗糖2%,35 d平均增高4.2 cm。试管苗的生根培养基为:1/2 MHJ L-谷氨酰胺0.5 g/L 活性碳5 g/L 蔗糖1%,最高生根率达75%,以沙为培养基质的效果比琼脂好。生根的组培苗先在沙床上进行炼苗,炼苗成活率达87%,然后移栽到带混合基质的营养钵中育苗,移栽成活率可达90%,育苗1～2个月后移栽大田。     

银中杨光合作用和蒸腾作用对土壤干旱的响应

 以银中杨3年生苗木为试验材料,通过盆栽试验,研究土壤干旱程度、干旱持续时间和逐渐干旱对银中杨叶片气体交换参数的日变化和光响应过程的影响。结果表明:银中杨具有较强的抗旱性;适度干旱有利于银中杨光合作用;逐渐干旱过程中,土壤含水量在40.1%～20.2%范围内,光合速率随着含水量的减少而降低,但降低幅度较小,表观量子效率基本不变;土壤含水量为15.5%时的光合能力则大幅度下降;银中杨的光饱和点在750～1300μmol.m-2.s-1之间,随着土壤含水量的下降,光饱和点降低;光合速率和腾速率与气孔导度的正相关性较强,与胞间CO2则有负相关的趋势;在逐渐干旱过程中,水分利用率随着含水量的下降而上升,但长时间的严重干旱胁迫导致水分利用率降低;在相同含水量条件下,逐渐干旱对各光合参数的影响均小于梯度干旱,这说明银中杨光合作用能忍受暂时的干旱,重度水分胁迫持续时间较长时,光合速率和蒸腾速率大幅度降低,这是银中杨对干旱的一种适应方式。     

Regression analysis of genotype x environment interaction in sweet potato

Summary Two experiments, each involving a set of 10 sweet potato clones, were conducted for three years at 4 sites (Ekona, Ebolowa, Nkolbisson, and Bambui Plain) in Cameroon. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance to determine the presence of genotype x environment (G x E) interactions, and to regression analysis to assess the performance of clones across anvironments. Environments were assessed in two ways: (i) the mean response of all clones (dependent assessment), and (ii) the average performance of a different set of clones (independent assessment).The first experiment (Expt 1) produced higher yields but had fewer stable clones than the second (Expt 2).The analysis of variance revealed that the clones interacted significantly with environments for all traits.The study has identified high yielding and stable sweet potato clones for distribution to growers in the major areas of cultivation in the tountry. Despite slight differences in numbers of clones judged stable by the various regression indices in the two methods of environmental assessments, the rankings of clones on the basis of their linear regression coefficients were similar. In a developing country like Cameroon, with limited resources and where sophisticated equipment for obtaining physical or biological measures of the environment may be lacking, the mean performance of genotypes may still be the most reliable measure of environment in evaluating the stability of performance of crop cultivars.     

Analysis of adaptation of barley,triticale, durum and bread wheat under Mediterranean conditions

Summary Yield data obtained from a comparative small grain cereals trial, grown for five consecutive growing seasons at a total of 23 environments in Cyprus, were subjected to regression analysis. Within each environment, yield trials consisted of a standard set of three cultivars or elite lines of barley, triticale, durum and bread wheat. The regression coefficient (b) of crop mean on the environmental index (I) and the mean square deviation from regression (sd²) were calculated for each crop. Each crop tended to have its own characteristic value of sd² and its magnitude was an excellent indicator of specific crop-environment interaction. The causes of large sd², for two of the four crops, were the susceptibilith of barley to lodging, when favourable conditions were encountered at high yielding environments, and triticale dependence on late season precipitation. Durum wheat and triticale had an average response to different yielding environments (b>1.19) and both were significantly different from those of bread wheat (1.08) and barley (0.54). Hence, barley, bread and durum wheat are specifically adapted to low, average and high yielding Mediterranean environments, respectively. The cultivation of triticale at the expence of durum wheat is not feasible. Furthermore, interactions between crops and environments demonstrated by the regression parameters, should constitute the basis for decision making, regarding crop adaptation in a region. The average yield in all environments should not be considered as a proper criterion for adaptation. In this study, triticale had a similar mean grain yield (3,842 kg/ha) to that of bread wheat, but was significantly higher yielding than barley or durum wheat (5 and 7%, respectively).     

Transmission of bacterial wilt resistance by First Division Restitution (FDR) 2n pollen via 4x×2x crosses in potatoes

Summary Resistance to bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) found in tuber-bearing Solanum species was transferred into a diploid potato breeding population. Simultaneous selections were made for agronomic characters, production of first division restitution (FDR) 2n pollen, and resistance. Diploid resistant genotypes were identified via inoculation with a virulent isolate (CIP-204) of race 3 of Pseudomonas solanacearum. These resistant diploid genotypes were crossed to susceptible tetraploid potatoes. An investigation was made to assess whether resistant diploid genotypes transmit resistance to bacterial wilt, which is a quantitatively inherited trait, to tetraploid potatoes via FDR 2n pollen. Tetraploid seedlings from 4x×2x crosses were inoculated with the same isolate CIP-204, and the percentage of surviving seedlings was scored. Some 4x×2x families from resistant diploid genotypes demonstrated a high level of survival rate. The transmission of bacterial wilt resistance was achieved by the use of FDR 2n pollen. It was speculated that a female x male interaction effect on the survival rate of the evaluated progeny may exist. Selecting proper 4x and 2x parents would be important for obtaining a higher frequency of transmission of resistance to bacterial wilt in the progeny.     

Natural hybridization between Solanum acaule Bitt. and S. megistacrolobum Bitt. in the province of jujuy,Argentina

Summary Evidence is provided that hybridization of the tetraploid (2n=4x=48), self-fertile tuber-bearing species Solanum acaule Bitt. with the diploid (2n=2x=24), self-incompatible, tuber-bearing S. megistacrolobum Bitt. takes place in several localities of the province of Jujuy in the high, cold plateaux of the Argentine Puna. The triploid hybrids (2n=3x=36) closely resemble S. acaule in growth habit, leaf morphology and floral structures and for this reason they can be easily overlooked for that species in the field. Experimental data show that S. acaule can be crossed with S. megistacrolobum though the crossability is rather low and variable according to the particular cross considered. The artificial hybrid obtained compares well with the natural hybrid in morphology and chromosome number. The hybrids, though almost completely male sterile, are successful colonizers of disturbed areas around farmers' dwellings, cattle enclosures and other areas where the soil is rich in organic matter.There is some evidence that the Tilcara material of S. acaule subsp. aemulans and the hybrids of S. acaule x S. megistacrolobum have some characters in common, which can be interpreted as having a similar origin.It is postulated that S. acaule subsp. aemulans, in Jujuy at any rate, is not a primitive form of S. acaule as thought by Hawkes and Hjerting, but rather a fertile hybrid derivative of S. acaule x S. megistacrolobum through the functioning of 2n gametes.We also provide evidence that S. bruecheri Correll should not be considered a hybrid of S. acaulle x S. megistacrolobum but a synonym for S. gourlayi Hawkes. The new name, S. x indunii Okada et Clausen, is proposed to designate this hybrid.     

Directed search for plant constituents: a case study concerning flavonoids in Norway spruce

The reported content of flavonoids in the needles of Norway spruce, Picea abies, has been used as a basis for a directed search for compounds previously undetected in this species. Combined with advanced chromatographic methods and sensitive detection techniques, the directed search approach assisted in the identification of the novel flavonols, myricetin 3- O- (6-acetylglucoside) and syringetin 7- O-glucoside, and several other flavonoids isolated for the first time from this species.