Starch granule size variation and relationship with tuber dry matter content in heritage potato varieties

Heritage potato varieties in Canada are historic old varieties collected from Canada and various countries before the formal establishment of the Canadian plant variety registration system and may be a valuable gene resource for beneficial traits in potato breeding and bioproducts development. Greater evaluation is the key for the enhanced use of these materials. It is unknown how much variation of starch granules occurs among Canadian heritage potato varieties. We analyzed the starch granule size of 14 potato heritage varieties held in the Canadian Plant Gene Resources collection over 2 years using a squeezed juice and microscopic method recently developed at the Potato Research Centre. The varieties demonstrated considerable variation in starch granule size and shape. The granules showed average lengths ranging from 18 μm in the variety Congo to 32 μm in ‘Russet Burbank’. The largest single granule measured from 64 μm in ‘Congo’ to 91 μm in ‘Crotte d’Ours.’ The granule sizes of the varieties showed a very high correlation (r = 0.975, P < 0.0001) between years. This high reproducibility suggests the existence of genetic factors in determining starch granule size. We also found that the starch granule size is positively correlated with tuber dry matter (in terms of specific gravity) in these heritage potatoes. The results demonstrated reproducible genotypic variation for starch granule size and shape in tubers with a significant correlation to tuber dry matter in these heritage potato varieties, and offers the possibility for and agronomic relevance of genetic modification of starch granules through selective breeding.     

Physico-chemical characteristics of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) grown in Northern Areas of Pakistan

In order to ascertain physico-chemical, functional and geometrical traits of apricot fruit from Northern Areas of Pakistan, six predominantly grown varieties namely, Alman, Habi, Khakhas, Mirmalik, Neeli and Shai were selected in this study. Proximate composition as crude fat (2.1–3%), crude protein (6.18–8.7%), crude fiber (11.85–13.6%), ash (9.45–12.1%) and total sugars (56.8–64.9%) were determined on dry weight basis. The data showed variations among the investigated parameters in all varieties. Functional properties of apricot fruit viz. ascorbic acid (67.39–90.94 mg/100 g), total phenolic compounds (4590–7310 mgGAE/100 g), total carotenoids (10.09–18.13 mg/100 g β-carotene) and antioxidant activity (56.84–82.33%) were also recorded. The data pertaining to mineral contents (mg/100 g) revealed K as the predominant element (2040–3000) followed by P, Mg, Ca, Na and Fe among all the tested samples. Furthermore, geometrical characters of apricot varieties were also determined as important sensory and technological attributes on fresh weight basis. The result from the present study showed that all the tested varieties are highly nutritious and rich in functional components.     

泰山板栗良种(优系)选育研究

本研究通过对板栗种质资源丰富的泰山的实生板栗大树进行良种选育,在对优系生长结果,栗实品质调查的基础上,通过初选、实地调查、专家复选,确定23个优系在3种不同立地条件下建优系对比园。通过各优系的生物学特性、早实丰产性、栗实品质进行对比分析,采用最大隶属度原则进行排序,筛选出综合品质前4位的5号、8号1、6和20号。筛选出的4个优系在不同立地条件上表现丰产稳产,4 a生株产在2.0kg以上,比对照石丰株产高70%~190%,平均投影面积产量在0.5 kg以上。栗实综合品质优良,单粒重在8.0g以上,红褐色或紫褐色,茸毛少或较少,富光泽,栗实整齐均匀,含糖量在18.0%以上,栗肉细、味香、糯性强,栗实品质优于石丰。     

Quality and decomposition of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) mulch for temperate alley cropping systems

Black locust and alfalfa mulch quality were characterized over a 9-week period of decomposition. Both mulch materials were harvested with a forage harvester. The black locust material was harvested from trees annually coppiced for four years, the alfalfa from a preflorescent second cutting. Two identical, adjacent experiments were conducted, one on each mulch source. A randomized complete block design was used with four replications for this single factor experiment. Fifty grams fresh weight of both mulch types were placed in litter bags, made of 98% shade cloth, a woven plastic with holes approximately 1×0.5 mm. The treatments included two placements of the mulch material, surface and buried. Sampling took place on weeks 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9.The incorporation of mulch materials appears to accelerate dry weight loss. From an initial dry weight of 44.25 g, the buried black locust mulch averaged 4.58 g, while the surface mulch averaged 7.41 g by week 6. The alfalfa mulch initially weighed 40.99g, with buried mulch averaging 1.75 g and surface mulch averaging 4.08 g by week 9.Carbon concentration of alfalfa mulch increased with time in both mulch placements from 43.6% to 57.6% and 51.8% in surface and buried mulch, respectively. Black locust, with an initial carbon concentration of 46.9% increased to 55.9% for the buried mulch and to 53.89% in surface mulch. Nitrogen concentrations increased as well in buried mulch. Lignin concentrations increased dramatically over time for both species of mulch. Black locust lignin concentrations rose from 13.11% to 51.0% (buried) and 32.9% (surface); alfalfa mulch lignin concentrations rose from 6.67% to 31.4% (buried) and 47.7% (surface).     

发展福建省林木育种工作的思考

本文指出随着福建林业的发展，林木良种工作也产生了相应的变化，认为应当对主要用材树种进行深入研究，使育种目标多样化并加强对林木种质基因资源的保护。     

红土晒烟品种比较试验

以保山地区大面积种植的红土晒烟品种拉茄为对照,对不同种源的肯那、歪尾巴、沂水香烟、Va309等4个品种进行比较试验,通过生物学性状、农艺性状、外观质量的观察比较和对产量、产值的方差分析结果:参试品种均不及对照品种拉茄;歪尾巴、肯那综合性状表现相对较好,接近拉茄;而沂水香烟、Va309明显较差。     

数字图像处理在植物新品种鉴定中的应用

随着分子生物学和信息技术的发展,指纹图谱技术已成为品种鉴定的重要手段。本文从目前人工鉴定指纹图谱的方法出发,提出了利用计算机的图像处理技术来实现指纹图谱鉴定的方法以及实现技术。     

生草栽培果园根系生长动态研究

通过对金太阳杏生草(紫花苜蓿)栽培与生长动态的研究表明,金太阳杏新根在1年中有2次明显的生长高峰,1次是在3～4月,占全年的37%以上,第二次在6月中下旬至7月上旬。而紫花苜蓿主要在7月中旬以后,两者在时间尺度也存在有差异,根据金太阳杏新根周年变化特点,掌握2个时期,即3月中旬和6月上中旬。     

三种杨树树皮真菌群落的研究

对毛白杨、陕林4号杨、北京杨不同年龄枝条、树体空间层次的真菌种类、数量及季节动态作了分析，结果表明：三种杨树树皮真菌群落组成不同，链格孢属(Alternaria)、曲霉属(Aspergillus)、内脐蠕孢属(Drechslera)、毛壳属(Chaetomium)等为毛白杨上的优势菌种群；链格孢属、曲霉属、木霉属(Trichoderma)、青霉属(Penicillium)等为陕林4号杨的优势菌种群；链格孢属、曲霉属、盾壳霉属(Coniothyrium)、青霉属等为北京杨的优势菌种群。真菌种类及数量在树体空间层次的分布趋势是由上到下逐渐增多；真菌群落季节变化趋势为夏、秋季种类和数量稍高，春、冬季有所减少。     

10个红掌品种在生产上的表现

叙述了在云南西双版纳网棚基质栽培条件下,10个红掌品种的生长和产花表现,讨论了商业品种选择和抗病品种选育对云南热区发展红掌商业种植的重要性。