Almond Oil Quality as Related to the Type of Pollen Source in Iranian Self Incompatible Cultivars

ABSTRACT

The effects of different pollen sources including five cultivated almond cultivars (Genco, Tuono, 15–5, Filip Ceo, and Supernova) on quantity and quality of chemical composition of two Iranian self-incompatible cultivars (Shahrood 12 and Shahrood 21) as well as self-pollination of these cultivars were investigated. Results showed a variation in oil content and fatty acid composition between two studied cultivars. The oil content was not affected by pollination treatments but the fatty acid composition of almond oil significantly was influenced by type of the pollen source. The most common unsaturated fatty acids found in the kernels of all treatments were oleic acid (68.72–88.26%) and linoleic acid (10.57–22.36%). The type of pollen source with modified oleic/linoleic acid ratio affected the oil quality. The highest oleic/linoleic acid ratio was obtained in Shahrood 12 (8.35%) and Sharood 21 (4.78%) cultivars, which pollinated with Filip Ceo and Supernova pollens, respectively.     

Diversity in seed oil content and fatty acid composition in three tree peony species with potential as sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Tree peony (Paeonia sect. Moutan) has long been known as a horticultural and medicinal plant in China. Recent studies have shown that tree peony may have further potential applications in the field of edible oils. The selection and cultivation of acceptable varieties is a key issue. Seed from 21 genotypes belonging to P. ostii, P. rockii, and P. ludlowii were evaluated for their oil contents and fatty acid compositions. The results indicated that the average oil contents of P. ostii, P. rockii, and P. ludlowii were 28.05%, 30.52%, and 27.62% (w/w), respectively. Averaged over all genotypes, the major fatty acid components in the seed oils of all three species were the unsaturated fatty acids, linolenic [28.10–52.57% (w/w)], linoleic [14.19–23.92% (w/w)], and oleic [22.67–43.55% (w/w)] acids. Oil contents and fatty acid compositions varied significantly between species, as well as between genotypes within a species. This indicated that tree peony could become an important source of edible vegetable oils and a novel source of omega-3 fatty acids. Germplasm collections will be important for future oil-rich tree peony breeding programmes.     

Cyanogenic D-amygdalin contents of the kernels of cultivated almonds and wild Amygdalus webbii Spach.

SUMMARY

D-amygdalin is a toxic compound found in the kernels of some bitter almond cultivars.This compound is toxic because of its potential to release poisonous hydrogen cyanide. The D-amygdalin contents of the kernels of 18 commercial almond cultivars (Prunus dulcis Mill. = Amygdalus communis L.) and three wild genotypes (Amygdalus webbii Spach.) were determined by HPLC. In initial tests, two extraction procedures [100% (v/v) methanol or 4% (w/v) citric acid)], two different kernel cutting sizes (powdered or roughly-cut pieces), and two shaking techniques (mechanical shaking or sonication) were assessed. The results obtained showed that the method of extraction can have a strong effect on the extent of recovery of the potentially toxic compound, which varied by a factor of approx. 20-fold across the different extraction techniques.The greatest recovery of D-amygdalin from wild almond kernels was achieved with mechanical shaking of roughly-cut kernels in 100% (v/v) methanol, and this procedure was applied for all subsequent analyses of the D-amygdalin contents of all genotypes. The highest amounts of D-amygdalin were found in “bitter” cultivars and wild genotypes (716 – 23,025 mg kg^–1), with lower values in “sweet” cultivars (0 – 158 mg kg^–1). High levels of variability were observed both among the 18 almond cultivars and the A. webbii genotypes tested.     

Characteristics of some almond kernel and oils

The proximate properties, the fatty acid and mineral contents of different almond kernel varieties were determined. The crude protein contents of kernels ranged between 12.7% (guara) and 16.3% (cristomorto). The oil yields from these kernels were established between 48.8% (cristomorto) and 55.7% (ferragnes). The acidity value of oils were found between 1.389 and 3.559%. In addition, peroxide values were established between 7.586 (nonpareil) and 15.590 mequiv./kg (cristomorto). The major fatty acids of almond kernel oils were oleic (72.5–79.9%), linoleic (13.5–19.8%) and palmitic acids (5.9–6.7%). The predominant mineral in most kernel was potassium (13.1–15.1 mg/100 g). The mineral contents of the kernels were established as 7.94–9.38 mg/100 g potassium, 2.9–4.0 mg/100 g magnesium and 1.84–2.94 mg/100 g calcium. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the kernels of almond varieties are being potential sources of valuable oil which might be used for edible and other industrial applications.     

Effect of the harvest time on kernel quality of several almond varieties (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb)

In the present work the effects of the harvest time on variation of the quality parameters of several almond cultivars were evaluated. Studied cultivars came originally from three different countries: Italy (Supernova, Falsa Barese, Genco and Tuono); France (Ferragnes, Lauranne and Stelliette); Spain (Glorieta and Mas Bovera). The samples were collected in a field of the South of Italy during two harvest periods: at the beginning and at the end of August. Particularly, the highest free acidity content (increasing about the 24%) was observed during the ripening of Falsa Barese variety. Also the lipid content was increased and the Genco variety was that of the highest amount in both samplings. The fatty acids amount from the Mas Bovera cv almond kernels, particularly at the late harvest time, showed the best results (oleic/linoleic acids of 7.36 and high MUFAs/PUFAs value). The cluster analysis shows that this cultivar differs from the others in the oil composition. If on the first sampling some differences were observed, in the late harvest time all varieties combined in the same cluster with the exception of Mas Bovera and Ferragnes, provided of different acidic distributions. The analysis of minerals and trace element, K, Mg and Ca proved the major minerals present in all almond seeds.     

Effects of light,sucrose, and cytokinins on somatic embryogenesis in Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Bioss. via transverse thin cell-layer cultures of bulblet microscales

Summary

This is the first report describing the culture conditions necessary to induce somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration from transverse thin cell-layers (tTCL) of the rare and endangered bulb species, Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss. (Liliaceae). The tTCLs were transferred onto 1.0 Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) containing various sucrose concentrations [3.0, 4.5, or 6.0% (w/v)] and different combinations of two cytokinins [6-benzylaminopurine (BA) or thidiazuron (TDZ)] with 1.0 µM -naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in the dark, or exposed to light (40 µmol m^–2 s^–1). The aims of this work were to provide an improved propagation method torescue L. ledebourii, and to determine the effects of sucrose concentration, light, and different cytokinins on somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic callus cultures were obtained only when the tTCLs were transferred onto 1.0 MS medium containing 1.0 µM NAA, various levels of BA (0.4, 1.1, or 2.2 µM), and sucrose [3.0, 4.5, or 6.0% (w/v)] after 3 months culture in the light or in darkness. Combinations of various concentrations of TDZ and NAA did not generate embryogenic calli. The highest rate of growth of embryogenic calli was achieved on 1.0 MS medium supplemented with 1.0µM NAA, 1.1 µM BA, and 4.5% (w/v) sucrose, in the light. Embryo-like structures were grown into plantlets after transfer onto 1.0 MS medium without any plant growth regulators and incubated in the light. Regenerated plants were successfully acclimatised to ex vitro conditions, with a survival rate of 90%.     

In vitro plantlet regeneration from protocorms of Dendrobium lituiflorum Lindl. and Cymbidium bicolor Lindl. and their acclimatisation: effect of salts,sucrose, and banana extract

Summary

The salts present in modified Knudson C (KC) medium (1946), 2% (w/v) sucrose, and a natural banana extract (BE) [1 – 20% (v/v)] were studied singly, or in combination, for their effects on the regeneration of protocorms of the orchid species, Dendrobium lituiflorum and Cymbidium bicolor. The incorporation of KC salts along with higher percentages of BE [10% or 20% (v/v)] promoted protocorm development as well as shoot and root formation. The presence of 2% (w/v) sucrose in the medium further enhanced root lengths and the rooting percentage, irrespective of the presence of KC salts. Incorporation of both KC salts and 2% (w/v) sucrose was found to be obligatory, in conjunction with BE (a cost-effective natural additive) for plantlet regeneration. In vitro-raised plantlets of both orchid species exhibited high rates of survival under greenhouse conditions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed elliptical stomata and epicuticular granular wax deposits on their abaxial leaf surfaces after acclimatisation.     

A combination of gum arabic and chitosan can control anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae and enhance the shelf-life of banana fruit

Summary

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum musae, is the major disease affecting the quality of banana fruit during storage. To control banana anthracnose, the combined effects of coatings with gum arabic [GA; at 5, 10, 15 or 20% (w/v)] and 0.75% (w/v) chitosan (CH) were investigated and compared to untreated controls. In vitro results showed significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of mycelial growth and conidial germination of C. musae in all combined treatments compared to the untreated controls after 7 d of incubation at room temperature (25°C). However, potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates amended with 10% (w/v) GA gave the most promising results among all test treatments in suppressing mycelial growth (86%) and inhibiting conidial germination (80%), while no effective inhibition of conidial germination was observed in the controls. In vivo results confirmed that 10% (w/v) GA was the optimum concentration to control fruit decay (70%), while showing efficacy on the reduction of growth of C. musae on artificially inoculated banana fruit. The combined coatings of GA + CH also significantly delayed ripening in terms of weight loss, fruit firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity. These results support the possibility of using 10% (w/v) GA combined with 0.75% (w/v) CH as an alternative strategy to control post-harvest anthracnose disease in banana fruit.     

Physical,compositional and sensory differences in nuts among pistachio (Pistachia vera L.) varieties

Differences in some physical, compositional and sensory characteristics among eight varieties of pistachio nuts (Aegina, Pontikis, Bronte, Cerasola, Joley, Kerman, Mumtaz and Sirora) from different origins were studied. The evaluated varieties were cultivated under the same field conditions and the dried nuts were utilised. The percentage of split nuts ranged from 93.8% (Sirora) to 80.2% (Aegina), the 10-nut weight from 15.23 g (Kerman) to 9.7 g (Cerasola), the kernel/nut percentage from 57.24% (w/w) (Pontikis) to 47.08% (w/w) (Kerman) and the ratio of length/width of nut from 1.81 (Aegina and Joley) to 1.56 (Mumtaz). Colour measurements showed the highest shell L* (80.26) for Kerman, the lowest shell h° (81.19) for Mumtaz, the lowest kernel membrane h° (24.43) for Cerasola, and the highest h° (107.23) on the inner kernel of Aegina. Crude protein content varied between 21.87 (Cerasola) and 18.99% d.w. (Joley), and the fat between 57.62 (Joley) and 49.79% d.w. (Cerasola). Among the major fatty acids in kernel oil, oleic ranged from 67.86% in Cerasola to 51.6% in Kerman, linoleic from 27.03% in Kerman to 11.56% in Pontikis and palmitic from 10.24% in Kerman to 8.54% in Cerasola. Linolenic acid was highest in Kerman (0.5%). Myristic, palmitoleic, stearic, vaccenic, arachidic and gondoic acids were also found in all samples. Negative and significant linear correlations were found between oleic and linoleic, and between mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Most of the physical and compositional characteristics measured were affected significantly by variety. Panelists preferred nuts of big size with a naturally yellowish shell colour. Visual differences in kernels were not significant, whereas Kerman, Sirora and Cerasola gained the panelists’ overall flavour preference among the varieties evaluated.     

Characterisation of respiration,ethylene production,and carbohydrate contents during flower opening in Epidendrum ibaguense

Summary

The opening of flowers in Epidendrum ibaguense is characterised by continuous drops in respiration, ethylene production, and 1-aminocyclopropone-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase activity from the bud stage to fully open. Later, an increase in ethylene production and ACC oxidase activity occurred, suggesting autocatalytic production of ethylene, beginning at an early stage of senescence. Regardless of developmental stage, the main non-structural carbohydrates in flowers were non-reducing sugars [23.7% (w/w) fresh weight (FW)]. Starch accounted for 3.1% (w/w) FW and reducing sugars for 0.7% (w/w) FW. No depletion in the level of any carbohydrate was observed throughout senescence. At the beginning of floral senescence, a sharp increase occurred in the activities of acid and alkaline invertases, suggesting a role for both enzymes in the cleavage of sucrose. However, no major changes in sucrose synthase activity were found during flower development.     

Assessment of volatile and non-volatile organic compounds in the liquid endosperm of young ‘Nam Hom’ coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) at two stages of maturity

SUMMARY

Young coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) fruit collected 6–8 months after anthesis (MAA) contain a high volume of water [20% (w/w)] and can provide a refreshing drink. The present study investigated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as aroma components, and physico-chemical changes in the liquid endosperm of young ‘Nam Hom’ coconut at two stages of maturity: the one-layer stage (6 MAA) and the two-layer stage (7.0–7.5 MAA) of the flesh. The liquid endosperm of coconut fruit becomes sweeter and more turbid late during maturation. Lauric acid (C_12:0) and myristic acid (C_14:0) were the main free fatty acids in the liquid endosperm of coconut. Short-chain fatty acid (C₁₀–C₁₂) concentrations increased slightly, and longer-chain fatty acid (C₁₄–C₁₈) concentrations declined when fruit matured from the one- to the two-layer stage of flesh. Solvent extractions showed a 1.4-fold increase in the total concentration of VOCs in the liquid endosperm during fruit development. This was related to a major increase in squalene and sterols, to 21.7% (w/w) of the total VOC and non-volatile organic compounds, whereas the concentrations of terpenes and esters remained stable. Although a series of alkanes existed in the liquid endosperm of coconut, the main aroma components were 2-methyl-1-butyl acetate and terpenes such as D-limonene, α-pinene, and 3-carene. We conclude that, when coconut fruit developed from the one- to the two-layered flesh stage, the liquid endosperm not only became sweeter and contained higher concentrations of aroma volatile and non-volatile components, but also became oily and less translucent.     

Flowering and fruiting phenology,and physico-chemical characteristics of 2-year-old plants of six species of Opuntia from eight regions of Morocco

SUMMARY

We have described the flowering and fruiting phenology of 14 accessions of six Opuntia species grown in Morocco: O. ficus-indica, O. robusta, O. aequatorialis, O. dillenii, O. leucotricha, and O. stricta. We also determined the physicochemical characteristics of their cladodes. For each accession, we used four-to-20 plants. Two systems were used to measure phenology: the extended Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie (BBCH)-scale and the National Phenology Monitoring System. Five principal stages were described: the development of vegetatively-propagated organs (vegetative buds), the development of flower buds, flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturity. The number of vegetative buds varied significantly among the 14 accessions, while only four accessions produced flower buds. After reaching their final size, fruit lengths varied from 3.40–6.40 cm, while fruit diameters varied from 1.93–3.90 cm. The average cladode number differed significantly among genotypes and varied from 1.75–7.75. There were also significant differences in cladode length (13.75–30.63 cm), width (6.25–17.33 cm), thickness (0.65–1.38 cm), fresh weight (FW; 67.50–766.00 g), and dry weight (DW; 8.75–67.15 g) between species. Water content and ash content, as well as total protein and total sugar concentrations, showed significant differences and were within the ranges of 86.67–92.04% (w/w), 12.97–22.08g 100 g^?1 DW, 4.64–11.56g 100 g^?1 DW, and 3.22–12.51 g 100 g^?1 DW, respectively. Our results will help in the development of agronomic management practices and improve the characterisation, valorisation, and use of cactus pear species grown in Morocco.     

Pink mould of pecan kernels in the southeastern USA is associated with scab,above-normal temperatures,and humidity during nut maturation

Summary

Pink mould is a disease caused by the common saprophytic fungus Trichothecium roseum (Pers.:Fr.). Pink mould rarely infects kernels of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangeh.) C. Koch] in the southeastern USA, but the disease was a major problem in 2002. T. roseum enters the pecan fruit via scab lesions on the shuck caused by the fungus Fusicladoporium effusum, (G. Winters) Partridge & Morgan-Jones. This study examined the association between pink mould and weather during nut maturation. Average daily temperatures and two or more consecutive days of rainfall were identified as critical factors in 2002, and were compared with weather data between 1963 – 2001 when there was no recorded evidence of pink mould. Both the average daily temperatures and the number of consecutive rainy days during nut maturation were above the 40-year average in 2002. Consecutive rainy days during the nut drying period in 2002 were more than double the 40-year mean, implicating humidity as a critical factor in mould development at this time. Normal variations in temperature were minor factors in disease development following the initial infection. Thus, the onset of mould was associated with the development of scab lesions in late July, a combination of warm temperatures in September and October, and above-average humidity in September and during nut drying from mid-October until mid-November. This combination of factors occurred in only one year out of the past 41 years, explaining the rarity of the disease. The incidence of mould was sigmoidal, with the log-phase overlapping the period of rapid sugar accumulation in the kernel, and potential substrates for the mould to grow.     

Characterising the flavour phenotypes of almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) kernels

Summary

To determine the chemical basis of almond flavour phenotypes, non-bitter, semi-bitter, and bitter kernels from 101 almond trees, all derived from a common maternal parent, were evaluated for flavour using three approaches: (1) sensory analysis (i.e., by taste); (2) amygdalin quantitation (using High Performance Liquid Chromatography); and (3) non-targeted analysis of volatile metabolites released on maceration (by Solid Phase Micro-Extraction, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, and Chemical Sensor). Tasting identified three categories of flavour (non-bitter, semi-bitter, and bitter) that were also distinguishable on the basis of chemical analyses, and by a chemical sensor using principal component analysis. Highly significant correlations were found between amygdalin content and the taste panel’s score for ‘marzipan’, and also between the taste panel’s scores for sweet and overall taste preference. Non-targeted metabolite analysis identified benzyl alcohol and 2,3-butanediol as potentially important flavour components of almond, for the first time.     

Pre-harvest application of 2, 6-dichloroisonicotinic acid, -aminobutyric acid or benzothiadiazole to control post-harvest storage diseases of melons by inducing systemic acquired resistance (SAR)

Summary

Field-grown rockmelon plants were treated with -aminobutyric acid (BABA), 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA), benzothiadiazole (BTH) or water during fruit development and evaluated for increased resistance against plant diseases or post-harvest pathogens. One experiment was conducted at Camden, NSW, Australia (INA, BABA or water). Two experiments were at Griffith, NSW, Australia (INA, BTH or water). Growing plants and harvested fruits were assessed for disease symptoms from natural infections and assayed for the accumulation of chitinase and peroxidase, two major pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins induced as a result of systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Harvested fruit from both BTH- or INA-treated plants showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the severity and incidence of post-harvest storage diseases mainly caused by Fusarium, Alternaria and Rhizopus. However, there were no differences in disease severity and the incidence of rots between using four fortnightly foliar sprays of INA or BTH during flowering and fruit development, or a single spray of BTH, 2 weeks before harvest. Each approach showed an equivalent reduction in storage diseases. Plants treated with BABA showed less resistance against powdery mildew in the field and storage rots from natural inoculum, and lower increases in chitinase and peroxidase activities than those treated with INA. In all trials, an additional post-harvest dip with guazatine [0.05% (w/v)] gave a substantial reduction in melon storage rots. Pre-harvest application of INA or BTH reduced the occurrence of powdery mildew and downy mildew on the leaves. Over the three field-experiments, INA had a small phytotoxic effect causing lesion-like symptoms on leaves and affected plant growth, but not yield, at Camden, when applied during flowering and 2 weeks after flowering. However, INA did not produce any phytotoxic effects in the two experiments at Griffith when applied serially, four times to plants after flowering.     

南疆栽培杏品种杏仁油脂肪酸组成及其遗传多样性

 采用气—质联用（GC–MS）技术对30个南疆栽培杏品种杏仁油脂肪酸组分及其遗传多样性进行了研究,并与4个华北栽培杏品种进行了比较。在参试的30个南疆杏品种杏仁油中共鉴定出包括油酸、亚油酸、棕榈油酸、棕榈酸和硬脂酸等15种脂肪酸成分,其中不饱和脂肪酸占脂肪酸总含量的83.26% ~ 88.81%,各品种均以油酸含量最高,亚油酸次之,棕榈酸第三,存在“高油酸、高亚油酸、低棕榈酸”的优异种质;南疆杏与华北杏杏仁油脂肪酸组成较为接近,均以不饱和脂肪酸为主,脂肪酸组分的含量在各品种间亦存在差异,变异系数分别为6.37% ~ 49.38%和3.44% ~ 79.57%,存在一定程度上的遗传多样性,但油酸及亚油酸等主要脂肪酸组分的变异幅度不大,变异系数均在10%以下。     

In vitro induction of chromosome-doubling in cultured shoots of three cultivars of mint (Mentha canadensis L.) treated with colchicine

Summary

To improve the yield and quality of essential oils, chromosome-doubling in mint cultivars was induced by treating shoots with colchicine in vitro. Shoot tips of three mint cultivars (‘68-7’, ‘73-8’, and ‘HU 39’) were cultured in vitro and treated at 2 months using either of two methods to induce chromosome-doubling. Explants were immersed separately in each of three concentrations of colchicine [0.1, 0.2, or 0.3% (w/v)] for 24 h or 48 h. Alternatively, shoots were cultured on solid 1.0× MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with one of five concentrations of colchicine (10, 20, 30, 40,, or 50 mg l^–1) for 30 d. After each treatment, ploidy levels were measured by flow cytometry. The results showed that high yields of 4n plants were induced by the immersion of shoots in 0.2% (w/v) colchicine for 24 h (13.3%), or by culturing shoots on MS medium containing 20 mg l^–1 colchicine for 30 d (17.3%). The immersion method, which gave a survival rate of 93.3%, was more convenient and less phytotoxic to produce 4n mint plants. Compared with untreated plants, we observed fewer but larger stomata in chromosome-doubled plants. We also observed significant differences in the size, internode length, leaf length, leaf width, and stem width in chromosome-doubled mint plants.     

Cloning,characterisation, and expression analysis of an oleosin gene in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) pulp

Summary

Oleosins are structural proteins found in oil bodies, organelles found in the cells of plant tissues with a high oil content that undergo extreme desiccation as part of their maturation process. Oleosins stabilise oil bodies. In this paper, a full-length cDNA sequence homologous to oleosin, a seed-storage oil-body protein, from coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) was identified from cDNA libraries during fruit development and characterised. The gene, termed Coco-Ole, contained an open reading frame of 375 bp encoding a polypeptide of 125 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of coconut oleosin had a molecular mass of 13.0 kDa, and showed 92% (AAF76238.1) and 67% (AAC02239.1) sequence similarity to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and rice (Oryza sativa) oleosin proteins, respectively. The amino acid sequence clustered in the same branch as oil palm in the cladogram, but was distant from other species. The results of semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that the Coco-Ole gene was expressed only in the pulp, and its expression increased significantly during pulp development. Compared with fluctuations in oil content, expression of the Coco-Ole gene was consistent with the anabolism of oil during pulp development. The cloning and sequencing of the Coco-ole gene provides a new marker for studies on oil body biogenesis and fruit development in coconut.     

Seed Oil Quantity and Fatty Acid Composition of Different Sea Buckthorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippophae Rhamnoides</Emphasis> L.) Wild Populations in Iran

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a valuable multipurpose medicinal plant belonging to Elaeagnaceae family. In this study, oil content and fatty acid composition of seed oil from 20 sea buckthorn wild populations of Iran were evaluated in 2014 and 2015. Oil extraction was done using n-hexane solvent in a Soxhlet apparatus and then GC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters was performed. The highest and lowest amount of seed oil content in two years were obtained from Sarein and Kejel populations, respectively (3.88 to 8.63% in 2014 and from 4.07 to 9.66% in 2015). Importance of seed oil is related to it’s highly amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Maximum content of oleic acid cis were existed in Kelavenga (21.19%) on 2014. The highest value of oleic acid trans were related to Shahrestanak (6.34%) in 2015. Maximum content of linoleic acid in 2014 were existed in Baladeh (42.03%) on 2015. The highest linolenic acid content were obtained from Dehdar (30.73%) in 2014. Factor analysis based on PCA revealed, first three components (PC1–PC3) explained 63.86% of the total variation. The first component (PC1) was contributed by some traits such as seed oil percentage, Palmitoleic acid, oleic acid trance and linoleic acid contents with about 29% of total variation. Hierarchical cluster analysis divided the populations into four main groups with high diversity. Wide range of variation across the sea buckthorn populations in seed oil traits could be exploited for selection of suitable genotypes to improvement and commercial exploitation of this plant.     

Cryopreservation of in vitro almond shoot tips by vitrification

Summary

Shoot tips of two almond scion cultivars, ‘Ne Plus Ultra’ and ‘Nonpareil 15-1’, and one almond/peach hybrid rootstock were successfully cryopreserved using a one-step vitrification technique. Three week old in vitro cultures were cold-hardened at 4°C on the multiplication medium (Murashige and Skoog for ‘Ne Plus Ultra’ and the hybrid rootstock; Almehdi and Parfitt for ‘Nonpareil 15-1’) for three weeks. Shoot tips, 2–2.5 mm long, were excised and precultured for 1 d at 4°C on the same basal medium, without plant growth regulators, supplemented with 0.7 M sucrose. After the preculture, the shoot tips were incubated in vitrification solution at 25°C for 45 min for the almond scion cultivars and 60 min for the hybrid rootstock, and then stored under liquid nitrogen (LN) for at least 3 d. After rapid thawing at 30°C, the shoot tips were washed with the appropriate liquid basal medium containing 1.0 M sucrose and then cultured on the same basal medium, solidified with agar, but excluding NH₄NO₃ or (NH₄)₂SO₄. Shoot regeneration was usually observed within 2–3 weeks. Survival after LN, recorded as the percentage of shoot tips that produced at least one new shoot four weeks after thawing, was 87.5, 60.0 and 72.5% for ‘Ne Plus Ultra’, ‘Nonpareil 15–1’ and the hybrid rootstock respectively. The one-step vitrification method is a promising simple technique for cryopreserving almond scion and rootstock shoot tips from in vitro cultures.