Tracing the origin of Spanish common bean cultivars using biochemical and molecular markers

Fifty-four accessions of Phaseolus vulgaris cultivated in Spain and representing a broad variability for this country, were studied together with 30 samples of wild forms of American origin. Two reference cultivars (from the Andes and Mesoamerica) plus two outgroups (P. coccineus and Vigna unguiculata) were also included. RAPD analysis of DNA leaf extracts were carried out with four selected primers. We also studied morphological characters of the seeds and the phaseolin electrophoretic patterns. Multivariate analysis with the UPGMA method using RAPD data clustered the samples in four groups and, comparing with morphological data and phaseolin types, showed that the Spanish cultivars were mainly of Andean origin. Nevertheless, occurrence of introgression in Spain and the consideration of the country as a second center of variability for beans can also explain the obtained results.     

Phenology,flowering and fruit-set performance of six recent pear cultivars of Nordic origin

ABSTRACT

Flowering performance and phenology of six new pear cultivars of Nordic origin were examined during a 12 year period. The seasonal timing of shoot growth and flower initiation were monitored in three years. The morphological floral stages of the flower bud formation process were examined for the cultivar ‘Celina’. Seven floral stages were identified and described. The date of full bloom varied between years as a function of the currently accumulated heat sum in early spring. Still, the earliness ranking of the cultivars was consistent across years for both flower initiation and blooming. The cultivars ‘Anna’ and ‘Ingeborg’ consistently initiated floral primordia 2–3 weeks earlier than ‘Celina’, ‘Clara Frijs’, ‘Fritjof’ and ‘Kristina’, and this was accompanied with 4–5 days earlier blooming in the following spring. The early flower initiation cultivars ‘Anna’ and ‘Ingeborg’ also had richer flowering than the late-blooming cultivars. ‘Fritjof’ was identified as a suitable pollinator for ‘Celina’ in the Nordic climate. Comparison of the flowering phenology of pear and apple cultivars showed that while the pears, on average, flowered a week ahead of the apples, they initiated flower primordia almost two weeks later, thus rendering the intervening period approximately three weeks longer in pear than in apple.     

Biofortification of wheat cultivars with selenium

ABSTRACT

Biofortification experiments with three winter wheat cultivars treated with sodium selenate through foliar- and soil-fertilisation were conducted at two locations in Croatia and Serbia in two consecutive years to increase the selenium (Se) concentration in bread-making wheat grain. The treatments were: (a) 5?g?ha^?1 Se foliar-, (b) 10?g?ha^?1 Se foliar- and (c) 10?g?ha^?1 Se in soil surface-application and they were compared with (d) control. Both Se foliar- and soil-fertilisation increased the Se concentration in grains from 2.6- to 4.6-fold. The concentration in grain was highest with Se foliar-fertilisation of 10?g?ha^?1 and it was increased by 29–32?µg Se kg^?1 dry weight for each gram of Se applied per ha. The wheat cultivars differed in grain yield and Se uptake (g?ha^?1 Se). However, on average, there were no differences between wheat cultivars with respect to Se grain concentrations. Agronomic use efficiency (by grain) was significantly higher for Se foliar- (19%) than for soil-fertilisation (13%). It can be concluded that agronomic biofortification of winter wheat can be effective in increasing Se grain concentration, where the efficiency depends on the rate of Se applied, application method and local environmental conditions rather than on cultivar differences.     

Carotenoid content of 50 watermelon cultivars

The lycopene content of 50 commercial cultivars of seeded and seedless red-fleshed watermelons was determined. Scanning colorimetric and spectrophotometric assays of total lycopene were used to separate watermelon cultivars into low (<50 mg/kg fw), average (50-70 mg/kg fw), high (70-90 mg/kg fw), and very high (>90 mg/kg fw). Cultivars varied greatly in lycopene content, ranging from 33 to 100 mg/kg. Most of the seeded hybrid cultivars had average lycopene contents. Sixteen of the 33 seedless types had lycopene contents in the high and very high ranges. All-trans-lycopene was the predominant carotenoid (84-97%) in all watermelon cultivars measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, but the germplasm differed in the relative amounts of cis-lycopene, beta-carotene, and phytofluene. Red-fleshed watermelon genotypes vary extensively in carotenoid content and offer opportunities for developing watermelons with specifically enhanced carotenoids.     

Investigating the origin of hazelnut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Corylus avellana</Emphasis> L.) cultivars using chloroplast microsatellites

The place and time of European hazel (Corylus avellana L.) domestication is not clear, although it was already cultivated by the Romans. In this study, 75 accessions from Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Iran were analysed using 13 chloroplast microsatellite to investigate the origin and diffusion of hazelnut cultivars. Four loci were polymorphic and identified a total of four different chlorotypes. Their distribution was not uniform in each geographical group. The most frequent chlorotype A was present in all groups. An increase in chlorotype number and diversity from Spain eastward to Italy, Turkey, and Iran was observed. Results suggest that some spread of cultivars occurred from East to West and that hazelnut cultivation was not introduced from the eastern Mediterranean basin into Spain and southern Italy by Greeks or Arabs. Moreover, the results suggest considerable exchange of germplasm between Italy and Spain, probably by the Romans. Hazelnut appears to have been domesticated independently in three areas: the Mediterranean, Turkey, and Iran.     

Relationship of European persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) cultivars to Asian cultivars, characterized using AFLPs

Sixty one persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) selections, including 17 Italian, 11 Spanish, 13 Japanese, six Korean, five Chinese, one Israeli, and eight of unknown origin, were evaluated for genetic differences by AFLP analysis. Relationships among cultivars were evaluated by UPGMA clustering, Neighbor Joining, and MultiDimensional Scaling. While similarities among groups were generally less than 0.60, both UPGMA and Neighbor Joining separated European and Asian cultivars. Spanish and Italian cultivars were not separated by any of the analyses, suggesting that they share a common gene pool, while Japanese, Chinese and Korean cultivars formed distinct clusters. Diversity within groups was greater than diversity between groups. Most cultivars were quite polymorphic (only 0.60–0.80 similarity between cultivars). In addition, the presence of several Japanese cultivars in the European group and a group of European cultivars nested between Chinese and Korean groups suggest that similar, but different progenitors were used in the development of the present European cultivars. ‘Kaki Tipo’ selections from different sources were clearly different by AFLP analysis, indicating that they are separate cultivars.     

四种主栽切花菊品种的养分吸收特征

【目的】为明确不同切花菊品种的养分需求特性,本研究选取4种引进主栽品种对其养分需求特性进行比较,以期为设施切花菊科学施肥提供理论依据和指导。【方法】采用切花菊品种蒙娜丽莎白、乒乓白、罗马红和丹特紫为材料,在云南富民丰岛花卉设施大棚中进行田间试验。于菊花移栽后15 d (根生长期)、30 d (茎生长期)、45 d (花芽分化期)、60 d (现蕾期) 和80 d (收获期) 进行采样,测定植株干重及氮磷钾含量,于收获期测定观赏性状。【结果】四种切花菊品种干物质累积和养分吸收存在显著差异。罗马红和丹特紫的地上部干物质累积平均为634.63 g/m2,显著高于其他2个品种;丹特紫的地下部干物质累积量和鲜重显著高于其他3个品种,分别为50.5 g/m2、67.10 g/plant;乒乓白地下部干物质累积量相对较低,为丹特紫的61.9%,鲜重以蒙娜丽莎白相对较低,为47.32 g/plant。蒙娜丽莎白和罗马红氮、钾累积量均显著高于乒乓白和丹特紫。罗马红磷累积量显著高于蒙娜丽莎白和丹特紫,而乒乓白磷累积量略低于罗马红,差异不显著。四个菊花品种的N、 P₂O₅、 K₂O阶段累积速率最快的时期均出现在30～45 d (茎生长期～花芽分化期) 和45～60 d (花芽分化期～现蕾期),养分需求量平均为N 4.40 g/m2、P₂O₅ 2.08 g/m2、K₂O 7.35 g/m2和N 4.53 g/m2、P₂O₅ 1.35 g/m2、K₂O 3.62 g/m2;在80 d (收获期),养分需求量平均为N 2.84 g/m2、P₂O₅ 0.69 g/m2、K₂O 1.31 g/m2,分别占总需求量的19.4%、13.5%、7.8%。【结论】不同品种切花菊氮磷钾的吸收、累积和分配存在着显著性差异,4个主栽切花菊品种养分需求量以罗马红最高,乒乓白最低。蒙娜丽莎白和罗马红氮、钾累积量均显著高于乒乓白和丹特紫。罗马红磷累积量显著高于蒙娜丽莎白和丹特紫,而乒乓白与罗马红的磷素累积量差异不显著。对于切花菊罗马红,尤其应重视花芽分化期的养分供应。     

Tolerance of rice cultivars to iron toxicity

Iron toxicity is an important growth‐limiting factor for flooded rice production in various parts of the world, including Brazil. Data related to the reaction of rice cultivars to iron concentrations are limited, especially for large numbers of cultivars. Forty rice cultivars were grown in a greenhouse in nutrient solutions containing 0.09, 0.89, and 1.78 mM Fe (5, 50 and 100 ppm Fe). The effects of excess iron were measured on plant height, root length, and root and shoot dry weight. Root and shoot dry weight were found to be more sensitive to excess iron concentration. Based on dry matter yield, reduction of shoots at higher Fe concentrations compared to the optimum or control treatment, rice cultivars were classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible or susceptible.

The effect of Fe concentrations on concentrations and contents of other nutrient was also investigated. Higher concentration of Fe in the nutrient solution exerted an inhibiting effect on the concentrations and contents of almost all macro and micronutrients.     

Identification of fructooligosaccharides in different banana cultivars

Banana has been currently indicated as a good source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are considered to be functional components of foods. However, significant differences in their amounts in bananas have been observed in the literature. This work aims to identify and quantify FOS during ripening in different banana cultivars belonging to the most common genomic groups cultivated in Brazil. Considering that these differences can be due to cultivar, stage of ripening, and the methodologies used for FOS analyses, sugar contents were analyzed by high performance anion exchange chromatography-pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). An initial screening of eight cultivars (Ouro, Nanic?o, Prata, Ma??, Mysore, Pacovan, Terra, and Figo) in a full-ripe stage showed that 1-kestose, the first member of the FOS series (amounts between 297 and 1600 microg/g of DM), was accumulated in all of them. Nystose, the second member, was detected only in Prata cultivar. Five of the cultivars were analyzed during ripening, and a strong correlation could be established with a specific sucrose level ( approximately 200 mg/g of DM), which seems to trigger the synthesis of 1-kestose (the low amounts of FOS, below the functional recommended dose, indicates that banana cannot be considered a good source of FOS).     

Carbon loss from roots of wheat cultivars

The amounts of organic materials released into soil from roots during the first 4 weeks of growth were determined for 11 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Carbon loss from roots was measured by supplying ¹⁴CO₂ continuously to the shoots and measuring the ¹⁴C content of the roots, root-free soil, water-soluble material and CO₂ flushed from the root chamber. Six cultivars were compared in each of two experiments, with the cultivar Condor common to both experiments. There were no significant differences between cultivars, relative to Condor, for ¹⁴C activity present in soil, roots, water-soluble material or rhizosphere CO₂. There was a significant difference between cultivars in experiment 1, but not in experiment 2, for the variate log₁₀ (¹⁴C lost from roots: ¹⁴C translocated to roots).There was evidence that a reduction in growth temperature, within the range 10–15°C, increased carbon loss from wheat roots into the rhizosphere.     

Glycoalkaloid and calystegine contents of eight potato cultivars

Diverse procedures have been reported for the separation and analysis by HPLC of the two major glycoalkaloids present in potatoes, alpha-chaconine and alpha-solanine. To further improve the usefulness of the HPLC method, studies were carried out on the influence of several salient parameters on the analysis of the two potato glycoalkaloids. Effects on retention (elution, separation) times of the (a) composition and pH of the mobile phase (acetonitrile and phosphate buffer), (b) concentration of the phosphate buffer, (c) capacity values of column packing of four commercial HPLC amino columns, (d) column temperature were studied. Except for pH, all of the variables significantly influenced the retention times. The results make it possible to select analysis conditions that produce well-separated as well as symmetrical peaks of the two glycoalkaloids. This improved HPLC method (limit of detection of approximately 150 ng) was evaluated with extracts from the cortex of one whole potato variety (May Queen) grown in Japan and the freeze-dried peel and flesh from the following eight cultivars grown in the United States: Atlantic, Dark Red Norland, Ranger Russet, Red Lasoda, Russet Burbank, Russet Norkota, Shepody, and Snowden. In addition, the same samples were analyzed by GC-MS for the presence of two water-soluble nortropane alkaloids, calystegine A(3) and calystegine B(2), reported to be potent glycosidase inhibitors. The following ranges for the eight varieties of total glycoalkaloid and calystegine levels were observed: dry flesh, 5-592 and 6-316 mg/kg; dry peel, 84-2226 and 218-2581 mg/kg; dry whole potatoes, 40-883 and 34-326 mg/kg; wet flesh, 1-148 and 1-68 mg/kg; wet peel, 12-429 and 35-467 mg/kg; wet whole potatoes, 7-187 and 5-68 mg/kg. The possible significance of the results to plant and food sciences is discussed.     

苹果品种用于加工鲜榨汁的适宜性评价

为科学评价苹果品种的鲜榨汁加工适宜性,以122个单果质量在100 g以上的品种为对象,运用相关分析、因子分析、概率分级、层次分析、K-均值聚类、判别分析等方法建立苹果品种鲜榨汁加工适宜性评价技术。结果表明：果实与鲜榨汁间可滴定酸含量、可溶性固形物含量、可溶性糖含量、固酸比和糖酸比5项指标均呈极显著相关,相关系数分别为0.8967、0.9393、0.8413、0.9036和0.9099。果实可溶性固形物含量、固酸比、出汁率、单宁含量等4项指标被确定为苹果品种鲜榨汁加工适宜性评价指标。4项指标均划分为服从或近似服从正态分布的5级,即极低、低、中、高和极高。根据指标权重和指标分级标准,建立了4项指标的评分标准。建立的苹果品种鲜榨汁加工适宜性判别函数有极高的判别准确性,正确判别率达到94.74%（建模样本）和96.55%（检验样本）。筛选出的58个优良品种中,红富士、乔纳金、津轻等43个品种适于加工鲜榨汁,澳洲青苹、红玉、金冠等15个品种极适于加工鲜榨汁。     

Effect of nickel on two common bean cultivars

Two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars, Carioca and IAPAR‐14, were grown in a nutrient solution in the presence of 0,1,2, and 4 mg/L of nickel (Ni). Both cultivars developed symptoms of toxicity in the roots and tops., but especially in the leaves. Dry matter was reduced by the higher Ni levels. The IAPAR‐14 cultivar, however, was more tolerant than the Carioca cultivar to Ni. Yield decreased as Ni levels in the solutions were increased. There was no seed production at the 4 mg/L Ni concentration for either of the two cultivars. A 50% reduction in leaf chlorophyll was observed when 4 mg/L Ni was supplied. Mineral analysis of several plant parts showed a build up of Ni concentration in the roots which was accompanied by higher iron (Fe) concentrations. Increasing Ni supply resulted in no significant changes in the concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the tissue. The levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potasium (K), copper (Cu), and Ni, however, increased, as a consequence either of either the dilution effect, interaction in absorption, or both. No explanation can be given for the observed differential tolerance.     

Evaluation of Thai rice cultivars with low-grain cadmium

To identify rice cultivars with low grain cadmium (Cd) levels, 42 cultivars of Thai rice (Oryza sativa L.) were cultivated in a Cd-contaminated field in the Pha Te village, Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand, from 2009 to 2011. Among non-glutinous and late-ripening cultivars, lower levels of Cd accumulated in the grains of RD5, RD15, and Sang Yod than in Khao Dawk Mali 105, a prevailing and popular cultivar in this area. Among glutinous and late-ripening cultivars, Khao’ Niaw Ubon 1 and Khao’ Niaw Ubon 2 accumulated lower Cd levels than a prevailing cultivar RD6. The findings suggest that human cadmium intake can be reduced by selecting low-Cd rice cultivars.     

Differential responses of alfalfa cultivars to aluminum stress

Abstract

Toxic levels of aluminum can cause severe yield reduction in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), especially in the presence of drought stress. Reactions to Al stress of alfalfa cultivars and germplasms, representing a broad genetic base and the entire range of dormancy types, were evaluated in a Monmouth soil study [26.2% Al saturation (pH 4.8) vs 2.8% Al saturation (pH 5.7)] and in two nutrient solution experiments (0 vs 111 μmol Al; pH 4.5). The soil study, Experiment 1, and Experiment 2 were harvested 28, 40, and 25 d after seeding, respectively.

In all studies, entries differed significantly in vigor and yields were reduced significantly by Al stress. In the soil study, only ‘Lahontan’ was not affected significantly by Al stress, although Lahontan, ‘Atlantic’, ‘B13‐A14’ (tolerant check), ‘Ladak 65’, and ‘Mesa‐Slrsa’ had comparable relative weights (dry weight stressed/dry weight unstressed). There were no statistically significant differential responses to Al stress in Experiment 1, however the relative weight of B13‐A13 (tolerant check) was considerably larger that those of the other entries. Many entries were not affected significantly by Al stress in Experiment 2; B13‐A14, ‘Moapa 69’, ‘Saranac’, and ‘Teton’ had the largest relative weights. Relative weights for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 were significantly correlated (r=0.46?) as was mean dry matter production in the soil study and Experiment 2 (r=0.73??).     

不同品种辣木全氮的动态变化特征研究

为了解不同品种辣木氮的动态变化规律,对西双版纳不同树龄的多油辣木、狭瓣辣木和‘PKM1’辣木叶、茎、枝中全氮含量及氮的生物累积量年动态变化特征进行比较研究。结果表明,辣木氮含量及氮生物累积量随品种、树龄、时间而变化。辣木全氮含量呈现:叶茎枝,14年树龄3年树龄,随时间变化逐渐降低。叶中全氮含量呈现:多油辣木‘PKM1’辣木狭瓣辣木;茎中全氮含量呈现:‘PKM1’辣木和狭瓣辣木高于多油辣木;枝中辣木氮含量受品种、树龄的影响而呈现不同差异。辣木全氮累积量呈现:枝叶茎,狭瓣辣木和多油辣木最高,‘PKM1’辣木最低。     

Calcium absorption efficiency of peanut fruit of various cultivars

Greenhouse studies were undertaken to determine the differential Ca absorptive capacity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) fruit of 7 selected cultivars. The cultivars were selected to give a wide range in differential cultivar response to Ca fertilization. Individual fruit were grown in a beaker containing a well stirred and aeriated nutrient solution of 125 ml containing an initial 1.5 mg of Ca. Water was replenished periodically to maintain a total volume of 125 ml. At timely intervals 1 ml aliquots were removed from each beaker and analyzed for Ca. The lowest Ca concentration to which the peanut fruit reduced the Ca concentration in the solution was taken as the Ca absorption efficiency. No difference was found among genotypes for Ca absorption efficiency suggesting other mechanisms of Ca nutrition or plant utilization as the important factors in the Ca nutrition of peanut fruit.     

不同番茄品种镁吸收特性比较

【目的】 通过研究不同番茄品种对镁吸收的差异,为缺镁地区番茄镁高效品种筛选提供理论依据。 【方法】 以北方日光温室主栽的3个番茄品种中杂9号、改良毛粉、金棚朝冠为研究对象,将培育苗分别于15℃和30℃下,在镁浓度为0、0.6、1.2、1.8、2.4、3.0 mmol/L的营养液中吸收 24 h,通过养分吸收动力学方法确定吸收参数来比较不同番茄品种间的差异。同时将相同的3个番茄品种在不加镁 (0 mmol/L) 和中等镁 (1 mmol/L) 浓度条件下水培45 d,比较镁吸收量、镁流入速率及番茄对镁吸收利用的差异。 【结果】 养分动力学试验结果表明,15℃时番茄对镁的吸收速率高于30℃,两个温度条件下,3个番茄品种对镁的吸收速率均表现为改良毛粉 > 金棚朝冠 > 中杂9号。3个品种最大吸收速率 (I _max) 和亲和力系数 (K_m) 均有显著差异,I_max和K_m值均为改良毛粉 > 金棚朝冠 > 中杂9号。培养45 d的结果表明,在缺镁和中等镁浓度条件下,3个番茄品种镁吸收量、镁流入速率均有显著差异,其中改良毛粉镁吸收量显著低于金棚朝冠和中杂9号,金棚朝冠和中杂9号间差异未达显著水平。 【结论】 温度影响番茄对镁的吸收,但并未改变品种间的差异。低镁条件下,金棚朝冠和中杂9号对镁具有较大吸收潜力,改良毛粉的吸收潜力显著低于前两者。