New Wild Lactuca Genetic Resources with Resistance Against Bremia lactucae

A total of 1027 genotypes of wild Lactuca spp. (L. serriola, L. saligna, and L. aculeata), originating from Israel, Jordan, East Turkey, Armenia, Kazakhstan, China, and various other countries in Europe were screened for resistance to the lettuce downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel). The genotypes of L. serriola (N = 962); L. saligna (N = 43); and L. aculeata (N = 22) were tested at the seedling stage with two isolates of B. lactucae (race Bl-21 and Isr-74) isolated from cultivated lettuce in Italy and Israel, respectively. Altogether, the isolates possess virulence against 17 out of 20 Dm genes/R-factors composing the established differential set of lettuce lines/varieties. They could therefore be used for preliminary detection of the presence of new resistance factors. A total of 83 and three genotypes of L. serriola and L. saligna, respectively, were resistant to infection by each of the two isolates alone as well as to the infection by a mix of the two isolates. These genotypes probably carry previously unknown resistance, and therefore could be suitable for exploitation by breeders and further detailed research. The wild progenitor of lettuce, L. serriola, and related species harbor significant untapped genetic resources for lettuce improvement.     

Optimizing seed crops of common bent (Agrostis capillaris) by sowing rate

Abstract

As part of a project to stimulate Norwegian seed production of common bent (syn. browntop, US: colonial bentgrass, Agrostis capillaris L. syn. A.tenuis Sibth.) field trials comparing sowing rates of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 or 10 kg ha^?1 were conducted at Landvik, south-east Norway, (58°N) from 1989 to 1994. Three trials were laid out of the forage cultivar ‘Leikvin’ and three trials of the lawn cultivar ‘Nor’, each trial being harvested for three consecutive years. While the average per cent ground cover in spring increased from 87% at 2.5 kg ha^?1 to 94–96% at 7.5 kg ha^?1, seed yields decreased with increasing sowing rate in both cultivars. On average for all harvests, quadrupling the sowing rate from 2.5 to 10 kg ha^?1 reduced seed yield by 9% in ‘Leikvin’ and 15% in ‘Nor’, the stronger effect probably being associated with a greater competition between tillers in the lawn cultivar. Seed yield reductions with increasing sowing rate showed no relationship with crop age, but were less accentuated for crops undersown in spring wheat in a dry year than for crops established without cover crop in years with ample rainfall in early summer. Increasing sowing rates reduced plant height and panicle number in ‘Nor’, but had no effect on seed weight or germination in any of the cultivars. It is concluded that seed crops of common bent should be established with a sowing rate of 2–5 kg ha^?1, with the lowest rate in lawn cultivars, under ideal seedbed conditions and when seed crops are sown without cover crop.     

Resistance in natural populations of three wild Lactuca species from Israel to highly virulent Californian isolates of Bremia lactucae

Seedlings of 213 accessions representing 9, 14, and 10 Israeli natural populations of the wild Lactuca serriola, L. saligna, and L. aculeata, respectively, were initially screened for their resistance to a pathotype CAVIII isolate of Bremia lactucae. All 60 L. serriola accessions were susceptible while all 83 accessions of L. saligna were resistant. Out of the 69 L. aculeata accessions, 36 (52.2 %) were resistant. From those resistant accessions, 56 L. saligna and 23 L. aculeata accessions were then tested at the seedling stage for their reaction against five highly virulent isolates originating from California and representing the two current major pathotypes and a novel type of B. lactucae; true leaves of adult plants were also tested with two out of these five isolates. Our study supports previous observations that L. saligna is highly resistant to B. lactucae. However, our results provide additional evidence that L. saligna may not be an absolutely non-host plant for B. lactucae at least at a seedling stage, which is in agreement with other recent data for this species. Sixteen (69.6 %) out of the 23 L. aculeata accessions expressed resistance against all isolates tested, even in seedling stage as well as in true leaves of adult plants. This study is probably the first report of detailed screening of resistance to some B. lactucae isolates in natural populations of L. aculeata. These patterns of resistance reactions show that L. aculeata, a species within the primary lettuce gene pool, should be considered as an attractive source of germplasm for resistance breeding of cultivated lettuce (L. sativa).     

Acquisition and ecological characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca serriola</Emphasis> L. germplasm collected in the Czech Republic,Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom

Expeditions were conducted in the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and United Kingdom in 2001 (partly 1998) to study Lactuca serriola L. (prickly lettuce, compass plant) geographic distribution, ecology, habitat characteristics and occurrence of diseases and pests on this species. During these missions the seed material of L. serriola L. was collected in an east–west transect of these four countries. The European transect where seeds were collected and field observations were made represents a relatively large area between 2°34′50′′ W–17°32′46′′ E and 47°40′42′′–54°04′19′′ N. The seed material was used for regeneration, inclusion in the national genetic resources collections of individual countries and for research purposes in follow-up studies. During the missions, 50 locations with occurrence of L. serriola L. were visited (16 in Czech Republic and Germany, 10 in UK and 8 in the Netherlands). Individual seed lots of sixteen different plants were collected at each location (L. serriola L. population). Thus, in total 800 seed samples were collected. In Czech Republic and Germany L. serriola L. f. serriola dominated in all observed populations, in the Netherlands both f. serriola and f. integrifolia occurred in pure or mixed stands, whereas in the United Kingdom L. serriola L. f. integrifolia (S.F. Gray) S.D. Prince et R.N. Carter was dominant. L. serriola L. was recorded at various altitudes (−4 to 410 m), different habitats (ditches, along roads, fields and field margins, ruderal places, pavements and parking sites, fallow fields), individual populations varied substantially in size (20 to >1000 plants), area covered (25–10,000 m²), and the structure and character of associated plant communities. Natural infections by downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel) and powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum (DC.) V.P. Gelyuta) were observed in some populations. B. lactucae Regel was recorded only in Czech Republic, G. cichoracearum (DC.) V.P. Gelyuta was more common in continental Europe. General and specific aspects of L. serriola L. geographic distribution and ecology are discussed.     

Salinity effects on growth,proline and ion accumulation in strawberry plants

Abstract

Freeze tolerance of red raspberry cultivars and selections, including one specimen each from eight indigenous Norwegian Rubus idaeus L. populations, showed that there were significant differences in bud survival and tissue browning in a two-year test at Stj?rdal, Norway. Selections from the Norwegian breeding program and the Norwegian cultivar Balder had the most freeze-tolerant buds at the May screening in both years, while the Norwegian cultivar Vene was tolerant in one year. The cultivars Malling Admiral, Nootka, Chilcotin, Glen Isla and Gradina were tolerant in one of the years but not in the other. Meeker, Glen Moy, Skeena, Glen Prosen, Malling Joy, Malling Leo and Malling Orion were not tolerant in either year. The selections from indigenous Norwegian Rubus idaeus were all freeze-tolerant in one year, but less tolerant than the best the other year. Tissue browning was preferred as a screening test for freeze injury in midwinter, while bud growth is preferable in spring.     

Soil tillage methods to control phosphorus loss and potential side-effects: a Scandinavian review

In Scandinavia high losses of soil and particulate-bound phosphorus (PP) have been shown to occur from tine-cultivated and mouldboard-ploughed soils in clay soil areas, especially in relatively warm, wet winters. The omission in the autumn of primary tillage (not ploughing) and the maintenance of a continuous crop cover are generally used to control soil erosion. In Norway, ploughing and shallow cultivation of sloping fields in spring instead of ploughing in autumn have been shown to reduce particle transport by up to 89% on highly erodible soils. Particle erosion from clay soils can be reduced by 79% by direct drilling in spring compared with autumn ploughing. Field experiments in Scandinavia with ploughless tillage of clay loams and clay soils compared to conventional autumn ploughing usually show reductions in total P losses of 10–80% by both surface and subsurface runoff (lateral movements to drains). However, the effects of not ploughing during the autumn on losses of dissolved reactive P (DRP) are frequently negative, since the DRP losses without ploughing compared to conventional ploughing have increased up to fourfold in field experiments. In addition, a comprehensive Norwegian field experiment at a site with high erosion risk has shown that the proportion of DRP compared to total P was twice as high in runoff water after direct drilling compared to ploughing. Therefore, erosion control measures should be further evaluated for fields with an erosion risk since reduction in PP losses may be low and DRP losses still high. Ploughless tillage systems have potential side-effects, including an increased need for pesticides to control weeds [e.g. Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski] and plant diseases (e.g. Fusarium spp.) harboured by crop residues on the soil surface. Overall, soil tillage systems should be appraised for their positive and negative environmental effects before they are widely used for all types of soil, management practice, climate and landscape.     

上海郊区蔬菜田氮素流失的研

Nitrogen （N） leaching in vegetable fields from December 2002 to May 2003 with equal dressings of total N for a sequential rotation of Chinese flat cabbage （Brassica chinensis L. var. rosularis） and lettuce （Lactuca sativa L.） in a suburban major vegetable production base of Shanghai were examined using the lysimeter method to provide a scientific basis for rational utilization of nitrogen fertilizers so as to prevent nitrogen pollution of water resources. Results showed that leached N consisted mainly of nitrate N, which accounted for up to more than 90% of the total N loss and could contribute to groundwater pollution. Data also showed that by partly substituting chemical N （30%） in a basal dressing with equivalent N of refined organic fertilizer in the Chinese flat cabbage field, 64.5% of the leached nitrate N was reduced, while in the lettuce （Lactuca sativa L.） field, substituting 1/2 of the chemical N in a basal dressing and 1/3 of the chemical N in a top dressing with equivalent N of refined organic fertilizers reduced 46.6% of the leached nitrate N. In the twoyear sequential rotation system of Chinese flat cabbage and lettuce, nitrate-N leaching in the treatment with the highest amount of chemical fertilizer was up to 46.55 kg ha^-1, while treatment plots with the highest amount of organic fertilizer had only 17.58 kg ha^-1. Thus, partly substituting refined organic fertilizer for chemical nitrogen in the first two seasons has a great advantage of reducing nitrate-N leaching.     

Repellency of insecticides and the effect of thiacloprid on bumble bee colony development in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed crops

The study intended to compare repellency of three insecticides on bumble bees and honey bees in Norwegian red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed crops, and to examine effects of thiacloprid on bumble bee colony development in the field. The repellency study was carried out in a large-scale field trial in SE Norway in 2013. On average for observations during the first week after spraying, 17 and 40% less honey bees (P?=?.03) and 26 and 20% less bumble bees (P?=?.36) were observed on plots sprayed with the pyrethroids lambda-cyhalothrin and alpha-cypermethrin, respectively, than on unsprayed control plots. No pollinator repellency was found on plots sprayed with the neonicotinoid thiacloprid. Compared with unsprayed control the seed yield increases were 22% on plots sprayed with thiacloprid vs. 12–13% on plots sprayed with pyrethroids (P?=?.10). Follow-up studies in 2014–2016 focused on the effect of thiacloprid on bumble bee colony development in commercially reared nests of Bombus terrestris placed into red clover seed crops at the start of flowering. Unsprayed control crops were compared with crops sprayed either at the bud stage or when 18–44% of flower heads were in full bloom. Chemical analyses of adult bumble bees showed that thiacloprid was taken up in bees when crops were sprayed during flowering, but not detected when crops were sprayed at the bud stage. The bumble bees in late-sprayed crops also developed weaker colonies than in unsprayed crops. Dead bees with a high internal concentration of thiacloprid were found in one crop sprayed during the night at 35% flowering. This shows that thiacloprid is not bee-safe if sprayed after anthesis and that spraying has to be conducted at the bud stage to reduce its contamination of nectar and pollen.     

Impact of landspread sewage sludge and earthworm introduction on established earthworms and soil structure

Summary Sewage sludge was applied to twelve 4-m² plots in two forest (mixed hardwood, Norway spruce plantation) site and one old field site. The earthworm Eisenia fetida was introduced to half the control and half the treated plots. Earthworm populations were sampled by formalin extraction and hand-sorting five times in the year following treatment. One year after treatment, soil samples were wet-sieved and water-stable aggregate size-class arrays were determined.The dominant earthworm in the study site, Lumbricus terrestris, increased in density and mean individual biomass in response to sludge treatment in mixed hardwood and old field plots. In the Norway spruce plots, L. terrestris increased in individual biomass but decreased in density following sludge application. The density of the introduced E. fetida rapidly declined in all control plots. One year after introduction, E. fetida was found only in the sludge-treated Norway spruce plot. The introduction of E. fetida with sludge decreased the density and biomass of L. terrestris in the hardwood plots.Sludge treatment increased the percentages of 4-mm diameter water-stable aggregates in old field and hardwood plots. The addition of E. fetida with sludge in the hardwood plots generated no increase in 4-mm water-stable aggregates. In the old field, sludge + E. fetida increased the 4-mm water-stable aggregates. Little change in water-stable aggregates in response to either treatment combination was seen in the Norway spruce site.     

Adaptability of hull-less barley varieties to different cropping systems and climatic conditions

Multilocation testing remains the main tool for understanding varietal responses to the environment. Here, Latvian and Norwegian hull-less and hulled barley varieties were tested in field experiments in Latvia and Norway in order to assess the varieties adaptability across environments (sites). Two Latvian (cv Irbe and cv Kornelija) and one Norwegian hull-less barley variety (cv Pihl) were tested along with one Latvian (cv Rubiola) and one Norwegian hulled barley variety (cv Tyra) under conventional and organic management systems. The grain yield, together with physical and chemical grain parameters were compared, and variety yield and protein stability determined. Overall, grain yield of hull-less barley varieties was significantly lower than for hulled barley varieties regardless of climatic conditions and management system. However, in the organic farming systems this difference between barley types was less pronounced. The hull-less barley varieties cv Pihl and cv Irbe, along with both hulled varieties, had good yield stability across environments and were well adapted to both cropping systems. Hull-less barley varieties tended to contain more protein and β -glucans than hulled barley varieties. Despite being bred for local conditions in Norway and Latvia, our study shows that all the varieties used may be successfully transferred across countries.     

Growth survey of crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in fertilizer trial by low-altitude small-balloon sensing

Abstract

Both efficiency and precision of field-grown plant biomass survey are expected to be improved when aerial images of whole fields are acquired. Many such studies have been conducted in paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and beans (Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Phasaeolus vulgaris), but few in vegetables. In this study, we examined whether or not aerial image analysis is useful for the biomass survey of vegetables. Aerial images of field-grown crisphead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in a three-year fertilizer trial were acquired at head formation and harvesting stages in summer and autumn cropping with a compact digital camera hung under a tethered small balloon (2.2 m in length, 0.56 m³ in volume). The camera height ranged from 36 to 65 m, and the ground resolution ranged from 1.3 to 2.2 cm pixel ^?1. The horizontally projected area of the plant was measured as follows: Aerial images of the field were topographically corrected, the lettuce part was extracted based on the difference in color, the images were binarized, and the projected area was determined by image processing software. The estimation of fresh weight of one plant from the projected area was difficult because of the large data dispersion. When the averaged projected area in each plot was used, estimation was improved in some cases. Estimation of fresh weight at the harvesting stage by using the projected area at the head formation stage was difficult due to the low correlation coefficient. The results of factor analysis of fertilizer treatments by using projected area agreed well with those done using fresh weight when the correlation coefficient between the projected area and the fresh weight was high. It was concluded that the estimation of absolute lettuce fresh weight was difficult, but relative comparisons among treatments were possible until the head formation stage, using aerial images acquired by low-altitude small-balloon sensing.     

Effects of Vermicompost on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa Var. Crispa) Yield in Greenhouse under Different Soil Water Regimes

ABSTRACT

This study mainly focused on the impacts of vermicompost (VC) treatments on physicochemical characteristics of sandy-clay-loam soil and lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) yield in a greenhouse under different soil moisture regimes. Pot experiments were conducted with different VC treatment doses (0%, 2.5%, and 5% w/w) and three soil water regimes (100%, 50%, and 25%?_f, ?_f is field capacity). Following the harvest, soil samples were taken and analyzed for physicochemical properties. The highest organic matter content (2.19%) was observed in 5% VC treatment of the full irrigation level (100%?_f) irrigation treatment and the lowest organic matter content (0.19%) was obtained from the control treatment of the lowest irrigation level (25%?_f). Soil physical properties were positively influenced by VC treatments under different irrigation regimes. The highest lettuce yield (178.7 g plant^?1) was observed in 5% VC treatment of the full irrigation level (100%?_f) irrigation treatment and the lowest lettuce yield (94.0 g plant^?1) was obtained from the control treatment of the lowest irrigation level (25%?_f). Present findings revealed that vermicompost treatments under different irrigation regimes could reliably be used to enhance soil physicochemical properties and lettuce yield.     

Availability of Cadmium in some Phosphorus Fertilizers to Field-Grown Lettuce

Although evaluations of the availability of cadmium (Cd) contaminants in phosphate fertilizers have been made, few have examined the transfer efficiency of Cd from fertilizers to plants, especially under field conditions. This 2-year field study determined the transfer of added Cd to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) (Royal Green) from a western phosphate rock (PR) and a triple superphosphate (TSP) as affected by liming and rate of fertilizer (or Cd) input. A readily soluble Cd salt, CdCl₂, was included in the study for comparison. The cumulative amounts of Cd added from the fertilizers and CdCl₂ over the 2-year period ranged from 0 to 1440 g ha^–1. Lettuce yield increased with increasing TSP rates, but was unaffected by PR. Significant (P < 0.01) effects of Cd source and rate, lime, and year were found on Cd accumulation by lettuce. The transfer of the added Cd was consistently higher for CdCl₂ than for the fertilizers regardless of lime rate. A contrasting year effect was also found between the two P fertilizers. In the second year of application, the Cd transfer efficiency increased in the soil treated with the PR, but decreased in the soil treated with the TSP. The Cd transfer efficiency for the plant was better measured with DTPA–Cd (r ²= 0.78 – 0.80) or CaCl₂–Cd (r ²= 0.57 – 0.76) than with soil total Cd (r ²= 0.39 to 0.54) across all Cd sources and lime rates. This is because DTPA–Cd or CaCl₂–Cd reflected the influences of the amount of Cd added, Cd source, and lime rate on Cd accumulation by the plant better than did the soil total Cd. Of the amount of Cd added from the fertilizers an average of 1.0% or less was accumulated in the harvested lettuce tissue. Applications of the fertilizers at high rates could result in increased Cd accumulation in the soil over time.     

Effects of sulphur application on grain yield and quality,and assessment of sulphur status in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Winter wheat was grown in 26 field trials in Norway during the period 2004–2006. The main aim was to determine the effect of various sulphur (S) fertilization strategies at two different nitrogen (N) levels on grain yield and quality of winter wheat. With the exception of four trials in central Norway, all the trials were located in the south-eastern part of the country.

Increasing the N fertilization from 170 to 210 kg N ha^?1 resulted in significantly higher grain protein content (GPC) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) sedimentation volume. On clayey soils in southeast Norway, increased N-fertilization also resulted in higher grain yield and lower test weight and thousand grain weight (tgw).

Omitting S fertilization significantly reduced grain yields on sandy soils in southeast Norway and on loam and silt loam in central Norway, whereas no yield reduction was found on clay soils. SDS sedimentation volume and specific SDS (sSDS = SDS/GPC) were significantly reduced when S-fertilization was omitted. GPC was reduced by S fertilization in central Norway. Generally there were no significant responses at application rates higher than 12 kg S ha^?1.

The malate:sulphate method is a field-based diagnostic test used to determine whether S deficiency is likely to occur. The results did not indicate that this test is reliable under Norwegian conditions. On the other hand, the use of a chlorophyll meter measurements to assess S status gave promising results.     

Incidence of eyespot on winter triticale and quantification of Oculimacula spp. population using real-time PCR in Lithuania

The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of eyespot in winter triticale crops in different agro-ecological zones of Lithuania and to use real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) to determine the dominant Oculimacula fungi populations in winter triticale crops grown in Lithuania, which has not been previously established. Differences in common fungicide usage practices in triticale crops between Lithuanian agro-ecological zones suggest that the composition of Oculimacula fungi differs across the country. From 2008 to 2012, a total of 70 winter triticale fields were reviewed for eyespot incidence, and the presence of eyespot was identified in 93.5% of the fields tested. Over this five-year period, the disease incidence averaged 32%. The highest incidence (34.8%) of eyespot was found in the Middle Lowland zone of Lithuania, the lowest (25.8%) was in the Eastern zone and an intermediate incidence (30.2%) was observed in the Western zone. During the 2010–2012 period, Oculimacula acuformis was the most prevalent Oculimacula spp. in the majority of triticale crops inspected. Only in 3 cases out of 27 was the amount of Oculimacula yallundae DNA higher than that of O. acuformis. According to our results, the incidence of eyespot in triticale varied greatly and could be of economic importance in some fields. The predominance of O. acuformis over O. yallundae is an important consideration in the choice of fungicides for eyespot control.     

Monitoring fish stocks in relation to acidification in Norwegian watersheds

The Norwegian Monitoring Programme for Long-Range Transported Air Pollutants started in 1980. The biological part of this programme includes besides invertebrate studies in streams, (i) fish community status in lakes by means of interviews, test-fishing in lakes by using standard gill-net series, recruitment studies of brown trout in inland streams, and juvenile stock assess and monitoring of fish kills in salmon rivers. Damaged fish stocks are recognized within a land area of 51,500 km² in southern Norway and 30 km² in northern Norway. At least 6,000 lake-dwelling fish stocks have either been lost or are at various stages of reduction. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) is the most widespread and abundant species of fish in Norwegian watersheds, and is also most severe affected by acidification. More recently, there are some indications of an increase in the abundance of brown trout in some areas. However, analysis of age structure in lakes, and fry densities in streams in such areas revealed large annual variations in recruitment rate, which indicates unstable water chemical conditions. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is virtually extinct in 25 rivers in southernmost, southwestern and western Norway.     

非寄主蔬菜及其提取物对菜粉蝶的驱避作用

在室内和田间测定了番茄、茴香、荆芥、莴苣、香菜和丝瓜6种非寄主蔬菜对菜粉蝶的驱避作用。室内测定结果表明,用非寄主蔬菜粗提物处理甘蓝后,菜粉蝶成虫对甘蓝的选择反应率降低,尤其是交配雌蝶对荆芥、茴香、番茄和莴苣提取物处理的甘蓝的选择反应率最低,分别仅为3.67%、4.30%、5.27%和8.26%。在非寄主蔬菜粗提物处理过的甘蓝苗上,成虫的产卵量明显减少,其中以番茄、茴香和荆芥粗提物的驱避活性最强,处理后1d的非选择性产卵驱避率分别为91.04%、75.54%和71.67%,选择性产卵驱避率分别为94.64%、79.66%和78.96%。田间试验结果表明,甘蓝田套种番茄、茴香和荆芥后,可使田间落卵量分别减少68.80%、62.62%和55.09%,这3种非寄主蔬菜对菜粉蝶的有效驱避距离分别为4m、2m和2m左右。因此,可以通过在甘蓝田套种非寄主蔬菜或喷洒其粗提物驱避菜粉蝶,减少幼虫发生为害。     

A phosphorus Index for Norway

Abstract

The phosphorus (P) Index, a risk assessment tool, is a simple approach used to rank the potential for P loss from agricultural fields. The P Index identifies areas where sources of P coincide with high risk of P transfer. Factors included in the P Index, developed for Pennsylvania, USA were justified in relation to Norwegian conditions and relevant changes were made. Phosphorus application rate was modified by crop P removal. Additional factors for: 1) P release by freezing of plant residues, 2) flooding frequency, 3) risk of leaching, and 4) annual precipitation were included. Management practices in the Index were adjusted to reflect the effect of time and method of P application on P loss, as well as erosion control measures relevant to agricultural management in Norway rather than Pennsylvania. Testing of the suggested P Index showed that it ranks the potential for P loss from several agricultural catchments in the south-eastern part of Norway relatively well (R ²=0.79). Continuous development of the Index to include new knowledge about processes for P loss as well as regional differences is of great importance for future use of the P Index.     

Genetic variation of five species of Trifolium L. from south-west Turkey

Following a legume collection mission to south-west Turkey in 1996, five species of Trifolium were analysed for genetic variation within and between species in eleven morphological and flowering characters. The five species included two outcrossing species, T. michelianum and T. resupinatum, and three inbreeding species, T. clypeatum, T. glomeratum and T. tomentosum. The genetic diversity found was related to climate and edaphic factors. All five species showed significant amounts of genetic differentiation between sites and the species could be separated morphologically by principal components analysis and cluster analysis. The most significant source of genetic variation was found to be related to geographical distribution with those species which were widely distributed across south-west Turkey exhibiting much greater amounts of genetic variation between sites, than those which had a narrow distribution. The breeding system was found to be less important, but only the morphology of the outbreeding species showed any environmental clines in relation to climate. A multiple regression analysis was computed to estimate the effect of growing season on the days to flowering of each of the species.     

Eco-geographical distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactuca aculeata</Emphasis> natural populations in northeastern Israel

The wild lettuce, Lactuca aculeata Boiss. et Ky., is closely related and fully interfertile with cultivated lettuce, Lactuca sativa L. Altogether, 155 accessions of this wild species, which is rare conserved within the world’s germplasm collections, were collected from 12 localities throughout northeastern Israel. Ten of these localities represent different sites across the Golan Heights, while two, high-density populations were suprisingly found at the Hula Plain (first report of this species in this region). Lactuca aculeata was recorded at various elevations (222–968 m a.s.l.) and habitats. The taxonomic status of 30 L. aculeata accessions was morphologically validated during ex situ seed regeneration of 31 random accessions representing all 12 localities. Characterization of 12 traits showed that the Israeli populations of L. aculeata do not exhibit broad morphological variability, but more great levels of variation were obtained for developmental traits. Relatively little variability was observed in the morphology of cauline leaves or in the distribution of anthocyanin pigmentation in bracteae. In two cases, L. aculeata plants lacked trichomes in the inflorescence, a typical feature in the majority of plants. These unique collections of wild lettuce may carry novel sources of genetic variation for a wide range of traits and, thus, should be of interest for careful evaluation and exploitation in lettuce breeding.