Quantitative trait loci analysis of flowering-time-related traits in tomato

The regulation of flowering time has been studied mainly in photoperiod-sensitive model plants. Little is known about the environmental and genetic regulation of flowering time in photoperiod-insensitive plants. Here, we studied the genetic control of flowering time in day-neutral tomato using quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. We used a BC₁F₆ population developed from Solanum lycopersicum ‘M570018’ and its wild relative Solanum pimpinellifolium (PI124039) to measure days to flowering (DTF) and number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence (LN), as well as their underlying developmental processes, which include the number of leaves initiated (LI), percentage of flower-induced plants (reproductive index, RI), days to macroscopic flower bud appearance (DMB) and flower development duration (FDD: DTF − DMB). A composite interval mapping detected 12 QTLs for the six traits, which included two QTLs for DTF on chromosomes 1 and 6. The DTF QTLs explained 43% of the phenotypic variation of this trait. The presence of S. pimpinellifolium alleles in the detected QTLs increased the rate of leaf initiation, reduced LN and hastened flower induction, floral development and anthesis. Most QTLs for LN, LI, RI, DMB and FDD clustered with the DTF QTLs; dmb1, fdd1, li_14d1, li_19d1 and ri_19d1 clustered with dtf1 on chromosome 1, and ln6 and fdd6 clustered with dtf6 on chromosome 6. These results suggest that the QTLs on chromosomes 1 and 6 may form a functional “gene cluster” that drives tomato flowering in synergy. Alternatively, the two DTF QTLs may act as “master genes” that control flowering time through pleiotropic effects on multiple developmental processes.     

Quantitative trait loci controlling flowering time and related traits in a Solanum lycopersicum × S. pimpinellifolium cross

Flowering time is an important factor determining early yield in tomato. However, the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling flowering time and their relation to other QTLs for morphological and physiological traits have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to map the chromosomal regions controlling days to flowering (DTF) concurrently with other traits, such as the number of leaves preceding the first inflorescence (LN), length of the largest leaf (LL), number of lateral shoots (LS), fresh weight (FRW) and plant height (PH). This was undertaken using an inbred backcross population derived from a cross between the commercial cultivar Solanum lycopersicum cv. ‘M570018’ and its close wild relative S. pimpinellifolium (PI124039). S. pimpinellifolium flowers earlier than the cultivated tomato. Plants were grown in spring and summer. Composite interval mapping detected 16 QTLs for the six traits evaluated. These QTLs explained 10–42% of the individual phenotypic variation. QTLs detected in spring generally did not differ from those detected in summer. In chromosome 1, the DTF QTL was co-located with the QTLs for LL, LS and FRW, while in chromosome 3 it was co-located with the QTLs for LN, FRW (summer) and PH. One DTF QTL that was detected in chromosome 3 and conferred by the S. pimpinellifolium allele hastens flowering. The co-location of the DTF QTL with the LN QTL suggested that the DTF QTL in chromosome 3 controls the period from the vegetative to reproductive phase. Co-locations of DTF QTLs with the other traits might be pleiotropic effects of a single gene or cluster of genes via physiological relationships among traits because they were found to be highly significantly correlated.     

Integration of soil solarization and chemical sterilization with beneficial microorganisms for the control of white root rot and growth of nursery apple

White root rot (Dematophora necatrix (Mart.)) is a serious disease of apple (Malus domestica Borkh) in nurseries and orchards in India. In 2002 and 2003, field experiments were conducted to integrate soil solarization with native isolates of Azotobacter chrococcum and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and observe its effect on the incidence of white root rot and growth of the saplings. Apple seeds coated with two native isolates of A. chrococcum (AZUHF₁ and AZUHF₂) were sown in plots inoculated with 4 native isolates of va-mycorrhiza, i.e. AMUHF₁ (Glomus fesiculatum), AMUHF₂ (Glomus macrocarpum), AMUHF₃ (Glomus mosseae) and AMUHF₄ (Gigaspora sp.) in 14 different combinations and these plots were solarized with transparent polyethylene mulch (25 μm thick) for 40 days in summer months. Soil solarization resulted around 9 °C higher temperature with average maximum temperature of 38–39 °C. Inoculation of saplings with AMUHF₁ isolate of va-mycorrhiza and AZUHF₁ isolate of A. chrococcum and then their planting in solarized soil was found most effective with no incidence of white root rot in comparison to 33.6–35.4% in control accompanied with 78–113% increase in shoot length and 81.6–84.3% increase in root length. Shoot and root length of the saplings was 9.6–10.6 and 9.2–16.0% higher, respectively, in solarized plots in comparison to sterilized plots.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for bolting and flowering times in Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) based on SSR and SRAP markers

SUMMARY

Expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR), simple sequence repeat (SSR), and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were used to construct the first intra-specific genetic linkage map for B. oleracea var. alboglabra. In addition, QTL locations were determined for bolting and flowering traits. A total of 189 polymorphic marker loci were detected in the two parents, with 45 marker loci not located on any linkage group (LG). The remaining 144 loci defined ten LGs and included 69 EST-SSR loci, three SSR loci, and 72 SRAP loci. The length of the map was 1,173.8 cM, the average distance between loci was 8.15 cM, and the proportion of segregation distortion loci was 25.7%. Three QTLs controlling bolting time and two QTLs controlling flowering time were detected in the F2:3 generation, which explained 37.07% and 18.44% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. Two QTLs controlling bolting time and two QTLs controlling flowering time were detected in the F2 generation, which explained 27.90% and 25.59% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. In both generations, QTLs ftB.1 and ftA.1 were located on LG5, and the distance between the two QTLs was only 1.0 cM, suggesting that they could be at an identical locus. These results provide a useful reference for future QTL studies on bolting and flowering time in B. oleracea var. alboglabra, and can be used to identify markers linked to these QTLs for marker-assisted selection in commercial breeding programmes.     

Microsatellite markers reveal low breeding system efficacy and pollen contamination can limit production of full-sib avocado progeny

Phytophthora cinnamomi causes a severe root rot in avocado, Persea americana. Breeding tolerant rootstocks is thought to be the most promising method for phytophthora root rot disease control but breeding avocado is challenging. The avocado flowering syndrome (synchronous protogynous dichogamy), combined with high flowering and low fruit set, render controlled pollination exceedingly difficult. Juxtaposing complementary flowering types of elite parent cultivars (cultivars that produce progeny with tolerance to phytophthora root rot) was performed in an effort to increase the number of full-sib progeny for elite maternal parents and, hypothetically, the number of phytophthora root rot tolerant progeny. Although high outcrossing rates were achieved (estimated ∼93%), the majority of progeny had a non-elite paternal parent (56% of progeny were offtypes) implying maternal trees were pollinated by non-elite distant trees. Among progeny that could be confidently genotyped, a high number of cross types were detected (33). Contrary to our hypothesis, a significant portion of the progeny were the result of crosses between like, and not complementary, flowering types. The spatial distribution of productive trees and grafts helped to explain these data, as productive grafts were directly adjacent to grafts of the same flowering type more often than that of the complementary flowering type. Selfed progeny were significantly less tolerant to phytophthora root rot than outcrossed progeny. Progeny resulting from crosses between an elite maternal parent and non-elite pollen donor (offtypes) were less tolerant than full-sib progeny resulting from crosses between elite parents. Maternal effects may interfere with identifying truly disease tolerant selections. Thus, to reduce maternal effects and non-elite pollen donor contamination, removal of seedling cotyledons before screening for disease tolerance and better isolation of elite parent trees and windbreaks may improve breeding efficacy. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of microsatellite markers in parentage analysis where a high proportion of the putative parents are closely related.     

Water relations and yield of lysimeter-grown strawberries under limited irrigation

The effects of partial root-zone drying (PRD), as compared to deficit irrigation (DI) and full irrigation (FI), on strawberry (cv. Honeoye) berry yield, yield components and irrigation water use efficiency (WUE_I) were investigated in a field lysimeter under an automatic rain-out shelter. The irrigation treatments were imposed from the beginning of flowering to the end of fruit maturity. In FI the whole root zone was irrigated every second day to field capacity viz. volumetric soil water content (θ) of 20%; while in DI and PRD 60% water of FI was irrigated to either the whole or one-half of the root system, respectively, at each irrigation event. In PRD, irrigation was shifted from one side to the other side of the plants when θ of the drying side had decreased to 8–11%. Compared to FI plants, leaf water potential was significantly lower in DI and PRD plants in 3 out of 10 measurement occasions, while stomatal conductance was similar among the three treatments. Leaf area, fresh berry yield (FY), individual berry fresh weight, berry water content, and berry dry weight (DW) were significantly lower in DI and PRD plants than those of FI plants; whereas the total number of berry per plant was similar among treatments. Compared with FI, the DI and PRD treatments saved 40% of irrigation water, and this led to a 28 and 50% increase of WUE_I based on berry FY and DW, respectively, for both DI and PRD. Conclusively, under the conditions of this study PRD had no advantage compared to DI in terms of berry yield and WUE_I. DI and PRD similarly decreased berry yield and yield components and thus cannot be recommended under similar conditions.     

Transpiration,photosynthetic responses,tissue water relations and dry mass partitioning in Callistemon plants during drought conditions

Callistemon is an Australian species used as ornamental plant in Mediterranean regions. The objective of this research was to analyse the ability of Callistemon to overcome water deficit in terms of adjusting its physiology and morphology. Potted Callistemon laevis Anon plants were grown in controlled environment and subjected to drought stress by reducing irrigation water by 40% compared to the control (irrigated to container capacity). The drought stress produced the smallest plants throughout the experiment. After three months of drought, the leaf area, number of leaves and root volume decreased, while root/shoot ratio and root density increased. The higher root hydraulic resistance in stressed plants caused decreases in leaf and stem water potentials resulting in lower stomatal conductance and indicating that water flow through the roots is a factor that strongly influences shoot water relations. The water stress affected transpiration (63% reduction compared with the control). The consistent decrease in g_s suggested an adaptative efficient stomatal control of transpiration by this species, resulting in a higher intrinsic water use efficiency (P_n/g_s) in drought conditions, increasing as the experimental time progressed. This was accompanied by an improvement in water use efficiency of production to maintain the leaf water status. In addition, water stress induced an active osmotic adjustment and led to decreases in leaf tissue elasticity in order to maintain turgor. Therefore, the water deficit produced changes in plant water relations, gas exchange and growth in an adaptation process which could promote the faster establishment of this species in gardens or landscaping projects in Mediterranean conditions.     

Deferring flowering of nobile dendrobium hybrids by holding plants under low temperature after vernalization

Orchids are currently the most valuable potted crop in the United States. To date, no studies focused on making possible the year-round greenhouse production of flowering nobile dendrobium orchids. This experiment was aimed at developing a strategy to defer flowering of nobile dendrobium orchids by holding them under low temperature. Mature Den. Red Emperor ‘Prince’ and Den. Sea Mary ‘Snow King’ were held at 10 °C for various durations (0, 4, 8, 12 or 16 weeks) after vernalization (4 weeks at 10 °C). Plants were forced in a greenhouse after holding. Time to flower, flower differentiation (flowering node percentage, number of aerial shoot and aborted bud) and flower quality (total flower number, flower diameter, flower number per flowering node and flower longevity) were determined. Increase of low temperature holding duration from 0 to 16 weeks extended time to flower up to 3 months and did not affect parameters of flower except producing larger flowers and reducing flower number per flowering node for Den. Red Emperor ‘Prince’. Notably, the flower longevity was not adversely affected. Defoliation was aggravated in Den. Red Emperor ‘Prince’ by longer duration of cooling and was considered a detrimental effect of low temperature holding.     

Investigation of biological behavior and colonization ability of Iranian indigenous phosphate solubilizing bacteria

Soil phosphorous (P) uptake mechanisms by the interaction of plants and soil microorganisms benefit plant growth with preparing agriculture inoculants. But it is influenced by soil factors. The present study was performed to identify three effective strains of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the basis of 16S rDNA sequence in vitro. Bacillus lentus strain PS5, Bacillus licheniformis strain PS7 and Pseudomonas putida strain PS13 were isolated from an alkaline soil in Iran and the rhizosphere of Beta vulgaris and Solanum tuberosom. Their high root colonization ability and P solubilizing activity was detected in relation to soil physical and chemical properties influenced by environmental factors including salinity of 800 mM/L and temperature of 42 °C.     

Screening of vincristine yield in ex vitro and in vitro somatic embryos derived plantlets of Catharanthus roseus L. (G) Don.

Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don. (Apocynaceae) is an important dicotyledonous medicinal plant as it is the sole source of vincristine and vinblastine that are used against a variety of cancers. Quantitative estimation of vincristine was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in various in vitro grown tissues; calluses (embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus), embryogenic stages (proliferated, matured and germinated embryos), somatic embryo derived plantlets (leaf, root and whole plant) and leaves of ex vitro developed plantlets. The yield in those in vitro and ex vitro-developed tissues was monitored for 30 weeks. Except at an early lag period, vincristine production was detected up to 20–25 weeks old plant samples. Vincristine content was very high in leaf callus and germinated embryos. Leaves of in vitro raised plants showed higher amount of vincristine when compared to ex vitro-developed leaves of similar age. Vincristine production was tissue specific and age dependent that was discussed in detail in this present communication.     

Breaking the intergeneric hybridization barrier in Carica papaya and Vasconcellea cauliflora

The present investigation was undertaken to develop PRSV (Papaya ringspot virus) resistant hybrids through intergeneric hybridization. Intergeneric hybridization was done involving nine Carica papaya cultivars as female and Vasconcellea cauliflora as male. To break the intergeneric hybridization barrier, various nutrient combinations were used. Among the combinations used, sucrose 5%, sucrose 5% + boron 0.5% and sucrose 5% + CaCl₂ 0.5% improved the fruit set and seed set percentage. A total number of 1197 flowers were pollinated and 308 fruits were obtained. On extraction, 721 seeds were obtained from CO 7, Pusa Nanha and CP 50. Out of 721 F₀ seeds (crossed seeds) sown, 419 seeds germinated and artificial screening for PRSV was carried out 27 days after sap inoculation. Out of 29 F₁ hybrid plants from CO 7 x V. cauliflora cross, only six plants namely CO 7V1 to CO 7V6 were found free from PRSV symptoms. Similarly, out of 55 F₁ hybrids from cross involving Pusa Nanha x V. cauliflora only 23 plants namely PNV1 to PNV23 were found free from the symptoms and 70 plants namely CPV1 to CPV70 out of 335 plants of CP50 x V. cauliflora cross were found free from PRSV symptoms. Among the crosses, Pusa Nanha x V. cauliflora had higher yield under PRSV infected conditions, however, total soluble solids and total sugars were found lesser than the CO 7 x V. cauliflora cross. The hybridity of the progenies were confirmed by using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) primers by the amplification of DNA from progenies and their parents. ISSR primers UBC 856, UBC807 and ISSR primer combinations UBC 856-817, UBC 810-817, UBC 861-817, UBC 856-810, UBC 861-810 and UBC 856-817 clearly amplified specific bands of the male parent, which were present in F₁ progenies, but it was absent in female parents.     

Effect of nitrogen form and radiation on growth and mineral concentration of two Brassica species

Three greenhouse experiments were carried out to determine the growth, yield, nitrate, total N and S concentration in shoots, and water uptake of hydroponically grown Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica var. chinoleifera and Brassica juncea L. In each experiment, daily photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) level was 5.0 mol m⁻² (low), 6.8 mol m⁻² (medium) or 9.0 mol m⁻² (high). Plants were supplied with nutrient solutions having equal N concentrations of 11 mM in different forms: 100% NH₄, 50% NH₄ + 50% NO₃, and 100% NO₃. Nitrogen supplied as 100% NH₄ reduced fresh and dry shoot biomass, leaf area, and leaf number in both Brassica species, especially at low and medium PAR levels. In both Brassica species, S concentrations were highest, while nitrate concentrations were lowest in leaves of plants grown at N supplied as 100% NH₄. No differences in leaf nitrate concentrations were observed between 50% NH₄ + 50% NO₃ and 100% NO₃ treatments. Low and high PAR levels increased the nitrate concentrations and decreased the N/S ratio in leaves of both crops compared to medium PAR level. Fresh shoot biomass was maximized in Brassica rapa when PAR level was above the medium value and nitrate was supplied in the nutrient solution as NO₃ or as a mixture of 50% NO₃ and 50% NH₄. The highest fresh shoot biomass of Brassica juncea was observed in all nutrient solution treatments at high PAR level.     

The influence of irrigation system and nutrient solution concentration on potted geranium production under various conditions of radiation and temperature

Zonal geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum ‘Real Mintaka’) were grown in closed soilless systems to evaluate the effects of irrigation system (drip and subirrigation) and nutrient solution concentration (half and full) under various conditions of radiation and temperature (winter and summer) in terms of substrate electrical conductivity (EC_s), growth, quality, crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) and growth index water use efficiency (WUE_GI) and nutrient uptake. At he end of the cultural cycle the highest EC_s in the upper and lower layers were recorded in the spring season on plants grown in subirrigation using a full nutrient solution concentration. The highest shoot biomass, leaf area, plant growth index, and quality index were recorded in the winter season on plants grown in both drip-irrigation and subirrigation using half and full nutrient solution concentration, whereas the lowest value was observed in the spring season on plants grown with subirrigation using the full nutrient solution concentration. The highest maximum air temperature recorded during the first 20 days after transplanting in the spring growing season was presumably responsible for the reduction in shoot biomass production, growth and quality index, and in time of geranium flowering compared to the plants grown in the winter season. The ET_c was 44% higher in spring than in winter season treatment, while the effect of the irrigation system was less pronounced with an increase in 11% in the subirrigation treatment compared with the drip-irrigation system. WUE_GI was not stable and showed a seasonal variability. Solar radiaton (R_s), air temperature (T_a) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) were greatly higher in the spring season, which influenced WUE_GI negatively. The WUE_GI improved especially when R_s, T_a and VPD were below 12 MJ m², 20 °C and 0.6 kPa, respectively. The highest N, and Mg uptake were recorded in the winter season, especially on plants grown with subirrigation at 2 dS m⁻¹. The highest P, K, and Ca uptake values were measured during winter season using subirrigation system, and on plants grown under full strength nutrient solution. The variation of the nitrate concentration and EC in the nutrient solution during the spring growing cycle was less pronounced in the subirrigation than with a drip-irrigation system which represents an important aspect for the simplification of the closed loop management of the nutrient solution.     

Flowering and changes in respiration in Asiatic hybrid lilies as influenced by bulb vernalization

Asiatic hybrid lilies, Lilium × elegans Thunb., ‘Red Carpet’ and ‘Sunray’ were used to investigate the effect of bulb vernalization at 2.5 °C on plant growth, flowering, and CO₂ production (respiration), and to use the CO₂ production pattern to monitor the time of flower bud initiation and development. Lily shoot emergence and flowering were accelerated when bulbs received 2.5 °C bulb vernalization; however, flowering was delayed when bulbs were stored at 20 °C before treatment at 2.5 °C; this indicated that bulbs were de-vernalized. The maximum CO₂ level, and the minimum level, reached in 78 h in non-vernalized bulbs and in 110 h in 6 weeks of 2.5 °C (6 weeks/2.5 °C) treated bulbs, was increased as the 2.5 °C duration was increased; this indicated that CO₂ level can be an useful parameter to measure the cold stimulus (i) accumulated in bulbs following bulb vernalization. The respiration rate higher than the predicted values of the best-fit curves derived from the quadratic equations was designated as Blip A and this was correlated to the time of flower bud initiation and development. Shoot elongation may follow the rise in carbon dioxide levels after reaching the minimum level. It is proposed that increased carbon dioxide levels higher than the predicted levels (Blip A), was correlated to the time of flower bud initiation and development. Measurement of carbon dioxide production upon receipt of bulbs may be a useful technique to provide important information for optimum vernalization treatments for bulbs that have accumulated different levels of low temperature stimulus after bulb vernalization.     

Flowering induction of Guzmania by ethylene

Ethylene exposure time required to induce flowering of Guzmania lingulata Mez. ‘Anita’ was investigated by exposing plants to ethylene at 100 μl l⁻¹ for 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, or 24 h. Plants were also exposed to ethylene-free air for the same lengths of time. Plants exposed to ethylene for 4 h did not flower, but exposure for 6 h or longer resulted in 100% flowering. Suppression of endogenous ethylene synthesis by aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) resulted in a longer exposure time of 20 h being required to obtain 100% flowering. This result suggests that endogenous ethylene production contributes substantially to floral induction. Ethylene treatment on a single young leaf induced flowering as well. Application of a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, prevented flowering induced by ethylene, indicating that activation of ethylene responsive genes is followed by synthesis of new proteins involved in flowering.     

Seed inoculation with Azospirillum mitigates NaCl effects on lettuce

Data on the growth-promoting effects of Azospirillum on lettuce exposed to either normal or saline conditions, is scarce. Lactuca sativa L., cv Mantecosa seeds were colonized with A. brasilense Sp245 cells during imbibition. Germination percentages were determined after 7 d treatments with 0, 30, 50 or 80 mol m⁻³ NaCl. In another experiment, seeds germinated in Hoagland were irrigated for 30 d with 0, 30, 50 or 80 mol m⁻³ NaCl supplemented media. Vegetative growth proceeded in a growth chamber with a 13–11 h day–night cycle. Buffer-imbibed seeds were considered non-inoculated controls. Plant samples were taken at 0, 14, 20, and 30 d after the onset of NaCl treatments and dissected in aerial and root portions. The weights of both tissues were measured. Azospirillum-inoculated seeds had significantly higher germination percentages than controls in all treatments. Inoculated dried seeds stored up to 30 d maintained such characteristic in most of the treatments, particularly at 80 mol m⁻³ NaCl. Plants grown from inoculated seeds and irrigated with saline media displayed higher total fresh and dry weights and biomass partition to the aerial portion, than non-inoculated controls. Azospirillum-inoculated lettuce seeds had better germination and vegetative growth than non-inoculated controls after being exposed to NaCl.     

Intersubgeneric cross in Nymphaea spp. L. to develop a blue hardy waterlily

Five waterlily cultivars, with good pod setting and completely formed flowers, from the subgenus Nymphaea (hardy waterlily) were used as pod (female) parent. Waterlilies from subgenera Anecphya (2 entities) and Brachyceras (20 entities), specifically the blue-flowered ones, were used as pollen (male) parent for transferring blue-flowered characteristic to the hardy waterlily. Hybridization of subgenus Nymphaea with subgenus Anecphya was unsuccessful. A successful crossing was obtained between the subgenera Nymphaea and Brachyceras, yielding one pod with 244 seeds, from which only 39 seeds germinated and yielded 20 good intersubgeneric hybrid plants. The characteristics of the hybrids were categorized by their flower colors into two groups, a pink-flowered group with 17 hybrids and a blue-flowered group with 3 hybrids. In the blue-flowered group, there was a prominent one with beautiful blue-purple flower, which was determined by PCR-RFLP markers to be a hybrid between Nymphaea and Brachyceras subgenera, as well as inherited some plant characteristics, for example, ovary carpel, leaf (pad), rootstock, position of flower at flowering from the parent. The blue-purple flowered hybrid had important characteristics inherited from the hardy waterlily (subgenus Nymphaea); therefore, the hybrid has been named Nymphaea ‘Siam Blue Hardy’ to honor the birth place and its distinct flower color.     

Root restriction-induced limitation to photosynthesis in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) leaves

Root restriction often depresses photosynthetic capacity and the mechanism for this reduction, however, remains unclear. To identify the mechanism by which root restriction affects the photosynthetic characteristics, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings were subjected to root restriction stress with or without supplemental aeration to the nutrient solution. With the development of the root restriction stress, CO₂ assimilation rate was decreased only in confined plants without supplemental aeration. There were also significant decreases in leaf water potential, stomatal conductance (g_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), and increases in the stomatal limitation (l) and the xylem sap ABA concentration. Meanwhile, the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (V_cmax) and the capacity for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (J_max) also decreased, followed by substantial reductions in the quantum yield of PSII electron transport (Φ_PSII). Additionally, root restriction resulted in accumulation of carbohydrates in various plant tissues irrespective of aeration conditions. It is likely that root restriction-induced depression of photosynthesis was mimicked by water stress.     

Increased regeneration capacity in spinach lines obtained by in vitro self-fertilisation

Somatic embryos (SEs) were induced from apical sections of the lateral roots of spinach seedlings (1 cm), which were cultivated on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 20 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid and 5 μM gibberellic acid. Apical shoots of the same lines were isolated and cultivated on plant growth regulator-free medium. The regeneration capacities of seedlings randomly chosen from a population were quite low and variable, and only 4 out of 30 lines responded at the frequency of 85–100%, with 6.96–9.96 SEs per explant and up to 347 SEs per seedling over a 12-week period. These SEs were isolated and maintained on medium with 5 μM kinetin. Plants derived from seedlings’ apical shoot and SEs self-fertilised in vitro and set seeds, and these seedlings (S₁) were used to induce regeneration. Similarly, S₂–S₄ seedlings were obtained and the regeneration capacities of 23 S₁, 23 S₂, 17 S₃ and 5 S₄-seedlings were compared to parental lines. Of these, four S₃ and S₄ lines with extremely high regeneration capacities were selected. These lines exhibited 78–139 fold higher embryo-forming capacities than the mother plant, and produced 38.9–68.3 SEs per explant and 1339–2181 SEs per seedling during the same time period. In addition, the process of somatic embryogenesis began 2–4 weeks earlier in these lines, and root explants taken from SE-derived plants of these lines retained high and stable regeneration capacities, and therefore may be ideal material for genetic transformation.     

Eggplant relatives as sources of variation for developing new rootstocks: Effects of grafting on eggplant yield and fruit apparent quality and composition

We propose the utilization of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) interspecific hybrids derived from crosses with closely related species as an approach for developing new improved rootstocks for eggplant. Here we investigate rootstock effects on fruit yield, apparent quality and proximate and mineral composition of S. melongena ‘Black Beauty’ (BB) scions grafted on interspecific hybrid rootstocks developed from crosses of S. melongena with Solanum incanum L. (SI × SM) and Solanum aethiopicum L. (SM × SA). The results are compared with non-grafted (BB control) and self-grafted (BB/BB) controls and with S. melongena ‘Black Beauty’ scions grafted onto Solanum torvum Sw. (STO) and Solanum macrocarpon L. (SMA) rootstocks. All treatments were grown in a soil naturally infested with root-knot nematodes (mostly Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood). SI × SM and SM × SA interspecific hybrids had high germination (≥90%) and total graft success (100%). Contrary to what occurred with all other treatments, no plants from scions grafted onto these hybrid rootstocks died during the experiment. In particular, the SI × SM hybrid rootstock conferred the highest vigour to the scion, which resulted in the highest values for fruit earliness and early and total yield. Little difference was observed among treatments for apparent fruit quality traits, except for a greater fruit calyx length and prickliness of fruit grafted onto SMA rootstocks. A similar result was obtained for fruit composition where phenolics content was higher in fruit from plants grafted onto SMA rootstocks. Grafting eggplant onto interspecific eggplant hybrids, especially on the SI × SM hybrid, has proved advantageous for eggplant production, as the high vigour and good compatibility of the rootstock with scion results in improved early and total yield without negative effects on apparent fruit quality or composition. Interspecific hybrids represent an alternative to the commonly used STO rootstock, which is a wild species with irregular germination.