Genetic characterization of asparagus doubled haploids collection and wild relatives

The genus Asparagus is very large consisting of around 150 species found as herbaceous perennials, tender woody shrubs and vines. The cultivated species (Asparagus officinalis L., diploid) is a highly prized vegetable, grown in different environments ranging from cool temperate zones to deserts, Mediterranean climates and tropical areas. As a consequence, Asparagus breeders have developed different cultivars that differ for their morpho-agronomic traits, habit and ploidic status (few triploid and tetraploid cultivars are used). Several breeding methods are used for developing cultivars, among which a well developed in vitro anther culture technique produces homozygous clones useful for F₁ hybrids constitution. A fluorescent based AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) technique were applied with the aim to assess genetic diversity among a collection of 173 doubled haploid (DH) androgenetic clones, five Asparagus wild species and interspecific hybrids obtained among the cultivated species and two wild relatives. The average number of AFLP fragments generated per primer set was 105, varying in size from 50 to 550 bp. A total of 1054 AFLP fragments were detected, 20% of which were polymorphic. Genetic similarity based on DNA polymorphisms, showed that a few number of AFLP primer combinations are able to distinguish the cultivated DH clones from the wild species. Indeed, from one DH clone for each anther donors and the wild species were used to construct a dendrogram using Dice's coefficient and the unweighted pair group method with the arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Genetic distances among all DH clones were calculated using the C.S. Chord distance; and a neighbour-joining (NJ) consensus tree was constructed in order to support the breeder for parental genotype choice for asparagus hybrid constitution.     

中国生姜栽培史考述

摘要：中国是栽培生姜的重要起源地之一，拥有悠久的种植历史和丰富的生产利用经验。生姜在中国域内经2 000多年的栽培利用，纵观全国，其古今分布区域、生境与古代本草记载基本一致，南方因气候更适宜生姜生长等客观因素，自战国时期便有较高质量的生姜产出，在魏晋南北朝时，南方便初步形成特产区，生姜的种植区域在唐宋明清也逐渐发展扩大，如今已分布较广，且作为中心之一逐步向域外扩散。在中国生姜栽培进程中，古人在栽培、采收、贮藏方面积累了丰富的经验，以精耕细作和保暖措施为主的技术提升与现实社会需求发挥着重要的双重促进作用。     

Propagation of Lilium hybrids. I. Dependence of bulblet production on time of scale removal and growth substances

Production of bulblets from bulb scales of 12 Lilium Oriental hybrid clones indicated that an approximately threefold range in regenerative capacity existed within this group. The cultivar ‘Empress of India’ was the highest producer and provided 10 bulblets per bulb scale during a six-month period. This could provide an estimated yield of 500 bulblets per bulb. Propagation from bulb scales of most of the clones was equally effective with scales which were removed from the plants either immediately after cold treatment of the dormant bulbs, at the cessation of flowering, or at the cessation of growth of the aerial stems (post-senescence). Only ‘Empress of India’ and ‘American Eagle’ deviated, in that they produced fewer bulblets at the post senescence stage.When bulb scales were removed for propagation immediately after flowering, and treated with a combination of BAP and NAA (both 5 μM), bulblet production of the low producing clones was significantly increased, while that of the high producing ‘Empress of India’ was significantly decreased. These effects were less pronounced when the bulb scales were removed at the post-cold stage and virtually absent at the post senescence stage.     

Conservation of Zingiber germplasm through in vitro rhizome formation

The effects of various concentrations of maleic hydrazide (MH; 2, 4, 6, 8 mg/l) and three light treatments (16-h, 24-h, 0-h) on in vitro rhizome formation and conservation of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc. cv. Rio de Janeiro) were studied. In vitro rhizome formation occurred in all the above treatments. Addition of MH (2–8 mg/l) to the control medium (CM) comprising Murashige and Skoog's (1962) salts, 9% sucrose, 0.8% agar-agar, 0.1 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 1 mg/l N⁶-benzyladenine (BA), did not show any significant positive effects on rhizome formation as well as survival of cultures. A significant effect of light treatments was observed on survival of cultures but not on rhizome formation. More than 50% cultures survived up to 14 months on CM under 16-h and 24-h light conditions as compared to 20% cultures on same medium incubated under dark. A total of 33 genotypes of cultivated and wild species of Zingiber were subsequently tested for conservation through in vitro rhizome formation on CM under 16-h light condition. All genotypes produced rhizomes of varying size with numbers ranging from 3 to 15 per culture and were conserved for at least 12 months; some genotypes could be conserved even up to 16–20 months. Viability of rhizomes was determined by in vitro regeneration of shoots upon subculture and their subsequent establishment in soil. Following the protocol described in the present paper, some 160 genotypes of cultivated and wild species of Zingiber, collected from different geographical regions of India, are being conserved at In Vitro Genebank of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi.     

The origin and dissemination of the cultivated almond as determined by nuclear and chloroplast SSR marker analysis

Sixteen nuclear and 10 chloroplast SSR markers were evaluated for 40 almond genotypes including cultivated almond, 18 related species and 5 interspecific-hybrid populations. Results establish the value of SSR (nuclear and chloroplast) markers for distinguishing different genetic lineages and characterize an extensive gene pool available to almond genetic improvement. Hierarchical analysis using integrated nuclear and chloroplast DNA markers support Prunus fenzliana, a species native to the northeast Iran, as a probable ancestor of the cultivated almond. Results also established the importance of interspecific hybridization and subsequent genetic introgression in the development of cultivated almond and demonstrate continuing value of an interspecific gene pool for modern cultivar improvement. Molecular results implicate a dissemination of the cultivated almond from Asia to the Eastern Mediterranean and subsequently the Western Mediterranean and the New World is supported by the molecular analysis of regional germplasm.     

Evaluation of ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) clones

‘Tonda di Giffoni’ is among the most highly appreciated Italian hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars. Due to its round kernels and excellent processing quality, it was awarded a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) from the European Union. To identify clones expressing improved nut and production qualities, a ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ clonal selection programme was conducted across hazelnut orchards in the Irno valley of Italy from 1995 to 2006. One hundred different clones were selected and propagated in a replicated trial under similar climate, soil, and cultural conditions. From this work, the 29 best clones were identified and from 2006 to 2008 their agronomic and pomological characteristics were observed. Microsatellite or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to successfully confirm true-to-type identity of the clones. Traits evaluated included flowering time (anthesis), bud break, suckering, trunk diameter, nut and kernel characteristics and productivity (yield). Best linear unbiased predictions for clone means and estimates of intraclass correlation coefficient were obtained using R environment, lme4 and ggplot2 packages. Five clones superior to that of the standard of ‘Tonda di Giffoni’ were identified in this study. Furthermore, yield and number of suckers produced showed sufficient variability to likely be exploited for breeding. The selected clones express features useful for both growers and the processing industry and will be propagated and planted in hazelnut orchards for further study and commercial production.     

Sacred sites as habitats of culturally important plant species in an Indian megacity

Cultural ecosystem services related to urban green spaces contribute significantly to liveable cities. While previous studies highlight the intersection of cultural ecosystem services with societal values, spiritual or religious values associated with urban nature have received less attention. In India, as in other parts of the world, sacred sites are known for their biological richness, but analyses from urban sacred sites are largely missing. Based on a stratified random sampling approach, we analysed the cultivated and wild plant species assemblages of 69 sacred sites in the megacity of Bengaluru, India, in relation to biological and cultural features, and parameters related to the urban matrix and type of sacred sites (temple vs. katte). Unlike other urban studies, we found a dominance of native species in the cultivated and spontaneous species pools (121 species in total), with Ficus religiosa and Azadirachta indica as most frequently planted species. Culturally relevant species prevailed in the species pool (89%), with overlaps between religious (36%), medicinal (50%) and ornamental (62%) plants; only 11% of species were weeds. Urban matrix parameters (age of development, housing density) and size and type of sacred sites were related to differences in species assemblages. We identified key species for different classes of age and housing density, and for types of sacred sites. Our study demonstrates that urban sacred sites have an important potential in harbouring both native and culturally significant species that can support urban livelihoods in developing countries by a range of cultural and provisioning ecosystem services, including medicinal uses. As such sites are conserved by communities for spiritual or cultural beliefs, local biodiversity can be enhanced, e.g. by adapting management practices through community participation. This would strengthen the important contribution of sacred sites within the green infrastructure of rapidly growing megacities.     

土壤调理对生姜抗姜瘟病能力及生长势的影响

针对生姜连作模式下土传病害发生严重的问题,采用微生物菌肥和有机肥对栽培土壤进行调理,研究不同方案对促进生姜安全高效生产的效果。试验结果表明,"迈格沃+多欧+力欧+中霖有机肥"组合调理栽培土壤,生姜播后出苗快且整齐,植株长势强旺,茎秆粗壮,抗姜瘟病能力强,产量高,可以明显促进生姜安全高效生产。     

Molecular characterization and genetic diversity of Prunus rootstocks

Twenty microsatellite primer pairs, previously developed in peach, were used to characterize and to explore genetic relationships among 44 clones, representing three groups of rootstocks defined as: (1) Peach-based rootstocks (Prunus dulcis × P. persica, P. persica × P. davidiana); (2) Myrobalan-Marianna plums (P. cerasifera and interspecific hybrids having P. cerasifera as a parent); and (3) Slow growing plums (P. insititia, P. domestica, and P. domestica × P. spinosa). Eighteen SSR markers, from the 20 initially used, were able to amplify polymorphic products for the Peach-based rootstocks and 13 common markers gave also polymorphism for the Myrobalan-Marianna and Slow growing plums groups. The Dice coefficient of similarity was calculated between all pairs of accessions and their genetic similarity represented by a principal coordinate analysis. The genetic diversity detected among the 44 clones studied divided them in three groups, which are in agreement with their current taxonomic classification and their morphological characteristics. A set of three microsatellites (BPPCT001, CPPCT022 and UDP98-407) can distinguish between all the clones analyzed. The analysis within groups reveal another two sets of three SSR to distinguish between the clones from the Peach based rootstocks and the Myrobalan-Marianna plums, respectively, and only a single SSR is needed to distinguish within the clones from the Slow growing plums group. These results demonstrate the high potential of the SSR analysis for peach rootstock identification and studies of diversity in Prunus species.     

生姜茎基腐病病原鉴定及甲壳胺对其病原菌的抑菌作用

通过形态学观察、致病性测定及序列分析,对生姜茎基腐病病原菌进行鉴定;并采用菌丝生长速率法、活体组织法和田间试验研究甲壳胺对生姜茎基腐病病原菌的抑菌活性。结果表明,生姜茎基腐病病原菌为群结腐霉(Pythium myriotylum)、刺腐霉(Pythium spinosum)和林栖腐霉(Pythium sylvaticum)。甲壳胺对3种腐霉菌均有抑制作用,抑制中浓度(EC_(50))分别为422.711 2、401.699 5、446.910 7μg·m L~(-1)。显微观察显示,甲壳胺处理后的腐霉菌丝膨大、扭曲,分枝增多,菌丝内部出现空泡化。活体组织法试验结果表明,甲壳胺可以明显抑制生姜茎基腐病的发生。田间防治试验结果表明,甲壳胺可以明显预防生姜茎基腐病的发生,从而提高生姜产量。     

Changes in sugar and organic acid concentrations during fruit maturation in peaches,P. davidiana and hybrids as analyzed by principal component analysis

Changes during fruit maturation in sugar and acid concentrations were determined and compared for cultivated peaches (cv. Summergrand and Zéphir), P. davidiana and their unselected BC₂ genotypes. Cultivated peaches, P. davidiana as well as BC₂ genotypes followed similar changes in sucrose, citric acid, quinic acid and shikimic acid during fruit maturation. Sucrose increased until maturity; citric acid increased then fell; quinic acid and shikimic acid declined at maturity. There were very large differences in changes of glucose, fructose, sorbitol and malic acid during fruit maturation among the parents and BC₂ genotypes studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to describe temporal changes for complex traits and analyze the relationship between parents and BC₂ genotypes. In young immature fruits malic acid, quinic acid and shikimic acid concentrations were high then declined. Citric acid concentration peaked at intermediate maturities while mature fruits were characterized by increased sugar concentrations, especially sucrose. According to main PCA score planes, no BC₂ genotype was identical to ‘Summergrand’, ‘Zéphyr’ or P. davidiana parents. BC₂ genotypes were much closer to the cultivated peaches than to P. davidiana.     

Variation in DPPH scavenging activity and major volatile oil components of cassumunar ginger, Zingiber montanum (Koenig), in response to water deficit and light intensity

Cassumunar ginger, Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Link ex Dietr. (Zingiberaceae), is called Phlai in Thailand. The current study investigates the levels of antioxidant activity and major volatile oil components in cassumunar ginger exposed to varying water deficits (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days before harvest) and light intensities (100%, 50% and 25% sunlight). A 120-day water deficit resulted in high volatile oil content and increased sabinene content, but DPPH scavenging activity was not affected. The quantity of volatile oil in the cassumunar ginger exposed to a 120-day water deficit was almost twice that of both the control and the sample exposed to a 30-day deficit. The highest terpinen-4-ol content was obtained after a 60-day water deficit, and (E)-1-(3′,4′-dimethoxyphenyl) butadiene content tended to decrease with prolonged water deficiency. The antioxidant activities of cassumunar ginger were 52.98%, 41.75% and 42.93% in plants grown at 100%, 50%, and 25% sunlight, respectively. Light intensity of 50% or 25% increased the biomass of cassumunar ginger but decreased the volatile oil content; antioxidant activity was not significantly affected.     

Improvement of mishqui (Solanum muricatum) earliness by selection and ethephon applications

The long period of time required for fruit ripening is a main drawback to the adoption of mishqui (Solanum muricatum) as a new crop. Variation in the fruit ripening period was studied in 18 mishqui clones in response to ethephon sprays (0, 500 or 2000 mg l⁻¹). Significant differences in the length of the fruit ripening period were detected between clones, ethephon doses and their interactions. Some clones did not respond to ethephon sprays, while in others the ripening period was shortened by more than 60%. In general, the effect of ethephon was greater in the clones with a longer ripening period. Furthermore, differences between clones of up to 20 days were found in the fruit growth period. Lengths of both periods (fruit growth and ripening) were not correlated, indicating that independent selection can be performed for both traits. The effects of ethephon on fruit quality characters were not significant in the majority of clones, although in five clones ethephon produced a skin degreening. Fruits from these clones had a higher firmness and lower soluble solid content (SSC) after ethephon treatment. On the other hand, ethephon sprays did not affect either the postharvest behaviour or the sensitivity to bruising. The results obtained here point to the existence of genotypic variation in the fruit ripening physiology of this species and they give relevant information for the improvement of mishqui earliness.     

塑料大棚栽培生姜的增产效应

研究了大棚和大棚加地膜覆盖对生姜生长和产量的影响。结果表明 ,大棚内地膜覆盖和大棚栽培生姜可提早播种和延后收获 ,具有早出苗 ,生长量大 ,叶面积扩展快 ,增加株高、茎粗和分枝数以及促进养分充分运输到根茎中的作用 ,产量大幅度提高 ,大棚内地膜覆盖栽培的增产效果尤为突出     

Grouping of banana clones based on genomic groups,ploidy, and seasons of planting for sucker production in Musa spp.

ABSTRACT

Sucker production of important clones belonging to different ploidy levels and genomic groups were assessed in three different planting seasons at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, India. The study revealed that morphological characters such as plant height, collar girth, and total number of leaves recorded very strong, significant, and positive correlation with sucker production characters but negative correlation was observed with average leaf production interval and bunch weight. The number of dead suckers was found to be positively correlated with plant height, collar girth, “D” leaf area, bunch weight, and average leaf production interval. In a cluster analysis, six banana varieties that were planted in different three seasons (18 entries) and their pooled data (6 entries) were grouped into four distinct clusters each. In factor/principle component analysis, the first three major factors/principle components amounted to a total of 85.9% of the variability. The communality values of the factor analysis revealed that collar girth was the major relative contributory trait for deciding the sucker yield and production in banana.

Abbreviations: EVS: Early vegetative stage; AVS: Active vegetative stage; FBI: Flower bud initiation; FBD: Flower bud differentiation; PCA: Principle component analysis; FA: Factor analysis     

Plantlet formation in callus tissues of Anthurium andraeanum Lind.

A tissue culture method is described for the vegetative propagation of Anthurium andraeanum Lind. through callus tissue differentiation. The callus tissue was induced from excised embryos and young parts of adult plants, cultivated on a modified Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with the cytokinin PBA. Optimum growth of callus tissue was obtained at 25°C in darkness, but the rate of growth was highly variable amongst callus clones obtained from different genotypes. Callus tissue could be subcultured and induced to form adventitious sprouts, especially in light. These sprouts regenerated roots on the basic culture medium. The first Anthurium clones have been transferred to pots and are now growing vigorously in the greenhouse.     

北京市延庆区生姜害虫发生情况调查及防控建议

2017—2019年，在延庆对生姜田害虫开展调查，结果发现食叶害虫主要有3种，分别为棉铃虫[Helicoverpa armigera （Hübner）]、甜菜夜蛾[Spodoptera exigua （Hübner）]和粘虫[Mythimna separata（Walker）]，钻蛀性害虫为亚洲玉米螟[Ostrinia furnacalis （Guenée）]，地下害虫只发现轻微危害，未查到具体种类。地下害虫发生相对较早，食叶害虫和钻蛀性害虫主要发生于生产后期。不同年份间，害虫发生种类差异较大，2017年以钻蛀性害虫为主，还有食叶害虫即棉铃虫和甜菜夜蛾，2018年和2019年以食叶害虫为主，主要是棉铃虫，还有少量粘虫。     

Identification of differentially expressed genes during flower opening by suppression subtractive hybridization and cDNA microarray analysis in Eustoma grandiflorum

The forward and reverse suppression subtractive cDNA libraries were constructed in petals of Eustoma grandiflorum at bud stage (stage 1) and anthesis (stage 7). Approximately 1000 clones were isolated from stage 1- (S1) and stage 7-specific (S7) libraries. The clones were sequenced and assembled, which yielded 98 contigs and 444 singletons. BLAST search was conducted on these assembled sequences. Generally, probes isolated from the S7 library exhibited higher expression at stage 7 by microarray analysis, as did those of the S1 library at stage 1. A clone set from the S7 library contained genes from later steps of anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, terpene synthases, GAST (gibberellic acid-stimulated) family proteins, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase, glycosidases, and stress- and senescence-related proteins. In contrast, the S1 library contained genes associated with flavonol biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, terpenoid metabolism, and floral organ development. Gene expression profiling for flavonoid biosynthesis was in accordance with preferential accumulation of flavonols at bud stages and anthocyanins at anthesis.     

Suitability of isozyme,RAPD and AFLP markers to assess genetic differences and relatedness among fig (Ficus carica L.) clones

Sarilop is the main and standard cultivar for commercial dried fig (Ficus carica L.) production in Turkey. Eleven of the most promising Sarilop clones and one clone of Sarizeybek, all selected from a former agronomic evaluation, were analysed by three molecular marker techniques, isozymes, RAPDs and AFLPs. The resolution power and the accuracy of these three analytical techniques, in distinguishing among fig clones, were determined. The analysis of five isozyme systems permitted the discrimination between the two cultivars, Sarilop and Sarizeybek. Besides the discrimination between the two fig cultivars, the use of 31 10-mer primers in RAPD analysis allowed splitting the 11 Sarilop clones into two groups of genetic similarity, but not to distinguish between all the clones. The AFLP™ technology showed a much higher multiplex ratio than the RAPD technique (42.4 vs. 6.1) and eight combinations of EcoRI/MseI primers were enough to clearly distinguish between all the Sarilop clones.