Cytogenetic and systematic analyses of Kengyilia gobicola, K. zhaosuensis and K. batalinii var. nana (Poaceae)

Kengyilia batalinii var. nana J.L. Yang, Yen et Baum, K. gobicola Yen et J.L. Yang, K. zhaosuensis J.L. Yang, Yen et Baum are short-lived perennial grasses of the family Triticeae distributed throughout the upper and middle mountain ranges of west China. They were cytogenetically studied with testers R. kamoji Ohwi (StStHHYY) and K. hirsuta (Keng) J. L. Yang, Yen et Baum (PPStStYY). Analysis of metaphase I pairing configurations in the F₁ indicate that K. batalinii var. nana, K. gobicola, K. zhaosuensis possess the P, St, and Y genomes, with o nly minor structural rearrangements. These results showed that the three target taxa are good species in the genus Kengyilia.     

An analysis of recent taxonomic concepts in wild potatoes (Solarium sect. Petota)

Summary Solanum L. sect. Petota Dumort., the potato and its wild relatives, contains 232 species, according to the latest taxonomic interpretation of Hawkes (1990). Section Petota is distributed in the Americas from the southwestern United States to southern Chile. This economically important group has attracted the attention of numerous taxonomists with various taxonomic philosophies. There are 531 validly published basionyms in the group, plus 67 nomina nuda or nomina dubia, and subsequent transfers to other ranks raise the number of names to 664. The taxonomy of sect. Petota has been dominated in recent years by J. G. Hawkes & J. P. Hjerting (co-workers) and C. M. Ochoa. The near simultaneous and independent publication of three recent books by these workers, treating the Bolivian species of sect. Petota, provides a novel opportunity to compare their taxonomic philosophies. Additionally, a recent independent treatment of all of the South American species by L. E. Gorbatenko provides a new interpretation of affiliations of species to series that is compared to the recent treatment of Hawkes and earlier treatments of S. M. Bukasov and D. S. Correll. These treatments differ in the placement of species into series, species boundaries, rank of infraspecific taxa, and hypotheses of hybridization. Our analysis illustrates the wide differences of taxonomic interpretation possible when independent workers treat the same material. The comparison provides insights into unresolved taxonomic questions in sect. Petota and indicates the need for a practical taxonomic resolution that will benefit plant breeders and other researchers on wild potatoes. Reasons for the discrepancies are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.     

Cytogenetic analysis of Kengyilia mutica (Keng) J. L. Yang, Yen and Baum (Poaceae: Triticeae)

Kengyilia mutica (Keng) Yang, Yen et Baum is a hexaploid perennial grass of the tribe Triticeae native to western central China. The analyzer species with known genomic constitution used to produce interspecific hybrids with the target taxon were Roegneria kamoji Ohwi (StStHHYY), K. hirsuta (Keng) J. L. Yang, Yen et Baum (PPStStYY) and K. rigidula (Keng) J. L. Yang, Yen et Baum (PPStStYY). Analysis of metaphase I pairing configurations in the F₁ hybrids indicates that K. mutica possesses the P, St and Y genomes, with only minor structural rearrangements. Chromosome pairing in hybrids supports the inclusion of K. mutica in the genus Kengyilia.     

The effect of acidification,liming and reacidification on macrophyte development,water quality and sediment characteristics of soft-water lakes

Rapid expansion of Juncus bulbosus L. and the concomitant suppression of isoetid plant species has often been observed in acidifying soft water lakes in Western Europe. Experimental studies have shown that this mass development of J.bulbosus was caused by changes in the carbon and nitrogen budgets in these ecosystems. Acidification leads to temporarily strongly increased carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the slightly calcareous sediment and to accumulation of ammonium as a result of a reduced nitrification rate in acidifying waters. Many acidifying Scandinavian soft water lakes, however, have a well developed macrophyte vegetation. It is suggested that this is related with the non-calcareous sediments of these lakes. After liming, however, mass development of J. bulbosus and/or Sphagnum spec. has been observed in Swedish and S.W. Norwegian lakes. From field experiments it has become clear that part of the lime is deposited on the sediments leading to an increase of mineralisation rates, CO₂ production, sediment pore water levels of phosphate and ammonium and to a decrease of the nitrate concentrations in the sediment. These changes have been earlier observed in acidifying West European waters. Rooted species like J.bulbosus can only benefit from the higher nutrient levels in the sediment when the CO₂ level of the water layer is relatively high as this species is adapted to leaf carbon uptake. It is demonstrated that gradual reacidification by the acid water from the catchments and the increased flux of carbonic acid from the limed sediments to the overlying water leads to increased CO₂ levels in the water layer of the limed lakes already a few months after liming.     

Impact of Seasonal Fluctuations on the Sediment-Mercury, its Accumulation and Partitioning in Halimione portulacoides and Juncus maritimus Collected from Ria de Aveiro Coastal Lagoon (Portugal)

The availability of metals to plants is a complex function of numerous environmental factors. Many of these factors are interrelated, and vary seasonally and temporally. The current study intended to understand the influence of seasonal fluctuations and the vegetation of salt marsh plants (SMPs; Halimione portulacoides, Juncus maritimus) on sediment??s mercury (Hg) and its pH and redox potential (Eh), as well as their cumulative effect on the plant??s Hg-accumulation and Hg-partitioning potential. The area selected for the study was Laranjo Basin at Ria de Aveiro lagoon (Portugal) where a known Hg gradient was existed due to chlor-alkali plant discharge. Three sampling sites (L1, L2 and L3) were selected along a transect defined by the distance from the main Hg source. Samples were also collected from the Hg-free site (R). Irrespective of the plant vegetation, Hg in sediments gradually increased with a decreasing distance towards Hg-point source. The sediment colonised by J. maritimus showed more Hg concentration compared with H. portulacoides irrespective of the season. As a whole, J. maritimus accumulated Hg more than H. portulacoides at all the sampling sites, whereas in root, stem and leaf, the concentration was ranked as: L1 > L2 > L3 in both the plant species and was differentially influenced by seasonal changes. Moreover, root of both plants exhibited highest Hg concentration compared with stem and leaf. In addition, the leaf of H. portulacoides exhibited more Hg than leaves of J. maritimus. Bioaccumulation and translocation factors and dry weight were differentially influenced by seasonal changes. Taking together the results, the physico-chemical properties of sediment especially the sediment-Eh seems to be influnced by the type of plant vegetation and seasonal changes which in turn may have influenced the chemistry of sediments; thus, it enfluences the bioavalability of Hg and the Hg-retention capacity of both salt marsh sediments (SMSs) and SMPs (bioaccumulation factor). Moreover, SMSs vegetated by J. maritimus exhibited a stronger capacity for the retention and phytostabilization of Hg belowground (in sediments and/or roots) than those dominated by H. portulacoides. Conversely, those SMSs extensively vegetated by H. portulacoides are expected to translocate more Hg to aboveground parts, acting as a potential source of this metal to the marsh ecosystem. Therefore, J. maritimus and H. portulacoides may be used repectively for phytostabilization (in rhizosediments) and phytoextraction (by accumulation in aboveground plant tissue for subsequent plant removal).     

Variability of Fusarium spp. isolates,causal agents of the soybean sudden death syndrome

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the most widely cultivated crop in the world and an important commodity. Besides its main role in human nutrition, this grain is also used in animal feed and production of biofuels, among other purposes. Due to these factors, soybean became important in the global economy and is the most exported agricultural product from Brazil. Fungal diseases are among the limiting factors on soybean production; sudden death syndrome, caused by Fusarium spp., has been responsible for severe losses on this crop in Brazil. Four species of Fusarium can be considered causal pathogens: F. brasiliense, F. crassistipitatum, F. tucumaniae, and F. virguliforme. The Fusarium spp. isolates characterized in this work were collected in different soybean-producing regions in Brazil. The genetic variability of these isolates was determined through the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Disease severity was evaluated on moderately resistant and susceptible soybean cultivars in greenhouse trials. RAPD analysis demonstrated a great genetic diversity among the isolates and a clear tendency to split into two main species groups, F. tucumaniae and F. brasiliense, both prevalent in Brazil. The disease severity experiments, in which soybean plants were artificially inoculated, have shown that all isolates caused significant damage to the seedling root system. In fact, the genetic diversity of isolates does not correlate with disease severity, and also does not correlate with geographic distribution.     

Wild and weedy Lactuca species, their distribution, ecogeography and ecobiology in USA and Canada

During 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, trips were undertaken in the United States and Canada by members of the Department of Botany, Palacky University in Olomouc (Czech Republic) to record distributions and sample the diversity of wild and weedy Lactuca species. In that period, 16 states in the USA (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming) and two provinces in Canada (Ontario, Quebec) were visited. Seven wild and weedy Lactuca species (L. serriola, L. saligna, L. virosa, L. canadensis, L. biennis, L. floridana, L. ludoviciana), an interspecific hybrid (L. canadensis?×?L. ludoviciana), and an undetermined Lactuca species were recorded, and 343 seed samples were collected from 200 locations. The largest number of wild Lactuca species that we observed was recorded in Iowa, and the largest number of samples was collected in California. The most common habitats of weedy species (L. serriola, L. saligna and L. virosa) were along transport corridors, such as roadsides, road ditches, parking sites and petrol stations, grassy slopes and ruderal places. The most frequent species was L. serriola, an Old World introduction, which we observed in all states and provinces visited, except for New York, and in broad range of elevations (up to 2,358?m a.s.l.). Lactuca saligna was recorded only one time in Salinas, California. Lactuca virosa was found repeatedly in Washington State along the road to the Mt. St. Helens and in Redwoods, California. Native North American taxa (L. canadensis, L. floridana, L. ludoviciana) were recorded only in Iowa. Lactuca biennis was found only in Canada in the southern part of Quebec. Records of diseases and pests showed only occasional occurrences of downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) and powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum). Most plant-disease findings were made in Canada. Results of these efforts enrich our knowledge of the distribution, ecogeography and ecobiology of Lactuca species occurring spontaneously in North America. Seed collections (accessions) will be conserved in the working collection of the genebank at Palacky University to support future research in ecogeography, ecobiology, resistance and genetic polymorphisms, and to enrich of germplasm diversity available for lettuce breeding.     

Enchytraeid and nematode numbers in urban,polluted Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands in relation to other soil biological parameters

Summary We examined the number of enchytraeids and nematodes in the mor humus layer of polluted Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands, located on a sulphur gradient from 1.2 to 2.8 mg g^-1 in mor humus and up to a distance of 40 km from the centre of Oulu, an industrialized city in northern Finland, in autumn 1989 and spring 1990. The number of enchytraeids, dominated by one species, Cognettia sphagnetorum, showed a clear positive correlation with the soil respiration rate and the diversity and production of mycorrhizal fungi, and all these were negatively related with S and N concentrations in the soil, as measured in 1987 and 1988. This negative correlation may have been caused by an alteration in food supply of enchytraeids, owing to changes in litter quality and the amount and species composition of fungi and mycorrhizae. Nematode numbers showed a positive correlation with the activity of dehydrogenase enzymes mineral N, and soil pH. The feeding characteristics of nematodes as a group need further study. The numbers of both enchytraeids and nematodes were higher in the autumn than in the spring and in the case of nematodes this variation was related to soil moisture.The work was carried out in the Department of Botany, University of Oulu, Linnanmaa, SF-90570 Oulu, Finland, and in Forestry Canada, Petawawa National Forestry Institute, Chalk River, Ontario, K0J 1J0, Canada     

Evaluation of salt tolerance in cowpea and tobacco: Effects of NaCl on growth,relative turgidity and photosynthesis

The physiology of NaCl induced stress was studied in two prop species, cowpea and 4 cultivars of tobacco one of which (Jayashree) is salt sensitive. It was found that the growth of all the cvs of tobacco was reduced by the presence of NaCl (100 mH) in the nutrient medium. While the fresh wt per unit area of the leaves of salt‐tolerant tobacco cv. I and PV‐7 (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and MPS‐219 (N. rustica L.) was increased’ significantly, it was decreased in the salt‐sensitive Jayashree. The dry wt per unit leaf area was decreased much more in I, PV‐7 and J than in NPS‐219. The total chlorophyll was reduced in all and more so in Jayashree.

The relative turgidity % was found to decrease in the primary leaves of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) in the first 6 days of treatment with 100 mM NaCl in the nutrient medium while the decrease was less significant in the first and and second trifoliate leaves, showing that there was readjustment with growth of the plant to salinity. The ¹⁴C fixation in the leaf disks of cowpea grown in NaCl was much less than in the control plants. The studies reveal that there is a general reduction in the growth of both tobacco and cowpea following NaCl treatment and this effect is due to a decrease in the total chlorophyll and a reduced rate of photosynthesis.     

不同地理种源小桐子种子对~(60)Co γ射线照射的敏感性研究

研究了10个不同地理种源的小桐子种子对60Coγ射线照射的敏感性。结果表明,辐射剂量与出苗率呈负相关,且不同剂量处理间的相对出苗率差异达显著或极显著水平,线性回归方程的相关系数为-0.89～-0.96,其半致死剂量为127～184Gy。根据半致死剂量可将10个不同地理种源的小桐子划分为辐射敏感型、辐射中间型和辐射迟钝型,其中贵州贞丰鲁容种源(141Gy)和海南乐东莺歌海种源(127Gy)为辐射迟钝型;云南元江种源(184 Gy)为辐射敏感型;其余7个种源为辐射中间型。本研究可为创制小桐子新种质提供重要试验基础。     

Lotononis angolensis forms nitrogen fixing, lupinoid nodules with phylogenetically unique, fast-growing, pink-pigmented bacteria, which do not nodulate L. bainesii or L. listii

Root-nodule bacteria that nodulate the legume genus Lotononis are being investigated to develop new forage species for agriculture. Bacteria isolated from nodules of Lotononis angolensis were fast-growing, highly mucoid and pink-pigmented, and on the basis of 16S rRNA phylogeny <94% related to other genera in the Alphaproteobacteria. Root-nodule bacteria isolated from other Lotononis species (L. bainesii, L. solitudinis and L. listii) resembled the more common dry, slow-growing, pink-pigmented rhizobia previously described for L. bainesii. These isolates could be attributed to the Methylobacterium genus, although not to the type species Methylobacterium nodulans. Further differences were uncovered with nodulation studies revealing that nodule isolates from L. angolensis were effective at nitrogen fixation on their host plant, but could nodulate neither L. bainesii nor L. listii. Reciprocal tests showed isolates from L. bainesii, L. listii and L. solitudinis were incapable of nodulating L. angolensis effectively. Nodule morphology for L. bainesii, L. angolensis and L. listii was characteristically lupinoid, with little structural divergence between the species, and with nodules eventually enclosing the entire root.     

Evaluation of Roegneria for resistance to head scab caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe

71 accessions from 13 Roegneria species were evaluated for resistance to wheat scab. The results showed that 31 of the 71 accessions possessed high resistance (HR) to initial infection and high resistance (HR) to pathogen spread. The disease spread from inoculated floret to head rachis was not observed, and the incidence of head infection were lower under natural than under artificial inoculation conditions. The intergeneric hybrid F1 of Roegneria tsukushiensis (Honda) B.R. Lu, Yen et J.L. Yang. var. transiens (Hack.) B.R. Lu, Yen et J.L. Yang × Hordeum vulgare Linn. exhibited resistance (R) to pathogen invasion and high resistance (HR) to spread. Therefore, Roegneria could be used as scab resistant resources in cereal breeding. In addition, the relatioship between its resistance and ecological environments where Roegneria was distributed was discussed in this paper.     

华北片麻岩石质山地山杏幼林集水保墒措施选择

为了确定适宜的华北片麻岩石质山地山杏幼林集水保墒措施,以生长、生理、土壤水分等为评判指标,研究了河北平山片麻岩石质山区翼式鱼鳞坑+保水剂+石子（YY+B+S）、翼式鱼鳞坑+保水剂+秸杆（YY+B+J）、翼式鱼鳞坑+保水剂（YY+B）、翼式鱼鳞坑+石子（YY+S）、翼式鱼鳞坑+秸杆（YY+J）、翼式鱼鳞坑（YY）及对照（CK）处理对山杏幼树地径、树高、材积、新梢生长、净光合速率、叶绿素含量,以及土壤水分等的影响。结果表明:（1）采用翼式鱼鳞坑及翼式鱼鳞坑与石子、秸秆、保水剂等综合集水保墒措施可有效改善山杏土壤水分状况,一个生长季及一次大的降水后土壤含水量较对照分别提高了22.4%~61.8%和28.53%~106.25%;（2）集水保墒措施能有效促进山杏地径、树高、材积及新梢的生长,处理平均较对照分别高26.07%,117.87%,443.83%,84.04%;（3）集水保墒措施可通过促进土壤水分条件的改善来改善山杏光合作用等生理特性,处理后山杏叶片叶绿素含量、日平均净光合速率、一次大的降水后净光合速率平均较对照高25.24%~128.73%,22.18%~153.56%,3.16%~35.35%;（4）综合各种集水保墒措施对山杏生长、生理及土壤水分等指标的影响,结合经济因素考虑,翼式鱼鳞坑+石子（YY+S）和翼式鱼鳞坑+秸杆（YY+J）是华北片麻岩石质山地山杏两种方便、经济、适用的集水保墒措施。     

Invasion of a deciduous forest by earthworms: Changes in soil chemistry, microflora, microarthropods and vegetation

Ecosystems of northern North America existed without earthworm fauna until European settlers arrived and introduced European species. The current extent of invasion by some of these species, Lumbricus terrestris L., Octolasion tyrtaeum Savigny and Dendrobaena octaedra Savigny, into an aspen forest in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the effects of the invasion on soil chemistry, microflora, soil microarthropods and vegetation were investigated. Densities of earthworm species, soil structure, plant coverage and abundance were determined along three transects starting at the edge of the forest. At locations with L. terrestris, litter was incorporated into the soil, and where O. tyrtaeum was present, organic layers were mixed with mineral soil layers. Organic layers disappeared almost entirely when both species occurred together. Carbon and nitrogen concentrations were reduced in organic layers in the presence of L. terrestris and O. tyrtaeum. Microbial biomass and basal respiration were reduced when L. terrestris and O. tyrtaeum were present, presumably due to resource competition and habitat destruction. Microarthropod densities and the number of microarthropod species were strongly reduced in the presence of O. tyrtaeum (−75% and −22%, respectively), probably through mechanical disturbances, increasing compactness of the soil and resource competition. The coverage of some plant species was correlated with earthworm abundance, but the coverage of others was not. Despite harsh climatic conditions, the invasion of boreal forest ecosystems by mineral soil dwelling earthworm species is proceeding and strongly impacts soil structure, soil chemistry, microorganisms, soil microarthropods and vegetation.     

Soil physico-chemical properties,biomass production,and root density in a green manure farming system from tropical ecosystem,North-eastern Brazil

Purpose

Soil physico-chemical properties, biomass production, and root density are considered key factors indicating soil health in an agroecosystem. The soil physico-chemical changes and plant growth (e.g., shoot biomass production and root density) in a 6-year cultivation of plant species used as green manure in a sandy soil from Tropical ecosystem, North-eastern Brazil, were investigated between July and December 2019.

Material and methods

We characterized soil physical and chemical properties, shoot biomass production, and root density under ten plant species used as green manure: Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. cv. Basilisk, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC, Crotalaria juncea L., Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don, Crotalaria spectabilis Roth, Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC, Neonotonia wightii (Wight & Arn.) J.A. Lackey, Pennisetum glaucum L., and Stilozobium aterrimum Piper and Tracy.

Results and discussion

The highest values of soil pH, exchangeable cations, CEC, and soil available water capacity were found on the plots where Poaceae plants were cultivated, whereas for H⁺+Al³⁺, C.E.C., soil available water, and soil available water capacity were found on the plots where Fabaceae plants were cultivated. On the plots where C. ensiformis and N. wightii were cultivated, we found the highest shoot dry biomass and root density, respectively. The results highlight the importance to consider plant species from both Poaceae and Fabaceae family used as green manure as soil conditioner (by promoting soil fertility, nutrient cycling, and hydraulic properties into plant root zone), and thus creating a positive plant-soil feedback.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that (1) a consecutive green manure practice without any input of fertilizers after 6 years changed positively both soil physical and chemical properties, and improve plant growth (e.g., shoot dry biomass and root density) in tropical savanna climate conditions; and (2) by altering soil fertility, both Poaceae and Fabaceae plants used as green manure may create a sustainable cycle into the soil profile thus promoting soil health.

     

The genome biogeography of Hibiscus L. section Furcaria DC

Summary Hibiscus L. section Furcaria DC. (Malvaceae) is a natural group of more than 100 known species, many of which are handsome ornamentals with large, showy, delicate flowers. This group includes the fiber, food, and medicinal plants kenaf, H. cannabinus L., and roselle, H. sabdariffa L. The basic chromosome number is x = 18. In nature are found diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, octoploid, and decaploid taxa. This group displays a remarkable amount of genome diversity, as shown by cytological analysis of 140 hybrid combinations from over 60,000 crosses. At least 13 genomes are present: A, B, C, D, E, G, H, J, P, R, V, X, and Y. Subsaharan Africa is the center of genome diversity; nine of the 13 genomes are represented in African taxa, and nine of the 10 confirmed diploid species occur in Africa. Five (possibly six) genomes reside in extant diploids. The G genome (or a modified G genome) is widely distributed. Found in only one diploid species in Africa, it is found also in African tetraploid and African and Indian octoploid species, in New World tetraploid and decaploid species, and in Australian hexaploid species. The G-genome apparently was widely dispersed and differentiated, followed by hybridization, subsequent chromosome doubling, and radiation. The A, B, X, and Y genomes, on the other hand, are confined mainly to Africa, with a few taxa in Asia, and apparently are the products of a later round of hybridization and allopolyploidy.     

Adaptive strategy of six native herbaceous species growing over the whole region of Mt. Daisen: characteristics of N,P, K,Ca, and Mg accumulation in leaves

The number of native species growing at all altitudes on Mt. Daisen, which is the highest mountain in the Chugoku District of Japan, is seven. Since soil physical and chemical properties and climate vary due to differences of elevation and habitat, it is logical to assume that they have an adaptive strategy to cope with such changes in the environment. To understand the growth strategy in these species, in the period from July 26 to October 17, 2007, leaves of six herbaceous species (Athyrium vidalii (Fr. et Sav.) Nakai, Carex foliosissima Fr. Schm., Aruncus dioicus (Walt.) Fern., Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc., Artemisia princeps Pamp., and Plantago asiatica L.) were sampled at the different altitudes [Site A; 850?m, Site B; 1200?m, Site C; 1500?m above sea level (a.s.l.)] and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were determined. Soil chemical properties at sampling day and air and soil temperature during sampling periods at each site were also measured. As a result, we could classify adaptive strategies to the environment for those six species into three types. Type I: mineral accumulation in leaves depends on the habitat and is affected by growing environment with the exception of soil mineral concentration (Pteridophyta, A. vidalii). Type II: mineral accumulation in leaves hardly depends on the habitat and the autonomy of mineral absorption is high, although Ca and Mg concentrations in leaves are affected by soil mineral concentrations and cumulative air temperature (Magnoliophyta, monocotyledon, C. foliosissima). Type III: mineral accumulation in leaves strongly depends on the habitat and soil N concentration, but is also affected by the growing environment, and the autonomy of mineral absorption is weak (Magnoliophyta, dicotyledon, A. dioicus, P. cuspidatum, A. princeps, and P. asiatica).     

Various Mycorrhizal Fungi Enhance Dry Weights,P and Zn Uptake of Four Pistacia Species

Pistacia is a common wild plant in the Southeast Anatolia part of Turkey. The experiment was planned to screen and select the most suitable arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) for enhancing Pistacia species seedling growth by improving phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) uptake. This study was carried out under greenhouse condition at the Department of Soil Science, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey. Two genotypes from each of P. vera (cvs ‘Siirt’ and ‘Kirmizi’), P. eurycarpa, P. atlantica, and P. terebinthus species were tested with ten different mycorrhizal species. Plants were grown in a growth medium with a mixture of sand, soil and compost with 6:3:1 ratio, respectively. Seedling plants were harvested after eight months and transplanted to pots. There were significant differences between Pistacia species in growth, nutrient uptake and the percentage of mycorrhizal infection. Also mycorrhizal species were different in terms of enhancing plant growth and nutrient uptake. The results were that Siirt, Genotype 08, 11, 13, and 14 gave a high response to the mycorrhizal inoculation and Glomus clarium gave the best improvements in growth and nutrition, resulting in greater plant biomass and Zn and P uptake. Following this, G. etunicatum, G. intraradices, G. caledonium, and G. mosseae species were effective species. In general, G. mosseae and G. fasciculatum mycorrhizae enhanced plant growth; G. clarium was the most efficient species in terms of P and Zn uptake.

It has been concluded that these mycorrhizae species significantly enhance the Pistacia plant growth and nutrient uptake. Also using AM fungi in the pistachio nursery should be taken into consideration for better seedling production. Further work needs to be done to determine how much inoculum is needed for sufficient inoculation and how the mycorrhizal seedlings can be adapted under field conditions especially under drought and high calcareous marginal soil conditions.     

Chemical composition, nutritive value, and toxicology evaluation of Mexican wild lupins.

The nutrient composition, toxic factors content, and nutritional and toxicological value of Lupinus splendens, L. rotundiflorus, L. elegans, L. simulans, L. exaltatus, L. reflexus, and L. madrensis species from Mexico were analyzed. The seeds of these species were a good source of protein. All the species showed a high lysine and tryptophan content, though sulfur amino acids were limiting. Cyanogenic glycosides were absent, and lectins, trypsin inhibitors, and tannins were present in low concentrations. Lupanine was the major alkaloid in almost all the samples, although sparteine was the major alkaloid in Lupinus reflexus (26.63 mg/g of sample). Cytisine was not found in any of the studied lupins. L. reflexus showed the highest acute toxicity, and L. elegans exhibited no toxicity as evaluated using a mice model. The alkaloid was reduced by hot-water extraction. The protein efficiency ratio in water-debittered seeds was relatively poor (1.1-1.5). These results suggest that the wild lupins studied represent a potential protein supply, and they could be domesticated and used for animal feed if the alkaloids were eliminated and the protein was supplemented with methionine, or if the lupins were used in mixture with cereals.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant,Lipid, and Protein Fractions of Accessions of Oryza Species

The genus Oryza has given rise to rice (Oryza sativa L.), a major source of food for much of the human population. The Oryza genus is small, including only 23 species, but it is remarkably diverse in terms of its ecological adaptation. This diversity may not be only restricted to ecological characteristics but also to kernel end‐use quality characteristics. This study was undertaken to evaluate Oryza species as a gene pool for improving the properties of rice bran for human consumption. Several accessions of 13 Oryza species were grown in a greenhouse, along with eight rice (Oryza sativa L.) accessions displaying low and high bran oil content, as well as low and high palmitic acid content. The total lipid content of the Oryza species was within the range found for Oryza sativa accessions. However, the level of palmitic acid in the O. species was as high as that reported for soybean high‐palmitic acid mutants. Oryza species also contained higher levels of the γ‐oryzanol and phenolic fractions compared to cultivated rice. Low or not significant phenotypic correlations between lipid, palmitic acid, and γ‐oryzanol suggest that these fractions in cultivated rice could be increased simultaneously using several of the Oryza species accessions identified in this study. A cultivar with enhanced levels of these fractions would be suitable for use in the production of high γ‐oryzanol margarine, shortening, and frying oils.