Response of ungrafted rootstocks and rootstocks grafted with wine grape varieties (Vitis sp.) to ‘lime-induced chlorosis’

The ungrafted rootstocks 41B, 1103P, 110R and 140Ru, the grafted combinations of 41B, 1103P and 110R with Xinomavro (one of the most important red wine grape varieties in Greece), as well as those of 1103P, 110R and 140Ru with Chardonnay, were evaluated for 'lime-induced chlorosis' tolerance by growing them with a) basic nutrient solution (BNS), b) BNS + 10 mM bicarbonate, c) BNS without iron (Fe) and d) BNS without zinc (Zn), in hydroponics. The ungrafted 140Ru followed by 41B under high bicarbonate presented the lowest degree of chlorosis; however only 41B presented non-differentiated biomass production and root/shoot ratio. Chlorotic symptoms in combination with plant growth parameters should be used as a tool for grapevine rootstock lime-tolerance screening whereas leaf Fe concentration and root ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity should not. Lime-stress conditions affected plant mineral nutrition by depressing leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and increasing potassium (K), and zinc (Zn).     

Effects of K-Mg ratio on growth and cation nutrition of Vitis vinifera L. cv. “Dattier de Beiruth” grafted on SO4 rootstock

The area of planting of Vitis vinifera L. cv. “Dattier de Beiruth” (DB) grafted on the SO4 (Selection OPPENHEIM 4) rootstock is significant and constantly growing in Northern Algeria. A hydroponic culture was carried out with DB to investigate the effects of potassium-magnesium (K-Mg) ratio on plant growth and mineral nutrition. Four nutrient solutions were tested on which the K-Mg ratio is variable (nutritive solution (NS)1 = 0.3 K: 3.8 Mg, NS2 = 2.1 K: 2 Mg, NS3 = 2.6 K: 1.5 Mg and NS4 = 3.8 K: 0.3 Mg). The results showed that DB was characterized by a high capacity for K uptake. No significant differences among the treatments were detected in the leaf concentrations of calcium (Ca), however Mg uptake was inhibited by increase of K: Mg in the nutrient solution. Results showed that DB is sensitive to the variation of the cation composition in the nutrient solution. Antagonism between K-Mg was apparent.     

Effects of Foliar Fertilization on Incidence of Berry Shrivel and Bunch Stem Necrosis in Vitis vinifera L. CVS ‘Pinot Blanc’ and ‘Zweigelt’

Berry shrivel and bunch stem necrosis are the economically most important physiological disorders of grapevine. The nutritional status of the plant is considered as one of the main elicitors for the occurrence of these disorders. For foliar fertilization trials, two vineyards that had previously been affected by both diseases were selected in Southwest Germany, one with the variety ‘Zweigelt’ and one with Pinot Blanc. By the use of potassium, magnesium, and calcium foliar fertilizers, a rapid increase of different nutrients in the plants should be caused and the effects on the diseases observed. In 2010, no significant differences in the fertilization treatments were found for both varieties. In ‘Pinot Blanc’, significantly more berries were affected by berry shrivel in 2011 in plots treated with calcium fertilizer compared to those treated with potassium and magnesium. Plots with magnesium fertilizer showed significantly less berries affected by berry shrivel than the untreated control.     

Metabolic profiling of strawberry grape ( Vitis × labruscana cv. 'Isabella') components by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and evaluation of their antioxidant and antiproliferative properties

In the assessment of the antioxidant properties of edible plants, the widely consumed Vitis × labruscana cv. 'Isabella', known in Italy as "fragola" (strawberry) grape, was of interest. Phenol and flavonoid contents of the methanolic extracts of peel, pulp, seed, leaf, and stalk components of the plant were determined. The metabolic profile of the extracts was performed by 1D and 2D NMR. Quantitative analysis, obtained in the presence of 0.01% of internal standard trimethylsilyl propionate, evidenced the presence of catechins in both stalk and seed extracts, whereas caffeic acid and quercetin were the main metabolites of the leaf extract. Furthermore, the extracts were tested for their radical scavenging and reducing capacities by measuring their capacity to scavenge DPPH(?) and ABTS(?+) and to reduce Fe(III) and Mo(VI) salts. The antioxidant efficacy of the extracts in cell-free systems and their antiproliferative activity toward HepG2 and A549 cells were also evaluated. Seed and stalk components are able to reduce by 39.6 and 40.6%, respectively, the amount of the metabolically active HepG2 cells after only 24 h of exposure.     

Combined effects of prefermentative skin maceration and oxygen addition of must on color-related phenolics, volatile composition, and sensory characteristics of Airén white wine

The effects of the joint prefermentative maceration and hyperoxygenation of Airén white must and wine on the phenolic content, chromatic characteristics, volatile composition, and sensory characteristics, not previously described in combination, have been evaluated. A total of 20 phenolic and 149 volatile compounds have been identified and quantified for that purpose. As a consequence of the oxygen addition, the concentrations of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavan-3-ols decreased (above all t-GRP and (+)-catechin), leading to color stabilization, but also the concentrations of several volatile compounds with a great importance for quality aroma decreased. Prefermentative skin maceration, previously applied to the hyperoxygenation of Airén musts, provided the aforementioned color stabilization in the respective wine but also increased the content of short-chain fatty acid esters and terpenes and decreased the concentration of C(6) alcohols. That combination of prefermentative treatments (skin maceration followed by must hyperoxygenation) produced an improvement of the global impression of the final wine based on significantly better scores of tropical fruit, body, and herbaceous notes.     

Sensory and chemical characterization of the aroma of a white wine made with Devín grapes

The aroma profile of a Slovak white wine made with Devín grapes was evaluated by 13 expert judges. The panel evaluated the orthonasal and retronasal aroma profiles, as well as the profile of residual wine aroma found in the empty glass after the consumption. For the majority of attributes, the orthonasal perception was the most intense, followed by retronasal, and finally by the residual odor. Varietal wine Devín possessed primarily a "Muscat" odor by nose, together with intense fruity, sweet, and herbaceous notes. Data were analyzed by generalized procrustes analysis. Two primary clusters separated orthonasal ratings from both retronasal and residual odor ratings. Similar results were obtained by analysis of variance. The relative proportion of "heavy" aroma notes, likely related to polar odorants, increased in retronasal and residual odor profiles. The gas chromatography-olfactometry profile revealed a great complexity and showed that the characteristic aroma of this variety seems to be a mixture of Muscat, Gewürztraminer, and Sauvignon-Blanc, being rich in linalool, cis-rose oxide, and 4-methyl-4-mercaptopentanone.     

Phenolic composition of the edible parts (flesh and skin) of Bordô grape (Vitis labrusca) using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS

The aim of this study was the detailed characterization of the phenolic composition and the determination of the antioxidant activity of the Bord? grape (Vitis labrusca) cultivated in South Brazil. The edible parts of Bord? grapes (flesh and skin) contained 1130 mg/kg of total phenolic compounds (as gallic acid), mainly located in the skins. Anthocyanin content in the skins was high, largely as 3,5-diglucosides (1359 mg/kg, as malvidin 3,5-diglucoside). Total flavonols accounted for 154 μmol/kg, mainly located in the skins and with myricetin 3-glucoside as the principal flavonol in both grape parts. Very low amounts of flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers and low amounts of polymeric proanthocyanidins, with a composition similar to that reported for V. vinifera grape varieties, were found in Bord? grape skins. Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives mainly derived from caffeic acid and were found in the skins in high amounts, ten times higher than in the flesh (total amount: 483 μmol/kg). Finally, the Bord? grape cultivar can be considered a high resveratrol producer (10.91 mg/kg) and also exhibited a high value of total antioxidant capacity (37.6 ± 1.0 mmol/kg, as Trolox).     

Gel permeation chromatography of anthocyanin pigments from Rosé cider and red wine.

Anthocyanin pigments from rosé cider and red wine, which is a sparkling wine made from apples, were separated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using a TSK-GEL Toyopearl HW-40 (F) column with a 6:4 mixture of acetone and 8 M urea (pH 2.0) as the eluent. Under this condition, all phenolic compounds containing monomeric anthocyanins (mainly, cyanidin-3-galactoside; Cyn-3-gal), oligomeric and polymeric anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin B2 (PB2), and procyanidin C1 (PC1) in the apples and rosé cider were found to elute according to molecular weight. Bleaching of the anthocyanin pigments by SO(2) was gradually effective in the fractions separated by GPC according to elution volume. In the case of rosé cider, the levels of Cyn-3-gal decreased markedly during fermentation and then decreased gradually during maturation. We confirmed that anthocyanin polymers are not detectable in apple juice; these polymers are produced during fermentation and maturation as determined by GPC. The polymeric anthocyanins from red wine could be separated by this method, too.     

Effect of Nutrient Solution PH on the Vegetative and Reproductive Growth and Physiological Characteristics of Rose Cv. ‘Grand Gala’ in Hydroponic System

The rose plants were cultivated in the pots containing 75% cocopeat+ 25% perlite and were nourished with ½ Hoagland nutrient solutions with pH of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, and 8. The results revealed that plant fresh and dry weight, flower bud, and stem diameter increased with the increase in pH from 4.5 to 6.5, but then started to decrease with further increase in pH up to 8. The highest number of buds, chlorophyll content, F_v/F_m, performance index (PI), and leaf phosphorus, iron, manganese, and copper concentrations were obtained at pH 6.5 and the lowest one at pH 8. The highest and lowest zinc concentration was observed at pH 6.5 and 4.5, respectively. According to the results, pH 6.5 was evaluated as optimum for hydroponic culture of rose, which resulted in the higher uptake of elements and better vegetative and reproductive growth and higher quality of rose plants.     

Origin and cytology of a novel cytotype of Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng. (2n = 48)

Naturally occurring/spontaneously produced polyploids with six/more genomes are rarely found in Alliums. A hexaploid form of Allium tuberosum with 2n = 48 chromosomes has been isolated for the first time amongst the open-pollinated seedlings of a hypotetraploid plant (2n = 4x = 31); latter being the seed-derived product of a normal tetraploid stock (2n = 4x = 32) growing in Jammu University Botanical Garden. Except for the guard cells and pollen grains that are of increased size, this form compared to its progenitor is dwarf, has smaller leaves and bears inflorescences with few flowers. This plant is also different from its progenitor in having nearly one-fourth (27.8 %) of its pollen mother cells (PMCs) with varying chromosome number viz. 27–64, with the remaining cells having somatic or double the somatic number of chromosomes. To assess the nature of hexaploid form, its chromosomes were studied for morphological details, putative grouping and pairing properties during reduction division. Morphological similarity in the chromosomes of the present cytotype and its progenitor, arrangement of 48 chromosomes in eight groups of six chromosomes each and presence of 21.88 % euploid cells with eight hexavalents pointed towards the autopolyploid nature of the present strain. Regarding the origin of this strain, observation made on the meiosis in the two sex mother cells of the progenitor provides some clues. In the later plant, presence of most of embryo-sac mother cells with 62 chromosomes that showed 31:31 segregations and existence of majority of the PMCs with 31 chromosomes exhibiting erratic segregations indicate that the hexaploid strain has probably originated as a result of the fusion of reduced male (n = 17) and unreduced female gamete (2n = 31).     

The status and ecology of the dama gazelle in the aïr and ténéré national nature reserve,Niger

As part of the biological survey of the recently proposed Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve in Niger, information was gathered on the status and ecology of the dama gazelle Gazella dama. The population of the reserve was estimated at 150–250. Dama gazelle were most often in small harems or mixed groups, or singly. Average group size was 1·92±1·20. Dama gazelles were primarily browsers, with the leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia tortilis forming the bulk of their diet. They were most often observed in temporary watercourses. The primary threats to dama gazelle in the reserve were hunting and habitat degradation, and conservation measures are proposed.     

Identification and relationships of accessions grown in the grapevine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L.) Germplasm Bank of Castilla y Léon (Spain) and the varieties authorized in the VQPRD areas of the region by SSR-marker analysis

A total of sixty-five accessions from the Spanish region of Castilla y León including those authorized in the VQPRD areas were characterized for six SSR loci. All the samples but one unknown were identified by comparison to other databases. Thirty synonymous samples and three cases of homonymy were found out, confirming in most cases ampelographic expectations. Five unique genotypes belonging to local varieties in risk of extinction were detected. Several parameters were calculated to assess the usefulness of the chosen loci in this work. A dendrogram representing the genetic similarities among the accessions was constructed using the neighbor-joining method to investigate possible parentage relationships in the sample, and to explain them from an historical and cultural point of view.     

Molecular diversity of restriction enzyme sites, Indels and upstream open reading frames (uORFs) of 5′ untransalted regions (UTRs) of Waxy genes in Triticum L. and Aegilops L. species

5′ Untransalted regions (UTR) sequences of Waxy genes were amplified from all 81 Triticum L. and Aegilops L. species by PCR with specific primers. It was found that the sequence length at 7D loci was longer than that 7B and 7A. These sequences contained 170 singleton variable sites and 484 polymorphic sites and that the average length of Indels was 8.5?bp. There were abundant regions of restriction enzyme sites and two regions of simple sequence repeat, “GAA” and “CTGA”, in all sequences. A total of 65 uORFs were detected and classed into 37 types, with the variation in uORFs mainly due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and also to the presence of Indels. All sequences in tetraploids and hexaploids could be grouped into Types A, B, I, II, GI and GII based on sequence variation. Restriction enzyme sites, Indel polymorphisms and the classes of uORFs present together indicated that Type I was more similar to Ae. tauschii whereas Type II was more similar to Type B, and both more similar to Ae. longissima; Type A was more similar to Ae. speltoides. Population analysis was performed and Neighbour-joining trees derived from different species, types and accessions further confirmed that the ancestors of T. urartu, Ae. speltoides, Ae. longissima and Ae. tauschii were involved to the evolution of common wheat, and also implied that Ae. longissima might have participated later than Ae. speltoides. 5′ UTRs of Waxy genes in tetraploid and hexaploid species conserved characters from their respective progenitors when compared with diploid. For the first time, we are able to conclude there is abundant variation in SNPs, Indels and uORFs between 5′ UTRs of Waxy genes from different species related to common wheat, and suggest that further research could help to understand Waxy gene function more deeply and hence improve wheat breeding. Our results also show that three hexaploid species in China have unique diversity in the 5′ UTR of their Waxy gene.     

Assessment of the diversity of comfrey (Symphytum officinale L. and S. × uplandicum Nyman)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Comfrey Symphytum officinale L. (true comfrey) and S.?×?uplandicum Nyman (a hybrid between S. asperum Lepech?×?S. officinale...     

Hans Løkke and Cornelis A.M. van Gestel: Handbook of Soil Invertebrate Toxicity Tests

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution -     

Phytosequestration of Carbon in Miscanthus × giganteus and Pinus sylvestris L. in Degraded Zinc Smelter and Post-Mining Soils

正Dear Editor,Pinus sylvestris L.is one of the most popular and predominant tree species in Central Europe and Scandinavia.Its cultivation depends on atmospheric conditions,soil fertility,use of fertilizers,and individual characteristics of the trees.Pinus sylvestris L.wood,roots,and needles are used for energy production.Pi-     

Mineralization Dynamics of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Areca Catechu L.–Based Traditional Agroforestry System

Areca catechu L.–based agroforestry system is practiced by local farmers in which a variety of crops are cultivated along with trees to maximize harvest security. Most farmers do not use inorganic fertilizers to improve crop yields, mainly because they cannot afford to purchase these fertilizers, and for this reason cycling of nutrients through the decomposition of plant residues becomes an important phenomenon in this type of agroforestry system. In this context, a study was carried out to estimate in situ nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) mineralization as influenced by soil type and management system. Net N and P mineralization rates were studied on the basis of final concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, and P in soil using a buried‐bag technique for one cropping cycle to examine temporal and depth variations across the three different sites (Harmutty, Nirjuli, and Doimukh). A significant variation in N mineralization was recorded among the three sites. Seasonal changes in N and P mineralization were also observed. The Harmutty site had highest rates of N mineralization during the rainy season and immobilization during spring. Phosphorus mineralization rate was higher during autumn at Doimukh and during winter in Harmutty and Nirjuli sites, whereas greater immobilization was recorded during the rainy season. The Harmutty site recorded a greater ammonification rate during September and immobilization during November and March months, the Nirjuli site recorded maximum ammonification during January and immobilization during November and March, and the Doimukh site had greater immobilization during March and ammonification during January. Nutrient dynamics may prove productive if managed properly in synchronization with mineralization that could result in fairly good crop productivity.     

Aluminium‐induced increase of zeatin riboside and dihydrozeatin riboside in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cultivars

Toxic effects of aluminium (Al) on root tips are considered to decrease export of cytokinins to shoots, and deficiency of cytokinins has been made responsible for Al‐induced inhibition of shoot growth. But no experimental data on the influence of Al on endogenous cytokinin levels in higher plants have been reported. In this study, the endogenous levels of zeatin riboside (ZR) and dihydrozeatin riboside (DHZR) of roots, stems, and leaves of two bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Contender and cv Strike) exposed to Al in continuously flowing nutrient solution (pH 4.5) was analysed. The supply of a high Al concentration (sum of monomeric Al species, 127 μM) caused severe inhibition of root elongation in both cultivars. The cv Strike was more affected by both Al‐induced mineral nutrient disorders and Al‐induced alteration of leaf water relationships. In both cultivars Al‐supply significantly increased ZR and DHZR. Leaves of Al‐treated plants exhibited a more than three times higher concentration of ribosylated cytokinins than controls. Nevertheless, stomatal resistance was significantly increased by Al in both cultivars. Our results support the hypothesis that Al affects plants not by inducing deficiency of cytokinins but of some other factor necessary for the manifestation of cytokinin action.