Regeneration of adventitious shoots from mature stored cotyledons of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lind1)

Adventitious shoot regeneration from mature stored cotyledons of Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lind1) was achieved in vitro. The influences of the presence and absence of the light, different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) and benzyladenine (BA) in the culture media, TDZ pretreatments and different basal salts on shoot regeneration were evaluated. TDZ was more effective in inducing shoot regeneration from mature stored cotyledons than BA. Dark incubation significantly increased the regeneration frequencies. Quoirin/Lepoivre (QL) basal salts stimulated shoot regeneration more than woody plant (WPM) or B5 salts did. The frequency of adventitious shoot formation varied among the varieties and the regeneration ability appeared to be genotype depended. The frequency of regeneration under the optimum tested conditions for ‘Bruce’, ‘Shiro’, ‘Redheart’, ‘Gladstone’ and ‘Early Golden’ cotyledons were 66.7%, 46.7%, 43.3%, 26.7% and 6.7%, respectively.     

Correlation between chromaticity values and major anthocyanins in seven Acer palmatum Thunb. cultivars

The correlation between the anthocyanin concentrations of seven Acer palmatum Thunb. cultivars and the chromaticity values a*, b*, a*/b* ratio, h° and L* was investigated. According to the position of leaves on the branch terminal, middle and base sample leaves were analyzed and the positional effect on the level of the major anthocyanin was estimated. Leaf color was measured with a portable colorimeter and individual anthocyanins were detected with the use of HPLC–MS. Cyanidin-3-glucoside was present in all senescing leaves of Acer cultivars and its content decreased from terminal to base position. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside was identified in lower concentrations in the leaves of all cultivars. Multiple variable analysis was calculated for each of the tristimulus values and two major anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside) in senescing leaves of ornamental Acer cultivars. Correlations were detected between the major anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside) in analyzed Acer cultivars and all chromaticity parameters. The highest correlation coefficient (0.94) was observed between cyanidin-3-glucoside and a*/b* ratio in cultivar ‘Bloodgood’ and lowest (0.54) between cyanidin-3-glucoside and a* in Acer palmatum Thunb. The correlation between cyanidin-3-rutinoside and chromaticity parameters was not detected in all Acer cultivars, additionally correlation coefficients and statistical significance were much lower. The expression of red color in both senescing leaves and in all-year-red cultivars can be tightly linked with the content level of cyanidin-3-glucoside; the second major anthocyanin does not contribute much to the red leaf color.     

Identifying the location of olive fruit abscission

For high quality oil, table olive characteristics, and reduction of alternate bearing tendencies, it is often desirable to harvest olive fruits prior to full physiological maturity, that is, before the natural separation zone has differentiated. Olive fruit abscission can occur at different positions, mainly fruit-pedicel, pedicel rachis and peduncle-branch, apparently varying according to cultivar, fruit weight, and fruit maturation. Precisely identifying the location of separation is critical for studying the differentiation of the abscission zone or zones and testing the effectiveness of harvest procedures, including the mode of action of different fruit-loosening chemicals. We determined the olive fruit abscission zone position under natural conditions, throughout the complete fruit maturation period, for two cultivars differing in fruit size. The major separation zone for the cultivars studied was between the fruit and pedicel. For cv. Picual, abscission in zones other that fruit-pedicel occurred in less than 15% of the fruit at all dates throughout the maturation period, whereas in cv. Hojiblanca, the percentages of fruits detached at peduncle-shoot (27%) and pedicel-rachis (19%) were initially substantial, and then decreased progressively during fruit maturation. Our data clearly indicate both varietal and temporal differences which should be taken into account not only when testing fruit-loosening compounds but in extrapolating test results to different varieties or dates. Fruit weight did not appear affect the abscission location. The method we used, of counting the different detached units, is simple and effective for determining the position of fruit abscission.     

A SCAR marker linked to the N gene for resistance to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are important nematode pests and cause serious diseases in pepper in the world. No molecular markers linked to the nematodes resistance N gene have been reported. In this paper, ‘Carolina Wonder’ (Capsicum annuum L.), a sweet pepper line resistant to root-knot nematode with N gene, ‘20080-5-29’ (C. annuum L.), an inbred line susceptible to root-knot nematode with good horticultural characteristics, and their F₂ progeny with 320 individuals were used as materials. Evaluation of resistance and susceptibility of parental lines, F₁ and F₂ progeny inoculated with root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita) were carried out. ‘Bulked segregant analysis’ method was used to search for polymorphic markers from 512 pairs of AFLP primers. Based on the assessment of resistance and susceptibility and polymorphism of the AFLP marker in F₂ population, the genetic linkage distance between the AFLP marker and the N gene was estimated. One AFLP marker E39/M41-339 was obtained and transferred to a SCAR marker amplifying a 315 bp DNA fragment linked to the N resistant allele and a 331 bp fragment linked to the N⁺ susceptible allele. The distance between the molecular marker and the nematodes resistance N gene is 6.3 cM. This research delivered a valuable tool for the marker assisted selection of nematodes resistance in pepper.     

Floral induction (FI) in longan (Dimocarpus longan, Lour.) trees. III: Effect of shading the trees on potassium chlorate induced FI and resulting hormonal changes in leaves and shoots

Previous experiments demonstrated that treatment of longan trees with potassium chlorate (KClO₃) induces “off season floral induction” (FI) even in the absence of the naturally required cool temperature [Manochai, P., Sruamsiri, P., Wiriya-alongkorn, W., Naphrom, D., Hegele, M., Bangerth, F., 2005. Year around off season flower induction in longan (Dimocarpus longan, Lour.) trees by KClO₃ applications: potentials and problems. Sci. Hortic. 104, 379–390]. Potassium chlorate, however, cannot replace the presence of functional mature leaves and sufficient light intensity. Here we examined in more detail the effect of shade (about 10% of natural sunlight) on KClO₃ affected hormone concentrations/transport of leaves and shoot apical buds (SAB) and their interactions with FI.     

Potential for reintroduction of lake sturgeon in five northern Lake Michigan tributaries: a habitat suitability perspective

• 1. Conservation and rehabilitation efforts for lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens throughout the Great Lakes include the re‐establishment of self‐sustaining stocks in systems where they have been extirpated.
• 2. Information on the suitability of potential lake sturgeon habitat in tributaries is important for determining their capacity to support lake sturgeon stocking and to develop system‐specific rehabilitation strategies.
• 3. Geo‐referenced habitat information characterizing substrate composition, water depth, and stream gradient were applied to a life‐stage specific lake sturgeon habitat suitability index in a geographic information system to produce spatially explicit models of life‐stage specific habitat characteristics in five northern Lake Michigan tributaries from which lake sturgeon have been extirpated.
• 4. Habitat models indicated that high quality lake sturgeon spawning and staging habitat comprised 0 to 23% and 0 to 9% of the available habitat, respectively, whereas high quality juvenile lake sturgeon habitat was relatively ubiquitous throughout each river and comprised 39 to 99%.
• 5. Comparison of these data to lake sturgeon habitat availability in Lake Michigan tributaries currently supporting populations indicated that spawning and staging habitats may limit the ability of these systems to support spawning. Efforts to re‐establish lake sturgeon populations in these systems should consider the creation of spawning and staging habitat to increase reproductive and recruitment potential prior to the initiation of stocking efforts.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Distribution and spawning dynamics of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Glacier Bay, Alaska: a cold water refugium

Pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus) populations declined dramatically in the Northeastern Pacific following ocean warming after the regime shift of 1977, but little is known about the cause of the decline or the functional relationships between capelin and their environment. We assessed the distribution and abundance of spawning, non‐spawning adult and larval capelin in Glacier Bay, an estuarine fjord system in southeastern Alaska. We used principal components analysis to analyze midwater trawl and beach seine data collected between 1999 and 2004 with respect to oceanographic data and other measures of physical habitat including proximity to tidewater glaciers and potential spawning habitat. Both spawning and non‐spawning adult Pacific capelin were more likely to occur in areas closest to tidewater glaciers, and those areas were distinguished by lower temperature, higher turbidity, higher dissolved oxygen and lower chlorophyll a levels when compared with other areas of the bay. The distribution of larval Pacific capelin was not sensitive to glacial influence. Pre‐spawning females collected farther from tidewater glaciers were at a lower maturity state than those sampled closer to tidewater glaciers, and the geographic variation in the onset of spawning is likely the result of differences in the marine habitat among sub‐areas of Glacier Bay. Proximity to cold water in Glacier Bay may have provided a refuge for capelin during the recent warm years in the Gulf of Alaska.     

Effects of dietary caffeine on growth,body composition,somatic indexes,and cerebral distribution of acetyl‐cholinesterase and nitric oxide synthase in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), reared in winter temperature

This study aims at examining the effect of caffeine administration on growth, feed efficiency, and consumption of sea bream (Sparus aurata), reared in winter temperatures. Moreover, it is questioned whether caffeine has a central action in the brain and its effects are partly mediated via central brain mechanisms. For this, we studied the influences of caffeine treatment on the cerebral pattern of the cholinergic neurotransmission and the novel neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO), by means of acetyl‐cholinesterase (AchE) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) histochemistry. Five different diets containing 0.0, 0.1, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 g caffeine kg^?1 of diet were administrated to five groups of fish. Caffeine adversely affected sea‐bream growth at a concentration higher than 1 g kg^?1 diet and increased feed conversion ratio in the treatments of 2 and 5 g kg^?1 (P < 0.05). The daily consumption of feeds was similar to all groups, indicating that caffeine did not influence diet palatability. AChE‐ and NADPH‐diaphorase histochemistry showed densely labeled cells and fibers mainly in dorsal telencephalon, preoptic, pretectal, hypothalamic areas, optic tectum, reticular formation, cerebellum and motor nuclei. When compared with matched caffeine‐treated animals, no differences in the histochemical pattern and cell densities of cerebral AChE and NADPH‐diaphorase were found.     

Feeding responses of juvenile shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) fed at different frequencies under laboratory conditions

In shrimp farms, food partitioning during the course of the day is contradictory, ethology studies may help in determining the proper frequency. Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles were placed in 30 L aquariums (41 m⁻²), exposed to a 12:12 h light–dark cycle. Feeding was provided at 10% of biomass three, four and seven times per day, with observations made in 15 min h⁻¹ windows, initiated after the ration was offered. Latency to access the feeding tray and to start eating was recorded using instantaneous focal sampling and digestive tract filling (DTF) by the continuous focal method. Weight gain was recorded at the end of the experiment. We performed seven repetitions, with 28 individuals observed for 33 days for each treatment (490 h of observation). The three-times offering induced less latency for accessing the tray and for ingesting the feed as well as a higher DTF when compared with the other frequencies. Animals fed three and four times had similar weight gains, and were greater than those fed seven times. Our results indicate that a more spaced food offering stimulates the search for and ingestion of feed. As compared with other frequencies, the three-times-per-day option assumes lower labour costs and a more efficient use of the feed.     

Application of sperm cryopreservation in selective breeding of the Pacific oyster,Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg)

The robustness of Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg), sperm cryopreservation in the context of selective breeding based on family lines was investigated. Irrespective of egg density, high fertilization success was achieved with cryopreserved sperm when sperm:egg ratios of 1000:1 to 10 000:1 were used. Variation among replicate runs on the same oyster batches was minimal, indicating that cryopreservation and larval rearing procedures were repeatable. Twenty independent single male–female crosses were made to assess the utility of cryopreserved sperm in selective breeding. The fertility of unfrozen sperm was generally a poor predictor of cryopreserved sperm fertility. Based on D‐larval yields, 17 of the 20 crosses were likely to yield adequate spat for selective breeding (>10⁵ D‐larvae from 1 million eggs), two were marginal (5 × 10⁴ D‐larvae) and one was inadequate (4 × 10³ D‐larvae). An alternative fertilization strategy to improve D‐yield from a given number of sperm was then tested. Fertilizing 10 million eggs at a sperm:egg ratio of 200:1 increased the total D‐yield when compared with fertilizing 1 million eggs at a sperm:egg ratio of 2000:1 for the same male–female pair. We conclude that, despite wide variation in fertility, cryopreserved sperm is useful for family production.