Collection of land-races of cultivated plants in South Italy, 1985

Summary In continuation of collecting missions in the last five years a further mission has been carried out in South Italy jointly by staff members of the Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, and the Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, in September/October 1985 for studying and collecting plant genetic resources. In this year the activities have been concentrated on Sicily. 225 samples, mainly of vegetables, grain legumes and some cereals have been collected. A good part of the material is represented by highly variable old land-races; this is especially true for oats, barley, maize, french beans, faba beans,Brassica spp. and many other vegetables. Whereas genetic erosion is rather advanced in cereals, especially in wheat, land-races of many species of vegetables are grown on a large scale. The results of this mission increase our knowledge concerning the flora of cultivated plants of South Italy considerably.

---

Sammlung von Kulturpflanzen-Landsorten in Süditalien 1985

Zusammenfassung In Fortführung von Sammelreisen der letzten fünf Jahre wurde im September/Oktober 1985 eine weitere Reise nach Süditalien gemeinsam von Mitarbeitern des Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, und des Zentralinistituts für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, unternommen, die dem Studium und der Sammlung pflanzlicher genetischer Ressourcen diente. In diesem Jahr konzentrierten sich die Aktivitäten auf Sizilien. 225 Proben, besonders von Gemüsen, Körnerleguminosen und einigen Getrieiden wurden gesammelt. Ein beachtlicher Teil des Materials besteht aus hochvariablen alten Landsorten, besonders von Hafer, Gerste, Mais, Gartenbohnen, Ackerbohnen,Brassica-Arten und vielen anderen Gemüsen. Während die Generosion bei den Getreiden und besonders beim Weizen schon weit fortgeschritten ist, werden Gemüselandsorten noch in großem Umfang angebaut. Die Ergebnisse dieser Sammelreise erweitern unsere Kenntnisse zur Kulturpflanzenflora Süditaliens beträchtlich.

---

1985

, , — 1985 () () . . 225 , , . , , , , , , , Brassica . , , , .

     

Diversity of native rhizobia isolated in south Brazil and their growth promotion effect on white clover (Trifolium repens) and rice (Oryza sativa) plants

In this study, rhizobia strains isolated from white clover (Trifolium repens) root nodules were evaluated in an effort to identify an efficient nitrogen-fixing rhizobia strain that can also improve the growth of rice plants (Oryza sativa). White clover plants were collected from seven sites in south Brazil, and 78 native rhizobia isolates were obtained. The genetic diversity analysis of those isolates was carried out by BOX-polymerase chain reaction. Overall, the native rhizobia isolated showed a high genetic diversity, but when the bacterial isolates from the same site were compared, the diversity was lower. One native rhizobia, POA3 (isolated from the Porto Alegre locality), was able to promote the growth of both plants and is therefore a good candidate for new inoculant formulation. Finally, we can conclude that the community of native rhizobia symbiont of white clover plants in southern Brazil is highly diverse and the growth promotion effect of rhizobia inoculation on rice plants was more pronounced in a poor nutrient substrate condition than in a rich nutrient substrate condition.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of a novel strain from Neelipleona enriches Wolbachia diversity in soil biota

Eubacterial cellular endoparasites belonging to the genus Wolbachia (Rickettsiales) are extremely widespread symbionts of Arthropoda and Nematoda. Their ability to manipulate the reproductive behavior of the host is of particular importance to the fauna of the deep soil horizon, an environment in which parthenogenesis-inducing symbionts can play a crucial role in shaping population dynamics and speciation processes. In this study, three novel cases of infection in parthenogenetic Collembola (Parisotoma notabilis, Neelus murinus and Megalothorax minimus) are described. Sequences for molecular markers 16S rDNA and ftsZ were obtained for each species; their phylogenetic affinities with known Wolbachia supergroups were established using Bayesian inference. The analysis confirmed the presence of a Wolbachia strain belonging to the supergroup E, already reported from Folsomia candida and the Tullbergiidae, in the isotomid P. notabilis, while the Neelipleona M. minimus and N. murinus host a well differentiated strain which is phylogenetically distinct from supergroup E. Multiple events of Wolbachia infection in springtails as well as a richer diversity of the symbiont strains in soil arthropods were hereby confirmed.     

Enhancing conservation and use of local vegetable landraces: the Almagro eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) case study

We have used the Almagro pickling eggplant landrace as a model for the enhancement of a local vegetable landrace. The programme has included characterization, selection, and breeding activities. Considerable intra-landrace diversity has been found for morphological traits and molecular markers. Characteristic morphological traits have allowed its registration as conservation variety. Also, universal and specific simple sequence repeat markers have been found for the Almagro landrace. The chemical characterization revealed that Almagro eggplant has a high content in bioactive phenolics. Organoleptic tests revealed that pickles produced with Almagro eggplant are superior to those of the related Andalusian landrace. The selection programme has led to the development of a pure line with increased yield and reduced fruit calyx prickliness. A participatory breeding programme, in which selection is made by farmers in their own field, has been initiated to introduce the no-prickles trait from three other varieties in the genetic background of the Almagro eggplant. The results of the programmes show that plants with the Almagro eggplant ideotype and with reduced prickliness can be selected in the backcross generations. As a result of the enhancement programme the acreage and total production of Almagro eggplant has tripled in the last decade.     

Regulation of fasted blood glucose by resistin

The association between obesity and diabetes supports an endocrine role for the adipocyte in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Here we report that mice lacking the adipocyte hormone resistin exhibit low blood glucose levels after fasting, due to reduced hepatic glucose production. This is partly mediated by activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and decreased expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in the liver. The data thus support a physiological function for resistin in the maintenance of blood glucose during fasting. Remarkably, lack of resistin diminishes the increase in post-fast blood glucose normally associated with increased weight, suggesting a role for resistin in mediating hyperglycemia associated with obesity.     

Determination of gossypol enantiomer ratio in cotton plants by chiral higher-performance liquid chromatography

A celulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated onto APS silica (Nucleosil, particle size, 7 microm; pore size, 500 A) was used under a reversed-phase condition to measure the enantiomeric ratios of gossypol enantiomers in cottonseeds, flowers, and roots in a number of cultivars samples of different Gossipium species. While unidimensional chromatography was used for measuring the enantiomeric ratio of all the samples of G. hirsutum, G. mustelinum, and in the seeds of G. barbadense, multidimensional chromatography was necessary for the analysis of samples of roots and flowers of G. barbadense. In the latter case, an ODS Hypersil column was used in the first dimension for sample clean up, and the enantiomers were resolved on the second dimension by the chiral column. As expected, all the seed samples of G. hirsutum and G. mustelinum showed the (P)-(+)-enantiomer in excess, whereas the seeds of G. barbadense showed the (M)-(-)-enantiomer. However, (P)-(+)-gossypol was found in enantiomeric excess in three samples examined of roots and in one of flower of G. barbadense. These results are discussed in this paper.     

Report on a travel to the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 1981 for the collection of indigenous taxa of cultivated plants

Zusammenfassung Die Sammelreise wurde im Juni 1981 innerhalb des Mediterranean Programme des IBPGR mit Teilnehmern aus der Sozialistischen Libyschen Arabischen Volksjamahiriya (Landwirtschaftliches Forschungszentrum Tarbulus), dem Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, und dem Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben, durchgeführt. Zeitlicher Ablauf, Sammelliste und erste Ergebnisse dieser Reise zur Sammlung von Getreiden und ihrer wildwachsenden Verwandten in das Jabal Akhdar (Cyrenaika) Gebiet werden behandelt. 78 Saatgutproben, überwiegend von Hart- und Weichweizen sowie Gerste, wurden gesammelt. Im Sammelgebiet sind die variablen Landsorten meist durch neue Sorten verdrängt worden. Aber in den mehr oder weniger weit verbreiteten noch kultivierten Landsorten, oder sogar als Beimischung in neuen Sorten, konnten variable Bestandteile alter Landsorten gefunden werden, die für die Züchtung, besonders auf Stresstoleranz, nützlich sein können.

---

Report on a travel to the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 1981 for the collection of indigenous taxa of cultivated plants

Summary The mission was carried out within the Mediterranean Programme of the IBPGR in June 1981, participants came from the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Agricultural Research Centre Tarbulus), the Istituto del Germoplasma, Bari, and the Zentralinstitut für Genetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Gatersleben. Chronology, collecting list and first results of this mission to the Jabal Akhdar (Cirenaica) area for the collection of cereals and their wild relatives are presented. 78 seed samples have been collected, mainly of durum wheat, bread wheat and barley. In the collecting area variable land-races have been mostly replaced by new varieties. But in the more or less widespread few cultivated land-races and even as admixtures in new varieties variable constituents of older land-races could be found which are probably useful for breeding, especially for stress tolerance breeding.

---

1981 .

1981 . ( .-. ), . , , ( ). 78 , ë , . , , . ë, ë , , , , .

---

---

Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. H.Stubbe aus Anlaß der 80. Wiederkehr seines Geburtstages gewidmet.     

A geochemical analytical approach for the evaluation of heavy metal distribution in lagoon sediments

Background, Aim, and Scope  Italian lagoon environments are of great importance due either to their frequency and distribution along the coasts or to their management. Agriculture, urban and industrial activities in lagoon catchments can be sources of heavy metal (HM) pollution by direct waste dumping, atmospheric deposition of fumes or, simply, as a consequence of a lack of natural water recharge. HM concentration in lagoon sediments is a tool of HM monitoring in the surrounding environment. Application of sequential extraction procedures (SEP) to sediments makes it possible to study the HM distribution among the main geochemical phases and to assess their potential mobilization as a consequence of environmental condition variations. In the present study, the three-step SEP (0.11 m HOAc; 0.1 m NH₂OH·HCl; 8.8 m H₂O₂ and then 1 m NH₄OAc), developed by the Measurement and Testing Programme of the European Commission (BCR), was combined with information on the chemical and mineralogical properties of the sediments in order to assess the level and risk of mobility of HM (Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn) in sediments from the Fusaro volcanic coastal lagoon of southern Italy. The effect of sediment air drying and physico-chemical properties on the metal distribution in various geochemical forms and fractions was considered. Materials and Methods  Surface (5 cm depth) sediment samples were collected from twenty-one sites on the Fusaro lagoon. Moisture, pH, organic carbon, carbonates, particle-size distribution and HM total content were determined on the dried sediment samples. The mineralogy of the clay fraction was determined at room temperature on random and oriented samples. The different forms of Al, Si and Fe in the bulk sediment (< 2 mm) were analyzed after oxalate, dithionite-citrate and pyrophosphate extractions. The BCR-SEP was used to fractionate trace element chemical forms in nine selected sediment samples. Effects of sediment air-drying on HM fractionation were analyzed. Results  Middle (Cu, Cr) and low (Cd, Pb, Zn) concentrations of heavy metals in sediment samples from the deeper central part of the lagoon were observed. Cadmium resulted in mainly being associated with carbonate forms (∼60%), whereas Cr and Ni occurred primarily as residual mineral phases (>50%). Zn appeared uniformly distributed among the main geochemical forms. Considerable presence of Cr, Cu and Pb was found in the oxidizable fraction (∼50%), indicating organic matter and/or sulphides major sinks for these metals. Differences of heavy metal distribution among sediment samples were observed, depending on the total metal content and on sediment properties. Modifications in metal speciation induced by sediment air drying mainly consist of a transfer of the actual and potentially mobile fractions towards immobile fractions (mineral residue) by oxidation and formation of Fe and Mn oxides. Discussion  Both total content and sequential extraction results did not show an environmental critical situation: the only possible risk, associated with heavy element mobility, could occur in consequence of a drastic pH and redox equilibria variation at the water-sediment interface. Conclusions  Despite all limitations, the BCR-SEP combined with information on the chemical and mineralogical properties of the sediment solid matrix provides a valuable approach to describe the risks related to the potentially toxic HM occurring in sediments (in this paper the case of the Fusaro lagoon is examined). HM distribution among the sequentially extracted geochemical forms is affected by sediment properties, such as pH (Zn), clay (Cd), Fe easily reducible oxides (Pb) and organic matter (Cu) content. Recommendations  Political managers, usually facing limitations of time and resources, have to optimize the cognitive phases, selecting the most useful information to make ‘effective and correct decisions’ in the environmental field. Therefore, although conscious of the limits of the adopted quality assessment, we believe it represents a good compromise between time and resource availability (i.e. type and quality of information). Outlook  The complementary use of the simple and rapid European fractionation scheme with information on the chemical and mineralogical properties of the sediments provides more awareness about the nature of the sediment components involved and offers a more reliable way for studying HM speciation in sediments.     

Diversity and geographic distribution of adaptive traits in Triticum turgidum L. (durum group) wheat landraces from Turkey

Summary A collection of 2,420 accessions derived from single-spike population samples of durum wheat landraces collected in 1984 from 172 sites in 28 provinces in Turkey was evaluated for nine adaptive traits at the ICARDA research station at Tel Hadya, near Aleppo, Syria. Differentiation of these accessions among provinces was found for number of days to heading, maturity, grain-filling days, as well as for plant height, peduncle length, number of spikelets per spike, spike length, awn length, and kernel weight. The first three canonical variables accounted for 90% of the total variance. Canonical analysis also revealed significant correlations to province mean temperatures, altitude, latitude, and length of the growing season, but not with total seasonal rainfall. Eight distinct groups of provinces were identified by cluster analysis. These clusters had both geographical orientation to eastern and western Turkey and to agroecological zonation for clusters having both eastern and western provinces. Accessions were found with high kernel weight, early heading and maturity, and awnless spikes which could be utilized in crop improvement programs targeted at either favorable or stressed environments.