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An experimental crossing program was carried out in order to test the hypothesis thatArmeria villosa subsp.carratracensis, a serpentine endemic from Southern Spain, is of hybrid origin. Fruit-set and mainly pollen stainability data in artificial hybrids demonstrate that internal interspecific barriers are weak. Two generations of backcrossing with the two putative parents —A. colorata andA. villosa subsp.longiaristata— can restore pollen stainability to an average of 83.2 and 68.7, respectively. A morphometric analysis of 148 specimens belonging to parental species, different artificial hybrid generations and wild putative hybrid race shows that (1) morphological characters have a strong genetic basis and thus are good markers in identifying hybrids and introgression inArmeria; (2) artificial backcrossing produces in morphometrical characters a variation which conforms in both trend and magnitude to what is commonly attributed in the wild to introgression; (3) the position of the putative hybrid race is intermediate between the two parental species used in the program. These results are in accordance with the hypothesis of hybrid origin ofA. villosa subsp.carratracensis.

Suboptimal temperatures cause grain yield reductions generally associated with low seed-set in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Low proline concentration in pollen has been associated with cold-induced male sterility. This study was done to (i) determine free proline concentrations in grain sorghum pollen after low temperature exposure, (ii) determine the relationship between seed-set and proline concentration in pollen, and (iii) determine the association of proline concentration in pollen with grain yield in sorghums of different maturity. Eleven sorghum genotypes, grown in a greenhouse at 27/22 °C (day/night) until the early boot stage were transferred to 20/10 °C in growth chamber until physiological maturity. Concentration of proline in pollen was determined at anthesis and related to seed number and grain yield. Proline concentrations in pollen increased from 19 to 36 μg∙mg−1 fresh wt. to 30 to 49 μg∙mg−1 fresh wt. at low temperatures. Seed number and grain yield were reduced by low temperature in most of the genotypes. Percent seed-set in male sterile lines was significantly correlated (r = 0.45**) with free proline concentrations in the pollen from 13 fertile hybrids grown under cold or control conditions. Higher concentrations of proline in pollen under cool and also control temperatures seemingly contribute to greater pollen viability in grain sorghum. In 21 sorghum hybrids grown under control temperatures, seed number per panicle was found correlated (r = 0.42*) to free proline concentrations in pollen. Genotypic differences in pollen proline concentration were not associated with differences between maturity groups. Keywords: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, pollen, free proline, low temperatures, seed-set, grain yield.

We studied the water relations of 6 shrub and 3 tree species typical of the mediterranean climate region of central Spain to identify differential responses to water stress between and within species, and to determine if free proline concentration in leaves could be used as a water stress indicator. Predawn and midday water potentials (Ψw) on a seasonal basis, relative water content (RWC), leaf mass per area, foliar nitrogen and free proline concentrations were measured. The lowest water potentials were observed at the end of the summer, with recovery to higher water potentials in the fall and winter seasons. Species differed regarding the annual Ψw fluctuation. Thymus zygis, Halimium viscosum, Genista hirsuta and Juniperus oxycedrus exhibited the most negative midday and predawn Ψw (both less than -6 MPa) with a large magnitude of response to changing conditions in soil moisture of the upper horizon of the soil. Lavandula pedunculata and Cistus ladanifer showed a moderate response. Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus faginea and Retama sphaerocarpa showed a modest response. The Ψw of different size individuals of Quercus rotundifolia and Cistus ladanifer were compared. The annual Ψw fluctuation was greater in small individuals as compared to large individuals. In every species, there was an increase in proline concentration of bulk leaf tissues when predawn Ψw dropped below -5 MPa. Small plants of Cistus ladanifer reached lower water potentials and also higher concentration of proline than bigger plants. Proline could possibly be used as a drought stress indicator in every species except Q. rotundifolia. It is suggested that in addition to water stress avoidance due to deep root systems, some mechanisms of water stress tolerance may operate among shrub and tree species of central Spain.

Previous studies have demonstrated that pollen of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] loses capacity to both germinate in vitro and to set seed in vivo soon after being shed. The current study evaluates the capacity for dehydrated pollen to effect in vitro germination, reduce tetrazolium chloride, and set seed on cytoplasmic male sterile plants. Morphological changes during pollen germination were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Close to 70% of the pollen germinated in 5 min, or less, when collected at 80% relative humidity (RH) and stored in sealed glass vials. Pollen tubes elongated autotropically with atmospheric humidity apparently being a controlling factor in the process. Pollen dehydrated at 50% RH and 25°C for 15-30 min neither germinated in vitro, reduced tetrazolium chloride, nor set seed on male sterile plants. Rehydrating the pollen did not restore the capacity for germination. SEM micrographs demonstrated that elongating pollen tubes encircled the pollen grain and were contiguous to the surface. A fibrillar-like material existed on the exine of separated pollen grains at the point where the grains had been previously attached.

Summary Some substituted urea herbicides (chlortoluron, diuron and methabenzthiazuron) were tested for possible use in the cultivation of Euphorbia lathyris L. Diuron showed high phytotoxicity for this species, which was tolerant to chlortoluron and methabenzthiazuron. In preliminary experiments two triazine herbicide (atrazine and simazine) were also used, but both were so toxic to E. lathyris that their use was not continued beyond this stage. In glasshouse experiments, chlortoluron showed slight phytotoxicity to E. lathyris but this did not appear in field experiments. Both chlortoluron and methabenzthiazuron were very efficient against weeds which were present and significantly increased yield of E. lathyris in comparison with unweeded plots. The poor competitive ability of E. lathyris against weeds was confirmed. Rasuma Emploi d'herbicides a base d'urees substituees pour le desherbage de Euphorbia lathyris L., source potentielle de combustible vegetal Certains herbicides a base d'urees substituees (le chlortoluron le diuron et le meth a benzthiazuron) ont ete testes pour le desherbage eventuel de cultures de Euphorbia lathyris L. Le diuron a fait preuve d'une forte phytotoxicite envers cette espece, qui a tolere le chlortoluron et le methabenzthiazuron. Deux triazines (l'atrazine et la simazine) ont egalement ete utilisees dans les premiers essais mais elles se sont revelees tellement toxiques envers E. lathyris qu'elles ont ete abandonnees. Dans des essais en serre, le chlortoluron a fait preuve envers E. lathyris d'une faible phytotoxicite qui ne s'est pas fait voir en plein champ. Le chlortoluron et le meethabenzthiazuron se sont montres tres efficaces, tous les deux, contre les mauvaises herbes presentes dans ces essais et ont amene des augmentations significatives dans les rendements d'E. lathyris par rapport aux parcelles non-sarclees. Ces travaux ont confirme la faible capacite de concurrence avec les adventices deja signalee chez E. lathyris. Zusammenfassung Die Verwendung von Harnstoffherbiziden zur Unkrautbekampfung in Euphorbia lathyris L., einer moglicherweise zur Brennstoffproduktion geeigneten Pflanze Einige substituierte Harnstoffherbizide (Chlortoluron, Diuron, Methabenzthiazuron) wurden auf ihre mogliche Verwendbarkeit in kultivierter Euphorbia lathyris L. untersucht. Diuron wirkte stark toxisch auf diese Spezies, welche sich aber gegenuber Chlortoluron und Methabenzthiazuron als tolerant erwies. In Vorversuchen wurden auch zwei Triazinherbizide (Atrazin und Simazin) gepruft; beide wirkten aber derart phytotoxisch, dass sie nicht mehr weitergetestet wurden. In Gewachshausversuchen wirkle Chlortoluron leicht phytotoxisch an E. lathyris; in Feldversuchen wurden jedoeh keine negativen Symptome festgestellt. Chlortoluron und Methabenzthiazuron waren sehr wirksam gegen die vorhandene Unkrautflora und erhohten das Erntegewicht von E. lathyris signifikant im Vergleich zu dem von ungejateten Parzellen abgeernteten Ertrag. Die Versuche bestatigten die geringe Konkurrenzfahigkeit von E. lathyris gegenuber der Unkrautflora.