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Shoot morphology in rice plants changes in response to P deficiency. However, how genotypic variations in these morphological changes affect the canopy development and biomass production have hardly been explored. The study aimed to identify specific shoot morphological traits that confer biomass production under P deficiency. Four rice genotypes, including AZ-97 (WAS 63���22-5-9-10-1), which exhibits high performance under highly P-deficient fields in Madagascar, were grown for 56 days in flooded pots over several P application rates to simulate P-sufficient and moderately, severely, and extremely P-deficient conditions. AZ-97 had superior shoot P contents and biomass than Takanari, a high-yielding cultivar, and X265, a common high-yielding cultivar in Madagascar at severely to moderately P-deficient conditions. Shoot biomass was highly correlated with projected leaf area (PLA) from the early growth stage, and tiller number, leaf width, and leaf elongation rate explained the variations in PLA. These morphological traits reduced significantly with decreased P application rates, while reduction in AZ-97 was small relative to the other genotypes, even for equivalent shoot P contents. As the result, AZ-97 had greater PLA per unit of shoot P content at equivalent shoot P contents. The result indicates that lower sensitivity and degrees of change in shoot morphology when exposed to P deficiency stress could be a key trait facilitating the maintenance of captured radiation and subsequently influencing genotypic differences in external P uptakes and biomass production. AZ-97 is a potential donor with such traits that can offer an additional avenue for genetic improvement toward P-efficient rice production.Abbreviations DAT: days after transplanting; LN: leaf number in the main stem; PLA: projected green leaf area; PUE: phosphorus use efficiency; SSA: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Leaf Area (LA) is a key index of plant productivity and growth. A multiple linear regression technique is commonly applied to estimate LA as a non-destructive and quick method, but this technique is limited under the realistic situation. Thus, it is indispensable to elaborate new models for estimation. In this research, the performance of the Adaptive Neural-Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) in predicting the LA of 61 plant species (C) was investigated. Four parameters including leaf length (L), leaf width (W), C, and specific coefficient (K) for each plant were selected as input data to the ANFIS model and the LA as the output. Seven different ANFIS models including different combinations of input data were constructed to reveal the sensitivity analysis of the models. The normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), mean residual error (MRE), and linear regression were applied between observed LA and estimated LA by the models. The results indicated that ANFIS4-K2min which employed all input dat...

This study was undertaken as part of a review of Ulmus L. for the forthcoming Flora of the Isle of Man. We have adopted molecular and morphological methods to reassess the identity of Ulmus on the Isle of Man and to explore the possibility that past records of English Elm, a single genotype cultivar called U. minor ‘Atinia’, were misidentifications. First, we utilised seven DNA microsatellite markers to test clone identity in a collection of 23 elms from across the Isle of Man. Sixteen samples were matched to a reference sample of Dutch Elm, U. × hollandica ‘Major’, and one sample was matched to a reference sample of English Elm. In parallel, we appraised a method employed to identify English Elm using a leaf shape metric, and found that leaf width divided by length values > 0.69 are indicative of this clone. Both molecular and morphological results in this study highlight that Dutch Elm has been misidentified as English Elm in the past, and that English Elm may in fact be a rare occurrence on the Island....

Vegetative characters and yield attributes of raspberry (Rubus ellipticus Smith) were studied for three consecutive years in Uttarakhand, India. Variability was found in parameters, such as terminal leaf length (ranged 3.32–10.58 cm), terminal leaf width (2.17–9.80 cm), petal length (0.3–1.36 cm), petal width (0.15–1.00 cm), flower diameter (0.56–3.26 cm), flowers/truss (2–23), fruit vesicles/fruit (5–72), fruit length (0.55–1.92 cm), fruit width (0.64–1.82 cm), fruit weight (0.332–1.43 g), fruit volume (0.213–1.020 cc), and Total Soluble Solids (10.02–15.11 °Brix). Available variability might be utilized for selection, commercialization, and popularization of raspberries in the Himalayan states of India.

The study is based on four leaf parameters: leaf width (LW), lobe length (LL), leaf size (LS) and leaf shape which is calculated as LW to leaf length (LW/LL) ratio. Under different environmental conditions, LL is an isometric character, LW shows positive allometry, whereas LW/LL shows negative allometry. Regression analysis results indicated that there is no significant difference either in slopes or in regression coefficients between investigated sites. Thus, in this study, we found that allometric relationships between leaf parameters and LS are character specific and that they tended not to differ significantly between Tilia cordata Mill. outer leaves exposed to different environmental conditions. Also, there are no significant interpopulation differences for both principal component PC1 and PC2 scores. The stepwise discriminant functional analysis results allowed us to identify a set of two leaf parameters (LS and LL) with a moderate discriminating ability (59.8%). T. cordata outer leaves are signific...

SummaryFifty genotypes of Aloe vera were collected from the main areas of cultivation in Iran and evaluated to determine their level of diversity. The characters investigated were: number of plant leaves, mature leaf length, mature leaf width, mature leaf weight, length of the largest leaf, width of the largest leaf, weight of the largest leaf, number of tillers, and aloenin content. Pearson’s coefficients showed that the height of a plant was positively correlated with the width of a plant and with the number of leaves (r = 0.452 and r = 0.409, respectively); while there was a negative correlation between the width of a plant and the width of the largest leaf (r = -0.90). An evaluation of their phytomedical constituents by HPLC showed that all samples were rich in aloenin, with recorded values higher than the phytomedical grade. Statistical analysis showed that the aloenin content of genotype 39, from Hormozgan, was at least twice as high as in all other genotypes. Cluster analysis based on ten morpholog...

SummaryTo identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling leaf traits and to provide some reference for future molecular marker-assisted selection and breeding for leaf traits in chrysanthemum, QTL analyses were conducted for three leaf traits: leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), and the ratio of leaf length to width (LL:LW). Phenotypic data were collected over 2 years in a segregating F1 population of 142 hybrids of ‘Yuhualuoying’ × ‘Aoyunhanxiao’ and analysed using previously published sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP)-based maps. A total of 12 additive QTLs were identified for the three leaf traits. Each QTL accounted for between 5.8% and 13.4% of the observed phenotypic variation. Seven QTLs were detected at the same genomic regions in both years, indicating that they were stable over different environments. The tight causal linkages between the different QTLs controlling LL and LW on linkage group Y14 of the ‘Yuhualuoying’ map and on linkage group A13 of the ‘Aoyunhanxiao’ map may acco...

In the present study, an additional combination of end‐points was applied on the natural populations of the common plantain, previously estimated using morphometric assays. Here, besides measuring developmental instability (DI), by determining the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and the total amount of phenotypic variability (PV), we tried to distinguish the three natural populations under contrasting environmental conditions using the morphological data. Results obtained using both FA indices were the same; higher asymmetry levels in the reference than in the polluted environments were detected for leaf width, vein distances within a leaf and lobe length. The one‐way analysis of variance results revealed that there were significant differences in PV values among populations analysed for each character. When all leaf traits were considered together, the PV median value was significantly higher in Crni Lug leaves compared with leaves from other sites. The multivariate analysis of variance resu...

Modelling leaf shape is a helpful tool for designing optimal plant shape and visualizing plant growth. The objectives of this study were to characterize the changes in patterns of leaf growth characteristics during plant development, and to model the changes in morphology of the different leaves of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant. In four experiments, time course observations were made on length and width of the leaves on the main stem and tillers of rice plants grown under different experimental conditions. Three experiments provided the data for developing a model. The results show that the expansion process of a single leaf on the main stem and tillers against growing degree days (GDD) followed a slow–rapid–slow pattern that was described well by a logistic function. The changes in final length of the regular leaves positioned on the main stem were described by a quadratic function that differed from the function for the flag leaf. Final leaf length on the tillers followed the ratio of the length of the simultaneously expanding leaves on the tiller to the length of the corresponding leaves on the main stem. The changes in leaf width with leaf length in relation to GDD for a single leaf on the main stem and tillers were described by a quadratic function. The general relationships between final leaf length and final leaf width for the first fully expanded leaves and the flag leaves on the main stem and tillers were described by exponential functions, whereas for the other leaves quadratic functions were needed. The effects of nitrogen level and water regime on leaf growth were quantified by using leaf-nitrogen and leaf-water contents. The model, which was validated with the independent data from the fourth experiment, predicted the time course morphological changes of leaves on the main stem and tillers of rice grown with different nitrogen and water levels well. The results of this study can lead to a more accurate description of the rice leaf in a 3D space by integrating the model with the morphogenesis models of sheath, internode and panicle within the framework of plant topology. In addition, the present leaf architecture model may be combined with a leaf emergence model and a leaf curvature model for digital representation of light interception and utilization within the leaf canopy of rice.

‘Grasslands Samson’ and ‘Grasslands Impact’ are cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) widely used in New Zealand. This study investigated differences in vegetative morphology of these cultivars. Seeds were germinated, and 50 seedlings per cultivar assessed for 10 different morphological traits in a greenhouse in spring, up to the 10th leaf stage of growth. The cultivars differed most in mean leaf width, leaf‐sheath length, leaf appearance interval, and tiller number per plant. ‘Grasslands Samson’ had broader leaves, shorter leaf‐sheaths, a shorter leaf appearance interval, and fewer tillers per plant on average than ‘Grasslands Impact’, but with overlap between cultivars in all cases. Principal component (PC) analysis of morphological data yielded four PCs judged to contain biological information. PCs 1 and 2 together explained 63% of data variation and identified individual plants of either cultivar with greater leaf length arising from higher leaf elongation rate or leaf elongatio...

Epicuticular wax on the leaves from nine cultivars of Phormium tenax was characterised to assess its possible usefulness as a diagnostic tool in cultivar identification. The selected cultivars were taken from the Rene Orchiston Collection in Dunedin Botanic Garden. Wax morphology on both leaf surfaces was examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope. Wax morphology was consistently more complex on the abaxial than the adaxial surface. Differences in wax morphology were noted among some cultivars: cv. Tapamangu had clumps of wax crystals orientated diagonally across the leaf width; cv. Whareongaonga had variable crystal morphology, but was dominated by transversely ridged rods; and cvs Ngutunui and Taeore were covered with a fissured wax layer, with crystals visible in the fissures. We concluded that wax crystal morphology may be useful as a diagnostic tool in cultivar identification. However, it remains to be determined whether the same cultivars growing at different locations wou...

Acis nicaeensis and A. fabrei are two endemic geophytes from the Maritime Alps and the Vaucluse (Nesque basin) respectively. The aims of this study are to establish the distinctive morphological characters between the two snowflakes, to examine the chorology and the demography of the populations, in addition with the evaluation of their ecological requirements. Among the most discriminating characters, leaf width, stigma—anther separation, number of internal tepal veins and diameter of the epigynous disk are the most useful. Thirty—six existing populations have been censused for A. nicaeensis occuring in ecological conditions ranging from thermophilous mattoral to xerophilous grasslands with annual or perennial species. The four known populations of A. fabrei are found on rocky grasslands in clearings. The different factors threatening the two snowflakes are discussed.

Paspalum dilatatum is a South American forage grass with two subspecies in Argentina and Uruguay. Little is known about the variability of length, width and area of blades among and within clones of P. dilatatum subspecies, or about the relationships between leaf area and its components. The length, width and area of the last unfolded leaf was measured for 14 clones of both subspecies, at different summer and autumn dates. Differences between subspecies and among clones were detected for almost all those characters. On average, clones of ssp. dilatatum were higher than those of ssp. flavescens. Different linear models to predict leaf area were performed for each subspecies and season, using effects of date, clone, leaf length and leaf width as covariables. Estimates based only upon leaf length had a slightly lower fit than the most complex models, but they are more practical because only leaf length measurements are required and as a result, they are less time consuming.

SummaryThere is a need for a non-destructive and relatively simple technique to measure leaf areas, particularly at locations where leaf area-measuring instruments are not readily available. The use of non-destructive methods, or taking leaf area measurements of attached leaves is required, particularly in situations where area measurements of the same leaf have to be taken at regular intervals throughout growth and development. In this study, a model has been developed with which to estimate apple leaf areas based on the product of leaf length and leaf width. No such model was previously available to measure or estimate apple leaf areas.

Possibilities and limits of leaf area determination without destruction of leaves were examined. Length and width of tomato leaves (Lycopersicon spp.) were measured in different experiments. Allometry was examined, and its robustness was analyzed against treatment factors including genotype, salinity of the nutrient solution, growing system, and date of measurement. Total leaf length alone explained 75% of tomato leaf area variance. Length from the rachis to the distal end of the petiole had the same variance as total length. Leaf area estimation was much better using only leaf width, which accounted for 90% of leaf area variance. No further improvement of estimation was possible by using both length and width. Leaf area estimation from leaf length or width was robust across treatment factors investigated, including growing system, salinity of nutrient solution, and for different measurement date. On the other hand, use of an universal relationship may lead to a considerable systematic error of estimation...

Wild grapevine was investigated in the southwestern part of Turkey where 114 accessions were collected from forestsandbanks of the rivers. These grapes are called “Jackal grapes” by villagers. Wild grapes a small, black and nearly round berries. They had two or more seeds. Berry weight did not exceed lg. Cluster mean weight was 33.5 g and clusters were smaller in size than those of cultivated grapes with about 40 berries per cluster. Wild grapes had a broad range of leaf shape and size. Leaf width was greater than leaf length and leaves had 3 or 5 lobes. Length of petiole was smaller than midvein. All accessions were subjected to isozymic analysis. Acid phosphatase (ACP), Catechol oxidase(CO), Glutamate oxalacetate transaminase(GOT), Malate dehydrogenase(MDH), and peroxidase(PER) enzymes were extracted from mature leaves. Electrophoresis was performed in vertical Polyacrylamide slab gels (PAGE). Isoenzyme polymorphism was observed for all enzyme systems studied except GOT. This enzyme has only two...

Shoot architecture (leaf size, shape, and arrangement; branch frequency, length, and angles; number of apices) was measured on 49 plants representing 24 species of divaricate and non-divaricate shrubs and juvenile trees from Canterbury. A clustering program created two different groups for the divaricate species, as well as a separate group for small-leaved shrubs with many closely spaced leaves usually on two-dimensional fans. The variables that best separated the divaricate and non-divaricate species were leaf width, internode size relative to leaf width, and branch angles. An index was constructed, using these variables, which is fast to measure and correlates well with perceived degree of divarication. A formal definition is proposed for New Zealand divaricate plants including: (1) many interlaced, wide-angled (mean >60°) branches; (2) small leaves ( 2× leaf width); and (3) larger leaves towards the interior of the plant ...

The purpose of this investigation was to relate morphological and other characters in spaced plants of timothy to yield capacity under sward conditions. Divergent selections were carried out in spaced plants of four varieties of different origin, two Swedish, one Canadian and one Russian. The characters were: leaf width, leaf length, growth habit, earliness, leaf rigidity, leafiness, plant height, tiller density and frequency of generative tillers as well as height of vegetative tillers in regrowth. The conclusion was that the plant breeder should select for an open tillering ideotype with tall, erect and early plants. The leaves should be long and wide. The regrowth ought to have a high frequency of generative tillers. The effectiveness of selection depends upon the status of the original variety.

One hundred and eleven New Zealand and introduced populations of Phalaris were tested for productivity, habit, leaf width, and head emergence. The possibility of adaptation within some New Zealand populations is discussed. The performance of populations from Portugal, Morocco, and Argentina shows they should be further studied for use in breeding a cultivar for New Zealand agriculture.

Differences in turion and leaf size of eelgrass, Zostera marina L., were examined in 26 populations in the Limfjord, Denmark. The number of flowering turions reached a peak in late June with 24.4 % of turions being reproductive. The sheath constituted about 25 % of the total turion length. The sheath/turion ratio was independent of rurion size. Turion length and leaf width inside individual beds were highly correlated (r = 0.94). Within individual plants whose rhizomes carry 2 or more turions, turion size varies and turion length is correlated with leaf width (r = 0.96). Grouping the turions into size groups indicated the existence of age classes, and it was possible to separate 5 distinct age groups.

Morphological characteristics (leaf width, petiole length, leaf density, runner content), flowering patterns, and formononetin content of 14 subclover cultivars were assessed on steep, north-facing hillsides in the North Island during spring 1979. Growth of the early flowering cultivars in these sites lacked vigour. The 2 cultivars, Bacchus Marsh and Mt Barker, exhibited prolonged running and flowering; Mt Barker and Tallarook maintained high leaf densities. Formononetin content exceeded 0.5% of dry weight in Yarloop, Howard, and Tallarook. After 3 years of reseeding and re-establishment, Mt Barker, Howard, and Tallarook showed the most consistent regeneration. Early and mid season flowering cultivars appeared unsuitable for North Island hill country that receives high annual rainfall (about 1500 mm) but has dry summer conditions.

Forty-six seed lines of Lolium (perenne × multiflorum) var. ‘Grasslands Manawa‚ harvested in various regions of New Zealand and including all seven generations of seed increase were grown as spaced plants at Palmerston North, with control lines of L. multiflorum var. ‘Grasslands Paroa‚ and L, perenne var. ‘Grasslands raunui‚. Estimates were obtained of germination, fluorescence, awning, date of head emergence, aftermath heading, habit, leaf width, winter and summer growth, and non-persistence. As measured by the partial regression of line mean scores on generation number, most characters showed a significant change towards Paroa during seed increase. This change was not large enough to destroy the agronomic distinctiveness of Manawa, but the reason for it is discussed. Date of ear emergence showed a change towards earliness, which, however, was away from Paroa. The uniformity within lines, as measured by the variance among plants, showed a consistent though rarely significant trend to decline thr...

Eight seed lines of prairie grass (Bromus unioloides H.B.K.) grown in pots were compared at three cutting severities in each of three soil types. Significant differences in dry herbage production between lines were obtained in all treatments except those in the most productive soil. Of the other characters measured—leaf length, leaf width, number of tillers and leaves per tiller—leaf length was most closely indicative of herbage weight differences, in all treatments. Although certain lines could be identified as generally adaptable, that is, consistently good or bad performers in all treatments, no significant differences between lines were found for specific adaptability to increasingly productive soil or to cutting treatments.