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The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of paper bagging of grape bunches on the morphological, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of berries of three table grapes varieties as an environmentally-friendly technique for protecting clusters from biotic and abiotic agents. Clusters of Italia, Autumn Royal, and Regal Seedless grape cultivars were bagged and compared to a not-bagged control. Air temperature inside and outside the bags was monitored. Bunch weight and length, number of berries per bunch, berry longitudinal and transversal diameter, berry mass, number of seeds per berry (normal in size and aborted), soluble solid content, titratable acidity, and skin color by CIEL*a*b* parameters were determined on four points of each berry. Berries were evaluated using texture analysis, and the main texture profile analysis parameters were compared. The air temperatures around not-bagged clusters were slightly higher than inside the bags. In all the cultivars under evaluation, bagged bunches were heavier compared with not-bagged ones. In Autumn Royal and Regal Seedless, these differences were mainly owing to the higher number of berries and higher berry weight of the bagged bunches. Regarding mechanical properties, in seedless varieties, the bagging treatment increased berry hardness (related to the berry firmness) and decreased berry cohesiveness and resilience, whereas an opposite behavior was found in cv. Italia. Berry skin break force was lower in the bagging treatment in all the analyzed varieties, indicating a softer and easier-to-chew berry skin. The findings demonstrate that the bagging technique affected the three variety parameters to different extents. The main differences were found in the seedless varieties in terms of berry size and bunch characteristics. For all varieties, bagged bunches achieved the quality level required by the market, confirming the suitability of this technique. However, the bag industry is proposing many different bag types (differing in material, shape, color, and closing system), therefore, further studies are needed to obtain more complete and exhaustive technical information.

Golden everlasting paper daisies (Xerochrysum, Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae) were some of the earliest Australian native plants to be cultivated in Europe. Reputedly a favourite of Napoléon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine, X. bracteatum is thought to have been introduced to the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic during Napoléon’s exile there. Colourful cultivars were developed in the 1850s, and there is a widely held view that these were produced by crossing Xerochrysum with African or Asian Helichrysum spp. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses and subtribal classification of Gnaphalieae cast doubt on this idea. Using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, we looked for evidence of gene flow between modern cultivars, naturalized paper daisies from St Helena and four Xerochrysum spp. recorded in Europe in the 1800s. There was strong support for gene flow between cultivars and X. macranthum. Paper daisies from St Helena were genotypically congruent with X. bracteatum and showed no indications of ancestry from other species or from the cultivars, consistent with the continuous occurrence of naturalized paper daisies introduced by Joséphine and Napoléon. We also present new evidence for the origin of colourful Xerochrysum cultivars and hybridization of congeners in Europe from Australian collections.

Paper is produced mainly from wood fibrous pulps, which has been increasingly replaced by pulps from fast growing plants due to limited wood resources. In this work, properties of cellulosic pulps produced by the sulfate method from four fast growing grasses, poplar cultivar 'Hybrid 275', and European larch, as well as pine and birch wood chips, were compared. In addition, the cellulosic pulp yield, dimensions of fibers contained in the pulps and mechanical and optical characteristics of paper sheets produced from the pulps were compared. The pulp yield of the poplar cultivar 'Hybrid 275' (51.6%) was almost 5% higher than birch pulp (47.0%). Moreover, all of the investigated tensile properties of paper made from ‘Hybrid 275’ pulp were higher than for paper produced from birch pulp. Fast growing grasses, despite lower pulp yield (34.0 to 47.1%), showed comparable tensile properties to birch. Therefore, these pulps are promising raw materials for papermaking.

Long-term shipment of flowers in reefer containers as a replacement of air freight is the method of choice with respect to saving on transport costs and decreasing the carbon footprint. Long-term storage, in general, also facilitates the required delivery of large volumes on peak days, such as Mother’s Day or Valentine Day. Optimal conditions for long-term storage have been developed over the years for a variety of flowers and cultivars with varying degrees of success. The long-term dry storage (>3-4 weeks) at low temperature may induce a number of disorders that greatly shorten the remaining vase life. Often flower development is impaired and premature wilting is observed. Also early yellowing, wilting and abscission of leaves may be observed. Together the vase life (the time the flowers are of acceptable quality) is often severely reduced following long-term storage, and this greatly limits the large-scale use of e.g., reefer container transport. This paper discusses the possible causes of the observed quality problems in flowers in relation to long-term cold storage, and emphasizes the current lack of knowledge about physiological, (bio)physical and biochemical factors involved in flower failure. Given the economic importance and increased global trade of roses, this opinion paper will mostly focus on flower failure in cut roses.

We developed a new direct hill seeding method, paper-mulched direct seeding (PMDS). In this method, recycled-paper sheets with rice (Oryza Sativa L.) seeds affixed are spread over a flooded paddy field just after puddling and leveling. Three or five rice seeds were sandwiched between biodegradable gauze or non-woven mesh, fixed to a hole (25 mm diameter) arranged on the sheet at a distance corresponding to the planting density. The sheet gave a very high percentage (98.3%) of germination in water culture of cultivar, Koshihikari. Koshihikari sown by the PMDS method showed a relatively high percentage of seedling establishment, ranging from 70 to 80%. Moreover, a high stability of seedling establishment was obtained by the PMDS method as compared with lowland hill seeding of non-germinated seeds without use of the oxygen supplying chemical, calcium peroxide. Frequencies of vacant hills in the PMDS plot of 5 cultivars, Akitakomachi, Dontokoi, Hinohikari, Hitomebore and Koshihikari, were very low, ranging from 0.40 to 2.33%. Although no herbicide was applied in the PMDS plot, only a few weeds, i.e., Scripus juncoides Roxb. var. ohwians T. koyama and Eleocharis kuroguwai Ohwi were observed, indicating that herbicides are not required in the PMDS. Little lodging was seen in the PMDS plot. The brown rice yield by the PMDS was 615 g m−2. These results clearly demonstrate that the PMDS is useful for hill seeding in flooded paddy fields.

BACKGROUND: Bagging has been widely used to improve the commercial value of fruit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different light transmittance paper bags on the quality and antioxidant capacity of loquat fruit. Two loquat cultivars, Baiyu and Ninghaibai (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), were used for materials. One-layered white paper bags (OWPB) with ∼50% light transmittance and two-layered paper bags with a black inner layer and a grey outer layer (TGDPB) with ∼0% light transmittance were used as treatments and unbagged fruits were used as the control (CK) in this experiment. Fruit quality was determined by physicochemical characteristics, the quantity of sugar, total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid and vitamin C. The antioxidant capacities of the methanol extracted from the pulp were tested using three different assays. RESULTS: The results showed that bagging decreased the weight of fruit but promoted the appearance of loquat fruits. The total sugar content in the fruit bagged with OWPB was higher than in controls and in fruit bagged with TGDPB. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were decreased by both bagging treatments, with the lowest occurring in the fruit bagged with TGDPB. Bagging also decreased the total antioxidant capacity of the fruit pulp, which was again lower in TGDPB-treated fruits than in those bagged using OWPB. Correlation analysis showed a linear relationship between total antioxidant capacity and the content of total phenolic and flavonoid. CONCLUSION: The results showed that different light transmittance bags had different effects on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity. In particular, bags with low light transmittance (TGDPB) decreased the inner quality and total antioxidant capacity of loquat fruit. All results indicated that bagging with OWPB was more suitable for maintaining the quality of the loquat fruit than bagging with TGDPB. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

A simple and rapid method was developed for quantitative determination of juiciness in peach flesh based on the absorption of free juice with ordinary absorbent paper after a flesh sample is squeezed by two metallic rolling cylinders. Juiciness data were compared with trained panel determinations on three peach cultivars kept at 4 °C and 90% RH for 7, 14 and 21 d plus a ripening period at 20 °C and 65% RH until the flesh reached 19.6 ± 9.2 N. There was a high correlation between panel judgment and paper absorption ( r 2 = 0.75 in ‘Elegant Lady’, 0.77 in ‘O’Henry’ and 0.93 in ‘Ross’). A sub-sample of the juiciest and the mealiest fruit also were sorted after 14 and 21 d in cold storage. ‘Ross’, a non-melting peach cultivar, did not develop flesh mealiness during any evaluation period. During storage, there was a reduction in juiciness reaching 15% less after 21 d. Mealy fruit were exclusively observed with melting cultivars exposed to cold storage. The proposed method for determining juice content is easily executed and shows a high association with human perception of juiciness and mealiness in peach.

This paper deals with status of linseed research in India which happens to be an ancient oil and fibre-producing crop predominantly cultivated under rainfed condition. Crop systematics in order to establish evolutionary relationship among different sections is very much desired. Cytogenetic studies among the species with different chromosome numbers (2n = 16–80) have revealed that speciation in the genus Linum has taken place in two steps. During the last five decades, spectacular progress has been witnessed in the field of varietal development, and as of now, 65 high seed and oil yielding varieties with resistance to major diseases were released and recommended for general cultivation in different agro-climatic regions of the country. Besides this, improved production and protection technologies have also been developed to harness the production and productivity of the crop. Scope for genetic modifications of fatty acid compositions of linseed oil and oil cake and transfer of novel resistance genes from wild spp. to cultivated ones through biotechnological interventions has also been discussed.

s of Some Papers Presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science Edited by Robert J. Barney AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Leaf Stomatal Density Variation in Eleven Pawpaw Cultivars. SHERI B. CRABTREE*, KIRK W. POMPER, KESI NEBLETT, and SIERRA SKAGGS, Community Research Service, Land Grant Program, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY 40601. The pawpaw [Asimina triloba (L). Dunal] is a native tree fruit found in most of the eastern U.S. As the satellite site for the USDA National Clonal Germplasm Repository for Asimina species, goals of the KSU pawpaw research program include description and classification of pawpaw germplasm. With summer droughts and lack of water for irrigation often being a challenge for growers, use of drought-tolerant plants is desirable. Plants with fewer stomata on their leaf surfaces are generally better adapted to dry conditions. Drought tolerant pawpaw cultivars have not been definitively identified. The objective of this study was to examine density of stomata in leaves of eleven pawpaw cultivars. Five leaves were collected from eleven different pawpaw cultivars (Shenandoah, Susquehanna, Middletown, Mitchell, NC-1, Overleese, PA-Golden, Sunflower, Taytwo, Wilson, and Wells) at the KSU research farm. Leaf stomata impressions were made using clear fingernail polish and mounted to a microscope slide using adhesive tape. Stomata were counted using a compound light microscope at 4003 magnification. Stomatal density varied significantly by cultivar, with Sunflower having the most stomata per mm (387) and Shenandoah (232), Mitchell (221), and Wells (220) the fewest stomata per mm. These cultivars could potentially be more drought-tolerant than others due to their low stomatal density. Genetic Diversity in Five Kentucky Pawpaw Populations Using SSR Markers. YANKUBA BANDA*, JEREMIAH D. LOWE, KIRK W. POMPER, LI LU, and SHERI B. CRABTREE, Land Grant Program, Kentucky State University, Atwood Research Facility, Frankfort, KY

高温期における再生紙マルチの利用がミズナ2品種‘京みぞれ’と‘晩生白茎千筋京水菜’(以下, ‘白茎’)の生育, アスコルビン酸含量および硝酸イオン濃度に及ぼす影響を検討した. 処理区は白色と黒色の再生紙マルチを用いた紙(白)区と紙(黒)区, シルバーポリマルチを用いたシルバー区, さらに裸地区を設け, 計4処理区とし, 露地および雨よけハウス内でそれぞれ栽培した. 栽培期間中で最も気温の高かった日の地温および平均最高地温が最も低かった区は露地とハウス内ともに紙(白)区だった. 再生紙マルチの昇温抑制効果はハウス内よりも露地で大きかった. 欠株率はマルチ処理区間に差は認められなかった. 生育は紙(白)区が最大で, その要因としては処理区間の土壌含水比に差がなかったことから, 再生紙マルチの地温上昇抑制効果が大きく関与したと考えられる. また, 品種間を比べると‘白茎’は‘京みぞれ’に比べ欠株率が低く, 生育が良好だった. アスコルビン酸含量は‘白茎’の紙(白)区が裸地区に比べ有意に多かった.一方,硝酸イオン濃度は処理区間に差はなかった.以上の結果から, 高温期における再生紙マルチの利用は, ミズナの生育を促進できることが明らかとなった. また, 欠株率, 生育およびアスコルビン酸含量に品種間差が認められたことから, 高温期栽培に適したミズナの品種の選定・育成も必要と考えられた.

The direct sowing culture of rice with recycled-paper mulch is practiced by spreading recycled paper (t owhich rice seeds are attached) on the surface of puddled soil. This cultural practice would eliminate the application of herbicides. Furthermore, it is labor saving in comparison with transplanting. This study objects to characterizing the crop establishment, lodging occurrence, and weed infestation in direct sowing with recydcled-paper mulch (hill and drill sowing) in comparison with broadcast direct sowing and transplanting. Broadcast direct sowing was practiced with or without seed-coating with oxygen release chemical (major ingredient calcium peroxide). Transplanting was done with and without use of recycled-paper mulch. Cultivars Koshihikari, a popular high-grain quality rice susceptible to lodging, and Dontokoi, a high-grain quality with resistance to lodging, were used. Herbicides were applied for broadcast sowing and transplanting where no recycled-paper mulch was used. Five experiments were conducted during 1997 and 1998, and we used netting to protect the seeds and seedlings from bird attack. The crop establishment was better in the following order: direct sowing with recycled-paper mulch (hill), broadcast sowing with coated seeds, and broadcast sowing with noncoated seeds. The crop establishment in direct sowing with recycled-paper mulch (drill) was similar to that in broadcast sowing with noncoated seeds. The lodging occurred less in the following order: transplanting, direct sowing with recycled-paper mulch (hill), and direct sowing with recycled-paper mulch (drill). We detected no significant difference in weed infestation between the cultural methods employed in the present study. No herbicide application and hand weeding would be required in direct sowing with recycled-paper mulch (hill and drill). The grain yield of direct sowing with recycled-paper mulch was as much as, or a little less than, that of transplanting.

The research made in the last 20 years resulted an almost linear increase in average grain/seed yield for different crops, associated with a change in grain/seed composition: decrease in the protein concentration at the expense of compounds resulting from carbon metabolism (starch, oil). Due to the rapid development of biological sciences and the scope of the means available in modern research this progress was achieved. It merits a reflection about the key processes limiting the plant productivity and about an adaptation to an environment, often very conservative. The integration of crop yield limiting factors into plant and canopy activities was made in order to highlight research objectives and new approaches. After a general analysis of yield increase mechanisms, the processes determining crop yield and grain composition and the effects of species, cultivars, and environmental factors (temperature, drought, nitrogen) were analysed. For this a conceptual model was established based on the source–sink relationship, especially during the post-anthesis period. In order to successfully improve the yield potential and the composition of grain and seeds, new knowledge of the processes is required concerning the intrinsic properties of the plant organs (seeds, leaves, roots) and their interactions. Several priority themes were considered.

Plant breeding aims to constantly develop crop cultivars with improved yields and quality and tolerant to droughts, diseases and pests. Use of genetically improved crop cultivars and better management practices are among the best strategies to increase food production and meet a projected doubling of food demand. Inbred lines are homozygous genotypes produced by repeated selfing with selection over several generations. It is developed and maintained by repeated selfing of selected plants. In cross-pollinated species with strongly expressed self-incompatibility, various techniques are used to overcome the incompatibility. The technique of doubled haploids may be used to produce complete homozygous diploid lines in just 1 year (versus more than 4 years in conventional breeding) by doubling the chromosome complement of haploid cells. Doubled haploidy is and will continue to be a very efficient tool for the production of completely homozygous lines from heterozygous donor plants in a single step. Haploids contain half the chromosome number of somatic cells. Anthers/stigma Contain immature microspores or pollen grains with the haploid (n) chromosome number. If successfully cultured (anther culture), the plantlets resulting will have a haploid genotype. To have maximum genetic variability in the plantlets, breeders usually use anthers from F1 or F2 plants. Usually, the haploid plant is not the goal of anther culture. Rather, the plantlets are diplodized (to produce diploid plants) by using colchicine for chromosome doubling. This strategy yields a highly inbred line that is homozygous at all loci, after just one generation.

Breeding improved commercially acceptable Musa cultivars with disease resistance has proven to be a difficult task. This is mostly because of the ploidy levels involved and subsequent sterility. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) race 4 is a pathogen that threatens to decimate 'Cavendish' plantations around the world. No chemical control exists and the only hope lies in the development of a resistant cultivar. To assess germplasm from breeding programs for resistance, the plants are exposed to the pathogen in the field. Field screening is, however, greatly influenced by environmental factors and requires a lot of area and time. Molecular markers have increased the efficiency of breeding programs in other crops. In this paper we shall discuss how molecular markers can aid in the search for a Foc race 4 resistant cultivar.

Muskmelons (Cucumis melo L. 'Earl's Seine'), grown in vinyl houses in the subtropical region of Japan, were investigated relative to characteristics at the ripening stage and the storage-life of the fruit harvested in different seasons. Effects of freshening paper (a material used to maintain freshness of fruits and vegetables) on the quality of the muskmelon were also examined.1. There was a gradual increase in ethylene production of fruit attached to the plant as they matured. Both the onset and the rate of increase in ethylene production were acceler-ated in the detached fruit. The ethylene production from the fruit harvested 60 days after anthesis reached a maximum (3.5 μl•kg-1•hr-1) 6 days during storage. The best time to harvest this cultivar was estimated on the basis of flesh firmness and soluble solids content.2. Storage at 20°C: The fruit harvested in summer and autumn retained greater than 350 g of their firmness for more than 7 days, while the firmness of the fruits harvested in winter and spring decreased below 350 g in less than 7 days.3. Storage at 4°C: Chilling injury occurred in 3 weeks and the firmness decreased to 263 g within 5 weeks in the summer-harvested fruit. A small amount of the fruits harvested in winter and spring developed chilling injury though most of them retained their commercial quality throughout 4 or 5 weeks.4. The decrease in firmness was significantly suppressed by using freshening paper in storage at 20°C for 1 week.

Starch amylose is synthesized through the activity of the granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS). In wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), there are three structural genes encoding isoforms of GBSS. Naturally occurring mutations (null alleles) resulting in the loss of one or more GBSS isoforms have recently been identified. The presence of one or two GBSS null alleles results in the production of starch with reduced amylose content. Reduced amylose wheats have been termed ‘partial waxy’. Wheats with three GBSS null alleles produce essentially amylose-free, or waxy, starch. Partial waxy wheats are sources of flours with optimal quality characteristics in certain Asian wet noodle products. In addition, partial waxy wheats are essential to the development of waxy wheats with acceptable agronomic performance. Biochemical features of starch from waxy wheats are similar to those of waxy maize. Waxy wheats may find application in the production of modified food starches, as blending wheats for the formulation of superior noodle flours, and as a means to manipulate amylose contents in substrates for extrusion. Flour from waxy wheats may also be used to extend the shelf-life of baked goods, without a concomitant dilution of wheat gluten. Finally, waxy wheat may increase profitability to gluten manufacturers by providing a co-product with added value.

Wild potato species are widely distributed in the Americas, where they spontaneously grow in very diverse habitats. These species - with low chromosome differentiation - form polyploid series with 2n = 2x, 3x, 4x and 6x (x =12). They are isolated in nature by external and internal hybridisation barriers that can be incomplete, allowing hybridisation in areas of sympatry. Nevertheless, most accessions in germplasm banks, regardless of genetic background of the sampled spontaneous populations, have been assigned specific categories based on morphological characters. To further investigate the extent of hybridisation in the group and for comparative purposes, pollen viability was estimated in (i) artificial hybrids between a commercial cultivar (Calen INTA) of the common potato (tetraploid Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum) and the tetraploid cytotype of the related wild species S. gourlayi, and (ii) samples of plants (accessions) and inflorescences of natural populations from Argentina, tentatively classified as 'presumed hybrids' (S. infundibuliforme-S. gourlayi) and 'species' (S. infundibuliforme, S. gourlayi and S. chacoense). Regardless of origin, 98 out of 103 plants analysed had zero to 70% pollen viability (zero to 40% in eight of them). Pollen grains were of variable size and morphology and, in mostly male sterile plants, the only viable pollen grains were 2n and/or 4n. Furthermore, male sterile plants shared various abnormalities in meiosis I and II (unpaired chromosomes, unequal chromosome distribution, precocious/lagging chromosomes, parallel, tripolar, fused and multiple spindles, unequal size nuclei, dyads, triads and pentads in addition to normal tetrads, among others). These results provide novel evidence to support field observations of early potato botanists on the extent of spontaneous hybridisation in wild Argentinian potato populations, which is not reflected in the current taxonomy and has significant consequences for germplasm conservation and breeding.

Paper chromatography of freeze-dried larvae of Mayetiola destructor (Say) in a solvent system of 1-butanol:methanol:water, 80:5:15, isolated a peak of plant-growth-promoting substance at Rt 0.15-0.25. This growth promoter was detected also on chromatograms of stomachs and carcasses of fresh larvae but was absent from chromatograms of larvae collected from ‘Knox 62’ wheat, Triticum aestivum L., a cultivar resistant to the Hessian fly, or from chromatograms of larvae that had never fed. Paper chromatograms of ethanol extracts of both infested and uninfested wheat plants revealed that feeding by the larvae did not reduce the amount of the growth promoter, but benzene extracts of infested plants produced chromatograms with more peaks of growth-inhibiting substances than did benzene extracts of uninfested plants. The inhibitors in the benzene extracts of infested plants may be the reaction of the wheat plant to secretions introduced into the plant by the feeding larvae. Therefore, the most likely cause of stunting of winter wheat by the Hessian fly is the result of something discharged into the plant by the Hessian fly larva as it feeds.

Fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) stems consist of high-cellulose low-lignin bark containing long fibres and low-cellulose high-lignin core containing short fibres. The bark, which contains a variable proportion of less valuable secondary bast fibre, is more valuable as a raw material for paper than the core. A study of the factors affecting the quality of hemp grown in The Netherlands for paper production is described. The bark content in the stem was determined by mechanically separating bark and core. The chemical composition of bark and core was determined according to procedures defined by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. The secondary bast fibre content was determined by manually separating primary and secondary phloem tissue after boiling in a 2% NaOH solution. Bark content in the stem decreased during the growing season; at harvest in September it ranged from 30 to 35% depending on cultivar and plant density. The proportion of secondary bast fibre in the bast fibre fraction increased with stem weight, from 10 to 45%. Measurement of secondary bast fibre in a representative stem section allowed the proportion of this fibre in the bast fibre fraction of the entire stem to be estimated accurately. Differences in chemical composition within sets of samples of bark or core were small compared with the difference between bark and core. The bark of the French cultivars tested contained less cellulose than that of the Hungarian cultivars. Bark quality for paper making improved during the growing season because the cellulose content in the bark increased, whereas the content of lignin and extractives decreased.

Leaves of standard clones of three old-established raspberry cultivars and four recent Malling ones have been examined by two-way paper chromatography, the aim being to fingerprint them empirically by their flavonoid spots and spotting patterns which probably reflect their genotypes. There may be slight seasonal phenotypic affects on manifestations of the minor components. Only Lloyd George is readily distinguishable. An ‘identi-key’ to the spotting components shows how to separate the four Malling cultivars, and a method is provided which demonstrates how to identify a suspected Malling cultivar. An affiity index is calculated to reveal the possible degree of relationship between any two cultivars. Two-way flavonoid spotting is a useful adjunct to the morphological description of a raspberry cultivar in providing more critical indentification.

The effects of two different drying methods, namely hot-air drying and freeze drying, on the phenolic profiles, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of pulp extracts from two main Chinese bayberry cultivars (‘Biqi’ or ‘BQ’ and ‘Dongkui’ or ‘DK’) were evaluated. The results showed that ‘BQ’ bayberry provided higher total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid (TFC) and total anthocyanin (TAC) contents than ‘DK’ bayberry after the same drying method, while its antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities were highly affected by drying method. Freeze-dried samples possessed significantly higher TPC, TFC and TAC, and exhibited more potent antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities than hot-air dried ones (P

This study aimed to examine the differences between the antioxidant capacity, and the total polyphenol content of the seed of eight different grape varieties. We also attempt to create a functional loaf enriched with grape seed meal. To achieve this goal, 3, 6, and 9% of the grape seed meal were added to the loaves made of bread flour and gluten-free flour mixture, and then the changes in their antioxidant and polyphenol content were examined. Based on the results, there were significant differences between the polyphenol and antioxidant content of grape seed varieties. The antioxidant content of the grape seeds varied between 228.50 mg AAE/g (94.80 mg TE/g) and 438.33 mg AAE/g (181.86 mg TE/g) in case of fatty samples, and between 176.29 mg AAE/g (41.24 mg TE/g) and 424.91 mg AAE/g (99.40 mg TE/g) in case of defatted samples. The total polyphenol content of the fatty samples changed between 91.16 and 221.81 mg GAE/g; in case of defatted samples, it ranged from 46.01 to 207.68 mg GAE/g. Rhine Riesling contained the greatest amount of these compounds. The functionality of loafs was confirmed by spectrophotometric analysis. Total polyphenol content ranged from 0.91 to 3.16 mg GAE/g in case of wheat loafs, and from 1.39 to 5.92 mg GAE/g in case of gluten-free loafs, while the total antioxidant content changed between 0.70 and 6.44 mg AAE/g in case of wheat loafs, and ranged from 2.55 to 9.75 in case of gluten-free loafs. Graphic abstract

Postharvest quality, quantification of betalains, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of peel, pulp, and juice of fruits of three prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.) cultivars of Colegio de Postgraduados in México, were measured. The red and orange cultivars showed outstanding features of postharvest quality (size, texture, TSS and pulp and juice content) highest content of betalains and phenolic compounds. Therefore, highest antioxidant activity. In general, the highest content of bioactive compounds was detected in the peel, besides the content in pulp and juice did not show statistically significant differences. Phenolic content is very high in comparison with other fruits. Antioxidant activity was measured by three assays:FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH. Three cultivars showed a high correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds. The methodologies used in this work are a very useful tool for the quantification of bioactive compounds in O. ficus-indica fruit tissues.

Summary Pre‐harvest sprouting (PHS), the germination of grain before harvest, is a serious problem resulting in wheat yield and quality losses.Here, we mapped the PHS resistance gene PHS‐3D from synthetic hexaploid wheat to a 2.4 Mb presence–absence variation (PAV) region and found that its resistance effect was attributed to the pleiotropic Myb10‐D by integrated omics and functional analyses.Three haplotypes were detected in this PAV region among 262 worldwide wheat lines and 16 Aegilops tauschii, and the germination percentages of wheat lines containing Myb10‐D was approximately 40% lower than that of the other lines. Transcriptome and metabolome profiling indicated that Myb10‐D affected the transcription of genes in both the flavonoid and abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis pathways, which resulted in increases in flavonoids and ABA in transgenic wheat lines. Myb10‐D activates 9‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) by biding the secondary wall MYB‐responsive element (SMRE) to promote ABA biosynthesis in early wheat seed development stages.We revealed that the newly discovered function of Myb10‐D confers PHS resistance by enhancing ABA biosynthesis to delay germination in wheat. The PAV harboring Myb10‐D associated with grain color and PHS will be useful for understanding and selecting white grained PHS resistant wheat cultivars.

The main focus of this research is the degumming of pseudostem and enzyme treatment of banana fiber for textile applications and investigating the relationship between banana fiber enzyme degumming...

A chromatographic study of methanol-soluble leaf extracts was undertaken to analize the phylogenetic relationships between a number of species, vavieties and cultivars in Brassica and its allied genera.Raphanus sativus (genome constitution; RR), 9 out of 18 detected spots in this species being quite specific, was remarkably different in its characteristic spot pattern from three diploid species of Brassica and Sinapis arvensis. Accordingly, it was clearly indicated in the chromatogram on the occurrence of two genome-specific spot groups originating from both parental species that Raphano-brassica was composed of R. sativus and B. oleracea.B. campestris (AA), B. nigra (BB), B. oleracea(CC) and S. arvensis (SS) could be determined from each other by their genome-specific spot patterns, though many kinds of spots detected usually occur throughout those species. Because of the similarities of spot constitution in the diploid Brassica species, the spot patterns of three amphidiploids Brassica species (AABB, AACC and BBCC), natural or artificial, could not be revealed as a complete complementation of the spot groups of the diploid ancestral species.Based on peculiar spot patterns on the chromatograms, cultivars examined within B. campestris or B. oleracea could be distinguished from each other in some minor points, but the intraspecific variations of spot patterns did not correlate with taxonomic rank.Good numerical information of the phylogenetic affinities between and among the taxa analized could be obtained by the application of the concepts of paired affinity and grouped affinity (Ellison et al., 1962) to the results of the present study. Referring to the affinity values it will be noted that : R. sativus generally shows the lowest affinity to all other species used. S. arvensis is closer to B. nigra than to the other species used. The highest degree of affinity is obtained between B. campestris and B. oleracea, and B. nigra shows a higher affinity to B. campestris than to B. oleracea.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different storage conditions on the physiological and sanitary quality and oil content of castor bean (Ricinus communis) seeds. Seeds of castor bean plants of the Guarani, and IAC-80 cultivars were stored in two environments (cold room, and room conditions), using three package types (multifoliate Kraft paper bag, and polyethylene bag, and polyethylene bag with vacuum at 1 atm). In addition, another storage condition was evaluated: cryopreservation (-196 °C) in foil paper bags. Seed quality was evaluated before storage and at 4, 8, and 12 months after storage by testing their 7-day and 14-day germination, emergence, health, water content, and oil content. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with 7×4 factorial arrangement consisting of seven storage conditions and four evaluation times. Cryopreservation is the ideal condition for maintaining the seed physiological quality of the Ricinus communis cultivars used throughout storage. The oil content of the R. communis seeds decreases, and the incidence of Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp. fungi increases throughout storage, regardless of the storage conditions. Para investigar se diferentes condições de armazenamento interferem no potencial fisiológico, sanitário e no teor de óleo de sementes de mamona (Ricinus communis) foram utilizadas sementes de duas cultivares, Guarani e IAC-80, armazenadas em dois ambientes (câmara fria e armazém convencional) em duas embalagens (saco de papel Kraft multifoliado e saco plástico - com e sem acondicionamento a vácuo a 1 atm). Testou-se ainda outro tipo de acondicionamento, utilizando-se papel aluminizado para criopreservação das sementes (-196 °C). A qualidade das sementes foi avaliada antes do armazenamento e após 4, 8 e 12 meses por meio dos testes de geminação (contagem aos 7 e 14 dias), emergência, sanidade, teor de água e teor de óleo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 7x4, sendo sete condições de armazenamento e quatro épocas. A criopreservação (-196 °C) é a condição ideal para manutenção do potencial fisiológico de sementes de Ricinus communis, cultivares IAC-80 e Guarani, ao longo do armazenamento. Independente das condições de armazenamento de sementes de R. communis, o teor de óleo decresce e a incidência dos fungos Aspergillus spp. e Fusarium spp. aumenta ao longo do armazenamento.

Recently, leaf rust and yellow rust caused by the fungi Puccinia triticina Erikss. and P. striiformis Westend f. sp. tritici Eriks and Henn are diseases of increasing threat in triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack, AABBRR, 2n = 6x = 42) growing areas. The use of genetic resistance is considered the most economical, effective and environmentally friendly method to control the disease and minimize the use of fungicides. Currently, breeding programs mainly relied on race-specific Lr and Yr genes (R), but new races of the rust fungi frequently defeat resistance. There is a small group of genes that causes partial type of resistance (PR) that are characterized by a slow epidemic build up despite a high infection type. In wheat slow rusting resistance genes displayed longer latent periods, low infection frequencies, smaller pustule size and less spore production. Slow rusting Lr46/Yr29 gene, located on chromosome 1B, is being exploited in many wheat breeding programs. So far, there is no information about slow rusting genes in triticale. This paper showed significant differences between the results of identification of wheat molecular markers Xwmc44 and csLV46G22 associated with Lr46/Yr29 in twenty triticale cultivars, which were characterized by high levels of field resistance to leaf and yellow rust. The csLV46G22res marker has been identified in the following cultivars: Kasyno, Mamut and Puzon. Belcanto and Kasyno showed the highest resistance levels in three-year (2016–2018), leaf and yellow rust severity tests under post-registration variety testing program (PDO). Leaf tip necrosis, a phenotypic trait associated with Lr34/Yr18 and Lr46/Yr29 was observed, among others, to Belcanto and Kasyno, which showed the highest resistance for leaf rust and yellow rust. Kasyno could be considered to have Lr46/Yr29 and can be used as a source of slow rust resistance in breeding and importantly as a component of gene pyramiding in triticale.

SummaryCommercial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most widely grown vegetable crops worldwide. Heirloom tomatoes retain extensive genetic diversity and a considerable range of fruit quality and leaf morphological traits.Here the role of leaf morphology was investigated for its impact on fruit quality. Heirloom cultivars were grown in field conditions and BRIX by Yield (BY) and other traits measured over a fourteen-week period. The complex relationships among these morphological and physiological traits were evaluated using PLS-Path Modeling, and a consensus model developed.Photosynthesis contributed strongly to vegetative biomass and sugar content of fruits but had a negative impact on yield. Conversely leaf shape, specifically rounder leaves, had a strong positive impact on both fruit sugar content and yield. Cultivars such as Stupice and Glacier, with very round leaves, had the highest performance in both fruit sugar and yield. Our model accurately predicted BY for two commercial cultivars using leaf shape data as input.This study revealed the importance of leaf shape to fruit quality in tomato, with rounder leaves having significantly improved fruit quality. This correlation was maintained across a range of diverse genetic backgrounds and shows the importance of leaf morphology in tomato crop improvement.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of peach fruits of the cultivar BRS Kampai, refrigerated with intermittent temperatures during storage. The fruits were stored at a temperature of 1 ° C, with a relative humidity of 80-90% in a cold chamber. The treatments used were T1: fruits stored at 1 ± 0.5 ° C, T2: fruits stored at 1 ± 0.5 ° C, with heating every five days at 25 ° C, and T3: fruits stored at 1 ± 0.5 ° C, with heating every seven days at 25 ° C. Heating was carried out by removing the fruits from the cold chamber and keeping them in an air-conditioned room. The evaluations were carried out at the time of harvest, at 10 of cold storage plus 2 days of commercial simulation at 25ºC (10 + 2) and at 20 days of cold storage plus 2 days of commercial simulation at 25 ºC (20 + 2). Peaches were evaluated for weight loss, pulp firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and skin color. It was observed a greater loss of mass and soluble solids content at T1, as well as greater pulp firmness at 20 days. T2 provided less mass loss compared to other treatments at 20 days. However, there was a greater loss of firmness of the pulp in this treatment in the same period. The use of intermittent temperatures in the storage of BRS Kampai peaches can be an alternative to prolong its post-harvest period. This study aimed at evaluating the quality of peaches borne by the cultivar BRS Kampai when cooled at intermittent temperatures throughout storage. They were stored at 1°C and relative humidity between 80% and 90% in a cold storage chamber. The following treatments were applied: T1 - fruit stored at 1±0.5°C; T2 - fruit stored at 1±0.5°C and increase in temperature every five days to 25°C; and T3 - fruit stored at 1±0.5°C and increase in temperature every seven days to 25°C. Fruit were submitted to increase in temperature when they were withdrawn from the cold storage chamber and kept in a heated room. Evaluations were conducted when fruit were harvested, after 10 cold storage days and 2 days of commercialization simulation at 25ºC (10+2) and after 20 cold storage days and 2 days of commercialization simulation at 25ºC (20+2). Peaches were evaluated in terms of mass loss, pulp firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and epidermis color. T1 exhibited higher mass loss, higher soluble solid content and higher pulp firmness after 20 cold storage days, by comparison with the other treatments. T2 led to lower mass loss after 20 cold storage days than the ones of the other treatments. However, T2 also showed higher loss of pulp firmness in the same period. The use of intermittent temperatures throughout storage of ‘BRS Kampai’ peaches may be an alternative to extend their post-harvest period.

Vibrational spectroscopy analysis of full-ripened fig fruits (Ficus carica L.) was acquired using Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy by attenuated total reflectance (ATR). The objective of this study was to investigate accurate discrimination of 25 fig cultivars using chemometric analysis of both ATR–FTIR fingerprinting and in-vitro antioxidant activity along with chromatic coordinates color. In-vitro antioxidant activity was assessed through three methods and displayed statistically significant differences across cultivars and between the fruit parts, with promising antioxidant potency. Infrared spectra were measured separately on both peels and pulp to better know which fruit part provides high discrimination throughput between cultivars. The results showed vibration intensities of five fingerprint regions displaying statically significant differences. The highest vibration intensity occurred in the region of 1175–940 cm−1 including the phenols fingerprint. Principal components analysis based on integrated intensities corresponding to fingerprint regions, revealed two main groups in pulp samples, while five groups in peels samples. The pulp extracts of ‘Nabout’ showed a typical vibration in 3000–2800 cm−1 and 1775–1725 cm−1 regions and, therefore was classified as single subset in cultivars scatterplot. This cultivar had a light-colored fig and exhibited the highest antioxidant potency for all essays particularly in peel extracts. The biochemical assessment and FTIR fingerprinting data were involved in PCA analysis, and that displayed some dissimilarities in the classification patterns, given the fact that antioxidant activities and chromaticity together could not totally explain the classification based on FTIR fingerprinting between peel and pulp. Application of FTIR–ATR spectroscopy to discriminate fig cultivars seems to be a rapid, accurate and cost-effective alternative to laborious measurement techniques, in fig quality screening and preselection, such as chromatography analysis. This study suggests the use of fig peels for a high-level discrimination while using ATR–FTIR spectroscopy, since it provides high-throughput screening framework.

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of drought on different okra cultivars and to identify the most suitable okra cultivar for growing in drought conditions. Five okra cultivars namely Pusa Green, Clemson, Sabz Pari, Pusa Swani and Mehak Pari were subjected to three drought levels i.e., control (100% Field capacity),50% and 25% Field Capacity (FC). Physiological parameters like fresh and dry weight of plant and plant height were recorded along with biochemical attributes such as chlorophyll content (a, b, total) carotenoids, total protein, proline content, and Membrane stability index (MSI%). Results showed that drought significantly reduced all the studied parameters and at maximum drought (25% FC) lowest values of fresh weight (12.42g), dry weight (1.22g), plant height (7.86cm), chlorophyll a (9.02mg/g FW), chlorophyll b (18.69mg/g FW), total chlorophyll (27.71mg/g FW), carotenoids (11.80mg/g FW), total protein (2.73mg/g FW),whereas maximum Proline (21.36μg/g FW), and MSI (72%) were observed under the same drought. The results concerning responses of okra cultivars under drought conditions showed that maximum. Fresh weight (15.25g) and Dry weight (2.74g) was observed in Pusa green while maximum Plant height (13.77cm), Chlorophyll a (14.38mg/g FW), Chlorophyll b (24.41mg/g FW), Total Chlorophyll (38.80mg/g FW), Carotenoids (18.57mg/g FW), Total Protein (5.44mg/g FW), Proline (27.78μg/g FW), and MSI (56.33%) were produced by Sabz Pari. Hence it can be concluded that drought causes significant variation on physical and biochemical attributes of okra whereas Sabz Pari showed resistance towards the applied stress and produced better results.

The CGIAR crop improvement (CI) programs, unlike commercial CI programs, which are mainly geared to profit though meeting farmers’ needs, are charged with meeting multiple objectives with target populations that include both farmers and the community at large. We compiled the opinions from >30 experts in the private and public sector on key strategies, methodologies, and activities that could the help CGIAR meet the challenges of providing farmers with improved varieties while simultaneously meeting the goals of: (i) nutrition, health, and food security; (ii) poverty reduction, livelihoods, and jobs; (iii) gender equality, youth, and inclusion; (iv) climate adaptation and mitigation; and (v) environmental health and biodiversity. We review the crop improvement processes starting with crop choice, moving through to breeding objectives, production of potential new varieties, selection, and finally adoption by farmers. The importance of multidisciplinary teams working towards common objectives is stressed as a key factor to success. The role of the distinct disciplines, actors, and their interactions throughout the process from crop choice through to adoption by farmers is discussed and illustrated., This document arose from the urgent need to join forces (across nations and research disciplines) and stand together to improve the prospects for the most vulnerable population on the globe whose well-being depends on agricultural production. Here, we learn from the past, and draft future strategic guidelines that will facilitate efforts of the CGIAR institutions (https://www.cgiar.org/) to enhance the livelihoods of the less privileged through crop improvement.

Processing method is considered as a major factor that affects biotransformation of phytochemicals in tea and leads to diverse flavor and bioactivity of tea. In the present work, six typical tea manufacturing processings were employed to compare the effect on chemical composition of teas through using leaves of the single tea cultivar – – Camellia sinensis var. Meizhan. And in vitro antioxidant activity, inhibition against α-glucosidase and three lipid metabolism enzymes of these teas were also investigated, the relationships among them were analyzed further. As fresh leaves were processed into six categories of teas, the content of total catechins (TCs) has decreased in varying degrees while theaflavins (TFs) has increased. The antioxidant capacity composite index (ACCI) from high to low were green tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, white tea, dark tea, and black tea with the range from 98.44 to 58.38, which dominated by the content of TCs. Furthermore, all categories of teas possessed an inhibition effect on the pancreatic lipase (PL), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-COA reductase), lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), and α-glucosidase. The inhibition rate of PL and α-glucosidase appears to be positively influenced by TFs content (r =0.863, r =0.857, p < 0.05) while that of LCAT showed significant positive correlations with the content of tea polyphonels (TPs) (r = 0.902, p < 0.01). These results provide a better understanding of the relationships between processing method and chemical components of tea. It is suggested that various tea categories possess potential healthy effects which could serve as promising nutritional supplements., GraphicalAbstract

Heat stress during grain filling has been documented to decrease wheat grain yield and quality in arid regions worldwide. We studied the effect of heat stress on wheat flour quality in heat tolerant cultivars to define the effects of heat stress on flour quality and to identify germplasm combining traits for heat tolerance and good flour quality. We studied the kernel phenotypic traits, the expression of seed storage proteins (SSPs), and the resulting flour quality under heat and normal conditions. Under heat stress, all cultivars yielded narrow-shaped seeds, and increased protein contents as compared to the control plants grown under normal conditions. The specific sedimentation values used to estimate the gluten quality varied between cultivars. We identified cultivars that could maintain good flour quality under heat stress conditions: 'Imam', which possessed the Glu-D1d allele responsible for the suitable bread-making; 'Bohaine', which displayed high expression level of SSPs; and 'Condor', which possessed slight variations in the ratio of each SSP under heat stress conditions. Combining the desirable traits from these cultivars could yield a wheat cultivar with heat tolerance and good flour quality.

Mangoes are naturally very rich subtropical fruit with unique flavor, fragrance, taste and health promoting compounds like phytochemicals which consists of carotenoids, phenolic, alkaloids, nitrogen containing compounds and organo sulphur. Out of which carotenoids and phenolic are most important healthy ingredients. The different cultivars popularly available in Bihar are – Amrapali, Maldah, Jardalu and Sinduri. Amrapali and Maldah cultivars are very popular in North Bihar as well as Central Bihar while Jardalu is famous particularly in Bhagalpur (Vikramshila region). Sinduri cultivar of mango is common in South Bihar. All the four cultivars of mango were collected and investigated for carotenoids, phenolics, reducing sugar and other parameters in the peels and pulps of green mature (GM) stage and fully ripe (FR) stages of all the cultivars. Carotenoids contents and phenolic contents in all the four cultivars of mangoes were analyzed by solvent extraction method followed by spectrophotometric method. Among the different mango cultivars Amrapali contains the highest amount of carotenoids which is about 27 mg/100g followed by Maldah containing about 22.34 mg/100g. Jardalu and Sinduri cultivars contains 20.45 mg/100g and 21.67 mg/100g respectively. With respect to total phenolic again Amrapali cultivar is found to be the richest with 78mg GAE/100g in its peel. Maldah and Jardalu have almost the same content of phenolics with 40; 44 mg GAE/100 g and 300; 305.49 mg GAE/100g of their pulp and peels respectively. The Sinduri cultivar has been found to possess the lowest content of total phenolics with 30.29 mg GAE/100 g and 269.85 mg GAE/100 g of its pulp and peels respectively. For all the cultivars peels were found with greater contents of phenolics than that of pulp but for Amrapali and Maldah the carotenoids content were found less in their peels than their pulp, but for the rest two varieties the carotenoids content is slightly greater in peels than pulp.

The species of the genus Camellia arise in southeast Asia, with 80 percent of the species coming from China. These include economically important C. sinensis (Tea) and C. oleifera (oil) and the decorative C. japonica, C. reticulata and C. sasanqua etc.As camellias had been cultivated for very long time, and had been developed as much popular throughout the world, a very large number of camellias had been cultivated. So far, over 23,000 cultivars, with nearly 45,000 cultivar names including synonyms, have been registered or published. In order to strengthen the system of validity by prior publication, prevent further duplication when selecting names for new cultivars, and assist in clearing up some of the confusion that still clings to a few of the old cultivar names, it is urgently needed to have a dataset to include all camellia cultivars in the long history throughout the world.The camellia cultivar Names were widely collected from books and journals and new registrations through the world, and reviewed by experts in the online working platform, the Database of International Camellia Register. After treating some important issues existed in camellia names, especially those plenty of re-used names and diacritical marks etc. in Japanese cultivars, a dataset of Camellia names was summarized from the year of 1253 to 2019 throughout the world (Table 1). So far totally 45,210 cultivar names were released by different countries, including 23,887 accepted names and 21,323 synonyms or other names. Excluding 3,944 names believed extinct, totally 19,944 cultivar names are present used. Among camellia cultivars, most of them (23,449) were for ornamental, 429 for tea, 228 for oil. Most cultivars (ca. 76.10%) were from C. japonica and its hybrids (19,050), around 5.73% cultivars were from C. sasanqua and its hybrids (1,434), and about 5.72% were from C. reticulata and its hybrids (1,432). Top five origin countries are USA (7,502 cultivars), Japan (6,592), Italy (2,833), China (2,066) and Australia (1,216). After analyzing the relationship of cultivar numbers in different years and countries, the development history of Camellia had close related with those of countries in the world. It is the most comprehensive dataset in the genus Camellia throughout the world managed by International Camellia Registration team, which will facilitate quick reference and scientific naming for breeders, and utilization of camellias through the Belt and Road Initiative.

The effects of polyaspartic acid and different controlled-release fertilizers with urea on dry matter accumulation and distribution, nitrogen absorption and accumulation, and the activities of enzymes involved nitrogen metabolism and yield of corn were studied by using xianyu (XY688), a maize nitrogen efficient cultivar, and Jifeng NO.2 (JF2), a maize nitrogen-inefficient cultivar, as experimental materials and through random blocks experimental design in 2019. For XY688, polyaspartic acid chelated nitrogen fertilizer (PASPN) had the highest yield, which was 21.34% higher than N0 treatment. For JF2, it also had the highest yield under PASPN combined urea treatment, which was 23.44% higher than N0 (no nitrogen fertilizer), and JF2 had a 9.7% lower yield under XY688 treatment. For XY688, PASPN treatment had the largest nitrogen uptake in grain, up to 3.14 kg/hm2, and PASPN treatment increased 17.4% compared with N0. For JF2, grain nitrogen uptake was also the highest under PASPN treatment, which was significantly different from other treatments. Nitrogen uptake was 3.16 kg/hm2, which increased 37.4% compared with N0. Compared with JF2, XY688 showed higher nitrogen uptake efficiency, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and partial nitrogen productivity. For XY688, the highest nitrogen absorption efficiency was SU3 (slow-release urea and ordinary urea) treatment (0.36 kg/kg). The partial nitrogen productivity and harvest index of PASPN treatment were the highest and significantly different from other treatments. The partial nitrogen productivity of PASPN treatment was 57.02 kg/kg. These results can provide help for the further researches of the rational utilization and absorption of nitrogen fertilizer., Graphical abstract

A study was performed to assess the preference of fourteen mango cultivars for fruit flies and their management by bagging. So the choice of Tephritid flies to mango cultivars during fruiting phase is crucial. Fourteen different cultivars of mango viz., ‘Dusehri’, ‘Malda’, ‘Langra’ early cultivars, ‘Chaunsa’, ‘Fajri Klan’, ‘Sensation’ medium whereas ‘Sanglakhi’, ‘Retaul-12’, ‘Mehmood Khan’, ‘Tukhmi’, ‘Kala Chaunsa’, ‘Chitta Chaunsa’, ‘Dai Wala’ and ‘Sobey De Ting’ late cultivars were assessed for their suitability for fruit flies. The results indicate that the population density of fruit flies was higher on late cultivars like ‘Sanglakhi’ (20.61 percent), ‘Mehmood Khan’ (20.22 percent) and ‘Reutal-12’ (19.92 percent) were proved to be highly susceptible to fruit flies. Among these the cultivar ‘Reutal-12’ was selected being commercial and future cultivar for the management of fruit flies through bagging. The results reported that the attack of tephritid fruit flies and other insect pests were zero in bagged fruits as compared with control. It was further recorded that the bagged fruits has maximum average fruit weight i.e. 203.50 and 197.83 g per fruit was noted in those treatments where butter paper bag and brown paper bag was wrapped with better coloration as compared with un-bagged fruit with 159.5 gram per fruit. Similarly, on an average fruit length were more i.e. 90.17, 91.33 mm in bagged fruit and 85.33 in un-bagged fruits. Furthermore, bagged fruits have zero incidence of disease with reduced fruit crack, fruit sunburn, mechanical damage, bird damage, fruit blemished and agrochemical residues on the fruit. So, it is concluded that the special attention should be given on ‘Reutal-12’ for the management of fruit flies when devising an IPM program for the control of fruit flies. Further, bagging has proved to be the good agricultural practices for the production of quality mango.

The mango cultivar 'Honey Gold' (HG) was developed in Queensland, Australia. Ripe defect-free HG fruit are characterized by bright yellow skin with red blush on their sun-exposed shoulders. HG mangoes are mostly grown from the Northern Territory down though Queensland into northern New South Wales (nNSW). As with many mango cultivars, HG suffers from a range of skin disorders. However, HG mango fruit grown in nNSW almost uniquely express a blotchy 'skin reddening' disorder that detracts from their visual appeal. The non-uniform reddening, which can encompass 'red lenticels', appears to be a host defense response. Causal agents of the reddening disorder are currently elusive. There may be a range of pre- and postharvest abiotic and/or biotic stresses, and they could be additive. A number of physical and chemical treatments were applied pre- or postharvest with a view to either suppress (i.e., prevent) or enhance (i.e., mask) uneven skin reddening. The physical treatments included preharvest fruit bagging and post-harvest exposure to different wavelengths of light. These physical treatments are considered in this paper. The chemical treatments included known modulators of host defense and ethylene responses. Those treatments are not reported in this short paper. However, among the full suite of treatments tested, one only notably influenced skin reddening. In this case, postharvest exposure to blue light increased reddening. Future research with HG will build on this initially promising finding.

This work investigated the effects of seven pollination bag treatments on three varieties of sorghum for: grain loss to birds; total weight of five panicles (g); total grain weight of five panicles (g); average grain weight per panicle (g); germination per cent; and occurrence of grain mold during 2016. Varieties were: 1167048 hybrid (brown seeded); BR007B (red seeded); and P9401 (white seeded). The bag treatments were: 1. No bagging; 2. Kraft paper; 3. Kraft paper + plastic bag screen; 4 Used duraweb® SG1; 5. Used duraweb® SG2; 6. New duraweb® SG1; 7. New duraweld® SG2. High bird pressure resulted in 100% seed loss on uncovered panicles and 75% under Kraft paper pollination bags. Birds preferred white seeded P9401, which led to no seed recovery under Kraft paper bags. There was virtually no bird damage with all other pollination bags. For panicle and grain yields the varieties performed in the order 1167048>BR007B>P9401. Unprotected panicles and paper bag treatments had the lowest yields. Panicles covered with the new synthetic bags exhibited 195 to 652% higher yields compared to Kraft paper bags. Varieties x bag type interactions were not important as they contributed 4 to 6% to the total sum of squares for yield traits. Germination test under normal and stress conditions showed no significant adverse effect of bag treatments on seed health. Reused bags performed as well as new bags for all of these traits. Varieties differed significantly for the occurrence of five grain mold pathogens, with highest occurrence of Alternaria, up to 40%, on 1167048 hybrid. Of the five pathogens, bag types differed significantly for Phoma with the highest occurrence of 9% on re-used duraweb®SG2 bags. Thus bags require disinfecting and cleaning before re-use. It is concluded that nonwoven synthetic bags are a better choice than the Kraft paper pollination bags for increasing the grain yield and virtually eliminating the bird damage in sorghum. Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-25T00:42:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Arenonwoven.pdf: 623145 bytes, checksum: 7630fee85d34bf4a4a695e7f85f8107e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-09-24

Summary Soybean (Glycine max) is a major contributor to the world oilseed production. Its seed oil content has been increased through soybean domestication and improvement. However, the genes underlying the selection are largely unknown.The present contribution analyzed the expression patterns of genes in the seed oil quantitative trait loci with strong selective sweep signals, then used association, functional study and population genetics to reveal a sucrose efflux transporter gene, GmSWEET39, controlling soybean seed oil content and under selection. GmSWEET39 is highly expressed in soybean seeds and encodes a plasma membrane‐localized protein. Its expression level is positively correlated with soybean seed oil content. The variation in its promoter and coding sequence leads to different natural alleles of this gene. The GmSWEET39 allelic effects on total oil content were confirmed in the seeds of soybean recombinant inbred lines, transgenic Arabidopsis, and transgenic soybean hairy roots. The frequencies of its superior alleles increased from wild soybean to cultivated soybean, and are much higher in released soybean cultivars.The findings herein suggest that the sequence variation in GmSWEET39 affects its relative expression and oil content in soybean seeds, and GmSWEET39 has been selected to increase seed oil content during soybean domestication and improvement.

Avocado pulp is widely regarded as a great source of edible oil containing fat-soluble vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (FA). However, avocado peel and seeds are also good sources of edible oil and are less explored byproducts. This paper aimed at determining the proximal composition, FA and tocopherol contents of the pulp, peel, and seeds of Quintal, Fortuna, Margarida, and Hass avocado cultivars. The pulps presented high concentrations of oleic acid. In addition, peel and seeds presented lower omega-6/omega-3 ratios than the pulp. There was also a considerable amount of tocopherol in the peel and seeds, especially in Hass peel (230.7 mg/100 g). According to the results, the peel and seeds of avocado that are considered byproducts, can be utilized in food industry.

Improving photosynthesis is considered a promising way to increase crop yield to feed a growing population. Realizing this goal requires non-destructive techniques to quantify photosynthetic variation among crop cultivars. Despite existing remote sensing-based approaches, it remains a question whether solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) can facilitate screening crop cultivars of improved photosynthetic capacity in plant breeding trials. Here we tested a hypothesis that SIF yield rather than SIF had a better relationship with the maximum electron transport rate (Jmax). Time-synchronized hyperspectral images and irradiance spectra of sunlight under clear-sky conditions were combined to estimate SIF and SIF yield, which were then correlated with ground-truth Vcmax and Jmax. With observations binned over time (i.e. group 1: 6, 7, and 12 July 2017; group 2: 31 July and 18 August 2017; and group 3: 24 and 25 July 2018), SIF yield showed a stronger negative relationship, compared with SIF, with photosynthetic variables. Using SIF yield for Jmax (Vcmax) predictions, the regression analysis exhibited an R2 of 0.62 (0.71) and root mean square error (RMSE) of 11.88 (46.86) μmol m–2 s–1 for group 1, an R2 of 0.85 (0.72) and RMSE of 13.51 (49.32) μmol m–2 s–1 for group 2, and an R2 of 0.92 (0.87) and RMSE of 15.23 (30.29) μmol m–2 s–1 for group 3. The combined use of hyperspectral images and irradiance measurements provides an alternative yet promising approach to characterization of photosynthetic parameters at plot level., A new approach to predict photosynthetic capacity based on solar-induced fluorescence yield is presented, which offers high-throughput screening of cultivars for improved photosynthesis.

Bread wheat is a major crop that has long been the focus of basic and breeding research. Assembly of its genome has been difficult because of its large size and allohexaploid nature (AABBDD genome). Following the first reported assembly of the genome of the experimental strain Chinese Spring (CS), the 10+ Wheat Genomes Project was launched to produce multiple assemblies of worldwide modern cultivars. The only Asian cultivar in the project is Norin 61, a representative Japanese cultivar adapted to grow across a broad latitudinal range, mostly characterized by a wet climate and a short growing season. Here, we characterize the key aspects of its chromosome-scale genome assembly spanning 15 Gb with a raw scaffold N50 of 22 Mb. Analysis of the repetitive elements identified chromosomal regions unique to Norin 61 that encompass a tandem array of the pathogenesis-related 13 family. We report novel copy-number variations in the B homeolog of the florigen gene FT1/VRN3, pseudogenization of its D homeolog and the association of its A homeologous alleles with the spring/winter growth habit. Furthermore, the Norin 61 genome carries typical East Asian functional variants different from CS, ranging from a single nucleotide to multi-Mb scale. Examples of such variation are the Fhb1 locus, which confers Fusarium head-blight resistance, Ppd-D1a, which confers early flowering, Glu-D1f for Asian noodle quality and Rht-D1b, which introduced semi-dwarfism during the green revolution. The adoption of Norin 61 as a reference assembly for functional and evolutionary studies will enable comprehensive characterization of the underexploited Asian bread wheat diversity.

Compositional analysis is an important component of an integrated comparative approach to assessing the food and feed safety of new crops developed using biotechnology. As part of the safety assessment of cassava brown streak disease resistant 4046 cassava, a comprehensive assessment of proximates, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, anti-nutrients, and secondary metabolites was performed on leaf and storage root samples of 4046 cassava and its non-transgenic parental control, TME 204, collected from confined field trials in Kenya and Uganda over two successive cropping cycles. Among the 100 compositional components that were assessed in samples of 4046 and control TME 204 cassava roots (47 components) and leaves (53 components), there were no nutritionally relevant differences noted. Although there were statistically significant differences between the transgenic and control samples for some parameters, in most cases the magnitudes of these differences were small (