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Background and Aims Inflorescence numbers per shoot and their size vary between seasons and may, within a season, be affected by pruning systems, bud position along a cane and the size of the cane. A grapevine inflorescence typically has a main rachis and a tendril, which may or may not have flowers (an outer arm). The aim of this study was to identify the effect of these factors during inflorescence primordia (IP) initiation on the resulting number of inflorescences per shoot and their architecture. Methods and Results Two-cane, four-cane and spur-pruned Sauvignon Blanc vines were used to investigate changes in inflorescence number, distribution and architecture over two growing seasons. The pruning system had no effect on the inflorescence number per shoot (fruitfulness), inflorescence architecture or distribution at a given cane node number. There were differences in inflorescence number and structure between the seasons, likely associated with air temperatures during primordia initiation. A warmer initiation period was associated with an increase in the occurrence of flowers on the outer arm and lower positions of the basal inflorescences (shoot bud position). An increase in cane cross-sectional area correlated to an increase in fruitfulness and an increase in the average occurrence of an outer arm with flowers along a cane. Conclusions Inflorescence number, the position of the basal inflorescence on the developing shoot and the development of the outer arm are affected by the bud position of the shoot along a cane, the cross-sectional area of the cane and the season. Our results suggest that initiation of IP may occur at the same time for all bud positions along a shoot, so long as they are free from inhibiting factors. Significance of the Study Cane selection can be used to modify inflorescence number and architecture and thus the potential yield of grapevines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents abstracts of articles about human nutrition. Endemic goiter with iodine sufficiency; Nutritional effects of red wine; Short-term effectiveness of mandatory iodization of table salts; Iron absorption in men consuming diets with a high or low iron bioavailability.

BACKGROUND: Deficiencies of iodine, iron, and vitamin A are the 3 most common micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries, although control programs, when properly implemented, can be effective. OBJECTIVE: We investigated these deficiencies and their possible interaction in preschool children in the southern Blue Nile area of Sudan. DESIGN: Goiter, signs of vitamin A deficiency, and biochemical markers of thyroid, vitamin A, and iron status were assessed in 984 children aged 1-6 y. RESULTS: The goiter rate was 22. 3%. The median urinary iodine concentration was 0.79 micromol/L and 19.3% of the children had a concentration >1.57 micromol/L. Although serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations were within reference ranges, the median thyrotropin concentration was 3.78 mIU/L and 44% of the children had thyrotropin concentrations above normal. The mean urinary thiocyanate concentration was high (259 +/- 121 micromol/L). The prevalences of Bitot spots and night blindness were 2.94% and 2.64%, respectively, and 32% of the subjects had serum retinol binding protein concentrations <15 mg/L. A significant positive correlation was observed between thyrotropin and retinol binding protein. Whereas 88% of the children had hemoglobin concentrations <1.86 mmol/L, only 13.5% had serum ferritin concentrations below the cutoff of 12 microg/L and 95% had serum transferrin concentrations above the cutoff of 2.50 g/L. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that goiter is endemic in this region of Sudan despite iodine sufficiency and that both anemia and vitamin A deficiency are health problems in the area. Moreover, consumption of millet, vitamin A deficiency, and protein-energy malnutrition are possible etiologic factors in this endemic area. Copyright © 2000 American Society for Clinical Nutrition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Inflorescence primordia ( IP) development starts in the buds of leaf axils approximately 12 months before flowering. Primordia initiation progresses acropetally as the shoot develops, although little is known about the timing of initiation at different node positions up the developing shoot. Girdling and/or leaf removal treatments were used to investigate the timing of development and structure of grapevine inflorescences at different positions along the shoot. Methods and Results Individual shoots were either girdled at their base shortly after fruitset or left intact. Leaves were then removed from those shoots on four occasions from the time of girdling to natural leaf fall in the autumn. Dormant latent buds from treatment shoots (shoot node positions one to ten) were grown as single-node cuttings ( SNCs) in a glasshouse, and the inflorescence number per SNC and their architecture were scored on developing shoots. Girdling fully leafed shoots increased the proportion of SNC basal inflorescences with an outer arm but had no effect on the number of inflorescences per SNC. Girdled shoots that had their leaves removed at 0 or 4 weeks post-fruitset had a decrease in inflorescence number per SNC and outer arm development from nodes six and eight, respectively. Conclusions Inflorescence initiation before node positions six and eight was complete by the time girdling and leaf removal treatments were applied, and initiation at nodes six and eight occurred at 0 and 4 weeks post-fruitset. The development of the apical IP and the outer arm of the basal IP appears to occur at the same time. Significance of the Study This study presents novel information regarding the timing of IP initiation at different positions along the developing shoot, including the initiation and development of the outer arm. Also, the formation of an outer arm is shown to be sensitive to girdling and/or leaf removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]