Studies on the effect of induced polyploidy on yield and phytochemical content in <i>Centella asiatica </i>(L.) Urban

This paper aimed to explore the correlation between Morus alba L. leaf node and its size or mass change and provide a theoretical basis for the development of scientific Morus alba L. cultivation technology. During 2016-2017, the correlation between Morus alba L. leaf node and its size or mass change was investigated and researched. Results showed that through the correlation coefficient analysis, there was a weakly positive correlation between the leaf node and some indicators such as leaf length÷leaf width and petiole length, there was a weakly negative correlation between the leaf node and some indicators such as leaf width,( leaf length+ leaf width), ( leaf length×leaf) width and leaf mass, and there was a weakly negative correlation between the leaf node and the other indicators; there was a highly positive correlation between the leaf mass and some indicators such as Morus alba L. leaf length, leaf width, (leaf length+ leaf width) and (leaf length×leaf width), there was a significantly positive correlation between the leaf mass and some indicators such as petiole transverse diameter in width and petiole mass, and there was a weakly positive correlation between the leaf mass and some indicators such as petiole transverse diameter in thickness. In terms of significant level of difference, it was found that there was not significant difference in the correlation coefficients between the leaf nodes on the Morus alba L. shoots and some indicators such as leaf length, leaf width, (leaf length+ leaf width), (leaf length×leaf width) and leaf mass; there was an extremely significant difference in the correlation coefficients between the leaf mass and some indicators such as Morus alba L. leaf length, leaf width,( leaf length+ leaf width),( leaf length×leaf width), petiole transverse diameter in width and petiole mass; there was not significant difference in the correlation coefficients between the leaf mass and the other indicators. The regression analysis was performed on the leaf node and leaf length, leaf width, (leaf length＋leaf width), (leaf length×leaf width),( leaf length÷leaf width), petiole length , petiole diameter in width, petiole diameter in thickness, petiole mass and leaf mass. Significance F values were 0.4864, 0.1995, 0.2888, 0.3004, 0.2350, 0.2407, 0.8925, 0.5227, 0.7022 and 0.2000, respectively, that is, there was an extremely significant difference between Morus alba L. leaf node and petiole diameter in width, there was a significant difference between Morus alba L. leaf node and petiole mass, and there was not significant difference between Morus alba L. leaf node and the other indicators. The comparative analysis of quadratic curve regression equation and linear regression equation was performed on some indicators such as leaf length, and it was found that the R value between the leaf node and petiole diameter in width was in line with the logarithmic curve regression equation, and the other R values of quadratic curve regression equation was larger than the other R values of linear regression equation, indicating that different Morus alba L. leaf nodes, leaf length, leaf mass and other indicators were in line with the quadratic curve regression equation. It was concluded that by investigating the leaf node on the Morus alba L. shoots and regression equation, we could predict the leaf size, leaf mass and other indicators, and we could take the leaf node on the Morus alba L. shoots as one of the main factors affecting the Morus alba L. leaf size and mass.

The exposure to any kind of stress tends to accelerate the secondary metabolism in medicinal plants increasing the production of secondary metabolites. The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of moisture stress (100, 75, 50, 25 and 10% pot capacity) and control (as without plant) on growth, yield and metabolite content of Centella asiatica var. ‘Arka Prabhavi’, for two growing seasons under polyhouse conditions. Results revealed that moisture stress treatments had a significant effect on all observed growth and yield traits. Plants maintained at 100% PC exhibited luxurious vegetative growth with maximum leaf length (6.28 cm), leaf breadth (8.14 cm), petiole length (22.32 cm) and fresh biomass yield (164 g/pot). Cumulative water transpired and water use efficiency of the plants was also observed to be maximum at 100% PC. In contrary to biomass yield, increased asiaticoside (1.864%, 1.892%), madecassoside (2.856%, 3.382%) and total triterpenoid content (5.356%, 5.578%) at higher moisture stress levels of 75% and 50% PC, respectively, was observed. Hence, it is appropriate to grow Centella either at 100% or 75% PC to get optimum biomass and metabolite yield on a commercial scale.

Morphological variability of Euphorbia sepium N.E. Br. across the Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean zones of Benin Republic (West Africa): Implications for conservation

In order to clarify the relationship of leaf characteristics and growth of <em>Catalpa bungei</em> and provide a theoretical basis for clone selection in <em>Catalpa bungei</em>, the growth and leaf morphology characteristics of 61 <em>Catalpa bungei</em> clones were studied. The results showed that significant variances were found in leaf length, width, width/length, leaf stalk length, specific leaf mass, Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and height among 61 clones. Leaf length, width and leaf stalk length were positively correlated with each other. Leaf length and leaf stalk length were positively related to DBH and height and leaf width was positively related to height. This suggests that leaf morphological indices, such as leaf length, leaf stalk length and leaf width, can predict the tree growth for <em>Catalpa bungei</em> clones, which would be helpful for clonal selection in future.

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban (Apiaceae) is a commercial medicinal plant, which is rich in pentacyclic triterpenes (PTs) named centellosides including asiaticoside and madecassoside as triterpene saponins in addition to their corresponding sapogenins (asiatic acid and madecassic acid). These are well-known bioactive compounds in C. asiatica due to their extensive applications in medicinal and cosmetic industries. In the present study, variability and association of agro-morphological and phytochemical traits in the three Iranian C. asiatica ecotypes were studied to select the best ecotype for further domestication, breeding, and commercial exploitation programs. Among the studied samples, Aziz-Kian showed the highest content of the total PTs, asiaticoside, and madecassoside. The highest leaf length, leaf width, and content of PTs especially asiatic acid were determined in Abkenar ecotype. The highest correlation (0.99) was obtained between asiaticoside and madecassoside. Internode length, leaf length, petiole diameter, petiole length, root diameter, and root length were significantly correlated with total PTs. Cluster analysis based on phytochemical and phenotypical data allocated ecotypes into three different groups. Principle component analysis revealed that leaf length, leaf width, petiole diameter, petiole length, root per node, and asiatic acid had the highest contribution in classification. The studied samples were divided into two distinct chemotypes including I (asiaticoside and madecassoside) and II (asiatic acid and madecassic acid). Based on path analysis, internode length, root diameter, and leaf length can be highly recommended for the plant breeding purposes. These findings can be considered in further breeding programs to release high-yielding cultivar of C. asiatica rich in centellosides.

Batik industry produces waste water containing chromium which can be harmful for ecosystem and human health. There had been research aimed to find out the influence of batik dye waste water in Parakannyasag Tasikmalaya on the growth of Pistia stratiotes L. Material of P. stratiotes was obtained from Indihiang rice field, Tasikmalaya. Waste water was taken from disposal of home batik dye industry in Parakannyasag Tasikmalaya. Study design used a Complete Randomized Design (RAL) with 5 treatments (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and 5 replications. The growth parameter include root length, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, leaf broad, stolon number, stolon length, fresh weight and calculated of Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Doubling Time (DT) and leaf chlorophyll content were observed, The result showed growth of P. stratiotes at 25% concentration of wastewater was root length 2,2 cm, leaf number 3,5 strands, leaf length 0,3 mm, leaf width 0,4 mm, leaf broad 1,7 mm, stolon number 1,3 pieces, stolon length 1,8 cm and fresh weight 4,4 g; At 50% consentration of waste water showed root length 11,2 cm, leaf number 5,7 strands, leaf length 0,39 mm, leaf width 0,17 mm, leaf broad 1,3 mm, stolon number 1,6 pieces, length of stolon 2,6 cm and fresh weight 3,6 g. At 75% of waste water consentration showed, root length 5,5 cm, lef number4,8 strands, leaf length -0,1 mm, leaf width 0,1 mm, leaf broad -0,4 mm, stolon number 1,1 pieces, stolon length 2,0 cm and fresh weight 3,0 g; At 100% consentration of waste water showed root length 6,6 cm, leaf number 3,8 strands, leaf length -0,3 mm, leaf width -0,2 mm, leaf broad -0,5 mm, stolon number 0,9 pieces, length 1,9 cm stolon and fresh weight 2,9 g. The highest RGR value at 25% of wastewater concentration demonstrated 0,02 g/day and the highest DT value at 75% concentration of waste water demonstrated 48,0 days. The highest growth of root organs occured at 50% concentration of waste water and caused in optimum growth of P. stratiotes.

Variations in leaf characteristics of six species of Sagittaria (alismataceae) caused by various water levels

Due to the suitable climatic conditions, Iran is one of the most important growing centre for wild and domesticated species/varieties of almond. Because of the adaptability of wild almond species to severe environmental conditions and resistance to drought, salinity and some pest and diseases, these can be used as rootstock for almond cultivars and in breeding programs for rootstock improvement in Iran. In this study, seeds of Amygdalous scoparia, A.webbii and A. orientalis were planted. The analysis of variance showed a significant difference between species. However, A. scoparia had highest stem height and leaf length. At the end of the experiment, the thickest stems were developed by A. scoparia, whereas the thinnest stems by A. orientalis. A. webbii produced more number and longer roots per seedling than the other two species. The correlation between various morphological traits showed that a few shoot characters were significantly correlated with root traits. However, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, root number and root diameter for P. webbii, and leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length and root number characters for P.scoparia, and stem height, leaf number, leaf length, petiole length, internode length and root number for P. orientalis were found to be important morphological traits to evaluate seedling charactristics of wild almond genotypes before their nursery test.

Due to the suitable climatic conditions, Iran is one of the most important growing centre for wild and domesticated species/varieties of almond. Because of the adaptability of wild almond species to severe environmental conditions and resistance to drought, salinity and some pest and diseases, these can be used as rootstock for almond cultivars and in breeding programs for rootstock improvement in Iran. In this study, seeds of Amygdalous scoparia, A.webbii and A. orientalis were planted. The analysis of variance showed a significant difference between species. However, A. scoparia had highest stem height and leaf length. At the end of the experiment, the thickest stems were developed by A. scoparia, whereas the thinnest stems by A. orientalis. A. webbii produced more number and longer roots per seedling than the other two species. The correlation between various morphological traits showed that a few shoot characters were significantly correlated with root traits. However, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, root number and root diameter for P. webbii, and leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length and root number characters for P.scoparia, and stem height, leaf number, leaf length, petiole length, internode length and root number for P. orientalis were found to be important morphological traits to evaluate seedling charactristics of wild almond genotypes before their nursery test.

During the Rabi season, the Department of Horticulture at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University Lucknow (U.P.) conducted research on the effect of different cuttings and varieties on the Horticulture Research Farm. The experiment was conducted in a RBD design with 16 treatments and two factor varieties (V1 Chandrika, V2 Pusa Jyoti, V3 All Green, and V4 Palak Katadar) and treatment (C0 no cutting, C1 cutting 1, C2 cutting 2, and C3 cutting 3). We found that the effect of cutting on vegetative growth parameters, viz., plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, leaf petiole length, and germination percentage, is significant. We found that cutting C0 had a significant influence on the growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length), with the minimum observed at C3, the maximum germination observed at C1 as compared to C2 treatment, and the least germination recorded at C0 treatment. While plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, and germination percentage have a greater influence on Pusa jyoti (V2) than on All Green (V3), minimums are reported for Chandrika (V1).Find that combination V2C3 getting maximum green yield per unit area and per unit time.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is cultivated in temperate climates worldwide to produce sugar. The production of sugar beet and other plants is in danger due to the world’s increasingly salinized soils. Although different sugar beet genotypes exist at various ploidy levels, most of them are diploid (2X) with 18 chromosomes. The majority of polyploid plants have different variations, morphologies, and anatomy. Diploid and polyploid plants especially have different morphology, physiology, cellularity, and biochemistry. As a result, polyploidy has been identified as an essential component in determining plant salt tolerance. To evaluate the effects of salt (NaCl) stress on sugar beet genotypes, diploid (2X), triploid (3X), and tetraploid (4X) genotypes were exposed to 0 (control), 50, and 150 mM NaCl concentrations for seven weeks. Under control conditions, the diploid (2X) genotype showed higher growth performance compared to the tetraploid (4X) and triploid (3X) genotypes, respectively. Regarding germination and early-stage growth performance, a reduction of about 50% was observed in the diploid (2X) genotype under salt stress compared to the control condition. The diploid (2X) genotype showed higher germination, a greater salt tolerance index, and better seedling growth performance than the other ploidy levels. Late-stage growth, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, cytological findings, and total chlorophyll content were all shown to be higher and less reduced (around 30%) under salt stress in diploid (2X) genotypes. Even though all of the findings in this study showed a decrease when plants were exposed to salt (NaCl), the diploid (2X) ploidy level plants displayed more robust growth and development than the triploid (3X) and tetraploid (4X) genotypes.

ABSTRACTCommercial viability of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) as a biofuel will require further improvements of biomass yield to improve sustainability. Direct selection for biomass yield in switchgrass has proven difficult due to the many factors influencing biomass yield. The identification of morphological traits associated with biomass yield could increase the efficiency of breeding efforts if these traits can be used as indirect selection criteria. By allowing increased screening and greater intensity of selection for biomass yield within spaced‐plant nurseries, these results may impact how phenotypic selection is used for switchgrass cultivar development. The objective of this research was to identify morphological traits in parental plants that are predictive of biomass yield in progeny swards. Results of this research demonstrate the challenges of selecting for increased biomass yield in switchgrass within spaced‐plant nurseries. Limited predictive ability was observed using individual and combinations of plant morphological traits. Comparisons of models with varying subsets of traits revealed common traits among the best predictive models including plant height, single‐plant dry biomass, and second leaf width. Predictions of single‐plant biomass, using the same set of morphological traits, revealed a large effect for tillering related traits. The observation that different traits affect biomass yield differently in the two planting types may indicate an effect of plant competition on the relationship of these traits with biomass yield. While these traits can help guide selections for a preferred plant ideotype, additional efforts to improve selection schemes for increasing biomass yield will be necessary for sustained genetic gain in switchgrass.

Morphological, phenotypical and yield attributing characteristics of 20 mulberry genotypes were evaluated. Genotypic and phenotypic variations, heritability, genetic advance and correlation co-efficient were also estimated. It was found that the phenotypic co-efficient of variation (PCV) was higher (97.68%) than genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV, 96.99%). The broad sense heritability for these traits ranged from 98.60 (AL) to 4.69 (LLS). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded for the characters apex length (AL), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf petiole ratio (LPR) and petiole length (PL) suggesting the higher genetic control over these traits. Significant positive correlations to leaf yield/plant were observed for the characters, namely total shoot weight (0.817), longest shoot length (0.600), total branch height (0.596) and leaves fresh weight/10 leaves (0.425). Leaf yield showed significantly positive phenotypic and genotypic correlations with all other growth traits (viz., total shoot weight 0.817, length of longest shoot 0.600, total branch height 0.596 and leaves fresh weight/10 leaves 0.425) except total branch number, nodes per meter, leaf width and petiole length. High genetic advance as percentage of mean coupled with heritability was observed on AL, LL, LW, LPR, PL and 10 fresh leaves weight suggesting the prevalence of additive gene action with low environmental influence for the determination of these characters and could be effective in phenotypic selection. Analysis of variances (ANOVA) for characters such as AL, LL, LW, LPR and PL showed significant variations among the genotypes. Since mulberry is mainly cultivated for leaf yield, genotypes having higher AL, LL, LW and LPR and PL must be given importance during parent selection to evolve high yielding varieties across different seasons in mulberry.

Centella asiatica L., commonly known as Indian pennywort is one of the chief herbs having a lot of medicinal properties and is used extensively both in traditional and modern medicine. However, the unrestricted exploitation coupled with the limited cultivation has threatened their survival and is now included in the list of endangered species. In the present study, fifteen accessions of Centella asiatica have been assessed for the morphological characterization and genetic variability to identify superior genotypes. Genetic variability parameters (phenotypic coefficient of variation, genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, and the genetic advance) have been evaluated using ANOVA for twelve morphological characters such as shoot length, leaf length, leaf width, rosette diameter, petiole length, fresh leaf weight, and dry leaf weight, etc. Genetic divergence using D2 analysis has been performed by dividing the accessions into five clusters based on the morphological characters. The results showed that the maximum intra-cluster distance has been found in cluster IV (24.45) followed by cluster I (22.13) and cluster III (21.67), whereas the maximum inter-cluster distance has been found between clusters IV and III (40.45) followed by cluster V and IV (36.81). Thus, the germplasm which includes clusters III and IV can be used in crop improvement using breeding programs.

A total of 660 individual plants ofMalva parviflora, a medicinal plant in many countries, growing in two bioclimatic regions were randomly collected with the aim of examining the differences in the allometry of this herbaceous plant growing in two bioclimatic regions. Allometric relationships were found in plant height, stem width, leaf area, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, and leaf dry weight whereas no relationship was found between plant height or petiole length with specific leaf area. Plants growing in the cool bioclimatic region showed that plant height increases more than the increase in stem width, leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length while plants growing in the warm bioclimatic region showed that plant height increase was lower than that of stem width, leaf length, leaf width, and petiole length. Plant height relationship with root length indicated that in the cool region the plant height increase was less than the increase in the root length while the opposite occurred in the warm region. These differences can be explained by the effects of the different environmental conditions present in the two bioclimatic regions such as water scarcity and availability on the growth ofM. parviflora.