Flower Buds Research Articles

Screening of flower bud differentiation conditions and changes in metabolite content of Phalaenopsis pulcherrima

Using the Phalaenopsis pulcherrima (P. pulcherrima) as the test material, the optimal conditions for flower bud differentiation were selected by setting different photoperiods and temperatures. The process of flower bud differentiation was observed, and changes in the content of carbohydrates, hormones, and other metabolites during flower bud differentiation were studied. The results showed that the optimum time of illumination was 16 h. d−1 and the temperature was 30 ℃ / 25 ℃. According to the characteristics of the flower bud development of P. pulcherrima, the differentiation process can be divided into six periods: the initial differentiation phase, inflorescence primordium differentiation phase, flower primordium differentiation phase, sepal primordium differentiation phase, petal primordium differentiation phase, and column and pollinia differentiation phase. The soluble sugar content in the leaves showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. The soluble sugar content was highest 30 days after the treatment, when the differentiation of the inflorescence primordium was completed. The starch content first decreased, then increased, and finally decreased. The starch content was lowest at 30 days of treatment and highest at 35 days. The soluble protein content in the leaves reached a maximum after 30 days of treatment. With the continuous differentiation of flower buds, the soluble protein content showed an overall decreasing trend. The zeatin (ZT) content reached a maximum at day 35, showing an overall decreasing trend from days 35 to 50 and reaching a minimum at day 50. The gibberellin (GA3) and auxin (IAA) content first decreased and then increased during the process of flower bud differentiation. The changes in soluble sugar and soluble protein content during flower bud differentiation are consistent, while the changes in GA3 and IAA are consistent.

Drought-induced cell wall degradation in the base of pedicel is associated with accelerated cotton square shedding

Drought significantly impacts cotton square (flower buds with bracts) shedding, directly affecting yield. To address the internal physiological mechanisms of drought affecting cotton square shedding, a polyethylene glycol-simulated drought study was conducted with Dexiamian 1 and Yuzaomian 9110 to investigate cell wall degradation changes in the base of pedicel where the detachment of cotton square takes place, and its relationship with cotton square shedding. Results revealed significant decreases in cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin contents in the base of square pedicel, leading to cell wall degradation and consequent square shedding. Furthermore, drought stress exacerbated the hydrolysis of cellulose and pectin in the base of pedicel, although not hemicellulose, resulting in more noticeable alterations in the morphology and structure of the base of pedicel, such as more significant degradation in the epidermis, cortex, and phloem. Regarding the cellulose hydrolysis, drought mainly increased the expression of genes β-glucosidase (GhBG1) and endoglucanase (GhEG1), and the activity of β-glucosidase and endoglucanase in the base of pedicel, promoting the conversion of cellulose to cellobiose, and eventually glucose. Regarding the pectin hydrolysis, drought significantly enhanced the expression of the gene pectin methylase (GhPE1), thereby accelerating pectin hydrolysis to generate polygalacturonic acid. Additionally, drought increased the expression of genes pectin lyase (GhPL1) and polygalacturonase (GhPG1), as well as the activity of pectin lyase, which further accelerated the hydrolysis of polygalacturonic acid into galacturonic acid. These findings suggest that drought mainly promotes cellulose and pectin hydrolysis in the base of pedicel, hastening cell wall degradation and final cotton square shedding.

Metabolites of blueberry roots at different developmental stages strongly shape microbial community structure and intra-kingdom interactions at the root-soil interface

The rhizosphere microorganisms of blueberry plants have long coexisted with their hosts under distinctively acidic soil conditions, exerting a profound influence on host performance through mutualistic symbiotic interactions. Meanwhile, plants can regulate rhizosphere microorganisms by exerting host effects to meet the functional requirements of plant growth and development. However, it remains unknown how the developmental stages of blueberry plants affect the structure, function, and interactions of the rhizosphere microbial communities. Here, we examined bacterial communities and root metabolites at three developmental stages (flower and leaf bud development stage, fruit growth and development stage, and fruit maturation stage) of blueberry plants. The results revealed that the Shannon and Chao 1 indices as well as community composition varied significantly across all three developmental stages. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria significantly increased by 10 % (p < 0.05) from stage 1 to stage 2, whereas that of Proteobacteria decreased significantly. The co-occurrence network analysis revealed a relatively complex network with 1179 edges and 365 nodes in the stage 2. Niche breadth was highest at stage 2, while niche overlap tended to increase as the plant developed. Furthermore, the untargeted metabolome analysis revealed that the number of differential metabolites of vitamins, nucleic acids, steroids, and lipids increased between stage 1 to stage2 and stage 2 to stage 3, while those for differential metabolites of carbohydrates and peptides decreased. Significant changes in expression levels of levan, L-glutamic acid, indoleacrylic acid, oleoside 11-methyl ester, threo-syringoylglycerol, gingerglycolipid B, and bovinic acid were highly correlated with the bacterial community structure. Collectively, our study reveals that significant alterations in dominant bacterial taxa are strongly correlated with the dynamics of root metabolites. These findings lay the groundwork for developing prebiotic products to enhance the beneficial effects of root microorganisms and boosting blueberry productivity via a sustainable approach.

Effects of Actinomycete Act12 on Soil Microbial Community Structure and Plant Traits of Ziziphus jujuba Mill.

Biocontrol agents play a crucial role in agricultural production by reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, controlling pests and diseases, and enhancing crop yield and quality. While extensive research has focused on the growth-promoting and yield-increasing effects of biocontrol agents on herbaceous plants, their impact on woody crops such as trees and shrubs has not been reported. This study investigates the effects of the actinomycete strain Act12, applied via root drenching and foliar spraying, on the flowering and fruit set rates, leaf physiology and enzyme activity, and fruit characteristics and yield of the jujube tree (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.). Additionally, this study analyzes the physicochemical properties of the soil and the diversity and community structure of its microorganisms. The results indicate that treatment with Act12 significantly altered the α and β diversity of soil microorganisms and enhanced the interaction networks among them. This led to increased levels of available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil, significantly improving nutrient availability. Consequently, there was an improvement in the number of flower buds and fruits, as well as an increase in the longitudinal diameter and individual fruit weight of the jujube. These effects significantly enhanced the yield and total sugar content of the winter jujube. Given these findings, Act12 can be considered an effective microbial agent for enhancing the yield and quality of winter jujube when applied to the soil.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an Effective Indicator for Screening of Quorum Sensing Inhibition by Plant Extracts

Quorum sensing is a well-known mechanism used by many bacteria to control important virulence factors through the production and subsequent response to N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). Quorum sensing inhibition (QSI), targeting AHL-dependent signalling, has been reported as a strategy for the control of bacterial pathogenicity. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the capability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as an indicator to rapidly screen for potential QSI caused by plant extracts based on pigment inhibition. Four ethanolic plant extracts including: dried flower buds of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L), bark of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia L), leaves of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam), and Al-Gutub (Tribulus terrestris L) dried fruits were investigated for their QSI ability in comparison with furanone (the known QS inhibitor). Agar well diffusion assay was used, in which the indicator isolate, P. aeruginosa, was inoculated onto Pseudomonas special agar medium containing 8 mm wells to load different concentrations of the plant extracts along with furanone or phosphate buffered saline (negative control). The results showed that furanone was successful in inhibiting the pyocyanin pigment of P. aeruginosa without interfering with the bacterial growth, this verified the ability of this bacterium as a potent QS indicator organism. Importantly, clove extract at different concentrations caused complete inhibition of the pyocyanin pigment with little impact on the bacterial growth. On the use of cinnamon, only the high concentrations showed clear dye inhibition of the indicator organism. Moringa also caused certain degree of dye inhibition but only at high concentrations. Conversely, Al-Gutub neither affected on the pyocyanin production nor on the bacterial viability. In conclusion, P. aeruginosa isolate, pyocyanin producer, was successful in the screening of QS inhibitors. This simple study recommends the use of such isolate without relying on the import of certain strains of Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aureofaciens, or Agrobacterium tumefaciens‎‎‎‎‎.

The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and development of Stevia plants cultured in vitro

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is an essential herbal plant used as a sweetener. The demand for stevia is growing due to its low caloric and medicinal value, hence the need for a more thorough investigation of its nutritional and biological properties. Nanoparticles of metal oxides have been found to have broad applications in agriculture for the stimulation of plant growth and development. The study aimed to assess the effect of various zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) concentrations on stevia plants’ quantitative and qualitative traits obtained in in vitro cultures. Micropropagation of two stevia varieties, Candy and Morita, was carried out using explants of shoot tips placed on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg dm–3 BA and 0.1 mg dm–3 IBA and with ZnONPs at concentrations of 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg dm–3. The obtained results indicated that high concentrations of ZnONPs stimulated the propagation of shoots. On the other hand, they negatively influenced shoot length, root number and length, and the fresh weight of the plantlets. The presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the medium increased the potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc content while decreasing the sodium and iron content in the regenerated stevia plantlets. The total phenolic content in the Candy variety was higher in the treatments with ZnONPs than in the control plants, while it was varied in the Morita variety. In both varieties, total antioxidant content measured by the ABTS method showed significantly higher in the treatments with 20–30 mg dm–3 ZnONPs than in the control. The content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b in the Morita variety was higher in the treatments with 10 and 20 mg dm–3 ZnONPs than in the control. On the other hand, high concentrations of ZnONPs negatively affected the content of carotenoids in both varieties. The study showed that stevia plants obtained in in vitro cultures on control media and media containing ZnONPs had a high content of valuable minerals, phytocompounds with antioxidant properties, and photosynthetic pigments.

Androgenesis in Hot Pepper by Chilli Anther Culture

In vitro androgenesis techniques play a key role in the quick generation of fully homozygous lines. This work's goal was to put the procedure for producing androgenic embryos in hot pepper populations into practice. A number of variables can affect androgenetic success, including the types and quantities of carbohydrate sources and the nature of the nutritional medium. Different sugar types were tested at different doses in anther culture of pepper to elucidate their influence on the yield of androgenesis. In this study, sucrose was used as a source of sugar, Murashige &amp; Skoog (1962-MS) medium, silver nitrate (AgNO3), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), BAP and one breeding lines of pepper were used to know the genotypic effects on haploid embryo formation. It was found that one of the key elements influencing pepper anther and microspore culture success is genotype. Also, microspore stage and the cold treatment of flower bud responsible for the success of embryo formation. This embryo formation frequency has been calculated according to the results that were generated in one month and the frequency of embryo formation is 0.7%.

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EFFICIENT MICROPROPAGATION PROTOCOLS FOR THREE KENAF (HIBISCUS CANNABINUS L.) CULTIVARS

This study was aimed to establish an efficient micropropagation protocol for three popular kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) cultivars (V36, HF992 and KB6) using different types of plant growth regulators (PGR’s) on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS). The shoot tip, cotyledon and hypocotyl isolated from 2 weeks old seedlings were used as explants. MS medium fortified with different types and concentrations of cytokinins and auxin were evaluated for establishment callus formation, shoot multiplication and rooting. Among different PGR’s used, 5.0 mg/l 2iP + 0.1 mg/l NAA was the best concentration for direct shoot regeneration from cotyledon with shooting percentage of 55% in HF992 cultivar. In multiple shoot induction experiment, 1.0 mg/l TDZ + 0.1 mg/l NAA mg/l concentration has induced the highest (10.4) shoots/explant. Moreover, indirect shoot regeneration was established from callus which was induced from cotyledon, maximum callus induction percentage (88.75%) was recorded on 0.5 mg/l TDZ and 1.0 mg/l NAA in V36 variety. While, for shoot elongation and rooting, MS media half strength supplemented with 1.0 mg/l kinetin + 1.0 mg/l IBA was found to be an optimum concentration.

Oviposition biology and seed damage by Smicronyx lutulentus Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a biological control agent of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) in South Africa

The seed-feeding weevil Smicronyx lutulentus Dietz (Curculionidae) was released in South Africa in 2015 to supplement the biological control programme against the invasive annual weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae). Larval feeding within young, developing ovules and larval-induced abortion of adjacent seeds within the flowerheads causes seed destruction, augmenting low levels of natural seed abortion. We studied female fecundity in a glasshouse trial, to identify critical periods in oviposition and inform mass-rearing and field release protocols. Newly emerged mated females displayed a pre-oviposition period of 1–2 weeks, a peak in oviposition after 7–8 weeks and a lifetime fecundity of 324–446 eggs. We also studied the relationship between weevil density and seed damage during two separate glasshouse trials, to facilitate predictions of seed damage under field conditions. Plants exposed to 15 mating pairs of weevils harboured substantially higher proportions of larval-damaged flower buds (75 %) than plants with five pairs (45–56 %) or a single pair (19 %). Larval progeny from five adult pairs caused significantly higher seed inviability (38 %) than progeny from a single pair (14 %), versus the weevil-free control (5 %). Progeny from 15 pairs damaged 30 % of developing seeds, potentially causing up to 60 % seed inviability due to enhanced abortion of neighbouring seeds. Although ≥5 females per plant caused appreciable seed damage, the proportions of unexploited new buds (25–55 %) versus buds with multiple occupancy (≥2 larvae; 35–47 %) indicate the importance of floral phenology in oviposition site selection, as flowerbuds of 2–3 mm are preferred. Although progeny from five females per plant could cause up to 30 % seed reduction, within a week of oviposition, higher densities are required to limit the entry of viable seeds into the soil seed banks.

Cost Effective Methods of in Vitro Multiple Shoot Production in Two Commercial Diploid Bananas of Kerala

Cost-effective methods for in vitro propagation of two commercial diploid bananas of Kerala, namely Musa (AB) ‘ Njalipoovan’ and Musa (AA) ‘ Nivedyakadali’ were carried out to reduce unit production cost. Sword sucker, peeper sucker and eye bud explants were found to be equally effective concerning the number of axillary shoots from a single explant in both cultivars. Sucrose 3.0 per cent and table sugar 2.0 per cent produced the maximum number of multiple shoots in Njalipoovan. In the case of Nivedyakadali, table sugar at 2.0 per cent recorded the maximum number of multiple shoots. Half strength of vitamins in full MS medium observed more multiple shoots in cv. Njalipoovan. Half a tablet of vitamin B complex (2.0mgl-1) in the medium resulted in more shoots in the case of cv. Nivedyakadali. Agar 0.7 per cent recorded a significantly higher number of multiple shoots per culture in both cultivars. The treatments involving different types of paper support (filter paper, brown paper and ordinary paper) in liquid media were inferior to agar 0.7 per cent treatment.

Isolation and evaluation of novel male sterile and self‐incompatible mutant lines of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

AbstractHeterosis has long been harnessed in crop production, and while crop fertility lays the groundwork for leveraging heterosis, there remains a dearth of comprehensive data regarding genic male sterility in mungbean. Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), being a self‐pollinating crop, exhibits significant hybrid vigour in F1 hybrid seed yield, suggesting the potential for developing hybrid varieties to propel mungbean yield beyond existing plateaus. A new male sterile mutant was induced, isolated, stabilized and evaluated, via gamma irradiation at a rate of 600 Gy, identified in the M3 generation of the GM 4 accession. A uniform male sterile line was crossbred with the wild‐type parental plant to explore the inheritance pattern of male sterility. Pollen sterility was validated through the acetocarmine test, while stigma viability was ascertained using the hydrogen peroxide. While all F1 plants displayed fertile flowers, the F2 generation showed a clear 3:1 segregation ratio for fertile to male sterile plants, indicating the control of male sterility by a single recessive gene, mms. Also, a novel existence of a truncated stigma nestled within the anther column inhibits the effective reception of pollen during anthesis, offering potential in reducing emasculation time by a slight cut on the flower bud and enhancing cross pollination during hybrid seed production. The isolation of these two mutants is poised to significantly advance the global mungbean hybrid breeding programme.

Commercial processing of Oriental lilies affects bud opening and metabolic dynamics

Lilies are a high value cut flower typically producing 4–5 flowers per stem, but the opening of young buds of Oriental hybrid lilies is often affected in cut flowers. Commercial treatment includes harvesting of the stem when the oldest bud is closed and at turning colour, approximately 2 ds before it would open on the plant. Stems are then rehydrated, stored chilled for up to 72 h and transported dry. To understand the effect of commercial treatment onu the nutrient status metabolomes were compared throughout bud opening from different positions on the stem. At each developmental stage the metabolomic profile was affected by bud position and commercial treatment. Starch accumulated as long as buds remain closed; upon bud opening starch content declined. Reciprocally, sugar levels rose during flower opening and were affected by edge/ midrib location and commercial treatment. Glucose, fructose and sucrose levels remained higher in opened flowers still on the plant. AMY2 (amylase) transcript levels rose as did those of two sugar transporters (MST6 and SWEET7). Commercial processing therefore impacts on the metabolome and the ability to accumulate sugars in the opening flower bud. Commercial treatment delayed bud opening and the effect was dependent on the position of the bud on the stem. However, it had little impact on the rate of cell expansion during flower opening. Cell expansion in the different areas of the adaxial epidermis was unaffected by the commercial treatment. Furthermore, edge and adaxial tepal cells expanded faster during opening. Expression of cell expansion related genes (EXPA1 and LoPIP1) fell as flowers opened. This differential cell expansion in the tepal sectors could underpin the transition of a convex to a concave tepal shape during opening. In conclusion, commercial processing mainly affects the early stages of bud opening. Sugar and metabolite accumulation is compromised by commercial treatment, but this did not affect the capacity for cell expansion in the tepal. Furthermore, our data indicate that differential cell expansion in the different sectors of the tepals is important in lily flower opening, and that this is associated with starch breakdown and sugar accumulation.

Enhancing Rooting and Biomass of Sugarcane Setts with Bio-Stimulant at Germination Stage

The study aims to determine the effect of the application of bio-stimulant to one-eyed and two-eyed sugarcane setts as planting materials in enhancing the rooting and biomass. The study was conducted at UNO-R School of Agriculture, Philippines from November to December 2023. Phil 2006-2289 variety was used as planting materials. The study was laid out in a two-way factorial Completely Randomized Design with the kind of materials as the main plot and the four (4) levels of concentration of bio-stimulant solutions (BSS) plus the control as the sub-plots replicated 4 times. Cane setts preparation was done a day before the planting operations. Leaf sheaths were remove and only those setts with good and viable eye buds were selected for planting. Soaking was done for 24 hours. Bio-stimulants (BSS) were diluted in water and used as a soaking solution and succeeding application was done 15 days after planting. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences among treatments on the germination, biomass accumulation, weight and length of roots, number, weight, and height of tillers applied with 500ml of BSS. There was a high significant difference on the root length and biomass as influence by type of cane setts and the levels of concentration of BSS. Two-eyed cane setts applied with 500ml of BSS got the heaviest root weight and biomass. The study recommends the use of 500ml of BSS and two-eyed cane setts in enhancing the rooting and biomass of sugarcane plants during the germination phase.

Phytochemical characterization of callus cultures from the endangered plant Crocus scepusiensis (Rehm. & Woł.) Borbás ex Kulcz.

Crocus scepusiensis (Rehm. & Woł.) Borbás ex Kulcz., a critically endangered herbaceous plant which serves as a valuable source of bioactive compounds found across Europe and Asia. The aim of this study was to produce a calli from two different plant parts (leaf and shoot tip) for the critically endangered C. scepusiensis through tissue culture techniques, characterize the resulting calli through chemical profiling, with a focus on identifying key phytoconstituents, and lay the groundwork for future research on the biological activities of these calli extracts. Leaf disc and micro shoot tip explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to induce organogenic calli. The resulting calli exhibited distinct biochemical profiles. Moreover, a phytochemical analysis was conducted to compare the metabolite composition of callus 1 (derived from leaf discs) and callus 2 (derived from shoot tips). Callus 1 displayed a higher total phenolic content (30.3558 ± 1.3564 mg (GAE)/g) compared to callus 2 (29.1543 ± 0.9754 mg (GAE)/g). Similarly, callus 1 exhibited a greater total flavonoid content (26.0089 ± 1.8029 mg (RE)/g) than callus 2 (18.4464 ± 1.4797 mg (RE)/g). Liquid chromatography-photodiode array-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of 26 and 25 constituents in callus 1 and 2, respectively. Fourteen and thirteen of these identified compounds have been previously reported in other Crocus species, with 22 constituents common to both calli. Twelve constituents were reported here in Crocus for the first time as far as we know.

Endophytic Microorganisms in Tomato Roots, Changes in the Structure and Function of the Community at Different Growing Stages.

This study analyzed flower bud differentiation and fruiting stages to investigate how the structure of the plant endophytic microbial community in the roots of tomatoes changes with plant senescence. Based on high-throughput sequencing technology, the diversity and relative abundance of endophytic microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) in tomato stems at different growth stages were analyzed. At the same time, based on LEfSe analysis, the differences in endophytic microorganisms in tomato stems at different growth stages were studied. Based on PICRUSt2 function prediction and FUNGuild, we predicted the functions of endophytic bacterial and fungal communities in tomato stems at different growth stages to explore potential microbial functional traits. The results demonstrated that not only different unique bacterial genera but also unique fungal genera could be found colonizing tomato roots at different growth stages. In tomato seedlings, flower bud differentiation, and fruiting stages, the functions of colonizing endophytes in tomato roots could primarily contribute to the promotion of plant growth, stress resistance, and improvement in nutrient cycling, respectively. These results also suggest that different functional endophytes colonize tomato roots at different growth stages.

A new coumarin and a new flavonoid from Ochrocarpus longifolius

A new coumarin (1) and a new flavonoid (2) were isolated from the air-dried flower buds of Ochrocarpus longifolius, together with ten known compounds (3–12). The structures of two new compounds were established by 1D and 2D NMR and MS data. In addition, the new compound 2 showed significant proliferation inhibitory activity on Eca-109 and MGC-803 cells. The results of this study may enrich the diversity of compounds from O. longifolius and provide a basis for further research on its natural products and pharmacological activities.

Effect of Foliar Feeding of Plant Growth Regulator and Nutrients on Phenological Attributes of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv Apple Colour

Guava, (Psidium guajava L.), small tropical tree or shrub of the family Myrtaceae, cultivated for its edible fruits. Guava trees are native to tropical America and are grown in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Nutrients and PGR play a crucial role in flowering and fruit production and their deficiency can significantly impact the yield, productivity, and quality of fruits. Therefore, keeping these points in view, the present investigation was carried out on a 10-year-old guava plant in a high-density plantation (3x3) at the Fruit Research Station Imaliya, Department of Horticulture, J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur (M.P.) during the mrig-bahar season of 2022-23. The study employed a Factorial Randomised Block Design (FRBD) with 20 treatment combinations involving Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) like salicylic acid and various nutrients, replicated three times. Results indicated that the combination of salicylic acid (200 ppm) + borax (0.5%) significantly influenced several phenological parameters. This treatment resulted in the earliest flower bud initiation (18.33 days) after foliar application, the highest average number of flower buds per shoot (7.05), minimum days to 50% flowering (33.67 days), maximum average number of flowers per shoot (6.95), the highest fruit set percentage (92.18%), the highest fruit retention percentage (81.23%), and the lowest fruit drop percentage (18.77%). The application of salicylic acid at 200 ppm in conjunction with borax at 0.5% (S2 M4) followed by salicylic acid at 300 ppm with borax at 0.5% (S3 M4) demonstrated exceptional efficacy in significantly optimizing phenological parameters when compared to the control.

The study of the variety of ethnobotanical plants and spices used in the cuisine of the Indian tribes of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

The present investigation aimed to identify and document herbs and spices used by the tribal communities for culinary purposes in the district of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India. It is a report about this field using an ethnobotanical viewpoint, and it includes a quantitative analysis of the plants that were reported. A questionnaire was used to gather data from the indigenous communities in the study area. The collected data was analyzed through fidelity level (FL) and use value (UV). The plant samples were collected identified and then processed as voucher specimens following standard ethnobotanical practice. In total, there are 24 species of plants belonging to 15 families and 22 genera. These plants were mainly used as fruits (34%), leaves (23%), seeds (17%), rhizomes (10%), aril (4%), barks (3%), bulbs (3%), flower buds, and stigmas (3%). There are many medicinal and commercially significant plants in the region, which have a wealth of greenery. The tribal communities still regularly use these plants to produce herbs and spices for both culinary and medicinal uses. However, the traditional indigenous knowledge of these plants is gradually disappearing among the younger population. As a consequence, it will be useful as a reference as well as a way to record and keep alive the local knowledge of these herbs and spices in the district of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Decrease of boron cross-linking ratio and morphological change in tomato plants under boron deficiency

ABSTRACT In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), morphological changes caused by boron (B) deficiency were investigated. The B cross-linking ratio in cell walls and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined in organs where physiological disorders and necrosis occurred. Under B deficiency in tomato, leaf colour turned yellow, plant height and stem diameter were shorter, and the shoot apex or flower bud necrosis was observed. The morphologically abnormal fruits, such as uneven, uneven black, and corky fruits appeared. The B cross-linking ratio was significantly decreased in the leaves and those abnormal fruits, which caused growth inhibition under B deficiency. By anatomical observation, the surrounding thickened cell walls of collenchyma cells decreased, and the arrangement of cells in the cortical layer and cambium was disordered in the stem. Cell necrosis was observed around the vascular bundle and in the flower bud. B cross-linking ratio significantly reduced in the parts with morphological abnormalities, which may decrease the mechanical strength of the cell wall. ROS accumulated, and necrosis occurred in the flower bud due to B deficiency. It was considered that B deficiency inhibits B cross-linking in the cell wall and induces ROS accumulation, causing cell collapse and necrosis.

Morphological Study on the Differentiation of Flower Buds and the Embryological Stages of Male and Female Floral Organs in Lespedeza davurica (Laxm.) Schindl. cv. JinNong (Fabaceae).

Lespedeza davurica (Laxm.) is a leguminous plant with significant ecological benefits, but its embryonic development mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the flower bud differentiation, megaspore and microspore formation, gametophyte development, and embryo and endosperm development in L. davurica. Our aim was to elucidate the relationship between the external morphology and internal development processes of male and female floral organs during growth, as well as the reproductive factors influencing fruiting. The results indicated that although the pistil develops later than the stamen during flower bud differentiation, both organs mature synchronously before flowering. L. davurica pollen exhibits three germination grooves, a reticulate outer wall, and papillary structures on the anther surface. In vivo pollination experiments revealed abnormal spiral growth of L. davurica pollen tubes within the style and the occurrence of callus plugs, which may reduce the seed setting rate. The anther wall development follows the dicotyledonous type, with tetrads formed through microspore meiosis exhibiting both left-right symmetry and tetrahedral arrangements. L. davurica has a single ovule, and the embryo sac develops in the monosporic polygonum type. After dormancy, the zygote undergoes multiple divisions, progressing through spherical, heart-shaped, and torpedo-shaped embryo stages, culminating in a mature embryo. A mature seed comprises cotyledons, hypocotyl, embryo, radicle, and seed coat. Phylogenetic tree analysis reveals a close genetic relationship between L. davurica and other leguminous plants from the genera Lespedeza and Medicago. This study provides valuable insights into the regulation of flowering and hybrid breeding in leguminous plants and offers a new perspective on the development of floral organs and seed setting rates.