Days To Flowering Research Articles

Evaluation of chilli germplasm in the kharif season

Thirty-six genotypes of chilli (Capsicum sp.) were evaluated at the Regional Spices Research Centre, BARI and Gazipur during February 2017 to November 2018 to identify the promising genotype(s) for variety development process. Distinct variation among the genotypes was observed in all the qualitative parameters except seed color and fruiting behavior. The genotype CO 525 and CO 631 took relatively short times for the 1st flower bud opening showing 44 and 42 days respectively, while the genotype CO 633 & CO 648 took 125 & 110 days for the 1st flowering and 130 and 141 days for the first fruit set Plant height ranged from 47.02 cm (CO 002) to 111.35cm (CO 525). The maximum number of primary branches was recorded in CO 648 (11.33/plant) and the lowest in CO 630 (4.00/plant). Single fruit weight ranged from 1.46 g (CO 626) to 11.70 g (CO 631) while fruit length varied from 2.90 cm (CO 645) to 10.63 cm (CO 002 & CO 631). Pedicel length was longest in CO 643 (5.06 cm) and shortest in CO 639 (1.53 cm). The highest pericarp thickness was recorded from CO 640 (4.72 mm) and the lowest in CO 635 (0.63 mm). The larger weight of pericarp was obtained from CO 640 (6.00 g) and the smaller from CO 645 (0.24 g). The genotype CO 631 had the maximum number of fruits/plant (308.00) and the genotype CO640 had the minimum number of fruits/plant (38.00). The genotype CO 631 produced the maximum weight of fruits/plant (606.43 g) which was identical to CO 525 (465.50 g/plant). The highest number of fresh seeds was obtained from CO 631 (89.66/fruit) and it was the lowest in C0 646 (20.33). The highest weight of fresh seeds/fruit was obtained from CO 631 (0.63 g) and the lowest from CO 645 (0.11 g). The genotypes CO 631 had the maximum 1000-fresh seed weight (5.20 g) which was statistically similar to BARI Chilli-2 and the minimum in CO 647 (1.50g). The maximum fruit yield was recorded with CO 631 (23.04 t/ha) followed by CO 525-1 (18.25 t/ha), CO 5251 (17.69 t/ha), CO 003 (17.13 t/ha), respectively while it was minimum in CO 002 (4.65 t/ha). The results revealed that the genotypes significantly differed in most of the parameters which offers a good scope for selection of better genotypes as parents for the desired traits. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2019-2021, 44-46: 65-76

Influence of Nitrogen and Boron Levels as Well as Macro and Micro Nutrient Content in Leaf on Production Potential of Guava

The flowering characteristics, fruit set and fruit drop had a positive effect with the various doses of nitrogen and boron. The boron applied @ 50g/plant took minimum days for flowering (81.64 days), maximum fruit set (74.67 %), minimum fruit drop (35.05 %) and days for harvesting (98.86 days). The flowering to harvesting decreased by 17 days with application of boron @ 50g/plant. The maximum fruit yield and fruit yield efficiency was recorded 54.37 kg/plant and 6.04 kg/plant respectively when CAN apply @ 600 g/plant. The maximum fruit weight was also obtained (330.12 g) when CAN applied @ 600 g/plant. Whereas, boron applied @ 50 g/plant produced fruit weight of 307.30 g. The highest nitrogen (1.75%) and phosphorous (0.21%) was recorded with CAN applied @ 600 g/tree. In effect of boron, maximum nitrogen (1.71%) and phosphorous (0.20%) content in leaves was obtained with application of boron @ 50 g/tree followed by boron applied @ 75 g/tree.

Increased significance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) senescence trait under water-deficit environment

Characterizing stress–inducing trait(s) and deploying their genetic diversity are crucial for developing stress–tolerant cultivar(s). The study aimed to investigate the genotypic variations in chickpea senescence traits and their significance in yield sustainability under water–deficit stress conditions. Therefore, a panel of eighty–eight chickpea that differ in maturity duration [early–maturing (≤ 100 days) and late–maturing (> 110 days)], were grown under soil water deficit conditions. The parameters viz. days to onset of senescence (DTSI), senescence duration (SD), days to flowering (DF), reproductive period (RP), and days to maturity (DM) were recorded for each genotype and their relations with grain yield were evaluated. The parameter DTSI defines the earliness or delay in the onset of senescence; while SD represents the pace of senescence. Temporal dynamics of senescence were visually scored following a 0–10 scale. The trait senescence duration (SD) exhibited negative correlation with yield, being higher in the late maturing genotypes over the early maturing genotypes. The senescence index [SD/RP], which exhibited a higher genotypic variability over the parameter SD, was found to have a significant negative association with yield. While the index [DTSI/DM] exhibited a strong positive correlation with yield (p < 0.01) in both early and late maturing groups (p < 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that SD and cumulative degree–days of senescence period had a strong negative influence on chickpea yield under water–deficit conditions. Hence, the study suggested that delayed and faster senescence could serve as the selection criterion for drought tolerance in chickpea. The findings suggested that the indices [SD/RP] and [DTSI/DM] could be more realistic indicators when characterizing senescence of chickpea under water–deficit environments.

Predicting hybrid rice performance using AIHIB model based on artificial intelligence

Hybrid breeding is fast becoming a key instrument in plants' crop productivity. Grain yield performance of hybrids (F1) under different parental genetic features has consequently received considerable attention in the literature. The main objective of this study was to introduce a new method, known as AI_HIB under different parental genetic features using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. In so doing, the rice cultivars TAM, KHZ, SPD, GHB, IR28, AHM, SHP and their F1 hybrid were used. Having recorded Grain Yield (GY), Unfertile Panicle Number (UFP), Plant Height (HE), Days to Flowering (DF), Panicle Exertion (PE), Panicle Length (PL), Filled Grain Number (FG), Primary Branches Number (PBN), Flag Leaf Length (FLL), Flag Leaf Width (FLW), Flag Leaf Area (FLA), and Plant Biomass (BI) in the field, we include these features in our proposed model. When using the GA and PSO algorithm to select the features, grain yield had the highest frequency at the input of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) structure. The AI_HIB_ANN result revealed that the trained neural network with parental data enjoyed a good ability to predict the response of hybrid performance. Findings also reflected that the obtained MSE was low and R2 value was greater than 96%. AI_HIB_SVM and AI_HIB_ANFIS showed that measuring attributes could predict number of primary branches, plant height, days to flowering and grain yield per plant with accuracies of 99%. These findings have significant implications as it presents a new promising prediction method for hybrid rice yield based on the characteristics of the parent lines by AI. These findings contribute to provide a basis for designing a smartphone application in terms of the AI_HIB_SVM and AI_HIB_ANFIS methods to easily predict hybrid performance with a high accuracy rate.

Assessment of different Peageonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) genotypes for growth and yield in Prayagraj region (U.P.)

The trail was conducted at Field Experimentation Centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding,NainiAgricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj during Kharif 2019-2021. The experiment was carried out with17 genotypes (16+1 check variety) of pigeonpea, which were obtained from IIPR, Kanpur (U.P) inRandomized Block Design (RBD) with 3 replications for growth and yield attributes. Observations weremade on five plants that were randomly selected for eleven growth and yield traits except field emergence,days until 50 percent flowering and days to maturity, where the observations were noted on a plot basis.Among the genotypes G13 recorded early days to maturity (252.17), maximum plant’s height (268.70 cm),highest emergence on field (84.67%), more No. of branches/plant (29.67), No. of pods/plant (206.90), No.of seeds/plant (397.93), maximum seed yield/plant (57.00 g.), seed yield/plot (6.45 kg.), 100 seedsweight(15.16 g.) and seed yield q/ha (24.90 q.), while genotype G12 noted less days to 50% flowering (173.83). G-13 and G-7 genotypes taken most down days for flowering and maturity and good yield in comparison tothe check variety (MAL-13). Along with many genotypes G-13 was determined to be the most promisingand should be considered for commercial cultivation under the agro-climatic conditions of Prayagraj.

Effect of Crop Geometry and Age of Seedlings on Its Growth, Flower Yield and Quality of Statice (Limonium sinuatum L.) under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Conditions

The objective of this study is to find out the most suitable treatments for plant growth and flower yield and quality of Limonium (Limonium sinuatum L.) under prayagraj agro climatic conditions. The study was carried out at Experimental field, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj (U.P.), India during Rabi season 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with 8 treatments which is replicated thrice. The first factor consists of four different levels age of seedlings i,e. 25,30,35,40 days old seedlings, second factor with two different spacings 45×60 cm and 30×45 cm. In Growth parameters, T7 (40 days seedlings + spacing of 45×60 cm) recorded significantly highest number of leaves (80.49), leaf length (32.20 cm), plant spread (45.65 cm2) Whereas, plant height was recorded significantly highest (84.80 cm) in T6 (35 days seedlings + spacing of 30×45 cm). In photosynthetic characteristics, the maximum leaf area (66.09 cm2), leaf weight (24.94 gm) and chlorophyll content (97.90 SPAD UNITS) was recorded in T7 (40 days seedlings + spacing 45×60 cm). In flowering parameters, the minimum number of days for flower stalk initiation (47.28 days) and flower duration (45.72 days) was recorded significantly in T7 (40 days seedlings + spacing of 45×60 cm) whereas, the length of flower stalk was recorded significantly highest (80.07) in T6 (35 days seedlings + spacing of 30×45 cm).The maximum yield with superior quality of flower stalks/plot was obtained significantly highest (80.22) in T6 (35 days seedlings + spacing of 30×45 cm). In post-harvest parameters the vase life of statice flower placed in water recorded maximum (8.69 days) in T6 (35 days seedlings + spacing 30x45 cm), whereas vase life of statice flower placed in 2% sucrose (14.35 days) and self-life (63.33 days) of flower was recorded maximum in T7 (40 days seedlings + spacing of 45x60 cm).

Agronomic performance, genetic variation and heritability of yield and related traits in rice genotypes under upland conditions

Although rice production potential under rain fed ecology doubles that of irrigated lowland in Kenya, there has been little advancement in identifying suitable varieties adapted to upland rice ecology. This study was carried out to appraise the agronomic performance, heritability, grain yield components, genetic variability, and correlations for grain yield and identity of suitable varieties for the upland ecology. Eight rice genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design alongside three replicates under upland conditions. Collection of data included days to 50% flowering, height of the plant, productive tillers-1, panicle length, grain length, panicle weight, grains panicle-1, spikelet fertility, grain yield weight of one thousand grains, grain breadth and breadth/ length ratio of the grain. Data analysis involved Analysis of variance, broad sense heritability estimates determination and principal component analysis. Genotype’s variation was significant for all traits measured. The first three principal components accounted for 94.67% of the sum variation among 12 traits under study. The outcome of heritability estimates and the PCA indicated that the characters 50% flowering days, weight of a thousand grains, spikelet fertility, length of the panicle, grain breadth, length of the grain and breadth/length ratio, accounted for most of variance in the variables observed and showed average to high broad sense heritability. Therefore, for these traits, early generation selection was effective in identifying superior genotypes following hybridization. From the eight cultivars used in the study, NERICA 10 and NERICA 2 varieties had better indicators for coastal lowlands of Kenya.

Phenotypic Diversity Analysis of Lens culinaris Medik. Accessions for Selection of Superior Genotypes

Knowledge of genetic diversity in lentil is imperative for selection of parental genotypes that could yield heterotic combinations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity among 43 diverse lentil genotypes to identify complementary and unique genotypes for breeding programmes. Field experimentation was carried out in two winter seasons (2019–2020 and 2020–2021) in Hisar (29°10′ N, 75°46′ E) using randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The chi-square test analysis showed significant genotypic variation for qualitative traits. There was substantial genetic variation among the genotypes for most quantitative traits, connoting the need to exploit a high degree of genetic variation through selection. Multiple-trait selection would also be beneficial, as seed yield was positively associated with most quantitative traits. The principal component analysis recognized seed yield (SY), days to 50% flowering (DTF), days to maturity (DTM), number of pods per plant (NPP), number of primary branches (NPB), plant height (PH) and biological yield (BY) as target traits that prominently described variation within lentil genotypes. The cluster analysis discriminated the lentil genotypes into five discrete clusters. Cluster III and V were the most distant groups, implying wider diversity among the genotypes of these groups. Furthermore, cluster analysis identified genotypes IPL 316, LH 17-19, LH 18-04, LH 17-17, IPL 81 and Pant L-8 as high-yielding genotypes, while L 4717 was identified as an early-maturing genotype. Therefore, to obtain a broad spectrum of early-maturing high-yielding segregants, the selected genotypes may serve as superior parental lines for structuring breeding strategies.

Evaluation of genetic diversity in pansy accessions (Viola spp.) using growth and flowering traits

The breeding programmes of floricultural crops lay prime stress on adding colour variability in the existing pool along with retention of other important vegetative and reproductive traits of the crop. The evaluation of accessions produced in breeding programmes of pansy in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during the year 2019-21was conducted with twenty accessions for vegetative and flowering traits. Maximum plant height was recorded in A-12 (37.4 cm), maximum plant spread in A-13 (42.1 cm) and highest number of branches in A-11 (21.6). The accession A-5 took maximum number of days (63.9days) for flowering whereas the minimum number of days for flowering (56.5 days) was taken by accession A-14. Among all the tested accessions, the maximum duration of flowering was recorded in A-5 (96.1 days). Amongst the pansy accessions, A-11 was maximum flower producing (91.1), while A-3 produced the largest flowers (4.8cm) and flower from A-20 had longest stalk (11 cm). Correlation analysis further showed that the number of flowers per plant was affected by plant vegetative traits (plant height,spread and number of branches). Cluster analysis based on morphological data divided the accessions into three groups. These variations might help in classifying pansy for pot cultivation, bedding and exhibition purposes, which could be beneficial for breeders and growers.

Improving Association Studies and Genomic Predictions for Climbing Beans With Data From Bush Bean Populations.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) has two major origins of domestication, Andean and Mesoamerican, which contribute to the high diversity of growth type, pod and seed characteristics. The climbing growth habit is associated with increased days to flowering (DF), seed iron concentration (SdFe), nitrogen fixation, and yield. However, breeding efforts in climbing beans have been limited and independent from bush type beans. To advance climbing bean breeding, we carried out genome-wide association studies and genomic predictions using 1,869 common bean lines belonging to five breeding panels representing both gene pools and all growth types. The phenotypic data were collected from 17 field trials and were complemented with 16 previously published trials. Overall, 38 significant marker-trait associations were identified for growth habit, 14 for DF, 13 for 100 seed weight, three for SdFe, and one for yield. Except for DF, the results suggest a common genetic basis for traits across all panels and growth types. Seven QTL associated with growth habits were confirmed from earlier studies and four plausible candidate genes for SdFe and 100 seed weight were newly identified. Furthermore, the genomic prediction accuracy for SdFe and yield in climbing beans improved up to 8.8% when bush-type bean lines were included in the training population. In conclusion, a large population from different gene pools and growth types across multiple breeding panels increased the power of genomic analyses and provides a solid and diverse germplasm base for genetic improvement of common bean.

The Effect of Tofu Dregs Compost and NPK Fertilizer the Growth and Production of Purple Eggplan (Solanum melongena L.)

The research was aimed to see the effect interaction of giving tofu dregs compost and npk fertilizer to get the right dose towards growth and the highest production of purple eggplant. The research was conducted at Experimental Garden, Faculty of Agriculture, Riau University, Pekanbaru. The research was conducted for 5 months, from february to june 2020. The reasearch was conducted experimentally in 2 factors. The first factor was the of tofu waste compost consists of 3 levels (0, 10 and 20 ton.ha-1). The second factor was the of NPK fertilizer (0, 100 and 150 kg.ha-1) which consist of nine treatments combination. The observed parameterswere the height of the plant (cm), the days of flowering (days), the days of harvesting (days), the fruit length (cm), the fruit diameter (cm), the number of fruits per plant (fruit), the fruit weight per fruit (g), the fruit weight per plant (g) and the fruit weight with plot (g). The data in this research was analyzed in using variance and followed by Duncan's multiple distance test at 5% level. The results showed that tofu waste compost and NPK fertilizer increased the growth of eggplant such as the height of the plant, the days of flowering, the days of harvesting, the number of fruits per plant, the fruit length, the fruit weight per fruit, the fruit weight per plant and the fruit weight with plot and does not increase fruit diameter. The giving tofu waste compost at a dose 20 ton.ha-1 and NPK fertilizer 150 kg.ha-1 gave the best eggplant growth and production until the plants were 90 DAP

Genome-wide association studies dissect the G\u2009\xd7\u2009E interaction for agronomic traits in a worldwide collection of safflowers (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Genome-wide association studies were conducted using a globally diverse safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) Genebank collection for grain yield (YP), days to flowering (DF), plant height (PH), 500 seed weight (SW), seed oil content (OL), and crude protein content (PR) in four environments (sites) that differed in water availability. Phenotypic variation was observed for all traits. YP exhibited low overall genetic correlations (rGoverall) across sites, while SW and OL had high rGoverall and high pairwise genetic correlations (rGij) across all pairwise sites. In total, 92 marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified using three methods, single locus genome-wide association studies (GWAS) using a mixed linear model (MLM), the Bayesian multi-locus method (BayesR), and meta-GWAS. MTAs with large effects across all sites were detected for OL, SW, and PR, and MTAs specific for the different water stress sites were identified for all traits. Five MTAs were associated with multiple traits; 4 of 5 MTAs were variously associated with the three traits of SW, OL, and PR. This study provided insights into the phenotypic variability and genetic architecture of important safflower agronomic traits under different environments.

Phenotypic differentiation and diversifying selection in populations of Eruca sativa along an aridity gradient

BackgroundThe aridity gradient in the eastern Mediterranean offers an opportunity to investigate intra-specific genetic differentiation and local adaptation in plant populations. Here we used genetic (FST) and quantitative trait (PST) differentiation to assess local adaptation among three natural populations of Eruca sativa (Brassicaceae) distributed along a climatic range representing desert, semi-arid and Mediterranean habitats.ResultsAmplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis revealed high genetic diversity in each population, but low genetic differentiation between populations and relatively high gene flow. Further phenotypic evaluation in a common garden experiment (conduced in a Mediterranean habitat) showed clear differences in phenological traits among populations (day of flowering and duration of the reproductive stage), shoot and root biomass, as well as fitness-related traits (total number of fruits and total seed weight). FST–PST comparison showed that PST values of the phenological traits, as well as below- and above-ground biomass and fitness-related traits, were higher than the FST values.ConclusionsOverall, our results support the identification of genotypic and phenotypic differentiation among populations of E. sativa. Furthermore, the FST–PST comparison supports the hypothesis that these were subjected to past diversifying selection. Thus, the results clearly demonstrate adaptive divergence among populations along an aridity gradient, emphasize the ecological value of early flowering time in arid habitats, and contribute to our understanding of the possible impact of climate change on evolutionary processes in plant populations.

Diallel analysis of selected yield-contributing traits in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Information on gene action controlling quantitative traits is important for effective selection. A five-parent diallel cross, which generated 10 F1 hybrids of okra (Abelmoscus esculentus) were evaluated during the early and late planting seasons of 2019 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data obtained were subjected to diallel analysis and genotype by yield-trait (GYT) biplot analysis to estimate combining ability effects and identify stable hybrids for measured traits respectively. Genotype mean squares were significant (p≤0.01) for all most measured traits. Furthermore, General Combining Ability (GCA) and Specific Combining Ability (SCA) mean squares were significant (p≤0.05/0.01) for most measured traits, indicating the influence of additive and non-additive gene actions in expression of these traits. Preponderance of non-additive gene effects shows the high influence of the environment on most of the considered traits in this study. Iwo Nla had the most desirable GCA estimates of -0.98 and 1.14, for days to 50% flowering (DTF), number of fruits per plant (NoF) respectively while IK11 had the most desirable GCA values for mature-fruit width (0.21) and 1000-seed weight (5.71). SCA estimates were most desirable for NH47-4 × LD88, NH47-4 × Iwo Nla, with values of -4.21 and 4.32 for DTF and NoF respectively. Hybrids NH47-4 × Iwo Nla and IK11 × Clemson associated with higher NoF x trait might be useful for improvement of number of fruits per plant in this population.

Structure of the nectary in Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach. in different stages of flowering with focus on nectar secretion.

Chaenomeles japonica is an attractive ornamental shrub flowering in spring. It is also a valuable source of nectar and pollen for entomofauna. The study was carried out to investigate the structure of hypanthial nectaries present in the flowers of this species with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy. Nectary tissues were examined in three stages of flowering, with special focus placed on changes occurring in the epidermisand nectariferous parnechyma. Long-styled flowers, which produce nectar abundantly, were selected for the study. The nectary parenchyma was shown to consist of multiple cell layers (up to 20). The epidermis was initially single-layered, but the number of layers gradually increased to 2-3 during the following days of flowering. The outer walls of epidermis cells were covered by a strongly undulating cuticle with massive striae. Cracks and perforations, which are probably nectar release sites, were visible between the striae. The presence of the secretion in the intercellular spaces between the parenchyma layer and the epidermis may indicate apoplastic nectar transport. The presence of stomata, as well as pores in the cuticle layer of the nectary epidermis, suggests that C. japonica nectar is secreted in two ways: (i) through the nectarostomata and (ii) ordinary epidermis cells with the involvement of the cuticle.

EFFECTS OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF POTASSIUM OXIDE ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND FLOWER QUALITY OF GLADIOLUS CV. AMERICAN BEAUTY

A field trial was done to investigate the effect of foliar spray using different concentrations of potassium oxide on flower quality and yield attributes of Gladiolus cv. American Beauty, at Horticultural Farm, Rampur- Chitwan during the winter season of 2021/2022. Seven different concentrations of K2O (1gm/L, 2gm/L, 4gm/L, 6gm/L, 8gm/L, 10gm/L, and control) were applied for the experiment, laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results illustrated that foliar spray of 4gm/L K2O treatment greatly enhanced most of the recorded parameters i.e., plant height (110.51 cm), number of leaves (8.86), spike length (79.92 cm), rachis length (40.16 cm), day for spike initiation (68.46 days), days for 50% flowering (79.53 days), number of florets per spike (13.5) and total days for flowering (85.26 days) as compared to control. Foliar spray of potassium can be applied as a partial substitute for the recommended soil amended potassium for increasing nutrient uptake and thus stimulating plant growth and floral characteristics.

A comparison of herbarium and citizen science phenology datasets for detecting response of flowering time to climate change in Denmark

Phenology has emerged as a key metric to measure how species respond to changes in climate. Innovative means have been developed to extend the temporal and spatial range of phenological data by obtaining data from herbarium specimens, citizen science programs, and biodiversity data repositories. These different data types have seldom been compared for their effectiveness in detecting environmental impacts on phenology. To address this, we compare three separate phenology datasets from Denmark: (i) herbarium specimen data spanning 145 years, (ii) data collected from a citizen science phenology program over a single year observing first flowering, and (iii) data derived from incidental biodiversity observations in iNaturalist over a single year. Each dataset includes flowering day of year observed for three common spring-flowering plant species: Allium ursinum (ramsons), Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut), and Sambucus nigra (black elderberry). The incidental iNaturalist dataset provided the most extensive geographic coverage across Denmark and the largest sample size and recorded peak flowering in a way comparable to herbarium specimens. The directed citizen science dataset recorded much earlier flowering dates because the program objective was to report the first flowering, and so was less compared to the other two datasets. Herbarium data demonstrated the strongest effect of spring temperature on flowering in Denmark, possibly because it was the only dataset measuring temporal variation in phenology, while the other datasets measured spatial variation. Herbarium data predicted the mean flowering day of year recorded in our iNaturalist dataset for all three species. Combining herbarium data with iNaturalist data provides an even more effective method for detecting climatic effects on phenology. Phenology observations from directed and incidental citizen science initiatives will increase in value for climate change research in the coming years with the addition of data capturing the inter-annual variation in phenology.

Genetic diversity analysis among 123 accessions of castor (Ricinus communis L.) using SSR marker and its association to agronomic traits

Abstract. Anggraeni TDA, Waluyo B, Sugiharto AN, Kuswanto. 2022. Genetic diversity analysis among 123 accessions of castor (Ricinus communisL.) using SSR marker and its association to agronomic traits. Biodiversitas 23: 1211-1221. Castor (Ricinus communis L.) breeding program targets to create dwarf-type plants suitable for mechanical harvesting. Characterization of plantsusing morphological and molecular markers can enhance the successful breeding program. This studyaimed to investigate the diversity of castor accessionsusing Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers and find the SSR markers that are significantly associated with the agronomic traits. The castor germplasm collection consisting of 123 accessions from the islands throughout Indonesia, breeding lines, and introducedaccessions displayed a moderate genetic diversity. The germplasm collection showed high variation in plant height, node length average, number of nodes, 100 seed weight, and oil content. The association analysis using GLM (General Linear Model) and MLM (Mixed Linear Model) could detect six associations between SSR marker alleles and agronomic traits. Among the marker alleles, two marker alleles had an overlap association. RcSSR-12_175 had an association with plant height and flowering day, RcSSR-23_113 had an association with node length average and branch number, and RcSSR-4_125 had an association with seed weight/raceme. This finding could provide information on Indonesia’s castor accession status. The linked-trait SSR markers are useful in marker-assisted selection for breeding high yield dwarf type-castor.

Agronomical and Physiological Responses of Faba Bean Genotypes to Salt Stress

Considering the importance of salinity stress and genotype screening under stress conditions, the current study evaluated faba bean genotypes in response to saline stress and identified those that were tolerant and determined the influential ratio of each yield component on seed yield under both conditions. As a result, 12 faba bean genotypes were tested under 2 levels of salt stress (100 mM and 200 mM) and a control. The study was analyzed with multivariate (descriptive, ANOVA, PCA, biplot, cluster analysis, and indices) analysis techniques to determine the tolerance level of each genotype. Similarly, the cluster analysis results reported that faba bean genotypes were divided into two groups under the control and 100 mM salinity levels; however, the 200 mM salinity level recorded three groups of faba bean genotypes, showing that salinity stress may limit phenotypic variability among faba bean genotypes. The descriptive analysis results showed a wide range of diversity among the studied characteristics under control and salinity stress conditions. The number of seeds/plants recorded a significant association with plant height (cm) (PH), stomatal conductance (SC), days to flowering (DF), the number of pods, and seed weight (g) (SW); however, an insignificant association was recorded with leaf temperature (LT), fresh weight (g) (FW), Na+, K+, and Na/K ratio. The first three principal components (PCs) represent 81.45% of the variance among the studied traits. The most significant characteristics that contributed the most to the diversity were (PH, leaf area, SPAD reading, stomatal conductance, DF, number of pods/plants, number of seeds/pods, SW, K, and total chlorophyll content); however, the significant genotypes (Hassawi-2, Sakha, ILB-4347, Misr-3, FLIP12501FB) were present in PC1 under both conditions. The results predicted that Hassawi-2, ILB-4347, Sakha, Misr-3, and Flip12501FB were the significant (tolerant) genotypes. However, FLIP12504FB represents a sensitive genotype based on its final grain yield. The results of the indices also recorded significant index correlations with grain yield, demonstrating that these indices are effective tools for screening faba bean-tolerant genotypes under salinity stress conditions.

Modeling the Effect of Temperature on the Flower Development Rate of Hybrid Impatiens

The effect of average daily temperature (ADT) on flower bud development and subsequent time to flower was investigated on hybrid impatiens (Impatiens ×hybrida) cultivars Compact Electric Orange, Compact Hot Coral, and Compact Orchid Blush. Plants with a visible flower bud measuring 2 mm in width were placed in one of the four greenhouses with temperature setpoints ranging from 16 to 28 °C. Flower bud width was measured every 3 days in each ADT treatment until flowering. The subsequent days to flower (DTF) from the onset of a visible bud decreased from 36 to 27 days as the ADT increased from 17 to 28 °C. The DTF from visible bud varied by &lt;3 days among the three cultivars across all temperatures; therefore, cultivar data were pooled to create a stronger prediction model. A logistic formula was used to predict the remaining DTF as a function of flower bud width and ADT. The model accurately described the effect of bud width and ADT on flowering time within ±3 days for 87% of the actual DTF across all three cultivars. The resulting flower development model provides greenhouse growers with a guide for manipulating temperature to produce flowering plants for specific market dates based on flower bud width measurements.