Floret Color Research Articles

Effects of farmyard manure, vermicompost and Trichoderma on flowering and corm attributes in gladiolus

To see the effect of farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost and Trichoderma alone and in combination on flowering and corm yield in gladiolus a field experiment was conducted. Application of vermicompost + Trichoderma resulted in early spike emergence, floret colour show, opening of first floret and increased diameter of first, third and fifth floret. Maximum length of spike, no. of florets/spike and duration of flowering was registered with application of farmyard manure. Treatment FYM + vermicompost significantly enhanced shelf life of first and third floret. However, maximum weight of corms/plant and diameter of corm recorded with FYM + vermicompost + Trichoderma and FYM + vermicompost treatments, respectively.

The Evaluation of Chrysanthemum Clones Under Low Elevation

Cultivation of chrysanthemum at low elevation was one effort to expand potential production areas. Under these circumstances, several environmental conditions might not be as conducive as in highland and deviate the plant from the original characters and potential yield. Fifteen promising variants derived from an unconventional breeding program were evaluated at two different elevations; 1200 and 250 m above sea level (asl) at Cianjur-West Java, Indonesia during hot season from April to September 2016. The experiment was designed as progenital selection to seek the adaptive genotypes on the targeted sites. The results showed that varietal differences existed among the tested clones when grown under highland and lowland. At lowland (250 m asl), all clones showed growth retardation expressed by the reduction of flower qualities with different degrees among genotypes. In standard group, only 2015-9 and 2015-15 that produced unchanged flower color, with acceptable plant height standard for cut flower. While in spray type, all tested clones produced flower with degraded floret color.

Morfología floral de la subtribu Leiboldiinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae)

Morphological features of flowers and inflorescences from 13 of 14 species of subtribe Leiboldiinae are analyzed, with the goal of identifying characters with taxonomic value for the delimitation of genera and species. The principal characters to recognize genera in the subtribe are: presence of palaea on the receptacle (Bolanosa), number of series in the involucre and pappus (Stramentopappus), shape of the apices of the phyllaries (Lepidonia), and colour and duration of the pappus. At the specific level, the more important characters are diversity and distribution of trichomes, colour of florets and differences in the sculpturing of the surfaces of the petals.

Evaluation of the genus Calendula L. diversity for forming collection of varieties with standard characters

Purpose. Evaluation of collection samples of the genus Calendula L. available at the Experimental station of medicinal plants (ESMP) for the levels of display of morphological characters in order to identify the reference varieties and form a collection of standards. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical and statistical ones. Results. During 2012–2014 years the collection of the genus Calendula L. was evaluated, that includes 145 samples of 4 species from 18 countries, for the eight morphological characters (plant height, inflorescence number, full inflorescence number, the color of ligulate and tubular florets, number of rows of ligulate florets, inflorescence diameter, disk diame­ter) and varieties were distributed by the level of manifestation according to current technique for distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS). Conclusions. Samples of marigold were identified that can be sources of standards or starting material by plant height, inflorescence number, inflorescence full number, color of ligulate and tubular florets, number of rows of ligulate florets, inflorescence diameter, disk diameter and by all degree of their manifestation. For the highest level of manifestation of character complex (inflorescence diameter, disk diameter, the number of rows of ligulate florets, inflorescence full number and their manifestation pattern) ‘Mandarin Twist’ variety appeared to be the best

Inheritance of floral colour and type in four new inbred lines of ornamental sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

ABSTRACTSunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is grown commercially and as an ornamental plant. Floral colour and inflorescence type are important traits in the breeding of ornamental sunflower. Sunflowers consist of ray florets, which are arranged around the perimeter with disc florets in the centre. The colour of the ray florets can vary from various shades of red to lemon-yellow. The inheritance of ray floret colour was studied through diallel crossing of inbred lines with red, yellow, or lemon-yellow coloured florets. In the F1 generations, the red colour was partially dominant over yellow and lemon-yellow ray florets, forming a ‘Gaillardia‘ pattern, while yellow was dominant over lemon-yellow. The segregation ratios in the F2 generations were 9:7 (red × yellow) and 3:1 (red × lemon-yellow and yellow × lemon-yellow), indicating control by one or two genes, respectively. The colour of the disc florets depended on the presence or absence of anthocyanin pigmentation. Disc florets that lacked anthocyanin pigmentation were usually different shades of yellow. Anthocyanin pigmentation was dominant over yellow and lemon-yellow, showing monohybrid inheritance with a segregation ratio of 3:1 in the F2 generation. Chrysanthemum-type inflorescences had elongated disc florets. In crosses between chrysanthemum-type and normal-type inflorescences, the segregation ratio in the F2 populations corresponded to the theoretical ratio of 3:1 for chrysanthemum-type:normal-type inflorescences. We conclude that the genes controlling floral colour and inflorescence type are inherited independently and have different effects. The interaction of these genes revealed new combinations of floral colour and type, which can increase variability in ornamental sunflowers.

Using the British National Collection of Asters to Compare the Attractiveness of 228 Varieties to Flower-Visiting Insects.

Wildlife-friendly gardening practices can help conserve biodiversity in urban areas. These include growing ornamental plant varieties attractive to flower-visiting insects. Because varieties vary greatly in attractiveness, there is a need to quantify it in order to give objective advice to gardeners. Here, we used the British national collection of asters to compare the attractiveness of varieties to flower-visiting insects. We counted and identified insects as they foraged on flowers in 228 varieties growing in discrete patches that flowered during the survey period, 14 September-20 October 2012. In each variety, we also determined the overall capitulum size, the central disc floret area, and the ray floret color (blue, red, purple, or white). We also scored attributes relevant to gardening: attractiveness to humans, ease of cultivation, and availability in the United Kingdom. There was great variation among varieties in their attractiveness to insects, ranging from 0.0 to 15.2 per count per square meter, and highly skewed, with most being unattractive. A similar skew held for the two main insect categories, honey bees and hover flies, which comprised 28 and 64% of all insects, respectively. None of the floral traits or attributes relevant to gardening correlated significantly with attractiveness to insects. Our study shows the practicality of using a national collection for quantifying and comparing the attractiveness of ornamental varieties to flower-visiting insects. These results imply that choosing varieties carefully is likely to be of conservation benefit to flower-visiting insects, and that doing so is a no-cost option in terms of garden beauty and workload.

Meiotic abnormalities in <i>Ageratum conyzoides</i> from hot desert of India (Rajasthan)

Presently, 14 populations of Ageratum conyzoides L. have been meiotically studied from different geographical regions of Rajasthan. Of which, five populations are at tetraploid level (2n=40) and the remaining nine at diploid level (2n=20). Morphologically, populations vary on the basis of the floret color (from light purple to white). Meiosis of five populations i.e., three diploid cytotypes and two tetraploid cytotypes exhibit abnormalities like, early disjunction of bivalents, univalents, laggards, chromatin bridges, abnormal microsporogenesis and low pollen fertility.

About flowering biology of alien species: 1. Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.

Morphological characters of floral element of Lupinus polyphyllus at different stages of development are retraced. It is revealed that a blossom dust is emitted twice. The garden form hardly differs from invasive populations, except for a slightly larger size. The size and the form of pollen grains correlate with the color of florets. The pollen fertility of pink florets is dependent on its position in an inflorescence—the main or lateral parts. L. polyphyllus has the competitive superiority over closely related L. angustifolius in a greater number of florets in an inflorescence and specificity of androecium which allows each flower to emit a blossom dust twice.

Total flavonoid content in varieties of Calendula officinalis L. originating from different countries and cultivated in Estonia

Total flavonoid contents in the inflorescences of different varieties of Calendula officinalis L. were investigated. The commercial seeds (20 samples) of varieties of C. officinalis originating from eight European countries were cultivated in home gardens in two different counties of Estonia. Total flavonoid contents, determined spectrophotometrically (λ = 370 nm), varied from each other by more than three times (0.21–0.68%) in the investigated varieties. The variety with the highest flavonoid content was ‘Kablouna’, produced by the Finnish company Siemen (0.68%). Other varieties with high flavonoid content, such as ‘Touch of Red’ produced by the Latvian company Kurzemes Seklas (0.55%), ‘Golden Emperor’ produced by the Finnish company Suvipiha (0.50%), ‘Pomyk’ from Poland (0.50%), etc., may also be preferred for cultivation as natural sources, as they are also rich in flavonoids. The amount of total flavonoids depends on the variety and/or the place and time of cultivation. There appeared to be no conclusive relationship between the total flavonoid content and the colour of ligulate and tubular florets of C. officinalis.

Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & H.E. Robins (Asteraceae), an important nectar source for adult butterflies

Chromolaena odorata is a seasonal weed and grows like a cultivated crop. It flowers during October-December. The floral characteristics such as white to purple colour of florets, short-tubed narrow corolla with deep seated nectar, the morning anthesis and the flat-topped head inflorescence providing a standing platform are important attractants for visitation by butterflies. The florets attract butterflies of five families and sphingid hawk moths. Among the butterflies, nymphalids are diverse and visit the florets consistently; their visits effect pollination. The diurnal hawk moths, Macroglossum gyrans and Cephonodes hylas also visit the florets during dawn and dusk hours for nectar, and effect pollination. Therefore, C. odorata, being an exotic is an important nectar source for adult butterflies.

EXISTENCE AND FUNCTION OF PETAL COLOUR IDENTITY GENE IN APETALOUS WILD CHRYSANTHEMUM

In most chrysanthemums, the capitulum is composed of ray florets and disk florets. The ray floret colour in yellow-flowered cultivars is mainly due to carotenoids. In white-flowered chrysanthemum cultivars (Chrysanthemum morifolium), the ray floret colour is due to the cleavage of carotenoids catalyzed by carotenoid cleavage dioxgenase4 (CmCCD4a). CmCCD4a suppression by RNA interference (RNAi) gives a yellow colour to white ray florets. In wild chrysanthemums, the ray florets are either white or yellow, indicating that ray floret colour probably results from carotenoid cleavage in wild chrysanthemums, as in chrysanthemum cultivars. Southern blot analysis confirmed that wild chrysanthemum species with white ray florets had CmCCD4a orthologs, while those with yellow ray florets did not. This suggests that carotenoid cleavage also contributes to ray floret colour in wild chrysanthemums. CmCCD4a expression is observed to be strictly limited to ray florets. Southern blot analysis showed that Chrysanthemum shiwogiku has CmCCD4a orthologs, although its capitulum has only disk florets and no ray florets. To confirm the function of this CmCCD4a ortholog, C. shiwogiku was interspecifically hybridized with a yellow-flowered cultivar 'Squash' that does not have CmCCD4a. The capitulum of all progenies produced white ray florets. CmCCD4a ortholog fragments were detected in all progenies by polymerase chain reaction. These results showed that the CmCCD4a orthologs present in apetalous C. shiwogiku, and its translated product has an enzymatic function in the ray florets.

Effect of UV-A and UV-B irradiation on broccoli ( Brassica oleracea L. Italica Group) floret yellowing during storage

UV-A or UV-B irradiation was applied to broccoli florets to investigate the effect on floret yellowing. Florets were irradiated with two UV-A doses (4.5 and 9.0 kJ m −2) and five UV-B doses (4.4, 8.8, 13.1, 17.5, and 26.3 kJ m −2) and then kept in darkness at 15 °C. In general, broccoli florets retained more color after UV-B irradiation than after UV-A. UV-B doses of at least 8.8 kJ m −2 resulted in surface color with a higher hue angle, as compared to those treated with 4.4 kJ m −2 UV-B or without UV-B. We therefore selected a UV-B dose of 8.8 kJ m −2 for application to different broccoli cultivars (‘Pixel’ and ‘Sawayutaka’), harvested during the winter and early summer seasons. During storage, the ‘Sawayutaka’ cultivar exhibited a slower decrease in green color of florets, when compared to the ‘Pixel’ cultivar. UV-B treatment delayed floret yellowing and chlorophyll degradation. Broccoli harvested in winter or early summer and irradiated with UV-B during storage at 15 °C had higher a chlorophyll content and hue angle value than broccoli without UV-B treatment. These results suggest that UV-B irradiation is effective in retaining the green color of florets during storage.

Broccoli growth in response to increasing rates of pre-plant nitrogen. I. Yield and quality

Nitrogen management is critical to the production of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. italica Plenck). Field trials were conducted in 2001 and 2002 to determine the rate of pre-plant nitrogen required to optimize broccoli yield and quality. Seven rates of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 kg N ha-1) as ammonium nitrate were broadcast and incorporated before transplanting two broccoli cultivars, Captain and Decathlon. Maturity of the heads was delayed by 5 d at 0 kg N ha-1 compared with the other rates of applied N. Marketable yield was maximized at 243 to 272 kg N ha-1 for yield expressed in t ha-1 and 171 to 187 kg N ha-1 for yield expressed as cases ha-1. Averaged over cultivar and year the most economical rate of nitrogen (MERN) ranged from 298 to 309 kg ha-1, 50 kg higher than estimates for the maximum marketable yield derived from quadratic plateau models. The incidence of misshapen heads decreased and floret color improved as nitrogen rate increased, but hollow stem and head rot also increased with high rates of nitrogen. Floret NO3--N concentration increased and vitamin C concentration decreased at high nitrogen rates. Applying the rates of nitrogen required to maximize yield may have negative economic and environmental consequences. However, restricting nitrogen also jeopardizes both yield and quality. Hence, the optimum amount of pre-plant nitrogen to apply to broccoli that balances yield, quality, economics and environmental concerns remains a complex issue. Key words: Brassica oleracea L. italica Plenck, color, postharvest, nutrition, hollow stem, vitamin C

(244) Genetic Breeding of Gladiolus hybridus in Romania

Gladiolus is one of the most popular flower crops grown in Romania. The breeding program at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca of this species has been especially focused on the improvement of main characteristics, such as color, number and form of florets, plant height, multiplication capacity, diseases resistance, etc. A program for genetic breeding of gladiolus varieties using different genitors (Romanian and foreign cultivars) was initiated. An intraspecific crossing between cultivars has been made followed by clonal selection and vegetative multiplication of the selections. In this paper, we show 15 new gladiolus selections, which were observed and analyzed in 2004–05. The selections obtained have a great uniformity of their morphological characteristics. These selections are more vigorous, producing greater number of florets with superior quality, have new colors of flower, and are distinguished by a long blooming time. The intraspecific variability of the above-mentioned characteristics was more than low, and rarely medium, high, or very high. These data suggest fair possibilities to choose the best selections that will be proposed for testing and homologation as new cultivars. The hybrids represent a step forward in combining high qualities in gladiolus. They will contribute to improving the assortment of gladiolus for cut flowers, landscape, or as genetic material, which can be used for new crossing in order to obtain new cultivars. Scientifically, a series of findings appeared considering the combining capacity of genitors, transmission of some useful qualities, and other aspects that contribute to improve of the new varieties.

Qualitative trait variation in Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] germplasm from Western and Southern Ethiopia

Three thousand tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] single panicle derived lines representing 60 populations from western and southern parts of Ethiopia were characterized for panicle form, pigmentation of lemma and anther, caryopsis color, number of main shoot culm internodes, and counts of florets/spikelet at the basal, middle and apical parts of the panicle at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center during the 1999 main season. The objectives were to assess the diversity patterns of the germplasm with respect to regions and altitude zones. Among the eight characters, high Shannon-Weaver diversity indices (H’) were noted for anther color (0.71) and number of apical spikelet florets (0.68), and the lowest occurred for panicle form (0.40). Monomorphism (H’ = 0.00) was observed for panicle form, lemma color and number of middle spikelet florets each in three different populations. The overall diversity index for all populations was 0.53. In the analysis of variance of H’ estimates, substantial (p <0.05) regional differences were obtained for lemma color, number of culm internodes, and counts of middle and basal spikelet florets. Clinal variation was significant for panicle form, lemma and seed color, and for the overall mean of traits. Over all traits, mean H’ values declined from 0.60 to 0.46 with an increase in the altitude zone of origin from below 1800 to over 2400 meters above sea level. Overall, the study showed substantial diversity in the test tef germplasm.

Gamma ray‐induced genetic manipulations in flower colour and shape in Dendranthema grandiflorum and their management through tissue culture

AbstractRooted cuttings of Dendranthema grandiflorum cv. ‘Puja’ were treated with different doses of gamma rays. Sectorial somatic mutations both in flower colour and shape were detected in all the doses. The original floret colour of ‘Puja’ is red‐purple and florets are flat spoon shaped. One of the mutant floret colour was yellow‐orange with original flat florets and another mutant floret colour was yellow‐orange with tubular florets. Original and mutated ray florets were cultured on agar‐solidified Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with sucrose and different combinations of 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6‐benzylaminopurine (BAP). Direct shoot organogenesis was seen within 2 weeks of culture initiation. The best regeneration was obtained on medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l NAA. Shoots regenerated from all explant types were rooted in vitro and transferred to the field. Regenerated plants flowered true‐to‐explant floret colour and shape. The isolated yellow floret colour mutants and yellow floret colour mutants with tubular florets were maintained vegetatively and have proved to be true to type in two successive generations.

In vitro isolation of solid novel flower colour mutants from induced chimeric ray florets of chrysanthemum.

Rooted cuttings of white flowered cv. `Purnima' and red flowered cv. `Colchi Bahar' of Chrysanthemum morifolium were treated with gamma rays. Sectorial somatic mutations in flower colour were detected in both the cvs. Mutated ray florets (yellow colour for both the cvs) were cultured on agar-solidified Murashige & Skoog basal medium supplemented with sucrose and different combinations of BAP/kinetin and NAA. Direct shoot organogenesis was noticed within 2 weeks of culture initiation. SEM studies confirmed this direct shoot differentiation. The best regeneration was obtained on medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/lBAP. Shoots regenerated from mutated ray florets were rooted in vitro and transferred to the field. These plants flowered true-to-explant floret colour and shape. These isolated yellow mutants were maintained vegetatively have proved to be true-to-type in two successive generations.

Management of chimera through direct shoot regeneration from florets of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.)

SummaryThe main bottleneck of mutation induction in vegetatively propagated ornamentals is the development of chimera. Ephemeral small sectors apparent on petals cannot generally be recovered as solid mutant shoots. An efficient technique has been standardized in the present experiment for direct shoot regeneration from individual florets of...chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) cv. Colchi Bahar. The efficiency of direct shoot regeneration was tested on 16 media based on MS basal medium containing sucrose, agar and different concentrations and combinations of BAP and NAA. The regenerative potential varied with the developmental stages of the flower head. The highest percentage of shoot formation and most shoots per responding explant were observed on florets taken from stage II flower heads. Direct shoot formation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and histological observations. The technique has been tested on 16 other cultivars in the medium containing 0.2 mg l21 NAA and 1.mg.l1 BAP. Gamma ray of 1.5 and 2.0 krad induced yellow and white floret colour sectors in `Maghi' (original colour-mauve) have been established in pure form using this technique. The regenerated plants were rooted in vitro and successfully transferred to soil where they grew vigorously and flowered true to the floret colour type.

Caucasalia, a new genus of theAsteraceae, Senecioneae

The new genusCaucasalia is described. Four species are included, previously referred toSenecio, Cacalia, Cineraria, Pojarkovia orAdenostyles. The latter genus may be the closest relative, being similar in habit and chromosome number, but different in floret colour and style morphology. The new genus is centered in the Caucasus mountains, with extensions into Anatolia.

MICROWAVE AND CONVENTIONAL BLANCHING EFFECTS ON CHEMICAL, SENSORY, AND COLOR CHARACTERISTICS OF FROZEN BROCCOLI

ABSTRACTBroccoli (cv. Empress) obtained from a local supplier was blanched within 15 h of harvest. It was blanched by four methods in covered containers: conventional boiling water (1900 mL, 4 min) (BW), steam (300 mL water, 4 min) (ST), microwave heated in 1 L glass containers (60 ml water, 4 min, 700 W) (MW), and microwave heated in 1 L Seal‐a‐MealTM bags (45 ml water, 4 min) (MWB). Aliquots were frozen at ‐18C for 4 weeks. Fresh unblanched broccoli peroxidase activity ranged from 389 to 829 units/min; activity was essentially zero immediately after all blanching treatments. The highest reduced ascorbic acid (RAA) content occurred in fresh unblanched broccoli. Some peroxidase regeneration occurred during frozen storage. Immediately after blanching, all blanched broccoli had lower RAA content than control broccoli. MW‐blanched broccoli retained the greatest amount of RAA and had appearance, visual color, texture scores, and chroma of florets and stems equivalent to ST‐blanched broccoli. MW‐blanched broccoli had flavor and general acceptability scores similar to BW‐blanched broccoli. After 4 weeks in frozen storage, MW‐blanched broccoli had the highest RAA content.