Flower Position Research Articles

Morphological Characterization of Ten Genotipes of Large Chili (Capsicum Annuum L).

Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the horticultural commodities that have high economic value which is used as vegetables or cooking spices, industrial raw materials, and has export opportunities. The development of superior chili varieties requires a large variety of germplasm that can be used as parents to be crossed with each other to obtain new superior traits. One of the efforts to determine the diversity of plants is to characterize the morphology and production. The purpose of this study was to obtain distinguishing characters among ten genotypes of large chilies, to determine the value of genetic parameter estimators for several genotypes of large chilies and to identify important characters that influence the yield of large chili genotypes. The study was a single factor field experiment in the form of 10 large chili genotypes arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with 3 blocks as replication. Genotypes of large chili are: Arimbi, Baja, Beautiful, Dewa Rengku, Gada, Jayadi, Jenio, Simpatik, Panex, and Thunder. Observation variables included morphological characters (plant habit, leaf color, leaf position, leaf shape, flower position, anther color, pistil color, leaf edge, fruit color), growth variables (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves), and yield variable (weight per fruit, fruit length, fruit weight per plant). The results showed that all morphological characters for all varieties were the same, namely having an upright habitus, pointed leaf shape, green leaf color, leaf position falling, flower position lowering, purple anther warrant and green pistil stalk warrant, and red fruit skin color.

Intra-Plant Variability for Heat Tolerance Related Attributes in Upland Cotton

Abiotic stress, particularly heat stress, affects various parts of the cotton plant and ultimately impacts the seed cotton yield. Different portions of a single cotton plant of a cultivar exhibit variable responses to stress during reproductive and vegetative phases. To test this hypothesis, physiological and morphological traits related to heat stress were observed for two flowering positions in 13 genotypes of upland cotton. These genotypes were sown in field conditions in triplicate following a randomized complete block design. Data were collected for pollen germination, pollen viability, cell membrane thermostability, chlorophyll content, boll weight, and boll retention for both the top and bottom branches of each genotype. The collected data were analyzed for the identification of variability within and between genotypes for these two flowering positions. Tukey’s test was applied to estimate the significance of differences between genotypes and positions within each genotype. Results showed that the two positions within the same plant statistically varied from each other. The bottom branches of the genotypes performed significantly better for all traits measured except boll weight. The genotype AA-933 performed best for pollen germination and boll retention, while CYTO-608 exhibited maximum pollen viability in both the bottom and top flower positions compared with other genotypes. Overall, MNH-1016 and CIM-602 showed better cell membrane thermostability and chlorophyll content, respectively. This intra-plant variability can be further exploited in breeding programs to enhance the stress tolerance capabilities of the resulting varieties.

Divergence time estimation and mapping of morphological and cytogenetical data in the southern South American geophyte genus Pterocactus (Cactaceae)

AbstractPterocactus has 10 species endemic to restricted areas of the Argentine Monte and Patagonia regions, also growing in neighbouring Chile. We analysed phylogenetic relationships between its species, based on plastid DNA sequences (psbA‐trnH, rpl16, trnH‐matK), exomorphological features (spine type and size, stem segment form, flower position, epidermis colour, areole pubescence, stem surface) and cytogenetical traits (genome size, somatic chromosome number). Traits were mapped using character mapping and ancestral state reconstruction to understand the dynamics of evolutionary changes. Pterocactus was monophyletic. Two lineages were recovered: clade A (with P. fischeri diverging early and P. reticulatus, P. valentinii, P. megliolii, P. gonjianii, and both P. tuberosus forms) and clade B (with P. neuquensis diverging first and P. araucanus and P. hickenii). Both samples examined of P. australis were paraphyletic. It was estimated that Pterocactus split from its sister group at 9.38 mya. The crown group age was estimated to be 7.69 myr. Species showed x = 11 with different ploidy levels (2n = 22, 44, 99, ca. 110, and 154); only P. tuberosus f. tuberosus was diploid. The numbers were typical of each taxon studied, and polyploidy was important in its diversification. Two 18S‐5.8S‐26S sites were detected regardless of the ploidy level, except P. fischeri with four sites and 2n = ca. 110. The number of 5S sites was 2 in P. gonjianii and the diploid P. tuberosus f. tuberosus, 4 in the tetraploid P. tuberosus f. lelongii, 10 in the probably decaploid P. fischeri and 8 in P. araucanus of unknown chromosome number. The genome size ranged from 2C = 4.94 pg in P. megliolii of unknown chromosome number to 2C = 16.68 pg in the tetradecaploid P. hickenii. The ancestor is reconstructed as a dwarf shrub with cylindrical central spines of 16.35–31.2 mm long, non‐woolly areoles, cylindrical to globose/obpyriform stem segments, non‐tuberculate stem surface, lateral flower position, green/brown to violet epidermis, probably diploid, and with a genome size between 1.10 and 1.23 pg.

Phylogenetic relationships inBrachyotumand allies (Melastomataceae, Melastomateae): a reassessment of the limits of the genera

AbstractIn the past decade, several phylogenetic studies based on molecular data have been generated and changed our view on the evolutionary history and classification of Melastomataceae. Nonetheless, given the size of the family, some groups are still under-sampled and poorly understood, such as the clade formed by Brachyotum and allies in Melastomateae, including three genera, Andesanthus, Brachyotum and Chaetogastra. The principal objective of this work was to further test the relationships in this clade by increasing taxon and locus sampling and by including morphological character reconstructions. In this study, we included nuclear (nrITS, nrETS and waxy) and plastid sequences (accD-psaI, psbK-psbL, trnS-trnG) from 129 species and 29 genera of Melastomataceae, corresponding to c. 46.5% of the species belonging to the clade, and that were used to build phylogenetic hypotheses. We also estimated the evolution of 23 morphological characters through ancestral state reconstruction and the elevational ranges of the species. Our results recovered two major clades: (1) Brachyotum, with species traditionally recognized in Brachyotum, but also including a few species traditionally recognized in Tibouchina; and (2) Chaetogastra, with most species traditionally recognized in Tibouchina, mainly from Tibouchina sections Pseudopterolepis, Diotanthera, Simplicicaules and Purpurella. Andesanthus was placed as sister to Brachyotum and allies in previous phylogenetic analyses; however, in this study it has been recovered as sister to the clades formed by Heterocentron and allies, Monochaetum and allies, and Brachyotum and allies. Four morphological characters can be useful to distinguish genera and clades among Brachyotum and allies: habit; flower position; the angle formed by the petals in relation to the hypanthium; and stamen arrangement. We also find that species in the Brachyotum clade occur at higher elevations (1500–4700 m) than Chaetogastra spp. (sea level to c. 3200 m, but more common at lower elevations, c. 600 to 1800 m). Based on all this evidence we propose the maintenance of Brachyotum as a genus segregated from the recently reinstated Chaetogastra. This work is a contribution to the systematics of Melastomateae, with an improvement in the resolution of the trees in relation to previous phylogenetic analyses, indicating that subclades have a strong relationship with geographical distribution.

Genomic region associated with pod color variation in pea (Pisum sativum).

Pea (Pisum sativum) was chosen as the research material by Gregor Mendel to discover the laws of inheritance. Out of seven traits studied by Mendel, genes controlling three traits including pod shape, pod color, and flower position have not been identified to date. With the aim of identifying the genomic region controlling pod color, we determined the genome sequence of a pea line with yellow pods. Genome sequence reads obtained using a Nanopore sequencing technology were assembled into 117,981 contigs (3.3 Gb), with an N50 value of 51.2 kb. A total of 531,242 potential protein-coding genes were predicted, of which 519,349 (2.8 Gb) were located within repetitive sequences (2.8 Gb). The assembled sequences were ordered using a reference as a guide to build pseudomolecules. Subsequent genetic and association analyses led to the identification of a genomic region that controls pea pod color. DNA sequences at this genomic location and transcriptome profiles of green and yellow pod lines were analyzed, and genes encoding 3' exoribonucleases were selected as potential candidates controlling pod color. The results presented in this study are expected to accelerate pan-genome studies in pea and facilitate the identification of the gene controlling one of the traits studied by Mendel.

Morphological and genetic variation in populations of Desmos chinensis Lour. (Annonaceae)

Abstract. Nikmah IA, Rugayah R, Chikmawati T. 2021. Morphological and genetic variation in populations of Desmos chinensis Lour. (Annonaceae). Biodiversitas 22: 811-822. Desmos chinensis is a woody climber or scandent shrub genus in Annonaceae that has moniliform fruits. Desmos chinensis Lour. can be found throughout Southeast Asia. This species is widely used as a traditional medicine in several countries in Asia, however, the information on its morphological and genetic variation has never been reported. The objective of this study was to reveal the genetic variation of Desmos chinensis on Java island (Indonesia) based on the morphological characters and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers. Leaf samples were collected by exploring seven regions in Java island. Variation in morphological characteristics were described and discussed in detail. Genetic variation was assessed using the ISSR marker. The morphological characteristics of D. chinensis in Java varies in habit; leaf shape, leaf size, leaf color; flower position, flower reflexity, pedicel bract position, number of petals, petal color, petal shape, petal apex, undulation of petal; and number of monocarp per fruit. A total of 53 samples collected from seven populations were screened by 25 ISSR primers, wherein 11 primers produced 47 clear and reproducible bands covering 85.1% of polymorphic bands. Desmos chinensis in Java were divided into five natural populations. Furthermore, the mean value of the Shannon index and genetic diversity index were 0.223 and 0.151, respectively. Moreover, the variations within and among populations examined using AMOVA showed the occurrence of 38% of total genetic variations among the different populations, therefore, the remaining 62% was due to variations within the population. Morphological and genetic variations are important preliminary information for determining the conservation strategy of Desmos chinensis.

In nomen omen: the effect of flower distance on female reproductive success of the lax-flowered orchidAnacamptis laxiflora(Orchidaceae)

AbstractAimsIn multiflowered species, the architecture of inflorescences is of primary importance in shaping plant attractiveness. The aim of this study was to disentangle the role of inflorescence traits in plant female reproductive success and pollination patterns along the inflorescence in the lax-flowered orchid Anacamptis laxiflora, a terrestrial species exploiting a deceptive pollination strategy. We also evaluated whether the relationship between inflorescence traits and female reproductive success was modified by the height of surrounding vegetation and/or by population density.MethodsWe delimited experimental plots in a natural population of A. laxiflora. We tallied the individuals within each plot and categorized low-density plots and high-density plots; then, in part of the plots we manually removed surrounding grass thus producing an equal number of plots with high grass and low grass. Within these plots, we recorded inflorescence traits and female reproductive success (i.e. the number of fruit and their position along the inflorescence). We analyzed these data using generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) and calculated selection gradients.Important FindingsWe found that all the investigated inflorescence traits influenced female reproductive success. In particular, our GLMMs showed that ‘average flower distance’ was the best predictor for shaping reproductive success patterns. We detected significant positive selection on the investigated inflorescence traits, but these selective trends were strictly linked to both the height of the surrounding vegetation and the population density, suggesting a significant influence of local environmental context in shaping selective patterns. Female reproductive success was not linked to the position of flowers along the inflorescence, suggesting that pollinators visit flowers randomly along the inflorescence without a detectable preference for a specific part. This study highlights the importance of inflorescence traits in shaping female reproductive success of multiflowered deceptive orchids, and confirms a primary role for the environmental context in modifying pollinator-mediated selection patterns.

Characterization of qualitative and quantitative characters of the hybridized chili (Capsicum sp) genotype C10 × C2

This study aims to determine the diversity of qualitative and quantitative characters of hybridized chili plants The research was carried out at the Screen House of the Faculty of Agriculture, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh from April to December 2019. The genotypes used in this research were hybridized chili (IPB C2, IPB C10, F1 C10×C2, BCP1 (C10×C2)×C10, BCP2 (C10×C2)×C2, F2(C10×C2). The Completely Randomized Non Factorial Design was used only for the placement of plant in the field. Data analysis was performed by calculating the average value, variance, and standard deviation. The results showed that the quantitative characters that could be made as selection characters were plant height, and number of fruit per plant. There is diversity in the qualitative character, the shape of lancet leaves are dominant to the shape of oval leaves. This can be seen in IPB C2, F1 (C10 × C2), BCP1 (C10 × C2) × C10 has the shape of a lancet leaf. On IPB C10 has an oval leaf shape then for BCP2 (C10 × C2) × C2 dan F2 (C10 × C2) have the same shape as oval and lancet leaves. Diversity is also seen in the position of flowers there are three types, namely upright, semi-erect and dangling, but all genotypes have the shape of elongate fruit. The result of this research showed the quantitative characters that can be used as selection characters were plant height and fruit number per plant.

MORPHOTAXONOMIC RE-CLASSIFICATION OF C. ANNUUM VAR. ACCUMINATUM FINGERH AS C. FRUTESCENS VAR. ACCUMINATUM

The taxonomic identities of some Capsicum varieties are somewhat controversial. This study is aimed at using morphological characters to ascertain the Capsicum species to which variety accuminatum belongs. The study was conducted at the Experimental Plot of the Department of Pure and Applied Botany, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (Latitude: 7.214952; Longitude: 3.437090) using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in 10 replicates. Quantitative and qualitative characters were evaluated through measurements and visual observation respectively. Data were analyzed using Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.2 and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to separate means at p ˂ 0.05. The reults revealed erect growth habit, lanceolate leaf shape, pendant flower position, white corolla colour, obtuse fruit shape at pedicel, elongated fruit shape, and pointed fruit shape at blossom end on variety accuminatum as characteristic features of C. frutescens. Plant canopy width 103.41±(4.30) cm, number of branches per plant 24.70±(0.15), days to flowering 73±(0.21), fruit length 11.69±(0.07) cm and fruit width 5.78±(0.05) cm in variety accuminatum are closer to mean values in C. frutescens. This study showed that variety accuminatum is morphologically and evolutionary related to C. frutescens. Therefore, re-naming of C. annuum var. accuminatum is hereby suggested and proposed to be C. frutescens var. accuminatum.
 

Phylogenetic analysis of fossil flowers using an angiosperm-wide data set: proof-of-concept and challenges ahead.

PremiseSignificant paleobotanical discoveries in recent decades have considerably improved our understanding of the early evolution of angiosperms and their flowers. However, our ability to test the systematic placement of fossil flowers on the basis of phylogenetic analyses has remained limited, mainly due to the lack of an adequate, angiosperm‐wide morphological data set for extant taxa. Earlier attempts to place fossil flowers phylogenetically were, therefore, forced to make prior qualitative assessments of the potential systematic position of fossils and to restrict phylogenetic analyses to selected angiosperm subgroups.MethodsWe conduct angiosperm‐wide molecular backbone analyses of 10 fossil flower taxa selected from the Cretaceous record. Our analyses make use of a floral trait data set built within the framework of the eFLOWER initiative. We provide an updated version of this data set containing data for 28 floral and two pollen traits for 792 extant species representing 372 angiosperm families.ResultsWe find that some fossils are placed congruently with earlier hypotheses while others are found in positions that had not been suggested previously. A few take up equivocal positions, including the stem branches of large clades.ConclusionsOur study provides an objective approach to test for the phylogenetic position of fossil flowers across angiosperms. Such analyses may provide a complementary tool for paleobotanical studies, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of fossil phylogenetic relationships in angiosperms. Ongoing work focused on extending the sampling of extant taxa and the number of floral traits will further improve the applicability and accuracy of our approach.

Determination of the relatedness, ease of hybridization and gene exchange among members of the genus Capsicum in Nigeria

The fruit of Capsicum plants have a variety of names depending on place and type. This research was focused at studying the exchange of genes amongst members of the genus Capsicum in Nigeria. The process of interspecific and intervarietal hybridization of two (2) species of the genus Capsicum; C. annuum and C. frutasense were carried out and the results show that most of the studied attributes like arrangement of leaves, shape of leaves, leaf density were undetermined while majority with distinct changes follow maternal inheritance. There were less successes among the interspecific crosses and high successes between varietal crosses ranging from 19.5% to 2.4% for the inter-varietal cross and 9.3% to 2.4% for interspecific crosses. This indicates that there are more hybridization barriers among interspecific hybridization than inter-varietal hybridization. The closely related species and varieties had higher percentage success of hybridization and vice versa. Characters such as Hypocotyl colour had partial dominance. Erect flower position is dominant in W and hybrid T*W while pendant is recessive. Red fruit colour at maturity, green fruit stalk colour was dominant while yellow was recessive. A good knowledge of how related species of the genus Capsicum are, the easier it will enable researchers to hybridize and improve the genus.

How do rewardless Bletilla striata flowers attract pollinators to achieve pollination?

Rewardless plants use various strategies to attract pollinators. Generalized food-deceptive species exploit the nonspecific food-seeking responses of their pollinators. Because past experiences are important for establishing the food-seeking behaviors of insects, previous flower visits by pollinators should play crucial roles in rewardless plants. In this study, we investigated previous experiences of insects that visited the rewardless orchid Bletilla striata based on pollen attached to their bodies to clarify whether experience of visiting flowers with similar colors as rewardless flowers is necessary. Contrary to the expectation, less than half of the flower visitors carried pollen of flowers with similar colors as B. striata, implying that past experience is not essential. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of learning based on the association between the flower position and fruit set assuming that the fruit set would decrease with the progression of the flowering season. A significant association was found at only one of the three study sites. Among flower visitors, male long-horned bees (Eucera spurcatipes) and honeybees (Apis mellifera) primarily carried B. striata pollinia. We hypothesize that B. striata uses generalized food deception to attract honeybees and rendezvous attraction to attract mate-searching male long-horned bees and that this mixed strategy invalidates the associations assumed in generalized food deception.

Detection of Colchicum autumnale in drone images, using a machine-learning approach

Colchicum autumnale are toxic autumn-blooming flowering plants, which often grow on extensive meadows and pastures. Thus, they pose a threat to farm animals especially in hay and silage. Intensive grassland management or the use of herbicides could reduce these weeds but environment protection requirements often prohibit these measures. For this reason, a non-chemical site- or plant-specific weed control is sought, which aims only at a small area around the C. autumnale and with low impact on the surrounding flora and fauna. For this purpose, however, the exact locations of the plants must be known. In the present paper, a procedure to locate blooming C. autumnale in high-resolution drone images in the visible light range is presented. This approach relies on convolutional neural networks to detect the flower positions. The training data, which is based on hand-labeled images, is further enhanced through image augmentation. The quality of the detection was evaluated in particular for grassland sites which were not included in the training to get an estimate for how well the detector works on previously unseen sites. In this case, 88.6% of the flowers in the test dataset were detected, which makes it suitable, e.g., for applications where the training is performed by the manufacturer of an automatic treatment tool and where the practitioners apply it to their previously unseen grassland sites.

Effect of diurnal vs. nocturnal pollinators and flower position on the reproductive success of Echium simplex

Nocturnal pollination plays an important role in sexual plant reproduction but has been overlooked, partially because of intrinsic difficulties in field experimentation. Even less attention has received the effect of within-inflorescence spatial position (distal or proximal) on nocturnal pollinators of columnar plants, despite numerous studies examining the relationship between such position and reproductive success. Woody endemic Echium simplex possesses large erect inflorescences bearing thousands of flowers which are visited by a wide array of diurnal and nocturnal animals. In this study, we identified nocturnal visitors and compared their pollination effectiveness with that of diurnal pollinators in different inflorescence sections by means of selective exclosures in NE Tenerife (Canary Islands). Nocturnal visitors included at least ten morphospecies of moths (such as Paradrina rebeli and Eupithecia sp.), two coleopteran species (mainly Alloxantha sp.), neuropterans (Chrysoperla carnea), dictyopterans (Phyllodromica brullei), dermapterans (Guanchia sp.) and julidans (Ommatoiulus moreletii). In general, plants excluded from pollinators set less fruits than open-pollination (control) plants which set fruits homogeneously across sections. Diurnally pollinated plants set more fruit in their upper parts whereas nocturnally pollinated plants set fruit in both upper and bottom sections. We conclude that although the frequency and diversity of diurnal pollinators is far higher than that of nocturnal pollinators, both exhibit different foraging behaviour that generates complementary effects on the reproductive success of E. simplex.

Combining ability and gene action in cucumber (<em>Cucumis sativus</em> L.)

The experimental material for the present study comprised of F1 population of twenty four crosses, developed by crossing four female parents viz., Sheetal, Shubhangi, Himangi, and Puna khira of cucumber with six male parents viz., AAUC-2, DC-2, AAUC-1, VRC-19, DARL-103 and Fansu local. The experiment was laid out with 24 F1s, 4 females 6 males and one check Konkan kakadi in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two replications during the kharif 2017.Observations were recorded on thirteen different quantitative characters The perusal of estimates of gca effects revealed that two female parents viz., sheetal (0.572), Puna khira (0.235) and two male parents Fansu local (0.596) and VRC-19 (0.376) exhibited significant positive gca effect in kharif 2017. This showed that these parents were good general combiner for the marketable yield vine-1. The best three hybrids with respect to marketable yield vine-1based on significant positive sca were viz., Sheetal x Fansu local (0.942), Shubhangi x DC-2 (0.532), Puna khira x VRC-19 (0.484). A perusal of the data indicated that the estimates of σ2SCA were higher in magnitude as compared to σ2 GCA (average) both in females and males for the traits under study viz., days to first male flower appearance, days to first female flower appearance, nodal position of first female flower, days to first picking, fruit length and diameter, average fruit weight, marketable yield vine-1, harvest duration and total soluble solids. In all the traits studied, the SCA variances were higher than GCA values, indicated the role of non-additive gene action.While lower magnitude of SCA showed additive gene action. The heritability estimates from different variance components having very high heritability obtained for number of marketable fruits vine-1 (69.02%) and number of primary branches plant-1 (94.40%).

Nectar secretion and pollen production in Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Sky Jacket’ (Asparagaceae)

Flowering, nectar secretion, and pollen production in <em>Hyacinthus orientalis</em> ‘Sky Jacket’ (Asparagaceae) were studied between 2013 and 2015 in Lublin, SE Poland (51°16' N, 22°30' E). The flowering was weather-dependent. It started at the beginning of April or at the end of the month and lasted 14–24 days. The mass of nectar, sugar concentration in the nectar, nectar sugar mass, anther size, and pollen mass in flowers all depended on the flower position in the inflorescence and differed significantly between the years of study. The greatest mass of sugars and pollen was recorded in low-positioned flowers. On average, <em>H. orientalis</em> ‘Sky Jacket’ produced 1.63 mg of sugars and 3.51 mg of pollen per flower. The floral reward was attractive for <em>Apis mellifera</em> and <em>Bombus</em> spp., which indicate that the species should be propagated not only for its decorative value but also for supporting pollinators in early spring.

Positional effects on fruit production and filling in two anemophilous Nothofagus species

Within-tree variation in fruit and seed production is little understood for anemophilous trees. This study contributes to identifying this variation for Nothofagus obliqua and N. nervosa by assessing the relative fruit production of reproductive shoots and patterns of filled fruit production in relation to flower position in the tree crown and along flowering shoots. Trees from a natural population (Lanín National Park, Argentina) and a cultivated orchard (Río Azul Nature Reserve, El Bolsón, Argentina) were included in the study. Flowering shoots of high branches (6 m from the ground) and low branches (2.5 m) were sampled, and shoot morphometric attributes (cupule production relative to basal stem diameter and number of leaves) and fruit filling were then evaluated. The proportion of filled fruits arising from different nodes along flowering shoots and for branches at contrasting heights in the crown were quantified. Morphometric attributes were similar for flowering shoots from low and high branches. In N. obliqua, fruit filling was greater in low than high branches, and did not vary with flower position along the flowering shoot. In N. nervosa, fruit filling was unaffected by branch height and tended to decrease as cupule position approached the distal end of the flowering shoot. Pollen limitation could be the main factor affecting fruit filling in N. obliqua, since the lack of relationship between shoot morphological traits and fruit filling does not suggest resource limitations. In N. nervosa, the decline of fruit filling from proximal to distal cupules within the flowering shoots could reflect resource pre-emption by proximal cupules and/or better conditions for pollination in this position. The greater distance between staminate and pistillate flowers along flowering shoots in N. nervosa than in N. obliqua is probably a major factor in explaining the between-species differences found in this study.

Variation in flower and fruit quality in ‘Royal Gala’ apple–the effect of flower position within a spur

ABSTRACT‘Royal Gala’ apple flower clusters usually have 5–6 flowers, each capable of producing a mature fruit at harvest. This study looked at the variation in dry weight among the flowers within spur clusters and also the variation in fruit quality at harvest where only one specific flower was retained to harvest. The king or terminal flower had the smallest pedicel dry weight and length (17.7 mm compared to a mean of 23.3 mm for the other flowers). Receptacle dry weight was largest with flowers 1 and 2 (27 mg compared to a mean of 26 mg for the other flowers). Receptacle dry weight of the king flower was poorly correlated with its diameter, but was highly correlated with the weight of the receptacle of the other flowers within the same cluster. Spur flower clusters were tagged at flowering and reduced to one flower per spur and followed through to harvest. Earlier opening flowers had an initial advantage in terms of fruit diameter on 20 November but fruit diameter at harvest was better correlated with diameter recorded on 16 December. Length/diameter ratio was significantly higher in fruit from king flowers (0.96 compared to a mean of 0.91 for the other flowers). Seed number and weight did not differ among the fruit from different flowers. There was far more variation in fruit quality and flower dry weight between clusters compared to variation within a cluster.

Evaluasi Karakter Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif Cabai Hias (Capsicum annuum L.) IPB

ABSTRACT Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a commodity that has a high economic value and has been known and cultivated by people throughout the world. Ornamental chili pepper has aesthetic value as ornamental plants such as the round or long round fruits and the diversity of fruit colors. This study was conducted to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characters of 11 genotypes of ornamental chili pepper to obtain superior ornamental chili pepper varieties. The analyzed variables were the plant height, stem length, stem diameter, stem color, shortened internode, plant habitus, leaf shape, leaf color, leaf length, leaf width, days to flowering, corolla color, anther color, flower position, harvest date, fruit weight, fruit length, fruit pedicel length, fruit diameter, fruit shape, fruit shape at blossom end, fruit color, and anthocyanin coloration. This study was conducted in green house of the Cikabayan Experimental Garden and the Laboratory of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University, from January to June 2018. The experimental design was randomized complete block design with one factor (genotipe) and four replicates. All genotypes evaluated had diverse quantitative and qualitative characters especially in the character of fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit color. The most preferred genotypes were Ayesha 1, Violeta, and Nazla. Ayesha 1 was favored because of its rounded fruit, interesting and quite varied fruit colors. Violeta and Nazla were prefered because of the purple fruits. Nazla was prefered as pot ornamental plants for its short plant and the convenience to take care. Keywords: Capsicum annuum L, genotipe, ornamental chili pepper Cabai (Capsicum annuum L.) merupakan komoditas yang memiliki nilai ekonomi tinggi dan merupakan tanaman yang sudah dikenal dan dibudidayakan oleh masyarakat di seluruh dunia. Karakter cabai hias memiliki nilai estetika sebagai tanaman hias seperti bentuk buah yang umumnya bulat atau bulat panjang dan warna buah yang sangat bervariasi. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengevaluasi karakter kualitatif dan kuantitatif 11 genotipe cabai hias untuk menghasilkan varietas cabai hias yang unggul. Karakter yang diamati terdiri atas tinggi tanaman, tinggi dikotomus, diameter batang, warna batang, pemendekan ruas, habitus tanaman, bentuk daun, warna daun, panjang daun, lebar daun, waktu munculnya bunga, warna mahkota bunga, warna anther, kedudukan bunga, umur panen buah, bobot buah, panjang buah, panjang tangkai buah, diameter buah, bentuk buah, bentuk pangkal buah, perubahan warna buah, dan pewarnaan antosianin. Penelitian dilakukan di rumah kaca Kebun Percobaan Cikabayan dan Laboratorium Genetika dan Pemuliaan Tanaman, Departemen Agronomi dan Hortikultura, Fakultas Pertanian Institut Pertanian Bogor. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari sampai Juni 2018. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Kelompok Lengkap Teracak (RKLT) satu faktor yaitu genotipe dengan 4 kali ulangan. Semua genotipe yang dievalusi memiliki karakter kuantitatif dan kualitatif yang beragam baik antar genotipe uji maupun dengan varietas pembanding, terutama pada karakter bobot buah, panjang buah, dan warna buah. Genotipe yang paling disukai adalah Ayesha 1, Violeta, dan Nazla. Ayesha 1 disukai karena bentuk buahnya yang membulat dan warna buahnya yang menarik dan beragam. Violeta dan Nazla disukai karena buahnya berwarna ungu. Nazla lebih disukai untuk tanaman hias pot karena perawakannya yang pendek dan memudahkan perawatan. Kata kunci: Capsicum annuum L., cabai hias, genotipe

Genetic Diversity of Jatropha spp. Germplasm Based on Morphological and Molecular Markers

<p>Germplasm of Jatropha spp. with high genetic diversity is needed to develop a new superior variety of Jatropha spp. Morphological and molecular characterizations are important to support development of their superior hybrid varieties. The aims of this study were to identify Jatropha spp. accesion potential for genetic improvement using morphological characters<br />and analyze their genetic diversity using SSR markers. A total of eight genotypes of Jatropha spp. originated from several localities in Indonesia and Thailand was observed. Results showed that accessions of Jatropha spp. were varied in morphological and molecular characters. Based on principle component analysis, characters of stem color, leaf veins, leaf shapes, flower position, total branch number, productive branch number, petiole color, and petal color contributed most to the total diversity. Based on oil seed content, potential accessions identified for further genetic improvement were J. podagrica (34.63%) and J. curcas (29.64%). The results of molecular analysis showed that high allele variation (3–7 alleles) was observed<br />among Jatropha spp. accessions with an average allele number of 4.12 and the average Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value was 0.57 (0.46–0.77). Three SSR markers showed PIC value >0.5 indicating that these markers were informative for genetic diversity detection of Jatropha spp. The phylogenetic analysis showed that seven accessions of Jatropha spp. could<br />be divided in two groups at similarity coefficent of 0.53. Results of genetic diversity analysis in this study should be useful for proper identification and selection for appropriate parents to assist in breeding of Jatropha spp. in Indonesia.</p>