Flower Age Research Articles

Uji potensi pertumbuhan beberapa varietas tanaman jagung (Zea mays) di Kabupaten Bireuen

The corn plant is one of the most important food crops other than rice and soybeans. Besides being consumed as direct food and animal feed, it is also used as raw material for other industries, such as alternative fuels, polymers, corn oil and others. This study aims to determine maize varieties that have high growth potential and yields in Bireuen District. This research was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021 in the village of Cot Kruet Makmur Subdistri, Bireuen District, Aceh Province. This study used a randomized completely block design (RCBD) consisting of 7 varietas of corn plant, namely the Bonanza variety, Royal 76 variety, Talenta Variety, Ganebo variety, Sweet Boy variety, Paragon variety, Jambore variety. The observed parameters consist of a growth component and a yield component. Growth components include: plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and 50% flowering age. While the yield components included: weight of corn cob, length of corn with cob, number of seeds per cob, weight of cob seeds, weight of 1000 grains, and yield per hectare. The result showed that the adaptation test of several varieties of corn plant had a different effect on each observation. Jambore variety is one of the varieties tested for its adaptation in this study, this variety has great potential to be developed in Bireuen district, because the Jambore variety is able to produce the most cobbled cob result among other varieties, weighing is about 22,84 ton ha-1.

PEMANFAATAN KOMPOS AMPAS TEBU PADA TANAMAN SORGUM (Shorgum bicolor (L.) Moench) DI LAHAN KERING : OPTIMALISASI PEMANFAATAN LAHAN KERING DI PROVINSI JAMBI

Sorghum is one type of cereal plant that has great potential to be developed in Indonesia because it has a wide adaptation area. Sorghum has been known and cultivated for a long time in several regions in Indonesia. The opportunity to increase production through increasing productivity is still very large because up to now the productivity that has been achieved is only 60% of the potential yield of each new variety that has a potential yield of 6 tons / ha. One of the causes of low sorghum production is due to minimum fertilization and nutrient-poor soil. Efforts that can be made to keep crop production balanced will require innovation in the supply of environmentally friendly plant nutrients, one of which is by utilizing bagasse waste into organic fertilizer. The study was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Jambi University, Mendalo Indah Village, Jambi Luar Kota District, Muaro Jambi Regency which was located at an altitude of 35 m above sea level and Ultisol soil type. The study aimed to determine the effect of bagasse compost on the growth and yield of sorghum and to obtain a dose of bagasse compost that can provide the best growth and yield of sorghum. This study was conducted using a randomized block design (RBD) with one factor, namely the dose of organic bagasse organic fertilizer consisting of 4 levels of treatment. The treatment used in this study was (P0) administration of inorganic fertilizers, (P1) administration of 5 tons / ha bagasse organic fertilizer, (P2) giving 10 tons / ha bagasse organic fertilizer, (P3) giving bagasse organic fertilizer 15 ton / ha. The variables observed were plant height, number of leaves, age of flowering, root dry weight, plant dry weight, panicle length, seed weight per plant, weight of 1000 seeds, and yield per hectare. The results showed that bagasse compost treatment had a significant effect on plant height. However, there was no significant effect on the number of leaves, age of flowering, root dry weight, dry weight of plants, panicle length, weight of 1000 seeds and dry seed weight of planting and harvest index

Inheritance of Agronomic Characteristics in F3 Soybeans (Agromulyo X Tanggamus) Using the Pedigree Method

The research was conducted at the end of October 2020 - February 2021 in Raya Usang Village, Dolog Massagal District, Simalungun Regency, at an altitude of 1090 m above sea level. The purpose of this research was to determine the agronomic characteristics, heritability estimation value and the variety of genotypes of F3 (Agromulyo X Tanggamus). This research uses planting with the Pedigree method. The research design used an Augmented design, namely a strain design that was not repeated but with the elder plant being planted, to prove that the strain tends to be the parent of Agromulyo or Tanggamus. Observations made include: flowering age (days), harvesting age (days), plant height (cm), number of branches (units), number of pods (units), the seed weight per plant (g) and the weight of 100 seeds (g). From the results of research and analysis of statistical data taken from the mean character value, it is known that in the agronomic characteristics of F3 (Agromulyo X Tanggamus), there were several characters that have improved (load, harvest age, and weight of 100 seeds), there were also characteristics whose mean were between the Agromulyo and Tanggamus elder plant (plant height and number of branches, number of pods per plant, seeds weight per plant and the weight of 100 seeds). The criterion of the GCV is, low: GCV <7%, medium: GCV <14%, and high: GCV> 14%. All characters have a high GCV value except for the harvest age and the flowering age, which have a low GCV value. For heritability values in the broad sense of the criteria, it is h2 <0.2 for low heritability, 0.2 <h2 <0.5 for medium heritability, and h2> 0.5 for high heritability. The results showed that all characters in this study had high broad heritability values. The higher the heritability value, the greater the selection progress that is achieved and the faster the superior varieties are released. The results of this study were obtained in 20 genotypes through direct selection based on the character of the seed weight of which had the highest seed weight. The genotype numbers of the promising strains obtained were 181, 123, 196,113, 116, 162, 104, 39, 69, 200, 227, 70, 221, 63, 128, 15, 99, 66, 52 and 184. The genotype with the highest seed weight was found in genotype 181 (44.02 g), while the genotype with the lowest seed weight was found in genotype number 88 (28.69 g).

The potential of Central Java local black rice and red rice as drought tolerant cultivars

Black and red rice contain nutritional values not found in white rice. They contain anthocyanins which are beneficial to health. Drought stress can potentially reduce rice yield. So, it is necessary to develop local black and red rice into tolerant cultivars. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with cultivar factor (V) and drought stress level (K). Drought stress treatment was carried out when the plants were 35-95 DAP (days after planting) using the modified gravimetric method. Plant destruction was conducted at 7 and 21 DAT (days after treatment) to measure the growth analysis component. The observation of the growth analyses was plant dry weight, leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), relative growth rate (RGR), and net assimilation rate (NAR). Agronomic characters by observing shoot-root ratio and flowering age. The results showed drought stress decreased plant dry weight, leaf area, and relative growth rate on Sragen black rice. Jelitheng Karanganyar showed high RGR and NAR under drought stress and the fastest flowering age response. Wonogiri black rice gave the growth response by reducing specific leaf area. The highest shoot-root ratio was shown on Wonogiri black rice.

Yield performance and farmers' responses to corn composite varieties in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province

The objective of the present study was to determine yield performance and farmers' preference to the Lamuru composite corn variety planted with the application of corn Integrated Crop Management (ICM) and non Integrated Crop Management (non-ICM). The study was conducted in Kadumadang Village of Pandeglang Regency on a dry land agro-ecosystem in February-May 2020. The composite corn variety used was the Lamuru variety. Data was gathered using direct observation of agronomic performance and production with 10 replications. The agronomic data observed were plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, 50% flowering age, cob length, cob diameter, number of rows per cob, 100 grains weight, stover weight, cob weight and dry seeds weight. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted to determine farmers' preference to the Lamuru variety performance. Quantitative data was analyzed statistically and qualitative data was analyzed descriptively. From the result, the growth of corn ICM was higher than non-ICM. It resulted in a higher productivity of corn ICM (9.27 t/ha) compared to non-ICM (6.68 t/ha) significantly. Furthermore, farmers gave a fairly high response to the performance of Lamuru variety through the application of corn ICM and non-ICM, respectively at 79.95% and 72.52%.

RESPON PEMBUNGAAN TURNERA SUBULATA TERHADAP INTENSITAS PENYINARAN DAN MACAM PUPUK P

Turnera subulata is a benefit plant for oil palm, the flower is habitat for enemy of oil palm insect. This study aims to know the response of Turnera subulata flowering on light intensity and different kinds of phosphor fertilizers. The research was conducted in STIPER Agricultural Institute Yogyakarta. The research used split plot design as experimental method with two factors. The first factor is light intensity which is consisted of 3 levels: 54,9 fc; 20,4 fc; and 9,8 fc. The second factor is the type of phosphor fertilizers: TSP, SP36, Gandasil B, and Control. The results are analysed with Variance and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test, 5% significance. The research showed that there is interaction effect between light intensity and phosphor fertilizer which is resulted in the amount of flower and flower age of Turnera subulata. Application of 54,9 fc light intensity combined with Gandasil B fertilizers give the best response for the amount, age, and also growth of Turnera subulata.
 Keywords: Turnera subulata, light intensity, Gandasil B, TSP, SP36

Nectary photosynthesis contributes to the production of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) floral nectar.

Current models of floral nectar production do not include a contribution from photosynthesis by green nectary tissue, even though many species have green nectaries. Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) floral nectaries are green, and in addition to sugars, their nectar contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the precursor of the antimicrobial agent in the honey. We investigated causes of variation in mānuka floral nectar production, particularly the effect of light incident on the nectary. Flower gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and the effects on nectar of age, temperature, light, sucrose, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU), pyridoxal phosphate, and 13 CO2 , were measured for attached and excised flowers. Flower age affected all nectar traits, whilst temperature affected total nectar sugar only. Increased light reduced floral CO2 efflux, increased nectar sugar production, and affected the ratio of DHA to other nectar sugars. DCMU, an inhibitor of photosystem II, reduced nectar sugar production. Pyridoxal phosphate, an inhibitor of the chloroplast envelope triose phosphate transporter, reduced nectar DHA content. Incubation of excised flowers with 13 CO2 in the light resulted in enrichment of nectar sugars, including DHA. Photosynthesis within green nectaries contributes to nectar sugars and influences nectar composition. Mānuka nectar DHA arises from pools of triose phosphate that are modulated by nectary photosynthesis.

Nectar Production and Spectrum of Insect Visitors in Six Varieties of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in SE Poland

Abstract The attractiveness of plants to pollinators depends strongly on flower rewards, especially nectar and pollen. Nectar mass, sugar concentration, and sugar mass are known to influence the spectrum and abundance of insect visitors. Respective data on nectar secretion in highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum ) under the climatic conditions of Poland are scarce. This study was conducted in 2002–2005 to assess flower abundance, nectar production, and insect visitors in six varieties of V. corymbosum in Niemce, SE Poland. Flower abundance ranged from 1.63 ± 0.64 (‘Darrow’) to 4.07 ± 0.95 in thousands of flowers per shrub (‘Northland’). Nectar mass, sugar concentration, and nectar sugar mass increased with flower age, peaking between the sixth and ninth day. Significant differences in nectar characteristics occurred between years and between varieties. ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Darrow’ produced the largest nectar mass (19.08 ± 7.09 and 16.60 ± 8.31 mg nectar per flower, respectively) and nectar sugar mass per flower (6.39 ± 1.52 and 5.76 ± 1.51 mg sugar per flower, respectively). The estimated sugar yield in the studied V. corymbosum varieties ranged from 9.4 ± 3.3 to 20.7 ± 3.8 g sugar per shrub (‘Croatan’ and ‘Bluecrop,’ respectively). Regarding insect visitors, only honey bees and bumble bees were observed. Honey bees comprised 81%–98% of the total number of observed insect visitors. Highbush blueberry, due to abundant blooming and high per-flower sugar yield, is thus a good source of nectar sugars for honey bees.

PRODUCTION OF HYBRID AND MADURA LOCAL CORN AS BABY CORN IN PAMEKASAN REGENCY

Baby corn is corn cobs that are picked when they are very young and before the seeds are formed. Until now, there has been no research on the potential of local Madurese maize as baby corn. The use of local Madurese maize varieties as babycorn is an effort to increase the potential value of the commodity in order to increase farmers' income sources. Plants were planted in paddy fields using a randomized block design plot. Maintenance of corn plants using corn planting standards. Parameters observed included: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, age of flowering, harvest age, harvest period, ear wet weight, ear length, ear diameter, and ear sugar content. Data analysis used SPSS 16. The results of the analysis showed that there were differences in height and stem diameter of hybrid maize plants with local Madurese varieties but between local Madurese varieties showed no significant differences except for the growth in the number of leaves. Flowering age, early harvest age, and harvest period produced very significant differences.

Parameter Genetik Hasil Persilangan Jagung Bersari Bebas untuk Mendapatkan Galur Berbiji Ungu

Corn (Zea mays) is a cereal crop and has become a staple food. Purple corn has more excess compared to corn in general. In addition, purple corn has high nutrient content and anthocyanin levels. This study aims to determine genetic parameters such as variability, heritability, and genetic advance of the F2 generation resulting from an open-pollinated hybridization. The research was conducted from January 2020 to June 2020 on the Research and Experimental Field of the Department of Agrotechnology, Universitas Bangka Belitung. The work used a single plant design. The lines used were derived from the results of the previous selection stage. The results showed that the phenotype variability was relatively wide on the weight character of ear cobs with cornhusk, and the cob weight without cornhusk. High heritability values are found in the characters of harvest age, age of male flowering, and age of female flowering. The value of expected genetic advance for high expectations is found in the characters of plant height, the row number of seeds, the weight of 100-seeds, and the weight of cob with cornhusk. The selection results suggest nine corn lines that can be used for the next generation selection. Keywords: corn, expected genetic advance, heritability, purple, variability

Growth Response And Results Of Local Upland Rice Cultivars West Sumatera On Ultisol Land

Upland rice whose cultivated on dry land, which has limited needs for growth and production. The low upland rice production is due to the lack of high yielding varieties that can adapt, especially to marginal lands such as Ultisol. There are quite many local upland rice lines, but their potential has not been tested much. This study aimed to obtain the growth and yield of local upland rice cultivars of West Sumatra on the best Ultisol soil. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The treatments were four upland rice cultivars, which consisted of; Silayang (K1), Siarang (K2), Sirah (K3) and Sigudang (K4). This data observation was analyzed for variance, and if it had a significant effect, it was continued using DMRT at the 5% level. Observations were made on plant height, the maximum number of tillers, percentage of productive tillers, length of flag leaf, age of flowering, age of the first harvest, panicle length, number of grain per panicle, the weight of 1000 pithy grain seeds, and weight of pithy grain per clump. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that upland rice cultivar Sirah had the best growth and yield on Ultisol soil. Based on the conclusion, it is recommended to use Sirah upland rice on Ultisol soil.

Response of three maize varieties (Zea mays L.) to different nitrogen dosages

The research was carried out at the Experimental Garden of the Cereal Research Institute, Bajeng District, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi Province, which took place from September 2018 to January 2019. The research aimed to study the interaction between certain nitrogen doses and certain maize varieties and the presence of maize varieties, as well as nitrogen doses provide the highest growth and production. This research was conducted in the form of an experiment using a separate plot design. The nitrogen dose as the main plot consisting of 4 levels, namely urea 0 kg.ha−1, 100 kg.ha−1, 200 kg.ha−1, and 300 kg.ha−1, then three varieties of maize as subplots, namely Bima-19 variety as hybrid representative, Lamuru as composite representative, and Srikandi Kuning as synthetic representative. The results showed that the Bima-19 variety fertilized with urea 300 kg.ha−1 gave the highest seed yield per hectare (8.10 tons.ha−1), and the Srikandi Kuning variety produced the highest ear height (91.25 cm) compared to other varieties tested. Application of urea 300 kg.ha−1 resulted in the highest ear height (113.19 cm), the longest ear length (20.02 cm), and the highest number of seeds. 33.83 seeds). All parameters observed had very significant positive correlation values, except for the age of flowering of the females and the number of seed rows of cob−1 which were significantly positive.

Growth and production of paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) in various planting systems and types of liquid organic fertilizers

This study aims to determine the growth and production of rice in various planting systems and types of liquid organic fertilizer. The research was conducted in Rijang Panua Village, Kulo District, Sidenreng Rappang Regency from May to August 2016. The research was conducted based on a split plot design with main plot set was planting system consisted of three levels, namely: the tile planting system (20 cm × 20 cm), the legowo planting system 4:1 (40 cm × 20 cm × 20 cm), and 2:1 legowo planting system (40 cm × 20 cm × 20 cm). Subplot was type of liquid organic fertilizer made from three types of raw material, namely Gliricidia tree leaves, banana weevils, and Gliricidia leaves + banana weevil. The results show that there was a significant interaction effect between the two treatments on parameters of plant height, number of grains per panicle, production per plot and production per hectare. The combination of 2:1 legowo planting system and the liquid organic fertilizer made from Gliricidia leaves + banana weevil gave the highest yields on production per hectare (5.55 ton.ha−1). Highest number of productive tillers and an earlier flowering age were observed in the 2:1 legowo planting system (32.26 tillers and 60 days after sowing).

Response of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) to the application of Bio-slurry fertilizer and Trichoderma harzianum

This study aims to determine the best combination of bio-slurry and Trichoderma harzianum on melon production. The research was conducted in Lassang Village, North Polombangkeng District, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi from June to August 2020. The experiment was set using a randomized block design with the application of bio-slurry fertilizer as the first factor consisted of control, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mL/L bio-slurry. The second factor was Trichoderma harzianum dose consisted of 0,100, 200, and 300 g/L. The results show that the application of 75 mL/L bio-slurry and 200 g/L Trichoderma harzianum resulted in thickest fruit meat (26.47 mm). Melon treated with Bio-slurry of 100 mL/L and 200 g/L Trichoderma harzianum produced the highest number of seeds (285.2 seeds) and higher concentration of the microbes of 300 g/L resulted in the highest Brix content (6.0% Brix) and the highest organoleptic test (2.90). The singe effect of Bio-slurry treatment of 100 mL/L also produced the earliest flowering age (14.40 days), the highest number of fruits (4.10 pieces), the heaviest fruit weight (205.20 g), and the highest average of fruit diameter (24.22 mm).

The effect of screen materials on the microclimate and growth of chili pepper plant

Climate change often causes failure in cultivation. So, microclimate modification is needed. One of which is to use the screen to ensure the cultivation of chili pepper plants. The purposes of this study were to understand the effect of several types of screen materials on the growth of the chili pepper plant and to determine the best screen material for chili pepper plant cultivation. This study consisted of four treatments; there is no screen (NO), UV plastic screen with 0.6 mm (UV) of thickness, shading net with 50% shade factor (SN), and the combination of UV and SN. The results indicated the lowest intensity of sunlight and temperature occurs in the microclimate was using a combination of UV and SN screens. The highest growth, the largest number of leaves, and the earliest flowering age was using SN treatment with 30.65 cm, 39.88 leaves, and 36 days, respectively. In Summary, the treatment of shading net showed the best material for chili pepper plant cultivation compared to UV plastic and the combination of UV plastic and shading net.

PENGARUH KONSENTRASI DAN FREKUENSI PEMBERIAN POC LIMBAH TAHU TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI CABAI MERAH (Capsicum annum L.)

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of the concentration and the frequency of tofu wastewater and the interaction between concentration and the frequency of tofu wastewater on the growth and production of red chili (Capsicum annum L.) plants. The method used in this research was a completely randomized design of a factorial pattern. The first factor is the concentration of tofu wastewater which is consists of 5 treatments, namely tofu wastewater (T0), tofu wastewater 25% (T1), tofu wastewater 50% (T2), tofu wastewater 75% (T3), and tofu wastewater 100% (T4). The second factor is frequency tofu wastewater (F) which consists of 3 levels, namely the frequency of tofu wastewater once time during the planting period on 14 days (F1), second times during the planting period which given when the plant is planted 21 and 42 dast (F2), and three times during the planting period, and which given when the plants were 14, 28, and 42 dast (F3) with three replicates. The results showed that the type of tofu wastewater had a significant effect on the age of the first flowers, the total fresh fruit weight, and the total dry fruit weight. The frequency of tofu wastewater offering had a significant effect on the number of fruits planted. No interaction between the types concentrates on the frequency of tofu wastewater to vegetative and generative plant growth. The best result is the age at the first flower, the total weight of fresh fruit, and the dry weight of 100% tofu wastewater. The best number of fruit crops is the frequency of offering tofu wastewater as much as once watering.

Effect of glucose, fructose, and sucrose on vase life, antioxidants enzymes, and some physiologic parameters of carnation cv. ‘Yellow Candy’ cut flower

Introduction: Carnation (Dianthus caryphyllus L.), from Caryophyllaceae family, is one of the most important cut flowers in the world that its short vase life reduces the economic value. Postharvest longevity of cut flowers can be prolonged using carbohydrates (sugars) in a vase jar. Cut flowers undergo some physiological and biochemical changes that often lead to an early senescence. To delay the aging process in cut flowers, it is necessary to evaluate many aspects of preparation for storage conditions, especially preservative solutions that affect the quality and longevity of these flowers. Many flowers are harvested before they are fully developed, to ensure a long postharvest life and to minimize mechanical damages that might occur during handling. The growth and development of flower buds on cut flowers require food (especially carbohydrates), which is stored in the leaves and stems. These stored carbohydrates can be mobilized for the flower bud to use but maybe they are insufficient when the buds are harvested at a tight-bud stage. To maintain metabolic activities, including respiration, even for cut flowers that have reached full development, it is necessary to provide adequate reserves to achieve acceptable postharvest life. When stored materials are low, leaves and flowers age faster and the petals fade. Under these conditions, supplements can be provided to the flowers by adding sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose to the vase solutions. However, it is important to note that a sugar solution is also suitable for the growth of microorganisms, so that an antimicrobial agent should be added to the vase solution as well. Many researches were carried out on prolonging the vase life of cut carnation flowers with different preservative solutions together with an antimicrobial agent. Studies on postharvest longevity of cut carnation flowers using sugars as preservative solutions is low. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and application time on vase life and some physiological parameters of carnation cv. “Yellow Candy” cut flowers.Materials and Methods: A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design in three replicates was performed in order to investigate the effect of different levels (0, 50 and 100 g/L) of three types of sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) and two sugar application times (the first and second 24 h) on vase life of carnation cv. Yellow Candy cut flowers. Some other traits such as water uptake, dry mater, relative fresh weight, protein and carotenoid of petal, leaf chlorophyll, POD and SOD enzymes activity and MDA were also measured. The statistical analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v 16.0. Least significant difference (LSD) test at P < 0.05 was used to find out the significance of differences among the mean values.Results and Discussion: Results showed that the effect of different levels of sugars on all evaluated traits was significant. Each three levels of sugars at each two applied times caused to increase vase life and relative traits. Maximum vase life (18 days) was obtained in 50 g/L glucose at the first 24 h with no statistically significant differences with the 100 g/L sucrose and fructose at the first 24 h. The highest water uptakes and dry matter, the lowest POD and SOD activity and minimum MDA were obtained in treatment of 50 g/L glucose at the first 24 h. The highest petal protein content, chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll were achieved in treatment of 50 g/L glucose at the second 24 h. The use of sugars at the first 24 h was more effective in improving the vase life than at the second one. Therefore, application of glucose, preferably in the early hours of harvesting flowers, can be recommended as a prolonged postharvest carnation Yellow Candy cut flowers. Positive effect of external holding solutions in vase jar particularly sugars together with an antimicrobial agent on prolonging the vase life of many cut flowers have been shown. Treatment of some cut flowers with sucrose increased glucose and fructose in petals. External sugars can be provided to cut flowers by dissolving a known amount of sugar, along with an antimicrobial agent, into the vase solution. The optimum concentration of sugar varies significantly depending on the flowers being treated. Concentration of 2% sugar is used to keep most flowers in the vase solution. However, some other flowers require higher concentrations, such as 4 to 6%. Some flowers are damaged when treated with concentrations higher than 1%. Therefore, it is important to examine each flower before treating it to determine the optimal concentration of sugars. Sugars are a source of energy and carbon for cut flowers and play an important role in decreasing the protein degradation and ethylene production, maintenance of osmotic balance, increasing water uptake, and finally delaying in senescence process.

Impact of the female and hermaphrodite forms of Opuntia robusta on the plant defence hypothesis

The optimal defence hypothesis predicts that increased plant defence capabilities, lower levels of damage, and lower investment in vegetative biomass will occur more frequently in sexual forms with higher resource-demanding tissue production and/or younger plant parts. We aimed to examine the effects of sexual form, cladode, and flower age on growth rate, herbivore damage, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), chlorogenic acid, and quercetin (QUE) concentrations in Opuntia robusta plants in central Mexico. Our findings demonstrated that hermaphrodite flowers showed faster growth and lesser damage than female flowers. The effect of cladode sexual forms on 4-HBA and QUE occurrence was consistent with the predictions of the optimal defence hypothesis. However, chlorogenic acid occurrences were not significantly affected by sexual forms. Old cladodes exhibited higher QUE and 4-HBA occurrences than young cladodes, and hermaphrodites exhibited higher 4-HBA concentrations than females. Resource allocation for reproduction and secondary metabolite production, and growth was higher and lower, respectively, in females, compared to hermaphrodites, indicating a trade-off between investment in reproduction, growth, and secondary metabolite production. Secondary metabolite concentrations in O. robusta plants were not negatively correlated with herbivore damage, and the two traits were not accurate predictors of plant reproductive output.

The biomechanics of pollen release: new perspectives on the evolution of wind pollination in angiosperms.

Evolutionary transitions from animal to wind pollination have occurred repeatedly during the history of the angiosperms, but the selective mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we propose that knowledge of pollen release biomechanics is critical for understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes underpinning this shift in pollination mode. Pollen release is the critical first stage of wind pollination (anemophily) and stamen properties are therefore likely to be under strong selection early in the transition. We describe current understanding of pollen release biomechanics to provide insights on the phenotypic and ecological drivers of wind pollination. Pollen release occurs when detachment forces dominate resistive forces retaining pollen within anthers. Detachment forces can be active or passive depending on whether they require energy input from the environment. Passive release is more widespread in anemophilous species and involves processes driven by steady or unsteady aerodynamic forces or turbulence-induced vibrations that shake pollen from anthers. We review empirical and theoretical studies suggesting that stamen vibration is likely to be a key mechanism of pollen release. The vibration response is governed by morphological and biomechanical properties of stamens, which may undergo divergent selection in the presence or absence of pollinators. Resistive forces have rarely been investigated for pollen within anthers, but are probably sensitive to environmental conditions and depend on flower age, varying systematically between animal- and wind-pollinated species. Animal and wind pollination are traditionally viewed as dichotomous alternatives because they are usually associated with strikingly different pollination syndromes. But this perspective has diverted attention from subtler, continuously varying traits which mediate the fluid dynamic process of pollen release. Reinterpreting the flower as a biomechanical entity that responds to fluctuating environmental forces may provide a promising way forward. We conclude by identifying several profitable areas for future research to obtain deeper insight into the evolution of wind pollination.

Gene action and heritability of F4 generation derived from the crossing of Silopuk red rice cultivar with superior Fatmawati variety

Population F4 is a segregated population the character of certai, so important to know the parameters of genetics. The purpose of our research to determine action of gene and the values expected heritability population F4 (Silopuk X Fatmawati). The research has been from month of October 2017 to February 2018 in land farmer Padang Limau Manis. The research use method experiment without repitition the head to row with analysis Z Skewness and Z Kurtosis. The genetic material of this research is rice seed on the F3 generation from the selection of pedigree crosses between silopuk and Fatmawati superior variety and the other seeds were Silopuk cultivar and Fatmawati superior variety as control. The research data showed that Z test skewness and Z test Kurtosis for whole characters observed were dominant controlled by minor genes. The character age of flowering, plant height, length of panicle and percentage filled grain per panicle were controlled by many gene additive. The broad heritability value for all character observed in the F4 population ranged from 0.01-0.99 with low to high criteria.