Foreign Cultivars Research Articles

Effects of Different Processing Treatments on Almond (Prunus dulcis) Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activities, Fatty Acids, and Sensorial Characteristics.

Almond is one of the most commonly consumed nuts worldwide, with health benefits associated with availability of bioactive compounds and fatty acids. Almond is often eaten raw or after some processing steps. However, the latter can positively or negatively influence chemical and sensorial attributes of almonds. This work was carried out to assess the effects of two processing treatments, namely; roasting and blanching on (i) contents of bioactive compounds, (ii) contents of fatty acids (3) antioxidant activities (4), sensorial characteristics of four neglected Portuguese almond cultivars (Casanova, Molar, Pegarinhos and Refêgo) and two foreign cultivars (Ferragnès and Glorieta). Results showed that in general, levels of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities increased with roasting and decreased with blanching. Fatty acid profiles of raw kernels of all cultivars were generally identical although Refêgo exhibited a high content of α-linolenic acid. Following roasting and blanching, content of polyunsaturated fatty acids increased while saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and several health lipid indices decreased. Roasting positively affected perception of skin color and sweetness of Ferragnès and Glorieta as well as skin roughness of Molar and Pegarinhos. Blanching on the other hand led to positive changes in textural properties of Refêgo and Pegarinhos. This study reveals the nutritive benefits of consuming neglected almond cultivars in Portugal, and the novel data reported here could be of interest to growers, processing companies and consumers.

Genetic diversity and fruit characteristics of new superior hybrid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier) genotypes

The development of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier) genotypes, which have good taste, size and firmness, is among the most important and prioritized issues of today. We aimed to develop new strawberry cultivars having standards of priority issues for strawberry. Eight prominent strawberry genotypes were obtained from the cross of domestic strawberry cultivars (‘Sevgi’, ‘Kaska’, and ‘Ebru’) with the varieties (‘Rubygem’, ‘Festival’, and ‘Amiga’). Pomological (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and firmness) and physical (fruit width, fruit length, and fruit weight) analyses of eight strawberry genotypes and their parents were performed on active harvest months. In addition, ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity of eight prominent strawberry hybrids and their parents. The selected superior hybrid strawberry fruit characteristics exceeded the characteristics of local varieties and reached the point where they can compete with commercial varieties in terms of most of the quality parameters. However, it was determined that the genotypes did not reach the targeted point in terms of fruit firmness. While a good positive correlation among fruit size parameters was found, taste of fruit was negatively affected by increasing these. As it is seen in the molecular results (PCoA), domestic and foreign cultivars were separated from each other, and their progenies were generally between them as most of the examined parameters (fruit firmness, acidity, total soluble solid, fruit weight). In addition, PIC value ranged from 0.17 (UBC816) to 0.86 (UBC824).

Genetic and epigenetic variations in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using SSR and MSAP approaches

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is the fourth largest cereal crop in the world with extensive adaptability in diverse environments. There is increasing evidence that epigenetics contributes to plant evolution and adaptation. However, epigenetic variation in barley and their correlations with genetic variation remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated epigenetic and genetic diversity in 48 Tibetan wild distribution (TWD) barley accessions, 24 Chinese cultivars (CC), and 24 foreign cultivars (FC) using DNA methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism and simple sequence repeats. We found a relatively high level of epigenetic (I = 0.639 and h = 0.450) and genetic (I = 0.637 and h = 0.446) diversity in barley, and a significant correlation between epigenetic and genetic variation in barley (R2 = 0.160, P < 0.001). No differences in genetic variation were observed among TWD, CC and FC populations. However, the TWD population had significantly higher epigenetic diversity (I = 0.607 and h = 0.424, P < 0.001) than both cultivated populations (FC: I = 0.584 and h = 0.402; CC: I = 0.544 and h = 0.372). Also, the TWD population had significantly higher average hemi-methylation (20.35%) and full-methylation (25.37%) levels than both cultivated populations (FC: 16.13% and 20.98%, respectively; CC: 15.98% and 18.95%, respectively). This study has provided valuable information on DNA methylation variation across diverse barley accessions and indicated that epigenetic variations might be another factor contributing to barley diversity.

Use of chinese hazel (Corylus chinese French.) in hazelnut breeding (Corylus domestica Kos. st Opal.)

Aim. The need to improve the domestic assortment of hazelnuts and encouraging results obtained due to the involvement of Chinese hazel Corylus chinensis Franch. in hybridization with the best of its cultivars, prompted the research. Methods. The hybridization program included the most adapted to the conditions of Ukraine domestic and foreign cultivars of hazelnuts, as well as pollinators from natural populations of Corylus avellana L. and Corylus chinensis. Isolation of maternal and collection of pollen from paternal components of crossing was made using standard methods. Pollination was made by blowing pollen into bags with a medical insufflator MO-03 with a special needle (without removing the bag) and after 2–3 days, the pollination was repeated. Hybrid nuts were sown in autumn with wrappers without stratification. Other operations for growing seedlings and further maintenance were performed according to the standard methods. Results. Sufficiently high levels of fruit binding in variants with C. avellana pollen confirm the genetic proximity of the studied cultivars to this species, and the indicators from pollination by C. chinensis were 3–5 times lower. They confirm the remoteness of Chinese hazel from the modern cultivar assortment, but they make it possible to use this species in the hazelnut breeding. Thanks to this, a valuable material was created from which a new cultivar Sofiyvsky 15 was selected. It entered fruiting in the third year after crossing and combines high potential productivity with adaptability, a spherical shape of the fruit and a high content of raw protein and oil in them. Conclusions. The ‘Sofiyivsky 15’ has significantly exceeded the ‘Halle’ and the conditional standard due to its adaptability, quickness, processability and quality of nuts. It can be recommended for wide introduction in farms of all agro-climatic zones of Ukraine.&#x0D; Keywords: Corylus chinensis Franch., Corylus spp., cultivar Sofiyivsky 15, hazelnut hybrids, hybrid orchard, interspecific crossing.

On the problem of genetic polymorphism dynamics in Russian cultivars of garden pea (&lt;i&gt;Pisum sativum&lt;/i&gt; L.)

Background . Breeding new crops is associated with a risk of decrease (erosion) in genetic polymorphism. It is associated mainly with the fact that only a limited range of pre-existing cultivars and forms are used for breeding new cultivars. The Russian cultivars of garden pea ( Pisum sativum L.) are characterized by a high level of phenotypic variability, while dynamics of polymorphism at DNA level is poorly investigated. Such an investigation is relevant from the point of view of the prospects for further breeding of the crop, and for planning strategies of polymorphism conservation in germplasm collections. Materials and methods . The material used in the study included 18 Russian cultivars bred before 1991, 22 Russian cultivars created later, 40 foreign cultivars, as well as 7 marker lines and wild-growing accessions. These lines were phenotyped and genotyped using DNA markers (14 CAPS, 8 SSR, one mitochondrial and one chloroplast). Variability level was measured as an average Jaccard coefficient resulting from pairwise comparison within each group. Additionally, we analyzed the published characteristics of cultivars included in the State Register in 1994 - 2019. Results . At the phenotypic level, the variability of grain cultivars increased, while a decrease was recorded for vegetable cultivars. A comparison with foreign cultivars has shown that their polymorphism was similar to those of Russian cultivars, except for the vegetable cultivars which are phenotypically less polymorphic than foreign ones. The DNA polymorphism demonstrated a similar tendency, although to a lesser extent. A low level of within-cultivar polymorphism was found. Productivity characteristics of cultivars included into the State Register in the early period (1995 - 2000) and those included later (2016 - 2019) do not differ significantly. Conclusions . There is no clear indication of genetic erosion in Russian cultivars of pea. We also found no reliable increase in the basic agriculturally important characters within the two decades.

Resistance to causal agents of late blight and golden potato nematode of the modern cultivars of seed potatoes and their phytosanitary status in various agroclimatic zones of the European part of Russia

Активная экспансия зарубежных сортов картофеля на территорию Российской Федерации привела к смене доминирующих видов патогенов этой культуры и появлению новых патотипов возбудителей вредоносных болезней. Целью работы была оценка устойчивости к возбудителям фитофтороза и глободероза современного сортимента картофеля и определение поражаемости возделываемых сортов картофеля грибными и оомицетными болезнями в различных агроклиматических зонах России. Проведена оценка устойчивости 41 сорта зарубежной селекции, разрешенного к использованию на территории РФ, к патотипу Ro1 Globodera rostochiensis и к изоляту VZR17 Phytophthora infestans, включающего гены вирулентности 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11. Устойчивыми к золотистой картофельной нематоде оказались 38 сортов. У 96.6 % изученных нематодоустойчивых сортов выявлен маркер гена Н1 устойчивости к патотипу Ro1 G. rostochiensis, восприимчивые сорта этим маркером не обладали. Абсолютной устойчивостью к возбудителю фитофтороза отличались сорта Alouette и Sarpo Mira (балл 9); высоким уровнем устойчивости (баллы 6 и 7) характеризовались сорта Evolution, Red Fantasy и Ricarda. Сорта Baltic Rose, Damaris, Desiree, Gala, Labella, Laperla, Mia, Sanibel, Zekura, Queen Anne, Red Lady и 7 for 7 были отнесены к восприимчивым, хотя в характеристиках оригинаторов указана средняя устойчивость к фитофторозу. Фитопатологическая экспертиза проведена для 92 образцов 39 сортов семенного картофеля из четырех федеральных округов РФ: Приволжского, Северо-Западного, Центрального и Северо-Кавказского. Наибольшее распространение на всех сортах получили ризоктониоз, сухая фузариозная гниль и серебристая парша. Стопроцентное поражение клубней серебристой паршой отмечено в различных регионах на сортах элитных репродукций Red Scarlett, Evolution, Labella, Colombo, Gala, Невский. Широко распространен антракноз картофеля; сильнее всего были поражены клубни элитной и второй репродукции сорта Red Scarlett – от 50.0 до 71.4 % в Центральном федеральном округе.

Fine Mapping a Broad-Spectrum Powdery Mildew Resistance Gene in Chinese Landrace Datoumai, PmDTM, and Its Relationship with Pm24.

Powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is a globally important wheat disease causing severe yield losses, and deployment of resistant varieties is the preferred choice for managing this disease. Chinese wheat landrace Datoumai was resistant to 22 of 23 Bgt isolates at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis based on the inoculation of Bgt isolate E09 on the F1, F2, and F2:3 populations derived from the cross Datoumai × Huixianhong revealed that the powdery mildew resistance of Datoumai is controlled by a single dominant gene, temporarily designated as PmDTM. Bulked segregant analysis and simple sequence repeat mapping with 200 F2 plants showed that PmDTM was located in the same genetic region as Pm24 on chromosome 1DS. To fine map PmDTM, 12 critical recombinants were identified from 1,192 F2 plants and delimited PmDTM to a 0.5-cM Xhnu58800 to Xhnu59000 interval covering 180.5 Kb (38,728,125 to 38,908,656 bp) on chromosome 1DS, and only one highly confident gene, TraesCS1D02G058900, was annotated within this region. TraesCS1D02G058900 encodes a receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase (STK), and a 6-bp deletion in exon 5 may confer the resistance to powdery mildew. Allele frequency analysis indicated that the STK allele with 6-bp deletion was only present in three landraces (Datoumai, Chiyacao [Pm24], and Hulutou) and was absent in all of the 353 Chinese modern cultivars and 147 foreign cultivars. These results demonstrate that PmDTM is mapped to the same locus as Pm24 and can be widely used to enhance powdery mildew resistance in wheat growing regions worldwide.

Моніторинг погодних змін та їх вплив на продуктивність цінного селекційного генофонду вишні (Cerasus vulgaris Mill.) у Лісостепу України

The authors have researched the weather peculiarities of the years 2017-2019 and their influence on the formation and realization of the productivity potential of the valuable industrial inland and foreign cherry cultivars. According to the research results the unfavorable weather phenomena, including long air and soil droughts, late spring frosts, dry winds et. became more frequent considerably in the Ukraine’s Lisosteppe during the periods of flowering and infructescense. The cherry trees ability to fructify sufficienly under a number of unfavourable environmental factors effects substantially this crop economic efficiency on the whole. The investigations have revealed the essential cv impact on the amount and quality of the cherry fruits. The explored crop certain varieties plants in the collection of the genetic fund of the Institute of Horticulture (IH) of NAAS of Ukraine are characterized with the constant infructescense during the entire study period. The following collection samples distinguished themselves (in the order of the improvement of the trait display): North Star’ &lt; ‘Igrushka’ &lt; ‘Favourite’ &lt; ‘Meteor’ &lt; ‘Malva’ &lt; ‘Boguslavka’. The trees of the two latest cultivars (IH NAAS) formed very large fruits irrespective of the abiotic environmental factors influence. ‘Boguslavka’. Middle – ripening. Tree is middle – growing, the crown thick, orbicular, a little droop. Resistant to fungal diseases. Winter – hardy practically by all the components. Yield is high (t/ha under the planting plan 6x2,5 m on the seedling rootstock wild sweet cherry). The fruits are very large (7.6 g), dark red, oval, the separation from the fruit stem is dry. The stone is of more than middle size, the separation from the flesh easy. The consumption term is the first decade of July. The usage is universal. ‘Malva’. Middle – late ripening. The crown is branchy. Resistant to fungal diseases. Winter – hardy. The yield is up to 15 t/ha. The fruits are of more than middle size (4.2 g), dark red, the separation from the fruit stem is dry. The flesh is dark red, juicy. The stone is small (0.16 g). The taste qualities are as/follows: sour-sweet, the skin is astringe. The degustation evaluation is 7.7 points. The consumption term is the first decade of July.

Genetic peculiarities and strategy of the pea breeding for the winter sowing

Aim. The need to grow peas under winter sowing in the connection with climate change was grounded. The analysis of the state of research in this area in Ukraine and abroad was conducted. The need to create an initial breeding material for the development of cultivars suitable for this technology was supported. Methods. Field studies were conducted on the experimental fields of Odessa State Agricultural Research Station, which is located in the central area of the region. The reaction to the sowing in the autumn of the typically spring cultivars of pea ‘Svit’ and ‘Darunok Stepu’, which are recommended for cultivation in our country, as well as the foreign cultivars of ‘Moroz’, ‘Enduro’ and ‘Balltrap’, which were specially bred for autumn sowing, had been studied. The experiments were laid in the autumn of October 1, 10, 20 and 30, in spring in March, when the soil condition allows sowing. Phenological observations were carried out during the growing season and the necessary measurements of biometric parameters had been made. Results. In autumn of 2017, well-developed seedlings of all 4 cultivars were obtained; the plants grew normally without any deviations. Normal cultivars of ‘Svit’ and ‘Darunok Stepu’ formed an elevated above-ground mass. In the middle of winter (January 2018) the seedlings also had a satisfactory appearance, with the first sowing being more developed above ground. They were not damaged by the first frosts; they had a well-developed root system. In autumn of 2018, a rather severe drought occurred in the study area, sowing was carried out in dry soil; no seedlings were obtained for all three terms. In spring of 2019, good seedlings were obtained under the sowing on October 19 and 30. Under the autumn sowing on October 10, the seedlings were thinned. Subsequently, the plants grew and developed without any deviation. Full maturation in 2018 occurred June 1–2, in 2019 June 8–10. Yields of ‘Moroz’ and ‘Enduro’ cultivars were significantly higher under winter sowing on October 19, 2018 compared to spring. A significant increase in the yield of this sowing period was also observed in the ‘Svit’ cultivar. ‘Darunok Stepu’ gave about the same yield as in spring and autumn sowing. Features of breeding of pea cultivars for winter sowing, nature of inheritance of cold resistance, influence of certain genes on the level of winter hardiness are discussed. Conclusions. Autumn sowing of peas should be carried out at the beginning of the second half of October. ‘Enduro’ cultivar stands out for yield from the foreign cultivars for this technology. Based on the analysis of literature sources, the best cold-resistant genotypes of foreign origin are described, which should be included in the breeding process to create valuable initial material.

Genetic Diversity of Old and Local Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) Cultivars from the Collection of VIR according to AFLP Analysis

The genetic diversity of 123 apple accessions from the collection of the research and production base Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR, including landraces, Soviet cultivars, and commercial Russian and foreign cultivars, was for the first time estimated using the AFLP technique. A total of 355 fragments were obtained, 319 of which were polymorphic (89.86%), and each of the accessions had a unique set of AFLP fragments. The level of diversity of modern commercial cultivars was lower (74.11%, Не = 0.202, I = 0.302) as compared with landraces (89.20%, Не = 0.238, I = 0.366). A wide range of genetic differences between the studied accessions (0.99–0.63) was demonstrated. The statistical analysis of the data obtained made it possible to divide the studied samples into two groups. The first group included most of the analyzed landraces; with no clear differentiation of these landraces by origin. The second group included modern commercial Russian and foreign apple cultivars, Soviet cultivars, and some landraces.

Molecular Markers of Genes for Extreme Resistance to Potato Virus Y in Solanum tuberosum L. Cultivars and Hybrids

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most harmful viral pathogens that reduces the potato yield and quality. The number of contemporary cultivars resistant to a wide range of PVY strains is very limited, which justifies potato breeding in this direction. Molecular markers of the Ry genes are universal tools for identifying new sources of resistance in the existing biodiversity of potato genotypes. In the paper, molecular markers of the Ry genes—YES3-3A, YES3-3B, RYSC3, and Ry186—were used for screening foreign and Russian potato cultivars and hybrids from the collections of the Lorch Potato Research Institute and the Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources. Molecular screening and рedigree analysis revealed that Russian potato cultivars and hybrids, which are characterized by extreme resistance to PVY, were obtained on the basis of foreign cultivars Alwara, Arosa, Bison, Bobr, and Roko as well as backcrosses of Hungarian breeding—donors of the Rysto gene linked to cytoplasmic male sterility—and form 128/6—a donor of the Ryadg gene derived from S. stoloniferum. The RYSC3 marker linked to Ryadg was found in interspecies hybrids from the Vavilov Institute of Plant Genetic Resources 8-1-2004, 8-3-2004, 8-5-2004, 135-5-2005, and 135-3-2005, which have the same origin with the participation of the species S. okadae k-20921 Hawkes et Hjerting and S. chacoense k‑19759 Bitt. The Ry186 marker of the Rychc gene is rare. It is present in 5% of the potato genotypes. Molecular screening revealed potato samples with markers of the Ry genes, which are of particular interest for further breeding. Data on the presence of Ry gene markers in potato cultivars and hybrids serve as valuable information in the selection of initial forms for hybridization.

Quality properties of domestic and foreign pomegranate cultivars grown in Croatia

Quality properties of domestic and foreign pomegranate cultivars grown in Croatia

Phonological and pomological characteristics of some important apricot cultivars grown in Turkey

The study was conducted to contribute to the phenological, pomological characteristics and fruit quality specification of 28 apricot genotypes grown under similar practices in Adana province belonging to the Mediterranean region. In the present study authors wanted to determine the differences of local and foreign apricot genotypes based on their yield and fruit quality. Flowering was observed in February and March, and fruits were harvested in May and June. Generally, maturation duration ranged from 62 ('Aurora') to 95 ('Fracasso') days. Authors could not suggest a suitable genotype for Adana conditions at the all aspects among the investigated genotypes. However, the best cultivar is 'Harcot' in terms of fruit quality and size aspect. While the genotype of 7X89 which was taken from the local genotypes group was noticed the best in terms of yield, fruit weight and, TSS content. Among the foreign cultivars, 'Precoce de Tyrinthe' was pointed out for the aspects of earliness and fruit weight.

Biological and economic characteristics of new peach and hybrids in the steppe Crimea

The main aim of the peach breeding program in the Steppe branch of Nikitsky Botanical Gardens developed in 1975 was to obtain new adapted cultivars, which combine most valuable biological and economic traits. Standard breeding techniques such as crossing, hand pollination, self-pollination and open pollination, were employed. Best foreign and domestic cultivars were used as parents. Mother cultivars were ‘Valiant’, ‘Veteran’, ‘Laureate’, ‘Red Haven’, ‘Santarine’, ‘Start’, and ‘9251’, fathers cultivars were: ‘Cardinal’, ‘Kudesnik’, ‘Miryanin’, ‘Sanrise’, ‘Favourite Morettiny’ and ‘Kievskiy Ranniy’. A large hybrid fund was created and studied. As a result distinguished peach hybrids were identified and selected. This paper focuses on some biological and economic features of 42 selected elite forms of 12 peach hybrid combinations of F1 and F2. They are characterized by high productivity, good quality of fruits and excellent taste. Some of these elite forms are superior to existing national standards by crop yield, winter hardiness, appearance and fruit quality. So they were registered as cultivars, such as: ‘Vavilovskiy’, ‘Demerdzhinskiy’, ‘Kandidatskiy’, ‘Posol Mira’, ‘Osvezhayuschiy’ and ‘Jubilejnyiy Ranniy’. Some biological and economic characteristics (fruit size, skin, colour and over colour, flesh firmness, taste of the fruit, yield, etc.) of these cultivars are presented.

Analysis of Domestic Wholesale Trading Market for Potted &lt;i&gt;Cymbidium&lt;/i&gt; Cultivars Bred in Korea

Because novel cultivars and plant breeders are protected by intellectual property rights internationally, cultivar breeding has become vital. Domestic private seed companies have not focused on the development of novel cultivars of ornamental crops in Korea; therefore, the Rural Development Administration (RDA) has been breeding novel cultivars of ornamental crops, including cymbidium orchids since 1992. In Korea, the area under cultivation and sales of cymbidium were 44 ha and approximately $8 million in 2017. Because cymbidium, one of the major orchids cultivated in Korea, requires a relatively long period for the development of novel cultivars compared with other ornamental crops, RDA breed four cultivars, including ‘Beauty Princess,’ until in 2003 and then had been bred 51 novel cultivars by 2017. In addition, Chisan Agricultural Association Corporation (Chisan AAC) bred 26 novel cultivars, such as ‘Pinklace,’ with the support of RDA from 2008 to 2015. Such cultivars were distributed to farms and sold at wholesale flower markets, such as the aT Flower Marketing Center (aT FMC) of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation, as potted plants or cut flowers. Therefore, farmers have recently acknowledged the improvement of domestic cultivars. An investigation of cymbidium sold as potted plants at the aT FMC from 2009 to 2017 revealed that 21 of 51 RDA cultivars and 7 of 26 Chisan AAC cultivars were sold during 1 to within 5 years. The number of domestic cultivar potted plants sold per year ranged from 2,568 to 5,693 except in 2010 and 2015, which represents 1.5% - 2.1% of all the cymbidium. The prices of domestic cultivars with two, three, and four flower stalks, which accounted for 65.2% - 97.6% of all the cymbidium, were lower at the highest price, higher at average price, and much higher at the lowest price than the prices of foreign cultivars with similar flower stalk numbers. The sales of cymbidium potted plants at other wholesale flower markets, such as Korea flower agriculture corporative, needs to be investigated. Overall, the results of the study suggest that domestic cultivars are not inferior in value compared with foreign cultivars.

A First Description of the Phenolic Profile of EVOOs from the Maltese Islands Using SPE and HPLC: Pedo-Climatic Conditions Modulate Genetic Factors

Achieving economic sustainability in the olive oil production sector is a challenge. This is particularly so for small scale producers who are faced with pressing, production and marketing costs that relative to overall sales, minimise profits. In this study we aimed to describe the phenolic profile of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) derived from the Maltese islands. The polar fractions from EVOOs from nine indigenous (six Bidni and three Malti), one historically acclimatized tree (Bajda), 12 locally-grown but foreign cultivars and 32 foreign EVOOs were extracted using SPE (solid phase extraction), separated using HPLC analysis at 280 nm and 320 nm and identified using mass spectrometry. Application of ANOVA and Tukey post hoc hypothesis testing for analysis of variance on the peak areas identified a significantly higher concentration of p-coumaric acid, tyrosol acetate, DHPEA-EDA and oleocanthal in EVOOs derived from indigenous or historically acclimatized cultivars. Imported but locally grown cultivars showed differences when compared to the same cultivar grown in other countries, confirming that pedo-climatic conditions modulate genetic factors.

Phenolic and fatty acid profiles, α-tocopherol and sucrose contents, and antioxidant capacities of understudied Portuguese almond cultivars.

Almonds have recognized health benefits, which are largely attributed to their chemical composition, including fatty acids, phenolics, vitamin E, and sucrose. This study was carried with the aim of providing information on the levels of the aforementioned bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in six understudied Portuguese cultivars (Amendoão, Bonita, Casanova, Molar, Pegarinhos-Moncorvo, Pegarinhos-Murça and Refêgo), in comparison with two foreign cultivars (Ferragnès and Glorieta). A cultivar effect was observed for all the parameters evaluated, with some Portuguese cultivars comparing well and even favorably with the foreign ones. A multivariate analysis of the data allowed a clear discrimination of cultivars and that statistical tool could be used for authenticity purposes, especially for cultivars included in the Protected Designation of Origin "Amêndoa Douro." PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Almonds are among the most consumed nuts worldwide, with a considerable number of cultivars recorded around the world, although research has been neglecting the local cultivars. This work studies the chemical composition of several understudied cultivars and compares them to two widespread commercial ones. The results not only provide new information about these neglected cultivars, but also provide data for stakeholders to select more interesting cultivars with particular characteristics/or rich in compounds of interest.

Classification of "Kintoki ninjin" and other groups of carrot (Daucus carota) based on simple sequence repeat markers.

Carrot (Daucus carota) is cultivated in temperate regions for its taproot. Eastern and Western types have been differentiated. In Japan, the former type is categorized into Kintoki, Takinogawa oonaga, and Toso, with a few local cultivars. However, their genetic relationships are unclear because of the paucity of reports. We classified the Japanese Eastern and selected Western types based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Field traits, including root weight, length, diameter, and skin color, were also examined. Our field tests showed clear differences between the Kintoki and Western-type cultivars, confirming their differentiation. A phylogram based on nine SSRs classified 24 cultivars into groups I and II. Group I included all Eastern-type carrots examined (Kintoki and Toso groups, plus two local and two foreign cultivars), with the exception of an Indian cultivar (‘Pusa rudhira red’). Among them, red carrots including Kintoki were clustered into two subgroups. Western-type, Eastern-Western hybrid, and ‘Pusa rudhira red’ were included in group II. A population structure analysis revealed the split between the Eastern and the other types. This study elucidates the genetic characteristics of the Eastern type of carrot, which will be valuable information for carrot breeding, especially when using the Eastern type as a source.

Molecular evidence for repeated recruitment of wild Christmas poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) into traditional horticulture in Mexico

One of Mexico’s most emblematic and economically important plants is the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). After nearly 200 years of poinsettia cultivation outside Mexico, more than 300 varieties of many different sizes, shapes and colors have been generated. However, studies on the management of or the evolutionary processes through which the changes present in cultivars have been generated, starting from wild plants, have not been carried out. In the present work, we tested the hypothesis that poinsettia plants living in human settlements represent transplanted wild plants. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the genetic diversity and kin relationships of 58 poinsettia plants from 25 wild populations, 25 garden plants and 8 Mexican and foreign cultivars. Two non-coding intergenic chloroplast markers, trnG-trnS and psbA-trnH, were utilized to obtain the diversity indices and genealogies. The results support the transplanting of poinsettias hypothesis because garden plants share the same genetic variant as the wild populations and, in most cases, that of the closest wild populations. Some garden poinsettias have simple inflorescences, like the wild plants. The garden plants have a genetic diversity that is higher than in cultivars and that is shared with nearby wild populations. Additionally, some homeowners indicated that their plants were obtained from nearby hills. The transplanting of wild poinsettia plants to human settlements could have been one of the first steps in the domestication process of E. pulcherrima. Also, new genetic variants were found; one of these could be Euphorbia fastuosa, an invalid name for E. pulcherrima proposed by Sesse and Mocino between 1787 and 1803.

Biochemical fruit composition of domestic and foreign apple cultivars and their use in breeding

The report is devoted to the results of the long-term study of the biochemical composition of fruit in 11 most common in the recent past apple cultivars in Central Russia, 58 apple cultivars developed at Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding and 56 foreign cultivars. In each group, cultivars with the highest content of sugar sum, ascorbic acid and sum of P-active substances have been allocated. The long-term study showed that previously most common domestic apple cultivars on average are significantly inferior to foreign ones in terms of soluble solids and sugars in fruit; they do not differ significantly in the average content of ascorbic acid, but significantly exceed the average content of P-vitamins. The cultivars possessing high content of sugars, ascorbic acid and P-active substances in fruit have been allocated in each of the groups under consideration. These apple cultivars are of great interest as sources of theses indications for further breeding. The examples of their use in the development of apple varieties of a new generation are given in this article. On the basis of the long-term experience the conclusion is made about the prospects of apple breeding for biochemical fruit composition improvement.