Fruiting Structures Research Articles

Evolution and natural selection of ribosome-inactivating proteins in bacteria, fungi, and plants

Ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) are found in bacteria, fungi, and plants, with a wide range of biological resistances such as anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-insect, and anti-tumor. They can be roughly divided into proactive defense bacterial or fungal types and passive defense plant types. We identified 1592 RIP genes in bacteria, fungi, and plants. Approximately 88 % of the 764 bacterial RIPs were Shiga or Shiga-like toxins which were exotoxins and could rapidly enter cells to possess strong biotoxicity, and about 98 % of fungal RIPs were predicted as secreted proteins. RIPs were not detected in non-seed plants such as algae, bryophytes, and ferns. However, we found RIPs in some flowering and non-flowering seed plants. The existence of plant RIPs might be related to the structure of seeds or fruits, which might be associated with whether seeds are easy to survive and spread. The evolutionary characteristics of RIPs were different between dicotyledons and monocotyledons. In addition, we also found that RIP2 genes might emerge very early and be plant-specific. Some plant RIP1 genes might evolve from RIP2 genes. This study provides new insights into the evolution of RIPs.

Postharvest Calcium Chloride Treatment Strengthens Cell Wall Structure to Maintain Litchi Fruit Quality.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit deterioration occurs rapidly after harvest and is characterized by pericarp browning, pulp softening, and decay. In this study, we found that calcium chloride (CaCl2) treatment (5 g L-1 CaCl2 solution vacuum infiltration for 5 min) affected the cell wall component contents and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities of litchi fruit during storage at room temperature. CaCl2 treatment significantly increased the contents of Ca2+ and cellulose, while it decreased the water-soluble pectin content, and the activities of polygalacturonase, β-galactosidase, and cellulase in the litchi pericarp. Meanwhile, the treatment resulted in significantly increased contents of Ca2+, water-soluble pectin, ionic-soluble pectin, covalent-soluble pectin and hemicellulose, and upregulated activities of pectinesterase and β-galactosidase, while significantly decreasing the activities of polygalacturonase and cellulase in litchi pulp. The above results indicate that CaCl2 treatment strengthened the cell wall structure of litchi fruit. More importantly, the enzymatic browning of the pericarp, softening of the pulp, and disease incidence were delayed. The treatment had a more pronounced effect on the pericarp than on the pulp. We consider CaCl2 treatment to be a safe and effective treatment for maintaining the postharvest quality of litchi fruit.

Insect and Mite Pest Management in Florida Peanut

Peanut is one of the most important cash crops grown in the United States, with an estimated production value of over $1 billion. The southeastern coastal plains harbor most of the US peanut acreage, and Florida is ranked among the top five major peanut producers in the US, with 160 thousand acres planted in 2022 and an annual production value of $130 million in 2021. The majority of peanut acreage in Florida is in the Panhandle and central Florida, in Jackson, Santa Rosa, and Levy counties. Several insect pests feed on various peanut plant parts, including foliage, roots, and fruiting structures. These pests can cause significant damage to the plant canopy and kernels and can also transmit diseases, reducing the quality and quantity of yield if they are not properly detected and managed. This publication serves as a guide for Extension agents and growers to provide an overview of proper sampling techniques and management for peanut pests found in the Florida Panhandle.

The Potential of Magnolia spp. in the Production of Alternative Pest Control Substances.

The irrational use of synthetic pesticides in agriculture has had negative impacts on ecosystems and contributed to environmental pollution. Botanical pesticides offer a clean biotechnological alternative to meet the agricultural challenges posed by pests and arthropods. This article proposes the use of fruit structures (fruit, peel, seed, and sarcotesta) of several Magnolia species as biopesticides. The potential of extracts, essential oils, and secondary metabolites of these structures for pest control is described. From 11 Magnolia species, 277 natural compounds were obtained, 68.7% of which were terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids. Finally, the importance of a correct management of Magnolia species to ensure their sustainable use and conservation is stressed.

Morphological and taxonomical treatments of fruits in the subclass Rosidae Takht. of the flora of Ukraine

Introduction. Rosids is the pivotal clade of eudicots, whose taxonomic composition was significantly changed based on molecular phylogeny. Molecular insight led to the re-evaluation of many phenotypic features, especially in reproductive morpho­logy. Although the floral structure and evolution within the current scope of rosids were actively investigated, the morphological structure of fruit was almost fully neglected. The present study aimed to survey the morphological diversity of fruits in rosids (subclass Rosidae) in the flora of Ukraine to reveal the most common fruit types, analyze the distribution of the basic fruit types among rosids, and survey some comparative-morphological features of gynoecium and fruit. Materials and Methods. Fruit features have been surveyed based on many carpological sources. We also analyzed the gynoecium characteristics crucial for fruit deve­lop­ment, i.e., the type of ovary insertion, placentation, and ovule and locule number. For Rosidae, seven basic fruit types were recognized using the approach previously elaborated for the monocot plants of Ukraine: aggregate fruit, multi-seeded monocarp, capsule, berry, multi-seeded pyrenarium, schizocarp, and one-seeded fruit. Results. As a result, the annotated list of morphological characteristics for each of the 54 families of Rosidae occurring in Ukraine was composed. In this list, the complementary and the most contrasting definitions of fruits from different sources were combined. Discussion. According to our calculations, the subclass Rosidae in the flora of Ukraine is represented by 326 genera and at least 1617 species. Our results demon­strated that the most widespread fruit types at the family level seem to be capsular and one-seeded fruits, while at genus and species level the portion of multi-seeded monocarps and aggregate fruits is also significant. Nine families reveal more than one basic fruit type in the flora of Ukraine. Some fruits are ambiguously classified into one or another fruit type because of their intermediate features. Thus, fuzzy boundaries between most fruit types are evident. Conclusions. The obtained results have been compared with our previously reported results for the monocot clade in the flora of Ukraine. In both cases, the predominance of capsular fruits at the family-level spectrum of basic fruit types was clearly demonstrated. The results of our analysis suggest that the model of basic fruit types has the potential to be applied to the formal treatment of fruit structure in other groups of angiosperms.

Pre-Harvest Application of Aminoethoxyvinylglycine, Salicylic Acid and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on Fruit Quality of ‘Sweetheart’ Sweet Cherry

Sweet cherry, which affects consumers’ preferences with its aroma, taste and sensory properties, is a significant fruit species for human health with its bioactive compounds such as organic acids, vitamins and anthocyanins. However, its post-harvest shelf life is very short due to its sensitive fruit structure. Thus, the significant economic losses occur. In the study, effects of pre-harvest Aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), Salicylic acid (SA) and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) applications on fruit quality characteristics and biochemical content in sweet cherry were determined. SA and PGPR treatments increased fruit size, but AVG decreased (If the fruit weight is 4.51 in the control application, 4.49 in the SA application and 4.10 in the PGPR, how can it be said that SA and PGPR increase the fruit weight). The fruits treated with SA, AVG and PGPR had higher fruit firmness values than the control’-fruits. Salisylic acid treatmens did not affect the rate of soluble solids content(SSC) in fruit, SSC rate was higher in PGPR treated-fruit, but AVG decreased the SSC. Titratable acidity (TA) was lower in PGPR treated-fruit, but was higher in the AVG and SA treated-fruit. Fruits treated with the SA and AVG had higher fruit color values than control fruits, while the lowest color values was obtained with PGPR treatment. In general; PGPR, SA and AVG were effective in the concentration of organic acids, but their effects varied depending on the organic acid compounds. As a result, AVG and SA delayed fruit ripening and fruit softening while PGPR, AVG and SA improved fruit quality (It is not clear how this idea was reached). These applications can be considered as a promising method for improving fruit quality at harvest and maintaining post-harvest fruit quality of sweet cherry.

A new morphogenetic type of fruit for Hamamelidaceae: the case of Loropetalum

Abstract With the current reassessment of the phylogeny of Hamamelidaceae, the problem of revealing the apomorphies and plesiomorphies in this group arises and peculiarities of histogenesis of the reproductive structures deserve recognition. With the aim to fill in the gap in the data on fruit structure in Hamamelidaceae, we focused on investigating the processes of fruit organogenesis and histogenesis of the fruit wall in Loropetalum. The fruit of L. chinense is an almost inferior dimerous syncarpous loculicidal (dorsoventrally dehiscent) capsule with the mature fruit wall differentiated into epicarp, mesocarp and endocarp. The main tissue of the epicarp and the peripheral zone of the mesocarp are composed of thin-walled cells with scattered brachysclereids, whereas the inner zone of the mesocarp consists of fibre-like sclereids. The endocarp finishes its differentiation at the young fruit stage and is represented in mature fruit by several layers of thin-walled cells. The fruit of L. chinense represents capsules of the Forsythia type, which have not been previously described for Hamamelidaceae, and it differs from capsules of the Hamamelis type described for Hamamelis, Corylopsis and Fothergilla. The revealed characters of L. chinense fruits indicate the possibility of transformation of the explosive capsule into a pyrenarium.

The influence of ultrasonic processing on the structure and electrophysical properties of fruit in combined drying

The intensification of ultrasonic vibrations for the processing of agricultural products is becoming increasingly important in the food industry, as it can reduce energy consumption for the dehydration of raw materials. The research aims to study the effect of sonication on the change of electrophysical parameters and structure of apple raw materials in the process of combined drying using direct electric heating. Using scanning electron microscopy, images of the surface structure of dried apple samples were obtained at different combinations of sonication duration and methods of heat supply to the raw material during the drying process. Based on the experimental studies, the dependences of the current flowing through the sample in the process of combined drying using direct electric heating on the duration of raw material processing in an ultrasonic bath were obtained. The influence of preliminary sonication on the maximum values of the current strength during direct electric heating was determined. The dependences of changes in the resistivity of apple samples during dehydration at different pretreatment durations were investigated. The effect of ultrasound on the initial resistivity of apples, the duration of electro-plasmolysis, and the resistivity values at which the maximum values of the direct electric heating current are observed were determined. The results of the experiments show that the pretreatment of raw materials in an ultrasonic bath can reduce the peak current values by up to 27%. The initial values of the resistivity of the raw material after sonication are reduced by 7.8-13.8% compared to the control samples. The obtained images of the dried fruit surfaces showed an increase in the porosity and roughness of the samples. The obtained results of experimental studies can become a prerequisite for the development of an energy-efficient technical means of ultrasonic processing of fruit and vegetable raw materials before drying and the selection of optimal operating modes

AGPs as molecular determinants of reproductive development.

Morphogenesis occurs through accurate interaction between essential players to generate highly specialized plant organs. Fruit structure and function are triggered by a neat transcriptional control involving distinct regulator genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) or signalling proteins, such as the C2H2/C2HC zinc-finger NO TRANSMITTING TRACT (NTT) or the MADS-box protein SEEDSTICK (STK), which are important in setting plant reproductive competence, feasibly by affecting cell wall polysaccharide and lipid distribution. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are major components of the cell wall and are thought to be involved in the reproductive process as important players in specific stages of development. The detection of AGPs epitopes in reproductive tissues of NTT and other fruit development-related TFs, such as MADS-box proteins including SHATTERPROOF1 (SHP1), SHP2 and STK, was the focus of this study. We used fluorescence microscopy to perform immunolocalization analyses on stk and ntt single mutants, on the ntt stk double mutant and on the stk shp1 shp2 triple mutant using specific anti-AGP monoclonal antibodies. In these mutants, the expression levels of selected AGP genes were also measured by quantitative real-time PCR and compared with the respective expression in wild-type (WT) plants. The present immunolocalization study collects information on the distribution patterns of specific AGPs in Arabidopsis female reproductive tissues, complemented by the quantification of AGP expression levels, comparing WT, stk and ntt single mutants, the ntt stk double mutant and the stk shp1 shp2 triple mutant. These findings reveal distinct AGP distribution patterns in different developmental mutants related to the female reproductive unit in Arabidopsis. The value of the immunofluorescence labelling technique is highlighted in this study as an invaluable tool to dissect the remodelling nature of the cell wall in developmental processes.

Impact of Postharvest Putrescine Treatments on Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, Organic Acid Contents and Some Quality Characteristics of Fresh Fig Fruits during Cold Storage

The storage and shelf life of the fig, which has a sensitive fruit structure, is short, and this results in excessive economic losses. In a study carried out to contribute to the solution of this problem, the effect of postharvest putrescine application at different doses (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mM) on fruit quality characteristics and biochemical content during cold storage in figs was determined. At the end of the cold storage, the decay rate and weight loss in the fruit were in the ranges of 1.0-1.6% and 1.0-5.0 %, respectively. The decay rate and weight loss were lower in putrescine-applied fruit during cold storage. Putrescine application had a positive effect on the changes in fruit flesh firmness values. The SSC rate of fruit varied between 14 and 20%, while significant differences in the SSC rate occurred depending on storage time and putrescine application dose. With putrescine application, the decrease in the acidity rate of the fig fruit during cold storage was smaller. At the end of the cold storage, the acidity rate was between 1.5-2.5% and 1.0-5.0. Putrescine treatments affected total antioxidant activity values and changes occurred in total antioxidant activity depending on the application dose. In the study, it was observed that the amount of phenolic acid in fig fruit decreased during storage and putrescine doses prevented this decrease. Putrescine treatment affected the changes in the quantity of organic acids during cold storage, and this effect varied depending on the type of organic acid and the length of the cold storage period. As a result, it was revealed that putrescine treatments can be used as an effective method to maintain postharvest fruit quality in figs.

The morphoanatomy, histochemistry, and phytochemistry of the leaves and fruits of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

Abstract. Kuntorini EM, Sari SG, Fariani R. 2023. The morphoanatomy, histochemistry, and phytochemistry of the leaves and fruits of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa. Biodiversitas 24: 98-105. Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk is native to Southeast Asia. The entire plant has been used in traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, and Malaysian medicine for a long time. Bioactive substances are abundant in ripe fruits. However, few studies have examined phytochemical changes and distribution throughout leaf and fruit growth. This study evaluated the morphoanatomy, histochemical, and phytochemical properties of R. tomentosa leaves and fruits. The cross-sectional anatomical structures observed in the leaves included the epidermis, mesophyll, and carrier bundle, while the fruit structures observed included a pericarp layer with an exocarp/outer layer, mesocarp, and endocarp. Flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids were found in the leaf's adaxial and abaxial epidermis, mesophyll, xylem, phloem, midrib parenchyma, secretory cavities, and trichomes. They were also distributed throughout the fruit's exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp, secretory cavities, xylem, phloem, trichomes, and seeds. Young leaves contained the highest total flavonoid concentration (196 ± 1.77 mg QE/g), green fruit had the highest total phenol concentration (97.70 ± 18.15 mg GAE/g), old leaves contained the highest total alkaloid concentration (13.22 ± 0.98%), and red fruit had the highest total tannin concentration (1.66 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g).

Impacts of abiotic factors on the fungal communities of 'Honeycrisp' apples in Canada.

The maintenance of the beneficial plant microbiome to control plant pathogens is an emerging concept of disease management, and necessitates a clear understanding of these microbial communities and the environmental factors that affect their diversity and compositional structure. As such, studies investigating the microbiome of economically significant cultivars within each growing region are necessary to develop adequate disease management strategies. Here, we assessed the relative impacts of growing season, management strategy, and geographical location on the fungal microbiome of 'Honeycrisp' apples from seven different orchard locations in the Atlantic Maritime Ecozone for two consecutive growing years. Though apple fruit tissue was dominated by relatively few fungal genera, significant changes in their fungal communities were observed as a result of environmental factors, including shifts in genera with plant-associated lifestyles (symbionts and pathogens), such as Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Penicillium, Diplodia, and Mycosphaerella. Variation in fungal composition between different tissues of fruit was also observed. We demonstrate that growing season is the most significant factor affecting fungal community structure and diversity of apple fruit, suggesting that future microbiome studies should take place for multiple growing seasons to better represent the host-microbiome of perennial crops under different environmental conditions.

Effects of postharvest calcium treatmenttreatment on the firmness of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) fruit based on a decline in WSP

• Calcium treatment could maintain the firmness and color of persimmon fruit. • Calcium treatment delayed the decrease of molecular weight and branching rate of WSP. • Calcium treatment inhibited the increase of the activity of PG, PME and PL. Persimmon fruit is a typical respiratory climacteric fruit. Previous studies have found that water-soluble pectin (WSP) was closely related to fruit firmness, and calcium was involved in pectin bridging, which also affected fruit firmness. In this research, the effect of calcium treatment (2% CaCl 2 , 30 min) on persimmon fruit firmness was studied from the perspective of WSP. Firmness of persimmon fruit treated with calcium increased by 40% and the WSP content decreased by 14% after storage for 15 d Meanwhile, the activity of pectin degrading enzymes polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME) and pectin lyase (PL) decreased by 39%, 24%, and 11%, respectively. Fruit firmness was negatively correlated with the WSP content and activity of pectin degrading enzymes. Therefore, the lower pectin degrading enzyme activity delayed the decrease of the WSP molecular weight and branching rate, and inhibited the increase of WSP content, thus maintaining the integrity of cell wall structure and higher firmness of persimmon fruit. Additionally, calcium treatment could delay the water migration in the cell wall and vacuole, further maintaining persimmon fruit firmness. The results of this research not only help reveal the mechanism of persimmon fruit softening, but also provide reference for the application of calcium in persimmon fruit preservation.

A novel CLAVATA1 mutation causes multilocularity in Brassica rapa.

Locules are the seed-bearing structure of fruits. Multiple locules are associated with increased fruit size and seed set, and therefore, control of locule number is an important agronomic trait. Locule number is controlled in part by the CLAVATA-WUSCHEL pathway. Disruption of either the CLAVATA1 receptor-like kinase or its ligand CLAVATA3 can cause larger floral meristems and an increased number of locules. In an EMS mutagenized population of Brassica rapa, we identified a mutant allele that raises the number of locules from four to a range of from six to eight. Linkage mapping and genetic analysis support that the mutant phenotype is due to a missense mutation in a CLAVATA 1 (CLV1) homolog. In addition to increased locule number, additional internal gynoecia are formed in brclv1 individuals, suggesting a failure to terminate floral meristem development, which results in decreased seed production.

基于深度农机农艺融合的三垄六行花生联合收获机的设计与试验

In order to improve the efficiency of peanut harvesting in China, realize the deep integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy in peanut production and promote the development of peanut industry. According to the research on peanut planting agronomy and plant biological characteristics, this paper focuses on the analysis of the clamping and collecting scheme of the three-ridge six-row peanut combine harvester, and designs the structure of the clamping and collecting device to solve the situation that the peanut clamping and collecting process is prone to congestion under large feeding volume. By analysing the forces on the peanut plant, the structure of the core fruit picking device has been designed, and the factors and parameters affecting the effectiveness of the peanut picking operation have been optimised through experimental research using the peanut leakage and crushing rates as indicators. The whole machine structure of the three-ridge six-row peanut combine harvester was designed to ensure that the peanut combine harvester can complete the processes of harvesting, digging, clamping and conveying, soil removal, collecting, fruit picking, cleaning and fruit collection at one time. Finally, through field tests on the three-ridge six-row peanut combine harvester, it was verified that the peanut leakage rate was 1.92% and the crushing rate was 0.84% at different forward speeds, and all of them were congested, which met the national peanut harvesting standards.

Evaluation of a novel water-soluble decanoic acid formulation as a fruit sanitizer

Fruits irrigated with contaminated water can transmit various pathogens. High sugar content in fruits such as black cherry (BC) fruit encourages microbial proliferation. A novel water-soluble decanoic acid (WSDA) was evaluated as a fruit sanitizer and compared with other traditional fruit sanitizers such as ethanol, bleach, or dishwasher surfactants. WSDA sanitizer killed yeasts, molds and bacteria including E. coli microbes effectively as other sanitizers with (4 log cycle reduction) of microbial load. Furthermore, the bacterial sanitization mechanism i.e. bactericidal or bacteriostatic was evaluated for alcohol, bleaching and WASDA solutions. E. coli was selected as the model pathogen used for such comparison. Results indicated that the mechanism of action for the three sanitizer solutions against E. coli was bactericidal. The problem with most used fruit sanitizers is their negative influence on fruit quality in terms of physical, mechanical and taste properties. In addition, some led to toxicological and ecological concerns. Thus, studies were conducted to explore the changes in the exocarp cell structure of BC fruit upon exposure to WSDA and other sanitizers using microscopic investigation. WSDA could have a very mild or gentle effect on the BC fruit cells compared to other sanitizers. Alcohol, bleaching and dishwasher surfactant changed the cellular structures and the intercellular spaces. Sanitizers may also affect fruit swelling. WSDA showed an increase in percent weight gain but it was significantly (p < 0.05) much lower than dishwasher surfactant and bleaching solution. BC Fruit flesh firmness and hardness were investigated upon exposure to different sanitizer solutions. BC fruit treated with WSDA showed the highest firmness values. Some liquid sanitizers could affect fruit quality in terms of fruit taste. Sensory evaluation in terms of the sanitizer's smell, texture and hedonic of BC fruit after soaking in different sanitizers was carried out. All sensory parameters of BC fruit soaked with WSDA were similar with insignificant differences (p > 0.05) compared to BC fruit soaked in tap water. However, the sensory parameters were significantly different (p < 0.05) when compared with alcohol, bleach and dishwasher surfactant. This ensures that WSDA was superior to other evaluated sanitizers in terms of physical, mechanical and fruit quality.

Simulating fruit tree growth, structure, and physiology using L‐systems

AbstractSimulation modeling of perennial fruit tree growth, structure, and physiology over multiple years is particularly difficult and has lagged behind modeling of other crops because fruit trees are indeterminate organisms that grow over several growing seasons, vary widely among individuals, and have their structures modified by variable pruning practices. Nearly 30 yr of research have been devoted to developing a mechanistic, virtual tree model to simulate peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] fruit tree growth, structure, and physiology. Details of much of this work have been published in several research papers in a variety of journals over a couple decades. The goal of this review is to report on the entire project and provide an overview of the approach we took in such an endeavor. This review contains excerpts of numerous previously published papers and some comments and conclusions about the value of the modeling that has occurred.

HEAT AND DROUGHT FORBEARING, UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.) VARIETY; RH-668 FOR CULTIVATION IN SEMI-ARID REGION

Cotton variety: RH-668, produced by Cotton Research Institute, Khanpur, holds excessive tolerance against dry climatic stipulations and maintains superior fiber personae.Parental combination;VH-259 × RH-620 was used in hybridization followed by Pedigree method of selection to extract uniform genotypes with superior phenotypes. These superior plantswere then tested for yield under drought stress at station level before competing atseries of adaptability trials in Punjab followed by provincialand national coordinated varietal trials in the course of 2013-2018. Due to governance incorporated by tolerance against heat &amp; drought it outperformed others at various climatic conditions countrywide for yield and fiber linked characters in opposition to the Standards varieties FH-142 &amp;CIM-602. In Provincial (PCCT) and National level(NCVT) it gave 29.0% &amp; 8.8%, respectively more yield when compared to check variety; FH-142. Hence, Accredited by seed Council, Punjab in 2018 for generic cultivation with 39.4 Ginning outturn percentage, 4.5 micronaire value, staple length of 28.78 (mm) and seed-cotton yield prospectiveper acre ofsixty twomounds.Due to fruiting from lower nodes; erect root development, Brittle leaf surface, lesser shedding of fruiting structures and protracted sympods with bead like bolls arrangement, it deliberately tolerates heat stress.

Еволюційна й екологічна інтерпретація структури плодів однодольних рослин флори України

Background. Monocot plants in the flora of Ukraine embrace about 1000 species. The members of this group have various fruit types and ways of dissemination. In this review, the results of the evolutionary-morphological analysis of fruits in monocot plants of the flora of Ukraine and their structural adaptations to dispersal are presented. Gynoecium structure and morphogenetic fruit types in monocots. The features of the inner gynoecium structure and the relation between gynoecium and fruit structure were analyzed, and the main problems of fruit classification were detected. It was revealed that apocarpous fruits are often polymerous or oligomerous, composed of 3–6 one-seeded fruitlets. The species with inferior ovary often develop capsular fruits. One-seeded fruits represent the most reduced variant of the gynoecium structure and fruit wall anatomy, providing few structural traits for analysis. Ecological and functional features of fruits in monocots. The characteristics of dehiscent and indehiscent fruits, as well as adaptations to various ways of dispersal: myrmeco-, endozoo-, epizoo-, anemo-, hydro- and autochory are presented. Dehiscent fruits (follicle and capsule) reveal ventral, dorsal or double, dorsoventral dehiscence. One-seeded fruits and fruitlets are often adapted to hydrochory or anemochory. Trends of evolutionary changes of fruits in monocots. The most diverse fruits are found in low-species taxa of early monocots. Within the monocots, we can observe certain evolutionary trends: incomplete carpel fusion, the occurrence of superior one-seeded fruits and inferior many-seeded fruits. Each of these trends may be evoked by adaptations for pollination in gynoecium at the flowering stage. Conclusions. The present evolutionary morphological and ecological studies of fruits in monocot plants of the flora of Ukraine are impeded by controversial structural types of the gynoecium in some species and a scarcity of data on ways of dispersal of fruits and seeds. The precise carpological and carpoecological investigations of the monocots are desirable for many plants of the flora of Ukraine.

Pharmacognostical evaluation of Rajakoshataki (Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.

Introduction: Rajakoshataki (Luffa acutangula(L.) Roxb. is a succulent trailing climber that belongs to cucurbitaceae family. The present study attempts to evaluate macroscopy, microscopy, physio-chemical, phytochemical and HPTLC studies of different extracts of fruit of Luffa acutangular (L.)Roxb. Materials and Methods: Fresh Rajakoshataki fruit was collected from the local vegetable market, Udupi. Sample was preserved in fixative solution. The fixative used was FAA (Formalin-5ml + Acetic acid-5ml + 70% Ethyl alcohol-90ml) for pharmacognostical study. Left sample were shade dried for preliminary phytochemical test, physiochemical and HPTLC. Results and discussion: Microscopic image showed the presence of normal fruit structure like Epicarp, Mesocarp and Endocarp. The study proved the presence of Alkaloids, Tannins, Saponins and carboxylic acid and HPTLC densitometric graph showed the peaks. Conclusion: These parameters help in the identification and standardization of fruit of Rajakoshataki.