Full Flowering Research Articles

Variation in Chongqing finger citron components and antioxidant activity from essential oils in several organs

The finger citron (Citrus medica L.var. sarcodactylis Swingle) is a both medicinal and edible species specified by the China Ministry of Health, It is also a regional medicinal plant grown in Chinaʼs Chongqing Municipality. We explored the utilization value of flower, leaf, and branch resources of non-medicinal sections of finger citron of Chongqing origin and identified variations in its yield, content, and antioxidant activity in essential oils in several organs. From several finger citron organs, essential oils were extracted using ultrasonic-assisted steam distillation, and their essential components were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). To assess antioxidant properties of various finger citron organs, DPPH free radical scavenging rate, ABTS free radical scavenging rate, and total reducing power of essential oils were determined. A total of 71 chemical components were discovered, and a cluster heat map revealed that d-limonene, Citral, (Z)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal, γ-Terpinene, OCymene, and Ocimene were the most significant components and that their composition and concentration in essential oils of different organs varied substantially, with the average total amount in the four major organs in descending order: branches (79.34 %), leaves (73.40 %), flowers (68.85 %), and dried fruits (55.69 %). Finger citron's non-medicinal sections and organs' essential oils exhibited some level of antioxidant activity. The maximal clearance rate of the final flower group was 19.26 % when the essential oil concentration of each group was 4.0 mg·mL−1 for the assessment of DPPH free radical scavenging activity. DPPH free radical clearance rates of the bud group, initial flower group, full flower group, final flower group, branch group, and young leaf group were significantly different from the medicinal parts dried fruits group (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the old leaf group (P > 0.05). When the essential oil concentration of each group was 0.10 mg·mL−1 for the ABTS radical scavenging ability measurement, the bud group had the highest scavenging rate of 32.24 %, and significant differences in the ABTS radical scavenging rates of the bud group, primary flower group, full flower group, final flower group, and branch group were observed when compared to the dried fruits group (P < 0.05). Between the young leaf and old leaf groups, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). When the essential oil concentration was 3.0 mg·mL−1 for the measurement of overall reduction capacity, the old leaf group's highest absorbance value was 0.310. and the total reduction capacity of the bud group, first flower group, complete flower group, last flower group, branch group, young leaf group, and old leaf group substantially differed from the dried fruits (P < 0.05). This study provides a reference for the formation of “green” concurrent consumption and development of medicinal and non-medicinal elements of Chinese medicinal materials as well as theoretical support for the diverse utilization of finger citron resources.

Modelación de crecimiento de frutos de tangor murcott e incidencia de factores medioambientales sobre los parámetros estimados

Fruit production forecasts are a tool to plan the harvest and improve market strategies. To carry it out, it is essential to have information about the behavior of fruit development over time. The objective of this work was to find the mathematical-statistical model that best describes the growth pattern of tangor murcott fruit (Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis 'Murcott') and analyze how it is affected by environmental conditions. For this, in nine orchards, located in four locations in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, the equatorial diameter of 2,053 fruit from 82 days after full flowering to harvest were periodically registered during five seasons. The nonlinear models were compared: Logistic, Gompertz, Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Weibull, Morgan Mercer Flodin (MMF), Richards, and their respective re-parameterizations. The magnitudes of nonlinearity measures, coefficient of determination and estimates of residual deviation were considered as the main goodness-of-fit criteria. The selected model-parameterization combination was the fifth parameterization of the Logistic model with random effects on its three parameters. An Analysis of Variance model on the estimates of these parameters for each fruit showed that orchard and season factors were an important source of variability, mainly in those related to the initial size of the fruit and their growth rate. These results will allow the construction of growth tables, which in addition to making yield predictions, can be used to estimate fruit size distribution at harvest and improve the cultural practice of manual fruit thinning.

Yield, quality, and phytochemicals of two strawberry cultivars in response to foliar calcium nanofertilization

Objective: to evaluate the foliar application of Calcium (Ca2+) nanofertilizer on the yield, fruit quality, total phytochemicals and capacity of two strawberry cultivars 'Monterrey' and 'Albion' of Fragaria x annanassa Duch. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: three foliar calcium treatments were established (two commercial foliar fertilizers, one nanofertilizer). The doses used were 2.5, 5 and 7 mEq L-1 and were applied at the stages of beginning of flowering, full flowering, end of flowering, fruit setting and full production. The design of the experiment was randomized blocks in four replicates, each replicate consisted of a 1 m2 area, with 16 plants. An analysis of variance was performed and the Tukey´s test (p≤0.05) was applied for comparison of means. Results: the results indicated that doses of 2.5 mEq L-1 for the 'Monterrey' cultivar and 5 mEq L-1 for the 'Albion' cultivar favored increases in total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins, antioxidant capacity and higher yields, by obtaining 13 kg m-2 and 12.59 kg m-2 from those cultivars, respectively. Findings/ Conclusions: this indicates that the use of nano-calcium as a foliar fertilizer could be a suitable alternative that helps improving the bioactive compounds and yields of strawberry fruits.

Effect of Nitrogen Topdressing on Seed Yield and Flour Protein Content in Semidwarf Common Buckwheat

This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen topdressing on the semidwarf common buckwheat (line ‘18-601’), focusing on growth, seed yield, and flour protein content. We conducted a field experiment and applied four nitrogen topdressing treatments at different growth stages: basal fertilization alone (2-0-0), basal fertilization plus nitrogen at flower bud appearance (2-2-0), basal fertilization plus nitrogen at full flowering (2-0-2), and basal fertilization plus nitrogen at both stages (2-2-2), using a randomized complete block design, with each plot measuring 1.2 × 2.5 m. Basal dressing was applied at 2, 8, and 4.7 g m-2 N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively. Nitrogen topdressing significantly increased chlorophyll content. The branch number, seed yield, number of seeds per square meter, and flour protein content tended to increase with nitrogen topdressing. The highest seed yield and protein content were observed in the 2-0-2 treatment, suggesting that nitrogen application at full flowering optimizes the yield and nutritional quality of semidwarf buckwheat. These findings highlight the importance of timing in nitrogen topdressing to enhance the agronomic and nutritional value of semidwarf common buckwheat.

Impact of biological fungicides on the formation and functioning of symbiotic system soybean–Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Background. In order to reduce the negative impact of mineral fertilizers and pesticides on agroecosystems, environmentally friendly plant protection systems are increasingly being utilized in soybean cultivation technologies. These systems aim to provide essential nutrients to plants while minimizing ecological harm. Materials and Methods. In vegetative studies, the processes of formation and functioning of symbiotic systems in soybeans with active strains of nodulating bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum (РC07, PC09, B78, B144) were investigated under the influence of pre-sowing seed treatment with the biofungicides Mycosan-N and Phytocide-r. Microbiological, physiological, statistical methods, and gas chromatography were employed in the research. Results. The impact of biological fungicides on the nodulation activity of nodule bacteria has been identified. It was determined that with comprehensive treatment of soybean seeds with B. japonicum РC07 and Mycosan-N, the mass of nodules formed on the roots exceeded that of the control plants by 7‒22 %, and under the influence of Phytocide-r, the mass was lower by 6‒20 % throughout the vegetation period. With the combined application of B. japonicum PC09 and Mycosan-N, a decrease in the number of root nodules by 8‒25 % and a reduction in their mass by 18‒35 % was observed throughout the vegetation period. Under the influence of Phytocide-r, with the inoculation of rhizobia strain PC09, the number of nodules was lower compared to the control plants only in the full flowering stage. At the same time, the reduction in their mass was 6‒20 % throughout the entire observation period. A stimulating effect of both biofungicides on the formation of the symbiotic apparatus involving strains B. japonicum B78 and B144 has been identified. With the combined application of B. japonicum РC07 and Phytocide-r, nitrogenase activity of symbiotic systems decreased by 7 % only in the stage of three true leaves compared to plants whose seeds were treated only with rhizobia. The nitrogenase activity of symbiotic systems formed with the participation of B. japonicum B78 and under the influence of Mycosan-N increased by 28 %, 15 %, and 12 % in the stages of three true leaves, budding, and full flowering, respectively. The action of Phytocide-r, with the inoculation by the nodule bacteria B78, resulted in an increase in nitrogenase activity by 14 % only in the budding stage. Under the comprehensive treatment of soybean seeds with involved biofungicides and B. japonicum B144, an increase in the intensity of N2 assimilation was noted by 29‒34 % in the stage of three true leaves and by 10‒16 % in the budding stage. Conclusions. The application of a scientifically justified selection of rhizobial strains and biological plant protection agents for pre-sowing treatment of soybean seeds will enable a more complete realization of their nitrogen-fixing potential and phytoprotective effects.

The effect of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus Glomus caledonium and zinc chelate spraying on the quantity and quality of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge essential oil at full flowering stage

The effect of inoculation with mycorrhizal fungus Glomus caledonium and zinc chelate spraying on the quantity and quality of Satureja bachtiarica Bunge essential oil at full flowering stage

Sense and Symbolic Sensibility: The Rise of Amphibians and the Roots of Language in Whiteheadian Perspective

Abstract Perspectives on the difficult topic of the evolution of language can be differentiated to a large extent based on how much relevant continuity or discontinuity they see between humans and nonhuman animals. In general, biologists and psychologists tend to have a broad definition of “language” that highlights significant continuities, whereas linguists tend to define “language” more narrowly, in accord with their emphasis on the uniqueness of human capacities. This article examines the value of Whitehead's innovative theory of language, which is grounded in his account of the fundamental symbolic element in basic perceptual processes, mainly for understanding the continuities between animal and human perceptual and symbolic activity but also for accommodating the discontinuity, or at least the pivotal difference, evident in the full flowering of human language. It will focus particularly on applying Whitehead's approach to gain a new understanding of the emergence, with the rise of amphibians, of the first vocalization in the history of life.

Effect of removing the spring flush and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on the late ripening of cactus pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill

The present work aims to study the effect of removing the spring flush (scozzolatura practice) and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on fruit yield and quality of the late fruiting of cactus pear Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. To meet this objective, an experiment was carried out on an adult plantation of ‘Aissa’ cv in the Agadir area. Treatments of fertilization used are: T0 (not fertilized plot: contains only the soil reserve in NP: 40-20 kg N-P ha-1), T1: 226 kg N ha-1, T2: 114 kg P2O5 ha-1 and T3: 226-114 kg N-P2O5 ha-1. The whole spring flush was removed during the full flowering stage (50% flowers in bloom); it was practiced on April 20, 2019. Obtained results showed that removing the spring flush led to a second flush of flowering (reflowering) 46 days after the spring flowering and an off-season late fruiting 68 days after the seasonal fruiting. The scozzolatura practice also has improved the fruit size and taste and its content in sugars, and reduced the number of seeds per fruit. Nitrogenous and phosphor-nitrogenous fertilizations improved the emission of shoots and flowers, fruit yield and size of scozzolatured and not scozzolaturated plants and their effect is more important on scozzolatured plants than on not scoscozzolatured ones. However, phosphorous fertilization alone does not affect these phenological and yield parameters and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizations have no effect on the organoleptic parameters of the fruits (the rate of juice and sugars and the pH and acidity titratable of the juice).

Effect of saline water on the vase life of Narcissus poeticus L. flowers

ABSTRACT The vase life of Narcissus poeticus flowers collected at the white bud stage was investigated in 13 different concentrations of NaCl (0–5–10–15–20–30–40–…–100 mM). Every 12 hr, the opening stage of the flowers was recorded, divided into 4 main categories (bud, opening flower, full open (FO) flower and wilting flower) and 14 subcategories. The salinity did not affect the flower opening speed, diameter or weight. The duration of the full flowering stage decreased from 92 hr to 44 hr, the sum of the daily ornamental value score (OVS) decreased from 120 by 3 scores per each 10 mM concentration increase. The scape chlorophyll content increased at low salinity (10–15 mM) and then decreased significantly. The carotenoid content in the scapes of wilted flowers increased in 30–100 mM solutions compared to the values in the flowering stage and flowers grown at lower salt concentrations. The Na and Cl contents in the plant parts increased significantly with the increase in salinity (at the end of the experiment, 100 mM NaCl: scapes: 44.1 g · kg-1 and 67.2 g · kg-1 Na and Cl; flowers: 16.8 g · kg-1 and 24.8 g · kg-1 Na and Cl, respectively). There was an inverse correlation between the Na and K contents in the scapes. The EC value of the vase solutions decreased during the experiment.

EFFECT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND HARVESTING STAGE ON BOTANICAL COMPOSITION, BIOMASS YIELD, AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF NATURAL PASTURE UNDER TRADITIONAL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;Natural pasture is an essential source of livestock feed worldwide, particularly in Ethiopia. Though pastureland coverage and management practices are changing over time, studies are limited in addressing the status under the dynamics of smallholder management conditions. &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; To evaluate natural pasture botanical composition, biomass yield, and nutritional value under different management and stages of harvesting in the central highlands of Ethiopia. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology:&lt;/strong&gt; The pasture was harvested at three stages (pre-flowering, mid-flowering, and after full flowering) under different management (extensive, semi-intensive where urea was used as a fertilizer, and seasonal grazing). Quadrats of 0.25 m&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; were used for herbaceous species identification, biomass yield estimation and nutritive value analysis. Chemical composition of the samples were analyzed using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy&lt;/em&gt;. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Thirty-one herbaceous species were identified (38.71% grasses, 19.35% legumes, 9.67% sedges, and 32.26% forbs), which belong to 11 families.&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;The total biomass yield under semi-intensive management practice at full maturity stage was greater than seasonally grazed and extensively managed pasture. The species richness, species evenness Shannon-Wiener diversity (H’ max) and maximum possible diversity (H’max) were similar (P&amp;gt;0.05) under all management practices. &lt;em&gt;Natural pasture &lt;/em&gt;condition score was fair under seasonal grazing, while the score was excellent under extensive and semi-intensive management. Metabolizable energy (ME), and &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) were higher (P&amp;lt;0.5) under extensive management compared to the semi-intensive management. The pasture harvested at the pre-flowering stage had higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) CP content, IVOMD, and ME, but low neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin values. &lt;strong&gt;Implications:&lt;/strong&gt; The findings provide new insights into improving the biomass yield and quality of the pasture in semi-intensive pastureland management, and harvesting after the full flowering stage. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;em&gt;This study recommended&lt;/em&gt; semi-intensive management and harvesting after the full flowering stage for higher pasture biomass yield, pasture condition, and nutritional value in the highlands of Ethiopia. Further study is required to investigate the combined effects of fertilizer (organic, inorganic) application and other management on biomass yield and quality of natural pasture in similar and other areas in the highlands of Ethiopia. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;iframe class="ginger-extension-synonympopup" style="left: 134.956px; top: 88.8px; z-index: 56; padding: 0px; visibility: hidden; height: 152px;" src="chrome-extension://kdfieneakcjfaiglcfcgkidlkmlijjnh/ginger-popup/index.html"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;

Добив и качество на тютюн Виржиния в зависимост от генотипа и агротехничски практики

The effects of three N rates (0, 20 and 40 kg N ha-1) and time of topping (topping at early flowering and topping at full flowering) on yield and quality (percentage of first, second and third grade dried tobacco, and chemical composition) of Virginia tobacco genotypes (Virginia 0514, Hybrid 33, Hybrid 27) were studied in field experiment in 2015-2016. The experimental design was a randomized complete block replicated three times. The most important factor that affects leaf yield was N rate. Genotype differences and time of topping also had a significant effect on the yield. The application of 20 and 40 kg N ha-1 improved the leaf yield by 12.6%, and 17.8%, respectively, in comparison with unfertilized plants. When tobacco was topped at early flowering stage, the yields of the different genotypes increased by 4.3%-10.1% compared to the topping at full flowering. Nitrogen fertilization and topping had almost the same effect on the quality of the tobacco (as determined by the percentage of first grade dried tobacco). The genotype effect was weaker but also statistically significant. The quantity of the first class was also determined by the interaction of topping and nitrogen rate. Topping at early flowering increased the concentrations of nicotine and total nitrogen in tobacco. The reducing sugars/nicotine ratio was higher, and in this case more favorable, when tobacco plants were topped at full flowering stage. Nicotine content (2.33%-3.53%) increased when the rate of nitrogen increased. There was a negative relationship between increasing N levels and reducing sugars content.

Effects of Harvesting Stages and Additives on the Chemical Composition, Fermentation Quality and Relative Feed Value of Soybean Silages Varieties

In this study, the chemical composition, silage fermentation quality and relative feed value of soybean silages varieties, namely Adasoy (A), Derry (D) and Yeşilsoy (Y), with Pioneer11C33 (I), molasses (M) and cracked wheat (W) additives at the three harvesting stages, i.e., full flowering (R2), full pod (R4) and full seed (R6) stages, were determined. It was observed that the A and D varieties were the best silage materials for the production of good quality silage in terms of both nutrient contents such as DM and CP and fermentation criteria such as LA and BA concentrations during the R4 and R6 harvest periods. Molasses and cracked wheat additives significantly improved the fermentation qualities of all soybean varieties (P&amp;lt;0.05), but the fermentation effect of the inoculant on silages was less than that of molasses and cracked wheat. The harvesting of soybean varieties in the full seed and applying molasses or cracked wheat as an additive optimally improves silage characteristics and results in well-preserved silage.

Agrobiological substantiation of growing Hungarian vetch in mixed crops

The production of high-protein feed stays an integral part of the development of feed production. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological characteristics of Hungarian vetch when grown in agrophytocenoses using different types of winter cereals. Changes in the chemical composition of dry matter at different microstages of growth and development were studied, and the influence on the yield, nutrient content, and digestibility of plant material was determined depending on the stages of growth and development. The study was conducted using field, laboratory, laboratory-field, and statistical methods. It was found that to reach the full flowering phase, the sum of active temperatures should be 754°C, with precipitation of about 100 mm and daylight hours of 973 h. Observations of the growing season indicate the relationship between plants and the environment, which is important to consider when growing Hungarian vetch. Vetch plants reach a height of 100-104 cm in conditions of excessive moisture. The phytocoenotic balance of such mixtures, specifically vetch of the Orlan variety and winter triticale of the Bozhych and Bohodarske varieties, ensures sustainable productivity and nutritional value of plant material. The best harvesting time for high quality vetch is from the beginning to the middle of flowering, which ensures a crude protein content of 17-20% in dry matter. The effectiveness of mixed phytocoenoses has been confirmed by ecological tests of crop combination models in different soil and climatic zones of Ukraine, where yields of 36.2-51.8 t/ha of green mass and 7.1-11.5 t/ ha of dry matter were obtained over the years of use. The creation of a mixed crop allows producing high-quality plant material that is superior in energy and protein content to conventional vetch and oat mixtures. It was recommended to create such mixtures by sowing 2.5 mln/ha of cereal and 2.1 mln/ha of leguminous components after applying N45P45K45 to form a crop with high digestibility and nutrition. The system of mixed cropping of Hungarian vetch is promising for the production of silage and high-quality haylage in the face of climate change and as a precursor for post-cutting sowing of maize or sorghum crops

Comparison of morphological characters, flowering phenology and essential oils of two accessions of Cananga (Cananga odorata var. fruticosa)

Abstract. Na’imah MNR, Kurniawati A, Kisantini. 2024. Comparison of morphological characters, flowering phenology and essential oils of two accessions of Cananga (Cananga odorata var. fruticosa). Biodiversitas 25: 801-810. The Cananga flowers are well-known in various regions of Indonesia as a raw material for essential oils and flower decorations. This study aims to compare the characteristics of two varieties of Cananga originating from Kediri and Cipanas. Both types of Cananga were cultivated in the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) Cikabayan experimental field. Observation was conducted on leaf and flower characteristics, flowering phenology, and essential oil content. The research shows that the Kediri accession exhibited brownish-red leaf petioles, brownish-red branches, and dark brown stems. In contrast, the Cipanas accession had green leaf stalks, green branches, and light brown stems. The flowering phenology of the Kediri accession spanned from the emergence of flower buds to the End stage, lasting 35 days, while the Cipanas accession's flowering period extended for 25 days. The Kediri accession's flowers have more petals and are longer and heavier than the Cipanas accession. The highest essential oil content of the Cipanas accession occurred at the 50% full flowering stage, reaching 0.92%, and gradually decreased as the flowering progressed. In comparison, the Kediri accession oil content is the highest at the end of the flowering stage, with a peak of 0.61%. The highest compound in the Kediri accession is all-trans-Farnesol acetate 14,24%, ?-Copaene 12.23%, and Caryophyllene 15.92%. Meanwhile, in the Cipanas accession, the highest compound content was linalool 18.74% and caryophyllene 16.00%.

Evaluation of antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition activity, and cell viability capacity of Hypericum heterophyllum vent., an endemic species in Turkey's Flora

The aim of this study was determined the antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition activity, and cell viability capacity of H. heterophyllum (endemic species in the Flora of Turkey) extracts. H. heterophyllum methanolic extract was used in this study. H. heterophyllum plants collected at the beginning of flowering and during full flowering. P content was determined with calorimetrically in spectrophotometer. K, CA, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu was determined with Atomic Absorption and N concentration were determined according to the Kjeldahl distillation method. H. heterophyllum (endemic species in the Flora of Turkey) extract was evaluated for its antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, total phenol and flavonoid content), antimicrobial (four bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus) and two Candida species (Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis)), enzyme inhibition activity (ɑ-glucosidase, ɑ-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase), and cell viability (XTT assay) capacity. Extracts from the beginning of flowering period showed stronger biological activity. It has been determined that the extracts have antioxidant, antibacterial (against Staphylococcus aureus) anticancer activity (on breast cancer cells), and inhibition effects of BChE and alpha-glucosidase. It has been determined that the extracts obtained from H. heterophylum have important pharmacological activities, and the plant exhibits higher activity in the BF period. Hypericum heterophyllum Vent. The activities of the chemicals contained in it against various proteins that are α-gly enzyme (PDB ID: 1R47), AChE enzyme (PDB ID: 4M0E), BChE enzyme (PDB ID: 5NN0), alpha-Amylase (PDB ID: 3BAJ), breast cancer protein (PDB ID: 1A52 and 1JNX), were compared. ADME/T analysis of molecules with high activity was performed.

Essential oil variation of Achillea filipendulina populations in farm condition

ABSTRACT Achillea filipendulina is a native aromatic plant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This research aimed to determine and compare the essential oil content and composition of different populations of this plant in farm condition. Seeds provided by the Natural Resources Gene Bank of Iran were sown in a field experiment over two years. Essential oils from the aerial parts of all populations, at full flowering stage, were obtained by hydro-distillation and analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The oil yields ranged from 0.13% to 1.20%. Twenty-six compounds were identified with 1,8-cineole (2.0–73.5%), santolina alcohol (14.2–35%) and borneol (0.6–20.4%) as major components. Cluster analysis divided all accessions into two clusters. The main compounds in cluster 1 (two populations) were santolina alcohol, borneol, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, bornyl acetate and α-pinene. The oils in Cluster 2 contained borneol, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate and high amount of 1,8-cineole (22.6–73.5%) as main components.

In vitroruminal fermentation, core nutrient, fatty acids and mineral matter of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) herbage at different phenological stages.

In ruminants, fibrous feedstuffs must be included in the ration to ensure normal rumen physiology and to prevent the occurrence of rumen-related metabolic diseases. In addition to being a source of fibrous feedstuffs, they contain energy depending on the level of digestion and protein, minerals, fatty acids, minerals, and secondary compounds. This study aimed to determine the nutrient matter, fatty acid, mineral and in vitro rumen fermentation values of the pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) plant. The pennyroyal plant samples were collected at different phenological stages (vegetative, full flowering, and seed bulking) from the natural meadow. The samples were analysed for core nutrients, condensed tannins, minerals, fatty acids, and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters. The calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) contents and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters (total gas production and methane production, organic matter digestion (OMd), and the ammonia-nitrogen) decreased with increasing phenological stage (p < 0.05). The percentages of linoleic, α-linolenic, ω-3, ω-6 and polyunsaturated fatty (PUFA) acids of the pennyroyal plant linearly increased with the phenological stages (p < 0.05). However, butyric acid (BA) concentration in the in vitro ruminal fermentation fluid in the full flowering stage was lower than that of other stages (p < 0.05). Pennyroyal plant is a functional plant in terms of high values of ether extract (EE), α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, ∑ω-3 fatty acids, Ca, Fe and Zn contents. For this plant to be used as animal feed, the stage when it has the highest values for Ca, Mg, S and Zn minerals and in vitro OMd were vegetative and full flowering. The stage with good potential as animal feed for ∑ω-3 and ∑ω-6 fatty acids and core nutrients (CP and EE) is the seed bulking stage.

Key role of hormone signal transduction and lipid metabolism in the development of Nitraria sibirica leaves: An integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis

Plant growth is a complex process controlled by a variety of genetic and environmental variables. Nitraria sibirica Pall. is a multi-purpose euhalophyte with economic and medicinal value. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes at different growth stages in N. sibirica remain unreported. In this study, the morphology and physiological characteristics of N. sibirica were compared at the vegetative, full flowering, and fruiting stages. Metabolomics and transcriptomics were used to describe metabolite accumulation and transcriptome expression at different stages, and the relationship between gene expression patterns and metabolite accumulation was studied based on a joint analysis of the two approaches. The results indicated significant variations in the morphological and physiological characteristics of N. sibirica at different growth stages (P < 0.05). Transcriptome and metabolome samples corresponding to the three stages were clearly distinguished, and the metabolite and gene module showed high consistency. The amount of DEMs and DEGs decreased as leaf growth progressed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) predominantly belonged to the MYB transcription family, whereas differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were dominated by lipids and lipid-like molecules. DEGs were mainly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction, cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis pathways, whereas DEMs were mainly enriched in linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and phenylpropane biosynthesis pathways. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that plant hormone signal transduction, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, cutin, suberine, and wax biosynthesis were the most significant key pathways for the co-enrichment of DEMs and DEGs. Pearson correlation analysis showed that physiological traits were strongly correlated with DEGs, whereas morphological traits were strongly correlated with DEMs. Moreover, a strong correlation was also observed between DEMs and DEGs. In conclusion, this research provides insights into the metabolic and transcriptional regulatory networks involved in plant development.

Variation of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Contents in Drip-Irrigated Cotton at Different Yield Levels under Combined Effects of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium

To elucidate the variation characteristics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content and accumulation in cotton at different yield levels, a two-year experiment was conducted using cotton variety Lumianyan 24 under four N treatments (506, 402.5, 299, and 195.5 kg ha−1, designated as N1, N2, N3, and N4, respectively). The four P and K fertilization ratios were (PK-M1, 25% P and K applied at squaring stage (SS) and 75% at the bloom-bolling stages (BS)), 50%:50% (PK-M2, 50% P and K applied at each stage), 75%:25% (PK-M3, 75% P and K applied at SS and 25% at the BS) and 100%:0% (PK-M4, total P and K applied at SS). The results showed that the N content (Nc), P content (Pc), and K content (Kc) of cotton plants at high yield levels were 23.3%, 44.2%, and 31.6% higher than those at low yield levels. In addition, the reproductive organs maintained higher Pc and Kc at high yield levels, and the Nc, Pc, and Kc exhibited positive linear correlations with yield, while Nc/Pc, Nc/Kc, and Kc/Pc had significant negative correlations with yield. In conclusion, seed cotton yield was mainly limited by Nc at low yield levels and affected by Pc and Kc at high yield levels. Then, when 0.85 &lt; Nc/Kc &lt; 1.0 at the full squaring stage (FS), 0.8 &lt; Nc/Kc &lt; 1.0 at the full flowering stage (FF), 4.3 &lt; Nc/Pc &lt; 6.7 at the early-full bolling stage (EFB) and 4.9 &lt; Nc/Pc &lt; 7.1 at the late-full bolling stage (LFB), there is a high yield potential of 7000–9000 kg ha−1. Furthermore, yields can be improved by reducing the application of N during the growing period and increasing the application of P fertilizer during the later growth period.

Genotypic Variation in Agronomic Traits and Molecular Markers among Chinese Luobuma (Apocynum spp.) Germplasm Accessions

Apocynum spp., known as Chinese Luobuma species, are perennial herbaceous plants that not only have good ecological characteristics, such as drought resistance, salt resistance, freezing resistance, high-temperature resistance and wind sand resistance, but also have good medicinal and textile value. However, studies on the genetic variation in Chinese Luobuma are rare. In this study, the genotypic variation in the agronomic traits and molecular markers among eight germplasm accessions (referred to as genotypes) of Apocynum spp. was investigated. The accessions were evaluated at two locations in China, Altay and Yuzhong, during a three-year period. Analysis of the variance in yield-related traits revealed significant genotypic variation (p &lt; 0.05) among the eight genotypes at the early flowering and full flowering stages. There were also significant (p &lt; 0.05) genotype × year and genotype × location × year interactions for all the traits except leaf dry weight. In comparison to those evaluated at Yuzhong, the plant height, number of branches, leaf dry weight and stem dry weight at the early flowering stage were greater in Altay, with averages of 991.0 mm, 5.52, 26.41 g and 25.35 g, respectively. There were significant (p &lt; 0.05) differences among genotypes in terms of the quality traits measured at the early and full flowering stages. The crude protein and crude fat content for each genotype at different locations at the early flowering stage in different years ranged from 8.64 to 10.07%. The average flavone (FLA) content was 2.31 mg/100 g. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the G1 genotype in Altay had a higher neutral detergent fiber content and leaf dry weight, and the G2 genotype had a larger stem thickness, branch number and stem-to-leaf ratio. Five DNA sequences, ITS, matK, psbA-trnH, rbcL and trnL-F, were selected for analysis of the molecular variance in Chinese Luobuma. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on the nuclear DNA sequences and chloroplast DNA sequences showed that most of the variation occurred within species. Our study indicated the significant genetic variation in Chinese Luobuma for future cultivar domestication. Genotypes with high leaf dry weights and many branches are beneficial for tea production, while tall plants with long internode lengths are valuable for the production of hemp.