Hermaphrodite Flowers Research Articles

Vegetative growth, flowering pattern and yield of mango (Mangifera indica L.) as affected by exogenous application of paclobutrazol and KNO3

Studied the response of different flowering regulatory agro-chemicals had a significantly positive impact on vegetative growth, flowering pattern and yield attributes of mango, during 2015-16 and 2016-17. Paclobutrazol is associated with a shorter internodal length and the highest flowering intensity. The study was laid out with 7 treatments in randomized block design and replicated thrice were applied on north Indian mango cultivars "Dashehari" and "Kesar" under the Banswara condition of Rajasthan. The results revealed that most of the flowering parameters were better performed with paclobutrazol @ 3.0 ml m-2 soil drench application mid-September (number of flowers/10 tagged panicle, per cent hermaphrodite flowers, per cent fruit set, least length and width of panicle) and foliar application of potassium nitrate 25 g l -1 observed maximum height and width of panicle, fruit weight, yield kg tree-1, yield t/ha.

Schiedeawaiahuluensis (Caryophyllaceae), an enigmatic new species from Kaua'i, Hawaiian Islands and the first species discovered by a drone collection system.

During a survey by the National Tropical Botanical Garden drone team, an enigmatic Schiedea was observed in December 2021on steep, rocky cliff faces of the Waiahulu Valley in the Waimea Canyon of Kaua'i. Subsequently, another survey was conducted in March 2022 and, by use of a remotely controlled cutting device suspended below the drone, the first herbarium specimen was collected, as well as a seed collection of an undescribed cliff-dwelling species of Schiedea. Detailed study of the collections and plants grown at the University of California, Irvine greenhouse showed that it had enlarged, somewhat whitish sepals similar to those of cliff-dwelling S.attenuata (the sole species in sect. Leucocalyx), yet differed significantly from all other species in the genus. It also shares with S.attenuata a woody habit, hermaphroditic flowers, coloured nectar and styles 5 to 7 or 8. We describe it here as S.waiahuluensis given the only known localities are on the cliffs of this valley and place it in an enlarged sect. Leucocalyx. With the discovery of this new species, there are 36 species in this Hawaiian endemic genus.

Hermaphrodite Flower Ratios and Fruit Drop in Different Olive Cultivars

Hermaphrodite Flower Ratios and Fruit Drop in Different Olive Cultivars

Impact of PGRs, polyamines and potassium to improve pomegranate flowering behaviour, fruit set and fruit quality

Ever changing climate is affecting the flowering pattern in pomegranate worldwide. It is the need of the hour to find out some chemicals that can not only enhance hermaphrodite flowers and fruit set but also enhance fruit quality. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators (three), polyamines (two) and other chemicals (five) on photosynthesis, flowering ratio, fruit set and quality of pomegranate fruits. Pomegranate trees were treated at full leaf expansion stage. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (5000 ppm), spermidine (1.5 ppm) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (20 ppm) were the best treatments to significantly enhance hermaphrodite flowers, as the hermaphrodite to male flower ratio was 0.39, 0.37, and 0.35, respectively, compared to 0.22 in the control treatment. Except spermidine, NAA and paclobutrazol, all treatments increased the fruit setting significantly, with potassium dihydrogen phosphate (5000 ppm) being the most effective treatment with 66% fruit set compared to 43% in control trees. In mature fruits, compared to control, NAA enhanced total phenols, ascorbic acid and total antioxidants (3%, 15%, 7%, respectively) followed by ascorbic acid treatment (250 ppm); potassium dihydrogen phosphate (5000 ppm) and putrescine (44 ppm) enhanced the anthocyanin content and hence aril color significantly (11% and 10% respectively). Though the use of NAA in pomegranate production is commercial practice, two sprays of ascorbic acid can also be included to enhance the nutritional quality of fruits. Foliar application of potassium dihydrogen phosphate twice at flowering stage could be highly useful for quality pomegranate production due to the enhanced number of hermaphrodite flowers, fruit setting and fruit color. Overall, use of these chemicals can be beneficial to pomegranate farmers to get more remuneration from harvest.

Assessment of Hast Bahar (Flowering Season) for Yield and Quality of Pomegranate at Farmer’s Field

An on-farm trail (OFT) on assessment of flowering season of pomegranate was tested. The experiment was conducted with three treatments comprising mrig bahar flowering as a control and hast bahar flowering with and without application of micronutrients and kaolin clay during June to February for three consecutive years from 2019–2022 in the different farmer fields at the Tharad taluka of Banskantha district, Gujarat, India. The treatment T1 Mrig bahar (June-July) flowering recorded the maximum total number of flowers (293.67) hermaphrodite flowers (108.9) and fruit setting (71.85%). Further, T1 exhibited the highest average number of fruits plant-1 (79.0) and maximum fruit yield (11.78 kg plant-1) followed by T3 and T2 treatments (10.14 kg plant-1 and 9.02 kg plant-1) respectively. In terms of total fruit yield, Treatment T1 exhibited the highest fruit yield of (9813 kg ha-1). Whereas, maximum individual fruit weight 179.44 g plant-1 and Total Soluble Solids (15.75°Brix) were found in Treatment T3. Moreover, treatment T3 Hast Bahar (Sept–Oct) flowering with foliar spray of micromix 0.2% and kaolin Clay 4.0%) has the lowest average fruit cracking (6.30%) and the lowest incidence of sunburn (8.80%) across the three years. However, treatment T1 recorded highest average fruit cracking (18.90%). Further, during the Mrig bahar season, incidence of leaf spots and fruit rot was observed higher compared to the Hast bahar flowering. In case of economics, treatment T3 obtained the highest average income of 411813 ha-1 as compared to treatment T2 and T3 ` 353074 ha-1 and 333425 ha-1, respectively.

Comparative Analysis of Morphological Characteristics and Blooming Patterns of Hermaphrodite and Male Pomegranate Flowers

Comparative Analysis of Morphological Characteristics and Blooming Patterns of Hermaphrodite and Male Pomegranate Flowers

Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: Silene uniflora‡

Abstract This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Silene uniflora Roth (S. maritima With., S. vulgaris Garcke subsp. maritima (With.) Á. & D. Löve), Sea Campion, that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Silene uniflora is a mat‐like perennial herb that in Britain and Ireland is primarily distributed in coastal habitats, notably on sea cliffs and shingle banks but also at the drift line and rarely on sand; it also has populations on mountains and heavy metal mine waste tips. All of these substrates tend to be oligotrophic, loose‐textured and freely draining, and often with adverse ion concentrations. It is found in suitable habitats around much of the Atlantic and Baltic coasts of Europe. Its breeding system is gynodioecious and gynomonoecious (some individuals bearing female flowers only, some bearing hermaphrodite flowers only and others with both types of flower). The proportions of the three types of individual vary considerably between populations, but hermaphrodite flowers tend to predominate. The showy, white, nectar‐producing flowers are produced continuously over the entire summer and are pollinated mainly by long‐tongued Hymenoptera and night‐flying moths but autogamous selfing is also frequent. Silene uniflora and its close relative S. vulgaris were the subject of a classic, decadal study involving genetical and transplant experiments that was seminal in the development of ‘experimental taxonomy’. More recently, attention has focused on the rapid evolution of Zn‐tolerant populations of S. uniflora growing on mine spoil and contaminated river gravels. It has also become a model organism for the study of sexually transmitted, castrating fungal diseases in plants (notably of the genus Microbotryum).

Cytological, Phytohormone, and Transcriptome Analyses Provide Insights into Persimmon Fruit Shape Formation (Diospyros kaki Thunb.).

Fruit shape is an important external feature when consumers choose their preferred fruit varieties. Studying persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit shape is beneficial to increasing its commodity value. However, research on persimmon fruit shape is still in the initial stage. In this study, the mechanism of fruit shape formation was studied by cytological observations, phytohormone assays, and transcriptome analysis using the long fruit and flat fruit produced by 'Yaoxianwuhua' hermaphroditic flowers. The results showed that stage 2-3 (June 11-June 25) was the critical period for persimmon fruit shape formation. Persimmon fruit shape is determined by cell number in the transverse direction and cell length in the longitudinal direction. High IAA, GA4, ZT, and BR levels may promote long fruit formation by promoting cell elongation in the longitudinal direction, and high GA3 and ABA levels may be more conducive to flat fruit formation by increasing the cell number in the transverse direction and inhibiting cell elongation in the longitudinal direction, respectively. Thirty-two DEGs related to phytohormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways and nine DEGs related to cell division and cell expansion may be involved in the persimmon fruit shape formation process. These results provide valuable information for regulatory mechanism research on persimmon fruit formation.

Comparative proteomic analysis of papaya bud flowers reveals metabolic signatures and pathways driving hermaphrodite development

Papaya (Carica papaya) is a trioecious species with female, male, and hermaphrodite plants. Given the sex segregation, selecting hermaphroditic plants is vital for orchard establishment due to their greater commercial value. However, selecting hermaphrodite plants through sexing is laborious and costly. Moreover, environmental stressors can exacerbate the issue by potentially inducing abnormal flower development, thus affecting fruit quality. Despite these challenges, the molecular mechanisms governing sex development in papaya remain poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to identify proteins associated with sex development in female and hermaphrodite flowers of papaya through comparative proteomic analysis. Proteins from flower buds at the early and late developmental stages of three papaya genotypes (UENF-CALIMAN 01, JS12, and Sunrise Solo 72/12) were studied via proteomic analysis via the combination of the shotgun method and nanoESI-HDMSE technology. In buds at an early stage of development, 496 (35.9%) proteins exhibited significantly different abundances between sexes for the SS72/12 genotype, 139 (10%) for the JS12 genotype, and 165 (11.9%) for the UC-01 genotype. At the final stage of development, there were 181 (13.5%) for SS72/12, 113 (8.4%) for JS12, and 125 (9.1%) for UC-01. The large group of differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) between the sexes was related to metabolism, as shown by the observation of only the proteins that exhibited the same pattern of accumulation in the three genotypes. Specifically, carbohydrate metabolism proteins were up-regulated in hermaphrodite flower buds early in development, while those linked to monosaccharide and amino acid metabolism increased during late development. Enrichment of sporopollenin and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways characterizes hermaphrodite samples across developmental stages, with predicted protein interactions highlighting the crucial role of phenylpropanoids in sporopollenin biosynthesis for pollen wall formation. Most of the DAPs played key roles in pectin, cellulose, and lignin synthesis and were essential for cell wall formation and male flower structure development, notably in the pollen coat. These findings suggest that hermaphrodite flowers require more energy for development, likely due to complex pollen wall formation. Overall, these insights illuminate the molecular mechanisms of papaya floral development, revealing complex regulatory networks and energetic demands in the formation of male reproductive structures.

Floral attractants and rewards to pollinators in Mangifera indica L.

Floral attractants and rewards are essential in plant-pollinator interaction, pollen transfer to and from the flowers, and hence in crop production. In this trial, we determined the attractants and rewards of mango ‘Osteen’ cultivated under a plastic greenhouse. The attractants analyzed were inflorescence architecture and compactness, flower number, size and color patterns. Rewards determined were pollen quantity and its nutritious value and nectar volume and composition. The results show that mango forms panicles with more staminate than hermaphrodite flowers, but the latter are of higher size, more exposed to pollinator activity, and preferentially located in a better-nurtured position within the inflorescence. Pollen produced by staminate and hermaphrodite flowers was similar in quantity and quality. On the contrary, hermaphrodite flowers produced more nectar, likely because of the larger size of their nectary disks. Pollen and nectar present 17 and 22 metabolites, respectively, including carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids. Our study provides, for the first time, solid information about the floral attractiveness and rewards of mango cultivated under plastic greenhouses. This will help to understand the possible adaptations required for pollinating this crop under protected cultivation.

Revisit and explore the ethylene-independent mechanism of sex expression in cucumber (Cucumis sativus).

This review provides a thorough and comprehensive perspective on the topic of cucumber sexual expression. Specifically, insights into sex expression mediated by pathways other than ethylene are highlighted. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a common and important commercial crop that is cultivated and consumed worldwide. Additionally, this species is commonly used as a model for investigating plant sex expression. Cucumbers exhibit a variety of floral arrangements, comprising male, female, and hermaphroditic (bisexual) flowers. Generally, cucumber plants that produce female flowers are typically preferred due to their significant impact on the overall output. Various environmental conditions, such as temperature, light quality, and photoperiod, have been also shown to influence the sex expression in this species. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that ethylene and its biosynthesis genes are crucial in regulating cucumber sex expression. Gibberellins, another well-known phytohormone, can similarly influence cucumber sex expression via an ethylene-independent route. Further studies employing the next-generation sequencing technology also visualized a deeper slice of the molecular mechanism such as the role of the cell cycle program in the cucumber sex expression. This review aims to provide an overview of the sex expression of cucumber including its underlying molecular mechanism and regulatory aspects based on recent investigations.

Establishment of morphological markers to differentiate male and female plants in Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. using multiple logistic regression

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb., belongs to the family Simaroubaceae, is a fast-growing multipurpose tree, and used mainly as a source of fodder and shade. It bears male, female, and hermaphrodite flowers on separate plants. It has been observed that male plant has more leaf biomass during April-May in semi-arid regions of India (Jaipur). In its vegetative state, the sex of the tree cannot be identified. The present study has therefore been designed to investigate if there is any difference in male and female plants based on morphological descriptors namely stomata number, stomata length, stomata diameter, trichome number, trichome length, and trichome diameter. 20 plants with male flowers and 20 plants with female flowers have been studied. The data revealed that male plants have lower trichome diameter (11.91 µm) than female (14.18 µm) plants. Other parameters do not show any statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). The Omnibus Tests of the Model Coefficient obtained for trichome diameter (0.042) is reliable in improving the model, implying that the model is the best fit. To test the validity of this model, the Hosmer and Lemeshow test was performed, and the p-value of chi-square (0.405 > 0.05) indicates that the logistic model obtained above is the best-fit model. Further studies of trichome diameter at the seedling stage and then confirmation of plant sex at maturity level will help in establishing morphological markers in A. excelsa for identification of sex.

Zygotic quiescence prolongs the reproductive cycle in Berchemia sinica (Rhamnaceae)

More than two-thirds of the species in Berchemia exhibit remarkable reproductive phenology, characterized by prolonged fruit ripening and the occurrence of overlapping fruit ripening and flowering. However, the underlying reasons for these phenomena remain unknown. Therefore, this study employed routine paraffin section technology, histochemical technique and scanning electron microscopy to investigate embryo sac development, differences between male and hermaphroditic flowers, as well as the overwintering strategy in Berchemia sinica. The findings of this study revealed a significant reduction in pollen viability and the number of pollen grains per flower in hermaphroditic compared to male flowers. Following fertilization, the ovary of hermaphroditic flowers does not undergo significant enlargement but gradually enters the state of zygotic quiescence. Zygotic quiescence prolongation is the main reason for the long reproductive cycle of B. sinica, and it takes approximately 14 months for the entire cycle from flower bud differentiation to fruit ripening to complete. Long reproductive cycle and complex overwintering mechanism exhibited by B. sinica resemble those seen in species belonging to Betulaceae, Fagaceae, Tapisciaceae, and Theaceae, suggesting convergent evolution during Earth's glacial period resulted in similar adaptive structures among these groups delayed fruit ripening leads to overlap between current year's flowers with previous year's fruits. The trade-off between flower and fruit for reproductive resources may have driven evolutionary transition from ancestral hermaphroditism towards androdioecy in Berchemia.

Effect of pre-flowering sprays of micronutrients on flowering, fruit set, fruit drop and yield of mango cv. Amrapali ​

Being the national fruit of India, mango possess a significant position in its history, tradition culture and economy. This delicious and nutritious fruit contains considerable amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in abundance. The plant flowers in panicle at the end of winter and fruit drop is a common problem which is manifested due to several causes and micronutrient deficiency is one of major cause. The present study was conducted at the instructional farm of Institute of Agriculture, Visva Bharati, Sriniketan which comes under humid sub-tropical region of West Bengal, India during the year 2020 and 2021 to study the effect of pre-flowering sprays of zinc and boron on panicle emergence and panicle growth of mango cv. Amrapali. The experiment comprised of 9 treatment combinations of pre flowering sprays of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4, 7H2O) and borax (Na2B4O7, 10H2O) replicated 3 times as T1: Control (distilled water), T2: ZnSO4 @ 0.5%, T3: ZnSO4 @ 1.0%, T4: Borax @ 0.5%, T5: Borax @ 1.0%, T6: ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + Borax @ 0.5%, T7: ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + Borax @1.0%, T8: ZnSO4 @ 1.0% + Borax @ 0.5% and T9: ZnSO4 @ 1.0% + Borax @ 1.0%in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Highest number of total flowers and hermaphrodite flowers per panicle were recorded under ZnSO4 @ 1.0% + Borax @ 1.0% spray (T9). Apart from these, higher percentage of fruit set and lower fruit drop in all the stages have also been observed ZnSO4 @ 1.0% with Borax @ 1.0% treatment (T9). Same treatment also exhibited maximum yield in both the years. Thus, foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 1.0% and Borax @ 1.0% can be used at pre-flowering stage in mango (cv. Amrapali) for good flowering, high fruit set and less fruit drop.

Vertebrates can be more important pollinators than invertebrates on islands: the case of Malva (=Lavatera) arborea L.

Premise of the study: On islands, flowering plants tend to be more generalist in their pollination needs, as insects (the main pollinators of flowering plants) are underrepresented in these ecosystems compared to the mainland. In addition, some vertebrate species that are typically insectivorous or granivorous on the mainland are forced to broaden their diet and consume other resources such as nectar or pollen on the islands. The shrub Malva arborea, with its large and colourful flowers, attracts different groups of potential pollinators. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of vertebrates versus insects in an insular population of M. arborea and to investigate its reproductive system. Methods: For three groups of taxa (insects, birds and lizards), we assessed the two components of pollination effectiveness: (i) the quantitative component (i.e. number of visits and number of flowers contacted) through direct observations of flowers; and (ii) the qualitative component (fruit and seed set, number and size of seeds and proportion of seedling emergence) through pollinator exclusion experiments. Key results: Vertebrates (birds and lizards) were quantitatively the most effective pollinators, followed by insects. However, when all three groups visited the flowers, fruit and seed set were higher than when any of them were excluded. We also found that M. arborea has hermaphrodite flowers and is able to reproduce by autogamy, although less efficiently than when pollinated by animals. Conclusions: Both vertebrates and insects play an important role in the reproduction of M. arborea. Although the plant does not need pollinators to produce seeds, its reproductive success increases when all pollinators are allowed to visit the flowers. Besides providing new information on M. arborea, these findings may help to better understand the role of different pollinator groups in the reproduction of other plant species, especially on islands where the co-occurrence of vertebrate and invertebrate pollination in the same plant species is usual.

Effect of Crown Layers on Reproductive Effort and Success in Andromonoecious Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Camb.) Hook (Sapindaceae) in a Temperate Forest of Garhwal Himalaya.

The andromonoecy is an unusual sex expression in trees in which an individual plant bears both functionally staminate and hermaphrodite flowers on the inflorescences. This study aims to investigate the effect of crown layers on the floral biology and reproductive effort of Aesculus indica (Wall. ex Camb.) Hook. The results revealed that the peak period of anthesis was between 06:00 and 08:00 h of the day. Male flower production was predominantly higher as compared to the perfect flowers on the inflorescences. There was no significant variation between total pollen production in staminate and perfect flowers. Features like protogyny and inter-level asynchrony promote xenogamy; however, intra-level asynchrony results in geitonogamy. Controlled pollination treatments revealed the existence of self-incompatibility in flowers. Pollination syndromes in flowers support ambophily. A trend of consistent improvement in reproductive success from lower canopy layers to upper crown layers in the analyzed trees was recorded. The crown layers have a significant impact on flower production, fruit, and seed set. An increase in male flower production due to the increment in the crown is a mechanism of reproductive assurance as a pollen donor and pollinator recipient and also due to the differential cost of expenditure of reproduction in crown layers. Andromonoecy in A. indica promotes self-incompatibility, and there was a tapering trend of reproductive success in the crown layers.

Comparative analysis of floral transition and floral organ formation in two contrasting species: Disocactus speciosus and D. eichlamii (Cactaceae)

Key messageContrasting morphologies in Disocactus are the result of differential development of the vegetative and floral tissue where intercalary growth is involved, resulting in a complex structure, the floral axis.Species from the Cactaceae bear adaptations related with their growth in environments under hydric stress. These adaptations have translated into the reduction and modification of various structures such as leaves, stems, lateral branches, roots and the structuring of flowers in a so-called flower-shoot. While cacti flowers and fruits have a consistent structure with showy hermaphrodite or unisexual flowers that produce a fruit called cactidium, the developmental dynamics of vegetative and reproductive tissues comprising the reproductive unit have only been inferred through the analysis of pre-anthetic buds. Here we present a comparative analysis of two developmental series covering the early stages of flower formation and organ differentiation in Disocactus speciosus and Disocactus eichlamii, which have contrasting floral morphologies. We observe that within the areole, a shoot apical meristem commences to grow upward, producing lateral leaves with a spiral arrangement, rapidly transitioning to a floral meristem. The floral meristem produces tepal primordia and a staminal ring meristem from which numerous or few stamens develop in a centrifugal manner in D. speciosus and D. eichlamii, respectively. Also, the inferior ovary derives from the floral meristem flattening and an upward growth of the surrounding tissue of the underlying stem, producing the pericarpel. This structure is novel to cacti and lacks a clear anatomical delimitation with the carpel wall. Here, we present a first study that documents the early processes taking place during initial meristem determination related to pericarpel development and early floral organ formation in cacti until the establishment of mature floral organs.

Floral Morphometry and Sexual System Determination in Pink Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia - Anacardiaceae).

The increasing global importance of pink peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia, Anacardiaceae) as a high-value commercial crop and its potential for expansion in production demand appropriate management due to uncertainties regarding its sexual system. This study focused on evaluating the morphology of sterile and fertile floral whorls, as well as analyzing the sexual system of pink pepper in two populations in northeastern Brazil. The results revealed no significant differences in the morphological characteristics of the flowers between the studied areas, suggesting that the species possesses notable adaptability to environmental conditions. However, a significant difference in the proportion of staminate individuals was observed in both areas, representing over 88% and 72%, respectively. A correlation was observed between the size of the stamens and the presence of apparently atrophied pistils (r=0.275; df=178; p<0.001), along with the occurrence of fruits in these hermaphroditic plants. In this context, the species should be considered gynodioecious due to the presence of plants with hermaphroditic flowers and plants with pistillate flowers. However, further research is essential to elucidate the role of pollinators, especially bees and wasps, and to better understand the fruiting process in hermaphroditic flowers. These insights have the potential to significantly enhance management aiming for efficient fruit production, promoting its economic and ecological relevance.

Morphological and Elemental Analysis of Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. is a herb or under shrubs belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. It grows in loamy and sandy soils. It is commonly called small prickly chaff flower or pastures weed. It is used as a medicinal plant as well as food. The present study includes the morphological and elemental analysis of Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume consist of opposite, petiolate and entire leaves, with very small hermaphrodite flowers with bracts and bracteoles. The inflorescence is a raceme or a spike. The perianth of perfect flowers are scarious and five lobed. It has five stamens with filaments connate at the base. It has two celled anthers, obovoid and one celled ovary with a solitary ovule, simple style with capitulate stigma. The fruit is a membranous utricle enclosed in a perianth. The elemental composition of Cyathulaprostrata (L.) Blume. Leaves have been determined by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Elements such as Ca2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Na2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cr2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Ag2+ were determined. The result of analysis showed that calcium has the highest concentration, which helps to build bones and keeps them healthy and also helps in blood clotting, muscle contraction, heart beat etc. The plant also contains other essential elements like iron, magnesium, manganese etc. The toxic metals like lead and cadmium also present in trace amount. The purpose of this study is to analyze the morphology, pharmacological potential and composition of elements in Cyathulaprostrata (L.)Blume.

Clonal Preselection in Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) Varieties of Ekşi Kara and Gök Üzüm

Ekşi Kara (functional female flowers) and Gök Üzüm (hermaphroditic flowers) are the two most important autochthonous varieties of middle Anatolia. This clone selection study started with mass-selection in producer vineyards consisting of approximately 5000 vines by The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) clonal selection procedure. Two-years genetic and sanitation were examined visually in population and 220 clone candidates were ampelography and fertilization biology and bud fertility determined for Ekşi Kara variety. The clone candidates were ranked at the level of sums, with weighted grading of three-year yield, growth, and quality records. Sanitation analyses of the superior clones were made. 17 clones in the Ekşi Kara grape variety were selected according to their superior scores in genetic selection and sanitation analyses. Eleven clones were selected by mass selection from Gök Üzüm carried out in a single location, and 2 clones were selected with genetic selection scores and health tests. Grapevine fleck virus (GfKV) was the most common ( 29%) in the samples tested, Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1+3 (GLRaV-1 + 3,  26%), Grapevine virus A (GVA, 12%), Grapevine leafroll associated virus-2 (GLRaV-2,  3%), Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) / Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) ( 1%) are fallowed with indicated percentage. Although virus and bacterial infections are common in the vineyards, enough healthy clones were selected. 17 Ekşi Kara and 2 Gök Üzüm clones selected as pollinators were grafted onto the 110R rootstock for clone comparison in homogeneous conditions, and a "Clone Comparison Vineyard" was established in Selçuk University.