Hungarian Cultivars Research Articles

Identification of genes for resistanceto wheat powdery mildew in Hungarian, Polish and Slovak wheat cultivars

The objective of the study was to identify genes for resistance to powdery mildew in wheat cultivars and land races from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. The presence and distribution of resistance genes was compared to powdery mildew virulence structure in these countries. The different strategies in breeding for resistance were expressed in a different distribution of resistance genes, especially among Polish and Hungarian cultivars. In 20 of the 29 Hungarian common wheat cultivars the resistance gene Pm8 was found. Of the 32 Polish cultivars investigated, 16 possess a combination of genes Pm2+6. Resistance gene Pm4b did not occur in any Hungarian cultivar tested, and resistance gene pm5 was not detected in any Polish cultivar. Virulence in wheat powdery mildew populations was influenced by differences in distribution of resistance genes in host genotypes. The most significant difference was found between Polish and Hungarian powdery mildew populations. The two populations differed mainly in virulence against Pm2. Resistance gene MlAr was detected in three old Slovak cultivars.

Use of capillary electrophoresis to monitor wheat maturation

The maturation of wheat varieties with different harvest times has been examined by high-performance capillary electrophoresis. The unique proteins of the albumin, gliadin and glutenin fractions of Hungarian winter wheat cultivars Bankuti 1201 (early harvest time), Martonvasari 23 (medium harvest time), and Martonvasari 15 (semi-late harvest time) were analysed. An acidic phosphate buffer containing a polymeric additive and organic modifiers was used in capillary zone electrophoresis mode. Formation of albumin followed the same time scale, and the patterns were quite similar, for all three cultivars. For gliadins and glutenins the time scale and patterns were different and some correlation was observed between harvest time and gliadin formation.

Cultivar, sowing date and plant density studies of fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in Tasmania

This paper reports on a 3-year agronomic study into fibre hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) conducted in Tasmania, Australia. The performance of selected hemp cultivars, and the responses to sowing date and plant density were investigated as part of a broad feasibility study to assess the potential of fibre hemp and flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) as sources of fibre for the Australian newsprint industry. Trials were conducted at separate sites in north-west and south-east Tasmania. Nine cultivars from the Ukraine, Hungary and France were examined in 2 separate trials. The Hungarian cultivars, Kompolti and Unico B, and the French cultivar Futura 77 had the highest single plot dry stem yields (up to 1500 g/m 2 ) and bark proportions (up to 40%). All the cultivars flowered toward the end of January, suggesting that the growing season in Tasmania could accommodate much later flowering and potentially higher yielding genotypes. Levels of the psychoactive agent, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol were consistently below the legal maximum of 0.35% (dry weight basis). Three sowing date trials were conducted across 2 seasons incorporating dates between mid September and mid November and a single autumn planting at the end of May. Interactions with cultivar and planting density were also considered. Stem and bark yield declined with delays in sowing after early–mid October in response to a decline in calendar days and thermal time from sowing to flowering. The response was most pronounced in sowings of Kompolti, which flowered within a short period and differed more substantially in durations to flowering. Earlier sowings were limited by premature flowering in response to shorter daylengths and by poor drainage at one of the 2 trial sites. The success of early sowings in Tasmania would appear to depend on finding cultivars less sensitive tophotoperiod, and cultivation on well drained sites. A further trial was conducted to investigate the influence of plant density on hemp yields. Treatments included densities from 50 to 300 plants/m 2 . Plant density declined with crop growth across all treatments and was most pronounced for populations of 200 and 300 plants/m 2 . Final harvest stem yield responded in a parabolic manner to plant density, with maximum yields at about 110 plants/m 2 . Differences in the percentage of the long, high quality bark fibre at final harvest were generally small and not significant. However, regression analysis of the response of bark percentage suggested a linear decline with increasing initial density.

Comparative investigations on protoplast culture of some Brazilian and Hungarian sweet pepper cultivars and hybrids

Cotyledon protoplasts were isolated from 16-18-day-old in vitro grown seedlings of 9 Brazilian and 3 Hungarian pepper varieties and hybrids. Large numbers (average 9.59 X 106 protoplasts g 14 fresh weight) of highly viable (average 87.0%) protoplasts were released using a pectocellulolytic enzyme mixture. Protoplasts were cultured in K8p mediuni using an alginate disc embedding method. The osmotic pressure of the medium surrounding the alginate-embedded protoplasts was reduced by replenishing the liquid medium at K8p:K8 ratios of 1:0. 2:1, 1:1 in the first. second, and third week, respectively. Initial plating efficiency (IPE) average was 38.5% and after 21 days protoplasts reached microcolonies (15-20 cells) stages. Microcolonies were transferred after 3-4 weeks to a MS-based medium supplemented with 1.0 mg I-1 zeatin, 3.0% (w/v) sucrose, 0.24% (w/v) phytagel and pH 5.8, whereupon they formed callus. Final plating efficiency (FPE) average was 0.29% at a plating density of 1.0 x 105 protoplasts Protoplast-derived calli were cultured on a range of MS-based media supplemented with either BAP, IAA, TDZ; and zeatin. No morphogenic response was observed in any genotype investigated.

New trends in selection of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.)

Since the isolation of morphine by Sertümer in 1805 more than 40 alkaloids have been isolated from the poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Some of them have high biological-pharmacological activity and economical importance, while others have none, or restricted ones. The increasing demand for poppy alkaloids is the consequence of the widening of the medical application of morphine and its related compounds: the quantity of morphine used for the treatment of pain reached a record level of 17.9 tonnes in 1997, compared with an annual average of 2.2 tonnes used during the period 1978-1983. However, the production of raw material (either opium, or dried capsule is produced) has to be re-evaluated taking into consideration the UN Convention signed in 1988 against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The countries were forced by the Convention to introduce new arrangements in poppy production including selection and introduction of new cultivars.
 In the present work up to date results of poppy selection are reviewed explaining the biosynthetic and eco-physiological background of their alkaloid accumulation. The effectiveness and the possibilities of traditional selection methods as well as the probability of the application of biotransformation for producing cultivars accumulating low or high alkaloid content or plant material with special alkaloid spectrum (codeine, thebaine, narcotine) are discussed. The examples of Hungarian cultivars 'Monaco', 'Kék Gemona' and 'Tebona' are given in more detail.

Study of the LMW Glutenin subunits of some old Hungarian wheat cultivars

The LMW glutenin subunits of 9 old Hungarian wheat cultivars were studied using one-step, one-dimensional SDS-PAGE. The separation resulted in 6–14 bands (patterns) of proteins with a molecular weight range of 30–60 KD. The relative mobility and intensity of the bands was evaluated using a computer program. A comparison of the cultivars (which all showed differences in their HMW glutenin subunit patterns) demonstrated that the LMW glutenin patterns of the cultivars differed both from the qualitative and the quantitative points of view.

Improved evaluation method for reliable distinction of poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) cultivars

Investigating seven Hungarian standard cultivars (i.e. 'A1’, 'Kék Gemona', '13C-2`,'Kék Duna', `Kompolti M’, `Gödi N',
 'Kozmosz) it was proved that for the reliable distinction between cultivars a complex analysis is necessitated. Because of the large morpho­phenological and production-biological plasticity of the species qualitative and quantitative features as well as alkaloid accumulation characters have to be evaluated simultaneously applying discriminant analysis.
 It was proved by the investigations that some of the qualitative and quantitative characters included into the DUS evaluation procedure have slight importance for reliable distinction. As an example the majority of cultivars show high inhomogentity in such characters like the shape of stigmatic disc, the number of stigmatic lobes etc. Furthermore these characters never had been chosen for the goal of any practical selection and are modified by the weather conditions as well.
 In the evaluation process the alkaloid accumulation characteristics (both qualitative and quantitative ones) have to be evaluated on a higher rank. For instance the high accumulation level of morphine in cv. 'A1' (10.5 %o), exceptionally high narcotine accumulation in 'Kék Gemona' (7.8 %o), or the low morphine accumulation level in cv. 'Kozmosz' (1.1 %o) proved to be proper characters for their distinction, alone. However, at the same time the weather conditions existing at the time of experiment have to be taken into consideration. From practical point of view, the years rich in precipitation and poor in sunshine are less suitable for distinction of cultivars selected for higher alkaloid accumulation, especially for production of codeine and thebaine characterized by a higher methylation level. Based on the example of 'Kék Gemona', the accumulation level of morphine decreases from 7.4 %o to 4.1 %o under such conditions, while thebaine and codeine disappear, practically.

Comparative studies on potato tuber development using an in vitro tuber induction system

A method for synchronized in vitro tuber induction in a Hungarian cultivar of Solanum tuberosum designated "Keszthelyi 855" has been developed. It was shown that in this system tuberization and stolon elongation primarily depend on the level of sucrose in the medium. The cytokinin, 6-bensylaminopurine (BAP), also enhances the efficiency of tuber formation, however, only at sucrose concentration above 4% (w/v). The synchronized plant culture provided starting material for isolation of genes specifically expressed in tuberizing Solanum species during the early stage of tuber development. In comparison with the non-tuberizing Solanum brevidens, three types of specific transcripts have been obtained by differential screening. Based on DNA sequence analysis the genes isolated code for the major tuber proteins, patatin and proteinase inhibitors.

Quality of hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) stems as a raw material for paper

Fibre hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) stems consist of high-cellulose low-lignin bark containing long fibres and low-cellulose high-lignin core containing short fibres. The bark, which contains a variable proportion of less valuable secondary bast fibre, is more valuable as a raw material for paper than the core. A study of the factors affecting the quality of hemp grown in The Netherlands for paper production is described. The bark content in the stem was determined by mechanically separating bark and core. The chemical composition of bark and core was determined according to procedures defined by the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. The secondary bast fibre content was determined by manually separating primary and secondary phloem tissue after boiling in a 2% NaOH solution. Bark content in the stem decreased during the growing season; at harvest in September it ranged from 30 to 35% depending on cultivar and plant density. The proportion of secondary bast fibre in the bast fibre fraction increased with stem weight, from 10 to 45%. Measurement of secondary bast fibre in a representative stem section allowed the proportion of this fibre in the bast fibre fraction of the entire stem to be estimated accurately. Differences in chemical composition within sets of samples of bark or core were small compared with the difference between bark and core. The bark of the French cultivars tested contained less cellulose than that of the Hungarian cultivars. Bark quality for paper making improved during the growing season because the cellulose content in the bark increased, whereas the content of lignin and extractives decreased.

Comparison of Hungarian Winter Durum Wheat to Ohio Soft Red Winter Wheat

The opening of a new durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) mill in Ohio and the premium prices paid for durum led to an examination of the feasibility of successfully producing Hungarian winter durum wheat in Ohio and the rest of the soft red winter reheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (SRWW) region. The grain yields and agronomic characteristics of three promising Hungarian winter durum wheat cultivars, 'Basa', 'Minaret', and 'Pannondur', were compared to those of Ohio SRWW cultivars, 'Cardinal' and 'Dynasty', in seven field trials from 1989 to 1991, at Wooster, OH. Mean Hungarian winter durum grain yields were 20%, 48%, and 53% of Ohio SRWW in 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively. Mean plant densities for the Hungarian durums improved from 49% in 1989, to 71% and 93% in 1990 and 1991, respectively [...]

Yield and glucosinolate of mustard seeds and volatile oils of caraway seeds and coriander fruit: II Yield and volatile oils of caraway seeds (Carum carvi L.)

Caraway was grown in Freising, West Germany and at three locations in Finland. The growth substrate was a fertilized peat of the same quality at each location. The total volatile oil contents of the seeds varied between 5.45 and 7.59 ml/100g. There were no significant differences in total oil content or in carvone content between the seeds grown at different locations. In addition, different varieties (‘Hungarian’, ‘Kami’, ‘Caraway I and ll’ Sv) were tested in Helsinki. The average yield was 3200 kg/ha at the first harvest and 800 kg/ha in the second year. The Hungarian cultivar gave the largest yield and the growth period of this variety was approximately one week shorter than that of the Scandinavian varieties ‘Kami’ and ‘Caraway I and IT. The volatile oil contents of the seeds ranged between 4.22 and 6.98 ml/100 g. There were no significant differences between the varieties in the total oil contents. The proportion of carvone varied between 48 and 56 % of the total oils.