Intervarietal Differences Research Articles

Inherent variability in structural and functional traits of xylem among three hop varieties

Intervarietal differences in xylem structure could significantly affect water transport as well as vulnerability to cavitations and thus crop yield. Evaluation of crop varieties with respect to the specific traits can be thus helpful in breeding and agricultural practice. In the present study we compared basic anatomical traits (vessel length and diameter) as well as theoretical and measured hydraulic conductivities (K) of xylem in stems of three hop varieties (Agnus, Saaz hop – Osvald’s clone 31, Vital). There were no statistically significant intervarietal differences in measured K (overall mean 1.68 × 10<sup>–6</sup> m<sup>4</sup>/MPa/s), the ratio between K and theoretical conductivity (mean = 0.194), as well as vessel diameter and vessel length distributions. The only noticeable difference was in the distribution of vessels with the diameter ≥ 100 µm which differed in Vital compared to Agnus or Osvald’s clone 31 (Kruskal-Wallis test, P < 0.001). Our results thus indicate highly conservative nature of xylem basic functional and anatomical characteristics in hop varieties studied.

Estimating compensation payments for on-farm conservation of agricultural biodiversity in developing countries

This paper examines the role of direct compensation payments for agrobiodiversity conservation, using minor millet landraces in India as an example. The cost of farmer participation in a hypothetical ‘payments for agrobiodiversity conservation services’ (PACS) scheme is estimated using a stated preference valuation approach. Significant inter-crop and inter-varietal differences are observed with respect to consumption values, upon which the compensation demanded by farm households is shown to primarily depend. Drawing on a categorisation of consumption values and farmer preferences, the paper points to the importance of simultaneously considering a range of potential interventions in order to conserve a priority portfolio of agrobiodiverse resources in predominantly subsistence-based agricultural systems.

Phenolic Compound Profiles and Antioxidant Capacity of Persea americana Mill. Peels and Seeds of Two Varieties

Avocado processing by the food and cosmetic industries yields a considerable amount of phenolic-rich byproduct such as peels and seeds. Utilization of these byproducts would be favorable from an economic point of view. Methanolic (80%) extracts obtained from lyophilized ground peels and seeds of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) of the Hass and Shepard varieties were characterized for their phenolic compound profiles using the HPLC-PAD technique. The structures of the identified compounds were subsequently unambiguously confirmed by ESI-MS. Compositional analysis revealed that the extracts contained four polyphenolic classes: flavanol monomers, proanthocyanidins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonol glycosides. The presence of 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-p-coumaroylquinic acid, and procyanidin A trimers was identified in seeds of both varieties. Intervarietal differences were apparent in the phenolic compound profiles of peels. Peels of the Shepard variety were devoid of (+)-catechin and procyanidin dimers, which were present in the peels of the Hass variety. Peels of both varieties contained 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and quercetin derivatives. The differences in the phenolic profiles between varietals were also apparent in the different antioxidant activity of the extracts. The peel extracts had a higher total phenolic compound content and antioxidant activity when compared to the seed extracts. The highest TEAC and ORAC values were apparent in peels of the Haas variety in which they amounted to 0.16 and 0.47 mmol Trolox/g DW, respectively. No significant (p > 0.05) differences were apparent between the TEAC values of seeds of the two varieties but the ORAC values differed significantly (p < 0.05). Overall these findings indicate that both the seeds and peel of avocado can be utilized as a functional food ingredient or as an antioxidant additive.

Free and bound minor polar compounds in oats: Different extraction methods and analytical determinations

The extraction capacity of several solvent mixtures and comparison between alkaline and acid hydrolysis to extract free and bound minor polar compounds in oat samples were carried out. The extraction yield of each method was evaluated by correlating several spectrophotometric indices (absorption at 320 nm and total phenolic compounds by the Folin–Ciocalteu method) with HPLC-MS and the antioxidant activities of the oat extracts (DPPH radical method). The results showed that methanol and alkaline hydrolysis reported the highest recovery of polar compounds, and spectrophotometric indices overestimated the content of these compounds. Antioxidant compounds of five Romanian oat samples, named Comun, Jeremy, Mures, Lovrin 1, Lovrin 27-T were determined. Large intervarietal differences in phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities among oat varieties were detected. Total minor polar contents content was in the range of 1179.47 and 1897.18 mg/kg of seed. According to the literature, we found that the majority of the minor polar compounds existed in bound form.

Variability at the electron microscopic level in leaves of members of the genus Vitis

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the characteristics of the upper and lower sides of leaves belonging to members of the genus Vitis – 11 vinifera varieties (‘Albariño’, ‘Treixadura’, ‘Caíño Blanco’, ‘Mencía’, ‘Chasselas’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Alicante Bouschet’, ‘Godello’, ‘Torrontés’, ‘Blanco Legítimo’ and ‘Caíño Tinto’) and three non-vinifera varieties (‘110-Ritcher’, ‘SO4’ and ‘Jacquez’). All the genotypes studied grew in the same plot, were of the same age, and had been raised following the same cultivation practices. The leaves examined were taken from node 8 of a fruiting shoot growing from the previous year's wood. The same part of the leaf – the area between the main vein and the first right lateral vein – was examined in all plants. SEM observations were made at 200×, 655× and 2000×. Photomicrographs and drawings were prepared reflecting the observed morphology of the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Variables such as cell density, cell surface area (in the horizontal plane) and stomatal density and surface area (in the horizontal plane) were measured for both leaf surfaces, and intra- and inter-varietal differences recorded. The upper leaf surfaces of all the studied genotypes were similar, but clear differences were recorded for the lower sides.

Relationship between the Occurrence of Internal Browning and Size of Xylem Parenchymatous Cells in Roots of Japanese Radish

The correlation between the occurrence of internal browning (IB) and the size of root xylem parenchymatous cells in Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus L.) was determined in 3 experiments. The first examined intervarietal differences in IB among 5 commercial cultivars (cvs.). Results revealed that the differences in susceptibility to IB largely depend on root cell size, and that mean cell length in IB-resistant cvs. was approximately 39–45% shorter than in susceptible cvs. The second experiment examined the relationship between cell size and IB occurrence in 3 IB-susceptible commercial cvs. and their ‘Gensuke’ F1 hybrids. In every F1 hybrid strain, the central region did not appear to show the propensity of its parents to develop IB, and mean cell length in the former was approximately 26–39% shorter than in the latter. The third experiment examined the effect of applying a plant growth regulator on IB occurrence and cell size. Gibberellin (GA) application during the mid-growth stage restricted IB occurrence, and the mean cell length of GA-treated plants during this period was approximately 27–47% shorter than in the control. These results strongly suggest that IB occurrence is largely dependent on the size of root xylem parenchymatous cells, and IB seldom occurs in roots with smaller cells.

Effect of Replacing Soybean Meal with Lupin Seed-based Meal in Chicken Diet on Performance, Carcass Value and Meat Quality

The main objective of this experimental study was to determine how diets containing lupin meal affect the performance indicators, carcass value, and chemical composition of breast and thigh muscles in broiler chickens. The diets tested in experimental groups E1 and E2 differed as follows: in group E1, one third of nitrogen-containing substances (NSs) from extracted soybean meal was replaced with NSs from lupin meal; in group E2, two thirds were replaced compared to the control group. The replacement of soybean meal with lupin meal in experimental diets failed to produce any significant effect on the average live weight of chickens on Day 42 of the fattening period compared to the control group. The replacement of soybean meal with lupin meal resulted in decreased average weight of carcass and breast muscles and in decreased yield of breast muscles. Differences between the control group (C) and group E2 were significant (P &amp;#x2AAC 0.01). Chickens in group E2 also showed a significant increase (P &amp;#x2AAC 0.01) in the yield of the heart and stomach compared to the control group. The differences in weight and yield of thigh muscles between the control group and the experimental groups (E1 and E2) were not significantly affected. As far as chemical composition is concerned, chickens receiving the lupin-containing feed showed a significant (P &amp;#x2AAC 0.01) increase in the ash content in breast muscles. On the contrary, in thigh muscles in group E2, the ash content decreased significantly (P &amp;#x2AAC 0.01). The content of calcium showed an increasing trend in both breast and thigh muscles in both experimental groups. In contrast, the content of magnesium in chicken muscles in both experimental groups decreased. These differences were significant (P &amp;#x2AAC 0.01) only in thigh muscles. Our results show that lupin seed is a suitable substitute for NSs contained in soybean extracted meal. It is considered optimal to replace up to one third of NSs contained in soybean meal with lupin seed. Higher inclusion rate of lupin meal in diets may reduce the growth intensity of chickens, particularly the yield of breast muscles. Due to substantial inter-varietal differences, it is necessary to optimize individual nutrients, particularly amino acids when formulating lupin-containing diets.

Direct evaluation of the total antioxidant capacity of raw and roasted pulses, nuts and seeds

Pulses, nuts and seeds represent an important part of human diet in many countries and epidemiological studies associated their consumption with many health benefits. These foods are often consumed after roasting that may destroy some bioactive compounds, but it can also form antioxidant compounds through the Maillard reaction. In this paper, a direct procedure for the extraction-independent measurement of the total antioxidant capacity named QUENCHER was applied to raw and roasted pulses, nuts and seeds. The results highlighted a high value of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) for some raw seed and pulses showing marked inter-varietal differences among beans examined. TAC value measured by QUENCHER was generally higher than that found using multiple extraction procedure. The effect of roasting on the TAC is the result of the thermal degradation of naturally occurring antioxidant compounds and the formation of new Maillard reaction products having antioxidant activity. In most of the foods studied, the final balance was negative with a substantial loss of antioxidant activity upon roasting. The main driver of the final TAC is the presence of reactants: in rich-starch materials, such as chickpea, cashew and borlotti beans, roasting is accompanied by a progressive increase in TAC, which is likely related with the formation of antioxidant Maillard reaction products.

Collostructional nativisation in New Englishes

The present paper investigates the strength of verb-construction associations across various New Englishes on the basis of comparable corpora. In contrast to previous studies into verb complementation in New Englishes, we start off from three basic constructions in English — the intransitive, the monotransitive and the ditransitive construction — and analyse the co-occurrences of the three constructions and a wide range of verbs. The present study is based on the Hong Kong, the Indian, and the Singapore components of the International Corpus of English (ICE) because the three varieties represent markedly different stages in the process of the evolution of New Englishes with British English as the historical input variety. Our quantitative analysis includes multiple distinctive collexeme analyses for the different varieties. The results show, inter alia, that, firstly, processes of structural nativisation of New Englishes can also be observed at the level of verb-construction associations, which can be subsumed under the notion of “collostructional nativisation”, and that, secondly, there are identifiable intervarietal differences between British English and New Englishes as well as between individual New Englishes. In general, there is a correlation between the evolutionary stage of a New English variety and its collostructional nativisation: The more advanced a New English variety is in the developmental cycle, the more dissimilar its collostructional preferences are to British English.

Changes in Volatiles and Glycosides during Fruit Maturation of Two Contrasted Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Lines

The relationship between fruit maturation and volatile contents was investigated in two contrasted Cervil (CER) and Levovil (LEV) tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) lines. As fruits ripened, their volatile contents mainly increased. Although some compounds displayed contrasting patterns, overall, volatiles were clearly more abundant and conferred stronger aromas to CER than to LEV fruits. This intervarietal difference in volatile contents yielding much lower volatile contents in LEV was further investigated to determine whether it is due to a higher capacity of volatile glycosylation within LEV as compared to CER. Again, glycosides mainly increased during fruit maturation and were more abundant within CER than within LEV. Overall glycoside findings were indicative of a superior capacity to biosynthesize rather than an inferior capacity to glycosylate volatiles of CER. Eugenol and 2-methoxyphenol volatiles were exceptional compounds as they remained at higher levels in maturing LEV than in CER. 2-Methylthioacetaldehyde was for the first time identified as putatively related to differences of aroma between lines, as it was abundant in Cervil but absent in Levovil. Considering the described odor value of these three products, they should contribute differently to the particular olfactive features of LEV and CER fruits.

Intervarietal Differences in the Occurrence of Internal Browning and the Role of Ascorbic Acid in Raphanus Roots

The present study was carried out to compare the differences in peroxide-scavenging metabolism between radish cultivars which are susceptible to internal browning (IB) colorization upon increased temperature and cultivars which are resistant to browning. The induction of IB in the susceptible cultivars was progressively intensified with high temperature treatment during the later growth period, resulting in significant increases of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), L-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) at the central stele. Conversely, in the IB-resistant ones, neither the accumulation of IB nor induction of these enzymes occurred regardless of the treatment during this period. No correlation was found between the isothiocyanate (ITC) content and the development of IB. The ascorbic acid (AsA) content, however, was closely correlated with the development of IB. These results strongly suggest that intervarietal differences with respect to susceptibility to IB formation are closely correlated with differences in the polyphenol biosynthesis ability under high temperature conditions and largely dependent on AsA metabolism in the root.

An analysis of intertaxa differences in sulfur concentration in angiosperms

AbstractUnderstanding the behavior of sulfur (S) in the soil‐plant system is important for crop production, for predicting the movement of the radioisotope 35S in the environment, and for investigating the role of S in plant metabolism of xenobiotics. A database of relative mean S concentrations in 121 species of flowering plants was constructed using a Residual Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedure with new experimental data for 76 species and literature data for 57 species, there being 12 species in common. The relative mean S concentrations in plant species were normally distributed and their range greater than previously reported for S concentrations between plant species. There was a significant phylogenetic effect on S concentrations when they were analyzed using a nested ANOVA coded with a recent phylogeny of flowering plants. About 36% of the variance between species was associated with the rank of Order and above. At the rank of Order, S concentrations were Brassicales &gt; Malphigiales &gt; Lamiales &gt; Rosales &gt; Caryophyllales &gt; Malvales &gt; Poales &gt; Fabales &gt; Fagales &gt; Asterales. Experiments to quantify intervarietal differences within Beta vulgaris, Triticum aestivum, and Cicer arietinum revealed that these reached a maximum in B. vulgaris at about 20% of those found at the species level and above. A comparison of relative mean S concentrations with previously reported relative mean concentrations for heavy metals suggested correlations between S and cadmium (Cd), and S and zinc (Zn). The frequency distributions and phylogenetic effects reported here are useful to understanding soil‐plant transfer of stable and radioactive S isotopes in agricultural and natural ecosystems and might aid investigations of plant response to xenobiotics.

Plant Growth–Promoting Pseudomonas sp. Strains Reduce Natural Occurrence of Anthracnose in Soybean (Glycine max L.) in Central Himalayan Region

Biological control is an accepted important component of current plant disease management strategies. Introduction of bacterized seeds carrying bacterial isolates with proven growth-promotion capabilities and antagonistic characteristics offer a valid alternative to chemical protectants. Root colonization of disease-susceptible (PS 1024) and moderately resistant (PS1042) varieties of soyabean (Glycine Max L) by fluorescent pseudomonad (FLPs) strains GRP3, PEn-4, PRS1, and WRS-24 was studied in relation to natural occurrence of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum dematium (Pers Ex Fr.) Grove. Rhizoplane population of FLPs was maintained at a critical level (5.3 cfu) up to 30 days of plant growth, followed by a steep decline. Indigenous FLPs population, however, remained nearly unchanged (3.0 to 2.4 log g(-1) root) between 30 days and 75 days of plant growth. The relative FLPs population in rhizosphere was lower than that in rhizoplane. Although intervarietal difference was observed, the root/shoot length remained unaffected. Compared to nonbacterized control, dry root weight was improved by FLPs treatment. Severity of foliar anthracnose was reduced significantly after FLPs treatment in the variety PS 1042. Because the point of FLPs treatment (seed bacterization) was away from the site of disease appearance (leaf), operation of induced systemic resistance in strains PEn-4 and GRP3 appears imminent.

Phenolic compounds and related enzymes as determinants of sorghum for food use

Phenolic compounds and related enzymes such as phenol biosynthesizing enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia lyase) and phenol catabolizing enzymes (polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase) are determinants for sorghum utilization as human food because they influence product properties during and after sorghum processing. Phenolic compounds are quality-grade markers for the preparation of several foods because of enzyme inhibitory activities, color, or antioxidant activities. Large intervarietal differences in contents of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities among sorghum varieties exist. Moreover, some red sorghum varieties have higher antioxidant activities than the most important sources of natural antioxidants. Oxidation products of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase (benzoquinones and polymeric compounds) affect food quality. This paper reviews the current advances in phenolic compounds and phenolic enzymes in sorghum as human food, with emphasis on nutritional and health aspects. This may provide some guidance for researchers in further Investigations and for industries in developing practical health agents and functional foods. Key words: sorghum, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase.

Evaluation of the Effect of Germination on Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activities in Sorghum Varieties

The screening of 50 sorghum varieties showed that, on average, germination did not affect the content in total phenolic compounds but decreased the content of proanthocyanidins, 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, and flavan-4-ols. Independent of germination, there are intervarietal differences in antioxidant activities among sorghum varieties. Phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities were more positively correlated in ungerminated varieties than in germinated ones. Sorghum grains with pigmented testa layer, chestnut color glumes, and red plants had higher contents, larger diversity of phenolic compounds, and higher antioxidant activities than other sorghums. Some red sorghum varieties had higher antioxidant activities (30-80 mumol of Trolox equiv/g) than several sources of natural antioxidants from plant foods. Among varieties used for "to", "dolo", couscous, and porridge preparation, the "dolo"(local beer) varieties had the highest average content and diversity in phenolic compounds as well as the highest antioxidant activities. The biochemical markers determined are useful indicators for the selection of sorghum varieties for food and agronomic properties.

Determination of fatty acids and total lipid content in oilseed of 25 pomegranates varieties grown in Iran

The fatty acids composition of the seed oils of 25 pomegranates varieties obtained from two different regions of Iran ( Punica granatum L.) was qualitatively and quantitatively determined by gas chromatography. The seeds contained oil in the range of about 66.3–193 g kg −1 dry matter, a notably higher content than western pomegranate cultivars. Levels of lipid content probably could be considered insufficient for economic industrial exploitation except for medical usages and specific consumption. The pre-dominant fatty acid was linolenic acid (C18:3) and its content was about 31.8–86.6%, followed by linoleic acid (0.7–24.4%), oleic acid (0.4–17.4%), stearic acid (2.8–16.7%), and palmitic acid (0.3–9.9%). To a lesser extent, the saturated myristic acid (0.1–4.7%) and behenic acid (0.0–3.9%) were also found in some cultivars. We have not confirmed the presence of lauric, arachidic and lignoceric acids previously reported in edible and non-edible pomegranate cultivars. Intervarietal differences in fatty acid compositions were shown and they could be useful to establish chemotaxonomic differences.

New Sources of Aluminum Tolerance in South African Maize

Laboratory nutrient culture techniques were used to screen maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes, including commercial cultivars as well as seed collected from traditional farmers located in various parts of the province KwaZulu-Natal, Republic of South Africa, for aluminum (Al) tolerance. Tolerance was assessed after 10 days’ growth in nutrient solutions on the basis of measurements involving Al-induced (0; 100 µM) changes in primary root growth and a loss of root apical dominance. Among the commercial cultivars Al tolerance decreased in the order Sc 602, Sr 52, Snk 2665, Kalahari Early Pearl, Ls 8501, Pan 6479, Zm 521, Sc 709. The commercial maize cultivars all had lower levels of Al tolerance to that observed in the better adapted seed collected from traditional sources (Khum, Mbon, Aj) which indicated that the fixation of important Al tolerance genes has occurred in some maize populations in response to external environmental conditions. Not all the seed from traditional sources proved to be Al tolerant (Mak, Emb, Msomi). Large intervarietal differences in root development (length and mass) were also identified. No meaningful relationships existed between Al tolerance and root development (size of root system) or between plant performance in solutions containing Al and leaf chemical contents.

Characterization of mandarin citrus germplasm from Southern Brazil by morphological and molecular analyses

The objective of this work was to characterize mandarin (Citrus spp.) germplasm from Southern Brazil by morphological and molecular analyses. Thirty seven cultivars from 34 distinct mandarin varieties were evaluated by morphological and agronomic traits of leaves, flowers and fruits, and by microsatellite markers. The morphological and agronomic characteristics suggested that almost all varieties can be produced for commercial use, and some, as the Satsuma variety, are recommended for breeding programs. Pooled DNA samples from 1-5 plants belonging to each cultivar were tested. Eight of the nine primers detected polymorphisms. Specific markers were found for some accessions. The dendrogram constructed with the morphological results divided the 37 cultivars into four groups, while that obtained with the microsatellites clustered 35 of the 37 cultivars into three groups only. Generally, intervarietal differences are not high, and this lack of agreement in the two multifactorial analyses indicates that diverse evolutionary factors are acting at these two levels of investigation.

Organic Acids and Phenolic Compounds in Pomegranates ( Punica granatum L.) Grown in Turkey

Thirteen pomegranate varieties obtained from four different growing regions of Turkey were analyzed for their individual organic acids and phenolic compounds in freshly prepared pomegranate juices. Total titratable acidity ranged between 4.58 and 17.30 g/L (average of 9.82 g/L), and total sugars ranged between 139.6 and 160.6 g/L (average of 148.75 g/L) in pomegranate juices. According to the results of the z -test for comparison of means, intervarietal differences in total titratable acidity and sugar content of pomegranate varieties were found to be significant within the confidence interval of 95%. Organic acids such as citric, l -malic, tartaric, oxalic, (−)−quinic and succinic acids were individually detected and quantitated. On average, citric acid was predominant with a range of 0.33–8.96 g/L (overall mean of 4.85±2.83 g/L). l -Malic acid was the second most abundant, with a range of 0.56–6.86 g/L (overall mean of 1.75±1.59 g/L). Tartaric, oxalic, (−)−quinic and succinic acids ranged between 0.28–2.83, 0.02–6.72, 0.00–0.82 and 0.00–1.54 g/L, respectively. Phenolic compounds identified in freshly prepared pomegranate juices were gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, o - and p -coumaric acids, catechin, phloridzin and quercetin.

Suitability of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars to semi arid conditions

Different cultivars of pomegranate were evaluated under semi-arid conditions with respect to vigour, yield and fruit quality at SKN College of Agriculture (Rajasthan Agricultural University), Jobner during 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Results revealed that inter-varietal differences were highly significant for most of the parameters studied. Cultivar Jodhpur Red' exhibited maximum plant height (2.40 m) and produced most sour fruits with 0.454 per cent acidity, while maximum stem girth (7.48 cm) was recorded in cultivar 'Bassein Seedless'. The maximum plant spread (3.56 m³) was recorded in cultivar Jalore Seedless' which was at par with 'Jodhpur Red' (3.50 m³). The highest yield (16.75 kg plant¹) was produced by cultivar Jalore Seedless' with fruits of maximum length (8.04 cm), breadth (7.66 cm) and TSS (14.44° Brix). However, the maximum fruit weight (239.12 g) was obtained in cultivar 'Dholka' that was at par with that of cultivar Jalore Seedless' (238.75 g). The cultivar Jalore Seedless' is recommended for commercial cultivation in semi-arid conditions.