Pedicel Length Research Articles

Lecythidaceae Poit. in the Tupé Sustainable Development Reserve, Manaus, Brazil

Lecythidaceae is the family of the Brazil nut, and comprises about 300 species belonging to 17 genera with pantropical distributions. One hundred and twenty-two species belonging to nine genera are distributed throughout Brazil, demonstrating its greatest diversity in the Amazon rainforest where Lecythidaceae is also one of the most abundant families. It is usually difficult to collect fertile material from these trees because of their canopy heights, and species determinations using sterile material can be complex because of their morphological similarities. There have been relatively few studies of this family even though it is one of the most important groups in the Amazon region, and a detailed taxonomic treatment of the species of Lecythidaceae in the Tupe Sustainable Development Reserve was therefore the goal of the present work. Ten species were found, Allantoma lineata (Mart. ex O.Berg) Miers, Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl., Couratari tenuicarpa A.C.Sm., Lecythis poiteaui O. Berg; and six species of Eschweilera, the richest genus. The descriptions and identification keys of the species used 56 characters. The main reproductive characters useful for distinguishing the species were the pubescence of the inflorescence rachis, pedicel length and trichomes presence, floral symmetry, hood type, filament shape, stigma shape, fruit shape and size, and aril type. The most diagnostic vegetative characters were the type and color of the outer bark, inner bark color, midrib prominence, and petiole shape and pubescence.

LEAFY controls Arabidopsis pedicel length and orientation by affecting adaxial–abaxial cell fate

Pedicel length and orientation (angle) contribute to the diversity of inflorescence architecture, and are important for optimal positioning of the flowers. However, relatively little is known about pedicel development. We previously described the Arabidopsis CORYMBOSA1 (CRM1)/BIG gene, which affects inflorescence architecture by controlling pedicel elongation and orientation. Here, we performed a suppressor screen using the partial loss-of-function allele crm1-13 to identify genes and pathways that affect pedicel development. We identified a hypomorph allele of the meristem identity regulator LEAFY (LFY) as the suppressor. Consistent with this, crm1 pedicels had elevated LFY levels and conditional gain of LFY function produced downward-bending pedicels. Steroid activation of 35S:LFY-GR plants caused a reduction in the cortical cell length in the abaxial domain and additional defects associated with adaxialization. Further analyses of loss of LFY function revealed that LFY is required for reduced cortical cell elongation at the adaxial side of the pedicel base. Defects in conditional LFY gain-of-function pedicels were correlated with decreased BREVIPEDICELLUS (BP) expression, while ASYMMETRIC LEAVES2 (AS2), a transcriptional repressor of BP, and REVOLUTA, a promoter of adaxial cell fate, were highly and ectopically expressed in LFY gain-of-function pedicels. LFY bound to cis-regulatory regions upstream of AS2, and as2 mutations partially suppressed the pedicel length and orientation defects caused by increased LFY activity. These data suggest that LFY activity promotes adaxial cell fate and hence the proper orientation and length of the pedicel partly by directly activating AS2 expression, which suppresses BP expression.

Cytomorphological and molecular characterization of interspecific F1 hybrid of Momordica dioica Roxb. Momordica subangulata subsp. renigera (G. Don) de Wilde

Interspecific hybrid (F1) between spine gourd (Momordica dioica) and teasle gourd (Momordicasubangulata Blume subsp. Renigera (G. Don) WJJ de Wilde) produced through bagging and hand pollination showed vigorous growth habit with less fertility. Morphological parameters along with meiotic, mitotic chromosome behaviors and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, confirmed interchanges of genetic characters in the new hybrids. The interspecific hybrid showed a vigorous foliage with intermediate flower characters than that of parental species. Self pollination and backcrossing of F1plants to either parent confirmed presence of both male and female sterility, that might be due to improper meiotic chromosome pairing. The characters like petal spot and time of anthesis (early morning) were similar to that of pollen parent while the diameter and size of leaves and flowers, pedicel length and plant growth were intermediate as compared to parents. Somatic chromosome analysis revealed 2n = 28 in M.dioica – the female parent, 2n = 56 in M. subangulata ssp. renigera - the male parent and 2n = 42 in F1hybrid of M. dioica × M. subangulata ssp. renigera. RAPD analysis of both the parents and F1 hybrid confirmed more genetic affinity (60.95%) with female parent than the male parent (32.35%). Primer specific DNA markers confirmed the introgression of male genetic elements into the newly developed amphidiploids. Incorporation of male specific DNA markers into the F1 hybrid is discussed. Preliminary evaluation indicates that the F1 plants sprouted early, which is lacking in the mother parent and this character could be exploited by restoring of fertility by chromosome doubling. Key words: Momordica, cytomorphology, F1 hybrid, karyotype, RAPD markers.

Combining ability among male sterile two-type and restorer lines of Zinnia elegans and implications for the breeding of this ornamental species

Nineteen parental lines including five male sterile A-lines (AH002A, AH003A, AH209A, S5001A, J16A) and fourteen restorers (A1-GH, A3, S5, J6, J7N, J7J, J8, J9, J10, J11, J12, J13, J14, J17) were crossed using the North Carolina II statistical method. Studies of combining ability and heritability were conducted on selected parents along with their seventy F 1 hybrids for main ornamental traits. Plant height, crown size and length of node had obvious additive genetic effects, high (>0.50) broad sense heritability and high narrow sense heritability (length of node was medium). Pedicel length showed approximately equivalent maternal and paternal additive genetic effects, high broad sense heritability and medium (0.30–0.50) narrow sense heritability. Number of whorls of ray florets across capitulum and number of branches were able to take advantage of heterosis. The relationship between general combining ability and specific combining ability in Zinnia elegans depended on materials and traits. Male sterile two-type line was pivotal in the hybridization breeding of Z. elegans. S5001A, AH002A and A1-GH, A3, J14 which performed high negative GCA effects in PH, PL, LN and type I in PH, PL, NW, LN were ideal female and male parents of potted flowering plants; AH209A, J16A and S5, J10, J17 which displayed positive GCA effects and almost type I in PH, PL, LN were ideal female and male parents of cut flowers, respectively. For potted flowering plants, AH002A × J17, AH209A × A1-GH and S5001A × J6 with high negative SCA effects in PH, PL and LN were the most promising combinations, AH002A × S5, AH003A × A3 and J16A × J6 were the subprime combinations; for cut flowers, AH209A × S5, AH209A × J17 and J16A × J17 with high positive SCA effects in PH, PL and LN were the primary combinations, AH209A × J9 and S5001A × J10 were the secondary combinations.

Bud and Root Rot of Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) Caused by Simultaneous Infections of Phytophthora palmivora and P. nicotianae in Sicily.

In June 2009 in a commercial nursery in eastern Sicily (Italy), 3-year-old potted windmill palms (Trachycarpus fortunei (Hooker) H. Wendl.) showed a decline in growth, wilt, droop, and basal rot of the youngest leaves. The rot progressed inward and killed the bud. Initially, older leaves remained green but eventually the entire plant collapsed. Root rot was consistently associated with aboveground symptoms. Two Phytophthora species were consistently isolated from the petiole base, heart, roots, and rhizosphere soil of symptomatic plants on a selective medium (2) and occasionally recovered from roots and rhizosphere soil of asymptomatic plants. Pure cultures were obtained by single-hypha transfers and the two species were identified on the basis of morphological and molecular characters as Phytophthora palmivora and P. nicotianae. Both species were recovered from all symptomatic plants. From multiple tissue samples per plant, we recovered either or both species. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), P. palmivora isolates grew between 10 and 35°C, with the optimum at 27°C. On V8 juice agar, they produced elliptical to ovoid, papillate, caducous sporangia (32 to 78 × 23 to 39 μm) with a mean length/breadth (l/b) ratio of 1.8:1 and a short pedicel (mean pedicel length = 5 μm). Isolates of P. nicotianae produced arachnoid colonies on PDA, grew at 37°C but did not grow at 40°C. Sporangia (29 to 55 × 23 to 45 μm) were spherical to ovoid (l/b ratio 1.3:1), papillate and often bipapillate, and noncaducous. Isolates of both species produced amphigynous antheridia and oogonia only when paired with reference isolates of P. nicotianae of the A2 mating type. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of two isolates of P. palmivora (IMI 398987 and IMI 398988) and an isolate of P. nicotianae (IMI 398989) from T. fortunei was amplified with primers ITS6/ITS4 and sequenced (1). Blast analysis of the sequences of isolates IMI 398987 and IMI 398988 (GenBank Accession Nos. HQ596556 and HQ596558) showed 99% homology with the sequence of two reference isolates of P. palmivora (GQ398157.1 and GU258862), while the sequence of isolate IMI 398989 (HQ596557) showed 99% homology with a reference isolate of P. nicotianae (EU331089.1). Pathogenicity of isolates IMI 398987 and IMI 398989 was proved by inoculating separately each isolate on 1-year-old potted plants of T. fortunei (10 plants per isolate). A zoospores suspension (2 × 104 zoospores/ml) was pipetted onto the petiole base of the three central leaves (200 μl per leaf) of each plant. Sterile water was used for control plants. All plants were incubated at 25 ± 2°C with 100% humidity for 48 h and then maintained in a greenhouse at 24 to 28°C. Within 3 weeks, all inoculated plants showed symptoms of bud rot. Control plants remained healthy. P. palmivora and P. nicotianae were reisolated only from inoculated plants. Bud rot of palms caused by P. palmivora was reported previously in Italy (3). However, to our knowledge, this is the first report of simultaneous infections of P. palmivora and P. nicotianae as causal agents of this disease. Outbreak of bud rot may have been favored by overhead sprinkler irrigation. The recovery of P. palmivora and P. nicotianae from rhizosphere soil and roots of asymptomatic plants suggests infested soil was the primary inoculum source.

A new species and a new combination of Minuartia L. (Caryophyllaceae) from NE Iran

AbstractMinuartia khorassanica is introduced and described as a new species. The species has a limited distribution in E. Iran close to the Afghanistan frontier. Minuartia afghanica Rech. f. from Afghanistan and Pakistan is morphologically related to the new species but it is not known in Iran. The most important differences between the new species and M. afghanica are mainly in the shape of sepals and leaves and pedicel length. Moreover the two species have quite distinct ranges. Minuartia lineata Bornm. is another relative of the new species differing from it mainly in reproductive characters. The new species is illustrated and compared with M. lineata based on seed and pollen grain data. An identification key to distinguish these three species is given.In addition, Minuartia litwinowii Schischk. from Turkmenistan and adjacent areas in Iran is reduced to the rank of subspecies as M. lineata subsp. litwinowii. Identification key and selected specimens are given for the two subspecies of M. lineata. The distribution map of all taxa is presented. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Phylogenetic perspectives on diversification, biogeography, and floral evolution of Collinsia and Tonella (Plantaginaceae)

Collinsia was the subject of classic biosystematic studies by Garber and colleagues and is increasingly investigated to address major evolutionary questions. Lack of phylogenetic data from more than one gene region and one taxonomic exemplar has left relationships, diversity, and phytogeography of Collinsia in question and has limited understanding of its diversification. Phylogenetic analyses representing 179 populations of Collinsia and closely related Tonella were conducted based on DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal transcribed spacers, the single-copy nuclear gene CYCLOIDEA-1, and part of the chloroplast matK/trnK intron region to reexamine systematic hypotheses and extend understanding of the importance of floral characters, chromosome evolution, interfertility, crossability, hybridization, edaphic factors, and ecogeographic barriers to diversification in the group. Informal "sections" of Collinsia are artificial, although pedicel length and other traditional deep-level taxonomic characters are more conservative evolutionarily than flower size. Evolutionary loss of crossability and interfertility in Collinsia appears to be largely a byproduct of divergence. Although most taxa appear to have arisen by divergent evolution, multiple lines of evidence indicate a homoploid hybrid constitution of C. tinctoria, possibly explaining an occurrence of convergent chromosome evolution. Phylogeographic and cryptic diversity is extensive. Diversity in Collinsia is greater than previously documented. Recently divergent lineages are often associated with distinct habitat (including soil) and geographic factors, different flower sizes, and contrasting chromosomal arrangements. Evidence for a hybrid constitution of diploid C. tinctoria is consistent with lack of strong intersterility barriers between closely related taxa.

Caracterização de frutos e sementes em acessos de maracujá silvestre (Passiflora foetida L.)

A espécie Passiflora foetida L.é uma trepadeira exótica cujas folhas e frutos possuem propriedades medicinais. No Brasil, a erva é utilizada na forma de extratos ou emplastros para erisipelas e doenças de pele com inflamação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar cinco acessos de Passiflora foetida L. baseados em 17 descritores morfológicos O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com 15 repetições por genótipo. As variáveis analisadas foram cor da casca do fruto, formato do fruto, comprimento do fruto, diâmetro do fruto, massa fresca do fruto, comprimento do pedicelo, cor da polpa do fruto, espessura da casca, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis, potencial hidrogeniônico, razão sólidos solúveis/ acidez titulável, comprimento da semente, diâmetro da semente, espessura da semente, massa fresca das sementes e o número de sementes por fruto. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de médias pelo teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Houve diferença significativa pelo teste F a 5% de probabilidade, entre os genótipos para quase todas as características com exceção da espessura da casca, massa fresca do fruto, comprimento da semente e massa fresca das sementes. A característica que apresentou maior variação foi o teor de sólidos solúveis. E entre os genótipos, o acesso 5 foi o que apresentou as maiores médias pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, em todas as características analisadas, podendo ser utilizado em programas de melhoramento da espécie.

Two new species of Paratanytarsus (Diptera: Chironomidae) from southeast of Brazil

The adults and immature stages of Paratanytarsus corbii sp. n. and the male adult of Paratanytarsus silentii sp. n. are described and illustrated. P. corbii larvae were collected on sediment and aquatic vegetation of the headwater of the Anhumas Reservoir (Américo Brasiliense, SP) and reared in laboratory to obtain the pupal exuviae and associated adults. The adult males of P. silentii were obtained from Malaise net put over the Córrego do Silêncio located in Parque Estadual do Jaraguá (São Paulo, SP). The shape of the anal point and the absence of anal point crests are the main characteristics that distinguish P. corbii and P. silentii males from the majority species of the genus. The arrangement of spines on tergites III–V separates the pupae of P. corbii from other species. The length of pedicels and the pecten epipharyngis design are diagnostic for the larvae of P. corbii.

Morphological variations in populations of Urginea indica Kunth.Liliaceae

An attempt has been made to enquire into the morphological variations which leads to evolutionary divergence of populations of Urginea indica Kunth. In particular, there were considerable morphological variations within the species. The thirty two cytotypes showed distinct morphological differences in shape, size and colour of bulb and leaf, the length of inflorescence and flower colour. The morphological complexity is accompanied by high degree of cytological variations. Preliminary measurements of reproductive, characters have shown that no noteworthyresults may be obtained in this characters except pedicel length but the vegetative character deviated significantly. Flowering and blooming time varied that also played a role in isolation of these populations. These morphological differences have a genetic basis and would be worthy in recognizing them as a separate sub specific taxon.

KEY FOR THE MAIN ASSORTMENT OF ILEX AQUIFOLIUM CULTIVARS IN CENTRAL EUROPE BASED ON LEAF MORPHOLOGY

In nursery practice and especially in plant trade, the authenticity of cultivars of Ilex aquifolium is a widespread problem. Unavailable cultivars were substituted with similar cultivars without declaration. Existing keys are based on only a small number of cultivars or comprise too many rare cultivars. The aim of this work is to establish a key that is easy to use for common cultivars in Central Europe, based on parameters that are easy to identify. In this investigation it was found that the high variance of leaves among the cultivars is ideal for this purpose, and is therefore proposed as parameter. In the first step the main assortment in Middle Europe was identified. From these cultivars, morphological parameters of sun and shade leaves were surveyed to describe the within-taxon variance. Taxa inside and outside the natural distribution area of Ilex aquifolium were investigated to account for climatic influence. The following parameters were examined: pedicel length and colour; leaf form, length and broadness, leaf edge corrugating; leaf vein number; prickle number and length. Results showed a variance between the cultivars high enough, and an inner-specific variance low enough, to construct the key. The leaf parameters were complemented with parameters of other plant organs for greater precision. The key comprises 16 cultivars of Ilex aquifolium taken from the enlarged standard assortment available in good garden markets and better nurseries. It was enhanced with rare local cultivars that show great similarity to cultivars from the standard assortment.

First Report of a Decline and Wilt of Young Olive Trees Caused by Simultaneous Infections of Verticillium dahliae and Phytophthora palmivora in Sicily

In summer 2008, leaf chlorosis, defoliation, exceptional fruit set, twig dieback, and wilt were observed on 4-year-old olive (Olea europea L.) trees cv. Tonda Iblea in a drip-irrigated orchard in eastern Sicily. Rot of fine roots was associated with these symptoms and on ~15% of symptomatic trees rot extended to the crown and basal stem. Trees declined slowly or collapsed suddenly with withered leaves still attached. Incidence of affected trees was ~10%. A fungus identified as Verticillium dahliae Kleb. was isolated from the xylem of main roots and basal stem. An oomycete identified as Phytophthora palmivora (Butler) Butler was isolated from roots and basal trunk bark. Both pathogens were recovered from symptomatic trees with mean frequency of positive isolations per tree of 80 and 30% for V. dahliae and P. palmivora, respectively. To isolate V. dahliae, wood chips were surface disinfested in 0.5% NaOCl for 1 min and plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). The fungus was identified on the basis of microsclerotia, verticillate arrangement of phialides on conidiophores, and hyaline single-celled conidia. Ten monoconidial isolates were characterized by PCR using primer pairs INTND2f/INTND2r and DB19/espdef01 (3). Only 824-bp amplicons, diagnostic of the virulent, nondefoliating V. dahliae pathotype, were obtained. P. palmivora was isolated on selective medium (2) and pure cultures were obtained by single-hypha transfers. Colonies grew on PDA between 10 and 35°C (optimum at 27°C). Chlamydospores and elliptical to ovoid, papillate, caducous (mean pedicel length = 5 μm) sporangia (length/breadth ratio of 1.8) were produced on V8 juice agar. All isolates were paired with reference isolates of P. nicotianae and produced gametangia only with isolates of the A2 mating type. PCR amplicons of a representative isolate generated using primers ITS 6 and ITS 4 (1) were sequenced and found to be identical to those of a reference isolate of P. palmivora (GenBank No. AY208126). Pathogenicity of V. dahliae (IMI 397476) and P. palmivora (IMI 397475) was tested on 6-month-old rooted cuttings of olive cv. Tonda Iblea. Ten cuttings were transplanted into pots with steam-sterilized soil and inoculum of P. palmivora (4% vol/vol) produced on wheat kernels. Ten olive cuttings were inoculated with V. dahliae by injecting the stem with 150 μl of a conidial suspension (107 conidia ml-1) and 10 cuttings were stem inoculated with V. dahliae and transplanted into soil infested with P. palmivora. Controls were 10 noninoculated cuttings transplanted into steam-sterilized soil. Pots were kept in a greenhouse (25 ± 3°C) for 4 months. No aerial symptoms were observed on cuttings transplanted into soil infested with P. palmivora. However, root dry weight was reduced by 40% in comparison with the controls. Cuttings inoculated solely with V. dahliae had a 15% reduction in height compared with the controls but only four cuttings wilted. All cuttings inoculated with P. palmivora and V. dahliae wilted, indicating a synergism between the two pathogens. Controls remained healthy. Each pathogen was reisolated solely from inoculated cuttings and both pathogens were reisolated from cuttings with double inoculations. A similar syndrome 'seca' (drying) was reported in Spain (4).

Effect of Growth Regulators on Fruit Cracking, Pitting, and Yield of ‘Bigarreau Noir Gross’ (‘Misiri’) Sweet Cherry

Studies were conducted on ‘Bigarreau Noir Gross’ (‘Misiri’) cherry to increase fruit quality by the application of the growth regulators paclobutrazol and gibberellic acid. Application of paclobutrazol at higher levels improved quality traits by reducing pedicel length, bruised fruits, and the incidence of pitting. At 0.3 g/cm trunk diameter, PBZ fruit quality was improved; however, fruit weight was decreased. Fruit yield was improved due to increased flowering and fruit set. Application of gibberellic acid diminished the paclobutrazol effect.

EFFECT OF POTASSIUM NITRATE ON BREAKING BUD DORMANCY IN STRAWBERRY (FRAGARIA ANANASSA DUCH.) PLANTS

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) plants cv. ‘Selva’ were grown in soilless culture under greenhouse conditions to investigate the effectiveness of potassium nitrate (KNO3) alone or accompanied with chilling treatments on vegetative growth of plants. Treatments included: 1) control plants, which did not receive treatment with any material (C2, C3, and C4) and/or chilling (C1): [C]; 2) plants, treated only with 1.5% KNO3 (A1) or accompanied with chilling (A2, A3, and A4): [A] and 3) plants treated with 3% KNO3 (B1) or accompanied with chilling (B2, B3, and B4): [B]. These treatments were applied continuously for four weeks. In each week, chilling hours increased. The highest and lowest leaf area resulted from the A1 and A4 treatments, respectively. The highest and lowest chlorophyll content were obtained by the C3 and C1 treatments, respectively. The highest and lowest petiole lengths resulted from the B4 and A2 treatments, respectively. The highest and lowest pedicel lengths were obtained with the B1 and C3 plants, respectively. These results showed that KNO3 influences the growth rate of strawberry plants.

Classifying vegetable genetic resources—A case study with domesticated Capsicum spp.

Great variation for many traits seems to be available in Capsicum genetic resources but yet to be fully used by plant breeders. Adequate characterization of genebank accessions is needed to facilitate the utilization of germplasm by end-users. The aim of this research was to use multivariate techniques with both qualitative and quantitative descriptors in the five domesticated species of Capsicum for grouping them after assessing inter- and intra-specific variation. Key qualitative descriptors (seed color, corolla color and spot, calyx constriction, numbers of flowers per node and filament color) served for assigning most accessions to their respective species, whereas intra-specific multivariate diversity was better assessed by quantitative descriptors such as fruit length/width ratio, numbers of days to flowering, leaf width, and anther, filament and pedicel length. The modified location model an adequate method for classifying Capsicum accessions using quantitative descriptors.

Morphometric study of the genus Senna Mill. in South-western Nigeria

Thirteen quantitative characters of the leaves, fruits, seeds and flowers were used in the study of eight Senna Mill. species. The characters include leaflet length, leaflet width, leaflet length/width, Number of leaflets, lamina length, petiole length, pedicel length, petal length, fruit length, fruit width, fruit length/width, seed length and seed width. These characters were measured with the aid of a line ruler and subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. The results revealed that three out of the thirteen characters employed contributed significantly in differentiating each of the species from the other at 95% level of significance. The species have great similarities hence their grouping under the same genus. Results also showed that Senna hirsuta (Linn.) H. S. Irwin and Barneby and Senna sophera (L.) Roxb. are more closely related, Senna occidentalis (Linn.) Link,Senna siamea (Lam.) H. S. Irwin and Barneby and Senna spectabilis (DC.) Irwin and Barneby all share some resemblance while S. occidentalis is distantly related to S. sophera. Key words: Morphometrics, morphology, Senna, leguminosae, caesalpinioideae, numerical taxonomy.

Genetic variability and character association analysis in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

The present investigation on genetic variability including mean, genotypic and phenotypic variances, coefficient of variation, heritability, and genetic advance was conducted on genetically diverse twenty three genotypes of bell pepper. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits. On the basis of mean performance, genotypes PRC-1, SSP, Kandaghat Sel. and Ranichauri Sel-1 were outperformed for fruit yield per plant, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and took less number of days to 50% flowering. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were high for fruit yield per plant and ascorbic acid content indicating that these traits had wide genetic variability and would respond better to selection. High heritability and high genetic advance were recorded for average fruit weight, fruit yield per plant, fruit diameter, number of lobes per fruit, days to first harvest, leaf area and ascorbic acid content indicating the role of additive gene action for the inheritance of these traits. At genotypic levels, the traits fruit length, fruit diameter and number of fruits per plant revealed significant positive correlation with fruit yield per plant. Number of fruits per plant exhibited the highest positive direct effect followed by average fruit weight, number of branches per plant, pedicel length and harvest duration at genotypic level.

Analysis of combining ability of two-types of male sterile and four restorer lines of Zinnia elegans

Eight cross combinations of Zinnia elegans were made using two recessive nuclear male sterile lines crossed with four restorers using the North Carolina Design II statistical method. Heterosis, combining ability and heritability was analysed using 12 horticultural traits and these demonstrated the advantage of heterosis in hybrid breeding of Zinnia elegans. Heterosis served to increase the number of whorls of ray florets across capitulum and the number of branches, and also decreased plant height, crown size, pedicel length and length of node. Thus, six horticultural traits were improved over mid parent and best parent status to fulfill major breeding goals of this herbaceous flower. The traits of plant height, number of whorls of ray florets across capitulum and pedicel length were primarily controlled by paternal additive effects, whereas crown size was mainly controlled by non-additive effects. Number of branches and length of node were affected both by paternal additive effects and non-additive effects. The ratio of general combining ability to specific combining ability indicated the importance of additive genes in the expression of these traits. Among the parental lines, AH003A and restorer A3 were chosen as primary female and male combiners, respectively. AH001A and restorer S5 were chosen as secondary combiners. The cross AH003A × A3 was determined as the most promising combination for producing potted plant characteristics, and AH001A × S5 was the best hybrid obtained in this study for cut flower traits. The analysis of combining ability for the parental lines showed that there was no causal relationship between general combining ability and specific combining ability effects.

Emergence of concentric double-opponent receptive field properties by applying independent component analysis to natural images

Hypericum thymopsis Boiss., Hypericaceae, is an endemic herb which generally grows at the calcareous steppe regions of Central Turkey. In flowering stage, the aerial parts of this species are used for wound-healing and sedation, and its infusions are used against stomach diseases and throat infections by local people. The aim of this study, to examine and to reveal of the morphology, anatomy and histology of the aerial vegetative and reproductive organs of the H. thymopsis, which are used in popular medicine and thus contributing to the pharmacognostic evaluation of the species. In comparison with previous published morphological description of the species, some different findings about plant height and leaf length were found. In addition, some morphological characteristics such as dimensions of sepals and ovaries, length of filaments, anthers, pistils and pedicels were examined here for the first time. The anatomical characteristics of stem, leaf, sepal, filament and pistil were studied using light microscopy and additionally for stem and leaf using scanning electron microscopy. The stem has the secondary growth, and circular shape. The leaves are amphistomatic and the mesophyll is dorsiventral. Stomata are anisocytic and sunken. The glandiferous emergences are present on stem and translucent glands exist in leaf mesophyll. Type A secretory canals are present in stem, leaf, sepal and petal cross section. While type B secretory canals are observed in sepal and petal, type C secretory canals are observed solely in ovary cross section. All the structural features herein found can assist the diagnosis of H. thymopsis.

Amygdalus kurdistanica and A. orazii spp. nov. (Rosaceae) from Iran

Amygdalus kurdistanica Attar, Maroofi & Vafadar and A. orazii Maroofi, Attar & Vafadar, two new species of the genus Amygdalus L. from western Iran are described and illustrated. Amygdalus kurdistanica is closely related to A. haussknechtii (C. K. Schneider) Bornm. var. pubescens but differs by leaf and petiole size, drupe shape, pedicel indumentum and style length. Amygdalus orazii is closely related to A. communis L. but can be distinguished from A. communis by the following characters: leaf and petiole size, drupe size, pedicel length and sepal length.