Lowland Races Research Articles

THE WATER RELATIONS AND IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS OF AVOCADO (Persea americana Mill.): A REVIEW

SUMMARYThe results of research on the water relations and irrigation need of avocado are collated and reviewed in an attempt to link fundamental studies on crop physiology to irrigation practices. Background information is given on the centre of origin (Mexico and Central America) and the three distinct ecological areas where avocados are grown commercially: (1) Cool, semi-arid climates with winter-dominant rainfall (e.g. Southern California, Chile, Israel); (2) Humid, subtropical climates with summer-dominant rainfall (e.g. eastern Australia, Mexico, South Africa); and (3) Tropical or semi-tropical climates also with summer-dominant rainfall (e.g. Brazil, Florida and Indonesia). Most of the research reported has been done in Australia, California, Israel and South Africa. There are three ecological races that are given varietal status within the species: Persea americana var. drymifolia (Mexican race), P. americana var. guatemalensis (Guatemalan race) and P. americana var. americana (Antillean, West Indian or Lowland race). Interracial crossing has taken place. This paper summarises the effects of water deficits on the development processes of the crop and then reviews plant–water relations, crop water requirements, water productivity and irrigation systems. Shoot growth in mature trees is synchronised into flushes. Flower initiation occurs in the autumn, with flowering in late winter and spring. Flowers form on the ends of the branches. A large heavily flowering tree may have over a million flowers, but only produce 200–300 fruits. Fruit load adjustment occurs by shedding during the first three to four weeks after fruit set and again in early summer. Water deficits during critical stages of fruit ontogeny have been linked to fruit disorders such as ring-neck. Reproductive growth is very resistant to water stress (compared with vegetative growth). Avocado is conventionally considered to be shallow rooted, although roots extend to depths greater than 1.5 m. The majority of feeder roots are found in the top 0.60 m of soil and root extension can continue throughout the year. Leaves develop a waxy cuticle on both surfaces, which is interrupted by stomata on the abaxial surface (350–510 mm−2), many of which are blocked by wax. Stomata are also present on the sepals and petals at low densities (and on young fruit). During flowering, the canopy surface area available for water loss is considerably increased. Stomatal closure is an early indicator of water stress, which together with associated changes in leaf anatomy, restricts CO2 diffusion. There have only been a few attempts to measure the actual water use of avocado trees. In Mediterranean-type climates, peak rates of water use (in summer) appear to be between 3 and 5 mm d−1. For mature trees, the crop coefficient (Kc) is usually within the range 0.4–0.6. The best estimate of water productivity is between 1 and 2 kg fruit m−3. Soil flooding and the resultant reduction in oxygen level can damage roots even in the absence of root rot. Avocado is particularly sensitive to salinity, notably that caused by chloride ions. Rootstocks vary in their sensitivity. Both drip and under-tree microsprinklers have been/are successfully used to irrigate avocado trees. Mulching of young trees is a recommended water conservation measure and has other benefits. A large proportion of the research reviewed has been published in the ‘grey’ literature as conference papers and annual reports. Sometimes, this is at the expense of reporting the science on which the recommendations are based in peer-reviewed papers. The pressures on irrigators to improve water productivity are considered.

Re‐Introduction of Quínoa into Arid Chile: Cultivation of Two Lowland Races under Extremely Low Irrigation

AbstractAnnual rainfall in Chile at 30°S decreased from 170 to 70 mm in the last century, forcing a search for new low‐rain adapted crops. Chenopodium quinoa Willd. was cultivated by pre‐Hispanic cultures, but it disappeared in this region since the Spanish conquest. Two quínoa landraces (Don Javi and Palmilla) were re‐introduced from lowlands of central Chile (34°S) evaluating seed saponin content and grain yields under low irrigation. Replicated assays were conducted in two sites with distinct microclimates after august (end of the rains in 2004 and 2005). Treatments included low (40–75 mm) and high (150–250 mm) irrigation and were distributed along the five cultivation months. Fertilization, with the humus of the worms, was carried out in the second season, as soils are poor in organic matter. Results showed significantly higher saponin content in the seeds of Don Javi landrace (1.2 %) with respect to Palmilla seeds (0.3 %). However, grain yields were not different between landraces under the same treatments. Yields were instead affected by microclimate, irrigation and fertilization. Although higher yields corresponded with higher irrigation, 2.6 tons ha−1 was obtained under high irrigation, but surprisingly, also under low irrigation in the more humid site. Yields of 2006 harvesting season (ca. 7 tons ha−1) were higher than that of the previous season (ca. 5.5 tons ha−1), mainly because of the addition of organic matter. We suggest that re‐introduction of Quinoa in arid Chile is feasible even under the prevailing conditions of low rainfall and deficient soils, but better yields will need some irrigation and addition of organic matter.

Microsatellite typing of ancient maize: insights into the history of agriculture in southern South America

Archaeological maize specimens from Andean sites of southern South America, dating from 400 to 1400 years before present, were tested for the presence of ancient DNA and three microsatellite loci were typed in the specimens that gave positive results. Genotypes were also obtained for 146 individuals corresponding to modern landraces currently cultivated in the same areas and for 21 plants from Argentinian lowland races. Sequence analysis of cloned ancient DNA products revealed a high incidence of substitutions appearing in only one clone, with transitions prevalent. In the archaeological specimens, there was no evidence of polymorphism at any one of the three microsatellite loci: each exhibited a single allelic variant, identical to the most frequent allele found in contemporary populations belonging to races Amarillo Chico, Amarillo Grande, Blanco and Altiplano. Affiliation between ancient specimens and a set of races from the Andean complex was further supported by assignment tests. The striking genetic uniformity displayed by the ancient specimens and their close relationship with the Andean complex suggest that the latter gene pool has predominated in the western regions of southern South America for at least the past 1400 years. The results support hypotheses suggesting that maize cultivation initially spread into South America via a highland route, rather than through the lowlands.

A Revision of the Ipomopsis spicata Complex (Polemoniaceae)

A cladistic analysis indicates that the Ipomopsis spicata complex is monophyletic, related as a sister group to I. congesta in sect. Microgilia, and is characterized by regional differentiation most likely associated with climatic and topographic changes that occurred during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene. The cladogram provides evidence for the independent evolution of alpine, sub- alpine, and lowland races in the Rocky Mountains and the eastern perimeter of the Great Basin, correlated with a progressive change in inflorescence architecture, trichome distribution, and floral morphology. Based on morphological studies and examination of all type specimens, a taxonomic revision is proposed that summarizes morphological, geographical, and cladistic patterns within the complex. We recognize I. spicata as composed of five principal geographic races treated as: subsp. spicata, subsp. capitata, subsp. orchidacea (comb. nov.), subsp. robruthii (subsp. nov.), and subsp. tridactyla (comb. nov.). Subspecies orchidacea includes var. orchidacea and var. cephaloidea (comb. nov.), which differ in ecological distribution and inflorescence architecture but intergrade in parts of their sympatry. Subspecies robruthii is described from the Absaroka Range of northwestern Wy- oming.

Nuclear DNA content variation in the ancient indigenous races of Mexican maize

SUMMARY From eight maize accessions representing the four ancient indigenous races of mexican maize the nuclear DNA content was determined by flow cytometry. No significant difference between accessions of the same race was observed. Significant differences were found among the races, with two clusters observed. The lowland races had an average genome size of 12·6 pg while the highland races showed an average genome size of 11·1 pg. A significant negative correlation between genome size and altitude was observed.

ISOZYMATIC VARIATION IN GUATEMALAN RACES OF MAIZE.

Isozymatic data taken from 67 Guatemalan collections of maize were subjected to numerical taxonomic analyses to elucidate systematic relationships among the 19 maize races and subraces described for Guatemala by Wellhausen et al. As with Bolivian and Mexican races, isozymatic variation in Guatemalan maize was strongly associated with altitude. Guatemalan lowland races were in general isozymatically distinct from races of higher elevations. Two middle elevation Guatemalan races proved difficult to place taxonomically. As a group, Guatemalan highland races were isozymatically more diverse than races from lower elevations, and were rather weakly differentiated from Mexican highland races. Notably, variational patterns evident from phenetic analyses of isozyme data were generally congruent with those apparent in phylogenetic analyses. The data reported here, and in earlier studies, suggested that divergent combinations of isozymatic, karyotypic, and morphological features have evolved in local maize races from Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia, perhaps as the result of the different selective regimens indigenous cultivators have imposed on different regional phylogenetic lineages.

Isozymatic Variation in Guatemalan Races of Maize

Isozymatic data taken from 67 Guatemalan collections of maize were subjected to numerical taxonomic analyses to elucidate systematic relationships among the 19 maize races and subraces described for Guatemala by Wellhausen et al. As with Bolivian and Mexican races, isozymatic variation in Guatemalan maize was strongly associated with altitude. Guatemalan lowland races were in general isozymatically distinct from races of higher elevations. Two middle elevation Guatemalan races proved difficult to place taxonomically. As a group, Guatemalan highland races were isozymatically more diverse than races from lower elevations, and were rather weakly differentiated from Mexican highland races. Notably, variational patterns evident from phenetic analyses of isozyme data were generally congruent with those apparent in phylogenetic analyses. The data reported here, and in earlier studies, suggested that divergent combinations of isozymatic, karyotypic, and morphological features have evolved in local maize races from Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia, perhaps as the result of the different selective regimens indigenous cultivators have imposed on different regional phylogenetic lineages.

Gorillas – a Survey

This survey of the status of the three gorilla races was made in 1974. Part One, below, covers the western lowland race, and Part Two, to be published in the next Oryx, will discuss eastern lowland and volcano gorillas.

Racial Evolution in Eleusine coracana ssp. Coracana (Finger Millet)

Eleusine coracana ssp. coracana (finger millet, eleusine) is widely distributed in Africa and India as a cereal. The crop is cultivated in diverse eco-geographical areas. Over this range of distribution, eleusine displays high variability in vegetative, floral and seed morphology. The intent of this study is to establish correlations between morphology and distribution, and to determine the intraspecific taxonomy of the crop. Three eco-geographical races were determined: (1) an African highland race which is cultivated in the East African highlands, (2) a lowland race which is grown in the lowlands of Africa and South India, and (3) an Indian race with its center of distribution in Northeast India. In addition to these basic races, an Indian highland type was identified. The African highland race is the most primitive from which the lowland race evolved. The latter race was subsequently introduced to southern India where a secondary center of diversity became established. The Indian race originated from the lowland race, while the North Indian highland type can be derived from either or both of the two basic races in India. This study indicated that natural selection played a major role in the evolution of the crop. Artificial selection, although significant, was restricted within the limits imposed on it by the ultimate adaptation of the races to their environments.

RACIAL EVOLUTION IN ELEUSINE CORACANA SSP. CORACANA (FINGER MILLET)

Eleusine coracana ssp. coracana (finger millet, eleusine) is widely distributed in Africa and India as a cereal. The crop is cultivated in diverse eco‐geographical areas. Over this range of distribution, eleusine displays high variability in vegetative, floral and seed morphology. The intent of this study is to establish correlations between morphology and distribution, and to determine the intraspecific taxonomy of the crop. Three eco‐geographical races were determined: (1) an African highland race which is cultivated in the East African highlands, (2) a lowland race which is grown in the lowlands of Africa and South India, and (3) an Indian race with its center of distribution in Northeast India. In addition to these basic races, an Indian highland type was identified. The African highland race is the most primitive from which the lowland race evolved. The latter race was subsequently introduced to southern India where a secondary center of diversity became established. The Indian race originated from the lowland race, while the North Indian highland type can be derived from either or both of the two basic races in India. This study indicated that natural selection played a major role in the evolution of the crop. Artificial selection, although significant, was restricted within the limits imposed on it by the ultimate adaptation of the races to their environments.

Cytological and Morphological Variation in Panicum virgatum L.

A lowland population of P. virgatum had a tetraploid chromosome number (2n = 36) while upland populations contained octoploids and aneuploid variants of octoploids. No genetic interaction between the races could be detected in sympatric populations. Morphological variation indicated that the upland race was more closely related to N. populations and the lowland race to S. populations