Male Flowers Research Articles

Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi—Untargeted Metabolomics Approach to Investigate the Chemical Variation in Volatile and Non-Volatile Compounds

Context: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi is used in Brazilian folk medicine due to the wound healing and antiseptic properties of its bark, and its fruit are used as a condiment. However, the aerial parts of this plant have been studied and present some bioactive compounds as well. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in volatile and non-volatile composition of S. terebinthifolia leaves using untargeted metabolomics. Material and Methods: The leaves of four trees were collected over one year; ethanolic extracts were analyzed by UHPLC-MS and fresh leaves were analyzed by GC-MS using HS-SPME. The data were processed using online software. Results: The results suggest seasonality interfered little with the chemical composition of leaves. On the other hand, the sex of the plant clearly determined the chemical composition of both volatile and non-volatile compounds. Discussion and conclusions: Chemical variability between plants with male and female flowers is fundamental information for the standardized use of its leaves. Compounds with important biological activities were putatively identified, confirming the potential use of S. terebinthifolia leaves as a source of bioactive compounds, reducing waste and increasing economic gains for local farmers throughout the year.

Genome-wide investigation of MYB gene family in Areca catechu and potential roles of AcTDF in transgenic Arabidopsis.

MYB protein, a crucial transcription factor, holds crucial importance in plant growth, development, stress responses, and secondary metabolite regulation. While MYB proteins have been extensively studied, research on MYBs within the palm family, particularly in Areca catechu, remains limited. This study identified 259 MYB genes in Areca catechu, including 105 1R-MYBs, 150 R2R3-MYBs, 3 3R-MYBs, and 1 4R-MYBs. Physicochemical properties, collinearity, and gene structure of these genes were analyzed. The AcMYB is distributed across 16 chromosomes of A.catechu and has 119 and 195 homologs in Arabidopsis and rice, respectively. Cis-acting elements in the promoter region suggest roles in plant hormones, growth, development, and stress. R2R3-MYB genes were divided into eight groups based on tissue expression profiles. The flowering-related gene AcTDF is highly expressed in male flowers. Overexpression of AcTDF in Arabidopsis promotes early flowering, upregulates AtSOC1 and AtFUL, and enhances tolerance to drought and salt stress. These results provide valuable insights for the identification and analysis of the MYB gene family in Areca catechu and offer a basis for the subsequent verification of its related functions and the role and significance of its role in the evolution of palms.

SSR markers based QTL mapping and genetic analysis for yield and yield-attributing traits in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

The present study was conducted for QTL mapping for yield and other yield attributing traits in bitter gourd using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 630 SSR markers were screened for polymorphism in two contrasting parents (DBGS-2 and Pusa Purvi), out of which only 35 were polymorphic. F1 plants (10 individuals) in which hybridity was ascertained (using these polymorphic markers); were further employed for development of mapping population (F2) consisting of 120 plants. Higher variation was present in the mapping population as evident from the wider range value of the characters. Continuous frequency distribution classes combined with bell-shaped, symmetrical normal distribution curve, revealed the quantitative inheritance nature of the traits studied. Higher PCV than the GCV for all the traits, along with high difference between the PCV and GCV for majority of traits indicated higher influence of environment in expression of these traits in the mapping population. Presence of transgressive segregation was also noted for majority of the traits. Amongst the various linkage groups (LG), LG 4 had the maximum number of markers, covering 171.07 cM map distance. LG4 also possessed the maximum number (nine) of QTLs while LG1 had six. QTL mapping using polymorphic SSRs resulted in detection of a total of 28 QTLs for fourteen traits viz. yield per plant (kg), earliness or flower related traits (node to first female flower, node to first male flower, days to first male flower, male to female flower ratio), fruit traits (fruit number per plant, fruit diameter (cm), fruit length/ diameter ratio, pericarp thickness (mm) and number of seed per fruit) and vegetative traits (internodal length (cm), number of primary branches, leaf width (cm), length and width ratio). The LOD score of these QTLs ranged from 3.01 to 64.47, the total phenotypic variances (PVE) ranged from 1.52 to 34.57 % and additive effects ranged from –3.69 to 17.07. Of the total, nineteen were major QTLs, having PVE >10 %. Three QTLs were detected for yield per plant while a total of seven for the traits imparting earliness viz. days to first male flower, node to first female flower and node to first male flower. Amongst all the QTLs detected, qFrtLDR-4-1 (K) had the maximum LOD (64.47) and PVE (34.57 %) value. Two hotspots were detected with multiple QTLs clustered in the LG 1. The first hotspot possessed four QTLs [qLfW-1-1, qMFR-1-1 (K), qSPF-1-1, qNFmlF-1-1 (K)] while the second had two related to yield per plant [qYldpl-1-1 (K) and qYldpl-1-1]. Many of these QTLs are also being reported for the first time in bitter gourd. The findings of the present study can be used to fasten the bitter gourd improvement by utilizing these in MAS, DNA fingerprinting, genetic mapping, genomics analysis etc.

Systematic identification and prediction of sex-specific MADS-box genes in Zanthoxylum armatum during flower development

Zanthoxylum armatum, as a vital economic tree species serving both as a food source and medicinal plant, it stands as one of the key industries supporting rural revitalization in southwestern China, offered significant economic, ecological, and social benefits. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the occurrence of male flowers being sterile, which has greatly impeded the industrial development of Z. armatum. In this study, we investigated the MADS-box gene as a pivotal transcription factor (TFs) influencing flower development. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of MADS-box genes in Z. armatum and establish a solid foundation for future research on this significant gene family, we conducted a genome-wide investigation and analyzed the expression patterns of MADS-box genes. The present study identified a total of 72 MADS-box genes (ZaMADS1–72) from Z. armatum and proposed that the ZaMADS41 gene is pivotal candidate gene influencing the female-to-male transformation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes can be categorized into two types: Type I (29 genes) and Type II (43 genes), with the latter exhibiting more complex protein domains and motifs compared to the former. Protein-protein interactions were observed among members of the ZaMADS-box gene family, while their promoter regions contained cis-acting elements associated with light response, hormone response, and plant growth and development. Expression profiling during different stages of male and female flower development demonstrated distinct high expression patterns for certain genes specifically in mature male or female flowers. Furthermore, the determination of endogenous hormone content indicated a potential correlation between iP9G and MEJA with sex transformation, while iP9G exhibited a significantly negative association with ZaMADS33 expression. This comprehensive study on MADS-box genes in Z. armatum combined with changes in endogenous hormone levels during male and female flower development, provides a solid theoretical foundation for investigating bud differentiation mechanisms and regulatory techniques in this species.

A new record of Begonia aptera in Southern Mindanao: the second species of Begonia sect. Platycentrum recorded from the Philippines

Begonia aptera was recently found during expeditions in the Matutum and Melibengoy mountains in South Cotabato province, southern Mindanao island, Philippines. The identification of the species was affirmed by the morphological similarities of the samples to specimens from the neighbouring island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Begonia aptera is a member of the Begonia longifolia complex by having berry-like dull green, rhomboidal to spherical fruits with three locules, axillary, dichasial inflorescense, 4-tepaled male and 6-tepaled female flowers. Begonia aptera is distinct by having broadly elliptic leaves with bi-tooothed, serrate margins. This is just the second member of Begonia sect. Platycentrum in the Philippines, the only member of this section being B. halconensis endemic to Mindoro Island, with all other Philippine Begonia falling into sections Petermannia and Baryandra. It is proposed that the species be declared as vulnerable in the Philippines due to the fragmented population observed and potential threats to the observed populations.

Growing-degree-days (GDDs) in a uniform phenology scale (BBCH) for two walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars

ABSTRACT Descriptors are widely used for monitoring the phenology and pomology of plants. Among them, the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale is the most important. We evaluated the growth of ‘Chandler’ and ‘Persia’ walnut cultivars to create a BBCH descriptor for the crop, and estimate the growing-degree days (GDDs) of different growth stages. The GDDs (°C-days) were measured using 0°C as a base temperature (Tb) for male flowering and 5.5°C for other phenological stages in both cultivars. Growth stages were divided into eight principal stages, each with multiple substages. Stage 0 includes the bud sprouting, while stage 9 occurs when the leaves develop and the tree enters the dormancy. Both cultivars had a similar heat unit requirement at the bud quiescent stage (84 and 71°C-days for ‘Chandler’ and ‘Persia’, respectively); however, ‘Chandler’ needs higher GDDs accumulation to reach the harvest (3876°C-days compared to 3539°C-days for ‘Persia’). The results suggest that ‘Persia’ can be cultivated in colder areas at higher altitudes or latitudes compared with ‘Chandler’.

Optimized guidelines for feminized seed production in high-THC Cannabis cultivars.

With the partial legalization of high-THC Cannabis sativa across 23 states for recreational use and 38 states for medical purposes in the United States, the Cannabis industry is poised for significant growth. Projected to reach a sales volume of $50.7 billion by 2028, this growth is driven by the trend of lifting Cannabis prohibition. High-THC C. sativa cultivars, containing more than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) as defined by the 2018 US Farm Bill, are used for both medicinal and recreational purposes. Cannabis sativa is a short day, dioecious, annual plant, where female plants are favored for THC production, which requires seed feminization techniques to ensure an accurate female plant population. This involves using an ethylene inhibitor to induce sex reversal, leading to male flower development on female plants, allowing for self-pollination and the production of feminized seeds. However, challenges such as seed viability and the occurrence of male flowers in progeny have been noted. This review provides guidelines to enhance the production of viable feminized seeds in high-THC Cannabis cultivars. Literature findings indicate that Silver Thiosulfate (STS) is the most effective ethylene inhibitor for sex reversal and seed feminization in high-THC Cannabis cultivars. Specifically, a single dose of 3 mM STS should be applied during the vegetative stage via foliar spraying until runoff, followed by exposure to a short photoperiod of up to 12 hours to induce flowering and seed production. Progeny plants should be assessed for seed germination rate and compared for growth performance with the original parent plant to assess the declining effects of inbreeding. Adhering to these guidelines can improve the quality and viability of feminized seeds, meeting commercial market standards and industry demands for high-THC Cannabis cultivars.

Identification of genes associated with sex expression and sex determination in hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Dioecy in flowering plants has evolved independently many different times, and thus the genetic mechanisms underlying sex determination are diverse. In hemp (Cannabis sativa), sex is controlled by a pair of sex chromosomes (XX for females and XY for males). In an attempt to understand the molecular mechanism responsible for sex expression in hemp plants, we carried out RNA-Seq of male and female plants at different developmental stages. Using a pipeline involving differential gene expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we identified genes important for male and female flower development. We also demonstrate that sex-biased expression is already established at very early vegetative stages, before the onset of reproductive development, and several genes encoding transcription factors of the REM, bZIP and MADS family as candidate sex determination genes in hemp. Our findings demonstrate that the gene regulatory networks governing male and female development in hemp diverge already at a very early stage, leading to profound morphological differences in male and female hemp plants.

Genetic Variability Studies in F2 Populations of Ridge Gourd [Luffa acutangula L. (Roxb.)] for Growth, Yield and Quality Traits

An experiment was conducted to study, genetic variability in ridge gourd during rabi 2024 at College of Horticulture, Bagalkot. The observations were recorded on various growth, yield and quality contributing characters of population-I (ArkaPrasan x Sirsi Local-2) and population-II (Jaipur Long x KLR-5). The analysis of variance indicated the prevalence of sufficient genetic variation among the genotypes from all the characters studied. The high phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were observed for node at first male flower appears, node at first female appears, TSS and crude fibre in population-I. Whereas, the traits like vine length, number of primary branches per vine, average fruit weight, fruit yield per vine and crude fibre in population-II. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for node at first male flower appears, node at first female flower appears, fruit length, fruit diameter, average fruit weight, fruit yield per vine, number of fruits per vine, number of seeds per fruit, fruit tenderness, TSS, crude fibre and vitamin C in the both F2 populations indicating these characters are governed by additive gene action. Hence, direct selection may be followed for the improvement of ridge gourd for these characters.

Deep learning based approach for actinidia flower detection and gender assessment

Pollination is critical for crop development, especially those essential for subsistence. This study addresses the pollination challenges faced by Actinidia, a dioecious plant characterized by female and male flowers on separate plants. Despite the high protein content of pollen, the absence of nectar in kiwifruit flowers poses difficulties in attracting pollinators. Consequently, there is a growing interest in using artificial intelligence and robotic solutions to enable pollination even in unfavourable conditions. These robotic solutions must be able to accurately detect flowers and discern their genders for precise pollination operations. Specifically, upon identifying female Actinidia flowers, the robotic system should approach the stigma to release pollen, while male Actinidia flowers should target the anthers to collect pollen. We identified two primary research gaps: (1) the lack of gender-based flower detection methods and (2) the underutilisation of contemporary deep learning models in this domain. To address these gaps, we evaluated the performance of four pretrained models (YOLOv8, YOLOv5, RT-DETR and DETR) in detecting and determining the gender of Actinidia flowers. We outlined a comprehensive methodology and developed a dataset of manually annotated flowers categorized into two classes based on gender. Our evaluation utilised k-fold cross-validation to rigorously test model performance across diverse subsets of the dataset, addressing the limitations of conventional data splitting methods. DETR provided the most balanced overall performance, achieving precision, recall, F1 score and mAP of 89%, 97%, 93% and 94%, respectively, highlighting its robustness in managing complex detection tasks under varying conditions. These findings underscore the potential of deep learning models for effective gender-specific detection of Actinidia flowers, paving the way for advanced robotic pollination systems.

Metallothionein family genes in kiwifruit: characterization and determining their roles in plant's response to different stresses.

Kiwifruit growth and development are severely affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses, especially cold stress and the bacterial disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa). Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of cysteine-rich proteins that play crucial roles in stress response, metal detoxification, and homeostasis in plants. However, the protective role of these MTs in kiwifruit remains to be elucidated. In the present study, four AcMT genes were identified in the Hongyang kiwifruit genome, namely, two Type 2 isoforms (AcMT2 and AcMT2a) and two Type 3 isoforms (AcMT3a and AcMT3b) located separately on four different chromosomes. The hormones and stress response cis-elements within the promoter regions of these AcMTs were characterized. It was revealed that the four AcMT genes exhibited different expression patterns in different tissues: AcMT2 and AcMT2a were expressed at much higher levels in the fruit, male flower, female flower, root, and bark, while AcMT3a was expressed mainly in the fruit and AcMT3b was expressed highly in the bark. The expression patterns of these AcMT genes after exposure to Psa infection and different phytohormones, including gibberellic acid A3(GA3), ethylene (ET), and abscisic acid (ABA), were evaluated. It was revealed that in response to Psa infection, the main AcMTs in each tissue (those with expression levels higher compared to the other MTs in that tissue) were downregulated during the early stage in kiwifruits, followed by a recovery phase. In addition, most AcMTs were downregulated after exposure to ET and GA3, while type 2 AcMTs (AcMT2 and AcMT2a) were upregulated after treatment with ABA. The overexpression of AcMTs in Escherichia coli presented a higher tolerance to H2O2, heavy metals, low temperature, and high temperature. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the protective roles of AcMTs in terms of stress resistance conferred through plant hormone-related signal pathways.

Transcriptome Remodeling in Arabidopsis: A Response to Heterologous Poplar MSL-lncRNAs Overexpression.

Stamens are vital reproductive organs in angiosperms, essential for plant growth, reproduction, and development. The genetic regulation and molecular mechanisms underlying stamen development are, however, complex and varied among different plant species. MSL-lncRNAs, a gene specific to the Y chromosome of Populus deltoides, is predominantly expressed in male flower buds. Heterologous expression of MSL-lncRNAs in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in an increase in both stamen and anther count, without affecting pistil development or seed set. To reveal the molecular regulatory network influenced by MSL-lncRNAs on stamen development, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of flowers from both wild-type and MSL-lncRNAs-overexpressing Arabidopsis. A total of 678 differentially expressed genes were identified between wild-type and transgenic Arabidopsis. Among these, 20 were classified as transcription factors, suggesting a role for these regulatory proteins in stamen development. GO enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were significantly associated with processes such as pollen formation, polysaccharide catabolic processes, and secondary metabolism. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that MSL-lncRNAs might promote stamen development by upregulating genes involved in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway. The top three upregulated genes, all featuring the DUF295 domain, were found to harbor an F-box motif at their N-termini, which is implicated in stamen development. Additionally, in transgenic Arabidopsis flowers, genes implicated in tapetum formation and anther development were also observed to be upregulated, implying a potential role for MSL-lncRNAs in modulating pollen development through the positive regulation of these genes. The findings from this study establish a theoretical framework for elucidating the genetic control exerted by MSL-lncRNAs over stamen and pollen development.

Microtropis gulinqingensis, a new dioecious species of Celastraceae from China

A new species of Celastraceae, Microtropis gulinqingensis, is discovered in the dynamic plot of Gulinqing Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. After two-year observations of 65 individual plants in the field, we found that this species presented unique traits of being dioecious and having highly connate petals in its male flowers. We compared it with similar species and those in Microtropis distributed across the adjacent regions, and the morphological evidence supports the recognition of Microtropis gulinqingensis as a new species. A comprehensive description and photographs of this new species are provided.

Effect of Drought Stress on Agronomic Traits and Total Leaf Proteins in Different Bottle Gourd [<i>Lagenaria siceraria</i> (Molina) Standl.] Genotypes

Breeding drought-tolerant genotypes using genetic and biochemical tools is an important mitigation strategy to improve stress response and yields in bottle gourd [<em>Lagenaria siceraria</em> (Molina) Standl.]. This current study evaluated the variations among bottle gourd genotypes for potential breeding purposes by establishing the relationship between agronomic traits and the protein profile required for the plants’ resilience against drought stress. The study assessed 12 bottle gourd accessions grown under non-stressed (NS) control conditions and different levels of drought stress (DS) induced by withholding irrigation for 7, 14, and 21 days, using a 12 × 2 × 3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. Agronomic traits such as the total number of male and female flowers per plant, sex ratio, fruit number and fruit yield per plant (FYPP), and total protein analysis were determined in bottle-gourd plants immediately after the period of stress. Results showed significant differences (<em>p</em><em> </em>< 0.001) among the genotypes × environmental effect for most agronomic traits except the number of days to first flower (DTFF). Among the genotypes, BG-70 and BG-78 recorded the highest FYPP under drought stress conditions, with BG-70 showing similar results even under NS conditions. A positive correlation was found among all the agronomic traits and the total protein contents of the genotypes, especially after 14 days of drought stress. Overall, the results implied that the significant improvements in agronomic traits and unique protein expressions observed in BG-70 and BG-78 potentially confer tolerance to drought stress. Moreover, the high and unique proteins found in all genotypes (BG-48, BG-58, BG-52, BG-70, BG-78, and BG-81) warrant further research on their interaction with the stress, especially when coupled with improved agronomic traits, which could assist in identifying drought stress tolerant genotypes.

Natural and anthropogenic factors influence flowering synchrony and reproduction of a dominant plant in an inter-Andean scrub.

Agriculture expansion, livestock, and global change have transformed biological communities and altered, through aerosols and direct deposition, N:P balance in soils of inter-Andean valleys, potentially affecting flowering phenology of many species and thereby flowering synchrony and plant reproduction. We evaluated the influence of variation in temperature and moisture along the local elevational gradient and treatments with the addition of N and P and grazing on flowering synchrony and reproduction of Croton, a dominant shrub of the inter-Andean dry scrub. Along the elevational gradient (300 m difference between the lowest and highest site), we set up plots with and without grazing nested with four nutrient treatments: control and addition of N or P alone or combined N + P. We recorded the number of female and male flowers in bloom monthly from September 2017 to August 2019 to calculate flowering synchrony. We assessed fruiting, seed mass, and pre-dispersal seed predation. Higher growing-season soil temperatures, which were negatively associated with local elevation and higher nitrogen availability promoted flowering synchrony of Croton, particularly among larger plants. Greater flowering synchrony, high soil temperatures, and addition of N + P resulted in production of more fruits of Croton, but also intensified pre-dispersal seed predation. Temperature, availability of moisture throughout the elevational gradient, and nutrient manipulation affected flowering synchrony, which subsequently affected production of fruits in Croton. These results emphasize the critical role of current anthropogenic changes in climate and nutrient availability on flowering synchrony and reproduction of Croton, a dominant plant of the inter-Andean scrub.

Female flowers with short ovaries in 'Lemon' cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants and their progeny carrying the mm genotype (CS-ACS2 genes with c.97G > T mutations): a novel trimonoecious phenotype.

Analysis of the sex expression in 10 'Lemon' (mmff) cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.), known to be andromonoecious, revealed that 3 plants produced female flowers with short ovaries, resembling bisexual flowers, after producing male and bisexual flowers. To investigate the heredity pattern governing these aberrant female flowers with short ovaries, F1 hybrid plants (MmFf) were generated through a cross between 'Dokanari-sennari' (MMFF) and 'Lemon' (mmff), and #4 (mmff) and #45 (mmFF) were meticulously selected from a pool of 45 F2 segregants. Analysis of the sex expression in both 10 F5 plants (mmff) derived from the #4 (mmff) and 10 F4 plants (mmFF) derived from the #45 (mmFF) revealed that 8-9 plants produced female flowers with short ovaries after producing male and bisexual flowers. Notably, no female flowers with short ovaries were produced in the plants carrying the M gene, such as 'Dokanari-sennari' (MMFF), 8 F1 hybrid plants (MmFf), and the 29 F2 segregants (M-F-,M-ff). Thus, female flowers with short ovaries may be produced in some 'Lemon' (mmff) cucumber plants and their progeny, particularly those carrying the mm genotype (CS-ACS2 genes with c.97G > T mutations), after the production of male and bisexual flowers. However, no clear genetic rules governing the occurrence of these female flowers with short ovaries were observed. This is the first report on trimonoecious cucumber plants displaying male flowers, bisexual flowers with short ovaries, and female flowers with short ovaries, all on the same plant, under the influence of the mm genotype (CS-ACS2 genes with c.97G > T mutations).

How Climate Change May Impact Plant Reproduction and Fitness by Altering the Temporal Separation of Male and Female Flowering.

The temporal separation of male and female flowering-known as dichogamy-is a widespread adaptation across the plant kingdom that increases reproductive success and enhances plant fitness. Differences in timing between male and female flowering can be highly sensitive to environmental variation-and with widespread evidence of shifts in seasonal timing of flowering (i.e., phenology) due to anthropogenic warming-climate change may alter the sequences of male and female flowering for a diversity of taxa around the globe. However, we currently lack a broad understanding of both the extent to which climate change may alter patterns of dichogamy and the potential implications of these shifts for plant reproduction. Here I present evidence that links variation in dichogamy to variation in temperature for a variety of plant taxa. I synthesize the limited number of studies that have investigated shifts in dichogamy specifically in the context of climate change, and detail the physiological, genetic, and developmental factors that control the relative timing of male and female flowering. The literature indicates that dichogamy is highly plastic and sensitive to temperature variation. Plasticity in dichogamy is observed across species with different sexual systems and growth habits, and in both female-first and male-first flowering taxa, but at present, no clear patterns of dichogamy shifts related to these associated traits are discernible. Together, these lines of evidence suggest that sequences of male and female flowering are likely to shift with climate change. However, more research is needed to better understand and predict the ecological consequences of shifting patterns of dichogamy in the context of global change.

Reinstatement of Acalypha fallax Mull. Arg. and description of A. brittoi sp. nov. based on micromorphological and molecular characters

In 1865, Müller Argoviensis proposed Acalypha fallax based on specimens from Peninsula Indiae orientalis, which is now considered synonymous with A. lanceolata Willd. A recent study conducted in Tamil Nadu, India, from 2019 to 2022 thoroughly examined Acalypha species using multiple criteria: leaf epidermal characteristics, seed morphology, pollen features observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and sequencing of the ITS, rbcL and matK spacer regions. This work identified distinctions between A. fallax and A. lanceolata, such as longer peduncles, obovate bracts in male flowers, and stems with two types of trichomes: strigose and hirsute. Moreover, the study proposed a new species, A. brittoi, which is described here as distinguishable from A. fallax by its larger leaf blades with 13–14‐toothed margins (compared to smaller blades with 8–9‐toothed margins in A. fallax), and by the ovate perianth of its male flowers (versus orbicular perianth in A. fallax). Unique patterns of leaf epidermal crystals and granules on seed surfaces further aided in distinguishing A. fallax from A. brittoi. Molecular analysis additionally confirmed genetic differences among these three species.

Maximizing Date Palm Yield: Automatic Extension Sprinklers for Enhanced Aerial Pollination

Abstract Date palms require pollen transfer from male to female palms in order to yield a fruitful harvest. The traditional method of accomplishing this artificial cross-pollination involved climbing each palm tree and physically putting male flower spikelets on female inflorescences. This process required a great deal of labor and was time-consuming. Due to developments in farming practices during the modern age, farmers have experimented with mechanical pollination systems. Recently, to pollinate date palms very quickly, safely, affordably, and with a minimum of risk of injury, agricultural drones have been used. In this research, experiments on drone dispersal pollination are conducted on three Omani date palm cultivars—Al Naghal, Al Khanezi, and Al Kasab. The applicability of this method is evaluated by comparing its fruit yield properties to those of the conventional method, which is commonly employed, and the less popular machine/hand pollination methods. The main limitations of drone dispersal pollination are, its inability to disperse exact amount of pollen to the target location of female inflorescences, especially in shorter palms; wastage of pollens and environmental pollution. The study recommends the use of a novel design of extendable pollen sprinkler for target-specific pollination in order to increase pollination efficiency and decrease DPP waste. The designed system comprises of a robotic arm extension with a remotely controlled sprayer mounted on a computer vision android device; that can shoot themselves out to the female flowers and disperse the required amount of pollens in the specific location. This unique spraying mechanism can overcome the drawbacks of aerial pollination and increase its effectiveness.

Genetic Variability, Heritability, Genetic Advance, Path Coefficient Analysis, and Inter-Character Relationships in Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis [L.] Schrad.) from Southeastern Villages of the Benin Republic

Genetic improvement of crops for important traits requires reliable estimates of genetic variability. heritability and genetic advance of intending parent materials to identify traits useful in planning an efficient breeding program through selection. Hence, the effectiveness of genetic improvement of a crop depends on the variability in the morpho-agronomic traits of individual genotypes. Understanding the variation that exists will allow the breeder to determine strategies to be adopted in his breeding program. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the magnitude of genetic variability and advance, heritability and inter-character relationships by simple correlations and path coefficient analysis in 40 local colocynth genotypes from Southeastern Benin. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in three locations for three years. 34 morpho-agronomic traits were observed in each genotype. Analysis of variance revealed that effects of genotype, genotype by year or location and genotype by year by location interactions were significant (p ≤ 0.01 or 0.05) for all the characters. Phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) values were relatively greater than genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) for all traits. High magnitude of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation as well as high heritability along with high genetic advance were recorded particularly for qualitative traits. All yield components, except time to emergence, time to tailspins, leaf limb width, fruit number per plant, fruit width, seed length, seed tegument percentage and stem pubescence texture, had significant and positive correlations with yield attributes represented by thousand-seed weight (TSW) and seed number per plant (SNP). Path coefficient analysis indicated that all the characters (except leaf pubescence texture, stem pubescence texture, fruit design produced by secondary skin color and male flower size) had positive direct effects on TSW and partly SNP. Results suggested that most of the 34 quantitative and qualitative traits studied could be effectively used as selection criteria in the breeding program of Citrullus colocynthis varieties with high yield.