Number Of First-order Branches Research Articles

Influence of Mineral Fertiliser and Foliar Dressing Rates on Buckwheat Yield

A significant problem in the cultivation of buckwheat is its low yield, therefore, it is relevant to improve the elements of the technology for growing this crop. The purpose of the study was to establish optimal norms and terms for applying mineral fertilisers and foliar dressing with chelated microfertilisers in the forest-steppe conditions of Western Ukraine, in a zone of sufficient moisture to obtain stable and high yields of buckwheat grain. For this purpose, a two-factor experiment was conducted on the experimental fields of the Lviv National Agrarian University on dark grey podzolized light loamy soil, which included fertiliser rates: N20P20K20, P20K20+N20 (foliar dressing), N40P40K40, P40K40+N40 (foliar dressing), N60P60K60, P60K60+N60 (foliar dressing) and foliar dressing: control (without foliar dressing), Vuksal Boron 2.0 l/ha, Intermag Legumes 2.0 l/ha. Research methods: field studies – to determine the interaction of the object of research with weather factors and elements of the fertiliser system; calculation and weight – setting parameters of crop structure indicators and determining buckwheat yield; methods of mathematical statistics – dispersion, correlation, regressive and graphical display of findings. An increase in fertiliser rates from N20P20K20 to N60P60K60 provided an increase in all indicators of the buckwheat crop structure. Without foliar dressing, they reached the following values: the number of first-order branches – 1.56 pcs./plant, the number of inflorescences and flowers – 10.68 and 1,011 pcs, respectively, the number of full-size and undeveloped grains (pcs./plant) – 41.23 and 11.37, the weight of full-size grains – 1.15 g and the weight of 1,000 grains – 28.00 g. The introduction of nitrogen fertilisers in foliar dressing (at the beginning of flowering) has significant advantages over the introduction of nitrogen for pre-sowing cultivation. One of the proofs of this assumption is the increase in the number of grains, their weight, and the weight of 1,000 grains, respectively, from 35.43 pcs., 0.97 g, and 27.37 g (variant with N40P40K40) up to 37.27 pcs., 1.03 g, 27.80 g (variant with P40K40+N40). This trend is typical for all experiment designs. A positive effect of foliar dressing with microfertilisers on the elements of the crop structure was observed. The use of Vuksal Boron 2 l/ha was more effective. The maximum weight of full-size grains was in the variant P60K60+N60 (foliar dressing) + Vuksal Boron 2 l/ha – 1.21 g, while the use of Intermag Legumes 2 l/ha on a similar background of mineral fertilisers provided this indicator at the level of 1.17 g. Studies have established the positive effect of nitrogen application by foliar dressing during the beginning of flowering on the yield level, and buckwheat yield also increased with an increase in the rate of mineral fertiliser application from N20P20K20 to N60P60K60 and under the influence of foliar dressing with microfertilisers. The maximum yield indicator on average for three years of research is obtained in variant P60K60+N60 (foliar dressing) + Vuksal Boron 2.0 l/ha – 2.64 t/ha

Analysis of growth of recruits of natural regeneration of Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz - a rare European forest tree species

Abstract: We compared growth and survival of wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis [L.] Crantz) recruits of different origin (generative: seedlings; vegetative: root suckers) established in a fenced plot at the Forest District of Krzyz (north-western Poland). Total height, annual growth of the dominant shoot, stem diameter at root collar, number of first-order branches, and mortality were measured every year over the period 2011-2015 (5 years). In 2011, a total of 382 multi-age recruits originated both from seeds (212) and root suckers (170) were recorded. Five-year mortality was higher in the generative progeny (12.3% - only youngest seedlings) as compared with vegetative recruits (2.9%). The growth rate of individuals markedly increased with height as absolute values, but slightly decreased in terms of relative growth. Statistical analysis revealed that the effect of the recruit origin on growth was noticeably weaker than that of age, defined in terms of development (height) classes. The origin of recruits had a major effect on the annual growth of the dominant shoots and a minor (though significant) effect on stem diameter and the number of first-order branches. Overall, the analysis of growth rate showed that generative recruits grow faster than the vegetative ones. Our results highlight the importance of stimulating the generative regeneration and protecting seedlings as a conservation strategy for Sorbus torminalis.

Taxonomic revision of Sphaerotrichia divaricata (Ectocarpales, Phaeophyceae), with a reappraisal of S. firma from the north-west Pacific

Specimens of Sphaerotrichia in Japan can be classified into two morphotypes, based on their mode of branching and anatomy: (1) specimens that have an obvious (traceable) main axis associated with a relatively high number of first-order branches, and a relatively constant distance between branches; and (2) specimens that branch more or less divaricately, with shorter distances between branches in the distal portion. Molecular analyses of Sphaerotrichia from the North Atlantic and North Pacific using ribosomal RNA (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 and intragenic spacer regions between 26S and 5S rDNA) and Rubisco (almost complete rbcL gene and the spacer between rbcL and rbcS) gene sequences revealed two major genetic groups, Group-1 and Group-2. The sequence length variation in ITS1 suggested subdivisions of Group-2 into two subgroups: Group-2Atlantic and Group-2Pacific. Specimens belonging to Group-1 were generally epilithic, and morphologically corresponded to S. firma. Specimens belonging to Group-2 were epiphytic or epilithic and morphologically corresponded to S. divaricata.

Clonal variation in morphology, growth, physiology, anatomy and ultrastructure of container-grown white spruce somatic plants

We assessed clonal variation in morphological variables, mineral nutrition, root growth capacity, net photosynthesis, tannin distribution, and cuticle and epicuticular wax features within four families of white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss). Seeds were collected from four families obtained through controlled crosses among selected genotypes. For each family, plants were produced either from seeds (zygotic) or by somatic embryogenesis (clones). Each family was therefore represented by its zygotic seedlings and three clones. Within a family and under similar growth conditions, several clones differed significantly from the zygotic seedlings in height, root-collar diameter, needle dry mass, branch density, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and length of needles. Branch density (number of first-order branches per cm height) of zygotic seedlings and clones varied from 0.8 to 1.4 branches cm(-1) and from 0.6 to 1.3 branches cm(-1), respectively. Mean needle length of zygotic seedlings and clones ranged from 11 to 14 mm and from 11 to 17 mm, respectively. For many variables (height, dry mass of new roots, needle dry mass and branch density), differences among clones were significantly greater than differences among zygotic seedlings within a family. Tannins were more abundant in needles of clones than in needles of zygotic seedlings. In some clones, tannins occurred as a ribbon along the central vacuole, whereas in others they appeared as aggregates dispersed in the vacuole. Within a family, N, P and K showed considerable variations in their use efficiency. Interclonal variations were observed in root growth potential and net photosynthesis. Variations in growth and physiology reflect genetically determined differences among clones within a family.

Effects of genotype and environment on architecture and flowering time of indeterminate Andean lupins (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet)

Plant structure was shown to limit the seed yield of Lupinus mutabilis through low dry matter production. The genetic and environmental variations of architectural and phenological traits of indeterminate Andean lupin were evaluated. Twelve genotypes were sown at 6–8 dates at 5 locations in Europe in 1994 and 1995. Wide variation was observed for phenological and architectural characters. The variation in the number of mainstem leaves was partly explained by the temperature. The mainstem height and flowering date were related to the number of mainstem leaves but flowering time was also affected independently by the enviromental conditions. The mainstem structure determined the potential number of first-order branches through the number of axillary buds. The actual number of branches was also determined by the prevailing environmental conditions during branch growth. The number of leaves on the second first-order branch was less susceptible to the environmental conditions than the number of leaves on the mainstem. Heritabilities were high for all characters except for the number of leaves on the second first-order branch, and the interactions between genotype and environmental condition were low. Breeding for architecture modification would thus be possible in L. mutabilis.

The effect of influenza C virus on the Purkinje cells of chick embryo cerebellum

Intra-amniotic inoculation of influenza C virus resulted in observable and quantitatively measurable changes in the Purkinje cells of chick embryo cerebellum. Purkinje cells were visualized by the Golgi-Cox procedure and prepared for statistical and computer evaluation from camera lucida drawings. Four computer-generated measurements (the area of the dendritic arbor, the perimeter of the dendritic tree, and the height and width of the cell's arborization) and two manually counted measurements (total number of branches and the number of first order branches) were made. Analysis of Purkinje cells from influenza C virus-infected embryos showed disturbances in dendritic arborization patterns and misalignment in the arrangement of the cells in the Purkinje cell layer compared to control cells. Statistical evaluation of Purkinje cell arborization showed significant decreases in all measured parameters for the influenza C virus-infected members when compared with the members of the uninfected control group.

Étude de la plasticité phénotypique chez le Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. II Démographie des parties

The technique of demography of parts was used to study the phenotypic plasticity of Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (ox-eye daisy). Plants were cloned and submitted to two separate experiments: three treatments of light intensity and three treatments of nutrient levels. Plant parts (leaves, branches, capitula, stems) were marked at regular intervals during the growing season. Leaves present at the time of transplant generally died earlier when light and nutrient treatments were reduced. However, the number and survivorship of the main stem leaves did not show any significant difference among treatments. In general the number of first-order branches, stems, capitula, and rosette leaves decreased with low light intensity and low nutrient levels. Demography of parts is a dynamic approach, allowing the study of cumulative production of leaves, branches, and capitula. Other techniques, such as traditional growth analysis and study of resource allocation, are more static and descriptive.

Polycyclic growth and branching in the upper crown in provenances of lodgepole pine

The percentage of shoots that originated from polycyclic growth in first-order branches and branch numbers in upper annual segments of leader growth were determined from trees of seven provenances of Pinuscontorta Dougl. ssp. latifolia Engelm. from British Columbia and the Yukon, growing in a provenance trial at Prince George, B.C. The number of first-order branches varied among provenances and year of growth and was related to the frequency of extra cycles. The percentage of polycyclic shoots was greatest in the 2nd to 4th years of branch growth, although this varied with year and provenance. Total branch numbers were influenced mostly by variation in first- and second-order branch numbers. Second-order branch numbers were greatest in the second and third segments of leader growth (from the top down), but this was influenced by year of growth and provenance. The high levels of second-order branching corresponded to the greater frequency of polycyclic branches in these positions. The fast-growing southern provenance had the most branches, while the slow-growing Yukon source had the least. The slower-growing provenances had the most first-order branches per unit height.