Number Of Stalks Research Articles

Effects of a Gibberellin Inhibitor on Flowering, Vegetative Propagation, and Production of Rapid Generation Cycling Gladiolus for Potted Plant Production

Gladiolus (Gladiolus ×hybridus) is an asexually propagated, herbaceous perennial and an economically important cut flower crop. In commercial production, gladioli have tall flower stalks, which limit their use to cut flowers and annual garden plants. The gladiolus breeding program at the University of Minnesota has bred and selected rapid generation cycling (RGC) cycle 1 gladiolus, which can flower in <1 year from seed instead of the norm of 3 to 5 years (which are vegetatively propagated as corms). Gibberellin inhibitors, such as ancymidol, are used as plant growth retardants to control height in potted plants. Higher concentrations can inhibit flowering along with other negative side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth, flowering, and corm/cormel production response of cycle 1 gladiolus to the gibberellin inhibitor, ancymidol (0, 100, and 400 mg·L−1 soak) in comparison with noncycle 1 genotypes and commercial cultivars for potted gladiolus production. Cycle 1 genotypes flowered with all ancymidol concentrations while noncycle 1 genotypes had significantly fewer flowers or were completely nonflowering under higher concentrations. All tested genotypes had increased leaf width as ancymidol concentration increased. Conversely, flower stalk heights were shorter as the ancymidol concentration increased while the number of stalks was nonsignificant. Corms, cormel number, and fresh weights decreased in all genotypes except for one cycle 1 genotype, which had an increase in both corm number and fresh weight when treated with 100 mg·L−1 ancymidol. Cycle 1 gladiolus are more resilient to this gibberellin inhibitor even at high concentrations and can potentially be used for gladiolus potted plant production.

Sampling pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) pressure in oilseed rape: which method is best?

BACKGROUNDThe pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) is the most abundant pest of oilseed rape in spring and is potentially one of the most damaging. Adults feed on the pollen within closed flower buds and the damage leads to bud abscission, resulting in podless stalks and yield reduction. Several methods are currently used to monitor the pressure of this insect, such as counting the numbers of adults on the plants, quantifying the number of buds damaged by the insect before flowering or counting the number of podless stalks before harvest. We conducted experiments to evaluate the robustness of these sampling methods and compared their results. We also describe how pollen beetles damage the plants to understand the limitations of methods based on damage estimation.RESULTSMethods based on adult abundance lack robustness. We observed that most of the damage to buds is caused by pollen beetles feeding on small buds (< 3 mm), and that this damage can be quantified later in the season, indicating that methods based on the count of podless stalks are robust. Different methods gave consistent results and quantification of the pressure on the primary raceme can be a good proxy for pressure on the whole plant.CONCLUSIONSStandardised methods for assessment of pollen beetle pressure will enable comparison of pest management strategies between different studies and facilitate the development of alternative control strategies for this pest.© 2021 Rothamsted Research. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Respon Pertumbuhan Indigofera (Indigofera zollingeriana) yang Diberikan Pupuk Kotoran Kelinci dan Biochar

Application of organic manures for improvement soil fertility is expected to increase productivity of Indigofera zollingeriana in marginal land agro-ecosystems.The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth response of Indigofera zollingeriana on application of rabbit and biochar fertilizers. This study used a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 10 replications. The treatments consisted of T0 (chicken manure biofertilizer as control), T1 (biochar), and T2 (biochar + rabbit manure biofertilizer). The variables observed were stem height (cm), number of stalks, and number of leaves. Application of rabbit manure biofertilizer and biochar (T2) gave the highest plant height, number of stalks and leaves Indigofera of 45.68±4.18 cm, 35.80±1.03 stalk, and 128.5±11.65 leaves, respectively. Also, application T2 enhanced growth vegetative Indigofera started at 7 weeks of age (35th days after planting). It could be concluded that the combination of biochar and rabbit manure biofertilizer gives the optimal result in the growth of Indigofera.

THE EFFECT OF FOLIAR NUTRITION WITH PROSOL AND GROUND ADDITION WITH HUMIC ACID ON THE GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM PLANT (CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L.)

The experiment was conducted in the lath house for the college of Agriculture, the University of Sumer for the autumn season of 2019-2018, to study the effect of adding humic acid at a concentration of (0,3,6) ml / liter and spraying with PROSOL at concentrations (0, 2.5 and 5) g / liter on plant growth and flowering traits. As chrysanthemum seedlings were brought from the nurseries in Al-Rifai district at the age of about a month of uniform height and transferred to 7 kg pots filled with agricultural soil free of salt, A factorial experiment was conducted according to Randomized complete block designs R.C.B.D and with three replications, the results showed that the concentration 6 ml / liter was significantly excelled and gave the highest average in the traits (plant height, leaf area, number of flowers, flower diameter, flower stalk and number of leaves) reached (15.41 cm, 4.72 cm2, 4.88 cm,7.32 flower.plant-1, 11.45 cm, 61.33 leaf.plant-1) respectively, compared with the control treatment (distilled water). As for PROSOL acid concentrations, it gave a significant increase for all the studied traits at a concentration of 5 g / L Where it reached (plant height, leaf area, number of flowers, flower diameter, flower stalk and number of leaves) (16.62 cm, 5.37 cm2, 5.67 flowers. plant-1, 7.55 cm, 12.55 cm, 71.59 leaves. plant-1), respectively, compared with the control treatments (distilled water). Whereas, the bi-interaction treatment (addition of humic acid at a concentration of 6 ml /L+ spraying of PROSOL at a concentration of 5 g/L significantly excelled and gave the highest values for most of the studied traits.

Feasibility of biogas as a green energy source in the central part of South Sulawesi

The goal of this work is the feasibility of biogas as a green energy source produced from organic matter from ruminants, equine and farming activities in the central part of South Sulawesi. The study was conducted with survey and laboratory analysis to calculate the number of ruminants, corn, and rice stalk using supporting data from the South Sulawesi Statistics office. Amounts of 84,567, 112,915, and 3,579 ruminants have been raised in Maros, Gowa, and Makassar, respectively. While 6,757, 9,529, and 50 monogastric are raised in Maros, Gowa, and Makassar. Corn and rice stalks were produced 465,878.06 tons year-1 in Gowa and Maros. Every cattle and equine can produce feces up to 25 kg day-1 and 30 kg day-1, daily feces production equals 2,316,885; 3,108,745; and 90,975 kg day-1 in Maros, Gowa, and Makassar, respectively. These waste products can be converted to biogas as source of green energy with a total yield of 667,752,675,489.20 x 103 cc. Its production ratio is 1 kg dry matter: 1,051.3-liter biogas for beef feces and 1 kg dry matter: 3,980-liter biogas for equine feces and corn and rice stalks can be applied as organic fertilizer as a significant factor in anaerobic fermentation of biogas production.

Number of seedlings and ore for the formation of wheat stalks effect of fertilizers

This article describes the conditions under which the biological properties of winter wheat grow and develop. According to the amount of fertilizer, in addition to the amount of fertilizer, the thickness of the seedlings also affects the growth and development of irrigated wheat, depending on the type of fertilizing, threshing, flowering and ripening. Data are given. In our experiment, the results of measurements of the number of wheat stalks in a bush showed that the average height of both main and side stalks grew more slowly than thick seedlings in sparsely grown variants at different phases of the growing season.

Investigation effect of installation depths and dripper spacing on water productivity and sugarcane yield in subsurface drip irrigation

According to recent droughts and severe water, use of subsurface drip irrigation for sugarcane production was very important approach in Iran. The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design, a basic design of complete random block with two factors and three replications. The first factor composed of 50 and 60 cm space in the main plots. The second factor includes different depths of water pipe installation (15, 20 and 30-cm) along with the conventional irrigation method (furrow irrigation). The results of analysis of variance of the effect of different treatments on qualitative traits showed that in both experiment periods, simple and interaction, effects of these treatments on all quality at traits (Pol%, Brix%, Purity% and R. S%) were non-significant at the p&lt;0.01. The highest sugarcane and sugar yield and highest number of stalks obtained in 50-cm space of the drippers and 20-cm depth of drippers. On average, in two years of experiment, in 50-cm space of the drippers and 20-cm depth of the drippers higher WP of produced sugarcane and sugar was 6.6 and 0.73 kg.m-3, respectively. It was about 47 and 43 percent higher than the average of WP per sugarcane and sugar of the control treatment, respectively. Comparing results of qualitative and quantitative yields of subsurface drip irrigation and conventional irrigation showed that most quantitative and qualitative traits of subsurface drip irrigation were higher than the furrow irrigation. Also, the results showed that moisture distribution is similar in both growth stages of sugarcane (Plant and Ratoon1), so that the moisture around the drippers and width of ridge to a depth of 80-cm (the depth of activity of sugarcane root) was appropriate and shape of moisture bulb is oval under the drippers. According to the results of two years and considering other experiment conditions, for regions with similar characteristics to this experiment, 20-cm depth for discharge pipe and 50-cm space of emitters on the lateral pipe are suggested.

Spectrum of gastrointestinal polyps: A tertiary care hospital experience of five years

Introduction: Polyps of gastrointestinal tract are not uncommon specimens received in surgical pathology laboratory. With advent of advanced endoscopy it is now possible to precisely sample polyps and determine its nature; weather benign, malignant or with malignant potential. Present study was performed with aim to study incidences of various histological types of polyps of gastrointestinal tract, to study its clinical presentation and to study polyps in relation to their size and site, in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective and prospective analysis of 189 cases of gastrointestinal polyps was carried out over a period of eight and half years. Relevant clinical details of patient, size, number, size and presence of stalk etc. were noted. Specimens were studied for gross and microscopic examination after fixation of specimen with 10% formalin and microscopically examining H & E slides. They were classified according to site and various histological types. Results: Overall, we analysed 189 cases of gastrointestinal polyps. Commonest site was large intestine and commonest type was Juvenile polys, followed by neoplastic polyps, hyperplastic polyps, inflammatory pseudo polyps, hamartomatous polyps, inflammatory fibroid polyps and 2 cases of Familial polyposis coli were note. Conclusion: Present study reveals that gastrointestinal tract had wide spectrum of non-neoplastic as well as neoplastic polyps. They have different clinical significances and therapeutic implications. Histopathology play pivotal role in arriving at final diagnosis which enables to study detail incidences and helps to differentiate non-neoplastic diseases with clinical presentation of malignancy. Incidence of various polyps in based on institutional data and may not reflect incidence of state or nation. Keywords: Gastrointestinal polyps, Adenomatous polyps, Juvenile polyps, Neoplastic polyps.

Can statistical learning models make early selection among sugarcane families easier and still efficient?

AbstractThe selection of genotypes at the early stages is one of the main challenges facing sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) breeding programs. The present work aimed to compare classification techniques, namely, logistic regression (LR), k‐nearest neighbor (KNN), random forests (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) against the selection among families of sugarcane via artificial neural networks (ANN) and via a procrefers to the families incorrectly selected byedure based on the weighing of the plots. The data used in this work were obtained from 110 families. In the families, the number of stalks (NS), stalk diameter (SD), and stalk height (SH) were collected, in addition to the actual yield, expressed in tons of cane per hectare (TCH). We considered the NS, SD, and SH as explanatory variables for the training of the classifiers. The response used was the indicator Y = 0 if the family is not selected via TCH or Y = 1 otherwise. To increase the efficiency in training, we produced synthetic data based on the simulation of NS, SD, SH, and TCH values. Two models were also considered: a full model with all the predictors and a reduced model without the SH. We used the apparent error rate (AER) and the true positive rate (TPR) for the evaluation of the classifiers. All classifiers present low values for the AER and high values for the TPR in both models. The best performance was observed in the SVM. The reduced model should be preferred, since its performance is very close to that of the full model and its operation is more straightforward.

General and specific combining ability for cane yield and implications for sugarcane breeding

AbstractGeneral combining ability (GCA) referencing additive genetic effects and specific combining ability (SCA) referencing nonadditive effects have been applied for decades in maize (Zea mays L.) breeding and other crops to produce greater genetic gains in crop breeding. This study examined the magnitude of GCA and SCA for cane yield and evaluated potential for application in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) breeding. Data were collected from unselected first‐stage breeding populations sourced from the irrigated, midlands (high‐altitude), and coastal breeding programs of the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Cane yield data calculated from number of stalks, stalk height, and stalk diameter was analyzed using best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) analysis where female and male effects (GCA) and female × male interaction effects (SCA) were defined as random effects. There were significant (P &lt; .05) female but nonsignificant male effects. Female × male interaction was highly significant (P &lt; .001) and larger than both female and male effects, indicating higher SCA than GCA. Specific combining ability variance was 24% (midlands), 31% (coastal), and 57% (irrigated) higher than GCA. Genotypes with low GCA produced higher SCA. Crosses from parents originating from different breeding backgrounds produced higher SCA than those from the same backgrounds. Crosses with significant SCA produced 24–42% greater cane yield than those with nonsignificant SCA. Using GCA to develop parents with high breeding values and SCA to evaluate parent cross combinations will maximize exploitation of heterosis in sugarcane breeding. The results suggest the possibility to develop heterotic groups that are diverse and complementary as a strategy to optimize utilization of SCA.

Biomass potential of novel interspecific and intergeneric hybrids of Saccharum grown in sub-tropical climates

Sugarcane-derived biomass is a promising source of renewable energy to meet the growing demands for biofuel. Currently, modern sugarcane cultivars are unable to provide enough biomass due to their narrow genetic base and susceptibility to abiotic and biotic stresses. We have evaluated total of 23 hybrids derived from diverse genetic backgrounds of different Saccharum spp. and allied genera, one inbred and compared with commercial checks. Intergeneric hybrids (IGHs) KGS 99-100 and GU 04-432, produced significantly higher biomass (43.37 t ha−1 and 35.24 t ha−1, respectively) than commercial sugarcane have genes derived from Erianthus arundinaceus. Interspecific hybrids (ISHs) GU 07-3704 and 99-489, also produced significantly higher amounts of biomass (37.24 t ha−1 and 33.25 t ha−1, respectively) than commercial checks have genes from S. officinarum and S. spontaneum backgrounds. ISHs recorded significantly higher biomass yield, number of stalks and total dry matter percentage whereas, IGH group recorded significantly higher fibre percent. Furthermore, the clones resistant to red rot and sugarcane borers were identified. The estimated energy value for seven hybrid clones was found to be very high. Cluster analysis of genetic traits revealed two major clusters in traits improving biomass. Our study has revealed that the genetic diversity present in these hybrids could be used for improving biomass production and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses in cultivated sugarcanes.

Spear leaf in determining the harvest timing of peach palm heart

ABSTRACT The harvest timing of peach palm stems for heart-of-palm production is mainly defined by the height and diameter of the stem. Spear leaf parameters could be used in the field to obtain a higher heart-of-palm yield. The aim of this study is to verify if the length and opening of the spear leaf are related to the peach palm heart production. Three harvests were carried out in Campinas (SP), over a period of one year. Before harvest the plants were measured: main stem circumference, height, number of tillers and leaves, length and degree of spear leaf opening. After stem harvest, heart-of-palm production was evaluated. Regardless of the harvest date, the length of the first-rate heart-of-palm was longer when the spear leaf was open. Total mass production of heart-of-palm as a function of spear leaf opening is variable and dependent on weather conditions. When there was a difference in total mass production, this was higher when spear leaf was open. There was no correlation between spear leaf length and total heart-of-palm production. Although there may be an increase in the number of stalks, this had not resulted in a significant effect in terms of mass. The insertion of the spear leaf openness criterion in the determination of the harvest timing may not be worthwhile, since the payment to the producer occurs on the total mass of first-rate heart-of-palm, which may not be higher due to the degree of spear leaf opening.

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Performances as Subjected to Different Sources of Protein Hydrolysates.

The vegetable production sector is currently fronting several issues mainly connected to the increasing demand of high quality food produced in accordance with sustainable horticultural technologies. The application of biostimulants, particularly protein hydrolysates (PHs), might be favorable to optimize water and mineral uptake and plant utilization and to increase both production performance and quality feature of vegetable crops. The present study was carried out on celery plants grown in a tunnel to appraise the influence of two PHs, a plant-derived PH (P-PH), obtained from soy extract and an animal PH (A-PH), derived from hydrolyzed animal epithelium (waste from bovine tanneries) on yield, yield components (head height, root collar diameter, and number of stalks), mineral composition, nutritional and functional features, as well as the economic profitability of PHs applications. Fresh weight in A-PH and P-PH treated plants was 8.3% and 38.2% higher, respectively than in untreated control plants. However, no significant difference was found between A-PH treated plants and control plants in terms of fresh weight. Head height significantly increased by 5.5% and 16.3% in A-PH and P-PH treated plants, respectively compared with untreated control (p ≤ 0.05). N content was inferior in PHs treated plants than in untreated control. Conversely, K and Mg content was higher in A-PH and P-PH treated plants as compared to the untreated ones. Furthermore, A-PH and P-PH improved ascorbic acid content by 8.2% and 8.7%, respectively compared with the non-treated control (p ≤ 0.001). Our results confirmed, also, that PHs application is an eco-friendly technique to improve total phenolic content in celery plants. In support of this, our findings revealed that animal or plants PH applications increased total phenolics by 36.9% and 20.8%, respectively compared with untreated plants (p ≤ 0.001).

Trends in family and individual genotype variance components and broad-sense heritability among unselected South African sugarcane breeding populations

Family evaluation has been adopted to improve selection in the early stages of sugarcane breeding. However, little knowledge is available for comparing families to genotypes among diverse sugarcane populations. The objectives were to determine and compare trends between family and individual genotype (genotype) variance components and broad-sense heritability (H) among unselected sugarcane progeny populations and evaluate the implications for sugarcane breeding. Data for stalk numbers, stalk height and stalk diameter used to calculate cane yield were measured from trials established in the Midlands, coastal and irrigated sites between 2010 and 2015. Family and individual genotype variance were significant (p < 0.001) for assessed traits indicating high family and genotype variability. Family variance was higher than genotype variance suggesting that family evaluation provided more insight into population genetic variability. Families had higher H estimates (21 to 96%) than genotypes (0 to 31%), indicating that selecting superior families would be more efficient than selecting genotypes. Family evaluation followed by efficient genotype selection within superior families is expected to increase genetic gains for cane yield. Populations with high family variance and H showed higher genetic variability and discriminating ability for cane yield among families.

PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL SELADA PADA BERBAGAI KERAPATAN JAGUNG DALAM POLA TUMPANG SARI

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of various maize density on the growth and yield of lettuce in a multiple cropping system. The study was carried out on February through to April 2004 at the Experimental Farm, Agricultural Faculty (University of Jambi, Mendalo Darat Campus, located at approximately 35 m above sea level and Ultisol soil group. The culture technique followed the routine organic farming system with no use of inorganic fertilizers nor pesticides. Manure of chicken waste was used as a base fertilizer at the rate of 20 ton ha''. Lettuce cv. Grand Rapid were planted at 70 x 25 density in the between of the rows of maize cv. Arjuna that were planted at 70 x 80 cm, 70 x 60 cm, 70 x 40 cm and 70 x 20 cm density. One treatment with no maize was used ss the control. The results indicated that maize planting at density of 70 x 60 cm produce the best growth and yield performance on lettuce as well as maize itself, Though the monoculture system (with no maize) or multiple cropping at 70 x 80 cm density produced higher lettuce fresh weight than those planted at 70 x 60 density, the difference was not significant. Maize density of wider or narrower than 70 x 60 cm were liable to produce lower yield, in the form of stalk number. Keywords : lettuce, Lactuca sativa, maize, Zea mays, multiple cropping.

The Effect of Giving Bio Fertilizer and Foliar Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Celery (Apium graviolens)

This study aims to determine the effect of bio fertilizers and foliar fertilizers on growth and yield of celery (Apium graviolens). This research was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Amir Hamzah University, Medan, Medan Estate Village, Percut Sei Tuan District with a height of ± 25 meters above sea level, which was conducted from May to July 2020. This study used a factorial Randomized Block Design with two factors studied, namely the first factor was the concentration of bio fertilizer Impro Tanotec (H), which consisted of 4 levels, namely H0 (0 ml/l water), H1 (1,5 ml/l water), H2 (2,5 ml/l water), H3 (3,5 ml/l water), and the second factor is the concentration of foliar fertilizer Growmore (D) which consists of 4 levels, namely D0 (0 gr/lwater), D1 (1 gr/l water), D2 (2 gr/l water), and D3 (3 gr/l water). Parameters observed included plant height (cm), number of leaves, number of stalks, root length (cm), and fresh weight per plant. (gr). The results showed that the concentration of bio fertilizer had a very significant effect on plant height at the age of 20, 40, and 60 days after planting, the number of leaves at the age of 20, 40, and 60 days after planting, the number of stalks at the age of 40 and 60 days after planting, root length, and fresh weight per plant, but did not significantly affect the number of stalks at the age of 20 days after planting. The best bio-fertilizer concentration was obtained in the H3 treatment (3.5 ml/l water). The concentration of foliar fertilizer had a very significant effect on plant height at the age of 20, 40, and 60 days after planting, the number of leaves at the age of 20, 40, and 60 days after planting, the number of stalks at the age of 40 and 60 days after planting, and the fresh weight per plant, had a significant effect on root length, and had no significant effect on the number of stalks at the age of 20 days after planting. The best foliar fertilizer concentration was obtained in D3 treatment (3 gr/l water). The interaction between the concentration of bio fertilizer and foliar fertilizers had a significant effect on the number of leaves at the age of 40 and 60 days after planting, where the best treatment combination was obtained in the H3D3 treatment (bio fertilizer concentration 3.5 ml/l water and foliar fertilizer concentration 3 gr/l water).

PURPLE BLOTCH AS SEEDBORNE DISEASE OF ONION AND ITS CONTROL*

Alternaria porri (Ellis). Ciffen causes serious problems in onion plants. It is transmitted with naturally infected seeds and bulbs from the previous crop to infect the new flower stalk of the next crop. Also, onion bulb infection decreases seed vitality. Infected sample were collected from four locations; Giza, Sharkia, Kalubia and Menofia governorates to measure disease severity. Experiments have been done on naturally infected seeds and bulbs from the previous year by cultivating infected bulbs. Infection was classified into five categories based on the percentage of disease severity. Pathogen transmission by the onion seed was investigated, either as internal or external infection type, Five different ratios of blub infection was determined as; 14.2%, 25.2%, 41.5%, 61.1%, 87.5%. Also, trials were carried out in the current study to evaluate the efficiency of some botanical, biological and chemical as seed dressing treatments for infected seeds before sowing it, i.e. (Achook, Bougainvillea sp., Bacillus sp., Trichoderma sp. and Score). Results showed that disease severity was increased in the blub produced from previous crop, the number of flower stalk was reduced, and its disease severity was increased. Seeds produced from infected blub showed reduction in germination percentage. The most effective seed dressing treatment on seed germination were obtained by using score & Achook treatment compared with other seed dressing treatments. All treatments including Score, Achook, Bacillus sp., Bougainvillea sp., and Trichoderma sp.; respectively showed variable seed stimulation of germination compared with plants in the control treatment.

Differential expression in leaves of Saccharum genotypes contrasting in biomass production provides evidence of genes involved in carbon partitioning

BackgroundThe development of biomass crops aims to meet industrial yield demands, in order to optimize profitability and sustainability. Achieving these goals in an energy crop like sugarcane relies on breeding for sucrose accumulation, fiber content and stalk number. To expand the understanding of the biological pathways related to these traits, we evaluated gene expression of two groups of genotypes contrasting in biomass composition.ResultsFirst visible dewlap leaves were collected from 12 genotypes, six per group, to perform RNA-Seq. We found a high number of differentially expressed genes, showing how hybridization in a complex polyploid system caused extensive modifications in genome functioning. We found evidence that differences in transposition and defense related genes may arise due to the complex nature of the polyploid Saccharum genomes. Genotypes within both biomass groups showed substantial variability in genes involved in photosynthesis. However, most genes coding for photosystem components or those coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases (PEPCs) were upregulated in the high biomass group. Sucrose synthase (SuSy) coding genes were upregulated in the low biomass group, showing that this enzyme class can be involved with sucrose synthesis in leaves, similarly to sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose phosphate phosphatase (SPP). Genes in pathways related to biosynthesis of cell wall components and expansins coding genes showed low average expression levels and were mostly upregulated in the high biomass group.ConclusionsTogether, these results show differences in carbohydrate synthesis and carbon partitioning in the source tissue of distinct phenotypic groups. Our data from sugarcane leaves revealed how hybridization in a complex polyploid system resulted in noticeably different transcriptomic profiles between contrasting genotypes.

A model of a commercial strawberry variety for the conditions of central Russia

The article presents a model of a commercial variety of strawberry for the conditions of central Russia. This model covers 40 features and properties, which are combined into three groups: 1) plant resistance to a complex of adverse abiotic and biotic factors (adaptive potential); 2) productivity and quality of products; 3) manufacturability of the variety. In the middle zone of Russia, adapted strawberry varieties should develop normally and produce a high quality crop of 20-25 t/ha with the sum of temperature from 1800 to 2000 oC and the duration of the vegetative period from 130 to 180 days. They must withstand spring frosts, sharp and prolonged cooling during the vegetative period, more frequent droughts and high temperatures up to +36 oC, early-winter frosts up to -25 oC in the absence of snow, the frosts up to -36 oC in winter under snow cover, temperature drops from 0…+3 oC to -20 oC in December-March after thaws and have fi eld resistance to numerous diseases and pests. The parameters of high productivity of a biennial strawberry bush are: the number of fl ower stalks ≥10 pieces, the number of berries ≥50 and the average weight of fruits for all collections is more than 10.0 g. The ideal strawberry variety should contain &gt;12 % RSV, &gt;8 % sugars, &gt;80 mg% ascorbic acid, &gt;80 mg% anthocyans and no more than 1.5 % organic acids in berries. In addition to the high taste qualities and biochemical composition, strawberry berries should be attractive, one-dimensionally, have good transportability and keeping quality. According to the ideal variety model, the crushing force of strawberry berries, which determines their preservation during harvesting and long-term transportation, must be at least 10.0 N. The combination of the above-mentioned features and properties in one genotype is a task of the future, but systematic researches in this direction should be carried out constantly. The creation and gradually updating of sources and donors for each of breeding features on a genetically diverse basis will accelerate the implementation of this model into specifi c varieties.

Explosive Fibonacci-sequence growth into unusual sector-face morphology in poly(l-lactic acid) crystallized with polymeric diluents

Lamellar assembly in unusual sector-face PLLA spherulites from crystallization of poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) diluted with amorphous poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The growth and morphology of the crystalline structures is studied using polarized optical microscopy (POM), atomic-force and scanning electron microscopies (AFM, SEM). Crystals are also analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The two alternate sectored faces differ dramatically in their optical birefringence and top-surface and interior lamellar assembly. By originating from the nucleus center, an explosive fan-like sector of high-birefringence lamellae is packed by fractal growth from an initial single stalk into hundreds of branches upon reaching the periphery, with the number of stalks increasing roughly by the Fibonacci sequence along the radial distance. The exploded pattern resembles a cross-hatch grating structure, and displays a cauliflower-like fractal-branching of optical birefringence blue/orange stripes. This finding suggests that growth with periodic branching is one of the main mechanisms to fill the ever-expanding space in the spherulitic 3D aggregates.