Qualitative Morphological Descriptors Research Articles

Diversidade genética e fenotípica de uma população de plântulas de moringa a partir de descritores morfológicos

Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam. - Moringaceae) is a plant originating in India, which has been widely cultivated in different regions of the world, especially due to the nutritional properties of its leaves, which are of high economic, medicinal and industrial interest. However, there are no reports on the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of moringa seedlings cultivated in the Central-West region of Brazil. This study aimed to characterize a population of moringa seedlings using different qualitative morphological descriptors. A population consisting of 1,263 28-day-old moringa plants was initially classified and separated into four distinct phenotypic groups based on hypocotyl color [seedlings with hypocotyls colored green (100% green), ¾ green (75% green and 25% purple ), ¾ purple (25% green and 75% purple), and purple hypocotyl (100% purple)]. Initially, the seedling emergence rate and the frequency of occurrence of the different hypocotyl color classes in the total population were evaluated. Subsequently, 10 morphological descriptors were evaluated in each group of plants with different hypocotyl color. The plant emergence rate was 74%, indicating the adequate physiological quality of the seeds. The separation of the population into four phenotypic groups based on the color of the hypocotyl allowed us to separate 432 plants (34.2%) with a green hypocotyl, 480 plants (38.0%) with a ¾ green color, 336 plants (26.6% ) ¾ purple in color and 15 plants (1.2%) with purple hypocotyls. The results reported that of the ten morphological descriptors evaluated, only the type of insertion of the first pair of leaves (TI_1F) and the height of insertion of the first leaf (AI_1F) have significant differences (P < 0.05) between the different phenotypic groups of seedlings. moringa. Seedlings from the phenotypic group with purple or ¾ purple hypocotyls have the entire insertion of the first pair of daughters of the opposite type, while seedlings with green and ¾ green hypocotyls have, respectively, 25% and 42% of the plants with the insertion of the first pair of alternating leaves. Seedlings with purple hypocotyls have a higher insertion height of the first leaf (AI_1F) when compared to green and ¾ green seedlings. Highly significant and negative correlations were obtained between TI_1F and DC (–0.99, P < 0.05) and VR (–0.96; P < 0.05). Highly significant and positive correlations were obtained between AI_1F and DC (0.96; P < 0.05). It can be stated that there is genetic and phenotypic variability within a population of moringa seedlings, and the distinct phenotypic groups separated based on hypocotyl color have some characteristics or morphological descriptors typical of their group.

Morphological characterization of Moringa oleifera seeds from different crops of Mexico

Objective: to characterize the seeds of Moringa oleifera present in various crops in Mexico morphologically.
 Design / Methodology / Approach: An analysis of variance, principal components, and conglomerates of qualitative morphological descriptors (shape, color, presence of wings and wing color) and quantitative (length, width, and weight) were carried out.
 Results: Significant statistical differences (P˂0.05) were found in the seeds' length, width, weight, and almonds. The principal component analysis indicated that components 1 (70.58%) and 2 (25.59%) contributed 96.17% of the variation, and the cluster analysis identified four groups. The evaluated populations showed qualitative variation (shape, color, presence of wings, and color of wings) and quantitative (length, width, and weight).
 Study limitations/implications: the germination percentage could not be evaluated because no information was obtained on the age of the seed and the storage conditions. Result/Finding:Conclusion: This information enriches the knowledge of Moringa oleifera in Mexico and serves as a basis for selecting materials of most significant interest.

Pattern of variation and grouping of qualitative morphological characters of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.)

Morphological field evaluation to characterize the phenotypical features of 33 Bambara groundnut accessions was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm of Department of Crop Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State; Nigeria. Qualitative morphological descriptors showed a varying degree of variation across the Bambara groundnut collections evaluated. In relation to other descriptors, ground colour of eye displayed the highest range of variation, while eye pattern of the accessions recorded the least discriminating feature. The accessions were resolved into five groups based on similarities on morphological characters and not on geographical place of origin.

Clonal evaluation and recurrent flowering of ornamental pineapple hybrid for use as miniature potted plant

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cloning and recurrent flowering of the miniature pineapple hybrid ORN-MUT based on quantitative and qualitative morphological descriptors, for possible use as a potted plant. Besides its reduced size, the ORN-MUT hybrid is notable for its pink fruit, absence of thorns and recurrent flowering at the crown, formed after the plant’s complete cycle (562 days). The hybrid was assessed in the experimental field of the Embrapa Cassava and Fruits research unit in two flowering stages (first flowering and recurrent flowering) and was characterized by quantitative and qualitative morphological descriptors. A joint analysis of the data (multivariate analysis) was performed to verify the distinguishability and uniformity of the clones and parents. ORN-MUT presented uniformity in the first flowering, completing the phenological cycle at 75.70 ± 8.01 days (first repetition) and 72.35 ± 6.17 days (second repetition) after floral induction, respectively. The recurrent flowering occurred 170.60 ± 1.85 days after induction. The peduncle is straight, with average length of 19.30 ± 3.83 cm. The syncarp is small and pink, with conical-cylindrical shape. The crown has a moderately sharp tip with greenish central color and pink edges. In the recurrent flowering stage, the plants are smaller, with average size of 24.45 ± 2.52 cm. The syncarp is miniaturized, with average of 1.20 ± 1.15 layers of fruitlets and length of 1.61 ± 0.20 cm. The quantitative and qualitative morphological traits allow classifying the hybrid as a potential potted plant.

Contribution of ethnobotanical results in the process of domestication of an agroforestry plant with morphological variability (Adamawa, Cameroon)

Background : Knowing how, when and why to use local knowledge, the human being is at the center of ethnobotanical studies. For multiple uses (food, carbon sequestration, etc.), many plants living in nature (forest, savannah, etc.) without protection are selected by humans and introduced by appropriate techniques into systems (fields, etc.) controlled daily by him. This process is called domestication and this type of plant, agroforestry plant. The species Syzygium guineense var. macrocarpum encountered in the agro-ecological zone of the Guinean savannahs highlands (Adamawa, Cameroon), is an agroforestry plant whose ethnobotanical studies reveal the presence of four sub-varieties complicated by the morphological variability of the leaves and fruits which slow down its domestication. The determination of significant morphological descriptors of these leaves and fruits appears to be a prerequisite for the domestication of this plant. This study is moving in this direction. Methods : The method used in three different localities is a split plot. The repetitions involved three leaves and three fruits from each of the eleven trees retained per sub-variety, ie three hundred and ninety-six respective units. Results and Discussion : Ultimately, the qualitative morphological descriptors of the leaves (whole margin, acute apex, etc.) and fruits (sweet taste, ovoid shape, etc.) were significant. Quantitative descriptors of tree accessibility especially accessibility to tree brightness (HTE); Fruiting (SAF, LAF, FWE and RLFSF) and vegetative development (DPE, SWI, PLE, LSH, NLN, NRN, SNL and RNL) were more significant in the Tello area. Conclusions : Molecular studies (genomic DNAs) are recommended to elucidate the origin of the variability observed within this plant. Keywords : Loss of traditional knowledge, Impact of climate change, Morphological descriptors, Agroforestry plants, sub-variety, Conservation, Syzygium guineense var . macrocarpum , Cameroon

<b>Clonal evaluation of new ornamental pineapple hybrids to use as cut flowers

Embrapa Cassava and Fruits has developed ornamental pineapple hybrids for several categories of ornamental use including cut flowers, potted plants and landscaping. The objective of this study was to carry out a clonal evaluation of two ornamental hybrids using quantitative and qualitative morphological descriptors to recommend these hybrids as new ornamental pineapple cultivars. Twenty plants of each hybrid (PL01 and PL04) were evaluated regarding the response to floral induction as well as the stability and homogeneity of the clones in two production cycles. The descriptive statistics were calculated and analyzed to determine the genetic distance based on the Gower algorithm. Four groups were formed, two using parental data and the other two containing the different hybrids that were evaluated in the two growing cycles. In the floral evaluation, the time from field planting to harvest of the stem as a cut flower was determined to be as long as 17 months in the first cycle and 13.5 months in the second cycle for both hybrids. They were characterized as a novelty in the flower market; they showed genetic stability and homogeneity and can be recommended as new cultivars of ornamental pineapple because they exhibit satisfactory quality and meet the market requirements.

Morphological characterization of intra-and interspecific diversity in some Iranian wild Allium species

Alliums, a botanically diverse genus of the Alliaceae family, is an important horticulture crop with unknown potential for economically purposes such as spices, vegetables, medicinal or ornamental usage. This genus is morphologically very variable and therefore, there is controversy between species of the some subgenus and their sections. In order to represent the efficiency of morphological descriptors on intra-and interspecific diversity of Allium genus, 41 accessions of Allium from 13 species were evaluated with the use of 23 qualitative characteristics on inflorescence, scape and leaf; along with 6 quantitative morphological descriptors of seeds. Nineteen qualitative characteristics could clearly define taxonomic delimitation, even in sect. Acanthoprason, as one of the most confusing groups. Moreover, basal position of Allium species, subgenus, sections and species arrangement was confirmed by the constructed UPGMA dendrogram generated with these traits. These qualitative morphological descriptors can successfully applied for evaluating intraspecific morphodiversity that can be beneficial for horticultural usage such as ornamentals. However, six quantitative characteristics recorded on seeds could not discriminate the taxonomic arrangements. The results of this research might be important in gene bank management and agricultural and breeding programs to develop new Allium varieties in the future.

Genetic variation of Citrus and related genera with ornamental potential

The interest in Citrus and related genera as ornamental plants has increased in recent years, motivating studies aimed at identifying genotypes, varieties and hybrids suitable for this purpose. The Citrus Active Germplasm Bank of the Embrapa Cassava & Fruits, a research unit of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation—Embrapa, contains more than 750 accessions with wide genetic variability, and their utilization for ornamental purposes is the objective of this study. For this purpose, we characterized 37 accessions with ornamental potential, classified in four categories for use in floriculture: potted plants, minifruit, hedges and landscaping. Through the use of 39 quantitative and qualitative morphological descriptors, the following accessions stood out for use landscaping and as potted plants: ‘Variegated’ calamondin, ‘Nasnaran’ mandarin, ‘Chinotto’ orange, ‘Trifoliate limeberry’, ‘Papeda Kalpi’, ‘Talamisan’ orange, ‘Wart Java’ lime, and ‘Chinese box-orange’, besides accessions of the genera Fortunella, Poncirus and Microcitrus. Among the accessions identified as having potential for use as minifruit plants, the common ‘Sunki’ mandarin was the most suitable, and in the hedge category, ‘Chinese box-orange’ and ‘Trifoliate limeberry’ stood out. The results obtained provide information to support citrus breeding programs for ornamental purposes.

Morphological characterization and genetic diversity in Passiflora alata Curtis and P. cincinnata Mast. (Passifloraceae)

The genetic variability in accessions of Passiflora alata and P. cincinnata in a Brazilian germplasm collection was inferred using sixteen quantitative and eight qualitative morphological descriptors. The accessions were evaluated with randomized block design, with three repetitions. Among the morphological characteristics, the bract length, and plant height were the traits that presented most variation among the accessions of P. alata, whereas floral pedicel length and internode number presented the largest variation among the accessions of P. cincinnata. By means of multivariate analysis, applying Mahalanobis’s cluster technique by single linkage, Tocher optimization, and canonic variables, a cluster of the genotypes per species was noted, and within each species, there was consistency between the methods for the number of groups formed. The accessions of P. alata were divided in our subgroups and the ones of P. cincinnata in eight subgroups. From the qualitative data, the cluster analysis by means of the nearest neighbor method revealed the formation of nine groups, separating them by species, with cophenetic correlation coefficient of r cof = 86. The traits were not efficient to group the accessions, and the corona diameter was the character that contributed most for the explanation of the interspecific genetic divergence. Genetic variability was observed in and between species, with larger genetic divergence between accessions 363 and 332 of P. alata, and 245 and 211 of P. cincinnata.

Characterization of genetic variability among common bean genotypes by morphological descriptors

The purpose of this study was to characterize the genetic variability in 100 genotypes of the Active Germplasm Bank of common bean of the Federal University of Viçosa, by morphological descriptors, classify them in groups of genetic similarity and to identify the degree of relevance of descriptors of genetic divergence. The genotypes were evaluated based on 22 quantitative and qualitative morphological descriptors. The high-yielding genotypes V 7936, Gold Gate, LM 95103904, 1829 S 349 Venezuela, and PF 9029975, CNFC 9454 and Fe 732015, with upright growth, have potential for use as parents in common bean breeding programs. By genetic divergence analysis, the genotypes were clustered in eight groups of genetic dissimilarity. By methods of principal components, 9 of the 22 descriptors were eliminated, for being redundant or little variable, suggesting that 10-20 morphological descriptors can be used in studies of characterization of genetic variation.

Genetic diversity and distinctiveness in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) landraces: The Italian case study of ‘A pera Abruzzese’

To assess the intra-population genetic variability and draw criteria for distinctiveness, 25 accessions belonging to the Italian tomato landrace ‘A pera Abruzzese’ were analyzed with morphological and molecular descriptors and compared with the similar landraces ‘Canestrino di Lucca’ and ‘Cuore di bue di Albenga’. Whereas intra-accession variation for qualitative morphological descriptors was low, inter-accession variability was high. Accessions from the ‘Abruzzese’ landrace could be separated into three groups according to the fruit shape, i.e. flat, round and obovoid. This variability was studied in detail by digital analysis of fruit sections using the software programme “Tomato Analyzer”. Four descriptors were effective in distinguishing the ‘Abruzzese’ round-fruited types from the ‘Canestrino’ and ‘Albenga’ controls. The molecular analysis, based on 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers, differentiated the ‘Abruzzese’ from the ‘Canestrino’ type, but was not able to separate the former from the ‘Albenga’ type. Although morphological and molecular descriptions did not correlate, the data presented provide a basis for distinguishing those ‘Abruzzese’ accessions that are unequivocally distinct from similar landraces cultivated in different regions. In addition to the specific objectives, the research represents a case study for the description of the variability that is often found within tomato landraces and an approach to identify (groups of) accessions that are eligible for distinction, protection and commercial exploitation.

Morphological variation in Musa germplasm

Musa cultivars (bananas and plantains) are important crops in the humid tropics of Africa, America and Asia. This paper reports the extent of morphological variation of the Musa germplasm maintained in the gene-bank of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in southeastern Nigeria. Qualitative and quantitative descriptors were used to evaluate AA, BB, AB, AAA, AAB, AAAA, AAAB and AABB bananas, AAA and ABB cooking bananas, AAA beer bananas and AAB plantains and a few wild species. Univariate and principal component (PCA) analyses were performed to identify the most important descriptors to characterize and classify Musa germplasm collections. The most important qualitative morphological descriptors were persistence of male bud and hermaphrodite flowers, pigmentation in pseudostem, foliage, petiole and male flower, pseudostem blotching and waxiness, and leaf orientation. Furthermore, the most important quantitative morphological descriptors included pseudostem girth, height of tallest sucker, number of fruits and fruit sizes. These quantitative descriptors have a high heritability (>0.8), high repeatibility (>2.0) and low coefficient of variation (9–15%) with the exception of the height of the tallest sucker. The implications of the germplasm grouping revealed by PCA are briefly discussed in relation to the evolution of the triploid cultivars. This paper also proposes a new scientific nomenclature for the triploid Musa cultivars.