Round Fruit Research Articles

<i>In Vivo</i> Antitrypanosomal Effects Of Some Ethnomedicinal Plants From Nupeland Of North Central Nigeria

Four medicinal plants Acacia nilotica, Bombax buonopozense, Terminalia avicennioides and Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides traditionally used for treatment of sleeping sickness in Nupeland were investigated for in vivo antitrypanosomal activity. Methanol extracts of different parts of each plant (stem barks and fruits) were obtained and evaluated for their in vivo antitrypanosomal activities against Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Phytochemical screening of the methanol extracts of each plant were performed by standard procedures. Methanol extracts of A. nilotica (stem bark), B. buonopozense (stem bark), T. avicennioides (round fruit) and Z. zanthoxyloides (stem bark) were effective on trypanosomes. The extracts of A. nilotica and B. buonopozense exhibited antitrypanosomal effects at 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight respectively. Doses were able to clear the parasites from circulation within 6 and 7 days of treatment respectively with prolonging survival period of up to 30 days. While the extracts of T. avicennioides and Z. zanthoxyloides showed trypanostatic effects and could not clear the parasites completely. The methanol extracts of these plants contain metabolites that are associated with antitrypanosomal effects; therefore, these medicinal plants may be sources of new compounds that may be active against T. b. brucei. This study has also justified the claim that some medicinal plants of Nupeland possess antitrypanosomal activity and could be useful in the management of trypanosomiasis.

Caracterização físico-química de progênies de maracujá-roxo e maracujá-azedo cultivados no Distrito Federal

A qualidade de frutos de maracujá para o consumo in natura é um fator de extrema importância na comercialização para o mercado europeu. Diante disso, um experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar as características físico-químicas de frutos de maracujazeiro nas condições de cerrado. Utilizou-se um delineamento de blocos casualizados, com nove tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de sete progênies de maracujá-roxo provenientes da Austrália e duas progênies de maracujá-azedo. As progênies de maracujazeiro-roxo utilizadas foram: 'Lacey', '14', '25', 'Supersweet 9', '37(1)', '37(2)' e '96A' e os de maracujazeiro-azedo foram 'Marília Seleção Cerrado' e 'Híbrido EC-2-0'. Com base nos resultados, pode-se concluir que o genótipo '37(2)' apresentou o maior teor de sólidos solúveis totais, a progênie 'Lacey' apresentou a menor espessura de casca e formato mais arredondado dos frutos, a progênie 'Marília Seleção Cerrado' obteve o maior peso de polpa e o maior número de sementes por fruto. Entre as progênies de maracujá-roxo, o maior peso da polpa foi da progênie 'S9', que também apresentou maior pH e menor acidez titulável. A cor da polpa predominante foi amarela. A correlação entre peso da polpa e acidez titulável mostrou-se positivamente forte, e a correlação entre pH e acidez titulável foi negativamente forte.

ACCLIMATIZATION, ROOTING AND FIELD ESTABLISHMENT OF MICROPROPAGATED PAPAYA PLANTS

Export markets for papaya Maradol require elongated fruits that come from hermaphrodite flowers rather than rounded fruits from female flowers. That forces growers to try to have plantations with 100% hermaphrodite plants. Currently commercial growers use seeds that show only 75% hermaphroditism or lower. For this reason, they transfer 3 plants/pot to the field, water and fertilize them for further 2 months, only do then eliminate 2 of the 3 plants after flower sex examination. By comparison our micropropagated plants have 100% hermaphrodite flowers and 100% of their fruits are elongated in shape, and therefore the grower can directly transfer 1 plant/pot, reducing the need for plants from 6000/ha to only 2000 plants/ha. Our protocol includes rooting medium with efficient root production in vitro. However, the survival rates can be improve by inducing rooting in vitro and root development ex vitro, using commercial rooting products. The ventilation of the vessel has shown to be important to increase plant survival ex vitro. The best rooting, ex vitro performance and plant survival were achieve using ventilated vessels in vitro and rooting ex vitro with Radix 1500. In a commercial-scale field-trial, for 4 consecutive years, micropropagated plants conserved their 100% hermaphroditism in their flowers and consistently 100% of their fruits were elongated in shape while the control plants derived from seeds showed only 75% hermaphrodite flowers and therefore 25% of the less commercial rounded fruits. In addition, no differences were found in plant performance between the micropropagated plants and plants originated by seeds. As far as the physiology, photosynthetic rates and chlorophyll fluorescence they were very similar in both types of plants. In terms of plant height, micropropagated plants were slightly shorter but this is advantageous for harvesting. Fruit size and yields were also comparable and in terms of fruit appearance and quality, fruits from both plant types were equivalent.

Herança do formato do fruto em tomateiro do grupo cereja

O formato dos frutos do tomateiro é resultado da ação de diversos loci gênicos que podem atuar de diversas formas: isoladamente, com efeitos pleiotrópicos ou interagindo entre si ou com genes responsáveis pelo peso do fruto. Em função disto, o estudo da herança desta característica, importante para o melhoramento da espécie, torna-se complexa e de difícil execução. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido no Setor de Olericultura e Experimentação da Universidade José do Rosário Vellano (UNIFENAS), de Julho/2003 a Março/2005 com o objetivo de determinar a herança da forma do fruto em tomateiro do grupo cereja. Foram utilizados dois genótipos selvagens e contrastantes quanto à forma do fruto: fruto comprido (FC) e fruto redondo (FR). Cruzamentos recíprocos e retrocruzamentos foram efetuados sendo a forma do fruto, avaliada nas gerações oriundas desses cruzamentos. Todas as plantas da geração F1 produziram frutos redondos. Em F2, 111 plantas produziram frutos redondos e 47 plantas produziram frutos compridos. No retrocruzamento (F1 x FC) 47 plantas produziram frutos redondos e 42 plantas produziram frutos compridos. Estes resultados, analisados pelo teste de x2 confirmaram segregação mendeliana 3:1 e 1:1 respectivamente. Concluiuse que o formato dos frutos estudados tem herança monogênica. O alelo que condiciona a forma redonda do fruto tem dominância completa sobre o alelo que confere a forma alongada com possível atuação do locus sun.

Development of Novel Character in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Transgressive segregation in the population of IIHR-31-1-2 x Arka Anamika BC3 F1-F6 generations led to the development of, various novel characters such as, ridgeless fruits (round fruit) and enhanced nodal productivity bearing short internodal length in okra selection-1, which was found to be promising for cultivation with high yield and good fruit quality. It can be grown both during Kharif and summer seasons. Okra selection-1 was also found to exhibit smooth fruits, high yield potential with sturdy plant habit and field tolerance to fusarium wilt and YVMV. Due to rapid rate of increase of processing in okra by freezing and canning, Okra selection I may be an ideal fruit type for freezing because of its short, smooth, dark green and round or multifaceted fruits with low mucilage content.

Comparative study on fatty acid and tocopherol composition in argan oils extracted from fruits of different forms

Argan oil was extracted with a soxhlet apparatus from nuts of spindle-shaped, oval, or round fruits. A significant difference was found in extraction output; 11.55, 8.50 and 5.02 kg of oil/100 kg of kernels were recorded in oval, round and spindle—shaped fruits, respectively. The concentrations of oleic and linoleic acids in the three types of fruits were also significantly different. Indeed, the content of oleic acid was higher in oval fruits (46.73%) than in spindle—shaped (45.53%) and round (41.52%) fruits. A greater content of linoleic acid was found in round fruits (38.38%) than in oval fruits (33.54%). The differences in tocopherol composition were more obvious. The highest content (1568.60 mg/kg of oil) was found in spindle—shaped fruits, followed by round (1141.60 mg/kg) and oval (583.80 mg/kg). Significant differences between the three types of tocopherol contents were noted and were greater for gamma-tocopherol.

Comparison of early visual ERP components in different object categories with low inter stimulus perceptual variance

Event Abstract Back to Event Comparison of early visual ERP components in different object categories with low inter stimulus perceptual variance Sinem Kara1*, M. Cursi1, N. Amato1, A. Inuggi1, S. Velikova1, G. Comi1 and L. Leocani1 1 University Hospital San Raffaele, Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, INSPE, Italy Background: In a recent study of Thierry et al. (2007) it was claimed that category effects previously reported in the N170 range may be due in part to uncontrolled inter stimulus perceptual variance (ISPV) differences between experimental conditions. Since neuroimaging studies of visual face and object recognition generally use full front views of faces contrasted with pictures of other objects presented in a variety of sizes and spatial layouts, category contrasts typically involve implicit comparisons of low and high ISPV conditions. They hypothesized that the face selectivity of the N170 might be an artifact driven by ISPV differences which are basically eccentricity, orientation and size. Aim: We examined the P100 and N170 waves with respect to low ISPV condition in different object categories considering that if N170 is sensitive to ISPV but not to the object categories then its amplitude should be relatively insensitive to different object categories with low ISPV. In addition, we also examined the progressive averaging of pictures of our object categories with the aim of evaluating template effect on P100 and N170 waves. Our full front face pictures’ average was still recognizable as a face which might have created a stronger template effect on the working memory even if the faces were presented in a pseudo-random order. Therefore for comparison we preferred cars and fruits so that the average of cars was still recognizable as a car like it was in faces, while the average of fruits wasn’t recognizable as a category but formed a big round border (because all the fruits were chosen from big round fruits like melon and apple). Methods: 15 healthy subjects (8 females, mean age: 27+/-3) were confronted with a visual oddball design, in which they had to detect, as quickly as possible, deviants, a pineapple, amongst a train of standard stimuli with low ISPV (faces, cars and fruits). Recordings were done with 30 channel EEG BrainVision recorder. Results: No significant difference was found amongst the object categories for the P100 latencies and amplitudes and the N170 amplitudes. The only significant difference was seen for the N170 latencies in which the N170 latency of faces was significantly shorter than that of cars and fruits. Conclusion: We saw no difference among the groups for P100 and N170 amplitudes in terms of template effect on working memory. Also we found no measurable effect of object category (face, car and fruits) on both P100 and N170 peak amplitudes. Although our findings for N170 amplitude confirmed the study of Thierry et al about the insensitivity of N170 amplitudes for faces, our data for P100 wave were in conflict with their results about the P100 amplitude being sensitive for object categorization.

Development of a second-generation genetic linkage map for peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] and characterization of morphological traits affecting flower and fruit

An improved genetic linkage map was constructed from a peach Ferjalou Jalousia® × Fantasia (J×F) F2 population. Ferjalou Jalousia® is a flat low-acidity clingstone peach, and Fantasia is a round, normally acidic freestone peach. This population is segregated for six Mendelian characters: pollen sterility, peach or nectarine fruit, flat or round fruit, clingstone, or freestone fruit. It also segregates for the D major gene controlling the fruit’s low acidity. A new character is reported here for the first time that segregates as a Mendelian character: trees bearing aborting fruits. These trees have flowers, but fruits start to fall 2 months after blooming. This recessive character has been named Af. We demonstrate that it is linked to the flat shape of the fruit. The previous map obtained from this cross was constructed using 63 individuals, whereas the present map was constructed using 207 individuals. Moreover, 82 simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers, including 10 expressed sequence tag-SSRs, and 43 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were added. Molecular markers linked to the six Mendelian characters were identified, and one of them has already been used for marker-assisted selection. This map will be used for detection of quantitative trait loci controlling organoleptic and nutritional fruit quality in peach.

LYCOPENE CONTENT OF ORGANICALLY GROWN TOMATOES

Reports on the lycopene content of tomatoes vary widely with country and source of fruit (field, greenhouse, retail). This study was done to compare the lycopene content of organically grown tomatoes, and to compare fully red fruit to those ripened after harvest. Thirteen tomato cultivars (12 beefsteak and one Roma type) were planted in land designated as transitional organic and fertilized with organic poultry litter. No additional fertilizer was applied. Pesticides approved for organic use were applied as necessary. Fruit at the turning to firm red stages were harvested and held at 20 to 28 °C until the soft red stage was reached (about 2 to 8 days). Day 0 fruit at pink to soft red stages was harvested at the same time. Multiple harvests were made for 6 weeks, until 10 fruit per cultivar and ripeness stage and storage treatment were obtained. Lycopene content of firm red and soft red fruit were similar, and was 50 to 65 mg·kg–1 for all the round fruit types, and 115 mg·kg–1 for the Roma type. Fruit ripened after harvest without ethylene were able to obtain similar levels of lycopene, even in those fruit harvested with just a trace of color. `Sunmaster' and `Solar Set' tomatoes grown organically were similar in lycopene content to those grown in previous years in a conventional production system. These results show that organically grown tomatoes can achieve normal to high levels of lycopene. Tomatoes ripened after harvest without ethylene can achieve the lycopene content of fruit harvested fully ripe.

Exploration and Collection of Coconut Germplasm in Kadmat and Amini Islands of Lakshadweep, India

Coconut, Cocos nucifera L. is an important plantation crop of the tropics. Lakshadweep group of islands in the Arabian Sea are considered to be home to some important coconut cultivars. The present exploration was planned to sample the variability within the population of Laccadive ordinary tall (LCT), Laccadive micro tall (LMT) from two islands, Amini and Kadmat, of Lakshadweep. Sampling was done from 24 sites in Amini and 13 sites in Kadmat. On an average 10 palms were sampled from each site. During the trip, five accessions of LCT, three of LMT and one of Kaithathali were collected. Eight fruit component measurements were recorded to study the variability in the population. Intra-population variability was observed in both LCT and LMT. Three forms of LCT belonging to niu kafa, niu vai and introgressed types could be identified. Elongated angular fruits (elliptical) with 70% husk were niu kafa types, round or oval shaped ones with 55% husk were niu vai types and pear shaped ones with 58% husk were the introgressed forms. This exploration trip unearthed the missing link of niu vai type in the form of round fruit type which has not been reported earlier. Identification of different groups in LCT has far reaching implications in breeding. In the production of hybrids involving LCT, selection of mother palms of LCT is crucial. It is suggested that the elliptical fruit types may be avoided in the production of commercial hybrids, since it has high percentage of husk.

The making of a bell pepper-shaped tomato fruit: identification of loci controlling fruit morphology in Yellow Stuffer tomato.

The heirloom tomato cultivar Yellow Stuffer produces fruit that are similar in shape and structure to fruit produced by the bell pepper varieties of garden pepper. To determine the genetic basis of this extreme fruit type in tomato, quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed on an F(2) population derived from a cross between Yellow Stuffer and the related species, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium, which produces a small, round fruit typical of most wild species. F(2) plants were analyzed for both fruit size and the degree to which their fruit resembled the bell pepper. Three QTL were determined to influence bell pepper shape and seven QTL influenced fruit mass. The map positions of all three bell shape and six out of seven fruit size QTL appear to be allelic to components of fruit morphology analyzed in this population and to major fruit morphology QTL reported previously, adding support to the hypothesis that the majority of fruit size and shape variation in cultivated tomato is attributable to allelic variation at a limited number of loci. However, novel loci controlling components of fruit morphology, such as elongated fruit shape, bumpiness, number of seed per fruit and flowers per inflorescence were identified in this study as well. The three bell shape loci involved are: bell2.1, bell2.2 and bell8.1, and appear to correspond to locule number2.1 ( lcn2.1) and fruit weight 2.2 ( fw2.2) and fruit shape 8.1 ( fs8.1), respectively. The Yellow Stuffer alleles at lcn2.1 and fw2.2 increase locule number and fruit size, respectively, hence contributing to the overall bell pepper shape. The Yellow Stuffer allele at fs8.1 causes convex locule walls, giving the extended, bumpy shape characteristic of bell peppers. In addition, most fruit size QTL correspond to loci controlling number of flowers per inflorescence and/or stem-end blockiness. Comparisons among previously identified fruit morphology loci in tomato, eggplant and pepper suggest that loci affecting several aspects of fruit morphology may be due to pleiotrophic effects of the same, orthologous loci in these species. Moreover, it appears that the evolution of bell pepper-shaped tomato fruit may have proceeded through mutations of some of the same genes that led to bell pepper-type fruit in garden pepper.

Prevalence and Pathogenicity of Guava Anthracnose with Special Emphasis on Varietal Reaction

Guava anthracnose was found more prevalent during the main season (April-September) than in off-season (November- February). Pestalotiopsis psidii, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Botryodiplodia theobromae were established as causal organisms of guava anthracnose. On potato dextrose agar medium, the growth of P. psidii was observed to be too slow as against the very quick growth of B. theobromae. All the pathogens grew well at 28 and 30 degree centigrade except only the P. psidii at 30 degree centigrade. No varieties were found resistant against all three pathogens tested but local variety I, II and IV proved resistant only against Pestalotiopsis psidii both in vitro and in situ. The Pear shaped fruits had less susceptibility than elliptical round fruits. Local varieties were less susceptible than commercial ones. In inoculated condition, variety kanchannagar showed less susceptibility in comparison with the variety sarupkati and kazipayara. Immature fruits of local variety showed decline in ascorbic acid content when diseased.

Seed Dimensions in the Subspecies and Cultivar-groups of Cucurbita pepo

Seed samples of 174 accessions of pumpkins, squash, and gourds of Cucurbita pepo were measured for length, width, and thickness. Mean seed length ranged from 8.8 to 23.3 mm, mean seed width from 5.0 to 12.5 mm and mean seed thickness from 1.2 to 3.8 mm. The seeds of the edible-fruited cultivar-groups of C. pepo subsp. pepo (Pumpkin, Vegetable Marrow, Cocozelle, Zucchini) were longer, wider, and thicker than those of their counterparts of C. pepo subsp. texana (Acorn, Crookneck, Scallop, Straightneck). The small-fruited, inedible gourds had the smallest seeds. Of the edible-fruited C. pepo subsp. pepo, the Pumpkin Group (round fruits) possessed the longest and flattest seeds whilst the Zucchini Group (long, uniformly cylindrical fruits) possessed the shortest and thickest seeds. The samples tested also differed greatly in mean values for relative dimensions. Length-to-width ratio ranged from 1.5 to 2.5, length-to-thickness ratio from 3.7 to 8.2, and width-to-thickness ratio from 2.0 to 4.9. The Pumpkin Group, followed by the Cocozelle Group (long, bulbous cylindrical fruits) and the Vegetable Marrow Group (short, tapered cylindrical fruits), had seeds of the highest length-to-width ratio. The seeds of the four edible-fruited groups of C. pepo subsp. pepo differed significantly from one another in their length-to-thickness and width-to-thickness ratios. The seeds of the Pumpkin Group and the wild Mexican gourd (C. pepo subsp. fraterna) differed greatly in their dimensions but were most similar to one another in their relative dimensions. In C. pepo, seed size is positively associated with fruit size and seed shape is inversely associated with fruit shape.

Caracterização dos frutos de goiabeira e seleção de cultivares na Região do Submédio São Francisco

O estudo visou a caracterizar frutos de goiabeira e selecionar cultivares produzidas na Região do Submédio São Francisco. Os frutos, colhidos na maturidade fisiológica, foram provenientes da Estação Experimental de Bebedouro, pertencente à Embrapa Semi-Árido e avaliados em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos compreenderam genótipos de polpa branca (Alabama Safed, Lucknow 49, Banahas, White Selection of Florida e Seleção IPA B 38.1) e vermelha (Paluma, Patillo 2.1, Surubim, Red Selection of Florida e Seleção IPA B 14.3). Avaliaram-se: massa, diâmetro longitudinal (DL), diâmetro transversal (DT), relação DL/DT, espessura da casca, espessura da polpa, sólidos solúveis totais (SST), acidez total titulável (ATT), relação SST/ATT, pH, açúcares solúveis totais (AST) e vitamina C. Os genótipos de polpa branca, exceto Seleção IPA B 38.1, tiveram maiores massas (acima de 145,0 g). As menores relações DL/DT foram observadas em Banahas (0,98) e Lucknow 49 (1,00), caracterizando frutos redondos. Estas cultivares tiveram também maior espessura da polpa. Os maiores valores de SST foram observados em Paluma (10,4 ºBrix) e Lucknow 49 (10,9 ºBrix). A ATT foi baixa na maioria dos genótipos, exceto Surubim e Seleção IPA B 14.3, e o pH variou de 3,72 a 4,22. Em geral, os genótipos de polpa branca tiveram os maiores teores de AST (5 a 7 %) e vitamina C, atingindo 200 mg de ácido ascórbico/100 g.

The genetic basis of pear-shaped tomato fruit

Molecular-marker analysis of a cross between yellow pear, a tomato variety bearing small, pear-shaped fruit, and the round-fruited, wild species, Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium LA1589, revealed that pear-shaped fruit is determined largely by a major QTL on chromosome 2 and, to a lesser extent, a minor QTL on chromosome 10. The locus on chromosome 2 was also detected in a cross between yellow pear and the round-fruited introgression line (IL2–5) which carried the distal portion of chromosome 2 from the Lycopersicon pennellii genome. Based on its map position, we propose that the locus detected on chromosome 2 is the same as a locus referred to as ovate in the early tomato literature (Linstrom 1926, 1927). The fruit-shape index (length/diameter) and neck constriction were highly correlated in both populations suggesting that ovate exerts control over both traits or that the genes for these traits are tightly linked on chromosome 2. Using two-way ANOVA test, the minor QTL on chromosome 10 showed no significant interaction with the ovate locus on chromosome 2 with respect to the fruit-shape index. For ovate round fruit was dominant to elongated fruit in the L. pimpinellifolium populations, but additive in the IL2–5 population. Thus far, no genes controlling fruit shape have been cloned. The molecular mapping of the ovate locus may ultimately lead to its isolation via map-based cloning.

Ecological differentiation of Central EuropeanBolboschoenus taxa and their relationship to plant communities

The taxa of theBolboschoenus maritimus group occurring in Central Europe were studied with respect to morphological differentiation, plant communities and soil conditions. Four morphological types ofBolboschoenus were distinguished, differing in habitat conditions, dispersal and distribution: type 1 —Bolboschoenus maritimus subsp.maritimus with narrow triangular fruits; type 2 —B. maritimus subsp.maritimus with wider triangular fruits, type 3 —B. maritimus subsp.compactus with round convex fruits; and type 4 —B. planiculmis auct. with concave fruits. Strong ecological differentiation of these types was found compared with relatively weak morphological diagnostic features. High discriminant efficiency appeared in the relationship to soil chemistry. Differences were also found in habitat-type spectra of individualBolboschoenus morphological types, which was reflected in their affinities to plant communities. Nomenclature, taxonomic classification, and distribution of these taxa in Europe need thorough revision.

Development, maturation, and postharvest responses of Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch, ex Miq. fruit

Fruit from a range of seedling selections of Actinidia arguta, or hybrids between A. arguta and A. melanandra were compared for fruit growth, maturation, and postharvest storage. Timing and duration of the flowering period varied. Long fruit had greater maximum growth rates than round fruit, but the timing of maximum growth (25–30 days after anthesis (DAA)) tended to be similar for all selections and was similar to that for other Actinidia species. A smaller second peak in growth rate occurred around 60–80 DAA. Fruit on the vine progressed from a slow to a rapid increase in soluble solids concentration, typical of commercial kiwifruit. This occurred at the time when temperatures in New Zealand are at their highest (February), indicating a primarily physiological cause for an increase in soluble solids concentration rather than a response to lowered temperatures as generally postulated for commercial kiwifruit (A. deliciosa). Maximal dry matter accumulation also varied according to selection, with some selections able to continue to accumulate carbohydrate during on‐vine ripening. There was variation between selections in rate of on‐vine softening, with the most rapid being 4 days. Fruit with A. melanandra in their parentage sometimes developed reddening of the skin or flesh or both as they matured and ripened. Fruit softening and reddening began at either the stem end or the stylar end depending on selection. Soft fruit stored 2 weeks at 0°C, whereas firm fruit lasted at least 6 weeks. There was no difference in storage longevity between 0 and 3°C. Compressive and puncture tests showed similar patterns of softening, however compressive tests were non‐destructive, more sensitive, and hence more useful. No major disorders or diseases were noted, and shrivel (water loss) was the most significant cause of potential commercial loss. In red cultivars, the ability to colour after harvest was severely retarded if fruit were held at low temperatures. These results indicate there will be some difficulty in selecting a suitable maturity parameter that will allow a commercial postharvest life for A. arguta types.

ウメ（Ｐｒｕｎｕｓ ｍｕｍｅ）とニホンスモモ（Ｐ．ｓａｌｉｃｉｎａ）の種間雑種個体における形態的特性について

Interspecific crosses between Prunus mume cv. Baigo (seed parent) and P. salicina cv. Sordum (pollen parent) were made in 1984 from which four fertile seeds were obtained. When the seeds were planted in a greenhouse in the following spring, three seedlings were obtained. Eventually, the seedlings flowered and set fruits ; they proved to be interspecific hybrids based on peroxidase and esterase isozyme analyses. Morphological characteristics of these seedlings are as follows. Mature leaf : General shape, tip and base form of the leaf and petiole color of the seedlings are similar to 'Baigo' ; 'Sordum' and the seedlings have reniform glands on their leaf base, but 'Baigo' has none. Flower : The flower size of seedlings was intermediate between 'Baigo' and 'Sordum'. 'Baigo' has one flower per flower bud, whereas 'Sordum' has two or three flowers. The hybrid seedlings bear one or two flowers per flower bud and trichomes on the exocarp like 'Baigo', unlike 'Sordum' which has none. The pollen of the seedlings were fertile. Fruit : The shape of matured fruit of 'Baigo' and 'Sordum' is round ; the latter has a slightly mounded tip. Two seedlings segregated to a round fruit and one into an elliptical shape. Flesh color of 'Baigo' is yellow, whereas that of 'Sordum' is red. One seedlings segregated to a red flesh whereas two inherited a light yellow flesh.

Avoidance by Birds of Insect-Infested Fruits of Vaccinium ovalifolium

This study investigates the interaction between the insects (a sawfly and a moth) that infest the fruits of Vaccinium ovalifolium (Ericaceae) and the birds that act as seed dispersers of this plant in a temperate rainforest of Southeastern Alaska. Experiments and observations were performed in the field and with captive birds in an aviary. Intact fruits are round whereas those that are attacked by an insect usually acquire a deformed shape; thus, birds have a cue to discriminate among the blueberries. Infested berries are not necessarily larger or smaller than intact berries, so fruit size cannot be used as a cue to discriminate between them. Results from the aviary experiments showed that the two avian species examined, varied thrushes and American robins, consumed significantly less insect-infested fruits than uninfested ones. In the field, birds also showed a preference for round fruits over deformed ones. Here, the probability of removal of an insect-infested berry depends on the type of habitat where the plant is located. Avian fruit removal was higher in an open site than inside the forest while the incidence of insects was greater in the latter. The presence of deformed fruits did not decrease the removal of uninfested fruits in either site. Not all seeds in an infested fruit are killed by the larvae, so animals may still be dispersers of the viable seeds if the infested fruit is consumed. The larger the fruit the higher the number of seeds within it. The two species of birds preferred large over small fruits in the aviary. Therefore, a seed in a large berry - infested or not by insects-might have a greater probability of being dispersed than one in a smaller fruit (although to assess this we need to know which other factors affect fruit selection). There is no apparent competition between birds and insects that results in a nonoverlapping use of the resources (fruits). The two insect species risk mortality by vertebrate frugivores, as larvae develop within ripe fruits. The evolutionary implications of the bird-insect interaction for plant fitness are apparently negligible, mainly because insects do not seem to kill many seeds and also because the bird-insect encounters are rather few.

Ideal Pear Sensory Attributes and Fruit Characteristics

The relationship between the objective assessment of sensory attributes or fruit characteristics of pear (Pyrus communis L.) fruit and the corresponding consumer or sensory panel rating was studied. Optimum fruit diameter was between 6 and 7.5 cm. Some fruit were judged to be too large. Fruit with a bright yellow skin were rated ideal, whereas green or red skin was rated less favorably. A pyriform shape with a length: diameter ratio range of 1.44 to 1.48 was optimum. Round fruit or very elongated fruit were considered undesirable. Perceived firmness increased linearly as the measured firmness increased, with the optimum firmness at 27 to 30 N (using an 11.1-mm penetrometer tip). Perceived juiciness was negatively, linearly related to measured firmness. Ideal firmness for an ideal juiciness rating was 18 to 22 N. Acceptable soluble solids concentrations (SSC) varied with the study year, but ranged between 13.6% and 17.2%. The sweet/sour balance (ratio of SSC: titratable acidity) was a useful indicator of fruit quality.