Single-seeded Fruit Research Articles

Black Plum Peel Syrup, a Healthy Drink for Arbaein Pilgrims

Background: Plum (Prunus subg. Prunus) is a single-seeded fruit known for its variety in size, color, and flavor. During the processing of plums, a substantial amount of plum peel waste is generated. Objectives: This study investigates the potential of utilizing black plum peel, a by-product of plum processing, to create a new product: Black plum peel syrup. Methods: Black plum peel was collected from plum processing factories. The peel's chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, phenolic content, heavy metal levels, pesticide residues, and mold contamination were analyzed. Various formulations of black plum peel syrup were developed, with sensory evaluations used to determine the optimal formulation. The chemical properties, rheological characteristics, antioxidant activity, and phenolic content of the best formulation were then assessed. Results: Black plum peel was found to be rich in minerals and ascorbic acid, with high antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Heavy metals, including mercury, cadmium, and lead, as well as organophosphorus pesticide residues, were at negligible levels. The optimal formulation, containing 50% black plum peel and no added pectin, exhibited a Brix value of 73.25%, moisture content of 47.32%, acidity of 5.11%, and a pH of 2.93. Rheological measurements recorded the apparent viscosity, consistency coefficient, and Flow Behavior Index at 13.30 Pa.s, 5.79 Pa.sn, and 0.48, respectively. Antioxidant activity and phenolic content were measured at 10.92% and 0.66 mg/g GA, respectively. Conclusions: Black plum peel shows significant potential for syrup production. With its cooling and hydrating properties, black plum peel syrup is recommended as a refreshing beverage, particularly beneficial during the Arbaein pilgrimage for reducing body temperature, quenching thirst, and preventing dehydration.

Analysis of the Antioxidant Activity, Lipid Profile, and Minerals of the Skin and Seed of Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana L.), Pistachios (Pistacia vera) and Almonds (Prunus dulcis)—A Comparative Analysis

Nuts are dry, single-seeded fruits with a combination of beneficial compounds that aid in disease prevention and treatment. The aims of this research are to evaluate the total antioxidant activity (AI) by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, fatty acids by acid-catalyzed esterification method, and minerals by inductively coupled plasma optical emission (ICP-OE) spectrometer in hazelnuts, pistachios, and almond seeds and skins. Considering total AI, the results demonstrated that the highest activity was found in hazelnut and pistachio skin. The results considering minerals demonstrated that manganese, zinc, and iron levels are high in almond and hazelnut skins, copper is dominant in pistachio skin and hazelnut seed, and selenium is high in pistachio and almond skins and seed. Finally, the results showed palmitic acid is present in almond skin and pistachio seed, palmitoleic acid is high in almond and pistachio skins, and stearic acid is present in almond and hazelnut skins. Oleic acid was found in hazelnut seeds and their skin, linoleic acid in almond skin and pistachio seeds, and α-linolenic acid in almond and pistachio skins. In conclusion, hazelnut, pistachio, and almond skins are a great source of antioxidants, minerals, and healthy fatty acids, making them useful for nutraceutical development.

Almond, Hazelnut, and Pistachio Skin: An Opportunity for Nutraceuticals

Nuts are dry, single-seeded fruits, with a combination of beneficial compounds that aid in disease prevention and treatment. This review aims to summarize the antioxidant components and the nutraceutical properties and applications of hazelnut, almond, and pistachio skins, as well as discuss their ability to prevent and treat specific diseases based on in vitro and in vivo studies. The search strategy included searching PubMed database and Google Scholar for relevant articles published in English. Research articles focusing on hazelnut, pistachio, and almond were included. The nut skin extracts were considered and other by-products were excluded from this search. Pistachio and almond skin hydroalcoholic extracts have antibacterial effects and decrease the risk of liver cancer by eliminating reactive oxygen species. Moreover, hazelnut skin can lower plasma against low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of colon cancer, and its polyphenolic extract can also decrease the formation of advanced glycation end products in vitro with multidimensional effects. Overall, hazelnut, pistachio, and almond skins are a great source of antioxidants, making them suitable for nutraceuticals’ development.

Novel diplochory: Native bats and non-native rats disperse seeds of an island tree

Many oceanic islands lacked mammalian seed predators until humans introduced rats (Rattus spp.). Introduced rats are considered major seed predators on the islands where they occur, but their capacity to assist native plant recruitment through secondary dispersal, or diplochory, is poorly known. We monitored fates of >1000 naturally- and artificially-dispersed diaspores of the coastal tree Pandanus tectorius, to assess potential effects of rats on seedling recruitment in Tonga (Polynesia) and to determine if diplochory (phase II dispersal) by invasive rats can enhance primary dispersal (phase I) achieved by native bats. Pandanus diaspores consist of multiple single-seeded fruits (drupes) fused into a “phalange" in which each seed is protected by a stony endocarp, and all endocarps are fused into a single, solid structure. Native bats (Pteropus tonganus) consumed the pulp of the diaspores and dispersed 61% of them away from the crown. Introduced rats (Rattus rattus, R. exulans), consumed pulp and seeds. Rats secondarily dispersed 39% of the phalanges bats dropped below trees, carrying most of them away from trees. The average phalange has 6–7 outer drupes around its circumference, surrounding 2–3 inner drupes. Rats removed seeds from 64% of outer drupes, but opened no inner drupes; therefore, phalanges typically retained at least one uneaten seed. Of these rat-handled phalanges, 69% produced at least one seedling, compared to 96% of unhandled phalanges. Overall, diplochory, the combined effect of phase I dispersal by bats and phase II dispersal by rats, increased the likelihood that a phalange would produce a seedling that was not beneath the parent crown by 34%, when compared to the effect of bats alone. Seedling recruitment is unlikely to be strongly reduced by rodent seed predators, since rats do not consume all seeds in a single diaspore, and losses from predation may be offset by rats assisting the “escape” of the diaspores dropped by bats underneath the fruiting crown.

Tree nut allergy.

From a botanical point of view, a nut is a kind of dry, closed, unbroken, single-seeded fruit, which has a ligneous pericarp made up of several fruiting bodies surrounded by one free semen. The term “allergy to tree nuts” includes allergies to almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts, pistachios and walnuts. All tree nuts belong to five orders of plants: Rosaceae, Fagales, Sapindales, Ericales and Proteales. Allergies to tree nuts usually start in childhood, but unlike other food allergies, they rarely fade away and generally persist throughout life. They are one of the main causes of serious allergic reactions ending in death in both children and adults. The epidemiology of allergy to nuts is variable and depends mainly on the geographical zone and eating habits. In northern Europe, hazelnut allergy is prevalent, whereas in the USA the most common is allergy to peanuts and, when taking tree nuts into consideration, to walnuts. The diagnosis of allergies to nuts is difficult and requires the use of the most modern research tools including molecular diagnostic techniques.

A chemically characterized ethanolic extract of Thai Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton fruits (nutlets) reduces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in human hepatoma (HuH7) cells.

Perilla frutescens is cultivated in East Asian countries including Thailand, and the nutlets (single-seeded fruits) are used as traditional and medicinal food. Perilla nutlets extracted by ethyl acetate (EA), 80% ethanol (Eth), and hot water (HW) sequentially were chemically characterized using high-resolution accurate liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with the main compounds detected assigned as rosmarinic acid and derivatives of the flavones apigenin and luteolin, with the more diverse chemical composition observed with the Eth extract. All extracts showed dose-dependent free-radical scavenging activity, with the Eth extract the most potent (IC50 =3.43mg/ml for ABTS• scavenging and 0.27mg/ml for DPPH• scavenging). The Eth extract also inhibited AAPH-induced hemolysis (IC50 =0.07mg/ml) more potently than did the HW (IC50 =0.38mg/ml) and EA extracts (IC50 =1.63mg/ml). An MTT test revealed all the extracts were noncytotoxic at concentrations up to 200μg/ml. Only the Eth and EA extracts showed protective effects against the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in FeCl3 -induced HuH7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest the Eth extract of Thai perilla nutlets, containing rosmarinic acid and flavones and their derivatives, may have potential to provide protection against oxidative stress in hepatic disorders.

Embryological studies on Abelia tyaihyoni Nakai (Caprifoliaceae)

Abelia tyaihyoni is a Korean endemic species and also designated as an endangered taxon in the IUCN Red List. We present a comprehensive embryology of A. tyaihyoni, comparing it with previously available information on the Caprifoliaceae and related families, and identifying possible evolutionary trends. Overall, comparisons showed that Abelia is similar to the other genera of Caprifoliaceae in many embryological features, including the tetrasporangiate anther, the anther wall, dicotyledonous wall formation, fibrous endothecium, simultaneous cytokinesis, tetrahedral tetrads, and three-celled pollen grains. In addition, Abelia share anatropous, unitegmic, and tenuinucellate ovules, ephemeral antipodals, and a cellular-type endosperm with many caprifoliaceous genera. Some embryological features, such as the amoeboid tapetum with several nuclei forming a polyploid mass, bisporic Allium-type embryo sac, obturator, bilayered endocarp, and compressed exotesta, are here described for the first time in this genus. The results confirm that A. tyaihyoni shares some significant embryological features with other Caprifoliaceae. Although previous embryological studies on the Caprifoliaceae lack convincing evolutionary explanations, our comparative approach demonstrates some possible apomorphies in Abelia such as the presence of two sterile carpels, bisporic Allium-type embryo sac, single-seeded fruit, bilayered and sclerified endocarp, and compressed exotesta.

Five new species and a systematic synopsis of Pycnandra (Sapotaceae), the largest endemic genus in New Caledonia

Pycnandra Benth. (Sapotaceae) is the largest endemic genus in New Caledonia and is subdivided into six subgenera. An addition of five species are here described in four subgenera, viz. P. comptonioides Swenson & Munzinger, P. kouakouensis Swenson & Munzinger, P. montana Swenson & Munzinger, P. poindimiensis Swenson & Munzinger and P. versicolor Swenson & Munzinger. Another seven to nine taxa are discussed but remain undescribed owing to the lack of adequate collections (and may remain undescribed pending the interpretation of the Nagoya Protocol). Pycnandra is characterised by a non-areolate higher leaf venation, sepals glabrous on the inner surface, no staminodes, and a single-seeded fruit. The members occur in a wide range of habitats and most species have very specific substrate requirements, growing on ultramafic, non-ultramafic or calcareous substrates. Almost 40 species are restricted to ultramafic substrates and many are now at risk of extinction because of deforestation, deliberately set fires and mining. We provide a systematic synopsis with keys to subgenera and species, phenology, substrate preferences, altitudinal ranges and preliminary IUCN Red List assessments for all described taxa. Four of the five new species are assessed as Critically Endangered. Pycnandra versicolor is in urgent need of conservation management beacuse its entire distribution is inside an active mine on the Koniambo massif.

Hydro-methanolic extract of cornus MAS L. And blood glucose, lipid profile and hematological parameters of male rats.

Background:Cornus mas L, an olive-shaped red-colored single-seeded fruit, is used in traditional medicine in different parts of Europe and Asia.Objectives:In the present study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, and the effects of 21 days of intraperitoneally (IP) administration of 50, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of C. mas hydro-methanolic extract on the rats hematological and biochemical parameters were investigated. The experimental study was carried out in Tabriz, Iran.Materials and Methods:The hematology and biochemical tests were performed by the Technicon H1 Hematology Analyzer and enzymatic methods, respectively.Results:The results indicated that all doses of the extract caused significant (P < 0.05) decreases in the hemoglobin distribution width (HDW) (2.3 ± 0.2 vs. 2.5 ± 0.2, P = 0.049) and platelet distribution width (PDW) (56.5 ± 1.8 vs. 63.9 ± 3.6, P = 0.001) of the treated groups vs. control group, whereas only high doses caused significant elevation in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (30.3 ± 0.8 vs. 28.6 ± 0.6, P = 0.047), mean platelet volume (MPV) (5.0 ± 0.6 vs. 4.1 ± 0.3, P = 0.002), total platelet mass (PCT) (0.33 ± 0.07 vs. 0.26 ± 0.01, P = 0.050), and significant decrease in the red cell distribution width (RDW) (13.8 ± 0.4 vs. 14.7 ± 1.3, P = 0.048) of the treated groups vs. control group.Conclusions:Decreasing effect of the extract on platelet activity might classify it as an alternative for antiplatelet therapy in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The results of this study suggested that further investigations with higher doses of C. mas fruit extract are necessary to obtain significant protective and nonprotective changes in hematological and biochemical parameters.

Centuries-Old Viable Fruit of Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn var. China Antique

During the Sino-Japanese conflict of the 1920s, Japanese botanist Ichiro Ohga was presented single-seeded fruit of Nelumbo nucifera var. China Antique collected by a local farmer from a dry lakebed in Northeast China (then, “Manchuria”). Ohga studied the fruit and published his findings. Years later, we tested the germination of Nelumbo fruit from the same locality. The oldest seed sprouted, having a germination time of ~3 days, was radiocarbon dated to be ~1300 years old. These cold- and drought-tolerant seeds exhibited shoot-before-root emergence and a primary green plumule capable of “dim-light” photosynthesis. Such traits and the notable long-term viability of the fruit spurred the interest of Ray Ming, University of Illinois that has now led to the sequencing of the Nelumbo genome. Analyses of this genome may provide insight into the biochemistry of Nelumbo on wax-biosynthesis genes, and application of aging-related thermostable proteins to the extension of seed-life and improvement of food quality of economic crops. Here, we review the history of these long-lived Nelumbo fruit, and their occurrence, discovery, collection, propagation, and methods of seedling care. The robust impermeable wax- and suberin-covered pericarp is a major factor contributing to their remarkable longevity. New findings are presented on the modern and 459- and 464-year-old pericarp anatomy, impermeability to water, and whole fruit and pericarp mechanical properties, and comparison of the mode of fruit weight-gain during imbibition and germination time relative to fruit maturity.

Thermal-stable proteins of fruit of long-living Sacred Lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn var. China Antique.

Single-seeded fruit of the sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn var. China Antique from NE China have viability as long as ~1300 years determined by direct radiocarbon-dating, having a germination rate of 84%. The pericarp, a fruit tissue that encloses the single seeds of Nelumbo, is considered one of the major factors that contribute to fruit longevity. Proteins that are heat stable and have protective function may be equally important to seed viability. We show proteins of Nelumbo fruit that are able to withstand heating, 31% of which remained soluble in the 110°C-treated embryo-axis of a 549-yr-old fruit and 76% retained fluidity in its cotyledons. Genome of Nelumbo is published. The amino-acid sequences of 11 "thermal proteins" (soluble at 100°C) of modern Nelumbo embryo-axes and cotyledons, identified by mass spectrometry, Western blot and bioassay, are assembled and aligned with those of an archaeal-hyperthermophile Methancaldococcus jannaschii (Mj; an anaerobic methanogen having a growth optimum of 85°C) and with five mesophile angiosperms. These thermal proteins have roles in protection and repair under stress. More than half of the Nelumbo thermal proteins (55%) are present in the archaean Mj, indicating their long-term durability and history. One Nelumbo protein-repair enzyme exhibits activity at 100°C, having a higher heat-tolerance than that of Arabidopsis. A list of 30 sequenced but unassembled thermal proteins of Nelumbo is supplemented.

Characterization of mode of reproduction in Commiphora wightii [(Arnot) Bhandari] reveals novel pollen–pistil interaction and occurrence of obligate sexual female plants

Guggul [Commiphora wightii (Arnot) Bhandari], a polygamous woody tree valued for its medicinal oleoresin gum rich in guggulsterone, is reported to reproduce via sporophytic apomixis. Details about its natural diversity, and mode and extent of sexual reproduction are, however, scanty. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of guggul reproduction was made employing histology, controlled pollination, flow cytometry and RAPD analyses of progeny to assess the occurrence and extent of sexual reproduction. We report the discovery of obligate sexual female plants of guggul through these studies. Also, we document a unique pollen–pistil incompatibility that prevents all but one pollen tube growth into the style to effect fertilization. Consequently, obligate sexual female plants produced single-seeded fruit although each flower contains four ovules. In apomictic plants bearing more than one seed per fruit, at most only one seed was of sexual origin. Further, flow cytometric analysis conclusively demonstrated that endosperm development occurs either autonomously or following triple fusion. Autonomous endosperm development was invariably associated with endoreduplication, a unique feature of apomixis in guggul. Despite predominance of apomixis, a low frequency of sexual reproduction was found to persist in apomictic plants yielding new genetic variation. RAPD analysis clearly distinguished accessions and was useful in identifying sexual progenies. The implications of the novel pollen–pistil interaction on establishment and spread of apomixis in guggul are discussed. The study has not only revealed novel features of guggul reproduction but also opened new opportunities for molecular genetic analysis of sporophytic apomixis and breeding improvement of guggul.

Seed mass variation in common plant species in Wanfoshan Natural Reservation Region, Anhui, China

Aims Our objective was to investigate seed mass variation within species, genera and families, as well as its relationships with life form and plant phylogeny. Methods Seeds were collected at the Wanfoshan Natural Reservation Region from July to October 2011. Air-dried weight of 100 diaspores, including seeds and indehiscent and single-seeded fruit, was measured for each of three replicates. Seed mass variation and ecological significance were analyzed. Important findings Seed mass varied greatly from 10–3 g to 103 g. The seed mass distribution of various species was normal, as checked by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test. The mean weight of 1000 diaspores was 21.487 g. The seed mass of Momordica cochinchinensis (1775.192 g) and Aeginetia indica (0.006 g) were the heaviest and lightest, respectively. More than 60% of the species had a mean seed mass between 0.1 and 10.0 g. The seed mass of 105 species was 1.0 g. There were significant differences of seed mass among 68 families and eight life forms, as determined by one-way analysis of variance (p 0.001). Pearson’s relative analysis showed a negative relationship between seed mass and phylogeny (r = –0.079, p = 0.048) and a positive relationship between seed mass and life forms (r = 0.220, p 0.001). A significant difference was also detected at the generic level (p 0.001) in some families, including Compositae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Rosaceae.

Fossil floral and fruit evidence for the evolution of unusual developmental characters in Fagales

Flowers of many living Fagales exhibit unusual developmental characteristics. At anthesis, ovulate flowers have carpels bearing immature orthotropous ovules. After pollination, the ovules increase in size and become anatropous and the ovary enlarges. Simultaneously, the pollen tubes extend from the stigma to the ovules with several phases of growth and quiescence. Finally, after the first fertilization, the remaining ovules abort, resulting in a single-seeded fruit. Three-dimensionally preserved potentially fagaceous mesofossil flowers from the Campanian of Massachusetts, USA, provide evidence on the evolution of these characters. The fossils share putative synapomorphies with the Fagales (six tepals, mostly inferior, three-carpellate ovary with each locule initially containing two pendant ovules, punctate-rugulate, tricolporate pollen and fruit with a single seed). However, the fossil is bisexual and has nectaries, characters shared with the sister order Cucurbitales, and both lack the fagalean immature orthotropous developmental stage. The fossil shares synapomorphies of an inferior ovary and a single-seeded indehiscent fruit with both living orders and appears to be transitional. Comparison of ontogenetic changes between the fossil and related fagalean taxa suggests independent stepwise changes in development in which some characters of the modern clades were in place at ∼ 75 Myr and others evolved more recently. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 168, 353–376.

Revision of Pichonia (Sapotaceae) in New Caledonia

Pichonia Pierre (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is a small genus of 10 species in Australasia, of which seven are endemic to New Caledonia. We revise the genus for New Caledonia and describe one new species (P. grandiflora), resurrect another (P. dubia) and make two new combinations because of nomenclatural priority (P. balansae, P. deplanchei). P. balansae has been known for decades as P. calomeris, a name that in fact has never been validly published. The members are mainly found in Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, but two species extend to Belep Islands in the north and to Isle of Pines in the south of the archipelago. Most grow in maquis vegetation at low altitudes, on ultramafic soils, preferably serpentinite. The exceptions are P. balansana, confined to limestone areas, and P. dubia that is a large canopy tree of the humid forest on ultramafic soil. Pichonia is distinguished by a character combination of an areolate higher venation, staminodes, a single-seeded fruit, plano-convex cotyledons and absence of endosperm. Because of being restricted to ultramafic soils, they are subsequently sensitive to present and future mining activities in New Caledonia. Hence, preliminary IUCN Red List assessments for all members are provided. P. balansana, P. daenikeri and P. lecomtei are all naturally uncommon, do not occur in any protected area and are proposed the IUCN status of Vulnerable. The herein described species P. grandiflora is rare in nature, known only from the Boulinda–Paéoua–Kopéto Mountains, and is in urgent need of protection. It is therefore assigned a preliminary status of Endangered.

The role of avian frugivores in germination of seeds of fleshy-fruited invasive alien plants

Many highly invasive plant species have fleshy fruits which are eaten by native frugivorous animals. These frugivores play an important role in long-distance seed dispersal, and may also affect germination success. The aim of this study was to determine whether generalist frugivores enhance or decrease seed germination of invasive alien species through pulp removal or seed coat abrasion, besides serving as dispersal agents. Fruits of four fleshy-fruited invasive alien plant species, namely Solanum mauritianum, Cinnamomum camphora, Lantana camara and Psidium guajava, were fed to three generalist avian frugivorous species, which have been observed feeding on these fruits in the wild. Seed retention time was recorded as this affects dispersal distance and the duration that seeds are exposed to the effects of the gut. Seeds removed from excreta, seeds from manually de-pulped fruit, and whole fruit were planted in soil trays housed in a greenhouse. Daily germination counts were done. Seed retention times differed significantly between bird species for all fruits, except those of C. camphora. However, all frugivores had a similar effect on the germination success of seeds of S. mauritianum, L. camara and P. guajava, showing that gut retention time was not important. Germination of seeds from manually de-pulped fruits did not differ from that of ingested seeds of all plant species, suggesting that seed coat abrasion was also not important. Pulp removal resulted in significantly higher germination rates, both in the two species with larger, multi-seeded fruit (S. mauritianum and P. guajava), and in the two species having single-seeded fruit with waxy exocarps (C. camphora and L. camara). Pulp removal also resulted in significantly earlier germination of L. camara and P. guajava seeds. Therefore, frugivores not only accelerate dispersal, but also greatly enhance seed germination of all fleshy-fruited invasive alien species in this study.

Endosperm development in Brachypodium distachyon.

Grain development and its evolution in grasses remains poorly understood, despite cereals being our most important source of food. The grain, for which many grass species have been domesticated, is a single-seeded fruit with prominent and persistent endosperm. Brachypodium distachyon, a small wild grass, is being posited as a new model system for the temperate small grain cereals, but little is known about its endosperm development and how this compares with that of the domesticated cereals. A cellular and molecular map of domains within the developing Brachypodium endosperm is constructed. This provides the first detailed description of grain development in Brachypodium for the reference strain, Bd21, that will be useful for future genetic and comparative studies. Development of Brachypodium grains is compared with that of wheat. Notably, the aleurone is not regionally differentiated as in wheat, suggesting that the modified aleurone region may be a feature of only a subset of cereals. Also, the central endosperm and the nucellar epidermis contain unusually prominent cell walls that may act as a storage material. The composition of these cell walls is more closely related to those of barley and oats than to those of wheat. Therefore, although endosperm development is broadly similar to that of temperate small grain cereals, there are significant differences that may reflect its phylogenetic position between the Triticeae and rice.

Genetic Architecture of Novel Traits in the Hopi Sunflower

Following domestication, crop lineages typically undergo diversification either to adapt to disparate habitats or to fill novel agricultural roles. This process has produced the numerous varieties found in modern-day crop germplasm collections. Here, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying unique traits in the Hopi sunflower, a primitive, Native American domesticate. These traits included a variety of achene (i.e., single-seeded fruit) characters as well as the extremely late flowering time of the Hopi sunflower. Composite interval mapping identified 42 QTLs underlying the 12 traits of interest. Although these QTLs were found on 10 of the 17 sunflower linkage groups, strong genetic correlations were evidenced by the clustering of QTLs across traits in certain genomic regions. The number of QTLs per trait ranged from 2 to 6, and the average QTL explained 14.7% of the variance (range: 2.5-46.9%). The apparent contribution of epistasis was minor, as has previously been observed for domestication-related traits. Unlike typical domestication-related traits in sunflower, the traits under consideration here exhibited a relatively simple genetic basis, with 2 QTL clusters being largely responsible for the unique characteristics of the Hopi sunflower. Based on the rarity of these traits in domesticated sunflower, it would appear that they evolved within the Hopi lineage following domestication. The simple genetic architecture of these traits may be a by-product of genetic constraints imposed by the genetically complex nature of domestication-related traits in sunflower, with the large number of domestication-related QTLs limiting the fraction of the genome that is available for subsequent diversification.

Phylogeny and character evolution in Medicago (Leguminosae): Evidence from analyses of plastid trnK/matK and nuclear GA3ox1 sequences

The genus Medicago, with about 87 species, includes the model legume species M. truncatula, and a number of important forage species such as M. sativa (alfalfa), M. scutellata (snail medic), and M. lupulina (black medic). Relationships within the genus are not yet sufficiently resolved, contributing to difficulty in understanding the evolution of a number of distinguishing characteristics such as aneuploidy and polyploidy, life history, structure of cotyledons, and number of seeds per fruit. • Phylogenetic relationships of 70-73 species of Medicago and its sister genus Trigonella (including Melilotus) were reconstructed from nucleotide sequences of the plastid trnK/matK region and the nuclear-encoded GA3ox1 gene (gibberellin 3-β-hydroxylase) using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. • Our results support certain currently recognized taxonomic groups, e.g., sect. Medicago (with M. sativa) and sect. Buceras. However, other strongly supported clades-the "reduced subsection Leptospireae clade" that includes M. lupulina, the "polymorpha clade" that includes M. murex and M. polymorpha and the "subsection Pachyspireae clade" that includes M. truncatula-each of which includes species presently in different subsections of sect. Spirocarpos, contradict the current classification. • These results support the hypothesis that some characters considered important in existing taxonomies, for example, single-seeded fruits that have arisen more than once in both Medicago and Trigonella, are indeed homoplastic. Others, such as the 2n = 14 chromosome number, have also arisen independently within the genus. In addition, we demonstrate support for the utility of GA3ox1 sequences for phylogenetic analysis among and within closely related genera of legumes.

Taxonomic revision of Pycnandra subgenus Trouettia (Sapotaceae), with six new species from New Caledonia

Pycnandra (Sapotaceae, Chrysophylloideae) is endemic to New Caledonia, with ~60 species, and is subdivided into five (or six) subgenera. Here, we revise P. subg. Trouettia and recognise 17 species of which six (P. bourailensis, P. caeruleilatex, P. confusa, P. elliptica, P. pubiflora and P. sessiliflora) are described as new and provide 10 new combinations. The subgenus is found only in Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia. The members occur in a wide range of habitats, from dry maquis vegetation to moist humid forest, from sea level to the higher massif, and all species except P. bourailensis and P. sarlinii are restricted to ultramafic soils. Pycnandra is characterised by the absence of staminodes, a single-seeded fruit, plano-convex cotyledons and the absence of endosperm. Pycnandra subg. Trouettia is distinguished on a character combination of several homoplastic features such as alternate and tomentulose leaves, pubescent ovary and a broad seed scar. The corolla is tomentulose on the outer surface of six species, a character shared with one species in P. subg. Achradotypus. Because of past and present mining activities in New Caledonia and because these species are restricted to habitats on ultramafic soils, conservation assessments are urgently needed. Preliminary IUCN Red List assessments are provided for all members of subg. Trouettia. Six taxa (P. deplanchei subsp. deplanchei, P. deplanchei subsp. floribunda, P. intermedia, P. obscurinerva, P. sarlinii, P. sessiliflora) are proposed the IUCN status of Vulnerable; P. caeruleilatex, P. elliptica and P. schmidii are considered to be Endangered, and the two species P. bourailensis and P. confusa are proposed to be listed as Critically Endangered.