Varietal Distinctions Research Articles

Understanding the advances in Sorghum grain quality improvement: An overview

Sorghum, a crucial cereal crop with versatile applications, is increasingly recognized for its grain quality attributes. The nutritional and biochemical diversity within sorghum, encompassing elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), proteins, starch, dietary fibers, and ß-carotene, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality across diverse sorghum accessions. Breeding programs offer a promising avenue for further improvement in these traits. Additionally, sorghum features a spectrum of phenolic compounds, including tannins and flavonoids, influencing both pigmentation and potential health benefits. The antioxidative properties of these compounds underscore their critical role in promoting health and mitigating oxidative stress. The significance of sorghum is shaped by genetic factors, environmental conditions, ripening stages, and varietal distinctions, highlighting the complex interplay between grain structure, genetics, and nutritional content. As the global demand for diverse, nutritionally rich food sources continues to rise, this review provides insights aimed at deepening our understanding of sorghum's potential as a staple crop with substantial nutritional and health-promoting attributes.

Enhancement of Coffee Quality Attributes by Combining Processing Methods and Varieties

The intricate framework of attributes that define coffee quality, from varietals to processing methods, presents a comprehensive array of sensory experiences that influence consumption patterns. This research delves into the complex relationship between the characteristics of coffee beans, specifically varietal distinctions, applied processing methodologies, and the resulting sensory attributes, across both Arabica and Robusta species. Utilizing comprehensive linear mixed model analyses, this study examines the sensory intricacies, with a notable emphasis on flavor, aroma, and acidity, and their correlation with different countries of origin. Drawing from a diverse dataset that encompasses various global regions, our findings underscore the pivotal role of regional nuances in shaping the sensory evaluation of coffee. While Arabica beans exhibited certain distinct sensory attributes anchored to specific processing methods and regions, Robusta beans presented variations that were more nuanced. The results align with the existing literature, emphasizing the integral role of regional influences in coffee evaluations. This study reveals that specific Arabica varieties, such as Bourbon and Pacamara, enhance flavor when processed using the ‘Natural/Dry’ method. Meanwhile, certain Robusta beans processed with one of the methods showcased improved flavor scores. These insights provide the coffee industry with targeted strategies, reshaping cultivation and processing to meet discerning consumer preferences.

Cropping synonymy: varietal standardization in the United States, 1900–1970

This article examines crop varietal standardization in the United States. Numerous committees formed in the early twentieth century to address the problem of nomenclatural rules in the horticultural and agricultural industries. Making shared reference to a varietal name proved a difficult proposition for seed-borne crops because plant conformity tended to change in the hands of different breeders. Moreover, scientific and commercial opinions diverged on the value of deviations within crop varieties. I review the function of descriptive difference in the seed trade and in the framework of evolutionary theory before examining the institutional history of varietal standardization. Pimento peppers are used to represent how vegetables were treated differently than cereals. Lack of stability within a popular pimento variety caused problems for food packers in middle Georgia, which public breeders addressed by releasing new peppers. To conclude, the article questions the role of taxonomy in intellectual property, as breeding history and yield became defining attributes for making varietal distinctions.

SNP Genotyping for Purity Assessment of a Forage Oat (Avena sativa L.) Variety from Colombia

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers have multiple applications in plant breeding of small grains. They are used for the selection of divergent parents, the identification of genetic variants and marker-assisted selection. However, the use of SNPs in varietal purity assessment is under-reported, especially for multi-line varieties from the public sector. In the case of variety evaluation, these genetic markers are tools for maintaining varietal distinctness, uniformity and stability needed for cultivar release of multi-line or pure-line varieties of inbred crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the purity and relationships of one original (AV-25) and two multi-line sub-populations (AV25-T and AV25-S) of the inbreeding species, oats (Avena sativa L.). Both sub-populations could be useful as forages in the central highland region of Colombia (>2000 masl), such as in the departments of Boyacá and Cundinamarca, even though they were derived from an original composite mixture widely used in the mountainsides of the southern department of Nariño named Avena 25. Representative single plant selections (SPS) from the two sub-populations were grown together with SPS harvests from off-type plants (early and late) and plants from the original AV25 composite mixture, to determine their genetic similarity. Plants were genotyped by DNA extraction of a plateful of 96 individual plant samples and SNPs were detected for an Illumina Infinium 6K Chip assay. The data were used for the analysis of genetic structure and population relationships. The grouping observed based on the genetic data indicated that AV25-T and AV25-S were homogeneous populations and somewhat divergent in their genetic profile compared to the original AV25-C mix. In addition, to the two commercial, certified oat varieties (Cajicá and Cayuse) were different from these. The early and late selections were probable contaminants and could be discarded. We concluded that the use of SNP markers is an appropriate tool for ensuring genetic purity of oat varieties.

Impact of Deep Eutectic Solvents on Extraction of Polyphenols from Grape Seeds and Skin

In the past few years, research efforts have focused on plant exploitation for deriving some valuable compounds. Extraction has been usually performed using petrochemical and volatile organic solvents, but nowadays, increased recognition of environmental pollution has prompted the utilization of green solvents as alternatives. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to exploit deep eutectic solvents (DES) (choline chloride: citric acid and choline chloride: glucose) as solvents for extracting valuable phenolic antioxidants from grapes. Investigation was conducted on ten grape varieties, observing seeds and skin as different matrix. Total polyphenol content (TPC) was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric microassay. Antioxidant activity was investigated using four different tests and results were combined in a unique Antioxidant Composite Index (ACI) to reveal comprehensive information about this biological activity. Polyphenol compounds were identified and quantified with the aim of HPLC-diode array detector (DAD). Overall results support that DES (particularly choline chloride: citric acid) were comparable to conventional solvent, and in most cases even outperformed acidified aqueous ethanol (concerning extraction efficiency and antioxidant activity). Regardless of varietal distinctions, grape seeds have higher antioxidant capacity compared to grape skin, and such findings are according to their phenol compound concentrations.

Peculiarities of the growth of virgin blueberry plants on the developed peat deposit with the application of mineral and microbial fertilizers

The results of comparative study of current increment of vegetative sphere yearling and biennial of plants of a half-highbush blueberry Northland and Denise Blue at fertilizer application NPK-compound (N16P16K16) and of some microbial specimen – a liquid product of MaKloR in concentration of 10 and 50 % in test crop on recultivated cutover peatlands in article are resulted. It is positioned that tested agricultural methods have rendered the expressed promoting effect on formation of a current increment of vegetative sphere of plants of a blueberry. In the first year of fertilization the least efficacy is positioned for a variant with N16P16K16 which conceded to a drug of MaKloR in 1.1–1.5 times. Its productivity increased with concentration augmentation in 1.2–1.4 times, depending on a varietal accessory of plants and phylum of shoots. In the absence of varietal differences in degree of positive influence of microbial fertilizing of MaKloR on development of vegetative propagules, efficacy of its action, as well as N16P16K16, on development of generative propagules, in variety Denise Blue exceeded for kind Northland in 4.2–4.8 times.Positive influence of mineral and microbial fertilizing’s on a current increment of vegetative sphere of biennial plants of both variety of a blueberry essentially conceded to that annotinous, against conservation of its progressing magnification in process of strengthening of microbial fertilising of MaKloR. Thus productivity of action N16P16K16 on development of propagules in variety Northland, depending on their phylum, exceeded that microbial fertilising of MaKloR in 1.2–1.9 times, at variety Denise Blue – in 1.3–2.6 times. It is shown that against absence of the expressed varietal distinctions in degree of stimulating influence of fertilizings on development of vegetative shoots, efficacy of their action on development of generative shoots, unlike annual plants, at kind Denise Blue conceded that for kind Northland in 1.7–2.3 times.

Varietal distinctness in physical and engineering properties of paddy and brown rice from southern India.

Paddy and brown rice samples were investigated for its physical characteristics which would aid in designing of the equipment and apparatus for processing of grains as sorting, grading and transportation with ease. Significant difference was observed among the different physical properties as geometrical (length, breadth, thickness, equivalent diameter, sphericity, volume, surface area, aspect ratio) gravimetrical (bulk density, true density, porosity etc.) and frictional characteristic such as angle of repose, hygroscopic properties as moisture and water activity and color of paddy and brown rice kernels. Among geometrical properties length was found the maximum in paddy of Mapillai samba (8.21mm) and Palkudavazhai brown rice (6.34mm). Among flow properties, Mapillai samba displayed the maximum value for true density of paddy and brown rice varieties respectively. Hardness was reported in the range of (344.1 ± 14.4-594.88 ± 9.5 and 209.31 ± 4.00-395.99 ± 7.05N) for different varieties of paddy and brown rice cultivars. The color of the brown rice was read as L*, a*, b* where it varied from 36.22 ± 0.71-61.71 ± 0.81, 4.00 ± 0.18-15.29 ± 0.48 and 16.59 ± 0.52-23.81 ± 0.15 respectively. Brown rice varieties can generally be categorized as short bold, long bold and medium slender as per their length and breadth ratio. The significant differences in physical properties of the various cultivars studied, emphasis on varying processing techniques. The physical properties of selected brown rice varieties studied are widely cultivated in southern India, owing to its high nutraceutical potentials.

Assessment of Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability of Zinc Fortifi ed Rice (Oryza sativa) Genotypes based on Morphological Descriptors

Twenty five rice genotypes including indigenous and improved zinc lines were characterized using morphological descriptors adopted from the DUS guidelines of PPV & FR Authority and subsequently examined for their distinctiveness, uniformity and stability. Among the 49 assessed characters, 10 characters were monomorphic, 22 characters were dimorphic and 17 characters were polymorphic indicating their potential for varietal characterization and distinctiveness. No intra-varietal variation was observed for any of the visual characteristics and expression of characters in different varieties remained same for the two consecutive years confirming the uniformity and stability of the varieties for visual characteristics. The present study, highlights the need for and demands of zinc rich rice genotypes in Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur to conserve and protect high value traits for future promotion and utilization. On the basis of grouping characteristics unique morphological profi les could be established for all genotypes. Though, the morphological DUS descriptors establish distinctiveness of some varieties but varieties of similar background could not be discriminated hence some other markers/descriptors could be thought of for complementing the morphological DUS descriptors for establishing distinctiveness.

English

Sixty three potato clones (51 farmers’ and 12 varieties) from Eritrea, 18 and 12 varieties from Kenya and Rwanda, respectively were characterized using 12 highly polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The study was designed to assess the genetic diversity and varietal distinctness among the different samples. In total, 91 alleles ranging between 2 (STM1053) to 13 (STM0031) alleles per marker were scored. All but 97.8 SSR markers were highly polymorphic with an average PIC value of 0.87 (0.51 to 0.98). All of the 51 farmers’ cultivars were clearly distinct from each other. Samples from Eritrea showed the highest genetic diversity as explained by the diversity index (h). The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that the local farmers’ Eritrean samples are different from the Kenyan, Rwandese and even the imported varieties. Genetic distance analysis generated three clusters correlating with the PCoA findings. Cluster I consisted of 45 samples with 6 sub-clusters; Cluster II consisted of 29 samples with a majority (26) from Eritrea while cluster III consisted of 19 samples. Potato materials from Eritrea appeared to cluster separately from the other samples, which reflects a contribution from the Tuberosum germplasm prominent in temperate regions, unlike from the Andigenum germplasm for Kenyan and Rwandan potato materials. Most of the Eritrean samples in cluster I are farmers’ cultivars with intermediate maturity, good performance and better tuber quality characteristics. Cluster II contains mainly the imported variety from Eritrea characterized by late emergence and late maturity. The Kenyan and Rwandese were grouped mainly in Cluster III. In summary, the farmers’ cultivars are distinct from the Kenyan and Rwandese materials and represent more genetic diversity than the varieties imported into Eritrea. This finding is of interest to national breeding program to use the farmer’s materials as source of genetic variation for traits of interest.   Key words: Potato, simple sequence repeat (SSR), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), cluster analysis, Eritrea, multivariate.

Evolving varietal and quality distinctiveness of Australia’s wine regions

ABSTRACT In an ever-more-competitive global market, vignerons compete for the attention of consumers by differentiating their product while responding to technological advances, climate changes and evolving demand patterns. In doing so, they increasingly highlight their regional and varietal distinctiveness. This paper examines the extent to which the mix of winegrape varieties in Australia differs from the rest of the world and differs across wine regions within the country, and how that picture has altered over the first decade of this century. It reports varietal intensity indexes for different regions, indexes of similarity of varietal mix between regions and over time, and quality indexes across regions and varieties within Australia. The study is based mainly on a new global database of vine bearing areas circa 2000 and 2010, supplemented by a more detailed database for Australia back to the 1950s. It reveals that the varietal distinctiveness of Australia vis-à-vis the rest of the world, and varietal differentiation between regions within the country, is far less than for most other countries – a pattern that has become even more pronounced since 2000. It concludes that there is much scope for Australia’s winegrape plantings to become more diversified as producers respond to market and climate changes.

Drifting Towards Bordeaux? The Evolving Varietal Emphasis of U.S. Wine Regions

AbstractIn an ever-more-competitive global market, vignerons compete for the attention of consumers by trying to differentiate their product while also responding to technological advances, climate changes and evolving demand patterns. In doing so, they highlight their regional and varietal distinctiveness. This paper examines the extent to which the winegrape varietal mix varies within and among states of the United States and relative to the rest of the world, and how that picture has been evolving. It reports varietal intensity indexes for different regions, indexes of similarity of varietal mix between regions and over time, and price-based quality indexes across regions and varieties within and among the three west-coast States. Broadly speaking, the mix of winegrape varieties in the United States is not very different from that in the rest of the world and, since 2000, it has become even less differentiated and closer to that of France and the world as a whole. But individual U.S. regions vary considerably in the mix of varieties in which they specialize and in the quality of grapes they produce of a given variety; and region-by-variety interactions have complex influences on the pattern of quality and production. We use measures of regional varietal comparative advantage and a Nerlovian partial adjustment model to account for some of the shifting varietal patterns in the U.S. vineyard and in winegrape production. (JEL Classification: D24, L66, Q13)

Changing Varietal Distinctiveness of the World's Wine Regions: Evidence from a New Global Database

AbstractConsumers are always looking for new types of wines. Producers compete for their attention by trying to product differentiate at the same time as they are responding to technological improvements, climate change, and evolving demand patterns. In doing so, wineries are increasingly highlighting their regional and varietal distinctiveness. This paper examines the extent to which the choice of winegrape varieties in wine regions has already changed over the first decade of the twenty-first century in both the Old World and New World. In doing so, it reports a varietal intensity index of different regions and an index of similarity of varietal mix between regions. The study is based on a new database of vine-bearing areas circa 2000 and 2010 for nearly 1,300 DNA-distinct winegrape varieties, spanning over 600 regions in 44 countries that together account for 99 percent of the world's wine production. (JEL Classifications: D24, L66, Q13, Q15)

Peculiarities of grain technological indices establishment for coated and naked grain oats (Avena sativa L.)

Oats technological indices have been analyzed. Influence of growing conditions on natural weight, kernel size, and hoodness is established. The study summary indicates essential dependence of natural weight and hoodness and precipitation at the stage of grain formation in coated grain oats varieties. Moisture supply in the period of grain formation essentially influenced the percentage of coated grains formation and natural weight score in naked grain varieties. Morphometric analyzes of oats caryopsis was completed using the method of machine vision. Correlation between technological indices and morphometric cha­racteristics of naked and coated grain of oats was determined. Also, essential dependence of hoodness on 1000 seeds weight and the lack of essential correlation with morphometric characteristics of the calliopsis were established. Calliopsis width essentially influenced the weight of 1000 seeds. Metric indices of naked grain oats calliopsis exposed close correlation with kernel size and natural weight. Weight of 1000 seeds exposed essential varietal distinctness and was determined by genetic peculiarities of varieties

A New Variety of Lomatium ravenii (Apiaceae) from the Northern Great Basin and Adjacent Owyhee Region

Variability in the group of Lomatium species comprising L. nevadense, L. ravenii, and L. foeniculaceum has led to conflicting classification schemes. While some taxonomists have treated L. ravenii as a distinct species made up of all the populations from California, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon, others considered L. ravenii to be nothing more than a morphological extreme of L. nevadense. We examined morphological and phylogenetic data from across the range of L. ravenii, concluding that variation in the species warrants varietal distinction. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis of 29 populations shows two distinct groups—one from the vicinity of Ravendale, California, and one from the rest of the range in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS, rps16 intron, and cpDNA rpl32-trnLUAG genes from seven populations supports these two groups. We refer to the geographically widespread population as Lomatium ravenii var. paiutense and recommend reassessment of the conservation status of the more narrowly endemic Ravendale populations.

A Cytogenetic Study of Seven Tea Clones [Camellia sinensis (L.) 0. Kuntze|

Karyotype analyses in seven cultivated clones (cv. T78, T383, TV30, HV39, TecnAli17/1/54, TV29, und UPASI-26) of tea (Camellia sinensis) are investigated for their cytogenetic characterization. Karyotypes of the chromosomes (2n = 30) were grouped arbitrarily on the basis of their length and position of the centromere into four types (A-D). Centromeric index (F %). total centromeric index (TF %), disparity index (DI) and total haploid chromosome length (TCL) were calculated. Chromosomes were found to be short to medium in size varied in length from 1.24 μm to 4.20 μm. Karyotypes were gradate and asymmetric in nature with median to nearly submedium chromosome. On the basis karyotype analysis, varietal distinction can be marked to some extent.

Taxonomic Identity in Microbial Eukaryotes: A Practical Approach Using the Testate Amoeba Centropyxis to Resolve Conflicts Between Old and New Taxonomic Descriptions

The present work focuses on 12 taxa of the genus Centropyxis Stein, 1857 to explore the conflict between traditional and contemporary taxonomic practices. We examined the morphology, biometry, and ecology of 2,120 Centropyxis individuals collected from Tiete River, Sao Paulo, Brazil; with these new data we studied the consistency of previously described species, varieties, and forms. We encountered transitional forms of test morphology that undermine specific and varietal distinctions for three species and nine varieties. Biometrical analyses made comparing the organisms at the species level suggest a lack of separation between Centropyxis aculeata and Centropyxis discoides, and a possible distinction for Centropyxis ecornis based on spine characteristics. However, incongruence between recent and previous surveys makes taking any taxonomic-nomenclatural actions inadvisable, as they would only add to the confusion. We suggest an explicit and objective taxonomic practice in order to enhance our taxonomic and species concepts for microbial eukaryotes. This will allow more precise inferences of taxon identity for studies in other areas.

Yeast and bacterial modulation of wine aroma and flavour

Wine is a highly complex mixture of compounds which largely define its appearance, aroma, flavour and mouth-feel properties. The compounds responsible for those attributes have been derived in turn from three major sources, viz. grapes, microbes and, when used, wood (most commonly, oak). The grape-derived compounds provide varietal distinction in addition to giving wine its basic structure. Thus, the floral monoterpenes largely define Muscat-related wines and the fruity volatile thiols define Sauvignon-related wines; the grape acids and tannins, together with alcohol, contribute the palate and mouth-feel properties. Yeast fermentation of sugars not only produces ethanol and carbon dioxide but a range of minor but sensorially important volatile metabolites which gives wine its vinous character. These volatile metabolites, which comprise esters, higher alcohols, carbonyls, volatile fatty acids and sulfur compounds, are derived from sugar and amino acid metabolism. The malolactic fermentation, when needed, not only provides deacidification, but can enhance the flavour profile. The aroma and flavour profile of wine is the result of an almost infinite number of variations in production, whether in the vineyard or the winery. In addition to the obvious, such as the grapes selected, the winemaker employs a variety of techniques and tools to produce wines with specific flavour profiles. One of these tools is the choice of microorganism to conduct fermentation. During alcoholic fermentation, the wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae brings forth the major changes between grape must and wine: modifying aroma, flavour, mouth-feel, colour and chemical complexity. The wine bacterium Oenococcus oeni adds its contribution to wines that undergo malolactic fermentation. Thus flavour-active yeasts and bacterial strains can produce desirable sensory results by helping to extract compounds from the solids in grape must, by modifying grape-derived molecules and by producing flavour-active metabolites. This article reviews some of the most important flavour compounds found in wine, and their microbiological origin.

VARIETAL DISTINCTNESS ASSISTED BY MOLECULAR MARKERS: A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

The varietal distinctness procedure involves expensive, space and time consuming measurements of phenotypical traits. Moreover, for most species and traits, interactions between genotype and environment complicate the cultivar evaluation. Molecular markers could provide a distinctness procedure that actually help increasing reliability of decisions and saving field experiments and time. In the statistical framework of the linear model, the authors propose to define a new distinctness procedure using molecular data to predict phenotypical distance between cultivars. As an example, this method is applied to maize data and leads to 29% of savings for less than 5% of errors. Improvement of these methods are finally discussed.

STUDIES ON THE DIATOM GENUSNAVICULABORY. VII. THE IDENTITY AND TYPIFICATION OFNAVICULA GREGARIADONKIN,N. CRYPTOCEPHALAKÜTZ. AND RELATED TAXA

Morphological investigations of specimens of Navicula gregaria, N. cryptocephala, N. cryptocephala var. exilis, N. capitatoradiata, N. veneta and N. phyllepta were performed using light and electron microscopy. Both type and modem samples were examined. The typification of each taxon was reviewed; Patrick's typifications of N. cryptocephala and N. gregaria are supported, but the nomenclatural changes proposed by Lange-Bertalot are rejected. Based on Kiitzing's type material there is insufficient justification for recognising N. cryptocephala var. exilis as a discrete species but it is useful to retain the varietal distinction. Species descriptions (to aid identification by light microscopy) are given with the type localities and locations of type material. Illustrated standardization of descriptive terminology for valve shapes and endings is advocated.

The North American Distributions of the Circumboreal Species of Splachnum and Tetraplodon

The North American Distributions of the Circumboreal Species of Splachnum and Tetraplodon