Varietal Types Research Articles

Genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogeny of insular Spanish pepper landraces (Capsicum annuum L.) through phenotyping and genotyping-by-sequencing.

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Understanding the species' genetic background is key to preserve agrodiversity on-farm, to contribute to a more diverse and resilient agrifood sector, and to find new sources of variation that could be useful in future breeding programs. In this regard, varietal groups bred in insular environments have gained special interest as they have evolved quite isolated from continental forms, with a limited genetic exchange. The present work explores the diversity of a plethora of Balearic landraces, corresponding to different local varietal types, through phenotyping and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). Mallorca and Eivissa landraces were phenotyped according to a comprehensive list of descriptors for plant, leaf, flower, fruit, pollen, and seed and were genotyped with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers; population structure and their patterns of diversity were studied. The results showed a considerable morphological diversity for most traits analyzed, within and between landraces. On the whole, in regard to genetic patterns, relatively low levels of heterozygosity and moderate genetic diversity for the studied landraces were found although some of them exhibited diverse patterns. The materials were not grouped in specific clusters associated with each island, but mainly according to varietal types. These findings can serve as the basis for studying divergent evolutionary patterns associated with the corresponding populations. Finally, the results can contribute to further elucidation of the genetic basis of Balearic landraces and serve as an inspiring case of study for other insular endemisms of cultivated species.

Morphological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal the Involvement of Key Metabolic Pathways in Male Sterility in Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Genotypes.

Chimonanthus praecox (Calycanthaceae family) is a unique ornamental and economic flowering tree in China, and after thousands of years of cultivation, it has produced several varieties and varietal types. Notably, male sterility is common in flowering plants and is an important tool for the genetic improvement in plants and optimization using hybrid plant technology; however, there have been no reports on male-sterile material or related studies on C. praecox. To our knowledge, this is the first time that C. praecox male sterility is dissected unveiling the involvement of key metabolic pathways. Notably, male sterility in C. praecox was observed during the budding period and likely occurred during the premature stage of pollen cell maturation. Additionally, differentially expressed genes in the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway and the plant hormone signal transduction pathway showed regular expression trends. This study reports on significant genetic differences that contribute to male sterility in C. praecox and provides a basis for further research and breeding strategies.

Effect of Introgression of Ty-1 and ty-5 Genes on Productivity, Quality, and Antioxidant Compounds in De la Pera Tomato Breeding Lines

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a crop that is affected by more than a hundred viral species. De la pera is a local varietal type of tomato that is very popular in southeastern Spain. However, it is highly susceptible to several viruses, such as Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), which is considered one of the most important diseases of tomato crops and is a limiting factor for production in both outdoor and protected crops, making it difficult to eradicate. This study shows the effect of gene introgression on the performance of traditional lines of De la pera by combining two genes that offer tolerance to TYLCV, Ty-1 and ty-5, on some yield and quality traits and on the antioxidant capacity of tomato fruits. Two pear tomato breeding families, UMH175 and UMH220, were evaluated. Four lines from each of the families with all homozygous combinations of the Ty-1 and ty-5 genes were studied. The results showed that the introgression of the ty-5 allele produced a slight negative effect on yield, mean fruit weight, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity, in contrast to Ty-1, which produced a large negative effect. None of the introgressions showed a negative effect on the antioxidant compounds. ty-5 is a promising gene for use in breeding programs.

The Dark Side of the pollen: BSA-seq identified genomic regions linked to male sterility in globe artichoke

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus; 2n = 2x = 34) is a food crop consumed for its immature flower heads. Traditionally, globe artichoke varietal types are vegetatively propagated. However, seed propagation makes it possible to treat the crop as annual, increasing field uniformity and reducing farmers costs, as well as pathogens diffusion. Despite globe artichoke’s significant agricultural value and the critical role of heterosis in the development of superior varieties, the production of hybrids remains challenging without a reliable system for large-scale industrial seed production. Male sterility (MS) presents a promising avenue for overcoming these challenges by simplifying the hybridization process and enabling cost-effective seed production. However, within the Cynara genus, genic male sterility has been linked to three recessive loci in globe artichoke, with no definitive genetic mechanism elucidated to date. A 250 offsprings F2 population, derived from a cross between a MS globe artichoke and a male fertile (MF) cultivated cardoon (C. cardunculus var. altilis) and fitting a monogenic segregation model (3:1), was analyzed through BSA-seq, aiming at the identification of genomic regions/genes affecting male sterility. Four QTL regions were identified on chromosomes 4, 12, and 14. By analyzing the sequence around the highest pick on chromosome 14, a cytochrome P450 (CYP703A2) was identified, carrying a deleterious substitution (R/Q) fixed in the male sterile parent. A single dCAPS marker was developed around this SNP, allowing the discrimination between MS and MF genotypes within the population, suitable for applications in plant breeding programs. A 3D model of the protein was generated by homology modeling, revealing that the mutated amino acid is part of a highly conserved motif crucial for protein folding.

Characterization of Browning, Chlorogenic Acid Content, and Polyphenol Oxidase Activity in Different Varietal Types of Eggplant (Solanum melongena) for Improving Visual and Nutritional Quality.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) breeding for fruit quality has mostly focused on visual traits and nutritional and bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acid. However, higher contents of chlorogenic acid may lead to more pronounced fruit flesh browning. We examined a diverse collection of 59 eggplant accessions across five varietal types ('black oval', 'striped', 'anthocyanin-free', 'purple', and 'black elongated') to evaluate the degree of browning, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, and chlorogenic acid (CGA) content. The results reveal moderate correlations among these traits, with no clear differences among the varietal types, suggesting that other factors, including genetic variation, might significantly influence these traits. Notably, 'black oval' accessions demonstrated higher browning and PPO activity, whereas 'striped' accessions showed low variability. The identification of genotypes with lower browning and higher CGA content highlights opportunities for targeted genotype selection to improve eggplant chlorogenic acid content while maintaining low or moderate browning, pointing towards the importance of genetic considerations in breeding strategies to reduce browning and enhance nutritional value.

Structural and expression analysis of polyphenol oxidases potentially involved in globe artichoke (C. cardunculus var. scolymus L.) tissue browning

Globe artichoke capitula are susceptible to browning due to oxidation of phenols caused by the activity of polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), this reduces their suitability for fresh or processed uses. A genome-wide analysis of the globe artichoke PPO gene family was performed. Bioinformatics analyses identified eleven PPOs and their genomic and amino acidic features were annotated. Cis-acting element analysis identified a gene regulatory and functional profile associated to plant growth and development as well as stress response. For some PPOs, phylogenetic analyses revealed a structural and functional conservation with different Asteraceae PPOs, while the allelic variants of the eleven PPOs investigated across four globe artichoke varietal types identified several SNP/Indel variants, some of which having impact on gene translation. By RTqPCR were assessed the expression patterns of PPOs in plant tissues and in vitro calli characterized by different morphologies. Heterogeneous PPO expression profiles were observed and three of them (PPO6, 7 and 11) showed a significant increase of transcripts in capitula tissues after cutting. Analogously, the same three PPOs were significantly up-regulated in calli showing a brown phenotype due to oxidation of phenols. Our results lay the foundations for a future application of gene editing aimed at disabling the three PPOs putatively involved in capitula browning.

Characterization of Targeted Phenolic Compounds in Globe Artichoke Heads and Waste from Vegetatively and "Seed"-Propagated Genotypes.

In the globe artichoke, both the edible portion and the waste biomass are recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds. For this study, heads with 30 cm-long floral stems including two to three leaves were harvested from five genotypes, which included two traditional vegetative-propagated varietal types ("Brindisino" and "Violetto di Foggia") and three "seed"-propagated hybrids ("Tempo", "Opal", and "Madrigal"). The study aimed to determine the total and individual polyphenolic concentrations (measured spectrophotometrically and using HPLC) and antioxidant activity (AA) in different artichoke parts, namely the "hearts" (H), head waste (HW), stem waste (SW), and leaf waste (LW). "Brindisino" SW exhibited the highest accumulation of luteolin (26,317 mg kg-1 F.W.), while "Tempo" H displayed the highest cynarin content (190 mg kg-1 F.W.). "Tempo" HW and H showed the highest levels of apigenin (640 mg kg-1 F.W.), and the greatest source of chlorogenic acid was found in the HW of "Opal" and the H of "Brindisino" (4300 mg kg-1 F.W.). The hybrids generally exhibited lower total polyphenolic concentrations than the traditional genotypes, particularly evident in the LW. The SW demonstrated the highest concentration of total polyphenols (18,000 mg kg-1 F.W.), followed by the edible H and non-edible HW (12,000 mg kg-1 F.W.), while the LW exhibited the lowest concentration (2000 mg kg-1 F.W.). Interestingly, the AA did not precisely align with the total polyphenolic concentration, showing slight variations between the examined parts and genotypes.

Multielement analysis coupled with chemometrics modelling for geographical origin classification of teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] grains from Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter] is an indigenous crop in Ethiopia, and Amhara region is the predominant teff producing region in the country. This study was aimed at developing an analytical methodology useful to determine the geographical origin of teff produced in the Amhara Region, based on multielement analysis combined with multivariate statistical techniques. For this, a total of 72 teff grain samples were collected from three zones (West Gojjam, East Gojjam, and Awi) and analysed for K, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, and Cd contents using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The digestion and ICP-OES analysis method were accurate, with percentage recovery ranging 85.5 to 109% across the different metals analysed. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were applied to discriminate samples based on their production regions. Magnesium, Ca, Fe, Mn, and Zn were the most discriminating elements among the samples. The LDA model provided 96% correct classification of samples into production regions and varietal types, with an average prediction ability of 92%. Hence, the multielement analysis combined with statistical modeling can be used in the authentication of the geographical origin and varietal type of teff from Amhara region.

Morphological, Molecular, and Nutritional Characterisation of the Globe Artichoke Landrace "Carciofo Ortano".

The present study focused on the molecular, morphological, and nutritional characterisation of a globe artichoke landrace at risk of genetic erosion still cultivated in the municipality of Orte (Lazio Region, Central Italy) and therefore named "Carciofo Ortano". Molecular analysis based on SSR and ISSR markers was carried out on 73 genotypes selected at random from 20 smallholdings located in the Orte countryside and 17 accessions of landraces/clones belonging to the main varietal types cultivated in Italy. The results confirmed that "Carciofo Ortano" belongs to the "Romanesco" varietal typology and revealed the presence within the landrace of two distinct genetic populations named Orte 1 and Orte 2. Despite the high level of within-population genetic variation detected, the two populations were genetically differentiated from each other and from the landraces/clones of the main varietal types cultivated in Italy. Morphological and nutritional characterisation was performed on representative genotypes for each of the two populations of the "Carciofo Ortano" and the four landraces/clones included in the varietal platform of the PGI "CARCIOFO ROMANESCO DEL LAZIO" used as reference genotypes ("Campagnano", "Castellammare", "C3", and "Grato 1"). Principal component analysis showed that, of the 43 morphological descriptors considered, 12, including plant height, head shape index, head yield, and earliness, allowed a clear grouping of genotypes, distinguishing Orte 1 and Orte 2 populations from the reference genotypes. Regarding the nutritional composition of heads, particular attention should be devoted to the Orte 2 genotypes for their high dietary fibre, inulin, flavonoid, and phenol content, a feature that could be highly appreciated by the market.

Cultivation of irrigated tomatoes with ozonised water under a Mediterranean climate in Algeria

This study presents the results of an experimental work carried out on tomato seedlings of the same varietal type, grown under a Mediterranean climate and irrigated with ozonised water at different ozonisation durations that vary from zero to 30 seconds. In order to assess the impact of aqueous ozone on the agronomic performances and the physicochemical characteristics of fruits. The tomatoes responded differently between themselves and the control batch. The results obtained showed precocity of germination, an increase in growth, development, and vigour in the experimental plants compared to the controls. The yield is proportional to the increase in the ozonisation time of irrigation water. During the reproductive phase of the plants, no negative effects were observed. The physicochemical characteristics of fruits could be evaluated; they are distinguished from higher sugar contents in the experimental tomatoes compared to controls, no great difference for the other criteria analysed, the latter were generally in accordance with the standardized values of the literature as well as with the applicable national regulations. Ozonisation of irrigation water is an effective and promising alternative method, which improves germination time and increases fruit yield without negatively affecting their marketability.

A new variety of Chinese radish (loba) Serdtse Podmoskovya for the Central region of Russia

The article presents the results of the selection work of the laboratory of breeding and seed production of table root crops of the Federal Scientific Vegetable Center for the culture of Chinese radish (loba). From the collection material (a total of 23 samples were studied), a promising material was selected under the number No. 600 for a complex of economically valuable features. The purpose of the research is to create a variety of Chinese radish – loba for open and protected ground. Based on this goal, the objectives of the research included: to evaluate a promising variety of loba in a nursery of competitive variety testing in open and protected ground conditions, to assess alignment according to the main morphobiological parameters, as well as to assess the safety and resistance to diseases during storage.Results. As a result of repeated individual and family selection in the direction of productivity, resistance to premature stem formation and diseases of vegetation and storage, as well as improvement of taste qualities, a new variety of Chinese radish Serdtse Podmoskovya was bred. The new variety belongs to the pink-red rounded varietal type. The root crop is flat-rounded, large in size. The flesh is white, juicy, with a slightly spicy taste. The variety is medium-ripened, the growing season is 65-75 days, suitable for use in early summer, autumn and winter, resistant to longterm storage (95-96% preservation) and low light. The yield of the variety in protected ground is 2.7 kg/m2, marketability – 88.7%, root crop weight – 533 g; dry matter content – 6.26%, sugars – 2.56%, ascorbic acid – 19.36 mg%. The variety on this background was distinguished by the absence of flowering and diseased plants. The yield in the open ground was 31.2 t/ha (3.12 kg/m2), marketability – 81.2%, root crop weight – 281 g. The variety under these conditions was characterized by a higher content of dry matter –11.0%, sugars – 3.2% and ascorbic acid – 20.13 mg%; a small percentage of flowering (9.4%) and affected plants (6.3%) was noted. For this variety, a technology has been developed for obtaining original and elite seeds according to a one-year development cycle in the conditions of the Central region ща Russia.

The Effect of the Varietal Type, Ripening Stage, and Growing Conditions on the Content and Profile of Sugars and Capsaicinoids in Capsicum Peppers.

Peppers (Capsicum sp.) are used both as vegetables and/or spice and their fruits are used in a plethora of recipes, contributing to their flavor and aroma. Among flavor-related traits, pungency (capsaicinoids) and lately volatiles have been considered the most important factors. However, the knowledge of sugars is low, probably due to the fact peppers were historically considered tasteless. Here, using HPLC, we studied the content and profile of major sugars and capsaicinoids in a comprehensive collection of varietal types (genotype, G), grown under different growing systems (environment, E) in two years (Y) and considered the two main ripening stages (R). We found a major contribution to the ripening stage and the genotype in total and individual sugars and capsaicinoids. The year was also significant in most cases, as well as the G × E and G × Y interactions, while the growing system was low or nil. Ripening increased considerably in sugars (from 19.6 to 36.1 g kg-1 on average) and capsaicinoids (from 97 to 142 mg kg-1 on average), with remarkable differences among varieties. Moreover, sugars in fully ripe fruits ranged between 7.5 and 38.5 g kg-1 in glucose and between 5.2 and 34.3 g kg-1 in fructose, and several accessions reached total sugars between 40 and 70 g kg-1, similar to tomatoes. The results reveal the importance of the genotype and the ripening for these traits, particularly sugars, which should be considered key for the improvement of taste and flavor in peppers.

An integrated genomic and biochemical approach to investigate the potentiality of heirloom tomatoes: Breeding resources for food quality and sustainable agriculture.

A revival of interest in traditional varieties reflects the change in consumer preferences and the greater awareness of the quality of locally grown products. As ancient cultivars, heirlooms have been selected for decades in specific habitats and represent nowadays potential germplasm sources to consider for breeding high-quality products and cultivation in sustainable agriculture. In this study, 60 heirloom tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) accessions, including diverse varietal types (beefsteak, globe, oxheart, plum, and cherry), were profiled over two seasons for the main chemical and biochemical fruit traits. A medium-high level of heritability was found for all traits ranging from 0.52 for soluble solids to 0.99 for fruit weight. The average content of ascorbic acid was ~31 mg 100 g-1 of fw in both seasons, while the greatest variability was found for carotenoids with peaks of 245.65 μg g-1 of fw for total lycopene and 32.29 μg g-1 of fw for β-carotene. Dissection of genotypic (G) and seasonal (Y) factors highlighted genotype as the main source of variation for all traits. No significant effect of Y and G × Y was found for ascorbic acid and fruit weight, respectively, whereas a high influence of Y was found on the variation of lycopene. Molecular fingerprinting was performed using the 10K SolCAP array, yielding a total of 7,591 SNPs. Population structure, phylogenetic relationships, and principal components analysis highlighted a differentiation of plum and cherry genotypes with respect to the beefsteak and globe types. These results were confirmed by multivariate analysis of phenotypic traits, shedding light on how breeding and selection focused on fruit characteristics have influenced the genetic and phenotypic makeup of heirlooms. Marker-trait association showed 11 significantly associated loci for β-carotene and fruit weight. For β-carotene, a single variant on chromosome 8 was found at 12 kb to CCD8, a cleavage dioxygenase playing a key role in the biosynthesis of apocarotenoids. For fruit weight, a single association was located at less than 3 Mbp from SLSUN31 and fw11.3, two candidates involved in the increasing of fruit mass. These results highlight the potentiality of heirlooms for genetic improvement and candidate gene identification.

GROWTH REGULATORS FOR INCREASING THE SEED PRODUCTIVITY OF HEAD CABBAGE PLANTS AT THE REPRODUCTIVE STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Introduction. Belonging to different types of cabbage varieties, varietal types and maturity groups requires constant improvement of varietal technologies of seed cultivation. One of the effective methods of solving this problem is the use of growth regulators. Analysis of recent researches and publications. One of the effective methods of increasing the seed productivity of selection-valuable lines, varieties and F1 hybrids of head cabbage is the use of growth regulators. Scientific publications note the existence of certain differences in the growth response of different genotypes of white cabbage to treatment with regulators. One of the ways to overcome this problem is the creation of composite preparations, which would consist not of one biologically active substance, but of several, most susceptible to the realization of the genetic potential of cabbage-desert plants in terms of seed productivity and sowing qualities of seeds. Such compounds include salicylic acid, which, being an endogenous phytohormone, participates in the formation of plant resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors. The most diverse functions related to the derepression of development genes are performed in the plant organism by the growth regulator - gibberellic acid (GA3). Therefore, taking into account the constant changes in environmental stress factors, the issue of preserving the stable realization of the genetic potential of cabbage plants in relation to their seed productivity remains relevant and requires the planning and development of appropriate measures. One of the options for solving this issue is the synthesis of biologically active substances and the creation of composite preparations based on them, which include salicylic acid, gibberellic substances and other growth regulators. Purpose. To conduct an analysis of the regulatory properties of composite preparations of biologically active substances for their prospective use in the technological processes of growing cabbage seeds as growth regulators capable of increasing the seed productivity of cabbage plants in the reproductive stage of development. Methods. The work studied two composite preparations DSK-1A and DGURSK, which, in addition to other components, contained regulators of phytohormonal action. Biotests of the preparations were carried out on 3 varieties of cabbage (Kharkivska zimova, Yaroslavna, Paleta) of domestic breeding. To determine the regulatory activity, a single treatment of the root system of the queens with the tested preparations DSK-1A and DGURSK was carried out before planting in field conditions after the completion of the vernalization phase, which lasted in the spring-winter period. In the experiments, two statistical indicators were determined – “arithmetic mean weight of seeds from one cabbage seed” and “weight of 1000 seeds”. The calculation of the results of the experiment was carried out using the methods of variational statistics. Results. Evaluating the effect of the tested composite preparations, one should note their high efficiency in the formation of high-quality seed material of head cabbage. Compared to the absolute control, the reaction of reproductive plants of all three selected varieties of head cabbage resulted in an increase in the yield of seed mass from one seed plant by 36.30–57.47%, and the mass of 1000 seeds by 15.64–39.55% in the case of application of the drug DSK-1A. The regulatory effect of the drug DGURSK was also effective on two varieties, Paleta and Kharkivska zimova. Relative to the absolute control, the increase in the mass of formed seeds from one plant was 56.73–63.70%, but for the variety of Yaroslavna white-headed cabbage, this drug was not effective, which, presumably, can be related to the specific reaction of this variety to the action of the drug and the need to reduce his working concentration. On the formation of the weight of 1,000 seeds of a certain variety of head cabbage, the drug DGURSK had a generally consistently high effect, which was reflected in a statistically significant increase in the "weight of 1,000 seeds" indicator by 16.95–25.38% compared to the absolute control. All other modifications of the method of pre-planting treatment of head cabbage queens revealed a high dependence on varietal response. Discussion. As a result of the use of composite preparations of biologically active substances, it was possible to increase the seed productivity of cabbage plants, while minimizing the negative impact of varietal reaction to growing conditions.

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION, BIO-ECOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, ORNAMENTAL QUALITIES AND PROSPECTS OF ECONOMIC USE OF THE COLLECTION OF ANNUALS OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF BILA TSERKVA NATIONAL AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY

The article highlighted the results of the analysis of collection of annual flowering-and-ornamental plants in the Botanical Garden of Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University. It was found that the collection of annuals included 76 species and 267 varieties belonging to 61 genera and 27 families. The largest number of species was represented by the families Asteraceae – 25 and Amaranthaceae – 6 species. Callistephus chinensis (L.) Ness. species containing 171 varieties belonging to three classes, 10 types and 44 varietal types and Tagetes L. genus including three species and 42 varieties were distinguished by varietal diversity. The taxonomic composition of the collection of annual flowering-and-ornamental plants was analyzed and it was established that 53% belonged to beautiful flowering plants, 21% to leafy ornamental plants, 10% to fragrant plants, 7% to dried flowers, 5% to climbing plants, 4% to ground cover species. It was established that all species and varieties of the collection differed in origin, height of shoots, nature of branching. According to the methods of cultivation, 78,3% of the species and varieties of the collection were suitable for sowing in open ground, and only 21,7% required a seedling method of cultivation. Analysis of flowering dates showed that 22,5% of the species and varieties of the collection began flowering 8-9 weeks after sowing, 52,3% – after 10-12 weeks and 25,2% – after 13-14 weeks after sowing seeds. Ornamental qualities of annuals, in particular, growth forms and height of plants, color palette of flowers and inflorescences, terry forms of flowers, their aromatic properties, variety of shapes and sizes of leaves, long and abundant flowering and resistance to the conditions of urboecosystems allowed to widely introduce annual flower plants into urban landscaping, in particular, in geometric flower beds, mixed borders, rabatka, borders, solitaires, groups, Moorish lawns, parterre flower beds and to create monoculture gardens.

European traditional tomatoes galore: a result of farmers' selection of a few diversity-rich loci.

A comprehensive collection of 1254 tomato accessions, corresponding to European traditional and modern varieties, early domesticated varieties, and wild relatives, was analyzed by genotyping by sequencing. A continuous genetic gradient between the traditional and modern varieties was observed. European traditional tomatoes displayed very low genetic diversity, with only 298 polymorphic loci (95% threshold) out of 64943 total variants. European traditional tomatoes could be classified into several genetic groups. Two main clusters consisting of Spanish and Italian accessions showed higher genetic diversity than the remaining varieties, suggesting that these regions might be independent secondary centers of diversity with a different history. Other varieties seem to be the result of a more recent complex pattern of migrations and hybridizations among the European regions. Several polymorphic loci were associated in a genome-wide association study with fruit morphological traits in the European traditional collection. The corresponding alleles were found to contribute to the distinctive phenotypic characteristic of the genetic varietal groups. The few highly polymorphic loci associated with morphological traits in an otherwise a low-diversity population suggests a history of balancing selection, in which tomato farmers likely maintained the morphological variation by inadvertently applying a high selective pressure within different varietal types.

Pattern of genetic diversity in indigenous Ahu rice germplasm of Assam

The north-eastern part of India including Assam is one of the key centres of diversity of cultivated rice. Among the diverse varietal types, Ahu group of varieties with their evolutionary significance being intermediate between indica and japonica deserves attention for their detailed evaluation and utilisation in crop improvement programme. This work was attempted to elucidate the pattern of genetic variation and genetic diversity in a set of 147 indigenous Ahu rice genotypes of Assam grown under rainfed upland direct seeded condition. Among the 13 traits under study, the highest genotypic coefficient of variation was exhibited by primary branches per plant followed by secondary branches per plant and grain yield. Heritability in broad sense was the highest for grain L: B ratio followed by grain width and grain length. More than 90% heritability in broad sense was, observed for all the traits except effective tillers per plant, panicle length and grain yield. The highest genetic advance as per cent of mean was observed for primary branches per plant followed by secondary branches per plant and grain yield. Hence, selection for these traits would be most effective for further genetic improvement. At the intermediate linkage distance, four main and nine sub clusters were obtained by Euclidean cluster analysis. Cluster III b was the largest containing 35 entries, which was followed by cluster I c containing 32 entries. The variety Chidon Ahu remained distinct from all other entries and belonged to cluster I b. Based on per se performances of the genotypes and their inter se distance, promising genotypes were suggested for hybridization in order to obtain desirable segregants for further genetic improvement of Ahu rices. Keywords: Genetic variation, genetic divergence, Ahu rice, rainfed upland

Quantifying the effects of varietal types × management on the spatial variability of sorghum biomass across US environments

AbstractRegional‐scale estimations of sorghum biomass production allow identification of optimum genotype×environment×management (G×E×M) combinations for bioenergy generation. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of contributions of G, E, and M toward variability in sorghum biomass in the United States. Using the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator in a grid computing platform, biomass was simulated for irrigated and rainfed conditions for 30 years across the United States for four sorghum varietal types (grain—GS, sudangrass—SS, photosensitive—PS, and photo‐insensitive—PI). Simulated biomass was assessed by environments clustered using the sum of intercepted solar radiation (ir), mean of temperature stress factor (tp) and water stress factor (sw). Simulated biomass ranged from 5.8 t ha−1 (GS‐rainfed) to 27.5 t ha−1 (PI‐irrigated). Under high‐temperature environments (mean annual temperature = 25°C), rainfed biomass between 40 and 80 days after planting (DAP) was strongly correlated with sw (r = 0.64–0.86) and irrigated biomass with ir (r = 0.68–0.81). Under low‐temperature environments (mean annual temperature = 18°C) after 40 DAP, tp and ir had greater effects than sw (r = 0.55–0.82). Biomass variance was mainly explained by varietal type (50%–76%) in all environments×irrigation combinations, except in the high‐ and mid‐temperature environments under rainfed conditions where rainfall had the major effect (25%–45%). However, when mean temperature during the growing season decreased from 25°C (high environments) to 18°C (low environments), the contribution of mean temperature to biomass variance increased from 7% to 34% (rainfed) and from 4% to 36% (irrigated). Varietal type had the larger interactions with other factors independently of the environment and irrigation. We demonstrated a need to quantify (i) the main G×E×M drivers of biomass variability based on environmental stress factors and (ii) the variance contribution of these drivers on sorghum biomass. Our regional‐scale estimations are key inputs for future robust biomass projections of energy sorghum genotypes integrating G×E×M under climate change scenarios.

Nutritional Characterization of a Traditional Cultivar of Tomato Grown Under Organic Conditions-cv. "Malacara".

The loss of genetic diversity due to the replacement of local tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) varieties by improved cultivars has been mitigated in many cases by the good work of organic farmers in maintaining local agricultural biodiversity. In parallel to these initiatives, in recent years, consumers have developed an increasing awareness of both food-related health, environmental issues, and food demand to recover the flavors of the past. In the case of tomatoes, these attributes (nutritional, organoleptic, social, and environmental) are closely related to organic production using local varieties. “Malacara” tomato is an example of a local variety. Coming from Sierra de Cádiz, it is a varietal type called “Cuelga” (“for hanging,” because the tomato trusses are hung from beams in the farmhouses). Cultivated and harvested in the open air during the summer months, these tomatoes are commercialized and consumed in the winter. Historically, this variety has enabled the fresh consumption of tomatoes during the winter, without the need to force cultivation. It is highly appreciated in the local cuisine and is the basis for sauces figuring in typical dishes. Its characteristic traits are small, pallid fruits, and long shelf life. The main objective of this work has been to typify two Malacara tomato cultivars (red and yellow color) grown under organic farming conditions, through the characterization of morphological, nutritional, and volatile parameters. The main differences are due to morphological parameters (fruit weight and color of the exocarp and endocarp). Other characteristics such as the content of ash, fiber, moisture, the concentration of iron, magnesium, and calcium, and content of lycopene are different between both cultivars. This study provides information on the nutritional and aromatic composition of two Malacara tomato cultivars, differentiated by their color and grown under organic farming conditions. The results add value to the native horticultural heritage and can aid in the selection of tomato varieties suitable for a sustainable production system and to produce tomatoes with high nutritional value and rich in aroma.

Influence of ozonised irrigation water on the morphological, bacteriological and sensory characteristics of ‘Saint-Pierre’ tomatoes grown in Algeria

This article focuses on the study of the influence of ozonised water irrigation on the morphological, bacteriological and sensory characteristics of ‘Saint-Pierre’ tomatoes grown in Algeria. The results were compared with those irrigated with non-ozonised tap water called control of the same varietal type and grown under the same conditions. The work was carried out on seedlings of tomatoes grown and irrigated with ozonised water at different ozonisation times: 10- seconds, 20- seconds and 30-seconds, corresponding to lot I (tomato at 10-s), lot II (tomato at 20-s) and lot III (tomato at 30-s), respectively. Irrigation with ozonised water does not cause defects in shape, skin or colour of the fruits. They are, distinguished by a round shape, very red in colour, consistent and slightly acidic in taste. With good microbiological stability in accordance with the standard and good organoleptic quality except for the taste character of tomatoes at 30-seconds where a majority of evaluators estimated that ‘they were bland and no big difference for the other criteria analysed. In general, our results showed that the ozonisation of irrigation water improves the growth, development, vigour and yield of tomato plants without altering the marketability of the fruits. This process encourages the use of ozonised water in agriculture since it has a high added value from an environmental and economic point of view and it can be generalized to other crops.