White Cultivars Research Articles

The beneficial effect of leaf removal during fruit set on physiological, biochemical, and qualitative indices and volatile organic compound profile of the Cypriot reference cultivar 'Xynisteri'.

'Xynisteri' is the reference Cypriot white cultivar that, despite its significant societal and economic impact, is poorly characterized regarding its qualitative properties, while scarce information exists regarding its aroma profile. In the current study, the effect of leaf removal during fruit set (BBCH 71) on 6-year cordon-trained, spur-pruned grapevines was assessed and an array of physiological, biochemical, and qualitative indices were monitored during successive developmental stages (BBCH 75, BBCH 85, BBCH 87, and BBCH 89). Grapes were additionally monitored for the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile during the advanced on-vine developmental stages (BBCH 85-BBCH 89) with the employment of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectra and electronic nose (E-nose) techniques. Grape berries from the vines subjected to leaf removal were characterized by higher solid soluble sugars (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), tartaric acid, and ammonium nitrogen contents, while this was not the case for assimilable amino nitrogen (primary amino nitrogen). A total of 75 compounds were identified and quantified, including aliphatic alcohols, benzenic compounds, phenols, vanillins, monoterpenes, and C13 -norisoprenoids. Leaf removal led to enhanced amounts of glycosylated aroma compounds, mainly monoterpenes, and C13 -norisoprenoids. Chemometric analysis, used through FT-NIR and E-nose, showed that the aromatic patterns detected were well associated to the grape ripening trend and differences between leaf removal-treated and control grapes were detectable during fully ripe stage. Leaf removal at fruit set resulted in an overall induction of secondary metabolism, with special reference to glycosylated aroma compounds, namely monoterpenes and C13 -norisoprenoids. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome provides insights into the mechanisms of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins biosynthesis in Trifolium repens

Anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin (PA) are plant natural products beneficial to human and livestock health. In particular, the legume forage with proper PA contents can prevent lethal pasture bloat in ruminant animals. To study the mechanism underlying anthocyanin and PA biosynthesis in legume forages, comparative transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses were performed with ‘Purple’ and ‘Haifa’ white clovers. Metabolic analyses revealed that pelargonidin may be the most important source of color in ‘Purple’. Cyanidin-3-O-(6''-O-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside, petunidin-3-O-(6''-O-p-coumaroyl)-rutinoside, and delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside-7-O-glucoside might contribute to PA biosynthesis. Additionally, 67 differentially expressed genes in anthocyanin and PA biosynthetic pathways were discovered between ‘Purple’ and ‘Haifa’. Among them, DFR (dihydroflavonol-4-reductase), LDOX/ANS (leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase/anthocyanidin synthase), (leucoanthocyanidin reductase), ANR (anthocyanidin reductase), and UFGT (UDPglucose:flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase) may be key determinants of the differences in anthocyanin and PA biosynthesis. Finally, A hypothetical model of gene expression regulating the synthesis of PAs and anthocyanins in white clover was proposed, which could provide a molecular genetic basis for future candidate genes validation and breeding high-PA white clover cultivars.

Intraspecific plant variation and nonhost herbivores affect parasitoid host location behaviour

Parasitoids need to find their hosts in patchy environments that differ in profitability. To maximize foraging efficiency, parasitoids use volatile information of plants on which their hosts feed. The blend of plant volatiles emitted is affected by genetic variation in plants and by the herbivore species feeding on the plant. How parasitoids deal with variation in plant volatiles induced by host or nonhost herbivores on various plant genotypes in a plant stand is unclear. In a wind tunnel, we examined foraging behaviour of the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata in mixes of white cabbage cultivars with host ( Pieris brassicae ) and nonhost herbivores ( Mamestra brassicae or Delia radicum ). We specifically studied the efficiency of parasitoids in locating a host-infested plant when having to pass three other plants that varied in volatile emission by cultivar and herbivore identity. We show that foraging decisions of C. glomerata are affected by the apparency of volatile cues from upwind host-infested plants. We found that parasitoids flew over the first three plants more often when the last plant was a host-infested attractive cultivar and the first three plants were a less attractive cultivar, regardless of the presence of host or nonhost herbivores. Furthermore, parasitoids spent more time on the first three plants if these were infested with host or nonhost larvae, and this effect was stronger when the first three plants were of the attractive cultivar. Our results suggest that parasitoids may more easily locate host herbivores on plant genotypes with more apparent volatile information. However, host location efficiency is affected by the contrast with other plumes of plant volatiles derived from genotypic variation in plants and induction of volatiles by nonhost herbivores. Apparency of information on upwind patches influences patch residence time and patch choice and is an important component of optimal foraging in parasitoids. • Foraging decisions by Cotesia glomerata are affected by the apparency of information. • Profitability of upwind patches affects foraging decisions on the current patch. • Nonhost herbivores with traits similar to the host reduced host location efficiency. • Established parasitoid cultivar preferences are nuanced in complex plant mixtures.

Effect of Parboiling on the Physicochemical and Phytochemicals Characteristics of Traditional Rice Cultivars

Background: The indigenous rice varieties of India are cultivated and utilized by tribal peoples as well as people in the distant regions with traditional culture. The main aim of the research work was to explore the inherit beneficial characteristics of traditional rice cultivars over hybrid varieties. Methods: The research work was aimed to investiagate the physicochemical and phytochemicals characteristics in traditional red rice cultivars (Mapillai Samba and Karungkuruvai) and traditional white rice cultivars (IR 20 and Improved White Ponni). The different treatments used in the study were raw rice (unpolished, polished) and parboiled rice (unpolished, polished). The interaction between physicochemical characteristics and phytochemicals were evaluated using Pearson correlation and Principal component analysis. Result: The physicochemical characteristics were analyzed for all the rice cultivars. It was observed that parboiled-unpolished mapillai samba showed highest length, breadth, 1000 grain weight. The raw rice cultivars showed highest phytochemicals than parboiled rice. The total phenolic, total flavonoids and total anthocyanin contents were highest for the mapillai samba (raw rice-unpolished). Among different traditional rice cultivars, mapillai samba showed significantly higher antioxidant levels. The results of the study suggested that these traditional rice cultivars can be incorporated in value added products.

Integrated metabolite profiling and transcriptome analysis reveal candidate genes involved in the formation of yellow Nelumbo nucifera

As a worldwide major ornamental flower and a edible plant, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is also used as medicine and tea beverage. Here, transcriptome and metabolites of yellow (MLQS) and white (YGB) lotus cultivars during five key flower coloration stages were profiled. 2014 differentially expressed genes were detected with 11 carotenoids in lotus were identified for the first time. Then, regulatory networks between and within functional modules was reconstructed, and the correlation between module-metabolites and gene-metabolites was conducted within 3 core modules. 18 candidate genes related to the formation of yellow flower were screened out and a gene regulatory model for the flower color difference between MLQS and YGB were speculated as follows: The substrate competition between F3′H and F3′5′H and substrate specificity of FLS, together with differential expression of CCD4a and CCD4b were contribute to the differences in flavonoids and carotenoids. Besides, UGT73C2, UGT91C1–2 and SGTase, and regulation of UGTs by transcription factors PLATZ, MADS, NAC031, and MYB308 may also play a role in the upstream regulation. The following verification results indicated that functional differences existed in the coding sequences of NnCCD4b and promoters of NnCCD4a of MLQS and YGB. In all, this study preliminarily reveals the mechanism of yellow flower coloration in lotus and provides new ideas for the study of complex ornamental characters of other plants.

Integrated analysis of carotenoid metabolites and transcriptome identifies key genes controlling carotenoid compositions and content in sweetpotato tuberous roots (Ipomoea batatas L.)

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) with different depths of yellow color contains different compositions of carotenoids, which are beneficial for human health. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis of metabolomic and transcriptomic to identify key genes playing a major role in carotenoid coloration in sweetpotato tuberous roots. Herein, 14 carotenoids were identified in five sweetpotatoes. Orange-red and orange cultivars were dominated by β-carotene (385.33 μg/g and 85.07 μg/g), yellow cultivar had a high β-cryptoxanthin (11.23 μg/g), light-yellow cultivar was rich in zeaxanthin (5.12 μg/g), whereas lutein (3.34 μg/g) was the main carotenoid in white cultivar. Furthermore, 27 differentially expressed genes involved in carotenoid metabolism were identified based on comparative transcriptome. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified 15 transcription factors highly associated with carotenoid content in sweetpotatoes. These results provide valuable information for revealing the regulatory mechanism of carotenoid metabolism in different-colored sweetpotato tuberous roots.

Development of two-level Design of Experiments for the optimization of a HS-SPME-GC-MS method to study Greek monovarietal PDO and PGI wines

Aroma is a key element in the description of wine's hedonistic character and commercial value. The volatile compounds that compose a wine's aroma belong to various very different chemical groups and their concentration varies from ppt to ppm. Therefore, the development of an analytical method able to cover such variability is a challenging task. In the present work, arduous method development was applied to reach optimal headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) conditions, for the characterization of wine volatilome, by using a two-level screening-to-modelling Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. The optimized and comprehensive HS-SPME-GC-MS protocol was then used for the analysis of seventy wine samples of six monovarietal Greek Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) white and red wine cultivars (Moschofilero, Assyrtiko, Savvatiano, Malagouzia, Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro). One hundred volatile metabolites were identified and semi-quantified in several concentration ranges according to variety. Fatty acids and their corresponding ethyl esters were found in higher concentrations in the white wines, while higher alcohols were characteristic for the red wines. Differences between the cultivars were evaluated through multivariate statistical analysis and PCA and OPLS-DA models. The results demonstrated that Moschofilero is a very aromatic and floral variety, as it is very rich in terpenic compounds, while Malagouzia and Agiorgitiko were characterized by isoamyl alcohol and ho-trienol, respectively.

Performance of Onion Cultivars in the Treasure Valley of Eastern Oregon and Southwestern Idaho in 2010–20

Each year ≈24,000 acres of onions (Allium cepa) are produced in the Treasure Valley of eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho, which accounts for 20% of U.S. dry-bulb onion acreage. Onions in this region are long-day onions and are irrigated by either furrow irrigation or drip irrigation, with drip irrigation having become the predominant system in the past 10 years. Onion production in the Treasure Valley faces many biotic pressures and changing market conditions that renders cultivar development and testing of critical importance to the onion industry. Direct-seeded yellow, white, and red onion cultivars have been evaluated yearly at the Malheur Experiment Station, Oregon State University, in Ontario, OR, USA, since 1975. From 2010 to 2020, 10 onion seed companies participated in the trials. There were 21 to 32 yellow cultivars, two to 10 red cultivars, and one to seven white cultivars entered in the trial each year. Only five cultivars were entered all 11 years. Total yields for the yellow cultivars ranged from an average of 680 cwt/acre in 2010 to 1277 cwt/acre in 2018, and averaged 961 cwt/acre over the 11 years. Yield of yellow bulbs larger than 4 inches (colossal and super colossal) ranged from 13% in 2010 to 61% in 2018, and averaged 34% over the 11 years. Single centered yellow bulbs ranged from 46% in 2013 to 70% in 2014. Total yields for the red cultivars averaged 520 cwt/acre and total yield of white cultivars averaged 988 cwt/acre over the 11 years. Over the 11 years, single-centered bulbs of red cultivars averaged 65% and single-centered bulbs of white cultivars averaged 45%. Some newer cultivars show improvements in single centeredness, resistance to Iris yellow spot virus, and yield of larger bulbs over cultivar Vaquero, which was released in 1993, indicating the success of breeding efforts. Yields of five yellow cultivars that were in the trials every year since 2010, increased over time. This increase can be partly attributed to improvements in cultural practices over the years: adoption of drip irrigation, more intensive nutrient management, refined onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) control, and higher plant population.

The Molecular Network behind Volatile Aroma Formation in Pear (Pyrus spp. Panguxiang) Revealed by Transcriptome Profiling via Fatty Acid Metabolic Pathways.

Simple SummaryPear is a widely eaten fruit all over the world. Volatile aroma is an important factor affecting fruit quality and the fatty acid metabolism pathway is important in synthesizing volatile aromas. In this study, Panguxiang (Pyrus spp. Panguxiang) is a new variety bred from P. bretschneideri Rehd. cv. ‘Biyang piaoli’ and, unlike most white pear varieties cultivated in China, its aroma is also vital. The study aimed to explore unique pear resources of rich fruit aroma and to clarify the metabolism and regulation mechanism of the aromatic components in pear fruit. This paper used physiological and transcriptome methods to explore the molecular network behind volatile aroma formation in Panguxiang revealed via fatty acid metabolic pathways. Through transcriptome sequencing, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified yellow functional modules and several biological and metabolic pathways related to fatty acid formation. Finally, we identified seven and eight hub genes in the fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid metabolism pathways, respectively. Further analysis of the co-expression network allowed us to identify several key transcription factors related to the volatile aroma, including AP2/ERF-ERF, C3H, MYB, NAC, C2H2, GRAS, and Trihelix, which may also be involved in fatty acid synthesis and further influence the formation of aroma.Pears are popular table fruits, grown and consumed worldwide for their excellent color, aroma, and taste. Volatile aroma is an important factor affecting fruit quality, and the fatty acid metabolism pathway is important in synthesizing volatile aromas. Most of the white pear varieties cultivated in China are not strongly scented, which significantly affects their overall quality. Panguxiang is a white pear cultivar, but its aroma has unique components and is strong. The study of the mechanisms by which aroma is formed in Panguxiang is, therefore, essential to improving the quality of the fruit. The study analyzed physiological and transcriptome factors to reveal the molecular network behind volatile aroma formation in Panguxiang. The samples of Panguxiang fruit were collected in two (fruit development at 60, 90, 120, and 147 days, and fruit storage at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) periods. A total of nine sample stages were used for RNA extraction and paired-end sequencing. In addition, RNA quantification and qualification, library preparation and sequencing, data analysis and gene annotation, gene co-expression network analysis, and validation of DEGs through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-;PCR) were performed in this study. The WGCNA identified yellow functional modules and several biological and metabolic pathways related to fatty acid formation. Finally, we identified seven and eight hub genes in the fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid metabolism pathways, respectively. Further analysis of the co-expression network allowed us to identify several key transcription factors related to the volatile aroma, including AP2/ERF-ERF, C3H, MYB, NAC, C2H2, GRAS, and Trihelix, which may also be involved in the fatty acid synthesis. This study lays a theoretical foundation for studying volatile compounds in pear fruits and provides a theoretical basis for related research in other fruits.

BIOACTIVE POTENCY OF MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS AND SYNTHETIC CHEMICAL ON POST-HARVEST ROT PATHOGENS OF WHITE YAM (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) TUBER CULTIVARS

Diseases are the major challenges facing postharvest deterioration of yam tubers by pathogens in storage. The present study was carried out at Advanced Plant Pathology Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria to study the bioactive potency of leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss, seeds of Piper guineense Schumach and rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Rosc with the synthetic fungicide Mancozeb used as a standard for comparison on the storability of Hembankwase, Pepa, Ogoja and Ghini white yam tuber cultivars. Tubers weighing 2kg were stored for a period of five months each year for two years from December, 2015 to April, 2016 and from December, 2016 to April, 2017 to determine the biological potency of the extracts using the Decay Reduction Index (DRI) method. Mean values obtained after five months of storage in 2016 indicated that the lowest and the highest mean Decay Reduction Index of 0.45 and 0.93 respectively were recorded on Hembankwase when A. indica was used. Similar results obtained in 2017 revealed that Z. officinale produced the lowest and highest mean value of 0.44 and 0.72 on Pepa and Ogoja respectively. Mean values recorded in the first year of storage showed significant difference (P≤0.05) between treatments. There were only significant differences (P≤0.05) when Mancozeb and Z. officinale were used in the second year. Differences in means for each treatment between first and second year of storage produced significant difference (P≤0.05). It is concluded that all the plant extracts and synthetic fungicide inhibited growth of pathogens in storage and should therefore be formulated for managing storage pathogens of yam.

POTENTIAL OF MAIZE (Zea mays) YIELD IN THE SAVANNA OF KANO STATE, SEMI-ARID REGION OF NIGERIA

This study examined the Savanna agro-ecologies potential of maize yield in Kano State. Field experiment consisted of five different fertilizer treatments namely were replicated three times in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The trial was established at three different locations namely: Doguwa (Northern Guinea Savanna), Bunkure (Sudan Savanna 2) and Dambatta (Sudan Savanna1) with a total of fifteen treatments(Five fertilization for three locations). White maize hybrid cultivar (SC651) was planted at 25cm and 75cm intra plants and inters ridges respectively. The results showed that highest maize yield potential was in the Northern Guinea Savanna with mean yield of 4.284 t/ha while lowest in the Sudan Savanna 1 with mean yield of 1.927 t/ha. Fertilization using Nutrients Expert (NE) has the highest maize yield while lowest maize yield of was observed in Regional Recommendation (RR) fertilization in all the three locations. It further revealed that there is significant maize yield difference between Doguwa (NGS), Bunkure (SS2) and Dambatta (SS1) with p value <0.001 at 0.05 significant level.

Effect of Different Type Light and Growing Medium on the Growth and Flowering of Two Cultivars of Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.)

This study was carried out in the greenhouse of the Horticulture Department Nursery, College of Agriculture Engineering Sciences, Duhok University, Kurdistan region, Iraq, for the period from 1st Aug 2020 to 1st Mar 2021, to study the effect of five supplemental light (control, natural light, Incandescent 14, Incandescent 18, mixed 14, mixed 18) hours daily and three growing medium (river soil, river soil + 30% local compost, river soil + 60% local compost) on some vegetative growth and flowering of two cultivars of carnation plant. The best results (fewest days) for the number of days from planting to bud emergence, visible flower colour, and anthesis were obtained when the plants were exposed to mixed light colours or incandescent lamps for a 14-hour treatment, Also this treatments were significantly superior in the other characteristics like plant height, flower length and flower diameter compared to the control. Medium with 60% local compost significantly increased all the studied characteristics compared with other mediums. The Ormea (Red) cultivar was significantly superior to the Moonlight cultivar in all studies of characteristics and was early in day numbers for bud emergence, visible flower colour, and anthesis. All second interactions between the investigated factors had a significant influence in all studied characteristics. In addition, the triple interaction between the three factors had a significant impact on all characteristics, including the least days or fewest days to flower anthesis of the Ormea cultivar when planted on medium containing 60% local compost under incandescent 14h, which took 101.80 days compared 176.27 days, with an early reach of 74.47 days for the control. The Moonlight (white) cultivar required the fewest days, 128.93 days, for a medium containing 60% compost under mixed 14h, which needed 123.93 days, compared to the control, which required 195.87 days with an early flowering rate of 71.94 days.

Determination of Genetic Divergence Pattern of White Fly Resistant Cotton Cultivars by Using Microsatellite

Cotton is considered a cash crop in the agriculture sector, and whitefly infestation is one of the cotton crop's significant biotic stresses. This study aimed to identify whitefly Bemisia tabaci resistant cotton varieties that can be incorporated into a cotton breeding program to improve the cotton crop's quality, yield, and growth. In this study, we used 10 Microsatellite (SSR) markers for genetic diversity assessment among 50 genotypes of G. hirsutum. 58 loci were found by applying the NAU and BNL series primers. A maximum number of loci, eight, were amplified by SSR markers NAU-883, NAU-2714, and BNL-827, respectively. SSR marker JESPER-101 amplified a minimum number of the loci,i.e., 2. The PIC count ranged from 0.7215 to 0.8828, with a mean value of 0.4034. NAU 2161 displayed a maximum polymorphism value of 0.8828 and BNL 1672 showed a minimum polymorphism value of 0.4034. Cluster analysis grouped the 50 genotypes into four clusters. Cluster A holds 30 varieties. Cluster B includes 11 varieties. Cluster C had six varieties, and cluster D had 3. Genetic diversity is maximum in varieties NS-161, VH-307, and AGC-555, as they are located at the most significant distance in clusters. The SSR genetic profile for every cultivar made it conceivable to separate a few cultivars.
 To conclude, this investigation of the genetic divergence of cotton cultivars with SSR markers supports the need to bring new alleles into the genetic pool of the cultivars. It can help in assessing the best whitefly-resistant cotton variety. The information generated from diversity analysis studies will help in future breeding plans for improving the hereditary variety of cotton cultivars to fulfill the need for cotton development for various purposes.

GENETIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME BARLEY GENOTYPES (HORDEUM VULGARE L.) USING SSR TECHNIQUE (MICROSATELLITE)

The study was carried out in order to determine the degree of genetic kinship among fifteen barley genotypes using SSR technique with 14 pairs of primers. The study showed that, all the primers gave amplification products and showed polymorphism between the studied genotypes. The total number of alleles was 19, with an average of 1.35, and the number of polymorphic alleles was 19, the percentage of polymorphism was 100%. The number of total and polymorphic alleles ranged between one allele as the lowest value for primers (Bmac0209, Bmac0067, Bmag0225, Bmag012, Bmag0394, Bmag0353, Bmag0206, Bmac0031, GBM1362, EBmac0603) and three alleles as the highest value for the primer Bmag0006. The polymorphism information content (PIC) for each primer ranged from 0.32 (Bmac0209, Bmag0225) as the lowest value, to 0.721 (Bmag0385) as the highest value, and average PIC value was 0.446. The highest value of the percent agreement values (PAV) matrix was about 0.909, between Furat 7 and Mohsen White cultivars, which indicate the present of a high degree of genetic kinship, followed by the Furat 5 and Asowad Arabic (0.863), while the lowest value was 0.318 between H10 and Furat 4, indicating a great genetic variation between them. The previous results were in agreement with the genetic kinship analysis and cluster analysis which showed a high degree of genetic similarity between Furat 7 and Mohsen White, followed by Furat 5 and Asowad Arabic.

Evaluation of Ribes Rubrum Cultivars in Estonia

Abstract The evaluation of cultivars of red and white currant (Ribes rubrum L.) was carried out in 2019–2020 at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, South-Estonia. The aim of this study was to estimate traits of red and white currant cultivars of both Estonian and introduced origin. An evaluation plot was established in the autumn of 2016. During two consecutive years (2019–2020), 11 promising cultivars were evaluated for the beginning of flowering and fruit ripening, winter hardiness, resistance to diseases (expressed in scores 1–9), yield per bush, fruit weight, drop of flowers and premature berries, as well as the content of the soluble solids (°Brix), titratable acids, ascorbic acid, total phenols and total anthocyanins. The highest yield was determined in cultivars ‘Bayana’ and ‘Viksnes’, while cvs. ‘Rovada’, ‘Jonkheer van Tets’, ‘Kurvitsa 4’ and ‘Valko’ had larger berries. The highest soluble solid content was found in the berries of red currant ’Krameri punane’ (13.8 °Brix) and white currant ’Bayana’ (12.4 °Brix).

English

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological diversity of plantain accessions from three main plantain growing districts in Benin Republic. Sixteen descriptors were used including 5 quantitative. Overall, 31 cultivars were identified and associated with various names depending on the sociolinguistic groups. Results indicated the presence in each district of the three types of inflorescences (male rachis appearance) that describe the plantain subgroup. False horn is the most represented with 19 accessions, followed by French type with 10 accessions and True horn with only two accessions. All plantains were giant cultivars with pseudostem greater than 3 m, except hybrid L5449, which averaged 2.89±0.06 m. The collection was dominated by accessions having slightly oblique or sub-horizontal bunches (83.87%). Quantitative variables were submitted to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) which led to the separation of all the accessions into four clusters having specific traits that can be harnessed diversely in a breeding program. The presence of the three types of inflorescences confirmed plantain phenotypical diversity, with “False horn” type dominating plantain cultivars. Moreover, the occurrence of genetic erosion of white pulp cultivars is due to consumer preferences. Key words: Accession, collection of bananas, biodiversity, phenotypical variability.

An assessment of the genetic diversity of pear (Pyrus L.) germplasm resources based on the fruit phenotypic traits

Germplasm resources are an important basis for genetic breeding and analysis of complex traits, and research on genetic diversity is conducive to the exploration and creation of new types of germplasm. In this study, the distribution frequency, coefficient of variation, Shannon–Wiener index, and variance and cluster analyses were used to analyze the diversity and trait differences of 39 fruit phenotypic traits from 570 pear accessions, which included 456 pear accessions from 11 species and 114 interspecific hybrid cultivars that had been stored in the National Germplasm Repository of Apple and Pear (Xingcheng, China). The comprehensive evaluation indices were screened by correlation, principal component and regression analyses. A total of 132 variant types were detected in 28 categorical traits of pear germplasm fruit, which indicate a rich diversity. The diversity indices in decreasing order were: fruit shape (1.949), attitude of calyx (1.908), flesh texture type (1.700), persistency of calyx (1.681), russet location (1.658), relief of area around eye basin (1.644), flavor (1.610) and ground color (1.592). The coefficient of variation of titratable acidity in the 11 numerical traits of pear germplasm fruit was as high as 128.43%, which could more effectively reflect the differences between pear accessions. The phenotypic differentiation coefficient Vst (66.4%) among the five cultivated pear species, including Pyrus bretschneideri (White Pear), P. pyrifolia (Sand Pear), P. ussuriensis (Ussurian Pear), P. sinkiangensis (Xinjiang Pear), and P. communis (European Pear), was higher than the within population phenotypic differentiation coefficient Vst (33.6%). The variation among populations was the main source of variation in pear fruit traits. A hierarchical cluster analysis divided the 389 accessions of six cultivated pear species, including P. pashia (Himalayan Pear), into six categories. There were certain characteristics within the populations, and the differences between populations were not completely clustered by region. For example, Sand Pear cultivars from Japan and the Korean Peninsula clustered together with those from China. Most of the White Pear cultivars clustered with the Sand Pear, and a few clustered with the Ussurian Pear cultivars. The Ussurian Pear and European Pear cultivars clustered separately. The Xinjiang Pear and Himalayan Pear did not cluster together, and neither did the cultivars. Seventeen traits, three describing fruit weight and edible rate (fruit diameter, fruit length and fruit core size), five describing outer quality and morphological characteristics (over color, amount of russeting, dot obviousness, fruit shape, and stalk length), and nine describing inner quality (flesh color, juiciness of flesh, aroma, flavor, flesh texture, flesh texture type, soluble solid contents, titratable acidity, and eating quality) were selected from the 39 traits by principal component and stepwise regression analyses. These 17 traits could reflect 99.3% of the total variation and can be used as a comprehensive evaluation index for pear germplasm resources.

Characterization of phenolic profile in dried grape skin of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot Blanc with UHPLC-MS/MS and its development during ripening

Comprehensive phenolic composition of dried grape skin from cv. Pinot Blanc and its development during ripening is reported, with particular emphasis on flavonol glycosides profile. Extraction procedure and reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS) method were optimized and validated for the determination of 39 phenolic compounds belonging to different groups (flavonols, dihydroflavonols, benzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ols). Beside selected reaction monitoring (SRM) for analytes available as standards, flavonols and dihydroflavonols profile was furtherly explored performing precursor ion scan (PIS) with neutral loss (NL) for unavailable compounds. Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside occurred as major flavonol component, and rutinosides for kaempferol- and isorhamnetin- structures were also quantitable. Presence of different myricetin derivatives was unveiled, with myricetin-3-O-glucoside being quantifiable at all ripening time points. Besides high levels of astilbin, dihydroquercetins profile resulted highly complex. Moreover, ratio between caftaric and coutaric acid and between isomers of coutaric acid at harvest was uncommon if compared to other white cultivars.

Proximate Analysis and Production of Bio-ethanol from Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) White Cultivars obtained from Samaru Zaria

This study entails the production of bioethanol from the peels of sweet potato of white cultivar variety obtained in Zaria, Kaduna State Nigeria. Fresh cultivar with the proximate composition of 72% moisture content, 9.71% ash content, 24.52% crude fiber, 78.74% total carbohydrate and crude protein of 6.42% were hydrolyzed with 3% sulphuric acid solution at 130oC and 60 minutes in an improvised reactor to generate 54.5ml of hydrolyzate after steam pretreatment step. The fermentable reducing sugar of 10.68% was achieved through glucose standardization with UV-spectrophotometer at 540nm wavelength. The fermentation of the hydrolyzate –yeast/media mixture (155ml) at 30oC for 72hours was achieved by commercial grade saccharomyces cerevisiae to yield 20.5g/54.5ml, which corresponds to 0.8198g/ml specific gravity and 93.6% ethanol concentration. The molecular sieve was eventually adopted in dehydrating the bioethanol to 99.9% (0.8072g/ml) concentration and the final yield of 1.61% per 50g of w. cultivar. FTIR spectrum that declares the ethanolic identity with the stretching vibrations of O-H, C-O and C-H at 3391, 1055 and 2981cm-1 respectively with the symmetric stretching vibration of the methyl groups at 2930cm-1.

Genetic architecture of end-use quality traits in soft white winter wheat

BackgroundGenetic improvement of end-use quality is an important objective in wheat breeding programs to meet the requirements of grain markets, millers, and bakers. However, end-use quality phenotyping is expensive and laborious thus, testing is often delayed until advanced generations. To better understand the underlying genetic architecture of end-use quality traits, we investigated the phenotypic and genotypic structure of 14 end-use quality traits in 672 advanced soft white winter wheat breeding lines and cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.ResultsThis collection of germplasm had continuous distributions for the 14 end-use quality traits with industrially significant differences for all traits. The breeding lines and cultivars were genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing and 40,518 SNP markers were used for association mapping (GWAS). The GWAS identified 178 marker-trait associations (MTAs) distributed across all wheat chromosomes. A total of 40 MTAs were positioned within genomic regions of previously discovered end-use quality genes/QTL. Among the identified MTAs, 12 markers had large effects and thus could be considered in the larger scheme of selecting and fixing favorable alleles in breeding for end-use quality in soft white wheat germplasm. We also identified 15 loci (two of them with large effects) that can be used for simultaneous breeding of more than a single end-use quality trait. The results highlight the complex nature of the genetic architecture of end-use quality, and the challenges of simultaneously selecting favorable genotypes for a large number of traits. This study also illustrates that some end-use quality traits were mainly controlled by a larger number of small-effect loci and may be more amenable to alternate selection strategies such as genomic selection.ConclusionsIn conclusion, a breeder may be faced with the dilemma of balancing genotypic selection in early generation(s) versus costly phenotyping later on.