Insituto de Asistencia Reumatólogica Integral

Abstract Lilium is a genus of high ornamental and economic value, comprising over 115-130 species distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus is widely cultivated for its aesthetically appealing flowers, which exhibit remarkable diversity in form, color, and fragrance. Interspecific hybridization has played a pivotal role in expanding the genetic base of Lilium, enabling the development of novel cultivars with enhanced ornamental traits, disease resistance, and environmental adaptability. However, the process is often constrained by pre- and post-zygotic reproductive barriers, chromosomal incompatibilities, and limited cross-compatibility among species. This review synthesizes current knowledge on interspecific hybridization in Lilium, highlighting its historical context, breeding strategies, cytogenetic challenges, and molecular tools used to facilitate hybrid development. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of SSR markers in genotyping and parentage analysis, which have significantly advanced our understanding of genetic relationships among hybrids and wild species. By integrating classical breeding approaches with modern molecular techniques, interspecific hybridization continues to be a powerful tool for cultivar development and biodiversity conservation in Lilium. Future prospects include the application of genomic selection, embryo rescue, and biotechnological interventions to overcome hybridization barriers and accelerate breeding efficiency.

A field experiment was conducted in an Inceptisol (IARI, New Delhi, India) during 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 to investigate the effect of optimal (100% NPK) to super-optimal doses (200% NPK) of mineral fertilizer on yield attributes, nutrient harvest index and their uptake pattern in wheat (Triticum aestivum) crop under a maize-wheat cropping systems. Ten levels of fertilizer N, P and K along with 3% foliar spray of iron were laid out in a randomized manner in three replications. Proportionate increase in fertilizer doses of NPK increases the wheat grain (+5.4–5.6%) and straw yield (+5.1–6.1%), but the rate of increase in yield declines as we move from lower to higher doses. The change or increased yield under treatments representing higher doses of NPK is attributed to the increase number of spikes (+4.7–56%) and the weight of grains in each spike (+5–6%). Super-optimal dose of mineral fertilizers (200% NPK) application increased the nutrient contents and uptake of nutrients in grain and straw of wheat. Fertility status of soil after the harvest of two cycles of maize-wheat crop increased with increased application of N, P and K. Nutrient harvest indices for various nutrients showed the effectiveness of mineral fertilizers and foliar iron application increased iron harvest index+9–20%.

The antimicrobial efficacy of hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of a rice-field cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp., were evaluated against cyanobacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. The maximum production of biocidal compounds was observed in cultures grown for 20 days under optimized conditions (phosphate =1.4 mg/l; light intensity ≈ 3000-4000 lux). Fractionation of the extracts showed six spots on silica-gel-coated plates. Hexane extract was the most potent biocide, showing marked (35-42%) reduction in the growth of fungi, but no negative influences on seed germination or seedling growth of wheat, rice and mung bean, emphasizing its suitability for use in agriculture.Keywords: Antifungal; extract; inhibition zone; metabolite; Pythium debaryanum; Rhizoctonia solani

The present work analyzed the stainability and in vitro germinability of the gamma-ray-irradiated fresh and cryopreserved pollens of 3 Citrus species: C. limon, C. limetta, and C. sinensis. Fruit set after pollinating 75 flowers of C. grandis with irradiated and nonirradiated (control) fresh and cryopreserved pollen was also assessed. Results showed that in solid and liquid culture media the highest in vitro germination values were detected in fresh (61.45% and 62.53%, respectively) as well as cryopreserved (53.17% and 55.36%, respectively) C. sinensis nonirradiated pollens. However, at a higher irradiation dose of 500 Gy in both culture media, the minimum reduction of germinability of fresh (30.85% and 28.01%) and cryopreserved pollens (33.37% and 31.06%) was found in C. limon. Contrary to in vitro germination, the minimum reduction in stainability of fresh and cryopreserved pollens, as assessed by acetocarmine (9.51% and 11.85%, respectively) and FDA tests (10.78% and 12.73%, respectively), was recorded in C. limetta. Regardless of irradiation dose, the highest fruit setting in C. grandis at 40 days after pollination was detected when it was pollinated with both fresh (38.02%) and cryopreserved (34.92%) C. limetta pollen grains.