Agromorphological Characterization of Amaranth Accessions

The characterization and morphological evaluation of plants are essential steps towards the germplasm classification and use in breeding. The objective of this study was to improve the morphological characterization of four Alpinia purpurata cultivars by means of qualitative evaluations to identify genotypes with promising traits for the ornamental plant market. Four cultivars of A. purpurata (‘Jungle King’, ‘Kimi’, ‘Red Ginger’ and ‘Pink Ginger’) were assessed in a partially shaded cultivation system. Quantitative morphological descriptors such as stem length and diameter, number of leaves on floral stem, leaf width and length, inflorescence width and length, fresh weight of floral stem and the number of produced and marketable stems were evaluated. The qualitative descriptors were evaluated on inflorescence, floral stem, petiole, leaf and bracts. Postharvest longevity was tested in a cold chamber (at 16 and 19°C) and at ambient temperature (26°C). The most outstanding quantitative traits of the cultivars ‘Jungle King’, ‘Kimi’ and ‘Pink Ginger’ were stem length and diameter, fresh weight, floral stem durability, inflorescence length and width and productivity. Cultivar ‘Red Ginger’ was less outstanding in the quantitative traits mentioned for the other cultivars. Variation among the cultivars was observed for inflorescence shape and color. The cultivars ‘Kimi’ and ‘Pink Ginger’ produced a stem yield of 6,654.32 and 7,580.24 ha-1 year-1, respectively, and cultivars ‘Red Ginger’ and ‘Jungle King’ 6,012.34 and 4,037.03 ha-1 year-1, respectively. The postharvest durability of the four cultivars evaluated under refrigeration exceeded 15 days and that of the control was less than 8 days. The qualitative and quantitative traits of the cultivars ‘Jungle King’, ‘Kimi’ and ‘Pink Ginger’ were promising for the tropical ornamental plant market.

Amaranth grain yield varies widely in response to environment, weather conditions, species, genotype and production techniques. With appropriate varieties, yields of grain amaranth can be improved. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of yield variability in exotic grain amaranth accessions between locations. Field trials involving 28 accessions as treatments were conducted at two locations namely the Vegetable Research Farm of the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Idi-Ishin Ibadan and the Teaching & Research Farm of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. The two locations are in Oyo State, South-West, Nigeria, with Ibadan typifying Forest-Savanna transition zone and Ogbomoso Derived Savanna zone. The field trials were undertaken from August to December 2013. The 28 accessions were replicated three times in a randomized complete block design in each location. Data were collected on growth and yield parameters; inflorescence length, inflorescence weight, 1000-grain weight, grain production efficiency, and grain yield. Variability existed among the accessions of grain amaranth. There were significant ( p < 0.05) differences in grain yield of the accessions. Accessions 74-43, RRC1351, RRC399, RRC8 and RRC551 (all of which are Amaranthus Caudatus spp.) produced higher grain yields in both locations compared to the rest of the accessions. The top high-yielding accessions included RRC1351 (1.9 t ha −1 ), RRC399 (1.8 t ha −1 ), 74-43 (1.7 t ha −1 ), RRC8 (1.4 t ha −1 ) and RRC551 (1.3 t ha −1 ). Yield of grain amaranth was significantly lower in the more humid Ibadan than the less humid Ogbomoso. Keywords: grain production efficiency, inflorescence length, weight and location

In this research, agro-morphological variation among twenty genotypes of Mentha longifolia L. was assessed in 2 years based on agricultural production under water stress condition. The experiment was arranged in split–split-plot design with water stress treatment in two irrigation levels of 100% (as control) and 60% field capacity in three replications. The result of variance analysis indicated that there was a significant variation (P ≤ 0.01) in traits among the genotypes and in response to the water deficit condition. Different traits were measured such as plant height, yield, date of flowering, inflorescence length, stem diameter, fresh and dry weight of leaf, essential oil content, and essential oil yield. Results showed that traits such as yield and essential oil yield had considerable variation, varying from 374.17 to 899.33 g m−2 and 17.7–391.6 kg ha−1 on the analysis in response to water stress condition, respectively. Cluster analysis using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means grouped the studied twenty genotypes into two major clusters based on agro-morphological traits which all the studied genotypes were known as yield ecotype. Five genotypes including Hormozagan, Khuzestan, Kerman-1, West Azarbaijan, and Ghazvin had the most significant biomass and essential oil performance and resistance under water stress condition that can be introduced for domestication breeding programs and cultivation.

The effects of method of application and dose of paclobutrazol on the growth and flowering characteristics of Lupinus varius L. were studied. On 17 Dec., seeds were sown into 18-cm pots (three seeds per pot) filled with a mixture consisting of 2 peat: 1 river sand (by volume). On 25 Mar., when 5% of the plants had elongated first internodes, doses of paclobutrazol at 0 (control), 0.625, 1.250, and 2.500 mg a.i./plant were applied to plants as a foliar spray or media drench. The application of paclobutrazol led to a slight shortening of the time to flowering, especially when applied as a foliar spray. Plant height and internode length, length, and internode length of the main inflorescence significantly decreased with increased doses of paclobutrazol and this also happened with the number of branches per plant, branch length, and length and internode length of branch inflorescence. On the contrary, stem, main, and branch inflorescence diameters significantly increased with increased doses of paclobutrazol, whether applied as a foliar spray or media drench. However, drench applications of paclobutrazol were consistently more effective than foliar spray treatments on most of the growth characteristics investigated. Paclobutrazol, in particular when applied as a foliar spray, also increased the number of flowers on main and branch inflorescences relative to the control, but media drenched applications of paclobutrazol at doses of 1.250 and 2.500 mg a.i./plant resulted in consistent significant reductions in the number of flowers on branch inflorescences. Chemical name used: (±)-(R*,R*)-β[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-α-(1,1-dimethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (paclobutrazol).

Background: Thesium L. is the largest genus in the family Santalaceae (sandalwood family). The last taxonomic revision of the southern African species dates back to 1925. An urgent revision of the genus is required as indicated in a recent national biosystematics research strategy for South Africa.Objectives: To revise the Thesium confine species complex (Thesium durum, T. confine and Thesium spartioides) and to update the typification, nomenclature, descriptions and distribution ranges.Method: Morphological characters were studied using own field collections as well as herbarium specimens from K, NU, PRE and PRU and images on Global Plants (JSTOR). Distribution ranges of the studied species were updated.Results: An examination of morphological characters revealed great similarity between T. spartioides and T. confine. Both species have an herbaceous habit, decumbent growth form, terminal (or less frequently axillary) inflorescences and a sympatric northern distribution in South Africa. Thesium durum differs from T. spartioides and T. confine in having a shrubby habit, erect growth form and axillary inflorescences and occurs in the southern part of South Africa.Conclusion: Thesium spartioides is synonymised under T. confine, and T. durum is retained as a separate species.

Somatic embryogenesis is an in vitro clonal propagation method with potential to contribute to the improvement of cacao varieties. Before using this technology for commercial production, it is essential that somatic embryogenesis-derived plants be tested in field conditions. Therefore, we established a field test at Union Vale Estate, Saint Lucia. Thirty- to 50-yr-old trees were selected for clonal propagation as potentially high yielding based on local farmers observations. Clonal plants were propagated in vitro from immature flowers by embryogenesis and micropropagation. Multiple plants from nine genotypes were acclimated to greenhouse conditions then returned to Saint Lucia and planted in a field. Orthotropic rooted cuttings and locally propagated open pollinated seedlings were also planted for a total of 214 trees. Growth data were collected every 4–6 mo. including: stem diameter, stem height, length of the longest jorquette branch, number of jorquette branches, and dates of first flowering and fruiting. At 4.5 yr after planting in the field there were no major differences in all growth parameters among the propagation methods evaluated with exception of the orthotropic rooted cuttings. Trees grown from seeds were slightly taller then trees propagated by the other methods. Trees propagated as orthotropic rooted cuttings exhibited smaller average stem diameters, shorter stem heights to the jorquette, and shorter jorquette branches. We concluded that somatic embryo-derived plants demonstrated normal phenotypes in field conditions and have growth parameters similar to plants propagated by traditional methods.

In order to investigate the effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on yield, quality and some quantitative parameters of flue-cured tobacco, 2 year experiment was carried out in tobacco research institute of Rasht located in Guilan province on factorial based with 3 replications. The applied fertilizer levels included 35 (N1), 45 (N2), 55 (N3) and 65 (N4) kg N/ha of pure nitrogen of urea source and potassium in two levels of 150 (K1) and 200 (K2) kg K/ha of potassium sulphate. The measured parameters in this experiment included leaf dry weight, leaf wet weight, stem height, stem diameter, leaf number in plant, leaf length, leaf width, stem dry weight, biomass, nicotine and sugar content. The effect of year on parameters such as leaf dry weight, leaf wet weight, stem height, leaf number, leaf length, stem dry weight, biomass and sugar content was significant (P<0.01). Likewise nitrogen had significant effect on leaf wet weight, leaf length, stem dry weight, biomass and sugar content at 1% statistical level and also on leaf dry weight, leaf wet weight, stem diameter, leaf width and stem dry weight at 5% statistical level. The interaction between year and nitrogen on parameters of leaf length (in 1% statistical level), leaf width and biomass (at 5% statistical level) was significant. In second year, more leaf dry weight, leaf wet weight, stem height, leaf number, stem dry weight, biomass and sugar content were obtained but the amount of leaf length and sugar content were greater in first year of experiment. The highest amount of leaf dry weight, leaf length, stem dry weight and biomass belonged to applying 35 kg N/ha and the greatest amounts of leaf wet weight and sugar content obtained when 35 and 45 kg N/ha was applied respectively. The greatest amounts of stem diameter and leaf width obtained when 35 and 55 kg N/ha was applied respectively. The highest sugar content was derived when 200 kg K/ha and was applied. Usage of 35 kg N/ha plus 200 kg K/ha led to the greatest amount of leaf dry weight, leaf wet weight, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf length and biomass. The highest amounts of leaf width and stem dry weight were gained when 35 kg N/ha plus 200 kg K/ha and 55 kg N/ha plus 200 kg K/ha were applied. Key words: Nitrogen, potassium, yield, quality, quantitative characteristics of flue-cured tobacco.

The article presents the findings of a study conducted on 6 cenopopulations (CP) of a rare representative of Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soó (Orchidaceae) in Akmola region on the territory of SNPP "Kokshetau". It was revealed that D. fuchsii occurs in birch-aspen forest, in shrub-grass communities. The morphometric parameters in cenopopulations of Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soó - shoot length, inflorescence length, first leaf parameters were demonstrated. It is shown that the majority of cenopopulations are young and capable of self-renewal. Сenopopulation No. 1 growing in the most arid conditions is mature and transient. The variability and plasticity of some morphological parameters of D. fuchsii are also considered. The structure of trait variability has been established. Analysis of morphometric traits of generative individuals showed that the tallest plants grew in birch-aspen and pine-birch forests. Variability in the traits of the studied CP was assessed, which showed that the maximum variability was established for the shoot length (55%), the least variability in the generative individuals of D. fuchsii was the inflorescence length and width of the first leaf (7 and 3.6%). A high degree of trait variation is noted. The observations on CPs were conducted over a two-year period, spanning 2021 and 2022. CP No. 1 is in a satisfactory condition, due to the high proportion of generative individuals and maximum density. The condition of two D. fuchsii cenopopopulations No. 2 and No. 3 are assessed as threatening with extinction and dependent on conservation measures. For all studied CP it is recommended to continue monitoring and controlling the state of the populations.

Amaranths are versatile, dicotyledonous plants with the potential for high yields. It has been extensively investigated as a model C4 plant. They have great photosynthetic performance as a result of eliminating the rival photorespiration mechanism. This increases the advantages of expanding the adaptation and cultivation of amaranth in Ethiopia. The objectives of the current study were to estimate genetic diversity, heritability, and genetic advance for yield and yield-contributing traits of amaranth genotypes based on agro-morphological traits. One hundred twenty amaranth genotypes were evaluated over two years using an alpha lattice design with two replications. The analysis of variance indicated that the mean square due to year and genotype-by-year interaction varied significantly for most measured traits. The estimates of variability, heritability, and genetic advance found in this study indicate the incredible genetic diversity in amaranth genotypes and the strength of selection response for these traits in the population. The findings showed that very high to moderately high heritability, high to moderate genetic advance, and genetic variability was observed for the traits basal lateral branch length, axillary inflorescence length, leaf area, branch number, plant height at flowering, plant height at maturity, stem diameter, days to flowering, grain filling periods, leaf width, and leaf length. Furthermore, the potential for amaranth improvement through appropriate selection is revealed by the existence of significant differences between the number of superior and inferior genotypes for the majority of examined traits. This suggests that these traits are governed more by additive gene action and that selection based on these traits might be successful in achieving the desired genetic gains for improvement.

Variation in the size of synaptic contacts along developing and mature motor terminal branches

The effects of eight different doses (0, 10, 20, 25, 35, 40, 60, and 100 Gy) of acute gamma irradiation on 44 (three varieties of Curcuma alismatifolia: Chiang Mai Red, Sweet Pink, Kimono Pink, and one Curcuma hybrid (Doi Tung 554) individual plants were investigated. Radiation sensitivity tests revealed that the LD50 values of the varieties were achieved at 21 Gy for Chiang Mai Red, 23 Gy for Sweet Pink, 25 Gy for Kimono Pink, and 28 Gy for Doi Tung 554. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), significant variations were observed for vegetative traits, flowering development, and rhizome characteristics among the four varieties of Curcuma alismatifolia and dose levels as well as the dose × variety interaction. In irradiated plants, the leaf length, leaf width, inflorescence length, the number of true flowers, the number of pink bracts, number of shoots, plant height, rhizome size, number of storage roots, and number of new rhizomes decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as the radiation dose increased. The cophenetic correlation coefficient (CCC) between genetic dissimilarity matrix estimated from the morphological characters and the UPGMA clustering method was r = 0.93, showing a proof fit. In terms of genetic variation among the acutely irradiated samples, the number of presumed alleles revealed by simple sequence repeats ranged from two to seven alleles with a mean value of 3.1, 4.5, and 5.3 alleles per locus for radiation doses of 0, 10, and 20 Gy, respectively. The average values of the effective number of alleles, Nei's gene diversity, and Shannon's information index were 2.5–3.2, 0.51–0.66, and 0.9–1.3, respectively. The constructed dendrogram grouped the entities into seven clusters. Principal component analysis (PCA) supported the clustering results. Consequently, it was concluded that irradiation with optimum doses of gamma rays efficiently induces mutations in Curcuma alismatifolia varieties.

Accessions of Colocasia esculenta L. Schott. cultivars collected from thirteen aroid growing districts were studied for determining their genetic variability under the agromorphological purviews. Plant height, petiole length, petiole breadth, leaf number, leaf length, leaf breadth, LAI, inflorescence length, peduncle length, spathe length, spathe breadth, corm length, corm breadth, cormel number, cormel length, cormel breadth, corm weight, cormel weight, total fresh weight, total dry weight, yield per plant were taken in this study for nature and extent of variability analysis of edible cultivars of Colocasia esculenta L. Schott. Presence of significant differences together with wide ranges of variation in most cultivars indicates wide range of variability existed among the accession as well as local cultivars of this edible aroid. Genotypic variances and coefficient of variation for most of the characters were remarkably higher than their corresponding environmental variances which also indicate the existence of variation in genotypic origin. Key words: Characterization; Mukhikachu; Variability; Corm; Cormel; Colocasia esculenta. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v46i2.8191 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 46(2), 235-242, 2011

In the present investigation attempts were made to estimate genetic parameters for yield and its components in 315 genotypes of cocoyam collected from thirteen aroid growing districts. Plant height, petiole length, petiole breadth, leaf number, leaf length, leaf breadth, LAI, Inflorescence length, peduncle length, spathe length, spathe breadth, corm length, corm breadth, cormel number, cormel length, cormel breadth, corm weight, cormel weight, total fresh weight, total dry weight, yield per plant were taken in this study. Presence of significant differences together with wide ranges of variation indicates wide range of variability existed among the genotypes of cocoyam. Genotypic variances and coefficient of variation for most of the characters were remarkably higher than their corresponding environmental variances, which also indicate the existence of variation in genotypic level. Plant height, petiole length, leaf length, leaf breadth for cocoyam expressed high heritability with moderate to high genetic advance signalled heritable in nature. High heritability with high genetic advance in percentage of mean was also observed for plant height, petiole length, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v10i2.13150 The Agriculturists 2012; 10(2) 127-132

Twenty genotypes of Cymbidium elegans were studied for 23 quantitative morphological characters to assess the variability. The data related variability parameters of plant height, plant spread, inflorescence length, raceme length and flower number, and flower width and flower height etc. are reported. The lip lobe distance was found to be most variable (cv 53.83 %) parameter followed by vegetative shoot per pseudobulb (cv 42.17) and flower width (cv 37.77 %). Dorsal sepal length was the least (cv 4.93 %) variable parameter. The positive and significant relation was observed between flower number leaf width (0.485**), inflorescence length (0.473**) and raceme length (0.676**).

Variability and diversity of Eclipta prostrata (L.)L., an important medicinal plant species, in its natural habitats in Kerala has been analyzed based on the observations on twelve salient growth characters recorded from twenty five accessions of the species distributed across Calicut, Malappuram and Palakkad Districts of Kerala State, India. Among the twelve characters studied, ten characters such as number of branches per plant, length of branches, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf area, internodal length, number of inflorescences, peduncle length and fresh plant weight showed statistically significant variations between the populations. The attributes like plant height and leaf breadth did not vary much between the populations. Highly significant variability in the case of morphological characters indicates the strong genetic base of the plant species in the field providing it the genetic potential to overcome the threats of fragmentation and extinction in the study area. However, Eclipta prostrata being a fragile and herbaceous annual, drastic alterations in their habitats including filling of wet lands and crop conversion in paddy fields can pose serious threat thus making it rare and vulnerable in future.