bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Univariate and Multivariate Analysis of Agronomical Traits of Preselected Argan Trees
Authors: AIT AABD Naima , MSANDA Fouad , EL MOUSADIK Abdelhamid
Published: March 2018

A collection of thirty argan trees (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels), representing the Aoulouz provenance in southwest of Morocco were used to study genetic variability and selection for three years. In this study, the genetic diversity of thirty genotypes (tree mothers) of argan (Argania spinosa) collected from Aoulouz was evaluated using agro-morphological characters. The main objective of the study was to assess and describe with multivariate analysis the genetic diversity in order to select good candidate trees for a future breeding program. The results obtained showed a large variation for all the traits examined. Analysis of variance using general linear model provided a significant variation between genotypes. Furthermore, genotypic and phenotypic variances for quantitative traits, particularly for seed length, seed width, almond length and oil content were higher. Phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters. High heritability was recorded for oil content (97.90%), seed width (72.68%) and seed length (57.55%) respectively, indicating the additive gene action. In addition, a three dimensional plot based on principal coordinate analysis method was used to evaluate the performance genotypes as to the production of oil for three years. The genotypes â€˜Ao-12Râ€™, â€˜Ao-7Râ€™, â€˜Ao-4Râ€™, â€˜Ao-4Vâ€™, â€˜Ao-11Râ€™, â€˜Ao-8Vâ€™ and â€˜Ao-7Vâ€™ were found to be the best for high oil content. Identification and selection with superior agronomic traits may be an effective method for genetic improvement of argan trees, and a first step for further breeding studies.
Short-term Effects of Grazing Exclusion on Net Ecosystem CO2 Exchange and Net Primary Production in a Pannonian Sandy Grassland
Authors: CZOBEL Szilard , SZIRMAI Orsolya , NEMETH Zoltan , GYURICZA Csaba , GAZI Judit , TOTH Andrea , SCHELLENBERGER Judit , VASA Laszlo , PENKSZA Karoly
Published: March 2018

Using portable, non-destructive own developed chambers (d=60 cm) and infrared gas analyses, the in situ field investigation was performed to study the seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of the stand level CO2-flux and production of sandy grassland that has been extensively grazed for decades. Furthermore, NEE measurements and biomass samples were used to identify the initial effects of grazing exclusion on CO2 exchange, aboveground phytomass and potential plant productivity in years of significantly different precipitation levels. A considerable inter-annual variation in all of the studied parameters was found both in the non-grazed and grazed stands. As a result of the grazing exclusion the CO2 uptake potential of the non-grazed stand increased by 13% compared to the grazed stand. It was more significant in the extreme dry year (220%), however, in wet year slightly lower average carbon sequestration was detected at the non-grazed stand (-13%), than that of the grazed area. Significant carbon sequestration potential was only detected during wet periods in both stands. The rate of CO2 uptake was found to be nearly six times higher in the non-grazed stand in the wet year than in the previous extremely dry year. The drought in 2003 significantly reduced the CO2 uptake of both stands, leading to lower annual net primary production and potential plant productivity. The annual net primary production dropped by almost 40% in the extremely dry year but then it rose by nearly two and a half times in the subsequent year with adequate rainfall.
Salt-Induced Changes in Antioxidative Enzyme Activities in Shoot Tissues of Two Atriplex Varieties
Authors: SAI KACHOUT Salma , JAFFEL HAMZA Khaoula , KARRAY BOURAOUI Najoua , LECLERC Jean Claude , OUERGHI Zeineb
Published: March 2018

Â  This study examined the influence of salt levels on antioxidant activity and content of carotenoids and anthocyanins of the A. hortensis leaves using two varieties: green orach (var. purpurea ) and red orach (var. rubra). Seeds of Atriplex were exposed to 0, 90, 180 and 260 mM NaCl for 3 months and seeds were sown in an earthen pot. Overall levels of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were significantly elevated. Salt stress caused a significant decline in tissue concentrations of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). However, 90 mM NaCl did not modify these parameters, which remains similar to control values. Activities of APX and CAT were increase whether the shoots of A. hortensis var. purpurea were grown in the presence of 180 mM NaCl. Thus although some indications of oxidative stress accompany exposure of this salt-tolerant Atriplex varieties to salinity, mechanisms appear to exist within its shoot tissue to permit the tolerance of such oxidative stress. High salt concentration in the culture medium provokes oxidative damage in Atriplex leaves and induces a general increase in antioxidant enzyme activity. In particular, NaCl toxicity decreased content of carotenoids. It also decreased the concentration of anthocyanin pigments in leaves of Atriplex. This work therefore provides a starting point towards a better understanding of the role of antioxidant enzyme in the plant response against salt stress.
Dark-chilling of Seedlings Affects Initiation and Morphology of Broccoli Inflorescence
Authors: GRABOWSKA Aneta , SĘKARA Agnieszka , BIENIASZ Monika , KUNICKI Edward , KALISZ Andrzej
Published: March 2018

The constant supply of broccoli heads for a vegetable market can be kept by the differentiation of sowing time and the age of seedlings. Dark-chilling of young seedlings can also modify the time of transplanting, subsequent plant development, yield and inflorescence quality. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of seedling dark-chilling on the inflorescence initiation and the morphological quality of broccoli heads. The experiment was carried out at the University of Agriculture in Krakow (South Poland) in the years 2009 and 2010, with broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) medium late cultivar ‘Monaco’ F1. The examined factors were the age of seedlings (4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-week-old) and dark-chilling (2°C/2 weeks and non-chilled control). Microscopic analysis of the apex sections was performed to determine the time of the inflorescence differentiation in chilled and non-chilled seedlings of different age. Chosen morphological features of the mature heads were also described as depended on age and chilling of seedlings. The inflorescence initiation was observed between 4 and 6 week of the plant ontogeny. Especially 4-week-old seedlings, chilled by two weeks, were more advanced in the generative development in comparison to non-chilled control. Low temperature applied in the seedling stage did not cause the head buttoning. Inflorescences developed by broccoli planted from 4 and 6-week-old seedlings, both chilled and control, were characterized by the best visual quality, determined by a convex head shape, tight branching angle, small and uniform size and regular form of flower buds. Chilling of oldest, 8- and 10-week-old seedlings negatively affected the inflorescence quality, through planed and spread shape of heads and non-uniform shape of flower buds.
Effect of Chlorocholine Chloride on Chlorophyll, Photosynthesis, Soluble Sugar and Flavonoids of Ginkgo biloba
Authors: ZHANG Weiwei , XU Feng , CHENG Hua , LI Linling , CAO Fuliang , CHENG Shuiyuan
Published: March 2018

The flavonoids content determines the quality characteristics of Ginkgo biloba extract that could be increased by using of plant growth regulators. The objective of study was to investigate the effect of chlorocholine chloride (CCC), an anti-gibberellin growth retardant, on photosynthesis, chlorophyll, soluble sugar, total amino acids and phenylalanine contents, flavonoid accumulation, and flavonoids enzyme activity in G. biloba leaves. The ginkgo seedlings were grown in the greenhouse conditions with foliar applications of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g l-1 CCC. Results showed that 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g l-1 CCC treatments significantly increased photosynthetic rates of leaves, the contents of chlorophyll, soluble sugar, total amino acids and phenylalnine in ginkgo leaves. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins content, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) activities were all significantly increased by 1.0 and 2.0 g l-1 CCC treatments. Foliar treatment with CCC therefore might be a useful means of improving pharmacological properties of G. biloba leaves.
Agronomic Properties Assessed for Population of Recombinant Inbred Lines of Rye (Seceale cereale L.) with Known Responses to Nutrient Deficiency Stress at the Seedling Stage
Authors: SMOLIK Milosz
Published: March 2018

The experiment was established and carried out in light and slightly acidic soil in the years 2008-2010. The research material included one hundred thirty-eight RILs (F8:10) of rye with known response to nutrient stress were determined at the seedling stage obtained in vitro in mature embryos cultures and in two parental inbred lines and F1. The following factors were determined in the full maturity stage of each RIL: plant height, spike length, plant tillering, spikelet number per spike, grain number per spike, spike fertility, grain weight per spike, grain weight per plant and 1000 grain weight. Differences in the examined traits were found between parental inbred lines, and the heterosis effect was observed in F1 hybrid. The range of variability of the examined functional traits demonstrated in the population of RILs proved the transgression effect. The analyzed RILs were arranged into six groups and described with the use of Wardâ€™s agglomerative method and grouping variables: spike fertility, grain weight per spike and per plant, thousand grain weight. Significant differences were found among other things between spike morphology and fertility traits and yield per a plant. The possibility of selection of RILs with extreme traits described both in the field and laboratory experiments in comparison with known tolerance to nutrient stress was described. The obtained correlation coefficients for the examined functional traits of RILs were in accordance with those published in reference literature. The correlation coefficients determined for selected seedling traits from the laboratory experiment and for selected traits of a mature plant may prove the usefulness of the test in studies on selection of genotypes desired for sustainable agriculture or for research on heritability of traits of tolerance to nutrient stress.
Detection of Volatile Aroma Compounds of Morchella by Headspace Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HS-GC/MS)
Authors: TAŞKIN Hatira
Published: March 2018

This study was conducted at the Horticulture Department of Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey, in 2010 to determine the volatile aroma compounds of Morchella mushroom. Fresh samples of Morchella esculenta (Sample 1) and Morchella elata (Sample 2) were collected from Çanakkale (Sample 1) and Mersin (Sample 2) provinces in Turkey in the spring of 2010. Volatile aroma compounds were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS). A total of 31 aroma compounds were identified in the 2 analyzed samples: 7 alcohols, 7 esters, 7 ketones, 3 acids, 2 aldehydes, 1 terpene, phenol, 1-propanamine, geranyl linalool, and quinoline. Seventeen aroma components were identified in Sample 1, and 18 compounds were found in Sample 2. Phenol was determined as the major aroma compound in both Sample 1 and Sample 2, at 50.888% and 58.293% content, respectively. Alcohols, especially 1-octen-3-ol, were detected as the second major aroma components in Sample 1 and Sample 2, at 15.500% and 5.660% content, respectively. Carbamic acid, methyl ester was found only in Sample 1, at 11.379% content. The aroma components detected in the two samples differed. 1-Octadecanol; cyclooctylalcohol; trans-2-undecen-1-ol; butanoic acid, butyl ester (CAS); carbamic acid, methyl ester; 2-ethylhexyl-2-ethylhexanoate; phthalic acid, decyl isobutyl ester; 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate; decanal; nonanal; 7,9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4.5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione; 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione; 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl); and trans-alpha-bisabolene were detected only in Sample 1. Ethanol; silanediol, 2-methylaminoethanol; L-alanine, ethyl ester; carbonic acid, dodecyl isobutyl ester; acetic acid; butanoic acid; 2,3,4H-pyran-4-one; 5,9-undecadien-2-one; cyclooctene; 2-cyclopenten-1-one; 1-propanamine; geranyl linalool; and quinoline were determined only in Sample 2.
The Influence of Salinity on Seedling Growth of Some Pumpkin Varieties Used as Rootstock
Authors: KURUM Rana , ULUKAPI Kamile , AYDINŞAKİR Köksal , ONUS Ahmet Naci
Published: March 2018

In this study, the effects of different salinity levels (0, “control”, 2, 4, 8, and 12 dS m-1) on seedling growth of Obez, RS 841 and Ferro F1 pumpkin varieties, widely used around the world as rootstock, were investigated. Seedlings grown under saline conditions were investigated for plant main stem length, plant length, root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weights and ion concentrations (Ca++, K+, Na+) in the leaves of pumpkin varieties. The results revealed that root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weights tend to decrease when the electrical conductivity of the solution is increased. Results indicated that these varieties responded different to some investigated parameters under saline conditions.
Influence of Fertilizers on the Biodiversity of Semi-natural Grassland in the Eastern Carpathians
Authors: SAMUIL Costel , VINTU Vasile , SIRBU Culita , STAVARACHE Mihai
Published: March 2018

This investigation examines the influence of fertilization with organic and mineral fertilizers on the biodiversity of grasslands containing Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris and Nardus stricta. Permanent meadows were studied in terms of production of food, and of biodiversity. The current strategy of using organic fertilizers has raised concerns about resource conservation and environmental protection. The increase in the number of species is due to the fertilizers that have been applied leading to changes in the soil fertility status. This change in soil fertility has allowed other mesotrophic and eutrophic species to become established in fertilized meadows. In Romania, meadows belonging to this category occupy an area of approximately 1,600,000 hectares and have relatively low production rates. The experiment was located at Pojorata, Suceava County (Romania), in two different natural grasslands that had different floristic compositions. Manure improved the growth of a number of species, especially in the "plants from other botanical families" category, because of the pool of seeds that it contains. Using a management system based on fertilization with small amounts of organic and mineral fertilizers can help preserve the biodiversity of these meadows. The results of this study, in an area considered representative for large parts of the mountainous areas of Romania, indicated that fertilization treatments were able to maintain a high species diversity.
What Does Productivity Really Mean? Towards an Integrative Paradigm in the Search for Biodiversity-Productivity Relationships
Authors: HU Liangjun , GUO Qinfeng
Published: March 2018

How species diversity relates to productivity remains a major debate. To date, however, the underlying mechanisms that regulate the ecological processes involved are still poorly understood. Three major issues persist in early efforts at resolution. First, in the context that productivity drives species diversity, how the pathways operate is poorly-explained. Second, productivity Â per se varies with community or ecosystem maturity. If diversity indeed drives productivity, the criterion of choosing appropriate measures for productivity is not available. Third, spatial scaling suggests that sampling based on small-plots may not be suitable for formulating species richness-productivity relationships (SRPRs). Thus, the long-standing assumption simply linking diversity with productivity and pursuing a generalizing pattern may not be robust. We argue that productivity, though defined as â€˜the rate of biomass productionâ€™, has been measured in two ways environmental surrogates and biomass production leading to misinterpretations and difficulty in the pursuit of generalizable SRPRs. To tackle these issues, we developed an integrative theoretical paradigm encompassing richer biological and physical contexts and clearly reconciling the major processes of the systems, using proper productivity measures and sampling units. We conclude that loose interpretation and confounding measures of productivity may be the real root of current SRPR inconsistencies and debate.
Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Two Strawberry Cultivars in Response to Furostanol Glycosides Treatments
Authors: CĂULEȚ Raluca Petronela , MORARIU Aliona , IUREA Dorina , GRĂDINARIU Gică
Published: March 2018

Furostanol glycosides represent a large group of steroid compounds of plant origin with a broad spectrum of biological activities (anabolic, antioxidant, anti-fungal and nematicidal). Most of the research exhibits this effect in stress induced response on different pathogen attacks and only a few studies show the effect of glycoside on plants growth and development. In order to investigate the effects of furostanol glycoside treatment on rooting, growth performance and photosynthetic system efficiency, young unrooted strawberry plants (cv. ‘Real’ and ‘Magic’) were immersed in different concentrations (0.03 mM, 0.3 mM, 3 mM) of G1 solution (glycoside extracted from Lycopersicon sp.) and G2 (extracted from Digitalis sp.) and morphometric parameters were determined. The results showed that immersion in 0.3 mM glycoside solution improved the quality of strawberry planting material by increasing the number and length of roots, as well as by stimulating formation of new leaves. Moreover, the influence of foliar spraying with G1 and G2 on plants growth, assimilator pigments content and photosynthesis was determined. Foliar spraying with both glycosides solutions improved radicular growth and development, but dimensions of foliar apparatus increased only in G1 treated variants. Although both glycoside treatments induced an increase in assimilator pigments content, photosynthetic rate decreased as a consequence of stomatal limitations associated with better efficiency of water use and of internal CO2, which suggests that these chemicals may have an antitranspirant action.
RAPD Marker Conversion into a SCAR Marker for Rapid Identification of Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.]
Authors: ZHANG Wenju , WEI Shasha , YIN Liping , DENG Zhirui , YI Jianping , WU Renqi , CHEN Qin
Published: March 2018

Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is a malignant weed in the world, threatening biodiversity at invaded habitats in more than 50 countries. Because of similarity in morphological characters, S. halepense and its relatives, S. almum, S. nitidum, S. propinquum, S. sudanense, and S. bicolor, etc. was difficult to identify. As a supplementary methodolgy for morphology identification, a molecular detection method was established. Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCAR) marker is a recent established, reliabile, and stable molecular marker based on RAPD maker, an effective way for germplasm identification. In this study, one specific band of S.halepense was screened by 163 pairs of RAPD primers. According to the sequences of the band, a pair of special SCAR primers SH1/SH2 was designed and verified by 65 Sorghum DNA samples from all over the world. The results showed SCAR primers SH1/SH2 can be used to distinguish S.halepense and its relatives rapidly with three exceptions of Australia geotypes.
Field Evaluation of Traditional Apple Cultivars to Induced Diseases and Pests
Authors: BÁLINT János , THIESZ Rezső , NYÁRÁDI Imre-István , SZABÓ Károly-Attila
Published: March 2018

During the survey we studied traditional old apple cultivars in order to test disease resistance, as part of an apple breeding program. Diseases and pests assessments were made throughout the two growing season in 2008 and 2009 in traditional apple cultivars (‘Batul’, ‘Pónyik’, and ‘Sóvári’) from stray and commercial (‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Starkrimson’) apple orchards. Our data add to a body of evidence indicating that traditional apple cultivars under natural selection and without pesticide regime are highly and/or moderately resistant to fire blight, apple powdery mildew and apple scab. High resistance was observed for green apple aphid (‘Sóvári’) and rosy leaf-curling aphid (all cultivars, except ‘Sóvári’) throughout the assessment. Susceptibility from mediate to high level was observed for fruit peel moth and pear-leaf blister moth, while resistance and/or moderate resistance for spotted tentiform leafminer and codling moth. The codling moth damages were significantly correlated with seed number in fruits throughout the whole vegetation period. We can conclude that old apple cultivars sustained in their original regions could be a significant source of genes for apple breeding programs.
Heat-stress Tolerance of Some Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) Cultivars
Authors: KESICI Muge , GULEN Hatice , ERGIN Sergul , TURHAN Ece , IPEK Ahmet , KOKSAL Nezihe
Published: March 2018

Physiological parameters were used to investigate genotypic variations in 15 strawberry cultivars [‘Aromas’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Carmine’, ‘Cal. Giant 3’ (CG3), ‘Cal. Giant 5’ (CG5), ‘Elsanta’, ‘Fern’, ‘Festival’, ‘Honeoye’, ‘Kabarla’, ‘Redlands Hope’ (R.Hope), ‘Ruby Gem’, ‘Selva’, ‘Sweet Charlie’ and ‘Whitney’] and their relationship to heat-stress tolerance (HST). Cold stored (frigo) strawberry seedlings were grown in pots for six weeks and then transferred to a growth chamber. The temperature in the growth chamber was increased stepwise from 35 to 40, 45 and 50 °C to create a heat-stressed environment. Leaf relative water content (RWC), loss of turgidity and chlorophyll content were measured at each temperature. The ‘Elsanta’ and ‘R.Hope’ had the highest RWC, while the ‘Festival’ and ‘CG3’ had the lowest. However, ‘Elsanta’ and ‘R.Hope’ had the lowest loss of turgidity, while ‘Festival’ and ‘CG3’ had the highest. ‘Elsanta’ and ‘R.Hope’ showed the lowest chlorophyll content, and ‘CG3’ and ‘Whitney’ had the highest. To determine HST (LT50), leaf discs of each cultivar were exposed to 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 °C. A considerable decrease in the LT50 was observed with increasing temperature in all cultivars. The LT50 of the cultivars ranged from 51.8 to 52.9 °C. Based on the data collected, ‘Elsanta’, ‘R. Hope’ and ‘Camarosa’ were determined to be relatively heat-tolerant cultivars, while ‘Whitney’, ‘Fern’, ‘Festival’ and ‘CG3’ were heat-sensitive cultivars.
Dendroclimatic Response Variability of Quercus species in the Romanian Intensive Forest Monitoring Network
Authors: POPA Ionel , LECA Stefan , CRĂCIUNESCU Adam , SIDOR Cristian , BADEA Ovidiu
Published: March 2018

Oaks are among the most important broad-leaved species in Romanian forests from both an economic and socio-ecological point of view. A significant decline of these species has been observed, which was first evident in various studies and investigations followed by the more results of interdisciplinary research performed in intensive monitoring plots (level II) showing that the decline is climate induced. Thus, it is important to understand the climate change conditions and factors that influence Quercus spp. Typical dendroclimatological investigations were conducted on an intensive forest monitoring network based on four oak species (Q. robur, Q. petraea, Q.cerris, and Q. frainetto) in 7 permanent plots placed in southern Romania. Three patterns of climate-growth relationships were identified and discerned in accordance with the Quercus species. All oak species were found to have a positive correlation with the level of precipitation. In addition, the intensity and level of significance of correlation coefficients differ from one species to another and from one region to another.
The Future of Professional Forestry Education: Trends and Challenges from the Malaysian Perspective
Authors: RATNASINGAM Jegatheswaran , IORAS Florin , VACALIE Claudia Cristina , WENMING Lu
Published: March 2018

The traditional forestry education schemes are no longer sufficient to train professional foresters to manage the forest resources in a changing world. Even in forest-rich nations such as Malaysia, the challenges faced by forestry education are growing. The declining student enrolment and interests in the field must be stopped, if the field is to remain viable. The roles played by the forest have shifted from purely commercial products exploitation to environmental and social centric. In this context, forestry education will need to be restructured to impart the necessary knowledge and skills to the foresters to enable them to perform up to expectation in the field.
The Effects of Tobacco mosaic virus Infection on Growth and Physiological Parameters in Some Pepper Varieties (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: PAZARLAR Sercan , GÜMÜŞ Mustafa , ÖZTEKİN Gölgen Bahar
Published: March 2018

Changes in some growth (plant leaf number and area, plant biomass, plant height, root length, and plant stem diameter) and physiological (photosynthetic pigments, relative water content (RWC) and proline content) parameters of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) varieties were studied as they were affected by Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection. The greenhouse pepper cvs ‘Ergenekon F1’, ‘Kumsal F1’, and one candidate variety (‘497 F1’) were used as material to compare infected versus non-infected control plants. Infected plants showed various degrees of stunting; necrosis on stems, leaves and fruits; mosaic symptoms on leaves; deformations, defoliation of leaves, and reduction in fruit size. Besides these, TMV infection resulted in reduction of vegetative growth parameters, RWC, chlorophyll a and b, plant fresh and dry production in different parts of the plants, but increase of proline content in leaves. The level of response differed depending on varieties.
Variation in Airborne Fungal Spore Concentrations in Four Different Microclimate Regions in Romania
Authors: IANOVICI Nicoleta , MARIA Cristina , RĂDUŢOIU Mădălina Nicoleta , HANIŞ Anca , TUDORICĂ Dorina
Published: March 2018

Airborne fungal counts and types were examined in four regions from Romania. The aim of our study was to determine the concentrations of Alternaria, Cladosporium, Drechslera-type, Epicoccum and Nigrospora atmospheric fungal spores in urban areas: Braşov, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timişoara. Other objective of this study was to examine the relationships between atmospheric fungal spores and pollen. Few studies have confirmed the high frequency and concentrations for some of these spore types in Romania. The sampling sites differed in habitat characteristics, such as vegetation and microclimate. Airborne spores’ sampling was carried out using the Lanzoni volumetric sampler and during August 2008. The totals of airborne spores recorded in this study show a considerable variation. Cladosporium and Alternaria have been identified as the most abundant and frequent fungal aeroallergens in Timişoara and Bucharest. Drechslera-type, Epicoccum, and Nigrospora had very low values of spore count in all sites. Observations show that seven types of pollen appear regularly and few of these are in great abundance. Fungi are present in the air in concentrations considerably in excess of that of pollen grains. Ambrosia artemisiifolia is the most important pollen allergen in all of the sampled areas discussed here, especially in western country (Timişoara).
Identification of Zygotic and Nucellar Individuals Produced from Several Citrus Crosses Using SSRs Markers
Authors: YILDIZ Ercan , KAPLANKIRAN Mustafa , DEMİRKESER Turan Hakan , UZUN Aydin , TOPLU Celil
Published: March 2018

Turkey is an important citrus-producing country. However, new cultivars are needed to sustain citrus production and ensure its competitiveness against other crops. There are currently several citrus breeding programs that aim to help overcome the lack of local commercial varieties and to contribute to Turkey’s competitive capacity in the citrus market. In this study, we report the utilization of molecular markers in one such breeding program. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were employed to eliminate nucellar individuals from a hybrid population produced by crossing. The crosses included ‘Fremont’ and ‘Robinson’ mandarins as the female parents and ‘Midknight Valencia’, ‘Rhode Red Valencia’, and ‘Valencia Late’ oranges and ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit cultivars as the male parents. Seedlings with the same banding patterns as the female parent were identified as nucellar seedlings by 11 SSR primers. Primers AG14 and TAA03 were found to be more effective at identifying zygotic individuals than other primers. ‘Fremont’ and ‘Robinson’ mandarins produced 36.91% and 31.09% of nucellar seedlings, respectively. As a pollen parent, ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit had a higher ratio of zygotic seedlings compared to ‘Midknight Valencia’, and can be recommended in breeding programs. Comparative analysis of different citrus fruits in the breeding programs allowed us to design an efficient hybridization scheme for this study.
The Effects of Some Pesticides on Spore Germination and Gametophyte Differentiation in Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth. and Polypodium vulgare L.
Authors: SOARE Liliana Cristina , DOBRESCU CodruÅ£a-Mihaela , POPESCU Monica , BOERU Alina Gabriela
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a fungicide (copper hydroxide with 50% metallic copper) (Co) and of an insecticide (bifenthrin 100 g/l) (B) on spore germination and gametophyte development in the fern species Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Schott. and Polypodium vulgare L. The experimental variants were: V1Co: 0.1 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V2Co: 0.2 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V3Co: 3 gr fungicide/100 ml Knop solution, V1B: 0.01 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution, V2B: 0.02 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution, V3B: 0.04 ml insecticide/100 ml Knop solution and Control (C): 100 ml Knop solution. Co inhibited spore germination in all the experimental variants tested on the species Athyrium filix-femina. In the V3Co variant, after 24 days, no spore germinated. B also inhibited spore germination in all the experimental variants. In Polypodium vulgare, Co significantly inhibited spore germination. In the experimental variants containing B, only in the V3B variant the germination is significantly inhibited. Calculations showed a significant negative correlation between the germination percentage and the concentration of pesticides. The fungicide also affected gametophyte differentiation, which happened much more slowly in both species. The rhizoids of the gametophytes of Polypodium vulgare showed modifications in their differentiation and morphology that could also be related to alterations in their biochemical composition. The experimental variants with the highest concentration of insecticide resulted in the differentiation of abnormal gametophytes growing in a tridimensional cellular mass with callus morphology. The responses of plants to the induced stress produced during the testing period may be used as biomarkers of environmental pollution caused by pesticides.
Screening of Wild Strawberry Genotypes against Iron Deficiency under Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: TORUN Ayfer Alkan , ERDEM Nazife , AKA KACAR Yildiz , SERCE Sedat
Published: March 2018

The cultivated strawberry Fragaria Ã— ananassa Duch. is the natural hybrid of F. chiloensis (L.) Mill. and F. virginiana Mill. The progenitor species have high genetic diversity compared with the cultivated genotypes; therefore, the use of wild relative in F. chiloensis breeding could provide a good for broadening the available genetic variations of cultivated species. In present study, 13 genotypes selected from strawberry super core collection were tested under Fe (-) and Fe (+) conditions for their response against Fe deficiency conditions in a growth medium (GM) (soil + sand + perlite), potentially able to simulate the actual GM in nature. SPAD-meter readings indicating chlorophyll levels of the leaf, shoot dry matter yield, Fe-efficiency rate, shoot total and active Fe concentrations were determined to evaluate the resistance levels of strawberry genotypes against Fe deficiency. Results of this study indicated that different response for strawberry subspecies and genotypes of the same subspecies grown in GM against Fe deficiency. Symptom for Fe deficiency of genotypes varied between 1-5, SPAD-meter readings 3, shoot dry matter yields and shoot Fe concentrations varied between 6.5-38, 1.02-6.06 g plant-1 and 41.8-233.1 mg kg-1 respectively. Iron-efficiencies of genotypes were found between 58â€“98%. Strawberry subspecies, F. virginiana spp. glauca, F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis and F. chiloensis ssp. pacifica showed Fe-efficiency values of 93.8, 79.5 and 79.1% respectively. We concluded that shoot growth performance, Fe intake from GM, transfer of Fe from roots to shoots, shoot Fe-use efficiency, Fe deficiency symptom levels and SPAD-meter readings indicating chlorophyll levels were significant parameters to evaluate the resistance of strawberry genotypes against Fe deficiency. The most Fe-efficient genotypes belonging to F. virginiana spp. glauca could be used in breeding programs aiming at developing new strawberry genotypes suitable for growing under Fe deficient conditions.
Effect of Growing Period and Cultivar on the Yield and Biological Value of Brassica rapa var. narinosa
Authors: KALISZ Andrzej , SĘKARA Agnieszka , GIL Joanna , GRABOWSKA Aneta , CEBULA Stanisław
Published: March 2018

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of Brassica rapa var. narinosa for field production in Central European climatic zone in order to introduction of this species to large-scale farming. Chinese flat cabbage cultivars, ‘Tatsoi’ and ‘Misome’, were the object of the 2-year-long field experiment in south Poland, conducted in 2 terms: plantings in the middle and at the end of August, harvests in the middle of September and on the beginning of October (1st and 2nd growing period, respectively). Plants were evaluated for morphological and chemical variability at the transplant stage. The yield and bioactive compounds content in the leaf petioles of mature plants were also studied. Analyses of juvenile plants, conducted before transplanting, showed that ‘Misome’ transplants were greater, but they had less leaves then ‘Tatsoi’. Transplants of both cultivars from the 2nd growing period had greater fresh weight, but the content of dry matter, soluble sugars and carotenoids was lower. Total and marketable yield, rosette mass, L-ascorbic acid and crude fibre content were greater for both cultivars planted in the middle of August and harvested in the middle of September. Leaf petioles of Chinese flat cabbage from the 2nd growing period were significantly richer in dry matter and soluble sugars. Only the level of carotenoids and chlorophylls was not influenced by the growing period. ‘Misome’ gave the greater marketable yield of better structure, and had a higher content of biologically active compounds than ‘Tatsoi’, with the exception of crude fibre. In Central Europe conditions, this cultivar should be recommended for plantings in the middle of August to achieve the best yields of high nutrient content.
Inheritance of er1-Based Broad-Spectrum Powdery Mildew Resistance in Pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: AZMAT Muhammad Abubakkar , KHAN Asif Ali
Published: March 2018

The knowledge about the nature and number of gene(s) controlling resistance is the pre-requisite for the success of powdery mildew resistance breeding program in pea. Seven biparental cross combinations involving three highly resistant (It-96, No. 267 and JI 2302) and two highly susceptible (Climax and PF-400) pea genotypes were evaluated for their response to powdery mildew disease. The quantitative microscopic scale of disease assessment coupled with detached leaf assay was employed for the evaluation of disease response of the crosses and their generations (F1, F2, BCs, and BCr) against two highly virulent conidial isolates of Erysiphe pisi. The disease response of 677 F2 plants has revealed a typical monohybrid Mendelian 3 (susceptible): 1 (resistant) segregation, moreover, the evaluation of 254 BCr plants gave a perfect 1 (susceptible): 1(resistant) segregation. No complementation was observed among all the F1 plants of three complementation crosses, suggesting that the same allele (er-1) conditions complete and broad-spectrum resistance in all the powdery mildew resistant pea genotypes in homozygous recessive form.
Does Epidermal Thickness Influence White Cabbage Resistance against Onion Thrips (Thrips tabaci)?
Authors: BÁLINT János , BURGHARDT Natasa , HÖHN Mária , PÉNZES Béla , FAIL József
Published: March 2018

Present studies were made to investigate the association between epidermal thickness and resistance of white cabbage against onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 1889 (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Six white cabbage varieties including three susceptible (‘Green Gem’, ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Quisor’) and three resistant to onion thrips (‘Balashi’, ‘Bloktor’ and ‘Riana’) were involved in the studies. Additionally, the extent of antixenotic resistance during head formation and the level of thrips damage at harvest were also assessed and compared between varieties. A higher density of onion thrips was observed on susceptible than on resistant varieties. The results indicate that the epidermis is of the same thickness in susceptible white cabbage varieties as in resistant ones; therefore, we conclude that the thicknesses of either the adaxial or the abaxial part of the epidermis of head-forming leaves is not responsible for cabbage resistance to thrips. The study thus confirms that antixenotic resistance of white cabbage to thrips is not determined by epidermal thickness.
Stem and Crown Characteristics of Norway Spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst] Populations from Romanian Carpathians
Authors: BUDEANU Marius , SOFLETEA Neculae
Published: March 2018

To establish the most important Norway spruce Romanian populations, open-pollinated progeny of ten plus trees originating from 33 seed stands mapped in the Romanian Carpathians have been evaluated for stem and crown characteristics at the age of 30 years, in two field trials: one established in their natural range (BreÅ£cu trial), while the second was located outside of their natural range, in Subcarpathian lands (Avrig trial). Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found among the seed stands in both sites for most of the characteristics, suggesting an additive genetic control with different levels of significance depending on the evaluated trait and the testing site. Location analysis also revealed a highly significant population x locality interaction for all traits. The same populations behave differently to the change of the ecological conditions. In the Avrig trial higher values were recorded than in the BreÅ£cu trial for the tree slenderness coefficient (19%), crown slenderness coefficient (13.6%) and crown lateral area (9.4%). Although outside of their natural area, pruning height (m) increased 6.4%, however pruning height ratio (%) decreases by 1%, compared to the test established in their natural range. The populations from the Eastern Carpathians stand out by showing sustained growth and superior wood quality, while the populations from the Western Romanian Carpathians have generally smaller differences between the mean values of analysed traits in both field trials. Qualitative characteristics that influence the stability of stands to windthrow and snowbreak showed low levels of correlations to ecological gradients of the originating location of tested seed stands.
Increased Tolerance of Citrus (Citrus tangerina) Seedlings to Soil Water Deficit after Mycorrhizal Inoculation: Changes in Antioxidant Enzyme Defense System
Authors: NI Qiu-Dan , ZOU Ying-Ning , WU Qiang-Sheng , HUANG Yong-Ming
Published: March 2018

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance tolerance of plants to soil water deficit, whereas morphological observations of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzyme system are poorly studied. The present study thereby evaluated temporal variations of the antioxidant enzyme system in citrus (Citrus tangerina) seedlings colonized by Glomus etunicatum and G. mosseae over a 12-day period of soil drying. Root colonization by G. etunicatum and G. mosseae decreased with soil drying days from 32.0 to 1.0% and 50.1 to 4.5% in 0-day to 12-day, respectively. Compared to the non-AM controls, the AMF colonized plants had significantly lower tissue (both leaves and roots) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion radical (O2â€¢â€“) concentrations during soil water deficit, whereas 1.03â€“1.92, 1.25â€“1.84 and 1.18â€“1.69 times higher enzyme activity in superoxide dismutase, peroxidase (POD) and catalase. In situ leaf H2O2 and root POD location also showed that AM seedlings had less leaf H2O2 but higher root POD accumulation. Furthermore, significantly higher root infection and antioxidant enzymatic activities in plants colonized with G. mosseae expressed than with G. etunicatum during the soil drying. These results demonstrated that the AMs could confer greater tolerance of citrus seedlings to soil water deficit through an enhancement in their antioxidant enzyme defence system whilst an decrease level in H2O2 and O2â€¢â€“.
Fatty Acid Profile and Mineral Content of Commercial Table Olives from Turkey
Authors: UYLASER Vildan , YILDIZ GÃ¶kÃ§en
Published: March 2018

In this study, five different types of commercial table olive: Domat, Kalamata, Edremit (green), Edremit (black) and Gemlik, from Turkey, were investigated for the fatty acid composition and mineral content. Fatty acid analyses were performed by capillary gas chromatography. The fatty acid results showed that all table olives characterized by high level of were oleic acid (C18:1, 57.473-72.294%), linoleic acid (C18:2, 7.914-25.279%) and palmitic acid (C16:0, 9.735-16.441%). Moreover, in terms of the unsaturated oil content and a ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to saturated fatty acids (SFA) value, Kalamata olives were found to be more advantageous as compared to the other table olive types. The sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe) and potassium (K) content of table olives were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Na was the most concentrated mineral detected (6637.722-20613.666 mg/kg), followed by K (2814.296-3386.520 mg/kg) and Ca (342.595-742.894 mg/kg). Results showed that there are differences among the fatty acid and mineral content of the commercial table olives depending on type.
The Effect of Climate Change and Air Pollution on Allergenic Potential of Pollens
Authors: TODEA Doina Adina , SUATEAN Iuliu , COMAN Andreea Codruta , ROSCA Loredana Elena
Published: March 2018

Climate change is associated with atmospheric warming due to continuous increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentration following the industrial revolution. The urban areas are more responsible for these changes. Europe for example has experienced a progressive warming +0.9Â°C for 1901-2005. Climate change is unequivocal and represents a possible threat for patients affected by allergic conditions because it is related with an increased distribution and concentration of pollen. Higher temperature, wet condition (especially thunderstorms), wind speed, transition of cold fronts, environmental changes (allergenic pollens arrived in new areas), are mechanisms which involve changes of production, dispersion and allergen content of pollen. Prolonged and more severe pollen seasons are leading to worsened asthma and allergies. The interaction of pollen with urban air pollutants could also lead to an increased effect of aero allergens on allergic patients, with a greater likelihood of the development of an allergic respiratory disease in sensitized subjects and exacerbation of symptomatic patients. Air pollution could induce damage to airways mucosa, thus promoting sensitization of the airways; also it could increase the expression of allergenic proteins (allergen contents of pollen produce by plants is increased by higher temperature and CO2 enriched atmosphere). By increasing pollen concentration or making the airways susceptible to allergens, the climate change and air pollution have a negative impact on human health.
Breeding Objectives and Selection Criteria for Milk Thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] Improvement
Authors: ALEMARDAN Ali , KARKANIS Anestis , SALEHI Reza
Published: March 2018

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] is an important medicinal-industrial plant. The medicinal compounds of milk thistle are derived from its seeds. The plant is commercially cultivated for the production of silymarin. Cultivation offers the opportunity to optimise achene yield and silymarin content. Furthermore, efforts should be made to develop new cultivars. The main objective of milk thistle breeding is to develop high yielding cultivars with elevated silymarin content. There are few developed cultivars of milk thistle (e.g. Argintiu, Budakalaszi, Szibilla, Khoreslo, Babak Castle, Mirel, Silma and Silyb). Different genotypes of milk thistle have variable amount of silymarin e.g. a â€˜Roystonâ€™ genotype is rich in silymarin (6-10%). Further progress can be made by using the genetic diversity available in abundance in different genotypes. The main concern of the breeder should be to increase the yield and silymarin contents of the seeds. Asynchronous flowering and seed shedding are also major problems in milk thistle cultivation. At the time of harvest, the plants have flower heads at all stages of development resulting non-uniform maturation of seeds. Therefore, a breeding effort in milk thistle should be planned to obtain plants with simultaneous flowering and reduced crop losses. The developed cultivar Argintiu is characterised by simultaneous seed maturation in flower heads. The wild populations, as valuable gene pools, could be exploited for the improvement of milk thistle crop.
Genetic Relatedness among Cultivars of the Greek Plum Germplasm
Authors: ATHANASIADIS Ioannis , NIKOLOUDAKIS Nikolaos , HAGIDIMITRIOU Marianna
Published: March 2018

Genetic diversity of the Greek plum germplasm collection was investigated using a combined RAPD and ISSR molecular markers approach. Twenty-six genotypes held at NAGREF-Naoussa were analyzed, producing in total 150 loci, of which 116 were polymorphic. Both techniques were highly informative and had a discrimination power greater than 0.9. RAPD and ISSR dendrograms were fairly correlated. The accessions were clustered according to ploidy and species. All Prunus domestica genotypes were grouped together and showed greater similarity to P. insititia and P. cerasifera genotypes compared to P. salicina, which was found genetically diverged. Bayesian structural analysis revealed significant admixture among genotypes. Greek varieties P. domestica â€˜Goulinaâ€™ and â€˜Asvestochoriouâ€™ exhibited a distinctive genetic background, differentiating them from foreign varieties. This feature could make them attractive for breeding programs, since they can increase genetic diversity.