Showing papers by "Anita Solar published in 2005"

Phenolic acids, syringaldehyde, and juglone in fruits of different cultivars of Juglans regia L.

Abstract: Phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, ellagic, and syringic acid) as well as syringaldehyde and juglone were identified in ripe fruits of 10 walnut cultivars: Adams, Cisco, Chandler, Franquette, Lara, Fernor, Fernette, Alsoszentivani 117 (A-117), Rasna, and Elit. Analyses were done using a high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a diode array detector. Significant differences in the contents of identified phenolics were observed among cultivars. Phenolics were determined separately in the kernel and in the thin skin of the walnut, termed the pellicle. Not only in the kernel but also in the pellicle did syringic acid, juglone, and ellagic acid predominate (average values of 33.83, 11.75, and 5.90 mg/100 g of kernel; and 1003.24, 317.90, and 128.98 mg/100 g of pellicle, respectively), and the contents of ferulic and sinapic acid (average values of 0.06 and 0.05 mg/100 g of kernel and 2.93 and 2.17 mg/100 g of pellicle, respectively) were the lowest in all cultivars. The highest differences in the sum of all identified phenolics were observed between Rasna and Fernette fruits; in Rasna there were >2-fold higher contents of identified phenolics in both kernel and pellicle. It was found that the walnut pellicle is the most important source of walnut phenolics. The ratio between the contents in pellicle and kernel varied by at least 14.8-fold for caffeic acid (cv. Adams) and by up to 752.0-fold for p-coumaric acid (cv. Elit).

Phenotypic and genotypic diversity of European chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in Slovenia - opportunity for genetic improvement

Abstract: Phenotypic diversity of 244 chestnut trees was investigated. They originate from the Mediterranean and from two continental regions in Slovenia. In 3 years of analyses, length, diameter, thickness and weight of fruits; length and width of hilum, the pellicle intrusion; shape and colour of fruits; and the embryony were dealt with. The continental trees have smaller fruits than the Mediterranean trees; their fruits show greater variability in shape and the pellicle intrusion is stronger. They also exhibit polyembriony more frequently and they rarely have darker stripes. The sample of 46 trees from all three regions was used for the comparison between the phenotypic and genotypic diversity which had been investigated by RAPD analysis. In both cases, the UPGMA method was used for the classification of the trees into groups. Six pomological clusters were established. The clusters I, II, III and V comprise only the trees from the continental part. The cluster IV comprises nine trees of the marron type from the Mediterranean and one KOZ1 tree with equal pomological characteristics but originating from the continental part. The cluster VI is composed of eight trees from the continental part and one RAV3 tree whose fruits are very small and it originates from the Mediterranean. The Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity is used in order to evaluate genetic relations. On the RAPD dendrogram four clusters of trees are defined. The continental trees are divided into three clusters and exhibit greater genotypic diversity than the Mediterranean trees which form only one cluster. With the RAPD analyses the differentiation of the trees with regard to their pomological traits is determined in 60–90% of the cases. The outcome of the research point to the fact that the Slovene chestnut is a rich source of genetic diversity and is very suitable for further breeding purposes.

Growth dynamics and reproductive activity of annual shoots in the walnut cultivar 'Elit'

Abstract: An architectural analysis of a fruiting branch in the Slovenian variety 'Elit' was conducted during three successive years. The fruit bearing branch was constructed of a three-year-old parent shoot plus all corresponding two-year-old shoots and annual shoots (1Y). The construction of the bearing branch during the time caused a statistically significant increase in the number of annual shoots. The basal diameter and the length of 1Y significantly depended on a year whereas their angles did not. In spite of decreasing length of 1Y, the number of vegetative buds per shoot increased from the first to the third year of observations. The number of nodes was closely correlated with the length of the shoots. Activity points on the 1Y were most often on the apical two or three nodes, what was expressed by a marked acrotony. The number of active points varied as the tree matured. The ratio fruit bearing 1Y / total 1Y was 0.47 in year 1; 0.18 in year 2; 0.74 in year 3. It points to the slightly alternance. As the tree grew the number of flowering buds per 1Y as well as the number of female flowers per 1Y increased. The results of the three-year-long research show some growth and development rules in the walnut cultivar ‘Elit’, however, they do not allow a reliable prediction of the following activities. We assume that this will be possible after another three-year-long analysis, with the help of the Hidden Mark Model.