Showing papers on "Plant morphology published in 2019"
27 Jun 2019
TL;DR: An increase in estimated root surface area by 20% under salt stress conditions indicated that the spontaneous responses of plants to uptake more water and nutrients allowed a plant to cope with stressful conditions.
Abstract: Plant roots show morphological plasticity and play a substantial role in tolerance to various edaphic stresses. The aim of this study was to explore salinity-induced morphogenic responses of root traits and root hairs of two rapeseed varieties, BARI Sarisha-8 and Binasarisha-5, at the reproductive stage and perceive the effects on their reproductive growth. The experiment was conducted in a hydroponic culture. Two treatments, 0 mM NaCl as control and 100 mM NaCl, were imposed 55 d after germination. Plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl for seven days displayed greater damage in the leaves, flowers, and siliquae compared to control. Length of root hairs on first-order and third-order lateral roots, density of root hairs on first-order lateral roots, and length of third-order lateral roots were significantly greater by 91%, 22%, 29%, and 48%, respectively, in the treated condition compared to the control. An increase in estimated root surface area by 20% under salt stress conditions indicated that the spontaneous responses of plants to uptake more water and nutrients allowed a plant to cope with stressful conditions. The results of this study suggest that any future stress breeding programs should consider plasticity of root traits intensively.
60 citations
TL;DR: The reproducibility of plant trait changes in response to three growth environments is investigated, finding plants grown in soil extract were morphologically and metabolically distinct, with root hairs four times longer than with other growth conditions.
Abstract: There is a dynamic reciprocity between plants and their environment: soil physiochemical properties influence plant morphology and metabolism, and root morphology and exudates shape the environment surrounding roots. Here, we investigate the reproducibility of plant trait changes in response to three growth environments. We utilized fabricated ecosystem (EcoFAB) devices to grow the model grass Brachypodium distachyon in three distinct media across four laboratories: phosphate-sufficient and -deficient mineral media allowed assessment of the effects of phosphate starvation, and a complex, sterile soil extract represented a more natural environment with yet uncharacterized effects on plant growth and metabolism. Tissue weight and phosphate content, total root length, and root tissue and exudate metabolic profiles were consistent across laboratories and distinct between experimental treatments. Plants grown in soil extract were morphologically and metabolically distinct, with root hairs four times longer than with other growth conditions. Further, plants depleted half of the metabolites investigated from the soil extract. To interact with their environment, plants not only adapt morphology and release complex metabolite mixtures, but also selectively deplete a range of soil-derived metabolites. The EcoFABs utilized here generated high interlaboratory reproducibility, demonstrating their value in standardized investigations of plant traits.
43 citations
31 Jan 2019
TL;DR: This study compared invasive tree species in Europe with their native competitors and found that relatively high projected leaf area as a way of filling space and outcompeting native species may be reached in two ways – biomass allocation to leaves and control of leaf morphology or by overall growth rate.
Abstract: One of the most important sources of invasiveness is species’ functional traits and their variability. However there are still few studies on invasive tree species traits conducted along resource gradients that allow for a comparison of acquisitive and conservative strategies. We aimed to assess the differences in trait variation among native alien conservative and alien acquisitive tree species along resource availability gradients (soil fertility and light availability) and to assess the traits variability of the species studied along resources availability gradients. Our study compared invasive tree species in Europe (Prunusserotina Ehrh. Quercusrubra L. and Robiniapseudoacacia L.) with their native competitors (Acerpseudoplatanus L. A.platanoides L. Quercuspetraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Fagussylvatica L.). The study was conducted on 1329 seedlings and saplings collected in a system of 372 study plots in W Poland. For each individual we assessed leaf stem and root mass ratios total biomass leaf area ratio specific leaf area and projected leaf area. Two invasive species (P.serotina and R.pseudoacacia) represented a more acquisitive strategy than native species – along litter pH and light availability gradients these species had higher leaf mass fraction specific leaf area and leaf area ratio. In contrast Q.rubra had the highest total biomass and root mass fraction. Alien species usually had higher coefficients of variation of studied traits. This suggests that relatively high projected leaf area as a way of filling space and outcompeting native species may be reached in two ways – biomass allocation to leaves and control of leaf morphology or by overall growth rate. High variability of invasive species traits also suggests randomness in seedling survival which similarly to the neutral theory of invasion highlights the necessity of including randomness in modelling biological invasions.
23 citations
TL;DR: Laser irradiation has remarkable effect on plant morphology, flowering, chemical constituents, and gene mutagenesis, according to morphological, floral parameters, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanin pigment contents in the flower by most treatments of laser types.
Abstract: Eustoma grandiflorum is a new floral crop for the international flowers market, moderately cold-tolerant annual or biennial plant. A large number of seedlings can be produced by seed propagation but the quality is not uniform due to variations in the flowering time, plant height, and the number of flowers. Propagation of Eustoma grandiflorum plant by tissue culture technique is relatively low. Inducing mutations is one of the powerful tools for breeding biotechnology. Laser mutagenesis is an easy and new tool. The goal of the present work was to investigate the influence of laser irradiation on in vitro growth, anatomy, flowering, chemicals composition, and gene mutagenesis. The most of morphological, floral parameters, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanin pigment contents in the flower recorded increment by most treatments of laser types. The highest survival percentage of acclimatized plants (95%) and highest values of number of branches and branches length (cm) were obtained from treated plantlets by 20 min of green laser, while most of highest floral parameters, anthocyanin pigment contents in flower, and anatomical structural parameters recorded increasing using 20 min of blue laser and 20, 25 min of green and red laser, respectively. Contrary, the lowest values of photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids were obtained from 20 min of green laser. The current research concluded that laser irradiation has remarkable effect on plant morphology, flowering, chemical constituents, and gene mutagenesis.
12 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that inoculation with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi enhanced flowering and altered investment in reproduction in genotype‐specific ways, and underscore the importance of examining belowground symbionts and genotypes‐specific responses in their hosts to fully understand the drivers of aboveground interactions.
Abstract: Premise Most plants interact with mycorrhizal fungi and animal pollinators simultaneously. Yet, whether mycorrhizae affect traits important to pollination remains poorly understood and may depend on the match between host and fungal genotypes. Here, we examined how ericoid mycorrhizal fungi affected flowering phenology, floral traits, and reproductive success, among eight genotypes of highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae). We asked three overarching questions: (1) Do genotypes differ in response to inoculation? (2) How does inoculation affect floral and flowering traits? (3) Are inoculated plants more attractive to pollinators and less pollen limited than non-inoculated plants of the same genotype? Methods To examine these questions, we experimentally inoculated plants with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, grew the plants in the field, and measured flowering and floral traits over 2 years. In year 2, we conducted a hand-pollination experiment to test whether plants differed in pollen limitation. Results Inoculated plants had significantly higher levels of colonization for some genotypes, and there were significant floral trait changes in inoculated plants for some genotypes as well. On average, inoculated plants produced significantly larger floral displays, more fruits per inflorescence, and heavier fruits with lower sugar content, than non-inoculated, control plants. Hand pollination enhanced the production of fruits, and fruit mass, for non-inoculated plants but not for those that were inoculated. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that inoculation with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi enhanced flowering and altered investment in reproduction in genotype-specific ways. These findings underscore the importance of examining belowground symbionts and genotype-specific responses in their hosts to fully understand the drivers of aboveground interactions.
9 citations
TL;DR: Solanum selection based on plant morphology is suggested as the dominating mechanism at the early stage of domestication of African solanaceous plants.
Abstract: Several African Solanum species, including scarlet eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) and the gboma eggplant (S. macrocarpon L.), are recently domesticated green leafy vegetables. The aim of the study was to determine if domestication process affected the amounts of selected nutrient and anti-nutrient compounds in plant lines bearing edible and inedible leaves in comparison to their wild relatives. Leaves from fourteen accessions of five Solanum species were evaluated for phenolics (385–1002 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry weight), fatty acid (0.9–3.2 g/100 g DW), sterol (32–99 mg/100 g DW), saponin and glycoalkaloid content (0–1000 mg and 0–55 mg/100 g DW, respectively, expressed as aglycone content). There were no significant differences between plants with edible and inedible leaves. Similarly, wild and domesticated plants produced comparable amounts of nutrient and anti-nutrient compounds, with exception of wild S. anguivi Lam., which displayed fatty acid content higher than other species. The gboma eggplant complex (S. macrocarpon–S. dasyphyllum Schum. et Thonn.) had lower anti-nutrient and phenolics content than scarlet eggplant (S. aethiopicum–S. anguivi). Semi-domesticated S. scabrum Mill. revealed high anti-nutrient and low nutrient production. Selection based on plant morphology is then suggested as the dominating mechanism at the early stage of domestication of African solanaceous plants.
7 citations
TL;DR: This paper aims to demonstrate the efforts towards in-situ applicability of EMMARM, which aims to provide real-time information about the physical and ecological parameters of the forest in Chihuahua.
Abstract: Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important crop after wheat, corn, rice and barley. The aim of this research was to study morphological characterization of the plant population of grain sorghum cultivar CIAP 132R-05 regenerated via somatic embryogenesis under semi controlled conditions in green house. Plants regenerated from somatic embryos were compared to plants grown from botanical seeds. Both populations of plants were characterized morphologically, taking in account quantitative traits (plant height (cm), stem diameter, number of active leaves per plant, limb length and width, number of active roots per plant, length of the roots (cm), fresh weight (gMF), foliar area (dm2), number of shoots per plant) and qualitative traits (albino or variegated plants, color of the leaves). Quantitative characteristics of both populations corresponded with those listed in the National Register of Commercial Varieties of Cuba. However; the population of plants derived from somatic embryos showed significantly higher values for plant height, stem diameter, limb length and width, which may be associated with the physiological rejuvenation produced by the effect of in vitro culture. This allowed to determine the phenotypic stability of the regenerated plants via somatic embryogenesis, by assessing morphological characters in field conditions. The results can be applied to the in vitro propagation of elite plants selected as a product of conventional breeding programs and obtained through the use of different biotechnological methods.
6 citations
30 Jun 2019
TL;DR: There was a significant difference for most descriptors related to the growth of the plants and the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits, which are important for the conservation actions of the species and individuals selection for future improvement programs.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate and select morphological and physicochemical descriptors for the characterization of mangaba tree germplasm. We used 30 descriptors in 54 plants from 10 accesses in the fruiting stage (CA, AB, PT, PR, TC, PA, LG, BI, IP and AD) from the Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Coastal Tablelands located in the Experimental Field of Itaporanga d’Ajuda, Sergipe, Brazil, faithful trustee of the species. The diversity was verified between and within the accesses, however, without direct relation with its origins. The mean vitamin C content was considered high (394.45 mg/100g) and there was no difference between the accesses. There was a significant difference for most descriptors related to the growth of the plants and the physicochemical characteristics of the fruits. The results are important for the conservation actions of the species and individuals selection for future improvement programs.
6 citations
TL;DR: Plant phylogeny was the most important factor when explaining differences in overall fruit syndrome composition among individual plant families or genera across the three study sites.
Abstract: We propose a new classification of rainforest plants into eight fruit syndromes, based on fruit morphology and other traits relevant to fruit-feeding insects. This classification is compared with other systems based on plant morphology or traits relevant to vertebrate fruit dispersers. Our syndromes are based on fruits sampled from 1,192 plant species at three Forest Global Earth Observatory plots: Barro Colorado Island (Panama), Khao Chong (Thailand) and Wanang (Papua New Guinea). The three plots differed widely in fruit syndrome composition. Plant species with fleshy, indehiscent fruits containing multiple seeds were important at all three sites. However, in Panama a high proportion of species had dry fruits, while in New Guinea and Thailand, species with fleshy drupes and thin mesocarps were dominant. Species with dry, winged seeds that do not develop as capsules were important in Thailand, reflecting the local importance of Dipterocarpaceae. These differences can also determine differences among frugivorous insect communities. Fruit syndromes and colours were phylogenetically flexible traits at the scale studied, as only three of the eight seed syndromes, and one of the 10 colours, showed significant phylogenetic clustering at either genus or family levels. Plant phylogeny was, however, the most important factor explaining differences in overall fruit syndrome composition among individual plant families or genera across the three study sites.
6 citations
TL;DR: Results showed that Isfahan population is a population with late establishment in first year but with higher branching property and leaves to stems ratio and the highest essential oil percentage belonged to Hamedan and Varamin populations but it was no significant difference in essential oil yield between populations.
5 citations
TL;DR: Results show that water management in irrigated rice farming is of uttermost importance for management of invasive plants, which indicates that these plants are more sensitive to hypotoxic environments.
Abstract: Experiments were run in a greenhouse where samples of Eragrostis pilosa and Eragrostis plana, species that infest rice crops, were subjected to three soil moisture conditions (50% of soil water retention capacity (WRC), 100% of WRC, 10 cm water depth), simulating three different environments (upland, lowland and irrigated rice farm, respectively), with the aim of studying how these conditions affect the morphology and vegetative cycle of these plants, by means of development and growth assessments. Results show that each species responds differently when subjected to varying amounts of water in the soil. Soaking the soil with 10 cm of water was the treatment that most negatively influenced the development of E. plana plants, reducing the formation of panicles per plant, as well as the aerial part dry mass. The responses of E. pilosa plants to the waterlogged environment manifested as reductions in tillering parameters, number of panicles per plant, root and aerial part dry mass, changes in flag leaf formation, and vegetative cycle increases, which allows inferring that these plants are more sensitive to hypotoxic environments. Thus, the water depth treatment is possibly what caused negative effects on the development of the study plants, which indicates that water management in irrigated rice farming is of uttermost importance for management of invasive plants.
TL;DR: The present study concluded that the fluctuation of temperature and light intensity affects both leaf and root morphology, and the DIF has a significant influence on the growth and development of bellflower.
Abstract: Bellflower (P. grandiflorum) has been an important medicinal plant since the ancient time. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effects of temperature, light intensity, and the difference between day and night temperature (DIF) on plant leaf and root morphology in P. grandiflorum. Plants were grown for five months in a Biotron room with a constant temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30°C) as well as natural light and shading condition. In the natural light, the lowest plant height (23.8 cm) was observed at 30°C compared than low-intensity light. Shading caused inhibition in the leaf length and leaf width compared than natural light condition. The number of branches decreased significantly (p≤0.05) under the low light intensity condition except for the temperature at 30°C. Root morphology was significantly affected by different levels of light intensity treatment in P. grandiflorum for. duplex. However, the highest root length (8.2 cm) and diameter (7.8 mm) was observed when the plants were grown under high light intensity. In P. grandiflorum with green petal, temperature and shading showed significant changes in plant morphology. However, the plant height under the natural light condition was in the range of 45.8~48.2 cm in the temperature range of 15~25°C. The negative DIF at 15/30°C decreased growth and development of both P. grandiflorum for. duplex and P. grandiflorum with green petals plants as reflected in the lowest plant height, leaf width, leaf length, number of branches, root length, root diameter, and root fresh weight. The present study concluded that the fluctuation of temperature and light intensity affects both leaf and root morphology, and the DIF has a significant influence on the growth and development of bellflower.
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: The study demonstrates the potential of some sweet potato genotypes such as Nyautenge for high productivity, as well as evaluating agro-morphological characteristics of 68 sweet Potato genotypes in order to determine the best performing ones.
Abstract: A main characteristic of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas(L.) Lam.] is its high phenotypic and genotypic variability. There is no, or limited, information on suitability of agro-morphological characteristics for utilization in production and processing. Currrently, farmers are growing different sweet potato genotypes characterized with low yield. The aim of the study was to evaluate agro-morphological characteristics of 68 sweet potato genotypes in order to determine the best performing ones. The sweet potato genotypes were grown at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and the Embu and Miyare Agriculture Training College. The locations were chosen because they are the main sweet potato producing areas with different climatic and production conditions. Six storage root and five aerial characters were used in the characterization. The genotypes differed in storage root stalk and root length; vine internode length and vine internode growth rate; petiole length and leaf size, and yield at both sites. Genotype Nyautenge was the best performing in terms of storage root yield. There was poor correlation among agro-morphological attributes. The study demonstrates the potential of some sweet potato genotypes such as Nyautenge for high productivity.
TL;DR: The study was aimed to explore the effects of seed treatment with phosphemidum on chlorophyll content and morphometric parameters of flax seedlings and plants and found that samples were found to differ in the dynamics ofchlorophyll accumulation by the stages of ontogenesis.
Abstract: Genetic diversity of plants increases the possibility of choice and provides higher adaptability of plants to adverse environmental conditions. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is one of the crops requiring attention and introduction in agricultural production. In Siberia, Russia already in 1908 the first experiments with flax were started in Tobolsk province. In the 20th century this branch was developed on the farms of Tyumen region. Heat resources, agrochemical properties of soils, water supply are adequate for the cultivation of this crop in the northern latitudes. The study was aimed to explore the effects of seed treatment with phosphemidum on chlorophyll content and morphometric parameters of flax seedlings and plants. Seventeen samples of fibre flax and three samples of linseed of different origin (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Canada, Czech Republic, France and Germany) from the collection of the Institute of Biology of Tyumen State University were studied. Air-dried seeds were treated with the solution of chemical agent phosphemidum in concentrations of 0.005, 0.01 and 0.1 %. Laboratory experiments revealed differences in morphometric parameters of plant seedlings. The response to seed treatment with mutagen was studied by the variability of chlorophyll content in the leaves. The samples were found to differ in the dynamics of chlorophyll accumulation by the stages of ontogenesis. All samples reacted to the increase of phosphemidum concentration by the decrease in chlorophyll content in leaves.
TL;DR: Results showed that the overexpression of SYNC1 gene contributes on the increase of plant free amino acid contents and biomass, and this approach is expected to be applicable in other legumes, grain and forage crops.
Abstract: The application of useful genes from model plants to crops is an important step to verify its agricultural usefulness. SYNC1, an asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase gene, was previously identified through the Full-length cDNA Over-eXpressor gene (FOX gene-hunting system) of Arabidopsis cDNA by using super-growing root (SR) culture of Lotus corniculatus, and was suggested to have a potential in increasing some amino acid contents and plant biomass. To identify the functionality of SYNC1 gene in a typical legume crop soybean, the effects of its overexpression in transgenic plants to agricultural traits and free amino acid contents were evaluated. The transgenic soybean plants were produced from infected half-seed explants of 1 day old seedlings with the suspension of Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring expression vector pB7WG2D-SYNC1. The transgenic plants that overexpressed SYNC1 gene had increased asparagine and lysine contents in matured seeds, and increased aspartate, lysine, alanine and histidine contents in germinated seeds. The changes in those free amino acid contents affected plant morphology and led to significant increase in plant length, number of branches and number of branch nodes as yield components of soybean. The transgenic plants also showed a tendency of higher number of pods, seeds and total seed weight per plant. These results showed that the overexpression of SYNC1 gene contributes on the increase of plant free amino acid contents and biomass, and this approach is expected to be applicable in other legumes, grain and forage crops.
TL;DR: The morphology and anatomy of fruit and seed of C. odorata forma genuina might enhance the understanding of future studies regarding natural reproduction and conservation programs with generative propagation.
Abstract: . Nurhayani FO, Wulandari AS, Suharsi TK. 2019. Morphology and anatomy of the fruit and seed of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson. Biodiversitas 20: 3199-3206. Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson is one of the Annonaceae family which has high benefits for humans such as constructions, furniture, cosmetics, perfumes, and traditional medicines. The planting efforts were needed to support the existence of these plants. These plants have low regeneration and germination. The morphology and anatomy of fruit and seed could enhance the understanding of the reproductive biology in the species. There is little information about the morphology and anatomy of fruit and seed of C. odorata var. odorata forma genuina. The aim of this study is to understand the morphology and anatomy of fruit and seed of C. odorata. The morphologic description was made from the analysis of the fresh fruits and seeds. The anatomical description was made from the analysis of permanent slides with longitudinal sections of the fruits and seeds. The samples were fixed, dehydrated, alcoholized, embedding in paraffin, and stained with safranin-fast green. Data analysis consists of the morphological observation (shape, color, size and the number of seeds per fruits) and the anatomical observation (the pericarp layers of fruit, the seed coat layers, and the structure in the seed). The fruit of C. odorata var. odorata forma genuina was fleshy, ovoid or obovoid, 0.98-2.75 cm long, 0.42-1.63 cm in diameter, and contain 1-12 seeds. The seeds were pale brown, flattened, ovoid, and hard. The fruit anatomy showed that the pericarp layers derived from parenchymatous cells and differentiated into three zones, i.e. exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. The seed has ruminated endosperm with irregular folds. The seed coat was divided into three integuments, i.e. outer, middle, and inner integument. The information about the fruit and seed anatomy of C. odorata var. odorata forma genuina might enhance the understanding of future studies regarding natural reproduction and conservation programs with generative propagation.
TL;DR: Impacts of elevated [CO2] on the morphology of a globally important forage crop could have profound implications for pasture productivity, and the reductions in plant and leaf size were consistent across a range of soil-water availability, indicating that they are likely to be uniform.
Abstract: Plant morphology and architecture are essential characteristics for all plants, but perhaps most importantly for agricultural species because economic traits are linked to simple features such as blade length and plant height. Key morphological traits likely respond to CO2 concentration ([CO2]), and the degree of this response could be influenced by water availability; however, this has received comparatively little research attention. This study aimed to determine the impacts of [CO2] on gross morphology of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), the most widespread temperate pasture species, and whether these impacts are influenced by water availability. Perennial ryegrass cv. Base AR37 was grown in a well-fertilised FACE (free-air carbon dioxide enrichment) experiment in southern Tasmania. Plants were exposed to three CO2 concentrations (~400 (ambient), 475 and 550 µmol mol–1) at three watering-treatment levels (adequate, limited and excess). Shoot dry weight, height, total leaf area, leaf-blade separation, leaf size, relative water content and specific leaf area were determined, as well as shoot density per unit area as a measure of tillering. Plant morphology responded dramatically to elevated [CO2], plants being smaller with shorter leaf-blade separation lengths and smaller leaves than in ambient (control) plots. Elevated [CO2] increased tillering but did not substantially affect relative water content or specific leaf area. Water supply did not affect any measured trait or the response to elevated [CO2]. Observed impacts of elevated [CO2] on the morphology of a globally important forage crop could have profound implications for pasture productivity. The reductions in plant and leaf size were consistent across a range of soil-water availability, indicating that they are likely to be uniform. Elucidating the mechanisms driving these responses will be essential to improving predictability of these changes and may assist in breeding varieties suited to future conditions.
TL;DR: In the early stages of germination the seed vigor of tomato seeds treated with the compounds TT1-TT5 were superior to one in treatments with phytohormones and in control experiment.
Abstract: In recent years chemical pesticides are being replaced by environmentally friendly and universal means of plant protection that are able to exert a complex effect on the plant (stimulate growth and development, improve metabolic processes, develop resistance to pathogens, etc.). The effect of new synthetic growth regulators of the 1,2,3-triazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine class and trade phytohormones (6-BAP, GA and TDZ) on the growth processes, growth energy and vitality of tomato seeds, as well as morphological parameters of seedlings was researched in this article. It was revealed that the effect of synthesized compounds on seed vigor and viability of seedlings are superior to commercial phytohormones. In the early stages of germination the seed vigor of tomato seeds treated with the compounds TT1-TT5 were superior to one in treatments with phytohormones and in control experiment. As a result of the experiment, the most viable seedlings were formed into the treatments TT1, TT2 and TT3 (in all studied concentrations). Tomato seedlings treated with 6-BAP and GA at a concentration of 5 mg L-1 produced the worst results.
TL;DR: Results support that there are two forms of trailing lantana, the U.S. and Australia, varieties distinguished by their leaf and flower morphology, ploidy level, and the absence of fruit and viable pollen.
Abstract: Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a popular low-growing ornamental plant valued for its heat and drought tolerance and continuous purple or white flowering throughoutmuch of the year. Recently, trailing lantana was predicted to be invasive by the University of Florida/Institute of Food andAgricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida, and therefore not recommended for use. All cultivars fall under this designation unless proven otherwise. Eight trailing lantana varieties were obtained from wholesale growers and naturalized populations found in Texas and Australia. Plants were propagated vegetatively, finished in 4-inch pots, and planted under field conditions to determine morphological and cytological differences among varieties. Australian trailing lantana differed morphologically from the other varieties in its smaller habit, leaves (which had serrate-crenate leaf margins, and fewer appressed hairs), heavy fruiting, and cold sensitivity (observational reduced growth and flowering during winter months). Nuclear DNA content analysis suggests that Australian trailing lantana is likely a tetraploid and all other varieties evaluated were likely triploids with high levels of sterility. Pollen stainability of Australian trailing lantana was moderately high (58.83%), whereas pollen production was rarely observed in all other varieties. Results support that there are two forms of trailing lantana, the U.S. varieties distinguished by their leaf and flower morphology, ploidy level, and the absence of fruit and viable pollen. Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) is a low-growing woody shrub native to tropical areas of South America. As early as 1825, the species was described by German botanist Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel as Lippia montevidensis. This plant has also been described as Lippia sellowiana or Lantana sellowiana to honor German botanist Friedrich Sellow (or Sello). Finally, in 1904, it was reclassified as Lantana montevidensis by the Swiss botanist John Isaac Briquet and this name remains today (International Plant Names Index, 2015). The genus refers to the original Latin name for Viburnum ‘‘Viburnum lantana,’’ having a similar inflorescence structure. The specific epithet is derived from Montevideo, Uruguay, where the plant was first found (Johnson, 2007). Trailing lantana is listed as an invasive exotic in many subtropical ecosystems from Hawaii and Australia to the southeastern United States. In Australia, due to its rapid expansion and colonization of natural lands and improved pastures, trailing lantana is a restricted invasive prohibited for use by the Queensland Biosecurity Act of 2014 (Day et al., 2003; Johnson, 2007; Munir, 1996; O’Donnell, 2002). In the United States, it has escaped cultivation in seven states, including Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas [U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Resources Conservation Service (USDA, NRCS), 2019]. In Florida, herbarium vouchers document its escape in 18 counties (Wunderlin et al., 2019). To date, trailing lantana has not been listed as a Category I or II invasive plant by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC, 2019). However, based on a predictive test, the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’sNatural Areas does not recommend its use in northern, central, or southern Florida, with results concluding that it has high invasion risk (UF/IFAS Assessment, 2019). All cultivars fall under this conclusion unless proven otherwise and exempted from the ruling. Trailing lantana is characterized by having a horizontal growth habit, with branches rooting at the nodes. Leaves are opposite, broadly ovate, and strongly aromatic when crushed. Umbel inflorescences, each containing 30 florets, are borne on long axillary peduncles 30 mm in length. If present, blackberry-like fruit is drupe, each having one seed and up to two embryos. In Australia, Johnson (2007) reported two forms (cultivated and wild) of trailing lantana differing in their ability to produce fruit. The Australian weedy variety was described as having purple flowers with white throats, and the ornamental nonweedy variety (cultivated garden form) was described as having either lilac petals with white to yellow throats, or white petals with yellow throats. Although the lavender variety is more popular in the trade, there is a white-flowered form L. montevidensis forma albiflora that was collected from the wild in Brazil as early as 1944 (IPNI, 2015; San Marcos Growers, 2019). Similar to the lavender variety, the white form flowers year-round and is drought tolerant and adapted to full sun or part shade in USDA cold hardiness zones 8 to 10 (USDA, 2012). Henderson (1969) reported that the two forms of trailing lantana in Australia also differed dramatically in pollen viability and ploidy level/chromosome number. The weedy form had 65% pollen stainability and was a tetraploid with 2n = 4x = 48 chromosomes, whereas the garden form had extremely low pollen stainability (less than 6%) and was a triploid with 2n = 3x = 36 chromosomes. In India, only the triploid trailing lantana was noticed (Raghavan and Arora, 1960). Although the introduction of new trailing lantana varieties is insignificant compared with L. camara, there has been some selection of the species with named patents (Google Patents, 2019). In 1990, Monrovia Nursery introduced White Lightnin trailing lantana (L. montevidensis ‘Monma’) and Lavender Swirl trailing lantana (L. montevidensis ‘Monswee’) that are still popular today. In 2007, Proven Winners released Received for publication 1 Aug. 2019. Accepted for publication 11 Sept. 2019. We gratefully acknowledge funding support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) AgriculturalMarketing Service and FloridaDepartment of Agriculture and Consumer Services Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Florida Nursery and Growers and Landscape Association. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the USDA. We thank Mark Kann, Chris Harchick, Bart Schutzman, Krishna Bhattarai, Julia Rycyna, and Jackson Jablonski for technical assistance; and Megan Thomas and Adam Black for plant collection assistance. This paper is based on a presentation given during the Annual Meeting of the Florida State Horticultural Society, which was held 9–11 June 2018, in Orlando, FL. C.S. is the corresponding author. E-mail: csteppe@ ufl.edu. 2134 HORTSCIENCE VOL. 54(12) DECEMBER 2019 Luscious grape trailing lantana (L. montevidensis ‘Robpwpur’) and it has since received prestigious awards as a top performer from plant trials at Kansas State University, University of Georgia, Texas A&M University, Longwood Gardens, North Carolina State University, and University of Delaware. In 2013, Lord Brooks trailing lantana (L. montevidensis ‘Lord Brooks’) was patented as a new variety distinguished by its darkercolored purple flowers. Unnamed white and lavender trailing varieties are also commonly available from nurseries throughout the United States. To our knowledge, all U.S. varieties are propagated vegetatively, as fruit is extremely rare or absent altogether. Among the known trailing lantana introductions in the United States, none have been reported from planned breeding programs for plant morphology, female sterility, pollen stainability, and/or ploidy level, such as with Lantana camara (Czarnecki et al., 2012; Deng et al., 2017). The objective of this study was to assess morphological and cytological differences among eight trailing lantana varieties collected from different growers and a naturalized area in Texas and Australia. Information in these aspects was much needed to determine the invasive potential and suitability for continued commercial production and landscape use in the United States. Materials and Methods Plant material. Eight sources of trailing lantana were identified for use in this study, as described in Table 1. Four of the plant Table 1. Varieties of trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) evaluated for morphological and cytological comparisons. The source of plant material and contact information are shown. Source/variety Contact/company Additional information provided if available American Farms (AF) lavender trailing lantana Justin Orion, American Farms, Naples, FL Unrooted cuttings produced from Dummen’s ORO farm in Guatemala Australia (AUS) trailing lantana Megan Thomas, Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Naturalized location in Queensland Australia, Permit USDA APHIS P37-17-01621 Costa Farms (CF) lavender trailing lantana Purchased through distributer, Lowe’s, Gainesville, FL Costa Farms, Miami, FL Hatchett Creek Farms lavender trailing lantana (HCTL) George Griffith, Hatchett Creek Nurseries, Gainesville, FL Mother plants obtained 20+ years ago Hatchett Creek Farms white trailing lantana (HCTW) George Griffith, Hatchett Creek Farms, Gainesville, FL Mother plants obtained 20+ years ago Luscious grape trailing lantana Jim Putman, New Products Manager, Proven Winners (PW) ‘Robpwpur’ is a product of a planned breeding program developed by plant breeder, Robert J. Roberson. It was discovered in July 2002 as a naturally occurring branch mutation of Lantana montevidensis ‘Alba’. Base of leaf blade is cuneate rather than cordate (trailing purple). Has denser pubescence on lower side of the leaf blade and darker violet main color on the upper side of the flower. Application date: 2007 (Google Patents, 2019) Riverview Farms (RF) purple trailing lantana Rick Brown, Riverview Farms, Seffner, FL Quality Cuttings, Mexico
TL;DR: Tested wild ecotypes, showed good productive characteristics and profitability potential, but there is a need for high yield breeding, and selection for traits adjusted to use of agro-mechanization.
Abstract: Croatia is pyrethrums original growing zone and among rare places in the world where wild populations are found intact in nature. The aim of the research was to explore a production potential of Croatian wild pyrethrum ecotypes, and its use in breeding programs. Three wild ecotypes were tested for vegetative and yield parameters and a comparison between financial production parameters in Croatia and Slovakia was made. Plant height, number of flowers per plant, lodging, fresh and dry flower yield were not affected by ecotype in productive seasons (second and third). However, ecotypes differed in plant diameter and mass of 100 flowers. Positive linear regression among plant height, plant diameter, and number of flowers per plant with yield was found, but these traits did not correlate with lodging. Even though we found no significant difference between ecotype yields, financial analysis revealed the difference between ecotype profitability. Positive financial result was obtained in third season of growing with ecotypes 2 and 3. High costs of labour could be the main constraint in commercial pyrethrum production. Tested wild ecotypes, showed good productive characteristics and profitability potential, but there is a need for high yield breeding, and selection for traits adjusted to use of agro-mechanization.
TL;DR: As the developmental stages of 'Spermacoce verticillata' advanced, the plants began to show reduced leaf thickness due to the decreased abaxial epidermal thickness, transport vessel size and parenchymal thickness.
Abstract: Weed control is an essential practice in crop management. However, the use of herbicides may not be effective in certain situations, such as when problems are encountered in the application technology and when tolerant individuals and resistant biotypes are observed. In the cotton producing areas of the state of Bahia, Brazil, 'Spermacoce verticillata' (shrubby false buttonweed) is not effectively controlled during burndown applications. During different developmental stages, plants can modify their leaves' anatomical structures, which may influence herbicide control by modifying the retention, absorption, translocation and final effect of the chemical. This study assessed the morphological and histological differences in 'Spermacoce verticillata' leaves at different stages of development. Leaves were collected from plants at different phenological stages (2-4 leaves, 4-6 leaves and flowering) and subjected to histological and scanning electron microscopy analyses. In the histological analysis, four leaves were collected from the upper nodes. The evaluated characteristics were the total leaf blade thickness, palisade and spongy parenchymal thicknesses, cuticle and epidermal cell thicknesses on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces and midrib height and width. Surface analyses were performed by observing the leaves under a scanning electron microscope. As the developmental stages of 'Spermacoce verticillata' advanced, the plants began to show reduced leaf thickness due to the decreased abaxial epidermal thickness, transport vessel size and parenchymal thickness. At more advanced stages of development (4-6 leaves and flowering), the adaxial leaf surfaces showed fewer stomata and more trichomes.
TL;DR: It is suggested that days to 50% maturity, plant height and number of leaves per plant may be used as selection criteria for future breeding strategy.
Abstract: —The present research was conducted to study the association among morphological and yield related traits in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Ten accessions of sunflower were grown in research area of Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad following Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The data were recorded on quantitative traits i.e., plant height, number of leaves per plant, days to 50% maturity, leaf area, head diameter, stem girth, achene weight per plant and 100 achene weight and qualitative traits i.e. leaf shape, head shape, head angle at maturity, achene colour, achene stripes. The recorded data were subjected to analysis of variance, correlation and path analysis. Significant differences for all the accessions were found for all quantitative traits. Test of independence revealed that bird damage depends on the head angle and head shape. Highest heritability was recorded for plant height followed by stem girth and days to 50% maturity indicated highest contribution of genotypes in expressions of these traits. Both Genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients were estimated of these traits among accessions. Days to 50% maturity, Plant height, leaf area and number of leaves per plant showed significant and positive correlation on achene weight per plant. In path coefficient analysis all traits had positive direct effect except 100 achene weight and leaf area. Head diameter and number of leaves per plant had positive indirect effect through days to 50% maturity on achene weight per plant while stem girth and 100 achene weight had positive indirect effect through plant height on achene weight per plant. The accessions J-1, J-2, J-3 and J-8 showed better performance for the leaf area, days to 50% maturity, head diameter, achene weight per plant and 100 achene weight. These accessions may be further used for the development of high achene weight per plant sunflower cultivars. It is suggested that days to 50% maturity, plant height and number of leaves per plant may be used as selection criteria for future breeding strategy.
TL;DR: This study showed the importance of leaf anatomy as a diagnostic tool for the six species of Palicourea; emphasizing characteristics that indicate infrageneric groups.
Abstract: Palicourea is a Neotropical genus of predominantly shrubs and subshrubs, represented by more than 700 species, with its greatest diversity in South and Central America. The present study aims to describe and compare the leaf anatomy and micromorphology of six species occurring in the Atlantic Forest to determine which characteristics are most useful for taxonomic study and which are more useful for ecological investigation. Plant material was collected at Atlantic Forest sites in southeast Brazil. Samples preparation followed standard techniques for light and scanning electron microscopy and histochemical tests. The general characteristics observed for genus were absence of domatia, presence of unicellular trichomes on the abaxial surface, hypostomatic leaf blade with paracytic stomata, uniseriate epidermis with papillae, presence of idioblasts, and dorsiventral mesophyll. The results allowed us to segregate species by leaf structure and infer the affinity relationship among the studied species. This study showed the importance of leaf anatomy as a diagnostic tool for the six species of Palicourea; emphasizing characteristics that indicate infrageneric groups.
01 Jun 2019
TL;DR: The statistical analysis performed indicate a highly significant difference in the number of leaves and plant height between the infested and uninfested maize plants examined in July (the third field observation).
Abstract: From the economic perspective, the western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera sp. virgifera (Col., Chrysomelidae), poses the gravest threat to the field maize production in Serbia. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of WCR larvae on the morphology of maize characters during a low-level artificial egg infestation. A field experiment involving the Serbian cultivar ‘NS-640’ was carried out in Becej, Vojvodina Serbia, in 2016. In the experimental field, a total of 96 maize plants were selected, marked and arranged in 48 pairs. Each pair consisted of an infested plant (WCR eggs injected in the root zone) and an uninfested plant (distillate water injected in the root zone). The number of leaves, height and stem diameter of the plants observed were recorded. Root damage and root weight were measured and evaluated at the end of the trail. For the purpose of statistical analysis, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and a correlation matrix were used. The statistical analysis performed indicate a highly significant difference in the number of leaves and plant height between the infested and uninfested maize plants examined in July (the third field observation). During the last field inspection, significant differences were recorded only between the stem diameters of the infested and uninfested maize plants. A negative correlation was found to exist between the root damage and root weight of the plant pairs. There were positive correlations between the stem diameter, plant height and number of leaves of the infested plants, whereas positive correlations were found between the root damage and plant height of the uninfested plants.
01 Jan 2019
TL;DR: The phenology and the search for new descriptors from reproductive morphology for convenient field identification of Sesbania species revealed that the days required for 50% inflorescence bearing, flower & pod initiation and pod maturation were higher in S. sesban ratoon and lowest inS.
Abstract: An experiment was conducted at Field and Plant Systematics Laboratories of the Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, to study the phenology and to search for new descriptors from reproductive morphology for convenient field identification of Sesbania species. Seeds of one hundred and five accessions from three Sesbania species viz. S. bispinosa, S. cannabina and S. sesban, were collected and used as experimental materials. Seeds were sown at the spacing 50 cm (row–row) × 15 cm (plant–plant). Ratoon, the regrowth of shoot from previous year’s harvest, was observed only in S. sesban and also used as experimental material. Results revealed that the days required for 50% inflorescence bearing, flower & pod initiation and pod maturation were higher in S. sesban ratoon and lowest in S. sesban; S. sesban ratoon also produces the largest flowers and the smallest in S. bispinosa. Pollen grains are monad, tricolporate, prolate and exine sculpture reticulate. Pollen grains of S. bispinosa possess the thickest exine (2.47±0.47 μm) with the highest value of P/E ratio (1.81) and the lowest in S. cannabina (1.16±0.21 μm and 1.57, respectively). The highest pod setting was found in S. cannabina (50.35%) and the lowest S. sesban ratoon (21.68%). However, seed setting was higher in S. bispinosa (91.06%) and the lowest S. cannabina (87.78%). The heaviest 1000-seed weight was obtained from S. sesban (20.03±2.06 g) and the lowest from S. cannabina (16.28±2.20 g). A dichotomous key was made for the identification of these Sesbania species.
TL;DR: The objective was to identify morphological characters involved in resistance genotypes Ipomoea batatas from the germplasm bank of the University Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri to Tetranychus ludeni.
Abstract: Plant morphology has been associated with the resistance or susceptibility to herbivores. The objective was to identify morphological characters involved in resistance genotypes Ipomoea batatas from the germplasm bank of the University Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM) to Tetranychus ludeni. Natural infestations of T. ludeni were observed in 54 sweet potato genotypes from the Vegetable Crops sector of UFVJM in a greenhouse. Morphological characters as the number of leaf trichomes, quantity of epicuticular wax on the leaves, leaf area and thickness of the cell wall cuticle and epidermis, were analyzed in five more susceptible (BD 29, BD 08, BD 57, BD 17 e Espanhola) and the five less susceptible (BD 03, BD 31 TO, Brazlândia, Branca, Marmel e BD 33) sweet potato genotypes to this mite. The genotypes, except the BD 29, showed glabrous leaves. The quantity of wax extracted from more susceptible to T. ludeni was lower. The wax of resistant plants may reduce feeding by T. ludeni. The thickness of the cuticle and cell wall of the leaves is not involved in the selection process. Glabrous leaves with lower leaf area and greater quantity of wax epicuticular per leaf increase resistance of this plant to T. ludeni.