Plant morphology

About: Plant morphology is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1174 publications have been published within this topic receiving 24418 citations. The topic is also known as: phytomorphology & morphology of higher plants.

Gain from Two Cycles of Divergent Selection for Root Morphology in Alfalfa

Abstract: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has been identified for use in phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is defined as the use of green plants to remove or contain environmental contaminants. Alteration of root morphology would increase the degradative efficiency of alfalfa for phytoremediation. Root morphology traits in alfalfa are heritable, but are strongly influenced by dormancy and geographic origin. Our objective was to create alfalfa source germplasms that differ in root morphology within the same genetic background. Four experimental alfalfa germplasms differing in dormancy and genetic origin were evaluated after two cycles of divergent selection for root morphology traits. Two sources were selected for few vs. many lateral roots and the other two sources were selected for few vs. many fibrous roots followed by one subsequent cyde of selection for few vs. many lateral roots. These divergent populations were evaluated using two fertilizer rates (0 and 200 kg N ha -1 ) and were established twice at each of two locations. Plants from one experiment at each location were dug at the end of the establishment year and from the second experiment at the end of the first production year. All plants were evaluated for number of lateral roots, fibrous root mass, taproot diameter, plant count per plot, and plot root weight. Two cycles of divergent selection for root morphology traits in all four source germplasms produced alfalfa populations that differed in root morphology. Realized heritabilities from all germplasm sources ranged from 21 to 48% for fibrous root mass and from 11 to 43% for lateral root number. Response to selection varied among the four source germplasms and indicated that the choice of parent germplasm will be a factor for success in producing alfalfa populations that differ in root morphology within a single genetic source.

An assessment of morphology and yield characteristics of pumpkin (cucurbita moschata) genotypes in northern bangladesh

Abstract: Twenty pumpkin ( Cucurbita moschata ) genotypes were characterized for morphological and yield attributes in northern area of Bangladesh during kharif season of 2006. The range of first flowering was at 52.0-73.7 days. The early flowering and early maturity was observed in BD-227 genotype. The range of variability was distinct for vine length at harvest, leaf length, leaf diameter, number of branches per plant. The vine length was maximum (400cm) in BD-242 and minimum (169cm) in BD-255. Leaf length ranged from 30.6-47.2 cm in different genotypes and the number of branches per plant varied from 2.0-4.7. The number of branches per plant was maximum (4.7) in BD-270. Entry BD-268 produced maximum number of fruits (15.7) per plant and the minimum (2.0) was in BD-251. The maximum average fruit weight (4.2kg) was in BD-250 and minimum (1.5kg) in BD-257. There was significant variation with regards to yield of different pumpkin genotypes, which was varied from 5.9 - 36.0 kg. Among the twenty one pumpkin germplasm, the maximum fruit yield (36.1kg/plant) was recorded in BD-243 genotype which was closely related to BD-234 genotype (31.1kg/plant) and minimum (5.9kg/plant) was in BD-270. The qualitative characteristics of these pumpkin genotypes showed also variation in fruit colour and flesh colour. The over all performance among the genotypes, BD-243, BD-268, BD-242, BD-234, BD-288, BD-250 and BD-227 may be utilized in breeding program. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tare.v14i1.4834 Tropical Agricultural Research & Extension 14(1): 2011 7-11

Comparison of the Morphology, Anatomy, and Chemical Profile of Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata.

Abstract: Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata are medicinal plants popularly used in Brazil for colds and asthma. Although several studies report differences in their composition, they are frequently used indistinctly, which may be due to misidentification of the species or the plant part used. Herein, the chemical, anatomical, and morphological profiles of both species were evaluated, seeking to differentiate them. Due to the pattern of secondary metabolites found in M. glomerata and M. laevigata, the chemical profile of the leaves was the characteristic that best differentiated the two species. Coumarin was present in all the leaf samples of M. laevigata but absent or in low concentration in leaf samples of M. glomerata. The stems presented coumarin in both species, albeit in different concentrations. The quantification of chlorogenic and dicaffeoylquinic acids was crucial for the separation of the two species, as higher concentrations are found in M. glomerata. The anatomic structure of the leaves, stem, and petioles of both species was conserved, even when exposed to different environments, but presented only subtle differences between species. The morphology of the leaves presented different characteristics for each species but altered when exposed to shade. Therefore, the chemical analysis together with the morphological characteristics of plants grown in full sunlight may be used for the correct identification of these species.

Phenotypic and genetic variation of Jatropha curcas L. populations from different countries.

Abstract: Jatropha populations from Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines were evaluated on inland soils at Uni¬versity Agriculture Park, Universiti Putra Malaysia with the main objectives are to select superior plants with high seed and oil yields production for commercial planting and to study inter-populations variation in morphological, seed and oil yields characteristics. Analysis of variance shows that all traits had significant variation among popu¬lations. Phenotypic correlations between seed yield per plant was positively and highly significantly correlated with days to flowering, number of inflorescences, number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per plant, seed yield per hectare, seed oil yield per plant, and seed oil yield per hectare. Seed yield per plant was highly significant negatively correlated with seed oil content. Cluster analysis based on standardized agro-morphological data, divided the Jatropha populations into three clusters through non-hierarchical clustering. Cluster I, II, III consisted of one, two and three populations respectively. Highly significant genotypic differences were obtained among the Jatropha populations for various traits measured. The relative large variations were observed for all traits except number of tertiary branches in first year of harvesting. The variation was large enough to suggest that six Jatropha populations could present appropriate genotypes to be used in intensive breeding programs.