Sex expression variation in response to shade in gynodioecious-gynomonoecious species: Silene littorea decreases flower production and increases female flower proportion

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mª Luisa Buide ◽  
José Carlos del Valle ◽  
Antonio R. Castilla ◽  
Eduardo Narbona
Keyword(s):  
Female Flower ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Expression Variation ◽  
Flower Production

scholarly journals Brassinosteriod-induced Femaleness in Cucumber and Relationship to Ethylene Production

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 1763-1767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Papadopoulou ◽  
Rebecca Grumet
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Production ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Bisexual Flower ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Total Female ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Cucurbitaceae Family

The Cucurbitaceae family is noted for a diversity of sex expression phenotypes. Typically, a phase of male flowers precedes either female or bisexual flower production. Sex determination of individual flowers is regulated by a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Ethylene, auxins, and gibberellins have all been shown to influence flower sex expression in cucurbits. Ethylene, which promotes femaleness, plays a predominant role. In this study, we tested whether brassinosteroids (BR), a more recently identified class of plant hormones, also influences cucurbit sex expression. Applied epi-brassinolide (epi-BL) caused a significant decrease in time of appearance of the first female flower on monoecious cucumber plants, and increased total female flowers on the main stem. Increasing concentrations had a stronger effect. Of the three species tested, cucumber, melon and zucchini, cucumber was the most responsive to BR. Application of epi-BL also caused an increase in ethylene production by cucumber and zucchini seedlings, suggesting that the BR effect may be mediated by ethylene. To investigate the possible relationship between BR and ethylene on sex expression, we identified the concentration of ethephon (5 ppm) that caused an increase in ethylene production comparable to that induced by 10 μm epi-BL (approximately two-fold). Treatment with 5 ppm ethephon was sufficient to increase femaleness of cucumber plants, but not zucchini plants, suggesting that the difference in response to epi-BL treatment may reflect differences in sensitivity to ethylene. Collectively, our results indicate that application of brassinosteroids to cucumber cause earlier and increased female flower production, and that the effects may be mediated, at least in part, by brassinosteroid-induced production of ethylene.

scholarly journals (214) Brassinosteroid-induced Femaleness in Cucumber and Relationship to Ethylene Production

HortScience ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 1057C-1057
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Papadopoulou ◽  
Rebecca Grumet
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Production ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Predominant Role ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Total Female ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Male Flowers ◽  
Female Flowers

The cucurbit family is noted for diversity in sex expression phenotypes. Typically, a phase of male flowers precedes the appearance of female or hermaphrodite flowers. Sex determination of individual flowers is regulated by genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Ethylene, auxins, and gibberellins all influence flower sex, with ethylene, which promotes femaleness, playing a predominant role. In this study, we tested whether brassinosteroids, a more recently identified class of plant hormones, also influence cucurbit sex expression. Applied epi-brassinolide (epi-BL) caused a significant decrease in time of appearance of the first female flower on monoecious cucumber plants, and increased total female flowers on the main stem. Increasing concentrations had a stronger effect. Of the three species tested, cucumber, melon, and zucchini, cucumber was the most responsive. Application of epi-BL also caused an increase in ethylene production by cucumber and zucchini seedlings, suggesting that the BR effect may be mediated by ethylene. To investigate the possible relationship between BR and ethylene on sex expression, we identified the concentration of ethephon (5 ppm) that caused an increase in ethylene production comparable to that induced by 10 μm epi-BL (about two-fold). Treatment with 5 ppm ethephon was sufficient to increase femaleness of cucumber plants, but not zucchini plants, suggesting that the difference in response to epi-BL may reflect differences in sensitivity to ethylene. Collectively, our results indicate that application of brassinosteroids to cucumber cause earlier and increased female flower production, and that the effects may be mediated, at least in part, by brassinosteroid-induced increased production of ethylene.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF DRIP IRRIGATION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF COD X WCT COCONUT (COCOS NUCIFERA L.) HYBRID

CORD ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
R. Dhanapal ◽  
H. P. Maheswarappa ◽  
P. Subramanian ◽  
Ajay Kumar Upadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Basin Irrigation ◽  
Cocos Nucifera L ◽  
Plantation Crops

A field experiment on drip irrigation for Chowghat Orange Dwarf X West Coast Tall (COD X WCT) coconut hybrid was conducted in laterite soil at Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod (Kerala, India) to study the drip irrigation requirement and its influence on growth and yield.  The treatments included were three levels of drip irrigation (at 33, 66 and 100% E0 daily), basin irrigation  (100%  E0)  and  rainfed  control.     The  experimental  results  revealed  that  annual  leaf production and leaf nutrient status of coconut palm was significantly higher in the irrigated treatments compared to the rainfed control. The female flower production and nut yield with 66 per cent of Eo was on par with 100 per cent of Eo through drip and 100 per cent of Eo through basin irrigation and significantly  superior  compared  to drip irrigation  at 33 per cent of E0  and rainfed  control.   Drip irrigation equal to 66 per cent of open pan evaporation (Eo) proved to be the economically efficient method of irrigation with water saving of 34 per cent compared to 100 per cent of Eo through basin and drip method.

Flower Stimulation Treatments in a Loblolly Pine Seed Orchard

1991 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Wheeler ◽  
D. L. Bramlett
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Loblolly Pine ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Seed Orchard ◽  
Single Treatment ◽  
Considerable Effort ◽  
Seed Orchards ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Pinus Taeda L ◽  
A Site

Abstract Flowering in conifer seed orchards may be sporadic and insufficient to meet reforestation needs at early ages. Consequently, considerable effort has been made to develop cultural treatments to enhance flowering in operational seed orchards. For a number of species, flower-promoting technology is well-defined. This study evaluated two known technologies, currently in use for other species, for flower-promoting effects in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). A replicated experiment was installed in a 10-year-old, second-generation loblolly pine seed orchard at Lyons, GA. Overlapping, saw-cut girdles and stem-injected GA4/7 were applied alone, and in combination, to main boles of ramets of four clones. Timing of treatments was evaluated using four treatment dates. All treatments significantly enhanced female flower production, relative to controls, although girdling was clearly the most effective single treatment. There was no treatment effect on pollen production. Timing of treatment is important but may require evaluation on a site-by-site basis. Tree health 1 year after treatment was excellent, although clonal sensitivity to some treatments was noted. Use of flower stimulation techniques is recommended, particularly for younger loblolly pine orchards. South J. Appl. For. 15(1):44-50.

scholarly journals Impacts of Elevated Atmospheric CO2and O3on Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera): Reproductive Fitness

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph N. T. Darbah ◽  
Mark E. Kubiske ◽  
Neil Nelson ◽  
Elina Oksanen ◽  
Elina Vaapavuori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Root Length ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Reproductive Fitness ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Paper Birch

Atmospheric CO2and tropospheric O3are rising in many regions of the world. Little is known about how these two commonly co-occurring gases will affect reproductive fitness of important forest tree species. Here, we report on the long-term effects of CO3and O3for paper birch seedlings exposed for nearly their entire life history at the Aspen FACE (Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) site in Rhinelander, WI. Elevated CO2increased both male and female flower production, while elevated O3increased female flower production compared to trees in control rings. Interestingly, very little flowering has yet occurred in combined treatment. Elevated CO2had significant positive effect on birch catkin size, weight, and germination success rate (elevated CO2increased germination rate of birch by 110% compared to ambient CO2concentrations, decreased seedling mortality by 73%, increased seed weight by 17%, increased root length by 59%, and root-to-shoot ratio was significantly decreased, all at 3 weeks after germination), while the opposite was true of elevated O3(elevated O3decreased the germination rate of birch by 62%, decreased seed weight by 25%, and increased root length by 15%). Under elevated CO2, plant dry mass increased by 9 and 78% at the end of 3 and 14 weeks, respectively. Also, the root and shoot lengths, as well as the biomass of the seedlings, were increased for seeds produced under elevated CO2, while the reverse was true for seedlings from seeds produced under the elevated O3. Similar trends in treatment differences were observed in seed characteristics, germination, and seedling development for seeds collected in both 2004 and 2005. Our results suggest that elevated CO2and O3can dramatically affect flowering, seed production, and seed quality of paper birch, affecting reproductive fitness of this species.

Fertilizer Responses by Coconuts (Cocos nucifera) on Two Contrasting Jamaican Soils

1969 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Production Rate ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Cocos Nucifera ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Critical Levels ◽  
Flower Production ◽  
Foliar N ◽  
K Deficiency ◽  
Major Nutrients

SummaryThe results from a 33 and two 25 factorial fertilizer experiments are presented. N-deficiency limited female flower production, rate of bunch production, and yield; K-deficiency reduced the setting of flowers and yield; nuts were larger where P was applied. The results are interpreted in the light of foliar analyses, and the concept of independant critical levels of the major nutrients is challenged. It is suggested that yield is related to the ratios between foliar N and K, but that the K level should in turn be interpreted in the light of a balance between the monovalent and divalent cations. Female flower production and setting can be used as a ready field guide to nutrient requirements.

scholarly journals Light Quality Effects on Flower Sex Expression in Cucumber and Spinach

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 464D-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary R. Bachman ◽  
Margaret J. McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Light Quality ◽  
Red Light ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Internode Elongation ◽  
Dioecious Species ◽  
Spectral Filters ◽  
Male Flowers

Using spectral filters to reduce the amount of far-red (FR) light perceived by plants has been shown to effectively reduce internode elongation of many floriculture crops. It is theorized that gibberellin (GA) function is inhibited in some way by the increase in the red: far-red light ratio. Sex expression of flowers are effected by exogenous applications of gibberellin and cause a shift in flower sex expression towards maleness. The use of growth regulators (GA inhibitors) have demonstrated a shift towards femaleness. Flowering of spinach, a dioecious species, and cucumber (staminate and pistillate lines), a monoecious species, were surveyed for shifts in flower sex expression, indicating a suppression of GA. Male: female flower ratio decreased from 7.6:1 to 4.06:1 when comparing the controls and –FR for the staminate cucumber line and 1:13 to 1:40 for the gynecious cucumber line. The decrease in male flowers on plants grown in a –FR environment are an indication that the function of GA is inhibited. There was no significant effect on the male: female flower ratios of the spinach.

Ploidy and sex expression in monoecious hop (Humulus lupulus)

Botany ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 617-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzana Skof ◽  
Andreja Cerenak ◽  
Jernej Jakse ◽  
Borut Bohanec ◽  
Branka Javornik
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Flow Cytometric Analysis ◽  
Nuclear Dna Content ◽  
Female Flower ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
Unreduced Gametes ◽  
Humulus Lupulus ◽  
Dna Amount ◽  
Perennial Plant ◽  
Male Flowers

Humulus lupulus L. is a dioecious perennial plant, cultivated for its female inflorescences. Spontaneously arising monoecious hop plants, carrying male and female flower types on a specific plant, occasionally occur in the progeny of certain hop crosses. We assessed the ploidy of 58 monoecious plants, progenies of various crosses of diploid parents, to provide additional data on hop monoeciousy. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that a high percentage (41.4%) were triploid. An inheritance analysis of parental alleles using six codominant SSR markers demonstrated a primarily paternal origin (84.2%) of unreduced gametes as the cause of triploidy in monoecious plants. All triploids had predominantly male flowers with a few female cones; this phenotype was found only within this ploidy group. All other monoecious plants were diploid, except for one genotype with the highest nuclear DNA content, which showed an aneuploidic number of chromosomes (21). Male hops showed the lowest nuclear DNA amount, as measured by DAPI and propidium iodide fluorochromes. The estimated AT frequency placed hop among species with a high AT content, which was slightly higher in male than in female plants (63.0% vs. 62.5%). The results are discussed in relation to the occurance of ploidy and sex expression in monoecious hop.

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