Evaluation of Native and Nonnative Ornamentals as Pollinator Plants in Florida: II. Floral Resource Value

Consumer demand for novel, visually attractive ornamentals has often overshadowed the functional value plants may provide for flower-visiting insects. As native and nonnative species are hybridized for form, color, flowering, and disease resistance, it is important to assess whether some of these alterations influence plant nutrient quality for foraging insect pollinators. A study was conducted to ascertain the resource value of ornamental cultivars compared with their native congeners. The nectar volume and pollen quantity, viability, and protein content of 10 species of popular herbaceous flowering plants, commonly advertised as pollinator-friendly, were evaluated in northcentral Florida. Each genus encompassed a native and nonnative species, apart from pentas. Native species included blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), pineland lantana (Lantana depressa), and scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea). Nonnative species included Barbican™ yellow-red ring blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata ‘Gaiz005’), Bloomify™ rose lantana (Lantana camara ‘UF-1011-2’), mysty salvia (Salvia longispicata × farinacea ‘Balsalmysty’), Lucky Star® dark red pentas (Pentas lanceolata ‘PAS1231189’), ruby glow pentas (Pentas lanceolata ‘Ruby glow’) and UpTick™ Gold & Bronze coreopsis (Coreopsis × ‘Baluptgonz’). Floral rewards differed significantly across species. The native scarlet sage exhibited the largest nectar volume per flower in the summer (2.13 ± 0.17 µL), followed by the nonnative mysty salvia (1.26 ± 0.17 µL). In the fall, ruby glow pentas exhibited the largest nectar volume per flower (1.09 ± 0.17 µL) compared with all other ornamentals. The composite flowers of the native and nonnative blanket flower and coreopsis species had the lowest nectar volume per flower regardless of sampling date. Likewise, ruby glow pentas displayed the highest quantity of pollen grains (96.29 ± 0.12) per sample, followed by Lucky star pentas (52.33 ± 0.12), and Barbican blanket flower (50.98 ± 0.12). Pollen viability was similarly high (92% to 98%) among all species, apart from Bloomify rose lantana (20%) and pineland lantana (48%). Pollen protein content was highest in Uptick coreopsis (11.378 ± 1.860 μg/mg dry weight) and Lucky star pentas (10.656 ± 3.726 μg/mg dry weight), followed by lanceleaf coreopsis (7.918 ± 1.793 μg/mg dry weight). These results largely showed that the nonnative ornamentals selected provided resource-rich floral rewards, comparable to native congeners. Still, care should be taken in making similar assessments of other modern floral types.

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A Duplicated Copy of the Meiotic Gene ZIP4 Preserves up to 50% Pollen Viability and Grain Number in Polyploid Wheat

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10040290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 290

Author(s):

Abdul Kader Alabdullah ◽

Graham Moore ◽

Azahara C. Martín

Keyword(s):

Pollen Viability ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Wheat Chromosome ◽

Grain Number ◽

Meiotic Gene ◽

Chromosome 5B ◽

Mutant Pollen ◽

Female Gametogenesis ◽

Chromosome 3B

Although most flowering plants are polyploid, little is known of how the meiotic process evolves after polyploidisation to stabilise and preserve fertility. On wheat polyploidisation, the major meiotic gene ZIP4 on chromosome 3B duplicated onto 5B and diverged (TaZIP4-B2). TaZIP4-B2 was recently shown to promote homologous pairing, synapsis and crossover, and suppress homoeologous crossover. We therefore suspected that these meiotic stabilising effects could be important for preserving wheat fertility. A CRISPR Tazip4-B2 mutant was exploited to assess the contribution of the 5B duplicated ZIP4 copy in maintaining pollen viability and grain setting. Analysis demonstrated abnormalities in 56% of meiocytes in the Tazip4-B2 mutant, with micronuclei in 50% of tetrads, reduced size in 48% of pollen grains and a near 50% reduction in grain number. Further studies showed that most of the reduced grain number occurred when Tazip4-B2 mutant plants were pollinated with the less viable Tazip4-B2 mutant pollen rather than with wild type pollen, suggesting that the stabilising effect of TaZIP4-B2 on meiosis has a greater consequence in subsequent male, rather than female gametogenesis. These studies reveal the extraordinary value of the wheat chromosome 5B TaZIP4-B2 duplication to agriculture and human nutrition. Future studies should further investigate the role of TaZIP4-B2 on female fertility and assess whether different TaZIP4-B2 alleles exhibit variable effects on meiotic stabilisation and/or resistance to temperature change.

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An Assessment of Treated Greywater Reuse in Irrigation on Growth and Protein Content of Prosopis and Albizia

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7030038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 38

Author(s):

Naji K. Al-Mefleh ◽

Yahia A. Othman ◽

Maher J. Tadros ◽

Amani Al-Assaf ◽

Samer Talozi

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Weight ◽

World Health ◽

Quality Analysis ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Albizia Lebbeck ◽

Forage Production ◽

Water Control ◽

Significant Difference

This study investigated the influence of treated greywater on growth and protein content of multipurpose (forage and ornamental) transplants, Prosopis juliflora L., Prosopis tamarugo L., and Albizia lebbeck L. Transplants of tested species were irrigated with treated greywater, diluted greywater (grey + distilled water, 1:1/by volume), and distilled water (control) for seven months. Water quality analysis showed that the concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals found in the greywater were within the acceptable range compared with Jordan Institution for Standard and Metrology (JISM) and the World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds for safe use of greywater. Escherichia coli found in the greywater were lower compared to JISM and WHO guidelines for the safe use of greywater. Irrigation with treated greywater increased shoot fresh weight by 24–39% and dry weight by 34–40% compared to diluted greywater and control. No significant difference in crude protein was noticed between water treatments. Prosopis species (P. juliflora Albizia lebbeck L. and P. tamarugo Albizia lebbeck L.) had higher shoot fresh (35%) and dry weight the same species had lower crude protein (44%) when compared to Albizia lebbeck Albizia lebbeck L. The reuse of treated greywater for landscaping or forage production alleviates the demand for water resources and reduces the pressure on wastewater treatment plants. However, considering the controversial findings of previous studies on greywater quality (especially, long-term reuse), the reuse of treated greywater needs to be considered with caution and periodic quality analyses and economic assessments are required.

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Its What’s on the Inside That Counts: An Effective, Efficient, and Streamlined Method for Quantification of Octocoral Symbiodiniaceae and Chlorophyll

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.710730 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Rosemary Kate Steinberg ◽

Emma L. Johnston ◽

Teresa Bednarek ◽

Katherine A. Dafforn ◽

Tracy D. Ainsworth

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Surface Area ◽

Water Movement ◽

Chlorophyll Concentration ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Accurate Method ◽

Host Protein ◽

Biomass Composition ◽

Wet Weight ◽

Chlorophyll Concentrations

Ocean warming driven bleaching is one of the greatest threats to zooxanthellate cnidarians in the Anthropocene. Bleaching is the loss of Symbiodiniaceae, chlorophyll, or both from zooxanthellate animals. To quantify bleaching and recovery, standardised methods for quantification of Symbiodiniaceae and chlorophyll concentrations have been developed for reef-building scleractinian corals, but no such standard method has been developed for octocorals. For stony corals, quantification of Symbiodiniaceae and chlorophyll concentrations often relies on normalisation to skeletal surface area or unit of biomass [i.e., protein, ash-free dry weight (AFDW)]. Stiff octocorals do not change their volume, as such studies have used volume and surface area to standardise densities, but soft-bodied octocorals can alter their size using water movement within the animal; therefore, Symbiodiniaceae and chlorophyll cannot accurately be measured per unit of surface area and are instead measured in units of Symbiodiniaceae and chlorophyll per μg of host protein or AFDW. Though AFDW is more representative of the full biomass composition than host protein, AFDW is more time and resource intensive. Here, we provide a streamlined methodology to quantify Symbiodiniaceae density, chlorophyll concentration, and protein content in soft-bodied octocorals. This technique uses minimal equipment, does not require freeze-drying or burning samples to obtain ash weight, and is effective for down to 0.2 g wet tissue. Bulk samples can be centrifuged, the Symbiodiniaceae pellet washed, and the supernatant saved for protein analysis. This efficient technique allows for clean, easy to count samples of Symbiodiniaceae with minimal animal protein contamination. Chlorophyll a and c2 extractions occurs at different rates, with chlorophyll a taking 24 h to extract completely at 4°C and chlorophyll c2 taking 48 h. Finally, we found that where necessary, wet weight may be used as a proxy for protein content, but the correlation of protein and wet weight varies by species and protein should be used when possible. Overall, we have created a rapid and accurate method for quantification of bleaching markers in octocorals.

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Biology of Flowering, Fruit and Viability of Pollen of Varieties and Forms of Quince Cultivated on the Territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

Bulletin of Science and Practice ◽

10.33619/2414-2948/64/07 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 64-69

Author(s):

L. Bayramov

Keyword(s):

Pollen Fertility ◽

Pollen Germination ◽

Glucose Solution ◽

Pollen Viability ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Water Control ◽

Germinated Pollen ◽

Autonomous Republic

Abstract. The zones of distribution of varieties and forms of quince on the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic have been established, phenological observations have been carried out, their flowering and fruiting have been studied. On the territory of the Autonomous Republic, flowering of varieties and forms of quince begins in the second decade of April, depending on the distribution zone, with an average daily temperature of 12–13 °C and lasts 12–13 days, depending on weather conditions. Each flower has 10–12 stamens arranged in one row. The article also studied the viability of pollen in a number of quince varieties. Pollen viability was studied in the varieties Sary, Tursh, Ordubad, Gara and wild forms. Pollen fertility was determined by staining with acetocarmine. Pollen germinates in 2–5–10–15 and 20% glucose solution. Counting of germinated pollen grains was carried out under a microscope. The study showed that of all the experimental varieties, the pollen fertility of the Sary quince and Tursh quince varieties is high (up to 96.6–97.1%). The best medium for the germination of quince pollen is a 10–15% glucose solution. Pollen germination in this solution reaches 47.4–88.0%. In distilled water (control), the germination of quince pollen reached from 9.7% to 35.6% for varieties. Quince pollen remains viable for 31–43 days.

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Effect of GA3 on ribonuclease activity in the embryos and endosperm of spring barley grain in the post-harvest dormancy period

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.1971.030 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 423-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Rejowski

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Spring Barley ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Barley Grain ◽

Ribonuclease Activity ◽

Internal Factor ◽

Physiological Maturity ◽

Post Harvest ◽

Dormancy Period

The effect of GA3 on ribonuclease activity in the embryos and endosperm of barley seeds was investigated during dormancy and after its end. Incubation of dormancy grain with GA3 stimulated its germination, increased the dry weight of the embryos and their protein content. Ribonuclease activity in seeds treated with GA3 was considerably enhanced. The increase was more rapid and intensive in the embryos than in the endosperm. The action of GA3 was most effective, particularly as regards the endosperm, on grain which had already passed through the stage of dormancy and had reached physiological maturity. This is evidence that the internal factor regulating the process of dormancy exerts a stronger influence on the activity of ribonuclease than does exogenic giberrellic acid.

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Pollen morphology of the Polish species of the genus Ribes L.

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae ◽

10.5586/asbp.1998.036 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 67 (3-4) ◽

pp. 275-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dorota Wrońska-Pilarek

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Pollen Morphology ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Prolate Spheroidal ◽

Diagnostic Features ◽

Grain Diameter

This paper presents results of studies on pollen morphology of 6 Polish species of the genus Ribes L. (family Grossulariaceae). Observations were carried out with LM and SEM. Pollen diagnoses were illustrated by series of microphotographs. Grains of examined species are small to medium-sized and prolate spheroidal or subprolate in shape, rarely prolate. They represent three pollen classes: zonocolporate, pantoaperturate and pantoporate. Three types of ectoapertures have been observed: colpi, pori and colpoids. Endoapertures are pori, in number (4-) 6-7-8 (-14) per grain. Ornamentation is psilate or fossulate, with the exception of the ectoaperture areas, which are granulate. According to the author, the polarity or apolarity, type of pollen class and ectoaperture, number of endopori and ratio of exine thickness to grain diameter are the main diagnostic features of the pollen grains of the native species of Ribes. The key to Polish species, basing on the morphological characters of grains is given too.

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Flowering Biology of Rhododendron pulchrum

Horticulturae ◽

10.3390/horticulturae7110508 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (11) ◽

pp. 508

Author(s):

Jie Qiu ◽

Chao Gao ◽

Hongli Wei ◽

Biao Wang ◽

Yang Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorimetric Assay ◽

Pollen Viability ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Polar Axis ◽

Flowering Phenology ◽

Mtt Colorimetric Assay ◽

Single Flower ◽

Axis Length ◽

To Receive

To study the flowering biology of Rhododendron pulchrum, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and paraffin sectioning to observe the microstructures of its floral organs, a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay to detect pollen viability in different periods, continuous observations to study flowering phenology, and artificial pollination and a benzidine-hydrogen peroxide method to determine stigma receptivity. R. pulchrum exhibited a centralized flowering phenology. The protogynous stigmas of R. pulchrum were able to receive pollen before flowering. The pollen grains of R. pulchrum fused into tetrads, the average ratio of the polar axis length to the equatorial axis length (P/E) was 1.05, and the pollen viability was highest in the initial flowering period, reaching 88.98%. The pollen/ovule (P/O) ratio was 266–328, and the outcrossing index (OCI) was 4; the vitality of R. pulchrum pollen remained high in the initial flowering and blooming periods. Compared with the lifespan of a single flower, pollen vitality remained high for most of the experimental period, thereby improving male fitness. The P/O ratio suggests that R. pulchrum may have a facultative outcrossing breeding system. The OCI estimation suggests that R. pulchrum is partially self-compatible, most likely requiring pollinators to complete pollination.

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Reproductive characterization of interspecific hybrids among Capsicum species

Cropp Breeding and Applied Biotechnology ◽

10.1590/s1984-70332011000300006 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 241-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Carlos Eduardo da Silva Monteiro ◽

Telma Nair Santana Pereira ◽

Karina Pereira de Campos

Keyword(s):

Male Sterility ◽

Interspecific Hybrids ◽

Pollen Viability ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Male Sterile ◽

Viable Pollen ◽

Hybrid Combination ◽

Capsicum Species ◽

The Cross

The objective of this study was the reproductive characterization of Capsicum accessions as well as of interspecific hybrids, based on pollen viability. Hybrids were obtained between Capsicum species. Pollen viability was high in most accessions, indicating that meiosis is normal, resulting in viable pollen grains. The pollen viability of species C. pubescens was the lowest (27 %). The interspecific hybrids had varying degrees of pollen viability, from fertile combinations (C. chinense x C. frutescens and C. annuum x C. baccatum) to male sterile combinations. Pollen viability also varied within the hybrid combination according to accessions used in the cross. Results indicate that male sterility is one of the incompatibility barriers among Capsicum species since hybrids can be established, but may be male sterile.

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Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation ◽

10.47886/9781934874400.ch36 ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

South Carolina ◽

Native Species ◽

Smallmouth Bass ◽

Hybrid Origin ◽

Nonnative Species ◽

Savannah River ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Precipitous Decline ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Over Time

Abstract.—Bartram’s Bass (an as yet unnamed species similar to Redeye Bass Micropterus coosae) is endemic to the Savannah drainage of South Carolina and Georgia. Hybridization between this native species and introduced Alabama Bass M. henshalli is widespread in the upper portions of the drainage. Recent studies have documented a precipitous decline in genetically pure Bartram’s Bass in Savannah drainage reservoirs and a corresponding increase in fish of hybrid origin. We surveyed tributary populations associated with these reservoirs and with the Savannah River main stem in 2004 and 2010. Results indicate an increased occurrence of hybrids in Bartram’s Bass native stream habitats over time. We also document the new occurrence of a second nonnative species, Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu. Both Smallmouth Bass and their hybrids with Bartram’s Bass were collected from shoals in the Savannah River near the lower extent of the Bartram’s Bass range. Bartram’s Bass is a species of highest conservation concern in South Carolina, due to its limited native range and threats associated with hybridization. Conservation actions directed at this species, and its native stream habitats, will need to consider the establishment of nonnative species in the drainage and their potential to impact tributary populations over time.

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Analysis of Nutritional Composition in 23 Kinds of Edible Fungi

Journal of Food Quality ◽

10.1155/2020/8821315 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Qiannan Yu ◽

Meijuan Guo ◽

Bin Zhang ◽

Hao Wu ◽

Yan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Protein Content ◽

Dietary Fiber ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nutritional Composition ◽

Ash Content ◽

National Standard ◽

Edible Fungi ◽

Standard Methods

To explore the differences in the main nutritional composition of 23 kinds of common edible fungi in the market, the moisture, ash, protein, fat, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, polysaccharides, and energy were analyzed using national standard methods. The results showed that the 23 kinds of edible fungi varied greatly in nutritional composition. Based on dry weight, the moisture content was 6.9∼15.5 g/100 g, the ash content ranged from 1.3 to 10.1 g/100 g, the protein content ranged from 8.5 to 36.9 g/100 g, the fat content was 0.5∼3.9 g/100 g, the dietary fiber content was between 14.4∼70.2 g/100 g, the carbohydrate content is 0.5∼37.3 g/100 g, the polysaccharide content was 2.1∼8.3 g/100 g, and the energy is about 751∼1322 100 g/kJ. All the 23 kinds of edible fungi can be regarded as high-protein low-fat foods, which have their own advantages in terms of nutritional value. This study provides reference for people to use edible fungi in a more scientific and reasonable way.

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