RELATIONSHIP OF MORPHOLOGICAL PLANT CHARACTERISTICS OF SUNFLOWER TO BIRD FEEDING

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAN E. PARFITT

Bird damage to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a serious problem in many areas where the crop is grown commercially. This study identifies morphological characters of sunflower that could be used in breeding programs to develop genotypes with improved resistance to bird feeding. An open-pollinated population of sunflower genotypes was tested in four environments for the effects of head shape, bract length, achene size, achene color, plant height, head diameter, distance between head and stem, and head angle. Feeding damage from blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus L.) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus L.) was visually estimated. Concave heads, medium distances between the heads and stems, and white achenes discouraged blackbird feeding. Concave heads and downturned heads were aversive to sparrows.Key words: Sunflower, plant characteristics, bird feeding, Helianthus annus L.

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. PARFITT ◽  
G. J. FOX ◽  
J. D. BROSZ

Blackbird feeding on sunflower is a significant problem in parts of the Northern Great Plains. Therefore, experiments were initiated to determine the relationship of chlorogenic acid (CA) in sunflower achenes to bird predation and the amount of variability for CA in sunflower genotypes. Eight inbred sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes with variable levels of resistance to blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus L. and Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Bonaparte) and house sparrow (Passer domesticus L.) predation were evaluated at two locations in 1979 and 1980 for seed and hull CA. Differences were observed among inbred sunflower genotypes for CA concentration in both hull and seed. However, no significant correlation between percent CA in seed and mean percent bird damage over the four tested environments was observed. An unexpected positive correlation for hull CA and bird damage was found, however. Achene samples were taken from three positions within the sunflower head (outside, middle and inside) from seven inbred lines at three sampling dates. Genotype influenced CA level in both achene components while sampling date influenced CA level in the seed only. Position of achenes within the sunflower head did not influence CA concentration of either hull or seed. Thus, it is unlikely that the CA concentration of physiologically mature sunflower achenes (hull or seed) causes the observed bird predation pattern (edge to center) on sunflower heads. CA concentration is not apparently related to bird damage.Key words: Sunflower, bird feeding, chlorogenic acid, Helianthus annus L., blackbird


Author(s):  
Yaya Hasanah ◽  
Lisa Mawarni

Abstract. Hasanah Y, Mawarni L. 2020. Exploration and identification of Anredera cordifolia morphological characters in the highlands and lowlands. Biodiversitas 21: 2759-2766. Information about genetic diversity and relationships between accessions is very important in plant breeding programs, because with the availability of this information, it is easier to determine relationship between accessions that can be used as a basis for plant selection. The objective of the research was to evaluate the morphological characteristics and relationship of binahong or Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) accessions in the lowlands and highlands. The study was conducted in Karo (highlands) and Medan (lowlands), North Sumatra, Indonesia, from May to August 2019. This research used a descriptive method. Before the survey and exploration are conducted, first a pre-survey was conducted by gathering information from key informants and other informants. The characteristic of morphological diversity A. cordifolia can be distinguished based on leaf color, stem shape, axillary tuber, rhizome, and the presence of flowers. The dendrogram relationship between accessions is based on a genetic similarity matrix using cluster analysis. Analysis of qualitative morphological characters revealed the existence of variability among A. cordifolia accessions. There is a far relationship relation between A. cordifolia plants in Karo and Medan with Eucludian range of 0.446 to 57.725, hence resulting in two clusters that show differences in the variation of A. cordifolia plants. There is a distant relationship relation with M4 and M7 accessions with a dissimilar distance of 57,725 and the closest relationship with accession K1 and K2 with a dissimilar distance of 0.446. Therefore, morphological characterization in the research is valuable to understand the variability of genetic of A. cordifolia accessions in the lowland and highland in North Sumatra.


2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1733) ◽  
pp. 1560-1566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Koren ◽  
Shinichi Nakagawa ◽  
Terry Burke ◽  
Kiran K. Soma ◽  
Katherine E. Wynne-Edwards ◽  
...  

Potential mechanistic mediators of Darwinian fitness, such as stress hormones or sex hormones, have been the focus of many studies. An inverse relationship between fitness and stress or sex hormone concentrations has been widely assumed, although empirical evidence is scarce. Feathers gradually accumulate hormones during their growth and provide a novel way to measure hormone concentrations integrated over time. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, we measured testosterone, corticosterone and cortisol in the feathers of house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) in a wild population which is the subject of a long-term study. Although corticosterone is considered the dominant avian glucocorticoid, we unambiguously identified cortisol in feathers. In addition, we found that feathers grown during the post-nuptial moult in autumn contained testosterone, corticosterone and cortisol levels that were significantly higher in birds that subsequently died over the following winter than in birds that survived. Thus, feather steroids are candidate prospective biomarkers to predict the future survival of individuals in the wild.


1973 ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl J. Mitchell ◽  
Richard O. Hayes

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (10) ◽  
pp. 1021-1031 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. De Neve ◽  
J. D. Ibañez-Alamo ◽  
M. Soler

Sexual dimorphism and age-related differences are sources that contribute to morphologic and physiologic variation within animal populations. Measurement of animal performance may indicate whether this variation is functionally relevant. Our study aimed to experimentally test this statement in a captive population of House Sparrows ( Passer domesticus (L., 1758)) by examining age- and sex-related differences in escape response and its relationship to several morphological (tarsus, wing, tail lengths, and body mass) and physiological traits (cell-mediated immunity, natural antibodies, complement activity, hematocrit, and stress response). Escape response from a predator is considered a good variable to measure animal performance, because natural selection clearly favours individuals that avoid predators successfully. Our experimental design also aimed to standardize possible confounding factors affecting escape behaviour under natural conditions. We exposed sparrows to short episodes of high predation risk by simulating the attack of a predator and assumed that the capture order of individuals was related to their escape capacity. The optimal strategy was the immediate escape response for all individuals. We found that first-year males were the best escapers. In support of the hypothesis, juvenile males gathered a better optimum of several morphological and physiological characters that related to capture order.


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