Species diversity of macrophytes in Jagadishpur Reservoir, Kapilvastu District, Nepal

The present research was conducted for quantitative study and diversity analyses of aquatic macrophytes dwelling littoral zone of Jagadishpur reservoir, Kapilvastu district in three seasons, as winter (December), summer (April), and rainy (August). Altogether 58 species of macrophytes were recorded in study site, of which highest number of species (54) was occupied by angiosperms followed by three species of pteridophytes and one species of alga. These macrophytes varied in different morphological groups, viz., emergent, submerged, and rooted-floating leaf type. Maximum number of species were represented by emergents (39) followed by rooted-floating leaf type (12) and submerged (7) macrophytes. There was distinct seasonal variation in the distribution of macrophytes: based on importance value index, Nelumbo nucifera (IVI = 22.87), Scripus sp. (IVI = 28.01), Ipomoea carnea (IVI = 24.67) and Typha angustifolia (IVI = 29.01) were dominant in the winter; Nelumbo nucifera (IVI = 20.05), Cynodon dactylon (IVI = 20.07) and Ipomoea carnea (IVI = 21.17) were dominant in the summer and Nelumbo nucifera (IVI = 23.8) and Scripus sp. (IVI =25.56) were dominant in the rainy season. The highest species diversity (H’) of macrophytes was observed during summer (3.451), followed by rainy season (3.135) and winter (3.008). The luxuriant growth of aquatic macrophytes evidenced the highly productive nature of the lake, while the dominance of emergents among the growth forms indicates the encroachment of littoral vegetation, indicating a successional trend toward marsh meadow.

Performance of Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.) Genotypes with Respect to Morphological, Yield and Quality Traits at Two Localities of Nepal

Lettuce is cultivated as minor crop in Nepal. However, people are becoming more health conscious in these days and demand for salad is increasing in food. The demand of lettuce is also gradually increasing but relatively few farmers are involved in this crop due to the lack of high-yielding and good quality genotypes. The research was conducted at two locations of Nepal; Kavre and Kaski with the aim of evaluating the performance of seven different hybrid lettuce genotypes in terms of its morphology, yield, and quality. The research was laid out on Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at each location. Two types of lettuce were used on the research i.e. head type and leaf type. Among the head type, genotype Iceberg performed better with more plant spread (51 cm), head diameter (14.7 cm) and yield (738.4 g at Kavre and 725.8 g at Kaski) than other head type lettuce genotypes and among leaf type variety Green Oak was recorded with highest numbers of leaves (67 at Kavre and 40 at Kaski) and yield (572.3 g at Kavre and 641.9 g at Kaski). So, among head type lettuce genotypes Iceberg performed better as this had better plant spread, large head diameter, more yield and sweet flavor. Among leaf type genotypes Variety Green Oak was found most suitable for Nepali Market as this variety had highest number of leaves and yield among leaf type lettuce genotypes.

Certain Coefficient Estimate Problems for Three-Leaf-Type Starlike Functions

In our present investigation, some coefficient functionals for a subclass relating to starlike functions connected with three-leaf mappings were considered. Sharp coefficient estimates for the first four initial coefficients of the functions of this class are addressed. Furthermore, we obtain the Fekete–Szegö inequality, sharp upper bounds for second and third Hankel determinants, bounds for logarithmic coefficients, and third-order Hankel determinants for two-fold and three-fold symmetric functions.

Taxonomic studies of two trifoliate legumes of high economic importance in Ebonyi State, South-eastern Nigeria

Taxonomic studies of Sphenostylis stenocarpa and Centrosema pubescens based macro-morphology and foliar epidermises were carried out to determine their similarities and differences. The taxa are of high economic values as they are used as food and medicine in Nigeria. Standard methods were used to carry out the studies as qualitative and quantitative macromorphological characters of the taxa were obtained by visual observation and measuring with metre rule while foliar epidermal study followed standard methods previously used by other researchers. The taxa studied have trifoliate leaf type with leaf and leaflet arrangement alternate and opposite respectively. From the foliar epidermises, Sphenostylis stenocarpa possesses paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface and anisocytic stomata on the adaxial. The abaxial surface of Centrosema pubescens possesses anomocytic and paracytic stomata and anomocytic stomata on the adaxial surface. Cell shapes of the foliar epidermal surfaces are irregular with undulate anticlinal wall patterns except on the adaxial surface of Sphenostylis stenocarpa with pentagonal cell shape and straight anticlinal wall. The two taxa are similar in their leaf type and arrangement but differ greatly in their stomatal types.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identified Novel Candidate Loci/Genes Affecting Lodging Resistance in Rice

Lodging reduces rice yield, but increasing lodging resistance (LR) usually limits yield potential. Stem strength and leaf type are major traits related to LR and yield, respectively. Hence, understanding the genetic basis of stem strength and leaf type is of help to reduce lodging and increase yield in LR breeding. Here, we carried out an association analysis to identify quantitative trait locus (QTLs) affecting stem strength-related traits (internode length/IL, stem wall thickness/SWT, stem outer diameter/SOD, and stem inner diameter/SID) and leaf type-associated traits (Flag leaf length/FLL, Flag leaf angle/FLA, Flag leaf width/FLW, leaf-rolling/LFR and SPAD/Soil, and plant analyzer development) using a diverse panel of 550 accessions and evaluated over two years. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) using 4,076,837 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified 89 QTLs for the nine traits. Next, through “gene-based association analysis, haplotype analysis, and functional annotation”, the scope was narrowed down step by step. Finally, we identified 21 candidate genes in 9 important QTLs that included four reported genes (TUT1, OsCCC1, CFL1, and ACL-D), and seventeen novel candidate genes. Introgression of alleles, which are beneficial for both stem strength and leaf type, or pyramiding stem strength alleles and leaf type alleles, can be employed for LR breeding. All in all, the experimental data and the identified candidate genes in this study provide a useful reference for the genetic improvement of rice LR.

Characterization and transcriptomic analysis of a novel yellow-green leaf wucai (Brassica campestris L.) germplasm

Background Leaf color mutants are the ideal materials to explore the pathways of chlorophyll (Chl) metabolism, chloroplast development, and photosynthesis system. In this study, a spontaneous yellow-green leaf wucai (Brassica campestris L.) mutant “WY16–13” was identified, which exhibited yellow-green leaf color during its entire growth period. However, current understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying Chl metabolism and chloroplast development of “WY16–13” is limited. Results Total Chl and carotenoid content in WY16–13 was reduced by 60.92 and 58.82%, respectively, as compared with its wild type parental line W16–13. Electron microscopic investigation revealed fewer chloroplasts per cell and looser stroma lamellae in WY16–13 than in W16–13. A comparative transcriptome profiling was performed using leaves from the yellow-green leaf type (WY16–13) and normal green-leaf type (W16–13). A total of 54.12 million (M) (WY16–13) and 56.17 M (W16–13) reads were generated. A total of 40,578 genes were identified from the mapped libraries. We identified 3882 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in WY16–13 compared with W16–13 (i.e., 1603 upregulated genes and 2279 downregulated genes). According to the Gene Ontology (GO) term and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, these DEGs are involved in porphyrin and Chl metabolism [i.e., chlorophyllase (CLH), heme oxygenase (HO), chlorophyll (ide) b reductase (NYC), and protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) genes], carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms. Moreover, deficiency in Chl biosynthetic intermediates in WY16–13 revealed that the formation of the yellow-green phenotype was related to the disorder of heme metabolism. Conclusions Our results provide valuable insights into Chl deficiency in the yellow-green leaf mutant and a bioinformatics resource for further functional identification of key allelic genes responsible for differences in Chl content.

Growth Rate and Biomass Leaf Production Of Thalassia hemprichii at Pengudang and Dompak Waters, Bintan Island

Research on the rate of growth and reproduction of seagrass leaf type Thalassia hemprichii has been done in the waters of Pengudang and Dompak, Bintan Island. Aim this research for compare the growth rate and the production rate of Thalassia hemprichii biomass in Pengudang and Dompak coastal area, Bintan Island. The research was done by purposive sampling method, 30 individu seagrass leaves samples were taken using a plot measuring 50x50 centimeters. The results of the study were in the growth rate of the seagrass leaf type Thalassia hemprichii in the waters of Pengudang and Dompak 1.03 mm/day and 0.77 mm/day. Production rate of the Thalassia hemprichii leave biomass 0.07 gDW/m2 at Pengudang and 0.03 gDW/m2 at Dompak. Density of seagrass type Thalassia hemprichii 119.22 stands/m2 at Pengudang and 96.00 stands/m2 at Dompak. Based on test Two-Way ANOVA. There is no noticeable difference between the growth and production of the type of seagrass leaves Thalassia hemprichii in the waters of Pengudang and Dompak, Bintan Island.