Seseli salsugineum (Apiaceae), a new species from Central Anatolia, Turkey

A new species, Seseli salsugineum A.Duran & Lyskov (Apiaceae), is described from Lake Tuz Gölü area, Central Anatolia, Turkey. The new species is related to S. transcaucasicum and S. libanotis and differs in stem features (up to 200 cm tall and 5‒15 mm ⌀ vs. up to 80 cm tall and up to 6 mm ⌀ or up to 150 cm tall and 10‒20 mm ⌀), stem base pubescence (glabrous vs. densely pubescent or sometimes pubescent), leaf blades pubescence (glabrous with scabrid margin vs. entirely scabrid or glabrous), bracts 0.3‒0.8 mm wide, without membranous margin (vs. 1‒3 mm wide, with membranous margin), umbellules (tight, 5‒12 mm ⌀ vs. not tight 13‒15 mm ⌀ or 5‒6 mm ⌀), stylopodium depressed (not conical), mericarp ridges (finely ridged vs. distinctly ridged), fruit anatomy (vallecular vittae 3 vs. vallecular vittae solitary or 1‒2), habitat (salty marshes and salt steppes vs. grassy meadows, sparse forests, clearings in mountain forests, and subalpine meadows), and distributional range. In addition, S. salsugineum is recognized as a closely related to S. transcaucasicum and S. libanotis species by molecular analysis of nrITS/ETS.

Rhizosphere Mushrooms: Antagonistic Exploration of Rhizospere Mushrooms in Shallot (Allium ascolonicum L) Specific Location of Enrekang Regency

Enrekang Regency is one of the largest onion plant centers in south Sulawesi with an onion harvest area of 7,605 Ha. The main disease that attacks onions in Enrekang district is stem base foul disease or moler disease caused by fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cepae (FOCe). Control can be done by using biocontrol obtained from rhizosphere mushrooms in general antagonistic and can make microenvironment conditions in the soil not suitable for pathogen growth. Exploration of the ability of rhizosphere mushroom antagonists is carried out by dual culture testing method in vitro between Fusarium oxysporum and rhizosphere mushrooms. Exploration of the antagonistic ability of rhizosphere mushrooms is carried out by dual culture testing method in vitro between Fusarium oxysporum and rhizosphere mushrooms. The test results of all isolates obtained the largest average inhibition value is 74.79% in isolate number 16, 73.19% in isolate number 5 and 63.16% in isolat number 6, the lowest inhibitory value is no. 1.56%, isolat no. 12 has and inhibition values range 50-56%, found in isolates no. 3,7,9,13 and 14.

Compatibility Evaluation and Anatomical Observation of Melon Grafted Onto Eight Cucurbitaceae Species

Melon (Cucumis melo) is one of the top 10 fruits in the world, and its production often suffers due to soil-borne diseases. Grafting is an effective way to solve this problem. However, graft incompatibility between scion and rootstock limits the application of melon grafting. In this study, the melon was grafted onto eight Cucurbitaceae species (cucumber, pumpkin, melon, luffa, wax gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and watermelon), and graft compatibility evaluation and anatomical observation were conducted. Taking melon homo-grafted plants as control, melon grafted onto cucumber and pumpkin rootstocks was compatible, while melon grafted onto luffa, wax gourd, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and watermelon rootstocks was incompatible based on the scion dry weight on day 42 after grafting. Meanwhile, we found that starch–iodine staining of scion stem base is an index to predict graft compatibility earlier, on day 14 after grafting. Further, microsection observations showed that there was more cell proliferation at graft junction of melon hetero-grafted combinations; vascular reconnection occurred in all graft combinations. However, excess callose deposited at graft junction resulted in the blockage of photosynthate transport, thus, leading to starch accumulation in scion stem base, and finally graft incompatibility. In addition, undegraded necrotic layer fragments were observed at graft junctions of melon grafted onto incompatible bitter gourd and watermelon rootstocks. The above results provide clues for the selection and breeding of compatible Cucurbitaceae rootstocks of melon and demonstrate that starch accumulation in scion base and callose deposition at graft junction is associated with melon graft compatibility.

Involvement of the auxin–cytokinin homeostasis in adventitious root formation of rose cuttings as affected by their nodal position in the stock plant

Main conclusion Enhanced levels of indole-3-acetic and raised auxin to cytokinin ratios in the stem base contribute to the positive acropetal gradient in rooting capacity of leafy single-node stem cuttings of rose. Abstract Cuttings excised from different nodal positions in stock plants can differ in subsequent adventitious root formation. We investigated the involvement of the auxin–cytokinin balance in position-affected rooting of Rosa hybrida. Leafy single-node stem cuttings of two rose cultivars were excised from top versus bottom positions. Concentrations of IAA and cytokinins were monitored in the bud region and the stem base during 8 days after planting using chromatography–MS/MS technology. The effects of nodal position and external supply of indole-butyric acid on rooting were analyzed. Most cytokinins increased particularly in the bud region and peaked at day two before the bud break was recorded. IAA increased in both tissues between day one and day eight. Top versus bottom cuttings revealed higher levels of isopentenyladenosine (IPR) in both tissues as well as higher concentrations of IAA and a higher ratio of IAA to cytokinins particularly in the stem base. The dynamic of hormones and correlation analysis indicated that the higher IPR contributed to the enhanced IAA in the bud region which served as auxin source for the auxin homeostasis in the stem base, where IAA determined the auxin–cytokinin balance. Bottom versus top cuttings produced lower numbers and lengths of roots, whereas this deficit was counterbalanced by auxin application. Further considering other studies of rose, it is concluded that cytokinin-, sucrose- and zinc-dependent auxin biosynthesis in the outgrowing buds is an important factor that contributes to the enhanced IAA levels and auxin/cytokinin ratios in the stem base of apical cuttings, promoting root induction.

Erratum: Velada et al. Laser Microdissection of Specific Stem-Base Tissue Types from Olive Microcuttings for Isolation of High-Quality RNA. Biology 2021, 10, 209

The author wishes to make an erratum to the published version of the paper [...]

Growth and Yield of Squash Influenced by Leaf Pruning and Gibberellic Acid (GA3)

The experiment was conducted at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University's Horticulture Farm, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, to determine the effect of pruning and GA3 on squash growth and yield over the period from November 2017 to February 2018 Three levels of pruning as P0 = No pruning (control), P1 = 1st pruning at 20 DAT (1st and 2nd leaves) and P2 = 2nd pruning at 30 DAT (3rd and 4th leaves) and four levels of GA3foliar application as G0 = No GA3 (control), G1 = 100 ppm GA3, G2 = 200 ppm GA3 and G3 = 400 ppm GA3 considered for the present study. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Considering growth parameters, pruning treatment had a significant effect on growth, yield contributing parameters and yield of squash except for stem base diameter and individual fruit weight. Regarding GA3 treatments, growth and yield parameters were significantly influenced except fruit diameter. In terms of the combined effect of pruning and GA3 treatments, all the studied growth and yield parameters were significantly influenced. The highest stem length (64.73 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (23.59), stem base diameter (2.09 cm), number of male flower plant-1 (8.69), number of female flower plant-1 (7.52), total number of fruits plant-1 (5.74), fruit length (22.42 cm), fruit diameter (6.15 cm), individual fruit weight (507.66 g), dry weight of fruit (6.61%), weight of fruits plant-1 (2914.33 g) and fruit yield ha-1 (29.14 t) were also found from the treatment combination of P1G1 compared to the other treatment combination. Hence, we can summarize that 1st pruning at 20 DAT (1st and 2nd leaves) with 100 ppm GA3 given the maximum output in terms of yield compared to other treatments.

Yield losses and control by sedaxane and fludioxonil of soil-borne Rhizoctonia, Microdochium and Fusarium species in winter wheat

Soil-borne Rhizoctonia, Microdochium and Fusarium species are major causal agents of seedling and stem-base diseases in wheat and currently seed treatments are considered the most effective solution for their control. Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis groups (AGs) 2-1 and 5, R. cerealis, Microdochium and Fusarium spp. were used in series of field experiments to determine their capability to cause soil-borne and stem-base disease and to quantify their comparative losses in establishment and yield of wheat. The effectiveness and the response to seed treatment formulated of 10 g sedaxane and 5 g fludioxonil 100 kg-1 against these soil-borne pathogens were also determined. Our results showed that damping off caused by soil-borne R. cerealis was associated with significant reductions in emergence and establishment resulting in stunted growth and low plant numbers. The pathogen also caused sharp eyespot associated with reductions in ear partitioning index. R. solani AG 2-1 or AG 5 were weakly pathogenic and failed to cause significant damping off, root rot or stem-base disease in wheat. Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum applied as soil-borne inoculum failed to cause severe disease. Microdochium spp. caused brown foot rot disease and soil-borne M. nivale reduced wheat emergence. Application of sedaxane and fludioxonil increased plant emergence and reduced damping off, early stem-base disease and brown foot rot thus providing protection against multiple soil-borne pathogens. R. cerealis reduced thousand grain weight by 3.6% whilst seed treatment of fludioxonil and sedaxane against soil-borne R. cerealis or M. nivale resulted in 4% yield increase.

Analysis of Non-Structural Carbohydrate in Relation with Shoot Elongation of Rice under Complete Submergence

Regulation of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are important for plants in response to submergence. In this study, the difference in non-structural carbohydrates in relation with shoot elongation between Sub1A and non-Sub1A rice genotypes was investigated. Two rice genotypes, namely Inpari30 (Sub1A genotype) and IR72442 (non-Sub1A genotype), were submerged completely for 6 days and re-aerated by lowering water level up to stem base for 6 days of post submergence. In addition, non-submerged plants (control) was treated with water level up to stem base during the experiment. Photosynthesis rate decreased in both submerged Inpari30 and IR72442 genotypes 71% and 96% lower than their control, respectively. Submerged IR72442 declined Fv/Fm 15.6% lowest than its control and both control and submerged Inpari30. Investigation of the distribution of starch and soluble sugar content in plant organs suggested that shoot elongation of non-Sub1A genotype led to starch and sugar consumption that distributed faster to the new developed organ during submergence. In contrast, Sub1A genotype of Inpari30, which did not exhibit shoot elongation and showed slower NSCs distribution during submergence, performed better on post submergence by maintaining NSCs and distributing to the new developed organ faster than IR72442. These results suggest that Sub1A genotype managed elongation and NSCs during submergence more efficiently than non-Sub1A genotype.

Development of Neonectria punicea Pathogenic Symptoms in Juvenile Fraxinus excelsior Trees

When monitoring the state of health of Fraxinus excelsior trees, unusual symptoms were discovered within a F. excelsior plantation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These symptoms included the appearance of necrosis and cankers in the basal parts of the trees, followed by the formation of fruiting bodies, however, none of these symptoms were found in the crowns. After sampling and isolation of the necrotic parts from the stem base, pathogen Neonectria punicea was isolated and identified from the characteristics of pure cultures, morphology of the fruiting bodies, and from multilocus sequencing. In field conditions, juvenile F. excelsior trees were inoculated with two N. punicea isolates obtained from the necrotic tissues of both juvenile F. excelsior and mature Fagus sylvatica trees. In both isolates, 12 months post inoculation, the lengths and widths of the necroses were significantly larger compared to the control. Necroses of significantly larger lengths, widths and surfaces were found again in both tested isolates 24 months post inoculation. In the case of the F. excelsior isolate, the lengths of the necroses at both the stem base and at breast height increased by 1.6 times, whereas the F. sylvatica isolate increased in size by up to 1.7 and 1.8 times, respectively. Trees inoculated without a previous bark wound showed no symptoms, similar to the control trees. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging revealed that N. punicea hyphae penetrated from the cankers to the woody outermost annual growth ring and that hyphae were present mostly in the large earlywood vessels and rarely in the axial parenchyma cells. Hyphae also spread radially through the pits in vessels. The infected trees responded with the formation of tyloses in the vessels to prevent a rapid fungal spread through the axial vascular transport pathway. The ability of N. punicea to cause necroses in juvenile ash trees was demonstrated for the first time during this study. It poses a serious threat to planted forests and natural regenerations of F. excelsior especially if F. sylvatica is considered as a possible inoculum reservoir for future infections. This pathogen should be integrated within future ash resistance or breeding programs.