Flowering attributes of Henckelia Royal Queen influenced by pinching and Paclobutrazol application

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of pinching practice and different concentrations of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) on the flowering of Henckelia Royal Queen plants.Completely randomized design with eight treatment combinations of pinching or non-pinching and different concentrations of Paclobutrazol (0, 15, 30and 60 ppm) soil drenchwas usedwith eight replicates for each treatment. Pinching was practiced twice at two weeks intervals. Flowering parameters viz. number of flower buds, days taken to flowering, number of flowers, pedicel length, corolla length and corolla width were measured at two weeks intervals from 9thweek after the treatment application. Results disclosed that plants showed better flowering performances (P<0.05) with increasing concentrations of PBZ, but degree of leaf deformation was increased. Therefore, the application of 15 ppm PBZ with pinching showed better to obtain dwarf Henckelia Royal Queen plants with improved flowering quality as commercial potted plants. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(3), 177-184, 2021

The genus Salacia (Celastraceae: Salaciodeae) in peninsular India

The genus Salacia (Celastraceae: Salaciodeae) in peninsular India is revised, wherein ten species are recognised. Eight species are endemic to the region. Salacia macrophylla and S. reticulata are excluded from the revision as occurrence of both the species is doubtful in mainland India. Salacia macrosperma exhibits great variation in leaf shape, flower number, pedicel length and fruit texture, hence the morphologically similar species S. beddomei and S. vellaniana are relegated to its synonymy. Descriptions, photographs, and pen and ink as well as colour drawings of all recognised Salacia species are provided with an artificial key, updated nomenclature, and synonymy. Distribution and IUCN Red list categories and criteria are also discussed. Seven binomials, S. fruticosa, S. macrophylla, S. macrosperma, S. oblonga, S. ovalis, Tontelea prinoides and Johnia coromadeliana are lectotypified.

Disintegration of Polyalthia debilis (Annonaceae): P. cambodica comb. nov., P. canaensis comb. et stat. nov., and P. suthepensis nom. nov. for Unona dubia

Polyalthia debilis (Annonaceae), a widespread species in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, is recircumscribed by morphological reappraisal. Three heterotypic synonyms of Polyalthia debilis, viz. Popowia cambodica, Popowia cambodica var. canaensis, and Unona dubia differ from Polyalthia debilis and from each other by different combinations of the following traits: plant height, leaf blade size, petiole length, flowering pedicel length, inner and outer petal size, number of carpels per flower, number of ovules per ovary, and stipe length. Consequently, each heterotypic synonym deserves recognition as a separate species. Polyalthia cambodica comb. nov. and Polyalthia canaensis comb. et stat. nov. are accordingly made; and Polyalthia suthepensis, a replacement name for Unona dubia, is proposed because the name Polyalthia dubia pre-exists. A key to Polyalthia debilis, Polyalthia cambodica, Polyalthia canaensis, and Polyalthia suthepensis is provided.

Influence of gibberellic acid on the physiology and flower quality of gerbera and lily cut flowers

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of different foliar gibberellic acid (GA3) levels (0, 10, 50, and 200 mg L-1) and application timing on the growth, physiology (chlorophyll and gas exchange) and flower quality of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii cvs. Beaudine and Palm Beach) and Asiatic lily (Lilium × elegans cvs. Fangio and Eldivo). The application of GA3 (50 mg L-1) increased (p < 0.05) gerbera shoot height (30%), pedicel length (20%), and vase life (12.5%) and decreased the number of days to flowering (7%) compared to the control. GA3 application at the seedling stage increased pedicel length and flower diameter compared to GA3 treatment at the flower initiation stage. However, the chlorophyll content index, photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs) and transpiration (E) were similar across the study period. For Asiatic lily, 10 and 50 mg L-1 were the best GA3 levels in terms of leaf gs, E and flower diameter. Compared to 0, 10 and 50 mg L-1-GA3, 200 mg L-1-GA3 decreased the number of days to flowering. Overall, the application of 50 mg L-1-GA3 to gerbera and lily cultivars at the seedling stage can potentially improve flower quality and shorten the number of days to flowering.

Senecio beltranii (Asteraceae, Senecioneae): a new caespitose species endemic to South Peru

Senecio beltranii, a new species of Asteraceae (Senecioneae) belonging to S. ser. Suffruticosi subser. Caespitosi, is described from the highland mountains of southern Peru. Morphologically, S. beltranii is similar to S. algens, but can easily be distinguished by its subshrub matt-forming habit, the presence of scattered papillose trichomes on stems and leaves, its pinnatilobate leaf shape, larger involucre and pedicel length, calycular bracts nearly glabrous, larger phyllary length and by the larger number of phyllaries. The major differences between the species are outlined in a morphological comparison table and discussed. The IUCN status is defined as Vulnerable (VU).

Two new species of Clinanthus (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae: Clinantheae) from northern Peru

Clinanthus fabianae and C. thiagoi are described from Ancash and La Libertad departments of Peru. Both species have similar perigone coloration, broadly lobed staminal coronas, and incurved free filaments. They may represent a distinct species group, along with the previously described C. inflatus. The species can be separated by number of flowers, pedicel length, flower habit, tube length, morphology and pattern of dilation, and color of the tepal apiculum.

Characterization and selection of "Maracujá-do-mato" (Passiflora cincinnata mast) morphoagronomic descriptors

The present study consists of the in situ characterization and selection of minimal morphoagronomic descriptors in Passiflora cincinnata genotypes. Forty-one quantitative morphoagronomic descriptors were used, divided in “Plant and Leaf”, “Floral” and “Fruit”. Principal component analysis were used to eliminate descriptors that were less important in the study of multivariate dissimilarity among genotypes. The formation of groups was carried out using Ward’s hierarchical grouping method. The importance of the characters was estimated through the participation of the components by Singh’s method (1981) in order to verify the similarity between lower participation variables in the components. For the set of descriptors “Plant and Leaf” the characteristics that presented the greatest relative contributions were: maximum leaf width 76.1% and leaf blade length 17.2%. For the set of descriptors “Floral” the characteristics that presented the greatest relative contributions were: pedicel length 42.1%, corona tip diameter 32.6% and petal length 11.8%. For the set of descriptors “Fruit” the characteristic that presented the greatest relative contribution was: number of seeds per fruit 89.2%. From the results obtained, we can infer that from the 41 descriptors, only 15 were relevant for the evaluation of the genetic diversity among the individuals of the population. These descriptors were: titratable acidity, bract length, leaf blade length, petal length, sepal length, pedicel length, corona filament ring length, corona tip diameter, fruit longitudinal diameter, sepal width, maximum leaf width, number of fruits, number of seeds per fruit, bark weight and fruit mass.

A new species of Chrysophyllum (Sapotaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic forest

The new species Chrysophyllum pubipetalum from the Brazilian Atlantic forest of Espírito Santo state is described and illustrated. This new species is characterized by the presence of trichomes on both surfaces of the corolla (a character unique in the genus), channeled petioles, a relatively short pedicel length, and various characters of the fruits and seeds. A distribution map and a table distinguishing the new species from morphologically similar species are also included. As based on IUCN criteria, the species is considered critically endangered.