Variability of male gametophyte traits in morphological forms of Taraxacum officinale Wigg. s.l. under conditions of technogenic soil transformation

The paper studies endogenous, individual and group variability of the traits pollen grain fertility and size of fertile pollen grains among two morphological forms of Taraxacum officinale Wigg. s.l., growing in coenopopulations in the gradient of technogenic soil transformation. The study area is the Pritagil zone of the Middle Urals (Nizhny Tagil city, Sverdlovsk Region, N 58, E 60). It was found that the studied morphological forms of dandelion in most cases are characterized by average endogenous, individual and group variability of the trait pollen grain fertility and low endogenous and individual variability of the trait pollen grain size. The group variability for this trait is medium and low. The endogenous variability of pollen grain fertility and size among f. dahlstedtii on agrozems is slightly higher than on technozems. Among f. pectinatiforme the endogenous variability of pollen grain fertility is higher on agrozems only. An increase in the level of soil contamination on agrozems leads to a decrease in the endogenous variability of pollen grain fertility among both forms of dandelion. On technozems a similar reaction is expressed only among f. pectinatiforme . The analysis of the studied trait in the entire gradient of technogenic soil transformation indicates a significant influence of this factor only on the endogenous variability of pollen grain fertility among f. dahlstedtii . Despite the absence of statistically significant differences in the individual variability of the pollen grain fertility trait between dandelion forms, on average, the coefficients of its variation on agrozems are lower among f. dahlstedtii , and on technozems - among f. pectinatiforme . The same conclusion applies to the individual variability of the trait size of fertile pollen grains. In general, among f. dahlstedtii the coefficients of variation of the studied signs of the male gametophyte are lower in agrozems than in technozems, among f. pectinatiforme the picture is reversed. On average, the proportion of plants with low ( C ᵥ 11%) individual variability in pollen grain fertility among f. dahlstedtii out of all the studied coenopopulations is 43,3% versus 61,7% among f. pectinatiforme . The influence of technogenic transformation of the environment is manifested in an increase in the proportion of f. pectinatiforme plants with a low level of variability of the studied traits in the coenopopulations of the buffer and impact zones. Among f. dahlstedtii the reverse pattern is characteristic only for pollen fertility. The group variability of pollen grain fertility in both agrozems and technozems is higher among f. dahlstedtii . With an increase in pollution on agro-soils, this indicator increases among both forms of dandelion, and decreases in technozems. There is a tendency to increase the group variability of pollen grain fertility among plants of both forms of T . officinale on technozems. An increase in the level of soil contamination on agrozems leads to an increase in the group variability of the trait size of fertile pollen grains among f. dahlstedtii and a decrease among f. pectinateforme . On technozems the opposite effect is noted. In general, the group variability of the studied trait among plants of both morphological forms of dandelion on agrozems is higher than on technozems.

Biomonitoring of the toxic effects of industrial emissions

The article presents results of studying the impact of industrial emissions of the Apatit project (Murmansk region) on the fertility and sterility of pollen of Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). A low share of fertile pollen (49.3–57.4%) and high ratio of sterile pollen (42.6–50.7%) are revealed in the samples from the city of Apatity under study. The study calculated the palynotoxic effect of the industrial emissions. Shown the toxic effect of emissions of the apatite-nepheline complex on male gametophyte of Scotch pine and the process of gamete formation. The ecological safety of the city of Apatity is closely related to the problems of the complex use of apatite-nepheline ores and the minimization of storage of waste in tailing dumps.

Correlation and path analysis of interaction between green pea yield and its components with crop management

Determinations of interaction between yield its components and foliar mixed application of Lactofol® with insecticides and herbicides. The path-coefficient analysis is very important statistical technique that can be used to quantify the interrelationship of different yield components. It was applied to study the interaction of applied agronomic activities on productivity of mid-early Bulgarian garden peas Pisum sativum cv. Promethei seeking to minimize pesticide use and to maintain sustainable quality and quantity of yield, and to prevent underground water pollution caused by using Dual 930EK/930g/l-s (metachloras) minimized herbicide doses from vegetative herbicide Basagran-200g/l (Bentazon) and Fusillade-200g/l (Fluasifop-P-Butil). Data was collected from long years trials on plants treated with different combinations of foliar suspension fertilizer Lactofol® with insecticides and herbicides. Results showed that grain yield (0.997), dry matter of the grain (0.996), Chlorophyll "a" (0.993), Zn (0.992), N (0.991), grain/whole pod ratio (0.984), total nitrogen (0.982), K (0.975), weight of 50 grains (0.973) fresh weight of 50 beans (0.962), fertile pollen (0.961), plant density/ m2 (0,873), the length of beans (0.871), sterile pollen (0.837) had positive impact on yield. Dry matter, grain yield, dry matter of grains, chla, N, weight of 50 pods, fertile pollen, and plant density/ m2 showed positive direct and indirect effects on yield. Other factors such as sugars (0.797), chlorophyll “b” (0.739), and starch (0.620) had an indirect effect on total yield. Grain yield should be given prior attention in field pea improvement programmers due to its major influence on yield. This research gave valuable information about which steps of agro techniques needs more attention to enhance best quality and quantity of sustainable yield.

Differences in the structure of pollen in the ‘Senga Sengana’ and ‘Selva’ cultivars of Fragaria × ananasa

The strawberry belongs to one of the youngest species of arable crops. The study aimed to analyze pollen's structure in the ‘Senga Sengana’ and ‘Selva’ cultivars of Fragaria × ananassa. The strawberry is a dicotyledonous plant from the Rosaceae family. The article presents research carried out on Fragaria × ananassa cv. ‘Senga Sengana’ and ‘Selva’ collected during flowering. Pollen mor-phology was examined using a scanning electron microscope and a traditional optical microscope. The results showed that fresh pollen outnumbered dead pollen, confirming that the ‘Senga Sengana’ culti-var produces larger amounts of fertile pollen. Mature ‘Senga Sengana’ pollen grains are characterized by a specific sculpture of the exine walls. The analysis of Selva pollen grains revealed substantial changes in the structure of the sporoderm during its maturation. It becomes thicker and, as the size of the pollen grain increases, the exine layer becomes more elaborate.

New genetic sources for breeding of Prunus L. species on polyploid level

This research is aimed at studying of the chromosomal number distribution within the new, in vitro cultured, amitotic clonal lines of Prunus species, at comparing of the fertility and size of pollen for triploid and hexaploid amitotic clones and at identifying of new genetic sources and their subsequent use in breeding. Methods. The standard cytological and statistical methods were used in this scientific work. Results. The regularities of induced polyploids output both from the initial number of chromosomes and from the origin and individual characteristics of the original genotypes were established. For amitotic hexaploid genotypes of hybrid cherry, high pollen quality was discovered at the level of 81,8–92,6 % of fertility (in triploids the 4,6–18,8 % of such pollen was found), therefore, the studied 4 clonal cherry genotypes (12-1-1Т2, 12-1-1Т6, 12-1-2Т3, 12-1-2Тv) are recommended for breeding of resistant to fungal diseases varieties. No significant differences were found in the diameter of fertile pollen (46.3–47.8 μm) between cherry amitotic triploids and hexaploids. Therefore, in all likelihood, fertile pollen in triploids carries an unreduced triploid set of chromosomes. Prime scientific novelty. A completely new and original selection material for the genus Prunus L. – polyploid hybrids of P. fruricosa Pall. with rare East-Asiatic cherry species P. serrulata Lindl., P. canescens Bois., P. incisa. Thoub. were studied. The arguments in favor of a positive breeding prospect for the transfer of new cherries varieties to the hexaploid level (2n = 48), including an in vitro culture method of chromosome number doubling for the sterile triploid interspecific hybrids, have been obtained. The first created tetraploid (2n = 32) amitotic clonal lines of microcherry P. pumila L. must be tested in crosses with thorns and hybrids of thorns.

Effects of air temperature, humidity and air pollution on fertility of birch pollen in urban environments

We studied effects of environmental factors on pollen fertility of Betula pendula Roth.) in 15 sites of the city of Barnaul (Russia, Altai Territory), differing in traffic intensity. We found that low temperature was more stressful for the development of birch pollen compared to high one. When the temperature drops below +8°C, the amount of sterile pollen in all locations significantly increased regardless of the anthropogenic load, on average exceeding 8%. With an increase in temperature of more than +10 °C, the proportion of sterile pollen also increased, but the jump was not as sharp as in cold weather. The optimum temperature for the formation of fertile pollen grains was in the range of 8–10 °С. The optimal humidity for the development of fertile pollen of B. pendula was 40–45%. The increase in air dryness led to a significant decrease in the quality of pollen grains, the proportion of sterile ones exceeded 8%. According to the transmission coefficient (Keff = 0.1514), the dominant factor in the development of sterile pollen grains of birch was the level of air pollution (concentration of carbon monoxide). Air temperature (Keff = 0.1427) and humidity (Keff = 0.1427) affected equally the quality of pollen. The proposed model makes it possible to predict the level of sterile birch pollen in the conditions of Barnaul depending on the weather conditions of vegetation and on the level of pollutants in the atmosphere.

The influence of urban environment on pollen grains of the silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) in conditions of Yakutsk

This paper studies variability of pollen grains of the silver birch in relation to the quality of urban environment. The material was collected in 12 sites. A total of 1,190 leaves and 24,000 pollen grains were examined and measured. The pollen fertility varied within 69-92%. Statistically significant decrease in fertility was observed in conditions of high-intensity traffic load, in the central area of the city, and where the road surface was in poor condition. Under the same conditions a statistically significant increase in percentage of relatively fertile pollen grains is observed. We found significant correlation between the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and the share of fertile and half-fertile pollen grains. For fertility Spearmans rho was -0,71; and for half-fertility, r = 0,66, p 0,05. A similarly significant correlation (r = -0,7, p 0,05) was found between the diameter of pollen grains and traffic load, which indicates a consistent organism response to environment deterioration. From the above, it follows that for assessment of environmental condition such characteristics of pollen grains as fertility, half-fertility, and pollen grain size can be used.

Production of male fertile interspecific hybrides between cultivated potatoes and valuable for breeding allotetraploid species Solanum stoloniferum

The germplasm of valuable for breeding wild allotetraploid potato species Solanum stoloniferumis rarely used because of pre- and postzygotic reproductive barriers with cultivated potatoes. One of the factors that complicate crosses between S. stoloniferum and S. tuberosumis unilateral incompatibility (UI).Here, we present the results of application of original SvSv-lines for overcoming UI in crosses with S. stoloniferum and of generating male fertile hybrids derived from this species. SvSv-lines are F2 S. tuberosum dihaploid× S. verrucosum that are male fertile and have D/γ-type cytoplasm. Since they are hybrids on homozygous for Svgene from S. verrucosum, they do not form SvSv-lines and have the same ability for elimination of prezygotic incompatibility as this species.As a result of pollination seven SvSv-lines were pollinated by 26 accessions of S. stoloniferum and a lot of hybrid seeds have been produced.In spite of low percentage of germination (1.9 %), formed 40 seedlings of interspecific hybrids. The experiment on hybridization between SvSv-lines and S. stoloniferum has been reproduced with the accession PI205522 of the wild species, which had DNA markers of PVY and LB resistance genes and “sterile” type cytoplasm W/γ: 950 hybrid seeds and 12 viable seedlings were produced. The genome of the seedlings was doubled by colchicine treatment, which generated hexaploids (F1) that formed highly fertile pollen and set seeds from self-pollination. We were able to cross them as females with the variety Katahdin. Produced pentaploid hybrids (BC1) were readily backcrossed by potato variety Quarta. Seedlings of BC2 were then backcrossed by potato varieties as female and, some of them, as male parents. The substantial part of F1, BC1 and BC2 plants of interspecific hybrids were male fertile (produced a lot functionally fertile pollen).

Inheritance of Sterile Brachytic and Sterile Dwarf Plants in Peanut

ABSTRACT Infraspecific cross combinations between the two subspecies of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. ssp. hypogaea and ssp. fastigiata) result in sterile brachytic plants. These sterile brachytic plants have short stem internodes with clustering of the four leaflets without apparent rachis, shortened petiole, and absent of flowers. In the present study, phenotypically similar sterile dwarf plants were also found but with apparently fertile pollen, female sterile flowers, and visible rachis and petiolate leaflets, within subspecies hypogaea cross combination. Inheritance data suggested two or four recessive genes controlling the sterile brachytic plants found in F2 populations between the two subspecies hypogaea x fastigiata crosses. However, only one recessive gene (sdw) was proposed for the similar sterile dwarf plants found in different F2 populations within ssp. hypogaea x hypogaea crosses.

Histochemical studies on male gametophyte of Adansonia digitata Linn. - An endangered species of Karnataka, India.

The distribution of proteins in the developing anthers of Adansonia digitata Linn. was investigated. The results indicate that the possible importance of histochemical substances which are present in the tapetum and meiocytes and their derivatives in pollen formation has been correlated. The proteins and their metabolism seems to be essential for the development of fertile pollen. The anthers are tetrasporangiate. The development of anther wall follows the basic type, the epidermis, endothecium, 2-3 middle wall layers and tapetum. The tapetum is bilayered and glandular with multinucleate structure shows rich content of proteins at all stages of its development. At early meiotic of the anther development the meiocytes are rich in total proteins. The cytokinesis is of simultaneous type which results in the formation of tetrahedral tetrads. At subsequent stages of meiosis, the concentration of protein in the meiocytes reduces. The early microspores the quantity of proteins decline and subsequently at pollen grain stage, proteins gradually increase and persists in the mature pollen. The present work seems to be is first contribution to the knowledge of protein composition in the developing anther of Adansonia digitata Linn.