Viability of Embryo Sacs and Fruit Set in Different Plum (Prunus domestica L.) Cultivars Grown under Norwegian Climatic Conditions

Compatibility and synchrony between specialized tissues of the pistil, female gametophytes and male gametophytes, are necessary for successful pollination, fertilization, and fruit set in angiosperms. The aim of the present work was to study the development and viability of embryo sacs, as well as fertilization success, in relation to the fruit set of the cultivars ‘Mallard’, ‘Edda’, ‘Jubileum’, and ‘Reeves’, under specific Norwegian climatic conditions. Emasculated, unpollinated, and open-pollinated flowers were collected at the beginning of flowering, and on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th days after flowering, from all four plum cultivars over two years (2018/2019). Ovaries were dehydrated, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned, stained, and observed under a light microscope. Results showed the existence of synchronization between successive phases in the development of the embryo sac and individual phases of flowering. All plum cultivars had higher percentages of viable embryo sacs, fertilized embryo sacs, and fruit set in 2018 than in 2019. These differences may be related to the very low temperatures during the post-full-flowering period in 2019, and to the low adaptation of some studied cultivars to unfavorable conditions. In our study, the cultivar ‘Jubileum’ showed the highest percentage of viable embryo sacs, fertilized embryo sacs, and fruit set compared to other cultivars, i.e., the best low-temperature adaptation.

Growth and development of representatives of the genus Rosa L. in the Stavropol Botanical Garden

Relevance. To identify the features of the growth and development of species of roses of different geographical origin, to establish the biological minimum temperatures necessary for the beginning of flowering of representatives of the genus Rosa L., to study the morphological indicators of fruits.Methodology. The research material was 12 wild roses belonging to 4 sections: Canina Crep, Cinnamomeae DC, Luteae Crep, Pimpinellifoliae DC. The research was carried out using the methods of the Main Botanical Garden, floral and geographical analyses — according to Hrzhanovsky. A caliper was used to measure the length and diameter of 10 fruits. For the analysis of statistical data, the MS Excel table processor and the integrated MATLAB mathematical package were used.Results. The article presents the results of a study of species of roses in the Stavropol Botanical Garden of various geographical origin. The study involved 12 species belonging to 4 sections. The features of growth and development of plants in new soil and climatic conditions are revealed. The dates of the beginning of the main phenological phases andtheir duration have been established: spring regrowth of shoots, budding, beginning and end of flowering, fruiting. In the studied species of roses, the growing season begins in the first — second decade of March, flowering occurs in late May — early June, the fruits ripen in August — September. The dependence of the timing of the beginning of flowering in the studied roses on the dynamics of the accumulated average daily air temperatures and the sum of effective temperatures above 5 °C was revealed. Mathematically, it was proved that the lower limit of the air temperature required for the beginning of flowering of species of roses is +16 °C, when the sum of the average daily temperature air St° = 1007.75–1069.48 °С and St эф > 5 °С = 530.75–594.75 °С are accumulated. Early flowering species of roses include Rosa foetida Herrm., R. pendulina L., R. pimpinellifolia L., late flowering — R. caudata Baker and R. corymbifera Borkh. The shortest flowering period is in R. caudata Baker, R. jacutica Juz. and R. kamtschatica Vent. Representatives of those types mostly bloom once. Their flowers are formed on biennial and more mature shoots. The flowering period is 13–23 days. Rosa rugosa Thunb. blooms again, its flowering period is extended and long — from 40 to 48 days. All species of roses form fruits. The longest fruits are in R. pendulina L., R. caudata Baker, R. rugosa Thunb., R. corymbifera Borkh. and R. canina L., and large ones — in R. rugosa Thunb., R. marretii Lev. and R. roxburghi Tratt.

Optimization of the artificial phytocenoses structure of the National Dendrological Park “Sofiyivka” of NAS of Ukraine by introducing alien climbing honeysuckles plants of the genus Lonicera L.

The results of 35-year research of the introduction of East Asian climbing honeysuckles of the subgenus Chamaecerasus Rehd. in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine and their role in optimizing the structure of phyto- cenoses of the The National Dendrological Park «Sofiyivka» of the NASU were presented. It was found that the climatic conditions of the introduction area have significant differences between climate indicators (thermal regime indicators and others) with the climatic conditions of natural habitats of climbing honeysuckles species of the subgenus Chamaecerasus, which negatively affect the rhythm of development and flowering and fruiting of introduced plants. It was determinated that the generative period of climbing honeysuckles of the subgenus Chamaecerasus in the arboretum occurs at 4–6 years of age. Most of the introduced honeysuckle was characterized by good (4 points) and satisfactory (3 points) flowering. Representatives of the subsection Breviflorae Rehd. were characterized by long and remontant flowering. It was found that the dynamics of daily fertility of honeysuckles pollen from different areas is closely related to the daily course of flower bloom- ing and daily flight activity of pollinating insects. The duration of the period of fruit formation of introduced honeysuckles depends on the time of the beginning of flowering of species and their geographical origin. Determined amount of positive temperatures above 0 °C required for mass ripening fruit honeysuckles different geographical origin. The plants bear fruit single fruits with empty seeds (ball bearing 1). The collection of climbing honeysuckles of the subgenus Chamaecerasus was created in the National Dendrological Park «Sofiyivka» of the NAS of Ukraine, it has significant scientific and informative value as collector' s stuff is valuable gene pool for further breeding work. The optimal forms of conservation and cultivation of biodiversity of round honeysuckle of the genus Lonicera L. in the one-species gardens and other artificially created phytocenoses have been determined.

Phenology of Gymnospermium odessanum (DC.) Takht. in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine

The aim is to find out the peculiarities of the phenology of the rare endemic species Gymnospermium odessanum (DC.) Takht. in the conditions of introduction on the botanical-geographical plot “Steppes of Ukraine” of the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in 2021. Methods — field stationary and cameral. It is established that the vegetation period of G. odessanum in 2021 lasted from March 24 to May 22 and amounted to 60 days. 10 phenological phases are singled out and characterized: 1) the beginning of vegetation and budding, 2) mass budding and beginning of flowering, 3) mass flowering and completion of budding, 4) flowering peak, 5) mass flowering and the beginning of fruit formation, 6) completion of flowering and mass fruit formation, 7) fruit growth, 8) fruit opening, 9) ripening of seeds in open capsules, 10) dissemination and completion of the vegetation. It was found that during the mass formation of fruits, a significant number of fruits stopped their growth and development and did not form seeds in the future. This could be due to the night frosts on the eve or the difference in the conditions of the region of introduction from the natural habitats of the species. Budding and flowering (in total) account for a smaller part (30%) of the vegetation period. Most (70%) of the vegetation period is associated with fruits and seeds. A significant proportion of the vegetation period is the phenophase of ripening of seeds in open capsules (27%).

Anti-inflammatory effect of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) essential oil prepared during different plant phenophases on THP-1 macrophages

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common Gram-negative bacterium associated with nosocomial respiratory infections. Lavender essential oil is mainly used in aromatherapy, but it has several pharmacological and therapeutic properties. Furthermore, it possesses antifungal and antibacterial activities. The anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils may depend on the composition and the ratio of the compounds. The constitution of the essential oils extracted from the different stages of flowering period varies, which makes it plausible that the collection time of the flowers influences the anti-inflammatory effects. Different types of essential oils reduce inflammation acting similarly by modulating the activity and action of the NFκB signalling pathway, which is the major regulator of the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods Lavender essential oils were distilled from lavender plant cultivated in Hungary and the flowers were harvested at the beginning and at the end of flowering period. The experiments were carried out on THP-1 human monocyte/macrophage cell line as in vitro cell culture model for monitoring the effects of lavender essential oils and the main compound linalool on P. aeruginosa LPS stimulated inflammation. The mRNA and protein levels of four pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8 and TNFα were determined by Real Time PCR and ELISA measurements. The effects of essential oils were compared to the response to two NFκB inhibitors, luteolin and ACHP. Results Linalool and lavender essential oil extracted from plants at the beginning of flowering period were successful in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine production following LPS pretreatment. In case of IL-8 and IL-1β lavender oil showed stronger effect compared to linalool and both of them acted similarly to NFκB inhibitors. Pretreatments with linalool and lavender essential oil/beginning of flowering period prevented pro-inflammatory cytokine production compared to LPS treatment alone. Although lavender essential oil/end of flowering period decreased IL-6, IL-1β and IL-8 mRNA expression in case of LPS pretreatment, it was not capable to reduce cytokine secretion. Conclusion Based on our results it has been proven that lavender essential oil extracted at the beginning of flowering period is a potent inhibitor of the synthesis of four pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-β and TNFα of THP-1 cells. This supports the relevance of the collection of the lavender flowers from early blooming period for essential oil production and for the utilization as an anti-inflammatory treatment.

Biological features of the Himalayan lilac (Syringa emodi Wall. Ex Royle) during introduction in the Bashkir Cis-Urals

The article presents the results of a long-term (2005-2017) introduction study of Syringa emodi Wall. ex Royle, cultivated in the South Ural Botanical Garden Institute of the UFIC RAS. As a result of phenological observations, it was revealed that S. emodi belongs to the flowering ones in terms of medium flowering - the beginning of flowering is observed on average on the end of May. The duration of flowering is 18-22 days. Pollen viability is lower than that of other types of lilacs in the collection and is 13%. Fruiting annually, the level is slightly lower compared to other species. Seed germination is 82-86%. Winter hardiness is relatively high, only in very severe winters is freezing of annual shoots observed. The total score in the evaluation of decorative characters of S. emodi was 76 points out of 100 possible. For a number of signs, introduction stability was determined by 87 points. The conclusion is made about the successful introduction of S. emodi in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the possibility of widespread use of this species in landscaping settlements in the region.

Biochemical Assessment of Peas Pisum sativum Varieties

Seven peas (Pisum sativum L.) varieties different originated, i.e, X07P54, X06PWY, NDPO80138-B-2, CA1P, L020140, Wt6803 and Mir were studied. Biochemical assessment of fresh aboveground biomass and seeds of peas varieties were done. At the beginning of flowering stage the NDPO80138-B-2 and X07P54 were reported high levels for crude protein (22.33% and 21.87%), crude fibre (25.94% and 25.76%) and crude ash (10.39% and 9.47%). In technical maturity with high crude protein and crude fibre contents NDPO80138-B-2 (21.59% and 21.38%), X06PWY (19.95% and 21.36%), X07P54 (19.78% and 20.57%) and CA1P (19.60% and 22.53%) were distinguished; by calcium CA1P (2.09%), and by phosphorus Wt6803 (0.54%). More significant variability in phosphorus content (21.27%) and Ca:P ratio (25.65%) in fresh biomass was observed. The lowest coefficient of variation was found for crude fibre (5.43%), crude ash (7.81%) and crude protein content (9.00%). The variability of parameters in technical maturity was found low and ranges from 2.34% for crude protein to 9.27 for phosphorus. The green mass yield is positively correlated with the calcium content (r = 0.581), phosphorus (r = 0.316) and crude ash (r = 0.077) and the seed yield positive correlated with calcium content (r = 0.79). The relationships found between qualitative indicators could be used in the breeding programs of peas.

Evaluation of meadow clover varieties in the foothill zone of the RSO — Alania

Relevance. The advantages of meadow clover, as a forage crop, is that it is a source of highly nutritious feed in monoculture and in grass mixtures, containing protein, macroand microelements, vitamins and carotenes. In the conditions of the foothill zone of the RSO — Alania, a new breeding material of meadow clover was studied. The possibilities of selection of breeding samples with high winter hardiness, feed and seed productivity are studied. The analysis of the most productive samples in terms of productivity and resistance to diseases was carried out. The research objective was to identify the most promising varieties of meadow clover for cultivation in specific natural and climatic conditions of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania.Methods. Experimental studies were carried out on the experimental fields of the North Caucasus Research Institute of Mountain and Foothill Agriculture of the VNC RAS in the forest-steppe zone of the RSO — Alania. The soils of the experimental site are represented by leached chernozems on pebbles, they are characterized by a high content of gross and available nitrogen and phosphorus reserves. In terms of the content of mobile potassium, they are average in comparison with other soils. The arable layer contains from 3.3% to 4.7% of humus. The reaction of the soil solution in the upper horizons is neutral. The tab of experiments, phenological observations and statistical processing of the obtained data were carried out using generally accepted methods.Results. According to the duration of the period from the beginning of spring regrowth to the beginning of flowering at the first mowing, the studied varieties can be attributed to medium-ripe and late-ripe. То variety Vladikavkazsky the duration of the growing season was 65–70 days, to variety Daryal — 75–80 days, Farn — 70–75 days. Later matures include varieties Alan and Orlik. In the spring during the development periodand the beginning of regrowth there was no big difference between the varieties. The Daryal variety started growing earlier than everyone else, the difference was 5 days. The earliest flowering was observed in the Daryal variety, the difference between the studied varieties was from 10 to 20 days. In the varieties of meadow clover studied by us, the Alan variety surpasses other varieties in winter hardiness, productivity and biological yield. The highest plant height was found in samples of local selection Alan, Vladikavkazsky, Farn (within 68–72.4 cm), surpassing the standard variety Daryal by 7–11.4 cm.The seed yield of the samples had a weak positive correlation with the number of days from the beginning of spring regrowth to the beginning of flowering (r = 0.27).

Response of Apple Trees (cv. Ibrahimi) to the Time of Foliar Application with Zinc and Boron

The study was conducted in one of the private orchards in the Saqlawiya area - Fallujah during the 2020 growing season. The foliar spray was used to study the effect of the timing of foliar spraying (three sprays, the first at the beginning of flowering, second at the stage of full flowers blooming, and the third at the stage of petal fall), Presented with symbols (D1, D2 and D3), respectively. The second factor consisted of spraying with boron and zinc with the following concentrations (0,1, and 3 gm. L-1), mentioned as (S0, S1, S2, S3), respectively. these elements were used singly or in the form of a mixture with the same concentrations. This study aims to study the effect of the two factors on the growth and setting of apple trees, cv. Ibrahimi. Therefore, (36) five-year-old apple trees with homogeneous vegetative growth were selected as much as possible. The results revealed that foliar application with boron and zinc for the Ibrahimi apple trees improved the quality of the fruits and their vegetative and flowering traits. The results revealed that spraying with micronutrients at the stage of petal fall had a significant effect on flower traits and yield especially the media culture (M3) which presented the best results for the traits. The results revealed that spraying with micronutrients at the stage of petal fall had a significant effect on flower traits and yield especially the time (D3) which presented the best results for the traits (leaf area, Rate of increase in the length of the branches, Rate of increase in branch diameters, Fruits set Percentage, Percentage of fallen fruits and Percentage of remaining fruits, which reached (24.25cm2, 56.77cm, 0.42cm, 26.65%, 45.25%, 54.75%), respectively. On the other hand, spraying with micronutrients achieved significant effect, especially (S3), that gave the highest values for the traits (Rate of increase in branch diameters, Fruits set Percentage, Percentage of fallen fruits and Percentage of remaining fruits), which were (37.50 cm, 0.42%, 26.65%, and 46.71 gm L-1).

Meteorological Variables That Affect the Beginning of Flowering of the Winter Oilseed Rape in the Czech Republic

Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is one of the most cultivated oilseeds in the Czech Republic and belongs among major pollen allergens. Pollen allergies have an extensive clinical impact worldwide, and as well as in the Czech Republic. In this paper, meteorological variables such as mean air temperature, maximum and minimum air temperature, precipitation total and number of rainy days in the period 1991–2012 were studied using the PhenoClim phenological model to find the best predictor of the beginning of flowering of the Brassica napus in the Czech Republic. In addition, temporal and spatial evaluations of the beginning of flowering of the Brassica napus were examined at individual stations in different climatic zones within the same period. In total, three phenological stations at altitudes from 270 m asl to 533 m asl located in warm (W2), medium warm (MW7) or cold (C7) climatic zones were used for detailed evaluation. Based on the observation results at selected stations, the beginning of flowering of the Brassica napus advanced progressively in timing (nearly −15 days) in the 1991–2012 period. The base temperature and temperature sums were calculated for the beginning of flowering of the winter oilseed rape using the PhenoClim computer tool. As the most accurate predictor for the beginning of flowering of the Brassica napus, the mean air temperature was determined. The optimal start day for calculation was 30th January, the threshold (base temperature) was 6.0 °C and the temperature sum was 157.0 °C. The RMSE value was 4.77 and the MBE value was −3.00. The simulated data had a good correlation with the real observed data (the correlation coefficients were within the range from 0.56 to 0.76), and the PhenoClim model results indicate using them in the forecast modeling of the beginning of flowering of the Brassica napus in the Czech Republic.