Seed Micromorphology of Eleven Species of Pleione (Orchidaceae)

The micromorphological characteristics of the seeds of 11 species of Pleione have been studied, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to establish whether they are useful for systematic studies of the genus. The quantitative characteristics include seed length (0.237–0.626 μm), seed width (0.053–0.133 μm), seed length/width ratio (2.631–7.279), seed ridge thickness (1.4 E-3–4 E-3μm) and seed volume (1.88 E-4–3.06 E-3 μm3). The cluster analysis result agrees well with the results of previous systematic studies. The cluster analysis shows that: P. coronaria, P. forrestii and P. yunnanensis form a group, while the remaining eight species form a second group, with three subgroups, namely: P. limprichtii, P. pleionoides, P. formosana as group I; P. hookeriana and P. bulbocodioides as group II; and P. praecox, P. scopulorum and P. maculata for group III. All the Pleione species of Sect. Pleione and Sect. Humiles show the fusion of adjacent seed coat cells into a network. The shape of the seeds of P. praecox and P. maculata are very similar--being oval, and the mesh walls of their adjacent seed coat cells are not fused. Within these sections no clear pattern can be seen between the species, but the addition of further species might clarify the differences between Sect. Pleione and Sect. Humiles.

Genetic Diversity and Environmental Influence on Growth and Yield Parameters of Bambara Groundnut

Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a drought-tolerant crop majorly cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa. Due to a lack of extensive research, marginalization, lack of awareness, and lack of available fund among others, this crop's improvement has been limited. The development of this crop depends on evaluation and selection of unique and stable breeding lines in different environments. This study aims to estimate genetic diversity using morphological traits at different locations in 95 accessions of BGN collected from the Genebank of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The experiment was carried out in three replicates at IITA experimental sites in two agroecological zones in Ibadan (7°40′19.62″ N, 3°91′73.13″ E) and Ikenne (6°51′00.873″ N, 3°41′48.528″ E) using a randomized complete block design. Ten vegetative growth traits and eight yield traits were scored. The data was subjected to ANOVA, PCA, correlation, and cluster analysis. Estimations of genetic parameters and broad sense heritability were carried out on the traits. ANOVA revealed significant variation in each trait except for days to emergence. Significant variation was also observed for accession and location interactions (genotype x environment interactions) for plant height, leaf length, leaf width, chlorophyll content, number of petioles, germination count, number of pods, number of seeds, seed length, seed width, and yield. PC1 and PC2 show 42.3% of the total variations observed by the PC, with seed thickness contributing more to PC1 and the number of seeds contributing more to PC2. Cluster analysis categorized the accessions into four distinct groups. The number of pods had the highest genotypic coefficient of variation of 32.55% and the phenotypic coefficient of variation of 97.61%, while seed length (0.63), seed width (0.54), and seed thickness (0.58) have high heritability values. The genetic advance was highest in yield (76.15%) and lowest in days to 50% germination (0.21%). This study can be used to predict appropriate agroecological zones for the planting of BGN while the knowledge of the diversity of the accessions based on the traits could serve a guide in selecting the best trait for the improvement of the crop.

Evaluation of Traits Associated With Seed Characteristics in Arkansas Restorer Lines

Rice Grain dimension and weight are two critical factors for marketing and increasing yield capacity. Seed shape is measured by its length, width, thickness, and ratio of length-width. In this study, an experiment was conducted in a controlled condition from fall 2017 to 2020 to identify QTL and candidate genes associated with seed dimension and weight using a bi-parental population resulting from two University of Arkansas developed genotypes: a restorer line 367R and an advanced breeding line RU1501139, in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Five seed dimension traits, including seed length, seed width, seed thickness, seed length-width ratio, and 100-seeds weight, were obtained for QTL detection. The study detected a total of 17 QTL. Four QTL associated with seed length were identified, in which two were positioned on chr. 3, one on chr. 7, and one on chr. 11. Two QTL related to seed length-width ratio were detected on chr. 3 and 7. Whereas a total of three QTL were identified for seed thickness, one each on chr. 5, 6, and 8. Eight QTL associated with seed weight were found, of which four QTL were detected on chr. 12, two each on chr. 1 and 10, and one on chr. 3. Of 17 QTL, four QTL originated from RU1501139, while the origin of the other 13 QTL was 367R. Since multiple genes could control the yield and seed physical characteristics, the detected QTL can play a role in introducing superior parental lines for developing conventional and hybrid rice production.

Investigation of gene effects on Fruit Shape Index and Seed Size in Generations Resulting from The Crossing of Zucchini and Hull-Less Seed Pumpkin

Fruit shape index (round shape) and seed size have important effects on pumpkin yield. To investigate these traits and create the most desirable state, a cross was made between two pumpkin cultivars. The objective of this study was to estimate the main gene effects (additive, dominant and di-genic epistasis) and to determine the mode of inheritance for fruit shape and seed size by generation mean analysis. Six generations, namely P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2 from a cross between Zucchini and hull-less seed Pumpkin, S10×P25, were constructed and evaluated for fruit length, fruit width, fruit shape index, and some seed-related traits (seed length, seed width, seed thickness). The experiment was conducted in the research field of the Faculty of Agricultural Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran in 2019. Results showed a significant difference between generations in terms of fruit and seed traits. Scale and joint scale tests showed the presence of epistasis for some traits. According to the results of the average traits of different generations, standard heterosis and hetrobeltiosis were observed. Concerning the fruit shape index and seed width, there was an over-dominance effect. The broad-sense heritability of the traits was relatively high for all traits and between 52 and 92%. Narrow sense heritability was between 26 and 86% and relatively low for the fruit shape index and seed width. Therefore, selection of elite lines and production of their hybrids are recommended as two methods suitable for breeding to achieve the round shape index and larger seed size.

Estimating genetic variability, gene effect, heritability, and genetic advance of yield component agronomic traits: towards the improvement of peanut agronomic traits.

Background: Peanut is an important oil and legume food crop for human and feed for livestock. Peanut yield association characters like pod and seed traits are the most widely targeted parameter. Peanut yield is a function of growth rate, duration of reproductive growth, and the fraction of crop growth rate which are partitioned toward pod yield. For effective selection, heritability along with genetic advance is more useful than the estimation of only heritability. Methods: The present study field design was laid out using single row and single plot techniques. Pod length, pod width, pod length by width, seed length, seed width, seed length by width yield contributing data were collected both from two parents and 251 RIL populations across two locations in two consecutive cropping seasons (2015/2016 & 2016/2017). Data analysis was computed through SAS ver.9.4 and PBTools ver.1.4. Results: The highest genotypic coefficient of variation was found in pod length (22.47), number of pods per plant (23.66), pod yield per plant (28.43), multiple seedpods per plant (30.44). The highest narrow sense heritability was found in seed length (66%), pod length by width (87%), and pod thickness (93%), meanwhile, the highest broad sense heritability values have been recorded in seed length (99%), seed length by width (99%), number of pods per plant (95%), shelling percentage (94%), pod thickness (93%), thickness of pod shells (92), seed yield per plant (89%), seed thickness (87%), seed width (83%), multiple seedpods per plant (79%), and pod weight per plant (75%). The highest genetic advance as percent of mean values occurred in multiple seedpods per plant (215.44), number of pods per plant (85.28), pod yield per plant (64.90), seed yield per plant (63.49), thickness of pod shells (56.87), pod length by width (36.55), seed length by width (30.98), and seed length (23.26). Conclusions: Additive gene effects were observed in the traits of seed length, seed length by width, pod length, pod width, pod length by width, pod thickness, thickness of pod shells, and multiple seedpods per plant. The highest broad sense heritability values coupled with high genetic gain were estimated in multiple seedpods per plant, number of pods per plant, pod weight plant, seed weight per plant, thickness of pod shells, pod length by width, seed length by width. Therefore, in the present study, use more pod and seed-related traits than the previous findings.

Maternal effect of agronomic and morphological characters on cluster structure of F3 soybean lines

Badiaraja PH, Zubaidah S, Kuswantoro H. 2021. Maternal effect of agronomic and morphological characters on cluster structure of F3 soybean lines. Biodiversitas 22: 969-982. The study was to determine the maternal effect on the agronomic and morphological characters and their impact on F3 soybean lines cluster structure. The results showed the maternal effect was found in agronomic and morphological characters. In agronomic characters, the maternal effect was shown by plant height, number of productive nodes, number of filled pods, seed weight per plant, and 100-seed weight. In morphological characters, pod width, pod thickness, seed width, and seed thickness were shown by pod width. Based on cluster analysis results, at Grobogan/UM 3-2 cross, the best individuals for the number of branches, the number of productive nodes, the number of filled pods, the number of unfilled pods, the number of seeds per plant, and the seed yield per plant were obtained in Cluster 2. For the 100-seed weight, pod length, pod width, pod thickness, seed width, and seed thickness, the best individuals were in Cluster 1. Meanwhile, at UM 3-2/Grobogan cross, the best individuals for the plant height were in Cluster 2, while seed length was in Cluster 3. For the number of seeds per pod, the best individuals can be obtained from Cluster 6. The maternal-effect led to the cluster structure differed between cross and its reciprocal.

Characterization of fruits of varieties of mango (Mangifera indica) conserved in Peru

The department of Piura is the main mango producer in Peru accounting for 66.7% of the national crop. The objective of the study was to characterize the fruits of forty varieties of mango preserved since 1969 in northwestern Peru. The fruits were harvested at the El Chira Agrarian Experimental Station, Department of Piura from December 2019 to January 2020. Thirteen quantitative fruit variables were evaluated: width, thickness, length, weight, seed width, seed thickness, seed length, percentage of seed, percentage of fresh skin, percentage of pulp, texture, °Brix, and pulp / seed ratios. The varieties with the highest percentage of pulp were Tommy Atkins, Haden x carabao 1, Irwin, and Jaffra, the latter was also the variety with the highest pulp / seed ratio (17.0). The varieties with the highest ° Brix were Blacman (21.3 ° Brix) and Julie (22.0 ° Brix). Knowledge of the fruit characteristics is essential for proper selection and use by the industry, especially those with a higher pulp weight to obtaining higher yields in processing.

Determination of Characteristics Properties of Some Sunflower Seed in Erzurum and Iğdır Irrigated Conditions

This research was carried out between the years of 2015-2016 in order todetermine the seed properties of some sunflower genotypes in Erzurum and Iğdır irrigated conditions. In this study seven type of (Coral, P4Ll62, Pactol, Lg5580, Tarsan, 08Tr003, Cadix) sunflower cultivars were used and grain length, width, thickness, dehulled seed (internal rate of grain) and shell ratio of the samples were examined. In this study significant were found the other features except seed width and thickness where some sunflower of grown in different location. In the designed location in Erzurum; grain length, width, thickness, dehulled seed were determined as 11.8–13.4 mm (Coral: P4Ll62), 5.8-6.2 mm (Coral: Lg5580 and Tarsan), 3.5-4.4 mm (Coral and Pactol: Cadix), 16.3-21.3 mm (Cadix: P4Ll62 and Tarsan 1018) and 56.3-76.3 mm (Tarsan and Cadix: P4Ll62). In the designated location in Iğdır, these values ranged between 11.5-14.2 mm (Coral: P4Ll62), 5.5-6.5 mm (Pactol: Tarsan 1018 and Cadix), 3.6-4.1 mm (Coral and Pactol: Cadix), 16.7-26.7mm (P4Ll62 and Pactol: Cadix) and 66.7-81.7 mm (Pactol: Cadix) respectively. According to these results, the designated location for this research in Iğdır come in to prominence in terms of the investigated properties.

Seed Characterization and Relationships between Seed and Cotyledon Properties in Lagenaria spp. Accessions

Bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] is widely produced in some Asian and African countries as a fresh vegetable as well as for seed consumption. A major use of bottle gourd is for rootstocks in grafted watermelon production. There are several centers where bottle gourd genetic resources are maintained, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) germplasm collection being one of the most important. There is little published information on the relationship between seed morphology and the early establishment of seedlings in bottle gourd. The objective of this study was to determine seed characterization, morphology, and cotyledon shape in 163 Lagenaria spp. accessions and measure any relationship between seed and cotyledon characteristics. In USDA Lagenaria germplasm, it has been determined that the common character in seeds was medium in terms of seed size (53% of accessions), intermediate in seed surface lustre (39% of accessions), brown in seedcoat color (89% of accessions), thin and uniform in seed margin (35% of accessions), and tan in seed margin color (64% of accessions). According to the research results, seed weight ranged from 0.11 g (PI 500820) to 0.36 g (PI 675112), seed length from 13.17 mm (PI 500820) to 23.68 mm (PI 675112), and seed width from 5.86 (PI 500808) to 11.21 mm (PI 491274). Cotyledon length ranged from 5.46 cm (PI 368640) to 2.47 cm (PI 381850). The widest cotyledon was 3.00 cm (PI 534552), and the narrowest was 1.50 cm (PI 381831). Interesting correlations were observed for seed weight with seed length (R2 = 0.259), and cotyledon length with cotyledon width (R2 = 0.547).

Phenotipic diversity and biometry of fruit and seeds of a natural population of Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul.

Phenotipic diversity and biometry of fruit and seeds of a natural population of Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. The aim of this study was to characterize and estimate the phenotipic diversity of Cenostigma macrophyllum in a natural population in the state of Piauí (PI), Brazil, from the physical characteristics of the fruit and seeds. The data were collected in the municipality of Floriano, PI. The following variables were evaluated in biometry: fruit length (mm), fruit width (mm), fruit weight (g), number of seeds per sample fruit, seed length (mm), seed width (mm), and seed thickness (mm). The biometric data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and deviations from normality of the data were confirmed by the Lilliefors test for use of the Spearman non-parametric correlation. The phenotipic divergence observed among the individuals was based on cluster analyses (Tocher and UPGMA) and principal components. According to principal components and the dendrogram, individuals 3 and 11 have the greatest dissimilarity. The variables related to the fruit (length, width, and weight) had significant positive correlation, and these variables were the ones that most contributed to intraspecific variation. The results obtained were relevant because they will assist studies related to pre-breeding and conservation of the species.