Variation of phenotypic and physiological traits of Robinia pseudoacacia L. from 20 provenances

To select elite Robinia pseudoacacia L. germplasm resources for production, 13 phenotypes and three physiological indicators of 214 seedlings from 20 provenances were systematically evaluated and analyzed. The leaf phenotypic and physiological coefficients of variation among the genotypes ranged from 3.741% to 19.599% and from 8.260% to 42.363%, respectively. The Kentucky provenance had the largest coefficient of variation (18.541%). The average differentiation coefficients between and within provenances were 34.161% and 38.756%, respectively. These close percentages showed that R. pseudoacacia presented high genetic variation among and within provenances, which can be useful for assisted migration and breeding programs. Furthermore, based on the results of correlations, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, breeding improvements targeting R. pseudoacacia’s ornamental value, food value, and stress resistance of were performed. Forty and 30 excellent individuals, accounting for 18.692% and 14.019%, respectively, of the total resources. They were ultimately screened, after comprehensively taking into considering leaf phenotypic traits including compound leaf length, leaflet number and leaflet area and physiological characteristics including proline and soluble protein contents. These selected individuals could provide a base material for improved variety conservation and selection.

Defining the components of the miRNA156-SPL-miR172 aging pathway in pea and their expression relative to changes in leaf morphology

The timing of developmental phase transitions is crucial for plant reproductive success, and two microRNAs (miRNA), miR156 and miR172, are implicated in the control of these changes, together with their respective SQUAMOSA promoter binding-like (SPL) and APETALA2 (AP2)-like targets. While their patterns of regulation have been studied in a growing range of species, to date they have not been examined in pea (Pisum sativum), an important legume crop and model species. We analysed the recently-released pea genome and defined nine miR156, 21 SPL, four miR172, and five AP2-like genes. Phylogenetic analysis of the SPL genes in pea, Medicago and Arabidopsis confirmed the eight previously defined clades, and identified a ninth potentially legume-specific SPL clade in pea and Medicago. Among the PsSPL, 14 contain a miR156 binding site and all five AP2-like transcription factors in pea include a miR172 binding site. Phylogenetic relationships, expression levels and temporal expression changes identified PsSPL2a/3a/3c/6b/9a/9b/13b/21, PsmiR156d/j and PsmiR172a/d as the most likely of these genes to participate in phase change in pea. Comparisons with leaf morphology suggests that vegetative phase change is unlikely to be definitively marked by a change in leaflet number. In addition, the timing of FT gene induction suggests that the shift from the juvenile to the adult vegetative phase may occur within fourteen days in plants grown under inductive conditions, and calls into question the contribution of miR172/AP2 to the floral transition. This work provides the first insight into the nature of vegetative phase change in pea, and an important foundation for future functional studies.

Dichocarpum hagiangense—a new species and an updated checklist of Ranunculaceae in Vietnam

Dichocarpum hagiangense from Ha Giang province, northern Vietnam is described and illustrated. Diagnostic features of the new species are a short rhizomatous stem, (2–)3-foliolate or simple leaves, and pink-purple flowers. The described species is distinct from closely allied D. trifoliolatum in having longer sepals, shape and obcordate apex of petal limbs, shorter flower stem, number and tooth shape of basal leaves; it differs from D. basilare and D. carinatum in having stem leaf, retuse apex and longer of central leaflet, number and (2–)3-foliated (or simple) of leaf. With the support of molecular data, the new species was clearly distinguished from other species in the Dichocarpum group by eight autapomorphic characters in nrITS sequence. A key to all species of Dichocarpum is provided. We suggest the IUCN conservation status of D. hagiangense to be “Critically Endangered”. A newest checklist of the family Ranunculaceae in Vietnam is updated.

Indigofera yuanjiangensis (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae), a new species from Yunnan, China

Indigofera yuanjiangensis X.F. Gao & Xue Li Zhao (Fabaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Information about its distribution, habitat, and phenology is also provided. The species is morphologically similar to I. megaphylla, I. esquirolii and I. sticta, but they differ in the leaf length, leaflet number, leaflet size, raceme length, flower color and standard size.

Pengaruh Bobot Biji terhadap Pertumbuhan Semai Petai (Parkia speciosa Hassk.)

One of the horticultural commodities included in the national seed provision program in 2018 is a stinking bean. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of seed weight on stink bean seedling growth. The research was conducted at Sumani Research Station, Indonesian Tropical Fruit Research Institute, from September to December 2017. A Complete Randomized Block Design was used in this study consisted of 5 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments were stink bean seed weights, namely: A) 1.5-1.8 g; B) 1.9-2.2 g; C) 2.3-2.6 g; D) 2.7-3 g; and E) > 3 g. The observed variables were plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaflet number, total dry weight of plants, length of roots, and a number of living seedlings. Data analysis used analysis of variance (ANOVA) and was proceeded with HSD test at α 5% if these treatments given gave significantly different effects. The results showed that the stink bean seed weight significantly affected the growth parameters of seedlings, including plant height, stem diameter, leaflet number, dry weights (of roots, upper parts of plants, and total) at 12 weeks after sowing. The seedlings from seeds weighing >3 g had the highest plant height, stem diameter, leaflet number, and dry weight (of roots, upper parts of plants, and total) compared to those seedlings from smaller seeds. Keywords: stink bean, seed weight, seedling growth ABSTRAK Salah satu komoditas hortikultura yang termasuk dalam program perbenihan nasional pada tahun 2018 adalah petai. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh bobot biji terhadap pertumbuhan semai petai. Penelitian dilakukan di KP Sumani, Balai Penelitian Tanaman Buah Tropika, mulai bulan September sampai Desember 2017. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak kelompok lengkap dengan lima perlakuan dan empat ulangan. Perlakuan adalah bobot biji petai, yaitu: A) 1,5-1,8 g; B) 1,9-2,2 g; C) 2,3-2,6 g; D) 2,7-3 g; dan E) > 3 g. Peubah yang diamati adalah tinggi tanaman, diameter batang, jumlah daun, jumlah anak daun,bobot kering total tanaman, panjang akar dan jumlah benih hidup. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis ragam dan dilanjutkan dengan uji beda BNJ 5% jika perlakuan yang diberikan memberikan pengaruh yang nyata. Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bobot biji petai berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter pertumbuhan, seperti tinggi tanaman, diameter batang, jumlah anak daun, bobot kering (akar, bagian atas tanaman dan total) pada umur 12 minggu setelah semai. Semaian dari biji dengan bobot > 3 g mempunyai tinggi tanaman, diameter batang, jumlah anak daun dan bobot kering (akar, bagian atas tanaman dan total) yang terbesar dibandingkan bibit-bibit dari biji-biji yang lebih kecil. Kata kunci: bobot biji, pertumbuhan bibit, petai

Effect of Potting Mixture of Poultry Manure and Horse-dung on the Growth of Tamarindus indica L. (Tamarind) Seedlings

This study examined the effect of potting mixture of poultry manure and horse-dung on the growth of Tamarindus indica L. The experiment was carried out at the Federal College of Forestry, Ibadan and lasted for Sixteen (16) weeks. Four weeks old seedlings were transplanted into polythene pots thoroughly mixed with varying levels of poultry manure and horse-dung at 5 g, 7.5 g and 10 g level of application with 2 kg of top soil each. Control plants received no treatments. The experiment was laid out in complete randomized design (CRD) with seven (7) treatments replicated four times each. The following variables were assessed weekly for a period of sixteen weeks: Plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and leaflet number. The data collected was afterwards subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significance. The result shows the treatment T5 which is application of 7.5 g of horse-dung had the best performance with respect to plant height, treatment T3 which the application of 10 g of poultry manure performed best with respect to number of leaflet. Treatment T2 which is the application of 7.5 g of poultry manure had the best performance with respect to production of leaves and treatment T1 which is the application of 5 g of poultry manure performed best with respect to stem girth. Based on the results of this study treatment T5 (horse-dung at 7.5 g) and treatment T1 (poultry manure at 5 g) can be recommended for timber production and furniture making if the trait of desire is along that line. Also treatment T3 (poultry manure at 10g) and treatment T2 (poultry manure at 7.5 g) can be recommended for medicinal purpose and as food if the trait of desire is along that line.

A review of Austrocallerya and Pongamia (Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae) in Australia, and the description of a new monotypic genus, Ibatiria

A review of Austrocallerya J.Compton & Schrire and Pongamia Adans. (Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae) in Australia, and the description of a new monotypic genus, Ibatiria W.E.Cooper, is presented with the support of fresh, dried, spirit-preserved specimens, molecular phylogenetic analysis of plastid and nuclear data, and illustrations. Three Austrocallerya species are confirmed, described and distinguished for Australia. Two varieties of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre are recognised; P. pinnata var. minor (Benth.) Domin is reinstated and is distinguished from var. pinnata by habitat, leaflet number and width, floral bract length and bracteole length. The new genus, Ibatiria, includes a single species, Ibatiria furfuracea W.E.Cooper, from Queensland’s Wet Tropics Bioregion. A second-step lectotype is designated for Pterocarpus australis Endl., and lectotypes are designated for Wisteria megasperma F.Muell. and Pongamia glabra var. minor Benth.

Phytoremediation Potentials and Effects of Lead on Growth of Pteris vittata L. and Pityrogramma calomelanos L. (Pteridaceae: Fern)

Phytoremediation, tolerance and bio-accumulation potentials of lead in the roots and shoots of Pteris vittata and Pityrogramma calomelanos were investigated to ascertain the effects of lead on thee species’ growth and development. Within the experiment, 5 kg of air dried and sieved soil was put inside six plastic pots labelled CT, A, B, C, D and E, each with different concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 ppm) of lead (II) trioxonitrate (v) salt. The shoots and roots of the plants were air dried, grounded and analysed for lead quantities using x-ray fluorescence before and after the treatments. One-month old healthy fernlets of each species were transplanted into each of the pots, in six replicates. Growth parameters such as leaflet area, number of leaflets and frond height were recorded weekly, for 12 weeks. Quantitative data were analysed for significant difference using analysis of variance for each of the plant species and means were evaluated with Duncan's multiple range test for frond height, leaflet number, leaflet area, roots and shoots biomass. Negative effects (decrease) on the growth parameters were observed in both species. Pteris vittata accumulated more lead in all the treatments, in both shoots and roots, compared with Pityrogramma calomelanos. The highest bio-accumulation factor in Pteris vittata shoot was 2.944 and 0.635 in Pityrogramma calomelanos.Transfer factor of Pteris vittata was 1.742, while for Pityrogramma calomelanos was 0.859 in all the treatments. It could be concluded that Pteris vittata is a better bio-accumulator, tolerated more lead and therefore could be used in remediating lead-contaminated soils, better than Pityrogramma calomelanos.