Adaptability, stability and environmental stratification of genetically and nongenetically modified corn in the Cerrado

ABSTRACT Crop yield depends on interaction between genetic and environmental factors, making it essential to study adaptability, stability and environmental stratification in order to mitigate the effects of this interaction. Four experiments were conducted to assess competition between corn cultivars in the 2018/19 growing season, two in Paraíso do Tocantins and two in Palmas, with sowing performed on November 5, 2018 and January 15, 2019. Cultivar-environment interaction was analyzed in genetically modified (GM) and non-GM commercial corn cultivars in the Vale do Araguaia region of Tocantins state (TO), Brazil, A randomized block design was used for all the experiments, in 3 × 12 factorial scheme, with three doses of nitrogen fertilizer as topdressing (50, 100 and 150 kg of N ha-1) and 12 commercial cultivars (six non-GM, 1CHD, 2CV, 3CV, 4CV, 5CTH, 6CDH and six GM, 7GTH, 8GTH, 9GSH, 10GSH, 11GSH, 12GSH. For statistical analysis, the N dose in each experiment represented a different environment. The characteristic studied was grain yield, using the adaptability and stability methods as well as environmental stratification. Different responses were observed between the GM and non-GM cultivars. Most of the GM and non-GM cultivars were better adapted to favorable and unfavorable environments, respectively. All the environments exhibited similar behavior regardless of location, sowing time and the N dose used, demonstrating that fewer environments can be used in future breeding research.

Phenolics and Mineral Elements Composition in Underutilized Apple Varieties

(1) Background: The aim of this research is to study the importance of improving knowledge of old variety apples in terms of phytochemicals, antioxidant capacity and mineral elements. (2) Methods: Fifteen phenolic compounds (UHPLC-MS/MS techniques), eight mineral elements (Ca, K, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Na and Mg), antioxidant capacity (DPPH%) and vitamin C content in four ancient apple varieties of Tuscany (‘Mora’, ‘Nesta’, ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’), with the ‘Golden Delicious’ cultivar as reference, were analyzed. (3) Results: Ancient cultivars exhibited a superior antioxidant capacity compared to commercial cultivars. ECTC and CGA were the polyphenols that mostly characterized the ancient apples. The contents of the elements of concern, Zn and Mn, were higher in the ancient cultivars ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’, while Na showed significant low concentration in ‘Nesta’, ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’ compared to ‘Golden Delicious’. The vitamin C content also indicated that ‘Mora’, ‘Panaia’ and ‘Ruggina’ old variety had an AsA content around 10 times higher than the ‘Golden Delicious’ apple. (4) Conclusions: Underutilized varieties could be an excellent source of bioactive phenolic phytochemicals, mineral nutrients and vitamins that may offer special nutraceutical benefits compared to other fruits.

Agronomic and sensory evaluation of lettuce in hydroponic system

Lettuce is the most important leafy vegetable in Brazil. Hydroponic lettuce cultivation has grown due to the viability of harvesting throughout the year. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, color, and preference of curly lettuce in the NFT hydroponic system. Six lineages (6601-1A, 6601-2L, 7016-6A, 7119-1B, 7223-1A, and 7224-4A) and two commercial cultivars (Brida and Vanda) of lettuce were used, in a completely randomized blocks design with four replications. Shoot length, root length, stem length, number of leaves, stem diameter, plant diameter, shoot fresh mass, root fresh mass, chlorophyll content, instrumental color, and sensory characteristics were evaluated. As for agronomic evaluation, the bolting of 6601-2L lettuce was relevant in different attributes. The Vanda lettuce and the lineage 7016-6A presented best performances for shoot fresh mass (399.44 and 378.63 g, respectively), while the lineages 7119-1B and 6601-2L present the worst performance (279.50 and 273.13 g, respectively). There was variation in chlorophyll content and luminosity, however, the evaluators did not notice differences between lettuces for brightness or green color, as well as for crunchy texture. Lettuces 6601-2L, 7224-4A, 6601-1A, Brida, 7223-1A, and 7119-1B were preferred. The variation among plants may be due to different situations, such as harvesting times and bolting, and a direct relationship between agronomic properties and preference among lettuces has not been established yet.

Rapeseed as an Ornamental

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is one of the most important oil crops worldwide. However, an intriguing new use for rapeseed has recently developed: as an ornamental. Tourism based on blossoming fields of these yellow flowers has become a new economic growth opportunity in China. From a breeding perspective, two main problems currently limit the potential of rapeseed as an ornamental. First, the flowering period is quite short (30 days on average), which limits economic income; second, the flower color in commercial cultivars is currently limited to bright yellow, which may pall quickly for sightseers. This review summarizes the possible problems of using rapeseed as an ornamental, and details factors affecting the flowering period, how the flowering period can be prolonged by integrating optimal cultivation measures or/and spraying with chemical reagents, and ways of creating and breeding rapeseed with diverse flower colors.

Hybrids of Solanum corymbiflorum and S. diploconos (Solanaceae) – a hope for new commercial varieties of edible fruits

Solanum diploconos (Mart.) Bohs („guava tamarillo”) and Solanum corymbiflorum (Sendtn.) Bohs („hardy tamarillo”) are wild relatives to subtropical, orchard, small tree – Solanum betaceum Cav. (called simply „tamarillo”). Both these species create edible fruits, but they have not been cultivated widely so far as fruit trees. However, each one of these species has valuable features. Solanum corymbiflorum is quite hardy to frost, deciduous and early blooming both in fenological year time as well as in its lifespan but has untasty fruits. Solanum diploconos has quite good tasting fruits and it is pest and disease resistant. This work has been an attempt to connect their best features in hybrids to create new, potentially commercial cultivars to grow as fruit plants. Three types of hybrids were created: F1 hybrid type – Solanum corymbiflorum × Solanum diploconos, BC1 backrossing type - (Solanum corymbiflorum × Solanum diploconos) × Solanum corymbiflorum and the second BC1 backcrossing type – (Solanum corymbiflorum × Solanum diploconos) × Solanum diploconos. Out of the numerous variable individuals within each type, we selected three very valuable from an agronomic point of view cultivars (Solanum 'Lynn', 'Pinczow Springs' and 'Iwona'). The work with crossing and selecting the next cultivars will be continued.

Characterisation of novel endogenous geminiviral elements in macadamia

Background The presence of geminivirus sequences in a preliminary analysis of sRNA sequences from the leaves of macadamia trees with abnormal vertical growth (AVG) syndrome was investigated. Results A locus of endogenous geminiviral elements (EGE) in the macadamia genome was analysed, and the sequences revealed a high level of deletions and/or partial integrations, thus rendering the EGE transcriptionally inactive. The replication defective EGE in the macadamia genome indicates its inability to be the source of new viral infections and thus cause AVG or any other disease in macadamia. The EGE sequences were detected in two edible Macadamia species that constitute commercial cultivars and the wild germplasm of edible and inedible species of Macadamia. This strongly suggests that the integration preceded speciation of the genus Macadamia. A draft genome of a locus of EGE in Macadamia was developed. The findings of this study provide evidence to suggest the endogenization of the geminiviral sequences in the macadamia genome and the ancestral relationship of EGE with Macadamia in the Proteaceae family. Random mutations accumulating in the EGE inform that the sequence is evolving. Conclusions The EGE in Macadamia is inactive and thus not a direct cause of any diseases or syndromes including AVG in macadamia. The insertion of the EGE in the macadamia genome preceded speciation of the genus Macadamia.

Viral Diseases of Strawberry

Viral diseases in strawberry are not easily detected because most single virus infections are symptomless on commercial cultivars. However, virus outbreaks have the potential for epidemics and economic losses. A mixed virus infection of Strawberry Mild Yellow Edge Virus (SMYEV) and Strawberry Mottle Virus (SMoV) was identified in several southeastern states during the 2012-13 season, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. This updated version of a previous publication offers basic information on viral diseases of strawberry, with emphasis on viruses of potential threat to the strawberry industry in Florida. The primary target audience of this publication includes growers and industry personnel, extension agents and pathologists working with strawberry. Originally published April 2010: Moyer, Catalina, Vance Whitaker, and Natalia Peres. 2010. “Viral Diseases of Strawberries”. EDIS 2010 (4). https://journals.flvc.org/edis/article/view/118602.