Research on Lightweight Citrus Flowering Rate Statistical Model Combined with Anchor Frame Clustering Optimization

At present, learning-based citrus blossom recognition models based on deep learning are highly complicated and have a large number of parameters. In order to estimate citrus flower quantities in natural orchards, this study proposes a lightweight citrus flower recognition model based on improved YOLOv4. In order to compress the backbone network, we utilize MobileNetv3 as a feature extractor, combined with deep separable convolution for further acceleration. The Cutout data enhancement method is also introduced to simulate citrus in nature for data enhancement. The test results show that the improved model has an mAP of 84.84%, 22% smaller than that of YOLOv4, and approximately two times faster. Compared with the Faster R-CNN, the improved citrus flower rate statistical model proposed in this study has the advantages of less memory usage and fast detection speed under the premise of ensuring a certain accuracy. Therefore, our solution can be used as a reference for the edge detection of citrus flowering.

Agronomic characterization of sunflower cultivars for animal feeding in tropical conditions

This study was developed to examine morpho-agronomic traits of 18 sunflower cultivars and identify superior cultivars in terms of grain yield, forage quality, or both, for animal feeding. Twenty-two morpho-agronomic traits related to plant development and architecture; earliness of maturity; grain yield (achenes); dry matter yield; and dry matter content were evaluated. Cultivars Hélio 253, Hélio 358, Embrapa 122, BRS 321, and Hélio 360 showed inflorescence at the final stage. Aguará 4 showed the lowest flowering rate, characterizing it as late-maturing. For grain yield, cultivars Charrua, Olisun 3, BRS 321, Paraíso 103CL, Paraíso 65, Aguará 6, and CF 101 are recommended, as they showed the highest achene yields (average: 1,541.67 to 2,148.81 kg.ha−1, respectively). Cultivars Charrua, Hélio 251, Olisun 3, Hélio 360, Paraíso 55, and Paraíso 103CL exhibited higher dry matter yields (9,550.93 to 11,789.91 kg ha−1) and were thus indicated for forage production. Cultivars Charrua, Olisun 3, BRS 321, Paraíso 103CL, Paraíso 65, Aguará 6, and CF 101 are recommended for grain yield, for the diet of monogastric animals; Charrua, Hélio 251, Olisun 3, Hélio 360, Paraíso 55, and Paraíso 103CL for forage yield, for ruminant feeding; and Charrua, Olisun 3, and Paraíso 103CL for both purposes.

Study of compatibility and determination of the suitable pollinizer for Argane tree (Argania spinosa L.)

During the breeding program studies, the pollen donor parents (pollinizers) were observed to be characterized by a strong flowering rate and very low fruit set, even after hand pollination. Then the notion of pollinizers in the argane species was born, first mentioned, checked, documented and confirmed like other conventional tree species. Since the argane tree is completely self-incompatible, the presence of compatible pollinizers is necessary for the fruit set. Indeed, pollinizers need to be selected accurately based on the synchronization of bloom periods and compatibility to receiver trees (female). The pollinizer is essential in any breeding program and for new orchard plantations. The current study was conducted on 13 argane genotypes including two pollinizers. The flowering period, bloom phenology, floral structure and fruit set of crossed genotypes were monitored, illustrated and a season phenogram was established. The pollen viability and germination were also evaluated. In order to test compatibility, the hand pollination using two selected pollinizer pollens was compared to open pollination. Then, the compatibility system was monitored and evaluated through analysis of crossing diallel programs and through the index of self-incompatibility. The flowering periods are genotype depending and one to three blooms have been observed during the two years study (2018-2019) and the argane tree is a tristylous species (Mesostylous, brevistylous and longistylous flowers). The in vitro tests showed that the pollen originated from crossed genotypes were viable and able to germinate. The cross-compatibility rate depends on cross associations and it varies from 39 to 84 %. In fact, this study showed that the effect of pollen-parent (xenia) occurs in all fruit components of argane tree. It was observed, for the first time, that both compatible pollinizers and xenic effects of pollen on argane fruit have occurred. Artificial pollination is currently feasible for breeding programs and the screening of elite genotypes. Then the selected pollinizer is quite required for the development of argane tree cropping.

Effect of Nitrate Concentration on the Growth, Bolting and Related Gene Expression in Flowering Chinese Cabbage

Nitrogen concentration affects growth and bolting of plants, but its regulation mechanism is still unclear. In this work, three nitrate concentration treatments (5%, 100%, 200%) in nutrient solution were conducted to explore the internal relationship between nitrogen and bolting in flowering Chinese cabbage. The results showed that the bolting and flowering time was earlier under the treatment with low nitrate and, the lower the nitrate concentration, the earlier the bolting and flowering. Low-nitrate treatment reduced the content of nitrate, soluble protein, free amino acid and total nitrogen, and increased the C/N ratio. The C/N ratio was significantly negatively correlated with plant height, stem thickness and biomass, while it was significantly positively correlated with flowering rate. Thus, it was indicated that nitrogen may affect bolting and flowering by regulating the C/N ratio of flowering Chinese cabbage plants. The expression of flowering-related genes (SOC1, LFY) was increased significantly under low nitrate treatment. In addition, the pith cell area at the stem tip was significantly reduced under low nitrate treatment, resulting in a significant decrease in stem thickness. The expression of cyclin- and expansin-related genes (CYCD3-3, CYCB1-1 and EXPA8) was significantly reduced, which indicated that nitrogen may regulate the stem development of flowering Chinese cabbage by regulating the expression of cyclin- and expansin-related genes.

Strategies of fertilizer application for ornamental pineapple plants grown in pots under anti-aphid screen

ABSTRACT Production of ornamental pineapple plants in pots is a recent mode of growing pineapple that demands information on application of soil mineral fertilizers to compose the production system. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of five strategies of application of soil mineral fertilizer on the vegetative and reproductive growths of potted ornamental pineapple plants. The experiment was conducted under an anti-aphid screen, from June 17, 2015 to May 21, 2016, in Fortaleza, Ceará state, Brazil. A completely randomized design with six treatments and four replicates was used, consisted of four plants per plot. The treatments consisted of application of a slow-release fertilizer; conventional soil fertilizer application; fertigation at every 30, 60, and 90 days; and no soil fertilizer application (control). The plants were grown in 1 L pots and irrigated using a drip system every two days. The variables evaluated were: number of leaves; ‘D’ leaf length and width; shoot apex diameter; plant height; flowering rate; length and diameter of peduncle, syncarp, and crown; crown to syncarp ratio; and percentage of marketable plants. Despite the different plant growth, all strategies of soil fertilizer application used can be recommended for ornamental pineapple plants, since they do not hinder the esthetic quality and dimensions required for marketing these plants in pots. Pineapple production without application of soil fertilizers should be avoided, since it reduces the percentage of marketable plants.

Biological effects of electron beam to target turning X-ray (EBTTX) on two freesia (Freesia hybrida) cultivars

Electron beam to target turning X-ray (EBTTX) is an emerging irradiation technology that can potentially accelerate the breeding process of plants. The biological effects of EBTTX irradiation on the two freesia cultivars (the red freesia and the purple freesia) were investigated by establishing an irradiation-mediated mutation breeding protocol. The germination rate, survival rate, plant height, leaf number and area, root number and length of the two freesia cultivars decreased following different irradiation doses (25, 50, 75, and 100-Gy). A high irradiation dose exhibited stronger inhibition effects on these plant growth parameters, and the survival rate of the two freesia cultivars was 0.00% following the 100-Gy irradiation treatment. The median lethal dose (LD50) based on survival rates was 54.28-Gy for the red freesia and 60.11-Gy for the purple freesia. The flowering rate, flower number, and pollen vigor were significantly decreased by irradiation treatment. At 75-Gy irradiation, the flowering rate, flower number and pollen viability of the two varieties reached the minimum, exhibiting strong inhibitory effects. Meanwhile, 75-Gy irradiation significantly decreased the chlorophyll content and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the two freesia cultivars. Furthermore, as the irradiation dose increased, the changes in the micro-morphology of the leaf epidermis and pollen gradually increased according to a scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. These results are expected to provide useful information for the mutation breeding of different freesia cultivars and other flowering plants.

STUDY ON FACTORS AFFECTING THE FLOWERING OF FORGET-ME-NOT (Browallia americana L.) IN VITRO CULTURE

Vegetative to reproductive transition depends on different factors. This study was conducted to examine factors affecting the growth and flowering of Browallia americana L. in vitro such as the age of the sample, mineral content, plant growth regulators, concentration and type of sugar, ventilation culture. The results showed that 40-day-old shoots were a suitable source of in vitro flowering (90.85% after 45 days of culture). Mineralcontent had a great influence on the ability to differentiate flower buds of plants, the highest in Murashige and Skoog medium (87.22% after 45 days of culture). Meanwhile, most of the plant growth regulators which were surveyed in this study inhibited the flowering. In particular, culture medium with glucose showed higher flowering efficiency than saccharose, the highest flowering rate was at 50 mg/L glucoses (90.52%, with 3.50 flower buds/explant after 30 days of culture). In addition, ventilation culture, which used plastic wrapedwith milipore filter had the highest rate of flower bud formation (average 3.58 flower buds/plant). This result is an important foundation for studying the flowering of in vitro plant culture, which will be one of the great paradigm plants for teaching and basic research.

Selection of promising apple varieties of summer ripening period to optimize the assortment in the conditions of Crimea

В статье изложены результаты изучения 5 сортов летнего срока созревания отечественной и зарубежной селекции. Исследования проводились в опытно-демонстрационном саду ФГБУН «Ордена Трудового Красного Знамени Никитский Ботанический сад - Национальный научный центр РАН». В ходе анализа собранного материала были выделены сорта с хозяйственно ценными признаками для условий Предгорного Крыма, позволяющие увеличить сортовое разнообразие летней группы сортов. Наиболее раннее цветение, согласно многолетним данным, было наблюдаемо у сорта яблони Монтет. Были определены среднемноголетняя степень цветения, балл цветения, средняя масса плода. Был установлен срок созревания плодов данных сортов яблони в условиях Предгорного Крыма. Наблюдалась поражаемость изучаемых сортов яблони паршой и мучнистой росой. Был проведен биохимический анализ данных сортов яблок, в ходе которого изучались такие показатели как концентрация аскорбиновой кислоты, кислотность сока плодов, сумма сахаров, концентрация растворимых сухих веществ, концентрация абсолютно сухих веществ, был определен сахаро-кислотный индекс. Также была проведена дегустация изучаемых сортов яблони, в ходе которой наибольшую оценку получил сорт яблок Настя (4,8 бала). The article presents the results of study of 5 apple varieties of summer ripening period of domestic and foreign breeding. The research was conducted in the experimental and demonstrational yard of Nikitsky Botanical Garden - National Scientific Center of the RAS. Cultivars with economically valuable characteristics capable to increase the diversity of summer group of varieties were distinguished taking into account the conditions of the Piedmont zone of Crimea. The earliest flowering, according to long-term data, was observed for ‘Montet’ apple variety. The long-run annual average flowering rate, flowering score and average fruit weight were determined. Period of fruit ripening of these apple varieties in the conditions of the Piedmont zone of Crimea was established. The infestation of studied apple varieties with scab and powdery mildew was observed. Biochemical analysis of these apple varieties was carried out, during which we studied such parameters as: concentration of ascorbic acid, acidity of fruit juice, total amount of sugars, concentration of soluble solids and absolutely dry substances. Sugar-acid index was also determined. There was also a tasting assessment of the studied apple varieties, during which the highest rating was given to ‘Nastya’ apple variety (4.8 points).

Morphology Character and Andrographolide Quantifications on Sambiloto ( Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Nees) Karakter Morfologi dan Kuantifikasi Andrografolid Pada Sambiloto ( Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Nees )

ABSTRACTThe Morphology character and andrographolide quantification on Sambiloto (A. Paniculata) that growth in Sawah Dangka Jorong Gaduik, Tilatang Kamang, Agam (S 00o16159.311 E100o23110.311) have been studied. The Morphology character of A. Paniculata on generative fase have been done in the field and Laboratorium of Biology Department, Andalas University. Quantification of andrographolide constituen were analysed by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in Chemical of Nature Resources Laboratorium, Pharmacy Faculty, Andalas University. The result showed that Morphology character of Sambiloto ( A. Paniculata ) include parameters ie. range of height plant ( 27-45 cm) ; range of nodus numerous ( 10-14 ); range of leaf-7 size (length; width) ( 3.8-4.1 ; 0.8-1.1) cm; range of branch numerous ( 8-10), leaf dry weight rate (2.482 g ), stem dry weight rate ( 5.882 g ), and day old flowering rate ( 110 day ). The Result of quantification secondary metabolite with high economic value, namely andrographolide showed respectively with level 2.208% (vegetative) and 2.780 % (generative). Key Words : Andrographis paniculata, morpology chracter, andrographolide quantification ABSTRAKTelah dilakukan studi tentang Karakter morfologi dan kuantifikasi senyawa andrografolide pada tanaman Sambiloto (A. Paniculata) yang hidup di Sawah Dangka Jorong Gaduik, Tilatang Kamang, Agam (S 00o16159.311 E100o23110.311). Karakter morfologi A. Paniculata pada fase generative telah dilakukan di lapangan dan di Laboratorium di Jurusan Biologi Universitas Andalas. Kuantifikasi senyawa andrografolid dianalisa dengan menggunakan High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) di Laboratorium Kimia Bahan Alam, Fakultas Farmasi Universitas Andalas. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa karakter morfologi Sambiloto ( A. Paniculata ) meliputi parameter yaitu kisaran tinggi tanaman ( 27-45 cm) ; kisaran jumlah nodus ( 10-14 ); kisaran ukuran daunke-7 (panjang; lebar) ( 3,8-4,1 ; 0,8-1,1) cm; kisaran jumlah cabang ( 8-10), rata-rata berat kering daun (2,482 g ), rata-rata berat kering batang ( 5,882 g ), and rata-rata umur berbunga ( 110 day ). Hasil kuantifikasi metabolit sekunder dengan nilai ekonomi tinggi, yang dikenal sebagai senyawa andrografolid menunjukkan level 2,208% (vegetatif) dan 2,780 % (generatif). Kata kunci: Andrographis paniculata, karakter morfologi, kuantifikasi andrografolid.