Effect of Meiotic Polyploidisation on Selected Morphological and Anatomical Traits in Interspecific Hybrids of Brassica oleracea × B. napus

In Brassica, interspecific hybridisation plays an important role in the formation of allopolyploid cultivars. In this study, the ploidy of F1 and F2 generations resulting from interspecific hybridisation between B. oleracea inbred lines of head cabbage (B. oleracea L. var. capitata) (2n = 18) and kale (B. oleracea L. var. acephala) (2n = 18) with inbred lines of rapeseed (B. napus L.) (2n = 38) was examined by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome observation. Furthermore, the effect of meiotic polyploidisation on selected phenotypic and anatomical traits was assessed. The F1 hybrids of head cabbage × rapeseed (S3) and kale × rapeseed crosses (S20) were allotriploids with 2n = 28 chromosomes, and nuclear DNA amounts of 1.97 (S3) and 1.99 pg (S20). These values were intermediate between B. oleracea and B. napus. In interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation, which were derived after self-pollination of F1 hybrids (FS3, FS20) or by open crosses between F1 generation hybrids (FC320, FC230), the chromosome numbers were similar 2n = 56 or 2n = 55, whereas the genome sizes varied between 3.81 (FS20) and 3.95 pg 2C (FC230). Allohexaploid F2 hybrids had many superior agronomic traits compared to parental B. napus and B. oleracea lines and triploid F1 hybrids. In the generative stage, they were characterised by larger flowers and flower elements, such as anthers and lateral nectaries. F2 hybrids were male and female fertile. The pollen viability of F2 hybrids was comparable to parental genotypes and varied from 75.38% (FS3) to 88.24% (FC320), whereas in triploids of F1 hybrids only 6.76% (S3) and 13.46% (S20) of pollen grains were fertile. Interspecific hybrids of the F2 generation derived by open crosses between plants of the F1 generation (FC320, FC230) had a better ability to set seed than F2 hybrids generated from the self-pollination of F1 hybrids. In the vegetative stage, F2 plants had bigger and thicker leaves, larger stomata, and significantly thicker layers of palisade and spongy mesophyll than triploids of the F1 generation and parental lines of B. oleracea and B. napus. The allohexaploid F2 hybrids analysed in this study can be used as innovative germplasm resources for further breeding new vegetable Brassica crops at the hexaploid level.

The Effect of Trifluralin on Post-in vitro Morphogenesis of Five Genotypes of Head Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var. capitata)

Six genotypes of head cabbage (‘Flexima’, ‘Mutsuma’, ‘Septima’, ‘Zeus’, DC6, ‘Ancoma’) have been studied to find an effective method of obtaining polyploids using trifluralin. The effect of various trifluralin concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg·L−1) and treatment conditions (24 °C/24 h, 24 °C/48 h, 30 °C/24 h, and 30 °C/48 h) on organogenesis of organogenic callus, hypocotyl, and seeds was tested. Ploidy level was detected using a flow cytometer. As a result, low survival of hypocotyls and calli was obtained. The shoots induced from calli and hypocotyls failed to develop quality plantlets and most calli and hypocotyls remained recalcitrant for further differentiation. Treated seeds seemed to be promising objects basing on a considerable percentage of plant regeneration. With the increased concentration of trifluralin and increasing press of treatment conditions, the seed germination rate was significantly reduced. Shoot induction from germinated seeds varied among genotypes and treatments. The root induction was independent of treatments but also reduced considerably compared to the control. Under tested conditions, none of the polyploids resulted. Further studies are required to be successful in protocol development.

Development and Characteristics of Interspecific Hybrids between Brassica oleracea L. and B. napus L.

Interspecific hybridization between B. oleracea inbred lines of head cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and B. taurica and inbred lines of rapeseed (B. napus L.) were performed aiming at the development of the new sources of genetic variability of vegetable Brassicas. Using conventional crossings and the embryo-rescue techniques the following interspecific hybrids were developed: 11 genotypes of F1 generation, 18 genotypes of F2 and F1 × F2 generations (produced after self- and cross-pollination of interspecific F1 hybrids), 10 plants of the BC1 generation (resulted from crossing head cabbage cytoplasmic male-sterile lines with interspecific hybrids of the F2 and F1 generations) and 8 plants of BC1 × (F1 × F2). No viable seeds of the BC2 generation (B. oleracea) were obtained due to the strong incompatibility and high mortality of embryos. The morphological characteristics during the vegetative and generative stages, pollen characteristics, seed development and propagation, nuclear DNA contents and genome compositions of interspecific hybrids were analyzed. All the interspecific F1 hybrids were male-fertile with a majority of undeveloped and malformed pollen grains. They showed intermediate values for morphological traits and nuclear DNA contents and had nearly triploid chromosomal numbers (27 to 29) compared with parental lines. The F2 generation had a doubled nuclear DNA content, with 52 and 56 chromosomes, indicating their allohexaploid nature. F2 hybrids were characterized by a high heterosis of morphological characteristics, viable pollen and good seed development. F1 × F2 hybrids were male-fertile with a diversified DNA content and intermediate pollen viability. BC1 plants were male-sterile with an intermediate nuclear DNA content between the F2 and head cabbage, having 28 to 38 chromosomes. Plants of the BC1 × (F1 × F2) generation were in majority male-fertile with 38–46 chromosomes, high seed set, high heterosis and intermediate values for morphological traits. The obtained interspecific hybrids are valuable as new germplasm for improving Brassica-breeding programs.

Association between consumption of vegetables and COVID-19 mortality at a country level in Europe

Background Many foods have an antioxidant activity, and nutrition may mitigate COVID-19. To test the potential role of vegetables in COVID-19 mortality in Europe, we performed an ecological study. Methods The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database was used to study the country consumption of Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, head cabbage (white, red and savoy cabbage), leafy brassica) and to compare them with spinach, cucumber, courgette, lettuce and tomato. The COVID-19 mortality per number of inhabitants was obtained from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. EuroStat data were used for potential confounders at the country level including Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2019), population density (2018), percentage of people over 64 years (2019), unemployment rate (2019) and percentage of obesity (2014, to avoid missing values). Mortality counts were analyzed with quasi-Poisson regression models to model the death rate while accounting for over-dispersion. Results Of all the variables considered, including confounders, only head cabbage and cucumber reached statistical significance with the COVID-19 death rate per country. For each g/day increase in the average national consumption of some of the vegetables (head cabbage and cucumber), the mortality risk for COVID-19 decreased by a factor of 11, down to 13.6 %. Lettuce consumption increased COVID-19 mortality. The adjustment did not change the point estimate and the results were still significant. Discussion The negative ecological association between COVID-19 mortality and the consumption of cabbage and cucumber supports the a priori hypothesis previously reported. The hypothesis needs to be tested in individual studies performed in countries where the consumption of vegetables is common.

Half-cooling time of cabbage stored in a refrigerated room

Cabbage heads stored in containers in a high-capacity cooling room were evaluated by the half-cooling times. The temperature of the heads and the surrounding air in their immediate vicinity was measured by a puncture thermometer. The shortest half-cooling times were measured in the immediate vicinity of the evaporator; in contrast, very long half-cooling times were measured in a container on the opposite side of the cooling room. The measured values were longer by one order of magnitude. When cabbage heads are inside the container furthest from the evaporator, without being covered by a layer of stacked containers, then the heat transfer passes directly into the ambient air, thus, the half-cooling times in this container were not the longest. The head cabbage cooling, evaluated by the half-cooling time (in hours) and the end of cooling time (in hours), in the chambers to a storage temperature (0 °C) are directly proportional. The heads in a container 14 m from the evaporator, in the bottom position, but not covered by other containers had a half-cooling time of 194.7 hours, with a total time of 973.5 h, because the air circulating around the container, permanently cooled down the stored heads. The total calculated cooling time will be extended 5.0 times. For the heads in the same position, but 7 m from the evaporator, the heat dissipation at the bottom position was so slow that the half-cooling time was 225 hours, and the total time was 1 125 hours (46.88 days), which was the longest cooling time for the cabbage heads.

Le guano, fertilisant organique naturel alternatif au fumier, testé sur la production de la laitue verte (lactuca sativa L.) dans l’oasis de Balla (département de Gouré), Zinder, Niger

Au Niger Est, la faible disponibilité sur les marchés ruraux, la cherté et le faible pouvoir d’achat des paysans limitent l’application des engrais minéraux. L’objectif de cette étude est l’évaluation de l’effet du guano sur la production de la laitue. Le dispositif expérimental est un bloc complet randomisé avec dix-sept traitements issus de la combinaison entre 4 doses de guano, 2 doses de fumier et 2 doses d’engrais en trois (3) répétitions. Les paramètres étudiés portent sur les diamètres de pomme, la hauteur des parties aériennes, le développement foliaire et le rendement. Les résultats obtenus révèlent que le guano a un effet significatif sur la production de laitue. A la dose optimale 3,5 t/ha, le guano a permis d’augmenter la production de la laitue de 833 et 628% par rapport au témoin et aux parcelles ayant reçues uniquement la fumure minérale. La combinaison guano et fumure organique a permis d’accroitre le rendement par rapport aux parcelles fertilisées avec le guano seulement, tandis que l’apport de l’engrais minéral a un effet dépressif sur le rendement. Pour assurer une bonne production de laitue dans la cuvette de Balla, il serait préférable d’utiliser la combinaison guano (3,5 t/ha) avec du fumier. La préservation de la population de chauves-souris permettrait d’assurer la durabilité de la filière guano.Mots clés : Fertilisation, guano, laitue, cuvette oasienne, Gouré. English Title: Guano, a natural organic fertilizer alternative to manure, tested on the production of green lettuce (lactuca sativa L.) in oasis of Balla (department of Gouré), Zinder, Niger In eastern Niger, low availability in local markets, high prices and low purchasing power of farmers limit the application of mineral fertilizers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of guano on lettuce production. The experimental design is a randomized complete block with seventeen treatments resulting from the combination of four doses of guano, two doses of manure and two doses of fertilizer in three (3) replicates. The parameters studied for this experiment are: diameter of head, cabbage height of aerial parts, leaf development and yield. The results show that guano had a significant effect on lettuce production. At the optimum rate of 3,5 t/ha, guano increased lettuce production by 833 and 628% compared with the control and the plots receiving only the mineral fertilizer respectively. The combination of guano and organic fertilizer increased the yield compared to the plots fertilized with guano only, while the mineral fertilizer input had a depressive effect on yield. To ensure a good lettuce production in the Balla lowland, it would be better to use the guano combination (3,5 t/ha) with manure. Preserving the bat population would help ensure the sustainability of the guano industry.Keywords: Fertilizer, guano, lettuce, Oasis bassin, Gouré.