Frequency of flower visitors and achene production increase with rising population size in the self-incompatible herb Centaurea scabiosa (Asteraceae)

Self-incompatible, non-clonal plant species are especially dependent on the activity of flower visitors for seed production. Therefore, populations of these plants are vulnerable to a reduced flower visitation rates, but also to increased isolation by extinction of local populations. To study how local populations of Centaurea scabiosa, a self-incompatible, bee-pollinated herb species changed over time in the region of Bonn, we collected historical population records in the area and investigated their current status. We found that more than half of the subpopulations mentioned in the literature between 1950 and 2012 (38 of 65) have since disappeared. Small populations were most vulnerable, whereas medium to large populations increased in size. In a second step, we studied visitation frequencies and achene production and weight across 14 extant populations. We found that both flower visitation frequency and achene production were positively related to population size. Achene weight was neither related to the frequency of flower visitors nor to achene production. These results clearly indicate that reduced pollen transfer and lower pollination rates may contribute to local extinction in small populations of Centaurea scabiosa. Overall our results call for an intensified monitoring of the populations of self-incompatible plant species.

Metabolic characterization and oil profile of sunflower cultivars cultivated with increasing nitrogen doses

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has great economic importance due to its oil yield and quality. Among the factors influencing these parameters, nitrogen fertilization stands out. In this study we evaluated the effect of different N-urea doses (0,10,30,50,90,130 kg N-urea ha-1) at planting and 30 days after emergency on soluble fractions, oil profile and yield of three sunflower cultivars (BRS324, Catissol 01and Neon). Plants were harvested at the flowering stage for metabolic study, and at the end of the cycle for oil extraction and characterization. The Catissol 01 genotype presented the highest N-NO3- accumulation capacity, mainly in the stem. The Neon genotype presented the highest achene production at 30 and 50 kg N ha-1. Oleic oil had the highest yield, with the Catissol 01 and Neon cultivar standing out. Among the cultivars, Catissol 01 is economically more suitable for biofuel production, when cultivated at 50 kg N ha-1 since higher N doses did not result in increased oil yield.

Respostas de cultivares de girassol a doses crescentes de boro na entressafra do Cerrado Tocantinense

<p class="Default">No cerrado brasileiro a deficiência de boro no solo ocorre com maior frequência. A cultura do girassol é muito sensível à deficiência deste micronutriente, além de apresentar pouca eficiência em seu aproveitamento. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar as respostas de cultivares de girassol a doses crescentes de boro no período da entressafra no cerrado tocantinense. O experimento foi conduzido em Gurupi, (TO), com sistema de plantio direto em sucessão a soja, sobre Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos casualizados, com quinze tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos num esquema fatorial simples 3 x 5, constituído por três cultivares de girassol (variedade Br 122, híbridos Aguará 4 e Helio 863) e cinco doses de ácido bórico (0, 1, 2, 3 e 4 kg ha^-1). As características avaliadas foram: altura de planta, diâmetro da haste, diâmetro do capítulo, concentração de boro foliar, massa de mil aquênios e produtividade de aquênios. A dose de 3 kg ha^-1 de boro proporcionou, em sua grande maioria, as melhores respostas das cultivares Br 122, Aguará 4 e Helio 863 quanto às características avaliadas. No entanto, com esta dose, a cultivar Aguará 4 apresenta melhor aproveitamento para produção de aquênios.</p><p class="Default" align="center"><strong><em>Responses of sunflower cultivars to increasing doses of boron in the </em></strong><strong><em>between harvests the Cerrado Tocantinense</em></strong><strong><em></em></strong></p><p class="Default"><strong>Abstract</strong><strong>:</strong> In the brazilian cerrado soil boron deficiency occurs more frequently. The sunflower crop is very sensitive to this micronutrient deficiency, and have little efficiency in its use. In that context, aimed to of this study was to evaluate the response of sunflower cultivars to increasing doses of boron during the between harvests in the cerrado tocantinense. The experiment was conducted in Gurupi (TO), with no-tillages soybeans in succession on dystrophic Red Yellow Latosol. The experimental design was a randomized block design with fifteen treatments and four replications. The treatments were arranged in a factorial 3 x 5 simple, composed of three cultivars of sunflower (variety Br 122, hybrid Aguará 4 and Helio 863), and five doses of boric acid (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kg ha^-1). The characteristics evaluated were: plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, leaf boron concentration, weight of thousand achenes and productivity achenes. The dose of 3 kg ha^-1 resulted boron, mostly, the best responses of the cultivars Br 122, Aguará 4 and Helio 863 on the characteristics evaluated. However, at this dose, the cultivar Aguará 4 has better use for achene production.</p><p class="Default"> </p>

Environmental Control of Flowering in Pennsylvania Sedge

Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) is an upland forest sedge with restoration and horticultural potential as a low-maintenance groundcover for dry shade. For large landscape and restoration plantings, seed or achenes in this case are much preferred due to lower labor and material costs. However, pennsylvania sedge typically produces few achenes in its native habitat. As a first step in improving achene production, this research evaluated the effect of vernalization and photoperiod on floral initiation and development. We conclude that this sedge is an obligate short-day plant that does not require vernalization for flowering. Plants flowered when exposed to daylengths of 6 to 12 hours. Flowering was completely inhibited with 14-hour photoperiods. Pennsylvania sedge was florally determined after 4 weeks of 8-hour photoperiods. Inflorescence quantity and normal floral development varied by clone and by weeks of exposure to 8-hour photoperiods. For two of the clones, the largest number of normal monoecious inflorescences was produced with 8 to 10 weeks of 8-hour photoperiods while the other two clones only required 6 to 8 weeks of exposure to inductive photoperiods. Therefore, it is important to evaluate observable variation between clones when attempting to propagate pennsylvania sedge.

Growth, Reproductive Potential, and Control Strategies for Deeproot Sedge (Cyperus entrerianus)

Greenhouse, growth chamber, and field studies were conducted at Stoneville, MS, in 2000 to 2008, to determine the growth rate, reproductive and overwintering potential, and control of deeproot sedge. In growth chamber studies, deeproot sedge growth rate (ht) and plant dry wt were greatest at 25/35 C (night/day temperatures), when compared with regimes of 5/15, 15/25, and 20/30 C. Based on the average number of scales (fruiting sites per spikelet), spikelets per inflorescence, and culms per plant, deeproot sedge reproductive potential was 2.6-, 6.2-, and 17.4-fold greater than Surinam, green, and knob sedges, respectively. A single deeproot sedge plant produced an average of 85,500 achenes annually. Mowing at 15-cm ht weekly prevented achene production but did not kill deeproot sedge plants. The average number of inflorescences produced on mowed plants was 1.2 to 4 times greater in 2- and 1-yr-old deeproot sedge plants, respectively, when compared with unmowed plants. Mature deeproot sedge achenes were produced between monthly mowings. In a 3-yr field study, glyphosate, glufosinate, hexazinone, and MSMA provided more than 85% control of deeproot sedge, and above the soil, live deeproot sedge plant dry wt was reduced by 50, 64, 68, 72, 86, and 93% by dicamba, halosulfuron-methyl, MSMA, hexazinone, glufosinate, and glyphosate, respectively. All (100%) deeproot sedge plants 1 yr old or older overwintered at Stoneville, MS, at 33°N latitude.

Broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) dispersal, viability, and germination

Broom snakeweed achene dispersal was monitored by placing surface-level traps outwards in the cardinal directions from 12 plants and collecting the achenes weekly or biweekly from September 1993 until seeds were no longer retained by the plants after 42 wk. About 50% of the achenes dispersed between October and December. Especially high numbers of achenes were dislodged during periods of intense winter winds and rains, with 78% of the seed placed into the east tray and 86% falling within 50 cm of the parent plant. Achene production averaged 3,928 (± 1,146) per plant in 1993 and 2,036 (± 987) per plant in 1994. Achenes collected over time directly from the inflorescence and achenes stored in nylon packets on the soil surface averaged 82% viability during fall and winter. Achene viability declined rapidly in late spring, and few remained viable before the next seed crop. Greenhouse experiments compared the influence of water application interval and water amount on broom snakeweed germination and seedling survival. Treatments consisted of 4 water intervals: daily, 5-d, 10-d, and 15-d intervals; and 4 water amounts: field capacity (1/1 fc), 3/4 fc, 1/2 fc, and 1/4 fc. Germination was 52% at daily 1/1 fc, and no seed germinated at daily 1/4 fc. Data suggest that optimum germination occurs when soils are maintained at a minimum soil matric potential (Ψm) > −180 kPa for at least 4 d. Optimum Ψm for seedling survival appears to range between −300 and −900 kPa, while seedling mortality would generally be expected with a Ψm of > −1800 kPa.

Pollination biology of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) in California

Various facets of the pollination biology affecting achene production of Centaurea solstitialis L. were examined. Production of viable achenes commenced in capitula bagged or excised in the late flowering stage (F-2 midstage). In all studies in which capitula were prevented from crossing, only one plant had a high level of achene production, all others producing either a few achenes or none at all. Achene production in plants allowed to cross was high and significantly greater than in plants prevented from crossing. Persistent low levels of self-fertilization in most plants indicated that there was selection against inbreeding. The pollen presentation mechanism for C. solstitialis was similar to that of other Centaurea spp. described previously. The most commonly observed insect visitors of yellow starthistle capitula were Hymenoptera spp., especially the European honeybee. Keywords: Centaurea, pollination, yellow starthistle.