Morpho-Anatomy of the Gynoecium and Fruit in Three Ornamental Members of Campanuloideae (Campanulaceae)

Gynoecium and fruit micromorphology and anatomy were studied using light microscopy in three species of Campanuloideae belonging to the tribes Cyanantheae ( Platycodon grandiflorus ), Wahlenbergieae ( Jasione montana ), and Campanuleae ( Adenophora liliifolia ) of the native and cultivated flora of Ukraine, to elucidate structural adaptations for fruit dehiscence. The studied species differed in flower/fruit orientation, carpel number, ovary insertion, and capsule-opening position, and the information provided a background for the discovery of common anatomical features influencing fruit dehiscence. In the studied species, the synascidiate and symplicate zones in the ovary and prominent placentae were found to be located near the mid-region of the ovary. The distinct innervation of the ovary wall and ovules was described. In P. grandiflorus , the septa and fruit wall contained a lignified parenchyma in a subepidermal position, while in J. montana and A. liliifolia , lignification was observed only in proximal portions of the septa, above the placenta ( J. montana ), or was noted as a narrow strand from the ovary base to the mid-region, called “axicorn” ( A. liliifolia ). In all the studied species, unlignified endocarpium was detected. The semi-inferior capsule of P. grandiflorus has been defined as a capsule of the Forsythia -type, with a sclerenchymatous layer in the inner zone of the mesocarpium. In J. montana and A. liliifolia , a new histogenetic type of capsule is described as Campanula -type, without lignified layers in the fruit wall and with lignified tissue in the septa, which enabled dehiscence. Our study proposed for the first time the classification of the capsules found in the studied species based on the development of openings in the superior or inferior regions of the fruits. The upright fruits of P. grandiflorus and J. montana reveal incomplete dorsiventral dehiscence in the superior region of the fruit, while dehiscence of pendent fruits of A. liliifolia is hippocrepiform-septifragal interlocular and occurs in the inferior region of the fruit at its base, as revealed previously in Campanula latifolia fruit.

MORPHO-AGRONOMIC CHARACTERIZATION AND GENETIC DIVERSITY IN PEPPERS (Capsicum spp.)

ABSTRACT Peppers and bell peppers (Capsicum spp.) are vegetables that have wide genetic variability, as well as a wide range of applications. Studies on genetic diversity help to understand the existing variability and the conservation of genetic resources, allowing breeders to select superior genotypes that meet the needs of breeding programmes. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity among 15 Capsicum genotypes based on morpho-agronomic descriptors and through the Ward-MLM (Modified Location Model) procedure, as well as to indicate the most promising genotypes for breeding programmes. The research was conducted in an experimental area using a randomized block design, with three replications, using nine qualitative descriptors and ten quantitative descriptors. Analysis of variance was performed, and means were subsequently grouped by Scott-Knott’s method. There was a significant difference between genotypes for all traits evaluated, making it possible to select promising genotypes. According to the Scott-Knott grouping test, the number of seeds per fruit had the largest number of groups, with eight distinct groups, while plant height had only two groups. The genotypes GEN18 and GEN21 had the highest average values for fruit wall thickness and thus are indicated for the preparation of sauces. The genotypes GEN14 and GEN16 were the most promising for use for ornamental purposes. The Ward-MLM method made it possible to differentiate C. annuum L., C. baccatum L., C. chinense Jacq., and C. frutescens L. into different groups, and is thus a useful tool to detect genetic divergence.

Phenotypic Characterization of Fine-Aroma Cocoa from Northeastern Peru

The phenotypic characterization of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plays an important role in the generation of information for the conservation of cacao germplasm. The objective of this study is to characterize phenotypically 146 ecotypes of fine-aroma native cacao (FFNC) from northeastern Peru that were collected from 280 to 1265 metres above sea level. Morphological descriptors of fruits and seeds, sensory characteristics, and productivity descriptors were used. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics with pie charts, distribution histograms, and multiple correspondence analysis. The results showed that 76.7% of the cocoa ecotypes had green immature fruits, 73% showed slight roughness on the surface of the fruit, 54% showed an intermediate thickness of the fruit wall, and 90% had the appearance of pairs of equidistant ridges. Regarding seed characteristics, 71% showed purplish cotyledons, with a high presence of floral and fruity notes and low levels of bitterness and astringency. Likewise, 52% of the fruits and 64% of the seeds were long. More importantly, cocoa beans needed to produce between 14 and 16 pods to obtain one kilogram of dry cocoa, which reflects a good level of productivity. Finally, there was a positive relationship between elevation levels and the presence of fine-flavoured native cocoa, i.e., the greatest diversity of native cocoa with floral and fruity notes was found above 501 metres above sea level.

Tissue-Specific Accumulation and Isomerization of Valuable Phenylethanoid Glycosides from Plantago and Forsythia Plants

A comparative phytochemical study on the phenylethanoid glycoside (PhEG) composition of the underground organs of three Plantago species (P. lanceolata, P. major, and P. media) and that of the fruit wall and seed parts of Forsythia suspensa and F. europaea fruits was performed. The leaves of these Forsythia species and six cultivars of the hybrid F. × intermedia were also analyzed, demonstrating the tissue-specific accumulation and decomposition of PhEGs. Our analyses confirmed the significance of selected tissues as new and abundant sources of these valuable natural compounds. The optimized heat treatment of tissues containing high amounts of the PhEG plantamajoside (PM) or forsythoside A (FA), which was performed in distilled water, resulted in their characteristic isomerizations. In addition to PM and FA, high amounts of the isomerization products could also be isolated after heat treatment. The isomerization mechanisms were elucidated by molecular modeling, and the structures of PhEGs were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) techniques, also confirming the possibility of discriminating regioisomeric PhEGs by tandem MS. The PhEGs showed no cytostatic activity in non-human primate Vero E6 cells, supporting their safe use as natural medicines and allowing their antiviral potency to be tested.

A Toxic Story: Phylogeny and Classification of Strychnos L. (Loganiaceae)

Strychnos is a pantropical genus of Loganiaceae (Gentianales), with approximately 200 species, that lacks a detailed worldwide phylogenetic understanding until now. We investigated the global phylogeny of the majority of Strychnos species, and evaluated morphologicaland key character patterns to discuss congruence between phylogenetic clades and sectional classification systems. We included 147 ITS sequences across 12 genera, with 127 samples (103 species) of Strychnos and 20 outgroup accessions (19 species) in a Bayesian analysis. Tribes Antonieae, Loganieae, and Spigelieae were supported as monophyletic, but Strychneae was resolved as polyphyletic due to the positioning of Gardneria placed outside of the Strychnos + Neuburgia clade. Strychnos was supported as strongly monophyletic with 12 strongly supported clades, but the relationships among many of these clades were not well resolved. Most of the 12 sections in the current infrageneric classification system of Strychnos were resolved as non-monophyletic, indicating the need for a revision of the sectional divisions. Characters common in species placed within the relatively more nested clades include a non-climbing habit, invasion of non-rainforest habitats, absence of tendrils,absence of secondary phloem, and elongated corolla tubes, suggesting that these characters are relatively derived conditions in the genus. Inflorescence position, fruit size, and fruit wall thickness are extremely variable and were distributed among various clades in our phylogeny. Stamen, pistil, seed and seed coat, and phytochemical characters have figured prominently in the taxonomy of the genus, but are as yet incompletely described, thus preventing significant inference about their evolution. Most of the 12 well-supported clades within Strychnos are restricted to specific continents, sometimes with limited dispersion between neighboring continents, suggesting a history of repeated cross-oceanic dispersal or vicariance patterns. The Neotropical clades nested within the African clades have the shortest branches and themost unresolved topologies, probably indicating relatively recent radiation in the Neotropics.

EFFECT OF Tobacco etch virus (TEV) ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF RED PEPPER IN TURKEY

The most prevalently grown varieties of red peppers in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey are ‘Sena’ and ‘Dila’ in addition to local red pepper populations. Survey studies conducted on Kahramanmaras pepper growing areas in 2014 and 2015 indicated that Tobacco etch virus (TEV) was the most common virus in collected pepper samples. In this study, the effects of TEV on ‘Sena’ and ‘Dila’ were analyzed. The experiment was designed with 5 replicates and randomized plots in fully controlled greenhouses. The experiment consisted of TEV inoculated and control pepper plots. The pepper plants were mechanically inoculated with TEV at the 4–6 leaf stage and periodical observations were made. Virus transmission was confirmed using the double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) method. The total yield, red pepper flake production, average fruit weight, diameter, length and volume, average fruit wall thickness, fruit color and fresh and dry weights of all green parts of harvested red peppers were evaluated. The quoted data on % reduction in yield and different fruit quality criteria are averaged over two years. According to the results of the study, the highest loss of yield was recorded for ‘Sena’ (58.2%) while the highest red pepper flake loss ratio was in ‘Dila’. In terms of fruit quality criteria, the most reductions in fruit weight (40.1%), fruit diameter (30.9%), fruit length (32.8%) and fruit volume (51.8%) were found in ‘Dila’, the highest losses in fruit wall thickness (27.2%) and average fresh and dry weights of green parts (49.9–43.1%) were in the ‘Sena’. There was a significant effect of TEV inoculation. Overall, virus infected plants were had significantly lower yield and reduced quality compared to control plants.

Morpho-anatomical structure and development of fruit in Asyneuma canescens (Саmpanulaceae)

The most usual fruit type in the family Саmpanulaсеае is an inferior multi-seeded capsule. In Саmpanula and related genera, A. Kolakovsky determined a new type of capsule, characterized by a specialized organ, axicorn. Some types of axicorn capsules were determined depending on the way of dehiscence. In Campanula, capsule dehiscence is called axicorn-fissuricidal mode, while in Asyneuma – axicorn-valvate mode with scaliformis valves. The precise differences between slit and valve so far have not been identified. In this connection, we performed the study of the inner fruit structure and dehiscence in Asyneuma canescens intending to compare the results with those for Саmpanula species. Anatomical fruit structure was studied under a light microscope on temporary preparations of transversal and longitudinal sections. For the first time, the obtained data provide precise characteristics of the inner fruit morphology, the anatomy of the fruit wall, and dehiscence mode in A. canescens. The survey revealed predominance in the ovary of a synascidiate zone with axile placentation. In the anatomical structure of the fruit wall, there we found a parenchymatous mesocarpium, non-lignified exo- and endocarpium, and lignified elements of fruit – axicorns, located in the small upper part of the septa. Fruit dehiscence in A. canescens occurs in two steps. First, during early flower development, narrow-oval dips are formed on the septum radii; during the fruiting period, a hippocrepiform slit at the lower margin of each dip develops. At this time axicorns detach from the central column of the ovary following a curved direction, meaning the formation of the septifragal slit. During the second stage, the longitudinal slits are formed from the lowest point of the hippocrepiform slit to the fruit base. These slits facilitate seed release from the capsule. Fruit in A. canescens we define as an inferior trilocular syncarpous capsule with two-stage, hippocrepiform and laminar dehiscence. Our study confirms resemblance of anatomical structure and dehiscence mode of fruit in A. canescens and species of the section Rapunculus of the genus Cаmpanula with erect capsules. We consider it inexpedient to accept the new fruit type for A. canescens, because differences compared with species of Cаmpanula are derivative and concern the small size of the axicorn slit and the appearance of additional slits only.

Morphological peculiarities of flowers, pollen grains and fruits of Valeriana tuberosa (Valerianaceae)

The results of the study of flowers, pollen grains and fruits of Valeriana tuberosa (sect. Tuberosae, Valerianaceae) are presented. Materials of the National Herbarium of the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (KW) were studied. The morphological structures of flowers, pollen grains and fruits were examined using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy; detailed descriptions of the elements of the flower, pollen grains and fruits were made and their specific features were established. The morphological features of the inflorescence, bracteoles, and the elements of the hermaphrodite flowers have been clarified. The pollen grains of V. tuberosa are 3-colpate, suboblate to subprolate (P/E = 0.85–1.33), medium- or large-sized. Their outline in equatorial view is elliptic, rarely circular, in polar view slightly trilobate or trilobate. Exine sculpture is echinate-microechinate with verrucae. The known and new carpological features are specified. In particular, papillate growth of periclinal walls of exocarp with stroke-shaped, jet and warty cuticular formations of the surface were noted the first time; details of exocarp stomatal system were revealed; features of trichomes and their cuticular structure on fruit wall are described. The obtained data are important additional characters for identification of the species and for the issues of taxonomy and phylogeny.

Application of statistical methods in the analysis of sweet pepper yield

The results of studying sweet pepper hybrids in the soil and climate conditions of the Astrakhan region are presented. Studies were conducted in 2017-2019. sweet pepper was cultivated on light chestnut soils, in the mode of drip irrigation, using technology adapted to the climatic conditions of the zone of cultivation of the crop. The objects of research were sweet pepper hybrids of the agricultural firm "Sedek" and elements of the crop structure of these hybrids. The purpose of the study was to determine sweet pepper hybrids with high yield potential. The purpose of the study was to analyze the structure of the crop and identify the elements of the structure that had the greatest impact on productivity. The strength of the elements ' influence and its direction were determined by statistical methods, in particular, correlation analysis was applied. As a result of correlation analysis, elements (variables X) were determined to the greatest extent that affect the yield of sweet pepper. At the stage of regression analysis, these variables were included in the regression model. Using regression analysis, an equation (mathematical formula) was derived that explains how the yield of sweet peppers will change quantitatively depending on changes in variables. According to the results of data processing using statistical methods, the elements of the structure of the sweet pepper crop that had the greatest impact on productivity were determined: the mass of one fruit, g and the thickness of the fruit wall.