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- Author or Editor: Hazel Y. Wetzstein x
- HortScience x
Although somatic embryogenesis in vitro has been carried out successfully in a number of plants, a limiting factor in many somatic embryogenic systems is that plantlet regeneration is not obtainable or restricted to low frequencies. We have developed a repetitive, high frequency somatic embryogenic system in pecan (Carya illinoensis) and have identified effective treatments for improved somatic embryo conversion. A 6 to 10 week cold treatment followed by a 5 day desiccation, promoted enhanced root germination and extension, and epicotyl elongation. Light and transmission electron microscopic evaluations of somatic embryo cotyledon development will be presented and related to conversion enhancing treatments and their possible roles in embryo maturation.
Embryogenesis in higher plants follows a standard developmental program with sequential stages of histodifferentiation, maturation (reserve deposition), and postabscission (desiccation and rapid decline in metabolic activity). In this study, morphological, physiological and anatomical characteristics were integrated to demarcate the developmental stages of pecan embryos. Fruit were collected, morphological characteristics were recorded, fresh and dry weights, and water content of embryos were determined, and embryos were prepared for microscopic study. The procedures used here can be a useful guide for characterizing embryo development in pecan and related species.
Although somatic embryogenesis in vitro has been carried out successfully in a number of plants, a limiting factor in many somatic embryogenic systems is that plantlet regeneration is not obtainable or restricted to low frequencies. We have developed a repetitive, high frequency somatic embryogenic system in pecan (Carya illinoensis) and have identified effective treatments for improved somatic embryo conversion. A 6 to 10 week cold treatment followed by a 5 day desiccation, promoted enhanced root germination and extension, and epicotyl elongation. Light and transmission electron microscopic evaluations of somatic embryo cotyledon development will be presented and related to conversion enhancing treatments and their possible roles in embryo maturation.
Georgia plume, Elliottia racemosa Muhlenb. ex. Elliott, is an extremely rare small tree or shrub endemic to Georgia, which is being severely affected by habitat loss and lack of sexual recruitment. In vitro plant regeneration of Georgia plume has not been previously reported and may be a method for the conservation and propagation of this threatened species. Studies evaluated the effects of sterilization methods, explant types, medium composition, and light environment on plant regeneration. An efficient plant regeneration system was developed in which adventitious shoot buds were induced using young, expanding leaf explants placed on an induction medium supplemented with 10 μm thidiazuron and 5 μm indole-3-acetic acid with Gamborg's B5 salts. Shoot elongation was promoted on a medium with 25 μm (2-isopentenyl) adenine incorporated into Woody Plant Medium. In vitro rooting studies evaluated continuous and pulse auxin treatments and ex vitro rooting trials after KIBA (indole-3-butric acid, potassium salt) dips. A 5-day pulse treatment on 100 or 150 μm indole-3-butyric acid produced ≈90% rooting of shoots with greater shoot and root dry weight than other pulse times. High rooting frequencies were obtained under in vitro and ex vitro conditions with over 85% survival of plantlets transferred to greenhouse conditions. The culture protocol was found to be effective with material collected from mature specimens in the wild from divergent populations. Tissue culture appears to be a promising approach for the propagation and conservation of this rare and threatened plant.
Herbs have been long known to provide health-promoting benefits and are demonstrated to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, and antitumor activities. This study evaluated the effects of drying conditions and extraction protocols on the biochemical activity of three culinary and medicinal herbs: rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), and peppermint (Mentha piperita). Leaf tissues were dried by sun, oven-dried at 40 °C, or oven-dried at 70 °C and extracted using 80% methanol or 80% ethanol. Total polyphenol (TPP) using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method and antioxidant capacity using the Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay were determined. Both drying and extraction conditions significantly impacted TPP content and TEAC in the three herb species. Sun-dried or 40 °C oven-dried herbs exhibited significantly higher TPP content and TEAC capacity than fresh samples, suggesting low-temperature drying may be a good postharvest means to store medicinal/culinary herbs. Exposure to 70 °C oven-drying caused significant antioxidant loss. In addition, the current study showed that with fresh tissue, 80% ethanol extraction had significantly higher TPP and TEAC than 80% methanol extraction for all three herbs, yet for dried herbs, the efficacy of ethanol/methanol extraction varied with different drying treatments.
Ozone is a highly oxidizing phytotoxic air pollutant, whose effects are documented to adversely affect crop growth and productivity. In contrast to the large body of published work investigating the effects of atmospheric ozone on outdoor agronomic and forestry crops, relatively few studies have addressed the effects of ozone exposure on greenhouse-grown crops. Outdoor concentrations of ozone can commonly attain concentrations in the 50–150 ppb range, which are known to detrimentally impact plant growth. The objective of this study was to characterize ozone exposure in commercial greenhouses as a prelude to the determination of dose–response effects on specific greenhouse crops and the development of ozone abatement methods, if appropriate. This study documented the levels and diurnal fluctuations in atmospheric ozone concentrations over two annual June–October “ozone seasons.” Measurements were taken every 10 min. for both indoor and outdoor ozone concentration, solar radiation, and temperature. Unexpectedly, indoor ozone concentrations often exhibited elevated levels that were 25% to 35% higher than outdoor concentrations, even in well-ventilated houses. These findings suggest that additional ozone production may occur within the greenhouse environment. Evaluations of causative factors and ozone effects on commercial crop production are warranted.
It has been shown that perennial woody plants exhibit marked seasonal changes in nutrient content, carbon metabolism, and organ development. A knowledge of seasonal nutrient allocation and temporal accumulation patterns can be useful in the development of fertilization regimes that reflect the biology of a tree crop. Maintenance of optimum leaf nutrient status is an important priority in pecan cultural practice. However, a systematic evaluation of nutrient resorption is lacking in pecan. In this work, seasonal changes in nutrients and carbohydrates were evaluated in pecan trees grown under orchard conditions. In addition, resorption efficiencies of eight pecan cultivars were evaluated. Significant levels of resorption were observed in all essential elements, but cultivar differences were not significant. Seasonal patterns of nutrient and carbohydrate content in leaf, stem, and shoot tissue, will be presented as well as a structural evaluation of abscission zone formation.
Pollination is essential in the production of many agricultural crops. Insufficient pollination can lead to reduced yield and lower harvest quality in many fruit and vegetables. Recent declines in insect pollinators and the use of cultural systems where compatible pollen is limiting have caused pollen-related production problems in many crops. Supplemental mass pollination (SMP) may be beneficial in such cases. However, the high cost of pollen may prohibit its use unless pollen is efficiently and uniformly applied. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of using selected dry particulate materials as pollen diluents for SMP. Viability was assessed in apple pollen mixed and held with selected powders (i.e., two formulations of Rilsan® nylon, polyester resin, diatomaceous earth, wheat flour, and CaCO3). Also, an assessment of inhibitory substances was made using in vitro germination tests with extracts obtained from liquid suspensions of the different particulates. Several powders, viz., Rilsan® nylon formulations, polyester resin, and wheat flour were identified as nontoxic to pollen held for 1 h as dry pollen: particle mixtures. Likewise, leachates from these diluents had no significant effect on pollen germination. Diatomaceous earth exhibited slight, but statistically significant, inhibitory effects on germination, while CaCO3 completely inhibited germination. The morphology and size of particulates were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and will be discussed vis-a-vis pollen dispersion and metering requirements.
The general doctrine of flowering in Hydrangea is that floral induction occurs during the previous season on last year's growth and usually at the stem's terminal bud. However, Hydrangea cultivars widely differ in their relative abundance and duration of flower production. The objective of this study was to determine how developmental flowering patterns compare among different genotypes. Flowering was characterized in 18 H. macrophylla cultivars by assessing the extent of flower initiation and development in terminal and lateral buds of dormant shoots (i.e., after they have received floral inductive conditions.) Plants were managed under outdoor conditions. Dormant, 1-year-old stems were collected and characterized for caliper and length. All buds >2 mm were dissected and the vegetative or floral bud stage of development was categorized for each bud microscopically. Flower development occurred in 100% of the terminal buds for all the cultivars with the exception of `Ayesha' (33%). In contrast, lateral buds showed a wide variation in flower development. For example: `All Summer Beauty', `David Ramsey', `Kardinal', `Masja', and `Nightingale' showed high levels of floral induction (>92 % of lateral buds induced.) In contrast, `Ayesha', `Blushing Pink', `Freudenstein', and `Nigra' had 10% or fewer lateral buds with floral initials. Thus, the degree of floral induction in lateral buds varied tremendously among different cultivars. In addition, flower initiation and development were not related to the size (length and caliper) of individual buds. Thus, bud size does not appear to be a good indicator of flowering potential.
Recently, the release of Hydrangea cultivars with the capacity to produce a second flush of blooms has created a great expectation in the ornamental industry. However, the lack of fundamental information on flower development of big leaf Hydrangea does not allow a descriptive explanation of why re-blooming capacity occurs. The objectives of this study were to characterize the timing and location of flower initiation and development in several H. macrophylla cultivars throughout an annual cycle. Four cultivars were evaluated: 2 exhibiting re-flowering capacity (Penny Mac-PM and Endless Summer-ES) and 2 without (Madame Emile Mouillere-MEM and Nikko Blue-NB). Plants were managed under outdoor nursery conditions and harvested at each of four different time periods. These periods represented key developmental stages: 1) Pre-induction: late summer, after completion of shoot expansion; 2) Post-induction: late fall, following short day and cold temperature exposure; 3) Dormancy: winter, post leaf abscission; and 4) Post-dormancy: early spring, just prior to bud break. At each sampling time, bud location (terminal or lateral) and stem origin (basal, lateral, terminal, or secondary) were established. All buds >;2 mm were dissected under a stereomicroscope and the degree of floral induction was determined. Floral primordial were initiated not only in the terminal buds but also within axillary buds. The degree of induction and development varied according to the stem origin, bud location and cultivar. Cultivars with re-blooming capacity had floral primordial initiated within buds at the first sampling period prior to receiving inductive conditions. This suggests they may have minimal or no photoperiodic/temp requirements for flowering.