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- Author or Editor: Yan Liang x
- HortScience x
Bletilla is an Orchidaceae genus with high medical value, including detumescence, antibacterial, and hemostasis. In this study, detailed estimates of ploidy level, karyotype, and genome size were first obtained, and a comprehensive cytological analysis was carried out to better understand the evolution of the genus. The karyotypes of Bletilla were mainly composed of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes with lengths ranging from 1.25 to 4.93 μm. There was moderate cytological variation in Bletilla (chromosome number 2n = 32 to 76). Diploid with 2n = 34 and 2n = 36 was detected in Bletilla ochracea and Bletilla formosana, respectively, whereas diploid (2n = 32) was dominant in Bletilla striata, dysploidy (2n = 34, 2n = 36) and polyploid (2n = 48, 51, 64, 76) variations were also observed. Three species had a relatively symmetric karyotype, and which of B. ochracea was more asymmetry. The genome size (1C-values) varied from 2.94 pg (B. striata) to 3.33 pg (B. ochracea), of which B. ochracea was significantly larger than the others (P < 0.05). A positive correlation (P < 0.01) between 1Cx vs. haploid chromosome length (HCL) and asymmetry coefficient of karyotypes (AsK%) was observed.
Two eggplant cultivars (Brigitte and Dalong) were stored under ambient conditions for 8 days to examine the postharvest quality and shelf life. Results indicated that the respiration rate, firmness and springiness, and nutritional quality of both eggplant cultivars decreased with the extension of shelf life. On the contrary, opposite trends were observed in weight loss, gumminess, and chewiness of eggplant fruits. In addition, the weight loss of ‘Brigitte’ eggplant fruits was 3.3% and 6.9% lower compared with ‘Dalong’ eggplant fruits at 4 and 8 days after storage. Thicknesses of epidermal cells and the stratum corneum, the epicuticular wax content of ‘Brigitte eggplant fruits increased by 42.9%, 766.7%, and 58.8% compared with ‘Dalong’ eggplant fruits, respectively, with a concomitant increase in the dense wax layer structure. In conclusion, the storage tolerance of ‘Brigitte’ eggplant fruits was higher than that of ‘Dalong’ eggplant fruits due to the higher epicuticular wax content and dense wax layer structure.
Root systems of pecan trees are usually dominated by a single taproot with few lateral roots, which are commonly thought to inhibit successful transplanting. This study aimed to evaluate early growth and root/shoot development of pecan seedlings in response to taproot pruning. Taproots of ‘Shaoxing’ seedling pecan trees were mildly (1/3 of the total length of the radicle removed) and severely (2/3 of the total length of the radicle removed) pruned at different seedling development stages shortly after germination. At the end of the first growing season, top growth was measured and then trees were uprooted so that root system regrowth could be evaluated. The results showed that root pruning had no impact on increases in stem height or stem diameter. However, pruning the taproot could stimulate primary growth in taproot branches. Root weight and the number of taproot branches per tree increased with decreasing taproot length. This study indicated that severe root pruning when three to five leaves had emerged resulted in root systems with more taproot branches and the greatest root dry weight after one growth season, which may increase survival and reduce transplanting shock.