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Inbreeding and coancestry coefficients were calculated for 66 sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) selections released from four breeding programs in North America (HRIO, Vineland, Ont., IAREC, Prosser, Wash., NYSAES, Geneva, N.Y., and PARC, Summerland, B.C.). Highly used founding clones were `Black Heart', `Emperor Francis', `Empress Eugenie', `Napoleon' and `Windsor'. Coefficients of coancestry between all selections and these clones averaged 0.038, 0.045, 0.060, 0.091, and 0.033, respectively. In these five founding clones, coefficients of coancestry in self-compatible selections were over twice as much as those in self-incompatible selections except `Windsor'. In the analysis of coefficients of coancestry between self-incompatible and self-compatible sweet cherry, almost 20% of self-incompatible selections represent more than a half-sib relationship (0.125) to self-compatibles. Increasing and maintaining genetic diversity is needed in sweet cherry breeding program in North America for continued breeding progress.
Small fruit size reduces fresh-market value and potential net income in sweet cherry. Several new rootstock cultivars for sweet cherry induce greater precocity, heavier blossom density, and a range of dwarfing but also may reduce fruit size. A field study was undertaken with sixth leaf `Hedelfingen' scions grown on Prunus avium L. `Mazzard' seedling rootstock or on one of 4 new rootstock cultivars: `Damil,' `Gi 148/1,' `Gi 172/9,' and `Gi 196/4.' Factorial treatments included (+/-) trickle irrigation when soil tensiometer readings reached 20 k Pa and (+/-) hand thinning to single fruits/cluster aat 7 days after full bloom. High natural precipitation reduced irrigation effect but fruit size was increased significantly by thinning. Yield differences were also seen between rootstock cultivars.
The study’s objective was to investigate the effects of foliage plants on prefrontal cortex activity and subjective assessments of psychological relaxation. In a crossover experimental design, 24 male university students in their 20s observed a container with and without foliage plants for 3 minutes while oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration in the prefrontal cortex was continuously measured with a portable near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy device. Afterward, subjective evaluations of emotions were obtained via two self-report questionnaires: a modified semantic differential (SD) method and the Profile of Mood State questionnaire (POMS). Oxy-Hb concentration in the right prefrontal cortex was significantly lower in subjects who viewed the foliage plants than in those who did not, indicating a physiologically relaxed state. The subjects also reported in the SD method significantly more positive emotions (e.g., comfortable, natural, and relaxed) associated with viewing the foliage plants. In the POMS, a significant positive effect on psychological relaxation when subjects viewed the foliage plants was shown. Thus, we conclude that foliage plants have both physiological and psychological relaxation effects in males even after only short exposure.