Genome composition of 'Elatior'-begonias hybrids analyzed by genomic in situ hybridisation

Interspecific hybridization of various tuberous Begonia species hybrids with Begonia socotrana results in so-called 'Elatior'-begonias hybrids (B. x hiemalis Fotsch). In our study, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) has been employed to assess the genome composition in eleven 'Elatior'-begonias hybrids and their ancestor genotypes. Genomic DNA of tuberous Begonia was sonicated to 1-10-kb fragments, labelled by nick translation with digoxigenin-11-dUTP and used as a probe whereas B. socotrana DNA was autoclaved to 100 bp fragments and used as block. The genome of tuberous Begonia was clearly pronounced in 'Elatior'-begonias when the probe concentration was similar to 3.75 ng/mu l (150 ng/slide), with 30 times the excess of B. socotrana blocking DNA and stringency of post hybridization washings at 73% (0.1x SSC at 42A degrees C). In 'Elatior'-begonias hybrids GISH distinguished two groups comprising short (0.6-1.03 mu m in length) and relatively longer chromosomes (1.87-3.88 mu m) which represent B. socotrana and tuberous Begonia genomes, respectively. The number of chromosomes derived from tuberous Begonia ranged from 14 to 56 and for B. socotrana from 7 to 28 which suggest the presence of different ploidy levels in analyzed 'Elatior'-begonia hybrids. Intergenomic recombination has not been detected through GISH in hybrids analyzed. Genomic in situ hybridization turned out to be useful to identify the genome constitution of 'Elatior'-begonia hybrids and thus gain an insight into the origins of these cultivars. This knowledge on the ploidy level and genome composition is essential for further progress in breeding Begonias

Regeneration of begonia plantlets by direct organogenesis

The economic importance of ornamentals worldwide suggests a bright future for ornamental breeding. Rapid progress in plant molecular biology has great potentials to contribute to the breeding of novel ornamental plants utilizing recombinant DNA technology. The plant cell, tissue or organ culture of many ornamental species and their regeneration are essential for providing the material and systems for their genetic manipulation, and this is therefore the first requirement of genetic engineering. In this research, different concentration of BA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgl(-1) with NAA ( 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 mgl(-1)) and BA (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mgl(-1)) with IAA ( 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, mgl(-1)) were investigated to optimize regeneration of Begonia elatior cv. Toran orange. The best regeneration and growth were obtained from the media containing 2.0 mgl(-1) BA and 1.0 mgl(-1) NAA (70%) followed by 1.0 mgl(-1) BA and 0.5 mgl(-1) NAA (50%), 1.0 mgl(-1) BA and 1.0 mgl(-1) NAA (20%) in BA - NAA combination. The media with BA - IAA combination showed that the best regeneration was 0.5 mgl(-1) BA and 0.5 mgl(-1) IAA (43%) followed by 0.5 mgl(-1) BA and 1.0 mgl(-1) IAA (23%)

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The growth regulators chlormequat (Cycocel), paclobutrazol (Bonzi), daminozide (B-Nine) and Bayleton 25WP (triadimefon) were studied for their ability to control plant height in seed propagated tuberous begonia (‘Nonstop’ begonias). Bayleton is a fungicide used for powdery mildew control that also has growth regulator effects. Two ml growth regulator solution was evenly sprayed on each plant two weeks after transplanting. Cycocel (500 parts per million [ppm], 1 mg active ingredient [a.i.] per plant) resulted in 23% shorter plants than the control plants 15 weeks after transplant. Bonzi (5 ppm, 0.01 mg a.i. per plant) treated begonias were 65% and Bayleton (150 mg•liter-1, 0.3 mg per plant) treated plants 43% shorter than the control plants. The number of flowers and shoots was severely reduced on plants treated with Bonzi or Bayleton. BNine was ineffective at the rate of 3000 ppm (6 mg a.i. per plant) for controlling plant height of seed propagated tuberous begonia

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Plants of Begonia x tuberhybrida ‘Nonstop’, ‘Clips’, and ‘Musical’ were exposed to 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks of short days (SD, 9 hours day length) initiated at 3 stages of plant development (immediately upon germination, 4 or 8 weeks after germination). Prior to and succeeding short days, plants were exposed to long days (LD, 16 hours day length). Musical flowered on average 68 days, Clips 78 days and Nonstop 83 days after germination under continuous LD conditions. In Nonstop, SD for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks delayed plant development by an average 12 days compared to LD grown plants. One, 2, or 3 weeks of SD resulted in 1 week slower flowering and 4 weeks of SD resulted in 2 weeks later flowering in Clips. The sensitivity to SD varied with plant stage in Musical. Three or 4 weeks of SD initiated at germination or 4 weeks after germination resulted in an average delayed flowering of 13 days compared to LD plants. SD initiated 8 weeks after germination had no effect on rate of development in Musical

About House Plants

Exact date of bulletin unknown.PDF pages: 2

Nine new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from South and West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Nine new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), Begonia comestibilis D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. insueta D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. lasioura D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. nobmanniae D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. prionota D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. rantemarioensis D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. sanguineopilosa D.C.Thomas & Ardi, B. torajana D.C.Thomas & Ardi and B. vermeulenii D.C.Thomas, are described from South and West Sulawesi, Indonesia. All belong to Begonia section Petermannia. Proposed conservation categories for these species are Vulnerable (VU) for Begonia comestibilis, B. nobmanniae, B. prionota, B. sanguineopilosa and B. vermeulenii; Least Concern (LC) for B. lasioura, B. rantemarioensis and B. torajana; and Data Deficient (DD) for B. insueta. An identification key to Begonia in South and West Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan and Sulawesi Barat) is provided. © 2011 Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.published_or_final_versio

Unsupervised image segmentation with neural networks

The segmentation of colour images (RGB), distinguishing clusters of image points, representing for example background, leaves and flowers, is performed in a multi-dimensional environment. Considering a two dimensional environment, clusters can be divided by lines. In a three dimensional environment by planes and in an n-dimensional environment by n-1 dimensional structures. Starting with a complete data set the first neural network, represents an n-1 dimensional structure to divide the data set into two subsets. Each subset is once more divided by an additional neural network: recursive partitioning. This results in a tree structure with a neural network in each branching point. Partitioning stops as soon as a partitioning criterium cannot be fulfilled. After the unsupervised training the neural system can be used for the segmentation of images

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This list of recommended annual flower varieties includes information on several hundred annual flower cultivars. The recommended varieties were selected from flowers grown in 1985 and 1986 at the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Farm at the University of Alaska- Fairbanks. While this is by no means a complete listing of varieties suitable for Interior gardens, it does reflect many years of experience in annual flower production at the AFES farm. The methods used to evaluate the flowers and definitions for terms used in the listing can be found under Data Collection.Introduction -- Methods: Bedding Plant Production, Field Conditions, Weather Conditions, Data Collection -- List of Recommended Annual Flower Varieties -- Photo Section -- Appendix 1. Seeding Information -- Appendix 2. Flower Varieties by Color: Blue, Purple; Red, Pink; Red, Pink and White Mixes; White; Yellow, Orange, Gold; Mixed Colors; Foliage Only -- Appendix 3. Bloom Period: Early Season, All Season, Midseason, Late Season, Frost Resistant -- Appendix 4. Plant Heights: Short Varieties, Medium Varieties, Tall Varieties -- Appendix 5. Flowers for Special Purposes: Hanging Baskets, Light Shade, Walls, Rock Garden, Background -- Appendix 6. Seed Source

Trends in rooting media in Dutch horticulture during the period 2001-2005: The new growing media project

An overview of the developments in the area and volume of substrates used for horticultural rooting media in Holland in the period 2001 to 2005 is given. The overview is followed by a discussion of some trends in society and technology including the interest of public and society in a possible substitution of peat, an increase in the use of locally produced renewable carbon based substrates and an increase in nutrient recirculation for soil grown crops. In reaction to growing public concern about peat harvesting for horticultural purposes in parts of Europe, Dutch growers, researchers, potting soil producers, an auction and traders initiated in 2003 a research program named the New Growing Media Project. The aim was: To assess the technical and economical potential of peat alternatives. Develop experience and knowledge of growing on alternative mixtures. During 2004 and 2005, fifteen growers cultivated green and flowering container plants on alternative mixes. The 2004 season was used to test larger numbers of potting soils with relatively small numbers of plants. The 2005 season was used to test the most promising potting soils with larger numbers of plants. The results showed that for Hedera and Schefflera, the ultimate alternative mix was superior to the commercial standard used. For five species, Anthurium, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Spathiphyllum and Castanospermum, the alternative mix proved equal to the commercial standard. For eight species, Azalea, Guzmania, Poinsettia, Rosa, Saintpaulia, Adiantum, Crassula and Ficus, results were poorer than on the standard medium. The growers however, felt confident the alternative mixes could do better if the growing system, often the irrigation frequency, could be adapted to the experimental growing medium. Begonia gave poorer results with the new mix. The percentage peat used in the mixes was reduced from 77% on average in the commercial standard mixes to 30% on average in the new mixes. The most popular alternatives were coir products which increased from 17 to 40%. Other alternatives used were various barks, rice hulls, perlite, wood fiber, composts, and rockwool granulate. Those alternatives were used in mixtures from 5 to 30%. General conclusions include a growing interest in locally produced composts, granulates and fibers and for materials with properties such as a high initial air content combined with an improved rewetting rate

Ellalou Dimmock Honors Voice Recital, November 13, 2012

This is the concert program of the Ellalou Dimmock Honors Voice Recital performance on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 8:00 p.m., at the Boston University Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts. Works performed were From Chants d'Auvergne by Joseph Canteloube, Cuatro Madrigales Amatorios by Joaquin Rodrio, Siete Canciones Populares Españolas by Mauel de Falla, Tarentelle (Monnier) by Gabriel Fauré, Three Songs by Georges Bizet, Catalogue de Fleurs by Darius Milhaud, and Quatre Chansons de Jeunesse by Claude Debussy. Digitization for Boston University Concert Programs was supported by the Boston University Humanities Library Endowed Fund