Protein Content and Oil Composition of Almond from Moroccan Seedlings: Genetic Diversity, Oil Quality and Geographical Origin

The protein and oil content and the fatty acid profile of the kernels of selected almond genotypes from four different Moroccan regions were determined in order to evaluate the kernel quality of the plant material of these different regions. The ranges of oil content (48.7–64.5 % of kernel DW), oleic (61.8–80.2 % of total oil), linoleic (11.4–27.0 %), palmitic (5.6–7.7 %), stearic (1.3–3.1 %), and palmitoleic (0.4–0.9 %) acid percentages agreed with previous results of other almond genotypes, but the protein content (14.1–35.1 % of kernel DW) showed that some genotypes had higher values than any previously recorded in almond. Some genotypes from mountainous regions showed kernels with very high oil content as well as high and consistent oleic and linoleic ratio, establishing a possible differentiation according to the geographical origin. These differences may allow establishing a geographical denomination for almond products. In terms of genetic diversity, oleic and linoleic acids were confirmed to be the most variable components of almond oil chemical composition among genotypes. Additionally, the genotypes with extreme favorable values, such as high protein content, could be incorporated into an almond breeding program aiming at an increase in kernel quality.Peer ReviewedPrunus amygdalusProtein contentOil contentFatty acidsQualityGenetic resourcesBreedingPublishe

Inheritance and linkage of isozyme loci in almond

Available online: Wednesday, November 24, 2004The segregation of seven isozyme marker genes was investigated using eight controlled crosses in almond. The cultivar lsquoNonpareilrsquo was the maternal parent in all crosses. Pollination was achieved using eight different cultivars, and a total of 3200 individual kernels were assessed. For each isozyme the goodness-of-fit test was used to test for departure from the expected frequencies assuming Mendelian inheritance. Given a higher than expected number of significant results for individual isozymes, independent segregation between pairs of isozymes was tested using the chi-square statistic on the resulting two-way contingency tables. In all crosses a highly significant association (P valueAAT- 1 and IDH isozymes loci and (2) the LAP-1 and PGM-2 isozymes loci, which leads to the conclusion that the respective isozyme pairs are linked. In addition, a significant association (P value LAP-1 and GPI-2 when the pollen sources were lsquoFritzrsquo, lsquoMissionrsquo, or lsquoPricersquo, but this could not be tested for the remaining five pollen sources, lsquoCarmelrsquo, lsquoGrantrsquo, lsquoKeanersquo, lsquoNe plus Ultrarsquo, lsquoPeerlessrsquo, because they are homozygous at these loci. If LAP-1 is linked with GPI-2 and PGM-2, it might be expected that we should find evidence of linkage between GPI-2 and PGM-2. The lack of a significant association between these two isozymes suggests that LAP-1 is located centrally on the chromosome. These three pairs of linked loci are the first to be reported in almond.A. Vezvaei, T. W. Hancock, L. C. Giles, G. R. Clarke and J. F. Jackso

The effect of temperature on stigmatic receptivity in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.)

the definitive version is available at: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1365-3040.2003.01085.xPlant reproduction is highly vulnerable to environmental conditions such as temperature and, consequently, planet warming may have significant consequences on the reproductive phase with serious implication in agricultural crops. Although pollen tube growth is clearly affected by temperature, little information is available on its effect on the female side and on flower receptivity. In this work, the effect of temperature has been evaluated on stigmatic receptivity of sweet cherry in vivo, in the laboratory, and in planta, in the field. Results herein show that temperature has a clear effect on the duration of stigmatic receptivity. Thus, whereas high temperature reduced stigmatic receptivity, low temperature enlarged it. The stigma lost the capacity to offer support first for pollen penetration, second for pollen germination and, finally, for pollen adhesion. The effect of temperature was more pronounced on pollen germination and penetration than on pollen adhesion. High temperature reduced the germination capacity of the pollen as early as the first day after anthesis, a time when no apparent signs of stigma degeneration are apparent. This clear effect of temperature on stigmatic receptivity and pollen performance may have clear implication in crop performance and in establishing screening criteria of best-adapted genotypes.A.H. was supported by AECI and SIA-DGA fellowships and financial support for this work was provided by INIA (project grant RTA 01–103).Peer reviewe

The mortality rate from self-harm in Iran

Background: Self-harm�related death is one of the most unfortunate, tragic, and regrettable types of death owing to injuries with a variety of socio-economic and cultural causes. The study aimed to determine the trend in the mortality of self-harm by sex and age at national and provincial levels in Iran over a period of 26 years. Methods: The Iran Death Registration System (DRS), cemetery databanks in Tehran and Esfahan, and the national population and housing censuses of Iran were used for this study. Using a growth model, the population was estimated in the age groups. Incompleteness, misalignment, and misclassification in the DRS were all considered and addressed accordingly. We used a spatio-temporal and Gaussian process regression model to estimate mortality rates in children and adults. Results: Over the study period, 67,670 deaths were estimated owing to self-harm across the country. The overall age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 4.32 per 100,000 (95 unit interface (UI): 3.25�5.75) to 2.78 (2.15�3.59) per 100,000 between 1990 and 2015, a reduction of approximately 35.65. The M/F ratio was 2.03:1 with an annual percent change of �2.38 and �1.37 for women and men, respectively. The annual self-harm mortality rate was higher among individuals aged 15�24 years, as well as it was more in men during the study period. Conclusion: Mortality from self-harm has declined over the study period in Iran. Higher rates in men and in population aged 15�24 years, with considerable variation by province, were the distinguishing features of self-harm. Iran needs to improve monitoring through a comprehensive multisectoral strategy; and most importantly, provide timely, effective and low-cost preventive interventions. © 2020 The Royal Society for Public Healt