29 research outputs found
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
Control of phytoplasma diseases through resistant plants
Phytoplasma diseases are difficult to control and one of the most promising
approaches is through the use of resistant plants. Intra- and interspecific differences
in the response of plants to various phytoplasma diseases have been observed
over the last decades under both experimental and natural infection conditions. This
chapter summarizes information on identification of resistant genotypes to a number
of major phytoplasma diseases of temperate fruit trees, sesame, brinjal, coconut,
jujube and forest trees and shrubs, for which the current knowledge is more advanced
than that of other phytoplasma diseases. The resistant genotypes are suitable for
disease management and should be regarded as a safe, effective and environmentally
friendly control measure. Also, although some genotypes so far identified are
not entirely satisfactory for agronomical purposes, they can be further exploited
either in conventional breeding programs or through biotechnological approaches
aimed at developing plants with suitable agronomic properties in which resistance
to phytoplasma diseases is stably inserted
Elevated nutrients change bacterial community composition and connectivity: high throughput sequencing of young marine biofilms
Balance and concentration of nitrogen and potassium affect growth and nutrient status in soilless cultivated lisianthus
Purpose: Nitrogen (N) / potassium (K) nutrient balance has been studied for some ornamental plants, however, available information is limited. Here we investigate the optimum N and K balance and concentration for lisianthus production in soilless medium. Materials and methods: The effect of three N / K balances: 1.43, 2.14 and 4.29, prepared by varying the concentration of N and K, were evaluated in lisianthus grown in soilless medium (volcanic rock). Results: Plants fertigated with a N / K balance of 2.14 exhibited enhanced height and stem dry weight when compared to plants fertigated with a balance of 4.29, and a higher flower buds count and total dry weight than those fertigated with a balance of 1.43 or 4.29. Plants fertigated with a balance of 2.14 exhibited increased dry weight when N was reduced from 15 to 9 meq L−1 and K from 7 to 4.2 meq L−1, suggesting that lisianthus does not require high levels of these nutrients. Although shoot N concentration was not correlated with N concentration in the nutrient solution or balance, increasing N in the shoot was associated with higher P and Mg in the plant tissues. In general, P, Ca, and Mg in plant tissues were unaffected by the external N / K balance, however, the internal P and Mg concentrations were positively correlated with shoot dry weight. Shoot K concentration significantly increased when the N / K balance decreased, which is related to the higher concentrations of external K when the balance decreased. Conclusions: The optimum N / K balance for lisianthus was 2.14. However, there was a concentration effect, as fertigation with solutions containing a N / K balance of 2.14 and an N and K concentration of 9 and 4.2 meq L−1 respectively, resulted in plants with the greatest dry weight
Embryo maturity plays an important role for the successful cryopreservation of coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Recent lethal yellowing outbreak: why is the Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconut no longer resistant in Jamaica?
Germinação de embriões zigóticos e desenvolvimento in vitro de coquinho-azedo
Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da luz, das concentrações de sais MS e de sacarose sobre a germinação, in vitro, de embriões, e o desenvolvimento de plântulas de coquinho-azedo (Butia capitata (Mart.) Becc.). Para o preparo do meio de cultivo, foram utilizados sais MS suplementados com vitaminas, mio-inositol, caseÃna hidrolizada, carvão ativado, sacarose e ágar. Para avaliação do efeito da luminosidade, embriões zigóticos foram cultivados na presença e na ausência de luz. Diferentes concentrações de minerais MS (0; 25; 50; 75 e 100% em relação à formulação original do meio MS) foram testadas em associação com duas concentrações de sacarose ( de0 a 2%). Em ambos os experimentos, avaliaram-se, após 30 dias da inoculação, percentuais de oxidação, germinação e emissão de raÃzes e bainhas foliares. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que condição de luminosidade não afetou a germinação, porém, a ausência de luz favoreceu a emissão de raÃzes. Ocorreu o alongamento na ausência de sacarose, indicando a existência de reservas energéticas no embrião. A adição de sacarose proporcionou menores nÃveis de oxidação, favoreceu o alongamento e mostrou-se imprescindÃvel para o desenvolvimento inicial das plântulas. Concentrações de sais entre 50 e 75% da concentração original do meio MS proporcionaram menores nÃveis de oxidação. A concentração de 75 % da concentração original de sais do meio MS proporcionou maior enraizamento