Creating new genetic variability in sunflower using induced mutations

The objective of the study was to provide new genetic variability in important agronomic traits that can be exploited for improvement of sunflower production. Seeds of eight sunflower inbred lines from gene collection of Institute of Field and Vegetables, Novi Sad were irradiated with gamma rays (γ) and fast neutrons (Nf) and treated in ethyle-methane-sulphonate (EMS) solution. The manifestation of mutations was mostly expressed in M2 and M3 generation. Seven mutants were developed; one early flowering, two short stature and one high, two with higher oil content and one branching. The stable progenies were evaluated in micro-plot tests in M6 generation for seed yield and other traits in comparison with respective original line. Further studies should be focused on testing new mutant lines in hybrid combinations, as well as the determination of inheritance of mutant traits

Radiosensitivity of sunflower inbred lines to mutagenesis

For much of the past century, mutagenesis has gained popularity in plant genetics research as a means of inducing novel genetic variation. Induced mutations have been applied for the past 40 years to produce mutant cultivars in sunflower by changing plant characteristics that significantly increase plant yield and quality. The present study is focused on generating baseline data to elucidate the role of genotypic differences in the response of sunflower to induced mutagenesis with the aim of expanding the applicability of the use of induced mutant stocks in the genetic improvement of the crop and in its functional genomics. The strategy adopted was to estimate the optimal treatment conditions (doses of mutagens) through relating the extent of damage in seedling progeny to the exposure levels of the initiating propagates to mutagens. Seeds of fifteen elite sunflower genotypes of commonly used as breeding stocks and grown on commercial scales were treated with a range of mutagens: gamma rays (γ rays); fast neutrons and with ethyl-methane-sulphonate (EMS) at different treatment doses. The three mutagenic agents affected seedling height, reducing it with increasing dosage. Based on the mutagen damage on seedling height, the 50% and 30% damage indices (D50 and D30, respectively) were estimated for the 15 sunflower genotypes for the three mutagens. The D50 (D30) values for the sunflower lines ranged from 120 to 325 Gy (5 to 207 Gy) for gamma irradiation; 9 to 21 Gy (0.1 to 10 Gy) for fast neutrons and 0.69 to 1.55% (0.01 to 0.68%) concentration of EMS

Relationship between genetic distance and heterosis based on quantitative traits and SSR markers in sunflower

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between SSR based genetic distance (GD) of new NS sunflower inbred lines for most important agronomic traits and heterosis. Twenty three sunflower inbred lines (twenty restorer lines and three female lines used as testers) were selected based on their diverse genetic background for plant height, head diameter, thousand seed mass, oil content, seed yield per plant and oil yield per plant. Significant heterosis was observed in hybrid combinations for all examined traits except oil content. Genetic distance between pairs of tested sunflower inbred lines ranged from 0.13 to 0.8. There was no significant positive correlation between genetic distance and mid- and better-parent heterosis, specific combining ability and mean value in any of the examined traits for all 60 hybrids. A highly significant negative correlation was found between GD and mean oil percentage (r=-0.33 p<0.01). However significant correlations between GD and better-parent heterosis for thousand seed weight were found for hybrids of the tester line HA-19 (r=0.43 p<0.05) and between GD and mid-parent heterosis for plant height for hybrids of the tester line HA-26 (r=0.47 p<0.05). Although GD was generally a poor predictor of heterosis, better results are obtained if hybrid combinations for each tester and each trait are analyzed separately

Morphometric Analysis of Nonsclerosed Glomeruli Size and Connective Tissue Content during the Aging Process

Number of sclerotic glomeruli increases during the aging process. Consequently, majority of remained nonsclerosed glomeruli become hypertrophic and some of them sclerotic, too. The aim of this study was to quantify the size and connective tissue content of nonsclerosed glomeruli and to evaluate the percentage of hypertrophic ones in examined human cases during the aging. Material was right kidney's tissue of 30 cadavers obtained during routine autopsies. Cadavers were without previously diagnosed kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, or any other systemic disease. Tissue specimens were routinely prepared for histological and morphometric analysis. Images of the histological slices were analyzed and captured under 400x magnification with digital camera. Further they were morphometrically and statistically analyzed with ImageJ and NCSS-PASS software. Multiple and linear regression of obtained morphometric parameters showed significant increase of glomerular connective tissue area and percentage. Cluster analysis showed the presence of two types of glomeruli. Second type was characterized with significantly larger size, connective tissue content, and significantly lower cellularity, in relation to the first type. Such glomeruli might be considered as hypertrophic. First type of glomeruli was predominant in younger cases, while second type of glomeruli was predominant in cases older than 55 years

Investigation of content of primary and secondary oxidation products in sunflower oils with a different content of oleic acid

Oxidative stability, i.c. shelf life of oil is related to the degree of the oxidative changes in the amount of the resulting primary and secondary oxidation products of unsaturated fatty acids. In order to improve oxidative stability, i.e. oil shelf life, sunflower hybrids with altered fatty acid composition have been created, i.e. significantly higher oleic acid (C18:1) content, even over 90% w/w, relative to the linoleic type with 25-30% w/w of oleic and 60-65% w/w of linoleic acid (C18:2). In order to examine the oxidative stability of the oil, three samples of sunflower seed oil NS hybrids (NS Oliva, NS Horizont and NS Romeo) of different fatty acid composition were analyzed. Samples were exposed to moderate temperatures (6342°C) over a period of 8 days. Changes in the content of primary and secondary oxidation products based on changes in peroxide (PV) and anisidine (p-AnV) values, as well as changes in the content of conjugated dienes and trienes, were observed. The highest oxidative stability was observed in the oleic type oil sample. In this sample the determined values of the tested parameters of oxidative stability, after 8 days, were PV=4.85 mmol/kg and p-AnV=0.65, compared to the initial sample (PV=0.36 mmol/kg and p-AnV=0.57). The greatest oxidative changes occurred in the oil sample with the lowest content of oleic and the highest content of linoleic acid, as indicated by the PV=73.22 mmol/kg and p-AnV=3.60, after 8 days, in relation to PV=2.16 mmol/kg and p-AnV=0.50 in the initial linoleic type oil sample

Overview of carotenoids distribution among wild plant species of the Balkan Peninsula

The Balkan Peninsula is characterized by a great diversity of flora and vegetation. Moreover, it is native to a large number of wild plant species containing carotenoids, biologically active compounds, beneficial for human health. Carotenoid pigments exhibit a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, in addition to beneficial impact on eye health, heart, blood vessels, cognitive function and antiaging. Nevertheless, their role has been scientifically proven in prevention and treatment of cancer. The aim of the research was to form a database on carotenoid plants of Serbia and the Balkans that is set up electronically for easy access, management and updating. The research included the analysis and organization of information on collected plants, as well as literature data related to the traditional use and storage of plants and plant parts and products rich in carotenoids in fresh, dried or canned state. Sixty wild plants from more than ten plant families were registered to contain these antioxidant pigments. Among them three endemic species namely Lilium bosniacum (Beck) Fritsch (lily native to Bosnia and Herzegovina), Ramonda nathaliae Pančić & Petrović and R. serbica Pančić were inscribed, of which the last two are Tertiary relicts. The type and level of carotenoids varied depending on the plant species and organs including leaves, petals, immature and ripe fruits, pulp, seeds, etc. According to database, fruits were the richest source of these pigments. Reported carotenoid content, included both xanthophylls and carotenes, whereas lutein and β-carotene were predominantly major compounds in berries and flowers respectively. Total carotenoid content, determined by HPLC method, was the highest in fresh berries of Rubus fruticosus L. (440 μg/100g

Primena metode sortiranja nijansi tkanine za izradu odevnih predmeta

Shade sorting methods are designed with the aim to identify the pieces i.e. coloured materials from different dyelots, that could be used for the manufacture of a single garment in order to keep the colour difference between different garment parts at the minimum (or acceptable). The most simple and the most used shade sorting system today is 555 block sorting. This article considers the possibility of using 555 block shade sorting on several industrially produced woven fabrics for garment manufacture. The fabrics examined in the experimental part are chosen by their colour, to cover both light and deep shades, and all the main colours of the spectrum