Morphological characterization of the local potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes collected from the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey

In this study, 58 villages were selected and a total of 146 samples were taken according to stratified sampling system. These genotypes were collected from production areas in high altitudes of the province of Artvin (41‹10f 54h. 40‹ 49f 09h N and 42‹ 21f 49h- 41‹ 32f 40h E) and Rize (41‹ 02f43h-40o 46f 50h N and 41o 00f 22h- 40o 33f 26h E) located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The genotypes were grown under Samsun (41‹31ŒN, 35‹35ŒE) ecological condition in 2006. Some morphological and agronomical characteristics of the genotypes were described according to the criteria developed for potato by the  International Board for Plant Genetics Resources (IPBGR). Cluster analysis was performed to determine the relation among genotypes. Cluster analysis, based on 15 variables, identified 27 groups in the current study. The dendrogram was prepared to evaluate similarity between potato genotypes, and as such, all the obtained data showed that the collected material has a vast variation. These evaluations could assist breeders to select and identify genotypes with desirable characteristics for inclusions in variety breeding programs.Key words: Potato, genotype, characterization, cluster, tuber, Turkey

Agricultural Academy

Abstract ARSLANOGLU, F. and S. AYTAC, 2010. Determination of stability and genotype x environment interactions of some agronomic properties in the different soybean (Glycine max. (L) Merrill) cultivars. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., It was aimed to determine the genotype x environment interactions and stability of seed yield and some agronomic characteristics of soybean in different ecogeographical locations of Turkey. In this study, field experiments were conducted at 8 locations in Turkey (Bafra, Carsamba, Turhal, Erbaa, Gokhoyuk, Suluova, Kabali, Boyabat) during two years. The eight soybean cultivars (Flint, Apollo, Savoy, Amsoy 71, Macon, Ap2292, SA88, A3127) were used in this study. The effect of genotype (G), environment (E) and GxE interactions on pod number per plant, plant height, seed yield and 1000-seed weight were found significantly (p<0.01). Among the experiment locations, the pod number per plant ranged between 87.34 and 33.87 units; plant height between 100.41 and 68.71 cm; seed yield between 379.49 and 211.85 kg da -1 ; 1000-seed weight between 210.06 and 133.66 g. The highest seed yield was obtained from Flint cultivar. Besides, Flint and Apollo cultivars were good performance in all environments for seed yield. SA88 cultivar in terms of pod number per plant, and Macon cultivar in terms of plant height was found to be stable in all environments. A stable cultivar for seed yield could not be found among the cultivars

Systematic mechanical assessment of consolidants for canvas reinforcement under controlled environment

In conservation, adhesives are commonly used for the consolidation of canvases, yet their impact upon the canvas longevity has raised some concerns amongst conservators. As such, this study presents a testing protocol developed to assess the performance of commonly-used adhesives (natural animal glue and synthetic Beva® 371) and a newly developed nanocellulose consolidant, nanofibrillated nanocellulose (CNF). This includes their effect on the visual appearance, consolidation, and response of the mechanical properties of the treated canvases to programmed changes in relative humidity (RH). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of animal glue- and Beva® 371-treated canvases revealed the presence of adhesive and consolidant on and in-between cotton fibres. The consolidants form bridges linking and connecting the cotton fibres and holding them together, whereas the CNF treatment, formed a visible continuous and dense surface coating. None of the treatments induced any discernible colour change. Controlled environment mechanical testing was performed in two ways: by applying a linearly increasing static force at fixed RH (Young’s modulus) and by applying a dynamic force together with a programmed RH cycling between 20 and 80% (RH dependent viscoelastic properties). CNF gave a higher value of Young’s modulus than either of the two commonly-used materials. Measurements at different values of RH (20 and 80%) demonstrated for all the treated canvases that at the lower value (RH 20%) Young’s modulus values were higher than at the higher value (RH 80%). Besides, the dynamic mode showed that the rate of response in all cases was rapid and reversible and that the nanofibrillated cellulose treated sample showed the highest variation in storage (or elastic) modulus measured at the end of RH plateaux (20 and 80% RH). Thus CNF appears to be a promising material given its higher mechanical performance. The protocol developed in this study has enabled us to examine and compare candidate materials for the consolidation of canvases systematically, using testing parameters that remained relevant to the field of canvas conservation

A comparison of the use of premixed insulins in pen-injectors with conventional patient-mixed insulin treatment in children and adolescents with IDDM. Is there a decreased risk of night hypoglycemia?

Insulin injection is a problem in pediatric and adolescent age, and premixed insulin therapy given in pen-injectors (Novopen II(R)) is expected to increase compliance. Compliance with treatment and safety of this kind of insulin substitution was investigated in 20 IDDM patients (8.2-19.6 years old). The study was of randomized cross-over design and its duration was 6 (2x3) months. Metabolic parameters were compared between premixed insulin therapy via pen-injector and patient-mixed insulin therapy via conventional syringe, and no differences were observed except for the postponing of night hypoglycemic attacks to 07.00 a.m. during premixed insulin therapy. No technical or medical problems occurred. Patients were more satisfied with the new therapy regimen as determined by questionnaire. We concluded that this kind of insulin substitution is safe in pediatric and adolescent IDDM patients