Phenotyping progenies for complex architectural traits: a strategy for 1-year-old apple trees (Malus x domestica Borkh.)

International audienceThe aim of this study was to define a methodology for describing architectural traits in a quantitative way on tree descendants. Our strategy was to collect traits related to both tree structural organization, resulting from growth and branching, and tree form and then to select among these traits relevant descriptors on the basis of their genetic parameters. Because the complexity of tree architecture increases with tree age, we chose to describe the trees in the early stages of development. The study was carried out on a 1-year-old apple progeny derived from two parent cultivars with contrasted architecture. A large number of variables were collected at different positions and scales within the trees. Broad-sense heritability and genetic correlations were estimated and the within tree variability was analyzed for variables measured on long sylleptic axillary shoots (LSAS). These results were combined to select heritable and not correlated variables. Finally, the selection of variables proposed combines topological with geometric traits measured on both trunks and LSAS: (1) on the trunk, mean internode length, and number of sylleptic axillary shoots; (2) on axillary shoots, conicity, bending, and number of sylleptic axillary shoots born at order 3. The trees of the progeny were partitioned on the basis of these variables. The putative agronomic interest of the selected variables with respect to the subsequent tree development is discussed

Erratum: Modelling the magnetic dipole (vol 37, 025203, 2016)

Erratu

Exchange energy in diamagnetically diluted iron borate-based crystals

International audienc

New insight in the nature of surface magnetic anisotropy in iron borate

The theory of surface magnetism of iron borate, FeBO3, has been extended by taking into consideration a crystal field contribution to the surface magnetic anisotropy energy. For this purpose, a model of distortion of the six-fold oxygen environment of iron ions in the near-surface layer of iron borate has been put forward. The spin Hamiltonian parameters for isolated Fe3+ ions in the distorted environment of the near-surface layer have been calculated using the Newman's superposition model. The crystal field contribution to the surface magnetic anisotropy energy has been calculated in the framework of the perturbation theory. The model developed allows concluding that the distortions of the iron environment produce a significant crystal field contribution to the surface magnetic anisotropy constant. The results of experimental studies of the surface magnetic anisotropy in iron borate can be described assuming the existence of relative contractions in the near-surface layer of the order of 1 %

Iron-Doped Gallium Borate Crystals: Synthesis and ESR Study of Local Disorder

High quality FexGa1-xBO3 single crystals with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 were synthesized and studied by electron magnetic resonance in the temperature range from 4 to 290 K. At low x, only the electron spin resonance (ESR) of diluted Fe3+ ions is present. Fitting to the experimental ESR spectra, assuming distributions of Fe3+ ligand coordinates, has shown the existence of local disorder in the crystals

Fitting MAS NMR spectra in crystals with local disorder: Czjzek's vs. Maurer's model for 11 B and 71 Ga in polycrystalline gallium borate

A comparative analysis of the Czjzek's and Maurer's models of the joint distribution density of NMR quadrupole parameters has been carried out in view of their application to account for spectra broadening induced by local disorder in crystals. As an example of such an application, we have considered Magic Angle Spinning NMR of 11 B and 71 Ga isotopes in polycrystalline gallium borate. Computer simulations carried out using both models unambiguously show that in the case of low local disorder the Maurer's model, in contrast to the Czjzek's model, provides satisfactory fits to experimental NMR spectra

Microbial C-availability and organic matter decomposition in urban soils of megapolis depend on functional zoning

Urbanization has various strong effects on soil processes. Despite an increasing number of studies focused on soil carbon (C) distribution and stocks within cities, the C and nutrient availability to microorganisms and their capacity to decompose organic matter remain nearly unknown. The factors responsible for these processes in megacities are characterized by a very high spatial heterogeneity and therefore, their effects should be investigated as related to specific environmental conditions – common for urban functional zones. This study focuses on the examination of the texture, C, available phosphorus (AP) and potassium (AK), mineral nitrogen, pH, and heavy metals (HMs) contents considering microbial C-availability (ratio of microbial biomass to C) and organic matter decomposition (BR) in soils of Moscow megapolis. The sampling sites were referred to recreational, residential and industrial zones. In the industrial and residential zones, the pH, AK, AP, and HMs were increased compared to recreational. Concurrently, the microbial С-availability and BR were much less in these zones. The high pH and AP content had negative effects on the BR for all soils. Soil segregation into groups (C-poor and C-rich, light texture and heavy texture) reduced heterogeneity and showed the additional patterns. In C-poor soils, the AP effect on BR was confirmed, but not of pH. The AK and Cu contents had negative effects on C-availability for C-poor and light soils, respectively. We conclude that careful control of the soil phosphorus and potassium contents as well as texture is necessary for planning the soil construction in megacities to consider their optimal functioning. © 2019, Soil Science Society of Pakistan

Anisotropic energy gap of low-frequency AFMR mode in Fe x Ga 1-x BO 3 single crystals

International audienc