Vitis seed longevity after prolonged cold storage

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Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.)

Little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.), a member of the grass family Poaceae, is native to India. It is nutritionally superior to major cereals, grows well on marginal lands, and can withstand drought and waterlogging conditions. Two-hundred diverse little millet landraces were characterized to assess variability for agronomic and nutritional traits and identify promising accessions. Highly significant variabilitywas found for all the agronomic and grain nutrient traits. Accessions of robusta were high yielding whereas those of nana were rich in grain nutrients. About 80% of the accessions showed consistent protein and zinc (Zn) contents whereas iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) contents were less consistent (29.5 and 63.5%, respectively) over 2 yr. Promising trait-specific accessions were identified for greater seed weight (10 accessions), high grain yield (15), high biomass yield (15), and consistently high grain nutrients (30) over 2 yr (R2 = .69–.74, P ≤ .0001). A few accessions showed consistently high for two or more nutrients (IPmr 449 for Fe, Zn, Ca, and protein; IPmr 981 for Zn and protein). Five accessions (IPmr 855, 974, 877, 897, 767) were high yielding and also rich in Ca. Consumption of 100 g of little millet grains can potentially contribute to the recommended dietary allowance of up to 28% Fe, 37% Zn, and 27% protein. Multilocation evaluation of the promising accessions across different soil types, fertility levels, and climatic conditions would help to identify valuable accessions for direct release as a cultivar or use in little millet improvement

Vitis seed longevity after prolonged cold storage

Under our storage conditions, 16-year-old seeds of V. berlandieri x V. vinifera crosses were still capable of successful emergence, while 33 years appeared to exceed the maximum storage time for successful emergence of V. berlandieri or V. cinerea seedlings. The proportion of emerging seedlings was relatively low for the particular interspecies crosses, suggesting long-term storage of Vitis seeds is an inefficient practice for either breeding or conservation purposes. Seed storage appears less reliable for longterm conservation of grapevine germplasm than the resource-intensive cultivation of seedlings as individual vines, but may provide useful material for other purposes. Using established seed storage guidelines may extend longevity of grapevine seeds.http://www.vitis-vea.de/Englisch/eindex.ph