Rootstock Breeding for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Citrus

Citrus species are the most widely produced fruit crops in the world. Citrus fruits are mainly produced in coastal areas in several countries as well as Mediterranean region, and production in these regions is affected by both biotic and abiotic stresses, including drought, extreme temperature, salinity, citrus canker, citrus tristeza virus, citrus greening, and others. The use of rootstocks in fruit production includes not only stronger resistance against pathogens but also a higher tolerance to abiotic stress conditions such as salinity, heavy metals, nutrient stress, water stress, and alkalinity. There is extensive genetic diversity in citrus which provides several materials to be used as rootstocks against abiotic stress. In this work, we tried to provide an overview of the abiotic stresses in citrus by combining literature with our studies, role of citrus rootstocks commercially used against abiotic stresses and rootstock breeding in citrus

Genetic Diversity in Citrus

WOS: 000403834500012

Genetic Diversity and Breeding of Persimmon

The genus Diospyros, which is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, contains hundreds of plant species. However, four species of them have commercial importance. D. kaki Thunb. is the most widely cultivated species of the Diospyros genus. Persimmon (D. kaki Thunb.) is grown in many parts of the world that display subtropical climate conditions. In recent years, the cultivation of persimmon has found renewed interest in various countries of the Mediterranean basin. In China (which is the origin of persimmon) and in Japan and Korea (where it is grown widely), persimmons were selected from some well-known old varieties. Recently in countries such as Italy, Spain, USA, Brazil, Turkey and Israel, persimmons were selected from new cultivars. Currently China, Japan and Korea have the big persimmon germplasm collections with a large number of varieties and other Diospyros species. Also, Italy, Spain, USA, Brazil, Turkey, Israel, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have constituted the germplasms by high commercial value cultivars and/or local varieties. In this chapter, we tried to provide an overview of the genetic diversity and breeding of persimmon by combining literature with our studies

To post or not to post: examining motivations of brand/product-related engagement types on social networking sites.

At present, consumers use social networking sites to engage with brands and brand related content, this study examines consumers’ motivations for brand/product- related engagement on social networking sites. This thesis develops three motivation frameworks to explain each brand/product-related engagement type: consuming, contributing and creating. The main objectives are: 1) to understand what motivates consumers to engage with different brand/product-related posts on social networking sites, and 2) to understand the relationship between brand/product-related engagement types and social networking sites usage. A mixed-methods approach is employed through establishing exploratory sequential research design. First, consumers’ motivations drawn from psychology and brand/product-related engagement literature are defined through using semi- structured interviews (N=12) in order to define the factors behind each brand/product-related engagement type on social networking sites. Then, the findings of semi-structured interview analysis lead to the development of web-based questionnaires. Web-based online questionnaires (N= 225) were conducted in order to examine motivations of each brand/product-related engagement type on social networking sites and the relationship between brand/product-related post engagement and social networking site usage. A survey of 225 respondents was conducted and analysed using quantitative method. The findings shed light on the reasons behind consumers’ brand/product-related engagement types (e.g. consuming contributing, creating) on social networking sites, and the relationship between consumers’ social media site usage and brand/product- related engagement behaviour. A key contribution of this thesis is to construct five models: 1) a motivation framework for consuming brand/product-related posts from brands which aims to explain what motivates consumers to consume (e.g. read, view) brand/product-related posts from brands; 2) a motivation framework for consuming brand/product-related posts from other people; 3) a motivation framework for contributing brand/product-related posts from brands and other people that examines factors behind consumers’ contribution behaviour to brand/product- related posts through sharing, commenting, liking, favouriting, tagging, etc; 4) a motivation framework examining the motives of consumers for creating positive brand/product-related posts on social networking sites; and 5) a motivation framework defining the motives of consumers to create negative brand/product-related posts on social networking sites. The findings also define brand/product-related engagement types and social networking site usage. The relationship between social networking site usage and brand/product-related engagement is only found for two engagement types: consuming and contributing

An analysis of the fundamental tensions between copyright and social media: The legal implications of sharing images on Instagram

Copyright is inherently intertwined with the development of technology and none more so than the advent of the Internet and sharing technologies. More recently, social media platforms have become the latest challenge for copyright law and policy. This article builds on the literature that recognises the underlying conflict between copyright and social networking sites; namely that the basic implication of copyright is the restriction of copying, whereas the ethos of social networking is the promotion of sharing. In particular, this article focuses on the disparity between the restricted acts of copying and communication to the public under copyright law and the encouragement of sharing on social networking site Instagram. In doing so, it contextualises the debate surrounding copyright and social media, and provides an understanding of the legal implications of using Instagram. As such this paper analyses 1) the infringement of copyright protected work on Instagram, and 2) the user-agreement and licensing of copyright material on Instagram. This study concludes that the disparity between the principles of copyright and social media lead to confusion and vulnerability of users. Therefore, it is suggested that Instagram should better inform its users of the implications of sharing third-party content as well as the terms of its user-agreement. This could be done by implementing a copyright strategy, which includes a notice and takedown system as well as investing in producing educational content for users. Perhaps social networking sites, such as Instagram might be more motivated to take steps to recognise intellectual property rights if they were considered Internet Services Provides such as YouTube

Molecular diversification and preliminary evaluations of some satsuma selections’ performance under mediterranean conditions

Satsuma (Citrus unshiu Marc.) has been cultivated for a long time in Turkey, and therefore variations for agronomical traits are likely among cultivated satsumas due to bud mutations. The objectives of this study were to determine variations for some selected agronomical traits and genetic markers among 21 new satsumas derived from selections. Fruit yield, fruit quality and molecular diversification of these clones were determined. The clones of 62 Adana, 4/2 Izmir and 11/1 Izmir indicated the highest yield. The fruits obtained from all clones were heavier than the control (Owari Satsuma). Molecular analysis, as assessed with 9 random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 14 simple sequence repeats (SSR) primers, indicated that satsuma clones showed a narrow genetic base suggesting that the observed morphological polymorphism within the group must be associated with  somatic mutations which were not detected by these molecular markers.Key words: Mandarins, clonal selection, citrus

To post or not to post? Examining motivations of brand related engagement types on social networking sites

This study investigates consumer motivations behind brand-related engagement on social media by exploring three different engagement types: consuming, contributing (to) and creating. Previous research suggests that many brands seek to engage with consumers via communications on social networking sites, however most focus on quantitative metrics and measurement tools to evaluate such behaviour and so offer limited understanding and guidance. To address this gap the current study utilises a mixed method approach to investigates the motivations behind each brand-related engagement type to provide deeper insight into what motivates consumers to engage with brand-related posts on social networking sites. This study also aim to investigate the motivations between different engagement types exist, and whether these vary between brands and other people’s brand-related posts. A two-phase integrated qualitative-quantitative research design was utilised. Twelve semi-structured interviews explored the range of consumers’ brand engagement motivations, before an online survey (N= 225) identified and confirmed the motivational similarities and differences between the three brand-related engagement types. Results indicate each brand-related engagement type is influenced by different motives, bar the enjoyment motive which triggers all three engagement types. Of particular interest is the identification of a new motive for engagement - seeking compensation - that influences negative brand-related engagement. Through understanding what motivates consumers to consume, contribute and create, brands can tailor their marketing messages to each different brand-related engagement types. This will increase their engagement with consumers on social networking sites, as specific segments can be created by the brand in order to enhance their targeting strategies based on consumers’ differing motivations within social media channels. This study contributes a much needed framework of motivations for brand-related engagement on social media, recognising variations in motivations by type of engagement (consume; contribute (to); create)