Mapping genes governing flower architecture and pollen development in a double mutant population of carrot

A linkage map of carrot (Daucus carota L.) was developed in order to study reproductive traits. The F2 mapping population derived from an initial cross between a yellow leaf (yel) chlorophyll mutant and a compressed lamina (cola) mutant with unique flower defects of the sporophytic parts of male and female organs. The genetic map has a total length of 781 cM and included 285 loci. The length of the nine linkage groups ranged between 65 cM and 145 cM. All linkage groups have been anchored to the reference map. The objective of this study was the generation of a well-saturated linkage map of D. carota. Mapping of the cola-locus associated with flower development and fertility was successfully demonstrated. Two MADS-box genes (DcMADS3, DcMADS5) with prominent roles in flowering and reproduction as well as three additional genes (DcAOX2a, DcAOX2b, DcCHS2) with further importance for male reproduction were assigned to different loci that did not co-segregate with the cola-locus

Glucosinolate profiles of disomic rapeseed-radish chromosome addition lines

Glucosinolatgehalte und Glucosinolatmuster einer kompletten Serie von neun disomen Raps-Rettich Chromo­somenadditionen (2n = 38 + 2, a bis i) wurden bestimmt und mit denen des Chromosomenspenders Rettich und des Chromosomenempfängers Raps verglichen. Der Effekt einzelner Rettichchromosomen im identischen Rapshintergrund erlaubte die chromosomale Zuordnung von Schritten der Glucosinolat-Biosynthese. Die Addi­tionslinie a wies den fünffachen Glucosinolatgehalt auf wie der Rapselter. Die rettichspezifischen Glucosinolate Glucoraphenin und Glucoerysolin wurden ausschließlich in der Additionslinie g nachgewiesen. In der Additions­linie i wurde außerdem Sinigrin nachgewiesen, welches in keinem der Eltern gebildet wird. Der Glucosinolatgehalt ist nicht mit der Resistenz gegenüber dem Rübenzystennematoden (Heterodera schachtii Schmidt) korreliert.    The glucosinolate (GSL) content and -profile of a complete series of nine disomic rapeseed-radish chromosome addition lines (2n = 38 + 2, a to i) was estimated and compared to that of radish as donor and rapeseed as recipient of the alien chromosomes. Modification of identical genetic rapeseed background by single radish chromosomes allows the assignment of GSL biosynthesis steps to individual radish chromosomes. Addition line a was found to have a five times higher aliphatic GSL content than the rapeseed parent. Radish-specific GSLs, glucoraphenin and glucoerysolin, were synthesized exclusively in addition line g. Addition line i produced sinigrin, not detectable in both parents. The variations in GSL content are not correlated with resistance against beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii Schmidt).   &nbsp

Newgeochemical evidence for the origin of North America\u27s largest dune field, the Nebraska Sand Hills, central Great Plains, USA

The Nebraska SandHills region is the largest dune field inNorthAmerica and has diverse aeolian landforms. It has been active during both the late Pleistocene and late Holocene. Despite decades of study, the source of sediment for this large sand sea is still controversial. Here we report new trace element compositions of aeolian sand that are compared to four hypothesized sediment sources, Tertiary rocks of the Arikaree Group and Ogallala Group, unconsolidated sands of Pliocene age, and Platte River systemsands. All four potential sources have amineralogy that is similar to the Nebraska Sand Hills. K/Rb, K/Ba, Sc-Th-La, Eu/Eu*, LaN/YbN, As/Sb, and Fe/Sc values show, however, that Pliocene sediments and sands from the Platte River system are not likely sources. The Arikaree Group could be a minor contributor, but sands from the Ogallala Group appear to have the best compositional fit to the Nebraska Sand Hills. Although past studies have proposed the Ogallala Group as an important sand source, the hypothesis has been questioned, because the unit iswell cemented by calcrete in its upper part. However, examination of the landscape upwind of the Nebraska Sand Hills shows that the Ogallala Group, where it occurs at the land surface, is highly dissected in much of this region, which makes sand-sized particles available for aeolian entrainment whenever drought conditions diminish a protective vegetation cover

In situ hybridization in Vitis vinifera L.

Research Not

Sensory Perception and Consumer Acceptance of Carrot Cultivars Are Influenced by Their Metabolic Profiles for Volatile and Non-Volatile Organic Compounds

Sensory parameters as well as the volatile and non-volatile compound profiles of sixteen carrot cultivars were recorded to obtain insight into consumer preference decisions. The sensory test was carried out with a consumer panel of 88 untrained testers allowing a clear acceptancebased differentiation of the cultivars. Five individual sensory characters (sweetness, overall aroma, bitterness, astringency and off-flavor) supported this discrimination. Chemical analyses of volatile organic compounds, polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids and sugars enabled us to correlate the influence of these ingredients on sensory perception. Higher concentrations of -pinene, hexanal, styrene and acetophenone correlated with a better acceptance, as well as sweetness and overall aroma perception. In contrast, a low acceptance as well as a stronger perception of bitterness, astringency and off-flavor correlated with enhanced concentrations of camphene, bornylacetate, borneol, myristicine, falcarindiol, falcarindiol-3-acetate, laserin and epilaserin. The present study should support the development of new breeding strategies for carrot cultivars that better satisfy consumer demands

Biotechnological tools for improvement of black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L. complex), valuable medicinal and vegetable plants in Kenya

Solanum nigrum complex is a group of plant species used as indigenous vegetables but also as traditional medicinal plants in Kenya and other parts of the world. In Kenya, just like in most African countries, both the unripe fruits and leaves are used to cure different ailments. This vegetable is said to improve the CD4 count in HIV patients and all HIV patients are encouraged to take it as part of their diet. Despite that high value, African nightshade is a neglected crop. Up to now the farmers exploit traditional landraces and accessions. For development of improved African S. nigrum varieties, knowledge is necessary about the genetic structure of the local African nightshade accessions. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was performed to discriminate accessions from the Western region of Kenya. Production of haploid plants of the S. nigrum complex and subsequent chromsome doubling is a promising tool to obtain pure inbred lines in a short time. Therefore, in this study, anthers of S. nigrum were cultivated in vitro. It was observed that the microspores underwent the first divisions and calluses were formed