Kernel size and weight affected by three plant bioregulators applied at bloom to Non Pareil and Carmel almond cultivars

Background: The yield of almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] could be low due to climatic problems and any factor improving kernel size and weight, such as the use of plant bioregulators (PBRs), should be beneficial. Results: Three plant bioregulators: 24-epibrassinolide (BL), gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin (KN) were applied at three spray concentrations to Non Pareil and Carmel cultivars, at two phenological stages during bloom, in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The results showed significant differences (P b 0.0001). For total dry weight of Non Pareil, the best treatment was BL (30 mg·L-1), with an average of 1.45 g, while the control was 1.30 g, at pink button during 2015. For Carmel, the best dry weight was 1.23 g, achieved with BL (30 mg·L-1) at fallen petals in both seasons. The average dry weight of the controls varied between 1.13 and 1.18 g. The greatest almond lengths and widths in Non Pareil were 24.98 mm and 15.05 mm, achieved with BL (30 mg·L-1) and KN (50 µL·L-1) treatments, respectively, applied at pink button in 2015. In Carmel, the greatest length and width were 24.38 and 13.44 mm, obtained with BL (30 mg·L-1) applied at the stages of pink button and fallen petals, respectively, in 2015. The control reached lengths between 22.33 and 23.38 mm, and widths between 11.99 and 12.93 mm. Conclusions: The use of the bioregulators showed significant favorable effects on dry weight, length and width of kernels at harvest, in both cultivars.

The effect of three plant bioregulators on pollen germination, pollen tube growth and fruit set in almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] cvs. Non Pareil and Carmel

Background In commercial almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] orchards in Chile, the percentage of fruit set is low and commonly reaches 5–30%. As almond trees bloom during a cool period and also suffer from self-incompatibility, any factor that can improve pollination, pollen germination and pollen tube growth or extend the effective pollination period, such as the application of plant bioregulators (PBRs), should be beneficial for fruit production. Results Three plant bioregulators (PBRs): brassinolide (BL), gibberellic acid (GA3) and kinetin (KN) were evaluated for pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro, as well as for fruit set in almond cultivars Non Pareil and Carmel, in central Chile, during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. For pollen germination in vitro, the BL concentration of 10 mg L- 1 had the highest value in Non Pareil (97.7%), after 4 h germination in 2014 growing season (the control was 90.9%). KN at a concentration of 50 µL L- 1 induced the longest pollen tube growth of 1243.4 µm in Carmel after 8 h germination in 2013 (the control was 917.7 µm). In Non Pareil, the highest percentage of fruit set (31.0%) was achieved in 2014 by spraying during bloom at pink bud stage with KN at 50 µL L- 1 (the control was 16.7%). Conclusions A significant favorable effect of the tested PBRs was observed in pollen germination and pollen tube growth in vitro, as well as on fruit set in Non Pareil and Carmel almonds.

Complejo de Gollop-Wolfgang y extrofia cloacal, una rara asociación / Gollop-Wolfgang complex and cloacal exstrophy, a strange association

La extrofia cloacal y el complejo de Gollop-Wolfgang son patologías muy raras y su asociación ha sido comunicada en un solo paciente. Presentamos el caso de un neonato, de sexo indeterminado, con anormalidades de miembros inferiores y defecto en la pared abdominopélvica anterior. No se observan genitales, presenta ectrodactilia en miembros inferiores, onfalocele, lipomeningocele y ano imperforado. Se realiza cirugía diagnóstica y terapéutica que revela extrofia vesical, fístula cecal, útero doble, agenesia de vagina, agenesia de uretra, uréteres mal implantados, estenosis de uréter izquierdo, clítoris bífido y uraco persistente. La ecografía abdominal mostró riñón derecho ectópico en fosa ilíaca derecha. Radiografías de los miembros inferiores mostraron bifurcación del fémur izquierdo y ausencia de tibia en ambos miembros. Debido a los hallazgos se llega al diagnóstico de extrofia cloacal y complejo de Gollop-Wolfgang. La paciente presentó sepsis, insuficiencia hepática, acidosis metabólica e hiponatremia; falleció a las siete semanas de edad.

A Pyranine based procedure for evaluation of the total antioxidant potential (TRAP) of polyphenols: a comparison with closely related methodologies

A novel procedure for the evaluation of total reactive antioxidant potentials (TRAP) is described. The method is based on the measurement of the bleaching of pyranine by peroxyl radicals. The addition of the antioxidants produces a clear induction time whose magnitude is directly related to the antioxidant concentration. A comparison of the values obtained with those reported employing closely related methodologies shows that the results are significantly affected by the substrate employed to monitor the steady state free radical concentration. Possible sources of this dependence are discussed.