Identification, characterization and mapping of honey bee flora of Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia

Aim: The study aimed to identify and document major honey bee flora, their blooming seasons (floral calendar), density and frequency, beekeeping potential areas, and place radius for the major bee flora of the Al-Baha region.Methodology: To identify the honey bee flora of al-Baha region, 420 quadrates were established in different seasons and ecological zones. Plants as honey bee forages were identified through observation of the foraging of honey bees on the flowers for nectar or/and pollen. The density and frequency of each plant was calculated, density and radius maps for major honey bee plants were made using the Arc-Map. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was carried out for major honey bee plants using MVSP software. Results: The results showed that more than 550 species of flowering plants were recorded in the study areas, of which 204 plant species belonging to 58 families were identified as honey bee plants. However, only 9 species were found to be an important source of major honeys in the region. The largest number (13%) of honey bee plants was recorded for the family Asteraceae, followed by Lamiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Mimosaceae each with 13 (6.4%), 11 (5.4%), 11 (5.4%) and 10 (4.9%) plants, respectively. Each of the remaining families had 1 to 8 species. Interpretation: The radius maps, as well as the blooming periods of honey bee flora will guide beekeepers to move their colonies during the peak flowering periods

Deep Neural Network-Based Concentration Model for Oak Pollen Allergy Warning in South Korea

PURPOSE: Oak is the dominant tree species in Korea. Oak pollen has the highest sensitivity rate among all allergenic tree species in Korea. A deep neural network (DNN)-based estimation model was developed to determine the concentration of oak pollen and overcome the shortcomings of conventional regression models. METHODS: The DNN model proposed in this study utilized weather factors as the input and provided pollen concentrations as the output. Weather and pollen concentration data were used from 2007 to 2016 obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration pollen observation network. Because it is difficult to prevent over-fitting and underestimation by using a DNN model alone, we developed a bootstrap aggregating-type ensemble model. Each of the 30 ensemble members was trained with random sampling at a fixed rate according to the pollen risk grade. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed model, we compared its performance with those of models of regression and support vector regression (SVR) under the same conditions, with respect to the prediction of pollen concentrations, risk levels, and season length. RESULTS: The mean absolute percentage error in the estimated pollen concentrations was 11.18%, 10.37%, and 5.04% for the regression, SVR and DNN models, respectively. The start of the pollen season was estimated to be 20, 22, and 6 days earlier than that predicted by the regression, SVR and DNN models, respectively. Similarly, the end of the pollen season was estimated to be 33, 20, and 9 days later that predicted by the regression, SVR and DNN models, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the DNN model performed better than the other models. However, the prediction of peak pollen concentrations needs improvement. Improved observation quality with optimization of the DNN model will resolve this issue.

Estabilidade genética em triticale estimada pela viabilidade polínica / Genetic stability in triticale estimated by pollen viability

O estudo visou inferir sobre a estabilidade genética, com base na viabilidade polínica, em genótipos de triticale hexaploide utilizados no bloco de cruzamentos do programa de melhoramento genético da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa Trigo). O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Para cada genótipo, foram avaliadas cinco repetições e cada repetição foi constituída por uma planta. Analisaram-se, por meio de microscopia óptica e pela técnica de Squash com corante carmim acético 1%, 200 grãos de pólen por lâmina, totalizando 1.000 grãos de pólen por genótipo. As variáveis analisadas foram: grãos de pólen binucleados e trinucleados, com pouco amido, vazios, com mais de um poro e de tamanhos diferentes. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 1%. Houve diferença significativa entre todas as variáveis. A porcentagem de grãos de pólen binucleados e/ou trinucleados variou de 74 a 97%. Concluiu-se que 66% dos genótipos avaliados apresentaram viabilidade polínica acima de 90%, sendo indicados a continuar fazendo parte do programa de melhoramento genético de triticale, tanto na seleção de parentais como durante os cruzamentos e retrocruzamentos. Portanto, os estudos citogenéticos representam excelente ferramenta de apoio ao melhorista na escolha dos genótipos mais estáveis.(AU)

The study aimed to infer about the genetic stability from the pollen viability in hexaploid triticale genotypes used in block crossings breeding program from Brazilian Company of Agriculture Research (Embrapa Wheat). The experiments were conducted in a randomized design. For each genotype five repetitions were assessed. Each replication consisted of one plant and each replication consisted of one plant. Two hundred pollen grains were analyzed by optical microscopy and by the squash technique with 1% acetic carmine dye per slide, totalizing 1,000 pollen grains per genotype. The variables analyzed were: binucleate and trinucleate pollen grains, with little starch, empty, with more than one pore and with different sizes. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and compared by Tukey test at 1%. There were significant differences between all variables. The percentage of binucleate and/or trinucleate grains ranged from 74 to 97%. We conclude that 66% of genotypes present pollen viability above 90% and they are indicated to remain of the breeding program of triticale, both in the selection of parenting as during the crossing and backcrossing. Therefore, the cytogenetic studies represent excellent support tool for breeder in selecting the most stable genotypes.(AU)

Airborne Weed Pollen in Relation to Allergic Rhinitis in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Aims: The study was conducted to investigate the frequently encountered allergenic pollen grains in the environment of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as well as to determine their seasonal and annual growth pattern in the region. Study Design: Volumetric air sampling of two City sites with qualitative and quantitative comparison of data on seasonal and diurnal concentrations of weed pollen aeroallergens. Place and Duration of Study: The work was conducted in the capital City of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the sampling was conducted for a continuous 12 month period from January to December 2012. Methodology: Using two Burkard 7-Day Volumetric Air Sampler, airborne pollen grain for two sites in Riyadh City (City Center site in the middle of City) and Riyadh airport site (40 km away from the city) was studied. The data were collected for at least 12 months period in both sites. Results: The pollen grains from grasses, weeds and trees were identified. However, the weeds pollen dominated the pollen flora by a ratio of 70% followed by trees 20%, and grasses 10%. The major weeds pollen identified were: Amaranthus viridis, Artemisia monosperma, Atriplex nummularia, Chenopodium murale, Plantago boissieri, Ricinus communis, Rumex vesicarius and Salsola imbricata. Riyadh City Center site constituted higher percentage of total weeds (69%) compared to Riyadh airport site (31%). Conclusion: Seasonal periodicities of major allergens, reveal a trend that would help allergists and allergic patients for diagnosis and prevention.

Pollen morphology of Vochysiaceae tree species in the State of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil / Morfología del polen de las especies de árboles de Vochysiaceae en el estado de Santa Catarina, sur de Brasil

Tropical Vochysiaceae includes mainly trees, and also shrubs and subshrubs. Three genera and seven species are present in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. The pollen morphology of six species of trees, belonging to three genera of the Vochysiaceae A. St-Hil. family, was studied. Herbaria samples were obtained, processed and treated by standard methods. The pollen grain morphology of Callisthene, Qualea and Vochysia is distinct. Medium sized pollen grains occur in Vochysia species, and small ones in Callisthene and Qualea. Specific characteristics were considered at species level [C. castellanosii H. F. Martins, C. kuhlmannii H. F.Martins, Qualea cordata Spreng var. cordata, Q. cryptantha (Spreng) Warm. var. cryptantha, Vochysia magnifica Warm. and V. tucanorum Mart.]. The presence of a fastigium (vestibulum) and a thin space devoid of nexine fixing the boundary of the apertural area is characteristic of Qualea and Vochysia species only. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 1209-1215. Epub 2014 September 01.

Las Vochysiaceae tropicales incluyen principalmente árboles, arbustos y subarbustos. Tres géneros y siete especies están presentes en el estado brasileño de Santa Catarina. La morfología del polen de las seis especies de árboles, pertenecientes a tres géneros de la Vochysiaceae A. St.- Hil . familia, fue considerado en el presente trabajo. La morfología de los granos de polen de Callisthene Mart., Qualea Aubl. y Vochysia (Aubl.) Juss. es distinta. Los granos de polen de tamaño medio se producen en las especies de Vochysia y pequeños en Callisthene y Qualea. Características particulares fueron considerados a nivel de especie [C. castellanosii H.F. Martins, C. kuhlmannii H.F. Martins, Qualea cordata Spreng var. cordata, Q. cryptantha (Spreng) Warm. var. cryptantha, Vochysia magnifica Warm. and V. tucanorum Mart.]. La presencia de un fastigium (vestibulum) y de un espacio delgado que carece de nexina limita la zona apertural y es característica solo de las especies de Qualea y Vochysia.

Evaluation of gelling agents on anther culture: response of two soybean cultivars

Anthers of two soybean cultivars were cultured in B5 long basal culture media gelled with agarose or PhytagelTM. Cytological examinations of the anthers were carried out during the first 45 days of culture to assay the viability and developmental stage of microspores. Frequency of callus formation was recorded at 45 days of culture. The analysis of variance of the microspore viability assay showed significant Cultivar X Gelling Agent X Day of Culture interactions. The frequencies of viable microspores decreased significantly with time of culture, within each cultivar and gelling agent tested. The interaction Day X Cultivar was significant for the frequencies of binucleate symmetrical grains and multinucleate/multicellular structures. The effect of gelling agents on the frequency of binucleate symmetrical pollens grains and multinucleate/multicellular structures was not significant. About the frequencies of calli and embryogenic calli formed, a significant difference was detected between the cultivars (IAS5= 14.8 percent and BRS 133=6.6 percent). Gelling agents showed no effect over these frequencies.

Anteras de duas cultivares de soja foram cultivadas em meio de cultura basal B5 longo gelificado com agarose ou Phytagel®. Análises citológicas das anteras foram conduzidas durante os primeiros 45 dias de cultura para avaliar a viabilidade e o estágio de desenvolvimento dos micrósporos. A freqüência de formação de calos foi analisada após 45 dias do início da cultura. A análise da variância da viabilidade do micrósporo mostrou interações significativas de Cultivar X Agente Gelificante X Dias de Cultura. As freqüências de grãos de pólen viáveis diminuíram significativamente com o tempo de cultura, dentro de cada cultivar e agente gelificante testado. A interação Dia X Cultivar foi significante para as freqüências de grãos de pólen binucleados simétricos e estruturas multinucleados/multicelulares. O efeito do agente gelificante na freqüência de grãos de pólen binucleados simétricos e estruturas multinucleados/multicelulares não foi significante. Com relação às freqüências de calos e estruturas embriogênicas formadas, houve diferença significativa entre cultivares (IAS5= 14.8 por cento e BRS 133=6.6 por cento). O agente gelificante não mostrou efeito em tais freqüências.