Germinación, crecimiento vegetativo y morfología floral de Dasylirion cedrosanum del matorral rosetófilo de Coahuila / Germination, vegetative growth and floral morphology of Dasylirion cedrosanum from the rosetophyllous scrub of Coahuila

RESUMEN El sotol (Dasylirion cedrosanum Trel.), especie endémica del noreste de México, presenta interés económico y social por su aprovechamiento comercial. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar la germinación, crecimiento vegetativo y morfología floral de D. cedrosanum del matorral rosetófilo de Coahuila. Se sometieron 3 lotes de 100 semillas a un proceso de imbibición y se registró el porcentaje de germinación. La caracterización de la germinación se realizó a las plántulas cultivadas en laboratorio, mientras que la morfología vegetativa se determinó en plantas adultas tomadas de un jardín botánico, con fecha de siembra conocida y a las cuales no se les dio un manejo de cultivo. La descripción de la morfología floral se realizó en plantas silvestres del cañón de San Lorenzo, Saltillo, Coahuila, México. La primera fase de la imbibición duró 48 h e incrementó 52 % el peso; la segunda o de latencia duró 48 h alcanzando un 55 %; y la tercera concluyó a las 120 h con un incremento total del 60 % de peso. Las semillas emitieron el hipocótilo a partir del quinto día. En el décimo día se obtuvo 98 % de germinación. Entre las características morfológicas distintivas de la especie, las inflorescencias, conocidas como "escapos florales", registraron una altura promedio de 3.39 m. Las flores fueron actinomorfas y unisexuales. La flor estaminada presentó perianto sin diferenciación de tépalos y sépalos. Las flores pistiladas mostraron pedicelos y receptáculo corto. El polen fue elíptico, de abertura monosulcada, con dimensión de 15 μm x 30 μm. Los frutos fueron secos e indehiscentes, conocidos como samara. Las semillas fueron turbinadas de contorno trigonal. El análisis de las características de germinación y morfología vegetativa y floral del sotol permitieron comprender las adaptaciones que esta planta ha desarrollado para crecer en los ambientes semiáridos del país.

ABSTRACT Sotol (Dasylirion cedrosanum Trel.), endemic species of northeastern Mexico, has attracted economic and social interest due to its commercial potencial. The objective of this work was to characterize the germination, vegetative growth and floral morphology of D. cedrosanum from the rosetophyllous scrub of Coahuila. Three batches of 100 seeds were submitted to an imbibition process and the germination percentage was recorded. The characterization of the germination was carried out on the seedlings grown in the laboratory, while the vegetative morphology was determined in adult plants taken from a botanical garden, with a known planting date and which were not given a crop management. The description of the floral morphology was carried out on wild plants from the San Lorenzo canyon, near the municipality of Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. The imbibition showed the first phase of absorption within 48 h, with an increase of 52 % in weight. The third phase began at 96 h with an increase of 55 % in weight. The seeds emitted the hypocotyl from the fifth day. On the tenth day 98 % germination was obtained. Among the distinctive morphological characteristics of the species, the inflorescences, known as "floral scapes", recorded an average height of 3.39 m. The flowers were actinomorphic and unisexual. The staminate flower presented perianth without differentiation of tepals and sepals, while the pistillate flowers showed pedicels and a short receptacle. The pollen was elliptical, with a monosulcate opening, with a dimension of 15 μm x 30 μm. The fruits were dry and indehiscent, known as samara. The seeds were turbinated with a trigonal contour. The germination and characteristics of the sotol corresponded to adaptations that allow it to grow in the semi-arid environment of this region of the country.

Identification of Chemical Constituents in Coptis chinensis Inflorescence by UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS） was developed to analyze and identify the chemical constituents in <italic>Coptis chinensis</italic> inflorescence. Method:The chromatographic separation was performed on ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column （2.1 mm×100 mm， 1.7 μm） with the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （A）-acetonitrile （B） for gradient elution （0-15 min， 10%-22%B； 15-20 min， 22%B； 20-25 min， 22%-44%B； 25-35 min， 44%-50%B； 35-40 min， 50%-60%B； 40-55 min， 60%-85%B）， the flow rate was 0.15 mL·min^-1， the injection volume was 3 μL and the column temperature was 30 ℃. HRMS was equipped with electrospray ionization （ESI） and scanned in positive and negative ion modes by means of full scan/data dependent secondary scan （Full MS/dd-MS²）. Compound Discoverer 3.0 software combined with mzCloud， mzVault， ChemSpider databases and HRMS database of components in traditional Chinese medicine were used to analyze and identify the collected data by HRMS， based on accurate relative molecular mass， retention time and characteristic ion fragmentation of the compounds， as well as literature information and relevant reference materials. Result:A total of 51 chemical constituents were identified in <italic>C</italic>.<italic> chinensis</italic> inflorescence， including 16 alkaloids， 14 flavonoids， 7 phenylpropanoids， 7 organic acids and 7 others. Among them， 10 components ［berberine， palmatine， coptidine， rutin， quercetin， isoquercitrin， chlorogenic acid， cryptochlorogenic acid，<italic> D</italic>-（-） quinic acid and <italic>D</italic>-proline］ were unambiguously identified by comparing with reference standards. Conclusion:The established UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS can be used to accurately analyze and identify chemical constituents of <italic>C. chinensis</italic> inflorescence. A total of 41 chemical constituents are reported from <italic>C. chinensis</italic> inflorescence for the first time and 6 alkaloids are found from the <italic>C. chinensis</italic> for the first time. These findings can provide methodological reference and experimental basis for the basic research of quality evaluation and efficacy materials of <italic>C. chinensis</italic> inflorescence， and lay a foundation for its further development and utilization.

Establishment of HPLC Fingerprint of Coptis chinensis Inflorescence and Its Spectrum-effect Relationship with Antioxidant and Antibacterial Effects / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To establish HPLC fingerprint of Coptis chinensis inflorescence，and study its spectrum-effect relationship with antioxidant and antibacterial effects. METHODS ：Taking 14 batches of C. chinensis inflorescence from different producing areas as the object ，HPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on Supersil C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile- 0.1％ phosphoric acid solution（gradient elution ）at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The column temperature was set at 25 ℃. The detection wavelength was set at 329 nm，and sample size was 10 μL. The fingerprints of 14 batches of C. chinensis inflorescence were established by Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Fingerprint （2012 A edition ），and the similarity evaluation and common peak identification were carried out. Taking DPPH free radical scavenging rate and hydroxyl radical scavenging rate as antioxidant effects index ，relative antibacterial activity （Escherichia coli ）as antibacterial effect index ， SPSS 21.0 software was adopted to analyze the Pearson correlation between common peaks of C. chinensis inflorescence and above efficacy indexes ；their spectrum-effect relationship was established and validated. RESULTS ：A total of 7 common peaks were obtained in HPLC fingerprint of C. chinensis inflorescence，and the similarity was no less than 0.916. No. 5 peak was identified as berberine hydrochloride. Seven common peaks were positively correlated with DPPH free radical scavenging rate ；No. 1-3，4，6，7 peaks were positively correlated with hydroxyl radical scavenging rate ，while No. 5 peak was negatively correlated with hydroxyl radical scavenging rate. There was a positive correlation between No. 5 peak and antibacterial activity in vitro . After validation ， relative error between the predicted values and the measured values of DPPH free radical scavenging rate ，hydroxyl radical scavenging rate and relative antibacterial activity was 0.92％- 14.5％ . CONLUSIONS ：The established spectrum-effect relationship model can be used to evaluate antioxidant andantibacterial effects of C. chinensis inflorescence. The chemical components represented by No. 1，2，3，4，6，7 peaks are the material basis of antioxidant effect of C. chinensis inflorescence， and berberine hydrochloride is the material basis of antibacterial effect.

Quality Evaluation of Inflorescence of Coptis chinensis with Different Altitude ，Growth Years and Drying Pro- cessing Methods Based on Comprehensive Score and Cluster Analysis / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To evaluate the quality of inflorescence of Coptis chinensis from different altitude with different growth years and drying processing methods ，and to provide reference for its utilization and quality control. METHODS ：The contents of total flavonoids and berberine hydrochloride in 24 batches of inflorescence of C. chinensis （S1-S24）from different altitude with different growth years and drying processing methods were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and HPLC. Using the contents of total flavonoids and berberine hydrochloride as indexes ，and taking the short drying time as the best ，the weight ratios of total flavonoids content ，berberine hydrochloride content and standardized value of drying time were 30，40 and 30，respectively；comprehensive score was calculated ，then the quality of 24 batches of samples was evaluated. Using the contents of total flavonoids and berberine hydrochloride as variables ，systematic cluster analysis was performed for 24 batches of samples by using SPSS 19.0 statistical software. RESULTS ：For inflorescence of C. chinensis with altitude about 1 200 m and the growing years of 4 years and above ，the higher the comprehensive score （84-94 score）and the better the quality were. The comprehensive score of inflorescence of C. chinensis procesed by gradient drying method was generally higher than samples processed by other methods. Results of cluster analysis showed that S 1-S4，S9，S10，S13-S18 were clustered into one category ，and other 12 batches were clustered into one category ， which were basically consistent with the results of comprehensive scoring method. CONCLUSIONS：Different altitude ，different growth years and different drying processing methods have certain effects on the quality of inflorescence of C. chinensis ，among which the samples processed by gradient drying method with growth altitude of 1 200 m，growth years of 4 years and above are the best.

Use of Palm Male Inflorescence and River-Sand as Acclimatization Substrate for Plantain (Musa sp.) Cultivars

The objective of this work was to investigate the use of Palm Male Inflorescence (PMI) and river-sand as substrate for the acclimatization of plantain. Plantlets from three plantain cultivars (Batard, Ebanga and French Clair) were obtained after 16 weeks of tissue cultures and the plantlets were subjected to routine acclimatization under screen house conditions using two different substrates mixed in different ratios (100% Sand, 100% PMI, 75% PMI, 60% PMI and 50% PMI). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with ten (10) replications; each replicate consisting of one micro-pot. The different substrates used significantly influenced the performance of the cultivars. The best medium for acclimatization for French Clair was 60% PMI in terms of percentage survival of plantlets (96.88%), plantlet height (6.03 cm), diameter (0.60 cm), number of leaves (4.42 leaves), leaf area (20.23 cm2), leaf emergence rate (1.64), number of roots (7.70 roots), and root length (18.86 cm). Ebanga plantlets had the best results with 75% PMI in terms of percentage survival of plantlets (96.88%), plantlet height (6.18 cm), diameter (0.62 cm), number of leaves (4.39 leaves), leaf area (20.48 cm2), leaf emergence rate (1.76), and total fresh weight (10.05 g). Meanwhile with Batard cultivar, 50% PMI was the best substrate in terms of percentage survival of plantlets (96.88%), plantlet height (4.41 cm), diameter (0.55 cm), number of leaves (4.55 leaves), leaf area (12.96 cm2), leaf emergence rate (1.55), and number of roots (5.73 roots). This study clearly show that PMI can be a viable substrate to use with sand in plantlet acclimatization; however, the different plant cultivars had optimal result at different proportions of PMI.

Study on breeding and pollination characteristics of Gleditsia sinensis / 中国中药杂志

To study the breeding system and pollination characteristics of Gleditsia sinensis, we observed the development of flower development and the processing of pollination, and determined the pollen viability and stigma acceptability by TTC and benzidine-hydrogen peroxide method and detected its breeding system using OCI value, P/O ratio and artificial pollination.The results showed that: ①G. sinensis are racemes, divided into bisexual inflorescences (only a small amount of inactive pollen) and male inflorescences (occasionally a few bisexual flowers), flowers hermaphrodite. ②Male flowers had the strongest pollen activity 4 h after flowering; the stigma receptivity of bisexual was the highest at 1 h after flowering, and pollination was the best in this time. ③The pollen tube had a few elongation when the bisexual flower is half-opened. The number of pollen tube and length significantly increased when blooming. The flower reaches the ovary and even enters the ovule to complete the fertilization. ④When the OCI=4 and P/O=11 684, it means that the breeding system was facultative, outcrossing, and requiring pollinators based on the results of the bagging experiment.There was parthenogenesis. ⑤The characteristics of saponin pollination were wind pollination and insect vector pollination, and pollinators were initially identified as Apis mellifera ligustica. All these results provides a theoretical and technical foundation for the new germplasm of G. sinensis.

Bioinformatics analysis and fluorescence quantitative PCR results of Ricinus communis PIP5Ks / 中草药

Objective To predict the expression of seven genes in the PIP5K gene family, and to determine the relative expression of PIP5Ks in different stages of type Lm gynoecious Ricinus communis aLmAB2. Method Bioinformatics analysis of online software protein physicochemical properties analysis, protein hydrophobicity analysis subcellular localization prediction, transmembrane region analysis, etc. Bioinformatics analysis of hemp PIP5K gene family and DNAMAN for sequence alignment and real-time PCR. Results The results showed that there were seven members in the R. communis PIP5Ks, which were PIP5K1, PIP5K2, PIP5K4, PIP5K6, PIP5K8, PIP5K9, and PIP5K11. The amino acid sequence homology of the corresponding protein of R. communis PIP5K reached 48.06%, and the protein of R. communis PIP5Ks all are hydrophilic proteins. Except that PIP5K9 and PIP5K11 were unstable proteins, the rest were stable proteins, and the corresponding proteins of PIP5Ks have no transmembrane domain, and all were non-transmembrane proteins. Subcellular localization results showed that the proteins PIP5K1, PIP5K4, PIP5K6, PIP5K9, and PIP5K11 were less likely to have a lead peptide, and there was no corresponding amino acid cleavage site, ie, localized in other organelles or possibly cytoplasmic proteins; Protein PIP5K2 was localized in chloroplasts, the chloroplast transit peptide has a higher value, and the protein PIP5K8 was located in the secretory pathway. From the perspective of the relative expression of PIP5Ks in the differential expression, except that no fluorescence was detected in PIP5K4, the other PIP5Ks had a certain differential expression. The changes of relative expression of PIP5Ks showed similar trends, the levels of PIP5K1, PIP5K2 relative expression were high, followed by the relative expression of PIP5K8, PIP5K9, and PIP5K6 and PIP5K11 only have fewer expressions. Conclusion It is concluded that PIP5Ks may have a certain effect on the inflorescence axis traits in ramie. The differential expression of PIP5K on the inflorescence axis has the certain regularity with the development of inflorescence.

In Vitro Propagation of Chamomilla Recutita From Capitulum Inflorescence: A Medicinal Plant With Multiple Therapeutic Applications

A protocol has been developed for induction of somatic embryogenesis from whole inflorescence explants of Chamomilla recutita L. (chamomile). Chamomile is a well-known medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family often referred to as the “star among medicinal species.” Nowadays, it is a highly favoured medicinal plant in folk and traditional medicine. Its multitherapeutic, cosmetic and nutritional values have been established through the years of traditional and scientific use and research. Chamomile has an established domestic (Indian) and international market, which is increasing day by day. Among the various major constituents, α-bisabolol and chamazulene have been reported to be more useful than others. Chamazulene occurs in the capitula of the flowers in minute quantities and has been demonstrated to exert antiinflammatory activity in-vivo. Moreover, chamomile is a seasonal 4-5 months winter crop in India but is extensively required in various medicinal applications. Therefore, to increase the overall yield of this plant, its in-vitro propagation is needed. In the present study, somatic embryos were developed from capitulum explants after 2-4 weeks of culture on MS medium supplemented with 26.8 µM NAA and 11.5 µM Kin. The somatic embryos were further subcultured in-vitro, where new plantlets regenerated from embryos. It is concluded that in-vitro propagation is possible in case of chamomile and can be used to increase the overall yield of chamazulene present in the capitula of flowers as well as augment the overall yield of this important plant, which is conventionally propagated by seeds.

Chemical constituents from inflorescence bracts of Arctii Fructus / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from the inflorescence bracts of Arctii Fructus. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by the methods of silica gel column chromatography, HPLC, and recrystallization, and the structures were elucidated by the means of spectral analysis. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as daucosterol (1), isofouquierol (2), (22E)-5α, 8-epidioxyergosta-6, 22-dien-3β-ol (3), 3β-hydroxy-21, 22-epoxyursa-20(30)-en (4), 3β, 21β-dihydroxy-20(30)-en-taraxastane (5), oleanolic acid (6), arctigenin (7), carthamogenin (8), caffeic acid (9), 4(14)-eudesmene-8α, 11-diol (10), monogynol A (11), and lupeol (12). Conclusion; Compounds 2-3, 5, 6, 10-11 are obtained from the plants of Arctium L. for the first time, and compound 12 is isolated from the inflorescence bracts of Arctii Fructus for the first time.

Distribution of salvianolic acids in aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza during different growing periods and accumulation dynamic analysis / 中草药

Objective: To study the dynamic changes of aerial parts of Salvia miltiorrhiza during different growth periods based on the contents of seven kinds of salvianolic acids, and determine the value of aerial parts of S. miltiorrhiza. Methods: UPLC-TQ/MS method was applied. The separation was performed on Acquity UPLC BEH C18 (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% aqueous formic acid by gradient elution. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 0.4 mL/min, and the column temperature was at 35℃. Results: The stems and leaves of S. miltiorrhiza were rich in salvianolic acids, but tanshinones were not detected in them. The content of salvianolic acids in stems and leaves were the highest in July or August besides salvianolic acid A and gradually dropped off till the lowest in December. The content of salvianolic acids in flowers reached maximum during the full-bloom stage. The dynamic change trend is not obvious before full-bloom stage, and its content sharply dropped when flowers began to fade. Conclusion: The aerial parts of S. miltiorrhiza were abundant in salvianolic acids, especially rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B, and the contents in luxuriant growth period were significantly higher than those in radix and rhizome of S. miltiorrhiza, which showed that the aerial parts were the important resources to obtain the salvianolic acids.

Lycaenid caterpillars (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) eating flowers of Dalea pennellii var. chilensis (Fabaceae) in the northern Chilean Andes

Lycaenid caterpillars (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) eating flowers of Dalea pennellii var. chilensis (Fabaceae) in the northern Chilean Andes. The shrub Dalea pennellii var. chilensis (Fabaceae) is reported for the first time as a host plant for three Neotropical Polyommatini (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae): Hemiargus ramon (Dognin, 1887), Leptotes trigemmatus (Butler, 1881) and Nabokovia faga (Dognin, 1895), based on two collections performed in the western slopes of the northern Chilean Andes in two consecutive summers. The relative abundance was always above 90% for N. faga while it was always less than 5% for H. ramon and L. trigemmatus. Furthermore, N. faga was not found on inflorescences of other native Fabaceae examined in the study site. This pattern suggests a close relationship between N. faga and D. pennellii var. chilensis, at least at a local scale.

Estructura, ontogenia y vascularización de las flores e inflorescencias de Drimys granadensis (Winteraceae) / Structure, ontogeny and vascularization of the flowers and inflorescences of Drimys granadensis (Winteraceae)

Drimys granadensis is a widespread species in montane forests of South and Central America. In this research, the structure, ontogeny, phyllotaxis and vascularization of the flowers and inflorescences of this species was studied in a population from the Eastern hills of Sabana de Bogota, Colombia. The methods used applied both optical microscopy, with astra blue-fuchsin staining, and scanning electron microscopy, using critical point dryed and gold-paladium metallized samples. Besides, results were compared with those of Drimys winteri, a widely studied species distributed in Chile and Argentina. Additionally, we studied the detail of the floral anatomy to determine the bracteal or calicine identity of the caliptra. I confirmed the proliferative status of the monothelic inflorescence, discarding alternative explanations of the terminal flower identity. I found that uniflorescences have an acropetal development until the terminal meristem becomes the terminal flower, then this flower develops rapidly resulting in a determined uniflorescence. I found pseudosyphonosthelic vascularization in peduncles and pedicels. Besides, I discovered some evidence in the vascular and anatomical structures, to consider the caliptra as the fusion product of various structures and therefore of calicine origin. The caliptra showed a whorled phyllotaxis, but the petals, stamens and carpels presented a spiral condition; phyllotaxis change was explained by the long time lapse between the initiation of the calyx and the corolla. I found great similarities among the inflorescences of D. granadensis and D. winteri; they were different in the proliferation start time, and in the frequent presence of nomophylls in D. granadensis, in contrast to the presence of reduced bracts and bracteoles in D. winteri inflorescences.

Drimys granadensis es una especie de amplia distribución en los bosques montanos de Sur y Centro América. En esta investigación se estudiaron, mediante microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido, la estructura, ontogenia, filotaxis y vascularización de sus flores e inflorescencias, y fueron comparadas con las de Drimys winteri, especie distribuida en Chile y Argentina. Adicionalmente, se buscó evidencia para determinar la identidad bracteal o calicina de la caliptra de sus flores. Se confirmó la condición monotélica proliferante de la inflorescencia, descartando explicaciones alternativas de identidad de la flor terminal. Las uniflorescencias presentan un desarrollo acrópeto, hasta que el meristemo terminal se transforma en flor terminal, entonces esta flor se desarrolla rápidamente dando lugar a una uniflorescencia determinada. La vascularización es pseudosifonostélica para pedúnculos y pedicelos. Se encontró evidencia en la vascularización y estructura anatómica para considerar la caliptra como el producto de fusión de varias estructuras y, por tanto, de origen calicino. La caliptra presentó una filotaxis verticilada, pero los pétalos, estambres y carpelos presentaron una filotaxis espiralada; el cambio se explicó por el tiempo prolongado entre la iniciación de cáliz y corola. Las inflorescencias de D. granadensis y D. winteri son muy similares; siendo diferente el tiempo de inicio de la proliferación y la frecuente presencia de nomófilos en las inflorescencias de D. granadensis, en contraste con la presencia de brácteas y bracteolas reducidas en D. winteri.

Callus induction and regeneration system establishment of Ajugae nipponensis / 中草药

Objective: An efficient and stable regeneration system of Ajugae nipponensis was developed by establishing the callus induction system and selecting the best protocol for higher plant regeneration. Methods: Stem tip, stem with buds, and inflorescence were all used as explants maintained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different types and concentration of plant growth regulator combinations. Results: Inflorescence was the optimal explant for callus induction and was cultured on MS medium containing 0.1 mg/L 6-BA and 1.5 mg/L 2, 4-D in 1 week; The callus divided into green multiple shoot 2 weeks later; The optimal medium for multiple shoot proliferation was MS + 2.0 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L NAA, the regeneration rate of callus clustered buds was as high as 100%, the regeneration coefficient was 4.10, and the proliferation increased by more than five times after 4 weeks; The optimal medium for rooting was 1/2 MS + 1.0 mg/L NAA, the plant regeneration occurred 3 weeks later and the rooting rated up to 100%; Plantlet(100%) survived after transplanting rooted plantlets into sand. Conclusion: The callus can be induced by all kinds of explants and inflorescence is the best explant for higher callus induction rate; The current study lays a solid foundation for protecting the wild resources and advancing the cultivated of A. nipponensis, meanwhile providing scientific evidence for the research of genetic transformation.

Plant regeneration from inflorescence cultures of Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC.

An efficient protocol for shoot regeneration from immature inflorescence of Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC (Capparidaceae) is described. Healthy inflorescences were cultured on MS medium supplemented with BAP, Kn, zeatin, TDZ (0.5 - 5.0 mg/l) alone and in combination with IAA, NAA, IBA (0.5 - 2.0 mg/l). BAP (3.0 mg/l) with IBA (1.0 mg/l) as well as Kn (1.0 mg/l) with TDZ (0.1 mg/l) were found to be effective in inducing callus and in production of shoots and roots. The present investigation also describes the histological studies depicting various stages that occurred during the development of embryoids and shoot buds. The species is so potential that the flower buds on the medium induces callus from each part of the flower bud. All the in vitro raised shoots were transferred to MS rooting liquid medium supplemented with 0.5 - 1.0 mg/l IAA, NAA and IBA. Well rooted plantlets were transferred to polycups containing soil : vermiculite (1:1) for hardening. Finally the hardened plantlets were transferred to field conditions for maximum survivability. The flower is mixoploid and hence the regenerated roots were squashed in acetoorcein to know the ploidy level of the regenerated shoots. All the plants regenerated were shown to be diploid.

Colletotrichum isolates related to anthracnose of cashew trees in Brazil: morphological and molecular description using LSU rDNA sequences

Thirty six isolates of fungi obtained from anthracnose lesions of cashew and associated host plants in Brazil, were compared by their cultural, morphological and partial sequences of the 28S ribosomal DNA characters. They showed a high degree of cultural variability. The average mycelial growth rate on all tested media ranged from 10.2-13.3 mm/day between the isolates. Most of them produced perithecia (sterile and fertile) and some produced setae (sterile and fertile). All the isolates produced acervuli with predominantly cylindrical conidia (12.4-17.7 µmX 4.8-6.0 µm in width) with round ends, which became septate on germination, and produced unlobed or slightlylobed appressoria. Comparison of the D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences with those of other defined species of Colletotrichum and Glomerella grouped 35 of the isolates with known strains of C. gloeosporioides from different hosts (> 98.9 percent homology). The one exception (LARS 921) was identical to G. cingulata (LARS 238) from Vigna unguiculata.

Trinta e seis isolados de fungos obtidos de lesões de antracnose em cajueiros e outras plantas consorciadas no Brasil, foram comparados quanto a seus aspectos culturais, morfológicos e seqüências parciais do rDNA 28S. Os isolados apresentaram elevado grau de variabilidade cultural, com taxa de crescimento médio, em todos os meios testados, entre 10,2 e 13,3 mm/dia. A maioria deles produziu peritécios (estéreis e férteis), e alguns produziram setas (estéreis e férteis) nos diferentes meios. Todos apresentaram acérvulos com predominância de conídios cilíndricos (12,4-17,7 µm X 4,8-6,0 µm), de extremidades arredondadas, formando septos durante a germinação e produzindo apressórios ligeiramente lobados ou lisos. Comparando as seqüências do domínio D2 da larga subunidade (LSU) do rDNA dos isolados com aquelas já identificadas de espécies de Colletotrichum/ Glomerella, verificou-se que 35 deles correspondem a C. gloeosporioides (> 98,9 por cento de homologia), e um deles, o isolado 921, é idêntico a G. cingulata (LARS 238) de V. unguiculata.

Teores de carboidratos, proteínas e aminoácidos livres durante o desenvolvimento de raízes tuberosas do feijão macuco (Pachyrrhizus tuberosus (Lam.) Spreng.), em área de várzea, Amazonas, Brasil

Among the species of plants that produce tuberous starched roots in the tropical region, Pachyrrhizus tuberosus, leguminous plant, which is popularly named feijão macuco, jacatupé or yam bean. This study proposed to identify some physiological aspects of the yam bean cultivated in foodplain areas (várzeas). Three different genetic materials (2.2, 1.2 and 1.1.6) studied by the breeding program of National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA) (numbered 1, 2 and 3), were submitted to two different kinds of cultivation methods: with and without tutoring and with and without inflorescence pruning. Inflorescence pruning improved the xilose, glicose, reduced sugars, protein and aminoacid contents. The genetic materials did not present differences in terms of plant development, but some variations of xilose, reduced sugars and protein contents were observed among them. The starch content in the roots did not present variation during the plant growth under any of the treatments studied.

Entre as espécies que produzem tubérculos amiláceos nas condições tropicais, encontra-se Pachyrrhizus tuberosus, leguminosa conhecida popularmente como feijão macuco ou jacatupé. Propôs-se estudar alguns aspectos fisiológicos do desenvolvimento dessa espécie em uma area de várzea. Foi estudado o comportamento de três introduções (2.2, 1.2 e 1.1.6) da coleção do programa de melhoramento de hortaliças do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA (definidas como 1, 2 e 3), submetidas a duas formas de manejo: com e sem tutoramento das plantas e com e sem poda das inflorescências. A poda das inflorescências resultou em um aumento nos teores de xilose, glicose, açúcares redutores, proteínas e aminoácidos ao longo do desenvolvimento. Foram observadas variações nos teores de xilose, açúcares redutores e proteínas entre as introduções estudadas. O teor de amido nas raízes tuberosas não mostrou variação ao longo do desenvolvimento, em nenhum dos tratamentos estudados.