Climate factors influence on biological features of Crataegus maximowiczii C.K. Schneid. when introduced within the arctic circle

This study evaluates the development of Crataegus maximowiczii when introduced to the Kola Peninsula. The paper presents the timing of the onset of phenological phases, morphometric indicators of inflorescences and flowers, fruits, features of seed reproduction. C. maximowiczii is a plant with an early onset and short growing season. C. maximowiczii has a short shoot growth period, a short prefloral period, annual flowering and fruiting. The studied specimens of C. maximowiczii plants were characterized by heterogeneous morphometric parameters of flowers and inflorescences. Specimens with a denser inflorescence are characterized by a greater number of flowers per inflorescence, specimens with small flower sizes form medium-sized inflorescences. The species specificity factor affects the morphometric characteristics of inflorescences. Fruiting indicators largely depended on external conditions, among which temperature and relative humidity of the air have little effect. Plants of C. maximowiczii, when introduced to the Kola Peninsula, can be classified as small-fruited. The highest germination capacity is possessed by the samples with average values of mass, which have undergone combined pre-sowing preparation. The relative humidity of the air during the growing season has a greater effect than the temperature regime on the values of the mass of seeds for a given species under conditions of introduction.

Genetic Analysis of Leaf Traits in Small-Flower Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat.)

Leaf shape is an important quality trait of agronomic crops, and to control the law of genetic variation of leaf shape is of practical significance for improving the early identification and selection of agronomic crops. Variations in the leaf morphology of chrysanthemum cultivars are abundant, and previous studies have quantitatively defined and classified the leaf morphology of chrysanthemum; however, the genetic architecture of chrysanthemum leaves has not been elucidated to date. In this study, two pairs of F1 hybrid populations were constructed by using small-flower chrysanthemum varieties with differences in leaf traits, and the genetic variation rules of these important quantitative traits were further discussed based on the major gene and polygene mixed inheritance analyses. The results showed that the leaves in blade shape (LBS), leaf length/width is controlled by two pairs of additive-dominant major genes (B-1), the widest part length/leaf length is controlled by two completely dominant genes (B-5); in leaf lobe shape (LLS), the lobe length/vein length is controlled by one pair of additive dominant major genes (A-1); and the lobe length/lobe width is controlled by two pairs of additive dominant major genes (B-2). The heritability of major genes was greater than 30%. For the leaf petiole shape (LPS), the petiole length is controlled by a pair of additive-dominant major genes (A-1). The results showed that the leaf traits were mainly controlled by genetic factors. In addition, based on the high-density genetic map of one F1 hybrid population, it was found that 51 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were used to control the leaf traits, including two QTLs that controlled the LBS. There were 18 QTLs that controlled LLS. Moreover, the primary QTLs that controlled leaf width and lobe length were obtained. The results of this study may establish a theoretical foundation for the in-depth exploration of leaf-shape-related genes in chrysanthemum and may provide a reference for future research investigating leaf-shape genetics in other agronomic crops.

Passiflora nana, a new species in Passiflora section Decaloba (Passifloraceae) from northern Peru

A new species of Passiflora L. endemic to cloud forest in northern Peru, P. nana, is described and illustrated from living and herbarium material. The new species is similar to the Colombian P. erythrophylla in flower and Ecuadorian P. hirtiflora in vestiture. The indument is pilose to hispidulous throughout with long straight white trichomes, and the plant is short, less than 2.5 m long, with a very small flower ca. 1.5 cm diam. It is placed in subgenus Decaloba supersection Decaloba section Decaloba.

Novel Hierarchical YBO3 :Eu3+ Nanocrystals Synthesized by Folic Acid Assisted Hydrothermal Process

ABSTRACTYBO3:Eu3+ crystals with flower-like hierarchitecture are readily synthesized through a folic acid assisted hydrothermal process using polyborate precursors in the aqueous solution. It was found that the pH value , borate/yittrium ratio and the mass of folic acid take effects on the morphology and photoluminescence emission intensity of YBO3:Eu3+ crystals. The product with the small flower-like hierarchitecture was obtained under the conditions of pH value at 9, borate/yittrium ratio at 2 and the mass of folic acid at 0.44 g, showing the strongest photoluminescence intensity. The growth process of the YBO3:Eu3+ flowers and microflowers was invesitgated based on the time-dependent experiments, which showed that the growth mechanism of the flower-like hierarchitecture follows an in situ growth rather than self-assembly process as reported previously. Such a hydrothermal route using folic acid as a capping agent may provide a green and effective method for fabricating useful and complex 3D architectures of LEDs phosphors.

JASMINE FLOWERS IN JAVANESE MYSTICISM

This study discusses Javanese society's awareness of jasmine flowers (jasminum sambac) which are small in shape but have full of cultural meanings and philosophies, thus becoming a symbol of life. The focus of this study is the physical form of jasmine flowers and awareness of a healthy natural environment that can build a healthy mental (soul). The purpose of this study is to explore the unique small flower of jasmine, which has long been a symbol of awareness of environmental health which is not only physical but also mental (soul). This study uses a theoretical framework of health, the natural environment and Javanese mysticism, to see the relationship between humans and their environment. This study uses a qualitative research paradigm procedure. Qualitative research procedures provide opportunities for researchers to provide interpretations of the results of their research. The results showed that, ideologically, Javanese people were indeed aware of the importance of the natural environment. The natural environment is the most important factor in human life. Through daily activities can be seen and interpreted that Javanese humans cannot escape from their natural environment. Jasmine small white flowers and it turns out to save many benefits in physical and mental health. Through the cultural roots that exist in cultural ritual activities can be seen, an effort to preserve small white flowers that have many benefits. With positive benefits can give birth to a philosophy that captures the meaning of the flower in life.

Floral structure and genetical differences of sandalwood variants in Gunung Sewu (Java, Indonesia), and its effects on breeding systems and reproductive ability

Ratnaningrum YWN, Kurniawan A. 2019. Floral structure and genetical differences of sandalwood variants in Gunung Sewu (Java, Indonesia), and its effects on breeding systems and reproductive ability. Biodiversitas 20: 393-404. Our preliminary studies reported that the failure on rehabilitation program of sandalwood, an endangered endemic species in Indonesia, was caused by low viability and survival due to reproductive failure. New sandalwood landraces in Gunung Sewu Geopark, Java island consist of three variants (YBF, refers to "yellow big flower"; RBF, "red big flower"; and RSF, "red small flower") differed by floral structures. This study was made on three sandalwood variants grew in four landraces representing landscape zones in Gunung Sewu, from April to September 2017 flowering season. This advanced study was aimed to estimate the differences in floral structures and genetic diversity among variants, and their effects on breeding systems and reproductive ability. Floral organ measurements were made on each variant. Isoenzyme analysis was conducted to estimate the genetic diversity of each variant and in each site. Mating systems were estimated by Index of Incompatibility (ISI) and Cruden's Out Crossing Index (OCI) methods. Reproductive ability was measured by counting Pollination Effectiveness, Reproductive Success and seed viability. Results found that six loci were polymorphic in most of sites and variants, with exception for Petir and Bejiharjo sites and YBF variant. Observed heterozygosity varied with sites but was similar among variants. Some of diversity existed among both sites and variants. The OCI value scored more than 3 for all variants, indicating an outbreeding mating system. RSF showed higher OCI value compared to both RBF and YBF. Bleberan and Nglanggeran, the outcrossed and completely self-incompatible populations (ISI = 0), failed to produce selfed seeds. In such highly outcrossing, self-incompatible populations, the highest seed set was gained from intraspecific-crossed pollination. Contrastly, the inbreeding and self-compatible populations (ISI = 3 to ∞), Petir and Bejiharjo, tended to alter its matting system to be more inbreeding. Reproductive ability differed by sites but was similar among variants.

A new species of Rhododendron (Ericaceae) from Jiangxi of China based on morphological and molecular evidences

Rhododendron microcarpum R.L. Liu & L.M. Gao sp. nov. is described as a new species which is confined to Jiangxi, China. It has been discovered only in Yingpan Mountain located in the junction area of Nanling Mountains and Luoxiao Mountains. Morphologically, R. microcarpum is significantly distinguishable from closely related species R. ovatum by elliptic leaves with small size of 2.56 (± 0.11) × 1.25 (± 0.04) cm, pink-white corolla, short calyx with 0.23 (±0.003) cm in length, and small flower and fruit. ITS Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree indicates that R. microcarpum represents a distinct species and is genetically closest to R. ovatum. Evidences from morphological, ecological and molecular data supported R. microcarpum as a new species of R. subgenus Azaleastrum Planch..

The differences in floral structures of three sandalwood variants in one of Gunung Sewu (Indonesia) population, and their consequences on visitor diversity and visitation rate

Fathin AN, Ratnaningrum YWN. 2018. The differences in floral structures of three sandalwood variants in one of GunungSewu (Indonesia) population, and their consequences on visitor diversity and visitation rate. Biodiversitas 19: 1097-1101. Sandalwood,one of the most economically valuable endangered species, is native to the southeastern Indonesian islands, but it has recently occurredas new landraces in Gunung Sewu, Java island. Our previous findings found three floral variants (YBF, refers to “yellow big flower”;RBF, “red big flower”; and RSF, “red small flower”, respectively) of sandalwood landraces in Gunung Sewu. The differences in floralstructures among variants were also reported. In this study, we further analyzed these variant differences and their consequences onvisitor diversity and visitation rate in the Bleberan population, one of the most genetically diverse populations in Gunung SewuGeopark, in the 2016 flowering period. Floral visitor diversity, visitation rate, and pollination behavior were observed in each floralvariant. Visitor preference to a certain variant might be attributed to the differences in floral color and size. YBF was visited more bycoleopterans and hemipterans, while both RBF and RSF were visited more by hymenopterans. The dipterans and lepidopterans visitedboth yellow and red flowers at a similar rate. The bigger flowers of RBF and YBF received more visits than RSF.

Lethal Dose (LD50) Fixation and Sensitivity of Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecumL.) to Gamma Radiation for Induction of Mutation

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecumL.) is an annual crop, mainly used as a spiceand leafy vegetable crop in many parts of the world. Classical breeding in fenugreek is restricted due to its low genetic variability and small flower size which hamper manual emasculation and pollination. Mutation breeding is an effective way to enrich genetic variability in crop plants. An experiment was conducted to determine the lethal dose of the physical mutagen gamma rays in fenugreek. The dry seeds of fenugreek were exposed to different doses of gamma rays i.e. 150Gy, 200Gy, 250Gy, 300Gy and 350Gy. These irradiated seeds were sown in the Petri plates with non-irradiated seeds (control). As the dose of gamma rays increased, there was a decrease in germination percentage, seedling survival, root length, shoot length and vigour index. Among five doses of gamma rays, the maximum seed germination was observed at lowest dose 150Gy (93%), followed by 200Gy (83%), 250Gy (76%), 300Gy (76%) and 350Gy (64%). The seedling survival was decreased from 90% (in control) to 56% in 350Gy dose of gamma rays. The gamma rays dose of 150Gy gave stimulatory effect on seedlings growth. The growth parameters were dose dependent, as the dose of gamma rays increased from 200Gy to 350Gy. The gamma rays dose of 350Gy showed 64% seeds germination and 56% of seedlings survival. Therefore, it is concluded that the LD50 dose for fenugreek is close to 350Gy. This information would be highly useful for initiating mutation breeding programme in fenugreek

A Small Flower with Expansive Energy: A Proving of Zephyranthes rosea

To fill gaps in Jan Scholten's Plant System, several provings were done in February 2016 during a seminar in Panama. Zephyranthes rosea was one of the selected remedies for a trituration proving.