The effects of zirconium ascorbate (Zr-ASC) were examined on wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'MV. 20'). Plants grown hydroponically for nine days were exposed to solutions having various concentrations of Zr-ASC. The investigated plants were able to take up the Zr-ASC complex, accumulation and translocation of the metal has also been observed. Translocation mechanisms seem to be working efficiently to a certain concentration limit where from the translocation between root and shoot is limited. An interesting phenomenon was noticed in the case of boron, namely that the concentration change tendencies of boron and Zr were similar. A significant change was observed in the case of amino acid content, the total amino acid content increase was pronounced both in roots and shoots.
Allelic diversity of the S-locus is attributed to the genetic relationships among genotypes and sexual reproduction strategy. In otherwise self-incompatible Prunus species, the emergence of loss-of-function in S-haplotypes has resulted in self-compatibility. This information may allow following major stages of crop history. The genetic diversity in the S-locus of local apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) from different oasis ecosystems in Morocco and the comparison of the occurrence and frequency of S-alleles with other regions may allow testing the validity of previous theories on the origin and dissemination of North African apricots. The S-genotypes of 55 Moroccan apricot accessions were determined, resulting in 37 self-compatible genotypes, from which 33 were homozygotes for self-compatibility. SC was the most frequent S-allele in this germplasm, followed by S13, S7, S11, S2, S20, S8, and S6. New approaches (CAPS or allele-specific PCR) were designed for a reliable verification of the rare or unexpected alleles. The frequency and distribution of the S-alleles differed among the oases. Some of these alleles, S8, S11, S13 and S20, were formerly detected only in the Irano Caucasian germplasm and are not present in Europe. Our data supports the Irano-Caucasian origin of the Moroccan apricots and their original introduction by Phoenicians and Arabs through the North African shore. North Africa seems to have preserved much higher variability of apricot as compared with Europe. The loss of genetic diversity in apricot might be explained by the occurrence of self-compatibility and the length of time that apricot has spent with this breeding system in an environment without its wild relatives, such as the Moroccan oases or Central Europe.
Eighty-six almond accessions of diverse geographic origin, ranging from Central Asia to the USA, were genotyped in 15 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci to compare genetic diversity parameters, characterize genetic differentiation, and examine factors responsible for the maintenance of genetic diversity and population structure in almond. The mean allele number was 18.86 alleles per locus. All but one primer demonstrated polymorphic information content higher than 0.7. Almond genotypes clustered according to their pedigree and geographic origin. STRUCTURE analysis determined nine genetically distinct subgroups within the studied genotypes including the Kyrgyz, Akdamar, Bademli, Hungarian, Monor, Italian, Moroccan, and Californian accessions and wild species and an admixed group. An AMOVA analysis confirmed that considerable genetic variation occurred within populations (71.30%), and genetic variation among populations was also significant (28.70%). The mean values of the fixation index (FST) varied between 0.38 and 0.55, indicating marked genetic differentiation among the populations. The among-population genetic differentiation based on allele sizes (RST) was significantly higher than that based on allele identities (FST) between the most groups, suggesting that stepwise mutations have also contributed to genetic differentiation. A Mantel test and a neighbor-joining tree showed no significant correlation between the geographic distance and the genetic distance (Rxy = 0.173, P = 0.226) and indicated that geographic distance among the assessed populations has little influence on their genetic differentiation (Rxy = 0.248, P = 0.194). Our data show drift, mutations, and massive gene exchange between several wild species and cultivated P. dulcis as crucial components of genetic differentiation. Slight losses of genetic diversity are attributable to geographic isolation, human selection and not to the relatively recent occurrence of self-compatibility. There was no indication of a major decrease in genetic variability in almond germplasm from Asia to Europe. The present results reveal that almond domestication avoided the occurrence of a genetic bottleneck although its risk is present in many subpopulations.
Apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) is one of the most important fruit crops showing ribonuclease-mediated self-incompatibility, and no self-compatible apple cultivars are known. Twenty-nine S-alleles were identified in apple and many more incompatibility groups are present compared to sweet cherry. Results from a Belgian, English and a Japanese research group are combined and the S-genotypes of the most important world cultivars are collected. Two different allele labelling system are reconciled and detection methods used in case of the specific alleles are shown. Effects of the resistance breeding programmes are discussed; and scientific efforts involving transgenic technology to create self-compatible genotypes are shown. This review covers the most interesting issues regarding self-incompatibility in apple.
Self-incompatibility (SI) in flowering plants is a widespread genetic system that promotes out-crossing. In Prunus species the SI is a gametophytic trait, which is controlled by a single multiallelic locus, termed S-locus. S-alleles codify stylar glycoproteins with ribonuclease activity (S-RNases). Our objective was to assess the S-genotype of some Hungarian apricot varieties by isoelectric focusing of stylar RNases as well as by PCR analysis using cherry consensus primers. Consensus primers amplified one or two bands of various sizes. Primers amplifying the 1st intron gained fragments the size of which ranged from 250 to 500 bp; while those amplifying the 2nd intron resulted in fragments of 800-2000 by length. Our data demonstrated that the first intron of the apricot S-RNase gene is shorter than the second one, which coincides with the structure of cherry S-RNase alleles. `Hargrand' (S1S2) and `Harcoe (S1S4) possessed one common S-RNase isoenzyme. Hungarian 'Orias' apricot cultivars showed different bands compared to the previous cultivars, but they shared completely identical patterns confirming that they possess the same S-genotype. 'Bergeron', `Harmat' and 'Korai zamatos' are characterised by an evidently distinct S-RNase pattern. The self-compatible cultivar (`Bergeron') had one allele, which suggests its correspondence to the Sc. Primers for the 2nd intron was unsuccessful in gaining fragments, which indicates that the 2nd intron in the Sc allele is too long to get any amplification. On the basis of our data, identities and differences were revealed in the S-allele constitution of some economically important Hungarian apricot cultivars at protein and DNA levels.
Names of housing subdivisions are considered in this paper as transitional names sharing characteristics with prototypical place names, names of institutions and trade names: apart from identifying a place, their basic function is to inform and influence potential customers. This influence can more easily be exerted if the appellative meanings of the names identifying the housing subdivisions evoke pleasant concepts. The requirements, preferences and values expressed in the names of housing subdivisions (e.g. youth, wealth, exclusivity, elegance, glamour) aim at today’s citizen consumers, whose consciousness is unified in this respect by the media. Housing subdivisions must be sold, and to achieve this all possibilities, including name formation, offered by the language have to be exploited.
