Vegetative Reproduction through Green Cuttings of the Introduced Form <i>Weigela florida</i>f. “<i>Bristol ruby</i>” (Caprifoliaceae) in the Conditions of the Tashkent Botanical Garden (Uzbekistan)

For the first time, work was carried out on the vegetative reproduction of Weigela florida f. “Bristol Rubru” (Caprifoliaceae) was introduced into the Tashkent Botanical Garden (Uzbekistan) through green branches. As a result of the research conducted, it was noted that the vegetative reproduction possibilities of the “Bristol Ruby” form of Weigela florida were high. When placed on stimulants of two types (kornevin, heteroauxin), it became known that kornevin stimulants are effective in taking root. It was found that the effective way to multiply this form by green branches in a vegetative way—when placed on the stimulator of kornevin from the middle part of the rod, the indicators of root extraction of the cuttings were 93.3%, which is more effective than other options. When vegetative reproduction of this decorative form, it is recommended that the seedlings come to the standard state in 3 - 4 years and the root extraction indicators are high—this is its use as the second row shrubs in the case of growing on strongly saline soils in the conditions of Uzbekistan. The cultivation of green cuttings of the form in the fog showed that they are more effective than in the open ground.

Effects of resource availability on the trade-off between seed and vegetative reproduction

Aims To explore whether the trade-off between seed and vegetative reproductive modes is flexible in environments with different amounts of available resources to maintain optimal behaviors.Methods A transition matrix model was established to determine the optimal trade-off between seed and vegetative reproduction in resources–variable habitats.Important Findings The model predicts that plants allocate more resources to seed reproduction when available resources are scarce.With increasing resources,more vegetative propagules are produced.However,if resources keep increasing to a harmful level,plants would switch to seeds again.

Seed Germination and Vegetative Propagation of Promising Decorative Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.), Introduced into the Tashkent Botanical Garden (Uzbekistan)

Seed germination (in laboratory and field conditions) and vegetative reproduction (by cuttings) of a promising decorative species—Lonicera tatarica L. (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was studied for the first time in the conditions of introduction of the Tashkent Botanical Garden of Uzbekistan. Thus, the optimal temperature for germination of L. tatarica seeds in laboratory conditions is +20°C + 22°C, at which germination was 73%. The germination rate of seeds sown in autumn in the field was 62%, and the germination rate of seeds sown in spring was 71%. It was noted that in greenhouse conditions at an air temperature of 20°C - 22°C and a relative humidity of 49% - 53%, the rootability of cuttings was 75%. It was revealed that the studied species adapted well to the conditions of introduction. Taking into account the effectiveness of vegetative reproduction of L. tatarica, it can be recommended for improving the aesthetic condition and landscaping of cities, landscaping and landscape design.

Application of biostimulants for vegetative propagation of endangered Abies gracilis

Abies gracilis Kom.(Pinaceae)is one of the rarest and endangered conifers in the Russian flora,which must be cultivated ex situ to ensure its survival.Cuttings of A.gracilis do not take root without biostimulants.We used a selection of biostimulants,concentrations,and conditions of their use to significantly increase Abies gracilis rooting,and to accelerate the production of planting material,and to reduce rooting time to one season.We tested 4 rooting systems:IBA,IBA with glucose and glycine,and original biostimulants(S-try and S-5).The original S-5 biostimulating system had the most balanced ratio of components.The number of rooted samples increased 2.7 times and the length of roots increased 1.8 time when using S-5 as compared to IBA.S-try and S-5-original biostimulant systems were synthesized and collected in 2011 and 2014,respectively,and were tested in St.Petersburg Forest Technical University.

Relationship between age, size, fecundity and climatic factors in Panax wangianus an endangered medicinal plant in the sacred grove forest of North-East India

Panax wangianus （Syn. Panax pseudoginseng） S. C. Sun （Araliaceae） is a critically endangered, medicinal plant of North-East India. The objective of this study was to determine how plant size affects flowering phenology and to evaluate the effect of climatic factors on flowering, fruiting and seed production. Data on vegetative and repro- ductive characters were monitored from 2016 individuals of Panax wangianus population in Law Lyngdoh, Smit sacred grove in Nongkrem, Shillong, India. Leaflet area was measured by a planimeter. Size variables of both vegetative and reproductive traits in different age classes were measured. Climatic factors were recorded from 2007 to 2009. Age was recorded by counting the number of bud scale scars on the rhizome. Light intensity and relative humidity were measured using a photometer, LiCor Model LI-189 and thermohygrometer respectively. Different climatic variables are correlated with vegetative and reproductive phenological events. Statistical analysis revealed that a strong positive correlation was observed between the age versus vegetative and reproductive characters, except 1%–2% plants showed neoteny. Morphological variations were observed in natural conditions on the basis of the number of prong and carpellate conditions. Phenological status revealed that most of the individuals of the age class 35–50 years and above 50 years contributed the most to flowering, fruiting and seed production. Age class was significant to predict the size of the plant and its reproductive capacity. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation and relative humidity show synergistic effect on both the vegetative and reproductive phases in Panax wangianus in the undisturbed Nongkrem sacred grove. The color of flowers of P. wangianus also varied depending upon the sunlight intensity. Therefore, in the view of conservationand management, the age class of 35–50 years and above 50 years is the most important for population sustainability.

In-vitro vs in-vivo Inoculation: Screening for Resistance of Australian Rice Genotypes Against Blast Fungus

To assist with rapid screening for rice blast resistance as a precursor in a breeding program, the susceptibility to rice blast of 13 rice genotypes from Australia was evaluated in May to June 2013 using three distinct inoculation methods（spot, filter paper and standard methods） at seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages. The results revealed that the spot and filter paper inoculation methods were successful in discerning susceptibility to the rice blast disease（P ≤ 0.05）. Disease susceptibility declined significantly from the vegetative to reproductive stages. The standard method was conducted at three different stages for pot plants grown inside the mist house. However, low temperatures did not produce disease symptoms except in a few genotypes. Among the 13 rice genotypes screened, AAT9 expressed a highly resistant response, and AAT4, AAT6, AAT10, AAT11, AAT13, AAT17 and AAT18 expressed resistance at various stages. The results will be useful for selecting elite genotypes for disease tolerance where rice blast is prevalent. In addition, the resistant genotypes can serve as a gene pool used in breeding programmes to develop new resistant genotypes.

Temporal and Spatial Requirement of EMF1 Activity for Arabidopsis Vegetative and Reproductive Development

EMBRYONIC FLOWER （EMF） genes are required to maintain vegetative development via repression of flower homeotic genes in Arabidopsis. Removal of EMF gene function caused plants to flower upon germination, producing abnormal and sterile flowers. The pleiotropic effect of ernfl mutation suggests its requirement for gene programs involved in diverse developmental processes. Transgenic plants harboring EMF1 promoter：：glucuronidase （GUS） reporter gene were generated to investigate the temporal and spatial expression pattern of EMF1. These plants displayed differential GUS activity in vegetative and flower tissues, consistent with the role of EMF1 in regulating multiple gene programs. EMFI：：GUS expression pattern in emf mutants suggests organ-specific auto-regulation. Sense- and antisense （as） EMF1 cDNA were expressed under the control of stage- and tissue-specific promoters in transgenic plants. Characterization of these transgenic plants showed that EMF1 activity is required in meristematic as well as differentiating tissues to rescue emf mutant phenotype. Temporal removal or reduction of EMF1 activity in the embryo or shoot apex of wild-type seedlings was sufficient to cause early flowering and terminal flower formation in adult plants. Such reproductive cell memory is reflected in the flower MADS-box gene activity expressed prior to flowering in these early flowering plants. However, temporal removal of EMF1 activity in flower meristem did not affect flower development. Our results are consistent with EMF1＇s primary role in repressing flowering in order to allow for vegetative growth.

Seed,cutting and air-layering reproductive inefficiency of noxious woody vine Merremia biosiana and its implications for management strategy

Merremia boisiana(Gagnep)van Ooststr.is a noxious fast growing woody vine and is able to grow overtop other plants,causing the death of plants underneath and forming monospecies stands.To formulate management responses,we assessed its seed and vegetative reproduction efficacy through indoor and field experiments.The number of flowers counted from bagged infructescences in Guangzhou ranged from 25 to 172,with an average of 80.80.Counting the seeds of bagged infructescences had shown that there were only 1.58 hard testa seeds in each infructescence.Seed vitality tests using red ink indicated that only 68.6%of hard testa and filled seeds were viable.The emergence rate of scarified hard testa seeds in the sand bed was 31.96%.Under imitated natural conditions,8%of hard testa seeds could germinate,and 9%still retained their germination potential in one year.Thus,seedlings should be monitored and removed in a timely fashion after any attempt of clearing.Moving soil or transplanting plant from infested patches should be strictly prohibited at least for several years.All considered,an infructescence contributed 0.3 seedlings.The investigation in the field found no seedlings either inside or at the perimeter of the patch,suggesting scant expansion by means of seed dispersal.Therefore,the elimination effort could be focused on a relatively restricted scale of patches.Of 630 cuttings of young shoots,old shoots and old lying shoots with or without growth regulators,there were only four(or 0.63%)established individuals.Air-layering shoots all died in two months.Poor cuttings and airlayering reproduction indicated that regeneration from fragments of removed stems or accidentally dropped ones was quite unlikely,and thus mechanical removal was safe.