A Study of Fructification Quantitative Characteristics of Spartina alterniflora Lossel in Mangroves

[Objective] The countermeasure on the number of fructification of Spartina alterniflora in the period of sexual reproduction and the component of seed yielding construction was explored.[Method] The Spartina altemiflora in Mangroves conservation zone located at Hepu of Guangxi being taken as experimental material, its morphological and quantitative characteristics, as well as the weight of 100 full seeds at maturity stage in three different growth conditions（ clay, loam and sand） were studied. [ Results] The results showed that Spartina alterniflora had the best growth pattern in the loam. The morphological factors of fructification of S. altemiflora grown in sand were larger then in others. In the three growth conditions the order of quantitative characteristics of fructification of S. alterniflora was clay 〉 sand 〉 loam and the seeds in spikelet at top position were more maturity than those at the button position. [ Conclusion] In good condition, the Spartina altemiflora growth was vigor but the ratio of seed-setting was low.

A note on fructification of Plagiozamites Zeiller (Noeggerathiales) based on association

The fructification of the noeggerathialean foliage Plagiozamites is very likely a cylindric strobilus based on close associations from the Early Permian Lower Shihhotse Formation of Weibei Coalfield in Shaanxi and Dengfeng Coalfield in Henan. The strobilus is articulated. Sporophylls arise from the node, with the proximal parts slightly united and with a tight angle to the axis; distal parts upturned pointing upwards and nearly parallel to the axis, coveting the neighboring sporophylls of the next node. A sessile sporangium is situated at the adaxial side of each sporophyll. There are 12-16 sporangia and sporophylls in each node. This type of strobilus may have been identified as some sphenophyllalean/equisetalean cones in previous study.

Inheritance of Ear Tip-Barrenness Trait in Maize

The aim of this paper is to study the inheritance pattern of ear tip-barrenness trait in maize （Zea mays L.）. Ear tipbarrenness trait in maize can be classified into two types, tip-barren and tip-barrenless. Two inbred lines, lx01-3 （tipbarrenless type）, wx04-1 （tip-barren type）, and their F1, F2, BC1, BC2 generations were analyzed on their ear tip-barrenness types. Results showed that F1 was tip-barren type; the ratio of tip-barren type versus tip-barrenless type followed a 12.78： 1 ratio in F2 segregation population and a 2.75：1 ratio in BC1. Z2 test indicated that the trait of ear tip-barrenness type followed an inheritance pattern of 2 duplicate dominant genes. SPSS analysis indicated that the trait of ear tip-barrenness length is of abnormal distribution. Above results mean that： （1） The trait of maize ear tip-barrenness type is controlled by 2 duplicate dominant genes; tip-barren type is dominant over tip-barrenless type; （2） the trait of tip-barrenness length is a quantitative character controlled by polygene with major genes expected.

Assessing the Efficiency of Sponge and Traditional Methods of Pollination in Date Palm

In date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. male （pollen bearing） and female （fruit bearing） inflorescences are on separate palms. To ensure good fertilization and better yield, artificial pollination is carried out in date plantations, where pollen harvested from male flowers are used for artificial pollination which is usually done manually. Often, the availability of male flowers becomes scarce due to the high demand to take up pollination during the short period of time when the female flowers are receptive. We assessed the comparative efficiency of using pollen to manually pollinate female date palm flowers in the field using sponge pieces charged with harvested pollen as compared to the traditional practice of the farmers using male inflorescences. Results revealed that fruit set （%）, fructification （%）, yield per bunch （kg） besides fruit weight, length and breadth were statistically similar in the two pollination methods evaluated. The sponge method of manual pollination can therefore serve as a viable alternative to the traditional method of pollination with the possibility of using stored pollen especially where male palms are scarce and pollen is difficult to obtain.