Morphological Diversity Analysis of Red-seed Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus ssp. vulgaris var. megalaspermus Lin et Chao) Germplasm Resources

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the morphological diversity of red- seed watermelon （Citrullus lanatus ssp. vulgaris var. megalaspermus Lin et Chao） germplasm resources. [Method] Multiple cluster analysis and principal components analysis on the morphological traits of 51 red-seed watermelon germplasm resources were carried out. [Result] The coefficient of variations （CVs） of 39 morphological traits in 51 red-seed watermelon idioplasm resources ranged from 5.37% to 66.95%, with an average of 22.87%. The average of Shannon diversity information indices was 1.55. Among them, the Shannon diversity information index of seed length was the highest （2.16） and that of seed shell figure pattern was the lowest （0.32）. In ad- dition, the morphological diversity information indices of quantity characters were higher than that of quality characters. The principal components analysis revealed that the variance contribution rates of the first, second and third principal compo- nents were 19.49%, 15.32% and 9.55%, respectively. Cluster analysis divided the 51 materials into three broad branches based on the morphological traits. There was only one material in the fist branch and two in the second branch, and all the three materials were wild. The other 48 materials were divided into the third branch and all of them were cultivars. [Conclusion] This study provided a theoretical basis for the protection and utilization of red-seed watermelon resources.

Morphological characterization, antioxidant capacity and diversity of Syzygium cumini trees from Sri Lanka

Syzygium cumini(L.)Skeels(Madan)is widely distributed in South Asian countries,including Sri Lanka,where it was naturally found.There were only few studies reported on S.cumini for its values and other benefits in Sri Lanka.This study focuses on morphological characterization and the diversity of S.cumini trees in seven locations of Sri Lanka.Data were collected on different morphological traits.Leaf,flower and fruit morphology showed significant differences among locations.Further,trees from Batticaloa region showed different morphology,which would potentially open a different avenue for further study to trace different cultivars across the country.Results of the diversity index and multivariate analyses indicated high diversity in morphology and antioxidant capacity of trees.The variables such as leaf area,inter-nodal length,petiole length,anther length,filament length,fruit size and pericarp thickness could be suitable candidates to investigate the morphological variation of S.cumini any further.Antioxidant capacity studies also showed significant differences among locations and trees.Fruit hue angle was positively correlated to antioxidant capacities.Finding of this study concluded that the wide distribution of S.cumini trees throughout Sri Lanka in different geographical locations showed high diversity in leaf,flower and fruit morphology together with antioxidant capacity.

The Distribution and Morphological Diversity of GABA-containing Neurons in The Prefrontal Cortex of Human Newborn Baby Infant

The prefrontal cortex of a human full termnewborn infant just after accidental death was studies by mcans of immunocytochemical technique with antibody directedagainst GABA(Immunonuclear Corp.)and ABC kit(Vector)。GABA-containing neurons were found over all layers and all were nonpyramidal cells.The laminar distribution of GABA-containing ne-urons was not even between different layers,density in laye Ⅱ was prominently higher than any other layers,density in layer Ⅲ and layer Ⅳ was higher than that in layer V and Ⅵ.

Analyzing architectural diversity in maize plants using the skeletonimage-based method

Shoot architecture in maize is critical since it determines resource use,impacts wind and rain damage tolerance,and affects yield stability.Quantifying the diversity among inbred lines in heterosis breeding is essential,especially when describing germplasm resources.However,traditional geometric description methods oversimplify shoot architecture and ignore the plant’s overall architecture,making it difficult to reflect and illustrate diversity.This study presents a new method to describe maize shoot architecture and quantifies its diversity by combining computer vision algorithms and persistent homology.Our results reveal that persistent homology can capture key characteristics of shoot architecture in maize and other details often overlooked by traditional geometric analysis.Based on this method,the morphological diversity of shoot architecture can be mined(quantified),and the main shoot architecture types can be obtained.Consequently,this method can easily describe the diversity of shoot architecture in many maize materials.

Morphological and Molecular Characterizations of Country Bean (Lablab purpureus L.) Genotypes for Drought Tolerance

Country bean, Lablab purpureus (L.) is considered one of the most important leguminous crops, but their cultivation under drought stress condition encounters challenges. In this study, an experiment has been conducted among 30 genotypes under drought condition to explore morphological diversity of qualitative and quantitative, biochemical, molecular analysis. The study identified significant variations in eight traits among the genotypes examined, with phenotypic variance exceeding genotypic variance, indicating both genetic and environmental influences. High heritability and genetic advance were observed in primary, secondary, and tertiary branch lengths, suggesting these traits are likely controlled by additive gene effects, making them effective targets for selection. Principal component analysis identified three components that made a substantial contribution, accounting for approximately 73.06% of the overall quantitative variations. Among the quantitative traits, the highest coefficient of variation (CV%) has been found in number of flowers (55.05%). While number of primary branches, primary branch length, number of secondary branches, secondary branch length, number of tertiary branches, tertiary branch length has individually more than 20% of CV%. The genotypes have been grouped into three clusters based on quantitative traits. Analysis of protein reveals that the genotypes of DS28 and DS29 have higher protein content than other genotypes. Dehydrogenase responsive genotypes have been found on DS28 and DS29 from the molecular analysis. The results suggest that the genotypes DS28 and DS29 could contribute as genetic resource of high protein content and DREB responsive, and the eight quantitative traits of 30 genotypes could be used for further breeding programme.

Agromorphological Characterization of 260 Okra Accessions (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Mali

The lack of suitable varieties is a constraint to okra production in West Africa. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of morphological diversity of 260 accessions of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Mali. A total of 25 qualitative and quantitative traits, including plant height, number of branches, pod length, and pod yield, were measured under field conditions. Significant variation was observed for all agronomic traits (p 2 < 60), suggesting that these traits are largely controlled by genetic factors. The pod yield was affected by the incidence of diseases. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed four distinct clusters, indicating a broad genetic base. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs targeting improved okra varieties with enhanced yield and resilience, contributing to sustainable agricultural development in Mali.

Variability in pod and seed traits of Pongamia pinnata Pierre ecotypes in North Karnataka, India

An evaluation of 30 naturally available candidate-plus trees（CPTs） of Pongamia pinnata was carried out to elucidate the genetic variability and relationship of pod and seed traits and progeny growth traits to select the best planting material with higher productivity. Significant variations were observed in pod and seed characteristics,oil content, and during the progeny trial studies. The highest values were found in 100-pod weight（410.4 gm）and 100-seed weight（195.92 gm） and the phenotypic and genotypic variance was found maximum in 100 pod weight（4364.71 and 4289.93） and 100 seed weight（813.8 and768.93）, respectively. Estimates of the phenotypic coefficient of variance were higher than the genotypic coefficient of variance for all the pod and seed traits and progeny growth traits, which depict the predominant role of the environment. Approximately 99 % of broad-sense heritability was revealed in oil content, followed by 100-pod weight（98.28 %）, and canopy growth（96.93 %）. Pod thickness shows the highest genetic advance of 56.61 %,followed by pod width（53.43 %） and canopy growth（49.3 %）. Pod and seed traits have proven a positive correlation between each other and with progeny growth traits,except a few negative values. Hierarchical clustering by Ward＇s minimum variance cluster analysis showed phylogeographical patterns of genetic diversity. K-means clustering revealed that trees from different geographical regions were grouped together in a cluster where as trees from the same geographical area are placed in a different cluster. Seven Pongamia ecotypes（GRP-8, 9, 13, 14, 18,28, and 29） are found superior in traits, namely 100-pod weight, 100-seed weight, oil content, germination rate,plant height, canopy growth, and collar diameter. The traits100-pod weight and 100-seed weight are highly correlated with the progeny growth traits and even have higher heritability and genetic advantages.

Research Progress on Genetic Diversity of Cultivated Soybean Germplasm Resources in China

In this paper,by analyzing the genetic diversity of cultivated soybean germplasm resources in China,the environmental and genotypic factors that affect the genetic diversity of cultivated soybean germplasm resources were explored to further expand the genetic basis of the existing germplasm resources of cultivated soybean in China. Moreover,research progress on genetic diversity of cultivated soybean in China was summarized,which not only revealed the geographical characteristics of genetic diversity of cultivated soybean in China,but also proposed direction for research of genetic diversity of soybean.

Geographic patterns of genetic diversity and fertility restoration ability of Asian and African origin pearl millet populations

A set of 45 diverse Asian and African origin/bred populations of pearl millet were investigated multi-locationally for morphological traits including grain yield and assessed for their fertility restoration ability on three cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS) systems in two contrasting seasons. Significant genetic variation was found for all the yield linked traits. Multivariate analysis for grain yield and its component traits grouped these populations into five clusters. Most of the Asian origin populations grouped into single cluster(Cluster III) and separated from the rest of the African origin populations indicating the presence of correspondence between clustering pattern and geographical origin of the populations. Clusters dominated with Asian populations(As-As) had linkages with early flowering, short plant height, more number of tillers, small and thin panicles, small seeded and low grain yield compared to the clusters dominated by African populations(Af-Af) or African origin and Asian bred(Af-As) populations.Genetically related populations having common parentage were found grouped in same clusters.Fertility restoration/maintainer frequency of 45 populations on three diverse CMS systems revealed that overall fertility restoration frequency was highest for A1(86%) followed by A4(37%) and for A5(7%) CMS system. Five populations were identified as potential sources for developing maintainer lines for all three CMS systems and eight populations were identified specifically for A;and A;CMS systems. A set of 11 and four populations were identified for restorer line development exclusively for A;and A;CMS system,respectively. Six populations were identified for the development of dual restorers for both A;and A;CMS system.

Diverse nanomaterials synthesized by laser ablation of pure metals in liquids

Diverse nanomaterials, in the forms of carbides, sulfides, oxides, metals, hydroxides, etc., have been synthesized by laser ablation in liquids(LAL) with metal targets as the dominant educts. Many advantages of LAL technique itself and its products have been revealed since 1983 when the first report about LAL was released. Different from traditional wet-chemical synthesis,one unique feature of LAL is its resultant extreme high-temperature and high-pressure local environment for the nucleation and growth of nanomaterials, despite being performed at room temperature. This extreme condition can induce the atomization and ionization of the target materials and liquid molecules to incur different chemical reactions. The laser, liquid, liquid additive, and target can significantly alter the local environment in a broad range. Thus, different phases and shapes of nanomaterials are producible even from the same target. Through directly comparing the products of LAL of 13 kinds of chosen representative metals synthesized under different conditions, this review presents and discusses current understandings, challenging issues, and perspectives related to the diversity of LAL-products, which is willing to promote a deeper investigation and discussion on a clear clarification of the chemical reactions and particle nucleation/growth processes.