Variation in seed morphometric characters, oil content and azadirachtin content of seeds, in vitro shoot cultures and callus cultures among different populations of Azadirachta indica

We studied seed morphometric characters, oil content and azadirachtin content in a medicinally important and insect repellent tree species Azadirachta indica A.Juss. Ten populations were selected from two central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and twenty candidate plus trees were selected from each population based on tree attributes. Azadirachtin content was estimated in seeds, in vitro shoots and callus cultures through HPLC. Significant variation（p ／ 0.05） was observed in seed morphometric characters, oil content and azadirachtin content among the ten populations. Maximum value for 100 seed weight was obtained in seeds of Raigarh（30.51 g） which was on par with seeds of Bargi（28.37 g）and Chhatarpur（26.36 g）. The ratio of highest kernel to seed was also obtained in seeds of Raigarh（60.11%）.Kernels from Chhatarpur population recorded the highest oil content（24.20%）, which was equal to that in Sihore（23.75%） and Katni（21.75%）. We recorded highly significant variation in azadirachtin content in seed samples,in vitro shoot samples and callus cultures. Maximum azadirachtin was present in the seeds of Gwalior（0.882%）which was on par with azadirachtin content in seeds of Chhatarpur, Katni, Sihore, Shahdol and Chhindwara.Maximum azadirachtin in the in vitro shoots was present in the cultures of Gwalior（0.218%） which was statistically on par with Sihore（0.176%）. Similarly, in callus cultures of nodal segments maximum azadirachtin was recorded in the Gwalior population（0.033%） which was statistically on par with Sihore（0.028%）. The trees of Gwalior and Sihore populations can be produced in large numbers through vegetative propagation to obtain seeds with higher azadirachtin content.

Analysis of seed and maternal genetic effects on cooking quality characters in indica hybrid rice

We analysed seed and maternal genetic effects on characters of cooking quality in indica hybrid rice by using the model for quantitative characters of seeds of cereal crops. Incomplete diallel crosses were made by using six male sterile lines (Zhenshan 97A, Erjiuqing A, Erjiunan 1A, V20A, Zhe’nan 1A and Zhe’nan 3A)as females and three restorer lines(Cezao 2-2, T49 and 26715)as males. Sampled seeds were used to measure the cooking quality characters, including amylose content(%), gelatinization temperature(alkali spreading score)and gel consistency(mm). Results indicated that some rice cooking quality characters were controlled by both seed genes and maternal genes (see table). Gel consistency was mainly controlled by maternal effects, but also

Female Plant Types of Ginkgo biloba L. in China

Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious and unique species within Ginkgo family and Ginkgo genus, but it shows a big variability. From 1950s, resources of female plants in China were investigated and collected, and the seed anatomical structure and morphological characters at different development stages were observed. According to the shape, length, width and thickness of ovule bracket and seed stone, as well as the characteristics of both sides and top of the stone, the female plants of Ginkgo biloba have been divided into five types, long-stone, Buddha-finger, horse-bell, mume-stone and round-stone. In addition, the important cultivars belonging to different types were also determined. The stone weight, index of stone shape, and contents of dry matter, amylose, amylopectin, starch, rough protein, soluble sugar and hydrocyanic acid in seed kernel of each type were measured, and the qualities of seed stone were appraised, which lays a foundation for the improvement and utilization of female plant resources in Ginkgo biloba.

Study on Virus-free Breeding Technology of Potato Microtuber

It is the simplest,fastest and effective way to improve the yield level of potato by selecting high quality virus-free seed potato for field production and maintaining the original characters of virus-free minituber. Microtuber is featured by small volume,no pathogen,convenient storage and transportation,which can be induced in summer with high temperature and humidity,and overcome a series of problems such as poor survival rate of transplanted test-tube plantlets,and easy pollution of cutting tips. Therefore,it can replace conventional test-tube plantlets directly for reproduction. Meantime,if minitubers are sown ahead of time using cold frame,the growth stage of potato minituber will avoid the occurrence period of aphids. The use of gauze cover for insect prevention has good effect on maintaining the excellent characters of microtuber. The yield and quality of virus-free potato are greatly improved by means of virus-free culture of shoot tip seedlings,subculture propagation of virus-free seedlings,induction of microtubers by dark culture,cultivation of breeder’s seeds in greenhouse and screenhouse to preserve the characters of potato.