Morphological Characterization and Phenological Modeling of <i>Jatropha platyphylla</i>(Euphorbiaceae) Muell. Arg. Genotypes

Morphological characterization and phenological modeling were carried out on genotypes of Jatropha platyphylla collected from the states of Sinaloa and Durango, Mexico. The morphological characterization evidenced the existence of monoecious plants, finding individuals with male and female flowers in the same inflorescence. Fruit with four seeds was also found. The phenological study was divided into two phases and calculated in thermal requirement (°D): Vegetative [seedtime (0), germination (24), emergence (98), cotyledons (87), second (302) and fourth (524) true leaves, end of vegetative growth (302)] and reproductive [flowering (303), fructification (342), maturation (126), defoliation and senescence (450)]. The thermal constant (2558) was similar in all eight genotypes. The phenological stages and the accumulated degree days were adjusted with a third-degree polynomial (Stage = -0.0041x3 + 0.7446x2 - 8.6808x + 6.2448) (R2 = 0.99%) stage. The development of phenological models facilitates the prediction of the flowering date for the selection of varieties with high oil and protein content.

ApoB-100, ApoE and CYP7A1 gene polymorphisms in Mexican patients with cholesterol gallstone disease

AIM: To determine the possible association of the ApoB100 (Xba Ⅰ ), ApoE (Hha Ⅰ ) and CYP7A1 (Bsa Ⅰ ) gene polymorphisms, with the development of cholesterol gallstone disease (GD) in a Mexican population. METHODS: The polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism, in two groups matched by ethnicity, age and sex: patients with GD (n = 101) and stone-free control subjects (n = 101). RESULTS: Allelic frequencies in patients and controls were: 34.16% vs 41.58% (P = 0.124) for X+of ApoB-100; 4.46% vs 5.94% (P = 0.501) for E2, 85.64% vs 78.22% (P = 0.052) for E3, 9.90% vs 15.84% (P = 0.075) for E4 of ApoE; and 25.74% vs 27.72% (P = 0.653) for C of CYP7A1. Differences in genotypic frequencies between the studied groups were not significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that no association exists between the studied polymorphisms and cholelithiasis in this high prevalent population.

Trichoderma spp.and Bacillus spp.as growth promoters in maize(Zea mays L.)

Microbes that are beneficial to plants are used to enhance the crop growth,yield and are alternatives to chemical fertilizers.Trichoderma and Bacillus are the predominant plant growth-promoting fungi and bacteria.The objective of this study was select,characterize,and evaluate isolates of Trichoderma spp.and Bacillus spp.native from the northern region of Sinaloa,Mexico,and assess their effect on growth promotion in maize(Zea mays L.).In greenhouse conditions,four Trichoderma isolates and twenty Bacillus isolates,as well as two controls,were tested in a completely randomized design with three replicates.We selected the two best strains of Trichoderma and Bacillus:TB=Trichoderma asperellum,TF=Trichoderma virens,B14=Bacillus cereus sensu lato and B17=Bacillus cereus,which were evaluated in the field in a completely randomized blocks in factorial arrangement design with three replicates applying different rates of nitrogen fertilizer(0,150 kg N/ha,and 300 kg N/ha).Treatments 5(B17=B.cereus)and 11(TF=T.virens)both fertilized with 150 kg N/ha showed similar yields and they did not reveal significant differences from the treatments fertilized with 300 kg N/ha.This indicated that treatment 5(B17=B.cereus with 150 kg N/ha)and treatment 11(TF=T.virens with 150 kg N/ha)were efficient as growth promoters,by not showing significant differences in root volume and dry weight of foliage.The results indicated a reduction of 50% in the rate of nitrogen to fertilizer required for maize(Zea mays L.)crops.These microorganisms Trichoderma and Bacillus could be an alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers in maize.

Rooting of Stem Cuttings of <i>Jatropha platyphylla</i>(Euphorbiaceae) in the Obtaining of Axillary Buds for Grafting

Jatropha platyphylla is considered as a potential source of edible protein, oil, and phenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory activity. The use of stem cutting in vegetative propagation and grafting is as indispensable tools for mass multiplication of superior genotypes and helps in improve planting yield and quality. The study was aimed to investigate the effect of different diameters (10 - 15, 16 - 25 and 26 - 35 mm) and different hormone concentrations of indo-butyric acid (0, 1.5, 3, 6 and 10 g/L), in the rooting of Jatropha platyphylla and to obtain axillary buds to performed grafts. Rooting efficiency was 80% in greenhouse conditions. Hormone concentration and diameter significantly affected the rooting and shooting ability of Jatropha platyphylla stem cuttings. Stem cuttings of 26 - 35 mm have the greatest number, length and dry root weight. 76% survival of the grafted plants was obtained. This demonstrates the necessity to improve the conventional propagation methods with appropriate scientific inputs for more economical and time efficient techniques for standard propagation protocols.