Effects of "short" photoperiods on seedling growth of Pinus brutia.

This study investigated how nurseries could benefit by inducing "short" photoperiods as low as 4 hr to produce "better" seedlings characterized by more vigorous roots; a substantial feature to overcome transplanting stress. The carryover effect of the photoperiod was also investigated on seedlings that grew for 30 days more underthe consistent 14 hr photoperiod. Seedlings of Pinus brutia were subjected to 4, 6, 8 and 14 hr photoperiod for 3 week. Fifteen seedlings were used to evaluate the leaf area, the root and shoot dry weight and their ratio. Six and sixteen seedlings were used to evaluate the shoot electrolyte leakage and the root growth potential, respectively. Based on the results, the 6 and 8 hr photoperiod indicated greater root allocation (4.8 and 4.9 mg, respectively) and chlorophyll content (3.7 and 4.4, respectively). They also indicated greater leaf area values (3.3 and 3.5 cm2, respectively) along with the 14 hr (3.4 cm2). The photoperiod effect continued even after seedlings were subjected at consistent photoperiod. Overall, "short" photoperiods could provide "better" P. brutia seedlings to accommodate immediate massive reforestation and afforestation needs.

Perennial-like adaptation mechanisms of annual legumes to limited irrigation.

The hydrodynamic behavior of two annual legumes (Trifolium angustifolium L. and Onobrychis caput-galli (L.) Lam.) under water shortage was studied in a rain shelter experiment. Seeds were collected from natural grasslands of northern Greece and were sown in pots. Two months after seedlings' emergence, full irrigation (up to field capacity) and limited irrigation (40% of field capacity) were applied. During the vegetative period the leaf water potential and the relative water content were measured at seven day intervals in both treatments. T. angustifolium retained the lowest values of psi both under full (-0.11 to -1.78 MPa) and limited irrigation (-0.16 to -2.90 MPa), while the highest values in both cases were those of O. caput-galli (-0.05 to -0.5 MPa). The results suggested that T. angustifolium was the species mostly affected by limited water supply. T. angustifolium seemed to display adaptation mechanisms to drought similar to those of perennial plants. O. caput-galli displayed a more isohydric behavior by not altering its water potential under limited irrigation.

Objective vs. subjective factors in the psychological impact of vitiligo: the experience from a French referral centre.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo affects around 0.5% of the population. The burden of disease perceived by patients seems to be underestimated by the medical community. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the impact of objective and psychological factors on the quality of life (QoL) and self-body image of patients with vitiligo. METHODS: Demographic data, medical information and psychological factors (perceived severity, trait anxiety, trait depression, trait self-esteem, body image and QoL) were prospectively collected for all patients. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with a mean age of 43.9 years were included in the study. Vitiligo caused overall a moderate effect on patients' QoL with a 7.17 Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) mean score (out of 30) without correlation with gender. According to distribution, no or minimal (DLQI 0-1), mild (2-5), moderate (6-11) and severe (12-20) impairment of QoL was found in five (10%), 14 (29%), 18 (38%) and 11 (23%) patients, respectively. The mean perceived severity evaluated by the patients was 4.91 based on visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. The self-body image was influenced by gender, perceived severity and disease characteristics. Perceived severity and patient personality were predictors of QoL impairment. Perceived severity of vitiligo was explained mainly by the patients' personality and less significantly by objective criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective as well as objective factors should be included in the assessment of disease severity and follow-up of patients with vitiligo. A simple perceived severity scale is useful in clinical practice.