Correlation of biometric characteristics of fruits and seeds with the vigor of Agonandra brasiliensis seedlings in northern Amazonia

The goal of this study was to determine and correlate the main morphometric characteristics of fruits, seeds, and seedling vigor of Agonandra brasiliensis, in Roraima. The design was completely randomized with three treatments, consisting of six replications with 20 seeds. The treatments established were three classes of seeds: T1 - small seeds (S = 1.50-1.69 g); T2 - medium seeds (M = 1.70-1.89 g) and T3 - large seeds (L = 1.90-2.09 g). The variables evaluated were: length; diameter; the fresh mass of fruits and seeds; percentage, speed (in index) and average time of emergence, length of roots and aerial part; number of leaves; fresh, dry and total seedling mass; seedling lignification index; root/shoot ratio and dry root/shoot ratio and correlations between all studied variables. The fresh mass of the fruit of Agonandra brasiliensis has a high positive correlation with the mass of seeds. Small seeds of Agonandra brasiliensis exhibit a higher percentage of emergence in the conditions of the northern Amazon.

Role of phenolic compounds from brazilian native fruits on obesity-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle / Papel dos compostos fenólicos de frutos nativos brasileiros sobre a resistência à insulina do músculo esquelético induzida por obesidade

Skeletal muscle is an important metabolic tissue in glucose uptake and thus in glycemic homeostasis. Evidence suggests that phenolic compounds may exert beneficial health effects against metabolic disorders associated to obesity including its state of peripheral insulin resistance. The objective of this work was to investigate the role of phenolic compounds present in two Brazilian native fruits, cambuci (Campomanesia phaea Berg.) and jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg), on the insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of obese mice fed a high-fat-sucrose diet (HFS). For this, two independent experimental protocols were used for each fruit, where male C57BL/6J mice fed the HFS diet for the induction to obesity were used. Once the condition of obesity was established, animals started to receive daily oral administration (by gavage) of extracts enriched in phenolic compounds obtained from each fruit, in doses reachable through the diet. At the end of the experiments, the animals were euthanized and their tissue and organs collected. The animals receiving extracts of jaboticaba and cambuci, regardless of the dose, presented lower body weight gain in relation to the HFS group. The results for weekly fasting glycemia and glucose tolerance of the animals that received the phenolic extracts of both fruits showed an improvement in glycemic homeostasis even when fed with the deleterious diet. In the gastrocnemius muscle of the animals was demonstrated that cambuci and jaboticaba extracts significantly increased the content of glucose transporter protein 4 (GLUT-4) and AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK-Thr172), which has a broad role in metabolic regulation. Regarding inflammation, the administration of extracts from both fruits favored the reduction of phosphorylation and activation of the nuclear factor-κe (NF-κB) and the expression of some genes such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and JNK, whose increase has been associated with insulin resistance. In conclusion, this study suggests that the phenolics present in both native fruits may be important therapeutic agents in the reduction of muscle insulin resistance and inflammation associated with obesity

O músculo esquelético é um tecido metabólico importante na captação de glicose e, portanto, na homeostasia glicêmica. Evidências sugerem que compostos fenólicos podem exercer efeitos benéficos à saúde contra distúrbios metabólicos associados à obesidade incluindo o seu quadro de resistência à insulina. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o papel dos compostos fenólicos presentes em dois frutos nativos brasileiros, cambuci (Campomanesia phaea Berg.) e jaboticaba (Plinia jaboticaba (Vell.) Berg), na resistência à insulina no músculo esquelético de camundongos obesos alimentados com dieta rica em gorduras e sacarose (HFS, high-fat highsucrose diet). Para tal, foram utilizados dois protocolos experimentais independentes para cada fruto, onde foram usados camundongos machos C57BL/6J alimentados com dieta HFS para indução à obesidade. Uma vez instaurado o quadro de obesidade, os animais passaram a receber a administração diária, por gavagem, de extratos enriquecidos em compostos fenólicos obtidos a partir dos frutos, em doses atingíveis através da dieta. Ao final do período experimental os animais foram eutanasiados e seus tecidos e órgãos coletados. Os animais tratados com os extratos de jaboticaba e cambuci, independente da dose, apresentaram menor ganho de massa corporal em relação ao grupo HFS. Os resultados para glicemia de jejum semanal e a tolerância à glicose dos animais que receberam os extratos fenólicos de ambos os frutos demonstraram melhora na homeostase glicêmica, mesmo alimentados com a dieta deletéria HFS. No músculo gastrocnemius dos animais foi demonstrado que os extratos de cambuci e jaboticaba aumentaram significativamente o conteúdo da proteína transportadora de glicose 4 (GLUT-4) e da proteína quinase ativada por AMP (AMPK-Thr172), que possui um papel amplo na regulação metabólica. No que tange à inflamação, a administração dos extratos de ambos os frutos favoreceu a diminuição da fosforilação e ativação do fator nuclear-κB (NF-κB) e a expressão de alguns genes como IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß, e JNK cujo aumento tem sido associado com a resistência à insulina. Deste modo, este estudo sugere que os fenólicos presentes em ambos os frutos nativos podem ser agentes terapêuticos importantes na atenuação da resistência à insulina muscular e da inflamação associada à obesidade

Morfo-anatomía foliar de Araujia odorata (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) en un gradiente altitudinal: histoquímica de laticíferos / Foliar morpho-anatomy of Araujia odorata (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) in an altitudinal gradient: histochemistry of laticifers

Araujia odorata is a sub-shrub native from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, whose latex, roots and leaves are used in traditional medicine. The objective of this work is to study the foliar morpho-anatomy of six populations in an altitudinal gradient (359-2155 m.a.s.l.) of Northwestern Argentine and to determine the nature of the compounds present in the laticiferous of the stems and fruits using conventional techniques for plant anatomy. The populations under study did not show significant morpho-anatomical differences. They presented simple leaves, pinnated brochydodromous venation, amphiestomatic isolateral lamina, brachy, anomo and amphicyclocytic stomata, eglandular trichomes, midvein with bicolateral vascular bundle and non-articulated laticifers continuous in the petiole, stem and fruits. Differences in the quantified foliar parameters are observed, however, only the density of trichomes, stomata and the thickness of the cuticle are positively correlated with the altitudinal gradient, indicating phenotypic plasticity. Histochemical analysis of laticifers and other stem idioblasts of A. odoratawas performed for the first time.

Araujia odorata, es un subarbusto nativo de Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay y Uruguay, cuyo látex, raíces y hojas son utilizados en medicina popular. Se plantea como objetivo realizar un estudio morfo-anatómico foliar de seis poblaciones del Noroeste Argentino en un gradiente altitudinal (359-2155 m.s.n.m) y determinar la naturaleza de los compuestos presentes en laticíferos de tallos y frutos mediante técnicas convencionales de anatomía vegetal. Las poblaciones estudiadas no evidenciaron diferencias morfo-anatómicas significativas. Presentan hojas simples, venación pinnada broquidódroma, lámina isolateral anfiestomática, estomas braqui, anomo y anficiclocíticos, tricomas eglandulares, nervio medio con haz bicolateral y laticíferos no-articulados continuos en pecíolo, tallo y frutos. Se observan diferencias en los parámetros foliares cuantificados, sin embargo, solo la de densidad de tricomas, estomas y el espesor de cutícula se correlacionan positivamente con el gradiente altitudinal indicando plasticidad fenotípica. Se realiza por primera vez un análisis histoquímico de los laticíferos y otros idioblastos del tallo A. odorata.

Late Campanian fossil of a legume fruit supports Mexico as a center of Fabaceae radiation.

Fabaceae is one of the most diverse angiosperm families and is distributed across the globe in a variety of environments. The earliest evidence of the family, previous to this work, was from Paleogene sediments where it was found to be diverse in many fossil assemblages around the world. Here, we describe a fossil legume fruit from the Olmos Formation (upper Campanian) in northern Mexico. We designated the fossil fruit as Leguminocarpum olmensis Centeno-González, Martínez-Cabrera, Porras-Múzquiz et Estrada-Ruiz sp. nov., and related it with the Fabaceae family based on the presence of a dehiscent pod with two valves, an apex bearing stylar base, short stipe, and reticulated veins in the pericarp. We propose a new fossil species of Leguminocarpum for this fossil fruit. This fossil provides critical information on the long geologic history of Leguminosae around the world, significantly extending the record into the Cretaceous of Mexico.

Fig fruit ripening is regulated by the interaction between ethylene and abscisic acid.

Fleshy fruit ripening is typically regulated by ethylene in climacteric fruits and abscisic acid (ABA) in non-climacteric fruits. Common fig (Ficus carica) shows a dual-ripening mechanism, which is not fully understood. Here, we detected separate peaks of ethylene and ABA in fig fruits at the onset- and on-ripening stages, in conjunction with a sharp rise in glucose and fructose contents. In a newly-designed split-fruit system, exogenous ethylene failed to rescue fluridone-inhibited fruit ripening, whereas exogenous ABA rescued 2-amino-ethoxy-vinyl glycine (AVG)-inhibited fruit ripening. Transcriptome analysis revealed changes in the expression of genes key to both ABA and ethylene biosynthesis and perception during fig fruit ripening. At the de-greening stage, downregulation of FcACO2 or FcPYL8 retarded ripening, but downregulation of FcETR1/2 did not; unexpectedly, downregulation of FcAAO3 promoted ripening, but it inhibited ripening only before the de-greening stage. Furthermore, we detected an increase in ethylene emissions in the FcAAO3-RNAi ripening fruit and a decrease in ABA levels in the FcACO2-RNAi unripening fruit. Importantly, FcPYL8 can bind to ABA, suggesting that it functions as an ABA receptor. Our findings support the hypothesis that ethylene regulates the fig fruit ripening in an ABA-dependent manner. We propose a model for the role of the ABA-ethylene interaction in climacteric/non-climacteric processes.

Variations of membrane fatty acids and epicuticular wax metabolism in response to oleocellosis in lemon fruit.

Oleocellosis is a physiological disorder causing blemishes on fruit surface. This study investigated the influence of oleocellosis on the membrane fatty acids and wax in lemon fruit rinds at the morphological, physiological, metabolic and molecular levels by using a variety with a high incidence rate of oleocellosis (green lemon). Oleocellosis-damaged rinds showed loose and flaky wax layers with more fissures on the surface, as well as higher contents of C16 and C18 fatty acids and very long chain (VLC) fatty alkanes while lower contents of VLC fatty aldehydes. The main differentially expressed genes, including FabZ, FAD2 and SAD6 involved in the accumulation of C16 and C18 fatty acids and CER1 involved in the transformation of VLC fatty aldehydes to VLC fatty alkanes, were up-regulated by oleocellosis. These results indicate that oleocellosis accelerates the accumulation of membrane free fatty acids and transformation of VLC fatty aldehydes to VLC fatty alkanes.

Anatomical and genetic bases underlying the convergent evolution of fleshy and dry dehiscent fruits in Cestrum and Brugmansia (Solanaceae).

The mechanisms controlling evolutionary shifts between dry and fleshy fruits in angiosperms are poorly understood. In Solanaceae, Cestrum and Brugmansia represent cases of convergent evolution of fleshy and dry fruits, respectively. Here we study the anatomical and genetic bases of the independent origin of fleshy fruits in Cestrum and the reversion to dry dehiscent fruits in Brugmansia. We also characterize the expression of candidate fruit development genes, including ALCATRAZ/SPATULA, FRUITFULL, HECATE1/2/3, REPLUMLESS and SHATTERPROOF. We identify anatomical changes to establish developmental stages in the ovary-to-fruit transition in Cestrum nocturnum and Brugmansia suaveolens. We generate reference transcriptomes for both species, isolate homologs for all genes in the fruit genetic regulatory network (GRN) and perform gene expression analyses for ALC/SPT, FUL, HEC1/2/3, RPL and SHP throughout fruit development. Finally, we compare our results to expression patterns found in typical capsules of Nicotiana tabacum and berries of Solanum lycopersicum available in public repositories. We have identified homologous, homoplasious and unique anatomical features in C. nocturnum and B. suaveolens fruits, resulting in their final appearance. Expression patterns suggest that FUL, SHP and SPT might control homologous characteristics, while ALC and RPL likely contribute to homoplasious anatomical features. The fruit GRN changes considerably in these genera when compared to typical capsules and berries of Solanaceae, particularly in B. suaveolens, where expression of FUL2 and RPL1 is lacking.

The Application of a Plant Biostimulant Based on Seaweed and Yeast Extract Improved Tomato Fruit Development and Quality.

Plant biostimulants are under investigation as innovative products to improve plant production and fruit quality, without resulting in environmental and food contaminations. Here, the effects of the application of Expando, a biostimulant based on seaweed and yeast extracts, on plant productivity, fruit ripening times, and fruit quality of Solanum lycopersicum var. Micro-Tom were evaluated. After biostimulant treatment, a two-week reduction of ripening times and a concomitant enhancement of the production percentage during the earliest ripening times, in terms of both fruit yield (+110%) and size (+85%), were observed. Concerning fruit quality, proximate analysis showed that tomatoes treated with the biostimulant had better nutritional composition compared to untreated samples, since both the quality of unsatured fatty acids (C16:3ω3: +328%; C18:2ω6: -23%) and micronutrients essential for human health (Fe: +14%; Cu: +21%; Zn: +24%) were increased. From a nutraceutical point of view, despite strong changes in bioactive compound profile not being observed, an increase of the antioxidant properties was recorded in fruits harvested by plants treated with the biostimulant (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS): +38%; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH): +11%). In conclusion, the biostimulant application was able to reduce the ripening times and fruit size, while slightly increasing nutritional and nutraceutical values, leading to more marketable tomato fruits.

Chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils from Murraya paniculata (L. ) Jack (Rutaceae) ripe and unripe fruits against bacterial genera Mycobacterium and Streptococcus

This study aims to investigate chemical composition of essential oils from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack (Rutaceae) ripe and unripe fruits and determine their in vitro antibacterial activity. Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack ripe and unripe fruits collected in the Cerrado, in Rio Verde, southwestern Goiás, Brazil. They were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Sesquiterpenes, which represent the most abundant class of compounds in oils, predominated in both ripe and unripe fruits. Major constituents of essential oils extracted from ripe fruits (RF-EO) were (-caryophyllene (21.3%), (-ylangene (13.3%), germacrene-D (10.9%) and (-zingiberene (9.7%) whereas the ones of unripe fruits (UF-EO) were sesquithujene (25.0%), (-zingiberene (18.2%), germacrene-D (13.1%) and (-copaene (12.7%). In vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. Both essential oils under investigation showed moderate anti-streptococcal activity against the following bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis, S. sanguinis, S. sobrinus and S. salivarius. MIC values ranged between 100 and 400 µg/mL. Regarding the antimycobacterial activity, essential oils from M. paniculata (L.) Jack unripe and ripe fruits were active against Mycobacterium kansasii (MIC = 250 µg/mL), moderately active against M. tuberculosis (MIC = 500 µg/mL) and inactive against M. avium (MIC = 2000 µg/mL). This study was pioneer in revealing similar chemical profiles of both essential oils extracted from Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack unripe and ripe fruits, besides describing their in vitro anti-streptococcal and antimycobacterial activities.

A Potential Anti-Tumor Herb Bred in a Tropical Fruit: Insight into the Chemical Components and Pharmacological Effects of Momordicae Semen.

Gac fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) is a popular tropical fruit in southeast Asia. What is amazing is that its seeds (Momordicae Semen) and arils are traditional herbs with anti-tumor activity, and have protected human health for more than 1000 years. In recent years, its anti-tumor activity has received extensive attention and research. This manuscript summarized the chemical composition of saponins, fatty acids, volatile constituents, proteins, peptides, and other components from Momordicae Semen (MSE). The effect and mechanism of MSE and its extract on breast cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, esophagus cancer, melanomas, and human cervical epithelial carcinoma were discussed. In addition, its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other pharmacological effects were also analyzed. We hope that this review will provide new ideas for the treatment of cancer and other diseases, and become a reference for the further research into complementary and alternative medicine.

A substitute variety for agronomically and medicinally important Serenoa repens (saw palmetto).

Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) berries are one of the most consumed medicinal herbs in the United States and the wild green variety is used in the initial therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), globally. Use of saw palmetto is approved by the German Commission E, and several clinical trials are underway for evaluation of its efficacy. Exploitation of its habitats and over foraging imperil this plant, which only grows in the wild. This is the first study, to propose the use of the S. repens forma glauca (silver variety) as a qualitative substitute for the wild variety, to support its conservation. We compared tissue microstructures and lipid and water distribution through spatial imaging and examined metabolite distribution of three tissue domains and whole berries. This combined approach of 3D imaging and metabolomics provides a new strategy for studying phenotypic traits and metabolite synthesis of closely related plant varieties.

Dried fruit and public health - what does the evidence tell us?

A scientific workshop held in the UK explored the potential contribution of traditional dried fruits to public health, identified gaps in the evidence and addressed priorities for research. Presentations considered the categorisation and composition of dried fruits; dried fruit and gastrointestinal health; the polyphenol content of dried fruits and their potential contribution to health; dried fruit and appetite in relation to the psychology of snacking and obesity; dried fruit and dental health including its role as a snack; and conflicts in public health advice for dried fruits. A round table discussion explored the contribution of dried fruit to "five a day" fruit and vegetable intake and fibre intake, whether dried fruits have equivalence with fresh in terms of dietary advice, advice on snacking in relation to dental health and appetite control, informing the public about different types of dried fruits and avoiding consumer confusion, and future research requirements.

A common genetic mechanism underlies morphological diversity in fruits and other plant organs.

Shapes of edible plant organs vary dramatically among and within crop plants. To explain and ultimately employ this variation towards crop improvement, we determined the genetic, molecular and cellular bases of fruit shape diversity in tomato. Through positional cloning, protein interaction studies, and genome editing, we report that OVATE Family Proteins and TONNEAU1 Recruiting Motif proteins regulate cell division patterns in ovary development to alter final fruit shape. The physical interactions between the members of these two families are necessary for dynamic relocalization of the protein complexes to different cellular compartments when expressed in tobacco leaf cells. Together with data from other domesticated crops and model plant species, the protein interaction studies provide possible mechanistic insights into the regulation of morphological variation in plants and a framework that may apply to organ growth in all plant species.

Localization of phenolic compounds in the fruits of Silybum marianum characterized by different silymarin chemotype and altered colour.

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn (Asteraceae) is a valuable medicinal plant utilized for silymarin production. However, only fragmentary and contradictory information about silymarin localization within S. marianum fruit are available. In this work, a twofold research approach was adopted in order to investigate the distribution and quantification of silymarin and of other phenolic compounds within the different fruit regions (pericarp, seed integument, cotyledon). Two S. marianum wild accessions with contrasting silymarin chemotype (A and B) and a mutant line (C) with an altered fruit colour were analysed. Fruits of Cynara cardunculus were studied as a reference. Firstly, the fruit morpho-anatomy was reviewed by means of light microscopy digital imaging and, secondly, a comprehensive histolocalization of the different classes of polyphenols within the fruit was carried out. The experimental evidences confirmed that silymarin, and its precursor taxifolin, are only accumulated in the seed integuments. The dark colour of fully-ripened fruits is due to the accumulation of condensed tannins in the pericarp subepidermal cell layer. On the contrary, the studied mutant line shows reduced condensed tannin content that probably result from impairment at the level of flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Condensed tannins content is comparatively low in S. marianum fruits and very low in the identified mutant line. This could represent an advantage for the possible employment of S. marianum fruits and of silymarin extraction by-products in the feed and food sector.

Fruit colour and edge effects poorly explains frugivorous bird-plantinteractions in disturbed semideciduous forests / A cor dos frutos e o efeito de borda não explicam as interações entre aves frugívoras e plantas em fragmentos florestais semidecíduos alterados

Fruit colour is considered an important feature mediating interactions between plants and frugivorous birds. Despite that, colour mediated interactions are context-dependent, and habitat disturbances may affect how frugivorous birds perceive fruit colours. This study assessed the influence of fruit colour and edge effect on the consumption of artificial fruits by frugivorous birds in three disturbed semideciduous forests in southeastern Brazil. In each of those areas, we performed a field experiment in which we placed artificial fruits of three different colours on plants and recorded their consumption by birds. Red-coloured fruits were ingested more often than yellow, but neither of them was consumed differently from dark-blue. Edge effect only affected consumption of yellow fruits. Our data neither support the hypothesis of preferential consumption of the highest contrasting colours nor of increased fruit consumption in the forest interior. These findings indicate that colour and edge effects, as well as the interaction between them, may not be strong predictors of fruit choice by birds in disturbed environments, especially because generalist species, which are less sensitive to the physical alterations in forests, are favoured in these areas.

A cor dos frutos é importante nas interações entre plantas e aves. Apesar disso, as interações mediadas por cores são contexto-dependentes e as alterações no habitat podem afetar a maneira como os frugívoros percebem a coloração dos frutos. Este estudo avaliou a influência da cor e do efeito de borda no consumo de frutos artificiais por aves em três florestas semidecíduas degradadas no sudeste brasileiro. Em cada uma dessas áreas, foi conduzido um experimento no qual foram colocados frutos artificiais de três cores diferentes nas plantas e foi registrado o seu consumo pelas aves. Os frutos vermelhos foram mais consumidos do que os amarelos, mas nenhum deles foi consumido mais frequentemente do que os azulescuros. O efeito de borda afetou apenas o consumo de frutos amarelos. Nossos dados não suportam as hipóteses de consumo preferencial da coloração mais contrastante nem do aumento do consumo de frutos no interior dos fragmentos. Estes resultados indicam que a cor dos frutos, o efeito de borda e a interação entre estes dois fatores, não são fortes preditores da escolha do fruto por aves em ambientes degradados, principalmente pela ocorrência de espécies generalistas nestas áreas, que são menos sensíveis às alterações físicas nos fragmentos.

Evading plant defence: Infestation of poisonous milkweed fruits (Asclepiadaceae) by the fruit fly Dacus siliqualactis (Diptera: Tephritidae).

To cope with toxic metabolites plants use for defence, herbivorous insects employ various adaptive strategies. For oviposition, the fruit fly Dacus siliqualactis (Tephritidae) uses milkweed plants of the genus Gomphocarpus (Asclepiadaceae) by circumventing the plant's physical (gluey latex) and chemical (toxic cadenolides) defence. With its long, telescope-like ovipositor, the fly penetrates the exo- and endocarp of the fruit and places the eggs on the unripe seeds located in the centre of the fruit. Whereas most plant parts contain high concentrations of cardenolides such as gomphoside, calotropin/calacatin and gomphogenin, only the seeds exhibit low cardenolide levels. By surmounting physical barriers (fruit membranes, latex), the fly secures a safe environment and a latex-free food source of low toxicity for the developing larvae. One amino acid substitution (Q111V) at the cardenolide binding site of the fly's Na+, K+-ATPase was detected, but the significance of that substitution: reducing cardenolide sensitivity or not, is unclear. However, poisoning of the larvae by low levels of cardenolides is assumed to be prevented by non-resorption and excretion of the polar cardenolides, which cannot passively permeate the midgut membrane. This example of an insect-plant interaction demonstrates that by morphological and behavioural adaptation, a fruit fly manages to overcome even highly effective defence mechanisms of its host plant.

Out of southern Africa: Origin, biogeography and age of the Aizooideae (Aizoaceae).

The Aizooideae is an early-diverging lineage within the Aizoaceae. It is most diverse in southern Africa, but also has endemic species in Australasia, Eurasia and South America. We derived a phylogenetic hypothesis from Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses of plastid DNA-sequences. We find that one of the seven genera, the fynbos-endemic Acrosanthes, does not belong to the Aizooideae, but is an ancient sister-lineage to the subfamilies Mesembryanthemoideae & Ruschioideae. Galenia and Plinthus are embedded inside Aizoon and Aizoanthemum is polyphyletic. The Namibian endemic Tetragonia schenckii is sister to Tribulocarpus of the Sesuvioideae. For the Aizooideae, we explored their possible age by means of relaxed Bayesian dating and used Bayesian Binary MCMC reconstruction of ancestral areas to investigate their area of origin. Early diversification occurred in southern Africa in the Eocene-Oligocene, with a split into a mainly African lineage and an Eurasian-Australasian-African-South American lineage. These subsequently radiated in the early Miocene. For Tetragonia, colonisation of Australasia via long-distance dispersal from Eurasia gave rise to the Australasian lineage from which there were subsequent dispersals to South America and Southern Africa. Despite the relatively old age of the Aizooideae, more than half the species have radiated since the Pleiocene, coinciding with the large and rapid diversification of the Ruschioideae. The lineage made up of Tetragonia schenckii &Tribulocarpus split from the remainder of the Sesuvioideae already in the mid Oligocene and its disjunct distribution between Namibia and north-east Africa may be the result of a previously wider distribution within an early Arid African flora. Our reconstruction of ancestral character-states indicates that the expanding keels giving rise to hygrochastic fruits originated only once, i.e. after the split of the Sesuvioideae from the remainder of the Aizoaceae and that they were subsequently lost many times. Variously winged and spiky fruits, adapted to dispersal by wind and animals, have evolved independently in the Aizooideae and the Sesuvioideae. There is then a greater diversity of dispersal systems in the earlier lineages than in the Mesembryanthemoideae and Ruschioideae, where dispersal is mainly achieved by rain.

Phenological characterization and temperature requirements of Annona squamosa L. in the Brazilian semiarid region

ABSTRACT The phenological growth stages of various species of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants can be uniformly coded using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. The aim of the present study was to determine the duration of different phenological stages and the temperature requirements of the sugar-apple, Annona squamosa, during two crop cycles in the semiarid region of Brazil. Phenological stages were divided into eight of ten possible principal stages: (0) bud development, (1) leaf development, (3) shoot/branch development, (5) inflorescence emergence, (6) flowering, (7) fruit development, (8) fruit maturity and (9) senescence and the beginning of dormancy. The phenological cycle of the sugar-apple from having closed leaf buds to the fruit ripening stage lasted 149 and 164 days with temperature requirements of 1684.5 and 1786.7 degree days (DD) for the first and second crop cycles, respectively. The results provided important information that will inform the correct timing for crop management practices.

Tree age, fruit size and storage conditions affect levels of ascorbic acid, total phenolic concentrations and total antioxidant activity of 'Kinnow' mandarin juice.

BACKGROUND: Bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, total phenolics and total antioxidants) are important constituents of citrus fruit juice; however, information with regard to their concentrations and changes in relation to tree age and storage conditions is limited. 'Kinnow' (Citrus nobilis Lour × Citrus deliciosa Tenora) mandarin juice from fruit of three tree ages (6, 18 and 35 years old) and fruit sizes (large, medium and small) were examined for their bioactive compounds during 7 days under ambient storage conditions (20 ± 2 °C and 60-65% relative humidity (RH)) and during 60 days under cold storage (4 ± 1 °C and 75-80% RH) conditions. RESULTS: Under ambient conditions, a reduction in total phenolic concentrations (TPC) and in total antioxidant activity (TAA) was found for the juice from all tree ages and fruit sizes. Overall, fruit from 18-year-old trees had higher mean TPC (95.86 µg mL(-1) ) and TAA (93.68 mg L(-1) ), as compared to 6 and 35-year-old trees. Likewise, in cold storage, TAA decreased in all fruit size groups from 18 and 35-year-old trees. In all tree age and fruit size groups, TPC decreased initially during 15 days of cold storage and then increased gradually with increase in storage duration. Ascorbic acid concentrations showed an increasing trend in all fruit size groups from 35-year-old trees. Overall, during cold storage, fruit from 18-year-old trees maintained higher mean ascorbic acid (33.05 mg 100 mL(-1) ) concentrations, whereas fruit from 6-year-old trees had higher TAA (153.1 mg L(-1) ) and TPC (115.1 µg mL(-1) ). Large-sized fruit had higher ascorbic acid (32.08 mg 100 mL(-1) ) concentrations and TAA (157.5 mg L(-1) ). CONCLUSION: Fruit from 18-year-old trees maintained higher TPC and TAA under ambient storage conditions, whereas fruit from 6-year-old trees maintained higher TPC and TAA during cold storage. Small-sized fruit had higher TPC after ambient temperature storage, whereas large fruit size showed higher ascorbic acid concentrations and TAA after cold storage.

Compact tomato seedlings and plants upon overexpression of a tomato chromatin remodelling ATPase gene.

Control of plant growth is an important aspect of crop productivity and yield in agriculture. Overexpression of the AtCHR12/23 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana reduced growth habit without other morphological changes. These two genes encode Snf2 chromatin remodelling ATPases. Here, we translate this approach to the horticultural crop tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We identified and cloned the single tomato ortholog of the two Arabidopsis Snf2 genes, designated SlCHR1. Transgenic tomato plants (cv. Micro-Tom) that constitutively overexpress the coding sequence of SlCHR1 show reduced growth in all developmental stages of tomato. This confirms that SlCHR1 combines the functions of both Arabidopsis genes in tomato. Compared to the wild type, the transgenic seedlings of tomato have significantly shorter roots, hypocotyls and reduced cotyledon size. Transgenic plants have a much more compact growth habit with markedly reduced plant height, severely compacted reproductive structures with smaller flowers and smaller fruits. The results indicate that either GMO-based or non-GMO-based approaches to modulate the expression of chromatin remodelling ATPase genes could develop into methods to control plant growth, for example to replace the use of chemical growth retardants. This approach is likely to be applicable and attractive for any crop for which growth habit reduction has added value.