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Before developing orchard management strategies, it is crucial to conduct architectural analysis at the shoot level for the specific type of fruit to be grown. The objective of this study was to analyze flowering patterns in 1-year-old long shoots of three apple cultivars ('Amasya,' 'Braeburn,' and 'Granny Smith') with different bearing behaviors. This analysis aimed to gain a better understanding of their growth dynamics and reproductive activities. The shoot was divided into three consecutive zones (proximal, median, and distal) based on node number. When comparing the number of floral and vegetative buds in the three zones along the shoot, less contrast was observed between alternate-bearing ('Amasya') and regular-bearing cultivars ('Braeburn' and 'Granny Smith'). However, a notable difference in floral bud quality variables was evident in shoot zones between biennial-bearing and regular-bearing cultivars. In 'Braeburn' and 'Granny Smith' with a regular bearing habit, floral bud quality variables remained stable along the shoot. In contrast, 'Amasya' shoots exhibited a gradual increase in floral bud quality from the proximal zone towards the distal zone. 'Amasya' had the fewest spur leaves per inflorescence, both in the proximal zone (0.89) and the median zone (2.87) of one-year-old long shoots, whereas they were nearly equal for ‘Braeburn’ (5.67 and 6.09, respectively) and ‘Granny Smith’ (5.55 and 6.59, respectively). In the proximal zone, 'Amasya' had a spur leaf size of 0.48, while 'Braeburn' and 'Granny Smith' exhibited similar spur leaf sizes of 3.39 and 3.59, respectively. This study underscores the significance of floral bud quality, especially the properties of spur leaves along the shoot, in ensuring optimal and consistent productivity. Finally, with the exception of internode length, morphometric traits did not significantly differ between cultivars when considering the entire shoot. However, these differences became apparent when examining successive zones along the shoot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "ADDITION OF THE GENUS ITEA (ITEACEAE: SAXIFRAGALES) TO THE FLORA OF UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA" discusses the discovery of the genus Itea in Uttar Pradesh, India. The authors conducted botanical excursions in 2022 and 2023 and collected specimens of Euphorbia and Itea. Through examination and comparison with relevant literature and herbarium specimens, they confirmed the presence of Itea nutans in Uttar Pradesh, which had not been previously recorded in the region. The article provides detailed descriptions, habitat information, and distribution of the species for identification purposes. [Extracted from the article]

Plant vision is an interesting interdisciplinary branch of botany and vision science, and its emerging studies have composed an epic journey of discovery. However, there are few endeavors on modeling how a plant as an integrity sees. Inspired by the similarity between those discovered laws of plant vision and the visual performance of some insect species with compound eyes, the visual functional–structural plant modeling as a compound eye is innovatively proposed. Using this adapted basic‐pattern‐oriented modeling, we tried to validate its feasibility in terms of the structural support, visual pathway, and functional performance. First, for a diversity of woody plants, their crowns proved to show self‐similar profiles, which render the omnidirectional surfaces for structurally supporting the proposed model. Second, for many plant species, their branching proved to abide by the Pareto front, which ensures the optimality of assuming the visual pathway along the branching network. Third, in canopies the varying, but existing horizontal and vertical modes of crown shyness are detected, which in functional performance accords with the panoramic visibility of the proposed model. Overall, the feasibility of compound eye modeling is validated preliminarily, with the implication of opening a way for advancing the scientific cognition of plant vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to analyze the scholarly output in the field of phytochemistry using Scientometric analysis. Phytochemistry is a branch of chemistry or botany that focuses on the study of naturally occurring chemical compounds in plants known as phytochemicals. The study utilized data from the Web of Science (WoS) database to provide an overview of research trends in phytochemistry. The findings of the research indicate a continuous increase in research activity in phytochemistry from 2017 to 2021. A total of 699 publications were identified during this period, suggesting a growing interest in the field. The study examined various parameters such as the top ten countries, organizations, and authors involved in phytochemistry research. The study identified the leading countries contributing to phytochemistry research, highlighting their level of engagement and productivity in the field. It explored the organizations and authors who made significant contributions to the scholarly literature on phytochemistry during the study period. The study also identified productive research areas within the field of phytochemistry. These areas represent the topics and subfields that received considerable attention and yielded a substantial number of publications during the analyzed timeframe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the center of the Israeli forest are oaks. With their impressive height and thick branches, they raise a wide dome above the forest floor that produces protection from heat and drought, providing food, protection, and desirable living conditions for animals, plants, fungi, and humans. For ages and ages, oaks have been key elements of the local ecosystem and the most important trees in local mythologies. Yet, Israeli oaks have suffered from overcutting and overgrazing, and the local landscape has become increasingly arid throughout history. This process has undergone recent change as cutting has been stopped in some areas and grazing minimized. I believe we must internalize that oaks carry the knowledge of harmonizing life and ecosystems. The present age requires us to listen to the trees and understand that their resilience is our resilience. In this paper I discuss the Israeli oaks and their place in our interactions with the environment to offer a holistic perspective on our relationship with nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant roots exhibit plasticity in their branching patterns to forage efficiently for heterogeneously distributed resources, such as soil water. The xerobranching response represses lateral root formation when roots lose contact with water. Here, we show that xerobranching is regulated by radial movement of the phloem-derived hormone abscisic acid, which disrupts intercellular communication between inner and outer cell layers through plasmodesmata. Closure of these intercellular pores disrupts the inward movement of the hormone signal auxin, blocking lateral root branching. Once root tips regain contact with moisture, the abscisic acid response rapidly attenuates. Our study reveals how roots adapt their branching pattern to heterogeneous soil water conditions by linking changes in hydraulic flux with dynamic hormone redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The branching system of higher plants plays a very important role in plant morphogenesis, and the number of branches can directly affect crop yield and the ornamental value of plants. It is a complicated development process involving complex molecular mechanisms. The 'Cailinghong' variety of Salvia splendens is characterized by its great branching ability with the ability to grow into a spherical form naturally, without pinching. To gain insight into the molecular events during the branching development of S. splendens, suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) technology was used to screen differentially expressed genes between the erect plant type (strain 35) and the spherical plant type ('Cailinghong'). In total, 96 and 116 unigenes were annotated. Four and eight unigenes up-regulated in 'Cailinghong' and strain 35, respectively, were associated with plant hormone anabolism and signal transduction, suggesting that they participate in the branching process. One of these genes, phytoene synthase (PSY), is a precursor of the new plant hormone group strigolactones. Using the PSY fragment (192 bp) as a template, the cDNA sequence of PSY in S. splendens was cloned and named SsPSY. A relative expression analysis and transgenic test results indicated that SsPSY plays an important role in lateral branch development in 'Cailinghong'. These results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying branching in S. splendens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine roots vary dramatically in their functions, which range from resource absorption to within-plant resource transport. These differences should alter resource availability to root-associated microorganisms, yet most root microbiome studies involve fine root homogenization. We hypothesized that microbial filtering would be greatest in the most distal roots. To test this, we sampled roots of six temperate tree species from a 23-year-old common garden planting, separating by branching order. Rhizoplane bacterial composition was characterized with 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while bacterial abundance was determined on a subset of trees through flow cytometry. Root order strongly impacted composition across tree species, with absorptive lower order roots exerting the greatest selective pressure. Microbial carrying capacity was higher in absorptive roots in two of three tested tree species. This study indicates lower order roots as the main point of microbial interaction with fine roots, suggesting that root homogenization could mask microbial recruitment signatures. William King, Caylon Yates, and colleagues utilize a 23-year-old common garden experiment to investigate how microbial filtering acts across root branching order. Their results demonstrate that roots of different orders have different microbial assemblages, and point to lower order roots as the main point of microbial interaction with fine roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the decline of field-based studies in botany education, emphasizing the crucial role of hands-on experience in understanding plants' habits, habitats, and ecological contexts. Topics discussed include the decline's causes, the shift towards molecular biology, the need for revitalizing botanical excursions, and the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and government bodies to promote field-based learning.

The paper investigates the effect of a strigolactone mimic, 3-Methyl-5-(benzo[de]isoquinoline-1,3-dione-2-yloxy)-5Hfuran-2-one, bearing a naphthylamide core linked by an ether group to the furan-2-one ring, on hyphal branching and radial fungal growth of two plant pathogenic fungi, Colletotrichum acutatum CBS 112980 and Sclerotinia minor DSM 63016. Our results demonstrated that the tested mimic compound, which is easier to synthetize comparing tostrigolactone analogues, have the same effect as the synthetic analogue GR24, inducing hyphal branching stress response and inhibiting phytopathogen growth. The results are discussed considering their importance for both fundamental studies (role and receptor of SLs D-ring in plant pathogenic fungi) and practical applications - shaping plant rhizomicrobiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atoll islands are small, low-lying and highly vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR). Because these islands are fully composed of the skeletons from coral reef creatures, the healthy coral ecosystem plays a pivotal role in island resilience against SLR. The environmental deterioration of reefs caused by increases in the human population has been recently reported, but the timing and process are unknown. We investigated the annual black bands in a coral boring core from Fongafale Island, the capital of Tuvalu, which is a symbolic atoll country that is being submerged due to SLR. The iron redox state and microbial gene segments in the coral skeleton might be new environmental indicators that reveal the linkage between anthropogenic activity and coral reef ecosystems. Our findings provide the first demonstration that iron sulfide has formed concentrated black layers since 1991 under the seasonal anoxic conditions inside coral annual bands. Since the 1990s, increasing human activity and domestic waste-induced eutrophication has promoted sludge and/or turf algae proliferation with the subsequent seasonal destruction, resulting in sulfate reduction by anaerobic bacteria. With the recent climate variability, these anthropogenic effects have induced the mass mortality of branching corals, deteriorated the coral reef ecosystem and deprived the resilience of the island against SLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three free-floating species that normally co-occur in the natural waters of southern China were studied—two globally introduced invasive species, Eichhornia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes, and a native counterpart, Hydrocharis dubia. The responses of the three species to different phosphorus and nitrogen levels were determined using root morphological parameters and topological indices. The results showed that P concentration levels had a significant effect on all of the root traits, except for the shoot/root ratio of P. stratiotes, whereas nitrogen had less impacts on the root traits. The root parameters consisting of lateral root number, root altitude, root length, total root length, root area, total root area, relative growth rate and root relative growth rate of E. crassipes were the highest among the three species. We found that the root branching of E. crassipes can be considered as a peculiar poly-herringbone branching system according to a new root topological structure model. The predominant root growth traits and root branching structure of E. crassipes and P. stratiotes help to explain their high absorption ability and fast growth, so the spread of these invasive species may be exacerbated as eutrophication intensifies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetative branching is common in the palms (Arecaceae). However, current terms to describe vegetative branching diversity are not consistent and do not cover the full range of branching types. In this study vegetative branching types in the palms were reviewed and defined, and the phylogenetic distribution of palm branching types was described. Branching types were described from a literature review and field observations; 1903 species representing all 181 genera were included. Five branching types were found: lateral axillary branching, shoot apical division, false vivipary, abaxial branching, and leaf-opposed branching. Most species (55%) exhibited no vegetative branching. Lateral axillary was the most common branching type. Lateral axillary branching and shoot apical division were predicted to be the earliest-evolved branching types. The present study suggests that branching types have different evolutionary histories, and it is likely that the solitary habit is more common now than when palms initially diverged from commelinid relatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional balance between leaves and roots is believed to be mediated by the specific location of shoots and roots, i.e. differences in transport distances and degrees of organ connectivity. However, it remains unknown whether the adaptive responses of trees to biomass removal depend on the relative orientation of leaf and root pruning. Here, we applied five pruning treatments to saplings of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Chinese fir) under field and glasshouse conditions, namely no pruning (control), half of lateral branches pruned, half of lateral roots pruned, half of the branches and roots pruned on the same side of the plant, and half of the branches and roots pruned on opposite sides of the plant. The effects of pruning on the growth, carbon storage and allocation, and physiology of leaves and fine roots on the same and opposite sides of the plant were investigated. Compared with the effect of root-pruning on leaves, fine roots were more limited by carbon availability and their physiological activity was more strongly reduced by shoot pruning, especially when branches on the same side of the plant were removed. Pruning of branches and roots on the opposite side of the plant resulted in the lowest carbon assimilation rates and growth among all treatments. The results of a stable-isotope labeling indicated that less C was distributed to fine roots from the leaves on the opposite side of the plant compared to those on the same side, but N allocation from roots to leaves depended less on the relative root and leaf orientation. The results collectively indicate that the functional responses of C. lanceolata to pruning are not only determined by the source–sink balance model but are also related to interactions between leaves and fine roots. We argue that the connectivity among lateral branches and roots depends on their relative orientation, which is therefore critical for the functional balance between leaves and fine roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shoot branching is a key process for plant growth and fitness. Newly produced axes result from axillary bud outgrowth, which is at least partly mediated through the regulation of BRANCHED1 gene expression (BRC1/TB1/FC1). BRC1 encodes a pivotal bud-outgrowth-inhibiting transcription factor belonging to the TCP family. As the regulation of BRC1 expression is a hub for many shoot-branching-related mechanisms, it is influenced by endogenous (phytohormones and nutrients) and exogenous (light) inputs, which involve so-far only partly identified molecular networks. This review highlights the central role of BRC1 in shoot branching and its responsiveness to different stimuli, and emphasizes the different knowledge gaps that should be addressed in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The growth of filamentous fungi is a complex process that involves hyphal elongation and branching. Microscopic observations provide a wealth of information on fungal growth, although often requiring laborious manual intervention to record and analyze images. Here, we introduce a novel tool for automated tracking of growth in fungal hyphae that affords quantitative analysis of growth rate and morphology. We supplied a student-grade bright field microscope with stepper motors to enable computer-control of the microscope stage. In addition, we developed an image-processing routine that detects in real-time the tip of a hypha and tracks it as the hypha elongates. To achieve continuous observation of hyphal growth, our system automatically maintains the observed sample within field-of-view and performs periodic autofocus correction in the microscope. We demonstrate automated, continuous tracking of hyphal growth in Trichoderma atroviride with sampling rates of seconds and observation times of up to 14 h. Tracking records allowed us to determine that T. atroviride hyphae grow with characteristic elongation rates of ∼70 nm/s. Surprisingly, we found that prior to the occurrence of an apical branching event the parental hypha stopped growing during a few minutes. These arrest events presented occasionally for subapical branching as well. Finally, from tracking data we found that the persistence length (a measure of filament extension before presenting a change in direction) associated to T. atroviride hyphae is 362 µm. Altogether, these results show how integration of image analysis and computer control enable quantitative microscopic observations of fungal hyphae dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: We developed simple algorithms for reconstructing tree root system architecture using only the root point coordinate and diameter, which can be systematically obtained without digging up the root systems.Root system architecture (RSA) is strongly related to various root functions of the tree. The aim of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) RSA model using systematically obtained information on root locations and root diameters at the locations. We excavated root systems of Cryptomeria japonica and systematically obtained XYZ coordinates and root diameters using a 10-cm grid. We clarified the patterns of the root point connections and developed a reconstructed root system model. We found that the root diameters farther from the stump centre are smaller. Additionally, we found that the root lengths of the segments running between the base and the connected root point were smaller than those of other root segments, and the inner angle between the base and the stump and between the base and the connected root point was narrower than for the other pairs. The new RSA model developed according to these results had average accuracies of 0.64 and 0.80 for estimates of total volume and length, respectively. The developed model can estimate 3D RSA using only root point data, which can be obtained without digging up root systems. This suggests a wide applicability of this model in root function evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SOC1, a MADS-box type II transcription factor, integrates environmental and endogenous cues to promote flowering in angiosperms. Recent reports implicating SOC1 in roles beyond floral transition prompted functional characterization of SOC1 in polyploid rapeseed mustard genomes. Gene characterization in Brassicas necessitates analysis of composite homeolog function. While insertional mutagenesis is untenable in Brassicas owing to gene redundancy, gain-of-function approach entails serial characterization of individual homeologs. Herein, we demonstrate modulated floral promotive effects in natural variants of Brassica SOC1 and provide lateral branching as a probable outcome of polyploidy-induced gene diversification. Ectopic expression of two B genome specific SOC1 variants in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in differential floral acceleration and manifestation of multiple vegetative rosettes. Characterization of composite homeolog function in B. juncea via introgression of Brassica SOC1 specific artificial miRNA, designed to target homeologs, also exhibited modifications in floral transition and lateral branching. Comprehensive analysis of field performance of B. juncea transgenics displayed altered fitness across 11 agronomic traits. Crucially, reduced SOC1 levels directly impacted two developmental traits, namely, flowering time and number of lateral branches which in turn influenced several dependent agronomic traits. While delayed flowering and crop maturity resulted in altered fatty acid composition with higher SFA and lower PUFA in transgenics relative to controls, reduction in overall count of lateral branches caused a concomitant decrease in silique count which ultimately impacted total seed yield in transgenics. Statistical analysis revealed number of secondary branches as the most critical trait influencing seed yield. Based on our findings, we propose enhancing levels Brassica SOC1, a key target, for achieving earliness in flowering, improved seed yield and oil quality, and studying trait trade-offs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In castor-oil plant the perennial habit contrasts with the combine harvester. A hypothetical non-branching annual castor plant is based on the stop of the meristem activity in the axillary buds and/or in the cambium. To investigate the relationship between the cambial activity and the axillary bud outgrowth, an experiment on the axillary bud excision was carried out in the field with 64 inbred lines. The stems of treated plants were disbudded, while, as control, the same number of plants was untreated. At the harvest of the first raceme, the treated plants had obviously only the main stem whereas the control plants resulted normally branched. The disbudding treatment heavily affected the stem diameter and interacted with the genotypes. The seed production and the 1000-seed weight were significantly affected by the disbudding treatment. This research, aimed at solving a cultivation problem, can also contribute to better know the semelparity in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants adapt to heterogeneous soil conditions by altering their root architecture. For example, roots branch when in contact with water by using the hydropatterning response. We report that hydropatterning is dependent on auxin response factor ARF7. This transcription factor induces asymmetric expression of its target gene LBD16 in lateral root founder cells. This differential expression pattern is regulated by posttranslational modification of ARF7 with the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein. SUMOylation negatively regulates ARF7 DNA binding activity. ARF7 SUMOylation is required to recruit the Aux/IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) repressor protein IAA3. Blocking ARF7 SUMOylation disrupts IAA3 recruitment and hydropatterning. We conclude that SUMO-dependent regulation of auxin response controls root branching pattern in response to water availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Impacts from human-induced direct-use perturbations on coral colonies are on the rise. Despite significant incidences of coral disease on a global-wide basis, too few studies have verified the sources of diseases affecting coral colonies. To determine if branching coral communities are prone to infection with black band disease, brown band disease, and white syndrome, this study compared the prevalence of coral disease between Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. We found evidence for coral disease on 9.06% of sites, with white syndrome being the most prevalent, found on 5.46% of sites, brown band found on 2.90% of sites, and black band found on 1.45% of sites. Coral disease of any kind, specifically black band and white syndrome, were significantly less abundant in areas where line fishing was permitted than where it was prohibited. Moreover, there was an interaction between fishing regulations and location, such that fishing regulations did not predict the presence of disease offshore, but inshore coral disease was significantly more prevalent where line fishing was prohibited than where line fishing was permitted. Coral disease was most frequently found in General Use, Scientific Research Open to the Public, and Marine National Park Zones; and reliably least commonly found in Habitat Protection, Conservation Park, and Preservation Zones. There were also differences among Marine Park Management Zones with coral disease most prevalent in the Cairns/Cooktown (Offshore) zone and least prevalent in the Mackay/Capricorn (Offshore) zone. Cairns/Cooktown (Offshore and Inshore) were the highest zones for black band and brown band, and Mackay/Capricorn (Inshore) was the highest management zone for white syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Angiosperms possess enormous morphological variation in plant architectures and floral forms. Previous studies in Pentapetalae and monocots have demonstrated the involvement of TCP domain CYCLOIDEA/TEOSINTE BRANCHED1‐like (CYC/TB1) genes in the control of floral symmetry and shoot branching. However, how TCP/CYC‐like (CYL) genes originated, evolved and functionally diversified remain unclear. We conducted a comparative functional study in Ranunculales, the sister lineage to all other eudicots, between Eschscholzia californica and Cysticapnos vesicaria, two species of Papaveraceae with actinomorphic and zygomorphic flowers, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that CYL genes in Papaveraceae form two paralogous lineages, PapaCYL1 and PapaCYL2. Papaveraceae CYL genes show highly diversified expression patterns as well as functions. Enhanced branching by silencing of EscaCYL1 suggests that the role of CYC/TB1‐like genes in branching control is conserved in Papaveraceae. In contrast to the arrest of stamen development in Pentapetalae, PapaCYL genes promote stamen initiation and growth. In addition, we demonstrate that CyveCYLs are involved in perianth development, specifying sepal and petal identity in Cysticapnos by regulating the B‐class floral organ identity genes. Our data also suggest the involvement of CyveCYL genes in the regulation of flower symmetry in Cysticapnos. Our work provides evidence of the importance of TCP/CYC‐like genes in the promotion of morphological diversity across angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In grafted plants, rootstocks assure the mineral nutrition of the scion and modify its development. In this study, we show that two grapevine rootstock genotypes have different shoot branching architectures when cultivated as cuttings and that this trait is transmitted to the scion when grafted. Shoot branching plasticity in response to nitrogen supply was also studied. As strigolactones are known to have a role in the regulation of shoot development in response to nutrient availability, their involvement in the control of scion architecture by the rootstock was investigated. Functional characterization of putative grapevine strigolactone biosynthetic genes in Arabidopsis mutants or grapevine cell suspensions showed similar functions to those of Arabidopsis. Both rootstocks produced strigolactone-like compounds; the quantity produced in response to nitrogen treatments differed between the two rootstock genotypes and correlated with the expression of putative strigolactone biosynthetic genes. Exudation of strigolactone-like compounds by both rootstocks was closely related to the developmental pattern of the scion in grafted plants. These results suggest that differential regulation of strigolactone biosynthesis in response to nitrogen availability may contribute to the control of scion development conferred by each rootstock genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branch formation in trees has an inherent tendency toward exponential growth, but exponential growth in the number of branches cannot continue indefinitely. It has been suggested that trees balance this tendency toward expansion by also losing branches grown in previous growth cycles. Here, we present a model for branch formation and branch loss during ontogeny that builds on the phenomenological assumption of a branch carrying capacity. The model allows us to derive approximate analytical expressions for the number of tips on a branch, the distribution of growth modules within a branch, and the rate and size distribution of tree wood litter produced. Although limited availability of data makes empirical corroboration challenging, we show that our model can fit field observations of red maple (Acer rubrum) and note that the age distribution of discarded branches predicted by our model is qualitatively similar to an empirically observed distribution of dead and abscised branches of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera). By showing how a simple phenomenological assumption—that the number of branches a tree can maintain is limited—leads directly to predictions on branching structure and the rate and size distribution of branch loss, these results potentially enable more explicit modeling of woody tissues in ecosystems worldwide, with implications for the buildup of flammable fuel, nutrient cycling, and understanding of plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collection of sunflower lines of the Institute of Oilseed Crops was studied based on its branching. Ten lines with the basal branching trait were identified. It was established that the inheritance of the basal branching is due to the recessive alleles of the genes. For lines InLD1240, Z1064, LD835, KG13, VIR130, KG13, LD4, basal branching trait is due to the recessive homozygote of one gene b2. In lines LD72/3, LD156, KG16, I2K2218, basal branching trait is due to the recessive homozygote of two genes b3 and b4. It was established that the genes determining basal branching are distributed in the offspring independently of the genes controlling the top branching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Background and Aims In several disciplines, identifying relevant root traits to characterize the root system architecture of species or genotypes is a crucial step. To address this question, we analysed the inter-specific variations of root architectural traits in two contrasting environments. * Methods We sampled 60 species in natura, at two sites, each presenting homogeneous soil conditions. We estimated for each species and site a set of five traits used for the modelling of the root system architecture: extreme tip diameters (Dmin and Dmax), relative diameter range (Drange), mean inter-branch distance (IBD) and dominance slope between the diameters of parent and lateral roots (DlDm). * Key Results The five traits presented a highly significant species effect, explaining between 77 and 98 % of the total variation. Dmin, Dmax and Drange were particularly determined by the species, while DlDm and IBD exhibited a higher percentage of environmental variations. These traits make it possible to confirm two main axes of variation: 'fineness-density' (defined by Dmin and IBD) and 'dominance-heterorhizy' (DlDm and Drange), that together accounted for 84 % of the variations observed. * Conclusions We confirmed the interest of these traits in the characterization of the root system architecture in ecology and genetics, and suggest using them to enrich the 'root economic spectrum'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wind-pollinated plants, apical damage may decrease male fitness by reducing height-dependent pollen dispersal distance, but may not affect female fitness because plant height is not always correlated with female fitness. We hypothesized that Ambrosia artemisiifolia responds to apical damage by (1) restoring plant height through compensatory growth from lateral buds, and/or (2) increasing the sex allocation to female function to compensate for the loss of male fitness. We tested these hypotheses by comparing a group of experimental removal of the apical meristem with three control groups and by field surveys on apically damaged plants. Experimental apical damage suppressed main stem growth, but promoted vertical secondary growth from lateral buds. These responses resulted in compensation of stem height in the apically damaged plants to the same height as one of three control groups. The numbers of male and female flowers and male racemes did not differ between damaged and undamaged plants, indicating that apically damaged plants did not change their sex allocation. Therefore, our results support our first hypothesis. The results of a field survey of naturalized populations also supported the first hypothesis in that plant height and the number of male racemes did not change in plants with apical damage. Consequently, our results suggest that A. artemisiifolia has a high ability of fitness compensation after apical damage by restoring height and male function. This ability may contribute to its invasiveness in disturbed habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

6-Benzyladenine (6-BA) is a safe and efficient cytokinin. The adult tea plants of the cv. Longjing 43 were used in this study. The foliar portion of tea bushes were sprayed with different concentrations (50, 100, 200, or 400 mg·L-1) of 6-BA after heavy pruning, when three to four leaves grew out in late May. The effects of 6-BA application on the growth of the new shoots and lateral branches were quantified. After 5 months, treatments with 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg·L-1 6-BA suppressed plant height by 11.0%, 18.0%, 21.0%, or 22.0%, respectively; 6-BA at 100, 200, or 400 mg·L-1 decreased the number of lateral branches by 20.0%, 23.0%, or 18.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, treatments with 50, 200, or 400 mg·L-1 6-BA increased the length of lateral branches by 38.0%, 79.0%, or 81.0% respectively; 200 mg·L-1 6-BA increased the diameter of lateral branches by 8.0%. In addition, after 2 months, 50 or 200 mg·L-1 6-BA did not significantly affect the growth of functional leaves, 50, 100, or 200 mg·L-1 6-BA did not significantly affect photosynthetic rate (Pn) as compared with the control. Furthermore, 200 or 400 mg·L-1 6-BA significantly increased spring tea yield by 28.9% or 13.3%, respectively as compared with the control. In conclusion, 6-BA at the four concentrations promoted dwarfing and the formation of productive lateral branches and increased the spring yield, and 200 mg·L-1 6-BA exerted the best comprehensive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mecardonia constitutes an emergent crop in the floriculture market. In order to develop plants with improved compact growth by molecular breeding, we transformed Mecardonia cv. ‘Guarani Amarilla INTA’ using a wild-type strain of Agrobacterium rhizogenes . An advantage of using this approach is that generated plants are stable and considered non-GMO in several countries. Adventitious roots were produced by inoculating Mecardonia shoots with agropine ATCC15834 strain. Twenty independent root cultures regenerated spontaneously into shoots in hormone-free medium and presence of T L -DNA oncogenes were confirmed in their genomes. We selected four root inducing (Ri)-lines, designated GME, GCA, GVI and GIN, based on their different degree of compact growth habit. Under greenhouse conditions representative Ri-lines displayed reduced internode and shoot length, shoot and root biomass, aerial plant coverage, individual leaf area, flower width, pedicel length and the number of flowers per plant; and increased the number of nodes, axillary shoots, flower density and flower width relative to aerial plant coverage and mostly normal flowering when compared to non-transformed plants. To correlate phenotypical traits with gene expression, quantitative PCR analysis was performed. Ri-line GIN showed the highest rolA-D and ORF8 , ORF13-14 gene expression which correlated with its super-dwarf phenotype, whereas the most weak Ri-phenotype observed in Ri-line GME showed no presence of rolA and ORF8 genes in plant genome. Expression of rolD and ORF13 correlated with reduced aerial plant coverage, shoot weight, shoot: root ratio and increased flower density and flower width relative to plant coverage, thus being considered of particular interest in Mecardonia breeding. Expression of ORF8 and rolA correlated with reduced aerial plant coverage, pedicel length, the total number of flowers per plant and increased flower width relative to the aerial plant coverage. Moreover, ORF8 and ORF13 may have a more prominent role in plant development than previously assumed and assigned to rol- genes. Overall, a better-organized compact growth without affecting other traits could be generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to take advantage of the progressively cooler weather in the Katherine regions (Northern Australia) that occurs from April to July to investigate the effects of night temperatures on developing mango buds. The experiment was conducted using seven-year-old commercial mango cultivars Honey Gold and Calypso (B74) grown in separate location sites. Tip-pruning treatments were applied to three replicate single trees at four weekly intervals for five months. All branches around the canopy were pruned 10 cm approximately above the last internode. The length of new vegetative flush growth for 20 randomly selected pruned branches on each tree was recorded on a weekly basis. During experiment from April to November (harvesting time) climate data including temperature (mean, max, min), chill and heat sums, chill and heat cumulative (cum), and relative humidity (RH %) were recorded hourly to find their impact on growth characteristics such as vegetative bud growth, flowering time, canopy flowering (%), inflorescence length, number of fruits/tree, and fruit maturity. Pruned trees produced more inflorescence when the axillary bud below cutting point received over 300 h chill cum <20 °C over the first three to four weeks after tip pruning. Fruit maturity data indicated that tip pruning could be used as an agrotechnical tool to delay harvesting time for the studied mango cultivars. The result showed that the combination of cool weather (<20 °C) and tip pruning is a promising alternative strategy for sustainable mango production in the region, when is applied in May, June, and the first two weeks of July. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branching has a major influence on the overall shape and productivity of a plant. Strigolactones (SLs) have been identified as plant hormones that have a key role in suppressing the outgrowth of axillary meristems. CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE (CCD) genes are integral to the biosynthesis of SLs and are well characterized in annual plants, but their role in woody perennials is relatively unknown. We identified CCD7 and CCD8 orthologues from apple and demonstrated that MdCCD7 and MdCCD8 are able to complement the Arabidopsis branching mutants max3 and max4 respectively, indicating conserved function. RNAi lines of MdCCD7 show reduced gene expression and increased branching in apple. We performed reciprocal grafting experiments with combinations of MdCCD7 RNAi and wild-type 'Royal Gala' as rootstocks and scion. Unexpectedly, wild-type roots were unable to suppress branching in MdCCD7 RNAi scions. Another key finding was that MdCCD7 RNAi scions initiated phytomers at an increased rate relative to the wild type, resulting in a greater node number and primary shoot length. We suggest that localized SL biosynthesis in the shoot, rather than roots, controls axillary bud outgrowth and shoot growth rate in apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is an agronomically important vegetable with indeterminant growth habit, in which leaves are produced from the shoot apical meristem (SAM), and unisexual flowers are generated from the leaf axils. LEAFY (LFY) and its homologs have been shown to play important roles in promoting flower development and branching. The LFY homolog gene CsLFY was cloned in cucumber. Molecular biology, developmental biology and biochemical tools were combined to explore the biological function of the LFY homologous gene CsLFY in cucumber. CsLFY was expressed in the SAM, floral meristem and floral organ primordia. Ectopic expression of CsLFY rescued the phenotype of the lfy‐5 mutant in Arabidopsis. Knockdown of CsLFY by RNA interference (RNAi) led to defective shoot development and premature discontinuance of leaf initiation in cucumber. Transcription of CsWUS and putative CsLFY target genes including CsAP3 and CUM1 were significantly reduced in the CsLFY‐RNAi lines. Further biochemical analyses indicated that CsLFY physically interacts with CsWUS in cucumber. These data suggested that CsLFY has a novel function in regulating shoot meristem maintenance through interaction with CsWUS, and promotes flower development via activation of CsAP3 and CUM1 in cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetative and reproductive morphology of Ruppia filifolia (Philippi) Skottsberg is updated and completed by examining natural specimens, reviewing the literature, comparing to specimens from different locations and generating new iconography of the species from waters across the Magellan region, Subantarctic Chile. We expand current knowledge on morphology (rhizome-root, branching, foliage, inflorescence, fruit, habits) and geographical distribution of R. filifolia in Austral South America, with the addition of six new localities for the taxon in Chile. Our results are used to identify this macrophyte and to distinguish it from R. maritima after some authors reported their co-occurrence in the southern tip of South America, leading to taxonomic confusion. Also, the new information on R. filifolia distribution in the Magellan region broadens the research on a neglected seagrass. In the Southern Hemisphere, contrary to global trends of seagrass ecosystems decline, new niche distributions are opening up in southernmost Chile, reflecting environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Premature senescence, unopened and rotted bolls are the primary constrictions hampering the accomplishment of yield potential in Bt cotton. An experiment was conducted with the objectives to delay senescence, enhance boll opening and reduce the boll rotting. The experiment was conducted at two randomly selected sites of University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, during 2015 and repeated in 2016. Each experiment was laid out in randomised complete block design with two by two factorial arrangement structure and replicated five times. Treatments were comprised of R0 = no fruit removal; R1 = removal of early fruit branches (REFB) and two genotypes, viz. V1 = FH‐142 and V2 = MNH‐886. Genotypes were selected on the basis of abiotic stress tolerance (FH‐142) and susceptibility (MNH‐886). Nodes above cracked bolls, monopodial branches, opened bolls per plant and seed cotton yield were enhanced by 23, 12, 13 and 17%, respectively, under the influence of REFB over no fruit branch removal, while the REFB‐mediated decrease in boll rotting was 27%. Moreover, the response of MNH‐886 was more remarkable than FH‐142 for all studied variables. Conclusively, REFB increased the number of nodes above a cracked boll, monopodial branches, opened bolls per plant and seed cotton yield while decreased rotted bolls per plant in both genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of Indole-3-Acid (IAA) on Citrullus lanatus plant height, leaf number, branching and flower production were studied in order to evaluate the optimum concentrations required for growth and development. Foliar application using five different concentrations [1, 5, 10, 20 and 0 ppm IAA] was conducted twice at two weeks interval. The results suggest that as IAA concentration increases, plant height decreases with an optimum concentration of 5 ppm IAA. Mean plant height was also significantly different. More so, optimum concentration for leaf production and branching varied with varietal difference. Results obtained for number of branching suggest that 1 ppm IAA is optimum for variety A and 10 ppm is optimum for varieties B, C and D. Although flower production was poor during the study, high flower production is recorded for plants in 20 ppm IAA at 6 weeks after planting for all the varieties. This work establishes the inducing effects of different IAA concentration, which may be exploited for the commercial production of C. lanatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Branch development in the lower part of stem is critical to both early stem growth and wood quality of the most valuable section of tree, and its regulation through planting density has always been greatly concerned. Here the effect of planting density on branch development was examined in a five-year-old plantation of Betula alnoides with six planting densities (625, 833, 1111, 1250, 1667, and 2500 stems per hectare (sph)) in Guangdong Province, South China. Branch quantity (number, proportion, and density), morphology (diameter, length, and angle), position (height and orientation), and branch status (dead or alive) were investigated for 54 dominant or co-dominant trees under six treatments of planting density after the growth of each tree was measured. Factors influencing branch development were also explored by mixed modelling. The results showed that the mean tree heights of 1250 and 1667 sph treatments were higher than those of other planting density treatments. The quantity of live branches decreased with increasing planting density. However, planting density had no significant effect on the number of all branches, and there existed no remarkable difference in branch number and proportion among four orientations. As for branch morphology, only the largest branch diameter had a significantly negative correlation with planting density. In addition, high planting density significantly increased the height of the largest branch within the crown. Mixed effects models indicated that branch diameter, length, and angle were closely correlated with each other, and they were all in positively significant correlation to the branch height at the stem section below six meters. It was concluded that properly increasing planting density will promote natural pruning, improve early branch control, and be beneficial for wood production from the most valuable section of the stem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants exhibit dependences between shoot growth and branching that generate highly structured patterns. The characterization of the patterning mechanism is still an open issue because of the developmental processes involved with both succession of events (e.g. internode elongation, axillary shoot initiation and elongation) and complex dependences among neighbouring positions along the parent shoot., Statistical models called semi-Markov switching partitioned conditional generalized linear models were built on the basis of apple and pear tree datasets. In these models, the semi-Markov chain represents both the succession and lengths of branching zones, whereas the partitioned conditional generalized linear models represent the influence of parent shoot growth variables on axillary productions within each branching zone., Parent shoot growth variables were shown to influence specific developmental events. On this basis, the growth and branching patterns of two apple tree ( Malus domestica) cultivars, as well as of pear trees ( Pyrus spinosa) between two successive growing cycles, were compared., The proposed integrative statistical models were able to decipher the roles of successive developmental events in the growth and branching patterning mechanisms. These models could incorporate other parent shoot explanatory variables, such as the local curvature or the maximum growth rate of the leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Root branching leads to morphological and functional heterogeneity of fine roots. However, the structure of soil microbiota associated with root branching orders has never been investigated. Deep insights into rhizosphere microbial community could provide a better understanding of the plant-microbe relationship. Methods: Fine roots of poplar ( Populus × euramericana (Dode) Guinier.) were sampled and sorted into three groups according to their branching orders. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the surface features of different orders of fine roots. Illumina MiSeq was employed to analyze the bacterial community structure of soil compartments from different root orders (i.e., R1, R2, and R3) and bulk soil compartment (NR). Results: SEM showed that the first-order root with smaller diameter had dense coverage of vigorous root hairs, whereas higher order roots with larger diameter had sloughed-off cortical tissues on the rhizoplane. The diversity of bacterial communities was higher in the R1 and R2 compartment than in R3 or NR. There were 80 genera with a relative abundance above 0.05% in soils. Ternary plot revealed that bacterial genera were significantly enriched in R1 than in R2 or R3. Redundant analysis (RDA) showed that 12 dominant bacterial genera with a relative abundance over 1% were significantly correlated with P and NH -N content of soils. Conclusions: Root orders could influence the inhabitation of bacterial communities. The core groups of bacterial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere were correlated with soil nutrients. The root order-dependent interactions of plant-microbe provided a new model about the association between roots and soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, threats black (Avena strigosa) and white (A. sativa) oats in Brazil. Little is known about the reaction of Brazilian oat cultivars to blast and if there is a relationship between the response of cultivars to the disease at seedling and adult plant stages. The goals of this research were to verify (a) the reaction of black and white Brazilian oat cultivars to infection of P. oryzae and (b) if the response to blast on seedling leaves and panicles was correlated. Seedlings and adult plants of 13 oat cultivars were inoculated with a conidial suspension of one P. oryzae isolate obtained from a black oat cultivar The cultivars were classified according to blast severity on the leaf seedlings and panicles estimated by visual estimation. Two experiments were conducted for each one of the two evaluated stages. Cultivars with lower value to blast severity on seedling leaves were 'UPFA Gaudéria' (25.82%) and 'UPF 18' (24.88%) and, on panicles, 'BRS Centauro' (31.63%). Coefficients of Pearson, Spearman, and Kendall obtained from correlation analyses between blast severity on seedling leaves and panicles were -0.21232, -0.35714, and -0.30769, respectively (non-significant at 0.05). Lack of correlation between the responses of these oat cultivars to blast on seedling leaves and panicles be considered in the management of the disease in the field and the generation of new oat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a pruning mechanism for aerial pruning tasks is tested in a real environment. Since the final goal of the aerial pruning robot will be to prune tree branches close to power lines, some experiments related to wireless communication and pruning performance were conducted. The experiments consisted of testing the communication between two XBee RF modules for monitoring purposes as well as testing the speed control of the circular saw used for pruning tree branches. Results show that both the monitoring and the pruning tasks were successfully done in a real environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]