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Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the most commercially valued species with remarkable biological properties, while its world trade and consumption is steadily increased. In order to identify a standardized plant material of Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum), sixteen native populations collected from different regions of Greece, were evaluated for their essential oil yield and composition. A breeding program was initiated for the most effective populations, concerning the most desirable biochemical, agronomic and morphological characteristics, using pedigree method and honeycomb design for plant selection.

The lentil is a valuable crop for human nutrition and is cooked to adequate softening prior to consumption. The objective of the study was to use a model to point out the effects of seed maturity on optimum cooking time (OCT). Two lentil seed samples (cv 'Dimitra') exhibiting short (SCT) and long (LCT) cooking times (CT) were visually separated into brown- and green-colored categories, corresponding to mature and immature seeds, respectively. The 1000-seed mass and the percentages of maturity categories were measured in samples before they were subjected to 20–60 min CT. Absolute positive force (APF)-based texture analysis parameters were monitored during CT. OCT thresholds were established by correlating the organoleptic with the texture analyzer parameters. The averaging and weighted averaging of the texture analysis parameters, or even their modeling, failed to produce a realistic OCT due to texture values exceeding the OCT threshold. However, the modeling of the percentage of cooked seeds during CT predicted a realistic OCT, which was also validated later. In this model, all seeds (overcooked or intact, mature or immature) were taken into account. Among the texture parameters, APF better described cooking. Mature seeds softened faster and produced more overcooked seeds than did the immature seeds. The different proportions of maturity categories within the SCT and LCT seeds greatly affected the sample OCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the positive effect on yield and resistance under stress conditions, cultivars carrying the 1BL.1RS wheat-rye chromosome translocation have a critical drawback, i.e. the deterioration of the end-product quality of the host cultivar. In order to study this deterioration, four bread wheat cultivars carrying and six without the aforementioned translocation, were evaluated in the field for two successive years. The experiments were established in the farm of the Western Macedonia University of Applied Sciences, which represents a rather cold and wet area. Each experiment consisted of four replications and every effort was made to grow the plants under optimum conditions. The following traits were studied: yield, 1000 kernel weight, hectoliter weight, protein %, moisture %, starch %, Zeleny test. The results indicated that there was not any specific effect of the translocation on yield because two cultivars without the translocation were ranked first, although they did not differ from the following two cultivars carrying the translocation. On the other hand, there was no negative effect of the translocation in most of the qualitative traits in bread wheat. Furthermore, one of the cultivars carrying the translocation (cvr. Acheron) performed equally sufficient with the cultivars without the translocation in 1000 kernel weight. A similar performance was observed in the rest of the examined traits: cvr. Acheron was ranked first in protein content, wet gluten and Zeleny test. Cultivar Elissavet, also carrying the translocation, performed equally well with Acheron in protein content (%) and was ranked first in hectoliter weight. It could be concluded from all the aforementioned results that the translocation had no negative effect on bread wheat quality. However further study is needed to confirm the above results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the most commercially valued species with remarkable biological properties, while its world trade and consumption is steadily increased. In order to identify a standardized plant material of Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum), sixteen native populations collected from different regions of Greece, were evaluated for their essential oil yield and composition. A breeding program was initiated for the most effective populations, concerning the most desirable biochemical, agronomic and morphological characteristics, using pedigree method and honeycomb design for plant selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rye is one of the most commonly used sources of elite genes in wheat improvement programs. Due to the high collinearity of the genomes of both cereal species, it is possible to obtain interspecific chromosomal translocations and substitution lines. Rye chromatin is used to transfer numerous genes for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses into the wheat genome. Introgression has also resulted in improved agronomic traits. However, despite the numerous advantages, the transfer of large fragments or whole chromosomes has been quite often accompanied by a decrease in end-use quality. This paper presents an overview of the benefits and drawbacks of using rye as a source of variability in wheat breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico is the leading exporter of mangos worldwide, and 'Ataulfo' is one of the most popular cultivars. However, their production has dramatically dropped in recent years due to the high incidence of nubbins. One of the possible causes is the presence of a delayed self-incompatibility found in this cultivar; thus, proximity to compatible cultivars may help to reduce this incidence. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies that have rigorously tested this hypothesis in this cultivar. For two consecutive years, the present study evaluated the incidence of nubbins, as well as the quality and quantity of commercial fruits of 'Ataulfo' trees located at 10, 30, and 50 m away from 'Haden' cultivar. Additionally, the yield and economic income of different planting designs were estimated. During both sampling periods, our results clearly indicated that at 10 m away from 'Haden' individuals, 'Ataulfo' trees presented a lower incidence of nubbins and higher production of commercial fruits, and higher yield and total income per hectare than at 30 or 50 m away from them. These results indicate that planting designs of 'Ataulfo' trees located 10 m away from 'Haden' will help to satisfy the increasing demand for mangos of this cultivar in the international market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]