Genetic Diversity Among Sumac Accessions Collected From Five Areas of Iran

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) has been used in human nutrition as herbal drug to treat different diseases for centuries. In recent years, its genetic improvement has engrossed more consideration because of its substantial portion to human health and nutrition. Middle East region, including Iran being its origin. However, the diffused cultivation of sumac, endangers its existence in the future, so its protection and genetic improvement may cause extensive cultivation. This investigation aims to determine the genetic variation among 23 sumac accessions. Of 18 different traits, consist of four descriptive characters were used. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences for all of the morphological characters, and the coefficient of variation ranged from 3.6% in seed length to 37.9% in the weight of the bunch. Results of mean comparison through LSD test indicated that accessions YA6, AB1, and AB2 following to YA10, KB1, KB2, KB3, and AB3 were the best performing accessions for most of the morphological traits. The cluster analysis classified accessions into four groups as Cluster-I can be regarded for the weight of ten fruit while Cluster-IV can be regarded for the weight of the bunch. The accessions of Cluster-II and Cluster-III had relatively good or average magnitudes for most of the studied charters, and they can be used for improving these sumac traits considering goals of the breeder. The factor analysis explained 74.81% (39.71% and 35.10% by factor-1 and factor-2, respectively) of the total variation. Traits leaf length, leaf width, terminal leaflet length, and terminal leaflet width are positively correlated based plot of the first two factors. Accessions YA6, AB1, and AB2 were the best performing accessions in terms of studied traits and are worth germplasm for next genetic improvement projects in sumac because they can be selected as parents for crossing and breeding new sumac cultivars in the future.

Assessment of morpho-variability between bruchid tolerant AND SUSCEPTIBLE cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) accessions

Cowpea bruchid is a major constraint to cowpea production. Easy identification of resistant/tolerant accessions to bruchid infestation has been a major challenge in bruchid resistant breeding programmes. Hence, the study was aimed to evaluate variations in some morphological characters between some bruchid resistant/tolerant and susceptible cowpea accessions, correlating them with their bruchid tolerance status in the hope of identifying a pointer character(s) that can facilitate easy identification of bruchid tolerant among cowpea germplasm. Sixty accessions were collected and evaluated for bruchid tolerance. Accessions were then grouped into bruchid susceptible and bruchid tolerant. These accessions were planted in Randomized Complete Block Design with ten replicates. Morphological differences between groups were evaluated accordingly. Of the sixty accessions evaluated, fifty-two were susceptible while eight were bruchid tolerant. No qualitative differences were observed between bruchid susceptible and tolerant groups, however significant differences were observed in quantitative characters which include terminal leaflet length, terminal leaflet/width ratio, leaf petiole length, terminal leaflet petiole length (TLPL), leaf petiole length, pod length (PDL), pod width, total number of pods per plant, seed length (SDL), seed width (SDW), seed thickness (SDTK) and 100 seed weight (100SDW). Bruchid tolerance was significantly positively correlated with seed characters which include, SDL (r = 0.798, p < 0.01); SDW (r = 0.798, p < 0.01); SDTK (r = 0.758, p < 0.01);100SDW (0.830, p < 0.01) and significantly negatively correlated with TLPL and PDL (p < 0.05). These characters can provide easy identification of bruchid tolerant among cowpea germplasm, hence requires further investigations. Keywords: Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata, Bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus, Morphology

Toxicity Studies on Aqueous Stem Bark of Khaya senegalensis Extract of Kidneys and Its Biochemical Parameters in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Khaya senegalensis is a genus of seven species of trees in the mahogany family Meliaceae, native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. Mahogany in English, Aganwo in Yoruba, Madachi in Hausa and Ono in Igbo. All species become big trees 30–35m tall, rarely 45m, with a trunk over 1 m trunk diameter, often buttressed at the base. The leaves are pinnate, with 4-6 pairs of leaflets, the terminal leaflet absent; each leaflet is 10–15 cm long abruptly rounded toward the apex but often with an acuminate tip. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the Toxic effect of prolonged oral administration of the aqueous stem bark of Khaya senegalensis extract on the histology of Kidneys and its biochemical parameters in wistar rats. Methods: This work is an experimental research. A total of 20 wistar rats were randomly divided in to 5 groups each of which consist of 4 rats. Group 1 received distilled water to serve as control while group 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 500 mg/kg bw, 1000 mg/kg bw 2000 mg/kg bw and 4000 mg/kg bw of the aqueous extract respectively for 60 days after which they were sacrificed, processed in Automatic Tissue Processor machine, Sectioned and stained with H &E. Results: There was statistical significant increase in urea and potassium in all the test groups but is not dose dependent. The creatinine was significantly increased in groups 2, 4 and 5. While other parameters such as sodium, chloride and bicarbonate no significant difference when compared to the control group. The kidney sections showed normal structure in group 1 when compared with the test groups. However, there was significant infiltration of inflammatory cell across all the groups which were suggestive of kidney damage or injury. Similarly phenomenon was noticed in group 5 with additional congestion in the glomerulus and more polymorphs seen. Conclusion: The LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg bw, therefore, 400 mg/kgbw was used as higher dose in the experimental wistar rats. There were statistical significant increases in some parameters groups while some groups not significant. The kidney section showed significant infiltration of polymorphs across all the groups more marked in group 5 with distension and damaging of the glomerulus indicating renal injury.

Dialium heterophyllum (Fabaceae: Dialioideae), a new tree species from the Amazon

In this work, we describe Dialium heterophyllum, a new species for the largest genus in the diverse and morphologically unique legume subfamily Dialioideae. Dialium, with 32 species, has its highest diversity in tropical Africa and Asia, with four species accepted until now in the Neotropics. The fifth species described here reinforces the idea that a large portion of the Neotropical diversity, notably in the Amazon, is still unknown. Dialium heterophyllum is restricted to the south of the Amazon Basin in Brazil and Bolivia, areas under intense anthropic pressure in recent years. Due to its floral morphology, the species appears to be closely related to the other Neotropical species of the genus, differing by its reduced leaf rachis with unifoliolate to trifoliolate leaves, generally opposed to sub-opposed leaflets, the terminal leaflet much longer than the lateral ones (when present) and than the leaf rachis. We provide illustrations, distribution maps, a conservation risk assessment and an identification key.

Leaflet blade epidermis and its taxonomic significance in 13 species of Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) from Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Northeast of Brazil

Bignonieae is the largest tribe of Bignoniaceae, with 21 genera and 393 species of lianas and shrubs, 2–3-foliolate with the terminal leaflet modified as tendrils. We examined the micromorphologies of the leaflet blade epidermises of 13 species of Bignonieae belonging to Amphilophium, Anemopaegma, Bignonia, Cuspidaria, Dolichandra, Fridericia, Pyrostegia, Tanaecium, and Xylophragma, from Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil. These are lianas except for Tanaecium parviflorum (shrubby). We sought to identify epidermal leaflet parameters to support their taxonomy subject to great similarities between their vegetative characters, mainly in species of the same genus and related genera. Analyses were performed using light and scanning electron microscopy, and showed five types of epicuticular waxes, four cuticle types, three epidermal cell anticlinal wall types, and non-glandular and glandular trichomes. Hypostomatic leaves showed ten different types of stomata, with stomatal indices from 6.21% (Bignonia ramentacea) to 23.52% (Tanaecium parviflorum) and stomatal densities from 76 stomata/mm² (Pyrostegia venusta) to 752.9 (T. parviflorum). The presence of raphides in Amphilophium crucigerum and styloids in Fridericia pubescens constitute the first records for these genera. Epidermal micromorphology provided a set of distinctive characters to separate these species, representing an additional tool to support their taxonomies, as well as that of tribe Bignonieae.

Taxonomic Revision of Xylophragma (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae)

Abstract—Xylophragma (Tribe Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae) includes seven species of lianas or scandent shrubs. The genus is characterized by leaves 1‐5-foliolate with a simple tendril replacing the terminal leaflet, branched trichomes, calyx usually cuspidate, pink flowers, and ovary usually lepidote. The genus is distributed through dry forests from Mexico to Paraguay and Southern Brazil. We provide the first comprehensive taxonomic treatment for Xylophragma, including a detailed description of the genus, a key for all species, complete list of synonyms, descriptions and illustrations for all species, as well as information on the geographic distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, and taxonomic comments for all taxa. Overall, we analyzed more than 700 sheets deposited in 13 herbaria, including types for all accepted names and synonyms. We designate lectotypes for Arrabidaea clausseni, Arrabidaea elliptica, Arrabidaea macrophylla, Rojasiophyton tuberculatum, Saldanhaea myriantha var. pubescens, and a second step lectotype for Distictis rovirosana. Four new synonyms are proposed: A. claussenii as a synonym of X. corchoroides; S. pratensis and R. tuberculatum as synonyms of X. myrianthum; and X. unifoliolatum as a synonym of X. seemannianum.

Taxonomical revision of the genus Hypseocharis in Peru and Bolivia

In the present study we revised the genus Hypseocharis in Bolivia and Peru. A total number of 105 herbarium specimens were revised to evaluate the morphological diversity across the range of the genus. In a subset of 24 complete individuals a multivariate morphometric analysis was performed to evaluate the morphological characters historically used to differentiate the “species” of the genus Hypseocharis. A revision of the herbarium material indicated that there are no sharp lines dividing the different “species” with the only exception of H. tridentata. The multivariate analysis indicated that H. bilobata, H. malpasensis and H. pedicularifolia all occupy the same morphospace as H. pimpinellifolia and there are no individual morphological characters or suites of characters permitting the differentiation of distinct taxa. This confirms earlier findings from Argentina: There are only two species in the genus, widespread Hypseocharis pimpinellifolia and H. tridentata. Hypseocharis pilgeri, originally described from Peru, can also not be differentiated from H. pimpinellifolia. We propose the recognition of only two species: H. pimpinellifolia with variously pinnate to bipinnate leaves with a terminal leaflet at most marginally larger than the lateral ones, flowers with 15 anthers and capsular fruits as differing from H. tridentata with pinnate leaves with the terminal leaflet much larger than the lateral ones, flowers with 5 anthers and schizocarpic fruits. Hypseocharis pimpinellifolia is a widespread and polymorphic species, ranging from Ancash (Peru) to La Rioja (Argentina) and comprises forms with white, yellow, orange, and red corollas and with simply pinnate to very finely bipinnate leaves.

Geum sunhangii (Rosaceae), a new species from Hubei Province, China

Geum sunhangii – first discovered in Shennongjia National Nature Reserve, Hubei Province, China – is described as a new species of Rosaceae. Compared to all known Chinese Geum species, the new species differs by possessing jointed styles, imbricate petals and a reniform radical leaf terminal leaflet. Most significantly, the jointed style is curved at an obtuse or a right angle. In addition, the inclusion of this species within the genus Geum was supported by phylogenetic analysis using the sequence data of a nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and a chloroplast trnL–trnF intergenic spacer. The new species was found to be closely related to G. rivale and G. aleppicum.

Typification and an emended description of Astragalus moussavii (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae)

Type materials of Astragalus moussavii (Fabaceae) are designated as a lectotype and four isolectotypes. An epitype for the species is designated here too. An emended description of A. moussavii is provided with illustrations and information on several morphological characters not indicated in the protologue, including the size and shape of the terminal leaflet, petals characteristics, fruit and seed features. Based on field observations, a brief description of the habitat and data on ecology and biogeography of the species are provided and its conservation status is evaluated.

Morphological Variability of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. in Togo

Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae), also called Vène or West African rosewood, is a multipurpose endemic forest species of Sahelo-Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean savannas and forests of West Africa. In Togo, the species is overexploited, which dangerously hinders its survival. The need and emergency of restoring declining stands, using seeds, or propagating material suggests an assessment of its morphological variability. The purpose of this study is to identify the discriminating morphological descriptors, allowing us to describe and also to characterize the species. Five provenances distributed over the whole geographical distribution area in Togo were evaluated for leaf (7 descriptors), fruit (4 descriptors), and seed (4 descriptors) traits. The coefficient of variation (CV) and the principal component analysis (PCA) are used to assess the variability among tree populations. Results show that the discriminating morphological descriptors for P. erinaceus in Togo are the width of the leaf and the terminal leaflet, the length and the width of the fruit, and length and the weight of the seed. These six main relevant variables allow us to discriminate three morphological groups of P. erinaceus population.