Optimization of Ornithogalum Saundersiae Baker Propagation by Twin Scale Cuttings with the Use of Biopolymers
Pages 514-518
Salachna Piotr and Zawadzińska Agnieszka

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.68

Published: 05 December 2014

Abstract: Ornithogalum saundersiae Baker, commonly known as Giant Chincherinchee, is an interesting bulbous plant with horticultural and medicinal potential. For increasing production of O. saundersiae planting material can be used rapid propagation by twin scaling. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of parent bulb circumference, twin scale cutting weight and the type of biopolymer coating on the yield ofO. saundersiae bulblets. Propagules were encapsulated in three polymer mixtures: 1% gellan and 0.5% chitosan; 1% iota-carrageenan and 0.5% chitosan; 1% xanthan and 0.5% chitosan. Chitosan had a molecular weight (Mw) of 48 000 g·mol^-1 and degree of deacetylation (DD) 85%. The twin scale cuttings were mixed with perlite and peat 1:1 (v/v) and stored for 100 days at 22-24˚C and relative humidity of 70-80%. The highest number of bulblets was produced by the parent bulbs 22-24 cm in circumference. The bulblets derived from the twin scale cuttings weighing 2.1-4.1 g were characterized by greater fresh weight, the greatest circumference and they produced the highest number of adventitious roots. Encapsulation of twin scale cuttings in gellan and chitosan or in iota-carrageenan and chitosan, resulted in the bulblets with more roots and greater weight and circumference, as compared to the control ones and the bulblets obtained from scales treated with xanthan and chitosan.

Keywords: Bulblets,carrageenan, chitosan, Giant Chincherinchee, gellan.

Effects of Gamma Radiation on Mature Larvae of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) and their F₁ Progeny
Pages 504-508
S. Shahzad Ali, Huma Rizwana, S. Sohail Ahmad, Imran Hassan and S. Shahbaz Ali

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.66

Published: 20 November 2014

Abstract: The mature larvae of Pectonophora gossypiella (Saunders) obtained from the laboratory culture maintained on casein wheat germ diet were irradiated at 35, 45, 55 and 65 Gy doses at a dose rate of 30.8 Gy/min. in a Cs-137 gamma irradiator. The pupation was delayed as the radiation dose increased. Furthermore, larval survival to pupal and adult stages were also susceptible to gamma radiation doses were increased. Females were more susceptible to gamma radiation than males. The effect of gamma radiation on reproduction in P₁ moths following irridation of mature larvae was dose dependent. As the dose of mature larvae increased, average egg production, hatch percentage and adult longevity reduced. Egg production, was reduced more drastically in the crosses Untreated Male x Treated Female (UTM x TF) and Treated male x Treated Female (TM X TF) than the crosses Treated Male x Untreated Female (TM x UTF). Complete sterility was recorded when treated males were paired with treated females at 45 Gy and higher doses of gamma radiation. The results on the egg production, hatch percentage and adult longevity of F₁ progeny of male parents following irridation of mature larvae showed that egg production was reduced significantly in crosses UTM x F­₁ Female at 35 Gy and complete sterility was recorded at higher doses. In crosses F₁ Male x F₁ Female, complete sterility was recorded at all the test doses of gamma radiation. The radiation doses higher than 35 Gy were more lethal either in F₁ Male x F₁ Female. The adult longevity was unreliable in all the crosses. However, moths were short-lived in both F₁ Male x F₁ Female and UTM x F₁ Female progeny of treated pink bollworm females crossed with untreated males following irradiation of mature larvae indicated similar results as recorded in the case of male treated parents. However, complete sterility was recorded in F₁ Male x F₁ Female and UTM x F₁ Female crosses and a few eggs were laid in F₁ Male x F₁ Female crosses at 35 Gy dose with 14.76 percent egg hatch.