The taxonomic delimitations of 61 taxa of the genus Trifolium L. belonging to presently accepted five sections, namely Lotoidea, Mistyllus, Vesicaria, Chronosemium and Trifolium are evaluated, based on numerical analysis of their electrophoretic seed protein profiles. The dendrogram, resulted from the hierarchical cluster analysis of SDS-PAGE profiles of seed proteins conform, with some restrictions, to the present splitting of the genus Trifolium into the sections but not into the subsections and series.
Electrophoretic seed protein profiles, chromosome number and morphological characters of ten species of genus Cassia belonging to two subgenera; Fistula and Senna, are discussed. The phylogenetic relationships between these ten species are also evaluated, based on numerical analysis criterion. According to numerical cluster analysis method the taxa studied are splitting into two groups. Group I (belonging to subgenus Fistula) includes three Cassia spp.
The seed germination and seedling establishment of the rare Acridocarpus orientalis were investigated to understand its requirements for further seedlings establishment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an important first step in order to try to conserve the species and prevent its disappearance. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse and in a laboratory under a temperature of about 25˚C ± 4˚C. Seeds were soaked in water or kept in cold conditions. A control treatment was also included. Only a total of 9 seeds emerged during a period that exceeded eight months. Percent germination in the laboratory experiment reached a maximum of 32%, 75 days into the trial. The rate of seed mortality was 64%. It may be a problem of acclimation to the greenhouse environment. The results of this study showed that A. orientalis seeds were not dormant. About 32% of seeds germinated and all others were viable. Soaking seeds in water proved to be the best treatment for A. orientalis to emerge. Further investigations of the species germination and establishment are needed in order to improve our chances of protecting A. orientalis in the wild.
Seed morphology of 28 taxa belonging to 14 genera of Caryophyllaceae was studied utilizing stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopes, to determine the significance of seed coat features as taxonomic characters. Results of the present study concluded that there are significant variations in particular surface features within all the studied members of the Caryophyllaceae. The superficial ridges and tubercules exhibit patterns that could be helpful in determining relationships among the studied species. Seed shapes were orbicular, ovate, reniform, triangular, pyriform and asymmetrical shield-shaped. Seed colours were pale brown, brown, pinkish-brown, reddish-brown, dark brown and black. Seed length varied from 0.4-3.1 mm long. The dorsal surfaces were grooved, winged or flat. The periclinal walls were convex, granulate; convex, granulate with tubercle in the central area; convex, granulate with long papillae in the central area; convex, granulate with minute tubercle in the anterior area; flat, granulate or flat, smooth. The anticlinal walls were entire or sinuate with different shapes namely: S-sinuate, U-sinuate, V-sinuate and irregular sinuate. The great number of seed characters observed indicated that there is a large diversity among seeds which can provide good criteria for the identification and classification of the studied taxa.
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