Biosystematics and agronomic potential of some weedy and cultivated amaranths

Summary Three weedy amaranths (Amarantkus hybridus, A. retroflexus and A. powellii) from nine California sites, three domesticated species (A. caudatus, A. hypochondriacus and A. cruentus) from the USDA plant inventory as well as other sources and a naturally-occurring crop-weed hybrid were studied for numerical taxonomy using morphological and allozyme variation data. The crop and weedy species groups were easily separated and the hybrid populations were found to be intermediate. Surprisingly, very little intraspecific variation was present. Crop, weed and hybrid amaranths were also compared for their yielding ability, harvest index, seed efficiency of grain production and protein, popping quality and other agronomic traits. Although field plot yields were similar among the three groups of species (700 Kg/ha seed without fertilizer treatment and water, ranging to 3000 Kg/ha with fertilizer applications of 170 Kg N/ha, and abundant water), the harvest index of the weedy group was much higher (25–40%) than the domesticated species (10–15%). The allocation of biomass to seed production is positively correlated with seed yield in the domesticated but not in the weedy types, whereas the percentages of biomass as stem material and as seeds are negatively correlated. Several weedy and crop characteristics together should provide the basis of new improved cultivars through genetic recombination and selection.     

The biology and systematics of the genus Coincya Porta & Rigo ex Rouy (Cruciferae)

In this treatment, the genera Coincya (synonym: Hutera ) and Rhynchosinapis are regarded as one genus under the name Coincya which has nomenclatural priority. This study is based on data from morphology, population studies, cytology, ecology and reproductive biology reinforced by breeding experiments. Coincya is a west European genus comprising 14 taxa (including six species, five subspecies and three varieties).Eight new combinations are proposed and two species are excluded; R.nivalis is referable to the genus Brassica and R. Leplocarpa is probably referable to Erucastrum.
The chromosome number is either 2 n = 24 or 2 n = 48, which confirmed previous counts; C. Transtagana has not been counted. Breeding experiments were carried out with C. Longirostra, C.rupestris, C.monensis subsp. monensis , diploid and tetraploid races of subsp. recurvata var. recurvata , var. johnslonii , var. setigera , var. granatensis , subsp. hispida and subsp. puberula.
All taxa tested are outbreeding with a genetic self-incompatibility mechanism and are cross-compatible, suggesting that there has been no cytological differentiation between the diploid species in this study. The tetraploids formed semi-sterile triploids when crossed with diploids and although the chromosomes only formed bivalents and trivalents at meiosis it was postulated that the tetraploid was an autotetraploid of polytopic origin.
The evolution and differentiation of the genus and species are discussed.     

New record of subfamily Prometopinae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Nitidulidae) in Korea

The subfamily Prometopinae Böving and Craighead, 1931 is recorded from Korea for the first time. Two species from different genera are recognized; Prometopia unidentata Hisamatsu, 1959 and Paramatopia x-rubrum Reitter, 1884. Morphological comments, biology, illustrations of habitus with genitalia of both sexes and a key to species from Korea are provided.     

Contribution à l'Etude Cytotaxinomique desSideritis sectionEmpedoclea (Labiatae)

The author has proceeded with a cytotaxonomical study of the genusSideritis L. Chromosome numbers (mostly new) are reported for about twenty taxa from sectionEmpedoclea (Rafin.)Benth. This section occupies a very isolated position within the genus and has evolved quite independently.

     

On the races of Arenaria tetraquetra L. (Caryophyllaceae)

FAVARGER, C. & NIETO FELINER, G., 1988 On the races of Arenoria tetraquetra L. (Caryophyllaceae). The caryological study of some Betic populations of Arenaria tetraquetra northwards from Sierra Nevada has proved that they are polyploids ( 3x, 4x, 5x ). Even though their Rowers are pentamerous, they differ from the Nevadean Arenaria tetraguetra subsp. amabilis (2x ) not only by the chromosome number but also by the micromorphology of the seed coat and the hairiness of the stem internodes. They also differ from Arenaria tetraquetra subsp. tetraquetra , the Rowers of which are tetramerous and the degree of polyploidy higher (6x in the Pyrenees, 7x in the Sierra de Pela eastwards from Sierra de Guadarrama). The authors proposed to give a subspecific status to such Betic polyploid populations with a new combination. They suggest a hypothesis to explain the evolution of the A. tetraguetra polyploid complex.