No abstract

Stipa ×fallax nothosp. nov. (Poaceae), from western Pamir Alai Mts (Tajikistan), is described and illustrated. Field observation, numerical analyses of morphology, and pollen grain viability data show that it originated from hybridization between S. drobovii and S. macroglossa subsp. macroglossa, species representing sections Smirnovia and Stipa, respectively. Stipa ×fallax is morphologically close to S. ×alaica and S. ×hissarica, but is distinguished by its shortly pilose lower part of the awn and densely pubescent leaves. Characters distinguishing S. ×fallax from its parental species as well as similar hybrid taxa in section Smirnovia that also grow in Central Asia are presented. The micromorphology of lemmas and leaves of S. ×fallax and its parental species was examined by scanning electron microscopy. We also propose the new combination Stipa drobovii var. iskanderkulica (Tzvelev) M.Nobis & A.Nowak.

Viola banksii, the type species of section Erpetion, is endemic in eastern mainland Australia. In this paper we characterise morphological and anatomical features and assess genome size and genetic diversity in combination with the breeding system. V. banksii develops exclusively chasmogamous flowers. Ovules are anatropous, crassinucellate and bitegmic, the female gametophyte is of the Polygonum type, and the embryo is of Asterad type surrounded by nuclear endosperm. Pollen is non-heteromorphic, 3-aperturate, and highly viable. V. banksii grows in shade on moist, well drained, often sandy soils, and this is reflected in the anatomy of its organs, which includes a lack of subepidermal collenchyma in aerial parts, large leaf epidermal cells with thin cell walls, a narrow cuticle layer, and vascular bundles with xylem that are not rich in vessels. V. banksii is tolerant to zinc and lead based on phytotoxicity test. The high chromosome number (2n = 10x = 50) does not correspond to a small genome size (2C DNA = 1.27 pg). Low mean intra-populational gene diversity (HS = 0.077) detected by ISSR markers confirms the strong influence of selfing and clonal propagation by pseudostolons. Unique morphological traits of V. banksii include nyctinastic petal movement, the lack of a floral spur, the presence of gland-like protuberances on two stamens, and the presence of pseudostolons, which could be a synapomorphy for the whole section.

No abstract

The paper presents a technique for micropropagation of endangered in Europe and extinct in Poland Pulsatilla vulgaris for ex situ conservation of the genetic resources. Genotype-dependent induction of somatic embryogenesis and rooting was revealed in series of two experiments (I and II) performed under the same experimental conditions. Shoot tips of seedlings were the best explants in both experiments and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.25 or 0.5 mg L−1 BAP was suitable for induction of somatic embryos (SE) and adventitious shoots. Mass SE was obtained in experiment I after explants transfer on ½ MS (2% sucrose) + 0.45 mg L−1 B1 and extending culture to 2–3 months without passages. Rooting of adventitious shoots was a critical point. Out of seven rooting media used in experiment I, only two, ½ MS hormone free (2% sucrose) + 0.45 mg L−1 B1 or MS + 5 mg L−1 NAA + 3.76 mg L−1 B2 resulted in altogether 36.4% rooted shoots. In experiment II, somatic embryogenesis, rooting and acclimatization of adventitious shoots failed. Regenerated plantlets and seedlings converted from SE from experiment I were acclimatized to ex vitro conditions. Both genome size, determined by flow cytometry, and genetic diversity analyzed by ISSR markers, confirmed the compatibility of regenerants from experiment I with P. vulgaris initial seedlings and commercial cultivar. Regenerants obtained in experiment II differed genetically from the regenerants of experiment I and cultivar. Propagated in vitro tissues/organs (SE, adventitious shoots) of P. vulgaris could be a source of material for cryopreservation, artificial seed production and/or for acclimatization of regenerated plantlets and could be used for restoration of the extinct populations. Key Message The micropropagation technique via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis of endangered in Europe pasqueflower was developed as a tool for species recovery. The critical point is that somatic embryogenesis is genotype-dependent, which affects the repeatability of the experiments and also imposes applying molecular techniques to confirm the genetic fidelity of the regenerants with the initial material and other genotypes.