Morphological and anatomical characterization of Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (C3) and Amaranthus tricolor L. (C4) leaves

S. Motyleva¹*, E. Vlasova¹, N. Kozak¹, M. Gins² and V. Gins²

¹Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery, Zagorevskaj Str. 4, 115598 Moscow, Russia
²Federal Scientific Center of Vegetable Growing, Selectnaya Str., Moscow region, Odintsovsky urban district, 143080 VNIISSOK village, Russia
*Correspondence: motyleva_svetlana@mail.ru

Abstract:

Morphological and anatomical features of new cultivars with photosynthesis of C3 (Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. cv. ‘Narodnaya’) and C4 (Amaranthus tricolor L. cv. ‘Valentina’) were established by light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as energy-dispersive analysis. The leaf lamina of Actinidia kolomikta cv. ‘Narodnaya’ has a dorsoventral anatomical structure, anomocytic stomata on the abaxial epidermis and two types of trichomes: multicellular, uniseriate hairs and multicellular bristle-like protrusions, containing raphids. The needle-like raphides are located in subepidermal layers along the veins. A vascular system of petiole consists of two upper concentric bundles and the crescentic vascular strand. A starch sheat is present. Raphides (needle-shaped and rectangular) are located in phloem and cortical parenchyma cells, contain Ca, K, Mg, P and Si. The leaf lamina of Amaranthus tricolor cv. ‘Valentina’ have the kranz-anatomy, dorsiventral mesophyll and contain druses. Betacyanins are concentrated in the epidermis and mesophyll, but are not present in the bundle sheath. The number of vascular bundles in petioles is odd-numbered and variable (from 5 to 13). Trichomes are multicellular, uniseriate, ending in a large oval cell. Cells with betacyanins are present in the epidermis cortex, and, rarely, the collenchyma and phloem of the petiole. Cells with betaxanthins are absent. A starch sheat is brightly pigmented with betacyanins. The crystall sand is deposited in the parenchyma cells of the cortex and pith of the petiole and contains Ca (mainly) and K oxalates. Druses in the leaf lamina additionally contain Mg and P.

Key words:

Actinidia kolomikta (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim., Amaranthus tricolor L., betacyanins, energy dispersive analysis, leaf, light microscopy, mineral inclusions, morphology, scanning electron microscopy

Morphological and morphometric characteristics of Cornelian Сherry (Cornus mas L.) in natural conditions of the Crimean Peninsula

N.A. Kashirina¹*, N.A. Bagrikova², S.N. Zhaldak³, V.S. Pashtetsky¹ and E.N. Drobotova¹

¹Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea, 150 Kievskaya Str., RU295493 Simferopol, Republic of Crimea, Russian Federation
²Nikita Botanical Gardens – National Scientific Center of RAS, 52 Nikitsky spusk, Nikita Vil., RU298648, Yalta, Republic of Crimea, Russian Federation
³V.I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, 4 Prospekt Vernadskogo, RU295007 Simferopol, Republic of Crimea, Russian Federation
*Correspondence: natalia.kashirina.96@mail.ru

Abstract:

Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a valuable fruit and ornamental plant in the Cornaceae family. This is a promising frost- and drought-resistant crop, undemanding to growing conditions. Fruits and leaves of plants are rich with biologically active substances which allows them to be used in pharmaceutical, food, liquor, and other industries. In the natural non-cultivated communities on the Crimean Peninsula the species is represented by a wide variety of forms that are promising for study from the point of view of botanical and breeding research. There is practically no information in the scientific literature about the characteristics of cornelian cherry for the most common places of its growth on the Crimean Peninsula, regarding the morpho-biological features and patterns of development of cornelian cherry plants, which determines the relevance of research. The purpose of this work was to study the intraspecific variability of cornelian cherry plants within natural coenopopulations under varying ecological conditions in the foothill, mountain, and South Coast of the Crimea in order to identify the most promising forms for further breeding research. The results of a three-year study (2017 to 2019) revealed differences in the life form of plants, in the timing of fruit maturation, in the shape and color of the leaf and fruit, and in their metric parameters. Promising forms of plants with the largest fruits (an average weight from 1.65 g to 1.81 g) and a low percentage of endocarp – from 10% to15% (Form 1 – CP I, CP II, CP V, Form 2 a – CP IV) can be recommended for further breeding research.

Key words: