Seed-setting in potatoes as affected by spraying with a-naphthaleneacetamide and by light
SummarySpraying potato plants with dilute concentrations of a-naphthal-eneacetamide was not effective in increasing flower or seed ball production in the greenhouse at Beltsville Maryland, or Greeley, Colorado. Higher concentrations reduced flower production at Presque Isle, Maine.Sebago and Irish Cobbler produced more seed balls at Greeley than at Beltsville. Less cloudy weather at Greeley during the winter months is probably the chief factor responsible for this result.S 245–25, when self-pollinated, produced as many seed balls at Beltsville as at Greeley. It appears that this variety flowers and sets seed more readily under fairly unfavorable light conditions than either Sebago or Irish Cobbler.
Effectiveness of Several Growth Substances on Parthenocarpy in Holly
An earlier paper (3) gave the results of experiments on inducing parthenocarpy in American holly, flex opaca, by spraying the open blossoms with dilute aqueous solutions of growth substances. Data were presented as to the relative potency of four compounds, indoleacetic, indolepropionic, indolebutyric, and naphthaleneacetic acids, the last named being very much more effective than any of the other three. Recently several other substances have been similarly tried on a comparative basis, and the results, of seeming interest because of their variance in some cases from other reported evaluations of relative effectiveness in plant response, are presented here with the hope that they may eventually help in piecing together the picture of how and why the hormone-like substances bring about the numerous and varied responses associated with their application. The methods used were essentially those previously reported. The growth substances' were dissolved in distilled water and sprayed on the open flowers by means of an atomizer. The tests were applied to small potted plants flowering in the greenhouse and to flowering branches on trees growing on the grounds of the United States Horticultural Station, Beltsville, Maryland. In table i are presented some preliminary results with several compounds of naphthalene on young holly plants flowering in the greenhouse. These plants were found to vary considerably in their ability to set parthenocarpic fruit, depending on their vigor, nutrition, and previous treatment. While only plants selected for their uniformity were used in these tests, yet since ioo per cent setting of fruit was not obtained with treatments which in previous trials had given complete setting, the comparisons were repeated under more uniform conditions. Accordingly the data in table 2 show repetition
The status of FAO and codex alimentarius developments on vegetable proteins
The FAO is interested in increasing world protein supplies both by advising and assisting developing countries to increase their production of staple foods and by encouraging the development of technology to produce protein concentrates both from vegetable and animal sources to supplement diets which are low in protein content. Recent revisions of the amount of protein required in the diet in relation to total per capita energy requirements and the difficulties encountered in introducing novel foods into established dietary patterns has led FAO to concentrate on increased agricultural productions in developing countries as the primary means of combatting malnutrition. In the meantime, in North America and Europe, advances in the technology of processing vegetable proteins has given highly acceptable products simulating meats which are being used as meat extenders and meat analogues. The consequent increase in vegetable protein production has revealed a need for international, agreement on standardization, and it has been agreed that this will be undertaken by the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards’ Programme. The program operates chiefly through the Codex Alimentarius, Commission, an international governmental body, the purpose of which is to protect consumers against health hazard in food and against fraud. The Commission, which has 116 member governments, controls an intensive program of work covering the composition, labeling, additives, contaminants, pesticide residues, hygiene, sampling and analysis aspects of foods and has established a procedure which allows member governments ample opportunity to reach agreement on food standards and to accept them for incorporation into national legislation. The Codex Commission, at its 12th session, decided to establish a Committee on Vegetable Proteins with the following terms of references: “to elaborate definitions and world-wide standards for vegetable protein products deriving from soybeams, cottonseed, groundnuts, cereals and from other vegetable sources as they come into use for human consumption, and to elaborate guidelines on utilization of such vegetable protein products in the food supply system, on nutritional requirements and safety on labeling and on other aspects as may seem appropriate.” The question of which country will host the Committee is still under discussion.