Plants with shorter internodes are suitable for high-density planting, lodging resistance and the preservation of land resources by improving yield per unit area. In this study, we identified a locus controlling the short internode trait in watermelon using Zhengzhouzigua (long internode) and Duan125 (short internode) as mapping parents. Genetic analysis indicated that F₁ plants were consistent with long internode plants, which indicates that the long internode was dominant over the short internode. The observed F₂ and BC₁ individuals fitted the expected phenotypic segregation ratios of 3:1 and 1:1, respectively. The locus was mapped on chromosome 9 using a bulked segregant analysis approach. The region was narrowed down to 8.525 kb having only one putative gene, Cla015407, flanking by CAPS90 and CAPS91 markers, which encodes gibberellin 3β-hydroxylase (GA 3β-hydroxylase). The sequence alignment of the candidate gene between both parents revealed a 13 bp deletion in the short internode parent, which resulted in a truncated protein. Before GA₃ application, significantly lower GA₃ content and shorter cell length were obtained in the short internode plants. However, the highest GA₃ content and significant increase in cell length were observed in the short internode plants after exogenous GA₃ application. In the short internode plants, the expression level of the Cla015407 was threefold lower than the long internode plants in the stem tissue. In general, our results suggested that Cla015407 might be the candidate gene responsible for the short internode phenotype in watermelon and the phenotype is responsive to exogenous GA₃ application.

Leaf color mutants are common in higher plants that can be used as markers in crop breeding and are important tools in understanding regulatory mechanisms of chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development. Genetic analysis was performed by evaluating F₁, F₂ and BC₁ populations derived from two parental lines (Charleston gray with green leaf color and Houlv with delayed green leaf color), suggesting that a single recessive gene controls the delayed green leaf color. In this study, the delayed green mutant showed a conditional pale green leaf color at the early leaf development but turned to green as the leaf development progressed. Delayed green leaf plants showed reduced pigment content, photosynthetic, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and impaired chloroplast development compared with green leaf plants. The delayed green (dg) locus was mapped to 7.48 Mb on chromosome 3 through bulk segregant analysis approach, and the gene controlling delayed green leaf color was narrowed to 53.54 kb between SNP130 and SNP135 markers containing three candidate genes. Sequence alignment of the three genes indicated that there was a single SNP mutation (G/A) in the coding region of ClCG03G010030 in the Houlv parent, which causes an amino acid change from Arginine to Lysine. The ClCG03G010030 gene encoded FtsH extracellular protease protein family is involved in early delayed green leaf development. The expression level of ClCG03G010030 was significantly reduced in delayed green leaf plants than in green leaf plants. These results indicated that the ClCG03G010030 might control watermelon green leaf color and the single SNP variation in ClCG03G010030 may result in early delayed green leaf color development during evolutionary process.

This study aimed to describe the gross phytochemical constituents of Aloe elegans Todaro gel and evaluate the characteristics and quality of lab-made hair washing formulations prepared from the gel to show its potential in formulating hair washing shampoos. A. elegans gel mass was prepared from mature, healthy leaves collected from natural stand. Samples of 100% methanol extract of the gel were subjected to standard phytochemical screening and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Five hair washing formulations (Fs) were, likewise, prepared by mixing 4.0–10.0 mL of gel with one (0.05 mL) to two (0.10 mL) drops of six synthetic and natural ingredients, namely, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, pure glycerin oil, lemon juice, and vitamin E. The gel to the total ingredient ratios (v/v) of the five formulations were 93 : 7 (F₁), 94.5 : 5.5 (F₂), 96.4 : 3.6 (F₃), and 96.6 : 3.4 (F₄ and F₅). The formulations were evaluated using sensory inspection and common physicochemical methods. The phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis revealed that A. elegans gel is the source of important chemical constituents used in the formulation of shampoos and similar products including saponins, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, and phytol. Lab-made A. elegans hair washing formulations, especially those with 96.4–96.6% gel, were found to have similar characteristics and qualities with a common marketed shampoo. All the formulations were turbid with characteristic odor as the marketed shampoo. The pH values of the hair washing formulations (6.4–4.6) were comparable to those of the marketed shampoo (6.7). Formulations with higher proportion of gel had better foam stability, higher solid content (26–29%), higher surface tension (33–38 dynes/cm), shorter wetting time (150–160 sec), equivalent viscosities (26.45–26.73 poise), and conditioning performance than the marketed shampoo. These findings demonstrate that A. elegans gel mass can be used in the formulation of good-quality hair washing shampoos. We recommend future studies that aim to develop the phytochemical profile of the plant and a refined protocol of hair washing shampoo formulation.

The experiment was conducted at Ofla district from June to October of 2017 and 2018 cropping season to select high yielding and adaptable garlic cultivar(s). Six garlic cultivars namely Chefe, Tsedey, Holeta local, Kuriftu and Bora-4 and one Ofla Local were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized block design (RCBD) with three replications. Different growth, phenology, yield and yield related data were collected. Leaf length, leaf width, bulb diameter and length were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by garlic cultivars in both cropping seasons. Bulb weight and number of cloves per bulb were highly significantly (P<0.01) influenced by cultivars in both cropping seasons. Also, marketable yield, unmarketable yield and total yield ha-1 were highly significantly (P<0.01) influenced by cultivars in both seasons. During 2017 and 2018, the highest marketable bulb yield was observed from Ofla Local cultivar with an average value of (8.86 t/ha) and (9.06 t/ha) respectively. During the 2017 cropping year, the maximum and significantly higher total bulb yield of 10.21 t/ha was recorded on the Ofla Local cultivar. Moreover, in 2018, this cultivar provided the maximum total bulb yield of 9.80 t/ha. Therefore, the Ofla Local cultivar showed the greatest performance for growth, yield and yield related attributes. Thus, it is recommended for cultivation in areas having similar agro-ecology. To improve the productivity of garlic, it is important to study and identify the optimum fertilizer level and spacing in the study area.