Variation in the branching of plant inflorescences determines flower number and, consequently, reproductive success and crop yield. Nightshade (Solanaceae) species are models for a widespread, yet poorly understood, program of eudicot growth, where short side branches are initiated upon floral termination. This "sympodial" program produces the few-flowered tomato inflorescence, but the classica...

Larger floral displays increase pollinator visitation as well as among-flower self-pollination (geitonogamy) in self-compatible species. Dichogamy (temporal separation of gender expression) can limit geitonogamy and increase outcrossing but this depends on pollinator behavior within inflorescences. Declining nectar volume from lower to upper flowers is a hypothesized adaptation to increase outc...

There remains significant uncertainty in illicit marijuana cultivation. We analyzed the delta(13)C and delta(15)N of 508 domestic samples from known U.S.A. counties, 31 seized from a single location, 5 samples grown in Mexico and Colombia, and 10 northwest border seizures. For a subset, inflorescences and leaves were analyzed separately. These data revealed a strong correspondence, with inflore...

Flower production and crop yields are highly influenced by the architectures of inflorescences. In the compound inflorescences of tomato and related nightshades (Solanaceae), new lateral inflorescence branches develop on the flanks of older branches that have terminated in flowers through a program of plant growth known as "sympodial." Variability in the number and organization of sympodial bra...

The tolerance of ‘Apple’ banana (Musa sp.), avocado (Persea americana Mill.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), papaya (Carica papaya L.), and red ginger (Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum) inflorescences to carbonyl sulfide (COS) fumigation was studied. Commodities were exposed at 25°C to COS at various concentrations (1–6% (v/v) for banana; 1% and 2% for the other fruits for various times from ...