Variation in essential oil and fatty acid composition in different organs of cultivated and growing wild Ruta chalepensis L.

The essential oil and fatty acid composition of two provenances of Ruta chalepensis from four organs (leaves, flowers, stems and fruits) was determined. The effect of the plant part on total fatty acid contents, essential oil yields, fatty acid and volatile constituents was significant.Fatty acid profiles varied significantly among the studied provenances and organs. Linolenic acid had the highest amount in leaves of the two provenances. From R. chalepensis, in all organs, the main fatty acids were palmitic (13.10-25.31%), followed by palmitoleic (0-15.72%), stearic (1.03-6.85%), oleic (1.90-24.04%), arachidic (0.11-4.03%), eicosatetraenoic (0.10-5.60%) and behenic (0.47-6.09%) acids. Saturated fatty acids had the highest amounts in growing wild R. chalepensis flowers, and cultivated R. chalepensis stems were characterized by the predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Oil composition of all studied organs has a healthy and nutritionally value. Essential oil yields varied from 0.39% to 2.46% and showed a remarkable variation with plant organs. Thirty-six volatile compounds were identified in different analyzed essential oils; 2-undecanone, 2-nonanol and 2-dodecanone had the highest percentages.     

Foliar application of calcium and magnesium improves growth,yield, and essential oil yield of oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum)

Oregano is one of the most important spices, is used all over the world, and includes many species. One of the most important commercially grown species is Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw (syn.: O. heracleoticum.), which is endemic to the Mediterranean area. O. vulgare ssp. hirtum is a crop species which is well adapted to both dry land conditions and calcareous soils. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of foliar Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications on growth, yield, essential oil content, and essential oil yield of oregano. Five treatments (0, 0.5% Ca, 1% Ca, 1% Mg, and 2% Mg) were used, and the experiment was repeated at two locations over two growth periods (2005 and 2006) in northern Greece in a sandy loam and sandy clay soil. Foliar applications with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ increased the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentration of the leaves. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications affected plant height as the plants were shorter in the control treatment and increased with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications by an average of 10% during the 2-year period and at the both locations compared with the control. Also, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications increased the number of stems per plant by an average of 23% in both years and at both locations. Chlorophyll concentration was affected by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications and subsequently increased an average of 23% with Ca²⁺ and 38% with Mg²⁺ compared with the control. Applications of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ decreased the number of days required for oregano plants to flower by an average of 3–4 days compared with the control. Dry matter yield also increased 22% with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ during the 2-year study and at both locations compared with the control treatment. In addition, the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications affected the essential oil yield, but they did not affect the essential oil content. These results show that Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ applications can affect the growth and yield of oregano, especially when the plant is grown in acid soils. However, the physiological basis of this effect remains unknown.     

Growing conditions and postharvest management can affect the essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart

Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart (Greek oregano) has been cultivated since ancient times thanks to its herbal and therapeutic properties. Currently, it is added in various commercial preparations thanks to its essential oil composition. This group of secondary compounds is affected in quantity and quality by biotic and abiotic factors during the cultivating phase and by the postharvest management. Thus, the aims of the work were to study: (1) how the growing conditions (soil full-light treatment; pot full-light treatment; pot 50%-shade treatment) can affect the essential oil content and the essential oil profile of Greek oregano branches at full-blossoming stage; and (2) how the postharvest management (distillation of the essential oil from fresh herbs, dehumidified herbs or oven-dried herbs) can affect the essential oil content and the essential oil profile of this species. The growing conditions significantly affected the biometrical parameters. The pot full-light treatment contained the highest dry matter percentage (36.5%) and the highest essential oil content, which was directly correlated to the former parameter (r = 0.890**). The postharvest management did not affect the essential oil content. The growing condition significantly affected the characterizing γ-terpinene, cis-sabinene hydrate, 4-terpineol, α-terpinene, linalyl acetate, and β-bisabolene, while it did not affect carvacrol (mean value 15.8%), p-cymene (mean value 6.0%), or sabinene (mean value 3.9%). The postharvest management significantly affected carvacrol, cis-sabinene hydrate, 4-terpineol, p-cymene, α-terpinene, linalyl acetate, and β-bisabolene, while it did not affect γ-terpinene (mean value 14.7%). The response of some compounds to growing conditions led us to hypothesise an essential oil profile of the plants grown in pots at 50%-shade to be more of a vegetative stage type oil than the essential oil profile of the plants grown in soil, although all were at the blossoming stage. The analyses on the individual compounds indicated that, even though the essential oil content in oregano did not change with a change in postharvest management, biochemical changes occurred on the profile. These could be due to enzyme activity, dilution effect or temperature effect during the drying processes. The oven-drying process and the dehumidifying process changed the essential oil profile in a similar way compared to the essential oil profile distilled from fresh herbs. Thus, when it is not possible to extract the essential oil directly from fresh herbs, processors can dry the oregano according to the equipments they have available.     

不同施氮条件下甜菜RuBP羧化酶活性与产质量关系的研究

对不同施氮条件下甜菜ＲｕＢＰ羧化酶活性进行了研究,结果表明：各施氮处理ＲｕＢＰ羧化酶活性都是苗期最低,随生育进程逐渐升高,到糖分积累期又呈羧化酶活性高峰出现时间不同,Ｎ１８０处理在块根增长期,其它处理均在叶丛形成期;苗期施氮量与ＲｕＢＰ羧化酶活性呈显著正相关,其它各处理相关不显著。     

Arthropod communities related to different mixtures of oil (Glycine max L. Merr.) and essential oil (Artemisia annua L.) crops

Plants can host many herbivores and their natural enemies during their growth cycles. For this reason, changes in the relative abundance of crop and weed plants in a monocropping system as well as different crop plants in an intercropping system may produce great bottom up impacts in the specific and functional structure of spontaneous communities of arthropods. The hypothesis of this study was that the combination of two contrasting species, soybean (Glycine max, Fabaceae, N₂ fixing plant) and annual wormwood (Artemisia annua, Asteraceae, VOCs plant), would be related to different spontaneous communities of arthropods depending on the proportion of each species, and this would favor crop biodiversity without compromising crop production. The objectives of the study were: (a) to analyze the differences of spontaneous communities of arthropods related to different soybean (S)-annual wormwood (W) mixtures, using standard crop management for S production in Argentina, (b) to determine S and W total biomass and W essential oil content and yield and, (c) to analyze the relationship between arthropod communities and crop productivity. Factorial field experiments with 3 replications were done during 2006 and 2007. S density was kept constant (40 plants m⁻²) and different W densities (plants m⁻²) were added. Treatments were pure S, S + 2W, S + 4W, S + 8W and pure W (8 plants m⁻²). Arthropods were sampled at soybean full flowering and were classified in functional groups as herbivores and non-herbivores. S and W total and relative biomass and W essential oil content and yield from leaves and inflorescences were estimated in reproductive stage. Arthropod morphospecies abundance and richness were determined for each treatment. Data were analyzed using uni (ANOVA) and multivariate (CCA) techniques. Arthropods belonging to 7 orders presented a total richness of 48 morphospecies in 2006 and 36 in 2007, while total abundance was 379 in 2006 and 318 in 2007. The proportion of non-herbivores was higher than the proportion of herbivores. Different arthropod communities were observed according to each treatment. No differences were found among treatments in S + W and S total biomass production, while W total biomass and essential oil yield were both different among treatments. Relative biomass production of S and W was the main explanatory variable related to the contrast of arthropod communities between pure annual wormwood (W) and the rest of the treatments. Annual wormwood could be used as an accompanying essential oil crop or left as a weed in the densities tested in this work, favoring biodiversity and, eventually, pest management without compromising soybean crop yield.     

Extraction of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum deciduous leaves essential oil using solvent-free microwave extraction: Process optimization and quality evaluation

The optimal process conditions for solvent-free microwave extraction(SFME) of essential oils from Cinnamomum longepaniculatum deciduous leaves after moisture conditioning were established by response surface methodology(RSM). A Box-Behnken design(BBD) was applied to evaluate the effects of three independent variables: moisture content(A: 54%–74%), microwave power(B: 300–500 W) and microwave time(C: 20–40 min), on the extraction yield of essential oil. The compounds of the essential oils obtained...     

Kernel amino acid composition and protein content of introgression lines from Zea mays ssp. mexicana into cultivated maize

Development of high yield maize germplasm with satisfying nutritional quality has been a major objective for maize breeders. Introgression lines from hybrids between Zea mays ssp. mexicana, a close wild relative of cultivated maize, and elite maize inbred line Ye515 were obtained. Ear-related traits of the lines showed wide range of variation compared to the maize parent. Kernel protein contents in the progeny lines ranged from 7.89% to 12.44%. Considerable variability of protein fractions and amino acid composition of mature endosperms was observed. Protein contents for some lines such as SD00362, SD00312 and SD00259 were significantly higher than that of Ye515, and Lys and some other essential amino acids were conspicuously improved. It was concluded that introgression from Z. mays ssp. mexicana into a maize background had great effects on protein content and composition, and that desirable inbred lines with enhanced protein contents and improved nutritional value were produced via alien introgression.     

不同干燥工艺下脱皮油莎豆干燥特性及品质研究

采用先湿法脱皮再干燥的方式可以简化油莎豆榨油前工序,提高榨油效率。为探究最适合的干燥工艺,本文以湿法脱皮油莎豆为研究对象,探究其薄层热风干燥特性,对比分析不同干燥工艺下脱皮油莎豆品质及所制取油脂的品质变化规律,以期为油莎豆产业化发展提供支持。本实验分别将油莎豆在自然干燥以及热风温度为50℃、60℃、70℃,风速0.8 m/s条件下进行干燥,再测定油莎豆的色泽、硬度、复水性以及脱皮油莎豆所制取油脂的品质。实验结果显示,样品干燥后亮度值、泛红度降低,硬度升高;热风50℃样品复水性最好,自然干燥次之,热风70℃下样品复水性最差;热风干燥条件下,随着风温的升高,所制得的油莎豆油的酸价及过氧化值均呈增加趋势,但是远低于国家标准中对食用植物油的要求。     

Yield and seed quality of Plantago ovata and Nigella sativa under different irrigation treatments

Employing locally adapted plants together with irrigation scheduling based on developmental stage in semi-arid and arid regions may provide an opportunity to optimize irrigation efficiency, and water savings in regions where water resources are limited. To investigate this water saving potential, the final seed yield and quality of two local plant species were investigated under water deficit conditions over two growing seasons (2003, 2004) in the northeast of Iran. In this study, black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) which is used locally as an anti-microbial and isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) which is used as an anti-diabetic plant were exposed to four different irrigation regimes. Weekly irrigation was the control, and the three treatments based on developmental stage for both species were termination of irrigation at blooming (folded flowers), flowering, and seed formation. Isabgol seed yield was lower for all of the water deficit treatments compared to control, but black cumin showed tolerance to water deficit except when irrigation was terminated at seed formation. The lowest seed yield was obtained when irrigation was stopped at the blooming stage, and the number of seeds per plant was the main yield component affected. One thousand seed weight for both species was relatively stable across all irrigation treatments, and higher seed yield was consistent with higher straw yield and plant height. Our results did not show any reduction in oil concentration for black cumin or mucilage percentage for isabgol across all water deficit treatments.     

Glands,essential oils and in vitro establishment of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nyman

In this work, two Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nym. genotypes (genotype 1 and genotype 12) collected from different areas of Corsica were used. After the taxonomic identification based on several specific morphological characters, the two genotypes were subjected to microscopic studies. The precise structure of the glandular trichomes, secreting essential oils, on the flower heads and leaves of H. italicum (Roth) G. Don ssp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nym. are described here for the first time. Volatile constituents from both field-grown genotypes 1 and 12 were analyzed and their composition compared: monoterpenes were the most abundant class of compounds with nerol and its esters as the main metabolites. Genotype 12 was used to establish an efficient micropropagation protocol. For proliferation, different concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone or in combination with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were tested adding sucrose (20% or 30%). To define the optimal conditions for in vitro rooting, the shoots obtained were divided and transferred to the culture medium without growth regulators or enriched by different auxins in combination with sucrose (20% or 30%). Acclimatization, carried out in different conditions was easy, registering high survival percentages. The results achieved in this study allowed to obtain selected and standardized plants suitable for the exploitation in industrial sectors of this interesting species.     

The control of isariopsis leaf spot and downy mildew in grapevine cv. Isabel with the essential oil of lemon grass and the activity of defensive enzymes in response to the essential oil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of the essential oil of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) for the control of isariopsis leaf spot (Pseudocercospora vitis) and downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) in grapevine cv. Isabel, the effect of the essential oil on the productivity of the grapevines and the effect of the essential oil on the activity of the enzymes chitinase and catalase. The experiment was conducted in a commercial vineyard over two consecutive crop cycles. Each plant in the experiment was subjected to one of the following nine treatments: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mL L⁻¹ essential oil, Tween^® 80%, Bordeaux mixture, Acibenzolar-S-methyl and mancozeb. An analysis of the area under the disease progress curve showed a quadratic response by both diseases to the doses of essential oil during the first and second crop cycles. The essential oil treatments also increased the number and mass of the clusters of fruit as well as the productivity and desirable chemical characteristics of the grape. The activity of chitinase increased as a result of the essential oil treatments, whereas the activity of catalase decreased. The essential oil at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 mL L⁻¹ can serve as an alternative means of controlling isariopsis leaf spot and downy mildew and can also serve to improve the fruit quality of grapes cv. Isabel in tropical regions.     

Benzoxazinoid and alkylresorcinol content,and their antioxidant potential,in a grain of spring and winter wheat cultivated under different production systems

The health-promoting properties of the grains of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are associated with the presence of unique phytochemicals. This study determines the profile of alkylresorcinols (ARs) and benzoxazinoids (BXs) in T. aestivum spring and winter cultivars grown in Poland under the two different production systems: conventional and organic. Wheat grain extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative UPLC-UV-MS/MS analyses. The ARs profile consisted of five 5-n-alkylresorcinol derivatives, among which 5-n-heneicosylresorcinol (C21:0) and 5-n-nonadecanylresorcinol (C19:0) predominated; while six different BXs were determined in hydrothermally treated grains. Our research shows significant differences in the contents of ARs and BXs among wheat cultivars, as well as the two production systems used. Organically grown varieties had their total contents of ARs and BXs significantly higher than those grown conventionally. Another aim of the study was to determine the antioxidant capacity of alkylresorcinol extracts from tested wheat cultivars. The quantitative TLC-DPPH• method for determining the antiradical capacity of wheat ARs extracts was developed. We observed a positive relationship between the free radical scavenging activity of extracts and the total amount of ARs. The biological activity research is important for developing value-added wheat cultivars, having an improved profile and composition of nutritional substances.     

Morphogenesis,biomass and nutritive value of Panicum maximum under different shade levels and fertilizer nitrogen rates

Panicum maximum is important for cattle production in tropical regions, and it responds well to nitrogen (N) fertilization. Many cultivars have exhibited potential for use in silvopastoral systems, although there is limited information on how different levels of N can influence plant growth and nutritive value under shading. Morphogenetic and structural traits, biomass production and nutritive value of two P. maximum cultivars (Tanzânia and Massai) were investigated under three shading levels (0, 37 and 58%) and four N rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg N dm^?3). Plants were grown in pots under shade. Leaf and stem elongation rate and leaf blade length increased with shading and in response to N. Tiller density was reduced with shading, but showed a linear increase fashion with N under full sun and moderate shading. Under intense shading, the tillering showed a quadratic response to N. Plant biomass production increased linearly with N under full sun and moderate shade, but it increased quadratically under intense shade. Crude protein (CP) content increased with shade and N and was greater for Tanzânia than Massai under shade. Contents of NDF and ADF were greater for Massai than Tanzânia. Acid detergent insoluble protein was reduced in Tanzânia under shade, but it increased for Massai. It is suggested that the positive shading effect on CP content may not result in increased nutritional value. Although N fertilization was important for increasing biomass production under full sun and moderate shade, it should be avoided under intense shading.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Artemisia annua L. from Bosnia

Hydrodistilled volatile oil obtained from the aerial parts of Artemisia annua L., cultivated near Sarajevo, Bosnia, was analyzed by GC-MS. More than one hundred compounds were identi?ed, representing 95.5% of the total oil. The major constituents of essential oil were oxygenated monoterpenes, artemisia ketone (30.7%) and camphor (15.8%). Isolated essential oil was tested for radical-scavenging ability using the stable DPPH radical, the ABTS radical, for reducing power ability with a test based on the reduction of ferric cations, for reducing ability of hydroxy radical in ORAC assay, and for metal chelating ability using the ferrozine assay. In all tests oil did not show a prominent antioxidant activity, but still comparable with thymol, an already known antioxidant. The screening of antimicrobial activity of oil was individually evaluated against representatives of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi, using the agar diffusion method. All tested microorganisms were inhibited by essential oil. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antimicrobial activity of essential oil of A. annua against Haemophilus influenzae, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Micrococcus luteus and Candida krusei microbial strains. The antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activity of essential oil of A. annua from Bosnia is presented here for the first time and extends our knowledge in the range of valuable biological activities and possible roles in therapy associated with this medicinal herb.     

Effect of different levels of nitrogen and farmyard manure on yield and quality of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.)

The effect of different levels of nitrogen N₀(0kg/ha), N₁(30 kg/ha), N₂ (60 kg/ha), and N₃ (90 kg/ha) and farmyard manure F₀ (0 tonnes/ha), F₁ (10 tonnes/ha), and F₂ (20 tonnes/ha) on the yield and nutrient composition of spinach and its uptake was investigated on a sandy loam soil. Yield; phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper uptakes; and ascorbic acid content increased with the application of both the inorganic nitrogen fertilizer and the farmyard manure, with a maximum at the N₃F₂ level, i.e. at 90 kg N/ha with 20 tonnes FYM/ha. However, the contents of protein, -carotene, and reducing sugars were maximum at the highest dose of nitrogen without the application of farmyard manure.     

Photosynthetic response and nitrogen use efficiency of sugarcane under drought stress conditions with different nitrogen application levels

Drought stress which often occurs during early growth stage is one constraint in sugarcane production. In this study, the response of sugarcane to drought and nitrogen application for physiological and agronomical characteristics was investigated. Two water regimes (well-watered and drought stress from 60 to 120 day after transplanting) and four nitrogen levels (0, 4.4, 8.8 and 13.2 g pot^?1 equivalent to 0, 90, 180 and 270 kg ha^?1, respectively) were assigned in a Split-plot design with three replications. The results showed that photosynthetic responses to light intensity and intercellular CO₂ concentrations of sugarcane were different between fertilized and non-fertilized treatments. Photosynthetic rates of 180 and 270 N treatments, normally, were significantly higher than that of 90 N, but not significant at drought conditions. Photosynthetic rates of 0 N treatment were the lowest under both conditions. Higher nitrogen application supported higher photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content because of higher nitrogen concentration accumulated into the leaf. Drought significantly reduced the potential photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, SPAD, leaf area, and biomass production. Higher nitrogen applications with larger root system could support higher photosynthetic activities to accumulate more dry mass. Strong positive coefficient between photosynthetic and biomass nitrogen use efficiency and drought tolerance index may suggest that higher nitrogen use efficiency could help plants have higher ability to tolerate drought stress.     

Winter wheat genotypes under different levels of nitrogen and water stress: Changes in grain protein composition

Hard white winter wheat with superior and consistent quality is preferable for Asian markets. This study investigated the combined influences of moisture deficit during grain-fill and N management on protein quality, dough rheological properties, and protein molecular weight distributions in soft and hard winter wheats. Genotypes were grown under an irrigation gradient and two N-fertilization levels. Grain polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, SDS sedimentation, and Mixograph analyses were evaluated. Flour protein composition was characterized using SE-HPLC. Moisture stress during grain-fill increased flour protein content. N fertilization increased flour protein content. No significant correlation was found between flour protein and PPO. Changes in protein composition were related to general increases in protein content, regardless if the result of reduced irrigation or increased fertilization rate. The percentage of monomeric proteins increased more than the polymeric proteins as flour protein increased. Similarly, SDS sedimentation volume increased as a function of protein content. As expected, subunit GluD1 5+10 was associated with larger sedimentation volume and higher dough strength in genotypes as compared to those with subunit GluD1 2+12. Biplot analyses showed that genotypes of similar protein quality and composition responded similarly to N and irrigation treatments.     

CaCl对盐胁迫下小白菜生长和相关生理特性的影响

采用CaCl2根际注射结合叶面喷施的方法,研究了不同浓度（0、5、10、20、30 mmol/L ）CaCl2对盐胁迫下小白菜（Brassica campestris ssp. chinensis L.）幼苗生长及其生理生化特性的影响。结果显示,10 mmol/L CaCl2处理显著提高了幼苗的株高、单株干重、单株鲜重和展开叶片数等,降低了叶片丙二醛（MDA）含量,增强了叶片超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化物酶（POD）等保护酶活性,显著提高盐胁迫下小白菜叶片的光合色素含量、净光合速率等。表明适宜浓度的外     

不同磷钾处理下套作大豆干物质积累及钾肥利用率的动态变化

在磷钾供应条件下,以贡选1号为材料,研究了套作大豆干物质积累及钾肥利用率的动态变化。结果表明,套作大豆干物质积累量和钾素吸收量随生育时期推进而持续增加,两者变化趋势一致,符合“S”形曲线,均可用Logistic方程y=k/(1+ae-bx)加以拟合。干物质积累速率前期缓慢,随后迅速上升,出苗后79.3d达到高峰后缓慢下降,钾肥吸收速率与干物质积累速率趋势一致,但最大吸收速率出现时间（出苗后73.6d）早于干物质积累最大速率出现时间。钾肥利用率呈现先升高后降低的趋势,最高阶段利用率与最大吸收速率出现时间基本一致（出苗后75d～90d）。施用磷钾提高了钾素吸收速率、干物质积累速率、钾肥积累利用率和阶段利用率,但没有改变其变化趋势。