Anthocyanins from flowers of Hippeastrum cultivars

The anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside) (1) and pelargonidin 3-O-(6″-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl-β-glucopyranoside) (2), were isolated from the ornamental flowers of a Ugandan Hippeastrum cultivar by a combination of chromatographic techniques, and their structures were elucidated mainly by the use of homo- and heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The same anthocyanins were found in six different Hippeastrum cultivars purchased in Norway. However, the absolute amount of the anthocyanins (0.08–1.79 mg/g, fresh weight) and the relative proportions of the individual anthocyanins varied from cultivar to cultivar (13.2–96.5% of 1). The colours of the fresh petals of the three cultivars ‘Red Lion’, ‘Royal Velvet’ and ‘Liberty’ were described by the CIELab coordinates L^* (lightness), C^* (chroma) and h_ab (hue angles). All the cultivars showed hue angles corresponding to scarlet nuances (h_ab = 22–35°), with the highest value in ‘Red Lion’. The most reddish petals (in ‘Royal Velvet’) contained the highest relative proportion of 1. Thus, the in vivo colours of these cultivars seem to be correlated with the relative proportions of individual anthocyanin in the petals.     

Effects of organic matter and controlled-release fertilizer on nutrient retention during intermittentmist propagation

Semi-hardwood cuttings of Ligustrum japonicum Thunb. and Juniperus conferta Parl. were propagated in sand or sand : peat (1 : 1 v/v) and top-dressed with osmocote controlled-release fertilizers at various rates. Soluble salts, NO^?₃, P and K leaching through media was greater in sand, especially with osmocote 14-14-14. Loss of P and K in both media was not as rapid as the loss of NO^?₃. The pH of leachate from sand : peat was significantly less than that from sand. The 18-6-12 osmocote provided steady nutrient release in both media.     

Nitrogen and calcium nutrition of Petunia × hybrida ‘Coral Sea’

The effects of N and Ca nutrition on plant growth and shoot elemental content of Petunia × hybrida Hort. Vilm. - Andr. ‘Coral Sea’ were evaluated. Nitrogen and Ca were applied separately or in combination in three experiments: (1) N at 0, 100, 200 or 400 mg l^?1; (2) Ca at 0, 75, 150 or 300 mg l^?1; (3) N at 0 or 100 mg l^?1 and Ca at 0 or 150 mg l^?1 combined factorially. Shoot and root dry weights, branch length and flower number were highest when plants received 100 mg l^?1 N. Plants treated with 150 mg l^?1 Ca had the highest shoot and root dry weights. Branch length was maximal at 300 mg l^?1 Ca.Nitrogen and Ca interacted to increase shoot dry weights, branch number and length, leaf area and flower number. Increasing N concentrations increased N and decreased P, Mn and Zn shoot contents. Calcium content of shoots increased while N, P and Mg decreased in response to increasing applications of Ca to petunia plants. Minimal N and Ca tissue concentrations for optimal P. × hybrida growth were 3.3 and 0.67%, respectively.     

Characterization of antioxidant compounds in Eriobotrya fragrans Champ leaf

Both loquat (Eriobotrya fragrans Champ) fruits and leaves are often used as important ingredients in Chinese herbal formulations for medicinal treatments against cough and asthma, but little information is available about the inherent bioactive chemicals. In this study, 11 major compounds were identified from the acetic ether extract of leaves of the fragrance flower loquat. These chemicals are (1) 2α,19α-dihydroxy-3-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid, (2) 2α-hydroxyursolic acid, (3) ursolic acid, (4) 2α-hydroxyoleanolic acid, (5) tormentic acid, (6) β-daucosterol, (7) epicatechin, (8) cinchonain Ia (9), cinchonain Ib, (10) quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside and (11) arbutin. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated by the DPPH and FRAP assays. Cinchonain Ib exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, followed by cinchonain Ia, epicatechin, quercetin-3-O-α-l-rhamnoside and arbutin.     

Effects of soil fertility on growth,nutrient concentration and mycorrhizal development of Liriodendron tulipifera seedlings inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular fungus, Glomus fasciculatus

Seedlings were grown in 3.28-liter containers under greenhouse conditions and were inoculated with the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus fasciculatus (Thaxter) Gerdemann and Trappe. Inoculated and non-inoculated seedlings were treated with 0, 2 or 4 g l^?1 nitrogen (N) as 19-6-12 controlled-release fertilizer. Mycorrhizal development increased growth of seedlings infected by G. fasciculatus at both 2 and 4 g l^?1 N. Without supplemental fertilizer, there was no growth increase of mycorrhizally infected seedlings.     

CPPU application on size and quality of hardy kiwifruit

For the purpose of determining the appropriate conditions of application to increase the size of a hardy kiwifruit, Actinidia arguta ‘Mitsuko’, N₁-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N₃-phenylurea (CPPU) was applied at three different growth stages of the crop: at petal fall, 10 and 25 days after petal fall (DAPF), and three different concentrations: 1, 5 and 10 mg l⁻¹. A significant increase in fruit size was obtained by treatment at the concentrations of 5–10 mg l⁻¹ and at 10 DAPF. The fruit weight doubled. Although a significant reduction in the concentrations of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acids (TA) and ascorbic acid (AsA) in the CPPU-treated fruits was recorded, the TSS/TA ratio and AsA content per fruit increased by the treatment. CPPU application at petal fall induced abnormally protruding fruit tip.     

Salicylic acid or heat acclimation pre-treatment enhances the plasma membrane-associated ATPase activities in young grape plants under heat shock

Proton pumps play an important role in the physiological activities of plants. Changes in membrane-associated H⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities in heat-shocked plants after heat acclimation (HA) or salicylic acid (SA) pre-treatment in annual young grape plants (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Jingxiu) were investigated. ATPase activity was assayed through biochemical analysis in which two-phase partitioning was used to purify plasma membranes and cerium trichloride was precipitated with an electromicroscopic cytochemical method. The plasmalemma H⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities were higher in HA- or SA-pre-treated plants than in controls. The stability of H⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPase activities in pre-treated plants always remained at higher levels during subsequent heat shock treatment, which was consistent with the observations made using an electromicroscope. A number of cerium phosphate grains representing enzyme activity in HA- or SA-pre-treated plants were observed 6 h following heat shock, whereas no grains were found in control plants under the same conditions. These results suggest that the changes in the activities of plasma membrane H⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPase contributed to the thermotolerance induced by either HA or SA pre-treatment in young grape plants and the two pre-treatments may have had the some same regulatory mechanism.     

The influence of irradiance and external CO2-concentration on photosynthesis of different tomato genotypes

With 4 genotypes of tomato, irradiance and CO₂-response curves of net photosynthesis were analysed by means of curve fitting. Estimated values of the light compensation point I_c showed small but significant differences between the genotypes, the overall value being in the order of 8 W m^?2. The photochemical efficiency (α_n) and the maximum net photosynthesis per unit leaf area basis (P_nm) reached the highest values for ‘F6 IVT’ (13.3 μg CO₂ J^?1 resp. 0.549 mg CO₂ m^?2 s^?1), the lowest value of α_n with ‘Bonabel’ (9.9 μg CO₂ J^?1), and the lowest value of P_nm with ‘PI 114969’ (0.424 mg CO₂ m^?2 s^?1). The CO₂-compensation point (C_c) was relatively high (177–245 mg m^?3). ‘F6 IVT’ demonstrated the highest value of C_c, the lowest carboxylation efficiency and the highest maximum rate of net photosynthesis. The results clearly demonstrate that the latter genotype requires a much higher external CO₂-concentration than the other genotypes in order to exhibit the highest rate of net photosynthesis.     

Relationships between bole and crown size for young urban trees in the northeastern USA

Knowledge of allometric equations can enable urban forest managers to meet desired economic, social, and ecological goals. However, there remains limited regional data on young tree growth within the urban landscape. The objective of this study is to address this research gap and examine interactions between age, bole size and crown dimensions of young urban trees in New Haven, CT, USA to identify allometric relationships and generate predictive growth equations useful for the region. This study examines the 10 most common species from a census of 1474 community planted trees (ages 4–16). Regressions were applied to relate diameter at breast height (dbh), age (years since transplanting), tree height, crown diameter and crown volume. Across all ten species each allometric relationship was statistically (p < 0.001) significant at an α-level of 0.05. Consistently, shade trees demonstrated stronger relationships than ornamental trees. Crown diameter and dbh displayed the strongest fit with eight of the ten species having an R² > 0.70. Crown volume exhibited a good fit for each of the shade tree species (R² > 0.85), while the coefficients of determination for the ornamentals varied (0.38 < R² < 0.73). In the model predicting height from dbh, ornamentals displayed the lowest R² (0.33 < R² < 0.55) while shade trees represented a much better fit (R² > 0.66). Allometric relationships can be used to develop spacing guidelines for commonly planted urban trees. These correlations will better equip forest managers to predict the growth of urban trees, thereby improving the management and maintenance of New England's urban forests.     

Seed germination and tissue culture of Cymbidium giganteum Wall. ex Lindl.

Efficient protocols were established for in vitro seed germination, neo-formation of secondary (2°) protocorms from primary (1°) protocorms and multiple shoot buds and protocorm-like body (PLB) induction from pseudo-stem segments of in vitro-raised seedlings of Cymbidium giganteum. Four nutrient media, namely Murashige and Skoog (MS), Phytamax (PM), Mitra et al. (M), and Knudson ‘C’ (KC) were evaluated for seed germination and early protocorm development. In addition, the effects of peptone, activated charcoal (AC) and two plant growth regulators [6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)] were also studied. Both M and PM supplemented with 2.0 g l⁻¹ peptone or 1.0 mg l⁻¹ BAP resulted in ∼100% seed germination. Media supplemented with 2.0 g l⁻¹ AC could effectively induce large protocorms (1.6 ± 0.1 mm in diameter). Neo-formation of 2° protocorms from 1° protocorms was achieved in liquid and agar-solidified PM medium fortified with different concentrations and combinations of auxins (α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 2,4-D) and cytokinins [BAP and kinetin (KN)]. The highest number of 2° protocorms was obtained in liquid medium (10.7 ± 0.9/1° protocorm) supplemented with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ BAP + 1.0 mg l⁻¹ NAA. Although protocorms proliferated profusely in liquid medium, these did not develop further unless transferred to agar-solidified medium within 6–8 weeks. Multiple shoot buds and PLBs were induced from pseudo-stem segments on agar-solidified PM medium fortified with different concentrations and combinations of BAP and NAA and the maximum number of PLBs (6.00 ± 0.20) was recorded when BAP and NAA were applied at 2.0 mg l⁻¹ each. A solid root system was induced from PLBs and shoot buds when these were transferred to half-strength PM or M media fortified with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ indole-3-acetic acid. Well-rooted plants were transferred to the greenhouse with 95% survival.     

Yield,essential oil and pigment content of Calendula officinalis L. flower heads cultivated under salt stress conditions

Flower heads of Calendula officinalis L. are used for medicinal or culinary purposes. Since Egyptian agricultural lands contain salt, this study investigated the effects of saline irrigation water on yield (fresh and dry weights of flower heads), essential oil (EO) yield, chemical constituents of the EO and total flavonoids and carotenoids of flower heads at three flowering stages, i.e. initial (21 days after bud formation (DABF)), full flowering (81 DABF) and final (111 DABF). After plants were treated with different levels of saline irrigation water (0.39, 1.56, 3.13, 4.69, 6.25, 7.81 and 9.38 dS m⁻¹) consisting of NaCl, CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ salts, the flower head yield and pigment (total flavonoids and carotenoids) content were significantly reduced. Irrigation with saline water increased the EO content and its main components (α-cadinol, γ- and Δ-cadinene). Fresh and dry weights of flower heads and EO increased near 81 DABF while the content of pigments increased by 111 DABF.     

In vitro high frequency direct plant regeneration from whole leaves of blackberry

High frequency and direct (without callus) plant regeneration was achieved from whole leaf explants of thornless blackberry (Rubus hybrid) cv. Black Satin (EC No. 381258; PI No. 553272) in vitro. Leaf blade explants from 1-, 3- and 5-month-old mother cultures were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with thidiazuron (TDZ), N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BAP), indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) and α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), alone or in combination. Three-month explants cultured on 0.02 mg l⁻¹ TDZ produced a high regeneration frequency (91.7%) and the most shoots/leaf explant (17.3). The shoot primordia developed within 3 weeks from the point of detachment of the petiole from the leaf blade. The age of the explant source significantly affected the shoot regeneration potential of the leaf explants. Leaves excised from 3-month-old in vitro-cultured shoots performed better than those from 1- and 5-month-old shoots. Shoots rooted best on half-strength MS basal medium with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ IBA and 90% of the plantlets survived acclimatization. The regenerated plantlets were morphologically similar to the mother plants.     

Susceptibility of grapevine rootstocks to Cylindrocarpon liriodendri and C. macrodidymum

The susceptibility of the grapevine rootstocks most commonly used in Spain to Cylindrocarpon liriodendri and C. macrodidymum was evaluated. Rooted cuttings of rootstocks 110-R, 1103-P, 140-R, 161-49C, 196-17C, Fercal and SO4 were inoculated by dipping their roots in conidial suspensions (5 × 10⁵ conidia mL⁻¹) of both pathogens and placed in a greenhouse. One month later, each plant was drench inoculated with 20 mL of the corresponding spore solution to guarantee root infection. After four months of incubation, root disease severity index (RSDI) and dry weights of shoot and root were recorded for each plant. RSDI was the best variable to show the effect of the inoculation with C. liriodendi and C. macrodidymum. According to this, all rootstocks inoculated were affected by the disease in some degree, being the rootstock 110-R the most susceptible to both pathogens.     

Increase in first-flush flowering of ‘Meiwa’ kumquat,Fortunella crassifolia Swingle,trees by paclobutrazol

Paclobutrazol (PP 333) ((2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-)pentan-3-ol) sprayed at 1000 mg l⁻¹ on 23 April and also on 8 May, during the flower bud induction stage, remarkably increased the first-flush flowering of ‘Meiwa’ kumquat, Fortunella crassifolia Swingle. Flowering of the second flush was decreased by the paclobutrazol treatment. As a result, the total number of first- and second-flush flowers was also somewhat decreased by the treatment, although it was not significantly different from the control. The number of newly emerged shoots and new leaves was not affected by the treatment. Paclobutrazol slightly decreased the length of the shoots. Applications of 3000 mg l⁻¹ daminozide, on the same dates, slightly decreased first-flush flowering, increased second-flush flowering, and somewhat reduced the length of the shoot. It was concluded that paclobutrazol induced flower bud differentiation. Paclobutrazol may be used commercially to increase early flowering of kumquat trees.     

Cucumber fruit quality at harvest affected by soilless system,crop age and preharvest climatic conditions during two consecutive seasons

Cucumber fruits (Cucumis sativus L., cv. Trópico F1) grown on perlite substrate and NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) were harvested during two seasons (winter and spring) to monitor the effects of climatic conditions and hydroponic growth systems on fruit quality at harvest. The best fruit quality at harvest, as measured by lightness and hue angle parameters, was obtained during the 3 weeks following the first winter picking. When values of a parameter of preharvest climate value called G^* were lower than 0.4 MJ m⁻² °C day⁻¹ interval⁻¹, the cucumber achieved its optimum quality at harvest, as measured by the dark green color of the skin. NFT-grown fruits showed darker and greener skin color (higher hue angle and lower lightness) compared with perlite-grown fruit, irrespective of the season considered. During the winter season, the plant transpiration rate was 30% higher in perlite than in NFT culture, which correlates with higher differences in G^* and 40% additional yield in perlite. However, in spring G^* was not sensitive enough to discriminate between the two hydroponic systems. In general, fruit quality at harvest in spring was lower than during the winter, due to flesh whitening, higher longitudinal and equatorial calibers, and slightly higher pH, as well as worse epidermal color coordinates (ranging from the dark and dull green color typical of winter fruit to light and a vivid green-yellow color). During the spring season, NFT-grown fruit were less acid than perlite-grown fruit with no apparent correlation with the climatic conditions or fruit nutrition.     

Relative sensitivity of a herbicide-resistant rutabaga genotype to cyanazine and metribuzin

Growth and photochemical response of triazine-susceptible and -resistant rutabaga ‘Laurentian’ genotypes to cyanazine (chloro-s-triazine) and metribuzin (methylthio-as-triazine) were evaluated. The young seedlings of the susceptible rutabaga were killed when cyanazine or metribuzin were applied either pre- or post-emergence. The triazine-resistant rutabaga, however, displayed a differential response to these herbicides. Metribuzin applied pre-emergence killed the seedlings at 0.4 kg ha^?1, and at 0.2 kg ha^?1 the growth was severely affected. Cyanazine even at higher rates applied pre- or post-emergence failed to inhibit growth in these plants.Chlorophyll fluorescence in leaf sections at the cotyledonary, 2-leaf and 4-leaf stages in the susceptible plants increased by 130 and 172% in response to 10^?5 M cyanazine and metribuzin, respectively, suggesting that Photosystem II reactions in these plants were severely impaired. In resistant plants, there was little or no leaf chlorophyll fluorescence (LCF) increase at this herbicide concentration. However, at 10^?4 M cyanazine and metribuzin, the LCF in resistant plants increased significantly and the increase was greater in response to metribuzin (86%) than to cyanazine (51%). This indicates that with these triazine-resistant genotypes, metribuzin is relatively more potent and at high rates is capable of interfering with photosynthesis.     

Ethylene influences development and flowering of Ptilotus spp. in vitro and ex vitro

The genus Ptilotus has immense potential for ornamental horticulture but its commercial development has been hindered by propagation limitations. Poor seed quality and germination are reported. Cutting propagation is limited by cutting supply as the juvenile phase of Ptilotus is short. Micropropagation has been used in an attempt to overcome these difficulties but explants become floral in vitro and this causes plantlets to elongate. Ethephon has been used to control flowering of stock plants of many ornamental species. This study investigated the effect of ethephon applied to young (3-week-old, deflasked from tissue culture) and mature (1-year-old) Ptilotus plants in a greenhouse. A system of applying gaseous ethylene at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg l⁻¹ to the headspace of in vitro plantlets in glass jars was developed and the response of in vitro plantlets to ethylene studied. One-year-old Ptilotus plants were treated with 500 mg l⁻¹ ethephon 2 days before pruning or 1 or 2 weeks after pruning. Ethephon application 2 days before pruning decreased the number of inflorescences and increased the number of shoots (compared to the control) but was phytotoxic. Ethephon applications of 150 or 300 mg l⁻¹ applied weekly or fortnightly to 3-week-old plants deflasked from tissue culture reduced plant height and number of inflorescences and at low concentrations increased the number of new shoots. A fortnightly application at 150 mg l⁻¹ is recommended. Previous reports on the effects of ethylene on inflorescence production on plantlets in vitro are limited. Our study showed that exposure of in vitro plantlets of P. nobilis to ethylene gas at 100 mg l⁻¹ for 1 h significantly increased the number of shoots and plant height but this did not occur for plantlets of P. spicatus. Plantlets of P. spicatus exposed to transient ethylene at 200 and 300 mg l⁻¹ showed significantly greater rooting (52.4%) than the control (13.6%).     

Non-destructive leaf area estimation in chestnut

In this research, an equation for estimating the leaf area was derived for the chestnut tree by using 18 chestnut genotypes and by measuring the lamina width, length and leaf area without damage being caused in 2004–2005. Multiple regression analysis for the genotypes was separately performed. The proposed leaf area (LA) estimation model is: LA = 3.36 + 0.11L² − 0.26L²/W² + 1.1W², R² = 0.988, where LA is the leaf area, W is the leaf width and L is the leaf length. The model was validated by measuring leaf samples of the SE-21-2 genotype in different climate conditions in 2004–2005.     

Propagating palms in vitro with special emphasis on the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Tissue-culture methods are described for the vegetative propagation of several palm species either through shoot tip culture or plantlet differentiation via embryogenic callus. The influence of explant size, medium composition and physical environment required for the establishment of palm shoot tips in vitro was determined. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seedling shoot tips of various sizes were cultured in either liquid or agar modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.0–1.0 mg 1^?1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 0.0–15.0 mg 1^?1 benzyladenine or N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP) in order to enhance shoot growth and induce axillary budding. Satisfactory date palm shoot tip growth and proliferation was obtained from explants that were 3 mm in length, consisting of the apical meristem region and 2–5 adjacent leaf primordia. Optimum shoot tip development and axillary budding was obtained by initially establishing explants on an agar medium for 2 weeks, then transferring to a liquid medium. Shoot tips from several palm species were cultured on MS media containing 100 mg 1^?1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 3 mg 1^?1 2iP and 3 g 1^?1 activated charcoal, or on MS medium containing 1 mg 1^?1 NAA and charcoal, to determine their morphogenetic responses in vitro. Shoot tips of Metroxylon sp., Phoenix canariensis Hort. ex. Chabaud., P. dactylifera ‘Khalasa’, ‘Thoory’ and ‘Zahidi’, and P. roebelenii O'Brien planted on medium with 2,4-D and 2iP initiated callus, asexual embryos and free-living plantlets after 4–8 months in culture. Shoot tips from Erythea edulis S. Wats., P. canariensis, P. dactylifera ‘Khalasa’, Thoory' and ‘Zahidi’, Washingtonia filifera Wendl. and W. robusta Wendl. cultured on medium containing NAA developed into plantlets with well-developed leaves and adventitious roots within 2–6 months from the time of planting. In some cases, cultured date palm shoot tips gave rise to axillary buds.