Flea beetle (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) species composition and abundance in different cruciferous oilseed crops and the potential for a trap crop system

Flea beetles are significant insect pests of cruciferous oilseed crops in northern Europe. A two-year small-scale field experiment was performed to determine the species complex and abundance of flea beetles (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae) associated with eight cruciferous oilseed plants: Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., Brassica napus L. var. oleifera subvar. annua, Brassica nigra (L.) Koch, Brassica rapa L. var. oleifera subvar. annua, Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, Eruca sativa Mill., Raphanus sativus L. spp. oleifera (DC) Metzg. and Sinapis alba L. Their relative attractiveness to flea beetles was compared to assess their potential for use within a trap crop system for spring oilseed rape. Adults of six species of flea beetles were found on the test plants. Phyllotreta undulata Kutsch. was the most abundant species followed by Phyllotreta nigripes (Fabr.), Phyllotreta nemorum L. and Phyllotreta vittata (=striolata) (Fabr.), while Phyllotreta atra (Fabr.) and Chaetocnema concinna Marsh. were occasionally present. The species composition of flea beetles on seven of the investigated plant species was fairly similar but differed significantly on C. sativa. The flea beetle species discriminated between the tested host plants, with a general gradient in attraction from E. sativa > B. juncea > B. nigra > R. sativus > S. alba > B. rapa > B. napus through to C. sativa. Brassica juncea and B. nigra developed faster and at early growth stages were more attractive to overwintered adult flea beetles than B. napus and therefore had potential as trap plants to protect spring rape. R. sativus and E. sativa, despite their development rate being slower than B. napus were also more attractive to flea beetles. Thus, further experiments with a complex of attractive early season and late-season plant species (multiple trap crops) should be undertaken.     

Correlation studies on oil content and fatty acid profile of some Cruciferous species

Mean individual fatty acid concentration among differentspecies of the family Cruciferae are not similar because of the presence ofdifferent kind of significant relationship among the individual fatty acids.Brassica napus L., Sinapis alba L.,Raphanus caudatus L.f. Raphanus sativusL. and B. nigra (L.) Koch arecomparatively low erucic acid (<40%) containing species. Crambeabyssinica Hochst. ex. R. E. Fries collections gave as high as 60%erucic acid. Low erucic acid concentration was found associated with thepresence of high level of palmitic and oleic acid concentrations. Erucic acidconcentrations were found varied within the range of 42 to 57% among thecollections of Brassica rapa L. and B.carinata A. Braun. All the collections ofB. nigra (L.) Koch were found to havehigher proportion of linoleic acid than the corresponding oleic acidconcentration. Linolenic acid concentrations of B.nigra (L.) Koch was also higher in comparison to otherspecies of the Cruciferae. Raphanus collections were foundto contain higher levels of total saturated fatty acids as well as eicosenoicacid. Oil content of the total collections under present study did not show anysignificant relationship either with linolenic acid or with erucic acidconcentration. But significant positive relationship was observed between totaloil and erucic acid level within the collections of B.juncea Czern. & Coss. Similarly significant negativecorrelation was observed between total oil and linolenic acid content inBrassica rapa L. ssp. trilocularis (Roxb.) Hanelt, yellow sarson.     

A comparative study of flavonoid compounds, vitamin C, and antioxidant properties of baby leaf Brassicaceae species

A comparative study of antioxidant compounds, flavonoids and vitamin C, and also antioxidant activity was carried out in four species of Brassicaceae vegetables used for salads: watercress ( Nasturtium officinale R. Br.), mizuna [ Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica (L.H. Bailey) Haneltand], wild rocket [ Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC.], and salad rocket [ Eruca vesicaria (L.) Cav.]. The characterization of individual phenolic compounds by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS-ESI in watercress and mizuna completes the polyphenol study previously reported for wild rocket and salad rocket. The qualitative study of flavonoids in watercress leaves showed a characteristic glycosylation pattern with rhamnose at the 7 position. Isorhamnetin 3,7-di- O-glucoside was identified in mizuna leaves and may be considered a chemotaxonomical marker in some B. rapa subspecies. Brassicaceae species showed differences in the quantitative study of flavonoids, and the highest content was detected in watercress leaves. Watercress and wild rocket leaves had the highest content of vitamin C. The antioxidant activity evaluated by different methods (ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays) showed a high correlation level with the content of polyphenols and vitamin C. In conclusion, the Brassicaceae leaves studied, watercress, mizuna, wild rocket, and salad rocket, presented a large variability in the composition and content of antioxidant compounds. These baby leaf species are good dietary sources of antioxidants with an important variability of bioactive compounds.     

Characterization of flavonol conjugates in immature leaves of pak choi [Brassica rapa L. Ssp. chinensis L. (Hanelt.)] by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS

The flavonoid composition of immature leaves of pak choi [Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis L. (Hanelt.)] was investigated. Flavonol aglycone content was measured in 11 pak choi varieties, indicating significant differences (P < 0.05) in content between varieties and relatively high contents of kaempferol and isorhamnetin. Levels of quercetin ranged from 3.2 to 6.1 mg/100 g of dry weight (DW), whereas levels of isorhamnetin and kaempferol were significantly higher (8.1-35.1 and 36.0-102.6 mg/100 g of DW, respectively). A large number of glycoside and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin were identified in cv. 'Shanghai' by LC/UV-DAD/ESI-MS/MS. The UV-DAD data allowed identification of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, but detailed MS/MS fragmentations were required for the structure elucidation. Pak choi could be a potentially important source of dietary flavonols, in particular, kaempferol and isorhamnetin.     

Evaluation of Targeted Yield Precision Model for Soybean and Toria Crops on Farmers' Fields under Sub-Humid,Sub-Tropical,Northwestern Himalayas

Twenty seven on farm trials were conducted on soybean (Glycine max L.) and toria (Brassica campestris L. ssp oleifera) on farmers' fields during 2003–2006 to verify targeted yield precision models for achieving specific yield targets in the sub-humid, sub-tropical, northwestern Himalayas. Experimental results revealed that grain yield, as well as additional yield gains and additional net profits over the farmers' practice, were higher in targeted yield precision modeled treatments compared to conventional fertilizer recommendations. The cost ratio was also found to be higher (>10) in each targeted yield-led treatment in both of the oilseeds compared to other fertilizer recommendation approaches. The targeted yield precision model for fertilizer recommendations were found to be more precise over other conventional approaches to achieve targeted yields besides higher profits. Studies further revealed that targeted yield approach could work effectively up to 1.5 and 2.0 t ha^?1 of targeted yields in soybean and toria crops, respectively, under the sub-humid, sub-tropical, northwestern Himalayas.     

Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Brassica napus L. Gene Pool Using SSR Markers

Genetic diversity throughout the rapeseed (Brassica napus ssp. napus) primary gene pool was examined by obtaining detailed molecular genetic information at simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci for a broad range of winter and spring oilseed, fodder and leaf rape gene bank accessions. The plant material investigated was selected from a preliminary B. napus core collection developed from European gene bank material, and was intended to cover as broadly as possible the diversity present in the species, excluding swedes (B. napus ssp. napobrassica (L.) Hanelt). A set of 96 genotypes was characterised using publicly available mapped SSR markers spread over the B. napus genome. Allelic information from 30 SSR primer combinations amplifying 220 alleles at 51 polymorphic loci provided unique genetic fingerprints for all genotypes. UPGMA clustering enabled identification of four general groups with increasing genetic diversity as follows (1) spring oilseed and fodder; (2) winter oilseed; (3) winter fodder; (4) vegetable genotypes. The most extreme allelic variation was observed in a spring kale from the United Kingdom and a Japanese spring vegetable genotype, and two winter rape accessions from Korea and Japan, respectively. Unexpectedly the next most distinct genotypes were two old winter oilseed varieties from Germany and Ukraine, respectively. A number of other accessions were also found to be genetically distinct from the other material of the same type. The molecular genetic information gained enables the identification of untapped genetic variability for rapeseed breeding and is potentially interesting with respect to increasing heterosis in oilseed rape hybrids.     

Front Line Demonstration Program: An Effective Technology Transfer Tool for Adoption of Oilseed Production Technology in Himachal Pradesh,India

Oilseed productivity in Himachal Pradesh, India, in northwestern (NW) Himalayas is far less than national averages because of poor crop management. Frontline demonstration (FLD) program is an effective technology transfer tool for better technology adoption that bridges the yield gaps. The technological and extension yield gaps in oilseed crops were studied for 3 years during Kharif 2008 to Rabi 2010–2011 under an FLD program in the Mandi District in Himachal Pradesh, India, revealing that there was a wide yield gap between potential and demonstration yields due to technology and extension yield gaps. Extension yield gaps varied to the extent of 577–905 kg ha^?1 in soybean (Glycine max), 108–195 kg ha^?1 in sesame (Sesamum indicum), 237–350 kg ha^?1 in linseed (Linum usitatissimum), 340–355 kg ha^?1 in toria (Brassica campestris subsp. oleifera var. toria), 448–557 kg ha^?1 in gobhi sarson (Brassica napus var. napus), and 438 kg ha^?1 in brown sarson (Brassica campestris var. brown sarson) during the study period. Improved technology package has also enhanced the profitability of oilseeds in terms of gross and net returns besides additional returns in the range 2445–12838 ha^?1, enhancing incremental benefit–cost ratio (0.96–4.65). Technology indexes in soybean (29.6–52.2%), sesame (52.8–64.7%), linseed (42.3%), toria (45.2–46.4%), gobhi sarson (47.8–51.4%), and brown sarson (29.3%) has implied that demonstrated farm technology in oilseeds is quite feasible under prevailing farming situations in Himachal Pradesh, but it needs to be popularized in an intensive manner to educate hill farmers in NW Himalayas to adopt this technologically sound and economically viable method to enhance oilseed productivity and farm profitability. Improved farm technology, especially improved cultivars and nutrient management technology under these adaptive research trials, has also raised water-use efficiency (WUE) in Kharif (0.28–2.87 kg ha^?1 mm) and Rabi oilseeds (1.79–9.43 kg ha^?1 mm). Overall, it is concluded that demonstrated farm technology has great potential to improve oilseed productivity, profitability, and WUE, thus enabling resource-poor hill farmers to earn better livelihoods in Himachal Pradesh, India, and collateral farming situations in the developing world.     

Extending the rapeseed genepool with resynthesized Brassica napus L. I: Genetic diversity

Resynthesized Brassica napus L. could be employed to increase the genetic variation in the narrow oilseed rape genepool and to establish a genetically distant genepool for hybrid breeding. One important criterion for selecting appropriate resynthesized lines is their genetic distance to adapted breeding material. In this study we estimated the genetic distances in a wide collection of 142 resynthesized lines and 57 winter and spring rapeseed cultivars from Europe, North America and Asia using RFLP marker data. The highest in-group genetic distance (0.36) was observed in 142 resynthesized lines compared to 0.21 in winter, 0.23 in summer, and 0.28 in Asian genotypes. The group of adapted breeding material clustered into three groups of winter-, spring-type, and Asian genotypes. Resynthesized lines did not form distinct subgroups in the cluster analysis, but large differences were revealed in the genetic distance of resynthesized lines to the adapted winter oilseed rape genepool. The highest distance to winter oilseed rape was found in resynthesized lines with parental lines from the Asian genepool as B. oleracea convar. botrytis var. alboglabra (Bail.) Sun or B. rapa ssp. chinensis (L.) Hanelt.     

Phylogenetic relationships among cultivated types of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica rapa</Emphasis> L. em. Metzg. as revealed by AFLP analysis

The cultivated types of Brassica rapa L. em. Metzg. consist of morphologically distinct subspecies such as turnip, turnip rape, Chinese cabbage, pak choi and pot herb mustard which are classified as ssp. rapa, ssp. oleifera, ssp. pekinensis, ssp. chinensis and ssp. nipposinica (syn. ssp. japonica), respectively. We attempted to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among the cultivated types of B. rapa. Thirty-two accessions from the Eurasian Continent were analyzed using AFLP markers with a cultivar of B. oleracea as an outgroup. In total, 455 bands were detected in the ingroup and 392 (86.6%) were polymorphic. The Neighbor-Joining tree based on the AFLP markers indicated that the accessions of B. rapa were congregated into two groups according to geographic origin. One group consisted of ssp. rapa and ssp. oleifera of Europe and Central Asia and the other included all the subspecies of East Asia. Our results suggest that cultivars from East Asia were probably derived from a primitive cultivated type, which originated in Europe or in Central Asia and migrated to East Asia. This primitive cultivated type was probably a common ancestor of ssp. rapa and ssp. oleifera. The Neighbor-Joining tree also shows that leafy vegetables in East Asia such as ssp. pekinensis, ssp. chinensis and ssp. nipposinica were differentiated several times from the distinct cultivars of ssp. oleifera in East Asia.     

Ontogenic profiling of glucosinolates, flavonoids, and other secondary metabolites in Eruca sativa (salad rocket), Diplotaxis erucoides (wall rocket), Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket), and Bunias orientalis (Turkish rocket)

As an influence of the Mediterranean diet, rocket species such as Eruca sativa L., Diplotaxis species, and Bunias orientalis L. are eaten all over the world at different ontogenic stages in salads and soups. They are all species within the plant order Capparales (glucosinolate-containing species), and all are from the family Brassicaceae. Predominantly, the leaves of these species are eaten raw or cooked, although Eruca flowers are also consumed. There is considerable potential with raw plant material for a higher exposure to bioactive phytochemicals such as glucosinolates, their hydrolysis products, and also phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamins such as vitamin C. These compounds are susceptible to ontogenic variation, and the few published studies that have addressed this topic have been inconsistent. Thus, an ontogenic study was performed and all samples were analyzed using a previously developed robust liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the identification and quantification of the major phytochemicals in all tissues of the rocket species. Seeds and roots of both Eruca and Diplotaxis contained predominantly 4-methylthiobutylglucosinolate. Leaves of Eruca and Diplotaxis contained high amounts of 4-mercaptobutylglucosinolate with lower levels of 4-methylthiobutlyglucosinolate and 4-methylsulfinylbutylglucosinolate. Flowers of Eruca and Diplotaxiscontained predominantly 4-methylsulfinylbutyl-glucosinolate. In addition, roots of both Diplotaxisspecies contained 4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate but 4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate was absent from roots of Eruca. Seeds and seedlings of all Eruca contained N-heterocyclic compounds but no sinapine, whereas Diplotaxis contained sinapine but not the N-heterocycles. In all tissues of B. orientalis, 4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate and 4-methylsulfinyl-3-butenylglucosinolate were predominant. All rocket tissues, except roots, contained significant levels of polyglycosylated flavonoids, with/without hydroxycinnamoyl acylation. The core aglycones were kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. The exception was B. orientalis, which had a negligible seed flavonoid content as compared with the other species. Anthocyanins were only detected in Eruca flowers and consisted of a complex pattern of at least 16 different anthocyanins.     

Variability for the fatty acid composition of the seed oil in a germplasm collection of the genus Brassica

A germplasm collection consisting of 1475 entries from 21 species of Brassica, including 36 lower taxa, was evaluated for the fatty acid composition of the seed oil. A total of 358 entries representing the taxonomic variability in the collection were selected and analysed by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). The remaining 1117 entries were analysed by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), after developing multi-species calibration equations. The results demonstrated that NIRS is an effective technique to assess variability for oleic, linoleic, linolenic and erucic acid in intact-seed samples of multiple Brassica species, provided that calibration equations be developed from sets containing large taxonomic and chemical variability. Some fatty acid ratios were used to estimate the efficiency of the different biosynthetic pathways. Two well-defined patterns were observed. The first one was characterised by high elongation efficiency and accumulation of high levels of erucic acid. The highest erucic acid content (>55% of the total fatty acids) was found in the cultivated species B. napus L., B. oleracea L., and B. rapa L., and in the wild species B. incana Tenore, B. rupestris Raf., and B. villosa Bivona-Bernardi, the three latter belonging to the B. oleracea group (n=9). The second pattern was characterised by high desaturation efficiency, resulting in the accumulation of high levels of the polyunsaturated linoleic and linolenic acid (up to more than 55%). The highest levels of these fatty acids were found in samples of B. elongata Ehrh., especially of the var. integrifolia Boiss. The utility of the reported variability for plant breeding is discussed.     

Evaluation of a wild lentil collection for resistance to vascular wilt

Vascular wilt caused byFusarium oxysporum f. sp.lentis Vasud. & Srin. is the major disease of the cultivated lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). Host plant resistance is the most practical method of disease management. Wild lentils represent an unexplored potential source for disease resistance and other characters. Screening 219 accessions of wildLens Miller and 2 accessions ofVicia montbretii Fisch. & Mey. (syn.Lens montbretii (Fisch et Mey) Davis et Plitm.) for resistance to a Syrian isolate of this fungus at the seedling stage was conducted under artificial inoculation in a plastic house. Resistance at the reproductive growth stage was confirmed in pots in a plastic house and in a wilt-sick plot. Three accessions each ofLens culinaris ssp.orientalis (Boiss.) Ponert andL. nigricans M.B. Godr. ssp.nigricans Godr. and 2 ofL. nigricans ssp.ervoides (Brign.) Lad. maintained their resistance at the reproductive growth stage in the plastic house. All accessions ofL. culinaris ssp.odemensis Lad. andV. montbretii were susceptible. However, in the sick-plot only three accessions (ILWL 79 & ILWL 113 ofL. culinaris ssp.orientalis and ILWL 138 ofL. nigricans ssp.ervoides) maintained a good level of resistance. Resistance at the seedling stage was often found in accessions collected from northern and western sites of the distribution of the genus at low elevations. The most resistant accessions in the field at the reproductive growth stage were from Syria and Turkey.     

Effect of turnip mosaic virus infection on the mineral composition of rutabaga

Abstract

The effect of Turnip Mosaic Virus (TuMV) infection on the elemental composition of rutabaga (Brassica napus ssp. rapifera (Metzg) Sinsk) at maturity was examined in the greenhouse. TuMV infection markedly reduced dry weight and dry matter percentage of leaves‐plus‐petioles but did not affect storage root development. Virus‐infected plants exhibited higher N, P, Mg and Zn, but lower K levels in leaf tissues. Nitrogen, Ca, Mg and Mn accumulated in storage root tissues as a result of TuMV infection.     

漂浮植物对富营养化景观水体的净化效果研究

利用软隔离小区试验研究了凤眼莲(Eichhornia crassipes)、黄花水龙(Jussiaen repens L.)、空心莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides(Mart.)Griseb.)、水鳖(Hydrocharis dubia(Bl.)Backer.)和四角菱(Trapaquadrispinosa Roxb.)5种不同漂浮植物对富营养化景观水体的净化效果,研究结果表明,经过100天植物处理,5种飘浮植物对水体中总氮的去除率为黄花水龙(63)%>凤眼莲(57%)>水鳖(46%)>四角菱(42%)>空心莲子草(34%),对总磷的去除率为凤眼莲(52%)>黄花水龙(50%)>水鳖(45%)>四角菱(31%)>空心莲子草(22%),其中凤眼莲、黄花水龙处理围区的水质净化效果最好,水体中总氮和总磷的去除率也最高,这与植物自身吸收同化污染水体中氮素、磷素的能力大小及植物根系微生物的作用都有关。凤眼莲、黄花水龙在提高水体透明度方面表现最佳,试验围区在处理40天后水质透明度即可达到1 m以上,而空心莲子草、水鳖和四角菱的试验围区则需要处理60天以后透明度才能达到1 m以上。5种漂浮植物对富营养化景观水体都有较好的净化效果,且易于成活,容易管理,可在今后的水质净化中推广应用。     

Rhizosphere calcareous soil P-extraction at the expense of organic carbon from root-exuded organic acids induced by phosphorus deficiency in several plant species

The amount of organic acids in root exudates rapidly increases under phosphorus (P) deficiency. Loss of carbon from root-exuded organic acids, which are derived from plant net photosynthetic products, is generally considered negligible. The present study aimed to study the characteristics of root-exuded organic acids, extraction of phosphorus (P extraction) in calcareous soil and the expression of organic carbon from root-exuded organic acids in two woody Moraceae plants (Broussonetia papyrifera L. Vent and Morus alba L.) and two herbaceous cruciferous plants (Orychophragmus violaceus L. Schulz and Brassica napus L.) under two P levels (P-normal and P-deficient). P extraction and the amount of root-exuded organic acids simultaneously and disproportionately increased in the four plant species tested under P deficiency. The maximum P-extracting capability of the four plant species was observed after 40 days of treatment. Additionally, the response of root-exuded organic acids induced by P deficiency was species-specific. B. papyrifera extracted more P in calcareous soil, and expended less organic acid for the same P-extraction than M. alba. Similarly, O. violaceus extracted more P in calcareous soil, and consumed less organic acid for the same level of P-extraction than B. napus. Root-exuded oxalic and malic acids accounted for most of the increment of P extraction in woody Moraceae plants, while root-exuded citric acid accounted for most of the increment in P extraction in herbaceous cruciferous plants. B. papyrifera and O. violaceus exhibited the strongest P-extracting capability at lower expense of organic carbon over the treatment duration in the four plant species. O. violaceus had the most rapid response of root-exuded organic acids to P deficiency, while B. napus had the slowest response. Thus, rapid response with low organic carbon cost and high efficiency of extraction on P in calcareous soil may underlie the strong adaptability of B. papyrifera and O. violaceus to a Karst environment.     

Agronomic evaluations of grass and legume forage species collected in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China and Mongolia

Because rangelands in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of thePeople's Republic of China (PRC) and Mongolia are typicallyseverely overgrazed, bilateral (U.S./ PRC, U.S./Mongolia)efforts have been initiated to expedite capture of the remaining geneticdiversity. The current study was designed to evaluate selected germplasm of thefollowing forage species collected in these threatened areas: Bromusinermis Leyss., Dactylis glomerata L.,Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Festucaovina L., Festuca rubra L., Phleumphleoides (L.) Karsten, Phleumpratense L., Poa palustris L., Poapratensis ssp. angustifolia (L.) H.Lindb., Medicago sativa ssp. falcataArcengeli, Medicago sativa L. ssp. sativa, Medicago lupulina L.,Medicago ruthenica (L.) Ledebour,Trifolium fragiferum L., Trifoliumlupinaster L., Trifolium pratense L., andTrifolium repens L. Accessions were evaluated in the fieldat Beltsville MD (USA) on an Iuka sandy loam(coarse-loamy, siliceous, acid, thermic, Aquic Udigluvent; pH6.5) in a two-year study. Comparative check cultivars were included.There was significant variation in days to 50% heading (grassspecies) or flowering (legume species), leaf texture (grassspecies), growth habit, spring vigor, and dry matter yield among accessionsof at least some genera. Accessions did not demonstrate higher diseasesusceptibility relative to check cultivars, except in the case of severalF. arundinacea and oneM. sativa ssp.falcata entries. There was no significant variation in leafshape among the legume accessions, nor were leaf shapes significantly differentfrom those of the check cultivars. Several F.ovina, F. rubra,and Poa pratensis accessions may have potential in turfgrass breeding programs. There were apparent positive relationships amongupright growth habit, spring vigor, late development, and yield.     

Macro and Micro Mineral Content of Some Wild Edible Leaves Consumed in Eastern Anatolia

Wild plants play an important role in the diet of inhabitants in different parts of the world. These plants tend to be drought-resistant and are gathered both in times of abundance and times of need. Used in everyday cooking, these foods may be an important source of nutrients. The purpose of this study was to assess the mineral content of some edible wild leaves. Plants species ( Beta lomatogena Fisch.et Mey., Capparis spinosa L., Chenopodium album L., Eryngium billardieri Delar., Falcaria vulgaris Bernh., Ferula communis L., Gundelia tournefortii L., Lathyrus tuberosus L., Malva neglecta Wallr., Mentha arvensis L., Nepeta concolor Boiss. and Heldr., Ocimum basilicum L., Papaver dubium L., Polygonum bistorta L., Polygonum cognatum Meissn., Portulaca oleracea L., Rheum ribes L . , Rubus sp., Rumex crispus L., Rumex scutatus L ., Scorzonera cana (C.A.Mey.) Hoffm., Scorzonera latifolia (Fish. and Mey.) DC., Scorzonera sp., Sempervivum armenum Boiss et Huet, Tragopogon spp., Urtica urens L.) were collected in late winter and spring, and their taxonomic identifications were made according to Flora of Turkey and analyzed for their mineral content. Moisture content, ash content and pH were found reasonable as compared to some vegetables. However, protein content, N, K, Ca and Mg content of wild plants were higher, while P, S and Na content were lower, and Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu content were equal to, or higher than those of some commonly used vegetables such as spinach, pepper, lettuce, cabbage species.     

Colonization by Rhizobia of the seed and roots of legumes in relation to exudation of phenolics

A study of the colonization pattern of Rhizobium inoculated either in the soil or on to the seeds of green gram (Phaseolus aureus Roxb.), black gram (P. mungo L.) and sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) revealed a significant reduction of Rhizobium in the spermosphere of sun hemp which was attributed to excretion of phenolic compounds by the seed. As the plants aged, the quantity of phenolics exuded by the roots was reduced and there was a parallel increase in the Rhizobium population in the rhizospheres of the three plant species.     

Determination of major carotenoids in a few Indian leafy vegetables by high-performance liquid chromatography

Leafy vegetables [Basella rubra L., Peucedanum sowa Roxb., Moringa oleifera Lam., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Spinacia oleracea L., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Raphanus sativus L.] that are commonly used by the rural population in India were evaluated in terms of their main carotenoid pattern. The extracted carotenoids were purified by open column chromatography (OCC) on a neutral alumina column to verify their identity by their characteristic UV-visible absorption spectra. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 column with UV-visible photodiode array detection under isocratic conditions was used for quantification of isolated carotenoids. Acetonitrile/methanol/dichloromethane (60:20:20 v/v/v) containing 0.1% ammonium acetate was used as a mobile phase. The major carotenoids identified by both methods were lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Among the carotenoids identified, lutein and beta-carotene levels were found to be higher in these leafy vegetables. Results show that P. sowa and S. oleracea are rich sources of lutein (77-92 mg/100 g of dry wt) and beta-carotene (36-44 mg/100 g of dry wt) compared with other leafy vegetables. The purity of carotenoids eluted by OCC was clarified by HPLC, and they were found to be 92% +/- 3% for neoxanthin, 94% +/- 2% for violaxanthin, 97% +/-2% for lutein and zeaxanthin, and 90% +/- 3% for beta-carotene. It could be recommended to use P. sowa and S. oleracea as rich sources of lutein and beta-carotene for health benefits. The OCC method proposed is relatively simple and provides purified carotenoids for feeding trials.     

Extraction of Soil Boron for Predicting Its Availability to Plants

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) on soybean (Glycine max(L.) Merr.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.),alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica,Mill).Plant B concentrations were compared to soil B extracted by hot-water,0.05 M HC1,1.5 M CH3COOH and 0.01 M CaCl2.The r values for extractable soil B vs.plant B were:hot water (0.67),0.05 M HCl(0.82),1.5M CH3COOH(0.78) and hot 0.01 M CaCl2(0.61).Results of soil B from the 0.05 M HCl extracts were generally found to give the best correlation and linear regression among the four extractants tested for predicting the availability of B to the plants.Overall,the 0.05 M HCl proved to be superior to hot water extraction and is recommended for predicting the available B status of the acid soils of P.E.I.The probability of error with 0.05 M HCL is less since it is shaken for a fixed period of time as opposed to subjective error which could be caused in monitoring the boiling time using hot water.