Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
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Integrating soil mulching and subsurface irrigation for optimizing deficit irrigation effectiveness as a water-rationing strategy in tomato production
Get PDFIrrigated agriculture from now on should be implemented under water scarcity. Hence, this research was designed to determine the optimal interaction between irrigation water-rationing strategy (deficit irrigation), irrigation techniques, and soil mulching to improve water use efficiency and maintaining plant performance as well as yield productivity of tomatoes. The experiment was set up during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 growing seasons. Three factors were studied: two drip irrigation techniques, surface (SI) and subsurface (SSI) irrigation, and two irrigation rates, 100% ETc for full irrigation (FI) and 60% ETc for deficit-irrigation (DI) along with three treatments of soil mulching, bare soil (BS), organic mulch (OrM) and black polyethylene mulch (BPE). The results demonstrated that applying the absolute regular DI regime significantly reduced vegetative growth, fruit yield, and yield component along with water productivity. Also, it reduced the physiological function measures, and nutrient content of the tomato leaf. Meanwhile, applying the DI regime via the SSI technique and integrated with BPE soil mulching proved the best optimization of the DI negative effect followed by applying the DI regime through either SSI or SI technique combined with OrM or BPE soil mulching, respectively. As a result, it is advisable to use the integration of DI via the SSI accompanied by BPE soil mulching since this is considered a good method for conserving irrigation water from being lost by both evaporation and seepage out of the root zone improving water use efficiency without significantly reducing tomato yield
An analysis of plant palatability on pastures of the delta: Case study, Danube Delta area, Romania
Get PDFThe palatability of a plant refers to the degree of attraction or preference that animals show toward that particular plant. Various factors can influence palatability, including the plant’s chemical composition, texture, taste, aromas, and the circumstances under which herbivorous animals consume it. The study aims to assess the plant species composition in grasslands and pastures within the Danube Delta, Romania. Both old or new references on palatability were considered. The evaluation of plant composition and degree of plant palatability was carried out in 12 grazing areas in the Danube Delta and the surrounding region. The study revealed 121 plant species identified in some pastures. Of these, 31 were “Non-Palatable”, 16 were “Highly Palatable”, 32 were “Mostly Palatable”, 16 were “Less Palatable”, and 26 were “Rarely Palatable”. Animals preferred 60 plant species in their fresh condition, with 29 preferred in fresh and dry. Most animals consumed whole plants (48 species), followed by leaves (43 species), fruits (three species), and inflorescences (two species). By analysing the feeding preferences of animals, it was found that cows exhibited a preference for the broadest range of plants (75 species), followed by sheep (67 species), goats (59 species), and horses (34 species). Domestic animals like goats, sheep, cows, and horses may prefer certain plants based on nutritional content or digestibility while avoiding toxic plants. The study showed that the investigated areas have a diverse flora with a varied supply of plants, including palatable species. The palatability index is essential in assessing the quality of pastures, especially in obtaining average daily gains based on the species of animals living on the pastures. Considering the dynamic climatic conditions and poor pasture quality in the Danube Delta, more detailed and interdisciplinary studies are needed to understand the deltaic biocenoses comprehensively
In vitro multiplication, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activity of Capparis spinosa L.
Get PDFCaper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a medical plant grown in Jordan. Mass harvesting of caper plants from their origin environments caused a reduction of these germplasm. Therefore, an easy and consistent method for clonal proliferation and callus induction was established for this species. C. spinosa L. in vitro culture affected in MS medium provided by 0.5 mg/L BAP gave 5.9 microshoots/explant. Two months later MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L NAA developed a maximum callus induction of 33.1 mm. Ex vitro, in vitro, and callus growth of C. spinosa L. using ethanolic and methanolic extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against different species of bacteria and fungi. Both ex-vitro and in vitro plants exhibited similar antimicrobial activity. Maximum ex vitro plant antibacterial activity was (23 mm ± 0.58 inhibition zone) against Staphylococcus epidermidi. In comparison, callus extracts gave the highest antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, caper plant extracts showed different antifungal effects against the tested fungi species. Investigation of the data showed that ex-vitro extract exhibited maximum antifungal activity compared to in vitro plants. Additionally, exposed Bemisia tabaci 4th nymphal instar to C. spinosa L. extracts suffered mortality ranging from 2 to 28%. In most instances, both ethanolic and methanolic extracts affected the survival of B. tabaci more than the control. The current study confirmed that C. spinosa L. has a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activity.
Investigation of salinity tolerance to different cultivars of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) grown in vitro
Get PDFSalinity is one of the most critical abiotic stresses affecting various physiological, biochemical, and molecular functions of plants. This study aimed to assess the effects of different salt concentrations on in vitro blueberry shoots (‘Bluecrop’, ‘Blueray’, ‘Brigitta Blue’, ‘Duke’, ‘Goldtraube’, ‘Hortblue Petite’, and ‘Patriot’ cultivars) and to understand the mechanisms employed by this species under saline conditions. The Woody Plant Medium (WPM) proliferation medium was supplemented with 10, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl to induce salt stress. After ten weeks of in vitro culture under salinity stress, various parameters were evaluated, including the number of shoots obtained/explant, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, water content, stress tolerance index (STI), and McKinney index (MKI). Additionally, the behaviour of blueberry cultivars under salt stress was analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Compared to the control (culture medium without NaCl), all treatments with NaCl reduced shoot length and the number of shoots obtained/explant in all studied blueberry cultivars. ‘Brigitta Blue’ reported the shortest shoots (0.04 ± 0.02 cm) at a concentration of 150 mM NaCl, followed by ‘Blueray’ with 0.05 ± 0.03 cm. Also, the lowest number of shoots/explant was recorded for both cultivars under 150 mM NaCl, namely 0.12 ± 0.07 shoots/explant (‘Brigitta Blue’) and 0.11 ± 0.04 shoots/explant (‘Blueray’). Salt tolerance, as expressed by ITS and MKI, confirmed that ‘Goldtraube’ exhibited higher salt tolerance, with the highest ITS values and the lowest MKI values. Further validation presented ‘Goldtraube’ as the most unresolved spectra of the Mn (II) hyperfine structure under all salt concentrations, therefore ‘Goldtraube’ was the most tolerant to saline stress
Polypodiales a promising fern order as a source of anticancer agent: A comprehensive review
Get PDFFerns are vascular plants that have been extensively studied in recent decades for their phytochemical and anticancer activities. Polypodiales is an order of ferns consisting of 26 families with more than 9600 species (>80% of the total number of fern species). There have been many reports on the potential activity of plants and their phytochemicals that belong to the Polypodiales order in the search for anticancer agents. However, until now, there has been no comprehensive review of the anticancer activity of ferns, specifically in the order. This research is based on a thorough analysis of relevant literature in Scopus and PubMed databases from 1979 to 2022. The literature search used specific keywords, with criteria for this review appropriate for cell-based experiments and molecular mechanisms of anticancer activity. In vivo assay, chemopreventive or cytoprotective activity, and testing of combinations of plants or compounds were excluded. A total of 66 species were distributed in 11 families of the order Polypodiales, were summarized, constructed and discussed the traditional use, pharmacology, and phytochemicals associated with anticancer properties. The comprehensive research study showed that plants of the order Polypodiales and their phytochemicals exhibit anticancer effects against various cancers. Pteridaceae is a family that contains the most anticancer bioactive compounds. ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (5F), terpenoid from Pteridaceae family exhibits promising against colorectal, gastric, hepatocellular, lung, laryngeal, nasopharyngeal, and breast cancer cell lines. The ability to induce apoptosis through several pathways that can activate the mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis pathway, such as inhibiting the NF-kB pathway and increasing ROS formation. Further research is needed to explore more ferns, reveal their active compounds activity and mechanism of action, and conduct in vivo assay to confirm their efficacy and safety for the development of cancer treatment
Seed transmission of potyviruses: A threat to crop health
Get PDFPlant introductions, including the movement of seeds across international borders, significantly contribute to the emergence of viral pathogens, which account for approximately half of all emerging plant diseases. Among plant virus families, the Potyviridae stand out as the largest and most economically impactful. The potyvirus genus with 201 species widespread across various crops, causes substantial crop losses globally. These viruses are primarily transmitted by aphids in a nonpersistent manner, with some also capable of transmission through seeds. Global food security is significantly impacted by the crucial part that seed transmission plays in the epidemiology and spread of different plant viruses. With transmission rates varying greatly between viruses and host plants, over 231 viruses were discovered to be capable of spreading through seeds, including 20 seed-transmitted potyviruses. The seed transmission efficiency of potyviruses such as maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV), cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), and bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) ranges from 3% to 95%. Other notable viruses include soybean mosaic virus (SMV) (58% transmission) and pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) (100% transmission). The diversity in seed transmission efficiency among viruses demonstrates the important role that seeds play in the propagation and dissemination of viral pathogens. In addition, seed transmission permits viruses to survive in unfavorable environments, promotes long-distance spread via international seed exchange, and acts as the main point of infection for viruses that have vertical transmission. The complex dynamics of seed transmission and the complex relationship between viruses and their host plants highlight the significance of strict phytosanitary measures in protecting global agriculture from the destructive effects of viruses transmitted through seeds. This review focuses on potyvirus seed transmission, with an emphasis on determining the significance of this mode and understanding the potential role of seed transmission in potyviruses
Characterization of different orchid species and rheological properties of orchids solutions
Get PDFThis study investigated the physicochemical, bioactive, and rheological properties of salep obtained from ten different wild orchids collected from different regions of Turkey (Anacamptis pyramidalis, Orchis isaura, Anacamptis palustris subsp. palustris, Orchis morio, Serapias vomeracea subsp. artemisiae, Orchis italica, Ophrys mammosa, Orchis sancta, Dactylorhiza euxina, Ranunculus ficaria subsp. calthifolius, and commercial salep). Firstly, the salep samples were ground and their color, pH, bioactive components, and FTIR spectrum were determined. The color and pH properties of salep differed due to the different species (p≤0.05). Two strong peaks were observed at 1618 and 1422 cm-1 due to asymmetric and symmetric stretching of the ester groups in salep glucomannan. According to salep species, there was a significant difference in the TPC (total phenolic content), % DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity, and CUPRAC values (p≤0.05), which were 5.29-26.84 mg GAE/g, 5.02-12.2%, and 0.81-3.82 mg TE/g, respectively. The FTIR findings revealed that the spectrum peaks did not change between commercial salep and other salep species. In the second part of the study, we prepared 1%, 2%, and 3% aqueous solutions of salep and examined their flow behavior, dynamic rheological properties, and 3-ITT (3-Time Interval Thixotropic Test) rheological behavior. A significant difference was observed between the values (p≤0.05). All salep solutions had a flow behavior index (n) value below 1, indicating that all samples exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The consistency coefficient (K) value significantly changed (p≤0.05) and was determined to be 0.003-2.91 Pa.sn, 0.003-28.81 Pa.sn, and 0.017-94.134 Pa.sn at salep concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. Salep is a preferred stabilizer due to its functional properties, bioactive components, and polysaccharide structure. As a result, when the rheological properties of salep samples are evaluated, it is shown that especially Anacamptis pyramidalis, Orchis morio, Orchis sancta species can be used as stabilizers in the food industry
Effect of silicon addition on the growth and photosynthesis of Castanopsis hystrix in manganese stress
Get PDFSilicon (Si) plays important role in reducing the toxic effects of manganese (Mn) in plants, however, more research is needed to elucidate the photosynthetic response with different Si and Mn treatments. This study aimed to investigate the alleviating effect of Si on the growth and photosynthesis of Castanopsis hystrix (C. hystrix) under Mn stress. Seedlings were grown in pot experiments with five Mn levels (0, 200, 600, 1500, and 3000 mg·kg-1) and four Si levels (0, 115, 230, and 460 mg·kg-1). The results showed that three types of (positive, stagnant, and negative) growth of C. hystrix seedlings were observed among twenty treatments. Low concentrations of Si (Si ≤ 115 mg·kg-1) and Mn treatments (Mn ≤ 600 mg·kg-1) can stimulate a positive growth of seedlings by increasing net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs). The 230 mg·kg-1 Si with low concentration of Mn treatments can cause a stagnant growth of seedlings by increasing Gs, Tr and maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) but decreasing intercellular carbon dioxide concentration (Ci). High concentrations of Si (Si ≥ 460 mg·kg-1) or Mn treatments (Mn ≥ 1500 mg·kg-1) treatments can cause negative growth of seedlings by decreasing photochemical quenching (qP), non-photochemical quenching (qN), Gs, Pn and pigment contents. The application of Si alleviated the stress induced by Mn and promoted the growth-defense regulation mechanism of seedlings to avoid stress. Hence, we concluded that the most suitable concentration of Si was 115 mg·kg-1 Si for C. hystrix’s growth under low Mn stress
Accumulation of capsaicin in two chili pepper varieties (Capsicum annuum L.) at different stages of fruit maturity
Get PDFChili peppers are appreciated and consumed especially for their sensorial attributes, but also because of their rich content in bioactive compounds. Capsaicin is one of the most important compounds found in peppers that gives them their spicy heat profile. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine the optimal harvesting time of hot peppers with the highest content in capsaicin. The capsaicin content of chili peppers depends on several factors, including the variety of pepper, growing conditions, and cultivation method. Capsaicin is mainly concentrated in the internal membranes of the pepper, where the seeds are also found. These biochemicals are used mostly in food industry, but anti-cancer effects have also been reported. To determine the capsaicin content, gas chromatographic analysis of volatile compounds was performed in both young and adult plants. ‘Hyffae F1’ and ‘Paprika giallo’ hot pepper hybrids grown in greenhouse conditions weew subjected to both chemical and organic cultivation treatments and two planting densities. The results obtained, showed that the capsaicin content varied between 12.11 and 39.01%. The highest quantity was recorded in ‘Paprika giallo’ under the influence of chemical treatments with the fruits were harvested at physiological maturity. The results also revealed that variations in capsaicin contents were rather influenced by harvesting time than the cultivar
Evaluation of mango fruit quality in relation to harvest time in the subtropical region of India
Get PDFReliable estimation of mango fruit maturity has great significance in ensuring enhanced fruit quality, shelf life and market value. There is hardly any univocal criterion that can be used to correctly detect the optimum stage of fruit harvest under varied climatic conditions. Hence an experiment was conducted to optimize a reliable criterion for one of the most important commercial mango varieties of India (‘Dashehri’) under sub-tropical region. Fruits were harvested progressively in five pickings viz. 90, 95, 100, 105 and 110 days after full bloom (DAFB). Heat unit, fruit firmness, dry matter, soluble solids content and SSC/acid ratio were considered as stable attributes in defining maturation due to their low standard deviation and coefficient of variation. Harvesting of ‘Dashehri’ mango between 95-100 DAFB exhibited enhanced color development (a* and b*), fruit quality and sensory attributes with no incidence of jelly seed. On the other hand, late harvesting of fruits not only caused high incidence of jelly seed but also affected the shelf life. The findings were also evident with principal component analysis. Early harvested fruits were characterized with sub-optimal color attributes, high post-harvest weight loss and low SSC, sugar and ꞵ-carotene content. The results indicated that DAFB can be used as a reliable non-destructive index to predict optimum time of fruit harvest. Accordingly, optimal range of SSC, dry matter, firmness, heat unit accumulation and SSC/acid ratio was quantified at maturation under subtropical climatic conditions of north India