Značaj združenih useva u organskoj proizvodnji lekovitog i aromatičnog bilja

Organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants is consistent with numerous regulations; hence it is under strict legal control. It implies a production system that does not disturb the naturally consistent balance of ecosystems in which plants are grown, taking into account the preservation of healing properties of derivatives obtained by further processing thereof. This production can be established on virgin lands, or those used for agricultural production but without the application of synthetic chemicals, for a period of at least two years. The main cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants in Serbia are: rosemary, coriander, chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, valerian, thyme, etc. Weeds are the most serious problem in the organic production system of these plants, while damages caused by diseases are not economically significant. Intercropping in the organic cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is the simplest and, at the same time, a very efficient method to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, since the use of pesticides is not allowed in the organic production system. Plant cultivation in this system, in relation to continuous cropping, contributes to increased biodiversity, better utilisation of natural resources, higher yields of many plants and reduced abundance of weeds and pests. Moreover, it is very important to emphasise that the effects of intercropping on the quality of an agroecosystem and plants themselves are great, which further leads to a more efficient ability of plants to develop resistance to insects and numerous pathogens.Organska proizvodnja lekovitog i aromatičnog bilja usklađena je sa brojnim regulativama, te se nalazi pod strogom zakonskom kontrolom. Podrazumeva takav sistem proizvodnje koji neće narušiti prirodno usklađenu ravnotežu ekosistema u kome se bilje gaji, vodeći pritom računa o očuvanju lekovitosti derivata koji se dobijaju daljom preradom istih. Organska proizvodnja lekovitog i aromatičnog bilja može se zasnivati na devičanskim zemljištima ili zemljištima iz poljoprivredne proizvodnje na kojima nije bilo upotrebe sintetičkih hemikalija u periodu od najmanje dve godine. Među gajenim vrstama lekovitog i aromatičnog bilja u Srbiji, najveću proizvodnju zauzimaju ruzmarin, korijander, kamilica, nana, matičnjak, valerijana, majčina dušica, a od samoniklih vrsta kantarion, hajdučka trava, žalfija, kleka, lovor, smilje, bor i druge vrste. Najveći problem u organskom sistemu proizvodnje ovog bilja predstavljaju korovi, dok bolesti ne čine ekonomski značajne štete. Primena združenih useva u organskom uzgoju lekovitog i aromatičnog bilja najjednostavniji je, a pritom veoma efikasan način da se redukuje pojava štetočina i bolesti, s obzirom na to da u organskom sistemu proizvodnje nije dozvoljena upotreba pesticida. Uzgojem biljaka u ovom sistemu, u odnosu na monokulturu, povećava se biodiverzitet, bolje se iskorišćavaju resursi iz prirodnog okruženja, povećava se prinos mnogih biljaka, smanjuje brojnost korova i štetočina, a takođe, što je veoma bitno istaći, združeni usevi imaju veći uticaj na kvalitet agroekosistema i samih biljaka, što dalje utiče na efikasniju sposobnost biljaka u stvaranju otpornosti prema insektima i mnogim patogenima

Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species in Horticultural and Ornamental Systems

This Special Issue contributes to filling knowledge gaps regarding NUS in horticultural and ornamental systems, as well as in landscapes, by collecting original research papers dealing with the relevance of NUS to the following topics: biodiversity and conservation; genetics and breeding; characterization, propagation, and ecophysiology; cultivation techniques and systems; landscape protection and restoration; product and process innovations; biochemistry and composition; and postharvest factors affecting their end-use quality

Manual on prototyping methodology and multifunctional crop rotation

This VEGINECO manual is one of a series of publications resulting from the VEGINECO project. VEGINECO specialises in producing tested and improved multi-objective farming methods for key farming practices – e.g. crop rotation, fertilisation and crop protection – to facilitate the integration of potentially conflicting objectives like economy and ecology. This report consists of two parts. The first part describes the prototyping methodology and how it was used in the VEGINECO project (Chapters 2 - 5). The second part describes the methodology for developing crop rotation strategies with examples of its application under different conditions in Europe (Chapter 6 - 11)

The benefits of organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants in intercropping system

Organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants is consistent with numerous regulations; hence it is under strict legal control. It implies a production system that does not disturb the naturally consistent balance of ecosystems in which plants are grown, taking into account the preservation of healing properties of derivatives obtained by further processing thereof. This production can be established on virgin lands, or those used for agricultural production but without the application of synthetic chemicals, for a period of at least two years. The main cultivated medicinal and aromatic plants in Serbia are: rosemary, coriander, chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm, valerian, thyme, etc. Weeds are the most serious problem in the organic production system of these plants, while damages caused by diseases are not economically significant. Intercropping in the organic cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is the simplest and, at the same time, a very efficient method to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, since the use of pesticides is not allowed in the organic production system. Plant cultivation in this system, in relation to continuous cropping, contributes to increased biodiversity, better utilisation of natural resources, higher yields of many plants and reduced abundance of weeds and pests. Moreover, it is very important to emphasise that the effects of intercropping on the quality of an agroecosystem and plants themselves are great, which further leads to a more efficient ability of plants to develop resistance to insects and numerous pathogens

Applied biotechnology to improve Mediterranean rice varieties = Biotecnologia aplicada a la millora de varietats d’arròs mediterrànies

[eng] The current world population is over 7.4 billion and expected to exceed 9 billion in 2040, causing a 70% increase in food demand. Global environmental degradation, in the form of salinization, pollution and global warming, has also reduced the availability of suitable arable land and water sources, contributing to promote crop improvement in order to increase the potential yields. Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most widely consumed staple food for a large proportion of the world population. Classical rice breeding programs use its natural variability to create new allelic combinations which are screened for selecting those presenting superior agronomic traits such as improved yield. Those improved lines are stabilized through inbreeding to maintain the phenotype in their progeny. Certified seed producers systematically select and propagate registered varieties year by year in order to maintain their uniformity and the original registered cultivar traits, since natural mutations, spontaneous breeding between varieties and alien grain contamination can introduce undesirable variability at this stage. Nowadays biotechnology is used to drive the improvement of rice traits such as increased yield and grain quality. Moreover it helps to rapidly bestow tolerance to biotic (diseases and insects) and abiotic (drought, salinity, cold temperatures, nutrients deficiency) factors. Some of the available biotechnological techniques applied for crop improvement are i) the genetic engineering, which allows the addition of foreign genes in the rice genome although being controversial due to the social and environmental concerns, ii) the anther culture, which fasten and improves the selection of new breeding lines, and iii) the Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING) which combines the production of large mutant populations with the detection of mutants in genes of interest through molecular screening. The main aim of the thesis is to study different biotechnological tools and their applications to the improvement of Mediterranean rice varieties. To achieve this biotechnology is used to study the pollen dispersion of a genetically engineered rice line, to accelerate the stabilization process through anther culture technique and to introduce new variability using a mutagenesis protocol followed by molecular detection of mutants. In this thesis we first studied the pollen-mediated gene flow between wild rice, conventional rice and an herbicide resistant transgenic rice line in order to determine gene flow rates in relation to the distance and the prevailing wind speed and direction. Results showed that pollen dispersal is dramatically effected by the distances between rice plants and the speed and direction of the prevailing wind. Furthermore, the enhanced pollen dispersal capability of weedy rice can also play an important role in transgenic pollen dispersal, which unfortunately had been underestimated. Then, we adapted an anther culture protocol in order to efficiently obtain commercial dihaploid lines from a Mediterranean japonica variety. Furthermore, we described the greenhouse and field trials used to select the best lines for registration which are now being successfully commercialized. Finally, we developed a fast protocol for obtaining mutants with agronomic interest. This protocol is based on ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis of seed-derived calli. The in vitro regenerated mutant population plants were directly screened for senescence-related genes, allowing to shorten in more than eight months the common seed mutagenesis protocol. The molecular screening protocol was also optimized and several potential delayed senescence mutants were identified and teste

Natural Medicinal Plants

This book, Natural Medicinal Plants is a comprehensive overview of drugs derived from medicinal plants and their use in treating human illnesses such as cancer. Chapters include scientific evidence on flora rich in active ingredients

Control of insect-transmitted viruses in cucurbit crops in KwaZulu- Natal.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.The production of cucurbits (Cucurbitaceae) in KwaZulu-Natal faces the constant threat of viral diseases. These can be so severe as to severely limit or prevent production in the latter part of the growing season (December-April). The important viruses in this regard are zucchini yellow mosaic potyvirus (ZYMV), watermelon mosaic 2 potyvirus (WMV2), watermelon mosaic potyvirus - Morocco strain (WMV-M), papaya ringspot potyvirus - type W (PRSV-W), cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV), and squash mosaic comovirus (SqMV). The potyviruses and CMV are vectored by aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae) and SqMV is vectored by cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae). PRSV and SqMV were found to be absent from the region, while CMV was found not to be a serious threat to cucurbit production. ZYMV, WMV2 (now confirmed to occur in South Africa) and WMV-M are the major viral pathogens of cucurbits in KwaZulu-Natal. The distribution of these viruses and methods for their control were investigated. Investigations of aphid morphology using the scanning electron microscope were undertaken to determine if taxonomic studies could be conducted using this form of microscopy. The best form of specimen preparation was the cryo-fixation technique, which resulted in less collapse of the body wall and general damage to the specimen when compared to the critical point drying technique. Due to the lack of mobility of the specimen while viewing, this form of microscopy is rejected as a means of identifying aphids to the species level. ZYMV was found to occur in a number of weed species (Galinsoga parviflora, Malva parviflora, Amaranthus sp., Solarium spp.), which could serve as reservoirs of virus. WMV-M and CMV were also found in some weed species. All tests for the potyviruses and SqMV were done using the double-antibody sandwich (DAS) ELISA technique. CMV was tested for using indirect ELISA tests. A third of the plants tested were found to be infected with more than one virus which could have implications for disease severity. Disease severity was found to increase at about midway through the growing season (December- January). This was concurrent with a massive increase in the general aphid population in the experimental area. As no aphids were seen on the cucurbits in the fields, these vectors are believed to be transient inhabitants of the crop at first testing and then rejecting the plants as a food source. All control measures applied in the trial were aimed at reducing the numbers of aphids in the plots. Aphids were trapped using yellow sticky traps. Cucurbita pepo (zucchini) was used in the trials due to its bush growth habit and good virus symptom expression. The success of the treatments was determined by monitoring the numbers of aphids present in the plots, and the use of a rating scale which assessed the severity of virus disease in the plots. The two best treatments were the white reflective mulch and the straw mulch. In the cultivar trial which assessed ten different cultivars for their virus resistance/tolerance. The best three cultivars were 'SQ 229', 'Puma', and 'SQ 228'. 'SQ 229' and 'SQ 228' were withdrawn from the market by the seed company for unknown reasons. From the results obtained from these investigations, a disease management programme can be suggested. All cucurbit crops should be grown over a white reflective mulch, drip irrigation should be used to reduce agitation of the plants which could unnecessarily disturb feeding aphids, and a resistant or tolerant cultivar should be used in the latter half of the growing season. The effectiveness of any treatment can be assessed by comparing the number of aphids caught with the number caught in the control plots

Fedco Seeds and Supplies 2019

When is a seed catalog more than a seed catalog? When it is the Fedco Seed catalog. Fedco, founded in 1978, is a worker-consumer cooperative in Maine known for promoting the ideals of cooperation, transparency, and the common ownership of seeds. These archives contain thousands of pages of Fedco’s seed catalogs. As one of its editors noted, “We give our readers things to think about.” Annual themes have included the role played by soil bacteria—the microscopic heroes that make life on this planet possible; the contributions of plant breeders and seed keepers; poetry by Walt Whitman, Vergil, and Russell Libby, among others. Editorials often stress the negative impact multinational corporations have on the genetic diversity of food crops, and provide annual updates on genetic engineering and the consolidation of the seed industry. Bits of humor are throughout, some of them in possibly the catalogs’ best feature: original art, and engravings from old seed catalogs and horticultural books. It is, in the words of Fedco’s founder CR Lawn, “More than a marketing tool.

Carrots and cancer : the bioavailability of polyacetylene from carrots and their assocation with biomarkers of cancer risk

PhD ThesisDiets high in fruit and vegetables are correlated with better health outcomes and lower risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Bioactive phytochemicals, including polyphenols, carotenoids and isothiocyanates, in these foods are thought to be at least partly responsible for these protective effects. Specific foods also correlate well with these outcomes, such as carrots. As carrots are high in β-carotene, this compound is commonly thought to be the bioactive substance eliciting the anti-cancer effect, and there are many observational data to suggest higher intakes, and higher plasma levels, confer a reduced risk of cancer. However, supplement studies have little effect and can even increase the risk of cancer in certain populations. The polyacetylene group of compounds, also present in carrots, are gaining interest due to their anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory actions in vitro and in rodent studies. However, little is known about their effect in humans. This work provides novel analysis of the polyacetylene content of carrots, related vegetables, and mixed dishes containing them to create a database of polyacetylene values for commonly eaten foods. The resulting database was used to investigate the intake in a population of adults from the UK. The effect of cooking was also investigated to ensure the retention of compounds during processing. Little is known about the bioavailability of these compounds and so a human trial was conducted to investigate whether polyacetylenes could be seen in blood plasma after consumption of either 100g or 250g of boiled carrots. Finally, a dietary intervention trial was conducted, investigating the effect of consumption of 100g of boiled white carrot (containing polyacetylenes but not β-carotene), served with butter, on biomarkers of cancer risk compared to a fibre-matched control (oatcakes). Cooked carrots were the most important source of polyacetylenes in the diet of the UK population investigated. Therefore, carrots were chosen to be a viable method of polyacetylene intake for a dietary intervention study. Boiled carrot retained phytochemicals better than fried carrot, and cooking the carrot whole rather than in disks or quarters could offer protection from losses during cooking. Falcarinol and falcarindiol-3-acetate were detected in the blood plasma after consumption of carrot. This is the first study to show the presence of polyacetylenes in blood plasma after consumption of whole boiled carrot. The results of a dietary intervention showed a trend for a reduction in prostaglandin E2 metabolite in the carrot group (p=0.07) but not the oatcake control group. There was no effect on any other biomarker measured (IL-6 or lymphocyte DNA damage). Regular consumption of a moderate amount of carrot can reduce a marker of inflammation in healthy adults.Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB