Fungi colonizing and damaging different parts of some medicinal plants

Introduction: Many fungal species infect medicinal plants during their cultivation, causing great damage to the yield and decreasing the quality of raw material

Evaluation of cell membrane injury in caraway [Carum carvi L.] genotypes in water deficit conditions

The aim of the study was to evaluate the resistance of caraway genotypes to water deficit based on the estimation of cell membrane stability (CMS) in leaves using polyethylene glycol (PEG) test. In 2007 and 2008, 25 selected caraway genotypes, originating from European botanical gardens (18), cultivars (2) and our own breeding strains (5), were tested. The plant material was collected from the experimental field. The obtained results showed highly significant differences in cell membrane injuries (p = 0.001) among investigated genotypes. The rank of genotypes in membrane injury index in 2007 was similar to that of 2008. Caraway genotypes originating from Warsaw (49.4%), Cracow (45.3%), Reykiavik (39.9%), Berlin (23.8%), Wisley (22.7%) and strains 9/2 (23.7%), 60/8 (22.2%) exhibited a high level of injury, which showed weak CMS and their high sensitivity to drought. The lowest extent of membrane injury was observed in genotypes originating from Bayreuth (4.2%), Ulm (4.4%), Cluj (5.5%), Lousanne (6.8%) and cultivar "Kończewicki" VI/4 (6.2%), which proves low sensitivity of these genotypes to water deficit and cell membrane stability. These genotypes may be used in further breeding program to improve caraway resistance to drought

Wpływ frakcjonowania nasion ostropestu plamistego (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) pod względem barwy na ich wartość siewną

Introduction: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a medicinal plant belonging to Asteraceae family. Extract from milk thistle achenes (termed in practice as seeds) contains sylimarin, which protects liver cells against inorganic and organic toxic compounds. Objective: The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of colour grading on the quality of milk thistle seeds. Methods: Seeds were graded manually by colour according to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, issued in Great Britain. In three samples two fractions of seeds were separated: beige and brown, whereas seeds of the fourth sample were graded into three fractions: yellow, beige and brown. The 1000-seed weight and germination of graded and non-graded seeds were evaluated. Infestation of graded seeds with fungi was assessed. Results: Brown seeds had a higher 1000-seed weight than beige or yellow ones. Germination at the final count of beige seeds did not differ as compared to that of brown seeds or was even better. Milk thistle seeds were infested with numerous fungi, however Alternaria alternata and Ulocladium consortiale predominated. Conclusions: Less mature beige seeds can be used as sowing material because their germination at the final count did not differ as compared to that of fully mature brown seeds or was even better. Infestation of these seeds with some of the fungi was lower than brown seeds.Ostropest plamisty (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) jest rośliną leczniczą należącą do rodziny Asteraceae. Wyciąg z niełupek ostropestu (w praktyce zwanych nasionami) zawiera sylimarynę, która chroni komórki wątroby przed szkodliwym działaniem substancji organicznych i nieorganicznych. Cel: Celem badań było określenie wpływu frakcjonowania nasion pod względem barwy na ich jakość. Metody: Nasiona podzielono ręcznie na frakcje różniące się barwą na podstawie katalogu barw wydanego przez Królewskie Towarzystwo Ogrodnicze w Wielkiej Brytanii. W trzech próbach wydzielono dwie frakcje nasion: beżowe i brązowe, natomiast nasiona próby czwartej podzielono na trzy frakcje: żółte, beżowe i brązowe. Oceniono masę 1000 nasion oraz kiełkowanie nasion frakcjonowanych i niefrakcjonowanych. Określono też występowanie grzybów na nasionach frakcjonowanych. Wyniki: Nasiona brązowe charakteryzowały się większą masą 1000 nasion niż beżowe lub żółte. Zdolność kiełkowania nasion beżowych nie różniła się lub była lepsza od zdolności kiełkowania nasion brązowych. Nasiona ostropestu były zasiedlone przez liczne grzyby, jednak dominowały Alternaria alternata i Ulocladium consortiale. Wnioski: Nasiona beżowe, mniej dojrzałe, mogą być wykorzystane jako materiał siewny, ponieważ ich zdolność kiełkowania nie różniła się lub była nawet lepsza od zdolności kiełkowania w pełni dojrzałych nasion brązowych. Zasiedlenie tych nasion przez niektóre grzyby było mniejsze niż nasion brązowych

Evaluation of milk thistle ( Silybum marianum

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is an important medicinal plant. Achenes of milk thistle contain sylimarin, protecting liver cells against toxic compounds. The aim of the research was to find an optimum method of evaluation of milk thistle seed germination. Ten seed samples were tested. The seeds were germinated: on top of blotter paper, on top of blotter paper after seed disinfection, between pleated blotter paper, in rolled blotter paper and in sand. Germination at the first and final counts, the percentages of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds were determined. The correlation coefficients between seed germination, evaluated with various methods, and seedling emergence were calculated. Moreover, fungi associated with seeds and diseased seedlings were identified. The lowest percentage of normal seedlings was observed after germination on the top of blotter. Highly significant positive correlations were noted between seedling emergence and seed germination at the final count evaluated in rolled paper, between pleated paper and in sand. The fungi from genera:Alternaria, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Ulocladium and Verticillium were frequently identified on seeds and seedlings. Infestation with fungi significantly affected milk thistle seed germination and plant emergence. Germination in rolled blotter paper may be recommended for evaluation of milk thistle seed germination, as the most practical and significantly correlated with seedling emergence

Evaluation of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) seed germination in relation to seed health and seedling emergence

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is an important medicinal plant. Achenes of milk thistle contain sylimarin, protecting liver cells against toxic compounds. The aim of the research was to find an optimum method of evaluation of milk thistle seed germination. Ten seed samples were tested. The seeds were germinated: on top of blotter paper, on top of blotter paper after seed disinfection, between pleated blotter paper, in rolled blotter paper and in sand. Germination at the first and final counts, the percentages of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds were determined. The correlation coefficients between seed germination, evaluated with various methods, and seedling emergence were calculated. Moreover, fungi associated with seeds and diseased seedlings were identified. The lowest percentage of normal seedlings was observed after germination on the top of blotter. Highly significant positive correlations were noted between seedling emergence and seed germination at the final count evaluated in rolled paper, between pleated paper and in sand. The fungi from genera:Alternaria, Fusarium, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Ulocladium and Verticillium were frequently identified on seeds and seedlings. Infestation with fungi significantly affected milk thistle seed germination and plant emergence. Germination in rolled blotter paper may be recommended for evaluation of milk thistle seed germination, as the most practical and significantly correlated with seedling emergence

Variability of phenolic compounds of four aromatic Lamiaceae species in consequence of different water supply

The reactions of lemon balm, marjoram, peppermint, thyme were investigated and compared in a pot experiment, adjusting 70% and 40% of soil water capacity (SWC). Biomass, total phenolic content (TPC), rosmarinic acid content (RA) and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, DPPH) of both the shoots and roots were measured. As an universal phenomenon the water stress (40% SWC) decreased the total biomass production of all species drastically. The highest increase was observed in the shoot mass of peppermint and lemon balm (decreased from 52.6 g·plant–1 to 11.3 g·plant–1 and from 236.8 g·plant–1 to 58 g·plant–1, respectively). The reaction of marjoram was much more moderate. The accumulation level of TPC was accelerated in the aboveground parts of the studied species, universally. The reactions in the roots were less characteristic. The largest increase of TPC was measured in the shoots of lemon balm (from 359.015 mg GAE· g–1 d.w. up to 412.44 GAE·g–1 d.w.). The reaction of marjoram was the less characteristic in this respect, as well. The parallel changes of biomass and TPC level might allow the total phenolic content to function as an adequate marker in predicting the lack of appropriate water supply. RA content showed species characteristics. Thyme, marjoram and peppermint reacted by a significant elevation (by 23–127%) of the RA content to the lack of water. The highest proportions were accumulated in shoots of the stressed thyme plants (3.45% d.w.)

Gospodarcza i jakościowa wartość surowca wybranych gatunków roślin leczniczych z upraw ekologicznych. Cz.II. Plon i jakość ziela bazylii pospolitej (Ocimum basilicum L.)

In 2005-2007, in a field experiment, the yield and quality of the basil herb of the Polish cultivar Kasia in organic farming were tested. The experiment was established on six organic farms and one conventional farm in different location in Poland. The following features were evaluated: fresh and dried herb yield, stem fraction in herb, seed yield, weight of 1000 seeds, essential oil content, macro- and microelements content and microbiological purity. Only from one organic farm in Słońsk basil herb was yield higher compared with the yield from conventional cultivation, although it contained a high amount of stems. Organic basil herb was characterized by a high content of essential oil and an increased content of macro- and microelements. Evaluation of microbiological purity showed that herb contamination from both types of cultivation did not exceed the standard for raw materials treated with hot water.W latach 2005-2007 w doświadczeniu polowym zlokalizowanym w Polsce w sześciu gospodarstwach ekologicznych i jednym konwencjonalnym badano plonowanie, jakość surowca bazylii oraz przydatność polskiej odmiany Kasia do upraw ekologicznych. Oceniano następujące cechy surowca: plon świeżego i powietrznie suchego surowca, udział łodyg w surowcu, zawartość olejku eterycznego, makro- i mikroskładników oraz azotanów, czystość mikrobiologiczną. Plon surowca bazylii pochodzącego z uprawy ekologicznej tylko z jednej lokalizacji (Słońsk) był większy niż z uprawy konwencjonalnej. Surowiec ten jednak charakteryzował się dużym udziałem łodyg. Surowiec bazylii pochodzącej z upraw ekologicznych charakteryzował się wysokimi zawartościami olejku eterycznego oraz zwiększonymi zawartościami makro- i mikroskładników. Ocena czystości mikrobiologicznej surowca bazylii wykazała, że stopień zanieczyszczenia surowców zarówno z uprawy ekologicznej, jak i konwencjonalnej nie przekraczał dopuszczalnych norm dla surowców poddawanych działaniu gorącej wody

Gospodarcza i jakosciowa wartość surowca wybranych gatunków roślin leczniczych z upraw ekologicznych. Cz.I. Plon i jakość ziela tymianku pospolitego (Thymus vulgaris L.)

In 2005-2007, in a field experiment, the yield and quality of the thyme herb of the Polish cultivar Słoneczko in organic farming were tested. The experiment was established on six different organic farms and one conventional farm in Poland. The following features were evaluated: fresh and dried herb yield, stem fraction in herb, essential oil content, and microbiological purity. Only from one organic farm in Słońsk thyme herb yield was higher compared with the yield from conventional cultivation, although it contained a high amount of stems. Organic thyme herb was characterized by a high content of essential oil. Evaluation of microbiological purity showed that herb contamination from both types of cultivation did not exceed the standard for raw materials treated with hot water.W latach 2005-2007 w doświadczeniu polowym zlokalizowanym w Polsce w sześciu gospodarstwach ekologicznych i jednym konwencjonalnym badano plonowanie, jakość surowca tymianku oraz przydatność polskiej odmiany Słoneczko do upraw ekologicznych. Oceniano następujące cechy: plon świeżego i powietrznie suchego ziela, udział łodyg w surowcu, zawartość olejku eterycznego oraz czystość mikrobiologiczną. Plon surowca tymianku pochodzącego z uprawy ekologicznej tylko z jednej lokalizacji (Słońsk) był większy niż z uprawy konwencjonalnej. Surowiec ten jednak charakteryzował się dużym udziałem łodyg. Surowiec tymianku pochodzący z upraw ekologicznych charakteryzował się wysoką zawartością olejku eterycznego, jednak była ona mniejsza niż ziela z upraw konwencjonalnych. Ziele pochodzące z uprawy konwencjonalnej zawierało najwięcej azotanów. Ocena czystości mikrobiologicznej surowca tymianku wykazała, że stopień zanieczyszczenia surowców zarówno z uprawy ekologicznej, jak i konwencjonalnej nie przekraczał dopuszczalnych norm dla surowców poddawanych działaniu gorącej wody