Microsatellite analysis of Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) accessions from various regions in Iran reveals multiple genotypes

BACKGROUND: Damask roses (Rosa damascena Mill.) are mainly used for essential oil production. Previous studies have indicated that all production material in Bulgaria and Turkey consists of only one genotype. Nine polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to analyze the genetic diversity of 40 accessions of R. damascena collected across major and minor rose oil production areas in Iran. RESULTS: All microsatellite markers showed a high level of polymorphism (5–15 alleles per microsatellite marker, with an average of 9.11 alleles per locus). Cluster analysis of genetic similarities revealed that these microsatellites identified a total of nine different genotypes. The genotype from Isfahan province, which is the major production area, was by far the most common genotype (27/40 accessions). It was identical to the Bulgarian genotype. Other genotypes (each represented by 1–4 accessions) were collected from minor production areas in several provinces, notably in the mountainous Northwest of Iran. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that uncovered genetic diversity within Damask rose. Our results will guide new collection activities to establish larger collections and manage the Iranian Damask rose genetic resources. The genotypes identified here may be directly useful for breeding

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF N-FERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, ESSENTIAL OIL CONTENT AND COMPOSITIONS OF AGASTACHE FOENICULUM KUNTZE

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum Kuntze.) is a half-hard perennial herb native to the plains of North America, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It has a pleasant anise-like aroma. To study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on growth, development, essential oil content and compositions of Anise Hyssop, this research was carried out on randomized complete blocks design with three replications for every treatment. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer in 5 levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) were studied. The essential oil was obtained by hydro distillation from the herb at full flowering stage. The results show that different levels of Nitrogen fertilizer had significant effect on the height of plant, essential oil content and compositions of Anise Hyssop. The results show that N-fertilizers had no significant effect on the number of branches per plant. The plants received 100 and 150 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer had the highest essential oil content (2.88 and 2.83% respectively). Methyl chavicol was its main component (95.5%) and obtained from the plants were received 200 kg/ha nitrogen fertilizer. p-cymene (3.3%), caryophyllene (0.5%) and sabinene (0.1%) was the other components. It could be concluded that the suitable nitrogen fertilizer to obtain the maximum quantity and quality of active substances of Agastache foeniculum is recommended 150 kg/h

Antibacterial activities of a new combination of essential oils against marine bacteria

The antibacterial activities of essential oils and herbal extracts have been demonstrated against a range of bacterial species. In this study, the antibacterial effects of a new combination of essential oils from the herbs Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, Eucalyptus globulus and Mentha piperita were assayed against common bacterial isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa) and fifteen novel marine bacteria isolates. The sensitivity of different isolates to antibacterial activity of the essential oils was determined using well diffusion assays. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were quantified by micro dilution assays. The data demonstrate that the combination of essential oils had potent antibacterial effects and marine bacteria were more sensitive to growth inhibition (P < 0.05). MIC rates were 0.77-6.18 mg/ml, and MBC rates were 1.67-12.30 mg/ml. This indicates that the combined essential oils (CEO) can be a new source of antibacterial agents for use in marine aquaculture.10 page(s