In vitro propagation of Alstroemeria using rhizome explants derived in vitro and in pot plants

Alstroemeria with beautiful and long shelf life of cut flower is one of the most important ornamental plants. This plant could propagate by splitting of the in vivo produced rhizomes but the propagation rate is rather low. In the present study, regeneration ability of plantlets was compared using in vitro and in vivo grown rhizome buds as explants. In vitro and in vivo grown rhizome buds were cultured on MS basal medium with 3 different compositions of growth regulators (1, 0.2 mg l-1 NAA with 1 mg l-1 BAand 0.2 mg l-1 IAA with 1 mg l-1 BA). Cultures were incubated in 18 ± 1°C at 16 h photoperiod. Four subculture of explants were done on the same fresh media with 3 weeks intervals. The results showed that in vivo rhizome bud produced the largest number of small rhizome and roots on medium containing 0.2 mg l-1 NAA with 1 mg l-1 BA

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation systems of Primula vulgaris

Background: Genetic transformation is a valuable tool and an important procedure in plant functional genomics contributing to gene discovery, allowing powerful insights into gene function and genetically controlled characteristics. Primulaceae species provide one of the best-known examples of heteromorphic flower development, a breeding system which has attracted considerable attention, including that of Charles Darwin. Molecular approaches, including plant transformation give the best opportunity to define and understand the role of genes involved in floral heteromorphy in the common primrose, Primula vulgaris, along with other Primula species. Results: Two transformation systems have been developed in P. vulgaris. The first system, Agrobacterium-mediated vacuum infiltration of seedlings, enables the rapid testing of transgenes, transiently in planta. GUS expression was observed in the cotyledons, true leaves, and roots of Primula seedlings. The second system is based on Agrobacterium tumefaciens infection of pedicel explants with an average transformation efficiency of 4.6%. This transformation system, based on regeneration and selection of transformants within in vitro culture, demonstrates stable transgene integration and transmission to the next generation. Conclusion: The two transformation systems reported here will aid fundamental research into important traits in Primula. Although, stable integration of transgenes is the ultimate goal for such analyses, transient gene expression via Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer, offers a simple and fast method to analyse transgene functions. The second system describes, for the first time, stable Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Primula vulgaris, which will be key to characterising the genes responsible for the control of floral heteromorphy

Production and identification of interspecific potato somatic hybrids

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DX188319 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Effect of Different Plant Growth Regulators on Direct Bulblet Regeneration from Scale Explants of Fritillaria imperialis

Fritillaria imperialis is a mono-cotyledon plant from the Liliaceae family that grows wild in some parts of Iran. Fritillaria is a medicinal plant, in addition to being a beautiful flower. Due to the uncontrolled harvesting of flower and bulbs, Fritillaria survival is threatened in some areas in Iran. Fritillaria can be propagated by seed. In favorite condition. Its propagation by seed and production of flower-beating bulbs takes about 6 years. In addition, plants grown from seed would not be like their parents due mainly to occurrence of cross-polination. Mass propagation of Fritillaria through conventional methods such as bulb culture is not efficient. Thus, its in vitro propagation as a criteria for preserving this valuable plant in its natural habitats was studied. We investigated direct embryogenesis of sterilized bulbs scale segments in MS medium at the presence of different plant growth regulators including NAA, IAA, TDZ, Kinetin and BA and the combination of kinetin and NAA in different concentrations. The highest number of direct somatic bulblets (8.33 bulblets), the biggest bulblets (26 mm) and the greatest number of roots (8 roots) were formed in 2 mg/L NAA. The least direct bulblet somatic generation was observed in TDZ treatments, bulblets formed tended to produce callus instead of growing. In the medium containing BA hormone no bulblet was produced. In conclusion, the results of this study revealed that propagation of Fritillaria imperialis is possible through in vitro culture by using 2 mg/L NAA

Phenotypic and Phytochemical Diversity among Different Accessions of Gijavash (Froriepia subpinnata (Ledeb.) Baill.: An Endemic Medicinal Plant Grown in Iran

Froriepia subpinnata is an endemic endangered medicinal plant growing indigenous to Caspian coast forest in the north of Iran. This research was done to obtain primary information on morphological and phytochemical variation for the next step of domesticating and breeding of this plant. Twenty-three morphological traits measured indicated high variation among 52 accessions. There was a significant positive correlation between leaf dimension, plant height, and attributes related to biomass data. The range of phytochemical attributes analyzed was for total phenols (355.6-941.3 mg GAE 100 g-1 FW), total flavonoids (204.33-540.74 mg CAT 100 g-1 FW), total carotenoids (1.52 to 3.15 μg 100g-1 FW) and antioxidant capacity (31.36-81.82 DPPH%.). The HPLC analysis results showed that chlorogenic acid was the dominant phenolic compound generally found in this plant. Total carotenoids had no significant correlation with other biochemical traits, while the rest exhibited a linear relationship with each other. UPGMA cluster based on combined data of morphological and biochemical traits showed 3 distinct groups with high inter and intra-regional variations. Also, these information were combined with molecular data to separate environment and genetic effects. The high level of variation of phytochemical and morphological traits among and within populations could be a useful tool for future breeding and selection programs.Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEpu

A Study on Flavonoid Compounds of Six Citrus Varieties during Maturity and Ripening Stages

In addition to physical and chemical properties of citrus fruit, its quality depends on antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant enzymes. Flavonoids group, especially flavonoid glycosides are dominant in citrus, which prevent chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. In this experiment, the total flavonoids, naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, quercetin and catechin were measured in the mature and ripe fruits of six citrus varieties (Thomson, Siavaraz, Moro, Sanguinello, Tarocco and Page) by HPLC analysis. The results showed that all cultivars had high level of total flavonoid at the ripening stage. The amount of naringin was highest in 'Thomson' and 'Tarocco' (with 452.8 and 824.8 μgg-1 respectively) at maturity phase. Hesperidin accumulation was higher in blood oranges than blond varieties. The Sanguinello and Siavaraz had the highest value of neohesperidin especially in ripe fruits. The pulp of Tarocco had the highest level of catechin with 24.36 μgg-1 followed by Siavaraz with 10.6 μgg-1 at ripening stage. The Quercetin levels were higher in immature fruits selected from Thomson, Siavaraz and Tarocco varieties. Among the studied varieties, 'Tarocco' variety showed higher levels of flavonoid compounds at the ripened or mature stage

Effects of organic fertilizers on growth and biochemical characteristics of Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual herb used as organic (green) manure and has medicinal applications. Organic fertilizers are used in sustainable agriculture of vegetables. Sources of organic manure and their effects on growth and yield characteristics of plants need to be determined. Effects of vermicompost and vermiwash were determined on qualitative and quantitative factors of chemical content, development and yield of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gaecum L.) from May to July 2012 at Agriculture College of University Guilan. A completely randomized block design with 3 replications was used. Treatments included 7 t/ha of cow manure, vermicompost, vermiwash (obtained from 7 t/ha vermicompost); 7 t/ha of leachate vermicompost + vermiwash and a control (no fertilization). Use of organic fertilizers beneficially affected plant height, pod length, pod fresh and dry mass, 1000-seed mass, plant fresh and dry mass, internode length and percents of leaves protein and nitrogen. Use of organic fertilizers may increase yield and yield components of fenugreek and its yield efficiency.</p