Volume 32 (2020): Issue 1 (June 2020)

Cistus crispus (Cistaceae) is a species adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions, and it has ornamental and medicinal uses. In Italy, native populations of C. crispus are threatened by the collection due to the low number of individuals in the populations, anthropogenic pressure, and the changing environmental condition that enhance other more aggressive and hybridisable Cistus species. Here, we set up the variables for its micropropagation protocols to achieve a high number of plants per unit time. Various steps of the micropropagation protocol were modulated, including various sodium hypochlorite concentrations (CHCs) and time of sterilisation. The efficiency of the protocol maximised at 25 min sterilisation with 2.5% CHC and decreasing explant vitality at increasing time and CHC. Both shoot proliferation and root emissions were maximised at 1.78 μM N-6-benzyladenine (BA) in the growing medium, with up to 5.4 explants per cycle, with 5.8 roots per explant, and 84 healthy explants. Kinetin stimulated further the axillary root proliferation more than dimethylallylamino purine or BA. Lastly, the application of indole acetic acid increased root emissions during the acclimation stage more than the application of indole butyric acid, and this occurred irrespective of their concentrations, up to 2.0 μg · g⁻¹. These results can foster the use of C. crispus as an ornamental species, for xeriscaping or for the extraction of its secondary compounds, which have various industrial uses. These results can also have an indirect implication for the conservation of the species by reducing the collection for ornamental purposes from its natural population.

The work aimed to determine the potential of selenium incorporation into seeds of selected species of Ocimum spp. after fortification with a foliar solution of sodium selenate at a concentration of 50 g Se · ha⁻¹. In a 2-year trial, the selenium content was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption method with Zeeman background correction. Modified spectrophotometric method (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] assays) was used to rate the potential of oxidation– reduction components of basil seeds (AA). The total polyphenol content (TPC) was determined spectrophotometrically using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent and gallic acid (GA) as the standard solution. The results of experiments showed that the selenium biofortification significantly (p < 0.05) increased the content of selenium in basil seeds (17-fold increase in comparison with controlled variant in case of Tulsi, 12-fold in ‘Cinamonette’ and 12-fold in ‘Dark Green’ when compared with control). The basil seeds represented a valuable source of polyphenols (1414.61–1681.75 μg GA · g⁻¹ dried weight [d.w.]) with multiple times higher antioxidant activity (23.50–28.97 mmol Trolox · kg⁻¹) in comparison with common tested horticultural crops (e.g. peas, tomato and pumpkin). Significant influence of fortification was not found in AA and TPC values. Fortification was not significantly reflected in AA and TPC values. In addition to its very strong reproductive function, healing and religious purposes, the basil seed is used as a functional food due to its high content of bioactive compounds.

Alternate bearing is a significant economic problem that affects fruit producers, consumers and the economy of a country. Concentrations of cytokinin (CK)-like compounds in different tissues of pistachio trees (Pistacia vera ‘Uzun’) were measured to elucidate the relationship between endogenous CKs and flower bud abscission (alternate bearing). Identification and quantification of CK-like compounds of the Z, DHZ and iP types from different physiological stages and tissues were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLCESI-MS/MS) techniques. Five to seven different CK-like compounds were detected, respectively. Isopentenyl adenine riboside (iPR) and trans-zeatin-O-glucoside (t-ZOG) were the main isoprenoid CKs, as the dominant conjugates in all the analysed organs of pistachio trees. The leaves and shoots of ‘On’-year trees had significantly higher CK contents than those of ‘Off’-year trees on all the sampling dates. Interestingly, the relatively high CK activity was recorded before flower bud abscission in the fractions corresponding to iPR and t-ZOG, while this activity dropped considerably during the flower bud abscission period (55 DAFB). Consequently, the strong negative correlation between CK concentration and bud abscission could be the first indication of the role of CK-like compounds in this unique phenomenon in the ‘Uzun’ pistachio cultivar. It was concluded that CKs could have an important role in the alternate bearing in pistachio.

Continuous seed propagation in Turkey has given rise to a great number of seedling walnut trees which represents valuable walnut genetic resources. The number of native walnut trees is estimated to be over 5 million in Turkey and they possess large phenotypic variability in yield, nut and kernel characteristics, late bud breaking, late flowering, winter hardiness and tolerance to diseases. Progress in walnut breeding requires the exploitation of genetic variation among cultivars and landraces. In this study, we used 32 local diverse walnut genotypes obtained from seeds and 2 standard cultivars (‘Sebin’ and ‘Bilecik’). This study implemented 21 previously used simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers to determine genetic diversity. The analysis revealed 135 alleles with an average of 6.43 alleles per locus. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.23 (for samples KW22 and KW29) to 0.87 (for samples KW27 and KW28). The highest number of alleles per locus was obtained from WGA276 locus (11 alleles), followed by WGA054 (9 alleles), WGA202 and WGA321 (8 alleles) while the lowest number was detected in WGA027. According to the morphological and molecular data, the genotypes differed from each other and the cvs. Sebin and Bilecik. The majority of the genotypes had higher fruit weight and some of the genotypes had higher kernel ratio than cvs. Sebin and Bilecik implying the importance of registering genotypes as cultivars. This research provides information on the genetic relationship of walnut genotypes and cultivars and emphasises the importance of protection and utilisation of seed-propagated walnut genetic resources.

This study focused on the identification and elimination of endophytic bacterial contaminations during in vitro propagation of European bladdernut (Staphylea pinnata). Axillary shoots were propagated on Murashige and Skoog medium with 20 mg ∙ dm⁻³ FeEDDHA, 5 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA at 20/18°C (day/night) and a 16-h photoperiod. Clouding by endophytic bacterial colonies was observed where shoots contacted the media. Bacteria were isolated and separated by repeated streaking as two strains. Gram staining revealed that both strains were Gram-negative. The colonies were very precisely identified as Acinetobacter johnsonii, strain ATCC 17909, and Methylobacterium rhodesianum, strain DSM 5687, using VITEK^®2—a rapid bacterial identification system—and the 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. The agar disc-diffusion test proved that both bacterial strains were susceptible to 13 antibiotics (out of 25 tested), derived from the groups of fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and tetracyclines. Doxycycline or gentamicin (100–300 mg ∙ dm⁻³) was added to the S. pinnata shoot propagation medium to eliminate bacteria. Gentamicin 100 mg ∙ dm⁻³ showed the best effect, inhibiting the growth of endogenous bacteria (63%) when applied in the medium for 4 weeks. After the following transfer to media without antibiotics, shoots developed axillary buds and bacterial colonies were not observed.

The objective of this study was to develop a mathematical model for the non-destructive, fast estimation of the leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content of pomegranate trees. For this reason, contact images of the leaf samples were firstly captured with smartphones and the RGB colours of the images were used for the estimation of the leaf Chl contents. Here, different methods were used for the contact imaging. In the present study, two closed boxes with a small hole (equal to the dimensions of a smartphone camera) on each were formed. Samples were inserted into the hole; and a red LED light and white LED light, separately, were passed through the hole and the leaf. Furthermore, a series of models were tested to best estimate the leaf chlorophyll content of the pomegranate trees by using the RGB colours of contact imaging. Results showed that the use of red LED light sources, instead of white LED light sources, during contact imaging, provides a better estimation of the leaf Chl content. Results also suggest that colour values are highly related to the total weight of the contact imaging area. According to the results obtained, the best estimation of the leaf Chl content (of a given area) is possible by using both the G and B colour values with multiple regression models. It is also found to be important to use the weight of the sampled area for the estimation of the leaf chlorophyll content in mg ∙ g⁻¹.

Tree, leaf, pod and seed morphology, as well as pod biochemistry of 36 wild-grown carob genotypes sampled from rural areas in Marmaris district located at western Turkey, were investigated. Leaf and pod dimensions, pod and seed weight, seed ratio, pod and seed colour and shape and surface traits were investigated. Soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity, vitamin C and protein and dietary fibre contents were also detected. Results showed significant differences for all quantitative traits, although differences are more pronounced for some pod (weight, width, length and thickness) and seed characteristics (weight, dimensions and ratio). Pod and seed colour, shape and surface qualitative threats were found to be quite variable among genotypes. The majority of genotypes had an open tree growth habit. Leaf length and width were found to be between 8.04 cm (M19) and 11.60 cm (M12) and 8.40 cm (M2) and 12.04 cm (M12) among genotypes. Pod weight ranged from 8.3 g (M35) to 29.5 g (M3) in the wild genotypes. The average pod dimensions (width, length and thickness) were between 14.27 and 23.38 mm, 12.54 and 21.67 cm and 4.80 and 8.37 mm, respectively. The SSC ranged from 49.36 to 69.36% in the pods of wild carob genotypes. The results of this study indicate a good genetic resource potential of Turkish wild carob populations for future breeding programmes.

Berries are in the form of a semi-bush or shrub, soft fleshy, juicy, often small and edible. They are generally in bright colours and may sweet or sour in taste. The present study reports a comparison of the antioxidant properties and phenolic profile of the most consumed berry species, namely redcurrant (Ribes rubrum L.), blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa L.) and jostaberry (Ribes nidigrolaria Rud. Bauer & A. Bauer). Results of the present study suggested that the highest antioxidant activity (426.26 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹) and anthocyanin contents (226.33 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹) are found in Heritage variety of the raspberry species. The highest total phenol content was determined as 1,593.92 mg of Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE) in jostaberry fruits. The highest ascorbic acid content was obtained from the Goliath variety of blackcurrant as 2,659.26 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹. The highest ellagic acid value was found as 48.30 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹ in gooseberry, the highest fumaric and citric acid concentrations were noted from jostaberry fruits as 121.88 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹ and 14.84 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹, respectively, while the highest malic acid content was determined as 14.70 mg ∙ 100 g⁻¹ in gooseberry fruits. Our results suggest that berries rich in antioxidant properties and phenolic profile may be an important raw plant material for both the pharmaceutical and food industries.

The current study investigated the effects of gamma radiation on the death rate, morphological traits and meiotic abnormalities in ground-grown chrysanthemum ‘Donglinruixue’, and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to identify the DNA polymorphism among mutants. The results showed that the death rate significantly increased with increase in radiation dose. Semi-lethal (LD50) dose was approximately 35 Gy. Compared with unirradiated control, plant growth was significantly inhibited. After irradiation, a series of morphological variations and cytological aberrations occurred in radiated plants. The peak in variation frequency appeared at 35 Gy. In total, ISSR analysis produced 72 scorable bands, of which 64 (88.89%) were polymorphic. The current study demonstrated that gamma irradiation generates a sufficient number of induced mutations and that ISSR analysis offered a useful molecular marker analysis for the identification of mutants.

In this study, the full cDNA sequences of HcADH2 and HcADH3 were cloned from Hedychium coronarium. The amino acid sequences encoded by them contained three most conserved motifs of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), namely NAD⁺ binding domain, TGxxx[AG]xG and active site YxxxK. The highest similarity between two genes and ADH from other plants was 70%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they belonged to a member of the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases 110C subfamily, but they were distinctly clustered in different clades. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that HcADH2 was specifically expressed in bract, and it was expressed higher in no-scented Hedychium forrestii than other Hedychium species, but was undetectable in Hedychium coccineum. HcADH3 was expressed higher in the lateral petal of the flower than in other vegetative organs, and it was expressed the most in H. coronarium that is the most scented among Hedychium species, and its expression levels peaked at the half opening stage. HcADH2 and HcADH3 had almost no significant expression in leaves, but HcADH2 was expressed in response to external stimuli. The mechanical injury and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment could induce expression of HcADH2 in leaves, whereas HcADH3 could have an induced expression only by MeJA. The recombinant HcADH3 protein, but not HcADH2, expressed in Escherichia coli-catalysed conversion of geraniol into citral. It was speculated that HcADH3 had an induced expression in vegetative organ of H. coronarium and took part in monoterpenoid biosynthesis in H. coronarium flowers, but the role of HcADH2 is relevant only for defensive reactions.

Agricultural waste disposal is one of the main concerns in today's world that can cause environmental pollution. Utilisation of agro-waste materials to grow mushrooms is an eco-friendly method to reduce pollution. Therefore, various agricultural waste materials, such as wheat straw, rice straw and cotton waste, were utilised for the production of milky mushroom. Among the substrates used in this study wheat straw showed superior substrate for the production of milky mushroom. The agronomic traits studied such as total yield, number of fruiting bodies, the maximum diameter of pileus and stalk length, biological efficiency, protein contents, phosphorous and potassium contents were observed on wheat straw substrate. Peat moss, loam soil and spent mushroom substrate were used as casing materials. Among the casing materials used, the highest yield and biological efficiency were observed on peat moss. The results also indicated that the addition of supplements with the substrate improved yield and yield contributing characteristics. Among the tested supplements (wheat bran and rice bran), wheat bran was the best supplement for wheat straw substrate to cultivate milky white mushroom.