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Field studies were conducted for two consecutive winter seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/ 2018 to investigate the effect of mulching; (rice straw and without mulch as control) on bulbs yield, water use efficiency, plant water status and chemical composition of garlic grown under three levels of irrigation (I100 = 100%, I80 = 80% and I60 = 60% of ETC crop evapotranspiration). Bulb yield, water and potassium use efficiency, plant water status (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and leaf N and K significantly increased by increasing irrigation levels from I60 to I80 and further to I100. I80 was pronounced on water use efficiency and leaf P, meanwhile I60 was pronounced on leaf total phenolic, flavonoids, anthocyanin, free proline and total free amino acids contents. Garlic plants growth was improved under three levels of irrigation by using rice straw mulch. Results implied that I100 + rice straw, significantly, increased bulbs yield, (RWC), (MSI) and leaf N and K .In addition, I80 + rice straw significantly, increased water use efficiency and leaf P. Howevere, I60 + rice straw significantly, increased leaf total phenolic, flavonoids, anthocyanin, free proline and total free amino acids contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two heteropolysaccharides, BHP-1 and BHP-2, were separated and purified from the edible bulbs of Lilium davidii var. unicolor Cotton by anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography. The primary structural characteristics of BHP-1 and BHP-2 were investigated by Congo red test, X-ray diffractometry (XRD) analysis, IR, GC and NMR. The results showed that the weight-average molecular weight (M W) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) of BHP-1 and BHP-2 were nearly 1.93 × 105 g/moL, 8.86 × 104 g/moL and 3.52 × 104 g/moL, 2.95 × 104 g/moL, respectively. Glucose and mannose comprised BHP-1 in a relative molar ratio of 5.9:2.0, and BHP-2 was consisted of glucose, galactose, mannose and arabinose with approximate molar ratios of 8.3:1.5:1.0:1.1. Their backbone mainly contained α-(1 → 4)-linked d -glucopyranosyl. In addition, the C-6 of the glucose and C-2 of mannose residue of BHP-1 and BHP-2 were substituted. The two polysaccharides were semi-crystalline substance with multi-branching structure and triple helix conformation. Bioassays showed that BHP-1 and BHP-2 had effective antioxidant activities evaluated by DPPH, scavenging superoxide radical and OH radical in a dose-dependent manner. The two heteropolysaccharides also displayed distinct and selective antibacterial activity against B. cereus , P. putida , M. luteus and K. pneumonia with inhibition zones of 13 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 23 mm and 12 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm, respectively. These findings provided a reference for potential applications of the polysaccharides from L. davidii as natural antioxidants and antibacterial agents in food and pharmaceuticals. Unlabelled Image • First report on the structure and activity of the polysaccharide by the 70% ethanol precipitation from Lanzhou lily. • Two polysaccharides purified with anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography from Lanzhou lily. • Two polysaccharides had effective antioxidant activities in vitro. • Two polysaccharides had distinct and selective antibacterial activity against test bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Infection of bulbs of garlic (Allium sativum) by Fusarium proliferatum is increasingly documented worldwide and management of the pathogen is problematic. Garlic bulbs were harvested at the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction farm near Pullman, WA in fall 2015. From a sample of 18 bulbil-producing accessions whose bulbs were documented as infected by F. proliferatum , a mean of 64% of cloves from infected bulbs contained the pathogen. In umbels produced from infected bulbs, a mean of 11% were detected with the pathogen, with a mean infection rate of bulbils in infected umbels of 42%, resulting in a probability of bulbil infection of less than 5%. In bulbs harvested in fall 2016 from 15 accessions whose bulbs were previously documented as infected, a mean of 34% of cloves in infected bulbs contained the pathogen, but the pathogen was not detected in umbels or bulbils. Overall incidence of F. proliferatum in bulbs surveyed for infection in 2016 (99 accessions) at the same farm was assessed via a cumulative geometric distribution, and indicated occurrence in 87% of accessions, with probability of infection in a given bulb between 25 and 50%. In 2016, all but 0.01% of whole bulbs harvested for this survey of overall incidence were asymptomatic at harvest on the basis of firmness, but 77% of cloves were symptomatic (inclusive of all biological and abiotic causes) when peeled and plated to agar media 9–16 months after harvest. Bulbils take at least a year longer to mature into full size bulbs than do seed cloves, presenting a longer window for infection by several pathogens, but if planted to pathogen-free soil might represent a cost-effective means to strongly reduce infection of propagation material by F. proliferatum. Highlights • Garlic bulbils are less frequently infected by Fusarium proliferatum than are seed cloves. • Garlic bulbils are an alternative to seed cloves for propagation. • High infection rates in seed cloves may justify use of bulbils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Bulb size decreased from earliest to latest planting in spring-sowing cultivation. • Temperature affected leaf initiation, leaf number (associated to final bulb size). • Plant growth and bulb size increased in proportion to accumulated temperature. • Choice of cultivar and sowing time are important to reach production potential. Abstract Bulb size is an important factor in determining the productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.), and production of suitable bulb sizes is a priority objective in cultivation. Previous studies have reported that bulb development is controlled by photoperiod and temperature. Although many studies have investigated the influence of day length on bulb development, the effect of temperature has not received as much attention. It has been shown that transplanting time strongly affects bulb size, and our study showed that crop yield and bulb size of four commercially used cultivars in Japan significantly decreased from the earliest to the latest sowing in spring-sowing cultivation. This phenomenon was investigated using the commercially used onion cultivar 'Momiji No. 3' and a temperature gradient growth chamber, and our study revealed that a high temperature inhibited leaf initiation and decreased leaf number, which preceded bulb development and was closely related to final bulb size. We also show that plant growth, including parameters such as total leaf number, stem diameter, and bulb diameter, fresh, and dry weight, linearly increased with increasing accumulated temperature, which was calculated from the integrated values of the daily mean temperature; growth was suggested to have a strong positive correlation with temperature because the r -values were greater than 0.9. Therefore, for onion production, apart from choosing a suitable cultivar and sowing time for each production area, to attain the production potential of each cultivar it is important that an optimal temperature is maintained during plant growth and bulb development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In micropropagation of lily, preferably bulblets should be produced: Because bulblets are compact and robust, they are much easier to handle and to plant in soil than shoots. In this review, the various factors that determine bulblet growth in vitro are discussed. Gibberellins, jasmonates (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA) are the major identified plant growth regulators (PGRs) for storage organ formation. They also play a major role in lily bulblet growth in vitro. Growth conditions such as temperature and light (quantity and quality) strongly affect lily bulblet growth in tissue culture. Moderate abiotic stresses are introduced as new tool to improve storage organ formation in vitro. The amounts of endogenous carbohydrates (starch) in the explant and exogenous carbohydrates in the medium (sucrose) influence bulblet growth in vitro. It is also discussed how compounds present in the medium or in the scale-explants are translocated to the regenerating bulblet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Ten amaryllidaceous alkaloids were isolated from L. radiata. • A significant aphicidal activity of L. radiata extract and alkaloids was reported for the first time. • AChE has a great possibility to be the target site for the aphicidal action of amaryllidaceous alkaloids. Abstract Aphids are one of the most destructive and economically important pests of plants on earth, causing severe financial losses worldwide. The extensive and unscientific use of insecticides has resulted in a universal zooming insecticide resistance among aphids across regions and substantial detrimental influences on the environment. This study investigates the insecticidal activity of alkaloids from L. radiata against A. citricola. The crude extract of Lycoris radiate showed a remarkable aphicidal activity against A. citricola. Ten known amaryllidaceous alkaloids were obtained according to the bioassay-guided isolation. The structures of these known alkaloids were identified as amabiline (1), deoxydihydrotazettine (2), deoxytazettine (3), 3-epimacronine (4), galanthamine (5), 11-hydroxygalanthamine (6), N -allylnorgalanthamine (7), 11 β -hydroxygalanthamine (8), lycorine (9) and colchicine (10). The results of aphicidal bioassay against A. citricola showed that compounds 1 - 9 exhibited considerable aphicidal activity with LD 50 values of 67.44, 76.33, 78.30, 96.70, 17.47, 32.60, 4.92, 20.33, 70.41 ng/aphid. N -Allylnorgalanthamine (7) possessed the highest aphicial activity, which was comparable with the commercial pesticide methomyl (2.91 ng/aphid). The results of in vivo AChE assay revealed that N -allylnorgalanthamine showed an obvious inhibitory effect on AChE in A. citricola in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The in vitro inhibition of AChE activity by N -allylnorgalanthamine was remarkable with an IC 50 value of 2.1 × 10−8 M, which was 104 times stronger than the positive control methomyl with an IC 50 value of 4.2 × 10–4 M. Meanwhile, N -allylnorgalanthamine can lead to an increase of the activities of SOD and CAT. The present work comprises the first report on insecticidal action of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. N -Allylnorgalanthamine displayed a significant inhibition on AChE in Aphis citricola both in vivo and vitro. The insecticidal L. radiata extracts can be possibly used for controlling pests and isolated compounds, designing for new pesticides, can be the promising temples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A temporary immersion bioreactor system (TIBS) has been explored as a possible way for Bletilla striata pseudobulbs enlargement and accumulation of polysaccharides under a fed-batch culture method. The culture was established in TIBS to optimize feeding parameters for polysaccharides accumulation and pseudobulb enlargement under controlled conditions, included 1/2 MS, 40 g/L sucrose; 60 g/L potato lixivium; 0.5 mg/L NAA and an immersion rate of 3 min at every 6-hour interval. Results showed that the combined feeding and elicitation strategy (2% sucrose and 0.25 mmol/L Me-JA) was suitable for the enlargement of pseudobulbs (diameter: 6.78 ± 0.16 mm) and the biosynthesis of polysaccharides (14.49 ± 0.45 mg/g). The optimum plant growth (plant height: 123.97 ± 5.42 mm, leaf width: 7.78 ± 0.32 mm and stem diameter: 2.10 ± 0.07 mm) was obtained by the inoculation of nitrogen feed source of NO 3 − : NH 4 + with a 3:1 ratio. At this stage, the corresponding B. striata pseudobulb enlargement and polysaccharide content were decreased to 6.1 ± 0.2 mm and 8.51 ± 0.1 mg/g, respectively, while the highest pseudobulb enlargement (7.21 ± 0.17 mm) and polysaccharide content (12.94 ± 0.35 mg/g) were optimized when inoculated the NO 3 − : NH 4 + with molar ratio of a 2:2. In conclusion, the optimal carbon and nitrogen source supplements effectively induced the pseudobulb enlargement and polysaccharides accumulation. Overall, the present combination of TIBS and feeding strategy constitutes advancement for the industrial production of pseudobulbs as well as polysaccharides, as comparison with the conventional process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallot is one of the major vegetable crops used for seasoning local cuisines in Ethiopia. It is propagated vegetatively using bulbs as planting material. However, the use of bulbs as planting material is not advisable, because bulbs are expensive, bulky to transport, transmit diseases from one generation to the next, and have short shelf life. As a result, production of shallot decreased considerably in favor of the seed propagated onions. To reverse the trend, a study was undertaken to develop shallot varieties that can be propagated through seed. In the first phase of the development, sixty nine shallot accessions, that could bolt and produce seeds, were identified. Three accessions (DZSHT-91-2B, DZSHT-193-1A and DZSHT-157-1B), which had desirable bulb characteristics were developed through recurrent positive selection from 2008 to 2014. Then the three varieties were compared with an onion variety Bombay Red, a vegetatively propagated shallot variety Minjar and an introduced seed propagated shallot variety Vethalan. The trials were lied out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at three different agro-ecological locations. The results of the study showed that the three varieties, in addition to mitigating the aforementioned problems, had 44–86% higher bulb yield and higher proportion of big and medium size bulbs as compared to shallot variety Minjar. The yield and total soluble solids (TSS) of the varieties were comparable with Bombay Red and Vethalan varieties. The three selected seed producing cultivars also produced seed yield of 6.0–10.4 g per plant. Therefore, the varieties will benefit shallot bulb and seed producers, transporters and traders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the water scarcity in dry Mediterranean condition, determination of water and nitrogen (N) fertilizer needs is a major challenge for crop production and environment protection. Pot experiments under open field conditions were conducted for two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) to assess the effects of various levels of N-fertilizer and irrigation on onion crop, following a 4x3 factorial experiment arranged in a randomized block design with four Nfertilizer rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha-1), and three irrigation levels (100, 80, and 60% of the seasonal water use), with three replications. Results indicated that the initial soil N-content (about 60 kg N ha-1) was sufficient to meet crop nitrogen requirements. However, results indicated that onion crop was sensitive to water stress, so that the highest total bulb yield (BY, 19.1 t ha-1), dry matter in bulbs (DM, 2.97 t ha-1), and water productivity (WP, 1.9 kg m-3) were found under full irrigation compared to the deficit conditions. BY, DM, and WP were predicted to be increased linearly with increasing levels of irrigation. The developed equations could be used for predicting onion crop yields under similar agro-pedo-climatic context, and as a tool for rational management of limited irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Vidalia onions (Allium cepa L.) are sweet, short-day, low pungency, yellow Granex-type bulbs that are popular in the United States because of their mild flavor. There are limited studies on sweet onion plant growth in response to organic fertilization rate. The objective of this report was to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizer rates on sweet onion plant growth, and leaf and bulb mineral nutrients. Experiments were carried out at the Horticulture Farm, Tifton Campus, University of Georgia, in the Winters of 2012-13 and 2013-14. There were five treatments [organic fertilizer 3-2-3 equivalent to 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg·ha-1 nitrogen (N)]. During the season and at the mature plant stage, root, stem, and bulb biomass increased whereas the root-to-shoot ratio decreased with increasing fertilization rate up to 120 kg·ha-1 N. Foliar concentrations of N and Ca decreased whereas Cu concentration increased with increasing organic fertilization rate. Bulb Mg and Mn increased whereas P and Cu decreased with increasing organic fertilization rate. The accumulation of mineral nutrients by onion whole plants increased quadratically (N, P, K, and S) or linearly (Ca and Mg) with increasing fertilization rate. The N use efficiency decreased with increasing organic fertilization rate; the agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) decreased quadratically and the marginal yield decreased linearly with increasing fertilization rate. Chlorophyll indices (CI) were highest with 240 kg·ha-1 N and lowest with 0 kg·ha-1 N. In conclusion, onion plant growth increased with increasing organic fertilizer rate probably because of augmented soil N levels. Observation of nutrient deficiencies late in the season, even at high organic fertilization rates, indicates that preplant application of organic fertilizer was sufficient to cover plant nutritional needs only partially and that applications of N fertilizer later in the season may be necessary. High application rates of organic fertilizer (above those required by the crop) may have resulted in significant N leaching because it is unlikely that the crop used most of the N that was mineralized. Bulb concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Cu, and Mn were higher compared with values reported in the literature for onions produced with inorganic fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in organic fertilizers because of increased demand for organic sweet onions and other vegetables. There are, however, limited studies on sweet onion bulb yield and quality in response to organic fertilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizer rate on sweet onion bulb yield and bulb quality before and after storage. Experiments were conducted at the Horticulture Farm, Tifton Campus, University of Georgia, in the Winters of 2012-13 and 2013-14. There were five organic fertilization treatments (organic fertilizer 3-2-3 equivalent to 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg·ha-1 N). Total and marketable yields and individual bulb weight increased quadratically with increasing organic fertilization rate and responses failed to reach a plateau. The fraction of extra-large bulb increased with increasing organic fertilization rate. Incidence of onion bolting was maximal at 60 kg·ha-1 N and decreased with increasing organic fertilization rate. The percentage of bulb dry weight was highest in the unfertilized control and decreased with increasing organic fertilization rate. Organic fertilization rate had no consistent impact on bulb soluble solids content (SCC) and pungency (measured as pyruvate concentration) in the two seasons. Total antioxidant capacity (measured as gallic acid equivalents) values were among the lowest at 60 and 120 kg·ha-1 N. In conclusion, onion bulb yields increased with increasing organic fertilization rate, whereas incidences of bulb diseases responded differently to N rate. Botrytis rot was the main cause of postharvest bulb decay in all organic fertilization rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onion bulbs ( Allium cepa L.) can be stored for up to 12 months to ensure their availability all year, but one of the limiting factors is decay caused by blue mould fungi. Postharvest development of blue mould is not only economically important, but also poses a health hazard due to mycotoxin contamination. Onion bulbs of different yellow and red cultivars with blue mould symptoms were collected from three storage facilities in Serbia. Pathogenic isolates were identified and characterized based on their molecular (partial β-tubulin gene), morphological (micro- and macromorphology, and colony growth) and biochemical properties (analyses of indole metabolites via Ehrlich test). Three Penicillium species were identified: P. polonicum, P. glabrum and P. expansum. Virulence on inoculated onion bulbs varied significantly within isolates of P. glabrum, but the most virulent isolate of P. polonicum and P. glabrum did not differ, nor did they differ from an isolate of P. expansum. Variability in virulence of individual P. glabrum isolates corresponded to differences in their molecular and macromorphological characters. P. glabrum and P. expansum were identified for the first time as causal agents of onion bulb decay in Serbia. Data from this investigation provide insight into diversity of economically important and possibly toxigenic blue mould fungi which brings attention to their presence in storage facilities and therefore the necessity of the application of prevention measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental and genetic factors influence growth and bulb development of onions by affecting their physiology. Photoperiod plays critical a role in bulb development and determines the suitability of a cultivar for a particular region. Long days and high temperatures promote onion bulbing. Bulbing is regulated more by temperature than photoperiod, as determined by growing degree days. Far-red light promotes bulbing most effectively. High-temperature storage of sets (above 20–25°C) results in increased total bulb yields, while very high temperature (25.5–31°C) or temperature below 0°C depresses yield. Plant density has an impact on bulb size: the higher the plant density the smaller the bulb size. Onion is more sensitive to water stress during bulb formation and enlargement than during the vegetative stage. Nitrogen improves bulb development, but too much nitrogen promotes excessive vegetative growth and delays maturity. Growth hormones (gibberellins and ethrel) promote the growth and development of bulbs. Flowering and bulb formation in onion is regulated by different (Flowering Locus T) FT genes. Two antagonistic FT-like genes regulate bulb formation. AcFT1 promotes bulb formation, while AcFT4 prevents AcFT1 up-regulation and inhibits bulbing. There is a need to link our research with the genetics and physiology of onions, to enhance bulb yield. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Allium palaestinum, a long-forgotten taxon of arid Israel and Jordan, is re-described here. The new description is based on Kolmann's work in 1971 and on living plants and fresh herbarium specimens. Independence of the species is confirmed not only by differing morphological and ecological features of the nearest related Allium species, but also by molecular methods. Hence, the species is no longer treated within Allium neapolitanum. Discussion on phylo-geography, distribution, conservation status and habitat is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liliaceae Lilium is one of the most famous flower bulbs in the world. The root system bridges substance exchange between the soil and shoot and a strong root system supports the shoot growth and development. During growth, lilies develop two root systems: the basal root system and the stem root system. A few studies have currently reported the relationship between the growth of lily roots and shoots. In our study, we carried out a growth observation of lily shoots (stem and leaves) and underground parts (bulb, basal roots, and stem roots) by cutting the basal roots, stem roots and bulbs of lily. We also discussed how these treatments affected the growth of lilies. The results indicated that both bulb weight and bulb volume showed an initial decreasing and a subsequent increasing trend during growth, and the bulb weight could better reflect bulb nutrient dynamics compared with the bulb volume. The trend in bulb weight was the opposite to that of shoot weight; the bulb weight decreased at first and then increased, whereas the shoot weight first increased and decreased afterward. The turning points for both variations occurred just at the time of flowering. The variation of plant heights showed a typical S-curve and the time where plant heights entered rapid growth coincided with the time where the stemroot systemstarted to emerge. The stem root system only took 10 days to complete development. The biological significance was that after plantation, nutrients supporting the growth of the shoots is mainly supplied and maintained by the bulbs and they should be transferred to the stem roots in the shortest delay possible. During early emergence of the stem root system, substance consumed from the bulb are mainly used for the formation of stem roots and after the number of leaves has become stable, substances supplying the shoot growth aremainly from soil nutrients absorbed by the stemroots. The stemroot system plays a key role in the growth and development of lily shoots, whereas the basal roots and the bulb would not affect lily growth to a significant level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium scorodoprasum is a bulbous geophyte that reproduces by seeds, aerial bulbils, and subterranean daughter bulbs. This research represents the analysis of intraspecific variations in sexual and asexual reproduction in relation to ploidy levels and the environmental conditions from 11 diploid and 24 triploid populations in Lithuania. The results showed that the seed production was extremely rare and occurred only in diploid populations. The numbers of flowers and aerial bulbils per plant as well as mean mass of one bulbil were the characteristics in which differences between ploidy levels were the biggest. The diploids on average produced more (61.9), but smaller (mean mass = 29.6 mg) bulbils and more flowers (16.7), while triploids produced less (41.7), but larger (mean mass = 45.9 mg) bulbils and fewer (5.2) flowers. The study revealed that the main determinant of intracytotypic variation in quantity of both sexual and asexual structures was light availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our experimental design was formulated to determine whether or not bulb polarity (orientation) at the time of replanting of bulbs to salvage plants of Calochortus weedii A. W. Wood (Liliaceae) or Weed's Mariposa Lily affected the success of the mitigation transplant effort. Polarity of bulbs at planting clearly did influence subsequent growth, most notably in the tip-down (D) treatment. Among these bulbs, 75% failed to emerge from dormancy and only four (20%) actually set mature fruit. This was in sharp contrast to the other three treatments where 100% of the bulbs successfully emerged in this season and between 80% (S) and 95% (UG and UN) set mature fruit. The data from this study do indicate that: 1) bulb planting orientation does influence survival and growth, and 2) proper bulb planting polarity (orientation) should be an important consideration in any transplantation of this or any sensitive bulb producing plant species for mitigation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every year, as gardening brands start building their marketing plans, they face an important question: does Spring start at different times in different UK regions? We leveraged the transactional information available on the Abacus Alliance to analyse purchasing patterns in the January to May period of 2013, 2014 and 2015. Our examination shows that there is not a substantial North/South divide in when consumers start buying gardening products. However, there is difference between urban and rural areas, with customers living in or around major UK cities purchasing later in the season. It is possible that this 'urban delay' is linked to urban customers preferring ready-to-plant products to seeds and bulbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experimental work was conducted in the Farm of Nubaria Agricultural Research Station for the two successive winter seasons of 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 on onion crop to study the correlation coefficients among the characters of total yield, marketable yield, average bulb weight, days to maturity, plant height, number of leaves per plant, percentage of single bulbs, percentage of double bulbs, percentage of bolters, total soluble solids (TSS %) and storage ability of bulbs. Results showed that correlation coefficients among characters were positive with days to maturity, plant height, number of leaves per plant, percentage of double bulbs, total soluble solids (TSS %) and storage ability of bulbs in both seasons while the correlation coefficients among characters were negative among total yield with percentage of bolters, marketable yield with storage ability of bulbs, percentage of single bulbs with percentage of bolters and percentage of bolters with total soluble solids (TSS %) in the first season. Also, in the second season, the correlation coefficients among characters were found to be negative among marketable yield with percentage of bolters, average bulb weight with storage ability of bulbs and percentage of single bulbs with both percentage of double bulbs and percentage of bolters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analytical approach for predicting the wetted soil volume underneath an emitter laid on the ground surface is developed. The approach is based on: (1) the Green and Ampt assumption, (2) Hammami et al. model that enables the inference of the wetted soil depth from the radius of the humid area at the ground surface and (3) the hypothesis that the bulb keeps a semi-elliptical shape whose diagonals are merged with the soil surface and the symmetry axis, respectively. Knowing the initial water content θ i , the soil hydraulic conductivity K f and the water content θ f at wetting front position, the proposed approach allows the inference of the wetted bulb volume from the radius of the wetted spot at the soil surface. Experimental trials were carried out in laboratory conditions to assess the relevance of the proposed method. The measurements were made during the infiltration process in three soil types: loamy clay, sandy clay loam and sandy clay. The wetting front progression was monitored via the measurement of the wetting front radius R f ( t ) at the soil surface and the determination of the moistened bulb volume V b ( t ) by water balance equation. The V b ( t ) values thus determined were compared to those predicted by the present approach. The results exhibit a good agreement between calculated and predicted data. Furthermore, predicted values are close to those inferred from Healy and Warrick (1988) model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential endogenous plant signalling molecule involved in a wide range of plant developmental processes. To investigate the effect of NO on breaking dormancy in bulbs, bulbs of Oriental lily (Lilium orientalis) 'Siberia' were treated with various concentration of the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.0, 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mM). The results showed that the effect of NO was dose-dependent, with the maximum biological response at 1.0 mM SNP.When applied exogenously, the 1.0 mM SNP treatment reduced the time required to release dormancy in Oriental lily bulbs. Meanwhile, 1.0 mM SNP significantly increased the shoot length:bulb height ratio. In addition, 1.0 mM SNP significantly lowered starch concentrations and increased water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and reducing sugar concentrations. These results indicate that NO treatment, at the correct dose, reduced the time required to release dormancy in bulbs by accelerating the degradation of starch and increasing the accumulation of WSC and reducing sugars in Oriental lily bulbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion: Timing of bulb formation and floral stem induction in garlic is controlled by preplanting storage temperature and shoot apical meristem termination, probably via FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes. Garlic is planted in the winter, undergoes a vegetative stage, then forms bulbs in response to increasing temperature and lengthening photoperiod. Herein, the storage conditions for propagation bulbs are shown to potentially affect future vegetative-stage length and timing of bulb formation. Storage temperatures of 2 or 33 °C inhibited internal bud growth. Levels of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) and its inactive isomer trans-ABA were significantly higher in the internal bud of cloves stored at 33 vs. 2 °C, and exogenous ABA treatment before planting confirmed its inhibitory effect on foliage leaf development. Bulb formation started 30 and 60 days after planting of cloves stored at 2 and 33 °C, respectively. Warm storage temperature induced the formation of multiple leaves and cloves after planting. Plants from cloves stored at warm temperature developed a floral stem, whereas those from cold storage did not. Allium sativum FLOWERING LOCUS T1 ( AsFT1) was upregulated 2.5- and 4.5-fold in the internal bud and storage leaf, respectively, after 90 and 150 days of cold vs. warm storage. Expression of AsFT4, expected to be antagonist to AsFT1, was 2- to 3-fold lower in the internal bud from cold storage. Expression of AsFT2, associated with floral termination, was 2- to 3- and 10- to 12-fold higher for cold vs. warm storage temperatures, in the internal bud and storage leaf, respectively. Early bulb formation, induced by cold storage, is suggested to inhibit normal foliage leaf development and transition of the shoot apical meristem to reproductive meristem, through regulation of FT genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilium ( Liliaceae) is an important wild plant and is used as food and traditional medicine worldwide. One Lilium cultivar ( Lilium lancifolium) and 2 wild types ( Lilium leucanthum and Lilium rosthornii) that are commonly distributed in Western China were investigated to completely utilize Lilium resources. The morphology of the flowers, bulbs, and scales and soluble sugar, total starch and amylose contents was remarkably different among the 3 Lilium species. Starches from the 3 Lilium species presented different granule size and shape. The starch of L. lancifolium exhibited higher swelling power and solubility than that of L. leucanthum and L. rosthornii. The starches from the 3 Lilium bulbs presented similar X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Among the 3 Lilium species, L. lancifolium showed the lowest crystallinity and the largest proportion of ordered structures in granule external region. Gelatinization temperatures and retrogradation percentage were significantly lower, but gelatinization enthalpy was significantly higher in L. lancifolium than those in L. leucanthum and L. rosthornii. Pasting properties of starch were different among the 3 Lilium species. Starch from L. lancifolium showed the highest degree of amylopectin branching, followed by L. leucanthum and L. rosthornii. Starches from L. leucanthum and L. rosthornii showed higher resistance to porcine pancreatic α-amylase hydrolysis compared to that of L. lancifolium. These results indicated that 3 Lilium bulbs exhibited remarkable differences in morphological, crystal, thermal, pasting, and hydrolysis properties of starches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bulb size and regularity of shape and absence of defects determine garlic commercial quality, with these factors being related to variety, environment and cultural practices. Low temperatures and short photoperiods at the beginning of development, followed by high temperatures and long photoperiods at the end of the crop cycle are important for good bulb formation. Conditioning “seed” cloves at low temperatures before they are sown ahead harvesting and also decreases the incidence of undifferentiated bulbs; however, its effects on growth pattern, fructan accumulation and gene expression of enzymes associated with their synthesis are unknown. During 4 different seasons, sets of two hundred garlic bulbs ‘Coreano’ were conditioned at 5 °C (5C) for 5 weeks and others sets were stored at room temperature (RT), the cloves were separated and selected by weight (5–8 g). Three treated replicates, two hundred cloves per replicate, were sown in commercial fields at Cosio Aguascalientes México. Representative samples of plants were analyzed for growth parameters, sugar and fructan contents, and 1-SST expression at different developmental stages. During the conditioning at 5C, the buds of different cloves were used to 1-SST expression. The 5C plants had shortened crop cycle (32–42 days), and their growth rate was higher (0.23 cm d −1 ) compared to RT plants (0.013 cm d −1 ). The fructan accumulation was also accelerated, and this process could be associated with leaf senescence, apparently modulated by the high glucose content in leaves of 5C plants (7.7 mg 100 g −1 ) in comparison with the RT plants (1.5 mg 100 g −1 ). However, the 5C plants did not reach either the yield or quality features of the RT plants. 1-SST expression was higher in the garlic buds conditioned at 5C than in those of RT plants; however, with respect to plant development, the expression was higher in all organs of RT plants. The conditioning of garlic bulbs at 5 °C was effective in shortening the harvest time and in eliminating the incidence of defects, allowing them to be harvested when the garlic supply is low. The changes in fructan and sugar metabolism influence growth pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total soluble phenolic content, free and conjugated phenolic acids (cinnamic, p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, sinapic, chlorogenic), soluble carbohydrates and starch content were studied for the first time during the bulb formation in lachenalia ( Lachenalia ) in vitro adventitious shoot cultures of two cultivars which varied in their bulbing ability. Shoots of ‘Rupert’ and ‘Ronina’ were cultivated on the Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium with the addition of 3% sucrose and growth substances BA (2.5 μM) and NAA (0.5 μM) under different lighting environments (white, blue, red light and darkness). Lachenalia ‘Ronina’ formed most adventitious bulbs in darkness, whereas ‘Rupert’ produced them in all lighting environments. The results show a diversity of phenolic compounds in the storage organs of lachenalia cultivated in different lighting environments in terms of quality and quantity. In white and blue light or darkness, the total production of soluble phenolic compounds in cultures of investigated cultivars, varied from 1.1 to 2.0 mg/g d.w. and it was higher than in lachenalia exposed to red light (0.5 mg/g d.w.). Most of the examined conjugated phenolic acids occurred in bulbs at a higher concentration in the white and blue light, in comparison to the red light or in the dark. No, or only low concentration of chlorogenic acid was detected in scales of newly formed lachenalia bulbs. Bulbs of lachenalia ‘Ronina’ contained more soluble sugars, whereas bulbs of ‘Rupert’ contained more starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new isosteroidal alkaloid, yibeinone E ( 1), along with five known ones, zhebeinone 3-O-β-D-glucoside ( 2), sinpeinine A ( 3), yubeinine ( 4), ebeinone ( 5), and delavinone ( 6), were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria pallidiflora. Their structures were confirmed on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis or comparison with the data in the literature (known compounds). Compound 3 showed an apparent relaxation effect on isolated tracheas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal properties are essential for predicting the temperature distribution within the foods and to allow optimum design of heat transfer equipment. Study of thermal, textural properties and quality parameters are necessary to understand the behavior of onion during storage and consumption. All these properties were measured and a data base for the CO 4 variety was formed. Thermal properties of the fresh and three months stored onion bulbs were estimated. The specific heat, thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity were linearly related and also the thermal diffusivity indirectly related with moisture content of the fresh and three months stored onion. Penetration load and crushing load of fresh and stored onion bulbs were determined. The mean values of total soluble solids (TSS), colour parameter 'a' and pyruvic acid content were 16.91±0.90 to 17.29 ± 0.62 per cent, 15.23 ± 10 to 14.58±0.67 and 4.58±0.41 and 4.25±0.39 µmol/g respectively, for the fresh and three months stored onion. All the properties were assessed at an average moisture content of 83.45±1.10 per cent (wb) for the fresh onion bulbs and 81.82±1.01 per cent (wb) for the three months stored onion CO 4 variety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protocol for obtaining bulbs via in vitro organogenesis was developed for tarda tulip ( Tulipa tarda Stapf). Scale explants were obtained from bulbs formed at the base of seedlings or from adventitious bulbs that developed from callus tissue forming on stolons or on germinating seeds. Some explants were subjected to chilling at 5°C for 12 wk. The culture media contained 3 or 6% sucrose and was supplemented with either no growth regulators, either 0.5 μM 6-benzyl-aminopurine (BAP) or 18.9 or 94.6 μM abscisic acid (ABA). Cultures were maintained in the dark at 20°C. Callus tissue developed mainly on media without growth regulators or with BAP. Callus was formed from up to 96% of explants derived from non-chilled adventitious bulbs that were treated with 3% sucrose and 0.5 μM BAP. Less callus was formed from chilled explants compared with non-chilled explants. Newly formed adventitious bulbs appeared on the explants via direct and indirect organogenesis. The media with BAP promoted the formation of adventitious bulbs at a rate of 56-92% from non-chilled explants, whereas a maximum rate of 36% was observed from chilled explants. ABA inhibited the induction of adventitious bulbs and callus. The adventitious bulbs obtained in these experiments contained a meristem, which was evidence that they had developed properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-year-old bulblets of Lycoris aurea were obtained by propagation of cuttings. Different concentrations of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N1-phenylurea (CPPU; 0,1.0,2.0,5.0,7.5, or 10.0 mg l-1) were sprayed on all the leaves on each plant at the green-leaf stage. Morphological indices including bulblet fresh weights (FW) and diameters, carbohydrate concentrations, the activities of enzymes related to starch metabolism, and the concentrations of endogenous hormones were determined in bulblets during dormancy. Bivariate correlation analysis was used to analyse the relationships of all parameters. The results showed that spray treatment with an appropriate concentration of CPPU was beneficial for the enlargement of L. aurea bulblets. The optimum concentration was 1.0 mg l-1. Bivariate correlation analysis showed that bulblet FW and diameter had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) positive correlation with starch concentration. The concentration of zeatin riboside (ZR) showed a significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive correlation with soluble starch synthase (SSS) and granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS) activities. Our study indicated that 1.0 mg l-1 CPPU promoted the activity of starch synthase and accelerated the accumulation of starch in bulblets, and that the observed increase in endogenous ZR may also have an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past 10 years, there has been a substantial increase in reports, from growers and extension personnel, on bulb and root rots in lily ( Lilium longiflorum) in Israel. Rot in these plants, when grown as cut flowers, caused serious economic damage expressed in reduction in yield and quality. In lily, the fungal pathogens involved in the rot were characterized as binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-A, Rhizoctonia solani, Pythium oligandrum, Fusarium proliferatum (white and purple isolates) and F. oxysporum, using morphological and molecular criteria. These fungi were the prevalent pathogens in diseased plants collected from commercial greenhouses. Pathogenicity trials were conducted on lily bulbs and onion seedlings under controlled conditions in a greenhouse to complete Koch's postulates. Disease symptoms on lily were most severe in treatments inoculated with binucleate Rhizoctonia AG-A, P. oligandrum and F. proliferatum. Plant height was lower in the above treatments compared with the control plants. The least aggressive fungus was R. solani. In artificial inoculations of onion, seedling survival was significantly affected by all fungi. The most pathogenic fungus was F. proliferatum w and the least were isolates of F. oxysporum ( II and III). All fungi were successfully re-isolated from the inoculated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the activity of 3 antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase during morphogenesis of Fritillaria meleagris L. in vitro in bulb scale culture. Bulb cultures of F. meleagris were established on nutrition medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1thidiazuron. Bulbs were grown at standard (24 °C) and low temperatures (4 °C) or at an increased sucrose concentration (4.5%) during the first 6 weeks (pretreatments). All bulbs were then grown for 4 weeks at standard temperature on 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and kinetin or thidiazuron (at concentrations of 1 mg L-1 each) in order to examine the influence of the above-mentioned pretreatments and nutrient medium composition on enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was measured 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the start of morphogenesis induction. Superoxide dismutase and catalase showed the highest activity at the beginning of morphogenesis in vitro. Peroxidase activity was the highest in bulb segments immediately after isolation following pretreatments and on both nutrition media. We also determined the effect of pretreatment coupled with low temperature (4 °C) on growth and development of F. meleagris in vitro and chlorophyll and carotenoids content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch and soluble sugar concentrations, α-amylase activity and soluble protein of Hippeastrum vittatum 'Red Lion' bulbs were assessed under different storage temperatures and storage periods. Bulbs were stored for 45 days at 20°, 12°, 8° or 4°C. Starch concentration decreased most at 4°C on the 45th day, changing from 29.7% to 10.9% in the exterior scales and from 33.0% to 13.0% in the interior scales. The α-amylase activity in the exterior scales, except at 4° and 8°C, decreased significantly between 0 and 15 days of storage, and then increased significantly from the 15th day until the end of the trial. The soluble sugar concentration increased most at 4°C: in the exterior scales it changed from 54.73 to 153.93 mg·g-1 while in the interior scales it increased from 39.67 to 148.11 mg·g-1. The soluble protein concentration in all treatments peaked on the 30th day at 8°C in the exterior scales (2.15 mg·g-1) and at 12°C in the interior scales (2.17 mg·g-1). Understanding these physiological and biochemical changes in the bulbs of H. vittatum after storage would serve as a reference for bulb dormancy mechanisms in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

-Highlights: [•] We conducted acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of Thunberg Fritillary Bulb extract. [•] In the acute toxicity study, the oral LD50 was 52.2mg/kg body weight in mice. [•] In the sub-chronic study, the dose of no adverse effect was 1mg/kg body weight in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of a two-year study was to characterise selected Allium cepa L. genotypes with regard to their ability to accumulate nitrates in bulbs as well as to search for a possible relation between NO3- concentration and dry matter content. Fifteen cul-tivars of edible onion, mostly of long-day genotype with different growing periods, bulb size and skin colour, were taken for the experiment. Seeds of particular cultivars were obtained from the following seed companies: Spójnia Nochowo ('Labrador', 'Takstar F1', 'Tęcza', 'Warna', 'Zorza'), Polan ('Polanowska', 'Topolska'), PlantiCo Gołębiew ('Alibaba', 'Efekt', 'Kristine', 'Niagara F1'), and PlantiCo Zielonki ('Bila', 'Irka', 'Wenta', 'Zeta'). Plants produced from seedlings were grown in the experimental field of the University of Agriculture in Kraków. After crop harvesting and additional drying, nitrate and dry matter content in bulbs of all cultivars were measured. The following cultivars: 'Efekt', 'Labrador' and red-skinned 'Wenta', were characterized by the lowest ability to accumulate NO3- in bulbs. The highest nitrate content was noted in bulbs of 'Takstar F1' (a very early-season cultivar), followed by 'Bila' and 'Tęcza'. A weak, yet statistically significant negative correlation between nitrate and dry matter content was observed. The highest dry matter content was determined in bulbs of white-skinned 'Alibaba', while the lowest - in brown-skinned 'Labrador'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lily symptomless virus ( LSV) and Arabis mosaic virus ( Ar MV) cause severe losses of quantity and quality of lily flower and bulb production. Specificity, sensitivity and speed of detection methods for viruses need to be improved greatly to prevent LSV and Ar MV from spreading from infected lilies. A dual IC- RT- PCR procedure for detection was developed in which the antibodies of LSV and Ar MV were mixed and the mixture used to coat the PCR tubes. The particles of the two viruses were captured by the respective antibodies. Interference by other RNA viruses in infected lily was eliminated in the RT- PCR. Also, an RNA extraction step was omitted. The dual IC- RT- PCR products of LSV and Ar MV were 521 bp and 691 bp, respectively. The specificity of the method was validated; only LSV and Ar MV of four viruses were detected by dual IC- RT- PCR. The sensitivity of the detection method is 1 mg leaf tissue and higher than DAS- ELISA due to enrichment by dual immunocapture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study, conducted in the years 2010-2012, was to evaluate bolting and seed production of shallot depending on storage temperature of steckling bulbs with different diameters. The present study included 4 cultivars ('Toto', 'Ambition F1', 'Bonilla F1', and 'Matador F1') and one local population ('U'). Bulbs with the following diameters: 20-30 mm, 31-40 mm, 41-50 mm, and 51-60 mm, were stored from the first 10-day period of November (2010 and 2011) until the end of March (2011 and 2012) at a temperature of 0-1 °C, 4-6 °C, and 8-10 °C. After they were planted in the field (the second 10-day period of April), observations of bolting were carried out, while the weight of seed umbels and seed yield were determined only for the cultivar 'Toto' and the population 'U'. The storage temperature of steckling bulbs in the range of 4-6 °C and 8-10 °C was most conducive to bolting, in particular in plants grown from large bulbs with a diameter above 40 mm. In the cultivar 'Toto', plants from bulbs with a diameter above 40 mm and stored at a temperature of 4-6 °C were characterized by the highest weight of seed umbels. This had an effect on obtaining the highest seed yield (on average 1604.16-2300.7 g per 100 m² of area). Shallot plants from the population 'U' grown from bulbs with a diameter of 20-30 mm were characterized by a distinctly lower percentage of bolting plants compared to the cultivars studied. For this reason, this population does not promise positive effects in shallot production for seed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed three methods for injecting substances into the bulb of Allium: (1) direct injection, (2) injection through the open space in the bulb after the removal of the upper half of the bulb, and (3) through a special 'tunnel' cut in the bulb. Water (control) and solutions of methotrexate and copper sulfate were injected into bulbs and the dynamics of root growth were measured. We found that 2.2 mM methotrexate and 100 mM copper sulfate inhibit root growth. Injection through the 'tunnel' was the most effective method. Cytological analysis showed that methotrexate inhibited mitotic activity completely in the root apical meristem and copper sulfate induced swelling of cells in the root meristem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field study was conducted to investigate the impact of soil amendments on concentrations of two volatile organic compounds, 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone, in onion bulbs. The soil in five plots was mixed with sewage sludge, five plots were mixed with yard waste compost, five plots were mixed with laying hen manure each at 15 t acre−1, and five unamended plots that never received soil amendments were used for comparison purposes. Plots (n = 20) were planted with onion,Allium cepaL. var. Super Star-F1 bulbs. Gas chromatographic/mass spetrometric (GC/MS) analyses of mature onion bulbs crude extracts revealed the presence of two major fragment ions that correspond to 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone. Soil amended with yard waste compost enhanced 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone production by 31 and 59%, respectively. Soil amended with chicken manure enhanced 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone production by 28 and 43%, respectively. Concentrations of 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone were lowest in onion bulbs of plants grown in sewage sludge and unamended soil, respectively. The increased concentrations of 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone in onion bulbs may provide a protective character against insect and spider mite attack in field grown onions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Present study was conducted in order to understand sugar mobilization and effect of vernalization temperatures and duration in Lilium ledebourii's bulb. Three genotypes were collected from Rudbar, Kelardasht and Ardebil regions. The period of vernalization was 5 and 10 weeks, and vernalization temperature was 3 and 9 °C. Bulb's total sugar, Starch, glucose, fructose and sucrose were measured in first, second, fourth, eighth and tenth week of vernalization. Data were analyzed with SAS software in completely randomized design. Results showed that starch and total sugar reduced gradually, exception an increasing peak in 5th weeks in total sugar content. Sucrose and fructose content reduced, but glucose had constant value during vernalization. Starch and total sugar in 9 °C were significantly more than 3 °C vernalization temperature. Rudbar had significantly more fructose and total sugar content between three genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive yam crop development has been limited, among other things, due to the limited availability of planting material with physiological and sanitary quality. Sometimes, multiplication rates are very low, so this work was developed in order to determine the influence of support height (2,0 and 2,50 m high) on aerial bulbils production in clones "Belep" and "Irat-72". Results obtained showed that "Belep" genotype showed the highest bulbils number per plant in all tested treatments, with significant differences in relation to "Irat -72" genotype. In "Belep" genotype, a higher bulbil production was obtained in treatments with supports from 1.50 to 2.50 m high. For "Irat-72" genotype a higher bulbil number was observed at 2.0 m high. In both genotypes, bulbil production decreased at a meter high. In the bulbil weight evaluation at different support heights, no statistical differences were noticed between evaluated genotypes. In "Belep" genotype, there was greater bulbil weight at 1.0 meter high, but "Irat 72" genotype did not show any statistical differences between evaluated treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) causes a foliar disease in onion (Allium cepa L.) that results in a reduction in bulb size. Currently, no IYSV-tolerant or -resistant cultivar exists and a genetic source for tolerance or resistance has not been identified. Because other disease control methods are limited, host plant resistance offers the best hope to combat this disease. In this study, 13 winter-sown onion entries were screened for iris yellow spot (IYS) symptoms during the 2007 and 2008 cropping seasons. Twenty plants from each plot were observed and rated weekly during the growing seasons for straw-colored, necrotic lesions, typical of IYSV infection. Collected plant samples were assayed for IYSV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Visual rating was done using a scale of 1 to 9 with 1 representing no symptomatic tissue and 9 representing more than 50% tissue damage. Two different plant sampling methods were used in disease rating to determine their effect on mean severity and to correlate disease severity with absorbance values. Of the entries tested, plants of NMSU 05-33-1 exhibited a delay in symptom expression and lower IYSV levels relative to plants of other entries. Plants of 'Denali' and 'Gelma' appeared to be more susceptible to IYSV than plants of other entries. Plant selection within the plot over time did not influence disease rating values. When the same plants were rated and sampled for IYSV using ELISA, there was a strong, positive correlation between rating and absorbance values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the bulbs of Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum. On the basis of chemical conversions and detailed analyses of 1H and 13C NMR spectra including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, its structure was established as 3-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranosyl)oxy]-2,6-dihydroxy-(2α,3β,5α,6β,25R)-spirostane. Results of the present study indicated that the steroidal saponin showed haemolytic effects in the in vitro assays and demonstrated antiinflammatory activity and gastroprotective property using in vivo models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nutrient solution composition plays an important role in root uptake rate due to interactions among nutrients and internal regulation. Studies to determine the optimum nutrient solution concentration are focused on individual ions, ignoring the adaptation mechanisms triggered by plants when growing in a varying external nutrient concentration. The objective of the present study was to determine the response in growth and tissue ion concentration of lilium cv. 'Navona' to nutrient mixtures of varying proportions of nitrogen (N), potassium (K+), and calcium (Ca2+) in solution using mixture experiments methodology in order to determine the optimum concentration. Bulbs of lilium were transplanted in plastic crates and drip-irrigated with the treatment solutions, which consisted of a mixture of N, K+, and Ca2+ whose total concentration was 340 mg L-1 and minimum concentrations of each ion was 34 mg L-1. Chlorophyll concentration (SPAD), shoot fresh weight (FW), leaf FW, and leaf area were measured 60 days after transplanting and ion analysis was performed on shoot tissues from selected treatments. Lilium exhibited a moderate demand for N and K+ (136-170 mg L-1 N and 116-136 mg L-1 K+) and a very low demand for Ca2+ (34-88 mg · L-1). This low demand may be due to the remobilization of the nutrients stored in the bulbs. Integrating the predictions of the models estimated to produce >90% of maximum growth, the optimum nutrient solution should contain Ca2+ at a concentration between 34 and 126 mg · L-1, K+ between 119 and 211 mg · L-1, and N between 92 mg · L-1 and 211 mg · L-1. Increasing external N concentration affected internal N concentration but not internal K+ or Ca2+ concentrations, despite that the increase in external N was associated with a decrease in external K+ and Ca2+. Similar trends were observed for external K+ and Ca2+ concentration. In conclusion, lilium was able to maintain a relatively constant K+ and Ca2+ concentration regardless of the lower concentration in the nutrient solution when N was increased (similar response was observed for K+ and Ca2+) and it has a low Ca2+ demand and moderate N and K+ supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal chelating activity, antioxidant properties and the effect on carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzyme inhibition of Muscari comosum extracts have been investigated. M. comosum bulbs contain a total amount of the phenols with a value of 56.6 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent per gram of extract and a flavonoid content of 23.4 mg quercetin equivalent per gram of extract. In order to evaluate the non-polar constituents, n-hexane extract was obtained. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of fatty acids and ethyl esters as major constituents, with different aldehydes and alkanes as minor components. Ethanolic extract had the highest ferric-reducing ability power (66.7 μM Fe(II)/g) and DPPH scavenging activity with a concentration giving 50% inhibition (IC50) value of 40.9 μg/ml. Moreover, this extract exhibited a good hypoglycaemic activity with IC50 values of 81.3 and 112.8 μg/ml for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. In conclusion, M. comosum bulbs show promising antioxidant and hypoglycaemic activity via the inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes. These activities may be of interest from a functional point of view and for the revalorization of this ancient non-cultivated vegetable of Mediterranean traditional gastronomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Savvy marketers rely on the principles of customer segmentation and product targeting to more efficiently allocate scarce resources and effectively reach groups of consumers with similar likes, preferences, or demands. Our objective was to identify and profile consumer segments with regard to their gardening purchases to determine whether there were differences in their ecofriendly attitudes and behaviors such as recycling. Our underlying hypothesis was that different types of gardeners may exhibit more environmentally friendly behavior, predisposing them to be more receptive to product innovations specifically designed to be ecofriendly. Researchers collected plant purchases, recycling attitudes and behaviors, and preferences for ecofriendly containers from 763 consumers in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Texas. A cluster analysis based on plant purchases yielded three consumer segments: low use, woody plant buyers, and herbaceous plant buyers. There were some differences with regard to recycling behaviors among consumers in the three groups, including recycling aluminum drinking cans, newspapers, magazines, use of energy-saving bulbs, and composting yard waste. Generally, herbaceous plant buyers were most ecofriendly followed by woody plant buyers and low use. Given these differences, there appears to be some merit in the future to segment consumers by plant purchases versus others to target specific types of ecofriendly products to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the chloroform extract of bulbs of the orchid P. michuacana was used to determine the chemical identity of bioactive constituents. The use of DPPH assay led to the isolation of two new lanostane triterpenoids 3a-acetoxy, 24-hydroxy-24-methyl-5a-lanosta-9(11),25-diene ( 1) and 3a-acetoxy, 24-hydroxy-24-methyl-5a-lanosta-9(11)ene ( 2), a new stilbene a-a'-dihydro,3',5',2-trimethoxy-3-hydroxy4-acetyl-4'-isopentenylstilbene ( 3), the phenanthrene 4,6,7-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-8-(methylbut-2enyl)phenanthrene-1,1'-4',6',7'-trihydroxy-2'-methoxy-8'-(methylbut-2'-enyl)phenanthrene ( 4), one new abietane-type diterpene 12-hydroxy-3{,7{,18a-triacetoxy-8,11,13-abietatriene ( 5), together with gigantol ( 6), a known compound. The compounds were identified by spectral analysis and comparison with spectroscopic data reported in the literature. Compounds 3, 4, 5, and 6 showed DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activities, but none of the isolated triterpenes showed promising antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new intermediate parent 'Wonye 30002' (Allium cepa L.) was developed by Bioenergy Crop Research Center, NICS in 2009. As a male sterile line, 'Wonye 30002' can be used to hybrid seed production by crossing with pollen parent. The first cross was conducted between male sterile plants of 402AC203 and M1 in 2002. The male sterile line 'Wonye 30002' has circular bulb and bulb weight is 283 g. As early maturing type, lodging date is May 6. Plant height and pseudostem diameter are 43 cm and 15.5 mm, respectively. In seed harvesting characteristics, number of flower stalks and the length are 43 cm and 110 cm, respectively. The flowering date of 'Wonye 30002' is around May 24 and is completely male sterile. 'Wonye 30002' is a promising male sterile line for hybrid bulb onion seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]