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Introduction. With due consideration of the properties of fatty acids, as well as their importance for normal life activity and human development, research into the fatty acid composition of poorly studied plants and the search for new domestic plant sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids is a mainstream trend in modern pharmacy. Aim. Aim of research – determination of fatty acid qualitative composition and content in threshed grass, stalks, roots and seeds of Night-scented stock ‘Queen of Night’ and ‘Evening Scent’ cultivars as grown in Ukraine. Methods. Gas chromatography. Results. Both cultivars of Night-scented stock taken for analysis had similar fatty acid composition – 5 saturated, 5 (4 for seeds) monounsaturated and 2 polyunsaturated fatty acids, Quantitatively, in all tested parts of the herb polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid dominated, making in total 88.92% and 88.62% in the seeds of Queen of Night and Evening Scent cultivars, respectively, and averaging 65% in other parts of the tested cultivars. Linolenic and linoleic acids prevailed among the polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas oleic acid prevailed among the monounsaturated. Conclusion. Night-scented stock can be utilized as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids for the development of drugs and for standardization of tested raw materials.

Вступ. Амінокислоти – фізіологічно важлива група сполук, що бере участь у синтезі й метаболізмі багатьох речовин, здатна підтримувати нормальне функціонування органів і систем організму. Амінокислоти та їх похідні давно й ефективно застосовують у медицині. Рослини синтезують усі необхідні їм амінокислоти. Організм людини не може синтезувати всі амінокислоти, яких потребує, частину з них він одержує з їжею. Тому актуальним є дослідження амінокислотного складу рослин. Мета дослідження – вивчити якісний склад та визначити кількісний вміст амінокислот у сировині матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі. Методи дослідження. Об’єктами дослідження були обмолочена трава, стебла, корені та насіння матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі. Амінокислотний склад досліджуваних видів сировини визначали методом іонообмінної рідинно-колонкової хроматографії на автоматичному аналізаторі амінокислот. Результати й обговорення. У сировині матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі, взятої для дослідження, встановлено наявність 18 амінокислот: 7 незамінних, 3 напівзамінних та 8 замінних. Найвищий вміст амінокислот спостерігали в насінні та обмолоченій траві, найнижчий – у коренях. За кількістю в надземній частині рослини домінував пролін. У коренях та насінні найбільше накопичувалася глутамінова кислота. Цистин у обмолоченій траві й стеблах було виявлено в найменшій кількості, гістидин – у коренях, а γ-аміномасляну кислоту – в насінні. Сума незамінних амінокислот у досліджуваних видах сировини матіоли дворогої сорту Цариця ночі становила майже 1/3 від загальної суми амінокислот (31,28, 24,69, 28,63 та 29,77 % відповідно). Серед незамінних амінокислот у обмолоченій траві, стеблах та коренях за вмістом переважали лейцин і лізин, у насінні – лейцин та фенілаланін. У найменшій кількості в коренях містилися метіонін та фенілаланін, а в обмолоченій траві, стеблах і насінні – метіонін та ізолейцин. Висновок. Одержані результати буде використано для стандартизації сировини та розробки нових лікарських препаратів рослинного походження на основі комплексу амінокислот матіоли дворогої.

Introducción y objetivos: El género Matthiola W. T Aiton posee entre 50 y 60 especies originarias del Mediterráneo, Asia central y Sudáfrica. M. incana (L.) W. T. Aiton, nativa del sur de Europa, se encuentra naturalizada en otras regiones del mundo. En Argentina es cultivada como ornamental. A partir de observaciones florísticas se halló una población naturalizada, que se autoperpetúa sin intervención del hombre, en las costas de la Patagonia Argentina. El objetivo de este trabajo es reportar por primera vez la naturalización de M. incana en Argentina. M&M: Para la identificación de la especie se siguieron los métodos clásicos de taxonomía, se consultó bibliografía específica y se contrastó el material recolectado con imágenes digitales del lectotipo. Se recolectaron semillas de la población naturalizada y se evaluó el poder germinativo a través de un ensayo de germinación. El material recolectado que documenta el presente trabajo fue depositado en el herbario ARC de la Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Resultados: Se describe a Matthiola incana. Se incluyen nombres vulgares y datos sobre distribución, hábitat, ecología y usos. Se presenta una serie de fotografías de campo y bajo microscopio estereoscópico para complementar la descripción. El ensayo de germinación demostró que el 95% de las semillas germina a las 24 hs a 25 °C. Conclusiones: Se reporta por primera vez para Argentina la naturalización de Matthiola incana, única especie del género en el país hasta el momento. Background and aims: The genus Matthiola W. T. Aiton comprises between 50 and 60 species native to the Mediterranean, Central Asia and South Africa. M. incana (L.) W. T. Aiton, indigenous to southern Europe, is naturalized in other regions of the world. In Argentina it is cultivated as ornamental. From floristic observations, a naturalized population was found, which self-perpetuates without human intervention, on the coasts of the Patagonia Argentina. The objective of this work is to report for the first time the naturalization of M. incana in Argentina. M&M: For the identification of the species, the classic methods of taxonomy were followed, specific bibliography was consulted and the collected material was contrasted with digital images of the lectotype. Seeds were collected from the naturalized population and the germinative power was evaluated through a germination test. The collected material that documents the present work was deposited in the ARC herbarium of the Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Results: Matthiola incana is described. The common names and data on distribution, habitat, ecology and uses are included. Photographs are presented to complement the description. The germination test showed that 95% of the seeds germinated after 24 hours at 25°C. Conclusions: The naturalization of Matthiola incana is reported for the first time in Argentina, the only species of the genus in the country until now.

WOS: 000474619300008, Macro- and micromorphological features of fruit and seeds belonging to 12 taxa genera of Matthiola W.T. Aiton were studied via stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. In macromorphological studies, the following variables were investigated: the shape, size, and color of fruit and seeds; the length of fruiting pedicel; the structure of the median vein; stigma (horns); and trichome properties and density in fruit. In micromorphological studies, the presence or absence of seed wings, seed coat pattern in disc and wing, and epidermal cell shape in disc and wing were determined. According to our findings, all characters of fruit and seeds are extremely variable and can be used as criteria to distinguish species of the genus., Yuzuncu Yil University [2012-EF-B009], The authors are thank to Yuzuncu Yil University for financial support (BAP Project No. 2012-EF-B009) and would like to thank Dr Burcu Arpabay for her technical support with the SEM studies.

As part of a project aimed at investigating the Matthiola taxa endemic to Sicily (Italy), this study focused on Matthiola incana, an edible species used in the traditional medicine of various countries. Herein, the characterization of phenolic and volatile compounds, the antioxidant capacity in vitro (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), reducing power and Fe2+ chelating activity assays) and the toxicity test (Artemia salina lethality bioassay) of the hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts of M. incana subsp. rupestris from Mt. Pellegrino (Palermo) and Mt. Erice (Trapani), and of M. incana subsp. pulchella are reported. The results are compared with those previously shown for M. incana subsp. incana, to achieve a comprehensive overview of the three subspecies. The HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS and SPME-GC/MS analyses led to the identification of 13 phenolics and 54 volatile compounds. Differences in the qualitative-quantitative profile of these phytochemicals have been highlighted between the M. incana subspecies. The antioxidant tests showed different activity for the extracts, which were found to possess better chelating properties. At last, none of the tested extracts displayed toxicity against brine shrimp larvae. These findings enrich the knowledge on the Matthiola taxa growing wild in Sicily, both from the strictly systematic point of view and for the possible applications as sources bioactive compounds that can be used in the nutraceutical field.

Objetivo: Describir los atributos morfologicos y etapas de imbibición en semillas de tres accesiones de Matthiola incana. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Fueron analizadas semillas de los genotipos Nieve, Rosita y Uva correspondientes genero Matthiola especie incana. En una primera evaluación se calculó el peso de mil semillas y, determino el color de las mismas. A través del procesamiento de imágenes digitales se determinó el área, perímetro, longitud (eje mayor), ancho, ángulo, elongación (longitud/ancho) y el grado de redondez; datos que fueron analizados en una prueba de comparación de medias por Tukey. En la imbibición se colocaron en remojo muestras de cincuenta semillas de cada genotipo y fueron evaluadas cada 24, 48, 72 y 164 h para conocer su dinámica de absorción y poder determinar el tiempo en que transcurren las sub y fases de imbibición. Resultados: La descripción física en semillas de Nieve muestra que son de color naranja moderado y el peso de mil semillas es de 0.218 g; en Rosita la semilla es de color amarillo anaranjado moderado y mil semillas pesan 0.1902; el color en semillas de Uva es grisáceo a café obscuro con un peso de 0.1272 g a mil semillas. En las dimensiones morfológicas Nieve muestra mayores dimensiones respecto a Rosita y Uva; pero entre los tres genotipos muestran semejanzas en el tipo de forma. Durante la prueba de imbibición cada genotipo sigue su ritmo hasta la fase tres, donde el comportamiento se sincroniza en la visión de la protuberancia radicular a las 164 h de iniciada la prueba. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Las semillas muestran diferente tamaño, por lo cual manipular muestras grandes se complica al momento de la imbibición. Hallazgos/conclusiones: De las tres accesiones se determina que semillas correspondientes a la especie incana, son de mayores atributos morfológicos que otras especies del mismo género. En la fase dos, se identificaron dos subfases, la primera reconocida como el momento de expulsión de solutos y la segunda como recuperación a los solutos perdidos.

The paper industry generates significant quantities of waste. The recycling of paper waste (PW) for peat replacement in growing media for ornamental plants cultivation was studied. Five ratios of PW–peat (0%, 10%, 30%, 50% or 100% v/v) were evaluated for marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), petunia (Petunia × hybrita L.) and matthiola (Matthiola incana L.) plants. Addition of PW increased the substrate pH and mineral content but decreased the air-filled porosity. In marigold, the use of 100% PW reduced plant height, plant diameter, fresh weight for both leaves and flowers and the total number of flowers produced compared to the control (100% peat). In matthiola, 100% PW reduced plant height, whereas the addition of PW even at 10% decreased plant diameter and fresh weight (biomass) but increased dry matter content. Petunia plants grown in 100% PW exhibited lower growth (plant height and diameter), whereas adding ≥ 50% of PW decreased plant fresh weight. The total number of flower buds and open flowers increased (more than twofold) on plants grown in 30% PW compared to the control substrate, indicating flower earliness. Plant leaf chlorophyll content (Chl a, Chl b, total Chl) decreased as the PW ratio increased. Total phenolics and antioxidant capacity as well as plant damage index and enzymes scavenging activities varied among species. Mineral content fluctuated among species with decreases of N and P in plants grown in PW mixtures while matthiola showed phytotoxicity symptoms. The present study suggests that peat can be substituted by up to 30% of PW for marigold and petunia for potting culture, but not for matthiola, as the physicochemical properties of the substrate need further improvement.

Background: Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) belongs to the Brassicaceae family and it is an endemic plant from Morocco. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) on blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats. Methods: The effect of single dose (6 hours) and daily oral administration for seven days of the Aerial Part Aqueous Extract (A.P.A.E) of Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) (M. maroccana) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats was observed. Furthermore, body weight, oral glucose tolerance test, liver histopathological examination, phytochemical screening, and in vitro antioxidant activity of A.P.A.E were evaluated in this study. Results: The results showed that M. maroccana A.P.A.E exerts potent hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects on normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats (p Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings showed that A.P.A.E of M. maroccana (A.P.A.E MM) possesses significant antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activities.

Matthiola longipetala (Vent) DC, commonly known as “night-scented stock” or “evening stock”, is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Matthiola in the family Brassicaceae. It is a common garden flower, available in a variety of colors, many of which are heavily scented and also used in floristry. An elevated incidence of Fusarium was observed during a routine quality control seed assay of M. longipetala obtained from a private production facility in Đurđevo (South Backa District) in 2018. Fungal infection was noticed on an average of 30% of the tested seed, followed by a reduction in germination. The infected seed was covered with white to beige mycelium. Prior to isolation, seeds were surface sterilized for 10 min with a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution to reduce contaminants, washed twice in sterile water, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). After 7 days of incubation at 25°C under a 12-h/12-h photoperiod of fluorescent light, 14 Fusarium (JBL4089/1 to 14) isolates were single spored and subcultured on both PDA and carnation leaf agar (CLA). Pathogenicity was performed in vitro using a modified PDA slant method in a test tube (Porter et al. 2015). A piece of mycelium of each isolate grown on PDA for 7 days was placed at the bottom of each tube, and dried M. longipetala seed was carefully placed 2 cm above the inoculum. After 10 days, fungal mycelia of 14 isolates completely covered the seedlings, causing seed rot and seedling decay. The Fusarium was reisolated on PDA and used for further analysis in order to morphologically identify the species. Isolate JBL4089/2 formed abundant, loosely floccose, whitish aerial mycelium with beige pigmentation. After transfer to CLA, the isolate formed macroconidia with a tapered and elongated apical cell and prominent foot-shaped basal cell, which were typically four to five septate, with average dimensions of 21 to 60 × 2.8 to 4.6 µm. The isolate formed chlamydospores, but microconidia were not observed. Based on the morphological characteristics, isolate JBL4089/2 was identified as Fusarium equiseti (Corda) Sacc. according to Leslie and Summerell (2006) and Gerlach and Nirenberg (1982). Identification of isolate JBL4089/2 was confirmed by amplification and sequencing of a portion of the translation elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) gene. Total DNA was extracted directly from fungal mycelium with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), and PCR amplification was performed with primer pair EF-1/EF-2 (O’Donnell et al. 1998). Sequence analysis of the EF-1α gene revealed 100% nucleotide identity of isolate JBL4089/2 (GenBank accession no. MK061538) with the EF-1α sequences of two F. equiseti isolates from Canada (KU587617 from Pisum sativum and MH315936 from Glycine max) and a Hyssopus officinalis isolate (MK061540) of F. equiseti from Serbia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. equiseti as a causal agent of seed rot on M. longipetala in Serbia. The presence of the pathogen could cause significant economic losses in M. longipetala production, and for that reason control strategies for the management of the disease should be implemented.

Matthiola incana R. Br. (Fam: Brassicaceae) is an ornamental, commonly known as hoary stock has an extremely fragrant flowers, which blooms in dense clusters in a large variety of colors. During a survey of flower nurseries in March 2019 at Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research campus, Lucknow, floral virescence (MiV) symptoms (Fig. 1 A, B) were observed in M. incana pots with an incidence of over 40%. Leaf yellows symptoms were also observed on a weed Acalypha indica (AiLY) in Matthiola nursery (Fig. 1 C). Nested PCR assays were carried out to detect and identify the possible association of phytoplasmas with MiV and AiLY symptoms. Three each of symptomatic MiV and AiLY samples and two non-symptomatic samples were collected and processed for DNA extraction from the leaf midrib by CTAB method. Hishimonus phycitis (HP) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) leafhopper feeding on MiV symptomatic plants was also collected and DNA was extracted. The DNA of 8 symptomatic and 4 non-symptomatic plants and from the 10 leafhopper was used as a template for PCR assays. Phytoplasma specific 16Sr RNA gene specific primers (P1/P7 and 3Far/3Rev; Schneider et al. 1995; Manimekalai et al. 2010) and multilocus genes' specific primer pairs for secA (SecAfor1/SecArev3;SecAfo5r/SecARev2; Bekele et al. 2011), secY (SecYF1(VI)/SecYR1(VI);SecYF2(VI)/SecYR1(VI); Lee et al. 2010) and rp genes (rpFIC/rp(I)R1A; rp(VI)F2/ rp(VI)R2; Martini et al. 2007) were employed as previously described. Amplified products of ~1.3kb, ~600bp, ~1.7kb and ~1.0kb of 16S rRNA, secA, secY and rp genes of phytoplasma were consistently amplified in all the MiV and AiLY samples and in the HP leafhopper. No amplifications were achieved in any of the asymptomatic plant samples. Amplified products of all the four genes of MiV, AiLY and HP isolates were purified, sequenced and submitted in GenBank. Sequence comparison and phylogeny analysis of the sequences of the four genes of MiV, AiLY and HP isolates revealed 99% - 100% sequence identity and clustering with clover proliferation phytoplasma related strains (16SrVI group)(Fig.2 A,B,C and D). The virtual RFLP analysis of 17 restriction endonucleases corresponding to the 16S rDNA sequence of MiV, AiLY and HP phytoplasma strains by pDraw program, assigned them into a novel phytoplasma subgroup strain under 16SrVI group, since its HpaII restriction profile was different to earlier classified 16SrVI subgroups but was very close to16SrVI-E subgroup (GenBank acc. no. AY270156) (Fig 3). Earlier, peanut witches' broom (16SrII-A) phytoplasma was identified associated with M. incana from Italy (Davino et al. 2007). However, the association of clover proliferation phytoplasma (16SrVI) related strain associated with virescence symptom of M. incana is the first report in world. The weed (A. indica) and HP leafhopper were also reported as additional hosts of 16SrVI subgroup related new strain in India, which needs further investigation. The report of a new host and new subgroup of clover proliferation phytoplasma related strain in India is having an epidemiological significance and warrants attention.

Peat-based growing media are not ecologically sustainable and peat extraction threatens sensitive peatland ecosystem. In this study, olive-stone waste (OSW) and paper waste (PW) were used in different ratios—as growing media—for ornamental crop production, as peat (P) substitutes. Marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), petunia (Petunia x hybrita L.) and matthiola (Matthiola incana L.) plants were grown in (1) P (100%), (2) P:OSW (90%:10%), (3) P:OSW (70%:30%), and (4) P:OSW:PW (60%:20%:20%). The physicochemical properties of these substrates and the effects on plant growth were determined. The addition of 10–30% OSW into the substrate increased marigold height compared to plants grown in 100% peat. No differences in plant size, plant biomass (leaves and flowers), and dry matter content were found. Adding PW, in combination with OSW, maintained marigold height and total number of flowers produced to similar levels as in plants grown in 100% peat. In matthiola, adding 30% OSW into the substrate reduced plant size and fresh weight, but not plant height. No differences were observed when plants grew in lower OSW (i.e., 10%) content. Petunia’s height, its total number of flowers and flower earliness (flower opening) were increased in the presence of OSW compared to the plants grown in 100% peat. The addition of OSW did not affect petunia’s size and fresh weight among treatments. The addition of PW suppressed several plant growth-related parameters for both matthiola and petunia. The insertion of OSW did not change leaf chlorophyll content whereas the presence of PW decreased chlorophylls for marigold, petunia, and matthiola. Both OSW and PW altered the content of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) in leaves and flowers for marigold and petunia. Both 30% OSW and PW increased antioxidative enzyme metabolism due to the increased damage index and lipid peroxidation observed in plants. Leaf N and P content decreased in PW-based media, while matthiola displayed visual phytotoxicity symptoms when PW was added into the substrate. The present work indicates that up to 30% of OSW can replace peat for marigold and petunia growing and only up to 10% of OSW for matthiola, while the addition of PW on top of OSW is not recommended, so further research is needed.

A list of species from the family Brassicaceae Burnett was compiled based on the identification of herbarium samples collected in the Betpak-Dala desert in May 2014, a critical revision of the materials of Herbariums (AA and LE), and consideration of the literature data, The inclusion of some species (Matthiola robusta Bunge, Isatis violascens Bunge, I. maxima Pavl., etc.) in this list is discussed in more detail. The gen-eral list of Brassicaceae comprises 80 species. Eight species (10%) grow only in disturbed areas. These species, which are uncommon in the natural flora of the Betpak-Dala desert, were excluded from the analyzed list at the first stage of analysis. The final list for analysis included 72 species combined in 36 genera. The following genera proved to have the largest number of species in accordance with the study of the taxonomical compo-sition of Brassicaceae: Lepidium—13 (18%), Strigosella—6 (8%), and Alyssum—5 (7%). The classification of species into different vital forms revealed the indisputable dominance of annual plants (42 species), which are mostly ephemers (28 species). The analysis of the preference given by Brassicaceae to different edaphic variants showed that the majority of species prefer pelitophytic substrates. Only a few of them prefer hemi-petrophytic substrates. Of the 53 species growing on salinized substrates, 29 were found on alkaline soils and 24 were found on saline soils. It was shown that most species from the family Brassicaceae grow in either nat-ural undisturbed or weakly and moderately disturbed phytocenoses. Among the secondary (anthropophy-lous) habitats of species from the family Brassicaceae, agricultural lands (crops) are most preferred. In these habitats, 25 species of the general list of Brassicaceae in the Betpak-Dala desert were recorded.

Chronic liver diseases one of the most common causes of death in the world due to different etiologies. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) one of the well known toxicant used in most of acute and chronic liver injury. Therefore, several researches have been directed toward natural products to develop a new pharmacologically effective agents in the treatment of liver diseases. Matthila arabica Boiss. one of the brassicaceaeʼs plants which is famous with the presence of pharmacologically active glucsinolates hydrolysis products (GLCsHPs). The present study was performed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of (GLCsHPs) fraction of M. arabica against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury at a dose of 1ml/kg injected intraperitoneally as a mixture with corn oil in the seventh day. The (GLCsHPs) fraction was administered in different three doses of 7.5,15 and 30mg/kg orally for six consecutive days followed by single dose of CCl4 at a dose of 1ml/kg injected intraperitoneally as a mixture with corn oil in the seventh day. The hepatoprotective effect was assessed via liver function tests and histopathological liver sections. Significant reduction in the hepatic enzymes levels was found in animals treated with different doses of (GLCsHPs) fraction particularly at a dose of 30mg/kg as well as restoration of hepatocellular architecture. These findings is indicative for the promising hepatoprotective effect of (GLCsHPs) fraction against CCl4-induced acute liver injury.

A field study was conducted on selected cultivars of Antirrhinum majus L. and Matthiola incana L. at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to determine the best planting time and density to develop optimal planting protocols to grow these species as cut flowers in the sub-tropics. Antirrhinum and Matthiola seeds were sown five times at 15 or 16 d intervals on 15 Sept., 01 Oct., 15 Oct., 01 Nov. or 15 Nov. In a separate study, the optimum planting density was determined by transplanting seedlings at 15 × 15, 15 × 22.5, 22.5 × 22.5, 22.5 × 30 or 30 × 30 cm apart. For planting time, both species demonstrated shorter crop time with delayed sowings, but delayed sowing reduced stem quality. Cultivars of both species sown on 15 Sept. had the tallest plant height, 104.2 and 58.6 cm for Antirrhinum and Matthiola, respectively, along with the greatest number of leaves (176.7 and 28.9), leaf area (13.7 and 35.0 cm2), number of florets (32.8 and 14.8), floret diameter (41.3 and 47.3 mm), raceme length (27.2 and 14.6 cm) and stem diameter 14.8 and 9.9 mm for Antirrhinum and Matthiola, respectively, compared to those sown on 15 Nov. Moreover, vase life of stems of both species decreased (4.0 d for Antirrhinum and 5.5 d for Matthiola) with delayed sowing time. Among all tested cultivars of Antirrhinum, ‘Admiral White’ flowered the earliest, ‘Potomac Orange’ and ‘Potomac Yellow’ flowered mid season, and ‘Potomac Rose’ and ‘Potomac White’ took longest to produce flowers, while all Matthiola cultivars produced flowers at similar times for each sowing date. Antirrhinum and Matthiola planted at 30 × 30 cm spacing had greatest number of leaves (198.1 and 31.4 for Antirrhinum and Matthiola, respectively), leaf area (14.3 and 40.1 cm2), number of florets (32.4 and 15.4), floret diameter (36.1 and 47.7 mm), raceme length (26.2 cm of Antirrhinum only) and stem diameter (14.1 and 14.7 mm for Antirrhinum and Matthiola, respectively) compared to those planted at 15 cm × 15 cm. In summary, for extending harvest season, Antirrhinum cultivars may be sown at same time, but Matthiola cultivars should be grown using staggered sowing times. Antirrhinum and Matthiola cultivars may be sown on 15th September to 1st October and transplanted at 22.5 × 22.5 cm spacing for best cut stem quality.

Matthiola shehbazii Ranjbar & Karami (Brassicaceae) from Markazi Province, central Iran is described as a new species. Diagnostic characters, description, and taxonomic comments on the species are given. The geographical distribution of the new species is also mapped. The IUCN threat category and observations on its population are noted. Its morphological characteristics are compared with M. ovatifolia Boiss. as the most closely related species. Matthiola shehbazii is an allotetraploid plant and possesses 2n = 4x = 24 chromosomes, consistent with the proposed dibasic numbers of x = 6 and x = 7. The general meiotic behavior in the new species was nearly regular, with bivalent pairing and normal chromosome segregation at meiosis. However, some meiotic abnormalities were observed in the species including bridges and laggards. Results from morphology and chromosome count supported the separation of M. shehbazii as a new distinctive species.

We quantified how mean daily air temperature (MDT) controlled flowering time of 18 cultivars of 16 ornamental species of herbaceous annuals. Seed-propagated Antirrhinum , Calendula , Diascia , Gerbera , Gomphrena , Heliotropium , Impatiens , Matthiola , Nemesia , Nicotiana , Nierembergia , Osteospermum , Pelargonium , Petunia , Tagetes , and Torenia were grown in five greenhouse compartments maintained at constant temperature set points of 14, 17, 20, 23 or 26 °C. The 16-h photoperiod consisted of the natural photoperiod with supplemental high-pressure sodium lighting from 0600 to 2200 h. The mean photosynthetic daily light integral during the two replications of this experiment varied from 9 to 18 mol m −2 d −1 . Days to flower from transplant and number of nodes at flowering were measured on each plant. As MDT increased from 14 to 26 °C, days to flower decreased for all crops except Impatiens walleriana . Linear or nonlinear regression analysis was performed on the flowering rate (reciprocal of days to flower) data to estimate the base temperature ( T min ) for each species, which is the temperature at which the flowering rate is zero. T min ranged from −3.9 °C for Diascia barberae to 13.8 °C for Gomphrena globosa , which illustrates the crop-specific nature of developmental rates to temperature. The effect of MDT on node number before flowering varied among species, with four, four, and eight species showing an increase, a decrease, or no difference in node number at flowering as MDT increased. There was no apparent relationship between the estimated T min values and the cold hardiness of species, which indicates that cold hardiness cannot be used to reliably predict developmental rates at low temperatures or vice versa.

The present research project was aimed to study the effect of foliar application of zinc and NPK on growth of Stock (Matthiola incana.L. The study was carried out at Floriculture Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, during the year 2011-2012. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. There were twelve treatment combinations comprising four levels of NPK (0, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) and three level of Zn (0%,0.5% and 1%,) which were applied on Stock (Matthiola incana.L). The results regarding growth of stock were found significant. The treatments comprising both zinc and NPK as T11 (1% Zn + 1.5% NPK) was ranked first in plant height (91.66 cm), number of leaves per plant (65.33 leaves/plant) and leaf chlorophyll contents (85.53 spade). T7 (0.5% Zn + 1% NPK) was ranked first in leaf area (36.10 cm 2 ) and minimum days to flowering were recorded in T11 (1% Zn + 1.5% NPK), 42.60 days. T11 (1% Zn + 1.5% NPK) got the first position in stalk length (87.63 cm) and floret diameter (4.93 mm). Foliar application of zinc and NPK increased nutrient accumulation in leaves of stock. The nitrogen contents (6.0 %) phosphorus contents (0.46 ppm) and potassium contents (38.10 ppm) increased in response to treatment comprising both zinc and NPK.

The flavonoids of nine selected species belonging to different tribes of family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) native to Egypt were surveyed, viz. Rorippa palustris, Coronopus squamatus, Eremobium aegyptiacum, Moricandia nitens, Brassica tournefortii, Farsetia aegyptia, Matthiola livida, Anastatica hierochuntica and Sisymbrium irio. Thirty-eight compounds were isolated and identified, which included six flavonol aglycones, 24 flavonol glycosides including 14 flavonol 3,7-diglycosides, one flavone aglycone, three flavone O–glycosides, two glycoflavones and two dihydroflavonoids. A numerical analysis based on a combination of 97 morphological, anatomical and chemical characters revealed two series, two subseries, two clusters and two groups. The interrelationships between the studied species are discussed.

TTG1 (Transparent Testa Glabra 1), a WD-40 repeat protein, is involved in regulation of flavonoid/anthocyanin biosynthesis, seed coat (mucilage) development/pigmentation and trichome formation in leaves. Here, we characterized the TTG1 gene of Matthiola incana wild type (e locus), showing 85.3% similarity to TTG1 of A. thaliana on the nucleotide level and 96.2% on the protein level. A white-flowered and glabrous mutant, line 17, of M. incana exhibits one nucleotide change, leading to an amino acid substitution directly in the WD motif (W158R). Correspondingly, the DFR (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase) gene, in which the expression is known to be dependent on TTG1, is not expressed in Matthiola mutant lines 17 (and 19). Comparison of the GC content of the Matthiola TTG1 (54.1%) and Arabidopsis TTG1 (46.1%) genes revealed a strong difference, mostly obtained by neutral substitutions (C to T transitions). To examine whether this is an ecologically influenced trend, a fragment of TTG1 was characterized from another Matthiola species (M. tricuspidata) and from Malcolmia flexuosa subsp. naxensis from the eastern Mediterranean, near a beach with sandy and salty soils. Both Matthiola species have a higher GC content in the TTG1 gene than Arabidopsis and the closer-related Malcolmia, indicating that the GC content is rather an evolutionary than an ecological signal. A similar WD-40 repeat protein gene (containing no intron in the 3' untranslated region) with high similarity to the Arabidopsis TTG1-like (AtAN11) gene was found in Matthiola.

During our experiment the effect of chlorocholine chloride, Caramba, Cultar, Regalis and Toprex bioregulators were examined on some annual ornamental species. The species used for the experiment were Coreopsis grandiflora, Godetia grandifolra , Scabiosa atropurpurea and Matthiola incana. The aim of this work was to produce marketable, bushy habitat annual plants as flowering pot plants with the use of retardants. The experiment was carried out from April to September 2013, plants were treated beweekly. Â It was found that all the treatments had effect on the plants but the result depended on the species. In the case of Coreopsis grandiflora the best dwarfing effect was obtained with Regalis 0,25% and Caramba at 0,05% concentration, the maximum shorten rate was 50%. In the case of the other examined species intensive retardant effect was observed with the spray of Cultar, Toprex or Caramba. Best results were obtained by the treatment of Matthiola incana , all the chemicals resulted compact, bushy, decorative plant habitat, Regalis WG had the best results among the bioregulators. The chlorophyll content of two plant species was measured: Scabiosa atropurpurea and Matthiola incana . The chlorophyll content of the leaves was reduced by using growth retardants. The rate of decrease depended on the regulator type and the plant species. By cultivation for market is mandatory to do trial management before use. Â Â

WOS: 000370267600002, Matthiola W.T. Aiton is a taxonomically complex genus in which there are many problems, mostly with Matthiola longipetala and M. odoratissima. Matthiola species native to Turkey were collected from various locations in Anatolia, and their DNA was isolated. Revision studies performed on the basis of molecular data obtained from studies conducted in recent years have made the phylogenetic relationships and systematic positions of the taxa more apparent and reliable. Consequently, the remaining taxonomic problems among the species have been resolved through the use of DNA-based molecular analysis methods, which, unlike phenotype studies, are not affected by environmental factors. The inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting method was used in the study because its properties were considered to be more reliable and consistent than those of the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method. DNA fragments were amplified through the use of ISSR primers. The phylogenetic relationships among the taxa were represented on a dendrogram constructed through means of NTSYSpc 2.02 software. The infrageneric and intergeneric phylogenetic relationships between Matthiola and other related genera were also characterized. It was determined that the taxa Matthiola odoratissima and M. ovatifolia are separate but closely related. Moreover, it was observed that the Matthiola longipetala complex forms a separate group within the genera. Clearly, the genera Matthiola, Sterigmostemum, Strigosella, Malcolmia, and Chorispora are phylogenetically differentiated on the dendrogram., Yuzuncii Yil Universtiy (BAP Project) [2012-EF-B009], The authors are grateful to Yuzuncii Yil Universtiy (BAP Project No. 2012-EF-B009) for its financial support during this study.

Genetic variation at 11 isozyme loci was used to explore the levels and apportionment of genetic variation in the eight known populations of Matthiola bolleana, an endemic Brassicaceae to the Eastern Canarian islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Within islands, ecosystem antiquity and uniformity, lack of evidence for selection or genetic bottlenecks, the high genetic identities between the populations, and the low values of F ST converge to suggest that the high levels of variation detected have been maintained in a context of prolonged environmental stability through an overall predominance of outbreeding and unrestricted gene flow. Despite the geographical closeness between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and the long range dispersal features of the propagules of M. bolleana, we detected a striking qualitative genetic differentiation between the two islands. We suggest that wind direction has made seed and pollen flow between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote much less likely than expected, and that the lack of inter-island dispersal has far overriden the influence of stochastic forces and of the reproductive attributes of M. bolleana in shaping the patterns of inter-island genetic differentiation. However, genetic similarity in M. bolleana is within the ranges defined by Canarian taxa for which the extent of genetic differentiation has also been assessed using the values of isozyme genetic identity.

A new species, Matthiola trojana T. Dirmenci, F. Satil & G. Tumen (Brassicaceae), is described from Turkey. Diagnostic characters, description, detailed illustrations, and taxonomic comments are given. Its characteristics are compared with the related species, M. fruticulosa (L.) Maire. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) threat category and observations on the population are noted. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 151, 431–435.

Biosynthesis is well elucidated for 5-hydroxyflavonoids (phloroglucinol type), but for 5-deoxyflavonoids (resorcinol type) the knowledge is still limited. We provide detailed and optimized protocols for the synthesis of (14C)-labeled 6′-deoxychalcones, 5-deoxyflavanones, 5-deoxydihydroflavonols and 5-deoxyleucoanthocyanidins. With the exception of the formation of 6′-deoxychalcones, all steps were performed enzymatically using enzymes normally involved in the formation of 5-hydroxyflavonoids. The availability of (14C)-labeled substrates will facilitate future work on the hitherto largely unknown biosynthesis of 5-deoxyflavonoids. In particular, the 5-deoxyleucoanthocyanidins, which are more stable than the corresponding 5-hydroxy compounds, may provide excellent tools for investigating enzymes, which use the unstable 5-hydroxyleucoanthocyanidins as natural substrates. As a first example, the conversion of (14C)-labeled 5-deoxyleucoanthocyanidins to dihydroflavonols in the presence of NADP+ was shown. Studies with defined genotypes of Matthiola incana possessing or lacking dihydroflavonol 4-reductase activity and genetically modified yeast expressing the Matthiola enzyme confirmed that the reaction is catalyzed by the well-known dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of dihydroflavonols to leucoanthocyanidins (forward reaction). Thus, the reverse reaction of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase could be demonstrated for the first time. The forward reaction shows an optimum at pH 6.25, the reverse reaction at pH 7.75. The impact of the results on the regulation of flavonoid accumulation is discussed.

The taxonomic identification and a re‐description of the problematic Meligethes longulus Schilsky, 1894 from eastern Turkey are presented. This species, belonging to the M. coracinus complex and known so far on the basis of a single immature holo‐type, was repeatedly confused in the past with other closely related taxa, thus introducing considerable instability in the nomenclature and taxonomy of the whole group, involving several distinct biological species throughout southern Europe and western Asia. The recent re‐discovery of this species in eastern Turkey allowed M. longulus to be definitely identified as being an extremely rare and localized species, with larval stages strictly associated with the host‐plant Matthiola odoratissima (Bieb.) R.Br. (Brassicaceae), in dry exposed terrigenous and sandy hill slopes of eastern Turkey. An updated key to the identification of both described and un‐described members of the M. coracinus complex is also presented, and a rather isolated species of the M. ...

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins, similar to mammalian Myc transcription factors, regulate the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway in both monocots and dicots. Two Arabidopsis bHLH genes, GLABRA3 (GL3) and MYC-146, encode proteins that are similar throughout the predicted amino acid sequence to R and DELILA, which regulate anthocyanin production in maize and snapdragon, respectively. Northern blot analysis indicates that MYC-146 is most highly expressed in flower buds and flowers. Expression of a MYC-146 cDNA from the CaMV 35S promoter was unable to complement the anthocyanin deficiency in a ttg1 mutant of Arabidopsis and resulted in no obvious phenotypic change in Columbia plants. However, transient expression of GL3 and MYC-146 upon microprojectile bombardment of petals of a white-flowered mutant of Matthiola incana was able to complement anthocyanin deficiency. The lack of anthocyanin-deficient Arabidopsis mutants mapping to the locations of GL3 and MYC-146 suggests that the two bHLH proteins may be partially redundant and overlap in function.

Linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid are the main essential polyunsaturated fatty acids that are required in the human diet. The omega-3 essential fatty acids, found in fish and some plants’ seed oil, are linked to a lowered risk of heart disease. In arid and semiarid regions, where water availability is a major limitation in crop production, alternative water resources, such as saline water and treated sewage effluent, are utilized. Oilseed plants, rich in essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, may be considered a highly economic substitute for common field crops irrigated with fresh water. The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of irrigation with saline water on the oil yield and quality of Salvia, Matthiola and Oenothera plants. We found that salinity affected the oil content and composition of each plant differently. Salinity decreased the oil yield of Salvia plants, increased it in Oenothera and had no effect on Matthiola. Changes were also found in the oils’ composition, which may have clinical implications.

The effects of red light and far-red light on the main shoot elongation and flowering of long-day plant stock [Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br.] were compared. During the day, plants were covered with the films which convert light quality of sunlight into different red/far-red photon flux ratio, whereas at night the plants were irradiated with compact self-ballasted fluorescent lamps of red or far-red light. Plants exposed to high red/far-red photon flux ratio during the day and red light at night, flowered late and developed short internodes, whereas the opposite occurred on plants grown under low red/far-red photon flux film during the day and irradiated with far-red light at night, i.e., flowering was advanced and internodes were elongated. The same findings were obtained regardless of planting date. However, the contrast between the two lighting conditions was especially apparent between autumn-sown, winter-cultivated plants, and summer-sown, autumn-cultivated plants because temperatures are colder during the winter flowering period. In this experiment, spring-sown, summer-grown plants had shorter internodes and more leaves ; anthesis was advanced compared with plants sown at other times of the year. This finding will contribute to the efficient production of long-day flowering plant because advancing flowering by far-red light improves the utilization of the horticultural facilities by hastening crop turnover and reducing heating costs in winter.

Low light intensity causes poor flower pigmentation possibly by two mechanisms : 1) the reaction mediated by photoreceptors located in the petal, 2) the reaction mediated by the sugar supply from leaves or stems. We investigated which mechanism is more important in the pigmentation of the oriental hybrid lily, 'Acapulco' and stock, 'Pigmy Rose'. Shading flowers by cheesecloth (PPFD

The role of gibberellins (GAs) in the control of growth and flowering in stock, Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br., and the possibility of their regulation by manipulation of GA biosynthesis were investigated. In M. incana, GAswere found to be necessary for stem elongation and flowering. GA 4 in the non-13-hydroxylation pathway of GA biosynthesis was the most active component for stem elongation and flowering. It was shown that GA biosynthesis inhibitors of acylcyclohexanedione type could promote stem elongation and flowering. These results indicate that the balance of activities among GA biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes is very important for stem elongation and flowering. Furthermore, development of responsiveness to active GAs for flowering may be one of the essential factors in the flower bud initiation process in M. incana. Based on the above results, we demonstrated that acceleration of the flowering time in summer-sown M. incana could be obtained by prohexadione-calcium (PCa) treatment under plastic-film greenhouse conditions.

Summary In the cyanic flowers ofDahlia variabilis (Asteraceae), an enzyme was demonstrated which catalyzes a glucosyl group transfer from UDP-glucose to the 5 position of anthocyanidin 3-O-glucoside and 3-O-malonylglucoside. The anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase (5GT) was purified 88-fold at 8 percnt; yield by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation followed by successive chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephacryl S-200 and Mono P. 5GT exhibited a pH optimum at 8.0 and a pI of 4. 2. Its apparent molecular weight calculated from Sephacryl S-200 was 53 kDa. Its activity was stimulated by 2-ME and DTE but strongly inhibited by PCMB and NEM. It was slightly activated by Mg2+ and Ca2+ but strongly inhibited by Hg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Fe3+ and Al3+. No effect of EDTA was observed. The apparent Km values for cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)glucoside and UDP-glucose were 120 μmol/L, 75 μmol/L and 250 μmol/L, respectively. Pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside and malonylglucoside were also considerable substrates, but low relative activity was observed for delphinidin 3-O-glucoside which has yet not been found inDahlia flowers. Dahlia 5GT showed substrate specificities different from those reported forSilene, Petunia, Matthiola andPerilla. Neither ADP-glucose nor UDP-galactose could serve as glycosyl donor.

WOS: 000327996000001, In this paper, the karyological properties of an endemic plant for Turkey, Matthiola anchoniifolia Hub.-Mor. grown in the Sivas Province in Turkey, are studied. Karyotype was made on somatic metaphases using an Image Analysis System. The somatic chromosome number is determined as 2n = 12. The karyotype formula of this species consists of five median chromosome pairs and one submedian chromosome pair. The shortest chromosome length is 4.89 mu m, the longest is 9.18 mu m, and haploid chromosome length is 38.66 mu m. Photographs were taken using a BX51 Olympus microscope. An ideogram of the species was drawn using an Image Analysis System.

Matthiola shiraziana, a new species from Iran, is described and illustrated. It is compared with the closely related M. flavida Boiss. and M. ovatifolia (Boiss.) Boiss. A full description and detailed stereomicroscopic micrographs and diagnostic morphological features are provided on the basis of the specimens housed in several Iranian herbaria.

Eight bedding plant species were grown from plugs obtained from two sources. The plugs were transplanted into jumbo six packs and sprayed with a solution of chlormequat/daminozide with concentrations of 1000/800, 1250/1250, or 1500/5000 mg·L-1 when new growth was ≈5 cm in height or width. Three different species were grown in the fall (Dianthus chinensis L., `Telstar Mix', Petunia ×hybrida Hort. Vilm.-Andr., `Dreams Red', and Viola ×wittrockiana Gams., `Bingo Blue'), winter [Antirrhinum majus L., `Tahiti Mix', Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br., `Midget Red', and P. × hybrida, `Dreams Mix'], and spring [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, `Cooler Pink', Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem. & Schult., `Empire Red', and Begonia ×semperflorens-cultorum Hort., `Cocktail Mix']. The treatments significantly reduced finished plant size of all species for each season. There was a significant difference in finish size between sources for Dianthus, Antirrhinum, Matthiola, Catharanthus, Salvia, and Begonia. The efficacy of chlormequat/daminozide also differed for each source of Dianthus, Matthiola, and Begonia, but the treatments minimized the differences in finish size between sources for Petunia and Viola. Chemical names used: (2-chlorethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat); (N-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid) (daminozide).

Matthiola (Brassicaceae) is a genus that is widespread in the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian regions and includes two species that are endemic to the archipelagos of Madeira and the Canaries in Macaronesia, which is an insular oceanic hotspot of biodiversity harboring many radiating endemic plant lineages. Sequence analyses of the nuclear ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions in a comprehensive geographical sample of Matthiola, encompassing all the endemic Macaronesian populations known to date, suggest independent Mediterranean and NW African origins of the taxa in Madeira and the Canaries, respectively. These molecular data reveal a complex evolutionary landscape that converges with morphological analyses in the recognition of two new Madeiran species. The data also suggest that the Canarian infra-specific endemic taxa described thus far have high (but non-diagnostic) levels of morphological and genetic diversity, and should be included in the single endemic Matthiola bolleana. In agreement with earlier investigations that revealed a high genetic differentiation between the populations of Matthiola in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, our phylogeny supports independent founder events from the same mainland congener to either island. The consistently derived position of the Moroccan populations within a mostly Canarian clade suggests a further back-colonization of the continent. Notably, the ITS sequence resolution offered by Matthiola is higher than that found in many of the radiating Canarian endemic lineages for which molecular phylogenetic studies abound. Hence, our research discovers largely unexplored pathways to understand plant diversification in this oceanic insular hotspot through the investigation of non-speciose endemics.

Total contents of aromatic choline esters and sinapine have been investigated in seeds of cruciferous species belonging to Arabis , Brassica , Cakile , Diplotaxs , Eruca , Hesperis , Matthiola , Raphanobrassica , Raphanus and Sinapis . Choline esters such as sinapine, isoferuloylcholine, feruloylcholine, hesperaline and 4-hydroxybenzoylcholine, have been found in many of the plants under study. Qualitative and quantitative distribution patterns of these compounds are genus-characteristic. This suggests them to be a useful tool in the chemotaxonomy of Crucifereae. In spite of their genus-specific distribution pattern, the capacity of plants to accumulate and store phenolic choline esters in seeds is highly variable within the genus Brassica . Besides a genetic control, the aromatic choline esters content is also influenced by environmental conditions. Brassica species with high and low chromosome numbers were compared according to their qualitative and quantitative aromatic choline ester content. Genomic divergence or affinity among the species under study are discussed.

In this research, the chromosome number and morphology of M. trojana species are determined. Somatic chromosome number was counted as 2n = 12. The karyotype of this species consisted of four metacentric chromosome pairs and two submetacentric chromosomes. Chromosome length varies between 2.44-4.27 ?m. The karyogram and idiogram were determined based on centromeric index and arranged in the decreasing size order. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.

WOS: 000242133400003, An essential oil obtained from the crushed seeds of Matthiola anchoniifolia Hub.-Mor. (Cruciferae) was obtained by microdistillation and analyzed by both GC and GUMS. Octyl acetate (21.2%) was identified as the main constituent in the oil. Sulfur compounds responsible for the foul odor of the oil comprised 34.7%. They consisted of isopropyl isothiocyanate (16.9%), dimethyl trisulfide (8.8%), dimethyl disulfide (4.7%) and isobutyl isothiocyanate (4.3%).

We examined the genetic variation of 12 isozyme loci in 14 populations of Matthiola (Brassicaceae) representing the geographic distribution of the species M. incana, M. fruticulosa ssp. fruticulosa and M. tricuspidata in the Sicilian insular system and the adjacent mainland areas to estimate the levels and apportionment of genetic variation in the insular populations and to understand their population dynamics. The disparity in the distribution of polymorphism in populations of M. incana ssp. incana (low within populations but with high values of F ST and G ST ) contrasts with the homogeneity in the inter-population distribution of the high genetic variation detected in M. tricuspidata and M. fruticulosa ssp. fruticulosa. While the low polymorphism found in M. incana ssp. incana is consistent with its origin through cultivation and the associated lack of gene flow, the Sicilian populations of the other two taxa probably derived from multiple founder events from nearby continental areas and, according to our estimates, have maintained high interpopulational gene flow. Unlike M. incana, the Sicilian populations of M. tricuspidata and M. fruticulosa ssp. fruticulosa could have survived the glaciations in refugia. This higher antiquity, together with the maintenance of abundant gene flow, largely explains their high values of genetic variation. In contrast, M. incana ssp. pulchella and M. incana ssp. rupestris have low indices of polymorphism and they are probably neo-endemics, as their distribution areas were severely affected by the Plio-Pleistocene glaciations.

Seeds from 15 Cruciferae species, native to Israel, were collected and examined for fatty acids in order to identify species rich in fatty acids with potential for industrial use from the wild gene collection. In species rich in erucic acid (22:1), such as Crambe and Sinapis a low content of polyunsaturated linolenic acid (18:3) was found; the same negative correlation was observed in species low in erucic acid ( Matthiola , Lepidium ), in which 64 and 42% linolenic acid, respectively was found. No correlation was detected between the content of erucic and oleic acids, as opposed to the situation in cultivated rape seeds. Plants with different oil compositions were found in the same natural habitat. Fatty acid profiles could not be related to ecological conditions.

Nectar-carbohydrate production and composition were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography and enzymology in nine species from five tribes of the Brassicaceae. In six species (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., Brassica napus L., B. rapa L., Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., Raphanus sativus L., Sinapis arvensis L.) that produced nectar from both lateral nectaries (associated with the short stamens) and median nectaries (outside the long stamens), on average 95% of the total nectar carbohydrate was collected from the lateral ones. Nectar from these glands possessed a higher glucose/fructose ratio (usually 1.0–1.2) than that from the median nectaries (0.2–0.9) within the same flower. Comparatively little sucrose was detected in any nectar samples except from Matthiola bicornus (Sibth. et Sm.) DC., which possessed lateral nectaries only and produced a sucrose-dominant exudate. The anatomy of the nectarial tissue in nectar-secreting flowers of six species, Hesperis matronalis L., L. maritima, M. bicornus, R. sativus, S. arvensis, and Sisymbrium loeselii L., was studied by light and scanning-electron microscopy. Phloem alone supplied the nectaries. However, in accordance with their overall nectar-carbohydrate production, the lateral glands received relatively rich quantities of phloem that penetrated far into the glandular tissue, whereas median glands were supplied with phloem that often barely innervated them. All nectarial tissue possessed modified stomata (with the exception of the median glands of S. loeselii, which did not produce nectar); further evidence was gathered to indicate that these structures do not regulate nectar flow by guard-cell movements. The numbers of modified stomata per gland showed no relation to nectar-carbohydrate production. Taken together, the data on nectar biochemistry and nectary anatomy indicate the existence of two distinct nectary types in those Brassicacean species that possess both lateral and median nectaries, regardless of whether nectarial tissue is united around the entire receptacle or not. It is proposed that the term “nectarium” be used to represent collectively the multiple nectaries that can be found in individual flowers.

A protocol for obtaining regenerated fertile plants from mesophyll protoplasts of three lines of Matthiola incana is described. Protoplasts were isolated from leaves of 21-28 days old Matthiola plants grown in controlled environment. Sustained divisions were achieved when protoplasts were embedded in sodium alginate. Up to 2.0 % of the protoplasts developed into colonies which could be transferred to shoot regeneration media. More than 25 % of the obtained calluses regenerated shoots. About 4 % of these shoots could be rooted and after transfer to soil phenotypically normal plants have been obtained.

Are described and illustrated two new Italian species of Ceutorhynchus. The first of them, C. apenninus n. sp. from central Italy, collected on the montane crucifer Isatis allionii P. W. Ball., is close to C. peyerimhoffi Hustache from Spain, Italy and Algeria, also living on Isatis. The second, C. magnanoi n. sp. from southern Italy is very close to the French C. matthiolae Hoffmann, and was collected of Matthiola like the species from southern France., Fragmenta Entomologica, Vol. 43 No. 2 (2011)

Common stock flower production can be achieved under moderate levels of salinity and relatively low levels of nitrogen with no significant decrease in quality in a closed-recirculating irrigation system. A 4 × 4 factorial design with partial replication was used to assess the effects of salinity and nitrogen on the production of Matthiolaincana (L.). Seeds were sown in outdoor volumetric lysimeters at the George E. Brown, Jr., Salinity Laboratory in Riverside, Calif., with target electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 2, 5, 8, and 11 dS·m–1 combined with four nitrogen treatments of 35, 50, 75, and 100 ppm N. An empirical model was implemented to evaluate the growth response of each combination of salinity and nitrogen treatments over the course of plant development. The three-phase model is represented by an initial size parameter (alpha), an estimation of the intrinsic growth rate of the exponential phase (beta), a transitional phase between the first two phases (tl), the length of the linear phase (epsilon), and the final intrinsic saturation rate (gamma), The model successfully fitted the plant height data over time for all 16 nitrogen and salinity treatment combinations. Effects of salinity on epsilon and t2 (epsilon + t1) were nonsignificant. Nitrogen treatments had no significant effect on any of the model parameters and the effect of salinity was greatest when irrigation water EC was 11 dS·m–1. The length of the flower-bearing stems exceeded the standards recommended for commercial acceptability in all treatments (>41 cm). If 60 cm is the minimum length acceptable, then 50 ppm N or more where the EC was 8 dS·m–1 or less is required. Nitrogen uptake per unit evapotranspiration increased with salinity and nitrogen.

Accessions ofM. tricuspidata (L.) R. Br.,M. aspera Boiss. andMatthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC. were tested for their reaction to bacterial blight of stock (M. incana R. Br.), caused byXanthomonas campestris pv.incanae. Potted plants were sprayed with bacterial cell suspension, adjusted to 108 cells/ml. The tested accessions of the three species were found highly resistant, while control plants ofM. incana were severely infected. InterspecificF 1 hybrid plants betweenM. incana andM. tricuspidata also exhibited high resistance to the disease. The implications and the expected difficulties in breeding stock for bacterial blight resistance are discussed.

In order to determine whether the concentration of floral petal anthocyanin pigments could be increased, ultraviolet radiations in the UV-A and UV-B wavelength bands were presented to a variety of flowering plants to partly restore those wave- lengths filtered out by greenhouse glass. In no tested plant did the supplementary ultraviolet radiation enhance floral anthocyanin content. Supplementary UV radiation has no economic value in greenhouse production of flowering plants. A factor in the market acceptability of flowering annual plants sold for bedding or as gift plants is the brilliance of their flow- ers. Since, in New England, such plants are frequently grown under glass, the radiation environment must be considered in com- mercial production. Phytochrome and/or the high-energy blue-absorbing pigments play roles in the induction of enzyme systems leading to the synthesis of blue and red an- thocyanin pigments (Mohr and Drumm-Her- rel, 1983). The participation of ultraviolet wavelengths in anthocyanin synthesis has been known for more than a century (Bonner, 1880; Klein, 1976). For several test systems, either the near UV (UV-A = 320 to 385 nm) or the middle UV (UV-B = 290 to 320 nm) or both activate one or more of the enzymes involved in anthocyanin synthesis (Beggs and Wellmann, 1985). Although greenhouse glass is transparent to the visible and most UV-A wavelengths, UV-B is completely filtered out (Klein, 1979). Since both UV-A and UV-B may affect syn- thesis of flora1 anthocyanins, addition of these wavelengths might make it possible to grow flowering plants with more brilliant flowers. A study was conducted in which greenhouse solar radiation was supplemented with UV- A and UV-B radiation to determine if sup- plementary UV radiation might have some economic value in commercial production of flowering plants. Luminaires consisting of one each of com- mercially available UV-A lamps (BLB flu- orescent lamps with emission peaking at 365 nm) and UV-B lamps (Westinghouse FS Sunlight lamps filtered through two layers of