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Gazania (L.) is one of wild ornamental plant which has special architectures. It is a small genus of 16 species, belonging to the family Asteraceae (Formerly: Compositae). It is low-growing perennial herb, grow in clumps and can also form dense carpets covering large areas. Gazania has multiple genera and species with mutli-petals colors. The chlorophyll pigmentation was measured in leaves and petals of these specimens which show high significant difference. Genomics is the study of genomes, and it can be used to conduct research on genome evolution, genomic variations, gene regulation, and important biological mechanisms using detailed genome sequence information. The diversity of ornamental plants, as well as the slow progress of genome research on ornamental plants for a long time. RAPD-PCR was applied in the present study to estimate the genetic variation in these samples which resulted in a total polymorphism percentage of 42.36%. This polymorphism percentage lead to the variation in essential physiological pathways in Gazania spp and reflected on the multivariate petals color. Resumo Gazania (L.) é uma planta ornamental silvestre que possui arquiteturas especiais. É um pequeno gênero de 16 espécies, pertencente à família Asteraceae (Anteriormente: Compositae). É uma erva perene de baixo crescimento, cresce em tufos e também pode formar tapetes densos que cobrem grandes áreas. Gazania tem vários gêneros e espécies com cores de múltiplas pétalas. A pigmentação da clorofila foi medida nas folhas e pétalas desses espécimes que apresentam alta diferença significativa. Genômica é o estudo de genomas e pode ser usada para conduzir pesquisas sobre a evolução do genoma, variações genômicas, regulação gênica e mecanismos biológicos importantes, usando informações detalhadas da sequência do genoma. A diversidade das plantas ornamentais, assim como o lento progresso da pesquisa do genoma de plantas ornamentais há muito tempo. O RAPD-PCR foi aplicado no presente estudo para estimar a variação genética nessas amostras que resultou em uma porcentagem total de polimorfismo de 42,36%. Este percentual de polimorfismo leva à variação nas vias fisiológicas essenciais em Gazania spp e reflete na cor multivariada das pétalas.

Fenugreek is a globally important legume that is widely cultivated for its therapeutic benefits in most parts of the world. Seeds on the other hand have a poor germination and growth rate when exposed to salinity. The effect of ultrasonic exposure period on germination and early seedling behaviors of fenugreek seeds under salt stress was investigated in a laboratory experiment. During germination and early seedling stages, all tests were conducted at 40 kHz in a water bath ultrasonic device with two durations (10 and 20 min) under salinity stress using different concentrations of NaCl (0, 1000, 3000, and 5000 mg/l). The results revealed a substantial decrease in germination percentage, all growth criteria, with increasing NaCl concentration and a significant increase in biomass produced by the Fenugreek (total soluble protein, total soluble carbohydrate, and proline), all of which are thought to be mechanisms for salinity resistance. Ultrasonication of fenugreek seeds for 10 and 20 min has a significant impact on seed germination, early seedling development and biochemical constituents under normal and stress conditions. The genetic stability of fenugreek DNA content was affected by these different treatments. This variation was estimated by RAPD-PCR molecular marker, and resulted in a total polymorphism percentage of 49.72% from all the primers. All these different treatments caused variation in the physiological responses and DNA content. This variation enhanced with more ultrasonic and salt treatments. Hence, these stresses can be used for enhancing the variable metabolic processes in fenugreek plant and stimulate its medicinal properties.

Calla lily (Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill.) is an herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial grown from rhizomes. It is commonly named “Spotted Arum”. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are found in all known organisms and are known for being functionally equivalent in all of them. A completely new in vitro culture protocol was applied to Z. albomaculata with two hormones, 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin, to obtain full growth and multiplication. Due to their highly conserved sequences, the analysis of small-subunit rRNAs (16S–18S rRNAs) can provide precise statistical evaluation of a wide variety of phylogenetic connections. As a result, the plant’s 18S rRNA gene allowed for identification and partial sequencing. Also, the traditional floral method and the novel application technique for identification were applied to Z. albomaculata. In this paper we systemically describe the structural strategies of the plant’s adaptation to the surroundings at the morphological, physiological, and anatomical scale. Most the essential oils and fatty acids found in Z. albomaculata are omega fatty acids, octadecenoic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. All these fatty acids have industrial, medicinal, and pharmaceutical applications. The significant findings are the spadix sheathing leaves, and the precipitation of raphides calcium oxalate. The mitotic index showing the division activity was recorded, and it was 17.4%. The antimicrobial activity of Z. albomaculata ethanol extract was performed via the well diffusion method. This extract has shown high activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to its lower activity against Bacillus cereus. By defining these characteristics and in vitro culture conditions, we will be able to acclimatize the plant in greenhouses, and then transfer it to the open field. The findings of this work identified the general characteristics of Zantedeschia albomaculata as an ornamental and medicinal plant in order to acclimatize this plant for cultivation in the Mediterranean climate.

Lettuce (Lactuca spp.) is an annual and self-pollinating crop that belongs to the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is one of the most globally essential commercial vegetable crops, used in salads and sandwiches. The lettuce leaves are used to make a cigarette without nicotine. Seeds and stems contain edible oil and dried latex. Gene banks have conserved a large pool of lettuce's genetic resources, including wild Lactuca species with the same chromosome numbers 2n = 2x = 18. Lactuca species vary greatly in terms of geographical distribution and morpho-agronomic characteristics. By crossing commercial varieties with locally adapted varieties, novel alleles can be introduced, increasing genetic diversity and making preselection for desirable traits easier. Lettuce breeders and geneticists' main objectives are to improve lettuce for various desirable traits, including tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress and high yield. These targets accomplished with modern genomics tools together with traditional breeding methods. This chapter discusses lettuce conservation and biodiversity, stages of lettuce breeding, agriculture practices, and conventional breeding techniques and their restrictions. It also includes modern plant breeding tools and marker-assisted breeding, editing of genome, and genetic engineering.

The chemical mutagens, namely sodium azide and guanidine hydrochloride (30, 40 and 50 mM) for each were applied for the in vitro culture of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Eight morphological traits were evaluated to calculate the result of different concentrations of mutagens compared to control. In sodium azide, all morphological traits decreased compared to control, except the number of branches and leaves and leaf length, which increases compared to control. Unlike guanidine hydrochloride, all the morphological traits are enhanced in mutants rather than control. The polymorphism percentage resulted from genetic variation varied (57.71% in the case of sodium azide and 67.59% in guanidine hydrochloride). Hence, guanidine hydrochloride is a more powerful mutagen and causes more genetic variations and instability than sodium azide, as was reflected in morphological parameters (i.e., fresh weight, shoot length, root length, number of lateral roots, number of leaves, numbers of branches, leaf length, and leaf width) and physiological traits (i.e., chlorophyll pigmentation and carotenoids). Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 30(2): 209-218, 2020 (December)