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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.

Flavonoide sind eine wichtige Klasse sekundärer Pflanzenstoffe, die in allen höheren Pflanzen vorkommen. Bis heute sind mehr als 6400 verschiedene Verbindungen bekannt. Anthocyane, farbige Flavonoide, stellen die wichtigsten Blütenfarbstoffe dar. Sie verleihen Blüten eine rosa, rote, malvenfarbige und blaue Färbung und locken Bestäuber an. Darüber hinaus besitzen Anthocyane, wie alle anderen Flavonoide, zahlreiche wichtige Eigenschaften für Pflanzen, wie z.B. der Schutz vor UV-B-Strahlung und Pflanzenschädlingen. Die am weitesten verbreiteten Anthocyane sind durch das Hydroxylierungsmuster des B-Ringes des Flavonoidgrundgerüsts charakterisiert. Die Hydroxylierung des B-Ringes wird durch die Aktivität der zwei Cytochrom P450-Enzyme Flavonoid 3'-Hydroxylase (F3'H) und Flavonoid 3',5'-Hydroxylase (F3',5'H) kontrolliert. Ohne die Aktivität eines dieser Enzyme wird hauptsächlich das 4'-hydroxylierte Anthocyan Pelargonidin gebildet, welches für viele rosa und orange Blütenfarben verantwortlich ist. Die Aktivität der F3'H führt vorwiegend zu der Bildung von Cyanidin (3',4'-hydroxyliert) und die Aktivität der F3',5'H vorwiegend zu der Bildung von Delphinidin (3',4',5'-hydroxyliert). Cyanidin verleiht Blüten rote und malvenfarbige Farben, Delphinidin ist das vorherrschende Pigment in vielen blauen Blüten. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es die F3'H und die F3',5'H durch die Klonierung der entsprechenden cDNA-Klone aus verschiedenen Pflanzen zu isolieren und durch heterologe Expression in Hefe zu charakterisieren. Zu diesem Zweck stand sowohl chemogenetisch definiertes als auch nicht definiertes Pflanzenmaterial zur Verfügung. Aus chemogenetisch definierten Linien von Matthiola incana konnte durch differentielle PCR ein komplementärer cDNA-Klon der F3'H, die vom Genlocus B kontrolliert wird, isoliert werden. In Enzymtests setzte das als CYP75B7 klassifizierte Enzym das 4'-hydroxylierte Naringenin (NAR) zu 3',4'-hydroxyliertem Eriodictyol (ERI) und das 4'-hydroxylierte Dihydrokaempferol (DHK) zu 3',4'-hydroxyliertem Dihydroquercetin (DHQ) um. Es konnte darüber hinaus durch Northernblot-Analyse eindeutig gezeigt werden, dass es sich bei den homozygot rezessiven Matthiola-Linien (bb) ohne F3'H-Aktivität um Trans-kriptions-Mutanten handelt. Zwei F3'H codierende cDNA-Sequenzen wurden aus einer cDNA-Genbank von Callistephus chinensis mit Hilfe einer F3'H cDNA-Sonde aus Arabidopsis thaliana isoliert. Bei der heterologen Expression des Klons CYPCcppHt1 zeigte das entsprechende Protein eine eindeutige F3',5'H-Aktivität, obwohl es aufgrund seiner Aminosäuresequenz nicht zu der Unterfamilie der F3',5'Hs CYP75A sondern in die Unterfamilie der F3'Hs CYP75B gehört. In den durchgeführten Enzymtests war das als CYP75B5 klassifizierte Enzym in der Lage NAR und DHK sowohl in 3'-Position als auch in 5'-Position zu hydroxylieren. Somit ist dies der erste Bericht über die Isolierung eines Enzyms mit einer F3'H spezifischen Aminosäuresequenz, das über eine F3',5'H-Aktivität verfügt. Bei der heterologen Expression des zweiten cDNA-Klons CYPCcpHt2 konnte bislang keine spezifische Enzymaktivität des codierten Enzyms, welches als CYP75B6 klassifiziert wurde, beobachtet werden. Eine weitere F3'H konnte aus Pelargonium zonale isoliert werden. Dabei wurde mit einem CYP-spezifischen Primer, der von der Hämbindungs-Region bekannter F3',5'H Sequenzen abgeleitet wurde, ein entsprechendes cDNA-Fragment durch PCR amplifiziert. Mit Hilfe des neuen RLM-RACE-Verfahrens konnte ein vollständiger cDNA-Klon generiert werden, der anschließend heterolog in Hefe exprimiert wurde. Sowohl in in vivo Enzymtests mit lebenden Hefezellen (Bioconversion) als auch in in vitro Enzymtests mit Hefemikrosomen setzte das als CYP75B8 klassifizierte Enzym NAR zu ERI und DHK zu DHQ um. Da die F3'H in Pflanzenextrakten von P. zonale aufgrund interferierender Inhaltsstoffe bisher nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte, ist dies der erste Nachweis der Existenz einer F3'H und des entsprechenden Gens in P. zonale. Durch den Einsatz des CYP-spezifischen Primers konnte außerdem ein F3',5'H-spezifisches cDNA-Fragment aus Lycianthes rantonnetii kloniert werden. Nach einem RLM-RACE wurde der offene Leserahmen des vollständigen Klons in Hefe exprimiert. Dabei zeigte das als CYP75A9 klassifizierte Enzym nur in den in vivo Enzymtests mit lebenden Hefen eine Enzymaktivität, aber nicht in Enzymtests mit Hefemikrosomen. Außerdem offenbarte das Enzym nur eine F3’H-Aktivität aber keine F3',5'H-Aktivität, so dass bislang nicht feststeht, ob es sich um eine F3'H oder um eine F3',5'H handelt . Durch die Klonierung und Charakterisierung der F3'H und der F3',5'H können viele neue und interessante Blütenfarben bei wirtschaftlich bedeutenden Zierpflanzen erzeugt werden. Darüber hinaus ermöglichen sie zusammen mit anderen Enzymen aus dem Flavonoidbiosyntheseweg die biotechnologische Produktion einer Vielzahl von verschiedenen Flavonoiden, die dadurch in ausreichender Menge und Reinheit der medizinischen Forschung und der Nahrungsmittelindustrie zur Verfügung gestellt werden können. Flavonoids are an important class of secondary metabolics present in all higher plants. Up to today more than 6400 different compounds are known. Anthocyanins, coloured flavonoids, represent the major pigments in flowers. They confer pink, red, mauve and blue to flowers and attract pollinators. Furthermore, Anthocyanins possess like all the other flavonoids various important properties for plants, such as protection against UV-B radiation and pests. The most prevalent Anthocyanins are characterized by the hydroxylation pattern of the B-ring of the basic flavonoid skeleton. The hydroxylation of the B-Ring is controlled by the activities of the two cytochrome P450 enzymes flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (F3'H) and flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase (F3',5'H). Without the activity of one of these enzymes the 4'-hydroxylated Anthocyanin Pelargonidin is mainly generated which is responsible for many pink and orange flower colours. The activity of the F3'H predominantly leads to the production of the Cyanidin (3',4'-hydroxylated) and the activity of the F3',5'H predominantly leads to the production of delphinidin (3',4',5'-hydroxylated). Cyanidin gives flowers red and mauve colours, delphinidin is the main pigment in many blue flowers. The aim of this thesis was to isolate the F3'H and the F3',5'H by cloning of the corresponding genes from several plants and to characterize them by means of heterologous expression in yeast. For that purpose both chemogenetic defined and none defined plant material have been available. From chemogenetically defined lines of Matthiola incana a complementary cDNA clone of the F3'H that is controlled by the genetic locus B was isolated by means of differential PCR. In enzyme tests the enzyme classified as CYP75B7 converted the 4'-hydroxylated Naringenin (NAR) to 3',4'-hydroxylated Eriodictyol (ERI) and the 4'-hydroxylated Dihydrokaempferol (DHK) to 3',4'-hydroxylated Dihydroquercetin (DHQ). It could also clearly be shown through Northern blot analysis that the recessive lines of Matthiola (bb) without F3'H activity are transcription mutants. Two F3'H coding cDNA sequences were isolated from a cDNA library of Callistephus chinensis by using a F3'H cDNA labelled probe of Arabidopsis thaliana. During the heterologous expression of the clone CYPCcpHt1 the corresponding protein showed a definite F3',5'H activity even though it does not belong due to its amino acid sequence to the subfamily of the F3',5'Hs CYP75A but to the subfamily of the F3'Hs CYP75B. In the enzyme tests carried out the enzyme classified as CYP75B5 was able to hydroxylate NAR and DHK in the 3'-position as well as in the 5'-position. Thus, this is the first report on an isolation of an enzyme with a F3'H specific amino acid sequence which has a F3',5'H activity. Up to now the heterologous expression of the second clone CYPCcpHt2 has revealed no specific activity of the encoded enzyme which was classified as CYP75B6 . Another F3'H was isolated from Pelargonium zonale. For that purpose a corresponding fragment was amplified by PCR with a CYP-specific primer which derived from the heme-binding region of known F3',5'H sequences. By using the new RLM method a full-length cDNA clone could be generated and heterlogous expressed in yeast afterwards. In vivo enzyme tests (bioconversion) as well as in vitro enzyme tests showed the conversion of NAR to ERI and DHK to DHQ catalysed by the enzyme classified as CYP75B8. Since a F3'H activity could never be demonstrated in plant extracts of P. zonale due to interfering compounds this is the first evidence of the existence of a F3'H and of the corresponding gene in P. zonale. By using the same CYP-specific Primer a cDNA fragment from Lycianthes rantonnetii was also cloned by PCR. After a RLM-RACE the open reading frame of the full-length clone was expressed in yeast. The enzyme classified as CYP75A9 showed only a enzyme activity in the in vivo enzyme tests with living yeast, but not in enzyme tests with yeast microsomes. Additionally, the enzyme revealed only a F3'H activity, but no F3',5'H activity, so it is not certain at the moment whether this enzyme is a F3'H or a F3',5'H. Because of the cloning and characterization of the F3'H and the F3', 5'H many new and interesting flower colours can be created in economically important ornamental plants. Moreover, together with other enzymes of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway they enable the biotechnological production of a multiplicity of different flavonoids, which can thereby be made available in sufficient quantity and purity for medical research and food industry.

Cheiranthus tristis Linnaeus, Systema Naturae, ed. 10, 2: 1134. 1759, nom. illeg. ["Habitat in Hispania, Italia, Monspelii."] Sp. Pl., ed. 2, 2: 925 (1763). RCN: 4821. Replaced synonym: Cheiranthus fruticulosus L. (1753). Lectotype (Meikle, Fl. Cyprus 1: 156. 1977): Löfling 484 , Herb. Linn. No. 839.23 (LINN). Current name: Matthiola fruticulosa (L.) Maire (Brassicaceae)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part C), pp. 370-473 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 409, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Cheiranthus sinuatus Linnaeus, Amoenitates Academicae 4: 487. 1759. ["Habitat in Hispaniae, Monspelii maritimis."] Sp. Pl., ed. 2, 2: 926 (1763). RCN: 4824. Neotype (Jafri in Ali & Jafri, Fl. Libya 23: 149. 1977): Herb. Linn. No. 839.28 (LINN). Current name: Matthiola sinuata (L.) R. Br. (Brassicaceae). Note: Although cited by some authors as if first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 2, 2: 926 (1763), the name was in fact validated in the Amoen. Acad, reprint of Fl. Monspeliensis published in 1759, as noted by Stearn (in Geck & Pressler, Festschr. Claus Nissen: 637. 1974). The name is therefore validated solely by reference to a pre-Starting Point description from Magnol. As Magnol’s publication does not have an illustration of this plant, the type choice of 839.28 (LINN) as “type” by Jafri is accepted as a neotypification (Art. 9.8)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part C), pp. 370-473 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 409, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

Cheiranthus fenestralis Linnaeus, Species Plantarum 2: 1198. 1753. "Habitat - - - –” RCN: 4818. Neotype (Gowler in Cafferty & Jarvis in Taxon 51: 532. 2002): France. Schistes argileux du Bord de mer à Toulon (Var), 10 May 1860, Fl. Galliae et Germaniae exsiccata de C. Billot No. 3009. Rec. par A. Huet (BM-000576298). Current name: Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br. (Brassicaceae)., Published as part of Jarvis, Charlie, 2007, Chapter 7: Linnaean Plant Names and their Types (part C), pp. 370-473 in Order out of Chaos. Linnaean Plant Types and their Types, London :Linnaean Society of London in association with the Natural History Museum on page 408, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.291971

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%).

Da die Gentechnik und die Molekularbiologie für die moderne Pflanzenzüchtung in den letzten Jahren enorm an Bedeutung gewonnen haben, besteht auch für die Züchtung von gartenbaulichen Nutzpflanzen ein Interesse am Einsatz dieser Methoden. Die erfolgreiche Veränderung der Blütenfarbe bei Petunia hybrida (Meyer et al. 1987) stellt den Anfang der Transformation von Zierpflanzen mit einem konkreten und wirtschaftlich relevanten Ziel dar. Die Ergebnisse dienen nicht nur der Grundlagenwissenschaft, sondern können auch von Gartenbaubetrieben für die wirtschaftliche Nutzung verwendet werden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden die grundlegenden Methoden und Techniken zur Transformation von verschiedenen Pflanzen (vor allem Zierpflanzen) am Lehrstuhl eingeführt. Als Transformationsmethoden wurden dabei das Agrobacterium tumefaciens- System, die Partikel-Kanone und die "floral dip" Methode eingesetzt. Ein Verfahren zur Klonierung von Binärevktoren und deren Übertragung in A. tumefaciens wurde etabliert, mit dessen Hilfe eine Reihe von am Lehrstuhl klonierten Genen in verschiedene Pflanzen übertragen wurde. Neben dem häufig zur Selektion verwendeten Kanamycin-NPTII System, wurde ein Binärvektor mit einer auf Hygromycin basierenden Selektion kloniert. Dieser Vektor kann für nicht auf Kanamycin selektierbare Pflanzen (z.B. Pelargonium) oder für die Zweittransformation einer bereits mit einem anderen Selektionsmarker transformierten Pflanze verwendet werden. Die erfolgreiche Hygromycin-Selektion bei Pelargonium wurde anhand der GUS-Expression nachgewiesen. Mit einer modifizierten Form der "leaf disc"-Transformation wurden Petunia, Osteospermum und Pelargonium transformiert. Die "floral-dip"-Methode wurde zur Tranformation von Arabidopsis thaliana verwendet. Auf Selektionsmedium regenerierte Pflanzen wurden mittels PCR auf Integration der T-DNA überprüft und in vitro vermehrt. Die mit einem FHT Antisense-Konstrukt transformierten Petunia-Pflanzen zeigten im Enzymtest eine deutlich reduzierte Enzymaktivität, so daß von einer erfolgreichen Hemmung der FHT durch den Antisense-Ansatz auszugehen ist. Die Petalen einer genetisch definierten, weißblühenden Linie von Matthiola incana wurden als Testsystem für die transiente Genexpression (Anthocyanbildung) in Blütenblättern mittels Partikel-Kanone eingeführt. Mit der gleichen Methode und einem ANS-Konstrukt beschossene Petalen von Zantedeschia zeigten ein deutlich rote Färbung im Bereich der aufgetroffenen Partikel. Es ist davon auszugehen, daß durch die Gen-Expression der vermutete Block in der Anthocyan-Synthese behoben wird und es zur Bildung von Pelargonidin-Derivaten kommt. Molecular biology and genetic engineering have become increasingly important for modern plant breeding during the last years. This is why these methods are also very interesting for the breeding of ornamental plants. The successful transformation of the flower color of a Petunia hybrida mutant in 1987 (Meyer et al.) initiated the manipulation of ornamental plants for specifically economic reasons. The results are not only important for basic research but are also economically viable for ornamental breeders. This study introduces the basic methods and techniques for the transformation of all kinds of plants (above all ornamental plants). The Agrobacterium tumefaciens-system, the particle gun and the "floral dip"-technique were the methods used to transform plants. At our department we established a method to clone binary vectors and to transform them into A. tumefaciens. The so-established A. tumefaciens helped us to transform genes, that we had cloned in our department, into different kinds of plants. Besides the Kanamycin-NPT II system, which is often used for selection, a binary vector was cloned with a selection based on hygromycin. This vector can be used for plants (e.g. pelargonium) that are selectable but cannot be selected on the basis of kanamycin or for the second transformation of plants already transformed with another selection marker. Successful gene delivery to pelargonium hypocotyls and expression of the foreign genes was demonstrated by histochemical GUS-staining. A modified form of the "leaf disc" method was used to tranform petunia, osteospermum and pelargonium. The 'floral-dip' method was applied to transform Arabidopsis thaliana. With the help of PCR-analysis, plants regenerated under selection conditions were surveyed to find out whether a T-DNA integration has taken place. These plants were then multiplied in vitro. Enzym tests with petunia plants that had been transformed with a FHT antisense-construct showed a much reduced enzym activity. This is why it is most likely that FHT is successfully stopped by the function of the antisense construct. By means of a particle gun the petals of genetic defined white flowering mutant of Matthiola incana were introduced as a test-system for the foreign gene expression concerning anthocyan biosynthesis. Petals of zantedeschia bombarded through the same method with a ANS construct showed a clearly red colouring in the areas where the particles had hit. It is most likely that the possible block in the anthocyan synthesis is removed through the gen expression and that therefore perlargonidin derivates are created.

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

The activity of five enzymes concerning anthocyanin biosynthesis as well as the anthocyanin accumulation were studied during the development of buds and flowers of Matthiola incana. The investigations included the first three enzymes in the anthocyanin pathway, chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase and flavanone 3-hydroxylase, and the flavonoid-modifying enzymes, flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase and flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase. The bud and flower development was subdivided into eight stages with respect to morphological criteria. On a fresh weight basis, a substantial correlation between anthocyanin content and the activities of all of the five enzymes were found in the various developmental stages. Furthermore, the anthocyanins formed are obviously not or only less subject to degradation. Although all maxima of activity proved to be in buds, clear differences were observed between the five enzymes with regard to increase and stage of maximum activity. The isolation of other enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis is likely to be most successful in the bud stages.

Night temperatures warmer than those normally used in commercial production systems promoted vegetative growth in Tagetes patula and Matthiola incana seedlings. In the short (8 h) daylength regime employed, and with a day temperature of 16°C, cool nights (8°C) had a detrimental effect, especially when imposed for 6 weeks from pricking-out rather than later. Night temperatures between 8°C and 16°C did not substitute for the long-day requirement for flowering in Matthiola after 11 weeks' growth, and there was no advantage with respect to vegetative growth in maintaining night temperatures above 12°C. Warmer nights from pricking-out promoted flowering in Tagetes but if applied later (during weeks 7–11) the positive effects were largely on vegetative growth. The implications of these findings for commercial horticulture are discussed.

[35S] L-Methionine and [methyl-14C] ʟ-methionine were fed to shoots of Matthiola annua and Matthiola sinuata. The label from both precursors was incorporated to a high degree into 4-methylsulfinyl- 3-butenylglucosinolate, the main mustard oil glucoside of M atth iola species. Two homologues of methionine, homomethionine and 2-amino-6-methylthiocaproic acid, were also labelled in these experiments. 2-Amino-6-methylthiocaproic acid, deriving from methionine via homomethionine by two successive C1-chain elongation steps, was higher plants

Weekly foliar applications of GA47 (GA; 25 p.p.m.) during seedling growth promoted reproductive development of both Tagetes patula and Matthiola incana whether grown in short days (8 h), or long days effected by night-breaks (NB). The NB treatment was unfavourable for flowering in Tagetes but promoted leaf growth whereas both GA and NB, favourable for early flowering and associated stem elongation in Matthiola, inhibited leaf growth. The GA applications substituted for the long-day requirement for flowering in Matthiola. These findings are coupled with those reported earlier for the effects of night temperature on vegetative growth and flowering and are discussed in relation to a possible “blue-print” for commercial horticultural practice.

SUMMARY Bacterial wilt of wallflowers caused by Xanthomonas campestris is reported for the first time in the United Kingdom and a description is given of the disease symptoms. Isolates of X. campestris from wallflowers were pathogenic to seedlings of all wild and cultivated crucifers tested with the exception of Matthiola spp, (stocks). Four isolates of X. campestris from Brassica spp. and three other Xanthomonas spp. were not pathogenic either to wallflower or to stock seedlings. X. campestris isolates originating from cabbage were more virulent to cabbage seedlings than were isolates originating from wallflowers. X. campestris was isolated from wallflower seeds and from old wallflower debris.

The expression of the key enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis, chalcone synthase (CHS), has been followed in different genotypes of Matthiola incana R.Br. (Brassicaceae) which are genetically defined with respect to anthocyanin production. Enzyme activity was determined by a radioactive assay in crude flower extracts. The amount of enzyme protein in the developing flower was determined by use of SDS-PAGE, protein blotting, reaction with an antiserum against CHS of parsley (Petroselinum hortense), and PAP staining. The molecular weight of about 41 500 of the CHS subunits corresponds with that obtained from other higher plants. Steps of flower development were subdivided into stages-1,0, I-IV. During flower development of a Matthiola line with coloured petals (line 07) a defined pattern of CHS enzyme production can be observed: At the stage of bud opening (stage 0-I) a dramatic increase of the amount of CHS enzyme prodein in the petals occurs. This is quite different from results obtained with petals of the white flowering mutant line 18 bearing a genetic defect in the gene f coding for CHS. Here a reduced and nearly constant level of CHS enzyme protein can be observed during flower development. This line is most attractive for our studies of the regulation of enzyme synthesis because under stress conditions a slight colouring of the flower petals occurs, which is uniformly distributed and line-specific. This suggests that we are dealing with a CHS mutant producing a rather inactive enzyme protein at a low level. This protein may regain enzyme activity under certain environmental conditions. Preliminary investigations suggest a rather high level of CHS mRNA transcription at the bud opening stage of the flowers. Other white flowering mutant lines, line 17 (genotype ee) and line 19 (gg) with a late block in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, exhibit a concomitant reduction of CHS enzyme activity and protein content in comparison to anthocyanin-producing lines with the f(+)f(+)e(+)e(+)g(+)g(+)-genotype.

Summary Uptake of homologous radioactively and density labelled donor DNA by plant seedlings (Matthiola incana) into the nuclei and by isolated nuclei in vitro has been followed. The recipient DNA has been characterised by caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. Depending on the incubation time the incorporated DNA is recovered from the nuclear fraction in unaltered and macromolecular form (after 5 hours of incubation) or is partly integrated into the recipient genome resulting in a fraction with intermediate density (after 20 hours of incubation). No qualitative difference has been observed between DNA extracted from intact recipient plants and DNA extracted only from the nuclear fraction suggesting that processes altering the density of the donor DNA occur more or less inside the nucleus. Isolated nuclei of Matthiola incana which are shown to be morphologically stable and physiologically active incorporate exogenous DNA through their nuclear membrane. The incorporated DNA is not significantly degraded but is retained with unaltered molecular weight and buoyant density for at least 2 hours. The amount of foreign DNA per nucleus corresponds to the DNA content of a diploid Matthiola cell (3 pg).

Roots and rhizomes of Dentaria pinnata Lmk. contain two sulphur containing glycosides, one of which produces isopropyl isothiocyanate by enzymic hydrolysis. This product has already been isolated from the genera Lunaria , Cochlearia , and Matthiola . A solvent for the chromatography of phenylthioureas is suggested.

FIG. 1. Matthiola plants, unselected progeny of two parents, showing the mixture of singles and doubles invariably given by this variety (" Snowflake "). Note that the singles, in these cool-greenhouse cultures, differ little from the doubles in earliness of flowering. (The singles and doubles have been separated for photographing. The singles are plants 1, 2, 3, and 11 (misplaced), from the left side, in the tipper row, and plants 1 to 5 in the lower row.)

T HE long series of results obtained by Miss Saunders from breeding experiments on Matthiola incana, carried on over a large number of years, and the recent papers (20-24) published on the cytology of both plants and animals, particularly the work of Morgan and his collaborators in America on Drosophila ampelophila, suggested that an enquiry into the cytology of Matthiola(18) might be of interest. Matthiola produces constantly two types of singles-the "no-dsingles" which breed true, and produce pure singles only, and the ever-sporting or double-throwing singles (" d-singles ") which give both singles and doubles. The genetical facts are explicable on the supposition that at least two factors, XY, are concerned in the production of singleness, doubleness being due to the "absence" of either or both factors. In the pure-breeding single the factors X and Y appear to be linked-in the d-single they are not. The probability is that in the d-single the pollen is all of one kind, and that it lacks the factor for singleness, but the ovules-from the evidence afforded by reciprocal crosses-are of two kinds, single-producing and double-producing. The Sulphur White variety which has also been investigated is peculiar in that it is ever-sporting as regards both plastid colour and doubleness. Doubleness, therefore, although apparently unrelated to sap colour or surface character is linked with the factor for plastid colour. This investigation, however, deals mainly with the relation of singleness and doubleness to the cytological structure. II. METHODS

Interest in the subject of mutation seems to be growing, and with good reason. Varied as may be the processes concerned in the production of mutant forms, evidence is accumulating to show that sometimes, at least, mutation involves fundamental chemical or structural changes in the germ-plasm. It is obviously of great importance in practical breeding, and we cannot yet safely deny to it a significant role in evolution. In view of the peculiarities in the general genetic behavior of Oenothera, it has become a matter of special importance to study mutation in plant forms that are known to exhibit typical Mendelian phenomena. Two general views of heredity in Oenothera appear still to be possible; first, the one recently expressed by Shull (I9I3), that regular segregation and recombination of genetic factors are absent; second, that the irregularity is secondary, and due to complicating influences, especially to selective sterility. Perhaps the genus possesses peculiarities of chromosome structure and behavior which will be found to justify a view practically intermediate between the two just stated. It now seems very probable, whatever the fundamental reason, that other genera are to be classed with Oenothera as possessing certain genetic peculiarities. In Citrus, for instance, we find a similar tendency toward apparent mutation, which is very strikingly manifested by somatic tissues. Here, also, sterility seems to be common, as with the Washington navel orange, where it is complete in the anthers, and with the Satsuma mandarin, where very few of the pollen-grains are capable of germination. Probably the potato (or the genus Solanum?), with its apparent somatic mutation, its doubtfully regular genetic ratios, and its very general pollen-sterility, also belongs to this group. If Oenothera is thus typical of a group of genera, we may expect to 1 Paper No. 27, Citrus Experiment Station, College of Agriculture, University of California, Riverside, California.

The effect of temperature and day-length on growth and flowering of the Scandinavian Brilliant-type stock (Mattkiola incana R. Br.) has been studied. Flower differentiation and development were examined.Flower initiation was favoured by low temperature and long days, but a temperature as high as 20° C. (68 °F.) did not prevent flowering even under short-day (9 hours) conditions. A close interaction between temperature and day-length was observed.High temperature was favourable for further development of the flowers, but abnormal flowers were developed if the plants were removed to high temperature before the first flower primordium was visible under the microscope.Flower initiation was associated with accelerated stem elongation. Therefore, optimal temperature conditions for stem elongation changed with the developmental stages of the plants.The plants responded to a low-temperature treatment as early as 12 days after germination, at which stage they had only two small leaves in addition'to the cotyledons...

The results recorded here and in the earlier work form a concordant body of facts concerning surface character which the scheme of factor relations here suggested enables us to bring together into a comprehensible whole. These factor relations involve five factors—C, R, H, J, K —inter-acting as three distinct pairs. (1) The pairCR essential to the production of sap colour. (2) The pairHK producing the fully hoary condition but only effective when theCR pair is also present. (3) The pairJK which produces a less degree of hairiness thanHE. For this reason the presence ofJ can only be detected in the absence ofH. The effect of the combinationJ andK is to produce the condition known as half-hoary if the individual has the constitutionJJKK orJjKk, i.e. if the dose of the two factors is equal. IfK has been brought in on both sides of the pedigree andJ only on one, i.e. if the individual has the constitutionJjKK, the result is to dilute the effect ofJ, and the individual exhibits the lesser degree of hairiness known as quarter-hoary. It remains to determine the appearance of the individual in the reverse case when the constitution isJJKk, and also to ascertain whether the effect ofJ is independent ofC andR or whether, likeH, it is only effective when the colour pair is also present.

In an earlier account, in which the results of intercrossing various strains of glabrous ( = wallflower-leaved) Ten-week stocks are described, it has been shown that the results are capable of explanation on the supposition that a certain inter-relation exists between the factors causing hoariness and those concerned in the production of coloured sap. We may briefly recall the main facts in regard to these two characters. It was found experimentally— (1) That glabrous sap-coloured strains of various colours ( e.g . dark purple, light purple, azure, red, flesh, copper) when intercrossed, produced offspring which were also all glabrous sap-coloured ; later generations derived from these crossbreds were again invariably of this type.