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The Sideritis genus includes over 150 species primarily found in the Mediterranean basin, including the S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca from the Peloponnese and S. scardica from North and Central Greece. In vitro seed germination has proven effective for conserving and amplifying the genetic diversity of endangered species such as Sideritis. This study aimed to optimize in vitro germination and seedling growth of S. scardica and S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca under different lighting conditions at 22 °C, including white fluorescent lamps (WFL-BG-40) and LEDs (LED-BGYOR-40, LED-BR-40, LED-BR-80, LED-BR-120) all under a 16-h light/8-h dark photoperiod (WFL: white fluorescent light, B:blue, G:green, Y:yellow, O:orange, R:red, 40–80–120 μmol m−2 s−1), along with a 24-h dark treatment. The results indicated that LED-BR-80 combined with 250 mg L−1 GA3 in the MS medium promoted best germination (40%, day 55) and shoot proliferation in S. clandestina subsp. pelopponesiaca. Conversely, 5-year-old cold stratified S. scardica seeds showed higher germination rates (80%) and robust seedling growth under LED-BGYOR-40 with 250 mg L−1 GA3, particularly thriving in LED-BR-120 for increased shoot height and root number. This is the first report of the efficacy of LED technology in optimizing in vitro conditions for Sideritis species, crucial for their conservation and sustainable commercial cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses and viroids pose a significant challenge in citriculture, and their control is crucial for plant health. This study evaluated the effectiveness of in vitro thermotherapy combined with a meristem tip culture for eliminating citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd) and hop stunt viroid (HSVd) from a new limonime hybrid (Citrus x limon var. limon x Citrus latifolia var. latifolia). The elimination success was confirmed by RT-PCR assays. The in vitro elimination rate for CEVd during the shoot proliferation stage (43%) was higher than for HSVd (21%). Accordingly, in the subsequent rooting stage, the in vitro elimination rate for CEVd (50%) was higher than for HSVd (33%). Successful CEVd and HSVd eradication at a 100% rate was confirmed in the ex vitro acclimatized plants in the greenhouse. The study also established an efficient micropropagation protocol. The optimal treatment for in vitro shoot induction was 0.5–2 mg L−1 benzyladenine (BA) + 0.5 mg L−1 gibberellic acid (GA3) + 0.25 mg L−1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), while for shoot elongation, it was 0.5 mg L−1 BA + 0.5 mg L−1 kinetin (KIN) + 0.5 mg L−1 GA3 + 0.25 mg L−1 NAA. Rooting was best promoted by 1 mg L−1 NAA. This study provides valuable insights for the mass production of viroid-free propagation material in this new lemon x lime hybrid, contributing to the conservation of genetic resources in citrus breeding programs through the combined application of in vitro thermotherapy and an in vitro meristem tip culture, a novel and highlighted achievement reported for the first time in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae), a local endemic plant of Crete (Greece), creates polysaccharide-containing subcuticular compartments presenting biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, and, among others, significantly affects the fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This field study introduces a fertilization scheme for O. dictamnus, which was developed and refined to optimize the yield as well as critical herbal quality aspects. Five fertilization schemes were investigated, based on a polysaccharide-based Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), a mixture of conventional inorganic fertilizers (ChF) and two biostimulants (not algae) via foliar and soil application. Plant growth, together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and color (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. The leaf content of chlorophyll, three critical antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols) and nutrients were also assessed. Considering all three antioxidants together, the enhanced efficiency, non-toxic, water-soluble, polysaccharide-based INM by foliar application was the most stimulatory scheme, playing an important role in plant growth and development. The present field study provides, for the first time, baseline fertilization data improving key herbal quality features in O. dictamnus and unravels the attainment of high antioxidant properties. The latter may be exploited in favor of its further utilization as a raw material for tea preparation, medicinal purposes, natural food flavoring and/or food preservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to enhance the sustainable utilization framework of the underutilized Greek native Rosa canina L. (rosehip) germplasm as a potential novel crop that can deliver high-quality products with minimum environmental impact. The first part of the work includes asexual propagation trials on cuttings of two Greek R. canina genotypes, assessing the potential of various alternative rooting enhancers to the conventionally used indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), as affected by rooting substrate and cutting type. The propagation results showed commercially acceptable (>50%) rooting rates for 2500 ppm IBA, coconut water, rooting gel and aloe vera treatments and similar rooting attributes of root number and length, providing evidence for the feasibility of using alternative rooting enhancers. The second part of the work presents the results of an ongoing ex situ cultivation trial assessing the potential of a diversified organic fertilization regime against conventional fertilization on fruit size and yield, coupled with macro- and micro-nutrient concentration, in the leaves of four Greek R. canina genotypes. The results showed a genotype-specific response in rosehip fruit size and yield to fertilization, with the organic regime showing comparable results to the conventional fertilization. In addition, diverse patterns, depending on the element, of macro- and micro-nutrient content were measured in the leaves in both fertilization regimes, which were, however, genotype-dependent. Overall, the current study reports for the first time the potential of alternative rooting enhancers for commercial R. canina propagation coupled with the application of organic fertilization as a means of establishing a diversified cultivation protocol for underutilized R. canina germplasm. The current results can be employed to further facilitate a value chain creation for Greek rosehips as a raw material for use in the agro-alimentary and medicinal–cosmetic sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medicinal plants exhibit significant effects on broiler physiology and production. This trial aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with an aqueous or cyclodextrin extract derived from a mixture of Origanum vulgare L., Camelina sativa L. crantz, Crithmum maritimum L., and Allium sativum L. at the level of 0.1% per kg of dry matter (DM) on broiler growth performance, welfare, meat chemical composition, and oxidative stability. Results: Cyclodextrin treated group presented significantly higher final body weight, while feed intake and FCR were unaffected by the treatments. Both aqueous and cyclodextrin treated groups had significantly lower pododermatitis score compared to the control group. Additionally, both treatment groups presented increased thigh meat protein content and lower fat content, likewise meat color was also positively affected by both treatments. Supplementation of broilers diet with the cyclodextrin extract also resulted in ∑n-3 fatty acids and ∑n-6 fatty acids increase. The PUFA/SFA and H/H ratios were also increased in the thigh meat of both supplemented groups compared to the control group. Conclusion: The application of aqueous or cyclodextrin extracts yielded positive results on meat composition, and supported growth performance, welfare, and the oxidative status of the chicken meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The use of alternative proteinaceous feedstuffs is under investigation worldwide, due to the increased economic and ecological burdens of soybean meal, especially for dairy farms. Here, we examined whether the partial substitution of soymeal by a mixture of locally produced flaxseed and lupins could affect milk yield and fertility parameters of dairy cows during the transition period. Milk yield and composition were examined. The dietary treatment affected neither milk yield nor its composition. Animals offered the diet with flaxseed and lupin seeds expressed the first postpartum estrus and conceived earlier than control cows. These results imply that the replacement of soymeal with flaxseed and lupin is a profitable feed modification, which benefits overall fertility in dairy cows. Flaxseed and lupin seed were offered as an alternative dietary approach in dairy cows, through the partial substitution of soybean meal. Milk production and fertility traits were investigated. A total of 330 animals were allocated into two groups, treated (n = 176) and control (n = 154). From each group, 30 animals were selected for hematological and cytological studies. The experimental feeding period lasted for 81 days (25 days prepartum and 56 days postpartum). The control ration (group C) contained corn, barley, soybean meal, rapeseed cake, corn silage and lucerne hay; whereas, in the treatment group (group T), 50% of the soybean meal was replaced by an equal mixture of flaxseed and lupins. The two rations were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Milk samples were analyzed for chemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC) content and total colony forming units (CFU). Blood samples were collected, and serum was analyzed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), acute phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid) and lipid oxidation indices, namely thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and catalase activity. To assess polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) numbers, endometrial samples from each cow were collected on days 21 and 42. No difference was recorded between groups in milk yield (p > 0.05). In multiparous cows, NEFA (mMol/L) concentrations were significantly lower in group T than in group C on day 14 (p > 0.009) and on day 42 (p = 0.05), while no difference was detected in the group of primiparous cows. At all time points, serum TBARS and catalase values were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Multiparous cows in group T expressed the first postpartum estrus and conceived earlier than cows in group C (p ≤ 0.05). Between days 21 to 42 postpartum, the PMN reduction rate was higher in group T animals (p ≤ 0.05). Acute phase protein levels were in general lower in group T animals, and at specific time points differed significantly from group C (p ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that the partial replacement of soybean meal by flaxseed and lupins had no negative effect on milk yield or milk composition, and improved cow fertility; which, along with the lower cost of flaxseed and lupins mixture, may increase milk production profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]