Search

Fifteen Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC accessions were collected and evaluated for their genetic diversity and molecular characteristics using 10 previously developed and used codominant SSR markers. The SSR loci used revealed a total of 51 alleles. The domestic kale varieties were collected locally and the hybrids kales were found in markets. The averages of total heterozygosity (H) and polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.6774 and 0.6201, respectively. The average number of alleles was 4.2 per locus, where 8 of 10 markers showed high polymorphic information content (PIC), being more than 0.5. The genetic relationships among the populations revealed by Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA), showed a clear clustering into three distinct groups. As expected, all local varieties were separated within two separated clusters, whereas only two domestic varieties shared one cluster with the group of hybrids, indicating similar genetic background shared by domestic and hybrid varieties. These results indicate and confirm the regional and physiological differences between the kale varieties and confirm the SSR marker efficiency for genetic characterization assays

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate growth, yield and quality of leek (Allium porrum L.) under different nitrogen levels, on a heavy clay loam soil in the agro-climate of central Bosnia and Herzegovina. Treatments comprised four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg ha-1), using local leek variety Karentan. The levels of 100 and 200 kg ha-1 were repeated in split applications. Results demonstrated that increasing level of nitrogen to 200 kg ha-1 resulted in greater number of leaves per plant (14.4), maximum leaves weight (194.6 g plant-1), higher pseudo-stem diameter (36.3 mm), maximum pseudo-stem weight (146.5 g) and highest total yield (91.98 t ha-1). There was a linear increase in total yield from nitrogen fertilization (r2 = 0.87). There was also slight evidence that higher nitrogen amount decrease dry matter. Furthermore, increase in nitrogen levels had no appreciable effect on chemical composition (total and reducing sugars, vitamin C) of leek.

The present study reports a comparison of the mineral composition and antioxidant properties of four selected cultivated mushrooms: Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Pink oyster mushroom (Pleurotus djamor) and Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Ca, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, while total antioxidant activity was measured by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods, respectively. The most abundant mineral elements in the analyzed mushrooms were potassium, calcium and zinc, ranging between 23703.2–36721.8 mg kg-1, 105.3–123.1 mg kg-1 and 45.5–89.9 mg kg-1 dried mass, respectively. The content of heavy metals (Ni, Cr and Cd) was very low, while Pb and Co were below detectable levels. The quantities of all studied heavy metals were within the limits recommended by the World Health Organization. This study showed that total phenolic contents ranged from 45.46 ± 3.91 mg of galic acid equivalents 100 g-1 fresh mass in Oyster mushroom to 75.64 mg ± 10.91 mgGAE 100g-1 fresh mass in Lion's mane mushroom. Total flavonoid contents were very low in all analyzed mushroom species. In this study, Lion's mane, Reishi and Pink oyster mushroom showed significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to Oyster mushroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of different substrates on the yield and antioxidant properties of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivated in ‘bag-logs’. The substrates used in this study were: (1) maize straw, (2) beech sawdust mixed with wheat bran in a ratio of 80:20, (3) maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds in a ratio of 70:30 and (4) maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds in a ratio of 50:50. The weight of every culture bag (20.32 × 30.48 cm) was approximately 1.5 kg. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride method, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the mushroom extracts were analyzed by Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. The highest fruiting bodies yield of Oyster mushroom was obtained from substrate 4 (maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds in a ratio of 50:50) (414 g/packet), while the least was from substrate 1 (maize straw) (368.6 g/packet). Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Oyster mushroom extracts grown on different substrates. The Oyster mushrooms growing in substrate 1 (maize straw) and 2 (beech sawdust mixed with wheat bran in a ratio of 80:20) had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than those growing in maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds. Total phenolic contents ranged from 3.80 mg ± 0.61 in Oyster mushroom on substrate 4 (maize straw mixed with spent coffee grounds in a ratio of 50:50) to 4.85 mg ± 0.42 of gallic acid equivalents g-1 dry mass in Oyster mushroom on substrate 2 (beech sawdust mixed with wheat bran in a ratio of 80:20). Total flavonoid contents were very low in all analyzed Oyster mushroom extracts and ranged from 0.11 to 0.17 mg of catechin equivalents g-1 dry mass. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between the total antioxidant activities of Oyster mushroom grown on different substrates.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different liquid fertilisers on selected physiological parameters in order to evaluate the drought tolerance of cherry tomato seedlings. The following physiological parameters were investigated: total phenolic and flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity and proline content of leaf extracts. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. The ferric-reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP assay) was used to measure the total antioxidant capacity, while proline content was evaluated according to the method of Bates. The contents of proline, total phenolics and flavonoids were significantly higher in the leaves of cherry tomato seedlings exposed to water stress, which suggests that the higher synthesis of these substances by plants represents an important defence mechanism of drought tolerance. The results also indicate that the application of all the used fertilisers in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions can significantly increase the content of phenol compounds and total antioxidant capacity of plants under normal growth conditions, thus improving survival under subsequent stress.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of foliar application of seaweed extract (0.2 %) on the growth, yield and quality of cherry tomato under stress and non-stress conditions. The greenhouse experiment was set up in a randomized block design with four treatments in three replications. Treatments were as follows: V1 - seedlings treated by seaweed extract and subjected to drought; V2 - seedlings treated by seaweed extract and regularly watered; V3 - non-treated seedlings subjected to drought; V4 - non-treated seedlings regularly watered. Cherry tomato seedlings treated by seaweed extract had a lower content of proline and higher leaf water potential compared to non-treated seedlings under stress conditions, indicating that application of this fertilizer contributes to better adaptation of cherry tomato seedlings to stress. Treatment with seaweed extract also positively influenced the yield and quality of cherry tomato (total soluble solids, vitamin C, lycopene) under both standard and drought stress conditions as compared to untreated plants in same conditions. Positive effects of seaweed extract on growth and quality of cherry tomato are result of its specific composition, as well as ability of cherry tomato plants to utilize bioactive substances in seaweed extracts for its growth and development.