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Background and objective: The objective of this study was to produce Asiatic hybrid lily with more than two flowers in one year starting from bulbils. This study was to force 'Beni no Mai' bulbils influenced by harvesting date, flower bud removal, and temperature manipulation and to evaluate dormancy and maturity by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) and carbohydrates analysis.Methods: In experiment 1, bulbils were harvested at 0-30 days after anthesis (DAA), and were divided into 7 stages. And, soluble monosaccharides and monosaccharide constituents of bulbils were analyzed. In experiment 2, flower buds of plants that flowered on 21 April were not removed or removed on 1, 13, and 25 April. Bulbils harvested were divided into four groups and planted after cold treatment. In experiment 3, bulbils received a sequential temperature (SEQ CD) treatments for three weeks at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5°C, 1 week at 10, 12.5, and 15°C, and 3 weeks at 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5°C. In experiment 4, bulbils were harvested 0-70 DAA, and were subjected to spin-spin lattice relaxation time by NMRI.Results: The bulbils harvested at 30 DAA produced two flowers within 282 days, and were better in growth. The bulbils harvested at 30 DAA showed higher concentration of soluble glucose and lower concentration of non-cellulosic neutral glucose. Growth of bulbils removed flower buds before flowering were better than those of bulbils that flower bud was removed at anthesis and 13 Apr. However, the number of flowers of bulbils harvested from plants removed flower buds on 1 Apr. were less than 2. The SEQ CD treatment of 7.5°C/3W-15°C/1W-5°C/3W in bulbils could produce the plants with 2.2 flowers within 300 days after planting. When bulbils were harvested at 0-28 DAA, yellow color corresponding to T2 relaxation time of 15-20 ms was dominant, and bulbils harvested at 56-70 DAA showed T2 relaxation time of 35-50 ms and 50-100 ms.Conclusion: Considering the results of soluble carbohydrate content and T2 relaxation time of bulbils, it was found that the bulbils had a shallower dormancy and were more mature at 30-42 DAA than before 28 DAA. Also, when these bulbils were planted after SEQ CD treatment at 7.5°C/3W-15°C/1W-5°C/3W, plants with two or more flowers could be produced within one year.

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Kea’, ‘Kiwi’ and ‘Ruru’ were evaluated for production as potted plants. Following environmental effects were investigated; (a) Temperatures regimes for 40 days each for two ...

Corylopsis seed germination tests were conducted to assess the influence of harvest date (seed maturity) and cold stratification (CS) at 5 °C. Corylopsis gotoana seeds harvested on 12 July, 2 and 22 Aug., 6 and 20 Sept., and 1 and 10 Oct. 2011 were immersed in water for 20 min to separate fully developed seeds (full seeds) from empty seeds by floatation, and by X-ray scanning to identify full from empty seeds (Expt. 1). Immersing seeds in water did not effectively separate full seeds from empty seeds as evaluated by seed germination tests. Seeds harvested on or around 6 Sept. that sank showed translucent X-ray images with fully developed internal structures composed of embryo, cotyledons, and endosperm, and were considered mature. Without CS, >12% seeds harvested on 20 Sept. germinated, regardless of whether seeds were full or empty. Seeds of C. coreana harvested on 5 and 15 Sept., and 5 and 18 Oct. were stored dry at 20 °C until 27 Dec. and germinated after 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks of CS (Expt. 2). Longer than 6 weeks of CS was required to accelerate and increase the germination of seeds harvested on or after 5 Sept. Germination percentage of full seeds harvested on Oct. 18 was increased to >72% as the duration of CS treatment increased to 12 weeks. In conclusion, fully developed seeds harvested on or after 6 Sept. were considered mature and 6 weeks of CS accelerated germination and increased the germination percentage. Further, dormancy of Corylopsis seeds appears to be shallow since germination occurred without any CS.

Stem tip cuttings of Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. ‘Kiri no Mine’ were rooted under a mist to determine the feasibility of vegetative propagation and to produce acceptable plants without showing any physiological disorder at flowering. Stem tip cuttings were rooted with 50 mm 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid (IAA) treatment. However, physiological disorders, such as die-back symptoms at the shoot apex and scorches at the margin of leaves, developed from the smallest leaves and affected nearly 50% of the cuttings. These disorders were from either leaching of macro- and micro-elements, particularly calcium (Ca), coupled with little or no translocation of radioactive Ca from the base of the cuttings to the young leaves and growing point. Plants from rooted cuttings that did not show any physiological disorder symptoms flowered later and produced fewer flowers than seed-propagated plants. Due to a reduction in growth vigor of some plants exhibiting a reduced number of top breaks and flowers, plants flowered 16 days later than plants without reduced vigor and produced only 4.3 flowers, as compared to 14.2 flowers of normal plants without showing reduced growth vigor. Although concentrations of the macro- and micro-elements of rooted plants were similar to those of seeded plants after planting rooted cuttings in a growing medium, reduction in growth vigor observed in some rooted plants cannot be explained by the leaching of macro- and micro-elements during the mist. Thus, carbohydrate and protein, which may have been leached from the cuttings were analyzed. Soluble carbohydrate content and monosaccharide composition hydrolyzed from polysaccharides after DEAE-cellulose anion-exchange chromatography was analyzed. Leachate contained primarily glucose, uronic acid, galactose, and protein in fraction III, suggesting that leaching of calcium in conjunction with carbohydrates and glycoprotein may be the cause of the expression of physiological disorder symptoms that affect the development of rooted cuttings. The reduction in growth vigor could be related to the leaching of free carbohydrates or polysaccharides, and some of the polysaccharides could be cell wall components rich in uronic acid. Calcium could be leached from cell wall fragments as a calcium-glycoprotein complex and the Ca concentration may not be restored during the resumption of new growth in 20 days when rooted cuttings were planted. Limiting factors for stem tip cutting propagation were physiological disorders, especially die-back of the shoot apex and reduced growth vigor observed at flowering when no physiological disorder symptoms were observed in rooted cuttings.

Growth and flowering of Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. ‘Sentimental Blue’ was evaluated in growing media amended with pellets (P) processed with poultry feather keratins with and without application of slow-release fertilizer. Macro- and micro-nutrients in the media were analyzed in pellets before and after mixing them with peatmoss (PM) during plant growth and flowering. Peatmoss was mixed with pellets at the ratio of 4 to 1 by volume. Leachates and leaf tissues were analyzed during plant culture. Pellets were grouped into treatments of (a) pellets with shredded or powdered forms of poultry feather keratin, (b) pellets containing polyactide as a substitution for perlite, and (c) pellets enriched with urea to evaluate if these pellets function as a slow-release fertilizer when mixed with PM. The number of days to anthesis was shorter in PM medium supplemented with P45-1, P45-2, and P84 than in other media. The number of branches, flowers, and fresh weight was greater in the media with P45-2 mixed in with PM and Osmocote (OS) application. Pellet45-2 is recommended as an inert material to prepare a new soilless growing medium. Pellets made from long fiber or long fiber plus powder forms of feather keratin did not affect growth and flowering. Low levels of soluble salts (EC) in the media and leachates 60 days after seedling transplantation suggested that additional fertilizer is required during culture. Inferior plant growth and flowering in the medium containing polylactide was not observed with Osmocote application during 60 days of growth. The feasibility of testing pellets enriched with urea (P73 Urea) as a source of slow release nitrogen should be considered carefully due to the high concentration of NH4-N in the media. Based on the growth and flowering responses and on the concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients in the media, leachates, and leaf tissue, P45-2 can be used to prepare a growing medium with PM. The suggested ranges compiled for general ornamental plants can be recommended for platycodon ‘Sentimental Blue’ based on concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients in growing media, leachates, and leaf tissue.

The objective of this study was to investigate the optimum concentration of plant growth regulators for explants cultured in vitro to produce inflorescences of Ornithogalum thyrsoides ‘Chesapeake Starlight’ forcing directly from in vitro propagules in one year. Two sizes of explants (2 × 2 and 2 × 4 mm) were cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0, 1.35, 2.7, or 5.4 μM 2-(1-Naphthyl)acetic acid (NAA) and with 0, 3.3, 6.6, or 13.2 μM N-(phenylmethyl)-7H-purin-6-amine (BA); and with 0, 0.675, 1.35, or 2.7 μM NAA and with 0, 2.2, 4.4, or 8.8 μM BA at 21 °C. Explants propagated in a Petri dish were directly transplanted to 6.3 cm pots as a clump without separating plantlets from the explant (propagule), then transplanted to a tray, and forced at 16.5/16 °C (day/night). The number of days to flowering from the first and second scape (FS and SS, respectively) from the first, second, or third plantlets (FP, SP, and TP, respectively) formed from the clump of one explant was counted from the date of transplanting to pots, and scape length and diameter were recorded. Criteria for high-quality cut flowers were (1) flowering around 200–215 days in FS/FP and 230–245 days in SS/FP with a flowering rate of 90–100% in FS/FP and 70–80% in SS/FP, (2) a scape length greater than 50 cm in FS/FP and greater than 55 cm in SS/FP, and (3) a scape diameter above 8 mm. Based on these criteria, the optimum concentrations of NAA and BA were determined. High quality O. thyrsoides cut flowers flowering after 195–201 days, a flowering rate of 78–100% in FS/FP, and three or four scapes of SS/FP and FS/SP can be successfully produced from 2 × 2 mm or 2 × 4 mm explants cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1.35–2.7 μM NAA and 4.4–6.6 μM BA. This demonstrates that quality cut flowers can be produced in less than one year without separating plantlets grown in vitro as one clump which saves labor. Developing two scapes from each of two first plantlets may suggest competition for reserves of metabolites/endogenous plant hormones.

A seedling of Graptopetalum bellum (Moran & Meyran) D. Hunt exhibiting improved flower characteristics with large flowers and with no space between the petals was evaluated. The wider petals of selected Graptopetalum (Gb-sel) (1.13 cm), compared with 0.91 cm of the original Graptopetalum (Gb-ori) is considered one of the improvements. The major color at the tip of the petal in both Gb-ori and Gb-sel were 58 (A, B, C) and 55A with some in 61 (D) and 62, 63, and 67 that belong to red-purple color group for Gb-sel that belong to red color group was selected. These improved characteristics were also observed following leaf cutting propagation. Three inflorescences with high flowering percentage of Graptopetalum bellum was produced forcing at 17/15 °C. The number of days to anthesis and florets per inflorescence did not differ between the original (Gb-ori) and the selected plant (Gb-sel). Measurements of pollen grains and seeds from scanning electron micrographs revealed that ratios of the width to the length were greater in Gb-sel than those of Gb-ori. Based on the floral morphology and color in petals and carpel, Gb-sel is considered different from Gb-ori.

The effects of irradiance and temperature on growth and flowering in seed propagated Sinningia cardinalis especially to increase the number of flowers were investigated. To understand the effect of irradiance on flowering and the number of flowers, seedlings were grown under 30% shade (30% SH), natural irradiance (ND), and ND supplemented with 14 h of high irradiance at 14 W/m2 (ND + 14HID) at 3 stages (ST) lasted for 40 days (d) at each ST (Expt. 1). Flowering was the earliest (205 d) when 20-d old plants were grown under 30% SH during the entire three stages (July 1 through October 31). Longer than 215 d to flower was required when plants received ND + 14HID during stage 3 (ST 3) (September 21–October 31). The number of flowers was highest (22) when grown under 30% SH during ST 1 (July 1–August 10) followed by ND or ND + 14HID during the ST 2 (August 12–September 20) or ST 3. To investigate the effect of temperature on flowering and the number of flowers, 42 d of 15/13 °C (15 °C), 19/17 °C (19 °C), 23/21 °C (23 °C), and 27/25 °C (27 °C) and under ND + 10HDI were given to 45-d old plants (Expt. 2). The number of days to flower was only significantly accelerated at 23° and 27 °C as compared to 15 °C and 19 °C, but not by irradiance treatments. The highest number of flowers (24) was produced when plants were grown at 15 °C under ND + 10HID given prior to formation of three pairs of leaves (

Self-Help and Mutual Aid Groups: International and Multicultural Per¬ spectives lives up to its ambitious title. The chapter articles, developed from presentations made at the September 1992 International Conference on SelfHelp/Mutual Aid in Ottawa, Ontario, es¬ tablish a framework for international analysis of the universal and particular attributes of self-help and begin to fill in some of the spaces in that framework. The authors grapple with expanding the definitional issues occupying research¬

Publication of your research represents the culmination of your scientific activities. The key to getting manuscripts accepted is to make them understandable and informative so that your colleagues will read and benefit from them. We describe key criteria for acceptance of manuscripts and outline a multi-step process for writing the manuscript. The likelihood that a manuscript will be accepted by a major journal is significantly increased if the manuscript is written in polished and fluent scientific English. Although scientific quality is the most important consideration, clear and concise writing often makes the difference between acceptance and rejection. As with any skill, efficient writing of high-quality manuscripts comes with experience and repetition. It is very uncommon for a manuscript to be accepted as submitted to a journal. Thoughtful and respectful responses to the journal reviewers' comments are critical. Success in scientific writing, as in surgery, is dependent on effort, repetition, and commitment. The transfer of knowledge through a well-written publication in a high-quality medical journal will have an impact not only in your own institution and country, but also throughout the world.

Two-year old seedlings derived from a Ligustrum quihoui plant (NA56612.01) showed variation in leaf sizes, and the leaf sizes of several L. quihoui seedlings were significantly larger than other seedlings, suggesting that possibility of interspecific hybridization with L. japonicum or L. foliosum which were maintained sympatrically with the L. quihoui at the repository. However, the leaves of seedlings were smaller than those of mature L. quihoui plants, thus requiring the use of molecular markers to verify any possible hybridization. Based on the sequence analysis of the nuclear internal transcribed spacers 1, 2 in ribosomal RNA gene (ITS 1, 2 region), the sequence of all seedlings showed 100% homology and perfectly matched with the L. quihoui accession, but not with L. japonicum or L. foliosum. These data suggested that the seedlings were not resulted from interspecific hybridization, but from intra-pollination among the L. quihoui progeny. Genetic purity of the L. quihoui can be maintained among seedlings obtained from the mother plant. This is an important feature for ex situ germplasm conservation of L. quihoui.

This research was initiated to analyze the volatiles emitted from a single flower bud of Lilium longiflorum Thunb., L. callosum Sieb. et Zucc., and their interspecific hybrids L. longiflorum × L. callosum (L. longi × L. cal IH). Volatiles, collected automatically every 6-hour intervals at 20°C before anthesis and at anthesis, were analyzed using a coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometer. The most abundant volatiles in L. longiflorum occurred at retention time (rt) 12.17 (peak 7) and rt 6.87 min (peak 3), and were tentatively identified as 1,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol (nerolidol) and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-octariene (ocimene), respectively, and sensory evaluation assessed the blend to have a pleasant fragrance. However, these peaks were not observed in L. callosum which produced a relatively low level of volatiles at rt 5.36, rt 5.84, and rt 12.31 min. Emission of volatiles from a single flower bud showed a diurnal rhythm peaking between 2000 and 0200 HR and also at anthesis. The level of volatiles released from L. longi × L. cal IH flowers was less than that from L. longiflorum, and no odor was evident by sensory evaluation. Mild and pleasant fragrance of L. longi × L. cal IH results from the inheritance of volatiles such as ocimene and nerolidol from L. longiflorum at a reduced level and the lack of production of volatiles that could produce odors.

Corylopsis sinensis var. calvescens, Hydrangea serrata, and the Lilium hybrids, ‘Triumphator’ and ‘Mistress’ were grown in injection molded bioplastic pots (BP) containing 30% feather fibers (BP 45 pot) and in petroleum-based pots (plastic pot). Temperature in the growing medium adjacent to the pot and the light transmitted through the pot were measured. Distribution of roots at the surface of the growing medium adjacent to the pots was observed. Macro- and micro-elements in the leaf tissue were analyzed, and flowering responses were recorded. Root development of Lilium hybrids grown in BP 45 pots produced a fewer roots to hybrids grown in the plastic pot based on the visual observation. Flowering, leaf size, and nitrogen concentration were not affected by pot types. However, there was a significant increase in shoot length and nitrogen concentration in leaves of Corylopsis and Hydrangea grown in BP 45 pots. The size and color of the leaves was large and darker in Hydrangea and Corylopsis when grown in BP 45 pots. This could result from the vigorous root mass development influenced by an increase in light transmission to the growing medium through BP 45 pots and not by the release of nitrogen from the BP 45 pots. The physical strength of BP 45 pots can be maintained for one year. We conclude that BP 45 pots processed with pellets containing 30% of feather fibers can be used to grow woody and herbaceous ornamental crops.

Different isolates of Alternanthera mosaic virus (AltMV; Potexvirus), including four infectious clones derived from AltMV-SP, induce distinct systemic symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana. Virus accumulation was enhanced at 15 °C compared to 25 °C; severe clone AltMV 3-7 induced systemic necrosis (SN) and plant death at 15 °C. No interaction with potexvirus resistance gene Rx was detected, although SN was ablated by silencing of SGT1, as for other cases of potexvirus-induced necrosis. Substitution of AltMV 3-7 coat protein (CP{sub SP}) with that from AltMV-Po (CP{sub Po}) eliminated SN at 15 °C, and ameliorated symptoms in Alternanthera dentata and soybean. Substitution of only two residues from CP{sub Po} [either MN(13,14)ID or LA(76,77)IS] efficiently ablated SN in N. benthamiana. CP{sub SP} but not CP{sub Po} interacted with Arabidopsis boron transporter protein AtBOR1 by yeast two-hybrid assay; N. benthamiana homolog NbBOR1 interacted more strongly with CP{sub SP} than CP{sub Po} in bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and may affect recognition of CP as an elicitor of SN. - Highlights: • Alternanthera mosaic virus CP is an elicitor of systemic necrosis in N. benthamiana. • Virus-induced systemic necrosis is enhanced at 15 °C compared to 25 °C. • Induction of systemic necrosis is dependent on as fewmore » as two CP amino acid residues. • These residues are at subunit interfaces within the same turn of the virion helix. • Inducer/non-inducer CPs interact differentially with a boron transporter protein.« less

SummaryThe localisation, chemical composition, and morphology of calcium (Ca) oxalate crystals in the leaves and stems of Abelia mosanensis and of A. × grandiflora were analysed using a variable pressure-scanning electron microscope (VP-SEM) equipped with an X-ray diffraction system, a low temperature SEM (LT-SEM), and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Foliar analyses of macro- and micro-elements were performed on the leaves and stems of A. mosanensis. A greater number of Ca oxalate crystals were observed in A. mosanensis than in A. × grandiflora. Three morphologically distinguishable types of crystals were observed: the prismatic crystals found inside the chloroplast, multifaceted star-like spherical and bladed aggregate crystals (druses) inside the vacuoles of the mesophyll cells, and small angular crystals (sand crystals) inside the cuticle. Semi-solid crystals that may drip and accumulate to become a solid Ca oxalate crystal were observed by LT-SEM, which indicated the growth of druses of Ca o...

Generally, two to three years are required to produce bulbs of Lilium × elegans Thunb. from bulblets for forcing in the greenhouse. During the bulb production phase in the field, virus infection often lowers the quality of bulbs. The objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of forcing bulbils to produce plants with two to three flowers on a stem longer than 60 cm. Uniform bulbils of L. × elegans produced naturally from the axils of leaves were used to investigate the effect of maturity and size of bulbils, plant growth regulator treatment, sequential or constant temperature treatments given to bulbils, and temperature, and high light irradiance treatments upon scaly leaf emergence on growth and flowering. Further changes in shoot apex size as influenced by sequential and constant temperature treatments and soluble carbohydrates as affected by temperature and plant growth regulators were investigated. Cut flowers of Asiatic hybrid ‘Beni no Mai’ with two to three flowers and strong 60 cm stems were produced in less than a year when mature bulbils weighing about 400 mg harvested 40 to 50 days after flowering, are treated with a sequential temperature treatment (SEQ CD) 14 to 20 days each at 5 °C–15° or 20 °C–5 °C. This long growing period can be divided into two phases. The first phase, similar to plug production, occurs from potting the treated bulbils, to senescence of scaly leaves, and to shoot emergence and lasts about 200 to 230 days. The second phase proceeds from shoot emergence to flowering and requires 90 to 100 days. The first phase could employ plug production technology by growing plants pot to pot, and the second phase could be considered typical greenhouse forcing. The observed increase in the number of flowers could result from the increased shoot apex. This procedure eliminated the bulb production phase in the field and reduces the time from propagation to flowering by one to two years.

Accessions of Kolkwitzia amabilis Graebn. of wild origin with collection information and cultivated sources with or without collection information were grown under the same environments to observe the differences in morphology and flowering time. The morphological variation was further documented by analyzing the nuclear internal transcribed spacers 1, 2 in ribosomal RNA gene (ITS 1, 2 region) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. US National Arboretum accession NA64889 of wild origin with collection information (known wild origin) flowered earlier than cultivated sources with (cultivars of known wild origin) or without (cultivars of unknown wild origin) collection information for two years. However, significant variations were observed in sequences of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of all clones of all accessions with the exception of AA20447C. Four out of five clones of NA64889 showing haplotype H were together in the same sub-clusters separated from other accessions. We conclude that NA64889 of known wild origin that flowers early was different from other accessions of cultivated sources of known wild origin (AA816-84A) or of unknown wild origin (AA20447 and AA181-2005). Moreover, the analysis performed on the on the ITS 1, 2 region sequence and RAPD markers were shown that all accessions of cultivated origin, analyzed in this study, are derived from germplasm of known wild origin (AA816-84A).

Growth and flowering responses of Anigozanthos hybrids, ‘Regal Claw’ and A. manglesii × A. flavidus, were investigated starting from in vitro propagated propagules. Flowering of 9-week old ‘Regal Claw’ was less than 50% from the main fan (MF) when plants received 21.0°C during day and 13.0°C at night (21.0/13.0°C, day/night). Flowering of 20-week old ‘Regal Claw’ and A. manglesii × A. flavidus hybrids either from the MF or the lateral fans (LF) was accelerated when plants received 21.0/13.0°C regardless of photoperiod treatment. Flowering from the lateral fans was accelerated when plants received 8 hours of long day photoperiod (LD) treatment as a day-extension provided from incandescent light bulbs at 21.0/15.5°C and 21.0/18.0°C. Fewer than 2.5 total branches per inflorescence were produced from the MF grown at 18.0°C as compared to more than 4.0 total branches produced at 13.0°C. Plants must be 20-week old to flower from both the MF and the LF. The optimum temperature for early flowering and for an increased quality of cut flowers was considered to be 13.0°C, and at this inductive night temperature for flowering, ‘Regal Claw’ and A. manglesii × A. flavidus are considered as a day neutral, while at 15.5°C and 18.0°C, they are considered as a quantitative long day (LD) plant.

The genus Lilium is important as potted plants or cut flowers for horticultural trade and for gardens. However, most of the extensive research on the growth and flowering of this genus was conducted with L. longiflorum Thunb. (Easter lily) forcing large bulbs grown in the field for at least one or two years. Dormancy had to be broken to induce flowering by cold treatment which was given to mature bulbs (vernalization). It would be desirable if the bulb production phase could be bypassed to shorten the total production time, ideally by manipulating the temperature during the bulb programming phase (vernalization methods) and the early greenhouse forcing phase (from potting to flower bud initiation). Information on the physiology of bulb development, controlled flowering, and timing for the Easter, and to certain extent for the Asiatic hybrid lily is readily available. However, information on LA, L. longiflorum × Oriental (LO), and Oriental × Trumpet (OT) hybrid lilies, is not available. The objective of this article is to review factors that control flower numbers and speed of flowering, and to present outlines for producing quality plants of L. longiflorum, L. ×elegans, and LA hybrids, starting from seeds, stem bulbils, and tissue cultured plants, respectively, in a year. Detailed information on the production of L. ×elegans starting from stem bulbils is presented. Cut flowers of Asiatic hybrid ‘Beni no Mai’ with 2 to 3 flowers and strong 60 cm stems were produced in less than a year when mature bulbils, weighing about 400 mg harvested 40 to 50 days after flowering, are treated with a sequential temperature treatment (SEQ CD) 14 to 20 days each at 5°C-15°C-5°C. This production period can be divided into plug production phase from potting the treated bulbils shoot emergence lasting about 200 to 230 days and the second phase from shoot emergence to flowering requiring 90 to 100 days. The increase in the number of flowers could result from the increased shoot apex size and not from the changes in soluble and cell wall neutral sugars.

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. × L. × elegans Thunb. (LA) hybrid ‘Monte Grace’ when grown in media amended with three bioplastic resin pellets (Pel) containing chicken feather fibers (Pel 29, Pel 32, and Pel 45) and in injection molded bioplastic (BP) pots processed with three pellets. Bulbs were planted in a growing medium amended (GMA) with 4 or 8 g of each pellet or planted in the BP pots placed in the center of plastic pots. After potting, 2 g of slow release fertilizer (SRF) were applied to the surface of the growing medium. The changes in color of BP 29 and BP 32 pots suggested that these two BP pots may biodegrade faster than BP 45 pots. The growth and development of ‘Monte Grace’ in growing medium amended with Pel 32 and also in BP 32 pots were significantly reduced, resulting in flower bud blast. The negative effects of Pel 32 in the growing medium and in BP 32 pots were not reduced by addition of SRF. The growing medium pH was lowered significantly by the addition of SRF regardless of the BP pot types. However, growth and development was not affected by low pH. Concentrations of macro- and micro-elements fell into suggested and optimum ranges as reported for Lilium species and hybrids; however, the calcium concentration was lower than the optimum concentration, although, no nutrient deficiency symptoms were observed. Although extra nitrogen becomes available from Pel 32 or BP 32 pots, it is not recommended for lily production. The use of Pel 45 or BP 45 pots with SRF proved to be the most effective bioplastic material when plant growth, growing medium, and foliar analysis were evaluated.

Three different injection molded bioplastic (BP) pots, BP 29, BP 32, and BP 45 pots, containing processed feather fibers, were evaluated. Growth and flowering of Lilium hybrid ‘Triumphator’ and Begonia ‘Bonfire’ were evaluated in new and reused BP pots. Net photosynthesis was measured and macro- and micro-elements were analyzed in ‘Triumphator’ lily. Ultrastructure of epidermis cells of ‘Triumphator’ lily were analyzed using a low temperature-scanning electron microscope (LT-SEM). Surface changes, the weight, and macro- and micro-elements of the BP pots were also analyzed. When lilies were grown in BP 32 pots, root and shoot growth were inhibited, flowering was delayed and the net photosynthesis was negative, grana development, and starch granules were not observed as compared to those in BP 45 pots. Changes in the surface of BP 32 pots after forcing lilies (used once) showed a distinct space between feather fibers and other constituents which could be due to the chemical changes resulting from absorption of water. When BP pots were analyzed for pH and macro- and micro-elements, the pH and the concentration of ammonium nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron were significantly higher in the new BP 32 than those of BP 29 and BP 45 pots. Based on the growth and development of lily and begonia and net photosynthesis and grana development of lily, and foliar analysis of begonia grown in three different BP pots, it is concluded that BP 45 is recommended to grow lily and begonia when proper levels of nutrition are maintained during culture. Poor root growth and development of ‘Triumphator’ lily grown in new BP 32 pots could be associated with leaching of toxic substances once the pots absorb water during the culture.

This study was conducted to (a) characterize bio-plastic pellets containing feather fibers by low temperature- scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM) and X-Ray diffraction analysis, (b) evaluate growth and flowering of Begonia boliviensis A. DC. 'Bonfire' when grown in a medium amended with pellets, and (c) analyze macro- and micro-elements in the medium and plant tissues of begonia. Based on physical and chemical analyses of six types of pellets mixed in the medium, pellets 32 (P 32), 37 (P 37), 40 (P 40), and P NaS (P NaS), P NaS containing sodium sulfite and > 30% glycerol were not suitable and not recommended for future evaluations. Pellets containing glycerol at 10% were not suitable for the use as an ingredient for commercial growing media and P 45 is considered suitable pellets to prepare pots.

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering of Begonia boliviensis A. DC. ‘Bonfire’ when grown in the growing medium mixed with pellets from biobased plastic resins containing chicken feather fibers, and analyze macro- and micro-elements in soil and leaf tissues during different developmental stages of begonia. Growth, flowering, and foliar analysis of plants grown in 10 cm pots containing 95 grams medium mixed with 6 grams each of pellet 29 (P 29), 32 (P 32), 37 (P 37), or 40 (P 40), 3 grams of Na (P NaS), or 9 grams of 45 (P 45) were similar to the control plants. Extra nitrogen was available from P 32 and P 37 based on the growing medium and foliar analysis of plants grown in P 32 (P 32 plant) and P 37 plant during the first 59 days after planting (DAP). Slow growth, low flowering percentage, or even the death of B. boliviensis ‘Bonefire’ grown in P NaS medium is attributed to high pH and high sulfur concentration. Based on the pH, soluble salts level, and the concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the medium and leaves, P 45 pellet is the suitable source, if nitrogen is supplied constantly to the optimum level. Pellets prepared following mixing > 30 feather fibers without using glycerol should be further tested.

It is not well documented which floral parts may trigger the onset of tepal or petal senescence and or flower bud abscission. Asiatic hybrid ( Lilium × elegans Thunb.) ‘Red Carpet’ lily flowers were selected as a model to study this relationship because the various floral organs of a lily flower can be easily dissected and collected for physiological studies. We hypothesized that anther is the organ that triggers flower bud abscission. Ethanol-soluble sucrose, fructose, and glucose were analyzed in the tepal, anther, filament, and pistil. The analysis was conducted on flower buds weighing 1.5 g (small buds) and 3.9 g (large buds). The sucrose content in the anthers of small buds remained high when cut flowers were held at 21 °C for 5 d, suggesting that sucrose is not hydrolyzed into fructose and glucose. However, in large buds, sucrose was not detected when flowers were held at 21 °C for 5 d. The respiration rate of small buds (2.06 g) was high (2000–3000 mg/kg fw) when the tepals were removed and the anther remained attached to the filament, but was low (less than 400 mg/kg fw) in large buds approaching anthesis. Ethylene was produced only in small buds (1.42 g) when the anthers were present. Radioactive 14 C sucrose applied to the cut end of the pedicel was translocated rapidly to the anther at harvest, but was not translocated to the anther when abscission was induced by keeping flower buds at 21 °C. Ethylene detected in small flower buds possibly was stimulated by physiological changes resulting from the lack of assimilates available to the anther and the lack of sucrose hydrolysis occurring in the anther. The absence of sucrose hydrolysis in the anther and lack of translocation of sucrose from the filaments to the anther in small buds may be factors that contribute to flower bud abscission in ‘Red Carpet’ lily.

The hybrid origin of Ilex × wandoensis C. F. Mill. & M. Kim was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using taxa-specific primers, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions, and sequence analysis of PCR amplicons of the ITS region. Five accessions of I. integra Thunb., three accessions of I. cornuta Lindl. & Paxton and 22 accessions of I. × wandoensis, tentatively characterized based on morphological characters, were selected and subjected to PCR analysis. Amplified products of the selected accessions were sequenced. Significant variations were observed in leaf morphology of I. × wandoensis accessions based on the presence of single or multiple teeth and cuneate or rounded base of the leaf blade. Based on the PCR amplifications, sequence and RFLP analysis using HhaI and HaeIII restriction enzymes, the hybrid origin of I. × wandoensis was confirmed. Some accessions appeared to be introgressant and either crossed back to I. integra or to I. cornuta based on the RFLP polymorphisms. Analysis of the ITS2 region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) using primers specific to certain taxon or taxa, and RFLP analysis of PCR amplicons proved to be useful tools to study the nature of interspecific hybridization and introgressions in complement with morphological characters.

Australian natives Correa ‘Mannii’ and C. reflexa (Rutaceae) have been considered suitable as a flowering potted plant. However, comprehensive information on the most effective propagation method, nutrition management, and their impact on propagation and flowering is unavailable. The influence of temperature and photoperiod treatments to control flowering have not been determined. This study was initiated to propagate Correa ‘Mannii’ by the rooting of cuttings and evaluate the effects of rooting hormone treatment, and single node location on the shoot. Treatment methods such as dipping vs. spray application of the rooting hormone were evaluated. The growth and flowering responses of C. ‘Mannii’ and C. reflexa as they may be influenced by fertilizer treatments, the interaction of photoperiod, temperature were also evaluated. The rooting of cuttings in C. ‘Mannii’ was promoted by spraying stock plants with IBA-K and applying 1 g per pot of slow release fertilizer (SRL). Correa does not require high levels of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), or several other macro- and micro-elements for normal growth, suggesting that Correa may not require high levels of nutrition during it’s culture or to induce flowering. The total numbers of flowers and shoots with flowers were not affected when plants received 2 g per pot of SRL. Correa ‘Mannii’ flowered freely as compared to C. reflexa which indicates that there is significant genetic variation with respect to environmental and nutritional factors affacting flowering. Our results indicate that C. ‘Mannii’ is a long day plant, requiring only 30 days of 21/18 (day/night temperature) and long day (LD) treatments to accelerate flowering.

A population of hybrids between Arisaema triphyllum subsp. stewardsonii and A. dracontium was investigated using molecular markers to document the hybrid origin. Total genomic DNA was extracted from A. triphyllum, A. dracontium, and the hybrids, and subjected to sequence analysis of various regions of intergenic spacer and genes of chloroplast or intergenic spacer and genes of nuclear ribosome for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Clustering was performed using the unweighted pair group method with averages (UPGMA) tested by bootstrap (BS). Hybrid origin could not be easily confirmed in some regions. However, dendrograms constructed with a combined sequence analysis of A. triphyllum 26S ribosomal RNA gene [sequence identification (SI) 467] plus A. tortuosum phytochrome C-like (phyC) gene (SI 468) were very similar to dendrograms constructed from sequences of all regions. This suggests that selecting SI 467 and SI 468 would be practical to identify hybrid origins involving two parental species. Clustering of hybrids together with the female parent in most target regions suggests that, in Arisaema, cpDNA is considered maternally inherited.

Germination of Styrax japonicus seeds is promoted by warm stratification (WS) at 18–20°C followed by cold stratification (CS) at 4–5°. The objective of this work was to analyze the state and mobility of water molecules measured by 1H-NMR and endogenous gibberellins (GAs) and abscisic acid (ABA) by ultra performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) as influenced by WS and CS treatments had not previously been investigated. Styrax seeds that received 35 days of WS (35D WS) followed by 63 days of CS (63D CS) (35D WS + 63D CS) germinated. Seeds that received only 35D WS failed to germinate. Endogenous GA1, GA8, GA19, GA20, and GA53 were identified as well as GA17, GA23, GA28, GA29, and GA97 by gas chromatography/MS (GC/MS) and UPLC-MS/MS in seeds that were treated with warm and cold stratification (WS + CS). This suggests that the early C-13 hydroxylation pathway [-GA53-(GA44)-GA19-GA20-GA1-GA8] of GAs is a major biosynthetic pathway in the seeds. The concentration of GA53 and GA19 increased following WS and that of GA53 increased after WS + CS. The concentration of GA19 increased only slightly after WS + CS. The concentration of GA1 increased only after WS + CS. ABA concentration significantly decreased following the WS treatment. It is concluded that the mobility of water molecules and water content in cotyledons and endosperm is increased following WS + CS treatments. The occurrence of C-13 hydroxylated GAs suggests that the early C-13 hydroxylation pathway, → GA53 → GA44 → GA19 → GA20 → GA1 → GA8, is a major biosynthetic pathway in Styrax seeds.

This study was performed to investigate the species relationships and variation of Lycoris Herb. (Amaryllidaceae) species using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Also, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of internal transcribed spacer 1, 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer 2 regions in Lycoris sanguinea var. koreana were analyzed. All accessions formed 6 major clusters; cluster A with all L. sanguinea and L. chejuensis; cluster B with 3 accessions of L. flavescens; cluster C with 8 accessions of F. flavescens var. flavescens; cluster D with 10 accessions of L. uydoensis; cluster E with L. chinensis var. sinuolata and 4 accessions of L. uydoensis; and cluster F with all L. radiata. Five haplotypes were observed; L. sanguinea and L. chejuensis having the haplotype 1 with bases of CTTATATATAT; L. chinensis var. sinuolata and all L. flavescens. Lycoris incarnata and L. aurea, non-endemic to Korea had haplotype 2 and 5, respectively. Genetic variations in L. flavescens, L. chinensis var. sinuolata, and L. uydoensis are revealed based on the analysis of molecular variances (AMOVA) and haploid types analyzed by sequence analysis. It is suggested that L. chejuensis may result from hybridization involving L. sanguinea var. koreana due to a close affinity between L. sanguinea complex and L. chejuensis. Nomenclature for L. chejuensis and L. flavescens whether they should be described as a hybrid origin should be discussed in the future.

This study identifies Forsythia germplasm and evaluated the genetic relationships of F. ×intermedia hybrids, cultivars and their putative parental species. Leaf samples of F. ×intermedia cultivars and species, such as F. koreana and F. suspensa, were collected in the Netherlands, Korea, and USA. Total genomic DNA was extracted and evaluated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses. Dendrograms were constructed by using the neighbor-joining (NJ) clustering algorithm applying the interior branch (IB) test or analyzed by STRUCTURE. In the dendrogram generated by RAPD markers, two major clusters were observed. One cluster (CL-I) contained most of the F. ×intermedia cultivars, F. suspensa, and F. koreana. The other cluster (CL-II) included F. europaea, F. ovata, F. densiflora, F. mandshurica, F. japonica, F. viridissima, and cultivars derived from F. ovata. In the AFLP dendrogram, the placement of F. ×intermedia cultivars with F. suspensa was similar, forming cluster CL-A I. The RAPD and AFLP results clearly separated most F. ×intermedia cultivars from F. ovata derived cultivars. The full range of genetic diversity of F. suspensa and F. viridissima should be investigated to verify whether these two species are truly parental taxa for F. ×intermedia. Placement of F. viridissima, F. ovata, and F. japonica in different sub-clusters requires further investigation regarding genetic diversity in the species, and their close relationship with F. koreana, F. mandshurica, and F. saxatalis.

Hydrangea and Schizophragma are popular horticultural and ornamental plants. This study was designed to identify unknown accessions of Hydrangeaceae that have leaf morphological characters different from Hydrangeaanomala subsp. petiolaris and Schizophragma hydrangeoides in Jeju, Korea. A total of 29 accessions of Hydrangea and Schizophragma from the wild were collected and analyzed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) gene. Morphological characteristics of leaves and shoot apices of several accessions were also examined. Based on the RAPD markers, SNPs of the (rbcL) gene and morphological characteristics of apical buds, the unknown accessions were identified as H. anomala var. petiolaris.

The Annals of Surgical Oncology is in its 17 year of publication. As the journal has matured, it has become the most cited surgical oncology journal published and has been adopted as the venue for communicating new knowledge by surgeons all over the world. Manuscript submissions have increased by 65% between 2007 and 2009, the majority (70%) of which now originate from outside the United States (Fig. 1). The Annals is also the primary resource for surgeons practicing in the United States, both in academic and community practice settings, because it is read by all members of the Society of Surgical Oncology (the majority of whom are in an academic practice) and the American Society of Breast Surgeons (the majority of whom are in a community-based practice). The Annals has also become an official journal with surgical and oncology societies in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Thus, the readership and authorship constituency of the Annals of Surgical Oncology now reaches across the globe—both in print and electronically— for surgeons treating patients with cancer. The scientific value of the journal is benchmarked with the Science Citation index. We are pleased to report that the journal’s impact factor has increased almost 2 points to 4.13, and the journal is now ranked 6th out of 166 surgery journals (Fig. 2, Table 1). This increase in impact is significant because it occurred despite an increased number of published pages from 2006 to 2007 (1753 vs 3637 printed pages), a variable that can push a journal’s measured impact downward by expanding the denominator. Since the number of published pages remained stable over the past 2 years, we are hopeful that the impact factor will continue to increase. During 2009, articles published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology in 2007 and 2008 were cited in 3527 articles published in the literature. Given the growth of highquality papers published in the journal, the impressive volume of citations in recently published articles reflects the scholastic influence of Annals articles on the field of surgical oncology, both in the clinical and the research spheres. The editorial leadership of the journal is also broadened to reflect the leadership of cancer surgeons not only in the United States, but also around the globe. The 2010–2011 Editorial Board roster, available online and in the front of this issue, displays the new and continuing Editorial Board members as well as two new subgroups—International Associate Editors and the Latin American Scientific Advisory Board. The addition of these international leaders to the journal reflects the increase visibility, usage, and citations of ASO worldwide. We are also pleased to formally welcome Suzanne Klimberg, MD, to her new role as Deputy Editor of the journal; in this position, Suzanne is leading the journal as it becomes positioned to be an explicit educational resource for Maintenance of Certification. Dr. Eric Whitacre and colleagues have successfully piloted the Mastery of Breast Surgery, which is a case log system focused on three outcome measures specific to breast. This log qualifies for MOC Part IV and recently has been ‘‘linked’’ to the ASO to aid in obtaining credit for Part II. The SSO has appointed a committee to develop other venues for the surgical oncologist that includes Drs. Clifford Ko, Jeff Gershenwald, Doug Tyler, and Suzanne Klimberg. They hope to pilot a similar model for the American College of Surgeon Case log in five cancer areas with content specialist in each area. Society of Surgical Oncology 2010

The hybrid origin of progeny from crosses of Clematis tubulosa and Clematis brevicaudata was investigated using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from sequence analysis of chloroplast rbcL, accD genes, and the C. brevicaudata matK gene. Plants collected from three and four populations of C. brevicaudata (C. brev) and C. tubulosa (C. tubu), respectively, from Mt. Songshan, Beijing, China were used as parents for hybridization. Morphological characters of pollen, seeds, and leaves were recorded in 2007. DNA from leaf samples of both parents and of C. brev × C. tubu and C. tubu × C. brev were extracted, and used for RAPD and SNPs from sequence data. A dendrogram was constructed by the branching neighbor-joining (IB-NJ) method. Proportionate population scores were generated by the admixture model using the STRUCTURE software. Based on morphological characters, C. brevicaudata was quite uniform. However, variations were detected in C. tubulosa. Hybrids of C. brev × C. tubu and C. tubu × C. brev showed intermediate morphological characters of the parents. Accessions of C. tubu × C. brev were clustered into 2 groups, with the majority of hybrids belonging to group IV b in the RAPD dendrogram, suggesting that this resulted from variations within C. tubulosa. In general, the hybrid origin of all progeny characterized by morphological characters was supported by the RAPD and SNPs data. These results indicate that RAPD results supported by SNPs data will be useful tool to verify hybrids.

Asiatic hybrid lilies, Lilium × elegans Thunb., ‘Red Carpet’ and ‘Sunray’ were used to investigate the effect of bulb vernalization at 2.5 °C on plant growth, flowering, and CO 2 production (respiration), and to use the CO 2 production pattern to monitor the time of flower bud initiation and development. Lily shoot emergence and flowering were accelerated when bulbs received 2.5 °C bulb vernalization; however, flowering was delayed when bulbs were stored at 20 °C before treatment at 2.5 °C; this indicated that bulbs were de-vernalized. The maximum CO 2 level, and the minimum level, reached in 78 h in non-vernalized bulbs and in 110 h in 6 weeks of 2.5 °C (6 weeks/2.5 °C) treated bulbs, was increased as the 2.5 °C duration was increased; this indicated that CO 2 level can be an useful parameter to measure the cold stimulus (i) accumulated in bulbs following bulb vernalization. The respiration rate higher than the predicted values of the best-fit curves derived from the quadratic equations was designated as Blip A and this was correlated to the time of flower bud initiation and development. Shoot elongation may follow the rise in carbon dioxide levels after reaching the minimum level. It is proposed that increased carbon dioxide levels higher than the predicted levels (Blip A), was correlated to the time of flower bud initiation and development. Measurement of carbon dioxide production upon receipt of bulbs may be a useful technique to provide important information for optimum vernalization treatments for bulbs that have accumulated different levels of low temperature stimulus after bulb vernalization.

Purpose Although chemoradiotherapy plus resection is considered standard treatment for operable rectal carcinoma, the optimal time to administer this therapy is not clear. The NSABP R-03 (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project R-03) trial compared neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced rectal carcinoma. Patients and Methods Patients with clinical T3 or T4 or node-positive rectal cancer were randomly assigned to preoperative or postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of fluorouracil and leucovorin with 45 Gy in 25 fractions with a 5.40-Gy boost within the original margins of treatment. In the preoperative group, surgery was performed within 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. In the postoperative group, chemotherapy began after recovery from surgery but no later than 4 weeks after surgery. The primary end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Results From August 1993 to June 1999, 267 patients were randomly assigned to NSABP R-03. The intended sample size was 900 patients. Excluding 11 ineligible and two eligible patients without follow-up data, the analysis used data on 123 patients randomly assigned to preoperative and 131 to postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Surviving patients were observed for a median of 8.4 years. The 5-year DFS for preoperative patients was 64.7% v 53.4% for postoperative patients (P = .011). The 5-year OS for preoperative patients was 74.5% v 65.6% for postoperative patients (P = .065). A complete pathologic response was achieved in 15% of preoperative patients. No preoperative patient with a complete pathologic response has had a recurrence. Conclusion Preoperative chemoradiotherapy, compared with postoperative chemoradiotherapy, significantly improved DFS and showed a trend toward improved OS.