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This research applies the Rotterdam model to estimate U.S. import demand for source-differentiated spices and herbs and medicinal plants. The price structure indicates that U.S. import demand for both, spices and herbs are inelastic, with demand responding the most to import prices of herbs from North America and the least to import prices of herbs from Asia and Africa. Asian herbs and medicinal plants are dominant and can substitute for the other sources in the U.S. market, whereas, North America is the largest provider of spices and significantly substitutes for spices from other regions. Expenditure elasticities reveal that herbs and medicinal plants from Asia and spices from South America have the most to gain from an expansion in the U.S. herbs and spices market. The U.S. preference trend for both, spices and herbs as well as medicinal plants from Asia is decreasing, whereas, it is increasing from all other regions.

Basil (Ocimum spp.) is an important herb from the Lamiaceae family with a long history of use in traditional medicine and food applications. Thus, targeting basil varieties for developing herbal medicines against non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes has significant merit. The aim of this study was to screen Asian basil varieties with therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes targeting relevant phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, and antimicrobial properties and was compared with a high phenolic and high antioxidant mint species (Mentha arvensis). Aqueous and ethanol (12%) extracts of 8 different varieties of Asian basil were analyzed for total soluble phenolic (TSP) content, phenolic acid profiles, total antioxidant activity (TA), α-amylase, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activities and inhibition of ulcer-causing bacteria, Helicobacter pylori using in vitro assay models. The highest TSP content was observed in mint and all basil varieties were compared to this standard. High TA, and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibitory activity were observed in targeted varieties of Indian basils. Major phenolic acids found were rosmarinic, ellagic, benzoic, and gallic acids, which may potentially contribute to health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties. Inhibitory activity against H. pylori was observed in response to high phenolic mint but not in Asian basil extracts. This in vitro study provides biochemical rationale on phenolic bioactive-linked antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic potentials of Asian Basil varieties that need to be further validated with in vivo studies for therapeutic and herbal medicine related applications against type 2 diabetes and associated complications.

Soybean development is controlled by environmental factors, primarily photoperiod and temperature. To date, photoperiod effects on flowering have been well studied but the performances and mechanism of postflowering photoperiod responses have not been fully understood, especially for the photoperiod effects on vegetative growth after flowering. In the present study, the responses of vegetative growth and reproductive development in soybean to different postflowering photoperiod regimes were investigated in four separate experiments. Three varieties of different maturity groups (MG) including the early (Dongnong 36, MG 000), medium (Dandou 5, MG IV), and late (Zigongdongdou, MG IX) were exposed to two photoperiods, short (10, 12 h) and long (15, 16 or 18 h). The results showed that postflowering photoperiod not only regulated reproductive development but also affected vegetative growth. Even when flowers and pods were removed, short-day (SD) treatment promoted leaf senescence. The onset of leaf senescence among varieties tested appeared to be dependent on photoperiod sensitivity. Leaf senescence of the late-maturing variety of Zigongdongdou (sensitive to photoperiod) was delayed more significantly than that of the medium and early-maturing varieties (less sensitive to photoperiod). Long-day (LD) treatments delayed leaf senescence and seed maturation in the late-maturing variety of Zigongdongdou plants with only the SD-induced leaves produced before flowering. LD treatments imposed from the beginning bloom, beginning pod setting or beginning seed filling delayed leaf senescence and seed maturation of late-maturing soybean variety (Zigongdongdou). Results of night-break with red (R) and far-red (FR) light demonstrated that postflowering photoperiod responses of soybean were R/FR reversible reactions and the phytochromes seemed to be functional as receptors of photoperiod signals even after flowering. It was proposed that the regulation of photoperiod on development of soybean was effective from emergence through maturation, and the postflowering photoperiod signals were also mediated by phytochromes similar to those before flowering. The flowering reversion in late-MG soybean varieties under LD was a direct result of LD and was not due to secondary effect of abscission of pods and flowers. Soybean leaves not only received SD signals but also LD signals; furthermore, the LD effects reversed the SD effects and vice versa.

Basils (Ocimum species) of the mint family Lamiaceae are well known for their multiple uses as culinary, aromatic, and medicinal plants worldwide. Basils are integral components of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine and are also widely used for treating diabetes and cancers. Basil has a limited acceptance as a culinary herb in the United States. The potential exists for development of culinary, medicinal, aromatic, and ornamental basil cultivars for production in the southeastern United States. In a preliminary field trial, 84 accessions belonging to six species of the genus Ocimum were evaluated for agronomic parameters in single-row plots. Wide variations exist between and within species for all agronomic traits studied. The mean percent emergence between species ranged from 60.0% for O. americanum var. americanum to 100.0% for an unknown species from Italy and O. campechianum. The aboveground fresh biomass per plant ranged from 424.0 g for O. sellol to 1450.3 g for the unknown Italian accession. The unknown Italian accession produced more branches per plant and also had the highest root, leaf, stem, and inflorescence fresh and dry weights among species. Ocimumsellol plants emerged late, had a slower rate of emergence, and produced a lower total biomass than other species. Ocimumgratissimum partitioned a greater proportion of the total dry weight to leaves (37.9%) and roots (14.4%), whereas O. basilicum. O americanum var. americanum, and O. campechianum partitioned a greater amount of dry matter to inflorescence and the least to roots than other species. In this presentation, the agronomic traits and basil cultivars with potential for ornamental and medicinal purposes will be discussed.

Chilepepper (Capsicum spp.) is the third most important vegetable crop in the United States. The market value of chile peppers for spices and condiments exceeds $650 million per year. With a growing Hispanic population across the United States, the demand for high yielding, good quality cayenne pepper continues to increase. In order to fulfill this niche market, a study has been initiated to develop pepper varieties that combine high yield potential with superior agronomic traits, including insect and disease resistance, and fruit characteristics, using molecular marker assisted breeding/selection. In preliminary trials, several F1 generations were created through inter- and intra-specific crosses among 220 germplasm lines belonging to six Capsicumsp. in the greenhouse. Selected F1 progeny, parent lines, and selected accessions were planted in single-row field plots the following summer. The crossing success was higher within species than between. The genotypic variation was significant for all parameters examined. The average percent germination (81.1) of F1 progeny was 32% and 45% higher than that of the parent lines and selected accessions, respectively. The F1 progeny were shorter in height; more vigorous in growth, flowered early, and with fewer, but heavier, fruits per plant out-yielded the parent lines and accessions by 50% and 120%, respectively. The study showed a marked heterosis in F1 progeny compared to the parent lines and accessions. Microsatellite genotyping to estimate genetic diversity and validation of markers that are linked to various traits is in progress and will be discussed in the presentation.