Search

[BACKGROUND] Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are widespread in plant genomes and play a large role in the generation of genomic variation. Despite this, their identification and characterization remains challenging, especially for non-model genomes. Hence, LTR retrotransposons remain undercharacterized in Vaccinium genomes, although they may be beneficial for current berry breeding efforts. [OBJECTIVE] Exemplarily focusing on the genome of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton), we aim to generate an overview of the LTR retrotransposon landscape, highlighting the abundance, transcriptional activity, sequence, and structure of the major retrotransposon lineages. [METHODS] Graph-based clustering of whole genome shotgun Illumina reads was performed to identify the most abundant LTR retrotransposons and to reconstruct representative in silico full-length elements. To generate insights into the LTR retrotransposon diversity in V. macrocarpon, we also queried the genome assembly for presence of reverse transcriptases (RTs), the key domain of LTR retrotransposons. Using transcriptomic data, transcriptional activity of retrotransposons corresponding to the consensuses was analyzed. [RESULTS] We provide an in-depth characterization of the LTR retrotransposon landscape in the V. macrocarpon genome. Based on 475 RTs harvested from the genome assembly, we detect a high retrotransposon variety, with all major lineages present. To better understand their structural hallmarks, we reconstructed 26 Ty1-copia and 28 Ty3-gypsy in silico consensuses that capture the detected diversity. Accordingly, we frequently identify association with tandemly repeated motifs, extra open reading frames, and specialized, lineage-typical domains. Based on the overall high genomic abundance and transcriptional activity, we suggest that retrotransposons of the Ale and Athila lineages are most promising to monitor retrotransposon-derived polymorphisms across accessions. [CONCLUSIONS]We conclude that LTR retrotransposons are major components of the V. macrocarpon genome. The representative consensuses provide an entry point for further Vaccinium genome analyses and may be applied to derive molecular markers for enhancing cranberry selection and breeding.

BACKGROUNDLong terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are widespread in plant genomes and play a large role in the generation of genomic variation. Despite this, their identification and characterization remains challenging, especially for non-model genomes. Hence, LTR retrotransposons remain undercharacterized in Vaccinium genomes, although they may be beneficial for current berry breeding efforts.OBJECTIVEExemplarily focusing on the genome of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton), we aim to generate an overview of the LTR retrotransposon landscape, highlighting the abundance, transcriptional activity, sequence, and structure of the major retrotransposon lineages.METHODSGraph-based clustering of whole genome shotgun Illumina reads was performed to identify the most abundant LTR retrotransposons and to reconstruct representative in silico full-length elements. To generate insights into the LTR retrotransposon diversity in V. macrocarpon, we also queried the genome assembly for presence of reverse transcriptases (RTs), the key domain of LTR retrotransposons. Using transcriptomic data, transcriptional activity of retrotransposons corresponding to the consensuses was analyzed.RESULTSWe provide an in-depth characterization of the LTR retrotransposon landscape in the V. macrocarpon genome. Based on 475 RTs harvested from the genome assembly, we detect a high retrotransposon variety, with all major lineages present. To better understand their structural hallmarks, we reconstructed 26 Ty1-copia and 28 Ty3-gypsy in silico consensuses that capture the detected diversity. Accordingly, we frequently identify association with tandemly repeated motifs, extra open reading frames, and specialized, lineage-typical domains. Based on the overall high genomic abundance and transcriptional activity, we suggest that retrotransposons of the Ale and Athila lineages are most promising to monitor retrotransposon-derived polymorphisms across accessions.CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that LTR retrotransposons are major components of the V. macrocarpon genome. The representative consensuses provide an entry point for further Vaccinium genome analyses and may be applied to derive molecular markers for enhancing cranberry selection and breeding.

The rapid change in climatic issues over the next 50 years will play a major role in agriculture. It is expected that for every 1°C increase in atmospheric temperature, 10% of the agricultural land area will be lost. Changes of the worldwide system is an old phenomenon, it has gone on without interruption throughout the history of the earth. Human populations have exponentially grown over the past two centuries, and have made massive use of fossil fuel reserves, destroyed ever greater degrees of natural ecosystems, practised more exhaustive agriculture, and polluted their habitat to the point that the impacts are now becoming apparent. Perhaps, the most serious consequences are those that result from alterations in the constituent of the atmosphere brought about by activities of man. The rising levels of ‘greenhouse gases’, both the natural and those present as a result of pollutants, have been rapid during the past two centuries. The rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are predicted to lead to total global warming. Considering the rapid rate of climate change, population growth, and limited land for agriculture, there is the need to venture into indoor agriculture which looks promising for the future.

In addition to morphological and pomological techniques, the molecular analysis produces more information for diversity studies. Recently, the iPBS marker system is one of the techniques and a new marker system for apple studies. In this study, morphological, pomological, and molecular characteristics of local apples were investigated in 48 different samples from 29 different rural areas with varying altitudes between 1125-1726 m in Niğde, Turkey. Fruit size, fruit weight, the color of fruit peel, total soluble solids content, fruit flesh firmness characteristics are important in terms of yield, quality, storage, transportation and attractiveness. According to the pomological results from these traits, CKR2, DMR3, CLL, HCB2, YSL, ULG, ELM1, ICM have been found to superior among genotypes. In order to molecular results, the similarity of the samples varies between 0.61-1.00, under the light of this result, molecular data differentiated all individuals used in the study except one pair. Molecular data displayed that these differences were caused by genotypic differences as well as environmental conditions. This study has contributed further information about the usage of iPBS primers on apple. To protect the plant material used in the study, a collection orchard was established with genotypes. To conclude, the findings are expected to shape future breeding studies.

Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. and Deschampsia antarctica Desv., the only two native flowering plants in the Antarctica, are interesting study cases from the ecological, biogeographic, and evolutionary points of view. Here, we present the first genome size analysis focused in several populations from the Antarctic Peninsula and the surrounding islands for both species, with a broad sampling distributed along a distance of 800 km. We have used flow cytometry to estimate genome size, being the first time that this technique is used for D. antarctica. Average genome sizes for D. antarctica (2C = 10.63 pg) and C. quintesis (2C = 2.01 pg) are consistent with the scarce previous data available, and point to a diploid and tetraploid ploidy level, respectively, for the analysed taxa. Despite a certain deviating individual in D. antarctica, whose higher genome size could suggest the existence of B-chromosomes, no significant genome size differences were found amongst the populations studied, for both species, which might be related with the recent colonisation history of the Antarctic continent., This work was supported by the Spanish [CGL2016-75694-P (AEI/FEDER, UE)], Catalan [Grant Number 2017SGR1116] and Turkish governments [Third Turkish Antarctic expedition ITÜ/PolReC]. SG is the holder of a Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2014-16608).

Terrestrial orchid species are natural sources of salep and a closely related group of plant species widely distributed throughout Turkey. The phylogenetic relationship among fourteen different tuber-producing orchid species was investigated after analyzing phenotypic and genetic variation within and among the natural population through fifteen morphometric traits and ten random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primer combinations. Statistical analyses (principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and cluster analysis) using the generated data identified taxonomic and genetic distance within the studied plant samples. The results of PCA from morphological traits show that there are no major groupings within and among different species instead somehow overlapping with few distinctly characterized species. In addition, the UPGMA-based phenogram with Euclidean distance (0-1) produces five major clusters among the studied orchid species according to their taxonomic status with few exceptions. On the other hand, PCoA and the phylogenetic dendrogram with the coefficient (0.56-0.79) from RAPD band profiles determine the true genetic diversity of those species. Although both combinations of genetic and phenotypic characteristics reveal the phylogenetic relationship of some those studied species very effectively, they are not clear for others. These results suggest that in the natural population of terrestrial orchid species significant amounts of gene flow are ongoing at intra/interspecies level. Therefore, it is recommended that conservation studies of these groups of orchid species should be done as a geographical unit rather than according to taxonomic status.

In this study, SRAP and SSR markers were employed to determine genetic relationships among 42 persimmon genotypes (Diospyros kaki Thunb) obtained from Hatay province and 3 persimmon cultivars, 2 of which belong to Diospyros kaki Thunb and one belongs to Diospyros oleifera Cheng. Genetic relationships were determined by using a total of 29 molecular DNA primers (SRAP and SSR). Of these primers, 21 SRAP primer combinations produced a total of 107 bands and 77.6% of them were polymorphic; 8 SSR primers produced 26 polymorphic bands with an average polymorphism ratio of 84.6%. The SRAP and SSR markers produced 4.6 bands as average and the number of bands produced per marker was calculated as 3.6. The lowest similarity was observed between MK-113 (Diospyros oleifera Cheng) and the other genotypes all belongs to Diospyros kaki Thunb (with similarity ratios of 0.41-0.69 for SRAP primers, between 0.25-0.67 for SSR primers). The genotypes/cultivars belongs to Diospyros kaki had similarity ratio between 0.98-1.00 according to SRAP and SSR markers. This synonym or similarity could be results of clonal propagation rather than autogamy.

BACKGROUND: Vaccinium is one of the largest genera (ca. 500 species) of Ericaceae, well known for its edible and ornamental uses. Although there is certain karyological knowledge, information about genome size (GS) is scarce in the genus. OBJECTIVE: The main goal is providing GS data for several Vaccinium species with prevalence in Europe and Western Asia and analysing global GS variation in the genus, considering available data and phylogenetic context. METHODS: New GS assessments were obtained by flow cytometry and chromosome counts were verified. Phylogenetic analyses (using nuclear ITS, and chloroplastic matK and ndhF) were performed by Bayesian inference and reconstruction of ancestral GS by maximum parsimony. RESULTS: We obtained GS data for five Vaccinium species (13 populations). Three species are reported for the first time. Values (2C) ranged between 1.16-1.47 pg at the diploid (2n = 24) and between 3.13-3.16 pg at the tetraploid (2n = 48) levels. The five species here investigated have been placed and analysed in a reconstructed phylogenetic background (including 68 taxa). CONCLUSIONS: GS values of Vaccinium can be considered 'very small'. The preliminary reconstruction of ancestral GS would point to a reduction in Vaccinium, although more data is needed to establish global GS evolutionary trend in the genus.

Even though pomological traits are important in fruit breeding for quality, antioxidant capacity and the total content of phenolic compounds have also gained importance, together with a rising awareness of their health benefits. As a result, this study was conducted to evaluate the variation and heritability levels of antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds, as well as pomological traits in 'Hacıhaliloğlu' × 'Stark Early Orange' and 'Çataloğlu' × `Stark Early Orange' apricot crosscombinations based on phenotypic assessments of fruit samples. The results indicated significant differences among F1 progenies in the samples involved in the study. Broad-sense heritability coefficients ranged from 0.59 to 0.98 in the combinations examined. Parent?offspring regression coefficients for antioxidant capacity and total phenolic compounds were calculated to be 0.433 and 0.164, respectively. The results of the study can be useful in deciding selection strategies and choosing parents in relevant breeding programs.

The objective of this study was to develop inexpensive and facile nanocomposites based on chitosan and organo-clay with the antimicrobial affectivity that provide the serious challenges caused by bacterial infections in various products such as food packaging materials. The chitosan with octadecylamine montmorillonite (ODA-MMT) nanocomposites by supplementing 1, 2.5, and 5 w% Nigella arvensis seed (black cumin) extract (CMBC-1, CMBC-2.5, and CMBC-5) were prepared chitosan from ionic liquid solutions in the presence of ODA-MMT and black cumin extract suspension. The effect of black cumin with different content on the structure and antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite have been investigated. The interactions between the chitosan matrix, ODA-MMT, and black cumin extract at different conditions were characterized both physicochemically (FT-IR, SEM, and XRD) and biologically (antimicrobial). The results indicated that the formation of exfoliated nanostructure of nanocomposites was provided by loading of nanodispersed clay in matrix. Antimicrobial activity of CMBC nanocomposite film was evaluated using disc diffusion method against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium SL 1344 and Gram-positives Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. The antimicrobial activity studies of the CMBCs illustrated that the nanocomposites could more strongly inhibit the growth of the tested Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria within increased content of black cumin from 1 to 5 w%. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the antimicrobial effect of CMBC nanocomposite film. Such biomaterials within nontoxic and inexpensive properties will thus have great potential applications in the development of new packing materials that can effectively prevent the antimicrobial formation. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

WOS: 000355020200005, Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) affects the quality of flowers, fruits, and other horticultural products. Studies have provided evidence that LPE can accelerate ripening of fruits and prolong shelf-life at the same time. In this study, the influence of LPE on anthocyanin accumulation and phytochemical characteristics of sweet cherry was investigated. LPE (10 mg center dot L-1) was applied to a commercial sweet cherry c.v. '0900 Ziraat' orchard two and four weeks before harvest for two treatment years (2011 and 2012). Preharvest applications of LPE resulted in significant improvement in both pomological and phytochemical attributes at harvest. LPE treatment led to a 17% increase in fruit weight and a 6% increase in soluble solid content when averaged over two experimental years. Fruit phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity were increased significantly. The average total phenolic content of LPE-treated fruits for the two years was 703 mu g gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g fresh weight (g FW) compared to 569 mu g GAE/g FW in the untreated control. Fruits treated with LPE had a 27% and 16% more anthocyanin than the control fruits in 2011 and 2012. Antioxidant capacity of fruits, as measured by TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) assay, was 12.5 and 11.4 mu mol TE/g FW in LPE-treated and untreated control fruits, respectively, when averaged over two experimental years. Our results suggest that preharvest application of LPE may have the potential to increase anthocyanin accumulation, improve fruit quality and enhance phytochemical characteristics of sweet cherries.

Okra is an important vegetable crop that provides a significant portion of vitamins and minerals for populations in several countries. Okra has been cultivated in Turkey for centuries, and was likely introduced by the Arabs from Africa in ancient times. In this study, we aimed to clarify the genetic variation within 35 Turkish okra germplasm, by comparing it against 25 different genotypes from India, Africa, and the United States, using 30 morphological characters and 19 sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) primer combinations. Fruit, leaf, and stem color were the primary characteristics to distinguish the okra accessions. Those features, among 30 individual phenotypic traits, explained 42 % of phenotypic variation in the first three axes of the principal component analysis (PCA) with leaf shape, flower size, cotyledon length, fruit-surface angularity, cotyledon width, and petal color. Phenotypic observation results showed that while 1051 Togo (10.76), Red Wonder (7.99), TR-05-1 (7.2), 1159 Togo (7.17), and Red Balady (7.15) were found to be more divergent accessions, Cajun Queen (5.06), Perkins Spineless (5.09), Jade (5.18), TR-01-1 (5.2), and DLGG (5.32) were the closest okra accessions. According to phenotypic data, Turkish okra accessions were located adjacent to the Indian, American, and African okra accessions in clusters three and four. However, marker data showed that African okra possessed a more distinct form compared to the other okra germplasms. Nineteen SRAP primer combinations produced 92 bands and 29 (31.5 %) of them were found to be polymorphic among okra accessions. 1051 Togo was found to be the most divergent accession in phenotypic observation.

Cilekler fotoperiyot isteklerine gore kisa gun, uzun gun ve gun-notr cilekleri olarak siniflandirilirlar. Gunumuz modern cilek cesitlerinin cogu kisa gun cesitleridir. Ancak derim periyodunu uzatmadaki onemleri nedeniyle son yillarda gun-notr cesitlerinin de ticari yetistiricilikte kullanimi artmaya baslamistir. Kultur cileklerinin karmasik ciceklenme karakterleri bunlarin ciceklenme fizyolojisinin ogrenilmesini geciktirmis, bu konu gunumuzde bile halen merak edilen ve uzerinde durulan bir konu olmustur. Kisa, uzun ve gun-notr cileklerinin ciceklenme fizyolojilerinin ve buna etki eden faktorlerin iyi bilinmesi bunlarin yetistiriciliklerindeki basariyi artiracak, cilek yetistiriciliginin gelisimine katkida bulunacaktir

The genus Crataegus known as hawthorns, is the largest genus among the Maloideae, which comprises 265 species. Turkey is one of the genetic centers of Crataegus and there are more than 20 species found in Turkey. The fruits of Crataegus are used as food and have high flavonoid, vitamin C, glycoside, anthocyanidin, saponin, tannin, and antioxidant levels. In this study, we attempted to characterize 15 Crataegus accessions sampled from Hatay, located in Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The accessions belonged to several species; C. aronia (L.) DC. var. aronia, C. aronia var. dentata Browicz, C. aronia var. minuta Browicz, C. monogyna Jacq. subsp. azarella (Griseb.) Franco, and C. orientalis Pall. ex M. Bieb. var. orientalis. Fruit characteristics of the accessions exhibited considerable variation. The multivariate, principle component and cluster analyses indicated that the accessions belonged to three groups: (1) C. aronia var. arona accessions; (2) C. aronia var. dentata accessions; and, (3) C. monogyna subsp. azarella and C. orientalis var. orientalis accessions. The principle component analysis results also revealed that the first three components explained 46, 21, and 14% of the variation, comprising a total of 81%. The fruit length and width, leaf area, and soluble solids contents were highly correlated characteristics for the first three components. The 19 RAPD primers generated a total of 107 bands, where 76 of these were polymorphic. The molecular data analyses by principle coordinate and clustering showed similar results to those of pomological characteristics. There were three groups, (1) C. aronia var. arona accessions; (2) C. aronia var. dentata accession; and, (3) C. monogyna subsp. azarella. C. orientalis var. orientalis accession grouped with C. aronia var. arona accessions. Therefore, it can be concluded that, overall, the diversity patterns of pomological and molecular data, generated by RAPD, for Crataegus are in good agreement and the accessions of C. aronia var. aronia, C. aronia var. minuta, C. monogyna subsp. azarella and C. orientalis var. orientalis accessions. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. TOVAG-107O904 Acknowledgments We gratefully acknowledge the financial supports from the Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey (TOVAG-107O904).

The germplasm base of strawberries is restricted. The major cultivated strawberry species, Fragaria ×ananassa, originated ≈250 years ago when South American F. chiloensis subsp. chiloensis forma chiloensis and North American F. virginiana subsp. virginiana accidentally hybridized in European gardens. Since that time, only a handful of native clones have been used by breeders. As a novel way to expand the germplasm base of the strawberry, we preselected native clones of F. virginiana and F. chiloensis for a wide range of horticulturally important characteristics and then reconstructed F. ×ananassa by crossing superior clones of each. Before crossing between species, we undertook one round of selection within species to maximize diversity. Reconstruction appeared to be an effective method of strawberry improvement, because superior families and individuals were identified that had outstanding vigor, high productivity, seed set, fruit color, and firmness. None of the fruit were of commercial size, but one reconstruction family, FVC 11 [(F. virginiana Frederick 9 × LH 50-4) × (F. chiloensis Scotts Creek × 2 MAR 1A)], had individuals with fruit weights of almost 20 g.

Arils from six pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) cultivars obtained from various sites from the Mediterranean region of Turkey were evaluated for their chemical and antioxidant properties. These properties included total phenolics (TP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA), soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), individual sugars and organic acids. Antioxidant capacities of arils were determined by both the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. The antioxidant capacities averaged 5.60 and 7.35 mmol TE/l by the TEAC and FRAP methods. Variability among cultivars was greatest for TMA content (CV 132%); individuals ranged from 6.1 to 219 mg cy3-Gluc l −1 . TP means averaged 1507 mg GAE/l. Levels of FRAP, TEAC, TP, and TMA were strongly correlated ( r = 0.82–0.96). The major sugars were fructose (6.4 g/100 ml) and glucose (6.8 g/100 ml), the major acids were citric (1.78 g/100 ml) and malic (0.12 g/100 ml).

American (Sambucus canadensis L.) elderberry genotypes were evaluated at multiple locations, whereas European (S. nigra L.) elderberry genotypes were evaluated at a single location to assess genotypic differences and, for genotypes evaluated at multiple locations, to determine genotype × environment interactions (G × E). Seventeen S. canadensis genotypes were planted in replicated trials at Missouri State University (Mountain Grove, MO) and at the University of Missouri (Mt. Vernon, MO) or at the U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service in Oregon (Corvallis). ‘Johns’, ‘Netzer’, ‘Adams II’, and ‘Gordon B’ were in common at all locations. In addition, three genotypes of S. nigra, which are not winter-hardy in Missouri, were planted in Oregon. All plants were established in 2003 and evaluated in 2004, 2005, and, for some traits, in 2006. Plants were evaluated for phenology (e.g., dates of budbreak, first flowering, full flowering, and first ripening), vegetative growth (e.g., number of shoots and plant height), yield components (e.g., total yield, number of cymes, cyme weight, and berry weight), and for pest incidence (e.g., eriophyid mites). For the genotypes in common to all locations, there were significant differences resulting from genotype, location, year, and the interactions for various traits. Although the trend was for Corvallis to have the highest and Mt. Vernon the lowest yield, there was no significant location effect. The significant genotype × environment interaction appeared to be primarily the result of the differential performance of ‘Johns’, which was generally high-yielding in Corvallis and low-yielding at both Missouri locations. The significant G × E suggests that as the Missouri institutions develop new cultivars, it will be important to test them individually at other locations and not rely on their relative performance compared with standards in Missouri. For the genotypes in common to the two Missouri sites, there was significant variation for many traits. Although there were no differences among genotypes for yield across the locations, there was a significant G × E. Although there were some small changes in performance among the sites for yield, the most dramatic changes were for ‘Wyldewood 1’ that was the second highest yielding genotype at Mountain Grove and the second worst at Mt. Vernon. Plant growth in Oregon was 40% and 60% greater than at Mountain Grove and Mt. Vernon, respectively, when the plants were first measured. In Oregon, the two Sambucus species behaved differently. Phenologically, although the S. nigra genotypes flowered ≈3 weeks earlier than the S. canadensis genotypes, they ripened at the same time, thereby shortening their exposure to potential biotic and abiotic stress. ‘Johns’, ‘York’, ‘Golden’, and ‘Gordon B’ were the highest yielding S. canadensis genotypes and ‘Korsør’ the highest of the S. nigra genotypes. Although ‘Korsør’ is considered high-yielding in Denmark, it did not yield as well as the highest yielding S. canadensis cultivars.

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Alternaria, calcium, Colletotrichum, controlled atmosphere, cultivar, fruit quality, fruit ripening, storage life, Vaccinium corymbosum SUMMARY. Controlled-atmosphere storage had little effect on the quality of fruit of eight cultivars held under 2 kPa oxygen (O2) and 8 kPa carbon dioxide (CO2) versus ambient air. ‘Elliott’ fruit harvested from bushes with only 30% ripe fruit had significantly better storage quality than fruit picked later; however, there was no significant difference in the storage life of fruit that was stored fully blue versus partially green. Fruit from the first harvest of four cultivars had superior storage quality to that of the second. In one comparison of the long-term storability of nine cultivars, ‘Bluegold’, ‘Brigitta’, and ‘Legacy’ performed the best, storing for 4 to 7 weeks. In another postharvest trial of 17 cultivars, ‘Brigitta’ stored the longest (8 weeks) followed by ‘Aurora’ and ‘Draper’ (7 weeks). The most resistant genotypes to Alternaria spp. were ‘Brigitta’, ‘Aurora’, ‘Elliott’, and ‘Draper’, whereas the most resistant genotypes to Colletotrichum spp. were ‘Elliott’, ‘Brigitta’, ‘Toro’, ‘Draper’, and ‘Bluejay’.

Anthracnose crown rot of cultivated strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier) has been a major disease problem in the strawberry producing regions of the southeastern United States since the early 1970s. Chemical controls are often inadequate, but use of resistant cultivars is seen as a credible option for managing this disease. Only a small portion of Fragaria L. germplasm has been screened for resistance to anthracnose crown rot. A core subset of the Fragaria collection maintained at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Clonal Repository in Corvallis, OR, has been constructed to contain an elite group of native F. virginiana Mill. and F. chiloensis (L.) Mill. This collection, referred to as the “core collection,” has been characterized for many horticultural traits, including reactions to several common foliar diseases, resistance to black root rot (causal organisms unknown), and resistance to northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood) and root-lesion nematode [Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filipjev & Shuurmans Stekhoven]. Our objective was to evaluate the core collection for resistance to a selection of isolates of three Colletotrichum Corda species known to cause strawberry anthracnose, Colletotrichum fragariae A.N. Brooks, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc. in Penz. [teleomorph Glomerella cingulata (Stoneman) Spauld. & H. Schrenk], and Colletotrichum acutatum J.H. Simmonds (teleomorph Glomerella acutata J.C. Guerber & J.C. Correll). No Fragaria subspecies or geomorph was more resistant than any other; rather, individual genotypes within these groups were identified as sources from which resistance can be obtained. Collecting germplasm in areas of intense disease pressure may not be as beneficial as one might assume, at least where anthracnose crown rot disease is concerned.

WOS: 000361254700002, Twenty cyclamen taxa belonging to the Primulaceae originate from the Mediterranean region and grow under trees and bushes. There are 10 cyclamen species growing naturally in Turkey, five of which are endemic. In this study, intact cyclamen plants were collected from nature with their tubers intact Collection took place in spring and autumn in Adana, Osmaniye, Kahramanmaras, Izmir and Eskisehir provinces, 50 samples per location. Sampled plants were propagated and cultivated in Adana. The morphology of four Cyclamen species (C. persicum Mill., C. cilicium Boiss.e.Heldr., C. pseudibericum Hildebr. and C. coum Mill.) was characterized using 1-year-old regenerated plants. A total of 27 phenotypic characters (13 flower, 11 leaf, 2 plant, 1 tuber) were evaluated based on a detailed descriptor's list. In addition to these morphological observations, 13 quantitative traits (7 flower, 5 leaf, 1 tuber) were measured. The measurements related to morphological characteristics had a wide range of variation, including in tuber diameter, leaf length and width, petal length, petal color, and leaf shape, indicating the vast morphological differences among these four cyclamen species. In most cases, the use of principal component analysis confirmed the gfouping of characters into species-specific clusters although one or two clusters could not differentiate species, indicating that morphological and cluster analyses alone are not enough for characterizing this complex Cyclamen germplasm and that molecular techniques may reveal more intricate and useful relationships. (C) 2015 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000349501500011, Variability in soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA, pH, total phenolic content (TPC), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), total monomeric anthocyanin content (TMAC) and levels of vitamin C were evaluated in a broad array of northern and southern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and rabbiteye (Vaccinium virgatum) cultivars of blueberry, grown in different locations and years. When cultivars were grouped by decade of release, there were few significant overall trends observed over years in fruit quality and phytochemical content; however, individual cultivars varied significantly for all the traits analysed. Considerable overlap in most quality and phytochemical characteristics were found among cultivars of the three blueberry types, suggesting that genetic barriers do not exist among the various types of blueberries with regard to breeding cultivars with comparable sugar, acid and phytochemical properties. There were significant negative correlations observed between fruit weight and SS, TPC, FRAP and TMAC, suggesting that as breeders have been selecting for larger fruit, they have inadvertantly selected for tarter fruit with lower antioxidant capacity. However, SS was correlated positively with FRAP and TMAC, indicating that cultivars can be developed that have high antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin content, combined with high sugar content. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The inheritance of day-neutrality in octoploid Fragaria L. was investigated in crosses between day-neutral (DN) × short day (SD) and DN × DN types using F. ×ananassa Duchesne in Lamarck cultivars and elite selections of F. virginiana Miller and F. chiloensis (L.) Miller. Genotypes were considered as DN if they flowered under both the SDs of spring before 30 May (15 hours). Wide ranges in the percentage of DN progeny were found among the families regardless of species background (30% to 87% in DN × SD and 22% to 93% in DN × DN crosses). None of the families fit the segregation ratios expected if DN was regulated by recessive alleles at one locus, and only about half of the families fit the segregation ratios expected if a single dominant allele regulated DN. Several two-gene models fit the segregation data better than the single locus ones, but none of the genetic models tested fit the DN segregation ratios at the ends of the distribution range. The wide range observed in the percentage of DN progeny across all the families is most consistent with a polygenic model. Several other kinds of observations supported the multigenic regulation of DN: 1) Different DN parents crossed to the same SD genotype often produced different percentages of DN progeny, 2) Some of the day-neutrality sources were more powerful than others in producing of DNs, and 3) None of the DN parents produced 100% DN progeny, which would be expected if there were homozygous dominant DN individuals. Specific combining abilities for DN and flowering strength were significant, while general combining abilities for these traits were not. Our results suggest that parental combinations can be selected that will generate very high proportions of DN progeny that bloom for long periods of time.

We studied optimization of cytokinin type and concentration of tissue culture medium for shoot proliferation in Spathiphyllum Cv. Sweet Pablo. The shoots were subcultured in a MS medium supplemented with either of cytokinins; BA (6-Benzylaminopurine), PBA [(N-Benzyl-9-(2-tetrahydropyranyl) adenine] and MS medium without growth regulator as a control. As indicators of the success of tissue culture, the multiplication rate, the average number and fresh weight of auxiliary shoots were recorded. At a continuous multiplication of Spathiphyllum Sweet Pablo on 1 mg L 1 BA media, the multiplication rate began to increase starting from the 1st subculture and reached its maximum at the 4th subculture with 8.49 shoots/plant. The result indicated that PBA is a more favorable cytokinin source than BA to obtain healthy and vigorous shoots in Spathiphyllum multiplication medium.

The temperature and photoperiod interactions of a number of elite genotypes of Fragaria virginiana, F. x ananassa, and F. chiloensis were studied in a series of growth chamber experiments. Several parameters were evaluated including: (1) the critical day-length (CDL) for flowering of short day (SD) genotypes under 8, 9, 10, and 11 h days at 18 °C, (2) the floral and runnering response of single and multiple cropping genotypes under 8 and 16 h days at 18 °C, and (3) the effect of temperature on flower bud formation in day-neutral (DN) genotypes held at 18, 22, 26, and 30 °C under 12 h day-lengths. The same number of flowers were initiated under 15 and 30 day induction periods, regardless of photoperiod. Frederick 9, LH 50-4 and RH 30 (F. virginiana), ‘Aromas’ and ‘Tribute’ (F. x ananassa) and CFRA 0368 of F. chiloensis flowered under both long days (LDs) and SDs; while Eagle-14 (F. virginiana), ‘Fort Laramie’ and ‘Quinalt’ (F. x ananassa) flowered only under long days. While those genotypes that flowered under both LD and SD can be considered day-neutral, they varied in the degree of floral response to the two photoperiods. CFRA 0368 and Frederick 9 produced the same number of flowers under both LDs and SDs, while ‘Aromas’ and ‘Tribute’ had more flowers under LDs and RH 30 had more under SDs. Of the DN genotypes, LH 50-4 and RH 30 were the only ones that produced runners under SDs. Flowering in ‘Fort Laramie’ was least affected of any genotype by high temperature, although its dry weight was negatively impacted. Based on these data, several genotypes show promise as breeding parents: CFRA 0368 and Frederick 9 to equalize flower production under LD and SD conditions, LH 50-4 and RH 30 to produce more freely runnering DNs, and ‘Fort Laramie’ for floral heat tolerance.

A morphometric comparison was done in the greenhouse of 220 genotypes representing all the American taxa of octoploid strawberries. Only two groups of Fragaria virginiana Miller (Staudt) and Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Miller were well separated in both principle component and cluster analyses: a group composed primarily of F. chiloensis subspecies plus some F. virginiana ssp. glauca (Wats.) Staudt and F. virginiana ssp. platypetala (Rydberg) Staudt and another group composed primarily of F. virginiana ssp. virginiana Duchesne; and F. virginiana ssp. grayana (E. Vilmorin ex Gay) with some F. virginiana ssp. glauca and F. virginiana ssp. platypetala. Among the individual traits examined, only hair orientation reliably distinguished F. chiloensis ssp. lucida (E. Vilmorin ex Gay) from F. chiloensis ssp. pacifica Staudt, and F. virginiana ssp. grayana from F. virginiana ssp. virginiana. Little separation was observed between North and South American F. chiloensis in our principle component and cluster analyses, although these groups did show significant individual discontinuities for a number of traits. Individuals representing the cultivated race of F. chiloensis were in a relatively tight cluster within the scatter of native F. chiloensis. Taken together, these data indicate that F. virginiana and F. chiloensis may be extreme forms of the same biological species and that many of the subspecies designations currently employed in F. virginiana and F. chiloensis should not be recognized. We suggest, however, that there is sufficient morphological and geographical separation to warrant the species designations F. chiloensis and F. virginiana. Fragaria chiloensis ssp. pacifica and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. lucida do not appear to deserve distinct subspecies rank, nor do F. virginiana ssp. virginiana and F. virginiana ssp. grayana. North and South American F. chiloensis are morphologically quite similar, but probably deserve subspecies rank, based on their isolation from each other and the fact that they are evolving separately. Fragaria virginiana ssp. glauca and F. virginiana ssp. platypetala should probably be joined as a single subspecies and retained within F. virginiana until further investigations more definitively determine affinity to other F. virginiana and F. chiloensis subspecies.Key words: Rosaceae, interspecies hybridization, polyploidy.

Twenty blueberry (Vaccinium sp. L.) families were planted in Michigan and Oregon to determine variability among families, locations and the importance of family × location interaction. The families were generated at Michigan State University from crosses among parents with a diverse genetic background. Seedlings were planted in field locations in Corvallis, Ore., and East Lansing, Mich., in 1995 and managed following standard commercial blueberry production practices with no insecticide or fungicide applications. In 1998-2000 the plants were evaluated for survival, bloom date, ripening date, plant growth and the fruit were scored for crop load, color, picking scar, firmness and size. All traits, except fruit color, varied significantly between locations. Plants in Oregon had a 36% greater survival rate and grew to be much larger, 80% taller and 104% wider, than those in Michigan. Families in Oregon flowered earlier in the year than those in Michigan but ripened at a similar time. Between locations, family differences were only evident for survival and fruit color. In Oregon, there were differences among families for all traits whereas in Michigan only survival, ripening date, plant height and width, and picking scar differed significantly. The family × environment interaction was not significant for crop load, fruit color and fruit firmness, so individuals selected on the basis of crop load, fruit color and fruit firmness should perform similarly in either location. There was a significant family × environment interaction for the other traits including survival, bloom date, ripening date, ripening interval, plant height and width, and for picking scar. Therefore, there is a need for individual selection programs at each location. Genotypes well adapted to Michigan may also do well in Oregon, but numerous promising genotypes could be missed for Oregon, if families are first selected in Michigan. The loss of numerous individuals due to winter cold may have reduced levels of variability in Michigan. nent of this for Michigan breeders was to understand which selection criteria would lead to the most broadly adapted cultivars. Second, we wanted to have a better idea of what to expect from cultivars developed in either region and planted in the other region. To address these questions, our specific objective was to evaluate variability in plant growth, phenology and reproductive character- istics in several diverse highbush blueberry families grown in Michigan and Oregon. Few published studies have evaluated genotype and environmental variability in blueberry families and most of these have been done at a single location across years (Aalders and Hall, 1975; Edwards et al., 1974; Finn and Luby, 1986; 1992; Luby and Finn, 1986; 1987). The other

Variation in 14 horticultural traits of native octoploid Fragaria L. from North and South America was examined in a greenhouse. Significant levels of variation were found for all but a few of the traits at the species, subspecies, regional and genotypic level, with the highest amount of variation generally being partitioned among genotypes. Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Miller was superior to F. virginiana Miller for crown number, fruit weight, soluble solids and seed set, while Fragaria virginiana was superior for runner production, peduncle length, fruit number, fruit color and winter hardiness. Fragaria chiloensis ssp. pacifica Staudt had the highest soluble solids and among the earliest bloom dates, highest crown numbers and highest seed set. Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. chiloensis (L.) Duch. produced the largest fruit and among the earliest bloom dates and longest peduncles. Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. patagonica (L.) Duch. had among the highest crown numbers and the highest percentage seed set. Fragaria virginiana ssp. platypetala (Rydb.) Staudt produced the most crowns and its fruit ripened earliest. Fragaria virginiana ssp. glauca (Wats.) Staudt were the latest flowering, had the darkest fruit color and the most flowering cycles. Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana Duch. displayed the most winter dieback, the longest peduncles, and the highest flower and runner numbers. No significant differences were observed in any of the examined traits between F. chiloensis ssp. pacifica and F. chiloensis ssp. lucida, or F. virginiana ssp. grayana and F. virginiana ssp. virginiana. A number of individual genotypes were superior for more than one trait. CFRA 0024 possessed unusually high crown numbers, was extremely early blooming and displayed multiple fruiting cycles. CFRA 1121 had unusually long peduncles and much higher than average values for fruit weight, soluble solids, fruit color and seed set. CFRA 0094 was extremely early flowering and had much darker fruit color than most other F. chiloensis genotypes. CFRA 0368 flowered unusually early and had among the largest fruit. CFRA 0366 possessed unusually long peduncles and the largest fruit of any North American genotype. CFRA 0560 and CFRA 1369 had an unusual combination of multiple flowering cycles and high runner production. CFRA 1170 and 1171 were unusually late fruiting and had high numbers of large fruit on long peduncles. CFRA 1385 and JP 95-3-1 had extremely high flower numbers, long peduncles and large fruit.

The genetics of photoperiod sensitivity, flowering date, fruit size, gender, female fertility, and disease resistance were investigated in progeny between sets of elite F. virginiana selections and F. × ananassa cultivars and selections planted at sites in Michigan, Minnesota and Ontario. Progeny means varied considerably for all the production traits. Most notable were the large fruit and high fertility observed in crosses with High Falls 22 at all three sites, and Montreal River 10 in Ontario and Michigan. Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana parents yielded progeny with much larger fruit than F. virginianassp. glauca parents. General combining ability was significant for all traits at all locations, while specific combining ability was significant for only fruit diameter, ovule set and fruit set in Michigan. Overall, the highest number of day-neutral genotypes were detected in Ontario (mean =44%) compared to Minnesota (31%) and Michigan (26%). In progeny populations of day-neutral F. × ananassa × short-day F. virginiana almost all fit the 1:1 ratio expected if day-neutrality is regulated by a single dominant gene; however, only a few families of short-day F. × ananassa ×day-neutral F. virginianacrosses fit a 1:1 ratio. Likewise, in progeny of day-neutral F. virginiana ×day-neutral F × ananassa crosses, only a few of them fit the 3:1 ratio expected if day-neutrality is regulated by a single dominant gene. These data suggest that it should be relatively easy to useF. virginiana germplasm in strawberry cultivar improvement, and that several different sources of day-neutrality may exist in natural populations.

Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are long lived perennial plants that are grown on acidic soils. The goal of this study was to determine how blueberry cultivation might influence the nitrification capacity of acidic soils by comparing the nitrification potential of blueberry soils to adjacent noncultivated forest soils. The net nitrification potential of blueberry and forest soils was compared by treating soils with 15N enriched (NH4)2SO4, and monitoring nitrate (NO3--N) production during a 34-day incubation period in plastic bags at 18 °C. Net nitrification was also compared by an aerobic slurry method. Autotrophic nitrifiers were quantified by the most probable number method. Nitrate production from labeled ammonium (15NH4+) indicated that nitrification was more rapid in blueberry soils than in forest soils from six of the seven study sites. Slurry nitrification assays provided similar results. Blueberry soils also contained higher numbers of nitrifying bacteria compared to forest soils. Nitrification in forest soils did not appear to be limited by availability of NH4+ substrate. Results suggest that blueberry production practices lead to greater numbers of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria and increased nitrification capacity, possibly resulting from annual application of ammonium containing fertilizers.

WOS: 000329965800002, Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the common problems in strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) growing regions. In vitro screening enables researchers to evaluate genotype performance under several concentrations of Fe in a relatively fast and economical way. Therefore, we evaluated the responses of several genotypes belonging to octoploid Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Mill. and Fragaria virginiana Mill. (the progenitors of cultivated strawberry) against Fe treatments under in vitro conditions. In the first experiment, HM 1, Pigeon Point, CFRA1267 (F. chiloensis subsp. pacifica), and CA1541 (F. chiloensis subsp. chiloensis) were tested with various Fe concentrations (0%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 50%, 65%, 80%, and 100%, where 100% = 27.8 mg L-1 FeSO4.7H(2)O). Different Fe concentration treatments resulted in differences in plant height, fresh and dry weight, as well as macro- and microelement concentrations among the tested genotypes. In the second experiment, 16 octoploid Fragaria genotypes were tested with 4 Fe concentration treatments (0%, 10%, 50%, and 100%, where 100% = 27.8 mg L-1 FeSO4.7H(2)O). Iron concentration and genotype interactions were significant for all studied characteristics except sulfur (S) and manganese (Mn) concentrations, and the 16 genotypes responded differentially to varying Fe treatments. The results of these experiments indicated that F. chiloensis and F. virginiana genotypes exhibited considerable variation under different Fe treatments in vitro, and the more resistant genotypes could be utilized to develop new strawberry cultivars with tolerance to low Fe concentrations., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [104O199], This project was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) ( project no.: 104O199).

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Fragaria × ananassa, F. virginiana, F. chiloensis, strawberry germplasm resources ABSTRACT. An elite group of 38 strawberry accessions representing all subspecies of the beach strawberry ( Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Miller) and the scarlet strawberry ( F. virginiana Miller) was planted in a replicated design at five locations across the United States, and evaluated for plant vigor, flowering date, runner density, fruit set, fruit appearance, and foliar disease resistance. Considerable genotype × ×× ×× location interaction was observed for many of these traits. However, a few genotypes were impressive at all locations including PI 551735 (FRA 368) with its unusually large, early fruit, and PIs 612486 (NC 95- 19-1), 612493 (Frederick 9), and 612499 (RH 30), which were very vigorous and had unusually good fruit color. Genotypes that were superior at individual locations included PIs 551527 (FRA 110) and 551728 (Pigeon Pt.) in Maryland for their large fruit, and PI 612490 (Scotts Creek) in Oregon which had extremely large fruit, superior color, firmness, and flavor. The PIs 612495 (LH 50-4), 612498 (RH 23), and 612499 (RH 30) performed well as day neutrals at multiple sites.

Four nearly isogenic cucumber lines (Cucumis sativus L.) differing in leaf size [standard leaf (LL) vs. little leaf (ll)] and plant habit [indeterminate (DeDe) vs. determinate (dede)] were compared for their response to high soil moisture tensions in 1990 and 1996. Comparisons were made between lines for aboveground vegetative and fruit response, between two irrigation regimes, and among three postharvest treatments. Differences in vegetative plant response between lines were documented by wilting ratings, plant dry weight, fruit number and fresh weight, and fruit quality [i.e., fruit shape, seed size, seed cavity size, and pillowy fruit disorder (PFD)] ratings depending upon the stress environment. Postharvest treatment affected the quality of fruit recovered from plants subjected to water stress. Exposure of fruit at 15 °C and 85% relative humidity (RH) for 4 days after hydrocooling, resulted in lower PFD than storage of fruit at 26 °C and 60% RH for 2 days without hydrocooling. Cucumber genotypes showed differential response to water stress indicating that plant habit and leaf size can be important genetic determinants of plant response to water stress. Although plant productivity was not affected by water stress, PFD, shape, seed size, and seed cavity size of fruit from lldede plants were more severely affected by water stress than its llDeDe counterpart. Plants homozygous ll, in either a determinate or indeterminate background, were less susceptible to wilting under water stress conditions than their normal leaf (LL) counterparts. However, plant dry weight and fruit number and weight were higher in LLDeDe plants when compared to their llDeDe counterparts. Fruit recovered from LLDeDe plants were of higher quality than those recovered from llDeDe plants. Thus, wilting response to water stress is not necessarily indicative of a cucumber plant's tolerance to water stress in the reproductive stage.

WOS: 000328438300033, The cultivated strawberry Fragaria x ananassa Duch. is the natural hybrid of F chiloensis (L.) Mill. and F. virginiana Mill. The progenitor species have high genetic diversity compared with the cultivated genotypes; therefore, the use of wild relative in F. chiloensis breeding could provide a good for broadening the available genetic variations of cultivated species. In present study, 13 genotypes selected from strawberry super core collection were tested under Fe (-) and Fe (+) conditions for their response against Fe deficiency conditions in a growth medium (GM) (soil + sand + perlite), potentially able to simulate the actual GM in nature. SPAD-meter readings indicating chlorophyll levels of the leaf, shoot dry matter yield, Fe-efficiency rate, shoot total and active Fe concentrations were determined to evaluate the resistance levels of strawberry genotypes against Fe deficiency. Results of this study indicated that different response for strawberry subspecies and genotypes of the same subspecies grown in GM against Fe deficiency. Symptom for Fe deficiency of genotypes varied between 1-5, SPAD-meter readings 3, shoot dry matter yields and shoot Fe concentrations varied between 6.5-38, 1.02-6.06 g plant(-1) and 41.8-233.1 mg kg(-1) respectively. Iron-efficiencies of genotypes were found between 58-98%. Strawberry subspecies, E virginiana spp. glauca, F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis and F. chiloensis ssp. pacifica showed Fe-efficiency values of 93 8, 79.5 and 79.1% respectively. We concluded that shoot growth performance, Fe intake from GM, transfer of Fe from roots to shoots, shoot Fe-use efficiency, Fe deficiency symptom levels and SPAD-meter readings indicating chlorophyll levels were significant parameters to evaluate the resistance of strawberry genotypes against Fe deficiency. The most Fe-efficient genotypes belonging to F. virginiana spp.glauca could be used in breeding programs aiming at developing new strawberry genotypes suitable for growing under Fe deficient conditions., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey [TOVAG 1040199], This project was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Project No: TOVAG 1040199).

Strawberry is one of the five fruit crops included in the USDA-funded multi-institutional and trans-disciplinary project, “RosBREED: Enabling Marker-Assisted Breeding in Rosaceae”. A Crop Reference Set (CRS) was developed of 900 genotypes and seedlings from 40 crosses representing the breadth of relevant diversity and encompassing founders used in breeding the domesticated strawberry. Individual native species and cultivar genotypes were included along with 10 progeny from 36 of the crosses of genotypes representing eastern and western North American and European short day and remontant cultivars. This CRS has been phenotyped in five U.S. states. Over 14 fruit quality traits have been studied, as well as remontancy, truss size, peduncle length, crop estimate, plant architecture, and disease resistance. The phenotyping conducted in the first growing season showed considerable variability amongst the genotypes and the locations for all of the characteristics. General and specific combining ability variance components were determined from the populations in order to provide breeders with guidance on the most effective breeding strategies for incorporating the superior traits from this germplasm into their programs.

Background: We evaluated the total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity as well as antioxidant activity of five Crataegus species (A1, A2, Y1, Y2, Y4 accessions of Crataegus aronia var. aronia; B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, Y5 accessions of C. aronia var. dentata; B10 accession of C. aronia var. minuta; Y3 accession of Crataegus orientalis var. orientalis and A3 accession of Crataegus monogyna subsp. azarella). Materials and Methods: Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of fruits were determined by β-carotene bleaching and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. Antioxidant capacity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results: C. monogyna subsp. azarella had the highest total phenol, antioxidant activity and antioxidant capacity of 55.2 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight (DW), 81.9% and 31.2%, respectively. C. aronia var. aronia was found to have the lowest total phenolic content (35.7 mg GAE/g DW). The antioxidant activities of fruit extracts increased in the order of C. orientalis var. orientalis < C. aronia var. minuta < C. aronia var. dentata < C. aronia var. aronia < C. monogyna subsp. azarella according to β-carotene/linoleic acid assay. In recent years, C. aronia var. dentata has gained importance as a commercial species in this region. B3 and B7 accessions had fruit weight more than 14 g, and considerable total phenol content, antioxidant activity and antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: This investigation shows the potential value of hawthorn fruit species as a good source of natural antioxidants and that consumption of hawthorn fruit or its products may contribute substantial amounts of antioxidants to the diet.

The performance of four California and 11 eastern cultivars of Fragaria×ananassa Duchesne in Lamarck, and 12 elite F1 hybrids of Fragaria×ananassa with F. virginiana Miller in their immediate background was evaluated in a producer's field with and without methyl bromide-chloropicrin fumigation. Averaged across all genotypes, plants in nonfumigated soils had 43% fewer runners, 18% smaller fruit, and 46% lower yields than did plants on fumigated soil. They also had an average of 27% fewer crowns, 49% more root discoloration, significantly fewer fine roots, and showed symptoms of the black root rot syndrome. The most commonly isolated pathogens from discolored roots were Pythium sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Idriella lunata P.E. Nelson & K. Wilh., and the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood). The performance of all genotypes was enhanced by fumigation, although the F. virginiana hybrids performed comparatively better than the other cultivars on nonfumigated soils.

Myrtle is an evergreen shrub or small tree widespread throughout the Mediterranean region. In Turkey, both cultivated and wild forms, differing in plant and fruit size and fruit composition, can be found. These differences may have resulted from the domestication of the cultivated form over a long period of time. We investigated whether wild and cultivated forms of myrtle differ in karyological features (i.e., number of somatic chromosomes and relative genome size). We sampled two wild forms and six cultivated types of myrtle. All the samples had the same chromosome number (2n = 2x = 22). The results were confirmed by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) flow cytometry. Only negligible variation (approximately 3%) in relative fluorescence intensity was observed among the different myrtle accessions, with wild genotypes having the smallest values. We concluded that despite considerable morphological differentiation, cultivated and wild myrtle genotypes in Turkey have similar karyological features.

The bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) has been cultivated for thousands of years and used as an important component of human diet. Recent studies suggest that onions can be used to cure, reduce, or prevent some of the health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, antidiabetic, asthma, antibiosis, and prebiotic effects due to its high antioxidant effect. In this Study, we determined the antioxidant capacities of a wide range of onion cultivars: nine commercial cultivars and five advance selections differing in color. The variables tested include bulb size, scale color,, total phenolic (TP), total antioxidant activity determined by both "Ferric reducing ability of plasma" (FRAP) and "Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity" (TEAC). We found that yellow onion had the greatest TP content (3.7 mg GAE/g dw); and, the red group had higher TP mean than the white group (2.2 mg GAE/g dw vs. 1.1 mg GAE/g dw). For the antioxidant capacity measurements, the red group had the greatest means by both methods (15.4 mu mol TE/g dw and 9.3 mu mol TE/g dw for TEAC and FRAP). Yellow onions had higher TEAC (14.7 mu mol TE/g dw vs. 8.7 mu mol TE/g dw) and FRAP values (9.8 mu mol TE/g dw vs. 5.6 mu mol TE/g dw) than white onions. Among the cultivars tested great differences of TP, TEAC and FRAP was observed. The TP content of Me-Tan 88 (8.3 mg GAE/g dw) was two times higher than the yellow group. Yellow color Dayton had the greatest TEAC (20.5 mu mol TE/g dw) and FRAP (123 mu mol TE/g dw) means followed by yellow color Me-Tan 88 (19.4 and 11.4 mu mol TE/g dw). The two antioxidant measurements were found to be highly correlated (0.99) where absolute values of FRAP were about 40% less than those of TEAC. The values of TEAC and FRAP were significantly correlated by TP with similar rs (0.74 and 0.73, respectively). TP, TEAC and FRAP were significantly and positively correlated to Soluble solids (0.41, 0.43, and 0.40, respectively). Our results suggested that the red onions had higher antioxidant activities than yellow and white onions although yellow onions had the richest phenolic contents.