Linear furanocoumarins of three celery breeding lines: Implications for integrated pest management

Abstract

Bergapten and xanthotoxin were the major furanocoumarins isolated from the Fusarium-resistant celery breeding lines UC-08, UC-10, and UC-26 and the standard cultivar Tall Utah 52-70R. Petiole contents of bergapten and xanthotoxin in the new lines were similar to those in 52-70R. All petiole concentrations were below levels reported to cause either acute (18.0 μg/g fresh weight) or chronic dermatitis (7.0 μg/g). Leaf contents of furanocoumarins in the new lines also were statistically comparable to those in 52-70R but were high enough to cause chronic dermatitis, thus justifying use of safety measures by workers handling leaves