In nature, foliar variegation has varied origins, and can be ascribed to two major mechanisms: pigment-related variegation and structural variegation caused by the optical properties of leaf structure. However, understanding of these mechanisms is still lacking, and structural mechanisms are often misinterpreted. In this study, six variegated plants native to Taiwan and two ornamental plants, with novel and unusual foliar variegation patterns, are studied to reveal their mechanisms of variegation. Two newly understood variegation patterns, the silvery white leaf surface of Begonia aptera and the varnish on basal leaflets of Oxalis corymbosa, are reported here. White to light green patches on leaf surfaces characterize the foliar variegation in the other six study species, Nervilia nipponica, O. acetosella subsp. griffithii var. formosana, Paphiopedilum concolor, Selaginella picta, Smilax bracteata subsp. verruculosa and Valeriana hsuii. All six Taiwan native plants exhibit structural variegation, five of which have air space type variegation. Surprisingly the silvery white leaf surface of B. aptera results from numerous sand-like white spots caused by intercellular space. The varnish on leaves of O. corymbosa is the epidermis type of variegation comprised of two newly identified subtypes, larger epidermal cells and thicker outer cell walls. The two ornamental plants have variegation caused by pigments: the chloroplast type from fewer chloroplasts in P. concolor and the chlorophyll type, from absence of chloroplasts in S. picta. This study extends understanding of the mechanisms of natural foliar variegation, illustrating the diversity of mechanisms by which plants may change the appearance of their leaves.

Begonia keralensis Pradeep, Sinj. Thomas & Britto and Begonia bachulkarii Aitawade, Kattuk. & S.R.Yadav were independently described recently from Nelliyampathy in Kerala, India, within two weeks of each other. The names are based on different types but represent the same taxon. Because Begonia bachulkarii is the earliest published name, Begonia keralensis is reduced to synonymy.

In preparation for a taxonomic account of Begonia section Australes, Begonia crinita and B. rubricaulis var. volcanensis are here newly synonymized with B. micranthera subsp. micranthera, and lectotypes of Begonia crinita and B. pearcei are designated.

Begonia salaziensis Warb. is categorized critically endangered based on the IUCN Red List ver. 2.3. and need to be propagated to conserve. This study aims to investigate the effect of using BA and IAA plant growth regulator type and concentration on the growth and development of B. salaziensis culture. The study was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) factorial consisting of 2 factors, i.e. the concentration of BA: 0 mg/l; 1 mg/l; 2 mg/l; and IAA concentration: 0 mg/l; 1 mg/l; 2 mg/l. Each treatment was repeated 10 times. To determine B. salaziensis germination the cultures were observed after 12 weeks. The results showed that the combination of BA with IAA on multiplication media had a significantly different effect on the number of shoot, average shoot height, and average number of shoot. The percentage of seed germination on media MS0 was 85%. The best multiplication of B. salaziensis shoots (9.3 ± 1.15) was obtained in MS media supplemented with 2 mg/l of IAA and 1 mg/l of BA. The lowest shoot multiplication (3.6 ± 0.84) was obtained on the control media (MS0) without addition of plant growth regulators, while the highest average length of shoots (1.87 ± 0.26 cm) was obtained on MS media with the addition 1 mg/l of IAA and BA 2 mg/l of BA. The lowest average length of shoots (0.67 + 0.25 cm) obtained on MS media with the addition of 2 mg/l of BA. The percentage of surviving planlets on acclimatization stage was 88.28%.

“Begonia” by Sidney Dully

Optimization of Rapid Propagation Technology of Begonia × Elatior Leaves

Begonia versicolor Irmscher, a narrow endemic Begonia species in southeast Yunnan of China, is a wonderful ornamental plant with huge diversity in colored foliage. To investigate its variations, the genetic diversity and population structure were studied based on 56 individuals sampled from four localities using 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci transferred from other species of Begonia. The results showed a relatively low level of genetic diversity in B. versicolor comparing with other species of Begonia using microsatellite. Positive inbreeding coefficient (FIS) values were found in three populations (SWC, XPZ and DSD). AMOVA analysis indicated that genetic variations occurred mainly within populations (55.9%) rather than among populations (9.7%) and among groups (34.4%). Four populations were grouped into two clusters based on STRUCTURE. AMOVA and STRUCTURE analysis showed a high level and significant genetic differentiation in the populations of B. versicolor. Based on its genetic status and rarity in the wild, the sustainable in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies should be urgently carried out to protect this species with high horticultural and scientific values.

This paper clarifies the typification of nine species of Begonia from South America. Lectotypes were designated for the names Begonia balansae, B. argentinensis [= B. boliviensis], B. boliviensis var. latipetala, B. subcucullata and B. cucullata var. arenosicola [= B. cucullata], B. fiebrigii, B. micranthera, B. hieronymi [=B. micranthera var. hieronymi] and B. subvillosa. Finally, we propose B. subcucullata and B. cucullata var. arenosicola as a new synonyms under B. cucullata.

Most species of Begonia in Borneo, like those of other areas, are narrowly distributed and site-specific. In this study we report three new species of Begonia, namely B. felis C. W. Lin & C.-I Peng, B. kuchingensis C. W. Lin & C.-I Peng (sect. Petermannia) and B. serianensis C. W. Lin & C.-I Peng (sect. Reichenheimia) from the Padawan-Serian limestone hills in southwestern Sarawak. In addition to the taxonomic account, color plates, line drawings, a distribution map, and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided to aid in identification.

Novel phylogenetic data is used to show that the poorly-known species Begonia glandulifera and Begonia mariannensis form a clade with Begonia buddleiifolia, the type species of Begonia section Pilderia. A unique combination of characters is identified in this group and used to re-circumscribe the section to include these species, and two morphologically similar species: Begonia jenmanii, and Begonia humilliana. A new species is described herein as Begonia tepuiensis sp. nov. from a single tepui in the Amazonas State of Venezuela. A full taxonomic revision and key to the species of Begonia section Pilderia is presented and we assign all species to IUCN Red List categories.ResumenSe usaron nuevos datos filogenéticos para mostrar que las especies pobremente conocidas: Begonia glandulifera y Begonia mariannensis forman un clado con Begonia buddleiifolia, la especie tipo de Begonia sección Pilderia. Se identificaron una combinación única de caracteres en este grupo, que fueron usados para re-circunscribir la sección incluyendo estas especies, y dos especies morfológicamente similares: Begonia jenmanii y Begonia humilliana. Se describe una nueva especie, Begonia tepuiensis sp. nov. de un tepui en el estado Amazonas de Venezuela. Se presenta también una revisión taxonómica completa y una clave para las especies de Begonia sección Pilderia y asignamos todas las especies a categorías de la Lista Roja de la UICN.

are described from Sarawak, Borneo. Notes on habitat, distribution and additional specimens examined for Begonia calcarea and B. sabahensis are also provided. A key to the species in the 'calcarea group' is provided. The status of the 'calcarea group' as belonging to Begonia sect. Diploclinium or to a new section is discussed.

＂Begonia grandis＂ Dry. (Begoniaceae), previously recognized as endemic to continental China, was recently discovered from southern Taiwan. Close morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis elucidated that the species in Taiwan belongs to subspecies ＂grandis＂. ＂Begonia grandis＂ has a long history in cultivation especially in China and Japan but not in Taiwan. The collection locality in Taiwan had no trace of human activity. Therefore, ＂B. grandis＂ is considered to be native to Taiwan. The new finding in Taiwan marks the southernmost distribution record of the species. Unfortunately, the discovered population was destroyed by a landslide due to a typhoon in 2009. Further field survey in neighboring areas is needed to elucidate the current status of ＂B. grandis＂ in Taiwan.

＂Begonia natunaensis＂, a new species of sect. ＂Reichenheimia＂ from Natuna Island, Indonesia, is here described and illustrated. ＂Begonia natunaensis＂ resembles ＂B. goegoensis＂ N.E. Brown in having suborbicular, peltate leaves with an abruptly tapering tip, differing in the number of tepals in staminate flowers (2vs.4) and in pistillate flower (2vs.3) and the petiole (terete vs. 4-angular). The new species is also similar to another peltate-leaved ＂Begonia＂, ＂B. sudjanae＂ Jans., but is distinguishable by being glabrous (vs. hispid throughout), the staminate tepals 2 [vs. (2-)4], and pistillate tepals 2 [vs. (2-)3]. Geographically, ＂B. natunaensis＂ is endemic to Natuna Island in the South China Sea, whereas ＂B. goegoensis＂ and ＂B. sudjanae＂ are distributed in western Sumatra, ＂ca＂. 1,000 km away from Natuna.

Begonia hosensis, a new species of sect. Reichenheimia from Sarawak, Malaysia is here described and illustrated. Begonia hosensis resembles B. andersonii, differing in the stipule prominently keeled and female flower 5- (vs. 4-) tepaled. Ecologically, the two species are also separable: B. hosensis occurs on granitic cliffs ca. 400 km east of Kuching, the only known locality of B. andersonii, a limestone species.

Design of coal pillars in a coal mine remains a challenge inspite of several theories proposed by several researchers over a period of time. India is heavily dependent on coal availability for supply of electricity to it’s billion of citizens. This has burdened the coal industry to increase the coal production which ultimately has lead to extraction of coal pillars also. Coal pillars are used to support the overlying roof rock to prevent it from falling. The dilemma with coal pillar stability is that On one hand, the size of the pillar should be as small as possible to enable maximum recovery of coal, while on the other hand, the pillar should be large enough to support the load of overlying strata. The stability of coal pillars has fascinated several researchers and hence many empirical equations have been proposed over the decades. In this paper, parameters like height of pillar, depth of pillar, compressive strength of coal, depth of the coal seam have been taken as input to estimate factor of safety of coal pillar from two mines i.e., Begonia and Bellampalli. It is found that Greenwald (1941), Salamon and Munro (1967), Sheorey (1992) and Maleki (1992) method has estimated failed cases correctly while Sheorey (1992) & Maleki (1992) have not predicted stable case of pillar correctly which is an interesting finding as empirical relations proposed by Sheorey (1992) is assumed to have good prediction in Indian condition.

In order to investigate the Iris yellow spot virus (IYSV) Sampling from onion fields and greenhouse of Khorasan Razavi province in summer of 2009 was done. Totally 435 samples were collected from this onion fields and 142 from ornamental plants (Rose, Gladiol, Iris, Plargonium, Chrysanthemum, Begonia, Petonia and Carnation). The plants that had symptoms such as chloratic, necrotic and diamond shape lesions were collected and transferred under cold condition to labratory then tested by DAS-ELISA and the sap of posetive plants inoculated to 4 coultivar of indicator plants that cultivated in greenhouse Nicotiana rustica (leef deforming and systhemic chloratic and necrosis),N. benthamiana, N. clevelandii, N.tabacum var Samson (systhemic chloratic and necrosis) then the inoculated indicator plants tested by DAS-ELISA, sap of positive indicator plants inoculated to 4 cultivars of onion include in yellow of Neishabour, white of Neishabour, red of Dargaz, red of dorche of Isfahan. The symptoms similar to the symptoms on infected onion in the fields appeared in their plants. For molecular detection, RNA extraction was done by PEG6000 Precipitation and RNX ™)plus ( kit.In RT-PCR tests, specific primers designed for nocleoprotein gene amplified 181 bp and 139 bp fragments.. DAS-ELISA test results have indicated that all of the onion fields were infected with the virus in various rates. IYSV has been detected in 107 samples of onion, 7 samples of chrysanthemum floweres and 1 sample of iris floweres. This is the first repot of Iris yellow spot virus on onion and chrysanthemum in Iran.

Four new species for the Begoniaceae, Begonia campanensis Burt-Utley & Utley and B. fortunensis Burt-Utley & Utley from Panama; B. matudae Burt-Utley & Utley from Chiapas, Mexico; and B. makrinii Burt-Utley & Utley from Oaxaca, Mexico, are described and illustrated. Begonia mucronistipula C. DC. from Panama is evaluated and synonymized with B. davidsoniae Standl. ex L. B. Sm. & B. G. Schub. and B. brevicyma C. DC.Begonia campanensis Burt-Utley & Utley y B. fortunensis Burt-Utley & Utley de Panamá, así como B. matudae Burt-Utley & Utley de Chiapas y B. makrinii Burt-Utley & Utley de Oaxaca, México se describen como nuevo. Se ilustran y evalúa B. mucronistipula C. DC. de Panamá, lo que resulta en la sinonimia de B. davidsoniae Standl. ex L. B. Sm. & B. G. Schub. y B. brevicyma C. DC. con ella.

The chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the extracts and fractions fromSchisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera fruits were comparatively studied here. Obvious differences were found in the yields and compositions of the essential oils, metal elements, polysaccharides, ethanol extracts and fractions of the two species. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were different among the samples. Good correlation between antioxidant capacity and the content of phenolic and flavonols were found, which were R2 = 0.8474 and R2 = 0.7036, respectively. Various extracts and fractions provided different antioxidants, which demonstrated strong activities within the ethyl acetate fractions. These fractions might be valuable antioxidant natural sources and seemed to be applicable in both healthy medicine and food industry. Key words: Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra sphenanthera, composition, antioxidant activity.

Objective To establish qualitative and quantitative analysis methods of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside in Begonia fimbristipla hance. Methods The qualitative method was established with TLC and the quantitive method was established with RP-HPLC. Results The identification method with TLC for cyanndin 3-O-glucoside was specific and reliable. In the assay, the linearity of cyanidin 3-O-glucside ranged from 36 ng to 360 ng (r= 0.999 7, n = 6), and the recovery was 98.7%, with RSD of 2.02%.Conclusions Our detection method is suitable for qualitative and quantitive analysis of cyanidin3-O-glucoside in Begonia fimbristipula hance. Key words: Begonia fimbristipula; Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside; TLC; RP-HPLC; Identification; Assay

The in vitro multiplication of plants that have commercial value constitutes one of the major objectives of the present vegetal biotechnologies. In the in vitro propagation process achieved on plants. the use of exogene phytohormones constitutes a decisive element for the feasibility of their multiplication (Cachi?? – Cosma Dorina. C. Deliu. Lenu?a Rakosy – Tican. A. Ardelean. 2004). The inducing and development. of adventitious caulogenetic and rhizogenetic phenomena. are aspects that can be materialized by the use of adequate combinations between cytokinin and auxin. Also. a well known fact is that different types of explants contribute to the achievement of the in vitro culture with an endogenous content in phytohormones. As a result. this study presents the influence the exogenous cytokinins (TDZ. BA) and auxins (IAA. NAA) added to the composition of the Murashige & Skoog (1962) nutritive medium in the modeling of the in vitro propagation process in three cultivars of Begonia sp. starting from different types of explants (single-node stem cuttings with axillary buds. internode. leaf. peduncle. flower in the stage of bud). The materialization of caulogenesis had the best response at the level of the explants of the flower in the stage of bud type. by using the experimental variant that combines the TDZ (1.0 mg/l) and BA (0.5 mg/l) cytokinins.Rhizogenesis registered maximum values in case of the experimental variant that benefited from the IAA and NAA auxins. in quantities of 0.5 mg/l each. It must also be noticed the fact that rhizogenesis was achieved and in the absence of an exogenous auxinic source.