Alboglabra Research Articles

Successful application of microspore culture by adding kinetin and methyleneblue to improve microspore embryogenesis in Chinese kale breeding.

Microspore culture is an efficient and rapid method that produces doubled haploid (DH) lines for hybrid breeding in crops and vegetables. However, the low frequency of microspore embryogenesis and spontaneous diploidization in Chinese kale still require improvement. In the present work, an efficient microspore culture protocol was constructed and used for DH producing in Chinese kale breeding. The results showed that kinetin (KT) and methylene blue (MB) improved microspore embryogenesis and embryo development. The spontaneous diploidization rates were below 14.48%. Therefore, artificial doubling was used for haploids; the doubled haploid rate was significantly increased, and the highest doubling rate reached 33.75% with pendimethalin. 98 DH lines were obtained in this study. This study also identified the horticultural characters of the DH lines, which showed significant differences between them. All DH lines were self-incompatible. The hybrid crosses were performed using five DH lines selected for the Chinese kale breeding. This study was helpful to accelerate the application of microspore culture and provide DH lines for Chinese kale hybrid breeding.

Effectiveness of oregano essential oil vapor on shelf life extension of kai lan (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra).

This study compared the antimicrobial activity of several essential oils (EOs) vapor against food spoilage microbiota and further investigated the potential of EO vapor in extending the shelf life of leafy green vegetables. Oregano EO vapor showed stronger antimicrobial activities than basil and clove EO vapors against common spoilage-causing microorganisms in fresh produce, including Pantoea agglomerans, Pseudomonas cichorii, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Pantoea ananatis, Pseudomonas marginalis, Alterneria bassicicola, and Botrytis cinerea. When oregano EO vapor was applied to leafy greens, phytotoxic effects were observed on butter lettuce and iceberg lettuce but not on kai lan and kale. On the contrary, the green color and total chlorophylls of kai lan were preserved by oregano EO vapor. With the use of oregano EO vapor generated by 10µL oregano EO in a 1.8-L container, the shelf life of kai lan extended from 3 days to at least 7 days when stored at 25°C and from 5 days to at least 14 days when stored at 7°C. The antimicrobial effect was studied with the plating counting method to reflect the dose-dependent amicrobial effect of oregano EO vapor on kai lan. High-throughput 16S/18S DNA sequencing method was applied to evaluate the microbial ecological changes of kai lan under oregano EO vapor treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that oregano EO vapor could be used to extend the shelf life of kai lan. However, the dose of usage must be optimized with care, and one must realize the effectiveness might vary essentially when applying the EO vapor on other types of leafy green vegetables.

THE EFFECT OF SELLING PRICE SETTING ON VEGETABLE SALES

The importance of nutrients in vegetables for the human body to meet the needs of minerals and vitamins. Indonesian people can meet their needs for vegetables with a variety of vegetable choices at varying prices. This study aims to determine the method of determining the selling price of vegetables and the effect of price determination on the number of sales of vegetable retailers at the Pulau Baai Market in Bengkulu City. The research method used is a qualitative and quantitative method. The selection of respondents used the census method totaling 28 people. The analysis used in this study is descriptive analysis and simple linear regression. The results of the study showed that vegetable retailers at the Pulau Baai Market in Bengkulu City used the (mark up pricing) method in determining prices, where the average mark up value for cabbage was IDR 3,096 / Kg, tomatoes IDR 2,378 / Kg, carrots IDR 3,453 / Kg, Chinese cabbage IDR 2,685 / Kg, spinach IDR 721 / Kg, and kale IDR 255 / Kg and vegetables whose pricing affects the number of sales are Chinese cabbage and kale. Meanwhile, the determination of selling prices that do not affect the amount of sales are cabbage, tomatoes, carrots and spinach.

Fine mapping and identification of the bright green leaf gene BoBGL in Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra)

IntroductionChinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra), is an annual herb belonging to the Brassica genus of Cruciferae, and is one of the famous specialty vegetables of southern China. Some varieties show bright green leaf (BGL) traits and have better commerciality. However, the genes responsible for this trait remain unidentified.MethodsIn this study, gene mapping was measured by BSR-Seq and molecular marker analysis. Gene expression analysis was performed qRT-PCR. Cloning and sequence analysis of candidate genes were also performed.ResultsGenetic analysis revealed that the bright green leaf trait is a dominant trait governed by a single pair of genes. BSR-seq and molecular marker validation mapped the candidate interval to about 1.5 Mb on chromosome C8. After expanding the BC1 population and analyzing recombinant individuals, the interval was refined to approximately 102 kb on chromosome C8 (50,787,908- 50,890,279 bp). There are 24 genes in this region, and after annotation and expression analysis, BolC8t52930H (BoCER1.C8), associated with wax synthesis, emerged as a key candidate for BoBGL. We cloned this gene from both parents, revealing significant differences in their promoter regions. A co-segregation primer was subsequently developed and validated in a segregated population, with results consistent with expectations.DiscussionThe gene BoCER1.C8 is a potential candidate for controlling the bright green leaf trait in Chinese kale, and its function needs to be validated next. Mapping and cloning this gene is crucial to understanding wax synthesis regulation and developing new bright green leafy varieties of Chinese kale.

Genome-Wide Identification of FCS-Like Zinc Finger (FLZ) Family Genes in Three Brassica Plant Species and Functional Characterization of BolFLZs in Chinese Kale Under Abiotic Stresses.

FCS-like zinc finger (FLZ) proteins are plant-specific regulatory proteins, which contain a highly conserved FLZ domain, and they play critical roles in plant growth and stress responses. Although the FLZ family has been systematically characterized in certain plants, it remains underexplored in Brassica species, which are vital sources of vegetables, edible oils, and condiments for human consumption and are highly sensitive to various abiotic stresses. Following the whole-genome triplication events (WGT) in Brassica, elucidating how the FLZ genes have expanded, differentiated, and responded to abiotic stresses is valuable for uncovering the genetic basis and functionality of these genes. In this study, we identified a total of 113 FLZ genes from three diploid Brassica species and classified them into four groups on the basis of their amino acid sequences. Additionally, we identified 109 collinear gene pairs across these Brassica species, which are dispersed among different chromosomes, suggesting that whole-genome duplication (WGD) has significantly contributed to the expansion of the FLZ family. Subcellular localization revealed that six representative BolFLZ proteins are located in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that 13 selected BolFLZs interact with BolSnRK1α1 and BolSnRK1α2, confirming the conservation of the SnRK1α-FLZ module in Brassica species. Expression profile analysis revealed differential expression patterns of BolFLZ across various tissues. Notably, the expression levels of seven BolFLZ genes out of the fifteen genes analyzed changed significantly following treatment with various abiotic stressors, indicating that the BolFLZ genes play distinct physiological roles and respond uniquely to abiotic stresses in Brassica species. Together, our results provide a comprehensive overview of the FLZ gene family in Brassica species and insights into their potential applications for enhancing stress tolerance and growth in Chinese kale.

Application of hydroponic technology and processing variations to enhance food security and prevent stunting

Hydroponics is a modern plant cultivation system without soil to produce clean, healthy, and fresh vegetables. The availability of fresh, healthy food is a key factor in preventing stunting. This community service activity aims to increase food security and prevent stunting through vegetable cultivation using hydroponic technology. Methods used include socialization, training, practice, mentoring, monitoring, and evaluation of hydroponic technology and its processing. Results show that partners experienced increased empowerment, with knowledge of hydroponics and its processing improving by >30 percent. Partner skills in producing hydroponic vegetable products significantly improved, transitioning from no prior experience to being skilled at hydroponic cultivation, with increased production. This activity also yielded various vegetables (water spinach, spinach, bok choy, and Chinese kale) grown using hydroponic systems. Additionally, DFT hydroponic system facilities with a capacity of 200 plants per installation (4 installations) and processing tools were provided, enabling the community to access fresh, nutritious food and support stunting prevention.

Current High Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Contamination in Fresh Vegetables in Northeast Thailand.

Although fresh vegetables are a vital source of essential nutrients and dietary fiber, they can pose a significant health risk due to contamination by intestinal parasites (IPs). The consumption of contaminated vegetables can lead to intestinal parasitic infection, which is a major public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, where sanitation, clean water, and agricultural practices are often inadequate. Northeast Thailand, with its warm, humid climate and predominant agricultural sector, exhibits a high prevalence of IPs in humans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination in vegetables in Khon Kaen, Thailand, because of its reported high prevalence of IPs. A total of 300 samples, including cilantro, celery, Thai basil, lettuce, cucumber, Chinese kale, white cabbage, Chinese cabbage, peppermint, and yard-long beans, were collected from 10 markets across five districts in the province. Each sample was washed with 1% normal saline, shaken for 15 minutes, and allowed to sediment. The sediment was then centrifuged and examined by parasitologists under a microscope. The overall prevalence of IPs was found to be 36.0%, with Blastocystis hominis (24.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (13.0%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (8.7%) being the most common. Peppermint showed the highest prevalence rate at 70.0%, followed by celery and Thai basil at 53.3% each. These results suggest a necessity for key health policy interventions, including appropriate health education. Sanitary measures, such as washing vegetables before consumption and washing hands after harvesting vegetables, should be encouraged among farmers, sellers, and consumers.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated BocPDSs Gene Editing in Chinese Kale Using the Endogenous tRNA-Processing System

Chinese kale is a native vegetable from the Brassicaceae family that is grown extensively in Southeast Asia and Southern China. Its low genetic transformation and gene editing efficiency hinder gene function research and molecular biology in Chinese kale. CRISPR/Cas9 is a useful tool for plant genome research due to its rapid development and optimization. This study targeted BocPDSs, (BocPDS1, BocPDS2) to establish an effective CRISPR/Cas9 system in Chinese kale. A tandemly arranged tRNA-sgRNA construct was used to express numerous sgRNAs to induce BocPDS1 and BocPDS2 double and single mutations, with a mutation rate of 61.11%. As predicted, several mutant plants showed an albino phenotype with a harbored mutation in an exon and intron region, highlighting the relevance of the intron. The presence of mutations in the intron region suggests that the cleavage process in Chinese kale, utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 shows a preference for AT-rich regions. The distinct and somewhat redundant functions of BocPDS1 and BocPDS2 are demonstrated by the complete albino phenotype of the double mutants and the mosaic albino phenotype of the individual BocPDS1 and BocPDS2 mutants. Specific gene editing modes, including base deletion, base substitution, and base insertion, were identified in the sequence of the target gene. Among them, short nucleotide insertions were the most common type of insertion, with base insertions having the highest frequency (61.54%). Furthermore, no instances of off-target gene editing were detected. The current work demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, which relies on endogenous tRNA processing, can effectively induce mutagenesis in Chinese kale. This finding establishes a theoretical basis and technical backbone for the more effective implementation of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology in Chinese kale and Brassica plants.

Fine mapping of a major co-localized QTL associated with self-incompatibility identified in two F2 populations (broccoli × cauliflower and cauliflower × Chinese kale).

A major QTL responsible for self-incompatibility was stably identified in two F2 populations. Through fine mapping and qRT-PCR analysis, ARK3 emerged as the most promising candidate gene, playing a pivotal role in regulating self-incompatibility in Brassica oleracea. Self-incompatibility (SI) is a common phenomenon in Brassica oleracea species, which can maintain genetic diversity but will also limit seed production. Although the S locus has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis and some Brassicaceae crops, map-based cloning of self-incompatibility genes has not been conducted in Brassica oleracea, such as cauliflower and broccoli. In the present study, we identified a major co-localized QTL on chromosome C6 that control SI in two F2 populations derived from intervarietal crosses: broccoli × cauliflower (CL_F2) and cauliflower × Chinese kale (CJ_F2). Subsequently, this QTL was narrowed down to 168.5 Kb through fine mapping using 3,429 F2:3 progenies and 12 available KASP markers. Within this 168.5 Kb region, BolC6t39084H, a homologue of Arabidopsis ARK3, could be a candidate gene that plays a key role in regulating SI in B. oleracea species. This finding can pave the way for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SI, and will contribute to the seed production of B. oleracea vegetables.

Identification of salt tolerance of different Chinese kale cultivars under NaCl stress at seedling stage

In order to understand the salt tolerance of different Chinese kale varieties at seedling stage and screen out the varieties with strong salt tolerance at seedling stage, the seeds of 26 Chinese kale varieties were used as materials. The growth indexes, physiological indexes, seedling rate and salt damage index of different Chinese kale varieties were compared and cluster analyzed by means of tissue culture. The results showed that: (1) under 160 mmol∙L−1 NaCl stress, the different Chinese kale varieties at growth indexes, physiological indexes, seedling rate and salt damage index were significantly different, the relative seedling rate of R4, R14 and R32 reached 100.00%, and the salt damage index was the lowest, which was 20.00%; The correlation analysis showed that the relative seedling rate, the relative content of soluble protein, the relative content of soluble sugar and the relative value of Leaf SPAD were all negatively correlated with the salt damage index, and the relative conductivity and the relative content of malondialdehyde were all positively correlated with the salt damage index. (2) The average value of 14 salt tolerance indexes was used to cluster analyze the salt tolerance of 26 Chinese kale varieties. The tested materials were divided into four categories: high salt tolerance, moderate salt tolerance, low salt tolerance and salt sensitivity. R14, R25, R30 and R32 were highly salt tolerant varieties and R24 was salt sensitive varieties, which laid a foundation for further breeding and genetic research of salt tolerant varieties.

BoaCRTISO regulates the color and glossiness of Chinese kale through its effects on pigment, abscisic acid, and cuticular wax biosynthesis

Carotenoid isomerase (CRTISO) is an important enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis, and it catalyzes the conversion of lycopene precursors to lycopene in several plant species. However, the role of CRTISO in other biochemical processes during plant growth and development remains unclear. Here, we showed that Chinese kale boacrtiso mutants have distinctive characteristics, including a yellow-green hue and glossy appearance, and this contrasts with the dark green and glaucous traits observed in wild-type (WT) plants. Analysis of pigments in mutants revealed that the reduction in the content of carotenoids and chlorophylls contributed to the yellow-green coloration observed in mutants. An examination of cuticular waxes in Chinese kale indicated that there was a decrease in both the total wax content and the content of individual waxes in boacrtiso mutants (bearing a mutation of BoaCRTISO), which may be caused by the decrease of abscisic acid (ABA) content. The expression of carotenoid, chlorophyll, ABA, and wax biosynthesis genes was down-regulated in boacrtiso mutants. This finding confirms that BoaCRTISO regulates the biosynthesis of pigments, ABA, and cuticular waxes in Chinese kale. Our results provide new insights into the interplay between plant pigment and cuticular wax metabolic pathways in Brassica vegetables.

Development of Potting Media from Composted Organic Food Waste Supplemented with Trichoderma asperellum and Talaromyces tratensis for Control of Root and Stem-End Rot in Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea)

Development of Potting Media from Composted Organic Food Waste Supplemented with Trichoderma asperellum and Talaromyces tratensis for Control of Root and Stem-End Rot in Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea)

Synergistic mechanisms of lignin-based novel materials and leaf-surface selenium fertilizer in alleviating drought and heavy metal stress

Drought and heavy metal stress threaten sustainable crop production and ecosystems, highlighting the urgent need for resilient agricultural practices. The synthesis of lignin-based hydrogel (L-GH) and foliar selenium (Se) offers a potential solution to mitigate these adverse effects. However, comprehensive research on their applications in alleviating drought stress, remediating heavy metals, and enhancing crop production is limited. To address these gaps, the optimal ratio for L-GH synthesis using sodium lignosulfonate (L) and γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) as raw materials was determined through the response surface method (RSM). The synthesis mechanism and possible functional groups and structures of L-GH were identified by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and other characterization techniques. A pot experiment assessed the effects of L-GH (L0=0; L1=0.2 %; and L2=0.5 %) and foliar Se (L0=0; Se=3 mg.L−1) under drought (H=75 % control; HA=45 % field water capacity) on Chinese broccoli growth and the uptake of heavy metals cadmium, copper, zinc (Cd, Cu, Zn). Results indicated that L-GH hydrogel, with a layered porous structure and hydrophilic functional groups, achieved a water absorption rate of 389.17 g.g−1. Under drought and heavy metal stress, L-GH combined with Se effectively reduced the absorption of Cd and Cu. In the L2+Se treatment (0.5 % L-GH + 3 mg.L−1 Se), Cd and Cu contents decreased by 31.06 % and 72.14 %, respectively. Simultaneously, the photosynthetic activity of the plant increased, stress resistance was enhanced, and both growth and biomass accumulation were promoted. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content decreased by 78.82 %, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (PSII potential activity Fv/F0 and maximum photochemical efficiency Fv/Fm) increased by 49.92 % and 11.97 %, respectively. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that L-GH could potentially decrease the absorption of heavy metals by enhancing soil moisture (SWC) and pH levels, increasing aggregate stability (WAS) and organic carbon (SOC) content, enhancing plant stress resistance, and promoting growth. In this study, a novel material (L-GH) capable of retaining water and immobilizing heavy metals in soil was successfully developed. The concurrent application of L-GH with Se has been shown to effectively mitigate the combined stresses of drought and heavy metals on the growth of Chinese broccoli. These findings offer valuable insights for the remediation of soil contaminated by both drought and heavy metals.

An efficient and universal protoplast-based transient gene expression system for genome editing in Brassica crops

Protoplast-based transient gene expression system has been widely used in plant genome editing because of its simple operation and less time-consuming. In order to establish a universal protoplast-based transient transfection system for verifying activities of genome editing vectors containing targets in Brassica, we systematically optimized factors affecting protoplast isolation and transient gene expression. We established an efficient protoplast-based transient gene expression system (PTGE) in Chinese cabbage, achieving high protoplast yield of 4.9 × 105 · g−1 FW, viability over 95%, and transfection efficiency of 76%. We showed for the first time that pretreatment of protoplasts with a hypotonic MMG could significantly enhance the transfection efficiency. Furthermore, protoplasts incubated at 37 °C for 6 min improved the transfection efficiency to 86%. We also demonstrated that PTGE worked well (more than 50% transfection efficiency) in multiple Brassica species including cabbage, Pak Choi, Chinese kale, and turnip. Finally, PTGE was used for validating the activities of CRISPR/Cas9 vectors containing targets in Chinese cabbage, cabbage, and pak choi, demonstrating the broad applicability of the established PTGE for genome editing in Brassica crops.

Mode of action of biosurfactant against Listeria monocytogenes and its cytotoxicity as an alternative for washing fresh Chinese kale

Biosurfactants play a very important role in the fresh produce industry, especially as anti-microbial agents. This study aimed to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities of a glycolipoprotein biosurfactant (BSF) produced by Lactobacillus plantarum MGL-8, as well as its anti-bacterial mechanism of action against Listeria monocytogenes DMST17303. Its application as a sanitizer for fresh Chinese kale was investigated at different storage temperatures and exposure times. Its safety was monitored by cytotoxic effect to human skin HaCaT keratinocyte cells. The BSF exhibited high anti-oxidant capacities, with ferric-reducing from the FRAP assay of 15.96 μgVCEA/mg and ABTS scavenging activities with an IC50 of 877.00 μg/mL. BSF demonstrated anti-bacterial activity against L. monocytogenes through decreasing the fluidity and increasing permeability of the cell membrane, resulting in reducing membrane function and leakage of intracellular components. The study revealed that the appropriate washing procedures of W2 (BSF 400 μg/mL for 20 min) and W3 (BSF 450 μg/mL for 10 min) efficiently inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes in fresh Chinese kale stored at 5 °C for 7 and 14 days. BSF did not exhibit any cytotoxic effects on HaCaT cells at concentrations of up to 1,000 μg/mL, suggesting using BSF for disinfect L. monocytogenes in fresh Chinese kale at 450 μg/mL is safe for human. Therefore, it is recommended to wash fresh Chinese kale with BSF at 400 or 450 μg/mL for 20 or 10 min, respectively, to reduce food safety risks such as L. monocytogenes before storing at 5 °C for 14 days.

Development of a Biofertilizer from Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolated from Millipede Fecal Pellets

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are commonly used to produce biofertilizers. As such, the purpose of the present research was to develop a PGPR biofertilizer formulation from four Streptomyces strains isolated from millipede fecal pellets and to select suitable carriers for them. The four Streptomyces isolates were Streptomyces sp. KLS-AC04, S. zaomyceticus KLD-AC02-1, S. zaomyceticus KLD-AC16 and S. zaomyceticus KLD-AC30. Their compatibility was tested on Actinomycetes isolation agar by the cross-streak method and the results showed that the four isolates can coexist. A viability test was done with three different types of carriers: coconut coir, cow dung and peat moss. The best carrier for all isolates was peat moss (viability: 5.3 x 104 − 8.5 x 105 cfu/g). The isolate that exhibited the highest survival rate across the three carriers was Streptomyces sp. KLS-AC04. Seven PGPR biofertilizer formulations were developed, of which formulation 6 (cow dung: peat moss: KLS-AC04: KLD-AC02-1: KLD-AC16: KLD-AC30) showed the highest viability (6 x 105 cfu/g). The effects of the PGPR biofertilizer formulations on plant growth were explored on Chinese kale. This showed that the use of the four Streptomyces strains had a significant positive effect on germination percentage (range 47.5% − 80.0%), fresh weight (range 0.060 − 0.086 g), shoot length (range 36.1 − 60.4 mm), and root length (range 15.3 − 30.8 mm).

UV-B irradiation enhances the accumulation of beneficial glucosinolates induced by melatonin in Chinese kale sprout

Cruciferous sprout is a new form of vegetable product rich in bioactive compounds, especially glucosinolates. Previous studies have focused on increasing the accumulation of glucosinolates in cruciferous sprouts by applying different chemical regulators, with a particular focus on their contribution to nutritional quality and health benefits. Nevertheless, the effects of melatonin and UV-B irradiation on glucosinolate biosynthesis remain unclear. In this study, it was found that changes in melatonin concentrations significantly affected the contents of individual as well as total aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates. The 5 μmol · L−1 melatonin was decided as the optimum concentration that could increase the content of beneficial glucosinolates including glucoraphanin and 4-methoxy glucobrassicin in Chinese kale sprouts. Notably, the enhancement of glucosinolate accumulation by melatonin treatment could be further amplified by UV-B irradiation. Furthermore, our results showed that R2R3-MYB transcription factor BoaMYB28 and BoaMYB51, which are central regulators of aliphatic and indolic glucosinolate biosynthesis respectively, were both involved in the regulation of glucosinolate biosynthesis by melatonin and UV-B irradiation. Additionally, the expression of glucosinolate biosynthetic genes, including BoaCYP79F1, BoaCYP83A1, BoaSUR1, BoaUGT74B1, BoaCYP79B2, BoaCYP79B3, and BoaCYP83B1 participated in the formation of core structures and BoaFMOGS-OX5, BoaAOP2, BoaCYP81F2, and BoaIGMT1 involved in the side-chain modification of aliphatic and indolic glucosinolate, was regulated by melatonin or UV-B irradiation. Taken together, these findings provide a potential strategy for improving the nutritional quality and resistance of Chinese kale sprouts.

Pengaruh Pemberian Ekstrak Umbi Bawang Putih (Allium sativum L.) dan Pupuk Kascing Cair terhadap Serangan Hama pada Tanaman Kailan (Brassica oleracea var. Alboglabra)

The Influence of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Extract and Liquid Vermicompost Fertilizer to the Attack of Insect on Kailan (Brassica oleracea var. Alboglabra) Plantation. Kailan plant (Brassica oleracea var. Alboglabra) known as Chinese broccoli is one of the vegetable cabbage (Brassicaceae) family. One of the factors is that reduce quantity and quality of kailan plants are a high of pest attacks. The aim of study is to determine the effect of garlic extract and liquid vermicompost fertilizer on the type and abundance of pest populations, index of diversity, intensity of damage and determine the most effective concentration of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and liquid vermicompost fertilizer. The research design as Randomized Block Design, with two treatment factors: garlic extract and liquid vermicompost fertilizer and level of concentration. Garlic extract was used as treatments, i.e 0g/l; 150g/l; and 300g/l. Liquid vermicompost fertilizer was used as treatments, i.e 0ml/plant; 10ml/plant; 20ml/plant; and 40ml/plant. Each treatment combination consists of 3 repetition so that there are 36 treatment of combination. The results showed that the dominant pests present in kailan plants are Atractomorpha crenulata and Plutella xylostella. The index of diversity in each treatment has a value of H<1 (Low). The treatments showed that as a single treatment has a significant effect. The treatments of 300g/l garlic extract and 40 ml/plant liquid vermicompodt fertilizer was the best concentration which gave on reduce the number of pest populations and intensity of damage also increased plant height and plant fresh weight, but there is no significant effect of interaction between both treatments.

A novel wrinkled leaf vegetable germplasm (AACC) of interspecific hybrids between Tai-cai and Chinese kale

ABSTRACT Ruffled vegetables, having wrinkled leaves with a crispy and tender texture, are highly favored by consumers. However, the genetic resources of crinkled leaf vegetables in the Brassica genus are limited. In this study, distant hybridization was performed between ‘Mottle-leaf Tai-cai’ (Brassica campestris L. ssp. chinensis (L.) Makino var. tai-tsai Hort. AA, 2n = 20) and ‘Big Yellow Flower Chinese Kale’ (B. oleracea var. alboglabra Bailey. CC, 2n = 18) by hand emasculation followed by tissue culture. As a result, all obtained three embryos were identified as true hybrids (AC, 2n = 19) through morphology, cytology, and molecular markers. After chromosome doubling, an allotetraploid hybrid (AACC, 2n = 38) was obtained with a giant leaf, serrated leaf margin, and wrinkled leaf surface; therefore, its most agronomical characters were biased toward the female parent of ‘Mottle-leaf Tai-cai’. In comparison with diploid hybrid, the pollen stainability of allotetraploids were significantly improved and similar to their parents. Additionally, all 5 pairs of SSR primers showed the authenticity of the hybrids. Furthermore, the contents of soluble sugar, vitamin C, and cellulose in the hybrids increased when compared with their parents. Briefly, the obtained hybrid is interspecific euhybrid, and has wrinkle-leaf characteristics, improved nutritional quality, so it is a novel Brassica wrinkle-leaf vegetable germplasm.

Antibacterial activity of high surface area zinc oxide nanoparticles for controlling black rot disease of Chinese kale

AbstractZinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are inorganic compounds listed as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) materials and have been used in plant production as well as for plant disease control. This study investigated the antibacterial efficacy of ZnO NPs with various surface areas against Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, assessed the effectiveness of ZnO NPs in controlling black rot disease in Chinese kale, and examined the influence of ZnO NPs application on soil bacterial communities. The results showed that ZnO NPs with high surface area effectively inhibited X. campestris pv. campestris by restraining growth and causing cell damage. Seed treatment and foliar spray application of high surface area ZnO NPs at 250 μg/mL significantly reduced the disease severity of black rot. Furthermore, in the greenhouse experiment, the soil bacterial communities in the treatment of plants applied with ZnO NPs did not differ from those in soil of nontreated plants. Therefore, ZnO NPs have the potential to serve as an alternative substance for plant disease management.