Chrysanthemum Segetum Research Articles

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) medicinal usage and cultivation

Calendula pot marigold, is a genus of about 12 to 20 species of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family Asteraceae, native to the area from Macaronesia East through the Mediterranean region to Iran. Calendula should not be confused with other plants that are also known as marigolds, such as corn marigold, desert marigold, or marsh marigold or plants of the genus Tagetes. The name Calendula stems from the Latin word kalendae, means first day of the month, presumably because pot marigolds are in bloom at the start of most months of the year. The common name marigold probably refers to the Virgin Mary, or its Old Saxon name 'ymbglidegold', which means 'it turns with the sun’. The most commonly cultivated and used member of the genus is the pot marigold (Calendula officinalis). The flowers of C. officinalis contain flavonol glycosides, triterpene oligoglycosides, oleanane-type triterpene glycosides, saponins, and a sesquiterpene glucoside Plant pharmacological study have suggested that Calendula extracts have anti-viral, anti-genotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula in suspension or in tincture is used topically to treat acne, reducing inflammation, controlling bleeding and soothing irritated tissue. There is limited evidence that calendula cream or ointment is effective in treating radiation dermatitis. In a randomized study of 254 radiation patients, topical application of 4% calendula ointment resulted in far fewer occurrences of Grade 2 or higher dermatitis than occurred in the group using trolamine. Calendula has been used traditionally for abdominal cramps and constipation. Key words: Calendula officinalis, saponins, ornamental plant, candolin.

Response of pollinators to the tradeoff between resource acquisition and predator avoidance

Although the behaviour of animals facing the conflicting demands of increasing foraging success and decreasing predation risk has been studied in many taxa, the response of pollinators to variations in both factors has only been studied in isolation. We compared visit rates of two pollinator species, hoverflies and honeybees, to 40 Chrysanthemum segetum patches in which we manipulated predation risk (patches with and without crab spiders) and nectar availability (rich and poor patches) using a full factorial design. Pollinators responded differently to the tradeoff between maximising intake rate and minimising predation risk: honeybees preferred rich safe patches and avoided poor risky patches while the number of hoverflies was highest at poor risky patches. Because honeybees were more susceptible to predation than hoverflies, our results suggest that, in the presence of competition for resources, less susceptible pollinators concentrate their foraging effort on riskier resources, where competition is less severe. Crab spiders had a negative effect on the rate at which inflorescences were visited by honeybees. This effect was mediated through changes in the foraging strategy of honeybees, and could, in principle, be reversed by increasing nectar productivity of inflorescences. Our study shows that both pollinator species responded simultaneously and differently to variations in food reward and predation risk, and highlights the importance of studying the foraging strategies of pollinators in order to fully understand how plant–pollinator interactions are established.

Detection, characterization and host range studies of Pepino mosaic virus in Cyprus

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV, Genus Potexvirus, Family Flexiviridae) is a mechanically transmitted viral disease that has emerged as a significant problem of greenhouse tomato crops in Europe and around the world. Although previous studies in Cyprus suggested that the virus was not present on the island, in 2009 tomato fruits from two major tomato production areas exhibited symptoms of yellow mosaic and discolouration, similar to those induced by PepMV. Consequently, an extensive survey was conducted in all tomato producing areas of the country to identify the incidence and prevalence of PepMV in protected and open field tomato crops. Analysis of 3500 leaf samples from tomato plants and weeds with DAS-ELISA and real-time RT-PCR showed that PepMV was present in all tomato growing areas of the island. The virus was detected in both protected and open field tomato plants, as well as in 20 weed species in the families of Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Compositae, Convolvulaceae, Malvaceae, Plantaginaceae and Solanaceae. All Cypriot isolates assayed belonged to the CH2 genotype. Biological assays with two Cypriot isolates showed that they could infect cultivated and weed species including Vigna unguiculata, Solanum melongena, Nicotiana tabacum, Malva parviflora, Sonchus oleraceus, Solanum nigrum, Convolvulus arvensis, Chrysanthemum segetum and Calendula arvensis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report Chrysanthemum segetum and Calendula arvensis as hosts of PepMV.

Telomere and 45S rDNA sequences are structurally linked on the chromosomes in Chrysanthemum segetum L.

Some reports have shown that nucleolar organizer regions are located at the telomeric region and have a structural connection with telomeres at the cellular level in many organisms. In this study, we found that all 45S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) signals were located at telomeric regions on the chromosomes in Chrysanthemum segetum L., and the 45S rDNA showed distinct signal patterns on different metaphase chromosome spreads. The bicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization experiment on the extended fibers revealed that telomere repeats were structurally connected with or interspersed into rDNA sequences. The close cytological structure relation between rDNA and telomere sequences led us to use PCR with combinations of the telomere primer and the rDNA primer to obtain some fragments, which were flanked by different rDNA and telomere primer sequences. One representative clone CHS2 contains closely connected rDNA and telomere sequences, suggesting that the telomere sequence invaded into the conserved rDNA sequence. In addition, the sequences of some PCR clones were flanked by the single telomeric primer sequence or the rDNA primer sequence. These results suggested that homologous recombination occurred between tandem repeat units of rDNA sequences or telomere repeats at the chromosome terminus.

Karyomorphological and biochemical studies in Glebionis coronaria (L.) Spach and Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourreau from Italy

The karyotype structures and the composition and distribution of the heterochromatin in Glebionis coronaria and Glebionis segetum using Giemsa and fluorescent banding techniques were analysed. The species studied are diploids with 2n = 2x = 18 chromosomes. G. coronaria possesses the most symmetrical karyotype, comprising mainly metacentric chromosomes. G. segetum, with formula 12 m + 6 sm, showed a slightly less symmetrical karyotype. Giemsa C‐banding revealed little constitutive heterochromatin in both species. The presence of telomeric bands was restricted to two chromosome pairs. After staining with chromomycin A3, the chromosomes of G. coronaria and G. segetum revealed bright fluorescence at the telomeric regions of two chromosomes. No 4‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenyl‐indole bright blocks were observed. To estimate genetic variability in the species under consideration, genotypic expression was also determined through isozyme electrophoresis of cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, considered a genetic marker in the study of plant phylogenetics. The relationships between G. coronaria and G. segetum are discussed. Abbreviations: ASC, ascorbate; BSA, bovine serum albumin; cAPX, cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase; CMA, chromomycin A3; DAPI, 4‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenyl‐indole; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; PAGE, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Feeding perturbation and toxic activity of five Chrysanthemum species crude extracts against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

The effect of the whole methanol extracts of five Chrysanthemum species on feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae has been investigated in vitro. The extracts exhibited an anti-feeding and phagostimulating activities against cotton leafworm larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into an artificial diet. Under chosen conditions, the antifeedant index calculated over 24 h for sixth instar larvae significantly varied from 78.55 for Chrysanthemum segetum L. to −44.18 for Chrysanthemum fuscatum Desf. at the dose of 1000 ppm. Toxicity of the extracts was manifested by a high mortality, reduced growth rates, and low weight gain by larvae fed on diets containing 1000–10,000 ppm of the extract. Anyone of the larvae treated with C hrysanthemum macrotum (D.R.) Ball. leaves crude extract survived to pupation at the two higher concentrations. The time to pupation increased for Chrysanthemum grandiflorum flowers crude extract from 11.40 ± 0.93 to 28.93 ± 10.92 days as the extract concentration in the diet increased from 0 to 10,000 ppm. The ingestion of crude extract by the third instar larvae reduced significantly the consumption, growth and utilisation of the ingested and digested food, and reduced digestibility. The crude extract of the leaves of C. macrotum, dissolved in acetone and topically applied on sixth instar larvae, showed a quite high mortality (95%). These results suggest the presence in the extracts of anti-feeding and/or toxic substances, active by consumption and topical application. The identification of these compounds and their action mode will be object of further studies.

The distribution of Chrysanthemum Segetum L. (Asteraceae) in Poland

The distribution of Chrysanthemum Segetum L. (Asteraceae) in Poland The distribution of Chrysanthemum segetum L. in Poland, based on a field research, herbarium materials, literature and unpublished data, is described with a list of localities. Altogether, 352 localities (210 ATPOL squares) for this species have been identified. Most localites are concentrated in North and West parts of Poland.

Recruitment and attrition of associated plants under a shading crop canopy: Model selection and calibration

Associated plant and animal diversity provides ecosystem services within crop production systems. The importance of the maintenance or restoration of diversity is therefore increasingly acknowledged. Here we study the population dynamics of associated annual plants (‘weeds’) during the growth of a crop in a season and introduce a minimal model to characterize the recruitment and attrition of the associated plants under the influence of shading by the crop. A mechanistically based, logistic, light interception model was parameterized with light interception measurements in two single crops (barley and rye) and in mixtures of these cereals with peas. Population dynamics data were collected for the annuals Papaver rhoeas, Centaurea cyanus, Chrysanthemum segetum, and Misopates orontium. A minimal population dynamics model was identified for each annual plant species, using system identification techniques as model selection and calibration. For three of the four species, a two-parameter model consisting of light-dependent recruitment in combination with a constant death rate, explained 75–96% of the variation in plant densities over the season. Model fit for P. rhoeas improved when a germination delay of 200 °Cd after sowing was included, resulting in a three-parameter model. The developed models have a simple yet biologically meaningful structure and the values of the parameters give a useful summary of the population dynamics of an annual plant population under the influence of the dynamic leaf cover of a shading crop. Further development of these models can contribute to systems design for maintaining plant diversity in crop systems.

Chemical and biological comparisons on supercritical extracts of Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir) Sch. Bip. with three related species of chrysanthemums of Sardinia (Italy)

In this manuscript, the authors compare the chemical composition and the biological effects of extracts of some Sardinian plant species: Glebionis coronaria (L.) Spach [=Chrysanthemum coronarium L.], locally known as ‘caragantzu’, Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourr. [=Chrysanthemum segetum L.], known as ‘caragantzu masedu’, and Sardinian endemic species Plagius flosculosus (L.) Alavi and Heywood [=Chrysanthemum flosculosus L.], known as ‘caragantzu burdu’. In addition, the authors compare the pyrethrins contained in these species with an extract of Tanacetum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Sch. Bip. [=Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) Vis.], a commercial species rich in pyrethrins. The volatile fractions from chrysanthemum flowers were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 at 90 bar and 50°C and by hydrodistillation. Pyrethrins were extracted, together with other high molecular mass compounds, by SFE at high pressure, 300 bar and 40°C. The composition of the volatile oils is determined by GC–MS analysis and the amount of pyrethrins by HPLC analysis. Moreover, the antibacterial and antimycotic activities of volatile fractions were investigated in order to compare to their traditional uses.

Land use history of Village Bay, Hirta, St Kilda World Heritage Site: A palynological investigation of plaggen soils

This paper presents findings based on a palynological investigation of artificially accreting (plaggen) soils from the settlement of Village Bay, Hirta, in the St Kilda archipelago, which was perhaps the most distant and inhospitable outpost of sustained human habitation in the British Isles. The soils were developed principally through the addition of turf ash and seabird waste, although some ash may have been derived from upland peats. It is assumed that the woodland pollen signal (much lower in the soils than in an upland peat site nearby) represents off-island sources. Corylus avellana-type pollen (frequent in upland sites), along with Potentilla-type, may provide markers in the Village Bay profiles for the addition of ashed hillside turf, and possibly peat, to the plaggen soils. Cereal-type pollen is well represented through the profiles and is often strongly associated with the record for Chrysanthemum segetum (corn marigold), a frequent indicator of arable land. The Brassicaceae signal may partly reflect the cultivation of cabbages; Chelidonium majus (greater celandine) may have been grown for medicinal use. Soil mixing has rendered radiocarbon dating meaningless at this site, but the establishment of a change in cultivation regime before AD 1830 may have been identified from the patterns of pollen concentration and preservation in the profiles.

Effect of different water and NO<SUB>3</SUB>-N/NH<SUB>4</SUB>-N ratios on yield and quality of <I>Chrysanthemum segetum</I> L.

Effect of different water and NO<SUB>3</SUB>-N/NH<SUB>4</SUB>-N ratios on yield and quality of <I>Chrysanthemum segetum</I> L.

Preliminary GC/MS study of essential oils isolated from aerial parts of Chrysanthemum segetum <i>L.</i>

Preliminary GC/MS study of essential oils isolated from aerial parts of Chrysanthemum segetum <i>L.</i>

Ocena żywotności nasion złocienia polnego Chrysanthemum segetum L.

Research was conducted to evaluate the vitality of Chrysanthemum segetum seeds from the herbarium collection of the Botany and Genetics Institute of the Pomeranian Academy in Słupsk. The oldest plants from the collection were more than 100 years old. The research material were unsplits dating from the years: 1895, 1922, 1923, 1967, 1971, 1977, 1980, 1998, 2000, 2005 and 2006. The unsplits from 2006 were collected from field. Seed germination was carried out in Petri dishes. In the first series there were three variations of temperature (5°, 20° and 30°C), treated as three repetitions. In the second series the seeds were germinated only at 20°C at three sowing dates. For the oldest seeds from the years: 1895, 1922 and 1923 only 15 seeds were sown in each repetition, because of their limited number. 100 seeds were sown for the remaining years. The Petri dishes were placed on a laboratory table, at a room temperature, in daylight. The observation of the germination of the seeds was conducted daily for 14 days. In the first series the seeds germinated at 20°C. In the second series the seeds germinated at all dates and in all repetitions and the germinating power fluctuated from 1.7% for the year 1977, to 22.2% for the year 1895. The differences in the number of the germinated seeds in all repetitions were insignificant. The biggest vitality was observed for the seeds from 1895. This means that Chrysanthemum segetum seed viability is at least 102 years. Longevity of a part of the seeds might result from the fact that they were kept in herbarium conditions (dry), because in damp soil they would have germinated earlier or they would have been affected by a fungus.

An NADPH and FAD dependent enzyme catalyzes hydroxylation of flavonoids in position 8

Yellow flavonols contribute to flower pigmentation in Asteraceae. In contrast to common flavonols, they show additional hydroxyl groups in position 6 and/or 8 of the aromatic A-ring in addition to the basic 5,7-hydroxylation pattern. An enzyme introducing a hydroxyl group in position 8 of flavonols and flavones was demonstrated for the first time with enzyme preparations from petals of Chrysanthemum segetum. Flavanones, dihydroflavonols and glucosylated flavonols and flavones were not accepted as substrates. The enzyme was localized in the microsomal fraction and uses NADPH and FAD as cofactors. Experiments with carbon monoxide/blue light and with antibodies specific for cytochrome P450 reductase did not indicate the involvement of a classical cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenase in the reaction. Thus, the flavonoid 8-hydroxylase represents a novel type of hydroxylating enzyme in the flavonoid pathway. Apart from flavonoid 8-hydroxylase activity, the presence of all enzymes involved in the formation of flavonoid 7- O-glucosides in C. segetum was demonstrated. The pathway leading to 8-hydroxyflavonoids in C. segetum has been derived from enzyme activities and substrate specificities observed.

(1647) Proposal to conserve the name Chrysanthemum coronarium (Compositae) with a conserved type

The lectotype of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. 1753 is a specimen of the species currently known as Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourr. (based on C. segetum L. 1753). Therefore, C. coronarium is a taxonomic synonym of C. segetum, and the correct name for the species currently known as Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach would be a new combination based on Pyrethrum indicum Sims 1813 non (L.) Cass. 1826. Undesirable nomenclatural disruption and confusion can easily be averted in this case by conserving the name C. coronarium with a conserved type. Among the 14 species of Chrysanthemum L. described by Linnaeus in the first edition of Species Plantarum are two species of Mediterranean annual weeds: C. coronarium or crown daisy (Habitat in Creta, Sicilia) and C. segetum or com marigold (Habitat in Scaniae, Germania, Belgii, Anglia, Gallia agris). Although essentially Mediterranean elements, both species are nowadays naturalized far beyond their 'native' range. Indeed, C. segetum was a common segetal weed in northwestern Europe before the widespread use of modem agricultural herbicides. The two species are quite distinct: C. coronarium has leaves green, 2-pinnatisect, ray florets either yellow or white with a yellow base, and achenes of ray florets with an adaxial wing; C. segetum has leaves glaucous, irregularly incised-dentate, ray florets always deep yellow, and achenes of ray florets without an adaxial wing; in both species the disk florets are yellow. Until the late 1990s, both species were almost universally treated in the genus Chrysanthemum, first in a broad, polyphyletic sense of that genus with over 200 species, then in a narrow sense with only two Mediterranean species, C. coronarium and C. segetum, the former having been designated as the type by Green (Int. Bot. Congr. Cambridge, Nomencl. Prop. Brit. Bot.: 182. 1929). However, after Trehane (in Taxon 44: 439-441. 1995) successfully proposed the Asian species C. indicum L. 1753 (the florists' chrysanthemum) as the conserved type of Chrysanthemum (see Brummitt in Taxon 47: 443-444. 1998; Nicolson in Taxon 48: 375. 1999), the Linnaean generic name replaced Dendranthema (DC.) Des Moul. for the florists' chrysanthemum and the two Mediterranean species had to be known under the next earliest legitimate name, Glebionis Cass. 1826. The generic name Ismelia Cass. 1826 was published simultaneously for the NW African annual currently known as I. carinata (Schousb.) Sch. Bip. (= L versicolor Cass. 1826, a superfluous name for C. carinatum Schousb. 1800). Ismelia was maintained as a monospecific genus by Bremer & Humphries (in Bull. Nat. Hist. Mus. London, Bot. 23: 135-136. 1993) and Bremer (Asteraceae: 466. 1994), although Tzvelev (in Bot. Zhum. 84(7): 117. 1999) united it with Glebionis and established priority for the latter name under Art. 11.5.

An investigation of dye plants and their colourant substances in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey

Plants traditionally used to dye carpets and woven matting in the eastern Mediterranean region were investigated. The survey was carried out in Kadirli, Feke, Aladag, the surrounding villages of Adana, and in Osmaniye (Turkey). According to the survey results, 37 species of plants belonging to 29 families were used in natural dye production. The total dye contents of collected plants ranged from 1.5% to 10.0%. Mordants and dyes obtained from some of these plants were used to treat wool yarn and the yarn's dyed properties were tested. Some of the plants were also examined in terms of cultivation and fifteen were transferred to a Dye Plants Collection Garden. They were Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. ssp. antitaurica Yalt., Arctium minus ssp. pubens (Bab.) Arenes, Chrysanthemum segetum L., Cistus creticus L., Cotinus coggygria Scop., Datisca cannabina L., Galium verum ssp. glabrescens Ehrend., Isatis tinctoria ssp. tomentella (Boiss. & Balansa) P.H.Davis, Melissa officinalis ssp. inodora Bornm., Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. ssp. longifolia, Reseda lutea var. lutea L., Rhamnus oleoides ssp. graecus (Boiss. & Reut.) Holmboe, Rhus coriaria L., Rubia tinctorum L., and Rumex patientia L. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 146, 71–77.

Puccinia horiana

<i>Puccinia horiana</i>

Nematicidal activity of essential oils and organic amendments from Asteraceae against root‐knot nematodes

The essential oil of Chrysanthemum coronarium flowerheads showed strong nematicidal activity in vitro and in growth‐chamber experiments. Essential oil concentrations of 2, 4, 8 and 16 µL mL−1, significantly reduced hatch, J2 survival (determined by final value and area under curves of cumulative percentage hatch or mortality) and reproduction rate of Meloidogyne artiellia in vitro, with the lowest values occurring at 16 µL mL−1. In pot trials with chickpea cv. PV 61, essential oil concentrations of 10–40 µL per 500 cm3 soil, applied on sterile cotton pellets, also significantly reduced the nematode's reproduction rate. The biological processes of mortality and hatching/reproduction were adequately described by the monomolecular and expanded negative exponential models, respectively. Effectiveness of soil amendment with either flowers, leaves, roots or seeds of C. coronarium, and flowers from several species of Asteraceae (Chrysanthemum segetum, Calendula maritima, Calendula officinalis and Calendula suffruticosa) at 5 g per 500 cm3 soil was tested for suppression of M. artiellia and growth of chickpea cv. PV 61 under growth‐chamber conditions. In these tests, flowers of all five Asteraceae species and various parts of C. coronarium significantly reduced reproduction rates of M. artiellia, by 83·0–95·9%, with the minimum rates occurring in infected chickpea plants amended with flowers of C. officinalis and C. suffruticosa. The in vitro and in planta results suggest that the essential oil of C. coronarium and organic amendments from Asteraceae species may serve as nematicides.

New exudate flavonoids of species from the Chrysanthemum complex (Asteraceae-Anthemideae)

Chrysanthemum segetum L., C. coronarium L. and Heteranthemis viscidehirta Schott are annual representatives of the subtribe Chrysantheminae Less. emend. Bremer (Anthemideae-Asteraceae). Contrary to earlier concepts, Chrysanthemum comprises only two species, occurring in the Mediterranean. The monotypic genus Heteranthemis, earlier considered to be Chrysanthemum, is distributed in the same area. This subtribe comprises further the Macaronesian endemic Argyranthemum Web. ex Schultz-Bip. (24 species) and the annual monotypic Ismelia Cass. (= C. carinatum; Bremer and Humphries, 1993). Phylogenetic studies confirmed the monophyly of this group (Francisco-Ortega et al., 1997; Oberprieler and Vogt, 2000). Chrysanthemum segetum L., C. coronarium L. and Heteranthemis viscidehirta were cultivated in the Botanischer Garten der Technischen Universitat Darmstadt. Voucher specimens are deposited in the herbarium of the Institut fur Botanik in

The persistence of seeds of 16 weed species over six years in two arable fields

Summary Two experiments have investigated the persistence of 16 arable, annual broad-leaved weed species over 6 years in a silty loam and a clay soil. Small plastic beads were included as an ‘inert’ comparison. Seeds were broadcast in October on to plots at the start of the experiment, and these were either tine cultivated or ploughed annually thereafter. Plots were sown with either spring or winter wheat. As far as possible, weed seeding was prevented each year. For some species, the seed decline appeared to be slower on the ploughed plots than on the tined plots and in the winter wheat compared with the spring wheat. Seed decline also tended to be slower on the clay soil at Rothamsted than on the silty loam at Long Ashton. Some species declined rapidly (e.g. Brassica napus, Chrysanthemum segetum, Galium aparine, Galeopsis tetrahit), with annual decline rates in excess of 58%, whereas others declined very little (e.g. Papaver rhoeas decline rate 9%). Most of the other species had decline rates between 20% and 40%. The results are discussed in relation to the development of population dynamics models to predict long-term consequences of alternative weed management strategies.