Cordyline Fruticosa Research Articles

Steroidal saponins from the aerial parts of Cordyline fruticosa L. var. strawberries

A new sulfated steroidal derivative (fruticogenin A: 1-sulfo-australigenin-3-sodium sulphate, 1) and three new steroidal saponins named fruticoside K (3-sulfo-spirostan-25(27)-ene-1β,3β-diol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-fucopyranoside], 2), fruticoside L (3-sulfo-spirostan-25(27)-ene-1β,3β,6α-triol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-D-fucopyranoside], 3) and fruticoside M (spirostan-25(27)-ene-1β,3α-diol-1-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside], 4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Cordyline fruticosa L. var. strawberries. Their structures were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data, mass spectrometry and chemical methods. Compounds 2 and 4 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against melanoma (A375), breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), and colon carcinoma (HCT116) human tumor cell lines.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of methanolic extract of Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev. Leaves

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of methanolic extract of Cordyline fruticosa (L.) A. Chev. Leaves

Effect of different nutrient formulations on growth and yield of Cordyline fruticosagrown in soilless culture system

Cut foliages are an important component of the floricultural industry, largely used in decoration as filler in floral compositions. They provide freshness, colour and variety to arrangements and bouquets. Cordyline fruticosa is an important cut green in the world trade and used worldwide for its beautiful foliage.The increasing demand for the production of quality cut foliages pressurizes the flower growers to adopt advanced technologies even under poor resource conditions. Soilless culture is one such production system that involves precise control of nutrition and efficient use of water, which in turn resulted in quality produce commanding premium price in the market. Owing to the above demand, the present investigation was carried out during 2017-18 at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam to determine the effect of different nutrient formulations on growth and yield of Cordyline fruticosa grown in soilless culture system. Eight nutrient formulations were tested for its efficacy along with rain water as control and observations on growth and yield parameters were recorded. The results of the study revealed that Hoagland and Arnon- nutrient formulation increased growth and yield parameters of Cordyline fruticosa grown in soilless culture system.

Effects of graded nitrogen levels on the growth and quality of <i>Cordyline fruticosa</i> L. <i>variety</i> ‘Purple Compacta’ in Batticaloa district of Sri Lanka

Cordyline is a popular foliage plant with high demand in the export markets as cut decorative foliage. Nitrogen has significant effects on vegetative growth and quality of foliage plants. A shade house (50%) experiment was conducted to determine the effects of graded nitrogen levels on vegetative growth and quality of cordyline (Cordyline fruticosa var. ‘purple compacta’) plants in the Crop Farm, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with twenty replications. Five treatments were defined viz. 0.5(T1), 1.0 (T2), 1.5 (T3), 2.0 (T4) and 2.5 (T5) g nitrogen/plant/month (g/p/m). Recommended agronomic practices were followed uniformly for all treatments. Parameters viz. plant height, leaf area and plant biomass were measured at monthly interval and quality of cuttings was assessed at 3 months after transplanting. Analysis of Variance was performed to determine significant difference among treatments (p < 0.05). Results revealed that plants belong to T1 (nitrogen level 0.5g/p/m) showed significantly (p < 0.05) better performance in the measured growth parameters viz. plant height, leaf area and plant biomass while the lowest performance was observed in T5 at 3 MAT. In quality assessment, plants grown at T1 received significantly highest scores. It could be concluded that, nitrogen level of 0.5g/p/m (T1) is the suitable amount of nitrogen as growth and quality of plants was higher.

Occurrence and variation of calcium oxalate crystals in selected medicinal plant species

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals are microscopic mineralized particles found in over 215 plant families of plants. In this study, the occurrence and variation of CaOx crystals in 15 different species of commonly used medicinal plants were investigated. Information on the type and other characteristics of CaOx crystals present in medicinal plants is important considering the potential health risks posed by these crystals to humans and other animals, aside from the fact that crystal characteristics are also valuable in the taxonomic identification of plant taxa. Results showed that eight of the 15 species, namely; Abelmoschus esculentus, Acalypha indica, Amaranthus viridis, Basella alba, Bixa orellana, Codiaeum variegatum, Ipomoea batatas, and Jatropha podagrica produced druses. Only four species formed raphides and these were Bougainvillea spectabilis, Cordyline fruticosa, Impatiens balsamina, and Rhoeo spathacea, although styloids were also observed in Cordyline fruticosa. Prismatic crystals and crystal sands were the least common, the former produced only in Chorchorus olitorius and Senna alata, and the latter only in Solanum melongena. The raphides of B. spectabilis were the longest at 175.81µm while the druses of B. orellana were the smallest having a mean diameter of 16.72µm. In terms of density, C. olitorius and S. alata had the highest number of crystals per unit leaf area.

UJI DAYA ANTIINFLAMASI EKSTRAK ETANOL DAUN ANDONG (Cordyline fruticosaLinn)TERHADAP RADANG TIKUS PUTIH JANTAN (Rattus novergicus)

The assay of antiinflammatory effect of Andong ( Cordyline fruticosa Linn) leaves extract in rats with carageenan as inflamation inductor were carried out. The activity of andong ( Cordyline fruticosa Linn) leaves exstract which was administered orally in three doses ( 100 mg/kg bw, 200 mg/kg bw, and 400 mg/kg bw) and Natrium Diklofenac with 4,5 mg/kg bw doses as an positive control. Parameter testing based on feet volume measurements using the tool plethismometer. All of the andong ( Cordyline fruticosa Linn) etanol extract leaves give antiinflamatory effect, seen from the comparison of anti-inflammatory (diclofenac sodium), the extract dose of 100 mg/ kgbw, 200 mg/ kgbw, and 400 mg/ kgbw, respectively for 51.31%; 34.80%; 43.22%; 48.60%. According to Duncan statiscal method analysis with level of significance below 0,05 (p<0,05) or 95 % level of confidence, 200 mg/ kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw ethanol extract of andong’s leaves have same antiinflamatory effect with 4.5 mg/kg bw Natrium Diclofenac, while 100 mg/kg bw ethanol extract of andong’s leaves give less antiinflamatory effect the from all of group tested. Keywords:antiinflammatory, extract, Cordyline fruticosa Linn

Host Status of Commonly Planted Ornamentals to Meloidogyne incognita and Management through Endophytic Bacteria

Meloidogyne incognita is the most dangerous plant parasitic nematode species that infects a huge number of crop plants. It also infects the ornamental plants resulting in a serious growth-limiting factor in ornamentals. In this study, the response of ten ornamental plants to M. incognita was assessed in pot experiments. All the ornamental plant species showed varying degree of infection of M. incognita. Rhapis excels and Ophiopogan japonicas were moderately resistant, Cordyline fruticosa, Hibiscus syriacus and Carrisa macrocarpa were moderately susceptible, Murraya paniculata and Ficus benjamina were susceptible, F. elastica, Artemissia stelleriana and Duranta repens were highly susceptible to M. incognita infection according to a well established 0-4 galling scale. The highest galling index and reproductivity of nematodes, i.e., total number of egg masses, juveniles and females, were observed in highly susceptible plants. The values of canopy length, dry root weight, fresh root weight, root length, dry shoot weight and shoot height was variable for all plants and the maximum canopy length was recorded in C. macrocarpa, while maximum fresh root weight, dry root weight, root length and shoot weight were recorded in O. japonicus and R. escelsa, respectively. The susceptible plants were subjected to the application of endophytic bacteria Pantoea agglomerans strain MN34 and Pseudomonas putida strain MN12 in a pot experiment. Both endophytes significantly decreased the galling index and promoted the growth of the plants root length, shoot weight and canopy length; however, the highest root weight was observed in the control treatment. P. agglomerans showed more reduction in galling index and increase in plant growth than P. putida. The results concluded that M. incognita has a wide host range in ornamental plants and they could be managed by using antagonistic, growth promoting endophytic bacteria.

Extraction, preparation and application of pigments from Cordyline fruticosa and Hylocereus polyrhizus as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells

Current study employs mixture of chlorophyll-anthocyanin dye extracted from leaves of Cordyline fruticosa as new sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSCs), as well as betalains dye obtained from fruit of Hylocereus polyrhizus. Among ten pigments solvents, the ethanol and methanol extracts revealed higher absorption spectra of pigments extracted from C. fruticosa and H. polyrhizus respectively. A major effect of temperature increase was studied to increase the extraction yield. The results indicated that extraction temperature between 70 and 80°C exhibited a high dye concentration of each plant than other temperatures. The optimal temperature was around 80°C and there was a sharp decrease of dye concentration at temperatures higher than this temperature. According to experimental results, the conversion efficiency of DSSC fabricated by mixture of chlorophyll and anthocyanin dyes from C. fruticosa leaves is 0.5% with short-circuit current (Isc) of 1.3mA/cm−2, open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.62V and fill factor (FF) of 60.16%. The higher photoelectric conversion efficiency of the DSSC prepared from the extract of H. polyrhizus was 0.16%, with Voc of 0.5V, Isc of 0.4mA/cm−2 and FF of 79.16%. The DSSC based betalain dye extracted from fruit of H. polyrhizus shows higher maximum IPCE of 44% than that of the DSSCs sensitized with mixed chlorophyll-anthocyanin dye from C. fruticosa (42%).

Nutritional responses of Cordyline fruticosa var. ‘Red Edge’ to fertigation with leachates vs. conventional fertigation: Sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium

The sequential reuse of drainage water in greenhouse horticulture production to grow successively more salt tolerant crops is proposed as a sustainable alternative to recirculation systems when the irrigation water quality is low. This practice is known as Serial Biological Concentration or Integrated Farm Drainage Management. The objective of this assay was to assess the nutritional responses of Cordyline fruticosa var. ‘Red Edge’ (a semi-tolerant crop) fertigated with leachates from Citrullus lanatus (horticultural crop) cultivated on rockwool, compared to a conventional fertigation. Four treatments were tested: T1 (nutritionally balanced control or standard nutrient solution, with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.5dSm−1); T2 (saline control; T2 diluted to an EC of 1.5dSm−1, afterwards, NaCl was added to achieve 2.5dSm−1);T3 (pure leachate from the hydroponic culture of C. lanatus), and T4 (diluted leachates, T3 diluted with irrigation water to 2.5dSm−1). At the end of the trial, biometric parameters were determined and Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations and the accumulation in photosynthetic organs (leaves), conductive organs (stems and petioles) and absorption organs (roots) were measured. The treatments tested had no effect on the number of leaves, leaf area per plant, leaf size, plant fresh and dry weight and shoot:root dry weight ratio. Nevertheless, the plants fertigated with pure leachates were significantly smaller. Regarding the plants’ fresh:dry weight ratio, this was significantly lower when plants were fertigated with pure leachates than with diluted leachates. The use of pure leachates does not cause an increment in total Na+ accumulation with respect to the nutritionally balanced control because Na+ concentration increases only in stems and petioles. Total K+ accumulation decreased when plants were irrigated with solutions with high concentrations of NaCl. The high Ca2+ concentration in the non-diluted leachate led to a high total Ca2+ accumulation. Total Mg2+ accumulation was affected negatively by Ca2+ uptake. It can be concluded that diluted leachates from C. lanatus can be used for the fertigation of C. fruticosa.

FTIR PHYTOCHEMICAL FINGERPRINTING AND ANTIOXIDANT ANLYSES OF SELECTED INDOOR NON-FLOWERING INDOOR PLANTS AND THEIR INDUSTRIAL IMPORTANCE

Objective: phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity analyses of selected indoor plants and to evaluate commercial applications.Methods: Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses of alcoholic and aquatic crude extracts of leaves of selected non-flowering indoor plants were assessed using standard protocols and later compared with FTIR analyses. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the extracts were studiedResults: Phytochemical analysis of polar solvent extractions of the four selected plants Pedilanthus tithymaloides, Cordyline terminalis, Tradescantia zebrine and Rhoeo discolou. Indicated the presence of tannins in all four varieties terpenoids in 3, flavonols, phytosterols and phenols in two plants, followed by alkaloids. The phytochemical analyses were supported by FTIR reports. Quantitative studies indicated variations in flavonol, tannin and phenols concentrations among the four species. High concentrations of Total flavonols (P. tithymaloides) and Tannins (C. terminalis) were observed. C. terminalis extract showed comparatively highest reducing power followed by R. discolour and P. tithymaloides extracts. Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing indicated P. tithymaloides showed a maximum zone of inhibition compared to R. discolor. C. terminalis plant leaf extract showed a faint zone of inhibition against E. fecalis while others couldnot. Intense colors of C. terminalis and T. zebrine plants could be used as a natural dye as well as pH indicator. Conclusion: The rich concentrations of the tannins from non-flowering indoor plants could be the future option of dyes and dyeing industry as natural colorants as well as pH indicators. These plants were rich sources of phytochemicals (phenols, flavonols, tannins, and phytosterols), with antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Effect of Glutamine, Biotin and ADP on Micropropagation and Growth of Chrysanthemum hybridum, Gerbera jamesonii and Cordyline fruticosa In vitro

The effect of glutamine, biotin and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) on growth and cultivars micropropagation of three ornamental species was investigated. The addition of 10 ? 100 mg/l glutamine in culture media significantly increased rate of multiplication in Cordyline fruticosa and 100 mg/l glutamine showed the same effect for Gerbera jamesonii. Addition of glutamine did not show any effect on shoot length, root number and length in all the three species. Addition of 1 ? 3 mg/l biotin increased shoot length of Gerbera jamesonii but inhibited shoot length of Cordyline fruticosa and decreased root length of Chrysanthemum hybridum and Gerbera jamesonii. Addition of 5.0 mg/l ADP significantly increased multiplication rate of Cordyline fruticosa and 1.0 mg/l ADP showed similar effect for Gerbera jamesonii.Plant Tissue Cult. &amp; Biotech. 26(1): 97-104, 2016 (June)

Effect of different coloured shade nets on production and quality of cordyline

Cordyline terminalis is an important ornamental plant used for its beautiful foliage as cut green. This plant prefers shade for optimum growth. The effect of different coloured shade nets (red, green, black, and white with 50% shading intensity) along with control (without shade net) on production and quality of Cordyline terminalis was studied. The effect of spectral control of light on physiology and vegetative development was evaluated at different crop growth stages. The results showed that plants grown under shade nets produce good quality foliage and biomass irrespective of colour. The cut greens grown under red and white shade nets were exposed to higher PAR and transmittance than other colour nets and hence had better performance in terms of plant height, number of leaves, biomass, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, harvest index compared to control. Vase life of the foliage was higher under coloured shade nets when compared to open condition but significance difference was not found between different colours. White and red shade nets were found to be best for growing cordyline.

Nutritional responses of Cordyline fruticosa var. ‘Red Edge’ to fertigation with leachates vs. conventional fertigation: Chloride, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphate

In closed soilless growing systems, leachates are used for the fertigation of the same culture, which is known as recirculation. This technology has been widely studied. It constitutes an environmentally friendly system because it prevents the leaching of chemicals into the environment, contributing to the sustainability of the horticultural sector. Nevertheless, the use of low quality water makes its application difficult. Moreover, as salinity increases in leachates, specific ions may become toxic or interfere with the uptake of other nutrients. In these situations, the sequential reuse of drainage waters to grow successively more salt tolerant crops, a practice which is known as Serial Biological Concentration or Integrated Farm Drainage Management, may be proposed. The aim of this trial was to assess the nutritional responses of Cordyline fruticosa var. ‘Red Edge’ (a semi-tolerant crop) fertigated with leachates from Citrullus lanatus cultivated on rockwool, compared with to conventional fertigation. There were 4 treatments: T1 (nutritionally balanced control or standard nutrient solution, with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 2.5dSm−1),T2 (saline control; T2 diluted to an EC of 1.5dSm−1; afterwards, NaCl was added to achieve 2.5dSm−1),T3 (pure leachates from the hydroponic culture of C. lanatus) and T4 (diluted leachates, T3 diluted with irrigation water to 2.5dSm−1). Dry weight (DW) and Cl−, N, P and SO42− concentrations as well as the extraction of photosynthetic organs (leaves), conductive organs (stems and petioles) and absorption organs (roots) were measured. The results obtained confirmed that diluted leachates can be employed for the fertigation of C. fruticosa ‘Red Edge’, because there were no effects on the plants DW, and no significant differences in Cl−, N, P or SO42− concentrations in leaves with respect to the nutritionally balanced control.

Optimization of dye extraction from Cordyline fruticosa via response surface methodology to produce a natural sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells

In the present work, the application of response surface methodology (RSM) for the optimization of process parameters in the chlorophyll extraction from Cordyline fruticosa leaves was performed. The absorbance of the extract obtained from the extraction process under different conditions was estimated using the D-optimal design in RSM. Three different process parameters such as the nature of organic solvent based on their boiling point (ethanol, methanol, and acetonitrile), pH (4–8) and extraction temperature (50–90°C) were optimized for chlorophyll extraction. The effects of these parameters on the absorbance or concentration of the extract were evaluated using ANOVA results of quadratic polynomial regression. The results showed a high R2 and adjusted R2 correlation coefficients of 0.9963 and 0.9921 respectively. Moreover, the analysis of the final quadric model based on the design experiments indicated an optimal extraction condition of pH of 7.99, extraction temperature of 78.33°C, and a solvent boiling point, 78°C. The predicted absorbance was 1.006, which is in good agreement with the experimentally obtained result of 1.04 at 665nm wavelength. The application of pigment obtained under the optimal condition was further evaluated as a sensitizer for the dye sensitized solar cells. Maximum solar conversion efficiency (η) of 0.5% was achieved for the C. fruticosa leaf extract obtained under the optimum extraction conditions. Furthermore, the exposure of the leaf pigment to 100mW/cm2 simulated sunlight yielded a short circuit photocurrent density (Isc) of 1.3mA, open circuit voltage (Voc) of 616mV, and a fill factor (ff) of 60.16%.

Effect of shade levels on production and quality of cordyline (Cordyline terminalis)

An investigation was carried out during 2013-14 to study the effect of different shade levels on the production and quality of cordyline (Cordyline terminalis Kunth.) under the subtropical condition of New Delhi, India. The effect of spectral control of light on physiology and vegetative development was evaluated at different crop growth stages. Shade nets did not only protect plants from high light intensities but also improved the vegetative growth, yield, vase life and quality of cordyline cut greens irrespective of shade level. Different shade levels modified microclimates, PAR, transmittance and canopy temperature. The shading improved plant characters like height, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, leaf area, fresh weight, harvest index and vase life. The plants grown under different shade levels showed improved photosynthetic activity and reduced transpiration rate. Plants grown under 50% shade level were taller, along with more number of leaves having longer petiole, chlorophyll content which can be attributed to higher photosynthetic rate, whereas harvest index and vase life was optimum. Overall, shade net with 50% shading was found best for commercial production of cordyline cut greens.

Evaluation of Cut-Foliage Plants for Eastern Ghats

A maiden attempt was made at Horticultural Research Station (HRS), a constituent research unit of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, located at Yercaud, Salem District, Tamil Nadu, India during 2012-2013 to assess the suitability of various ornamental foliage plant species under Shevroys /Eastern Ghats conditions. Considerable variation was found in quantitative and qualitative parameters among the foliage species. The study recommends Nephrolepis cordifolia and Asparagus sprengeri as suitable liners, while, large-leaved species like Cordyline fruticosa and Philodendron xanadu as background materials in larger arrangements, and the smaller-leaved Dracaena reflexa var. angustifolia for smaller arrangements.

In vitro propagation and preliminary results of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of Cordyline fruticosa

A method for in vitro propagation through axillary shoot proliferation and induction of adventitious shoots as well as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Cordyline fruticosa is presented. In vitro Cordyline shoots were cultured on MS medium supplemented 0–4mgl−1 thidiazuron (TDZ) for their multiplication. MS medium supplemented with 0.1mgl−1 TDZ proved to be the most effective in which 14 shoots per explants were obtained. Leaf segments were excised from in vitro axillary shoots and cultured on MS medium supplemented with TDZ (0–5mgl−1) for callus induction. Following induction, the non-embryogenic calluses were proliferated on MS medium without plant growth regulators. A rapid and efficient method for producing transgenic plants has been developed for Cordyline via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Leaf segments from in vitro shoots were co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105, which harbored the binary vector carrying the bar and β-glucuronidase (GUS) genes in the T-DNA region. The results showed that the number of plants expressing GUS gene first increased with inoculation time and bacterial density (OD600), and then dramatically decreased with the increment of both factors. The highest percentage of transformation efficiency (85%) was obtained when the leaf segment explants were inoculated with Agrobacterium for up to 40min at OD600 of 1.0 followed by 80 and 75% at OD600 of 0.8 and 1.2, respectively. The transgenes were confirmed in transgenic plants using GUS primers and gave the expected band size of 750bp. The results suggested that infection time and Agrobacterium density could have some effects on the transformation efficiency. Southern blot analysis was used for definitive confirmation of tDNA integration in Cordyline and confirmed the results of histochemical GUS assay and PCR amplifications. Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized in greenhouse.

Evaluation of the Suitability of Sewage and Recycled Water for Irrigation of Ornamental Plants

The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the sewage water and recycled treated water on three ornamental plant species, including Umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius), Euonymus (Euonymus japonicas), and Dracaena (Cordyline terminalis). Plants in the pots were irrigated with equal volumes of water in 2-day intervals. Treatment plants were analyzed for sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb) concentrations, in roots and shoots. The experiment was conducted by using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance technique and least significance difference (LSD) test was applied at 5% probability level. Plants species performed better in sewage water after recycled water, in terms of growth, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, and leaf thickness, which proved sewage water accelerates the growth and development of ornamental foliage plants, but plants irrigated with this water exhibited greater concentration of Pb than other treatments.

Effect of solvents on the extraction of natural pigments and adsorption onto TiO2 for dye-sensitized solar cell applications

Nine solvents, namely, n-hexane, ethanol, acetonitrile, chloroform, ethyl-ether, ethyl-acetate, petroleum ether, n-butyl alcohol, and methanol were used to extract natural dyes from Cordyline fruticosa, Pandannus amaryllifolius and Hylocereus polyrhizus. To improve the adsorption of dyes onto the TiO2 particles, betalain and chlorophyll dyes were mixed with methanol or ethanol and water at various ratios. The adsorption of the dyes mixed with titanium dioxide (TiO2) was also observed. The highest adsorption of the C.fruticosa dye mixed with TiO2 was achieved at ratio 3:1 of methanol: water. The highest adsorption of P.amaryllifolius dye mixed with TiO2 was observed at 2:1 of ethanol: water. H.polyrhizus dye extracted by water and mixed with TiO2 demonstrated the highest adsorption among the solvents. All extracted dye was adsorbed onto the surface of TiO2 based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The inhibition of crystallinity of TiO2 was likewise investigated by X-ray analysis. The morphological properties and composition of dyes were analyzed via SEM and EDX.

A new species of gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) feeding on ornamentalCordyline fruticosa(Asparagaceae) in Australia

Larvae of an undescribed gall midge were found feeding on leaves and stems within leaf sheaths and between leaf blades of potted plants of Cordyline fruticosa (Asparagaceae) in a production nursery in Queensland. The following varieties of the host plant were infested: ‘Apple Blossom’, ‘Glauca’, ‘Kilauea’, ‘Negra’, ‘Pink Diamond’, ‘Purple Prince’ and ‘Willy's Gold’. The new species, Dasineura cordylineae Kolesik sp. nov., is described and its cytochrome oxidase unit I mitochondrial gene segment is sequenced. The new species is the first known gall midge feeding on a plant species of the genus Cordyline. Orange larvae induce oval shallow swellings on the leaf and stem tissue, which becomes necrotised during the later stage of larval feeding. Necrotic areas remain visible to the end of leaves' lives and decrease the market value of the plants. In the production nursery investigated, the lesions caused by the gall midge provided an entry for a fungal infection by Fusarium sp. inflicting further injury to plants. Larvae of the new species were preyed on by larvae of Gaurax sp. (Diptera: Chloropidae). This is the first worldwide record of Chloropidae preying on Cecidomyiidae.