Cucurbitaceae Species Research Articles

Seed globulins of various species of cucurbitaceae

Globulins isolated from 6 species of the Cucurbitaceae family ( C. maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, Luffa cylindrica, Lagenaria vulgaris, and Momordica charantia) were studied. Nitrogen content of the globulins varied from 18.3 to 18.8%, with a mean of 18.6%. Of the individual amino acids, the most abundant were arginine and glutamic acid. Content of histidine, proline, serine, and tyrosine showed relatively higher variability within the group of species compared. MWs of the globulins, determined with Sephadex G 200, were 241 000 ( C. maxima, C. pepo), 248 000 ( C. moschata, L. cylindrica), 256 000 ( L. vulgaris), and 218 000 ( M. charantia). By ultracentrifugal analysis of globulins in 2 M NACl (pH 8), 3 fractions were identified in all the species except M. charantia, their sedimentation coefficients being in the range of (1) 5.2 S–7.2 S, (2) 15.3 S–17.2 S, and (3) 10.4–11.2 S. The latter fraction predominated in all the species, its amount was 94–96% of total globulins. Differences in electrophoretic properties of the globulins and their subunits produced in the presence of 8 M urea and by oxidative splitting with performic acid, respectively, and results of electrophoresis in SDS-acrylamide gels are also discussed.

Structure, Ontogeny and Taxonomic Significance of Stomata in Some Cucurbitaceae

AbstractStomatal structure, ontogeny in vegetative and floral organs of 9 genera and 12 species of Cucurbitaceae are described. The stomatal types conform to aperigenous, monoperigenous, diperigenous, hemipara‐mesoperigenous and para‐mesoperigenous types of Fryns‐Claessens & Van Cotthem (1973). Stomatal abnormalities such as contiguous stomata, single guard cells with or without pore, one and a half stomata, degeneration of one or both the guard cells, cytoplasmic connections between guard cells of neighbouring stomata and a guard cell of a stoma and an adjacent epidermal cell, and division of guard cells are described. Stomata index, frequency of stomata, epidermal cells, size of guard and epidermal cells and organwise distribution of stomata are given. Stomatal studies does not support the view that the Cucurbitaceae are related to the Passifloraceae. The inclusion of 9 genera and 12 species studied in the tribe Cucumerineae is justified.

Host Preferences of Acalymma vittatum (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) among Certain Cucurbitaceae

The leaf-feeding preferences of the striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.), were determined in paired comparison tests among 8 species of New and Old World Cucurbitaceae. Cucurbita maxima Duch., of probable South American origin, and Cucumis sativus L. of Old World origin were most preferred for feeding. Cucurbita pepo L., C. mixta Pang., and C. moschata Poir. were intermediate in preference. These 3 cucurbits are thought to have originated in Mexico within the recorded area of present-day A. vittatum distribution. The least preferred were Old World species Citrullus vulgaris Schrad., Cucumis melo L., and Layenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.

Host range, properties and purification of raspberry bushy dwarf virus

SUMMARYRaspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) was found in all plants of Lloyd George raspberry with bushy dwarf disease and occurred occasionally in plants of some other cultivars. It was transmitted by inoculation of sap to fifty‐five other species in twelve families of flowering plants and infected most of them symptomlessly. It caused systemic symptoms in some species of Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Cucurbitaceae, and necrotic local lesions in some Leguminosae. It did not induce bushy dwarf disease when returned to Lloyd George raspberry. Chenopodium quinoa was used for propagating the virus and Vigna cylindrica for local lesion assay. In C. quinoa sap, RBDV lost infectivity when diluted 10‐4, heated for 10 min at 65 °C or stored for 4 days at 22 °C. Preparations made by twice precipitating the virus at pH 4·8 and resuspending it at pH 7·0, followed by ultracentrifugation and exclusion chromatography in columns of 2 % agarose beads, contained isometric particles about 33 nm in diameter, which sedimented as two components, with sedimentation coefficients of 111 and 116S. Only a few particles, all of them disrupted, were seen in preparations mounted in phosphotungstate, but the particles were well preserved in uranyl formate provided that they were first dispersed in a saxlt such as MgCl2 instead of distilled water. Many particles were oval in outline as though distorted during drying.No serological relationship was detected between RBDV and twenty‐four other isometric viruses nor between RBDV and the filamentous virus apple chlorotic leafspot, to which it was previously thought to be related. An isolate of loganberry degeneration virus was serologically indistinguishable from RBDV.

Studies on the Seed Oils from Two Species of Cucurbitaceae

Seed oils from two species of cucurbitaceae (Kikarasu-uri and Prince melon) were investigated on their general properties, the fatty acid compositions determined by gas chromatography and on the characteristics of unsaponifiable matters. The oils were obtained by extracting the dried seeds with ether. The general properties were as follows ; Kikarasu-uri (d24 4 0.9235, n22 D 1.4555, I.V. 121.5, S.V. 210.5), Prince melon (d18 4 0.9180, n18 D 1.4765, I.V. 135.1, A.V. 3.5, S.V. 190.7). >The fatty acid compositions were C12 : 0, 1.8; C12 : 1, 1.5; C14 : 0, 0.8; C14 : 1, 0.9; C16 : 0, 5.7; C18 : 1, 17.0; C18 : 2, 44.7; C18 : 3, 3.3; C20 : 0, 6.1; C20 : 1, 15.8 and C20 : 2, 2.4 in the case of Kikarasu-uri, and C12 : 00.6; C12 : 1, 0.7;C14 : 0, 0.5;C14 : 1, 0.2; C16 : 0, 9.1;C16 : 1, 1.8; C18 : 1, 10.2; C18 : 2, 60.9; C18 : 3, 1.7; C20 : 1, 2.9 and C20 : 2, 11.4 in the case of Prince melon. The main sterols in unsaponifiable matters of Kikarasu-uri and Prince melon were considered to be brassicasterol and poriferasterol, respectively.

Tricyclandra Leandrii, espèce malgache d'un genre nouveau de Cucurbitacées

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image sizeSummaryDescription of a new genus and one new species of Cucurbitaceae from Madagascar, Tricyclandra Leandrii Keraudren. Taxinomic discussion, latin diagnosis and geographical notes.

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF SOME CUCURBITACEAE SEED OILS

Seed oils of nine species of Cucurbitaceae were analyzed by gas chromatography and other techniques. The oil of Ecballiumelaterium yielded 22% of punicic acid; Cucumisdipsaceus and Cucurbitaficifolia had the ordinary palmitic–oleic–linoleic composition; a variety of Momordicacharantia had 57% of α-eleostearic acid. Occurrence of punicic acid as the major acid of Trichosanthesanguina was confirmed. No evidence could be found for the existence of an isomer of linoleic acid in Telfairiapedata oil. The fatty acid composition was determined quantitatively for the above oils and for those of Cucumismelo, Lagenariasiceraria, and Luffacylindrica. The 4-bromophenacyl esters of α-eleostearic and punicic acids were prepared.

Studies on indicator plants for citrus viruses. 1

1. Thirty two species of leguminous plants were inoculated with the sap from the young shoots of Satsuma orange showing symptoms of Satsuma dwarf. Nine species including cowpea (Vigna sinensis Endl.), asparagus bean (Vigna sesquipedalis Wight), kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), Crotalaria spectabilis Roth, peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus L.), sword bean (Canavalia gladiota DC.), and Japanese clover (Microlespedeza striata Makino) were proved to be susceptible to a virus present in the affetced trees. Two species of Chenopodiaceae and three species of Cucurbitaceae were not subject to it. The authors temporarily propose the name “Satsuma dwarf virus” to this legume infecting virus.2. Among the susceptible plants listed above, Blackeye cowpea and kidney bean (Satisfaction) showed the most characteristic symptoms. The former showed mottling and vein clearing on the leaves, and necrotic streaks on the petioles as well as on the stems. The latter also developed clear mottling and vein clearing on the foliage of most plants that were infected by sap-inoculation. These two species appear to be good indicator plants. However, retransmission from infected legume plants to Satsuma orange has not been successful in the tests so far conducted.3. Higher percentages of infection resulted when the expressed sap was buffered with about an equal volume of 0.05-0.1mol solution of K2HPO4.4. One-month old shoots of affected Satsuma orange were demonstrated to carry highly active virus in the leaves, bark and wood portions. One-year old shoots and relatively old current shoots carried active virus in the wood, but not in the bark of twigs or the leaves.

Plant Material from a Cave on the Rio Zape, Durango, Mexico

AbstractPlant remains from La Cueva de los Muertos Chiquitos consist mostly of cultivated plants, beans, corn, and cucurbits. The inhabitants also gathered acorns, pinon nuts, black walnuts, and opuntia fruits for food, and used yucca, agave, and possibly cotton for fibers. The beans are unusually abundant and diverse: three species and 12 types or varieties. A type of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) and two common beans (P. vulgaris), one of them similar to the cultivar Wells Red Kidney, are new to the Southwest and to northwestern Mexico. The lima bean is of interest because it belongs to the round-seeded Carib group with a center of diversification in the West Indies, whereas other lima beans from the prehistoric Southwest are mostly small-seeded and flat, probably derived from Central America. Five races of corn are represented: an ancient race called Chapalote; Cristalina de Chihuahua, the most numerous race in the collections; Onaveño, a race with medium-sized, hard-flint kernels; Pima-Papago, the common soft flour corn of the Arizona-Sonora border; and Toluca Pop, a central Mexican pyramidal, pointed popcorn. Cob fragments and grains show definite evidence of hybridization with Tripsacum or teosinte. Three species of cultivated Cucurbitaceae, a wild species of Cucurbita, and a species of Apodanthera were identified. Fragments of gourds, mostly Lagenaria siceraria, are relatively abundant. Seeds and peduncles of Cucurbita pepo occur in strata throughout the entire profile. Cucurbita mixta was found in the later strata, but remains of this species are meagre. Seeds of Apodanthera sp. may have been used for food. A single wood sample from near the base of the midden produced a radiocarbon date of A.D. 660 (1300 ± 100 B.P.).

Sex mechanism in Coccinia indica Wight and Arn.

SOME of the diœcious species of Cucurbitaceae have been cytologically investigated by several previous workers to ascertain whether the morphological differences in flowers between the sexes could be correlated with any observable chromosomal differences of their gametes. So far, only two species among members of this family, namely, Trichosanthes japonica1–3 and Coccinia indica4–6 have been found to possess well-defined sex-chromosomes. In T. japonica, the male is reported to be the heterogametic sex, whereas in C. indica contrary evidences have been furnished by Kumar and Deodikar6 and Bhaduri and Bose4. The present note is based on the results of a critical cytological investigation of different sex types, such as the diploid male and female, the gynodiœcious form and a triploid male of C. indica.

On the symbiotic affinity caused by the grafting among Cucurbitaceae species

On the symbiotic affinity caused by the grafting among Cucurbitaceae species

Extrafloral Glands of Cucurbitaceæ

I HAVE already pointed out1 that quite a good number of species of Cucurbitaceae are provided with well engineered devices for exudation of surplus water and waste substances. These plants, being primarily moisture loving, have structures especially suited to exudation of aqueous fluids which are absorbed in quantity in excess to the requirement, physiological conditions being very favourable for rapid absorption. The genera Coccinia, Luffa, Lagenaria, Momordica, Cucurbita, etc., develop extrafloral nectaries. In Coccinia cordifolia (Linn.) Cogn. a few glistening glands are present on the lamina round about the basal region of the midrib on the adaxial leaf surface ; in Luffa acutangula (Linn.) Roxb. and L. cylindrica (Linn.) Roem. these glands are often found scattered all over the lamina besides a special fleshy glandular probract being developed at the base of the peduncle of the male and female inflorescences ; in Lagenaria vulgaris Ser. (Lagenaria leucantha (Duch.) Rusby) two bilateral glands are present at the remote end of the petiole and in Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. a few are found at the petiole end or on the lateral marginal costa at the leaf-base ; in Cucurbita pepo Linn., C. maxima Duchesne and C. moschata Poiret minute club-shaped glands do develop at the abaxial leaf surface.