Cyclamen Persicum Research Articles

Use of Conyza canadensis L. Extracts as Biostimulant in Cyclamen persicum Mill.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) is an ornamental plant that is highly susceptible to pathogens, requiring high amounts of phytosanitary products. Therefore, the development of more sustainable alternatives has been required. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of C. canadensis root extract (aqueous and with dichloromethane) applied via foliar or soil, in C. persicum, on gas exchange and the SPAD index and on the biomass of cyclamen. The aqueous extract treatment increased net CO2 assimilation, the transpiration rates, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. The water use efficiency values were reduced in the treatments with both extracts. The greatest increases in the SPAD index were provided by the aqueous extract. The cyclamens that received the aqueous extract applied in soil or the dichloromethane extract applied in leaves showed an increase in total biomass and number of leaves. To identify the compounds present in the extracts, CG-MS and LC-MS/MS analyses were performed. The positive effects obtained indicated a high biostimulant effect of C. Canadensis. Thus, the root extracts of C. Canadensis, particularly the aqueous extracts, have the potential to be used to reduce the use of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, promoting agroecological practices and contributing to sustainable agriculture.

The first complete chloroplast genome of Cyclamen persicum and its phylogenetic position within Primulaceae

Cyclamen persicum Mill., 1768, is a perennial herb of Primulaceae and is native to the Mediterranean region. In this study, we sequenced the chloroplast genome of Cyclamen persicum. Its complete chloroplast contained 151,911 nucleotides, including a large single-copy (LSC) region with a length of 83,191 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region with a length of 17,922 bp, and a pair of reverse repeat IR regions (25,399 bp). The C. persicum chloroplast genome encoded 112 unique genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The GC content of the entire genome was 37.25%, lower than that of many angiosperm plastome. The phylogenetic result indicated that C. persicum exhibited the closest relationship with Cyclamen rohlfsianum, and provided new information for the phylogeny relationship of genus Cyclamen.

Anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of chemically fingerprinted extract from Cyclamen persicum Mill.

In the last few decades, researchers have thoroughly studied the use of plants in Palestine, one of them is Cyclamen persicum Mill. (C. persicum). Cyclamen persicum has been historically cultivated since the 1700s due to its tuber. The tuber is known to stimulate the nasal receptors, thus triggering the sensory neurons. Cyclamen persicum has anti-inflammatory effects, reduces cholesterol levels, treats diabetes, and inhibits tumor growth. In this respect, in-vitro examination of antibacterial and anticancer activities and antioxidative potency of C. persicum ethanolic extract were evaluated. The antioxidative potency of the extracted plant material was determined spectrophotometrically using the DPPH free radical scavenging method and the HPLC–PDA method to evaluate its total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The experimental results demonstrated limited antibacterial activity of C. persicum extract against both gram negative (E. coli) and gram positive (Streptococcus and S. aureus) bacterial strains, with the observed zones of inhibition measuring less than 8 mm. On the other hand, powerful activity against MCF7 breast cancer as well as HT29 colon cancer cell lines was obtained. The findings also revealed potent inhibition of free radicals and the presence of maximal levels of natural products such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which supportits biological activities and powerful ability to scavenge free radicals. HPLC results showed the presence of numerous flavonoid and phenolic compounds such as rutin, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, trans-cinnamic acid, quercetin, sinapic acid, and p-coumaric acid.

First report of Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum theobromicola on Cyclamen persicum in South Carolina, USA.

Florist's cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is an herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean region and has become an increasingly popular plant around the world. Leaves of these plants are cordate-shaped with varying green and silver patterns. Flowers vary in color from white through different shades of pink, lavender, and red. In September 2022, symptoms of anthracnose including leaf spots and chlorosis, wilting, dieback, and crown and bulb rot were observed on 20 to 30% of approximately 1,000 cyclamen plants in an ornamental production nursery in Sumter County, SC. Tissue samples surrounding the necrotic crowns were excised and sterilized in 10% bleach for 1 min, rinsed in sterile water, placed onto acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA), and incubated at 25°C with 24-h photoperiod. A total of five Colletotrichum isolates, 22-0729-A, 22-0729-B, 22-0729-C, 22-0729-D, and 22-0729-E were obtained by transferring hyphal tips to new plates. The morphology of these five isolates was identical, observed as gray and black with aerial gray-white mycelia and orange-colored spore masses. Conidia (n=50) measured 19.4 ± 5.1 mm (11.7 to 27.1 mm) in length and 5.1 ± 0.8 mm (3.7 to 7.9 mm) in width. Conidia were tapered with rounded ends. Setae and irregular appressoria were infrequently observed in aged cultures (> 60-day-old). These morphological features resembled those of members of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex (Rojas et al. 2010; Weir et al. 2012). Sequence of the internal transcript spacer (ITS) region of a representative isolate 22-0729-E (GenBank accession No. OQ413075) is 99.8% (532 / 533 nt) and 100% (533 / 533 nt) identical to those of the ex-neotype of Co. theobromicola CBS124945 (JX010294) and the ex-epitype of Co. fragariae (= Co. theobromicola) CBS 142.31 (JX010286), respectively. Its glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene sequence is 99.6% (272 / 273 nt) identical to those of CBS124945 (JX010006) and CBS 142.31 (JX010024). Its actin (ACT) gene sequence shares 99.7% (281 / 282 nt) and 100% (282 / 282 nt) identities with those of CBS124945 (JX009444) and CBS 142.31 (JX009516), respectively. Lastly, its beta-tubulin 2 (TUB2) gene sequence is 99.6% (704 / 707 nt) and 100% (707 / 707 nt) identical to those of CBS124945 (JX010447) and CBS 142.31 (JX010373), respectively. The causal agent causing anthracnose on cyclamen in SC was identified as Co. theobromicola. To confirm the pathogenicity, cyclamen 'Verano Red' plants grown in 2.5-inch pots were used in two pathogenicity assays using different inoculation methods. In the first assay, three plants were inoculated by spraying a conidial suspension (1 × 106 conidia per ml; 30 ml per plant) of isolate 22-0729-E onto the foliage. Three non-inoculated control plants were sprayed with distilled water. All six plants were placed in a plastic tray with wet paper towels. The tray was placed at 22°C for an 8-h photoperiod and covered for 7 days to maintain humidity. Early symptoms including small spots, marginal necrosis, and chlorosis were observed on leaves and flowers 8 days after inoculation (DAI) and the entire aboveground tissues of inoculated plants were blighted 13 to 21 DAI. Non-inoculated plants remained asymptomatic. In the second assay, sterile toothpicks were used to slightly wound the crown and bulb surface of three plants and secure a mycelial APDA plug of isolate 22-0729-E (5×5 mm2) onto each wound (three wounds per plant). Three control plants were wounded in the same manner, while sterile APDA plugs were used in place of mycelial plugs. All six plants were maintained in the same manner as in the first assay. Apparent leaf yellowing and wilting symptoms appeared as early as 13 DAI. On 21 to 28 DAI, severe crown rot on inoculated plants caused the entire foliage to collapse. At least one third of the inner crown and bulb tissues of each inoculated plant were rotten, while those of non-inoculated plants appeared healthy. Each assay was repeated once. Colletotrichum isolates resembling morphological characters of 22-0729-E were recovered from leaves and inner crown tissues of all inoculated plants in both assays, respectively, but not from non-inoculated control plants. Anthracnose diseases on Cyclamen persicum caused by Co. theobromicola (syn. Co. fragariae) have been reported in NC, USA (Lui et al. 2011) and Israel (Sharma et al. 2016). This is the first report of anthracnose on cyclamen in SC, USA. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (teleomorph Glomerella cingulate) species complex on cyclamen has also been reported in Argentina (Wright et al. 2006), South Africa, and several other U.S. states (Farr and Rossman 2022). However, it remains unknown whether these previous reports in fact attributed to Co. theobromicola due to lack of molecular identification (Weir et al. 2012). Colletotrichum theobromicola can cause diseases on at least 30 other agricultural and horticultural crops such as strawberry, cacao, and boxwood (Farr and Rossman 2022). It may pose a threat to cyclamen in greenhouse and nursery productions. Therefore, management strategies are warranted in the future.

Top Edible Wild Plants of Eastern Mediterranean Region Part II: Anti-inflammatory Activity

In the first part of this series of review articles, we presented the anticancer activities of the most important wild edible plants of eastern Mediterranean region, which we named as the “Deca-plants” (D-P). In this review article, we will present the anti-inflammatory activities of these very important plants. After a brief introduction, anti-inflammatory activities of the D-P will be introduced in both traditional medicine of the peoples of this region, and in published scientific literature. Methods of use will be presented in the first part, and methods of testing and results, for modern research. In both cases, some of the D-P have notable anti-inflammatory activities. In the extensive discussion section of this article, a major focus will be presented for anti-inflammatory activities of natural products contained in these plants, and some comparisons will be made with other plants. At this point, it is worth mentioning that the D-P have notably different number of anti-inflammatory activity reports, where on the top of them Foeniculum vulgare can be found. Contrary to that and to the best of our knowledge, Cyclamen persicum was not published for anti-inflammatory activity, even though some of its secondary metabolites are very well known for having this activity. Typical search methods were used for finding relevant literature. Finally, the conclusions of this article will be accompanied with recommendations for future research.

Double-haploid plant production through anther and ovule culture of wild Cyclamen persicum Mill. and Melody F1 cyclamen cultivar

Double-haploid plant production through anther and ovule culture of wild Cyclamen persicum Mill. and Melody F1 cyclamen cultivar

First report of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' associated with cyclamen little leaf in Hungary.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a small perennial flowering plant with fragrant, showy flowers on long stems rising above the foliage. Between 2018 and 2022, about 6% of C. persicum plants belonging to diverse varieties showed stunting, leaf yellowing, virescence and phyllody in commercial nurseries at three locations (Tiszabög, Szombathely and Kecskemét) in Hungary. These symptoms are similar to those associated with the phytoplasma disease described in Italy known as cyclamen little leaf (Bertaccini, 1990) were observed in plants of six cyclamen cultivars: in 21 out of 352 plants of Super Serie Mini Winter 'Mix', 19 out of 286 plants of Super Serie Micro 'Mix', 12 out of 199 plants of Halios 'Mix', 3 out of 17 plants of Fantasia 'Purple', 1 out of 7 plants of Curly 'Early Mix Evolution' and 4 out of 66 plants of Halios Curly 'Rose' plants. Total DNA was extracted from petioles collected when possible from 10 symptomatic and 5 symptomless plants from each cultivar by a CTAB method (Ahrens and Seemüller 1992) and used as templates for PCR. Phytoplasma 16S rDNA was amplified using universal primers P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 (Lee et al. 1998 and references therein). Translocase protein (secY) gene was amplified with AYsecY_F-46 (5'-AAGCAGCCATTTTAGCAGTTG-3') and AYsecY_R1450 (5'-AAGTAATCAGCTATCATTTGGTTAGT-3') primer pair, which was designed on the basis of aster yellows (AY) phytoplasma secY sequences available in Genbank. Elongation factor Tu (tuf) was amplified with fTuf1/rTuf1 (Schneider et al. 1997a) primer pairs. Thermocycler conditions consisted of 98°C for 2 min, 32 cycles at 98°C for 30 s, 60°C or 55°C (in case of tuf) for 30 s and 72°C for 1 min, followed by a final extension of 72°C for 10 min with Phusion High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase (New England Biolabs, Ipswich, MA, USA). Amplicons of the expected sizes (P1/P7: 1.8 kb, R16F2n/R16R2: 1.1 kb, AYsecY_F-46/AYsecY_R1450: 1.5 kb, fTuf1/rTuf1: 1.1 kb) were produced from all symptomatic plants but not from the asymptomatic ones. Amplified PCR products were gel purified and ligated into the pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector using a CloneJET PCR cloning kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA). The cloned PCR fragments (at least three from each PCR reaction) were sequenced from both directions by LGC Genomics (Berlin, Germany) using pJET1.2 forward and reverse primers, and the obtained sequence was deposited in GenBank. The 16S rRNA gene sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. ON594635 and ON594636) showed 100% and 99.95% identity, respectively, with Onion yellows phytoplasma strain OY-M (GenBank AP006628) from the 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' 16SrI-B subgroup. . In iPhyClassifier analysis, the virtual RFLP pattern of 16S rDNA was identical (similarity coefficient 1.00) to the reference pattern of 16Sr group I, subgroup B (GenBank AP006628). This is in agreement with the results of Schneider et al. (1997b) and Seemüller et al. (1998) in Germany, where phytoplasmas associated with a cyclamen disease were enclosed in the 16SrI-B subgroup. Other researches in Italy (Alma et al., 2000) and Israel (Weintraub et al., 2007) revealed that phytoplasmas belonging to the 16SrI-C and 16SrXII-A groups have been associated with cyclamen diseases. The obtained secY and tuf gene fragments (GenBank ON564432 and ON515746) shared 99.3% and 99.9% sequence identity, respectively, with Onion yellows phytoplasma strain OY-M. To our knowledge this is the first identification of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' in cyclamen in Hungary.

Highly efficient microtuber formation, direct shoot regeneration, and root induction in Cyclamen persicum Mill. from in vitro seedling-derived tuber and leaf segments

Highly efficient microtuber formation, direct shoot regeneration, and root induction in Cyclamen persicum Mill. from in vitro seedling-derived tuber and leaf segments

Advances in the Transformation of Cyclamen persicum Mill. Through Direct Regeneration Based on an Optimized Kanamycin Selection Scheme.

Gene transfer technology has great value in ornamental plants toward the generation of varieties with new ornate characteristics. In the previous studies through the transformation of cyclamen, hygromycin was mainly used as a selective marker. However, there have been some drawbacks associated with hygromycin usage as a selecting agent. Therefore, in the current study, the optimization of kanamycin concentration in the regeneration media has been considered. Subsequently, the plant transformation using three different in vitro explants from three Cyclamen persicum cultivars using three Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains has been examined. Accordingly, the optimal kanamycin concentrations for regeneration from root and leaf explants were determined as 10 mg/L and for microtuber explants as 30 mg/L. The successful gene transformation in the antibiotic-resistant shoots were examined by PCR and UV-equipped microscopes. The gfp reporter gene transfer resulted in the highest efficiency of transformation (60%) to date, from the leaf explants of cv. Pure White inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404. In contrast, the lowest gene transfer efficiency (25%) was observed in root explants of cv. Dark Violet and cv. Neon Pink inoculated with strains GV3101 and AGL-1, respectively. The results of the current project are expandable to the subsequent investigations of Cyclamen persicum transformation.

Insights into chloroplast genome structure, intraspecific variation, and phylogeny of Cyclamen species (Myrsinoideae)

Species from the flowering plant genus Cyclamen are popular amongst consumers. In particular Cyclamen persicum Mill. has been significantly used commercially, and certain small flowering species such as Cyclamen hederifolium and Cyclamen coum are gradually growing in popularity in the potted flower market. Here, the chloroplast genomes of nine Cyclamen samples including four Cyclamen species and five varieties of C. hederifolium were sequenced for genome structure comparison, White green septal striped leaves related gene screening and DNA molecular markers were developed for phylogenetic analysis. In comparing Cyclamen species’ chloroplast genomes, gene content and gene order were found to be highly similar with the length of genomes ranging from 151,626 to 153,058 bp. The chloroplast genome of Cyclamen has 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. Based on intraspecific variation, seven hotspots, including three genes and four intergenic regions, were identified as variable markers for downstream species delimitation and interspecific relationship analyses. Moreover, a phylogenetic tree constructed with complete chloroplast genomes, revealed that Cyclamen are monophyletic with Lysimachia as the closest neighbor. Phylogenetic analyses of the 14 Cyclamen species with the seven variable regions showed five distinct clades within this genus. The highly supported topologies showed these seven regions may be used as candidate DNA barcode sequences to distinguish Cyclamen species. White green septal striped leaves is common in C. hederifolium, however the molecular mechanism of this has not yet been described. Here, we find that the intergenic region rps4-trnT-UGU seems related to white green septal striped leaves.

Effect of Pollination with Gamma Irradiated Pollen on In Vitro Regeneration of Ovule Culture in Cyclamen

The obtention of homozygous lines through in situ parthenogenesis via gamma irradiation method is a comprehensive application in vegetables. However, there are a limited number of studies on in situ parthenogenesis in ornamentals. Therefore, in situ parthenogenetic capacity of more species needs to be examined. For this purpose, the effects of pollination with gamma-irradiated pollen on in vitro ovule cultured in Cyclamen persicum L. were evaluated in this study. Flower buds were collected before anthesis and irradiated at different doses 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, and 450 Gy of gamma-ray using a Co-60 source. The control group was pollinated with non-irradiated pollen. Fruits were harvested 30 days after pollination, and isolated ovule explants were cultured on four different mediums in in vitro. M0 was control group containing half-strength MS basal media; M1 media additionally has 10 g/L maltose, 1.0 g/L proline, 2.0 g/L peptone, 200.0 mg/L spermidine and 0.5 mg/L kinetin; in addition to basal medium, M2 media additionally contains 10 g/L maltose, 1.0 g/L proline, 2.0 g/L peptone, 200.0 mg/L spermidine, 0.4 mg/L gibberellic acid (GA3) and 0.4 mg/L N6-benzyl adenine (BA). M3 media additionally contains 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.8 mg/L 6-( γ, γ-dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP). Plantlets started to form 10-12 weeks after the beginning of culture. The effects of nutrient media, irradiation dose, and their interactions on plant formation were statistically significant. The lowest plantlet regeneration (0.33%) was obtained from ovule explants exposed to 50 Gy gamma rays and cultured on M3 media while the highest plantlet regeneration (2.66%) was obtained from ovule explants cultured on M1 media 30 days after pollination with non-irradiated pollen grains. According to stomatal observations, there were no statistical differences between donor plant and in vitro regenerated plantlets.

Assessment of The Effect of Gamma Ray Treatments on Pollen Behavior in Cyclamen

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on pollen grains of Cyclamen persicum L. which is a valuable ornamental pot plant. Pollens were irradiated at different doses (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 450 Gy) of gamma-ray using Co-60 source and pollen viability and in vitro pollen germination test were carried out and tube length of in vitro germinated pollens was measured. Additionally, in vivo pollen development was visualized by performing an aniline blue fluorescence method. Average pollen viability was ranged from 82.02% to 87.03%. The highest pollen germination rate (66.13%) was observed in the control group at 24 h after irradition, while the lowest rate (28.51%) was determined in 450 Gy treatments at 72 h after irradition. The shortest pollen tube length (48.02 µm) was observed at 72 h old non-irradiated pollen grains, while the most extended pollen tube length (79.37 µm) was determined in pollen grains irradiated with 300 Gy at 24 HAI. When the irradiation dose increases from 150 Gy to 450 Gy, inhibition on pollen germination and pollen tube elongation within the style were observed.

Exogenously Applied GA3 Enhances Morphological Parameters of Tolerant and Sensitive Cyclamen persicum Genotypes under Ambient Temperature and Heat Stress Conditions.

Cyclamen genus is part of the Primulaceae family consisting of 24 species widely cultivated as ornamental and medicinal plants. They also possess high plasticity in terms of adaptability to alternating environmental conditions. In this regard, the present study investigates the germination and morphological parameters of heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive Cyclamen persicum accessions in the presence of different GA3 solutions (0, 30, 70 and 90 mg/L) under ambient temperature and heat stress conditions. Heat-tolerant genotypes, mainly C3-Smartiz Victoria (6.42%), C15-Merengue magenta (6.47%) and C16-Metis silverleaf (5.12%) had the highest germination rate with 90 mg/L GA3 treatment compared with control. Regarding heat-sensitive genotypes, C11-Verano (5.11%) and C13-Metis Origami (4.28%) had the lowest values in mean germination time, along with the Petticoat genotypes C1 (73.3%) and C2 (80.0%) with a high germination percentage. Heat-tolerant genotypes positively responded to GA3 (70 and 90 mg/L) even under heat stress conditions, by their higher values in plant height, an ascending trend also seen in heat-sensitive genotypes under GA3 treatment (70 and 90 mg/L). According to the hierarchical clustering, several heat-tolerant genotypes showed peculiar behavior under heat stress conditions, namely C3 (Smartiz Victoria), C7 (Halios falbala) and C8 (Latinia pipoca) which proved to be susceptible to heat stress even under GA3 application, compared with the other genotypes which showed tolerance to higher temperatures. In the case of heat-sensitive genotypes, C4 (Smartiz violet fonce), C6 (Metis blank pur), C11 (Verano) and C13 (Metis origami) possessed higher positive or negative values compared with the other heat-sensitive genotypes with increased doses of GA3. These genotypes were shown to be less affected by heat stress, suggesting their positive response to hormone treatment. In conclusion, the above-mentioned genotypes, particularly heat-tolerant C15 and heat-sensitive C2 with the highest germination capacity and development can be selected as heat-resistant genotypes to be deposited in gene banks and used in further amelioration programs under biotic and/or abiotic stresses to develop resistant genotypes.

Synergistic Efficiency of Zinc Oxide/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites and a New Derived Saponin in Liquid/Liquid/Solid Interface-Included Systems: Application in Nanotechnology-Assisted Enhanced Oil Recovery.

Oil production faces challenges such as limited oil production from carbonate reservoirs, high oil production costs, and environmental issues. Chemical flooding as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method (CEOR) can increase oil production by the use of chemical additives such as surfactants into the reservoirs. Surfactants can increase oil recovery by interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and alteration of the rock wettability from oil-wet to water-wet. The synthesis of chemicals such as synthetic surfactants is usually costly and harmful to the environment. To solve these problems, many researchers have oriented on the use of natural surfactants instead of synthetic ones within the CEOR process. A new approach to increase the efficiency of CEOR is the synergizing of the chemical additives with nanoparticles as a hybrid fluid, which is known as the nanotechnology-assisted EOR method. In this research, a natural surfactant derived from Cyclamen persicum (CP) plant was extracted, and its performance was optimized with the zinc oxide/montmorillonite (ZnO/MMT) nanocomposite in a synergistic usage. At the optimum concentration of the surfactant, the measurements of the IFT and the contact angle show 57.78 and 61.58% optimizations, respectively. Also, in the presence of NaCl, the performance of CP is improved. IFT and contact angle measurements were also conducted for ZnO/MMT nanofluids and CP-ZnO/MMT as hybrid nanofluids. Results indicate that ZnO/MMT nanocomposites can alter the wettability of the carbonate rock to the water-wet state. Also, the CP-ZnO/MMT hybrid nanofluid shows a good potential in both IFT reduction and altering wettability from oil-wet to water-wet. Finally, to investigate the effects of solutions on increasing oil recovery factor (RF), the optimum concentrations of the surfactant, nanocomposite, and hybrid solutions were selected for dynamic core flooding experiments, and improvements showed oil RF increases of 8.2, 6, and 13%, respectively.

Anthocyanins and Carotenoids Characterization in Flowers and Leaves of Cyclamen Genotypes Linked with Bioactivities Using Multivariate Analysis Techniques.

The present study was carried out to evaluate and compare in vitro antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)), antimicrobial, anticancer activities, and the individual carotenoids and anthocyanins content of methanol extracts of the Cyclamen genotypes: Persian cyclamen accessions (Cyclamen persicum Mill.), sowbread (C. mirabile Hildebr.), and ivy-leaved cyclamen (C. hederifolium Mill.) aerial parts. The HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of five individual carotenoids (i.e., neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, β-carotene, and cis-β-carotene) as the main compounds in Cyclamen leaves, and the presence of seven individual anthocycanins (i.e., cyanidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside, peonidin-rutinoside, peonidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside, peonidin 3-O-glucoside, malvidin 3-O-glucoside, malvidin 3,5-di-O-glucoside, and malvidin-rutinoside) in Cyclamen flowers reported, hereby, for the first time. The highest phenolic content was found in the leaves of LC6, C. mirabile (46.32 ± 0.14 mg/g gallic acid equivalents [GAE]), and in the flowers of C. persicum Merengue Magenta (FC15) (58.63 ± 0.17 mg/g GAE), whereas the highest flavonoid content was reported in C. persicum Halios Falbala leaves, namely LC9 (54.90 ± 0.27 mg/g quercetin equivalents [QE]) and in flowers of C. persicum Victora (FC2) (77.87 ± 0.25 mg/g QE). The highest antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP assays was reported in C. persicum Dark Violet (LC1) and Victoria (LC2), whereas C. mirabile (LC6) had the highest activity in the TEAC assay. In flowers, high antioxidant activities in DPPH and TEAC were noticed in C. persicum Superserie Red (FC7) and Dark Violet (FC1), respectively, and Halios Falbala (FC9) exhibited the highest activity in the TEAC assay. Additionally, FC9 exhibited the highest antibacterial activity in almost all tested bacteria compared with the leaves extracts. Furthermore, the highest in vitro citotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells was noticed in C. hederifolium LC18 (56.71–69.35%) and FC18 (40.07–41.43%), with a lower effect against BJ cells demonstrating selective toxicity. The above findings, highlight the potential use of the Cyclamen flower and leaf extracts as significant anticancer agents along with their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Use of Osmia bicornis L. for Pollination of Cyclamen persicum Mill. Cultivated in Greenhouse Environment During Winter Period

Abstract In this study, the pollinating potential of the red mason bee (Osmia bicornis syn. O. rufa) in seed production of a major ornamental plant - Persian cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), was evaluated under horticultural farm conditions. The study was conducted under a greenhouse environment for five months, from October to the end of February. The juvenile hormone analogue methoprene supported the termination of bee diapause. Experimental results from Osmia pollination plots were compared with control plots that applied the hand-pollination method. Plants with flowers pollinated by the solitary bee had significantly more fruits than those pollinated by the hand method in November, December and February. In addition, significantly more seeds per capsule were produced by plants pollinated by O. bicornis from December to February. Finally, plants pollinated by Osmia bees produced more seeds than those hand-pollinated at all experimental months. These results showed that if the diapause of O. bicornis is successfully broken, this bee can be a very efficient pollinator in greenhouse environments, even during winter.

Comparative analysis of regenerative in situ electrochemical hypochlorination and conventional water disinfection technologies for growing ornamental crops with recirculating hydroponics

Capturing and reusing fertigation drainage is a key strategy for maximizing greenhouse production efficiency while minimizing the impact of wastewater discharge on receiving ecosystems. Fertigation drainage, in this regard, refers to irrigation water mixed with fertilizer that has once passed through soilless culture. Although an economically and environmentally prudent practice, recirculating fertigation solutions does pose an increased risk of pathogen proliferation. There are many water disinfection technologies currently available to growers, including ozone (O3(aq)) and Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP). Beyond currently available treatment options there are emerging technologies that have yet to be optimized for recirculating hydroponics. Electrochemical systems based on Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA) offer a novel method for disinfecting fertigation. Using Cyclamen persicum as a representative greenhouse floriculture crop, fertigation solutions were inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum isolated from a diseased C. persicum sample. Following inoculation, solutions were treated with one of either a DSA electrochemical system, a UV/Ozone AOP system, or ozonation. Solutions were then applied to the crop and disease progression was monitored. The positive control group (F. oxysporum added) exhibited pathogenicity following the recirculation of the fertigation solution, while the negative control (F. oxysporum absent) did not show pathogenicity in C. persicum. All water treatment systems achieved a log-4 reduction in F. oxysporum, which prevented pathogenicity in plants. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in plant physiology between the water treatment methods in comparison to the negative control group. However, all treatments performed significantly better than the positive control group which experienced pathogenicity. Solution nutrient analysis indicated stability across all treatments. Energy consumption was also monitored and demonstrated a two-fold reduction in electricity use with the electrochemical flow cell (EFC) compared to the AOP system.

Dickeya solani, Pectobacterium atrosepticum and Pseudomonas asplenii: causal agents of bacterial soft rot in cyclamen plants (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) in Colombia

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) is an ornamental plant affected by various phytosanitary issues including bacterial soft rots, which cause crop losses of 20% worldwide. In Colombia, however, the symptoms of bacterial soft rots are not well described and the causal agents are unknown. This study aimed to characterize the bacterial soft rot disease according to its symptoms, and identify its causal agents at the species level. For this purpose, we visited nurseries in the municipality of San Antonio del Tequendama, Colombia, and selected diseased plants to describe symptoms, and to isolate and characterize pathogens using morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Soft rotting activity in potato tubers and pathogenicity in cyclamen plants also was evaluated. Six symptoms were found to be associated with the disease, namely: wilt, soft corm, bacterial exudates on corms, root rot, soft rot and necrotic soft rot on petioles and peduncles. Of 47 isolates, seven were pathogenic: one from the soft corms; two from petioles with soft rot; two from petioles with necrotic soft rot; and two from root rot. A multiple correspondence analysis clustered isolates in the genera Pseudomonas, Dickeya and Pectobacterium based on the morphological, biochemical, and pathogenic characteristics. A multi-locus analysis (MLSA) based on sequencing of the 16S rDNA region and housekeeping genes (gapA, icdA, mdh, pgi, rpoB and rpoD) confirmed the bacterial species Pseudomonas asplenii, Dickeya solani and Pectobacterium atrosepticum as the causal agents of cyclamen bacterial soft rot in Colombia.

First report of Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum on Cyclamen persicum in Turkey

First report of Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum on Cyclamen persicum in Turkey

The Influence of Slow-Release Fertilizers on the Growth, Flowering, and the Content of Macro- and Micronutrients in the Leaves of Cyclamen persicum Mill.

The influence of selected fertilizer within a 6-month period of operation was assessed: Basacote Plus 6M, Osmocote Plus 6M, Plantacote Plus 6M. Plants grown in the substrate without slow-release fertilizer, which were supplied with nutrients only for top dressing, were the control. Two cultivars of the Maxi type of cyclamen were grown in greenhouse in pots during the period from the 25th to the 50th week of the year. While planting the seedlings, 2 g of slow-release fertilizer were added to the substrate directly under the roots. From the third week of cultivation, the plants of each combination were fertilized with top dressing every week. Plant height and diameter, number of leaves, weight of the above-ground part, tuber diameter, earliness of flowering, number of flowers and buds, as well as the content of macro and micronutrients were assessed. The addition of Osmocote 6M or Plantacote 6M into the substrate resulted in plants with a larger fresh weight and larger diameter and earlier flowering with more flowers and buds at the end of the experiment than with Basacote 6M or with only top dressing. The applied slow-release fertilizers had an effect on the content of K, Ca, and Fe in the leaves of Persian cyclamen. The cultivar ‘Rainier White F1’ had significantly more leaves, buds, and flowers and a higher content of P, K, Cu, Zn, and Mn than the cultivar ‘Halios Pure White Compact F1’.