Euphorbia Pulcherrima Willd Research Articles

Evaluation of the bacteria formulation different inoculum densities on growth and development of Euphorbia pulcherrima

Abstract This research was carried out to examine the effects of different doses of bacterial formulation comprised of a mixture of Bacillus megaterium TV-91C, Pantoea agglomerans RK-92 and Kluyvera cryocrescens TV-113C strains on the plant development and bract quality of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch), which are one of the most important potted plants grown for their fleshy bracts of the horticultural sector. The study was carried out in a climate-controlled research greenhouse from 8 August 2018 to 15 January 2019 in Erzurum (Turkey). Rooted cuttings of poinsettia [E. pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch cv. Christmas Feelings (CvF)] were used as plant materials in the study. Each of the solutions containing bacterial suspensions 52.5 (T1), 105 (T2), 210 (T3), 420 (T4) and 840 (T5) mL · L−1 of water was diluted 5 times with water and 200 mL · pot−1 was applied to the plant rhizosphere. This study revealed that positive changes incurred in plant height, main flower stem length, plant crown width, bract diameter, green leaf and bract leaf area, leaf total nitrogen content and nitrate reductase enzyme activity parameters in poinsettia plants with increasing doses of the bacterial formulation. This effect has reached the maximum level in the number of bracts, main flower stem length, bract diameter, nitrate reductase enzyme activity, plant fresh weight and maximal root length parameters with the T5 application which has the highest bacterial formulation concentration. The most efficient application of glutamine synthetase enzyme activity was determined as T4.

Simulated storage causes carbohydrate loss and rooting differences in two poinsettia cultivars

Unrooted cuttings of ‘Prestige Red’ and ‘White Star’ poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) were stored in a box at 10 °C for 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 d to simulate shipping and holding. Visual root ratings decreased following ≥4 d of storage but did not differ from the non-stored cuttings. Root rating of ‘White Star’ was 0.5 higher and cuttings maintained higher fructose and glucose concentrations compared to ‘Prestige Red’. Glucose (r2 = 0.4824) followed by fructose plus glucose (r2 = 0.4222) were the best predictors of rooting. Carbohydrate maintenance may be an indicator of storage tolerant and better-rooting cultivars.

Applications of scanning electron microscopy in taxonomy with special reference to family Euphorbiaceae.

The present study was carried out to identify the 20 medicinally important species of family Euphorbiaceae by the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the foliar anatomical characteristics. Both qualitative and quantitative measurements for the anatomical characters like epidermal cells, stomata, trichomes, and subsidiary cells on both abaxial(ab) and adaxial(ad) epidermis were recorded. Remarkable variations in these anatomical features had been observed among the studied Euphorbiaceae species. Most species had epidermal cells irregular or polygonal in shape, only five species had hexagonal cells, that is, Euphorbia neriifolia L., Euphorbia prostate Aiton, Jatropha integerrima Jacq., Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.), and Euphorbia royleana Boiss. Stomata were abundant on abaxial epidermis as compared to adaxial epidermis. E. prostate Aiton, Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotzsch and Phyllanthus emblica L. possessed anomocytic stomata, and Euphorbia helioscopia L., Euphorbia cotinifolia L., E. neriifolia L., and Ricinus communis L. possessed anisocytic stomata, while rest of the species had paracytic stomata. Trichomes were present in very few species including Euphorbia hirta L., E. prostate Aiton, E. pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotzsch, and Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. Similarly, variations were also reported by quantitative features such as E. helioscopia L. can be distinguished from E. hirta on the basis of length of epidermal cells, that is, 103.4 ± 0.15 and 74.9 ± 0.55 μm, respectively. Moreover, E. pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotzsch had trichomes with the length of 408 ± 0.55 μm and P. roxburghii Wall. had trichome with the length of 314.2 ± 1.35 μm, respectively. These findings confirmed that taxonomic utility of the anatomical traits for the identification of studied Euphorbiaceae taxa.

Anthocyanin accumulation in poinsettia leaves and its functional role in photo-oxidative stress

The role of anthocyanin accumulation in poinsettia leaves exposed to photo-oxidative stress was evaluated by comparing green (anthocyanin less) and reddish (anthocyanin well equipped) leaves, co-occurring in poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch). For the assessment we compared the photoprotective and antioxidant mechanisms in the two leaf types in response to photo-oxidative stress, generated in chloroplasts by the application of methyl viologen (MV). MV accepts electrons from photosystem I (PSI) with subsequent transfer to molecular oxygen to produce superoxide anions (O2–) that are converted by the chloroplast superoxide dismutase (SOD) to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) that is reduced by ascorbate peroxidase (APX) to water and oxygen. At 90ömin after MV application, the decrease in the activity of the H2O2-scavenging enzyme APX resulted in increased H2O2 levels in both leaf types, but to a significantly lower level in the reddish leaves, possibly due to the significantly higher anthocyanin and phenolic content that are considered as H2O2-scavengers. Reddish poinsettia leaves having higher antioxidant activity possessed more effective photoprotective and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging mechanisms, including higher enzymatic (SOD and APX), and non-enzymatic (anthocyanin and phenolic) content over the green ones. Anthocyanin well equipped poinsettia leaves were in advantage in response to photo-oxidative stress over the anthocyanin less ones that appeared not to be equally protected. This superiority in the avoidance of the photo-oxidative stress by the reddish leaves was also associated to a higher effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry (ΦPSII), a lower excitation pressure (1- qp) and a lower H2O2 generation, compared to their green counterparts.

First report of a member of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex on Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch in Italy

First report of a member of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex on Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch in Italy

Silicon Affects Root Development, Tissue Mineral Content, and Expression of Silicon Transporter Genes in Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) Cultivars.

The effects of silicon (Si) on root development, mineral content, and expression of Si transporter genes in Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ‘Flame’, ‘Mable Bell’, ‘Green Star’, ‘Pink Bell’, and ‘Peach Bowl’ cultivars were investigated in this study. Stem cuttings in a propagation bench were drenched regularly with a solution containing either 0 (control) or 50 ppm of silicon (Si treatment) from potassium silicate (K2SiO3), with a 25 °C mean air temperature and 80% relative humidity (RH) under 70% shading. The results showed that the ‘Flame’ treated with Si had a significantly higher survival ratio as compared with that of the control (P ≤ 0.05) and that the Si treatment improved number of roots, length of longest root, fresh root weight, and dry root weight in all cultivars except ‘Mable Bell’. Supplementary Si increased the content of magnesium (Mg) and decreased the content of boron (B) and zinc (Zn) in the roots. The content of sulfur (S) in the shoots was increased by supplementary Si. The relative expression of Lsi1 and Lsi2 was higher in ‘Peach Bowl’, while it was lower in ‘Mable Bell’ and ‘Green Star’, which may be caused by the differing accumulation of Si in the shoot. Overall, supplementary Si had beneficial effects during cutting propagation of poinsettia cultivars, although these effects were cultivar-dependent.

Effects of Different PGPR Formulations, Chemical Fertilizers and Their Combinations on Some Plant Growth Characteristics of Poinsettia

This study was carried out to determine effects of different PGPR formulations, chemical fertilizers and their combinations on some plant growth characteristics of poinsettia under climate-controlled research greenhouse between July 2015 and July 2017. In the study, rooted cuttings of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch cv. Christmas Feelings) were used as plant material. The applications were created as formulation 1, formulation 2, formulation 3, formulation 4, the full amount of commonly used chemical fertilizer (100% CF), by combining the reduced amount of chemical fertilizer by 50% with each bacterial formulation and control. Plant height, main stem diameter, number of bract, length and diameter of root, fresh and dry weight of plant were evaluated in the experiment. According to CF and control applications, BIV+CF application was increased in the number of bract leaves between 14.76% and 29.32%; and it was also increased in plant height between 2.87% and 5.27%, respectively. The highest plant fresh weight (16.93 g) was obtained from BII and CF applications. The highest average fresh (4.69 g) and dry (1.57 g) plant weight were determined in BII application. It has been determined that bacterial formulations BIV+CF, BIII+CF, BIV and BII, which have positive effects on some plant growth and quality characteristics of poinsettia, can be used in poinsettia production stage. Thus, bacterial formulations may allow reducing the using chemical fertilizer in its cultivation.

Actividad anticoccidaria y toxicológica de decoctos de Asclepias curasavica L. y Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Ex Klotzsch frente a los oocistos de Eimeria bovis

The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the use of decocts of different plant species for the control of bovine eimeriosis. Decoctions of two species were prepared, namely, Asclepias curassavica L. and Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch. The decocts were prepared according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia 5th edition, and the for test, oocysts of Eimeria bovis were purified from feces obtained from naturally infected cattle by modification in Sheather's method. After purification, the oocysts were suspended in physiological solution and separated into tubes, into which were added the decocts to be tested. All decoctions antiparasitic activity showed after 24 hours the exception E. pulcherrima showed that only 97% effectiveness after 72 hours of observation. Noteworthy is effective for the results obtained from the plant A. curassavica once induced rupture of 100% of the oocysts. Therefore, it is important to carry out future studies that aim to identify the active principles responsible for the antiparasitic activity observed, as well as to evaluate the antiparasitic efficacy of the most elaborated extracts, and thus may become part of the composition of disinfectants in environments, particularly opposite the Eimeria species.

Skrining Fitokimia dan Potensi AktivitaS Antioksidan Ekstrak Etanol Daun Hijau dan Daun Merah Kastuba

Radikal bebas merupakan suatu atom atau molekul yang memiliki elektron yang tidak berpasangan pada orbital terluarnya sehingga membuat molekul ini sangat reaktif dan tidak stabil. Radikal bebas apabila terpapar terus menerus didalam tubuh dipercaya dapat menyebabkan beberapa penyakit diantaranya aterosklorosis, iskemik, kanker dan penuaan dini sehingga diperlukan adanya senyawa antioksidan untuk menghambat pembentukan radikal bebas. Kastuba (Euphorbia Pulcherrima Willd.) merupakan salah satu tanaman yang berpotensi sebagai antioksidan alami. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kandungan senyawa kimia aktif dan potensi aktivitas penghambatan radikal bebas dalam ekstrak etanol daun kastuba. Prosedur dari penelitian ini yaitu pengumpulan bahan, determinasi tanaman, pembuatan simplisia, ekstraksi, skrining fitokimia serta uji penghambatan radikal bebas secara kualitatif dengan KLT (Kromatografi Lapis Tipis). Skrining Fitokimia bertujuan untuk mengetahui komponen senyawa kimia dari ekstrak etanol daun kastuba yang meliputi pengujian flavonoid, tannin dan terpenoid. Potensi penghambatan radikal bebas dilakukan secara kualitatif dengan KLT pereaksi semprot DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak etanol daun kastuba baik daun hijau maupun daun merah kastuba mengandung senyawa flavonoid, tannin dan terpenoid serta kedua daun sama-sama berpotensi sebagai aktivitas penghambatan radikal bebas dilihat dari bercak kuning yang dihasilkan setelah disemprot preaksi DPPH.

Leticia: nueva variedad mexicana de nochebuena para interiores

La nochebuena (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) es originaria de México y Mesoamérica. Su cultivo depende de variedades mejoradas provenientes del extranjero, lo que ocasiona fuga de divisas y pérdidas económicas. Actualmente está restringida su importación. Esto representa una oportunidad para ofertar variedades generadas en el país. El INIFAP, Campo Experimental Zacatepec realiza la mejora genética de nochebuena. Así, en 2010 por cruza manual entre MOR13 x MORPR10 se obtuvo progenie F1, la cual se evaluó en 2011 y en el ciclo inmediato se incrementó el número de plantas. En 2013 se injertó por cuña la progenie híbrida clonal (púa) con una variedad comercial (patrón), en 2014 se obtuvieron esquejes del injerto, se cultivaron hasta planta terminada y se seleccionó de acuerdo al biotipo que demanda el mercado. En 2015 se evaluó en vivero en Tetela del Monte, Cuernavaca, Morelos. En 2016 se realizó la descripción varietal con denominación de Leticia. Esta variedad presenta porte intermedio de gran amplitud con ramificación intermedia, hojas de forma oval de gran tamaño con peciolos de longitud media, brácteas de forma elíptica y de color rojo. Es de respuesta intermedia, la pigmentación de brácteas se presenta nueve semanas después del inicio de otoño.

Triterpenoids from Euphorbia pulcherrima with inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis

Three new compounds (1–3), euphorimaoid A (1), euphorimaoid B (2), 1α-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-olean-9,12-diene (3), two firstly isolated natural products 3β-acetyloxy-olean-13(18)-en-12-one (4) and 18,19-epoxyolean-3β-ol acetate (5), together with 13 known compounds (6–18) have been identified from the aerial parts of Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. Structures of compounds 1–5 were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of euphorimaoid A (1) was established using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibition of osteoclastogenesis in BMMs. Among them, compounds 7 and 10 showed significantly inhibition in a concentration-dependent manner.

Effects of Salicylic Acid and Calcium Chloride on Heat Tolerance of Poinsettia

Exogenous application of either salicylic acid (SA) or calcium chloride (CaCl2) to alleviate heat stress has been extensively studied. However, the effects of combined SA and CaCl2 treatment on the heat tolerance of poinsettia have been poorly studied. This study investigated the role of a foliar spray comprising SA and CaCl2 in managing heat tolerance of three poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) cultivars, Noel, Winter Rose (WR), and Ice Punch’ (IP). Plants were pretreated with SA, CaCl2, or combined SA and CaCl2 and then exposed to a temperature of 42 °C for 1 hour. Changes in the relative injury (RI) percentage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined. All plants were then placed in an environment-controlled greenhouse for 14 days and evaluated. Lateral bud sprouting (%), new leaf numbers, and phenotypic appearance were recorded. Results revealed that the three poinsettia cultivars varied in their appearance, morphological growth patterns, and ability to tolerate high-temperature stress. Plant growth of ‘Noel’ was more robust than that of ‘WR’ and ‘IP’, which were considerably affected by heat stress, resulting in brown, withered leaves and defoliation. In general, the effects of the combined application of SA and CaCl2 on heat-tolerant ‘Noel’ were superior to those of individual applications and no treatment (for control groups) in terms of the RI percentage, lateral bud sprouting (%), and appearance under heat stress. Application of combined SA and CaCl2 for ‘Noel’ plants was more beneficial for enhancing catalase activity and resulted in the effective alleviation of decreased malondialdehyde content under heat stress. Treatment including 200 μΜ SA and 10 mm CaCl2 may alleviate heat stress and may prove useful in breeding programs focused on improving poinsettia cultivars.

Efecto de la irradiación sobre nochebuena silvestre (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) en Morelos


 
 
 En México, no hay información sobre efectos que causa la irradiación en nochebuena (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch), por tanto existe la necesidad de generarla. En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de irradiación con rayos gamma sobre características de planta y semilla de nochebuena y se determinó la mejor dosis. En 2010, semillas colectadas en Texcal, Morelos fueron tratadas con rayos gamma en intervalos de 25 Gray, desde 50 hasta 275, más el testigo. Estas fueron germinadas en charolas con sustrato Sunshine® No. 3 en Campo Experimental, Zacatepec, Morelos. Plántulas con cuatro hojas verdaderas se trasplantaron a macetas de 16 L con sustrato 60-20-20 v/v ocochal, suelo aluvial y fibra de coco. Se establecieron en un diseño de bloques al azar con 10 repeticiones. Se registró porcentaje de emergencia, altura de hipocotilo, altura de planta, diámetro de ciatio; longitud y ancho de bráctea, longitud de peciolo de bráctea, longitud de pedúnculo de inf lorescencia; largo, ancho y peso de 100 semillas. Para el análisis estadístico se realizó un análisis de varianza y comparación de medias. Se detectaron diferencias estadísticas significativas. La dosis de 150 Gy redujo la altura de planta. El diámetro de ciatio, longitud de pedúnculo de inf lorescencia, largo y ancho de semilla fue mayor con 250 Gy. Se obtuvo mayor anchura de bráctea y peso de 100 semillas con 175 y 225 Gy, respectivamente. La mejor respuesta de la planta se logró aplicando 250 Gray. La irradiación promovió variación genética que puede ser utilizada en programas de mejoramiento genético en nochebuena.
 
 

High anthocyanin accumulation in poinsettia leaves is accompanied by thylakoid membrane unstacking, acting as a photoprotective mechanism, to prevent ROS formation

In poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch.), green leaves turn reddish and then red, due to vacuolar anthocyanin accumulation. Reddish leaves accumulate anthocyanins mainly in the adaxial (upper) epidermis, and less in the mesophyll cells, while red, in both adaxial and abaxial (lower) epidermides, and the adjacent mesophyll cells. In green leaves, the photoprotective mechanism of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) is sufficient under low light (LL), but not under high light (HL), which results in a more reduced redox state of the plastoquinone (PQ) pool compared to reddish. In red leaves, higher anthocyanin accumulation is accompanied by unstacking of thylakoid membranes that results in loss of photosystem II (PSII) complexes and undetectable hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is enhanced in the reddish compared to green leaves, while it decreases significantly in the red ones. Anthocyanin accumulation was significantly correlated to the redox state of the PQ pool and the higher accumulation in reddish compared to green leaves was responsible for the diminished H2O2 production, since ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity remained unchanged in all leaves. We suggest that H2O2 production regulated by the redox state of the PQ pool induces anthocyanin biosynthesis that is accompanied by thylakoid membrane unstacking and loss of PSII complexes, serving as a photoprotective mechanism to HL, preventing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Effect of rooting hormone and media on root induction in poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.)

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of different concentrations of IBA and rooting media on root induction of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd). The experiment was laid out in factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) with sixteen treatment combinations consisting four levels of IBA and four different types of media. Among the various levels of IBA, 4000 ppm IBA (C3) was most effective for obtaining number of sprouts per cutting (2.29), number of roots per cutting (16.42), length of shoot (6.85 cm), length of root (20.25 cm), number of leaves per cutting (14), fresh weight of root (1.56 g), fresh weight of shoot (11.98 g), dry weight of shoot (5.13 g), rooting percentage (76.40%) and survival percentage (74.19%) of rooted cuttings after 60 days of planting. Consequently, Red soil + Cocopeat (M4) media was found most promising for finding number of sprouts per cutting (3.30), number of roots per cutting (16.30), length of shoot (7.86 cm), length of root (23.02 cm), number of leaves per cutting (14.96), fresh weight of root (1.72 g), fresh weight of shoot (12.52 g), dry weight of shoot (5.49 g), rooting percentage (86.84%) and survival percentage (85.83%) for rooted cuttings after 60 days of planting. Cuttings planted in sand exhibited early sprouting as compared to other media. Interaction effect of different levels of IBA and rooting media was found non significant for all the characters.

Quantifying the Effects of Foliar-applied Calcium Chloride and Its Contribution to Postharvest Durability of Unrooted Cuttings

Vegetatively propagated unrooted cuttings are typically imported to the United States from Central America. Death or damage of cuttings during shipping and propagation can be reduced if cuttings can be made more resistant to external forces, such as physical damage or pathogen infection. However, strategies to develop durable cuttings via treating stock plants have not been previously quantified in controlled studies. During the current study, mechanical strength of leaves and resistance to infection by Botrytis cinerea were evaluated after weekly applications of calcium chloride (CaCl2) as a foliar spray to stock plants that delivered calcium (Ca) at the concentrations of 0, 400, or 800 mg·L−1. A texture analyzer quantified the peak force required to fracture the leaf and the work of penetration,or area under the force–displacement curve, and these measurements were indicators of mechanical strength. For poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) cuttings at the time of harvest from the stock plant, work of penetration increased by 10% with the application of 800 mg·L−1 Ca compared with the control, whereas peak force by 9%. For zonal geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum Bailey), work of penetration increased 15% with the application of 800 mg·L−1 Ca compared with the control. Calcium concentration in the leaves increased from 1.2% to 2.0% in geranium and from 1.0% to 1.6% in poinsettia with increasing application from 0 to 800 mg·L−1 Ca. In poinsettia, disease incidence in response to inoculation with B. cinerea spores was 55% and 15% less with CaCl2 applications compared with controls with water and surfactant, respectively, whereas CaCl2 application to geranium did not affect disease incidence.

Alondra: nuevo híbrido de nochebuena para interiores


 
 
 El mercado de las plantas ornamentales es dinámico. Existe la demanda constante de nuevas variedades mejoradas. Ante esta situación desde el 2010 se implementó el programa de mejoramiento genético de nochebuena (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) en el Campo Experimental Zacatepec del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales,Agrícolas y Pecuarias. Esto permitió la generación del material mejorado denominado Alondra a través de la cruza entre OAX14P4*MORFRN1015-9 realizado en 2010. La progenie híbrida se estableció mediante semilla en 2011 y la selección de los mejores individuos se realizó en 2012. Los siguientes cuatro años se evaluó con productor cooperante, conjuntamente con otros híbridos, de la cual sobresalió dicha cruza. Alondra presenta hojas de forma oval con la base cuneiforme, el nervio principal del haz es verde y rojo, los lóbulos de la hoja son poco profundos, el peciolo es largo de color verde intenso en el haz. Las brácteas son de color rojo y de forma elíptica. La anchura de la cima es media con glándulas pequeñas del ciatio, de color amarillo sin deformación. Este nuevo material de nochebuena posee germoplasma de origen nacional, se generó y se desarrolló en la zona donde se lleva a cabo la mayor producción comercial por consiguiente es un material adaptado y no presenta problemas de pigmentación de brácteas, que es la parte comercial y estética. Representa una opción para diversificar la oferta en el mercado nacional ya que su comportamiento es similar al de variedades comerciales.
 
 

Ethnobotanical Study of Toxic Plants in Ngadiwono Village, Tosari District, Pasuruan Regency, East Java

The society in Ngadiwono village is part of Tengger tribe that depends on their surrounding environment on fulfilling the life necessities. However, the society knowledge obout toxic plant has never been revealed. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to documenting the toxic plants in Ngadiwono village according to society knowledge and scientific study on its toxic content. This study was conducted in Ngadiwono Village, Tosari District, Pasuruan Regency. The informants were chosen by using snowball method (n=14). Interview was conducted using semi-structural method. The collected data was analysed to obtain ICS value (Index Cultural Significance) and UVs (Use Value). The identification of toxic compound was based on previous study. The study result identified 8 plants that considered to be toxic by local society: bedor ( Girardinia palmata Blume.), yellow k ecubung ( Brugmansia suaveolens Bercht. & J.Presl), white k ecubung ( Brugmansia suaveolens Bercht. & J.Presl), j arak ( Ricinus communis L.), yellow t erpasan ( Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl), red t erpasan ( Cestrum elegans (Brongn.) Schltdl), kudisan ( Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.), and c iplukan ( Physalis peruviana L.). The highest ICS value was found in jarak ( Ricinus communis ). Meanwhile, the lowest ICS value was found in yellow and red terpasan ( Cestrum elegans ) due to its minimum use by local society. The highest UVs was found in kudisan . Keywords: Ethnobotany, Ngadiwono, Plant, Tengger, Toxic

Growth and development of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) finished under reduced air temperature and bench-top root-zone heating

Greenhouse heating is an essential requirement for holiday poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch.) production, especially during the finish stage. Previous studies have shown that cultivars with early response attributes (short day initiation to finish in 6–8 weeks), moderate to high vigor, and naturally large bracts are most suitable for reduced temperature finishing (RTF) that leads to energy savings. We postulate that RTF in combination with root-zone heating (RZH) can further reduce greenhouse heating costs by allowing for even lower air temperature set points. The objective of this study was to quantify how RTF in combination with bench-top RZH influences growth, development, and quality of six red poinsettia cultivars. Rooted cuttings of poinsettia ‘Prestige Early Red’, ‘Prestige Red’, ‘Premium Red’, ‘Infinity Red’, ‘Viking Red’, and ‘Bravo Bright Red’ were transplanted and grown under a 16-h photoperiod consisting of natural days with daylength-extension lighting until 01 Oct. and a mean daily temperature (MDT) of 21.5°C [24/19°C (12h day/12h night)] until 15 Oct. On 15 Oct., the air temperature set point was reduced to a MDT of 15°C [19/13°C (8h day/16h night)], and plants were placed on a bench without RZH or with RZH set points of 21, 24, or 27°C; or plants were moved into a greenhouse without RZH and with a constant air temperature set point of 21°C (commercial control). Time to anthesis from the start of short days was reduced by 6, 4, and 7d, respectively, for ‘Prestige Early Red’, ‘Premium Red’, and ‘Viking Red’ when plants were finished on a RZH set point of 27°C compared to a RZH set point of 21°C. Time to marketability was generally longer for cultivars grown under RTF without RZH compared to all other treatments. Although plants grown under RTF with RZH matured at a similar rate to those in the commercial control, bract area index was reduced under RTF in most cases. For example, bract area of ‘Infinity Red’ was reduced by 27, 25, 18, or 19% when finished without RZH in ambient RTF or with a RZH set point of 21, 24, or 27°C, respectively, compared to the commercial control. Stem elongation responses varied by cultivar. Our data suggest that when RZH temperatures>24°C are utilized during poinsettia RTF, day/night air temperatures can be further reduced from the 20/13 and 21/17°C (12h/12h), recommended by previous research, to 19/13°C (8h/16h).

Effects of Salinity and Irrigation Management on Growth and Nutrient Concentrations in Poinsettia

Can regulated deficit irrigation in an ebb and flow system alleviate the effects of salinity stress on poinsettia? Two cultivars of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd ex Klotzsch) were grown under partial- or full-saturation irrigation using a standard fertilizer solution, with or without the addition of 0.5 g·L−1 NaCl. The volumetric water content of the medium averaged 0.25 and 0.33 L·L−1 before irrigation, and 0.5 and 0.67 L·L−1 following irrigation, for partial- or full-saturation regimes, respectively. Plants had lower fresh weight with partial than full saturation. Sodium concentrations in bract, leaf, and stem tissues were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in plants exposed to salinity, and these plants accumulated less K in stems and less P in bracts. Eight cultivars were grown in a second study with or without salinity of 1.2 g·L−1 NaCl under drip or ebb and flow watering. Cultivar and watering had effects on plant fresh weight, but salinity did not. Of the cultivars tested, ‘DaVinci’, ‘Premium Picasso’, and ‘Prestige Red’ had the highest sodium in bracts under salinity with drip irrigation, whereas ‘Snowcap’ had the least. ‘Ruby Frost’ had the most sodium in stems, whereas ‘Snowcap’ had the least. For all cultivars, added salinity resulted in lower K in leaves and stem. Snowcap was the cultivar with the least sodium in stems and bracts under saline irrigation, with either drip or ebb and flow. Our research demonstrates that regulated deficit irrigation resulting in partial saturation of the growing medium is an effective water management option, when control of plant height and overall crop growth are desirable, and it limits the accumulation of sodium when raw water contains elevated salinity.