Alliaceae Research Articles

Evaluation of White Onion (Allium cepa L.) Genotypes for Growth, Yield, Quality and Resistance to Thrips and Purple Blotch Disease

Onion (Allium cepa L.), belonging to the family Alliaceae with a chromosome number 2n=16, is an essential vegetable widely cultivated for both domestic consumption and export. This study aimed to evaluate various white onion genotypes for their growth, yield, quality and resistance to pests and diseases. The experiment was conducted at the Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, during the late Kharif season of 2023-24, using twenty-six genotypes arranged in a randomized complete block design. Data were collected on several growth and yield parameters, which were then analyzed. Significant variation was observed among genotypes for growth traits such as plant height, leaf length and neck diameter. The genotype 'Safed Ghavriyu' exhibited the highest plant height and number of leaves per plant, while 'Bhima Shubra' and 'Milky White' showed superior leaf length and neck diameter, respectively. Yield-related traits also varied significantly, with 'Bhima Shweta' recording the highest dry matter content and 'Safed Ghavriyu' demonstrating the highest fresh and dry weight per plant, single bulb weight and total yield per hectare. In terms of pest and disease resistance, notable differences were observed, with 'Safed Ghavriyu' showing the lowest incidence of thrips and purple blotch disease. Additionally, 'PWO-2' had the highest total soluble solids (TSS) content, while 'W-210' had the highest total sugar content. 'Milky White' exhibited the highest pyruvic acid content, contributing to its pungency. These findings underscore the significance of genetic variability and environmental influences in white onion growth and yield. The results offer valuable insights for the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant white onion varieties suited to various agro-climatic conditions in India.

Organic cultivation of Allium fistulosum under concentrations of Bordeaux mixture

Allium fistulosum L., belonging to the botanical family Alliaceae, is one of the most produced and commercialized vegetables in the world. In this scenario, this study aimed to evaluate the control of anthracnose in chives subjected to organic cultivation with different concentrations of Bordeaux mixture and its effects on crop yield. The experiment was conducted in elevated soil beds 10-cm high. Seedlings of the chive cultivar ‘Todo Ano’ were produced from plants previously cultivated in the site. Cultivation was carried out under full sunlight, and irrigation was performed by automatic sprinklers with a daily volume of 6 mm. The experiment was in randomized blocks, with 10 treatments in a 2x5 factorial arrangement. Four concentrations of Bordeaux mixture (0.5%; 1.0%; 1.5%; 2.0%) plus one control (water) were used. The second factor evaluated was the weekly and fortnightly application period. Data on the Total Fresh Mass (MFT), Commercial Fresh Mass (MFC), Sick Fresh Mass (MFR), Number of Commercial Leaves (NFC), Number of Sick Leaves (NFR), Commercial Dry Mass (MSC), and Yield (PTV) were collected. No statistically significant interactions were observed for anthracnose control and chive yield. However, in the 4th week of evaluation, differences were observed between the application periods, with the 2.0% concentration and weekly application performing better than the other treatments. The other evaluations did not result in significant statistical interactions between the variables analyzed. The application of Bordeaux mixture has no effects on the control of anthracnose and on the yield of chives.

Changes in bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of Gaziantep and Kastamonu garlic during black garlic production

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), a member of the Alliaceae family, has been widely used in cuisine and traditional medicine since ancient times. Black garlic is produced by fermentation of fresh garlic under controlled conditions for a certain period at high temperature (60-90°C) and high humidity (70-90%). According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) data, Kastamonu and Gaziantep garlic varieties are the most cultivated garlic varieties in our country. Changes in protein, sugar content, antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS methods), total phenolic content, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, and organosulfur compound profiles were investigated in samples taken from Kastamonu and Gaziantep fresh garlic at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of black garlic production under 65°C temperature and 70% humidity conditions. With these analyses, the differences between black garlic and fresh garlic and the changes in black garlic during the production process were revealed in detail. It was determined that the amount of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities increased in the black garlic production processes of both regions compared to fresh garlic. While sucrose was fresh garlic’s dominant sugar, fructose was black garlic’s dominant sugar. Among the organosulfur compounds, allicin was dominant in fresh garlic and SAC in black garlic. It was determined that SAC was formed after the enzymatic conversion of ɣ-glutamyl-S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine and ɣ-glutamyl and the temperature and fermentation time used in black garlic production increased the formation of SAC. The protein content ranging between 5.8%-7.3% in fresh garlic was 13.1-14.2% in black garlic. Fresh and black garlic from the Gaziantep region was determined to have higher total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and organosulfur compound contents.

Garlic: The Mystical Food in Health Promotion

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been valued for centuries for its medicinal properties. He has had this interest in recent years, it has accelerated several publications that reveal that it can also reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.1–5 The ability of garlic and related ingredients to serve as antioxidants,6 affect immuno competence,7 and possibly even mental function8 testify to its health the consequences can be extremely widespread. Garlic, a member of the Alliaceae family, is one of the more economically important cultivated crops spice. A large amount of garlic is produced annually in China and India. 5.65 million in 2002 cwt. of garlic was harvested from 32,800 acres in the U.S.9 About 80% of this amount is produced in California. Although significant consumption occurs as fresh garlic, it is also found as dehydration, flakes, and salts in various food preparations. There are also dozens of garlic supplements commercially available as essential oils, garlic-oil macerate, garlic powder, or garlic extract. Garlicit continues to be one of the best-selling herbs in the US.

Investigation of acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity and effects of Allium ascalonicum L. extract on Triton WR1339-induced hyperlipidemia on Swiss albino mice

IntroductionMetabolic disorders are increasingly rapidly becoming a burden on global healthcare systems. Among these, hyperlipidemia frequently leads to cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke, posing significant life-threatening risks. The pharmacological drugs, which are often costly and may cause a range of adverse side effects detrimental to health. Allium ascalonicum L., a member of the Alliaceae family, a widely used species of the Allium genus, is commonly employed as a spice and food ingredient in Asia. Allium ascalonicum (AS) is rich in triterpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, thiosulfates, and anthocyanins, whose therapeutic effects have been documented. In Chinese, Allium ascalonicum L. is known as 葱 (Cōng), which is used for various types of onions and similar plants in Chinese, including shallots. Ancient Chinese medicine documented that AS has a sweet and mildly spicy taste with a slight astringency and is warm in nature. In traditional Chinese medicine, AS is prepared as infusions, juices, and poultices to harness their health benefits, and commonly used in cooking for their nutritional and medicinal purposes. Modern medicine has discovered that this type of bulb possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, acts as a diuretic, treats diarrhea, reduces blood sugar levels, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, and among its other roles. Currently, there is a lack of in vivo study on the cholesterol-regulating potential of AS. MethodsFor our experiments, 24 and 32 Swiss albino mice were employed to investigate the acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity according to the Guidelines for preclinical and clinical trials of Traditional Medicine and Herbal Medicines by the Vietnam Ministry of Health and OECD. To investigate the effects on hyperlipidemia, 40 mice of both sexes were divided into five groups (n = 6–8 each). Tyloxapol (Triton WR1339, 400 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce hyperlipidemia. Atorvastatin (60 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the standard, and AS extract was conducted at the doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg. Hyperlipidemic activity was assessed using a variety of parameters. ResultsAllium ascalonicum (AS) extract showed no acute toxicity and sub-chronic toxicity. The AS showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c but showed no changes in HDL-c. ConclusionOur results indicated that AS is safe to use for a longtime and has a potential as an antihyperlipidemic agent, possibly due to its ability to inhibit the elevation of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c. The AS is rich in phytochemicals like triterpenoids, flavonoids and saponins, which may contribute to its hypolipidemic effect.

Effect of Intra Row Spacing on Growth, Yield Components and Yield of Garlic (Allium Sativum L) at Fitch, North Showa Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a monocotyledonous aromatic plant belonging to the Alliaceae family and genus Allium. It is used as a spice and medicinal plant. The production of garlic in Ethiopia is low as compared to other growing countries. This is due to different factors like the unavailability of appropriate disease-free seeds (Cloves), inappropriate agronomic practices, i.e., sowing time, seed rate, and both intra- and inter-row spacing. That is the reason why the research report was studied. A field experiment was conducted at the Fiche, Salale University, General Tadesse Biru campus demonstration site during the 2020 cropping season. The objective of the study was to identify the effect of intra-row spacing on the growth, yield, and yield components of garlic. One local variety of garlic, which was bought from Fiche Market, was used for the field experiment. The experiment was laid out using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and four treatments/intrarow spacing, i.e., 8cm, 10cm, 12 cm, and 14cm between plants. Growth, yield, and yield components data were collected and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS 9.3, and least significant difference (LSD) at p<0.05 probability was used to separate means. The ANOVA showed significant variation among all collected parameters. The wider the plant spaced, the better the growth performance of the garlic plant. However, the yield-related parameters are good indicators of yield. Thus, treatments, which are bulb weight and number of cloves per bulb, showed better performance of morphological parameters and also suggest a positive relationship with increasing plant spacing statistically. According to those ANOVA results, farmers or growers may produce more yield with a plant spacing of 14*25 because all parameters are significant as compared to other treatments.

Conventional and advanced packaging and storage technology of leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum): A Review

Leek (Allium porrum L.), belonging to the Alliaceae family, is a biennial herbaceous plant. It is a tetraploid (2n=32). They are native to Middle Asia, while its secondary centres of development and spread were in Western Asia and the Mediterranean region. Kaempferol is the most significant flavonoid aglycone found in leeks. Leeks are also used as medicine in addition to being a food. The primary health advantages include anti-asthma, antiseptic, diuretic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Additionally, it helps shield skin from harm and lowers the risk of gastrointestinal disorders. Leek roots also contain alliin which is non-toxic to the human body and can be used to preserve food and increase its shelf life. Recent studies also reported that leek portions ultrasonic extracts can be used in the food sector to preserve products from oxidation. Furthermore, when frozen unblanched leek slices are packaged with nitrogen after a year in frozen storage, the amount of sulfur compounds in the slices does not increase and the development of an off flavor is inhibited. It can also be stored up to 14 days when stored at modified atmosphere. In conclusion, using contemporary biotechnology techniques, new leek cultivars with increased productivity and adaptability must be created. Other health-related substances like folates and polyphenols, as well as the quantitative assessment of enzyme activities should all be included in future research as they contribute to the potential health benefits of vegetable products.

Assessment of Chemical Constituents of <i>Allium sativum</i> Essential Oil Extracted by using Hydrodistillation Technique and their Pharmacological Potential

The current study was based on identification of chemical components and pharmacological potential of Allium sativum essential oil. The pharmacological properties mainly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic potential of Allium sativum Essential Oil (ASEO) were also studied. Allium sativum is a traditional medicinal plant of the Alliaceae family. The extracted essential oil from fresh bulbs of Allium sativum through hydro distillation process was further analyzed by GC-MS. To determine the potential of Allium sativum essential oil for reducing inflammation and preventing diabetes, evaluation of antioxidant assays, protein denaturation and glucose absorption by yeast cells were studied. The results explained the presence of several organosulfur compounds that were identified by using different combinations of non-polar solvents mainly represented as Diallyldisulfide, Methyl Allyl Disulfide, Methyl Allyl Trisulfide, Diallyltrisulfide and Diallyltetrasulfide. The antioxidant potential of ASEO expressed as IC50 values of DPPH, ABTS, β-carotene assay, Nitric Oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl scavenging and metal chelating were 5.93 mg/ml, 2.1 mg/ml, 7.94 mg/ml, 5.49 μg/ml, 11.55 μg/ml, 7.66 μg/ml and 10.60 μg/ ml respectively. Further, total phenolic level, total flavonoid level, FRAP assay and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated and they were as follows: 4.99 ± 0.41 mg GAE/g, 98.46 ± 0.16 mg QE/g, 4.99 ± 0.26 mg/g and 15.80 ± 0.14 mg/g. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory assay was assessed by considering the protein denaturation method which exhibits IC50 value 3.53μg/ml. In addition to this, anti-diabetic potential was assessed by considering glucose absorption by yeast cells at various glucose concentrations (5mM, 10mM, 25mM) which indicated that the ASEO enhanced glucose uptake via the yeast cell membrane. Upregulation of glucose was reported with sequential elevations in the ASEO concentration. Based on the above results, it was revealed that Allium sativum essential oil exhibits reasonable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity that could be considered as an alternative therapeutic agent in inflammatory diseases. However, future research is required to isolate prominent functional components to determine the observed potential in preclinical studies.

Plants and Mushrooms as Possible New Sources of H2S Releasing Sulfur Compounds.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), known for many decades exclusively for its toxicity and the smell of rotten eggs, has been re-discovered for its pleiotropic effects at the cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular level. Therefore, great attention is being paid to the discovery of molecules able to release H2S in a smart manner, i.e., slowly and for a long time, thus ensuring the maintenance of its physiological levels and preventing "H2S-poor" diseases. Despite the development of numerous synthetically derived molecules, the observation that plants containing sulfur compounds share the same pharmacological properties as H2S led to the characterization of naturally derived compounds as H2S donors. In this regard, polysulfuric compounds occurring in plants belonging to the Alliaceae family were the first characterized as H2S donors, followed by isothiocyanates derived from vegetables belonging to the Brassicaceae family, and this led us to consider these plants as nutraceutical tools and their daily consumption has been demonstrated to prevent the onset of several diseases. Interestingly, sulfur compounds are also contained in many fungi. In this review, we speculate about the possibility that they may be novel sources of H2S-donors, furnishing new data on the release of H2S from several selected extracts from fungi.

Impact of Various Salinity Levels and Fusarium oxysporum as Stress Factors on the Morpho-Physiological and Yield Attributes of Onion

The onion (Allium cepa L.) belongs to the family Alliaceae and has paramount importance among vegetable crops around the globe. Salinity stress and the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cepa (FOC), which is the cause of basal rot, are potentially hazardous factors related to the yield of onion crops. The present study was conducted in CRD using three replicates in in vitro conditions and in a greenhouse to investigate the impact of stress factors (salinity levels and FOC) (T1 = Negative control; T2 = Positive control (FOC); T3 = EC 2.5 dS m−1; T4 = EC 3.5 dS m−1; T5 = EC 4.5 dS m−1; T6 = EC 2.5 dS m−1 + FOC; T7 = EC 3.5 dS m−1 + FOC; and T8 = EC 4.5 dS m−1 + FOC) on the morphological, physiological, and yield parameters of onions. Fungal biomass, in the in vitro condition, increased at a salinity level of 2–8 dS m−1. In the greenhouse, the application of salinity levels, viz. 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 dS m−1, and fungal pathogens exhibited a more severe impact on the severity of the disease, onion growth, and bulb compared to sole stress. Overall, the decreased levels of osmotic potential, total chlorophyll content, membrane stability index, and total protein were assessed in onion leaves, whereas total phenolics were enhanced in the mentioned stress conditions. Sugar contents were reduced due to the sole application of pathogens, whereas they were enhanced in the sole application of salinity stress and increased due to a combination of FOC and salinity level applications. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was not altered as a result of pathogen infection, while peroxidase (PO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) contents were enhanced, and the activity of catalase (CAT) was reduced. Sole stress along with the combined application of salinity levels with fungal pathogens exhibited enhanced PO and PPO activity; in contrast, CAT and PAL activity decreased. In summary, onion crop cultivation in saline soil conditions increases the disease’s severity, which is caused by FOC. Furthermore, it is crucial to carry out field trials while considering these outcomes in order to support a strong strategy for reducing the tested stresses within a wider range of environmental conditions.

Garlic Ecotypes Utilise Different Morphological, Physiological and Biochemical Mechanisms to Cope with Drought Stress.

Drought negatively affects plants by altering morphological, physiological and metabolic processes and ultimately reducing yields. Garlic (Allium sativum L.), an important member of the Alliaceae family, is also sensitive to drought and maximizing the yield of garlic bulbs is largely dependent on water availability. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of drought stress on morphological and physiological characteristics, as well as on phenolic, sugar, inulin and free amino acid content and antioxidant activity in two Croatian garlic ecotypes, 'Istarski crveni' (IC) and Istarski bijeli (IB). Drought was induced by using polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) solution (-0.6 MPa) starting 21 days after clove planting and lasted for 20 days. Drought reduced plant height, number of leaves and plant weight, but increased root length in both ecotypes compared to the control treatment. Among the physiological parameters, significant differences were observed between the two ecotypes studied in the spectral characteristics of the leaves, namely reflection in red, green and blue, VAL, values of the vegetation indices related to the chlorophyll content (CHI, GI), and the anthocyanin content (ARI). Ecotype IC showed higher antioxidant activity in the control treatment due to higher total phenolic content (TPC), but under drought conditions higher DPPH radical scavenging activity was determined in ecotype IB and higher values of FRAP in IC. Sucrose and glucose generally decreased under drought, while inulin increased in IB but decreased in IC. Total free amino acid content increased under drought in both ecotypes. In conclusion, drought tolerance of IB might be associated with increased accumulation of inulin and higher levels of amino acids, especially those shown to contribute to drought resistance. In IC, drought tolerance is associated with an increase in some amino acid compounds and better root growth in depth, probably due to a more efficient translocation of sucrose to the underground part of the plant.

Green synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles using Alliaceae waste (Allium sativum) for a sustainable landscape enhancement using support vector regression

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles using green chemistry methods has gained significant attention in the field of landscape enhancement. Researchers have paid close attention to the development of very effective green chemistry approaches for the production of metal nanoparticles (NPs). The primary goal is to create an environmentally sustainable technique for generating NPs. At the nanoscale, ferro- and ferrimagnetic minerals such as magnetite exhibit superparamagnetic properties (Fe3O4). Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have received increased interest in nanoscience and nanotechnology due to their physiochemical properties, small particle size (1–100 nm), and low toxicity. Biological resources such as bacteria, algae, fungus, and plants have been used to manufacture affordable, energy-efficient, non-toxic, and ecologically acceptable metallic NPs. Despite the growing demand for Fe3O4 nanoparticles in a variety of applications, typical chemical production processes can produce hazardous byproducts and trash, resulting in significant environmental implications. The purpose of this study is to look at the ability of Allium sativum, a member of the Alliaceae family recognized for its culinary and medicinal benefits, to synthesize Fe3O4 NPs. Extracts of Allium sativum seeds and cloves include reducing sugars like glucose, which may be used as decreasing factors in the production of Fe3O4 NPs to reduce the requirement for hazardous chemicals and increase sustainability. The analytic procedures were carried out utilizing machine learning as support vector regression (SVR). Furthermore, because Allium sativum is widely accessible and biocompatible, it is a safe and cost-effective material for the manufacture of Fe3O4 NPs. Using the regression indices metrics of root mean square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2), the X-ray diffraction (XRD) study revealed the lighter, smoother spherical forms of NPs in the presence of aqueous garlic extract and 70.223 nm in its absence. The antifungal activity of Fe3O4 NPs against Candida albicans was investigated using a disc diffusion technique but exhibited no impact at doses of 200, 400, and 600 ppm. This characterization of the nanoparticles helps in understanding their physical properties and provides insights into their potential applications in landscape enhancement.

EFFECT OF BULB SIZES AND VARIETIES ON GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF ONION SEEDS

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important spice and vegetable crops under the family Alliaceae. Size of mother bulbs influenced the yield and quality of seeds. Yield of onion seed crop increases with the dimensional increase in bulb size. The study was conducted at Natore District from November 2014 to April 2016 to study the effect of bulb sizes and varieties on growth, yield and quality of onion seed production. This experiment comprised of two factors namely, three sizes of mother bulb viz., large size (21-30g), medium size (11-20g), small size (5-10g) and five onion varieties viz., the Taherpuri, the Jhitka, the BARI Piaz-1, the BARI Piaz-2 and the BARI Piaz-4 and followed RCBD with three replications. In this experiment, it was found that there were highly significant variations in all the parameters due to the effect of bulb sizes. The largest sized bulb (21-30 g) produced the highest values of all studied parameters. In case of different varieties, the highest values of all parameters were found from the BARI Piaz-4, while the lowest results were found from the Jhitka. The combined effect of bulb sizes and variety found highly significant on all the parameter studied. The BARI Piaz-4 with large sized bulb (21-30g) produced the highest values while lowest results were recorded from the treatment combinations of small sized bulb (5-10g) with the Jhitka. It is recommended to use large bulb size (21-30g) with the BARI Piaz-4 in the research area for confirmation.

Evaluation of biochemical and molecular response of onion breeding lines to drought and salt stresses

Onion is the most important crop in the Alliaceae family which is diversely used all over the world. Türkiye is the 5th largest onion producer with the production of 2.24 million tons, but onion production is under threat due to climatic changes especially in the Anatolia region. Therefore, in the present study, six onion breeding lines were investigated to quantify the biochemical and gene expressional changes under drought and salt stresses. Plants were divided into control, salt stress, and drought stress to apply stress treatment under semi-controlled greenhouse conditions. Current study showed that salt stress restricted the uptake of minerals from the soil. Study also revealed that under both stresses the chlorophyll a and b contents were stable in K41, U47 and U49 breeding lines. Moreover, gene expression for stress related genes showed that K41 and U47 breeding lines showed tolerance to drought and salt stress by adequately regulating their SOD, CAT, AOX, WRKY70 and NAC29 gene expressions, moreover highest antioxidant enzymatic activity was also observed in these breeding lines under drought and salt stress. The H2O2 concentration was highest in the sensitive breeding lines suggesting the sensitivity to both stresses. PCA analysis revealed that breeding lines K41, U47 and U49 showed tolerance to both stresses. These results can further used to understand onion stress tolerance mechanism and it may enable onion breeders for the development of abiotic stress resilient onion cultivars.

Variations in heterochromatin content reveal important polymorphisms for studies of genetic improvement in garlic (Allium sativum L.).

Allium sativum L. is an herb of the Alliaceae family with a specific taste and aroma and medicinal and nutraceutical properties that are widely marketed in several countries. Brazil is one of the largest importers of garlic in the world, despite of its production is restricted and limited to internal consumption. Thus, explore the genetic diversity of commercial garlic conserved at germplasm banks is essential to generate additional genetic information about its economically important crop. A suitable tool for this purpose is the cytogenetic characterisation of these accessions. This study aimed to characterise the cytogenetic diversity among seven accessions of garlic from a Germplasm Bank in Brazil. The karyotypes were obtained by conventional staining and with chromomycin A3 (CMA) and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorochromes. All accessions analysed showed chromosome number 2n = 16, karyotype formula 6M+2SM, symmetrical karyotypes, reticulate interphase nuclei, and chromosomes with uniform chromatin condensation from prophase to metaphase. The fluorochromes staining showed differences in the amount and distribution of heterochromatin along the chromosomes and between accessions studied. Based on the distribution pattern of these small polymorphisms, it was possible to separate the seven accessions into three groups. It was also possible to differentiate some of the accessions individually. One of the results obtained showed a heteromorphic distension of the nucleolar organiser region observed on the chromosome pairs 6 or 7 with peculiar characteristics. It was suggested for example, that the heteromorphic block of heterochromatin (CMA+++/DAPI-) on chromosome 6 of the "Branco Mineiro Piauí" accession can be used as a marker to identify this genotype or may be associated with some character of economic interest.

The Ethnobotanical Significance of Allium stracheyi in Uttarakhand: From Tradition to Conservation

High-altitude ecosystems are considered to be hotspots of medicinal plant diversity. The government has declared Uttarakhand as herbal state due to the highest diversity of medicinal plant species. Allium stracheyi belonging to the family Alliaceae and locally known as Jamboo or Faran has been practiced by the Bhotiya communities of Niti and Milam valleys since the past several years. It was originally brought from Tibet decades ago. Traditionally, the plant has been known for its uses as spices, pickles and medicines for jaundice, cold, cough, wound healing and other stomach problems. Besides, it is used as a traditional vegetable. The plant is in endangered status and has been included in the Red Data Book of Indian plants due to its indiscriminate collection and resulting threat to its existence. The present study aimed to provide a general review of the Allium stracheyi on its ethnopharmacological uses, climatic distribution and Habitat, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, threat and conservation status, cultivation practices, future perspectives and its commercialization.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVATOR NUTRILIFE ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF ONIONS

Belonging to the Alliaceae family, onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important and popular vegetable and spice crops grown all over the world. Onions are demanding on soil fertility. It is especially demanding to the increased concentration of mineral salts in the soil. At the beginning of the growing season, onion plants must be supplied with nitrogen. A high yield of onions is obtained on light fertile sandy and loamy soils with a pH of 6-7. Correct provision of plants with macro- and microelements can have a beneficial effect on the growth and yield of turnip onions, which is extremely important on poor soils. At the time when environmental protection is becoming an important concern, new friendly methods of stimulating plant growth are being investigated, among others, by applying macroelements, microelements and various growth stimulants to the leaves. One of the new products is Nutrilife, a biological activator. It is a combination of macro- and microelements (EDTA), humic and fulvic acids, enzymes and amino acids. The field experiment was carried out in east-central Poland, 85 km east of Warsaw, on Luvisol soil. The aim of the studies was to determine the effect of Nutrilife applied to leaves during the BBCH 19 stage, with the simultaneous reduction of nitrogen or phosphorus soil doses by half, on the yield and the content of dry matter and sugars in onion. The Nutrilife activator allowed half reducing mineral nitrogen or phosphorus doses, while the yield was the same as in the case of full NPK treatment. The effect of Nutrilife on onion dry matter content was dependent on the weather conditions in the years of research and the applied mineral fertilizer treatment. There was no significant effect of the activator on the total sugar content.

Evaluation of Intrarow Spacing on Growth and Yield Performance of Four Onion (Allium cepa L.) Varieties in Beyeda District, North Gondar, Ethiopia

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a vegetable crop that belongs to the genus Allium under the family Alliaceae produced widely throughout the world. Field experiments were undertaken to evaluate the different varieties and plant spacings on the growth and bulb yield performance of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Beyeda district, North Gondar, Ethiopia. Four different levels of spacing (6, 8, 10, and 12 cm) and four different types of varieties (Shallot, Nasik red, Robat, and Nafis) were arranged under randomized complete block design (RCBD) of factorial arrangement with three replications. The experiment was arranged in 4 × 4 factorial combinations, and the total area was divided into three blocks each of which comprised 16 treatment combinations and a total of 48 plots. The highest plant height (54.18 cm), leaf length (45.48 cm), and leaf diameter (1.47 cm) were recorded from the variety of Nasik red while the lowest plant height, leaf length, and leaf diameter were measured from shallot. The highest leaf number was observed from shallot (37.53) while the lowest leaf number was recorded from the Nafis variety. The longest bulb length (4.44 cm) and the widest bulb diameter (4.67 cm) were obtained from the Nafis variety while the shortest bulb length and narrowest bulb diameter were measured from shallot. Inversely, the highest bulb weight (54.50 g/plant), total biomass (94.75 g/plant), and unmarketable bulb yield (1.75 t/ha) were recorded from shallot while the lowest bulb weight, total biomass, and unmarketable bulb yield were recorded from the Robat variety. Intrarow spacing showed a significant effect on onion growth and bulb yield parameters, as the earliest (135 days) and the most delayed (146 days) maturity were recorded at 6 cm and at 12 cm spaces, respectively. The highest unmarketable bulb yield has been seen at 8 cm and the lowest at 12 cm space of the Nasik red variety. Similarly, the highest leaf number, leaf diameter, bulb diameter, bulb weight, total biomass, marketable, and total bulb yield were recorded at 12 cm space under the Nafis variety. Furthermore, under the shallot variety, the widest bulb diameter was recorded at 10 cm while the narrowest one was recorded at 6 cm space. Generally, based on the result of marketable bulb yield performance, Nafis variety at 12 cm and 8 cm spaces, Robat at 6 cm space, and Nafis red at 10 cm space, respectively, have effective performance for onion production. The interaction effects of intrarow spacing with different varieties did not have a significant effect on all of the growth parameters and yield components.

The Phytochemical and Nutritional Composition of Shallot Species (Allium × cornutum, Allium × proliferum and A. cepa Aggregatum) Is Genetically and Environmentally Dependent.

Shallots are a perennial plant from the Alliaceae family, classified with the common onion under the name of the Allium cepa Aggregatum group. The term shallot is also used for diploid and triploid viviparous onions, known as Allium × proliferum (Moench) Schrad and Allium × cornutum Clementi ex Vis., respectively. In this study, we compared the dry matter, pyruvic acid content, sugar content, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity and mineral composition of 34 shallot accessions falling into three shallot species (Allium × cornutum, Allium × proliferum and A. cepa Aggregatum). Shallot accessions belonging to the A.× cornutum and A. × proliferum groups are characterized by high dry matter content (around 25%), of which a little less than 50% is formed of inulin-type sugars, polysaccharides, considered an excellent prebiotic with beneficial effects on human health. On the other hand, accessions belonging to the A. cepa Aggregatum group have lower dry matter content and, as a result, lower pungency (measured as pyruvic acid content), making them more suitable for fresh consumption by a broader range of consumers, but, at the same time, abundant in phenolic compounds, especially quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides. We also observed a greater biodiversity among accessions within the A. cepa Aggregatum group in all the analyzed physico-chemical parameters compared to the other shallot groups. The investigated shallot accessions have an excellent in vitro antioxidant capacity, as well as excellent nutritional properties.

Natural Products in Cardiovascular Diseases: The Potential of Plants from the Allioideae Subfamily (Ex-Alliaceae Family) and Their Sulphur-Containing Compounds.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and, together with associated risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, greatly impact patients’ quality of life and health care systems. This burden can be alleviated by fomenting lifestyle modifications and/or resorting to pharmacological approaches. However, due to several side effects, current therapies show low patient compliance, thus compromising their efficacy and enforcing the need to develop more amenable preventive/therapeutic strategies. In this scenario, medicinal and aromatic plants are a potential source of new effective agents. Specifically, plants from the Allioideae subfamily (formerly Alliaceae family), particularly those from the genus Allium and Tulbaghia, have been extensively used in traditional medicine for the management of several CVDs and associated risk factors, mainly due to the presence of sulphur-containing compounds. Bearing in mind this potential, the present review aims to gather information on traditional uses ascribed to these genera and provide an updated compilation of in vitro and in vivo studies validating these claims as well as clinical trials carried out in the context of CVDs. Furthermore, the effect of isolated sulphur-containing compounds is presented, and whenever possible, the relation between composition and activity and the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects are pointed out.