Flower Scapes Research Articles

A. vineale'nin Morfolojik Karakterizasyonu

Allium vineale L. is a wild edible Allium species. This species is collected from nature by the local people in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey and consumed as a vegetable. Aboveground organs of A. vineale plants are used in herbed cheese production in the eastern provinces. Collection from nature is not a sustainable way production of this species. A. vineale can be propagated via seeds and bulbils. It is suitable for cultivation under field and protected conditions. For agricultural production of this species, new cultivars with improved yield and quality traits have to be developed. In this study, an A. vineale germplasm was created with the aim of developing new cultivars that can be used in herbed cheese production. The accessions included in the germplasm were characterized for desired traits such as adaptability to culture conditions, agronomic characteristics and harvest uniformity. The phenotypic diversity of A. vineale accessions were examined using morphological descriptors derived from International Union for the protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). According to the clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) made by evaluation of the morphological features, the accessions were divided into two main groups based on the locations. Germplasm accessions differ from each other for leaf waxiness and color intensity. A. vineale can be distinguished from other Alliums present in the same area with thin leaves, short plant height, and multiple bulbils in the flower scapes.

Содержание биологически активных веществ в зеленой массе многолетних луков (Allium L.)

Abstract. The aim of the study was to determine the content of the main groups of biologically active substances in the green mass of 8 species of perennial onions (Allium L.) during flowering. Methods. The freshly collected raw materials – leaves and flower scapes in A. altaicum Pall., A. flavum L., A. nutans L., A. obliquum L., A. ramosum L., A. schoenoprasum L., A. senescens L. var. glaucum Regel and A. strictum Schrader were analyzed. We used the generally accepted methods of phytochemical analysis. The dry matter content was determined by drying 1 g of raw materials at 100–105 °C to constant weight. The amount of phenolic compounds, pectin substances, total sugars, and carotenoids was determined spectrophotometrically. The amount of ascorbic acid was determined by the titrimetric method. All biochemical indicators, except for ascorbic acid, were calculated on the absolutely dry weight. Results. It has been established that the green mass of onions during flowering phase contains: dry matter – up to 28.3 %, flavonols – up to 1.8 %, tannins – up to 6.3 %, pectin substances – up to 14.7 %, total sugars – up to 42.9 %, ascorbic acid – up to 105.4 mg %, and carotenoids – up to 43.8 mg %. The content of catechins is 0.05–0.19 %. A. flavum and A. obliquum have the highest contents of main groups of biologically active substances, and the relatively low indicators are in A. ramosum and A. senescens var. glaucum. Scientific novelty. The quantitative content of catechins, tannins, pectin substances and carotenoids was studied in the onion species for the first time. The findings testify to the prospects of perennial onions as a source of various bioactive compounds.

In vivo induction and characterization of polyploids in gerbera daisy

Cultivated gerbera (Gerbera hybrida; Asteraceae) is an economically important flower worldwide. It is also used as a model plant for studying flower development and understanding biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Genetic variation in cultivated gerbera is narrow; therefore, increased genetic variation is much needed for further improvement of gerbera. Polyploidization has played an extremely important role in the diversification, evolution, domestication and breeding of many plant species. In this study, tetraploids were induced by treating the apical meristems of gerbera seedlings with colchicine. The nuclear DNA content of tetraploid gerbera was increased to 10.41 pg/2C from 5.22 pg/2C. Induced tetraploids had larger, fewer stomata and wider, thicker leaves than diploids, resulting an increased leaf index. With tetraploidization, flower scapes became thicker, flowers were larger, ray florets became wider, and the center eye (composed of disc florets) was larger. Induced tetraploids showed lower but still high pollen stainability and are expected to be quite fertile and be able to serve as parents for production of triploids. Some of the morphological changes associated with induced tetraploidy, including larger flowers, thicker ray florets, larger eyes and/or thicker scapes, will be beneficial for gerbera flower quality and vase life, while other changes such as stomatal size and density and thicker leaves may change and improve gerbera tolerance to stresses. Induced gerbera tetraploids may be valuable for breeding, genetic research and increasing genetic diversity in gerbera.

Bioactive compounds in the aboveground part of hemiephemeroid onions (Allium L.)

Background. Representatives of the genus Allium L. are valuable food and medicinal plants that have long been used for nutrition and human health. Modern research has proved their high biological activity. Earlier, we investigated the aboveground organs of a number of wild onion species in the consumer ripeness phase. Higher content of secondary metabolites has been observed in the hemiephemeroid species A. aflatunense B. Fedtsch., A. microdictyon Prokh., and A. rosenbachianum Regel. The aim of this work was to determine the content of bioactive compounds in the green biomass of Allium species during flowering.Materials and methods. We studied the freshly harvested raw materials – leaves and flower scapes. Dry matter content was measured by drying 1 g of raw material at 100–105°C to constant weight. The amounts of phenolic compounds, pectic substances, total sugars and carotenoids were assessed spectrophotometrically using the SF-56 (Russia) and SF Agilent 8453 (USA) instruments, and ascorbic acid was measured by the titrimetric method. The result was taken as an average of three measurements for each indicator calculated on absolute dry weight of raw material (except ascorbic acid).Results and conclusions. The green biomass of Allium species was found to contain 8,2–16,2% of dry matter; 4,5–12,0% of phenolics (catechins, flavonols and tannins); 6,9–32,4% of total sugars; 9,5–12,6% of pectic compounds (pectins and protopectins); 20,8–102,5 mg% of carotenoids, and 38,0–197,7 mg% of ascorbic acid (wet weight). A significant range of variation in the content of secondary metabolites was due to the species’ characteristics and weather conditions of the growing season. A. microdictyon had a higher content of dry matter, flavonols and tannins, whereas A. aflatunense and A. rosenbachianum were rich in ascorbic acid and sugars. The findings testify to the prospects of using Allium spp. as a source of bioactive compounds.

Genetic Diversity and Chemical Profile of Rhodophiala bifida Populations from Brazil

Rhodophiala bifida (Herb.) Traub, Amaryllidaceae, is a species native to South America known to produce alkaloids with potential pharmacological uses such as montanine, which has anti-inflammatory potential. R. bifida could be applied as a natural source of montanine. It is important to understand the genetic diversity of this species in order to assess the sustainable use of this plant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and chemical profiles of the two known natural populations of R. bifida in Brazil. This report is the first population genetic study of R. bifida. We studied 93 individuals with six Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) primers. A total of 79 loci were amplified. Our results showed high-population structure (Fst = 0.16), with greatest genetic variation at the intrapopulation level. Genetic analyses separated the individuals of R. bifida into two clusters that corresponded to each of the natural populations. Chemical profile evaluation was carried out on dried bulbs, leaves, flowers, and flower scapes by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Montanine and nangustine were the main metabolites identified in both populations. These alkaloids concentrations differed by population and by plant part.

Interaction of Sucrose, a Morphactin and 8-Hydroxyquinoline in the Regulation of Petal Senescence of Calendula officinalis L. Cut Flowers

Cut flowers of Calendula officinalis L. as scapes were maintained in holding solutions of 0.1M sucrose, 20 M methyl chlorflurenol (a morphactin, MOR), 1.5 mM 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ), sucrose + MOR, sucrose + 8-HQ and sucrose + MOR + 8-HQ in the laboratory under continuous light. Untreated sets were also present where scapes getting the supply of double distilled water (DDW). Combined applications of sucrose + 8-HQ and sucrose + MOR + 8-HQ were very effective in minimizing the loss of fresh weight of scapes and moisture content. These combinations and also individual sucrose treatment as well as sucrose + MOR were very useful to reduce the loss in flower diameter by maintaining hydration and turgidity. Sucrose + MOR + 8-HQ combination was also unique in exhibiting maximum rise in protein amount on fresh weight basis between 0 and 3 and 3 and 6-day and on dry weight basis between 0 and 3-day. Lesser GPOX activity in petals of flower scapes subjected to 8-HQ, MOR and sucrose treatments may suggest lesser production of H2O2. Further, used chemicals such as sucrose, MOR and 8-HQ could reduce the lipid peroxidation process in petals and the best treatment was sucrose + MOR + 8-HQ followed by sucrose + 8-HQ > sucrose + MOR > MOR> 8-HQ > sucrose > DDW.

In vitro polyploidisation of tulips (Tulipa gesneriana L.) — Phenotype assessment of tetraploids

Abstract In vitro adventitious shoot cultures of three diploid tulip cultivars ('Fringed Black', 'Victor' and Pol-D 32) were treated with antimitotic agents (colchicine 200 mg L−1, oryzalin 5 mg L−1, amiprophos methyl 15 mg L−1 or trifluralin 100 mg L−1) in order to obtain tetraploids. The treatments with colchicine were the most phytotoxic, resulting in the reduction of the survival rate to 50% in ‘Fringed Black’ and to 0–12.5% in two other cultivars. Among the three tulip cultivars, homogenous polyploids were obtained only for 'Fringed Black' (28 tetraploids and 4 octoploids). Each of the antimitotic agents induced the formation of polyploids, with the highest number for colchicine treatments; in total, 20 polyploids were detected. Phenotype observations were performed in the fifth growing season. Compared to diploids, in tetraploids the percentage of flowering plants was lower and flowering was delayed on average by six days. Mitotic polyploidisation had also negative side effects on leaves and flowers, which in tetraploids were significantly smaller: leaf width reduced by 30%, tepals reduced by 45%. Tepals were more rounded and more fringed in tetraploids. Flower scapes of tetraploids were shorter by 40% but their diameters were slightly larger as compared to diploids. Stomata were longer by 30% and pollen grain diameter was larger by 25% in tetraploids. Tetraploid were fertile, pollen germination was on average 6.3%, whereas in diploids it was 30.3%. Microscopic observation of flower scapes on transverse sections revealed increased cell diameters of the epidermis and the cortex and significant reduction of collenchyma layers in tetraploids, resulting in higher fragility of the scape.

Adenine type and diphenyl urea derived cytokinins improve the postharvest performance of Iris germanica L. cut scapes.

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of various adenine derived cytokinins (kinetin and 6-benzylaminopurine) and diphenyl urea cytokinin (thidiazuron) on the postharvest performance of cut scapes of Iris germanica. Flower scapes were harvested with the oldest bud at '1day before anthesis stage', brought to laboratory under water, cut to a uniform length of 35cm, divided into three sets viz., kinetin (KIN), 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Each set of scapes was treated with a particular cytokinin alone or in combination with 0.1M sucrose. TDZ was effective than KIN and BAP in improving the postharvest life of the I. germanica scapes by 5.4days as compared to the control (untreated scapes held in distilled water). This was because of the minimum percentage of bud abortion by TDZ application. Cytokinin application resulted in increased antioxidant activity, higher protein and phenolic content, besides a decrease in specific protease activity and α-amino acids in the tepal tissues. Application of TDZ resulted in the maximum increase in the superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activity in the tepal tissues. The scapes treated with BAP and KIN maintained higher carbohydrate content in the tissue samples as compared to control and TDZ treated scapes. TDZ and BAP application resulted in increased membrane stability because of the decreased lipoxygenase activity which prevented membrane lipid peroxidation. Among the cytokinins tested, TDZ proved to be the promising cytokinin in improving the postharvest performance of beautiful flowers of I. germanica scapes.

The Influence of Bulb Storage Regimes on the Growth and Flowering of Hippeastrum (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort.)

Hippeastrum hybridum cultivar ‘Cam Tu’ bulbs were subjected to ten different treatment regimens to evaluate the effect of temperature (4°C or 25°C), duration (4, 6, or 8 weeks), and wrapping materials (coir fiber or newspaper) on their growth and flowering. The data revealed that the storage treatments had significant effects on several growth and flowering characteristics of H. hybridum cv. ‘Cam Tu’. In terms of vegetative characteristics, bulbs stored at 4°C with coir fiber wrapping for 6 weeks (T9) had the largest leaf size (a length of 39.46 cm, a width of 4.39 cm), the longest flower scape (48.64 cm in length), and the longest pedicel (4.75 cm in length). Bulbs of the T9 treatment also showed the shortest time to flower bud emergence (62.24 days) and first flower opening (80.43 days), and the date of 70% first flower fully opening was January 19, 2018. Both of the two thermal treatment regimens shortened flowering time (80.43-103.16 days) compared to the control (132.46 days). However, the number of bulblets per plant, number of leaves per plant, number of florets per scape, floret diameter, longevity of a flower, and longevity of a flower scape were not statistically impacted by the treatments.

Endogenous levels of polyamines during cold storage of bird-ofparadise treated with biocides

This study aimed to analyse the endogenous levels of free polyamines putrescine (Put), spermidine (spd) and spermine (spm) under the effect of 8-HQC (8-hydroxyquinoline citrate) and chlorine during cold storage of bird-of-paradise floral scapes. Flowers were selected, labelled and randomly distributed in recipients for postharvest trials. The base of flower scapes was immersed with pulsing treatments (Control, 100 chlorine, 250 or 500 mg L-1 8-HQC) for 48 h, thereafter, stored at 10.5 °C and 90% relative humidity for a period of 12 days. Flower parts were sampled for polyamines analysis at day 0, 4, 8 and 12 days during storage. All samples had higher Put levels than the control. Treatment with 500 mg L-1 8-HQC showed the highest Spd levels in bracts, while chlorine treatment had the highest Spm levels in stems.

Evaluation of Narcissus Genotypes under Karewa Condition of Kashmir Himalaya

An investigation was carried out to evaluate eighteen genotypes of narcissus for quality cut flower and bulb production under Kashmir Himalaya condition. Wide range of variation among the 18 genotypes of narcissus was recorded with respect to vegetative, flower, bulb production attributes. Genotype CITH-NS-3 gave maximum plant height (34.37 cm) and leaf length (29.13 cm). Highest number of leaves per plant (12.33) was recorded in CITH-NS-6 followed by CITH-NS-3 (11.79). Flower scape length was found maximum in CITH-NS-3 (32.34 cm) which was at par with CITH-NS-1 (30.50 cm). Flower number per plant varies from 1.00 to 8.00 in different genotype. Flower size was recorded highest in CITH-NS-15 (9.69 cm) which was at par with CITH-NS-10 (9.37 cm), CITH-NS-11 (9.31 cm) and CITH-NS-1 (9.22 cm). Blooming period varies from 12.50 to 20.15 days and recorded maximum 20.15 days in genotype CITH-NS-1 which was statistically at par with CITH-NS-6 (19.00 days). Vase life recorded maximum 12.72 days in CITH-NS-1 followed by CITH-NS-4 (11.82 days) and CITH-NS-2 (11.45 days). Maximum number of bulbs per plant was produced in CITH-NS-2 (5.10) followed by CITH-NS-3 (4.55) which was at with CITH-NS-7 (4.41) and CITH-NS-6 (4.17). Total bulb yield recorded maximum in genotype CITH-NS-6 (80.99 t/ha) followed by CITH-NS-2 (74.66 t/ ha) while CITH-NS-3 and CITH-NS-6 showed highest propagation coefficient 851.98 and 845.90 %, respectively. Based on different vegetative, floral and bulb attributes genotypes CITH-NS-1, CITH-NS-2, CITH-NS-3, CITH-NS-6 and CITH-NS-11 were found promising for quality cut flower production and CITH-NS-16 was found suitable for flower bed planting.

Effect of Potting Media on Growth, Flowering and Bulb Production of Hippeastrum (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort.)

A pot experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur-1706, during the period from March, 2008 to May, 2009 to investigate the suitable potting media for flower and bulb production of hippeastrum. The potting media containing a mixture of rice husk and cowdung at the ratio of 1:1 supplemented with 10 g per pot (30 cm) each of TSP and MP was found to be the best for bigger size of flower (14.20 x 13.70 cm) and flower scape (44.40 x 27.30 cm), the highest number (7.4) and weight (252.5 g) of bulblets, the maximum diameter (76.0 mm) and weight (218.4 g) of mother bulb and total bulb yield (470.9 g) of hippeastrum. But the maximum number (3.8) of flower per scape and the longest flowering duration (11.60 days) were obtained from the potting media containing a mixture of soil, rice husk, cowdung and coirdust in 1:1:1:1 ratio supplemented with 10 g each of TSP and MP. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(3): 259-271

Putrescine and Jasmonates Outplay Conventional Growth Regulators in Improving Postharvest Performance of Iris germanica L. Cut Scapes

Efficiency of various growth regulators viz. gibberellic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate, putrescine, spermine and spermidine in improving the postharvest performance of cut scapes of Iris germanica L. was examined. Flower scapes harvested with the oldest bud at pencil stage (1 day before anthesis) were cut to a uniform length of 35 cm under water and divided into eight sets. Each set was provided with a different vase solution viz. gibberellic acid, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate, putrescine, spermine and spermidine alone or in combination with 0.1 M sucrose. A separate set of scapes held in distilled water was designated as control. Application of putrescine in the vase resulted in the maximum enhancement of vase life by 6.4 days as compared to the control. All the growth regulators applied resulted in the significant increment of vase life against the control except for gibberellic acid which showed comparable vase life to control. Full blooming (100 %) was achieved in the scapes treated with putrescine and spermine alone or in combination with sucrose. Spermine treatment resulted in the burst of flowering on day 4 against the normal sequential blooming behavior of Iris species. Improved postharvest performance by the application of various growth regulators was associated with decrease in lipid peroxidase and lipoxygenase activity and an increased activity of various antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase besides maintaining higher values of soluble proteins, sugar fractions, total phenols and membrane stability index.

Response of N, P and K on the growth and flowering of hippeastrum (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort.)

An experiment was conducted at the Horticultural Research Field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Salna, Gazipur during September 2008 to May 2009 to determine the response of hippeastrum (cu. ‘Apple Blassom) to different combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels. There were 14 treatment combinations comprising four levels of nitrogen viz. 0, 100, 200, and 300 kgha-1; five levels of phosphorus viz. 0, 200,300, 400 and 500 kgha-1 and five levels of potassium viz. 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kgha-1 with an exclusively Cowdung treatment at the rate of 10 tha-1 . The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The growth and flowering parameter of hippeastrum were significantly influenced by combined application of N, P & K.The highest values in respect of leaves per plant (8.6), leaf breadth (5.4 cm), number of plants per bulb (3.07), flower scape per plant (2.07), flowers per scape (4.2), length and diameter of flower (14 cm x 13.83 cm), flower scape (43.33 cm x 29.37 cm) and flowering duration (10.7 days) were observed with N200P400K300. The same treatment showed earliness in days to flower scape emergence (172.3 days), days to flower bud appearance (185.3 days) and days to first flower open (189.3 days). The biggest flower (14.00 cm x 13.83 cm), longest flower scape (43.33 cm), maximum number of flowers per scape (4.20), and maximum flowering duration (11.5 days) were also exhibited by the treatment N200P400K300 .The control treatment (N0P0K0) recorded the lowest values except days to first leaf emergence, days to flower scape emergence, days to flower bud appearance and days to first flower open.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 41(1): 91-101, March 2016

Effect of plant growth regulators on flower and bulb production of hippeastrum (Hippeastrum hybridum Hort.)

The experiment was conducted at the Horticultural research field of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur during October 2008 to July 2009 to investigate the effect of plant growth regulators on flower and bulb production of Hippeastrum. There were ten treatments comprising of three concentrations of three growth regulators viz., IAA (20, 60 and 100 ppm), ethrel (100, 300 and 500 ppm) and GA3 (100, 300 and 500 ppm) along with control (soaked in water). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Flower and bulb characteristics of Hippeastrum were influenced significantly by different levels of growth regulators. Application of IAA at 60 and 100 ppm and GA3 at 100, 300 or 500 ppm twice as foliar spray at an interval of 30 days promoted the number of bulblets on the treated plants. Ethrel at a concentration of 100 ppm increased the number of flowers per scape (4) and showed earliness in days to flower scape emergence (72.33 days) and first flower open (88.67 days). On the other hand, the biggest size of flower (15.14 cm x 12.44 cm) and flower scape (40.28 cm x 21.95cm) at harvest and the maximum days for flowering (11.50 days) were evident from plants treated with 500 ppm GA3. The highest number of bulblets per plot (40.00), bulbs weight per plot (4056 g) along with bulb yield (40.56 t/ha) were also obtained in GA3 at 500 ppm.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(4): 591-600, December 2015

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW SUBGROUP 16SrI-S (rr-rp) tuf-H BELONGING TO ‘Ca. PHYTOPLASMA ASTERIS’ IN WILD AND CULTIVATED PLANTS IN ARGENTINA

Argentinian catharanthus little leaf phytoplasma (ACLL) was found naturally infecting Daucus carota L. (carrot), Catharanthus roseus (LG Don) (periwinkle) and wild Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile). All infected plants showed symptoms of yellowing, little leaf and internodes shortening. Flower scape distortion, malformations of umbels and roots were observed in infected carrots and witches´ broom in chamomile. Only periwinkles showed virescence and phyllody. On the basis of RFLP analyses of partial 16S rDNA, ribosomal protein rpl22 and tuf (EF-Tu) genes, ACLL phytoplasma was classified in group 16SrI (‘Ca. Phytoplasma asteris’), new subgroup 16SrI-S (rr-rp) tuf-H. All ACLL phytoplasma strains have 16S rRNA interoperon sequence heterogeneity as shown by PCR-RFLP and nucleotide sequence analyses. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences clustered ACLL phytoplasma strains into a new phylogenetic lineage within group 16SrI.

Occurrence of Cercospora insulana on statice (Limonium sinuatum) in Italy

For the past 3 years, fields of statice (Limonium sinuatum) near Pompei, southern Italy have been affected by a previously unrecorded leaf spot disease, which was also found in 2002 near Pescia in central Italy. Infections first occurred in June and spread during the summer. Leaf spots were circular, brown with a darker edge, 3–6 mm in diameter, and surrounded by an orange or reddish halo. Lesions were also observed on the wings of the flower scapes, while scapes proper were not involved. Old lesions enlarged and merged, causing early yellowing and senescence of leaves; heavy infections resulted in severe defoliation and retarded growth or death of panicles. Microscopic inspection of lesions revealed the presence of dark brown stromata with pale brown conidiophores. Conidiophores were septate, unbranched, sinuous, bent at spore scars, averaging 59 µm long × 4·8 µm wide. They bore multiseptate hyaline conidia (95 µm long × 3·3 µm wide on average) which were slightly curved, with truncate bases and subacute tips. These features conform to the reported description of Cercospora insulana, a species recorded on Limonium and other members of the Plumbaginaceae (Chupp, 1953). The species C. insulana was originally described by Saccardo (1915) on L. sinuatum in Malta. Since then the pathogen has been reported from Russia, the USA, Canada, Guatemala, South Africa (Chupp, 1953), Taiwan, Argentina, Israel, Thailand, Myanmar and a number of African countries (J. C. David, CABI Bioscience, Egham, UK, personal communication). Cercospora leaf spot of statice was reported by Pesante (1956) in northern Italy, but the author claimed it had longer conidia (120–180 µm) and described it as Cercospora statices. This difference is questionable because the author measured conidia developing in a moist chamber. Longer conidia were also observed by Jackson (1961). However, as no further outbreaks of the disease have been reported since, and it is no longer possible to make a comparison with the specimens collected by Pesante, to our knowledge this is the first documented report of C. insulana in Italy. The authors thank Dr John C. David (CABI Bioscience, Egham, UK) for confirming the identity of the pathogen as C. insulana.

Choice of Adjuvant with Halosulfuron Affects Purple Nutsedge Control and Nursery Crop Tolerance

One-half (18 g·ha-1 a.i.) and three-fourths (27 g·ha-1 a.i.) rates of halosulfuron (Manage®, MON 12051) were combined with adjuvants and evaluated for effectiveness in controlling purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) and for phytotoxic responses exhibited by two kinds of container-grown ornamental plants. Adjuvants included X-77®, Scoil®, Sun-It II®, Action “99”®, and Agri-Dex®. By 8 weeks after treatment (WAT), halosulfuron combined with X-77®, Agri-Dex®, or Action “99”® at the lower halosulfuron rate provided <90% purple nutsedge suppression. In contrast, Sun-It II® provided 100% control when combined with the higher halosulfuron rate. Nutsedge control persisted into the following growing season and halosulfuron combined with either Scoil® or Sun-It II® provided >97% suppression of nutsedge tuber production. Growth of liriope [Liriope muscari (Decne.) Bailey `Big Blue'] was not inhibited by Scoil® or Sun-It II® adjuvants in combination with the low rate of halosulfuron. However, regardless of the rate of halosulfuron or adjuvant used, initial foliar chlorosis was observed in both daylily (Hemerocallis sp. L. `Stella d'Oro') and liriope. All liriope receiving halosulfuron with X-77®, Scoil®, or Sun-It II® adjuvants recovered normal foliage by 8 WAT. By contrast, at 8 WAT some daylily still maintained a degree of foliar discoloration. In addition to chlorosis, all treatments reduced flower number in daylilies. The number of flower scapes produced by liriope was not affected by halosulfuron when in combination with either Sun-It II® or Scoil®. The high rate of halosulfuron combined with X-77® or Action “99”® improved control of purple nutsedge. However, this rate inhibited growth of both species, daylily flower numbers, and scape numbers of liriope, regardless of adjuvant. Chemical names used: halosulfuron (Manage®, MON 12051, methyl 5-{[(4,6-dimethyl-2-pyrimidinyl) amino] carbonyl-aminosulfonyl}-3-chloro-1-methyl-1-H-pyrozole-4-carboxylate); proprietary blends of 100% methylated seed oil (Scoil® and Sun-It II®); proprietary blend of 99% polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyl trisiloxane and nonionic surfactants (Action “99”®); alkylarylpolyoxyethylene, alkylpolyoxyethelene, fatty acids, glycols, dimethylpolysiloxane, and isopropanol (X-77®); proprietary blend of 83% paraffin-based petroleum oil, with 17% polyoxyethylate polyol fatty acid ester and polyol fatty ester as nonionic surfactants (Agri-Dex®)

DEVELOPMENT OF ALLIUM ASCHERSONIANUM, AN ISRAELI NATIVE SPECIES, AS A NEW ORNAMENTAL CROP

About 40 Allium species and cultivars are cultivated as garden and cut flowers in the Netherlands, Japan, Israel and a few other countries. Recently, the Israeli native species Allium aschersonianum, which is indigenous to the Jordan Valley and the Negev desert has shown promise for use as cut flowers and potted plants. In 1996-2000, we studied the natural life cycle of the species and developed experimental systems for its propagation. As with other geophytes, A. aschersonianum becomes reproductive after reaching a critical mass sufficient for floral development. Bulbs of A. aschersonianum initiate inflorescence during the third year of their development from seeds, but high-quality flowers can be obtained only from 3-year-old bulbs that are greater than 8/9 cm in circumference. Floral initiation occurs within the parent bulb in September, and flower formation continues for 2 months. When the bulb is planted in November, elongation of the flower scape begins after the development of 3-4 leaves and flowering occurs in January-February. We have developed systems for vegetative propagation which involve enhancing the initiation of the axillary meristems and the subsequent development of numerous daughter bulbs.

Effects of Scape-injected 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid (ACC) on the Vase Life of `Testarossa' Cut Gerberas

`Testarossa' gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus) scapes were injected with distilled water (control), or 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 mm ACC at harvest, then held at 20 °C for 15 days in a preservative solution. PAL activity and ethylene production increased within 1 day proportionally to injected ACC. ACC injection reduced bending incidence, inhibited flower scape elongation, enhanced firmness of the flower scapes and increased vase life. Flower scapes treated with ACC reached full maturity 3 days before the end of vase life of the control, which bent before reaching full maturity.