Garden Cress Lepidium Sativum Research Articles

Observation of significant photosynthesis in garden cress and cyanobacteria under simulated illumination from a K dwarf star

Abstract Stars with about 45 to 80% the mass of the Sun, so-called K dwarf stars, have previously been proposed as optimal host stars in the search for habitable extrasolar worlds. These stars are abundant, have stable luminosities over billions of years longer than Sun-like stars, and offer favourable space environmental conditions. So far, the theoretical and experimental focus on exoplanet habitability has been on even less massive, though potentially less hospitable red dwarf stars. Here we present the first experimental data on the responses of photosynthetic organisms to a simulated K dwarf spectrum. We find that garden cress Lepidium sativum under K-dwarf radiation exhibits comparable growth and photosynthetic efficiency as under Solar illumination on Earth. The cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 exhibits significantly higher photosynthetic efficiency and culture growth under K dwarf radiation compared to Solar conditions. Our findings of the affirmative responses of these two photosynthetic organisms to K dwarf radiation suggest that exoplanets in the habitable zones around such stars deserve high priority in the search for extrasolar life.

Nutritional and biologically active compounds in Russian (VIR) Brassicaceae vegetable crops collection

The article presents the results of studying the biochemical composition of the large worldwide vegetable crops collection of the Brassicaceae family, stored at the N. I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), St. Petersburg, Russia, consisting of 7303 accessions of different status (approximately 50% unique accessions) from 98 countries. Studied vegetable brassicas collection includes representatives of all botanical varieties, agroecological groups and cultivar types of the species cole crops Brassica oleracea L. and related wild Mediterranean species, leafy and root vegetable crops B. rapa L., leafy and root vegetable accessions of Indian mustard B. juncea Czern. subsp. integrifolia (H. West) Tell. and subsp. foliosa L. H. Bailey, radish and small radish Raphanus sativus L., garden cress Lepidium sativum L., salad rocket Eruca sativa L. The application of complex analysis for the study of nutrient and biologically active compounds of economically important crops from six species of Brassicaceae family, which determine the quality of vegetables and feeds, also the search within each crop for sources of valuable biochemical traits for breeding has been presented. The broadest variability of all studied traits between and within crops was revealed, the limits of natural variability were determined. The average values of the studied traits in six species within the family varied to varying degrees: they were similar in the studied species in terms of dry matter content (%), protein, total acidity; differed between species to a moderate degree in terms of the content of ascorbic acid, carotene, and the amount of volatile phenolic compounds. The species differed to a very high degree from each other in terms of the average content of sugars (total, monosaccharides, etc.), carotenoids, β-carotene, chlorophylls a and b, anthocyanins, free amino acids, and free fatty acids. Studied crops, belonging to Brassica oleracea, have the highest total sugar content among the all studied crops. B. rapa leafy crops have the highest content of phenolic compounds; B. juncea - β-carotene and chlorophylls; Raphanus sativus - carotenes and anthocyanins; Lepidium sativum ? the highest content of protein, total acidity, free amino acids; Eruca sativa - carotenoids and free fatty acids. The maximum dry matter content was detected in the forage turnip B. rapa and Brussels sprout (B. oleracea), protein in leafy B. rapa crops and cauliflower (B. oleracea), total sugars and ascorbic acid in head cabbage (B. oleracea), carotenoids in L. sativum and E. sativa, carotenes, including β-carotene, chlorophylls, phenolic

Inhibition of some aquatic and aromatic plants extracts on fungal infection on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and its eggs

Present study was carried out to investigate the inhibition effect of extracts of some aquatic and aromatic plants on three fungi genera (Aspergillus, Penicillium and Saprolegnia) infecting common carp and its eggs. The inhibition test was done for 15 species of plants represented: Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum L.; Water hyssop Bacopamonnieria (L.) Hayata et Mastum; Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatumL.; curled pondweed Potamogeton crispus L.; Widgeon-grass Ruppia maritimaL.; Mint Mentha spicata L.; Ginger Zingiber officinale Roscoe; Onion Allium cepa L.; Leek Allium ampeloprasum L. var. porrum (L.) ;Damas Conocarpus lancifolius Engl. & Diels; Garden cress Lepidium sativum L.; Brant's oak Quercus brantii Lindl. and Eggplant Solanum melongena L. using the manner of food poisoning in Petri dishes. The results showed a difference in the inhibitory effect of the extracts according to the species of plants and fungi. The highest percentage of inhibition on Aspergillus was by using Q. brantii (79%) and the lowest was the R. maritime (18%). The highest percentage of inhibition on Penicillium was obtained by using the water extract of Z. officinale (81%) and lowest was the S. melongena (2%). M. spicatum extract has the highest inhibitory effect on Saprolegnia (100%) while the lowest was A. sativum (38.8%).

First Report of Downy Mildew Disease Caused by Perofascia lepidii on Garden Cress Lepidium sativum in Turkey

First Report of Downy Mildew Disease Caused by <i>Perofascia lepidii</i> on Garden Cress <i>Lepidium sativum</i> in Turkey

Habitat Preference Within Its Native Range and Allelopathy of Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata

Even though Alliaria petiolata is a globally important invasive plant, for Europe it is a native humble understory species. I studied the population characteristics of A. petiolata in its native range (NE Slovenia) by evaluating its demographic structure (e.g. population size, density, plant fruit production) and herbivory damage in different habitats (forest understorey, forest edge, ruderal site). Moreover I tested the allelopathic potential of fresh A. petiolata leaves and roots on garden cress Lepidium sativum germination and seedling development. I performed bioassays with aqueous extracts and took a first step toward testing the presence of volatile potentially allelopathic compounds. The results showed that A. petiolata populations can become established at disturbed sites, even such without a tree canopy, but dense stands can be found only at disturbed forest edges. The bioassays confirmed the presence of A. petiolata aqueous and volatile allelochemicals in leaves and roots. Germination was suppressed more by volatiles, showing that allelopathy can act via volatile compounds and further suggesting their antifungal effects. The results allow predicting that the success of A. petiolata invasion in a non-native range might rely on its variable habitat tolerance (not being a strict ruderal species) and allelopathy.