Geranium Plants Research Articles

Development of Biogenic Silver Nano Particle from Pelargonium Graveolens Leaf Extract and their Antibacterial Activity

Antibacterial activity of biogenic silver nanoparticles was evaluated by zone of inhibition using standard agar disc diffusion method. Among three different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 µl) 100 µl concentration showed maximum activity against Klebsiella pneumonia (2.7 cm), Shigella someneii (2.4 cm), S. flexaneri (2.4 cm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.2 cm), P. mirabilis (2.1 cm) and E. coli (2.0 cm) when compared to the other two concentrations. It was also observed that it showed no activity against geranium plant extract that served as control.

Regulated deficit irrigation in different phenological stages of potted geranium plants: water consumption, water relations and ornamental quality

The irrigation water requirements and sensitivity to water deficits of ornamental plants is of great interest to horticultural producers for planning irrigation strategies. The effect of different deficit irrigation strategies on physiological and morphological parameters in geranium plants was studied in different growth phases to evaluate how such strategies can be safely used and to ascertain whether the flowering phase is sensitive to deficit irrigation. Pelargonium × hortorum L.H. Bailey plants, grown in a controlled growth chamber, were subjected to four irrigation treatments: control (100 % water field capacity throughout the experiment), sustainable deficit irrigation (75 % water field capacity throughout the experiment), and two regulated deficit irrigation treatments that included water stress during the vegetative growth phase or during the flowering development phase. Although the total amount of irrigation water was similar in the three deficit irrigation treatments (around 80 % of the control value), the lowest values for both height and flowering were found when deficit irrigation was applied during flowering. This indicates that plant quality does not only depend on the amount of water applied but also on the time when the reduction is applied, and that flowering is the most sensitive phase to water stress. Evapotranspiration was related to the formation of inflorescences and to increased plant height. When the irrigation strategy was changed, plants increased or decreased their water consumption and stomatal conductance to adjust to the new conditions by regulating stomatal opening, although, in general, the values of both parameters remained below those observed in the control plants.

1,3‐Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) in supplements and geranium products: natural or synthetic?

1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a stimulant existing in various pre-workout supplements and often labelled as part of geranium plants. The safety and origin of DMAA in these supplements is the subject of intense debate. In this study, the enantiomeric and diastereomeric ratios of two different known synthetic DMAA compounds, as well as the total concentrations of DMAA and its stereoisomeric ratios in 13 different supplements, were determined by gas chromatography. The stereoisomeric ratios of DMAA in the synthetic standards and in all the commercial supplements were indistinguishable. Eight different commercial geranium extracts of different geographical origins (China and the Middle East) were examined for the presence of DMAA by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). No DMAA was detected in any of the eight geranium products with a limit of detection of 10 parts per billion (w/w).

Photomorphogenic reactions in geranium (Pelargonium x hortotum) plants stimulated by brief exposures of ultraviolet-C irradiation

Of all environmental factors that influence plant growth and development, light and other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are most essential. In the present study, the effects of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation on two cultivars, Victor and Glacis, of pot grown geranium (Pelargonium x hortotum) plants were evaluated. Two-year experimental data showed that low doses of UV-C (i.e. 0.5–5.0 kJ m−2) irradiation led to photomorphogenic changes recorded as increases of fresh and dry weight, number of lateral stems and number of inflorescences formed. Although changes were recorded for both cultivars, responses to UV-C were population dependent with cv. Glacis appearing to be the more responsive one. The number of inflorescences formed on UV-C irradiated cv. Glacis plants was significantly (P < 0.05) higher to that of the non-irradiated controls throughout the pot trials in 2010 and 2011. For example, in the 2010 pot trial, exposure to 2.5 kJ m−2 UV-C resulted in the increase of inflorescences by 75 %. Additionally, the number of lateral stems on UV-C irradiated plants of cvs. Victor and Glacis increased by 122 % and 64 %, respectively. Temperatures and PARs during the 2-year pot trials varied to a considerable level and seem to have affected floral development and growth of both cultivars. However, only in cv. Glacis the effect on floral development was significant as cv. Victor geraniums grown in 2010 and 2011 showed comparable numbers of inflorescences. Our results show that brief exposures of geranium plants to UV-C may facilitate the production of high quality final products in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way.

Assessment of provenance delineation by genetic differentiation patterns and estimates of gene flow in the common grassland plant Geranium pratense

The use of local provenances in restoration, agriculture and forestry has been identified and widely implemented as a measure for species and community conservation. In practice, provenances are often delineated based on climate, geomorphology and correlated spatial descriptors following the boundaries of larger natural regions. They are thought to comprise genetically homogenous plant material. Here we investigate genetic variation at AFLP loci in 26 natural populations of the regionally common grassland species Geranium pratense, which is often used in seed mixtures. Most studied populations are located in one previously delineated provenance in Germany. We assess within- and among provenance differentiation patterns and aspects of gene flow by investigating the mating system, the genetic structure at regional and local scale, gene dispersal and potential selective mechanisms that may have contributed to differentiation patterns found. Compared to other herbaceous, insect-pollinated grassland species and despite being outcrossed (mean t m = 0.88), G. pratense showed low genetic diversity (mean H E = 0.15), considerable genetic differentiation among populations within provenances (mean pairwise F ST = 0.20) and a pronounced within-population spatial genetic structure (mean Sp = 0.064). A genome scan approach identified three potentially adaptive loci. However, their allelic frequencies were only weakly related to climatic parameters thus providing little evidence for adaptive divergence. Nevertheless, the distribution of genetic diversity and derived gene dispersal estimates indicate limited dispersal ability, suggesting that gene flow at distances larger than 10 km is negligible. Our findings may question the approach of delineating provenances by general criteria, and highlight the importance of species-specific studies on differentiation and adaptation patterns.

Analysis and Confirmation of 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-DMAA in Geranium Plants Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry at ng/g Concentrations

1,3-Dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) is a stimulant commercially sold in a variety of dietary supplements as a chemical species derived from geranium plants (Pelargonium graveolens). Whether 1,3-DMAA naturally occurs in geranium plants or other dietary ingredients, it has important regulatory and commercial ramifications. However, the analysis of 1,3-DMAA in geranium plants is not trivial due to low concentrations and a complex environmental matrix, requiring high selectivity and sensitivity. An extraction method combined with high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is used to determine 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA) concentrations in geranium plants with both external calibration and standard addition method. Samples from the Changzhou, Kunming, and Guiyang regions of China during both winter and summer were analyzed for 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-DMAA. The diastereomer ratios of the 1,3-DMAA stereoisomers of a racemic standard and the extracted plant were also quantified.

Identification and Quantification of Dimethylamylamine in Geranium by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method of liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/ MS) was developed and validated for determining 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) and 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA) in geranium plants (Pelargonium graveolens). The sample was extracted with 0.5 M HCl and purified by liquid-liquid partition with hexane. The parameters for reverse-phase (C18) LC and positive ESI/MS/MS were optimized. The matrix effect, specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and reproducibility of the method were determined and evaluated. The method was linear over a range of 0.10–10.00 ng/mL examined, with R2 of 0.99 for both 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-DMAA. The recoveries from spiked concentrations between 5.00–40.00 ng/g were 85.1%–104.9% for 1,3-DMAA, with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.9%–11.0%, and 82.9%–101.8% for 1,4-DMAA, with RSD of 3.2%–11.7%. The instrument detection limit was 1–2 pg for both DMAAs. The quantification limit was estimated to be 1–2 ng/g for the plant sample. This method was successfully applied to the quantitative determination of 1,3- and 1,4-DMAA in both geranium plant and geranium oil.

Physiomorphological response of rose-scented geranium ( Pelargonium spp.) to irrigation frequency

The effect of irrigation frequency on leaf physiomorphological processes of rose-scented geranium ( Pelargonium capitatum × P. radens cv. Rose) was investigated in a glasshouse study at the Hatfield Experimental Farm of the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, from November 2005 to October 2006. Daily, and every 2nd, 3rd, 4th , and 5th day irrigation were applied as treatments. Leaf samples for electron-microscopic observations were taken one week prior to harvesting, whereafter all plants were re-watered. For each of the irrigation frequency treatments, 50% of the plants were then exposed to a one-week irrigation withholding period (brief stress treatment) prior to harvesting. During this period, physiological properties were recorded on a daily basis to identify or monitor change. Higher irrigation frequency and a brief water stress period increased essential oil yield. Lower irrigation frequency tended to increase the citronellol to geraniol (C:G) ratio to unacceptably high levels (C:G > 3). Upon re-watering, stomatal conductance (G s) and transpiration rate (R t) were significantly lower for the lower irrigation frequency treatments, compared to the higher irrigation frequency treatments, while no noticeable differences were observed in water potential (ψ w) and relative water content (RWC). At the end of the one-week stress period, G s, R t, ψ w and RWC were lower for the plants that were more frequently irrigated compared to the less frequently irrigated treatments. Water stress reduced leaf size, and apparently increased trichome density, whereas the total number of trichomes per leaf remained more or less the same, indicating that total essential oil yield is mainly affected by leaf number (and not by leaf size or trichome number). Stomatal closure was the main water stress avoiding/adaptation mechanism. These results demonstrate that rose-scented geranium plants can make physiomorphological adaptations to save water. However, such a water saving strategy was counter-productive, since it resulted in lower essential oil yield and lower water-use efficiency.

Microbial and chemical sources of phosphorus supply modulate the yield and chemical composition of essential oil of rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium species) in sodic soils

Rose-scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.) is a highly valued aromatic crop. Its growth is limited by soil salinity and sodicity stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and P fertilizers may enhance the growth and secondary metabolism in geranium plants. In this context, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of PSB, AM fungi (Glomus intraradices), and P fertilizer on the yield, chemical composition of essential oil, and mineral element acquisition of geranium. The dry matter yield of shoot and essential oil yield, and mineral element (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, and Zn) uptake in shoot tissues of geranium were significantly increased by the inoculation with AM fungi, co-inoculation with AM fungi and PSB, and P fertilization as compared to control. While the co-inoculation of geranium with AM fungi and PSB significantly enhanced the content of the monoterpenes such as citronellol, geraniol, geranial, and a sesquiterpene (10-epi-γ eudesmol), the P fertilization only enhanced the content of a sesquiterpene, 10-epi-γ eudesmol in the volatile oil. We conclude that the co-inoculation of PSB and AM fungi could be the best natural alternative to phosphate fertilizers to enhance the yield and quality of essential oil from geranium plants grown in sodic soils.

Effect of Foliar Application of Titanium Dioxide on Bacterial Blight of Geranium and Xanthomonas Leaf Spot of Poinsettia

This study is the first report of using titanium dioxide (TiO2) to control Xanthomonas bacterial blight on geranium and leaf spot on poinsettia. Potted zonal geranium ‘Patriot Bright Violet’ and poinsettia ‘Snowcap’ were grown in a greenhouse and treated with a foliar spray of TiO2 at 25 and 75 mm, respectively, twice. Titanium-treated and control geranium plants were inoculated with Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii and poinsettias were inoculated with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. poinsettiicola. The experiment was repeated once. The numbers of lesions on geranium leaves sprayed with TiO2 at 25 and 75 mm were 53% and 67%, respectively, less than in control plants in the first trial, but there were no significant differences among treatments in the second trial. Results on poinsettia, however, showed significant decrease in lesion numbers in both trials. Plants treated with TiO2 at 25 and 75 mm showed 85% and 93% reduction in lesions, respectively, in the first trial and 87% and 92% reduction in lesions in the second trial. No symptoms of phytotoxicity were observed. This study suggests that TiO2 has potential as an alternative to currently labeled products for controlling Xanthomonas bacterial blight in geranium and leaf spot on poinsettia.

Optimization of harvest regime and post-harvest handling in geranium production to maximize essential oil yield in Rwanda

In Rwanda, the production of geranium ( Pelargonium sp.) essential oil is becoming an important commercial crop for income generation. The understanding of postharvest handling of the crop prior to distillation is a key strategy to maximize oil yields. Two experiments were conducted in commercial fields of rose geranium, Pelargonium graveolens, in Kiyombe (Rwanda) to investigate the effects of (i) the length of dry-down or partial wilt and (ii) the time of day on the quantity and quality of essential oil yield and composition. In the first study, the plant material was harvested at 12:00 noon, and while drying also under the same shade conditions the material was sub-sampled immediately and again at 3 h intervals up through 46-h after harvesting. In the second study, the geranium plants were manually harvested at 10:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM and dried under shade for 17 h prior to steam distillation. The geranium plants harvested in the early afternoon (2:00 PM) had the highest essential oil concentration (0.22%). The chemical profile of the essential oil showed that Kiyombe geranium oil exhibited a suitable chemical composition (citronellol 26.4%, linalool 2.3% and geraniol 13.9%), acceptable for international markets.

Micropropagação e aclimatização de gerânio (Pelargonium graveolens L.)

O gerânio (Pelargonium graveolens L.) é uma planta medicinal e aromática nativa do sul da África, cujo óleo essencial é amplamente empregado nas indústrias de perfumaria e cosmético, além de ser usado como terapêutico. Avaliou-se o efeito da luminosidade e dos reguladores de crescimento BAP e ANA na multiplicação in vitro e o uso de diferentes substratos na aclimatização de mudas micropropagadas. Foram avaliadas as concentrações 0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0 mg L-1 de BAP, 0; 0,1 e 0,5 mg L-1 de ANA e duas condições de luminosidade (ausência e presença de luz), em esquema fatorial 4x3x2; para a aclimatização foram utilizados quatro substratos, pó de coco + Biosafra® (3-12-6) (12 g L-1) + calcário (1 g L-1) (PCBC); pó de coco + Biosafra® (3-12-6) (12 g L-1) + calcário (1 g L-1) + vermiculita (1:1) (PCBCV 1:1); pó de coco + Biosafra® (3-12-6) (12 g L-1) + calcário (1 g L-1) + vermiculita (PCBCV 2:1) e vermiculita e adição semanal de sais MS (VS). Para a micropropagação de P. graveolens a utilização de 1,3 mg L-1 de BAP e 0,5 mg L-1 de ANA é eficiente na regeneração direta de plantas de gerânio, sendo a condição de escuro a mais indicada por proporcionar o maior número de brotos por explante. Para a aclimatização das mudas de gerânio, os melhores resultados foram obtidos em mudas aclimatizadas no substrato vermiculita com adição semanal de sais de MS seguido do substrato PCBCV 1:1.

EFFECT OF CLOVE OIL ON PLANT PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND BACTERIAL WILT OF TOMATO AND GERANIUM

SUMMARY We determined the antibacterial activity of clove oil against seven different genera of plant pathogenic bacteria including Gram-negative Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Erwinia carotovora pv. carotovora, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. pelargonii, as well as Gram-positive Rhodococcus fascians and Streptomyces spp. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested were sensitive to clove oil, with R. solanacearum being the most sensitive one. Greenhouse experiments were therefore conducted to determine the effect of clove oil as a pre-plant soil fumigant on bacterial wilt of tomato and geranium caused by R. solanacearum. Seven days after treating R. solanacearum-infested plant growth medium (“soil”) with 5 ml of clove oil per kilogram of soil, populations of R. solanacearum were reduced to undetectable level, and none of the tomato and geranium plants transplanted into such soil developed wilt symptoms or harbored the bacterium. Our results suggest that clove oil has the potential to be an alternative control measure to combat bacterial wilt of tomato and geranium.

Moderate temperature fluctuations rapidly reduce the viability of Ralstonia solanacearum race 3, biovar 2, in infected geranium, tomato, and potato plants.

Most Ralstonia solanacearum strains are tropical plant pathogens, but race 3, biovar 2 (R3bv2), strains can cause bacterial wilt in temperate zones or tropical highlands where other strains cannot. R3bv2 is a quarantine pathogen in North America and Europe because of its potential to damage the potato industry in cooler climates. However, R3bv2 will not become established if it cannot survive temperate winters. Previous experiments showed that in water at 4°C, R3bv2 does not survive as long as native U.S. strains, but R3bv2 remains viable longer than U.S. strains in potato tubers at 4°C. To further investigate the effects of temperature on this high-concern pathogen, we assessed the ability of R3bv2 and a native U.S. strain to survive typical temperate winter temperature cycles of 2 days at 5°C followed by 2 days at -10°C. We measured pathogen survival in infected tomato and geranium plants, in infected potato tubers, and in sterile water. The population sizes of both strains declined rapidly under these conditions in all three plant hosts and in sterile water, and no culturable R. solanacearum cells were detected after five to seven temperature cycles in plant tissue. The fluctuations played a critical role in loss of bacterial viability, since at a constant temperature of -20°C, both strains could survive in infected geranium tissue for at least 6 months. These results suggest that even when sheltered in infected plant tissue, R3bv2 is unlikely to survive the temperature fluctuations typical of a northern temperate winter.

Synergistic inhibition of Influenza A virus replication by a plant polyphenol-rich extract and ε-aminocaproic acid in vitro and in vivo

A combined antiviral effect of a polyphenol-rich extract of the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. (PC) and a protease inhibitor, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (ACA) was examined in Influenza A virus (IAV)-infected MDCK cell cultures and mice. Synergistic, antagonistic, or indifferent antiviral effects were distinguished on the basis of virus yields, namely fractional yields of individual compounds and yields of both compounds in combination. Combinations of PC and ACA in particular concentrations proved synergistic in the inhibition of virus replication in MDCK cells and in protection of mice against virus infection as determined by virus titers, lung weight, mean survival time (MST), mortality rate, and protection rate (PR). Following the application of a combination of PC and ACA to the virus-infected mice, the levels of the lung protease and protease-inhibitory activity, which were increased due to the virus infection, were brought to normal. These results demonstrate the rationale for a combined application of viral inhibitors with different modes of action to the treatment of IAV infection, in particular PC as a natural inhibitor of early viral transcription and translation and ACA as a synthetic inhibitor of cellular proteases. Influenza A virus; antiviral effect; synergism; plant polyphenol extract; epsilon-aminocaproic acid; protease inhibitors.

The role of phenolic compounds in disease resistance in geranium

The present study was conducted in the hill station of G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Ranichauri, Uttarakhand, which is known for its diversity in medicinal and aromatic plants. The plant geranium, also known as rose or lemon geranium is highly valued for its essential oil which is used in the cosmetic and preferring industries. The plant suffers due to stem and root rot both during summer and winter seasons. In the present study, geranium plants showed maximum stem rot incidence (60.55%) and plant mortality (17.20%) during the winter season, whereas in summer the crops showed maximum root rot and wilt complex incidence (38.33%) with plant mortality up to (12.22%). The average stem rot mortality was comparatively low (16–20%) in summer but increased to 18–26% in winter crop. Several phenolic acids such as as tannic, gallic, caffeic, ferulic and benzoic were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in variable amounts in these plants. The disease intensity varied from 97.77 to 92.46% from season to season. The significance of the phenolic compounds is discussed in relation to disease prevalence.

Preventive effect of polyphenols from geranium sanguineum l on hepatic drug metabolism in influenza infected mice.

Event Abstract Back to Event Preventive effect of polyphenols from geranium sanguineum l on hepatic drug metabolism in influenza infected mice. Lyubka Tantcheva1, Eleonora Encheva2*, Silvyia Abarova2, Julia Serkedjieva3, Iliana Dimova1 and Elitza Pavlova4 1 Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgaria 2 Medical University-Sofia, Bulgaria 3 Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Bulgaria 4 St Kliment Ohridsky Sofia University, Bulgaria Introduction: Inhibited first phase of drug metabolism is a main reason for numerous side effects and increased drug toxicity, observed in the course of influenza virus infection (IVI). Medical plant Geranium Sanguineum L. (GSL), spread in the Balkans, demonstrated significant antioxidant and antiviral activity. The aim of the study is to evaluate the preventive effect of polyphenol complex (PPC) from GSL on the oxidative drug metabolism in IVI. Methods: The experimental model of IVI (A/Aichi/2/68/(H3N2)(4.5 lg LD50) is developed in male albino ICR mice. PPC is applied nasally (10 mg/kg). In liver 9 000 g supernatant thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant total activity (ATA) as well as monooxygenase N-demethylase activity (ethylmorphyne, amidopyrine and analgin) and hydroxylase activity (aniline and p-nitrophenol), NADPH- cytochrtome P-450 reductase and cytochrome P-450 content are determined. Student-Fisher t-test and correlation coefficients are used for statistics. Results: High correlation between increased TBARS and decreased monooxygenase activity (p< 0.001) is found in infected animals. It suggests that activation of free radicals can be one of the main reasons for unspecific monooxygenase inhibition, because all components of cytochrome P-450 system are inhibited (mostly the on the 6th and 9th days). PPC pretreatment demonstrates significant preventive effect against increased levels of TBRS and decreased ATA. Drug metabolism in IVI mice is restored by PPC near to healthy controls. Conclusion: TBARS probably play important role not only in the pathogenesis of IVI, but also in modulation of hepatic monooxygenase activity. All inhibited P-450 monooxygenase activities are significantly restored by PPC pretreatment. The complex mechanism of PPC-protective effect obviously combines several biological activities- antioxidant activity, selective antiviral and protein-bounding effect. In contrast to infected animals, PPC has medium pro-oxidant and weak inhibiting effect on monooxygenases in healthy animals, probably related to its protein–binding effect on membrane proteins and enzymes. Keywords: influenza infection, drug metabolism, cyt P-450 monooxygenases, Polyphenols, Geranium Sanguineum L. Conference: 8th Southeast European Congress on Xenobiotic Metabolism and Toxicity - XEMET 2010, Thessaloniki, Greece, 1 Oct - 5 Oct, 2010. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Xenobiotic metabolism Citation: Tantcheva L, Encheva E, Abarova S, Serkedjieva J, Dimova I and Pavlova E (2010). Preventive effect of polyphenols from geranium sanguineum l on hepatic drug metabolism in influenza infected mice.. Front. Pharmacol. Conference Abstract: 8th Southeast European Congress on Xenobiotic Metabolism and Toxicity - XEMET 2010. doi: 10.3389/conf.fphar.2010.60.00203 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 28 Oct 2010; Published Online: 04 Nov 2010. * Correspondence: Dr. Eleonora Encheva, Medical University-Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria, eleonora.encheva@medfac.acad.bg Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Lyubka Tantcheva Eleonora Encheva Silvyia Abarova Julia Serkedjieva Iliana Dimova Elitza Pavlova Google Lyubka Tantcheva Eleonora Encheva Silvyia Abarova Julia Serkedjieva Iliana Dimova Elitza Pavlova Google Scholar Lyubka Tantcheva Eleonora Encheva Silvyia Abarova Julia Serkedjieva Iliana Dimova Elitza Pavlova PubMed Lyubka Tantcheva Eleonora Encheva Silvyia Abarova Julia Serkedjieva Iliana Dimova Elitza Pavlova Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Pulmonary protection of a plant polyphenol extract in influenza virus-infected mice

Influenza remains one of the serious problems of public health. The plant extracts provide an alternative source for substances with antiviral properties. The current study investigated the protective effect of a polyphenol-rich extract from the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. (PC) in mice, nasally (i.n.) challenged with influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus (IV) and its effects on mice lungs.

Pythium Root Rot and Growth Responses of Organically Grown Geranium Plants to Beneficial Microorganisms

Pythium root rot, caused by Pythium ultimum, is responsible for important losses in geranium plant production, mainly as a result of the decrease in the plant overall quality. An organic production system for geranium plants based on fertilization using a filtered suspension of dehydrated hen manure was compared with a conventional fertilization system to evaluate their tolerance to root disease. Under typical greenhouse conditions, geranium plants were inoculated with a suspension of Pseudomonas putida, Trichoderma atroviride, a mixture of both or with Trichoderma harzianum, and a commercially available product, Rootshield®, 1 and 4 weeks after planting. Four weeks after the first inoculation, Pseudomonas putida and Trichoderma atroviride stimulated plant growth (shoot and root dry weight) compared with the control regardless of the fertilization. The results also showed that the colonization of geranium roots by Pythium spp. was significantly lower for organically grown plants for all treatments compared with the inoculated control under conventional fertilization. Inoculation with T. atroviride under conventional fertilization was the only treatment that did not significantly reduce root colonization by Pythium spp. compared with the conventional control. For both organically and conventionally grown plants, the coinoculation with both P. putida and T. atroviride resulted in the weakest colonization of roots by the pathogen. The inoculation of P. putida, T. atroviride, and the mixture of the bacterium and the fungus also significantly increased the fresh and dry weight of roots regardless of the fertilization used. All microorganism treatments in conventionally grown plants significantly increased the fresh and dry weight of the shoot compared with the control.

Biomass yield, essential oil yield and resource use efficiency in geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Her. ex. Ait), intercropped with fodder crops

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of intercropping of fodder crops on growth and yield attributes of the essential oil-yielding multi-harvest aromatic plant geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L. Her. ex. Ait) under field conditions during 2005–2007. In addition aggressivity, land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER) and land use efficiency % (LUE%) as an index of intercropping advantage were determined to assess the resource use efficiency of intercropping systems. The main crop geranium was intercropped with oat (Avena sativa L.) and berseem or Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrum L.) in different combinations. All crops were also grown in pure stands. The study indicated that the growth and yield of geranium was affected at first harvest compared to sole. But the second harvest in different intercropping systems compared to sole did not affect biomass and oil yield of geranium. Intercrops produced bonus yields over and above that of geranium. The resource use efficiency values were higher in intercropping systems over sole geranium. The study clearly showed that geranium-based intercrop treatments might provide the highest total yield as well as resource use efficiency.