Indoor Ornamental Plant Research Articles

Importance of Indoor Ornamental Plants and Determination of Consumer Trends: A Case Study in Tokat City

İç mekan süs bitkileri farklı saksı, kap veya kasalarda yetiştirilmeye uygun dekoratif yaprağa, çiçeğe ve ya gövdeye sahip olan bitkilerdir. İnsanlar kentsel yaşamda çoğunlukla kapalı ortamlarda vakit geçirmektedir. Son zamanlarda Dünya’yı saran Covid-19 pandemisi de göz önünde bulundurulduğunda; insanların sosyal yaşamlarının kapalı alanlarla kısıtlandığı ve ev yaşamının güvenilir hale geldiği görülmektedir. Ancak kapalı alanlarda vakit geçirmek bireyleri psikolojik olarak olumsuz etkileyebilmektedir. İç mekan süs bitkilerinin insanların doğa özlemini ve doğayla bağ kurduğu canlı varlıklar olmasından dolayı insan sağlığına ve performansına doğrudan etkilidir.Bu çalışmada; Tokat kenti örneği ele alınarak iç mekan süs bitkilerini satın alan kişilerin tüketim eğilimlerini araştırmak amacıyla anket çalışması yapılmıştır. Anket değerlendirmesinde grafik yöntemleri ve Ki kare Analizi uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar doğrultusunda talebi arttırıcı çalışmaların yapılması ve kitlenin tercih ettiği iç mekan süs bitkilerinde alışkanlıkların dışına çıkılabilmesi, ihtiyaçların karşılanabilmesi için çeşitlerin arttırılması gerekmektedir.

Remediation of ozone pollution by ornamental plants in indoor environment.

The indoor air quality is much more matter of concern as relative to ambient or outdoor air quality, especially in the context of human health. However, very few studies have been reported for remediation of indoor ozone by plant species. The main objective of this study is to evaluate ozone deposition velocities and ozone removal effectiveness of three indoor ornamental plant species (Dracaena deremensis, Tagetes erecta and Lilium candidum) that can be used in the remediation of indoor ozone. Ozone deposition velocity was estimated through measurement of leaf surface areas of selected plant species and exposing them to 3-regular daytime cycles where ozone concentrations under controlled conditions first increased from 8 h followed by 16 h in the absence of ozone. Values of ozone deposition velocity after the completion of first exposure were found maximum (7.7 m/h) in case of Dracaena deremensis and minimum (0.5 m/h) after the completion third exposure in Lilium candidum. The ozone removal effectiveness found in the range of 0.7 to 13% for leaf surface area to room volume ratio of 0.06/m with reference to an air exchange system and background loss present in an indoor environment. Among the selected plant species, Dracaena deremensis has got the highest ozone deposition velocity as well as ozone removal effectiveness and Lilium candidum has got the lowest values. Hence, this study concludes with the sustainable use of ornamental plant species in the remediation of the indoor ozone pollution, which can further help in improving the health condition of the residents.

Optimization of Alocasia amazonica proliferation through in-vitro culture technique

Excised explants were in-vitro cultured on multiplication medium of Murashige and Skoog (MS). This study was carried away inside the tissue culture lab. Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center. Giza, Egypt through the period from 2015 to 2017, to research some factors affecting in-vitro propagation of the indoor ornamental plant Alocasia amazonica using benzyladenine amino purine (BAP) and Kinetin at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ppm and their interaction.The obtained results indicated that BAP gave the greatest number of shoots, plus the lowest values for shoot length, shoot fresh weight, number regarding roots and total chlorophyll content. Meanwhile, kinetin achieved the highest values for shoot length, shoot fresh weight although it was not necessarily significant. The same was observed in number of leaves, number of roots and total chlorophyll content with no significant difference. MS medium free of hormones demonstrated the greatest number of leaves, number of roots and total chlorophyll content, and the lowest values of number of shoots and shoot length.Using cytokinn at 1 ppm gave the highest shoot length and number of leaves; and the second position for number of shoot and roots. As for 2 ppm of cytokinin application, it gave the greatest values of shoot length, number of leaves and shoot fresh weight, despite the last one was not significant. this concentration got also the other position for number of shoots, 3 ppm had the greatest number of shoots, and the lowest shoot length, number of roots and shoot fresh weight and 4 ppm occupied the second grade concerning number of shoots, and the lowest grades for shoot length, shoot fresh weight, number of leaves, number of roots and total chlorophyll.Regarding the interaction between cytokinin type and concentration found that, the control treatment (Free MS) gave the highest number of leaves. Using BAP at 2 or 3 ppm attained the highest number of shoots. Using Kin at 1 or 2 ppm attained the highest shoots length. Also, Using Kin at 2 ppm attained the highest fresh weight. The application of Kin at 1 ppm was connected with the highest value of number of leaves. The development of roots showed great values on free medium of BAP and Kin as well as medium supplemented with Kin at 1 and 2 ppm. Whereas, root did not demonstrate any presence at higher concentrations of BAP of 2, 3 and 4 ppm. It is usually recommended to use the MS medium supplemented with BAP at 3 ppm which often gave the highest number of shoots. However, the highest values for shoot length, shoot fresh weight and number of roots were recorded on particularly on MS medium supplemented with Kin at 2 ppm.

Indoor Ecosystem Services: Impacts of Plants on Air Quality

Summary Ecosystem services have been the focus of recent research on ecology, biodiversity and human health. As most of this research has placed emphasis on natural ecosystems, there is a lack of data on the effect of indoor and urban ecosystems on both human health and the quality of human life. One of the most common health issues associated with urban and indoor spaces is the quality of air. Considering that humans spend most of their time indoors, accompanied by a lack of fresh air due to industry growth and environmental degradation, there is an obvious need for a non-invasive and non-obtrusive air purification system. This paper presents the results of the indoor air quality monitoring under non-controlled conditions, i.e. the changes in air quality induced by the common indoor ornamental plant Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’. The following air quality parameters were observed: the relative humidity and temperature of air, as well as the concentrations of carbon-dioxide, methane and overall VOCs. Measurements were performed using the commercial CO2 data logger Extech SD800 and the in-house developed Arduino Uno-based measuring device with different sensors. The results obtained show the changes in the indoor air quality relative to the presence or absence of the selected plants. A sudden increase in the overall VOC (NH3, NOx, benzene and smoke), methane and carbon-dioxide concentrations was recorded after the plants were removed from the indoor space. The purpose of this research is to form a basis for designing a biological purification system as a low-cost and environment-friendly method for the monitoring and purification of indoor air.

Influence of plant growth regulators (BA, TDZ, 2-iP and NAA) on micropropagation of Aglaonema widuri

Aglaonema widuri is an evergreen and indoor ornamental plant. This study aimed to investigate the effect of some plant growth regulators on micropropagation of A. widuri. A protocol was developed for high frequency in vitro multiplication of A. widuri on the same medium for both shoots and roots induction. This condition decreases time duration and cost of micropropagation. Apical buds as explants were obtained from greenhouse-grown A. widuri and were established on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Three cytokinins including N6-benzyladenine (BA; 0.00, 3.00, 3.50, and 4.00 mg l-1), 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiaiazol-5-yl), urea (TDZ; 0.00, 0.50, and 1.00 mg l-1), and N6-(2-isopentenyl) adenine (2-iP; 0.00 and 7.00 mg l-1), along with one auxin [α-naphtalene acetic acid (NAA; 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 mg l-1) were studied for their effect on micropropagation of A. widuri. The plantlets were transferred to pots and grown in the greenhouse with a success rate of 95%. BA and NAA treatments as 3.00 mg l-1+ 0.2 mg l-1 recorded the highest shoot proliferation rate (number: 6.00 shoots and length: 7.75 cm per explant). Treatment of 4.00 mg l-1 BA + 0.10 mg l-1 NAA + 0.50 mg l-1 TDZ produced maximum nodes (13.25 per explant). The largest number of leaves (4.25 per explant) was produced in the medium containing 3.50 mg l-1 BA + 0.20 mg l-1 NAA. Maximum root initiation and development (14.25 per explant) was obtained on the medium containing 3.00 mg l-1 BA + 0.20 mg l-1 NAA. The combination of 3.50 mg l-1 BA + 0.20 mg l-1 NAA was found to be the most suitable growth regulator for obtaining the highest root length (8.25 cm per explant).

The Effect of Some Indoor Ornamental Plants on CO2 Levels During the Day

The Effect of Some Indoor Ornamental Plants on CO2 Levels During the Day

Investigation of thysanoptera populations in Hungarian greenhouses

Abstract Studies were performed on sweet pepper and on weeds in their surroundings from 2005 to 2007 in the Jászság region, on different vegetables and ornamentals from 2015 to 2016 throughout Hungary, and on some indoor ornamental plants in Budapest and Kecskemét in 2017. These studies were carried out in greenhouses. The main objectives of this work was to clarify the consistency of Thysanoptera populations in these greenhouses and, secondly, as part of the official monitoring of Thrips palmi Karny and Thrips setosus Moulton, the study also focused on the first appearance of these pests in Hungary. An important additional aim was to determine which reservoirs were significant in the risk of Thysanoptera species transmitting tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Regarding the surveys conducted, the most frequent Thysanoptera species present in large numbers during the investigation period in every greenhouse was Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. Also, a significant amount of Echinothrips americanus Morgan was found on ornamentals in southern Hungary, whereas on indoor ornamental plants only Hercinothrips femoralis O. M. Reuter was found.

Difenbahya (Dieffenbachia amoena Gentil)‘nın Sıcaklığa Bağlı Olarak İç Ortamdaki CO2 Miktarına Etkisi

Günümüzde insan ömrünün en az %80‘i kapalı mekanlarda geçmekte ve bu kapalı mekanlardaki iç ortam hava kalitesi insanların sağlıklarını ve performanslarını doğrudan etkilemektedir. Özellikle CO2 miktarı belirli seviyelerin üzerine çıktığında baş ağrısı, baş dönmesi, yorgunluk, konsantrasyon bozuklukları, boğaz ve burun tahrişi, burun akıntısı, öksürük ve göz akıntıları gibi pek çok rahatsızlığa sebep olmaktadır. İç ortamdaki CO2 miktarını etkileyen en önemli faktör canlı metabolik faaliyetleridir. Solunumla artan CO2 miktarı fotosentezle azalmaktadır. Dolayısıyla iç mekanlarda bitkiler CO2 miktarını azaltmak amacıyla kullanılabilir. Ancak bitkilerin iç ortamdaki hava kalitesine etkisi konusunda yeterli bilgi bulunmadığından, bitkiler iç ortamdaki CO2 miktarını azaltmak konusunda etkin ve bilinçli bir şekilde kullanılamamaktadır. Bu çalışmada iç mekan süs bitkisi olarak en sık kullanılan bitkilerden birisi olan difenbahyanın (Dieffenbachia amoena Gentil) iç ortamdaki CO2 miktarına etkisinin sıcaklığa bağlı olarak değişiminin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda difenbahyanın karanlık ortamda yaptığı solunumun sıcaklığa bağlı olarak önemsiz düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ancak ışık bulunan ortamda en yüksek etkiyi 23-24℃ sıcaklıklarda gösterdiği, 30°C sıcaklıktaki fotosentez hızının, 20°C dekinden düşük ancak 15°C dekinden daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir.

INFORMATION SYSTEM SALES OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ORNAMENTAL PLANTS-BASED ONLINE

Ornamental plants have fairly high commercial value and much sought after by various circles. The prospect is in the business of ornamental plants can be said very brilliant and profitable. Where is in the business of ornamental plants can bring about advantages not the least. The business struggled with ornamental plants can have very favorable prospects for the long term. There are an awful lot of various kinds of ornamental plants that we can choose to use as ornaments to beautify residential home. The ornamental plants can be used as indoor ornamental plants placed in homes or can also be used as outdoor ornamental plants grown in the garden. Ornamental plants while more popular community-wide information system for ornamental plant however is currently designed specifically and not many people who know the information on price and specs or type of indoor and outdoor ornamental plants so that the need for sales information system of indoor and outdoor ornamental plants-based online. With the sales information system of Indoor and Outdoor ornamental plants-based online is expected to facilitate the customers, business processes that occur in the company's units, unit – units that exist within the system a functioning production units as the unit working on/produce ornamental plants. With the utilization of the system marketing media, promoting, finding new customers, the sales process, recapitulation payment of ornamental plants, control the conditions of stock products, development and delivery of products to customers including convincing the product gets to the customer

Eucharis Grandiflora Planch. and Linden Development Fertirrigated with Different Osmotic Potentials

Eucharis grandiflora Planch. and Linden is a tropical climate Amaryllidacea, commonly known as lily, which develops a bulbous stem and is considered an indoor ornamental plant for its evergreen foliage and inflorescence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vegetative development of the Lily, in response to the treatment with of the Steiner solution at different concentrations. The plants were acclimated under greenhouse conditions and the bulbs selected by a completely randomized design. Plants were treated with various concentrations of the Steiner solution, to develop the following potential osmotic: −0.018, −0.036, −0.054, −0.072, and 0 Mpal. The production of bulbils, development and leaf area, stomatal density, chlorophyll quantification, and osmotic potentials were evaluated. The results showed that treatment with solutions of −0.054 and −0.072 MPa induced a greater vegetative growth, 29.5% more stomata developed, and synthesized 29% more chlorophyll “b” than the control.

Reducing sugar assessment on three indoor ornamental plants with growth regulators

The effect of GibberellicAcidand Benzyladenineon Ficus benjamina, Schefflera arboricola and Dizigotheeca elegantissima plants was evaluated at pot cultivation conditions. This study was performed in three factorial test based on completely randomized design and 4 repeatswith 9 treatments. The aim of this work is to study the effect of foliar application with gibberellic acid (GA3) at 0, 100 and 200 mg.L -1 and and benzyladenine (BA) at 0, 100 and 200 mg.L -1 levels. The results showed, Thus Ficus benjamina plants were higher than control plants in all plotstreated with GA3 and Benzyladenine, while treatment of 100 mg.L-1 GA3 had no significant difference with control treatment. Reducing sugars content in Schefflera arboricola plant remained unaffected with 0 mg.L-1 BA + 100 mg.L-1 GA3 treatment, while it was decreased markedly by 100 mg.L-1 BA, 100 mg.L-1 BA + 100 mg.L-1 GA3, 100 mg.L-1 BA + 200 mg.L-1 GA3 and 200 mg.L-1 BA. The treatments of 100 mg.L-1 BA + 100 mg.L-1 GA3, 100 mg.L -1 BA + 200 mg.L -1 GA3and 200 mg.L -1 BA had higher reducing sugars than control and treatments of 200 mg.L-1 GA3, 100 mg.L-1 BA, 200 mg.L-1 BA + 100 mg.L-1 GA3 and 200 mg.L-1 BA + 200 mg.L-1 GA3 had lower reducing sugars than control (no spray).

Survivorship of adult Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) feeding on indoor ornamental plants with no inflorescence

The international trade of lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana [Asparagaceae]) is responsible for certain introductions of the exotic species Aedes albopictus (Skuse) in California and the Netherlands. Understanding the association of this species with lucky bamboo and other ornamental plants is important from a public health standpoint. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of indoor ornamental plants as sugar sources for adult A. albopictus. If exposed to D. sanderiana, bromeliad (Guzmania spp. hybrid [Bromeliaceae]), Moses-in-the-cradle (Rhoeo spathacea [Commelinaceae]), 10% sucrose solution, and a negative water control as the only nutrient source, adult female A. albopictus mean survival time was 12, 7, 6, 15, and 4days, respectively. Mean survival times for adult males were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the females and were 10, 7, 6, 14, and 3days, respectively. Combined male and female survival times were not significantly different on lucky bamboo compared to survival times on a 10% sucrose control. Based on our findings, A. albopictus can readily survive long enough to complete a gonotrophic cycle and potentially complete the extrinsic incubation period for many arboviruses when only provided access to lucky bamboo plants or possibly other common ornamentals. Vector control professionals should be aware of potential in-home infestations and public health concerns associated with mosquito breeding and plant tissue feeding on ornamental plants.

Direct and indirect organogenesis of Clivia miniata and assessment of DNA methylation changes in various regenerated plantlets

Clivia miniata is an important indoor ornamental plant and has been reported to have medicinal value. We developed an efficient in vitro micropropagation protocol from young leaves (indirect organogenesis), young petals (indirect organogenesis) and shoot tips (direct organogenesis) of this plant. Using young leaves and shoot tips as explants, the regeneration frequencies were much higher than those in previous investigation and the regeneration was dependent upon less nutrition. We speculated that the leaf-derived callus can generate amino acids necessary for protein synthesis by itself. We employed the methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) method to assess cytosine methylation variation in various regenerated plantlets and between organs. The MSAP profiles indicated that the frequency of somaclonal variation in the form of cytosine methylation was highest in petal-derived plantlets followed by secondary leaf-derived, primary leaf-derived and shoot tip-derived plantlets, but the methylation variation in petal-derived plantlets was lower than between petals and leaves of a single plant. The results indicated that the methylation variation in regenerated plantlets was related to the types of explants, regeneration pathways and number of regeneration generations. Two possible factors for the highest somaclonal variation rate in petal-derived plantlets are the callus phase and petal-specific set of epigenetic regulators. The property of meristem integrity can account for the lowest variation rate in shoot tip-derived plantlets. Moreover, the secondary plantlets underwent a longer total period of in vitro culture, which can explain why the methylation variation rate in the secondary plantlets is higher than in the primary ones. Methylation variation in regenerated plantlets of C. miniata was found to be related to the types of explants, regeneration pathways and number of regeneration generations.

Volatile Organic Compounds Emanating from Indoor Ornamental Plants

A broad cross-section of volatiles emanating from four species of popular indoor ornamental plants (Spathiphyllum wallisii Regel, Sansevieria trifasciata Prain, Ficus benjamina L., and Chrysalidocarpus lutescens Wendl.) was identified and categorized based on source. Volatile organic compounds from individual plants were obtained using a dynamic headspace system and trapped on Tenax TA during the day and again at night. Using short-path thermal desorption and cryofocusing, the volatiles were transferred onto a capillary column and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. The volatiles originated from the plants, media/micro-organisms, pot, and pesticides. A total of 23, 12, 13, and 16 compounds were identified from S. wallisii, S. trifasciata, F. benjamina, and C. lutescens, respectively. The night emanation rate was substantially reduced (i.e., by 30.1%, 69.5%, 73.7%, and 63.1%, respectively) reflecting in part the regulation of biosynthesis and the greater diffusion resistance when the stomata were closed. S. wallisii had the highest emanation rate, releasing 15 terpenoid compounds [e.g., linaloloxide, linalool, (Z)-β-farnesene, farnesal, (+)-δ-cadinene, (+)-β-costol] into the surrounding air. Alpha-farnesene (90.3%) was quantitatively the dominant volatile present followed by (Z)-β-farnesene (1.4%), (+)-β-costol (1.4%), and farnesal (1.1%). Substantially fewer terpenoids (i.e., two, nine, and eight) emanated from S. trifasciata, F. benjamina, and C. lutescens, which quantitatively emitted fewer volatiles than S. wallisii. Most terpenoids from the four species were sesquiterpenes rather than monoterpenes. Methyl salicylate, a plant-signaling compound, was emitted by all four species. Certain volatiles (e.g., 2-chlorobenzonitrile, 1-ethyl-3,5-dimethylbenzene) were released from growth media and/or micro-organisms therein; other sources included the plastic pot (e.g., 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, octamethyl cyclotetrasiloxane) and pesticide ingredients [e.g., 2-(2-methoxy- ethoxy)ethanol, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate].

Trigeminal sensory neuropathy and facial contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp

Trigeminal sensory neuropathy (TSN) describes a heterogeneous group of disorders manifesting as facial numbness. We report the case of a patient who had TSN associated with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp. A 21-year-old female patient developed left hemifacial contact dermatitis after exposure to the anthurium plant. The patient had paresthesias and pain in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Eight days after its onset the dermatitis resolved, but numbness developed in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Cranial CT scan and MRI, as well as CSF and extensive work-up exams, were normal. After one month the symptoms disappeared completely. Anthurium sp, an indoor ornamental plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, and can causes contact dermatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report associating TSN with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.

High incidence of sensitization to ornamental plants in allergic rhinitis

A few indoor plants have been described as potential allergens, in single case reports of allergic rhinitis. There is no data evaluating the prevalence of allergic sensitization to these plants. The relationship between owning indoor ornamental plants with the risk to be sensitized has been evaluated in atopic rhinitis. A group of 59 patients with allergic rhinitis were submitted to skin prick tests (SPT) using both the leafs of their own plant and commercial extracts of the most frequent airborne allergens. A control group of 15 healthy subjects was tested with the same allergens. While no subject from the control group developed a significant SPT to any of the tested plants, 78% of allergic rhinitis had positive SPT to at least one plant, the most frequent sensitization being Ficus benjamina, yucca, ivy and palm tree. In allergic rhinitis, indoor plants should be considered as potential allergens.

Southern Blight of Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) Caused by Sclerotium rolfsii in California.

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) is a popular ornamental palm that can be grown outdoors in mild climates and is commonly used as an indoor ornamental plant. During 2005, commercial palm producers lost significant numbers of areca palm seedlings grown in transplant trays to a crown rot disease. Initial symptoms consisted of a light brown discoloration of stems near the soil line. As disease progressed, the brown discoloration extended up the stem and down into the crown, foliage became gray green, and the entire plant then dried up and died. Extensive, white, cottony mycelium and numerous sclerotia developed externally on the lower stem, crown, attached palm seed, and surrounding peat moss medium. Mycelial growth was so extensive that the fungus often grew from one transplant tray cell, bridged across the plastic cell border, and into an adjacent transplant cell. Tan, spherical sclerotia measured approximately 1 mm in diameter. Isolations from diseased plants resulted in the recovery of the same white fungus that produced sclerotia. On the basis of sclerotia morphology and the presence of clamp connections at hyphal septa, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii. Pathogenicity was tested by growing isolates on potato dextrose agar, drying the resulting sclerotia for 48 h, and then depositing 8 to 10 sclerotia at the base of healthy areca palm seedlings. Five isolates were tested using 40 plants per isolate. Non-inoculated controls were also included. All plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 22 to 25°C. After 2 weeks, inoculated plants began to show brown necrosis at the base of the stems; by the third week, plants began to dry up, and mycelium and sclerotia developed on the crowns. S. rolfsii was reisolated from all necrotic crown and stem tissues. Noninoculated controls did not develop any disease symptoms. To my knowledge, this is the first report of southern blight of C. lutescens in California. This disease has been reported on areca palms and other foliage plants in the southern United States and Central and South America (1). Circumstantial evidence (the disease occurred on palm seedlings that were planted in previously unused transplant trays and new peat moss rooting medium) suggests that the pathogen may have been brought in on palm seed. In the nursery, other foliage plants that are susceptible to S. rolfsii were planted in the same rooting medium but were unaffected by southern blight. Reference: (1) A. R. Chase. Compendium of Ornamental Foliage Plant Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1987.

KEEPING PLANT QUALITY OF WEEPING FIG DURING INDOOR LIFE IN RELATION TO PREVIOUS GROWING CONDITIONS

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina L.) is an important indoor ornamental plant and climatic conditions (particularly shading) during production affect its acclimation and behaviour under indoor conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of radiation levels during production on the subsequent response of weeping fig plants in a simulated interior environment. Plants were exposed to 50, 66 and 86% shading during growing and then kept for eight weeks under indoor conditions. Regardless of the growing conditions, plants showed a significant leaf drop under indoor conditions and this was increasingly evident for the plants grown under the lower radiation during the production period. Net photosynthesis was higher in plants grown under lower light availability. In addition a significant reduction of leaf starch content was observed. The results showed that plants produced under lower radiation keep their foliage characteristics and functional activity better when transferred to simulated indoor conditions.

Anaphylaktische Reaktion durch Ficus benjamina (Birkenfeige)

Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) is a widespread indoor ornamental plant. Allergens of Ficus benjamina are a well-known cause of IgE-mediated respiratory diseases. We treated a 32-year-old female who for 10 years had suffered from perennial rhinoconjunctivitis. When dusting her 2 meter high Ficus benjamina, she developed an anaphylactic reaction which resolved without sequelae. Skin prick testing revealed a strong immediate type reaction to a Ficus extract, the serum concentration of specific IgE-antibodies to Ficus was > 100 kU/I (CAP class 6). In view of these strong test reactions and the conclusive history, no challenge tests with Ficus allergens were performed. After removal of the Ficus plants which she had owned for 17 years and after thorough cleaning of her dwelling, the patient's symptoms of perennial rhinoconjunctivitis stopped. The patient also was sensitized to, but not allergic to natural rubber latex, which occurs frequently in Ficus allergy and probably is due to cross reactivity to allergens from both sources. As Ficus benjamina is an important source of indoor allergens, it should not be used in dwellings or work places.

Hormonal and Phenolic Changes Accompanying and Following UV-C Induced Stress in Spathiphyllum leaves

Summary Leaves of the indoor ornamental plant Spathiphyllum wallisii have functional stomata only on the abaxial surface, yer irradiating the upper surface with UV-C (253.7 nm) leads to rapid closure of the stomata on the under surface, 5 or 6 cell layers away. Suspecting the intervention of chemical messengers, hormonal changes accompanying and following the 1 hour ultraviolet irradiation were studied. Within minues of such irradiation, ethylene released by the intact attached leaves more than quadrupled, but dropped to the control level within minutes of switching off the UV-C source. Sprays of the ethylene-releasing compound Ethrel had no effect on the stomatal resistance or the rate of transpiration. No evidence for a clear-cut role of ethylene in stomatal control could be obtained. The level of ABA dropped initially but then increased many-fold during the next 4 h, but during this period the stomata showed partial recovery. IAA level also decreased during the hour of irradiation, but increased dramatically up to 7 h. There was more IAA than ABA at all times and, since IAA alone promotes stomatal opening and partially overcomes the ABA-induced closure, an interplay of these two hormones is likely. Free phenolic acids extracted from UV-C irradiated leaves and freed of endogenous ABA, inhibited transpiration. Two of these compounds were putatively identified as p-OH-benzoic and proto-catechuic acids respectively, on the bases of their retention times in HPLC. The temporal sequence of hormonal and phenolic changes accompanying UV-C irradiation is: ethylene → ABA ≡ IAA → phenolic acids. Interaction among these compounds is suggested.