Jasmine Plants Research Articles

Characterization of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi strains isolated from several host plants in Turkey and report of fontanesia as a new host.

Several strains of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi, causal agent of galls or knots on leaves, twigs, and stems of various plant species, were isolated from infected olive (Olea sp.), oleander (Nerium oleander), jasmine (Jasminium officinale), fontanesia (Fontanesia phillyreoides) and myrtle (Myrtus communis) plants growing in Adana, Antalya, Bursa, Canakkale, Hatay, Izmir, Mersin, Mugla, Samsun and Tekirdag provinces of Turkey. Among the strains initially tested, 33 of them from different hosts were selected for further analyses. The strains were Gram-, oxidase-, pectolytic activity-, levan-, and arginine dihydrolase negative, showed fluorescence on King’s B and PVF-1 media and induced hypersensitive reaction on tobacco leaves. Three products 464 bp, 684 bp and 1064 bp in size were amplified by PCR. Fatty acid methyl ester profiles confirmed the identity of tested strains as P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi. Based on cluster analysis of fatty acids, the strains were divided into two different groups. No correlation was found, however, between host plant and geographical origin of the strains under study. Olive, oleander, jasmine, fontanesia and myrtle plants were used to determine pathogenicity of the strains, which were generally most virulent when inoculated to the original host. This is the first detailed study showing that P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi can cause knot disease on the new oleaceous host Fontanesia phillyreoides.

Liberibacters associated with orange jasmine in Brazil: incidence in urban areas and relatedness to citrus liberibacters

Two surveys (2005/2006 and 2009) were conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to investigate the incidence of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and ‘Ca. L. americanus’, two liberibacters associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB) disease and both transmitted by Diaphorina citri, in orange jasmine (Murraya exotica), a widespread ornamental tree in cities and villages. The graft‐transmissibility of the two species, and their DNA relatedness to citrus‐associated liberibacters, were also investigated. Quantitative PCR was applied to PCR‐positive orange jasmine and HLB‐positive citrus growing in backyards and orchards to assess their inoculum source potentials. Liberibacters were detected in 91 of 786 sampled orange jasmine plants in 10 of 76 sampled locations. PCR‐positive trees exhibited yellow shoots and/or dieback symptoms indistinguishable from those on PCR‐negative trees. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter americanus’ was more common in 2005/2006 (96·6%) and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in 2009 (84·8%). rplJ nucleotide sequences were identical within all populations of either species. Graft transmission succeeded only in homologous host combinations, including ‘Ca. L. americanus’ (2/10) from/to orange jasmine and ‘Ca. L. americanus’ (5/18) and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ (5/9) from/to citrus. Symptoms were mild and developed less rapidly in orange jasmine than in citrus, probably as a result of lower liberibacter multiplication rates. Respective titres of ‘Ca. L. americanus’ and ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ in orange jasmine averaged 4·3 and 3·0 log cells g−1 tissue, compared with 5·5 and 7·3 in citrus. The results indicate that orange jasmine does not favour liberibacter multiplication as much as citrus. However, its importance in HLB epidemics should not be underestimated as it is a preferred host of D. citri and is not under any strict tree‐eradication programme or measures for insect control.

Density and Natural Enemies of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), in the Residential Landscape of Southern Florida

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the density, the incidence of parasitism, and the generalist predator assemblage of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), on orange jasmine plants [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] in the residential landscape of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Flush shoots (10 cm) were collected from ten orange jasmine hedges in each of the four communities (Doral, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay, and Homestead). We did not detect any consistent pattern in the fluctuation of psyllid density over time in the four communities. The greatest densities of eggs (65.5 ± 36.3 eggs/shoot), early instars (first to third) (87.2 ± 47.8 nymphs/shoot), and late instars (fourth and fifth) (16.9 ± 9.3 nymphs/shoot) were detected on 24 May 2006 in Palmetto Bay (egg) and Doral (early and late instars). The density of adult psyllids remained below two individuals per flush shoot at all locations for the entire sampling period. There were no consistent correlations bet...

Posttransplant Growth of Container-grown Wild Coffee, Copperleaf, and Orange Jasmine Is Affected by Irrigation Frequency

The survival of shrubs planted into the landscape depends on sufficient irrigation during the establishment period. Few studies have investigated the effect of irrigation frequency on the posttransplant growth of landscape shrubs. We conducted two studies in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 10b over a 2-year period in which we compared canopy growth index (GI), root extension to canopy spread ratio, canopy dry weight, and root dry weight of shrubs irrigated at different frequencies. In the first experiment, wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) and ‘Lakeview’ orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) shrubs were planted in Sept. 2004, Dec. 2004, Mar. 2005, and June 2005 and irrigated for 28 weeks after planting (WAP) every 2, 4, or 8 days with 3 L of water per irrigation event. In the second experiment, ‘Macafeeana’ copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana) and orange jasmine shrubs were planted in Sept. 2005, Dec. 2005, Mar. 2006, and June 2006 and irrigated for 28 WAP every 1, 2, or 4 days with 3 L of water per irrigation event. Canopy GI and root extension to canopy spread ratio were determined at 28, 52, and 104 WAP. The entire canopy and roots were harvested 52 and 104 WAP to determine dry weight. In Expt. 1, wild coffee and orange jasmine plants irrigated every 2 days had greater GI than plants irrigated every 8 days at 28 WAP, but GI was not different at 52 or 104 WAP. Canopy dry weight at 52 WAP was greater for plants irrigated every 2 days than every 8 days, but there was no difference at 104 WAP. There was no difference in wild coffee or orange jasmine root dry weight or root extension to canopy spread ratio among the irrigation frequencies. In Expt. 2, there were no differences in GI, canopy dry weight, root dry weight, or root extension to canopy spread ratio of copperleaf or orange jasmine irrigated everyday compared with plants irrigated every 2 or 4 days. From the data collected in these studies, it appears that irrigating wild coffee or orange jasmine every 8 days during the first 28 WAP limited canopy growth but not root development. However, after 52 WAP, rainfall events appeared to be sufficient to eliminate any initial effects from irrigation frequency. Our data suggest that wild coffee, orange jasmine, and copperleaf from 3-gal containers can be successfully established in the landscape when irrigated with 3 L of water every 4 days for the first 28 WAP.

Posttransplant Growth of Container-grown Wild Coffee, Copperleaf, and Orange Jasmine Is Affected by Irrigation Frequency

The survival of shrubs planted into the landscape depends on sufficient irrigation during the establishment period. Few studies have investigated the effect of irrigation frequency on the posttransplant growth of landscape shrubs. We conducted two studies in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 10b over a 2-year period in which we compared canopy growth index (GI), root extension to canopy spread ratio, canopy dry weight, and root dry weight of shrubs irrigated at different frequencies. In the first experiment, wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) and ‘Lakeview’ orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) shrubs were planted in Sept. 2004, Dec. 2004, Mar. 2005, and June 2005 and irrigated for 28 weeks after planting (WAP) every 2, 4, or 8 days with 3 L of water per irrigation event. In the second experiment, ‘Macafeeana’ copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana) and orange jasmine shrubs were planted in Sept. 2005, Dec. 2005, Mar. 2006, and June 2006 and irrigated for 28 WAP every 1, 2, or 4 days with 3 L of water per irrigation event. Canopy GI and root extension to canopy spread ratio were determined at 28, 52, and 104 WAP. The entire canopy and roots were harvested 52 and 104 WAP to determine dry weight. In Expt. 1, wild coffee and orange jasmine plants irrigated every 2 days had greater GI than plants irrigated every 8 days at 28 WAP, but GI was not different at 52 or 104 WAP. Canopy dry weight at 52 WAP was greater for plants irrigated every 2 days than every 8 days, but there was no difference at 104 WAP. There was no difference in wild coffee or orange jasmine root dry weight or root extension to canopy spread ratio among the irrigation frequencies. In Expt. 2, there were no differences in GI, canopy dry weight, root dry weight, or root extension to canopy spread ratio of copperleaf or orange jasmine irrigated everyday compared with plants irrigated every 2 or 4 days. From the data collected in these studies, it appears that irrigating wild coffee or orange jasmine every 8 days during the first 28 WAP limited canopy growth but not root development. However, after 52 WAP, rainfall events appeared to be sufficient to eliminate any initial effects from irrigation frequency. Our data suggest that wild coffee, orange jasmine, and copperleaf from 3-gal containers can be successfully established in the landscape when irrigated with 3 L of water every 4 days for the first 28 WAP.

First Report of Stem Blight Caused by Botrytis cinerea on Jasminum officinalis in Italy.

Common jasmine (Jasminum officinalis L.) is an evergreen shrub that is native to the Middle and Far East. It is widely grown in Europe as an ornamental plant and in southeastern France for fragrance for the perfume industry. In March of 2008, a previously undescribed disease was observed on potted (6-month- to 3-year-old) common jasmine plants growing in open fields in a nursery of eastern Sicily, Italy. More than 20% of the plants showed disease symptoms. Diseased plants had small to large, brown or black lesions on stem. The lesions expanded rapidly, girdled the stem and caused blight of entire branches, and occasionally killed the plant. Abundant conidia and mycelia were detected on the surface of dead and dying stems under cool and humid conditions, which resulted in a moldy gray appearance. Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. (1) was consistently isolated from affected tissues disinfected for 1 min in 1% NaOCl, rinsed in sterile water, and plated on potato dextrose agar (PDA). Colonies were at first white then became gray after 6 to 7 days when spores differentiated. White sclerotia developed after 8 to 9 days and turned black with age. Size of the conidia produced on 1-month-old culture ranged from 5.0 to 9.5 × 6.5 to 12.5 μm on the basis of 50 spore measurements. Sclerotia were spherical or irregular and ranged from 1.0 to 2.5 × 0.9 to 2.9 mm (average 1.7 × 1.8 mm). Stems of eight 6-month-old common jasmine plants were lightly wounded with a sterile razor and inoculated with 3-mm-diameter plugs of PDA from 10-day-old mycelial cultures, eight similar plants were inoculated with mycelium without wounding, and an equal number of noninoculated plants inoculated with only PDA plugs served as control. After inoculation, plants were enclosed in transparent plastic bags at 20 ± 2°C for 5 days. Stem lesions identical to the ones observed in the nursery were detected on all wounded and on two nonwounded fungus-inoculated plants within 5 to 7 days. Control plants remained healthy. B. cinerea was reisolated from typical lesions. The unusually cool and humid weather conditions recorded in Sicily are supposed to be highly conducive of disease outbreak. Although B. cinerea does not usually kill the plants, under these environmental conditions this disease can cause significant economic loss to ornamental nurseries. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea causing stem blight on J. officinalis. Reference: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CAB, Kew, Surrey, England, 1971.

Photosynthetic response to water stress and changes in metabolites in Jasminum sambac

Gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, and contents of some metabolites in two genotypes of jasmine (Jasminum sambac), single petal (SP) and double petal (DP) one, were analyzed during dehydration and re-hydration. Water stress significantly decreased net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) in both jasmine genotypes, but increased minimum fluorescence (F0) only in DP-jasmine. Water stress also decreased starch content, while increased contents of total soluble sugars and proline in leaves of both genotypes. SP-jasmine demonstrated higher drought tolerance as evidenced by maintaining higher gas exchange and photochemical efficiency and lower alteration of metabolites than DP-jasmine. Recovery analysis revealed that drought-induced injury in photosynthetic machinery in jasmine plants was reversible. DP-jasmine exhibited a slow recovery of drought-induced impairment in photosynthetic activity and associated metabolites, suggesting that this genotype had lower capacity to adapt to water limited condition. Higher yield stability of SP-than that of DP-jasmine under rain-fed condition finally confirmed higher drought tolerance of SP-jasmine.

Foliar traits of jasmine plants intercropped in coconut

Shade is one of the important limiting factors in intercropped agro-ecosystems. Objective of this work is to analyze the role of eight foliar traits of juvenile plants of five different species of Jasminum grown under coconut shade. The results reveal the shade tolerant J. pubescence to produce more number of nodes and longer shoots in all the three seasons studied. J. grandiflorum produced longer leaves and internodal distance than other species tested. Winter season shoots were longer with more number of nodes and longer internodal distances than rainy season. Results are discussed in relation to the adaptive behavior of plants to shade.

Detection, Identification and Molecular Characterization of a Phytoplasma Associated with Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.) Witches’ Broom in Oman

AbstractArabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.) plants showing witches’ broom (WB) symptoms were found in two regions in the Sultanate of Oman. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S–23S spacer region utilizing phytoplasma‐specific universal and designed primer pairs, and transmission electron microscopy of phytoplasma‐like structures in phloem elements confirmed phytoplasma infection in the symptomatic plants. PCR products primed with the P1/P7 primer pair were 1804 bp for jasmine witches’ broom (JasWB) and 1805 bp for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) witches’ broom (AlfWB). Actual and putative restriction fragment length polymorphic analysis indicated that jasmine and AlfWB phytoplasmas were molecularly indistinguishable from each other and closely related to papaya yellow crinkle (PYC), as well as being distinct from lime WB (LWB) and Omani alfalfa WB (OmAlfWB) phytoplasmas. A sequence homology search of JasWB and AlfWB showed 99.8% similarity with PYC from New Zealand and 99.6% similarity with each other (JasWB/AlfWB). The jasmine and AlfWB phytoplasmas were also shown to be related to the peanut WB group (16SrII) of 16S rRNA groups based on a phylogenetic tree generated from phytoplasma strains primed with the P1/P7 primer pair and representing the 15 phytoplasma groups.

IDENTIFICATION OF TOMATO MOSAIC VIRUS INFECTION IN JASMINE

Virus-like symptoms were recently observed on leaves of landscape and nursery downy and star jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum) and wax jasmine (J. gracile) in southeast Florida. Foliar symptoms included mottling, chlorotic ring spots and chlorotic line patterns. An agent was mechanically transmitted with difficulty from symptomatic leaves of downy jasmine to Nicotiana debneyi and N. tabacum 'Xanthi' and subsequently from these hosts to Chenopodium quinoa and other herbaceous test plants. Virions were isolated from N. tabacum 'Xanthi.' Rod-shaped particles (297 x 18 nm) similar to tobamoviruses were observed in partially purified virus preparations, and in leaf dips from symptomatic star jasmine and indicator plants. Extraction of viral-associated double-stranded (ds) RNA revealed a profile consistent with that of a tobamovirus. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the virus contained one polypeptide with an approximate molecular weight (Mr) of 18 kDa. The virus reacted specifically with IgG for Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and related tobamoviruses [including Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV)] in double antibody sandwich, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No reaction was observed with TMV specific IgG. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with total RNA isolated from symptomatic jasmine leaves and infected N. tabacum 'Xanthi' using ToMV coat protein specific primers amplified the expected product from downy and star (but not wax) jasmine and N. tabacum 'Xanthi.' The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of the products were 100% identical to the corresponding fragment of a Brazilian isolate of ToMV from Impatiens. To our knowledge, this the first report of ToMV in jasmine in the USA.

EFFECT OF A NEEM BIOPESTICIDE ON REPELLENCY, MORTALITY, OVIPOSITION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIAPHORINA CITRI (HOMOPTERA: PSYLLIDAE)

The biological effects of a neem-based biopesticide, containing 4.5% azadirachtin, were assessed against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, a recently introduced insect pest and potential disease vector of citrus in the United States. Over the concentration range 11-180 ppm azadirachtin, no mortality of adult psyllids was observed when exposed to treated plants. Adult psyllids demonstrated a small but significant repellent effect from treated plants in a choice experiment, but showed no preference to oviposit on treated or untreated plants. Psyllid nymphs were susceptible to azadirachtin at very low concentrations and activity perhaps was due to developmental inhibition. At a concentration of 22.5 ppm azadirachtin, ecdysis was not observed past 4 days after treatment and all nymphs were dead within 7 days. The densities of psyllid nymphs on treated plants exposed to a greenhouse population were significantly reduced by concentrations as low as 10 ppm azadirachtin. Over the range of concentrations used in these experiments, the product caused no phytotoxicity to tender foliage of either citrus or orange jasmine plants. Field trials are warranted to determine suitability of neem-based biopesticides for inclusion in citrus integrated pest management programs.

SEASONAL ABUNDANCE OF THE ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID, DIAPHORINA CITRI (HOMOPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA

Seasonal abundance of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, was studied weekly in two orange jasmine [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] plots in southern Florida from October 1998 to October 1999. Psyllid populations occur throughout the season on orange jasmine in southern Florida. Population peaks were observed in October, November, and December in 1998, and May and August in 1999. Psyllid population levels were positively related to the availability of new shoot flushes which were in turn related to the weekly minimum temperature and rainfall. Natural enemies were not key factors in regulating populations during the study period. The populations of adult psyllids were also studied weekly on potted orange jasmine and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen) plants from June 1999 to July 2000. The population levels of psyllid on both host plants were not significantly different and general population trends on the two hosts were similar over time. Continuous shoot flushes produced by orange jasmine could play an important role in maintaining high populations of this insect when new shoot flushes were not available in the commercial citrus groves.

Psychophysiological studies on odors

Depression is a recurrent neuropsychiatric disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide and impact negatively on the patients' social functions and quality of life. Studies have shown that i.p injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces depressive-like behavior in rodents via induction of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Methyl jasmonate (MJ), an isolated compound from jasmine plant has gained reputation in aromatherapy for treatment of depression, nervousness and memory deficits. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of MJ on LPS-induced depressive-like behavior in mice. Mice were given MJ (5–20 mg/kg), imipramine (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (10 mL/kg) intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days. On day 7, treatment was carried out 30 min prior to i.p injection of LPS (830 μg/kg). Twenty four hours after LPS administration, tail suspension, forced swim and sucrose preference tests were carried out. Thereafter, serum corticosterone levels were determined using ELISA. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined in brain tissue homogenates. LPS significantly increased immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swim tests when compared with vehicle (p < 0.05), which indicates depressive-like syndromes. However, the increased immobility time was significantly reduced by MJ (5–20 mg/kg) when compared with LPS-treated group. LPS administration also altered the levels of MDA, GSH, corticosterone and TNF alpha in mice, which was significantly reversed by MJ. These findings suggest that attenuation of LPS-induced depressive-like behavior by MJ may be related to suppression of oxidative stress and release of TNF alpha.

Purification of Arabis Mosaic Virus Isolated from a Jasmine Plant Introduction

Purification of Arabis Mosaic Virus Isolated from a Jasmine Plant Introduction

Insects and Mites Affecting Jasmine in the Madras State

Seven insects were recorded by Ramakrishna Ayyar (1927, 1940) as affecting the jasmine plant in the Madras State. The distribution, however, given for two of these fall outside the present limits of the State. There has been no further work to ovaluate the injury to the crop by insects or mites. Observations made during the last one year showed that there are several insects and mites which are capable of causing severe injury to the crop. Two of the insects, as far as known, are being recorded on this plant for the first time. In this paper the biological characteristics and the economic status of the insects and mites which occur on the crop are given.