Ornamental Plants Research Articles

BoMYBL2b, an R3-MYB transcription factor, inhibits anthocyanin accumulation via directly repressing BoDFR1 gene transcription in kale

Kale is a globally popular edible and ornamental plant with colorful inner leaves. Anthocyanin is one of the most major pigments for kale. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism for the accumulation of anthocyanin in kale has not been well understood to date. Here, we characterized an R3-MYB transcription factor, BoMYBL2b, whose mRNA was missing in the anthocyanin-rich kale inbred line, but abundant in the anthocyanin-less line. Knockdown of BoMYBL2b enhanced the anthocyanin accumulation. Y1H and DLR assays showed that BoMYBL2b directly inhibited the BoDFR1 gene expression by binding to the MRE sites on the ProBoDFR1. Besides, we found that BoMYBL2b did not interact with the bHLH proteins, indicating that the BoMYBL2b might not be part of the MBW complex. BoMYBL2b expression was significantly repressed by BoMYB1R1 under high light and cold stimulus, suggesting the possibility that BoMYB1R1-BoMYBL2b module might act as a cross-node for integrating light and temperature signals to regulate anthocyanin accumulation in kale. These findings provided a theoretical basis for molecular breeding of new kale cultivars and a reference for understanding the regulatory mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in Brassica.

Proteomic analysis identified proteins that are differentially expressed in the flavonoid and carotenoid biosynthetic pathways of Camellia Nitidissima flowers

BackgroundCamellia nitidissima Chi is a popular ornamental plant because of its golden flowers, which contain flavonoids and carotenoids. To understand the regulatory mechanism of golden color formation, the metabolites of C. nitidissima petals at five different developmental stages were detected, a proteome map of petals was first constructed via tandem mass tag (TMT) analysis, and the accuracy of the sequencing data was validated via parallel reaction monitoring (PRM).ResultsNineteen color components were detected, and most of these components were carotenoids that gradually accumulated, while some metabolites were flavonoids that were gradually depleted. A total of 97,647 spectra were obtained, and 6,789 quantifiable proteins were identified. Then, 1,319 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found, 55 of which belong to the flavonoid and carotenoid pathways, as revealed by pairwise comparisons of protein expression levels across the five developmental stages. Notably, most DEPs involved in the synthesis of flavonoids, such as phenylalanine ammonium lyase and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase, were downregulated during petal development, whereas DEPs involved in carotenoid synthesis, such as phytoene synthase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase, and β-cyclase, tended to be upregulated. Furthermore, protein‒protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that these 55 DEPs formed two distinct PPI networks closely tied to the flavonoid and carotenoid synthesis pathways. Phytoene synthase and chalcone synthase exhibited extensive interactions with numerous other proteins and displayed high connectivity within the PPI networks, suggesting their pivotal biological functions in flavonoid and carotenoid biosynthesis.ConclusionProteomic data on the flavonoid and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways were obtained, and the regulatory roles of the DEPs were analyzed, which provided a theoretical basis for further understanding the golden color formation mechanism of C. nitidissima.

Physiological characteristics of ornamental caladiums (Caladium x hortulanum Birdsey, Araceae Juss.) through leaf color diversity

This work aims to analyze the physiological characteristics of caladium ornamental plants with different leaf colors. Ten leaf colors, i.e., dark maroon, maroon, red, pink, white, pinkish young green, yellow, lime green, pinkish dark green, and dark green, were arranged in a completely randomized design and subjected to colorimetric red–green–blue (RGB) and portable photosynthesis measurement. Caladium leaf color, defined by the colorimetric RGB value, significantly impacted leaf physiological properties. Heatmap analysis apparently clustered caladiums into dark-colored group and light-colored ones. Dark-colored caladiums, as indicated by lower RGB values, exhibited higher photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency (WUE). In contrast, light-colored caladium show a higher RGB, leaf temperature and light use efficiency (LUE) than the dark ones. By considering their leaf color-based physiological adaptability, this work recommends moderate sunlight and adequate water conditions for growing light-colored caladiums, while dark caladiums potentially tolerate excess light and water scarcity. Further research, including quantitative pigment analysis, is necessary to verify this hypothesis.

Pengembangan Ornamental Landscape yang Berkelanjutan untuk Mengurangi Surface Urban Heat Island di Masjid Asy-Syifaa Kota Kendari

Revegetation based on the ornamental landscape is one of the efforts to reduce the surface of urban heat islands (SUHI), the intensity of which is always influenced by land surface temperature (LST). The focus of the PBM scheme community service program in the scope of PKM is disaster mitigation due to climate change, significantly reducing the risk of disasters due to LST. The program aims to reduce SUHI through vegetation modification using edible and ornamental plants as elements forming the landscape with a public education approach and revegetation actions. The results of PBM-PKM in public education activities show the high enthusiasm of the community in participating in activities and show that the level of partner understanding of the concept of revegetation has reached 100%. As a result of revegetation activities, as many as 342 edible plants and ornamental plant seeds invested in the community were successfully planted in the Asy-Syifaa Mosque, Kendari City landscape. The achievement of increasing the level of community empowerment shows a significant increase in understanding regarding the importance of creating vegetation in the yard landscape to reduce the risk of disasters due to rising LST through vegetation, which has been understood 100% by target partners. The results of monitoring and evaluating the growth of edible plants and ornamental plants as landscape-forming elements were able to grow well in the Asy-Syifaa Mosque area.

Comparison of the Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Astilbe: Two Korean Endemic Plant Species

Background: Astilbe, consisting of about 18 species, is distributed throughout East Asia and Northeastern America, and most Astilbe species are widely cultivated as ornamental plants. A total of four species of Astilbe have been confirmed to be distributed throughout Korea, two of which are endemic to Korea. Methods: In this study, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genomes of two endemic Korean plants using Illumina sequencing technology, identified simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and repetitive sequences, and compared them with three previously reported chloroplast genomes. Results: The chloroplast genomes of the two species were 156,968 and 57,142 bp in length and had a four-part circular structure. They consisted of a large single-copy region of 87,223 and 87,272 bp and a small single-copy region of 18,167 and 18,138 bp, separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRa and IRb, 25,789 and 25,866 bp). The genomes contained 130 genes, 49 SSRs, and 49 long repetitive sequences. Comparative analysis with the chloroplast genomes of five Astilbe species indicated that A. uljinensis was closely related to A. chinensis and A. taquetii to A. koreana. Conclusions: This study provides valuable references for the identification of two endemic Korean Astilbe species and contributes to a deeper understanding of the phylogeny and evolution of the genus Astilbe.

Effect of Altitude and Dose of Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Growth of Ruskus Plants (Ruscus hypophyllum L.)

Ruscus hypophyllum is an ornamental plant leaves that serve as cut foliage and herbal medicine. It is growth very slow, only two rods per month, so that is necessary to optimization cultivation, one of them with treatment of altitude (environment) and fertilization This research aimed to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilizer dose altitude for growth of ruskus. The study was compiled using a factorial design nested prepared using RAK and repeated 3 times. The first factor is altitude of 500 m asl (T1), 800 m asl (T2) and 1500 m asl (T3). The second factor is nitrogen fertilization: 0 g/plant (N0), 2 g/plant (N1), 4 g/plant (N2) and 6 g/plant (N3). Based of the research, there was a very real interaction between altitude and dose of nitrogen fertilization on some parameters of observations include: shoot length, number of buds, young leaf chlorophyll, number of roots and root length. The best treatment was a combination of T3N1 (altitude 1500 m asl and nitrogen fertilizer 2 g / plant), separately treatment of altitude very significant effect on the parameters of the number of leaves and shoots appear, and the best treatment is T3 (altitude 1500 m asl). There is a very real correlation between treatment of observations include: the number of long shoots with leaves (0.75), long shoots with the number of shoots (0.64), long shoots with a number of roots (0.79), long shoots with long roots (0, 84), number of leaves with the number of shoots (0.76), young leaf chlorophyll with long roots (0.75) and the number of roots with root length (0.65). The results of path analysis, there are two parameters that have a direct influence on the observation that young leaf chlorophyll (0.094) and the old leaf chlorophyll (0.335).

Knowledge about medicinal plants held by the inhabitants and traditional practitioners of the village of Mazateupa, Nacajuca, Tabasco, Mexico

The application of herbs for natural healing requires limitless wisdom, discernment and understanding of the natural order of the universe. The good use of our natural resources could solve economic, health and cultural problems, as they are one of the most felt needs in the communities of Mexico and Tabasco. In this sense, the main interest of this research is to analyze the traditional knowledge of the medicinal flora in Mazateupa, Tabasco. The methodology applied is a model of ethnobotanical methodology. Informants were selected and worked with using the snowball technique. Six people were interviewed in the community and 122 species were recorded. Fifty-two percent are herbs. On the other hand, 100 conditions were recorded, however, ten are the most common. There are many conditions that can be treated with different plants, although they are often used alone. There are many conditions that can be treated with different plants, although they are often used alone. Most of the plants, although medicinal, are also used as ornamental plants. This concludes that in the village of Mazateupa, traditional medicine persists.

Gamma ray irradiation on Swiss cheese estates (Monstera adansonii): growth, development, and variation

Purpose Swiss Cheese (Monstera adansonii) is an ornamental plant valued for its exotic leaves with openings and for the variety of colors. The technique of controlled exposure to gamma radiation was investigated to induce variegation (color change) in the leaves of this plant. Materials and methods Monstera adansonii cuttings were irradiated with different doses of radiation with 60Co gamma rays (0, 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 Gy) and evaluated for size, color, health, and growth. Results Cuttings irradiated with 1 and 5 Gy exhibited temporary variegation in leaf color, but did not maintain these characteristics over time. Cuttings with higher doses of radiation (10, 15, and 20 Gy) did not survive well and showed a reduction in growth, number of leaves, health, and sprouting rate. Conclusions This research concludes that gamma radiation can affect the development of cuttings and shows the potential to induce variegation at lower doses, but more studies and prolonged observation are needed to determine whether this technique can produce variegation in a consistent and lasting way in M. adansonii. Therefore, although promising initial results have been observed, it is premature to state that gamma radiation is an effective method for inducing variegation in this plant.

Ornamental Plant Growth in Different Culture Conditions and Fluoride and Chloride Removals with Constructed Wetlands

Natural water resources often contain fluorides and chlorides due to wastewater discharge; however, excessive exposure to fluorides can pose health risks to humans. Elevated chloride levels can negatively affect aquatic fauna and disrupt the reproductive rates of plants. This study assessed constructed wetlands (CWs) featuring monocultures (including Canna hybrid, Alpinia purpurata, and Hedychium coronarium) and polycultures (combinations of species from the monoculture systems) of ornamental plants (OPs) to evaluate their efficiency in removing fluorides and chlorides. The results revealed that the ornamental plants flourished in the CW conditions without sustaining any physical damage. C. hybrid demonstrated the longest roots and the highest volume, as well as greater height compared to other species. However, this did not affect the ion removal efficiency. In polyculture systems, 42.2 ± 8.8% of fluoride was removed, a result that was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the removal rates observed in monocultures of C. hybrid (42.5 ± 7.5%), H. coronarium (36.8 ± 7.0%), or A. purpurata (30.7 ± 7.9%). For chloride, a similar pattern emerged, with 32.4 ± 4.8% removed in constructed wetlands (CWs) using a polyculture of ornamental plants, a figure that was also not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the removal percentages in monocultures of C. hybrid (29.1 ± 5.3%), H. coronarium (28.1 ± 5.0%), or A. purpurata (32.0 ± 5.7%). Our results indicate that CWs with polyculture species contribute to pollutant removal at levels comparable to those found in monoculture systems. However, polyculture systems offer enhanced aesthetic appeal and biodiversity, incorporating various ornamental flowering plants. The use of this eco-technology for removing fluoride and chloride pollutants helps prevent river contamination and associated health issues.

Bioactivity-Guided Isolation of Secondary Metabolites from Camellia fascicularis: Antioxidative Antibacterial Activities and Anti-Inflammatory Hypoglycemic Molecular Docking

Camellia fascicularis is a valuable ornamental, edible, and medicinal plant with promising prospects for bioactivity development. We screened the bioactivity of eight fractions (Fr. A−I) obtained from the ethyl acetate phase of C. fascicularis via silica gel column chromatography. The results indicated that the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antimicrobial active components were mainly found in Fr. B*, E, A, and H; Fr. A–G; and Fr. D–I, respectively. Bioactivity-guided isolation identified 18 secondary metabolites. Compounds 1, 3–5, 7, and 15–18 were isolated from the genus Camellia for the first time in this study, whereas the other compounds were also isolated from this plant for the first time. The structures of these compounds were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1, 9−11, 28, 30, and 31 demonstrated antioxidative activities comparable to those of ascorbic acid, whereas the remaining compounds exhibited diminished antioxidative activity. In terms of antimicrobial activity, compounds 7, 18, 22, and 27 exerted inhibitory potency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, similar to tetracycline (MIC: 125 µg/mL). Other compounds showed moderate to weak inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (MIC: 250–500 µg/mL). Molecular docking revealed that compounds 2, 36, 41, and 65 showed strong binding affinity for 8ET0, whereas compounds 2, 36, 38, 40, 63, and 65 showed strong binding affinity for 3A4A. This research further increased the diversity of the secondary metabolites of C. fascicularis, laying a foundation for the subsequent development and utilization of this species.

Stress reduction with co-culture of Miscanthus x giganteus and Pelargonium x hortorum in a pb contaminated soil to improve biomass production.

The industrial past of most regions in Lorraine and the intensification of activities on soils has increased the number of polluted sites. To rehabilitate these areas, several methods can be employed. In this study, co-culture of Miscanthus x giganteus and Pelargonium x hortorum was used to clean up a soil mainly contaminated by metallic elements including lead. The use of ornamental plants has been little studied, even if these species can be used to rehabilitate a site while improving its esthetics. At the end of the experiment, Pb concentrations were measured in the soil and plants. Furthermore, phytohormones were also measured to evaluate the defense mechanisms of the plants in front of pollutants. The results showed a reduction in Pb concentrations following the phytoremediation process implemented and that PxH was able to extract Pb from the soil. Results showed that co-culture was not beneficial to the development of MxG. Concerning the molecules synthesized by the plants under stress conditions, only salicin was found in MxG roots and aerial parts in particular for plants grown in individual culture. According to the results obtained, it seems that MxG is able to make compromises between the synthesis of protective molecules and its development.

The Characterization of R2R3-MYB Genes in Water Lily Nymphaea colorata Reveals the Involvement of NcMYB25 in Regulating Anthocyanin Synthesis

Nymphaea colorata, valued for its diverse flower colors and attractive shapes, is a popular ornamental aquatic plant. Anthocyanins provide color to flowers, and their biosynthesis is regulated by the R2R3-MYB transcription factor. In this study, we identified and analyzed the R2R3-MYB genes in N. colorata, focusing on their structure, evolution, expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and biological functions. We also investigated the role of the NcMYB25 gene in anthocyanin biosynthesis. There were 59 R2R3-MYB genes in N. colorata, distributed across 14 chromosomes. Among these, 14 genes were involved in segmental duplications and 6 in tandem duplications. Multiple R2R3-MYB transcription factors appeared to play a role in biological processes in N. colorata, including NcMYB48 in flavonoid synthesis, NcMYB33 in lignin synthesis, NcMYB23 in cold stress response, and NcMYB54 in osmotic stress response. Additionally, we identified 92 miRNAs in N. colorata, with 43 interacting with 35 R2R3-MYB genes. The NcMYB25 protein is localized in the nucleus and possesses transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of the NcMYB25 gene in an apple pericarp resulted in anthocyanin accumulation. These findings provide insight into the evolutionary trajectory of the R2R3-MYB genes in N. colorata and highlight the regulatory function of the NcMYB25 gene in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

MANDATORY SUPERVISED INTERNSHIP IN THE BACHELOR’S COURSE IN AGRONOMY, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN UFRA CAMPUS OF CAPANEMA AND THE MUNICIPAL SECRETARIAT OF AGRICULTURE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF PRIMAVERA – PA

Supervised internship report aimed at technical visits and guidance to small producers in the municipality and activities on the environment developed in partnership with the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainable Rural Development (SEMMA) and the Municipal Secretariat of Agriculture (SEMAGRI) . As well as, investigating locations in the municipality of Primavera in the State of Pará to carry out the practice of mechanization, carrying out environmental education in municipal and state schools, revitalizing public squares with ornamental plant seedlings, developing internal documentation with the Secretariat and, also, carry out technical visits to communities in the municipality that grow açaí.

Agave schidigera Transcriptome Reveals Stress-Responsive Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase Genes in Agave

Agave is a significant fiber crop in tropical regions, known for its high fiber strength. Lignin is closely associated with fiber strength, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) serves as the initial enzyme in biosynthesis of lignin. Hence, it is of considerable significance to study the genes of PAL family to analyze the characteristics and mechanism of sisal fiber development. In this research, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of Agave schidigera, a widely recognized ornamental plant in agave. Approximately 29.85 million clean reads were acquired through Illumina sequencing. In total, 116,602 transcripts including 72,160 unigenes were assembled, and 22.06~63.56% of those unigenes were annotated in public databases. Two, six, six and six PAL genes were successfully identified and cloned from A. schidigera, A. deserti, A. tequilana and A. H11648, respectively. After phylogenetic analysis, these genes were clustered into two branches. Genes AhPLA2a and AhPLA2c exhibited higher expression levels compared to other genes but had different expression patterns. Moreover, AhPLA2a and AhPLA2c were expressed at high levels under full-nutrient, nitrogen-free and phosphorus-free stresses. Most PAL genes were induced by Phytophthora nicotianae Breda, especially AhPAL1a, AhPAL1b, AhPAL2b and AhPAL2c. This research is the first work to present a de novo transcriptome dataset for A. schidigera, enriching its bioinformation of transcripts. The cloned PAL genes and the expression analyses will form the basis of future research on lignin biosynthesis, the relationship between lignin and fiber strength, and stress resistance in Agave species.

Photosystems functioning, the content of chemical elements, flavonoids and brassinosteroids in leaves of chimera Cornus controversa

he formation of chimera is a well-known phenomenon in variegated ornamental and wild plants, but the biochemical peculiarities of this phenomenon are not well studied. The purpose of this work was to conduct a comparative study of the photosynthetic apparatus functioning, the content of macro-, microelements, flavonoids and brassinosteroids in the variegated and green leaves of the periclinal chimera Cornus controversa plant grown in the collection of M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine. Sampling was made during the period from June to October 2022. The content of photosynthetic pigments and brassinosteroids was measured spectrophotometrically, autofluorescence of leaf tissues was studied using an inverted microscope with a multi-channel fluorescence imaging system, Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) – using GreenSeeker devices and fluorimeter, the level of macro- and microelements – using plasma emission spectrometer. Phenolic secondary metabolites were separated by HPTLC. To assess the protective capacity of flavonoids, a bioassay on the germination of radish seeds Raphanus in the presence of AlCl3 was used. It was shown that green leaves of C. controversa chimera, compared to variegated ones, had a twice as high NDVI index, maintained photosynthetic function longer in autumn, and had higher content of macronutrients (Mg, Ca and S) but lower concentration of toxic metals (Al, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ti). Instead, variegated leaves accumulated more brassinosteroids and phenolic metabolites, which were found not only to reduce the toxic effect of aluminum but also to have a growth-stimulating effect on the roots of radish seedlings. Such specialization of green and variegated leaves may contribute to better plant chimeras adaptation to environmental pollution. Keywords: brassinosteroids, Cornus controversa, macroelements, microelements, NDVI index, periclinal chimera, phenolic metabolites, photosynthetic pigments, tissue autofluorescence

Whole-genome assembly and annotation of the firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii).

The penstemons are ornamental annual flowering plants native to the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains and commonly used for urban landscaping. Elite commercial penstemons are generally susceptible to abiotic stresses, including drought, root rot, cold, and high salinity. Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), however, is much more tolerant to these stresses than most elite cultivars. Importantly, firecracker penstemon has been reported to hybridize with many other penstemons and therefore provides the opportunity to develop more tolerant elite cultivars through strategic crossing. To facilitate the study and utilization of firecracker penstemon, we sequenced and annotated the genome of a P. eatonii accession collected from Utah, USA. We also performed low-coverage, whole-genome sequencing of 26 additional accessions from three different varieties of P. eatonii. This chromosome-scale genome assembly is the most contiguous and complete Penstemon genome sequenced to date.

Naturalization of the Ornamental Plant Crocus tommasinianus Herb. (Iridaceae) in Forest Ecosystems: A Case Study from Poland

Highlights: Though not highly invasive, bulb and corm ornamental plants can escape cultivation and naturalize in new areas. Studying their naturalization is key to understanding their ecological impact and managing biodiversity. Objectives: This study aimed to document the first naturalization case of Crocus tommasinianus Herb. in Poland and assess the morphological variability of the naturalized population under different environmental conditions. Another objective was to identify diagnostic features in seed testa ornamentation to distinguish C. tommasinianus from related species (C. vernus (L.) Hill. and C. scepusiensis (Rehmann et Wol.) Borbás ex Kulcz.). Methods: The morphometric studies were performed within four subpopulations of C. tommasinianus differing in environmental conditions, determined with Ellenberg indices. Multivariate tests, ANOVA, and post-hoc tests were used to determine the morphometric diversity of specimens and to relate them to environmental factors. Seed micro-ornamentation was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Results: Light and temperature were negatively correlated, while moisture, soil pH, and nitrogen were positively correlated with many morphological traits. Plants spreading into forest ecosystems exhibited better-developed features (larger leaves and flowers) than those in former cultivation sites, indicating higher survival potential. The seed coat is papillate, with distinct differences in the shape, size, and secondary sculpture of the papillae compared to C. vernus and C. scepusiensis. Given that floristic studies often occur during the fruiting period of crocuses, testa ornamentation is crucial for identifying the studied species. Conclusions: The observed naturalization of C. tommasinianus demonstrates the high morphological plasticity of plants, which makes them capable of colonizing new areas, including forest habitats.

The effect of leaf leachates addition on denitrification in subsurface flow constructed wetlands is shaped by the bed substrate type

In constructed wetlands (CWs), bed substrate and leaf leachates from vegetation may correct the low C/N ratio that constrains heterotrophic denitrification and nitrate removal from irrigated agricultural drainage water. However, the interactive effects of bed substrate type and leaf leachates on denitrification are still unknown. By focusing on a CWs pilot plant, we designed a laboratory experiment to evaluate i) wether denitrification potential rates varied among bed substrates: calcareous gravel (a conventional substrate), gravel+soil from a natural wetland (silty loam Solonchak, 1.5 % of organic C) and gravel+biochar from pyrolyzed ornamental plants (75 % of organic C); and ii) the response of denitrification within each bed substrate to the addition of their respective leaf leachates. We found that denitrification potential rates were lower in gravel beds (0.011 ± 0.006 μgN2O-N gDM−1 h−1) than those observed with the addition of biochar (0.06 ± 0.03) and especially soil (0.78 ± 0.04), with soil being the most advantageous option. Besides, leaf leachates addition boosted denitrification rates in all cases. Nevertheless, the effect of leachates was relatively higher in gravel beds than in the other substrates (15 times higher vs. 2 and 4 times with soil and biochar, respectively). Our outcomes highlight limited denitrification when using gravel substrate not only by low C but also due to essential macro- and micro-elements, and support the role of plant leaves as internal and self-sustainable source of nutrients.

Horticultural and Ecological Assessment of Public Gardens and Parks at Benghazi City during Last Five Decades

Gardens and parks play significant and major role from ecological and environmental point of view. The presence of trees, plants and greenery in public gardens and resorts helps to cool the surrounding environment, reduce air pollution and improve air quality. They can also support pollinators and wild life like bees, butter flies and birds by providing a diverse range of flowering plants and habitats for urban wildlife. Despite of the ornamental plants were very limited, and the workers and specialists in this field were very rare, the municipality of Benghazi tried to provide the horticultural structures like plant nurseries, training programs and investing in employees and providing opportunities for their development. During years from 1990 to 2023, the number of gardens and parks was jumped to more than 127. Recently, more horticultural care was noticed not only in the governmental sector but also in the private one while the number of ornamental nurseries increased, private agricultural companies established, and more plants were imported and introduced to the city. Because of lack of information, we tried to analyzed and assayed the gardens and parks situation from horticultural and ecological point of view at Benghazi city from 1973 to the present using available information with focusing on the development of this sector to provide more data base for the authorities, interests and researchers.

Evaluation of Agronomic and Genetic Diversity in M2V1 Generation of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) is an ornamental plant widely used as a potted or cut flower due to its vibrant colors and diverse flower shapes. High genetic diversity is essential for successful breeding programs aimed at developing superior varieties. Genetic information can be obtained by estimating variance components and heritability values, key parameters in plant breeding. A high heritability value suggests that genetic factors influence a plant's characteristics more than environmental factors. This study assessed the genetic diversity and performance of vegetative propagation from 2nd generation mutant plants (M2V1). The research was conducted at the Pasir Sarongge experimental field in Cianjur Regency from July to October 2023, using a randomized complete block design with 17 genotypes and three replicates. The genotypes included 14 from vegetative propagation of M2V1 mutant plants and three comparison varieties: “Maharani”, “BAIP 2”, and “BAIP 3”. Data analysis was performed using PKBT-STAT 3.1 software, followed by the honest significant difference (HSD) test at the 5% level. The results revealed significant differences among genotypes in plant height, stem diameter, canopy width, leaf width, flower weight, flower diameter, number of flowers per plant, total flower weight per plant, and flower stalk length. Floret types observed were either all ligulate or all tubuligulate, with flower colors ranging from orange to yellow to white. Traits such as canopy width, flower weight, flower diameter, and stalk length, which exhibited broad genetic diversity and high heritability, can be used for selection in future marigold breeding programs.