Plant Material Research Articles

Response of Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus sp.) Cuttings to Different Plant Growth Regulators.

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) is an exotic crop with a great potential for its cultivation in semi arid tracts throughout India. Its planting is mainly confined to harsh climates and degraded lands facing challenges in its establishment. Hence, availability of quality planting material is essential for attaining success. Due to long juvenile phase of the sexually propagated seedlings it can be propagated asexually by stem cuttings but proper rooting is not possible without exogenous auxin application. Hence, during 2022-2023 a research was carried out at the Horticultural Experimental area of Khalsa College, Amritsar to standardize the concentration of plant growth regulators viz. IBA, NAA and PHB for rooting and success rate in stem cuttings comprising of sixteen treatments with three replications arranged in randomized block design. The results revealed that the stem cuttings treated with IBA 4000 ppm proved to be superior for the sprouting and survival of the cuttings resulting in the improved vegetative growth with profuse, longer, thicker and the heaviest roots. Hence, the cutting treatment of IBA 4000 ppm can be proposed for dragon fruit plant propagation to meet the market demand in India.

Studies on In vitro Surface Sterilisation and Antioxidants on Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa

Pomegranate, regarded as the “Fruit of Paradise”, is one of the important fruit crops of tropical and subtropical regions. Pomegranate fruits are delicious and possess significant nutritional and medicinal benefits. Due to the increase in demand, the proliferation of pomegranate through tissue culture is essential to get high-quality planting material. However, microbial contamination in plant tissue culture is one of the bottlenecks for establishing aseptic cultures. Although multiple explant sterilisation methods have been developed for pomegranate, explant sterilisation methods can indeed vary from region to region due to the local environment and the mother plant. In the present study, 1-2 drops of tween 20 (20 min) + 500 mg/L carbendazim (30 min) + 500 mg/L streptomycin sulphate (10 min) + 100 mg/L citric acid (30 min) + 100 mg/L tebuconazole (folicur) (30 min) + 0.1% HgCl2 (1 min) + dipping explant after cutting the edges in sterile water (30 min) + dipping in 500 mg/L PVP (5 min) was found to be optimum in the prevention of microbial contamination with minimal cell death. Nodal segments-initiated callus at 54 days after culture, showing a callus induction percentage of 55.55% and a calli weight of 80 mg/explant.

Characterization of the Worthen Sparrow (Spizella wortheni)'s Nest Building Materials in Northeastern Mexico.

The study was conducted within a well-managed beef cattle operation in northeastern Mexico. Each nest was weighed and dissected to obtain the plant and animal material used to build the nests. The number of materials present per nest and relative frequency were determined. Twenty-one building materials were used. Over the years, Muhlenbergia torreyi represented 85.5% of the total biomass of the nests, and Aristida longiseta, Bouteloua gracilis, Brickellia canescens, Purshia mexicana and Cirsium ehrenbergii constituted 2.45, 2.80, 2.44, 1.34 and 1.11% of the total biomass, respectively. The above-mentioned grasses represented 95.62% of the total biomass. Material of animal origin was horse and cow hair, which represented 0.84 and 0.58% of the total biomass, respectively. It was concluded that, at the study site, Muhlenbergia torreyi was a key nest-building material for the Worthen sparrow nest.

Bioactives in Cocoa: Novel Findings, Health Benefits, and Extraction Techniques

Theobroma cacao L. seeds, commonly known as cocoa beans, are the foundation for cocoa and chocolate production. Following harvest, these beans undergo a multi-step processing chain including fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding. This process yields cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder—all fundamental ingredients in the food and beverage industry. Beyond its sensory appeal (flavor, aroma, and texture), cocoa has garnered significant interest for its potential health benefits attributed to a rich profile of bioactive compounds. Cocoa is a well-documented source of polyphenolics, specifically flavanols, alongside methylxanthines, phytosterols, and dietary fibers. These constituents have been associated with a diverse range of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-allergenic properties, potentially contributing to overall health maintenance. Efficient extraction techniques are crucial for maximizing the recovery of these valuable bioactive components from cocoa plant material. Modern methods are continuously being explored to optimize this process. This review focuses on the established health benefits associated with the bioactive compounds present in cocoa. Additionally, it will explore and discuss contemporary approaches for the extraction of these bioactive compounds from this plant source.

In vivo profiling of phytocannabinoids in Cannabis spp. varieties via SPME-LC-MS analysis

BackgroundIn vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a minimally invasive, non-exhaustive sample-preparation technique that facilitates the direct isolation of low molecular weight compounds from biological matrices in living systems. This technique is especially useful for the analysis of phytocannabinoids (PCs) in plant material, both for forensic purposes and for monitoring the PC content in growing Cannabis spp. plants. In contrast to traditional extraction techniques, in vivo SPME enables continuous tracking of the changes in the level of PCs during plant growth without the need for plant material collection. In this study, in vivo SPME utilizing biocompatible C18 probes and liquid-chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) is proposed as a novel strategy for the extraction and analysis of the acidic forms of five PCs in growing medicinal cannabis plants. ResultsThe SPME method was optimized by testing various parameters, including the extraction phase (coating), extraction and desorption times, and the extraction temperature. The proposed method was validated with satisfactory analytical performance regarding linearity (10–3000 ng/mL), limits of quantification, and precision (relative standard deviations below 5.5 %). The proposed method was then successfully applied for the isolation of five acidic forms of PCs, which are main components of growing medicinal cannabis plants. As a proof-of-concept, SPME probes were statically inserted into the inflorescences of two varieties of Cannabis spp. plants (i.e., CBD-dominant and Δ9-THC-dominant) cultivated under controlled conditions for 30 min extraction of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabiviarinic acid (CBVA), and tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA). Significance and noveltyThe results confirmed that the developed SPME-LC-Q-TOF-MS method is a precise and efficient tool that enables direct and rapid isolation and analysis of PCs under in vivo conditions. The proposed methodology is highly appealing option for monitoring the metabolic pathways and compositions of multiple PCs in medicinal cannabis at different stages of plant growth.

Evaluation of Fermented Plant Extracts as Bioinsecticides in Controlling Phenacoccus solenopsis Colonies on Hibiscus rosa-sinensis under Laboratory Conditions

The mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis, is a serious pest of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The waxy coating on its body may hinder pesticide penetration, and the extensive use of pesticides is risky to humans and the environment. Considering these drawbacks, fermented plant extracts (FPEs) were explored for their potential use in controlling this pest in a more user and environmentally-friendly manner. FPEs derived from eleven plant materials were evaluated against P. solenopsis for their insecticidal activity, mealybug wax removal potential and phytotoxicity effect on H. rosa-sinensis. Five concentrations of FPE [5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% (w/v)] were prepared. Among the 11 FPEs, FPE derived from ficus, kaffir lime, and turmeric were effective in suppressing P. solenopsis with lethal concentration at 50% (LC50 value) less than 20% concentration. Although ficus FPE was the top performer in the insecticidal assay, it induced medium to very high levels of leaf damage after being treated with 15–25% concentration at 24 and 72 hr post-treatment. A low level of leaf damage was observed in treatment with turmeric and kaffir lime FPEs at 72 hr post-treatment. FPEs could remove wax from the body of P. solenopsis with no significant difference among them. In conclusion, the FPE of ficus, kaffir lime, and turmeric showed promising insecticidal effects against P. solenopsis.

Sunlight and microwave catalyzed comparative biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using in-vitro and in-vivo biomass of Fagonia schweinfurthii Hadidi, its antibacterial activity and phytotoxicity

In the present study, we explore the potential of Fagonia schweinfurthii Hadidi (FS) in-vivo plant material and in-vitro-grown callus as a bio-template for AgNPs synthesis, highlighting its eco-friendly and bio-inspired sustainable approach. The comparative efficacy of natural plant material and its callus culture was assessed for AgNP synthesis by employing both sunlight and microwave irradiation as separate synthesis methods. This yielded four distinct types of AgNPs denoted as CS-AgNPs, PS-AgNPs, CM-AgNPs, and PM-AgNPs. Sunlight-irradiated AgNP synthesis optimized at near to neutral pH (6.6), whereas microwave-assisted synthesis needed a basic pH for synthesis. Optimization of these AgNPs involved varying concentrations of AgNO3, plant aqueous extract (PAE), and callus aqueous extract (CAE) of FS, exposure time to sunlight and microwave radiation, as well as pH adjustments. The particle size of these AgNPs ranged from 5 to 30 nm, having a crystalline nature with a similar fringe width of 0.22 nm, as observed from HR-TEM analysis. These AgNPs showed significant antibacterial properties against the clinical isolates with λmax 420 nm. Importantly, CAE outperformed PAE for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, mainly in the presence of sunlight-producing CS-AgNPs. These CS-AgNPs are rapidly synthesized, well dispersed and stable, showing significant antibacterial activity, and the least environmental phytotoxicity. It promoted the number of secondary roots, seedling DW, and TWC with 100% seed germination. This highlights their sustainable features for exploring industrial eco-friendly nonmanufacturing of AgNPs using callus culture and sunlight irradiation.

Microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES)—A useful tool for the determination of silicon contents in plant samples?

The accurate quantification of silicon (Si) contents in plant materials represents a fundamental prerequisite for agricultural plant-soil system or terrestrial ecosystem studies. Si contents in plants are usually calculated from Si concentrations determined spectroscopically in corresponding plant extracts. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) is widely used in environmental sciences for Si measurements, because this technique is characterized by relatively high sensitivity and low expenditure of human labor. However, as an ICP-OES instrument is also characterized by relatively high acquisition and running costs, it is not readily available to most laboratories. Microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) might represent a cost-effective alternative to ICP-OES. In our study we compared the results obtained from ICP-OES and MP-AES measurements of Si concentrations in Tiron extracts of husk and straw samples of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) to evaluate the capability of the MP-AES technique for the determination of Si contents in plant materials. Moreover, we correlated these results with data on plant available Si concentrations in corresponding soil samples as well as phytolith contents in the husk and straw samples to evaluate the performance of MP-AES in biogeochemical Si plant-soil studies. Based on our results we found MP-AES to represent a suitable technique for the reliable determination of Si concentrations in Tiron extracts with negligible matrix effects. Our results clearly indicate that MP-AES represents a promising alternative for all researchers with a focus on biogeochemical Si cycling in general.

Proteomic Analysis of Arachis hypogaea Seeds from Different Maturity Classes.

Physiological maturity impacts seed quality through various mechanisms including vigor, desiccation tolerance, dormancy induction, synthesis of raw materials (including seed storage proteins), and the reorganization of metabolisms. Peanut seed development can be classified into seven classes with four incremental stages per class. Based on the mesocarp color, the final three stages are commonly referred to as "orange", "brown", and "black". In 2017, freshly harvested pods from one genotype of runner market-type peanuts grown under conventional practices were obtained from the University of Georgia research facility. The pods were removed from the plant material and 'pod blasted' to reveal the mesocarp. After separation, the remainder of the pod outer layer was removed, and the seeds were segregated for proteomic analysis. The raw peanuts were analyzed by bottom-up LC-MS/MS proteomics, which was conducted by the Proteomics Resource Center at the Rockefeller University, to identify the significant protein composition differences in each maturity class. The proteomic data revealed differentially expressed proteins as a function of maturity class with multiple functions including plant defense, metabolism, cell signaling, nutrient accumulation, and packaging. Understanding the processes needed for seed maturation will enable peanut scientists to evaluate the traits needed for robust germination, hardiness of the seed in response to disease, and nutrient quality.

Quality assessment of garden strawberries of foreign selection

At present, «Strategy for Improving the Quality of Food Products in the Russian Federation until 2030» is the main document in the field of healthy nutrition. According to it, the main direction in this area is to provide the Russian population with nutritious food products, which will ensure the prevention of nutritional diseases and lead to to increase the life expectancy of the population, as well as improve their quality of life and to stimulate the production of quality products. At the same time, the need to use domestically produced raw materials, as well as functional ingredients from these raw materials in the production of a wide range of products for healthy and preventive nutrition, is clear lystated. The importance of using local plant, fruit and other raw materials, which are a source of many deficient vitamins, minerals, insoluble and soluble dietary fiber, as well as other valuable nutrients should be noted. In addition, local fruit raw materials are climatically adapted to the living conditions of humans in a particular region. In this regard, research aimed at analyzing the nutritional value of common regional fruit raw materials of the Central Chernozem Region (CCHR) and other regions of Russia is necessary. Of particular importance in the study of the nutritional value of berries and fruits as multivitamin crops that have a complex of medicinal and preventive properties. Among them are, undoubtedly, garden strawberries. The goal of the research is to study the consumer qualities and nutritional value of new varieties of garden strawberries. The article presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of the consumer qualities of the berries of seven new, currently zoned varieties of garden strawberries of foreign selection grown in the Tambov region: Aprika, Vivara, Zephyr, Kwiki, Letitia, Lord and Sibilla. The quality of berry raw materials is determined by a combination of organoleptic and physicochemical indicators, nutritional value, as well as safety indicators. The results of organoleptic studies showed that the berries of all studied varieties had excellent taste. At the same time, the berries of the Aprica, Kwiki, Zephyr and Vivara varieties had excellent quality. These fruits are classified as having an excellent quality. The berries of Laetitia, Sibylla and Lord varieties have been classified in the first quality category due to their good quality. Studies of the nutritional value of berries have shown that the berries of the Laetitia variety are leading in terms of ascorbic acid content, and the berries of the Zephyr variety in terms of anthocyanins. In terms of safety indicators, the berries of all studied varieties of garden strawberries meet the requirements of TR CU 021/2011 «On the safety of food products».

Micellar extracts obtained from Bistortae rhizoma, Fraxinus excelsior, and Romex crispus as components of hair shampoos

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential applications of micellar extracts derived from Bistortae rhizoma, Fraxinus excelsior, and Romex crispus as components of hair shampoos and to examine the impact of these micellar extracts on the specific properties of the formulated cosmetics. The antioxidant activity, polyphenol content, and vitamin C content of the plant materials selected for the study were assessed. In addition, particle size analysis was performed for the obtained micellar extracts. The shampoos prepared on the basis of original formulations were evaluated for irritation potential, viscosity, foam stability index, and color. The plants evaluated in the study exhibited a high level of antioxidant activity, and the derived extracts were found to contain micellar aggregates. The application of the extracts was shown to reduce the skin irritation potential of the shampoos and reduce their viscosity. In addition, the formulated shampoos were characterized by a high foam stability index. Substantial variations in the color of the cosmetics were observed upon the introduction of the micellar extracts into the formulations.

Chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for enantiomeric profiling of ten alkaloids in tobacco: Assessing interconversion in precursor materials and aerosol

Multiple chiral enantiomer separation poses challenges in analyzing complex matrices like natural plant materials. Currently, there is no straightforward method for simultaneous separation and analysis of ten alkaloids and enantiomers, mainly due to most of their low levels. Here, we present an improved chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for accurate quantification of ten alkaloids and enantiomers. This method exhibits recoveries of 92.3 to 118.1 %, intra-day precisions of 0.6 to 4.7 %, and inter-day precisions of 1.2 to 4.5 %, with detection limits ranging from 0.03 to 3.0 ng/mL. Successfully applied to the ten alkaloids and enantiomers quantification in precursor tobacco materials and aerosols from traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco products, our results show higher concentrations of ten alkaloids in traditional cigarette aerosol compared to heated tobacco products aerosol. During aerosol formation, (R)-cotinine, N-methylanabasine, and β-nornicotyrine were produced. Notably, high temperatures during aerosol formation favored the (R)-enantiomer of several chiral alkaloids, and lead to the formation of new secondary alkaloids. This proposed mechanism represents the first attempt to elucidate the interconversion of alkaloids during aerosol formation.

Chromatographic determination of vitamin content in a bar with dried tomatoes

There exists a problem of unbalanced nutrition in the modern world. Consumption of vegetables and fruits is mainly seasonal and they are not consumed by everyone in the daily diet in sufficient quantities to meet the daily requirement for nutrients. Snack products, including various bars, are becoming increasingly popular among the population of our country. Often there is an insufficient amount of vitamins and other micronutrients with such products that are so necessary to ensure the health of the human body. Insufficiency of these nutrients causes various diseases, the condition of the skin, hair, nails, and even mood worsens.The goal of the research was to determine the amount of vitamins in a bar made from sunflower seeds with the addition of plant materials – crushed dried tomato fruits.The objects of the study were a candy bar with the addition of rusk crumbs, containing 15% of dried tomatoes by weight of the finished product and a control sample – kozinak.Tests were carried out on a Dionex Ultimate 3000 chromatograph using reverse phase chromatography on a Luna C18 column. This device is used to measure the content of a wide range of components in samples of substances and materials, solutions, food products and other objects of analysis.It has been found that with the addition of a herbal additive and cracker crumbs to the recipe, the quanitative composition of vitamins A and E in the finished product increased compared to the control sample.The results of the research can be used in the development of new food recipes.

Diet of the Invasive Atlantic Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Portunidae) in the Guadalquivir Estuary (Spain)

The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda, Portunidae) Rathbun, 1896 is native to the east coasts of North and South America and has recently expanded its distribution in the non-native range into the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula, Europe). Considering the impacts caused by this invasive species in numerous estuarine ecosystems and its generalist feeding behavior, this study aims to provide the first account of the Atlantic blue crab diet on the East Atlantic coast. We studied the species’ feeding habits using stomach content analyses to predict food web interactions and putative impacts. Samples were obtained in the Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain, Europe), which was colonized in 2017. The main food items identified on their stomach were, fish (49.9%), mollusks (44.4%) and crabs (32.3%). They also consumed plant material (27.2%), and the sediment (32.3%) in their digestive tract was likely the result of secondary ingestion. The Atlantic blue crab exhibited the same omnivorous behavior as in the native area. There was no sexual variation in diet composition or feeding activity in general, but there was a seasonal variation in the diet composition of females. The decrease of the caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskål 1775) observed in the Guadalquivir estuary since 2021 is likely not due to the Atlantic blue crab because they seldomly eat this prey. Overall, our study provides clear baseline information to expand the knowledge about the ecological roles of the Atlantic blue crab in non-native ecosystems.

Prevalence in Potato of 'Candidatus Arsenophonus Phytopathogenicus' and 'Candidatus Phytoplasma Solani' and Their Transmission via Adult Pentastiridius leporinus.

The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus (Hempiptera: Cixiidae) is the main vector of two bacterial pathogens: the γ-proteobacterium 'Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus' and the stolbur phytoplasma 'Candidatus Phytoplasma solani'. These pathogens cause the disease syndrome basses richesses (SBR) in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), which reduces the yields and sugar content. In 2022, potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields were found to be colonized by P. leporinus, and the transmission of Arsenophonus was confirmed, resulting in symptoms like wilting, yellow leaves, and rubbery tubers. We monitored both pathogens in Southwest Germany in 2022 and 2023. This revealed their widespread presence in potato tubers, although there were differences in regional prevalence. The broad prevalence of Arsenophonus was maintained in 2023, whereas the prevalence of stolbur increased in most locations. We confirmed that P. leporinus adults can transmit both pathogens to potatoes, but neither pathogen reduced the germination rate of tubers, and no plants showed abnormal growth after germination. Arsenophonus was not detected in germinated shoots, but 5.4% contained stolbur, emphasizing the need for plant material testing to maintain phytosanitary conditions.

Design and Simulation of the Biodiesel Process Plant for Sustainable Fuel Production

The biodiesel production process is extensively studied in the literature, focusing on mechanisms, modeling, and economic aspects, yet plant design and fluid flow losses remain underexplored areas. The study addressed this gap by designing a biodiesel production plant, analyzing flow losses, and developing a pipe network and suitable pump models. In this study, an integration of biodiesel production plant design and simulation of continuous production of Calophyllum inophyllum biodiesel was investigated. Biodiesel production encompasses complex stages that involve systematic planning and system design. The goal of the plant design is to reduce the losses that occur during the conversion process, which can reduce the capital cost of the plant. A few assumptions were made when selecting biodiesel plant materials, such as pipes, pumps, fittings, and bends. These assumptions were based on considerations of the biodiesel fluid properties and pressure requirements. On the other hand, Aspen Plus was used to simulate the biodiesel production process. Calophyllum inophyllum was considered oil as the biodiesel feedstock and was inputted to the Aspen Plus as triglyceride composition. The simulation was carried out with rigorous kinetic reactions using the Non-Random Two-Liquid (NRTL) method to predict the liquid equilibrium in the reactor. Results revealed that the designed steel pipe meets safety requirements with a bursting pressure of 49.68MPa, capable of withstanding the maximum pressure of 4 bar and turbulent flow conditions. Additionally, the selected pump satisfies the required head and flow rate, ensuring efficient fluid movement. Moreover, simulation results closely matched experimental data, and 88% of biodiesel yield was recorded.

Polyphenolic Composition and Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antihyperglycemic Activity of Different Extracts of Teucrium montanum from Ozren Mountain.

Teucrium montanum has widespread use in folk medicine on the Balkan peninsula. In order to scientifically justify this use, the composition and biological activity of aqueous, ethanol, and acetone extract were investigated in this study. Moreover, acetone and ethanol extracts were obtained from the plant material previously exhausted by water extraction. A total of 27 compounds were detected in extracts by UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS analysis, with all of them present in acetone and ethanol extracts. Consequentially, the acetone and ethanol extracts showed higher contents of total phenols of 23% and 18%, respectively, compared to the water extract. The results indicated high biological potential in the investigated extracts. Among all extracts, the aqueous extract showed slightly higher antimicrobial potential, especially against Gram-positive strains, probably due to the release of components soluble in water from the dry unexhausted plant material. On the other hand, the acetone and ethanol extracts had significantly higher antioxidative (by 20%), anti-inflammatory activity (up to 3 and 4 times higher, respectively), and α-glucosidase inhibitory potential (3 times higher) than the aqueous extract. The results of this investigation reveal the great potential of the use of T. montanum in various branches of food, cosmetics, and the pharmaceutical industry. An important part of this research is a confirmation that, once exhausted by water extraction, for example by hydrodistillation, T. montanum plant material can be reused for obtaining valuable products with a wide range of biological activities.

Nomenclatural standards of barley cultivars bred by the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture for Northern Trans-Ural Region – Branch of the Tyumen Scientific Research Center SB RAS

The article contains descriptions of the morphological, biological and economic characters of spring barley cultivars ‘Kudesnik’ and ‘Divnyj’ (Hordeum vulgare L. ssp. distichon (L.) Körn. var. nutans Körn.) bred by the Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture for Northern Trans-Ural Region – Branch of Federal Research Centre Tyumen Scientific Centre of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SRIA for NTUR – Branch of Tyumen Scientific Centre SB RAS, Tyumen region, Russia) as well as information about the history of spring barley breeding at the said Institute.As part of this work, the nomenclatural standards of cultivars ‘Kudesnik’ and ‘Divnyj’ were created. The plant material for nomenclatural standards was collected at the Pushkin laboratories of the Research and Production Base “Pushkin and Pavlovsk laboratories of VIRˮ. All plants for making a herbarium specimen of a cultivar were those grown from one seed sample.The nomenclatural standard of cultivar ‘Kudesnik’ is represented by one herbarium sheet and is duplicated by four herbarium sheets, while the nomenclatural standard of cultivar ‘Divnyj’ is mounted on one herbarium sheet and has three duplicate sheets. Every sheet contains the entire plant at the milky ripeness stage, mature spikes and grain samples.The nomenclatural standards were produced in accordance with the recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants (ICNCP) and registered in the VIR Herbarium database. The herbarium specimens were deposited at the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants of the World, their Wild Relatives and Weeds (WIR) at the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources. 

The First Study on Cultivating Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.) for Its Flower and Essential Oil in Southeast Serbia

Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All.) is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant species that has not yet been thoroughly researched in terms of the influence of growing conditions on its morphological characteristics, flower yield, and the content and quality of its essential oil (EO). The plant material was harvested in the subsequent two production years at three localities in Southeast Serbia, differing in soil type (Alluvial soil, Rendzina, and Calcomelanosol). Based on two-year average values, the best results were obtained from plants grown on Rendzina, including the yield of fresh flowers (1850.2 g/m2), the highest plant height (49.3 cm), the number of branches (4.1), leaves (11.6), and flower heads (3.6), the flower diameter (1.6 cm), and the essential oil content (1.6%). The major EO constituent obtained from the plants growing on Rendzina and Calcomelanosol was 3-methyl pentyl angelate (20.8% and 15.2%, respectively). In the EO obtained from the plants growing on Alluvial soil, the major EO constituent was isobutyl angelate (13.0%), while the content of 3-methyl pentyl angelate was close to it (12.2%). The outcomes of this study provide guidelines for further research related to the cultivation of a Roman chamomile genotype on various soil types in a hilly region of Southeast Serbia, where most cultivated plants cannot be grown.

Bacterial Community Structure Responds to Soil Management in the Rhizosphere of Vine Grape Vineyards.

The microbial communities of the rhizospheres of vineyards have been subject to a considerable body of research, but it is still unclear how the applied soil cultivation methods are able to change the structure, composition, and level of diversity of their communities. Rhizosphere samples were collected from three neighbouring vineyards with the same time of planting and planting material (rootstock: Teleki 5C; Vitis vinifera: Müller Thurgau). Our objective was to examine the diversity occurring in bacterial community structures in vineyards that differ only in the methods of tillage procedure applied, namely intensive (INT), extensive (EXT), and abandoned (AB). For that we took samples from two depths (10-30 cm (shallow = S) and 30-50 cm (deep = D) of the grape rhizosphere in each vineyard and the laboratory and immediately prepared the slices of the roots for DNA-based analysis of the bacterial communities. Bacterial community structure was assessed by means of PCR-DGGE analysis carried out on the v3 region of 16S rRNA gene. Based on the band composition of the DGGE profiles thus obtained, the diversity of the microbial communities was evaluated and determined by the Shannon-Weaver index (H'). Between the AB and EXT vineyards at the S depth, the similarity of the community structure was 55%; however, the similarity of the D samples was more than 80%, while the difference between the INT samples and the other two was also higher than 80%. Based on our results, we can conclude that intensive cultivation strongly affects the structure and diversity of the bacterial community.