Small Bulbs Research Articles

To the taxonomy of the family Liliaceae Juss. in Altai Mountain Country

The work presents a comparative morphological analysis of the distinctive characteristics of the LiliaceaeJuss. family representatives, growing in the Altai Mountain Country based on the materials of Herbaria ALTB and YALT,as well as digital collections NS (NSK), MW, FRU, E, CAS, B and G. Based on the analysis of literary sources, herbariumspecimens and studies of representatives in the environment the main morphological characteristics of species, genera andfamily as a whole have been identified. For representatives of the genus Streptopus Michaux. with the rhizome type ofunderground organs, flat basal leaves and always the presence of inflorescences are common, the fruit is a berry. For somespecies of the genus Gagea Salib. small bulbs are typical, except for one-two-headed (Lilium L., Fritillaria L., TulipaL., Erythronium L. and Lloydia Salisb. ex Rchb.). The color of the corolla is different: from white and yellow to red andpurple. Yellow color of the petals is most common, white forms are less common. The genus Lilium L. is characterized bythe attachment of anthers to the threads in the middle and the presence of specks and specks on the corolla, while in therepresentatives of the remaining genera the anthers are attached with a base. Indicative spots or a checkerboard patternare also noted in the genus Fritillaria L.

A facile method for synthesizing NiS nanoflower grown on MXene (Ti3C2Tx) as positive electrodes for “supercapattery”

Transition metal sulfide is a good choice for supercapacitor anode materials. Herein, 3D NiS with flower-like shape was grown on MXene (Ti3C2TX) with one-step hydrothermal method. Connected nanoflakes in the composite formed a large void network structure, which favors the transfer of ions and charges. Compared with pure MXene, MXene/NiS composite exhibited higher specific capacity of 554.1 mAhg−1 (857.8 F g−1) at 1 A g−1 which is approximately 4 times greater than that MXene and superior cycle performance of 99.49% capacitance retained after 3000 cycles at 5 A g−1. The asymmetric supercapacitors were assemble in 2 M KOH alkaline solution with anode of MXene/NiS and cathode of G/AC (graphene/activated carbon). The ASCs device emerges a remarkable cycle performance of 97.7% after 3000 cycles and the energy density is up to 17.688 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 750 W kg−1. The small bulb (12 V, 2 W) can be lit for more than 100 s.

Assessments of rooting, vegetative growth, bulb production, genetic integrity and biochemical compounds in cryopreserved plants of shallot

Shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum), a small bulb onion, is widely grown in the world. We previously reported a droplet-vitrification for cryopreservation of in vitro-grown shoot tips of shallot genotype ‘10603’. The present study further evaluated rooting, vegetative growth, bulb production and contents of biochemical compounds, as well as genetic stability in cryo-derived plants. The results showed no significant differences in rooting, vegetative growth, bulb production and contents of soluble sugars and flavonols between the cryo- and in vitro-derived plants. Analyses of ISSR and AFLP markers did not detect any polymorphic bands in the cryo-derived plants. These results indicate rooting and vegetative growth ability, biochemical compounds and genetic stability were maintained in cryo-derived plants. The present study provides experimental evidences that support the use of cryopreservation method for long-term preservation of genetic resources of shallots and other Allium species. Rooting, vegetative growth, bulb production, genetic stability and biochemical compounds were maintained in cryopreserved plants of shallot. Our results support use of cryopreservation for long-term preservation of shallot germplasm.

Variation in Chemicals and Growth Parameters of Taşköprü Garlic

Main goals of the present study were (1) to initially investigate the nutrient contents and bioactive compounds in the bulb and cloves of garlic, and (2) to study the growth parameter after planting. Garlic bulbs were firstly separated into three categories as pickled, big and small, while the big garlic cloves were also classified into three categories as big, small and central. Secondly, the garlic samples were analyzed before planting for their element profile, proline, soluble protein, free amino acid, β-carotene, lycopene, total phenolic, soluble sugars, SOD and α-amylase activities. Finally, the growth parameters were measured using the cultivated cloves and the pickled bulbs. According to the result, the highest soluble protein, N, phenolic, lycopene and α amylase activity (97.06 mg, 2.58%, 971 mg, 0.368 mg and 38.13 EU, respectively) were recorded in the biggest cloves. The highest proline, amino acid, glucose content (93.84 µmol, 23.54 mg, 230.89 mg, respectively) and K, P, S, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn (21940 ppm, 7577 ppm, 12200 ppm, 504 ppm, 38.1ppm, 377,7ppm and 44.5 ppm, respectively) were found in the pickled bulb. The maximum level of β-carotene (0.282 mg), Ca, Cl and Sr (11260ppm, 818.7ppm and 47.9 ppm) were determined in the small bulbs. Based on the growth parameters of seedlings, the highest value of shoot and root length (39.12 cm and 24.11 cm respectively), the fresh weight of shoot and root (5.29 g and 4.54 g respectively) and dry weight of shoot and root (1.70 g and 1.24 g respectively) were noted with the big cloves. The results of the current study have indicated that the pickled cloves have higher macro and micro nutrients, proline, amino acid and glucose, while the big cloves of garlic have higher proline, phenolic, N%, lycopene and amylase activity. It can be said that the big cloves showed good value for the five bioactive compounds, but the pickled exhibited good value for the macro and micro element and glucose.

Heavy metals analysis and toxicity evaluation of some textile and dyeing effluents in Kano, Nigeria using <I>Allium cepa</I> bioassay

Insufficiencies in dyeing and textile processing coupled with incomplete sewage treatment system lead to indiscriminate discharge of large amount of dyestuff into water bodies mostly used for irrigation and fishing. These wastes are potentially mutagenic and some are even carcinogenic. In this research, cytotoxicity of three industrial effluents viz; African Textile Manufacturer (ATM), Kofar Naisa and Kofar Mata dyeing centres were evaluated using Allium cepa bioassay. The concentrations of some heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Pb, Mn and Ni) were also determined. Three sets of small onion bulbs were cultivated in 25%, 50% 75% and 100% effluent concentrations (v/v) and a control for each site. Root tips from each bulb were harvested and processed for cytological studies using squashing technique. After 48hrs of exposure, cytotoxic effects of the effluents on root tips (compared to control) showed root growth retardation which was more apparent at higher concentrations. This indicated that, the root growth inhibition was concentration dependent. Number of dividing cells observed and the Mitotic Index (MI) were also concentration dependent. There were decrease in number of dividing cells and MI with increase in concentration of the treatment. The effective concentrations that caused 50% effect (EC50) was 95% for ATM and K/Naisa dyeing points while it was 100% in K/mata dyeing point. Diverse structural aberrations and abnormalities were observed ranging from chromosomal bridge, which was apparent even at low concentrations of the treatment to cytokinesis failure, Micronucleus (MN) and nuclear buds or vacuolated nuclei. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Cu and Mn for K/Naisa and K/Mata dyeing centres, but there was statistical difference (P<0.05) for these parameters in ATM. Likewise, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the root growth of A. cepa exposed to different concentrations of the effluent in ATM and K/Naisa sites but no statistical difference existed in root growth of A. cepa exposed to K/Mata effluents.
 Keywords: Allium cepa, Bioassay, Effluents, Cytotoxicity, Mitotic Index

Fabrication and Characterization of Piezoelectric Composite Nanofibers Based on Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) and Barium Titanate Nanoparticle

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)-based composite nanofibers containing different barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticle contents of 10–60 wt% were fabricated by an efficient electrospinning. The piezoelectric performance of PVDF-HFP/BaTiO3 composite nanofibers under a periodic compressional pressure of ∼20 kPa was investigated by considering the BaTiO3 content and the electric poling. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the presence of piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO3 nanoparticles in the composite nanofibers with PVDF β-form crystals. The SEM images demonstrated that the BaTiO3 nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly in the composite nanofibers at relatively low loadings of 10–20 wt%, but they formed aggregates at high loadings of 30–60 wt%. The piezoelectric performance of the composite nanofibers increased with the BaTiO3 content up to 20 wt% and decreased at higher BaTiO3 contents of 30–60 wt%, which results from the trade-off effect between the piezoelectric performance and the dispersibility of BaTiO3 nanoparticles in the composite nanofibers. Accordingly, the composite nanofibers with 20 wt% BaTiO3 exhibited maximum piezoelectric outputs such as voltage of ~9.63 V, current ~0.52 µA, and electric power of ~7892.2 nW. After the electric poling, the piezoelectric performance was further enhanced to ~11.69 V, ~20.56 µA, and ~1115.2 nW, which was high enough to light up a small LED bulb after rectification.

In-vitro scape and bulb formation in garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the important spices crops that required on daily basis in kitchens and cuisines across the world. Scape or flowering stalk induction is highly important for crop improvement as garlic is a vegetatively propagated crop. However, scape formation has not achieved yet by any means. Meristems (0.1 0.3 mm) of garlic cv. Bhima Purple were cultured in vitro on basal MS medium fortified with 0.1 mgl−1 NAA, 1.0 mgl−1 Kinetin and 3% sucrose (w/v). Proliferated meristems (mericlones) were sub-cultured after 10-15 days. About 55-60 days old cultures were sub-cultured on MS + 1 mgl−1 Kinetin + 6% sucrose in liquid medium for microbulbil induction and maintained till its harvest. Microbulbils were induced on mericlones after about 70-75 days after initial inoculation. In vitro induced bulbils transformed into a small garlic bulb having 2-3 cloves or microbulbils after 110-115 days of initial culturing. Subsequently after 125-130 days the maiden in-vitro scape formation was observed. It showed a ray of light to use this alternative strategy, i.e. in-vitro scape induction to induce flowering stalk in garlic. Also, the successful in-vitro bulb development reported first time herein would give an opportunity of mass production of garlic without managing cumbersome field propagations.

English

Shallot is a horticultural commodity belonging to spice vegetables. Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) is a perennial crop which is grown as an annual for its cluster of small cloves and bulbs. Persian shallot also is native and endemic of Iran and grows as a wild plant across Zagross mountains at high elevations. Shallot is an important source of carbohydrate, vitamin A, B, and C. Phenolic compound in Shallot consist of gallic acid, apigenin, eriodictyol, quercetin, isoquercetin, rutin, kaempferol, catechin and tannic acid. The most important health benefits of shallots are reduction of cancer risk, improve heart health, aid detoxification, help control diabetes, improve brain health, help to fight obesity and treat allergies, boost bone health, maintain vision health, boost immunity, improve skin health, increase abdominal health and keep hair healthy. The dominants medicinal properties of Persian shallot is it antibiotic, hypolipidemic, anticancer, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, kidney protective and hepatoprotective properties. This review article allowed verifying shallots as sources of compounds with valuable nutritional and bioactive properties with great ability for incorporation into foods with functional properties. Also, treatment with natural herbal medicine like shallot as non-synthetic drug is recommended. Key words: Medicinal properties, nutritive components, shallot.

Droplet-vitrification for shoot tip cryopreservation of shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum): effects of PVS3 and PVS2 on shoot regrowth

The present study described a droplet-vitrification cryopreservation for shoot tips of shallot (Allium cepa var. aggregatum), a small bulb onion. Shoot tips taken from in vitro stock shoots were precultured with 0.3 M and 0.5 M of sucrose, with 1 day for each concentration. Precultured shoot tips were treated with a loading solution containing 2 M glycerol and 0.6 M sucrose for 20 min and then exposed to plant vitrification solution 3 (PVS3) at 24 °C for 3 h of dehydration. Following exposure to PVS3, shoot tips were moved onto 5.0 µl PVS3 droplets on aluminum foil strips, followed by direct immersion into liquid nitrogen for 1 h. Frozen shoot tips were thawed by incubation in liquid MS medium containing 1.2 m sucrose for 20 min at room temperature, and then post-thaw cultured for shoot regrowth. Exposure of the shoot tips to PVS3 produced shoot regrowth (58%). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) detected 1.8% of freezable water in the shoot tips that had been dehydrated by PVS2, and no freezable water in those by PVS3 treatment. Exposure to PVS3 provided a broader safe temperature range (− 196 °C to − 88 °C), compared to that (− 196 °C to − 116 °C) of PVS2, for cryopreserved samples. Histological observations found that PVS3 dehydration allowed many cells in the apical dome and in the leaf primordia to survive following freezing in LN, while PVS2 dehydration resulted in much fewer surviving cells in the apical dome. The droplet-vitrification cryopreservation produced 56%, 72% and 32% shoot regrowth in cryopreserved shoot tips taken from in vitro shoots, adventitious buds regenerated from stem discs and field-grown bulbs, respectively. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of different source explants for cryopreservation were discussed. The droplet-vitrification cryopreservation produced 45% and 70% shoot regrowth in the additional two shallot genotypes ‘Kverve’ and ‘Lunteviga’. The results obtained in this study provide technical supports for setting-up cryo-bankings of genetic resources of shallots and other Allium species. Establishment of a droplet-vitrification cryopreservation of shallot shoot tips provided technical supports for long-term preservation of diverse genetic resources and cryotherapy for virus eradication in shallot plants.

Radiographic anatomy and barium sulfate contrast study of the gastrointestinal tract of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina).

Gastrointestinal disorders are an important cause of morbidity in box turtles (Terrapene carolina Carolina), however published information is currently lacking on the normal radiographic anatomy, transit, and emptying times of the gastrointestinal tract. A total of 15 healthy box turtles were recruited for this prospective, anatomic, reference interval study. Three-view radiographic series (vertical beam dorsoventral, horizontal beam latero-lateral, and horizontal beam rostrocaudal views) were acquired prior to contrast administration, and following contrast administration at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 90 min, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24h post administration, and every 24h thereafter until all contrast was eliminated (15mL/kg barium sulfate diluted to 30% weight per volume was administered via orogastric gavage). Vertical beam dorsoventral and horizontal beam latero-lateral views were of excellent quality to identify gastrointestinal structures. The horizontal beam rostrocaudal view immediately postcontrast administration provided gastric and pyloric identification but had lesser diagnostic use at later time points due to anatomical superimposition. The gastrointestinal tract was composed of a tubular stomach, a pyloric sphincter near midline, a duodenum with a cranial flexure in the right cranial coelomic cavity, small intestines within the right coelom, a small cecal bulb, and a transverse and descending colon. Contrast media entered the large intestine by 24h in all turtles, and a pyloro-colic indentation was noted at the proximal descending colon. The large intestinal emptying was highly variable due to the interindividual variability of contrast sequestration within the cecal bulb. Findings from the current study serve as a reference on the gastrointestinal anatomy, transit, and emptying times in healthy eastern box turtles; and introduce a novel, horizontal beam, rostrocaudal view for gastrointestinal contrast studies in chelonians.

Gyrodactylus lilianae n. sp. (Polyonchoinea: Gyrodactylidae) from Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard) (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from southern Brazil: a potential nuisance for aquaculture.

Species of Monogenoidea (Platyhelminthes) are in its majority ectoparasites of marine and freshwater fishes. Many species of the group can promote great economic losses to fish production systems worldwide. The present study describes a new species, Gyrodactylus lilianae n. sp., from the body surface, fins and barbels of a captive South American catfish, Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard) (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from southern Brazil. The new species is morphologically similar to Neotropical species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 from Siluriformes from which it differs most conspicuously by the morphology of the hook with a pronounced convex heel, somewhat depressed, slightly pointed toe, and a small distal bulb. The identity of the new species is also strongly supported by phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 mitochondrial gene (cox2) sequences and the rDNA fragment ITS1-5.8-ITS2. Infections with the new species in captive R. quelen juveniles were considered the main causative agent of observed mortalities. Tissue damage caused by G. lilianae n. sp. apparently facilitated the occurrence of secondary infections by protists (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) and bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila).

Planting Dates and Nutrition Management Regimes Impact Positively on Bulb Size, Quality and Yield of Rain-fed Onion

Bulb size, appropriate time of planting and sufficient growth nutrients may determine the quality of seeds and productivity of onion. Studies were conducted during the cropping seasons of year 2015 and 2016 to assess the effects of planting date and nutrients management regimes on bulb size, quality and yield of rain-fed onion using seeds of variety Prema as planting material. Three levels of transplanting dates namely early transplanting (N1)), transplanting of seedlings two weeks after early transplanting (N2), and transplanting of seedlings four weeks after early transplanting (N3) were factorially combined with the following six fertilizer application regimes: F1 (no fertilizer application), F2 (application of 375 kg/ha of NPK 23:10:10), F3 (application of 10 t/ha fertisoil compost), F4 (application of 187.5 kg/ha of NPK 23:10:10 plus 5 t/ha of fertisoil compost), F5 (application of 125 kg/ha of NPK 23:10:10 plus 6.6 t/ha of fertisoil compost) and F6 (application of 250 kg/ha of NPK 23:10:10 plus 3.3 t/ha of fertisoil compost). Seedlings from the above treatment combinations were planted using RCBD in three onion growing communities in the Northern Region of Ghana. At harvest, bulbs were sorted into three groups (large, medium and small bulbs). Results from the studies indicated that in each group of bulb size, N1 x F4 plants produced the highest bulb fresh weight and bulb diameter. Plants from these regimes also produced the highest bulb quality and bulb yield. Farmers should nurse onion seeds early, latest by first week of June in the rainy season, so as to transplant seedlings by first week of July and apply 187.5 kg/ha of 23:10:10 NPK plus 5 t/ha fertisoil compost for improved bulb sizes in the study area.

AutonoMouse: High throughput operant conditioning reveals progressive impairment with graded olfactory bulb lesions.

Operant conditioning is a crucial tool in neuroscience research for probing brain function. While molecular, anatomical and even physiological techniques have seen radical increases in throughput, efficiency, and reproducibility in recent years, behavioural tools have somewhat lagged behind. Here we present a fully automated, high-throughput system for self-initiated conditioning of up to 25 group-housed, radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagged mice over periods of several months and >106 trials. We validate this “AutonoMouse” system in a series of olfactory behavioural tasks and show that acquired data is comparable to previous semi-manual approaches. Furthermore, we use AutonoMouse to systematically probe the impact of graded olfactory bulb lesions on olfactory behaviour, demonstrating that while odour discrimination in general is robust to even most extensive disruptions, small olfactory bulb lesions already impair odour detection. Discrimination learning of similar mixtures as well as learning speed are in turn reliably impacted by medium lesion sizes. The modular nature and open-source design of AutonoMouse should allow for similar robust and systematic assessments across neuroscience research areas.

Endocranial anatomy of plesiosaurians (Reptilia, Plesiosauria) from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Goulmima (southern Morocco)

ABSTRACTDespite recent advances in noninvasive imaging, Plesiosauria remains one of the least explored clades of reptiles with respect to paleoneuroanatomy. Only partial endocasts, obtained from either latex casts or imprints left on the braincase, have been described. In this contribution, the digital endocasts of three plesiosaurian specimens were analyzed: two referred to the elasmosaurid Libonectes morgani and one to Polycotylidae indet., all from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Goulmima (Morocco). They were computed tomography (CT)-scanned to provide new anatomical information on the plesiosaurian endocast, endosseous labyrinth, and cranial nerves. Results show that the three endocasts are very similar to each other. They appear anteroposteriorly elongated and horizontally oriented in lateral view, with long olfactory tracts, relatively small and incomplete olfactory bulbs, a reduced pineal organ, distinguishable optic lobes, and a possible large cerebellum constituting the main component in size of the endocast. The endocranial features reconstructed here are compared with those of other plesiosaurians, as well as other marine reptiles, notably to discuss their intraspecific and interspecific variability. This study provides pioneer data in order to estimate the impact of both phylogenetic and ecological constraints on the endocranial morphology of plesiosaurians and proposes a few preliminary paleobiological suggestions.

'Friends in Pots'

A method of growing bulbous species with stones as companions to small bulbs is described and illustrated. Statistics for the number of taxa in the ten largest genera in the bulb collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are provided.

The effect of bulb weight on salinity tolerance of three common Narcissus cultivars

Daffodils [Narcissus sp. (L.) Amaryllidaceae] are popular landscaping plants and cut flowers. The daffodil cultivars ‘Dutch Master’, ‘Ice Follies’, and ‘Tete-a-Tete’ are considered highly tolerant to salinity by maintaining visual quality at NaCl induced electrical conductivity (EC) greater than 6 dS⋅ m−1. In geophytes, the bulb can act as a buffer for stress, and in this study we wanted to determine how the bulb contributes to salinity tolerance in these three daffodil cultivars. Bulbs were divided into three weight categories and exposed to irrigation salinities of 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl during chilling, active growth and flowering. Regardless of the level of salinity exposure, plants (regardless of salinity or cultivar) with large bulbs grew at least twice the rate as plants from small bulbs grown at the same salinity. Flowers lasted on average 2 days longer in large bulb plants compared to small bulb plants. The ability to flower was impacted by cultivar and bulb size, with the least flowering occurring in small bulb ‘Dutch Master’ plants. In contrast, salinity was the main factor affecting leaf osmotic potential and relative water content (both decreased by 13%), antioxidant capacity (increased by 11%), gas exchange (reduced 50–75%), and cation uptake (5 fold increase in NaCl treatments). Although increasing bulb size did not improve all plant factors impacted by salinity, increases in initial bulb size improved overall growth at all levels of salinity and allowed the plants to maintain flower production and visual quality.

Effects of storage duration and bulb sizes on physiological losses of Agrifound light red onion bulbs (Allium cepa L.)

Abstract. The effect of storage duration and bulb sizes on physiological losses of the Agrifound light red onion bulbs stored in an Improved Naturally Ventilated Storage Structure-INVSS (constructed using locally available materials like; sand, cement, wood, corn stalks, wire mesh and grasses) under room condition was studied in 2012. Dry and wet bulb thermometers were installed to measure ambient temperature and relative humidity. Wind velocity was measurement by hand held Anemometer. The onion bulb samples were sorted and graded into three standard size categories (small: <50mm; medium: 50-70mm and jumbo: >70mm in diameter) and kept in the INVSS at the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Research Farm of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola. The samples were monitored and data taken on a daily basis for a period of twenty (20) weeks. The data were analyzed with ANOVA in CRD and the means were separated using LSD at p<0.05. The results indicated that storage duration had significant effects (p≤0.05) on weight, rot and sprout losses. Jumbo size onion bulbs had the highest Storage Weight Loss (SWL) by a mean of 5.1%, followed by medium and small size onion bulbs with means of 4.8% and 4.2%, respectively. Storage Sprout Losses (SSL) studied in the three of onion bulb sizes showed higher SSL among the small size Agrifound light red variety than the medium size onion bulbs with respective mean values of 5.0% and 3.8%, while the least value of SSL (2.6%) was observed in Jumbo size onion bulbs. Similar comparison was also made in terms of Storage Rot Losses (SRL) and it showed that relatively higher SRL among the Jumbo size onions (3.3%), followed by medium sizes (3.1%) while the least was observed from the small sizes (2.3%). The findings recommend that the INVSS should be used to store Jumbo and small size onion bulbs for at least 5 months to achieve minimum storage losses. Though, it is not cost effective to store medium size onion bulbs in the INVSS for more than 4 months.

Study on Yield and Yield Components of Onion (Allium Cepa L.) Under Hatseva Condition, Israel

Onion is one of the most important food crops and cultivated in many countries in different climatic zones, including temperate, tropical and sub-tropical regions. Yield parameters like harvest index, total bulb yield, marketable bulb yield, unmarketable bulb yield, total bulb number, marketable bulb number, unmarketable bulb number, and bulb quality parameters like small size bulb number, medium size bulb number and large size bulb number. Generally, the study showed that the mean marketable bulb number, the mean unmarketable bulb number and the mean total bulb number per dunam were calculated and found to be 17, 395.84, 24, 270.83 and 41, 666.67 respectively. Similarly the average marketable bulb yield, the average unmarketable bulb yield and the average total bulb yield per dunam were also calculated and found to be 6.18 ton/dunam, 2.44 ton/dunam and 8.62 ton/dunam respectively. On the other hand, the mean value of Small size bulb number, the mean value of Medium size bulb number and the mean value of Large size bulb number per dunam were found to be 270.83, 11, 250.00 and 250.00 respectively with the average harvest index of 70.84 %. For the potential onion growers or farmers in the study area special advice and training is essential on how to produce and get high yield of onion. Thus, onion (var. uri) growers in the study area can benefit if they are distributed well with the over all packages and production technologies. Therefore, further studies need to be conducted on various green houses, under different temperature conditions to generate more reliable information and acceptable practical evidences on onion production improvement in the Arava region

The proof is in the bulb: glycerol influences key stages of lily development.

A bulb is a whole plant condensed into an underground organ. A geophyte's bulb comprises both food reserves and important developmental history that may affect its whole growth. In Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), bulb size is associated with the plant's flowering pathway - vernalization or photoperiod - and also affects sprouting, flower quality and abortion rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for the major physiological differences between large and small bulbs. Lily bulbs start their development from secondary meristems along the stem, with large bulbs being heavier and bear more scales than small ones. Peeling the outer scales of a large bulb converts its physiological responses into those of a small bulb, implying that the physiological discrepancies in plants developing from large or small bulbs are mediated by factors inherent to the bulb. We therefore performed broad analyses of the metabolite composition in the scales of bulbs subjected to temperature regimes affecting further plant development. We found a striking association between the level of glycerol, a primary metabolite mostly synthesized in the outer scales, and a delay in sprouting and flowering time, and reduction in abortion rate. Exogenous glycerol application to the bulbs before planting corroborated these results. Moreover, transcriptome analyses showed that flowering-promoting gene expression was downregulated in the bulb after glycerol treatment, while potential flowering inhibitor as well as a dormancy-related gene expressions were upregulated. Based on these studies, we postulate that glycerol is a major factor influencing both vegetative and reproductive development in lily.

Bulb Circumference Influences Growth and Crop Quality in Pineapple Lily

The objective of this study was to determine effects of bulb size on production time and factors influencing crop quality in pineapple lily (Eucomis sp.) cultivars developed originally for cut flower production. The percentage of bulbs producing an inflorescence increased as bulb size increased. One hundred percent of bulbs >18 cm circumference flowered in three of the four cultivars whereas ‘Tugela Jade’ exhibited 88% flowering. The number of flowers per inflorescence increased as bulb size increased. Scape length increased as bulb size increased in ‘Reuben’. Inflorescence length increased as bulb size increased in ‘Reuben’, ‘Tugela Jade’, and ‘Tugela Gem’. Days to anthesis from planting decreased as bulb size increased in ‘Reuben’ and ‘Tugela Jade’. For all cultivars, the largest bulbs produced the greatest number of leaves per plant and the highest quality inflorescences, largely attributable to the larger number of flowers produced per inflorescence compared with smaller bulbs.