Solanum Pseudocapsicum Research Articles

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genome of Solanum pseudocapsicum (Solanaceae)

Solanum pseudocapsicum Linnaeus 1753, a popular indoor potted plant known for its ornamental fruits, had its chloroplast genome sequenced in this study to determine its phylogenetic relationship with other related species and to construct a phylogenetic analysis tree. The research findings are as follows: 1. The chloroplast genome of S. pseudocapsicum comprises a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,260 base pairs, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,325 base pairs, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions, each measuring 25,390 base pairs in length. 2. The G + C content of the entire chloroplast genome is 37.59%, with the highest G + C content found in the IR regions, reaching 43.03%; followed by the LSC region, which has a G + C content of 35.68%; and the lowest in the SSC region, with a G + C content of 31.53%. 3. The genome contains 127 genes, including 82 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes, with 18 genes duplicated in the IR regions. 4. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that S. pseudocapsicum, Solanum betaceum, Solanum laciniatum, and Solanum nitidum are genetically closely related and are located on the same branch of the phylogenetic tree, indicating a close relationship among them. This study provides a foundation for the identification, classification, and exploration of genetic diversity within the Solanum genus.

New species and host plant records for Neotropical Rhagoletis Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Rhagoletis antioquiensis Rodriguez Norrbom, a new species of fruit fly in the striatella species group of Rhagoletis Loew, is described and illustrated. New distribution records are reported for two other species of the striatella group: R. nicaraguensis Herndez-Ortiz Fras, 2000 is reported from Costa Rica, and R. solanophaga Herndez-Ortiz Fras, 2000 from Bolivia. A lectotype is designated for Urophora scutellaris Macquart, 1851 (= R. macquartii (Loew)). New host plant relationships for three species of Rhagoletis, all reared from fruits, are reported: Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schrtdl. and Witheringia solanacea LHer for R. jamaicensis Foote, 1981 from Colombia; Lycianthes pseudolycioides (Chod. Hassl.) Bitter for R. solanophaga from Bolivia; and Solanum pseudocapsicum L., Solanum tuberosum L. subsp. andigenum (Juz. Burkasov) Hawkes, Solanum interandinum Bitter from Colombia and Solanum americanum Mill. in Peru for undetermined species of the psalida group. The key to species of the striatella group of Herndez-Ortiz Fras (2000) is modified to include R. antioquiensis.

Ethnobotany of the Himalayas: Safeguarding Medical Practices and Traditional Uses of Kashmir Regions.

Simple SummaryIn view of the rising demand for global health care, the traditional medical knowledge is experiencing significant attention to meet the public health needs of developing countries. Knowledge and practice of ethnobotany help to investigate the pharmacological basis of culturally important species of medical value. Traditional knowledge (TK) exists in local indigenous communities and has been passed down over generations as part of community identity. This research attempts to study the plant diversity of medical importance and traditional knowledge interpretation in the Himalayas. This work discloses rich ethnomedicinal knowledge linked with the people residing in the remote location of Northwestern Himalaya. The study justifies the medicinal plants prospective and the inherent knowledge of the local communities. It contains the raw interpretation of 107 high-altitude plants used for disease remedies by taking advantage of the knowledge of the young and old people of the targeted area. The obtained results provide substantial guidance in designating and obtaining the plant material for potential therapeutic interest, as well as sustaining and maintaining the natural ecosystem of the area. It also shows an impetus in discovering the baseline primary data for molecules which would contribute to future drug discovery and disease management, apart from conserving the gene pool of Himalaya and elsewhere in the world.The present study was carried out to enlist the medicinal plants used by the local inhabitants of developing countries such as India, and the district of Kupwara of the Kashmir Himalaya has been targeted. Our research is one of the first study focusing on the statistical evaluation of the cross-cultural analysis between three different communities i.e., Dard, Kashmiri and Gujjar, of the study area. Sampling was carried out in eight villages in 2017 to 2020, and data were collected from 102 informants based on walking transects, to collect plant specimens, and semi-structured interviews. The medical usages of all collected taxa were grouped into 15 disease categories and 81 biomedical ailments. In this study, we documented around 107 plant taxa belonging to 52 families from the local inhabitants of the Kashmir Himalaya, which regulate the livelihood of the people and support cultural ecosystem services. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Ranunculaceae, Poaceae, Solanaceae, Polygonaceae, Plantaginaceae and Brassicaceae are the top most dominant families. Herbaceous groups of plants were more common than trees and shrubs, and 71.96% of herb taxa were employed as medicine. Liliaceae, Caprifoliaceae and Portulacaceae (FUV = 0.24 each) have the highest family use value (FUV). The most prominent family was Asteraceae (seven genera, nine taxa), followed by Rosaceae and Lamiaceae (six genera, six taxa each). Persicaria Mill., Rheum L., Aconitum L. and Artemisia L. were prominent genera. Valeriana jatamansi Jones ex Roxb. (47UR), Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don (45UR), Arisaema jacquemontii Blume (37UR), Asparagus racemosus Willd. (36UR) and Rumex acetosa L. (35UR) were the most important plant taxa with reference to use-reports. The ethnomedicinal applications of Aesculus indica Wall. ex Cambess., Solanum pseudocapsicum L., Ranunculus hirtellus Royle and Cormus domestica (L.) Spach plant taxa are reported here for the first time from the Himalayan Kashmiri people. We recommend further research on ethnopharmacological application of these newly recorded ethnobotanical plants. The medical usage of the plant was limited to different parts of the plant. In terms of the usage percentage, whole plant (26.17%), leaves (24.30%) and roots (19.63%) were found to have the highest utilization. The powder form (40.19%) was the most frequently employed method of drug/medicine preparation, followed by the utilization of extracted juice and/or other extracts (22.43%). The ICF values range from 0.85 to 1.00. Their use to remedy parasitic problems (PAR) and insect bites (IB) (ICF = 1.0 each) had the maximum consensus mentioned by the informants, although the number of taxa employed under this category was very limited. The different plant taxa used for the treatment of the gastrointestinal problems (GAS) was the most prominent disease category (262 URs, 16.19%, 25 taxa, ICF = 0.90). About 65% of the plant taxa studied is indigenous to the Asia or Himalayan regions, and around 35% is found to be exotic in nature. A strong positive correlation was found between age, gender, educational qualification and medicinal plant knowledge. No significant association was between people of different communities interviewed in terms of medical knowledge of the plants, p = 0.347 (>0.05) and χ2 = 2.120. No significant difference was found between the number of species documented concerning gender as p = 0.347 (>0.05) and χ2 =0.885. This study provides the comprehensive status of ethnomedicinal knowledge among three different communities of the study area. This study provided an impetus in discovering the baseline primary data for molecules which would help in drug discovery and management of various diseases, apart from conserving the genepool of plants in the investigated area.

Noteworthy Collections: New County Records for Solanum pseudocapsicum (Solanaceae) in Alabama

Three recent collections of Solanum pseudocapsicum represent the first documentation of this species from Alabama in 27 years, and apparently represent the only extant populations. The habitat of these collections appears to be different from that previously documented in Alabama, although it is not unusual range-wide. Solanum pseudocapsicum was last collected from Alabama in 1993 from Houston County, but searches of that location failed to relocate it. Previously it had been collected from Tallapoosa County (1877), Morgan County (1891), Lee County (1896), and Coosa County (1900), all in upland or ruderal habitats. In 2020 a small population of four plants was discovered on a floodplain near the confluence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers and a second larger population of approximately 28 plants was located 10 km to the SW on the floodplain of the Alabama River, both in Elmore County. A third population of several dozen plants was discovered on the floodplain of the Tallapoosa River in Montgomery County.

First Report of Anthracnose on Jerusalem Cherry Caused by Colletotrichum liaoningense in Shandong, China.

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum), which belongs to the genus Solanum and the family Solanaceae, possesses high ornamental value and is widely cultivated as an indoor ornament due to its bright red berries at maturity (Xu et al., 2018). In September 2019, leaf spot was detected on jerusalem cherry plants in Yuxiu Park, Shizhong district, Jinan, Shandong Province. Field surveys were done in a 1/15 ha park. Disease incidence was estimated at approximately 18% across the survey area. Foliar symptoms began as small white spots. As the disease progressed, lesions expanded and merged, and developed into large irregular white spots, with pale grey edge. At last, lesions were densely distributed throughout the leaves. To isolate the pathogen, twenty leaf tissues (5 × 5 mm) were cut from the border between diseased and healthy tissue, surface disinfected in 75% alcohol for 15 s, soaked in 0.1% mercuric chloride for 1 min, washed with sterile distilled water three times, and cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C. Nineteen fungal isolates were obtained and were single-spored to obtain pure cultures. The colony of LCL7, a representative isolate, on PDA was initially white to orange, but turned black after 3 to 4 days incubation with black conidial masses. Conidia were single-celled, hyaline, straight, cylindrical, apex obtuse, and ranged from 13.4 to 18.3 × 3.2 to 4.9 μm (n = 50) （Diao et al., 2017）. To validate the species identification, rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (White et al., 1990), and the partial sequences of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (ACT), β-tubulin (TUB2), and chitin synthase (CHS-1) (Damm et al., 2019; He et al., 2019), were amplified and sequenced. The ITS, GAPDH, ACT, TUB2, and CHS-1 sequences of isolate LCL7 were submitted to GenBank (MW221320, MW227217, MW227218, MW227219, and MW266988, respectively). ITS, ACT, TUB2, and CHS-1 BLAST showed 99-100% homology with sequences of Colletotrichum liaoningense (ITS, 100% to MH636504; ACT, 100% to MH622582; TUB2, 99.56% to MH622714, CHS-1, 99.33% to MH622446, respectively), although GAPDH showed 93.98% homology with sequence MH681383 (234/249bp). Neighbor-joining tree based on concatenated sequences of the five genes was constructed using MEGA7.0. The results showed the isolate was closely related to C. liaoningense. Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, the isolate LCL7 was identified as C. liaoningense. Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying a conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/mL) on ten two-year-old healthy jerusalem cherry plants. Ten other plants with sterile water served as controls. All samples were incubated in a growth chamber at 25±2°C and transparent plastic bags to keep relative humidity high for 2 days. All inoculated plants showed symptoms similar to those observed in the field after 21 days, but no disease occurred on control plants. The same fungus was successfully reisolated from inoculated leaves and reidentified based on morphology and molecular characteristics, and the fungus was not isolated from the control plants, thus confirming Koch's postulates. Pathogenicity tests were repeated twice. C. liaoningense can cause anthracnose in chili and mango in China (Diao et al., 2017; Li et al., 2019).To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose on jerusalem cherry caused by C. liaoningense in China, which influences ornamental value and reduces market value. Identification of the causes of the disease will help develop effective strategies for managing this disease.

Solanum pseudocapsicum: Wild source of resistance to Chilli leaf curl disease

The present investigation was undertaken to screen Solanum pseudocapsicum, against chilli leaf curl disease (ChiLCD) which is the most destructive virus disease in terms of incidence and yield loss in chilli peppers. The screening was done both under natural epiphytotic condition and through challenge inoculation using viruliferous whiteflies. The genus, which is perennial in nature and has a life span of about 10 years, was found free of infection under field screening even after four years of continuous exposure to high disease pressure. Under challenge inoculation, S. pseudocapsicum was found asymptomatic upon infection with ChiLCV and ToLCNDV, the two pre-dominant begomovirus prevalent in the study area. S. pseudocapsicum plants exposed to leaf curl disease under field condition was analysed for presence of ChiLCV through PCR and was found to show presence of virus indicating it to be a symptomless carrier of the disease. S. pseudocapsicum has proven to be a source of resistance against ChiLCD.

Exploration, collection and conservation of multicrop germplasm from Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, India

Systematic exploration and germplasm collection trips were conducted across Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir state covering Chatroo valley, Padder valley and Kishtwar main including areas of Dachan, Surror, Sarthal, Bhonjwa and Drabshala during 2013, 2015 and 2018. A total of 113 germplasm accessions belonging to 29 species of crops and wild relatives from as many as 40 collection sites were collected at altitudes ranging from 1340-2670 m. Several areas in Sarthal, Bhonjwa, Dachan and Gulabgarh Padder were first time explored. Crop group wise accessions collected are pulses (39) mostly common beans, cereals (30) mostly maize, vegetables and spices (25), pseudocereals and millets (16), besides one accession each of Glycine max, Solanum pseudocapsicum and Nicotiana tabacum. The germplasm has been conserved in National Gene Bank (NGB), New Delhi. This study highlights information on the germplasm collected/observed and threats leading to biodiversity loss/genetic erosion in the highly fragile region of Kishtwar.

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscopy (LM)-based Palyno-morphological views of Solanaceae in Western Himalaya.

In this study, plants belonging to family Solanaceae growing in Western Himalaya region have been observed palynologically under Light Microscope and Scanning electron microscope. Present investigation comprises of 10 genera and 23 species, namely, Atropa acuminata, Capsicum decoraticus, Capsicum frutescens, Cestrum aurantiacum, Cestrum diurnum, Cestrum nocturnum, Datura alba, Datura innoxia, Datura stramonium, Hyoscymus niger, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana rustica, Nicotiana tabacum, Petunia alba, Petunia hybrida, Solanum erianthum, Solanum melongena, Solanum miniatum, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum surratense, Solanum tuberosum, Withania coagulans, Withania somnifera. Solanaceae is a eurypalynous family. Grains are usually Tricolporate and Tetracolporate, radially symmetrical, isopolar, prolate-spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal to subprolate to per prolate or suboblate to oblate, size range: 8.55-72 μm, amb circular, semi-angular or subangular, aperture drop-type, labrum common-type, exine usually 2 μm thick, nexine 1-1.5 μm thick. Tectum usually psilate, sexine reticulate, granulate or striato-reticulate, with obscure pattern, sexine 1-2 μm thick, nexine 1-1.5 μm thick, and intine 0.5-1 μm thick. Most striking variation has been found in the shape class, aperture-type, and tectal surface. Based on these characters, taxonomic keys have been made for correct identification of members in Solanaceae. However, the grains of this family are usually tricolporate and have direct relationship with certain members of the family Scrophulariaceae. Palyno-morphological characters of family Solanaceae have been studied for the first time in Western Himalayan region of Pakistan. These palyno-morphological characters are significant for identification of the members of family Solanaceae.

Compatibility of tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada grafted on different Solanaceae species and control of bacterial wilt

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the compatibility, gas exchange and yield of tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada, susceptible to bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) when grafted on different Solanaceae species. Rootstock sources were the mini-tomato RVTC-66, Cayenne pepper, Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum), sticky nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium), and cultivar Santa Cruz Kada itself (self-grafting). Two materials were tested to promote the union between rootstocks and scions: grafting clips and biodegradable tape (Parafilm). Grafting success index (GSI) was evaluated and, for treatments using biodegradable tape, grafting incompatibility, gas exchange, agronomic characteristics and bacterial wilt epidemiology were assessed throughout the cycle. The use of biodegradable tape favored graft healing. Cayenne pepper, Jerusalem cherry, and sticky nightshade should not be employed as rootstocks for scions of tomato cultivar Santa Cruz Kada. The mini-tomato accession RVTC-66 showed low graft incompatibility, high photosynthetic efficiency and, when compared to self-grafting, the same fruit production, but with higher plant health index concerning the bacterial wilt.

First report of cucumber mosaic virus infecting Solanum pseudocapsicum in Korea

First report of cucumber mosaic virus infecting Solanum pseudocapsicum in Korea

Characterisation and evaluation of antibacterial potential of guava extract loaded poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate nanoparticles against multidrug‐resistant bacteria

In this work, the antibacterial potential of different plant's leaves, i.e. Psidium guajava (guava), Raphanus sativus (radish), Solanum pseudocapsicum (winter cherry), Mentha royaleana (mint) and Calotropis procera (rubber tree) was evaluated against the multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor (VC O1 ET), V. cholerae Non-O1/Non-O139 (VC N-O1/N-O139), enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were included among the MDR bacterial strains. The significantly high (P < 0.001) antibacterial activities were observed against the MDR bacteria in case of the methanol extract of the P. guajava (GUV) leaves. The characterisation studies of GUV extract were done by thin layer chromatography, wide angle X-diffraction and Fourier transform infrared techniques. The GUV extract was encapsulated in poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) nanoparticles using the nanoprecipitation method. Blank PHBV nanoparticles demonstrated no antibacterial activity against the selected MDR strains. The GUV extract loaded PHBV nanoparticles produced significantly large (P < 0.001) zones of inhibition, i.e. MRSA (24 mm), EPEC (23 mm), EAEC (23 mm), VC O1 ET (21 mm) and VC N-O1/N-O139 (20 mm) against the MDR bacterial strains as compared with the GUV extract alone. The results have demonstrated a great potential of PHBV nanoparticles to become an efficient carrier for delivery of the potent bioactive molecules.

Evidence on shallow groundwater use by edible green vegetables such as Solanum pseudoca psicum, Ocimum basilicum and Lepidium sativum in a semi-arid climate condition

A number of lysimetric experiments were carried out from 2010 to 2011 to determine total water use, shallow groundwater contribution percentage and the effects of different shallow water table levels in the presence of supplementary surface irrigation on water requirements, wet yield production, and water use efficiencies of different edible green vegetables including Solanum pseudoca psicum, Ocimum basilicum and Lepidium sativum. These experiments were performed in a randomized complete block factorial experimental design with three replicates at the Lysimetric Research Station of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. Three treatments were applied to each experiment by maintaining groundwater with EC 2dSm−1 and different water table levels of 0.6, 0.80 and 1.10m, respectively. Supplementary surface irrigation with quality of 1dSm−1 was used during the experiments. The average total values of water use, surface water use, surface water saving percentages, groundwater uses and groundwater contribution percentages were found to be as 436mm, (208, 292, 324mm equal to 51, 32 and 24%) and (218, 134, 102mm equal to 49, 34 and 27%) for S. pseudoca psicum; 417mm (201, 279, 305mm equal to 52, 34 and 27%) and (206, 129, 102mm equal to 50, 31 and 25%) for O. basilicum and 415mm, (197, 299, 315mm equal to 53, 26 and 25%) and (209, 107 and 91mm equal to 51, 26 and 22%) for L. sativum, respectively. Generally, the results showed a higher wet weights and water use efficiencies for lower water table depths considering wet weights due to lower and higher surface water and groundwater uses, respectively.

Distribution of Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity in the Berry and Shoot of Solanum pseudocapsicum Grown in Nigeria

Distribution of Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity in the Berry and Shoot of Solanum pseudocapsicum Grown in Nigeria

Direct Organogenesis and Genetic Characterization of Solanum pseudocapsicum L. in vitro Regenerated Plants

Solanum pseudocapsicum L. is an unexplored plant of Solanaceae having horticultural and medicinal importance. Earlier the in vitro morphogenic potential of this plant species has not been explored. Induction of direct organogenesis was obtained from internodes, leaf bases and root explants from in vitro grown seedlings and plants in MS supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP (0.44 - 8.88 µM/l) and IAA (0.29 - 2.85 µM/l). Direct organogenesis was achieved in 90% of internodes, 65% of leaf bases and 75% of root explants. The optimum regeneration medium was MS supplemented with 4.44 µM/l BAP and 1.43 µM/l IAA. The regeneration rate observed six weeks after culture was approximately 20, 9 and 12 shoot buds/explants from internodes, leaf bases and root explants, respectively. cDNA RAPD analysis from organogenic stages was carried out and revealed distinct gene expression pattern. In vitro rooting in 100% shoots was achieved on MS within ten days of culture. Successfully hardened rooted plants (R0) on transfer to the field produced flowers, fruits and viable seeds (R1). Genetic characterization of R0 and R1 plants revealed stability and uniformity at the chromosomal and genomic DNA level. Plant Tissue Cult. &amp; Biotech. 24(1): 65-76, 2014 (June) D. O. I. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ptcb.v24i1.19201

Structure And Development Of Internal Phloem In Solanum Pseudocapsicum (Solanaceae)

The development of internal phloem in the Jerusalem cherry, Solanum pseudocapsicum L. (Solanaceae), was studied in young and mature stems. The early presence of primary internal phloem is succeeded by the development of secondary internal phloem from an internal cambium situated between the protoxylem and primary internal phloem. In the second and third visible internodes of the young stem, procambial derivatives begin to differentiate as discrete strands of internal protophloem in a perimedullary position prior to the differentiation of protoxylem and external protophloem. In 6–8 mm diameter stems, sieve elements of the internal phloem become non-conducting, begin to collapse, and undergo obliteration. In 15–20 mm diameter stems internal cambium is initiated from the parenchyma cells situated between the protoxylem and primary internal phloem. The development of internal phloem and an internal cambium in S. pseudocapsicum is compared with that in other taxa. There seems to be a gradual variation in the origin of an internal cambium from either remnants of the procambium or dedifferentiation of peripheral pith cells across dicotyledons with an internal cambium.

Morphology of immatures of Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Immatures are important sources of information about characters, thus potentially improving classification and phylogenies. Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis Rolston, 1978 occurs in southern and southeastern Brazil. There are no references in the literature about this species other than the original description and distribution records. Our aim is to describe the egg and five nymphal instars of E. (M.) grandis, addressing the ontogeny of the external scent efferent system. Specimens of E. (M.) grandis were collected on Solanum pseudocapsicum Linnaeus (Solanaceae) in São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and reared in the laboratory. The egg of E. (M.) grandis is white and barrel-shaped, chorion translucent bearing spines connected by thin sheets forming polygons. Aero-mycropilar processes translucent and slightly clubbed. The nymphs bear anterior dorsal abdominal scent glands (DAG) with slit-like ostiole continued by a short groove; from the second instar onward median and posterior DAGs with rounded ostiole bearing closing cuticular valve. Spout peritreme flat and curved anteriorly, evaporatorium network-shaped surrounding ostiole plus peritrema; alveoli surface with trabeculae. Nymphs of E. (M.) grandis can be distinguished from other species of Euschistus by the color pattern and morphological features. The most striking morphological characteristic of 4th and 5th instar nymphs of E. (M.) grandis is the broad, deflected projection of humeral angles.

First report of a variant of Pepper leaf curl Lahore virus on winter cherry in India

Figure 2 Solanum capsicastrum (family Solanaceae) known as winter cherry, is grown in pots and beds in gardens for its ornamental value. There is a previous record of natural occurrence of a strain of Eggplant mottled crinkle virus on S. capsicastrum (Raj et al., 1988). During September 2011, a leaf curl disease was observed on more than 40% plants of S. capsicastrum growing in gardens at Lucknow, India. The infected plants exhibited severe leaf curl accompanied by green blisters and distortions (Fig. 1). The causal agent was successfully transmitted in an insect proof glasshouse from naturally infected to healthy seedlings through whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). This produced similar symptoms indicating Begomovirus infection. Presence of a Begomovirus was confirmed by PCR using the total DNA extracted from leaf samples and Begomovirus specific primers (Rojas et al., 1993) producing 1.2 kb amplicons in naturally as well as experimentally inoculated S. capsicastrum plants. For molecular identification of the Begomovirus, the full-length DNA-A molecule of 2740 bp long was amplified by rolling circle amplification (RCA) using TempliPhi 100 Amplification Kit (GE Healthcare UK Limited) followed by restriction digestion with BamHI, cloned, and sequenced; the sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JN880419). Sequence analysis of the Begomovirus isolate under study (JN880419) using the BLASTn programme revealed 93% identity with Pepper leaf curl Lahore virus (PepLCLV) (AM691745), PepLCLV-[Pakistan:Lahore1:2004] (AM404179) and PepLCLV-[Pakistan:Lahore2:2004] (AM491589) of Capsicum annuum from Pakistan. It also showed 90-91% identity with Pepper leaf curl Bangladesh virus isolates (HM007101, HM007096, DQ116881) of C. annuum from India and Pakistan. As per the criteria proposed by Fauquet et al. (2008), the Begomovirus infecting S. capsicastrum was proposed as a variant of PepLCLV-[Pakistan:Lahore1:2004] and was named as PepLCLV-[Solanum capsicastrum: Lucknow: India]. Phylogenetic analysis also supported BLASTn analysis since the PepLCLV- [S. capsicastrum] variant clustered in a single distinct branch that embraces PepLCLV (Fig. 2). The reports of natural occurrence of PepLCLV on C. annuum from Pakistan (Tahir et al., 2010) and Eggplant mottled crinkle virus on S. capsicastrum from India (Raj et al., 1988) are available in the literature. However, the Begomovirus infection on S. capsicastrum is being reported for the first time from India.

Biological activities of Solanum pseudocapsicum (Solanaceae) against cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner and armyworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidotera: Noctuidae)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antifeedant, insecticidal and growth inhibition activities of Solanum pseudocapsicum (S. pseudocapsicum) seed extracts against Spodoptera litura (S. litura) and Helicoverpa armigera (H. armigera). MethodsHexane, diethyl ether, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate seed extracts were prepared and tested for antifeedant, insecticidal and growth inhibitory activities against fourth instar larvae of S. litura and H. armigera. ResultsEthyl acetate extract showed promising antifeedant and insecticidal activities against S. litura and H. armigera. Percentage of deformed larvae, pupae and adults were maximum in treatment of ethyl acetate extract. Percentage of successful adult emergence was deteriorated by seeds on extract treated larvae. ConclusionsEthyl acetate extracts of S. pseudocapsicum, showed higher efficiency of antifeedant, insecticidal and growth inhibition activities. Hence, it can be used to controll agricultural insect pests, S. litura and H. armigera.

Extracción y cuantificación del alcaloide esteroidal solasodina, de los frutos del Solanum wrightii Benth y el Solanum pseudocapsicum L

Se recolectaron frutos del Solanum wrightii Benth y el Solanum pseudocapsicum L con el fin de implementar un proceso para la extracción, purificación, identificación y cuantificación de la solasodina presente en ellos. El proceso inicial se basó en la publicación de Sanabria (1980), con un proceso de secado, molienda y desengrase, seguido de una extracción sólido-líquido con etanol al 95%, en reflujo. Se continuó con el procedimiento descrito por Mola, de Araujo y de Magalhães (1997); los extractos recuperados se concentraron a presión reducida, obteniendo una pasta semisólida que fue disuelta en una solución de HCL 0.5 M, seguido de una precipitación de los glucoalcaloides mediante la adición de solución de NaOH 6.0 M; estos se sometieron a hidrólisis ácida en una mezcla de etanol al 95% y HCl 3.0 M, durante cuatro horas. Se precipitó un sólido grisáceo que se separó por centrifugación y se purificó en cromatografía de columna (CC), según el procedimiento descrito por Pinell, Sauvain y Cuevas (1998); se logró separar un compuesto con punto de fusión de 202°C, que corresponde al de la solasodina estándar. Para confirmar el compuesto se realizaron pruebas de identificación de alcaloides, cromatografía de capa fina (CCF), cromatografía liquida de alta eficiencia (HPLC) e identificación por espectroscopia infrarroja. La cuantificación de la solasodina se realizó por HPLC, por el método de patrón externo mediante una curva de calibración con patrones desde 15 ppm hasta 50 ppm. La solasodina obtenida presentó una coloración amarilla y un rendimiento de 0.074% en base seca. El procedimiento se repitió para los frutos del S. pseudocapsicum L. Sin embargo, en la etapa de purificación por CC no se logró una separación óptima de los compuestos alcaloidales presentes y no fue posible obtener solasodina.

Holiday plants with toxic misconceptions.

Several plants are used for their decorative effect during winter holidays. This review explores the toxic reputation and proposed management for exposures to several of those, namely poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), English holly (Ilex aquifolium), American holly (Ilex opaca), bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum), American mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum), and European mistletoe (Viscum album).