Varietal Types Research Articles

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of different cultivars of Ficus carica L. fruits

Fig fruit has been a typical component in the health-promoting Mediterranean diet for millennia. The aim of the study was to analyse the potential health-promoting constituents of 10 different cultivars of fig fruits (black, red, yellow, and green) and 2 varietal types (brevas and fig) grown under the same conditions in Spain. Polyphenols and triterpenoids in figs were identified by LC-PDA-QTof/MS and quantified by UPLC-PDA-FL; besides, the sugar profile, the antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and the in vitro hypoglycaemic potential via inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were evaluated. The phytochemical profiling of fig fruits revealed a wide range of bioactive phenolics that significantly depended on cultivar and varietal type. A total of 11 polyphenolic compounds were identified and classified as flavan-3-ols, phenolic acids, flavonols, flavons, and anthocyanins. The content of total polyphenols ranged from 715 (‘Verdal’ brevas) to 186 mg/100 g dry matter (‘Campera’). Betulinic acid was the main triterpenoid (content ranging from 57 to 97%), followed by oleanolic acid. The ORAC assay showed that the cultivar ‘Verdal’ had the highest antioxidant activity. The inhibition of antidiabetic enzymes was significant in fruits of the cultivars ‘Tiberio’, ‘Campera’, ‘Calabacita’, and ‘Cuello Dama Blanca’ cultivars, making these four cultivars especially recommendable for fresh consumption, especially of the whole fruits.

Increasing the Genetic Base of Modern Cultivars of Eggplant of the Semi-Long Black Type

The eggplant ( Solanum melongena ) semi-long black varietal type is the most important in most European markets. Although open pollinated, pure lines and F1 hybrid cultivars exist within this varietal group, the latter predominate in the commercial production of eggplants, especially under greenhouse conditions. However, molecular markers studies have found that modern F1 hybrids present a reduced genetic base. This work is aimed at using a wide diversity of black eggplants for developing pure lines for obtaining hybrids heterotic for yield and increasing the genetic base of the black eggplants genepool. Thirty hybrid and non-hybrids varieties of black eggplants were used. Materials were characterized for morphological and agronomic traits of interest under greenhouse conditions. Molecular characterization was also performed using 16 SSR markers. A pedigree breeding programme was performed based on morphoagronomic traits until the F8 or F9 generations. Molecular analysis revealed that original materials could be separated in three main clusters groups, one made up by varieties from large companies that include the most successful varieties and the two other by an admixture of materials including non-hybrid varieties and F1 hybrids with moderate or low economic importance. The pedigree selection made allowed the final selection of 15 lines, which according to its origin, should have an increased genetic diversity compared to modern F1 hybrids. These lines, which present a very good performance under greenhouse conditions have been crossed in order to obtain hybrids heterotic for yield. These selected lines will be used to obtain a new generation of eggplant F1 hybrids with increased genetic base.

Pengaruh Tinggi Tempat dan Tipe Tanaman Padi terhadap Keparahan Penyakit Hawar Pelepah

Sheath blight severity had been evaluated in the rice-producing centers of Central Java (along the road of Cilacap to Wonosobo) and Yogyakarta (along the road from Bantul to Sleman). Observations of the disease severity by survey method were conducted at farmers’ fields. The objects of the observation areas were organized in a split plot design with 5 replications. The main plots were the elevation levels, grouped into three strata: 1) 0-200m, 2) 200-500m, and 3) 500-700m above sea level; the subplots were rice varietal types, which were separated into: 1) short type many tillers, 2) tall type with few tillers. The results showed that environment elevations and plant types of rice varieties significantly affected the disease severity. Compared to the lowland (0-200m), the high elevation environment (500-700m) decreased the disease severity around 25% at both Central Java and Yogyakarta, while compared with the short type many tiller rice varieties, the use of tall type few tiller rice varieties decreased the disease severity of around 10% in Central Java and in Yogyakarta. Increasing soil conductivity of about 1 milly Siemens/cm caused decreasing in disease severity up to 32.9%. Every 1 scale soil pH increase, caused a decrease in disease severity up to 2.4%. Ambient temperature increased by 1 °C caused the disease severity by 4.0% and an increase of 1% relative humidity lead to an increase of disease severity by 2.3%. In general, increases of soil conductivity and soil pH caused a decrease in disease severity, while increases in temperature and relative humidity of the environment under rice plant canopy resulted in the increase of disease severity.

Outer and expanding circle Englishes

The classification of English as a native (ENL), second (ESL) and foreign (EFL) language is traditionally mapped onto Kachru’s (1985) Inner, Outer and Expanding circles, respectively. This paper addresses the divide upheld between these different varietal types. We explore the prepositionintousing comparable corpora for all three varietal types: the International Corpus of English (ICE) for Inner and Outer Circle varieties, and a comparable Corpus of Dutch English to represent the Expanding Circle. Our results show that the least institutionalised varieties (Hong Kong and Dutch English) are the most dissimilar to the ENL varieties, and the most institutionalised variety (Singapore English) is the most similar. We also compare our results for the Corpus of Dutch English to the Dutch component of the International Corpus of Learner English. While the latter patterns with other learner varieties, the Dutch English corpus patterns with ESL varieties, suggesting that “Expanding Circle” and “EFL” are not synonymous.

Growth regulators and darkness increase efficiency in in vitro culture of immature embryos from peppers

Common pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in the world, and extensive breeding efforts are being made to develop new improved strains of this species. In this regard, in vitro culture of immature embryos may help breeders accelerate breeding cycles and overcome interspecific barriers, among other applications. In this study, we have optimized a protocol for in vitro culture of immature embryos of C. annuum. Levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and zeatin have been tested to improve the efficiency (germination rates) of this technique in C. annuum embryos at the four main immature stages (i.e. globular, heart, torpedo, and early cotyledonary) from four varietal types of this species (California Wonder, Piquillo, Guindilla, and Bola). The effect of 5-day initial incubation in the dark was also tested on the most efficient hormone formulation. On average, relatively low levels of both IAA and zeatin (0.01 mg L−1 each) (M1) provided the highest germination rates, particularly in the advanced stages (torpedo and cotyledonary). To a lesser extent, the lack of these growth regulators (M0) or high IAA (0.2 mg L−1)/low zeatin (0.01 mg L−1) (M2) combination also had a positive response. On the contrary, high zeatin levels (0.2 mg L−1) produced very low germination rates or callus development (efficiency 0-7 %). Different responses were also found between genotypes. Thus, considering the best media (M0, M1, M2), Bola embryos had the highest rates. M1 plus 5-days of initial dark incubation (M1-D) improved the efficiency rates at all embryo stages, particularly in the earliest (globular) embryos which increased from 3 % to > 20 %.

Diversity for chemical composition in a collection of different varietal types of tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.), an Andean exotic fruit

We evaluated 23 tree tomato (Solanum betaceum) accessions from five cultivar groups and one wild relative (Solanum cajanumense) for 26 composition traits. For all traits we found highly significant differences (P<0.001) among the materials studied. The high diversity found within S. betaceum for composition traits was matched by a high diversity within each of the cultivar groups. We found that sucrose and citric acid were the most important soluble sugar and organic acid, respectively, in tree tomato. Fruit in the anthocyanin pigmented (purple) group had a carotenoid content similar to that in the yellow–orange cultivar groups. Total phenolic content was significantly correlated (r=0.8607) with antioxidant activity. Analyses of mineral content showed that tree tomato is a good source of K, Mg, and Cu. Multivariate principal components analysis (PCA) confirmed that an important diversity exists within each cultivar group. The results we have obtained indicate that the high diversity found within the tree tomato could be exploited for selection and breeding for developing the tree tomato as a commercial crop.

The progressive aspect in the Netherlands and the ESL/EFL continuum

ABSTRACTThis paper responds to calls to (i) approach varieties of English as a native (ENL), second (ESL) and foreign (EFL) language in an integrated fashion, and (ii) widen the scope of world Englishes analyses to the Expanding Circle. It describes the development of the Corpus of ‘Dutch English’, the first Expanding Circle corpus incorporating all text types in the written components of the ICE corpora. This corpus has implications for the description of English in the Netherlands in particular and for the investigation of ESL and EFL varieties in general. The paper then reports on a case study of the progressive aspect in this corpus compared to several ENL and ESL varieties. The results show no strict divide between the ESL varieties and the Corpus of Dutch English, which in fact displayed characteristics of both EFL and ESL. These findings provide further evidence in favour of an ESL–EFL continuum rather than a strict divide between varietal types.

In vitro germination of immature embryos for accelerating generation advancement in peppers (Capsicum annuum L.)

Capsicum peppers are one of the most important vegetables in the world and continuous breeding efforts are required to improve yield, resistances, or fruit traits. In this sense, breeding programs usually last many years because many generations each with several months are needed. Therefore, the isolation and in vitro germination of immature embryos might be helpful to shorten breeding cycles and accelerate breeding programs. Here, we evaluated the efficiency of this strategy in Capsicum annuum under both Autumn–Winter (AW) and Spring–Summer (SS) growing conditions. Five accessions, representing different varietal types, were included in this experiment and immature advanced embryos (torpedo-early cotyledonary) were used because of their high in vitro germination aptitude. Conventional breeding cycles (control) ranged between 148 and 184 days in AW and between 117 and 154 days in SS, indicating that no more than two generations per year are possible in peppers. By contrast, the in vitro strategy reduced the cycle length by 33–70 days in the AW season and by 13–56 days in the SS season, with California accessions showing the highest shortenings. These findings show that this strategy will allow Capsicum breeders to obtain three generations per year in California peppers, and up to four generations in cayenne peppers. Furthermore, compared to controls, in vitro-germinated plantlets showed the same high pollen fertility, and no deleterious effects were observed in their subsequent development (plant height and biomass). Therefore, these plants can be integrated safely in breeding programs.

Genetic structure of various Magnaporthe oryzae populations in Iran and Uruguay

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive rice diseases worldwide. The genetic variability of 55 M. oryzae isolates from Iran and 32 isolates from Uruguay was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Cluster analysis using different grouping methods and similarity coefficients, based on the AFLP data from 679 monomorphic and polymorphic bands generated with eight primer combinations, was performed. The resulted grouping of the isolates revealed 4 separate AFLP lineages among a total of 87 isolate, designated as A1, A2, B, and C. Within each AFLP lineage, three or more clones were detected with a genetic similarity of 100 %. Overall genetic similarity was greater than 78 % between Iranian and Uruguayan populations. Evidence of gene flow between the Iranian and Uruguayan populations obtained from indica rice cultivars was observed as one Iranian isolate grouped lineage 1A together with Urugyayan isolates. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that rice varietal type, sampling year and geographic region were the dominant factors determining genetic structure of M. oryzae populations; but rice cultivar had not significant effect.

Response of Rice Production Based on Self-Adaption to Climate Change in Fujian Province

The goal of this study is to take the self-adaption of rice production in future into consideration in the climate change impact studies, to enhance its rationality. The first step we did was to classify Fujian Province into three rice regions according to the topographic features and rice-based cropping systems. Altogether 17 sites and 9 representative rice varieties with different maturity types were selected to conduct the simulation experiments. The second step, to generate climate change scenarios in two periods (1961-1990 and 2021-2050), based on three emission schemes (A2, B2, and A1B) in IPCC Special Report (SRES), combined with the Regional Climate Model of PRECIS. The third step to run CERES-Rice model under the three climate change scenarios to simulate the influence of future climate change on rice production in Fujian Province, without considering the self-adaption of rice production. The direct effects of CO2 enrichment on photosynthesis and transpirations were also included. The forth step, to assess the possible change in rice-based cropping system, varietal type as well as sowing date in future in the studied area, based on the simulated results and some climatic indices, and these changes could be regarded as the results of self-adaption adjustment in future. The fifth step, to run CERES-Rice model again under the three climate change scenarios using the possible cropping systems, varietal types and sowing dates after self-adaption adjustment. Finally, to assess change in rice yield, yield stability in different rice regions and the overall output of rice in the province in future with considering the self-adaption adjustment. The results indicated that the simulated yields of early rice in the Double Rice Region in southeastern Fujian under A2, B2, and A1B scenarios increase by 15.9%, 18.0%, and 19.2% and that of late rice increase respectively by 9.2%, 7.4%, and 7.4% when the self-adaption adjustment was considered, compared without consideration. In the Double Rice Region in Northwestern Fujian, the simulated yields of early rice increase by 21.2%, 20.5%, 18.9% and that of late rice increase respectively by 14.7%, 14.8%, and 7.2% under the three climate change scenarios when the self-adaption was considered, compared with without consideration. Similar results could be obtained in the Single Rice Region in the mountain areas of Northwestern Fujian. The simulated yields of single rice increase respectively by 4.9%, 5.0%, and 2.9% under the three scenarios, comparing the two cases with and without consideration of self-adaption. In this rice region, double rice might be grown in future in the site of Changting under the A1 and B2 scenarios. When the self-adaption adjustment was considered, the overall output of rice crop in Fujian Province under the three climate change scenarios would increase by 5.9%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively. It is concluded that more optimistic results could be obtained when self-adaption ability of food production was taken into consideration.

Response of Rice Production Based on Self-Adaption to Climate Change in Fujian Province

The goal of this study is to take the self-adaption of rice production in future into consideration in the climate change impact studies, to enhance its rationality. The first step we did was to classify Fujian Province into three rice regions according to the topographic features and rice-based cropping systems. Altogether 17 sites and 9 representative rice varieties with different maturity types were selected to conduct the simulation experiments. The second step, to generate climate change scenarios in two periods (1961-1990 and 2021-2050), based on three emission schemes (A2, B2, and A1B) in IPCC Special Report (SRES), combined with the Regional Climate Model of PRECIS. The third step to run CERES-Rice model under the three climate change scenarios to simulate the influence of future climate change on rice production in Fujian Province, without considering the self-adaption of rice production. The direct effects of CO2 enrichment on photosynthesis and transpirations were also included. The forth step, to assess the possible change in rice-based cropping system, varietal type as well as sowing date in future in the studied area, based on the simulated results and some climatic indices, and these changes could be regarded as the results of self-adaption adjustment in future. The fifth step, to run CERES-Rice model again under the three climate change scenarios using the possible cropping systems, varietal types and sowing dates after self-adaption adjustment. Finally, to assess change in rice yield, yield stability in different rice regions and the overall output of rice in the province in future with considering the self-adaption adjustment. The results indicated that the simulated yields of early rice in the Double Rice Region in southeastern Fujian under A2, B2, and A1B scenarios increase by 15.9%, 18.0%, and 19.2% and that of late rice increase respectively by 9.2%, 7.4%, and 7.4% when the self-adaption adjustment was considered, compared without consideration. In the Double Rice Region in Northwestern Fujian, the simulated yields of early rice increase by 21.2%, 20.5%, 18.9% and that of late rice increase respectively by 14.7%, 14.8%, and 7.2% under the three climate change scenarios when the self-adaption was considered, compared with without consideration. Similar results could be obtained in the Single Rice Region in the mountain areas of Northwestern Fujian. The simulated yields of single rice increase respectively by 4.9%, 5.0%, and 2.9% under the three scenarios, comparing the two cases with and without consideration of self-adaption. In this rice region, double rice might be grown in future in the site of Changting under the A1 and B2 scenarios. When the self-adaption adjustment was considered, the overall output of rice crop in Fujian Province under the three climate change scenarios would increase by 5.9%, 5.2%, and 5.1%, respectively. It is concluded that more optimistic results could be obtained when self-adaption ability of food production was taken into consideration.

Cryopreservation in artichoke: towards a phytosanitary qualified germplasm collection

AbstractArtichoke is of great economic significance in the Mediterranean basin. Although Italy has the richest primary cultivated gene pool, only a limited number of varietal types are vegetatively propagated to fit market demand. This could lead to the erosion of genetic resources. The development of cryopreservation procedures for the ex situ conservation of the genetic resources of artichoke is advisable not only to counter genetic erosion, but also to develop a certified phytosanitary germplasm collection. In this study, several parameters were tested in order to set up a simple and efficient procedure for the cryopreservation of artichoke shoot tips, based on vitrification/one‐step cooling, which was successfully applied to two spring cultivars ‘Grato 1’ and ‘Campagnano’. Cold acclimation prior to cooling was essential for tissue recovery and regrowth. The size of the shoot tips was also critical, and medium size tips (3–4 mm in length) proved to be the best responding starting material. The best survival percentage of cryopreserved shoot tips was 61% for ‘Grato1’ and 55% for ‘Campagnano’. Cryopreserved shoot tips developed directly into plantlets, which proved to be stable in terms of chromosome numbers. The cryopreservation procedure was notably effective in eliminating the endemic Artichoke Latent virus (ArLV) from both cultivars, irrespective of the shoot tip size used, which were up to 10 times the size used in meristem cultures for virus elimination. All plantlets analyzed for ArLV by RT‐PCR were virus‐free eight months after regeneration. An analysis of ArLV elimination and chromosome numbers of cryopreserved artichoke plants is presented here for the first time.

Domestication de la vigne (Vitis vinifera L.) et origines de cépages en France : apport de l’archéobiologie

The history and mechanisms of grapevine domestication (Vitis vinifera L.) remain enigmatic despite a large corpus of available archaeological, historical and genetic resources. Recently, new tools from biology have been employed by archaeobotany in order to reach an infra-specific level on the basis of classifications provided by agronomy and genetics. These methodological approaches open new perspectives in both archaeology and evolutionary biology because relationships between varietal types, human societies, landscapes and socio-economic uses may be intricate. Some varieties offer a perfect example of a biological heritage constituting from several centuries, the emblematic roots of winegrowing areas.

POLYPHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN ARTICHOKE CULTIVARS AND REGULATION OF THEIR SYNTHESIS IN ARTICHOKE

The presence of health promoting compounds in artichoke, such as polyphenols, is frequently a matter of study. Particularly mono- and di-caffeoylquinic acids (e.g., chlorogenic acid, cynarin), caffeic acid and flavonoids (e.g., luteolin-7-O-glucoside, naringerin) contribute to artichoke nutraceutical qualities. A combination of genetic and biochemical analyses was used to help identify genes involved in the accumulation of polyphenols and to characterize different artichoke varietal types diffused in the Mediterranean region by polyphenolic content. Six traditionally cultivated cultivars of artichoke (‘Mola’, ‘Tondo di Paestum’, ‘Sant’Erasmo’, ‘Bianco di Ostuni’, ‘Blanca de Tudela’ and ‘Violet de Provence’) were selected, and qualitative and quantitative evaluations of phenolic profile were carried out on different artichoke tissues (three bract orders and receptacle of flower heads and leaves) in several developmental stages, by HPLC and mass spectrometry analyses. To gain insight into the mechanisms which regulate polyphenol synthesis, in silico analysis of promoter regions of genes involved in the biosynthesis of chlorogenic acid were performed. These analyses led us to detected different binding sites recognized by MYB transcription factors (TF), suggesting that, as in other plant species, this class of TF might be involved in the regulation of these artichoke genes. Two putative artichoke MYB TF genes were isolated, starting from sequences of the ortholog MYB12 from other species (e.g., Arabidopsis, tomato) used to screen artichoke EST database.

Intellectual property, plant breeding and the making of Mendelian genetics

Advocates of “Mendelism” early on stressed the usefulness of Mendelian principles for breeders. Ever since, that usefulness—and the favourable opinion of Mendelism it supposedly engendered among breeders—has featured in explanations of the rapid rise of Mendelian genetics. An important counter-tradition of commentary, however, has emphasized the ways in which early Mendelian theory in fact fell short of breeders’ needs. Attention to intellectual property, narrowly and broadly construed, makes possible an approach that takes both the tradition and the counter-tradition seriously, by enabling a more complete description of the theory-reality shortfall and a better understanding of how changing practices, on and off the Mendelians’ experimental farms, functioned to render that shortfall unproblematic. In the case of plant breeding in Britain, a perennial source of lost profits and disputes over ownership was the appearance of individual plants departing from their varietal types—so-called “rogues.” Mendelian plant varieties acquired a reputation for being rogue-free, and so for demonstrating the correctness of Mendelian principles (and the genius of Gregor Mendel), at a time when Mendelians were gradually taking control of the means for distributing their varieties. Mendelian breeders protected their products physically from rogue-inducing contamination in such a way that when rogues did appear, the default explanation—that contamination had somehow occurred—ensured that there was no threat to Mendelian principles.

Yield and Stand Persistence of Switchgrass as Affected by Cutting Height and Variety

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a high-yielding forage species with low input demands on marginal soils. However, long-term response of prominent varieties to cutting heights is not well documented. To examine varietal type and cutting height impacts, three varieties of switchgrass (‘Cave-in-Rock’, ‘Kanlow’, and ‘Alamo’) that were established in 1992 for a previous study were evaluated in Knoxville, TN, from 2008 to 2011. Switchgrass plots were harvested at 10-, 20-, 30-, and 41-cm cutting heights in a two-cut system (June and September annually) to determine if lower harvest height affected forage yield and stand persistence. Plots were visually rated during the final year (2011) to assess stand vigor. Interactions were detected for total yield by cutting height and year (P < 0.05); shorter cutting heights appeared to negatively impact yields in subsequent years and the highest cutting height resulted in lower yields. However, there were no varietal yield responses to cutting heights. Shorter cutting height treatments (10 and 20 cm) had reduced Alamo and Kanlow presence (P < 0.05) by the end of the 4-yr study period. Consequently, lower switchgrass cutting heights (10 and 20 cm) may maximize short-term forage yield; however, stand persistence may be compromised long term, especially in lowland varieties.

Agronomic characteristics of winter oil rape hybrids depending of nitrogen top dressing

Oilseed rape is one of the most important sources of vegetable oil in the world. The nutrient demand of oilseed rape is considerably higher than that of cereals. Compared to cereals, winter oilseed rape requires more available nitrogen and this element is an important component with a strong effect on seed yield and quality, but it also affects the reduction of oil content. Winter oliseed rape hybrids with high yield potential might have high nitrogen requirements. On the other hand, the vigor of those plants might also be expressed as improved nitrogen uptake by a vigorous rooting system. In many cases, N fertilisation requirement does not take into account varietal types for Brassica napus L . Furthermore, it is based on fertiliser norm, with corrections according to environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate preliminary results of the influence of nitrogen top dressing on the yield and yield components of 8 winter oil rape hybrids and 2 winter oil rape cultivars. A field trial was carried out in village Gluvo (near Skopje) in 2010/2011. The experimental design was a split-plot with 3 replications and 3 nitrogen regimes as main factors. Fertiliser treatments were: N, N+120 kg N/ha, N + 120 + 70 kg N/ha. N treatment as a base fertiliser corresponded to 70 kg of N/ha. Two ammonium nitrate dressings were broadcast, first on 25 February and then on 15 March. It can be concluded from the results we obtained that twice applied top dressing had statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) on the yield of the hybrids/varieties, number of seed/pods and length of a pod (compared to one application and without top dressing), but did not significantly influence the height of a plant and number of primary branches/plant. On a hybrid/variety level, Hybrirock (KWS), Rohan (NPZ-Lembke) and Albatros (Limagrin) may be considered as the most promising for the Skopje region.

The provenance of Middle Jurassic sandstones in the Scotian Basin: petrographic evidence of passive margin tectonics 1This article is one of a series of papers published in this CJES Special Issue on the theme of Mesozoic–Cenozoic geology of the Scotian Basin. 2Geological Survey of Canada Contribution 20110319.

The tectonic and geomorphological evolution of the Scotian margin and its hinterland is poorly known between Late Triassic rifting and the Early Cretaceous progradation of major deltas. This study determined sedimentary provenance of Middle Jurassic Mohican Formation sandstones from three wells using heavy minerals and mineral chemistry. Indicator minerals such as xenotime, altered ilmenite, and varietal types of garnet and tourmaline are similar to those in Hauterivian–Barremian sandstones in the western Scotian Basin, which are almost exclusively derived from the Meguma terrane. The wells adjacent to the Canso Ridge have more zircon and less ilmenite, indicating a greater contribution of polycyclic reworking, but with an ultimate source in the Meguma terrane. Zircon and ilmenite were likely derived in part from Carboniferous sandstones in eastern mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. Any river drainage from the inboard terranes of the Appalachians either was diverted through the Fundy Basin or entered the easternmost Scotian Basin, where the Mohican Formation is 5.5 km thick, along the linear continuation of the southwest Grand Banks transform. Such sediment did not reach the Canso Ridge, suggesting that the Cobequid–Chedabucto fault zone in Orpheus graben was not a significant physiographic feature. This tectonically controlled paleogeography in the Middle Jurassic is quite different from that during active rifting in the Late Triassic – Early Jurassic. Middle Jurassic quiescence was followed in the Tithonian – Early Cretaceous by renewed tectonic uplift associated with rifting of Grand Banks from Iberia and Labrador from Greenland.

GLOBE ARTICHOKE CALLUS AS AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF DICAFFEOYLQUINIC ACIDS

Globe artichoke leaves are highly rich in phenolic acids, in particular chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acids. The latter are of particular interest since they can exert a stronger antioxidant activity, due to the presence of two adjacent hydroxyl groups on each of their phenolic rings. Plant tissue and cell cultures have been widely exploited for the production of secondary metabolites. We compared the content of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid) and 1,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid in leaf tissues and calli obtained from leaf explants of two globe artichoke genotypes (SAROM and C3-RR) belonging to the varietal type ‘Romanesco’. HPLC analyses highlighted that chlorogenic acid accumulates preferentially in leaf tissue, while dicaffeoyquinic acid in calli. We previously set up a system, based on UV-C exposure of leaf foliar discs, which was found to induce dicaffeoylquinic acid synthesis. Preliminary results demonstrate that UV-C further increases the content of dicaffeoylquinic acid of 1.5-fold also when applied to callus tissue. Globe artichoke callus culture combined with UV-C radiation may thus represent a promising system for the production of dicaffeoylquinic acids.

IN VITRO CALLOGENESIS AND AGROBACTERIUM-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION OF GLOBE ARTICHOKE

Micropropagation techniques have been widely applied in globe artichoke (C. cardunculus L. var. scolymus), however, efficient protocols for the establishment of in vitro callogenesis and organogenesis, a pre-requisite for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, have not been set up so far. We developed an efficient protocol for callus induction from leaf explants of three globe artichoke genotypes of the varietal type ‘Romanesco’; after just one week culture callus formed with an efficiency close to 100%. Leaf explants were transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens Agl0 01-124 strain, harboring the binary vector pCAMBIA 2301 with the gene marker GUS, under the control of CaMV 35S promoter. After two weeks, about 30% of the calli obtained from infected leaf explants were positive to GUS assay.