Veronica Spicata Research Articles

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera fuliginea on Veronica spicata in China.

Veronica spicata L. (syn. Pseudolysimachion spicatum Opiz), Plantaginaceae, is a perennial herb and frequently cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plant in China. In June 2017, powdery mildew infections were observed on V. spicata in Jingyuetan National Forest Park (43.80°N, 125.46°E), Changchun, China. A voucher specimen was deposited in the Herbarium of Mycology of Jilin Agricultural University under the accession no. HMJAU-PM91763. The incidence of the disease on leaves and stems was about 30 to 50%. The disease initially appeared as thin white colonies, which subsequently developed into dense effuse white colonies on the plant. Hyphae were flexuous to straight, septate, 3.0 to 8.0 μm wide. Hyphal appressoria were indistinct or nipple-shaped, solitary. Conidiophores (n=30) arise from the upper surface of hyphal mother cells, erect to straight, 133.4 to 176.2 × 7.8 to 10.7 μm. Foot-cells (n=40) were cylindrical, straight or slightly flexuous, 39.1 to 78.5 × 7.4 to 9.7 μm, and followed by 1 to 3 short cells. Conidia (n=45) were catenescent, ellipsoid, oval, or doliiform, with fibrosin bodies, 17.8 to 27.8 × 12.2 to 17.4 μm, length/width ratio 1.3 to 2.1. Germ tubes were produced at the subterminal to lateral part of conidia, straight or sinuous, without a distinct terminal appressorium. The sexual morph was not observed in the collected samples. The morphological characteristics of the asexual morph were consistent with Podosphaera fuliginea (Schltdl.) U. Braun & S. Takam. (Braun and Cook 2012). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and partial 28S rRNA gene sequences of the pathogen were amplified by semi-nested PCR with the primers ITS5/P3 followed by ITS5/ITS4, and LSU1/TW14 followed by LSU1/LSU2, respectively. The sequences of 566 bp ITS (MF543026) and 609 bp 28S rDNA (MF543027) were obtained and showed 100% identity with P. fuliginea (AB046986, ON073893) on V. spicata from USA (Hirata et al. 2000). Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the fungus was identified as P. fuliginea. To perform pathogenicity assays, three healthy annual plants of P. spicatum were inoculated by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto the leaves, with three non-inoculated plants as controls. All plants were placed in a greenhouse at 21 to 29 °C, 60% relative humidity, with 16 h/8 h light/dark cycle. Nine days after inoculation, typical powdery mildew colonies started to appear on the inoculated plants, while the control plants remained symptomless. The morphology of the fungus on the inoculated leaves was identical to that observed on the originally diseased leaves. Powdery mildews on V. spicata (P. spicatum) were previously referred to as Erysiphe (Golovinomyces) orontii in Italy (Garibaldi et al. 2006) and Sphaerotheca (Podosphaera) fuliginea in many countries, such as Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Wisconsin, Ukraine, etc. (Amano 1986; Braun and Cook 2012; Farr and Rossman 2022; Heluta et al. 2011). To our knowledge, this is the first record of P. fuliginea on V. spicata from China and the first report of this species at all. The results of this study provide important information for horticultural management and plant protection in China. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31970019, 31670022).

First report of Cladosporium cladosporioides causing leaf spot on Veronica spicata in Italy

First report of Cladosporium cladosporioides causing leaf spot on Veronica spicata in Italy

Chemical composition of essential oils from flowers of veronica Longifolia L., Veronica Incana L. and Veronica Spicata L.

In the Ukrainian flora, species of Veronica L. genus (Plantaginaceae Juss.) are classified into 8 sections. The phytochemical research into secondary metabolites of Veronica L. genus most related to the study of phenolic compounds and iridoids, while terponoids of these species need further research. The chemical profiles of V. longifolia L., V. incana L. and V. spicata L. of Ukrainian flora are poorly studied. Phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, iridoids, saponins, amino acids and organic acids have been reported for these species. Herbs harvested during the flowering stage are often used in the pharmaceutical industry, so the research into chemical composition of essential oils from Veronica species flowers are urgent.
 The aim of this study was a comparative GC/MS study of the chemical composition of essential oils from V. longifolia L., V. incana L. and V. spicata L. flowers of Ukrainian flora.
 Materials and methods. The objects of the research were flowers of Veronica spp. of Pseudolysimachium W.D.J. Koch section, namely V. longifolia L., V. incana L. and V. spicata L., harvested in the Botanical Garden of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. The study of the chemical composition of essential oils was carried out by chromatography mass spectrometry on a 6890N MSD/DS Agilent Technologies chromatograph (USA) with a 5973N mass spectrometric detector. The components of essential oils were identified by comparison of the retention indices and mass spectra of phytochemicals in the studied essential oils with the data of NIST02 mass spectral library. The quantification of substances in the raw materials was carried out in comparison with a standard sample of menthol.
 Results. As a result, 72 compounds were detected and quantified. The total content of essential oil in V. longifolia L. flowers was 0.17 % (39 components), the following compounds dominated: benzoacetaldehyde – 8.05, squalene – 5.17, palmitic acid – 15.73, butyl phthalate – 7.18. The total content of essential oil in V. incana L. flowers was 0.15 % (43 components), the following compounds prevailed: squalene 20.47, fatty acids, namely palmitic – 26.88, palmitoleic – 17.15, oleic – 11.61. The total content of the essential oil in V. spicata L. flowers was 0.11 % (43 components), the following compounds dominated: squalene – 5.53, fatty acids: palmitic – 22.78, linoleic – 6.72, carbohydrates: heptacosan – 12.27, hexacosan – 7.45. Among the identified compounds, mono-, norsesqui-, sesqui-, di- and triterpenoids, their oxidation products (aromatic compounds, aldehydes and alcohols, ketones), fatty acids, hydrocarbons and their derivatives were detected.
 Conclusions. The chemical composition of essential oils from flowers of V. longifolia L., V. incana L. and V. spicata L. from Ukrainian flora was first studied by means of chromatography mass spectrometry. The yield of essential oil from V. longifolia L. flowers is higher (0.17 %) compared to those from flowers of V. incana L. (0.15 %) and V. spicata L. (0.11 %). Among the identified compounds terpenoids, aromatic compounds, their oxidation products, fatty acids and their esters, hydrocarbons were detected.
 The study of biologically active substances in essential oils from Veronica species flowers expands the scientific data on the chemical composition of these species and gives background for the further development of medicinal products, their standardization and understanding of their pharmacological activity

Carboxylic acids in the flowers of Veronica spicata L. and Veronica incana L.

In the Ukrainian flora, species of Veronica L. genus (Plantaginaceae Juss.) are classified into 8 sections. Among the representatives of Pseudolysimachion W. D. J. Koch section in the Kharkiv region, Veronica spicata L. (spike speedwell) and Veronica incana L. (Veronica spicata L. subsp. incana (L.) Walters, silver speedwell) are common. Plants are used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases, malignant neoplasms, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system disorders, diabetes mellitus.
 The aim of the research was to study the carboxylic acids of flowers of Veronica spicata L. and Veronica incana L.
 Materials and methods. The objects of the research were flowers of Veronica spicata L. and Veronica incana L., collected in the flowering stage in the Botanical Garden of Karazin University (Kharkiv, Ukraine) in summer 2018. The study of carboxylic acid composition was performed by chromatography-mass spectrometry on a 6890N MSD/DS Agilent Technologies chromatograph with a 5973N mass spectrometric detector. Identification of methyl esters of acids was performed using data from the mass spectrum libraries NIST 05 and Willey 2007 in a combination with programs for the identification of AMDIS and NIST; also, their retention time and the retention times of standard compounds were compared.
 Results. In Veronica incana L. flowers, 37 carboxylic acids were identified and quantified, constituting 1.05 %. In Veronica spicata L. flowers, 32 carboxylic acids were identified and quantified, the total content of which was 2.75 %.
 Conclusions. A higher carboxylic acid content was established in the flowers of Veronica spicata L. The fatty acid composition of Veronica incana L. flowers is characterized by a comparable content of saturated and unsaturated acids, while in Veronica spicata L. flowers, unsaturated fatty acids prevail over saturated fatty acids. The content of aromatic acids in the flowers of studied species was comparable. The characteristic carboxylic acids in the flowers of Veronica incana L. are oxalic, 3-hydroxy-2-methylglutaric, pentadecanoic, heneicosanoic, tricosanic,4-hydroxybenzoic, 4-methoxybenzoic and 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acids; in the flowers of Veronica spicata L. – 2-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric, α-furanic and homovanillic acids

Находка Polygonum arenarium Waldst et Kit. в Западной Сибири

When studying flora and vegetation of the northern forest-steppe of Armizon District, Tyumen Region, in the field season of 2017, herbarium material was collected. Determination of its species affiliation made it possible to identify it as Polygonum arenarium Waldst et Kit. - sand knotweed - of the subsection Arenaria Tzvel. of the typical section of Polygonum L. genus that was found in the south of Tyumen Region after more than a century break in a new habitat. Previously, this species had been collected here by Slovtsov I.Y. "in the vicinity of Perevalova Village..." in 1891 and by Gordyagin A.Y. "... the southern part of the Tobolsk Governorate..." in 1901 (labels of Tomsk State University). However, there are no Siberian specimens of this species in the Herbaria of ALTB, NS, NSK, TK. The research shows a new location of this very rare species in Western Siberia -“Tyumen Region, Armizon District, vicinity of Prokhorova Village, near Solonets Cemetry, 7 July, 2017", as well as a description of the halophilic plant community in which the species was found: 100 m2; cut by tracks of vehicles, the soil is wet; grass cover is uneven, the projective cover ranges from 60% to 80%; the grass stand height is 40-55 cm, the richness in species is 21: Artemisia nitrosa Weber ex Stechm. and Puccinellia tenuissima Litv. ex V. I. Krecz. (cop1) are dominant, Artemisia laciniata Willd., Chenopodium glaucum L., Limonium gmelinii Kuntze, Juncus gerardii Loisel., J. compressus Kunth, Veronica spicata L., Alopecurus arundinaceus Poir., Elymrous mutabilis (Drob.) Tzvel., Rumex pseudonatronatus (Borbas) Murb. Myosurus minimus L., Polygonum neglectum Besser., Lepidium ruderale L., Psammophil-iella muralis (L.) Ikonn grow in lower abundance (sp); Inula britannica L., Allium an-gulosum All., Agrostis tenuis Bastard ex Roem et Schult., Potentilla argentea L., Tri-pleurospermum perforatum (Merat) M. Lainz are also present (sol). Individual P. are-nariums are crowded in this plant community, in the form of one spot in abundance sp, they are in a budding phase. The knotweed population can be classified as generative and full-bodied. The nomenclative and morphological characteristics of the species are given, the species is compared to a closely related species of the same subsection P. pseudoarenarium Klokov, and to species of the close subsection Patula Tzvel. In the Siberian enclave, the species dwells in its characteristic alkaline community which convinces of the aboriginal nature of the species, however given the place of growth (near the cemetery) and the anthropogenic disturbance of the community (vehicle tracks) it cannot be ruled out that it was introduced here. It is not possible to make a final conclusion due to insufficient study of the issue.

The higher units of pine forests of Russia in connection with the general concept of vegetation classification of Northern Eurasia

A review of the classification of pine forests (dominated by two-needle pines of the subgenus Diploxylon) of Russia using the Braun-Blanquet approach was carried out. All diversity of pine forests was included in 9 higher units – vegetation classes, of which 3 classes represent typical communities dominated by pine species (Erico–Pinetea Horvat 1959, Koelerio glaucae–Pinetea sylvestris Ermakov class nova hoc loco, Junipero–Pinetea Rivas-Mart. 1965). In the remaining six classes (Vaccinio–Piceetea Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl.et al. 1939, Carpino–Fagetea Jakucs et Passarge 1968, Quercetea pubescentis Doing-Kraft ex Scamoni et Passarge 1959, Brachypodio–Betuletea Ermakov et al. 1991, Rhytidio–Laricetea Korotkov et Ermakov 1999 and Quercetea mongolicae Song ex Krestov et al. 2006), pine forests are represented as special higher categories (alliances, orders) along with other types of zonal and non-zonal forest vegetation. The characteristics of the main higher units (classes, orders and alliances) are presented, as well as their diagnostic features and problems of classification of some categories are discussed. As a result of the syntaxonomic revision, the name of the class Pyrolo–Pinetea sylvestris Korneck 1974 was rejected, since the alliance Cytiso–Pinion sylvestris Krausch 1962 (the only alliance of order Pulsatillo–Pinetalia Oberd. in Oberd. et al. 1967) was proposed in the original article as provisional (3b). It is proposed to include xerophilous psammophilous pine forests of Europe and Western Siberia into a new class Koelerio glaucae–Pinetea sylvestris class nova hoc loco. The nomenclature type of the class (holotypus) is the order Koelerio glaucae–Pinetalia sylvestris Ermakov 1999. Diagnostic species of the class are Festuca beckeri, Gypsophylla altissima, G. paniculata, Jurinea cyanoides, Koeleria glauca, Oxytropis campanulata, Potentilla humifusa, Veronica spicata, Silene baschkirorum, S. chlorantha, Stipa pennata subsp. sabuletorum, Helichrysum arenarium, Centaurea arenaria, C. marschalliana, Achillea gebleri, Genista tinctoria, Cytisus ruthenica, C. borystenica, Hieracium pilosella, Dianthus arenarius.

Carici supinae–Betuletea pendulae — новый класс лесной растительности в степной зоне Западно-Сибирской равнины и Зауралья

Carici supinae–Betuletea pendulae — новый класс лесной растительности в степной зоне Западно-Сибирской равнины и Зауралья

Warming differently affects the inter- and intraspecific interactions among semi-dry grassland species

Climate warming affects plant-plant interactions regulating species composition, productivity, structure, and dynamics in plant communities and ecosystems, which often leads to a change in biodiversity. A competition experiment was set up to investigate the effect of warming on plant-plant interactions in semi-dry grasslands. The dominant grass Festuca rupicola and the four rare forbs Biscutella laevigata, Filipendula vulgaris, Scabiosa canescens, and Veronica spicata were placed in pots as monocultures (similar densities), as mixtures (varying densities), and as single individuals. In growth chambers, ambient temperatures (20 °C by day / 10 °C by night) and warmer temperatures predicted under climate change (+3.5 °C) were simulated. After nine months, growth parameters, aboveground biomass and leaf number, and a trait of phenotypic plasticity, leaf length, were measured and plant-plant interactions calculated. Warming significantly increased the growth of the four forbs, while the growth of the grass decreased or remained unchanged. The plant-plant interactions were negative and species-specific, and affected the three parameters differently, with the strongest effect on biomass and the lowest effect on leaf length. In monocultures, the strongest intraspecific competition on biomass was found in the grass. Warming only significantly reduced intraspecific competition on biomass in B. laevigata, but significantly decreased intraspecific competition measured on leaf length for all species. In mixtures with the grass, interspecific competition was the strongest to F. vulgaris and S. canescens, and did not change by warming. Interspecific competition to B. laevigata and V. spicata was reduced by warming. The associated grass was significantly reduced in interspecific competition on biomass in the presence of F. vulgaris and S. canescens by warming. But the grass was unaffected in mixtures with B. laevigata and V. spicata. A temperature increase can led to different patterns in interspecific and intraspecific competition, which suggests that some forbs, like B. laevigata and V. spicata, can benefit from warming but that other species are unaffected. The grass exhibited different responses depending on its heterospecific neighbors. Although the effects of warming and competition are species-specific, warming generally decreased competition. This effect may shape patterns of plant performance and biodiversity in the face of warming in semi-dry grasslands.

Site-specific differences in microbial community structure and function within the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of wetland plants is plant species dependent

Two types of organisms that are vital to the ecosystem services provided by wetlands are plants and soil microorganisms, more specifically, the bacteria associated with the roots of wetland plants. In order to better understand the relationships between wetland plants and their associated microorganisms, we tested the hypothesis that the microbial rhizosphere and rhizoplane communities in wetland systems highly impacted by anthropogenic activities subjected to poor water quality inputs would differ from those communities in areas less impacted by anthropogenic activity receiving higher water quality inputs. To test this hypothesis we compared structural and functional characteristics of microbial communities from water, rhizosphere and rhizoplane microbial communities associated with three wetland plant species (Iris versicolor, Potamogeton natans and Veronica spicata) at two sites along the Grand River (Ontario Canada) experiencing different levels of anthropogenic impact. West Montrose (WM) is a northern site which has historically been classified as having “good” water quality, while Rare (RA) is a site located in a highly urbanized area receiving effluent from a municipal waste water treatment plant (WWTP). Microbial community composition, assessed using PCR-DGGE, differed between sites, community types and plant species, however, the magnitude of variance between sites was dependent on the associated plant species and the community type. Rhizoplane microbial communities associated with I. versicolor, P. natans, and V. spicata shared 8.1%, 19.9% and 23.9% structural similarity between sites. Rhizosphere microbial communities associated with I. versicolor, P. natans, and V. spicata exhibited 33%, 11.2% and 15.6% structural similarity between sampling locations. Functional community characteristics, determined by BiologTM Ecoplate carbon source utilization profiles exhibited by microbial communities from the rhizoplane and rhizosphere, were unique to each site for I. versicolor and P. natans (rhizoplane community only), but not for V. spicata. Assessment of fecal coliforms and fecal indicator microorganisms (Salmonella, Enterococcus and Escherichia coli) also revealed site-specific differences as well as differences among plant species, most notably the absence of Enterococcus spp. from the rhizosphere of P. natans at both sampling sites. These findings suggest that plant species differ in their ability to recruit root-associated microorganisms, and may be affected differently by variability in environmental conditions, such as site-specific differences in water quality or water chemistry.

О некоторых сообществах петрофитных степей Среднего Урала

О некоторых сообществах петрофитных степей Среднего Урала

Change of parametersof physiological state in Veronica spicata spicata L. s.str. in the flowering period under the influence of coal and rock dust in the territory of the Karakan Range (Kemerovo Region)

The influence of technogenesis associated with the development of the coal mining industry is multifaceted. One of the factors affecting the natural coal mining in the open method is coal and rock dust. To assess the response of plants to this effect, information was used on the change in the concentration of pigments obtained for three field seasons (2015-2017 g) obtained by spectrophotometry. The article gives information on the change in the content of chlorophylls in the leaves of one of Veronica spicata spicata L. s.str. veronica observation objects, which is a species with wide ecological amplitude. It is shown that the variability of the chlorophyll a and b concentrations in Veronica spicata serves as a reliable indicator in determining the degree of negative impact of coal and rock dust on plants.

The effect of the dominant grass Festuca rupicola on the establishment of rare forbs in semi-dry grasslands

Establishment is the most sensitive process in the life-cycle of plant species, and each stage – from germination to survival and growth – can be affected by environmental factors and plant traits. We hypothesized that the dominant tussock grass Festuca rupicola negatively affects forb establishment in semi-dry grasslands where it has recently expanded into. Moreover, we expected that seedling recruitment is affected by grass density and seed size, with larger seeded forbs being more successful in areas of higher grass density. In a garden experiment, we sowed seven forb individuals of differing seed size (smallest to largest: Veronica spicata < Dianthus carthusianorum < Plantago media < Biscutella laevigata < Filipendula vulgaris < Scabiosa ochroleuca < Sanguisorba minor) into pots with zero, one, two and three grass individuals, and assessed germination, survival and growth over one year. As expected, increasing grass density negatively affected germination, survival and growth of forbs; however, contrary to our expectation, seed size did not influence any of parameters measured. The response of each individual species varied from zero or weak to strong with respect to grass density. Festuca rupicola therefore acts as a strong competitor against the establishment of forbs, irrespective of their seed size, and its spread lowers species diversity in semi-dry grasslands.

Attraction of Melitaea cinxia Butterflies to Previously-Attacked Hosts: A Likely Complement to Known Allee Effects?

Clumped distributions of herbivorous insect eggs often result from independent assessments of individual plants by different ovipositing females. Here we ask whether, in addition, plants might be rendered more or less attractive to ovipositing Melitaea cinxia butterflies by presence of conspecific eggs and/or by prior larval attack. Both eggs and larval damage rendered Veronica spicata plants significantly more acceptable; the effect of eggs was particularly strong. Larval damage caused a marginally significant increase in acceptability of Plantago lanceolata, but there was no trend for an effect of eggs on this host. Variable oviposition preferences of Melitaeine butterflies are known to drive their metapopulation dynamics by affecting rates of emigration and patch colonization. Therefore variable host acceptability, as documented here, should do likewise, reducing emigration rates at high population densities where V. spicata is present in the landscape and complementing Allee effects that are already known in this system.

Larval growth rate is associated with the composition of the gut microbiota in the Glanville fritillary butterfly.

The rapidly increasing body of literature on commensal microbiota has revealed a large phylotypic and functional diversity of microbes associated with vertebrates and invertebrates. In insects, the gut microbiota plays a role in digestion and metabolism of the host as well as protects the host against pathogens. In the study reported here, we sampled gut microbiota of the larvae of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia). The larvae were collected from the field or reared in the laboratory. This butterfly has two host plant species, Plantago lanceolata and Veronica spicata, and the host plant species is known from previous studies to influence larval growth rate. However, our results demonstrate that about 50% of the variation in larval growth rate can be attributed to the effect of the gut microbial composition plus the joint effect of microbiota and the host plant species, while host plant species alone makes no significant contribution. Our results support previous studies showing that diet influences the gut microbiota but, more unexpectedly, that the composition of the gut microbiota significantly influences larval growth rate. We suggest that host plant effects on larval growth and development observed in many previous studies may be mediated via the gut microbiota. While we measured the growth rate only in laboratory-reared larvae, the similarity of the gut microbial composition between samples from field-collected and laboratory-reared larvae suggests that the results can be generalized to natural conditions.

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Veronica spicata L. (Plantaginaceae).

Tea made from Veronica spicata L. (syn. Pseudolysimachion spicatum (L.) Opiz, family Plantaginaceae) herb is used in traditional medicine as expectorant for cough and throat rinsing. To get insight into chemical compounds of V. spicata, the essential oil content (analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS), the content of phenolic compounds (analysed by HPLC), the content of macroelements and trace elements (analysed by ICP-AES), quantity of total phenols and total flavonoids (analysed by UV/Vis spectrophotometer), and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties were investigated. The main compounds of the essential oil were phytol (21.13%), heptacosane (10.22%) and pentacosane (8.91%). The most abundant investigated macroelement was K (8261 mg/kg) while Fe was the most represented element (32.49 mg/kg) among investigated micronutrients. Ten phenolic compounds (chrysin, rutin, quercitrin, quercitrin, and cichoric, ferulic, protocatehuic, rosmarinic, syringic and tannic acid) were identified and quantified. Additionally, V. spicata extract demonstrated notable radical-scavenging and chelating properties. The bacterial and fungal strains used in study were found to be susceptible toward methanolic and ethyl-acetate extracts with MIC values between 1.25 and 5.00 mg/mL using microdilution method. Aquose extracts were found to be antimicrobial inactive.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE GRASS OF VERONICA SPICATA L.

The article presents the results of morphological and anatomical studies of Veronica spicata L. Macro- and microscopic features of the grass of Veronica spicata were described. We have determined the principal diagnostic features of leaves and stems of the plant’s active parts. We have found two types of trichomes in active parts of Veronica spicata L.: simple pluricellular fuzz and cephalated glandular fuzz with monocellular pedicle and monocellular or bicellular sphere-like capitulum, anomcytic stomatal apparatus.

Substrate pH Impacts Efficacy of Ethephon Drenches on Growth of Herbaceous Perennials

Ethephon [(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid] is widely used as a growth regulator in floricultural crop production, with foliar sprays as the typical application method. Ethephon efficacy is determined by rate of uptake and subsequent ethylene evolution, which can be influenced by a number of factors, including solution pH. This study examines whether an ethephon substrate drench (100 mg⋅L−1 at a volume of 296 mL per 2.8-L container) would allow for plant uptake in two herbaceous perennials, Verbena bonariensis (L.) ‘Lollipop’ and Veronica spicata (L.) ‘Goodness Grows’, as measured by subsequent effects on shoot growth and days to flower. We also investigated substrate pH effects on ethephon drench efficacy by analyzing the shoot responses to ethephon applied at a range of starting substrate pH (4.5 to 7.0) compared with untreated plants grown under the same substrate pH conditions (controls). One or more measurements of shoot growth (height, width, shoot dry weight) were reduced in both taxa treated with ethephon as compared with controls. Veronica plant growth was not influenced by substrate pH in either the control or ethephon-drenched plants. For Verbena plants receiving the ethephon drench, as substrate pH increased, height and width increased. For example, when ethephon was applied at substrate pH 4.5, finished plant height averaged 32.0 cm, compared with 43.5 cm for those plants that received the drench at a substrate pH of 7.0. Increasing substrate pH conditions also influenced the days to flower in Verbena plants. Ethephon-treated plants at a substrate pH of 4.5 required an average of 6.5 days longer to flower than those at a substrate pH of 7.0. In summary, ethephon drench applications can result in significant growth regulation effects, as seen in both Veronica and Verbena. Furthermore, increasing substrate pH can reduce the efficacy of ethephon drench applications.

OCCURRENCE OF LEAF SPOT CAUSED BY PHACELLIUM VERONICAE ON SPEEDWELL IN HUNGARY

Leaf spots were observed on Veronica spicata subsp. incana, V. spicata subsp. spicata and V. spuria plants growing at at Budapest-Soroksar (Hungary) during field surveys conducted in 2010 and 2012 with a frequency of 90-100% and a severity of 29.7-58.2%. Leaf spots were roundish and dark brown, with a thin purplish margin. From these spots a fungus was isolated on malt extract agar, characterized by conidiophores forming synnemata rising from the abaxial leaf surface. The fungus was identified as Phacellium veronicae (Pass.) U. Braun. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate or occasionally with one septum, ovoid to cylindrical and measured 5.1-11.9 × 1.7-2.5 μm (8.5 × 2.3 μm in average). Synnemata were 106.3-487.5 μm in height (301.7 μm in average). Pathogenicity was assessed by placing small agar plugs excised from fungal colonies on excised Veronica officinalis leaves kept in moist chamber at 24°C with a 12 h photoperiod. Half of the leaves were pricked with a needle prior to inoculation. Non inoculated leaves served as controls. After 8 days, necrotic spots 8-11 mm in diameter and 13-20 mm in diameter developed around the inoculation point on unwounded leaves and wounded leaves, respectively. DNA was extracted from the mycelium of two fungal isolates and subjected to PCR using ITS5/ITS4 primers. The obtained sequences (GenBank accession Nos HQ690097 and JQ920427) showed 97.7 to 97.9% similarity with a Chinese sequence of Phacellium veronicae (HE995799) (Bai et al., 2013). In Europe the occurrence of this fungus on Veronica spp. was reported from Denmark, Germany, Italy, Romania (Braun, 1998) and Russia (Mel’nik et al., 2007). To our knowledge this is the first report of P.veronicae-induced leaf spots on speedwell in Hungary.

Influence of Plantaginaceae species on E. coli K12 growth in vitro: Possible relation to phytochemical properties

Context: The data concerning the influence of Plantaginaceae water extracts on bacterial growth are contradictory.Objective: This study investigates the influence of Plantago maxima Juss. ex Jacq., Plantago lanceolata L., Plantago major L., Veronica teucrium L., Veronica spicata L., and Veronica incana L. aqueous extracts on growth of Escherichia coli K12 culture and the relation to antioxidant, reducing, and iron-binding activities.Materials and methods: Aqueous extracts were prepared from the dried leaves with the final concentration of 1/10, 1/15, 1/20, 1/25, 1/30, 1/35, and 1/40 (w/w). Comparative analysis of total flavonoids, iridoids, and tannins in Plantaginaceae species was performed. Iron-binding, antioxidant, and reducing activities of plant extracts were analyzed spectrophotometrically. The influence of plant extracts on E. coli K12 growth was studied in vitro by estimating the bacterial growth in the extract-containing medium.Results: Total tannin content in plant leaves positively correlated with iron-binding activity (r = 0.641), whereas total flavonoids correlated with antioxidant activity (r = 0.687). In an in vitro model, it is estimated that water extracts of studied Plantaginaceae species stimulated bacterial growth. Prebiotic activity significantly of 1/20 and 1/40 plant extracts positively correlated with antioxidant (r = 0.589; r = 0.576, respectively) and reducing activity (r = 0.721; r = 0.620, respectively) of plant aqueous extracts at 6–24 h. Negative correlation was observed between iron-binding activity and bacterial growth (r = −0.503 and r = −0.534 for 1/20 and 1/40 extracts, respectively).Conclusion: Aqueous Plantaginaceae extracts possess prebiotic activity depending on the phytochemical content of plant leaves.

First Report of Puccinia veronicae-longifoliae on Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' in Minnesota.

In September 2008, Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles' plants showing foliar symptoms typical of a rust infection were brought to the Plant Disease Clinic at the University of Minnesota. Plants were grown in a local nursery in Dakota County, Minnesota. A dark brown discoloration was apparent on the upper surface of the leaf with lighter brown pustules on the underside. Teliospores collected from the pustules were 2-celled with smooth walls and 36.35 to 48.87 μm long, 11.96 to 18.28 μm wide, and had a wall thickness of 1.33 to 2.61 μm, which is in accordance with type specimen of Puccinia veronicae-longifoliae (4). Pathogen identity was confirmed by comparison of the DNA sequence of nuclear ribosomal RNA region containing the internal transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2, 5.8S and the 5' end of the 28S subunits between herbarium samples from the U.S. National Fungus Collection (BPI 841971/GenBank Accession JQ627617 and BPI 871789/GenBank Accession JQ627618) and the collected specimen (BPI 882886/GenBank Accession JQ627616). P. veronicae-longifoliae was first reported in the United States in 2004 from a commercial nursery in Michigan (2). Veronica rust has also been found in Michigan in 2005 and more recently in 2011 (1). The only other known report of Veronica rust in the United States occurred in Connecticut in 2007 (3). P. veronicae-longifoliae is not considered a quarantine pest by The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service due to the limited host range, the host not being on the threatened or endangered list and the host being of little economic or environmental importance (2).