Pansy Research Articles

Contribution to the floristic knowledge of Lipari and Panarea Islands (Sicilia, Italy)

The inventory of the taxa collected in 2022 during the annual field trip of the Working Group for Floristics, Systematics and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society is reported. The field trip was held from 19th to 22th April in the islands of Lipari and Panarea (Aeolian Islands, Sicilia). Overall, 1,664 herbarium specimens were deposited in public and private herbaria. The flora documented for the studied area amounts to 386 specific and subspecific taxa, belonging to 241 genera and 74 families. Centaurea aeolica, Helichrysum litoreum (Asteraceae), and Dianthus rupicola subsp. aeolicus (Caryophyllaceae) were the only three Italian endemics found in the study area, whereas 48 alien taxa were recorded. Dimorphotheca ecklonis (Asteraceae), Nassella tenuissima (Poaceae), Solanum torvum (Solanaceae), and Viola wittrockiana (Violaceae) are casual alien species new to Sicilia, whereas Oenothera odorata (Onagraceae) is a new naturalized alien species for the Italian vascular flora.

TWO-YEAR FLOWER CULTURES IN THE COLLECTION OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF BILA TSERKVA NATIONAL AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY

The article presents the results of the analysis of the collection of two-year-old flowering ornamental plants in the Botanical garden of Bila Tserkva national agrarian university. It was established that the biennial collection includes 17 species belonging to 15 genera and 10 families. The largest number of species is represented by the family Brassicaceae Burnett. – Brassica oleracea L. var. Acephala DC., Erysimum perovskianum Fisch.hort., Hesperis matronalis L., Lunaria biennis L. The collection presents species that have not only decorative, but also medicinal, fodder, and tanning properties. Diditalis grandiflora contains poisonous glycosides. Alcea rosea has ethnographic significance and belongs to amulet plants.
 The morphometric indicators of biennials by height and their flowering periods were analyzed. It was established that 41,2% of the collection of biennials of the Botanical Garden of the Bila Tserkva NAU belongs to low-growing species, medium-sized and tall plants are represented by the same number of species, which is 29,4% each. The largest number of species in the collection is represented by the group of summer-flowering biennials, 47,1%, late-spring-flowering ones make up 29,4%, and early-flowering ones – 23,5% of species. 
 Most biennials are cultivated in open ground to decorate flower beds, only a few to create seasonal bouquets and phytocompositions. Thanks to the plasticity of biennials, which is manifested in non-standard sowing dates, relative frost resistance and early spring and early summer flowering periods, biennials reduce the costs of growing seedlings and care for them after planting in a permanent place, provide an annual change in the design of flower beds and fill the flowerless periods of early spring and early summer. Biennials are suitable for creating borders, flower beds, rabatoks, lawns, carpets, ribbons, for decorating flowerbed groups and balconies, container culture. Tall species can be used as a background for the entire composition. Varietal diversity of Bellis perennis L., Brassica oleracea L. var. Acephala DC, Dianthus caryophyllus L. var. Grenadine hort, Dianthus barbatus L., Viola wittrockiana Gams. allows you to create monoculture flower beds with a wide color palette.

Improved compact growth habit of Viola × wittrockiana through Rhizobium rhizogenes transformation

Compactness is an important breeding goal in the improvement of garden pansy varieties (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.). The desired compact stature is primarily obtained through the use of chemical growth retardants. Recently, an alternative strategy for creating compact ornamentals was proposed based on transformation by wild type rhizogenic agrobacteria and the regeneration of transformed hairy roots. Here, we report on the successful transformation and creation of compact garden pansy lines. The most efficient hairy root induction was obtained by Rhizobium rhizogenes strain ATCC15834. Shoot regeneration from hairy roots was obtained using 3 mg L−1 2iP and 0.3 mg L−1 2,4-D. The presence of R. rhizogenes T-DNA genes was confirmed in the regenerated lines. These lines displayed a varying degrees of dwarfed growth. Most notably the shoot length was reduced up to 49%. Other phenotypic traits that were induced include reduced peduncle length and smaller, wrinkled flowers. Several of these Ri lines with promising compactness have been selected for further breeding towards compact garden pansy varieties that are less dependent on chemical growth regulation.Graphical abstract

Production of edible flowers: irrigation and biotechnology

Garden pansy is a versatile gardening plant – it produces beautiful colorful edible-flowers with high value in gourmet cuisine. The use of irrigation and biotechnology in garden pansy cultivation can provide gains in flower productivity and nutritional value. The goal of this study was to evaluate the growth and edible flower production in garden pansy plants, submitted to different levels of irrigation and mycorrhizal inoculation. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in the 2 x 5 factorial design, with the presence and absence of mycorrhizal inoculation in combination with 5 levels of irrigation with 6 replicates, in a greenhouse. There was no significant interaction between the factors mycorrhizal inoculation and irrigation levels by the F test. Under the tested conditions, the mycorrhizal inoculation was unable to provide significant changes in the growth, development and flowering of garden pansy plants. It was concluded that no symbiotic efficiency was pointed out between the mycorrhizal fungus used and garden pansy plants. The best growth and yield results for cultivating and producing edible flowers of garden pansy were obtained at the 100% replenishment level of water evaporation.

Cow dung putrefaction via vermicomposting using Eisenia fetida and its influence on seed sprouting and vegetative growth of Viola wittrockiana (pansy).

The current research was conducted at Vermi-tech Unit, Muzaffarabad in 2018 to evaluate the efficacy of cow dung and vermicompost on seed sprouting, seedlings, and vegetative developmental parameters of Viola x wittrokiana (pansy). In the current study, vermicompost was produced using Eisenia fetida. Physicochemical parameters of vermicompost and organic manure were recorded before each experimentation. The potting experiment was designed and comprised of eight germination mediums containing different combinations of soil, sand, cow dung, and various concentrations of vermicompost such as 10% VC, 15% VC, 20% VC, 25% VC, 30% VC, and 35% VC. Seed sprouting and seedling developmental parameters were observed for 28 days while vegetative plant growth parameters were recorded after 10 weeks of transplantation in various vermicompost amended germination media. Pre and post-physicochemical analysis of germination media were also recorded to check their quality and permanency. The current findings showed that 30% VC germination media was an effective dose for early seed germination initiation and all seed germination parameters. However, the significant vegetative plant growth and flowering parameters of pansy occurred at 35% VC. Findings revealed that vermicompost not only enhanced the seed germination and growth of pansy but also improved soil health. These results indicate that vermicompost can be exploited as a potent bio-fertilizer for ornamental plant production.

Morphological Responses of Viola Accessions to Nutrient Solution Application and Electrical Conductivity

Growing of ornamental flowering plants represents an important sector of horticulture. Viola × wittrockiana (garden pansy) is used in garden beds and borders due to their colorful blooming, which occurs in early spring and late autumn. Nowadays, breeders focus on applying different nutrient solutions to improve the quality, flowering, and ornamental properties of plants, yet electrical conductivity (EC) level is an important fact to know. It is known that higher EC levels can inhibit plants’ growth. In the present study, pansy seedlings were subjected to different EC nutrient solutions 1 (control), 2, 3.5, 5, and 6.5 mS cm−1 EC to assess the positive or negative effects regarding the plant’s growth and development. The results indicated that an appropriate EC level of nutrient solution can have a positive effect on growth parameters, as well as on the flowering of plants. According to the hierarchical clustering, the used EC nutrient solutions significantly influenced the growth, number of shoots and leaves and the inflorescences number. From the present study results, it can be concluded that even though all EC levels increased growth parameters compared with control, the greatest results were obtained in plants under the effect of the 5 mS cm−1 of EC.

Light intensity and giberelic acid in the seedling\production of four ornamental species

Ornamental species, especially those involving the use of seedlings in trays to serve residential gardens, need to be produced quickly for commercialization, which requires studies that provide such a condition. The present work aimed to evaluate the effect of light intensity and exogenous application of gibberellin on seedlings of four ornamental species (Calendula officinalis, Gypsophila elegans, Solenostemon scutellarioides and Viola wittrockiana). The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Campus Dois Vizinhos. The seeds were sown in trays containing substrate composed of a mixture of humic Distroferric Red Latosol: medium texture sand: commercial substrate, in the volumetric proportion of 2:1:1, respectively. The trays were kept in shading environments, using black screens with 35%, 50% and 80% shading intensity, red with 35% shading, in addition to full sun. After 30 days of emergence, gibberellic acid solution was applied to the seedlings at concentrations of 0 mg L-1 and 300 mg L-1. Emergence, emergence speed index, mean emergence time, total length, shoot and roots, number of leaves, leaf area, root volume density, shoot, root and total dry matter were evaluated. For each environmental condition of cultivation, the values of temperature and air humidity and light intensity were obtained. The use of gibberellic acid proved to be beneficial for Viola wittrockiana and Solenostemon scutellarioides. The shading environments, regardless of color and light intensity, were more favorable for the formation of seedlings of these four ornamental species.

Flower color digitizing and pigment distribution in garden pansy

The garden pansy (Viola × wittrockiana) is a large hybrid flower and most popular for its abundant flower colors. The flower colors of 12 pansy accessions were measured by using colorimeter and the pigments distribution within their petal cells were investigated. The result indicated a vast majority of the visual color of flower was consistent with the result surveyed by colorimeter in pansy. The pigments were mainly distributed in the upper and dorsal epidermal cells and most of them show the similar colors to those measured using colorimeter. The red pigment was found to be distributed in the visual blue petals and yellowish brown or khaki pigment in visual white petals. The results suggested the flower color of pansy can be objectively and accurately measured with colorimeter, and investigating pigment color and distribution in petals can help understanding pansy flower color better.

Effect of foliar or soil application of selenium on some morphological and physiological traits of garden pansy (Viola x wittrockiana Gams) grown under salinity stress

Salinity stress is one of the most important plant stresses in Iran. In this regard, a factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of salinity stress on the garden pansy. The investigated factors were containing sodium selenate (0, 2, 4 and 8 mg l-1), its method of application (foliar and soil applications) and salinity stress (0, 3 and 6 dS m-1). The obtained results indicated that salinity leads to the significant reduction in morphological traits, chlorophyll a and b contents. Under the salinity of 6 dS m-1, when sodium selenate was used in the soil, the fresh and dry mass of flower increased by 11.34 and 10.39 %, respectively, compared to the control. However, the use of sodium selenate by foliar application led to the increasing fresh and dry mass of garden pansy’s flower by 25.10 and 25.41 %, respectively. Also, the content of chlorophyll a increased by 12.93 % under the salinity of 6 dS m-1 with applying 8 mg l-1sodium selenate compared to the case of non-application. The superoxide dismutase activity decreased by 26.13 % compared to the non-sodium selenate usage treatment. In conclusion the foliar application of sodium selenate at the concentraion of 8 mg l-1 resulted in the garden pansy’s growth improvement.

The Beneficial Role of Salicylic Acid, Triacontanol and δ-Aminolevulinic Acid on the Growth, Flowering and Chemical Composition of Pansy (Viola wittrockiana Gams) under Salt Stress Conditions

Two pot trials were carried out during the two successive Winter seasons of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 at private commercial nursery, Damanhour city, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt under greenhouse conditions. The objective of these experiments was to study the effect of foliar application with each of salicylic acid (SA) (50 and 100 mgL-1), triacontanol (TRIA) (25 and 50 mgL-1) and δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) (25 and 50 mgL-1) on Viola wittrockiana Gams L. (Blue with Blotch cultivar) grown under different concentrations of salinity (0, 20, 40 and 60 mM of NaCl). Generally, the tested materials were varied in their significant effects on studying characters. The obtained results of the two seasons indicated that increasing salinity levels from 20 to 60 mM significantly reduced all studied parameter levels, i.e., plant height, branches number per plant, shoot dry weight per plant, leaf area, root length and root dry weight, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chlorophyll contents. While Na+ and Cl- were increased relative to control. Also, the results indicated that the salicylic acid, δ-aminolevulinic acid, and triacontanol significantly increased plant growth and chemical traits, as well as reduced the contents of Na+ and Cl- compared to the control (distilled water only) treatment. Application of triacontanol (25 mgL-1) or salicylic acid (50 mgL-1); improved vegetative, flowering, root growth and leaves chemical composition under salt stress during both seasons. Triacontanol enhanced salinity tolerance in both seasons by increasing proline accumulation. Under each salinity level, triacontanol (25 mgL-1) was the most effective treatment for mitigating the deleterious effect of salt stress in pansy plants

Bioactive compounds in edible flowers of garden pansy in response to irrigation and mycorrhizal inoculation

ABSTRACT Edible flowers have been increasingly used in the Brazilian gastronomy because they are considered functional foods with high antioxidant potential. Studies on the management of cultivation of edible flowers to increase the production of bioactive compounds have been developed aiming at the improvement of production systems. The objective of this work was to evaluate the production of bioactive compounds in garden pansy (Viola wittrockiana Gams ex Nauenb. & Buttler) plants submitted to different levels of irrigation and mycorrhizal inoculation. The greenhouse experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in a 2x5 factorial design with the presence and absence of mycorrhizal inoculation in combination with 5 levels of water evaporation (120%, 100%, 80%, 60% and 40%) replaced by irrigation, totaling 10 treatments with 6 replicates. The contents of bioactive compounds (total phenolic compounds, flavonoids and total anthocyanins) present in the flowers, collected over the reproductive period, were evaluated. There was a significant interaction between the factors mycorrhizal inoculation and irrigation levels by F test (p < 0.05) for total flavonoids and anthocyanins. The best results in the production of bioactive compounds were obtained for irrigation at the 100% replenishment level of water evaporation without the presence of mycorrhizal inoculation.

Linking biochar properties to biomass of basil, lettuce and pansy cultivated in growing media

The use of biochar as an additive for growing media for the production of potted plants requires a sound knowledge of how its properties impact plant biomass production. This study aims at linking physical and chemical properties of biochar with horticultural crop biomass. For this purpose, we incorporated six different biochars into growing medium and grew basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa) and pansy (Viola wittrockiana Gams.) for one month in greenhouse conditions. We found that physical and chemical properties of biochars had a significant impact on plant growth. Biochars with low density and high porosity promoted the biomass of basil and lettuce. While nutrient concentration in biochars had no impact on plant growth, lettuce and pansy biomasses decreased with increasing biochar pH and basil biomass decreased with increasing biochar electrical conductivity. By identifying which biochar properties influence plant biomass, our study allows selection of the biochars which are the best suited for incorporation into growing media.

Możliwość wykorzystania środków zawierających aminokwasy w ochronie bratka ogrodowego (Viola wittrockiana) przed Colletotrichum violae-tricoloris oraz ich wpływ na wzrost roślin

The study evaluated the effects of plant growth promotor Agro-Sorb Folium and foliar fertilizers Agro-Sorb L-Amino+ and Agro-Sorb Radiculum on the development of pansy leaf anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum violae-tricoloris. Agro-Sorb Folium and Agro-Sorb L-Amino+ were applied 6 times at 7-day intervals in a greenhouse conditions at the concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 1%. Their efficacy ranged from 48 to 61.7% and 40 to 61.7%, respectively. Higher concentrations of the tested products increased their effectiveness. Agro-Sorb Radiculum used as a foliar treatment at 0.5% displayed an efficacy of approximately 57%. The fertilizers Agro-Sorb L-Amino+ and Agro-Sorb Radiculum applied 6 times as watering plants, showed an efficacy from 67% to 70.2% and from 57.5% to 65%, respectively. All the tested products used for spraying or watering caused significant stimulation of the growth of pansy plants. None of the tested products caused changes in the appearance of the plants (phytotoxicity). Oceniano wpływ stymulatora wzrostu roślin Agro-Sorb Folium, nawozów dolistnych Agro-Sorb L-Amino+ oraz Agro-Sorb Radiculum, stosowanych 6-krotnie co 7 dni do opryskiwania bratka ogrodowego uprawianego w szklarni, na rozwój objawów chorobowych powodowanych przez Colletotrichum violae-tricoloris. Agro-Sorb Folium oraz Agro-Sorb L-Amino+ stosowano w stężeniu 0,25, 0,5 oraz 1%. Ich skuteczność wynosiła odpowiednio od 48 do 61,7% oraz 40 do 61,7%. Wzrost stężenia badanych środków powodował zwiększenie ich skuteczności. Agro-Sorb Radiculum w stężeniu 0,5% zastosowany do opryskiwania bratka, wykazywał około 57% skuteczność. Nawozy Agro-Sorb L-Amino+ oraz Agro-Sorb Radiculum po 6-krotnym podlaniu bratka wykazywały skuteczność odpowiednio od 67 do 70,2% oraz 57,5 do 65%. Wszystkie badane środki stosowane do opryskiwania lub podlewania powodowały istotną stymulację wzrostu krzewów bratka. Żaden z badanych środków nie powodował zmian w wyglądzie bratka (fitotoksyczności).

Chemical composition of the edible flowers, pansy (Viola wittrockiana) and snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) as new sources of bioactive compounds

The nutritional composition - including total and individual phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and the antioxidant capacity – of two commercially available edible flowers, pansy and snapdragon, was studied. The edible flowers did not differ in their carbohydrates, fat, or ash contents, or in total energy, but pansy had higher values of moisture, protein, and total dietary fiber than snapdragon. Phenolic compounds were more abundant in pansy than in snapdragon, and flavonoids were the major compounds, followed by anthocyanins. The phenolic profile of pansy included flavonols, such as quercetin and isorhamnetin glycosides, flavones, such as apigenin glycosides, and anthocyanins, such as cyanidin and delphinidin glycosides; in snapdragon it included flavonol glycosides (e.g. quercetin and kaempferol glycosides) and anthocyanins, such as cyanidin and pelargonidin glycosides. The contents of total carotenoids were 146 and 29 µg/mg for pansy and snapdragon, respectively, and lutein was the dominant compound.

ツマグロヒョウモンの北上の原因を探る : (1)東京都日野市におけるツマグロヒョウモンの発生消長およびパンジーの入荷量・栽培方法を基にして

ツマグロヒョウモンの北上の原因を探る : (1)東京都日野市におけるツマグロヒョウモンの発生消長およびパンジーの入荷量・栽培方法を基にして

Responses of Pansy (Viola wittrockiana Gams.) to the Quality of the Growing Media

The quality of the growing medium stands out as one of the most important factors affecting the success of annual plants, especially when grown in potted culture. Recently, we have suggested that growing medium gives not only a matrix for water and nutrient absorption but also a source of external signalling. The aim of this work was to assess the performance of six pansy ( Viola wittrockiana Gams.) genotypes grown in two growing media with significant differences in both physical and chemical properties, aiming to understand how substrate quality change the physiological mechanism related to biomass accumulation. The responses of the six pansy genotypes tested to the two growing media were significantly different. The mechanisms involved included fresh weight accumulation, leaf area expansion; RGR, RLA, glucose content and photo assimilate partitioning. On the other hand, RGR, RLA and glucose content were associated with root dry weight at the end of the experiments. Since the responses to the different growing media were the same as those found in plants grown with root restriction related to container volume, we speculated that cytokinins might act as endogenous signals.

Differential gene expression in response to cold stress in Viola wittrockiana

Differential gene expression in response to cold stress in Viola wittrockiana

EFFECT OF SUBSTRATES CONTAINING COMPOSTS WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SLUDGE ON FLOWERING AND MACRONUTRIENT CONTENT IN THE LEAVES OF GARDEN PANSY (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.)

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of substrates containing composts made from municipal sewage sludge and straw or sawdust on flowering, leaf greenness index and macronutrient content in the leaves of ‘Fancy Carmine with Blotch’ garden pansy. Two composts, with the following compositions: K I – 70% municipal sewage sludge, 30% rye straw; K II – 70% municipal sewage sludge, 30% coniferous tree sawdust, were used for the preparation of substrates. Six substrates of peat and compost at 25, 50 and 75% (by volume) were prepared. The control object was a peat substrate, pH 5.8–6.0, supplemented with Azofoska at 2.5 g·dm -3 . It has been found that leaf greenness index of pansy increased with an increasing share of compost. Composts involving municipal sewage sludge at the level of 50% had a more positive influence on the abundance of pansy flowering than at 25 and 75%. The content of to tal nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in the leaves increased with increasing the dose of compost. The content of total phosphorus in the leaves at the end of pansy cultivation in compost substrates ranged optimally for this species. In the experiment conducted in 2006, pansies contained more total nitrogen, potassium and sulfur than the flowering pansies planted in 2005.

Gasified Rice Hull Biochar Affects Nutrition and Growth of Horticultural Crops in Container Substrates

This research was conducted to determine if gasified rice hull biochar (GRHB), inherently high in phosphorus and potassium content, could be used as an amendment to container substrates to eliminate the need for other phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Geranium (Pelargonium xhortorum ‘Maverick Red’), pansy (Viola xwittrockiana ‘Mammoth Blue Deep Dazzle’), sunflower (Helianthus annus ‘Pacino Gold’), zinnia (Zinnia elegans ‘Oklahoma White’), and tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum ‘Mega Bite’) were grown in a standard commercial soilless substrate composed of sphagnum peat moss:perlite (85:15, by vol) and amended with 0, 5, or 10% GRHB (by vol). A group of plants labeled as NPK-fertilized controls were fertilized with 7.1 mM nitrogen (N), 0.7 mM phosphorus (P), and 1.4 mM potassium (K) derived from ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) and potassium phosphate (K2HPO4). Other treatments received 0, 5, or 10% GRHB and fertilized with 7.1 mM N using NH4NO3. Gasified rice hull biochar had little effect on substrate pH over the course of the experiment. While pH was higher with 10% GRHB than NPK-fertilized controls by 6 weeks after potting (WAP), the difference was only 0.19 pH units. The GRHB used in this study provides a source of readily available phosphate and potassium when incorporated at 5 or 10%. While the five crops grown in this study were of similar size and lacked any signs of nutrient deficiency when amended with GRHB, foliar concentrations of P and K were low when their only source was from pre-incorporated GRHB.

The influence of biohydrohumus on growth and development of garden pansy (Viola x wittrockiana Gams.)

In the years 2007–2008, experiments were conducted with four cultivars of garden pansy grown in pots, in media prepared as mixtures of wet shrimp waste (BioHydroHumus) and sphagnum peat at the following volumetric ratios: 2% BioHydroHumus + 98% sphagnum peat, 5% BioHydroHumus + 95% sphagnum peat, 10% BioHydroHumus + 90% sphagnum peat. The Osmocote Exact 5–6 M (15:8:10:3MgO + microelements) fertilizer at the rates of 2.5 and 5.0 g × dm&lt;sup&gt;-3&lt;/sup&gt; was added to each medium. Sphagnum peat with addition of 5.0 g × dm&lt;sup&gt;-3&lt;/sup&gt; Osmocote Exact 5–6 M was used as control medium. It was found that BioHydroHumus can be a source of macroelements in the cultivation of garden pansy. It is characterized by alkaline reaction and high total soluble salts. BioHydroHumus used as a component of media affects the quality of cultivated plants. The best results were obtained when BioHydroHumus was used at the rates of 2 and 5%, even if the rate of fertilizer were twice smaller than in control medium. At full flowering, plants grown in medium containing 5% BioHydroHumus were the most branched. Garden pansies cultivated in medium containing 10% BioHydroHumus were characterized by a smaller number of leaves. Plants grown in media with addition of 2 and 5% BioHydroHumus flowered more abundantly in comparison with garden pansies cultivated in medium containing 10% BioHydroHumus, regardless of the rate of fertilizer. However, an ambiguous influence of BioHydroHumus on height and diameter of garden pansy cultivars was found.