* “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Botanical Garden “Anastasie Fatu”, Dumbrava Rosie str. no. 7-9, 700487, Iasi – Romania

Abstract: The importance of studying the features of the prickles and hairs within the Solanum genus is unanimously acknowledged. In the present work 12 taxa have been examined, thus revealing the presence, density and micro morphological features of the epidermal appendages. The observed features of the eglandular hairs underline their diversity, the analysis focusing on aspects concerning the stellate type. The morphological observations can be of use in the taxonomy of the genus, as it is apparent from the key for identification elaborated based on the highlighted features.

Key words: eglandular trichome, glandular trichomes, key for identification, prickles, Solanum morphology

* Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University, Monobe B200, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8502 – Japan

Abstract: Elicitors are substances that induce protective responses in plants. In this study, methyl jasmonate (Me-JA) and lysozyme elicitation on PLBs culture of Cymbidium insigne in vitro was investigated. Elicitation by 0.1 mg/l Me-JA enhanced maximum PLB, shoot and root formation. The effects of lysozyme under white fluorescent tube, results indicated that every concentrations of lysozyme induced PLB, shoot and root formation and 0.1 mg/l lysozyme enhanced maximum formation of PLB, shoot and root compare with control. Lysozyme is known to play a vital role in medical industry and the present study firstly used lysozyme, as a plant growth regulator in Cymbidium tissue culture.

Key words: lysozyme, methyl jasmonate, protocorm-like body, plant growth regulator, in vitro

* Arid Forest Research Institute, Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding Division, Molecular Biology Laboratory, New Pali Road, Jodhpur 342005 – India

Abstract: Attempts were made for in vitro propagation of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., belonging to family Fabaceae, an economically important multipurpose tree. The tree is scared with noval antidiabetic properties. The tree shows poor seed germination capacity (30%) due to hard seed coat and conventional vegetative regeneration methods are a complete failure. Therefore, the propagation of this tree by tissue culture techniques is an urgent need and well justified. Nodal segments containing axillary bud from 10 years old tree of P. marsupium were evaluated for axillary shoot proliferation on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium fortified with BAP (6–benzylaminopurine) and kinetin (Kn) singly or in combinations with auxins at different concentrations. The best shoot proliferation was obtained with 13.95 µM Kn + additives (568 µM Ascorbic acid, 260 µM Citric acid, 605 µM Ammonium sulphate and 217 µM Adenine sulphate) in MS medium where 64.44% of the axillary buds responded with development of (2.51±0.10) shoots. Multiplication of in vitro shoots were achieved on MS Medium supplemented with Kn (9.30 µM) + NAA (0.54 µM) and additives. Half strength MS medium supplemented with 4.92 µM IBA induced in vitro rooting of in vitro shoots. In vitro regenerated plantlets with well developed roots were successfully hardened in a greenhouse.

Key words: acclimatization, Fabaceae, in vitro, recalcitrant, tissue culture

MACROPROPAGATION OF PLANTAIN (MUSA SPP.) CULTIVARS PITA 3, FHIA 21, ORISHELE AND CORNE 1: EFFECT OF BENZYLAMINOPURINE (BAP) CONCENTRATION
Deless Edmond Fulgence THIEMELE*, Auguste Emmanuel ISSALI**, Siaka TRAORE*, Kan Modeste KOUASSI***, Ngoran ABY*, Philippe Goly GNONHOURI*, Joseph Kouman KOBENAN*, Thérèse Ndrin YAO*, Amoncho ADIKO***, Assolou Nicodème ZAKRA***

* Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA), Station de Recherche sur le Plantain, la Banane et l’Ananas à Bimbresso, 01BP1536 Abidjan 01 – Côte d’Ivoire
** Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA), Station de Recherche sur le Cocotier Port Bouët Marc Delorme, 07 BP 13 Abidjan 07 – Côte d’Ivoire
*** Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA), Direction Générale, 01 BP 1740 Abidjan 01 – Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract: In Africa, plantain is one of the most important starchy food and cash crops. Nonetheless, one of the major constraints for its production was the unavailability of healthy planting materials at planting time. This constraint could be lifted using the cloning of planting materials via the in vitro micropropagation or in vivo macropropagation techniques. Shelled corms from four cultivars, known as PITA 3, FHIA 21, ORISHELE and CORNE 1, were used. Three treatments differing in three hormonal concentrations, especially 20.0, 30.0 and 40.0 mg L-1 were tested. The control one was hormone free. Tested treatments were laid out in a split plot design. The decorticated banana corms were sprayed twofold at 2 weeks interval with BAP solution when placed in sterilized soil in high humidity plastic tunnel. It emerged from results, regarding BAP concentration effect, that BAP treatment with 40 mg L-1 significantly reduced the emergence time of shoots at 20 days as against 25.1, 28.3 and 28.5 for the 2 tested other treatments as well as control, respectively. Likewise, the concentrations 40.0 mg L-1 both recorded the largest number of sprouted buds per corm and number of shoots per corm. With respect to banana cultivar effect, PITA 3 showed the largest number of shoots per corm. Basing on such findings, it is concluded that MSD technique combined with BAP at 40.0 mg L-1 is a suitable technique for improving of the in vivo macropropagation of plantain. This concentration increased at least 50 % of sucker production compared to control.

Key words: Plantain, in vivo macropropagation, MSD, Benzlyamimopurine (BAP)

ALTERATIONS TO PLBS AND PLANTLETS OF HYBRID CYMBIDIUM (ORCHIDACEAE) IN RESPONSE TO PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
Jaime A. TEIXEIRA DA SILVA*

* Faculty of Agriculture and Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki-cho, Kagawa, 761-0795, Japan

Abstract: A previous study examined, in detail, the morphological response of hybrid Cymbidium Twilight Moon ‘Day Light’ protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) to 26 plant growth regulators (PGRs). In this study, flow cytometric analyses of the PLBs derived from several of these PGR treatments revealed changes in the ploidy of PLBs while the ploidy of plant leaves remained constant. The SPAD value of leaves of plants derived from PGR treatments changed significantly. The choice of PGR must be accompanied by careful scrutiny of the possible resulting changes to morphology and physiological parameters.

Key words: flow cytometry; plant growth regulator; PLB; SPAD; Teixeira Cymbidium (TC) medium; thin cell layer

EVALUATION OF CALLUS BROWNING AND DEVELOP A STRATEGICALLY CALLUS CULTURING OF BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA L.
Gulshan CHAUDHARY*, Prem Kumar DANTU*

* Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Dayalbagh, Agra 282110 – India

Abstract: Callus browning is a major problem in Boerhaavia diffusa. This phenomenon was investigated in present study by evaluating major reason for callus browning, develop a strategy for the survivals of callus and study the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Torpedo shaped embryos were cultured on semisolid MS basal medium supplemented with n various combinations of hormones, with and without adjuvants. After a particular time callus used for cytological, fresh viz dry weight studies and later used for the secondary metabolite study by HPTLC method. Cytological studies of the callus were performed to understand the reason for low survival of the callus. Over a culture period of 30 days revealed that the callus was made up of three types of cells: small isodiametric cells, elongated cells and elongated enucleated cells. The isodiametric cells were meristematic and predominant during the initial days of the culture and subsequently their number decreased and elongated nucleated and enucleated cells increased. Towards the latter part of the culture period the enucleated cells were predominant. The increase in elongated cells coincided with increased browning of the callus and peroxidase activity. The HPTLC of extracted callus with different precursors confirmed the presence of some flavonoids likes kaempferol, quercetin, myrecetin. A strategic subculturing method was developed where in the small cells were isolated and subcultured every three weeks and the life of callus could thus be prolonged to almost 30-36 weeks. Based on these studies conclude that the life of callus could be prolonged to almost 30-36 weeks by strategic subculturing method. This study is important because as plant has various medicinal properties so its secondary metabolites can be collected by in vitro callus production at particular time period.

Key words: Boerhaavia diffusa, callus browning, peroxidase, strategic subculture

* CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Research Centre, Boduppal, Hyderabad-500092, Andhra Pradesh – India

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to study the changes in the chemical composition of the essential oil of two varieties of Ocimum basilicum over a period of six months at short harvest intervals for two crop seasons.
In variety Vikarsudha, GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of eighteen essential oil constituents. Linalool (23.5­40.1% and 22.8­33.7%) and methyl chavicol (25.4­51.9% and 40.0­52.7%) were the major constituents in main and ratoon crops.
Similarly, in variety Kuhmohak GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of linalool (19.2­25.4 % and 16.1­31.3%) and methyl chavicol (34.7­53.4% and 39.4­59.2%) in large quantities in main and ratoon crops, respectively. ß myrcene, limonene, 1,8 cineole, ocimene, camphor, terpinen-4-ol, bornyl acetate, eugenol, methyl eugenol, ß elemene, ß caryophyllene, humulene, Cadinene and cadinol were present in small quantities.
Results pertaining to the zone of inhibition in the antimicrobial activity of essential oil indicated that Chromobacterium violaceum is more sensitive compared to Staphylococcus aureus. Among the fungal strains Aspergillus niger was found to be more sensitive.
GC-MS analysis of the fixed oils obtained from the seeds in the ratoon crop revealed the presence of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. The unsaturated fatty acids averaged 89% consisting of a-linolenic (49.3%­52.4%), linoleic (23.4%­26.0%), and oleic (10.3%­12.3%) acids. The most abundant saturated fatty acids were palmitic and stearic acids.

Key words: Ocimum, Lamiaceae, Eugenol, ß caryophyllene, methyl eugenol, relative humidity

* Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State – Nigeria
** P. O. Box 7, Miki-cho post office, Ikenobe 3011-2, Kagawa-ken, 761-0799 – Japan

Abstract: The effects of Fast Neutron Irradiation (FNI) from an Americium Beryllium source with a flux of 1.5 × 104 n cm-2 s-1 on select vegetative parameters of three Nigerian sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties were investigated. Seeds of Kenana-4 , Ex-Sudan and E-8 were irradiated with 4, 8, 12 and 16 µSv doses of FNI before they were grown to maturity, alongside their respective controls (0 µSv dose of FNI). The vegetative parameters investigated included percentage survival, petiole length, number of leaves per plant, leaf surface area and plant height. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the different doses of FNI for all three varieties. Correlations between irradiation doses and morphological parameters were generally highest in E-8, followed by Kenana-4, while Ex-Sudan showed the weakest correlations, suggesting that E-8 was the most sensitive to FNI. Thus, FNI can induce genetic variability in sesame and may be important for sesame breeders who seek to expand the genetic base of their breeding material.

Key words: sensitivity, FNI, morphological parameters, sesame, genetic improvement

* “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, “Anastasie Fatu“ Botanical Garden, Dumbrava Rosie Street, No. 7-9, Iasi – Romania
** Regional Laboratory of Nematology, Phytosanitary Agency, 47 Lânii Street, 500465, Brasov – Romania
*** University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, 36-46 M. Kogalniceanu Boulevard, Bucharest – Romania
**** “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Department of Biology, Bd. Carol I, No. 20 A, Iasi – Romania

Abstract: Phytopathogenic nematodes represent one of the most important groups of pathogens in crops. The use of chemical to control the nematodes attack in crops is decreasing every year due to the concern of the toxicity and side effects of such compounds. In the course for finding alternatives to the use of chemicals, biological control of nematodes is gaining much attention. Some saprotrophic fungi are able to feed on invertebrates, thus becoming efficient agents of control. In this study, three species of basidiomycetes were analyzed for their potential to be used as control agents of phytopathogenic nematodes. Through on in vitro investigation of these potential, one strain – Gymnopilus junonius was further selected for a pot test against Meloidogyne incognita, a very important phytopathogenic species of nematodes. The fungal treatment strongly decreased the M. incognita population on the tested pots, proving the potential of G. junonius strain to be used in biocontrol.

Key words: biocontrol, phytopathogenic nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita, nematophagous fungi, Gymnopilus junonius

* “Anastasie Fatu” Botanical Garden, 7-9 Dumbrava Rosie, 700487, Iasi – Romania
** National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences / “Stejarul” Biological Research Center, 6 Alexandru cel Bun, 610004, Piatra Neamt – Romania
*** Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University from Iasi, 20A Carol I, 700505, Iasi – Romania

Abstract: Arnica montana is a species of European Union interest, whose harvest from the wild and exploitation should be made under certain management measures. In Romania it is a vulnerable species due to excessive collection. It is a species with European areal occuring in pastures, meadows, forest glades, shrubs communities of mountain to the subalpine regions and, isolated, up to the alpine belt. Most of the plant communities with Arnica montana are semi-natural, with a floristic composition in which there are numerous rare or threatened species also supporting the need of their conservation. Our study was focused on a numerical classification (hierarchical, using Flexible ß algorithm and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity) based on 48 plots, of the plant communities with Arnica montana from the central region of Romanian Eastern Carpathians and on the investigation of the effect of some environmental variables (Ellenberg indicator values, altitude, heat load index) on their floristic composition (100 m² scale). Vegetation – environment relationship was assessed via detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis with Monte Carlo test. Six plant communities with Arnica montana were identified (communities of Festuca rubra with Agrostis capillaris, Festuca nigrescens, Vaccinium myrtillus, Nardus stricta, Vaccinium gaultherioides and Juniperus sibirica) with a floristic composition mainly shaped by altitude, temperature and soil nitrogen content. Details related to location and sites characteristics, diagnostic species, floristic composition, presence of other rare or threatened species and Arnica montana abundance were presented for all these plant communities.

Key words: vegetation, Arnica montana, floristic composition, ecology, habitats

THE USE-POTENTIAL OF QUERCUS ALIENA VAR. ACUTESERRATA FOR URBAN PLANTATIONS – BASED ON HABITAT STUDIES IN THE QINLING MOUNTAINS, CHINA
Henrik SJÖMAN*

*Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Science, Department of Landscape Management, Design and Construction, Box 66, 23053 Alnarp – Sweden

Abstract: Traditionally, a limited number of species and genera dominate the tree stock in streets and urban sites, and recent surveys in European and North American cities show that few species/genera continue to dominate. Yet, over the past decades, a growing proportion of those commonly used species have shown increasing difficulties to cope with urban sites. This has led to considerable and persistent arguments for using a more varied range of trees, including stress-tolerant species, at urban paved sites. This study examined forest systems occurring between 1300-2200 m asl. in the Qinling Mountains, China, in order to evaluate the oriental white oaks (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Maximowicz ex Wenzig) growth and development in warm and dry forest habitats and hence evaluate its potential for urban paved sites in northern parts of central Europe and in adjoining milder parts of northern Europe. In total, 102 oriental white oak where found in the studied plots and here showed very promising development in habitats experiencing drier conditions than those in park environments in Copenhagen, and is therefore interesting for urban paved sites were the demands of a greater catalogue of tolerant trees are highly needed.

Key words: Urban tree, Drought tolerance, Oriental white oak, Urban forestry

* Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University from Iasi, 20A Carol I, 700505, Iasi – Romania

Abstract: Plant functional traits and plant functional groups are increasingly used to assess the effect of the change in land use on plant species or plant communities, in nature conservation projects, to detect patterns in the expansion some invasive species or to asses the processes of succession or competition in plant communities. In this study, the main objective was to identify the main plant functional groups (based on plant traits) which co-exist in different plant communities of the dry grasslands (Festucetalia valesiacae) from North-Eastern Romania using the RLQ analysis (considering the plant traits, environment characteristics and vegetation). As RLQ analysis mainly revealed a soil moisture-soil nutrients gradient along the first axis, a transition from species with traits specific to more dry conditions and less available nutrients to moister and higher nutrients availability sites was observed (from perennial species with short flowering range and traits oriented to resources retention in storage organs to annual species with long flowering range and traits oriented to resource acquisition). Plant functional groups were identified using species scores along the first two RLQ axes via k-means clustering which generated six groups displayed along the above mentioned gradients. The floristic composition of the identified functional groups suggested that, in the context of Festucetalia valesiacae vegetation type from North-Eastern Romania, plant communities developed in areas with lower values for soil moisture and nutrients could possibly be richer in autochore and barochore geophyte and hemicryptophyte species with short flowering range and mixed reproduction type. As soil moisture and nutrients increase, in the floristic composition could possibly occur more anthropochore and zoochore therophyte species with long flowering range, mainly reproducing by seeds and, also, some taller endozoochore shrubs species.

Key words: xeric grasslands, functional approach, RLQ, North-Eastern Romania

* Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Jalan Agro, Yogyakarta – Indonesia
** P.O. Box 7, Miki-cho post office, Ikenobe 3011-2, Kagawa-ken, 761-0799 – Japan

Abstract: Bioprinting is a technical innovation that has revolutionized tissue engineering. Using conventional printer cartridges filled with cells as well as a suitable scaffold, major advances have been made in the biomedical field, and it is now possible to print skin, bones, blood vessels, and even organs. Unlike animal systems, the application of bioprinting in simple plant tissue cells is still in a nascent phase and has yet to be studied. One major advantage of plants is that all living parts are reprogrammable in the form of totipotent cells. Plant bioprinting may improve scientists’understanding of plant shape and morphogenesis, and could serve for the mass production of desired tissues or plants, or even the production of plant-based biomaterial for industrial uses. This perspectives paper explores these possibilities using knowledge on what is known about bioprinting in other biosystems.

Key words: biomaterial, bioprinting, plant biotechnology, micropropagation, tissue engineering