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Research on the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the synthesis of essential oils (EOs) by aromatic plants has seldom been conducted in field-relevant conditions, and then, only limited spectra of EO constituents have been analyzed. The effect was investigated of inoculation with AMF on the synthesis of a wide range of EO in two aromatic species, coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and dill (Anethum graveolens), in a garden experiment under outdoor conditions. Plants were grown in 4-l pots filled with soil, which was either γ-irradiated (eliminating native AMF) or left non-sterile (containing native AMF), and inoculated or not with an isolate of Rhizophagus irregularis. AMF inoculation significantly stimulated EO synthesis in both plant species. EO synthesis (total EO and several individual constituents) was increased in dill in all mycorrhizal treatments (containing native and/or inoculated AMF) compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. In contrast, EO concentrations in coriander (total EO and most constituents) were increased only in the treatment combining both inoculated and native AMF. A clear positive effect of AMF on EO synthesis was found for both aromatic plants, which was, however, specific for each plant species and modified by the pool of AMF present in the soil.

Variability in the essential oil content and composition of 26 Iranian landraces of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), cultivated in a common environment, were studied in the present study. Production of essential oil was considerably differed (0.4 % to 1.6 % of the fruits dry weights) among the local landraces in question with a mean value of 0.84 %. Out of thirty-three identified components representing about 94.2 % to 99.8 % of the all oil samples, linalool was the prevalent constituent with the highest (89.8 %) and lowest (69.7 %) amounts in the oils from Khorram Abad and Zarand landraces, respectively. α-Terpinene (0.1–13.2 %), α-pinene (0.0–7.8 %), neryl acetate (1.3–9.1 %) and (2E)-dodecanal (0.0–10.6 %) constituted other major components of essential oils. Interrelations studies among the main constituents of essential oils and oil content of fruits by calculation of Pearson correlation coefficients revealed significant negative correlations of linalool with p-cymene (r=-0.503), λ-terpinene (r=-0.554) and (2E)-dodecanal (r=-0.435) and p-cymene with neryl acetate (r=-0.467). In contrast, α-pinene positively correlated with p-cymene (r=0.566) and λ-terpinene (r=0.406) and there were no significant correlations between the oil content of fruits and important essential oils components. Because variation observed in the chemical composition of studied landraces can mainly attributed to their genetic background, selection of landraces with special aroma and/or activities is possible and they could be further exploited for use in relevant industries or as starting material for use in the breeding programs of this plant.

در این تحقیق اثر ضد میکروبی اسانس حاصل از بذر های شوید و گشنیز برروی سه م یکرو ارگانیسم بیماری زای غذایی یعنی و سالمونلا تیفی موریو م( 14028 (ATCC 35218) O157:H اشرشیاکلی ( 7 ، ( PTCC استافیلوکوکوس اورئو س( 1431 این اسانس ها نیز تعیین گردید. (MBC) و کمترین غلظت کشنده (MIC) بررسی شد و میزان ک مترین غلظت بازدارنده (ATCC 125،500،1000،2000،4000,250 انتخاب گردید . جهت کشت ppm برای این منظور 6 سطح غلظت از هر اسانس شامل میکروبی از آزمایش حساسیت رقت در محیط مایع و محیط های کشت مولر هینتون آگار و براث استفاده شد. نتایج نشان داد که مقاوم ترین باکتری به هر دو اسانس بودند. اسانس Salmonella.typhimurium حساسترین و Staphylococcus.aureus و MIC بذر گشنیز نسبت به اسانس بذر شوید بازدارندگی بیشتری بر باکتری های گرم منفی داشت . اسانس بذر گشنیز دارای 500 و کمترین غلظت ppm معادل (MIC) 1000 و اسانس بذر شوید دارای کمترین غلظت بازدارنده ppm برابر با MBC بود . در مورد سالمونلا اسانس ه ا در Staphylococcus.aureus 1000 در مقابل باکتری ppm برابر با (MBC) باکتری کش ی هیچ یک از غلطت ها اثر بازدارندگی نشان ندارند. اسانس بذر شوید، اسانس بذر گشنیز ،MBC ، MIC ، کلمات کلیدی: آزمایش حساسیت رقت در محیط مایع 1

The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of vermicompost and nitrogen fixing bacteria on the quantity and quality of essential oil in dill essential oil content in seed, essential oil yield and carvone content, limonene content and dillapiole content in essential oil. The experiment was carried out at the Hamand Research Station of Damavand in 2011. Vermicompost (0, 4, 8 and 12 ton/ha) and nitrogen fixing bacteria, mixture of Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum (non-inoculated, inoculated seeds and inoculated seeds + spray on the plant base at stem elongation stage) were used as the effecting parameters. The present results have shown that the highest essential oil content in seed and carvone content in essential oil and the minimum dillapiole content in essential oil were obtained after applying 4 ton/ha vermicompost. The maximum essential oil yield was obtained after applying 8 ton/ha vermicompost. Nitrogen fixing bacteria also showed significant effects on essential oil content, essential oil yield and carvone content in essential oil. The maximum essential oil content and carvone content were obtained by using the nitrogen fixing bacteria once. The highest essential oil yield was obtained by using the nitrogen fixing bacteria twice. Key words: Dill, vermicompost, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, essential oil.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an important medicinal plant that contained a wide range of secondary metabolites such as rosmarinic acid. In this study, essential oil content and composition and rosmarinc acid were determined at three phenological stages (before flowering, full flowering and fruit set stages). Hydro distillation method was used for essential oil extraction and GC and GC/MS was used for essential oil composition. On the basis of the obtained results rosemary plants in full flowering stage had higher amount of essential oil (1.99 ml/100 g dry weight) than in before flowering and fruit set stages (1.2 and 1.01 ml/100 per g dry weight, respectively). The extracted essential oil was contained 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, verbenone, camphor, geraniol, borneol acetae, camphene and linalool as major constituents. These constituents were affected by phenological stages. Before flowering, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene and verbenone (13.68%), in full flowering, 1,8-cineole (17.90%) and in fruit set α-pinene (21.77%) were the main constituents of the reosemary essential oil. Using HPLC analysis on leaf extract showed that the highest amount of rosmarinic acid (25.92mg/g DW) was observed in the fruit set stage. In conclusion, for essential oil content full flowering stage can be recommended for harvesting of Rosmarinus officinalis L. and for rosmarinic acid, fruit set stage can be the best time for harvesting of this medicinal plant.

The interactions of phytochrome A (phyA), phytochrome B1 (phyB1) and phytochrome B2 (phyB2) in light-dependent shoot regeneration from the hypocotyl of tomato was analysed using all eight possible homozygous allelic combinations of the null mutants. The donor plants were pre-grown either in the dark or under red or far-red light for 8 days after sowing; thereafter hypocotyl segments (apical, middle and basal portions) were transferred onto hormone-free medium for culture under different light qualities. Etiolated apical segments cultured in vitro under white light showed a very high frequency of regeneration for all of the genotypes tested besides phyB1phyB2, phyAphyB1 and phyAphyB1phyB2 mutants. Evidence is provided of a specific interference of phyB2 with phyA-mediated HIR to far-red and blue light in etiolated explants. Pre-treatment of donor plants by growth under red light enhanced the competence of phyB1phyB2, phyAphyB1 and phyAphyB1phyB2 mutants for shoot regeneration, whereas pre-irradiation with far-red light enhanced the frequency of regeneration only in the phyAphyB1 mutant. Multiple phytochromes are involved in red light- and far-red light-dependent acquisition of competence for shoot regeneration. The position of the segments along the hypocotyl influenced the role of the various phytochromes and the interactions between them. The culture of competent hypocotyl segments under red, far-red or blue light reduced the frequency of explants forming shoots compared to those cultured under white light, with different genotypes having different response patterns.

This study aimed to explore the effects of various intensities of far-red light on the growth performance, endogenous hormones, antioxidant indices, and overall quality of hydroponically cultivated lettuce. As the control treatment, a white LED emitting light at an intensity of 200 µmol/(m2·s) was utilized (referred to as CK with an R/FR ratio of 5.5), while two experimental treatments, FT1 (R/FR = 1.2) and FT2 (R/FR = 0.8), were established by adding different intensities of far-red light to the CK treatment. The results demonstrated that the application of far-red light, particularly in FT1, led to a significant increase in plant height, leaf area, and lettuce biomass, while simultaneously resulting in a notable reduction in leaf thickness. The content of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) in response to far-red light treatments exhibited an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease, with FT2 experiencing a significant decline. The gibberellin (GA3) content in FT2 reached its peak on the 35th day, showing a substantial increase of 60.09% compared to CK. Far-red treatments were found to enhance peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities, while significantly reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In comparison to CK, FT1 exhibited a remarkable 134.33% increase in anthocyanin content. Both FT1 and FT2 significantly boosted vitamin C levels while reducing nitrite content. Additionally, the application of far-red light treatment significantly increased the alcohol and ester content in lettuce leaves. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for enhancing the quality and flavor of lettuce using different far-red light treatments.Graphical

BACKGROUND: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of red light on inhibition of flowering and vegetative growth of perilla (Perilla Frutescens. L). METHODS AND RESULTS: To determine red light intensity for inhibiting floral induction of perilla 6h light plus daylength extension (17:00-23:00) with three different intensity of red lights 0.046, 0.114 and were treated respectively, and control plants were grown under 11(06:00-17:00)/13(17:00-06:00)h light/dark environment. Red(660nm) and far-red(730nm) light were irradiated for night break treatment subsequently to investigate photoreversible flowering response of perilla 'Manchu'. The flowering was inhibited by night break with red light, but sequential far-red light induced floral induction of perilla. Perilla not flowered by red light intensity over . Red light of was irradiated for 6 hours (20:00-02:00) with LEDs device in plastic house. Perilla not flowered and continued the vegetative growth by red light treatment and the plant length, number of leaves, fresh weight, and leaf area of perilla were increased by 3%, 7%, 21%, and 19%, respectively, compared to incandescent control. CONCLUSION: These results showed that red(660nm) light for daylength extension could be used to control flowering and to enhance production of perilla leaf.

For stable year-round seedling production of Solanum lycopersicum, this study was conducted to select the appropriate light source and light intensity in a vertical farm.The seedlings were cultivated with a 14-hour light period at an air temperature of 25/20.The effects of four light-emitting diodes (LEDs)-cool white LED and warm white LED, both with and without far-red LED light-were tested at a photosynthetic photon flux density of 350 molm -2 s -1 .Growth characteristics, such as plant height and fresh weight, showed no significant differences between the cool white LED and the warm white LED.However, the addition of far-red light significantly increased plant height, internode length, stem diameter, leaf area, and fresh weight while decreasing SPAD values.Seedling qualities such as compactness improved with cool white LED without far-red light.In a second experiment, the red/far-red ratio was adjusted between 1.4 and 15.2 using cool white LED.As the ratio of far-red light increased, overall growth improved, but compactness was higher at red/far-red ratios of 2.5 and 3.6.Under various light intensities at a red/far-red ratio of 2.5, a light intensity of 300 molm -2 s -1 or higher showed higher compactness.Therefore, for tomato seedling production in a vertical farm using artificial light, cool white LED with far-red light at an R/FR ratio of 2.5 to 3.6 and a light intensity of 300 molm -2 s -1 was found to be effective.

Floral organs are identified as the major source of essential oil production in some prime aromatic plants. The quality and quantity of the essential oil are also influenced by the floral developmental stages. The present study was undertaken in A. pallens Bess (davana) with respect to its floral biology and floral sequence in relation to the essential oil yield and its chemical constituents for industrial extraction. The findings revealed that floral (inflorescence) biomass is the primary source of essential oil yield in davana, with the highest oil yield (0.90 ml/100 g) recovered during the blooming stage, followed by herbage (stems and leaves) biomass. Furthermore, cis-davanone, the major chemical constituent of davana essential oil, was recorded at a higher percentage in the bud stage (66.36±0.60%) followed by the blooming stage (60.56±0.20%) and the seed setting stage (40.54±0.80%). These findings can be used to optimize harvest timing in order to obtain higher quality and quantity of davana essential oil.

SummaryPhotoselective plastic films with low transmission to far-red (FR) light (700–800 nm) are now available so that plants grown in greenhouses clad with such plastics exhibit reduced stem extension and, consequently, plant height. Here we compare the action of three FR-absorbing polythene films on extension growth of Petunia (Petunia hybrida) cv. ‘Express Blue’ and Impatiens walleriana cv. ‘Accent Deep Pink’ with plants grown under a control polythene film (standard UVI/EVA film). Half of the plants under the control film were treated with a chemical plant growth regulator (PGR; diaminozide, B-Nine) and half were sprayed with water alone. Possible negative effects of such film plastics on flowering, and on fresh and dry weight accumulation, were also quantified. Plants were harvested destructively when all plants in each treatment had reached the first open flower stage. In Petunia, plant height was reduced by all three FR-filtering films and by PGR-treatment. The FR-filtering films giving the highest R:FR ratios also reduced plant height in Impatiens. Leaf number, leaf area and total dry weight in both species were greatest in the controls and smallest under films with the lowest PAR transmission. The film giving the highest R:FR ratio and PAR transmission also produced the most compact Petunia plants; while the film with the lowest PAR transmission produced the least compact plants in both species. There was no significant effect of treatments on time to first flower in Impatiens. However, Petunia plants under low PAR transmission films took longer to flower. Plastic films which filter out FR light to increase the R:FR ratio, combined with high PAR transmission, can therefore be used as an alternative to conventional PGRs.

Seedlings may be grown indoors where environmental conditions can be precisely controlled to ensure consistent and reliable production. The optimal spectrum for production under sole-source lighting is currently unknown. Far-red light (λ = 700–800 nm) typically is not a significant part of the spectrum of light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights. However, far-red light is photosynthetically active and can enhance leaf elongation, which may result in larger leaves and increased light interception. We hypothesized that adding far-red light to sole-source lighting would increase the growth of ‘Dalmatian Peach’ foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ) seedlings grown under white LED lights, potentially shortening production times. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of far-red light intensities, ranging from 4.0 to 68.8 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 , on the growth and morphology of foxglove seedlings. Foxglove seedlings were grown in a growth chamber with a photosynthetic photon flux density ( PPFD ) of 186 ± 6.4 μmol·m −2 ·s −1 and supplemental far-red light intensities ranging from 4.0 to 68.8 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 . As far-red light increased, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, plant height, and plant height/number of leaves increased by 38% ( P = 0.004), 20% ( P = 0.029), 38% ( P = 0.025), and 34% ( P = 0.024), respectively, while root weight fraction decreased 16% ( P = 0.034). Although we expected supplemental far-red light to induce leaf and/or stem expansion, specific leaf area and compactness (two measures of morphology) were unaffected. Because a 37% increase in total photon flux density ( PPFD plus far-red light) resulted in a 34.5% increase in total plant dry weight, the increased growth likely was due to increased photosynthesis rather than a shade-acclimation response. The growth response was linear across the 4.0 to 68.8 µmol·m −2 ·s −1 range of far-fed light tested, so we were unable to determine a saturating far-red photon flux density.

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a produção de biomassa, o teor e os componentes do óleo essencial de Aloysia triphylla, em função de diferentes espaçamentos de plantas e épocas de colheita. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná - Campus Dois Vizinhos, no período de março de 2010 a janeiro de 2012. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, em esquema fatorial (3 x 11), parcelas subdivididas, sendo alocados na parcela três espaçamentos de plantio (1,0 x 1,0 m, 1,0 x 0,80 m, 1,0 x 0,60 m, entre linhas e entre plantas, respectivamente) e, nas subparcelas, 11 épocas de colheita (outubro/2010, novembro/2010, dezembro/2010, janeiro/2011, fevereiro/2011, março/2011, abril/2011, maio/2011, junho/2011, agosto/2011, setembro/2011). As características analisadas foram: altura de plantas, área foliar, biomassas fresca e seca, teor e composição química do óleo essencial. O óleo essencial foi extraído pela técnica de hidrodestilação, utilizando-se o aparelho de Clevenger, e analisado em cromatografia gasosa e espectrofotometria de massa (CG/EM). O espaçamento 1,0 x 1,0 m resultou em maior altura de plantas (1,57 m), área foliar (4.460,3 cm²), biomassas fresca (1.266 g por planta) e seca (594 g por planta) e teor de óleo essencial (0,30%). A colheita realizada no mês de fevereiro resultou em maior teor de óleo essencial (0,45%). Os componentes químicos do óleo essencial variam com espaçamentos e épocas de colheita, sendo o maior teor de citral no espaçamento 1,0 x 1,0 m e nos meses de setembro a abril.

Phytochrome Mediates a Reduction of the Surface Charge of Mesotaenium Cells

This study was conducted to investigate effects of LED light quality on the growth and photomorphogenesis of basil (cv. ‘Amethyst Improved’) in a closed-type plant factory. Basil was sown on a urethane sponge and grown for two weeks under a White-LED. When the first main leaf appeared, the plants were transplanted into a nutrient solution hydroponic system (24 ± 2 °C, RH 55±10%) and using a standard nutrient solution for leafy vegetables (N 17.3, P 4.0, K 8.0, Ca 8.0, Mg 4.0, S 4.0 me·L-1). To compare growth and internal traits of basil under various light qualities, QD-LED (combining blue, red, and far-red light), Blue+Red-LED (blue and red wavelengths at a ratio of 1:3), White-LED, 100% Blue-LED, and 100% Red-LED were used to cultivate basil for 35 days. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was 200 ± 10 μmol·m-2·s-1 and the light was provided for 16/8 hours (Light/Dark). The plant height was significantly the longest at 26.1 cm in QD-LED, and the number of leaves was the highest at 16.00 ea in QD-LED, but not significant. The leaf length was the longest at 10.9 cm in QD-LED and the shortest at 8.10 cm in White-LED. The leaf width was up to 26% wider in Blue+Red-LED, but there was no statistical significance. The leaf thickness was the thickest at 0.33 mm for Blue+Red-LED and Red-LED, which have a high proportion of red light, and the thinnest at 0.26 mm for Blue-LED. In the case of the curvature index (CI), which indicates the morphological characteristics of basil leaves, the values were highest for Blue+Red-LED and Red-LED. The internode length and leaf stalk length were significantly the longest at 5.73 cm and 3.04 cm, respectively, for QD-LED, and the stem diameter at 5.26 mm for QD-LED. The shoot fresh weight was 26.0 g in QD-LED, which was significantly higher than the other treatment groups by up to four times, but the root fresh weight was the highest at 5.99 g in Blue+Red-LED. On the other hand, the shoot and root dry matter ratio were the highest at about 9% and 5%, respectively, in White-LED. The maximum quantum yield (FvFm) did not differ significantly between the treatment groups, but the value was significantly lowest at 0.79 for Red-LED. The chlorophyll content (SPAD), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and anthocyanin reflectance index (ARI1) values were up to 27% higher in Blue+Red-LED than in other treatment. Also, the DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenol content were the highest in Red-LED at 74% and 9.47 mgGAE·g-1FW, respectively. As a result, basil (cv. ‘Amethyst Improved’) grew best in QD-LED, and its antioxidant effect was the best in Red-LED. In addition, it was confirmed that the curvature and morphological characteristics of basil leaves changed depending on the ratio of red light at 600-700 nm.