Showing papers in "Acta Biologica Cracoviensia Series Botanica in 2002"

Genetic relatedness among basil (Ocimum spp.) accessions using RAPD markers

Abstract: Genetic relatedness among basil accessions including six species of Ocimum (O. basilicum L., O. americanum L., O. x citriodorum L., O. minimum L., O. gratissiumum L., O. tenuiflorum L.) and six botanical varieties or cultivars of O. basilicum L. [var. basilicum L. cv. Genovese, var. basilicum L. cv. Sweet Basil, var. difforme Benth., var. purpurascens Benth., cv. Dark Opal, and var. thyrsiflorum (L.) Benth.] were analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Five primers were used for amplification. They yielded a total of 102 easily scorable polymorphic markers. Jaccard indices were calculated and phylogenetic relationships were determined by neighbor-joining cluster analysis. Different Ocimum species were clearly divided into separate clusters with the exception of O. minimum accessions, which clustered together with O. basilicum accessions. In addition to morphological, chemical and crossability data, RAPD analysis can be a useful tool for resolving existing problems in identification and classification of basils.

Effect of BAP, TDZ and CPPU on multiple shoot formation in pea [Pisum sativum L.] in culture in vitro

Abstract: Shoot regeneration in five pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars (Atlas, Avola, Karina, Mali provansalac and Tristar) was achieved by direct culture of mature seeds on MSB5 medium supplemented with either N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), N-phenyl-N'(-1, 2, 3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea(thidiazuron, TDZ) or N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'phenylurea(forchlorfenuron, CPPU). Multiple shoots formed de novo without an intermediary callus phase at the cotyledonary notch, in the axillary meristem regions of the seedlings, and in the hypocotyl subepidermal tissues within two to three weeks of culture initiation. Bud formation began after 5 to 7 days of treatment and the number of buds increased with the duration of culture and increasing concentration of growth regulators. Transient exposure to plant growth regulators (24-28 h) was sufficient to induce bud formation. CPPU was the most effective and BAP the least effective for the induction of regeneration. Separated shoots (1-2 cm) were rooted (60%) on MSB5 medium supplemented with 1.1 uM indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 2.0 uM alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and developed into flowering plants.

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of extracts and quercetagetin derivate isolated from Centaurea rupestris L. (Asteraceae)

Abstract: The antibacterial and antifungal activity of Centaurea rupestris L. ethanolic and etheric leaf and inflorescence extracts and of quercetagetin 3'-methyl ether 7-O-beta-D glucopyranoside isolated from inflorescences was investigated. Inflorescence extract in 45% ethanol showed significant antifungal activity against the dermatophytes Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporium gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (fungicidal zones between 18 and 23 mm, minimum fungicidal concentration 5-7%). The same extract showed weak bactericidal acitvity against Bacillus anthracis (bactericidal zone 9 mm, minimun bactericidal concentration 90%). In contrast, leaf extract in 90% ethanol possessed significant bactericidal activity against streptococcus faecalis (bactericidal zone 23 mm, minimum bactericidal concentration 9%). The antimicrobial spectrum of quercetagetin was broad but weak for G- bacteria and moderate for dermatophytes. Namely, it showed antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella java and Serratia sp. (bactericidal zones 10 mm, minimum bactericidal concentration 5-6 mg/ml). The fungicidal zones created by quercetagetin against the dermatophytes Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagraphytes and Microsporum gypseum ranged from 14 to 18 mm (minimun fungicidal concentrations 3 mg/ml).

In vitro propagation of Dianthus gigantheus ssp. croaticus

Abstract: Micropropagation of Dianthus gigantheus D'Urv. ssp. croaticus (Borbas) Tutin, a Croatian neoendemic plant species was investigated. Shoots from aseptically germinated seeds were used for culture initiation. The highest multiplication rate (3.3 shoots per explant) was achieved on basal MS medium containing 2, 9 uM gibberellic acid and 0, 5 uM 6-benzylaminopurine. The rooting percentage was high on all media tested (basal MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of indole-3-3acetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid and l-naphthalene acetic acid or without them), with slight suppression on media containing higher concentrations of l-naphthalene acetic acid. Plantlets were successfully acclimatized to outdoor conditions.

Cytoplasmic reserves in generative and vegetative cells of Hermodactylus tuberosus Mill.: Cytochemistry, ESI and EELS analyses

Abstract: This study uses cytochemical tests, electron spectroscopic imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy techniques to identify and localize the reserves inside the generative cell of Hermodactylus tuberosus pollen. Cytochemical probes applied to sections observed by light and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the generative cell contains large osmiophilic bodies probably made of phytic acid rich in P and Ca. The significance of the rich granulations in generative cells of Hermodactylus pollen is discussed in relation to floral biology and environmental conditions. In comparison, the vegetative cytoplasm contains (a) lipid droplets formed by unsaturated lipids and related to vacuoles, (b) lipid bodies with larger dimensions, irregular in shape and very rich in Ca, (c) bodies stained in polysaccharide tests as well as lipid probes tentatively identified as glycolipid granulations, and (d) small granules very rich in P and Ca interpreted as phytin granules.