Content of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were investigated in the leaves of three sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) cultivars: 'Otradnaja', 'Gibrid Pertjika' and 'Ljubitelskaja', at different dates. In addition, major phenolic compounds (catechin, kaempferol, quercetin, epigallocatechin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, rutin, gallic acid, procyanidin monomer glycoside, procyanidin dimer aglycone and hydrolyzable tannins I-III) were determined in 'Ljubitelskaja'. Antioxidant capacity and the content of total phenolic compounds fluctuated during April, May and June, and then increased until the end of July, when the highest values were observed. Total phenolic compounds were strongly correlated with FRAP. Levels were generally higher in 'Ljubitelskaja' than in 'Otradnaja' and 'Gibrid Pertjika'. In 'Ljubitelskaja', hydrolyzable tannins I-III occurred in higher amounts than did any of the other studied phenolic compounds. The developmental stage of the leaves (harvesting date) had a strong influence on content of phenolic compounds and should be carefully considered when harvesting sea buckthorn leaves for different purposes.
Medicinal plant cultivation in Controlled Environment (CE) is increasing in the context of the new findings concerning the abiotic stress factors manipulation that leads to a significant increment in bioactive substances. Pathogen control is a vital part of the cultivation system, therefore the study was focused on biological methods of controlling a frequently occurring disease, by inoculating the sterile substrates specific in hydroponics, with the beneficial organism. Hypericum perforatum seedlings were inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum and with Trichoderma spp. The results showed that the method of inoculation had a significant effect on the success of the biological control. The plants treated with Trichoderma spp. had a two-fold increase in foliar biomass and better development of roots than the plants inoculated with the pathogen. Morphologically there were no significant differences, with some notable exceptions. The health status of the seedlings inoculated with the pathogen showed signs of the disease, even in the presence of Trichoderma spp. Finally, determinations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) at the root level showed that the biotic stress was considerable higher in the rockwool substrate that increased the secondary metabolism giving new perspectives in the cultivation of medicinal plants in CEA.
Strawberry cultivars in current commercial use have a very narrow genetic base and reduced morphological and genetic diversity that puts them at risk from disease and climate change. Germplasm collections hold examples of the agricultural biodiversity of small berries where they are conserved, characterized and made available to breeders to improve productivity. Phenological evaluations of existing strawberry cultivars provide information for use by breeders in developing cultivars with improved qualities and more diverse genetic background. Leaves, flowers and fruits are the most important morphological descriptors for identification of strawberry cultivars. A comprehensive catalogue of descriptors drawn up by UPOV and IPGRI served as the basis for evaluation of 108 cultivars in a field trial. Each plot consisted of 21 one-year-old plants per genotype and plants were evaluated once with a range of descriptors; 10 of plant and leaf morphology, 7 of the flower and 25 of the fruit. On the basis of this comprehensive evaluation and data analysis, eighteen primary descriptors (plant, leaf, flower and fruit characteristics) independent of cultivation effects were selected for a large screening. Further descriptors for yield, inner fruit quality and disease resistance should be used as secondary descriptors as they are more environmentally influenced. These descriptors were proposed as appropriate primary and secondary descriptors for the European GENBERRY project of the cultivated strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.).
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