Pincheira-Ulbrich¹ J, JR Rau², F Peña-Cortés¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 121-128, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.121

Abstract The size and shape of 10 native forest patches were related to tree and shrub species richness in the pre coastal mountain range in Osorno province, southern Chile. Four regression models were adjusted (lineal, logarithm, exponential, and power regression) between patch size (area = x) and tree and shrub species richness (y). Patch shape was quantified through three indexes (Patton diversity index, compactness index and fractal dimension) which were correlated with the tree and shrub richness. Results allowed to conclude that (1) species richness tends to increase significantly with patch size; this relationship was explained by the four study models.… More >

García-Zambrano² EA, F Zavala-García², A Gutiérrez-Diez, MC Ojeda-Zacarías, I Cerda-Hurtado³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 117-120, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.117

Abstract The objective of this study was to apply the AFLP-type molecular marker technique to estimate genetic diversity in cactus pear within the Germplasm Bank of FAUANL. Twelve accessions have been reported as possible duplicates through type RAPD- molecular markers in such Bank. DNA was extracted using the cellular ruptor technique, and then digested and bound. A preamplification and subsequent selective amplification were conducted. Amplified fragments were then separated and analyzed. It was concluded that none of the accessions was duplicated. This was because 8 groups were formed in the dendogram obtained after applying the UPGMA method. There were 3 accessions… More >

Delhey R¹, M Kiehr¹, MI Allievi¹, J Lusto², S Frayssinet¹, B Sidoti Hartmann³, I Kröger¹, PJ Paoloni⁴, D Zappacosta¹, A Servera³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 111-115, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.111

Abstract A report is given on plant hosts, distribution, damage and importance of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the southern Pampas region and northern Patagonia (Argentina). Spontaneous infections were recorded on 25 plant species, including oil crops, vegetables, and ornamental and invasive plants. Carduus thoermeri, Xanthium cavanillesii, Marrubium vulgare and Ranunculus repens are new hosts of S. sclerotiorum. The records on Helianthus tuberosus, Diplotaxis tenuifolia and Cucurbita pepo are new to Argentina. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes important damage on Helianthus annuus, Glycine max, Apium graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare and Lactuca sativa. S. sclerotiorum is also reported on Daucus carota, Petroselinum crispum, Brassica oleracea, B. rapa… More >

Mojica-Marín^1* V, HA Luna-Olvera², CF Sandoval-Coronado², B Pereyra-Alférez², LH Morales-Ramos², NA González-Aguilar², CE Hernández-Luna², OG Alvarado-Gomez³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 105-110, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.105

Abstract Wide spreading of pepper blight on new plantations and on different production areas in Mexico, and the difficulty in controlling this disease, makes it compulsory to develop new control measures. It is expected that these measures provide new tools for controlling this disease in the context of integrated management strategies. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate and determine the antagonistic potential of 64 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis against Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora capsici and Fusarium oxysporum by dual culture assays. Strains of B. thuringiensis came from the International Collection of Entomopatogenic Bacillus from FCBUANL. Results showed that 16 strains… More >

Rui Yu-kui, Zhang Fu-suo, Shen Jian-bo

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 101-104, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.101

Abstract Nitrogen fertilization has played a significant role in increasing crop yield, and solving problems of hunger and malnutrition worldwide. However, excessive nitrogen inputs do not significantly increase crop yields but may lead to many serious environmental problems. The effects of nitrogen fertilization rate were studied on heavy metal content of corn grains. Our results show that nitrogen fertilization management is beneficial for reducing production costs, protecting the environment, and improving the quality of farm products. More >

Rubí Arriaga¹ M, A González Huerta², AM Castillo González³, V Olalde Portugal⁴, BG Reyes⁵, LI Aguilera Gómez⁶

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 91-100, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.091

Abstract Among commercial plants utilized in floriculture in Mexico State, Lilium species have a great production volume, with problems associated with high use of chemical fertilizers, soil salinity and water pollution. Sustainable strategies are required to minimize impacts on the ecosystem without diminishing quality products. Main effects and the interactions of phosphorous, Glomus fasciculatum and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Twelve treatments arranged in a 2x3x2 factorial with 10 replications by treatment were studied. Results showed that G. fasciculatum combined with 22 μg/ml P and B. subtilis had a positive correlation with root colonization, root dry weight, stem diameter,… More >

Gonzalez-Franco AC¹, L Robles-Hernandez¹, A Nuñez-Barrios¹, JL Strap², DL Crawford³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 83-90, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.083

Abstract In order to understand the temporal dynamics of actinomycete communities of the rhizosphere of the desert plant Artemisia tridentata (sagebrush), two complementary methods were used. They were: (1) 16S rDNA-based PCR coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and (2) an agar plate enumeration methodology in which three different media were used to quantify total bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. The objective of this research were: (1) to obtain a comprehensive picture of the structure of actinomycete populations, and (2) their dynamics in the rhizosphere of young and old sagebrush plants during two distinct seasons. PCR-DGGE analysis showed that actinomycete groups… More >

Orroño DI, RS Lavado^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 75-82, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.075

Abstract Ornamental plants have been proposed for growing in heavy metal (HM) contaminated soils, and also for phytoremediation. We evaluated (1) biomass production and (2) HM accumulation in Pelargonium hortorum. Plants were grown for 16 weeks on HM (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc) enriched soils. Treatments were i) control, non-enriched soil, ii) medium concentration treatment, and iii) high concentration treatment. Four destructive harvests were carried out, and roots, stems, leaves, and flowers were analyzed each time. Concentrations of HM were determined using ICP. Significant reductions in biomass production were observed in HM-enriched soils compared with the control. Different indexes… More >

Montenegro G^1,*, M Gómez¹, G Casaubon², A Belancic², AM Mujica¹, RC Peña¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 61-65, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.067

Abstract Three unifloral honeys were identified by the pronounced presence of specific compounds by means of sensorial analysis and SPME-GC-MS. Smoky and resinous (‘propolis’) odors characterized unifloral “quillay” (Quillaja saponaria) honey. “Corontillo” (Escallonia pulverulenta) honey was characterized by caramel and vanillin aromas, and “ulmo” (Eucryphia cordifolia) honey by having an anise scent with a floral jasmine note. Safranal was a useful marker for “corontillo” honey. Isophorone and cetoisophorone were the distinctive compounds of unifloral “ulmo” honey. In “quillay” honeys, megastigmatrienone, 2-p-hydroxyphenylalcohol and minor quantities of β-pinene and linalool oxide were correlated with their sensory properties such as resinous. More >

Bhat¹ RB, G Moskovitz²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.78, pp. 67-73, 2009, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2009.78.061

Abstract An investigation of herbal medicinal teas from Western Cape, South Africa was conducted to assess the varieties of herbal teas used to treat various ailments. Each packet of medicinal tea is a blend of carefully selected four or more herbs which are commonly grown in the organic garden in an ancient valley near the southernmost tip of South Africa and some indigenous herbs picked up in the nearby mountains. The teas are specific for the diseased organ/s and also include the herbs to support and strengthen the systems serving the ailing organ/s. The study shows that there are about twenty-one… More >