Han DY^1,2, YF Yang²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 113-122, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.113

Abstract Rapid and precise assessment of biodiversity is a central issue in conservation biology and biodiversity science. Higher taxonomic units and life form-based morphospecies were utilised to assess plant diversity patterns at the habitat scale in temperate meadow steppe, Songnen Plain, China. Patch area, taxonomic composition (families and genera) and life form (based on Raunkiaer’s life forms, and stem and root growth forms) were recorded in five communities. Taxonomic unit-based hierarchical diversity indices (HDI) and life form-based hierarchical diversity indices (HLDI) were calculated. Twenty-six families, 67 genera, and 87 species were recorded in the five communities.… More >

Espinoza-Sánchez EA¹, YA Sánchez-Peña², JA Torres-Castillo³, EA García-Zambrano², JE Treviño Ramírez², F Zavala-García², SR Sinagawa-García²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 105-112, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.105

Abstract In this study, we established an in vitro regeneration system from immature embryos of four varieties of Sweet Sorghum with biotechnological potential. A total of 17 treatments were assesses in the induction of somatic embryogenic calli. We analyzed the effect of Murashige y Skoog media supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulators such as auxins and cytokinins. The callus induction response was evaluated using three immature embryos development stages and based on the number of embryos with callus induction. Different responses were observed in the embryos depending of the embryo age, culture condition, media… More >

Jimarez-Montiel MJ¹, A Robledo-Paz¹, VM Ordaz-Chaparro², LI Trejo-Tellez², JC Molina-Moreno¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 94-104, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.094

Abstract An alternative method for improving the production of habanero chili is the tissue culture technique; however, the gelling agent, the high salt and sucrose concentrations used in the culture media raise production costs and limit the adaptation of the regenerated plants to greenhouse or field conditions. In this study, the effect of the substrates perlite-coconut fiber, coconut fiber-volcanic rock, vermiculite-perlite, and perlite-volcanic rock in conjunction with various culture media in in vitro plant regeneration from embryos was evaluated. The differentiation of adventitious shoots on substrates was scarcely observed or non-existent. Inducing the formation of shoots on… More >

García-Zambrano EA¹, MC Ojeda-Zacarías¹, JG Gutiérrez-Soto¹, SR Sinagawa-García¹, A Gutiérrez-Díez¹, J Martínez-de la Cerda¹, JA Pedroza-Flores¹, C Gallegos-Vázquez², JI García-Zambrano³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 87-93, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.087

Abstract The technologies based on molecular markers of DNA are the most advanced and possibly the most effective and accurate means to identify genetic variation. The objective of this study was to use molecular genetic markers namely AFLP as a tool for the molecular differentiation of 36 accessions of xoconostle collected in the Centro Regional Universitario Centro Norte of the Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo (CRUCEN-UACh.). DNA extraction was performed by the method of cellular ruptor using FastDNA^® Kit, and quantification of purity and yield of DNA was carried out through the Nanodrop 2000. It was observed that… More >

Rodrigues Costa A^1,2, PS Pereira³, MK Alves de Sousa^1,2, FC Rodrigues⁵, VR Duarte Mendes¹, KR Rodrigues Lima¹, L Marivando Barros^1,4, CM Rocha Sousa¹, MS Alcântara¹, AB Leite Cavalcante⁴, R Cruz Macedo⁵, JP Kamdem³, AE Duarte^1,2

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 79-86, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.079

Abstract The species Rhaphiodon echinus, known as betonica or creeping mint, is considered an infesting plant species, typical of the caatinga biome. Morphoanatomy is a very important tool to study the structure of plants, both its external and internal morphology, opening the knowledge about the production of secondary metabolites. These compounds are of great importance for scientific research, which may present themselves as the best antioxidants. Taking into account a lack of data in the literature on the essential oil of R. echinus, this study aimed to demonstrate its antioxidant activity and toxicity. In order to test this… More >

Villa-Hernández JM¹, B García-Ocón², E del C Sierra-Palacios², C Pelayo-Zaldivar³, F Díaz de León-Sánchez¹, LJ Pérez-Flores¹, JA Mendoza-Espinoza²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 72-78, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.072

Abstract Mexico bears witness to a long-standing tradition in the use of plants for medicinal purposes; nevertheless, standardized methodological approaches for the proper identification of these are still needed. The problem is especially noticeable during the validation of ingredients in herbal preparations, as so many of them are sold as powders. It is for these reasons that the present study aims to compare the results of classic taxonomical assessments with those obtained using more modern molecular techniques (e.g. PCR-amplified 18S ribosomal RNA gene analysis) in one ethnobotanical case-study carried out in the “Desierto de los Leones” National… More >

Chel-Guerrero LD¹, R Gómez-Cansino², SL Gúzman-Gutierrez³, MG Campos-Lara⁴, E Saury-Duch¹, F Díaz de León Sánchez⁵, R Reyes-Chilpa⁶, JA Mendoza-Espinoza⁷

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 68-71, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.068

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate extracts from the peels of Annona squamosa L. (purple sugar apple), Annona reticulata L. (custard apple), Chrysophyllum cainito L. (green star apple), and Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq. (mamoncillo), as potential sources of anti-HIV-1 agents. Methanolic extracts from the peels of the aforementioned tropical fruits were obtained by maceration. Antiviral activity was evaluated through HIV-1 RT inhibition by extracts, using a non-radioactive immuno/colorimetric assay (Lenti RT Activity Assay, Cavidi Tech). Assay was performed according to the protocol provided by the manufacturer. Extracts from the peels of A. squamosa, A. reticulata, and C. cainito showed high More >

Gálvez Muñoz YA¹, E Martínez Moreno², S Ramírez Vera², L Latournerie Moreno³, JM Lesher Gordillo¹, G Castañón Nájera^1*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 60-67, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.060

Abstract The research was conducted with the aim to identify the variability in situ of wild and semi-wild morphotypes of Capsicum spp. that were found growing in different places of Tabasco and the north of Chiapas States. Morphotypes included “Amashito” (five types), “Pico de paloma” (two types), “Garbanzo”, “Ojo de sapo”, “Ojo de cangrejo”, “Colmillo de lagarto” and “Corazón de pollo”. Such characterization is important because there is an extensive variability of forms cultivated in the country, resulting from a wide range of agroecological diversity as well as diverse forms, colours, flavors and sizes that constitute a valuable… More >

Ithurrart LS^1,2, CA Busso^1,2, YA Torres^1,3, DV Peláez^1,2,3, H Giorgetti⁴, G Rodríguez⁴, ML Ambrosino^2,5

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 51-59, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.051

Abstract Plant competition for soil resources is common in semiarid rangelands. Plants have various, alternative mechanisms to deal with soil resource acquisition. They include (1) length, weight and proliferation of roots, (2) root length density, and (3) root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhiza. In rangelands of Argentina, plants are exposed to herbivory after natural fires. As a result, knowledge on how these disturbances impact root traits is important for outlining guidelines focused on rangeland management and improvement. Our aim was to analyze the effects of defoliation after a controlled burning on root traits (1) to (3) on… More >

Li QK¹, J Tang², T Wang³, D Wu², CA Busso⁴, RF Jiao², XJ Ren²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.87, pp. 40-50, 2018, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2018.87.040

Abstract Fresh water is a valuable nonrenewable resource and plays an important role in maintaining economic and social development. Considering its large population and consumption potential, water resource deficits will certainly not allow a sustainable development of basic industries in China in the near future. Application of sewage irrigation, to some extent, was regarded as an alternative way to solve the problem of agricultural water shortage in some areas (such as North China). However, accompanied with an extensive implementation of sewage irrigation, some problems with sewage irrigation became gradually obvious in agriculture, especially those related with… More >