Introduction and selection of Japanese irises (Iris ensata Thunb.) in the south of Primorsky Krai

The aim was to obtain Japanese iris varieties with different flowering periods, original colour of flowers, good corrugation of petals and greater resistance to various adverse environmental factors in the south of Primorsky Krai, Russia. New varieties were created by spontaneous and directed hybridization of geographically distant varieties, selection of adaptability donors and involvement of radiation mutagenesis in the breeding process. Intervarietal hybrids were characterised by intermediate inheritance of colour and flower shape, generative and vegetative productivity, plant height and flowering time. The inclusion of hybrid forms in the breeding process allowed the variety of flower colour and shape, flowering time and generative productivity to be expanded in the F2 generation. Promising interhybrid forms with biological characteristics that determine the possibility of their cultivation under the extreme conditions of the subregion were selected. A hybrid fund was created: over 135 adapted genotypes and 14 varieties. On the basis of the long-term experimental research, the expediency and necessity of breeding work with Japanese irises under the conditions of the subregion was established.

Growth and Physiological Responses of Three Landscape Plants to Calcium Chloride

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of calcium chloride (CaCl2) used as a de-icing agent on growth and physiological responses of three ground cover plants, Hosta longipes, Iris ensata, and Iris pseudoacorus. CaCl2 concentration was set to be 0 mM (control), 9 mM (0.1%), 18 mM (0.2%), and 54 mM (0.6%). After treatment with CaCl2 for 3 months, plant heights, fresh weights of shoots and roots, photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content (SPAD), and leaf water potential were measured. After Hosta longipes was treated with CaCl2 for 60 days, physiological damage began to occur in all treatment groups except for the control group. Those treated with 54 mM CaCl2 completely withered. At 90 days after treatment (DAT), there were significant differences for all measured parameters for Hosta longipes compared to the control (p < 0.001). The higher the treatment concentration, the lower the photosynthetic rate, the SPAD, and the leaf water potential. There was no significant difference in plant height in Iris ensata after 60 DAT (p > 0.05), but in other physiological responses, there was a significant difference by concentration (p < 0.001). Iris ensata had a visually healthier state at 90 DAT, showing the smallest reduction in photosynthetic rate at 60 DAT and 90 DAT. Its SPAD value was increased more at 90 DAT than at 60 DAT, indicating its higher resistance to CaCl2. Iris pseudoacorus showed similar results as Iris ensata. Over time, the 54 mM treatment resulted in significant damage. Among these three plants, Iris ensata showed the highest tolerance to CaCl2. Therefore, they are considered to be highly beneficial ground cover plants for green infrastructure in urban areas with high CaCl2 concentrations.

Alkalinity of Irrigation Return Water Influences Nutrient Removal Efficacy of Floating Treatment Wetland Systems1

Water quality concerns often prevent reuse of captured irrigation return water for irrigation of specialty crops. Prior research indicated alkalinity of specialty crop operation irrigation varies from 0 to &gt;500 mg.L−1 ( &gt;0.06 oz.gal−1) CaCO3 across the United States. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are an option for remediation of nutrients in irrigation return water, but effects of variable alkalinity on nutrient removal efficiency of FTWs are unknown. An experimental FTW system was developed to quantify the effect of alkalinity on the growth and nutrient uptake capacity of three plant species. ‘Rising Sun' Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Rising Sun’ Thunb.), upright sedge (Carex stricta Lam.);, and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). were grown for 6 weeks at one of five alkalinity treatment levels, representing the alkalinity range of nursery and greenhouse irrigation runoff: 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg.L−1 CaCO3 (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.05 oz.gal−1 CaCO3). Overall, Japanese iris demonstrated consistent remediation across each alkalinity treatment for both nutrient load reduction and plant accumulation. Species of iris warrant greater consideration and use in bioremediation systems. Both upright sedge and switchgrass could be used in systems with appropriate alkalinity levels. Future work should consider assessing novel plants at different points within their growth cycle, extended exposure durations, and decreased hydraulic retention time. Index words: Aquatic plant, nitrogen, phosphorus, sodium bicarbonate, nitrogen speciation. Species Used in this study: ‘Rising Sun' Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Rising Sun' Thunb.); upright sedge (tussock sedge) (Carex stricta Lam.); switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.).

Phytochemical Analysis and Antimicrobial Activity of Iris kashmiriana and Iris ensata Extracts against Selected Microorganisms

Infectious diseases are the second leading cause for worldwide death. Treatment of infections continues to be difficult in modern time because of the severe side effects of some drugs and the growing resistance to antibacterial agents. Over the past few decades the use of antibiotics is under threat as many commonly used antibiotics have become less effective against certain illnesses due to emergence of multi drug-resistant bacteria. In the present study the effects of 3 types of solvents, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol were investigated to determine the presence of various phytochemical constituent, total phenolic content, total flavonoids content and in vitro antimicrobial activity from rhizomes of Iris kashmiriana (Kashmir Iris) and Iris ensata (Japanese Iris), belong to family Iridaceae. The reason for selecting in vitro method was to minimize the usage of experimental animals. The antimicrobial activity of chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extract of rhizomes of Iris kashmiriana and Iris ensata were evaluated on bacterial strains of Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas auregenosa, Proteus vulgaris and Eschirichia coli and fungal strains of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by agar well diffusion method. The preliminary phytochemical studies and quantitative analysis of alkaloids, phenol and flavonoids were performed by well reported method. These extracts were further subjected to TLC (Thin layer chromatography analysis). The chemical contents of the Iris kashmiriana and Iris ensata were presented as total phenolic content and total flavonoids content. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of some common compounds like phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrate etc. The antimicrobial potential of the plant extract was evaluated against different bacterial species which shows significant inhibitory action against all the tested bacterial and fungal strain. Methanolic extract was found to be more active than chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts. It reveals that the methanol soluble components of the plant are highly active against the above mentioned microorganism. Keywords: Iris kashmiriana, Iris ensata, Phytochemical constituent, Total phenolic content, Total flavonoids content, In vitro antimicrobial activity