Synthesis of water-soluble fluorescent carbon dots from Setcreasea purpurea boom and its application for Br2 detection

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) were successfully synthesized via pyrolysis of Setcreasea purpurea boom, providing a simple and convenient method for the preparation of CDs without using toxic or expensive materials.

An investigation of the karyotypes of four species from the genera Setcreasea, Spironema and Tradescantia (Commelinaceae)

An investigation was conducted on the number and morphology of the chromosomes of four species from the family <em>Commelinacene</em>:<em> Spironema fragrans </em>Lindl., <em>Setereasea purpurea </em>Boom, <em>Tradesca</em><em>nt</em><em>ia albiflora </em>Kunth. and <em>Tradescantia blossfeldiana </em>Mildbr. It was found that the karyotype of <em>Spironema fragrans </em>Lindl. was 2n = 12 chromo­somes whose total length was 6.9-13.7 µm and the formula of the karyotype was: 2m+2sm +2m+2t+2st^sat +2st <em>Setcreasea purpurea </em>Boom. had 2n = 24 chromosomes, 9.1-12.1 µm in length and the centromere positioned as represented by the formula 24m. The karyotype of <em>Tradsescantia albiflora </em>Kunth. had 2n = 60 chromosomes whose lengths ranged from 1.4 to 4.5 µm, and is described by the formula: 4sm+6m+10st+10sm+10m+20sm. The complex of chromosomes from <em>Tradescantia blossfeldiana </em>Mildbr. consisted of 2n = 60. Their length was 1.3-4.8 µm. The morphological types of the chromosomes are represented by the formula 6st+2m+2sm+6st+2sm+12m+10M+l4m+6sm. It is suggested on the basis of mor­phological analysis of chromosomes that <em>Setereasea purpurea </em>Boom is a tetraploid species and <em>Trudescantia albiflora </em>Kunth. and T. <em>blossfeldiana </em>Mildbr. are decaploids.

Evaluating Biorational Pesticides for Controlling Arthropod Pests and their Phytotoxic Effects on Greenhouse Crops

Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap were as effective as conventional insecticides and miticides in controlling a variety of sap-feeding insects and mites on common greenhouse crops. Neem extract (Margosan-O or Azatin) was less consistent and provided intermediate to good control of a variety of sap-feeding insects and mites on common greenhouse crops. Except for purple heart (Setcreasea purpurea K. Schum. & Sydow) and wax ivy (Hoya carnosa R. Br.), repetitive sprays of horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, and neem extract (Azatin) did not seem to cause any noticeable phytotoxicity or effect the growth of 52 species or cultivars of bedding plants and 13 species of foliage plants examined in this study. Repetitive sprays of horticultural oil and insecticidal soap significantly affected plant height and final quality of some poinsettia cultivars evaluated in this study.