Pseudogenization of trnT-GGU in chloroplast genomes of the plant family Asteraceae

The chloroplast genome evolves through the course of evolution. Various types of mutational events are found within the chloroplast genome, including insertions-deletions (InDels), substitutions, inversions, gene rearrangement, and pseudogenization of genes. The pseudogenization of the trnT-GGU gene was previously reported in the Cryptomeria japonica (Cupressaceae), Pelargonium x hortorum (Geraniaceae), and in the two species of the tribe Gnaphalieae (Asteroideae, Asteraceae). Here, we performed a broad analysis of the trnT-GGU gene among the species of twelve subfamilies of Asteraceae and found pseudogenization of this gene is not limited to the two species of Gnaphalieae or the tribe Gnaphalieae. We report for the first time that this gene is pseudo in the species of three subfamilies of Asteraceae, including Gymnarrhenoideae, Cichorioideae and Asteroideae. The analyses of the species of 78 genera of Asteroideae revealed that this pseudogenization event is linked to the insertion within the 5′ acceptor stem and not linked to the habit, habitat, and geographical distribution of the plant.

Caracterización enzimática de una celulasa producida por Bacillus sp. (GCB-13) para la degradación de sustratos lignocelulósicos

Para esta investigación, se estudió la cinética de la enzima celulasa producida por la bacteria Bacillus sp GCB-13, aislada de los géiseres de Candarave. La bacteria alcanzó una fase logarítmica a partir de las 24 horas de incubación. La producción enzimática fue desarrollada usando CMC como sustrato, determinándose la concentración de azúcares reductores mediante el método del Ácido Dinitrosalicílico (DNS) y la evaluación de proteínas totales con el método de Bradford. El extracto enzimático crudo obtenido fue aplicado sobre sustratos lignocelulósicos naturales como tallos y hojas del geranio (Pelargonium x hortorum), y sobre sustratos sintéticos como papel bond y Carboximetilcelulosa (CMC), para evaluar su potencial de degradación. Es así que se obtuvieron los valores de azúcares reductores de 3.499 mg/ml; 0.116 mg/ml, 0.083 mg/ml y 0.593 mg/ml. Los parámetros cinéticos fueron calculados empleando la ecuación de Eadie-Hofstee, obteniendo un valor de Km y V de 3.43 μM de CMC y 0.012 máx mg/ml.min, respectivamente. Finalmente, se evaluaron las actividades enzimáticas a diferentes valores de pH y temperaturas, correspondiendo los mayores niveles de actividades de 4.4 U/ml a 45 °C a pH 7.0, 3.04 U/ml a 45 °C a pH 5.0 y 3.6 U/ml a 45 °C a pH 10.

Examination of Seedlings Quality of Pelargonium x hortorum L. H. Bail. Treated with Fertilizers with Different Concentration of Ca (NO3)2

The objective of this examination was to determine the quality of the seedlings of Pelargonium x hortorum L. H. Bail. Hybrid “Ringo 2000 deep scarlet” by using fertilizers with different Ca (NO3)2 concentration. Easily soluble fertilizers were used as follows: NPK 9-10-34+M.E. + Ca (NO3)2. In all treatments the dosage of NPK 9-10-34+M.E. was the same (1.6 g/l), but the dosages of Ca (NO3)2 were different as follows: 1.6 g/l, 3 g/l and 4.6 g/l. The plants of the control variant were irrigated with plain water. According to the results of all examined biometrical parameters, it was determined that the nutrition with fertilizer NPK 9-10-34+M.E. + Ca (NO3)2 in dosage of 1.6 g/l had the best results compared to the control variant for about 52% more mass of stem, 76% more mass of root, 83% higher number of brunches, 30% higher number of leaves and 15% higher number of inflorescence.

Response of seed·propagated geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum L. H. Bailey) to application of flurprimidol

In 1998 and 1999 flurprimidol spray applications to seed-propagated geranium (<em>Pelargonium x hortorum</em> L.H.Bailey) cultivars were made to evaluate efficacy and identify optimum concentration of flurprimidol. Growth retardant was applied as a single spray at O, 7,5, 15 and 22,5 mg L^-1, when plants were 9-13 cm in height. The response of plants to flurprimidol application varied depending on geranium cultivar. At the time of flowering the plants sprayed with flurprimidol at concentrations of 7,5, 15 and 22,5 mg L^-1 were significantly shorter than the untreated ones. The plant diameter, floret diameter, floret peduncle length and inflorescence diameter of geranium treated with flurprimidol were significantly smaller than those of the control plants. Flurprimidol hastened flowering of geranium cultivars 'Suzan Improved', 'Pinto Salmon' and 'Ringo 2000 Violet' by 5-8 days in 1999 but had no significant effect on days to flowering in 1998. The chemical name used: a-(1-methylethyl)-a-[4-(trifluoromethyloxy)-phenyl]-5-pyrimidine-methanol (flurprimidol).

Repellent and Insecticide Activity of Pelargonium x hortorum against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

Insecticide and repellent activity of an acetone extract and oil from fresh leaves of Pelargonium x hortorum (cv. Orangesonne) were evaluated against the 2nd and 4th instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The oil showed medium toxicity against the 2nd instar and low toxicity against the 4th instar larvae, while the extract showed high significant toxicity at all concentrations tested against the two instars. On the other hand, both oil and extract exhibited highly significant repellency against the two tested instars. Volatile constituents of the oil were also identified by GC-MS analysis.