Transformation of Zinnia elegans Jacq. as an ornamental potted plant by daminozide application

Zinnia elegans Jacq. is one of the ornamental plants potential to be used as a potted ornamental plants. The problem to be resolved is the size of the plant can reach 1 m, so it is necessary to modify the plant height into 20 cm to 25 cm using retardant (plant growth regulator), called daminozide. The purpose of this study was to determine the best concentration and soaking time using daminozide to inhibit the growth of zinnia. The research was conducted at Mangkuyudan 57, Yogyakarta. This research was arranged in a factorial design with 3 blocks as replication. Different concentrations of daminozide were used as first factor with three levels (1 g.L-1, 2 g.L-1, and 3 g.L-1) and soaking times were used as the second factor (12 h, 24 h, and 36 h). The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and continued with HSD-Tukey at the α = 5 %. The results showed that there were an interaction between daminozide concentration and soaking time in the height of Z. elegans. There were also positive correlation between plant height, number of flower, and flowering period. The best combination of daminozide concentration and soaking times were 2 g.L-1 and 12 h. This treatment gave the best height that fit to the criteria of a potted plant which was 20.08 cm. However, it reduced flower’s diameter, number of flowers, and canopy’s size.

Remediation of Pb and Cd Polluted Soils with Fulvic Acid

Heavy metal pollution is among the important environmental problems in the world. Many techniques have already been used to remove the heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). Among them, the phytoremediation method is an environmentally friendly and green technology. This study was carried out to determine the efficiency of fulvic acid (FA) application in removing Pb and Cd from polluted soil using Tagetes eracta L. and Zinnia elegans Jacq. ornamental plants. The results indicated that, FA application, number of flower per plants, and plant fresh weight of Tagetes eracta plants and Zinnia elegans plants increased 187.5%, 104.5% and 155.5%, 57.7%, respectively with application of 7000 mg L−1 FA at 100 mg kg−1 Pb pollution condition, whereas 42.85%, 16.5%, and 44.4–36.1% with application of 7000 mg L−1 FA at 30 mg kg±1 Cd pollution condition, respectively. With the FA application in the Zinnia elegans plant, the root part has accumulated 51.53% more Pb than the shoot part. For Cd, the shoot part accumulated 35.33% more Cd than the root. The effect of FA application on superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and, catalase (CAT) of the Tagetes eracta were decreased as 32.7%, 33.1%, and 35.1% for Pb, 21.2%, 25.1%, and 26,1%, for Cd, and 15.1%, 22.7%, and 37.7% for Pb, and 7.55%, 18.0%, and 18.8% for Cd were in Zinnia elegans respectively. In conclusion, Tagetes eracta and Zinnia elegans can not be recommended for remediation of Pb and Cd polluted area, but FA can be recommended for Pb and Cd stabilization in polluted soil.

Short Communication: Analysis of the chromosome numbers of Zinnia elegans Jacq. in single, double, and pom-pom flowers

Saifudin, Shafira S, Dwiranti A, Salamah A. 2021. Short Communication: Analysis of the chromosome numbers of Zinnia elegans Jacq. in single, double, and pom-pom flowers. Biodiversitas 22: 2771-2777. Zinnia elegans Jacq. is highly valued as an ornamental plant with a variety of flower colors, sizes, and shapes. Polyploidization has been reported in Z. elegans with pom-pom flowers, nevertheless, the variation in chromosome numbers of various flower shapes has yet to be investigated. This study aimed to analyze the chromosome numbers of Z. elegans Jacq. cultivar “California Giant,” “Lilliput,” and “Cactus Flowered Mix” with single, double, and pom-pom flowers to determine their variations and identify the morphology of the flowers. Chromosomes were prepared using the squashing method, and images were analyzed using the Chromosome Image Analyzing System (CHIAS) IV. The minimum of 5 slides was prepared for each flower type from each cultivar. The results show that the three cultivars are diploid plants (2n = 24) with varying flower morphology. The single and double flowers of Z. elegans “Lilliput” and the single flower of “Cactus Flowered Mix” showed no variation in chromosome numbers. In contrast, chromosome number variation was found in the pom-pom flower of Z. elegans “California Giant” (2n = 22, 24, 48) and the double flower of “Cactus Flowered Mix” (2n = 9, 13, 15, 24). Two cultivars, Z. elegans “California Giant” and Z. elegans “Cactus Flowered Mix,” were successfully analyzed using CHIAS IV. Statistical analysis using a t-test (? = 0.05) showed that the total chromosome length of Z. elegans “California Giant” (2n = 24) was significantly greater than that of Z. elegans “Cactus Flowered Mix” (2n = 24). Chromosome satellites were found in both cultivars.

Optimization of Modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) Medium Promoting Efficient Callus Induction in Zinnia elegans

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) occupies a pristine place in the garden for its bright colours and long flowering period. Zinnias are propagated by seeds hence genetic variation and a tendency for stock plants to decline in vigor over time is high. Young internodal explants of this species were grown on modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various growth hormones to evaluate callus induction. 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at 1.0 mg/L was shown to be the best choice for a high percentage of callus induction (70-73%) and a rapid growth rate of viable and healthy callus. A large-scale and quick callus generation protocol was developed in the lab and might be used for in-vitro micropropagation.

Identifikasi Jenis Tumbuhan dari Famili Asteraceae Di Kawasan Wisata Irenggolo Kediri

Irenggolo merupakan kawasan wisata air terjun yang terletak di pegunungan Wilis. Kawasan ini memiliki keragaman flora yang cukup baik, salah satunya adalah famili Asteraceae. Famili ini memiliki anggota yang sangat beragam. Penelitian tentang tumbuhan Asteraceae dikawasan ini belum pernah dilakukan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui jenis-jenis tumbuhan dari famili Asteraceae yang hidup di kawasan Irenggolo. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan teknik Visual Encounter Survey pada empat area yang berbeda. Hasil pengamatan diperoleh 13 jenis tumbuhan dari famili Asteraceae dengan tiga tribe yaitu, Sphagneticola trilobata, Galinsoga parviflora, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Cosmos sulphureus, Tagetes erecta, Sonchus wightianus, Conyza bonariensis, Ageratum conyzoides, Dahlia pinnata, Bidens pilosa, Zinnia elegans, Chromolaena odorata, serta Eupatorium capillifolium. Kata kunci: famili, Asteraceae, tumbuhan

A New Leipothrix Species (Acari: Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) from Hungary On Zinnia Elegans (Asteraceae)

A new vagrant species of phyllocoptine mites, Leipothrix nagyi n. sp. collected from Zinnia elegans (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Hungary. Further three eriophyoid species were recorded for the first time in Hungary, viz. Aceria hippophaena (Nalepa, 1898) found on Hippophaë rhamnoides, Epitrimerus cupressi (Keifer, 1939) collected from Cupressus sempervirens and Epitrimerus tanaceti Boczek et Davis, 1984 associated with Tanacetum vulgare. The female of E.tanaceti is re-described, while the male and nymph are described for the first time.