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In this study, we tested the effects of short day (SD), chilling (Ch) and gibberalic acid (GA3) treatments on the yield and fruit characteristics of 'Camarosa' and 'Sweet Charlie' plug plants under a freeze-protected greenhouse in Mediterranean conditions for two growing seasons in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. The treatments included control (ambient day length and temperature); SD (8 h days) and ambient temperature; SD + Chilling (Ch) (18/12°C day/night temperatures); SD + Ch (10°C); SD + Ch (2°C); and, GA3 (10 ppm applied to the plants in November). In each growing season, the plug plants were planted in mid-August using bag culture. Yield, fruit weight, firmness, total soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and SS/TA ratio were investigated. Considerable amounts of early yield (March and April) were recovered from 'Sweet Charlie'; 116 and 72 g/plant in the first and second growing seasons, respectively. 'Sweet Charlie' also had consistently higher total yield than 'Camarosa' (457 vs. 400 g/plant in the 2006-2007 season and 446 vs. 406 g/plant in the 2007-2008 season). Treatment did not have a consistent effect on the fruit quality traits measured. The results indicated that although SD conditioning, Ch and GA3 treatments may have an effect on the total and early yield of strawberries, these effects may be cultivar-dependent and further regulated by environmental factors. Therefore, we propose that low-chilling varieties be utilized for early fruit production that can initiate flower buds in warmer, longer days.

International audience; Strawberry is one of the five fruit crops included in the USDA-funded multi-institutional and trans-disciplinary project, "RosBREED: Enabling Marker-Assisted Breeding in Rosaceae". A Crop Reference Set (CRS) was developed of 900 genotypes and seedlings from 40 crosses representing the breadth of relevant diversity and encompassing founders used in breeding the domesticated strawberry. Individual native species and cultivar genotypes were included along with 10 progeny from 36 of the crosses of genotypes representing eastern and western North American and European short day and remontant cultivars. This CRS has been phenotyped in five U.S. states. Over 14 fruit quality traits have been studied, as well as remontancy, truss size, peduncle length, crop estimate, plant architecture, and disease resistance. The phenotyping conducted in the first growing season showed considerable variability amongst the genotypes and the locations for all of the characteristics. General and specific combining ability variance components were determined from the populations in order to provide breeders with guidance on the most effective breeding strategies for incorporating the superior traits from this germplasm into their programs.

The cultivated strawberry Fragaria × ananassa Duch. is the natural hybrid of F. chiloensis (L.) Mill. and F. virginiana Mill. The progenitor species have high genetic diversity compared with the cultivated genotypes; therefore, the use of wild relative in F. chiloensis breeding could provide a good for broadening the available genetic variations of cultivated species. In present study, 13 genotypes selected from strawberry super core collection were tested under Fe (-) and Fe (+) conditions for their response against Fe deficiency conditions in a growth medium (GM) (soil + sand + perlite), potentially able to simulate the actual GM in nature. SPAD-meter readings indicating chlorophyll levels of the leaf, shoot dry matter yield, Fe-efficiency rate, shoot total and active Fe concentrations were determined to evaluate the resistance levels of strawberry genotypes against Fe deficiency. Results of this study indicated that different response for strawberry subspecies and genotypes of the same subspecies grown in GM against Fe deficiency. Symptom for Fe deficiency of genotypes varied between 1-5, SPAD-meter readings 3, shoot dry matter yields and shoot Fe concentrations varied between 6.5-38, 1.02-6.06 g plant-1 and 41.8-233.1 mg kg-1 respectively. Iron-efficiencies of genotypes were found between 58-98%. Strawberry subspecies, F. virginiana spp. glauca, F. chiloensis ssp. chiloensis and F. chiloensis ssp. pacifica showed Fe-efficiency values of 93.8, 79.5 and 79.1% respectively. We concluded that shoot growth performance, Fe intake from GM, transfer of Fe from roots to shoots, shoot Fe-use efficiency, Fe deficiency symptom levels and SPAD-meter readings indicating chlorophyll levels were significant parameters to evaluate the resistance of strawberry genotypes against Fe deficiency. The most Fe-efficient genotypes belonging to F. virginiana spp. glauca could be used in breeding programs aiming at developing new strawberry genotypes suitable for growing under Fe deficient conditions.

Gene escape and fruit quality characteristics of transgenic melons (Cucumis melo L. var inodorus cv. 'Kirkagac 637') resistant to zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) and control plants were investigated under screenhouse conditions. No significant differences were observed between transgenic and transgenic × control genotypes, with regard to rind thickness, fruit cavity length, fruit cavity width, total soluble solids, pistil scar diameter, and peduncle length. Fruit characters, including fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit flesh thickness, and peduncle diameter were significantly different. These results indicate that transgenic × control genotypes had higher values than transgenic (T4 and T20) genotypes, regarding fruit weight, fruit width, fruit length, fruit flesh thickness, and peduncle diameter. Significant differences were not observed between transgenic (T4 and T20), control, and transgenic × control genotypes in terms of L-ascorbic acid, malic acid, citric acid, sucrose, glucose, or fructose, but differences were observed for fruit total acidity. Esters, lactones, and alcohols were aroma components, but none differed significantly between the transgenic and control genotypes. The results show that there was 100% gene escape in the control plants within 10 m of the transgenic plants, while there was 70% gene escape in plants 12.5, 15, and 17.5 m from the transgenic plants under screenhouse conditions. © TÜBİTAK.

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on growth and nutrient uptake of micropropagated cherry rootstocks was evaluated during acclimatization and plant establishment. Two commonly used cherry rootstocks, 'Edabriz' and 'Gisela 5', were propagated through tissue culture and grown in a greenhouse for 16 weeks. Plantlets were inoculated with Glomus clarum, Glomus caledonium, Glomus etunicatum, Glomus intraradices, Glomus mosseae, cocktail (mixture of these species) and indigenous mycorrhiza into three different substrate mixtures. All micropropagated cherry plantlets survived transplanting. After 16 weeks, mycorrhizal plantlets had greater nutrient uptake than non-mycorrhizal plantlets. Roots of inoculated cherry plantlets were heavily colonized with AMF. These results indicated that mycorrhizal inoculation during transplantation from in vitro to ex vitro culture can induce growth responses. The experiments also showed that the mycorrhizal cherry rootstocks were healthier and had higher Zn and P contents when compared to controls for both rootstocks. G. mosseae was one of the most efficient AMF species. Indigenous AMF isolated from Çukurova region also significantly increased the plant growth and nutrient uptake. 'Gisela 5' rootstocks had significantly higher P and Zn contents than 'Edabriz'. Taken together, our results indicate that AMF inoculations enhance growth and development of micropropagated plants which would be beneficial to improve cherry rootstock production. © 2010 University of Bucharest.

We determined the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of methanol extracts from fifteen selected jujube genotypes endogenous to the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Total phenolic content of the fruits was analyzed by Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric method, while the total antioxidant activity was analyzed using the beta-carotene bleaching, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenil-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) assays. The highest total phenolic content was observed in MHS 6 and MHS 7 genotypes (42 and 40 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g(-1) dry weight (DW)), while the lowest content was found in MHS 5 and MHS 14 (28 and 25 mg GAE g(-1) DW). MHS 13 was among the genotypes with the highest antioxidant capacity in all three methods tested (1237 mu mol g(-1) in FRAP, 83% in beta-carotene bleaching method and 99% in DPPH). The present study demonstrates the potential value of jujube genotypes for pharmaceuticals and nutrition.

Myrtle, Myrtus communis L., is one of the most important and widespread shrubs (maquis) throughout the Mediterranean region. Its fruits ripen during the period of mid-fall to early winter and are generally dark-colored although white-colored wild forms rarely exist. In Turkey, both forms are present in addition to a white and large-fruited type, cultivated in small orchards and marketed locally. We studied two sets of myrtle accessions from Hatay, Turkey. Set 1 consisted of two wild accessions, dark- and white-colored forms, and six cultivated selections, while Set 2 contained three open-pollinated individuals from each accession of Set 1. We evaluated fruit characteristics of including fruit weight, width, length, soluble solids, pH and acidity. The accessions considerably differed in all the traits tested except for soluble solids. We also examined genotypic variation of Sets 1 and 2 using 26 RAPD primers and analyzed the data by cluster and principle components analyses. The results revealed that although some of the half-sib families (e.g., 8 a, b and c) were grouped based on their maternal parents, no overall pattern was apparent. These results suggest that myrtle pollination appeared to be not restricted to the self-pollination and the cultivated types have a narrow genetic base. © 2008 Bucharest University.

Strawberries are known to have high antioxidant properties. In present study, we determined total phenolics and antioxidant activity of a group of Fragaria genotypes representing the Turkish diploid strawberry genotypes, dominating cultivars and some selections and hybrids. The average total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities were highest in wild material 7914 µg GAE/gfw and 70.2 µmol TE/gfw, respectively. The average of total phenolic compounds for hybrids was the highest (2467 µg GAE/gfw) and followed by selections (2395 µg GAE/gfw) and varieties (2318 pg GAE/gfw). The values increased during the season progress. A similar trend was observed on antioxidant activity of selected strawberries. The antioxidant capacity in the wild material was detected more than 3 fold higher than the F. xananassa groups (70.2 vs. 19.9, 21.4, 21.1 µmol TE/gfw). The present results showed that there is a great variability among the strawberry genotypes tested for total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacities. Therefore, in addition to taste and aroma characteristics high antioxidant properties should be important for cultivar selection by consumers and breeders for healthy diet.

There is a volcanic area in Hatay, Turkey with currently limited agricultural activities; however, its ecological properties make it a plausible choice for protected fruit and vegetable production. The different soil properties of the area might be useful for plant growing in the future. In this study, we determined selected plant nutrients and heavy metal concentrations of eight soil and rock types from the region, along with those of ten different species of fruits and vegetables representing the region's flora and agricultural activities. We found significant differences in all the micronutrients and heavy metal concentrations among the media samples. Overall, the highest concentrations were recovered from growing media. For example, one medium had the highest concentrations of Cu, Cd and Zn. Similarly, the plant samples had significant differences in micronutrients and heavy metal concentrations. Almond leaf samples were in the highest mean groups for Mg, Na, Fe, Al and Cr, while cucumber had the highest values for Zn and Ni. The highest Pb levels were recovered from uncultivated olive. Comparisons of our results to those of others in the related literature indicated that only two of our results were above the accepted levels: the almond Fe and holy oak B concentrations. In conclusion, our samples from the volcanic area in Hatay were not dangerously contaminated with heavy metals, and utilization of this area for agricultural purposes poses no apparent threat.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important fruit species for Turkey where many cultivars are being cultivated. In this study, we determined the fruit characteristics and RAPD band patterns of six local cultivars from Hatay, Turkey. Our results demonstrated that there is a great level of morphological variation. The principle component analysis of 18 quantitative fruit characteristics revealed that fruit weight, aril number/fruit, peel color and soluble solids/acidity ratio are important traits for discriminating the cultivars tested. The UPGMA cluster of fruit characteristics indicated that 'Katirbasi' and 'Kan nari' were similar to each other and they were separated from rest of the cultivars. Twenty-two RAPD primers generated total of 106 reproducible bands 22% of which were polymorphic. The UPGMA dendrogram of RAPD data showed that 'Tatli nar' and 'Serife' were very closely related while 'incekabuk' is distinct from the other cultivars. As a result, discrepancies were detected between morphological and molecular data. Therefore, we confirmed that diversity among the fruit characteristics were not good indication of genetic relatedness while molecular tools are valuable to study such similarities.

Terrestrial orchid species are natural sources of salep and a closely related group of plant species widely distributed throughout Turkey. The phylogenetic relationship among fourteen different tuber-producing orchid species was investigated after analyzing phenotypic and genetic variation within and among the natural population through fifteen morphometric traits and ten random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primer combinations. Statistical analyses (principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and cluster analysis) using the generated data identified taxonomic and genetic distance within the studied plant samples. The results of PCA from morphological traits show that there are no major groupings within and among different species instead somehow overlapping with few distinctly characterized species. In addition, the UPGMA-based phenogram with Euclidean distance (0-1) produces five major clusters among the studied orchid species according to their taxonomic status with few exceptions. On the other hand, PCoA and the phylogenetic dendrogram with the coefficient (0.56-0.79) from RAPD band profiles determine the true genetic diversity of those species. Although both combinations of genetic and phenotypic characteristics reveal the phylogenetic relationship of some those studied species very effectively, they are not clear for others. These results suggest that in the natural population of terrestrial orchid species significant amounts of gene flow are ongoing at intra/interspecies level. Therefore, it is recommended that conservation studies of these groups of orchid species should be done as a geographical unit rather than according to taxonomic status.

The objective of this study was to develop inexpensive and facile nanocomposites based on chitosan and organo-clay with the antimicrobial affectivity that provide the serious challenges caused by bacterial infections in various products such as food packaging materials. The chitosan with octadecylamine montmorillonite (ODA-MMT) nanocomposites by supplementing 1, 2.5, and 5 w% Nigella arvensis seed (black cumin) extract (CMBC-1, CMBC-2.5, and CMBC-5) were prepared chitosan from ionic liquid solutions in the presence of ODA-MMT and black cumin extract suspension. The effect of black cumin with different content on the structure and antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite have been investigated. The interactions between the chitosan matrix, ODA-MMT, and black cumin extract at different conditions were characterized both physicochemically (FT-IR, SEM, and XRD) and biologically (antimicrobial). The results indicated that the formation of exfoliated nanostructure of nanocomposites was provided by loading of nanodispersed clay in matrix. Antimicrobial activity of CMBC nanocomposite film was evaluated using disc diffusion method against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium SL 1344 and Gram-positives Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. The antimicrobial activity studies of the CMBCs illustrated that the nanocomposites could more strongly inhibit the growth of the tested Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria within increased content of black cumin from 1 to 5 w%. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the antimicrobial effect of CMBC nanocomposite film. Such biomaterials within nontoxic and inexpensive properties will thus have great potential applications in the development of new packing materials that can effectively prevent the antimicrobial formation. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.