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The complaints, worries and dissatisfactions accrued to bulb users prompted the quest of this research. The objective of the research is to suitably assess few electrical parameters of bulbs available in the market in order to have an experimental proof of the disparity in their ratings. In the research experimental data, incandescent bulbs (100W and 200W), LED bulb (5W) and CFL bulb (40W) (of different powers) were selected for evaluation. The power and lux of the bulbs were measured and compared correspondingly using the incandescent bulbs as reference bulbs for lux comparison. The new double T8 full range & ac/dc power meter with dimmer was instrument used to measure power and other associated electrical parameters (current and voltage) of the bulbs. The measurement results show that incandescent bulb of 100W measured 60.1W and the 200W measured 184.0W. The power of the 5W LED and 40W CFL bulbs measured 7.2W and 22.2W respectively. On this note, it is invariably obvious that there exists disparity in power rating of the bulbs accessible in our present day market. The digital luxmetre was used to measure lux (luminous flux per unit area or lumen per metre square) of the bulbs. In the lux measurement, the luxmetre’s sensor was placed 50cm away from the bulb’s position to obtain exact or close values to original bulbs’ lux. Consequential to the bulbs lux comparisons, the lux value of 5W LED and 40W CFL bulbs have illuminances of 507lm/m2 and 568lm/m2 respectively higher than lux of 100W incandescent bulb. Hence, lux values of the LED and CFL bulbs measurements fall in-between lux values of 100W and 200W incandescent bulbs. Critical evaluation of the results tends to establish that luminosity (luminous flux per area) of bulb does not depend on power.

This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the chemical profile obtained by HPLC-ESI-MSn analysis, the inhibitory activity of enzymes linked to obesity (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase) and the antioxidant properties (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and β-carotene bleaching tests) of ethanol extracts of bulbs (BE) and aerial parts (APE) from Allium commutatum Guss. (known in Italy as “aglio delle isole”). The chemical profile revealed alliin as the main abundant compound with values of 31.5 and 38.8mg/g extract for BE and APE, respectively. APE is rich also in quercetin (38.5mg/g extract) and luteolin (31.8mg/g extract). Bulbs extract exhibited the highest activity as inhibitor of enzymes linked to obesity. Except for DPPH test, APE showed the highest antioxidant potential with IC50 of 7.6 and 56.6μg/mL in ABTS and β-carotene bleaching test after 60min of incubation, respectively. In conclusion, the present investigation revealed A. commutatum bulbs and aerial parts as a promising source of inhibitors of enzyme linked to the obesity and of antioxidant compounds.

Four new homoisoflavonoids, 7-O-methyl-8-demethoxy-3′-hydroxy-3,9-dihydropunctatin (4), 6-hydroxy-8-demethoxy-4′-O-methyl-3,9-dihydropunctatin (8), 7,4′-O-dimethyl-8-demethoxy-3,3′-dihydroxy-3,9-dihydropunctatin (13), and 7-O-methyl-3-hyroxy-3,9-dihydropunctatin (14) were identified from a chloroform extract of the bulbs of Bellevalia flexuosa, along with 13 known analogues. The structures were determined by analysis of HRMS and NMR data, while ECD spectroscopy enabled the assignment of the absolute configurations of the new compounds 4, 8, 13 and 16. The cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds (1–17) were evaluated using a panel of human cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 7 were the most potent against the MDA-MB-435 (melanoma) cancer cell line with IC50 values of 1.6 and 2.0 μM, respectively, and were essentially equipotent against the OVCAR3 (ovarian) cancer cell line with IC50 values of 9.5 and 10.8 μM, respectively. However, compound 7, with an IC50 value of 3.6 μM, was the most potent against the MDA-MB-231 (breast) cancer cell line. This research was supported, in part, by the Deanship of Research, Jordan University of Science and Technology , Irbid, Jordan (Grant No. 284/2017 ) and via program project grant P01 CA125066 from the National Cancer Institute / National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, USA. Appendix A Scopus

Fusarium basal rot is a worldwide disease problem in onions, and causes substantial losses in onion production, both during the growing season and in the storage. To minimize the post-harvest losses, a protocol for screening of latent infections with pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum strains from harvested onions was developed. This protocol is based on a dual PCR test with primers specific for the fungal species and new SIX3 primers specific for the onion-pathogenic F. oxysporum strains. A pooled sample containing pieces from 50 harvested symptomless onions was prepared for the dual PCR using microwave disruption of the filamentous Fusarium fungi and Whatman FTA(TM) filter paper matrix technology, or as a reference protocol, by extracting DNA with a commercial kit. The two sample preparation protocols gave consistent results with the tested onion samples. Detection limit of the dual PCR protocol was 100 pg of F. oxysporum DNA, in a mixture with onion DNA, when the FTA card was applied. The new protocol reported here is simple and sensitive enough for routine testing, enabling the detection of latent infections in harvest lots even at the infection levels under 10%. Significance and Impact of the Study Fusarium basal rot causes serious problems in onion production. To minimize post-harvest losses, a simple protocol based on FTA(TM) technology and a dual PCR test with Fusarium oxysporum species-specific and pathogenicity-specific primers was developed. By testing pooled onion samples using this method, latent infections with F. oxysporum can be screened from a representative sample of the harvest. This screening method could be a useful tool to manage the post-harvest losses caused by latent infections with F. oxysporum and, with modification of the PCR protocol, with other Fusarium species pathogenic to onion.

Poa densa Troitsky is a characteristic species of the high steppe to low alpine vegetation of Turkey. It was overlooked in the Flora of Turkey, and although subsequently reported from a few stations in W part of C Anatolia, is actually relatively common and widespread across the semi-arid C and N steppes. Here we provide a key to related species, a full description, photographs, 2C value of nuclear DNA content, and a distribution map, and discuss its classification in the genus. The synonym Festuca conferta is lectotypified. DNA phylogenetic analysis and morphology data indicate P. densa is allied to species of P. subg. Poa sect. Macropoa, rather than to the P. bulbosa complex of P. subg. Ochlopoa sect. Arenariae, and support multiple origins of the basal bulb in the genus Poa. TUBITAK-KBAGTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [212T113]; TUBITAK-BIDEBTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) We thank Musa Dogan for his support to the project by revising Poa in Turkey; Yildirim Akman for his introduction of R.J.S. to the flora of Turkey and providing assistance in field work; Osman Ketenoglu, Latif Kurt, Kerim Guney and Umit Bingol for guidance and assistance to R.J.S. in field work in 1991 and 1993; Konstantin Romaschenko for translations from Russian; Kanchi Gandhi for a scan of the Festuca conferta protologue; the Kew library for a scan of the Poa densa protologue; Maria Vorontsova for checking for this species at K; Metin Tuna for access to the flow cytometer; Tugrul Koruklu, Ayse Mine Gencler Ozkan and Osman Tugay for access to the AEF, ANK and KNYA university herbaria in 2014; the curators of the B, E and G herbaria for loans; TUBITAK-KBAG for support of Grant no. 212T113 to E.C.; TUBITAK-BIDEB for support that made possible R.J.S.'s visit to Namik Kemal University; and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on an earlier version of this paper.

The aim of a two-year study was to characterise selected Allium cepa L. genotypes with regard to their ability to accumulate nitrates in bulbs as well as to search for a possible relation between NO3- concentration and dry matter content. Fifteen cultivars of edible onion, mostly of long-day genotype with different growing periods, bulb size and skin colour, were taken for the experiment. Seeds of particular cultivars were obtained from the following seed companies: Spójnia Nochowo (‘Labrador’, ‘Takstar F1’,‘Tęcza’, ‘Warna’, ‘Zorza’), Polan (‘Polanowska’, ‘Topolska’), PlantiCo Gołębiew (‘Alibaba’, ‘Efekt’, ‘Kristine’, ‘Niagara F1’),and PlantiCo Zielonki (‘Bila’, ‘Irka’, ‘Wenta’, ‘Zeta’). Plants produced from seedlings were grown in the experimental field of the University of Agriculture in Kraków. After crop harvesting and additional drying, nitrate and dry matter content in bulbs of all cultivars were measured.The following cultivars: ‘Efekt’, ‘Labrador’ and red-skinned ‘Wenta’, were characterized by the lowest ability to accumulate NO3- in bulbs. The highest nitrate content was noted in bulbs of ‘Takstar F1’ (a very early-season cultivar), followed by ‘Bila’ and ‘Tęcza’. A weak, yet statistically significant negative correlation between nitrate and dry matter content was observed. The highest dry matter content was determined in bulbs of white-skinned ‘Alibaba’, while the lowest – in brown-skinned ‘Labrador’.

Seven homoisoflavonoids and one stilbenoid, 3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-5-methoxychroman-4-one (1) which is new; 3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (2); 3-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-5,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (3); 3-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxybenzyl)-5,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one (4); 3-(4′-methoxybenzylidene)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxychroman-4-one (5); 3-(4′-hydroxybenzylidene)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxychroman-4-one (6); 3-(4′-hydroxybenzylidene)-5,7-dihydroxychroman-4-one (7) and 4,3′,5′-trihydroxy-3-methoxystilbene (8), were isolated from the yellow inter-bulb deposits from Scilla nervosa. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectrometry. A number of extracts, fractions and compounds tested displayed bacterostatic activity with MICs ranging between 0.156 and 1.250 mg/ml. Two extracts displayed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and a number of extracts, fractions and compounds showed strong antioxidant activity with, compounds 1, 2 and 8 displaying lower MECs than the positive control ascorbic acid (0.0156 mg/ml).

Ammocharis coranica (Ker-Gawl.) Herb. (Amaryllidaceae) is used in southern Africa for the treatment of mental illnesses. The ethanol extracts of the bulb of A. coranica and its total alkaloids rich fractions were screened for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE), which is implicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. The ethanolic extracts significantly inhibited AChE with IC 50 value of 14.3 ± 0.50 μg/ml. The basic ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the crude extracts were the most active against AChE with IC 50 values of 43.1 ± 1.22 and 0.05 ± 0.02 μg/ml respectively. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the basic fractions led to the isolation of lycorine and 24-methylenecycloartan-3β-ol. Lycorine which was isolated from both butanol and ethyl acetate fractions had IC 50 of 29.3 ± 3.15 μg/ml, while 24-methylenecycloartan-3β-ol was not active.

For many of the new breeding techniques sequence information is of the utmost importance. In addition to current breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genetic modification (GM), new breeding techniques such as zinc finger nucleases, oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis, RNAi and cisgenesis are totally dependent on knowing gene or allele sequences. Many plant species have been fully sequenced, but none of them represents an ornamental crop, let alone a member of the monocotyledonous, bulbiferous geophyte order, such as the Liliales. For a limited number of these flower bulb species, some EST-libraries have been generated and a similarly low number of promoters and genes have been isolated, characterized, or used for transformation. Most of the functional analyses and applications in genetically modified crops were ectopic, i.e., not in flower bulb crops themselves. Genes and promoters originating from other organisms have been used in GM of flower bulbs aiming for the introduction of disease resistance or the modification of flower traits. In order to enhance consumer acceptance of transgenic GM flower bulbs and to facilitate obtaining EU approval for cultivation and market introduction, the marker-free technology is being tested.

Many geophytes have a high ornamental value. They are preferably propagated by micropropagation because in this way large quantities of uniform, disease-free starting material are produced in a short period of time. In comparison with shoots, bulblets have several clear advantages as starting material. Therefore, in vitro bulblet formation is an important target for improvement of tissue culture of geophytes. The research described in this thesis was carried out with the lily cultivars ‘Santander’ and ‘Stargazer’. Commercially, lily is the second geophyte in the global flower industry. The size of lily bulblets regenerated in vitro has a direct effect on the performance in the field. After planting, large bulblets sprout with a stem and gain twice as much weight compared with small bulblets that sprout with a rosette. In the present study we studied basic and applied aspects of the following topics: (1) new methods for sterilization during initiation, (2) the effect of scale-related factors on bulblet growth, (3) growth enhancement by moderate abiotic stresses, and (4) the effect of CO2 removal from headspace of tissue culture containers on lily bulblet growth and as a control Arabidopsis thaliana seedling growth. Contamination is an everlasting problem in tissue culture laboratories. Lily bulbs are underground organs and contain therefore more contaminants as compared with aerial organs. During initiation, operators cause additional contamination in two ways that have as yet not been recognized adequately. (1) Rinsing explants with sterile water after surface-sterilization is the generally advised method to remove the residues of decontaminants. However, when scales are heavily contaminated, the surface-sterilization does not kill microorganisms in all scales. Surface-sterilization is usually done with batches of 10 to 30 scales and the contaminated scales may cross-contaminate uninfected scales during rinsing in water. We have tested the rinsing water and found heavy bacterial contamination in the 2th and especially the 3rd rinse. The contaminated rinsing water resulted in a high incidence of cross-contamination. Cross contamination was reduced almost fully by rinsing in diluted NaClO solution (0.03%) instead of sterile water. There was no negative effect of diluted NaClO on growth. (2) A second way of introducing contamination by the operator is the entering of microorganisms during detachment from mother bulbs via the vascular bundles caused by negative hydrostatic pressure within the bulb tissue. By detaching scales from bulbs submerged in 0.03% NaClO, hydrostatic-pressure related contamination was strongly reduced. The growth of bulblets increased by 22% and 17% when cross contamination and negative-hydrostatic pressure related contamination were prevented. Storage organ formation is controlled by interacting environmental, biochemical and genetic factors. We studied various aspects of the effect of the scale explant. We found that large explants produced larger bulblets than small explants. When bulblets were excised and cultured in vitro, growth was improved by 33% when a small piece of the original scale explant was left attached to the bulblet. The position in the scale from where the explant was excised affected the growth of the regenerating bulblets. Basal-scale explants improved bulblet growth by 40-50 % compared with apical-scale explants. This might be related to the physiological state of the tissues: there was more starch and there were more vascular bundles present in basal scale explants. Furthermore, excision of an explant from the middle of the scale improved bulblet growth by 40-50 % compared with explants excised from the edge of the scale. In general, the middle scale explants were heavier and contained wider vascular bundles. Plants in stressful conditions tend to allocate a higher proportion of biomass to below-ground biomass (roots and storage organs) as compared to above ground biomass. We investigated the effect of moderate abiotic stresses on lily bulblets grown in vitro. In general, lily bulblets showed an increased growth after moderate stresses. Hot air increased growth by 30%, hot water by 40%. We also examined the effect of drought and anaerobiosis. Drought stress increased growth of bulblets by 40% in the cultivar ‘Stargazer’, but significantly decreased bulblet growth in cv ‘Santander’. Anaerobiosis increased growth in ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Santander’ by 32% and 65%, respectively. We also showed that a moderate stresses treatment protects lily bulblets against future severe abiotic stresses. In general, the in vitro situation is not favorable for plants. Composition of the headspace (high humidity, strongly fluctuating CO2- and O2-levels and accumulation of gases like ethylene), low light, and wounding are unfavorable conditions that plants have to deal with. We examined the effect of CO2 starvation on growth in vitro with and without addition of 3% sucrose to the medium. A CO2-poor headspace reduced the growth of bulblets, leaves, roots and scale explants strongly, also in the presence of 3% sucrose. CO2 removal from the headspace decreased growth of Arabidopsis seedlings by 50 % on medium with 3% sucrose. It seems unlikely that the growth reduction on medium with 3% sucrose is caused solely by the lack of sucrose production in photosynthesis when CO2 is removed. Indeed, we found evidence that the low CO2 resulted in heavy stress that in turn may reduce growth. Fv/Fm in lily and Arabidopsis dropped when CO2 was removed. Occurrence of reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) was examined in Arabidopsis seedlings by staining with nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). ROS was virtually absent in ex vitro growing seedlings and very abundant in seedlings grown under CO2 starvation. Seedlings grown under normal tissue culture conditions showed an intermediate presence of ROS. We hypothesize that low levels of CO2 may results in ROS in in vitro seedlings which reduces growth.

The Amaryllidaceae alkaloid bulbispermine was derivatized to produce a small group of synthetic analogues. These, together with bulbispermine's natural crinine-type congeners, were evaluated in vitro against a panel of cancer cell lines with various levels of resistance to pro-apoptotic stimuli. Bulbispermine, haemanthamine, and haemanthidine showed the most potent antiproliferative activities as determined by the MTT colorimetric assay. Among the synthetic bulbispermine analogues, only the C1,C2-dicarbamate derivative exhibited notable growth inhibitory properties. All active compounds were found not to discriminate between the cancer cell lines based on the apoptosis sensitivity criterion; they displayed similar potencies in both cell types, indicating that the induction of apoptosis is not the primary mechanism responsible for antiproliferative activity in this series of compounds. It was also found that bulbispermine inhibits the proliferation of glioblastoma cells through cytostatic effects, possibly arising from rigidification of the actin cytoskeleton. These findings lead us to argue that crinine-type alkaloids are potentially useful drug leads for the treatment of apoptosis-resistant cancers and glioblastoma in particular.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of bulb planting time and the type of mulch on the morphological traits of plants and on bulb yield of Allium aflatunense B. Fedtsch. 'Purple Sensation'. Bulbs of 12 cm diameter were used as the study material. The bulbs were planted in plots on three dates: September 15th, October 1st, and October 15th. The plantation was mulched after frost with two types of mulch: composted pine bark and wheat straw. Phenological phases of the plants were observed during the growing season. At the full flowering stage, several observations and measurements were taken: length of leaves, length of inflorescence peduncle, peduncle diameter, inflorescence diameter, and number of flowers per inflorescence. After harvest, total numerical and weight yield of bulbs were evaluated as well as number and weight of the largest bulbs (21–22 cm diameter). The study showed that in order to obtain Allium aflatunense of high ornamental value, which is determined by the number of flowers per inflorescence and the inflorescence peduncle diameter, bulbs need to be planted in the middle of September. Bulb planting in October leads to production of inflorescences of greater diameter. The optimum method of Allium aflatunense cultivation which ensures production of good total yield of bulbs, expressed in its weight, is bulb planting on September 15th and soil mulching with composted pine bark or straw. Mulching a plantation of Allium aflatunense planted on September 15th with bark has a positive effect on the number and weight of bulbs of 21–22 cm diameter.

Pancratium maritimum is a perennial geophyte which grows spontaneously on sandy dunes and beaches of Mediterranean coasts, where it plays an important role in preventing the dune erosion. However, in many coastal areas natural plant population are being drastically reduced, because of sea erosion and human activities. In order to evaluate the possibility of cultivation of Pancratium as ornamental plant, the aims of this study were: to investigate its behaviour in natural environment; to set up a protocol for bulb micropropagation; to evaluate the performances of potted plants in cold glasshouse.

Turkey is one of the major garlic producing country in the World and the significant amount of Turkey's production has been made using a garlic variety called Kastamonu garlic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess genetic relationship of Kastamonu garlic with 20 previously characterized garlic clones collected from different regions of the world using AFLP and locus specific DNA markers. One putative Kastamonu garlic genotype was obtained from Taskopru district of Kastamonu province while another putative Kastamonu garlic genotype was collected from a local farmers’ market in Bursa province and called as Kast-Taskopru and Kast-Bursa in this study, respectively. In the UPGMA dendrogram developed by using 120 AFLP markers, Kast-Taskopru was clustered closely over 97% similarity with other non-bolting garlic clones, PI493112, PI493118 and PI383824. This cluster was also supported by bootstrap analysis with 100% bootstrap value. All clones in this cluster also shared same alleles of gene specific DNA markers. However, Kast-Bursa shared 100% polymorphic AFLP markers and gene specific markers with a different garlic clone, PI497951 in another distinct cluster of UPGMA dendrogram and this clustering has also bootstrap value of 100%. These results suggest that Kastamonu garlic is not unique and garlic production in Turkey has been made using several garlic clones, even though most of this production has been sold as Kastamonu garlic due to its high popularity. Therefore, a standard Kastamonu garlic genotype needs to be determined by fingerprinting all available garlic clones cultivated in Kastamonu province and other regions of Turkey.

Commercial harvesting of perennial herbs and geophytes for the medicinal plant trade has resulted in significant levels of resource depletion for several of the species concerned. One way to quantify the impacts is to estimate the number of bulbs harvested annually. Using records of bulb diameters sold in the Witwatersrand traditional medicinal plant markets between 1995 and 2001, the diameter size-classes most prevalent in the markets were ascertained. Thereafter, the number of ‘individual equivalents’ was estimated, i.e. the number of individual bulbs harvested annually equivalent in size to the mean diameter of the bulbs known to be traded. The estimates obtained include scenarios for bulbs of different diameters (reflecting the modal frequencies). The results showed there to be a significant decrease in the modal diameter of Eucomis autumnalis bulbs prevalent in the markets between 1995 and 2001 from 8 cm to 4 cm respectively. The diameters of Drimia spp. bulbs, the most popular species in the Witwatersrand markets, were also decreasing, but the differences were not significant by 2001. Scenarios for the number of Drimia spp. bulbs estimated to be sold to the Witwatersrand TM shops in 1995 ranged from 270 618 to 552 022 bulbs per annum. Gatherers are harvesting smaller and smaller bulbs over time and this is not sustainable at current rates, especially if more smaller bulbs are sold. It is thus clear that cultivation is necessary to mitigate the effects of further exploitation.

Morphogenesis in vitro is a complex and still poorly defined process. We investigated esterase and peroxidase isoforms detected in bulb scale, during Fritillaria meleagris morphogenesis. Bulbs were grown either at 4 degrees C or on a medium with an increased concentration of sucrose (4.5\%) for 30 days. After these pre-treatments, the bulb scales were further grown on nutrient media that contained different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (KIN) or thidiazuron (TDZ). Regeneration of somatic embryos and bulblets occurred at the same explant. The highest numbers of somatic embryos and bulblets were regenerated on the medium containing 2,4-D and KIN (1 mg/L each), while morphogenesis was most successful at a TDZ concentration between 0.5 and 1 mg/L. Monitoring of esterases and peroxidases was performed by growing bulb scales on a medium enriched with 2,4-D and KIN or TDZ (1 mg/L), and the number and activity of isoforms were followed every 7 days for 4 weeks. In control explants, six isoforms of esterase were observed. Three isoforms of peroxidase were not detected in the control bulb scale, which has not begun its morphogenesis process. 2015 Academie des sciences. (C) Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development {[}ON173015, OI 172048]

Objetivando-se indicar cultivares de cebola mais produtivas e de melhor qualidade de bulbos para a região semi-árida, conduziu-se um ensaio no Projeto Bebedouro, Petrolina-PE, de abril a agosto de 1997. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e as seguintes cultivares: Granex-429, Texas Grano-PRR, Brownsville, Houston, Texas Grano-502, Texas Grano-438, Conquista, Composto IPA-6, Belém IPA-9, Franciscana IPA-10, Valeouro IPA-11, Alfa Tropical (CNPH-6179) , CNPH-5898, CNPH-6074, CNPH-6040, CNPH-6067, Bola P. Empasc, XP-1, XP-2 e Crioula Mercosul. A produtividade de bulbos comerciais variou de 21,41 a 61,78 t/ha, destacando-se as cultivares Texas Grano-PRR (61,78 t/ha), Granex-429 (58,28 t/ha), Texas Grano-438 (56,97 t/ha), Brownsville (55,38 t/ha), Texas Grano-502 (53,97t/ha) e Houston (53,35 t/ha), que não mostraram diferenças significativas entre si.

The article presents the results of breeding of new variety of winter garlic “Strelets” developed as a result of clonal selection from local sample acquired in the Altai Territory. The variety trial revealed high seed production of this cultivar. The cultivar is characterized by the big air bulbils and other valuable features.

The regeneration ability of bulb scales of the Asiatic hybrid lily (Lilium hybrids L.) ‘Enchantment’ was monitored for bulbs stored for 0 to 5 years at −2°C in moist peat. Regeneration ability decreased after more than 1 year of storage and was completely lost after 5 years. Possible involvement of oxidative stress in the loss of regeneration capacity was tested. In this study we used white (i.e. with no visual damage) scales to test whether breakdown of membranes by oxidative stress was an early event in this storage-induced viability loss of lily bulbs. The content of reduced glutathione, which was the main nonprotein thiol in the bulb scales, remained nearly constant, while that of oxidized glutathione was slightly increased after 3.3 years of storage. Significant changes in the content of phospholipids, neutral lipids and free fatty acids were not detected during storage. The degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in phospholipids increased during the first 3 years of storage. Ion leakage of bulb scales was not increased in bulbs that were stored for less than 4 years. No indication was found that oxidative stress is a major factor associated with the loss of regeneration capacity of lily bulbs during cold storage.

Regulations around the world are forbidding incandescence bulbs in an attempt to curb electricity consumption. However, lighting occupies a very small share in the total electricity consumption. The replacement technology, mostly fluorescent bulbs count among drawbacks a negative impact on human health and increasing issues for their ecological elimination. Consumers feel attached to the incandescent bulbs but gradually moving to low consumption bulbs. In this paper, we list the disadvantages of fluorescent bulbs and examine some consumers' relationships with light bulbs. This is to add further elements to shift the debate away from electricity savings towards ecological and health concerns.

Onions are the second most-valuable vegetable in the world. Despite its global culinary and economic significance, the knowledge of genetic diversity and resources is limited. The aim of this study was to morphologically and physico-chemically characterize eighty-six onion landraces from Spain, part of the secondary Mediterranean Centre of diversity. The evaluated traits in the bulb included: weight, shape, firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), pungency and sugars content (glucose, fructose and sucrose). The results evidenced a great variability in all the evaluated traits. Correlations were significant between pungency and SSC (r = 0.34), firmness (r = 0.32), and sucrose content (r = 0.34); between fructose and glucose contents (r = 0.79); between sucrose content and SSC (r = 0.57); between SSC and weight (r = –0.35); between fructose and sucrose contents (r = –0.22); and between weight and sucrose content (r = –0.43). the combination of cluster and discriminant analyses resulted in a classification into four clusters (95.3% fit). Cluster 1 is represented by firm, pungent and large-sized bulbs; cluster 2 consists of large-sized, mild and sweet onions; cluster 3 is constituted by pungent, high-SSC and small-sized bulbs and cluster 4 is made up by elongated bulbs. The variability in important agronomical traits found point out that these onion accessions could be candidates for future breeding programs. In addition, the clustering could make the initial plant material selection easier and the correlations among the evaluated traits found could help to establish adequate selection strategies. La cebolla es el segundo cultivo hortícola a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre los recursos y la diversidad genética de esta especie es limitado. Por ello, el objetivo del presente trabajo consistió en el estudio morfológico y físico-químico de una colección de 86 cultivares de cebolla procedentes de España (que forma parte del centro secundario de diversificación). Los caracteres evaluados en el bulbo incluyeron: peso, forma, firmeza, contenido en sólidos solubles (SSC), pungencia y contenido en azúcares (glucosa, fructosa y sacarosa). Los resultados evidenciaron una gran variabilidad en todos los caracteres evaluados. Las correlaciones fueron significativas entre la pungencia y SSC (r = 0,34), firmeza (r = 0,32) y contenido en sacarosa (r = 0,34); entre contenido en fructosa y glucosa (r = 0,79); entre contenido en sacarosa y SSC (r = 0,57); entre SSC y peso (r = –0,35); entre contenido en fructosa y sacarosa (r = –0,22) y entre el peso y contenido en sacarosa (r = –0,43). El análisis discriminante dio lugar a la formación de cuatro grupos con un ajuste del 95,3%. El grupo 1 está formado por bulbos grandes, firmes y picantes, el grupo 2 por cebollas grandes, suaves y dulces, el grupo 3 por cebollas pequeñas, picantes y con un alto SSC y el grupo 4 por bulbos de forma alargada. La variabilidad encontrada para caracteres de interés agronómico indica que este material podría ser utilizado en futuros programas de mejora genética de esta especie. Además, la agrupación de los cultivares contribuiría a localizar mejor el material vegetal de interés y las correlaciones halladas entre los caracteres evaluados a establecer una adecuada estrategia de selección.

Height control is often required in order to obtain bulb plants that are proportional to their pot size and to reduce post-harvest stem elongation. Plant growth regulators afford an effective means of controlling plant height. In this study, paclobutrazol (Pbz) was studied for use in the chemical dwarfing of potted Lilium plants -the hybrids "Ercolano" and "Royal Respect"- for marketing. Their bulbs were dipped in the growth regulator (0, 50, 100, and 150 ppm) for 10 min before planting. Plant height (measured at 7 day intervals), the duration of the different stages of the growth cycle, the number of flower buds formed, and the number of open and aborted flowers were recorded. The average day and night air temperatures were 25 and 13 deg C, respectively. Increasing Pbz dose progressively reduced the height of the "Ercolano" hybrid by between 29% (46.2 cm; 50 ppm) and 45% (35.3 cm; 150 ppm) compared to control plants (64.4 cm), however, neither the duration of flowering nor the number of flowers was modified. The "Royal Respect" hybrid responded with a marked shortening - by 45% (20.8 cm; 50 ppm) to 59% (28.2 cm; 150 ppm) in comparison with the average control height (51.1 cm), but in this case both the duration of flowering and the number of open flowers was reduced at the highest concentration. The feasibility of cultivating these Lilium hybrids for marketing in pots is demonstrated. However, the concentration of paclobutrazol should be adjusted according to the hybrid grown. En la producción de bulbosas en maceta, a menudo se requiere el control de la altura para obtener plantas proporcionales al tamaño del contenedor y para reducir el elongamiento del tallo en post-cosecha. Un medio efectivo de controlar la altura de las plantas es el uso de reguladores de crecimiento. Para proporcionar información sobre el enanizamiento químico en producción de plantas de Lilium en maceta, se estudió la efectividad del regulador de crecimiento paclobutrazol (0, 50, 100 y 150 ppm) en dos híbridos de Lilium L.A., "Ercolano" y "Royal Respect", aplicado por inmersión de bulbos durante 10 minutos. Se registró la altura a intervalos de 7 días, la duración de los diferentes estadios del ciclo y el número de flores formadas, abiertas y abortadas. Las temperaturas medias del aire (día/noche) fueron 25/13 grados C. El incremento de las dosis de paclobutrazol produjo un incremento en el control de la altura en el híbrido "Ercolano" de 29% (46,2 cm) a 45% (35,3 cm) con respecto al testigo (64,4 cm), sin modificación en la duración de la floración ni en el número de flores. El híbrido "Royal Respect" respondió al paclobutrazol con una marcada reducción de la altura, de 45% (20,8 cm) a 59% (28,2 cm), en comparación con el testigo (51,1 cm), pero en este caso, tanto la duración de la floración como el número de flores abiertas disminuyeron con la concentración más alta. Se demostró la viabilidad de cultivar los híbridos Lilium "Ercolano" y "Royal Respect" en macetas para su comercialización, y se confirmó que la concentración de paclobutrazol debe ajustarse para cada híbrido.