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Brassica oleracea, Matthiola incana, Brachycome multifida and Tradescantia fulminensis were grown in a greenhouse in potting mixes composed of ground pine bark or composted hammer milled softwood, and sand, materials commonly used in Australia. Fertilization was via liquid feeds containing similar concentrations of N, but with S (as sulfate) in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 70 mg l −1 S. When the liquid feed was the sole source of S, it had to contain at least 15 mg l −1 S for maximum growth of B. Multifida and T. fulminensis . The crucifers Brassica oleracea and M. incana needed 25–27 mg l −1 S in the liquid feed. Critical concentrations of S in 1:1.5-volume extracts for the 2 groups of species were about 3 and 6 mg l −1 . Drainage waters containing less than 12 and 16 mg l −1 S were associated with deficiency. When commercial liquid feeds with S concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 79 mg l −1 S were applied to M. incana at a constant 175 mg l −1 N, growth was directly proportional to S concentration up to about 30 mg l −1 , even though the concentrations of other elements varied widely. The results are discussed in relation to the ability of water supplies and liquid feeds to supply adequate amounts of S.

Based on 256 defined genotypes of the Brassicaceae Matthiola incana the influence of the alleles at four different loci and of their combinations on homeostasis was investigated against an isogenic background. The measured character was the anthocyanin content of the flowers. There are significant maternal and paternal influences on homeostasis. Moreover the extent of heterozygosity as well as the number of wildtype alleles, summarized over all loci, are positively correlated with the increase of homeostasis. The analysis of individual gene effects shows distinct graduations between the contributions of the particular loci. In principle, the wild-type allele proved to be more homeostatic when compared to the mutant; in some cases monogenic heterosis was indicated. Nonallelic interactions of first and second order do considerably modify the degree of expression of homeostasis; they are neither strongly correlated with the individual gene effects nor with the interactions of lower order, and hence they are not predictable. This means also that it is not possible to formulate a general hypothesis as to the causes of homeostasis. We have to assume rather that homeostasis depends on specific gene combinations which enable the organism to stabilize its phenotype by means of certain physiological conditions.

Summary Some specific and subspecific new entities are described in this note: Petrorhagia rupestris Brullo et Furnari, sp. nov., Sedum cyrenaicum Brullo et Furnari, sp. nov., Antirrhinum gebelicum Brullo et Furnari, sp. nov., Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br. ssp. cyrenaica Brullo et Furnari, subsp. nov., Sedum laconicum Boiss. et Heldr. ssp. pentapolitanum Brullo et Furnari, subsp. nov., Erica sicula Guss. ssp. cyrenaica Brullo et Furnari, subsp. nov., Plantago lagopus L. ssp. ptolemaidis Brullo et Furnari, subsp. nov., Tolpis virgata (Desf.) Bert. ssp. apolloniae Brullo et Furnari, subsp. nov. Beside the nomenclature and the taxonomie rank of other entities is changed: Salsola sieberi Presl ssp. cyrenaica (Maire et Weiller) Brullo et Furnari, stat. nov., Herniaria glabra L. ssp. cyrenaica (Pamp.) Brullo et Furnari, stat. nov., Frankenia syrtica (Maire et Weiller) Brullo et Furnari, comb, et stat. nov., Matthiola incana L. R. Br. ssp. pulchella (Tin. ex Guss.) Brullo et Furnari, comb, et stat. nov., Rhamnus ...

A global collection of 123 putative isolates of Fusarium oxysporum from crucifers was examined for pathogenicity, isozyme polymorphism, and vegetative compatibility. Of these isolates, 103 were found to be pathogenic on one or more of six differential crucifer cultivars. Three patterns of isozyme polymorphism (electrophoretic types) were found and by means of a nitrate reductase complementation test, three major vegetative compatibility groups were identified that could differentiate among the F. oxysporum pathotypes. Complete correspondence was found among pathotype, electrophoretic type, and vegetative compatibility. It seems appropriate to classify isolates from the Cruciferae into the subspecific taxa, F. oxysporum f.sp. conglutinans, F. oxysporum f.sp. raphani, and F. oxysporum f.sp. matthioli, based on their naturally infected host species, Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus, and Matthiola incana, and on estimates of genetic identity. Within formae speciales, races can be identified based on intraspecific host specialization. Geographic origin was not found to be associated with the vegetative compatibility, isozyme phenotype, or pathotype. Isozyme polymorphisms also differentiated among four F. oxysporum formae speciales from other host families and among various Fusarium species.

Night temperatures warmer than those normally used in commercial production systems promoted vegetative growth in Tagetes patula and Matthiola incana seedlings. In the short (8 h) daylength regime employed, and with a day temperature of 16°C, cool nights (8°C) had a detrimental effect, especially when imposed for 6 weeks from pricking-out rather than later. Night temperatures between 8°C and 16°C did not substitute for the long-day requirement for flowering in Matthiola after 11 weeks' growth, and there was no advantage with respect to vegetative growth in maintaining night temperatures above 12°C. Warmer nights from pricking-out promoted flowering in Tagetes but if applied later (during weeks 7–11) the positive effects were largely on vegetative growth. The implications of these findings for commercial horticulture are discussed.

(+)Leucopelargonidin [(2R,3S,4R)-3,4,5,7,4'-pentahydroxyflavan] and (+)leucocyanidin [(2R,3S,4R)-3,4,5,7,3',4'-hexahydroxyflavan] were synthesized from (+)dihydrokaempferol and (+)dihydroquercetin, respectively, by sodium-borohydride reduction. The chemical and optical purity of these compounds was established by ultraviolet, proton-nuclear-magnetic-resonance, and optical-rotatory-dispersion spectroscopy. Supplementation experiments with these leucoanthocyanidins were carried out with genetically defined acyanic flowers of Matthiola incana. Feeding of leucopelargonidin and leucocyanidin to line 17 (blocked between dihydroflavonols and anthocyanins) and line 18 (blocked in the chalcone-synthase gene) led to formation of the corresponding anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosides, whereas supplementation of line 19 (blocked in a locus other than line 17 between dihydroflavonols and anthocyanins) did not result in anthocyanin synthesis. The conversion of leucopelargonidin into pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside was further confirmed by incorporation of [4-(3)H]leucopelargonidin into pelargonidin derivatives. The results are strong indications for the role of leucoanthocyanidins (flavan-3,4-diols) as intermediates in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

In flower extracts of Matthiola incana an enzyme catalyzing the transfer of glucose from UDP- glucose to the hydroxyl group at 3-position of anthocyanidins and flavonols was demonstrated. The pH-optimum of this reaction is at pH 8.5 for pelargonidin and pH 9.5 for quercetin as substrate. The reaction is inhibited by both substrates above 10 nmol per assay. The enzyme is highly active, within 30 sec 3 nmol of 3-glucosides were formed. At 30 °C the enzyme is stable for hours and at -20 °C months. Besides UDP-glucose, TDP-glucose is a suitable glucosyl-donor, but with a reduced (70%) reaction rate. Enzyme activity is clearly inhibited by Fe2+ and Cu2+ ions, and by diethylpyrocarbonate. Acyanic or pale coloured mutants of several genes interfering with anthocyanin synthesis after dihydroflavonol formation show a more or less drastically reduced enzyme activity (5-40%). But none of these genes can be regarded as the structural gene for the 3-glucosyltransferase. The influence of these genes on enzyme activity and flower colour is dis­cussed.

The germination and growth of Brassica oleraceae var. capitata, Lactuca sativa and Matthiola incana were not significantly affected by replacing peat in their growing-media with sawdust ( Eucalyptus and Tristania ) composted with urea (2.6 kg/m 3 ) and other fertilizers for 6 weeks. Two thirds of the peat in the media could be replaced with sawdust before the germination or growth rates of Papaver orientale or Senecio × hybridus were significantly affected, while half of the peat could be replaced with sawdust before Viola × wittrockiana was significantly affected. The growth rates of Adiantum raddianum, Asplenium nidus, Coleus blumei, Dieffenbachia picta, Nephrolepis elata, Peperomia scandens, Philodendron sellonium × specciosum, Pilea cadleri, Saintpaulia and Schefflera actinophylla in media containing 50–80% composted hardwood sawdust were equivalent to, or significantly better than, growth in media containing an equal percentage of sphagnum peat and receiving the same level of liquid or slow-release fertilizer. Substitution of sphagnum peat with composted sawdust reduced the leaf area and dry weight of Impatiens walleriana , possibly due to a small decrease in the available water in the media. It did not, however, have a significant effect on either their number of flowers or their surface area. The growth of Pilea and Saintpaulia was best where the media contained equal percentages of sawdust and peat than where either was used alone.

A cell-free extract from flowers of Matthiola incana catalyzes a NADPH-dependent stereospecific reduction of (+)-dihydrokaempferol to 3,4-cis-leucopelargonidin (5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-cis-diol). The pH-optimum of this reaction is around 6. The rate of reaction with NADH was about 50% of that found with NADPH. (+)-Dihydroquercetin and (+)-dihydromyricetin were also reduced by the enzyme preparation to the corresponding flavan-3,4-cis-diols. Correlation between the genotype of M. incana and the presence of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase is strong evidence that this enzyme is involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Weekly foliar applications of GA47 (GA; 25 p.p.m.) during seedling growth promoted reproductive development of both Tagetes patula and Matthiola incana whether grown in short days (8 h), or long days effected by night-breaks (NB). The NB treatment was unfavourable for flowering in Tagetes but promoted leaf growth whereas both GA and NB, favourable for early flowering and associated stem elongation in Matthiola, inhibited leaf growth. The GA applications substituted for the long-day requirement for flowering in Matthiola. These findings are coupled with those reported earlier for the effects of night temperature on vegetative growth and flowering and are discussed in relation to a possible “blue-print” for commercial horticultural practice.

Protoplasts were isolated from callus derived from excised cotyledons of stock (Matthiola incana R. Br.), by using an enzyme mixture of 1.5% Meicelase and 0.05% Macerozyme R-10. Modified Murashige-Skoog major elements, Ringe and Nitsch minor elements and modified vitamins supplemented with 0.2mg/l 2, 4-D, 1mg/l NAA, 1mg/l BAP, 8.1% mannitol, 1% glucose and 1% sucrose supported protoplast division at 25°C. The frequency of colony formation 10 days after culture was the highest (17.9% of isolated protoplasts) at protoplast density of 0.5×105/ml. Colonies developed to the callus-stage 2 months after initial culture. When callus pieces were cultured in full strength MS medium supplemented with 1mg/l BAP or 1mg/l zeatin, adventitious buds were induced in 9%-16% of callus explants. The buds elongated with leaves open at 20°C and rooted in medium supplemented with 0.1mg/l or 5mg/l IBA.

Soluble enzyme preparations from flower buds of Matthiola incana catalysed the conversion of dihydrokaempferol to kaempferol and of dihydroquercetin to quercetin. The reaction required 2-oxoglutarate, ascorbate and Fe2+ as cofactors and had a pH-optimum at about 7.0. Highest enzyme activity was already present in the youngest buds followed by a rapid decline during bud and flower development. Furthermore, a substantial correlation was observed between the enzyme activity for flavonol formation and the flavonol content of the buds and flowers.

Multiple shoot buds have differentiated from cotyledonary explants of Matthiola incana (Brassicaceae), cultured on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) basal medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0.1–0.8 ppm). After subculturing on MS + naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (1 ppm), they produced roots. However, only a few shoots developed on hypocotyl explants reared on MS + kinetin (Kn) (0.1 ppm) or MS + adenine (Ad) (1 ppm). NAA (1 and 4 ppm) induced profuse rooting in both cotyledonary and hypocotyl explants, whereas 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (2 ppm) could mainly induce callusing with sporadic rooting only in cotyledonary explants.

Summary Among the many leafhoppers which we have collected and identified in Morocco, Turkey, Syria and France (Corsica), only the species Neoaliturus haematoceps was found to be infected with Spiroplasma citri. In Syria, this leafhopper was encountered on ornamental stock plants (Matthiola incana L.) in the Oronte valley, and on Salsola kali L., a wild Chenopodiacae of the semi-arid regions of the coastal area. In Corsica, we found it on wild stock plants (Matthiola sinuata R.Br.) of the oriental coast and on bush plants. A breeding of this leafhopper was initiated, and we demonstrated that it was able to acquire S. citri from infected periwinkles, multiply the organisms in its body and transmit them to healthy plants. This leafhopper can also be infected after injection of S. citri. The leafhoppers thus inoculated can transmit the spiroplasma very efficiently to healthy plants. This is the first report of the transmission of S. citri by Neoaliturus haematoceps both after acquisition on a diseased plant and after injection.

DNA samples from various higher plants (Phaseolus aureus, Glycine max, Matthiola incana, Brassica pekinensis, Cucumis melo) were centrifuged in actinomycin-caesium chloride gradients and the genes coding for the ribosomal RNAs were detected by hybridisation with tritium labelled 5S and 25S+18S rRNA, respectively. With DNA of low molecular weight ( 10×106 daltons) indicating that at least most of the 5S rRNA genes are not linked to, or interspersed with, the genes coding for 25S and 18S rRNA. This result is in agreement with the situation in animal cells and in contrast to that reported for bacteria, lower eukaryotes and chloroplasts.

It has been generally recognized that common stocks do not form flower buds at temperatures above 15.6°C. In recent years, however, many cultivars of extremely early flowering have been bred, which flower from October to December when they are sown in the beginning of August. In the previous paper, it was shown that ‘Senshonoyuki’, an extremely early flowering cultivar in Japan, flowered at 3°C- day and 25°C-night temperatures. In this paper, the effect of temperatures above 13°C on flowering of non-branching stocks was investigated.1. Eight cultivars of extremely early flowering and medium flowering cultivars were sown in the hot bed above 15°C in March of 1972. Seedlings with 2-4 unfolded leaves were grown in glass houses under natural day length, in which minimum temperatures were maintained at 15°, 20° and 25°C. No flowering was observed at any temperatures in medium flowering cultivars. In extremely early flowering cultivars flowering percentages of ‘Christmas Rose’, ‘Senshonoyuki’ and ‘Christmas Blue’ were 100% at 25°C, and that of ‘Christmas White’ was 72%. However, the time of flower budding and flowering at 25°C were later than 15° and 20°C. The number of nodes to inflorescence increased directly in relation to the growing temperature.2. Eight extremely early flowering cultivars and one early flowering cultivar were sown in September of 1972. Seedlings with two unfolded leaves were transferred to glass houses under natural day length, in which minimum temperatures were maintained at 13°, 18° and 23°C. Flowering percentages of extremely early flowering cultivars, ‘Christmas Rose’, ‘Akinobeni’, ‘Akinomurasaki’ and ‘Kanshio’ were 100% at 23°C, and those of ‘Benihime’ and ‘Tsukinoyosooi’ were 98%. However, those of ‘Christmas Blue’ and ‘Christmas White’ were 70% even at 18°C, and further lowered at 23°C. Flowering of ‘Zuisei’, an early flowering cultivar, were occurred only at 13°C. Differences of the times of flower initiation and flower budding at 13° and 18°C were very slight in all the extremely early flowering cultivars. However, flower initiation and flower budding of ‘Christmas Blue’ and ‘Christmas White’ were later than those of the other six extremely early flowering cultivars at these two temperatures. The higher the temperature, the more nodes to inflorescence in all the extremely early flowering cultivars. Their plant height was the lowest at 23°C and some abnormal flowers were observed above this temperature.These results suggest that the maximum temperature, which induces flowering in most of the extremely early flowering cultivars of non-branching stocks, is 23° -25°C.

Summary Uptake of homologous radioactively and density labelled donor DNA by plant seedlings (Matthiola incana) into the nuclei and by isolated nuclei in vitro has been followed. The recipient DNA has been characterised by caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation. Depending on the incubation time the incorporated DNA is recovered from the nuclear fraction in unaltered and macromolecular form (after 5 hours of incubation) or is partly integrated into the recipient genome resulting in a fraction with intermediate density (after 20 hours of incubation). No qualitative difference has been observed between DNA extracted from intact recipient plants and DNA extracted only from the nuclear fraction suggesting that processes altering the density of the donor DNA occur more or less inside the nucleus. Isolated nuclei of Matthiola incana which are shown to be morphologically stable and physiologically active incorporate exogenous DNA through their nuclear membrane. The incorporated DNA is not significantly degraded but is retained with unaltered molecular weight and buoyant density for at least 2 hours. The amount of foreign DNA per nucleus corresponds to the DNA content of a diploid Matthiola cell (3 pg).

Enzyme preparations from flowers of defined genotypes of Matthiola incana contain two dif­ ferent hydroxylases for hydroxylation of naringenin in the 3-and 3′-position, respectively. The 3-hydroxylase is a soluble enzyme and requires as cofactors 2-oxoglutarate, Fe2+ and ascorbate. Besides naringenin eriodictyol is a substrate for the 3-hydroxylase. The 3′-hydroxylase is localized in the microsomal fraction and requires NADPH as cofactor. Naringenin and dihydro-kaempferol but not 4-coumarate or 4-coumaroyl-CoA are substrates for this enzyme. 3′-Hydroxylase activity is present only in genetic lines of M. incana with the wild-type allele b+.

Gypsum samples with narrow particle size distributions in the range −1 . Distilled water was applied to the pots at 5.75 mm/day. Drainage waters were collected and analysed for S. Close to 100% of the S from most samples appeared in solution in the drainage water in less than 40 days. The S of single superphosphate was leached from the pots in about the same time. Gypsum of gravel size (>2 mm) dissolved more slowly than finer grades. Pinus radiata bark and sawdust and Eucalyptus camaldulensis sawdust did not adsorb SO 2− 4 . Little inorganic S is therefore retained against leaching by soil-less potting media. In pot experiments, Matthiola incana was grown in soil-less mixes with gypsum and/or single superphosphate as sole sources of S. With all other nutrient elements supplied, at least 1.5 g gypsum l −1 was needed to grow the plants for 94 days without the appearance of S-deficiency symptoms. With less than 1.5 g l −1 , time to appearance of S-deficiency symptoms increased with increasing amount of gypsum added. The ability of various size-grades of gypsum to provide S to M. incana during a 3-month growing period was also investigated. Gypsum with most particles smaller than 0.5 mm did not maintain an adequate supply of S beyond 50 days. Crushed rock gypsum with 1–4-mm particles was able to maintain an adequate supply for at least 80 days when added at a rate of 2.25 g l −1 . A pre-plant application of single superphosphate at 1.5 g l −1 did not provide enough S for a 66-day growing period. Some guidelines for the interpretation of analytical data for S in drainage waters and aqueous extracts of potting media are given.

Anthocyanidin 3-glucosides and 3-sambubiosides acylated with 4-coumarate or caffeate were identified in flower extracts of lines of Matthiola incana with wild-type alleles of the gene u. An enzyme activity was demonstrated catalysing the acylation of 3-glucosides and 3-sambubiosides with 4-coumarate or caffeate using the respective CoA esters as acyl donors. Anthocyanins glycosylated in both the 3- and 5-positions were not acylated. The enzyme exhibited an pH optimum at 6.5 and was inhibited by divalent ions, EDTA, diethylpyrocarbonate and p -chloromercuribenzoate. Accumulation of acylated 3-glycosides during bud development is correlated with acyltransferase activity. In confirmation of the chemogenetic work, acyltransferase activity was found only in enzyme extracts from flowers of lines with the wild-type allele u + .

Downy mildew (Peronospora matthiolae (Roumeguerre) Gaumann) of stock, which was first found in New Zealand in 1958, became a serious and widespread disease within a year. Life history studies of the fungus indicated that it produced only asexual conidia, and that it was not systemic in the plant. Amongst the Cruciferae the fungus infected only species of M. atthiola, both M. incana and M. bicornis being susceptible. All varieties of stock tested were susceptible, but there was evidence that intensity of sporulation varied between varieties. Under optimum conditions the incubation period of the fungus was 5–6 days. It required high humidities for sporulation, and the optimum temperature for infection and sporulation was 15.5°–21°c. Streptospray (500 p.p.m. + glycerol, 1 per cent) protected plants from infection, and also acted as an eradicant. Sprays containing ferbam, cuprous oxide emulsion, Phaltan, dichlone, U.C.P. 21, Trioneb, and zineb gave protection but were not eradicant. Best control of n...

The anthocyanins present in colour varieties of Lathyrus odoratus and Streptocarpus have been identified; the sugars of some forty other anthocyanins have also been examined. In all, twenty-two new anthocyanins have been found; they include the first representatives of the following glycosidic classes: 3-rhamnosides, 3-(xylosylgalactosides), 5-glucoside-3-rhamnosides, 5-glucosides-3-sophoroside, 3-sophoroside-7-glucosides and 5-glucoside-3-sambubiosides. Each of the two unusual disaccharides sophorose and sambubiose occurs combined in the anthocyanins of several plant genera. Structures previously proposed for pigments of Matthiola incana flowers and of red cabbage have been revised. This work brings the number of known classes of anthocyanins to seventeen.

Six groups of genetic materials were developed in a cruciferous garden plant, Matthiola incana R. Br., to produce simplified genetic systems of a pair of loci in each group. There were only two alleles at each locus, which were directly involved in the modification of anthocyanins in the plant tissue. The parental lines and their F1's in each group constituted an ideal 4 × 4 diallel cross and satisfied all but one condition necessary for a valid diallel analysis. Nonallelic interaction was the only possible offending postulate.The diallel analysis of the data on anthocyanin content in the flower tissues and a comparison of the results with that of a relatively straightforward method of analysis indicated that in the presence of epistasis, the dominance ratio (H1/D) ceases to be a reliable measure of the average degree of dominance. In such situations additional genetic information obtained from the diallel analysis are not in agreement with the expectations on the basis of the already available genetic information on the materials. The estimator H2/4 H1, a measure of average value of the product of alleles with positive and negative effects, seemed to remain unaffected by epistasis. The Wr/Vr regression analysis does not always permit the detection of nonallelic gene interactions. The results suggest that duplicate interaction may escape detection by the regression analysis.

T HE long series of results obtained by Miss Saunders from breeding experiments on Matthiola incana, carried on over a large number of years, and the recent papers (20-24) published on the cytology of both plants and animals, particularly the work of Morgan and his collaborators in America on Drosophila ampelophila, suggested that an enquiry into the cytology of Matthiola(18) might be of interest. Matthiola produces constantly two types of singles-the "no-dsingles" which breed true, and produce pure singles only, and the ever-sporting or double-throwing singles (" d-singles ") which give both singles and doubles. The genetical facts are explicable on the supposition that at least two factors, XY, are concerned in the production of singleness, doubleness being due to the "absence" of either or both factors. In the pure-breeding single the factors X and Y appear to be linked-in the d-single they are not. The probability is that in the d-single the pollen is all of one kind, and that it lacks the factor for singleness, but the ovules-from the evidence afforded by reciprocal crosses-are of two kinds, single-producing and double-producing. The Sulphur White variety which has also been investigated is peculiar in that it is ever-sporting as regards both plastid colour and doubleness. Doubleness, therefore, although apparently unrelated to sap colour or surface character is linked with the factor for plastid colour. This investigation, however, deals mainly with the relation of singleness and doubleness to the cytological structure. II. METHODS

(1) Tests have been carried out of the germination on artificial media of the pollen of double-throwing races (d. races) and pure breeding single races (no-d. races) of Stocks (Matthiola incana M. Br.). The percentage of germination obtained in the no-d. races ranged from 76 to 29, and that in the d. races from 29 to 1.5. The difference is statistically significant. (2) The evidence of the germination tests can, perhaps, be accepted as sufficient to show that a difference exists between the pollen of the d. and no-d. races in respect to the possibility of germination. If this is so, theories which attempt to explain the genetical behaviour of Stocks in terms of pre-maturation segregation lose their main support. (3) Rival theories, such as those which postulate gametic lethals, must therefore be considered. A theory of this type is brought forward, which is claimed to account for the facts better than previous similar theories: but it does not fit the facts any better than does Saunders’ scheme, which, however, does not account for the lack of certain classes of gametes. (4) It is shown that the hypothesis brought forward in this paper provides a plausible explanation of the breeding results which have been obtained by Frost, working with the trisomic race Slender.

Quantitative analysis of p -coumaric, caffeic, ferulic and sinapic acids, kaempferol and anthocyanin pigment has been made in the flowers of healthy and virus infected plants of Matthiola incana R. Br. Virus infection results in the formation of white flower parts in plants whose flowers are normally colored pink or red by acylated perlargonidin glycosides; in pink types there may also be an intensification of the color. The virus-infected white parts bear a great resemblance to normal white flowers with respect to their phenolic constituents: both contain kaempferol, sinapic acid and a small amount of ferulic acid. It is assumed therefore that the action of the virus consists mainly in a blocking of the anthocyanin synthesis. In healthy red flowers larger amounts of cinnamic acids are present, bound to the acylated anthocyanins and other compounds, and possibly also as free acids. When anthocyanin synthesis is blocked, the formation of cinnamic acids is also inhibited, except for small amounts of sinapic and ferulic acids. The amounts of kaempferol present in the genotypes examined are roughly the same in all healthy types but almost doubled in the white flowers of virus-infected cyanic plants. It appears, however, that there is no direct relationship between the effects of the virus on flavonol and on anthocyanin synthesis.

An inbred line of ever sporting Matthiola incana (L.) R. Br. was used to test the effects of three levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on seed production. The nutrient levels established did not produce extreme deficiencies or severely limit the growth of the plants. N2 resulted in the tallest plants, averaging 11.8 cm taller than N1 and 4.7 cm taller than N3. Plants deficient in potassium or on a high ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus to potassium showed typical potassium-deficiency symptoms at the time of flowering. The differences in number of seed from the low, medium, and high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium considered separately and in interaction were highly significant. The highest number was obtained from a high level of potassium and low levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Medium and high levels of nitrogen resulted in more vigorous growth with lower seed production than the low level of nitrogen. The number of seed per flower showed the same response as the number of seed ...

In recent years, there has been a rapid growth of desire for flower production in Japan, and new floricultural areas have developed in the climatically favourable districts for the culture in addition to the old areas near large cities. The author attemtps to compare the flower producing areas of the outskirts of Sendai with those of distant environs from the viewpoint of their location factors and distribution.Of the flowers supplied to Sendai market, 55 per cent are shipped from distant areas, (the major floricultural districts are Shizuoka, Chiba, Fukushima and Nagano.), and the rest are from the outskirts of Sendai city. Some differences in kind, price and supplying season of flowers can be observed among the areas.The floricultural areas can be classified into the following 3 types according to the supplying season.1) The areas which ship 50 percent or more of flowers concentratively in summer season (from May to October) are Nagano and Fukushima Prefs.2) Of the areas which supply more than 50 percent in winter season (from November to April), the major ones are Chiba and Shizuoka Prefs.3) The area providing the market all the year round is the outskirts of Sendai city.From the view-point of the kind of flowers, however, the flower producing areas can also be categorized into the following types.1) The flowers which are generally shipped from distant environs. (fruiescens, chrysanthemum, calendula flliciasis, matthiola incana etc.)2) The flowers shipped dominatingly from the outskirts of Sendai. (lathurus ldoratus, rose, dahlia veriabiles etc.)3) The flowers carried from both the distant environs and the outskirts. (chrysanthemum, carnation, callistiphus chinensis etc.)Chrysanthemum is a typical flower, which is carried to market in a whole year. However, the supplying season of chrysanthemum can be divided into 4 types.1) From July to October chrysanthemum is shipped from Nagano Pref. (shade culture), and Fukushima Pref. (open-air culture).2) From October to November, from the outskirts of Sendai. (open-air culture).3) From November to February, from Chiba and Shizuoka Prefs. (open-air culture).4) From February to July, from the outskirts of Sendai. (open-air culture and green house culture).Generally speaking, cheap production cost is the main item necessary for the decision of the locaion of flower culture, and the merits or demerits of the location of flower culture are determined by shipping expenses and production cost. Distant environs is advantageous in production cost, because the distant flower producing areas are favoured with good climatic conditions and such heating apparatus unnecessary for the culture as seen in the suburbs of Sendai, while in cartage the outskirts is advantageous because of nearness to Sendai market.

1. On account of flower forcing of the stocks, studies on flower bud differentiation and development were conducted at Nagano 1951 and 1952, using the seedlings which were grown on the regions of the high altitude and received different growing temperatures.2. Flower clusters differentiated aside the growing point axis which were developing. Flower clusters which had been differentiated developed to flower buds and flowered when the circumstances were favorable.3. Stock seedlings which were moved to high temperature suddenly soon after the flower clusters differentiation, developed imperfect flower buds e. g. aborted, or deformed flower, etc.4. To avoid of these imperfect flower buds, the seedlings which had differentiated to the flower clusters perfectly should be used.5. For this reason, the seedlings should be received low temperature over 35-40 days below 13°C min.6. Seedlings which had been grown at the regions of high altitude, might be forced of the flowers ahead 30 days compared to the ones grown at the low altitude. The seedlings of Non-Branching strains were forced 50 days ahead.7. Flower stalks were too dwarf for cut flowers when the seedlings had been grown at too cool region of high altitude. The length of flower stalks was correlated to the dimensions of seedlings at the time the flower buds differentiated. It should be sown 50 to 60 days ahead the time of flower cluster differentiation and grown up to longer seedlings to secure tall flower stalks.8. To secure the cut flowers of stocks at X-mas, it should be sown in July 10 to 20 at 700 to 800 meters altitude and then moved the seedlings to warm regions or house early in October.

1-Sinapoylglucose was isolated in cristalline form from mutants of Matthiola incana. In addition, 1-feruloyl-glucose and 1-p-cumaroyl-glucose were isolated and identified by paper chromatography. The molecular weights of penta-(trimethylsilyl)-1-sinapoyl-glucose and penta-(trimethylsilyl)-1-feruloyl-glucose have been determined by mass-spectroscopy.

The polar basal transport of the growth substances (auxins, growth hormones) in plants is a well known phenomenon, demonstrated first by Went (81), and studied in detail by van der Weij (78, 80). These investigators used the Avena (oat) coleoptile.1 That the phenomenon is more or less general is indicated by the polar transport of auxin in roots (Cholodny, 19; Nagao GO) ; in hypocotyls of Baphanus (van Overbeek, 62), of Pisum (Skoog, 74) ; in leaves (Avery, 2) ; in the coleoptile of Avena (Went, 81; Laibach and Kornmann, 40; van der Weij, 78, 80; and Skoog, 74) and corn (van Overbeek, 63) ; in Elaeagnus (woody cutting) (van der Weij, 79) ; in stems of Coleus, Vicia, and Phaseolus; and in hypocotyls of Viola, Phaseolus, and Lupinus (Mai, 54) . Other workers have reported non-polar transport of auxin in plants. Hitchcock and Zimmerman (31) and Zimmerman and Wilcoxon (85) have shown an apical transport of heteroauxin (indole-3-acetic acid) and several other active compounds in stems of Helianthus tuberosus, Nicotiana tabacum, and in Lycopersicum esculentum, as indicated by induction of adventitious roots and by epinastic response of leaves. Loehwing and Bauguess (45) have shown that heteroauxin could be absorbed by the root system of potted seedlings of Matthiola incana and be transported apically to increase the stem elongation over that of the controls. Both the BoyceThompson workers and Loehwing and Bauguess have merely shown that auxin applied in high concentrations can be carried in the transpiration stream. This, of course, will not give polar transport. Higher concentrations of auxin may have effects which are not normally encountered. For example, high concentrations applied at the base of Pisum cuttings induce roots there, whereas in the lower, more physiological concentrations roots may be induced at the bases, only by applying auxin at the morphological tips (Went and Thimann, 83). Laibach and Fischnich (41) have shown that the transport of heteroauxin was not strictly polar in leaves of Coleus and in cotyledons of Cucumis sativa, but that transport could occur apically. The apical transport was much smaller than basal transport, however. Avery (2), as mentioned above, found only basal transport. Avery determined this by diffusion of

does not appear. First page follows. Introduction In the canyons of the Montara Mountains and the slopes along the Pacific Ocean, the mild-mosaic virus of annual stock (Matthiola incana var. annua) induces a conspicuous breaking in the color of the flower petals in all but white and yellow flowering types. The breaking renders these affected varieties unmarketable as cut flowers. A severe mosaic disease of annual stock with a striking color-breaking and conspicuous mottling and malformation of the leaves occurs in home gardens and in a nursery at San Pablo, Contra Costa County. The turnip or false cabbage aphid, Rhopalosiphum pseudobrassicae (Davis), breeds on annual stock under natural conditions; the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L., and green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), do not. Review of Literature A review of the literature on virus diseases of annual stock has been published by (Tompkins (1934), (1939)4 and (Severin and Tompkins (1948)). A paper by (Oliveira and Borges (1944)) appeared and was not reviewed in our last contribution. A number of cultivated and wild crucifers, tobacco and Nicotiana glutinosa were tested, by juice inoculation, with nine isolates of an annual-stock virus from Lisbon gardens. The symptoms induced by each of the isolates on the differential hosts were mosaic, rugosity, stunting, chlorosis, necrosis, blistering, and streak. Materials and Methods The virus causing severe mosaic of annual stock was obtained at San Pablo, Contra Costa County. Plants of the Fiery Blood Red variety of annual stock and the February variety of cauliflower grown from seeds were used in all experiments reported in this paper. All inoculated annual stock plants were held for observation after the flowering stage.

Several lines of the genetically well defined Matthiola incana (Brassicaceae) concerning the anthocyanin biosynthesis (line 02, 06, 10, and 14) store the anthocyanin pigment as crystals (line 06) or in anthocyanoblasts (“balls”) in the epidermal cells (line 02, 10, and 14) of the flower petals. The genetic constitution of these genotypes is in addition to the basic factors f+, g+, and e+, b+b+ or bb (cyanidin or pelargonidin type), ll, u+u+, and v+v+ or vv, demonstrating that the ll, u+u+ constitution is responsible for precipitation of anthocyanins in a certain structure indepen­ dent of the other modificationally acting genes b and v. The ll, u+u+ types accumulate preferentially acylated 3-biosides.

Callus cultures were derived from different parts of 8 anthocyanin producing and 2 white flowering lines of the crucifer Matthiola incana. The tissue cultures of the cyanic lines were shown to produce genotype specific anthocyanin patterns, whereas in the calli of the acyanic lines no anthocyanin synthesis occured.

In anthocyanin-producing flowers of Matthiola incana, the presence of naringenin, naringenin 7-glucoside, dihydrokaempferol and dihydrokaempferol 7-glucoside could be demonstrated. The four isolated compounds initiated anthocyanin synthesis after administration to acyanic flowers of genetically defined lines of Matthiola incana and Antirrhinum majus. Therefore, these compounds cannot be regarded as end-products but rather as intermediates in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, naringenin 7-glucoside and dihydrokaempferol 7-glucoside most probably act as a pool for their aglycones, which serve as the actual substrates.

From the crucifer Matthiola incana the percentage of DNA represented in messenger RNA populations from different stages of development was determined by filter saturation hybridization experiments.—(1) The RNA preparations used were fractionated into poly (A)Ө-RNA and poly(A)-RNA by poly(U)-sepharose chromatography. The size distribution and molecular weights were determined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels in formamide. The average molecular weight of poly(A)-RNA, calculated from the electrophoretic mobility relative to E. coli rRNA marker, is about 4 · 105 daltons.—(2) Comparison of the transcription rate of poly(A)-RNA in seedlings, grown either in the light or in the dark, show that poly(A)-RNA synthesis in light-grown seedlings is increased to an extent of about 40% compared with the poly(A)-RNA synthesis in darkgrown seedlings.—(3) The percentage of the genome coding for the various poly(A)-RNA populations and the estimated number of transcribed genes per haploid genome are approximately 0.22% and 6,000 for poly(A)-RNA from light-grown seedlings, and about 0.18% and 4,800 for poly(A)-RNA from dark-grown seedlings. According to the percentage of unique DNA of 30%, the amount of DNA hybridizing to poly(A)-RNA of 0.22 in light-grown seedlings and of 0.18% in dark-grown seedlings correspond to about 0.7% of single-stranded unique DNA (i.e. 1.4% double-stranded unique DNA) and to 0.6% single-stranded unique DNA (i.e. 1.2% double-stranded unique DNA).

In flowers of Matthiola incana, the B-ring hydroxylation pattern of anthocyanins is controlled by the locus b. Recessive genotypes produce pelargonidin and genotypes with wild-type alleles cyanidin as the aglycone. Supplementation experiments on acyanic flowers using extracts of pelargonidin-and cyanidin-producing flowers, respectively, showed not only the presence of compounds with a precursor function for anthocyanin synthesis in the cyanic flowers but also differences in the B-ring hydroxylation pattern of these compounds. Chromatographic investigations proved that flavanones and dihydroflavonols occur in extracts of cyanic flowers. Naringenin, dihydrokaempferol, and their 7-glucosides could be demonstrated in all flower extracts, but in extracts of cyanidin-producing flowers, dihydroquercetin and a further 3′, 4′-hydroxylated dihydroflavonol, tentatively identified as dihydroquercetin 3-glycoside, were additionally found. In no case, however, could eriodictyol be detected. From these results and from the ready hydroxylation of dihydrokaempferol to dihydroquercetin in a white mutant line of Matthiola incana, it can be concluded that introduction of the 3′-hydroxyl group of anthocyanins is not achieved by specific incorporation of caffeic acid during synthesis of the flavonoid skeleton, but by hydroxylation at the dihydroflavonol stage.