The taxa of the Allium obtusum complex were examined morphologically, chromosomally, and with the use of the scanning electron microscope, Additional field studies included ultraviolet photography, caging experiments, and collection of insect visitors. Based on the cumulative information gathered during this investigation, of the 7 taxa previously proposed in this complex, 4 are considered to be valid: A. cratericola, A. obtusum, A. tribracteatum, and A. yosemitense, A new variety of A. obtusum, var, robustum is described. The base chromosome number among all members of the complex is seven, All species are diploid (2n=14), except for one population of A. cratericola which was found to be tetraploid (2n=28). Scanning electron microscope studies demonstrated the usefulness of outer bulb coat reticulation as a taxonomic character in differentiating between the species of the complex. Preliminary data collected during field investigations suggest that the strong absorption of ultraviolet radiation by all members of the complex relative to their reflecting soils may act as a visual cue to insects whose visual spectrum includes UV, Furthermore, in mature flowers the sexual parts of the inflorescence were found to be reflective under UV, perhaps acting as a guide to foraging insects. Caging experiments revealed that all members of the complex are capable of seed set in the absence of insect visitors. It was found, however, that the relative number of seeds produced was significantly higher among control populations. From the cumulative evidence obtained from these various approaches, supported by morphological resemblances, it can be concluded that the Allium obtusum complex represents a distinct and homogeneous assemblage of interrelated species and varieties.

No description available.

Presented as Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1910. / Cover title. Reprinted from Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, vol. XVII, Part I. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. "Literature cited": p. 647-655.

This investigation of Brodiaea elegans was undertaken to determine if there were any previously undetected chromosome races within the species and to map their distribution. Chromosome races with 2n = 12, 16, 24, 32, 40, 42, and 48 are reported. The new races 2n = 40, 42, and 48 are reported from California. Maps of the distribution of all chromosome races are presented.

The work comprises two principal sections; an attempt at ellucidating generic relationships in the South African bulbous Liliaceae, and a revision of the species of selected genera. In the first section the approaches investigated were: 1) A re-evaluation of the nature of the bulb apex, showing a likelihood that certain groups possess axillary and other groups terminal inflorescences. 2) An investigation of leaf anatomy, showing that most genera have very similar leaf structure, but that a few genera do differ from this norm. Scilla (Euscilla) generally possesses a distinctly lignified bundle sheath and the Urginea-Drimia group show a great range in structures - including a palisade. 3) An impression technique to determine patterns in the surface of the leaf cuticle. A close correlation appears to exist between these patterns and leaf shape. 4) Scanning Electron Microscope pictures of pollen revealed a considerable uniformity within the group and between this group and most other members of the Liliaceae. 5) Scanning Electron Microscope pictures of seeds revealed two main groups in the bulbous Liliaceae determined on the appearance of the cell walls of the testa. 6) A simple chromatographic technique was not found to be useful. 7) An investigation of chromosome numbers of. 44 samples of 15 species supplemented published data in allowing an analysis to be made of the application of chromosome numbers to generic concepts. Many genera of the Liliaceae - especially in the bulbous group - have extremely variable chromosome numbers. It is considered that numbers are more applicable to tribal than to generic concepts. Few indications of meiotic abnormalities were detected. Phylogenetic and taxonomic aspects of the genera of the bulbous Liliaceae are discussed and a key to the South African bulbous Liliaceae genera constructed. The following generic alterations are proposed: Ledebouria to be split off Scilla. Schizocarphus to be placed in Scilla. Resnova to be placed in Drimiopsis. The Astemme section (= Neobakeria) to be removed from Polyxena and placed in Massonia. The Cape species of Hyacinthus to be placed in Polyxena. Thuranthos, Urgineopsis and Urginea to be placed in Drimia. It is suggested that Schizobasis and Bowiea are of great importance in explaining the origin of Asparagus - possibly even directly from this group. In the generic revisions, thirteen genera are dealt with including typification, synonymy, distribution, field notes, species descriptions and keys. 67 species are dealt with, of which three are new (all in Ledebouria), and 31 new combinations are proposed.

Yu Yun Lung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-114). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgments / Abstract / Table of Contents / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- GENERAL INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- General Structure of Lectins --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Metal Binding Sites --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- Hydrophobic Sites --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- Glycosylation Sites --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2 --- Carbohydrate Specificities of Lectins --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Plant Lectins --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Localization of lectins in plants --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3.1.1 --- Localization in seeds --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3.1.2 --- Localization in vegetative parts --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1.3 --- Biosynthesis of plant lectins --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Functions of plant lectins in plants --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- In cell growth --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- In storage --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- In plant defence --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.2.4 --- In nitrogen cycle --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Biological activities of plant lectins in other organisms --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3.1 --- Immunomodulatory activity --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3.2 --- Antitumor and antiproliferative activities --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.3.3 --- Mitogenic activity --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.3.4 --- Antiviral activity --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Relationship between lectins and ribosome inactivating proteins: family of ricin-related proteins --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Applications of plant lectins --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.5.1 --- In scientific research --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.5.2 --- In medical research --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4 --- Animal Lectins --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Some properties of animal lectins --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Functions of animal lectins --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.2.1 --- In protein metabolism --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.2.2 --- As a mediator of binding and phagocytosis of microorganisms --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.2.3 --- Control of differentiation and organ formation --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.2.4 --- Lectins and migration of lymphocytes --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.2.5 --- Lectins and metastasis --- p.24 / Chapter 1.5 --- Mushroom lectins --- p.25 / Chapter 1.6 --- Regulation of lectins --- p.29 / Chapter 1.7 --- Isolation and purification of lectins --- p.31 / Chapter 1.8 --- Objectives of the present study --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- "SCREENING FOR HEMAGGLUTINATING ACTIVITY IN EXTRACTS OF SEEDS, FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND CHINESE MEDICINAL HERBS" --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.35 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.38 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- ISOLATION OF LECTIN FROM RHIZOMES OF SMILAX GLABRA (FAMILY LILIACEAE) --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Introduction about Smilax glabra and its chemical constituents --- p.43 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Introduction about monocot lectins including Liliaceae lectins --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Isolation of lectins from Smilax glabra rhizomes --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Assay for hemagglutinating activity --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Test of inhibition of lectin-induced hemagglutination by various carbohydrates --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- "Effects of acid, alkali, temperature and cations on hemagglutinationg activity of lectin" --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Determination of protein concentration --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Molecular mass determination by SDS-PAGE --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Molecular mass determination by gel filtration --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Amino acid sequence analysis --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.57 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- ISOLATION OF LECTIN FROM SEEDS OF THE CHINESE CHESTNUT CASTANEA MOLLISIMA (FAMILY FAGACEAE) --- p.74 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction to Castanea mollisima and its chemical constituents --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Isolation of lectin from Chinese chestnuts --- p.78 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Assay for hemagglutinating activity --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Test of inhibition of lectin-induced hemagglutination by various carbohydrates --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- "Effects of acid, alkali, temperature and cations on hemagglutinationg activity of lectin" --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Determination of protein concentration --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Molecular mass determination by SDS-PAGE --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Molecular mass determination by gel filtration --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Amino acid sequence analysis --- p.83 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.84 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.96 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION --- p.98 / REFERENCES: --- p.101

<p>Med kinesisk sammanfattning</p>

No description available.

O mercado mundial de floricultura gera um fluxo de quase US$ 7bilhões anuais, atualmente concentrado em países como Holanda, Alemanha, Itália, Colômbia, Costa Rica, Equador, Quênia, Tailândia, Malásia, Israel e EUA. O Brasil ainda contribui pouco, aproximadamente 0,3% do total, sendo a participação brasileira concentrada na exportação de mudas, bulbos, flores e folhagens tropicais. O Brasil possui grande potencial exportador de flores e plantas ornamentais através da organização dos produtores, profissionalização do setor, apoio governamental e desenvolvimento técnico. O emprego de técnicas simples de armazenamento poderia viabilizar o transporte por modais que não o aéreo, reduzindo custos e podendo prolongar a vida útil dos produtos, criando um diferencial de qualidade em relação aos concorrentes. Este trabalho compara cinco diferentes tipos de recobrimento em estacas de Cordyline rubra Hügel (película amilácea, pasta de parafina no ápice, pasta de parafina no ápice e vermiculita umedecida na base, saco plástico ou sem recobrimento), sazonalidade (estacas coletadas durante primavera ou outono), dois ambientes de armazenamento (ambiente refrigerado a 10ºC ou temperatura ambiente 22-32ºC) e diferentes períodos de armazenamento (30, 60, 90 ou 120 dias), a fim de reduzir sua atividade biológica, perda de água e ataque de patógenos. Foi escolhida esta espécie por ser muito apreciada como planta ornamental devido à beleza de suas folhas, e exportada na forma de estacas de diferentes tamanhos. O experimento foi conduzido nas dependências do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo, no município de Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo. Foram utilizadas 615 estacas com 30 cm de comprimento por 3 cm de diâmetro. Um lote testemunha sem armazenamento de 15 estacas foi colocado em leito de enraizamento. Cada tratamento foi composto por 30 estacas pré-tratadas (tipos de recobrimento), submetidas a diferentes períodos de armazenamento (30, 60, 90 ou 120 dias), sendo divididos em 2 sub-tratamentos de 15 estacas (temperatura ambiente ou refrigerada), totalizando 120 estacas. Após o armazenamento foram cortados 3 cm da base de cada estaca, em seguida tratadas com IBA a 10.000 mg/L e colocadas em leito de enraizamento. Após 90 dias foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: porcentagem de desenvolvimento, número e massas de matéria fresca e seca de brotos, raízes e rizomas. Observou-se que as estacas colhidas na primavera apresentaram melhor enraizamento e produção de massas secas e frescas. Os menores períodos de armazenamento proporcionam melhor desenvolvimento das estacas, bem como estacas armazenadas em ambiente refrigerado apresentaram melhores resultados do que as mantidas em temperatura ambiente. Os tipos de recobrimento que melhor conservaram as estacas, em ordem decrescente de resultados, foram o saco plástico, parafina no ápice e vermiculita umedecida na base, parafina no ápice, película de amido e sem recobrimento. Conclui-se que o método mais prático foi embalar as estacas em sacos plásticos por não necessitar de fonte de calor para o preparo da película. Quanto maiores os períodos de armazenamento, menores desenvolvimentos de brotos, raízes e rizomas; os melhores resultados foram obtidos com estacas colhidas na primavera e armazenadas em ambiente refrigerado. / The world market of floriculture, generates an annual flow of US$ 7billion, is currently based on countries like The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, Thayland, Malaysia, Israel and the USA. The Brazilian contribution to the total world market is approximately 0.3%, where the mains exports are cuttings, bulbs, tropical fresh cut flowers and foliages. Brazil, however, has a great potential to increase its export of flowers and other ornamental plants through the better organization of producers, professionalization of the sector, government support and technical development. The use of simple storage techniques, would enable the transport through other means than airplanes, consequently reducing costs and adding extra shelf life to the product, creating a quality differentiation in relation to competitors. This work was aimed at comparing five types of coating of Cordyline rubra Hügel cuttings (starch film, paraffin paste at the apex, paraffin past at the apex associated with moist vermiculite at the base of the cuttings, plastic bags or no coating), seasonality (cuttings harvested during spring or autumn), two types of enviromental temperatures (refrigeration under 10ºC or environmental temperature between 22-32ºC) and different lengths of time on storage (30, 60, 90 or 120 days), in order to reduce their biologycal activity, water loss and pathogen attacks. This specie is very appreciated as an ornamental plant due to the beauty of their foliage and is exported as cuttings of different sizes. The experiment was carried out at the Departament of Plant Production at "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, in Piracicaba City, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 615 cuttings were used, each measuring 30 cm by 3 cm diameter. A control group of 15 cuttings without storage was planted on rooting bed. Each treatment was comprised of 30 pre-coated cuttings (types of coating), stored at different periods (30.60, 90 or 120 days) and split into 2 sub-treatments of 15 cuttings, either stored at room temperature or under refrigeration, summing up 120 cuttings. After storage, each cutting had 3 cm excised from its base, prior to being treated with IBA 10.000 mg/L and placed at rooting beds. After 90 days, the following parameters were assessed: percentage of cuttings showing growth and development, number and fresh and dry matter of the shoots, roots and rhizoms. It was observed that cuttings obtained during the spring, showed better rooting and production of biomass. The shorter the storage periods the better the cutting sprouting. Cuttings stored under refrigeration showed better results than kept under room temperature. The types of coatings which best supported the longevity of the cuttings, in decrease order, were: plastic bag, paraffin paste at the apex and moist vermiculite at the base, paraffin on the apex, starch film and no coating. Such results allow to conclude that the most practical coating technique was found to be the use of plastic bags, which did not need heating for the prepare of the film. The longer the storage time the smallest the number of viable cuttings; best results where observed for cuttings harvested during the spring and kept under refrigeration storage.

O mercado mundial de floricultura gera um fluxo de quase US$ 7bilhões anuais, atualmente concentrado em países como Holanda, Alemanha, Itália, Colômbia, Costa Rica, Equador, Quênia, Tailândia, Malásia, Israel e EUA. O Brasil ainda contribui pouco, aproximadamente 0,3% do total, sendo a participação brasileira concentrada na exportação de mudas, bulbos, flores e folhagens tropicais. O Brasil possui grande potencial exportador de flores e plantas ornamentais através da organização dos produtores, profissionalização do setor, apoio governamental e desenvolvimento técnico. O emprego de técnicas simples de armazenamento poderia viabilizar o transporte por modais que não o aéreo, reduzindo custos e podendo prolongar a vida útil dos produtos, criando um diferencial de qualidade em relação aos concorrentes. Este trabalho compara cinco diferentes tipos de recobrimento em estacas de Cordyline rubra Hügel (película amilácea, pasta de parafina no ápice, pasta de parafina no ápice e vermiculita umedecida na base, saco plástico ou sem recobrimento), sazonalidade (estacas coletadas durante primavera ou outono), dois ambientes de armazenamento (ambiente refrigerado a 10ºC ou temperatura ambiente 22-32ºC) e diferentes períodos de armazenamento (30, 60, 90 ou 120 dias), a fim de reduzir sua atividade biológica, perda de água e ataque de patógenos. Foi escolhida esta espécie por ser muito apreciada como planta ornamental devido à beleza de suas folhas, e exportada na forma de estacas de diferentes tamanhos. O experimento foi conduzido nas dependências do Departamento de Produção Vegetal da Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, no município de Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo. Foram utilizadas 615 estacas com 30 cm de comprimento por 3 cm de diâmetro. Um lote testemunha sem armazenamento de 15 estacas foi colocado em leito de enraizamento. Cada tratamento foi composto por 30 estacas pré-tratadas (tipos de recobrimento), submetidas a diferentes períodos de armazenamento (30, 60, 90 ou 120 dias), sendo divididos em 2 sub-tratamentos de 15 estacas (temperatura ambiente ou refrigerada), totalizando 120 estacas. Após o armazenamento foram cortados 3 cm da base de cada estaca, em seguida tratadas com IBA a 10.000 mg/L e colocadas em leito de enraizamento. Após 90 dias foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: porcentagem de desenvolvimento, número e massas de matéria fresca e seca de brotos, raízes e rizomas. Observou-se que as estacas colhidas na primavera apresentaram melhor enraizamento e produção de massas secas e frescas. Os menores períodos de armazenamento proporcionam melhor desenvolvimento das estacas, bem como estacas armazenadas em ambiente refrigerado apresentaram melhores resultados do que as mantidas em temperatura ambiente. Os tipos de recobrimento que melhor conservaram as estacas, em ordem decrescente de resultados, foram o saco plástico, parafina no ápice e vermiculita umedecida na base, parafina no ápice, película de amido e sem recobrimento. Conclui-se que o método mais prático foi embalar as estacas em sacos plásticos por não necessitar de fonte de calor para o preparo da película. Quanto maiores os períodos de armazenamento, menores desenvolvimentos de brotos, raízes e rizomas; os melhores resultados foram obtidos com estacas colhidas na primavera e armazenadas em ambiente refrigerado. / The world market of floriculture, generates an annual flow of US$ 7billion, is currently based on countries like The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Kenya, Thayland, Malaysia, Israel and the USA. The Brazilian contribution to the total world market is approximately 0.3%, where the mains exports are cuttings, bulbs, tropical fresh cut flowers and foliages. Brazil, however, has a great potential to increase its export of flowers and other ornamental plants through the better organization of producers, professionalization of the sector, government support and technical development. The use of simple storage techniques, would enable the transport through other means than airplanes, consequently reducing costs and adding extra shelf life to the product, creating a quality differentiation in relation to competitors. This work was aimed at comparing five types of coating of Cordyline rubra Hügel cuttings (starch film, paraffin paste at the apex, paraffin past at the apex associated with moist vermiculite at the base of the cuttings, plastic bags or no coating), seasonality (cuttings harvested during spring or autumn), two types of enviromental temperatures (refrigeration under 10ºC or environmental temperature between 22-32ºC) and different lengths of time on storage (30, 60, 90 or 120 days), in order to reduce their biologycal activity, water loss and pathogen attacks. This specie is very appreciated as an ornamental plant due to the beauty of their foliage and is exported as cuttings of different sizes. The experiment was carried out at the Departament of Plant Production at “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, in Piracicaba City, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 615 cuttings were used, each measuring 30 cm by 3 cm diameter. A control group of 15 cuttings without storage was planted on rooting bed. Each treatment was comprised of 30 pre-coated cuttings (types of coating), stored at different periods (30.60, 90 or 120 days) and split into 2 sub-treatments of 15 cuttings, either stored at room temperature or under refrigeration, summing up 120 cuttings. After storage, each cutting had 3 cm excised from its base, prior to being treated with IBA 10.000 mg/L and placed at rooting beds. After 90 days, the following parameters were assessed: percentage of cuttings showing growth and development, number and fresh and dry matter of the shoots, roots and rhizoms. It was observed that cuttings obtained during the spring, showed better rooting and production of biomass. The shorter the storage periods the better the cutting sprouting. Cuttings stored under refrigeration showed better results than kept under room temperature. The types of coatings which best supported the longevity of the cuttings, in decrease order, were: plastic bag, paraffin paste at the apex and moist vermiculite at the base, paraffin on the apex, starch film and no coating. Such results allow to conclude that the most practical coating technique was found to be the use of plastic bags, which did not need heating for the prepare of the film. The longer the storage time the smallest the number of viable cuttings; best results where observed for cuttings harvested during the spring and kept under refrigeration storage.