Comprehensive Analysis of Highbush Blueberry Plants Propagated In Vitro and Conventionally.

In vitro culture allows the production of numerous plants with both desirable and undesirable traits. To investigate the impact of the propagation method on highbush blueberry plants, an analysis was performed on four groups of differentially propagated plants: in vitro with axillary (TC-Ax) or adventitious shoots (TC-Ad), conventionally (SC) and using a mixed method (TC/SC). The analysis included plant features (shoot length and branching, chlorophyll and fluorescence and DNA methylation) and fruit properties (antioxidant compounds). The data obtained indicated significant differences between plants propagated conventionally and in vitro, as well as variations among plants derived from in vitro cultures with different types of explants. SC plants generally exhibited the lowest values of morphological and physiological parameters but produced fruits richest in antioxidant compounds. TC/SC plants were dominant in length, branching and fluorescence. Conversely, TC-Ax plants produced fruits with the lowest levels of antioxidant compounds. The methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technique was employed to detect molecular differences. TC-Ad plants showed the highest methylation level, whereas SC plants had the lowest. The overall methylation level varied among differentially propagated plants. It can be speculated that the differences among the analysed plants may be attributed to variations in DNA methylation.

Molecular and Immunological Identification of Low Allergenic Fruits among Old and New Apple Varieties.

About 50-70% of patients allergic to birch pollen suffer from sensitization after apple ingestion. Apple allergenicity was established in only few varieties. Studies were performed on apple fruits of 21 traditional and nine modern varieties organically, intensively, or integratively produced. The aim of the study was to assess whether the factors like cultivation method, maturity stage, genotype, or type of tissue place an impact on the allergenic potential of apples. To answer these questions, we used semiquantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and immunoblotting. Apple allergen genes present divergent expression across apple cultivars. Expression of the Mal d 1.06A correlates with the Mal d 1 level and is affected by the cultivation method and maturity of the fruit. The content of the main allergen Mal d 1 varied widely across cultivars. Interestingly, in our study, the Gala variety presented a low Mal d 1 concentration regardless of the cultivation method. Based on the Mal d 1.06A expression, the Mal d 1 protein content, and the immunoreactivity assay, the Kandil Sinap, Kosztela, Rumianka from Alma-Ata, Kantówka Gdanska, Reinette Coulon, and Gala cultivars emerged as potentially hypoallergenic apple cultivars. Our study allowed distinguishing between potentially low, medium, and highly allergenic varieties.

Micropropagation of Mountain Mulberry (Morus bombycis Koidz.) 'Kenmochi' on Cytokinin-Free Medium.

The aim of the study was to compare two methods of micropropagation of mulberry: single-node culture ("SNC"), and axillary-branching ("AxB"). The experiments were carried out on in vitro cultures for 6 successive passages. The "AxB" cultures were propagated on modified MS medium (+ 25% Ca2+ and Mg2+), supplemented with WPM vitamins, sucrose (30 g L-1), and BA (1.5 mg l-1). The "SNC" cultures were grown on cytokinin-free 1/2 MS (macro- and micronutrients) medium supplemented with WPM vitamins, IBA (0.05 mg l-1), and sucrose (15 g l-1). Both media (pH 5.8) were solidified with agar (7.0 g l-1). Initiation of in vitro cultures from explants taken from adult trees and young, potted plants was feasible on both media. Cultures were established from about 1 cm long nodal explants. Generally "SNC" cultures formed one well rooted, significantly longer axillary shoot with bigger leaves than "AxB" cultures, which developed significantly more shoots and big callus at the explant base. All shoots collected from "SNC" and "AxB" cultures rooted in vivo in peat mixture and developed into similar plantlets. The single-node method based on application of cytokinin-free medium is a good alternative for the axillary-branching method for micropropagation of mountain mulberry (Morus bombycis) "Kenmochi".

The Effect of Adding the Leaves and Fruits of Morus alba to Rape Honey on Its Antioxidant Properties, Polyphenolic Profile, and Amylase Activity.

Two various species of mulberry (Morus sp.) were selected to enrich rape honey with dried leaves or lyophilized fruits (4% w/v). Finally, fruits and leaves of the 'Ukrainska' clone were introduced into the honey during creaming in concentrations from 1 to 4% w/v. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, anthocyanins content, and polyphenolic profile were tested in plant extracts and enriched honeys. Moreover, α-glucosidase, ß-galactosidase, and diastase activities were investigated in honeys. For mulberry extracts, chlorogenic acid isomers and rutin were considered main antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant activity of honey enriched with mulberry leaves increased even more than 50 times, due to introducing numerous phenolic acids and flavonoid glycosides. A significant decrease in the diastase activity in honey depending on the content of added mulberry leaves (almost 50% decrease in the case of 4% addition) was found, suggesting the inhibitory effect of honey with mulberry leaves against carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes.

Micropropagation of Vaccinium sp. by in vitro axillary shoot proliferation.

The Vaccinium genus contains several valuable fruit and ornamental species, among others: highbush blueberry (Vaccinium × corymbosum L.), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.), and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.). In some most popular and valuable cultivars, the conventional propagation methods, exploiting hard or soft wood cuttings, are inefficient. The demand for nursery plants could be fulfilled only by micropropagation. In principle cultivars are propagated in vitro through similar three-stage method, based on subculture of shoot explants on different culture media supplemented with IAA (0-4 mg/L) and 2iP (5-10 mg/L), and rooting shoots in vivo. The obtained plantlets are transferred to peat substrate and grown in the glasshouse until the end of growing period. The development of adventitious shoots should be monitored and controlled during in vitro stages. Many clones have specific requirements for growing conditions and/or are recalcitrant.

Micropropagation of chokeberry by in vitro axillary shoot proliferation.

The black chokeberry-aronia (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) is a shrub native to North America although nowadays well known in Eastern Europe. The fruits are regarded as the richest source of antioxidant phytonutrients among fruit crops and vegetables. Chokeberries can be easily propagated by seeds but this method is not recommended. Micropropagation is far more efficient than other conventional cloning methods like layering or softwood cuttings. Aronia clones are propagated in vitro through four- or three-stage method based on subculturing of shoot explants. The double diluted MS or full strength MS medium with elevated 50% Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) content are used in the initiation and proliferation chokeberry in vitro cultures, respectively. They are supplemented with 0.5-1.0 mg LBA, and 0.05 mg LIBA. The double-phase medium is recommended in the last passage before shoot rooting. The regenerated shoots could be rooted both in vitro on double diluted MS with 0.05 mg L(-1) IBA or in vivo in peat and perlite substrate and subsequently grown in the greenhouse.