• Mycobiology
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.170-173
• /
• 2015

Herein, we report the first occurrence of web blight of rosemary caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-1-IB in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Korea, in August 2014. The leaf tissues of infected rosemary plants were blighted and white mycelial growth was seen on the stems. The fungus was isolated from diseased leaf tissue and cultured on potato dextrose agar for identification. The young hyphae had acute angular branching near the distal septum of the multinucleate cells and mature hyphal branches formed at an approximately $90^{\circ}$ angle. This is morphologically identical to R. solani AG-1-IB, as per previous reports. rDNA-ITS sequences of the fungus were homologous to those of R. solani AG-1-IB isolates in the GenBank database with a similarity percentage of 99%, thereby confirming the identity of the causative agent of the disease. Pathogenicity of the fungus in rosemary plants was also confirmed by Koch's postulates.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 1998

The morphological and chemical characteristics of leaves and fruits were observed in the three mulberry varieties, including Daeryugppong(Morus Lhou(Ser.) koidz), Kugsang 20(Morus Lhou(Ser.) koidz) and Cataneo(Morus alba L.). The leaf development in spring was earliest in Cataneo and latest in Kugsang. Content of total nitrogen and Mg in leaf was the highest in Cataneo while that of P2O5, K and Ca in Daeryukppong. Flowers started to bloom from May 8 and in full bloom around May 15. Mature fruits began to set from June 10 to 15 and lasted by July 10 in Cataneo. Average fruit weight was heaviest in Kugsang 20(3.52 g/fruit), while lowest in Daeryukppong(1.61 g/fruit). In fruits, glucose and fructose were the major sugars. Citric acid was the most abundant organic acid in three varieties with its average content from 0.8 to 0.14%. The major pigment in fruit was anthocyanin and its content varied among varieties. The stability of anthocyanin was evaluated under various pH, temperature, and sugar concentrations. Rutin was the major flavonol glycoside present in fruits and its content varied from 0.92 to 3.36 mg/gDW. Other flavonol glycosides such as isoquercitrin and quercitrin were also detected in fruit.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.690-694
• /
• 2006

There is limited information on the relationship between defoliation and root and rhizome development of kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.). To determine the effects of defoliation severity on root and rhizome growth of young kura clover plant (seedling about 8 wk old), this research was conducted in 2002 (Experiment 1) and 2003 (Experiment 2) in a glasshouse at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Four kura clover entries were used in this experiment: two were started from seed materials (ARS-2678 and 'Rhizo') and two were clones from mature, field-grown Rhizo kura clover plant. Three defoliation frequencies (2-, 4- and 6-wk intervals) and two defoliation intensities (complete and partial defoliation) were imposed on each of the four kura clover entries. Root, rhizome, and leaf dry matter (DM) generally increased with less frequent defoliation, however, the increase in rhizome DM was not significant between 4- or 6-wk defoliation periods. The root and leaf DM under complete defoliation (CD) were significantly lower than under partial defoliation (PD). In Exp. 1, rhizome DM was not significantly different between CD and PD; it was significantly lower under CD in Exp. 2. ARS-2678 showed excellent root development characteristics, however, its rhizome DM was significantly lower than Rhizo clones. The rhizome development from Rhizo clones was greater than that from seed materials. If maximum root and rhizome growth are expected from young kura clover plant, the intensity and frequency of defoliation should be minimized or defoliation should be avoided.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.291-293
• /
• 2003

Leaf spot and blight disease of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr.) was found in an apartment garden in Daegu in May 2003 for the first time in Korea. The causal organism was identified as Phytophthora cactorum (Leb. And Cohn) Schroeter. The causal fungus was homothallic, and produced distinctively papillate, ovoid to subspherical, and caducous sporangia with pedicel. Sporangia that formed in water measured 23.4-42.9$\times$21.5-35.1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in range with an average of 35.3$\pm$4.6${\times}$26.9$\pm$36.0 $\mu\textrm{m}$, I/b ratio=1.31, papillae approximately 3.7 $\mu\textrm{m}$ high, and pedicels 2.8 $\mu\textrm{m}$ long. Oogonia were spherical and 21.5-37.1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in diameter with an average of 29.6$\pm$4.9 $\mu\textrm{m}$. Oospores were spherical, mostly plerotic, and light orange brown when mature, and measured 19.5-31.2 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in diameter with an average of 25.2$\pm$4.4 $\mu\textrm{m}$. Antheridia were almost ovoid or club-shaped and 1l.7-15.6$\times$9.8-11.7 $\mu\textrm{m}$ in size.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.613-617
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adipogenesis is part of the cell differentiation process in which undifferentiated fibroblasts (pre-adipocytes) become mature adipocytes with the accumulation of lipid droplets and subsequent cell morphological changes. Several transcription factors and food components have been suggested to be involved in adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether mulberry leaf ethanol extract (MLEE) affects adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: The 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of MLEE for 8 days starting 2 days post-confluence. Cell viability, fat accumulation, and adipogenesis-related factors including CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$), $PPAR{\gamma}$ coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-$1{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and adiponectin were analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed that MLEE treatments at 10, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$ had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evident toxicity, all MLEE treated cells had lower fat accumulation compared with control as shown by lower absorbances of Oil Red O stain. MLEE at 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ significantly reduced protein levels of $PPAR{\gamma}$, PGC-$1{\alpha}$, FAS, and adiponectin in differentiated adipocytes. Furthermore, protein level of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ was significantly decreased by the treatment of $100{\mu}g/ml$ MLEE. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that MLEE treatment has an anti-adipogenic effect in differentiated adipocytes without toxicity, suggesting its potential as an anti-obesity therapeutic.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.32-33
• /
• 1980

Several plants of Populus deltoides 'R-89' exhibiting symptoms of poplar mosaic described earlier by several researchers (1,2,3) were observed in the poplar nursery of the Institute of Forest Genetics at Suweon, Korea during September, 1980. The symptoms produced a mosaic or discolored yellow spottings in mature leaves with veinal and petiolar necrosis and leaf curling (Fig. 1 and 2). Leaves with mosaic symptoms were collected and leaf-dip preparations from chlorotic area were examined for the presence of virus particles with an electron microscope. Electron micrographs of the negatively stained leaf-dip preparations revealed numerous elongated virus particles ranging 200-1300nm in length (Fig. 3). Of 156 panicles measured randomly, 68 particles (43.6%) were in the range of 660-670nm in length (Fig. 4). The values obtained fell well within the range of those described for poplar mosaic virus (PMV) by other researchers (1. 2, 3). No viruslike particles were observed from poplar leaves without mosaic symptoms. Further studies on the properties of the PMV isolate and control of the disease are underway.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2015

Many studies on broccoli have analyzed the functional components and their functionality in terms of antioxidant and anticancer activities; however, these studies have focused on the florets of different varieties. Investigation of the functionality of broccoli by-products such as leaves, stems, and leaf stems from different cultivars and harvest dates might be valuable for utilizing waste materials as useful food components. Total phenolics and sulforaphane contents, and antioxidant and anticancer activities were measured in the leaves, leaf stems, and stems of early-maturing (Kyoyoshi), middle-maturing (Myeongil 96), and late-maturing broccoli (SK3-085) at different harvest dates. Total phenolics in the leaves of Kyoyoshi were about 1.8-fold to 12.1-fold higher than those in all of the other cultivars and parts. The sulforaphane content of Kyoyoshi was 2.8-fold higher in the stems than in the florets. Antioxidant activities using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were highest in Kyoyoshi, followed by Myeongil 96 and SK3-085, most notably in the leaves harvested at the immature stage. Inhibition activity of cell growth against the NCI-H1299 cell lines was highest in the leaves of all cultivars in decreasing order of florets, leaf stems, and stems. The leaves harvested in October (nonflowering stage) had the highest inhibition activity, while those harvested in January (mature broccoli) showed the lowest. The results of this study demonstrate that broccoli leaves and stems contain high levels of total phenolics, and high antioxidant and anticancer activities and can provide opportunities for early-maturing broccoli as functional fresh raw vegetables.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.10
• /
• pp.773-786
• /
• 2017

The loss of green coloration via chlorophyll (Chl) degradation typically occurs during leaf senescence. To date, many Chl catabolic enzymes have been identified and shown to interact with light harvesting complex II to form a Chl degradation complex in senescing chloroplasts; this complex might metabolically channel phototoxic Chl catabolic intermediates to prevent oxidative damage to cells. The Chl catabolic enzyme 7-hydroxymethyl Chl a reductase (HCAR) converts 7-hydroxymethyl Chl a (7-HMC a) to Chl a. The rice (Oryza sativa) genome contains a single HCAR homolog (OsHCAR), but its exact role remains unknown. Here, we show that an oshcar knockout mutant exhibits persistent green leaves during both dark-induced and natural senescence, and accumulates 7-HMC a and pheophorbide a (Pheo a) in green leaf blades. Interestingly, both rice and Arabidopsis hcar mutants exhibit severe cell death at the vegetative stage; this cell death largely occurs in a light intensity-dependent manner. In addition, 7-HMC a treatment led to the generation of singlet oxygen ($^1O_2$) in Arabidopsis and rice protoplasts in the light. Under herbicide-induced oxidative stress conditions, leaf necrosis was more severe in hcar plants than in wild type, and HCAR-overexpressing plants were more tolerant to reactive oxygen species than wild type. Therefore, in addition to functioning in the conversion of 7-HMC a to Chl a in senescent leaves, HCAR may play a critical role in protecting plants from high light-induced damage by preventing the accumulation of 7-HMC a and Pheo a in developing and mature leaves at the vegetative stage.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.95-103
• /
• 2012

The cell surface sculpture of the plant epidermis has received great interest recently. It has also been an active area of research, as the biological microstructures of the surface, such as papillae and waxes, exhibit several unique properties, including self-cleaning character; namely the "Lotus effect" first described in the leaves of the lotus, Nelumbo nucifera. The Lotus effect is the phenomenon in which the super-hydrophobic and water-repellent nature of lotus leaves allow water drops to run off easily on the surface in a rolling and sliding motion thereby facilitating the removal of dirt particles. It is well-known that surface roughness on the micro- and nanoscale is a primary characteristic allowing for the Lotus effect. This effect is common among plants and is of great technological importance, since it can be applied industrially in numerous fields. In the present study, Nelumbo nucifera leaf and stem epidermal surfaces have been examined with a focus on the features of papillae and wax crystalloids. Both young and mature Nelumbo nucifera leaf epidermis demonstrated the Lotus effect on their entire epidermal surface. The central area of the upper epidermis, in particular, formed extremely papillose surfaces, with an additional wax layer, enabling greater water repellency. Despite the presence of wax crystalloids, epidermal surfaces of the lower leaf and stem lacking papillae, were much more easily wetted.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.210-218
• /
• 2005

The rice genome contains at least 28 EXPA (${\alpha}$-expansin) genes. We have obtained near full-length cDNAs from the previously uncharacterized genes. Analysis of these newly identified clones together with the 12 identified earlier showed that the EXPA genes contain up to two introns and encode proteins of 240 to 291 amino acid residues. The EXPA proteins contain three conserved motifs: eight cysteine residues at the N-terminus, four tryptophan residues at the C-terminus, and a histidine-phenylalanine-aspartate motif in the central region. EXPA proteins could be divided into six groups based on their sequence similarity. Most were strongly induced in two-day-old seedlings and in the roots of one-week-old plants. However, only 14 genes were expressed in the aboveground organs, and their patterns were quite diverse. Transcript levels of EXPA7, 14, 15, 18, 21, and 29 were greater in stems, while EXPA2, 4, 5, 6, and 16 were highly expressed in both stem and sheath but not in leaf blade. EXPA1 is leaf blade-preferential, and EXP9 is leaf sheath-preferential. Most of the root-expressed genes were more strongly expressed in the dividing zone. However, the Group 2 EXPA genes were also strongly expressed in both mature and dividing zones, while EXPA9 was preferentially expressed in the elongation zone. Fourteen EXPA genes were expressed in developing panicles, with some being expressed during most developmental stages, others only as the panicles matured. These diverse expression patterns of EXPA genes suggest that in general they have distinct roles in plant growth and development.