We investigated the effects of Acorus gramineus water extract on the blood lipid levels in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. We divided thirty-five C57BL/6 mice into 5 groups: normal group, control group, and groups treated with Acorus gramineus water extract at concentrations of 20, 100, and 500 ㎎/㎏. We inoculated Acorus gramineus water extract per orally once a day for 6 weeks respectively. The results revealed that Acorus gramineus water extracts had positive effects on the total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.
Potentilla kleiniana is a perennial herb beloning to Rosaceae family. Herein we investigated the effect of light intensity, light quality and chemical elicitor on plant growth and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in P. kleiniana. After 60 days of cultivation under different shading level [0% (200 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 ), 35% (95 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 ), 55% (65 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 ), 75% (40 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 )] in the greenhouse, chlorophyll and carotenoid content were the highest under 35% treatment, however, plant height, leaf number and biomass were the highest under non-shading. As a result of cultivation among strong light condition as a control, florescence and three mixture light sources [red:white:blue (RWB) = 8:1:1, red:blue (RB) = 8:2, red:green:blue (RGB) = 8:1:1] as treatments in plant growth chamber (25 ± 2℃, 185 ± 3 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 ), growth, biomass, chlorophyll content low difference between total phenolic compouds and flavonoid content were higher under RWB treatment. DPPH radical elimination ability was the highest under all treatments especially florescence and RGB treatment except control. As a result of treating chemical elicitor [salicylic acid (SA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA)] concentration (0, 50, 100, 200 μM) respectively, plant height, petiole diameter and biomass were higher under non-treatment, MeJA 50 μM. It was investigated that fresh weight and dry weight under MeJA 50 μM treatment were especially a little high. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoid content of SA 50 μM treatment was the highest but DPPH radical elimination ability was significantly the highest under MeJA 200 μM (88.65%) and MeJA 50 μM (87.84%) treatment. Thus, this study suggested that we determined optimal shading and light quality in the greenhouse and plant growth chamber also confirmed bioactive compound content, antioxidant ratio increase according to different chemical elicitation concentration.
A comparative petal micromorphology of 15 taxa of tribe Sorbarieae was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to evaluate their taxonomic and systematic implication. The characteristics of both adaxial and abaxial side of petal epidermal cells such as shape, arrangement, anticlinal wall and cuticular sculpture were described in detail. The Sorbarieae petal epidermal cells were identified as papillate or conical papillate (PCS) and rectangular-rugose tabular (TRS). Three types of petal micromorphology were found within the tribe based on the cell patterns of adaxial and abaxial side. Type I. PCS-TRS, Type II. PCS-PCS, Type III. TRS-TRS (adaxial-abaxial side). The petal epidermal cell types, anticlinal cell wall, and cuticular sculpture represent not only taxonomical importance for identification between or within the genera but also systematic implication. Moreover, this study provides a relation between petal epidermal cell pattern and insect pollinator (entomophily; melittophily) as an additional case.
This research was performed to develop seminal propagation method of Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill. by conducting a rigorous germination study. Well-selected seeds were dry-stored at 4 ± 1.0℃ during the experiment. To study dormancy type, non-stored seeds were analyzed by embryo observation, germination test and detecting for any difficulties in seed coat to absorb moisture. Then to improve germination, seeds were submerged for 24 hours in a solution of varying concentrations containing one of plant growth regulators and minerals. According to research, fleshly matured seeds had an undifferentiated embryo and had a low germination rate below 5%. In addition, water submersion led to moisture absorption, embryo in the seeds grew and germinated so it was deemed morphophysiological dormant seeds. Percent germination (PG) and germination energy (GE) was greatly improved by soaking in plant growth regulators and minerals for 24 hours. Especially, 500 ㎎/L GA3 treatment resulted in the highest GE as 46.1%. KNO3 meaningfully improved PG (54.3∼57.7%) at 10∼20 mM but effect of minerals on germination acceleration as GE were negatively impacted in all concentrations.
This study was conducted to elucidate the photosynthetic response to the environment and establish optimum cultivation conditions for the Korean endemic plant, Aster koraiensis. Photosynthetic characteristics according to growth stage, light, CO2, and soil water potential were investigated. During the first year of transplanting, photosynthetic rates were drastically increased until June, after which they slowly declined, During the second year, photosynthetic rates declined throughout the entire growth period. The highest level of light compensation point was shown the early growth stage. Photosynthetic rates affected by intercellular CO2 concentration were maintained or decreased over the CO2 saturation point. The lowest CO2 compensation point was 16.1 μmol・mol -1 during March. The morphological changes of leaves were observed due to shading with chlorophyll contents increasing. Photosynthetic rates were higher at 0% and 50% shading treatments than at 75%. There were rarely any morphological changes of leaves due to soil moisture, however, changes to leaf compactness were observed. Photosynthetic rate, apparent quantum yield, and respiration rate increased, whereas water use efficiency decreased over -25 kPa of soil moisture.
This study was conducted to determine the optimal conditions of growth medium, temperature, and light quality for efficient propagation of Lygodium japonicum spores. The rate of spore germination and prothalium development was high in Knop and 1/8MS and 1/4MS media, which had low mineral content; in particular, the germination rate exceeded 74%, and the germinated spores developed into heart-shaped prothallia. However, in Knop‘s medium with the lowest mineral content, a rapid prothallium senescence was observed; in 1/4MS medium, prothallium development was delayed. Germination rate increased with the increase in temperature and reached its maximum, 86.7%, at 30°C; however, at this temperature, the prothallia were thinner and abnormal development of rhizoids was observed compared to normally developed prothallia and rhizoids at 25°C. Therefore, the results suggested that the optimal temperature for L. japonicum spore germination was 25°C. The rate of germination was also measured under different light conditions, and the highest rate of 90.6% was observed under LED red light compared to fluorescent (77.2%) or LED blue (5.4%) lights. The germinated spores developed into heart-shaped prothallia under LED red light; however, 15 days after seeding, prothallium development decreased and the became elongated. In contrast, a normal and continuous development of heart-shaped prothallia was observed under fluorescent light.
In this study, the phylogenetic relationship of Korean Hydrangea was evaluated by using sequenced three chloroplast regions and ITS region, including the 7 taxa. The result of phylogenetic analysis indicated that Korean Hydrangea, 7 taxa formed the monophyletic group. This analysis also revealed that subsect. Macrophyllae of Korea was separated into two groups; H. serrata f. acuminate and H. macrophylla group. The H. serrata f. acuminta group was included with H. serrata f. buergeri and H. serrata f. fertilis. These three species form a monophyletic clade, with no significant differences between their nucleotide sequences. The H. serrata f. acuminta group showed a monophyletic group with H. serrata f. buergeri and H. serrata f. fertilis and there is significant differences between their nucleotide sequences. H. macrophylla group was an independent clade distinguished by H. serrate f. acuminate group. Subsect. Petalanthe, Heteromallae and Calyptranthae form a monophyletic group. H. petiolaris which is located in Subsect. Calyptranthae was separated into two subgroups; First subgroup: Jeju island (except for Mt. Halla) and Second subgroup: Ulleung island and Japan. Additional studies of two subgroups of H. petiolaris should be conducted a geographical study and add more samples.
A floristic study was conducted 23 times from March 2010 to May 2016 on Mt. Yongbongsan and Mt. Suamsan region of Chungcheongnam-do which lies across Sapgyo-eup, Deoksan-myeon Yesan-gun, and Hongbuk-myeon Hongseong-gun. Based on voucher speciemens, list of vascular plants found in this area were contained 532 taxa in total including 105 families, 312 genera, 468 species, 4 subspecies, 47 varieties, and 13 forma. The 8 taxa were Korean endemic plants such as Populus tomentiglandulosa T.B.Lee, Clematis brachyura Maxim, C. trichotoma Nakai, Indigofera koreana Ohwi, Forsythia koreana (Rehder) Nakai, Paulownia coreana Uyeki, Weigela subsessilis (Nakai) L.H.Bailey, Aster koraiensis Nakai. 4 taxa of rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service such as Taxus cuspidata Siebold & Zucc., Lithospermum arvense L., Allium senescens L., and Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai. Endangered plants designated by the Ministry of Environment was not found in this study. The 11 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants in 3 rd to 5 th degree were found. 68 taxa naturalized plants were found and the naturalized ratio was 12.8% while 21.2% of urbanized ratio which is regarded quite high.
In order to illustrate the flora of vascular plants distributed in the Five West Sea Islands, the authors collected vascular plants intensively in Baengnyeongdo and Socheongdo from May 2015 to August 2015. Also, voucher specimens from the previous investigations (Daecheongdo, Yeonpyeongdo and Soyeonpyeongdo) deposited at the Korean National Arboretum (KH) were re-identified. All of them were comprised of 108 families, 420 genera, 728 species, 6 subspecies, 86 varieties and 14 forms, totally 834 taxa. There were 8 endemic taxa, 19 rare taxa, 27 taxa for floristically specific to Korean floral zone except the species of their 1st and 2nd degree, and 107 naturalized taxa among the collected plants. Owing to their unusual phytogeography and low number of populations, the taxa Rosa maximowicziana Regel, Allium anisopodium Ledeb., Bistorta pacifica (Petrov ex Kom.) Kom., Scorzonera austriaca subsp. glabra (Rupr.) Lipsch. & Krasch. ex Lipsch., Iris dichotoma Pall., Amsonia elliptica (Thunb.) Roem. & Schult. were considered the most important. Based on these results, it is clear that appropriate plants to conserve the natural habitat of the Five West Sea Islands must be made immediately.
This study was carried out to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants and their usefulness of Mt. Janggunbong (1,136 m) in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeoungsangbuk-do. The vascular plants, collected 15 times from 2006 to 2015, consisted a total of 462 taxa; 82 families, 279 genera, 397 species, 2 subspecies, 55 varieties, 8 forms. 10 taxa of the Korean endemic plants were recorded and 1 taxon of Critically Endangered Species (CR), 5 taxa of Vulnerable Species (VU) and 7 taxa of Least Concerned Species (LC), categorized by the Korean Forest Service as rare plants, were investigated in this region. Furthermore, Ⅳ, Ⅲ degrees of floristic regional indicator plants, designated by the Korean Ministry of Environment, were included 8 taxa and 14 taxa, respectively. Based on the usefulness, edible, pasturing, medicinal, ornamental, timber, stain, industrial, fiber and unknown usefulness plants included 352 taxa, 107 taxa, 71 taxa, 18 taxa, 8 taxa, 5 taxa, 3 taxa, 2 taxa and 111 taxa, respectively. In addition, 28 taxa of naturalized plants were observed.
The aim of this study is to select the superior resources of high yield, high content of functional material optimal to mechanical harvesting by the evaluation of crop growth and yield characteristics in sorghum germplasm. One hundred accessions of sorghum germplasm were used in this experiment. Days from seeding to heading date showed the range from 68 to 94 days with the highest frequency proportion was the group from 80 to 85 days, which occupied 34% (34 plant resources) of 100 germplasm. Ear types of 100 sorghum germplasm could be classified as 7 types of broom-tillering, half broom-tillering, extreme open-loose type, open-loose type, intermediate type, compact type, extreme-compact type of which intermediate type was the highest ratio of 28% (28 plant resources) of 100 germplasm. Yield showed the range from 106 to 365 ㎏/10a with the highest frequency proportion of it was the group from 150 to 200 ㎏/10a, which occupied 44% (44 plant resources) of 100 germplasm. Among 100 sorghum germplasm, 18 ideal resources of high yield and short plant height appropriate for mechanical harvesting were selected. In order to evaluate high content of functional substance, selected 18 resources were analyzed for total polyphenol content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and total anthocyanin content. Finally, we selected 5 resources of short plant height, high yield, high content of total polyphenol and high DPPH radical scavenging activity among 18 genetic resources.
In the present study, we investigated the plant growth characteristics and biological activity of four asparagus cultivars grown using two cultural methods and tested the possibility of domestic open field. The number of shoots, buds, roots, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, and total dry weight of the four asparagus cultivars grown in a plastic house were higher than those of the same cultivars grown in an open field. Of the cultivars grown in the open field, Jersey Giant had greater shoot number than the other cultivars. In plastic house cultivation, the number of buds in Jersey Supreme was greater than the other cultivars. The total flavonoid content of the Jersey Giant was greater than the other cultivars, but cultural method was unaffected. The total polyphenol contents in asparagus cultivars grown in the plastic house were higher than those of cultivars grown in the open field. The total polyphenol content of the Jersey Giant grown the plastic house was significantly higher than those of other cultivars. Antioxidant activity such as catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) did not differ significantly with cultural methods and among the cultivars. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity of asparagus cultivars grown in the open field was higher than that of cultivars grown in the greenhouse; the highest APX activity was detected in UC157. Thus, greenhouse cultivation is expected to improve plant growth characteristics and biological activities of asparagus cultivars; each cultural method should be considered when selecting a suitable cultivar for high yield and high bioactive compound content.
This study was investigated to find the effects of sowing time on growth and yields of cowpea grown in a southern region of South Korea. Experiments were carried out in Naju, Jeonnam Province (Latitude 35° 04' N, Longitude 126° 54' E) during 2013 and 2014. The intermediate-erect type strains used in this study were Jeonnam1 and Jeonnam2 (Okdang). Sowing time was performed between middle-April and middle-August at intervals of one month. The days from sowing to emergence was significantly higher in the middle-April sowing (12 days) time but there was no significant differences other sowing dates (5 to 3 days). The days from sowing to first flowering were shorter for sowing dates between middle-April and middle-July because sowing time was delayed and then were lengthened again at middle-August sowing; the days were longest at middle-April sowing (around 62 days) and were shortest at middle-July sowing (35 days). The days from first flowering to harvesting were short for the sowing dates between middle-April and middle-July (17 to 15 days) but were relatively long for middle-August sowing date (24 days). Stem length was relatively long for the middle-May and middle-June sowing dates. Peduncle length was relatively long for the middle-April sowing date. Main-stem node number was highest for the middle-July sowing. Branch number per plant was highest in the middle-April sowing. Seed yields were highest for the middle-April sown Jeonnam1 and the Jeonnam2 (Okdang) strains showing, 199 and 211 kg/10a, respectively, and then followed by sowing in middle-July, 191 and 195 kg/10a, respectively.
The subject of this experiment is to supply basic data to inhibit non-productive tillers which are uneconomical for mechanical harvesting and to evaluate optimum planting density and sowing date in central district. Total number of tillers and effective first and second of tillers according to different planting density was higher in 80 ㎝ ridge than 60 ㎝ ridge in proso millet. The wider between plant distance on the ridge, the more increased total number of tillers and effective first and second of tillers. The highest effective tillers (91.7 %) in the first tillers was obtained from the second sowing date (23 May) among different sowing date and next is in the order of 3 rd (13 June, 89.8%) > 1 st (2 May, 85.6%) > 4 th (4 July, 85.2%). The percentage of effective tillers in the second tillers was decreased in the order of 2 May (53.7%), 23 May (40.7%), 13 June (22.2%), 4 July (0%) as the sowing date was delayed. There was no significant difference in days to heading and days to ripening according to different planting density. Although culm length was increased as planting density was increased, whereas number of tillers, stem diameter, ear length, grains per ear and 1000 grain weight was decreased. In the growth and yield characteristics of proso millet according to different sowing date, days to heading and days to ripening, culm length, stem diameter, ear length, grains per ear and yield per 10a were decreased. After the sowing date of 13 June, the reduction of growth and yield characteristics were higher because of excess-moisture injury.