Foliage plants are considered as an integral part of adding aesthetic and functional purposes in public places. Nowadays, various foliage plants are used to decorate and enhance the aesthetics of several government and private establishments which offer and run services non-stop that involve medical/police emergencies, entertainment, and travel. Under these conditions, indoor foliage plants are subjected to continuous lighting conditions. Thus, this study aimed to determine the growth and physiological response of common foliage plants (Hoya carnosa f. variegata, Epipremnum aureum f. variegata, Rhapis excelsa, Hedera helix, Chamaedorea elegans, and Spathiphyllum wallisii) under continuous light conditions with varying light intensity levels (60, 120, and 180 μmol m-2 s-1). Plant responses were evaluated using growth parameters and the chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of the OJIP curve and its specific energy flux parameters. Results showed that foliage plants showed positive growth and increase in mass yield in higher light intensities and had a minor impact on color quality. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis suggested that strong stress responses were evident in low light conditions, whereas in fluorescence parameters, continuous lighting conditions with high light intensities showed stress due to excess light to shade-tolerant plants.

The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), native to Mexico, has grown in popularity and is locally grown and adapted on Jeju Island. The fruits of this cactus species are in particular widely employed as raw materials, which are then processed into various food and medicinal items, including chocolates and vitamins, for purposes of human consumption. Because this crop has been dubbed one of Jeju’s iconic agricultural crops, research studies elucidating the prickly pear cactus’ medicinal properties, including antioxidant activity, of this particular plant and related cultivated species have demonstrated high value to the scientific community. Currently, consumers do not purchase products f or c onsumption a lone, but in a ddition f or t heir added health benef its. The present study in particular honed in on two species of prickly pear cactus that are cultivated on Jeju Island which include: ‘Baeknyeoncho’ (Opuntia ficus-indica) and ‘Cheonnyeoncho’ (Opuntia humifusa). From these species, s pecif ci p lant p arts i ncluding t he f lower, mature and y oung stems, roots, a nd f ruit w ere subjected to further antioxidant analysis, which included the determination of polyphenol, flavonoid, DPPH radical, ABTS radical, and anthocyanin levels. These particular antioxidants were determined during two seasons, over the course of the summer and winter. Results revealed that the antioxidant activity for both species was more active during the summer season. Antioxidant levels occurred at the highest rates within t he flowers o f the c actus plants. However, of significant note was that the cactus stem, in both mature and young plants, possessed higher antioxidant activity compared to those of the fruit that is currently employed for commercial purposes.

Because of their attractive and colorful flowers, many species from the genus Aster serve as garden plants. Chrysanthemum owes its popularity to its ornamental and medicinal herb value. It can be used as a cut flower, potted plant, vegetable, and herbal tea. Plant breeders have attempted to identify the available species and produce new cultivars to improve the quality of chrysanthemum for commercial purposes. The use of cytogenetic studies has paved the way for identifying compatibility, ancestry, and other useful information for this undertaking. Thus, an investigation was conducted into the chromosome numbers of 23 wild Asteraceae species in Republic of Korea to determine their genetic characteristics and variations. The somatic chromosome spread has been used for chromosome counting. The results revealed that Asteraceae species have a chromosome range from 18 (diploid) to 54 (hexaploid). These findings provide primary and important information on the chromosome numbers in chrysanthemum plants that can be used to select the right variety for cultivation.

Chrysanthemum is a valuable ornamental plant worldwide, and several of its species are used as herbal tea, medicinal plants, and dietary supplements, among others. Commercial cultivars have been developed through interspecific hybridization and artificial selection to improve the characteristics, production quality, and environmental adaptation for enhancing ornamental value. To better understand the recent research in cytogenetic studies of chrysanthemum, we examined studies concerning polyploidy, karyotyping, banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, and inter/intraspecific hybridization. Ploidy level is important in genomic characteristics and has a significant value to horticulturists and plant breeders. Studies have reported that flow cytometry analysis and single-dose molecular markers can be used to determine the chrysanthemum ploidy level. As for karyotyping, a better understanding of karyomorphological relationships and evolution of chrysanthemum and its closely related genera has already been gained. Moreover, karyotype parameters in chrysanthemum studies play a critical role in cultivar identification, classification, and genetic analysis. The FISH technique in chrysanthemum research provides more information on chromosome identification, sequences distribution, and evolution for expediting the development and improvement of plant species. The genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) technique can also be used to test hybridization in chrysanthemum breeding. Hence, this review of molecular cytogenetic studies of chrysanthemum will help us to have a better understanding and knowledge of the taxa breeding and the development and improvement of new cultivars.

Succulents are ornamental plants that are popularly used in landscaping and as potted plants. Miniatureplants that are planted in miniature pots for small spaces or tables, or in elaborateaccessories such as key chains, key holders or hanging pots, have recently become more popular. Their unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal have increased their demand especially for those species that do not grow extensively during transport or for special cases in which they are placed into tiny containers to be used in key chains. This study investigated the effects of the plant growth inhibitors chlormequat, paclobutrazol, and daminozide, on two Echeveria species, Echeveria ‘A Grimme One’ and Echeveria ‘Little Rose’. Results revealed that the plant growth inhibitors successfully controlled the growth of Echeveria species at specific concentrations. Among the inhibitors applied to the succulents, paclobutrazol at 100 ppm was found to be the most effective treatment for both the species.

Few studies have reported how temperature influences growth and development of succulents, including anthocyanin production, which could fetch better prices in the market, and understanding the factors influencing such pigments would benefit farmers. The present study investigated the effect of temperature (10°C, 20°C, and 30°C) on the growth, development, and anthocyanin concentrations in Echeveria agavoides and E. marcus. In E. agavoides, similar growth performance was observed at 10°C and 20°C based on plant height and diameter. However, subjecting the species to a high temperature of 30°C resulted in a decrease in plant height. In E. marcus, optimal growth performance was observed at 20°C. Different temperatures did not significantly affect succulent quality and color hues. Only L* values were significantly different among the Hunter’s Lab values. Similar results were observed following anthocyanin and image analyses, both of which were not significantly affected by temperature. However, an intense red pigment was observed at 20°C compared with the green pigment observed at 10°C and 30°C based on the image analysis. The results suggest that temperature influences growth, development, and anthocyanin content of Echeveria succulents, and 20°C could be the optimal temperature for the cultivation of the species.

The popularity of succulents as ornamental plants has increased in recent years. This is primarily because of their unique geometric shapes, which form a rosette, coupled with their ability to retain high levels of moisture. These features make ornamental succulents suitable as landscape plants as they can withstand extreme conditions and as potted plants for indoor spaces as they require minimal watering. Appropriate propagation techniques are important to increase production rates and plant quality in the shortest time possible. These ornamental plants may be propagated in various ways, both sexually, via seeds, and vegetatively, through a number of methods, such as stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and micropropagation. In this review, methods for the propagation of ornamental succulents are described, including post-propagation care and management. Propagation aspects on which limited information is available are also highlighted. Potential areas for research required to produce data to further improve techniques, conservation, and rapid propagation efforts are discussed.

Shading is a key element in the control of light intensity and is usually used during the summer when sunlight is at its most intense. Succulents are ornamental crops that have beextremely popular because of their leaf structure and other characteristics. A study was conducted to determine the effects of shading on the growth and development as well as the anthocyanin content of two Echeveria species: Echeveria agavoides and E. marcus. Three levels of shading were used, namely no shading/full light treatment, partially shaded conditions, and well-shaded conditions, which were achieved by placement inside controlled growing chambers for 4 weeks. The results revealed the bolting of growth in both height and diameter for both species when grown under shaded and partially shaded conditions, which were abnormal compared withthe typical development. CIELAB color results also showed thata* was significantly affected by shading levels, exhibiting a higher positive value for succulents under full light or no shading. These results were consistent with the anthocyanin analysis, where the highest contents were identifiedinthe species grown under full light. The image analysis also confirmed a higher percentage area based on the smart segmentation for red pigments compared withthat for green pigments.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of light intensity on the growth and development as well as the anthocyanin content of two Echeveria species, namely Echeveria agavoides and E. marcus. Three light intensity levels (high, 150 μmol･m-2s-1; intermediate, 75 μmol･m-2s-1; and low, 35 μmol･m-2s-1) served as the treatments, which were replicated four times. The results revealed that the tallest and largest plants were those under low light conditions. It was observed that there was a decline as the light intensity increased, which is attributed to the coping mechanisms of plants to search for light sources, which has a similar effect to bolting or an increase in the node-to-node distance. CIELAB color values of L* and a* for both species were significantly affected by the light intensity, indicating changes in the lightness of hue and green-to-red color pigmentation in plants. These results were strongly reflected in those of the anthocyanin content analysis, where a direct increase in the concentration was observed with increasing light intensity. The results of the anthocyanin analysis were also supported by the histogram, smart segmentation images, as well as the ratio of red and green pigments found in the images. Thus, a high light intensity should be used to increase the quality and provide conducive growing conditions for both succulent species.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementary lighting intensity and duration on selected Cassulaceae species grown in a hydroponic system. Five subfamilies in Crassulaceae with corresponding species were chosen as experimental units namely Sedeveria ‘Letizia ’, Sedum ‘Sun Red’, Crassula rupestris, Echeveria ‘Momotaro’, and Graptoveria opalina. Light duration (3 and 6 hours) and intensity (4,000 lux or 60 μmol • m−2 • s−1 and 8,000 lux or 120 μmol • m−2 • s−1), and their combinations served as factors which were replicated twice. Results revealed that the use of supplementary lighting using LED fixtures had influenced selected species under Crassulaceae. The use of three hours supplementary lighting under low light intensity had statistically similar results with those of the control S. letizia, C. rupestris and G. opalina in particular parameters. Meanwhile, succulents under six-hour with high intensity condition grew well, compared to species S. letizia, C. rupestris and E. ‘Momotaro,’ demonstrating that the data was significantly different. Interestingly, there were no statistical significant differences between species C. rupestris and the control regardless of change of variables (duration and intensity) in all parameters.