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Aster yellows, an insect-vectored disease caused by a mycoplasma-like organism (MLO), is a destructive vegetable plant disease in the upper midwestern United States. A breeding effort was initiated in 1982 to develop aster yellows resistance in carrot. An aster yellows synthetic (AYSYN) population composed of four standard open-pollinated cultivars and five inbred lines was assembled in 1982. Inbred lines were extracted from the AYSYN population using a variety of methods. Selection in naturally and artificially infested field sites was carried out from 1982 to 1989. Twenty-three carrot germplasm lines inbred for a minimum of five generations and three hybrids were developed from the AYSYN population during the selection process. Replicated field experiments were conducted in 1990, 1991, and 1993 to determine the relative aster yellows resistance of these 26 selected lines compared with six commonly grown carrot cultivars. Susceptibility was based on the presence of disease symptoms on carrot shoots. Data were collected as percent aster yellows infection based on the presence or absence of crown shoots on each plant. Averaged over years, significant differences were detected for percent aster yellows infection among carrot genotypes. Breeding lines selected for resistance ranged from 2.5% to 35.3% infected plants per plot averaged over years, while standard cultivars ranged from 12% to 42% infected plants per plot. Significant reductions in aster yellows infection were observed in many selected lines compared to standard cultivars. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of inbreeding and selection for aster yellows resistance. This breeding effort represents the first report of aster yellows-resistant carrot germplasm.
The acute syndromes associated with many human diseases of the cardiovascular system such as myocardial infarction, angina, and some forms of stroke are caused by thrombosis. Platelet aggregation plays a central role in thrombus formation. Dietary intake of inhibitors of aggregation may provide protection against these disorders, which effect millions of Americans. Previous research in our laboratory has shown that juice from onion (Allium cepa) inhibits platelet aggregation ex vivo. Various sulfur-containing compounds are largely responsible for the distinctive aromas, flavors, and platelet inhibitory actions of onion. Among these is the thiosulfinate (TS) family of compounds formed upon maceration of the vegetable. In this study, several pure Allium compounds were evaluated for antiplatelet activity. TSs were synthesized in model reaction mixtures containing the enzyme allinase and S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides (ACSOs), their natural precursors, or purified from garlic juice. Antiplatelet activity of each compound was determined by dose response using whole blood from human donors. A minimum of 0.4 mM methyl methaneTS, a compound found in freshly cut onion and garlic (Allium sativum), was needed to significantly inhibit aggregation relative to a non-TS control. By contrast, a lower concentration (0.05 mM) of 2-propenyl 2-propeneTS (allicin) and propyl propraneTS, compounds found in garlic but not onion, was required. The garlic compound methyl 2-propeneTS significantly inhibited at 0.2 mM. These data imply a role of alk(en)yl groups in TS antiplatelet efficacy. Variability in ACSO-derived TS composition in cut onion tissue may explain differential antiplatelet activity of onion cultivars. Results from this investigation suggest that ACSO and TS composition profiles may be useful for evaluating the medicinal value of Alliums.
Onion (Allium cepa L.) and other vegetable Alliums have long been recognized for the antiplatelet properties. Consumers may benefit from the medicinal value of onions because they are commonly eaten raw in salads and the antiplatelet factor is destroyed by heat. Recent work indicates antiplatelet activity in Allium sp. may be due to the presence of native organosulfur compounds. The concentration of organosulfur compounds correlates positively with pungency, varies with onion cultivar, and is influenced by environmental factors. Bulb dry matter content, or solids, is positively correlated with pungency. Because antiplatelet activity may also be based on the activity of organosulfur compounds, it is possible these three factors are significantly correlated. The objective of this investigation was to examine the relationship among pungency, solids, and antiplatelet activity in four diverse onion genotypes. Replicated trials consisting of two mild and two pungent genotypes were conducted at four locations in 1994. Onion bulbs were harvested and analyzed for all three traits. Results from this investigation indicate significant positive correlations between antiplatelet activity, pungency, and solids in onion.
Betalain pigments, composed of the red-violet betacyanins (BC) and the yellow betaxanthins (BX), provide an excellent natural alternative to synthetic red dyes. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate eight cycles of recurrent selection in two red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) populations selected for high total betalain pigment concentration and both high (HPHS) and low (HPLS) total dissolved solids (TDS). Remnant seed was planted in a randomized complete block design in replicated trials at two locations in 1994. Beet roots were sampled at harvest for concentrations of BC, BX, and TDS. Highly significant differences among cycles for BC, BX, BC:BX, total pigment, and TDS were observed. Average gains per cycle were 13.15 and 4.06 mg per 100 g fresh weight for BC and BX in HPHS, and 7.59 and 2.61 mg per 100 g fresh weight for BC and BX in HPLS, respectively. Total pigment increased about 200 % in both populations. Selection for low TDS was ineffective, while only a mild response was detected from selection for high TDS. Since betalain pigments are formed following glycosylation of cyclodopa and betalamic acid, sugar molecules are associated with pigment biosynthesis. Simultaneous selection for high pigment and low TDS may therefore be metabolically incompatible. Our findings demonstrate betalain pigment concentration responds favorably to recurrent selection: however. a concomitant reduction in TDS is not a feasible selection goal.