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This experiment was conducted to identify the effect of various growth retardants on the growth of Aerides japonicum in vitro. Paclobutrazol was found the most effective retardant for reducing the leaf growth of seedling. Ancymidol and uniconazole also showed retarding effects on leaf growth of one, whereas Daminozide didn't. When growth retardants were added to culture medium, leaf length of seedlings was gradually shortened and leaf width became wider than that of control. However, root length was shorter and number of roots and root diameter were greatly increased. On the contrary, at 0.05 and 0.1 ppm uniconazole, growth of leaf and root were enhanced. It was showed that the possibility of using as an additive for good growth of Aerides japonicum seedling in vitro. The activity of GA-like substances was higher in the portion in which growth of seedlings were promoted. It was identified by anatomical observations that the number of stomata and thickness of cell layer in leaf were increased by treatment of retardants.
Secondary metabolite production by plant cell culture has been become of interest because of its commercial value in use. However, cultured plant cells usually yield lower levels of secondary metabolites than those of intact plants. In order to improve the anthocyanin productivity in hairy root culture of Daucus carota, fungal elicitors from 8 species of Fungi were examined. Through the studies of fungal elicitors in this work, it was turned out that fungal elicitors were very effective to improve the yield of anthocyanin. Despite of its low yield of anthocyanin, high density culture of hairy roots is achieved in fluidized-bed bioreactor, Anthocyanin production in fluidized-bed bioreactor with fungal elicitor treatment was increased greatly. We are currently researching more detailed aeration effects and scale-up in air-lift bioreactors. And these studies could provide important data to establish mass production system for secondary metabolites.
The rapid expansion of Asian populations in the United States presents significant opportunities and challenges for the eastern U.S. produce sector to take advantage of their close proximity to densely populated areas. Initial crop studies followed by ethnic consumer and crop surveys were conducted to examine vegetable, leafy green, and herb consumption and expenditures among Chinese, Asian Indians, and other Asian groups. Consumer choices were used to prioritize subsequent production trials. Family expenditures were determined for specific Asian produce types and total produce purchases. This market data were extrapolated to the east coast Asian populations to assess potential market size (90% confidence interval, error margin 5.6%). Chinese consumer values ranged from $245 to $296 million per annum and Asian Indians ranged from $190 to $230 million per annum. The average annual fresh fruit and vegetable expenditures by both Asian groups were 2 to 3.5 times respective national averages. Leading Chinese vegetables determined by average expenditures were baby bok choy, pak choy, oriental eggplant, snow pea, oriental spinach, and napa cabbage. Highest expenditure of leafy greens and herbs for Chinese consumers were chives and garland chrysanthemum. This market-driven survey reported consumption of over 100 Asian crops and 42 cultivars were ranked “feasible” to grow in the eastern section of the United States. Horticultural matrices of selection criteria narrowed the list to the most promising candidates for production. As a result, 28 cultivars were then grown in University research and demonstration plots at Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Florida in determining growth characteristics and yield to focus horticultural crop producers. Leading vegetable cultivars for Asian Indian consumers were bitter gourd, eggplant, fenugreek leaves, cluster beans, and bottle gourd. Leading leafy greens and herbs for Asian Indians were turmeric, fenugreek, sorrel spinach, and radish greens. Most of these Asian cultivars were demonstrated to grow well in the three main growing zones of 5, 7, and 9. Phytochemical attributes such as antioxidant activity, polyphenols, and mineral contents were analyzed for several of the leading crop candidates. This initial field and laboratory data shows that many of these ethnic crops can be grown in the eastern United States to direct production opportunities and are nutrient rich to help drive consumer demand.