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Grape ( Vitis vinifera ) waste management is a major problem in juice production, but it could be transformed into a major opportunity if the waste was recycled and used as a nursery growing medium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of four composts based on squeezed grape fruit waste (SGFW), mixed with coir or vermiculite in a one-to-one ratio by volume to form 13 growing media, for seed germination and seedling growth of ‘Mrs. Burns’ lemon basil ( Ocimum basilicum var. citriodora ). The final germination percentage (FGP), corrected germination rate index (CGRI), survival percentage, and seedling growth of ‘Mrs. Burns’ lemon basil were the variables measured. Pure SGFW reduced seed germination and seedling growth. The medium combining pure SGFW with vermiculite in a one-to-one ratio by volume was optimal for seed germination and seedling growth; in this medium the highest FGP, CGRI, survival rate, and growth parameters were recorded. The negative effects of pure SGFW composts were eliminated by mixing all composts with coir or vermiculite. These waste recycling media are low-cost products that can be beneficially used in nurseries on a commercial scale.

The present study reports on phytoplasma induced fasciation in Crassula argintea (Crassulaceae). DNA was extracted from symptomless and fasciated tissues and amplified by nested PCR using universal primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 produced amplicons of 1.2 Kb. The nucleotide sequence analyses of the amplicons indicated that fasciated plants were infected by phytoplasma. Phylogenetic analysis placed the Crassula fasciation phytoplasmas in 16SrII-D group. Histochemical staining for reactive oxygen species indicated that phytoplasma infected (PI) tissues possess significantly higher levels of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) rather than superoxide (O 2 ·- ) as compared with symptomless tissues. PI tissues were also associated with a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and glutathione reductase) and electrolyte leakage as compared with symptomless tissues.

The present study reports a simple protocol for indirect shoot organogenesis and plantlets regeneration of Dieffenbachia maculata cv. Marianna using stem segments from in vitro shoot culture. Different concentrations and combinations of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1- naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), 6-benzyladenine (BA), and kinetin (Kin) were used for callus induction and shoot organogenesis. The frequency of callus formation reached 87% and the highest number of shoots per callus was 4.8 for explants cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium supplemented with 15 mg I'1 BA + 15 mg I'1 NAA. Shoots were further grown and rooted on MS hormone free medium. Regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in greenhouse with 100% survival rate.