Atef M. K. Nassar

History and Origin of Russet Burbank (Netted Gem) a Sport of Burbank

The importance of Russet Burbank, the world’s foremost French fry processing cultivar, requires a complete description of its origin. Its maternal lineage included Rough Purple Chili, Garnet Chili, Early Rose, and Burbank. An incorrect but widely disseminated account attributes the origin of Russet Burbank to Colorado potato grower Lou D. Sweet, with 1914 often given as the date of introduction. However, it is likely that Russet Burbank was originally released in 1902 as May’s Netted Gem by L. L. May & Co. (St. Paul MN). The names Netted Gem and Russet Burbank were used synonymously for many decades. Isoenzyme, multiplex PCR, and SNP data confirm Russet Burbank as a mutation of Burbank and do not support a seedling origin. Russet Burbank was found to be similar to Burbank in processing and nutritional characteristics. A goal of this effort is that descriptions of Russet Burbank’s lineage and origins will be corrected by seed companies in lists of potato varieties and at world repositories holding Russet Burbank and its progenitors.ResumenLa importancia de Russet Burbank, la principal variedad mundial para la industria de las papas a la francesa, requiere de la descripción completa de su origen. Su linaje materno incluyó Rough Purple Chili, Garnet Chili, Early Rose, y Burbank. Una versión incorrecta pero ampliamente diseminada atribuye el origen de Russet Burbank al productor de papa de Colorado Lou D. Sweet, con 1914 como a menudo dado como el año de introducción. No obstante, es probable que Russet Burbank fue liberada originalmente en 1902 como May’s Netted Gem por L. L. May & Co. (St. Paul MN). Se usaron los nombres de Netted Gem y Russet Burbank como sinónimos por muchas décadas. Datos de isoenzimas, múltiple PCR y SNP confirman a Russet Burbank como una mutación de Burbank, y no respaldan el origen por plántula. Se encontró que Russet Burbank es similar a Burbank en características de procesamiento y nutricionales. Una meta de este esfuerzo es que las descripciones del linaje de Russet Burbank y sus orígenes sean corregidos por las compañías de semilla en listas de variedades de papa y en las reservas mundiales que conserven Russet Burbank y sus progenitores.

Intraclonal Selection for Improved Processing of NB 'Russet Burbank' Potato

Abstract‘Russet Burbank’ has limited fertility and has not parented improved cultivars through traditional breeding efforts. This study showed that ‘Russet Burbank’ (NB clone) could be improved through selection of intraclones (somatic embryos derived from specific tuber tissues) based on field performance and/or processing characteristics. In 2005 and 2006, approx. 800 intraclones were regenerated from field-grown tubers or microtubers. Intraclones were micropropagated, acclimatized, and field-tested to identify the highest yielding lines. Each season, following storage, tubers of selected lines were tested for glucose content and French fry-processing quality. In 2007, the best intraclones from earlier seasons were increased through micropropagation and retested for yield and processing features. Approx. 2–9% of intraclones had similar yield to controls but superior processing features. Neither tuber source nor explant tissue type affected intraclone tuber yield, type, or processing characters. We recommend the incorporation of somatic embryogenesis into potato improvement programs for processing quality traits.Resumen“Russet Burbank” tiene fertilidad limitada y no ha sido progenitor que haya mejorado variedades a través de esfuerzos de mejoramiento tradicional. Este estudio demostró que “Ruset Burbank” (clon NB) pudo mejorarse por selección de intraclones (embriones somáticos derivados de tejidos específicos de tubérculo) con base en el comportamiento en el campo y/o en características de procesamiento. En 2005 y 2006, se regeneraron aproximadamente 800 intraclones de tubérculos cultivados en el campo o de microtubérculos. Los intraclones se micropropagaron, se aclimataron, y se probaron en el campo para identificar las líneas de rendimiento más alto. En cada ciclo de cultivo, después del almacenamiento, se probaron tubérculos de líneas selectas para el contenido de glucosa y de calidad de fritura para papas a la francesa. En 2007, los mejores intraclones de siembras previas se incrementaron por micropropagación y se volvieron a probar para rendimiento y características de procesamiento. Aproximadamente el 2–9% de intraclones tuvieron rendimiento similar al de los testigos pero mejores características de procesamiento. Ni la fuente del tubérculo ni el tipo de tejido del explante (inóculo) afectaron el rendimiento de tubérculo de los intraclones, o el tipo o características del procesamiento. Recomendamos la incorporación de embriogénesis somática en los programas de mejoramiento de papa para las características de calidad en el procesamiento.

High-Throughput Screening of Sensory and Nutritional Characteristics for Cultivar Selection in Commercial Hydroponic Greenhouse Crop Production

Hydroponic greenhouse-grown and store-bought cultivars of tomato (cherry and beefsteak), cucumbers, bibb lettuce, and arugula were investigated to see if they could be distinguished based on sensory qualities and phytonutrient composition. Only the more dominant sensory criteria were sufficiently robust to distinguish between cultivars and could form the core of a consolidated number of criteria in a more discriminating sensory evaluation test. Strong determinants for cultivar selection within each crop included the following: mineral analysis (particularly Cu, Fe, K, Mg, and P); total carotenoids (particularly β-carotene, lycopene, and lutein); total carbohydrate (except in arugula); organic acids; total phenolics and total anthocyanins (except in cucumber). Hydroponically grown and store-bought produce were of similar quality although individual cultivars varied in quality. Storage at 4°C for up to 6 days did not affect phytonutrient status. From this, we conclude that “freshness,” while important, has a longer duration than the 6 days used in our study. Overall, the effect of cultivar was more important than the effect of growing method or short-term storage at 4°C under ideal storage conditions.

Metabolic Biosynthesis of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Antioxidants and Implications for Human Health

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is common, affordable, readily stored, easily prepared for consumption, and nutritious. For these reasons, potato has become one of the top five crops consumed worldwide. Consequently, it is important to understand its contribution to both our daily and long-term health. Potato is one of the most important sources of antioxidants in the human diet. As such, it supports the antioxidant defense network in our bodies that reduces cellular and tissue toxicities that result from free radical-induced protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and DNA damage. In this way, potato antioxidants may reduce the risk for cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even radiation damage. A better understanding of these components of potato is needed by the food industry, health professionals, and consumers. This review provides referenced summaries of all of the antioxidant groups present in potato tubers and updated schematics including genetic regulation for the major antioxidant biosynthesis pathways. This review complements current knowledge on the role of potato in human health. We hope it will provide impetus toward breeding efforts to develop cultivars with increased antioxidant capacity as ‘functional foods’ and encourage potato consumers and processors to work toward preservation of antioxidant capacity in cooked potato and potato products.

Somatic Embryogenesis for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Improvement

Improvement of potato has been attained using conventional breeding and less conventional techniques including various tissue culture procedures. Somatic embryogenesis, which is a developmental process involving one or more somatic cells that undergo morphological development similar to zygotic embryogenesis, produces a complete plant. This somatic plant (somaclone) may vary in attributes from the original source plant, known as somaclonal variation. This document compiles available data on potato somatic embryogenesis including explant types, media components, effect of various growth regulators on the initiation and production of somatic embryos, molecular aspects of potato somatic embryogenesis, and describes somaclonal variation reported among somatic embryo-derived potato lines. Genes that control various somatic embryogenesis stages are reviewed and discussed explicitly for potato. It is clear that somatic embryogenesis has an important potential role in potato improvement programmes.

Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Human Blood and Effects of Occupational Exposure on Hematological and Hormonal Qualities

Pesticides are the first choice by farmers for use against plant pathogens, nevertheless their adverse effects to the environment. Current study was designed to measure pesticides residues in blood of spray farmers and to assess their possible effects. Blood indices and thyroid and reproductive hormones were evaluated in blood of adult male volunteers (20-48 years old). Volunteers were divided to three groups; spray-workers (directly-exposed), farmers who live in the country area (indirectly-exposed) and city inhabitants (not exposed). Spray workers had significantly decreased platelet number (PLT, 33%), ratio of large platelet (P-LCR%, 42%), average platelet volume (MPV, 70%), relative width of the distribution of erythrocytes (PDW, 56%), relative content of monocytes, basophils and eosinophils (MXD, 100%) compared to control group. In addition, blood samples of the exposed group showed significantly decreased PLT (30%), P-LCR (40%), MPV (65%) and PDW (50%) compared to the farmers. Furthermore, levels of testosterone, triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones of spray workers were significantly low compared with the country residents. Then results were further subjected to canonical discriminant analysis to visualize the interrelationships among variables. Results highlighted the critical need for enforced official interventions that reduce overexposure of spray workers throughout Egypt.

Nematicidal activity of silver nanoparticles of botanical products against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Abstract Current study investigated the nematicidal activity of leaf extracts of Conyza dioscoridis, Melia azedarach, and Moringa oleifera that were prepared as silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP). The characterisation and size confirmation of the Ag-NP were done by UV–vis spectrophotometry and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phytochemical contents of crude extracts and the nano formulations were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Results revealed that silver nanoparticles of C. dioscoridis extractives had great nematicidal activity against the 2nd stage juvenile (J2) and eggs of Meloidogyne incognita. Also, the Ag-NP showed similar nematicidal effect to the reference nematicide; rugby. The GC-MS analysis revealed the increase of certain metabolites due to the formulation of the Ag-NPs. Aromadendrene, 1-hydroxy-1,7-dimethyl-4-isopropyl-2,7-cyclodecdiene, 6-epi-shyobunol, 4-hexylacetophenone, β-isocomene, caryophyllene, β- and α-selinene, α-cadinol, berkheyaradulen, and bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were increased more than 2.5-folds in the Ag-NP compared the extract. Therefore, the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles might be a safe, effective and affordable nematicide alternatives.