Maria Cantor

FT-IR Characterization of Pollen Biochemistry, Viability, and Germination Capacity in Saintpaulia H. Wendl. Genotypes

FT-IR characterization of pollen biochemistry was analyzed to detect possible connection with the viability (by staining with potassium iodide, 25%) and the germination capacity (on solid nutrient medium), in 15 Saintpaulia genotypes. Vibrational spectroscopy indicates that the pollen of S. ionantha genotype “Red Velvet” is rich in proteins, lipids, triglycerides, and esters and has a viability of 88.4% and a low germination capacity (27.16%). For S. ionantha “Jolly Red” and “Lucky Ladybug” genotypes, pollen showed high viability (88.81–91.49%) and low germination capacity (23.02–9.17%), even though the pollen is rich in carbohydrates. S. ionantha “Aloha Orchid” genotype has the highest percentage of viability (94.32%) and germination capacity (45.73%) and a rich content of carbohydrates and polygalacturonic acids. In S. rupicola and S. ionantha genotypes, the rich content of polygalacturonic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates favourably influenced the germination capacity. Spectroscopic result indicates, through different absorbance band intensity, a possible link between biochemical composition, viability, and germination capacity of Saintpaulia pollen. To determine exactly the relation between biochemistry and biological processes, it is necessary to initiate quantitative researches.

Specific horticulture therapy guidelines in the landscaping of Cluj-Napoca hospital facilities – improving mental and behavioural healthcare

Abstract In the beginning, nature was an irreplaceable environment for humans. The concept of horticulture therapy (HT) denotes the use of ornamental plants to improve people’s health based on the connection between landscape architecture principles, design elements, and guidelines in healthcare facility gardens. In HT, people can improve and maintain health; so, gardens must provide only beneficial effects for users (patient, family, staff), testing design elements, which can be a scroll direction in garden, point of interest, connection with nature. This paper presents a case study analysis of the current landscape architecture standpoint: one of the Cluj-Napoca clinics, where HT can improve patients’ well-being.

Effect of different solutions of preservation of cut Gladiolus.

The aim of the research was to screen out the suitable fresh-keeping agent for fresh cut flowers of Gladiolus hybridus. Cut flowers of Gladiolus occupy a major share in floriculture industry. For a viable cut flower business it is very important to maintain high quality of the produce. The qualitative and quantitative post harvest losses of gladiolus can be reduced by adopting improved technologies like harvesting at proper stage, use of floral preservatives and bud opening solution, pulsing, precooking, improved storage techniques such as low temperature storage, proper packaging methods etc (Yoram et al., 1981). The effects of 6 pretreatment on the freshness index of cut Gladinlous showerd an increased of the Gladiolus vase life (Reid and Award 1980). Gladiolus flowers were obtained from freshly cut in the morning from experimental collection of USAMV Cluj, department of Floriculture and kept at 5oC until were nutritive solutions treated later in the same day. 8 cultivars of G. hybridus (‘Corula’, ‘Priscilla’, ‘Candida Ali’, ‘Cipriana’, ‘Nova Lux’, ‘White Prosperity’, ‘Peter Pears’ and ‘Jester’) were treated with the next four solutions: Flower Food, Spring, Native and sucrose 3% + citric acid 0,015% to determine the best solution for preservation and the vase life of cut flowers.

Solutions Concerning the Improvement of Multiplication Technology of Argyranthemum frutescens (L.) Sch. Bip

Argyranthemum frutescens (Chrysanthemum frutescens L.), the marguerite, is a perennial plant known for its flowers. It is native to the Canary Islands, their native habitat ranges from the seashore, woodland edges and slopes of volcanic mountains. Marguerites have been grown for more than 200 years, with more than 80 types now available (most of them are hybrids). The aim of the research was to improve the current assortment of floricultural plants in Romania, with new varieties of ornamental species with different morphological characteristics, to be promoted and placed in production. Along with taking the study of new varieties, it has studying the improvement of the culture technology, too. In the present paper, we made some research’s regarding the influence of rooting substrate on morphological characters of two varieties of Argyranthemum frutescens L. cuttings („Gypsy Rose” and „Butterfly”), which were followed the rooting process in different substrates (perlite and peat + perlite).