DOCSLIB.ORG

AMERICAN BLACK NIGHTSHADE (Solanum Americanum MILL.) INTERFERENCE in WATERMELON (Citrullus Lanatus L.)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
AMERICAN BLACK NIGHTSHADE (Solanum Americanum MILL.) INTERFERENCE in WATERMELON (Citrullus Lanatus L.) AMERICAN BLACK NIGHTSHADE (Solanum americanum MILL.) INTERFERENCE IN WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus L.) By CELESTE ALINA GILBERT A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2006 Copyright 2006 by Celeste Alina Gilbert This thesis is dedicated to my grandmother, Claire K. Gilbert, who inspired me to pursue a degree in science through her love and support. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost I wish to thank my advisor, Dr. William M. Stall, for all the help and guidance he has given me throughout my time at the university and especially throughout the writing process. Without his patience and guidance I would not have been able to write this thesis. I would also like to thank my committee members for their assistance and support throughout my program. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Eric Simonne, whom I consider a mentor and a friend throughout my time in Gainesville. For their assistance in the field and with my research I would like to thank the farm crews at the NFREC and PSREU, especially Berry Tanner and Darrel Thomas, for their friendships and support. I would also like to thank Aparna Gazula for both her help with statistics and her wonderful friendship, without which I would have struggled. For all their wonderful support and kindness I wish to thank all my friends here in Florida; they have provided me with support and generosity throughout my time in Gainesville. Finally, I wish to thank my parents, Donna and John Gilbert, for their interest and underlying support for my research, my brother and sister Chaz and Carolina Gilbert for their encouragement and love, and my grandmother Claire Gilbert, whose faith in me has given me strength through the tougher times. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................iv LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................ix ABSTRACT ..........................................................................................................xi CHAPTER 1 LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................................. 1 Competition.................................................................................................... 1 Economic Impact ..................................................................................... 2 Designs for Studying Competition in Agriculture...................................... 3 Additive studies ................................................................................. 3 Substitutive studies (replacement series).......................................... 4 Systematic studies ............................................................................ 4 Neighborhood (area of influence) studies.......................................... 5 Review of American Black Nightshade and the Nightshade Complex ........... 5 Origins and Distribution of American Black Nightshade (S. americanum) .................................................................................. 6 History ..................................................................................................... 6 Vegetative Characteristics of Solanum Americanum............................... 7 Black Nightshade Biology ........................................................................ 7 Germination of Black Nightshade Seed................................................... 8 Temperature...................................................................................... 8 Other treatments to promote germination.......................................... 9 Osmotic pressure and pH................................................................ 10 Critical Weed-Free Periods and Densities for Nightshade..................... 11 Control of Black Nightshade......................................................................... 12 Mechanical Control................................................................................ 12 Cultural Control...................................................................................... 12 Chemical Control ................................................................................... 14 Biological Control................................................................................... 14 Review of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) .................................................... 14 Watermelon Taxonomical Description ................................................... 14 Watermelon Production in Florida.......................................................... 16 v Weed Studies in Watermelon ................................................................ 17 Watermelon Nutritional and Cultural Requirements ..................................... 18 Nutrition ................................................................................................. 18 pH.......................................................................................................... 19 Temperature .......................................................................................... 20 Mulches and Growth: High and Low Maintenance ................................ 21 Mulches........................................................................................... 21 Plant spacing................................................................................... 22 Water and nutrients......................................................................... 23 Transplants versus seeded ............................................................. 23 2 SEASON-LONG INTERFERENCE BETWEEN WATERMELON AND AMERICAN BLACK NIGHTSHADE ............................................................. 25 Introduction .................................................................................................. 25 Objectives .................................................................................................... 25 Materials and Methods................................................................................. 26 Measurable Variables ............................................................................ 27 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis ........................................ 28 Results ......................................................................................................... 29 2005....................................................................................................... 29 2006....................................................................................................... 30 Nightshade Dry Weight.......................................................................... 31 PAR. ...................................................................................................... 31 Plant Measurements.............................................................................. 32 Discussion.................................................................................................... 32 3 SPATIAL DISTANCE STUDY BETWEEN AMERICAN BLACK NIGHTSHADE (Solanum americanum Mill.) AND WATERMELON (Citrullus lanatus L.) ..................................................................................... 46 Objective ...................................................................................................... 46 Materials and Methods .......................................................................... 46 Measurable Variables ............................................................................ 47 Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis ........................................ 48 Results and Discussion................................................................................ 48 4 SEED GERMINATION TRIALS USING AMERICAN BLACK NIGHTSHADE SEED................................................................................... 51 Objectives .................................................................................................... 51 Material and Methods................................................................................... 51 Bleach treatment ............................................................................. 52 Pre-germination treatment............................................................... 52 Germination trials ............................................................................ 52 Statistical Analysis................................................................................. 53 Results ......................................................................................................... 53 vi Trial 1: September 8-22, 2005 ............................................................... 54 Trial 2: November 3-17, 2005 ................................................................ 54 Trial 3: January 29- Febuary 12, 2006................................................... 55 Discussion.................................................................................................... 55 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ............................................................... 59 APPENDIX ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR EACH YEAR AND SITE...................... 62 REFERENCES................................................................................................... 63 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Weedsoc.Org.Au
    THE WEED SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Inc. Website: www.nswweedsoc.org.au Seminar Papers WEEDS – WOE to GO IV Wednesday 6 September 2006 Metcalfe Auditorium State Library of NSW Macquarie Street , SYDNEY Sponsors Collated / Edited by Copies of this publication are available from: Dr Stephen Johnson THE WEED SOCIETY & Bob Trounce OF NEW SOUTH WALES Inc. PO Box 438 WAHROONGA NSW 2076 THE WEED SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Inc. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Seminar Organising Committee Lawrie Greenup (chair) Mike Barrett Bertie Hennecke Luc Streit Coordinator power point presentations Erica McKay Welcome to speakers and delegates Warwick Felton (President) Summary of the day’s presentations Mike Barrett Collation and preparation of proceedings Stephen Johnson Bob Trounce The committee thanks all who took part and attended the seminar and particularly the speakers for their presentations and supply of written documents for these proceedings. THE WEED SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Inc. SEMINAR SERIES: WEEDS WOE TO GO IV “Poisonous and Allergenic Plants Where are they?” Date: Wednesday 6th September 2006 Location: The Metcalfe Auditorium The State Library of NSW Macquarie Street Sydney Time Topic Speaker 9.00 – 9.30 am REGISTRATION & MORNING TEA 9.30 – 9.40 am Welcome Warwick Felton 9.40 – 10.30 am Weeds that make you sick Rachel McFadyen 10.30 – 11.20 am Poisonous, prickly, parasitic, pushy? John Virtue Prioritising weeds for coordinated control programs” 11.20 – 1130 am break 11.30 – 11.50 am Parietaria or Asthma Weed Sue Stevens Education & incentive project
    [Show full text]
  • Fort Ord Natural Reserve Plant List
    UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve Plants Below is the most recently updated plant list for UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve. * non-native taxon ? presence in question Listed Species Information: CNPS Listed - as designated by the California Rare Plant Ranks (formerly known as CNPS Lists). More information at http://www.cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/ranking.php Cal IPC Listed - an inventory that categorizes exotic and invasive plants as High, Moderate, or Limited, reflecting the level of each species' negative ecological impact in California. More information at http://www.cal-ipc.org More information about Federal and State threatened and endangered species listings can be found at https://www.fws.gov/endangered/ (US) and http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/ t_e_spp/ (CA). FAMILY NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME LISTED Ferns AZOLLACEAE - Mosquito Fern American water fern, mosquito fern, Family Azolla filiculoides ? Mosquito fern, Pacific mosquitofern DENNSTAEDTIACEAE - Bracken Hairy brackenfern, Western bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens fern DRYOPTERIDACEAE - Shield or California wood fern, Coastal wood wood fern family Dryopteris arguta fern, Shield fern Common horsetail rush, Common horsetail, field horsetail, Field EQUISETACEAE - Horsetail Family Equisetum arvense horsetail Equisetum telmateia ssp. braunii Giant horse tail, Giant horsetail Pentagramma triangularis ssp. PTERIDACEAE - Brake Family triangularis Gold back fern Gymnosperms CUPRESSACEAE - Cypress Family Hesperocyparis macrocarpa Monterey cypress CNPS - 1B.2, Cal IPC
    [Show full text]
  • Vascular Plants and a Brief History of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands
    United States Department of Agriculture Vascular Plants and a Brief Forest Service Rocky Mountain History of the Kiowa and Rita Research Station General Technical Report Blanca National Grasslands RMRS-GTR-233 December 2009 Donald L. Hazlett, Michael H. Schiebout, and Paulette L. Ford Hazlett, Donald L.; Schiebout, Michael H.; and Ford, Paulette L. 2009. Vascular plants and a brief history of the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS- GTR-233. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 44 p. Abstract Administered by the USDA Forest Service, the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands occupy 230,000 acres of public land extending from northeastern New Mexico into the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas. A mosaic of topographic features including canyons, plateaus, rolling grasslands and outcrops supports a diverse flora. Eight hundred twenty six (826) species of vascular plant species representing 81 plant families are known to occur on or near these public lands. This report includes a history of the area; ethnobotanical information; an introductory overview of the area including its climate, geology, vegetation, habitats, fauna, and ecological history; and a plant survey and information about the rare, poisonous, and exotic species from the area. A vascular plant checklist of 816 vascular plant taxa in the appendix includes scientific and common names, habitat types, and general distribution data for each species. This list is based on extensive plant collections and available herbarium collections. Authors Donald L. Hazlett is an ethnobotanist, Director of New World Plants and People consulting, and a research associate at the Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO.
    [Show full text]
  • Species List For: Valley View Glades NA 418 Species
    Species List for: Valley View Glades NA 418 Species Jefferson County Date Participants Location NA List NA Nomination and subsequent visits Jefferson County Glade Complex NA List from Gass, Wallace, Priddy, Chmielniak, T. Smith, Ladd & Glore, Bogler, MPF Hikes 9/24/80, 10/2/80, 7/10/85, 8/8/86, 6/2/87, 1986, and 5/92 WGNSS Lists Webster Groves Nature Study Society Fieldtrip Jefferson County Glade Complex Participants WGNSS Vascular Plant List maintained by Steve Turner Species Name (Synonym) Common Name Family COFC COFW Acalypha virginica Virginia copperleaf Euphorbiaceae 2 3 Acer rubrum var. undetermined red maple Sapindaceae 5 0 Acer saccharinum silver maple Sapindaceae 2 -3 Acer saccharum var. undetermined sugar maple Sapindaceae 5 3 Achillea millefolium yarrow Asteraceae/Anthemideae 1 3 Aesculus glabra var. undetermined Ohio buckeye Sapindaceae 5 -1 Agalinis skinneriana (Gerardia) midwestern gerardia Orobanchaceae 7 5 Agalinis tenuifolia (Gerardia, A. tenuifolia var. common gerardia Orobanchaceae 4 -3 macrophylla) Ageratina altissima var. altissima (Eupatorium rugosum) white snakeroot Asteraceae/Eupatorieae 2 3 Agrimonia pubescens downy agrimony Rosaceae 4 5 Agrimonia rostellata woodland agrimony Rosaceae 4 3 Allium canadense var. mobilense wild garlic Liliaceae 7 5 Allium canadense var. undetermined wild garlic Liliaceae 2 3 Allium cernuum wild onion Liliaceae 8 5 Allium stellatum wild onion Liliaceae 6 5 * Allium vineale field garlic Liliaceae 0 3 Ambrosia artemisiifolia common ragweed Asteraceae/Heliantheae 0 3 Ambrosia bidentata lanceleaf ragweed Asteraceae/Heliantheae 0 4 Ambrosia trifida giant ragweed Asteraceae/Heliantheae 0 -1 Amelanchier arborea var. arborea downy serviceberry Rosaceae 6 3 Amorpha canescens lead plant Fabaceae/Faboideae 8 5 Amphicarpaea bracteata hog peanut Fabaceae/Faboideae 4 0 Andropogon gerardii var.
    [Show full text]
  • Garden Plants Poisonous to People
    N NO V E M B E R 2 0 0 6 P R I M E F A C T 3 5 9 ( R E P L A C E S A G F A C T P 7 . 1 . 1 P O I S O N O U S P L A N T S I N T H E G A R D E N) Garden plants poisonous to people Annie Johnson Table 1. Toxicity rating for Tables 2−7. Weeds Project Officer Rating Toxicity Stephen Johnson Mildly toxic. Mild symptoms may occur if large * Weed Ecologist quantities are eaten. Toxic. Causes discomfort and irritation but not Weeds Unit, Biosecurity Compliance and Mine ** Safety, Orange dangerous to life. Highly toxic. Capable of causing serious illness *** or death. Introduction There are a range of garden plants that are considered poisonous. Poisonings and deaths from garden plants Poisoning are rare as most poisonous plants taste unpleasant Poisoning from plants may occur from ingesting, and are seldom swallowed (see toxicity). However, it is inhalation or direct contact. best to know which plants are potentially toxic. Symptoms from ingestion include gastroenteritis, It is important to remember that small children are diarrhoea, vomiting, nervous symptoms and in serious often at risk from coloured berries, petals and leaves cases, respiratory and cardiac distress. Poisoning that look succulent. This does not mean that all these by inhalation of pollen, dust or fumes from burning poisonous plants should be avoided or removed from plants can cause symptoms similar to hay fever or the garden. It is best to teach children never to eat asthma.
    [Show full text]
  • Missouriensis Volume 28 / 29
    Missouriensis Volume 28/29 (2008) In this issue: Improved Status of Auriculate False Foxglove (Agalinis auriculata) in Missouri in 2007 Tim E. Smith, Tom Nagel, and Bruce Schuette ......................... 1 Current Status of Yellow False Mallow (Malvastrum hispidum) in Missouri Tim E. Smith.................................................................................... 5 Heliotropium europaeum (Heliotropiaceae) New to Missouri Jay A. Raveill and George Yatskievych ..................................... 10 Melica mutica (Poaceae) New for the Flora of Missouri Alan E. Brant ................................................................................. 18 Schoenoplectus californicus (Cyperaceae) New to Missouri Timothy E. Vogt and Paul M. McKenzie ................................. 22 Flora of Galloway Creek Nature Park, Howell County, Missouri Bill Summers .................................................................................. 27 Journal of the Missouri Native Plant Society Missouriensis, Volume 28/29 2008 1 IMPROVED STATUS OF AURICULATE FALSE FOXGLOVE (AGALINIS AURICULATA) IN MISSOURI IN 2007 Tim E. Smith Missouri Department of Conservation P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Tom Nagel Missouri Department of Conservation 701 James McCarthy Drive St. Joseph, MO 64507-2194 Bruce Schuette Missouri Department of Natural Resources Cuivre River State Park 678 State Rt. 147 Troy, MO 63379 Populations of annual plant species are known to have periodic “boom” and “bust” years as well as years when plant numbers more closely approach long-term averages. In tracking populations of plant species of conservation concern (Missouri Natural Heritage Program, 2007), there are sometimes also boom years in the number of reports of new populations. Because of reports of five new populations and a surge in numbers of plants at some previously-known sites, 2007 provided encouraging news for the conservation of the auriculate false foxglove [Agalinis auriculata (Michx.) Blake] in Missouri.
    [Show full text]
  • Meloidogyne Incognita) Kimaru S.L1*, Kimenju, J.W.2, Kilalo D.C2 & Onyango C.M2
    G.J.B.A.H.S., Vol.3 (4):1-6 (October-December, 2014) ISSN: 2319 – 5584 GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE OF SELECTED SPECIES OF AFRICAN LEAFY VEGETABLES INFESTED WITH ROOT KNOT NEMATODES (Meloidogyne incognita) Kimaru S.L1*, Kimenju, J.W.2, Kilalo D.C2 & Onyango C.M2. 1Ministry of Education, P.o box 281-10201, Murang’a, Kenya. 2Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Kenya. P.o box 30197, Nairobi *Corresponding Author Abstract African indigenous leafy vegetables (AILVs) are an important commodity in the diet of many African communities. Most of the vegetables are grown by low-income small holder farmers and thus, play a crucial role in food security and in improving the nutritional status of poor families. However, root knot nematodes are a major hindrance to production with yield losses of 80 to 100 percent being recorded on some of the vegetables depending on susceptibility and inocula levels in the soil. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of root knot nematodes on the growth and yield of popular AILVs. A greenhouse experiment was conducted twice, where AILVs namely spider plant (Cleome gynandra), amaranthus (Amaranthus hybridus), African night shade (Solanum nigrum), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) and sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea) were tested. The seeds for each vegetable were planted in six pots out of which three of the pots were infested with 2000 second stage juveniles of root knot nematodes and data on plant height, fresh and dry shoot weight, galling index, egg mass index and the second stage juvenile count was recorded and analyzed.
    [Show full text]
  • Berlin Heights Ravine Natural Resource
    Berlin Heights Ravine Natural Resource Management Plan Tara Kauffman, Natural Resources Manager Brad Phillips, Environmental Projects Coordinator (December 2012-Updated February 2019) Erie MetroParks mission is to conserve natural resources while connecting the community with nature through education and exploration. Features and Resources Located off State Route 61 on the southern edge of the Village of Berlin Heights is Riverside Cemetery. The Berlin Heights Ravine property wraps around Riverside Cemetery (see attachment property map). It is a deep sandstone gorge with sheer walls up to 70 feet high. The main stem of Old Woman Creek flows through here in an excellent series of ripples and pools. The depth of the gorge has maintained a more northern microclimate, allowing relict Eastern Hemlock of all sizes to flourish on the shaded slopes. The warmer areas contain mature oaks, black cherry, tulip poplar, and hickories among other species. Wildflowers are also extensive throughout, including an impressive display of Great White Trillium. Erie MetroParks holds a conservation easement on the 16 acre property. The property is owned in part by the Village of Berlin Heights and in part by Berlin Township (see attachment ownership map). Plant diversity is good, with 212 species found to date (see attachment plant list thru 2016). Yellowtop (Senecio glabellus) was added to the list in 2012. The bird and vertebrate list is underrepresented due to limited site visitations and stands at 86 bird species and 8 vertebrates (see attachment bird list thru 2016 and vertebrate list thru 2011). Tennessee Warbler was added in 2012. Management Strategies Currently, Natural Resource staff visit this property at least once annually to check on compliance with the easement.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity and Evolution of Asterids
    Diversity and Evolution of Asterids . gentians, milkweeds, and potatoes . Core Asterids • two well supported lineages of the ‘true’ or core asterids ‘ ’ lamiids • lamiid or Asterid I group • ‘campanulid’ or Asterid II group • appear to have the typical fused corolla derived independently and via two different floral developmental pathways campanulids lamiid campanulid Core Asterids • two well supported lineages of the ‘true’ or core asterids lamiids = NOT fused corolla tube • Asterids primitively NOT fused corolla at maturity campanulids • 2 separate origins of fused petals in “core” Asterids (plus several times in Ericales) Early vs. Late Sympetaly euasterids II - campanulids euasterids I - lamiids Calendula, Asteraceae early also in Cornaceae of Anchusa, Boraginaceae late ”basal asterids” Gentianales • order within ‘lamiid’ or Asterid I group • 5 families and nearly 17,000 species dominated by Rubiaceae (coffee) and Apocynaceae lamiids (milkweed) • iridoids, opposite leaves, contorted corolla Rubiaceae Apocynaceae campanulids Gentianales corolla aestivation *Gentianaceae - gentians Cosmopolitan family of 87 genera and nearly 1700 species. Herbs to small trees (in the tropics) or mycotrophs. Gentiana Symbolanthus Voyria *Gentianaceae - gentians • opposite leaves • flowers right contorted • glabrous - no hairs! Gentiana Gentianopsis Blackstonia Gentiana *Gentianaceae - gentians CA (4-5) CO (4-5) A 4-5 G (2) • flowers 4 or 5 merous Gentiana • pistil superior of 2 carpels • parietal placentation; fruit capsular *Gentianaceae - gentians Gentiana
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Restoration and Landscaping
    Native Plant Nursery Ecological Restoration and Landscaping Catalog “Ontario’s native plants are beautiful, well adapted to our climate and they provide food and shelter for native species, all while maintaining Ontario’s exceptional biodiversity” Grow Wild Native Plant Nursery www.grow-wild.com 705-799-2619 Grow Wild Native Plant Nursery Ecological Restoration and Landscaping 3784 Highway #7 Omemee, Ontario K0L 2W0 www.nativeplantnursery.ca www.grow-wild.com [email protected] Paul Heydon Cell: 416-735-7490 Office: 705-799-2619 Grow Wild Native Plant Nursery www.grow-wild.com 705-799-2619 2 Why Garden With Native Plants? There are many reasons for including native plants in your landscape. Native plants are specifically adapted to our climate and pests and once established require little to no care if they are planted in a suitable habitat. These plant species have relationships with other species that live in your area; many plants are larval hosts to butterflies and provide food and shelter for other important animals. Native plants make for a beautifully colorful and environmentally friendly garden that allows individuals to help maintain Ontario’s exceptional biodiversity. Grow Wild collects all seed in an ecologically responsible manner. Grow Wild Native Plant Nursery www.grow-wild.com 705-799-2619 3 Plant Index Common Name Latin Name Page # Adderstongue/Trout Lily Erythronium americanum 15 Alternate Leaf Dogwood Cornus alternifolia 39 American Beech Fagus grandifolia 40 American sycamore Platanus occidentalis 42 Balsam Fir/Canada
    [Show full text]
  • Factors Affecting Regeneration from Root Fragments in Two Physalis Species
    Document generated on 09/24/2021 12:02 p.m. Phytoprotection Factors affecting regeneration from root fragments in two Physalis species Facteurs influençant la régénération de deux espèces de Physalis à partir de fragment racinaires A.E. Abdullahi and P.B. Cavers Volume 78, Number 1, 1997 Article abstract Smooth ground-cherry (Physalis virginiana var. subglabrata) and clammy URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/706116ar ground-cherry (P. heterophylla) are native weeds that are becoming more DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/706116ar common in arable land in southern Ontario. Much of their success stems from vegetative propagation, especially after dispersal of root fragments during See table of contents cultivation. Root fragments of different lengths, collected at different life cycle stages, from different parts of the root System and replanted at different depths and orientations in the soil, were tested for regeneration in the field Publisher(s) and the greenhouse. No fragments left on the soil surface regenerated. Shallow (5 cm) burial led to the fastest regeneration. Fragments as short as 2.5 cm Société de protection des plantes du Québec (SPPQ)l regenerated but the highest percentage regeneration was from fragments 10- cm long. Orientation had no effect on the capacity of root fragments to ISSN regenerate nor on the time taken to regenerate in either species. In both species, fewer root fragments sampled from plants at the fruit dispersal stage 0031-9511 (print) regenerated in the same season than fragments obtained at the early 1710-1603 (digital) vegetative stage. Root fragments obtained from parts of the root System closest to the crown had the least regeneration.
    [Show full text]
  • In-Vitro Antiviral Activity of Solanum Nigrum Against Hepatitis C Virus Tariq Javed1†, Usman Ali Ashfaq1*†, Sana Riaz2, Sidra Rehman1, Sheikh Riazuddin3
    Javed et al. Virology Journal 2011, 8:26 http://www.virologyj.com/content/8/1/26 RESEARCH Open Access In-vitro antiviral activity of Solanum nigrum against Hepatitis C Virus Tariq Javed1†, Usman Ali Ashfaq1*†, Sana Riaz2, Sidra Rehman1, Sheikh Riazuddin3 Abstract Background: Hepatitis C is a major health problem causes liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and death. The current treatment of standard interferon in combination with ribavirin, has limited benefits due to emergence of resistant mutations during long-term treatment, adverse side effects and high cost. Hence, there is a need for the development of more effective, less toxic antiviral agents. Results: The present study was designed to search anti-HCV plants from different areas of Pakistan. Ten medicinal plants were collected and tested for anti-HCV activity by infecting the liver cells with HCV 3a innoculum. Methanol and chloroform extracts of Solanum nigrum (SN) seeds exhibited 37% and more than 50% inhibition of HCV respectively at non toxic concentration. Moreover, antiviral effect of SN seeds extract was also analyzed against HCV NS3 protease by transfecting HCV NS3 protease plasmid into liver cells. The results demonstrated that chloroform extract of SN decreased the expression or function of HCV NS3 protease in a dose- dependent manner and GAPDH remained constant. Conclusion: These results suggest that SN extract contains potential antiviral agents against HCV and combination of SN extract with interferon will be better option to treat chronic HCV. Introduction RNA replication; their functions include protease, RNA An estimated 3% of the world’s population (270 million helicase, and RNA polymerase activity [9].
    [Show full text]