Thermogenic skunk cabbage has been reported to have two types of uncoupling protein (UCP), a typical 6-transmembrane (TM) SrUCPA and an atypical 5-TM SrUCPB. To verify further the role of SrUCPs in thermogenic skunk cabbage, we examined the molecular identity of SrUCPs in more detail. Both mRNA and genomic analyses supported the presence of SrUCPA, but not SrUCPB. Furthermore, SrUCP protein pur...

Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) eggplant may become the first transgenic vegetable crop to be commercialized in the Indian subcontinent. This exploratory study conducted in Maharashtra, India suggests that vegetable farmers are generally receptive to the technology primarily for its pest resistance and cost saving attributes. While economic issues dominate the farmers’ perception of Bt eggplant, et...

BACKGROUND The cabbage, Brassica oleracea var. capitata L., has a distinguishable phenotype within the genus Brassica. Despite the economic and genetic importance of cabbage, there is little genomic data for cabbage, and most studies of Brassica are focused on other species or other B. oleracea subspecies. The lack of genomic data for cabbage, a non-model organism, hinders research on its molec...

During storage of shredded cabbage, characteristic sulfurous volatile compounds are formed affecting cabbage aroma both negatively and positively. Selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used to measure the concentration of cabbage volatiles during storage. The volatile levels of cabbage samples were measured at pH 3.3 to 7.4 at 4 °C for 14 d, and pH 3.3 at 25 °C for 5 d in order...

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), highly prefers to oviposit on yellow rocket, Barbarea vulgaris (R. Br.) (Cruciferae) var. arcuata , despite larvae not being able to survive on it, suggesting it may have potential as a trap crop. In a no-choice greenhouse experiment, P. xylostella laid 28% more eggs on B. vulgaris than on cabbage. Within the B. vulgaris...

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) Bacillus megaterium and potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) Bacillus mucilaginosus inoculated in nutrient limited soil planted with eggplant. Results showed that rock P and K materials either applied singly or in combination did not significantly enhance soil availability of P and K. PSB increased hi...

(In vitro somatic embryogenesis and adventitious root initiation have a common origin in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)). Somatic embryogenesis was induced from cotyledon explants of eggplant cultured on MS medium supplemented with 54 μM NAA. Anatomical analysis of somatic embryo initiation and development was performed during the first four weeks. Proembryo formation was observed after the se...

WRKY transcription factors, which play critical roles in stress responses, have not been characterized in eggplant or its wild relative, turkey berry. The recent availability of RNA-sequencing data provides the opportunity to examine WRKY genes from a global perspective. We identified 50 and 62 WRKY genes in eggplant (SmelWRKYs) and turkey berry (StorWRKYs), respectively, all of which could be ...

The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) MEAM1, is considered a serious pest of horticultural and many other crops. While eggplant (Solanum melongena) is one of the most favored host plants, the whiteflies exhibit preferences among different varieties. We hypothesized that certain morphological leaf characteristics of different varieties, like leaf trichome density, tri...

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of the most consumed vegetables in the world. The eggplant glycoalkaloids (GAs) are toxic secondary metabolites that may have detrimental effects on human health, particularly if the magnitudes of GAs are higher than the recommended food safety level (200 mg per kg of fresh mass). In this study, the content of solasonine compound and the expression pattern...