Chitinase is often produced in higher plants as a general defence response after wounding or pathogenic attack. Since germinating seeds are exposed to soil pathogens, the activity and expression of chitinase in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) seeds was investigated. One acidic and three basic chitinase isoforms were detected, beginning 40 d after anthesis in developing and fully mature seeds. Both ...

The chemical composition of the essential oil constituent from Seinat (Cucumis melo var. tibish) seeds was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Forty components were identified; with 9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester (15.27%), 2H-Pyran-2one, tetrahydro-6-nonyl (14.60%) being the main constituents in the essential oil. Based on their functional groups, the ester compo...

Peat replacement is an increasing demand in containerized and transplant production, due to the environmental constraints associated to peat use. However, despite the wide information concerning the use of alternative materials as substrates, it is very complex to establish the best materials and mixtures. This work evaluates the use of mixture design and surface response methodology in a peat ...

Plectosphaerella cucumerina, most frequently encountered in its Plectosporium state, is well known as a pathogen of several plant species causing fruit, root and collar rot, and collapse. It is considered to pose a serious threat to melon (Cucumis melo) production in Italy. In the present study, an intensive sampling of diseased cucurbits as well as tomato and bell pepper was done and the funga...

In vitro plantlet regeneration has been obtained from 20-25days old seedling shoot tip segments of Cucumis melo (L.). We were examined using various phyto hormones individually and in combination on Murashige and Skoog (MS) semi solid medium supplemented with BAP (1.0-3.0 mg/L) Kn (1.0-3.0 mg/L),IAA (0.5 mg/L)+ BAP (1.0-3.0 mg/L) and IAA (0.5 mg/L)+Kn (1.0-3.0 mg/L) for multiple shoots prolifer...