Dianthus chinensis

Abstract: We compared the rate of pollen tube growth following self- and cross-pollinations both among and within flowers of two clones of Dianthus chinensis L For among-flower comparisons, both styles of a flower were pollinated with either self- or cross-pollen Within-flower comparisons were made between the two styles of the same flower, one of which was self-pollinated and the other cross-pollinated Comparisons between flowers indicated that self-pollen grew slower than cross-pollen in both clones However, differences in the growth rate of pollen tubes from selfand cross-pollinations were greater when comparisons were made between the two styles of the same flower than when pollinations were made in different flowers These results suggest the existence of interstyle interactions in pollen tube growth

Abstract: The introduction of edible flowers into our menu and their consumption significantly increases as a result of decorative, taste or aroma qualities. Current research on the chemical composition of edible flowers indicates a high content of vitamins, mineral compounds, essential oils, fibre, mucilage and other compounds characterized by a very high antioxidant activity. The aim of the experiment was to compare the nutritional value and antioxidant activity of three annual and two perennial ornamental plant species with edible flowers: Mimulus x hybridus L. ‘Magic Yellow’ and ‘Magic Red’, Antirrhinum majus L. ‘Cavalier’, Dianthus chinensis L. ‘Chianti’, Hemerocallis x hybrida Hort. and Monarda didyma L. Among the edible flower species compared in the study, M. didyma L. showed the highest nutritional value and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS). While flowers of D. chinensis L. ‘Chianti’ were characterized by highest content of antioxidants such as L-ascorbic acid, total anthocyanins, total polyphenols and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), H. × hybrida and A. majus L. ‘Cavalier’ flowers – by the highest content of total soluble sugars and sugar/acid ratio, and M. × hybridus L. ‘Magic Red’ and ‘Magic Yellow’ – by the highest content of total carotenoids.

Abstract: Dianthus koreanus sp. nov. , from Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea, is described and illustrated. It is a chasmophyte growing on the rocks on the seashore in the eastern coast of Korea. The new species is similar to D. chinensis by its vegetative and floral morphology. Differential characters refer to the leaves (oblanceolate to oblong and greenish-gray coriaceous), and the bracts (3 pairs, each bract being elliptic to obovate with apex acute). The conservation status of D. koreanus was assessed according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Abstract: Protoplasts isolated from leaf mesophyll cells of Dianthus chinensis and D. barbatus were fused by polyethylene glycol (PEG). Calli exhibiting vigorous growth were selected from the PEG-treated protoplasts and shoots were regenerated from one of these calli after 5 months of culture. These shoots readily rooted and continuously produced flowers in the in-vitro condition. The data on flower color, chromosome number, and esterase isozyme patterns indicated that this plantlet was an interspecific somatic hybrid. The hybridity of the plantlet was also confirmed by nuclear rDNA analysis. This report provides the possibility of applying the somatic hybridization technique for the genetic improvement of the genus Dianthus.