Virus-Infected Melon Plants Emit Volatiles that Induce Gene Deregulation in Neighboring Healthy Plants.

It is well described that viral infections stimulate the emission of plant volatiles able to recruit viral vectors thereby promoting virus spread. In contrast, much less is known on the effects that emitted volatiles may have on the metabolism of healthy neighboring plants, which are potential targets for new infections through vector transmission. Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) (genus , family ) is an aphid-transmitted virus endemic in cucurbit crops worldwide.

The tomato res mutant which accumulates JA in roots in non-stressed conditions restores cell structure alterations under salinity.

Jasmonic acid (JA) regulates a wide spectrum of plant biological processes, from plant development to stress defense responses. The role of JA in plant response to salt stress is scarcely known, and even less known is the specific response in root, the main plant organ responsible for ionic uptake and transport to the shoot. Here we report the characterization of the first tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant, named res (restored cell structure by salinity), that accumulates JA in roots prior to exposure to stress.

Intrinsic water use efficiency controls the adaptation to high salinity in a semi-arid adapted plant, henna (Lawsonia inermis L.).

Adaptation to salinity of a semi-arid inhabitant plant, henna, is studied. The salt tolerance mechanisms are evaluated in the belief that gas exchange (water vapor and CO2) should play a key role on its adaptation to salt stress because of the strong evaporation conditions and soil water deficit in its natural area of distribution. We grow henna plants hydroponically under controlled climate conditions and expose them to control (0mM NaCl), and two levels of salinity; medium (75mM NaCl) and high (150mM NaCl).

Growing hardier crops for better health: Salinity tolerance and the nutritional value of broccoli.

To evaluate the variations in the nutritional components of a broccoli cultivar under saline stress, two different NaCl concentrations (40 and 80 mM) were assayed. Glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, and ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids (vitamin C) were analyzed by HPLC, and mineral composition was determined by ICP spectrophotometry. Qualitative differences were observed for several bioactive compounds depending on the plant organ and the intensity of the salt stress.

Effects of stir-fry cooking with different edible oils on the phytochemical composition of broccoli.

Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that Brassica vegetables in general and broccoli in particular protect humans against cancer; they are rich sources of glucosinolates and possess a high content on flavonoids, vitamins, and mineral nutrients. The contents of total intact glucosinolates, total phenolics, vitamin C, and minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper) in the edible portions of freshly harvested broccoli (florets), which was subjected to stir-frying treatments, were evaluated. In the present work, the stir-fry cooking experiments were carried out using different edible oils from plant origin (refined olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, soyabean oil, and safflower oil) known and used worldwide.

Effects of microwave cooking conditions on bioactive compounds present in broccoli inflorescences.

Cooking as a domestic processing method has a great impact on food nutrients. Most Brassica (Brassicaceae, Cruciferae) vegetables are mainly consumed after being cooked, and cooking considerably affects their health-promoting compounds (specifically, glucosinolates, phenolic compunds, minerals, and vitamin C studied here). The microwave cooking process presents controversial results in the literature due to the different conditions that are employed (time, power, and added water).