• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2018

In December 2016, stem rot symptoms were observed on Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) plants in Chilgok, Gyeongbuk, Korea. In the early stage of the disease, several black spots appeared on the stem of infected plants. As the disease progressed, the infected stem cleaved and wilted. The causal agent was isolated from a lesion and incubated on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar at $25^{\circ}C$. Total genomic DNA was extracted for phylogenetic analysis. Based on the 16S rRNA gene analysis, the isolated strain was found to belong to the genus Pseudomonas. To identify the isolated bacterial strain at the species level, the nucleotide sequences of the gyrase B (gyrB) and RNA polymerase D (rpoD) genes were obtained and compared with the sequences in the GenBank database. As the result, the causal agent of the stem rot disease was identified as Pseudomonas marginalis. To determine the pathogenicity of the isolated bacterial strain, it was inoculated into the stem of healthy R. asiaticus plant, the inoculated plant showed a lesion with the same characteristics as the naturally infected plant. Based on these results, this is the first report of bacterial stem rot on R. asiaticus caused by P. marginalis in Korea.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.179-186
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• 2018

Ranunculus asiaticus characterizes colorful and attractive flower shapes that are related with the ornamental value of bulbous plants. Improving ornamental value of bulbous flowers has been the general goal of floricultural market. Gibberellic acid ($GA_3$) and benzyladenine (BA) play an important role in growth and developmental processes in floriculture. Combinational treatments of these two hormones have been used in floriculture to improve flower quality. We assessed the effects of combined $GA_3$ and BA, as well as the individual effects of each hormone, on growth characteristics using soil drench application to eight R. asiaticus cultivars, 'Giallo Millepetali', 'Bianco Millepetali', 'Arancio Millepetali', 'Rosa SC', 'Arancio Pratolino', 'Giallo Pratolino', 'Bianco Pratolino', and 'Rosa Ch Pratolino'. $GA_3$ treatments increased plant height and first flower size of R. asiaticus cultivars. Moreover, about 5 to 9 days to flowering were averagely shortened by $GA_3$ treatments compared to controls. On the other hand, the opposites, including first flower size and days to flowering, were observed for cultivars treated with BA, compared with controls. Treatments of $GA_3$ + BA generally affected growth traits, such as plant height, flower size, and the timing of flowering on some R. asiaticus cultivars. In particular, about 5 to 6 days to flowering were reduced on average by Treatments of $GA_3$ + BA. Our results showed positive growth effects, including plant height, days to flowering, first flower height, number of flowers from the application of individual and combined hormones to R. asiaticus cultivars and demonstrate a role for these hormones in future bulbous floriculture.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 2008

This study was conducted to find out the cause of discoloration after pressing yellow-colored flowers. Plant materials used were Lilium Asiatic Hybrids, Oncidium spp., Rosa hybrida, $Tulipa{\times}gesneriana$, Antirrhinum majus, Dianthus caryophyllus, Freesia hybrida, Zantedeschia elliottiana, Gerbera jamesonii, Helianthus annuus, and Ranunculus asiaticus. Thickness, ratio of length to width, and water content of petals did not considerably affect discoloration of pressed flowers. Expression of yellow color in petals was caused by carotenoids in Lilium Asiatic Hybrids, Oncidium spp., Rosa hybrida and $Tulipa{\times}gesneriana$, by flavonoids in Antirrhinum majus, Dianthus caryophyllus, Freesia hybrida and Zantedeschia elliottiana, and by coexistence of carotenoids and flavonoids in Gerbera jamesonii, Helianthus annuus and Ranunculus asiaticus. Carotenoids that expressed yellow color in petals affected significantly on discoloration in pressed flowers containing carotenoids alone or both carotenoids and flavonoids. However, discoloration was hardly ever found in yellow-colored species as affected by flavonoids. Dark treatment was effective for almost perfect preservation in color of pressed flowers, while light treatment resulted in severe discoloration.