Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) is a widely used medicinal and ornamental plant. In the present study, the callus embryogenesis was examined using benzyl adenine (BA) at three levels (3, 4, 5 mg L⁻¹), 1-Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at three levels (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg L⁻¹) with or without activated charcoal (1 g L⁻¹), coconut milk (50 ml L⁻¹) and casein hydrolysate (50 mg L⁻¹) in the MS (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium. The embryogenesis indirectly occurred with the production of callus. The calli were observed in three forms: undifferentiated, embryogenic and organogenic. The embryogenic calli were dark green and coherent with a faster growth rate. The highest embryogenesis (100%) and embryonic regeneration (plantlet production) were obtained in the combined BA + NAA treatments with the activated charcoal, coconut milk and casein hydrolysate. However, the combined treatments of growth regulators failed to produce somatic embryos without the use of coconut milk and casein hydrolysate. The maximum amount of protein, peroxidase and catalase activity of embryogenic calli (2.02, 1.79 and 6.62ΔOD/Min/mg.protein, respectively), and highest percentage of acclimatization success (29.3% of plants) were obtained in the combined treatment of 5 mg L⁻¹ BA + 0.5 mg L⁻¹ NAA + activated charcoal + coconut milk + casein hydrolysate. The highest amount of chlorophyll content (33.3 SPAD value) and growth characteristics of acclimatized plantlets were observed in the media containing 3 mg L⁻¹ BA + 0.1 and 0.2 mg L⁻¹ NAA + 1 g. L⁻¹ combined activated charcoal, coconut milk, casein hydrolysate. The histological studies confirmed the somatic embryogenesis in purple coneflower. Generally, it was found that the somatic embryogenesis of E. purpurea occurs at high levels of BA and low levels of NAA with the addition of coconut milk and casein hydrolysate.

Purpose: Chitosan, a natural biopolymer with antifungal and eliciting properties is able to reduce postharvest decay of table grapes. Anti-fungal and anti-microbial effects of essential oils are the result of many compounds acting synergistically. In this study, the effectiveness of Thymus essential oil (TEO) and chitosan to control postharvest decay and quality of ‘Shahroudi’ table grape was investigated. Research Method: Grapes treated by 0.5% and 1% (w/v) solution of chitosan, 150 and 300 µl l-1 Thymus essential oil and their combination (untreated fruit were as control). At first chitosan solution prepared then Thymus essential oil was added it in combination solution. Harvested grapes were packed in 200g bags and stored at 0±2 ◦C and 90% ± 5 RH for 90 days. Findings: Differences in weight loss, color change, ripening, sensory quality and decay between grapes treated with chitosan and TEO and control fruit suggested that TEO and chitosan were both suitable coatings. Moreover, the sensory analyses revealed beneficial effects in terms of delaying rachis browning and dehydration and maintenance of the visual characteristics of the grape without detrimental effects on taste or flavors. Research limitations: It had no limitation to report. Originality/Value: TEO and chitosan might have good effects in reducing postharvest fungal rot and maintaining the quality of ‘Shahroudi’ table grapes which proved to be much more effective than TEO.

Purpose: Due to pharmaceutical value of Stevia plant (Stevia rebudiana Bertoni.), this study was done to introduce a new protocol for rapid mass propagation of itthrough tissue culture. Research Method: In MS medium shoot proliferation of stevia by six concentrations of BA (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mg·l-1) and root induction by four concentrations of IBA (0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg·l-1) was investigated.Rooting of cuttings was done both in vitro and ex vivo conditions. Findings: According to the results, the most number of stems obtained in MS medium containing 0.3 mg l-1 BA. The highest length of stems obtained in MS medium without BA and the most number of leaves observed in MS medium supplemented with 0.4 mg·l-1 BA. In in vitro situation, the most number and length of roots obtained in MS medium without IBA. The most number of rooted cuttings was obtained in IBA solution after 72 hours and about 70% of rooted cuttings were healthy. Research limitations: It had no limitation to report. Originality/value: In conclusion, it seems that the potential of producing root and shoots in stevia plant is extremely high, so its proliferation is possible using low concentrations of plant growth regulators in in vitro culture.

This study aimed to develop an efficient protocol for direct somatic embryogenesis (SE) from leaf explants of Caladium bicolor ‘White’ and to assess the impact of different light spectra on ex vitro acclimatization of regenerated plantlets. Leaf segments of C. bicolor were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg L−1) alone or in combination with 1 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (BA). Leaf cuttings with direct somatic embryos were subcultured on MS medium supplemented with four concentrations of BA (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg L−1) for shoot regeneration. Regenerated plantlets of SE were then acclimatized under four light spectra: red (R), blue (B), combined blue-red- (BR), and white (W) fluorescent light. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits were evaluated. The highest somatic embryogenesis (31.25%) was observed in the treatment with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D + 1.0 mg/L BA (T6), compared to just 1.25% in the 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D alone treatment (T1). Organogenesis was significantly enhanced at 2.0 mg/L BA, producing up to 6.33 shoots and 55.33 roots per jar, compared to ~ 2.00 shoots and ~ 1.00 root in the lowest BA treatment. During acclimatization, plantlets grown under blue LED light showed superior vegetative performance with the highest plant height (5.98 cm), leaf number (28.6), and root weight (1.79 g), while white fluorescent light (control) resulted in the poorest outcomes across most traits, including plant height (3.08 cm) and root weight (0.94 g). The study establishes a reproducible SE protocol for C. bicolor and highlights the critical role of blue and red light spectra in enhancing acclimatization. These findings provide a foundational framework for commercial-scale propagation and light optimization strategies in ornamental plant tissue culture.