The popularity of edible flowers is increasing day by day and new solutions are sought due to their short shelf life. For this purpose, in this study, four different colors of Viola × wittrockiana Gams.; white (Fino Clear White), orange (Delta Pure Orange), bordeaux/mauve rose (Mammoth Rocky Rose), and yellow (Delta Premium Pure Lemon) flowers were dried at drying air temperature of 60, 70, and 80 °C with a convective hot air dryer. Color (L*, a*, b*, C*, h°, ∆E, and BI), drying time and bioactive compounds (Total Phenolic Content (TPC), anthocyanin content (AC), and antioxidant activity (AO) values were measured). The orange flowers showed the fastest drying (78 min at 80 °C). The lowest total color change (∆E) (4.58 at 70 °C) and browning index (BI) (9.58 at 60 °C) values were observed in all drying processes of white flowers. The highest AC was determined in bordeaux flowers in both fresh (2.4 mg malvidin glucoside/g) and dried (25.57 mg malvidin glucoside/g at 60 °C) samples. The AO decreased in all samples depending on the temperature increase, it was found that the most beneficial result in terms of bioactive compounds was the bordeaux flowers dried at drying air temperature of 60 °C.

Myrtus communis L. (common myrtle) is an economically valuable Mediterranean shrub with diverse applications in food, pharmaceutical, and ornamental sectors. However, the biochemical diversity of myrtle genotypes from Mediterranean environments remains insufficiently characterized, particularly regarding the relationship between primary and secondary metabolism and stress adaptation. This study investigated the biochemical and aroma profiles of six myrtle genotypes selected from natural populations in Antalya, Turkey, to identify chemotypic diversity and elucidate metabolic diversity observed in Mediterranean genotypes. Volatile compounds were analyzed using HS-SPME/GC-MS, while sugars and organic acids were quantified by HPLC. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, hierarchical clustering) were employed to evaluate metabolic relationships and genotype classification. Descriptive analysis suggested three potential chemotypic patterns: (i) 1,8-cineole-type (G34, G36) with G29 showing a transitional profile, (ii) α-Pinene-type (G15, G37), and (iii) Ester-aldehyde type (G9). These groupings are based on single volatile measurements and should be considered preliminary patterns pending validation through replicate analyses. Significant genotypic variation was observed for primary metabolites (sugars and organic acids) (p < 0.001, η² > 0.90), as evaluated by ANOVA with triplicate biological replicates. Volatile compound differences were evaluated as descriptive exploratory patterns only. Hierarchical clustering revealed three metabolic strategies: balanced metabolism integrating diverse volatile and primary metabolite profiles (Cluster 1: G9, G15, G37), terpene-rich volatile defense with enhanced organic acid metabolism (Cluster 2: G29, G36), and specialized 1,8-cineole-dominant biosynthesis (Cluster 3: G34). These findings highlight substantial metabolic diversity and provide a basis for germplasm evaluation and selection and potential applications.

Carnation is one of the most crucial cut flowers in Turkey. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) cause significant damage on carnation production and quality. Therefore, determination of response of carnation varieties to RKNs is required for management practices. In this study, four carnation cultivars, Turbo, Betsy, Nirvana and Glaciar, were inoculated with second stage juveniles (J2s) of Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria under controlled conditions. Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria did not reproduce on Turbo variety. Therefore, Turbo variety was found to be resistant to these nematodes. Nirvana variety was moderately resistant to M. incognita and M. javanica, but highly resistant to M. arenaria. Betsy and Glaciar varieties were susceptible to M. incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria. Results showed that the response of carnations was different based on root knot nematodes. Determining resistant carnation varieties could be an advantage for the control of RKNs. Resistant carnations could be used to control the RKNs and develop new carnation varieties.

Propagation by seeds is very useful in ornamental horticulture, especially for flowering plant production. Seed germination and seedling growth are the most sensitive plant developmental stages and, in nurseries, are under the influence of many biotic and abiotic stress factors. Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms, and diatomaceous earth as supplemental Si has been shown to be beneficial for plant growth, flowering, and nutrient content under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions. This study aimed to determine the effects of different methods and doses of Si-containing diatomite on in vivo seed emergence and seedling growth of potted ornamental peppers under nursery conditions. The seeds were treated with a diatomite pretreatment (CS: coated seed via immersion in powder) and substrate drench (0, 5, 15, and 30 g/L). While the effect of treatments on emergence energy was statistically significant, the effects on final emergence percentage, mean emergence time, T50, and emergence index were not significant. On the other hand, the shoot length, number of nodes, root length, seedling vigor index, leaf width and length and seedling fresh and dry weight were highest at the lowest treatment dose of 5 g/L. Increasing the dose of Si-containing diatomite and the CS treatment caused a decrease in growth. As a result, the 5 g/L diatomite treatment is recommended to improve seedling growth. However, further studies on the use of Si-containing diatomite with different doses and application methods are recommended.

Myrtus communis L. (common myrtle) is an economically valuable Mediterranean shrub with diverse applications in food, pharmaceutical, and ornamental sectors. However, the biochemical diversity of drought- and salt-resistant genotypes remains insufficiently characterized, particularly regarding the relationship between primary and secondary metabolism and stress adaptation. This study investigated the biochemical and aroma profiles of six drought-resistant myrtle genotypes from natural populations in Antalya, Turkey, to identify chemotypic diversity and elucidate metabolic strategies underlying abiotic stress tolerance. Volatile compounds were analyzed using HS-SPME/GC-MS, while sugars and organic acids were quantified by HPLC. Multivariate statistical analyses (PCA, hierarchical clustering) were employed to evaluate metabolic relationships and genotype classification. Three chemotypes were identified: (i) Eucalyptol-type (G34, G36) with 35-40% 1,8-cineole; (ii) α-Pinene-type (G15, G37) with elevated terpenes (15.7-20.5%) and high sugar content (11.9-12.4 g/100 ml); and (iii) Ester-aldehyde type (G9) characterized by dominant esters (30.4%) and negligible eucalyptol. Significant genotypic variation was observed across metabolite classes (p < 0.001, η² > 0.90). Hierarchical clustering revealed three metabolic strategies: volatile-focused antioxidant defense (Cluster 1), osmotic adjustment with chemical defense (Cluster 2), and specialized stress signaling (Cluster 3). These findings highlight substantial metabolic plasticity and provide a basis for targeted breeding and diverse industrial applications.