Floral scents play a crucial role in attracting insect pollinators. Among the compounds attractive to pollinators is 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (1,4-DMB). It is a significant contributor to the scent ...profile of plants from various genera, including economically important Cucurbita species. Despite its importance, the biosynthetic pathway for the formation of 1,4-DMB was not elucidated so far.
In this study we showed the catalysis of 1,4-DMB in the presence of 4-methoxyphenol (4-MP) by protein extract from Styrian oil pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) flowers. Based on this finding, we identified a novel O-methyltransferase gene, Cp4MP-OMT, whose expression is highly upregulated in the volatile-producing tissue of pumpkin flowers when compared to vegetative tissues. OMT activity was verified by purified recombinant Cp4MP-OMT, illustrating its ability to catalyse the methylation of 4-MP to 1,4-DMB in the presence of cofactor SAM (S-(5'-adenosyl)-L-methionine).
Cp4MP-OMT is a novel O-methyltransferase from C. pepo, responsible for the final step in the biosynthesis of the floral scent compound 1,4-DMB. Considering the significance of 1,4-DMB in attracting insects for pollination and in the further course fruit formation, enhanced understanding of its biosynthetic pathways holds great promise for both ecological insights and advancements in plant breeding initiatives.
•We analyse the determinants of spatial variations in oil-pumpkin cultivation.•Two separate SLX Tobit models for two regions in Austria are estimated.•Organic farming and direct marketing are ...identified as region-specific drivers.•Direct marketing causes positive local spatial spillover effects.
In the course of the liberalisation and globalisation of agricultural markets the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) has shifted from quantity-based to quality-based policies, encouraging a diversification of agricultural production. For policy makers it is therefore relevant to understand better the drivers which influence the adoption and spatial distribution of emerging alternative products and production systems in agriculture. Taking the Styrian Oil Pumpkin as an example, the aim of this study is to quantify the determinants of spatial variations in the cultivation of an emerging alternative crop. We estimate Tobit and SLX Tobit models for two regions, drawing on cross-sectional data from the year 2010 of 549 municipalities in the Styrian Oil Pumpkin Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) area. Our findings indicate that, apart from (i) crop-specific factors, there are also (ii) region-specific factors such as marketing possibilities and there is (iii) spatial interdependence influencing spatial variations in oil-pumpkin-cultivated area and we conclude that these factors also need to be considered for the support of other emerging alternative products and production systems in agriculture.
• Background and Aims In the present study, the differences between glandular and non-glandular trichomes, the secretory process and the method of secretion were studied. Previous studies on leaves ...of Styrian oil pumpkin (Cucurbia pepo var. styriaca) plants have shown that four morphologically and ontogenetically independent glandular and non-glandular trichome types and one bristle hair type can be distinguished. The four types of trichomes can be categorized into three glandular trichome types: type I, a short-stalked trichome with four head cells including a ‘middle-cell’, two stalk cells and one basal cell; type II, a long-stalked trichome with two head cells, a ‘neck-cell’ region and a long stalk area; type IV, a ‘stipitate-capitate’ trichome with a mesophyll cell basement, a short stalk and a multicellular head; type III, a non-glandular ‘columnar-digit’ trichome, which consists of two head cells continuous with three-celled stalk, and the basal cell. • Methods The histochemical studies (the main classes of metabolite in secreted material of glandular trichomes) were conducted in fresh and fixed hand sections, using the following tests: Sudan black B, Nile blue A, osmium tetroxide, neutral red, Naturstoffreagent A, FSA (fuchsin–safranin–astra blue), NADI (naphthol + dimethylparaphenylenediamine) and ruthenium red. Each suggested differences in the intercalations during the ontogenetical development of each trichome during the development stage. • Key Results The histochemical reactions revealed the main components of the materials secreted by all types of trichomes, which include lipids, flavones and terpenes and the different cell wall compositions. Glandular secretions were observed during environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and the trichomes compared with those seen by conventional scanning electron microscopy (CSEM). • Conclusions Scanning electron microscopy and histochemical analysis demonstrated that each of the trichomes studied produced and released secretory products in a characteristic way.
The aim of this study is to assess, whether estimation of the same innovation-adoption model at farm- and municipality-level results in an ecological fallacy, meaning that based on aggregated data, ...one would make inverse inferences about the driving forces influencing the adoption decision at the farm level. The adoption of an emerging alternative crop in Austria, the Styrian Oil Pumpkin, serves as an applied example. Our findings indicate the presence of an ecological fallacy. We therefore propose further research, which could consist of Monte Carlo simulations in order to analyse sensitivity of results with respect to the degree of aggregation.
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