Chromosome-level assembly of basil genome unveils the genetic variation driving Genovese and Thai aroma types.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum L., is a widely cultivated aromatic herb, prized for its culinary and medicinal uses, predominantly owing to its unique aroma, primarily determined by eugenol for Genovese cultivars or methyl chavicol for Thai cultivars. To date, a comprehensive basil reference genome has been lacking, with only a fragmented draft available.

Volatile Composition Variability of Arnica montana Wild Populations of Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, Determined by Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction.

Arnica montana is a plant distributed in most of Europe, including the Alpine arc and Apennines in Italy, and traditionally used worldwide for medicinal properties. Twelve natural populations of the species from Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, were characterized using Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction analysis for their volatile profile. Fifty-one compounds were detected in flower heads, the most abundant being (E)-Caryophyllene (23.

The genome sequence of tetraploid sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum L., provides tools for advanced genome editing and molecular breeding.

Sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum L., is a well-known culinary herb grown worldwide, but its uses go beyond the kitchen to traditional medicine, cosmetics and gardening. To date, the lack of an available reference genome has limited the utilization of advanced molecular breeding methods.

Chemo-Geographic Variations in Wild Population of Asteriscus graveolens in Israel Based on Volatile Composition Analyses.

Asteriscus graveolens is an aromatic desert shrub which holds medicinal potential. This species belongs to the Asteraceae family and is endemic to the Mediterranean region. In the present study, wild plants were sampled from eleven locations throughout southern Israel and the volatile profiles from leaves and flowers were analyzed using GC/MS.

Volatiles and Tannins in Pistacia lentiscus and Their Role in Browsing Behavior of Goats (Capra hircus).

Goat herding is an important tool in the ecologically sound management of Mediterranean shrublands and woodlands, although effective levels of woody biomass removal by the goats is neither guaranteed nor easy to predict. Preliminary observations indicated that one reason for this may be poor understanding of plant-herbivore interactions that operate intraspecifically at the local spatial scale. We asked, whether goats show intraspecific preferences among neighboring plants when foraging a small local population of Pistacia lentiscus, a dominant tall shrub.

Rosemary-Whitefly Interaction: A Continuum of Repellency and Volatile Combinations.

The sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci Genn (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has been recorded to differentially prefer rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) varieties in commercial fields in Israel. As chemical signaling is a significant component in plant-insect interaction, the present study examined the involvement of rosemary essential oil volatiles in this differential colonization to elucidate the rosemary-whitefly ecological interaction. Thirty-two rosemary varieties with different chemical profiles were used.

Agronomic and economic evaluation of Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) as means for phytoremediation of diesel polluted soils in Israel.

Soil pollution in Israel, due to diesel contamination, is a major concern, with gas stations, factories and refineries being the main polluters (>60%). Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) is a perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family, and is recognized world-wide for its potential as a plant with phytoremediation traits to contaminated soils.

Chemical Composition and Monoterpenoid Enantiomeric Distribution of the Essential Oils from Apharsemon (Commiphora gileadensis).

(Hebrew: apharsemon) has been used since Biblical times to treat various ailments, and is used today in the traditional medicine of some Middle Eastern cultures. The essential oils from the stem bark, leaves, and fruits of -collected at the Ein Gedi Botanical Garden, Israel-were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In addition, the enantiomeric distributions of the monoterpenoids in the essential oils have been determined by chiral gas chromatography.

Whitefly attraction to rosemary (Rosmarinus officinialis L.) is associated with volatile composition and quantity.

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is an important insect pest, causing severe damage to agricultural crops. The pest was recorded in a commercial rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, Lamiaceae) field, colonizing rosemary variety (var.) '2', but not '11'.