No abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the indoor plant preferences of the academic and administrative staff working in the units of Akdeniz University and the maintenance procedures applied to the indoor plants. In this context, totally 382 academic and administrative staffs’ offices were visited, the size of the offices were measured with laser meters, the indoor plant species were identified and questionnaires were applied to the participants by face-to-face interviews. A statistically significant result was found between the income status, gender, the units (vocational training) of the participants between keeping indoor plants in the offices. Orchids and cactus were the most preferred species. Most of the participants stated that they carried out irrigation and removal of dried branches/leaves as routine maintenance. The participants expressed their satisfaction with the existence of a reasonable number of indoor plants in the offices. The presence of a large number of indoor plants in the offices was found to cause tension and tiredness. It would be a rational solution to make it necessary to incorporate indoor plants into building design and management in the future, which is one of the cheapest and most effective methods of increasing labour productivity and achieving corporate strategic goals.

Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is a widely used warm-season turfgrass species in warmer regions of the world. Gamma (ɣ) irradiation has been used to generate useful variations in turfgrass breeding for various morphological traits. The objective of the present study was to measure and determine variations in morphology and turfgrass characteristics of a native drought resistant bermudagrass germplasm irradiated with 70, 90 or 110 Gy using a 60 Co source. The stolons containing a single node were irradiated and immediately planted for regeneration in a greenhouse at the Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. Selected mutants regenerated from the irradiated stolons were clonally propagated and transplanted into plastic pots for further observations of turfgrass characteristics. Survival rates of stolons exposed to 70, 90 and 110 Gy were 76%, 43% and 17% respectively, 6 weeks after treatment. Dosages of 85 and 57 Gy were determined as LD50 and LD20 for the cuttings, respectively. The linear reduction of survival rate with increasing gamma-rays was highly correlated (r 2 =0.99). A total of four mutant lines (0.3 % of the irradiated plants) showed a distinct dwarfed growth habit. Three of these lines were originated from 70 Gy and one from 110 Gy. These mutant lines exhibited more dwarf growth habit, higher shoot density, finer leaf texture than parental genotype. Mutant lines developed in this study can be used for the development of improved bermudagrass cultivars for landscaping and sports turf.

Dorystoechas hastata is a relict endemic species grown in Antalya, Turkey. The species is under risk of extinction due mainly to the uncontrolled mass collection for its pharmacological properties. The objectives of the study were to assess morphological diversity of D. hastata in its natural habitat, and the effect of habitat characteristics on the species diversity. The 59 genotypes representing 16 populations, encompassing the complete natural habitat, were morphologically characterized. Results revealed that the species was naturally located from sea level (4 m) up to 2000 m, in a wider geographic area than stated previously. It occupies different habitat structures ranging from forests, especially at lower altitudes, to the steppe regions with limestone slopes and stony sections at the higher altitudes. The majority of genotypes occupied either south, southeastern or southwest aspects. Results proved the existence of substantial variation within and among populations for morphological characteristics as confirmed by principal component and cluster analyses. The results are expected to aid better understanding of the genetic variation and distribution of D. hastata and may assist in cultivation of the species and selection of candidate genotypes for future conservation and breeding programs.

Bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is a widely used warm-season turfgrass species in warmer regions of the world. Gamma (ɣ) irradiation has been used to generate useful variations in turfgrass breeding for various morphological traits. The objective of the present study was to measure and determine variations in morphology and turfgrass characteristics of a native drought resistant bermudagrass germplasm irradiated with 70, 90 or 110 Gy using a 60Co source. The stolons containing a single node were irradiated and immediately planted for regeneration in a greenhouse at the Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey. Selected mutants regenerated from the irradiated stolons were clonally propagated and transplanted into plastic pots for further observations of turfgrass characteristics.  Survival rates of stolons exposed to 70, 90 and 110 Gy were 76%, 43% and 17% respectively, 6 weeks after treatment. Dosages of 85 and 57 Gy were determined as LD50 and LD20 for the cuttings, respectively. The linear reduction of survival rate with increasing gamma-rays was highly correlated (r2=0.99). A total of four mutant lines (0.3 % of the irradiated plants) showed a distinct dwarfed growth habit. Three of these lines were originated from 70 Gy and one from 110 Gy. These mutant lines exhibited more dwarf growth habit, higher shoot density, finer leaf texture than parental genotype. Mutant lines developed in this study can be used for the development of improved bermudagrass cultivars for landscaping and sports turf.