In this local-scale synecological study, we investigated the changes in plant community composition throughout secondary succession occurring after cessation of agricultural land use (i.e. grassland abandonment). The successional sequence studied had the following pathway: Avenula pubescens (Huds.) Dumort. haypastures → Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P.Beauv. successional grassland → Cornus sanguinea L. scrubs → late-successional Populus tremula L. forest → late-successional oak-hornbeam (Quercus-Carpinus) forest. The last forest stage was represented by the association Epimedio-Carpinetum betuli (Horvat 1938) Borhidi 1963. Occurrence of plant species throughout secondary succession was mostly stage-specific; only Fragaria vesca L., Ajuga reptans L., Cornus sanguinea, Prunus spinosa L., and Viola hirta L. showed survival ability throughout almost all stages.

Cephalaria pastricensis subsp. pologensis Teofilovski (Dipsacaceae), is published as a new subspecies to science from NW North Macedonia. It is distinguished from C. pastricensis Dörfl. & Hayek subsp. pastricensis by its densely, ± patent-subvillous petioles and rachis of the leaves, and the midrib of the lower surface of the leaf lobes (vs. with sparse, short, ± appressed hairs), densely pubescent lower surface of the leaves (vs. with scattered hairs on the nerves), and densely pubescent to subglabrous upper surface of the leaves (vs. glabrous or with scattered hairs on the nerves). The new subspecies is a Macedonian endemic known from small areas in the Šar Mountains (near Brezno village) and Buković Mt. (near Gorna Đonovica village). Its distributional range is geographically separated from that of C. pastricensis subsp. pastricensis, which is Balkan endemic, distributed in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia.

To improve the biological control of white mistletoe (European mistletoe) additional detailed information on Botryosphaeria visci infection, its basic nutritional requirements, growth, and in vitro growth characteristics is needed. The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify the fungus B. visci associated with Viscum аlbum from Sorbus aucuparia, to provide information on its in vitro introduction and growth characteristics on different media, and to test the pathogenicity of the isolated fungus. To achieve these goals, the morphology of conidiophores from infected parts of mistletoe was evaluated by microscopy. The isolate from fresh collections of V. album was identified as Sphaeropsis visci anamorph of ascomycete Botryosphaeria visci. The morphology of the vegetative mycelium and growth of B. visci varied depending on the media used. The best medium supporting growth and sporulation was oatmeal. Re-infection of European mistletoe in laboratory conditions showed positive result on liquid media, and in field conditions but only after mechanical damage to the mistletoe leaves. Our results expand the knowledge regarding the optimal cultivation of this fungus. This may facilitate further mycological and pathological studies involving B. visci isolates, and the results have a theoretical basis for the implementation of measures for the prevention and control of mistletoe.

The paper of Brullo et al. (2022) aimed to lectotypify _Elatine macropoda_ Guss. and _E. gussonei_ (Sommier) Brullo et al., two enigmatic members of the genus. They gave an overview of the taxonomic issue of these species, identified the type specimens, and gave a comprehensive description of both species, as well as aimed to clarify open questions in the nomenclature of these taxa. However, some of the points raised by Brullo et al. (2022) are in contrast to previously published scientific evidence, leading them to reach different taxonomic conclusions. This contrast is the result of (i) misinterpreted some key findings published in other works, and (ii) stitching to preconceptions on the distribution and specific characteristics of these species. Given the importance of scientific discussion, authors here attempt to shed light on contested points to help the better understanding of the taxonomy of this genus in Europe.

This report presents the first record of Tripos rotundatus (Jørgensen) Gómez in the Adriatic Sea. The species was found in the net sample in the layer of 50 – 100 m depth, on July 2021 at the coastal southern Adriatic Sea. The species T. rotundatus was probably previously mistaken as morphologically similar species T. digitatus (Schütt) Gómez.

Salt and drought stress are important abiotic factors that negatively affect plant growth and yield. To understand how these stress factors affect metabolism at the cellular level, we analyzed cation concentrations and expression of cellular and extracellular proteins, as well as their functions and types. Cells of the industrially important halophyte sugar beet were exposed to 300 mM NaCl and 600 mM mannitol as stressors in modified Gamborg B5 liquid medium (PG0). Severe stress altered the intracellular concentrations of the most measured cations. The cellular proteome revealed that both stressors provoked significant differential regulation of 110 cellular proteins. About 80% of the identified proteins were classified in metabolism, energy, or cell rescue, defense and virulence categories. We identified several novel proteins that respond to stress, including a member of the bZIP family of transcription factors, a member of the glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins, and the K+ channel beta subunit. Among extracellular proteins we found previously unreported stress-responsive proteins, a beta-xylosidase and an isoform of chitinase. The obtained results indicate that salt and drought stress disturbed the concentrations of cellular cations and the affected expression of cellular and extracellular proteins in sugar beet cells.

In recent years, the orchid species have become endangered due to overuse and habitat destruction. As with most flowering plants, seed production is the primary strategy for reproduction in orchids. Orchids produce tiny seeds consisting of a seed coat and a rudimentary embryo. However, it lacks the endosperm, which is generally required as the primary energy source during germination. The only way to germinate orchid seeds is to get nutrients from an external source. In nature, this is achieved by mycorrhizal symbiosis. This study used Ceratobasidium sp. inoculation of Anacamptis laxiflora (Lam.) seeds combined with media with various organic substrates to determine their effectiveness on germination and seedling development by in vitro culture. The highest germination rate (35.78%) was obtained in the medium with addition of young hazelnut leaves. Then, soilless ex vitro symbiotic germination was performed on young hazelnut leaves, the most effective organic substrate. Seed germination was determined to be 19.01% in this medium while 14.87% seedlings with developed leaves and roots were formed. For the first time, success was achieved by producing A. laxiflora from seed in ex vitro conditions without soil and adapting it to nature.

One new species, Placoneis modaomensis, found in freshwater environment from tributary of the Pearl River which lies in Modaomen Channel, Zhuhai County, Guangdong Province, China, is described based on light and scanning electron microscope observations. P. modaomensis sp. nov. has the morphological features that are typical for the genus, including external terminal raphe fissures curve to the opposite sides and areolae with internal volate occlusions. The new species is similar to P. amphibola (Cleve) E.J. Cox, P. amphiboliformis (Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot & Soninkhishig) Vishnyakov, P. parvapolonica Lange-Bertalot & Wojtal, P. clementispronina Lange-Bertalot & Wojtal and P. nanoclementis Lange-Bertalot & Wojtal in the shape of the valves and having course striae but it can be easily distinguished by the two main morphological characteristics: external central raphe endings bent in the opposite directions, and areolae covered by volate occlusions externally. The latter feature appears to be new for taxa assigned to the genus Placoneis. Data on the associated diatom flora and its ecology are also given. These findings increase our understanding about the morphology of Placoneis in general and its and distribution of the genus in China.

This paper presents the new association Pimpinello lithophilae-Centaureetum lovricii, described for the halotolerant vegetation of the order Helichrysetalia italici (Crithmo-Staticetea) on the island of Vis (southern Croatia). The new association substitutes the Pimpinello lithophilae-Centaureetum issaeae, originally published invalidly because its name was formed from the invalid taxon name ‘Centaurea issaea Lovrić’.

About one-third of the earth’s land area consists of acidic soils. The rhizotoxic Al3+ is one of the primary constraints associated with low soil pH. Various Amaranthus species are important components of the weed flora in tea plantations on acid soils in north Iran. In this study, four Amaranthus species (A. blitoides, A. retroflexus, A. cruentus, and A. tricolor) were grown under hydroponic conditions with total Al concentrations of 0, 20, 50, 200, and 400 µM corresponding to free Al3+ activity of 0, 3.75, 11.97, 60.34, and 125 µM, respectively. Low Al concentrations (20, 50, or 200 µM) stimulated plant growth, A. tricolor demonstrated the highest improvement in shoot growth (93%), whereas A. retroflexus exhibited the greatest improvement in root biomass (367%), total root length (173%), and aproot length (32%). Although the response of shoot biomass to 400 µM Al varied among species, all species were able to accumulate Al in the leaves above the critical level considered for Al hyperaccumulation (1 mg g–1 DW). Our findings revealed Al accumulation in Amaranthus species for the first time at the genus and family levels, suggesting that these species are suitable for the restoration and revegetation of acid-eroded soils.