Botanical Research Articles

Meiotic analysis of induced translocation heterozygotes in Lepidium sativum Linn.

Aim: To assess the cytological effects of Gamma rays on the pollen mother cells and post meiotic products of Lepidium sativum Linn. which resulted in isolation of translocation heterozygote and aneuploid gametes. Methodology: During the experiment, parameters such as Meiotic stages, chromosomal structure, and pollen fertility were studied. Fresh seeds of Garden cress were orderly arranged in plastic and divided into four groups. The fresh seeds of each group were individually irradiated with 60Gy, 150Gy, 300Gy, 450Gy and 600Gy @ 7.247KGyh-1 in the Floriculture Laboratory of National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow (India). The source for gamma ray irradiation was Cobalt-60. The irradiated seeds were sown in triplicates along with their respective controls. Results: Meiotic analysis of pollen mother cells (PMCs) at 300Gy showed translocation heterozygotes, however, in the control sets, the rate was negligible and phenotypically the plants were weak and short heighted. The cytological illustration of chromosomal configuration at diakinesis and metaphase I exhibited the superiority of tetravalents, bivalent and other forms of chromosomal associations such as multivalents. The induced translocation heterozygotes resulted in stickiness at metaphase and anaphase states along with the formation of bridges at anaphase stage. Due to chromosomal anomalies, the pollen fertility was reduced to 37.54±0.25% in contrast to control plants (98.20±0.16%). Interpretation: The current research work would be of paramount interest as translocation heterozygote serves as a source for raising aneuploid offspring having novel genetic combinations. Key words: Chromosomal anomalies, Heterozygotes, Lepidium sativum Linn, Meiosis, Pollen fertility

Medicinal plants for treatment of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children: experience from traditional healers in North-eastern Tanzania

BackgroundRight through history, humans have relied heavily on plants for sustenance and the healing of different ailments. One of the long-standing traditions that communities have inherited from earlier generations is the use of herbal medicines for the treatment of paediatric ailments, including diarrhoea. This study showcased medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children in North-eastern Tanzania.Methods and designA qualitative research approach and a narrative research design were employed. The research was carried out in the districts of Korogwe and Handeni in North-eastern Tanzania, with 52 in-depth interviews performed with participants (traditional healers). Purposive sampling method was used to select participants, and a thematic analysis framework was used to analyze the data.ResultsStudy results indicate that traditional healers had enormous insights and were well informed about medicinal plants that were perceived to be efficacious in treating diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children. A total of 54 medicinal plants were reported by the participants to be effective in healing diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children. However, out of 54 medicinal plants, 15 were predominantly disclosed by the majority of participants. Those medicinal plants include Psidium guajava, Rhus natalensis, Ozoroa insignis, Tamarindus indica, Ocimum suave, Combretum molle, Zanha africana, Solanum incanum, and Ximenia americana. Other medicinal plants mentioned by most participants include, Ochna holstii, Elaeodendron schlechterianum, Albizia anthelmintica, Commiphora pteleifolia, Salacia stuhlmanniana, and Zenkerella grotei.ConclusionAll traditional healers seemed to have a clear understanding regarding the medicinal plants that were used to treat diarrhoeal diseases among under-five children. The participants acknowledged to treating under-five children with diarrhoeal diseases using herbal medications on multiple occasions. The findings of this study should inspire more in-depth botanical research to determine whether the medicinal plants reported in this study have anti-diarrhoeal properties.

Isolation And Characterization Of Phosphate Solving Bacteria From Swamp Soil With High Levels Of Acidity

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are one of the microbes that play an important role in soil and plant cycles. Phosphate (P) is a very important macronutrient for plants. In soil, most of the P element is found to be unavailable to plants because it is fixed by Ca, Al or Fe. This research aims to identify BPF in acid soil which has the potential to dissolve phosphate elements. The method used in this research is the isolation of BPF from acid soil using the National Botanical Research Institute's Phosphate (NBRIP) medium, phosphate dissolution index test and UV Visual. Soils from overflow type C (TLC) swamps have higher diversity compared to TLB soils. The abundance of BPF in TLC soil was higher (5,4 107 CFU per gram) compared to soil from overflow zone B (TLB) (2,9 107 CFU per gram) because TLC soil had a lower acidity level than TLB. There were 55 BPF isolates obtained from these two types of soil. Two isolates (TLB1 and TLB2) had a better phosphate solubilization index and all potential isolates that were extracted and subjected to gDNA amplification showed a DNA band at 1330-1500 bp.

Pharmacological Treasures of the Moraceae Family: Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential

The Moraceae family, comprising 50 genera and around 1,400 species thriving in tropical and subtropical regions globally, holds profound botanical significance. Esteemed for its medicinal attributes, this review presents a comprehensive synthesis of the family's bioactive constituents, traditional applications, and pharmaceutical potential. Within the phytochemical realm, Moraceae plants offer a rich array of active agents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, phytoalexins (such as chalcomoracin), anthocyanins, and glycoproteins, with promising pharmacological potential. Pharmacologically, the review reveals a wide spectrum of effects, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial properties. Drawing from an exhaustive literature analysis and in-depth study of Moraceae's bioactivity and phytochemical composition, along with exploration of its traditional uses and pharmacological effects, this discourse aims to guide future researchers. With herbal products' substantial potential, this review serves as a valuable resource for advancing botanical medicine research.

Development of Phyto-cosmetic Herbal Sindoor from Rosa indica L. and Its Characterization

Aim: The objective of this research study was to develop a liquid herbal sindoor containing flower petal extract of Rosa indica L., and to evaluate the stability, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the developed formulation.
 Place and Duration of Study: The formulation was prepared in the Phytochemistry Division of CSIR- National Botanical Research Institute. The duration of the study period was 90 days.
 Methodology: The crude ethanolic extract of R. indica flowers was incorporated into a base for the preparation of liquid herbal sindoor. The antioxidant activity of this herbal product was evaluated according to the DPPH radical scavenging method, and the stability study of the formulation was evaluated for 90 days. The antibacterial activity was performed on those strains of bacteria, which are responsible for several skin infections using Disc Diffusion Assay.The HPLC- DAD analysis identified the anthocyanins cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside and pelargonidin 3,5-diglucoside in R. indica, flower extract.
 Results and Discussion: The formulation showed antioxidant activity and its stability was assessed in terms of pH values and color stability of the flower extract. It was observed that both these properties did not show any significant changes.
 Conclusion: The prepared herbal liquid sindoor was found safe to use having a potential to substitute the toxic lead tetraoxide (Pb3O4) containing sindoor available in the market.

Ethnobotanical study on edible flowers in Xishuangbanna, China

BackgroundEdible flowers (EFs) represent valuable sources of both food and medicinal resources, holding the promise to enhance human well-being. Unfortunately, their significance is often overlooked. Ethnobotanical studies on the EFs are lacking in comparison with their botanical and phytochemical research. The practice of consuming flowers as food has a rich culture and long history in China, especially among different linguistic groups in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. However, economic activities have led to a decline of this tradition. Consequently, preserving the traditional knowledge and culture tied to the EFs in Xishuangbanna becomes both essential and pressing.MethodsThe field ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Xishuangbanna during five visits in April 2021 and May 2023, covering 48 villages and 19 local markets of all three county-level areas and 9 different linguistic groups. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and on-site field surveys, relevant information regarding the EFs of Xishuangbanna was systematically collected and documented. Additionally, the relative frequency of citation (RFC) values were calculated from the survey data.ResultsA total of 212 taxa (including species and varieties) of EFs from 58 families and 141 genera were documented in the study area. The edible parts of flowers were classified into 13 categories including peduncle, petal, flower buds, inflorescence as a whole, and etc. They were consumed in 21 ways and as 8 types of food. The inflorescence was the most commonly consumed category, accounting for 85 species (40.1%) of the total categories. They always eat flowers as vegetables (184 species, 86.8%). The preparing form of stir-frying was the preferred food preparation method (138, 65.1%). The Xishuangbanna locals had profound knowledge of which EFs required specific processing to remove their toxicity or bitterness. The dishes can be made from either exclusively from the flowers themselves or by incorporating them alongside other plant parts like stems and leaves. Some EFs with high RFC value, such as Musa acuminata and Bauhinia variegata var. candida, showed significant cultural meanings. These edible flowers occupy specific positions in local traditional culture.ConclusionTraditional knowledge regarding edible flowers holds substantial significance and serves as a representative element of the flower-eating culture in Xishuangbanna. Nevertheless, this knowledge and cultural practice are currently decreasing. Serving as a bridge between tradition and modernity, the flower-eating culture, which derives from local people’s practical experience, shows the potential of EFs and can be applied to the conservation of biocultural diversity, healthy food systems, and sustainable development.

A blend of selected botanicals maintains intestinal epithelial integrity and reduces susceptibility to Escherichia coli F4 infection by modulating acute and chronic inflammation in vitro.

In the pig production cycle, the most delicate phase is weaning, a sudden and early change that requires a quick adaptation, at the cost of developing inflammation and oxidation, especially at the intestinal level. In this period, pathogens like enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) contribute to the establishment of diarrhea, with long-lasting detrimental effects. Botanicals and their single bioactive components represent sustainable well-recognized tools in animal nutrition thanks to their wide-ranging beneficial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro mechanism of action of a blend of botanicals (BOT), composed of thymol, grapeseed extract, and capsicum oleoresin, in supporting intestinal cell health during inflammatory challenges and ETEC infections. To reach this, we performed inflammatory and ETEC challenges on Caco-2 cells treated with BOT, measuring epithelial integrity, cellular oxidative stress, bacterial translocation and adhesion, gene expression levels, and examining tight junction distribution. BOT protected enterocytes against acute inflammation: while the challenge reduced epithelial tightness by 40%, BOT significantly limited its drop to 30%, also allowing faster recovery rates. In the case of chronic inflammation, BOT systematically improved by an average of 25% the integrity of challenged cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, when cells were infected with ETEC, BOT maintained epithelial integrity at the same level as an effective antibiotic and significantly reduced bacterial translocation by 1 log average. The mode of action of BOT was strictly related to the modulation of the inflammatory response, protecting tight junctions' expression and structure. In addition, BOT influenced ETEC adhesion to intestinal cells (-4%, p < 0.05), also thanks to the reduction of enterocytes' susceptibility to pathogens. Finally, BOT effectively scavenged reactive oxygen species generated by inflammatory and H2O2 challenges, thus alleviating oxidative stress by 40% compared to challenge (p < 0.05). These results support the employment of BOT in piglets at weaning to help manage bacterial infections and relieve transient or prolonged stressful states thanks to the modulation of host-pathogen interaction and the fine-tuning activity on the inflammatory tone.

Effective medical leaf identification using hybridization of GMM-CNN

Medical plants play a vital role in curing many diseases. These plants, along with their leaves, have medicinal values. If these leaves are identified appropriately, they can be chosen directly to have more significant relief from the disease. Therefore, the identification of these medical species is a challenging task. The ecologically motivated Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have substantially contributed to computer visual research. This article introduces a unique approach to medical leaf identification based on the hybridization of the Gaussian mixture model and a Convolutional Neural Network (GMM-CNN). The experimentation is performed on the Flavia dataset and is carried out using benchmark evaluation metrics. The parameters like index volume, probability of random index, and global consistency error are evaluated. The Python simulation model is utilized for the evaluation of the proposed methodology. The hybrid technique combining GMM and CNN has considerable potential in medical leaf identification. The experimental findings indicate that the hybrid strategy exhibits superior performances. The methodology suggested in this study demonstrates exceptional levels of accuracy, precision, and recall when applied to a wide range of medical leaf categories. Moreover, integrating Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) addresses concerns associated with a scarcity of training data by offering a more resilient structure for extracting features and performing classification. By combining the advantages of statistical modelling with deep learning, we develop a resilient and precise system that has the potential to enhance botanical research, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring applications.

Assessing digital accessible botanical knowledge and priorities for exploration and discovery of plant diversity across Mesoamerica.

Digital accessible biodiversity knowledge has the potential to greatly advance botanical research and guide conservation efforts. Evaluating its shortfalls is key to understanding its limits and prioritising regions in need of renewed survey efforts. We used the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew's World Checklist of Vascular Plants to parse publicly available occurrence data downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facilityand quantify the spatial distribution of spatial, phylogenetic, and temporal data shortfalls across Mesoamerica. After processing 3578 777 occurrence records for 32 522 species of vascular plants across Mesoamerica, we found evidence of poor data coverage: incomplete characterisation of species diversity, old occurrence records, and low phylogenetic representation. One-third of the region showed large gaps for at least one of these dimensions (hotspots) and < 15% had adequate data coverage across dimensions. Overall, the shortfalls we identified compromise the quality of digitally available occurrence data and hamper research on spatial phylogenetics and species dynamics under anthropogenic disturbances. Our analyses identified areas of opportunity for increased efforts in data digitisation, botanical exploration, sequencing, and biodiversity monitoring. These efforts would serve to increase and rejuvenate knowledge on the geographic distribution of vascular plants in Mesoamerica.

Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria Isolation Medium: Rock Phosphate or Tricalcium Phosphate?

Phosphorus is one of the essential elements limiting vegetative production in the world. Although phosphorus is abundant in soils, a tiny part is available for plants. With phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), phosphorus, insoluble in soils, is transformed into a suitable form for plants. This study aimed to determine tricalcium phosphate (TCP) activities and rock phosphate (RP) used to isolate PSMs. 118 bacterial isolates, which can phosphate solubilizing, were incubated for 72 h in National Botanical Research Institute phosphate (NBRIP) medium using TCP and RP as phosphate sources. At the end of the incubation, the amount of inorganic phosphorus (Pi) in the medium and the pH of the medium was determined. As a result of bacterial incubation, an average of 57.87 mg L−1 Pi was detected in rock phosphate medium, while this rate was found to be 421 mg L−1 in TCP medium. After 72 h of incubation, it was determined that the pH of the NBRIP media varied between 3.60 and 5.05, and TCP dissolved seven times more to rock phosphate. This study has shown that TCP alone in determining the isolation and effectiveness of PSMs is not indigenous.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION USING MACHINE LEARNING

The preservation of therapeutic plants is crucial as it will help a broad variety of sectors, including medicine, botanic research, and plant taxonomy studies, among others. Existing technologies cannot imitate the range of therapeutic plant species present in India. The suggested technique facilitates the classification of medicinal plants by exploiting textural aspects crucial in leaf recognition and identification. The three key phases of the proposed technique are picture enhancement, feature extraction, and classification. The photographs of the leaves are shot using cellphones and then processed using digital image processing algorithms to extract the features that may be compared between them. Finally, the CNN classifier is employed to develop an automated classifier. Key Words: Plant identification, CNN algorithm, Image processing.

HerbaVisionNet: Optimized CNN And Resnet50v2 Model For Enhanced Medicinal Plant Identification And Application Design

Addressing the escalating demand for medicinal plants, this study undertakes the critical task of establishing an efficient identification system. Employing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with ResNet50v2 architecture, the project endeavours to develop a robust model capable of classifying 30 distinct medicinal plant types from high-resolution images. This classification relies on the precision of feature extraction to ensure accurate identification. Notably, the dataset used is meticulously curated to ensure its adaptability to the diverse botanical characteristics inherent in medicinal plants. Central to achieving high accuracy is the ResNet50v2 model, which forms the cornerstone of the project. Integrated into a real-time web application implemented with Flask, this model facilitates swift and accessible plant identification for various users, including researchers, herbalists, and enthusiasts. The study underscores the efficacy of deep learning algorithms in medicinal plant identification, showcasing remarkable accuracy and reliability in classification tasks. Beyond mere identification, the model demonstrates an ability to precisely categorize plant species, thereby bridging the gap between identification and exploration. This precision is underscored by an exceptional 99% accuracy rate in distinguishing between 30 medicinal plant species, attributed to meticulous model training with a diverse, high-resolution dataset capturing intricate plant features. Continual efforts are directed towards expanding the dataset to encompass variations in real-world scenarios. Strategies to address class imbalance through oversampling techniques and class weight adjustments are being rigorously pursued. Additionally, the model undergoes refinement through fine-tuning its architecture and integrating advanced data augmentation techniques. The research significantly contributes to the broader field of AI applications in sustainable practices, particularly in the conservation of medicinal plant resources. Serving as a potent tool for accurate identification, it holds promising implications for future advancements in deep learning and botanical research.

6-Oxofurostane and (iso)Spirostane Types of Saponins in Smilax sieboldii: UHPLC-QToF-MS/MS and GNPS-Molecular Networking Approach for the Rapid Dereplication and Biodistribution of Specialized Metabolites.

Identifying novel phytochemical secondary metabolites following classical pharmacognostic investigations is tedious and often involves repetitive chromatographic efforts. During the past decade, Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-QToF-MS/MS), in combination with molecular networking, has been successfully demonstrated for the rapid dereplication of novel natural products in complex mixtures. As a logical application of such innovative tools in botanical research, more than 40 unique 3-oxy-, 3, 6-dioxy-, and 3, 6, 27-trioxy-steroidal saponins were identified in aerial parts and rhizomes of botanically verified Smilax sieboldii. Tandem mass diagnostic fragmentation patterns of aglycones, diosgenin, sarsasapogenin/tigogenin, or laxogenin were critical to establishing the unique nodes belonging to six groups of nineteen unknown steroidal saponins identified in S. sieboldii. Mass fragmentation analysis resulted in the identification of 6-hydroxy sapogenins, believed to be key precursors in the biogenesis of characteristic smilaxins and sieboldins, along with other saponins identified within S. sieboldii. These analytes' relative biodistribution and characteristic molecular networking profiles were established by analyzing the leaf, stem, and root/rhizome of S. sieboldii. Deducing such profiles is anticipated to aid the overall product integrity of botanical dietary supplements while avoiding tedious pharmacognostic investigations and helping identify exogenous components within the finished products.

Taxonomical revision and typification species of Allium L.

This article is dedicated to taxonomy of small desert onions in Turan floristical provinces within largest subgenera Allium s. l. Alliance of poorly known species Allium lehmannianum Mercklin. was studied. Lectotype of this species was designated with locus classicus in the western part of its distribution nearby Aral Lake. Map of distribution of this rare species was created on the base of studied herbarium samples stored in AA, TASH, MW. It is recommended to include it in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan (3 edition). Historical information about A. Lehmann’s botanical research in Central Asia is presented. Conspectus of sections of Multicaulea F. O. Khass. (4 species) and Unicaulea F. O. Khass. (3 species) are given. A key has been compiled to identify all species of these sections, indicating the types, synonyms cited in the main floristic revisions and distribution. The article provides quantitative data on the richness of onions in the flora of Eurasia. Sections Unicaulea and Multicaulea are endemic Turanian ancestral taxa, whose species grow exclusively on rocky habitats, while another more progressive desert section is Eremoprasum (Kamelin) F. O. Khass., R. M. Fritsch et Friesen with the type species Allium sabulosum Stev. ex C. Claus grow on sands from the Caspian deserts to Mongolia and China.

Duchowni w historii botaniki w Polsce

Clerical persons conducted a variety of botanical research in Poland and Polish lands. The purpose of this article is to describe their achievements in this field of science. No comprehensive study of the clergy’s contribution to the development of this branch of science has been made so far. The study is based on the biographies of botanists and amateur botanists from The Biographical Dictionary of Polish Botanists which is being prepared for publication. The Dictionary comprises 1,773 biographies, including 69 clerical persons. Among these 69 people, the largest group form Catholic priests (21), followed by Jesuits (12, including 1 ex-Jesuit), Protestant clergy (6), and Piarists (6, including 2 ex-Piarists). The fewest were archbishops and subdeacons (1 person each). Among the botanists active in Poland and Polish lands, no clergy of non-Christian denominations were identified. The share of clergy in the total number of botanists was not substantial. They were in the majority only during the period when medical botany flourished (from the mid-14th century to the last quarter of the 16th century). Among the many branches of botany, floristics was most often practiced by the clergy, with as many as 36 people publishing works in this field, followed by ecology (14 people), popularization of botany (7 people), and phycology (5 people). Other branches of botany were less frequently practiced: medical botany and systematics – by 4, ethnobotany, phytogeography, physiology, mycology, nature conservation, and paleobotany – by 3, history of botany and pteridology – by 2, and anatomy, bryology, cytology, dendrology, lichenology, morphology, botanical engraving – by 1 person. With the increase in the number of botanists and the rapid development of experimental-laboratory branches of botany, the importance of clergy in the development of plant science in Poland has started to decline.

Historical aspects of natural-ecological research on the territory of modern NNP “Podilski Tovtry” (the late XIX — early XX century)

A retrospective study of the scientific heritage dedicated to the study of nature in the territory of the modern National Natural Park (NNP) “Podilski Tovtry” was carried out. The initial information used was: historical facts recorded in chronicles and other written documents; archival statistical information, modern literary sources (monographs, articles, reference books, etc.), which give an idea of the natural-resource, ecological, economic, cultural, intellectual, etc., potential of the studied territory. The contribution of scientists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was analyzed. The development of the ecological scientific movement in the territory of the park is characterized. Historical aspects and directions of natural science research of the late 19th and first half of the 20th centuries in the territory of the modern National Natural Park “Podilski Tovtry” are considered on the basis of the analysis of literary and archival sources, facts historical events recorded in chronicles and other written documents. The main events in scientific life of the period studied are analyzed: the creation of scientific societies, a botanical garden and research stations. Scientific and popular science publications of the time were considered. The works of outstanding scientists and naturalists are described. It was found that not only various botanical, zoological and geological studies were carried out, but also the interaction between organisms and the environment, dependence on geographical location and climatic conditions, various aspects of anthropogenic impact on natural ecosystems and the consequences of such influence. It was concluded that the active beginning of ecological research in the area the active beginning of environmental research in this territory was laid during the 19th century and first half of the 20th centuries. The collection, systematization, generalization and analysis of natural research data, which provided a reliable basis for future scientific ecological research, is the merit of the nature researchers of the NNP “Podilski Tovtry” of the late 19th and the first half of the XX centuries

A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Endemic Plant Species Research, Conservation, and Popularization

Scientific research is the main driver to push forward and disseminate botanical knowledge. Despite many institutions having this fundamental aim as a core activity, many of them do not have a complete set of facilities, expertise, staff, and resources to cover all the steps involved in the study, management, conservation, and popularization of plant diversity. Accordingly, we propose a workflow formalizing the cooperation between a botanical garden and a botanical research center, focused on the study of plant endemic species. Specifically, the cooperation was implemented between the PLANTSEED Lab of the Department of Biology and the Botanic Garden and Museum of the University of Pisa. We present seven representative case studies (Armeria arenaria complex, Bellevalia webbiana, Crocus etruscus and C. ilvensis, Dianthus virgineus complex, Pulmonaria hirta complex, and Santolina chamaecyparissus complex) to disentangle the approaches and opportunities arising from cooperative approaches, from laboratory to cultivation. We analyze the emerging properties derived from this synergistic cooperation by promoting open research questions and answering them using a comprehensive approach to improving endemic plant species research, conservation, and popularization in the botanical garden. In this manuscript, we show how a cooperative approach between heterogeneous botanical institutions can constitute an effective and easy-to-implement approach to achieve the goals of each partner involved in the cooperation.

Areca Yellow Leaf Disease Severity Monitoring Using UAV-Based Multispectral and Thermal Infrared Imagery

The areca nut is the primary economic source for some farmers in southeast Asia. However, the emergence of areca yellow leaf disease (YLD) has seriously reduced the annual production of areca nuts. There is an urgent need for an effective method to monitor the severity of areca yellow leaf disease (SAYD). This study selected an areca orchard with a high incidence of areca YLD as the study area. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to acquire multispectral and thermal infrared data from the experimental area. The ReliefF algorithm was selected as the feature selection algorithm and ten selected vegetation indices were used as the feature variables to build six machine-learning classification models. The experimental results showed that the combination of ReliefF and the Random Forest algorithm achieved the highest accuracy in the prediction of SAYD. Compared to manually annotated true values, the R2 value, root mean square error, and mean absolute percentage error reached 0.955, 0.049, and 1.958%, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between SAYD and areca canopy temperature (CT) was 0.753 (p value &lt; 0.001). The experimental region was partitioned, and a nonlinear fit was performed using CT versus SAYD. Cross-validation was performed on different regions, and the results showed that the R2 value between the predicted result of SAYD by the CT and actual value reached 0.723. This study proposes a high-precision SAYD prediction method and demonstrates the correlation between the CT and SAYD. The results and methods can also provide new research insights and technical tools for botanical researchers and areca practitioners, and have the potential to be extended to more plants.

Botanical Dissertations from the 19th and Early 20th Centuries at the Ohio State University Herbarium (OS)

Botanical Dissertations from the 19th and Early 20th Centuries at the Ohio State University Herbarium (OS)

Integrating comparative morphology and development into evolutionary research

AbstractComparative morphology was for many years the main source of information for systematic studies. As a result of the molecular revolution in evolutionary botanical research in the early 1990s, we can now rely on a system of classification based primarily or exclusively on DNA. Nevertheless, we would like to emphasise the importance of morphology in this era of molecular phylogenetics. We argue that comparative morphology, using the latest technologies and developmental studies, is a modern and important scientific discipline that is essential to better understand evolution of the angiosperms and many other taxa. This paper also offers a guideline for emerging morphologists and phylogeneticists aiming to include morphology in their research.