Ligustrum Vulgare Research Articles

Oleocanthal and Oleacein from Privet Leaves: An Alternative Source for High-Value Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bioactives

Current research strongly suggests that phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are potent preventive and therapeutic agents against metabolic diseases associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Oleocanthal (OC) and oleacein (OA) are two of the most abundant and promising EVOO phenolics. To fully establish their health-promoting efficacy, additional animal studies and human clinical trials must be conducted, but the sourcing of both compounds at gram scale, reasonable cost, and ease of access remains a challenge. Here, we describe an extraction procedure to obtain OC and OA from the common privet (Ligustrum vulgare), a fast-growing, semi-evergreen shrub. We show that, compared to the olive tree, in addition to its broader geographical distribution, L. vulgare offers the benefit of yielding both OA and OC from its leaves. We also demonstrate the necessity of providing adapted enzymatic conditions during leaf treatment to optimize OC and OA concentrations in the final extracts.

Cross-linking impacts the physical properties of mycelium leather alternatives by targeting hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides and amino groups of proteins

Cross-linking, also called tanning, improves mechanical properties of leather and also increases its enzymatic and thermal stability. As a final product, leather has an ultimate tensile strength (σ) of 8–25 MPa and an elongation at break (ε) of >30 %. Mycelium-based materials are a sustainable alternative to leather. Here, the effect of cross-linkers was assessed on mechanical properties of Schizophyllum commune mycelium sheets. To this end, glutaraldehyde and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) were used as well as extracts of Ligustrum vulgare leaves, and bark of Acacia mearnsii and Caesalpinia spinosa. Untanned sheets had a σ of 7.8 MPa and an ε of 15.2 %, while the best overall combination of strength and elasticity was obtained with 0.1 % glutaraldehyde with a σ of 11.1 MPa and an ε of 14.6 %. Cross-linking also increased enzymatic stability and reduced mycelial water absorption but did not result in increased thermal stability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), and amino acid analysis showed that glutaraldehyde bound both protein amino groups and polysaccharide hydroxyl groups by forming Schiff bases and acetals, respectively. Together, synthetic and vegetable cross-linkers can be used to obtain mycelium materials with leather-like tensile strength.

Study of Agroecological Features of Ligustrum vulgare L. in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Prospects for Its Use in Greening

The results of a study are presented to study the possibilities of using Ligustrum vulgare L. in urban landscaping. Information is provided on the bioecological characteristics of Ligustrum vulgare — Common Privet, Olive family. The possibilities of using this species in creating various compositions and forms as an ornamental plant are analyzed. It has been established that the use of this plant in landscaping works makes it possible to create a beautiful background in parks and gardens in cities and towns of the region. Ligustrum vulgare is mainly used to create various green compositions as a living fence.

Natural dyes extracted from Ligustrum vulgare, Juniperus sabina, and Papaver rhoeas for novel DSSC applications

An effective extraction strategy has been devised to get natural dye sensitizers from Ligustrum vulgare fruit (M1), Juniperus sabina fruit (M6), and Papaver rhoeas petal (M9) to produce dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The power conversion efficiencies (PCE) achieved from the DSSCs with dyes extracted from Ligustrum vulgare fruit, Juniperus sabina fruit, and Papaver rhoeas petal are 0.48 %, 0.55 %, and 0.42 %, respectively. The improved photovoltaic efficiency of the DSSCs created using Juniperus sabina fruit can be primarily due to the notable increase in the open circuit voltage, which reached 0.66 V.

Commodity risk assessment of Ligustrum ovalifolium and Ligustrum vulgare plants from the UK.

The European Commission requested the EFSA Panel on Plant Health to prepare and deliver risk assessments for commodities listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2019 as 'High risk plants, plant products and other objects'. This Scientific Opinion covers plant health risks posed by plants of the evergreen Ligustrum ovalifolium and the semi-evergreen Ligustrum vulgare imported from the United Kingdom (UK) as: (a) bare root plants and (b) plants in pots, taking into account the available scientific information, including the technical information provided by the UK. The category (a) 'bare root plants' includes bundles of 1- to 3-year-old bare root whips or transplants and single 1- to 7-year-old bare root plants. The category (b) 'plants in pots' includes bundles of 1- to 2-year-old cell grown plants (only L. vulgare) and 1- to 5-year-old plants in pots. All pests associated with the commodities were evaluated against specific criteria for their relevance for this opinion. Two EU quarantine pests, Bemisia tabaci and Scirtothrips dorsalis, and one pest not regulated in the EU, Diaprepes abbreviatus, fulfilled all relevant criteria and were selected for further evaluation. For the selected pests, the risk mitigation measures proposed in the technical dossier from the UK were evaluated taking into account the possible limiting factors. For these pests, an expert judgement is given on the likelihood of pest freedom considering the risk mitigation measures acting on the pest, including uncertainties associated with the assessment. In the assessment of risk, the age of the plants was considered, reasoning that older trees are more likely to be infested mainly due to longer exposure time and larger size. The degree of pest freedom varies among the pests evaluated, with B. tabaci being the pest most frequently expected on the imported plants. The Expert Knowledge Elicitation indicated with 95% certainty that between 9915 and 10,000 per 10,000 bare root plants and plants in pots will be free from B. tabaci.

Otiorhynchus aurifer Boheman, 1842, O. pseudonothus Apfelbeck, 1897 and Pachyrhinus lethierryi Desbrochers des Loges, 1875: Three new non-native weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) in Romania

The first documented occurrences of Otiorhynchus aurifer, O. pseudonothus, and Pachyrhinus lethierryi in Romania are given. The hotspot analysis (occurrence density, Getis-Ord Gi* statistic, and Kernel density estimation) indicates global bilateral clustering of Otiorhynchus aurifer in Western Europe + Great Britain Island and the Black Sea region and local clustering in Marseille and Burgas + Istanbul, suggesting that these locations are likely the main gateways for further expansion. The major local clustering of O. pseudonothus is in Vienna, and secondary clusters are in Bruges, Amsterdam, and Denmark. This species reached East Europe including Russia, Ukraine, and Romania in the early 2020s. The analysis identifies Paris as a crucial gateway for the westward expansion of Pachyrhinus lethierryi. Potential vectors for O. auriferinclude various Lauraceae and Oleaceae, with a preference for wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare), shared with O. pseudonothus. Northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) emerges as a potent coniferous vector in the spread of O. pseudonothus and P. lethierryi. The trade of potted conifers, particularly Christmas trees, is believed to contribute to the long-distance transportation of O. pseudonothus. While the establishment of O. pseudonothus and P. lethierryi remains unconfirmed, O. aurifer is likely established in Agigea. O. aurifer, a non-native inhabitant of Western European urban areas, demonstrates adaptability to both urban and disturbed natural biotopes in the Black Sea region.

Characterizing spring phenology in a temperate deciduous urban woodland fragment: trees and shrubs.

Phenological research in temperate-deciduous forests typically focuses on upper canopy trees, due to their overwhelming influence on ecosystem productivity and function. However, considering that shrubs leaf out earlier and remain green longer than trees, they play a pivotal role in ecosystem productivity, particularly at growing season extremes. Furthermore, an extended growing season of non-native shrubs provides a competitive advantage over natives. Here, we report spring phenology, budburst, leaf-out, and full-leaf unfolded (2017-2021) of a range of co-occurring species of tree (ash, American basswood, red oak, white oak, and boxelder) and shrub (native species: chokecherry, pagoda dogwood, nannyberry, American wild currant and Eastern wahoo, and non-native species: buckthorn, honeysuckle, European privet, and European highbush cranberry) in an urban woodland fragment in Wisconsin, USA, to determine how phenology differed between plant groups. Our findings show that all three spring phenophases of shrubs were 3weeks earlier (p < 0.05) than trees. However, differences between shrubs groups were only significant for the later phenophase; full-leaf unfolded, which was 6days earlier (p < 0.05) for native shrubs. The duration of the spring phenological season was 2weeks longer (p < 0.05) for shrubs than trees. These preliminary findings demonstrate that native shrubs, at this site, start full-leaf development earlier than non-native species suggesting that species composition must be considered when generalizing whether phenologies differ between vegetation groups. A longer time series would be necessary to determine future implications on ecosystem phenology and productivity and how this might impact forests in the future, in terms of species composition, carbon sequestration, and overall ecosystem dynamics.

Comparative Analysis of Phytochemical Profiles and Selected Biological Activities of Various Morphological Parts of Ligustrum vulgare.

Ligustrum vulgare (LV), widely cultivated in Europe and often used in hedges, has been historically recognized in folk medicine for its potential health benefits. This study focused on exploring the untargeted identification of secondary metabolites in ethanol extracts (70% v/v) from different morphological parts (young shoots, leaves, flowers and fruits) of LV at various stages of plant development, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). Additionally, the selected biological activities (antioxidant activity, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition (COX-2), α-amylase inhibition and cytotoxicity) of the tested extracts were determined. Untargeted metabolomics showed that LV extracts were a rich source of phenylethanoid compounds, flavonoids, iridoids and their derivatives. The flowers of LV had the highest content of oleuropein (33.43 ± 2.48 mg/g d.w.). The lowest antioxidant activity was obtained for ripe and post-seasonal fruits, while in the case of other samples, the activity was at a similar level. All tested extracts showed α-amylase and COX-2 inhibitory activity. In addition, LV extracts showed strong antiproliferative properties in colorectal (HT29) and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines. The obtained results show the difference in the content of bioactive compounds in various morphological parts of Ligustrum vulgare. These differences may influence the multifaceted medicinal potential of this plant.

Post-Chromatographic Derivatization Coupled with Mass Spectrometry as a Method of Profiling and Identification of Antioxidants; Ligustrum vulgare Phytocomplex as an Example.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with radical scavenging assays, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) can be both used for the detection of the antioxidants in plant extracts. In this study, the ethanolic (70% v/v) extracts from different morphological parts of Ligustrum vulgare collected at different stages of maturity were used as the source of antioxidants. The final identification of antioxidants was performed using high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS). As a result, 19 compounds with antioxidant properties detected with HPLC-ABTS assay and 10 compounds detected with HPTLC-DPPH/ABTS assay were identified, mostly from the group of iridoids, phenylethanoids, and flavonoids. When comparing different L. vulgare samples, it was found that the extracts obtained from leaves contained the greatest number of antioxidants. The results of this study suggest that HPTLC-DPPH/ABTS as well as HPLC-ABTS derivatization coupled with the HRMS can be successfully used for profiling and identification of antioxidants from natural sources. Planar chromatography is more suitable for screening multiple samples because of its simplicity, whereas more challenging liquid chromatography provides more detailed information and is therefore better for a selected set of samples.

The prospects of a model exposition in artificial plantations in urbanized territories

The main tasks of the ecological potential are to unite the disparate existing elements of plantings and supplement them with new ones. The assimilation of unique plant ecosystems is possible with an integrated approach. The Volgograd region belongs to the dry-steppe zone, the climate is sharply continental, for which the characteristic features are a decrease in natural moisture supply, excess heat, an active wind regime throughout the year and frequent dry winds. The ecological potential of the south of Russia, in particular the Volgograd region, according to the climate Biological efficiency Index (TC) proposed by N.N. Ivanov, is at a low level (TC = 8–12) with unfavorable natural living conditions of the population with a significant lack of moisture, which raises the question of creating multifunctional plantings as a research scientific basis for rational regional environmental policy in optimizing the process of settlement and social sphere, consistent organization of work and recreation, protection of citizensʼ health. Dendrological expositions growing on cadastral plots of the Federal Research Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences have a high ecological potential in urbanized territories.The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prospects of a model exposure of drought–resistant species in artificial plantings.A general analysis of the decorativeness of G Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis, Rosa canina, Ribes aureum, Ligustrum vulgare, Juniperus sabina was carried out, the variability of the total assessment of decorativeness between species (34.2–36.6) and the total score (177) were established. All the studied species have good drought resistance, which helps the woody plant to use water and nutrients most efficiently in arid regions on chestnut soils with low moisture supply.

Research of gas exchange and air purification processes by plants of the common privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.) species

Growing urbanization creates air pollution problems, which is becoming dangerous for human health and unsuitable for indoor ventilation. An effective solution is the combination of green structures with engineering systems, which requires the development of new methods and quantitative laboratory studies of gas and mass exchange processes of plants. The purpose of the study was to quantify the ability of plants of the common privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.) to release and absorb oxygen and СО2, as well as to study the effectiveness of air purification from particulate matter in order to properly take into account the impact of plants in the process of their selection for greening urban landscapes. The research was carried out according to the methodology developed by the authors in a gas exchange chamber, which was upgraded to model external conditions and study plants with small leaf area and developed stems. The results of the experiment showed that Ligustrum vulgare L. bushes with a small total photosynthetic leaf surface area are inefficient for carbon dioxide absorption in an urbanized environment, so plants with a significant proportion of photosynthetically active biomass and fast-growing plants should be preferred. It was determined that at maximum illumination, the degree of absorption of PM2.5 and PM10 by Ligustrum vulgare L. bushes was 8.84‧10-5...1.5‧10-4 μg/s, which confirms the effective absorption of particulate matter with a diameter of up to 2.5 and up to 10 μm from the air by the studied plants. The results obtained indicate an increase in the concentration of total volatile organic compounds in the outlet compartment, which indicates the active release of volatile phyto-organic substances by plants in the amount of 2.442...2.973 μg/s. The results of the study can be used for effective taxonomic selection of woody plants during the design and creation of urban green spaces that are resistant to the conditions of the urban environment

Expositionen mit Fruchtpflanzen in Deutschland im Zeitraum 2010–2019

ZusammenfassungHintergrundAnfragen zu Fruchtpflanzen sind ein häufiger Konsultationsgrund von Giftinformationszentren, wobei hervorzuheben ist, dass es keine großen systematischen Studien zur Giftigkeit auf Grundlage von Expositionsdaten gibt. Ziel der Arbeit ist die Bestimmung des Vergiftungsrisikos durch Fruchtpflanzen in Deutschland.MethodenRetrospektive Untersuchung der Daten des Gemeinsamen Giftinformationszentrums Erfurt zu Vergiftungsanfragen bzgl. Fruchtpflanzen (2010–2019) mit ausführlicher Darstellung vorab publizierter Zwischenergebnisse, tabellarischer Handreichung und Pflanzenfotografien als Identifizierungshilfe sowie Trendanalysen.ErgebnisseAus 16.088 Pflanzenexpositionen mit 16.700 Pflanzen wurden 214 verschiedene Fruchtpflanzenarten identifiziert. 45 Fruchtpflanzenarten (21 %) stellten sich als relevant (≥ 30 Anfragen) heraus, davon 6 (2,8 %) als hochrelevant (≥ 300 Anfragen). Allen relevanten Pflanzen wurde eine definierte Risikokategorie (RK) zugeordnet: RK 0 (2; 4,4 %), RK 1 (26; 57,8 %), RK 2 (12; 26,7 %) und RK 3 (5; 11,1 %). Von den Anfragen bezogen sich 6 % (459/7607) auf RK 0, 47,9 % (3645/7607) auf RK 1, 39,3 % auf RK 2 (2986/7607) und 6,8 % (517/7607) auf RK 3. 69,5 % (5284/7607) der Anfragen betrafen Kleinkinder (1 bis < 6 Jahre). Die Expositionsfolgen waren für alle Altersklassen zu 82 % symptomlos, 14,7 % leichtgradig, 3 % mittelschwer und 0,3 % schwer, wobei schwere Vergiftungen durch 7 Pflanzenarten verursacht wurden. Eine Intervention wurde in 66,8 % (5079) der Anfragen eingeleitet. Anfragen betrafen am häufigsten: Taxus baccata, Ligustrum vulgare, Physalis alkekengi, Prunus laurocerasus, Convallaria majalis, Mahonia spec., Sambucus spec., Lonicera spec., Sorbus aucuparia, Thuja spec., Hedera helix und Cotoneaster spec.DiskussionVergiftungen durch Fruchtpflanzen in Deutschland sind selten. Es besteht allerdings ein hoher Informations- und Aufklärungsbedarf.

Study on selection of woody plants to create sustainable green spaces in sparsely forested rural areas

For sustainable development of rural areas in low forested regions it is necessary to create additional areas of artificial plantations from the adapted gene pool of woody plants. The existing artificial plantations were created more than 70 years ago, so they do not effectively fulfill their ameliorative functions. The aim of the research is the selection of woody plants to form landscaping spaces of recreational type in sparsely forested regions. Bioecological studies of 18 tree species of the families Rosaceae, Oleaceae, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, Cornaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Corylaceae, Anacardiaceae, Rhamnáceae in dendrological collections of the Federal Research Centre of Agroecology RAS were carried out from July to October 2021 under field conditions. Conventional methods for evaluating crown structure on microclimatic parameters and ornamental value were applied. Original data were obtained by non-invasive method (Dualex Scientific device), which showed species-specificity of quantitative indicators of photopigments, their lability as an indicator of resistance to high temperatures was given. Dynamics of pigment indices in leaves showed that interspecific variation of the index is higher than intraspecific variation. The adapted assortment of trees and shrubs for arid regions has been identified. It is established that trees (Quercus robur) and shrubs with dense crowns (Ligustrum vulgare, Syringa vulgaris, Rosa rugose, etc.) reduce air temperature more effectively (by 2.2-4.3°C) than woody species with openwork crowns (species of genera Gleditsia and Robinia). It is shown that changing the composition of phytodiversity will increase the quality class of plantations. Quercus robur, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rhus typhina, Cotinus coggygria, species of Gleditsia and Amelanchier are recommended for creation of artificial plantations in the research region.

Structural and functional characteristics of the leaves of economically valuable plants in arid environments ​

The difficult forest conditions of the Volgograd region determine the relevance of research in the field of agroforestry. For the selection and use of tree species in plantations during the arrangement of agricultural land, it is necessary to identify the structural and functional features of the leaves, which are reliable indicators of the mechanism of plant adaptation to stress factors. The experiment was set up during June to September 2022 under field and laboratory conditions with the participation of the dendrological collections of the Nizhnevolzhskaya station for tree species breeding, a branch of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (50°078ʹN, 45°370ʹE). The objects of research are shrubs of different geographical origin: Berberis vulgaris L., Berberis heteropoda Schrenk., Ligustrum vulgare L., Cotinus coggygria Scop., Mahonia aquifolium Nutt., Corylus avellana L. and Ribes aureum Pursh. An optical method was used to assess the permeability of the epidermis of native mature leaves of the middle tier of the crown. The dynamics and variation of the content of photosynthetic pigments has been established. In Ligustrum vulgare, Mahonia aquifolium and Cotinus coggygria, a higher content of chlorophylls and a smaller number of palisade mesophyll cells were found than in heliophytes. The species specificity of the structural features of the palisade mesophyll, taking into account the ecological groups of shrubs, was revealed, as well as a positive correlation between the number of cells and the amount of chlorophyll of the palisade mesophyll in Cotinus coggygria (0.87) and Ribes aureum (0.85), Corylus avellana (0.63). The conducted studies allow obtaining new data on the adaptive capabilities of shrubs under the action of stress factors for their selection and further practical application in the field of agroforestry.

Small Mammals Perceive Most Fruits of Invasive Plants as Low-Quality Forage in a Pennsylvanian Forest and Meadow

Invasive plants often drastically alter food webs. Small-mammal assemblages may be greatly impacted by invasive plants, which often provide cover from predators. In addition, a less-studied potential impact is the possibility that small mammals use invasive plants as a food resource. We quantified small mammal giving-up densities (GUDs) by offering fruits of 5 common invasive shrubs and 1 native shrub in adjacent meadow and forest habitats in Pennsylvania. The study ran for two 48-hour sessions in November in 2 consecutive years with different combinations of shrub fruits available to small mammals within buckets that also contained Panicum miliaceum (Proso Millet), and sand. While some degree of differences in foraging activity could be accredited to annual variation, significant differences in GUDs among fruit species and between habitats were detected. The fruits of the invasive shrubs Berberis thunbergia (Japanese Barberry), Ligustrum vulgare (Eurasian Privet), and Rhodotypos scandens (Jetbead) did not appear to be significantly foraged on by small mammals in either habitat. However, the woody liana Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet) was readily consumed in both the forest and meadow. Fruits of the invasive shrub Eleagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive) was favored but only in meadow habitat, while fruits of the native shrub Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) were moderately foraged in the forest. Through this experiment, we were able to conclude that most woody plants included in this study offer fruits with limited perceived benefit. However, Oriental Bittersweet and Autumn Olive may represent important exceptions that could be influencing small-mammal foraging patterns in northeastern forest and meadow ecosystems.

Hedges in public places of Kyiv city and ways to improve them

Green spaces in the urban environment of large places perform environmental, urban planning, social and economic functions. Hedges in the system of landscaping of the metropolis are an integral part and primarily perform environmental functions. The paper describes and analyzes hedges located in public places of Kyiv city. To achieve this goal, general scientific methods (observation, measurement) were used in theoretical, empirical and experimental research. In total, 65688.7 meters of span hedges of the city were studied, consisting of 306 thousand units of plants and represented by 31 taxa on 217 public facilities that are on the maintenance of ten district communal enterprises for the maintenance of green spaces that are part of the Kyivzelenbud municipal association. The species composition, height, planting pattern and quality condition of hedges were analyzed. According to the results, it was found that the largest number of hedges was created in Solomianskyi and Darnytskyi districts of the city with 17% and 16% of the total number respectively. The most common species in the composition of hedges is privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.). Hedges are created mainly by single-row and double-row planting schemes in approximately equal proportions. By the group of heights, low hedges in height prevail, their number is 53.9%, medium-height hedges represent 33% of the total number. The qualitative condition is mostly good and satisfactory, which indicates compliance with agricultural technology and timely care. The results of these studies will allow balance sheet holders of facilities with hedges to better organize agrotechnical work on their arrangement and maintenance in proper decorative condition

Specialist Herbivore Performance on Introduced Plants During Native Host Decline.

Ash (Fraxinus spp.) is in rapid decline across the northeastern USA due to the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire). Three recently co-occurring confamilial species may serve as alternative larval host plants for ash-reliant Lepidoptera. These prospective hosts are nonnative shrubs often planted in managed suburban landscapes and are sometimes invasive or naturalized in North America. Given the imminent decline of ash trees, we considered potential downstream effects on insect herbivores historically specialized on ash foliage. We measured the performance of three ash-specialist hawkmoths (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) on native white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) and alternative host plants: common lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.), weeping forsythia [Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl], and European privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.). We found the nonnative host plants provided varied support for larval survival to pupation, with biomass and growth rate affected differently by both plant and insect identity. Nearly all caterpillars reared on one alternative host, European privet, exhibited distinct malformations of the wing buds at pupation. Given caterpillar presence on privet in the field, privet may constitute an ecological trap (i.e., when female moths select a sub-optimal host, offspring survival and fitness are reduced). This work demonstrates how performance testing can reveal species-specific effects of host plant loss on mono- or oligophagous insects. For some ash specialists, alternative nonnative host plants may be suboptimal, but some cultivated host plants may be able to support certain specialist insects during native host decline. We suggest that landscaping decisions can be tailored to support threatened insect species.

Features of acclimatization of Ligustrum L. in the Middle Urals

The article is devoted to the introduction and acclimatization of Ligustrum vulgare L. in the Middle Urals since the creation of the collection in 1960. At that time, the average annual temperature was only 1°C and Ligustrum vulgare L. froze, grew again and fruited in favorable years. It was possible to create an introduction population by families, but, nevertheless, in 1998 all plants died from the return of cold weather and frosts. The study of the growth and development of privet has been resumed since 2016. Several geographical samples of seedlings grown without irrigation were studied. It turned out that the sample from Barnaul turned out to be the best in all indicators, close values of growth and development of plants from seeds from Samara, and the worst indicators of plants from seeds obtained from Kazan. Average values were noted in Ligustrum ibota (Kaliningrad reproduction), while agrotechnical care (watering and weeding) revealed the maximum height in a sample from Penza.

STAND STRUCTURE AND STATE OF PARK IMPROVEMENTS IN URBAN-TYPE SETTLEMENT OF PETROPAVLIVKA OF DNIPROPETROVSK OBLAST

We studied the range of woody and shrubby plants in the park of urban-type settlement Petropavlivka, their taxing characteristics, phytosanitary state, and compliance with the ecological conditions of the area. We carried out an assessment of the floral design and the level of improvement of the park and garden object. The territory of the park is divided into zones – children’s, memorial, walking, zone of quiet rest and cultural events. There are no small architectural forms, there is practically no park and garden equipment. The flower decoration of the park is unsatisfactory. Rectangular-shaped flower beds are located in the middle of the alleys. Apart from flowering plants, they include Juniperus sabina and Rose garden gr. Floribunda. The range of flowering plants is represented by 7 species of perennials from 7 genera, with Iris hybrida and Viola reichenbachiana dominating. 523 specimens of woody and shrubby plants grow in the park, which belong to 23 species from 11 families. The share of coniferous species is 7.27% in relation to all plants of the park. The species diversity index is 7.72, which characterizes it as an object with an insufficient level of dendro diversity for the park. The dominant tree species in plantations is Robinia pseudoacacia, there are somewhat less Acer platanoides trees, Ligustrum vulgare dominates among shrubs. Five families (Aceraceae, Salicaceae, Oleaceae, Pinaceae, and Rosaceae) are represented by three species each; the rest are represented by 1–2 species. The most numerous families in terms of the number of specimens are Oleaceae, Fabaceae and Aceraceae. 10 introduced species grow in the park, which is 40.15% in terms of the percentage of specimens. Trees with a height of 10.0 to 12.0 m predominate among plantings of the park. Their share is 27.08% of the number of all trees. The groups of 8.1–10.0 and 12.1–14.0 m are represented by a smaller number – 19.05% each. Most often there are trees with a trunk diameter of 28.1–34 cm, which is 27.38% of the total number of trees in the park. Robinia pseudoacacia dominates in this group. There are fewer woody plants in the groups of 22.1–28 and 34.1–40 m, which is 17.56 and 20.24% respectively. Only 3 specimens have a trunk diameter of more than 52 cm. Populus balsamifera. The vast majority of trees in the park of urban-type settlement Petropavlivka (69.8%) are classified as “healthy”, 21.4% are with signs of damage. 8.2% of trees are severely damaged. Only about half of the park’s woody plants are able to endure a long drought without damage, while others require additional watering during the dry period. 54.29% of plantations are not demanding for soil fertility, 39.57% are megatrophs.

Low understory condition in an oak forest in Hungary, 1972 and 2022 – Síkfőkút Project is 50 years old

erious oak decline was first detected in 1979-80 in a mixed sessile oak–Turkey oak forest (Quercetum petraeae-cerridis Soó 1963). This decline resulted important structural changes in the understory shrub layer. Despite of this, relatively few studies deal with shrub communities and shrub layer dynamics after oak death. The goals of this research were to determine the conditions of low shrubs and analyse the possible changes in this layer after 5 decades from the beginning of Síkfőkút research. Specimens which were lower than 1.0 m in height were categorized as low shrubs in the shrub community. In 1972 and in 2022, 16- 17 native low shrub species were observed in the understory; 15 species were present continuously in the forest. The density of low shrubs was 87401 and 17317 specimen ha-1. The most common low shrub species was Ligustrum vulgare and 5 decades later Quercus petraea with 24.1% and 37.8% ratio. The mean height and mean diameter of low shrub species changed among 10.3-67.0 cm and 1.5-7.5 mm. The mean cover of these shrubs fluctuated between 35 cm2 and 2026 cm2 based on the two measured year. Our results suggest that the low shrub layer responded negatively to the biotic and abiotic factors under 5 decades; this is especially true to the density, cover and diversity indices of species.