Communis Trin Research Articles

Content of photosynthetic pigments in Phragmites communis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., Salvinia natans L. (All.), Utricularia vulgaris L. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. during the season in the area of the Bardača pond (Republika Srpska)

Abstract It is known that aquatic macrophytes are an important part of freshwater ecosystems, and that they play a different role in their structure and functioning. Their presence and distribution depends on water temperature and transparency, nutrient content, conductivity, pH, chemical composition and water circulation. Therefore, the goal of our research was to determine the influence and interrelationship of physicochemical parameters of water on the content of photosynthetic pigments in aquatic macrophytes of Lake Necik, in the Ramsar area of Bardača (Republic of Srpska). Content of total chlorophyll (a + b) during the growing season (June–October) ranged from 0.231 to 1.145 mg g−1 FW in Phragmites communis Trin. ex Steud., from 0.061 to 0.541 mg g−1 FW in Salvinia natans L. (All.), from 0.063 to 0.626 mg g−1 FW in Utricularia vulgaris L. and from 0.063 to 0.443 mg g−1 FW in Ceratophyllum demersum L. Research has shown that floating and submerged macrophytes have a lower ratio of chlorophyll a/b compared to emergent hydrophytes, which is most likely the result of stress caused by increased light intensity and temperature. Seasonal variations in the content of photosynthetic pigments indicated that the species Phragmites communis proved to be more tolerant to the stress caused by the influence of various abiotic factors, while Salvinia natans proved to be more sensitive. Spearmon’s correlation coefficient of the physicochemical parameters of water and the concentration of photosynthetic pigments of macrophytes showed a significant influence of certain abiotic factors (temperature, transparency and nutrients) on the content of pigments in the leaves of Phragmites communis, Salvinia natans, Utricularia vulgaris and Ceratophyllum demersum L.

Differentiation of Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes in the Water Source Treatment Wetlands of Stream Networks

To explore the isotopic distribution and differentiation of water along the hydraulic flow gradients and plant-bed/ditch systems in constructed root-channel wetlands, surface and subsurface water samples were collected from four ecological wetlands, namely Shijiuyang and Guanjinggang in Jiaxing, as well as Changshuitang and Taishangang in Haining. All samples were collected along water flow pathways during the wet and rainy summer season in August 2019, except for those from Taishangang, which were collected within the plant-bed/ditch system during the dry and cold winter season in January 2020. The abundance of deuterium (δD) and δ18 O was determined in each functional area of the wetlands to assess the influence of wetlands on water differentiation. Stable isotope technology and mathematical statistics were used to analyze the distribution of δD and δ18 O in constructed root-channel wetlands and to reveal the influence of plant-bed/ditch systems on stable isotopes of water. A variety of data mining methods were used to examine the differentiation of stable isotopes of water, at various dimensions and scales, including nonparametric Kendall's tau-b correlation, stepwise regression, gray relational analysis, and machine learning (random forest) combined with scatter diagrams and model hypothesis diagnosis analysis. The main results were as follows:① The spatiotemporal variations in water isotopes of stream networks were largely affected by different water supply and evaporation enrichment effects. The slope and intercept of the wetland water line in Jiaxing were both significantly lower than the regional precipitation line of the adjacent Changshu Station (CHNIP). This showed that the wetlands area had undergone hydrogen and oxygen isotope enrichment. The δD values in Shijiuyang wetland water ranged from -52.2‰ to -49.4‰, and δ18 O values ranged from -7.6‰ to -6.9‰. In Guanjinggang wetland water samples, δD ranged from -48.1‰ to -45.1‰, and δ18 O ranged from -6.8‰ to -5.8‰. The δD values in Changshuitang wetland water ranged from -49.8‰ to -48.4‰, and δ18 O ranged from -7.2‰ to -6.6‰. The δD values in Taishangang wetland water ranged from -55.3‰ to -51.6‰, and δ18 O ranged from -7.8‰ to -7.2‰. ② Hydrogen and oxygen isotope abundance and composition of water showed complex nonlinear changes in the vertical and horizontal dimensions at different scales. At the regional scale, water level elevation in the vertical dimension had a greater impact on water isotope distribution than the length of the hydraulic flow pathway in the horizontal dimension. Water isotopes tended to be enriched in low-lying areas with low water levels. At the local scale, the influence of hydraulic process often played a greater role in determining water isotope distributions. The spatial variations of water isotopes were comprehensively determined by the evaporation of regional water and meandering hydraulic processes inside the wetland. ③ Compared with other wetland functional areas, the central constructed root-channel area (middle treatment zone) was more enriched in water isotopes. ④ The underground macropore network formed by plants with developed rhizomes or roots (e.g., Phragmites communis Trin. and Typha orientalis Presl), mineral-rich substrate soil, and aquatic plants in the plant bed had a significant influence on the abundance of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in the plant-bed/ditch system. Therefore, when water passed through the plant-bed/ditch system, the values of δD and δ18 O in the lower ditch (outlet) were lower than those in the higher ditch (inlet). ⑤ The abrupt change in isotopic contents of the plant-bed/ditch system might indicate an inflection point in water quality purification. ⑥ The deuterium excess (d-excess) in subsurface water of the plant-bed/ditch system was significantly higher than that in ditch water, and the coefficient of variation in subsurface water was considerably greater than that in ditch water. The d-excess in the wetland root-channel ecological purification zone showed significant temporal differences and was negative in the summer and positive in the winter, which reflected the seasonal variation in water vapor sources and the spatial variation in isotope fractionation behavior in wetlands. These results provide some understanding of the distribution of water isotopes in constructed wetlands, which will strengthen their operation and management. This study also provides some ideas regarding new technologies for water quality improvement and shows that water isotope technology may be a reliable method for analyzing wetland hydrology.

Production and characterization of somatic hybrids between rice (Oryza sativa L.) and reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) obtained by protoplast fusion

Production and characterization of somatic hybrids between rice (Oryza sativa L.) and reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) obtained by protoplast fusion

Moschamindole induces glioma cell apoptosis by blocking Mia40-dependent mitochondrial intermembrane space assembly and oxidative respiration.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent, lethal, and aggressive tumor of the central nervous system in adults. In this study, we found for the first time that moschamindole (MCD), a rare phenolic amide with 8/6/6/5/5 rings, is a major bioactive constituent derived from Phragmites communis Trin (Poaceae) that exhibits a potential cytotoxic effect on both TMZ-resistant GBM cell lines and xenograft models. MCD-induced intrinsic apoptosis signals and mitochondrial dysfunction were confirmed by cell cycle arrest, caspase-3/7 activation, and membrane potential depolarization. Furthermore, investigations exploring the mechanism showed that MCD specifically inhibits Mia40-mediated oxidative folding of mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) proteins via PCR assay and immunoblot analysis. MCD relies on its positive charge to associate with mitochondrial oxidative respiration, thus blocking energy metabolism and inducing apoptosis. Overexpression and upregulation of Mia40 were proven to reverse MCD-induced apoptosis and were correlated with the chemoresistance of GBM in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Mia40 is a potential target of the chemoresistance of glioblastoma and suggests that MCD might be a potential agent for the individualized treatment of chemoresistant GBM based on mitochondrial metabolic characteristics and Mia40 expression.

Обзор видов Phragmites (Poaceae) Беларуси

A taxonomic review of the Phragmites Adans. (Poaceae) in Belarus is presented. It is shown that P. nigricans (Mérat) Val. N. Tikhom. is the priority name of the widespread species formerly known as P. communis Trin. The new species P. tzvelevii Val. N. Tikhom. is described, which is apparently the result of ancient hybridization of P. nigricans and P. altissimus (Benth.) Mabille. The lectotype of the name P. nigricans is designated. A key for identification and brief descriptions of five Phragmites species identified in Belarus are provided.

Ecological evaluation of natural water bodies in the south part of Noginscky Region Moscow District

Floristic composition of terrestrial and aquatic plants in the ecotopes of surface water bodies, Blue Lakes and Lake Biserovo, was studied to assess environmental health of aquatic ecosystems in the Moscow region. The research was carried out both in the field and in the laboratory. Blue Lakes were lacking aquatic vegetation and the dominant synusia of the following plant species was found along the coastal zone: meadow clover (Trifolium pratense L.), meadow bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), sedge coastal (Carex riparia Curt.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), plantain (Plantago major L.), Timothy meadow (Phleum pratense L.). The vegetation cover of Lake Biserovo was patchy: submerged vegetation was most widespread, Canadian Elodea (Elodea canadensis Michx.) was the dominant species. Pure thickets of vegetation were formed only by the common American water plantain(Alisma plantago-aquatica L.), lake cattail (Schoenoplectus lacustris L.), common reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) and sedge coastal (Carex riparia Curt). It should be noted that in all the studied water bodies, the pH of the water area can be classified as very clean: Blue Lakes (7.8), samples from Lake Biserov (8.32). Water samples from Lake Biserova had the highest turbidity (11.5), which was associated with the accumulation of particles of the silt fraction of the reservoir, which began the process of eutrophication, high anthropogenic load. According to the results of a comprehensive assessment (hydrological indicators, calculation of the Mayer index) of the studied samples from the reservoirs, it was concluded that the water area of the Blue Lake had the best environmental status in the Noginsk region.

Effects of water level and vegetation on nitrate dynamics at varying sediment depths in laboratory-scale wetland mesocosms

Recent increases in the frequency of extreme floods and droughts associated with climate change can affect fluctuating groundwater or wetland water levels and wetland plant growth, and consequently cause redox condition changes in nitrogen dynamics in wetland sediments. Here, we studied the fate of nitrate (NO3-), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the microbial characteristics at different sediment depths in response to water levels (i.e., 5 or 2.5 cm) above the sediment surface and in the presence or absence of plants (Phragmites communis Trin) for four months in three wetland mesocosms. Results showed that mesocosm A (MA) with a high water level (5 cm above the surface) and plants had significantly higher DOC concentrations (17.57 ± 8.22 mg/L) in sediment that were actively consumed by microorganisms than other mesocosms with low water level (MB) and without plant (MC) (8.77 ± 2.38 mg/L and 7.87 ± 2.72 mg/L in MB and MC, respectively). Consequently, the most of influent NO3- (20 mg-N/L) dramatically reduced in the vicinity of plant roots (-20 to -15 cm sediment depth) where active denitrification was expected in MA. Moreover, the functional genes involved in denitrification such as narG (2.4 × 108 –3.5 × 108 copies·g-1) and nirS (5.6 × 106–1.1 × 107 copies·g-1) were more abundant in this mesocosm. The profile of the microbial community structure at the class level revealed that Alphaproteocbacteria (MA: 14.19 ± 1.19%; MB: 14.01 ± 0.51%; MC: 15.21 ± 2.76%) and Actinobacteria (MA: 8.21 ± 1.91%; MB: 13.91 ± 2.13%; MC: 11.75 ± 3.43%) were predominant in all three mesocosms. Interestingly, the clustered heatmap supported the obvious difference in microbial composition of MA from other mesocosms showing relatively more abundant Clostridia (6.71 ± 1.54%) and Deltaproteobacteria (7.05 ± 0.68%). These results can provide an insight to understand the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle associated with climate change in wetland systems.

Improving quality of common reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) silage with additives.

ObjectiveCommon reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) could potentially provide an alternative resource for silage; however, its silage quality is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors in reed that contribute to poor quality and determine how the use of additives at ensiling could improve fermentation quality.MethodsIn Experiment 1, we determined the chemical composition and the presence of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in reed. We further examined fermentation quality of reed silage under conditions without additives (NA) and treated glucose (G), lactic acid bacteria (L), and their combination (G+L). In Experiment 2, silage of NA, and with an addition of cellulase and lactic acid bacteria (CL) were prepared from harvested reed. The harvested reeds were fertilized at nitrogen concentrations of 0, 4, 8, and 12 g N/m2 and were harvested thrice within one year.ResultsThe indigenous LAB and fermentable carbohydrates are at extremely low concentrations in reed. Reed silage, to which we added G+L, provided the highest quality silage among treatments in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, N fertilization had no negative effect on silage quality of reed. The harvest times decreased fermentable carbohydrate content in reed. The CL treatment provided a higher lactic acid content compared to the NA treatment. However, the quality of CL treated silage at the second and third harvests was significantly lower than at the first harvest, due to a reduction in carbohydrates caused by frequent harvesting.ConclusionThe causes of poor quality in reed silage are its lack of indigenous LAB and fermentable carbohydrates and its high moisture content. In addition, reed managed by frequent harvesting reduces carbohydrate content. Although the silage quality could be improved by adding CL, higher-quality silage could be prepared by adding fermentable carbohydrates, such as glucose (rather than adding cellulases).

Plants Selection for Domestic Sewage Treatment in Jilin City

This experiment studied the removal efficiency of domestic sewage by testing 19 species of wetland plants along the Songhua River in Jilin City. It is shown that plants can purify domestic sewage, and the ability of removal efficiency is varied on different species. Rumex patientia var.callosus is the best in removal efficiency of TN(29.14%);Coleus blumei Benth. could effectively reduce output of TP and COD,the best removal efficiencies for TP is 58.04%, COD is 95.18%; Oenanthe javanica(Blume) DC. has better efficiency to increase DO in´sewage, and the maximum increase is 262.22%;Rumex.patientia var.callosus,Alisma orientale(Sam.)Juz.,Oenanthe javanica(Blume) DC.,Erigeron annuus (L. ) Pers. may be used as plants for the construction of sewage treatment landscape, because these plants have better comprehensive capacity for domestic sewage treatment.
 Water pollution has become a general and worldwide problem today. The application of wetland plants for waste water treatment features low cost,easiness to manage, high efficiency and etc.(Han Xiaoyuan etc.,2005;Li linfeng etc.,2006;Zhang Honggang,Hong Jianming,2006).Wetland plants can not only absorb nitrogen and phosphorus directly but also remove the heavy metals and organics in the waste water. (Xu Weiwei etc.,2005;Cheng Wei etc.,2005;C.C.Tanner,2001;Tang Shirong,2006;SAMAKEMoussa,2003;L.K.Mitchell,A.D Karathanasis,1995).According to current research reports,Phragmitas communis Trin, Juncus effuses Linn, Rush, and Iris japonica Thunb, Buttery Swordflag can efficiently remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the sewage (Deng Futang etc.,2005;Yuan Donghai etc.,2004;A. Fey,G. Benckiser,J.C.G. Ottow,1999).The constructed wetlands consisting of varied plants,such as Phragmitas communis Trin,Canna indica Linn. or Acorus gramineus Soland,Grassleaved Sweetflag,are effective in eliminating chemical oxygen demand(“COD”) in the waste water(Zhao Jiangang etc.,2006;Zhong Yushu etc.,2006;Yuan Donghai etc.,2004).Therefore wetlands can be used to reduce water pollution(Weng Meiya etc.,2005;Liu Zilian etc.,2005;Robert M. Seams,1995).So far most current studies have been developed in the South China with few in the Northeast area of China. 19 kinds of wetland plants growing along the Songhua River is selected in Jinlin City. We analyze and decide which plants are suitable for plant landscape application due to their better urban sewage treatment functions.

Digestibility of common reed (Pharagmites communis Trin.) silage as ruminant feed and effects of inclusion levels in the diet of breeding cows on feed intake, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites.

To examine the digestibility of common reed (Pharagmites communis Trin.) silage and effects of inclusion levels in the diet of breeding cows on nutrient intakes, ruminal fermentation and nutrient status, two digestion trials using four sheep and cows, respectively, at the maintenance stage were conducted. In the trial using sheep, common reed silage contained 20% crude protein (CP) and 50% total digestible nutrients (TDN) on a dry matter basis. In the trial using cows, treatments were the control (92.4% Sudangrass hay and 7.6% soybean meal) and CS25, CS50 and CS80 (replacing 25%, 50%, and 80% of the control with silage, respectively). The intake and sufficiency rate of CP increased by increasing the silage level in the diet (P<0.05), and the CP requirements of cows at maintenance was satisfied in CS80. In contrast, the sufficiency rate of TDN decreased in CS80, although it was 99.8%. Ruminal pH and NH3 -N concentration changed among the treatments (P<0.05); however, the blood metabolites were not affected by silage. The results indicated that including common reed silage of up to 80% in the diet of breeding cows was possible and did not have adverse effects on the blood metabolites.

Impacts of salinity on degradation of pollutions in hybrid constructed wetlands

To investigate the impact of salinity on the pollution removal performance of constructed wetlands (CWs), four sets of hybrid CWs (HCW) were considered herein. The HCWs were composed of free water surface flow (FWS) and subsurface flow (SSF) CWs that were planted with cattail (Typha orientalis Presl.) and reed (Phragmites communis Trin.), respectively. After a preliminary experiment of almost seven months with influent fresh wastewater, NaCl was added at concentrations of 5 ppt, 10 ppt, and 20 ppt to simulate the impact of salinity. The removal performance was compared with that of the control CWs, and the impact of salinity on FWS CWs, SSF CWs, and HCWs were investigated. According to the experimental results, the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal ratio in FWS CWs decreased from 70.3% to 58.3% as salinity increased from 0 ppt to 20 ppt, while that in SSF CWs fell significantly from 53.5% to 36.9% as salinity increased to ≧10 ppt. However, hybrid CWs offered more stable BOD removal and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) removal under salinity impact. Salinity≧10 ppt stimulated the removal performance of NH3-N in FWS CWs to 19.4% while salinity≦5 ppt had no significant effect. In SSF CWs, a linear relationship was observed between removal loading and salinity, and NH3-N removal completely ceased at a salinity of 30.6 ppt. All removal ratios of NO3─-N>94.9% in FWS CWs revealed that salinity had almost no impact because the environment was anaerobic and contained sufficient organic carbon. The TP removal ratio in FWS CWs decreased from 14.7% to 9.2% as salinity increased from 0 ppt to 20 ppt and that in SSF CWs decreased monotonically from 7.2% to −0.2%. The impact period of salinity showed versatile reaction patterns of pollution removals in FWS CWs, SSF CWs, and HCWs. It distributed from 28 days to 186 days, after which the removal performance of CWs was restored.

The adaptive significance of differences of root morphology, anatomy and physiology from three ecotypes of reed (Phragmites communis Trin.)

Reeds are widely distributed in drought and high salt conditions of northwestern China. Leaf epidermal micromorphology, anatomy, chloroplast ultrastructure and physio-chemical characteristics due to long-term adaptation in the natural habitats of common reed ( Phragmites communis Trin.) contrasted considerably among three different ecotypes: dune reed (DR), Gobi salt reed (GSR) and swamp reed (SR). The main objective of the present study is to determine the adapting characteristics of morphology, anatomy and physiological responses of thin roots in DR, GSR and SR. The results show that root length density was higher in SR and few root hairs were observed in DR. Cross-section anatomical features show that each ecotype has an endodermis and exodermis, while cortex thickness and proportion of root cortical aerenchyma and stele in root structure varied among the three ecotypes. The stele and xylem share a larger area in DR compared to GSR and SR. GSR has a large proportion of the cortex with radialized distribution of aerenchyma cells spacing, and the cortex has a peripheral, mechanically stiff ring in the exodermis. SEM and TEM microscope images show that GSR has a sclerenchyma ring with high lignification in the exodermis. The physio-chemical parameters show that GSR had a higher level of stress tolerance than DR. These findings indicate that developed water-absorbing tissues were largely distributed in the root structure of DR, and a main framework with supporting function spacing with aerenchyma was dominant in GSR in the long term adaptation to their natural habitats, respectively.

Impact of heat treatment of the water reed Phragmites communis Trin. used for thatching on its stability, elasticity and resistance to fungal decomposition

Throughout the year both abiotic and biotic factors influence the durability of tiled thatch negatively in various ways. Many environmental factors including annual fluctuations in UV radiation, wind and hail can affect the mechanical stability of top layers, whereas intensified rainfall promotes water absorption and swelling, thus, providing a basis for the colonization of ligninocellulolytic basidiomycetes. In this study we investigated the impact of a heat treatment on the physical properties of the water reed Phragmites communis Trin. in order to elucidate procedures that may protect and improve the quality of thatch. After drying the reed samples by heating them for 2 h at temperatures between 100 and 220 °C we investigated distinct modifications in their mechanical properties, water absorbency and resistance to fungal decomposition. Drying Phragmites samples at 120–160 °C increased the flexural strength and the technical elasticity limit. These features were only negatively affected when the temperature was increased to ≥180 °C. In contrast, the breaking strength was negatively affected by temperatures above 100 °C and achieved a maximal decrease of 56% when reed samples were dried at 220 °C. The water uptake capacity showed a significant inverse correlation with the temperature rise which may well have affected degradation by the reed-colonizing white-rot fungus Phlebia tremellosa. The effect of the heat treatment on subsequent deterioration of the reeds by fungal attack was already evident at 120 °C (−35% degradation in comparison to controls) after incubating the reed samples for 45 d with the test strain, whereas deterioration after a heat treatment at 220 °C was negligible. These results suggest that the durability of thatch can be improved overall by a kiln-dry at a specific temperature range between 120 and 140 °C.

식생기반형 LID 시설의 식재식물 선정을 위한 내침수성 비교

본 연구는 식생기반형 LID 시설에 적합한 식물선정을 위해 수환경 적응도가 높은 10종의 식물을 반침수와 완전침수 조건에서 침수기간별 생육상태를 조사하여 내침수성을 비교하였다. 침수기간별 수고, 엽폭을 비교 분석한 결과, 내침수성은 원추리 > 골풀 > 노란꽃창포 > 갈대 > 부들 > 벌개미취 > 붓꽃 > 속새 > 창포 순으로 나타났다. 특히, 원추리, 골풀, 노란꽃창포는 두가지 침수조건에서 모두 양호한 생장을 보였으며, 붓꽃, 속새는 27일 전후로 고사되었으나 내침수성이 비교적 강한 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 반침 수구 조건에서 21일 기준으로 완전침수구와 달리 노란꽃창포가 내침수성이 매우 강한 식물로 나타났으며, 벌개미취 또한 양호한 생장을 하며 내침수성이 강한 것으로 나타났다. 본 실험을 통해 식생기반형 LID 시설에 적합한 식물로 원추리, 골풀, 노란꽃창포가 선정되었으며, 벌개미취, 붓꽃, 속새 또한 침수기간에 따른 이용 가능성을 확인하였다. In this study, 10 species of plants with high adaptability to aquatic environments were compared for selecting plant species suitable for vegetation-based low impact development (LID) facilities. The flooding tolerances of the plants were tested by analyzing their growth status under half-immersion and full-immersion conditions, with varying durations of immersion. In decreasing order of flooding tolerance, the comparative analysis of plant height and leaf width is as follows: Hemerocallis fulva, Juncus effusus var. decipiens, Iris pseudoacorus, Phragmites communis TRIN, Typha orientalis C.Presl, Aster koraiensis Nakai, Iris sanguinea, Equisetum hyemale, Acorus calamus. Specifically, Hemerocallis fulva, Juncus effusus var. decipiens. Iris pseudoacorus showed excellent growth status under both immersion conditions. Iris sanguinea and Equisetum hyemale. withered to death by around day 27 of the experiment, but their flooding tolerance was confirmed to be relatively high. Iris pseudoacoru showed flooding tolerance under the half-immersion condition unlike under the full-immersion condition, when compared on day 21 of the experiment. Aster koraiensis Nakai also thrived better under the half-immersion condition, proving to be a highly immersion-resistant species. On the basis of the results of this experiment, Hemerocallis fulva, Juncus effusus var. decipiens and Iris pseudoacorus, Typha orientalis C.Presl were selected as species suitable for vegetation-based LID facilities.

Distribution of some parasitic fungi on Phragmites communis Trin. in Poland

Distribution of some parasitic fungi on Phragmites communis Trin. in Poland

Effects of year and harvest time within the year on yield and chemical composition of common reed (Phragmites communisTrin.) as ruminant feed

We conducted a 3-year experiment to investigate the effects of year and harvest time within the year on the yields and chemical compositions of common reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) as ruminant feed. The first, second and third harvests in each of the 3 years were cut when the grass grew about 1 m tall. Dry matter (DM) yields varied significantly among the years and harvests within individual years (P < 0.05) despite relatively constant herbage growth rates (approximately 11 g DM m−2 day−1). Concentrations of organic cellular contents, crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were negatively correlated with the growth duration (P < 0.05), showing a sharp decline when the growth duration exceeded 40 days. Concentrations of organic cell wall and organic b increased with the growth duration (P < 0.05). The results suggest that approximately 1 kg DM m−2 of herbage containing 17% CP and 50% TDN could be produced by harvesting the grass three times annually at intervals of approximately 40 days.

Characterization of fungi of the genus Mycena isolated from houses thatched with Phragmites communis Trin. in Northern Germany: Enzyme pattern and reed decay

Numerous fruiting bodies of Mycena species were collected from reed-thatched houses in Northern Germany. The fungi were isolated via spore sowing, purified and then characterized in regard to their ligninolytic enzyme pattern. All fungal isolates were able to decolorize the anthraquinone dye Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) confirming a ligninolytic enzyme activity. In addition, various Mycena species degraded carboxymethyl cellulose and birch wood xylan to varying extents. The strains produced laccase and in some cases manganese peroxidase, which are considered to be key enzymes involved in lignin degradation. The addition of comminuted reed resulted partly in a considerable increase of the laccase activity in liquid cultures. In extensive long-term experiments on solid media with reed as substrate the Mycena species Mycena arcangeliana, Mycena epipterygia variation epipterygia, Mycena galopus variation leucogala and Mycena polygramma caused a significant weight loss of reed between 7.8 and 17.2 % within 70 d. Because of this, we believe that these Mycena species can be classified as reed-decomposing fungi that may affect the quality of reed roofs.

Multi-Polarization ASAR Backscattering from Herbaceous Wetlands in Poyang Lake Region, China

Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems on Earth. There is an urgent need to quantify the biophysical parameters (e.g., plant height, aboveground biomass) and map total remaining areas of wetlands in order to evaluate the ecological status of wetlands. In this study, Environmental Satellite/Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ENVISAT/ASAR) dual-polarization C-band data acquired in 2005 is tested to investigate radar backscattering mechanisms with the variation of hydrological conditions during the growing cycle of two types of herbaceous wetland species, which colonize lake borders with different elevation in Poyang Lake region, China. Phragmites communis (L.) Trin. is semi-aquatic emergent vegetation with vertical stem and blade-like leaves, and the emergent Carex spp. has rhizome and long leaves. In this study, the potential of ASAR data in HH-, HV-, and VV-polarization in mapping different wetland types is examined, by observing their dynamic variations throughout the whole flooding cycle. The sensitivity of ASAR backscattering coefficients to vegetation parameters of plant height, fresh and dry biomass, and vegetation water content is also analyzed for Phragmites communis (L.) Trin. and Carex spp. The research for Phragmites communis (L.) Trin. shows that HH polarization is more sensitive to plant height and dry biomass than HV polarization. ASAR backscattering coefficients are relatively less sensitive to fresh biomass, especially in HV polarization. However, both are highly dependent on canopy water content. In contrast, the dependence of HH- and HV- backscattering from Carex community on vegetation parameters is poor, and the radar backscattering mechanism is controlled by ground water level.

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF ZERO SEWAGE DISCHARGE SYSTEM FOR MODEL TOWNSHIP

The ability of aquatic macrophytes to accumulate la rge quantities of nutrients from their environment is well documented. Reed Bed Combination Techniques for the treatment of the dif ferent types of wastewater have been used by severa l Researchers / Scientists all over the world. This concept has the potential to a chieve a zero discharge wastewater treatment system . Man has always reached for technology for development. He insists it will brin g higher levels of progress. But doesn’t have the p atience to study the slow-growing plants nor does he understands the natural cycles. Schoenoplectus lacustris (L.), Palla (old designati on Scirpus lacustris) species is capable of “removing large quantities of organic an d inorganic substances from contaminated waters” pr oved by the research of Dr. Kaethe Seidel in 1953 [5]. She had also shown that they take up large quantities of Ballast substances including Cobalt, Copper, Nickel and Manganese from sewage water and other hi gher plants, including the common reed, Phragmites communis Trin, are capable of drying out and mineralizing assorted slu dge combinations which are difficult to remove. The almost water-free residues contain very little if any dangerous bacteria. This technique is an Engineered Wetland System develope d on the principle of Natural Wetland. This paper will discuss the potential wide spread of similar systems where there is no infrast ructure for Municipal waste Disposal. The Development of an appropriate Zero Di scharge wastewater facility has the potential to ad dress the source of Environmental pollution in India.

Improvement of Inflow Water Quality of Dian Lake Treated by Constructed Wetlands

A surface-flow wetland and a subsurface-flow wetland respectively were constructed at the entrance of Dian Lake in Yunnan Province. Six plants such as Canna indica L., Scirpus tabernaemontanl Gmel., Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms., Oenanthe ja vania (Bl.) DC., Acorus calamus L., Phragmitas communis Trin. were planted in the two constructed wetlands in separated sections on condition that hydraulic loading was 12 cm/d, hydraulic retention time (HRT) was 3 d. The results show that the removal efficiencies of subsurface constructed wetlands on TP and TN with canna indica L. or Scirpus tabernaemontanl Geml. are stable. Removal efficiencies of the former on TN and TP are 70.60% and 88.27%, respectively. Removal efficiencies of the later on TN and TP are 73.33% and 83.87%, respectively. Removal efficiencies of the constructed wetlands with Acorus calamus L. and Phragmitas communis Trin., the removal efficiencies of TN are 71.73% and 74.33%, respectively, and removal efficiencies of TP are unstable. The subsurface wetland of Eichornia ciassipes (Mart.) Solms. and Phragmitas communis Trin. on removal of TP and TN in summer or fall are more efficient. The two types of constructed wetlands have good effect on the removal of COD, which are above 78%, and the effluent concentration of CODcr is less than 57 mg/L .