Evergreen Research Articles

Assessing and optimizing the potential for climate change mitigation and carbon sequestration in urban residential green spaces: energizing sustainable cities

IntroductionUrban green spaces play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. This study aimed to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential of common plant species in urban residential areas and provide recommendations for optimizing green space design and management.MethodsThe research was conducted in four residential areas of Nanjing, China, where key growth parameters of 20 plant species, including evergreen trees, deciduous trees, evergreen shrubs, and deciduous shrubs, were measured. The assimilation method was employed to calculate carbon sequestration per unit canopy area and for entire plants.ResultsThe results showed that the carbon sequestration capacities of different plant species and types exhibited significant differences, with p-values less than 0.05. In terms of daily carbon sequestration per unit canopy projection area, the ranking was as follows: evergreen trees > evergreen shrubs > deciduous trees > deciduous shrubs. For total plant carbon sequestration, the ranking was: evergreen trees > deciduous trees > evergreen shrubs > deciduous shrubs. Evergreen trees performed excellently in both carbon sequestration metrics, with the average daily carbon sequestration per unit canopy projection area and for the entire plant being 18.0024 g/(m2·d) and 462.28 g/d, respectively. The study also observed seasonal variations, with carbon sequestration rates being higher in autumn and summer compared to spring and winter. During the summer, the average daily carbon sequestration per unit canopy projection area and for the entire plant were 11.975 g/(m2·d) and 161.744 g/d, respectively, while in autumn, these values were 13.886 g/(m2·d) and 98.458 g/d. Seasonal variations were also observed, with autumn and summer exhibiting higher carbon sequestration rates compared to spring and winter. Additionally, CO2 concentrations were monitored across the four residential areas, providing insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of carbon sequestration.DiscussionBased on the findings, optimization strategies were proposed, such as prioritizing the selection and integration of high-performing evergreen tree species in urban green space design and incorporating diverse plant types to enhance year-round carbon sequestration. This study contributes to the development of sustainable urban planning and landscape management practices, promoting the role of green spaces in mitigating climate change and enhancing urban resilience.

A note on Pterospermum obtusifolium Wight ex Mast. (Malvaceae), a rare endemic evergreen tree of southern Western Ghats, India

Pterospermum obtusifolium Wight ex Mast. is a rare, large, evergreen tree endemic to the southern Western Ghats. The authors have collected specimens from two locations in Courtallum, Sengottai Forest Division, Tenkasi District, Tamil Nadu. As detailed taxonomic account including fresh images are not available until now, they are provided in this paper for the first time.

Invasion of temperate riparian forests by Acacia dealbata affects macroinvertebrate community structure in streams

The riparian forest determines many of the stream characteristics such as physicochemical variables and the availability and quality of food resources for aquatic communities. In central Portugal, native mixed deciduous forests are being heavily invaded by Acacia dealbata, which is an evergreen and nitrogen-fixing tree species, but effects on stream benthic macroinvertebrate communities are unknown. We assessed invasion effects on macroinvertebrate communities by comparing streams flowing through native forests (native streams) and streams flowing through forests heavily invaded by A. dealbata (invaded streams), in central Portugal. We did not find major differences in macroinvertebrate abundance, total taxa richness or diversity between native and invaded streams, due to high variation among native streams. However, taxonomic structure of macroinvertebrate communities differed between stream types, with invaded streams showing lower percentage of sensitive taxa. Macroinvertebrate communities structure based on functional feeding groups also differed between stream types, with a tendency for higher abundance of shredders and scrapers/grazers and lower abundance of filter feeders in native than invaded streams, probably due to altered composition of leaf litter inputs and canopy cover within invaded streams. Our findings suggest that invasion by A. dealbata affect macroinvertebrate community mostly in terms of taxonomic and functional structure. Since A. dealbata is rapidly spreading in all southern Europe, this study highlights the importance of enhancing the comprehension of its impact on aquatic communities to identify ecological risks and formulate effective mitigation strategies.

Elucidation of Phytochemicals and Antidiabetic Activity of Methanolic Ex-tract of Piper betle Leaves on nSTZ-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Model Rats

Piper betle is an evergreen plant that has been claimed to possess various therapeutic properties including diabetes for a long period of time. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of Piper betle (100% methanolic extract) on neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) induced type 2 diabetic (T2DM) model rats. P. betle methanolic extract preparation and phytochemicals screening test were done by following standard methods. Diabetes was induced in 48hrs rat pups by a single ip injection of STZ (90mg/kg bw). After three months, OGTT was done (glucose 2.5g/10ml/kg bw) to find out their glycemic status. Six normal and 18 T2DM Long Evans rats were chosen and divided them into four groups. Where group (i) was comprised of normal rats i) Normal water control (NWC); ii) Diabetic water Control (DWC), iii) Gliclazide (GT 20mg/5ml/kg bw) and iv) P. betle (1.25g/10ml/kg bw) extract treated groups respectively. In 28 days, experimental period groups (i) and (ii) received water orally (10ml/kg bw) respectively with a single feeding. 24 Blood samples were collected at the beginning by tail cut and cardiac puncture method was done at the end of the study under halothane anesthesia. Blood serum and dissected small portion of the liver were stored at -20˚C refrigerator for biochemical (fasting serum glucose, serum insulin, serum lipid profiles) and liver glyco-gen estimation. Statistical Analysis was done by using SPSS-16 software. Phytochemicals screening revealed that P. betle extract contain significant amount of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids. Oral consumption of P. betle showed that, a significant (P<0.01) reduction of FSG had been found when compared to the base line value. Moreover, while compared to the DWC a significant (P< 0.01) reduction of FSG has been found in P. betle treated group respectively. GT group also ameliorated FSG significantly (p<0.03) while compared to the base line value. Liver glycogen content was increased (24%) in P. betle treated rats when compared to the DWC group. Serum insulin level also increased significantly (P< 0.001) when compared to the baseline value. Furthermore, the consecutive treatment of P. betle resulted in a significant reduction of TG and Cholesterol (p<0.001 & p<0.02), a 10% decrease in LDL, and a significant increase in HDL (p<0.01). The findings of our study suggest that P. betle possesses significantly hypoglycemic and insulinomimetic properties due to the abundant sources of phytochemicals.

Plant root carbon inputs drive methane production in tropical peatlands

Tropical peatlands are carbon-dense ecosystems that are significant sources of atmospheric methane (CH4). Recent work has demonstrated the importance of trees as an emission pathway for CH4 from the peat to the atmosphere. However, there remain questions over the processes of CH4 production in these systems and how they relate to substrate supply. Principally, these questions relate to the relative contribution of recent photosynthetically fixed carbon, released as root exudates, versus carbon substrate supply from the slowly decomposing peat matrix to CH4 emissions within these ecosystems. Here, we examined the role of root inputs in regulating CH4 production inferred from soil emissions using a combination of in situ tree girdling, in situ13C natural abundance labelling via stem injections, and a 13CO2 labelling of transplanted plants of two contrasting plant functional types, a broadleaved evergreen tree, and a canopy palm. Girdling of broadleaved evergreen trees reduced CH4 fluxes by up to 67%. Stem injections of trees and palms with a natural abundance label resulted in significant isotopic enrichment of CH4 fluxes, reinforcing the link between root carbon inputs and peat CH4 fluxes. Ex situ13CO2 labelling of plants resulted in significant 13C enrichment of peat CH4 fluxes. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that plant root exudates make a substantial contribution to CH4 production in tropical peatlands.

Evaluation of Antioxidant, Xanthine Oxidase-Inhibitory, and Antibacterial Activity of Syzygium cumini Linn. Seed Extracts

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels, commonly known as the Jamun or Indian blackberry, is a tropical evergreen tree native to the Indian subcontinent, and it belongs to the Myrtaceae family. This research aimed to assess the antibacterial properties of the extracts derived from S. cumini seed kernels and evaluate their total flavonoid content, total phenol content, total carbohydrate content, antioxidant capacity, and inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase. Cold maceration was chosen for its ability to preserve thermolabile compounds and efficiently extract bioactive constituents with minimal energy and equipment requirement, with hexane and methanol employed as extraction solvents. The methanolic seed kernel extract of S. cumini showed the highest flavonoid (127.78 μg quercetin equivalent/mg dried extract vs. 21.24 μg quercetin equivalent/mg in hexane dried extract) and polyphenol content (153.81 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg dried extract vs. 38.89 μg gallic acid equivalent/mg in hexane dried extract), along with significant carbohydrate content (475.61 μg glucose equivalent/mg dried extract vs. 5.57 μg GE/mg in hexane dried extract). It also demonstrated potent antioxidant activity (IC50: 9.23 μg/mL; ascorbic acid: 5.10 μg/mL) and xanthine oxidase inhibition (IC50: 14.88 μg/mL), comparable to the standard drug allopurinol (IC50: 6.54 μg/mL), suggesting its therapeutic potential. Moreover, the methanolic extract of seed kernels exhibited strong antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 19.00 mm against S. epidermidis, higher than the standard antibiotic (gentamicin: 18.33 mm) against K. pneumonia (ciprofloxacin: 33.66 mm). The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 0.32 mg/mL and 0.52 mg/mL, respectively, were observed for the same extract against S. epidermis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the remarkable antibacterial effects of S. cumini methanolic seed kernel extract against various pathogenic microorganisms as well as significant inhibitory effects on xanthine oxidase and antioxidant activity.

Chronic and infectious respiratory mortality and short-term exposures to four types of pollen taxa in older adults in Michigan, 2006-2017

IntroductionLevels of plant-based aeroallergens are rising as growing seasons lengthen and intensify with anthropogenic climate change. Increased exposure to pollens could increase risk for mortality from respiratory causes, particularly among older adults. We determined short-term, lag associations of four species classes of pollen (ragweed, deciduous trees, grass pollen and evergreen trees) with respiratory mortality (all cause, chronic and infectious related) in Michigan, USA.MethodsWe obtained records for all Michigan deaths from 2006-2017 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Deaths from infectious and chronic respiratory-related causes were selected using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. Pollen data were obtained from a prognostic model of daily pollen concentrations at 25 km resolution. Case-crossover models with distributed lag non-linear crossbases for pollen were used to estimate associations between lags of daily pollen concentrations with mortality and to explore effect modification by sex and racial groups.Results127,163 deaths were included in the study. Cumulative daily high concentrations (90th percentile) of deciduous broadleaf, grass and ragweed were associated with all-cause respiratory mortality at early lags with e.g., a 1.81 times higher risk of all respiratory deaths at cumulative 7 day lag exposure to deciduous broadleaf pollen at the 90th percentile (95% confidence interval: 1.04, 3.15). Exposure to high concentrations of grass and ragweed pollens was associated with increased risk for death from chronic respiratory causes. No association was found for any pollen species with death from infectious respiratory causes though there was a positive but non-significant association of exposure to deciduous broadleaf and ragweed pollens. We found no evidence to suggest effect modification by race or sex.ConclusionsModelled exposures to high concentrations of pollen taxa were associated with increased all-cause and chronic respiratory mortality among older adults. Results suggest that pollen exposure may become more important to respiratory mortality as the temperatures increase and pollen seasons lengthen.

Combined Impacts of Climate and Tree Physiology on Mercury Accumulation in Tropical and Subtropical Foliage and Robust Model Parametrization.

Atmospheric elemental mercury (Hg0) assimilation by foliage contributes prevalently to the global atmospheric Hg0 sink in forests. Today, little is known about the mechanisms of foliar Hg accumulation and how climate factors and tree physiology interact to impact it. Here, we examined meteorological factors, foliar physiological traits, and Hg accumulation rates from leaf emergence to senescence in a tropical rainforest, tropical savanna, and subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest. Also, robust models for foliar Hg accumulation were parametrized. Generally, foliar Hg accumulation rate in subtropical evergreen forest was highest (16.4 ± 12.3 ng m-2 day-1), followed by the tropical rainforest (14.2 ± 9.8 ng m-2 day-1), and lowest in the tropical savanna (4.7 ± 4.9 ng m-2 day-1). Atmospheric relative humidity, stomatal conductance, and leaf photosynthesis are key drivers of spatial-temporal variations in foliar Hg accumulation. The canopy-structure-induced specific leaf physiological traits drive temporal variations in foliar Hg accumulation, and climate-controlled leaf physiological traits account for spatial variations among three forests. Finally, our robust models enable precise simulation of foliar Hg accumulation rates at both tree species and ecosystem scales facilitating particularly regional and global Hg transport and chemical models to quantify the vegetation's role as a sink for atmospheric Hg0 uptake.

Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing

Caves are one of the most exciting environments on earth, often considered an evolutionary laboratory due to the suite of convergent adaptive traits (troglomorphisms) of organisms inhabiting them. Sinonychia martensi Zhang & Derkarabetian, 2021, is the first and only Travunioidea species recorded in China and is endemic to Beijing, being known from multiple caves. However, nothing is known regarding its phylogeographic or evolutionary history. In this study, we assessed the species boundaries of S. martensi from nine caves using morphological and molecular methods to elucidate its phylogenetic position and genealogical relationships. We also investigated the genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of S. martensi to clarify the population-level relationships and make inferences about historical phylogeography. The results indicate that the species from different caves all belonged to S. martensi but represent different populations. These populations exhibit strong population structure and low genetic diversity. Cave populations may share a common ancestor and multiple independent invasions to different caves. The diversification within S. martensi was likely driven by climate change and subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests associated with the middle Miocene. This study highlights the need for further conservation efforts and exploration in Beijing caves.

Assessing the seasonality of foliar nutrient concentrations in woody plants.

Seasonal variations in foliar nutrient concentrations are an important strategy of plants to adapt to different climates and availabilities of soil nutrients. Gaps in our knowledge, however, remain in both the seasonality of the concentrations of multiple nutrients in plant leaves and their spatial pattern on a large scale. We compiled data on foliar concentrations of nine essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu) in woody plants in China and evaluated the characteristics and latitudinal patterns of their seasonal variability (i.e., seasonality). Foliar concentrations of mobile nutrients (N, P, K, and Zn) in deciduous broadleaf woody plants decreased significantly during the growing season, but nonmobile nutrients (Ca and Mn) continued to accumulate. In contrast, the foliar nutrient concentrations in evergreen broadleaves and conifers generally showed no significant seasonal trend. The seasonality of foliar nutrient concentration was weaker for the nutrients with higher foliar concentrations, supporting the hypothesis of seasonal stability of high-demand nutrients. The seasonality of foliar nutrient concentration was stronger for deciduous than evergreen plants, while the effect of plant phylogeny was not statistically significant. The seasonality of foliar N and P concentrations increased with latitude in the deciduous broadleaf woody plants, but evergreen plants showed no significant latitudinal trend. The spatial patterns of seasonality for foliar N and P concentrations were significantly explained by climate and foliar habit. These findings improve our understanding of the seasonality of plant foliar concentrations of multiple nutrients as a strategy to adapt to varying climatic conditions.

Leaf Photosynthetic and Respiratory Thermal Acclimation in Terrestrial Plants in Response to Warming: A Global Synthesis.

Leaf photosynthesis and respiration are two of the largest carbon fluxes between the atmosphere and biosphere. Although experiments examining the warming effects on photosynthetic and respiratory thermal acclimation have been widely conducted, the sensitivity of various ecosystem and vegetation types to warming remains uncertain. Here we conducted a meta-analysis on experimental observations of thermal acclimation worldwide. We found that the optimum temperature for photosynthetic rate (Topt) and the maximum rate of carboxylation of Rubisco (ToptV) in tropical forest plants increased by 0.51°C and 2.12°C per 1°C of warming, respectively. Similarly, Topt and the optimum temperature for maximum electron transport rate for RuBP regeneration (ToptJ) in temperate forest plants increased by 0.91°C and 0.15°C per 1°C of warming, respectively. However, reduced photosynthetic rates at optimum temperature (Aopt) were observed in tropical forest (17.2%) and grassland (16.5%) plants, indicating that they exhibited limited photosynthetic thermal acclimation to warming. Warming reduced respiration rate (R25) in boreal forest plants by 6.2%, suggesting that respiration can acclimate to warming. Photosynthesis and respiration of broadleaved deciduous trees may adapt to warming, as indicated by higher Aopt (7.5%) and Topt (1.08°C per 1°C of warming), but lower R25 (7.7%). We found limited photosynthetic thermal acclimation in needleleaved evergreen trees (-14.1%) and herbs (-16.3%), both associated with reduced Aopt. Respiration of needleleaved deciduous trees acclimated to warming (reduced R25 and temperature sensitivity of respiration (Q10)); however, broadleaved evergreen trees did not acclimate (increased R25). Plants in grasslands and herbaceous species displayed the weakest photosynthetic acclimation to warming, primarily due to the significant reductions in Aopt. Our global synthesis provides a comprehensive analysis of the divergent effects of warming on thermal acclimation across ecosystem and vegetation types, and provides a framework for modeling responses of vegetation carbon cycling to warming.

Autumn and winter air phytofiltration - Are plants able to biofilter air during peak pollutant emissions?

Air pollution is highest in winter. The high concentration of particulate matter (PM) and trace elements (TE) after the growing season is influenced by increased pollutant emissions, unfavorable meteorological conditions, and the low efficiency of air phytofiltration. Plants that can remove pollutants from the air during the growing season are leafless in autumn/winter, and therefore unable to capture PM/TE effectively. This study investigated the ability of nine species of leafy evergreen plants to accumulate PM (surface and in-wax PM; PM2.5 and PM10) and TE in autumn and winter. Plant material was harvested in November and December from the park in Wuhan, China. The amount of accumulated pollutants depended on the species. The shrubs (Loropetalum chinense, Pittosporum tobira, Rhododendron simsii) and grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), were more effective at phytofiltration of PM and TE per leaf area unit than the trees. However, to better understand the potential of plants to accumulate PM in relation to a unit of land area, the leaf area index (LAI) has to be considered. Ligustrum lucidum and P. tobira characterized by low LAI, despite having PM deposition comparable to other trees and shrubs, exhibited a markedly reduced efficacy of pollutants accumulation in relation to square metre of land they occupy. In contrast to the TE concentration in winter, PM deposition on plants did not always increase after the autumn, probably due to the park's low density of vegetation, PM resuspension by wind, and a decrease in the plants' physiological activity. Seasonal variations in pollutants accumulation among species were recorded during the autumn/winter. This study reinforces the need for biodiversity and higher-density urban greening to optimize post-growth air phytofiltration. A holistic, year-round air pollution mitigation strategy should be provided by incorporating more diverse evergreen plant species with complementary phytofiltering properties.

Assessment of Suitable Habitats, Fragmentation Analysis, and Ecological Corridor Identification for Sichuan Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Sichuan Province, Southwest China.

The Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) was found to possess significant scientific and conservation value but faced multiple threats including habitat fragmentation and loss, human disturbance, illegal hunting, and the impacts of climate change on their habitat. To enhance habitat protection for this species, our study utilized field survey data and distribution records from protected areas to systematically evaluate spatial heterogeneity in suitable habitat distribution and habitat quality in Sichuan Province. Integration of 3S technology and ecological modeling allowed for a comprehensive assessment. We found that: (1) The potential habitat area for the species in Sichuan Province covered 78,470.47 km², with suitable and marginally suitable habitats occupying 28,301.36 and 50,169.11 km² respectively. Suitable habitats were predominantly found at elevations of 1600-3200 m, in areas with low population density and minimal human disturbance. (2) Suitable habitats within protected areas accounted for 42.7% of the total suitable habitat area, while marginally suitable habitats within protected areas comprised 24.8% of the total marginally suitable habitat area. (3) Vegetation types most utilized by the species, ranked from highest to lowest preference, were deciduous broadleaf forests, evergreen coniferous forests, evergreen broadleaf forests, mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, and shrublands. Evergreen coniferous forests exhibited the largest patch area and lowest fragmentation, whereas deciduous broadleaf forests showed higher fragmentation within protected areas. (4) Four potential ecological corridors were identified, connecting the Wujiao, Xuebaoding, and Baodinggou nature reserves. Strengthening the protection of suitable habitats and potential ecological corridors would enhance landscape connectivity, facilitating the effective utilization of suitable habitats by the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. Our findings provided a scientific basis for future conservation and management efforts for the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.

Landscape and conservation genetics of western black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor) in China.

Despite decades of field study, very little is known about the molecular ecology of gibbons, particularly as it relates to their ability to disperse across degraded and fragmentary landscapes. The critically endangered western black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor) has been reduced to a small, fragmented population with about 1300 individuals. In the largest population genetic study of free-ranging gibbons to date, we sampled 47 of these gibbons from 13 sites in China and generated 15 polymorphic autosomal microsatellite markers. We identify three population clusters of N. concolor in Yunnan centered in 1) the Wuliang and Ailao Mountains, 2) the Yongde Daxueshan Mountains, and 3) an isolated remnant near the border with Vietnam. Within the Wuliang Mountains, we identified four subclusters, three of which are bounded by high-altitude rhododendron forest, and one that is isolated from the main population by ~2 km of degraded forest and pasture. Least-cost path analysis and isolation by resistance modeling demonstrates that the population genetic distances among gibbons in Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve are significantly correlated with geographic paths that avoid use of high-altitude rhododendron forest in favor of evergreen broadleaf forest. Although these gibbons have likely undergone reductions in heterozygosity from recent consanguineous mating, we suggest that their active avoidance of inbreeding on the population level maintains higher than expected levels of genetic diversity. This research provides new insights into how gibbons interact with heterogeneous environments and expands our understanding of their molecular ecology and conservation genetics.

Nutraceutical and Ethnopharmacological Properties of Searsia lancea (L.f.) F.A.Barkley (Family Anacardiaceae): A Narrative Review.

<i>Searsia lancea </i>(L.f.) F.A.Barkley is an evergreen tree well-known for its edible fruits and is also widely used in traditional medicine. The current study was aimed at documenting medicinal and traditional uses of <i>S. lancea</i> and its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Research articles on nutraceutical and ethnopharmacological properties of <i>S. lancea</i> were searched from online databases such as PubMed<sup>®</sup>, Web of Science, SciELO, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect<sup>®</sup>, SpringerLink<sup>®</sup> and Scopus<sup>®</sup> and also pre-electronic literature obtained from the university library. <i>Searsia lancea</i> is used as ethnoveterinary medicine and as traditional medicine for fever, measles, sores, wounds, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, gastrointestinal problems and skin and respiratory infections. Chemical compounds identified from <i>S. lancea</i> include alcohol, alkane, amide, flavonoids, naphthalene, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones and volatile compounds. <i>Searsia lancea </i>crude extracts demonstrated anthelmintic, antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anticholinesterase (AChE), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxicity and nematicidal activities. This review highlights the need for detailed nutraceutical and ethnopharmacological studies of <i>S. lancea</i> focusing on its nutritional, phytochemical, biological and toxicological properties, <i>in vivo</i> and clinical studies.

Complete chloroplast genome of Syzygium glomeratum (Myrtaceae) and phylogenetic analysis

Syzygium glomeratum (Lam.) DC., known as “Tram Tron” in Vietnam, is an evergreen tree known for its medicinal properties. To understand the genomic and evolutionary basis of this plant, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genome of S. glomeratum for the first time, using the Illumina platform. The complete chloroplast of S. glomeratum was 158,469 bp in length and contained a large single-copy region (87,962 bp) and a small single-copy region (18,391 bp) separated by inverted repeat regions (26,058 bp). The genome encoded 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. A phylogenetic analysis of 42 Syzygium species revealed significant insight into their evolutionary relationships, indicating a closer relationship between S. glomeratum and its sister group (S. cinereum and S. claviflorum). In conclusion, our results provide genomic information pertaining to the chloroplast genome in S. glomeratum, which is also genetic information useful for further study of biodiversity, conservation, and evolutionary biology.

Comparative Study of Preservation Methods for Berberis Lycium Juice: A Laboratory Approach at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Dir Upper, Pakistan

This study examines the effects of diverse preservation techniques on the shelf life, nutritional importance, microbiological safety, and sensory behavior of Berberis lycium juice. These techniques consist of vacuum sealing, freezing, refrigeration, and adding natural preservatives such as sugar and honey. Berries were harvested from Pakistan's Upper Dir highlands and turned into juice in a lab. Samples were stored and examined using each technique at intervals of 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 21, 24, 27, and 30 days. Microscopy was used to inspect microbial development, and other parameters like pH, TSS, ascorbic acid concentration, microbial load, and sensory attributes were assessed. For long-standing preservation, vacuum sealing and refrigeration were not as much of successful as freezing, which deeply enhanced microbiological safety and sensory quality, predominantly when paired with honey or sugar. Three days passed previous to the control sample going bad. The study concludes that the best way to preserve Berberis lycium juice is by freezing it with natural preservatives. An evergreen plant aboriginal to the Himalayan region, Berberis lycium belongs to the Berberidaceae family. It has long been utilized for food and medicine, as well as for its roots, bark, stems, leaves, and fruits. The plant is well-identified in Ayurvedic medicine for its capability to prevent harm to the liver, abdomen, skin, cough, and eyes. Pharmacological research highlights its hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, antipyretic, hypoglycemic, and hyperlipidemic characteristics. The fruits which are consumed in raw or processed into juices, jams, and preserves by local communities, are profuse in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anthocyanins. An impression of the plant's many qualities is the target of this paper. Berberis lycium and other plants take action as biosynthetic laboratories for substances that are superior for human health. Medicinal plant extracts habitually exhibit antibacterial action, productively preventing the enlargement of bacteria and fungi.

Cophinforma tumefaciens causing Dieback disease in Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Per. in China.

Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Per., named as May Cang, is a rare deciduous evergreen tree and cultivated for its ethnopharmacological properties and medicinal uses. In 2020-2023, an outbreak of dieback disease was observed on the stems and branches of L. cubeba with above 80% disease incidence in a 150 hectare plantation in Yiyang, Hunan (N28°39'24"; E112°12'48"). In the early stages, water-soaked lesions appeared on the stems and branches. The infected sites turned elliptical in shape, dark brown, and swelled. The infected branches and stems died gradually. After scraping the bark from the diseased stems and branches under aseptic conditions, diseased tissues (5 mm2) from the diseased-healthy junction were cut off and placed on PDA containing penicillin (50 mg/L) at 25 ℃ to 28 ℃ in the dark for 3 to 4 days. Colonies from different tissues were subcultured by transferring the hyphal tip onto fresh PDA. Colonies with regular margin on PDA reached 60 mm diam after 3 d at 25℃ to 28℃, the aerial mycelia were woolly, grayish-white at first, gradually turned gray black after 14 days. No fruiting bodies were found on medium. On disease stems, conidia were hyaline, aseptate, granular, ellipsoid to obovoid, 18.0 to 33.4 × 5.5 to 9.8 μm (av. 25.6 × 7.4 μm, n=55). The internal transcribed spacers (ITS), 28S nrDNA (LSU), elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), and β-tubulin (TUB2) of isolate ACCC35248 and ACCC35249 (stored in the Agricultural Culture Collection of China) were PCR amplified and sequenced for further identification with primer pairs: .ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), LROR/LR7 (Rehner et al. 1994), EF1-728F/EF-2 (Zhao et al. 2021) and TUB4Rd/TUB2Fd (Woudenberg et al. 2009), respectively. Obtained sequences of ITS, LSU, TEF1 and TUB2 (Genebank accessions nos. PP577627 and PP577624, PP588412 and PP588413, PP584319 and PP584320, PP584321 and PP584322) showed above 99% homology with these sequences of Cophinforma tumefaciens ex-type culture IMI 76762 (ITS: MW810287, TEF: MZ073950 and TUB: MZ073935) and MFLUCC 11-0425 (ITS: JX64680, LSU: JX646817, TEF: JX646865 and TUB: JX646848) (Liu et al, 2012). Phylogenetic analysis with maximum likelihood in MEGA 10.0 using the concatenated ITS-TEF-TUB sequences placed the isolates within the C. tumefaciens clade with 100% bootstrap support. Therefore, the fungus was identified as C. tumefaciens. One-year-old healthy L. cubeba seedlings were surface-sterilized with 75% ethanol, then wounded with sterile needles and a 6-mm-diameter fungal plug of 14-day-old cultures grown on PDA was put on the wound. Sterile PDA plugs were used as controls, and all inoculated sites were wrapped with plastic film. The tests were repeated twice. At 7 days post-inoculation, symptoms were observed at the inoculated sites and the upper branches of the inoculation site died back two months later, while no symptoms were observed on the control plants. C. tumefaciens was re-isolated from the inoculated stems. C. tumefaciens can infect various plants and cause disease worldwide (Zhao et al. 2021), and this is the first report of a quarantine pathogen causing dieback on L. cubeba in China. This information will assist in preventing further spread of this pathogen.

Tissue Culture and Rapid Micropropagation for Quercus suber L.

Quercus suber L. (Q. suber) is an evergreen tree species known for producing high-quality cork. Traditional seed propagation of Q. suber has low viability and is time-consuming. Therefore, we used young stem segments of 2~3-year-old seedlings as explants, and optimized protocols for tissue culture and rapid micropropagation of Q. suber. The best disinfection method was 0.10% HgCl2 (v/v) for 5 min. 0.50 g·L−1 Poly Vinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) is the best anti-browning agent with a significant reduction in browning by nearly 1.76-fold (58.89% → 33.33%). Woody Plant Medium supplemented with micronutrients and vitamins from Murashige and Skoog Medium (WPMS) was found to be the most suitable for shoot formation. The optimal hormone ratio for development of shoots from axillary buds was 0.60 mg·L−1 6-benzyladenine (6-BA). Among the cytokinins tested, 0.50 mg·L−1 6-BA was the most suitable for development of shoots from axillary buds. In additon, the highest percentage of rooting explants (66.67%) and rooting number (3.03) was obtained on WPM basal medium supplemented 0.20 mg·L−1 IBA and 0.20 mg·L−1 NAA. In summary, we have established a set of protocols for tissue culture and rapid micropropagation of Q. suber. These findings lay the foundation for rapid micropropagation and genetic improvement.

Assessment of the usage in folk medicine and morphological characteristics of Eucalyptus gomphocephala and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Northern Cyprus

One of the most significant and extensively planted genera in the world is Eucalyptus, which consists of tall, evergreen trees with leathery leaves. They are indigenous to Australia and comprise more than 900 species and subspecies. About 62 species of eucalyptus may be found in Cyprus; 47 of these are named, while the remaining 15 are hybrid or unclassified. Traditional medicine uses a variety of eucalyptus species as an antiseptic and to treat upper respiratory tract illnesses. By inhaling the essential oil extracted from these plants, pulmonary infections can be treated therapeutically. The purpose of this study is to provide information on the physical characteristics of Eucalyptus gomphocephala and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, as well as to investigate the traditional usage of Eucalyptus trees in North Cyprus. It has been noted that there are numerous differences between the two species' flower buds, flowers, fruits, and barks. The purpose of this study, which is being conducted in Northern Cyprus, is to record and inform Eastern Mediterranean University Faculty of Pharmacy students and staff on the traditional uses of Eucalyptus species by various nations (Turkey, Cyprus, Iran, Nigeria, Uganda). One hundred informants were interviewed in-person for this study. Questions concerning the use of eucalyptus plants, where they come from, which parts of the plant are used, and how they are used were posed to interviewees, who ranged in age from 20 to 60. Observations have led to the widespread use of eucalyptus by Iranian and Turkish-speaking Cypriots, who boil the leaves and use the steam to enhance respiratory health.