Glebionis Coronaria Research Articles

Effects of Salt and Drought Stress on Germination of Non-native Plants in the Salt Marsh to Upland Transition Zone

Non-native plants are often found in the transition between the high salt marsh and upland zones of southern California salt marshes. Although plants in these transition zones experience high levels of abiotic stress associated with high salinity and seasonally variable moisture levels, non-native plants are often able to germinate during brief periods of lowered soil salinity that occur after winter rain. In this study, the germination response of four non-native plants (Glebionis coronaria, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Atriplex semibaccata, and Bassia hyssopifolia) was tested in a growth chamber at a range of soil salinity and moisture conditions found within this zone. Glebionis coronaria and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum were restricted to a narrow range of less stressful soil conditions, with successfully germination generally only at soil salinity values of 10 ppt or lower, and germination greatly diminished by low moisture levels. Atriplex semibaccata and Bassia hyssopifolia had successful germination at a wider range of soil conditions. The pattern of lower germination with low moisture levels was less pronounced for these species, and successful germination occurred at soil salinity levels of 20 ppt and 30 ppt, respectively. This indicates that non-native plants in the salt marsh vary in the extent to which germination is constrained by seasonal change in soil conditions. These results suggest that the potential management technique of controlling non-native plants through salt addition might not be effective for all non-native species. Species with a greater tolerance for high soil salinity and low moisture conditions might become more successful in the future, as rising sea levels and increase in drought conditions associated with global climate change create conditions that favor these species.

Supercapacitors based on a nitrogen doped hierarchical porous carbon fabricated by self-activation of biomass: excellent rate capability and cycle stability

Energy and environmental are always two major challenges for the sustainable development of the modern human being. For avoiding the serious environmental pollution caused in the fabrication process of porous carbon, a popular energy storage material, we reported a facile, green and activating agent free route hereby directly carbonizing a special biomass, Glebionis coronaria. A nitrogen doped hierarchical porous carbon with a specific surface area of up to 1007 m2 g−1 and a N doping content of up to 2.65 at.% was facilely fabricated by employing the above route. Benefiting from the peculiarly hierarchical porous morphology, enhanced wettability and improved conductivity, the obtained material exhibits superior capacitance performance, which capacitance reaches up to 205 F g−1 under two-electrode configuration, and no capacitance loss is observed after 5000 cycles. Meanwhile, the capacitance retention of the obtained material arrives up to 95.0% even under a high current density of 20 A g−1, illuminating its excellent rate capability. The fabricated nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon with larger capacitance than commercial activated carbon, excellent rate capability and cycle stability is an ideal cost-efficient substitution of commercial activated carbon for supercapacitor application.

Ground cover management with mixtures of flowering plants to enhance insect pollinators and natural enemies of pests in olive groves

The potential of ground cover management with mixtures of selected plants to provide habitats for pollinating insects and natural enemies of pests in an olive grove in southern Greece, was studied over a period of 3 years (2011–2013). The management consisted of the establishment of 3 m2 patches of sown plant species or spontaneous natural vegetation between trees along tree lines. The sown plant species in the mixtures were Sinapis alba L. (Brassicaceae), Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourr. and Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach (Asteraceae), Vicia sativa L. and Pisum sativum L. (Fabaceae), Borago officinalis L. (Boraginaceae), Coriandrum sativum L. and Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae). Sowing was performed in autumn or spring and the peak flowering period occurred at the end of March to end of April, and at the end of May to end of June, respectively. Visual estimation of flower cover, counts of pollinator landings on flowers and presence of beneficial arthropods (suction sampling) were performed in three 7–10 day intervals during peak flowering, for each experimental year. Overall, patches with sown plant mixtures attracted higher numbers of pollinating Hymenoptera compared to native vegetation, especially mining bees and honey bees (Apis mellifera) as well as megachilids and bumble bees (Bombus spp.). Sinapis alba, present in both sown and native vegetation patches, attracted mainly mining bees and honey bees. The flowering mixture with C. sativum and B. officinalis was more attractive to honey bees than the one with G. coronaria as main flowering species but they were both equally attractive to mining bees, although the species composition may well have been different. Hymenopterous parasitoids, primarily Braconidae and Chalcidoidea, were sampled from the patches and the olive fruit fly parasitoid Opius concolor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was recorded on olive trees adjacent to the flowering patches. Large numbers of predators, namely Orius sp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) and lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), were recorded in the patches, principally in those with the mixture containing mostly S. alba. Our results suggest that ground cover in patches with suitable flowering species could be part of a sustainable olive crop management system, providing food and refuge for pollinating insects and beneficial arthropods.

Biochemical peculiarities of Glebionis coronaria (Asteraceae)introduced in Central Polissya of Ukraine

Glebionis coronaria (= Chrysanthemum coronarium; Asteraceae) is a valuable vegetable, medicinal, and ornamental plant known under vernacular names garland chrysanthemum, crown daisy, etc. This species is not cultivated in the Central Polissya area of Ukraine; therefore, it is relevant to conduct the introduction stu-dies of this valuable and rather hardy plant species, and to study its biochemical features. The aim of the present research was to carry out a comparative biochemical analysis of plant material of two varieties of garland chrysanthemum: G. coronaria var. discolor and G. coronaria var. coronaria. The objective was to determine how the conditions of introduction can influence the amount of valuable substances in the aerial mass of plants, depending on vegetation conditions; as well as the possibility of using the plants in food industry, pharmacy, and cosmetology. The introduction studies were conducted during 2014–2016 in the experimental plots of the Botanical Garden of Zhytomyr National Agroecological University, and biochemical studies were carried out at the laboratory of the Department of Cultural Flora of the M.M.Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine. After studying the biochemical content of top biomass of G. coronaria introduced in Central Polissya of Ukraine, it has been found that the plant contains a number of valuable compounds, such as: ascorbic acid, carotene, sugars, fats, certain macro-, microelements and tannins. Plants of two varieties, G. coronaria var. discolor and var. coronaria, proved to be statistically similar as to the dry matter content, total sugars, carotenes, ascorbic acid, phosphorus, calcium, ash, tannins, fats, traces of copper, zinc, iron; the exception being manganese, the amount of which was higher in G. coronaria var. coronaria. Biochemical indices of plants changed over the years of research depending on the conditions of growing seasons. The obtained results testify to the fact that G. coronaria is a valuable introduced plant and a potentially rich source of biologically active substances necessary for human life-sustaining activity. Glebionis coronaria is a perspective vegetable plant for cultivation in the Polissya zone of Ukraine and climatically similar temperate regions for its utilization in food industry and pharmacy.

Cytological Studies on Some Egyptian species of Anthemideae (Asteraceae)

THE MEIOTIC behavior and morphology of pollen grains of four species of Asteraceae (Glebionis coronaria, Anacyclus monanthos, Matricaria recutita and cotula barbata) were studied. Glebionis coronaria, Anacyclus monanthos and Matricaria recutita showed nine chromosome bivalents while those of Cotula barbata showed eight chromosome bivalents. The chromosomes were meiotically identified as two pairs in three taxa (Glebionis coronaria, Anacyclus monanthos and Matricaria recutita) while it was one pair in Cotulabarbata.The pollen shape and morphology were recognized by measuring polar and equatorial axis, Morphological characteristics of the pollen grains of the four studied species were considerably different.

Morphometric analysis and bioclimatic distribution of Glebionis coronaria s.l. (Asteraceae) in the Mediterranean area

We present a revision of Glebionis coronaria in the Mediterranean area based on: a) micro-morphology of the disc floret cypselas observed with a high-resolution confocal microscopy; b) measurements of the disc cypsela with a stereoscopic microscope – duly scaled; c) its distribution in several bioclimatic belts; d) field observations; e) comparisons of herbarium samples. Because of this study, we propose the elevation of Glebionis coronaria var. discolor to the rank of species, as Glebionis discolor comb. & stat. nov., based on morphological and ecological characteristics such as the disposition of the intercostal glands, the size of the disc cypsela wings and its distribution according to the bioclimatic belts. Glebionis coronaria, with totally yellow ray florets and intercostal glands aligned, is exclusive to the thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic belt, while Glebionis discolor, with white ray florets on a yellow base and intercostal glands arranged randomly, is found in the thermo- and meso-Mediterranean belt.Illustrations of micromorphological characteristics of the cypselas, an identification key, a taxonomic synopsis including information on nomenclatural types, synonyms, descriptions of the taxa, and, as supplementary information, a list of the specimens examined and bioclimatic classification of samples localities are also presented.

Sex and breeding behaviour of the Sicilian snail-shell bee (Rhodanthidium siculum Spinola, 1838; Apoidea–Megachilidae): preliminary results

In spring 2014 and 2016, we studied Rhodanthidium siculum in dunes south of Syracuse (Sicily). The females search for one of the frequently empty snail shells (mostly of Theba pisana), checking their size. In a suitable snail shell, a mixture of sand and saliva is deposited in the navel. A severe struggle among several males gets started. At every opportunity, the males try to copulate with the females. Large males occupy the snail shell that is used by the female to bring in pollen and nectar (preferably from Galactites tomentosus, Centaurea sphaerocephala, Glebionis coronaria and Lotus creticus). The procedure of harvesting lasts about 2–3 h, sometimes several hours. During this period, the female is visited for copulation every 2 min (initially even more frequently), preferentially by one large male, but small males occasionally mate as well. After laying one or two eggs, the female closes the snail shell with pieces of seashells or snail shells, aggregated with sand and saliva. The female transports the closed snail shell to a safe site. Depending on weather conditions, this may take several days. The maximum distance of movement observed was about 10 m. Finally, the completed snail shell will be buried, most often beneath a plant. The burial follows a certain pattern of movement. Females ensure higher pollination efficiency than the males due to their higher flower constancy.

Highly efficient activated carbon from Glebionis coronaria L. biomass: Optimization of preparation conditions and heavy metals removal using experimental design approach

This study investigates the preparation of activated carbons from Glebionis coronaria L. biomass by phosphoric acid activation and their ability for heavy metals removal from aqueous solution. The effects of four factors controlling the activation process, such as carbonization temperature (500–600°C), activation temperature (400–500°C), activation time (1–2h) and impregnation ratio (gH3PO4/g carbon) (1.5–2) were established. Further, full factorial experimental design at two levels (24) was carried out in order to achieve simultaneously optimal preparation conditions and high removal efficiency of cadmium and cobalt ions. The experimental results indicated that the carbonization temperature was the most significant factor on iodine number and methylene blue index with a negative effect. Therefore, the removal of cadmium onto activated carbons was more influenced by the interaction between carbonization temperature and impregnation ratio. According to statistical data, the best conditions for the removal of cadmium and cobalt by the prepared activated carbon samples were investigated. The maximum iodine number and methylene blue index obtained under these experimental conditions were 794.58mg/g and 161.92mg/g respectively. The sorption capacities were 57.87mg/g for cadmium and 45.75mg/g for cobalt. These sorption performances were higher than those of a commercial activated carbon (0.85mg/g for cadmium and 21.24mg/g for cobalt removal) used in water treatment. Desorption studies using HCl as desorbing agent revealed over 87.14 and 70.18% for cadmium and cobalt, respectively.

Experimental design for the optimization of preparation conditions of highly efficient activated carbon from Glebionis coronaria L. and heavy metals removal ability

The objective of this study was the utilization of Glebionis coronaria L. biomass as a new precursor to produce highly efficient activated carbons by potassium hydroxide activation and their evaluation for heavy metals removal. The effects of four factors controlling the activation process, such as carbonization temperature (500–600°C), activation temperature (400–500°C), activation time (1–2h) and impregnation ratio (g KOH/g carbon) (1–2) were investigated. To reduce the number of experiments, full factorial experimental design at two levels (24) was used to achieve optimal preparation conditions and better conditions for the removal of cadmium and cobalt ions from aqueous solutions. The experimental results showed that the activation time was the most significant factor with a positive impact for iodine number and a negative effect on methylene blue index. Further, and in same as, the interaction between activation time and impregnation ratio had a positive effect on iodine number and negative effect on methylene blue index. Therefore, the removal of cadmuim and cobalt ions onto activated carbons was more influenced by activation temperature and activation time with a negative effect. Although, the interaction between activation time and impregnation ratio was the most significant factor influencing the cadmium and cobalt ions removal. Based on the statistical data, the best conditions for the removal of cadmium and cobalt by Glebionis coronaria L. based activated carbons were indicated. Thus, the maximum iodine number and methylene blue index obtained under these experimental conditions were 752.69mg/g and 284.04mg/g respectively. Further, the optimized activated carbons were used in sorption isotherm. The maximum sorption capacities obtained with the application of the Langmuir isotherm model are 115.99, 106.93mg/g for cadmium sorption and 44.85, 46.80mg/g for cobalt sorption onto AC carbonized at 400°C, activated at 500°C during 1h with an impregnation ratio of 2g/g and AC pyrolized at 600°C and activated at 500°C for 1h with an impregnation ratio of 2g/g respectively. Those sorption efficiencies were shown greater than those of a commercial activated carbon used in water treatment.

Distribution of Minerals in Young and Mature Leaves of Different Leaf Vegetable Crops Cultivated in a Field

Abstract At least 17 elements are known to be essential for plants; however, plants also absorb and accumulate various nonessential elements. Plants re-translocate different elements, including essential and nonessential elements, with differing efficiencies from mature to young developing organs via the phloem transport, resulting in different distributions of minerals in these organs. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the concentrations of 23 elements in young and mature leaves of different leaf vegetable crops to comprehensively understand the mineral dynamics in plants. The allocation profiles of minerals in leaves of varying ages differed among species. For example, a higher molybdenum allocation profile was observed in young crown daisy ( Glebionis coronaria ) leaves, which might be related to the efficient nitrate assimilation in young leaves of this species. Thus, this study provides a new insight into the mineral uptake and transport mechanisms in plants.

Tong Hao—an Asian Vegetable Expanding in Florida

Tong Hao (Glebionis coronaria) is a member of the daisy family and therefore a relative of lettuce. It is an important vegetable in Asian communities. Grown in China for more than 900 years, Tong Hao is a branched annual leafy herb that can be cooked and eaten. This 6-page fact sheet provides background information about Tong Hao, including information on growing, harvesting, and cooking it. Written by Guodong Liu, Qingren Wang, Bonnie Wells, Yuncong Li, and David Dinkins, and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department, March 2016. HS1276/HS1276: Tong Hao—an Asian Vegetable Expanding in Florida (ufl.edu)

Interactions between Plant Extracts and Cell Viability Indicators during Cytotoxicity Testing: Implications for Ethnopharmacological Studies

Purpose: To compare the cytotoxicity of six medicinal plants ( Acmella ciliata , Amaranthus tricolor , Coriandrum sativum , Glebionis coronaria , Kyllinga brevifolia and Tradescantia zebrina ) using 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays. Methods: Hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and water extracts were obtained for each plant by sequential solvent extraction. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in triplicate, from 640 to 5 μg/mL, two-fold, serially on monkey kidney epithelial (Vero) cells. Results: The hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the six plants were more toxic to the Vero cells compared to the ethanol, methanol and water extracts. Thirty one percent (11/36) and 75 % (27/36) of the extracts showed significant cytotoxicity (p < 0.05) in MTT and NRU assays, respectively. The 78, 52 and 7 % cytotoxicity levels detected in 27 extracts using the MTT assay were significantly (p < 0.05) underestimated at 640, 320 and 160 μg/mL, respectively, using NRU assay. Nine extracts from five plants exhibited significantly lower (p < 0.05) 50 % cytotoxic concentration (CC 50 ) when NRU assay was employed compared to MTT assay. At 640 μg/mL, 10 of the 21 extracts were also found to react chemically with MTT, causing a 2.0 – 29.1-fold increase in the absorbance value (550 nm) compared to control. Conclusion: The plant extracts of A. ciliata , A. tricolor , C. sativum , G. coronaria , K. brevifolia and T. zebrina show concentration- and extraction method-dependent cytotoxicity using MTT and NRU assays. NRU assay appears to be more sensitive and reliable than MTT assay for cell viability evaluation of the plant extracts. Keywords: Acmella ciliata , Amaranthus tricolor , Coriandrum sativum , Glebionis coronaria , Kyllinga brevifolia and Tradescantia zebrina , Extraction, Medicinal plant, Neutral red uptake assay, Vero cell

Potential capability of natural biosorbents: Diplotaxis harra and Glebionis coronaria L. on the removal efficiency of dyes from aqueous solutions

This study focuses on the use of natural biomaterials as a good alternative for dyes’ removal from aqueous solutions. For this purpose, two local abundant plants Diplotaxis harra (D. harra) and Glebionis coronaria L. (G. coronaria) were chosen for the biosorption of methylene blue (MB) as a reference dye molecule due to its potential risk toward the environment and ecosystems, and malachite green (MG) representative of textile dyes. Biosorption experiments were carried out in batch mode as a function of solution pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration, and temperature. The experimental results show that the process is very rapid and the biosorption yield increases with an increase in the biosorbent dosage. Maximum biosorption capacity occurred at basic pH medium. The temperature doesn’t have much influence on the biosorption yield. Kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first and pseudo-second kinetic orders. Equilibrium data were correlated to Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. The best fit was obtained by Langmuir model with a maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of 185.59 and 64.37 mg/g in the case of D. harra, 258.76 and 117.32 mg/g in the case of G. coronaria L., respectively, for MB and MG.

Biosorption potential of Diplotaxis harra and Glebionis coronaria L. biomasses for the removal of Cd(II) and Co(II) from aqueous solutions

The focus of this study is the investigation of the removal ability of cadmium(II) and cobalt(II) ions from aqueous solution by a natural and low-cost biosorbents developed from local and abundant plants; Diplotaxis harra and Glebionis coronaria L. Biosorption experiments were carried out as function of solution pH, biosorbents dosage, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and temperature. The effect of some major inorganic ions including Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and Al3+ on the biosorption was also investigated. Experimental results show that, the biosorption process is very rapid and the biosorption yield increases with an increase in biosorbents dosage. Maximum biosorption was occurred at pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The best fit was obtained with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Metal uptake increased with the increase in the initial concentration. Equilibrium data were correlated to Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. Biosorption isotherms for cadmium was best fitted with Langmuir model. Whereas, the biosorption of cobalt was best correlated to Freundlich model. The temperature did not have much influence on the performance of biosorption. FTIR analysis indicates that functional groups present on the surface of the biomasses are involved in metals biosorption.

First report of Dahlia latent viroid and Potato spindle tuber viroid mixed‐infection in commercial ornamental dahlia in Japan

Dahlia (Asteraceae) has been cultivated since 1841 in Japan. Two viroids belonging to the family Pospiviroidae, Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) and Dahlia latent viroid (DLVd), were identified separately from dahlia plants in Japan and in the Netherlands, respectively (Tsushima et al., 2011; Verhoeven et al., 3). Because DLVd was characterised as a novel species, the findings drew attention towards the study of DLVd infection in dahlia and its potential risk in domestic dahlia cultivation. A total of four dahlia samples infected with PSTVd-dahlia (Tsushima et al., 2) were collected, and total RNA was extracted from approximately 200 mg of leaf tissue using TRIzol® reagent (Life Technologies, Carlsbad, USA) according to manufacturer's instructions. RNA was separated in 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel (2D-PAGE) (Schumacher et al., 1) and two specific bands appeared, one corresponding to PSTVd infection and the other being unknown (Fig. 1). The unknown circular RNA samples were gel-excised and first tested with PSTVd-specific primers using a two-step reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Tsushima et al., 2), with, however, negative results. Therefore, a DLVd-specific primer set, DLVd-P1 (5'-GGGGCTCCTCAGAGAGTCTC-3') and DLVd-P2 (5'-GGGGCAACTCCGAGAGTGCTG-3') (Verhoeven et al., 3), was then used in two-step RT-PCR for the unknown viroid-like circular RNAs. The amplified DNA bands of the expected size (~340 bp) from these positive samples were purified, ligated to pGEM®-T easy vector (Promega, Madison, USA) and sequenced. Identical 342 bp sequences were obtained from all four dahlia isolates (GenBank Accession No. LC036322), corresponding with DLVd reported from the Netherlands (JX263426). Furthermore, a total of 78 dahlia leaf samples were collected from fields around Japan, irrespective of disease symptoms, and verified by two-step RT-PCR using the same DLVd-specific and pospiviroid-specific primers (Tsushima et al., 2). Of these samples, DLVd infection was detected in 38, suggesting that DLVd is widespread in Japan. New PSTVd infection was not found. To evaluate the pathogenicity of DLVd and PSTVd, these viroids were co-inoculated into wild hop (Humulus lupulus var. cordifolius) and dahlia seedlings. DLVd alone was inoculated into members of the Asteraceae family, Chrysanthemum pacificum, Tithonia rotundifolia, Helianthus annuus and Glebionis coronaria. Inoculated dahlia seedlings were positive for both DLVd and PSTVd, but wild hop and the remaining members of Asteraceae were negative. Dahlia seedlings that were positive for DLVd and PSTVd showed mild leaf curling in the early stage of growth (Fig. 2). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of DLVd infecting commercial dahlia in Japan and also of the mixed-infection of DLVd and PSTVd in commercial dahlia plants. A possible negative synergistic interaction of DLVd and PSTVd during dahlia cultivation must be considered. This work was supported in part by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI grant no. 24380026. TT received Research Fellowship of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Elemental characterization of wild edible plants from countryside and urban areas

Thirteen elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, Cd, Ni and Pb) in 11 different wild edible plants (WEP) (Amaranthus retroflexus, Foeniculum vulgare, Cichorium intybus, Glebionis coronaria, Sonchus spp., Borago officinalis, Diplotaxis tenuifolia, Sinapis arvensis, Papaver rhoeas, Plantago lagopus and Portulaca oleracea) collected from countryside and urban areas of Bari (Italy) were determined. B.officinalis and P.rhoeas could represent good nutritional sources of Mn and Fe, respectively, as well as A.retroflexus and S.arvensis for Ca. High intake of Pb and Cd could come from P.lagopus and A.retroflexus (1.40 and 0.13mgkg−1 FW, respectively). WEP may give a substantial contribution to the elements intake for consumers, but in some cases they may supply high level of elements potentially toxic for human health. Anyway, both ANOVA and PCA analyses have highlighted the low influence of the harvesting site on the elements content.

Simple extraction methods that prevent the artifactual conversion of chlorophyll to chlorophyllide during pigment isolation from leaf samples

BackgroundWhen conducting plant research, the measurement of photosynthetic pigments can provide basic information on the physiological status of a plant. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is becoming widely used for this purpose because it provides an accurate determination of a variety of photosynthetic pigments simultaneously. This technique has a drawback compared with conventional spectroscopic techniques, however, in that it is more prone to structural modification of pigments during extraction, thus potentially generating erroneous results. During pigment extraction procedures with acetone or alcohol, the phytol side chain of chlorophyll is sometimes removed, forming chlorophyllide, which affects chlorophyll measurement using HPLC.ResultsWe evaluated the artifactual chlorophyllide production during chlorophyll extraction by comparing different extraction methods with wild-type and mutant Arabidopsis leaves that lack the major isoform of chlorophyllase. Several extraction methods were compared to provide alternatives to researchers who utilize HPLC for the analysis of chlorophyll levels. As a result, the following three methods are recommended. In the first method, leaves are briefly boiled prior to extraction. In the second method, grinding and homogenization of leaves are performed at sub-zero temperatures. In the third method, N, N’-dimethylformamide (DMF) is used for the extraction of pigments. When compared, the first two methods eliminated almost all chlorophyllide-forming activity in Arabidopsis thaliana, Glebionis coronaria, Pisum sativum L. and Prunus sargentii Rehd. However, DMF effectively suppressed the activity of chlorophyllase only in Arabidopsis leaves.ConclusionChlorophyllide production in leaf extracts is predominantly an artifact. All three methods evaluated in this study reduce the artifactual production of chlorophyllide and are thus suitable for pigment extraction for HPLC analysis. The boiling method would be a practical choice when leaves are not too thick. However, it may convert a small fraction of chlorophyll a into pheophytin a. Although extraction at sub-zero temperatures is suitable for all plant species examined in this study, this method might be complicated for a large number of samples and it requires liquid nitrogen and equipment for leaf grinding. Using DMF as an extractant is simple and suitable with Arabidopsis samples. However, this solvent cannot completely block the formation of chlorophyllide in thicker leaves.

Assessment of the Food Habits of the Moroccan Dorcas Gazelle in M’Sabih Talaa, West Central Morocco, Using the trnL Approach

Food habits of the Moroccan dorcas gazelle, Gazella dorcas massaesyla, previously investigated in the 1980s using microhistological fecal analysis, in the M’Sabih Talaa Reserve, west central Morocco, were re-evaluated over three seasons (spring, summer and autumn 2009) using the trnL approach to determine the diet composition and its seasonal variation from fecal samples. Taxonomic identification was carried out using the identification originating from the database built from EMBL and the list of plant species within the reserve. The total taxonomic richness in the reserve was 130 instead of 171 species in the 1980s. The diet composition revealed to be much more diversified (71 plant taxa belonging to 57 genus and 29 families) than it was 22 years ago (29 identified taxa). Thirty-four taxa were newly identified in the diet while 13 reported in 1986–87 were not found. Moroccan dorcas gazelle showed a high preference to Acacia gummifera, Anagallis arvensis, Glebionis coronaria, Cladanthus arabicus, Diplotaxis tenuisiliqua, Erodium salzmannii, Limonium thouini, Lotus arenarius and Zizyphus lotus. Seasonal variations occurred in both number (40–41 taxa in spring-summer and 49 taxa in autumn vs. respectively 23–22 and 26 in 1986–1987) and taxonomic type of eaten plant taxa. This dietary diversification could be attributed either to the difference in methods of analysis, trnL approach having a higher taxonomic resolution, or a potential change in nutritional quality of plants over time.

Karyomorphology of six taxa in Chrysanthemum sensu lato (Anthemideae) in Egypt and their genetic relationships by Giemsa C‐banding

Abstract Giemsa C‐banding was applied to the chromosome complements of six diploid species belonging to six genera in Chrysanthemum sensu lato (Anthemideae) distributed in Egypt. Four types of C‐banding distribution were observed in the taxa as follows: (i) negative C‐banding in Anacyclus monanthos (L.) Thell.; (ii) all bands in terminal regions in Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch. Bip, which showed 32 bands on 18 chromosomes; (iii) all eight bands at centromeric regions on eight chromosomes in Matricaria recutita L.; and (iv) bands at terminal and centromeric regions in Brocchia cinerea Vis. (12 terminal and six centromeric bands on 12 chromosomes), Cotula barbata DC. (four terminal, six centromeric, and eight short arm bands on 16 chromosomes), and Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach. (eight terminal on the short arms and four large bands in centromeric regions on 12 chromosomes).

Karyomorphological and biochemical studies in Glebionis coronaria (L.) Spach and Glebionis segetum (L.) Fourreau from Italy

The karyotype structures and the composition and distribution of the heterochromatin in Glebionis coronaria and Glebionis segetum using Giemsa and fluorescent banding techniques were analysed. The species studied are diploids with 2n = 2x = 18 chromosomes. G. coronaria possesses the most symmetrical karyotype, comprising mainly metacentric chromosomes. G. segetum, with formula 12 m + 6 sm, showed a slightly less symmetrical karyotype. Giemsa C‐banding revealed little constitutive heterochromatin in both species. The presence of telomeric bands was restricted to two chromosome pairs. After staining with chromomycin A3, the chromosomes of G. coronaria and G. segetum revealed bright fluorescence at the telomeric regions of two chromosomes. No 4‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenyl‐indole bright blocks were observed. To estimate genetic variability in the species under consideration, genotypic expression was also determined through isozyme electrophoresis of cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, considered a genetic marker in the study of plant phylogenetics. The relationships between G. coronaria and G. segetum are discussed. Abbreviations: ASC, ascorbate; BSA, bovine serum albumin; cAPX, cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase; CMA, chromomycin A3; DAPI, 4‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenyl‐indole; EDTA, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; PAGE, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis