Hordeum Murinum Research Articles

Grassland association stock of plants the examination of the regeneration of a construction

Due to the drastic change in using the nature like grassland association (one-sided overgrazing – one mowing per a year), by the third year of the experiment in every area, where overgrazing stopped, independently on second sowing and nutrient resupply, Borhidi degradation degree decreased. In the areas where overgrazing with large animal density (sheep) continued, degradation degree was 3.4–5.0 by the third year of the experiment, and Hordeum murinum, which causes animal healthy problems, appeared massively.

Chemical Basis for Determining the Allelopathic Potential of Invasive Plant Wall Barley (Hordeum murinum L. subsp. murinum).

The study investigated compounds present in the invasive grass Hordeum murinum L. subsp. murinum and tested the allelopathic potential of this plant against common meadow species Festuca rubra L. and Trifolium repens L. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) performed separately on the ears and stalks with leaves of wall barley revealed 32 compounds, including secondary metabolites, that may play an important role in allelopathy. Two compounds, N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS) and diphenylsulfone (DDS), were described for the first time for wall barley and the Poaceae family. The presence of 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one (TMP) has also been documented. Aqueous extracts of H. murinum organs (ears and stalks with leaves) at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% were used to evaluate its allelopathic potential. Compared to the control, all extracts inhibited germination and early growth stages of meadow species. The inhibitory effect was strongest at the highest concentration for both the underground and aboveground parts of the seedlings of the meadow species tested. Comparing the allelopathic effect, Trifolium repens proved to be more sensitive. In light of the results of the study, the removal of wall barley biomass appears to be important for the restoration of habitats where this species occurs due to its allelopathic potential.

Vegetation Analysis in the Archaeological Area of Pasargadae WHS (Iran) Enhancing the Naturalistic Value of the Site within the Occurring Environmental Changes

This study provides pioneering research on the vegetation of archaeological areas in Iran to enhance its naturalistic and bioindication values by selecting the Pasargadae World Heritage Site (WHS). Vegetation surveys were carried out in different homogeneous habitats, analyzing the plant communities through statistical elaboration, syntaxonomic role, mapping, and enhancement of plants with conservation interest. In an ecological approach, the study included an analysis of the recent climate changes and human interventions influencing the water resources. Results revealed seven main vegetation types reflecting ecological gradients shaped by environmental, edaphic, and anthropogenic factors. The syntaxonomic analysis showed a primary subdivision in semi-natural grasslands and synanthropic vegetation. Several key species were identified as bioindicators of multiple factors, such as: Launaea acanthodes, Stipa barbata, Alhagi maurorum, Bellevalia saviczii, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Convolvulus arvensis, and Hordeum murinum. The vegetation map showed how the hilly grassland communities hosted the highest number of species with conservation interest and their need to be better protected. Bio-climatic data, such as the construction of dams and the exploitation for irrigation purposes, pointed to the increasing xeric conditions, which make urging conservation efforts for the site’s historical and naturalistic values. The study underscores the importance of preserving places with high plant diversity for effective site management, and enhances the intricate relationship between vegetation and natural features in the occurring environmental changes.

Phylogeographic investigation of Hordeum murinum L. in Europe based on DNA markers

Phylogeographic investigation of Hordeum murinum L. in Europe based on DNA markers

Surgical Treatment of Lung Abscess Due to an Awn Aspiration in a 9-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

Introduction: Foreign body aspiration is a common condition in the child population and is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in children. The aspiration of an awn (grass inflorescences) is extremely rare. Aim of the study: This study aims to describe the symptoms, diagnosis, therapeutic difficulties, and results of the aspiration of grass inflorescence. They are all related to the shape of the awn’s head and its behavior in the tracheobronchial tree. Case description: We present a 9-year-old boy with a history of an awn aspiration and recurrent respiratory infections. After antibiotic and symptomatic treatment, two bronchoscopies were performed, and both showed stenosis and obturation of the segmental and subsegmental bronchi of the left posterior basal segment, but no foreign body was found. After recanalization and continuous medicamentous treatment, a computed tomography (CT) verified the lung abscess. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed, and an atypical lung resection was conducted. During the surgery, a foreign body—grass inflorescence from the species Hordeum murinum—was found in the resected tissue. The patient recovered uneventfully after the surgery. Conclusions: Grass inflorescence aspiration in the child population is an extremely rare event, and it represents a diagnostic and therapeutic issue. The exact timing of surgery is very important to reduce complications and avoid death.

Invasive plant species and their threat to biodiversity

The problem of the uncontrolled spread of alien plant species matured in the world in the second half of the 20th century, and in recent decades it has become the main threat to the biological diversity of various regions of the world. Prevention of biological Invasions is a new urgent task in the field of nature protection, which determines the relevance of the study. The purpose of the study is to determine and predict the distribution area of invasive plants, based on the use of the following methods: comparative morphological-ecological-geographical, route using determinants and atlases of plants of Ukraine, and the method of structural analysis. It is established that the characteristic features of invasive plant species are very high tolerance to habitat and climatic conditions, high rate of reproduction, simple and effective distribution by wind, water, animals, and rapid growth, which contributes to the displacement of slow-growing plants of other species and uncontrolled spread in the absence of natural enemies and restrictions. A particular danger to the biodiversity of Ukraine is the spread of invasive plant species: Sosnowsky’s Hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi), Canadian Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L), American maple (Acer negundo L.), Red Oak (Quercus rubra), Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.), Silver Berry (Elaeagnus angustifolia), American pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), Ecballium (Ecballium elaterium), Common Sandbur (Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth), Wall Barley (Hordeum murinum L.), Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), etc. The results of the study are an important scientific and practical basis for developing national and regional strategies for controlling invasive plant species

Assessment of the role of the protected land in the preservation of the steppe in Southwest Algeria (Case of the Rogassa Region)

In the Algerian steppe (Rogassa) overgrazing led to the reduction of the surface of the pasture land and its biodiversity. The objective of this work was to highlight the importance of the protected land in maintaining biodiversity and preserving the degraded areas. A mixed sampling for the two different sites was adopted, where fifty floristic surveys were conducted using the Braun-Blanquet method. The analysis of the real biological spectrum of the unprotected land was marked by the strong dominance of the therophytes. However, in the protected land the chamaephytes dominated all of the biological types. The analysis of the biogeographic spectra revealed the reappearance of the endemic species (+3%). The Shannon Index was very important in this matter (2.43). The Student’s t-test of the biodiversity’s index showed a highly significant difference between the two sites. The ascending hierarchical classification revealed that the protected land is subdivided into four groups dominated respectively by: Macrochloa tenacissima, Lygeum spartum, Artemisia erba-alba and Hordeum murinum. The results of the Jaccard dissimilarity index indicated a strong difference of the order of 80% between the two areas.

Weed Flora of Man-Made river agriculture project (Masiklo)1


 Abstract
 The goals of the present work were to document the weed species in Triticum aiestivum L. (Wheat) fields in MR agricultural project Masiklo and to provide quantitative data that could be used to estimate losses due to weeds, also to attract the attention to the economically important weeds in MR agricultural project Masiklo and to develop methods for their control. In this study, a survey was conducted to identify weed species naturally occurring in MR agricultural Wheat fields in Masiklo Libya. A checklist including 41 species was prepared. The checklist includes the scientific name for each species. Reported species were belonging to 37 genera and 19 families of angiosperms. Dicotyledons were represented by 32 species, 30 genera, and 17 families, and Monocotyledons were represented by 9 species, 7 genera, and 2 families. The dominant families according to the number of species were Poaceae (8 species), Fabaceae (6 species), Asteraceae and Brassicaceae (5 species), and Apiaceae (3species). The results of this survey showed that Lolium rigidum, Fumaria officinalis, Hordeum murinum ssp. glaucum, Medicago polymorpha, Bromus madritensis, Bromus rigidus and Sinapis flexuosa were the dominant species in studied fields.

Floristic records in the Mangystau region (Western Kazakhstan)

The article reports on the floral records of seven plant taxa for the Mangystau region: Cakile maritima (subsp. euxina), Epilobium hirsutum, Rosa canina, Hordeum murinum. Among the finds, Cakile maritima subsp. euxina is a new genus and species for the flora of Kazakhstan, presumably it also grows on the northern shore of the Caspian Sea, in the Atyrau (Kazakhstan) and Astrakhan Regions (Russia). Epilobium hirsutum and Rosa canina are given for the first time for the Mangyshlak floristic district, and Hordeum murinum – for the Northern Ust-Urt.

Determination of Weeds Flora in Apple Orchards of Iğdır Province and Approaches of Farmers to Solve the Problems

This study was conducted to determine the weed species, their frequency, and density of weeds in the apple orchards of Iğdır province, as well as the approaches of the farmers in the region to solve the weed problems and their control methods. Surveys were conducted in 50 apple orchards in 2020. Besides, a questionnaire survey was conducted with 100 farmers engaged in apple growing. A total of 53 weed species belonging to 15 families, including 1 parasite, 2 narrow-leaved, and 12 broad-leaved weeds were identified. The highest number of weeds among these identified families were Asteraceae (12 species), Poaceae (12 species), and Brassicaceae (9 species), respectively. The weeds with the highest frequency were Bromus tectorum (84%), Echinochloa crus-galli (84%), and Trifolium pratense (82%). The weeds with the highest density were determined as T. pratense (76.44 plant/m2), Seteria viridis (74.62 plant/m2), and Alopecurus myosuroides (70.96 plant/m2). In the current study, 96% of the farmers stated that the weeds were very dense in the apple orchards and the weed species with the highest density were A. myosuroides (80%), Poa trivialis (74%), and Hordeum murinum (73%). They stated that none of the farmers engaged in apple cultivation in Iğdır province used chemicals for controlling weeds. In addition, when the opinions of the farmers were taken, they stated that they mow the weeds in the apple orchards and use them to feed their livestock. As a result, it is seen that the farmers do not manage weeds in the apple orchards of Iğdır province and the density of weeds in the apple orchards is very high.

Risk of Facilitated Invasion Depends Upon Invader Identity, Not Environmental Severity, Along an Aridity Gradient

Positive interactions can drive the assembly of desert plant communities, but we know little about the species-specificity of positive associations between native shrubs and invasive annual species along aridity gradients. These measures are essential for explaining, predicting, and managing community-level responses to plant invasions and environmental change. Here, we measured the intensity of spatial associations among native shrubs and the annual plant community—including multiple invasive species and their native neighbors—along an aridity gradient across the Mojave and San Joaquin Deserts, United States. Along the gradient, we sampled the abundance and species richness of invasive and native annual species using 180 pairs of shrub and open microsites. Across the gradient, the invasive annualsBromus madritensisssp.rubens(B. rubens),B. tectorum,B. diandrus, Hordeum murinum, andBrassica tournefortiiwere consistently more abundant under shrubs than away from shrubs, suggesting positive effects of shrubs on these species. In contrast, abundance of the invasive annualSchismusspp. was greater away from shrubs than under shrubs, suggesting negative effects of shrubs on this species. Similarly, native annual abundance (pooled) and native species richness were greater away from shrubs than under shrubs. Shrub-annual associations were not influenced by shrub size or aridity. Interestingly, we found correlative evidence thatB. rubensreduced native abundance (pooled), native species richness, and exotic abundance (pooled) under, but not away from shrubs. We conclude that native shrubs have considerable potential to directly (by increasing invader abundance) and indirectly (by increasing negative impacts of invaders on neighbors) facilitate plant invasions along broad environmental gradients, but these effects may depend more upon invader identity than environmental severity.

Identification of sentinel plant species for evaluating phytotoxicity of veterinary antibiotics in Mediterranean Europe

BackgroundAntibiotics used to treat livestock species enter agricultural fields when they are excreted by grazing animals or are present in manure that is added to fields as fertiliser. In the European Union, the potential effects of such antibiotics on terrestrial plants must be evaluated following the standardised OECD 208 method, which specifies the crop and wild species that should serve as “sentinels” for assessing antibiotic exposure. The present study aimed to compare this approved list of sentinel species against crop and wild plant species actually present in agricultural and pasture lands in Mediterranean Europe in order to identify the most appropriate sentinel plants for the region. The study focused on Spain as a region representative of Mediterranean Europe. Georeferenced layers for wild plant species and cultivated areas (crops), livestock density and land cover were combined, and then selection criteria were applied, leading to the identification of sentinel crop and wild species for crop land and pasture scenarios.ResultsIn the crop land scenario, the sentinel crop species were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), wheat (Triticum spp.), corn (Zea mays L), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), dried pea (Pisum sativum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), vetch (Vicia sativa L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and sugar beet (Saccharum officinarum L.), all of them listed in the OECD 208 method with the exception of alfalfa; the sentinel wild species were Papaver rhoeas L., Galium aparine L. and Chenopodium album L. In the pasture scenario, sentinel wild species were Bromus tectorum L., Agrostis capillaris L., Trifolium pratense L., Lotus corniculatus L. and Galium aparine L. The following common weed species in field boundaries or in pasture lands also emerged as potential sentinel species for risk assessment, even though they are not listed in the OECD 208 method: Sonchus oleraceus L., Avena sterilis L., Dactylis glomerata L., Hordeum murinum L. and Lolium rigidum Gaudin.ConclusionsThe sentinel species identified in this study may be useful in risk assessment procedures covering the Mediterranean Europe. The method developed for this study could be applied to identify sentinel species for other representative agroclimatic regions in Europe (such as Atlantic and Continental).

Concurrent evolution of seed dormancy and herbicide resistance in field populations of dominant weed species in Western Australian cropping systems

AbstractHerbicide resistance, documented in many economically damaging weed species, is a major threat to global crop production. The injudicious use of herbicides, often in the absence of diverse weed control strategies, poses an immense selection pressure on weed communities for resistance evolution and weed adaptive traits such as high seed dormancy. This study evaluates the interaction among developing herbicide resistance, seed size, and seed dormancy of ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth), wild oat (Avena fatua L.), and hare barley [Hordeum leporinum Link; syn. Hordeum murinum L. ssp. leporinum (Link) Arcang.] collected from within intensively managed fields (in-crop) in comparison with populations in surrounding ruderal (non-crop disturbed) areas with no history of exposure to herbicides within the Western Australian grainbelt. Seed size of the three species varied by farming system (continuous cereal-intensive annual crops, diverse annual crops, pasture based) and habitat (in-crop, ruderal). Field populations of H. leporinum and B. diandrus tended to have greater seed size compared with ruderal populations. Larger seeds had significantly more dormancy in all three weed species. Field-collected populations that were exposed to herbicide applications for at least the past 5 yr exhibited significantly greater seed dormancy compared with their counterparts present in ruderal areas within the same geographic area. The association between increased seed dormancy and developing multiple herbicide resistance further complicates effective weed management.

IMPACT OF SUBSTRATE ACIDIFICATION ON THE PLANT AVAILABILITY OF SOME TRACE ELEMENTS IN A COAL WASTE MATERIAL

Coal waste dumps present potential sources of toxic elements, which may enter surrounding soils, water bodies, and can be transferred into plants. Acidification of the dump material as a consequence of sulphide mineral oxidation can foster element mobilization and plant uptake. In the present study we explored the elemental composition (Co, As, Cu, Pb, Mn, Zn and Cr) of substrate from the waste heap of the coal mine "Heroiv Kosmosy", Ukraine and investigated effects of substrate acidification on leaching and plant accumulation of the elements, considering two native grass species wall barley (Hordeum murinum) and japanese brome (Bromus japonicus). Both species were cultivated in a greenhouse experiment on substrate from the waste dump. The plants were watered with acidic treatment solutions at a pH range from pH 2–7. Element concentrations in leachate solutions, plant biomass and aqua regia extracts of the substrate were analyzed by ICP-MS. The pH of the substrate collected from the coal dump was 7.68 ± 0.02 the value and the electrical conductivity was 1200 ± 25 μS/cm. The substrate contained low concentrations of plant available (mineral) N (0.09 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and low concentrations of DL-extractable phosphate (0.016 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The aqua regia extractable concentrations of the investigated elements exceed the maximum allowable concentration in 59; 38; 47; 11.5; 2.5; 25 and 64 times, respectively. Decreasing the pH in the substrate significantly increases the concentrations of all studied elements in leachate solutions. The growth experiment showed that both H. murinum and B. japonicus, respectively germinated and grew on the substrate. After 21 days of plant growth H. murinum developed 7 ± 2 cm roots, and average shoot size was 20 ± 1 cm. In contrast, B. japonicus showed a root length 4 ± 0.5 cm and shoots were 8 ± 0.5 cm (pH=2). Decreasing the pH-values in the substrate led to increased element abortion in both plant species. However, H. murinum preferably accumulated the investigated elements in the roots while B. japanicus showed a substantially higher root–shoot transfer. The calculated translocation factors ranged between TF = 0.4–6.6 (B. japanicus) and between TF = 0.1–1.7 in H. murinum. We could demonstrate that substrate acidification strongly impacts plant availability in coal waste material. Both plant species are meaningful candidates for a phytoremediation of soil waste heaps in the Western Donbas.

UNEXPECTED FOREIGN BODY AS A REASON OF LOBAR PNEUMONIA IN A 6,5 YEARS OLD BOY – CASE REPORT

We present a case of a foreign body as a reason for right lobar pneumonia in 6,5 years old boy. He was admitted in our hospital because of 6 day high fever (up to 40 Cͦ), malaise, cough, stomach ache. Clinically he had impaired breathing in the basis of the right lung, and laboratory findings were with elevated inflammatory markers. The radiogram of the chest showed round consolidation in the right low lung lobus.  Microbiologicaly, we isolated Mycoplasma pneumonia (IgM) from pneumoslide, and also Staphylococcus aureus – MRSA from the sputum. Additional immunology tests like immunoelectrophoresis ( IgA, IgG, IgM) were done, all of them with results in normal ranges.  After one week of therapy with parenteral rehydration, wide spectral antibiotics (according to antibiogram), inhalatory  bronchodilatator and systemic corticosteroid, the child presented with scarce haemoptysis, with consecutive clear haemoptysis on the 10-th day. This set for bronchoscopy and Mx-test with PPD5, which was negative. Flexibile bronchoscopy was made at 11th day of the stay, with visualized foreign body- grass like structure in the openings of the arm of middle and lower right bronchus. We continued with rigid bronchoscopy, with successfully removed grass- Hordeum murinum. After the intervention we observed completely clinical recovery of the lung findings, as well as radiological improvement Key words: bronchoscopy, foreign body, Hordeum murinum.

Korovi zasada jabuke i njihovo suzbijanje

Floristic composition of the weed community in apple orchards differs, depending on the type of management - extensive or intensive. In extensive orchards, weedy-ruderal-grassland species are dominant. On the other hands, in intensive orchards the inter-row can be dominated by annual (therophyte) weed species, if mechanically cultivated, or grass species, if grasses are used as cover crops, while the rows are dominated by perennial weed species (geophytes, hemicryptophytes). The floristic composition of the weed communities is also dependent on the age of the orchard. In younger orchards row crop weeds are dominant, while as the orchard ages, the community gets a more weedy-ruderal-grassland character. The most common weed species in apple orchards in Serbia are: Amaranthus retroflexus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Chenopodium album, Convolvulus arvensis, Carduus acanthoides, Cynodon dactylon, Erigeron canadensis, Hordeum murinum, Lamium purpureum, L. amplexicaule, Medicago lupulina, Setaria spp., Stellaria media, Stenactis annua, Sonchus arvensis, Taraxacum officinale, Veronica spp. and Vicia spp. Weed control in apple orchards can be done using agrotechnical (soil cultivation), physical (mowing, mulching), thermic, chemical, biological measures, and by growing cover crops. In practice, weed control in apple orchards is dominantly done by herbicides, based on the following active substances: napropamide, glyphosate, 2.4D, flazasulfuron, flurochloridone, cycloxydim, fluazifop-p-butyl, clethodim, diquat, fluroxypyr-meptyl, and pyraflufen-ethyl. Given that nowadays the production of healthy and safe food is an imperative, also demanded by the international market, it is expected that bioproducts will be prioritized over classical synthetic herbicides. Moreover, non-chemical measures are also becoming more important as part of integral weed control measures of weeds in apple orchards.

Hordeum murinum aspiration revealed by a pneumopleurocutaneous fistula in a 15-month-old infant

BackgroundHordeum murinum is a specie of grass rarely reported among the aspirated foreign body. It has high tissue penetration power and may cause lung damages.Case presentationWe report the case of a 15-month-old girl who choke while playing in the grass without any evident cause. This episode was immediately followed by vomiting and coughing with traces of blood. While she was fine during the following week, she relapsed at day (D) 7 with fever. At D10, she was finally hospitalized for signs of respiratory distress. The chest CT-scan revealed a voluminous right sub pleural empyema with an aerial component, responsible for the collapse of the right lower lobe, and complicated by a pneumopleurocutaneous fistula to the right paravertebral muscles. Intravenous antibiotics were prescribed, but no invasive procedure was performed. At D18, the spikelet of a false barley spontaneously externalized through the fistula. Evolution was favorable thereafter with disappearance of the fever and progressive decrease of the biological inflammatory syndrome. The follow-up at 4 months was reassuring, with normal clinical evaluation, and complete regression of the empyema on the chest X-rays.ConclusionsHordeum murinum is a rare type of foreign body, and the aspiration often goes unnoticed. In these peculiar cases, CT-scans can be as informative as bronchoscopies, and the evolution is usually favorable after fistulization.

Noncrop Host Plant Associations for Oversummering of Diuraphis noxia in the State of South Australia.

Diuraphis noxia, Russian wheat aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae), established in Australia since 2016, is dependent on grasses (Poales: Poaceae) to persist in the low-rainfall Australian wheat belt, where no crops are present during summer. To identify grasses as D. noxia hosts in Australia, plants were tested in greenhouse conditions as either whole plants collected from roadsides or grown from collected seed in 2017 and 2018. To determine actual field refugia, direct grass sampling and Berlese extraction of aphids were conducted from October 2018 to May 2020 throughout Southern Australia (2,285 samples). One hundred and twenty-six grass species were collected, 54 showed presence of D. noxia, of which 24 were considered host plants, including 16 species (9 Australian natives) not recorded as host plants previously. Hordeum leporinum (Link) Arcang. Poales:Poaceae and several Bromus species (Poales: Poaceae) showed the highest D. noxia detection frequency and aphid numbers, but these introduced grass species are not summer active in most of South Australia. The native Enneapogon nigricans (Poales: Poaceae) (R.Br.) is the most important summer refuge species because of its widespread distribution, summer growth, and an intermediate level of positive detections with low D. noxia populations. The late summer represents the main bottleneck for D. noxia with very few hosts available and very low D. noxia detections overall. Late summer rainfall (February) seems essential to have the main host grasses germinate for D. noxia populations to build up and potentially invade crops sown in autumn.

Predictive phytotoxic value of water-soluble allelochemicals in plant extracts for choosing a cover crop or mulch for specific weed control

Cover crops and mulches have become an alternative for soil management in vineyards due to the agronomic, environmental, and economic advantages, especially the possibility of weed control. Implicitly to this objective lies the idea of assessing the potential herbicide effect of the allelochemicals released by different cover crops and mulch species. With this objective, the present work evaluated the phytotoxic effects of 12 aqueous extracts of selected species with potential use as a cover crop or mulch: a Bromus species mixture (B. hordeaceus L. and B. rubens L.), Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Hordeum murinum L., H. vulgare L., Vulpia ciliata Dumort., Medicago rugosa Desr., M. sativa L., Trifolium subterraneum L., T. incarnatum L., Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth., Sinapis alba L., and Pinus sylvestris L., on the germination and early growth of three troublesome weeds (Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist, Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron, and Bassia scoparia (L.) A. J.). The different in vitro bioassays showed that aqueous extracts of some species significantly inhibited or reduced germination and root and shoot growth of the target weed species in a dose-response manner. Germination of A. squamatus and C. bonariensis was reduced by 100-80% by the different extracts applied at 50% concentration and completely blocked at 100% concentration, except for M. rugosa extract, to which both species showed less sensitivity. Root elongation of A. squamatus was inhibited under every extract and concentration, whereas C. bonariensis root growth showed only some tolerance to the crude extracts of F. arundinacea and P. sylvestris. Bassia scoparia was relatively tolerant to the aqueous plant extracts, except for T. subterraneum crude extract, which reduced total germination by 80%; otherwise, B. scoparia showed higher general sensitivity of shoot growth than the other two weed species. The chemical profiles of phenolic compounds of the aqueous extracts were obtained and identified by HPLC-DAD, the phenolic profiles of H. murinum, V. ciliata, and M. rugosa being reported in this work for the first time. Using stepwise regression, the influence of certain phenolic compounds from the aqueous extracts on the germination and early growth of weeds was predicted. Among other significant compounds, the flavonoid naringenin identified in T. subterraneum aqueous extract at 8.09 μg·mL–1 was predicted to underlie its specific phytotoxicity on B. scoparia germination. These results support the use of cover crops and mulches in weed management and can help to select the most suitable species to adopt according to the target weed species. Highlights- The phytotoxic nature of the aqueous extracts of twelve conventional and novel cover crops and mulch species was demonstrated in vineyards’ three troublesome weed species. - Phenolic acids and flavonoids of the twelve aqueous extracts were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD, and, by regression analysis, some allelochemicals were postulated as responsible for the phytotoxic effects. - The water-soluble phenolic profiles of three potential cover crops, namely Hordeum murinum, Vulpia ciliata, and Medicago rugosa, are reported for the first time. - In vitro germination and early root growth of Conyza bonariensis and Aster squamatus were almost entirely restricted by any of the twelve plants’ aqueous extracts and presumably by the joint action of their particular allelopathic compounds. - Bassia scoparia germination was relatively much less sensitive to the extracts, except for Trifolium subterraneum, for which the flavonoid naringenin was predicted to underlie its specific phytotoxicity.

A fine-grained analysis of a Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) nest suggests a nonhomogeneous internal structure

We report first data on the fine-grained structure (branch diameter, length and diversity) in three different sectors [core (central side), buffer (peripheral side), and nest chamber)] of a nest of Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) from a non-native breeding site located in an urban park (Rome, central Italy). The central core sector was characterized by longer and thicker branches capable of supporting the nest. The peripheral part (buffer) was characterized by less long and less thick branches with the function of completing the structure. Branches building the nest chamber were shorter and less thick but very diversified in size, because they included both small branches supplied inside the chamber and longer branches covering it. This diversification of the internal chamber (nest chamber) could be functional to maintain stable temperatures of incubator chambers compared to large fluctuations outside the nest. The presence of leaves of herbaceous species (Hordeum leporinum) could play a bactericidal role for the nest plant material.