ABSTRACT Aim To investigate how fruit type evolution influences ecological divergence, species diversification, and biogeographic history in tribe Ligustrinae (Oleaceae). Location Temperate and subtropical regions across the Northern Hemisphere. Taxon Tribe Ligustrinae, comprising Syringa and Ligustrum . Methods We reconstructed a robust phylogeny and estimated divergence times using plastome sequences. Ecological niches modelling and ancestral niche reconstruction were performed to infer habitat preferences. Biogeographic analyses and paleodistribution modelling were used to explore historical range dynamics and niche evolution across different fruit types. Results Capsules were primarily associated with humid, temperate regions, while drupes occupied broader ecological niches, expanding into warmer, humid subtropical zones. Biogeographic reconstruction indicated a north‐to‐south expansion of tribe Ligustrinae, coinciding with the transition from capsules to drupes. Paleodistribution models revealed fruit‐type‐specific ecological dynamics and niche expansion patterns over time. Main Conclusions Fruit type evolution in tribe Ligustrinae is closely linked to ecological divergence, lineage diversification, and biogeographic patterns. Drupes and capsules occupy distinct ecological niches and distributions, reflecting coordinated changes between reproductive traits and environmental adaptation. These findings highlight the combined role of fruit morphology and climatic factors in shaping plant diversity, adaptation, and distribution.

The article presents the results of long-term biochemical analyses of introduced nectarine varieties grown in the humid subtropical zone of the Krasnodar Territory. Physico-chemical studies were conducted at the Subtropical Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. The aim of the work is to identify the characteristics of new and early introduced nectarine varieties characterized by high fruit yields with harmonious taste qualities and resistance to the weather and climate destabilization conditions of the South of Russia. The object of the study is nectarine fruits of different ripening periods: Big Top — early; Orion, Silver Roma, Venus — middle-late; Abundant, Sklor — late. It is noted that the pulp of nectarine fruits is less sweet than that of peaches, richer in organic acids, macro- and microelements, enzymes, vitamins A, B, C, E, K, minerals, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and contains bio-flavonoids and fiber. The content of ascorbic acid on average by varieties was 6.52—13.26 mg/100 g, the maximum was found in the varieties Big Top (13.26 mg/100 g), Abundant (10.33) and Sklor (11.90 mg/100 g), the minimum was found in Orion, Silver Roma, Venus, which is 1.5—1.9 times lower than the indicators of fruits of early and middle-late ripening periods. This was facilitated by: the peculiarity, age of varieties, weather conditions, water regime, as well as the fact that vitamin C accumulates more in unripe fruits. It was founded that the dry matter content was insignificant (11.03—18.95%), which is used to judge the value of raw materials, in this case, the quality of nectarine fruits, juiciness, storability, transportability, and yield.

Human cases of arboviral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes are increasing worldwide and spreading to new areas of the United States. These diseases continue to re-emerge, likely due to changes in vector ecology, urbanization, human migration, and larger range of climatic suitability. Recent shifts in landscape and weather variables are predicted to impact the habitat patterns of urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Miami, FL is in the tropical zone, while Charleston, SC is in the humid subtropical zone, and both cities are established hotspots for arboviruses. We applied remote sensing with land-use cover and weather variation to identify mosquito infestation patterns. We detected statistically significant positive and negative associations between entomological indicators and most weather variables in combined data from both cities. For all entomological indices, weekly wind speed and relative humidity were significantly positively associated, while precipitation and maximum temperature were significantly negatively associated. Aedes egg abundance was significantly positively associated with open land in Charleston but was negatively associated with vegetation cover in combined data.

The size of area of plantations of fast-growing tree species, established on agricultural land in the Czech Republic (CR), is on the rise. In order to gain saw timber, it is necessary to choose other species (example: Salix spp. and Populus spp., their resulting product is wood chips), one of which could be Paulownia spp. In 2015, an experimental plot with the species of Paulownia tomentosa and two hybrids of Paulownia Shan-Tong and Paulownia Hybrid 9501 were established in South Moravia. The plants were periodically pruned up to a height of 3 m. After six years, Paulownia Hybrid 9501 had mean height of 9.4 m and DBH of 12.8 cm, P. tomentosa 7.3 m and 10.3 cm, respectively, and P. Shan-Tong 5.2 m and 9 cm, respectively. These values are well below the average, in comparison with those declared by the sellers. The limited growth was presumably caused by less precipitation and a shorter growing season, in comparison with the climate characteristics of the humid subtropical zone in which Paulownia species originated. It appears that Paulownia Hybrid 9501 could grow in conditions similar to those in South Moravia, however, with a slower growth.

Aedes transmitted arboviral human cases are increasing worldwide and spreading to new areas of the United States of America (USA). These diseases continue to re-emerge likely due to changes in vector ecology, urbanization, human migration, and larger range of climatic suitability. Recent shifts in landscape and weather variables are predicted to impact the habitat patterns of urban mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Miami (FL) is in the tropical zone and an established hotspot for arboviruses, while Charleston (SC) is in the humid subtropical zone and newly vulnerable. Although these coastal cities have distinct climates, both have hot summers. To understand mosquito infestation in both cities and potentiate our surveillance effort, we performed egg collections in the warmest season. We applied remote sensing with land-use cover and weather variation to identify mosquito infestation patterns. Our study found predominant occurrence of Ae. aegypti and, to a lesser extent, Ae. albopictus in both cities. We detected statistically significant positive and negative associations between entomological indicators and most weather variables in combined data from both cities. For all entomological indices, weekly wind speed and relative humidity were significantly positively associated, while precipitation and maximum temperature were significantly negatively associated. Aedes egg abundance was significantly positively associated with open land in Charleston but was negatively associated with vegetation cover in combined data. There is a clear need for further observational studies to determine the impact of climate change on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus infestation in the Southeastern region of the USA.

The objects of research were the fruits of apple trees of the Golden Reinders variety (rootstock M 9) grown on the basis of experimental plantings Agricultural institute, Science Academy of Abkhazia. Complex organic fertilizers have been selected as agrochemicals Antistress Chelate and Chelate Filling. The research is aimed at finding new, highly efficient and environmentally friendly agrochemicals, and also determines the development of technology for their application. It was found that the Golden Reinders variety in the humid subtropical zone accumulates from 10.6% (under control) to 11.6% (with non-root treatments) of sugars. Treatments with agrochemicals affected the main quantitative patterns in the content of mono- and disaccharides in apple fruits. The amount of fructose ranges from 6.63 g/100 g at the control to 7.52 g/100 g during treatments; glucose accumulates on average only 1.1-1.2 g/100 g, depending on the variant. Sucrose in fruits is 2.4-2.6 times more than glucose, which characterizes the ripening processes in fruits. Agrochemicals treatments have an ambiguous effect on the accumulation of organic acids. So, if there is a significant increase in malic, citric and tartaric acid during processing, then the content of lactic, succinic, oxalic and acetic acid drops. The sugar-acid index averages 13.6 units, there is a slightly acidic taste.

Within the context of cultural heritage conservation, the biological study of tangible archeological sites is an important task to extend their existence and strengthen the transmission of their cultural value to future generations. In Egypt, a hyper-arid region, a microcolonial fungus with inky black growth was observed on a stone surface in the royal corridor of the Great Pyramid of Giza (King Khufu’s pyramid). The isolate was studied and characterized by microscopic morphometric measurements, evaluation of enzymatic activities, and genotyping techniques. The isolate was identified as Hortaea werneckii, a pleomorphic black yeast that naturally inhabits hypersaline environments and infects human skin. It has been reported from humid temperate, subtropical, and tropical zones, mainly from marine habitats and adjacent areas, and is associated with marine life. Since it was observed in an unusual habitat, it raises the question of its type and origin, whether environmental or clinical. The Egyptian Hortaea werneckii GPS5 isolate was profiled and characterized by adaptive extremophilic tolerance to arid salt stress, low portability to infect human skin, and the capability of solubilizing calcite; besides it was phylogenetically clustered with previous recorded environmental accessions. A profile that matches the biodeterioration fungal agents known as rock-inhabiting fungi, a potential threat to cultural heritage sites that requires attention and prevention plans.

Performance of solid state hydrogen storage assisted standalone polygeneration microgrids for various climatic zones of India

The paper considers the problem of conserving biological diversity in the Federal Research Centre the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The research was carried out on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory in the humid subtropical zone. The climatic conditions in the given zone, as well as a number of other factors, contributed to the formation and growth of unique diverse species and of plant cultivars, many of which are included in the collections of FRC SSC of RAS and have been objects of research. The paper presents an analysis of genetic resources, which includes 2 700 subtropical cultivars, southern fruit, pome, nut-bearing, flower crops and tea, as well as species of natural flora, supported in a live form. Collections consisting of Russian and foreign cultivars, aboriginal, intergenerational and interspecific forms, clones, rare, endangered and endemic species of natural flora are given in the paper. 90 sources of valuable traits have been identified, of which 51 are floral, 39 are fruit. In addition to the purposes of conserving valuable genetic material, collection samples are used for fundamental research in the field of biology, genetics, breeding, physiology and biochemistry (1 594 cultivars). 1 748 cultivars are recommended for practical use, as well as for obtaining fruit and flower products and planting material.

Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng (Curry leaf) is a commercially important medicinal plant in South Asia, containing therapeutically valuable carbazole alkaloids (CAs). Thus, the quantitative evaluation of these compounds from different climatic zones of India are an important aspect for quality assessment and economic isolation of targeted compounds from the plant. In this study, quantitative estimation of CAs among 34 Indian natural populations of M. koenigii was assessed using UPLC/MS/MS. The collected populations represent the humid subtropical, tropical wet & dry, tropical wet, semi-arid, arid, and montane climatic zones of India. A total of 11 CAs viz. koenine-I, murrayamine A, koenigine, koenimbidine, koenimbine, O-methylmurrayamine A, girinimbine, mahanine, 8,8''-biskoenigine, isomahanimbine, and mahanimbine were quantified using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) experiments within 5.0 min. The respective range for natural abundance of CAs were observed as 0.097-1.222, 0.092-5.014, 0.034-0.661, 0.010-1.673, 0.013-7.336, 0.010-0.310, 0.010-0.114, 0.049-5.288, 0.031-1.731, 0.491-3.791, and 0.492-5.399 mg/g in leaves of M. koenigii. The developed method shown linearity regression coefficient (r2 >0.9995), LOD (0.003-0.248 ng/mL), LOQ (0.009-0.754 ng/mL), and the recovery was between 88.803-103.729 %. The bulk of these CAs were recorded in their highest concentrations in the humid subtropical zone, followed by the tropical wet & dry zones of India. Further, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed which differentiated the climatic zones according to the dominant and significant CAs contents within the populations. The study concludes that the method established is simple, rapid, with high sample throughput, and can be used as a tool for commercial purposes and quality control of M. koenigii.

Comprehensive exergetic, sustainability and enviro-economic evaluation of single-stage and hybrid evaporative coolers in India

The species Pseudomonas batumici, isolated from the rhizosphere of eucalyptus in the humid subtropical zone, is a producer of the polyketide antibiotic batumin with highly selective activity against staphylococci. Batumin biosynthesis operon includes 28 genes or 74 151 bp. According to modern notions, the biosynthesis of energy-intensive metabolites, which probably includes batumin, is justified in the case of its multifunctionality for producers. The species P. batumici, as a representative of rhizosphere bacteria, must interact with plants and compete with the surrounding microbiota. Aim. To determine the role of batumin in the ecology of the rhizosphere producer strain P. batumici UCM B-321. Methods. The batumin producing strain P. batumici UCM B-321T was obtained from the Ukrainian Collection of Microorganisms. Antibiotic batumin was obtained by fermentation of P. batumici UCM B-321. Extraction was carried out from acidified P. batumici fermentation broth by chloroform (1:2). Chromatographic analysis of fermentation broth obtained after centrifugation was carried out by HPLC using liquid chromatograph Agilent 1200 with mass spectrometric detector Agilent G1956B. Batumin derivatives were obtained after the extraction of the fermentation broth of P. batumici using thin layer chromatography (TLC) on silica gel plates (Merck, USA) in the benzene-isopropanol system (5:1). Disc-diffusion method on phytopathogenic test-strains was used for bioautography. Biofilm formation by P. batumici strain was studied according to O’Toole by growing strain B-321 at 25 0C for 48 hours in 96-well plates on LB medium. Batumin effect upon bacterial mobility was studied using Volf and Berg method in Petri dishes with 0.5% semisolid bacterial agar. To research chemotaxis the soil strain Bacillus subtilis IMV B-7023 and the following concentrations of batumin were used: 20, 50, and 150 μg/mL. The studies were performed using Tso and Adler method. Results. Growth inhibition zones for phytopathogenic bacteria strains were the following (in mm): Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae UCM B-1027T – 19±3, P. fluorescens IMV 8573 – 22±3, Pectobacterium carotovorum UCM B-1075T – 17±2. Activity against Xantomonas campestris pv. campestris UCM B-1049, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis IMV 102, Agrobacterium tumefaciens UCM B-1000 was not detected. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the range from 8 to 64 μg/mL for P. carotovorum UCM B-1075T, Erwinia aroidea IMV 1058, Proteus vulgaris UCM B-905 and P. fluorescens IMV 8573 are hardly comparable with the discovered against staphylococci. TLC analysis of its broth extract revealed five separate compounds with different values of retention factors: Rf1=0.42; Rf2=0.38; Rf3=0.31; Rf4=0.28; Rf5=0.25. The main component of extract was batumin, other four substances were present in minor quantities. All found substances had similar absorption maxima with the minimum differences between isomeric forms: descarbamoyl batumin-enol (Mr=505, λ=226 nm), descarbamoyl batumin-keto (Mr=505, λ=231 nm), batumin (Mr=548, λ=231 nm), batumin-enol (Mr=548, λ=228 nm) and 17-hydroxy-batumin (Mr=550, λ=229 nm). The largest inhibition zone (P. carotovorum UCM B-1075T) was on the third compound placement which represents of batumin, tiny inhibition zones were found around keto and enol form of descarbamoyl batumin. Observation of live bacterial cells in light microscope confirmed a serious disruption of motility in all these bacteria by batumin in the concentration far lower than the MIC for these organisms. Proteus actively moved in the control, but in presence of 10 μg/mL of batumin was almost no growth. The biofilm formation by P. batumici UCM B-321 was stimulated by supplementing batumin into the medium. The stimulation effect by batumin on the biofilm formation was equally strong when the compound was applied in the concentrations of 1 and 10 μg/mL. Batumin was not an attractant of the producer strain. However, in one of our experiments batumin has shown the properties of positive effector (attractant) for B. subtilis UCM B-7023 strain. Conclusion. The discovered features allow to consider the antibiotic batumin synthesized by P. batumici UCM B-321 as the essential tool for survival and competition of the producer strain in a natural habitat.

Abstract This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Nervilia nipponica Makino (mukago‐saishin) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the International Biological Flora: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to the environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history, conservation and global heterogeneity. Nervilia nipponica is a small, stoloniferous, seasonally dormant herb that grows in the understorey of evergreen forests in the humid subtropical zone of central and western Japan, with a few outlying populations on Jeju Island in South Korea. Its northern extent is defined by the 0°C winter isotherm, and its occurrence is also limited by site aspect and incline. It is a weak competitor that occupies species‐poor microsites in which bare ground and leaf litter predominate. Plant numbers tend to decline as percentage ground cover of surrounding understorey vegetation increases. The inflorescence sprouts from a short‐lived, subterranean tuber in late spring and leaf‐flush occurs after fruit‐set. However, most tubers do not flower in any one annual growth cycle. Long‐term monitoring of individually marked plants suggests that tubers are resource‐limited and that flowering constrains future genet growth. Nervilia nipponica is exclusively autogamous and has a strong capacity for vegetative propagation. The species is genetically depauperate but exhibits significant differentiation between populations, which comprise clonal clusters in phalanx formation. The level of mycorrhizal infection differs between plant parts and through successive phenological stages. Stable isotope signatures indicate that the species is partially mycoheterotrophic, with fungal partners supporting growth particularly at lower light intensities. Despite this, falling light availability associated with forest succession can lead to population decline. Populations tend to be small and prone to extirpation, but the species is probably under‐recorded as a result of its ephemeral emergence above‐ground and inconspicuous habit. Management interventions likely to benefit the species at the site level include thinning dense forest canopy and removing encroaching ground cover.

The hydrochemical characteristics and variation rules of water in karst areas are important for the basic research of karst field. Because only a few researches focused on the hydrochemical characteristics of humid subtropical dolomite karst basins in the past, the Shanmuhe Basin and its subbasin Huangzhouhe Basin in Shibing Dolomite Karst World Natural Heritage Site in China were selected as the study area. A total of 215 water samples were collected and analyzed. It was found that the hydrochemical type of subtropical dolomite karst basin is HCO3-Ca·Mg type, which is different from that in limestone areas and shale districts, which is HCO3-Ca type for both; EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, Mg2+/Ca2+, and Mg2+/HCO3- have similar spatial variations, which are lower in allogenic water in the upstream in the northwest of the basin and become higher when the water enters the dolomite karst area in the mid and downstream of the basin, and SIC and SID of the allogenic water in the upstream are below zero, while those become saturated after entering the dolomite area in the mid and downstream; the monthly variation of hydrochemistry shows that the seasonal variation of ion concentration is not obvious, and there is a dilution effect in rainy seasons, but the variation of ion concentration is small and relatively stable; higher HCO3- concentration and Mg2+/Ca2+ in the pure dolomite basin are higher than those in the impure dolomite basin; the main influencing factors of the hydrochemical features are geological background especially the lithology, and the water chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering and water-rock interaction; rainfall import is low and the low concentrations of K+, Na+, NO3-, Cl-, and SO42- in water indicate that human activities have little effect on the hydrochemistry in the study area.

The article presents data from studies of the effect of growth regulators when applied for three years in peach plantations in the humid subtropical zone of the Black Sea coast of Russia. The influence of drugs (Zerebra® Agro (colloidal silver + polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride), Epin-Extra® (24-epibrassinolide) and Biosil® (triterpene acids)) on the degree of development of peach leaf curl (pathogen – Taphrina deformans (Berk) Tul.) was analyzed. The preparations were used in pure form and in combination with fungicides, the dosage of which was two times lower than in the standard. Already in the first year of the experiment, an increase in the resistance of the peach to leaf curl was noted. The maximum biological efficiency (up to 80.3%) in relation to leaf curl was observed when using Zerebra Agro in a tank mixture with fungicides. An inverse correlation was established between the degree of development of leaf curl and the level of antioxidant system enzymes activity (catalase and guaiacol peroxidase), which confirms the immunity-inducing effect of the growth regulators use.

The taxonomic composition of the genus Chaenomeles L. was determined in the conditions of the Sochi Black sea region. Morphological and biological description was made and fruiting was evaluated for 19 taxa. Decorative cultivars Ch. japonica, Ch. speciosa, Ch. × superba, Ch. × vilmoriniana are of interest for cultivation in the humid subtropical zone of Russia. Fruit cultivars are not represented. Ch. sinensis is recommended as a fruit crop of Chaenomeles and a promising form of Ch. × superba has been identified. The cultivar Ch. speciosa ‘ Kermesina ' is universal and recommended for use in both gardening and fruit growing.

Research was carried out on the basis of preserved field multifactor experiment on tea crop (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) in the conditions of the Sochi Black Sea coast. The application of NPK fertilizers in different doses and combinations according to the experimental scheme was carried out annually from 1986 to 2011. Since 2012, the use of fertilizers has been completely discontinued. The fertility indicators of long-fertilized brown forest acidic soils (in layers 0-20/20-40 cm) were compared with those after 7-8 years of fertilizer withdrawal. During the period of fertilizers’ application, the level of soils’ nitrogen supply significantly exceeded the control (by 30-75/30-56 mg/kg depending on the doses of nitrogen fertilizers). After the fertilizers’ discontinuity, nitrogen supply level equalization occurred in all experimental options. The content of labile phosphorus in soils previously fertilized with high phosphorus doses (120 kg P2O5 ha-1 year-1 and more), during the period of experiment’s conservation decreased by 450-500/350-450 mg/kg, but exceeded the control in 2-2.5 times; in soils previously fertilized by low doses, the indicators have not changed significantly. In soils highly supplied with labile potassium, the content of the element decreased by 70-140 mg/kg. The yield of tea in 2019-2020 was equally low (12-26 cwt/ha) on all options, 2.2-3 times lower than fertilized plantations. After the fertilizers’ withdrawal, there was a decrease in acidity (an average increase in pH by 0.18-0.24/0.12-0.20 units) of agrogenic-acidized soils and an increase in their oppressed respiratory activity (on average by 1.6 times). These changes reflect the tendency of soil self-restoration after the removal of the fertilizers’ load.

Bacterial leaf streak (BLS) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) is one of the most devastating diseases in rice production areas, especially in humid tropical and subtropical zones throughout Asia and worldwide. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis conducted on a collection of 236 diverse rice accessions, mainly indica varieties, identified 12 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 11, conferring resistance to five representative isolates of Thai Xoc. Of these, five QTLs conferred resistance to more than one Xoc isolates. Two QTLs, qBLS5.1 and qBLS2.3, were considered promising QTLs for broad-spectrum resistance to BLS. The xa5 gene was proposed as a potential candidate gene for qBLS5.1 and three genes, encoding pectinesterase inhibitor (OsPEI), eukaryotic zinc-binding protein (OsRAR1), and NDP epimerase function, were proposed as candidate genes for qBLS2.3. Results from this study provide an insight into the potential QTLs and candidate genes for BLS resistance in rice. The recessive xa5 gene is suggested as a potential candidate for strong influence on broad-spectrum resistance and as a focal target in rice breeding programs for BLS resistance.

Signals of adaptive mitogenomic evolution in an indigenous Cichlid, Etroplus suratensis (Bloch, 1790) from India

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) is one of the main subtropical horticultural crops on the coast of The Black Sea on Caucasus. As a result of the study, the biological characteristics of passage of phenological phases, as well as the biometric growth performance of plant and development (diameter of the stem and total growth of shoots) of eleven varieties and bred eastern persimmons hybrids in the humid subtropical zone of the Krasnodar Territory. A comparative assessment of the development of trees is given, where the largest diameter of the stem was observed in the variety ‘Djiro’ - 75.0 mm; interspecies hybrid №99 (‘MVG Omarova’) - 74.9 mm and ‘Hachia’ - 68.5 mm. Initiation of flowers and the formation of fruits proceeds at the first growth of the current year and this indicator is responsible for the crop. Were noted he best varieties with active growth of the shoot ‘Djiro’ - 39.7 cm, ‘Hiakume -39.1 cm and ‘Hachia’ - 37.9 cm. In overall development the best results have Djiro’, ‘Hachia’ and ‘MVG Omarova’, less active tree growth was noted in the smallest varieties - Kiara constant ’and hybrid No. №39, ‘Zenji-Maru’, ‘Geili ’. As a result of research, we marked out the most productive varieties and hybrids of eastern date-plum Hiakume’,‘Hachia’,‘Djiro’, ‘Seedles’, ‘Zenji-Maru’, ‘Khostinsky ’, hybrid №39 and ‘MVG Omarova’. Of these, the most productive for four years of fruiting were the varieties: 'Hiakume' - whose yield is 82.5 c/ha, 'Hachia' - 73.5 c/ha and 'Djiro' - 72.0 c/ha, these varieties are characterized active growth of shoots, high fruit set, as well as varieties with large fruits, such as 'Hiakume' -231 g and 'Hachia' -228 g.