Viscaria Vulgaris Research Articles

Linking divergence in phenotypic selection on floral traits to divergence in local pollinator assemblages in a pollination-generalized plant.

Divergent patterns of phenotypic selection on floral traits can arise in response to interactions with functionally distinct pollinators. However, there are a limited number of studies that relate patterns of phenotypic selection on floral traits to variation in local pollinator assemblages in pollination-generalized plant species. We studied phenotypic selection on floral traits of Viscaria vulgaris, a plant that interacts with a broad range of diurnal and nocturnal pollinators, and related divergence in phenotypic selection on floral traits to the expected level of divergence in local pollinator assemblages. We detected phenotypic selection on floral traits involved in the attraction of pollinators and the mechanics of pollen removal and deposition, and demonstrated that floral traits are subject to spatiotemporal variation in the strength and direction of phenotypic selection. We revealed that diurnal and nocturnal pollinators, when considered in isolation, mediated divergent patterns of phenotypic selection on floral traits. Consistent with the Grant-Stebbins model, we observed that divergence in phenotypic selection on floral traits increased with the expected level of divergence in local pollinator assemblages. Thus, generalized plant-pollinator interactions can mediate phenotypic selection on floral traits and distinct local pollinator assemblages can generate a geographic mosaic of divergent patterns of phenotypic selection. We underscore that these outcomes are not exclusive to specialized plant-pollinator interactions and can emerge at a local geographic scale.

Assessment of the resistance of highly ornamental plants of autochthonous flora to increased concentrations of pollutants

Aim. The purpose of the work is to assess the resistance of highly decorative plants of the native flora to a high level of salinity and the content of zinc, lead and cadmium for landscaping urban and roadside areas. Methods. We used seed germination under laboratory conditions with soaking in solutions of sodium chloride and salts of zinc, lead and cadmium, as well as the method of in vitro cell selection to increase resistance to salinity of Verbascum nigrum L. Results. The resistance of 7 species of highly decorative plants, representatives of the autochthonous flora of Belarus, to increasing concentrations of lead, zinc and cadmium salts was assessed. Germination capacity, length and morphology of roots, length of seedlings during germination of seeds of Betonica officinalis L., Centaurea jacea L., Verbascum nigrum, Knautia arvensis (L.) Coult., Galium verum L., Anthemis tinctoria L., Anthemis arvensis L., Viscaria vulgaris Bernh., Achillea millefolium L. in the presence of sodium chloride are shown. It has been shown that the in vitro cell selection method is promising for the selection of resistant lines of Verbascum nigrum. Conclusions. The presence of lead, zinc and cadmium salts had a significant effect on the average length of the root, hypocotyl, and cotyledonous leaves, as well as the germination capacity of highly decorative species of autochthonous flora. The most resistant to salinity were yarrow (Achillea millefolium), brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea) and black mullein (Verbascum nigrum). Lines of Verbascum nigrum, capable of growing in vitro at a sodium chloride concentration of 5 g/L, were selected. Keywords: salinity, heavy metals, seed germination, highly decorative species.

Influence of bacterial melanine on morphological indicators of seeds germination of high-decorative species of flora of Belarus

Aim. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of a biological product based on the melaninogenic strain of Bacillus thuringiensis on germination and morphological parameters of highly decorative species of the flora of Belarus, promising for landscaping in the urban environment. Methods. Seed germination in laboratory conditions used with soaking in solutions of bacterial melanin in concentrations of 0.04, 0.025, 0.01%. Water and Terrasil at a concentration of 0.01 was used for a comparative evaluation of the effectiveness. Results. Morphological parameters were estimated during germination of the seeds of Verbascum thapsus L., Verbascum nigrum L., Centaurea scabiosa L., Betonica officinalis L., Viscaria vulgaris Bernh. treated with various concentrations of the stimulant. Conclusions. The effect of the bacterial melanin on the morphological parameters of plants was species- and dospecific. The optimal concentration for use on the studied plants should include concentrations up to 0.025%. The most pronounced effect of the use of the drug was revealed in the first days of seed germination, which allows the use of bacterial melanin to increase the germination of seedlings.
 Keywords: bacterial melanin, stimulant, seed germination, highly decorative species of flora.

Viscario vulgaris-Quercetum petraeae Stöcker (1965) in the Opawskie Mts (Eastern Sudetes)

Abstract Results of phytosociological studies conducted in the southern part of Opole Silesia within the Sudetes mountain range in 2014-2015 are presented. The main aim of our research was to confirm the occurrence of Viscario vulgaris-Quercetum petraeae Stöcker 1965, which had previously been noted in Poland only within the Central Sudetes Foothills in Lower Silesia province. Two additional sites of this extremely rare in Poland plant association were confirmed, located within the Opawskie Mts in Opole province. The association develops on steep slopes, near rocky outcrops, on southern or western expositions at altitudes between 350 and 410 m a.s.l. All plots of the association consists of several diagnostic taxa and the share of thermophilous plants is clear. The Viscario vulgaris-Quercetum petraeae is rather species poor forest phytocoenosis with the herb layer abundance shrink by a scree downslides. The most frequent taxa contributing to the sampled plots were: Luzula luzuloides, Galeopsis ladanum, Hieracium laevigatum, Lembotropis nigricans, Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa and Viscaria vulgaris. In all forest plots the Quercus petraea apparently dominates and shrub layer is scarce.

Effects of landscape composition and configuration on pollination in a native herb: a field experiment.

Bumble bee abundance in agricultural landscapes is known to decrease with increasing distance from seminatural grasslands, but whether the pollination of bumble-bee-pollinated wild plants shows a similar pattern is less well known. In addition, the relative effects of landscape composition (landscape heterogeneity) and landscape configuration (distance from seminatural grassland) on wild plant pollination, and the interaction between these landscape effects, have not been studied using landscape-level replication. We performed a field experiment to disentangle these landscape effects on the pollination of a native herb, the sticky catchfly (Lychnis viscaria), while accounting for the proportion of oilseed rape across landscapes and the local abundance of bee forage flowers. We measured pollen limitation (the degree to which seed set is pollen-limited), seed set, and seed set stability using potted plants placed in landscapes that differed in heterogeneity (composition) and distance from seminatural grassland (configuration). Pollen limitation and seed set in individual plants did not respond to landscape composition, landscape configuration, or proportion of oilseed rape. Instead, seed set increased with increasing local bee forage flower cover. However, we found within-plant variability in pollen limitation and seed set to increase with increasing distance from seminatural pasture. Our results suggest that average within-plant levels of pollen limitation and seed set respond less swiftly than the within-plant variability in pollen limitation and seed set to changes in landscape configuration. Although landscape effects on pollination were less important than predicted, we conclude that landscape configuration and local habitat characteristics play larger roles than landscape composition in the pollination of L. viscaria.

Distance to semi-natural grassland influences seed production of insect-pollinated herbs

Marginal grassland fragments, such as road verges and field margins, may act as important supplemental habitats for grassland plants in the modern agricultural landscape. However, abundance of pollinators in such fragments has been found to decline with distance to larger natural and semi-natural habitats, and this could have corresponding effects on plant pollination. In this study, we performed a field experiment on road verges with three insect-pollinated grassland herbs to examine the relationship between distance to semi-natural grassland and plant reproductive success in two landscapes with contrasting farming intensities. In Lychnis viscaria and Lotus corniculatus, seed production tended to decrease with increasing distance to semi-natural grassland, but only in the landscape with high farming intensity. Seed production in Armeria maritima spp. maritima decreased with distance in both landscapes. Although many studies have investigated effects of natural habitat on crop pollination, little is known about the impact on pollination in native plants. The results from this study indicate that management of semi-natural grasslands improves not only biodiversity within the actual grassland but also pollination of native plants in the surrounding agricultural landscape.

New records of Microbotryum species parasitizing Caryophyllaceae from Ukraine

Four records of smut fungi belonging to the genus <em>Microbotryum</em> Lév.are reported. Two species were found on new hosts, namely <em>M. dianthorum</em> on <em>Dianthus borbasii</em> and <em>D. pseudoserotinus</em> and <em>M. superbum</em> on <em>D. stenocalyx. Microbotryum lagerhemii</em> on <em>Lychnis viscaria</em> is a new species for Ukraine.

Despite high uptake efficiency, non‐mycorrhizal Rumex acetosella increases available phosphorous in the rhizosphere soil, whereas Viscaria vulgaris, Plantago lanceolata and Achillea millefolium does not

The phosphorous (P) uptake efficiency, reduction of the soil extractable P, and the root morphology was determined for the four common grassland species Rumex acetosella, Viscaria vulgaris, Plantago lanceolata and Achillea millefolium in one pot cultivation and one microcosm experiment. Rumex acetosella produced more than tree times as much biomass as each of V. vulgaris, P. lanceolata and A. millefolium, and could maintain a P concentration in the tissue that was twice as high as in the other species. R. acetosella was able to take up 10 times more phosphorous than the other species but the high uptake was not reflected in reduced Olsen P levels in the root affected soil. Calculating the uptake efficiency of the roots with a diameter less than 0.5 mm showed that the P uptake, calculated per root area, had been more efficient in R. acetosella than in the other species. The calculated rhizosphere volume (explored by the plant) seemed to correlate with the higher uptake efficiency of R. acetosella. We can conclude that R. acetosella have mechanisms to maintain a high P availability in the soil and may sustain a high uptake without any mycorrhizal interactions.

Inbreeding depression in perennial Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae): effects of population mating history and nutrient availability

We studied inbreeding depression in a perennial plant, Lychnis viscaria, in three populations differing in their inbreeding history and population size by measuring several traits at two nutrient levels over the plant's life cycle. The observed levels of inbreeding depression (cumulative inbreeding depression, from -0.057 to 0.629) were high for a plant with a mixed mating system. As expected, the population with a low level of isozyme variation expressed the least inbreeding depression for seed germination. Highest inbreeding depression for germination was found in the largest and genetically most variable population. No clear differences between populations in expression of inbreeding depression in the later life stages were found. The population level inbreeding depression varied with the nutrient conditions and among populations and life stages, but we found no evidence that inbreeding depression increased with lower nutrient availability. These results emphasize the importance of measuring inbreeding depression under several environmental conditions and over life stages.

Soluble inorganic tissue phosphorus and calcicole-calcifuge behaviour of plants.

Natural and semi-natural, non-fertilized calcareous soils are consistently low in soluble and easily exchangeable phosphate. An over-utilization, or possibly an immobilization, of inorganic P in the tissues of calcifuge plants may take place, if such plants are forced to grow on a calcareous soil, though this has not been experimentally demonstrated. The objectives of this study are, therefore, to elucidate if calcifuge plants, when forced to develop on a calcareous soil, not only have lower total P (Ptot) concentrations in their leaves than calcicole plants grown on such soil, but also a lower proportion of Ptot as water-soluble, inorganic phosphate. Such differences may be of importance in understanding the calcicole-calcifuge behaviour of plants. Plants of five calcicole and five calcifuge herbs and three calcicole and three calcifuge grasses were cultivated in a glasshouse on a moderately acid Cambisol and a calcareous Rendzic Leptosol using seeds of wild populations from southern Sweden. The calcifuges were: Corynephorus canescens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus mollis, Digitalis purpurea, Lychnis viscaria, Rumex acetosella, Scleranthus annuus and Silene rupestris. The calcicoles were: Melica ciliata, Phleum phleoides, Sesleria caerulea, Arabis hirsuta, Sanguisorba minor, Scabiosa columbaria, Silene uniflora ssp. petraea and Veronica spicata. At harvest, calcifuges had much lower leaf tissue concentrations of Ptot and Pi than calcicoles when grown on the calcareous soil, and biomass production of the calcifuges was poor on this soil. Moreover, the calcifuge herbs had, on average, a lower proportion of their Ptot as Pi than had the calcicole herbs. The calcifuge herbs were also unable to avoid excessive uptake of Ca from the calcareous soil. The calcifuge grasses maintained a similar proportion of Ptot as Pi as the calcicole grasses, but their growth was still poor on the calcareous soil. On calcareous soil, very little Pi in the tissues of calcifuge herbs is, at any time, available for use in various physiological functions. This is of importance to their photosynthesis, growth, competition and final survival on such soils.

No relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and fitness in Lychnis viscaria

Several earlier studies have indicated a negative relationship between fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and fitness. We tested this assumption by investigating the association between petal asymmetry and several fitness-related characters among natural and common garden populations of Lychnis viscaria. Neither seed set, germination percentage nor the growth rate of seedlings were related to the level of flower asymmetry either among natural populations or in common garden conditions. The only significant association found was a positive connection between petal asymmetry and seed mass measured from natural populations. Thus, in contrary to many earlier published reports, we did not find any evidence for a negative relationship between FA and fitness even if we controlled for measurement error, we had adequate sample size and we measured these characters in two environments. This suggests that FA is not consistently related to individual quality and fitness.

Organic Acid Exudation by Wild Herbs in Response to Elevated Al Concentrations

In acidic soils, monomeric aluminium (Al3+) can reach levels that are toxic to plants, thus preventing many species from growing there. Organic acids chelate Al and render it non-toxic. It has been shown that exudation of organic acids by Al-tolerant crops increases their tolerance to Al. We have extended this observation to wild plants by comparing the ability of ten herbs to exude organic acids in response to elevated Al levels. We hypothesized that exudation of organic acids was related to the ability of plants to grow on Al-rich soils. Two grasses were grown in rhizotrons in soils with 41 and 63μM reactive Al. Organic acids were sampled from root tips connected to an intact plant-root system.Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. exuded more malic acid when grown in the soil with the highest Al content. Five forbs and five grasses were also exposed to three Al levels (0, 25 and 75μM) in a hydroponic system.Rumex acetosella L. and Viscaria vulgaris Bernh. increased exudation of oxalic acid and Galium saxatile auct. non L. and Veronica officinalis L. increased exudation of citric acid in response to elevated Al. The distribution of the forbs in the field as described by soil pH was negatively related to the amount of organic acids exuded in response to Al. In contrast, none of the grasses exuded higher amounts of organic acids with increasing Al concentration in the hydroponic experiment.

Consequences of plant population size and density for plant–pollinator interactions and plant performance

Summary Habitat fragmentation and the resulting decline in the local abundance of plant species can affect biological interactions. We examined the effects of abundance on plant–pollinator interactions by observing the pollinator service and subsequent reproductive output of a mostly outbreeding, but self‐compatible, plant,Lychnis viscaria, in experimental populations of different sizes (number of individuals) and densities (distance between individuals). Bumblebees, the main pollinators ofL. viscaria,preferred larger populations, but visitation rates were higher in sparser populations. Pollinators were attracted to the larger inflorescences in sparse populations, which were also more visible due to their larger area for a given size. Bumblebees probed more flowers within plants in sparse populations, probably due to the larger inflorescences and longer flight distances between individuals. Subsequent reproductive success (capsule production) was higher in sparse populations, due to differences in pollination success and resource competition, and their interaction. In self‐compatible species, such asL. viscaria, reproductive success may be determined more by resource availability, whereas self‐incompatible plants may be more sensitive to changes in pollinator abundance. We conclude that plant–pollinator interactions are sensitive to changes in both the size and spatial arrangement of plant populations, which can affect their demography and genetics. In this study, species density had a greater effect than size and the unexpectedly beneficial effects of low density may be due to greater resource availability.

Bumble bee pollination of the sticky catchfly in a fragmented agricultural landscape

Seed set and pollinator activity of bumble bees were examined in a fragmented population of sticky catchfly (Viscaria vulgaris). We focused on the potential effect of the spatial distribution of plant individuals at three hierarchical levels: islet level (outcrops with seminatural vegetation in the agricultural fields), patch level (aggregations of plant individuals within islets), and tussock level (plant individuals within patches). Size of patches and islets were study design parameters, whereas isolation at the patch and islet level and size at the tussock level were treated in the analysis as covariates. Isolation of islets and patches had no significant effect on the response variables (seed set and bumble bee activity). However, the isolation of islets and patches was quite small compared to the activity range of bumble bees in the study area. While islet size seemed to be unimportant, both pollinator activity and seed set increased with increasing patch and tussock size, whereas the frequency of aborted seeds decreased. The increased seed set of larger and presumably older patches and tussocks indicate that to maximize viability of a fragmented, perennial herb population, it is important to minimize local disturbance so that individual subpopulations may develop over time.

Developmental instability in hybrids between Lychnis viscaria and Lychnis alpina (Caryophyllaceae)

Developmental instability shown by increased fluctuating asymmetry can be caused by either genetic or environmental stress. Genomic coadaptation and heterozygosity are the genetic factors that are commonly assumed to increase the level of developmental stability. Therefore, in hybrid populations the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) can be lower due to higher heterozygosity or higher due to disruption of coadapted gene complexes, depending on the degree of divergence between hybridizing taxa. Here I present data on FA in petals from hybrids between Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae) and Lychnis alpina and from parental species grown in a common garden environment. Petal asymmetry of hybrids was clearly higher than that of either parental species grown in common environment. Between the two parental species petal asymmetry did not differ. The mean size of the petals in hybrids was about the same as in L. viscaria, thus indicating no heterotic effect. Therefore, it seems that hybrids between L. viscaria and L. alpina do suffer from the disruption of coadapted gene complexes as indicated by higher developmental instability.

24- Epi-secasterone and 24- epi-castasterone from Lychnis viscaria seeds

The brassinosteroids 24- epi-castasterone and the hitherto unknown (22 R, 23 R, 24 R)-22,23-dihydroxy-2β,3β-epoxy-24-methyl-5α-cholestan-6-one (24- epi-secasterone) could be identified from seeds of Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae). In the phytosterol fraction of the same plant material spinasterol was found as the main component.

Genetic Diversity, Population Size, and Fitness in Central and Peripheral Populations of a Rare Plant Lychnis viscaria

Abstract: Genetic diversity is expected to decrease in small and isolated populations as a consequence of bottlenecks, founder effects, inbreeding, and genetic drift. The genetics and ecology of the rare perennial plant Lychnis viscaria (Caryophyllaceae) were studied in both peripheral and central populations within its distribution area. We aimed to investigate the overall level of genetic diversity, its spatial distribution, and possible differences between peripheral and central populations by examining several populations with electrophoresis. Our results showed that the level of genetic diversity varied substantially among populations ( Hexp = 0.000–0.116) and that the total level of genetic diversity (mean Hexp = 0.056) was low compared to that of other species with similar life‐history attributes. The peripheral populations of L. viscaria had less genetic variation (mean Hexp = 0.034) than the central ones (0.114). Analysis of genetic structure suggested limited gene flow (mean FST = 0.430) and high differentiation among populations, emphasizing the role of genetic drift ( Nem = 0.33). Isolation was even higher than expected based on the physical distance among populations. We also focused on the association between population size and genetic diversity and possible effects on fitness of these factors. Population size was positively correlated with genetic diversity. Population size and genetic diversity, however, were not associated with fitness components such as germination rate, seedling mass, or seed yield. There were no differences in the measured fitness components between peripheral and central populations. Even though small and peripheral populations had lower levels of genetic variation, they were as viable as larger populations, which emphasizes their potential value for conservation.

Changes in species composition following field and tree layer restoration and management in a wooded hay meadow

A hillside with abandoned, wooded hay meadows in Leikanger in Sogn og Fjordane county, Western Norway, was investigated in 1992–1995. A management regime combining restoration (topping) of old pollarded trees, scything and removal of hay was reintroduced in the area. The availability of light, hydrological conditions and the nutrient content of the soil were the most important factors determining development of hay meadow vegetation to forest vegetation. Indicators of shaded conditions included Valeriana sambucifolia and Oxalis acetosella, while Anthriscus sylvestris was indicator of light conditions. Species such as Campanula rotundifolia, Pimpinella saxifraga, Plantago lanceolata, Lychnis viscaria and Hieracium pilosella, which were recorded mostly on dry ridges, were regarded as “relict” species, more common formerly when the area was managed in a traditional way. The cover of tall grasses and herbs, such as Dactylis glomerata, Poa trivialis and Anthriscus sylvestris, increased the first two years after restoration. This indicates an increase in available nutrients, probably a “pioneer clearing fertilization” due to the introduced pollarding. Restoration and management resulted in drier, more homogenous ecological conditions and reduced the differences in local climate between formerly open meadows and more wooded areas in the restored area. However, most of the vegetation seemed to be quite stable during the study period. One class, however, comprised releves from several unstable plots of the experimental site. The frequency of some light‐demanding species increased in the experimental site, while the frequency of Oxalis acetosella and Epilobium montanum increased in the control site.

FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY IN CENTRAL AND MARGINAL POPULATIONS OF LYCHNIS VISCARIA IN RELATION TO GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS.

Developmental instability in the form of increased fluctuating asymmetry can be caused by either genetic or environmental stress. Because extinctions can be attributed broadly to these factors, fluctuating asymmetry may provide a sensitive tool for detecting such stresses. We studied the level of fluctuating asymmetry of flowers of a perennial outcrossing plant species, Lychnis viscaria, both in natural and common-garden populations. The degree of flower asymmetry was higher in small, isolated, and marginal populations of the species range. These marginal populations also were the most homozygous. In the core area of the species' range, flowers were more symmetrical The level of asymmetry was correlated with both population size and heterozygosity. However, a partial correlation analysis revealed that when the impact of population size was controlled for, there was a negative relationship between fluctuating asymmetry and heterozygosity, whereas when controlling for heterozygosity, no relationship between population size and fluctuating asymmetry was found. This indicates that genetic consequences of small population size probably underlie the relationship between the level of asymmetry and population size. Results from a transplantation experiment showed that individuals subjected to a higher environmental stress had an increased level of asymmetry compared to control plants. In the common-garden conditions the level of fluctuating asymmetry did not differ between the central and marginal populations. This suggests that presumably both genetic and environmental factors affected to the higher level of asymmetry among marginal populations compared to central ones. In all we conclude that even though fluctuating asymmetry seems to be a sensitive tool for detecting stresses, results from studies focusing on only one factor should be interpreted with caution.

The Effect of Breeding Systems and Pollination Vectors on the Genetic Variation of Small Plant Populations within an Agricultural Landscape

Within an agricultural landscape (approximately 8 km2) the genetic structures of the herbs Festuca ovina, Lychnis viscaria and Arabis thaliana were examined using isoenzymes. The species have different breeding systems and pollination vectors, and occur in small populations in remnant patches of semi-natural habitats throughout the landscape. There was no or only a weak correlation between population size and genetic diversity. The wind-pollinated, outcrossing species F. ovina had the highest levels of genetic variation, intermediate levels were found in the largely outcrossing and insect pollinated L. viscaria, while lowest levels of variation were found in the inbreeding A. thaliana. Relative to their breeding systems and the small geographical scale of the study all species exhibited remarkably high levels of total genetic variation. In the outbreeding species most of the genetic variation was found within populations (F. ovina: FST = 0.059 and L. viscaria: FST = 0.092). No geographic pattern was found between populations in the outbreeding species, indicating high levels of gene flow. The cereal fields separating the populations may function as conduits rather than barriers to pollen dispersed by wind, and pollinating insects (bumblebees and butterflies) may have no problems moving between patches at this scale, thus alleviating the danger of genetic erosion associated with small population size. In contrast, the fields appear to be efficient barriers to gene flow by seed dispersal. In the inbreeding Arabis thaliana a geographic pattern was evident. Most of the variation in this species was found between populations (FST = 0.722) indicating low levels of gene flow; single populations exhibited large variation in the number of