Melilotus Officinalis Research Articles

A phytochemical content analysis, and antioxidant activity evaluation using a novel method on Melilotus officinalis flower

Conducting content analysis is very important to elucidate and expand the different usage areas of plant components. Today's content analysis methods provide very reliable results. However, the high cost of these methods and the need for trained personnel bring other challenges. Therefore, simple, fast, and low-cost content analysis methods are a great need. In this study, the phenolic content of Melilotus officinalis flower extracts was investigated using LC-MS/MS analysis, and its antioxidant activity was determined with a novel method employing a PVC membrane sensor. In the method, for the first time, the antioxidant activities of M. officinalis flowers were determined in an economical, sensitive, fast, and stable manner using a PVC potentiometric sensor. Sensor measurements were performed using DPPH and FCR molecules, resulting in 25.71 mg.g-1 activity values and 117.524 mg.g-1, respectively. LC-MS/MS analysis was conducted to investigate the presence of 45 standard phenolic compounds in M. officinalis. The results revealed that coumarin and isoquercitrin were the major phenolic compounds in the M. officinalis flower extract. The findings of LC-MS/MS analyses of the extracts show moderate phenolic content presence in the M. officinalis flower extracts. The total phenolic content determined by LC-MS/MS analysis was consistent with the PVC membrane sensor analysis results. The studies of molecular docking aimed to identify the most effective active sites, and the Moldock scores (-57.13, -105.93) and binding energies (4.5 kcal.mol-1, -7.9 kcal.mol-1) of coumarin and isoquercitrin molecules. The results of molecular docking studies suggest that isoquercitrin exhibits a stronger inhibitory effect on DD-peptidase enzymes compared to coumarin.

The insights into the activity of the extracts from Polygonum aviculare L. and Pseudomonas fluorescens for enhancing and modeling seed germination and seedling growth of Melilotus officinalis L. Lam

The empirical evidence indicated that chemicals in plants and selected microorganisms can promote the germination process and determine the growth, viability, survival and yield potential of industrial crop plants. The main objective of this study was exploring the phytochemical and microbiological synergistic activity between plant extracts from Polygonum aviculare L. and beneficial bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens to enhance germination of Melilotus officinalis seeds and improve morphological characteristics of seedlings. The derived plant preparations were analyzed qualitatively, which showed that the aqueous extracts of P. aviculare were characterized by a higher content of phenolic compounds, micro- and macroelements and carbohydrates compared to the macerates, and that no phytohormones were detected in both the infusions and macerates. Pure macerates (MAC), infusions (IF), bacterial cultures (PF) and their mixtures (MAC+PF; INF+PF) were used for seed treatment of test plants. In the control group, lower values of M. officinalis seed germination and seedling growth rates were observed in relation to the applied treatments. The most effective germination rates were obtained after the application of pure infusions (IF) and their mixture with P. fluorescens (IF+PF), while the highest growth rates (including an almost twofold increase in the length of the nostril shoots compared to the control) were obtained after the application of P. fluorescens inoculum (PF) and the mixture of the infusion and these bacteria (IF+PF).The use of modeling, as a tool for predicting germination efficiency, has been shown to provide screening opportunities for identifying the effectiveness of biostimulant treatments. Thereby, this indicates the need to develop such an approach under field conditions.

Biochar Organic Fertilizer Combined with Indigenous Microorganisms Enhances the Growth of Landscape Grass Cultivated in a Substrate Mixed with Iron Tailings and Mining Topsoil.

Iron tailings from the mining process occupy vast land areas and pose a significant ecological risk. In order to reuse iron tailings resources and carry out in situ ecological restoration of a mine, in this study, a medium of mixed iron tailings and mining topsoil (m:m = 3:1) was used to plant landscape grasses, including Lolium perenne L. (L. perenne), Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng. (P. alopecuroides), Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. (M. officinalis), and Medicago sativa L. (M. sativa). Biochar and chicken manure were used as biochar organic fertilizers and indigenous microorganisms were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tested grasses. They were applied to enhance landscape grass growth by regulating rhizosphere microbial communities and nutrient conditions. The results showed that the biochar organic fertilizers significantly promoted the growth of the four landscape grasses, notably P. alopecuroides, increasing plant height, root length, root weight, and leaf fresh weight by 169%, 60%, 211%, and 388%, respectively. Additionally, L. perenne exhibited the greatest height increase (10%) following the application of bacterial solutions. Moreover, indigenous bacterial solutions enhanced chlorophyll content and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, with P. alopecuroides showing the highest chlorophyll increase of 58% and M. sativa exhibiting a 30.58% rise in PAL activity. The biochar organic fertilizer also significantly elevated soluble protein content in P. alopecuroides and M. sativa by 195% and 152%, respectively. It also effectively enhanced peroxidase (POD) activity in Poaceae grasses by 120% to 160%. After adding indigenous microorganisms, the rhizosphere soil of the landscape grass showed the highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index, reaching 3.561. The rhizosphere soil of M. officinalis had the highest microbial richness, with a value of 39. Additionally, the addition of indigenous microorganisms increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of the four plants by 8-19%, 6-14%, and 8-18%, respectively. This study offers a new approach for managing mining waste and ecological restoration in mining areas.

Biodiversity and Soil Reinforcement Effect of Vegetation Buffer Zones: A Case Study of the Tongnan Section of the Fujiang River Basin

The riparian vegetation buffer zone is an important component of riverbank ecosystems, playing a crucial role in soil consolidation and slope protection. In this study, the riparian vegetation buffer zones in the Tongnan section of the Fujiang River Basin were selected as the research object. Surveys and experiments were conducted to assess the species composition and the soil and water conservation effectiveness of the riparian vegetation buffer zone. There are a total of 35 species, mainly comprising angiosperms and ferns. The dominant species include Cynodon dactylon, Setaria viridis, Phragmites australis, Erigeron canadensis, and Melilotus officinalis. The Patrick richness index (R) and Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H) are more significantly influenced by the types of land use in the surrounding area, whereas the impact on the Simpson diversity index (D) and Pielou uniformity index (E) is comparatively less pronounced. When the root diameter is less than 0.2 mm, the tensile strength of Cynodon dactylon roots is the highest. For root diameters larger than 0.2 mm, Melilotus officinalis roots exhibit the highest tensile strength. The presence of plant root systems significantly reduces erosion, delaying the time to reach maximum erosion depth by 1–4 min, decreasing erosion depth by 9–38 mm, and reducing the total amount of erosion by 20.17–58.90%. The anti-scouribility effect of Cynodon dactylon is significantly better than that of Setaria viridis. The root system notably enhances soil shear strength, delaying the shear peak by 0.26–4.8 cm, increasing the shear peak by 4.76–11.37 kPa, and raising energy consumption by 23.76–46.11%. Phragmites australis has the best resistance to shear, followed by Erigeron canadensis, with Melilotus officinalis being the least resistant. Therefore, to balance the anti-scouribility effect and shear resistance of plant roots, it is recommended to use a combination of Cynodon dactylon and Phragmites australis for shallow-rooted and deep-rooted planting. This approach enhances the water and soil conservation capacity of riverbanks.

Cover crop systems impact on biomass production, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, forage quality, and soil health in a semi-arid environment

Cover cropping is a soil restorative strategy that can save degraded soils and offer additional benefits relative to the traditional fallow-based practice in semi-arid cropping systems. This study aimed to (i) quantify the above (shoot)- and belowground (root) biomass production, nutritive value, and tissue carbon and nitrogen concentrations from different annual cool-season cover crop systems, and (ii) determine their effects on soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, soil respiration, and soil microbial population biomass in a semi-arid environment. Treatments used were monocultures of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), oat (Avena sativa L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), yellow sweetclover [Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam], winter pea (Pisum sativum L.), two three-species mixtures (Mix 1: annual ryegrass + faba bean + yellow sweetclover and Mix 2: Oat + faba bean + winter pea), and a fallow laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Averaged across years, Mix 2 produced greater shoot biomass (9714 kg DM ha−1; SE = 699) than all other cover crop systems except, the monoculture of oat (7970 kg DM ha−1; SE = 699). The plant tissue C/N ratio of the mixtures and monoculture legumes was mostly similar (range = 19.4–29.1). Overall, legumes produced superior relative feed value (RFV; 112–161) compared to grass monocultures and mixtures (RFV; 80–95). Soil gram-negative bacteria biomass was greatest under the yellow sweetclover monoculture. Based on the results of this study, the mixed cover crop systems (Mix 1 and Mix 2) offered a better chance of fulfilling the dual role of soil health improvement and feed quality for livestock in this semi-arid environment.

Survival of plant seeds in digestate storage—with and without prior anaerobic digestion

IntroductionPlant seeds from weeds and energy crops have the potential to survive anaerobic digestion (AD). Species able to form physically dormant, i.e., hardseeded (HS) seeds seem particularly resistant. However, it is not yet known to what extent the storage of the digestate after AD affects seed viability.MethodsSeed survival of five HS and six non-HS (NHS) species was investigated in three combinations of digestate storage (DS) and AD. First, untreated seeds were exposed to DS for maximum 12 weeks. To simulate short-circuited AD (ADshort) in biogas reactors, seeds were second subjected to lab-scale AD for 1 day before DS. Third, seeds of six species were exposed to full-scale AD (ADfull) followed by DS. Seed viability was determined using a combination of germination tests and tetrazolium staining. Viability was modeled as a function of exposure time.Results and discussionSeed viability was affected by DS, AD and AD + DS, but responses varied greatly between species and treatments. With increasing exposure time, viability decreased after a lag-phase, remained stable or even increased. The NHS species Cichorium intybus, Daucus carota, Echium vulgare, and Verbascum thapsus were most susceptible, with seed-killing close to 100% if DS was involved. The HS species Malva sylvestris, Melilotus albus and Melilotus officinalis were most resistant. They survived all treatments and were alive after 35 days of ADfull plus 3 months of DS. The resistance potential of the HS species Abutilon theophrasti and Malva alcea and of the NHS species Chenopodium album and two tomato varieties was intermediate. None of them survived ADfull + DS, but except A. theophrasti they were viable after ADshort + DS. With few exceptions, seed-killing by AD + DS was higher than that by AD alone. In conclusion, DS and AD + DS have the potential to reduce seed viability, but do not completely inactivate all species. Therefore, digestate can be contaminated with viable seeds and may lead to the spread of weeds, especially after a short-circuited AD. In order to ensure the sustainable use of digestates in terms of weeds, we recommend to investigate the factors contributing to seed inactivation and the quantity of seed introduced to AD.

Foraging of Honeybees from Different Ecological Areas Determined through Melissopalynological Analysis and DNA Metabarcoding.

The environment significantly impacts the lives of bees and their feeding. This study aimed to investigate bee foraging using melissopalynological analysis and DNA metabarcoding in intensive farming, reserved, and urbanized areas. The highest alpha diversity was observed in the reserved and intensive farming areas. The urbanized area had less diversity. In the intensive farming area, Sinapis, Helianthus, and Fagopyrum predominated; in the reserved area, Melilotus, Helianthus, and Brassica predominated. In the urbanized area, garden plants, namely radish (Raphanus sativus) and cucumber (Cucumis hystrix), and agricultural plants, namely soybean (Glycine max) and melon (Cucumis melo), were often found. The most significant agreement was between the rbcL and the melissopalynological analysis. The ITS2 revealed equal matches with both rbcL and melissopalynology, but this marker missed or underestimated some genera. Trifolium pretense and Brassica nigra were identified simultaneously by the melissopalinology method and two genetic markers in DNA metabarcoding. The species Convolvulus arvensis, Melilotus officinalis, Echium vulgare, Brassica rapa, Helianthus divaricatus, and Onobrychis viciifolia were found in all ecological areas. Imperfect databases impose some limits in the identification of some taxa using metabarcoding. The further research and expansion of plant databases is needed. Studying the food preferences of bees in different environmental conditions and landscapes is necessary to develop measures to preserve their populations.

Newly Developed Semi-Solid Formulations Containing Mellilotus officinalis Extract: Characterization, Assessment of Stability, Safety, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Melilotus officinalis has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent; nevertheless, a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy and safety and comparison with standard drugs are lacking. Taking into consideration concerns with current therapies, like efficacy limitations, side effects, and resistance, we aimed to develop a natural gel and cream based on Melilotus officinalis extract and explore their anti-inflammatory potential. After the chemical analysis of the extract confirmed the presence of coumarin, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, and quercetin, formulations were prepared and subjected to physical and chemical stability evaluations over 6 months. The safety potential was tested in rats, while the anti-inflammatory activity was assessed both via in silico tests and in a rat model of inflammation. The examined formulations showed stable physical characteristics at the defined storage conditions and did not exert any sign of adverse skin reaction. The gel formulation exhibited a remarkable effect in inflammation reduction comparable with hydrocortisone. The in silico results suggest that coumarin, p-coumaric, and gallic acid bind to COX-1 and COX-2 with a lower affinity compared to diclofenac. On the other hand, quercetin demonstrated comparable inhibitory activity and stronger interaction compared to the control drug. Our results indicate that the examined formulations are stable and safe and may be promising dermal products for the alleviation of inflammatory skin conditions.

GRAIN YIELD AND SIDERAL MASS OF FIELD CROPS IN CROP ROTATIONS OF THE LOWER VOLGA REGION

Background. For the first time in the abiotic conditions of the Lower Volga region on light chestnut soils, new methods of biologization of soil fertility preservation and specialized field crop rotations based on the replacement of pure steam with sideral steam with little–studied crops for green fertilizer – biennial yellow clover, oats and phacelia were developed and studied; the structure of sown areas includes cultures of various biological groups, including cereals, legumes, oilseeds, rowed and perennial legumes; in addition to siderates, organic fertilizers are used in the form of straw and crop –root residues of cultivated crops. The purpose of the work is the influence of pure and sideral steam on the yield of field crops Materials and methods. The study of the influence of sideral masses on the yield of grain crops in field crop rotations in the conditions of the Lower Volga region. Results. According to the conducted research, it has been established that biologized crop rotations are the first major stage in the transition to organic farming in the Volgograd region. The best option for the soils of the dry-steppe zone of chestnut subzones of light chestnut soils of the Lower Volga region is a four-field biologized field crop rotation and a five-field crop rotation with sideral steam (donnik). Conclusion. Data analysis showed that the best indicators of winter wheat yield were obtained for pure and sideral (sweet clover) pairs - 1.8 t/ha, chickpeas for the predecessor winter wheat in the five–field crop rotation - 0.87 t/ha and spring barley for the predecessor chickpeas – 1.48 t/ha.

Productivity of crop rotations with different types of fallow and their effect on the humus content in sod-podzolic soil the Middle Urals

The research was carried out in the conditions of the Perm Region on sod-podzolic heavy loamy soils in a long stationary plot trial, laid down in 1977. The purpose of the research is to study the effect of various types of fallow on crop rotation productivity and humus content in the soil. The data are given for two rotations (2009–2022) of fallow-grain–grass crop rotations with various types of fallow – with manurial, sown with clover, sown with melilot, sideral with clover and sideral with melilot – without mineral fertilizers and with fertilizers (N60P30K60). It was found that in the sown fallows, the mass of root and mowing plant residues of meadow clover and yellow melilot, depending on the nutrition background, reaches 4.08–4.36 t/ha with a nitrogen content of 41.8–46.9 kg/ha, phosphorus 16.7–18.6 kg/ha and potassium 42.7–69.6 kg/ha. In sideral fallow with clover and clover biomass, 6.99–9.04 t/ha and 6.83–8.53 t/ha of dry matter with a content of 133.5–148.1 kg/ha of nitrogen, 34.3–41.2 phosphorus and 121.2–148.9 potassium were supplied to the soil, respectively. The application of organic fertilizers in the fallow field contributed to an increase in the humus content by 0.19 abs.% to the initial (2.04 %) in the variant without mineral fertilizers and by 0.69 abs.% in the variant with the introduction of mineral fertilizers to the initial (2.08 %) Clover sideral fallow also contributed to an increase in the humus content in the soil by – 0.38–0.52 abs.%. There was an increased productivity of crop rotation with sideral melilot fallow (2.22–2.25 t/ha of grain units per year) relative to the traditional crop rotation with pure fallow (2.08–2.11 t/ha of grain units per year). Cultivation of crops in all studied crop rotations was energetically efficient, the energy efficiency coefficient was 3.63...4.48 in the variants without mineral fertilizers, against the background of NRK – 2.38...3.21.

Genome assembly of Melilotus officinalis provides a new reference genome for functional genomics

BackgroundSweet yellow clover (Melilotus officinalis) is a diploid plant (2n = 16) that is native to Europe. It is an excellent legume forage. It can both fix nitrogen and serve as a medicine. A genome assembly of Melilotus officinalis that was collected from Best corporation in Beijing is available based on Nanopore sequencing. The genome of Melilotus officinalis was sequenced, assembled, and annotated.ResultsThe latest PacBio third generation HiFi assembly and sequencing strategies were used to produce a Melilotus officinalis genome assembly size of 1,066 Mbp, contig N50 = 5 Mbp, scaffold N50 = 130 Mbp, and complete benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCOs) = 96.4%. This annotation produced 47,873 high-confidence gene models, which will substantially aid in our research on molecular breeding. A collinear analysis showed that Melilotus officinalis and Medicago truncatula shared conserved synteny. The expansion and contraction of gene families showed that Melilotus officinalis expanded by 565 gene families and shrank by 56 gene families. The contacted gene families were associated with response to stimulus, nucleotide binding, and small molecule binding. Thus, it is related to a family of genes associated with peptidase activity, which could lead to better stress tolerance in plants.ConclusionsIn this study, the latest PacBio technology was used to assemble and sequence the genome of the Melilotus officinalis and annotate its protein-coding genes. These results will expand the genomic resources available for Melilotus officinalis and should assist in subsequent research on sweet yellow clover plants.

Dicoumarol attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome activation to inhibit inflammation and fibrosis in knee osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of disability in elderly individuals. Dicoumarol is a coumarin‑like compound derived from sweet clover [Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall]. It has been suggested that dicoumarol exhibits various types of pharmacological activities, including anticoagulant, antitumor and antibacterial effects. Due to its various biological activities, dicoumarol has a potential protective effect against OA. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effects of dicoumarol on knee osteoarthritis. In the present study, dicoumarol was found to protect rat synoviocytes from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced cell apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that dicoumarol significantly reduced the protein expression levels of fibrosis‑related markers and inflammatory cytokines (Tgfb, Timp, Col1a, Il1b and Il18). The inhibitory rates of these proteins were all >50% (P<0.01) compared with those in the LPS and ATP‑induced group. Consistently, the mRNA expression levels of these markers and cytokines were decreased to normal levels by dicoumarol after the treatment of rat synovial fibroblasts with LPS and ATP. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that dicoumarol did not affect NF‑κB signaling, but it did directly interact with NOD‑like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) to promote its protein degradation, which could be reversed by MG132, but not NH4Cl. The protein half‑life of NLRP3 was accelerated from 26.1 to 4.3 h by dicoumarol. Subsequently, dicoumarol could alleviate KOA in vivo; knee joint diameter was decreased from 11.03 to 9.93 mm. Furthermore, the inflammation and fibrosis of the knee joints were inhibited in rats. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrated that dicoumarol could impede the progression of KOA by inhibiting NLRP3 activation, providing a potential treatment strategy for KOA.

Responses of labile organic carbon fractions and mineralized carbon to straw return combined with fertilizer application in the maize–Melilotus officinalis intercropping system

AbstractMollisol is crucial for solving food security issues, but long‐term excessive application of chemical fertilizers has led to severe Mollisol degradation in Northeast China, especially a rapid decline in soil organic carbon (SOC). In context of the use of crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return as alternatives for some chemical fertilizers, it is important to understand how crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return combined with chemical fertilizers influence labile organic carbon (LOC) fractions that improve SOC. To address this, this study explored how the combined application of maize (Zea mays L.)–Melilotus officinalis intercropping, straw return, and chemical fertilizers affect LOC fractions and mineralized carbon (MC) from the perspective of physical property‐mediated pathways. Thus, a field experiment with six treatments was established in the Songnen Plain of Northeast China: (1) maize monoculture without chemical fertilizers and straw return (CK), (2) maize monoculture with chemical fertilizers and no straw return (CF), (3) maize monoculture with chemical fertilizers and straw return (CFS), (4) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return combined with full application of chemical fertilizers (CFSM), (5) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return combined with half application of chemical fertilizers (1/2CFSM), and (6) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return without chemical fertilizers (SM). The CF and CFS groups had no effect on bulk density and porosity but reduced specific gravity. The CFSM group increased water contents, porosity, LOC fractions, SOC, MC, and CO2 release rate and decreased bulk density and specific gravity. Compared with the CF group, the 1/2CFSM group enhanced water contents, microbial biomass carbon, and water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC) to 6.36%, 17.91%, and 11.6%, respectively. We found that maize–M. officinalis intercropping, straw return, and reducing chemical fertilizers application improved LOC fractions to increase SOC by positively affecting bulk density, specific gravity, and water contents. Further analysis indicated that WSOC was a key determinant of SOC and maize yields. These findings provide a strategy to increase SOC and rehabilitate degraded soils through crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return combined with reducing chemical fertilizers application, which will contribute to a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Exploring the Potential of Perennial Nectar‐Producing Wild Plants for Pellet Combustion

AbstractPerennial nectar‐producing wild plant species (WPS) cultivation for biogas production helps improve ecosystem services such as habitat functioning, erosion mitigation, groundwater protection, and carbon sequestration. These ecosystem services could be improved when WPS are harvested in late winter to produce pellets and briquettes as solid energy carriers for heat production. This study aims for gaining first insights into the use of WPS biomass as resource for pellet and briquette combustion with focus on two perennial WPS common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.), and two biennial WPS yellow melilot (Melilotus officinalis L.) and wild teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.). All WPS are found economically viable for pellet combustion. The main drivers are i) low cultivation costs, ii) subsidies, and iii) low pellet production costs due to low moisture contents. However, high ash contents in WPS biomass justify the need of i) blending with woody‐biomass or ii) supplementing with additives to attain international standards for household stoves. This approach appears technically feasible providing a research field with significant potential impacts. As 70% of the pellet market is demanded as household level, public concern about the legal framework of alternative plant biomass pellets must be overcome to develop this market.

Reduction of Post-Surgical Facial Edema Following Bromelain and Coumarin Intake in Traumatology: A Prospective Study with 100 Patients.

Background: Bromelain and coumarins are recognized as safe and effective therapeutic agents, used by individuals to treat ailments such as postoperative edema, inflammation and other diseases. Bromelain has been proven to be well absorbed by the body after oral administration, and it has no major side effects even after prolonged use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of bromelain and other nutraceuticals in reducing post-surgical swelling, pain and the need of anti-inflammatory drugs in maxillofacial post-traumatic surgery. Methods: This prospective open-label study was conducted on patients undergoing surgery for trauma of the maxillofacial area. One hundred patients were selected and divided into two groups: one group who underwent therapy with bromelain, Aesculus hippocastanum and Melilotus officinalis and a control group that was not given the drug in postoperative therapy. Results: Patients in the experimental group showed a reduction of edema in the first and second postoperative weeks, a faster complete reduction of facial edema and a lower reduction in maximum mouth opening and needed less anti-inflammatory therapy to control pain. Conclusions: These findings seem to provide evidence that Brovas® may be effective in improving postoperative edema outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment of facial fractures.

Comparative analysis of codon usage patterns in the chloroplast genomes of nine forage legumes

Leguminosae is one of the three largest families of angiosperms after Compositae and Orchidaceae. It is widely distributed and grows in a variety of environments, including plains, mountains, deserts, forests, grasslands, and even waters where almost all legumes can be found. It is one of the most important sources of starch, protein and oil in the food of mankind and also an important source of high-quality forage material for animals, which has important economic significance. In our study, the codon usage patterns and variation sources of the chloroplast genome of nine important forage legumes were systematically analyzed. Meanwhile, we also constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the whole chloroplast genomes and protein coding sequences of these nine forage legumes. Our results showed that the chloroplast genomes of nine forage legumes end with A/T bases, and seven identical high-frequency (HF) codons were detected among the nine forage legumes. ENC-GC3s mapping, PR2 analysis, and neutral analysis showed that the codon bias of nine forage legumes was influenced by many factors, among which natural selection was the main influencing factor. The codon usage frequency showed that the Nicotiana tabacum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be considered as receptors for the exogenous expression of chloroplast genes of these nine forage legumes. The phylogenetic relationships of the chloroplast genomes and protein coding genes were highly similar, and the nine forage legumes were divided into three major clades. Among the clades Melilotus officinalis was more closely related to Medicago sativa, and Galega officinalis was more closely related to Galega orientalis. This study provides a scientific basis for the molecular markers research, species identification and phylogenetic studies of forage legumes.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activity, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemical in Different Extracts of Melilotus officinalis L. as an Anti-infection and Anti-diabetic in Traditional Uses of Two Northern Provinces From Iran

Antioxidant, Antibacterial Activity, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemical in Different Extracts of <i>Melilotus officinalis</i> L. as an Anti-infection and Anti-diabetic in Traditional Uses of Two Northern Provinces From Iran

Living mulch enhances soil enzyme activities, nitrogen pools and water retention in giant reed (Arundo donax L.) plantations

Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) is one of the most well-studied perennial biomass crops because of its high productivity and potential to store carbon. Yet, little information on controlling weeds in giant reed plantations and their influences on the soil ecosystem is available. In the present study, three different weed control methods, i.e., intercropping (living mulch) with sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis L.), herbicide (glyphosate), and hoeing, were investigated in a 2-year giant reed farm. The intercropping presented significantly higher values (on average) of all the tested soil properties than herbicide and hoeing, except for the catalase activity and pH. The dehydrogenase, phosphatase, and urease activities in the soil under intercropping were higher than the herbicide by 75%, 65%, and 80% (on average), respectively. Also, the soil under intercropping had higher soil organic matter (SOM) and soil respiration than the herbicide by 20% and 25%, respectively. Intercropping also increased the content of N pools, i.e., NO3−˗N, NH4+˗N, Org-N, and Total-N by 517%, 356%, 38%, and 137%, respectively, compared to herbicide. These findings illustrated that controlling weeds in biomass plantations through legume intercropping brings benefits not only to soil properties but also to biomass productivity.

Antioxidant activities of traditional medicinal plant species from the Kars (Turkey)

Fourteen different plant parts consisting of leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds were examined separately of Rumex patientia, Hyoscyamus niger, Melilotus officinalis, Lamium album, and Epilobium angustifolium plants. All of these are naturally growing and used for medicinal purposes in Kars province. Five different methods were used to determine the antioxidant capacity of these herbal products. The methods were as follows: determination of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, DPPH● (free radical), CUPRAC (cupric reducing antioxidant capacity), and FRAP (ferric ıon reducing antioxidant power). The data obtained regarding the antioxidant activity demonstrated that the flower part of the Epilobium angustifolium plant obtained from Kars had the highest antioxidant capacity. It was determined that the seeds of the Hyoscyamus niger plant had the lowest antioxidant capacity.

Preliminary Study on Ecological Restoration Technology of Highway Slopes in High Altitude Mountain Areas—Taking Gansu Zhuohe Expressway Phase I Project as an Example

This study focuses on the technical difficulties of ecological restoration of highway slopes in high-altitude mountainous areas. Based on the theory of ecological restoration, starting from the characteristics of the ecological environment of highway slopes and the current status of ecological restoration technology of highway slopes, combined with the first phase of the Zhuoni Hezuo Expressway project in Gansu Province, we conducted research on ecological restoration technology of highway slopes in high-altitude mountainous areas. Based on the characteristics of the project and the natural environment, On the basis of investigation and evaluation of slope restoration design, it was proposed to add local leguminous plant combinations, including Astragalus adsurgens, yellow clover, and small crown flower. Grass family plants were selected, including smooth bromegrass, drooping elymus, flat ice grass, Chinese fescue, and cold early maturing bluegrass. The plant combination design was carried out; At the same time, according to the characteristics of the slope, ecological protection technologies such as vegetation blanket, spraying thin soil, planting bags+hydraulic spraying+planting shrub seedlings have been proposed for the slope; And proposed requirements for surface soil utilization and plant maintenance. This study aims to explore a technical solution suitable for ecological restoration of highway slopes in the Gannan region, in order to improve the stability and erosion resistance of slopes, improve the ecological environment, and ensure the safe operation of highways. It has guiding significance for ecological restoration of highway slopes in high-altitude mountainous areas and can be used as a reference for research on rock slope restoration in other regions.