Picris Echioides Research Articles

How Does Domestic Cooking Affect the Biochemical Properties of Wild Edible Greens of the Asteraceae Family?

Wild edible greens are a key ingredient of the so-called Mediterranean diet and they are commonly used in various local dishes in their raw or processed form. Domestic processing of edible greens may affect their nutritional value and chemical profile. In this work, six wild species (e.g., Cichorium spinosum L. (S1); Centaurea raphanina subsp. mixta (DC.) Runemark (S2); Picris echioides (L.) Holub (S3); Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex. F.W. Schmidt (S4); Sonchus oleraceus L. (S5); and S. asper L. (S6)) were assessed for the effect of domestic processing (boiling) on chemical composition and bioactivities. Concerning the chemical composition, glucose, oxalic acid, α-tocopherol, and α-linolenic acid were the most abundant compounds, especially in P. echiodes leaves. After decoction, mainly sugars, tocopherols, and oxalic acid were decreased. The species and processing affected the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-inflammatory activities. Specific compounds were not previously detected in the studied species, while hydroethanolic extracts contained a higher total phenolic compound content. Hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts were effective towards a range of bacterial and fungi strains. Therefore, the consumption of leaves has health-promoting properties owing to the bioactive compounds and can be integrated into healthy diets. However, domestic cooking may affect the chemical profile and bioactivities of the edible leaves, especially in the case of free sugars and phenolic compound content where a significant reduction was recorded in leaves after decoction. On the other hand, domestic processing could be beneficial since it reduces the oxalic acid content in edible leaves, which is considered an antinutritional factor.

Yellow mealworm frass: A promising organic fertilizer for common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) and bristly oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub) cultivation

Common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) and bristly oxtongue [Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub] are winter broad-leaved weeds that have gained interest for cultivation as leafy vegetables. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of frass from the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) on nutrient content in soil, growth parameters, and nutrient content in above-ground plant tissues of common sowthistle and bristly oxtongue. Thus, two pot experiments were carried out with 5 treatments [control, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) applied at a dose of 100 kg N ha−1, and insect frass applied at a rate of 3500 kg ha−1 (0.5 % w/w) 7000 kg ha−1 (1 % w/w), and 14,000 kg ha−1 (2 % w/w)]. Our results showed that the lowest values of growth parameters for both plant species were recorded in the control treatment. At the final rosette growth stage [e.g., 152 days after sowing (DAS)], the CAN treatment exhibited the highest values of rosette diameter and above-ground dry weight, followed by the highest rate of insect frass. Similarly, at 152 DAS the SPAD index values in the CAN treatment were 28.4–41.5 % higher compared to the control treatment in both species. Regarding root dry weight, the highest values were found in the CAN and insect frass 2 % treatments. In addition, the application of insect frass significantly enhanced soil fertility, with the highest levels of P and K recorded in the insect frass 2 % treatment. In contrast, the CAN treatment resulted in the highest NO3–N content in the soil (15.83 and 19.26 mg kg−1 in common sowthistle and bristly oxtongue, respectively). Moreover, both P and K content in the above-ground plant tissues had the highest values in the insect frass 2 % treatment, while the content of Mg, Mn, and Cu in plant tissues was not affected by the fertilization sources. Therefore, our findings indicate that insect frass can be an additional option in crop fertilization programs as it can improve both the soil fertility and growth of crops compared to conventional inorganic fertilizer sources. However, the effects of insect frass in mixtures with inorganic fertilizers needs to be taken into consideration in future studies.

Thermal-Time Hazard Models of Seven Weed Species Germinability following Heat Treatment

Determining the amount of heat units required to kill weed seeds is a crucial aspect for the success of weed control through soil solarization. Lab experiments were designed to determine the duration of exposure for weed seeds that is required to suppress germination at temperatures (40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 °C) in the range of those typically achieved during soil solarization in California. The species tested were annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.), bristly oxtongue (Picris echioides L.), nettleleaf goosefoot (Chenopodium murale L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), little mallow (Malva parviflora L.), and redstem filaree (Erodium cicutarium L.). Germination tests were performed to assess the germinability of the weed seeds. The germination suppression by the lab-simulated solarization temperatures differed among the species based on their seasonality. The cool-season annuals S. oleraceus and P. echioides were more susceptible to the heat treatments than the warm-season annuals P. oleracea, A. retroflexus, and C. murale. The hard-seeded weed species M. parviflora and E. cicutarium were the least susceptible to the heat treatments. The germination rates of S. oleraceus, P. echioides, and C. murale were reduced at all of the temperatures that were tested. The germination rates for A. retroflexus and M. parviflora were not affected by temperatures below 40 °C. The germination rates for P. oleracea were not affected by temperature below 45 °C and the germination of E. cicutarium was not affected by any of the temperatures that were tested. The duration (hours) of exposure and percent of germination suppression of the weed seeds were used to create thermal-time hazard models for weed seeds using logistic regression.

Development of a Multiplex PCR for the Specific Detection of Phytoplasma Subgroups 16SrIX-B and 16SrIX-C

During the early 1990s, almond witches’ broom (AlmWB), a disease affecting stone fruits, was reported in Lebanon and Iran. The disease quickly escalated into an epidemic that destroyed hundreds of thousands of almonds, peaches, and nectarine trees due to its invasive and destructive nature. The causal agent was eventually identified to be ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’, a phytoplasma belonging to subgroup 16SrIX-B. There are currently no effective curative treatments, making the eradication of infected trees the only remaining option. Therefore, stringent quarantine measures and potent detection tools are imperative for early detection and effective prevention of AlmWB phytoplasma. Although there are currently no commercially available phytoplasma detection serological tests, there are several PCR-based assays for the detection of ‘ Ca. P. phoenicium’ and other phytoplasmas. Consequently, the development of accurate and sensitive assays is needed. In this study, we designed primers for specific, sensitive, and simultaneous detection of 16SrIX-B (AlmWB) and 16SrIX-C (Picris echioides yellows) phytoplasmas without the need for restriction fragment length polymorphism. The PCR assays were highly efficient, specific, and reproducible for the detection of the two phytoplasmas in multiplex PCR. The multiplex assay detected AlmWB and Picris echioides yellows targets in mixed infections up to a sensitivity of 100 pg/µl of total plant DNA. Our developed multiplex PCR assay is suitable for quarantine screening of woody tree germplasm and for surveying aimed at discriminating 16SrIX-B, a quarantine pest, from the closely related 16SrIX-C, a non-quarantine phytoplasma, with the aim of preventing or mitigating AlmWB.

Pollen from urban flora in the ephemeral nests of solitary Megachile bees in three temperate and subtropical cities of Argentina

Cities are anthropogenic habitats that are home to many taxonomically diverse groups of bees and contribute to their conservation due to the abundance of flowers and nesting substrates. However, the pollen diet composition of nest provisions for most urban bees in South America is poorly studied and therefore the characteristics of the urban flora needed for their survival remains unknown. Pollen analysis was employed to study the diet composition of the wild solitary bees Megachile infima Vachal, M. pusilla Pérez and Megachile spp. that all nest in urban environments in two eco-regions in Argentina. Nests were found in preexisting small holes within human-made structures (walls, hosepipes, water taps), natural substrates (hollow stems) or in semi-exposed spaces within four courtyards of three cities. Pollen from brood provisions from these nests were compared with pollen grains from the available flowering plants surrounding the nests. In the temperate city La Plata from the Pampean eco-region, 23 pollen types from 14 families and five unidentified types were present. The most abundant were Styphnolobium japonicum (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) and Picris echioides (Asteraceae). In the two subtropical cities from the Chaco eco-region, 15 types from eight families and four unidentified types were present, with Phoenix (Arecaceae) and Punica granatum (Lythraceae) being the most abundant. Although bees were polylectic, the presence of pollen in nests was not evenly distributed, which may be related to resource abundance, pollen attributes, and floral morphology. This study provides evidence of forage versatility of Megachile bees on pollen plants from diverse taxonomic origin and status of naturalization, flowering stratum and city microhabitat.

Bristly Oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub) Responses to Sowing Date, Fertilization Scheme, and Chitosan Application

Bristly oxtongue (Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub) is a broad-leaved weed species that is commonly found in cereal crops. However, it is also an edible species whose leaves are consumed at the rosette growth stage of the plant. Three pot experiments were conducted to evaluate different cultivation protocol suggestions for this underutilized wild leafy vegetable. In the first experiment, early sowing (14 October) increased the rosette diameter and fresh biomass of bristly oxtongue compared with late sowing (13 November). In the second experiment, the application of calcium ammonium nitrate (26-0-0) at a rate of 100 kg ha−1 (N10 treatment) increased the relative chlorophyll content in the leaves compared with the control treatment. Similarly, the highest rosette diameter, leaf number, and fresh biomass values were recorded in the N10 treatment, while chitosan application had no impact on growth of plants. In the third experiment, increased root dry biomass was obtained with top dressing application of calcium ammonium nitrate at a rate of 100 kg N ha−1 compared with 0 or 50 kg N ha−1, regardless of the basal fertilization (15-5-20) rate applied. Moreover, the highest rosette diameter, relative chlorophyll content, and fresh biomass values were recorded in the treatment where the highest top dressing rate of calcium ammonium nitrate was applied. In conclusion, our results reveal that the appropriate selection of the sowing date, as well as the combination of the basal fertilizer (15-5-20) at a rate of 250 kg ha−1 with 100 kg N ha−1 calcium ammonium nitrate, can maximize the growth and yield of bristly oxtongue.

Assessment of Nymphal Ecology and Adult Xylella fastidiosa Transmission Biology of Aphrophora nr. permutata (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) in California Vineyards.

Although Aphrophora nr. permutata (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) is a reported vector of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa (Wells) (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae), its ecology and role in Pierce's disease dynamics in coastal California vineyards are poorly understood. From 2016 to 2020, we surveyed the abundance of A. nr. permutata nymphs among potential host plants along the vineyard floor, the vineyard edges, and adjacent vegetation in vineyards in Napa and Sonoma county. In 2019 and 2020, vineyards adjacent to woodland habitat hosted larger A. nr. permutata populations than those next to riparian habitat, while in 2017 and 2018, the nymphal populations were similar among riparian and woodland sites. Among 2020 plant cover taxa, nymph abundance was positively associated with Helminthotheca echioides, Vicia sativa, and Daucus carota cover and negatively associated with Taraxacum officinale cover. In 2018 and 2019, we also tracked early-season occurrence and development of A. nr. permutata nymphs among potential host plants. Analyses showed a significant effect of site, year, and plant taxa on the first detection of nymphs and a significant effect of site and year on the estimated development time between first and fifth instars. In 2019, we conducted grapevine to grapevine X. fastidiosa transmission experiments with individuals and groups of five A. nr. permutata adults. In the transmission experiment, 5% (3 of 60) individual A. nr. permutata and 7.7% (1 of 13) of groups successfully transmitted X. fastidiosa. This study provides preliminary evidence of potential host plant associations with A. nr. permutata abundance and phenology that should be explored further with field and greenhouse-based approaches.

Bioactive Phenolics and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Wild Edible Greens as Affected by Different Cooking Treatments.

The study aimed to assess the influence of three cooking methods (boiling, steaming, and microwave-cooking) on (i) composition in individual phenolic compounds, (ii) total phenolic content (TPC), and (iii) total antioxidant activity (TAA) of eight Mediterranean wild edible species (Asparagus acutifolius, Asphodeline lutea, Beta vulgaris, Helminthotheca echioides, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officinale, Urospermum picroides, Urtica dioica). In raw greens, several caffeic acid derivatives (chicoric, caftaric, chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, 1,5-and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acids) and flavonoids (glycosides of apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol) were identified. Cooking treatments did not affect qualitative phenolic composition, while quantitative changes were recorded in some phenolic compounds and in TPC. Generally, boiling decreased TPC and TAA, while chicoric, caftaric, chlorogenic acids and quercetin-3-rutinoside increased in some species after steaming and microwave-cooking, showing positive correlation with TAA. Results confirmed steaming and microwave-cooking as mild procedures able to increase antioxidant capacity of some species, producing beneficial effects on their nutraceutical properties.

Mulch-Based No-Tillage Effects on Weed Community and Management in an Organic Vegetable System

Weeds can cooperate with the agroecosystem’s functioning by providing ecosystem services. Effective weed management should mitigate negative weed–crop interference, while maintaining a functional and balanced weed community. In a two-year trial, the in-line/roller crimper (RC) was used to terminate an agroecological service crop (ASC; here barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) before organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo, L.) and compared with green manure (GM) ASC and tilled no-ASC with Mater-Bi mulch on the rows (No_ASC). Zucchini yield, soil N availability, weed density/cover, biomass, and community composition were assessed. Analysis of variance, exploratory statistical analysis, and non-parametric inferential approaches were run, respectively, on agronomic data, species-specific weed frequencies, and Shannon diversity. Zucchini yield was the highest in No_ASC, due to soil N immobilization under high C:N barley residues in GM and RC. Multivariate analysis discriminated RC from tilled systems, outlining a specific ensemble of weed species correlated to Shannon diversity. From zucchini fruit set, RC selectively favored Polygonum aviculare L. and Helminthotheca echioides (L.), reasonably because of their oligotrophy and creeping habit. Their dominance finally caused low RC weed control. Results highlight strong weed selective pressure by the mulch-based no-tillage. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning the impact of soil management practices on weed community can drive towards a tailor-made and more effective weed management.

A new species of Aphis Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Picris echioides in Britain.

Aphis cornuta sp. n. living on the basal parts of Bristly Oxtongue, Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub (=Picris echioides L.), is described, based on apterous and alate viviparous females, oviparous females and apterous males collected in southern England.

Traditional Salads and Soups with Wild Plants as a Source of Antioxidants: A Comparative Chemical Analysis of Five Species Growing in Central Italy.

The interest and demand for nutraceuticals are rapidly increasing in many industrialized countries due to the emergence of health risks associated with the increased consumption of processed foods. Several wild Mediterranean plants used as traditional foods are an extraordinary source of nutraceutical substances with antioxidant properties. This study has two main aims: (1) to quantify the antioxidant properties of traditional wild food plants and (2) to determine if their use in soups (i.e., the cooking process) can alter their beneficial properties. We have evaluated the antioxidant capacity (ABTS, DPPH) and the Total Phenolic Content (Folin-Ciocalteu) of five herbaceous plants traditionally consumed in several areas of Central Italy: (A) Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth, (B) Hypochaeris radicata L., (C) Cichorium intybus L., (D) Tordylium apulum L., and (E) Helminthotheca echioides (L.) Holub. Our analyses show good levels of antioxidant capacity for all plants, with Reichardia picroides and Helminthotheca echioides having the highest levels. There is a high correlation between the antioxidant activity and the Total Phenolic Content especially in Reichardia picroides (R2=0.92) and Hypochaeris radicata (R2=0.93). Boiling the species caused a general decrease in the antioxidant activity and polyphenols. Our study confirms the health benefits of consuming wild plants, especially raw ones in salads. It also supports the use of ethnobotanical information to study and then promote the consumption of wild food plants.

Effects of Reduced and Conventional Tillage on Weed Communities: Results of a Long-Term Experiment in Southwestern Spain

ABSTRACT: An important drawback in adopting minimum tillage (MT) and no-tillage (NT) techniques is the frequently observed weed shift promoting adapted species and achieving poorer weed control. These changes can be detected best with long-term experiments, and results might differ depending on soil characteristics and the local flora. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effect of reduced tillage on weed seed distribution in the soil profile and to identify possible consequences on weed diversity on a long-term experiment maintained during 24 years in Seville (Spain) with three tillage systems: NT, MT and conventional tillage (CT) including moldboard plow on a vertisol. For this purpose, soil seedbanks at 0-8 cm and 8-16 cm depths were enumerated in autumn 2005 and in-field emerged plants in autumn 2005 and winter 2006. Shannon diversity index (H) and evenness (J’) were calculated for seedbank and aboveground weed communities. Total weed seed density was highest for NT and lowest for CT. Some big-seeded species, such as Chrozophora tinctorea L., showed highest seed density in CT. NT increased the relative density of Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson seeds in the seedbank and the abundance of emerged plants of Malva parviflora L., Anagallis arvensis L. and Picris echioides L. Overall, MT led to a less diverse seedbank in the 0-8 cm depth of soil than CT. The frequent drought-induced deep fractures in the expandable clay soil caused natural tillage, which probably resulted in fewer differences in weed seed and seedling densities among tillage treatments compared to what might be expected in other soil types.

Bioactive compounds content and antimicrobial activities of wild edible Asteraceae species of the Mediterranean flora under commercial cultivation conditions

Nine wild edible species belonging to Astreaceae family, native to the Mediterranean basin were tested for their chemical composition (phenolic compounds, tocopherols, and organic acids) and antimicrobial activities over two growing periods, apart from Scolymus hispanicus and Hedypnois cretica which were tested for only one growing period. Flavonoids were the most abundant phenolic compounds in all the species, except for the case of Taraxacum species where significant amounts of chicoric acid were detected, while phenolic compounds content increased in the 2nd growing period by 4.6–397.4% for the tested species. α- and β-tocopherols were the main tocopherols, apart from Taraxacum sp. where significant amounts of γ-and δ-tocopherols (18.32 and 16.31 μg/100 g fresh weight) were detected, while total tocopherols content either increased (Reicardia picroides, Picris echioides, Urospermum picroides, and Taraxacum officinale) or decreased (Hymenonema graecum, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum sp.) in the 2nd growing period. Oxalic acid was the most abundant organic acid, with the highest content (972 mg/100 g fresh weight) being observed in H. graecum (L.) DC. in the 1st growing period. Moreover, with the exception of H. graecum and S. olearaceus, total organic acids content increased in the 2nd growing period. Significant antimicrobial activities were observed against Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium and Penicillium ochrochloron for all the studied species. In conclusion, the studied species showed great potential for commercial cultivation, while plant extracts could find use in the food industry as alternative food preservatives.

FIRST REPORT OF A 16SrIX GROUP (PIGEON PEA WITCHES'-BROOM) PHYTOPLASMA ASSOCIATED WITH GRAPEVINE YELLOWS IN IRAN

Association of 16SrXII-A phytoplasmas with grapevine yellows (GY) has been previously reported from Fars and Lorestan provinces of Iran (Salehi et al., 2014). During 2013-2014 surveys, symptoms resembling those of GY disease including thickening and downward rolling of leaves, vein chlorosis and necrosis, shoot dieback and stunting were observed in vineyards of Shiraz area (Fars province, Iran). Total DNA samples extracted from eight symptomatic and eight symptomless vines were tested for phytoplasma presence. In direct PCR using primers P1/P7 and nested PCR using primer pairs P1/P7 followed by R216F2n/R16R2 (Lee et al., 1998), respectively amplicons of ca. 1.8 and 1.2 kb were amplified from symptomatic but not from symptomless vines. Samples that yielded P1/P7 amplicons (4/8) were cloned and sequenced; obtained sequences showed 100% identity. A BLAST search using full length 16S rRNA gene sequence of a representative of these sequences (GenBank Accession No. KX011516) revealed that the sequence shared 99% homology with Indian Brassica rapa phyllody phytoplasma (HM988986), a representative of 16SrIX-C subgroup. Computer-simulated restriction analysis using iPhyClassifier showed that the RFLP profile of the Shiraz GY (SGY) phytoplasma 16S rDNA sequence was identical (similarity coefficient 1.00) to Picris echioides yellows phytoplasmas (Y16389) representative of subgroup C of the 16SrIX group. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SGY phytoplasma clustered with16SrIX group phytoplasmas closer to Indian B. rapa phyllody phytoplasma, a 16SrIX-C member. To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of grapevine by a 16SrIX phtoplasma in Iran.

Wild Edible Species with Phytoremediation Properties

High salinity is an increasing environmental problem that severely affects agriculture by both limiting crop yield and available agricultural land. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report that approximately 20-30% of all agricultural land is becoming saline, whereas about 8% of all salt-affected soils are human-induced. In the Mediterranean basin there are many wild species that are consumed as greens or herbs, whereas a few of them have been introduced as alternative crops (e.g. Cichorium spinosum L.).In the present study, various native species (Hymenonema graecum, Reichardia picroides, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officinale, Urospermum picroides and Picris echioides) were grown under medium to high salinity levels (1.8-8 dS/m) by adding NaCl to irrigation water, in order to evaluate their tolerance under salinity stress conditions. From the results it is observed that Reichardia picroides, Sonchus oleraceus and Urospermum picroides could be considered as tolerant species since their yield was not affected by high salinity, whereas the Na content in leaf tissues increased with increasing salinity for all the species (except for Urospermum picroides) implicating accumulating mechanisms that aleviate the negative effects of salinity on plant growth. For the rest of the species, salinity affected significantly yield, especially when high levels (8 dS/m) were applied.Therefore, these species could be a useful means to alleviate problems of saline soils by cultivating them for phytoremediation purposes, whereas the final products could be marketed as edible herbs. In this context, they could be cultivated in areas where irrigation water is of low quality due to high content of NaCl (coastal areas or areas where ground water is saline), allowing farmers to gradually improve their soils and render them available for other conventional species.

Identification of 16SrIX-C phytoplasmas in Argyranthemum frutescens in Italy

Phytoplasmas are cell wall-less microorganisms associated with plant diseases worldwide. Many important food, vegetable and fruits crops as well as ornamental plants can be severely affected by these pathogens, with significant economic impacts. Phytoplasma diseases of ornamentals have been described worldwide in a wide range of plant genera, and 11 different 16Sr groups have been identified. In Italy, many ornamental plant species belonging to several botanical families have been found to be infected by phytoplasmas, classified into the ribosomal groups 16SrI, 16SrII, 16SrV and 16SrXII. During a survey carried out in commercial gardens in Rome, some marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) plants showing symptoms of phytoplasma-like disease, were collected and submitted to molecular analyses. Cloning and sequencing of the portion of the 16S rRNA gene followed by BLAST analysis, real and virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism anlaysis with Alu I and Rsa I, allowed assignment of the detected phytoplasma to the 16SrIX-C group ( Picris echioides yellows, PEY).

Sesquiterpene lactones. XXXVIII. Constituents of Picris echioides L. and their antifeedant activity

Reinvestigation of components of <em>Picris echioides</em> L. led to the isolation of pure jacquinelin (I) and 8-deoxylactucin (II). The insect deterrent activities of compounds I and II, of their 1:5 mixture, as well as of the chloroform extract of <em>Picris echioides </em>were determined.

Wild food plants used on the Dubrovnik coast (south-eastern Croatia)

<p>Croatia’s versatile plant use traditions are still not sufficiently documented. The aim of this study was to record local traditions of wild food plant use on the Dubrovnik coast. We interviewed 40 inhabitants of 23 villages, mainly knowledgeable informants. On average 19 species were listed, which in total produced an inventory of 95 food plant species (including species whose leaves or inflorescences are used as recreational teas).</p><p>The most commonly collected are: <em>Sonchus oleraceus</em> and <em>S. asper</em>, <em>Asparagus acutifolius</em>, <em>Dioscorea communis</em>, <em>Cichorium intybus</em>, <em>Crepis zacintha</em>, <em>Allium ampeloprasum</em>, <em>Picris echioides</em> and <em>Foeniculum vulgare</em> (all of them used as vegetables), the fruits of <em>Rubus ulmifolius</em> (mainly eaten raw), the fruits of roses (<em>Rosa sempervirens</em> and <em>R. canina</em>) and the leaves of <em>Salvia officinalis</em> (both roses and salvia are used for making recreational teas). A particular feature of the local gastronomy is the collection of young <em>Ruscus aculeatus</em> shoots.</p>

A new Contribution on the Vascular Flora of Romania

Abstract As a result of our field floristic studies in the recent years (2012 and 2013), we recorded some new data on the occurrence and chorology of three vascular plant species in Romania. Two of these are alien plants, invasive in many geographic regions of the world, namely: Acroptilon repens (an Asian species, reported as a newcomer in the flora of Romania, in this paper), and Picris echioides (a Mediterranean species, which is reported now in new localities). The third species, Pedicularis sylvatica, is a quite rare indigenous plant, critically threatened in Romania, reported here for the first time in the flora of Moldavia (eastern Romania).

검역잡초종자 발아력 제거를 위한 수입농산물 열처리 효과

우리나라는 열처리방법을 포함한 식물검역규정에 의하여 외래잡초의 유입방지를 위한 잡초검역을 실시하고 있다. 현행 열처리기준의 적절성을 확인하고 검역잡초의 발아력을 완전히 제거하기 위한 열처리조건을 구명하여 식물검역에 활용하기 위하여 검역잡초 9종과 검역잡초와 유사한 잡초 1종의 종자를 재료로 하여 건열처리와 상대습도 40%의 습열처리에 의한 사멸조건을 연구하였다. 다양한 온도 및 시간별 건열처리 결과 <TEX>$95^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 48시간, <TEX>$100^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 36시간, <TEX>$110^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 24시간, <TEX>$121^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 4시간, <TEX>$130^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 30분 처리 후 모든 종자가 사멸되었고, 상대습도 40%에서의 습열처리 결과 <TEX>$85^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 36시간, <TEX>$90^{\circ}C$</TEX>에서 16시간 습열처리 후 모든 종자가 사멸하였다. 상기의 결과는 현행 열처리기준이 검역잡초 몇 종에는 적용하기에 적합하지 않음을 보여주며, 검역잡초종자의 발아력을 제거할 수 있는 이 열처리조건은 수입농산물을 통한 검역잡초의 유입을 방지하기 위한 검역의 한 방법으로 적용할 수 있을 것이다. Picris echioides와 같이 강한 내열성이 있는 종과 새삼속(Cuscuta spp.)과 같이 열에 민감한 종을 위한 별도의 열처리조건이 필요하며 이는 다른 내열성의 검역잡초 종자를 사멸시키는 검역업무의 효율성을 향상시킬 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. Korea is carrying out weed quarantine by plant quarantine regulations including heat-treatment method to prevent the influx of exotic weeds. In order to confirm suitability for current heat-treatment criteria and find field-applicable methods which can completely devitalize quarantine weed seeds, the conditions for heat-treatment with/without 40% relative humidity were studied with 9 species among quarantine weed seeds and one weed species similar to quarantine weed. Dry heat-treatments had been tested under various temperatures and time conditions. All seeds were dead at the conditions of <TEX>$95^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 48 hours, <TEX>$100^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 36 hours, <TEX>$110^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 24 hours, <TEX>$121^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 4 hours and <TEX>$130^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 30 minutes. Heat-treatments at 40% relative humidity resulted in complete seed death at the conditions of <TEX>$85^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 36 hours and <TEX>$90^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 16 hours. The above results show that current heat-treatment criteria are not suitable for several quarantine weeds and these conditions could be applied as a quarantine method to prevent the influx of quarantine weeds along with agricultural imports. More specific conditions for heat tolerant species such as Picris echioides and heat susceptible species such as Cuscuta spp. are necessary and will improve plant quarantine process in devitalizing quarantine weed seeds with different heat tolerances.