Plant In Mongolia Research Articles

Study On Mechanical Properties Of Cemented Paste Backfill Using Fly-Ash-Based Cementitious Materials

In Mongolia, the Ulan lead-zinc mine is now struggling with high backfill operating costs and poor Cemented Paste Backfill (CPB) mechanical performance after curing. To solve this problem, BGRIMM Technology Group has investigated an activator that could mix with fly ash from Choibalsan Power Plant in Mongolia as a supplementary cementitious material for backfill. In this study, the mechanical performance of CPB samples prepared with various fly ash content and activator types were studied to provide a basis for the industrial application of fly ash-based supplementary cementitious materials. The research results indicate that partially replacing cement with fly ash reduces the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of CPB samples. Compared with the CPB sample prepared with pure cement, when the fly ash substitution rate is 10%, 20%, and 30%, the UCS reduced by 15.66%, 18.69%, and 32.83%, respectively. With the use of chemical activators, the UCS of CPB samples could be significantly improved. Among them, CPB samples prepared by the activator sodium sulfate+ sodium chloride+ TEA have achieved the highest UCS. Overall, this study shows that the synergistic effect of fly ash and chemical activators could effectively enhance the mechanical performance of CPB, which is beneficial for mine backfill cost reduction and could provide a basis for the further industrial application of fly ash-based cementitious materials in mine backfill.

Identification, Antimicrobial and Plant Growth Promoting Activities of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Cynomorium songaricum Rupr., a Traditional Medicinal Plant in Mongolia

Endophytic fungi colonize the inner tissues and provide direct and indirect benefits to plants. Although Mongolia is rich in medicinal plants, due to climatic and anthropogenic reasons, the resources are being depleted, and many species are under threat of gradual extinction, while the endophytic fungi of Mongolian plants are largely unknown. In this study, a total of 24 culturable endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Cynomorium songaricum (Rupr.), a medicinal and vulnerable plant species of Mongolia. Based on the morphological characteristics and the sequences of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the isolates were identified into six genera: Fusarium (8), Clonostachys (7), Penicillium (6), Alternaria (1), Aspergillus (1), and Madurella (1). The antimicrobial activity was assessed by the agar-diffusion method, revealing that 15 strains were able to inhibit the growth of at least one of the test organisms. Among them, 1 strain showed inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, 12 against Bacillus subtilis, 13 against Staphylococcus aureus, and 8 against Aspergillus niger, respectively. The ability to solubilize complex phosphorus and zinc minerals was observed in 3 and 21 strains, respectively, and the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) was detected in nine strains in the presence of tryptophan. Our study provides the first insight into the cultivable endophytic fungal composition of C. songaricum, parasitizing the roots of Nitraria sibirica growing in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The resulting fungi, which have antimicrobial and plant growth-promoting properties, were preserved in the national culture collection and can be used to further exploit their biotechnological potential, as well as for the propagation of endangered and vulnerable medicinal plants.

Study of endophytic bacteria isolated from endangered and rare medicinal plants in Mongolia

Study of endophytic bacteria isolated from endangered and rare medicinal plants in Mongolia

Medicinal plant resources in Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China and Mongolia: a comparative study

Inner Mongolia autonomous region of China and Mongolia are the primary regions where Chinese and Mongolian medicine and its medicinal plant resources are distributed. In this study, 133 families, 586 genera, and 1 497 species of medicinal plants in Inner Mongolia as well as 62 families, 261 genera, and 467 species of medicinal plants in Mongolia were collected through field investigation, specimen collection and identification, and literature research. And the species, geographic distribution, and influencing factors of the above medicinal plants were analyzed. The results revealed that there were more plant species utilized for medicinal reasons in Inner Mongolia than in Mongolia. Hotspots emerged in Hulunbuir, Chifeng, and Tongliao of Inner Mongolia, while there were several hotspots in Eastern province, Sukhbaatar province, Gobi Altai province, Bayankhongor province, Middle Gobi province, Kobdo province, South Gobi province, and Central province of Mongolia. The interplay of elevation and climate made a non-significant overall contribution to the diversity of plant types in Inner Mongolia and Mongolia. The contribution of each factor increased significantly when the vegetation types of Inner Mongolia and Mongolia were broadly divided into forest, grassland and desert. Thus, the distribution of medicinal plant resources and vegetation cover were jointly influenced by a variety of natural factors such as topography, climate and interactions between species, and these factors contributed to and constrained each other. This study provided reference for sustainable development and rational exploitation of medicinal plant resources in future.

Genetic diversity of the threatened <i>Saussurea dorogostaiskii</i> (Asteraceae) in the Khuvsgul region of Mongolia

<i>Saussurea dorogostaiskii</i> Palib. (Asteraceae) is a critically endangered medicinal plant in Mongolia and Russia. We studied the genetic variation of <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> from three mountains of northern Mongolia. The genetic profile was assessed in 70 individuals from eight populations using five inter-simple sequence repeat markers, producing 53 loci with 96.4% polymorphism across all bands. Shannon’s index (<i>I</i>) and Nei’s gene diversity (<i>H</i>) value at the species level of <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> are 0.25 and 0.17, respectively. An AMOVA showed high genetic variation among the populations (22% of populations and 32% of mountains), consistent with the high genetic differentiation (<i>G<sub>ST</sub></i> = 0.49) and low gene flow (<i>N<sub>m</sub></i> = 0.51) in <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> populations. Eight populations were clustered into two groups, corresponding to their geographic locations. The low within-population genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation among <i>S. dorogostaiskii</i> populations factor into their endangered designation. This genetic analysis reveals that all populations are equally threatened, and community-based conservation is appropriate for these species.

Assessment of risks of essential and toxic elements exposure contained in foodstuff for workers of mining and processing industry

Introduction. Based on the average consumption of foodstuff, as well as data of the chemical composition of foodstuff, there are calculated the hazard coefficients and indices, individual risk for men working at the "Erdenet" mining and processing plant in Mongolia. The study aims to assess the health risks of mining and processing workers in Mongolia when exposed to essential Cu, Mo, Se and toxic elements As, Cd, Pb, Hg. Materials and methods. The content of essential and toxic elements in food rations was calculated from the data of multi-element analysis of samples of local foodstuff, conducted by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. 30 samples of foodstuff were examined for the content of elements: essential Cu, Mo, Se and toxic As, Cd, Pb, Hg. The calculation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk was carried out in accordance with the guidelines P 2.1.10.1920-04. Results. An imbalance of the average daily intake of essential elements with the diet in the body of workers has been established: selenium consumption is 80.23% lower than the recommended norms of physiological needs; while the consumption of molybdenum is exceeded by 40.97%. The main sources of molybdenum are bread and bakery products (73.9%) produced from local raw materials. Limitations. Our study has a number of significant uncertainties related to the identification of the danger of individual toxicants, incomplete ideas about the levels of consumption of vegetables and fruits and their content of essential food substances and contaminants that were not included in the study of chemical composition. Conclusions. The calculated index of the non-carcinogenic hazard of toxic elements for the health of employees was 0.52, where 0.3 is by arsenic. The main contribution to the total HQ is the intake of essential and toxic elements from food (96.86%), while only 3.14% comes from drinking water.

Diseases-attributable disability-adjusted life years in copper and molybdenum ore workers in Mongolia: 1999–2019

ABSTRACT Most illnesses and deaths in industry workers are associated with occupational diseases (ODs). In recent years, mining has grown rapidly into a major driver of the Mongolian economy. In this study, the organization-based registry data on OD incidence and mortality from the archival data of the ‘Erdenet’ Copper and Molybdenum Concentrator Plant in Mongolia were used. We estimated the ODs burden in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) loss between 1999 and 2019. A total of 72,802 DALYs were lost over 20 years, of which 97.5% were due to years lived with disability and 2.5% for years of life lost. The disease burden was high in men, accounting for 76.8% of total DALY. In terms of age groups, among people aged 46–55, DALY accounted for the largest percentage of losses. We found that workplace dust, noise, ergonomics, and vibration were the main factors attributed to the DALYs during the past two decades.

Distribution of Vascular Plants in Mongolia - I Part

In the present article, we provided grid distribution maps of vascular plants in Mongolia based on a 40 x 40 km2 grid cell size. We selected 40 native vascular plant species, belonging to 31 genera and 17 families. With the exception of a few species, the majority of species are distributed in Asian countries, including the Asian parts of Russia. Moreover, given species are collected as herbarium specimens and photographed in their natural habitats during our field surveys. The global and regional distribution, natural habitat, and conservation status of each species are provided in detail.

Distribution of vascular plants in Mongolia – II part

In the second part, we selected 50 native vascular plant taxa from 44 genera and 24 families. The selected 49 species and one subspecies are belonging to the genera Acanthophyllum C.A.Mey., Aegopodium L., Anabasis L., Anemone L., Antennaria Gaern., Aquilegia L., Armeria (DC.) Willd., Astragalus L., Atriplex L., Camphorosma L., Caragana Lam., Cardamine L., Chamaerhodos Bunge, Chesniella Boriss., Cicerbita Wallr., Crucihimalaya Al-Shehbaz, O'Kane & R.A.Price, Delphinium Tourn., Galium L., Gentiana Tourn., Geum L., Glaucium Mill., Gypsophila L., Halocnemum M.Bieb., Hyssopus L., Incarvillea Juss., Iris Tourn., Lagochilus Bunge, Leiospora (C.A.Mey) F.Dvorak, Leonurus L., Limonium Mill., Lysimachia Tourn., Micranthes Haw., Pedicularis L., Phlomoides Moench, Phlox L., Rhododendron L., Rosa L., Sajanella Sojak, Saposhnikovia Schischk., Saussurea Salisb., Scirpus Tourn., Stellaria L., Stenosolenium Turcz., Tofieldia Huds., and Typha L. The most of species are found in Asian countries. The endemism, global and regional distribution, natural habitat, and conservation status of each species are provided.

New data on distribution of Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) in Mongolia

At the end of the 20th century the flora of Mongolia was considered very well examined. At that time V. I. Grubov (1982) had summarized its study. However, later it became clear that the flora can be thoroughly supplemented (Gubanov, 1996). In the 21st century, it became apparent that many areas of Mongolia require new, more thorough research, not only for clarifying their species diversity, but also for more specifically defining the boundaries of botanic-geographical districts. The first major attempts to combine all floristic publications were the “Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia” (2014) and the first volumes of “Flora of Mongolia” (2015) prepared by the Mongolian botanists. But even these works show that Mongolia remains an endless region for the search and study of botanical novelties. One of the results of such critical search and studies of herbarium collections and field studies in 2019 is presented in this publication, which expands our knowledge on the distribution of 14 cruciferous species (Alyssum desertorum, Cardamine hirsuta, C. macrophylla, C. dentata, Chorispora tenella, Erysimum sisymbrioides, Meniocus linifolius, Neslia paniculata, Sinapis arvensis, Sisymbrium volgense, S. brassiciforme, S. loeselii, Thellungiella mollissima, Turritis borealis) and taxonomic position of Alyssum desertorum and Thellungiella mollissima.

Folk nomenclature of plants in Cistanche deserticola-associated community in South Gobi, Mongolia

Cistanche deserticola is an important medicinal plant in Mongolia. Despite its significant role in local healing systems, little traditional knowledge had been reported. The present study investigated folk names of C. deserticola and other species of the same community in Umnugobi Province, South Gobi region of Mongolia, based on ethnobotanical approaches. The high correspondence between folk names and scientific names of plant species occurring in Cistanche-associated community shows the scientific meaning of folk nomenclature and classification in Mongolia. The Mongolian and folk names of plants were formed on the basis of observations and understanding of wild plants including their morphology, phenology and traditional uses as well. Results from this study will support the conservation of C. deserticola itself, a rare and endangered plant species listed in the Monglian Red Data Book. Our documentation of folk nomenclature based on 96 plant species in the Cistanche community, as a part of traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity, will be very helpful for making strategy of plant biodiversity conservation in Mongolia.

First identification of Parnassius apollo and P. nomion (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) larval host plants in Mongolia

We initiated a project to study the ecology of P. apollo and the more common congener P. nomion, which is sympatric in Mongolia. One of our primary goals was to gather data on P. apollo and P. nomion butterfly habitat associations, including especially larval host plant species. We conducted our work in the boreal taiga forests of the Khentey Mountain Range in the southern Siberian ecological region of Mongolia. We systematically searched for suitable habitat for larvae and once we located caterpillars, we identified the host plants and gathered data on habitat associations. We found both P. apollo and P. nomion caterpillars on host plants at several sites and evidence of eclosed pupae at a couple of sites, enabling us to identify the host plants, a crucial piece of information needed to develop conservation programming and habitat modeling. The host plant species were the stonecrops Sedum aizoon, Sedum telephium (syn. Sedum purpureum), and Rhodiola rosea (syn. Sedum rosea). We further describe the habitat associations in which we found the caterpillars. For these butterfly species, the exact host plants in Mongolia remained unknown until we conducted this work.

Isolation and evaluation of trypanocidal activity of sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, and lignans in Artemisia sieversiana collected in Mongolia.

Artemisia sieversiana is an annual herbaceous plant distributed throughout Central and East Eurasia and is regarded as an undesirable forage plant in Mongolia. It affects livestock, so information about its chemical composition is needed. We isolated three new sesquiterpenoids (1-3) and known compounds from A. sieversiana and investigated their activities. The absolute configuration of 1 was established using single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography, and its configuration differed from those of reported compounds with similar structures. Two additional new sesquiterpenoids (2 and 3) with similar structures were identified, and their configurations were determined. The trypanocidal activities of the isolated compounds (1-18) against Trypanosoma congolense and the pathogen responsible for fatal trypanosomosis in animals were estimated. Flavonoids and lignans were identified as active compounds with IC50 values ranging from 2.9 to 90.2µM.

Characterization of the Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Sophora flavescens.

Endophytic fungi in symbiotic association with their host plant are well known to improve plant growth and reduce the adverse effects of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Therefore, fungal endophytes are beginning to receive increased attention in an effort to find growth-promoting strains that could be applied to enhance crop yield and quality. In our study, the plant growth-promoting activities of endophytic fungi isolated from various parts of Sophora flavescens (a medicinally important plant in Mongolia and China) have been revealed and investigated. Fungal isolates were identified using molecular taxonomical methods, while their plant growth-promoting abilities were evaluated in plate assays. Altogether, 15 strains were isolated, representing the genera Alternaria, Didymella, Fusarium and Xylogone. Five of the isolates possessed phosphate solubilization activities and twelve secreted siderophores, while all of them were able to produce indoleacetic acid (IAA) in the presence or absence of tryptophan. The endogenous and exogenous accumulation of IAA were also monitored in liquid cultures using the HPLC-MS/MS technique to refine the plate assay results. Furthermore, for the highest IAA producer fungi, the effects of their extracts were also examined in plant bioassays. In these tests, the primary root lengths of the model Arabidopsis thaliana were increased in several cases, while the biomasses were significantly lower than the control IAA treatment. Significant alterations have also been detected in the photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll-a, -b and carotenoids) content due to the fungal extract treatments, but these changes did not show any specific trends.

Hyaluronidase inhibitory saponins and a trypanocidal isoflavonoid from the aerial parts of Oxytropis lanata

A chemical examination of an extract from the aerial part of Oxytropis lanata led to the isolation and identification of 36 compounds, including saponins, isoflavonoids, oxazoles, and glycosides. The three among them were previously unreported oleanane-type saponins. In trypanocidal screening, 5,7,4′-trihydroxyisoflavone showed inhibitory activity against Trypanosoma congolense (IC50 = 10.5 μM), the causative agent of African trypanosomosis in animals; this activity was similar to that of active compounds from the roots of this plant. O. lanata is known to be a traditional medicinal plant in Mongolia for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The anti-hyaluronidase effect of saponins 3, 5, 8, and 9, (IC50 = 0.15–0.22 mM) was stronger than that of sodium cromoglicate, which was used as a reference drug (IC50 = 0.37 mM). The chemical structures of the new saponins were determined based on HRFABMS, 1H and 13C NMR, 1H–1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY spectroscopic data along with chemical procedures.

Additions to the vascular flora of Mongolia - IV

The article presents updates on the new species recorded in the “Conspectus of the Vascular Plants of Mongolia” (Urgamal et al. 2014), and three articles published “Additions to the Vascular Flora of Mongolia – I, II, III (2013, 2014, 2016)” listed as new for the Mongolian floristic novelties and reported as well. The aim of this article is to officially report new records for vascular plants from Mongolia, and this includes the data in total, 28 species (with 2 infraspecies) from 19 genera and 12 families. In addition, Cerastium alpinum, Dianthus repens, Draba alpina, Eritrichium tianschanicum, Gastrolychnis violascens, Iris oxypetala, Papaver chakassicum, Papaver lapponicum, Potentilla turczaninowiana, Stellaria depressa (10 species) were newly recorded in the list of vascular flora of Mongolia. The newly added species come under the following families and genera: Caryophyllaceae (5 species), Ranunculaceae (4 species), and Rosaceae (4 species) families and Potentilla (4 species), Geranium (3 species), and Iris (3 species) genera. The most recent additions to the following phyto-geographical regions of Mongolia are: Mongolian Altai (9 species), Khovd (7 species), and Khangai (6 species) regions. At present, 3191 taxa (including 134 subspecies and 34 varieties) of vascular plants, representing over 684 genera from 108 families, 39 orders, 12 classes, includes 5 divisions, and 3 superclades (Ferns, Gymnospermae and Angiospermae) are registered in Mongolia. Since the last conspectus (Urgamal et al. 2014) was published, 1genera, 64 species and subspecies have been newly added to the flora of Mongolia. The newly recorded 5 species are “endemic“and 9 species are “sub-endemic” to Mongolia. Therefore, currently a total of 125 species (3.91%) are “endemic”, and 532 species (16.65%) are “sub-endemic” to the vascular flora of Mongolia, respectively.

Infl uence of Underground Storage on Seed Weight of Perennial Plants in Mongolia

There are a number of studies on relevance of photosynthetic contribution for seed weight. Here we demonstrate a contribution of plant underground storage on seed weight. We collected 348 seed samples of 230 species, in the forest-steppe, steppe, desert-steppe and desert zones in Mongolia, between 1981 and 2007. All species were categorized by growth form, flowering phenology and underground storage. Plant height was not different among categories of flowering phenology and underground storage. Seed weight was higher in large storage perennials than in small storage species. Correlation between seed weight and plant height was significantly positive in small storage perennials but it was insignificant in large storage perennials. For small storage perennials, correlation between seed weight and plant height was found in early and continuous flowering perennials while was absent in late flowering perennials. For large storage perennials, seed weight and plant height positively correlated in early flowering perennials, but those were not correlated and negatively correlated in continuous and late flowering perennials, respectively. The results suggest that early and continuous flowering perennials might use photosynthetic production for seed development, more intensive than late flowering perennials. Also, late flowering perennials more strongly use underground storage for seed development.

ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF ALKALOIDS PRODUCED BY ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI

In this study, 55 endophytic fungal strains isolated from alkaloid containing plants in Mongolia were screened for their production of alkaloids. TLC analysis of ethanolic crude extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids in 5 endophytic fungal strains. The alkaloid producing strains were identified based on their morphological characteristics and/or the D1/D2 domain sequences of 28S rRNA gene. The results showed that they all belong to the genus of Fusarium. Further, total alkaloid compounds of the 5 fungal strains were isolated and examined for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. As results, alkaloid compounds of SFG-S1 and 16T6-F3 strains were active against yeast and fungi, and alkaloid compounds of SFG-R3, 16Т6-F3, 14R-1 strains exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells.

Differentiation of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. populations in the Bulgan River Basin, Western Mongolia

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. (Chinese licorice) is an important medicinal plant in Mongolia. Despite its traditional role in local healing systems, little is known about the existing intra-specific diversity of this species. The aim of the present study therefore was to analyze morphological and genetic diversities of G. uralensis in the Bulgan River Basin in Western Mongolia and to test different treatments aimed at breaking seed dormancy in order to facilitate effective cultivation of this species. Morphological measurements were taken and leaf and seed samples were collected in eight populations of the Bulgan River Basin. Subsequently, DNA was extracted from leaves and analyzed employing amplified fragment length polymorphisms. A total of 11 treatments were used to test and enhance seed germination. Morphological characteristics differed among populations. Treatments used in the study affected total emergence and mean days to germination of the seeds differently, but populations did not differ in their response whereas differentiation within populations was high. Mechanical and acid scarifications were more effective compared to other treatments. The level of genetic diversity in the studied populations was lower than the average value of the short-lived perennial herbs, but close to that of the self-breeding species. Most of the genetic variation was within populations. Chinese licorice is suitable for cultivation in the Bulgan River Basin and effective scarification can increase germination of seeds across the populations collected in our study area.

Introduction to Beekeeping and Melliferous Plants in Mongolia

Introduction to Beekeeping and Melliferous Plants in Mongolia